Twelve Days - Day 3
title : Twelve Days
author : autumnwaters
rating : G
word count: 1283
pairing : ItaNaru
summary : Twelve days, twelve gifts. A nice thought isn't it? But Naruto's just wondering who's breaking into his apartment to do that.
Disclaimer : I do not own Naruto. That privilege belongs to Kishimoto-sensei.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3 : What's with the flowers?
The newest gift sat underneath the twinkling Christmas tree wrapped in shiny purple with silver stars. Another card was also in the branches as well when he walked through the door the next night. The appearance of the gifts were not as astonishing as what was usually left as a surprise. Naruto was almost looking forward to finding his newest surprise hidden away in his apartment. But first, he had to drop off his things from work and take a quick shower. He had promised to meet Iruka for dinner before he left for his trip.
He owed Iruka a debt he could never repay. Before Iruka, he was passed from foster home to foster home since he was eleven. He never stayed with a family for more than a few months. It made the holidays tough for the family and it deadened the blonde to the joys of the season. By the time he was sixteen, the distant memories of laughter and presents had faded into a dream-like quality.
He had never enjoyed the holidays even when his parents were alive. They were also so busy, especially after his father lost his job - it was hard on the whole family. Even after his father found another job with a much reduced pay, his mother was still working at her job, and when the holidays rolled around and they had a break, they spent it catching up on work, puttering around the house, and whatnot , but just too busy to take time out for their young son.
When he had landed with Iruka, he had rebelled violently, wanting with all hope that this man would be the last and the government would see fit to have him emancipated at sixteen. To say the least, his acts did not work; it had even landed him in the hospital the very last time he tried. According to the nurses, he had been unresponsive for nearly three days and that his guardian was there the whole time. Naruto still has never told Iruka that he had seen him lying at his side, holding his hand in worry, when he had awoken in the pre-dawn hours. The blonde hadn’t believed that someone would be there by his side for anything.
***
The restaurant they were meeting at was a favorite of theirs. It couldn’t really be call much of a restaurant, but it was theirs. That was where they both found their first connection in the holy food called ramen.
Ichiraku was a small shop nearly hidden by the shiner and newer stores in front. It was a bit run down and worn, but it was homey and the father-daughter combo was thoughtful and kind.
The doors were slid open revealing an olive-toned man with chocolate brown hair tied up in a pony-tail. His eyes scanned over the establishment looking for one person in particular.
“Konbanwa Iruka-san,” greeted Teuchi the owner. “Naruto-kun isn’t here yet. Have a seat and wait a bit; your table is open.”
Iruka nodded and walked in, heading towards the back booth. “Evening Teuchi-san. How have you been?”
“Good. A few of your colleagues came by the other night. Said you recommended us as the best ramen place in town.”
The polite conversation carried on for a few more minutes before the door slid open again and Naruto bounded inside, his open jacket flapping in the wind.
“Hi Teuchi-san. Business is doing well?”
Teuchi nodded, “Iruka’s there.”
The blonde hustled to the booth and wrapped his foster father in a hug when he stood to greet him.
“Glad to see you too Naruto.” He pulled Naruto back to arms length and looked at his foster son. “You haven’t been eating well at all. You’ve thinned, though that gives your face a more angular rugged look.”
“Been busy ‘Ruka-tou-san. With the holiday season, people have plenty of commercials and such to do and Baa-chan’s company is highly recommended.”
The two sat down in the booth and continued to catch up until Teuchi brought their usual orders of ramen, miso chashu for Naruto and shoyu ramen for Iruka. He also set down a plate of gyoza and a bottle of warm sake and two saucers.
“Itadakimasu” they chorused.
***
When dinner had finished, the two sat and chatted, catching up with their busy lives. Naruto had moved out when he turned twenty-one and found the job with Tsunade. As their dinner was winding to a close, Naruto was wondering if he should confide with Iruka about his weird stalker-burglar. He could only imagine the reaction his over-protective foster father would have. He shook his head with a slight smile on his face.
“Have a good flight Iruka-tou-san. I have an early day tomorrow and I will see you when you get back okay? Good night.” With a final hug, the two departed and bid farewell to Ichiraku until the next time.
***
The bus ride home was quiet, though the odd chatter did puncture it at points. The walk home was much quieter as the folks rushing home were already safely ensconced in their warm homes with family at their side.
The inside of his apartment was still as empty as before, but it seemed to have gained a faint tinge of home. A quick sweep of his apartment didn’t bring any oddities to front like his other gifts had. Naruto‘s face drooped slightly in disappointment before he shook his head. It’s a good thing. That means no odd surprises…though he still broke in.
To assuage his lingering curiosity, he walked over to the tree and picked up the newest card and read the neatly written message.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
You may not notice it now or even tomorrow
But in a while, you recognize the bittersweet memories
Naruto blinked and reread the message. He still didn’t understand what the message meant. Replacing the card, he went to the restroom to finish his nightly rituals and strode to his room, stripping out of his day clothes as he entered. As he dropped off the clothes onto the dresser he had, he noticed a pot illuminated by the moonlight on the edge of the counter. There was a cloying scent of almond vanilla wafting through the room, but the strongest came from around the plant. The white petals were open as though welcoming the soft touch of the moon and the gentle song of the night. Tied at the rim of the pot were a ribbon and a note.
Night Phlox. Midnight Candy.
How forbidden and sweet.
I remembered the white glow of your hair as you ran about the field.
The glimmering blue jewels and a sunbright smile.
You grabbed an armful and called them your favorite.
There is a window planter for the living room window. The seeds are attached on the side. Take your pick of what you want.
Naruto set down the note and closed his eyes, but not before the light of the moon showed a glimmer in his eyes. Leaning down, he took in a giant whiff of the scent and remembered better times. The tears he had hidden behind escaped and trailed down his face.
***
author : autumnwaters
rating : G
word count: 1283
pairing : ItaNaru
summary : Twelve days, twelve gifts. A nice thought isn't it? But Naruto's just wondering who's breaking into his apartment to do that.
Disclaimer : I do not own Naruto. That privilege belongs to Kishimoto-sensei.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3 : What's with the flowers?
The newest gift sat underneath the twinkling Christmas tree wrapped in shiny purple with silver stars. Another card was also in the branches as well when he walked through the door the next night. The appearance of the gifts were not as astonishing as what was usually left as a surprise. Naruto was almost looking forward to finding his newest surprise hidden away in his apartment. But first, he had to drop off his things from work and take a quick shower. He had promised to meet Iruka for dinner before he left for his trip.
He owed Iruka a debt he could never repay. Before Iruka, he was passed from foster home to foster home since he was eleven. He never stayed with a family for more than a few months. It made the holidays tough for the family and it deadened the blonde to the joys of the season. By the time he was sixteen, the distant memories of laughter and presents had faded into a dream-like quality.
He had never enjoyed the holidays even when his parents were alive. They were also so busy, especially after his father lost his job - it was hard on the whole family. Even after his father found another job with a much reduced pay, his mother was still working at her job, and when the holidays rolled around and they had a break, they spent it catching up on work, puttering around the house, and whatnot , but just too busy to take time out for their young son.
When he had landed with Iruka, he had rebelled violently, wanting with all hope that this man would be the last and the government would see fit to have him emancipated at sixteen. To say the least, his acts did not work; it had even landed him in the hospital the very last time he tried. According to the nurses, he had been unresponsive for nearly three days and that his guardian was there the whole time. Naruto still has never told Iruka that he had seen him lying at his side, holding his hand in worry, when he had awoken in the pre-dawn hours. The blonde hadn’t believed that someone would be there by his side for anything.
***
The restaurant they were meeting at was a favorite of theirs. It couldn’t really be call much of a restaurant, but it was theirs. That was where they both found their first connection in the holy food called ramen.
Ichiraku was a small shop nearly hidden by the shiner and newer stores in front. It was a bit run down and worn, but it was homey and the father-daughter combo was thoughtful and kind.
The doors were slid open revealing an olive-toned man with chocolate brown hair tied up in a pony-tail. His eyes scanned over the establishment looking for one person in particular.
“Konbanwa Iruka-san,” greeted Teuchi the owner. “Naruto-kun isn’t here yet. Have a seat and wait a bit; your table is open.”
Iruka nodded and walked in, heading towards the back booth. “Evening Teuchi-san. How have you been?”
“Good. A few of your colleagues came by the other night. Said you recommended us as the best ramen place in town.”
The polite conversation carried on for a few more minutes before the door slid open again and Naruto bounded inside, his open jacket flapping in the wind.
“Hi Teuchi-san. Business is doing well?”
Teuchi nodded, “Iruka’s there.”
The blonde hustled to the booth and wrapped his foster father in a hug when he stood to greet him.
“Glad to see you too Naruto.” He pulled Naruto back to arms length and looked at his foster son. “You haven’t been eating well at all. You’ve thinned, though that gives your face a more angular rugged look.”
“Been busy ‘Ruka-tou-san. With the holiday season, people have plenty of commercials and such to do and Baa-chan’s company is highly recommended.”
The two sat down in the booth and continued to catch up until Teuchi brought their usual orders of ramen, miso chashu for Naruto and shoyu ramen for Iruka. He also set down a plate of gyoza and a bottle of warm sake and two saucers.
“Itadakimasu” they chorused.
***
When dinner had finished, the two sat and chatted, catching up with their busy lives. Naruto had moved out when he turned twenty-one and found the job with Tsunade. As their dinner was winding to a close, Naruto was wondering if he should confide with Iruka about his weird stalker-burglar. He could only imagine the reaction his over-protective foster father would have. He shook his head with a slight smile on his face.
“Have a good flight Iruka-tou-san. I have an early day tomorrow and I will see you when you get back okay? Good night.” With a final hug, the two departed and bid farewell to Ichiraku until the next time.
***
The bus ride home was quiet, though the odd chatter did puncture it at points. The walk home was much quieter as the folks rushing home were already safely ensconced in their warm homes with family at their side.
The inside of his apartment was still as empty as before, but it seemed to have gained a faint tinge of home. A quick sweep of his apartment didn’t bring any oddities to front like his other gifts had. Naruto‘s face drooped slightly in disappointment before he shook his head. It’s a good thing. That means no odd surprises…though he still broke in.
To assuage his lingering curiosity, he walked over to the tree and picked up the newest card and read the neatly written message.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
You may not notice it now or even tomorrow
But in a while, you recognize the bittersweet memories
Naruto blinked and reread the message. He still didn’t understand what the message meant. Replacing the card, he went to the restroom to finish his nightly rituals and strode to his room, stripping out of his day clothes as he entered. As he dropped off the clothes onto the dresser he had, he noticed a pot illuminated by the moonlight on the edge of the counter. There was a cloying scent of almond vanilla wafting through the room, but the strongest came from around the plant. The white petals were open as though welcoming the soft touch of the moon and the gentle song of the night. Tied at the rim of the pot were a ribbon and a note.
Night Phlox. Midnight Candy.
How forbidden and sweet.
I remembered the white glow of your hair as you ran about the field.
The glimmering blue jewels and a sunbright smile.
You grabbed an armful and called them your favorite.
There is a window planter for the living room window. The seeds are attached on the side. Take your pick of what you want.
Naruto set down the note and closed his eyes, but not before the light of the moon showed a glimmer in his eyes. Leaning down, he took in a giant whiff of the scent and remembered better times. The tears he had hidden behind escaped and trailed down his face.
***