Hello readers, thanks for sticking with me. This one is a short chapter it's not really long like 3500 words. Please enjoy.
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Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto just some DVDs and games.
Birthday
Two figures walked through the trees, the foliage shielding them from the burning sun high above them, the elder of the two dressed in traditional hokage robes pulled off his ceremonial hat which he always wore, wiped at his brow as sweat started to mingle there, with his long robed sleeve. Looking down at his young companion, hair sticking flat to his face and watched as he ran a hand through his hair, water droplets cascaded around him. Pulling at the neck of his t-shirt uncomfortably the child looked up at his grandpa wondering why they were outside in this heat. Sensing the question in the child's eyes the hokage replaced his hat on his head and quickly moved between the trees to appear in a clearing. Turning back he watched as his young charge managed to toddle through the gap in the trees that he had just vacated.
"Grandan, why we here?" Konohamaru asked, once again pulling at his t-shirt which was sticking to him. Looking round the clearing the three year old spotted a house with a small porch running round the outside with a shoji board placed on the walkway. The sliding door opened.
"UNCLE 'SUMA" Konohamaru cried running as fast as his little legs would carry him and leapt into his uncle's ,startled but out stretched, arms. "You're back. What you doing here?" he clamoured.
"What is it with you kids and calling me Uncle 'Suma rather than Asuma?" He said shaking his head "Yeah I'm back and it's an early birthday present from dad. This is my house where I live and you are going to help me put things away"
"But why you live here. What wrong with us?" Konohamaru pushed back so he could see Asuma's face
"Nothing's wrong with you. I was staying with you till I managed to get myself sorted as well as helping your mum. Kinda like Naruto stays with you." Asuma explained.
Chuckling the hokage joined the two on the walkway of the porch turning he looked back at the route they had walked and realised he should probably not have taken the scenic route.
"Can we give Naruto a birthday present?" Konohamaru asked, startling both adults. Neither one had thought about Naruto's upcoming birthday, both preoccupied with other thoughts surrounding that day.
(Line)
The third was walking through the market district with Naruto walking along side him. They were looking for a new book for Naruto. Naruto had exhausted his library at the tower barring the restricted section that was, but he wasn't going to trust anybody in there, especially a six year old. Naruto as it had turned out had also read all the books in the Konoha library that he had got his hands on. So this endeavour was proving rather difficult.
"Naruto" the third called looking towards the boy staring at something in a shop window further up the street. Glancing back at the window Naruto walked over to the hokage, hmming to show that he was paying attention.
"What do you want for your birthday?" he queried.
Naruto blinked owlishly at the third. "I already asked to be able to leave the village didn't I?"
"But that doesn't really count as a present, something you can keep." The third tried to explain.
"I don't really want anything, but you can keep letting me leave the village every year" Naruto smirked
"Fine." sighing "What were you looking at anyway?" the third asked.
"Nothing" Naruto chimed turning back and continuing along the road. Walking past the window the third saw a hat with eyes and teeth and a black nose, which kind of looked like a walrus.
(Line)
Sitting on the cosy little sofa in the living room of the Sarutobi house; Naruto was sketching in his sketch book while huddled up in the corner of the sofa, Konohamaru was on the floor colouring a picture of some sorts, and Sayuri was sat on the other end of the couch her head buried in papers scattered about the surface area around her.
"Naruto what do you want for your birthday" Konohamaru asked innocently glancing up at the two figures on the sofa before continuing with his colouring. Asuma stuck his head through the doorway from the kitchen area; Sayuri lifted her head from her papers and looked over at Naruto, both adults hoping that he would answer with an idea this time.
"I don't really want anything Ko. If I need it I get it."
"How do you get it though? You've never asked me for anything". Sayuri stated
"But there must be something thing you want Naruto?" Asuma asked
"Your pot's burning Uncle 'Suma." Naruto stated causing Asuma to retreat back into the kitchen as the smell of burning reached the living room. "Not really, Grandpa's in charge of my money so I normally ask him for the money then buy whatever it is I need. I don't like asking."
"What about something you like?" Konohamaru asked. "You like books and drawing. What about something you enjoy? Makes you happy" he continued colouring in an intricate pattern sticking his tongue out in concentration.
"Damn genius" Naruto pouted at his little brother who took after him so much.
"Idiot" the child stuck his tongue out at the older brother.
Sighing Naruto placed his sketch book down "To be honest Ko, to me it's just another day. Besides I'm never here for it anyway".
"Okay then" Konohamaru said putting away his colours then standing in front of Naruto "I still want to get you something though". He then turned and headed into the kitchen as the sounds of plates being placed down began filling the room.
"Why do we let Uncle 'Suma cook again?" Naruto quipped smirking, placing his sketch book down to join the two in the kitchen.
"Because he needs to learn to cook and because he loves us"
"Enough to poison us" Naruto quipped as Sayuri entered the room
"I'm not going to poison you." Asuma remarked, clipping Naruto round the head playfully as he placed the dish on the counter. Sayuri took her place at the counter in between Naruto and Konohamaru with Asuma the other end also between the two boys. Making sure everyone was seated he pulled the lid off of the dish to reveal a chicken casserole, instantly the boys brightened. Carefully placing a ladle or two on the plates set out before them, they dug in.
(Line)
Asuma looked out over the clearing, which posed as his garden, looking out to the front he saw Naruto entering the property through the correct entrance.
"Glad you can come through the pathway and not the trees" Asuma smirked referring to his father's entrance the other day.
"Sometimes" he quipped "Ko said you got your own house. Does that mean we can visit you or do you rather we not" Naruto dug his foot in the ground waiting for the answer.
"Naruto. You can visit anytime just try to give me some warning. Besides I'm not going to let you and Ko turn into old fogies like that old man. Now Ichirou's no longer around I figure I can help Sayuri out and get to know both of my nephews better." He said hugging the blonde close to reassure him.
"So what do you want for your birthday?"
"What is it with you lot and asking about my birthday? It just another day to me, I don't celebrate it for the same reason you never thought about it before. Now are we going to practice or not." He stormed getting into a stance ready to begin practice.
(Line)
Stalking his prey his blue eyes glistened in the light, creeping ever closer, with a wiggle of its rear Nami pounced and landed in an empty orange jacket that was heaped on the floor. Finding the tassel Nami's eyes went huge instantly the crazed killer that was turned into a playful little cute fluff ball, clawing at the tassel, biting, flipping and purring. Looking up at the person who had walked in on Nami's cute time, saw Sayuri staring down, smiling she reached out for the jacket.
"Naruto won't be happy with you clawing at his orange jacket like that" she reproached the cat, who rolled over and standing began to weave in and out of her legs. "What do you think Naruto wants for his birthday hmm?"
"I don't want anything mum" Naruto said as he came down the stairs and walked past her taking his jacket and out the door. Running back he hugged her "love you mum, be back soon". He pulled his bag higher up his shoulder and met Asuma at the gates.
(Line)
"Mum can we throw Naruto a birthday party" Konohamaru piped up from his seat at the piano in the Hokage's office, with the old man seated on the stool next to Konohamaru, teaching him how to play.
"He said it was just another day for him though." Asuma lazed on the couch, cigarette dangling from his lips
"But if we celebrated it on the first Monday after his birthday, it would be a surprise and a chance for him to have a normal proper birthday for a change" the Third said pulling his pipe away from his lips and emptying the contents before packing it again and relighting it.
"He just hides from it, I think and he probably doesn't know what to do for a birthday because he's never celebrated one or been invited to one." The third stated running his hands over the next set of keys in the composition he was teaching his grandson.
"What do you think Cat? He spends more time with you than anyone really." Sayuri asked glancing up from her tea. "I think it would be nice for him".
Moving from the shadows Cat's mask appeared next to Nami who was lounging on the desk in between the piles of paperwork, reaching out his hand Cat lazily stroked along the cats spine.
"With the festival that happens every year on that date it's probably not appropriate to celebrate, so allowing him to enjoy a day would be good by him rather than shunning it as he does." Cat answered.
"But what do we get him he doesn't answer when we ask." Asuma stated.
"He likes to garden. He's such a natural at it the plants he has are in amazing shape perhaps a garden would be an idea, or a new plant. He's thinking of asking you for his own apartment. In the housing district not too far from here he's already got it picked out he's just got to ask you for it Lord Hokage." Cat remarked.
"Cat's got to give a present too" Konohamaru called from his seat at the piano.
"I've got an idea" Cat smirked stroking Nami again before moving back into the shadows.
"He was looking at a weird hat the other day" the third said.
"The one that looks like a walrus?"Sayuri asked "There are pyjamas he could use too."
"We'll make a cake and give him presents too." Konohamaru gleefully played the composition he'd been taught.
(Line)
Greeting the gate guards, Naruto walked past looking out the path leading away from the village. He waited, teetering on the edge of the framework of the gate going onto tip toes craning his neck. The gate guards watched, a mixture of emotions crossing their faces. A shadow fell across them all. Looking up they were greeted by two young chunin one with brown hair and dark eyes, his hair is combed down and falling in between his eyes. His forehead protector was worn like a bandana and was dressed in the standard outfit with his shirt stopping at his chin. The other had black shaggy hair and three white plasters one on each check and the final one on his chin and the standard chunin uniform on. And a cat masked anbu stood just behind them.
"What do you two want?" the chunin behind the desk sneered at the younger chunins, talking to his partner.
"They're your replacements. The hokage has requested your presence" the cat masked anbu stated from behind the young chunins causing them both to jump. Scowling, the two older chunin stood from their desk casting a glare, and Naruto who had turned when he heard Cat's voice, made their way past the two younger chunin making sure to barge past them.
"Are all older ninja like that?" Naruto asked. "I thought they only treated me bad". Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. The two chunin turned to each other and shrugged.
"I'm Kotetsu Hagane and this is Izumo Kamizuki were the new gate guards, nice to meet you". They each held out a hand to Naruto who shook them.
"I'm Naruto it's nice to meet you both. I'm going to leave with Cat now. Have fun guarding the village and the villagers. It's the best mission you can get". He said walking over to Cat who teleported them away.
"He seemed nice" Kotetsu said relaxing back in his seat.
"Very polite" Izumo agreed.
(Line)
Cat teleported the two to the top of the Hokage Mountain, looking out over the village, Naruto staring out at the tree line showing the village borders; sighing Cat walked over to the edge and sat down.
"I love this place. It's peaceful and serene and you can look out at the village and remember just why I love it so much. Life is hard and unjust and sometimes you find a little ray of sunshine that makes everything seem so much better. And you hope that will never change." Cat stopped to look up at Naruto as he came over to sit beside him. "You're my ray of sunshine, Naruto. My sister died when you were born, she was my entire world; she was an anbu medic-nin. When she died my entire world crumbled but then I saw you this little bundle of blonde huddled in the third's arms. And then watching as you grew up with the guardianship of the Sarutobi's and the way you brightened the hearts, as I got to know you, you became more and more important to me, you're my precious person Naruto and I won't let anything happen to you. I want you to have as normal a life as you can, that includes birthdays." He turned so he was now kneeling in front of the seated boy.
"Happy Birthday Naruto" he said pulling out a small wrapped package and handed it to the surprised child. "You shouldn't hide from your birthday Naruto."
"You remember how you like the whole flying experience? Well I've got just the thing for you. I was about five when my parents died and I remember I came up here and the fourth found me and he showed me how to fly, he was an incredible ninja Naruto, but he was a great man too, don't blame people for seeing him in you, you're a great person too." Cat said standing up and walking over to the edge of the Hokages head backwards arms outspread "you ready?" he said walking back past Naruto, who had stood up and followed cat to his position further back from the edge, he turned and ran past the boy jumping over the edge arms spread just as he was nearing the bottom of the mountain he rearranged his body and slowed his descent using chakra and landed smoothly at the base of the mountain.
"IT'S JUST LIKE FLYING!" Cat called up to Naruto
"MORE LIKE FALLING!" Naruto shouted down
"That's what I said" Cat muttered "TRUST ME! I'LL CATCH YOU PROMISE!" he shouted up.
Naruto looked around himself he shook his head and moved away from the edge towards the tree line turning he ran back and jumped over the edge. The wind flying past him was exhilarating, smiling he closed his eyes allowing the sensation to overcome him. With feline grace he only ever displayed around Cat Naruto manoeuvred his body so that he would land perfectly on the ground next to Cat.
"Show off" Cat muttered swiping his hand through Naruto's hair. Naruto pulled out the green goggles that Cat had given him and placed them around his neck before moving them up his forehead where they sat keeping his hair away from his face almost like a forehead protector. Smiling he hugged Cat tight.
"Thank you Cat". Naruto whispered as he held Cat tightly.
(Line)
Coming out of the bedroom Naruto looked around he couldn't find anyone, it was slightly strange he could have sworn that someone was here, how else would he of got in the house? Checking more rooms upstairs he found them all empty, moving downstairs he checked the kitchen and found nothing then he approached the living room as he entered the doorway he found Konohamaru colouring on the floor with Asuma sitting next to him trying to get him to colour the picture correctly and their mum was reading a book in the armchair next to them.
"Uncle 'Suma don't you have your own house now" Naruto said causing all occupants in the room to jump three feet in the air. Turning around, three sets of wide eyes stared at him.
"Naruto" Sayuri called clutching her hand to her heart, "when did you come in? Asuma was meant to collect you later."
"About five minutes ago and I was early, Cat found me at the gates earlier anyway, he gave me these goggles as a birthday present. He said I shouldn't hide from my birthday".
"So you wouldn't mind if I gave you a birthday present too?" Konohamaru asked cheekily, getting up and pulling a present off the sofa and handing it to Naruto. Opening it carefully Naruto found a plant.
"He's called Mr. Ukki. I picked him out myself" Konohamaru smiled at Naruto.
"Thanks Ko I'll look after it" Naruto replied smiling.
"Well I guess you wouldn't mind these then?" Asuma said holding out the rest of the presents to him. Sayuri who had disappeared when Konohamaru gave Naruto his present emerged from the kitchen carrying a cake.
"Are you going to open them then Naruto? Don't forget the cake; we've got candles for you to blow out." She said holding it out to him with seven candles lit atop the cake.
(Line)
The door opened to reveal the third entering the house walking through to the living room he found two grandchildren covered in cake.
"Hey isn't the cake supposed to go in the mouth not around it" the third smirked.
"Grandan" Konohamaru called running into the third's out stretched arms. Naruto turned around to see the embrace smiling the hokage released Konohamaru and stretched his arms out again.
"Where's my hug" he pouted playfully at Naruto. Smiling Naruto ran into the open arms. "Happy birthday kiddo. So what did you get?" he asked.
"A plant called Mr. Ukki. A new sketch pad, a set of kunai and shurikun for when I start school, this neat walrus sleeping hat and pyjamas oh and a little orange book but mum threw it away... The plant was from Ko the sketch pad from everybody, the kunai set from uncle 'Suma and mum got me the rest." He giggled.
"And the goggles?" the third enquired. 'Orange book? Not Icha Icha. How does it keep getting into his hands' the third wondered?
"They're from Cat, he gave me them first." He said almost definitely.
"Got room for one more?" the third asked holding out a set of keys
"Did you... did you buy me the apartment I wanted?" Naruto stammered.
"Cat helped, I just finalised it."
"You're still welcome at our homes, Naruto we wouldn't expect it any other way." Sayuri stated.
"Now where's that cake?" the third asked picking Konohamaru up and throwing him to Asuma.
"Thanks Cat" Naruto whispered taking Sayuri's hand and returning to the living room to be with his family and for more cake.
I called my granddad Grandan when I was little, and even now he will stand there with arms out stretched till I give him a hug.
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