A/N: Hello, Fanfictioners. My friend and I wrote this. Hope you enjoy.
Summary: Ino and Sakura learn of Sasuke's upcoming birthday and plan a surprise party. All their friends show up for endless fun and games. Sasuke manages to tolerate it all and even seems to enjoy the party, but then, something goes horribly wrong. [SasuSaku] [other pairings implied]
Sasuke's turning 17. He's been back in Konoha for three months now. The first month he went through Hell, having five ANBU escort him everywhere the first two weeks, then it narrowed down to only three for the rest of the month. The second month he was watched over by Kakashi so they could train and at least one ANBU always surveyed from afar. Now, in the third month, he's been able to do things under his own will and meet Kakashi for training every morning.
Naruto's always trying to hang around Sasuke, rambling on about everything that's happened since he left. Sakura tags along, even Sai occasionally does too. But Naruto is the one who does all the talking. Sai doesn't say a word, unless he's referred to. Things are somewhat awkward between Sakura and Sasuke, he avoids eye contact when she tries to talk to him, but he always responds with that famous grunt of his.
But the big question is... Why is Sasuke back? What's his purpose for coming back to Konoha? There was no word that Itachi was killed. So why is he here? And what about Orochimaru? Did he just let Sasuke up and leave after he finished his training. No one in Konoha really knows... except for Sasuke, of course.
Chapter 1: You're Invited
"I don't know about this, Ino."
"Oh, come on. It's not like we're going to get caught."
"You never know," Sakura muttered behind Ino's back. The two were secretly invading the Hokage's office. It was midday and everyone was out to lunch.
"Hmm. Let's see here," Ino picked up some files and started flipping through them. Sakura sighed and set out to work also.
"Hey, Ino, take a look at this." Sakura said.
"What is it?"
"Looks like a file on squad eight."
"Yes!" Ino whispered. "I knew they were around here somewhere."
The file gave information on each teammate, including: Family, history, appearance, blood type, birth date, ranking, and other basic info. Ino grabbed the stack of papers and flipped through them, coming upon her own team, squad ten, and setting it aside from the rest. Squad seven was the last of the files.
"Oh my God!" Sakura squealed, snatching the document from Ino.
"What?!"
"Sasuke's birthday is tomorrow!"
"WHAT?!"
"I'm not kidding, look."
"...Oh my God! It is!"
Just then foot steps could be heard coming towards the door. The girls froze.
"Let's get out of here," Ino whispered, pulling Sakura towards the window. But they were too late, the door to the Hokage's office flew open.
"Sakura! Ino!"
"Oh, hi, Shizune," Sakura greeted innocently.
"What are you two doing in here?"
They both hesitated, not knowing how to respond.
"Well?"
Ino grabbed the files from Sakura. "We were just delivering these files for Tsunade-sama," She lied, placing them neatly on the Hokage's desk. Shizune eyed the girls suspiciously and picked up the files to look for herself.
"Hmm. I could have sworn we already had these..."
"Well, we were told that they've been updated due to things that have happened over the last few months."
"I see. Then I thank you for the delivery. I'll make sure Tsunade-sama gets them." Shizune stepped aside, allowing them to leave with no further questions.
"Thanks, Shizune." Sakura said as they departed.
(Village Path)
"So..." Ino started, once they were a good distance from the Hokage's building, "you gonna get him something?"
Sakura shrugged, "Don't know."
"Yeah. I have no idea what to get him."
The early afternoon sun shone down brightly on the girls. They sat on a bench watching the clouds go by. Sakura sighed, "I kind of feel bad for him."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, he just got off probation. That must have sucked having the ANBU watch his every move."
"Yeah. But he brought it upon himself, betraying the village and all."
"True. I just wish he wasn't so... frustrating."
"Hmm... there has to be a way to get him to loosen up... Uh, maybe we could..." Ino paused. "Nah."
"What?"
"Never mind. He'd kill us. Literally, like slit our throats and everything."
Sakura smirked. "Come on, Ino," she provoked. "Tell me."
Ino sighed, "Okay, it's really stupid, but... I was going to say we could throw him a party or something... But that would never work."
"What? Why not? It's perfect, Ino!"
"Umm... If you say so, Billboard brow."
"Come on. It can be a surprise. He's going to be training with Kakashi-sensei tomorrow morning. We can go over to his house once he leaves and set everything up. And then when he's about to return, we get everyone over there and BAM! Surprise!"
Ino still wasn't convinced, "Then what?"
"Then we party, of course!"
"There's also the possibility of him kicking us out..."
"I guess that's a risk we're going to have to take."
Ino smiled, "Okay, let's do it."
"Alright!"
"So, uh, where do we start?"
"I guess we should invite everybody..."
"It's kind of short notice."
"Not much we can do about that now... How about you go tell your team and Hinata's. I'll take mine and Lee's, okay?
"Got it."
"Meet me back here at this bench when you're finished. Then we can go get stuff for the party."
"Okay," Ino agreed. And the two darted back off towards the village.
(Village streets)
"Nice job today, Sasuke. I'm sad to admit that your taijutsu may even exceed Gai's."
"Hn."
"Hmm. Not much for talk, I see."
"Are we finished here?"
"What are you in such a hurry for?"
"Nothing."
"Sure, okay." Kakashi paused, "See ya tomorrow, I guess."
Sasuke nodded. And with that, Kakashi disappeared. Sasuke started off through the crowd to his house, ignoring the glares people kept giving him. It seems some people still don't quite trust the Uchiha yet. Like he cared.
All of the sudden, Ino and Sakura ran past him, giggling as they raced between the villagers. They didn't even see him. That was unusual. He wondered what they were up to.
(BBQ place)
"Heh. Thought I'd find you two here."
"Oh, Hey, Ino." Choji greeted.
"Hey," Shikamaru greeted as well.
Ino shoved her teammate over as she slid into the booth with him. She looked around to make sure no one but Shikamaru and Choji were listening, then leaned in and whispered, "Okay guys, tomorrow is Sasuke's birthday."
Shikamaru groaned.
"Let me finish," she scolded. "Right, so, Sakura and I are planning him a party, but it's a surprise. Just be at Sasuke's house before noon."
"Yeah."
"Okay."
"Good, "Ino said, rising from her seat. "Oh, and bring a gift, something nice."
"Yeah."
"Gotcha."
"Alright then," she said, "Bye," then left to find Hinata's team.
"This is such a drag," said Shikamaru as soon as Ino was out of sight.
"Yeah," Choji agreed. "Too bad we don't have a mission instead."
"Hmph. Things have been slow lately."
(Training field 1)
"Hi, Sakura." Tenten greeted as the pink-haired kunoichi neared the field. Lee and Neji were practicing taijutsu and looked up as Sakura approached.
"Hey. Where's Gai-sensei?"
"On a mission," Lee said as he and Neji neared the girls.
"So, what's up?" Tenten asked.
"Oh, well, you see, tomorrow is Sasuke's birthday. Ino and I are throwing him a surprise party and I was wondering if you guys would like to come...?"
"Of course."
"Yes."
"Sure."
"Okay, great. Just try and be at Sasuke's before noon."
(Training field 4)
"Okay, I'll see ya'll then." Ino waved good-bye to Hinata, Shino, Kiba and Akamaru. Yes, of course, Akamaru's invited!
(Ichiraku ramen shop)
Slurp. Slurp. Slurp.
"Naruto, you still didn't answer me..."
"Of course, I'll come," he said through slurps.
"Okay, good. How about you, Sai?" Sakura turned to her other teammate.
"Sure," Sai shrugged. 'But I hardly even know the guy.' he thought.
(Meeting place/Bench)
"What took so long?"
"Well, I found Naruto and Sai at Ichiraku's and decided to get something while I was there."
"Oh. That's good, cause I stopped somewhere too."
"Okay, should we go get the stuff now?"
"Yes, let's."
A/N: Please review!