Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Demon's of Konoha ❯ Chritmas disaster ( Chapter 34 )

“Hey Naruto, Sasuke am I late?” Iruka jogged to catch up to the boys outside of the Uchiha complex. He had spent all morning wondering what to wear and by what Naruto had meant by `casual' the night before. Casual to Iruka and casual to Naruto were two different things Iruka had thought, that was until he remembered Naruto without the orange jumpsuit. Finally deciding to wear a pair of black dress slacks with a light blue dress shirt and matching dinner jacket Iruka figured he was ready for anything. Apparently the boys had similar ideas about casual, as they both wore nice pants with a dinner jacket and dress shirts. Glad he wasn't under dressed or over dressed for the occasion he brought a hand up to wave at the boys.

 

“Iruka-sensei you are just on time. Let's go on in, dinner should be ready soon.” Naruto smiled bouncing on his toes in excitement; his breathe causing puffs in the chilly air around them. His aura radiated happiness that felt almost unearthly, causing everyone to smile around him. Christmas usually consisted of Hinata, Sasuke and Naruto himself but this year it's grown much larger. Haku and her family were added to the mix and they invited their sensei. Kusinagi even promised to be there and dressed appropriately not wanting to upset the girls in his cell. Sakura was the only one not invited as she didn't know any of the secrets that the others knew. Iruka was even a wild card, but unlike Sakura he didn't have any family to spend the day with. Having to dress up didn't even put a damper on his mood.

 

“Glad you could make it Iruka-sensei” Sasuke spoke as the walked through the entrance to the Uchiha compound, feeling a brief change over their bodies as the walked inside. “In case Naruto forgot to inform you we need the things you seen here to remain a secret. Just remember that everyone here has the trust of the Hokage, and as such a part of Konoha. Things you know to be true will be questioned.”

 

“You are now entering the Twilight Zone. Doo do do do doo do do do. ” Naruto sang the theme song ignoring the glare Sasuke gave him instead he turned to smile at Iruka trying to ignore the look of disbelief on his teachers face. Finally it got to be too much for him. “What I've always wanted to do that. Geez, you guys don't have a sense of humor. I mean I knew the Teme didn't but not you too Iruka-sensei. Where is Hinata when I need her?” Naruto continued as he bounced on his toes as he thought about his girlfriend. “She has a sense of humor at least.”

 

“Dobe, that's only because her sense of humor is as twisted as yours if not more so.” Sasuke smiled softly as he thought about his little sister. “You know I am actually scared about what I'm getting from her for Christmas this year. Last years took the cake.” Sasuke shuttered in thought at the seemingly innocent face that Hinata wore as she presented the nicely wrapped gift. “Why was I the one to get a gag gift last year? It wasn't my turn.” He couldn't help but groan in dismay, and an Uchiha does not groan for any reason.

 

Uchiha Rule # 538: An Uchiha must not groan no matter what he is faced with, no matter the circumstances. If the need to groan is apparent remember that an Uchiha is above normal people because they possess the Sharingan, and as such must not act like commoners. Poor Sasuke had that rule and others by the time he was five, and people wondered why he had an issue showing emotions. Thankfully Itachi, as the rightful Uchiha Clan Head, in his infinite wisdom gave Sasuke other orders allowing him to show his feelings to his friends. Uchiha Rule # 2: No matter what the Clan Head asks you must do it with pride as they are the Clan Head and only has your best interests at heart.

 

Snorting was heard before loud laughter ripped from Naruto's lips as he doubled over in mirth at the gift. “T-that w-was great Teme; a-anyone else w-would h-have b-been k-killed. Hinata g-got y-you good, y-you s-should have seen your face.” Naruto couldn't stop laughing at remembering the gift Hinata got Sasuke also. The gift was just so fitting Naruto thought, especially how he acts in public compared to how he acts in private. It taunted his prankster side that his girlfriend got one over on the Uchiha. It made him want to also.

 

Naruto stopped laughing when he felt a sharp pain in his side that briefly knocked the air from his lungs. Sasuke pulled back his fist with an annoyed look in his eyes, glaring at Naruto to laugh again. Air had shot out of Naruto's mouth with`oomph' as he rubbed his side trying to dull the sting. “Damn it Teme, what was that for?”

 

“You were distracted on memory lane Dobe. I was doing my civic duty to bring you to the present.” Sasuke raised an eyebrow daring Naruto to say something again as he straightened his dinner jacket, brushing imaginary lint off of his sleeves. Even in the casual clothes he was wearing, Sasuke looked perfect without a wrinkle in sight, his hair and jacket immaculate while Naruto's jacket had a couple of wrinkles on it already. Naruto really didn't take the hint that Sasuke didn't want that discussed so Sasuke silenced him in the only way he knew how. By the Uchiha School of Hard Knocks and by that I mean his fist although other body parts have been used before a foot, a kunai, a frying pan, really what ever a Uchiha has hit you with counted. Now Sasuke could only pray that Naruto dropped it before Iruka wanted to know what it was.

 

“So what was the gift?” Iruka wondered innocently aloud before realizing “I mean if it could make Sasuke Uchiha blush then it had to be pretty good. I don't think I've ever seen such an interesting shade on your face in all the years I've known you.” Sasuke's face was sporting a small blush across his cheeks that instantly faded into nothingness. Iruka scratched the scar on his nose, in a nervous gesture something they noticed he did from school.

 

`Too late' Sasuke wanted to repeatedly beat his head against the stone wall but decided it would be counter productive. `Naruto better not tell him.'

 

“Hinata got him a”

 

`I will kill him. Maim him. Destroy him. SHUT UP NARUTO.'

 

“Dobe shut up” Sasuke couldn't stop himself from shouting hoping to cut Naruto off. Apparently Naruto didn't catch the hint about the slug to the side. Maybe he should be more forceful. “Iruka doesn't need to know this. NO ONE needs to know this.” `I wonder if Hinata could beat him with a wooden spoon for this. Nah, it was a gift from her so she would think it's hilarious. Evil little sister.'

 

“Vibrating icicle shaped butt plug.” `No such luck' Sasuke wanted to hide his head in the ground in embarrassment. Right now life as an ostrich looked pretty tempting to the ninja. He could be the first Uchiha Ostrich in all of the Elemental Nations! “She told him that if he was going to act like he had an icicle shoved up his ass he might as well have one to stick in his ass.” Naruto's laughter rang out again as Sasuke tightened his fist, swinging it at his friends face. Sasuke was only slightly amused that Naruto dunked out of the way of the fist in reflex.

 

“Dobe, people do not need to know that. Great now he's going to think I'm gay or something.” Sasuke ran his fingers through his bangs pulling them away from his face in frustration before letting them go. Softly they fell back to his face, no locks out of place. Really life as an ostrich sounded great right about now. “You really don't think do you? There is some stuff you can tell people and some stuff you can't.” `And this one was a big can't.'

 

“How can you be gay, you're dating Haku-nee-chan?” Naruto's face scrunched up in confusion at the thought before smiling at Sasuke's antics. “It was just a gag gift Teme, we all know you're not gay that's what makes it so great.” The thought of Sasuke being gay made Naruto smile harder, the unintentional Lady Killer to women and girls alike gay oh the irony. “I mean come on you have a better porn supply than I do and I'm considered a pervert.” It was true when Hinata and Haku moved out the boys discovered porn and girly magazines, and with Kakashi as their sensei they were never without. In fact Kakashi thought it was great his two students were perverts, now if he could just get Hinata back on his team life would be perfect.

 

“Not helping Naruto” Sasuke swore under his breath at the dobe. Sure he had a porn collection; he was seventeen years old already. His hormones were just like every other red-blooded males his age, he just had higher standards than most. He was not just going to find a new home for `Lil Sasuke' just anywhere no he wanted someone he found attractive on both a physical and intellectual level. They also had to be a good kunoichi that could handle them selves, as he wanted someone he could rely on not just someone he had to protect. He was so thrilled he found all of that with Haku and she didn't care he was an Uchiha.

 

Iruka on the other hand would never have thought of shy, stuttering Hinata buying someone a butt plug even as gag gifts, let along know what one is. Hell, Iruka didn't know what one was until he was twenty and that was only three years ago. These kids were growing up faster than he was, and he's had his first kill already. Shaking his head to rid the thoughts of his two students being perverts Iruka thought about something else they mentioned.

 

“Who's Haku?” Iruka questioned thinking of all the students he had in school, not completely realizing he was speaking aloud. The name just didn't ring any bells for the young teacher, but that didn't mean she wasn't a citizen of Konoha. Still for her to have caught the elusive Uchiha must mean she was something special. That and he needed something to get his mind off of the butt plug story. He really needed something to get his mind off of that. Sasuke was right; there was some things people did not need to know.

 

“She's on Hinata's team with Mamoru Kusanagi and Anko Mitsurugi.” Naruto smiled again opening the door to the mansion catching the mouth-watering aroma that was dinner. “Smells like dinner is almost ready, and I can tell that both Hinata and Haku are both in there.” Naruto pulled his shoes off to rest by the door as he chose to ignore the sounds of pans banging together in the kitchen instead choosing to wipe the drool from his mouth.

 

“Hey Sasuke, where's that girl they brought home with them on that mission?” Naruto asked scrunching his nose in concentration. He could feel everyone else's chakra but not hers. Almost as if it wasn't there, but then again she was a civilian but he couldn't even smell her. `Maybe she's not in the house' Naruto surmised confident in his tracking abilities even with the Uchiha chakra barriers around the compound.

 

“She left this morning, something about the Hokage. She will be back in a few days though.” Sasuke gave the stock answer they wanted him to give. What was he going to say `Oh yes Naruto, well she left this morning with Tani, you know Tani don't you the girl Kyuubi was engaged to and is secretly sealed in Hinata, to visit Shukaku, you know the one that thinks his sister was jilted and is sealed in Gaara, about something that happened this morning and last night. Apparently when she came downstairs for breakfast this morning she bowed down in front of Hinata and asked her to take care of her, and that she looks forward to all the homemaking skills she will learn from her future sister-in-law and since Hinata only has one brother she was meaning Gaara. Since this had never happened before Tani grabbed Youko, the gifts for Gaara, and hightailed it out of here faster than you can say bye.' Oh yes, that would go over so well to the blonde who didn't know anything about what was going on.

 

“Wow something smells good” Iruka commented once they had their shoes off in the house. The aroma of turkey, potatoes and pies filled the air, making his mouth water in anticipation. The banging of pans and yelling from the kitchen made it sound like a battle was going on, instead of a simple dinner being made. “I wonder if they need help in the kitchen.” Iruka made his way to the door pulling it towards him a happy smile on his face. It's been a long time since he's helped with a big dinner, and as a guest he wanted to be helpful completely unaware the danger posed to civilians and shinobi alike.

 

“Sensei WAIT” Naruto cried out as Iruka stuck his head into the kitchen only to quickly dunk behind the swinging door his face white in fright. Firmly lodged in the solid oak door where his head had been located was a cheap wooden spoon. Iruka was panting and sweating at how close he came to having that spoon lodged into his head. This was definitely a different Christmas dinner that he's ever had before. Even his parents who were ninjas never attacked someone for looking into the kitchen. Instead they always wanted help. For the first time that night he began to second guess coming to the dinner.

 

Sasuke grabbed Iruka's arm pulling him off the floor making sure he was steady on his feet before releasing the Chounin. “Hinata and Haku are cooking and that's not a problem but when Hinata's in the kitchen it's safer to stay out of it. I'm just glad you were able to dodge the spoon in time. Let's go outside it should be safer.” Leading away the heavily panting man as he kept looking back at the kitchen door, shaking his head in wonderment at what just happened. Naruto and Sasuke looked at the spoon one last time before a shudder ran through their bodies.

 

Naruto and Sasuke lead Iruka outside where Kakashi and Anko were yelling; alright maybe Anko was the only one yelling. Kakashi was dressed up looking laid back completely at ease and surprisingly so was Anko, only instead of being at ease she was fuming. Anko was yelling at Kakashi about not knowing some `important' information before showing up and blaming it on the silver-haired Jounin while Kakashi tried to look undisturbed only to be given away by the ticking of his eyebrow. Anko was a much harder person to ignore than Gai or anyone for that matter was something she was proud of.

 

“Look at this Kakashi” Anko pointed at a tiny snag on her red sweater dress that she was wearing, the loose thread threatening to snag the whole dress. The dress itself was nice and classy in a Christmas red color that went down to mid thigh; covering all the skin she normally let show. Still the dress hung to all of her assets nicely. Underneath the dress Anko wore her normal fishnets that disappeared into the top of knee high boots, looking nice in a completely Anko style. “If you had just told me Kakashi in advance I wouldn't have this snag and we wouldn't have been fighting. Are you even listening?”

 

“You say something Anko?” Kakashi tried to act all cool, wondering if he was suicidal by taunting the notorious scary Jounin this way. The last few who taunted her never made it out alive or was it sane, Kakashi could never remember. Either way teasing Anko was like a pyromaniac playing with fire, even if you know you will be burned you still can't stop yourself from playing with matches every time.

 

“Fine if you want to be that way, I guess I have to go back to visit Hokage-sama about my teams placement for a while.” Anko peered at her fingernails as if they were the most interesting thing on the face of the planet instead of laughing at the look on Kakashi's face. He had dropped his book to his side eyes wide showing that Anko had his entire attention. “I mean I have to work at the Chounin Exams next week, so I figured I would let you train my team and let them go on missions but since your not interested” Anko let it hang out there before going in for the kill a purely sadistic smile on her face though would make most killers smile. “I suppose I could always get Kurenai or maybe even Gai to train them while I am unavailable.” `Ha got you asshole. No one toys with Anko Mitsurugi.'

 

“NO” Kakashi couldn't have stopped the words from escaping his mouth even if he wanted to “I will take them, no need to bother Hokage-sama with such trivial matters. Our teams know each other so they will get along great.” Kakashi's smile was big enough to turn his one visible eye into the shape of an U. He closed his book before reaching behind him head in a gesture of forgetfulness, that Anko knew wasn't. “I promise next time I will tell you if something like this were to come up again.”

 

“Agreed” Anko ran her fingers down the front of her dress smoothing out any wrinkles she may have had. She wanted to cackle in delight at Kakashi changing his tune so fast, but decided not to. She decided to take the bigger road and tape record it instead, to listen to later for her viewing pleasure.

 

“And Kakashi” the silver-haired Jounin looked up into the eyes of his colleague. “Consider that your Christmas present from me. Now make sure they train hard, I really don't want to have to hurt you about this.”

 

“Alright they look busy” Naruto muttered next to Iruka as he put an arm around Iruka's shoulders pulling him into another area of the yard, where more yelling was taking place wondering if this would be a good idea.

 

BOOM.

 

“FUCK! It's going to take forever to fix this kind of damage.” The explosions and swearing were getting louder as they walked closer to them, debris occasionally flying through the air after each explosion. Naruto sighed knowing he would more than likely be the one cleaning the yard again, since Itachi was still mad about the missing door.

 

“Are we under attack?” The air was silent after an echoing boom making one think of thunder. Another explosion erupted forcing to guys to bring chakra to their feet in order to balance them selves. Iruka closed his eyes as another smoke cloud appears in front of them as another explosion went off, flying debris everywhere again. The boys next to them didn't seem disturbed in the least about the possible threat on the village. From their calm expressions Iruka wondered if he was in a Genjutsu.

 

“More like Aniki is” Sasuke muttered under his breathe before answering Iruka's question. “No this is normal around here. It sounds like someone is training again. No one lives here anymore, so it's safe to train knowing you won't be disturbing anyone.” `That's if they are training or blowing off steam. Either way I am not cleaning up this mess.'

 

“ITACHI HOW COULD SHE DO THIS TO MY PRECIOUS SWORD” Kisame cried out holding his precious sword while pointing at something lodged in between the scales. “Nothing should be able to pierce Samehada and yet your little sister injured my sword. Itachi that's not right, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN teaching her? I was only trying to get a dinner roll, I concealed my chakra. They couldn't have known I was there.” Kisame threw another explosive tag against a tree watching it explode with a resounding boom. Deidara was right about one thing though, making things blow up did make the older man feel better about his situation.

 

“I haven't been teaching her anything new. Did you ever think that maybe you should stay out of the kitchen when the girls are cooking, it looks like it could be bad for your health?” Itachi smirked down at his riled up blue-friend as he was about to cry at the damage done to his precious sword. Kisame was sitting down on the ground in his dress pants holding his precious sword in his lap complaining about the damage occasionally throwing an explosive note against a tree to feel better. The normally unrifled man looked about to cry about his prized possession, as tears were glistening in his eyes. Itachi could only roll his eyes at his teammate. His clothes looked slightly ruffled as if he was in a fight after getting dressed.

 

In between two of the smaller scales that made up the top of Samehada was a wooden spoon, proudly piercing the sword. The spoon refused to budge no matter how much Kisame pulled or tugged on it, causing irritation to the sword master. Nothing had ever been able to pierce Samehada before which is why Kisame was distressed.

 

“She couldn't have used chakra; it's just not possible Samehada would have just absorbed it. What is this spoon evil?” Kisame muttered to himself as he tried for the fifth time to remove the spoon from his sword, which refused to budge from his sword.

 

Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other silently communicating. The spoon was purely evil and this just proved it. They lead Iruka away from the traumatizing scene knowing that the spoon was winning the battle twenty to zero.

 

“Wow guys, great Genjutsu. You almost had me convinced that it was real.” Iruka laughed nervously as they walked away from the two S-Class missing-nins, wanting to get away from the disturbing sight as much as possible, scratching his nose. He sincerely thought that it was a Genjutsu, after all who would believe that two S- class missing-nin were talking about something stupid like a spoon. “You have gotten a lot better at that one. They looked so lifelike. Next time though maybe you should make it more realistic, no one's scared of a wooden spoon.” The boys refused to commit on the one that almost took their former teachers head off.

 

“DINNER'S READY” Haku yelled out into the yard confident that everyone had heard her, after all if they didn't they did not get to eat.

 

Now Iruka Umino wasn't normally a praying man, but at the dinner table he wanted to cry and plead for his life. He should have just run away when he had the chance, instead he was stuck in between Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki both S-class missing-nins. Seeing them outside was one thing he could believe he was trapped in a Genjutsu, but sitting at the dinner table between the two was something else entirely. Apparently Naruto forgot to tell Iruka about some `important' information also, that as the new guy he was to get initiated into the group.

 

-o0o0o0o0o0o0o-

 

“Alright it's time for presents” Kisame cheered no longer upset about his sword. As soon as Hinata pulled the spoon out Kisame had proceeded to beat at until it was the size of a toothpick, which he was using to clean his teeth with causing Hinata grumbled as it was her last one left, making the boys silently cheer. His frustration finally taken out made the normal twenty-four year old man act like he was five again. Something about Christmas did that to men, the girls figured. “I get to go first right? Guys come on I want to go first.”

 

“Haku your uncle is weird” Hinata muttered to her friend as they all sat around the tree waiting for their gifts.

 

“Hai, I know I know, but so is your boyfriend” Haku muttered back looking at Naruto arguing with Kisame about who should go first. Naruto was waving his arms around looking like a blonde monkey, causing the girls to giggle at his antics.

 

“Don't remind me” Hinata muttered back walking to the tree and grabbing a basket full of presents. Walking to each person she dropped off the gifts to her everyone but Naruto and Kisame sharing `Merry Christmases' as she passed the out. Putting the basket on the table she grabbed the two presents left, feeling the heavy weight of the gifts in her hands before swinging them forwards hitting the two in the head with a resounding thud.

“Merry Christmas” Hinata smiled innocently as she gave them their presents before sitting back down on the couch next to Haku watching everyone open their gifts. Some were with amusement (Kusanagi received fertilizer and a book called `Grow your own Garden, which Hinata scratched off and wrote Jutsu's. Inside though were different nature based jutsu's), to a cheer (Itachi received a coupon book for more foot massages along with a restored wedding photo of his parents Hinata found in the attic) to a groan ( Iruka in good humor at the picture of Naruto painting the Hokage Monument with a cheesy paint smeared smile on his face.)

Itachi decided to go next as he grabbed another basket from under the tree, distributing the gifts to the proper owners before smiling intently at Naruto. Anko laughed at the scroll she got handwritten by Itachi called `How to be an Evil Badass MoFo' by Itachi Uchiha' inside were various training techniques that made Orochimaru's training look like a walk in the park. She couldn't stop the heartfelt smile from hitting her face at new evil ways to train her team. The scroll was even broken into chapter that ended in `Perfecting a Glare Uchiha Style, or Making your Opponents Piss themselves in Fear'. A powerful missing-nin who looked hot as hell, and had the same sadistic personality as her was made Anko lick her lips in thought about a certain Itachi Uchiha.

Naruto got some laughs as he opened his present revealing a small box with a little clasp on it. Popping it open were two metal balls inside for stress although the note said otherwise that Naruto unfortunately read aloud. “Naruto since you are or will be dating my sister I figured you would need a new set of balls, since in all likelihood Hinata already owns yours.” Frowning at the card and the chuckles going on around him Naruto glared at Itachi “Very funny sensei.” Sasuke was wiping tears from his eyes at finally feeling avenged for his gift.

“Thanks Aniki” Hinata squealed in delight opening her present and getting another Bo Staff and a twenty piece bamboo set of wooden spoons, reading the brand on the side. “These are the super- deluxe Olianders brand wooden spoons guaranteed to last five times longer then the other brands. Aniki these are great, how did you know I needed more?” Kisame, Sasuke and Naruto just glared at the older Uchiha as he smiled softly in return to his little sister. Oh yes he wrote that scroll for Anko completely based on personal experience.

Kisame took one look at the spoons before wanting to start crying about his poor Samehada. Naruto and Sasuke wanted to cry for different reasons both having to do with the spoons. Before she just had the cheap version of the spoons and now she got ones that lasted five times longer. The boys were doomed.

“My turn” Kakashi stood up before unsealing a scroll watching wrapped gifts and a couple scrolls pop into existence. Walking around the group he dropped off the presents to their respective owners before giving Naruto and Sasuke a scroll on it with their names on it. Naruto and Sasuke opened there scrolls reading about properties and preparation for certain jutsu's. “As you can tell inside the scrolls is an A-ranked jutsu that you will be learning before our next mission on Sunday. Sasuke's I will be teaching you yours either tomorrow or the next day. Naruto yours will be taught to you by someone else as a request from Hokage-sama. I told him I was going to teach it to you and he requested that an old student of his will teach it to you for prosperities sake. Hinata, Haku, and Kusanagi I would have given you a jutsu scroll also but I really don't have anything in your elements to teach you. Hinata you already knows more Water jutsu's than I do, or even more than most of Konoha already. I have no knowledge of ice jutsu's except for Ice Dragon Jutsu and I know you already know that one, and Kusanagi's nature jutsu's are biological not something anyone has used since the First Hokage. That doesn't mean I am unwilling to teach you, if you ever want to learn a Genjutsu or work more on your Tai jutsu just say the word and I am your man. Also Hinata” the pale-eyes girl looked up “if you ever have the urge to come back to Team Seven I will be more than willing to welcome you back with open arms. Your spot is always available.”

SMACK

Anko's hand stayed in the air after hitting Kakashi in the back of the head. “What did I say about trying to get Hinata back? She is on MY team and that's where she will stay. Maybe I should go see Gai about taking over the training of them as you are having difficulty remembering that and your Tai jutsu is no where near as good as his.”

“Maa Maa Anko I was just teasing” Kakashi raised his hand behind his head feeling the lump that was rapidly forming. `That's going to leave a mark. Still it was worth it. Damn she hits almost as hard as Itachi.'

Itachi wasn't able to stop the small smile from crossing his face as he watched the infamous `Traitorous Anko' as she brought his best friend to task over trying to steal her Genin. He had met her for the first time officially in a relaxed setting earlier in the day out on the lake, and by relaxed he meant as in a fight. A small, if small battle meant only Tai jutsu that had punches being avoided the throws being adverted. She had definitely kept Itachi on his toes. It wasn't until Kakashi felt the need to inform Anko that the Hokage knew Itachi was there and didn't have a problem with it so why would she. Wasn't it the Hokage's job to protect the village and maybe he forgot to tell her they were going to be there.

That had stopped the fighting faster than Itachi liked as he was getting a challenge for the first time in a long time. Fighting her was different than any of the others and had him on the defense many times. He could tell that Anko wanted to say things about his being a mass-murderer but what could she say with resorting to hypocrisy about people with her. That was one thing Itachi liked about her right away; she hated how others still judged her as a traitor for being apprenticed under Orochimaru when she was innocent. She strived to never be like that, and judged people under there own merit. That was definitely something Itachi could respect, she didn't give a shit about the Uchiha name just about who you were.

He could definitely get to know the purple-haired Jounin better, too bad they had to head back to the organization tomorrow. Still there was always next time.