The Best Day Ever

Tsuyu was still quite lethargic after a night rest, but otherwise she felt good enough to move around.

As morning came, she moved out of her bed as usual, ready to cook breakfast as usual.

But as she went out of the bedroom, she saw Naruto lounging in the kitchen already. It was weekend wasn't it?

"Nii-san, what's the matter?"

"Hm? Tsu-chan, well…"

Tsuyu can see Naruto was clearly restless with the way his body fidgeting and his hands behind his back as if hiding something.

"Uh… here."

Naruto showed his hands, revealing a silver bracelet with a purple gemstone on it.

"Hm?"

Tsuyu was quite perplexed.

"It's for your birthday. We never celebrated…"

"Huh, right… today is" Tsuyu truly didn't even remember. She's just agreeing. Now she realised what she missed, and what her brother missed too.

Right. It was because no one cared to celebrate their birthday in the orphanage and sort of carried over, and Tsuyu herself was very tight on their budget and wouldn't want to waste money so it just completely threw out of her mind.

Naruto too never brought it up to her so she didn't remember.

"... You got this for me huh."

Tsuyu held the bracelet in her hand. Although the present itself wasn't something she would use, but she appreciated it.

In a sense, family is the only relationship you have give and take based on care. Tsuyu came to accept and found fulfillment in this kind of relationship.

Receiving the present meant something for her.

"Thank you brother. It is beautiful and I appreciate it. Though, you should know I never wear such a thing?", Tsuyu lightly said with a hint of a smile.

Naruto scratched his cheek.

"Ino said it was 'trendy'-ttebayo! Not sure what it meant but I thought you never wear anything like this because we were poor."

Tsuyu let out a light chuckle, her eyes flickered with amusement.

"You think my image would fit in a dress and stuff like these?"

Naruto's mind instantly conjured the image of his little sister in a cute dress and wearing girl-stuffs.

It seemed so wrong!

"No! It's so weird-ttebayo!"

Tsuyu let out a light laugh.

"I agree. I probably won't wear this…"

"Oh. I should have gotten something different." Naruto scratched the back of his neck. He felt dissapointed…

"But I suppose, since today is our birthday I would wear it for the day."

Tsuyu slid it onto her wrist. Naruto's eyes widened in surprise, warmth sprouted in his chest seeing her wear his present.

"While we are at it, let's celebrate properly."

Naruto's eyes lit up and he nodded vigorously.

"Yosha! Lets buy a lot of food and cake!"

Tsuyu thought for a second.

"Let's invite our friends then"

"Eh…?" Naruto was stunned hearing Tsuyu's casual words. It just, he never had ever thought of having a real birthday party with people and friends coming over. And he thought of just celebrating with his sister.

"What? I can see in your face you wanted to"

"Would… would they come?" Naruto felt a little hesitant. It's as if he was asking for too much.

"Hm? I expect you would be more than excited to ask the whole village to come" Tsuyu said jokingly. Though she did not really understand Naruto's expression. She assumed Naruto would be more than happy to invite others.

"Huh of course not the whole village! Our house won't fit-ttebayo!"

But as Naruto thought about it, a part of him wondered if anyone would really come? Naruto had always felt lonely. But even he never came so low as to tell others his birthday unasked and ask them to celebrate with him… it felt too desperate and pitiful, even for Naruto.

Tsuyu on the other hand didn't think much of the intricacy of Naruto's emotions. She simply summoned a few shadow clones and sent them on their way to each of their respective friends and classmates.

"Come on. We had a lot of things to buy and do. Wash your face. We are heading out."

Naruto quickly nodded with a yes. He felt anticipation and almost anxiety. It's just… he never had celebrated a birthday properly. It was almost too good to be true.

Naruto was a little out of his mind as he walked through the street of Konoha with his sister and their clones, going into grocery and other shops.

Tsuyu turned to the clone holding stuffs like balloons and banners giving instruction. Then she turned to the clones holding groceries and ordered them to prep the ingredients.

Just then Tsuyu happened to meet Hinata who seemed to be rushing to the groceries too.

"A-ah. Tsuyu, Naruto"

"Hinata. My shadow clone should have informed you? Are you coming?"

"O-of course I am coming…" Hinata managed to speak a little louder.

"Hinata…!" Naruto looked at her with shining eyes. Happy that Hinata would be coming.

Hinata blushed red and squeaked, feeling Naruto's gaze.

"I… I am planning to bake a cake…" She had wanted to make it more personally, especially for her closest friend and for the person she had liked.

"Ah. Then, how about we make them together? That would be more fun" Tsuyu was very casual, and she knew how to make it livelier.

"Waa! Yeah!! Let's make a cake together Hinata! Or two cakes!" Naruto eagerly supported Tsuyu.

Hinata was unable to refuse and just nodded, going back with the two to their home.

Kiba also received the invitation and just as quickly headed straight to Naruto's place. He was really bored anyway!

Ding dong!

"Kiba! You come too!" Naruto felt happy. His eyes almost wet in tears.

"Yo! You never told me your birthday! And what's those white stuff on your face"

"Haha! We are making a cake!"

Kiba eventually joined the kitchen too. Thankfully Tsuyu and Naruto had already moved to a bigger place a month ago as they were well off now.

Though…

She looked at the three kids causing chaos. And why was the dog on the counter! The fur would get into the batter!

"Ahahah! Hinata look~ look~" Naruto used the cream to make a fake goatee and a mustouche.

"Pff…" She was holding back her laugh.

Naruto mischievously took some of the cream and splat it on Hinata's upper lips.

"Eek-," Hinata face flushed red as she felt Naruto's finger…

"Hahahah! You have a moustache!"

"Akamaru! Don't eat that!"

"Waa! Kiba look at Akamaru's face! HAHAHA"

Akamaru's whole face was covered with batter, making him look too funny.

Tsuyu shook her head, ignoring them while preparing real food.

***

Uchiha compound

Tsuyu's clone look at the desolate place. She haven't gone to here much ever since the massacre happened.

Tsuyu reached Sasuke's home. But as she entered the frontyard, she saw Sasuke was training on his own, using Uchiha's taijutsu against a wooden dummy.

Thud, thud, thud!

Sasuke's sharingan activated as he move swiftly, matching his reaction and his body movement to deliver blow after blow in short span of time.

With a last kick, the wooden dummy splintered and fell down.

Ha…ha… Sasuke wiped his sweat. Only then he realised Tsuyu was on front of his compound's gate

"... What are you doing here…?" Sasuke's tone was more of confusion.

"It's Naruto's and my birthday. We are having a party. You should join".

"... I have to decline. I am busy…" Sasuke words were not rude since it was Tsuyu that invited her. He returned his focus to the wooden dummy, about to pick it up.

…

Tsuyu thought for a second.

"Sasuke. Once you kill him, what would you do next…"

Tsuyu's ask a million dollar question.

"What…?" Sasuke turned his attention to her.

"I ask again. Once you kill him, what would you do next."

Sasuke felt irritated at the useless question.

"I don't know. It doesn't matter. He will have to die first…"

…

"It does matter, Sasuke," Tsuyu didn't back down.

"You know nothing about me. Mind your own business… I have training to do" Sasuke voiced turned a little colder.

"I do know it was unhealthy for you to overexert yourself. Your body and mind need proper rest in between training."

"... I am too weak. I can't rest until I could become strong…" Sasuke said shakily. His body was hurting all over truthfully.

Tsuyu hmed.

"Sasuke. That person was a wanted man. And as an ANBU member myself, he too is a target of Konoha, and the day might come for one of us to receive a mission to hunt him. What I am saying is, you never had to do it alone, Sasuke. That person wasn't just your enemy, but the whole village's."

"...".

"Who knows. Perhaps you and me would team up together to kill him. It would be my duty to eliminate a traitor."

Tsuyu said quite lightly. Sasuke felt his ears buzzing hearing those words.

"It's personal for me .. I don't need anyone's help. And I rather take him down with my own hands…"

Sasuke said that, but his voice was weakening, and in his chest, the coldness that covered his being melted a little.

Hearing someone actually supported his goal, and offering their help, Sasuke never felt this vulnerable ever since he lost his family.

Each time he muttered the word of revenge, everyone only look at him as if he was sick in the head, or Iruka sensei would tell him it would lead to no good. No one understood the pain of losing your whole family and clan overnight… And that too was done by your own brother that you had once admired and loved…

So Tsuyu's word of support gave Sasuke a different feeling that was, validating.

Seeing Sasuke's face, she can see her words did shake him a little.

"Since you are keen in killing him, I could recommend you to the ANBU once you graduate. And we could make arrangements to hunt him down. You wouldn't exactly be able to enact your revenge as a regular Shinobi, unless the Hokage assigned the task to you personally."

"You…would? But why? Why are you trying to help me? I don't understand." Sasuke did felt moved that Tsuyu was paving a way for him, but he couldn't understand why would she do this.

"Nothing personal. I just want to make your path clearer. Besides, I prefer my subordinates and those I consider my comrades are on the right track."

"...".

Seeing Sasuke's silence, Tsuyu continued.

"And I am inviting you to my party because you do need company. I know because my brother was a lonely person, much like you. I don't exactly do well enough for him, even if I tried my best… but I do know that strength also comes from having a support a rely on. You need people around you, Sasuke."

Tsuyu spoke her honest thought. She had always had high expectation on herself - including to properly raise and guide Naruto as a member of a family unit. But she had accepted she did lack something and cannot give Naruto everything he needed.

And she suppose, having a family made her realise in practice how a proper efficient society was built from a proper family and connections - and it meant a person was to be raised with guidance and had enough care for them to be mentally functioning.

And clearly, Sasuke lack that now. So in terms of what was right to make Sasuke become a successful member of Konoha in the future, he need those 'care' too, and being isolated wouldn't help it.

It might seemed like Tsuyu had learned empathy; though it was similar but different. She never truly understood until she had her own family with Naruto. Seeing his growth, how his environment shaped his personality, and how Tsuyu witnessed Naruto's failures - pranking, causing trouble, lacking awareness, and his emotional instability due to the circumstances.

The failures she saw in Naruto was corrected and set right with her presence and support. She helped him to move through everything. Even though she who couldn't truly understand depth of connections and emotions, she felt the sense of accomplishment of what she had gave as his sister and how Naruto ended up now with all her efforts. Perhaps it was far from perfect, but she understood the importance of 'care'.

In the past she did hate lazy people or society wastes that offer nothing. But once she saw in her own brother that he could have ended up as those wastes she hated made her truly understood on the why's from first hand experience.

Those wastes that couldn't ontribute anything was never given proper guidance; and their parents, guardian, or system in place had failed them first - creating more failures.

It was something she had overlooked in her past life; she admitted her misjudgment on the real problem, and she should rather hate those failures of a parent and the flawed system instead of the individuals that was brought by those flaws in the first place.

So she had the whim to reach out to Sasuke. Just because it was the 'right' thing to do and she could prevent a set of failures from her own comrade, just as she had tried her best for Naruto.

"I…" Sasuke felt his coldness loosening.

"Just come."

"Fine…" Sasuke finally unable to refuse Tsuyu's insistence anymore.

…

But as Sasuke walked with Tsuyu, he suddenly ask.

"When you said Naruto was a lonely person… why?"

Sasuke did see Naruto was lonely - but that's also why he hated Naruto inside for not even appreciating what he had.

"... I would say it was because I couldn't provide everything he needed. I am a little different you see. I don't feel the same as most people do". Tsuyu confessed without much thought.

"...". Sasuke frowned.

"Even I couldn't describe what I lack. For me it was a matter of result. What I do for Naruto, it was all for him to be able to reach his full potential. It was my responsibility and duty as his sister. I would say, the word 'love' never suited me. Perhaps that would be understandable."

"Duty…" Sasuke felt like he started to understand the complexity of the siblings. Sasuke being raised in the Uchiha clan and how clans always place importance of bloodline and duty first while 'love' second, he can somewhat get it.

"So it was out of duty…" Sasuke muttered to himself, processing the revelation. His bitterness towards feeling dissipated in the moment, and more towards understanding now.

But still, he still felt that Naruto was lucky to still have a family at all… even if there was something missing. Sasuke on the other hand had nothing entirely, he thought to himself.

The two reached the Uzumaki's home.

As the door was opened, Sasuke saw so many people inside.

Naruto, Kiba, Hinata, Lee, Sakura, Ino (came right after knowing Sasuke would be coming), Choji (wanted free food and dragged the lazy guy), and Shikamaru. The only person he didn't know was the girl Tenten who was his senior he never interacted with.

Sakura saw Sasuke and immediately went to fetch him.

"Sasuke-kun! Come in! We are playing a game! Let's play together…"

Ino also went to drag Sasuke.

Why did I agree…

Sasuke reluctantly joined.

Naruto noticed Sasuke and crossed his arms.

"Heh~ Guess you feel missing out on my great party! Hehe!"

Naruto's word manage to trigger him as usual.

"Shut up, dobe. It's your sister dragging me here" Sasuke huffed as he was forced to join the games.

"Yoshaa! Sasuke, I will beat you in cards! Just you watch!"

***

Tsuyu look incredulously at the group playing card games.

Hinata with her Byakugan open - though she quickly fainted and was carried to Tsuyu's bedroom to rest after her eyes darted to Naruto's cards(?). Ino possessing Sakura to see the cards on her hands. Sasuke with his Sharingan memorizing the cards already taken out. It all started with Naruto using a shadow clone to sneak behind Sasuke to see his and dispel the clone so the memories come back…

"This is unfair! Why is everyone targeting me!" Naruto whined as he keep losing.

"Oi! Can we play properly! This is no fun!" Kiba complained.

"I have to agree" Lee concured.

"What a drag…"

Choji didn't join and instead was focused more on the snacks all around.

Tsuyu just shook her head, these kids are amusing.

The day was really fun for Naruto… and Tsuyu can see at least Sasuke tried to interact with them. Though mostly it was Naruto, Sakura and Ino interacting with him.

As the group settled down and feasted and chat all around.

Naruto felt like it was the best day ever, with so many people in his house. But as he laughed at Kiba's teasing on Choji; his eyes noticed Sasuke that was just standing there at the corner, looking out the window.

Naruto focus turned to Sasuke, looking at his figure.

He looked… lonely…

Naruto felt a tugging in his heart, making him want to go to him. Naruto had always noticed this, but, due to their differences, they weren't able to be proper friends. But this time… Sasuke looked even lonelier… Naruto cannot help but move on his own.

He quickly left the group chatting before going to Sasuke. He took the cupcake with stupid Sasuke's face design first just to tease him.

"Sasuke! Look at your face! I made this-dattebayo! Hehe"

Sasuke turned to look at Naruto in annoyance and huffed.

"You really have nothing better to draw? You liked my face that much?" He asked mockingly.

"W-what! I don't! Who would like your face! You… you are ugly!" Naruto said in embarrassment.

Sasuke let out a smirk seeing how Naruto couldn't make a proper comeback.

"Just taste it! Hmph!"

Naruto handed the cupcake to Sasuke.

"Huh…"

Sasuke felt a little confused… but still, he took it from Naruto's hand.

He bit into it… finding them too sweet. He never liked sweet things.

But…

His eyes looked at Naruto, who were now just standing there eating his own cupcake next to him.

…

"Thanks…" Sasuke muttered the words softly, turning his face away in embarrassment.

Why did I thank him?

"Huh?" Naruto was shocked, but his heart felt a sense of warmth inside. He stuttered inside and didn't know how to respond and end up being silent.

Sasuke wasn't bad at all… he thought.

The two just stood there, gazing out the window with cupcakes in hand. At this point, the two were starting to open up to each other.

"B-by the way, I learned a new technique and will beat you this time!" Naruto didn't know how to talk to Sasuke much, but their rivalry was what could connect them.

Tsuyu noticed the two and had a light smile. It seems the two could become proper friends now.

Sasuke dismissed Naruto lightly as usual, as he too, like Naruto, didn't really know how to talk nicely to him. It felt bizarre otherwise.

But amidst their banter, he felt a bond with him that wasn't there before, that he had opened up slightly for a friendship.

This dobe was really annoying… He thought, but more on a lighthearted tone in his heart.

***

A person with a hoodie and black glasses was walking nearby.

The cold wind blew, the wind as if calling out to his loneliness and how no one remembered…