Alright everybody here is a new story. I have to give credit to OutsidersWhiteTiger for prompting me to write this. This is sort of a spinoff of my story Dear Sensei, but it can be read on its own. (I do highly encourage you to read it though.) Anyway here is the first chapter. I don't know how long this is going to be, but it will be multiple chapters. Review and let me know what you guys think. I would love constructive criticism or any comments you might have. Obviously I don't own Naruto or I wouldn't be writing a fanfiction I'd be writing the manga.

….

It was the second day of the new year. In Iruka Umino's case it was also the second day with his new class, his new class that he would be instructing for the next two years. Yesterday he had let each of the students introduce themselves, held sparring matches, and had each of them write a letter about themselves. It had been the letter that was the most enlightening to the Chunin, or enlightening as far as one blond haired jinchūriki went anyway. It was that same letter that led to him being distracted today. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't get the demon container's heart wrenching words out of his head. This was evident just by looking at the classroom. A Nara asleep in the back corner, an Akimichi more focused on his chips then the strategy worksheet in front of him, a group of girls busy gossiping, and a brooding Uchiha staring out the window. He looked around the room after staring at the jinchūriki for the hundredth time that day only to sigh. This is not starting out well, but at least the day is almost over he thought. Iruka cringed as the door opened. "Iruka-sensei" the leader of the village questioned softly.

"Lord Hokage" Iruka laughed rubbing the back of his head embarrassed "what a nice surprise."

"I came to see how everyone was getting along seeing as it's the start of a new year" he said eyeing the room suspiciously. Everyone had gone quit and went to work when the Hokage had entered the room, but Iruka knew that it wasn't fooling the strongest ninja in the village. The Hokage laughed lightly "It's almost time to go home; why don't you all leave a few minutes early; I need to speak to your sensei." A chorus of Ooh's went up from the students as they began to pack up. Neither man missed as the blond boy in the back put his papers in his tattered book bag only to have them fall out a hole in the bottom. Said blond then went on to wad the papers up and throw them at a nearby pink haired girl laughing loudly the whole time.

"Alright everybody" Iruka said gaining the classes attention "finish that strategy worksheet for homework, that includes you" he said gesturing toward the blond; this caused the class to erupt into laughter at the blond who shrugged it off laughing himself. "Also we will have a test on kunai throwing tomorrow, so you might want to practice. You are dismissed." The class rushed out talking in groups. Iruka watched as the blond looked around before settling on a group and running up to them chattering incessantly as they ignored him.

Once all the students were gone the Hokage leaned against one of the front tables turning all his attention toured the academy instructor. He waited while Iruka seated himself behind his desk taking in the pain that was slowly dissipating from the chunin's eyes. "What's troubling you my boy" the old man asked gently.

Iruka sighed handing the jinchūriki's letter to the Hokage. "I've always tried to be there for my students and give them the benefit of the doubt … but heisn't just another student. I don't really know if his words are telling the truth. I can't ignore the fact that this might just be more deceit from the demon." Iruka's words had taken on a dark hair as he spoke.

"Iruka" the old mad said sadly "has your hate really blinded you this much? You know the answer to this question if only you would allow yourself to see. I'm not going to force you to believe the boys words, but I will remind that it wasn't that long ago that Konaha had another little prankster on its hands. I remember that all he wanted was for someone to see him for who he was and to show him that they cared." The elder of the two watched the younger to see that his words hit home before turning to leave. Once he reached the door he stopped as if remembering something important. "Oh and Iruka once you figure out what you are going to do remember to see underneath the underneath. The child is not as easy to read as one might assume" with that the old man left without another look leaving the younger alone with his thoughts.

Soon after the Hokage left Iruka followed, not even remembering to get his things. He wandered around town lost in his thoughts. He walked by a weapons shop that he remembered rigging up with wires when he was in the academy because the owner wouldn't sell to kids without their parents. Iruka knew for a fact that the owner still held the same principle except where a certain Uchiha was concerned. He sighed no wonder all the boy's weapons are old and dull. He found himself at the tailor were all of his students had recently purchased their new ninja attire that they needed to enter his class. He quietly walked in to not alert the shopkeeper to his presence to hear two men laughing.

"I can't believe you actually got rid of that hideous orange fabric" the first one laughed loudly.

"Oh it gets better. I sold it to that demon brat" the second one cackled with a hint of malice.

"Really how did you get him to buy it?"

"It was all I would let him buy" the second one answered proudly.

"This is great! Hopefully that bright color will get him killed." Iruka gasped before making a hasty retreat out of the store not wanting to hear anymore. He numbly walked through town trying to wrap his head around what he just heard. When the other students had laughed at the boys ridiculous get up he had just laughed it off saying he loved the color orange. Iruka sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. "Maybe that was just another lie." The other people on the street looked at him like he had lost his mind, but Iruka never even noticed.

Iruka finally found himself at the memorial stone where he finally noticed his surroundings. He sat on the edge of the stone with his head in his hands trying to figure out what to do. "It's been a while sense I ran into you here Iruka."

"Don't you think it's time you stopped coming here every day Kakashi. One day you will be late for something important" Iruka said tiredly.

"What's on your mind Iruka" Kakashi said plopping down beside the Chunin.

"I have the jinchūriki in my class" Iruka answered not even bothering to look up.

Kakashi blinked in surprise. "Iruka he is more than a jinchūriki. He is a little boy with nothing" he said gently.

"I'm starting to see that."

/

Iruka didn't sleep at all that night. He just lay awake trying to come up with an explanation to what had suddenly been placed in his life. A little boy who had been mistreated his whole life that also contained the cause of his parents' death.

The next day at school didn't go a whole lot better than the last. Iruka tried to be an effective teacher, but he continually was drawn to the blond boy. Finally the end of the day came.

"Naruto can I see you for a minute."