Chapter 6.5: First Snow in Konoha

"...I don't think this looks right."

"Well luckily for us, nobody asked you."

"Ass." Kiba mumbled back to Shikamaru, breathing out into the cold winter air. Today, the temperature in the village and surrounding land had rapidly dropped for the first time all year, and the residents were scurrying to deal with the on coming cold front. Though the academy was closed for a short break, Shikamaru, Kiba and Naruto found themselves present helping setup the festive decorations as a punishment for all over sleeping for class.

Stepping back, Naruto nodded confidently at his handy work and placed the paint brush he was holding down into the bucket of paint next to him. "I don't know, I think I did pretty awesome job."

"Yeah, I was just a little jealous if I'm being honest. I mean man, who knew you would be a great artist too. It's almost like you were made for this or something." Kiba replied, looking over the christmas artwork he had created on the academy's gates. "Kinda' looks like a graffiti artist made it rather than a school portrait, though."

"Good enough for me," Shikamaru said, blowing into his hands and shoving them into his pockets. "Let's tell Iruka-sensei and head home."

"Actually, Iruka-sensei headed home already. I saw him when I went back to get more paint. He said we could just leave when we were done." Naruto said, oblivious to Shikamaru's irritated stare.

"You went back to get paint an hour ago." The boy drawled out. "You're telling me we could've been went home?"

"What? I was actually having a good time with you guys...and look, it turned out great! All that effort was worth it!" Naruto said, once again grinning at his work. Smacking his lips, Shikamaru looked between both Kiba and Naruto before walking off.

"I hope I never have to see either of you ever again." He said, continuing down the street.

"Happy holidays!" Kiba yelled out, waving after him with a grin. He and Naruto shared at laugh before a cold gust of wind caused both of them to shiver. "I guess we should get out of here too."

"Kiba!" A voice called out from behind both of them. Turning, they were greated to the sight of a woman who looked to be in her late teens, hands on her hip and a familiar scowl on her face. The two red marks under her face informed Naruto that she was from the Inuzuka clan just like his friend next to him. "I thought I'd find you out here. You actually did get in trouble at the academy again, didn't you?"

"H-Hana? What are you doing here?" Kiba asked as the girl walked up to him and grabbed him by the ear.

"Mom's not gonna' be happy about this when she hears, you know? Three more detentions and you're gonna' be held back for a year! You still have four months of academy left, you know!"

"Ow, ow, ow! Okay, I get it, just let go!" Kiba said as the girl released his ear. Her sharp gaze turned to Naruto, who straightened up under it.

"W-we're done! Kiba's free to go, take him!" Naruto said, not wanting to endure her wrath. She squinted her eyes at the boy curiously, who shrunk embarrassingly under her watching gaze.

"Who are you, kid? You're not apart of his usual suspects." Hana said sternly.

"Uzumaki Naruto." Naruto replied. "I'm...well, kinda' new here."

"Uzumaki, huh." Hana said, tapping her chin in thought. "Like Mito-sama? Are you really from that clan? You don't have red hair, after all."

"Naruto doesn't have a clan, dimwit. Even I know that." Kiba said smugly. Hana smacked him on the back of the head, getting a whimper in response.

"The Uzumaki's are a legitimate clan, or at least they were." Hana said, looking at Naruto with seemingly renewed curiosity. "They supposedly died out a long time ago though. Mito Uzumaki, wife of the First Hokage, was one of the last survivors."

"It's a name used amongst orphans. I don't really have much attachment to it." Naruto said robotically, shrugging his shoulders. Hana's eyes squinted further, but she decided against pressing the issue with a sigh. It was rather cold after all.

"Well, not that it matters much. Come on, Kiba! Mom will be mad if you catch a cold out here, you can't afford to miss anymore days!" Hana yelled, turning her attention back to her brother.

"Yeah, yeah, stop nagging would you?" Kiba asked. Turning to the blonde haired boy, he gave a two fingered salute. "Sorry Naruto, I gotta' bail."

"Perfectly understandable." Naruto said, bowing to both him and Hana. 'Having an older sibling must be harder than I thought.' He mused to himself. Watching as Hana slammed Kiba's hood over his head and zipped up his jacket, berating him for not minding the cold, she turned her attention to Naruto who once again stiffened up.

"You need to bundle up, too. It's not for long, but Konoha can get pretty cold for awhile, you know! And you're wearing shorts, what would your parents think?"

"Sis," Kiba spoke out from the side. "Shut it."

"I'll take care to listen to your advice, thanks." Naruto said, offering a warm smile. Nodding, Hana returned it with one of her own before focusing back on Kiba and shoving him away.

"Let's go, pain in the ass."

Watching the two leave, Naruto blew out a deep breath and watched the puff of smoke form infront of him. Similarly, it also got as cold back in the land that he lived in, seeing as it wasn't that far from Konoha. Still, this time it had snuck up on him, and realized that he didn't have any attire to account for the weather.

"Naruto?"

Turning again, Naruto this time was greeted with the sight of his classmate Ino, bundled up in a fashionable white coat and matching scarf that covered the lower half of her face. "What are you doing out here? And why are you dressed like that? Did you not hear about the weather report today?"

"Nope!" he replied with a grin. Shaking her head, Ino came to stand infront of him. His nose was rose pink and running slightly, as were his cheeks. clocking her teeth, Ino reached up and unwrapped the scarf from around her face.

"You didn't get any winter clothes, did you? You're not gonna survive out here without it, you know?" She said. "Well, that might be an exaggeration, but still."

Taking the scarf, she wrapped it around the boys lower face and neck in a similar fashion to how she wore it, all the while Naruto waited patiently with a faint blush, though it was hidden by his already flushed face. The garment smelled exactly like her, a thought he was trying to avoid actively.

"There, that should help a little at least." Ino said stepping back and smiling. "You really should invest in a coat, though. Konoha winter's can be brutal."

"Noted." Naruto said, sporting a large smile that was hidden by the scarf. "Why are you out here, though?"

"I'm delivering an order for our shop, no one else was available." Ino said, sighing exasperatedly. "Hardly the job for a maiden like me."

"Aren't you aiming to be a shinobi?" Naruto asked, receiving a hard punch in the side from the girl.

"That's why you're not more popular with the girls, idiot. It's the thought that counts!" Ino said defiantly. Huffing to herself, she turned to continue down the road until Naruto stopped her.

"Hey, what about your scarf! I can't take this!" Naruto said, watching as the girl waved him off.

"Consider it a gift! Happy holidays!" Ino said, not looking back. Frowning, Naruto reached up and gripped the scarf in his hands.

"...well, now I feel indebted." He said to himself. Still, he couldn't happen but smile to himself. It was his first christmas gift from someone else, after all. "Guess it's time to head home."

After a short trek, Naruto found himself at his newly acquired apartment. Walking up the stairs to his unit, this time he was greeted by the sight of someone waiting for him. "...Hinata-chan?"

Looking up in shock, the girl lifted herself off of his apartment door that she was leaning on with an embarrassed looked on her face. It progressively turned redder as Naruto walked towards her.

"What brings you? I didn't even know anyone knew I lived here, it's only been about a month." Naruto asked, smiling brightly though it was unseeable. He was always happy to see her, seeing she had been a great help since had first arrived in the village after all.

"W-well, I...t-that doesn't matter!" Hinata said, blushing harder. "Where did you get that?"

"This?" Naruto asked, pointing at the scarf wrapped around his neck. "It was a gift, I guess. From Ino-chan."

"Ino-chan?" Hinata asked in slight disbelief. "You two have certainly gotten close, haven't you?"

"Not really?" Naruto asked, squinting his eyes. "I think she was just being nice, honestly."

"Nice, huh..." Hinata mumbled, hiding something behind her back. "So you like nice girls, is that right?"

"You say something?" Naruto asked, not being able to hear her from how low she was talking. Stomping her feet and getting a shocked look from Naruto, Hinata walked past the boy before stopping abruptly. Turning, she walked forward and shoved something into his chest, blushing even brighter than she had been previously.

"Take it! I-I guess you won't have much use for it, but..." Hinata said embarrassedly, once again stopping near the stairs. Turning his head quizzically, Naruto looked down at what was in hands and unfolded a blue scarf, one that in the middle of it had the Uzumakai clan's famous spiral on it.

"Y-you got this for me?" Naruto stammered out, once again embarrassed himself. Still frozen in place, Hinata nodded without turning around to face him. Looking it over once more, a small smile formed on his lips.

To Hinata's surprise, from behind Naruto came up to hug her. "Thanks! This is great, you're amazing Hinata-chan!"

"I-I-I-I," Hinata stammered out before turning and shoving the boy away harshly. "I-I'm glad you enjoyed it!"

Turning, she ran away from the compound as fast as she could, quickly disappearing from the boys view. Scratching his head in confusion, Naruto shrugged before returning to admire the gift. "I have to get her something in return...I wonder what would a heiress even like?"

It was then he took in another breath, and again his senses were overloaded with the scent of Ino. A drop of wetness nestled on his nose, and looking up, he could see that it was beginning to snow. The first snowfall since he had been present at Konoha. Sighing, he turned to open the front door to his apartment.

"I guess I'll have to think about that on two fronts, won't I?"

happy holidays to all that celebrate! idk if I'll do many of these mini chapters but when it feels appropriate or i have an idea, I'll slide them in. hope you enjoy.

i've been reading a lot of manga lately and for those of you who want to get into it, out of the list i've made (35 so far), Ookami Kodomo No Ame To Yuki, Oyasumi, Punpun (Personally wouldn't read this if you're really not 16 cause a lot of the themes i feel you won't be able to really relate to, but reader beware!), and Tonari no Furi-san ga Tonikaku Kowai (this one's really light and heartwarming, definitely recommend) are my highest rated. A lot more to tackle, but that's just me personal sauce

also, i'm broke! too many kids i have to care for these days that aren't mine! i've still got bills! but atlas, im happy to spread joy lol.

probably (input: certainly) won't hear from me again until the new year, but even so, I hope you guys have an amazing year coming forth. be safe and party responsibly! Minors shouldn't be here (M rating and all, it'll make sense later) but hey, listen to your parents if they're worth a damn and don't do anything stupid!

there's enough stupidity in the world.

i think that's it...yeah...godspeed, my friends.