A/N: How should I start this?! Hello? HEY?! :D I don't know! Ah ha ha! I am back. :) Ready to annoy you with my chapters! I'm falling asleep on my laptop...Zzzz...

Anyways, this is the sequel of 'Welcome to Parenthood' so any new reader that has not read the first part is welcomed to do it. It is not necessary, but it's simply more enjoyable. :) and I got a REALLY important question. Gonna ask it at the end of the chapter! :)

Now enjoy and let me know if you are still interested on this story! I don't want to work in vain! :P ****SORRY FOR THE LONG CHAPTER! :( ****

Do not own Naruto/Naruto Shippuden.

"Naruto, your bento is ready!"

As mother of a cheerful boy, I try my best to give him the healthiest life and support now that he is a student at the Academy. He has grown so much! From a fragile and giggling baby to a young boy with energy that has to be spent throughout the day.

His entrance at the academy was not easy. As you may know, Naruto has a little something that makes him special and feared by many parents and children of the village. We have talked to him about the fox spirit inside him and he accepted the fox as a friend, but he is a child, he does not know the problems that being a jinchūriki will bring to him..

As days went on at school, the children got to know him more. They realised that my son was not a danger for them. However, some parents did not allow their child to befriend mine by fear of being hurt by the fox. They do not understand that Naruto has a seal that prohibits the Fox's chakra to meddle with his. Also, that seal keeps the fox well tamed, making it impossible for it to escape. But what can I do? I will not force the children to befriend my son.

"Mommy, did you put onigiri in my bento?"

"Yes I did. Now, ready to go?"

"Mmm... yeah!"

"Are you certain?" His 'Mmm' hides something for sure.

"Ah... yup."

"Naruto?"

"Huh?"

I narrow my eyes and look deeply into his big blue eyes to find the truth behind his hurry. I frown my eyebrows and place my hands on my hips, giving me that threatening power that makes any child cry. "What are you hiding?" I ask seriously.

"Eh... My-" He lowers his head and plays with his fingers nervously. I knew he was hiding something! I know my son.

"I am waiting.." I tap the floor with my foot and shake my head, keeping my scary pose.

He lowers his head more and mumbles to make it difficult for me to hear. "My homework.."

"Come again, I did not hear you clearly."

He lifts up his head a bit and pouts. "My homework."

"Again?! Naruto, this is the second time this week! Where is it?" Oh goodness, why is he not doing them?

He leaves to his room and comes back with a sheet. "Here..."

I look at the sheet and sigh. The poor piece of paper is full of doodles and dried juice. I cannot see what was the homework about because of all the dirt.

"Pick up your backpack, we will talk on our way to school."

He obeys silently and opens the door for me. Ah... He is trying to get points so I don't lecture him. "Thank you."

As we walk, I look at the piece of paper and then look down at my son. "Naruto, why did you do this?"

"Because I don't like it."

"Why? You know homework is important if you want to become a good shinobi."

"I don't like numbers." He kicks some stones randomly and crosses his arms over his small chest. "They are hard. They don't like me so I don't like them."

"I can conclude this homework was about mathematics, uh?"

"Huh-uh... Is ugly!"

I feel bad for him. I did not know he had a hard time with his maths. Even though I have helped him with his homework, I had never noticed his dislike for numbers.

"Why did you not come to me so I could help you?"

"Because all my friends are good and not me. I wanted to be good without your help."

What to say? A six-year-old boy trying to face the small problems of life on his own is too early! It almost scares me.

"Shi-Shikamaru is the best. Sasuke too. Sakura is like Sasuke and Hinata is... I don't know. She speaks like a sheep when I ask her."

"Ah ha ha ha ha ha! A sheep? How does a sheep speak?"

"You don't know? Sheeps say baah baaaaaah! And Hinata, when she speaks to me, she says Naaaa- Naaaaa- then she leaves running. I think she wants to say my name."

"AH HA HA HA HA HA HA! Oh sweetheart, aren't you funny." I wipe the tears of laughter off my eyes and ruffle my boy's hair. "A sheep does not speak. It bleats."

"So Hinata bleats?"

"No, little sunshine, she stutters."

"What is stutters?"

"It's when someone talks with an involuntary repetition of sounds or words. She repeats a sound or word because she may be nervous, frightened or too happy when she speaks to you."

"Happy? Oh..."

I hold my son's hand now that we get closer to the academy. There are many parents and children walking around and I don't want to get my son snatched by someone who wishes to hurt him. Crowded places make me insecure when I'm with my son.

"When we get to school, you will come with me and we will talk to your sensei about your homework, understood?"

"Nooo! Please no!" He holds my hand tightly with his two hands and stops moving. "Sensei will give me more homework!"

"And he does well. He is helping you, little sunshine."

"No! He is hurting my life!"

"Tck... Nothing of hurting your life. I will help you get free of your numbers before you know it!" I wink at him and make him walk again. "A good sensei will look after his students. When a sensei sees that one of his students is not doing well in a subject, he will help him."

We arrive at the gates of the academy and Naruto whims at me, making his puppy eyes. "Mommy, please no."

I don't pay attention to his pitiful eyes and I take him to his sensei.

"Iruka-sensei, good morning."

The young man smiles widely when he sees me and bows. "Good morning Kushina-sama, good morning Naruto." He smiles at my child and kneels to his level. "How did it go with your homework?" He asks cheerfully.

Naruto looks away while pouting, replying softly to his sensei. "I had fun.."

"Did you?"

"Huh-uh."

Iruka-sensei throws me a brief look and taps Naruto's shoulder. "I'm glad you did. Can you show it to me, please?"

"Mommy.."

The young man gets back to my level and opens his hand, waiting for the sheet.

"He really had fun..." I add as I hand him the piece of paper.

His eyes almost leave their ocular orbits the moment he gives a quick look at the paper and his jaw drops at the sight of the colourful doodles. "I-I see you had fu-fun." He tries his best to smile at Naruto and hides the sheet in one of his pockets.

"Are you happy?"

"Ha-happy? Why would I be happy? You did not do your homework!"

"Mommy said that when you stutter, it is because you are too happy."

"Naruto, I don't think your sensei stuttered due to happiness. On the contrary, he is NOT happy."

I place my hands on my son's shoulders and keep him in place in front of me. He needs to understand that doing his homework is very important. "Iruka-sensei, I have talked with my son and it seems that he is having a hard time with this subject. I will spend more time with him for his mathematical operations, but I need of your help as well. What do you suggest us to do to help Naruto?"

"I don't need help!"

"Quiet you!" I tap my child's shoulder to get his attention.

"I suggest a private tutor at home and extra homework."

"Nuuuuuuh! You want to hurt my head! I will not be happy for many many days!"

As I try to calm my boy, I see a happy Sasuke running to Naruto with a waving hand, ready to greet his friend. "Naru-"

"GO AWAY!" When I hear him shout angrily at Sasuke, I kneel to his level and meet his eyes as I hold his hands together. I scowl at him and shake my head. "You do not shout at a friend. He did not do anything bad to you, Naruto." He pouts and fights to get free of my hold and no longer after he realises that he will not win against me, he starts crying.

"Naruto..." I know he is very upset because of his sensei's words, but is not a good reason to shout at Sasuke. The poor boy left quickly after he received the shout.

"Ah-I don't wan' ho-homewok'! I wan' da-daddy!" I release his hands and wipe his tears with my thumbs. His soft skin turns red when he cries and honestly, I don't like it when he is upset. It hurts me to see my baby crying. I pick him up and hug him while caressing his back.

"Iruka-sensei, I think Naruto will not assist your lessons today. I will take him home."

The brown-haired sensei nods with a smile and bows. "Have a good day, Kushina-sama." He gets closer to me and tickles Naruto. "Have a good day too, Naruto. Be there for tomorrow's math test."

I leave with my son in my arms and we walk among the many villagers that glances towards us from time to time.

"Mommy,"

"Yes?"

"Wanna see daddy.."

I kiss his cheek and reply with a soft 'Alright'.

In less than 5 minutes, we find ourselves standing in front of the Hokage's office. Naruto knocks on the door and waits impatiently for his beloved daddy. "Mommy, why does he not ope-"

"Come in."

Ah, just in time. I open the door and in a fraction of a second, Naruto is standing in front of Minato with arms stretched to be picked up.

"Hey buddy! What are you doing here?"

Minato scoops Naruto up and squeezes him in a tight hug. "Why are you not a school?"

I sit on Minato's chair while I let the two boys talk to each other. Why not enjoy the view from this office now that I'm sitting on this famous chair!

"Mommy talked to my sensei and I got angry."

"Why?"

"Because..."

Mwahahahaha... I know he will not tell his father the reason of my discussion with Iruka-kun. He knows his dad will tell him that his sensei is right.

"So? Why did mom talk to your sensei?"

"'Cause... I-I did not do my homework..."

"Again?"

As I hear my husband say the word 'again', I look at the two of them only to see Minato frowning at Naruto while putting him back on his feet. I stand up and go next to Minato.

"Maths are hard for him." I try to protect my son from the upcoming lecture, but in vain.

"Naruto, how many times have I told you to complete your homework? This is not the first time you do this."

I pull Minato closer to my mouth and whisper in his ear, "Minato... please, be gentle with him."

"No.. Kushina. Naruto has to learn the importance of his studies."

What?! I did not expect Minato to be this upset about Naruto's lack of responsibilities. Besides, he is just a child!

"Listen to me Naruto, if you do not bring me a 10/10 on your next test, you will not have dessert for a week. Is that understood?"

"Minato! Do not threaten our child when he is still learning! We all had our hard subject at school, did we get punished by our parents for that? No!"

He faces me and shakes his head while sighing. "I clearly understand that we all have our weakness at school, but not doing its homework is not acceptable!"

I roll my eyes and sit back on the chair. "You are overreacting." I add annoyed by his reaction. I observe my child and see him with his head lowered, hands behind his back. Why is Minato overreacting? Sometimes, he forgets that Naruto is not one of his subordinates to speak to him like this.

"Naruto, did I make myself clear?"

"..."

"Naruto..."

"... Yes, daddy." He lifts up his head and barely looks at his father. Before Minato can add a word, big tears start rolling down Naruto's cheeks again and cries fill the room. He runs to me and buries his head on my green dress as he cries.

I glare at Minato and disapprove on his choice of words and behaviour towards Naruto's situation. I look back at my son and rub his back softly. "Shush, let's go home sweetheart." I pick him up and I slowly make my way out. "Have a good day, Minato." I slam the door behind me and walk angrily out of the Hokage building. Not only does he not spend much time with his son because of his duty, but he has the face to lecture my son about his homework when he never helps him? No! This is not how it works!

I have managed to sooth Naruto down. He is now hiccuping and sniffing on my shoulder. Maybe going somewhere he likes will cheer him up. "Want to eat ramen?"

"Nuh..."

No? Naruto saying no? Woah! He is either too hurt by his dad's words or he is too tired to eat. "Are you sure?"

"Daddy is angry. I-I made daddy angry! He don't love me now." His cries start over again and this time, he buries his face between my shoulder and neck. Some women stare at us and I feel like kicking their butt for being so nosy! Mind your business, women! Ugh!

"Daddy is not angry. He loves you more than anything else!"

"Nuh! He-he was ve-very ve-very a-angy'!" His cry turns into a bawl and he makes himself very little in my arms. "Sowwy da-daddy."

This is breaking my heart. Naruto loves his father too much to hurt him and Minato knows it! Why did he do that to his son then? The poor baby thinks his father does not love him anymore.

"Baby, daddy will always love you. He... he was not angry. He just wants the best for you."

"Re-reawy?"

"Really.." I smile sweetly at him and wipe his tears away. "He loves you a lot!"

"Lo-lot lot lo-t lot?"

Yes, lot lot lot and very much!" He rests his head on my shoulder and breaths in deeply. "Mommy, wanna s-sleep."

"Crying makes you very sleepy eh?"

"Uh-huh."

"Let's go home then."

~O~

- 2 hours later -

A piece of paper, a pen and a good atmosphere is what we need to learn correctly!

"If you take two apples and add one, how many apples do you have?"

"Hmm.. 1... 2... Errr... 3."

"Excellent. You get three apples. Now, if you get 5 bananas and you eat three of the five bananas you got, how many do you have left?"

"... Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Choji eats my bananas!"

Oh goodness! What a brilliant reply, but this is not the time to play jokes. "Naruto, Kakashi is here to help you, not to laugh."

The young shinobi shakes his head in disbelief and continues. "So how many bananas are left? Five minus three?"

"Mmm... Eight?"

"Not exactly. Ok, look at my fingers." Kakashi shows his hand to Naruto. "Now count with me." He counts one finger after another. "I have five fingers, do you agree?"

"Yup."

"Now, if I hide three fingers," he lowers three of his five fingers and shows the two fingers up. "How many fingers do I have?"

"Five."

"Eh... No."

"Yes, all your fingers are on your hand!" Naruto points at the three fingers on Kakashi's hand and lifts them up. "See, one, two, three, four and five! There are still there."

"Ugh... No, Naruto. This is not how it works." Kakashi drops his head on his hands and sighs. "Kushina-sama, do you have noodles?"

"Yes, why? Are you hungry?"

"No, I will try another technique with Naruto-kun."

I nod and leave to the kitchen. I get back to the living room with hands full of noodles. "Here." I drop them on the kotatsu Kakashi is using to help Naruto and I sit next to Naruto.

"Thank you. Look here, Naruto." He picks five noodles of the big bunch I brought and places them in front of Naruto. "How many noodles do you see here?"

"Five."

"Good." He removes three noodles and asks again, "How many noodles do you see now?"

"One, two.. Two."

"Good! What is five minus three?"

"Two!"

"Good job!"

I praise my son for his good answer and kiss his cheek. "Good job, Naruto!" He laughs and claps his hands together. "More! More!"

"Yes, what is two plus two? You can use the noodles if you want."

As expected, Naruto takes the noodles Kakashi used and starts placing two noodles together on his left and two other noodles on his right. "Hmm.." He counts the noodles he has gathered and smiles at Kakashi. "Four?"

"Exactly!"

"More!"

"What is six minus five?"

Once again, he uses the noodles and takes one more from the bunch I brought. "Six noodles minus.." He sticks his tongue out as he solves the equation. "Five... Is..." He counts the remaining noodles and smiles at Kakashi again. "One?"

"Excellent job, Naruto-kun! You are becoming an expert!"

"Daddy will be happy now!" He jumps on me and wraps my neck with his arms while kissing my cheek. "Are you happy?"

"Of course I am. I am very proud of you."

"Do you want a challenge, Naruto?"

"Yes!" He takes his seat again and listens carefully to Kakashi.

"15 minus 7."

"But Kakashi-" I frown at Kakashi because that is too much for Naruto. He is still below the number 10 in his equations. Kakashi hides his smile behind his mask and waits for Naruto's answer.

"Eight?"

"Wow! You are a genius now!"

"Mommy! Mommy! I'm a genius! Did you hear that? Kakashi said I'm genius!"

I cannot believe this. Naruto got it right! It took him a good two hours to fully understand the basic of adding and removing numbers in the mathematical equations.

"Last one. 20 minus 13."

He uses the noodle trick again and gets the answer. "Seven!"

"No doubt, you are a smart boy! I think my mission is over." Kakashi stands on his feet and ruffles my child's hair. "Keep practising, you will be the best among your classmates. Good job!"

"Wait! Wait!"

Naruto runs to his room and comes back with a drawing in hand. "This is for you! Thank youuuuuuu!"

Kakashi-kun examines the drawing and chuckles. "Is this me?" He asks pointing at a spiky grey-haired human-like doodle near a tree.

"Yup! Daddy says you are very good to teach how to walk on trees." He giggles and pokes Kakashi's leg. "Can you teach me?"

"Ah ha ha... You are too small to learn the technique. When you will finish school as ninja, then someone will show you how to do it."

"Oooh... Okie. Bye Kakashi! I have to practice!"

Kakashi waves his hand to my son and faces me with a serious look. " Put Naruto under my wing once he graduates." He says seriously before disappearing in a puff of grey smoke.

"Ee?" I have always known that Minato has a preference for Kakashi as Naruto's sensei, but to hear those words coming out of the copy-ninja's mouth is simply unexpected. Why would he want Naruto? Hmm... Could it be-

"Mommy, is daddy coming soon?" Did he not leave to practice? What is he doing standing in front of me?

I roll my eyes and gesture him to come to me. I kneel before him and I cuddle him without being rejected. He thinks cuddles are just for girls. Ah ha ha. Even bad boys need cuddles! Oh right, his question... "Yes, daddy is coming home soon." I hope he will.

"Yay! I have to show daddy the genius I am!" He giggles and kisses my cheek gently.

"I am sure he will be impressed and proud of you!" I sit on the couch with him and we watch tv together.

~O~

-The Next Day-

"Wake up little sunshine. I have prepared your breakfast and bento." This warm room where my son spends his time playing, sleeping, drawing, sulking, ah, this room always gives me this feeling of peace. I love seeing the greenish walls decorated with giant animal stickers, I love looking at his boyish toys and small outfits. Looking at the bed with my son sleeping in is so rewarding. And yes it is rewarding. Every morning, I'm proud of the parents Minato and I are to Naruto. For now and I said for now, we have succeeded on our task.

I hear him do baby dinosaur sounds as he opens his eyes only to smile sleepily at me. "Mommy.." He says softly keeping his smile on his sweet face, "I am a genius."

I sit on his bed and invite him to come to my arms. He crawls out of his blanket, sits on my lap and snuggles his little body against mine. He shuts his eyes and giggles softly.

"Why are you giggling, you little rascal?"

He lifts up his head to my direction and grins. "Because I'm happy!" He declares with joy as he undresses himself and jumps off of my lap. "Where is daddy?" He asks while I help him get dressed for school.

"At work."

"Oh.."

Yesterday in the evening, Naruto did not have the chance to see his father for he got home very late and the boy was sleeping already. This morning, Minato left before the sun had risen, way earlier than usual. Of what I have heard, he has serious problems with a certain clan in our village. Apparently, it is something about a certain coup d'état, but it is not confirmed yet. Anyway, this is not the matter now.

Today is Naruto's math exam. I helped him practice yesterday. I know he wants to impress his father! He worked hard. A lovely child. "Now, let's eat and leave for school."

After enjoying our breakfast together, Naruto picks up his bag of uncooked noodles and gently keeps it in his backpack. "I don't wanna break them!" He explains quietly. "They are very important!"

"I bet they are!" He holds my hand and we make our way out home. "Ready?"

"Yup! Daddy will be happy."

"He certainly will." We enjoy the weather and warm sun during our walk to school and I greet back any villagers that greet us.

"Good morning Naruto!"

"Morning sensei!"

At the gate of the school, Iruka-sensei greets the parents that come to drop their child at school. I bring Naruto to him and smile broadly. "He is ready for the exam."

Iruka's eyes widen and a sheepish laughter breaks the uncomfortable moment between us. "Bu-but yesterday..."

"Yesterday was yesterday! He is ready today!"

"Ve-very well. Don't get nervous for your exam Naruto, okay?"

To use the term 'exam' with a child like Naruto is still not appropriate as he doesn't understand the importance and heaviness of the result on his report card, but what can I do? Nothing much. After releasing Naruto's hand to have some words with Iruka, Sasuke comes to me followed by his mother.

"Is Naruto angry with me?" Asks the raven-haired boy with a fake smile.

I smile sweetly at the child and ruffle his combed hair. "No he is not. He was upset yesterday. You can go talk to him, he will be very happy to see you."

"Really?"

I play with the boy's cheeks and nod. "Really." He bows with a big grin on his face then runs to Naruto. I see the two boys talking and playing like nothing happened yesterday. Mikoto-chan follows her child after greeting Iruka-sensei and me.

"Iruka-sensei, Naruto will take a bag of uncooked noodles out of his backpack, do not be surprised. It's his new trick. I assure you he will beat Sasuke-kun's score." I punch the jonin's arm and chuckle. "If he succeeds, you'll have to get him something very important! You know how are they are." I wink at him and walk away, joining my son.

"Naruto," he turns around to face me and giggles. "I am leaving." I stretch my arms to hug him, "I know you are a genius. I believe in you." He stretches his arms as well and wraps my waist with them.

"Love you mommy!" He kisses my cheek and giggles again. "Daddy will be happy!"

And here he goes with his father again. Minato is definitely Naruto's role model. This child always thinks about his father's impressions of him. Will daddy be happy? Will daddy be proud? Will daddy love me more? Ahahaha. Minato already loves his son more than anything! Naruto should never question the love we have for him. He is our sun, ya know! Our joy! Our piece of cloud! Oh... Forgive me, I always get off topic! Now now, I must leave him.

*bell rings*

"Time to kick math's butt! I love you baby! I will pick you up after school." I wink at the two boys and wait for them to get in the school. When I see him becoming more independent, I feel a little prick in my heart. He is growing too fast. Way too fast.

Mikoto-chan taps my shoulder and smiles sweetly at me. "Kushina-chan, let's walk together." I nod and together, we leave the academy behind.

- After school.-

"What a surprise!" He came! He came! He knew about him! Oh, this is why I love him so much!

"A surprise? Why is that?" He smiles after placing a kiss on my cheek while holding my hand.

"I thought you forgot."

"I would NEVER forget any event or moment when it comes to my son, you know it very well." His deep stare into my eyes is consuming my soul. Oh gosh! I LOVE it when he gives me that look! Come so I eat you!

I hold his hand tightly and bite my lip, waiting nervously for my son.

*Bell rings*

Oh my gosh! I feel butterflies in my stomach! Ah! Why am I nervous? No, I better not think about failure. I know he will come to us with a BIG SMILE, jumping up and down, squeaking and celebrating his success. This is what he will do.

Oh? I can see him! Why isn't he running? What isn't he doing what I expected as reaction? "Naruto!" I shout his name, waving my hand so he can see us.

"Mommy!" The moment he sees his father by my side, he runs with glee in his eyes. "Daddy!" Minato picks up his son and crushes him in a bear hug.

"Hey buddy!"

"Daddy! Daddy!" The child squirms in his arms and demands to be put down. Once his request has been fulfilled, he unzips his backpack, takes an orange folder out, opens it, takes a sheet out and drops the folder on the ground. "Daddy, look!" He hands the sheet to his father and stays still, observing us with attention.

I peek from behind Minato and a gigantic smile appears on my face. Why is Minato not reacting?

"Daddy?"

I look at Minato only to see him smirking. He chuckles and shakes his head, scooping Naruto up as they spin together. He throws him in the air and catches him skilfully.

"I am so PROUD of you, Naruto!" He throws him in the air again and finally cuddles him. "Daddy knew you would get a perfect score!"

"You did it-ttebane!" I snatch my son of Minato's arms and crush him of love. "Did the noodles help you?" He nods happily and rests his head on my shoulder.

"Naruto," Minato picks up the folder and smiles at the child. "What would you like as a reward for your efforts?"

"Really?!" He thinks, biting his thumb which I remove quickly.

"What did we say about this?" He giggles and looks at his dad. "Be hokage!"

"..." I was expecting a bowl of ramen or dangos or even spending the night with Sasuke-kun, but he really got me by surprise.

Minato smirks and ruffles Naruto's hair. "Then you shall be the hokage tomorrow."

"... Mommy, can you put me down?"

"Sure..."

As soon as I put him on his feet, he rushes to his father and glomps him. "Sankyuu!"

We start walking home and stop by ichiraku ramen. We are hungry and we need to celebrate Naruto's efforts so why not eat ramen? As we eat, Naruto tells us everything about his exam. From counting the noodles to eating them raw. Ah! Iraku-sensei warned him to not eat uncooked noodles. We laugh at his adventures at school and deep inside my heart, a warm feeling sits as I realise that my son is growing too fast. Gone are the days when I would follow him everywhere to avoid any little incidents. Now, he is the one following me to protect me as he considers himself a shinobi, ready to protect everything and everyone that is dear to him.

But no matter how old or big you get, mommy and daddy will ALWAYS protect you because you are our baby, our sun when it rains and our pride!

You know what? I want to give to Naruto a little sister! xD But I don't know if it's a good idea or not! So I'm asking for your help! Tell me, should I add a new member to this family or not? PLEASE, let me know before I update the next chapter as I wish to prepare every chapter beforehand!

Let me know in PM or in your reviews! I would appreciate to get an answer from you guys!

Thanks! Love you guys!

R&R

~Lilskystar