By RequiemofDementia
Chapter Fifteen: Happy Birthday Naruto Style
By the time Airen had woken, the sun was high in the sky. She could not imagine why everyone had let her sleep in. But then again, morning had been rather lazy even now, a week after the wedding.
She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. And that was when she noticed the large banner strung up in her room, proclaiming a happy birthday for her. She sat up quickly, looking around, but there was no sign of who had done it. Well, no sign apart from the banner itself.
She pulled herself out of bed, wrapping a kimono about herself and racing down the stairs. And that was when she leapt in shock, Dozens of faces seeming to appear from nowhere. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY AIREN!" Surprise parties arranged by ninja's were more surprising then an ambush.
Airen looked about quickly, taking it in. Many people had shown up for this, and if some of her friends had not been away on a mission, she was sure there would have been more.
Airen was about to say something, when two thick arms wrapped around her waist, and lifted her up. "Catch," Riki said calmly, as he tossed her out into the crowd. Caught and held up by a dozen different hands, Airen truly was the center of attention.
Timid Chie had remained away from the crowds, for most of the party, but had managed to slip his present to Airen to her, a small box with a lovely pair of earrings inside. Riki's present had been far more utilitarian, as one would expect from Riki. A rather beautifully crafted kunai, with her name etched into it.
She had found the time to dress properly at one point, as the party continued, and she received gifts throughout the day from various party goers. Rei had gone all out, keeping the refreshments in steady supply for the whole day. Shinzui was in the kitchen, lending her a hand. Although, thankfully not with any of the actual cooking.
Chie's little origami creations littered the party, some actually drifting around, their paper limbs moving them about. Riki was his usual sullen self, but had managed to at the moment Shinzui had given a toast to Airen. Yume wandered the party as well, offering smiles to Airen every time she saw her.
Airen was shocked at how many people had arrived, not knowing that she had that many friends. Rock Lee was present, of course, trying his hand at dancing. This was, oddly enough, not going as bad as it looked. If you could place someone else's hair and eyebrows on him, it would have been quite nice. Neji stayed to himself mostly, his solitude broken on occasion by Hinata, coming over to speak with him, and once again trying to get him involved in the party. That never really went well.
All in all, the party was a great success, especially in Airen's eyes.
A finger tapped her shoulder softly, a soft voice in her ear. "May I have this dance?"
Airen spun, her eyes meeting Iruka's as she timidly nodded. His hands took hers, and they stepped out together. "You came?"
"Of course," he replied softly, smiling gently. "I think all of Konoha has been in here at some point." He grinned playfully.
Airen giggled, as they began to dance, losing herself into the dance and Iruka's embrace. It was his voice that broke her from her dream like state.
"I brought you a gift."
"You didn't have to do that," Airen said softly, even as Iruka produced the small, thin cylinder, carefully gift wrapped. She took it in her hands, carefully opening it. Inside was a golden senbon, her name engraved on one side, his on the other. She looked up at him, smiling brightly.
Iruka smiled softly, drifting apart from her as the song finished. "I wanted to."
Airen stood balanced on Riki's shoulders, looking out amongst the crowd. From her vantage point, she could see the two timid ninja in the corner, Chie and Hinata speaking to each other softly. Although both wore smiles, they were also doing their nervous habits, Chie folding paper, and Hinata's fingers raised and touching. Airen smiled a little, as she dropped down from Riki's shoulders.
Riki raised one questioning eyebrow to her, and she smiled a little. "It's going well."
Shinzui sat across from Anko, the two spoke softly of the progress of Anko's new students. Truthfully, Anko was not taking well to being a sensei, as she was more used to the field of battle.
"You've done marvels with them, Shinzui-kun," Anko said. "I really had not expected any of them to be so skilled, and their team work…"
Shinzui smiled a little. "Actually, the team work is their own doing. They try to work together so they can get one up on me."
Anko laughed. "Sounds vaguely familiar." Anko could remember a time long ago, Kakashi and Shinzui mere children. Back then Shinzui and Kakashi had worked together very, very well.
"What do you think of them?"
Anko shrugged slowly, as she looked back to Shinzui to answer his question. "Chie doesn't like me, but that doesn't interfere with his learning. Airen and I are getting along well. And Riki…" Her voice trailed off. She was still confused about Riki. At times, he acted like Anko bored him to the brink of death, and yet, at other times, she would catch a smile, or he would lend her a helping hand.
"… is odd?" Shinzui finished for her. Both of them laughed.
Outside, in the dark night, a lone pair of eyes watched the house. So many people inside. The eyes narrowed slowly. No, not yet. He fought back the urge, and turned his back to the house. He looked over his shoulder slowly, passed the gourd, at the house. No, not yet.
Rei walked carefully, as she slipped into the kitchen. Airen was dancing with her friends, all of them seeming to have a good time. Shinzui's hand found its way into her own, and squeezed affectionately.
Her eyes turned to his, a small smile passing over her lips. "Shinzui-koi."
He smiled as well, his lips touching hers for the briefest of moments. "Your planning was perfect," he said softly.
Together, they looked around at the party Rei had put together for Airen. "We did well," she said softly, her hands holding Shinzui's softly. "She works hard, and she deserves it."
Shinzui nodded softly. "Yes, she does."
Chie and Hinata walked slowly through the grass. The moonlight was bright, easily giving them enough light to see by. They talked softly, in hushed tones, both smiling timidly. A bond had formed between Chie and Hinata, and it was very clear. The Hyuuga family did not approve, but as of yet, none of them had been able to dissuade her.
Slowly, timidly, their hands met, as they continued to walk.
Airen smiled a little, as she saw that in the corner of her eyes, and then looked up at Iruka. "Thank you."
"For what?" Iruka asked.
Airen just shrugged a little, her voice soft as she spoke. "For that nice feeling I get every time I see you."
Iruka smiled softly, and opened his mouth.
A loud scream pierced the night's serenity. "Someone help Sasuke-kun!"
Author's notes.
The muse is a wonderful thing. It is a beautiful little spirit of creativity that sits on your shoulder, sharing with you the magical inspiration to write. Or, that is the theory.
My muse, however, is different. My muse doesn't sit on my shoulder, she sits a little behind me and to my left, tapping me on the shoulder going "Write more!"
Now, don't get me wrong, my sister can be a good muse, she can just be an annoying one too. As you all know, this story is for her. And I hope you all like it too.