FULLVIEW PLEASE
*****
It was the only night of the year that the Akatsuki let the past wash over them.
They scattered, solitary, to darkened corners under hooded eyes and heavy hands, memories flooding their bloodstream and turning the world amber.

He removed the picture from his breast pocket, thumbing the frayed edges, a token more of habit than of sentimentalism. And yet, and yet, now was the time to wallow in self pity, might-have-beens, and close calls.

Sasuke, the only family he had left...where was he on this cold night? Was he remembering the Christmases before? Those happy, warm times, hands in mittens, noses red, building snowmen together, idyllic childhood--these things belonged to another life. A destroyed life.

Itachi sighed. you knew it was a bad night when the bartender got tired of filling your drink and just threw you the bottle. But sometimes, the best thing to do is take your pain and bury it in a box deep inside and let it float in alcohol.

He took another long draw as it burned his throat. This waiting would be over soon. And then there would be one left, one Uchiha. He wondered if Sasuke had figuerd it out yet; the fight wasn't the decider of victory, it was the one that would be left all alone, the last one standing, that would be the loser.
*****
Sorry to get all depressing on you, but we all know that this is really how Itachi would spend christmas: drinking himself into oblivion. I think I'll submit this to 's Christmas contest, even though I think they're looking for something happy. I'm in the process of changing my coloring style, so this is a bit of a transition piece for me.
Something happy is coming from me in the way of a REAL christmas present to all the other narutards, so watch for it *hint hint*
PSCS3
comments/faves/watches much MUCH appreciated