WARNING: Teeny tiny implied slash? Soemwhat angsty.

DISCLAIMER: Me no owny.

A/N: And there's another one to follow! They're both implied slash, but I've left it light - sorry to all you Het lovers out there!


Uzumaki Naruto - October 10th

The sun shone down over Konohagakure, and the crisp air freshened the unusually deserted streets. Gems of condensation ran down the glass windows on the Hokage tower, and piles of russet and golden leaves were gathered on street corners and around the village walls.

The city, with its deserted streets and unnatural silence was in mourning. Shops were closed and doors were locked, people would spend the day with their families, emerging only at night for the stargazing festival atop Hokage Mountain.

But not everyone had a family.

Uzumaki Naruto was alone, the only person outdoors on this chill autumn day. He walked with his head down and his hands in his pockets, dragging his feet along the ground. He didn't need to smile – there was no one here to see his moment of weakness.

As he shuffled out of the village central, the sun shone down and caused his hair to sparkle in the sunlight. Slowly, the view of the village was left behind as Naruto forced himself deeper and deeper into Konoha forest. The sun was high in the sky when Naruto finally stopped next to a sparkling lake. The dappled light beneath the trees sheltered him from the reflected rays off of the hidden lake.

Every year, this place never fails to capture his heart. The deep blue of the still water contrasting with the aquamarine sky, multi-toned green, brown, yellow and red trees in the autumn crossover and fluffy white clouds soaring overhead.

Every colour is heavily saturated, sounds are magnified and true thoughts and feeling can come through without obstruction.

He is alone – he has always been alone, and this thought comes as no surprise to him.

He sighs, a deep and heavy release of breath which draws with it the slow trickle of tears. His chest heaves with silent sobs as he gathers his knees in his arms and cries without shame, tears pouring down his scarred cheeks as he sits alone.

As his tears slowly subside, Naruto is aware of a sweet but mournful song from amongst the trees. He recognises the sound of birdsong, but all other call and answer tweeting has stopped in honour of this pure, melodic sound.

The bird – whatever it is – continues it song, the lilting music drifting through the trees to reach a silent and sorrowful Naruto, who finds himself inexplicably calmed.

But all of a sudden the bird stops and the sound of frantic flapping is heard, a whole flock of birds soaring upwards, away from the forest. Naruto turns slowly, sadly, and his eyes widen in shock as he realises who disturbed his comforter.

Sasuke stands there, pale and washed-out against the vivid autumn backdrop, his dark eyes intense and filled with emotion.

Naruto takes a deep, shuddering breath and turns his head back to the lake, his eyes readjusting to the shining water and dusty grey cliffs infront of him.

A flicker of sadness passes through the raven's eyes and he takes a slow, halting step towards the blonde.

"What do you want?" demands Naruto without his usual vigour. SAsuke says nothing, simply moving to sit next to his friend in silence.

"I didn't think you should be alone today" he replies finally

Naruto laughs hollowly "I've always been alone"

"That's not true" Sasuke replies "You've had me"

"And where have you been for the past two years?" Naruto bites back bitterly, and traitorous tears begin once more to course down his cheeks. Sasuke brushes them away softly, and gathers the blonde in his arms, it's no longer so easy as carrying him out of danger – he's grown taller and more muscled, but Sasuke holds him close all the same.

"You know where I've been" Sasuke whispers into Naruto's ear, and the blonde stiffens slightly "I've been training . . . and not just for revenge . . . but to protect you."

The blonde's eyes widen again at this statement, and he winds his arms tighter around the Uchiha's slim frame "Don't lie" he whispers "don't lie"

"I'm not Naruto" Sasuke replies and inhales Naruto's sunshine scent. He holds the other boy away from him for a moment and studies his tear reddened eyes, his own onyx orbs still filled with unheard of emotion.

Slowly, haltingly, he moves his head forwards, but Naruto pushes him back.

"No, Sasuke"

It's as though a curtain has been draw; Sasuke's face goes blank and he releases his hold on Naruto. The blonde looks up, pleading to be held again, but Sasuke is not longer looking at him, preferring rather to stare straight over his head. "Sasuke? I just . . . I just want . . . I just want you to hold me"

He looks slightly startled for a moment, but soon the Uchiha's eyes soften once more and he haltingly weaves his arms around Naruto's waist, as though afraid of rejection, but still holding the boy close to him.

"Naruto, I" He stops, takes a deep breath and tries to continue, but the words he wants to say wont come out. "Happy birthday" he murmurs instead, and he feels his bare chest dampen and he knows that Naruto is crying again. He holds the boy tighter still, and they stand together for an eternity, until the stars come out and the shadows beneath the trees meld into each other.

The moon hangs low, a golden sheen to its usually silver face, and the few white clouds of the day disappear, allowing the glittering stars to shine out.

Still the two boys stand, entwined in silence.

"Thank you Sasuke" Naruto whispers "Thank you"


OWARI!