{Happy New Year guys! Saying it in advance as my plan for tomorrow isn't fixed yet, if something happens there might not be a chapter, so happy new year, enjoy with your family, friends and special ones, don't wait for me. May your new year be blessed, stay safe, stay happy.}
~~~
Ichiraku Ramen was quieter than usual today.
Normally, even on a slow evening, there would be the soft clatter of bowls, the murmur of customers, a few shinobi grabbing a quick bite between missions. Tonight, the lantern outside still glowed warmly, but inside there was only one customer sitting at the counter.
Naruto Uzumaki.
He sat with his legs swinging back and forth under the stool, heels tapping lightly against the wooden frame. His hands rested on the counter, fingers drumming in an uneven rhythm that betrayed his excitement no matter how hard he tried to look calm.
"Hey, hey, big sis Ayame," Naruto asked for what felt like the tenth time, leaning forward so far his chin nearly touched the counter. "When do you think Ren's gonna arrive?"
Ayame, who was wiping down a bowl, glanced over her shoulder and smiled softly at him. It wasn't the indulgent smile adults usually gave Naruto out of pity, it was much warmer.
"Calm down, Naruto," she said gently. "You've already asked me that so many times. Even if I wanted to, I can't magically know when he'll come."
Naruto puffed out his cheeks in a pout, crossing his arms dramatically. "But he said he would."
"I know," Ayame replied, turning back to the counter. "And I'm sure he meant it."
As if on cue, Naruto's stomach betrayed him with a loud grrrr.
The sound echoed in the quiet shop.
Ayame paused mid-motion, then laughed softly. "You're hungry, aren't you? Want me to make you a bowl while you wait?"
Naruto hesitated. His eyes flicked toward the empty seat beside him, Ren's seat, then back to Ayame. For a moment, the temptation was obvious.
He swallowed, then he shook his head firmly. "Nope. I'll wait."
Ayame blinked, surprised. "You're sure?"
Naruto nodded, more resolute now. "Yeah. It's our birthday thing. We eat together."
There was something stubborn and earnest in his voice that made Ayame's smile fade into something more worried.
"…Alright," she said after a second. "Then just hang on a bit longer, okay?"
Naruto grinned again, the earlier worry forgotten as he swung his legs harder. "Okay!"
Ayame watched him for a moment longer, then turned away and slipped into the back area of the shop. Teuchi was there, checking ingredients with his usual unhurried movements.
She lowered her voice. "Father… do you really think Ren will come?"
Teuchi looked up at her, eyebrows lifting slightly.
"You saw him earlier," Ayame continued, wringing her hands without realizing it. "Up on the tower, with the Hokage and the Daimyo. He looked… busy. What if he forgets?"
She hesitated, then added quietly, "Naruto's been waiting for this all year."
Teuchi followed her gaze back toward the counter, where Naruto sat humming to himself, completely unaware of the worry surrounding him. The boy's back was straight, his posture expectant, as if the world had taught him nothing but hope.
Teuchi sighed softly, not in doubt, but in understanding.
"He won't forget," he said calmly.
Ayame looked at him. "You're sure?"
"I'm sure," Teuchi replied, a small smile forming on his face. "I've seen the way Ren looks at that boy. That's not the look of someone who breaks promises."
He reached out and patted Ayame's head, just like he used to when she was younger. "Ren's the kind of person who shows up even when he's exhausted. Especially for someone like Naruto."
Ayame relaxed slightly, though the worry didn't disappear completely. "Even with all that Danzo stuff?"
"Especially because of it," Teuchi said. "Some people cling harder to what matters when things get messy."
Ayame nodded slowly. "I hope you're right."
Teuchi chuckled softly. "I am. Just give him a little more time."
Out front, Naruto kicked his heels against the stool again, staring at the doorway with bright, unyielding hope.
He didn't know what trials had just ended, or what chaos was still brewing in the village.
He only knew one thing.
Ren said he would come.
And Naruto believed him.
~
A little more time passed.
Naruto's legs stopped swinging.
At first it was subtle, his rhythm slowed, the soft taps against the stool growing uneven. His fingers stopped drumming on the counter and instead curled together, nails pressing lightly into his palms. His eyes, which had been glued to the doorway with unwavering faith, began to flicker away for just a second too long.
'Is Ren not coming?'
The thought slipped in quietly, like a crack in glass.
He shook his head once, hard enough that his blond hair bounced.
'No. He said he would.'
But another thought followed, sharper this time.
'Does he not remember?'
Naruto swallowed.
He stared at the lantern outside, watching it sway gently in the evening breeze. People passed by but none of them came in.
His chest felt… tight.
'Maybe he found out why people don't like me,' Naruto thought, his shoulders curling inward without him realizing. 'Maybe he realized I'm… different.'
His grip tightened on the little box under the counter.
'Maybe that's why he didn't come.'
The thoughts spiraled faster after that, tumbling over one another, heavy and unkind in a way only a child's fears could be. His smile faded completely now, replaced by something small and fragile.
Then a voice brushed past his ear, light and amused, almost like a whisper carried on the wind.
"You know," it said lazily, "your thoughts are leaking out."
Naruto shivered.
He straightened so fast his stool scraped softly against the floor. His heart jumped into his throat as he spun around and froze.
Ren was standing right there.
'Ren.'
For a split second Naruto's brain failed to process it. Then his face lit up so suddenly it was like the sun had risen inside Ichiraku.
"REN!"
He didn't even think.
He jumped off the stool and launched himself forward, legs wrapping around Ren's waist with everything he had. The impact was solid, warm and real.
"Hehe!" Naruto laughed breathlessly, burying his face against Ren's clothes. "I thought you wouldn't come, but you did, you did!"
He giggled as he spoke, the sound bright and unrestrained, like all the fear from moments ago had never existed at all.
Ren blinked once, then snorted softly.
With practiced ease, he lifted Naruto up by the collar like an unruly but beloved cat, holding him at arm's length.
"Oi," Ren said with a grin. "Careful. You trying to tackle me to death on our birthday?"
Naruto just laughed harder, legs kicking in the air.
Ren set him down gently and crouched so they were eye level. "How could I forget our deal?" he continued, tapping Naruto lightly on the forehead. "It's your turn to treat me, remember?"
Naruto nodded so hard his neck should've hurt. "Yeah! I remember!" He scrambled under the counter and pulled out the small box, thrusting it forward proudly. "I saved money! See!"
Ren raised an eyebrow, impressed despite himself. "Oh? Been planning ahead, huh?"
Naruto puffed out his chest. "For a whole year!"
Ren chuckled and reached into his storage belt. "Then I guess it's only fair I give you something too."
He pulled out a small wallet, green, round, and unmistakably shaped like a toad.
Naruto's eyes went wide.
"…Wah."
Ren himself almost laughed at how perfectly stunned the kid looked. Even he didn't expect that he would find Gama-chan while rounding up the root ninjas, but since he found it, he bought it.
"Found it earlier today and thought of you. Happy Birthday!"
Naruto took it carefully, like it might vanish if he moved too fast. His fingers traced the stitching, the little toad eyes, the soft leather.
"I'll call it Gama-chan," Naruto declared immediately.
Ren snorted. "Of course you will."
Naruto opened the wallet and carefully poured the money from his box into it. When he closed it again, the toad looked pleasantly stuffed.
Naruto hugged Gama-chan to his cheek, rubbing it back and forth with a smile so wide his eyes squeezed shut, whisker marks stretching as his cheeks lifted.
"Hehe… it's heavy," he said proudly.
Ren watched him for a moment longer than necessary, his grin softening into something quieter.
"Alright," Ren said finally, standing up. "Now sit down. Birthday Ramen waits for no one."
Naruto scrambled back onto the stool instantly.
"BIG SIS AYAME! TWO BIG BOWLS!" he shouted.
Ayame peeked out from the back, eyes flicking between the two of them before she smiled in relief. "Coming right up."
As Ren took the seat beside Naruto, the lantern outside swayed again, gentle, steady.
For Naruto, the world felt right again.
Ren had come.
And that was all that mattered.
~
Teuchi emerged from the back a moment later, steam curling up from two large bowls balanced easily in his hands. The rich smell of broth, noodles, and pork filled the shop instantly, warm and comforting in a way that only Ichiraku could manage.
He placed one bowl in front of Naruto and the other in front of Ren, then wiped his hands on his apron and smiled warmly.
"Happy birthday to you both."
Naruto's eyes sparkled, and Ren's lips curved upward at the same time.
"Thanks, old man Teuchi," they said together.
Teuchi laughed, clearly pleased, and retreated back behind the counter, leaving the two of them to their food.
The chopsticks didn't last long.
Naruto dug in like he'd been starving for weeks, slurping noodles with reckless enthusiasm, broth splashing dangerously close to the edge of the bowl. Ren ate at a much calmer pace, but even he didn't bother pretending to be refined. For a while, the only sounds in the shop were slurps, clinks of chopsticks, and Naruto's satisfied hums.
After a few minutes, Ren spoke without looking up.
"So," he said, lifting a slice of pork with his chopsticks, "how's the academy going?"
Naruto immediately tried to answer with his mouth still full.
"Mmph-mmph mmph…!"
Bits of noodle threatened to escape as he gestured wildly.
Ren stopped eating and stared at him flatly.
"Eat your food first, you disgusting worm."
Naruto's cheeks puffed out like a squirrel caught stealing. He quickly swallowed, too quickly, and coughed once before pounding his chest.
"Ugh… okay, okay!" he protested, wiping his mouth with the back of his sleeve. "Anyway! It's mostly boring stuff. The Sensei just make us read books about history all day. Like, who cares what happened a hundred years ago? It's no fun at all."
Ren hummed noncommittally.
"But," Naruto continued, immediately brightening, "I like running! I'm always in the top five in the class when we do physical stuff. Sometimes even third!"
Ren glanced at him sidelong. "Sometimes."
Naruto ignored that. "But I don't like Sasuke."
Ren raised an eyebrow slightly.
"He comes first in everything," Naruto went on, stabbing his chopsticks into the air for emphasis. "Running, throwing, tests, everything! And he's sooo annoying and stuck-up. Doesn't even talk much, just looks at people like they're idiots."
Ren smirked faintly. "Sounds talented."
"And all the girls stick to him," Naruto added, scowling. "Even Sakura-chan…"
The last part came out quieter, almost mumbled.
Ren caught it anyway.
"Oh?" Ren said lightly, a teasing edge slipping into his voice. "Who's this Sakura-chan?"
Naruto's face turned red almost instantly. He scratched the back of his head, suddenly very interested in his Ramen.
"Hehe… well, she's in our class. And she's really smart. She always comes first in the written tests." He paused, then grumbled, "And she's always hanging around that bastard Sasuke."
Ren chuckled softly and took another bite of his Ramen. "Sounds like she's got good taste at least."
Naruto huffed. "You're not helping."
Ren shrugged, completely unconcerned. "That's life. Some people are good at things. Some people get attention. You don't have to like it."
Naruto frowned at his bowl, poking at the noodles. "Still annoying."
"Of course it is," Ren said casually. "You're allowed to be annoyed. Just don't let it make you stupid."
Naruto looked up at him. "Huh?"
Ren met his gaze, expression relaxed but steady. "You want to beat him? Don't whine, get better."
Naruto stared for a second, then his eyes lit up again.
"Yeah!" he said, grinning. "I'll get super strong. Stronger than Sasuke. Stronger than everyone!"
~~~~~
{Writing little Naruto gives me such joy, it's healing really.}