Hello! Here's a new chapter :D. The plot has been started and it is going to kick in next chapter so wait for it! There's going to be action! SasuNaru fluff is nice but I think a good story needs a plot. Anyway, read and enjoy.

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto

Chapter 3: New Year's Eve

Naruto was eating his daily bowl of ramen at Ichiraku's when the first snowflakes of winter started to fall. They were weak and gentle. "Seems like we're going to have a snowy end of year" The blond looked up to the old guy "Yeah I guess" The owner of the shop crossed his arms on top of his chest "any plans for tonight kid? Is Iruka staying with you?" "He can't make it this year, his got other issues to take care of and I am not a kind anymore, I can be by myself" Naruto didn't feel lonely very often, he had lots of friends and he was always keeping himself occupied so that the only time he was alone was at night when he had to go to sleep. Although he had to recognize that on holidays he felt sad. Not because he felt lonely but because he couldn't share that time with anyone. He would have to say goodbye to this year all by himself and that sucked big time. "Because it is New Year's Eve I'll be open until midnight. If you want to come, feel free to do so" "Sure" Naruto paid for the food and left the place, hands in his pockets and with that expression on his face that one could tell there was something bothering him.

The snowflakes were getting heavier and Naruto was starting to feel the cold settling underneath the skin so he decided to go back to his apartment and grab Sakura's Christmas present. She had given him a handmade scarf stating that he would need it during winter even though he never seemed to feel the cold. It was orange with red strips. It was cozy but it didn't feel very soft and most of the time his neck would get itchy but he decided to wear it anyway. When the boy was more or less comfortable with the clothe position around his neck someone knocked at the door of his apartment. The blond ninja slowly opened the door. "Sakura-chan? What are you doing here?" That was a surprise, he thought. "Does granny Tsunade want me? Is it a mission?" Please let it be a mission, anything to keep me occupied. Sakura let out a sight "Just because It is me that usually contacts you about getting missions doesn't mean that every time I come to see you I am giving you one" "Is it a date then?" He said it as a joke because he knew she would never go on a date with him, but at least she would get annoyed and Naruto loved to tease her, in a good way of course, if he ever got careless he would end up in the hospital. "What are you doing tonight? I mean for new year's eve?" Wait, that sounded like a plan to go on a date! "Nothing special really, Iruka can't stay with me this year but I guess I'll plan something out" Naruto couldn't fool Sakura with those pitiful words Liar, you will be all by yourself and we both know it. "Well… me and the others are planning to go on a party after twelve, would you like to come?" "I'll love to come!" The blond realized he had sounded too excited "I mean, yeah, why not? Sounds like a good plan" "Cool, I'll see you there then" Naruto smiled "yeah" Sakura hesitated about leaving, she wanted to ask something "Naruto, could... could you ask Sasuke if he wants to come as well? I can't bring the courage to ask him myself" After all, Sakura still loved Sasuke with all her heart "He's not here. He is on a mission but if he comes back today I'll make him come to the party, I promise" Sakura lowered her gaze "Thank you, well...take care" "You too and thank you for the scarf, I didn't get the chance to say it before" Sakura smiled softly "You're welcome" And then she was gone.

In a forest close to the wind country…

The Anbu captain cleaned the blood out of his katana after eliminating the spies that stole scrolls from the peace treaty between the allied nations. Sasuke and his assigned team had been trailing them for a few weeks and they finally found the chance to dispose of them. That was the third time in a month that there had been incidents like this. It was true that after peace between the countries was declared, some ninjas gathered and united to fight the shinobi alliance. After so many years of living under a military rule, it was hard to accept the concept of peace. Some ninjas felt that peace was not a word they should embrace, they existed for the sole purpose of fighting, if they take that purpose away, what is left of them? Lately there had been more attacks on the villages and that only meant one thing. The resistant faction is growing in numbers. Soon enough the five kages would have to take action to find the source of their power and destroy it.

Sasuke got distracted when a single snow flake landed on his bare shoulder. He looked up to the grey clouds and let a small smile form on his lips under the mask. He liked the snow. It reminded him of the Christmas holidays spent when his family and his clan were still alive. It also made him upset being all by himself, going back home and spending the last day of the year in a big empty house. He was happy he got a mission during this time of the year, well he demanded to get one.

It wasn't until his katana was perfectly clean that he spoke to the Anbu under his command "You may leave, I can bring the corpses by myself" The other three Anbu looked at each other hiding a confused expression under their masks. Ten Ten which was one of the Anbu subordinates and the one that knew their captain more than the others asked "Why is that, captain? We should all go back together. We don't know if we'll meet any enemies on the way home" The Uchiha remained silent for a few seconds "I am more than capable to take on any enemy. I am the strongest ninja in the village or have you forgotten that fact?" The others didn't reply "This is an order, I command you to go home" Ten Ten made a hand gesture telling the other members to follow the captain's orders. She didn't know a lot about Sasuke but she could feel his piercing eyes looking at them with that murderous intent. He wouldn't give stupid orders and she fully trusted him, well, Naruto trusted him and she wanted to trust Sasuke as well.

After Ten Ten and the other Anbu members left the place Sasuke unfolded a scroll and let it fall on the floor. He muttered a certain technique at the same time he made quick hand seals. When he finished the muttering an ink seal appeared on his right hand palm. He moved calmly towards the bodies and placed his inked hand on top of their chests which caused the corpses to disappear. One by one they were being sealed into the scroll. The process took a couple of hours since it was a fairly complex technique. Sealing a living organism was harder than sealing inanimate objects like weapons or information. When finished, Sasuke folded the scroll and kept it in a safe place. He removed his mask, he needed to feel the cold and fresh air and the sun setting behind the tall mountains was beautiful. It turned the clouds red. Soon the village would be celebrating the end of the last day of the year, having big feasts, singing and laughing with their friends and family. If they only knew it was thanks to his brother they're able to leave their happy lives... Sasuke hated them, he hated those ignorant people that knew nothing about sacrifices and suffering. The pain of watching them was able to overwhelm him. He lost everything and no one gave a damn about it, they all turned their backs on him when he lost himslef consumed in the darkness, everyone except one person. "Do you also feel lonely, Naruto?" He was sad and he hated to feel like that, he felt vulnerable and weak. It was a side of him he didn't like to show, that's why he sent the Anbu away, he didn't need the pity of the other people, he would deal with it as he always have done, he would fix it himself. He put his mask back on and started heading towards the village.

Close to 3.00 am in the village.

"Naruto you should go home" then Kiba rose from his seat "What? We're having so much fun! We're doing another dare!" "Naruto don't listen to him" Sakura started pushing the blond away from the table "You're such a sissy!" "I am not! Bring it on!" Naruto was too proud to back away from a challenge. "Kiba-kun...I-I think Naruto-kun have had enough" "What did you say Hinata?! I can't hear you if you speak so quietly!" "Kiba I think you should let him go" Shikamaru interrupted "look at him, he can barely stand" Kiba let out a grunt and sat down reluctantly. "I am not leaving! I am fine!" "Naruto if you don't go home I'll make you sleep with my fists!" Naruto got close to the pink haired kunoichi and spoke softly "But Sakura-chan...Sasuke isn't here yet. I promised I would bring him here." Sakura hesitated for a few seconds and looked back at the loud crowd "That's not important, go outside, I'll tell one of the boys to take you home" "I am just fine Sakura-chan, no one is waiting for me to come home anyway" The girl felt bad after hearing those words. It must be hard to spend all your live alone, not knowing what it feels like to have a family. She pushed him on the back to get him moving while she headed towards the others.

Naruto felt the cold air and felt instantly better. The snow was a few inches thick by now and it kept falling gently just like if the sky decided to add sugar on top of the village. He forgot his coat and scarf inside the bar but he didn't mind, it was nice to be outside hearing the festive noises.

It had been a while and Sakura didn't show up yet. Naruto didn't feel like coming back inside, instead he wanted to wonder the snowy streets and that's exactly what he did but now that he had been walking outside for at least ten minutes he realized that he should've grabbed at least the scarf. Any moment now he would start shivering, not that he cared, he was used to the cold. When he was little he lived out of allowances, and that only covered primary needs like paying the house rent and buying food. All the other things were extras. He remembered that he had a jacket that he used every winter because a nice fluffy coat was too expensive. Later on Iruka started buying little things for him and on his eleventh birthday he bought him a bright orange coat that he wore everywhere. I wish I had that coat now. Suddenly a warm feeling invaded his body when in the distance he saw a familiar face. Out of impulse he ran towards the Anbu captain which seemed absorbed looking at something. "Sasuke! You finally came home!" The raven haired boy got rid of his mask and looked at Naruto with his usual motionless expression "You've been drinking" The blond wasn't sure if it was a question or a statement but it didn't matter "How was the mission? I can't believe they sent you away in New Year's Eve! That granny...!" "I requested it" Naurto who had his fists clenched getting frustrated at the hokage now looked uneasy "Why is that? Don't you like New Year's?" Sasuke sighted "It is not that I don't lik…" "Naruto!" Sakura appeared through the crowd throwing Naruto's coat on his face. "Didn't I tell you to wait for me?! You're such a pain!" Then she realized the identity of the man in front of them "S-sasuke-kun?" The named one didn't look at her "I am glad you were able to come in the end" Sasuke just shrugged his shoulders and Naruto sneezed loudly "I think I should've waited for you Sakura-chan..." "Now you're going to catch a cold you idiot!" Sakura put a hand on Naruto's forehead just in case he had a fever or something but he was fine for now "Well, if I get ill you'll take care of me, right? Sakura-chan" He made sure to elongate the –chan bit to make it sound more like a plea "You're annoying Naruto. You'll be in the hospital if you get sick." Sasuke which was forced to listen a conversation he didn't belong to, felt like getting away from there as soon as possible. They were now talking and laughing when did those two get so close? It wasn't very surprising after all. He was always away on missions and they both spent lots of time together due to their close relationship with the hokage. The way Naruto looked at Sakura made Sasuke feel sick. The blond's loving eyes carefully observed every single imperfection of her. If he could only… "So why did you request a mission on Christmas holidays?" Naruto wanted to know the answer "It doesn't concern you" Sakura went silent and tension grew in the atmosphere "what is wrong with you teme? I was trying to be nice here" "You know nothing" What? Why did he say that? Naruto thought he understood him more than anyone else but it seemed as if Sasuke didn't recognize him at all. He was drunk, upset and frustrated and so those emotions turned into anger "Damn, Sasuke! You're like a fucking brick wall! You never open up to anyone, anyone! You're such a selfish jerk! How am I supposed to know if you're willing to tell me nothing!" Sakura was afraid that they would start fighting any second now, which could end up pretty bad. She needed to do something. She grabbed Sasuke's arm as she apologized for Naruto's last words but she didn't have time to do it properly because the anbu captain rejected her. "Don't touch me" Then he left leaving the drunk boy and the nervous girl to the freezing cold. "Don't worry Sakura-chan, he just had a bad day" Naruto wrapped the scarf around his neck and zipped up his coat. "How can you defend him when he said those hurtful words…?" "Because he's broken inside" Naruto was very aware that Sasuke had had a pretty messed up past that changed him for the rest of his life. Being rude and distant to other people was his mechanism of defense. He didn't want to create bonds which will cause him to suffer in the future. Because he understood Sasuke's situation he felt a bit guilty of what he said to his best friend. "Good night Sakura-chan" And so the pink haired kunoichi was left alone in the middle of the winter snow.