All of Team Seven were hanging out on a hot summer day. It was Sasuke’s birthday, but no one had said ‘happy birthday’ to him all day. He hadn’t reminded anyone either, because if they forgot they obviously didn’t care.
Naruto and the rest of Team Seven had remembered of course, but they hadn’t said anything so they could keep what they were going to do tonight a secret. Not a whole big celebration, because they knew Sasuke wouldn’t like that, but something heartfelt and small.
“Naruto- Just ask him!” Sakura said, whispering in Naruto’s ear, pushing him towards Sasuke. They both had gifts to give him, secret ones, but still gifts. Sakura wanted Naruto to ask Sasuke to come to where they were planning to give him their presents tonight.
“Stop- Fine, I will!” Naruto shouted, and Sasuke gave him a look. He was wondering what they were arguing about, but didn’t really care.
Sasuke was conflicted on his feelings about his birthday. When his family was alive, they would celebrate it, but he hadn’t for the past years, ever since they died. But now that he had a Team, he felt that he should at least get some recognition that they knew, but why? He had told them once when they had asked, but why should they have to act upon the knowledge?
“Hey Sasuke!” Naruto said, bright and cheery like usual.
“What?” Sasuke said, his harsh emotion coming out in his voice. He was a bit shocked by his own tone, and he could see that Naruto was too. He hadn’t meant it to be so… biting like that.
“I- um, was wondering if you wanted to come to the forest tonight? Like, where we had our first test as Team Seven.” Naruto said, nervous about looking Sasuke in the eyes. His present was, well, embarrassing.
“Are all three of you coming?” Sasuke asked, softening his tone just a little, back to how it was normally.
“Yeah.” Naruto said. He couldn’t tell whether or not Sasuke wanted all of them to be coming or not by his voice.
Sasuke sighed. “Fine. What time?” He asked, nonchalantly. Inside, however, he was excited, as much as Sasuke could be. This could be something for his birthday maybe.
“Right before dinner!” Naruto said, smiling. He was glad that Sasuke had said yes, or else he didn’t know how he would give his present to him. Sasuke nodded.
Sakura pulled Naruto aside after Sasuke didn’t say anything else. She pulled him around to face her and Kakashi Sensei. They stood away from Sasuke, and faced each other, all pretty close.
“Do you think he suspects anything?” Naruto whispered. Sasuke was confused, but just sighed and crossed his arms. They were being very suspicious, but he didn’t have the energy to confront them or think too much about it.
“Hopefully not. Naruto, you know what you’re doing, right?” Kakashi Sensei asked, reading his adult book while talking.
“Yeah, yeah, of course. I haven’t forgotten the plan.” Naruto said, a bit offended that they thought he would forget the plan. He didn’t like some parts of it, but he hadn’t forgotten about any of it.
“If you do, my confession will be ruined.” Sakura huffed.
Naruto rolled his eyes, but on the inside those words hurt him. He had realized that his feelings leaned more towards Sasuke, a lot more than they did for Sakura. He wasn’t happy that Sakura was planning on ‘confessing’ to Sasuke tonight, especially because it was already obvious.
They talked for a little while, at some point including Sasuke back into the conversation and switching the topic. When the sun began setting, they waved goodbye to each other and went back to their own houses to get ready for the night.
Naruto pretty much just wore the same thing he was wearing before, except he tied his orange jacket around his waist. He just had a t-shirt on underneath with the Uzumaki crest. One time he had asked Sakura what he should change about his appearance to make him more attractive.
At first, Sakura said everything. Then after some protesting from Naruto, she said he should tie his jacket around his waist. He thought, after some inspection, that he made him look effortless, like he was just training and got hot.
Sasuke was unsure if he should change anything he was wearing. He took off his kunai holders, and his pouch. He still felt like he should change more, so slid his headband down around his neck, instead of having it on his head.
Naruto left his house, and went to Ichiraku’s Ramen. He was going to bring ramen for all of his teammates. It was part of the plan. He thanked the ramen guy, paid, and put all of the ramen in a bag with chopsticks.
Walking to Sasuke’s house, he was careful not to slosh the ramen around too much. He watched the sun continue to sink, and thought about tonight. He hoped that Sasuke wouldn’t be angry at them for not saying anything today. He knew how it felt for no one to know your birthday.
He arrived at Sasuke’s house, and little butterflies acted up in his stomach. Naruto knocked on his door.
Sasuke was a bit surprised someone was knocking on his door. Rarely he got a visitor, but he was ready to go to the forest, so he was prepared to see people. However, he was not prepared to see Naruto, his crush, at the door.
“Hey Sasuke!” Naruto said, hoping that the bag wouldn’t draw attention to itself.
“Why are you here?” Sasuke said. Really, he was nervous that Naruto was here, especially if it meant that they were going to walk to the training grounds together.
“So we can walk together.” Naruto said, watching Sasuke leave his house and close the door.
“Fine. Let’s go.” Sasuke led the way, and Naruto walked fast to keep up with him. He kept the ramen on his outside hand, so maybe Sasuke wouldn’t notice it.
They both silently noticed the changes in each others’ outfits. Naruto thought that Sasuke’s hair looked really nice, more swishy then when he had his headband on his forehead. Sasuke thought that Naruto tying his jacket around his waist was very attractive. It looked, to him at least, better because it allowed Sasuke to see Naruto’s tan arms and his collarbone, something that Sasuke found attractive.
It wasn’t a very long walk, but it was long enough and quiet enough that it got awkward. Naruto was thinking about the plan more. He was supposed to get ramen and bring Sasuke, which he did, and then ask Sasuke what he thought about Sakura on the way there. Sakura had asked him to do all of this, not her, so she would have time to make the old training grounds romantic.
Naruto, of course, didn’t want to ask Sasuke about Sakura, because he was afraid of his answer. He felt like he had to, because it was part of the plan, but he didn’t want to.
And he didn’t, because they were there, and he hadn’t decided if he was going to or not.
“We’re here Sakura!” Naruto called out. He didn’t see Sakura, but he did see that the place was lit up with candles, and a small space was cleared in the center.
“Oh- hey, Sasuke~” Sakura came out from behind a tree, and cozied up to Sasuke. Naruto turned away, instead walking more into the clearing and looking around for Kakashi Sensei.
Sasuke rolled his eyes, trying to stay away from Sakura’s gaze. Sakura had flowers in her hair, and looked like she had gotten all prettied up. He really didn’t care.
Sakura seemed disappointed that Sasuke didn’t comment on her outfit. She didn’t even notice Sasuke’s headband change though.
“Let’s eat!” Naruto said. Sasuke looked past Sakura to where Naruto was sitting on the grass, and saw that there was ramen for all of them.
He walked over and sat next to Naruto. Sakura followed and sat on his other side, trying to lean against him while she ate. Sasuke stiffened, and leaned away. Sakura almost fell over, so sat on her own.
Naruto smirked. He thought it was hilarious that Sakura put flowers in her hair.
“I’m here.” Kakashi appeared, leaning against a tree. He somehow already had a bowl of ramen, and it was one of the ones Naruto had bought.
“Hello Kakashi Sensei!” Sakura said.
They all ate in silence for a little while longer, and ended up finishing without Sasuke being told why this was happening. Naruto collected all the ramen bowls and chopsticks, and put them in the bag off to the side. He would remember to collect them later.
“Okay, why are we doing this? And why are there candles everywhere?” Sasuke asked, feeling very out of loop.
He watched as Naruto looked at the other two, and counted down to three. “Happy birthday, Sasuke!” They all said, louder than normal, but not screaming it.
“...Thanks.” He said, and cracked the smallest smile ever. Sakura and Naruto both saw it, and looked at each other, before back at Sasuke. It was very rare for him to smile.
“Of course! You didn’t think we would forget, did you?” Naruto said, and he and Sakura moved closer to Sasuke. They made a little circle, with Kakashi Sensei watching from a couple feet away.
“I kind of did.” Sasuke admitted.
“We would never!” Sakura protested, and Naruto’s heart sank. He was really hoping Sasuke wouldn’t think that. He didn’t want to be pegged as a bad friend.
“Happy birthday again Sasuke. Don’t stay out too late you three.” Kakashi said, and waved to the three of them.
“Bye Kakashi Sensei!” Naruto said, and Sakura waved. Kakashi poofed away into a cloud.
“Naruto? Can I talk to you?” Sakura asked. Naruto knew what she was going to ask, and wanted to put it off for as long as possible. He looked at the sun, which was now just a little bright spot on the horizon.
“You just did.” Naruto said, crossing his arms. Sakura frowned and Sasuke smirked, even though he was confused at why Sakura would want to talk to Naruto.
“Ugh! I just have one question!” Sakura protested.
“The answer is: he didn’t say anything.” Naruto answered Sakura’s question without even knowing what it was. He guessed that it was ‘what did Sasuke say about me?’. And since Naruto didn’t even ask, the answer was nothing.
“Wha- How do you even know what I was going to ask?” Sakura said, glaring at a nervous Naruto. He really hoped Sakura wouldn’t press the issue.
“Because you told me you were going to ask it. Now, we have presents to give, don’t we?” Naruto reminded Sakura, changing the topic. That was the only thing he could think of to change it to, even though he was nervous to give Sasuke his present.
“Oh! Yeah, we do!” Sakura said. Sasuke was a bit surprised that they had actually thought of things they could get for presents, because he rarely talked about things he actually wanted that were things.
Sakura pushed Naruto away, and after some arguing, Naruto went to stand by a tree, watching the stars come out and adjusting his tied jacket nervously.
Then, she pulled a small box from a pouch on her side. Sasuke watched, already wishing that Naruto would come back. His eyes drifted to Naruto, before snapping back to Sakura.
“Um… here, Sasuke.” Sakura said, blushing and talking a lot nicer than when she talked to Naruto. Sasuke already thought that that was rude.
He took the box, hopefully subtly pulling his hand away when Sakura tried to hold it. Sasuke read the words on the box, and they told him that it was a box of candy. Immediately, he… he didn’t feel anything.
Sasuke wasn’t sad, disappointed, angry, or happy. He didn’t feel anything. That was probably because this was the most basic gift on the planet, besides flowers. Oh yeah, and the fact that he didn’t even like sweets. Also, he didn’t really expect that his teammates would get him something he would keep.
Sakura leaned forward, and looked like she was about to kiss him. He almost gagged, and pushed her away by her shoulders. She looked heart broken and crushed, but he didn’t care. He had turned her down in the past, why would today be any different?
“Sakura, I don’t feel that way about you.” He said, mediocre and flat. He hoped Naruto could hear him, just to make his feelings clear. Naruto could hear him, and smiled at the confirmation.
“Oh, okay. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow then.” Sakura said, slumping over and walking away, giving a half-hearted wave.
Sasuke sighed. He knew that Sakura might just try again in a couple of months, like she had done just now. He watched her walk around the clearing, putting out all the candles, picking them up, and taking them with her. She only left one.
Naruto slowly walked back into the clearing, trying to hide his triumphant feelings. If Sasuke felt that way, maybe he had a real chance.
“That was probably not what she wanted you to say.” He said, standing in front of Sasuke.
“No, it probably wasn’t.” Sasuke said, already happier now that Sakura was gone and Naruto had taken her place.
Naruto seemed to be nervous, and he obviously wasn’t holding anything if he had something to give. His tied jacket and headband glinted in the candle and moon light, and his face was just the right amount of red to be noticeable.
Sasuke’s heart sped up, just seeing Naruto embarrassed and under moonlight was enough to make him nervous. He waited for Naruto to pull something out to give him, but he didn’t.
Naruto locked eyes with Sasuke, and slid his left hand around Sasuke’s right wrist. His skin tingled, and he stepped forwards. Then, he shut his eyes tight, and pecked Sasuke on the cheek. It was light and quick, but enough that Sasuke got the message.
He leaned back, blushing like crazy. He tried to see how Sasuke reacted, but he couldn’t because Sasuke slid his hand into Naruto’s, intertwining their fingers, and pulled Naruto into him.
Sasuke kissed Naruto right on the lips. He was blushing furiously, but closed his eyes and kissed back anyways. Naruto was shocked, but hurriedly held Sasuke’s hand tighter and shut his eyes.
After a couple of seconds, they broke away, embarrassed but happy. Naruto smiled, catching Sasuke’s eyes before he looked away.
“Happy birthday, Sasuke. I wasn’t able to get a present for… multiple reasons, but I hope that this will suffice. I like you.” Naruto said, becoming almost breathless from emotions. He was very disappointed when he found out he wouldn’t have enough money for rent, tonight’s ramen, and a gift. But, he was happy that he decided to do this instead because it meant that he got to kiss Sasuke!
“M-me too. And I think that that's a fine present.” Sasuke said. He inwardly reprimanded himself for stuttering like that. He surveyed the clearing, seeing how romantic it was. The one candle, the moonlight, the soft grass and tall trees. And, of course, the fact that they were holding hands.
“Heh!” Naruto awkwardly laughed.
Then the trees made noise behind them, and someone who was waiting there the whole time stepped out of the shadows. Sasuke and Naruto turned towards the person, still holding hands.
“Is it true Sasuke?” Sakura said, quietly eyeing both of them.
Naruto and Sasuke both tensed, glanced at each other, and then looked back at Sakura. They were a little confused, and a little afraid.
“It’s true. I do- I have liked Naruto.” Sasuke repeats. Naruto would blush, but he was a bit afraid of what Sakura would do. This was supposed to be her day to confess after all.
“And he didn’t force you to kiss him?” Sakura asks.
“No, he didn’t.” Sasuke replied. Naruto usually would retort that sentence, protesting and saying that he would never do that, but he didn’t. He thought it would be better if Sasuke talked.
“Alright then.” Sakura looked very sad, and down, both literally and figuratively.
“I’m sorry, Sakura. I didn’t mean to ruin your chances… I had this in mind for a while.” Naruto finally spoke up.
She shook her head and turned around. “It’s fine.” She said, and walked away, through the forest, away from them and back to the village.
The two of them were quiet for a minute, unsure what they should do. They were happy that they finally confessed to each other, and Sasuke was happy that they hadn’t forgotten his birthday. But, their spirits were disheartened by Sakura’s sadness. They knew that they shouldn’t follow her, but Naruto at least wanted to make sure she knew he didn’t mean to make her sad.
“Naruto… look at me.” Sasuke said, turning to Naruto.
Naruto faced him, and was pulled into a kiss, a bit longer than the last one. Sasuke brought his free hand to Naruto’s face, holding it gently.
“Thanks Naruto.” Sasuke said. He had been sad and nervous about his birthday before today, because he didn’t have his family to celebrate it with anymore. Even though it had been that way for almost seven years, he was still saddened every year with the memories. But this year, with Naruto, he thought that he should enjoy it the best he could.
“Yeah… But don’t be too mean to Sakura about this, okay?” Naruto said. He didn’t usually care about Sakura’s feelings, more about her attitude than anything else.
“I’ll try.” Sasuke says, rolling his eyes.
Naruto smiled, and they walked home together. Naruto did, in fact, remember to bring the ramen bag, and the last candle. They held hands the whole way back to Sasuke’s house, and Sasuke invited Naruto to stay over. He did, and it was the best birthday Sasuke had ever had.