Hey! Another chapter is finished! Thank you so much for reading! I hope you'll enjoy this chapter, 'cause I enjoyed writing it :)

p.s. please don't kill me for any grammar/spelling mistakes. I'm tired!

chapter 11 - Cherish These Memories

.o.O.O.o.

Deidara smiled at the crowd and gave them a final bow. "Thank you everyone!" he called and the crowd went ecstatic. Behind him, Sasori played the final notes of the song on the keyboard. Someone threw a flower at Konan, and Kisame waved to a screaming fan. Deidara had eyes for one person only, though. His blue eyes scanned the front rows for one pair of black eyes. He found them there, a little to the left of the stage, staring at him with pride, and some amusement. He huffed but smiled immediately. 'I love you,' the owner of the eyes mouthed to him. Deidara sent him a kiss and chuckled in amusement as some girls squeaked in delight.

"Itachi-san is here!" Konan told him later when they were back in their dressing rooms. Itachi stepped in, giving them all a warm smile. "Hi guys," he said.
"Itachi, good to see you again man!" Kisame cried and walked over to pat Itachi on the shoulder. "Good to see you to Kisame," Itachi replied truthfully. It really was nice to see them all again.
"Hey you," Itachi smirked at Deidara. "Are you talking to me sir?" Deidara stared at him in mock confusion. "I think so, unless you know of any other Deidaras around here, I'd love to meet them." Itachi replied and earned himself a soft punch on the arm. Deidara leaned forward to give him a gentle kiss.

"Geez, find a room, will ya?" Kisame barked and turned away. It filled the room with laughter.

"So, how is Sasuke-kun?" asked Deidara when they were all back on the tour bus and he was settled in Itachi's lap, the man's arms embracing him. "He's still as stubborn as a mule." Deidara laughed softly at that. "Well, he's your brother," he reminded his lover. "Are we that much alike?" Itachi wondered truthfully. Deidara smiled. "Well, there are certain aspects in which you are very similar. Your stubborness, for example."

"Is that so?" Itachi asked, amused. "What else, blondie?"
"Well, you're both very ambitious, and... I have a feeling Sasuke-kun is as possessive as you if not more." Itachi groaned. "Don't get me started on his possessiveness," he grunted. "It used to be much worse when he was younger, but even now he's unbearable, sometimes." Deidara chuckled but Itachi ignored him. "Now he's got this kid he likes but he has no idea that he does and it's annoying really."
"Just like you," Deidara commented and earned himself a raised eyebrow. "What are you talking about?" Itachi asked, teasing. "I knew I liked you the moment I first saw you." To that Deidara snorted and rested his head on Itachi's shoulder. "God, you used to be so annoying, Itachi."
"Funny, I remember you being the annoying one. You tried so hard to beat me at everything and you used to be so loud..." Itachi made a pained expression, teasing Deidara. "Hey!" Deidara exclaimed, "I was not loud! And I definitely did not try to beat you at everything!"

"You keep telling that to yourself blondie."

~O~O~O~O~

Neji was lost. He stood in his room, staring at his cellphone and not knowing what to do. His hair was pulled up to a high ponytail and he was wearing some faded jeans and a loose T-shirt. His feet were bare, liking the feeling of the cold gloor against his skin.

His dilemma, in truth, began two days ago, when Naruto's mom had told him about Naruto's birthday and forbid him from bringing Sasuke with him. At that moment, Neji knew he had to deal with the problem, he just didn't want to deal with it right then. Now he was stuck with his phone in his hand no idea what to do.

Tsunade had told him not to bring Uchiha Sasuke. But Neji was his friend, right? And Neji knew Sasuke felt something for Uzumaki Naruto, right? And since Neji was Sasuke's friend, he couldn't not tell him about the party, right? Tsunade's strict voice rang in his head. Maybe, he shouldn't tell Sasuke about it after all. Maybe he should just leave things the way they are, without changing the course of fate. But the again, maybe he wanted to change the course of fate. Finally, Neji made up his mind.

Sasuke's voice was as stoic as ever, almost as is the guy could anticipate anything that was going to happen and therefore could never be surprised.

"Yes Hyuuga."

Neji snorted.

"Very interesting Hyuuga." Neji almost rolled his eyes. Almost.

"I have something to tell you," Neji informed him. "Naruto's birthday is on MOnday next week, October the 10th."

"And?" Came Sasuke irritated question. Neji felt like punching the guy. Acting as if he didn't give a damn when Neji knew all too well that he did.

"And you're not invited."

"Thank you."

"But I can give Naruto your present." There was silence on the other side. And then Neji heard something peculiar. Sasuke laughed. It wasn't warm and happy, it was cold and humourless, but it was a laugh nonetheless.

"You're funny, Neji," he said. He called him by his first name. Was it a good idea to try and change the course of fate after all? "I'll see what I can do." And with that, Sasuke hung up, leaving Neji to, once again, stare at his phone in amazement. What was Sasuke up to?

~O~O~O~O~

His birthdays were a constant reminder to him.

Sometimes, most of the time, Naruto forgot how his parents had looked like. He would close his eyes and furrow his eyebrows and would try to remember their faces. Each passing year it became harder and harder to remember, so he cherished every memory of them.
Sometimes he had flashbacks of them, of the past. A glipmse of warm brown eyes, a flash of a wide smile. Sometimes even words; whispered lovingly, wrapping him securely in their softness and caring.

His father, this he could not forget, had looked just like Naruto himself-blond hair, only slightly softer than his son's, and blue eyes. Sometimes, in his dreams, Naruto remembered his voice, soft yet strong and firm. Or was it really his memory? Sometimes Naruto believed it was merely his mind giving him what he craved so much. He faintly remembered, however, his father's hugs and loving hand on his shoulder or head, messing his hair playfully. He was a tall man and Naruto had looked up to him. He wanted to be just like his father when he grew up.

There was also his mother, of whom he could remember more. She had red-brown hair, long and soft, and warm brown eyes with the softest expression in them. He could still remember her contagious bubbly laugh which was just like his, and the way her dimples deepend when she smiled. She had smiled and laughed a lot, it was in her nature. He remembered her embraces and loving kisses, her soft calming voice when he was upset or sad over something stupid and trivial. She knew how to calm him down and make him forget what he was upset about. When he looked back at those times so long ago, Naruto saw just how much she loved him. She had a way of knowing all the little things that he liked or hated, what made him laugh like crazy and what gave him motivation and will. Mothers, he had decided long ago, were something else.

His birthdays were always there to remind him of his parents and cosnequently of his twin sister.

His twin was someone he could and would never forget, not in a million years. She was him and he was her, but they were separate beings. Naruto couldn't explain it. They were so alike yet there were no other two people more different than one another. Whilst Naruto was the exact replica of his father (in appearance) his twin looked just like their mother. She had the same reddish brown hair and the same brown eyes and even the same hyper personality. If people thought Naruto was hyper- which he quite was- it was because they never met his sister. She took 'hyperactive' to whole new levels. Naruto remembered fondly her restlessness and constant urge to always be occupied. There was never a dull moment with her.

She was named Kyuubi after the very same demon that resided inside her brother. Naruto didn't know, though, just why his parents gave her that name. Her namesake was an evil demon, perhaps the most evil of them all, and there was no possibilty that it would bring her any good. In fact, there were times, when he was very upset and sad, that Naruto really blamed his parents and the damned demon for his sister's death. He knew, of course, that it was ridiculous and childish but he could help but think that hadn't they never named her Kyuubi, she would've still be alive. Once he told this to Gaara and he had hit him. Naruto smiled fondly as he remembered that day.

The sickness which caused her death was a mystery to him. No one had bothered telling him what was wrong with her, probably thinking that it would be too much for a young kid like him. So Naruto could only watch while his siter slowly became thinner and paler than a ghost. With pained awareness he watch his sister turn from a healthy and hyperactive girl into a scrawny fragile creature that had no strength to carry itself on its own. He had felt so useless and miserable. He wanted to do something for her but all he could do was hold her tiny hand in his.

That year had seemed to Naruto like the longest in his short life. His sister was dying and he could only watch. It was much worse than losing his parents, because this time he knew it was coming. With his parents it had been so sudden and unexpected! This time it was slow and agonizing and he was a witness to every step of the whole ordeal. He remebered crying at nights when the realization had finally hit him that his sister was going to die. He cried, but there was no one there to comfort him, no one to hold him and assure him that it was all lies. He was merely five years old going on five and he had been so scared!

Kyuubi died that year. It was the middle of summer, the air hot and humid as was typical to the islands in Wave, and the sky so blue it was almost offensive. Naruto remembered that at that time he hadn't paid much attention to the weather. All he had been able to think of was that hole in the ground and the simple wooden coffin that was slowly lowered into that dark pit. His vision was blurred by tears but there was nothing else he could do. Looking back now at that day, he thought one year wasn't enough to say good-bye and he wondered if even all the time in the world would ever be enough for it.

His birthdays were a constant reminder of his past. And still, Naruto always anticipated them with excitement like a little kid. Yes, his past was painful and yes, he will forever bear the scars but tomorrow the sun will shine again, for sure.

And each year that passes he grows up a little more and those wounds of the past hurt a little less.

~O~O~O~O~

It wasn't that he didn't know, because Naruto knew about the 'surprise birthday party', he just didn't expect for so many people to come.
There was a big sign hanging from the ceiling with the words 'HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY NARUTO!" written in big bold orange letters and colorful balloons all over the house. A table was set in the middle of the dining room and on it a huge chocolate cake (because there was nothing like chocolate!) with one eighteen-shaped candle sticking on it.

Naruto grinned back at all the faces around him. When he had opened the door, he was expecting just his family but he was greeted with loud and cheerful 'happy birthdays' from faces he didn't think he'd see again.
There was Sakura, pink hair gathered in a bun and a pink balloon in her hand, and there was Hanatsuki Ren(1) with his beautiful and shy chestnut eyes smiling at him. Aki(1) was right beside Ren, his arm around Ren's shoulders and he called 'happy birthday Uzumaki-kun'. Yuki(1) was there too, slightly to the side, with her usually blank eyes shining in mild happiness. Naruto smiled brightly at her. Haku was standing near Sakura, also holding a balloon. Neji and the timid Hinata were there too, each holding a wrapped present in their arms.
His own family was there of course, all five of them along with the dear Shizune who probably was the one who baked the cake. Naruto felt all warm inside seeing them all there. His gaze wondered off to the side and then he noticed someone else.

Charcoal black hair and blank obsidian eyes that were staring at him.

Sai.

"Sempai!" Naruto greeted him warmly. "I'm so happy to see you here!" Sai's expressionless was gone in favor of an awkward smile, which probably was not seen much on that face. "Happy birthday Uzumaki-kun," Sai was as monotone as ever but Naruto didn't need more than that. Sai handed him a small parcel wrapped up in a beatiful paper with nebulas on it. "I hope you like it," he said and went to have himself something to drink. Naruto smiled at him and put the present along with the others on the table. He would open them later.

Gaara was responsible for the music, and he put some of Naruto's most favorite songs, Akatsuki amongst them. Ten-Ten was soon dancing to the music, dragging Sakura and Ren along with her and then it was most of them dancing and singing along.
Naruto grasped Gaara's arm and pulled him to the temporary 'dance floor' (which was the living room floor) moving in accordance with the music. Gaara seemed reluctant but Naruto knew he enjoyed it. The truth was, Gaara was one of the best dancers Naruto had ever met and as the guests stared at him, Naruto assumed they thought the same. It was like Gaara's body was moving on its own. His movements were fluid and precise, not too much and not too little. It was seductive and yet seemed dangerous at the same time and his eys... Gaara's eyes shone with life whenever he danced.

They all watched Gaara in awe, but Naruto noticed one particular pair of pale eyes which their gaze was far more intense than the rest.

Naruto knew Hyuuga Neji had a crush on his brother, he just didn't know how big or serious it was. Neji's eyes were focused solely on Gaara, and Naruto watched as Neji suddenly made his way through the dancing people over to where Gaara was dancing. Gaara's expression was priceless when Neji began to move in accordance with him, their bodies fitting one another perfectly. Naruto laughed to himself, but the music was too loud for anyone else to hear. He watched in worry as Gaara suddenly stopped and tried to leave, but then (and Naruto heaved a sigh of relief) Neji caught him by the sleeve and pulled him back to him. Now Gaara was really reluctant but Neji began to move again and Gaara, suddenly, caught Naruto's amused look. He scowled at his brother but Naruto only gave him a grin in return. "Dance," he mouthed. Gaara gave him one last glare before sighing and than he began to dance once again. To say Neji was surprised would be an understatement because Neji was nearly stunned in place. However, he regained his composure very quickly, and as he moved his body in accordance with Gaara's, his eyes looked up and met Naruto's. "Thank you," he mouthed and Naruto gave him the thumbs up.

Time to eat Shizune's fabulous chocolate cake soon came and Naruto and all his family and gueests gathered around the table. Someone had lit the eighteen-shaped candle on top of the cake, and ten-Ten nudged Naruto to make a wish.

"Make a wish Naruto-kun!"
"Wish for mom to buy me those awesome headphones I've been dreaming of!"
"Ten-Ten!"
"Go on Naruto-kun, make a wish!"

Naruto closed his eyes. Make a wish? What could he wish for? It was not arrogance that made him think that. Naruto was content with his life and what he had. Really, why shouldn't he be? He had a wonderful family and very nice friends. His grades in school were pretty good, and lived a very pretty house in a beautiful city. What more could he ask for? It was not arrogance, it was merely contentment and happiness.

A thought came to his mind and he let himself smile.

Please let me have the strength and courage to help other people have such happiness as mine.

He took a deep breath and let it out, blowing off the candle. Cheers and claps later Shizune was cutting the cake and soon they were all eating Suizune's heavenly cake.

"So what did you wish for, Nii-chan?" Ten-Ten asked curiously. Gaara smacked her head playfully and said: "he can't tell us, silly. It won't come true." There was a moment of silence in which everyone stared, shocked, at Gaara untill he was too annoyed by it and snapped: "what's your friggin problem?"

"We were just surprised that you still believe in those things." Neji had the pleasure of witnessing Gaara blush for the first time, and it made him want to make the other boy blush again. Only, he imagined a much different situation, with a big bed and clothes all over the floor and... well.

"Go fuck off."

"Gaara!"

They laughed heartily and enjoyed some more music and cake before it was finally time to open the presents.

They settled on the carpet in the living room and to Tsunade, and probably everyone else, Naruto seemed like a kid in christmas. Well Christmas is also a kind of birthday.

"Open mine first," Sakura said and pointed to a square flat box wrapped in a bright orange paper. Naruto already liked it. He gently tore open the paper to reveal a white box with a strange symobol on it's lid. Inside was a leather bracelet, a complex braid bracelet. Naruto took it out and with Sakura's help put it on. The light brown leather felt soft against his skin.

"It's beautiful," he said. "Thank you Sakura-chan!"

Next up was Gaara's present. It was wrapped with deep red paper, Gaara's favorite color. "A dagger," Gaara revealed stoically beofre Naruto even opened it. "Gaara!" Naruto whined, "you're supposed to let me find out for myself!" Gaara blinked at him, not getting the idea at all. "What's so fun about that?" he asked and Naruto sighed in defeat.

It was a dagger alright. The blade was the length of his palm and the handle-about ten centimeters. The blade was deep red, crimson, the color of blood and beautiful carvings adorned each side of. It was obviously meant for decoration only.

"Isn't it, like, dangerous?" Temari asked, glancing worriedly at Gaara who remained expressionless.

"Don't worry nee-can, I won't accidentally stab myself," Naruto assured her with a sheepish smile. Everybody knew Naruto was kind of a klutz.

"You're supposed to stab Uchiha with it."
Silence. Everyone stared at Gaara. Naruto just stared at the dagger. More silence. Then suddenly Neji cracked up, infecting everyone else with his laugh and soon they were all laughing like they just heard the best joke to ever be told. Naruto wiped tears of laughter. "I'll be sure to consider it!" he told the scowling Gaara who didn't find anything amusing at all.

After that the ceremony of gift-opening was calmly resumed. Naruto received a cute T-shirt from Neji and a very cool and comfortable hoodie from Hinata, a new cool pair of boots from Ten-Ten, a very expensive set of watercolor brushes made of male sable fur(2) from Sai, a new pair of form fitting faded jeans from Ren and Aki, a very cute frog-shaped pouch from Yuki (she sewed it herself), a CD of Akatsuki's greatest hits from Haku, a book on design from Temari, three packs of condoms from Kankuro (which earned him a brutal smack on the head from Tsunade and caused Naruto to blush madly like the virgin he was), a soft wool blanket and a new set of pajams with cute red fox prints on it from the ever considerate Shizune and a cool dark red and black case for his laptop from Tsunade.

"Jiraya said he's sorry for not being able to have made it this year," Tsunade said and handed Naruto a parcel. "He sent you this. It better not be what I think it is."

Naruto had a heavy feeling inside that it was exactly what she (and he) thought it was. He opened the parcel.
The latest volume of Icha Icha Paradise. Kankuru and Ten-Ten busrt in laughter and temari pressed her lips. Gaara glared at the book as if it was a living evil monster and Shizune sighed. The rest just looked confused so Kankuro took it upon himself to explain. "It's porn in the disguise of literature." 'Oh' and 'ah' and they nodded, still not understanding it all but pretending to.

"Jiraya you're a dead man," Tsunade declared dangerously and everyone had the common sense not to anger her any further.

The party ended not very long after that and the guests began to leave one after one. Aki and Yuki left together since they lived close to each other. sai was picked up by some butler, as was Haku. Sakura and Ren left after Naruto assured Sakura that there was no need to help them with cleaning up and then only Neji and Hinata.

Neji approached Naruto when all his family was busy cleaning up and pulled him to the side. Naruto stared in confusion as Neji pulled out something from inside his expensive jacket. It was and envelope, brown and simple like they send bills and formal government letters in.

"Sasuke asked me to give it to you," Neji said in a low voice. It was not really the truth, but it wasn't really a lie either. He handed the Naruto the envelope. Naruto's eyes widened for a moment before he took it and stared at it with an ominous feeling in his stomach.

"Don't look too scared," Neji smirked. "It's your birthday gift." and with that he and Hinata left, they too had been picked up by someone.

In his room, Naruto put all his presents on his desks except for Sasuke's gift. He stared at it, anxious to know what was inside and at the same time nervous. He hadn't expected Sasuke to be at his party but holding his gift now, Naruto couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed at his absence. God, he was such a girl sometimes.

Should he open the envelope? Was it worth the risk? Well, what in the name of Kyuubi could possibly in there? What could possibly happen? he bit his lip and tried to decide what to do. It was Sasuke's birthday gift to him after all. It would offense him if Naruto didn't open it. But then again it was from Sasuke, the one person who meant trouble for Naruto. What should he do? In the end he decided that to hell with it all and opened it.

He reached inside and could feel some sort of hard paper. Before he even pulled it out, Naruto already knew that it was a photograph. But what surprised him was rather what was in the photograph.

Two kids, about the age of twelve were seen in it. One had the blackest hair and eyes and the other had bright blue eyes and wild blonde hair. He gasped,the shock making him drop the photograph to the floor. When he bent down to pick it up he saw that the photo was flipped. On its back were words in black ink.

"Happy birthday dobe. Do cherish this gift, it's the only copy I had. I believe you. Sasuke"

.o.O.O.o.

A/N:

(1) - I bet you didn't remember those guys. Ren, Aki and Yuki are from the art-club back at Leaf Academy.

(2) - Those brushes Sai gave Naruto are actually very expensive. They're made of the hair found on the tips of the russian male Kolinsky red sable's winter coat. It was determined as the finest watercolor brushes. Being the rich kid he is, Sai can afford them as a gift fot Naruto whom he sees as an important key to something (and that's kind of a spoiler, but not really).

Random Babbling:
My little brother started attending high-school and it's a boarding school (most of us go to boarding schools in my community). I recently found out they have bullet-proof windows over there!

-HairoM