Naruto: Collocate

The day was rather decent in the Fire Country. Yohaku Junshin walked down the road that eventually led into Konoha. He was about a mile or two away from his home village. He was on his way back from a trip that took him close to the Sound border. He had requested time off which Tsunade had granted and he explored the Fire Country. His hands were in his pockets as he walked towards the gates of Konoha. His head was lowered and he stared at the ground.

"I am not looking forward to this." He thought to himself.

He approached the gates and saw that his friend and teammate, Shiranui Satori was waiting for him.

"Hey." Satori said.

Junshin nodded with a smile. The two of them walked deeper into the village.

"Did I miss anything?" Junshin asked.

"Tsunade-sama has a few minor missions. We might be headed towards the border of Fire and Waterfall." Satori said.

While Satori was talking, Junshin seemed distracted. He kept looking around. They reached Junshin's house.

"After you get settled, you and I….Junshin, are you listening to me?" Satori asked in a very serious manner.

"Huh? Oh yes."

"You seem awfully tense for someone who just came back from vacation."

"Today is my…birthday." Junshin replied.

Satori nodded in acknowledgement. Satori then reached out and opened the door for Junshin. Junshin seemed a bit hesitant to enter his own place. Satori shot him a confused looked and extended his hand towards the doorway. The two of them entered and Junshin still looked uneasy. He looked around the semi-lit room.

"What's the matter with you?" Satori asked.

"Since today is my birthday I assumed that you or one of the others would plan an unexpected gathering."

"A surprise party?" Satori asked sounding insulted. "Junshin, I hate surprise parties. I would never do that to you."

"I'm sorry, Satori." Junshin said sounding a bit relieved.

"Settle in. I'll meet you at the Hokage building."

Junshin nodded as Satori left. He took off his backpack and set it in a chair. He then walked into another room getting ready to take off his shirt. Then without warning the lights shot on as he was covered in confetti.

"SURPRISE!" Everyone said in unison.

Junshin sighed as he was surrounded by his friends. Hanako and Tenten reached up and gave Junshin a peck on the cheek. Satori reentered the room with a big grin on his face.

"I love surprise parties." He said as he took his place at his twin sister's side.

Shinsetsu Suzume walked in holding a chocolate cake with lit candles. Junshin blew out all the candles and everyone cheered.

"It's tradition for the birthday boy to cut the cake." Hanako said handing a knife to Junshin.

"Tsunade-sama sends her birthday wishes. She was needed elsewhere." Satori said.

Junshin cut into the cake and set the piece on a nearby plate. Yakushi Masaki came in holding a large rectangle that was wrapped in paper.

"Happy Birthday, Junshin."

"Thank you." Junshin said tearing the paper away.

There were no defining features to the painting itself. It just looked like someone had taken ten minutes and just went at it with a multitude of colors. He turned it multiple times trying to see what it was.

"Ah, a painting."

"Yeah, I've entered my expressions phase. This is my interpretation of your battle with Satori when you were first put on his team."

"My battle with Satori." Junshin said trying to see it.

"I think it's wonderful." Tenten said taking the picture from Junshin turning it right side up. "And I know just where to put it."

"What are you doing?"

She walked to the wall next to the door as Satori took down a circular metal object that Junshin had made awhile ago and Tenten had replaced it with Masaki's painting.

"I always thought this room could use a little more color." Tenten said.

Junshin didn't looked too pleased but he decided to go with it. Shuji walked into the room and looked at the painting.

"Nice, your battle with Satori. Right?" He asked.

Junshin looked like he was about to faint.

"Junshin, are you all right?"

"Yeah. I think Masaki-san's painting is making me dizzy."

Hanako handed Shuji two pieces of cake.

"I thought the cake was chocolate." Junshin said.

"Oh don't I wish." Tenten said.

Shuji handed one of them to Tenten. After she had taken a bite herself she then raised her fork up to Satori's mouth. He took her up on her offer.

"So, how old are you, Junshin." Tsunade said.

Junshin looked surprised to see the Fifth Hokage standing there.

"Hokage-sama? I was told you could not attend.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world. How old are you?" She replied.

"I am…" Junshin stopped and looked at Shuji, Tenten and Satori who were all chewing cake and looking at him waiting for an answer. "old enough."

The others laughed at Junshin's response.