Nukenin

Next days were boring, nothing exciting was happening. Missions they were getting were all simple and pretty much the same all the time. Searching for lost pets, assistance with mail delivery and these kinds of things that adults didn’t want to do, so they passed them onto genins.

It was not until two months later, when they finally let us somewhere from Konoha. The missions were still easy, like guarding people on their journey or delivery of unimportant scrolls. No fights but it was at least something. It was also my first time farther away from the village. As a kid and moreover orphan I wasn’t allowed outside.

The rest of the time we were training with Kakashi-sensei. For me it was kinda unnecessary, since most of the things we were doing I already knew because of training with Kurama. But I didn’t let it be boring for me. Being ahead of them gave me space to do some fun.

One day, Kakashi led us for training to a forest, large trees all around. “Alright kiddos, today you will learn how to get on tree without help if your hands.” Sensei explained to us. The critical part is to learn it, after that it’s easy. It’s one of the most basic techniques and ninjas are using it without even thinking about it.

Kakashi started explaining the principle, while he demonstrated it by walking on one of the trees next to him. Climbing wouldn't be the best word for describing it. Once he got back down, he gave us permission to start. “This will be fine.” I told myself under my breath. Without really trying to be heard. “Come on. You will be happy if you will get to one metre before evening.” Uchiha mocked me.

He just couldn’t give me a break with his stupid talking. But this could be a good opportunity. Oh, he wasn’t going to like it. “Do you wanna bet? The first one who will get up will give the other one task, which he will have to fulfil. How does it sound to you?” This was going to be so much fun. I would think up something amazing.

“Fine by me. But it can be anything.” He was so self-confident like he always was. Best at everything he has ever done. He would be so crushed in the evening. Or maybe even angry? We shook hands and sensei nodded, that he would pay attention to who would be winning. Then we started.

I went a little bit to the side from the others and in peace got up on one tree, where I saw a comfortable enough looking branch. Sensei looked surprised at me but didn’t comment on it. It wasn’t so uncommon for kids at the academy to try and learn some more difficult techniques, but most of them weren’t successful.

With a bored expression I was looking at Uchiha as he was trying to get up. He wasn’t bad, but he was doing it for the first time for sure. At that time I was thinking about the best task for him. When I was tired of observing my teammates and birds around me, I took a little nap.

I almost fell down as I woke up, but I managed to stay still on my personal branch. From looking at the sun I estimated that about three hours passed. It was a longer nap than I thought it would be but whatever. It took some more time, but Uchiha finally managed to get high enough where the first branches were. Looking all tired, relieved, and happy. Happy too soon.

“I think it’s clear. Naruto is the winner.” Sensei said and Uchiha froze on the spot. He looked up where sensei was pointing and I, still laying on my branch, waved at him with a smile. Sakura still didn’t manage to get up, but it was already late, so I slowly walked down. Trying to hold my laugh as I watched Uchiha jumping some way, that wouldn’t lead into broken bones.

Suddenly, Sakura started her usual tantrum. Like, I was cheating somehow for sure and that there was no way that her precious Sasuke-kun lost. It was annoying but it gave me an idea. It was so evil, and I liked it. I looked at Uchiha with an innocent smile. He just waited for his task. At least he wasn’t the type to try to get away from a bet.

“What about this one. On Saturday is the Autumn festival, right. So, you will go there with Sakura and you will have to listen to her orders. And not like that you would go home before midnight!” As I was talking, Uchiha’s face was getting paler. But he was going to do it, I was sure about it.

On the other hand, Sakura was out of her mind from happiness as she jumped and hugged Uchiha around his neck. She started telling him how amazing it would be and everything they would be doing. Not caring how much the boy tried to shake her off.

I felt almost sorry for him… almost. But since he was always so big-headed and acted like a bastard to most of the people, then let him enjoy this hell. And for once, Sakura was going to get a piece of what she so much wanted. It would be some attention even if forced. I was pretty sure that she was happy as never before at the moment.

Two days to Saturday were quickly gone and it was time for the festival. Since our village was tied with leaves, Autumn festival is the biggest and most popular thing of every year. Everyone who doesn’t have to be at work goes there. There are stalls with many different kinds of food, traditional items and games for kids. And exactly at midnight there are fireworks.

Villages are excited about it, but not me. Festival is on the last day of September. Too close to the probably saddest anniversary. Day when Kyuubi attacked Konoha and with it also my birthday. I never celebrated my birthday. It seems weird to me to celebrate it all alone. If I knew correctly, the only people around me who knew which day I was born were Hokage and sensei. And honestly, I wanted to leave it like this.

Normally I didn’t go to festivals, but this time I was going to make an exception. I promised Uchiha to be there as his mental support and maybe a little bit as a bodyguard from Sakura. After all, I got him into this mess. I just hoped it wouldn't be that bad when I wasn’t going to be there by myself.

It was slowly getting darker when I took my festive kimono from the closet. It was mostly black with some orange parts. Nothing like my old clothes, but orange was still one of my favourite colours. I got dressed up and waited. Around seven Uchiha and Sakura came, and we could go together. Uchiha’s kimono was black and blue and Sakura’s, as if nobody expected it, all pink.

On the streets there was  noisy, loud music and people everywhere. Colourful lights hung on the roofs and around pillars. Kids were running from one stall to another, yelling at their parents and friends to come and see what they found or won. Every year they had the most fun from it. 

Then started, what I thought it would. Sakura dragged Uchiha to all the places, holding him by his arm all the time. I just went behind them and had to smile. It was funny to look at them. One in absolute happiness and one ready to die or eventually kill.

But still, after about two hours I separated from them. I haven't gone home yet. There was a place above the village on the heads of previous Hokages. From there was the most beautiful view of the whole village. I had to smile when I remembered how, as a child, I painted them.

This was the place where I spent my time during most of the festival, as it was still too noisy in my flat. There was peace and almost silence. Far away from all of the common, just as I wanted. It was the perfect place for me, when I finally stopped with my pointless effort to get people attention or even some friends. From the time when I started to feel better alone. Just me and Kurama. Well, if he was awake.

I waited until midnight, so I could watch fireworks. All the colourful explosions in the sky. So far, but person still had the feeling that if they stretched their arm enough, they would be able to touch it. Then I finally went home. At this time people were finally calming down, so I had some hope that I would be able to fall asleep. 

Next few days Uchiha still seemed angry at me for the bet, but I didn’t really care. It was his fault and fault of his lack of foresight. If he didn’t act like an idiot, he wouldn’t have to go through this mess. What I wasn’t very happy about was that my birthday was coming too fast.

For others it's an important day. For me it was just a reminder of what happened that day. Especially after when Kurama told me what exactly happened. It was a much more objective description than from any villagers that were outside that night. So, there was another reason besides being alone, why I didn’t celebrate it.

And this year it wasn’t any different. Just another day as any other. Some small mission in the village in the morning, lunch in the noon, and training in the afternoon. Only thing that was special was that I was going to a big memorial. It was for the memory of the fourth Hokage, my father. I brought some flowers and candles as always.

When I got back home, there was a little surprise waiting for me. On the window sill that I left open, so fresh air could get inside, there was a little present box. Wrapped in dark blue paper with ribbon around it. It had my name on it, so there was no way it was a mistake. I took it in my hand and went to sit on the couch.

I looked at an item in my hand and was wondering what the hell was going on. When I opened it, inside was a simple black but really pretty bracelet and a note “Happy birthday!”. But no name. I couldn’t believe it. It was my very first present ever. And I didn’t even know from who it was. The person had to find somewhere, when my birthday was.

It was all confusing. No one ever seemed to at least care about me. I took a bracelet and looked at it closely, focused on any detail. It had a small piece of metal on it with some ornaments and on the inner side there was stamped date of my birthday. It was a really pretty piece of work.

I tried to figure out who could give it to me. Who could care enough to search when I was born and get me something, probably even custom-made and too expensive to be just some kind of joke. But I couldn’t think about anyone. The only people I spend my time with is my team and I doubt it’s any of them.

Sensei had no reason to give something to me. The only important thing to Sakura was what Sasuke was doing. And Uchiha hated me the most out of all the people. In the end I just decided not to care. I liked it so it didn’t matter where it came from. I put it on my hand and smiled. After all, it wasn’t so bad to know that somewhere is someone who maybe cares a little about me. It was a nice and warm feeling that I have never felt before.

From that day I tried to pay more attention to my surroundings. To get at least some small hint. But I didn't see anything abnormal. Everything was like always. Like if nothing happened.