A/N: Hello FanFiction, I previously announced I would be taking a mini-hiatus while I started writing this particular fanfic until I finished. This was a few months ago and, well I'm back but not quite done...actually, I just wrote this first chapter in a matter of two weeks. I decided I didn't want to stay away, I'll be trying my best to update regularly. Now if you know me from "Breaking The Ice" then you know it will be difficult for me but unlike that fic, I've already had this one in mind for months and already have the whole outline figured out in my head. The only problem is putting what is in my brain into words and doing so, on time. My goal is an update per week or at least every two weeks. Let us hope I can meet that goal, I'm actually quite motivated and excited for your reviews and getting back in touch with some authors I haven't spoken to in a while. I'm also hoping to get in touch with new authors, the more the merrier, right? If you've checked out my profile then you can also see I'm looking for a beta to check my work grammatically beforehand and also give me some feedback on the general story itself. Please PM me if you are interested.

As for this fic. I am soo excited to finally start on this story I've had in mind for forever! It will be a NaruSasuNaru AU, and it will be slowburn as well as rated M for future juicy chapters. This fic will progress not too quickly, in fact, it will take quite a few months for me to complete. Your feedback influences the story a lot as well, although I do know how everything will play out at the end already. I've started writing in 3rd person and suspect it will stay that way. The first few chapters will mostly be background information and development. I can't think of anything else to say but if anyone has any further questions you may review or PM me if you'd like. And now without further a due, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Naruto

Naruto met Sasuke when he was 8 years old. He remembered because he felt the same way he felt all his previous birthdays. Depressed, lonely, and cold. October was the month it started getting chilly for the oncoming winter, and almost two weeks into October was the appropriate time to start wearing a jacket. But of course, he would somehow always manage to forget his. After all, there was no one to remind him, no one to care whether he caught a cold or not.

At age 8, Naruto didn't notice he felt those things. Depression, loneliness, and abandon are what he grew up on. That's not to say he didn't feel them, he did, of course, he just wasn't aware of it. At least not until he met Sasuke.

Sasuke taught him a lot of things. Unfortunately, not all were learned the easy way... but we'll get into that later.

He was turning 8 and even though every year turned out the same, on his birthday he always woke up with just a little bit more hope that everyone would finally accept him. Everyone being the kids at school whom he called his classmates. For some reason, he couldn't fathom at the time, no one liked him. No, that was an understatement, everyone hated him. But it was his birthday and so all he could do was hope. After all, he was one of the first to turn 8 in his class and hoping was what he did best!

Well, I don't think you'd find it surprising when I tell you his hope was crushed pretty soon after. Homeroom to be exact...

Honestly, kids could be so cruel and unfortunately he chose only to see the good in everyone. So of course, when three of his usual bullies came up with smiling faces he thought things were finally taking a turn for the better.

"Hey Naruto, what's up?" the leader of the three-boy entourage spoke first.

"H-hey guys..." he said evidently nervous, "It's my birthday today you know..."

"Oh is it? Is that why you thought you could take our seat by the window?", the second boy spoke unkindly.

"What? No...I just thought maybe you guys would let me sit here today because...", Naruto didn't finish his sentence knowing there was no need to.

With all hope gone, and a frown on his previously optimistic face Naruto moved to his usual seat, secluded at the corner of the class. Why did he think today would change anything again?

"You're gonna pay for trying to be slick later," the last boy said from where all three sat smiling victoriously among themselves.

When it came to violence towards Naruto, everyone seemed to have no problem keeping their promises. And so as promised when recess time came around and the three bullies spotted him on his usual lonesome swing, he bolted. He was small and outnumbered, and so in turn easily overpowered. He took the usual first hits thrown at him- punches to the face and stomach. He tried blocking them but they had two arms and two legs each, whereas he only had two frail arms and legs.

"Pl-please! I'll invite you to my party!", he begged in between tears and groans.

"Who'd want to go to a monsters party?"

Monster. That's right, that's what everyone saw when they looked at him. A monster who had no feelings and no say in anything that happened to him. No parents, and there for an outsider.

Around the time they would start individually using Naruto as a punching bag, something happened that had never happened before.

A certain raven walked up to them and with a perfectly raised eyebrow asked, "What are you doing?"

It would be fair to say all four of them sported one hell of a dumbfounded face.

"What does it look like? We're teaching him a lesson."

"What did he do wrong?", was the quick response to the lead bully.

"What? What the hell does that matter?"

That was probably the worst response the boy could have said, as he would soon find out. In a matter of seconds, the raven had all three bullies running from the scene with bruises already forming.

He was left body aching on the ground since the two boys who were previously holding him up had abandoned him. The raven walked over and held his hand out. At first, he flinched thinking he was going to hit him too but then he felt nimble fingers on his cheek.

"What are these marks on your face?"

He blushed and pulled away from the unexpected touch, "...birthmarks...I think."

"You think?"

"I don't know, no one told me where I got them."

Oh yes, of course, the raven thought. He had heard of the blond orphan child. There could be no way for him to know where the marks came from if he had no parents to confirm the speculation.

The raven decided to finally help the blond up and take him to the nurse. On their way, he asked, "Why were they picking on you?"

He looked down not meeting the others eyes, "I sat in his chair...i-it's just that I don't like sitting alone and...I thought they would let me today because well you know it's my birthday today..."

The raven didn't know what to say so he stayed quiet. Once they got to the nurse, she thanked him and sent him back to class. But all day the blond's sad, beat up face and even sadder words plagued his mind.

Naruto was kept in the nurse all day, 'some birthday this turned out to be', he thought. But he was surprised when he found a familiar raven waiting for him just outside the door

"Hi", the raven said simply.

Naruto smiled, surprised, "Hi."

Nothing else was said between the boys and neither seemed to mind the silence as they walked out of the school. Before they could reach the end of the hallway, a navy blue sweater was shoved into Naruto's hands.

" What-" he began but was soon interrupted.

"You should have a sweater, it's cold outside. That doesn't fit me very well, so just have it."

Naruto was speechless. The boy just gave him his jacket...someone showed the smallest bit of concern over him. This had never happened and it seemed like such an insignificant occurrence but to Naruto, it was so much more. Right, when he was about to say thank you the raven spoke again, "Let's go to the park."

"R-really! Do you want to go?" Naruto exclaimed never having been asked to go somewhere with anyone.

"I was going anyway with my brother so…"

"Okay! Let's go."

At the gate of the school, they met a taller, older version of the raven with equally dark eyes and hair, already seeming to have been waiting for them. As they got closer Naruto took notice that the older boy had to be at least three years their senior, and despite the similarities, he had longer hair and minor creases forming under his eyes.

"Little brother, who is this now, " he said nodding at Naruto.

"I'm Uzumaki Naruto and it's my birthday today!"

"Oh is it? Happy birthday to you then," the older boy said with a smile.

Naruto smiled back with twice the energy.

"Itachi, Naruto is coming with us to the park," the younger of the brothers stated rather nonchalantly.

This caused Itachi to smirk, " I thought you turned my offer down this morning?"

"I changed my mind, can we go now?" The younger raven said dismissively

Itachi didn't pry further but did glance curiously at the young blond with a smile, "Of course."

The evening was spent playing in the local park and having ice cream generously paid for by Itachi, who didn't fail to notice Naruto wearing his little brother's old jacket. Naruto experienced his very first birthday celebration of any kind and made his first and most important friend. Sasuke, the young raven who's name was revealed later at the park, also made his first significant friend and went on to wish Naruto his very first, truly happy birthday, when he gave him extra Oreo chunks for his ice cream. And Itachi, of course, had no complaints whatsoever as he finally witnessed his brother interacting with another human being, and quite an interesting one at that. He too had heard of the blond orphan and predicted their friendship would progressively blossom. The boys were more alike than they even knew and Itachi had no doubt that their personalities would compliment each other.

Yes, indeed this was the start of something great and special. Something beyond any of them could fathom at the moment.

Reviews & Comments are greatly appreciated no matter how long/short or insignificant you may think your thoughts are :)