Father Figure

This is my birthday fiction for Naruto... which also happens to be about his birthday. Sweet. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY NARUTO! ( I know it’s Oct. 10... but my memory is crap so I’m submitting it now before I forget and it’s too late.)

Oh... and I love you my duckling’s. This is my most reviewed fiction, even over what I thought was my most popular “Teach Me Sensei”. *Huggles you all* Thanks for the support and keep it coming. Hey... If I get over 350...(which would only mean all those on alert have to review), then maybe I reveal a secret in the next one... or smex. You can vote in your review. That might be tough... sex or secret.... secret or sex... well you decide.

Oh. And a Happy Birthday to you Akina. This is your birthday present, and is joint with Naruto. So you’ll share and you’ll both enjoy it. Got me? Oh and just because I can.... ALL BOW DOWN TO LINUS.

Something Sacred, In Your Eyes
Chapter 10

The day had begun just like any other, with Naruto dragging his weary body out of bed and throwing himself in the shower, the thrum of the water pattering against his head soothed his headache, while he could feel his muscles relaxing against the heat. The blonde couldn’t help to let out a small sigh as he felt his stress melt away by the minute. He couldn’t help but let out a disappointed moan as he forced himself to reach over to turn off the water, and step out of the shower. Moments of such pure bliss were far between and the teen wanted to savour it as much as possible.

Reaching into his drawer he went about his preparations for the day, picking out his clothing and changing before heading out into his kitchen. It wasn’t until he glanced at the calendar on the front of his fridge that he realized it was his birthday.

‘I’m thirteen...’ Naruto thought with a smile before a devious grin replaced it. ‘and old enough to seduce Kakashi-sensei.’

The thought helped to brighten the teen’s spirit, despite the heavy weight he felt in the pit of his stomach. His birthday was never really a happy day for the teen. In his earlier years his parent’s had celebrated with him, but there was something so superficial about the entire event, as if they were simply going through the motions. They had even given him gift certificates, showing that they had no idea what to get him, and that they hadn’t put much thought into the event. In fact it wasn’t until Yoshi was three that he got his favourite present...

- - - - - - - Hello... I am an unoriginal line that separates present time from flash back because the author still hasn’t figured out a way to slowly slide into a flashback.... I wish you a good day - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A three year old Yoshi stumbled over to his brother sitting in the corner while all the other children were playing out in the yard, children that Naruto had no inclination to play with. He was more than satisfied to sit alone and read one of the books he had gotten as a present from Jiraya-san. Under normal circumstances he would have thrown it away due to the nature of the pervert’s novels, but he couldn’t help but become interested when he saw his own name as the title.

The three year old flopped down beside his older brother, crumbs from the cake they had eaten earlier still present on his plump cheeks. The small boy poked Naruto in the arm, huffing when the blonde ignored him, and decided to poke a little harder. Naruto could barely contain his laughter at the sight of his baby brother pouting and poking away like a storm. Within a split second he made a sneak attack, tickling the boy along his sides until the smaller form erupted in giggles so loud that the rest of the party halted for a second to stare at the pair before going back to their own business.

When Yoshi finally begged for mercy the older boy decided to let up, after all he had just turned seven and he had to act somewhat responsibly.

“Onii-chan?” The sprite asked.

“Hm.”

“Why don’t you play with us?”

“I just don’t feel like it. I don’t like birthday’s very much.” Naruto said, putting down his book.

“What’s a birfday?” The boy asked his brows furrowing.

Naruto couldn’t help but smile, despite having already had three himself Yoshi still failed to grasp the concept of a birthday. “It’s a day where people come over to celebrate when you were born. They usually eat cake, and give presents. It’s to show how much they love you, and is happy that you were brought to this world.”

“Oh! So they give you things you like?”

“Yeah. Pretty much.”

With that Yoshi took off at a sprint, travelling as fast as his little legs would take him. Naruto looked off at the disappearing form and shook his head, wondering what the boy was up to. Sighing he went back to his book, thinking that the boy had found something else better to do and had abandoned him like the rest of the party goers. However he was tapped on the shoulder not a moment later only to have a red plushie stuffed into his face.

Naruto blinked before holding the stuffed animal out in front of him. It was a little stuffed fox, one that represented the Kyuubi. Minato had given it to Yoshi when he had turned three, while he sat the boy down and explained the creature that was locked away within Naruto. The boy didn’t quite understand but it was something that had to be said, no doubt he would start hearing things in the playgrounds soon enough, and they had to work fast in order to stop the preconceptions that would begin to form.

Although he failed to understand he still fell in love with the plushie, proclaiming it to be his favourite. There wasn’t a day that went by that Naruto didn’t see him carting the raggedy things around behind him. The boy found it ironic that his brother loved his Kyuubi plushie so much, while others hated the beast with a passion.

“Yoshi what’s this?”

“I’m giving you kyu-kyu.” The boy replied with a toothful smile.

Naruto ruffled his bothers hair and tried to hand him back. “He’s yours Yoshi, not mine. You keep him.”

At that the small boy’s eyes began to water slightly as he gave a look of confusion. “B-but you said on your birfday, you give presents cause you luv them, and are happy for them, and I luv you Onii-san”

Naruto felt ping in his heart before he grabbed his little brother close and gave him a big hug. “I love you too Yoshi, thank you for the gift, I’ll cherish it above all others.”

The red head gave him a brilliant smile and a small hug before running off to join the other children leaving Naruto there holding the plushie, one of the most thoughtful gifts he had ever gotten, something he cherished above all others.

- - - - - - - Hey, I’m back again so I guess that means she finished the flashback... - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

In fact it was something he still cherished to this day. Looking to his shelf Naruto could still see the raggedy old plushie sitting there staring at him. He couldn’t help but think that the fox smiled at him.

A knock on the door pulled the teen from his revelry. Ever since Kakashi had walked in on him naked he had taken to locking the door, even when he was in the apartment. He was surprised to see the faces of his two teammates staring back at him as he opened the door, before he was blasted with a loud, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” from Sakura, and a slightly more subdued birthday wishes from Sasuke.

He couldn’t help but feel a warm simmer in the pit of his stomach knowing that his teammates had remembered, but that glimmer of happiness dulled when he realized that Kakashi was missing. ‘I shouldn’t have expected anything more.’ Naruto thought to himself, after all he was the one who had ended up chasing the man off before.

Sakura seemed to notice the slight change in his demeanour because she had grabbed him around the middle and pulled him into a hug before he could say a word in protest. Sasuke attempted to stay clear from the hugging duo, before he looked down to see a hand grasping the front of his collar before being jerked forward. Naruto couldn’t help but smile at the raven’s expression of distaste and loathing that attempted to mask the smallest of grins.

He felt Sasuke’s arm travel around his waist, while all three of their foreheads touched lightly. Naruto could barely hold back his tears. It had been so long since he was touch and held this way. So long since he had been given a hug instead of taking one. It felt good.

Eventually the three pulled away, Sasuke scowling, Sakura giggling, and Naruto smiling brilliantly. Sakura looked the teen up and down before pushing him back into the house and ordering him to put his shoes on and to lock the door.

“Why?” Naruto asked, while still following the pinkette’s orders.

“Because I said so... we have something planned for you today.”

Moments after the teen stepped out of the door and locked it shut he found his eyes covered, before a pair of arms slinked around his waist, and he was hoisted off his feet. He was about three seconds from panicking before he heard Sasuke’s voice telling him to calm down, and that they wanted it to be a surprise. He allowed himself to be carried off to where ever his team mates had planned.

Despite the fact that Naruto had lost his ability to move around and touch, and his sight was blocked, he still had the ability to hear and smell, and between the two he was overwhelmed. By the time he was finally placed back onto his feet with his headband removed he was already shaking with anticipation.

Naruto’s eyes couldn’t help but brighten as he entered into the front of the street. The entire area was lit from top to bottom with various lanterns, while there were stands lining the entirety of the street. Children were laughing and chasing after one another as their parent’s shared a secret joke. There was fragrant smoke billowing from the various food stands, and a mixture of smells filling the air.

He could smell various meats, and dango’s cooking, with the smell of spices and flower’s weaved their way into the heady bouquet . There were game stands, stands with beautiful clothes and clothing displayed, and sweet little masks for children to put on. Naruto could make out a plushie stand to the side which seemed to be selling the same kind of Kyuubi plushies as the one his father had gotten for his brother.

Naruto couldn’t help to ask why there was a festival. Sakura looked perplexed while Sasuke frowned. “You don’t know about the festival of lights?”

Naruto shook his head, while Sakura and Sasuke exchanged a look. “The Festival was put in place as a celebration to the day that the Kyuubi was sealed, and in remembrance of the third who gave up his life.” Sakura said.

Naruto couldn’t help but freeze. No wonder he had never heard of the festival, it was celebrating the day a man died to put a monster in its place, while the citizens still believed the monster to be alive. Naruto felt his heart sink.

“I shouldn’t be here.” He whispered taking a step back.

Sasuke grabbed his arm before he could pull away. “You deserve to be here just as much as anyone else dobe. In fact I’d say you deserve it more than anyone.”

“Sasuke they won’t like be being here. This won’t go well.” Naruto said shaking his head.

“Please just give this a try, for us Naruto...” Sakura pleaded.

Sighing the blonde rubbed his forehead, this wasn’t going to go well, but he would do it, for them. He nodded his head watching as a giant smile crossed Sakura’s face, and Sasuke gave a small smirk. ‘Its worth it so long as they are happy.’

“So what do we want to do first?” Sakura asked taking Naruto’s arm, and dragging him into the bustling street.

The trio walked down the streets, taking in the sights, while Nauto and Sasuke waited for Sakura to paw at various items in booths. Despite the fact that Naruto was remaining mostly quiet, to avoid attention from the citizens he was having a good time. Sakura had already bought a couple of items, one of them being a small ramen shaped barrette which she had clipped into Naruto’s hair, despite his protests. The teen had pouted for a couple of moments saying he wasn’t a girl, but stopped when Sasuke commented that he did in fact look good in it.

Sakura couldn’t help but laugh as the blonde’s ego had been puffed up from the simple comment. He had an almost strut to his walk, sending them a big smile as he cut the pompous act. Sasuke handed a small scroll to Naruto, when the blonde raised an eyebrow in questioned the raven had replied that there were a couple of useful techniques known only to the Uchiha clan in there. Naruto was floored by the trust Sasuke had given him but the raven shook it off.

“You may not be the brightest at times, but you’re always trustworthy.” Sasuke said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Naruto felt sick. Yes he was trustworthy, but he still hadn’t told his teammates about his new ANBU position. True he wasn’t allowed to on punishment of death, but he trusted them. Even with his life.
Sakura was having an absolute blast, and Sasuke had even found himself enjoying the festivities.

It wasn’t until they stopped in one booth to grab a small cake to celebrate that all hell broke loose. Apparently everyone had been too caught up in their own activities to notice the blonde walking down the street and staying out of the way, or if they did he disappeared too quickly for them to notice. However the moment that Naruto stopped to sit down with his two teammates at the table he was accosted by the owner.

“Get out of here you demon filth. What makes you think you have to right to come here today of all days?!” The man spat, his face twisted with anger.

Naruto could see it in his eyes. He had lost a loved one to the Kyuubi. Those people were the worst, it wasn’t their loss alone that caused their pain, but they saw Naruto as the demon himself, despite the fact that he was a container and not the beast itself.

“I’m sorry sir. I apologize for your loss.” Naruto said with a bow, his expression sincere. He truly felt sorry for those who had lost someone dear, and at times he couldn’t help but think that for some reason it was his fault.

Sasuke and Sakura were still sitting looking back and forth between the two with confused expressions. With Naruto’s bow the man’s face turned red, and his eyes flashed with anger before he lunged forward to grab Naruto by the collar, lifting him off the floor.

“You fucking lying piece of demon shit. DON’T YOU DARE TELL ME YOU ARE SORRY. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I’M FEELING!”

“I’m sorry...” Naruto said weakly, looking into the man’s pain filled eyes.

“You don’t even know the meaning of sorry. You don’t have to feel sorry that you left your wife and child at home that day, or that you were at the bar when the house was crushed. You know they weren’t even an intended victim, just a worthless little causality on the side, just a flick of the tail and my entire life was taken from me. You didn’t have to stumble home to find your house collapsed, frantically digging to try and find your 1 year old son, and wife. You haven’t collapsed with your fingers bleeding, holding the corpse of your baby boy. You haven’t laid down blaming yourself each night that maybe if you had taken your son to the park like you had promised, instead of going out drinking that they would have survived. So don’t you fucking DARE tell me you’re sorry.” The man said shaking the teen.

Naruto’s eyes were streaming with tears, his lips quivering and his eyes filled with anguish. He couldn’t express how he felt at that moment. “I’m sorry, so sorry, oh god. I’m sorry.” He couldn’t help but repeat the words over and over like a mantra. There was nothing else he could say or do.

“GET OUT! GET THE FUCK OUT BEFORE I MAKE YOUR BROTHER AN ONLY CHILD!” The man yelled tossing the teen from the restaurant, his eyes watering beneath the surface before he was forced to turn away and flee into the back room.

Naruto landed on his feet like a cat merely off of instinct. The street was silent, all eyes were on him. Watching as the Kyuubi container collapsed, crying, sobbing on the street, his entire body shivering. Sasuke and Sakura were frozen, the sheer emotion coming out of both parties was tangible. It was Sasuke that broke the haze first. He shakily got out of his seat and made his way over to the teen in the fetal position and placed his arms around him.

“Get out of here you demon filth, we don’t want your fake tears!” A crowd member yelled.

“Child murderer!”

“I heard he had even tried to kill his baby brother.”

Shouting and whispers in the crowd grew, while Sasuke remained standing over Naruto protectively, Sakura joining to stand beside him.

A single ANBU member leapt from a building, landing in front of the crowd and staring them down. Sasuke’s eyes widened in recognition, while the ANBU looked back towards the three.

“I ask that all of you disperse and return to your festival activities before the Hokage is forced to come down here and deal with you himself. I trust that you realize that he would be much harsher then I would.”

The faces in the crowd paled as the ANBU spoke. They all quickly nodded their heads, while a few grumbled, reluctantly leaving the circle and returning back to their former activities. Naruto lifted his head up and gave the ANBU a small nod, thanking him before getting to his feet with help of Sasuke and Sakura.

“I’m sorry guys. I didn’t mean to ruin the festival for you.”

Sakura glanced towards Sasuke whose brows were furrowed in anger, the raven grinded his teeth before speaking. “There’s no need for you to apologize because some ignorant citizen’s feel they are superior. They don’t know you like we do.”

“Yeah. Screw them all, we don’t need any prissy festival games to have fun!” Sakura said giving the teen a wink.

Naruto couldn’t help but look towards the two people he considered closer than family, his bottom lip trembled before he was able to bite it into submission and regain his composure, and brilliant smile crossing his face.

“Let’s go. We’ll go collect some food from my place and then we’ll make our own fun.” Sakura said squeezing Naruto’s hand lightly.

Naruto couldn’t help but smile. He wiped away the tear tracks from his face and brushed himself off. He gave a nod of the head, and a thumbs up.

“Yeah, let’s blow this popsicle stand.” He said with a grin.

Incidentally the popsicle stand owner only a few feet away from the team heard the blonde’s comment and immediately turned pale. The villagers were slightly surprised to find the man had managed to literally pick up his business and relocate it manually within seconds.

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Naruto had enjoyed helping Sakura in the kitchen, making a couple of simple things such as sandwiches and a few rice balls. Sasuke had left the two a little while ago, Naruto had no idea where the teen was off to, but figured that it would be a surprise. By the time they had organized all the food, and placed it into a basket for travelling, the Raven had returned with a package that remained closed.

The trio took off on a nice stroll through the streets of Konoha, making sure to stay away from the festival, before they finally decided to break for dinner on top of the Hokage mountain, taking a seat on top of the heads, much to Naruto’s delight.

It was peaceful there, with a nice breeze travelling through. They had finished their meal, and were delighted to find that Sasuke had managed to procure a cake for Naruto, complete with a little piece of Naruto on the top for decoration. The smile that lit up the blonde’s face was well worth the line up Sasuke had endured to retrieve the treat. He hated sweet things, but ate his portion of the cake anyways, if just to make the blonde happy.

Having filled their stomachs the three lay down on the blanket they had brought, laying so that their heads all touched, as they stared off into the sky.

“You know. I’m starting to understand why Shikamaru enjoys looking at the clouds so much.” Naruto said with a laugh.

“Why’s that?” Sakura asked turning her head slightly.

“Look.” He replied pointing towards a particular cloud that looked like a pair of breasts, complete with the nipples.

Sakura smacked him upside the head and called him a hentai, while Sasuke was horrified to find he couldn’t look away. Those clouds were like a train wreck, horrible and disturbing to him, but he couldn’t help but watch.

Sakura saw his gaze and couldn’t help but give him a smack too. After all it was only fair. “I can’t believe I’m on a team with two perverts.”

“Three.”

“Huh?”

“Three.” Sasuke said again. “Kakashi is worse than all of us, you know the books he reads are porno’s right?”

Sakura’s face flushed. ‘Dear lord. I can’t escape. Haku and Zabuza sensei go at it like bunnies, Sasuke and Naruto are commenting about breasts, and Kakashi-sensei is reading smut.’ “No... I didn’t know... Hey! He can’t read that in front of us. We’re impressionable young students.”

‘Oh she has no idea of the kind of impressions I want Kakashi to leave on me.’ Naruto thought to himself, attempting to keep his perverted leer to himself. After all, one does not grow up with Jiraya as a honorary grandfather without getting some ideas.

“The fireworks will be starting soon.” Sasuke said looking over to where they were setting up.

Naruto nodded. He had always heard the fireworks on this day, and sometimes he could see the briefest of flashes out his window, but never from this vantage. They sat back and got comfortable, waiting for the moment when the festival of lights would really begin.

A large crack, and explosion sounded signalling the start of the display. The fireworks were so beautiful as they lit up Konoha’s sky, flashes, or red, white, blue, green, yellow and so on burst from the ground into the sky. Even from a distance they could hear some of the louder screamers, and the crack at they exploded. There was a slight chill in the air, but the blanket was more than enough to keep Sakura and Sasuke warm, while Naruto himself refused, stating that he was always warm due to the nature of Kyuubi’s chakra.

“It’s a perfect night for this.” Sakura said, looking dreamily at the sky, before leaning in against Sasuke.

The raven seemed unhappy with the move but made no effort to move her. Naruto couldn’t help but think that perhaps Sasuke held a little bit of love for both his teammates in that stubborn heart of his, and that he didn’t want to ruin the night for Sakura.

A bright flash of red with white flashed under it, causing Naruto to let out a little laugh. “Hey Sasuke, it looks like your family’s fan.”

Sasuke eyes narrowed for a second before one of his eye brows raised in recognition. He gave a small smirk, before replying with, “So it does.”

They continued to watch the display with awe and fascination, however Naruto couldn’t help but sigh as he looked up to the sky. This is was wonderful, no doubt. It felt nice to be wanted by his friends, but in truth he wanted to be wanted by someone else instead. Looking up at the sky he couldn’t help but feel a bit of loneliness creep in.

The teen felt a pair of eyes watching him. Turning he looked at Sasuke and Sakura who seemed hypnotized by the fireworks, ‘It isn’t them... so who...’ Naruto’s gaze met that of Kakashi’s through the trees. He saw the man make a small gesture for him to follow before disappearing into the foliage. Naruto took one last look at Sasuke and Sakura before sneaking away silently, his departure going completely unnoticed by the pair.

Stepping past the tree’s Naruto with fireworks exploding behind him Naruto could barely make out any movement in the trees. He was beginning to get a little nervous looking around, but finding no sight of his sensei.

“Kakashi?” He called out softly, attempting to remain undiscovered by Sasuke and Sakura. He stepped out into what looked like a small clearing, he was still on Hokage Mountain, but the trees surrounded either side. He was perfectly hidden from view. It was with that realization that he felt hand on his shoulder, pulling him back against a firm chest. The teen’s heart caught in his throat.

Kakashi couldn’t helpbut chuckle at the boy’s stiffened posture. He knew he shouldn’t be touching him at all. It only added to the difficulty and led him on, but he couldn’t help but see the forlorn look on the boy’s face while he sat there watching the fireworks. He didn’t want him to look like that, he wanted him to be happy.

“Happy Birthday Naruto-kun.” He said, giving the teen a small squeeze.

Naruto smiled brilliantly, before turning around in his arms to look at his sensei. “You came...”

“I didn’t know what to get you for your birthday, so I spent most of the day searching. I still couldn’t find something that would fit you.” Kakashi said sheepishly.

Naruto couldn’t help the bright grin that crossed his face. Kakashi hadn’t abandoned him, in fact he spent his time trying to do something nice for him. “That’s okay Kakashi-sensei, I wasn’t really expecting anything.”

Kakashi frowned before taking a step closer to the teen, “But I missed most of your birthday, there has to be some way to make it up to you.” He said almost pleadingly.

“Oh. There is.”

With that Naruto took a hesitant step forward, leaning forward onto his tippy toes to shift the man’s mask down. Kakashi couldn’t help but think that he had walked right into that one, however it wasn’t his way to deny the birthday boy. With that being said he met him half way, the teen’s breath ghosting across his lips. The tension built as they moved closer, and closer, Naruto’s eyes were half lidded while Kakashi watched his face. The moment their lips met fireworks exploded, a brilliant flash of lights, a loud boom sounding in the chests of all those nearby...and that was only the kiss.

Naruto could feel his heart breaking into that kiss, he felt as if he was dying it hurt so bad. Although the blonde didn’t grow up with much human contact, and although he was socially inept... he still knew. He knew that this is what love felt like. He couldn’t help but tighten his hand in Kakashi’s vest, and press his lips against the others with as much force as he could muster. He didn’t want to let go.

Kakashi pulled back when he felt tears streaming down the teen’s cheeks, he panicked, “Did I hurt you Naruto?” He asked, brushing away the tears with his thumb.

Naruto shook his head and gripped the jounin’s jacket tighter before burying his head into the man’s chest. “Thank you.” He said softly.

Kakashi wove his arms round the lithe teen’s body, he knew this was wrong, but then why did it feel so right? “Thank you for what? The kiss?”

“Yes, and no. Thank you for the kiss, thank you for the birthday thoughts, thank you for caring for me, thank you for always being there, thank you for searching for me when Haku and Zabuza, thank you for not ignoring me like the others, and most of all, thank you for teaching me how to feel. Thank you.”

“Naruto...” Kakashi said softly, holding the teen at arm’s length to look in his eyes. Just as he leaned forward to kiss those soft lips again he heard Sakura call out Naruto’s name. With that he pulled back on his mask and disappeared in a swirl of leaves.

Sakura and Sasuke came around to the area where Naruto stood, before he looked over at the pair.

“We’re leaving now.” Sasuke said, holding onto the blanket while Sakura held the picnic basket.

Naruto nodded and followed behind them silently, while lifting his hand to his lips, as if to re-establish that what had happened wasn’t just a dream.

“So how did you like your birthday?” Sakura asked.

Naruto gave a small truthful smile, “It was the best I’ve ever had.”

“But everything went wrong.” Sasuke said before getting smacked by Sakura.

“It doesn’t matter.” ‘I have my three precious people, and love. What more could I ask for from a birthday?’

Naruto brought his arms around the two, and hugged them close, the three talking about the exploits of the day, laughing softly, while Kakashi stared off at the three disappearing forms, watching them from his vantage on the tree.

There was something there that he had seen in Naruto’s eyes, something both beautiful, and sacred. Something that scared him, and made his heart beat faster at the same time.

“Naruto...” He whispered, allowing the breeze to carry the words from his lips.

He could have sworn the teen heard him, as the blonde took a look back, his eyes seeming to pierce into Kakashi’s soul. Before he gave one last smile and turned back around to join his teammates.

That boy was going to change everything for him.

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Conscience: How can you rightfully write this knowing the amount of work you haven’t done....

Me: Denial isn’t just a river in Egypt.

Conscience: Whatever.

Sorry for the long break... they are only going to get longer and worse as the year goes on... I’m soooooo busy. So you’ll have to deal. Anyways review. It always make me want to update more.