A/N: Usually I update on weekends, but I have a chance to write, so I am. This chapter will be kind of long. I've been wanting to further develop Nanjo and the other characters. Note that there will be fights between friends in this chapter, and rivalries will be formed. This will be very emotional. And I have a poll up on my profile. Please vote. That said, let's begin.

Chapter Thirteen: Teenage Dream

The summer season passed rapidly. Autumn had come for the village of Konoha. The tenth day of October was a meaningful day for the Uzumaki Clan. It was the day Rise turned thirteen. Rise awoke in her bed and she looked out her window. The sun was shining high in the sky without a cloud in sight. Rise crossed to her windowsill and she sat. Every day since she could remember she sang a verse from the song her mother had sung to her when she was younger. Today was no different.

"Lady Moon and Lord Sun finally met and fell in love."

Rise smiled dreamily as she thought back to the night at the lake. She remembered Kaze holding her. She remembered saying good night to him in that hallway, and the warmth. She chuckled and she flung open her closet. They had the day off from the Academy for graduation preparations. Syao and Lyn were soon going to become Genin. Rise picked out a black skirt and a black halter shirt. Rise grinned when she though of what her mother would say. With age, Rise had grown more and more mischievous. She liked to test people's patience, a trait she had inherited from her father. She dressed quickly and she stepped out of her room and into the hallway. Kaze greeted her with a red face. Her shirt showed some of her small cleavage and her skirt showed quite a bit of leg.

"Happy birthday Rise."

He whispered and he hugged her. Rise grinned as she saw his red face.

"Thank you."

Kaze patted her back and Rise squirmed. She wasn't used to being touched. She pulled back as Kaze had his face on the floor. I never knew he was so modest. Then again, after seeing Nanjo and Yuzu that night, its not a surprise. Speaking of which, I never did ask him what he meant by Nanjo beating him. Rise thought to herself. Kaze looked up her body slowly and he swallowed hard.

"Your mom wanted me to tell you that the party is starting later, and that you and I are to go out and away from the house until 3PM."

Kaze was already dressed in his usual attire. His red hair had grown considerably in the last year, and he now wore his hair over his right eye and pulled up into a sharp point. His emerald green eyes were radiant as ever. Rise was in high spirits as her father came out of the bedroom. She jumped at him and kissed his cheek.

"Happy birthday Daddy!"

She cried exuberantly. Naruto Uzumaki turned thirty-one today. He hugged his youngest child and he gave her a sly look.

"Don't let your mother see you dressed like that. And happy birthday Rise. Thirteen at last. One more year and you'll be a Genin."

Rise smiled and she nodded. As if on cue, Hinata came into the hallway and she saw Rise.

"Rise Sayuri! You go and put on more appropriate clothes right now! Or at least a jacket."

Rise rolled her eyes so that only Kaze could see. Kaze snickered and smiled an I told you so smile. Rise opened her door and she changed her shirt from the halter top to a more reserved V neck. Hinata nodded in approval and she handed Rise a headband.

"You might want to pull your hair back. Its getting really long Rise."

Rise adjusted her hair in the mirror until she was satisfied, and then she gave a little twirl to her onlookers. Hinata was beaming and Naruto was grinning. He whispered to his wife and kissed her cheek.

"Hairstyle aside, she looks just like you Hina. She's going to be one hell of a beauty."

Hinata nodded and she smiled.

"She already is beautiful. Lyn, Syao and Kaze too. Oh! Kaze, I have a letter for you from your father."

Hinata went into the living room and she drew out a small scroll from a basket. She handed it to Kaze and she shooed the children out the door. Rise waved at her mother and held up three fingers, to which Hinata nodded, indicating to her child to be home by 3PM. Rise then turned to Kaze, who had the scroll in his hands, a grin on his face.

"What's up Kaze?"

Rise asked quizzically. Kaze was speechless.

"Its just my father has agreed for me to stay, for good. Lady Tsunade and your father think its wiser, but they didn't say why."

Rise's giddy smile changed into one of bliss.

"That's wonderful. It makes me really happy."

Kaze smiled at her. For that moment, time seemed to freeze. That smile set a mood that would last the rest of the day. Kaze and Rise headed out to Ichiraku and ordered two bowls of pork bone ramen. Halfway through the meal, Nanjo came by and joined them. Kaze and Nanjo, despite being rivals, had become good friends.

"Happy birthday Rise! I got you this. I don't think it would be wise if I came to your party. Lyndis hates me."

Nanjo had given a small envelope to Rise, which the young girl opened. Inside were a packet of free meal tickets for the restaurants around town. Rise smiled at Nanjo and she hugged her. Nanjo hugged her back and Rise spoke.

"Lyn doesn't hate you. You're more than welcome to come to the party. I'll keep Lyn off your back so you can have some fun."

Nanjo smiled a soft smile.

"Thank you. And Kaze, I heard you're here to stay. It'll be nice having you around. I can't have a rival who lives in another Hidden Village."

Nanjo extended his hand to Kaze. Kaze smiled and he shook Nanjo's hand firmly. A swirl of leaves wrapped around the three of them, as if binding them together. Rise laid her hand on theirs and she whispered.

"Maybe we'll be a three-man cell when we're Genin."

Rise said and the two young boys nodded.

"That would indeed be wonderful. Its almost three. We should head back Rise. Nanjo, why don't you come with us?"

Kaze had said. Nanjo nodded and he smiled.

"Mind if I bring someone?"

Rise had a feeling who it was, but she nodded.

"Of course. We'll meet you at my home."

Nanjo nodded and he headed off in the direction of the Hokage Tower. Kaze chuckled.

"I bet you 500 Ryo that he's bringing Yuzu. They're going to be all over each other."

Rise nodded and she reached her hand out to hold Kaze's. Kaze gripped her hand tightly as they walked back to the Uzumaki Manor. They let go just before they reached the house. Kaze and Rise had been close since they first met at her second birthday party, and they were only a few weeks apart. Rise opened the front door of her house and she was met by a grim silence. Kaze had a look of worry on his face. They went out into the back yard to see nothing. Rise looked down, but she heard a deafening cheer.

"Happy birthday Rise!"

The back yard melted into a party all at once. Rise laughed.

"A Genjutsu! Real clever Dad!"

Naruto hugged his daughter and she looked up at him.

"We are Shinobi you know. Come on and eat."

Just then the doorbell rang. Rise's head shot up and she ran to the door. She opened it and Nanjo and Yuzu were standing there, Yuzu hanging on to Nanjo's arm.

"Glad you could make it, both of you."

Rise said and she led them to the back yard. They sat around, ate and talked for a long while. Rise eventually stood up and she smiled at her mother.

"Everyone, Rise has something to say."

Hinata had said. Rise stood and she spoke.

"Its been an amazing year for all of us. Everyone has made me happy to be alive, but there's one person here today who I am most thankful for. He knows who he is, and he's here to stay for good."

Rise looked directly at Kaze and he felt all eyes on him. He felt the heat rise in his face. A silence fell over the yard, and Serah was glaring at them both. Rise ignored it and she sat back down. They proceeded to open gifts. Rise pulled out several new outfits, especially one that really surprised her. From her mother, she received several new shirts much like the one she had this morning, albeit less revealing. Rise smiled and hugged her mother. Last was a present from Kaze. Kaze grinned as he handed her a small box.

"Its something I made for you."

Rise opened the box and drew out a small feather bracelet.

"Its made of falcon down feathers. In Sunagakure, we give these to thirteen year-olds as a kind of rite of passage. The feathers are supposed to represent peace and hidden strength. My father is giving me one in a few weeks, on my birthday."

Kaze smiled and he saw Rise was pleased. Rise hugged him affectionately and she rested her head on his shoulder. Hinata smiled and she whispered softly to Naruto.

"Just like us."

Naruto nodded and everyone clapped, except for Serah. She looked like she was about to cry. She looked down and she sighed heavily. The party ended with that, leaving Serah with Kaze and Rise. Serah broke down once everyone left them alone.

"I guess its pretty obvious. I knew he'd choose you Rise."

Rise moved to hug her best friend. Serah sobbed into Rise's shoulder.

"Serah, Kaze and I match on so many levels. He's the only person who knows what its like to hold a monster. I need someone like that. Serah, you're my best friend. You always will be, but Kaze and I... we just click."

Serah leaned back and she dried her eyes.

"I know Rise. I was just being selfish. We're best friends, so let's not let anything between us. Besides, there's someone I kind of like."

Serah imitated Rise's trademark finger gesture. Rise knew better. She chuckled and they talked. Kaze looked up into the sky, only to see a falcon fly overhead.

"Beautiful."

He whispered. Kaze loved falcons. He knew better than to listen to girl talk, so he entered the house. He saw Naruto and Hinata talking, so he entered his room. He laid on his bed and he fell asleep.

Rise stayed in the back yard with Serah for a long time. They may have fought over Kaze, but they came out of it stronger. Serah eventually gave the name of the boy she liked.

"Hiro."

She said and she giggled. Serah, strong as she was, was still a young girl and had emotions. Rise gave a slight grin and she stood up.

"Your mom said you could stay the night, right? Let's go inside. Its cold and I want to sleep."

The two young girls entered Rise's room and talked for a long time. Serah eventually tired herself out and fell asleep. Rise lasted only a few moments longer and she had good dreams that night, instead of the usual nightmares that plagued her.

TO BE CONTINUED...