Disclaimer: Naruto and its characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

"I'm glad that we can still do this together, Sensei."

Iruka looked up from his ramen. "You thought that I'd stop taking you out after you became a genin?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Naruto looked a bit embarrassed. "Well, you always took me out after class, or when I had detention, so I was worried that you wouldn't come here with me anymore."

"But you're my friend, so I don't mind making time for you," Iruka replied with a good-natured smile. He slurped a bit of ramen before continuing. "By the way, how are you finding your team?"

"Hn, Kakashi-sensei is nice, I guess, but he's really weird and late all the time," Iruka, having heard of Kakashi's reputation couldn't help but chuckle at this, "Sakura-chan is really great, but she only ever pays attention to Sasuke, and he's really annoying."

"Well, give it some time. I'm sure it won't be too long before you really like them." Naruto seemed to miss the joke. "A lot of people don't like their teams at first. The members are assigned according to their abilities, and it's expected that they'll learn to get along with their team on their own."

"They aren't so bad sometimes, I guess."

There were a few moments of silence, then Iruka, suddenly recalling why he had wanted to see Naruto in the first place, blurted out "Naruto, I'm really sorry."

Naruto dropped his chopsticks and looked up at Iruka in surprise. "F-for what? You haven't done anything wrong!"

"I haven't spoken to you since I made you a genin a week ago. I wanted to apologize for keeping the Kyuubi a secret from you. I know that it's made your life difficult, and so many people have always hated you for it. So, I'm sorry for not telling you."

"Well, the Hokage banned everyone from talking about it, right? So, it's not that you didn't tell me, it's that you couldn't."

Iruka turned away quickly and wiped away the tears that had just barely formed in his eyes. He turned back with a sad smile on his face. "I wish I could be like you sometimes, Naruto. You're the sort of person who just forgives without a second thought."

Naruto frowned back in confusion. "But you're the one who taught me to be so forgiving! You were always nice to me even when you should have been mad at me. Even though the Kyuubi killed your parents!"

"You aren't responsible for what the Kyuubi did, but... thank you Naruto." He composed himself. "I'm sorry. It was a moment of weakness."

"But, what I really wanted to say is that," Naruto hesitated, "I'm actually really glad that I have the Kyuubi. Because if it weren't for him, you and I wouldn't be friends!"

Iruka was momentarily taken aback. "Th-that's a very mature way of thinking, Naruto," he stuttered out.

They finished up their meal. As he was about to say goodbye, Iruka suddenly noticed a look of guilt on Naruto's face. "I'm glad too, Naruto," he said softly, "it was okay to say that."

Naruto failed to conceal a look of relief. "I-I didn't need you to tell me that! I just wanted to say it no matter what you thought."

Iruka said his farewell and walked off. Naruto was still such a kid. Iruka didn't mind, though.