Christmas at the Uchiha's

Summary: Well, just what the title says. And who says "Christmas" thinks "mistletoe". Quite a silly one-shot at some points.

Remember that English is not my mother tongue and as such there can be mistakes. If you find one that bothers you or the understanding of the text, feel free to correct me.


"Stop smiling like an idiot."

"I can't help it 'Tachi-chan! It's Christmas, you're supposed to be happy!"

"I told you not to call me that Shisui."

"Come on, you're no fun. Is it because you're nervous?"

"… why would I be nervous?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe because your dear mother succeeded in inviting Sakura-chan."

Itachi sighed deeply and restrained his urge to punch his cousin's smirking face. That would not do in front of his parents, even though the fool deserved it. But really, he still couldn't understand how his mother had convinced Sakura to come to their house for Christmas. He was sure she would have wanted to spend it with her friends or her own family, but somehow, she had agreed to come there. And Itachi had a bad feeling about all this. Something was going to happen, he knew it just by watching his mother and cousin. They had obviously plotted something.

The door bell rang and Mikoto quickly went to greet the guest. From her overjoyed exclamation, Itachi could tell it was Sakura. No, he wasn't nervous. Why would he, indeed? No, it wasn't because of the big grin that lightened up her face as she came into the room, or the fact that she looked absolutely beautiful. Of course it was not, since he wasn't nervous.

"My my, you all look stunning guys!" The pink-haired kunoichi said, as she looked at Itachi, Shisui and Sasuke. "I'm jealous of your Uchiha good looks. Must be genetic I guess."

"Aw, but you're exquisite as well Sakura-chan!" Shisui exclaimed with a grin.

Both Itachi and Sasuke gave him a warning look, and their cousin pouted. "What, can't I say the truth? Just because you're both too shy to say it doesn't mean I'm not allowed to!"

"Whatever," Sasuke said moodily. "You're late Sakura."

She gave him an annoyed look. She was about to retort when Mikoto came in with a cheerful smile.

"Since everyone is here, let's begin the celebration!" She said happily. "Sasuke-chan, go fetch your father, I think he is still in his study."

The youngest son got up wordlessly and left to fulfill his mother's wishes.


Some time later, they were all sitting in the dining room. The scene was familiar, as Sakura had eaten with them countless times already, thanks to Shisui and Mikoto. It didn't escape Itachi's notice that they had placed him besides Sakura on purpose, and he rolled his eyes inwardly. Really, how could the pink-haired woman not realize what they were trying to do? It was so obvious. But no, she remained blissfully oblivious, and maybe it was better this way.

"I'm so happy you could come Sakura-chan!" Mikoto was beaming. "I hope I didn't make you cancel any plans for the night!"

"Oh it's alright Mikoto-san," the kunoichi assured. "I usually spend that night with my friends, but it's a nice change to be here."

"Good good. Shisui-chan, give me the sake please."

"Here you go."

"Will you have a drop Sakura-chan?"

"I would love to."

If his mother was trying to get Sakura drunk, Itachi knew she wouldn't succeed. He had learned – because of one of Shisui's ridiculous plans – that the kunoichi could handle alcohol very well. At that time, it was Shisui who had ended up drunk, and Sakura had taken advantage of that to have him tell her some embarrassing things about himself, that she used afterwards to tease him. From this experience, Itachi had prudently remembered to never engage in a drinking contest with the kunoichi.

"You really surpassed yourself Mikoto-san! This meal is delicious!"

"Why, thank you! I just regretted not having you there to help me! Your cooking is absolutely wonderful Sakura-chan."

"You're going to make me blush! Really, it's not that great."

"Oh yes it is! You will be a wonderful wife my dear."

So those silly compliments had a secret aim after all. Itachi had a feeling he knew what his mother was doing.

"It's a bit too soon to talk about this." Sakura said, blushing a bit.

"Don't tell me you still haven't found yourself a boyfriend!" Mikoto said disapprovingly. "A lovely woman like you!"

"Well…"

"Sakura-chan is too busy," Shisui interrupted teasingly. "She doesn't have time for such trivialities. Right?"

Sakura pouted. "Don't go assuming things Shisui!" She protested.

"So you have a crush on someone then?" Mikoto questioned eagerly.

Sasuke buried his face in his hand, muttering something about mothers and their insensitive questions. Itachi felt a hint of pity for the poor blushing kunoichi, who didn't know what to answer.

"You're already twenty," Mikoto went on. "If you wait too long, you may miss your chance. So, who is the lucky young man?"

"Err, I…"

"Is he good looking?"

She blushed deeper, then nodded quickly. Itachi raised an eyebrow at this. So she had a crush after all. No, he wasn't feeling jealous at all. Why would he? He glared at Shisui, who was watching him with a smirk. Sasuke seemed suddenly interested in the conversation, and even Fugaku was listening, though he didn't show it.

"Is he a co-worker?" Mikoto went on, apparently enjoying her torture game.

"… in a sense, you could say so." Sakura answered shyly.

"Does he return your affection?"

The kunoichi widened a bit and looked away. "Err, I… don't know."

Mikoto looked absolutely scandalized. "You don't know?" She repeated. "Then what are you waiting for? Go and ask him! You won't get anywhere this way!"

"Could we… talk about something else?" Sakura pleaded shyly.

The older woman was obviously disappointed, but she understood Sakura's uneasiness. They changed the subject, and the merry atmosphere returned quickly.


"This isn't good." Shisui said gravely. "We must do something."

Sakura had excused herself to go to the restroom, and the Uchihas were left alone in the dining room.

"You're right," Mikoto nodded. "Who is that stupid co-worker who dares interfere?"

Itachi sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. They were ridiculous. Even though he was irritated too.

"Will you stop fussing over this?" Fugaku said calmly. "She said in a sense. She is a ninja. A co-worker can be any other ninja, not just a medic. And besides, do you think she would confess, in front of all of us, that she is in love with your son? She would be far too embarrassed."

Mikoto immediately brightened. "Of course you're right! How stupid of me! Our Itachi-chan still has a chance!"

"I'm here you know," said son said with annoyance. "Don't go making plans for me as though I wasn't in front of you."

"Idiot," Shisui snorted. "We are trying to help you. You should be grateful."

"I never said I was interested in her."

His cousin rolled his eyes. "Yeah right. Denial is bliss, really. You can't fool your own family. Don't forget that we are Uchihas."

Itachi didn't reply, his lips forming a thin line.

"Unless you want someone else to take her away from you," Shisui added sneakily. "But then, don't come crying to us."

"You guys creep me out," Sasuke said with a grim face. "Always plotting to pair up my brother and my teammate without their own consent."

Shisui was about to say something, but he closed his mouth quickly. Sakura was opening the door. This conversation would have to be postponed.


"That was a pleasant evening Mikoto-san. Thank you for having invited me." Sakura said, bowing, as she prepared to leave.

"You're welcome my dear," the older woman said with a smile. "Itachi, walk Sakura to her house will you?"

"Oh, it's alright, I can go on my own!" Sakura assured.

"Then at least let him accompany you outside." Mikoto insisted, tugging at her son's sleeve.

They had no choice but to comply, and the two of them found themselves in the entry, putting on their shoes to get out. Then, as Itachi was about to open the door, Sakura tapped on his shoulder and pointed at something above their heads. He looked up, and widened slightly.

A branch of mistletoe was happily hanging there.


"I can't see! Sasuke, bent down a bit more!"

"I'm going to fall! Can't you just climb on something Shisui?"

"Shh, they're going to hear us if you make too much noise!" Mikoto scolded.

The three of them were currently spying on Itachi and Sakura, as they prepared to leave the house. They had slightly opened the sliding door, enough to see without being seen. At the other end of the room, Fugaku sighed and shook his head.

"You look like a bunch of silly kids," he commented.

"But we really want to see!" Mikoto pouted. "It's important, this is about your son's future!"

Her husband twitched in annoyance. "I don't see how this will decide Itachi's future. This is just another one of your stupid ideas."

"Well, then next time I will let you plan it all, since you're so much more intelligent!"

"Mother, pay attention! They just noticed the mistletoe!"

"What? Let me see! Ah, they're not moving."

"Itachi seems completely frozen," Shisui commented. "That idiot, it's his chance to make a move!"

"Sakura-chan is blushing!" Mikoto said, almost triumphantly. "That's a good sign!"

"But, are they really going to do it?" Sasuke said skeptically. "I mean, Sakura's shy and Itachi… well, it's Itachi."

The other two didn't answer.


Itachi's mind was blank. Mistletoe. This was mistletoe right? Why was it here? No, since when was it here? Who had put it here? No, he knew who had done it. It was either his mother or Shisui. Most likely, this was his mother's idea. Which was why she had insisted that he walk Sakura outside.

Sakura. She was currently looking at the ground, and her face had never been redder. What was she thinking?

"So, erm, what do we do?" She said shyly.

He didn't answer immediately. Yes, indeed, what should they do?

"It's mistletoe," she went on, still not looking at him. "So we're supposed to… err…"

Yes, he knew what they were supposed to do. But he couldn't move, and he couldn't think properly either. This was the first time his brain was letting him down. He, who could defeat the strongest opponents, was powerless before a ridiculous branch of mistletoe.

"Itachi?" She called hesitantly before his lack of reaction.

He blinked slowly. She was really adorable with that blush, biting nervously on her lower lip. Lip. She had beautiful, sweet-looking lips. What did they taste like? They were so inviting, like they were asking him to…

Before he knew it, his hands were cupping her face and he was bending down towards her.


"Yeeesss!" Shisui said, as quietly as possible. "Victory!"

Mikoto and Sasuke were both blushing, the first harboring a grin and the second an embarrassed expression.

"Oh god, I can't believe I'm watching my brother and teammate making out," the boy said, shaking his head with disbelief.

"I can't believe your plan worked," Fugaku commented, peeking at the hall from above his son's head, suddenly interested in what was going on.

"I told you!" Mikoto said triumphantly. "Never doubt a woman's intuition!"

In the hall, Itachi and Sakura parted and stared at each other silently.

"What are they going to do now?" Shisui grinned. "Not like they can deny anything anymore."

Then they all blinked in surprise. They stayed silent a few moments, then…

"Ah, she ran away," Sasuke commented.


Well, there is the surprise I promised you. Of course, after that, romance is to be expected. And the end of this collection of one-shots is also growing near.

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