More Than Just a Birthday

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The link is also in the synopsis

<<<>>>

Maki and Ao sat quietly in the room, slowly sipping their tea. The fragrant aroma filled the space, a calming presence that contrasted with the serious expressions they both had.

Maki wore the Takime clan's traditional robes beneath her new Kage coat, inscribed by Yko Uzumaki. The coat's primary color matched the deep teal of the Suikage's hat, with "Takimura" engraved on the back in a soft, nearly white shade of cyan.

Unlike Maki, Ao found moments like this deeply moving. He had spent a lifetime watching Kirigakure collapse under its own weight. It had never been a kind place, but over the years, it had become darker, crueler, and more suffocating. Takimura was the complete opposite. Here, the village actually listened to its people. Every life was valued.

The village was still rough around the edges, far from its final form, but Ao could see the shape of something enduring. Everything he was doing here would matter… would last. A legacy that future generations might actually be proud of.

Now, he sat beside Takimura's first Suikage, waiting for Konoha's delegation to arrive. Though the council held most of the village's ruling power, it had no authority when it came to official diplomatic meetings. That role was reserved for the Suikage, and a few trusted advisors.

"When I was told Konoha sent envoys, I didn't expect them," Ao said, shrugging as he took another sip of tea, more eagerly than before.

'Where did this tea come from? I've never tasted anything like it…'

"I knew they'd come eventually," Maki murmured, her eyes fixed on the open scroll spread across the table. "But with Kumo and Konoha at war, them showing up now… it doesn't earn my respect."

She kept writing as she spoke, noting down her thoughts in a practiced hand. It was something Ao and Akura had advised her to do, record ideas the moment they came, then revisit them during negotiations.

'I know taking notes while talking might look odd or even disrespectful,' she thought, continuing to jot down her points, 'but it's better than doing a poor job as Kage.'

Ao waited until she finished writing before speaking again.

"How did you know they'd come?"

"A few years ago, during the Chunin Exams, Ru and I visited their clan compound," she replied, setting the pen aside. "Back then, I got the impression that if Takimura ever gained recognition, they'd reach out, probably asking for help."

"And?" Ao tilted his head slightly, the question less about curiosity and more about testing her mindset. "What are your thoughts on the matter? Should we help…"

Before he could finish, the door opened.

A shinobi stepped inside, bowing slightly.

"The Uchiha delegation is here. Should I let them in?"

<<<>>>

"I hope you accept uninvited guests," a familiar voice greeted Kaoru as he opened the door.

"Itachi? What are you doing here?" Kaoru blinked, surprised.

"Really? I thought we were closer than that," Itachi laughed, offering his hand.

"No… I mean, yes, we're definitely closer than that," Kaoru chuckled, shaking his hand. "Come in. I just wasn't expecting to see you, that's all." He led Itachi into the living room, where Kaoru's friends and a few notable figures were gathered to celebrate his birthday.

"Wow, I didn't expect so many people," Itachi murmured, clearly uncomfortable. 'Mother was right, I should've waited until tomorrow.'

"Don't worry about them," Kaoru brushed him off, waving a hand dismissively. "Now that I'm head of the Takime clan, they kind of have to show up out of respect. Trust me, they don't want to be here any more than we want them here." He laughed, then quickly made his way toward Mizuki, Akane, Yuji, and the others.

"You remember Akane, Mizuki, and Yuji, right? They were with me during the Chunin Exams," Kaoru called out, drawing their attention.

"Yes, I do. It's good to see you again," Itachi said politely, bowing slightly to show respect.

"This is my new friend, Misa," Kaoru added, gesturing to the girl standing beside Yuji.

"I've heard so much about you. You're the only person Kaoru's ever lost to," Misa said with a smile.

The story of Kaoru's fight against Itachi had become a local legend in Takimura. Very few had witnessed the duel firsthand, but thanks to Sugeru, who told a different version of it depending on his mood, the tale had taken on a life of its own. Now, Itachi was arguably the most famous foreign shinobi in the village.

"Oh, I don't think he lost to me. If anything, I was the one who lost," Itachi said seriously. While most thought he was just being humble, he genuinely believed that Kaoru had been the true victor that day.

"Oh? I didn't know we already started handing out birthday gifts," Akane said with mock seriousness, clearly teasing both Itachi and Kaoru.

Everyone laughed at the joke, including Kaoru. Itachi was the only one whose expression didn't change.

'This is so different from the Uchiha,' he thought. 'I don't remember the last time I was surrounded by people with such joyful expressions.'

"Now I understand why you love this place so much," he said, smiling. The others didn't grasp the deeper meaning behind his words, but Kaoru did.

'Itachi wouldn't come here without a reason. If they're preparing for rebellion, the Uchiha must be seeking help. I need to figure out where he stands in all this…'

Kaoru kept laughing along with the rest, but his thoughts were far from the expression on his face.

"That reminds me," Itachi said, smiling as he brought out a neatly packed box from his storage seal. "I have to give you a present, since I visited you on your birthday."

"I didn't know it would be your birthday when I was told to come to Takimura, so I didn't have much time to prepare anything special... but I think you'll like this."

He handed the box to Kaoru, watching with a smile as he carefully opened it.

"The scroll inside contains knowledge that's common among the larger clans in Konoha," Itachi explained, pointing at the dark ring resting inside. "But the ring, it's something special. The Uchiha use it to help sense yin energy more easily. Use it only when you're training... Oh, and happy birthday."

His smile deepened when he saw the genuine light in Kaoru's eyes.

"I seem to be getting gifts from you one after another," Kaoru said, still staring down at the scroll, his fingers lightly brushing the hurriedly written characters.

"That's not true. Trust me," Itachi said seriously, the smile fading from his face. "You and your sister have already given me a bigger gift than you can imagine... If not for you, I wouldn't be…"

He stopped abruptly, realizing this wasn't the time nor the place for a conversation like that. Not with so many eyes and ears around them.

'That answers my question,' Kaoru thought, keeping his expression neutral. 'Itachi has decided to support the Uchiha.'

His feelings were mixed. Part of him was relieved, even proud. Itachi was now freed from his tragic fate thanks to him. Now he could shape his life however he wished. But another part of him was uneasy. The Uchiha massacre had been one of the biggest turning points in the world he once knew, impacting not just Sasuke and Naruto, but Akatsuki, Konoha, and everything beyond.

'Meh... I already knew my knowledge would eventually become useless. At the very least, I've gained a friend I can trust. And Konoha will have a much stronger Uchiha clan keeping them in check.'

Kaoru pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the moment.

"Thank you, Itachi. Let's talk more later. It looks like others are waiting to give me gifts too." He lifted his head with a respectful smile just as Luna Shegachi began making her way toward him.

"Lord Kaoru," Luna said with a soft chuckle, her voice carrying a practiced elegance. "I see the most pleasant part of the party has already begun, so allow me to join in."

She reached into her storage seal and pulled out a large item wrapped in delicate, fine silk. The fabric shimmered slightly under the light, the quality impossible to miss.

"This," Luna continued, offering the package with both hands, "is our very first creation here in Takimura. I wanted it to be something meaningful. And what could be more fitting than the genius head of the Takime wearing our very first masterpiece?"

She chuckled lightly behind her golden fan, this one engraved with Takimura's symbolic flowers.

'If I ever get the chance, I need to introduce her to Orochimaru,' Kaoru chuckled inwardly, amused by his own thought. There was something about Luna, an odd resemblance to Orochimaru. Not in appearance, but in the way their words and actions rarely felt genuine.

He removed the silk wrapping and revealed a set of Takime clan robes - traditional in shape, but far more luxurious than any he had ever worn. Even from a single touch, Kaoru could tell the material was of the highest quality. And though he wasn't trained in tailoring, even his eye could catch the delicate stitches that framed the subtly engraved seals.

"I asked the village's best fuinjutsu master to handle the sealwork," Luna said, smiling as she lowered her fan to reveal a set of smooth, marble-like teeth. "I couldn't risk using my own seal specialists. They're competent, but nowhere near the level of Uzumaki Yko."

She gestured lightly toward the robes, clearly proud of what she was presenting.

"The seals are designed to create absolute comfort. No matter the weather outside, the inside of the robes will always be warm in the cold and cool in the heat. They'll never stain, and if you channel chakra into them, the fabric will harden, becoming as durable as steel. Tearing them won't be easy."

There was pride in her tone. And perhaps, for once, some sincerity beneath it.

"Please wear them proudly," she added, bowing slightly. "I can promise you, even the wealthiest man in the Land of Water would envy these."

"Thank you, Lady Luna," Kaoru replied, returning the bow. "It's not only a generous gift, but the thought behind it makes me happy. I promise I'll wear them often. All my current robes are as uncomfortable as they can possibly be."

He laughed then, holding the robes with both hands. "Honestly, I'm tempted to go change into them right now."

"Wait! We haven't given our gifts yet!" someone called out from behind, cutting through the moment before Kaoru could move.

…

Quite a few guests, including Luna and other high-ranking officials, had already left the party after presenting their gifts. Finally, only those who genuinely enjoyed each other's company remained. The atmosphere relaxed, conversations got warmer, and laughter became more natural now that the formalities had passed.

"It's my turn now," Mizuki whispered into Kaoru's ear when no one was paying attention. He didn't need her to say more, her tone was enough.

Without drawing attention, the two slipped away into the yard.

Though the house's reconstruction hadn't yet begun, the yard had already been reshaped. A high wall enclosed the property, and within it sat a serene pond lined with flat stones, tall swaying trees, and koi swimming freely inside. Even a few cranes wandered near the water's edge. It was designed precisely to Kaoru's tastes as this would be his home, his peaceful place.

"Do you like it?" Kaoru asked, catching the faint smile on Mizuki's face as she looked around.

"Yes. It's beautiful," she replied, her gaze settling on him before she pulled out a small notebook with intricate seals layered across its cover. "Ahem, I asked Yko-san to make this. It's not much… but I hope you'll like it."

Kaoru took the notebook, flipping through its blank pages. "What is this?" he asked, clearly confused.

"I have the exact same one," Mizuki said, her voice softer now. "When you write in it using a chakra-infused quill, the words will appear in the other notebook too."

Her smile brightened with pride, she'd found a solution to their distance. But the moment froze when she saw Kaoru chuckle.

"Hehe… I made something similar for you."

He reached into his storage seal and retrieved a necklace. It was a delicate silverwork threaded around a crimson ruby.

Mizuki's eyes widened as she held it, her fingers instinctively brushing the gem. "What does it do?"

"It holds a summoning contract inside," Kaoru said. "If you ever find yourself in danger, infuse your chakra into the gem and it will summon me. But it only works once, so don't use it unless you really need to."

Then, without speaking, he stepped forward and reached behind her, clasping the necklace around her neck.

His fingers brushed the side of her neck lightly, carefully, but in that short moment, Mizuki stilled. Neither spoke. Her breath caught. His lingered. Kaoru's hands trembled slightly before pulling back.

Mizuki didn't look at him immediately. Her fingers drifted to the pendant, holding it close like a secret.

"Thank you," she whispered, cheeks painted with pink. For a moment, they stood alone in the silence of shivering leaves and the quiet ripple of water.

Then, footsteps broke the moment.

"There you are."

"When did the two of you sneak out?"

"Are we interrupting something?"

Voices came in waves as the others spilled into the yard. Kaoru fought the urge to drive them all back inside, but it would've been rude. And Mizuki'd probably be even more embarrassed.

So he smiled instead, sighing with disappointment.

Itachi was the last to step out, but unlike the others, he walked directly to Kaoru.

"I know it's your birthday," he said calmly, "and it might be rude to ask this now, but can we talk in private?"

**

A/N –

Kaoru's birthday chapter ended up much longer than I expected, but I didn't want to rush it.

I wasn't sure at first if I wanted Itachi to visit Takimura, but I'm glad I went with it. Rather than writing more about Konoha directly, bringing him here gave me a chance to show his development in a new environment, and through Kaoru's perspective.

Kaoru will be leaving Takimura soon, but before that, I wanted to give a bit more focus to what's been changing in the village. It's grown alongside him, and showing that growth feels important before he takes the next step in his journey.

Character Notes:

Itachi Uchiha – Gifted guest with hidden intent – "Happy birthday, here's a scroll, a chakra ring, and probably a political uprising."

Yko Uzumaki – Seal savant & birthday casualty – "I made robes, enchanted notebooks, a necklace... If Kaoru asks for one more 'small favor,' I'm gonna flip out."

The Necklace – Panic button deluxe – "Press me once to summon a boy with issues and a god complex."

Reminder - Break Tomorrow

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The link is also in the synopsis