The snow falls steadily, but a young boy no longer feels its cold bite. Numb from hunger and pain, he starts feeling his life ebbing away. Despite his sitting position, the child's weak body begins to sway and the ground rises to meet him. Someone's warm arms wrap protectively around his waist and hoist him up into a well-endowed bosom. Blinking away the black lining his sight, he looks up to catch a glimpse of pink before everything goes dark.
The rays of sun stir the boy from deep slumber. Realizing something is amiss, he shoots up only to have his head pushed back down into plump pillows. "Shaa! Don't you know how close you were to dying?" Opening his eyes he notices bright emerald eyes and pink hair.
The rare color gives him a shock, but he quickly recovers as the strange girl continues speaking.
"-really, that's what I had said, but he had to go on about dinner and such. Oh, by the way; how old are you?" Seeing the attention directed back at him, the child turns away bashfully.
Smiling gently, the pink-haired girl releases her hold on his head and carefully takes a filthy hand into her porcelain ones. "I'm Sakura." Casting a quick glance, the boy eases his hand out of her strong grasp and turns away.
With a sigh and a knowing smile, Sakura gets up and leaves the child to rest. Though rest is not what is on the little boy's mind.
Throwing off the covers, he jumps out of bed to nearly collapse on the spot. Eventually, he makes it over to the floor-length window. The sight takes his breath away. Acreage upon acreage of land stretches out before him with open gardens, bricked in flowerbeds, and a winding path that leads to an exquisite iron gate all covered in a thin perfect layer of pristine white.
'It's beautiful.' The child is jolted from the view when he hears the click of a door being opened. Diving for the bed, he doesn't make it in time to put the covers back on.
Grinning, Sakura reprimands him. "Really! I just got done lecturing you on getting up!"
"G-gomen…nasai." He starts shaking, preparing for the beating he should get for disobeying orders.
Instead, he receives a kind pat to his dirty locks. "Nah, nah! Nothing to fret over." Disbelieving her apparent kindness, he glances at her somewhat cautiously. Now that he's over the initial surprise of her hair color, he scans her appearance: noting her attire and deciding she is a maid, which explains her nurturing demeanor.
Beaming brightly, she places a tray of steaming rolls and soup in front of him. The anticipatory drool starting to form at the child's mouth makes her giggle. "Eat up." With that, she leaves the boy once again.
He hardly hesitates before ravaging the food, making sure not a single crumb remains. The warm, fuzzy feeling a person gets when they are full overtakes him. "So good," he whispers, rubbing his extended stomach.
From the large bed, he can see the snow-covered tops of trees, but no other buildings in sight. For the first time since waking, a shiver of trepidation runs through him. 'What am I doing here? What human would be so kind as to take me in?'
Looking back over at the empty bowls on a wooden tray, his face contorts into pain. 'Why did I not think to check for something funny in the food?' As if the thought was a trigger, the child's body suddenly feels sluggish and heavy.
Finally giving in to closing his eyes for a second, he cannot seem to open them soon enough before the darkness seizes him.
Blinking awake, the little boy straightens up to find that the white bed, floors, and walls are not just a dream.
Frustrated, he places his head into his hands and tries to think past the fog clouding his mind.
The door clicks in a familiar way, and the child can't help but flinch as a pink-haired girl pops her head in. Embarrassed, she steps in, but keeps her distance.
"Sorry." Sakura bows down, leaving the boy surprised. "I put a sedative in your soup so it would be easier to sleep." Clapping her hands together after standing up straight, she asks, "Can you forgive me?"
Still a little wary, the little one turns away and pouts cutely. With a blush forming, he mumbles out: "I guess."
"Ah! Good!" she sighs, giving a timid smile. Out of nowhere, she slams a fist into her hand. "Right! I'm not going to keep you here without giving you a choice first."
The boy's azure orbs widen significantly. Continuing, she pushes, "But I think you would like it here better than the streets if you give us a chance."
He opens his mouth, only to be interrupted. "You can make that decision once you're healthy enough to move around." She smirks when the adorable pout is back on the child's lips.
Turning away, she freezes when a confident voice reaches her: "How long?"
Swinging back around, she displays a confused countenance. "How long for what?
His timidity has returned full force and the bravado in his voice disappears. "How…how long until I'm s-strong enough?"
What he's saying dawns on her and she beams kindly at his reddening cheeks. "From the way you are progressing, I would have to say just a couple more days."
A few moments go by and he watches the girl awkwardly shift from one foot to the other. "I know you are most likely hesitant to eat anymore food I give you, but you do need the nourishment."
The child stubbornly sticks his nose in the air and crosses his arms.
Huffing, Sakura asks, "what if I brought you down to see the cook at work?"
Seeing no problem in that, he nods his head and tries to stand up before being pushed back down again.
Glaring, he looks up at the brash pink-haired girl only to have his attention drawn to the door. A man with silver-white hair and a masked face enters. His eyes morph into creepy crescent shapes.
In a white blur, he is before the little one, hoisting him up onto one of his shoulders and dashing back down the hallway. Shaking her head at such a childish display from a man twice her age, she follows at a leisurely pace.
The boy cannot help but give a squeal of delight at the rush of wind whipping against his tattered clothes. A set of stairs makes him frightful for only a moment. The suit-clad man jumps down the whole flight and lands lightly on his feet, enjoying the boy's giggles.
Maneuvering the child onto the man's back, he inquires, "Was that fun?"
The little boy grins widely and starts bouncing energetically. "Again! Again!"
"Kakashi, he's ill!" Sakura stands firmly at the top of the stairs and lightly scowls until the child's bright smile has her own lips quirking upwards. Descending in a more civilized manner than how the silver-haired man had, she steers them into a delicious smelling room.
"-and next you whisk the mixture until it has a thin layer of froth. Then add-"
"Ah-hem!" Sakura coughs to grab the other man's attention.
Jumping slightly from the interruption, the man turns to them from his work and smiles warmly.
Wiping his floury hands on the apron around his waist, he holds out one. The boy takes it cautiously, finally looking up at the cook.
Automatically, his unoccupied hand reaches out and traces the scar running across the cook's nose before gently touching his own scars hidden by filth.
Recognition crosses over the man's face. With a pitying smile, he shakes the child's pudgy hand. "Hello little one, my name is Iruka."
The little boy feels like he has a stronger connection to this man than the others, so he decides to open up a small bit. "I'm Naruto."
Iruka lets go of his hand and places it on Naruto's head. "A pleasure to meet you!"
Kakashi adjusts the squirming boy and turns to the cook. "Sakura gave this little one poison, so now we have to watch you make the food."
The pink-haired girl, having been silent, watching in awe as the child opened up more and more, heard the masked man's insult and gave him a swift kick to the groin.
In practiced ease, the silver-haired man jumps away before being hit and his eyes form two crescent moons again.
Raising her fist, Sakura yells over to him, "Do not think you can slander me freely!"
"My, my! Temper, Sakura dear, temper!" The smirk is easily visible despite his tight mask, only increasing the maid's fuming.
Moving quickly, Iruka grabs Naruto from Kakashi's back and escapes into another room. Crashing and cursing can be heard along with snobbish jeers.
"So," Iruka starts, bringing Naruto's attention away from a rather colorful expletive, "What year are you Naruto?"
"Eto…" The cook takes a seat in a plush chair and watches as the boy attempts to count the years he has lived so far. "I think eight…or maybe nine?"
"Ah! So I cannot call you a child anymore, hmm?" Iruka teases, taking much delight as Naruto juts out his lower lip.
"Nope, I'm an adult!" To prove so, the boy moves off the cook's lap and sits beside him.
"Oh? Then you wouldn't laugh when tickled, correct?" With fingers positioned and ready to strike, Naruto starts laughing and tries to get away before the torture begins.
Unfortunately, he is no match for the brunet. Iruka easily scoops the kid up and mercilessly tickles his ribs.
"No more! Hehe! Stop, I give!" Naruto flails helplessly. Finally releasing the tiny boy from the abuse, the cook chuckles as the pale face flushes with excitement.
Iruka notices the fighting is over and looks up to find two sets of eyes focused on the giggling boy. Gently moving Naruto's head off his lap, Iruka heads off to the kitchen. At the doorway he glances back to see Kakashi holding up the kid by a leg with Sakura yelling at him.
The rags shift on Naruto's body displaying rib bones and a sharp angle to a malnourished middle. Shaking his head, the cook heads off to finish lunch.
"Seriously, you are a butler, not a child so start acting your part!" Sakura starts tapping her foot impatiently.
"And you are but a maid performing as though you own this house." The silver-haired man quickly places the boy down on the chair and moves away before the pink-haired girl can land a punch on him.
"Stop moving!" Frustrated, she picks up Naruto and starts heading back the way they first came from. After climbing the stairs, she takes a different turn and leads Naruto into a tiled bathroom.
After seeing the white washbasin, Naruto squirms in earnest.
"Whoa there!" Kakashi swiftly brings the struggling boy into his arms.
"What's wrong?" The maid tries to peer at a currently hiding Naruto.
After a peek, the child ensconces himself in the crook of Kakashi's neck. "I don't want a bath." Though muffled, the butler and maid hear Naruto clearly and exchange a glance.
"Naruto," Sakura begins, "It would be best to get clean."
Feeling the kid shrink farther into his arms, Kakashi reassures him, "There's no need to fear Sakura. She may be a bit hard-headed, rude, meaty, and an all-around scary person…hmm…I see why he doesn't feel all too comfortable around you."
Deciding to let that one slide, Sakura sighs and redirects her attention to Naruto. "I won't hurt you. I will go slow and tell you everything that is to be done."
Noticing no malice, command or animosity in her voice, Naruto decides to trust her and hesitantly climbs back into the maid's arms.
Sakura breaths out to loosen her tensed muscles and shoos the butler away to do something useful.
Hearing a horrid growl, she whirls around only to discover color rising to the boy's cheeks in shame
"No worries," she smiles reassuringly, "Lunch is right after this."
With slow, meticulous movements, the pink-haired maid unhurriedly peels the dirt-clotted rags from the thin child. When done, she is about to direct Naruto into the tub when she sees that he has turned red all the way to his ears.
She spots his hands covering his member, but continues on as if she has not noticed.
Making sure the temperature is not too warm, Sakura pulls up her sleeves and gradually eases Naruto into the water. He looks terrified, but lets the maid continue. After putting in some bath soap, Naruto seems to be less frightened as he curiously plays with the blue bubbles.
The rest of the bath proceeds smoothly. Sakura finds that while Naruto's blue eyes are beautiful, his golden locks are really breathtaking. She discovers that she has to be very careful with his bony body: the boy would flinch every time she pressed too firmly.
Once done, a bell rings to inform them the meal is ready. Naruto begins to fidget and grows impatient when the maid continues to lightly pat his body dry. He all but wants to break away nude and run to the food when she sets out expensive-looking trousers, a button-up shirt, and a black ribbon.
Taking her time, Sakura has him wait even further as she tries to tame his unruly hair.
The maid finally gives up with an exasperated groan and takes his hand tenderly to give the child support as he walks.
The blond boy starts feeling the effects of a warm bath and becomes unstable. Near the end of the steps, he trips, but is caught by the butler.
"Watch yourself." He smiles through his mask and carries a drowsy Naruto into the dining hall.
Kakashi sets the kid into a chair by the cook so Naruto can lean his head on the man's shoulder. Dozing, the child catches himself and sits up straighter as meat and stewed carrots are passed around.
The meal finishes with the little one out cold in Iruka's lap. The masked man brings the boy into his arms and heads back to the room. After Naruto is all tucked in, the butler leaves, however Sakura decides to stay a little longer and ponder how such a tiny boy got whisker-like scars on his face.
A week passes and Naruto finds himself unable to leave the warmth and comfort this new home brings him.
Once his strength returns he bounces around, asking his friends how he can help them.
Time passes and summer comes along, making winter feel as though it was all just a distant dream.
Naruto finds he is happiest outside in the gardens. After getting reprimanded a few times by Sakura, Iruka tailors the boy outdoor clothes. They only consist of a simple shirt and trousers cut off at the calf, but they make Naruto feel freer.
The fresh soil in between his toes and fingers is the best feeling. Another cold winter approaches and with it arrives an upcoming party.
"Naruto, come help me with your cake!" the cook hollers to the young boy who is presently busy poking a bug.
Glancing back, Naruto sticks out his lower lip and looks up to Iruka through his eyelashes. "Do I have to?"
The stern face of the cook melts into a small smile. "You don't want a birthday?"
Turning back to the bug scampering away, the blond child whispers, "Is there a reason to have one? I never had one before, so why would I need one now?"
Putting the mixing bowl down, Iruka picks up the boy with a grunt. "You are certainly growing."
Naruto poses, showing the lean muscle he's acquiring from chopping wood and shoveling snow every day.
Sitting down in their favorite chair, the cook gently slides his hand through the sunshine hair.
"A birthday marks another year of accomplishments: friends, goals, loved ones. But it's also a time for new ambitions."
Iruka sees confusion written on the child's face and tries to rephrase what he'd said. "Um…Take, for instance, this year; you have made three new friends: Sakura, Kakashi, and I. Maybe a new aim can be to make a friend your age?"
"Yah! Good idea, Iruka!" Ruffling the smoothed-down locks, the brown-haired man places Naruto on his feet and heads back into the kitchen.
Ripping the paper off the large box, Naruto removes the last piece with bated breath. "A train!"
Everyone's shoulders sag with relief at seeing the boy's wide grin.
"We know you sometimes ask us to play with you when we're busy, so we thought a toy might help occupy your time." Sakura giggles lightly when the blond boy tries to put two tracks together with no luck.
"Don't think that is your only present." Kakashi pulls out a smaller, rectangular box simply wrapped.
Giddy with excitement, Naruto makes a grab for the box. "Hold it," Iruka orders, freezing the blond boy in place. "What do you say?"
Scowling, the child mumbles, "May I please receive my present?"
The cook, pleased, nods to Kakashi. The silver-haired man finally places the box in Naruto's hands.
"Thank you." The boy uses his manners and grins broadly when he sees everyone smile. Changing back into a ball of energy, the blond child tears apart his last present.
Inside rest two snow boots. Sakura gave Naruto an old pair of hers, but they were meant for style rather than use.
Pulling them on, the little boy jumps off his stool and sprints to the front door.
The blond hastily pulls on his coat, gloves, hat and scarf. Feeling accomplished, he peeks back in disappointment at no one else joining him.
He's met by a chorus of excuses. "Naruto, your cake!" That was Iruka. "I have to finish scrubbing the basin," Sakura protested. "That new book I got is waiting to be finished." Even Kakashi had a reason not to.
"Fine!" the child huffs, "I'll play by myself."
Once he is outside, Sakura sighs wearily, "Oh! What's the harm?"
The maid pulls on a coat and snow trousers while the butler and cook join in with their own coats.
Running into the snow-laden forest, Naruto focuses on the fuzzy warmth radiating from his feet rather than the cold sadness gripping at his heart.
He accidentally trips, but giggles and decides to make a snow angel while down.
Without warning, a compacted snowball hits him on the stomach. The blond shoots up and watches as Kakashi readies another frosty projectile with Sakura and Iruka trying to hold back their laughter.
"I accept your challenge!"
The child, butler, maid and cook battle until they all lie exhausted in the snow, snickering. Little flakes of ice gently descend around them in intricate designs. Rustling slightly, the blond boy turns onto his stomach and relaxes once again.
"Can we-?" Naruto's voice breaks the calm. "Can we stay like this…for a little longer?"
Smirking, Sakura whispers, "Of course."
Time goes on, and the little boy who was just all pale skin stretched over thin bones grows into a tanned child with slender limbs. Though he matures, his prior malnutrition at an early age hinders his current height. His lively character, however, seems to continue flowing in a never-ending stream.
"Another, please!" Fidgeting restlessly on his stool, Naruto holds out the bowl that once held steaming noodles to the cook.
Iruka rubs a hand across his tired eyes. "Kid that would be the fifth bowl."
"Yes, I think the winner of our chess game has yet to be decided upon." Kakashi lowers his book and smirks underneath his mask.
Pouting, the blond boy murmurs, "Alright."
"Nuh-uh! His etiquette lesson starts now: games later!"
"Not if you can't catch me! Bleh!" Tongue sticking out, Naruto runs outside, laughing heartily.
"Naruto, get back here!" Iruka groans in frustration. "Keep going, Naruto!" Of course, Kakashi is encouraging the boy's misbehavior. Iruka returns to trying to call the spirited child back. "Naruto!"
"Ah that boy. How old is he now?" Kakashi picks up his book as though he's not looking for an answer.
"Why, he's nearing his thirteenth come winter," Iruka replies.
The pink-haired maid sneers with a haughty laugh, "How is it you seem to forget every year?"
"Truthfully? I don't like counting the days gone by. I'd rather focus on the fun and memorable moments I experience."
Leaning against the front gate, Naruto gasps deeply catching his breath. "Sakura's face…hah, hah…was hilarious!"
Sitting down on the stone path leading up to the house, the boy leans his head back and lets the sun's rays dance across his closed eyelids. Breathing in deeply, he exhales the cool summer air.
"Yosh!" Naruto stands up and brushes the dirt from his trousers. "Before lessons, I should tend to the gardens." Going from the vegetable patch, to the herbs and lastly to the flower plot, Naruto ends up slathered in mud.
'Hehe! Now Sakura is going to yell at me to take a bath!' He scratches his cheek in a nervous tick, smearing even more filth across his countenance.
Hearing something, Naruto whirls toward the gate.
The sound stops and his vision unable to find the source. The boy shrugs his shoulders and sets his gardening supplies in the shed.
Near the front door, he hears the obnoxious creak of the metal gate. Two black stallions drawing a midnight carriage pull in. Naruto's expression morphs into one of speculation and anxiety.
"Sakura?" he shouts, not letting the dark carriage out of his sight.
Hearing a gasp, Naruto feels the maid's small hand clench his shoulder harshly.
"Naruto-?" she begins in hushed tones, "do you remember most of your lessons this month?"
"I thought he would have more time to learn," Iruka utters in alarm. He stands beside Sakura as the carriage makes the last turn. "We should have started earlier."
Trembling, the child looks up with panicked eyes. "Sort…of…" he answers.
Kakashi grasps his free shoulder and squeezes lightly. "Good, because Masters Itachi and Sasuke have decided to return two years early."