It was a warm spring day in Konaha, as team seven left the Hokage's office having completed yet another mission."Well I guess I will see you guys tomorrow then," Sakura gushed as she waved at the group before rushing off.
"Ah... Sakura-chan," Naruto began but the pink haired konoichi had already rounded the corner. "Geeze what is she so excited about," Naruto thought out loud.
"It's her birthday tomorrow," Sasuke replied simply.
"It's her birthday!" Naruto exclaimed. "How did I not know this?"
"Because you're an idiot," Sasuke replied quickly.
"Shut up Sasuke, crap I haven't got her anything, what am I going to do, Sasuke..." Naruto trailed off. Sasuke turned to his team mate eyes full of suspicion.
"What?"
"What did you get Sakura? Can we go halves?"
"Don't worry Naruto you have till tomorrow afternoon," Kakashi added as he turned a page of his favourite book.
"Why what's happening then?"
"Well that's when she is having her party," Kakashi replied closing his book and raising an eye brow.
"How do you guys know about it?" Naruto asked looking from Kakashi to Sasuke. The young Uchiha sighed pulling a small pink card out of his pocket and presenting it to Naruto the action mirrored by Kakashi. "What you both got one and I didn't what the hell?" Naruto yelled in frustration.
"You mean you didn't get one?" Kakashi asked surprise evident in his voice.
"Here take mine I wasn't planning on going anyway," Sasuke stated handing the pink flower embossed card to his team mate only for it to be snatched away by Kakashi.
"Sasuke, Sakura is expecting you to be there, you need to go and support your comrade," Kakashi reprimanded, handing the young Uchiha back the invitation. "And Naruto I'm sure Sakura has invited you so I hope to see you both there tomorrow," He added before disappearing in a cloud of smoke. Sasuke rolled his eyes before turning away.
"Hey Sasuke wait, what am I supposed to get Sakura?" Naruto wined running after him.
"How am I supposed to know?" Sasuke replied annoyed now.
"Wait a minute," Naruto began a sly smile breaking across his face, "you haven't gotten her anything either," the hyperactive ninja accused jumping in front of his comrade and pointing a finger. Sasuke stopped and looked away. "You haven't, have you?"
"Hn," Sasuke replied.
"Haha not so cool now Sasuke," Naruto yelled laughing loudly.
"That's rich coming from the guy who didn't even know it was her birthday," Sasuke stabbed back silencing Naruto's snickers.
"Well whatever we're both in the same boat so let's work together," Naruto snapped back.
"Whatever," Sasuke replied pushing past his team mate, sliding his hands in his pockets as he walked away.
"You are going to get her something aren't you?" Naruto called after him. "Coz I would hate to see her get angry..." he trailed off. Sasuke froze mid step, memories flashed across the young Uchiha's mind reminding him of Sakura's terrifying strength as well as her quick temper. Sasuke turned back to his comrade clearly uncomfortable.
"So what did you have in mind then?" He asked awkwardly. Naruto smiled devilishly knowing he had won the Uchiha over.
"Just you wait."
Naruto paced impatiently past Sasuke's door. "Man I told him to be ready by seven it's like ten past!" Naruto thought as he turned and began to pound at Sasuke's door.
"What are you doing?" Sasuke asked as he came up behind him.
"Aaah!" Naruto yelled in surprise as he jumped back preparing for a fight. "How are you? When did you? What?" the young ninja stammered when Sasuke raised an eyebrow at his display. "You're late!" Naruto yelled accusingly after he recovered. "I think you have been hanging out with Kakashi-sensei too long you're becoming just like him," Naruto stabbed jabbing a finger at the young Uchiha.
"I was training idiot and I had some things to do."
"Liar!" Naruto spat glaring at his comrade.
"Loser!" Sasuke stabbed back; meeting Naruto's glare with an equally steely one.
"Humf," they both said as they turned away.
"So what's your big idea then?" Sasuke asked turning back to the blonde.
"Yes I have come up with a brilliant plan!" Naruto announced, "Follow me."
Naruto lead the pair to Sakura's house and stealthily slid in behind the fence waiting for Sasuke to catch up. Sasuke walked casually in behind him hands in his pockets. "Sasuke what are you doing, this is supposed to be a top secret information gathering mission there is no room for mistakes!" Naruto whispered harshly.
"You mean like that," Sasuke asked nodding to the balloon Naruto was about to step on.
"Ahh, I was just um, gonna cause a distraction so you could sneak in; yeah that's it," Naruto recovered stumbling backwards trying to regain his balance. "Hmm this place seems to have tighter security then I first anticipated," Naruto thought out loud. "Hmm hey Sasuke give me a leg up," Naruto said pointing to the fence. Sasuke raised an eyebrow at Naruto, "Aw common this is for Sakura," the blonde added.
"Fine," Sasuke replied coming to the fence and lifting Naruto up.
"I will survey the area for potential gift ideas," Naruto announced peering cautiously over the fence. "Hmm let's see they have party pies, chips, fairy floss; omg red cordial," Naruto announced.
"Great well at least we can cross groceries off our list," Sasuke called sarcastically. "Hurry up, you're heavy," He added shifting his weight causing Naruto to sway.
"Hey stop it you're gonna make me fall," Naruto yelled.
"Well hurry up!" Sasuke yelled back. Naruto continued to survey the area mentally taking a list of what was there.
"Meow!" Naruto turned to where the sound was coming from and found that damn cat Tora sitting next to him on the fence.
"Haha nice kitty," Naruto began, but there was an evil glint in its eye. "Ah go away kitty ah! Sasuke there's a cat, do something!" Naruto yelled as Tora came closer, teeth bared and claws ready.
"What do you want me to do?" Sasuke snapped back.
"I don't know you're good with cats tell it to go away!" Naruto yelled.
"Or I could just," Sasuke replied as Naruto began to fall landing on his back.
"Ow," Naruto groaned as his senses came back to him. "HEY! What did you do that for?" Naruto yelled looking up at the Uchiha.
"What? I was saving you from the big bad cat," Sasuke smirked. Naruto shakily got up from the ground and looked up at the fence. "Stupid cat," he yelled. The cat jumped down from the fence landing in between the two and hissed at Naruto. Naruto jumped back "Ah! Man that cat is psycho!" he commented as it trotted off. Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"So what did you find out?"
"Ah yes the mission," Naruto began. "Well she had heaps of delicious looking food at her party," Sasuke gave Naruto a look that said 'ah no shit it's a party,' "BUT," Naruto continued, "they were missing one thing; a cake!" he announced proudly. "So we should get Sakura a cake," He finished, smiling.
"You idiot Sakura's parents own a bakery."
"What since when, how do you know?" Naruto asked suspiciously.
"She always bring cakes and things over, doesn't she give you any?" Sasuke replied indifferently.
"What no, I want cake from Sakura," Naruto whined. "Are they good?" he asked.
"I dunno I've never eaten them-"
"WHAT!" Naruto exclaimed grabbing onto Sasuke's shoulders not to gently. "Why didn't you give them to me? I would have eaten them!" Naruto pleaded.
"Get off me," Sasuke replied brushing Naruto off, "and Naruto you're the last person who needs cake," He added rolling his shoulder and smirking slightly.
"Whatever, maybe you need to train more; you could just be weak," as soon as the word left his mouth Naruto was pushed up against the fence, face to face with the Sharingan.
"Say that again," Sasuke dared his eyes narrowing.
"Hey hey I was kidding," Naruto replied backtracking. Sasuke didn't let go, "aww common think about Sakura, we have to figure out what to get her," Sasuke sighed but released him; his Sharingan receding.
"So, what now?" Sasuke asked. But before Naruto could reply they heard a familiar voice.
"Common mom the parties this afternoon lets go," Sakura called as she opened the gate to the backyard.
"Ah she's coming quick we can't let her see us here; think of a disguise," Naruto rushed.
Sakura and her mother walked out of their yard and turned onto the street. "Omg that's so cute," Sakura announced spying the two cats sitting on the side of the road. She ran up to them, "Mom look at this black one it's so cute; she reach out to pat it but the cat hissed at her, "Ah not very friendly though," she added. She felt a soft head rub against her leg "Ah this one is so ugly," She commented grimacing.
"Sakura come on we have to go!" Her mother yelled.
"Oh well," She said before running after her mother. Naruto peered round the corner.
"Man it was lucky those cats showed up and distracted her," he said relieved.
"So what now? Does your master plan have a part b?" Sasuke asked sarcastically.
"No, no this was all part of my plan from the start," Naruto replied smugly as Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Now we can follow her and watch what she looks at while she shops," he added triumphantly.
The dynamic duo followed Sakura and her mother to the shopping district watching closely for anything that caught the comrade's eye.
"Happy birthday Sakura!" Ino called to the pink haired girl and her mother as they passed the Yamanaka flower shop.
"Thanks Ino," Sakura replied cheerfully as they stopped to chat. "Wow Ino these flowers look amazing so beautiful," Sakura gushed gesturing to a certain bouquet or two.
"Yeh it has been a really great season this year," Ino replied happily.
"They are beautiful Ino but I'm sorry we must be off there is still so much we need to organise for this afternoon, you are coming right?" Mrs Haruno asked.
"Oh I will be there," Ino replied honestly waving as they left.
"See ya later Ino," Sakura called as they walked away.
"That's perfect," Naruto exclaimed as he jumped out from his hiding position freaking Ino out in the process.
"Ahhh Naruto what are you doing!" She yelled anger evident in her tone.
"Ah hi Ino he...he," Naruto quickly added as he slowly back away from the advancing female. "Ah um... Sasuke and I-" Naruto began.
"Oh Sasuke-kun what brings you her?" Ino asked innocently as the Uchiha stepped out of the shadows.
"We're here to get gift for Sakura's birthday," Naruto interrupted not liking how Sasuke was suddenly the centre of attention... again.
"Oh so you're going to be at the party then Sasuke?" Ino asked completely ignoring Naruto.
"That's why we are getting her a gift," Sasuke replied mater of factly.
"Oh so what were you thinking of getting her Sasuke?" Ino asked grabbing Sasuke's arm and pulling him towards her store. "Some flowers that so nice!" Ino exclaimed.
"It was my idea though," Naruto wined following the pair into the store.
"Naruto, Sasuke?" Called a familiar voice interrupting Ino as she was going thought the meanings of each flower she had pointed out explaining to Sasuke why he shouldn't get it coz this was a flower you would give you're true love or your crush and was defiantly not something he should give to Sakura.
"Kakashi," Sasuke said happy to have a reason to pull away from Ino.
"Kakashi sensei," Naruto exclaimed "what are you doing here?" He added suspiciously.
"I'm just here to pick up my git for Sakura," He replied happily.
"Oh I will just get that for you Kakashi sensei," Ino called rushing out the back of the store and returning not to long after. "It's so beautiful Sensei, Sakura is going to love it," She commented handing the copy ninja a small embellished box.
"Thank you Ino," Kakashi replied taking the box from her.
"Hey what did you get Sakura?" Naruto asked tugging on Kakashi's sleeve.
"Oh this, it was just something that I found on one of my recent missions," Kakashi replied lowering his arm and opening the box so his students could see. Inside the box was a beautiful rose preserved in a decorative glass vial.
"That's an eternity rose they are said to bloom forever and give the gift of eternal youth, if you believe in that sort of thing, but still it's very rare you're lucky to find one Sensei," Ino commented.
"A super rare rose huh," Naruto commented looking at Sasuke "who would have thought," he added.
"Naruto and I have some things to do so we better get going," Sasuke began waiting for Naruto to follow his lead.
"Yeh we should go," He added after a moment as Sasuke grab him by the arm and pulled him out the door.
"I'll see you at the party Sasuke-kun," Ino called after the pair.
"Yes Sasuke I will see you there," Kakashi called giving him a knowing look. Sasuke just sighed in replied before pushing Naruto out the door and following him into the street.
"A fricken eternity rose are you kidding me?" Sasuke began when they were far enough away from the store.
"What the hell was Kakashi-sensei thinking? We were going to get Sakura flowers now what the hell are we suppose to do?" Naruto replied pacing backwards and forwards.
"Sakura's Party is only a couple of hours away now, so what?" Sasuke asked glancing up at the sun to gauge the time.
"Can't you use you Sharingan to see into the future or whatever," Naruto asked turning back to his teammate.
"Yeh totally I'll get right on that," Sasuke replied sarcastically.
"Really?"
"No."
"What? Why not?" Naruto whined, but before Sasuke could reply a familiar voice broke through their conversation.
"Mom cant we look at the book shop first I want to see if they have the book I want," Sakura pleaded with her mother.
"No Sakura we have to get back there is still a lot to prepare and I have so many things to bake," her mother began mentally checking off a list. Naruto and Sasuke peered round the building listening to the exchange.
"Ok," Sakura sighed as she followed after her mother.
"That's and idea," Sasuke began waiting for Naruto to finish the thought.
"Ah, what? A book?" Naruto replied slowly. Sasuke nodded as he slid his hands into his pockets and began walking towards the book shop. "Awww but a book is a boring present," Naruto added pouting.
"Do you have a better idea?" Sasuke asked walking into the store.
"No not really," Naruto replied as he followed Sasuke inside. The pair looked around the store for a while in silence before Naruto spoke up. "So what kind of book?" He asked holding one up.
"One with words would be a good start," Sasuke began examining the one Naruto was holding. Naruto flung his arms back in exasperation.
"What do you mean-"
"Ouch," came a soft voice from behind him.
"Hinata," Naruto exclaimed in surprise as he spun round, "I didn't mean to hit you I wasn't looking," He added helping her up.
"Oh that's ok Naruto-kun," she replied shyly as she brushed herself off.
"Hey what's this?" Naruto asked picking up a package.
"Oh that's my present for Sakura," Hinata replied.
"I'm guessing you got her a book?" Sasuke asked suddenly entering the conversation.
"Oh Sasuke-kun I didn't see you there," Hinata replied. "Well yes it is." Naruto smiled widely visibly restraining a yell of frustration.
"Oh that's great Hinata, Sakura loves books what kind did you get her?" he asked handing it back to her.
"Oh well I had to order this one in specially as they don't stock it here in Konaha, it's about medical ninjustu, because I know Sakura has already read all the book we have here," Hinata replied gesturing to the shelves of books around them. "So what are you two doing here? You don't normally hang out together," Hinata asked.
"Hahaha funny you should ask that," Naruto began, "I was helping Sasuke pick out a present for Sakura because he left it to the last minute as usual," Naruto gloated grabbing Sasuke around the shoulders and smirking at his teammates glare.
"Oh I see; that doesn't seem like you Sasuke," Hinata replied.
"Yes well I have had a lot of things on my mind lately," Sasuke replied through gritted teeth still glaring at Naruto.
"Well anyway we better get going party starts soon see you there Hinata," Naruto waved as he pulled Sasuke out of the shop.
"Wow that was a close one-" Naruto began but was cut off by a glare from Sasuke. "What?" Naruto asked, Sasuke sighed.
"Well it's too late now Sakura's party is in less than an hour," The Uchiha began.
"I guess I will see you at the party then," Naruto replied slowly as the pair stared each other down. 'No way will he get a better gift for Sakura,' Naruto thought as they broke off their glare and parted ways.
Naruto walked up to Sakura's house holding his card with two Ichiraku-ramen vouchers inside.
"Naruto welcome!" Sakura greeted as he entered the backyard smiling widely.
"Hey Sakura happy birthday," He replied happily handing her his gift.
"Oh thanks Naruto," she replied taking the card from him. Naruto looked around the back yard finding most people where there already. Tenten, Ino and Hinata where standing by the presents table talking. Shikamaru and Shino where sitting over in the corner playing cards. Choji and Kiba where standing around the food table, with Choji practically drooling with the amount of food on offer. "Why are you so late?" She asked. "Have you been hanging out with Kakashi too much?"
"Haha no; I didn't get an invitation so I wasn't sure what time to get here," Naruto replied shrugging.
"What but I gave Kakashi yours I thought he would have given it to you," Sakura sighed.
"Yo Naruto-Kun," Rock-lee called as he arrived.
"Hey Lee!" Naruto called back smiling.
"Happy birthday Sakura-chan," Lee added walking over to the young girl and kissing her on the hand.
"Haha thanks Lee," She replied blushing slightly.
"Naruto where is Sasuke and Kakashi? Don't tell me there running late?" Lee asked as everyone began to gather around the table.
"I'm not sure, they should be here by now; but then again," Naruto replied.
"Sasuke and Kakashi are on a mission," Shikamaru added. "Not sure about the details though," He continued taking his seat.
"Oh," Naruto replied also sitting down wondering why Sasuke didn't tell him before.
The party was a great success and Sakura yawned sightly as she waved off the last of her guests. She helped her mom to clean up before heading to her bedroom and collapsing onto her bed. "Ow!" She yelled as she felt something hard in her back. Sakura jumped up to find a small package sitting on her bed. Curious the pink haired girl picked it up and unwrapped it, tearing off the paper. Sakura gasped; in her hand was a photo frame with a picture of her and Sasuke when they where kids. She turned it over to find and inscription on the back.
"Sakura happy birthday, Sasuke."
"Sasuke," She said quietly before she hugged the photo to her chest.
"That was a nice thing you did for Sakura, Sasuke," Kakashi commented as the pair leapt through the trees.
"Hn," Sasuke replied.
"Where did you get the photo from?" Kakashi probed. Sasuke stopped identifying the enemy they had been trailing and slid in behind a tree trunk. Kakashi followed his lead sliding in behind him; the young Uchiha unsheathed a kunai before turning to his mentor.
"It was my mom's."
Look out filler ark coming up!
I kid I kid I would never be that mean ;P I thought I would follow the style of Naruto more closely and ad in some fluff and fun :) but really what's with the latest eps they weren't even legit fillers. they just replayed the same scenes from before only adding in stuff to make what's happening more realistic or 'in character.' I really believe kishimoto has gone on holiday and some random has taken over when he get back he's gonna be like what the hell did you do! Haha :P
So my story wouldn't be a true Naruto chapter without an unnecessary filler ep!
The next chapter will most likely be out by next year, I'm not making any promises tho ;)
Thanks for all the reviews and messages that keep bugging me to update and reminding me to hurry up haha
Just a little rant that I have; I'm so sick of people updating a chapter just to put like a message about how they are working on it or they need ideas. No that is for your page or on top of your already finished chapter I got all excited for this story that I am currently loving and then all I get is this message grrrrrrrrrrrr so I promise I will NEVA do such a thing... ok maybe as a joke :P
Thanks for reading xo
OH and my editor Carissa is AMAZING! I WORSHIP AT HER FEET! Guess who updated this chapter ;)