"Ah." Sakura moaned out as waves of pleasure flowed through her body, her heart pounding inside her chest. Her eyes fluttered closed as she leaned her head on Kakashi's bare shoulder as he groaned close to his finish line. The water turned lukewarm from overuse; Sakura opened her eyes feeling Kakashi stand up right. He smiled looking down at her blushed face, it took her a moment to not feel so vulnerable and look him in the eye.
Sakura licked her lips as he followed Kakashi out of the shower, she picked up a towel wrapping it around her body as she moved out of the bathroom to find her phone. Her long hair was already feeling dry, she bit her lip wondering how long they had been in there.
After checking her messages, she tossed her phone on Kakashi's large bed and walked back into the bathroom to get dressed for the day. It was finally Christmas and she knew Naruto and the others will be over early. Kakashi moved to the kitchen and began cooking a large breakfast feeling his good mood soak in, he smiled as he started the coffee pot.
After twenty minutes he was wondering where Sakura was, he removed the last bit of bacon from the pan to the red and green platter before walking into his bedroom. He turned his head and his breath was knocked out of his body. Sakura stood in the bathroom doorway wearing a silver skirt laced with glitter which sparkled when catching the light. She had on a black shirt with a matching cardigan placed over it. A dark green scarf was wrapped around her neck as black leggings covered her long legs.
"What?" She asked putting long dangling earrings in. "Hinata and TenTen wanted to get dressed up today when we all meet at the café." She huffed at Kakashi's stare. "This is my attempt." She shrugged moving to the bathroom to finish her hair. Kakashi walked over, taking her hand in his.
"You look...you look stunning." He breathed as he engulfed her appearance, Sakura was already battle ready, never wearing things such as jewelry, skirts or makeup. It was rare to see her looking all dolled up and Kakashi loved this.
"I do not-"
"You really do." He breathed pressing his lips against hers, staining his mouth with her red lipstick. She smiled against his kiss as she leaned into it.
"I uh..." Kakashi cleared his throat, "...there is something I want to do before anyone gets here."
"Oh?" Sakura smiled as he led her to the bed,
"Wait..." Kakashi knitted his eyebrows together, "-where is your sling?" He noticed her arm wasn't inside it.
"I don't have to wear-"
"Sakura, don't-"
"No really." Sakura laughed, reaching over to her phone and pulled the message from Dr. Yu and showed Kakashi. "I don't have to wear it anymore."
"O-Oh." Kakashi breathed taking the phone from Sakura's hand and reread the message twice. "I see."
"Yeah, my shoulder is a little sore, but I am good-" Sakura's voice faded from Kakashi's mind as his chest tightened. This was it...her shoulder had recovered this was coming to an end. He looked at her as a smile played on her lips as she spoke. She would be returning to the waterfall village soon.
These past weeks had been so amazing for him. He ate dinner with her every night, went to bed and woke up beside her every day, she was always an arm length away but now that would all be changing again. She would be miles away inside a different village, Kakashi pulled his lips together as he went deeper into the thoughts swimming around his head.
There would be days where he didn't hear from her, times when he wouldn't be sure if she was alright or getting attacked by her own soldiers. Nights where he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep because he had grown so accustomed to her laying in his arms. Days would turn into weeks without seeing that beautiful face and blaring green orbs...Kakashi was second guessing himself if he could revert to that.
Kakashi held her soft hand as she talked about shopping for her outfit with Hinata, she felt so warm. He didn't want her leaving, Kakashi leaned forward stopping Sakura midsentence as he kissed her. Sakura was surprised but kissed him back joyfully as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He loved Sakura, he loved her so much it burned him inside. He didn't want to be apart from her, he realized this woman sitting beside him was the only woman he wanted to kiss for the rest of his life.
He would follow her to the ends of the earth, as he broke the kiss and looked her into her eyes he breathed, his heart melting into her gaze. Kakashi would do what should have been done five years ago, he would leave the leaf village to remain by her side.
"Kakashi?" Sakura's soothing voice broke his trance.
"What?" He asked having no idea what they were talking about.
"You said you wanted to do something before everyone came over?" Sakura smiled at his confused face.
"Right." Kakashi laughed recalling what she was talking about, "Stay here." He said getting up and walking out of the bedroom. Sakura pulled her lips together still feeling Kakashi's kiss.
Kakashi walked back into the bedroom holding a small box in his hand, he sat beside Sakura on the bed handing it to her. She looked from the glittered wrapping paper and then to him.
"Open it." Kakashi motioned, her lips pulled into a smile as she ripped the paper off and opened the black box. She caught the breath in her lungs seeing a bracelet resting inside. She lifted the thin silver chain and ran her fingers over the charm no bigger than a dime, she looked at Kakashi as his clans' symbol was the charm. He gently took it from her fingers. "...For when you're not here." He breathed, looking at his clans symbol for a moment before reaching over putting the bracelet on her right wrist. "A piece of me will always be with you." He smiled looking at her, she moved off the bed.
Kakashi felt alarmed, maybe this had been a terrible idea! Maybe they weren't as close as he believed them to be, he shouldn't have given her his clan—his thoughts were cut off when she hugged him.
"I love it." She said, he instantly smiled hugging her back.
"I'm glad." He replied, Sakura pulled away and walked to her bag. He watched her pull a box wrapped in deep green wrapping paper.
"This is nothing like what you got me but-" She said handing him the box.
"I can wait for the other-"
"No, you don't." Sakura laughed. Kakashi's interest was piqued as he tore the paper away. He looked at a collection of four different colored books.
"A friend of mine reads the same books you like-" Sakura commented on the icha icha paradise series he always reads. "-he said these were the next best thing since Jiraiya isn't around anymore to write any new books."
"A man gave you advice on-"
"He is married-" Sakura said knowing Kakashi had a jealous side. "-with four kids."
"William?" Kakashi guessed remembering the conversation he had with the king of the river village and the promise he made to him to always love Sakura.
"Yes." She laughed, Kakashi nodded feeling better.
"These are...thank you." Kakashi smiled giving Sakura a quick kiss. "I can't wait to read them." He said as Sakura got up having to finish getting ready.
"Is something burning?" Sakura wondered smelling something like burnt toast.
"No." Kakashi said but quickly moving out of the bedroom. Sakura laughed turning to the bathroom looking at the bracelet on her wrist.
"Good Morning!" Naruto threw open Kakashi's door, he sighed watching the blond quickly turn and call out that the door was unlocked. Kakashi had heard them try to come into the apartment an hour ago but he was busy with Sakura inside the shower. Kakashi smirked under his mask as he turned and greeted the group as they piled in. "Merry Christmas!" Naruto was bubbly for it being ten in the morning.
"Merry Christmas Naruto." Kakashi smiled, "Grab a plate and help yourself." He nodded over to the buffet of eggs, bacon, toast and pancakes he had made for everyone.
"Seriously!?" Raiden perked up.
"Yes." Kakashi smiled with his eye.
"You're a good person." Raiden said running past the masked shinobi and almost dived into the free food. Hinata stood behind Naruto and Raiden to afraid she might lose a finger if she tried to get in front of them. Naruto smiled at her, handing her a plate he made her.
"Thank you." Hinata blushed seeing Naruto thought of her first, the blond glanced at Kakashi who was one of his main examples for growing up. Thanks to that silver haired man standing in the living room watching Raiden shovel food in his mouth and Carver poking at all the boxes around the tree in the corner, Naruto grew to be a good man he believed his parents would be proud of. Naruto smiled to himself as he turned to make a plate of food.
The bedroom door opened turning everyone's head, Sakura's hair was styled and pinned back. She fixed her smudged lipstick as she moved into the living room, she looked around at everyone looking at her.
"What?" She asked,
"You look hot!" Raiden called with a mouthful of eggs. Kakashi chuckled, moving to her side handing her a cup of coffee.
"She does." Kakashi agreed.
"I do not." She muttered sipping the sweet liquid that was more cream than coffee.
"So-" Hinata spoke up, lightly surprising Carver since Hinata was so soft spoken. "-Naruto and I were thinking it would be a good idea to open our gifts to each other here and not have to drag them to the café and then back..."
"That's a good idea." Sakura commented causing Hinata to blush.
"Wel-Well it isn't that much of a-"
"A good idea." Naruto smiled at his girlfriend who he couldn't stop staring at. Her long hair was curled, Hinata did her make up this morning and the beautiful dress that Sakura helped Hinata pick out just set it off. Hinata felt Naruto drooling. "Alright let's go get them!" Naruto bounced out of the apartment in a good mood. Kakashi turned to Sakura who sat on the couch waiting for everyone to return with their gifts. Kakashi wanted to talk to Sakura about him leaving the leaf village and following her, he wouldn't do it today, but he wanted to discuss it with her before she left for her village. The thing that scared Kakashi most is even Sakura didn't know when she would be ripped away from him, so he wanted to do it soon. He knew she would fight him on this but...a tingle ran through his heart as he turned to look back at Sakura, she was the woman he wanted to marry.
Kakashi turned his head as Raiden and everyone else made their way back in with piles of wrapped boxes. Everyone sat their piles down, Carver and Hinata went back to eating as Raiden dove into the piles of glittery gifts.
"Are there any for me!?" Raiden sang as he shook a box filled with candy from Hinata to Sakura. Sakura smiled watching her teammates eyes sparkle. "Enough eating-" Raiden yelled coming up for air after scouting out all the boxes. "-let's open gifts!"
"We should wait until after dinner." Carver smiled at Raiden's heated glare.
"That is not how they do it on TV!"
"You can't believe everything you see on TV." Carver shrugged.
"I want to open them now!"
"Well the world doesn't revolve around you now does it?" Carver teased.
"Stop it." Sakura chuckled.
"Yeah!" Raiden agreed. "Let's go!" Raiden yelled at Kakashi and Naruto who were still in the kitchen.
"Ok!" Naruto laughed, "We are coming!"
"Kakashi!" Raiden yelled, Kakashi looked over as he closed the oven after placing the ham for dinner in it.
"I'm coming." He waved moving towards the couch, he sat beside Sakura pulling her close to him.
"Ok!" Raiden said grabbing the first gift. "Hinata!" He read out the name and handed her the purple box. "Next is...Naruto!"
Sakura watched Naruto open her gift, he removed the wrapping paper and pulled out a jacket. Naruto looked it over with wide eyes. This was the biggest Christmas he has ever had, this was the most people he has ever wanted to spend this holiday with and he was so happy tears pricked his eyes as he stood up hugging Sakura for the new jacket. He quickly put it on after taking off his old one, he looked at his arm and seen a red patch holding the leaf villages symbol. He really loved this jacket!
"Huh." Carver said reaching over and felt the material.
"What?" Naruto asked.
"You made that?" Carver turned to Sakura.
"Wh-What?" Naruto turned to the pinkette.
"I did." She nodded.
"How-What-?" Naruto touched his sleeve feeling warm and loved. Sakura took the time out of her day to make this for him?
"How did you know she made it?" Hinata wondered,
"That material-" Carver nodded towards it, "-is made of the same stuff ours and Sakura's are made from, it is strong and hard to cut through."
"Really?" Naruto muttered looking at the jacket.
"Yup." Raiden said, "It can only be made by hand...when do I get a new one?"
"Thank you, Sakura..." Naruto breathed.
"Merry Christmas Naruto." Sakura smiled making Naruto blush.
"Alright!" Raiden called, "Next!"
Kakashi pulled out black pants and a long sleeve shirt made from the same special blend of material made by Sakura, he hugged and thanked her.
"So cool!" Naruto stood seeing the hundred-dollar gift card to Ramen Ichiraku from Kakashi. "You're the best!" Kakashi chuckled lightly at Naruto's excited reaction. It took an hour for everyone to pass out their gifts to each other. Naruto stood up pulling something from his pocket.
"Ah!" Raiden pointed, "No fair!" He liked handing out the gifts to people.
"I know Raiden, I am sorry." Naruto smiled, "But this is different."
"Huh?" Raiden tilted his head as he shoved a handful of jellybeans into his mouth.
"When um..." Naruto laughed nervously. "...when we had to seal Kaguya away, Sasuke and I got marks. He was the moon and I was the sun and that got me thinking...you have those seals placed on us to keep us safe when you're not around. You always have our backs no matter what and your always there when we need you even if we can't see you. Your kind of like a star, we can't always see them, but we know they are always there." Naruto blushed feeling everyone's eyes. "Kakashi and I both got this for you...and um it sounded like a good idea at the time..." Naruto handed Sakura a small box, she looked at Kakashi as she opened it. Inside was a small silver star on a silver chain.
"This is very sweet." She smiled hugging Kakashi and Naruto. "Thank you."
"Here." Kakashi said taking the box from her. Sakura removed her scarf and pulled her aside as Kakashi placed the necklace around her neck, the small start rested on her chest.
"Aw so mushy." Raiden called earning a look from Sakura who placed her scarf back on.
"What the hell!?" Karui said walking into the apartment with Sasuke beside her.
"Merry-"
"Shut up." Karui glared at Raiden.
"Well good morning to you Mr. Grinch." Carver leaned back.
"You started without me!?" Karui furrowed her brows feeling offended.
"Well...yeah?" Carver shrugged.
"Why?"
"Because you're a fun sucker?" Raiden guessed. "You suck the fun out of the room-"
"I was here like two hours ago, but no one was awake!"
"No, we were." Carver said looking at Raiden, "We just didn't open the door."
"What about you?" Karui turned to Sakura.
"She and him-" Carver pointed to Kakashi and Sakura. "-were who we were all waiting on."
"What the hell?" Karui smacked her lips together.
"Uh..." Sakura trailed off, "We were asleep-?"
"Don't lie." Carver said stirring up trouble. "You both were awake."
"We-uh..." Sakura sputtered,
"What the hell were you doing—oh!" Karui figured out. "It took you two an hour!?" Karui placed her hands on her hips. "I waited an hour before going back to my hotel room!"
"An hour?" Naruto muttered, "An hour to do what?"
"Oh." Raiden laughed, "Bless your little heart."
"What?" Naruto asked clueless.
"How does it take an hour?" Sasuke muttered annoyed at this topic.
"How long does it take you?" Karui turned to Sasuke looking at him up and down like he was a piece of meat.
"It uh...erm." Sasuke cleared his throat. "Shouldn't we be getting to the café? It's almost noon and that is when everyone agreed to meet there."
"Oh, they can wait." Karui answered for everyone.
"Yes, they can." Carver said leaning on his arm enjoying the show.
"It's not your business." Sasuke said looking at Karui annoyed how she was trying to undress him with her eyes.
"Mmm, if you say the right answer it might be." Karui winked as Carver broke out in laughter.
"What is going on?" Naruto asked.
"Sex." Sakura answered, "They are talking about sex." Naruto blinked before turning a bright shade of red.
"Wh-Wh-Why are we talking about this!?" Naruto felt uncomfortable.
"Because you guys had to wait for those two to finish." Carver explained to Naruto, tainting his innocent little ears.
"Why are you so annoyed Sasuke?" Raiden wondered,
"I don't know." Carver answered for the raven-haired man. "The only way I could see him being annoyed is if he lasted two minutes and-" Carver laughed reading Sasuke's stern face. "-no fucking way!"
"Aw man..." Raiden laughed. "That is rough. I thought you slept around?"
"I do-" Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"Then how do you get laid?" Carver wondered.
"Don't tell me you just ride the ride until you get off and then leave?" Karui said looking at Sasuke like he was a waste of a good ass.
"What else would-" Sasuke crossed his arms over his chest.
"Aw man." Carver shook his head as Naruto and Hinata sat in silence both their faces burnt a bright red. "That is the biggest dick move."
"How do you get laid?" Sakura wondered; Naruto flipped his head to look at her. "What?" She asked if he did that to every woman, he slept with then word would get around he was a two-minute wonder and that isn't worth raising your body count.
"Do you at least have a big dick?" Karui wanted to know if she was going to try and bark up this tree, she wanted to know she wasn't wasting her time.
"Ok!" Naruto shot to his feet. "Time to go to the café!"
"Hold on." Karui instructed, "I want to know this."
"Wh-Why?"
"I want to get laid tonight?" Karui duhed Naruto.
"I-It's Christmas!"
"Naruto." Carver stood seeing this conversation was dying. "Word of advice-"
"What?" Naruto asked,
"Nice guys-" Carver smirked, "-always finish last."
"U-Um." Hinata was bright red as she moved closer towards Sakura who was amused by her shyness.
"Alright!" Naruto said over this, "Get your stuff, shut up and let's go!"
"Alright." Carver raised his hands as he stood.
"Sakura...?" Karui said looking at Kakashi up and down. "...do you like to share?"
"Only if you want to lose an arm." She flashed a smile, daring her to go near Kakashi.
"Ok." Karui raised her hands taking one last peek at the masked man. Damn... Karui shook her head with a huff. Kakashi liked when Sakura was possessive of him.
"By the way Naruto-" Sakura said as everyone piled out of the apartment, making their way to the café.
"Yeah?" He asked as Kakashi locked the door.
"Carver is right." Sakura flashed a playful smirk seeing Naruto blush again.
"I-I don't want to talk about this with you." He shook his head.
"But you say I am your best friend, if not me who can you talk to about these things then?" Sakura pointed out.
"I-I don't know but you're a girl and-"
"How about with me then?" Kakashi asked wrapping an arm around Sakura. "Sensei will teach you, if you want a keep a beautiful girl then you have to meet her needs to-"
"I am going now!" Naruto said grabbing Hinata's hands and running forward.
"Your terrible." Raiden laughed seeing Sakura enjoyed teasing Naruto.
"It's so fun and easy." Sakura laughed, "It's hard not to."
"I feel that." Carver loved taunting Naruto, he got so worked up so quickly. It was like winding up a toy and watching it go.
"Merry Christmas!" People greeted as Naruto and the others were the last to get to the café.
"Where have you guys been?" TenTen said.
"We got a late start." Sakura answered, Naruto turned and glared at her head. She was a liar!
"Your arm is better?" Kiba noticed Sakura wasn't using a sling today.
"Yeah it's getting there." Sakura flashed a smile leaving a few starstruck by her natural beauty. Naruto shook his head seeing Sasuke was one of these people. Sakura sat in her normal place by the arm of the couch facing the entrance so she can gaze out the window. Karui pulled her lips in a thin line not liking how she was feeling out of the loop. So, she got up and jumped on the arm of the couch beside Sakura.
"Son of a-" Sakura hissed as Karui crushed her healing shoulder. Kakashi reacted faster than Karui as he pushed her off the couch. She fell on her face as everyone collected worried as Sakura held her shoulder.
"Are you ok!?" Hinata breathed.
"Yeah." Sakura said through her teeth.
"Your lying!" Naruto saw.
"What the hell was that!?" Karui popped up but was ignored. "Oh, I see." Karui rolled her eyes earning an annoyed look from Sakura. "You are being pampered by your little boyfriend and now you are used to the good life-"
"You know-" Sakura laughed, "-I may have been out of the field for a while, but I can still kick your ass."
"Oh, you think so?" Kurai laughed, Naruto looked between them. Why was Sakura friends with a woman like this?
"I know I can." Sakura sharpened her glare on Karui who looked like she needed to be knocked down a few pegs.
"Even without your little seal?" Karui went on against Carver and Raiden sending her neon signs telling her to shut up! "I bet one hit and you'll be down!"
"I have the Reapers poison in my system." Sakura informed, "Take your best shot but you better make it count because if I get up your fucked."
Karui pondered for a moment watching Sakura's blank face and feeling everyone's unpleased glares. Kakashi had a dark look in his exposed eye, he dared Karui to raise one finger against his girlfriend.
"Well ok then Commander." Karui said sitting on the couch across from Sakura. "I see you haven't lost your intimidation tactics." She said stretching. Sakura leaned against Kakashi ignoring all the stares they were getting.
"S-So who wants to open up the gifts?" Hinata said trying to break the tension brewing around everyone.
"Me!" Raiden jumped making everyone chuckle.
In a wave of voices everyone pulled out their gifts and handed them off. Sakura handed hers and everyone was gushing. TenTen got a new set of weapons that were made of rare and strong metal. Choji got a nice basket of different variety foods. Shikamaru got a back massager which he was already sing and groaning in delight. Kiba got new dog toys for his furry partner and a box of biscuits, he swore to Sakura he doesn't eat them. She rolled her eyes enjoying Kiba ruffled. Sai got new art supplies, Neji got a new sword and so on. They were all rare things you could not find in this village, so everyone was excited. Sakura called Kurai into the leaf village for these items, gifts for these people around her.
"What is that?" Karui asked, Naruto looked over his shoulder seeing a small stage in the back of the store.
"It's a stage." Naruto stated earning an annoyed look.
"I know what it is! I want to know if it works!?"
"Well yeah." Naruto muttered as he walked away from Karui and her negative cloud. Tsunade walked in looking concerned,
"Everything ok Lady Tsunade?" TenTen asked seeing the hokage's face.
"Is she alright?!" Tsunade questioned.
"Who?"
"Sakura!"
"What did I do now?" She asked hearing her name.
"Your fine?" Tsunade blinked.
"Erm...I think so...?" She half joked. "Why do you ask?"
"I got a text saying you were hurt!" Tsunade sighed.
"Who told you I was hurt?"
"Sasuke did!"
"Why?" Sakura turned to Sasuke who blushed under the weight of the rooms gaze.
"I-Well you were..."
"I am fine." Sakura stated, moving towards the couch picking up a red bag. "In any case here." She handed the bag to Tsunade.
"What is this?"
"It's Christmas so..." Sakura shrugged as Tsunade opened it seeing a rare and expensive bottle of rum.
"I-It's so nice."
"Yeah." Sakura muttered thinking this felt a little weird.
"You should join us!" Naruto stepped in.
"Um...maybe..." Tsunade muttered as Naruto dragged her to sit in a chair next to the couch.
"Well now you don't have a choice!" Naruto smiled as everyone sat down looking at their new toys. Karui turned to look at the stage again.
"Why don't you go sing?" Choji asked with a smile, "I am sure you are amazing at it."
"No, I am not!" Karui laughed. "I sound like a dying cat but..." She said looking over, her eyes scanning over Kakashi's strong looking arms that pulled her to safety from her dangerous bag. "Sakura!" Karui whined.
"No." Sakura said not looking up from her hot chocolate as she was collecting the marshmallows to eat them before they melted. Kakashi watched her amused as he ran his fingers through a few strands.
"You don't even know what I was going to ask you!"
"I don't care." Sakura said still not looking up.
"Please sing us a Christmas song!" Karui wined.
"No."
"Please!"
"Hell no."
"Why not?!"
"I said so."
"Please!"
"No."
"Kakashi!"
"Why the fuck are you bringing him in this?"
"Don't you want to hear your girlfriend sing?" Karui ignored Sakura
"No." Sakura said for Kakashi.
"Please! I will never ask for anything ever again!"
"I have heard that before."
"When!?"
"When I traveled with you to the River Village, when I brought you with me to the Mist Village, when I-"
"Ok-Ok! But please Sakura you sing so pretty, and I really want to hear you sing."
"How much of Tsunade's gift have you drank?" Sakura asked knowing Tsunade had been sharing it with a few people.
"N-Not a lot." Karui smiled. "PLEASE!"
"Will you shut the fuck up?" Sakura overpowered Karui's voice.
"Yes." Karui sheepishly smiled.
"Fine." Sakura sighed trying to keep this day fun for Naruto knowing how excited he was for it.
"Yay!" Karui cheered as Sakura got up and walked over to the stage, Kakashi and others followed. Sakura turned on the machine beside her and waited for the music.
"I can't believe I am doing this." Sakura muttered to herself annoyed.
"You got this!" Hinata and TenTen cheered her on from in front of the stage, Sakura smiled at the two women who she was growing close to.
((Song Choice -- Kelly Clarkson - Wrapped in Red))
"Everybody's happy, snow is falling down. Prays are being answered, miracles all around. From afar I've loved you but never let it show and every year another December comes and goes. Always watching, never reaching-" Sakura's voice filled the café, it was strong and steady. The crowd blurred out and Kakashi was the only one left, she reaches out feeling a need to touch him. Kakashi smiled under his mask, lacing his fingers through hers. "So, I found a color that only tells the truth. That paints a picture of how I feel for you-" She was so unreal, sitting there looking so picture perfect. Sakura felt to the people watching if they reached up and touched her, she would riffle away like a reflection in water. She appeared so perfect propped up on that stood, singing into the mic as if she has done that every day since she left five years ago.
This was not the Sakura Naruto grew up with, and he realized that now. That Sakura with short controlled hair was so shy and scared but this one was so statuesque. You couldn't help but admire her with all the confidence that poured off her, she was so dazzling on stage, you couldn't rip her eyes off her she as if she was a siren. When she first arrived all team seven and the leaf village kept seeing was the baby faced short pink haired girl they grew up with.
But now, they could no longer see that image in her, all they could remember when they weren't near Sakura was the grown curves on her face, the burning flakes of deep green in her eyes. It was such a fast song no one could believe it was over already. Everyone clapped and cheered yelling for another one song. Sakura shook her head no laughing. She stood and took Kakashi's hand, which was reached out for support. He helped her off the stage and everyone moved back to the couch.
For a long time Karui watched Sakura as she interacted with the people around her. Karui looked confused but no one asked her about it. Three hours passed, a lot of cookies, candies and all other kinds of sweets were eaten, everyone played with their new gifts and a lot of conversation was going on when Karui spoke up.
"You are different." She said to Sakura who looked over.
"What?" Karui was looking between Sakura and Kakashi.
"I don't like this Sakura." Karui shook her head, Naruto looked around as if he couldn't believe his own ears.
"I am the same-" Sakura began,
"You are not."
"How so?"
"What happened to you?" Karui asked, "You never let anyone get close, you never ever let a man help you, you never showed pain and you were always such a force to be reckoned with but now..."
"Sakura is perfect the way she is." Kakashi said fire in his eye. "Just because she is with me doesn't change who she is. Showing your pain does not make you weak, I understand that the Waterfall Village believes this and that is their right. But Sakura has come a long way we have fought her. She is an amazing soldier yes; she is still the Reaper but that doesn't define her. You only know one piece of her and that may scare you as you witness more pieces that make her who she is become known, but we see more of the puzzle than you do. Do not come here seeing only a fraction of the picture and then tell her she should revert back to how she was because that is wrong." Kakashi said then he turned to her, "I love her the way she is, flaws and all." He looked at Karui. "So do not tell her that her showing her emotions are wrong, because that is what makes her so amazing."
After that conversation everyone was quiet the environment dropped, and it felt weird as everyone looked at each other. Naruto yawned and looked around as Karui remained seated and Kakashi was still glaring. He scratched his cheek as I looked over at Hinata not really knowing how to lighten the mood.
"Order up!" Tamaki called out, she was allowing the café to remain open today, Kiba sat at the bar and talked to her as she worked racking in the money. Carver and Naruto stood moving towards the counter, Guy called out to Kakashi wanting to see who could build the best snowman.
"Sakura!" Hinata gasped covering her mouth, Naruto and Kakashi snapped their attention back around. Sakura was standing, Karui was stumbling back holding her nose as Sakura snatched the kunai from Karui.
"Are you kidding me!?" Naruto yelled out, "It's Christmas!"
"I'm sorry Naruto." Sakura said looking over at Karui who was trying to stop her nose from bleeding. Sakura sighed, maybe she should have stayed away today...
"I-I didn't mean you!" Naruto sighed, Kakashi stood having enough of this. This was not the waterfall village; people were not going to randomly attack his girlfriend if they wanted to then they would need to get passed him first.
"You haven't lost your touch." Karui said looking at Sakura's stale face. "I am impressed."
"Did you really expect anything less from-" Raiden muttered.
"From staying inside a two-bit village yeah-" Karui cut Raiden off, "-I expected you three to be off your game."
"Two bit..." Naruto repeated feeling highly insulted.
"You need to leave." Carver stood, today was getting ruined. He knew his two teammates were looking forward to their first holiday in years. Carver wasn't going to stand by and let an unstable fireball ruin it.
"I don't take orders from you." Karui darky laughed.
"Karui." Sakura called walking around Kakashi, Naruto couldn't read Sakura's face to try and figure out what she was thinking. "What is going on?" She asked confusing a lot of people, Karui and Sakura stared off for a moment until out of the blue she broke into tears. Naruto backed away and Carver was taken back, he wasn't expecting this turn of events.
"I'm so tired Sakura!" Karui cried, Sakura's face softened.
"Karui..."
"I'm sorry Sakura! I-I saw how well you were fitting into this village and I was just jealous that I can't be like that!"
"Well I am uncomfortable." Raiden muttered as Carver nodded in agreement.
"I tried being like you and I failed..." Karui looked at her feet.
"You don't need to be like me." Sakura said.
"But I want to be-!" Karui cried out. "-I have always wanted to be like you, you're so strong and so amazing. You travel for months on end sleeping in trees and in the gutters and I couldn't even sleep on a cot! I have seen you after some of your battles! You looked like you were being held together with tape and string with a huge hole in your side!"
"Karui, do not idolize me-" Sakura tried to speak.
"You believe you're a terrible role model but the truth is you're not. You believe in honor and justice for all. You stay true to your word and to your friends, your family is everything to you! You would die for them and I am scared just by a spider being three feet from me!"
"Karui, if you would stop cutting me off, I can tell you that your strong, I know you don't see or believe it but in your own ways you are. Your sweet and caring under all that...you...you're an amazing person if you just would let someone see it instead of pushing everyone away like you are doing right now." Sakura said.
"I know Sakura I am scared I will be pushed away! I really like being here inside this village!" Karui said looking around at everyone watching her unravel. "I really like-" Karui cut herself off as she glanced over at Choji.
Raiden puffed, crossing his arms leaning back against the couch.
"Are you ok?" Naruto asked,
"No!" Raiden gasped,
"Why not?" Naruto smiled at his annoyed expression.
"Cuz! Santa Clause 2 is playing on in an hour!" Raiden's face was so serious as if this was a major act in history. Naruto laughed looking at the clock, it was almost five, where did the time go? Kakashi glanced at his watch as he stood turning to Sakura.
"I have to go check on the ham-" He muttered looking at his pink haired beauty. "-will you join me?"
"Of course." Sakura standing with Kakashi. Naruto watched feeling the urge to go too. He looked at Hinata and was surprised to see her putting her jacket on.
"Hinata?"
"What?" She asked, "You heard Raiden Santa Clause 2 is almost on!" She said which made him laugh.
"How could I forget?" Naruto said as the six people excused themselves and went out into the blazing cold. Kakashi's apartment smelt amazing as they walked in, Hinata and Raiden went right to the television as they pulled their jackets off. Two long tables were pushed together, a red and green table cloth was draped over and chairs were placed all around it. Sakura was setting the table.
"It's going to be a tight fit." Kakashi muttered looking around.
"Yeah." Sakura agreed.
"Maybe next year we could have this party somewhere else...maybe like a house." Kakashi dared to test the waters to see where Sakura stood in their relationship. The four watching the TV were peeking over the couch watching Sakura and Kakashi.
"Maybe." Sakura responded, "It could be a second story."
"With a large yard." Kakashi commented back, Sakura turned her head towards Naruto and the others feeling their gaze.
"What's on next?" Carver cleared his throat acting as if they hadn't been eavesdropping.
"Elf." Naruto answered looking at the guide.
"Never seen it." Raiden said.
"Ugh!" Naruto gushed, annoyed Raiden hadn't seen any of the best movies.
"Your going to love it." Hinata smiled in Raiden's direction.
"It will be if I was allowed to eat!" Raiden yelled in Kakashi's direction who wouldn't let anyone munch on snacks until dinner.
"Dinners almost done." Kakashi waved him off earning a dramatic sigh.
As the night came to a close, despite the bit of drama it shaped up to be one of the best Christmas Naruto and the others have had.