Hey there, little lovelies! You are all looking mighty fine today 😉 I hope your thanksgiving was as good as mine. Now, the countdown to Christmas!! Lol 😝

But for now, back to the story land we go! I know I promised SasuSaku ness and there isn't much in the chapter, but I promise you (for real this time) that the entire next chapter will only be SasuSaku!! ❤💋 I hope you enjoy and don't forget: the story is far from over. 😘

~Kei-chan 🎀💜

Chapter Fourteen:

Joy

Slowly, I placed my blade down on the solid ground. Keeping my weight balanced, I slid forward half inch just before my legs flew out from underneath me and I began to fall. I didn't hit the ground, though, because Sasuke's arms were there to catch me. I smiled as he lifted me back on to the ice.

He offered me his hand as we slid out closer to the center of the rink. People surrounded us, but it just felt like it was the two of us on the floor. We skated around the rink, hand in hand. Every time I would even show signs of stumbling, Sasuke would pull me in close and keep me level. He twirled me around a few times, his face still closed off from the world and mine shining bright. But that was okay, my smile was big enough for the both of us. His eyes lit up more than usual and that made all the difference.

"Sasuke?" I asked, when we skated around the rink one time.

"Hn?" He replied as Naruto went tumbling past us and Sai chased after his skidding body.

"What are we?"

He looked at me, right the eyes.

"I mean, are we together or what?" I asked, watching Naruto try yet again to skate.

"Why do you feel the need to label everything?" He replied, glancing over at Naruto who was falling over the side of the rink.

"It's not about labeling," I said, a little offended. "It's about getting the facts right."

"Facts?" He repeated. "Do you want to know what the facts are?"

I nodded.

He raised our hands as we came to a halt in the middle of the rink, "It is a fact that I am holding your hand right now. It is a fact that I am here with you. It is a fact that you just need to know the label that fits us."

I looked down, staring intensely at our scuffed up skates.

"It is a fact that I am going to kiss you," He said, lifting my chin up with his glove covered fingers. "Don't you agree?"

I smiled and nodded.

"I thought so." He said before bending down and pressing his lips firmly against mine.

"Hey!" Sai yelled. "Are you guys done skating yet?"

"I don't think Naruto can take much more," Kakahi stated.

"Stop eating each others faces and lets go do some sledding!!" Naruto jumped into the air.

"Okay!" I called back. "Lets go before they send the troops after us."

"Did that answer your question?" Sasuke asked, as we made our way over to Naruto and the others.

"I just think it might have." I laughed and squeezed his hand.

Sledding was fun, especially when Kakashi falls off his sled and tumbles half way down the hill. He looked like a big snowball by the time he reached the end of it. We all laughed and even Sasuke flashed a smile.

"My turn!" Naruto yelp as he threw his wooden sled down on the ground. "Belly first!"

"Naruto I don't think that's too safe," Sai commented, just as Naruto pulled hi pant leg making him fall down on his own sled. "Naruto, watch what you're doing."

"You first, buddy!" Naruto laughed and pushed Sai's sled forward. "Here we go!"

"Naruto!" Sai yelled as he Naruto both starting going down the hill.

I laughed as they slid down the hill together, Sai screaming the whole way and Naruto giggling like a child.

"Alright!" Kakashi yelled from the bottom. "You two are up!"

I glanced over at Sasuke who was staring at the wooden sled in front of him. I smiled and took his hand.

"Come on," I ushered him. "Lets go."

I put my sled down, holding my breath, I pushed myself forward. Adrenaline kicked in as I hit a bump and my sled jumped off of the ground. The air pushed my hair back and sent it flying behind me. That's when I noticed Sasuke's sled beginning to catch up to mine. I laughed and pushed forward, making my sled slide faster. I looked back and saw Sasuke smiling as he leaned forward.

"Never!" I yelled and navigated myself down the hill.

I slid in first as Sasuke came directly behind me. Naruto was already dragging his sled back up the hill and Kakashi was trudging alongside him. Sai was still dusting himself off.

"That was awesome!" I laughed, taking Sasuke's hand to get up. "Lets go, again!"

"Okay," He said, grabbing the rope to his sled. "Are you going, Sai?"

"No, thank you," Sai shook his head. "I don't want to risk death no more than necessary."

"Suit yourself." I laughed and started running back up the hill.

We went sledding up and down that hill for well over hour until Naruto got carried away and destroyed half of the forest forcing us to leave.

"Thanks, Dickless," Sai mumbled. "It seems your idiotic schemes just don't end."

"Oh, whatever," Naruto grumbled. "Shut up."

"How about some food?" Kakashi asked.

"Yes!" Naruto said, rubbing his belly. "That sounds fantastic."

"Well, you guys enjoy yourselves. I'm going to enjoy a nice hot bath." Kakashi said before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.

"Why does he always leave?" Naruto threw his hands up. "It's not like we were going to ask him to pay or anything."

"Uh, yeah, you were," I laughed. "Come on. Lets go find something to eat."

We settled for a little sushi restaurant tucked away in the heart of the city. We ate and laughed and told stories. Sasuke seemed to lighten up a bit after a hot cup of cocoa. He even held my hand under the table. His calloused fingers brushed over mine every few seconds making me tingle all over.

After lunch we all decided to head back home and relax for a bit before doing something else.

"Hey, teme," Naruto said suddenly as we walked down the busy street.

"Hn?" Sasuke mumbled.

"What do you want to do with your future?" He scratched the back of his neck. "I mean, I want to be the Hokage and Sakura's already a doctor. And Sai," Naruto glanced over at him. He was staring across the street at a tree. "Well, he does whatever the hell it is he does."

I laughed.

"I don't know," Sasuke replied. "I think I might want my dad's job."

"Eh?" Naruto's eyebrow popped up. "What's that?"

"Chief of the ANBU police," He explained. "I wanted it when I was younger then I just got distracted. I think my biggest thing right now is getting everything back in order for me, though. I'll worry about the future when it gets here."

"I think you'd make an excellent Chief," Naruto nodded, matter-of-factly. "You're strong, intelligent, and brave. But I do think it will be hard for you, I'm not gonna lie. I mean, you betrayed the village. You came back, but still, ya know?"

Sasuke nodded, "I know, but I've changed. For the better. I swear."

"I believe you, man," Naruto looked straight ahead. "But I just hope everyone else does, too."

"They will," I chimed in. "They have to."

"Yeah," Sai said. "What else do they have to go on? What more proof do they need? You came back to the village, protected it during the war, and stayed after to help put it back together. Now you're following all of their rules, being a good kid, again and you legit-amenity seem to want to be here. Plus, I think you have a strong attachment to Ugly."

"Sai!" I smacked him. "Shut up."

"Well," He laughed. "I believe it's true."

"Hey, think fast!" Naruto said, just as he sent a snowball flying Sai's way.

"Naruto!" Sai yelled. "I'm going to get you for that!"

So then began a snowball fight, in the middle of town square. The children joined in, laughing and slinging snowballs at Naruto and Sai. All was well, again.

I sat down on the snowy ground, in order to dodge a flying solid sphere of snow, and Sasuke came down with me. I looked up at him smiling, as he pulled me back into his chest. He was warm and smelled of cologne. It was intoxicating. I relaxed back into him and sat back to watch the show before me. Sasuke wrapped his arms around me loosely and hung onto his arms.

The children were winning.