If you didn't like the last chapter, I don't blame you. It might go through a rewrite if I feel like it. Anyways, off to the hopefully-better chapter.

Chapter 15

Naruto stared up at the ceiling from his bed, the early morning light filtering through a window and an unsettling dread stirring in his gut. This dread always returned every year on this same day, and the nightmare he had had the night had not help matters. Add that to the one from the last mission, one that he could barely recall but what he could recall was terrifying enough, and the dread seemed well-placed.

He still had his shirt and pants on, shoes thrown carelessly to the end of the bedroom and tattered jacket lying in the floor. He needed to take it back to the tailor, a friendly, old man who had sold him the jacket for a measly sum, and have it sewn, but the blonde didn't want to move. Nothing good ever happened on this day...well, sometimes things went well, or at least in comparison to other years.

Naruto sighed and regarded his crack-ridden ceiling for a few more minutes. He wanted to pull up the covers and fall back asleep, hoping that the day would fly by in a dream, but things needed doing. Naruto groaned but rose from bed. The calendar again caught his attention as did the date.

October 10. Yondaime Day, the day when the Yondaime defeated the monstrous Kyuubi. His birthday.

Naruto looked away from the calendar. He could bet that he was the only child who hated his birthday being on the same day as a holiday, especially one as popular as Yondaime Day, but something about this day perturbed him. People would gaze at him with a colder glare as he passed, more shops than usual would refuse to service him, and children clung to their parents as he neared. Naruto was furious and confused about this, so he rarely went out.

The blonde grunted as he stooped to pick up the jacket, and he hung it across the back of a chair in his small kitchen as he grabbed a ramen pot, poured water into it, and popped it into the microwave. As he stared out the kitchen window, a unpleasant image arose: the note bearing the jagged word SOON. Naruto flinched but then shook his head to erase the image. He heard the ding of the microwave, and he took out the ramen.

Naruto hurriedly slurped it up and grabbed the tattered jacket from the chair. He headed out the door, not bothering to change.

TenTen woke up a little on the confused side as Misuro barged into her room, waving something bright and an ungodly shade of pink. "TenTen-chan! Wake up and get dressed, we gotta get the booth ready!" He threw the something at her, and it wrapped itself around her head. She heard her father run out of the room as she pulled it off.

It was a neon pink kimono, one she had adored as a child and loathed when she was older. Usually it was saved for special occasions, but why had her father wanted her to wear it? She frowned and got up from bed and opened the door just to see Yuki hurry by, her best snow-white kimono on. "Kaa-san? What's going on?" asked TenTen in bafflement.

Yuki stopped to glance at TenTen. "Don't you know? It's Yondaime Day, and we have to set up the booth! Now hurry and get dressed!" TenTen blinked as her mother went on quickly.

"Yondaime Day?" she muttered, "Already?" TenTen closed the door and dressed in the kimono, wincing as some parts pinched her. 'This thing is getting way too small, not to mention this terrible color. I like pink, but not the blinding kind. Might convince Kaa-san to take me shopping sometime.' At the thought of shopping, TenTen wrinkled her nose. She hated shopping for clothes but sometimes it was necessary. She walked out of her room and was nearly run over by Misuro who was carrying a large box.

"Sorry, TenTen-chan! Gotta get these downstairs! You come too!" He disappeared down the stairs leading to the store. She heard the outside door open and then slam shut, and TenTen quickly followed him. She slid on a pair of sandals and thought about bunning her hair before discarding the notion. She had no time.

TenTen opened the door to the outside and squinted as the sun shone in her eyes. It was early but the sun seemed to be out in its fullest already, lighting upon several booths lining the street. The attendants were talking amongst each other, wearing traditional kimonos. Misuro was by a large wooden table, laying out metallic objects he had forged. Trinkets for the most part, but there were some daggers of foreign designs on the table as well.

She walked over and picked one up. "Tou-san, where'd you get the designs of these things from? I've always wondered."

Misuro answered without looking up from his organizing, "I've traveled a lot more than you realize, TenTen-chan. I've seen odder than the one you're holding."

TenTen frowned and examined the dagger. It had a blade that curved back underneath her arm, and it appeared to be forged out of silver. Its grip was covered with a black piece of cloth with the hilt protruding sharply from the blade, sharply enough to be used as a weapon. "Tou-san, this thing is a helluva lot different than kunai. How could people even use these?"

Misuro bumped the table, and the objects atop it went askew. Muttering curses under his breath, he eventually answered, "It wasn't meant to be a balance between stabbing and slicing power like the kunai. It was meant to slice, and only to slice. On the off-chance that it needed to stab, the wielder would use the hilt. And you're holding it wrong." He took the dagger and held it sideways, the curve now going outward and toward his chest. "See?"

TenTen nodded. "It's an odd look, though."

"Yeah, most people who buy these daggers are either enthusiasts, knowledgeable, or psycho. One of the three. Now, TenTen, can you get your mom over here? She can straighten this up. I need to get the ring toss game."

TenTen rolled her eyes. "The rigged one?"

Misuro grinned. "What? What's the point of a booth if it's not rigged? Gotta make money somehow today." He went back into the shop, and TenTen shook her head and scanned the street for her mother. Yuki was chatting with the lady next door, and she turned her head expectantly as TenTen neared.

"Yes, TenTen-chan?"

TenTen jerked her thumb behind her toward the table. "Tou-san needs help with the stand, and he's getting the ring toss game."

Yuki sighed. "What would Misuro-kun do without me?" she asked aloud.

"Not much, I can tell you that." Yuki laughed and hugged TenTen before going to arrange the table. TenTen smiled and nodded at her neighbor.

"Sorry for interrupting, ma'am."

The lady waved her hand airily. "It's nothing. And by the way, that kimono is getting much too small for you. You're starting to mature, young lady."

TenTen blushed and shifted. "I-I guess. Thanks...I think."

The lady giggled. "It seemed only yesterday that your parents moved in and adopted you. Now look at you."

TenTen nodded uncertainly. "Yeah, but, er, look, I gotta go help with the booth-,"

"Oh, yes, yes! Sorry for keeping you." TenTen waved and went over to her mother who laid down the last trinket. "Already done, Kaa-san? That was fast."

Yuki smiled. "I have a knack for organizing. Your dad, on the other hand-,"

"Coming through!" Misuro rushed between them, wood falling from the pile haphazardly laying in his arms. He stumbled a bit, and his foot caught. "Goddammit!" he shouted, crashing to the ground, wood flying up. "Should've carried it bit by bit!"

"-not so much," finished Yuki, laughing along with TenTen. Misuro looked wounded for a moment before he too joined the laughter.

Naruto looked around the corner hesitantly. No one down this street had awoken yet, leaving it empty. Naruto rounded the corner, glancing all around him. He always felt like something was watching him on this day, even if he locked himself up in his apartment. Naruto hated the feeling, and being out only intensified it.

He passed by a house and jumped as a dog barked at him from inside a house. Naruto relaxed as the dog quieted eventually, and he continued down the street. He looked around another corner and rounded it as he found another empty street. Naruto swallowed dryly. 'Man, don't know how many times I've walked these streets but now they just seem unfriendly.'

He came to another street, and Naruto froze. A few people were standing out on the street, talking happily or attending to a booth. They hadn't noticed him, and the blonde considered finding another path, but unfortunately, he realized, this was the street the tailor was on. He inhaled, gathering himself, and walked calmly toward the shop, ignoring the stares and whispers.

He pulled on the door to the tailor shop experimentally and was relieved when it opened. He ducked inside and closed the door behind. A voice to his side startled him. "Well, sonny, nice seeing you back here. What does a young'un like you need from me on a day like this?" The blonde turned and saw the hobbled, silver-haired man who was the tailor. "Eh?" said the tailor.

Naruto smiled apologetically. "If I've interrupted anything, sir-,"

"Ah," scoffed the man, shaking his head, "I got nothing else to do today except admire young ladies in their kimonos. I got time." He noticed the jacket in Naruto's hand. "Your jacket rip or something?"

"Yes, sir. I was out on a mission-,"

"A mission? You're a ninja?" asked the tailor, peering over his glasses at Naruto.

"Yes. I have the headband and all, sir."

The old man snatched the jacket away from Naruto, scaring him. "Then why didn't you tell me? I could've gotten you a tougher one. Wait here." He shuffled into the back of the shop, leaving Naruto feeling a bit anxious. He returned a minute later, a new, identical jacket in his hand. "There. This 'un's made of tougher stuff than that other one. It won't rip during a ninja's life which I know first-hand."

This piqued Naruto's curiosity. "You were a ninja, sir?"

"Don't call me 'sir', boy. The name's Motama. Yours?"

"Naruto Uzumaki." At his name, a fleeting look of recognition crossed over Motama's face before being replaced with a smile.

"Nice to meet you, Naruto. And, yes, I was ninja. Back in my prime, a'course. I've seen action in three wars and barely lived through all of 'em. Even served along with Hiruzen."

"Hiruzen?"

"Don'tcha know the name of your own Hokage, sonny?"

"Hokage-ji? His name's Hiruzen? Man, didn't know that," said Naruto.

Motama frowned in puzzlement at the suffix added to the Hokage's title. "Ji? You related to him?"

"No, but he's kinda like my grandpa, in a strange kind of way."

Motama chuckled. "Yeah, a softy at heart, Hiruzen. Always liked him. Never thought he'd be Hokage, the pervert."

Naruto frowned at that. "Pervert?"

"Yeah, the sneaky guy used to sneak in the ladies' bathes with Jiraiya when he was younger. I tell ya, Jiraiya is worse than-,"

Naruto cut in, confusion worsening, "Jiraiya?"

"You don't know the Three Senin either? Man, what are they teaching in schools these days...Jiraiya is the Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku-," At another confused look from Naruto, Motama sighed, "Let me rephrase that: Jiraiya is not just a pervert, he's a super pervert."

The confusion cleared from the blonde's face. "Oh. So you were talking about how you went through three wars? Could you tell me a few stories?"

"Haha, could I! Let me see..." The old tailor recounted his war stories to the young blonde who sat in amazement as Motama seemed to take him there in person. Every noise and scene was real as Motama described them enthusiastically. The grandfather clock against the wall ticked away minutes and the eventually hours as the two sat in two armchairs facing each other. It struck twelve, startling the pair. "Eh? Twelve? Well, sonny, we've just spent four hours hearing me talk! I'm surprised you're not sleeping."

Naruto was perched on the edge of his seat. "How could I? You're a good storyteller, Motama-san."

"Why, thank you. But run along now, bet you have friends that are wondering where you are." Naruto's face dropped. Motama, to console him, clapped him on the shoulder. "Come now, the young generation shouldn't spend too much time with the older. You get going." The blonde nodded and stood from the chair.

"Thanks for letting me stay, Motama-san," said Naruto, bowing.

"It's nothing. Don't have anyone to talk, so this was a nice change of pace." Naruto smiled and walked out of the shop, ducking his head outside which now bustled with activity. Motama watched him until the blonde walked from sight of his windows. He stroked his chin. "So that was the Uzumaki boy...he's a good child." Motama sighed and picked up a cane leaning against his armchair. "If I were younger, I'd take him in, the poor soul, but my day is soon."

Neji sidestepped a tenketsu strike from his sensei Hyoto and retaliated with one of his own. Hyoto deflected it, and the pair circled each other in the small clearing, the seal resting in a corner. Hyoto lashed out first, feinting to the right and then switching to go for the chest. Neji sensed the feint and parried the strike, kicking outward in response. Hyoto caught his leg and hit a tenketsu behind the knee. Neji nearly crumpled to the ground, but caught himself.

Neji glared at Hyoto as the two circled again, a limp noticeable in the younger Hyuuga. Hyoto's face was blank, and Neji struck as his impatience grew. In a single motion, Hyoto redirected and closed the major tenketsu in the right shoulder. Neji felt his right arm become numb, but he still had partial control over it. He lashed out with a strike to the chest of Hyoto with his left, but it was caught by Hyoto.

"One more attack similar to the past ones, and I might just laugh," said Hyoto flatly. He gestured to Neji's arms. The young Hyuuga glanced at them, and then dropped his head in resignation. They were again covered with red whelps, signs of where Hyoto had been successful in blocking tenketsu. "Better this time, but you still failed to stop me."

"How can I?" demanded Neji irately, "You systematically close the smallest to the largest, dealing no pain until all are blocked. What can I do, let you strike my torso?"

Hyoto shook his head exasperatedly. "Sometimes it amazes me that you are the genius of this generation, Neji-san."

"And that implies what, Hyoto-sensei?" asked Neji lowly.

"That you are ignorant and blind," said Hyoto bluntly, "Let me pass on this bit of help: following my moves will allow you to counter my attacks. It is that simple."

"I already do!"

"Not sufficiently," said Hyoto, looking up at the position of the sun. He looked back at Neji. "This is all for today. Go and have fun with your friends."

"I have no friends."

"Every person has friends. Even if they don't recognize them." Hyoto ripped the seal from the ground and deposited it into his pocket. "Besides, I want to have a day's leisure for...personal matters."

Neji rolled his eyes. "Like?" he asked derisively.

The man glanced back sharply. "To honor an old friend of mine, and to thank him and other things." With that, Hyoto walked out of the clearing, leaving Neji alone and irritated. He considered following the man but crossed that out. Hyoto would surely sense him. Neji snorted and made his way out of the complex and onto the streets of the Leaf. He looked all around at the brightly-colored lanterns and decorative masks so common at every holiday. Booths of all kinds lined each street, selling everything from kebabs to small weapons. Neji passed one manned by a familiar looking man, and he froze as the man called out his name.

"Hey- uh, what is it now- Neji! Yeah, you!" shouted the man over the bustle of the holiday, "TenTen's boyfriend!"

Neji halted and stared at the man, now recognizing him as Misuro. "I am not her boyfriend," he said, going up to the table set in front of the man.

The man grinned largely at him. "That's they all say. How you been?"

"Well, Misuro-san," replied Neji, picking up a silver necklace and examining it. He laid it back down, and he saw a ring toss game to the left of the table. "Ring toss?"

The man nodded. "Yep. You wanna try?" The man offered him two rings, and Neji studied them before shaking his head. "Why not? You'd make it. Not one person has made it, and you, my friend, will be the first!"

"I highly doubt that. The game is rigged, and the fact that no other person has won confirms my suspicion."

The man's face fell comically. "Darn. You noticed."

Neji smirked. "Indeed. May I ask where TenTen is?"

Misuro shrugged, grin still on his face. "Dunno. A brown-haired Kurama girl came by earlier, and the two of 'em went off together. Why, you miss her already?"

Neji raised his eyes to the heavens and sighed in irritation. "No, simply wondering. Goodbye, Misuro-san."

"Bye!" Misuro waved energetically until someone came up to the game, and then the Misuro cheerfully handed the rings to the unsuspecting victim. Neji shook his head and continued on. He passed more booths with games off the side, all of them either rigged or difficult to win. He stopped as a cluster of children ran in front of him, giggling madly.

Neji rolled his eyes and kept walking until he reached the village square. A huge statue of the Yondaime had been erected for just this day. He was in his signature pose, appearing to overlook the square while his long jacket flapped behind him, hands tucked into the pockets. He was painted, his blue eyes and blonde, spiky locks evident and very familiar.

Neji frowned. How were they familiar? He remembered seeing the Yondaime in books at the Academy, but this familiarity seemed to him like he'd actually seen the same blue eyes and blonde hair. Neji snorted in derision as Naruto came to mind. Capable, but not Hokage material. The blonde had certainly proved himself over the time Neji had known him, even managing to earn respect. Neji shook his head as he turned away from the statue; Naruto was powerful, yes, but not in the league of the Yondaime.

Neon pink flashed in the corner of Neji's eye, and he turned to investigate but it was too late. The pink was gone. He frowned and followed it.

Naruto ducked his head as he bulled through the people going about their business. He kept the jacket in one hand and use the other to push people roughly aside. A few fell to the ground, cursing. Naruto kept on, however, until he reached his apartment door. He quickly opened it and closed it behind it, leaning on the door and chest heaving. His breathing slowed in time, and he locked the door. Still panting slightly, Naruto threw the jacket on the back of a chair and flopped down on his couch.

Naruto put his head in his hands, mussing his hair. He had avoided most attention in the village, thank God, and now all he had to do was stay in. Naruto raised his head, and he noticed his old goggles lying on the table forlornly much like his orange jacket in the closet. He picked it up, regarding what it meant. The pair of goggles had been a gift for him on this very day, accompanied with a small cake baked in the form of his face, whisker birthmarks and all.

Every year since he was six the blonde had received something from the same person, the goggles, hippo cap, and swirl patch he'd painstakingly sewn into the shoulder of the orange jacket standing out. He'd thought about taking off the patch and resewing into this new jacket, but the blonde never had enough time or bone-tired when he came home. Every single one had the same small, face cake in a napkin beside it, and the blonde wondered who kept gifting him.

He immediately thought of Hinata, but that might just be wishful fantasy of his. Hinata definitely liked him, but she seemed to withdrawn to do such an act, though she was nice enough. Iruka came to mind, and he, in Naruto's eyes, would be the most likely. While the blonde had never known Iruka to cook, Naruto assumed that Iruka specially ordered the cake and picked out the gift. Naruto had never gotten around to thanking him either. That could wait, however.

The blonde wondered if the gift had been out there when he had dashed in. Usually the person had delivered it by early afternoon, and it was one'o'clock right now. Naruto rose from the couch, and he cracked open the door to see if the gift was there. Nothing. Disappointed, he closed the door and went back to the couch. He yawned and put his legs up on the couch, wanting to sleep the day away. Before he fell asleep, the image of Hinata sitting on a wooden chair bending over something materialized.

'Huh...odd...,' he thought drowsily before slipping into sleep.

Hinata sat in her room in the exact chair that Naruto had seen, bending over a shirt, hand moving deftly with a needle and thread. Her morning training was finished, her father remarking proudly on her improvement as Hanabi had sulked in a corner. She had come quite far, farther than any of the elders had ever conceived. Hinata was currently working on mastering Thirty-two Palms, and she could reach sixteen before giving out. Just one more step and she would have it.

She smiled as she thought about it but then frowned. It was too soon to worry about this, but there could only be one heiress. She and Hanabi, at this point, were probably on equal ground, but if she, Hinata, kept improving at the rate she was, she would surpass her younger sister and therefore present a better choice for heiress. This, in turn, would result in the branding of Hanabi into the Side Family.

Hinata slipped with the needle, and it pricked her finger. She winced and sucked the wound for a minute. She sighed inwardly; the title of heiress would be passed onto her officially at sixteen, so she still had a little more than four years to think about a way to safely protect Hanabi. She wrapped the pricked finger in a bandage and continued on her work.

The question was what to do. She needed to work with her father-if he was willing-, and dig an old law that would allow Hanabi to escape the branding. Hinata certainly had no immediate knowledge of such a thing, but her father and the clan's library surely would. If Hiashi was willing to help, the task would be much easier.

After a while, she smiled and lifted it up in front of her, admiring her handiwork. She admired it for a few more moments, and then she folded and laid it into a small box. She slid something, a small wrapped nakin, into the folds of the shirt and placed the lid on the box.

The door opening made her turn, and Hinata found herself looking into the furious eyes of her sister. "Hanabi-imouto? Are you alright?"

Hanabi stared at her furiously, tiny hands bunched into fists and a muscle in her jaw working. She eventually said through clenched teeth, "Why?"

Hinata blinked. "Why what?"

Hanabi pointed an accusing finger at her. "Don't act innocent with me! Why...why did you have to become so good at Gentle Fist?" Barely controlled anger was evident in her words, yet Hanabi kept her voice low and quiet. "When? How? You were a failure! How? Answer me! I command you to do so!"

Hinata gazed at her sister for a moment before answering plainly, "Maybe I did not want to be a failure all of my life. Maybe I didn't want to burden Father with the fact that his eldest daughter was useless. Maybe I wanted to protect you."

"Don't call me that!" Hanabi's voice hadn't risen above a strained whisper, but the venom was present nonetheless.

"All of my life up until the last few months I have always been labeled the failure of the Main Family," continued Hinata, "I have been the target of mockery to all and amusement to others who desire to feel stronger than they really are. I have always taken the mockery, the amusement, the neglect of most of the Main Family while keeping my silence. Never have I said a word or behaved to imply my mistreatment. I have always, in a way, protected the family."

Hanabi seemed to explode. "You!? Protect!? Don't make me laugh! How could someone like you do that? You are the least fit for the job-it should've been me! It should've always been me! I'm the heiress, the better of us! I am the protector!" She ran at Hinata, tears streaming down her face. "Why? Why did you get strong?" Tears blinded Hanabi as she reached Hinata. "Tell me!"

Hinata watched, strangely calm, as Hanabi ran toward her. She knelt down, and Hinata caught her little sister in her arms. "Imouto, please don't be angry. I only became strong to protect the family. There is no other reason. There is no spite or malice directed toward you." Hinata squeezed her. "Older brothers and sisters are always born first to protect, not hurt."

Hanabi shook for moment, but then sobbed into her sister's shoulder. "I-If you get stronger...and I don't-,"

Hinata pulled her close. "Shh. Don't talk like that, Hanabi-chan." Hinata smiled. "When I meant I would protect the family, I didn't mean the Main Family. I meant you and Tou-san. You are my family, and nothing will hurt you while I'm around." She stroked her little sister's hair as Hanabi cried, and Hinata was reminded of the same gesture. Her mother had done the same to comfort her. "You have my word, Hanabi-chan."

Hanabi's crying had quieted, and now she looked up at Hinata, eyes watery. "Nee-chan...sorry...about all the things I said...I-I know that isn't much but-," She stopped as tears fell from Hinata's eyes, "N-Nee-chan? What's wrong?"

Hinata laughed and wiped the tears away. "I-It's nothing, but that-that was the first time you called me Nee-chan. A simple, honest sorry- that's all I need from you, Imouto." Hinata pulled away from Hanabi and picked up the box. "I'm going out, Imouto. Want to come?"

Hanabi considered it for a minute and shook her head, the determined light coming back to her eyes. "No, I want to stay and train. You may want to be heiress, but I'll give you your money's worth, Nee-chan!"

Hinata smiled and patted Hanabi's head. "Exactly what every person needs: a rival. But don't expect it to be easy."

"I wasn't. See you later, Nee-chan!"

"You too, Hanabi-chan."

Naruto turned over on his couch, mumbling in his sleep. "Teme, your girlfriend's around the next damn corner...that dojutsu of yours is a piece a crap...Aw...now I'm gonna cry, Hinata-hime..." A knock on the door caused him to snort, and Naruto sat up lazily, scratching his neck. "Eh? What the hell...can't I get a day of sleep..." He stood and went to open the door.

His hand neared the doorknob, and a sudden jolt of fear made him freeze. 'What the...' The blonde called out warily, "Who's there?" No one answered. "Hey, if you're a buncha kids, quit it! Today ain't the day." He turned back to lie down again, but another knock made him turn right back around. "Quit it, you buncha brats!" Another knock answered him, this time hard enough to shake the door. "Hey, if you're kicking the door-,"

The door flew off its hinges, clipping the blonde and slamming into the wall. Naruto caught himself and winced as he held a cut on his shoulder. "What the hell's wrong with you?" he shouted, peering through the door, his gut sinking as he saw several figures crowding the opening. "You can't just break down people's doors!"

"Ah, but you're not a person," said an oily, weaselly voice that Naruto instantly loathed, "Are you, demon?"

Naruto felt his heart jump. 'The note. These are the guys.' "Nah, pretty sure I'm human. Demons don't have blonde hair and blue eyes, do they? Or human skin for that matter."

"No, foolish demon," taunted the voice, "You are a demon made flesh. An abomination of God."

Naruto jerked. 'The first note...damn!' "I don't know about all this...but I'm gone!"

"Get it, men!" The men squeezed through the tiny doorway and stomped after the blonde who took off down the small hallway to his room. The men followed him, and when they came the bedroom door, they knocked it down with a sledgehammer. The men stumbled into the room but halted as they saw no sign of the blonde.

"Boss, it's not here!"

"Let me through, oafs! I will find it then!" A short, greasy-haired man with slightly maddened eyes pushed his way to the front, and his lip curled as he surveyed the room. "So this is where the cur slept and dreamed of our demise...Men, fan out in the street and find it. We will put an end to its existence." The men nodded obediently and exited the room, leaving the greasy man alone. "Yes, an end to the existence to the Kyuubi, murderer of all and servant of the Evil One." He looked through the open window, curtains flapping in the wind, and he burst into a fit of hysterical giggles.

Naruto ran down the street, barreling over people and stalls alike in his rush to hide. 'Why now? Why today? Why me? Dammit, I hate being alive sometimes.' He turned into a dark alley, and Naruto crouched behind a dumpster, panting. 'I swear...I'd stand and fight, but that man scares the livin' hell outta me.' He let out a loud breath, and he pressed himself to the wall as a group of running men went by.

'Damn again. They're searching for me.' Another group went by, but one of the men stopped and gazed down the alley. Naruto dared not to breath or think lest the man somehow hear, and the man seemed to move on. Naruto let out his breath, but his eyes widened as he sensed a presence above him.

The blonde rolled forward, a man landing where he had been. "C'mere, demon!" The voice was rough, ragged, not the oily one.

"Screw you!" Naruto headbutted him and took off again. The man held his nose, and he called up to his partner on the roof, signaling him to follow the blonde.

Naruto grimaced as the cut on his shoulder pained him, but he kept on, hearing the tramping of heavy feet behind him now. He looked behind him and almost froze in fear. The group numbered at least thirty, three times the number the blonde had experience escaping. 'Not to mention these guys seem to want to kill me, so better not let them catch me!' He increased his speed, turning corner after corner to lose the pursuers.

Touza sat brightly on the roof of his orphanage, a tall, block-like building with a rooftop garden and raised lip. He sat on that lip, legs hanging off the edge and humming a tune. 'No school today. Yay! Yondaime Day is so fun with all the pretty lights and fun games!' He grinned to himself and looked up at the clouds. 'Wish every day could be Yondaime Day.'

He really didn't have friends among the children in the orphanage, his strange ability to creep undetected staving off most attempts at friendship. Touza didn't mind though; his own thoughts were sometimes enough, and then there was Naruto, TenTen, and...Jeni? Neji? Weird-Eyes? Touza couldn't remember.

Shouting below him drew his attention, and the small boy tilted his head to the side as Naruto ran by, clutching his shoulder which was stained darker than the rest of the shirt. 'Naruto-san? What's with him?' Touza looked past him and saw a group of men chasing after the blonde. He brightened. 'Are they playing a game? Did Naruto-san pull another prank?'

Some of the shouting reached him, disproving him. "Demon! Yer gonna die! Slow down and let us kill ya, ya mangy dog!" Touza bunched his brow. 'Huh? What's that mean? Are they being mean to Naruto-san?' Below Naruto glanced back at the mob and then raised his eyes to meet Touza's. Touza stiffened; the blonde's eyes were wide and fearful, but they warned him not to become involved. Touza was still as Naruto and the mob rounded the next corner.

The small boy clenched his fists. 'I have to help Naruto-san!' He climbed down the wall of the orphanage and followed after Naruto.

Naruto grit his teeth as the pain in his shoulder worsened. That door must have opened a large, deep wound for it to be hurting him so much. He was conscious of the fact that he was losing energy quickly, the loss of blood helping it. The curses of the mob behind him were growing louder and nearer, but he had a plan in mind.

Naruto stopped at the next intersection and took a right, heading into the civilian district and the most crowded at the moment. The shouts behind him were silenced by the general roar of the mingling crowd as the blonde traveled deeper into the civilian district. Naruto looked back behind him and halted as he saw the mob had been dispersed. He figured that they had split up and were searching for him individually, so it was best if he kept low and out of sight.

Motama gazed out the window of his small shop, watching the bustle of the festival. Motama sighed and shifted his weight in the chair. That blonde boy- Naruto, he remembered- had been the first real company in five years. Motama still had customers, but they never stayed to chat. It made sense, however, if he thought about it. Most of his clientele were shinobi, not civilians.

'Wonder if he'll stop by ever again,' though the tailor, tapping his cane on the floor restlessly. He watched the bustle again, and he cheered up at the sight of Naruto passing close to his shop, but something was strange about the blonde. He continually turned his head to look all around, eyes shifty and large. One of the shoulders of his shirt was bandaged hastily with a shirt sleeve, and it seemed tender to the touch.

The blonde passed out of Motama's view, and the old tailor frowned. 'What was that?' His brow drew together all the tighter as a group of men roughly shoved people out of the way. Motama squinted at them. By their clothing, the men were all from the same district, and, by their similar mannerisms, were from the same social group as well. One of the men grabbed a pedestrian and shouted in into his face, and Motama rose from his armchair to listen discreetly from the window.

"Where did the boy go?" the man demanded, fist knotted in the pedestrian's kimono.

"Wh-wh-what boy?"

"Blonde, blue-eyed? That ring a bell?"

"Y-Y-Yes, he went that way-," The man threw him to the ground and turned to his companions.

"The demon went toward the west! Fuji, radio the leader and tell him! The rest of you, follow me!" All but one chased after Naruto, and the one took a small radio from his pocket.

"Leader? Are you listening, sir?" A voice crackled back in response, and the man nodded. "Yes, we found the demon and are preparing to flush it toward you. Are you ready?" Another crackling, and another nod. "Yessir, I understand. If it tries to resist, kill it."

Motama's eyes followed the man as he ran off to catch up, and the tailor stroked his chin thoughtfully. 'I understand that there are some extremist groups within the village that believe Naruto to be the Kyuubi but to actually act on the notion...hm, I might have to unearth some old contacts of mine...' He opened the outside door and vanished into the crowd.

Naruto heard a hate-laced roar of the mob behind him, and he darted down the street but screeched to a halt as a group of men cut him off. The blonde cut left into an alley which opened back into an empty street. He swore and hunched over, gasping for breath. 'Damn, thought I had more than this.' Another yell alerted him, and he took off to the right.

Another jolt of pain shot from his shoulder, and Naruto bit his lip. That makeshift bandage hadn't helped him at all. Hell, if he lived, he would have to rip it off because the blood was causing it to stick. Naruto caught sight of another mob ahead of him, and he went left.

Left into a dead-end alley. Naruto stopped before he hit the wall, and he planted a foot on the wall to climb it. He heard a whistling, and something lodged itself deep into his back. Instantly all of the blonde's strength was gone, and he collapsed to his knees. "Argh! Damn, what was that?"

A laugh answered him. "A chakra sealant drip onto the tip of a senbon." Naruto painfully turned to face the other way, and he growled as the same oily, greasy-haired man waltzed up to the front of the group at the end of the alley. "Can you even move, being cut off from your source of power?"

"Screw you!"

"So vulgar, just as I imagined: no sense of civility in the shell of yours, but it will soon become your coffin, demon!"

"You asshole! I'm not a demon! Do I even look like one?" Naruto was biding his time, hoping someone would hear him. Truthfully, he couldn't move his limbs. He was as vulnerable as a newborn baby.

"As I said, this body is simply a vessel, correct? You are waiting for the opportune time to strike the village again. How soon will it be?"

"Bite me, Goddammit!"

"You even spit on His name. You're a filthy creature. Gonjo! Fetch me a blade to dispatch it!"

Naruto struggled to straighten. " ''It'? I'm an 'It?' You insensitive, cruel, ruthless, good-for-nothing, motherfornicating bastard! I'd strangle you if I could!"

"But you can not," said the man, taking a sword handed to him.

'Gotta keep him talking.' "You wrote the first note, right?"

"Indeed," replied the man, examining the blade, "A masterpiece, was it not?"

"Sure, but what happened to the second? 'SOON'? Where'd that long-winded personality of yours go? Straight in the toilet? Did you even flush?"

"I deemed it appropriate that a simpler version of my letter be written. One word is all a brute like you can comprehend." The man placed the blade to Naruto's neck. "Any last words? You are fortunate that I allowed you to live this long."

"Yeah, I got something," growled Naruto. He spat into the man's face. "How's that for last words, you psychopath?" An enraged look entered the leader's face as he wiped the spit from his face.

"Goodbye." He swung, and Naruto closed his eyes, surrendering. 'This is where I go...goodbye seems right,' thought Naruto, images of his team, Iruka, and Hinata flashing through his mind. 'Goodbye...and sorry.'

"WAIT! Don't hurt Naruto-san!" The man stopped mid-swing, and both he and Naruto looked wildly through the parted crowd at the tiny Touza. "Quit bein' mean, you buncha dumbheads!" shouted the child, shaking a small fist at them. He looked so small and defenseless, but he gave off unwavering resolve.

"Who is this child?" demanded the man, his underlings shaking their heads.

"Touza! Get outta here! These guys will kill you too! Get out!" shouted Naruto, trying to stand.

The man smirked. "Oh? Someone important to you, demon? Men, apprehend him."

"Touza, GO! NOW!"

"No! I got help, Naruto-san?"

Naruto blinked. 'Help?'

"Leaf Hurricane!" A green blur crashed into the crowd, throwing several into the walls. Naruto watched speechlessly as TenTen, Neji, Yakumo, and Tomitsu landed the small space Lee had created. "Naruto-san! We are here to rescue you!" shouted Lee.

"Huh?"

"I concur with Lee-san's statement," said Tomitsu, his katana absent on his waist. "A pity I had to relinquish my blade, but I do not wish to kill them...yet."

"B-b-but-,"

TenTen looked at him, past the man. "You complaining about us saving you, Blondie?"

"No-,"

"Then shut up!"

The leader sneered and pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose. "Men, kill them. They are giving me a headache and associate themselves with this...thing." The mob gave a roar and pulled an assortment of weapons such as axes or bludgeons from their belts. The leader turned back to Naruto and grabbed him by the collar. He forced the blonde to fully face the scene. "Witness the death of your so-called comrades."

Naruto squirmed in the man's iron grip, but the sealant still left him as weak as a kitten. "You bastard," he spat venomously.

"Nothing you call me will change the scene in front of you." Naruto watched as his small band of saviors crashed into the mob. TenTen unsealed her hammer and smashed it into one man's abdomen, and without turning she smashed another man's arm. Lee blurred through the men, a flurry of punches and kicks. Yakumo simply looked, and the men fell. Neji and Tomitsu were back-to-back, Neji striking nerves and Tomitsu launching men with one kick or punch.

The mob kept surging forward even when their partners flew by screaming in surprise. Naruto squirmed again in the leader's hold which had tightened over the past few minutes. Naruto's saviors were winning. The surge had lessened from its initial overwhelming force, and the men were growing hesitant. "Forward, men!" barked the leader.

"There ain't a point ta dis! We're bein' beat!"

"I don't care. Kill them!"

The hesitant men glanced between the ninja and their leader. Lee beckoned them forward while Tomitsu crossed his arms menacingly. Neji activated his Byakugan, and TenTen drew her staff and illuminated the alley with lightning. Yakumo smiled, a dangerous edge behind it.

This was the last straw for the men. They fled out of the alley, Lee and TenTen chasing them. "Run! They got lightning! The big guy and the girl scare me! THOSE EYEBROWS!"

Naruto cheered but then was slammed into the wall. The man had his hands around the blonde's throat, and his face was twisted with rage. "Don't think you are free so soon," whispered the man threateningly, his breath horrid, "I still have you at my mercy." He drew a long, jagged-edged dagger. "And you will regret every moment of your life in these few moments." He drew the dagger's tip across Naruto's cheek, drawing blood. "Die-!" The man was cut off, his eyes bulging, and he slumped to the side, unconscious.

"Naruto!"

"Naruto-kun!" Naruto stared uncomprehendingly at the two people in front of him, and he felt faint before falling forward. Hinata and Iruka caught and lowered him to the ground. "Naruto-kun! Are you alright?" asked Hinata desperately.

"He's out," replied Iruka, noting Naruto's even, deep breathing, "Must've fainted. Not surprising; he nearly died." He jerked his head at the indiscernible sound of footsteps on the rooftop and looked up. Ninjas with dark clothing, gray armor, ninjatos, and ceramic masks looked back emotionlessly. "ANBU? When'd they get here?"

A raspy voice from the alley's end answered, "Ever since your little group arrived. They saw the boy was in good hands, but stuck around just in case things got hairy." Motama shuffled down the alley. "Hello. I'm the boy's tailor, by the way."

Tomitsu tilted his head to the side questioningly. "Tailor? And how does a tailor know the plans of the elite squad of ninja?" he asked, a bit of skepticism implied.

The old man laughed. "A tailor that was the former captain and mentor of the ANBU, that's who. Still got a few contacts here'n'there to help me with a few things." He stopped next to Naruto. "Hm, he has a bit of a cut on his shoulder, but otherwise he's alright. A few hours sleep'll do 'im good. Could one of you carry him to my shop?"

Naruto felt like hell. His body was sore in every place, and his cheek had the feeling as if it had been cut and then healed. And his shoulder burned. Jesus, did it burn. It was like someone was trying to brand him with a hot iron. His eyes were closed, and he could barely open them. When he finally did, Naruto realized where he was.

"Motama's shop?" he mumbled, blinking blearily at the familiar ceiling, "Why the hell am I here?"

"Ah, looks like you're up," said Motama, coming and standing next to Naruto who lay in the floor in a futon, "And to answer your question, your friends brought you here. They trusted me with your care and protection though the last part was mainly because there's ANBU ever'where around the shop now." He walked away and brought back a cup. "Water?"

"Yes, thank you," said Naruto, trying to sit despite his body's protests. He sipped from the cup. "How long have I been out?"

"Not too terribly long. Five hours? Five and a half? It's dark now. Fireworks should go off in an hour or so," answered Motama, a smile appearing on his face, "You had a pretty lady friend who wouldn't leave your side for the longest. A Hyuuga by the eyes."

Naruto blushed. "Yeah, we're...uh, friends...really good friends."

"The young lady acted like it was more than that, Naruto."

"Yeah, but-er-I don't what to call us...affectionate friends?"

"From what I heard, that describes you and that bun-haired girl," teased Motama.

Naruto snorted. "Affectionate? Me and TenTen? More like constantly at each other's throats."

Motama laughed. "Maybe the better words are brother and sister."

"Yeah," agreed Naruto, sipping the water. He examined his shoulder. A white ointment of some kind was spread across the gash opened by the door, and it seemed to be smoking slightly. Naruto sniffed it; the scent was strong and antiseptic. The skin around the gash was pink, and it was slowly closing up. "Motama-san, what's this stuff?"

"The ointment? Something the young Hyuuga lady used. It worked well on the scratch on your cheek, but it's slower on your shoulder, but then it's bigger." Motama tapped his cane on the floor. "Not to mention your healing ability speeds it up. It should be gone by tomorrow."

Naruto frowned at Motama. "You know about my fast healing?"

Motama shrugged. "Your friend-TenTen, her name- told me," he lied. Naruto's frown deepened, but then he eased. "Do you feel better already?" asked Motama in surprise.

"Yeah, the water helped. I was parched. Thanks for caring for me," said Naruto, standing. He glanced at the gash again. It was shrinking visibly, and he could feel the burn easing. The blonde bowed to the tailor. "Thank you." He waved goodbye as he walked out the door.

Motama frowned. 'Huh, looks like the file underestimated the rate of healing. 'Bout time they got something wrong.'

Naruto poked at the gash which he had not bothered to have bandaged. The bordering skin was tender, but that border shrank by the minute. He stretched his good arm. "At least one arm is working. The other should be too tomorrow," he said aloud, scanning the brightly lit street. Each building was strewn with lanterns and paper tinsel, and people were happily going between food stands and games. Children ran by giggling, animal masks covering their faces.

One bumped into Naruto, and he guided the child around him. As Naruto neared his apartment, the crowds and lanterns grew thinner. He reached the stairs that lead up his floor, and he noticed that the lights in his apartment were on. He frowned. 'Did I leave them on during the day?' He approached the door cautiously and knocked. No noise came from inside. He opened it.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NARUTO!"

Iruka, Hinata, TenTen, Neji, Lee, Tomitsu, and Yakumo burst from various hiding spots, all cheering except for Tomitsu and Neji who both nodded. A banner was spread between the walls with confetti and the words saying, "Happy Birthday, Blondie!" drawn onto it. The first two words were beautifully made, but the last was crude at best. TenTen pointed at it proudly, however.

"Lookie there, Naruto! Did that one word just for you!"

Naruto smiled. "Yeah, and it shows just how little artistic talent you have, Buns."

"Hey-,"

"But I like that you did it. Who did the beginning?" Yakumo waved her hand. "Thanks."

"No problem."

Naruto smiled at the banner for a few moment before looking around the room. "Where's Touza?"

"Right here!" cried Touza happily, jumping onto Naruto's back, head grinning over the blonde's shoulder. "Yay, Naruto-san, you're not dead!"

"Aw, thank you, Touza," said Naruto, all of them smiling at the childish bluntness, "Really, thank you. Wouldn't have made it without you." He ruffled the boy's hair.

Iruka nodded. "Yeah, Touza was running down the street shouting, 'Someone help Naruto-san! Bad people are after him!' It certainly got my attention and everyone else's."

TenTen beamed. "Yep, that little man is brave. Didn't think he stand his ground against those guys."

Touza shook a fist at her. "Hey, I'm not a scaredy-cat! I'd do anything to help Naruto-san."

"Well, you certainly proved it," said Naruto. He noticed what TenTen was wearing. "Erm, TenTen? Get confused this morning and put on something from three years back? And your hair-you go nutso or something?"

"No! This is my kimono for Yondaime Day and I didn't have time this morning. Got a problem?" she asked boldly.

"No, and I doubt teme does. He's probably enjoying the view." Neji glared at the blonde as did TenTen, a blush spreading across her face.

"Shut it, Blondie," said TenTen shortly.

Naruto laughed and let Touza drop to the ground. Touza looked crestfallen, and he looked pleadingly at Tomitsu who smiled and lifted the small boy to his shoulders. "Hey, watch it, Tomitsu. The ceiling's only so high," said Naruto, raising his head to grin at the samurai. "Always knew you were a softy underneath that murderous exterior."

He grinned. "Even a demon has a tender heart at times," A loud rumble came from his stomach, and Tomitsu's grin turned sheepish. "I must suggest that we eat. I am famished," said Tomitsu. Naruto sniffed the air and perked up at a familiar, delicious scent.

"RAMEN!" he shouted, charging into the kitchen, "Where!?" he demanded, looking around wildly. His eyes lit up at the sight of two large bowls of steaming ramen. Iruka entered the kitchen, followed by the others who crowded in the space designed for four or five people.

"Yeah, Ayame and Teuchi send their regards, but they couldn't make it," said Iruka, "Tonight's a busy night for them."

"Uh-huh," grunted Naruto, shoveling the ramen into his mouth, "Completely understandable." One bowl was gone within a minute, and Naruto was halfway through the other before people had time to properly react.

All three members of Team 6 blinked uncomprehendingly at Naruto's eating rate. Yakumo tentatively asked, "D-Does he always eat like this?"

TenTen laughed. "Only with ramen. I remember the first time I saw him eat ramen. Acted like he was starved. No one can match him in ramen eating, well, maybe except an Akamichi." Naruto burped. "Nice touch, Blondie. What a charmer you are."

Naruto grunted again and finished his meal. "I know my charms are irresistible, Buns, but I only care about one person." He grinned at Hinata. "Hello, Hinata! Nice seeing you here. Excuse me for my bad habits."

Hinata wiped his mouth with a napkin and smiled sweetly. "You're excused, Naruto-kun." Naruto's grin widened, and TenTen couldn't let this teasing opportunity escape.

"Aw, look at the two lovebirds," she cooed, nudging Neji with an elbow, "Aren't they cute, Neji?" Neji shrugged, largely ignoring the heiress; the two of them had made a secret agreement to not make a scene at Naruto's party. The only way he could be in her presence and not feel contempt was to pretend she wasn't there.

Naruto fired back, "Yeah, we are. Cuter than you and Neji are ever gonna be." A faint blush came to Hinata's face, and TenTen grew indignant.

"That's not true! Me and Neji are-," She clapped a hand over her mouth, cutting herself off, and glared at the blonde. "Go to hell, Blondie."

"You make me feel so loved, Buns." Everyone laughed except for the usual suspects, and Iruka brought out a small booklet. "Huh? What's that, sensei?" asked Naruto.

"Something over fuinjutsu. Thought it'd be a good gift. I was trying to look for something that'd you use." Iruka read the spine, "Chakra-Storing and Entrapment Seals: High Advanced." He thumbed through it. "To be honest, some of this is beyond me, but I figured you would understand it." He handed to Naruto who opened it and began to scan.

"Huh...sheesh, this looks complicated," he muttered, tapping his chin. He closed the book. "Thanks, sensei. Really."

Iruka grinned. "No problem. Just let me know if it comes in handy." The man looked at everyone else. "Anyone else have a present?"

They hesitated before shaking their heads. "We all forgot," said Yakumo, shrugging, "We didn't know it was your birthday."

Naruto dismissed it with a wave. "Not a problem. Just you coming here means a lot-," He stopped at a tug on his sleeve, and the blonde turned to see Hinata holding a box. "Huh? Hinata, that for me?" She nodded, blushing but confident. He took it, thanking her, and slowly lifted the lid. Inside was a black shirt much like the one he wore, but with one major difference: the white, swirling insignia that he had adored on his orange jacket was sewn on the front. He was mute for a moment, the others crowding around him, and the blonde lifted it from the box.

Something fell from the folds of the jacket, and Naruto caught it before it hit the floor. It was a wrapped napkin, a sweet, warm scent emanating from it. A cookie. "Th-thanks, Hinata," he said, stuttering a bit, "Th-this means a lot to me." Hinata gestured toward the napkin.

"I baked you a cookie. I didn't think all of this would happen, but hopefully it'll make you feel better..." she trailed off, surprised by the look of utter shock on the blonde's face as he unwrapped the napkin, revealing the Naruto-face cookie. "Naruto-kun, are you okay?"

TenTen clapped him on the back. "Wow, looks like your sweetheart knows how to bake. A definite plus. And look at it- it looks just like you!" Naruto remained silent, and he raised his head to meet Hinata's eyes.

"So-so...it was you," he whispered, "The goggles, the cap, the patch...all you..." Hinata blinked, and was knocked off her feet when Naruto tackled her with a hug, "All you! I knew it! All you!" Naruto held her, spinning in circles. "It was you, Hinata-hime!" He set her down but didn't let go. He put his head on her shoulders. "You-you really do care."

Hinata giggled. "Always did and always will, Naruto-kun. Happy birthday." She pecked him on the cheek.

TenTen and Yakumo clapped their hands at the cute scene, and Touza interrupted it by saying, "BLECH! Kissing! Ew!" Iruka chuckled and pulled something from the cabinents. It was a prettily decorated cake, bright orange icing with blue blots.

"Sorry to break in, but we have cake," said Iruka, slicing it into pieces, "And the birthday boy gets the first piece." He brought out some paper plates and put on a slice on one. He slid it over to Naruto. "Usually presents come after the cake, but why not have the cake after?"

Naruto grinned and let go of Hinata as he sat. "Everyone else want a piece? Tomitsu, know you do."

"Hell yeah!" agreed TenTen.

"That would be wonderful, Naruto," said Yakumo.

"I want one, Naruto-san!" chimed Lee and Touza, beaming.

Naruto motioned for them to sit. "Then find a place."

"There aren't enough chairs, Blondie!"

He pointed toward the couch. "Then drag it over here!" With a steaming but corrected TenTen, Tomitsu lifted the entire couch solely and brought it over to the table. "Damn, Tomitsu. Do you even lift?" joked Naruto. This drew a smile and shake of the head from the samurai, and he sat beside Lee who sat with Yakumo. Neji and TenTen were together, and Touza was perched on Iruka's lap, looking hungrily at the cake. Hinata sat next to Naruto, holding hands.

"This is good, sensei!" complimented Naruto, mouth full of cake. Iruka nodded a thanks, his own mouth full. Touza had orange icing all over his face which was bright with happiness.

"I agree. Thank you, Iruka-san," said Tomitsu, inclining his head toward him. Hinata also thanked him as did everyone did when they finished. With the cake gone, Yakumo looked to TenTen.

"TenTen, did you bring the camera?"

"Yep!" TenTen took out a scroll from the folds of her kimono and unsealed a tripod camera. "Had a bit of time finding it. Your room's a mess, Yakumo."

Yakumo reddened. "Messiness means creativity," she argued lamely.

"And a hard time finding anything." TenTen set the camera on its legs and gestured toward it. "You wanna take over?" Yakumo straightened the legs and fiddled with the back of the camera, setting a timer.

"Okay, this is going to go off in five seconds when I push the button. Everyone get in front of the window, tallest in the back and shortest in front," ordered Yakumo. There was a commotion, and Tomitsu and Iruka were in the back, Lee, Naruto, Neji in the middle, and Yakumo, TenTen, Hinata, and Touza in the front. Touza was pouting.

"I don't wanna be the shortest."

"You're the youngest, Touza-kun," said TenTen, "You're gonna the shortest naturally."

"I still don't wanna be short. Can I get on Tomi-san's shoulders again?" Yakumo looked through the lens of the camera.

"I don't think so. Your head won't be in the picture if that's the case." Touza poked his lip out.

"But I don't wanna be the shortest," he insisted.

"Touza," said Naruto, "get on my shoulders. Would that work, Yakumo?"

Yakumo peered into the frame again. "...Yeah, it should. Touza's head would be about level with Tomitsu's that way. Iruka-san, move over to the left some...good."

"Yay!" Touza climbed onto the blonde's shoulders, and everyone, except Neji, smiled.

"Say, 'Ramen' when I say so!" said Yakumo, pressing a button and hurrying over next to Hinata. The camera ticked, and a second before it flashed, "Now!"

"Ramen!" The camera flashed, and and they grinned before jumping at the sound of booms. Naruto let Touza down and opened the front door, peeking out a bit timidly. Another boom rang out, and Naruto nearly hit his head on the door. An array of colors illuminated the night sky, and he waved them over excitedly.

"The fireworks have started! Look!" He threw open the door and leaned on the rail to see the fireworks. Iruka came over and looked up, another firework bursting in the air. Everyone moved to the watch the show, Hinata at Naruto's shoulder.

"Happy birthday, Naruto-kun," she whispered, hugging him from behind.

The blonde smiled softly. "Thank you, my hime."