My Brother's a Jinchūriki! EXTRAS

2020 Christmas Special Part One

Natsumi and Naruto walked huddled close together for warmth as their thin jackets did little to stave off the cold. They had stuffed extra newspaper into the lining for added warmth, and even added some to the inside of their boots, though their fingers and toes were numb. Snow crunched lightly underfoot as they passed stores on the crowded sidewalk. They were pushed aside by the bustling adults, and sneers and scowls followed them everywhere.

"Wow!"

"Look at that!"

"Mom, I want that!"

The twins turned to look at the crowd assembled outside of a large store where children of all ages pressed themselves to the window with wide eyes. The eight-year-old twins wiggled their way through the sea of people and stood on tiptoes to catch glimpses of what was behind the glass:

Electric trains chugging over tracks that looped under a Christmas tree through the stacks of wrapped boxes set up to resemble prop gifts; the newest models of remote-controlled airplanes hung with wires to look like they were engaged in battle; realistic-looking toy Shuriken and Kunai hanging from the trees' branches like ornaments; roller-skates, skateboards, and ice skates displayed on clear tiered shelving; figurines of Shinobi were arranged to look like they were scaling the tree with garland; and a variety of small box televisions, cassette players, CD players, and radios. The tree was alit with twinkling lights of all colors and their eyes grew wide as they stared at the plethora of toys.

"Wow..." Naruto grinned and the word came out as a soft breath.

"I've never seen so many toys in one place before..." Natsumi murmured in the same way. "It's amazing."

"Dad, can I have that?!" A boy tugged on the sleeve of the man beside him, who reached down to ruffle his hair.

"I'm sure Santa will get it for you. You've been a great kid."

"Hoorah!" The boy cheered, and Naruto frowned slightly and crossed his arms.

"There's no such thing as Santa..."

The children without earshot gasped and the adults scowled down at the twins as their kids' eyes watered.

"T-That's not true!" Several children on the verge of tears looked to their parents. "Tell him!"

"Hmph!" Naruto narrowed his eyes stubbornly at them as Natsumi nervously shrunk behind her brother. "Of course Santa's not real! He's never given us anything ever!"

The dumbstruck children clung to their parents and the adults glared daggers at the boy.

"That's because he gives gifts to good children." One woman sneered. "Not to beasts."

The twin's eyes widened slightly and quiet mocking laughter sounded from the adults, and the children with them joined in. Naruto and Natsumi's face flushed red from the cold, from the anger and frustration, and the embarrassment.

"Who needs your stupid Santa anyway?!" Naruto shouted and balled his hands into fists. "We have better and funner Christmases than you!" He grabbed his sister's trembling hand and pulled her away from the crowd. "Come on, Natsumi. These people are just stupid jerks."

After walking down another street, Naruto huffed angrily and released Natsumi's hand.

"Hmph... those jerks... what do they know?"

Natsumi's eyes watered and spilled over and she covered her flushed face with her bare hands.

"Natsumi?" He leaned in close to her face and put his hand on either cheek. "Don't cry!"