midnightdiddle

Because I'm late in everything in life.

A ficlet for

belle_sedai. Vague implications, if you squint and look sideways. Otherwise, basic Naruto and Sandaime stuff. Also, gen.

Birthday Presents

Naruto is seven. That's what the Old Man says, and so that's why he gets a little box, wrapped in yellow paper with green dogs and red cats. There's a little stuffed elephant in the box, soft blue fur and big floppy ears. It fits in Naruto's hands just right, and he holds it tight, because sometimes his things disappear at the orphanage.

"Thank you," Naruto says carefully, because the lady told him he has to be nice, and has to say 'thank you.'

"You're welcome," the Old Man says, and when Naruto looks out the window, holding his elephant, Konoha looks sad.

x

Naruto turns nine, and the Old Man Sandaime gives Naruto a box wrapped in blue paper with green trees and orange suns. There are pajamas inside, a pale blue, and there's a hat that goes with them, with eyes and a nose and teeth.

"Thank you," Naruto says, because the pajamas are new, and big, and they aren't torn and stained like all of Naruto's pajamas have been.

"You're welcome," the Old Man Sandaime says, and when Naruto puts the hat on his head, looks in the mirror, he looks sad.

x

Naruto turns eleven. The Sandaime stops by to give Naruto a box wrapped in red paper with green balloons and blue words. There are blue goggles inside, wrapped in tissue paper. They slide over Naruto's head, rest smooth on his forehead.

"Thank you," Naruto says with a kiss, because that's how people say 'thank you' on the streets, with kisses, and Naruto's never had anyone to kiss.

"You're welcome," the Sandaime says, his voice shaky, and when Naruto looks up at him, goggles over his eyes, the Sandaime looks sad.

And one for

ainasiriel. Hayate and Sumire, vague Scarlet Spiral!universe. Sorta. Yes?

Kite Sleeves

"So you're really going?"

"Yeah," Hayate said, looking up from the boxes on the floor. Sumire was standing just inside his doorway, layers of fabrics trailing on the dusty floor.

"I thought so," Sumire said, voice soft and smooth, almost like candy. Hayate watched her kneel, hands tucking the kimono beneath her knees, and watched her begin to pick up books, set them inside boxes.

"Yeah," Hayate said again, looking away, because Sumire's trailing sleeves were bright, and Hayate wanted to grab them, hold them between his hands, because he couldn't ever hold Sumire's hands, just her sleeves.

"Ibiki-san will miss you." Sumire's fingers looked small and pale, fluttering on the edge of Hayate's sight.

"He'll be okay," Hayate said, staring at the books in his hands. "He has you, he'll be okay."

There was a soft humming sound from Sumire, and Hayate told himself it didn't sound sad, because if it sounded sad, then Hayate would want to stay, and he couldn't. He needed to leave, needed to go home, and if Sumire was sad, if Sumire was ever sad for him, then Hayate would stay, and he couldn't, because kimono sleeves weren't enough for him, never would be.

The room was packed quickly, quietly, and then there was nothing but a pile of boxes, closed and taped, and Sumire, in her kimono sleeves and kanzashi that tinkled and chimed. Hayate nudged a box with his foot, then reached out, grabbing the trailing silk.

The fabric was heavy between his fingers, threads catching on his fingertips, and when he kissed it, the silk was cold against his skin.

"Love you, Sumire-chan," Hayate said, and it was easy to pretend that he was going home.