Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Naruto hadn’t been expecting very much. It wasn’t like he could blame people for having a hard time on the anniversary of the war. Shikamaru, Ino, and Hinata were obviously spending time with their families and wouldn’t be able to be around the village. But for some reason, Naruto had woken up feeling optimistic for his 18th birthday. He had greeted the blue sky with a smile when he leaped out of his window. 

“Good morning Mr. Ichiraku!” he yelled as he ran through town. He had everything planned out for the day. Even though the memories of the war devastated him at times, he had no choice but to be happy that it was over and that he was able to be the hero that his parents and Jiraiya-Sensei needed him to be. That he was able to make them proud. That’s why he didn’t feel any nerves when Kakashi-Sensei asked him to come in, in the morning. 

Scaling the side of the Hokage’s office was natural enough for the now-adult shinobi. He landed in a  roll and interrupted what seemed to be a serious conversation between Grandma Tsunade, Shizune-Nii, and Kakashi. “Uh,” he stuttered on arrival quickly standing and rubbing his neck. “You asked to see me Kakashi-Sensei?” Naruto asked with a smile and his teacher just sighed. 

“Naruto can you never learn to use the door?” Tsunade questioned with a fond smile of her own. Naruto knew better than to think that she was actually upset. That voice sounded very different and she definitely didn’t smile when she was. 

“I did” Kakashi answered and Naruto could tell from the tone that it wasn’t about his birthday. “As you know Lady Tsunade and I are giving an anniversary speech today to commemorate those lost during the war and we were wondering if you would be present so we could acknowledge your efforts in the war.” He explained and Naruto felt his smile dim. 

He doesn’t know, does he? He did know there was a speech today but he had planned to stand with Sakura and Sasuke for the ceremony. Maybe they didn’t tell him. “Um, I had kinda planned to be with the team,” Naruto said hesitantly. 

“You mean Sai? He’s on security” Shizune asked confused. Why would I mean just Sai?

“No, I meant Sasuke and Sakura?”

“But they’re out on a mission today.” Shizune continued and Naruto let his smile fall completely. 

“Oh.” cause what else was he going to say? ‘Oh Sorry, I thought my friends were going to be with me on one of the most traumatic days of our lives. Whoops.’ 

“You didn’t know” Tsunade observed sounding surprised and Naruto was quick to shrug it off. 

“That’s ok. I’m glad they’re doing something together” He excused forcing a small smile on his face. There wasn’t any need to worry Grandma Tsunade. “I’ll help out sure, but uh, can I not talk if that’s ok?” he agreed and Tsunade nodded before Kakashi even had a chance to say anything. 

“That will be fine. I wish we could have asked sooner and given you time.” she offered a small smile of her own and Naruto waved his hands. 

“Nah, it’s fine. I’ll, uh, see you guys in a bit then,” he promised, leaving the office. 

They left on a mission by choice then. They all knew about it. He wondered when they were going to be back? Obviously not before the end of the ceremony so maybe they would still make dinner? Then again, Kakashi-Sensei hadn’t mentioned it. They had planned to meet at Ichiraku’s for dinner to celebrate over four weeks ago and Naruto had been really looking forward to it. 

He pushed off any thoughts of doubt and took a deep breath. He could make it through the ceremony. 

Naruto threw up. Pretty much as soon as he was able to leave the rooftop stage. 

“We want to thank not just Naruto for his efforts, but the Uzumaki of the past who fought this war from the start. Lord 4th and all the other Hokage who gave so much even after death” he had tuned Grandma Tsunade out after that. He had bounced the minute it was over and upchucked into the nearest abandoned alley. Hopefully, he would feel better for dinner in a few hours. 

“Naruto? You ok Kiddo?” Kakashi asked rounding the corner and Naruto stood up and wiped his face. 

“Y-yeah. Sorry about that Kakashi-Sensei” he apologized moving away from the mess so that Kakashi wouldn't dirty up his Hokage robe. “I just hope I feel a bit better for dinner tonight” Naruto confessed and he saw his teacher smile. Oh good. He’s looking forward to it to then. 

“Oh? Do you have dinner plans?” Kakashi asked and Naruto felt the sickness mix with a bitter feeling in his stomach. Nevermind then. 

“No” Naruto mumbled pushing through the alley entry to walk past his teacher. “Just ramen” he lied running off before he could be asked anything else. He forgot. He forgot that we had plans. He probably doesn't even know it’s my birthday. Naruto felt even worse for thinking that way. His birthday wasn’t that important all things considered but he had somehow thought his teacher would be able to come. I can’t believe I thought the Hokage would be able to come on the anniversary of a war. He shook his head and ran off to get some training in before dinner. At least Sakura, Sasuke, and Sai will come. Maybe even Captain Yamato. I asked Tsunade a while ago too, but Shizune said she may be busy. I’m sure It’ll still be fine.

Naruto waited for an hour. He promised himself that they were just late. That they remembered but got held up. He ignored the looks of pity that Ichiraku sent along with the free ramen bowls. They all forgot me. 

“Naruto!” The blonde spun around with a grin when he saw Sai running towards him panting. The ANBU looked exhausted and still had a bit of blood from whatever he had been doing previously. He quickly hopped onto a stool and sat next to him. Naruto didn’t miss how he looked around confused. 

“Hi Sai! Old man, two more bowls of ramen please!” Naruto ordered and Sai smiled. 

“Happy birthday Naruto, I’m sorry that I’m late.” Sai apologized pulling out a wad of cash and setting it on the counter for Naruto. “I couldn't think of anything you wouldn’t break, so I just grabbed this” He explained and Naruto laughed. 

“That’s ok” he assured.

“So, did Kakashi-Sensei and the others already head home? I didn’t think I came that late.”

“Uh, actually they aren’t here yet.” Naruto could see the judgment even on Sai’s expressionless face. Don’t ask me, please. I don’t want to talk about it. The day couldn’t be going any worse. The fact that anyone came was enough for Naruto to not cry. This is enough. This is more than enough. 

“I see” Sai mumbled taking a few his noodles before sighing. “They aren’t coming, are they?” …

“I don’t think so” Naruto agreed, frowning into his own ramen. 

They were a sorry sight. One fuming into noodles and the other sulking. He was certain that was why the next event happened. A Cake appeared between the two of them and suddenly old man Ichiraku was on the wrong side of the counter with Ayame lighting candles that appeared out of nowhere. 

“Now now boys, no sulking on such an important day! The hero of the leaf is now an adult idiot.” Ichiraku smiled wrapping an arm around Naruto’s shoulder. He couldn’t help but smile at the shop owner's antics. He accepted their singing and a piece of cake before letting Sai walk him home. It was quiet and awkward but he was glad that he didn’t have to try to explain what he was thinking about. 

“Captain Yamato wanted to come by the way. He says he’ll find you tomorrow.” find me? That's ominous Captain Creepy.  “Naruto?” Sai called and he looked up from the road in front of him to see that the ANBU was looking at him concerned. “Are you ok? I’m sorry that our friends couldn’t be here. I’m sure they meant to” 

Naruto forced a smile and nodded. “Yeah, I’m great! Thank you for coming. The cake was awesome” he assured but Sai shook his head in disappointment. 

“You don’t thank people for doing the bare minimum. Ino taught me that” Sai corrected and put a hand on his shoulder. “You taught me that we don’t have to lie to our friends. I’m sorry that today went so terribly.” Naruto didn’t know what to say. So he didn’t say anything and accepted the hug that was offered to him after. He ignored the way he felt like he had to tighten his grip just to not explode and he pretended that Sai didn’t meet that strength with his own. 

“Thanks” he whispered in a completely clear, manly voice. 

“Always” Sai promised with a smile and waved him good night. 

That was enough lies for the night. From others, and himself.

Chapter Text

Kakashi couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly off. It’s a feeling that he has honed over the years of being a teacher to Konoha’s most psychotic genin team. Something always goes terribly wrong when he feels that way, but today he can’t seem to think of anything that could be happening. Even with Sakura and Sasuke standing in front of him, he was drawing a blank. 

“The mission went well, but from the look on your face I’m guessing that isn’t what you’re worried about” Sasuke, ever the brilliant assessor, said when he and Sakura set down the mission report. Since the end of the war his two students had spent quite a lot of time together as Sasuke navigated life as an amputee. It was nice to see them getting along. 

“Everything is fine” Kakashi assured. 

“But?” Sakura questioned leaning up against his desk. They all knew each other too well for him to pretend anything was different from what it was. 

“But I can’t help but feel that something is wrong. Something was up with Naruto yesterday and I couldn't place it.” he caved. Both of his students stiffened immediately, fully understanding that their teammate very rarely was anything but extraordinarily happy since the wars end. If something was wrong it could mean that a special edition ramen sold out, or that they were on the verge of the 5th great ninja war. There was never anything in between. 

“Was he hurt or something? You guys had the ceremony yesterday right?” Sasuke asked and he nodded. 

“I don’t believe he has any injuries but he did get sick shortly after the main ceremony was over. It’s not like him to have such an uneasy stomach.” After all, Naruto had been known to drink and eat expired food with little to no repercussions. 

“That’s true enough” Sakura agreed standing upright to consider the situation fully. “I have a meeting with Lady Tsunade and Ino today, maybe they’ll know what’s up.” 

“It is always possible that he just…misses his parents too right? I know they were dead before that, but it wasn’t exactly the happiest ending to a war.” The silence that followed Sasuke’s revelation as awkward, but valid. Kakashi was well aware that his students had to endure a substantial amount of trauma to be where they all are today. He would do anything to take it from them, but the life of a Shinobi seems to be a life of inevitable PTSD and he could only do so much as one man. 

“Keep me updated on anything you hear.”

 Sakura was pleased to find Tsunade and Ino had found their usual table at their favorite sushi bar. When they were training together under Lady Tsunade, Ino and Sakura had searched for weeks to find a suitable restaurant that would satisfy both their hunger and Tsunade’s drinking habits. “Good morning Lady Tsunade, Ino” She called coming to join them in her usual seat. 

“Good morning Sakura. I’m glad to see that the mission went well. It was a shame to have you missing from the ceremony yesterday.” Her teacher greeted with a sad smile that Sakura easily returned. In all honesty, she had been over the moon when Sasuke suggested they take his upcoming mission together. It was both an opportunity to hang out and a reason to miss any reminiscing on the war. 

“Wait” Ino started, sounding more confused than Sakura typically liked to hear. Especially after something was said about her. “Do you mean you were out of the village yesterday? What about Naruto?”

What? Sakura felt herself grow to have just as much confusion as Ino expressed earlier. Why would she be concerned with me not being with Naruto yesterday? Maybe things were worse than Kakashi-Sensei led on. “What about Naruto?” She questioned carefully. “Kakashi-S as ensei mentioned that he was upset after the ceremony but he couldn’t figure out what the main issue was. Was it bad?” It was at that moment Sakura remembered how terrible it was to see her teacher and friend look at each other because Sakura had said something stupid. D*mn it. I’ve missed something then. 

“Sakura” Tsunade spoke firmly, folding her hands up on the table. “Are you saying that you don’t know why yesterday would be important to Naruto beyond the anniversary of the war?”

….. um. “You mean because of the revived Kage? We’ve talked a lot about that and he seemed to be processing it ok.” She offered but from the way Ino stood up from her chair roughly, loudly, she knew that was the wrong answer. 

The tea being thrown on her head only confirmed her suspicion. 

“You B*tch!” Ino yelled and Sakura tried to move her soaking hair out of her eyes. “How could you say that? You left your teammate on his birthday, the anniversary of the worst war we’ve ever seen, and the day his dad died. Do you know how much that sucks?” 

….

Holy sh*t. Naruto’s birthday. She found herself gaping up at her fuming friend, looking through strands of tea-filled hair unable to speak. No wonder Ino was yelling, Sakura had genuinely forgotten what was perhaps the most important day of the year for Naruto. Naruto who never hesitated to help any of them with everything. Naruto who was the Konoha 11’s certified baby brother. The baby brother who she just missed the 18th birthday of. “Oh Kami” she whispered more to herself than anyone else. 

   “I can’t believe this” Ino scoffed grabbing her bag. “Forgive me but I’ve lost my appetite. If you don’t mind.I think I’m going to meet up with my team early so that we can begin setting up the scavenger hunt. Y’a know that we planned to do with Naruto a month ago. Because we don’t suck” Ever the one for dramatic exits Ino didn’t wait for any response before leaving the restaurant and Sakura in a puddle of tea.

I’m the worst teammate alive. How could I forget? She knew her eyes were welling up in public but she couldn’t bring herself to care. She needed to fix this. A sigh across the table drew her attention to the cloth napkin being offered to her. 

“Clean up, you’re dripping tea everywhere. It seems we have some plans to make.” Tsunade instructed and Sakura nodded solemnly, using the napkin to begin towel-drying her face. 

We can still fix this.