Sunlight shone through the window throwing soft beams of gold down on the bed covers; a golden blanket to add warmth to the sleeping figure. Iruka stirred as he felt the morning air breeze through his open window, a gentle caress to start the new day. He groaned and rolled over on his back opening eyes bleary with sleep but which became clear and bright as he smiled in anticipation. Rising and stretching he made his way to the bathroom for a shower, humming as he did so. It looked like it was going to be a good day.
Walking to the academy he was hailed and greeted by his fellow early risers who recognised the popular chunin. He smiled and nodded to them all, his good humour in evidence as he made his way leisurely to work.
The rest of his day passed as it usually did. Lessons in the morning, lunch break, afternoon lessons and office and administration work into the early evening. His co-workers noticed his continuing good mood but made no comment. For them it was a day like any other, nothing special, nothing remarkable. And if Iruka wanted to see it in a different light that was his entitlement. They didn't see the slight strain about the mouth curved in a smile, nor the subtle shadow of sadness that lurked in his eyes, which no amount of effort could conceal. Because it was an effort; an effort born of determination to be cheerful on this day above all others.
As the sun set once again on another day, a day which for many was just like any other, Iruka lifted his head from his work and regarded the empty office. Like any other day his fellow teachers and staff members had gone home. A glance at the clock told him he should do the same and, having no mission room duties that night, he finished the last of the filing, collected some papers to be marked and left for home. The smile was still on his face as he walked in the direction of his apartment, the sun now a warm red glow on the horizon though the effort needed to keep it there was now almost more than he could bear. He couldn't wait to be home where he could perhaps let his mask fall, even if only for a moment.
As he approached his front door he noticed something out of place. A light? He definitely hadn't left his living room light on that morning. He hadn't needed to as it had been daylight. Frowning now he unlocked the door and went inside. As his door opened onto the living room he did not have long to wait to find the reason for the unexplained illumination. On the sofa, a golden haired boy was curled up in a ball in sleep. On the table was an envelope. Moving softly to avoid waking the sleeping figure, Iruka made his way to the table and picked up the envelope. He opened it and quietly read it's contents. The effort was too much; a slow tear ran down Iruka's face and landed with a soft thud on the carpet below. But without any effort at all, the smile on his face was the largest and most stunning it had been all day. Turning around he found the sofa's occupant sitting up and rubbing his blue eyes free of sleep, on his face a smile the mirror of his own. Without words he bent down and gathered the boy in his arms. His embrace was received and returned with warmth, a warmth Iruka remembered from that morning, the warmth of the sun.
On the table where Iruka had left it was a card. A card with an inexpertly drawn picture of a fox running by the ocean while a dolphin cavorted beside it. Inside, the words: Happy Birthday Iruka-sensei.
Apologies if any of this story doesn't seem as it should. I quickly knocked it up as a small gift for Iruka's birthday though he deserves much better. Tanjoubi omodetto Iruka-sensei! I'm sorry it is so short!
Another quick note – a love the imagery of Naruto as the sun which has been widely used I know. But I thought I might draw attention to a possible double meaning here. Damn, but I love their relationship!
Thank you all for reading – I hope you enjoyed it.