A/N: Just the usual applies here. Thanks for reading and reviewing this story. It makes me happy that so many people are reading it. Please continue to read and leave feedback. In the last chapter, we saw Rise and Kaze finally become a couple. However, due to my inspirations for love stories (ie, Suzuka and Sekirei) its not going to be a perfect romance. I warn you now, it will be turbulent, from the very beginning. So keep that in mind as we continue forward. That said, let's begin with chapter fifteen.

Chapter Fifteen: Stormy Birthday

Four months had passed since Rise and Kaze had unified. Rise noticed there wasn't much of a difference in each day, but she didn't mind because she was happy. Her parents still did not know about her and Kaze. She awoke on April 10th, to see the sky covered in dark clouds. She sighed. She knew today was Kaze's thirteenth birthday. She opened her closet and she looked for something to wear. She knew it was going to rain, so she took her long pants and a long sleeved shirt out and put them on. She looked at herself in the mirror and she nodded.

"Not bad."

She said to her reflection. Rise had taken a lot of measures to improve her natural beauty. She knew Kaze didn't care how she looked, but she did. She was a thirteen year old girl, and she wanted to look her best. She pulled her hair back behind her shoulders and let it hang freely. She then opened her door and she stepped into the hallway. She turned her head to both sides, looking for Kaze. She didn't see him anywhere.

"Huh. I wonder where he is?"

She said and she moved to the living room, sitting at the couch. She closed her eyes and she thought to herself. Maybe he went home. Today is his birthday after all. He really misses his mom and dad. Rise was a rather sensitive young girl, and she knew Kaze better than anyone. She laid back against the couch and she covered herself with a blanket as a chill swept into the room. She shivered and curled up in a ball. She hated being cold. As she was about to fall asleep, she heard a door open in the hallway. The familiar sight of flame red hair made her heart leap. She bolted upright as soon as he entered the room.

"Kaze!"

She said and she hugged him tightly.

"Happy birthday."

She whispered and she buried her face in his shoulder. Kaze put his arms around her and hugged her close to him, with his right hand in the small of her back. Rise squirmed and he grinned.

"You're ticklish on your back aren't you?"

He said and Rise pushed him playfully.

"You better not tickle me."

She said and Kaze chuckled. He held her close to him and whispered.

"This is the best birthday present I could ever ask for. Thank you Rise."

Their eyes met and they moved closer slowly. Just as their lips were about to meet, a knock came at the door. Kaze blushed and looked down. Rise patted his chest and she held up her finger in her trademark gesture. Kaze grinned and sat on the couch as Rise opened the door. She stepped back to let her and Kaze's parents into the house.

"Mom! Dad!"

Kaze cried and he ran to his parents' side. Gaara looked down at his son and he hugged him. Gaara was not dressed in his Kazekage robes. He was dressed as a normal citizen, as was Matsuri. Matsuri hugged her son and kissed him.

"I'm glad to see you are well Kaze."

Gaara said to his son. Gaara's eyes alighted on Rise and he smiled.

"Rise, come here and say hello to Matsuri and I."

Rise stood up and she stood in front of Gaara, who smiled.

"You've grown since I saw you last at the tournament Rise. Have you been studying hard?"

Gaara asked the young girl. Rise felt the heat rising in her face. She opened her mouth to speak, and she stammered.

"I'm top of the class."

She managed to make out, regaining her composure. Even after twelve years, Rise wasn't used to being addressed by the Kazekage. Her mother had taught her from a very young age to show proper respect to everyone. Rise bowed low and she closed her lavender eyes. Gaara bowed to her as well and he spoke.

"I'm sure your parents are most proud of you. Kaze is also doing very well."

Kaze smiled and he led his parents inside the living room. Gaara and Matsuri sat across from Naruto and Hinata, as if in a business meeting.

"Naruto, Hinata, thank you for looking after Kaze. I have something to give to both of them. First, Kaze, happy birthday my son. You know what today means. Its the say you become a man in our village. Hold out your hands son."

Gaara reached into his satchel and drew out a falcon feather bracelet, identical to the one Rise was wearing now. Kaze could feel his eyes watering, but he splashed the tears away. Gaara noticed that Rise was wearing an identical bracelet and he grinned inwardly. Gaara and Matsuri knew what had happened between them. Gaara then drew out two small boxes once Kaze had put on his bracelet.

"This is a Konohagakure tradition, or so Naruto and Hinata tell me. These earrings represent an oath. Rise, Kaze, the four of us have agreed to the two of you taking our oaths. Syao and Lyn already have. Normally we wouldn't ask you to take the oath until you become Genin, but you two are very special children. Kaze, will you take my oath?"

After Gaara's small speech, Kaze nodded and he stood up as he took his father's hands. Gaara spoke, with Matsuri's hands resting on her husband and son's.

"I solemnly swear that I will protect my nindo, as well as the Uzumaki and the Desert Clans. I will protect my friends and their families as a Shinobi."

Kaze repeated every word that his father had said. Gaara smiled down at his son and he handed him the small hoop earrings that he had seen others wearing. Kaze pierced his ears there and then with the earrings, letting out a soft cry of pain each time. He looked up at his father, who was wearing a prideful smile. Naruto then stood up and he took the earrings.

"Rise, please take my oath."

Rise stood up and she looked at her father. Naruto took his daughter's hands in his and he spoke in a very serious tone as Hinata placed her hands on both of theirs.

"Rise, repeat after me. I, Rise Sayuri Uzumaki, do solemnly swear to uphold the laws of the Shinobi. I live to protect the village of Konohagakure, her leader and her family. As a member of both the Uzumaki and Hyuga clans, I will protect the secrets and mysteries of my clans. As a Shinobi, I will follow my dreams and protect the Uchiha, Uzumaki and Desert clans will all my strength, that one day, I may lead when my mother and father have passed on."

Rise followed every word her father had said. Naruto then hugged his youngest child and he placed the earrings in her hand. Rise had already pierced her ears, and she slid the earrings into her ears. Matsuri then stood up and she drew out a small cake.

"I'm sorry we couldn't have a big party for you Kaze. I hope this will do."

Kaze hugged his mother and he kissed her cheek.

"I have everything and everyone I need in this room. I have my parents, my friends, and my love."

Naruto and Hinata shot looks of alarm at each other. They then spoke one word in unison.

"Love?"

Their eyes locked on Rise, and she felt the heat rise in her face again. Naruto's face softened.

"I knew it was only a matter of time, Hina."

Hinata's eyes watered and she nodded.

"A matter of time indeed. They're perfect for each other."

Gaara and Matsuri nodded.

"We just ask that you be wise. Don't announce it to the world. Tell only those you trust."

Kaze and Rise nodded at their parents. Gaara smiled and he stood up.

"Unfortunately, we have to leave now Kaze. There's a storm coming in. Its going to be raining for five days, and if we don't leave now, we'll be stuck here. So, I want you to continue to study hard, and we'll see you again at the final exam. Goodbye my son. I love you."

Kaze hugged his father and he smiled. Matsuri knelt down and whispered to her son, so that only he could hear her.

"Kaze, you're a good boy. Keep Rise happy. And don't do anything you'll regret. Be her pillar of strength and watch over her. Good bye for now."

Matsuri kissed her son and she stood up. Kaze watched his parents leave and he sighed. He wanted to spend more time with them. Rise smiled at him, knowing he was sad. Naruto and Hinata then stood up. Hinata then spoke to the two of them.

"We have to leave as well. We have a mission that will take us a week. Kushina is out of the village, and Syao and Lyn are on a mission with their sensei. That means you two will be here alone for a few days. Please be careful. And we'll leave some Ryo out, so budget it and eat out in the village. Dress warmly and -"

Naruto cut her off with a kiss.

"Hina, they're thirteen. What's the worst that could happen? They're the same age Hanabi was when she started dating Konohamaru."

Hinata shook her head.

"Remember what happened all those years ago? I don't want that happening to my baby girl!"

Naruto sighed.

"Do you actually think Kaze would do that to Rise and you?"

Hinata looked like she had been slapped.

"I'm sorry. Kaze is a good boy. I apologize Kaze, Naruto. We should be going. Here's the Ryo. Fifteen thousand should be enough."

Hinata peeled off the money and handed it to Rise, who hugged her mother and father.

"We'll be fine. You just come back safely."

Her parents nodded and they left. Rise turned to Kaze, who was looking out the window.

"I'm sorry Kaze. She's overprotective."

Kaze said nothing for a long time, but he turned to look at her after it started to rain.

"Its not that. I'm just like any other thirteen year old boy. I just don't express it like Nanjo, Hiro and Syao. I have all the same desires and fantasies, Rise."

Rise smiled and hugged him from behind.

"You may have those, but you don't act on them. That's why you're different."

Rise whispered into his ear and Kaze turned around, holding her. Their eyes met again and they moved closer. Just as their lips were about to meet, a bright flash of lightning struck, causing them to jump. They looked at each other and laughed. Their day was just beginning.

TO BE CONTINUED...