Orange, Spirals and Everything Nice

Twenty-Nine: Memorial Day

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters or the setting of the story. They all exclusively belong to Mr. Masashi Kishimoto in all its rights.

(A/N: Waahh!! I honestly never expected this story to suddenly shoot up the ranks even for a really short while... *insert anime tears* . Thank you so much, guys! I really appreciate it. And here goes the last chapter before the epic moon adventure. Hee- Hee. Happy reading!) 

Two years after the fourth great war was concluded. 

Two years since peace had reigned over the shinobi world. And two years since the survivors of the war mourned and revisited their scars during the annual Memorial Day.

And yet, in one part of the forest just outside the hidden Leaf, the war hero himself was having his tenth, ultra-rare-flavored cup ramen in front of a makeshift headstone, dedicated to his late master. 

It was his silly attempt at celebrating his birthday without being a burden to anyone in the village who are currently grieving for their lost family and friends at the cemetery. 

No matter how uncanny the situation might seem. 

Besides, Naruto had always been alone in all of his birthdays, except for when he was training with Pervy Sage before. Jiraiya was the very first person to treat him to a meal and give him a present during his fourteenth and fifteenth birthday. Then there was Iruka who waited for him in his apartment after he and Sakura returned from Obito's mini Tsukuyomi experiment just before the war.

Last year was a little different because the blonde's fangirls showered him with presents. He was obviously happy about it, but he felt really uncomfortable at the same time. Because the wounds of the previous war were still fresh in everyone's minds and hearts. And for him to be having a happy occasion in the midst of their misery was simply unacceptable. 

Nonetheless, Naruto's friends still greeted him then, and some even treated him to Ichiraku's along with Iruka and Kakashi. Maybe the best thing he received the previous year was the small cake that Hinata baked for him despite her busy clan duties. The heiress even apologized for only offering him so little, but it was truly more than enough for the hero. 

And he loved the cake.

"Oi, Naruto." Kurama growled from inside the hero's gut. The blonde was surprised to hear the fox say anything after a while, but he faced the beast with a bright grin just the same.

"Yo, Kurama. What's up?" Naruto greeted.

The fox scoffed. "You've been here all day already. Shouldn't you be at the cemetery?" 

The hero sighed and sat lazily before Kurama. "Nah. All those girls following me around might just mess things up and ruin Memorial day again. I'd rather be here where it's quiet."

The beast laughed. "Just when did you start to like quiet places?"

Naruto chuckled and scratched the back of his head.