m a k i n g m e r r y


for artemis of the golden distaff


"D-Do I have to wear this?" Hinata blushed becomingly and stammered, more than a little unnerved at all of the attention she was receiving. She looked around at her friends with a tentative expression painted upon her face. Unlike Sakura and Ino, she was not as aggressive as her two female friends. Her shyness was so extreme that it sometimes frustrated the pair of girls. "I . . . I just don't know about . . . this . . . " She softly trailed off, clutching at the hem of her short, red skirt tighter as their faces nodded brightly at her like the lolling heads of flowers.

"Yes, you do!" Sakura insisted, before lowering spring green eyes in a rictus of concentration. Hinata apprehensively watched as the rosette-haired girl continued to fuss with all of the tiny details of a medium-sized, gift-wrapped box. She shifted from foot to foot all the while, idly examining the winter-themed pattern that adorned the paper. It was difficult to stay still considering the situation!

"Besides, you look hot," Ino confided. A wicked smile spread across her cerise lips, and Sakura cast her a disbelieving look in response to her forward comment. It honestly was a miracle Hinata had not fainted or had a seizure already, and sentiments like that didn't help matters any.

"INO!"

"What?" Ino slanted a perfectly sculpted blonde eyebrow at Sakura. "It's true!" She turned back towards the flustered Hyuuga girl, and flashed her a softer, reassuring grin. "Naruto isn't going to know what hit him when he sees you in that," she told her, a look of unbridled glee spreading across her facial features.

Hinata blushed even brighter than before, nervously lacing her fingers together. She dropped her head downwards imperceptibly; the hat perched on top of her hair fell forward. "T-Thanks, Ino."

"Aww, you're blushing!" The blonde cooed, only embarrassing Hinata even more.

"I think you're right." Sakura shook her head, sending chin-length locks swaying. Both girls pointedly examined Hinata, who fidgeted helplessly underneath their approving gazes. Their combined handiwork had definitely paid off. Hinata looked like nothing anyone had ever seen, because no one had seen her before like this. She already looked downright adorable even in her typical, baggy apparel, with her dark hair, doe eyes, and fair skin. But seeing her in the form-fitting scarlet red and lacy outfit she was currently donning, her natural curves were accentuated. Simply put, she was a knock out. "Looking like that, hardly anyone could resist her."

"Of course I'm right, Forehead!" Ino scoffed in annoyance. "Now, Hinata, it's time."

Milky, pale orbs rounded dramatically. "Wait, n-now?" she squeaked shrilly.

"Hell yeah! The show is about to start."

"But . . ." Hinata blinked, her lashes long and thick, reminding Sakura of big-eyed porcelain dolls she had when she was younger. Hesitatingly, she stepped inside the box, clutching the hem of her skirt tighter. Hinata opened her mouth to protest again at the final moment but Ino simply pushed Hinata down into the small box. She gave a surprised yelp as Ino tied the box shut with a glittery, red ribbon.

Sakura snapped, "Would you not be so rough, Pig!"

"We don't have time!" Ino rolled her eyes, before bending over to enthusiastically instruct Hinata, "Don't forget to yell, 'Tada!' when he opens it!"

Although Ino and Sakura could not see her, Hinata nodded fervently where she was. "H-Hai!" Crouched on her knees, she bit her lip. It was long past the point of no return that she could not back out now; and if her long-time crush had taught her anything, it was to never do that. Giving up was simply not an option, even if her heart was fluttering like crazy in her chest. She could do this, she told herself. "I'll do my best!" she promised her two friends, determination ringing as clear as a silver bell in her voice.

"That's my girl!" Ino praised her with a grin, and Sakura switched off the light just before shutting the door behind her.

The plan was simple. All Hinata had to do is remain in the box while Ino guarded the hallway, making sure no one walked into the room where she was waiting to surprise Naruto. Meanwhile, Sakura was to keep an eye out for the blond while mingling at the party. The girls were anticipating him arriving more than a tad later than all of the other guests; as soon soon as he waltzed through the door the pink-haired girl would waste no time informing him he had an early Christmas present waiting for him to unwrap. After Naruto opened the box lid, Hinata would pop out, and he wouldn't be able to resist her adorable and sexy get up!

It was brilliant, if Ino did say so herself. And she did say so, thank you very much. She was the brains behind this operation and she gladly took credit for it. The inspiration for it had randomly struck her while sipping from a mug filled with peppermint hot chocolate at Leaf Cafe one beautiful, snowy day. At first, the petal-haired girl had been critical, insisting Hinata would never agree to do such a thing, but Ino just scoffed and snapped in riposte, "You underestimate her! Watch, she'll surprise you!"

It was well known throughout Konoha that Hinata had harbored romantic feelings for Naruto since their early school days; crystal clear and obvious to everyone except the boy in question, who was as dense as dense boys came, anyway. Ino couldn't help but pity the poor girl. She was more than reasonably nice, far from lacking in the looks department, and pretty smart. Ino was convinced her shyness was the only thing holding her back from having Naruto eating out of the palm of her hand.

So she concocted her evil yet ingenious plan, and together, Ino and Sakura kidnapped Hinata after school and drove her to the mall. She vaguely recalled the odd look Shino cast her way from behind obscure, black sunglasses, but she merely blew him a raspberry before high tailing it out of there.

When they arrived, they sat Hinata down in the food court and Ino squealed, loud and proud, "I'm a genius, and you're going to love me even more than you already do! Because I'm seriously a genius!" When the indigo-haired girl merely smiled a wobbly and unsure smile, Sakura patted her gently on the arm and reassured her at the same time, "What she means to say is that we brought you here for a reason. Right, Pig?"

"Definitely! But first . . ." Ino trailed off, smirking as she leaned across the table. It was definitely a little eerie. "Guess what holiday is coming up, Hinata-chan?"

"Um." Hinata blinked. "C-Christmas?"

"Right! And what do people give to loved ones on Christmas?"

Doe eyes widened slowly as the thought sank in. Color flooded Hinata's face, spreading over her small, button nose and porcelain cheeks. "Presents . . ." she murmured quietly, eyelashes lowering to hide her luminous eyes.

"Right, presents." Ino plowed on, matter-of-fact, "So here's the deal. We're going to take you to Victoria Secret. Then, we're going to help you pick out the hottest, most perfect outfit for your precious Naruto-kun, and when he sees you in it, he'll realize what an idiot he has been, and he'll be all over — "

Hinata's head popped up, eyes violently snapping wide open and her expression frantic. "W-What?" she cried out, her normally soft and mild sounding voice extremely high-pitched. Sakura rubbed her forehead in agitation simultaneously, shot Hinata a pitying look, before turning a very venomous green glare of death onto Ino. "Don't talk like that to her!"

"What, Forehead?" she spat, a vein throbbing on her temple. She so did not appreciate being interrupted in the middle of her explaining her plan. Well, it was more like bragging, and torturing their mutual friend, but still. It was all in good fun.

"Just get on with it!"

"Hmph. You're so boring," Ino huffed, childishly, and Sakura rolled her eyes.

And so the blonde finally told her what the perfect gift would be but in less graphic detail — to give Naruto herself, all dolled up! Hinata predictably blushed like a volcano and said that she couldn't possibly do that, and that was when Sakura came in, just as they arranged in case this happened. She rested her chin in her hands, and let loose a light sigh. Then, she gazed at their blushing friend, disappointment developing in her eyes.

"That's too bad, Hinata," Sakura said softly. "Because I'm pretty sure Naruto would never turn down something like this."

And that ladies and gentleman, was all it took for Hinata to agree to sit in a box and be Naruto Uzumaki's gift.

But this phase of the plan was absolutely boring — the seemingly endless waiting. She blew a long strand of champagne-colored hair out of her azure eyes as she leaned against the wall, a pout residing on her made up face. It made sense why Sakura was the one who had the job of waiting around for Naruto and enticing the blond to come to the backroom, but it still sucked.

Here Ino was, natural extrovert and party girl, and she was standing all alone, away from the convivial chatter, loud music, and pretty Christmas decorations. How fair was that?

You're doing this for Hinata, she told herself sternly. However, it did not mean she wasn't allowed to whine or sulk. Standing there all by her lonesome, wasting her cute party dress, Ino did just that. She flipped her long, glossy ponytail, she peered down at her freshly painted crimson nails, and tapped her foot impatiently against the floor; looking up every now and then, she hoped to see a familiar head of pink tresses and scruffy blond hair coming down the hallway towards her.

She had no such luck, of course.

"Fuck it! I'm getting a cookie!" Ino suddenly cried, pushing herself up from against the wall. Diets be damned, she really wanted one. Ino knew for a fact that Choji's mom had baked her super-secret homemade gingersnaps, just so he could bring them to the party. They were the softest, moistest gingersnap cookies she had ever tasted. She made them every year without fail — and every year without fail, Ino had her fill of the delectable and sugary desserts.

"I deserve it," she reasoned with herself underneath her breath. The grumbling sound that emitted from her empty, flat stomach finalized it.

The music pulsing from within the large house increased in volume, along with the laughter, shouts, and excited conversations carrying on as she hurried swiftly through the hallway. Ino nodded to herself. She would be quick, just run over to the refreshment table, stuff her face, and then she'd return before anyone could wander into the back room and ruin the entire plan.

It was easy enough, slipping in as if she had always been there. Her entire demeanor lit up like the periwinkle icicle lights hanging just outside the frost-ridden window as she grinned and greeted her fellow party goers.

Relief overwhelmed her as soon as she laid eyes on the objects of her desire. Her mouth practically salivated at the sight of them. Immediately, like the pig she was nicknamed after, she stuffed a sweet and tender cookie into her mouth. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head in euphoria.

"I wondered when you would show up," a monotonous voice conceded in a neutral tone, catching Ino off guard.

"I hate parties," Sasuke muttered darkly to himself.

He did not like the crowds. He did not like the music. Hell, he did not even like the food. The raven-haired teen eyed the array of colorfully wrapped plates of baked goods, snacks, and glasses on the refreshment table. Especially the food — eggnog, gingerbread, candy canes, and the like were all too disgustingly saccharine and sweet for his tastes. All in all, he just really hated the Christmas season, and everything that came with it.

As far as Sasuke was concerned, it was just another holiday people used as an excuse to rally together, party it up, and get absolutely wasted.

"Stop being such a Scrooge!" Sakura scolded him, and Sasuke rolled his eyes. If it wasn't for Naruto begging him to come, he would not even be here. Speaking of which, said obnoxious blond was nowhere in sight. It figures he'd arrive late to the very party he implored Sasuke to come to until he agreed just to shut him up.

"Where's Naruto?" the pink-haired girl asked, echoing his thoughts. She chewed her lower lip, a nervous habit he did not see her often partake in. Strange, he thought. The more he observed her, the more obvious it was that Sakura was anxious about something. When Sasuke merely raised an onyx eyebrow at her, and she caught him staring, Sakura's cheeks actually reddened. She laughed nervously, raking a hand through her short, bubblegum locks. Her emerald irises flitted away.

That confirmed it. Definitely strange, he mused. "What?" Sakura snapped, her nerves obviously frayed.

Sasuke shrugged. She was up to something, but he did not care enough to investigate. Whatever the dobe got, he probably deserved. "Don't know."

"Well, if you see him, tell him I want to talk to him, okay?"

"Sure," Sasuke drawled tonelessly. He did not bother telling her he didn't plan on hanging around much longer. It was not necessary to embellish anyway since right after she questioned him, Sakura smiled in thanks before parading off in her little black dress, weaving through the crowd.

Tired of being cramped in the illustrious confines of this house — it may have belonged to TenTen Cho, but he wasn't really sure, nor did he honestly give a damn — he made his way to the back.

The hallway surprisingly was free of people, and his sense of claustrophobia began to gradually dwindle. Sasuke already felt like he could breathe easier. There was a door at the end of the threshold which was closed, no doubt signifying absolute privacy, and serving as a true refuge away from the annoyingly cheery music floating through the air, and blinding flashing multi-colored lights.

He wrapped his hand around the knob, and turned it, opening the door.

Finally, some peace and quiet.

It swung open silently as if it had been oiled just yesterday. The room was encased in pitch black, and Sasuke naturally could not see a thing.

He groped for a nearby light. Luckily, he was able to locate one, and flicked on the switch without a moment's hesitation. Sasuke glanced around the room to take in his surroundings. Being the watchful, not to mention, paranoid person he was, he wanted to be sure there wasn't a fangirl waiting in secret to ambush him. It was then his dark eyes settled upon a box; he observed that it was not just any plain box, but a decently sized one, wrapped with elaborate holiday-themed paper. The white and silver snowflakes with a striking blue backdrop gleamed mutely underneath the artificial lighting.

"A present?" Sasuke mused aloud.

Ino willed herself to become transparent, sucked down into a gaping hole in the floor, anything to be away from that fathomless, probing gaze — but she remained as visible as ever. A hint of pink warmed her features as she faced off with the expression-less, silent Shino.

As if the situation couldn't get any worse, Ino's stomach gave yet another loud and unattractive gurgle. Despite herself, she blushed even harder at the way Shino's head dipped briefly downwards to peer at her grumbling stomach. Struggling to maintain an unfazed appearance, Ino hurriedly chewed her mouthful of cookie, swallowed, and then pasted on a cheerful smile. "Of course I'd show up! I'd never miss a party like this." The words were spoken in a high falsetto — far too jubilantly, but oh well. "Now if you'll excuse me . . ." She tried to get around him, but he moved to block her path.

Damn you, Shino Aburame.

"You are up to something," Shino stated upfront in a deadpan voice. He peered at her unflinchingly for a long moment. Being under such a powered stare that she couldn't even see because of his eternally present sunglasses unnerved Ino, though she tried not to show it.

"I don't know what you mean," Ino lied, fluttering her flaxen eyelashes at him. "I'm just here to have a good time."

"Perhaps. But your peculiar behavior, along with Sakura and Hinata's for the past few days, indicate you are both planning something. My instincts tell me you are the one behind it all."

She took a deep breath. Damn, this guy sure didn't mess around. She could not fault him for being concerned about Hinata's well-being — she knew the two of them were good friends — but it still was vexing, especially since she was on a time crunch here. Shino's observation skills probably came in handy, but right now, they were nothing but a pest. The blonde waved a hand in a flippant gesture. "I might be," Ino replied evasively. "But it's to help Hinata." She tried to put emphasis on the word 'help', hoping it would get him off of her back.

"I admit to being dubious of your brand of help, but all right." When Shino surprisingly acquiesced, Ino let out a huge, whooshing sigh of relief. "But if that is the case," he continued, "Then I wish . . . to help you help her."

"Hm." Actually, she could see the benefit in enlisting Shino's aid. The more she looked at him, the more potential she saw behind the high collar and those dark sunglasses of his. Shino looked mysterious, an enigma among a sea of rambunctious and gyrating teenagers.

"Sure!" Ino beamed brightly after a heartbeat. "Just follow me. We can't afford to waste any more time than we already have . . ."

When Sasuke saw the box shake slightly, he inclined an eyebrow. Against his better judgment, he took a series of steps closer to examine it. What could it possibly contain inside of it? Perhaps it was a young, hyperactive puppy? Or maybe a tiny, fluffy kitten?

It did not matter. More than likely, it was a pet of some unimportant species; he did not even like animals, and it was none of his concern either way. Yet, Sasuke lingered an arm's length away from the doorway, listening to the muffled noises coming from inside the box.

Curiosity gnawed away at him, becoming increasingly difficult to ignore as it grew steadily each passing moment. If there was one thing he hated more than anything, it was not knowing.

Proper protocol along with a voice suspiciously sounding similar to Sakura's in his head said it wasn't his present to open, and therefore he should not dare; but Sasuke had never been one to follow the rules unless they suited him, and as far as he was concerned, anything left out in the open like this was fair game. He had already crossed the small distance, and started methodically untying the glittery ribbon, letting it carelessly flutter to the floor. Then he set to work rendering the paper covering the box asunder.

Sasuke didn't care about making a mess. Curiosity alone commanded him to find out what the box contained, once and for all.

He was not at all prepared for what happened next.

The moment Sasuke lifted the lid, a figure leaped out of the box, like a spring.

"T-Tada!"

Sasuke's jaw dropped to the floor, eyes widening and mouth drying simultaneously at the sight he beheld before him. He simply could not believe it.

It was Hinata.

Clad in a form fitting red Santa outfit, zipped up in the front with white faux fur trimming along the ends of the long sleeves and short hemline that barely skimmed the top of her knees, and a red Santa cap perched perkily atop her head, she was certainly a sight to behold. Completing the look was a huge bow adorning her back like the large wings of an ornate butterfly. The exceedingly long trailing ends of the bright red ribbon that made up the bow was tangled about her pale, creamy legs, no doubt the cause for her having trouble staying in position and thus making so many noises.

What he thought next, if ever ushered aloud, would probably sound awfully trite and out of character. Thankfully he was safe within the confines of his own mind, and was free to think as he wished. For Sasuke was certain without a doubt that there was no way any girl on the face of the planet could trump Hinata's enticing appearance tonight — or ever, for that matter.

"S-Sas-suke-san!"

At her stuttered exclamation upon noticing him, Hinata flushed an attractive shade of red. Sasuke watched in fascination as he was able to observe, without the usual obstruction of bulky clothing, the blush that covered her body extend as far as the tops of her generous chest.

Sasuke swallowed harshly before finally tearing his gaze away to fix on her face, a light shade of pink crossing his own cheeks.

They stared at each other in complete and utter silence.

Horror made Hinata freeze up like an ice sculpture of her former, able-bodied self, but once she could move again she grabbed the lid from Sasuke and promptly got back inside the box. Recalling the way Sasuke's eyes drifted up and down, Hinata knew as a matter of fact that he had gotten a good look, and the realization made her groan.

This is humiliating! she thought. Of all people to see her like this, it had to be Sasuke. The Sasuke Uchiha, who was the best friend of her crush Naruto Uzumaki, and adored by virtually every girl with a set of eyes. Not only was he captain of the Kendo club, top of the school academically and socially, but he was Naruto's long-time friend from childhood. If that wasn't enough, he also just happened to be the same boy who had teased Hinata mercilessly throughout early elementary school! Well, to be fair she supposed . . . he had apologized in his own way when they were older, but it wasn't like they became buddy buddy after that.

She could not believe this was happening.

Maybe if she remained silent and motionless, he would go away. Her nerve all but abandoned her, Hinata resolved to immediately make a run for the closet, and hide until she was sure it was safe to come out. That sounded like a good plan, didn't it? As long as Sasuke left her alone, and did not breathe a word of this to anyone, things would be just fine . . . she could continue to religiously avoid Sasuke for the rest of her life, and vow to never get sucked into another half botched plan by Ino ever again.

"Hinata," Sasuke quietly hissed, and she stilled, sucking in deep, ragged breath. "Someone's coming."

Sasuke banished any and all not so innocent images of the blushing Hyuuga in various compromising positions from his mind as approaching footsteps sounded nearer. He vaguely could make out voices, but all he thought was that as he could not let anyone see Hinata like this. The raven-haired teen searched the room for a hiding place, saw that there was a closet, and wasted no time in doing what he had to in order to ensure no one else laid eyes on Hinata Hyuuga in a sexy Santa outfit.

From within the interior of the box, he heard a choked squeak released in fright. He tried not to jostle her around too much as he moved her, but he could not help it. Even if she did not weigh very much, it was still a considerable feat, moving as quickly and quietly as he was.

Sasuke didn't know how he had managed to open the door, but in a matter of seconds he was putting the box with Hinata inside of it down, and she was stumbling to her feet, trailing, red ribbons twining around her legs.

Just as the closet door clicked shut, she fell against him, chest to chest, wide, sparkling moonstone eyes peering upwards into opaque onyx ones.

When Ino walked in, Shino trailing after her, she gaped. The lights were on, the box nowhere to be seen, and ripped up wrapping paper was scattered carelessly all across the floor. But all of those things were the least of her concerns.

"Where the hell is Hinata?" the blonde shrieked frantically in a loud, booming voice.

to be continued.

end of part o1.