Coming
Home
By Chibified Kitsunes
Chapter Seven
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Iruka sat on the floor, with the young kitsune boy now asleep in his arms. He sighed as he scratched his scar, a habit he always did when he was irritated or frustrated. Closing his eyes, he recalled the loneliness he had gone through before, but he knew none of his pain could compare to Naruto’s.
“Naruto…”
Stretching out his legs, he winced as his knees popped from being cramped too long. Careful not to wake the sleeping boy, he rose onto his knees, Naruto still wrapped protectively in his arms. Carrying him to the couch, he sat the blonde boy down and walked to the bedroom.
He walked around the small room, picking up random weapons lying around and putting them into a bag he had dug up from the cupboard. He approached Naruto’s wardrobe and was shocked to see the meager amount of wearable clothes the boy owned. Making a mental note to buy Naruto some new clothes the next day, he packed them into the bag.
As he was about to leave the room, his eye caught sight of a kitsune plushie lying on the floor. Had it not been a bright orange, Iruka would have not noticed it under the blanket. Placing it carefully into the bag atop Naruto’s pajamas, Iruka walked to the toilet to retrieve Naruto’s toothbrush.
Packing some scrolls he thought would be useful and team 7’s photo into the bag, he finally carried the bag over to Naruto. Picking the boy up carefully, Iruka settled Naruto into a position that would make it easy for him to carry the blonde and the bag and left the cold empty house. (A/N: Empty here doesn’t mean the house is empty of belongings, rather a house devoid of warmth and love.)
Balancing the sleeping boy and his belongings in one arm, Iruka unlocked his front door and pushed it open. Iruka was glad the next day was the weekend and he didn’t need to teach in the academy. But he knew that Naruto would be expected to be at the bridge the next day for his training. Deciding that skipping training would be the best thing now for Naruto, he tucked the young genin into his bed and softly ruffled his sunshine hair. Iruka’s eyes softened as he studied Naruto’s face. Looking at the peaceful face, anyone would have thought he was a blonde angel, despite the red rimmed eyes.
Sighing, Iruka walked out his bedroom spare pillow and blanket in hand and settled himself into his couch, prepared for a restless night.
= = = =
Naruto woke up to the sun shining through the open window. Getting off the bed, he stared at his surroundings and realized he was in Iruka’s bedroom. Noticing his bag of belongings beside the bed, he smiled softly. “Iruka-sensei…”
Unzipping his bag, his spirits lifted as he realized that Iruka had packed the kitsune plushie Hinata gave him along with his personal and ninja stuff. Grabbing his toothbrush and a new set of clothes, he walked into the bathroom to wash up.
= = = =
Iruka hummed to himself as he set the last plate of fried bacon on the table. Hearing the bedroom door open he turned around to see Naruto walking out, a little sleepy, but awake nonetheless.
Sitting at the table, Naruto squinted and yawned widely, before his eyes snapped open when he smelt the food on the table.
Iruka grinned widely as he stared at the gawking boy, “Now Naruto, I know you love ramen, but you can’t have it for breakfast all the time. SO to make it up to you, I decided to cook you all of this!” Iruka said as he swept his arm over the piles of pancakes, plate of fried bacon, eggs and baked beans.
“Sugoii!!” Naruto screamed out as his eyes went wide with wonder at the spread of food. But in mere seconds, Naruto turned on Iruka and asked excitedly, “Anou sa, anou sa, Iruka-sensei, can we have ramen later? For lunch?”
Iruka let out a sigh as he chuckled. Scratching his scar, he shrugged shoulders and said, “Why not.”
“YATTA!” Naruto screamed out as he jumped into the chair and began wolfing down pancakes.
But just as Iruka sat down to join in, Naruto suddenly choked on his food. Coughing out the remaining pancakes lodged in his throat, Naruto croaked out, “Tr..training…”
Patting his back, Iruka handed Naruto a glass of milk and said, “Don’t worry about that Naruto. I made a request to Godaime-sama to give you the day off.”
Naruto shook his head about to protest when the brunette cut him off, “It’s already been done, besides, I’ve already passed on the message to Sakura-chan. Kakashi should have found out about it and should be on his way right about…”
“Yo!”
Blonde and brunette turned towards the door, Hatake Kakashi standing in the kitchen doorway, ever present book in hand.
Sitting himself at the table he picked up a slice of bacon and stared at it, “Heard you requested Naruto be given the day off?”
Iruka’s eyes narrowed his eyes slightly at the silver haired ninja and stood up. “Yes, I trust Hokage-sama didn’t inform you?”
Kakashi shrugged as if indifferent, though he could tell the underlying urgency in the voice, and made his way to the living room. Iruka patted Naruto on the shoulder, “Try not to choke again ok?”
Before Naruto could answer, both ninjas heard the distinctive crunch as the Jounin bit into the bacon.
Naruto shouted, “CHIKUSHO! I wanted to see Kakashi-sensei’s face!”
= = = =
“What gave you the right to cancel MY training, Iruka-sensei?” Kakashi asked, emphasizing his slight anger in that one word.
“Didn’t Hokage-sama tell you what happened?” Iruka replied calmly as he stared back at the Jounin.
“Yes she did, but that still does not give you the rig…” Kakashi replied back a little harshly before he was cut off.
“Then did she tell you how he broke down in tears? Kakashi-sensei,” Iruka practically snarled before his voice softened, eyes pleading with the older man to understand.
Kakashi sighed and shoved a gloved hand through his messy hair, “How long has this been happening?”
Iruka looked at the Jounin and shook his head sighing, “I have no idea, and Naruto never told me this was happening.”
“Something has to be done about this.” Kakashi replied, frowning through his mask, worried for his student.
Iruka snapped and turned on the silver haired man, “You think I don’t know that!”
Closing his eyes and massaging his temples, Iruka sighed yet again. “Gomen, it’s just that, I’m worried for Naruto. So many things have happened to him and I just don’t think it’s unfair.”
Iruka stood up and shook his head at the Jounin. “I’m sorry I requested to cancel your training today without approaching you, but I felt that in his current condition, Naruto wouldn’t be able to concentrate properly. With all that’s been happening lately…”
“Wakatta.” Kakashi answered briskly as he made to stand up.
“Join us for breakfast Kakashi-sensei, I made extra and I’m sure Naruto wouldn’t mind you being here.”
Kakashi nodded, his eye curving up as he smiled. “Arigatou, but there is a cat stuck up in a tree and I need to go rescue it. Ja, Iruka-sensei!” With that, the Jounin disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving a ticked off academy teacher standing in the living room, waving the smoke out of his face. “I hate it when he does that.” He muttered to no one in particular.
= = = =
Naruto skipped back to Iruka’s house excitedly, swinging his arms, bags full of new clothing in his hands while his sensei followed behind at a slower pace with bags of groceries. Iruka smiled fondly at his younger brother, or so he considered, as he recalled the shopping trip.
>>Flashback<<
By chance, they had managed to find a clothes shop run by a nice old couple who knew nothing about Naruto, seeing they had just moved to Konoha and had never heard anything about the blond genin before.
Iruka and Naruto had spent the rest of the day in the shop looking for a new set of pajamas and a new set of clothes for the boy. Naruto had whined on and on about not being able to find a set of pajamas he liked.
Chuckling softly at the display of childishness and affection the both had showed, the couple soon warmed up to the pair. “Are you two brothers? Because you two sure act like you are.” The old man had said, jokingly.
Iruka chuckled embarrassingly as he scratched his scar and shook his head. But Naruto jumped up and down excitedly, “Ano sa, ano sa Iruka-sensei! He said we’re like brothers!”
The old lady laughed softly and patted Naruto’s head, “Even if you aren’t brothers, anyone can tell he cares for you like one. Now come dear, tell grandma what kind of pajamas you’d like.”
Naruto grinned up at the lady, “Hai!”
Old man and chuunin watched as Naruto rambled on, running around the store pointing out various designs he liked. By the end of the day, Naruto had a whole pile of fabric and clothes in his arms.
“Arigatou…” Iruka began, and then paused when he realized he did not know the couple’s names. “Jukodo Sanzo, and my wife Emiko.”
“Arigatou Sanzo-san, Emiko-san.” Iruka bowed as he thanked the old couple for the generous discount they had given.
“It was our pleasure Iruka-kun, Naruto-kun. Come and visit us anytime ok?”
Naruto smiled genuinely up at the old lady, “Hai obaa-san.”
Emiko scoffed, “Call me Emiko-san, obaa-san makes me feel old! Mind you I’m just going on sixty-one.”
Naruto’s jaw dropped. “S…sixty-one? You’re older than Baa-chan!!” He screamed out. Even Iruka was shocked. The old couple looked so young it seemed almost impossible for them to be above sixty.
Sanzo laughed heartily as he shook his head at Naruto. “Ah, that you don’t understand chibi. Age doesn’t define how old you are or look. Rather, it is in your heart and soul. No matter how old you are up here,” He placed his hand on Naruto’s head, “It’s always how YOUNG you are in here.” Sanzo emphasized as he pointed at where Naruto’s heart was.
Iruka nodded as he mentally filed that piece of advice into his mind for future reference as Naruto stared wide-eyed and confused at the white haired man.
Emiko let out a ladylike giggle as Iruka chuckled at the next words “You’ll understand it someday.” Sanzo said as he ruffled the sunshine hair.
>>Flashback ends<<
Iruka smiled as he remembered how happy Naruto was. He had found another two precious people.
= = = =
Sakura yawned widely. First she had woken up at the really early to get ready for her mission, was eating breakfast when Iruka knocked on the door. She had been annoyed when he told her training was cancelled and she didn’t have to go. Sure, she looked cheerful on the outside but inner Sakura was swearing madly over how early she had woken up and now it was all for nothing!
Suddenly recalling that Iruka-sensei had not mentioned anything about Naruto, Sakura decided to go over to his house to see if he was in. After everything that had happened, Sakura realized that she did not know her blonde teammate at all, she now wanted to make things right. And what better way to make it right by treating him to a bowl of ramen. Make that twenty, muttered Inner Sakura.
The pink haired kunoichi strolled happily to Naruto’s house when she suddenly heard a faint mewing. Stopping in mid step, Sakura narrowed her eyes as her ears listened for the source of sound. There it is again! She thought as this time, she heard a whimper, loud laughter and the sounds of a fight going on. It’s coming from that alley. Being the righteous citizen of Konoha and kunoichi she was, Inner Sakura screamed at her outer self to get her ass in there and help. Giving into the rants of her inner self, Sakura pulled out a kunai just to be safe, and made her way cautiously into the dark alley.
What she saw in there made her stop short. At the dead end, three villagers were standing around a bright orange ball of fluff. Sakura’s eyes widened slightly when she realized the men were beating up a poor defenseless animal. Inner Sakura screamed in rage, “YOU BASTARDS!!”
Being a girl like Sakura had its disadvantages. Being vain and snobbish at times, Sakura also had an affinity towards animals. Eyes narrowing slightly, Sakura’s grip on her kunai tightened as she crept forward.
“Hehehe… Just wait till we’re finished with you! Then you’ll regret ever stepping into Konoha!” Evil villager 1 said. (A/N: I’m not going to bother naming or describing them since they’re going to get beaten up beyond recognition anyway.)
Evil villager 2 laughed evilly as he kicked the ball of fluff, gaining evil delight in the growl of pain it emitted. “Yeah! And wait till we get our hands on that brat, getting his house trashed is too good for him. We’re going to make him pay!”
“The Hokage was stupid to make up that stupid rule. Good thing he’s dead now, but now we’ve got that mad woman for a Hokage.” Evil villager 3 sneered a he picked the whimpering ball of fluff up.
Sakura’s eyes narrowed even further as Inner Sakura’s eyes flamed up at the insult directed at both Hokages. “I’m going to kiiiiill them!!” She cried out as she grabbed a giant kunai out of nowhere, and attempted to stab three dolls, that strangely resembled the three in front.
For the second time that day, Sakura listened to her inner self and pulled out two more kunai and threw them at the villagers, careful not to kill them, though she would have gladly done so. From the shadows, she watched as the three jumped apart in slow motion, trying their best to avoid the kunai but to no avail.
Evil villager 1 was stabbed in his left thigh, evil villager 2 received the kunai in his right shoulder and the last kunai stabbed evil villager 3 in his right hand, causing him to drop the animal.
“Itai!” “Kuso!” “Arrgh!!” Sakura’s left eye twitched as three different screams rang out through the alleyway as the 3 evil villagers pulled out the kunai and made an effort to stop the blood flow. Inner Sakura snorted, “Even I can do better than that. Sissies. ”
Concentrating, Sakura closed her eyes and molded some chakra and whispered one word. “Henge!”
Cracking her knuckles, ‘Tsunade’ stepped out of the shadows and advanced on the 3 evil villagers.
“Ho.. Hokage-sa…sama!” Evil villager 2 stammered as he clutched his shoulder in pain. “Na..nani…”
A feral grin crept across ‘Tsunade’s’ face as she approached the 3 cowering villagers. Inner Sakura let out a battle cry as she swung a nasty looking sword round and round. Sakura inwardly sighed with relief that these were only villagers, not ninjas.
And, since they were villagers, they were unable to defend themselves against the rain of punches descending on them. Much less scream bloody murder as an enraged Hokage launched herself at them.
Panting, Sakura finally stood up and dispelled the jutsu, dusting her hands with pride over the deed she had done. Turning around at another whimper, Sakura slowly approached the shivering bundle of orange fur cooing softly. After a few minutes of stroking its sleek orange fur, the animal finally uncurled itself from a ball and looked up. The pink haired genin gasped as twin orbs as dark as Sasuke’s, yet as expressive as Naruto shined up at her.
Smiling softly at the baby fox, Sakura picked it up, keeping her fingers away from its mouth and turned towards the exit of the alleyway. Just then she remembered the affinity the villagers had toward foxes. Ever since the Kyuubi incident, all foxes in Konoha had either been chased away or extinguished. Sakura shivered involuntarily as she recalled a sudden memory of how she had come across some villagers killing a fox when she was younger.
Gripping the fox closer to her body, she knew her mother would never allow her to keep this. Well, there’s only one person I know who’ll do it. She thought as she rummaged around a box looking for something to hide the baby animal.
Pulling out a brown blanket tattered with age, Sakura carefully wrapped the baby fox up in it, and making sure none of its fur was visible but able to breathe. Standing back up, she stepped out into the bright sunshine, leaving evil villagers 1, 2 and 3 twitching on the ground occasionally, faces contorted in one of pain.
= = = =
Sakura’s mouth dropped open as horrible thoughts rushed through her mind as she stared into the house. Sure Naruto’s house is messy, but this? What happened? She thought worriedly, a frown creasing her forehead.
Suddenly, she recalled what she had heard in the alley. “Yeah! And wait till we get our hands on that brat, getting his house trashed is too good for him. We’re going to make him pay!” At first, she had thought nothing of it, but now that she thought of it, she should have killed them… Sakura clenched her left fist, her right arm unknowingly tightening on the bundle she held. It was only when a soft growl reached her ears that she realized what she was doing and released her grip.
The living room of Naruto’s house was a wreck. The furniture was overturned, broken glass lay everywhere and there were various stains marring the floor. Sakura stepped in, carefully avoiding the broken glass. “Naruto? Naruto where are you?” Sakura called out frantically. This must have been why Iruka-sensei cancelled our training. Something must have happened to Naruto… She thought anxiously.
“BAKA! You think some lowly villagers can lay a finger on Naruto?!” Inner Sakura screamed.
Sakura shook her head to clearing all doubts of Naruto being in danger and ran out the door towards Iruka’s house.
= = = =
Hinata slumped over, hand resting on the tree for support as she caught her breath. Having run 10 laps around Konoha was no easy feat, given her stamina and the size of the village. Shizune walked up to the Hyuuga girl, “Is that all you’ve got Hinata-chan?”
Hinata looked up at her new sensei and blinked as a drop of sweat rolled into her eye. Looking down at her feet, tears formed in her eyes as she recalled all the glares of disappointment, the words of her father. As her tears threatened to fall, Naruto’s words rang through her mind.
‘I believe that others will come to have faith in you and respect you, if only you have confidence in yourself.’ Blinking away the tears, Hinata bent up, slowly regaining her balance, head still bowed.
Shizune looked down at the girl. Come on girl, I know you can do it! Don’t give up on yourself…Show them what you’re made of!
Hinata’s head shot up, eyes shining fiercely in determination as she stared up at her sensei. I will not fail you Naruto-kun! You’ve always been there for me, now let me grow stronger to be there for you!
Shizune mentally screamed her encouragement, but she had to keep up appearances. “Yosh! Give me 100 push ups! And after that, 100 sit ups!”
Hinata’s confident demeanor faltered slightly before she regained it again. I will become strong!
“H… Hai!”
= = = =
“Ne ne? Iruka-sensei! Remember what the old man said at the store? That we were like brothers?” Naruto his voice muffled as he flopped onto the couch, head buried in the cushions.
Iruka chuckled and sat down hard on the couch, pretending he didn’t hear the cry of protest it caused. “How many times have I said Naruto, show some respect for your elders. The old man you’re talking about is Sanzo-san, he just gave you a ton of clothes with a discount, and Emiko-san even made a new set of pajamas, just for you!”
“Hai hai.” Naruto called out weakly and insincerely as he waved his hand up in the air. “Now get off of me!”
Iruka laughed as he declined, saying he was comfortable where he was.
His laughter suddenly cut off he flew through the air, propelled by a giant cloud of smoke. (A/N: No he did not fart you sickos! Hahaha..)
Shaking his head to get rid of the dizziness, Iruka opened his eyes only to see five orange clad genins standing in front of him, cracking their knuckles. “Hehehe… You’re going to get it now, Iruka-sensei!” The middle one burst out as the two others on each side lunged at him, each holding on to a limb.
Iruka looked about frantically, searching for a route of escape. “Na..Naruto! What do you think you’re do…!”
“ARGHahahahahahaha!!!!!”
= = = =
Sakura’s ears perked up and her senses went on high alert at the scream coming from Iruka’s house. “That was Iruka-sensei…” She gasped. Thinking something had happened to her former sensei, Sakura tightened the grip on the fox as she sped towards the house.
Bursting in, she stopped short at the sight before her. Couch toppled over, orange clad boy sitting atop a scarred Chuunin, tickling him.
“Na.. nani?” Sakura asked dumbfounded. Inner Sakura squealed at the kawaiiness of the scene in front of her, a Naruto plushie and Iruka plushie clutched in both hands. Kissy kissy!!
Having gotten no attention since she got to the house, Sakura walked up to the pair and bonked Naruto on the head. “Naruto! That’s no way to treat Iruka-sensei! Get off him right now!!”
Naruto stopped his tickling and clutched his head crying out in pain, giving Iruka the chance to scramble out from under him, catching his breath as he clutched his side.
Wincing, he turned to the kunoichi, a grateful smile lighting his face. “Sakura-chan, what brings you here today?”
“I was looking for Naruto so I went to his house. Demo, it was in a mess and I got worried. So I came here to look for Iruka-sensei to see if he was here, or if you knew where he was.” Sakura started, and faltered as she noticed a sad look pass over their faces.
“A.. and then on the way here, I heard three men insulting the Hokage and beating up a fox. They mentioned something about trashing up Naruto’s house too…” Sakura flinched as she broke off, terrified by the sudden look of rage overcoming her Iruka-sensei’s face.
Iruka’s clenched fist shook as he motioned for her to continue. “So I beat them up and brought… this here.” As she finished, she thrust the bundle out towards Iruka, waiting for him to take it.
Iruka glared daggers at the moving bundle as thoughts rushed through his mind, beating up a fox, brought this here. It must be the fox they were… When I get my hands on those men, I swear I will..!
Sakura unconsciously stepped back as she stared at her former sensei, now looking to kill. Never before had she seen him react like that. The Iruka-sensei she knew was a patient, kind hearted man who she was sure could not harm a fly. But now…
Naruto stepped up and poked the squirming mass, his sad look now replaced with his mask, almost as if it had never been there. “Ehhh? Sakura-chan, what’s this?”
Sakura broke off her stare on the academy sensei and turned to Naruto. Tongue sticking out, Sakura winked at Naruto and said, “Here you go, take good care of it k?” as she dumped the bundle in his arms.
“Nani?” Naruto asked as he cocked his head the thing fidgeted. Suddenly, a tiny nose peeked out of the blanket sniffing. Sensing no danger it jumped out, straight onto Naruto’s head.
“Arrrgh!!!” Naruto screamed as he ran around the room trying to get the orange bundle of fluff of his head.
Iruka calmed himself down, only to burst out in hysterics at the sight of his favorite student freaking out over a fox on his head. “Naruto! It’s just a fox!” Iruka pointed out as Sakura giggled.
Naruto stopped short and the fox tumbled off its precarious position. Sakura cried out in shock but it was short lived as it fell into the blonde’s outstretched arms. Iruka sighed and walked up, reaching out, he removed the orange kit from his arms and turned to Sakura. “Sakura-chan, I understand the reasons as to why you rescued the fox, but what are you going to do with it now?”
Sakura looked pitifully up to Iruka and whined, “Demo Iruka-sensei, my parents will never allow me to keep it. And since you’re already taking care of Naruto, what’s one more fox?”
Iruka stopped short. “What do you mean my one more fox?”
Naruto walked up and poked Iruka’s ribs, causing the black haired Chuunin to jump. “Daijoubu Iruka-sensei, I told them about it already.”
At that, the two youngsters grinned up at the shocked Chuunin. “Aa…” Was all the confused man could reply as he watched the pink haired Genin wave a goodbye and say take care of the fox.
Naruto reached out and took the kit back, allowing it to nuzzle his face he poked his favorite sensei in the ribs again. Iruka flinched bodily and whirled around. “Naruto! Who else did you tell?” He cried out, worried for his so called brother.
Iruka watched stunned as Naruto’s face broke into a genuine smile. “Iruka-sensei, I know that you’re worried about me. But it’s ok. I only told the rest of the genin teams who were there at the hospital the other day. They understand, they all do, they all truly understand.” Naruto’s eyes brimmed with tears as he lowered his head continuing. “They all don’t care about the Kyuubi, to them I’ll always be Uzumaki Naruto…”
Tears threatened to flow from Iruka’s eyes as he pulled the young boy into a silent hug. Iruka smiled as he shut his eyes, letting the tears flow as he couldn’t help feel happy for his “brother”.
= = = =
Naruto sat atop the Hokage mountain looking down at the village, his mind clouded with thoughts as he watched the villagers go about their usual business. He smiled silently as he remembered how the kit had playfully bit his arm at the lack of attention, causing him to step on Iruka-sensei’s foot, which in turn made him fall.
As they were bathing the young fox, Iruka asked Naruto why he had told the other genins about Kyuubi and how each of them had reacted. Iruka nodded understandingly and had listened to every word. Trying to dispel the worrisome thoughts of his sensei, Naruto had tossed the soapy water at Iruka-sensei, causing the older male to leap over the tub and strangle him. Undeterred, Naruto smiled again as he recalled how he had dodged and tripped Iruka-sensei, making him fall into the tub the baby fox had abandoned seconds before.
After drying off and a cup of tea, Iruka-sensei had sat him down and asked him a question.
>>Flashback begins<<
“Naruto, would you like to stay here with me instead?”
Naruto’s back unconsciously straightened as he stared at the older male in shock.
“I know how hard it is, having to live alone, no one to take care of you, no one to… to love you. I want to do that for you Naruto, I don’t want to see you suffering anymore. How many more times did that had to happen before you told me Naruto? Do you know how worried I am for you?” Iruka pleaded with him.
Naruto lowered his eyes in shame, not wanting Iruka-sensei to see his tears. “Gomen Iruka-sensei, demo… I… I don’t think I can do that.”
Iruka opened his mouth about to protest when the blue-eyed boy looked up, eyes awash in tears. “I can’t do that to you sensei. The villagers treat me like trash as it is, what they would do to you if they found out I was staying with you! I don’t want that to happen to you sensei… I don’t want anything to happen to you Iruka-sensei. Gomen…” Naruto’s voice trailed off.
Iruka reached out a hand, wanting to tell the boy he didn’t care, but Naruto couldn’t bear to see the look in his sensei’s eyes. He turned tail and ran.
>>Flashback ends<<
Naruto pulled up his legs to rest his chin on them, bringing up his arms to lock them in place. He sighed. Am I doing the right thing?
I really want to live with Iruka-sensei, demo I’m afraid the villagers will attack him for it. After all, I am the demon child. Naruto sneered out as tears threatened to fall out his eyes.
Naruto quickly swiped an arm over his eyes, drying off his tears as he heard the sound of someone landing behind him.
“What do you want Kakashi-sensei?” Naruto asked tiredly.
Kakashi sighed through his mask. “Why didn’t you tell anybody what was happening Naruto?”
Naruto whirled around and stared up into his sensei’s visible eye. “For what? So you can help me tidy up my house? Or beat up those idiots that did it?”
Kakashi shook his head in resignation, “No, but someone else did.”
Naruto faltered and he asked confused, “Nani? What do you mean by that?”
Kakashi walked over and ruffled the blonde’s hair before he stooped down in front of the boy. “I know I haven’t been a good sensei to you Naruto, playing favorite was wrong of me. Demo, Sasuke needed my help and he needs it now more than ever. Nevertheless, I am proud of you and what you have become.” And what you will become. He silently added. “Hokage-sama has already informed me of her decision to let Jiraiya-sama train you, you will become a good ninja under him. After all, he did train Yondaime, and Yondaime was my sensei.” Kakashi chuckled, his eye crinkling with mirth. “And look where I am now?”
Naruto snorted and muttered. “If you’re such a good ninja, why can’t you think up some believable lies as to why you’re always late?”
“I always tell the truth Naruto-kun.” Kakashi joked.
“LIAR!!!” Naruto screamed as he pointed his finger at the Jounin.
Kakashi chuckled again and sat down next to Naruto. “How long has this been happening Naruto, tell me the truth.”
Naruto sighed, “It’s not like you’ll go away if I tell you.”
Kakashi closed his eye, “Iruka-sensei is worried for you Naruto, so is Sakura.”
Naruto brought his arms up behind his head and allowed himself to fall back on them. Staring at the clouds he replied, “Since I became a ninja, but it became more frequent ever since the Chuunin exams.”
Kakashi’s eyes shot open, his sharingan eye blazing in fury, unseen behind the hitae-ate. Naruto flinched slightly at the obvious anger in his sensei’s eye. “And you were planning on telling us when?” Kakashi-sensei shouted, barely keeping his anger in check. Right now he was drowning in fury and guilt for not properly looking out for the boy, for not punishing the men further. Digging his fingernails into his right hand, Kakashi allowed the anger to flow out as he drew blood, but careful to make sure none hit the ground.
Drawing in a deep breath, he leaned onto the ground aside his student and stared up at the cloudy sky, hands folded under his head in a similar laid back fashion. “I’m sorry Naruto.”
“It’s ok sensei. Just drop it.” Naruto sighed back as he stared up into the sky, sky as blue as his eyes.
“What are you doing here Naruto? Iruka-sensei is looking for you.” Kakashi asked as he rolled over onto his stomach, enabling to look the boy in his eye. Kakashi remained silent as a pained expression passed over the blonde’s face before it was covered up behind a smile.
Naruto’s expression faltered under the knowing gaze of his sensei and dropped his grin. He whispered out in a hoarse voice, “Iruka-sensei wants me to move in with him…”
“But isn’t that good Naruto? Then you won’t have to worry about housework or anything because Iruka-sensei will do everything for you.” Kakashi cheerily replied.
Naruto grinned sadly as he sat up, “Demo, I’m worried that the villagers will…you know, they won’t be very happy when they find out I’m staying with him.”
Kakashi pushed himself off with a grunt and reached out and ruffled the sunshine hair, “Its ok Naruto. And when I said your house is already clean, Sakura did it for you. Better get going, Iruka-sensei is worried sick about you.”
Naruto smiled widely, “Hai sensei. You know what sensei, I think I feel better already.”
Kakashi grinned under his mask, “Good, because this won’t happen again, you hear?”
Naruto shrugged as he waved his sensei off, but shouted out when he remembered. “Ne sensei? Are we having training tomorrow?”
“It’s Sunday Naruto.” Kakashi laughed as he jumped off the mountain.
“Ah, that’s right! Means its Saturday today! Hehehe… time to go look for Konohamaru.” Naruto grinned evilly as he made his way down the mountain. “It’s time to play some pranks.”
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A/N: Urgh! Crappy ending for this chapter! But well, I’ve finished chapter 8! Ok, so I’ve got two new OCs, what do you think of them? Sorry if you were expecting someone younger and all, but no can do, haha!! If you have any ideas or suggestions, fill me in alright? Do you want me to make Emiko and Sanzo hate Naruto or accept him? Although I’ve already got their positions in the fic planned out, I want to hear what you guys want. Obviously the answer will be so obvious…
And in case you’re wondering? Emiko means blessed or beautiful child. For Sanzo, I’m not very sure, because I can’t find the meaning of this name anywhere. If anyone knows please tell me, thanks! They were just random names I picked out so I had no idea.