Disclaimer: This is a fanfiction based on the novel Daddy-Long-Legs using characters from the series Naruto. I own not the novel nor the series so, if you please, do not sue me for I own nothing but my computer. Future SASUNARU. Thank you.

"The Letters of Naruto Uzumaki to Sharingan Rooster-Head-sama"

Naruto Uzumaki please come to the reception area immediately.

Naruto Uzumaki please come to the reception area immediately.

Naruto groaned out loud before flopping down from his bed to land on all fours on the floor. He weakly propelled himself towards his table. It had been three days since he had been discharged from the infirmary but he still had not regained his usual energetic self. He tugged his orange sweater from the back of his chair and put it on. A huge grin appeared on his face. The one thing he liked about the cold nowadays was that he could finally use his beloved sweater. He slowly put it on and pushed himself off the floor.

As he made his way down the stairs, he wondered why he was being called. It took him far longer than normal to reach the ground floor. When he opened the door his eyes bulged and he gave an involuntary cough upon seeing the white-haired secretary of his benefactor.

"Hey Naruto!" Kakashi tucked away the orange book he had been reading while waiting for Naruto.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well I was in the neighborhood so I decided to drop by."

Something in the happy man's demeanor made Naruto suspicious.

"Aww, don't look like that," Kakashi said, managing to look hurt at Naruto's lack of trust. "It's New Year, so let's celebrate it together."

"But—but—but you should be with your family and not here!" Naruto protested.

Kakashi's face turned solemn, his earlier cheer was wiped out in a blink of an eye.

"Naruto," he walked over to the sniffling boy and crouched down in front of him. "I also don't have any family. They all died when I was young. My family right now is Sharingan-sama. Since he's forced to go to a special event, I have nothing else to do with my time until he comes back. I thought, maybe I can celebrate this day with Naruto. We can pretend to be family even for just one day."

Naruto sniffled again.

"What do you think?"

The blonde nodded. Kakashi's eye arched once more.

"Good!" Kakashi stood up. "So what do we do during our super-new-year agenda?"

"New Year soba!" Naruto yelled, Kakashi's cheer rubbing onto him.

"Good! Inform the manager that you're going out then meet me outside."

Naruto ran to the manager's office, his energy returning with each step. Finishing his task, he quickly dashed outside where Kakashi was waiting for him.

"All right, soba here I come!" Naruto cheered as the car started.

"With lots of vegetables in yours!" Kakashi added.

"Wha—no way!" Naruto protested. "I want mochi!"

The two bantered all the way to the restaurant where they got all the food that they wanted—and even the dreaded vegetables for Naruto. Then Kakashi dragged Naruto to a shrine where they had to brave a crowd just to get to the temple. They spent the rest of the afternoon looking at shops and comparing the New Year decorations of each. When evening came, Kakashi treated Naruto to a sumptuous dinner of first-class sushi.

"Wow!" Naruto's mouth watered as he eyed the big bento of sushi. "Hey, hey Kakashi are you sure you can pay for this?"

Kakashi waved a hand negligently as he waited for his sake.

"Don't worry." He looked at Naruto and leaned closer. "If my money runs out, then we can always tell them to charge the food to Sharingan-sama's account," he whispered conspiratorially.

Naruto's eyes widened.

"You can do that?" he asked breathlessly.

"Nope! But when I tell him that I did it for you he won't be so mad at me."

Naruto bopped Kakashi's head.

"I'm not eating anymore!"

"Hey, don't be like that. Don't worry I have enough, enough! To show you, here I'll even give you this."

Kakashi thrust a small white envelope to Naruto who turned it this way and that.

"What is this?"

"It's pocket money. Elders give those to children every new year."

Naruto's eyes watered. He cursed inwardly. He had been crying so much lately.

"So, there," Kakashi said, pretending to look for the waitress with his sake while Naruto dabbed his eyes. "If I can't pay for our food, you can pitch in with your pocket money."

Naruto glowered at Kakashi briefly. Then his face broke into his trademark wide smile.

"Of course!"

The sake arrived. The two dug in. When they finished, Naruto didn't need to spend his first new year pocket money.

January 3

Dear Daddy Sharingan Rooster-Head,

School's officially open again. How was your holiday? Mine was the best in my entire life even though I was sick most of the time. I know I've thanked you for like a million times already for the gifts but I want to say THANK YOU! again. I'm wearing the shirt that you gave me inside my uniform right now.

The whole dorm is noisy again. Neji has been talking non-stop about his clan reunion. Kakashi said you had to attend an event too. Hope it wasn't a reunion with people like Neji or that Sasuke-bastard. Imagine having to attend an event with stuck-up Hyuuga-Uchihas. That would be hell.

Lee gave me a cool souvenir. It's a book on some taijutsu that's been handed down in his family. He's a weird guy but he's really nice.

Iruka gave me souvenirs and a big cake that his mom baked for me. It seems Iruka told her about me getting sick during Christmas break so she decided to bake something for me to "wash away those awful memories of being sick during Christmas." I love the Umino family even though I've only met one of their members.

Happily eating his cake,

Naruto

February 10

Dear Daddy Sharingan Rooster-Head,

The whole school's crazy! Everyone's sick from Valentine's fever. I caught Neji buying a big box of chocolate. I bet he's going give it to that Sasuke-bastard. Lee has been daydreaming of receiving stuff from the girls studying in the school near ours. The boys in my class have a running bet of who will receive the most chocolates this year. Even Iruka keeps blushing whenever the subject of Valentine's Day is brought up! AAAHHH!

I think I'm the only sane one here…hmm…maybe that's because I know that I won't receive anything because the only girls I know are my fellow orphans like Hinata. I wonder how she is…oh no! Neji just passed by with a smug face. I'll just find out what he's so happy about.

Gah! You won't believe what I just learned. There's a running bet for the most number of chocolates received here in our dorm too. And Neji is the number one contender for the freshmen.

Getting freaked out,

Naruto

February 15

Dear Daddy Sharingan,

Thanks for the chocolates. You didn't have to give me any though! There were some girls from other schools who waited for Neji and Iruka outside the school gates just to give them chocolates. Really! I can understand girls going for Iruka, but Neji? And the jerk actually won the bet in the school and in the dorm!

Anyway, I wasn't totally ignored this year. I received chocolates from three classmates. I don't know why they gave some to me. Maybe they thought I wouldn't receive any either so they decided to share. Or maybe they didn't like the flavor although I love it. All well, their loss.

Getting fat from chocolates,

Naruto

Dear Daddy,

Final exams are coming. Don't worry I'm studying really hard! This is pass or bust for Uzumaki.

Anyway I wrote because Iruka asked me to stay with his family this spring break. He said that there's this hot springs near his house and everyone in his family has been dying to meet me since he told them a lot about me during the vacation. I was so excited that I said yes right away. I've never been with a real family before. And I think Iruka's family is lots of fun.

Studying hard but excited for his vacation to start,

Naruto

March 10

Dear Daddy Rooster-Head,

I passed all of my exams! And now it's two weeks with the Umino family! Yay!

Packing like crazy,

Naruto

March 25

Dear Daddy Rooster-Head,

I just got back from visiting the Umino household and let me tell you something: I LOVE THE UMINO FAMILY! I really wish I was an Umino. They have this big, old house with a big garden and a forest nearby. It was the kind of house that I would look at so curiously when I was in the Konoha Home and wonder what it would look like inside. Well, I got my wish.

Like my time at the farm, every day was packed with fun and new things. Mr. Umino would take me and Iruka to the river in the center of the forest where we would fish. He'd tell us so many funny stories about his childhood or his work. He and Iruka are so alike.

Mrs. Umino would always be cooking or baking something for everyone. And she never shooed me out of the kitchen with a glare but would pull me inside. Sometimes she'd let me help with the cooking. Other times she'd just give me a plate of cookies and some milk and let me watch her.

Granma Umino likes to go to the garden and take care of the flowers. Iruka and I would help her because she has rheumatism and can't bend much.

Grandpa Umino meditates a lot. I tried to do it once but I ended up falling asleep. He didn't wake me up and scold me though. He just let me sleep and woke me up when dinner was announced. Besides meditating, he liked going to the onsen too so Iruka and I would go with him every time he wanted.

Everyday after dinner we would all sit together in the family room. I'd usually play with Iruka's youngest siblings while the grown-ups would talk about their day.

Well, I've given you a description of all of the members of the Umino family—except one. Her name's Sakura and she's one year younger than Iruka. She's—she's—she's cute and nice and charming and fun to be with and has pink hair and did I mention that she's cute?

I was in their house during White Day and I bought white choco for Mama Umino and Granma Umino and Sakura. And, guess what? They all gave me a kiss as thanks! All of them, even Sakura. I think I went to heaven that day. The entire family just laughed at my reaction and then all of the other men gave out chocos too.

Hehe, vacation with the Uminos really charged me up and now I'm ready to face the new school year. Everybody will realize how great I am this year!

Revving himself up,

Naruto

April 15

Dear Daddy Rooster-Head,

Imagine this: the school's swimming pool filled with lemon jelly, would a person be able to swim in the goo or would he sink?

We were having lemon jelly for dessert when I asked that question. Everybody started arguing. I thought the swimmer would sink. Iruka said the swimmer would be able to make it. Neji said it all depended on the fate of the swimmer. Lee said a taijutsu master would be able to actually walk on top of the jelly. We all looked at him funny for a moment before continuing with our debate.

Oh and I have two good news for you! First, Iruka's been elected as a representative in our student council! Yay! Because of that, people in Room 401 are Very Important People now. Nihihi!

Second good news, Sakura's studying in the all-girls school near our place and she'll be visiting the dorm this coming weekend to celebrate her brother's victory. Iruka is planning to ask permission to have her up in our level. We're going to cook up something for her.

Now, the most important question in my life is: What should I wear? I think I'll make some ramen for her visit. Wonder what flavor she likes? I never asked during my stay! Arg! Now that's stupid. Or maybe I can make something with sakura in it. Maybe that will impress her.

Getting ready for a great visit,

Naruto

The afternoon was going well. Iruka had been granted permission to bring his sister up to their kitchenette at the top floor. Naruto had decided to make onigiris again. He had also managed to maneuver himself into sitting beside his crush. He smugly looked at Lee who seemed to have been as love-struck as the blonde was over Sakura.

Neji Hyuuga, Neji Hyuuga please come to the reception area immediately.

Neji frowned a bit. He hurriedly excused himself and went down to the ground floor. When he came back up someone was trailing behind him.

"Everyone, we have another guest."

Sakura stared. Naruto's eyes bulged. Lee looked surprised. Iruka stood up and smiled.

"Uchiha-san, you look better than in the pictures that Neji showed," he welcomed. "Please come on in. We were just having a small get-together for my victory in the previous elections."

Sasuke nodded.

"Congratulations," he murmured.

"Please have a seat."

To Naruto's dismay, Iruka gave up his seat on Sakura's other side to Sasuke, who took up the offer. To the blonde's further disappointment, Sakura seemed to have become infatuated with Sasuke the moment he stepped into the room.

The assembled guests were quiet for a moment. Neji was curiously looking at his cousin. Lee was glaring at Sasuke. Naruto was pouting. Sasuke was just looking impassively at nothing. Iruka sighed.

"Hey, Uchiha-san what would you like?" he asked trying to break the uncomfortable silence. "We have ice cream but it's melted a bit. There's also some cheese sandwich and, what drink would you like? We have some sodas and tea. Naruto made those onigiris. They don't look much but they taste great."

Sasuke slowly reached for one rice ball and took a small bite. Obsidian eyes met cerulean over pink hair.

"So, does that meet your approval, Master Sasu-chan?" Naruto asked sarcastically.

One dark eyebrow went up.

"Even Tsunade and Jiraiya liked them," Naruto continued.

"How—?" Sasuke took another bite, "do you know those two?"

"I spent my summer vacation at Chidori Farm."

"Ah. Does Tsunade still keep sake in the uppermost shelf in the pantry?"

"Yep."

"Is there still a rabbit hole under the pile of rocks in the night pasture?"

"Uh-huh! Shikamaru caught one rabbit trying to smuggle some lettuce inside the hole. He let it go though."

The two continued to exchange questions and answers, not noticing that everyone else was gaping at them and Sakura's head was turning left and right as if watching a tennis match. When Sasuke recollected himself, he quickly looked around, glared then stood up.

"Sorry, I lost track of time," he bowed to everyone. "Thank you for the food. I have to leave now."

Neji stood up to show him out but Sasuke waved him back to his seat.

"I'll let myself out. Stay here with your friends."

Sasuke swept the group with his eyes finally stopping on Naruto who belligerently met his stare. His mouth quirked up.

"I'll see you around. Goodbye."

He turned and left the room.

Another moment of silence settled.

"Well, that was something," Iruka commented, sitting down once again. "Uchiha-san really has a commanding personality."

This started the flood of noise.

"Who was that cool guy, big brother? How come you didn't invite him during your spring break?"

"He's just a jerk Sakura-chan!"

"He's Neji's cousin."

"He looked really rich!"

"He is really rich!"

"He's a stuck-up!"

In the middle of the melee, Neji caught Naruto's eyes.

"What?" Naruto asked, his hackles rising up.

The other three ignored them.

"You know," Neji said slowly, "I've never seen my cousin that friendly before."

"Hmp! That guy friendly?" Naruto retorted.

Neji continued to just watch the blonde boy with careful and calculating eyes.

ARC: Oh my! Lots of reviews again! Thank you!

For those who keep asking just who the heck Daddy Sharingan Rooster-Head is, please be patient. You will know the secret when Naruto does. Wouldn't want to spoil the fun of our favorite hyperactive blonde right?

Dragon