Memory 5: Genma's First Present to Naruto
When Sarutobi Manami answered the door to her shared apartment, she was not expecting the image of a frowning Genma. "Eto...how can I help you Genma-san?"
The brunet's frown didn't disappear, and he immediately went inside. Manami sighed but didn't kick him out. She was sure the older man must've needed something.
Setting down a tray of tea, she sat down across from the other man on her black couch. "So what's the problem?"
Genma looked over at her, frustration in his eyes. "Naruto's birthday is coming up."
Manami smiled and let out a small laugh. Her green eyes twinkled in delight. "Oh! What about it? I thought it was something serious!"
His eyes narrowed as he propped his hand on his knees. "It is serious. I need a favor from you."
Manami blinked a few times. "Hm?"
One Week Later
Naruto was sulking. Why? Simple—it was his birthday.
Now on any other occasion, he'd be jumping around at all of his friends celebrating with him, but now that he was Hokage, that meant he had to act fancy and proper. His azure eyes looked at the evening sky. Ten more minutes, he reminded himself, Just ten more minutes then I can finally relax!
He had, more or less, begged for his party to be held outside. The blond had enough of being cooped up in the Hokage Tower. With evening approaching, the park was lit up with orange paper lanterns hanging on trees. Tables had been set out and the scent of food hung in the air. This was supposed to be his private party after an entire day of celebrating with his citizens, but there were officials attending as well. They were such party-poopers as well, only talking to him to see if they'd be able to sway him on a topic.
He wanted to relax! Not work!
"Happy birthday Naru-chan!" The blond winced at the childhood nickname, but grinned as he was tightly embraced by his childhood friend, Subaku Asami. Her violet eyes shone with overwhelming happiness, and Naruto wondered if she missed all the greenery in Konoha. Cacti weren't the best plants to climb on or lean against after all.
"Asami-chan!" His eyes fell to the redhead behind her. "Gaara! You guys made it after all!"
The Kazekage smiled slightly and nodded. "Ah, it's good to see you again Naruto."
Asami stepped back to her husband's side with a bright smile. "It's been so long! I can't believe it's already autumn!" Her amethyst eyes fell to the other girls from Konoha. "Ah! I need to catch up with them," she smiled at the two and briefly kissed Gaara. Winking at him, she whispered, "Have fun and relax; I'll—we'll be fine."
Naruto watched as his dark red-haired friend left in her light blue maternity gown. He glanced over at Gaara and mischievously grinned. With a nudge, he quickly started teasing his fellow Kage. "Hey, I didn't know you two were already that far! When's the due date?!"
Gaara cleared his throat and turned away, hiding a soft smile. "In six months."
The blond fondly looked over at the large group of cheerful people attending his birthday party. All of his friends and mentors were there, excluding those that had passed away, but he could still imagine what they'd be doing.
Neji would be glowering at anyone who dared to come near to Hinata or Hanabi, maybe TenTen would've lightly teased him. Jiraiya would be bothering Tsunade-baa-chan and drinking all the sake, but Naruto knew there would be a proud gleam in the old Toad Sage's eyes. Shikaku and Inoichi would both be talking with Choza, contemplating how their children are doing, the possibility of grandchildren, and how their wives are still ruling them with an iron fist. The Sandaime would be smiling as children crawled over him, but Naruto could see how the old shinobi would've pulled him aside and reminisce about Naruto's prankster childhood. Maybe Itachi would be talking with Sasuke or with Sakura's right-hand woman, Keiko? Naruto always had a feeling they would've gotten along well if they met. The blonde woman was understanding and compassionate, something Naruto thought Itachi would've appreciated.
Shaking his head to get out of his wishful thinking, he let out a sentimental sigh with a soft smile on his lips. "I still can't believe how fast time has passed. It's funny, but it's almost like yesterday we were all just genin trying to achieve our dreams." He paused and looked up at the sky, tilting his Hokage hat up. "And now, some of us have actually fulfilled our dreams... It's kind of...surreal."
"But this is reality, not a dream or illusion," Gaara added softly. "And we still have many more dreams left, Naruto."
Naruto chuckled at the fond expression on his friend's face as jade eyes studied his joyful wife. "I think you'll both be great parents." He shook his head as another thought came up. "I think we'll all be great parents," he amended with a grin.
Gaara nodded, grateful for the trust and belief from the blond. "Thank you."
"Sure thing! Ah look, there's Temari-chan and Shika!" Gaara nodded again, excusing himself as he left to greet his older sister and brother-in-law. Naruto sighed and crossed his hands behind his head. Screw the rest of those ten minutes, it was his birthday party, and he was going to enjoy it!
Spotting Hinata, he waved cheerfully at her. She smiled and quickly walked up to him. "Hello Naruto-kun. Happy birthday!" A polite bow followed her greeting. Even if she had gotten rid of her stuttering, she still was polite.
"Hey Hinata-chan! Looking for Sasuke-teme?"
The dark-haired teen nodded with a soft smile. "Hai. He told me to talk with the other girls."
Naruto rolled his eyes and grinned. Since when had his best friend become considerate, and why wasn't he alerted of this great moment? "I bet he's brooding somewhere. Why don't you use your Byakugan?"
Hinata blushed partly in shame, the other embarrassment, and looked away. "He knows my range..."
Naruto shook his head, exasperated, but pointed behind him at the unlit forest. "Knowing him, I bet he's hiding over there. Check the highest spot." Hinata nodded gratefully, but before she left, he stopped her. "Thanks Hinata-chan. For looking out for the teme," he clarified. "Thanks for giving him a chance when no one else would."
He patted her shoulder, and she shook her head with a small smile. "Everyone deserves a chance Naruto-kun."
The blond Hokage grinned. "I'll let you go now. If you find him, make sure to tell him that he's getting his ass kicked for leaving you alone."
Hinata laughed with a soft confirmation before leaving. The teme is lucky, but he doesn't even notice it does he? And he says I'm oblivious!
"Naruto!"
His blue eyes widened at the approaching figure before he broke out in another thousand watt grin. "Kakashi-sensei!" He blinked as he noticed that his old Sensei was alone. "Where's Manami-chan?"
The silver-haired shinobi eye-smiled, but Naruto felt some frustration from the other man. "Helping someone out. She'll be a bit late."
Raising an eyebrow, Naruto had point out how she was starting to develop some of his bad habits. "You're rubbing off on Manami-chan way too much!" he accused playfully.
"Just like Genma is to you?" Kakashi airily asked.
"Huh?" What did his old sensei mean by that?
Kakashi didn't explain, Like always, Naruto added mentally in irritation. Instead he changed the subject. "Speaking of which, where's Genma? He's your bodyguard isn't he?"
Naruto shrugged. "I told him he's free to relax today. I think he's around here somewhere."
Kakashi hummed thoughtfully. "Then could you give this to him?" The older man reached into his pant's pocket and pulled out a white envelope.
"What?! But—"
"Are you saying you can't do it?" Kakashi interrupted with a raised eyebrow. "Surely it'd be simple to find someone you've been with 24/7, Naruto?"
The blond narrowed his eyes at the challenge. "Fine!" He swiped the envelope. "But I'll get you back for this!"
"Maa maa, no need to be so revved up when you should be relaxing! It's your birthday after all," Kakashi added as the blond stomped away, knowing Naruto would only be more irritated with his comment. Of course, this would be his own revenge towards Genma. It's not nice to take my date away Genma, he thought as he whipped out his infamous book, leaning against a red tree as he waited.
Naruto grumbled and pouted as he walked through the darkening forest. Stupid Genma hiding... Where the heck is he?!
Noticing another faint chakra signature, he stopped in irritation and scowled. "Alright, get out Genma. I know you're there!"
The brunet chuckled as he walked out of the shadows. "Looking for me?"
Naruto stuck out the letter and gave a deadpan look. "Kakashi-sensei told me to give you this."
Genma didn't move to take it. Instead, he stuffed his hands in his pant pockets. With a glance at the red and orange sky, he sighed. "Naruto, do you remember that day?"
The blond tilted his head at the sudden question. "What day?" When he met Genma during the Chuunin Exams? When he assigned Genma to be his bodyguard?
A low chuckle left Genma's lips, and he stepped closer to Naruto. "Tell me Naruto, do you remember what you said that one day?"
"What are you—"
"Have you fulfilled it yet?"
Naruto opened his mouth to retort that he didn't have a clue as to what Genma was talking about, but when he saw the serious gleam in the other man's eyes, nothing left his lips. It was surprising enough to make him drop the envelope.
"It was on a day like this and for an entire week, it was raining, but that day, it didn't rain." Genma looked up at the night sky again, the setting sun no longer peeking through the horizon. Slowly, stars were peeking out from the heavens. "It was cold, there was no sun at all."
Even Naruto could tell that Genma wasn't talking just about the weather. It was rare to see his bodyguard so serious and grim. Genma always had a lazy smile or smug smirk on unless he was fussing like a mother hen. Then he'd have a furrow between his brows and ask a thousand questions before being satisfied.
It was...strange. Naruto felt worried about Genma. He...he slightly missed the perverted brunet that always invaded his personal space. But, Naruto also felt somewhat honored as well. This was a new side of Genma, a side he had never seen before. Sometimes he forgot that Genma had troubles too. With those lazy smiles, Naruto had always thought Genma was happy and laid back.
Naruto felt sympathy for Genma, and he walked over to the man, closing the distance, and holding onto Genma's shoulder. "Genma I—"
Naruto was cut off by the abrupt sound of fireworks in the air, and his gaze fell over to the sky. The bright lights lit up the dark sky, reminding him it was his birthday. He couldn't hold in the large, grateful grin off his face.
"—Love—"
Naruto turned his head over to Genma. "Hm?" Genma opened his mouth again, but Naruto beat him to it. "Yeah I feel the same way too."
Genma stopped, his eyes wide with shock.
The young, blond Hokage grinned brightly, even brighter than the fireworks in the night sky. "The fireworks are great this year! I love the orange ones the best!"
For a few seconds, a silence fell between them and Naruto felt he had said something wrong. Then Genma smiled and looked up at the sky. "Yeah... The guys outdid themselves this year."
His voice was strained, and the smile looked too tense, but Naruto didn't notice underneath the loud display.
"Oi," Naruto looked over at Genma curiously, "Happy birthday, Naruto," Genma told him with a smile. Yet this smile was different. It was sweeter and yet also sad as well. It made Naruto wonder if Genma was perhaps mourning for the loss of someone the day Kurama was unsealed. The fact that it was directed straight at him only confused him more.
"Oi oi, it's my birthday, you gotta be happy too -ttebayo!" Naruto reached over to Genma's face with his hands and pulled his lips to resemble a grin, carefully making sure not to poke his hands with the other man's senbon. He laughed at the irritated look Genma gave him and let the older man's lips go, but his hands didn't move away. "Thanks Genma. This is a great spot for viewing the fireworks! I'll remember this present!"
Once more, Genma opened his mouth, trying to take the opportunity. "Naru—"
"Naruto! Where did you go?!"
The two stopped at the call, and Naruto gave an embarrassed grin as he let go of Genma who sighed in frustration. "Whoops, I forgot to tell everyone I went to find you." He rubbed the back of his head. "Better get going! I'm not letting Chouji call dibs on my cake!"
Genma watched as the blond left in a rush. He gave a bitter chuckle at his luck before turning to his side. "Sorry, I made you miss out for nothing."
Manami shook her head as she stepped out from the trees. "It's okay Genma-san. I found this," she handed over a rolled up scroll. "Did I get the right one?"
Genma nodded with a sigh. "Yeah, thanks again. You can go to where Kakashi is."
The brunette nodded, her one-sided ponytail flailing in the autumn wind. "Ah, just to let you know, I didn't see most of what happened, but with Naruto, everyone knows how dense he can be at times. I'm sure it'll reach him."
With a small smile, Genma sighed and switched his senbon to the other side of his mouth. "Ah, don't worry, Naruto's not the only stubborn one."
Manami nodded with an amused smile before leaving Genma. The man looked down at the scroll in his hand and frowned. He had a bad feeling, and it wasn't just because of how bad his romantic confession had gone.
Something was going to happen.
Something bad.
Very bad.
-To Be Continued-
AN: Hahaha, sorry-not-sorry Genma! And I'm so happy you all like this pairing! This is my first time writing a GenmaxNaruto story so I was worried if they're in character or not! Thanks for following and favoriting! Again, next update is this Friday the 17th!