I don't own Naruto, Kishimoto does.

Chapter 3: The Festival, New Friends, and the Party

It had been a week since Kushina's departure and she was due back anytime. In that week Naruto had taken a grasp of the Uzumaki kenjutsu style and fuinjutsu. It was known that the Uzumaki were masters in Suiton ninjutsu, and since every Uzumaki had a water type there was no need for any other elements to be added. Unfortunately for Naruto, he didn't have any proficiency in Suiton, and Shisui had yet to test his chakra natures. Naruto had shown potential in Chakra chains, but had shown little interest in them because of Shisui's words. Shisui, seeing Naruto's lack of interest in them, spoke to him about them.

Flashback

"Naruto, do you remember my words on your Uzumaki kekkei genkai?" asked Shisui.

"Hai. You said to become great without them. I don't need them," said Naruto.

"Well, I guess I did say that didn't I," said Shisui sighing, "Naruto. There's nothing wrong with using your chains. Those were a blessing given to you by your ancestors. This goes the same with any kekkei genkai. You shouldn't use them as a means to an end, but as a tool. Similar to your sword, use them to help people and not to be viewed as something. Do you get that?" asked Shisui.

Naruto thought for a moment before he nodded to his brother's question, "Hai. I think so."

Shisui smiled, "Good. Now, I want you to get back to training."

Flashback End

Naruto had begun to train harder and harder everyday until his mom got back. His kenjutsu was okay, considering he was 5, and if he kept up his pace, he would probably be chunin level in kenjutsu by the time he was genin. Same goes for the Adamantine chains. These chains are the most complicated fuinjutsu in the Uzumaki arsenal, able to suppress tailed beasts. Naruto had been able to get the end spikes of the chain to show, but hadn't gotten much further. Naruto had also gotten closer to Itachi since he met him with his mother. Itachi had helped Naruto with his shuriken as he was the most proficient shuriken user under the Sandaime himself. Itachi had mentioned something about a coup d'etat, but nothing further. He had also talked about someone named Sasuke. Naruto didn't know who it was, but from what Itachi said he was determined but also had a darkness in him. It was then Naruto had decided from what he'd heard that he didn't really want to get close with him. When Itachi didn't come over on the last day Naruto had asked Shisui where was and Shisui had snorted and said,

Probably off with Izumi somewhere…

Naruto didn't know who Izumi was and when he asked Shisui he said he was a '"friend" of Itachi's.

…

Naruto and Shisui were currently at the gate waiting for Kushina to arrive back. Naruto was on Shisui's shoulders so he could get a better look. The first thing he did when he woke up was run into the guest room where Shisui was staying and poked him in the cheek several times.

Flashback

"Ow. Ow," said Shisui, "Naruto? What's this about?"

"Kasan's gonna be back today. Can we wait for her?" asked the innocent boy.

Shisui sighed, "Alright. I guess we can wait for her," he said as he looked into Naruto's one eye, 'How am I going to explain that eye?'

Flashback End

Naruto's face lit up as he saw several shinobi coming towards Konoha.

"NIISAN! NIISAN! KASAN'S BACK! KASAN'S BACK!" yelled Naruto swaying on Shisui's shoulder.

"Urgh, N-Naruto, I'm right here. You don't have to yell," said the 12-year-old jonin.

The shinobi entered the villages and signed in. As they walked towards the Hokage tower Kushina stopped for Naruto and Shisui.

"So, you survived, eh?" said Kushina to Shisui.

Shisui nodded, still trying to balance Naruto on his shoulders. Kushina saw his struggle and took Naruto from him. She put him down onto the floor and looked down at her son. Her eyes widened as she saw the leather eyepatch covering his left eye, "Wh-what happened to his eye?!" she exclaimed.

Shisui gulped, not looking his senior in the eye, "I-it was on the day you left. Naruto and I went out for a bit. We made it to Ichiraku ramen and I was called by the Hokage. When I got back, he was gone. Ayame-chan had told me that he was taken by Iwa nins. When I had finally caught up to them, it had already been slashed out. I killed the Iwa nins," Shisui explained trying not to break down.

Kushina looked sympathetically at the boy. She turned his head to make sure he looked at her in the eyes, "Listen. None of that was your fault. Understand? I can't be mad at you for any of this. I should be thanking you. You saved Naruto," said Kushina.

She kneeled down and pulled him into a hug. Shisui stood there stunned. He thought he would never be able to see Naruto again, instead he was being thanked. Tears filled his eyes as he leaned into the hug. Kushina rubbed Shisui's back as the boy started to let everything out. She looked into her son's eyes, which were wide, after seeing Shisui break down like that. Kushina let go of Shisui and looked at the boys.

"Let's go home."

3 days later…

Kushina strapped her sword to her kimono belt as she locked herself in the mirror. She was nervous. Of course she was nervous. You would be nervous if you were going to the festival named after what your son is hated for. She wore a tight fit red and black kimono with a flame design on the bottom and sleeves. Her belt was a gold and white flower pattern tied in a bow at the back.

A?N: The Kimono resembles Naruto's sage cloak.

"Kasan! Kasan!" yelled Naruto as he barreled into the room. He had on a purple and red kimono with purple being the main color and red flames on the bottom and sleeves. In his hands was a fur collar.

"I just found this in a glass casing in Tobi-jiji's room! Can I wear it?!" asked the boy.

Kushina laughed at her son, "Isn't that what he always used to wear into battle?" she asked.

Naruto pouted, "But it would be really cool," he said.

Kushina smiled, "If you really, really want to…"

Naruto brightened and nodded violently.

"Alright, let's get it on you," she said.

…

The mother and son walked out of the house and up to the gate. Kushina opened it to reveal Shisui in his normal attire and Anko in a snake kimono.

"Uh, hope I'm not too underdressed," he said cheekily.

"SHISUI-NII!" yelled Naruto hugging the Uchiha, "I didn't know you were coming!"

"Well, he didn't have anyone to go with so I invited him," said Kushina, "figured you might want to see him."

"Thank you, again," said Shisui.

"It's nothing. But I invited another person but he didn't show up. Wanted to introduce Naruto to him finally," said Kushina.

"What no hug for me?" asked Anko, pouting.

Naruto peaked around Shisui's leg and looked at Anko. He looked at his mom who chuckled at his and Anko's expense.

"Awwwww," whined Anko. She looked at Kushina's waist and noticed her sword, "Are you still using that sword?" she asked.

Kushina sighed, "Yes, Anko, I am."

Naruto looked at the sheathed sword and then back to his mom, "Neh, Kasan? Can I see the sword?"

Kushina looked down at her son and tapped her chin, "Well, I guess…"

She took the sword out of its sheath and Naruto's eyes widened. The katana's blade was black and double edged and shaped like a snake's tail. It was pointed at the end, making it perfect for stabbing but the curves also made it good for slashing. The guard was a red Uzumaki swirl and the handle was purple and black.

"It's a special sword given to me by my old sensei," said Kushina spitting out the last word with venom, "It collaborates with the Uzumaki chains and comes apart with the Uzumaki chains appearing in between each part of the blade creating a whip. You can channel elemental chakra through the chains enveloping the metal making it even deadlier. It's known as the Hebi no Muchi, or the Snake's Whip," explained Kushina, "Maybe one day you'll wield this katana," she said, smiling at her son.

"Ya and while you do that let him sign the contract as well," grumbled Anko.

"Oh, quiet you," said Kushina sticking out her tongue with Anko sticking hers back.

Shisui and Naruto watched them and sweat dropped.

'Ten years apart and they act the exact same,' thought Shisui.

Kushina turned to the boys and smiled, "Well, let's get going," she said. The boys nodded and the four were off.

As they walked throughout Konoha, Naruto got to see all the decorations brighten up the night sky. He was atop Shisui's shoulders, giving him a better view of the Kyubi Festival.

"Kasan! Kasan!" yelled Naruto, "Can we do that?!" he asked, pointing to a kunai throwing range.

Kushina hesitated for a second. Anko bumped her shoulder, making Kushina answer, "Uhm, why not," she said, giving a faulty smile.

Naruto's face lit up, and Shisui walked over to the throwing range. He put down Naruto and paid the amount of ryo for the kunai. He grabbed the kunai, but the stand manager scowled when he gave them to Naruto.

"There's no demons allowed here, shoo!" he yelled.

Kushina stepped behind her son with an enraged look on her face and her hair sticking up nine different directions, "So, you were saying?" she asked.

The manager's face turned to one a fear and he retreated into his seat, nodding at Naruto to go. Naruto thrust his first kunai forward, and it hit the outer ring of the target. This surprised the others, as Naruto had only had one week of training and was only 6. Naruto prepared his second kunai and threw it. It hit the middle ring, making Naruto beam with pride, and making the other's eyes widen. Finally, Naruto got his last kunai ready, and lining up his throw, he released the kunai. It hit the bullseye, making him jump up-and-down in excitement. Shisui smiled at his brother, Kushina squealed, and Anko squeezed him. The manager just stared at the bullseye that the "demon" had hit.

"Alright, what mask do you want?" he grumbled, pointing to the prize masks.

Naruto looked over the mask. A bear… a boar… a dragon…. a shinigami… ooh! And a fox. Naruto pointed at the fox mask. It had a red stripe on each cheek and one on the chin. Naruto put it on, making his uncanny resemblance to the 2nd Hokage because of the fur look even more unreal. The family continued to walk throughout Konoha, playing different games and trying different foods as they did so. Of course for most of these, the managers were forced into submission by Kushina for not letting Naruto do anything. About an hour later, Kushina stopped in her tracks and closed her eyes. The other three looked back at her with a confused look on their faces. That is until her eyes became red with rage and her hair began to wave.

"SO! I INVITE YOU TO COME WITH US AND YOU REFUSE TO SHOW UP?! GET DOWN HERE NOW!" Kushina yelled, releasing killing intent at the ledge of a building.

Suddenly, a silver-haired ANBU appeared in front of Kushina on his knee, "Y-yes, K-Kushina-san?" he asked, a bit fearfully.

"I invited you so my son could finally meet you, and you don't show up. I think you know the answer to your question," Kushina growled, hitting the ANBU upside the head.

The ANBU turned to Naruto and stood. He tensed, looking at the curious face of the Uzumaki child.

"Well, go ahead. Take your mask off and introduce yourself," said Kushina, breathing down the ANBU's neck.

The dog-masked ANBU gulped, but took his mask off and looked at Naruto, "Hey, uhm… My name's Hatake Kakashi," he said, eye-smiling and rubbing the back of his neck. Kakashi had on a facemask, and his silver hair apparently could defy gravity.

Naruto walked up to Kakashi and looked up into his eyes. One was a charcoal like Shisui and Itachi's, while the other was a sharingan, "A-are y-you the o-one th-that a-always h-helping m-me," stuttered out Naruto, as he always did when he met new people.

Kakashi began to breathe heavier, as he kept looking into the face that reminded him so much of his sensei, "Ya, I am. I'm your sensei's- I mean I'm your Otosan's- I mean… Your Otosan was my sensei," Kakashi said, slipping up.

Naruto looked up at Kakashi and his eyes began to water, "Th-thank y-you f-for s-saving m-me all those t-times," he said hugging his legs.

Kakashi looked down at Naruto with his eyes wide. He smiled under his mask, and rubbed Naruto's head. Kushina looked at the two and smiled. She clapped her hands.

"Alright! Now that we're all here, I want to get back to the house! After all, it's not just the Kyubi Festival," she said, pinching Naruto's cheeks.

Shisui and Anko smiled and walked over to Naruto, "Happy Birthday, kiddo," said Shisui, ruffling Naruto's hair. Anko smirked at Naruto and put her hands on her hips, "Jeez, you're already 6, can't believe it," she said.

Naruto looked at his family and smiled, "Thanks."

…

As the family entered the Uzumaki's house, Naruto got the surprise of a lifetime as he entered the dining room. There were streamers that read, Happy Birthday Naruto! and there was a cake on the table with 6 candles. He stopped in the doorway and began to tear up.

"Happy birthday, Naru-kun," said Kushina as she hugged her son.

Of course, Naruto had celebrated once before, for his fifth birthday, but it wasn't on this scale. His mom had gotten him a cupcake and a present because it was just him. But this year was different. He had people to celebrate his birthday with, something he had never thought he would be able to do.

"So, uhm, presents first, right?" asked Shisui.

Kushina giggled.

"P-presents?" Naruto asked, wide-eyed.

"Well of course! You can't have a birthday without presents!" said Anko.

Naruto looked up at his mom using the 'Puppy-dog eyes no jutsu' just begging to get presents, "Please, Kasan?"

Kushina tapped her chin, "Well, I guess… Besides, we're still waiting on one more person to show up."

Naruto was confused but faced his family making the cutest face he could. Of course, Anko went first and took out a storage scroll. She unsealed it and a snake plush appeared. It was a dark purple with a black underbelly.

"Happy Birthday Gaki!" said Anko, squeezing Naruto in one of her well-named 'constrictor hugs,' "Hopefully one day you'll actually get to command one of these," she said, shooting a look at Kushina.

"He's only 6," muttered Kushina.

"And I was 13!" Anko shot back.

Everyone looked at her as if she had Medusa's hair.

"Well, here you go Naru," said Shisui as he handed him a box.

Naruto smiled at his big brother and opened the package. Inside, it had metal-plated gloves and several shuriken that looked intentionally like Shisui's mangekyo sharingan. He smiled at his brother and put on the gloves.

Kakashi got up and took off his kunai pouch, "Since I'm kinda late, I didn't really know what to give you. But I think there is something that I have that you will like," he said.

He took out a three-pronged kunai from his pouch. The handle had kanji written all over it. Naruto looked at the kunai wide-eyed. He knew who's kunai this was, who didn't? It was his dad's, the Yondaime Hokage's special Hiraishin kunai. He smiled up at Kakashi thankfully. He looked over to his mom, expecting something. His mom looked innocently at him and took out a scroll. She unsealed it, and a large box appeared. Naruto opened it and saw a high-collared jacket. It was black and each sleeve had two stripes with a red-purple gradient. Naruto's face brightened as he took out the jacket and took out the kimono. Putting on the jacket, it fit perfectly. He zipped it up all the way, making the high collar cover up to just above his mouth. He looked at his kimono and stared at his Tobi-jiji's fur collar. His mother looked to where he was staring and chuckled,

"Let me guess, you want to have it on that jacket, don't you?" she asked.

Naruto looked innocently at his mom and nodded.

Kushina sighed, "Alright, let's get it on you," she said, as she began to attach it to the jacket she got naruto.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Kakashi got up to get the door. When he opened it he was surprised to see who it was, "Itachi?" he asked the Uchiha prodigy.

"Hello, Kakashi-senpai, are you here for Naruto's party as well?" he asked the silver-haired teen.

"Yeah, come on in," Kakashi said, scratching the back of his neck.

Naruto turned his head and smiled, "Hey, Itachi!" he said, waving his hand.

Itachi waved back, "Hello, Naruto," he said, "Sorry I'm late, I was out with my family and we just got home, so I decided to stop by for a bit."

"That's all okay," said Kushina, who had finished attaching the fur coat to Naruto's jacket, "At least you could make it in time for cake."

"Well, before we do that, I have something for Naruto," he said as he took out a small box. He handed it to Naruto who graciously took it. Opening it, he found three matte black kunai.

"Those are special kunai from the ANBU. They don't reflect light, making them near impossible to spot," explained Itachi.

Naruto smiled at the 10-year-old ANBU, "Thanks, Itachi!" he exclaimed.

Kushina smiled and clapped her hands, "ALRIGHT! CAKE TIME!" she yelled at everyone who walked towards the table.

Naruto sat down in front of the cake, and everyone gathered around him.

Kushina brought out a camera and began to record.

"Alright, three! Two! One!" she said as she rushed to join the group.

FLASH!

That night, Naruto had his birthday celebrated for the first time, with his precious people.

END

Finally finished that damn chapter. Took a while. Original stuff is hard. But I really enjoyed writing this one. You know, calm before the storm. :)