Another year had passed, Hanako was looking outside her office window. She was officially fourteen now. Today was October 10th.

Her birthday. What was unusual was she shared her birthday with someone else, her twin.

She missed her older brother dearly. She missed his pranks; she missed his laugh. He had promised to write, but knowing him, he wouldn't. More than likely he forgot. Hanako sighed.. She was doing this lately. Today was a rare day of being alone. The sand siblings were on a mission so no one was home today. Last year she had been too busy to celebrate her birthday. Now she had time. The hospital was flourishing and didn't need her help as often anymore. In fact, Suna was doing better than last year. Hanako was happy to see that. She was here as an ambassador to keep the relations between Sand and Leaf friendly.

Even her pupils hadn't showed up to bother her today. She got back to work signing more papers and reviewing over them. She decided she couldn't concentrate today since she kept reading the same sentence over and over and it still wasn't processing in her head. She decided she needed to take a walk around the village.

She came across a playground and sat down on the bench. She watched all the little kids play around. They were so innocent. She remembered her time in the orphanage. The kids had be been mean, pulled her hair, and called her names. She often cried a lot back then. That was the reason she didn't interact with a lot of people her age. It had been traumatic for her. Her brother would come to the rescue and often get beat up. She frowned thinking back. She learned young that Nii was too caring. He didn't care about getting hurt to protect her. She cared though. So she had to get stronger to keep him from getting hurt. After they had moved into the apartment, one incident had happened that made her stop relying on her brother from the bullies.

She had been coming back from class, Nii had to stay behind for sleeping in class. She wasn't paying attention, and had bumped into some boys. They turned around and saw it was the weakling who was always with her brother. Hanako instantly knew she made a mistake. She turned to ran but they grabbed her by the hair. They had shouted things at her like she was a freak. Her hair was ugly. Her brother was a monster. That made Hanako snap. She turned on them, biting and punching them. There was five boys and only one Hanako. So they outnumbered her and ganged up on her. One boy pulled out a kunai he had taken from his brother. He was going to cut her hair off like the freak she was. They all laughed at how brilliant he was. Hanako thrashed trying to get out of their grip. She was calling for Nii and crying.

One of the boys punched her in the face, it shocked her to core. She kept crying tears. It hurt. It hurt so much. Where was Onii-chan? No. She had hoped Onii-chan wouldn't show up. He would get hurt badly. She wanted this to be over already. But she didn't want her hair to be cut, Onii-chan loved her hair. The boys were laughing at themselves, thinking they were tough. Hanako didn't know what to do. They were stronger than her. Then her hair got pulled. The boy was grinning. He was about to cut her hair when Onii-chan tackled him into the ground. Hanako was in shock. In her eyes, Onii-chan was the best person ever. He saved her every time she was in trouble. Even now when she didn't want him to rescue her, he did. Hanako cried even harder. They boys who were holding her, got up to save their friend. They ganged up on Naruto.

Hanako ended up joining the fight. She would pull one of them off of Nii, only for one of them to get back on him. She remembered screaming that they were going to kill him. She had been so scared. Finally she had punched one of them in the nose and it had bled. He cried about the pain and ran away. The others saw, and it had been crazy.

She shook her head at the memory. No one had came to stop the fight. It was them two vs the four. Eventually they quit and left. Ohii-chan had not gone down without a fight and with Hanako joining him, it wasn't as fun for them. So they ran saying they were taking it easy on them.

Onii-chan had been badly injured. Hanako was afraid he was going to die. She had freaked out and dragged him to the hospital. They quickly got to work oh him. He had to stay at the hospital for a week. During that week, Hanako decided she wasn't going to be weak anymore. No one would bully her or hurt her Onii-chan. That's when she met Sasuke at the training grounds. She had been wary of him in the beginning. But he wasn't paying attention to her and notice she was working just as hard as he was or more. She had won his respect with her determination.

During the week when Onii-chan was in the hospital, the boys had came back to bully her. Hanako wasn't going to go down without a fight this time. She wasn't strong enough to beat them up, but Sasuke had ended up showing up to the training grounds, scaring them away. He questioned what was going on and she told him not to worry about it. Back then, it was just her and Onii-chan. So Hanako had shoved him away from them. She trusted no one after that attack.

Onii-chan had gotten out of the hospital. Hanako was overjoyed and they splurged on ramen to celebrate him getting out. They had slept in the same bed for months after that. However Hanako now had a habit of going to the training ground. Onii-chan still did his pranks and carried on like nothing had happened.

Something had changed inside Hanako. She was clingier but more aloof. She didn't care about people anymore. She had no more love for the village. It had felt like the village rejected them two. She was lost. But she hid the fact she was lost. She never interacted with anyone so no one knew, even her Nii didn't realize she was unhappy. How could he, when she was only happy beside him?

Sasuke realized the boys were bullying her. Ever since the training ground incident, he had been watching to see what was going on. He also saw that Hanako didn't need help. If it was one on one, Hanako was the victor. He knew since he saw the fight. Hanako had went after the boy who tried to cut her hair. She beat him into a pulp. He was crying but Hanako was enraged. Sasuke had to stop her when the boy admitted defeat. Hanako shouted at him to stop stalking her. They got into a fight too. His brother Itachi had to break up their fight. He had come to pick up Sasuke but instead he saw a fight. He took them both home and treated their wounds.

Itachi had been nice. He treated her with respect, even though she was younger than him. He reminded her of Onii-chan, except he was way more smarter and way more elegant. But he had the same aura as Nii.. So decided to trust him.. plus he wasn't an adult, but he was older than her. So he seemed more trustworthy. Itachi didn't prod her like Sasuke did. So she ended up telling him the story. Itachi wasn't pleased at the turn of events. He gave her a lecture telling her that revenge wasn't the way to go. Hanako nodded. He took Hanako home, with Sasuke tagging along. He didn't know that had happened.

The next day Sasuke treated her more friendlier but she was still wary. Every night when she came home, Onii-chan would be getting in too. He would often go to the playground to find people who would play with him. Sometimes, Shikamaru and Choji would play with him. They often got into trouble together so it was normal that they would end up getting along.

Hanako kept her word and didn't go after the others, but ever since her fight with the boy, they stayed away from her. Hanako didn't know why, she thought they would come back for revenge but they never did. Nonetheless she still kept on training, meeting her future friends in the process.

It was a whole year later that they moved into their apartment. Now they were seven! Hanako was different from her past self. She didn't cry anymore and she was even learning to cook for them so they could save more money. Onii-chan still splurged on ramen, but it was his favorite.

"Hurry Hanako! The old man said he'll give us a discount on ramen since it's our birthday!" Naruto shouted, pulling her hand.

"Nii, your head is nothing but ramen!" Hanako said. She held onto his hand. They were running through the village. Today was special. It had been one year since they moved in. And they were now seven! It was going to be a good year she hoped.

"We're here!" Naruto shouted.

"Welcome. Let's have another good year today." Teuchi smiled at them warmly.

"Thanks old man!" Naruto said happily. They ordered the usual ramen but didn't get that. Instead it was a slightly more expensive ramen for the two. They looked at it in shock.

"W-we can't pay for this.." Hanako told him trembling.

"It's fine. It's on the house. After it's not everyday you turn seven." Teuchi replied sternly. He turned away from them.

"Thank you!" They said in unison. They happily ate the ramen in peace. It was one of the best they ever had.

"It's so delicious!" Naruto sighed out in happiness. Hanako agreed. It was just too good!

They munched on happily together. They waved bye before going home. Hanako was stuffed and happy.

"I wish everyday could be like this." Hanako mumbled. Today had been a good day. No one bothered them today. Sasuke and her were on friendly terms. Itachi treated them well whenever they randomly saw one another.

"What was that?" Naruto asked.

"I wish we could stay like this forever." Hanako told him.

"No way! I want to be older and do cool stuff!" He did a random pose. "I'm going to be Hokage after all!"

"I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. Oh! I know! I want to be a bride!" Hanako gushed at him.

"W-what!? A bride!?"

"Yes! They wear such a pretty dress." Hanako fantasized about her wedding.

"Who are you going to marry!?" Naruto freaked out.

"Hmm.." Hanako thought about it carefully. "I don't know. But he's going to be rich." Hanako twirled around. She liked dresses and heels. She liked fashion.

"So you are going to move out on day." Naruto smiled. He remembered how she cried last year about staying with him forever.

"NO!" Hanako looked at him swiftly. "We are going to live with Nii!" Hanako pouted.

"But I don't think your husband would want that."

"Then I won't marry him! I'll marry you instead!" Hanako stomped.

"You can't marry me! I'm going to marry someone else instead!" Hanako pouted at him.

"I hope we can stay together forever." Hanako mumbled. Naruto saw her look. She looked lost and lonely. Ever since that fight, she had gotten this look now. She didn't look like that Hanako from before. So he hugged her. Hanako jumped at the sudden contact but hugged him back.

"We'll always be family. Together and forever." Naruto told her. He put out his pinky and she did the same. "Pinky promise. No matter what happens. No matter where we go. I'll always love you. You're my little sister. I'll always be there for you no matter what." Hanako nodded. They laughed together.

Hanako fondly remembered her their old promise.

"Nii is such a liar. He's not even here." Hanako told herself. She smiled sadly. She didn't want to go home. Tonight she would be alone. So she went and got cake. Chocolate. Her favorite.

She opened the door and turned on the lights.

"SURPRISE!" Came from everyone. Hanako jumped and almost dropped her cake. Her students were jumping with joy. Temari and the boys were all here. Even Team Gai's team was there with Hisoka. Hanako stared at them dumbfound. Then she started to cry. Everyone freaked out but Hanako was just happy. She thought she would be alone tonight. Almost everyone was here. Nii wasn't here.

"Oh no! What's wrong?" Tenten asked. She couldn't believe Hanako was crying. Hanako ended up hugging her and she hugged back.

"Thank you. I didn't bring enough cake." Hanako smiled as she wiped her eyes. Tenten laughed and told her it was okay.

"You gave us a fright." Lee told her. "I thought we upset you."

"It's just the power of youth!" Gai told her smiling. They swarmed around Hanako.

"Let her breathe." Neji told them. Everyone was crowding around her. Her pupils were holding onto her arms.

"It's fine for tonight." Hanako told him warmly. He nodded in understanding. The sand siblings stood in the background while she talked to her friends.

"What are we going to do with you squirt?" Hisoka laughed as he ruffled her hair. "You're getting older everyday. You need to stop! You're making me older." He laughed. They all chattered with one another. Her pupils were shocked at Hisoka. No one had been so easygoing around her. Everyone treated her with respect. Soma tackled him, but Hisoka side stepped away like a pro. Hanako saw and shook her head.

"Even I haven't been able to touch him." She told them seriously. They looked shocked.

"One day you'll be able to squirt." Hisoka smiled smugly. Hanako shook her head. As the evening went on, they had munched on the cake and the snacks Temari and the boys had gotten. Soon it was late and they had to go to their hotel.

"We'll see you tomorrow." Hisoka winked. Hanako nodded. She watched them leave before feeling a pang of homesickness. She had missed her friends.

"Thank you." Hanako said. She looked at them. They were feeling pleased with themselves. "I thought you guys were on a mission?"

"We were. It was mission 'Throw Hanako a birthday party'. It was a request from your brother." Kankuro explained.

"Wait.. Nii put in a request for this. You saw him!?" Hanako asked.

"No. It was in the letter." Gaara told her. He handed her a letter. It had Nii's handwriting on it. Hanako was shocked. She thought her brother had forgotten.. about her.. but no. He still thought about her. Hanako nodded. She took the letter.

"Do.. you mind-"

"It's fine. It's your birthday. Go." Temari shooed her away. Hanako bowed her thanks and ran into her room. She quickly sat on the bed to read the letter. She couldn't stop her breathing.

Hanako finally opened the letter.

Hey sis!

Its me! I'm out here learning all sorts of cool new ninjutsu! Believe it! Pervy sage is working me like a demon! He's relentless. But I guess that means i'm getting closer to Sasuke. Too bad we can't spend our birthday together. We're always traveling from one place to another. Mainly different hotsprings. I miss you very much! I hope you are doing well and not pushing yourself too much! Take care!

The letter was so short. But it was like Nii. He was probably distracted when he wrote this. Hanako cried. She missed her brother so much. She was happy but now she was more lonely. How she missed her brother. It was like everywhere she looked she saw traces of Nii. Even at the playground.

Knock. Knock.

"Yes?" Hanako answered. Gaara walked in. He was about to say something but noticed Hanako crying.

"Are you okay?" He asked. Hanako nodded. Then a few seconds later she shook her head.

"I miss Onii-chan so much." Hanako said. Her voice cracked. Tears slipped down her face. She wiped them away but couldn't stop crying. Gaara didn't know what to do so he hugged her. He was still awkward with human interactions. Hanako hugged him back and didn't let him go. It was fine with Gaara. He would hold her for as long as she wanted. Hanako kept being reminded of Naruto. She just wanted to see him so much.

"You'll see him again. Isn't he suppose to come back after a few years? Wasn't it two or three years?"

"Two and a half." She mumbled.

"One more year then."

"But it's just so long.." Hanako looked at him. She wasn't crying as hard anymore. Then she yawned. "I'm sleepy.. Thank you for the birthday.." Hanako mumbled.

"Ah.. Should I leave?"

Hanako shook her head. "Stay. Please?" She begged. Gaara nodded. He didn't know what else to do. Hanako got under the covers. They talked softly for a little bit. Gaara was learning more about Naruto. Hanako even told him about how Nii landed in the hospital to save her. Before she finished her story, she fell asleep. Gaara was a bit enraged. He didn't like that they went through the same things as him. Even worse, was that Hanako was just an innocent bystander.

Gaara kept to his word and stayed the night with Hanako.

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At another place, Naruto was looking at the night sky. The pervy sage was out and about somewhere getting information. Naruto didn't feel like doing that today. He wondered what Hanako was doing tonight. He missed his little sister. He hadn't realized how close their birthday was until he saw the date. He had been sore but he earned money to hire help for Hanako's birthday. He had sent the letter to Tsunade, who sent it to Suna. That' where they learned of the mission and hadn't realized Hanako's birthday. He knew Hanako wouldn't say anything about it but she liked parties. Hanako was a girl after all. He wanted to see her smile. It felt nice. He had swore he would always protect her and her smile. It was a promise close to his heart, like being hokage, and bringing Sasuke back.

He sighed. He would work harder to make all his dreams come true.

"Happy Birthday to us, Hanako." Naruto said looking at the night sky.

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Hanako jolted awake, startling Gaara. He looked at her in question.

"Onii-chan." She said if that made any sense. "He.. He told me happy birthday." She got up and looked at the night sky. Tonight the sky looked more beautiful than before. Gaara was confused. Did Naruto do some kind of jutsu to talk to her. "Happy birthday, Onii-chan." She whispered softly.

"How do you know?" Gaara asked innocently. She turned to look at him.

"I felt it in my heart." Hanako said as she touched her chest. She climbed back into bed. Hanako got Gaara to lay next to her. They stared at one another. Hanako smiled. It looked as if her loneliness was finally gone. "Can you hold my hand?" Hanako asked. "Onii-chan used to do it for me." Gaara's face went red but he nodded. It was her birthday. On the other letter Naruto had sent, it asked for whoever to comply to all her requests. She had unusual requests.

Gaara watched as she fell asleep again. It was new. This was his first time looking at her face directly. He could watch her all night.


Woooooo! Thank you all! Happy HalloThankMas! XD I love this season! I just realized, it's been over a year since I restarted this story. Hooray! So that means... Another birthday story! The twins Birthday story! Believe it!

I honestly meant for this chapter to be shorter but it just kept on growing and growing and now I'm late! But huffah! Still uploading before 10/10 is over!

R&R