There's a Reason He Doesn't Sleep

A toast

Sasuke and Naruto walked downstairs hand in hand, laughing a bit as their friends gasped at the sight and hurried over to congratulate them. While Sasuke was all smiles, Naruto too, smiled a bit as his heart beat dangerously. Itachi's eyes remained fixed upon him, not once blinking as Sasuke and Naruto neared Kurama. Looking away, Naruto decided to trust Sasuke and instantly felt better knowing that Sasuke was once again with him.

"So.." Kyu began, crossing his arms as he stood beside Konan, Itachi next to him sitting on the armrest of the couch.

"I guess it makes sense you're probably angry." Sasuke spoke, unable to meet Kyu's eyes. He had expected an outburst from Naruto's older brother, but was once again reminded that Kyu likes to fix everything with his fists. That being said, he reacted slowly once realizing the fist Kyu held in his hand was for him and was unable to evade as the fist made contact with the Uchiha's jaw. Everyone gasped as they hear the loud smack. Recovering, Sasuke only rubbed slightly at his reddened cheek while Naruto panicked.

"Angry doesn't begin to cover it." Kurama growled, ignoring Naruto's concerned look. "It's been almost a full month, Uchiha."

"Kyu, please-"

"Shut it, Naruto." Kyu's red brown eyes maintained themselves glued to Sasuke's face. "Sasuke, a word outside."

Naruto looked over towards Sasuke, who only gave a wry smile back. He gave the blond a tight grip on his hand before letting go and heading off behind Naruto's older brother. Konan sighed, stepping over next to Naruto with her arm around his shoulder. "He'll be fine." She assured. "It's Christmas Eve, I'm sure he won't kill him."

Naruto chuckled a bit, but couldn't help but worry as Kyu's shouting form the outside somehow infiltrated through the door and into everyone's ears. "Stop being nosy and let's gather around!" Konan shouted, raising her glass and pointing to the table adorned with winter themed flowers and delicious food. "Naruto, you sit here." She said, grabbing the boy's hand and easily dragging him past Itachi to sit him down in the center of the table.

"Konan, don't you think we should wait?" Sakura asked, snapping a quick picture of Ino and Sai in front of the christmas tree. "Kyu's going to be mad if we start off without him."

"They'll be here in a sec." Konan assured, walking over to gather Itachi, Pein and Hidan. Like she had done with Naruto, she dragged all three of them over to the table and to the blond's relief, sat all the way towards the end of the table.

As everyone took a seat, Naruto watched as a very intimidated Sasuke walked shyly behind Kyu. More like dragged over towards him as Kyu had the Uchiha's collar in his hold. "Alright, it's settled. You can date him." He announced, letting Sasuke go and pointing him to the seat next to Naruto.

"He's scared, Kyu. What did you do to him?" Deidara asked, looking over towards Sasuke and throwing him the middle finger as Sasuke stuck his tongue out at him.

"What needed to be said and done." Kyu replied simply, glancing over at Sasuke and making a scissor cutting motion with his hands.

"Anyways, on to dinner and stuff." Sakura raised her voice as she took in the serious emotion on Kyu's features. Everyone too, noticed and laughed a bit as Kyu winked towards Sasuke. "Naruto, would you?"

Nodding hesitantly, Naruto held his glass of sparkling wine. Cleating his throat, he looked around and smiled as everyone joined him. "A toast." He began. "To friends and family."

"Boring!" Kyu shouted. "This is how you do it." He said, earning a kick under the table from both Konan and Sakura as he rudely took over. "A toast to me for bossing Sakura and Deidara to prepare the food, another one for making Itachi do the roof, and obviously for being the brilliant mastermind behind all of this." He finished, raising his glass higher and taking a sip. Ino, Sai, and Tenten all laughed but joined him, the rest rolling their eyes and commenting one Kyu's little toast.

"Naruto, have you seen the hose from the outside yet?" Konan asked over the sound of silverware and talking.

"I haven't, but I'm pretty sure you and Kyu did a great job." Naruto said with a smile.

"Actually, it was mostly Itachi, but you're absolutely right, though. It's kickass, the neighbours will be so jealous." Konan laughed, nudging Itachi on the side as he conversed with Kisame across from him. "Right babe?"

"Right." Itachi agreed, though having no idea what he agreed to. Naruto simple smiled awkwardly as Konan then turned towards him and the two laughed. Looking over towards Sasuke, Naruto noticed how the boy looked happy to be next to him.

As dinner progressed, Naruto and Sasuke were pulled into different conversations, mostly from Hinata and Tenten as they seemed to have much to say. Amongst all the chattering and laughter, Ino and Sakura joined in, talking about Naruto and Sasuke, expressing how happy they were that they were finally back together and on Christmas Eve no less.

Naruto seemed happy for once. To him, it was only him and Sasuke, not once did he register Itachi and Konan walking over until Konan had surprised him with a hug before moving on to Sasuke.

"This means nothing." Itachi whispered into the boy's ear as his arms pulled Naruto close in a less than comfortable hug. "Sasuke." He rose his voice as he pulled away. "I really hope you don't mess this up again." He said with a smile as Konan nodded.

Naruto scoffed internally, knowing Itachi would be unable to do anything to him now that Sasuke was back. He trusted Sasuke, and he knew Itachi wouldn't be able to get close to him now. That made him a little happy. Itachi's torture would end.