Blue Christmas

Chapter 3 “Who knew?”

Naruto dragged his feet to the main office as he thought about how he’s been having the worst day of his life and it wasn’t even noon yet! He walked in the office walking passed the desk occupied ignoring the hysterical secretary screeching that the Principle was not to be disturbed. He opened the door and walked in as if it were his office and slammed the door announcing his arrival waking the sleep Administrator.

“Oi Obaa-chan Wake up!”

“Brat I told you not to call me that!” the Busty blond shouted. Naruto just laughed. He loved teasing her about her age because the truth was she didn’t look to be in her fifties she looked like she was just entering her thirties. “So what do you need you interrupted my na-paper work.”

“Tsunade-sama, I need you to excuse me from first and second period tomorrow.”

“Normally when ditching on the last day of school you wait till the end of the day to skive off the last two classes not the first two.”

“Kyuubi’s Christmas pageant is tomorrow and I have to attend. Mrs. Utatane and I had a row this morning about how I don’t support him enough. If I don’t start attend his functions she’s going to file with the state that I’m unfit again.”

“Damn that woman she has a heart of Ice. I wonder what Sensei ever saw in her.”

“No he didn’t date her did he?”

“Yes he did but it only took one date with her to send him running or so I heard.” Tsunade said innocently before she and Naruto busted up laughing. “Okay I’ll cover you tomorrow. When we get back after the new year we’ll get you scheduled around Kyuubi’s events.”

“Thanks I owe you one.”

“Speaking of events…”

“No, not you too!”

“Brat I need to get the programs printed, but I can’t since you haven’t told Genma what you will be doing.”

“That’s cause I don’t want to perform here this place makes me uncomfortable; plus it’ll be after Kyu’s bed time I can’t have him out so late.”

“Naruto you have to do it, it counts toward your grade and your scholarship depends on you maintaining you’re A/B average.”

“Yeah I know.” The teen sighed in defeat. “Just put I’ll be performing two songs.”

“What are the songs?” The principle glared at Naruto not really trusting the notorious prankster. “And it better not be one of Jiraiya’s drunken bar ballads.”

“It’s won’t be. I have decided yet which two songs, but I’ll sing.”

“Alright now get to class I got work to do.”

“Thanks later Obaa-chan!” Naruto shouted as he ran out the door barely dodging the stapler that went flying passed his head.

“BRAT!”

XxXxXxXx

“Hey Look! No Class!” Ino Shouted. “Free period! I’m going to find Choji.”

“That’s Strange. Why would Sensei cancel class?”

“Who cares? Naruto we’re getting out of class and we all have better things to do than wonder why a teacher canceled class.” Sakura sneered as she picked up the pink backpack that matched her impossibly pink hair. “I’ve got to find Sasuke-kun. I know he’s going to ask me to the dance.”

“Sakura don’t you think it’s time to move on?”

“What are you talking about baka?”

“You have been chasing the teme for years and not once has he taken notice of you. He shakes you off his arm every chance he gets and he throws out all those sweets that you and every other girl in this school showers him with. He hates all that sweet stuff. The Emo bastard doesn’t like any candy but that bitter dark chocolate and his weird obsession with tomatoes. Hell, he doesn’t take notice of anything that isn’t dark and as moody or violent as he is unless you count making my life a living hell. He doesn’t date or go to dances with anyone he hates dancing, probably because he has a rod of ice stuck up his ass. If you ask him how he would rather spend his day he’d tell you he’d spend it sparing or reading those Emo books he always has on him or if I was near by, starting a fight and getting his ass kicked while trying to beat me to a bloody pulp.”

“No you’re wrong! He likes me…” Sakura’s voice wavered. It was the first time anyone had ever told her flat out to her face that Sasuke may not like her like she likes him. He eyes widened as her world crashed around her giving way to reality. “He has too… I’m pretty and popular… Why doesn’t he like me?”

Naruto felt bad for the girl. True the girl could be a mean stuck –up not to mention violent bitch at times, but no one deserves their heart being taken for granted. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his handkerchief and handed it to the now sobbing girl.

“Look I don’t know what’s wrong with the Teme but you deserve better. I don’t think you should wait for him to come around. You might lose someone who really loves you.”

“How did a baka like you get so smart?” Sakura asked giving him a watery smile.

“I’ve been through a lot seen, many things, and I know what it’s like to lose someone before you really get to know them.” Naruto smiled softy remembering his parents. He lost them too soon and so cruelly. He never really got to know them, because he always thought there would be more time. All the times he brushed off working with his dad on the bike to study more to get in Konoha or the time he rush passed his mother to meet up with his friends. Then there were the times he ignore Kyuubi because he was just a baby and he did have time to just sit there and watch him drool. After the accident his whole life changed and his world came in the form of one little red headed chibi. He promised he would never take his brother or any other of their friends for granted again.

“I’m sorry you lost someone, but you’ve given me a lot to think about Naruto. I better get going I’ll see you in math class.” Sakura said before giving Naruto a hug that could crack a rib or two. The girl was abnormally strong but as long as his friend was happy the blond teen didn’t mind.

“Alright, just remember you deserve to be loved too.” He replied, once he could breathe again, before sending her off so he could go in search of the missing sensei.

XxXxXxXx

“I’ve got to find Sasuke-kun. I know he’s going to ask me to the dance.” Sasuke was just about to turn the corner when he heard Sakura’s proclamation.

‘I would rather swallow broken glass than ask her to the dance!’ He thought as he stay hidden in the Hallway behind the annoying pink-haired girl.

“Sakura don’t you think it’s time to move on?” The Uchiha knew that voice.

‘What the hell is dobe doing with Pysco?’

“What are you talking about baka?”

‘He’s saying I will never date a banshee like you!’

“You have been chasing the teme for years and not once has he taken notice of you. He shakes you off his arm every chance he gets and he throws out all those sweets that you and every other girl in this school showers him with.”

‘No shit, I hate all that sweet stuff. Give me some dark chocolate or better yet a nice ripe tomato.’

“He hates all that sweet stuff. The Emo bastard doesn’t like any candy but that bitter dark chocolate and he has a weird obsession about tomatoes.”

‘How the Hell did the dobe know that?’

“He doesn’t date or go to dances with anyone he hates dancing, probably because he has a rod of ice stuck up his ass.”

‘Usuratonkachi! I do not have an ice rod up my ass.’

“If you ask him how he would rather spend his day he’d tell you he’d spend it sparing or reading those Emo books he always has on him or if I was near by, starting a fight and getting his ass kicked while trying to beat me to a bloody pulp.”

‘Again with the Emo bullshit, but it’s true I would rather spar or read than go on a date. And what do you mean I get my ass kicked? I think dobe needs a reminder of who is Konoha’s best fighter.’

“No, you’re wrong! He likes me…”

‘No he’s not and No I don’t.’

“He has too… I’m pretty and popular… Why doesn’t he like me?”

‘I don’t care! I don’t like you cause you just another whiny fan girl who doesn’t even know the real me!’

“Look I don’t know what’s wrong with the Teme but you deserve better. I don’t think you should wait for him to come around. You might lose someone who really loves you.”

‘There is nothing wrong with me it’s all those insane fan-girls!’

“How did a baka like you get so smart?”

‘Yeah Dobe, when did you decide to grow a brain?”

“I’ve been through a lot seen, many things, and I know what it’s like to lose someone before you really get to know them.”

‘What? Who did you lose?’

“I’m sorry you lost someone, but you’ve given me a lot to think about Naruto. I better get going I’ll see you in math class.”

‘Yes! No more Stalker!’

“Alright, just remember you deserve to be loved too.” Once the hall was clear Sasuke stepped out of his hiding spot and stared at the empty space where the two teens had been.

“When did the Uzumaki start knowing me so well?”

“When did Sasuke Uchiha start spying on other people’s conversations?” Sasuke turned around and glared at the intruder.

“Hyuuga what are you doing here?”

“I was about to ask you the same thing. It’s my free period and I was head to my locker to drop off my books when I saw you eavesdropping on Uzumaki-san and Sakura. It was an interesting conversation if you ask me.”

“No one did Neji. The dobe just took out my stalker hopefully for good.”

“He’s not what he appears to be is he?”

“No he’s not; I’ll have to corner him at the Gala then. Thanks to my mother’s persistence, she got father to invite the whole damn school.”

“Uzumaki is not going to the gala.”

“What? How do you know that?”

“A group of us were talking about his habit of avoiding private parties and invitations when Uzumaki just showed up out of nowhere wanting to know what we were talking about. Temari asked him straight out if he was going to your Christmas gala and he said no he would be away with his family but he didn’t specify where. He also stated he didn’t plan on attending the New Years Ball.”

“Hn.” Sasuke did not like how his plan was shot down, and what was up with Uzumaki? Was his family gala not good enough for the dobe?

“But if you recall in drama Genma Sensei said he had to attend the Christmas production. It should be easy enough for all of us to get the answers we need.”

“All of us? Who said I need you or anyone else to get answers out of the Dobe?”

“You didn’t, but a lot of us consider Uzumaki-san a friend and would like to know what he is hiding and why.”

“Fine. We’ll all corner him on Saturday.”

“And if he escapes our inquisitions? We will have to wait until school starts again.”

“You might Neji but I’m not willing to wait that long.” Sasuke turned and stalked away thinking of ways catch the Dobe of guard.

XxXxXxXxXxXx

Naruto wasn’t able to find Kakashi it seemed that he was in one of his moods brought on from another rejection from the dark haired English teacher. So he would just have to try again tomorrow. It just started snowing as he and Kyuubi pulled into the parking lot of Sandaime Café. The teen wasted no time parking and get his brother inside where it was nice and warm. Naruto had been working at the café since he was 14 and it was like a second home. In fact almost all of the waiters lived at Rasengan. He started working at the café because even though he and Kyuubi had a stable life they still need a little extra money for occasions such as Christmas and birthdays. He didn’t want to deprive his brother of anything because they didn’t have their parents anymore.

Naruto had mange to squirrel away a nice little sum to make sure this would be one of the best Christmas Kyuubi would ever have. Now all he had to do was get through the Christmas pageant and his own school production. The Uzumakis were greeted by staff and costumers alike. The owner’s grandson ran up to them and scooped the chibi up in to his arms.

“Hey there little man.”

“Konohamaru! Guest what?”

“What?” the pre-teen asked in suspense.

“I’m Rudolph! Aniki finished my costume just before we come here.”

“Wow Naruto-nii-chan you can sew? You’ll make a wonderful wife someday.”

“Why you Twerp!” Naruto shouted and took a swipe at the laughing boy who just barely ran away with the chibi in his arms.

“About time you got here Fox.”

“Pein just the guy I wanted to see.” Naruto smiled at the Red-headed teen with enough piercings to set off any mental detector.

“Something tells me if I could feel fear I would be very afraid.”

“Maybe it’s because you know me so well.”

“Fine but let’s wait for Sasori and Zetsu to get here. I did sound check this afternoon so were good to go in between orders.” Pein was the band leader who was the lead guitarist. His brother Sasori was the bass player and his best friend Zetsu was drummer. They all live at Rasengan. Even though they were brothers Sasori couldn’t stand to live with Pein so he lived with a room mate named Sai on the third floor while Pein and Zetsu roomed together on the fourth floor.

“And how did you manage that?”

“I had a recording of our last sessions to work with.” the metal clad teen smirked.

“You recorded me! You asshole.” Naruto glared at the smirking teen. “Is Sukora here?”

“Yeah she finished her last set before I started setting up. She’s over by the window pretending to see the snow.” Pein said point to a girl by the window with long black with blood red streaks in her hair. She was staring out the window while sipping her hot chocolate when Naruto came up to her and kissed her on the cheek.

“My beautiful Emerald of Rasengan how lovely you look tonight.”

“Okay Blue Eyes what to do want and how much is it going to cost me?”

“Kora, you wound me I only speak the golden truth.”

“I may be blind but I can still see a pile of bull shit a mile away.”

“Fine, Morino you caught me. I need a favor, its nothing bad I just need help with this school production I’m forced to perform in.”

“Aha! I knew it! I’ll already be helping out for Kyuubi Christmas pageant now you want me to go to that snooty school of yours.”

“Yeah, I know, but please I need a pianist. I have two songs I have to sing and I need you for the first. Please, Please, Please, Please, Please!”

“Oh fine. I hate it when you beg like that it’s so pathetic.”

“Thanks you’re the greatest!” Naruto hugged her and gave her another big kiss on the cheek.

“Yeah, yeah quit slobbering on me. Let me enjoy my hot chocolate before my dad picks me up.” Sukora Morino smiled as pushed the whiskered teen off before returning to her pervious activity of pretending to watch the snow fall. She was also a victim of a drunk driver when she was five. A guy in a Suburban was drunk and ran a red light plowing into the drive’s side killing her mother instantly. Sukora’s seat belt had broken and sent her flying around the back seat like pinball. The trauma she received to the head caused permanent blindness there was no hope for surgery the damage was too extensive. Since then she and her Father Ibiki Marino a heavily scared former FBI agent now local police captain lived on third floor of Rasengan. Despite her blindness she was a very gifted Pianist as well as a writer. She wrote children stories for Kyuubi and she should have them published but she lacked confidence to actually try and have them published.

“Tell your old man I said hi.” Naruto smiled before going over the Hiruzen Sarutobi the owner of the café and the father of Asuma Sarutobi who lived on the second floor of Rasengan with his wife Kurenai. “Hey, Old man.”

“Naruto, you don’t look so good.” The retired professor said as he handed the teen his work apron. Before he opened Sandaime Café he was a professor a Suna University. He was sensei to the Sannin siblings, Tsunade, Jiraiya and the bastard himself Orochimaru as well as his own father. It was Sarutobi’s personal recommendation that helped secure Naruto’s Scholarship.

“Blame it on your girlfriend.”

“My girlfriend?”

“Mrs. Koharu Utatane, Kyuubi’s principle. She wants to take Kyuubi away because I don’t support him at school. Now I have to prove to her that I care about Kyuubi showing him a positive influence I had to Obaa-chan and rearrange my school schedule to be at her beck and call starting tomorrow.” Naruto growled as he tied on his apron.

“I’m sorry Koharu is giving you a hard time. She has Kyuubi’s best interest at heart but it seems she’s going a little over board. I’ll call her tomorrow and see if I can get her to let up a little.”

“That would be great but I won’t get my hopes up she’s set her foot down and doesn’t look like she’s willing to budge.” The teen took the tray and order pad ready to begin his shift.

“You’re a good boy Naruto don’t worry everything will work out, you’ll see.”

AN: Three More Shopping Days Left! The Christmas music is blasting and I can’t stop writing! Here’s another chapter and I’m working on Chapter 4! Thanks for Reading Keep Reviewing!