merry christmas,

enjoy this holiday special xx

The hiate was set gently on a desk, the young woman pausing as walked towards her closet. She stood silently in front of the mirror, her finger tracing the scar that wound across her neck, memories of that day flashing across her mind. Five years had passed since Winter Ookami had died, and then come back to life, and yet she still found herself thinking about it on a daily basis.

Shaking her head slightly, Winter entered her closet and located the bag hanging in the corner, gently pulling it from its place. She laid it out on her bed, unzipping it slowly, and taking out the beautiful navy blue kimono. The sleeves were stitched with a golden thread, weaving delicate flowers that climbed up her arms and across her shoulder blades. Sheer fabric laid over the body of the kimono, adding a gentle shimmer to the bodice.

The kimono had been specially ordered for her by Emiko, the purple haired woman claiming the seamstress she knew had a gift like no other. Winter had to admit, the kimono was stunning, the fabric soft against her skin and moving silently like the ripples in a river.

She finished putting it on before running a brush through her hair, pulling it back into a neat bun, long pieces of hair framing her face on each side. She walked over to her dresser, pulling open the top drawer and taking out a box that had collected years of dust on top. She blew on it, the dust billowing off, and her finger traced the faint lettering on the top. A soft smile appeared on her face and she opened it, taking out the simple necklace that laid on a velvet cushion.

The silver chain was delicate, a single fire opal resting on it, about the size of her pinkie fingernail. She put her mother's necklace on and stared at her reflection once more, seeing her mother in the way her eyes widened and the curves of her figure now fully filled out. Melancholy enveloped her and she allowed herself to wallow in it for a moment before straightening up.

Today was a day for celebration and happiness, not for reflecting on the past.

There was a knock on her door and she opened it, her faint smile growing as she looks at her twin. He woke a black kimono, silver thread shaping gentle waves that crested in a glorious fashion.

Over the past five years Eien had grown immensely, both physically and mentally. He still maintained his slim form, but he'd been working hard at becoming a better ninja which mean his once lanky body had become more toned. A lot of the girls in the village had noticed that. And Eien had also become a wonderful leader, working on accepting different viewpoints and making a peace with others to ensure their future.

He smiled back at her, "Ready?"

She smiled back, his female mirror, "I feel like I should be asking you that question."

The two walked down the mostly empty streets and Winter laughed, "I suppose Emiko invited everyone to the wedding if the streets are this empty."

Eien chuckled, "Just about everyone I think, but only to the reception, not the ceremony. Close friends and family only for that."

Their conversation lulled, a comfortable silence enveloping them as they entered the snow dusted woods, following a shoveled path. Floating orbs of light lit the path up in swathes of light purples and grays, the lights growing in number as they entered the clearing.

Winter looked around, nodding hello to Gaara and winking at one of Sairen's kids who smiled back mischievously. Naruto and Hinata, married earlier this spring, sat by a tired looking Ja'far who perked up when he saw Winter. She made her way over to them, taking the empty seat next to him, and looking around the simply decorated clearing.

The sun was beginning to set, painting beautiful colors on the snow below, the dying light making a few crystal glimmer briefly. Everyone grew quiet at Eien stood at the altar before them, putting both his hands out to the side, two people making their way up the small steps.

Emiko always had a soft beauty to her, and today she was more radiant than ever in a white kimono embroidered with a multitude of sakura flowers. Her hair was loose for once, the straight strands brushing against her collarbone, and she wore no jewelry.

Daiki, for once, had no hood and his white hair reflected that of the snow around them, and his kimono was a light gray, no embroidery in sight. He had always been a simple man and that was reflected in the kimono.

As Eien started the marriage ceremony, Winter found herself in a trance of sorts, in such a peaceful setting that she found herself relaxing a little bit.

Something stirred within her as she watched Eien tie the red string around their hands, the two lifting up the ornate cup to take a drink as one, binding them together. She identified the feeling as happiness, mixed with longing, and the feeling only increased as the two exchanged rings.

Wonderment.

That's what she was feeling, wonderment at how a war had brought together nations and people alike, at how the effects were still reaching her now. At how peace seemed like a tangible thing

The next few hours passed by in a blur; they made their way to the conference room— which was large and round and had such high ceilings Winter sometimes wondered what architect would build them —where everyone else awaited. Food was served, music filled the room, and Winter lost count of how many people she politely smiled at and shook hands with.

Even now, she was considered a legend and many wished to meet her.

Once her face hurt from smiling so much, Winter found her way to one of the upper levels, leaning against a column and looking over the banister at the people dancing below.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Ja'far's voice drew her out of her thoughts and she looked over at him, taking in his black kimono with red stitching.

She looked back down, watching Emiko and Daiki attempt to dance, the two laughing widely. "I never imagined people like us could have this."

"Have what?" He asked gently, standing next to her.

She gestured at the scene below, "This. Happiness, stability, hell even a night where you aren't looking over your shoulder every few seconds." She took a deep breath, "I just always assumed the happily ever afters weren't available to ninja, but I guess all along it was just me that they weren't available to."

"If you ask me, I think you got a pretty decent happy ending." he murmured, his low voice echoing in her ears. "This, all of this, is because of you and the others who fought on the battlefield. And best of all, you're here to see it. You might not realize it, but you created a ripple effect that reached far and wide, and you should be very proud of yourself."

He cleared his throat, growing silent once more. Winter took his words to heart, mulling them over and then tucking them away for later.

"Is this... something you want?" He asked quietly, "A fancy wedding? Being married?"

She shrugged halfheartedly, "I'm not sure, I've always pushed myself to not rely on others so this never occurred to me until recently, I'm still trying to sort it all out. A while back I thought I found someone I could spend my life with," her gaze lingered on the blond laughing loudly, "but he found someone else." This time her gaze moved to the woman standing next to him, a shy smile on her face.

Ja'far watched her, noted the sadness flash across her eyes, and felt his own heart hurt for a moment. "And now?"

She turned her attention to him, "And now what?"

"Have you found someone else you thought you can spend your life with?"

Winter tilted her head, her eyes narrowing almost playfully at him, "Perhaps."

He smirked at her, the music from below humming in their blood, and he felt a rush of boldness. So he extended his hand, "Dance with me."

Whatever she'd been expecting him to say, it wasn't that. She blinked in surprise before taking his hand, the two swaying in time to the music, letting the moment envelope them, erasing their fears for the future and letting them escape the nightmares of the past.

Eventually Winter found her head resting against his chest, Ja'far's hands on her hips, her arms wrapped loosely around his torso. "Six years." His voice was a deep rumble in her ears, the sound vibrating from his chest.

"Six years for what?"

"If you still want all of this and aren't sure who you want to do it with in six years, I'll do it with you."

She looked up at him, taking in the set of his jaw and the way he looked at her evenly. He was serious.

Winter thought of the past few years, how the two had become close enough Eien joked Ja'far might just turn into her twin, and how when she was around him she felt safe enough to not be on edge. She thought of the late nights the two spent wandering the woods, neither being able to sleep. She remembered how in Heaven a goddess had told her that she still had a tether to the world, and how while the others assumed it was Eien, she knew deep down it was Ja'far who anchored her to the mortal world.

"I almost didn't come back," was her reply, "but I remembered a promise I made. It was to you." The confusion in his gaze was replaced by recognition, "I promised that since you trusted me I would always find a way back, so I came back."

"I'm glad you did."

"So am I." At some point they'd stopped moving and she whispered to him, "I'd take you up on your offer, but there's a small problem."

"Hm?"

She looked at him, her eyes serious and the only sign of her nerves was the breath she took to steady herself, "I already found the person I want to be with."

He smiled and leaned down, "Can I tell you a secret?"

She nodded, her heat beating against its cage of bone, "Of course."

"Me too."