AN: yeah, sorry for the short chapter. I initially wrote a 4,000 word chapter but then I decided itdi work better in parts.

- For my followers I decided to turn a Facebook page I made years ago into my Fanfic page... Look up The Operative (a sasuhina pic). Whenever I have random thoughts concerning my writing or you wanna intract directly then thatst the place to be.

::::-::::

Naruto had been doing something he usually wouldn't be bothered doing, cleaning his apartment. The reason for this unusual phenomenon was simple, his big brother had informed him that he'd be visiting for about a week, a week that included his birthday. He had to make sure everything was perfect. The trash was easy, just fill a bag and throw it in a dumpster. His clothes he just stuffed where he could. Now came the hard part, scrubbing everything down. The day of arrival was soon and had a lot of work to do.

While his birthday wasn't usually something he was too happy about, this time he had someone to celebrate with. That fact alone got him excited.

Over in Iwa, Deidara was waiting by the village gate for his (forced) traveling companion. In his hands was a stone he was currently inspecting and a kunai. It was a half finished toad sculpture. He decided he couldn't just show up without some kinda present, it was the boy's birthday after all. With his casual clothes and a pack sitting next to him, it was little wonder Akatsuchi made his presence known.

"Hey Deidara, you going somewhere?"

He was in his uniform, likely just returning from a mission.

"Hey there big guy. I just got the old man to approve my vacation time...but I have to take Kurotsuchi with me."

He grumbled the last part.

"That's great! I take it you finished your Corps training then?"

"Yeah, I learn which division I go to after I get back."

That's when the returning shinobi noticed the objects the other was holding.

"What's that?"

"Oh this? It's a gift for my little bro. The brat likes toads so..."

That's when the aforementioned traveling companion decided to make her entrance. She was running up to them waving excitedly. All Deidara could do was groan while Akatsuchi simply laughed at his friends plight.

"Alright, see you when you get back."

"See ya big guy."

The 10 year old reached them and was bouncing around like a kid on a sugar rush (which wasn't too far from the truth). The blonde was already rubbing his temples in anticipation of a headache.

"Hey big bro! Are we leaving? Are we!?"

"Okay first, I told you to stop calling me that. Second, we have to do a checklist first, yeah?"

She nodded her head with more enthusiasm than necessary.

"Okay, you have a week's worth of clothes?"

A nod.

"A full supply of ninja tools?"

Another nod.

"Enough money to get things you want because I'm not buying for you?"

This one was a bit petty but they'd leave either way. If she didn't have it she'd just not get anything. The last nod was a good sign he wouldn't hear any complaints about that.

And with that they were off. Kurotsuchi was a bit excited to meet his younger brother. Deidara on the other hand could already hear the shouting matches (thank goodness he brought ear plugs).

Somewhere else in the world, a messenger hawk was circling it's target. After receiving the signal, it descended to a large white hair man. After quickly deciphering the message, he changed his course. Even though it only said something about a unique development concerning two blondes, he already had an idea what this was about. Minato had already informed him about certain encounters with the opposite sex he had.

When he heard Iwa and Konoha were entering talks he figured it was only a matter of time before certain things came to light.

A few days later and Naruto heard knocking at his door.