An Uzumaki in Arendelle

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Disney's Frozen.

Key:

"Speaking Japanese"

"Speaking Inside Out"

-Start Chapter-

The symbol of Arendelle was the crocus. A flower that was planted throughout the entire kingdom. Being just as easily found within the castle gardens, as it was out in the wild fields. But the most prominent place of honor for the crocus was on the emblem that was hung at every corner. Proudly stitched onto the Arendelle flag, as a symbol of rising up even before spring had come. Which is exactly what the village was preparing for.

But just as the first crocus was blooming into life, outside of Arendelle in the wide spread mountains, someone else was worrying about the end of winter. And the promise he fully intended to keep. Naruto Uzumaki stood at the bottom of the repaired stairs. His body fully clothed and protected from the biting wind. Except for his hands, which he kept bare for his final test.

Plunging his arm into a nearby snowplie, he pulled out the biggest handful of snow he could, and began molding it. Once his snowball was finished he held it in his hand for a minute. Before throwing it against a tree.

When the projectile broke apart against the hard bark, having kept its shape until then, Naruto smiled. If prolonged contact didn't immediately melt the snow, then it seemed that his overheating problem had finally been solved.

"While you're not completely healed, you should only have to worry about having a higher temperature than normal," Kurama called out from the blond's mind.

"I never would have healed this quickly if it weren't for you, partner," the ninja replied. Glad that he wasn't melting things instantly with his touch.

"I guess you'll be heading back to that village to keep that promise you wouldn't shut up about," the ancient fox chose not to make a big deal out of the blond's words.

"Just a few things left to do, and we'll be on our way," Naruto happily called.

Next to the ice stable, that Elsa had hastily erected, was a flat sleigh loaded high with chopped wood. A few leftover cords of wood were neatly placed and stacked inside the stable. This had come about thanks to Kristoff, who had brought Naruto his weekly supply of food, a few days after Elsa had returned to the village. After which the two blonds spent some time discussing the surprising, but not unwelcome, news about the new couple.

*flashback*

Kristoff gave an appraising look towards his friend, "You actually asked Elsa out on a date?"

"Yes," the ninja answered, as the two carried several boxes into the palace.

"Just checking," the ice harvester stressed. "While I trust Elsa, I just wanted to make sure that both of you were certain about this."

"I asked her, and she agreed. It was that simple," Naruto summarized.

"Trust me on this, dating royalty is never that simple. While Anna and I have been going out for close to a year, I've had to change a lot of my habits. For instance, I can't scratch myself whenever I want now, and I'm only dating a princess," Kristoff exclaimed. "Who wants me to ask you everything, because this date between you and her sister is all she's been thinking about since she found out."

"Anna is very energetic," Naruto admitted, scratching at the back of his head after putting down his boxes. "She is probably just making sure that Elsa will not regret going on a date with me."

"I've seen how you and Elsa act around each other, and I'm pretty sure she'll enjoy whatever you have planned."

"But I think there might be a problem with that," at the confused look on Kristoff's face, the ninja tried to explain further. "I do not know about any of the normal things to do on a date here. I do not even know if they are different from where I am from."

"That could be a problem,"the native man spoke in a somber tone. "If you accidentally did something weird, even if Elsa doesn't mind, the rest of the town might."

"Which is why I want you to teach me about dating here in Arendelle," Naruto said with conviction. Having decided that it would be best for him to seek advice from another man. Also Kristoff was the only person he could talk to on top of the mountain. "And I need to figure out a way to earn some money."

"Well we've got plenty of time to talk about dating, but there's not much you can do in the winter to make money. All I can really think of is chopping wood for fires."

"I can make chop wood easily," the ninja joyfully said, instantly liking the idea. "There are already plenty of trees nearby that have fallen down. It would not be too much trouble to cut them up."

"And I can take everything you chop up down to the village to sell," Kristoff called out, equally happy with the idea.

*present*

A deal was soon struck between the two blonds. And it was thanks to this partnership that a nice jingle of coins could be from Naruto's pouch. Most of which would be spent on making sure that Elsa was happy, but he did plan to keep some for later. Possibly their next date.

With another look at the ice palace, and a wave towards Marshmallow and the Snowgies, Naruto headed towards the wood laden sleigh. The harness currently attached to it was meant for a reindeer, but Sven and Kristoff had already left for the week. And since he had decided only a couple of days ago to return to the village, he would have to pull the sleigh down the mountain himself. It would be a simple workout for him.

Of course, since the ice harvester and his reindeer had left unaware that Naruto's fever had finally receded. The rest of the village would be in for a surprise when the blond showed up in a few hours.

"Is there any reason you're choosing now to return?" Kurama asked. "It seems to me you would have a more graceful entrance if you waited a few more days for that other man to show up."

"I already stayed a few extra days to make sure that I was fully healed, and now that I know my fever isn't going to come back, I'm too excited to just wait," Naruto responded to his partner with a silly grin on his face.

"I guess you're just going to keep your title of being unpredictable."

The giant fox's words were met with a grunt as Naruto, with the sled being pulled behind him, took his first step towards getting down the mountain. With the tall pile of wood bumping into the lower branches of the trees. Causing the sleigh and its contents to be covered in snow.

*break*

"Do you think he'll come back today?" The redheaded princess of Arendelle asked, as she twirled about the room.

"Anna, you've asked that question almost everyday for a month," Elsa replied from her chair. "When Naruto is ready Kristoff will bring him down."

"But Kristoff isn't going back to the ice palace to check on him for several more days," Anna sighed out, having already heard her sister give this explanation. Feeling annoyed that the return of her sister's intended relied on her own boyfriend.

"I don't know why you're so excited for my date," the queen said, making sure to emphasize that this would be an event for her.

"Of course I'm excited, my sister is going on a date," the freckled princess stated. "And it's my job, as your sister, to be happy for you."

"Except that you seem even more thrilled, than I am. And trust me I'm ecstatic about this," Elsa spoke, calmly at first, but her voice became louder as her trepidation began to return.

"See," Anna called out at her sister's agitation. "This is why I'm glad you've got a date. After all those years where you were locked in your room someone has finally asked you out, and you're stressed about it."

"I am not."

"Yes you are. I know all the little signs you show when you are," the princess stated, before she began to count with her fingers. "You've been doing nothing but work since you got back from the ice palace, you're constantly pacing, and you're even wearing mother's scarf. Which you only pull out when you're worrying about something."

Elsa shrunk into her chair, as she was unable to deny any of her sister's claims. She had been using paperwork to keep her mind busy, and with a timid glance over her shoulder she could see her mother's maroon scarf hung, lovingly, on the back of her chair.

"You're right Anna, I'm nervous," she admitted with a sigh.

"And I know what you're going to say next, but I'm going to stop you," the redhead proclaimed. "You're worried about how your date will go. But Naruto is a lot like Kristoff, and both of them would do anything they can to make sure that any date they plan goes perfectly. So you don't need to worry about anything other than what dress you want to wear."

Elsa took a few moments to let her sister's words sink in. Trying to calmly think about what she had, inadvertently, agreed to. While she would never regret accepting Naruto's offer of a date, the possible side effects had been far from her mind as she gazed into his sapphire eyes.

One of her main concerns was the people of the town. While the queen going on a date with a local hero would not be seen as odd by most of the people. There would be a few who disliked the idea of their ruler being courted by a foreigner. One of the many reasons she had declined all suitors up till now.

There was also the perception of her boyfriend. It was rather easy to write the man off as being simple minded. While it wasn't his fault that he could barely read or write their language, it did not win him any favors with the more traditional citizens. Thankfully, that could be corrected in time, much as the language barrier had been, but it would take awhile.

The final point against him was just how mysterious the blond was. Since he had only shown up about half a year ago, there was still so little that anyone knew about him. When he talked about his home, it was sometimes difficult to believe some of the more fantastical sounding elements.

With a contented sigh, the queen sat back up in her chair. While it would be hard work to maintain any kind of relationship, Elsa's social schedule was constantly full. From rekindling what she had with Anna to being queen, but something about Naruto made her want to try for something more. Whether it was the feeling of safety she had whenever he was around, or that sunny smile he had, all it took was remembering how happy he looked when she said yes to his question, to help ease her mind.

"You're right Anna, everything will be fine," Elsa finally said, secure in her decision.

"Of course I am," the perky redhead stated with confidence. "You and Naruto already get along so well, there's no reason you should worry about small things."

The queen stifled a giggle as her sister's antics. Before her lips turned into a sly smile, "When did you become an authority on dating?"

"Well, my boyfriend's family is full of love experts, so I was bound to learn a couple of things from them," Anna quickly replied, now sharing Elsa's smile.

It was only a second later that the two sisters broke into laughter. Both enjoying the moment shared between them. The simple act of discussing their respective boyfriends would soon become a common topic.

It was the sound of running feet that alerted Elsa and Anna to the arrival of a new group. A pair of guards rushed into the room, both apologizing for the sudden interruption, but they apparently had urgent news.

"There's a giant mound of snow moving towards the village, your Highness," the first guard spoke.

"At first I thought he was just seeing things," the second guard followed. "But I saw it too. There's a large pile of snow moving through the trees towards the town gates."

Anna leaned closer to her sister, "It sounds like Marshmallow."

"Except there's no reason for him to leave the ice palace," the queen countered.

"Unless something happened. Like an accident," the princess spoke, her tone turning grim.

Elsa didn't need to be told what might have happened at the ice palace, or more precisely who it would have involved. Her heart suddenly felt cold, as she stared ahead blankly. A patch of ice spread from where her fingers gripped the table.

"Queen Elsa!" the yell tore everyone's attention away from the thought of what might have happened. As an out of breath Gerda ran through the open doors. "Naruto is at the front gate," the maid gasped out.

Whatever else was going to be said was lost, as Elsa bolted from her chair. Her feet feeling as light as her heart now was. Gladdened at the knowledge that her friend was okay. That her boyfriend was safe.

Faster than she had ever made the trip, the queen was standing in the entryway of the castle. Arriving just in time to watch the man she had been worrying about, walk through the door. A dusting of snow clinging to his head and shoulders. Meaning he had kept his promise, and only returned after he was healed.

While Elsa was unsure if she was ready to say that she loved the blond man before her, the past few minutes helped her learn a bit more about how deeply she felt. From how scared she was at the thought of anything bad happening to him, to the joy she felt at learning he had kept his promise. She could feel herself getting closer to saying that she truly loved him.

"Elsa," Naruto happily called out with a wave. But before he rushed over to her, he stared at her face, "have you been sad?"

There he goes again, she thought, worrying about her, and making her heart melt. "Not anymore."

-End Chapter-

So, that felt like the perfect place to close out the chapter, and because of that a couple of things got cut.

The moving pile of snow was just the snow-covered pile of wood on the sleigh that Naruto was pulling. Elsa would have noticed the pile of wood when she looked through the doors, that Naruto left open, and figured out what happened.

The actual ending for the chapter was supposed to involve Naruto proclaiming "he was home," and Elsa would say "welcome home." It was intended to be a reflection of a Japanese man coming home and his wife greeting him. Kind of playing up the point about differing cultures.

On that topic, since the language barrier is "mostly" solved, I'm hoping to use the cultural differences to keep these two as close as possible. Let them learn more about each other.

Back to the wood pile for a moment, I intended for Naruto to do something to earn money for his date with Elsa (he's not able to translate any books), and chopping wood made sense. When I visualized the idea of him taking a tall pile of wood to the village, the scene from MacBeth with the moving forest came to mind. This is why the guards are so freaked out. And because I didn't get to explain this in the chapter, the whole reference is wasted. I'll explain it better next chapter.

Finally, I forgot to mention this last chapter, but Elsa's voice actress (Idina Menzel) has a Christmas Album on her YouTube channel. I bring this up because one of the songs she sings is "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" which I feel fits this story really well. Especially if you imagine Elsa singing that song to Naruto.

I don't think there's anything else to do, so the date is next chapter.

Thank you all for reading, and stay safe out there.