-o-o-o-

Happy Naruto, to Our Sun, Love the Moon and the Star

-o-o-o-

Summary: Just a short one-shot for Naruto's Birthday. AU-ish. Amidst the bullying, the stares and the isolation, two people never fails to brighten his day. Welcome to the life of the moon, the sun and the star of Konoha. KuraNaru/KyuuNaru, SasuNaru, KuraSasu

A/N: So I wanted to greet Naruto his happy birthday earlier today and my news feed is flooded with Kyuubi's final moments. So here I am, half crying, half nostalgic to the simpler times of Naruto. Back when there's no aliens, no tech, no cyborgs. This will be very AU-ish as Naruto will have met Sasuke and Kyuubi way way earlier here.

Disclaimer: This will be a different style than my other stories. With that out of the way, let's get on with the story.

-o-o-o-

He never could quite get it.

At the tender young age of six, he had to fend for himself, secluded in the far reaches of the village as if he's some dirty secret the world must be kept safe from; a shameful stain of the past hidden deep within Konoha's closet the ones who placed him there hoping he'll forever remain hidden forgotten from the pages of history.

His guardians received compensation, happily squandering the allowance money allotted for his care in the thinking that his short-lived insignificant existence is nothing compared to the grander scheme of things.

But try as they might to forget him, try as they did to make him go away, to languish in his own little corner, the light of Konoha cannot be contained.

For all the darkness in the world cannot sully and stain the existence of one so bright.

Even as the world turn their backs on him, Naruto would always make them remember; from the chaos on the streets, to his uncontained laughter echoing through the halls of Konoha, blind to the guarded looks and oblivious to the half closed ears who try so desperately to forget him.

Yet in their ignorant and willful desire to be rid of him, Naruto only flourished.

First, he befriended one of Konoha's elite, the last of its priced clan. From jealous rivalry to inseparable friendship, Sasuke and Naruto became like the sun and the moon. Where Sasuke's more subdued light reflected his best friend's bright and undeniable light, the last of the Uchiha shined nonetheless.

Constantly challenging each other, the two grew well until into their academy years. And where others bully the Sun, its Moon is quick to come to his defense, driving away those who seek to dampen its never-ending light.

For the moon himself is drawn forever to its sun, unable to flourish in darkness without its life-giving brilliance.

Indeed, Sasuke Uchiha was thankful when fate would draw them together. It was a harrowing day for the youngest of the Uchiha; where his dog was swept downriver in the cruel waters and unforgiving winds, one brave boy came to his rescue.

As the young blond cradled Shiro in his arms, Sasuke knew then that it will not be just his dog who will forever be warmed by the sun. For the boy's wide bright smile amidst his soaked t-shirt and shivering cold skin, his light radiated like no other.

When the dark haired raven lost his family, it was the Sun who held him in his eyes. Both, retreated to their far corner of the village, cradled by their own tears and anguish as they comforted each other.

Yet their anguish would not go unnoticed.

For a creature whose time wanted to forget… and perhaps even hated by the world came to them. From his dark dank sewers he came forth to light their cold lonely nights; even if that light was also reflected from the sun of Konoha. He wrapped his tails ever so tenderly, like the parents they lost and never had.

And just as the world was quick to forget this unlikely Trio, the fox was quick to discard his festering hate. For he too witnessed how these two surmounted challenges that no child should ever have to face.

And little by little, respect grew from hate and it became adoration, and then admiration and finally that of love.

Yet the three continued to grow in silent, hidden from the eyes of the world who wanted so much to bury them in time.

For they too have a light that burns for them in silence. And while the moon was content to admire in silence and the star was content to protect from the distance, they knew that they have a duty to protect, cherish and nurture their light; to ensure that such a light is never extinguished by those who would seek to vanquish his frail yet blinding existence.

Naruto always found their eagerness to come to his aid amusing and sometimes overbearing. Yet a welcomed one nonetheless. For while the two continually proclaim him to be his light, they are his center. For the sun, while blinding and bright and radiant for all his glory is nothing if it just drifts aimlessly in his own little space.

His star and his moon are his center. For they anchor him to a solid foundation in a sea of festering hate and uncaring world.

Naruto chuckled to himself as he heard hush whispers behind the doors to his apartment.

He found it odd when that morning, the top pupil of the academy was absent from class. But now, he knew just what his dark-haired rival was up to.

"Damn brat! Quickly now. He's about to enter."

"Shut it Kura-chan! It's your fault that the first cake burned down in the first place!"

"My fault? How dare you imply it's my fault? You Uchihas just can't admit it when you're in the wrong."

"Whatever, you stupid fox. Now just stay still and stick to the plan or we're ignoring you for a week."

"We? Naru-chan wouldn't be so brazen, Sasuke, unlike a certain brooding little brat here. Besides, you two can't ignore my greatness."

"Whatever. Now get on with it, grandpa."

"Now you've done it. I may be centuries old but I am definitely not your grandpa! You two would do well to remember that, especially when you two were screaming my name just last night. Would you like another demonstration, Uchiha?"

Naruto frowned, blanched and his hand stopped on the door knob. Ugh. Sometimes, Kurama can be a bit tactless, even with them. He needs to put a stop t this now.

"Eww. Put a lid on it dumb fox."

Naruto smiled as he heard a small kissing sound.

"Aww you know you like it when I talk dirty."

Okay, he definitely needs to put a stop to this now. The vein on his forehead threatens to snap as his grip on the door knob tightened. With an annoyed grunt he swung the door open.

"Hey hey, what are you two—" Before he can even finish his sentence, he felt two lips settle on his cheeks. A simple orange chocolate cake was shoved in front of him.

"Surprise!"

"Surprise!"

"Happy Birthday Naruto!"

The grin on his face couldn't be wider as he took in the sight of the two most important people in his life. Sure the kitchen was a mess of flour and other ingredients. And the hand made streamer hanging on the living room was a little lopsided but he could definitely feel the warmth emanating from this small corner of their lives.

And as Naruto grabbed Kurama and Sasuke and hugged them tightly… all the troubles of his day melted.

The kids who railed against him or the teachers who constantly picked on him seemed like a distant memory as he took in the familiar scent, touch and warmth of his sun and his star.

For he may be their sun, but the sun is nothing without the stars and its moon.

And Naruto knew then that whatever may come for them outside, they will face it wholeheartedly.

For they who had nothing, have each other now.

And that's what matters the most.

And maybe now, he could get it quite a little. It's simple matters like this that he should treasure. As he drew the two boys close to him, his voice was barely a whisper.

Shaking, yet strong in its resolve as he said.

"Thank you, you guys. You're the best."

-o-o-o-

A/N: Man I hope that wasn't too weird haha. Let me officially greet Naruto a happy birthday. For in my mind, Kyuubi is still watching over him and Sasuke will forever carry out the fox's wishes as he protect his brother, his friend, his lover.

Happy Birthday Naruto!