Work Text:
“KAKASHI-SENSEI!”
The blonde boy crashed through the doors, failing to stop at the entrance of his sensei’s home and ended up throwing himself into the couch. Kakashi, having sensed his student’s presence from a mile away and already braced himself for the impact, simply smiled and nodded to the child.
“Good morning, Naruto,” He said.
“KAKASHI-SENSEI,” Naruto cried, “DON’T YOU KNOW WHAT TODAY IS?”
Kakashi feigned ignorance, looking up to the ceiling in pretend thought as his student pushed himself off the couch to plant himself firmly in front of his teacher, who was sitting at his dining table and enjoying a breakfast full of simple oatmeal and the world's most iron-rich well water.
“I can’t seem to recall today being of any remarkable moment, Naruto,” Kakashi said, an indication of playful sarcasm in his voice. Naruto, being the child he is, pulled on the sleeve of his sensei and stomped his feet in distress.
“Cmon!” He cried, “It’s my birthday! I know you didn’t forget!”
Kakashi couldn’t stand seeing Naruto in this state of upset any longer, even though he caused it himself. He stood up and, with a painful pop in his back, lifted the boy up to swing him around in a circle in celebration.
“Of course I didn’t forget, Naruto!” Kakashi smiled as he set the boy down. “I was just messing with you. Now, how about we go out and celebrate? Ichiraku opens in a few minutes, you know.”
Naruto’s eyes lit up and Kakashi felt his heart soften. His students were as close as he’d ever get to having children of his own and he took pride in his love for the kids - seeing them in excitement like this made him all but break down in tears of parental love.
“YEAH!” Naruto yelled, pumping his fists into the air, and promptly exited the room. “I’m gonna go get ready, Kakashi-Sensei! Don’t take too long, old man!” Kakashi heard his feet patter down the hallway and dash through the open window, likely dashing across the rooftops to get back to his own home and put on whatever outfit he could find.
Kakashi smiled fondly and took out his phone, ready to send the text.
-
“SURPRISE!”
The voices of Naruto’s best friends, allies, teachers, and biggest supporters echoed throughout the room. Dozens of people were currently squished inside the small interior of Ichiraku Ramen as they struggled to remain quiet for Naruto’s arrival, desperate to not only relieve themselves of being so squished together, but to also see the look of surprise and excitement on the boys face as he realized just how many Konohagakure people cared for him deeply.
“Are you frickin’ kidding me?!” Naruto exclaimed with a smile on his face. “Are all of you here for ME?!”
“Of course we are, buddy!” Jiriya responded, smiling. “We couldn’t miss the big day, you know.”
“You’re our best bud, Naruto,” Choji chimed in, accompanied by his own teammates and their shared classmates, “we wouldn’t miss your birthday for the world!”
Naruto didn’t know what to do with himself - all he could do was stand in shock as his eyes darted across the room, taking a makeshift attendance to see just who was there.
His teachers - Jiraiya, Kakashi, Killer Bee, and Iruka - were all present. They were standing proudly and absolutely delighted to see their favorite student in such a state of delight.
His best friends - The Konoha Twelve, even Sakura and Sasuke were present. Gaara and his siblings had made their way to Konoha for the celebration and, in turn, were glad to greet him at Ichiraku Ramen.
His biggest supporters, those who helped him the most, were also present. Lady Tsunade and Shizune greeted him with a hug and, with a motherly tone, Lady Tsunade stated just how happy she was to have Naruto’s trouble-loving self in the village. Teuchi, the man behind the counter of Ichiraku after every mission, held a bowl of the most delicious and filling ramen he had ever made. Naruto was excited to not only receive this bowl, but to also witness the love and respect that Teuchi had for him.
The birthday cake and presents were the last to be brought out. Some people couldn’t stay for the entire duration of the party (“Land of Stone is where I’ve gots to be / A happy birthday to you from tha’ Killa’ Bee!”) and the room had since gotten more spacious. The cake was just enough for the remaining party after a few had left and was decorated to have the Uzumaki crest on the top of it, a symbol of not only Naruto's heritage, but of the love and support his parents had given from the grave.
“Your parents would be so proud of you, kid,” Jiraiya said as he cut the cake, “I know I would if I was your dad.”
“Thanks, pervy sage,” Naruto smiled.
A hand pushed itself onto the boy's head, ruffling his hair. “I’m proud to have you as my student, Naruto. You’ve shown amazing progress and I can’t wait to see what else you can do.”
Naruto looked to Kakashi, who was smiling down at the birthday boy. He giggled and gave Kakashi a quick hug, feeling the warmth within his chest.
“Happy birthday, Naruto,” Shikamaru chimed in, “this party isn’t such a drag after all.”
The candles on the cake were lit - there were twelve in total, each one representing one year of his life - and the group sang what could now be considered the most off-key and off-rhythm version of Happy Birthday to date.
Naruto was given the first slice of cake, of course, and he instantly ate the entire piece in almost one bite.
“Here’s my gift to you, Naruto!” Sakura said, sliding a box toward her teammate after the cake had been dispersed. He opened it excitedly and found a golden necklace with a pendant, a seven etched into the gold. “It’s matching necklaces for the team,” she smiled, and showcased her own necklace that she was wearing. Naruto turned to Sasuke, who sighed and pulled his own from under his shirt. He then turned to Kakashi, who was idly chatting with Might Guy in the corner, and saw the glimmer of the gold peeking out from his Jonin jacket. Naruto smiled and pulled the chain over his head, happily displaying the necklace. “Thanks, Sakura!” He smiled. “I love it!”
“Here,” Sasuke shoved a small box toward Naruto, “take it.” Naruto ignored the rudeness that was consistent with his best friend and tore open the packaging. Inside the small box was a gift certificate to Ichiraku Ramen - a value of $100 was scribbled across the certificate’s value line.
“I’ve already given the money to Teuchi,” Sasuke explained, “so you don’t even need to pay. He’ll just keep track of it.”
Naruto was bordering on tears at this point, mesmerized by the value of ramen, and could hardly utter a thank you. He threw himself at Sasuke, who was quick to scramble and try to push the boy off of him. “THANK YOU,” Naruto cried, already picturing the endless amount of ramen he was going to eat.
The rest of the day was spent receiving an absurd amount of gifts from Naruto’s extensive family - from gift cards and awesome toys to sentimental mementos, the birthday boy was receiving enough gifts to last him a lifetime.
Kakashi had walked Naruto home at the end of the day. He had yet to give the boy his own present, and Naruto was beginning to notice. He went over the list in his head and realized that the only person who didn’t get him something was his sensei, Kakashi, and he was getting increasingly concerned that the man really did forget about his birthday.
“Naruto,” Kakashi said as the pair came upon the blonde’s home, “I didn’t give you your gift yet.” A smile appeared on Naruto’s face immediately as a wave of relief washed over him. Naruto unlocked his front door and entered with Kakashi, who set down his giant bag of gifts on the table. He turned to his student and smiled under his mask.
“I wanted to save it for when we were alone. Here, hold out your hands.”
Naruto did as he was told. He extended his arms and shut his eyes, anxiously awaiting whatever Kakashi was about to give him.
A familiar weight was placed in his hands with a metal clink , and Naruto opened his eyes. A three-spiked kunai with an inscription on the handle was placed in his palms. He furrowed his brow and played with the kunai in his hand, examining it carefully. “What.. is it?” He asked.
Kakashi flipped over the kunai in Naruto’s hands and pointed at a small engraving on the base of the blade. Minato Namikaze was written, and Naruto was only more confused.
“This is your fathers kunai,” Kakashi finally explained.
Decades of memories with Minato flashed through Kakashi’s eyes, and a part of him felt saddened by the parting with his dear sensei’s kunai. He remembers the day that Minato gave him the blade, each second of that meeting ingrained in his mind forever.
“He gave it to me many years ago, back when I was just a little brat,” Kakashi chuckled, “and he gave it to me on my 15th birthday. He said it was a symbol of my promise as a shinobi.”
“Your promise as a shinobi?” Naruto muttered, eyes dancing over the blade in his hands.
Kakashi nodded. “I think it’s time for the kunai to be passed down to you, Naruto.”
Tears poked at the child’s eyes. This was one of the only mementos that he now owned from his parents - the rest were, unfortunately, lost to time.
“Thank you, Kakashi-sensei,” Naruto sniffled.
The boy set down the kunai carefully on the coffee table with his other presents. Immediately after, he pulled Kakashi into a hug, clinging onto the man's waist like it was life or death. Kakashi smiled and felt his own tears threaten to fall, desperate to release.
Kakashi looked down at the boy, whose head barely reached his chest, and fluffed his hair fondly. “Happy birthday, kiddo,” he said, “I’m so proud of you.”