Happy Birthday
Naruto sat on the park swing. The one he always used to. Every day.
Except now, a few years had passed.
He had changed. He had grown.
Today was his day. His day.
And yet….
Of course Iruka had said it. He always remembers, but-
Why had no one else? None of his 'friends'?
They'd probably all forgotten. What was the point of reminding them?
Naruto looked up at the sky. It was cloudy and grey.
Not even the sky could give him a birthday wish.
It was freezing. Alone in the cold.
Next thing he knew it would rain.
Heh. Then maybe he could cry.
No one would notice how he suffers.
Every birthday it's like this.
And he always comes back to this swing.
He's just sick of doing it.
No one would ever come and say-
"Naruto!"
The boy turned his head in surprise. Sakura ran up and panted.
She balanced her hands on her knees and regained herself.
When she was done she stood up.
"Naruto, I've been looking everywhere for you!"
Naruto sighed.
"Why?"
Sakura looked at him as if he'd lost his mind.
"Isn't it obvious? It's your birthday!"
She'd remembered?
"What?"
She slapped her forehead. "Your birthday Naruto? Gosh sometimes I wonder."
Naruto choked.
She had remembered…
Tears were threatening to fall.
A look of concern captured her face.
She softened her voice. "Naruto…."
Then all of a sudden she wrapped her arms around him and gave him a hug.
It was a gentle hug, like one given from a mother or a close friend.
"Naruto…I couldn't forget your birthday."
She pulled him back at arms length.
His cerulean eyes looked in to her deep jade ones.
"I've been looking all over to give you your gift Naruto."
His eyes softened. "Gift?"
She smiled and handed him a package.
He carefully opened it and inside was an orange and yellow scarf..
"I made it myself." She smiled kindly.
"So you won't be cold in the winter."