Title: Baby Blues (formerly Taking Care of the Baby)
Author:
milkychaitea
Disclaimer:
I do not own Naruto. Sue me and absolutely nothing will happen.
Warnings:
Gender-bended characters. Expect ooc-ness since this is a fanfiction.
Pairing/s:
KakaFem!Iru, other pairings to be decided. You have any ideas?
Note:
Apologies for the extreme delay; school and my GCSE finally caught up to me and tried to murder me in my sleep...pardon my ramblings and read on, mon amour!

~ooo000ooo~

Chapter 2

Iruka could feel the heat rise to her face as she watched the silver-haired man stare at her.

Or more importantly, her assets.

Iruka simply did not understand what was it about them that made boys, men and perverts alike stare at them for so long. It wasn't that they were so big, per say, Iruka reckoned they were just average. It certainly wasn't as big as Anko's, her former teammates ones, nor as exposed and voluptuous as Lady Tsunade's, so she simply couldn't understand their fascination with them. (Nor was hers enticingly binded like Kurenai's. So men, seriously?")

She shifted slightly, turning away and coughed softly.

"Can we please move on to more relevant matters, Sandaime? Some of us here have more important things to do and more places to be in rather than exhibiting their inner pervert." She said, pointedly not staring at the white-haired jounin beside her.

Kakashi had the grace to look slightly embarrassed; his cheeks flaming beneath his mask, but didn't stop staring. Iruka controlled the urge to roll her eyes; it was unseemly for an Anbu of her stature to behave in such a disrespectful manner in front of the Sandaime.

"Sandaime-sama," Iruka bowed respectfully to the aged warrior, "May I ask what this mission is and what it entails? The missive I received had no such details, and I cannot fathom any reason why an Anbu and a Jounin would work together in a mission."

Kakashi snorted his agreement, but otherwise remained silent.

The Sandaime sighed, knowing that there will definitely some trying times ahead. He gestured for Iruka and Kakashi to take a seat, and when both were comfortably doing so, opened a drawer and taking out a scroll.

"As you know, the Kyuubi attacked Konoha a little over one and a half years ago." Kakashi and Iruka both look saddened at the mention of this, "And we lost many great men and women; brave and valiant shinobi who have given their lives in order to protect their homes and their families."

The Sandaime continued.

"Most importantly, we lost two shinobi's; who not only dedicated their time in service to Konoha, but also gave their very lives in order to protect it; the Fourth Hokage and his wife."

Both Kakashi's and Iruka's face fell at the mention of the dearly departed. Kakashi remembered the wonderful times he had spent with his genin team, bringing a melancholic smile to his masked face. Iruka, while not very close to the Yondaime's family personally, but he remembered the eternally affable man, who always made the Anbu in-charge of his protection duty laugh with his somewhat lame jokes. Their disappearance was sorely missed by the entire village.

The Sandaime coughed to try and regain their attention. "Not all was lost on that day. Their legacy survives them." He took his pipe and blew out a soft, slow drag. "A son."

What?

Both Kakashi and Iruka stared at the Sandaime like he had risen from the dead. It couldn't be, could it? Kakashi's brain nearly exploded with that new piece of information.

A son! The Yondaime had a son and he didn't even know about it!

Kakashi stood there, his mouth gaping like a fish, and Iruka controlled the urge to slap it closed. The Sandaime continued speaking.

"It was decided that with the war raging and the threat of Minato's political rivals that it would be much safer if Kushina went into hiding. So she was kept far away from the prying eyes of the masses. Unfortunately, the stress of the birth and the attack of the Kyuubi took its toll, taking her life with it."

Iruka interrupted. "Sandaime, I apologize for interrupting, but may I ask why my presence is required here? I was never truly close to the Yondaime, unlike Kakashi-san here."

Kakashi nodded his assent.

"I realize that. But you must understand that the task that you are about to undertake cannot be done alone. You and Kakashi must work together; this task cannot be done without each other." The Sandaime nodded gravely. "I request that you take leave of all and any current responsibilities that you may have currently and take care of Naruto. Together."

Kakashi was about to simply nod and accept, but Iruka had more to say. "Sandaime-sama, while I respect your decision, may I ask why I'm involved in this as well? I was never particularly close to the Yondaime. Wouldn't it be better to have someone close, like Rin-san, perhaps?"

Kakashi visibly cringed, his head reflexively ducking as he remembered all those head-slaps and screaming. He shuddered. The Sandaime wisely kept his own opinions to himself, knowing that Iruka was smart enough to gather a conclusion on her own.

Iruka saw all this and sighed. "I'm guessing Mr. Macho here can't work with Rin-san because he's afraid of being mauled." She gave a slight snort. "Ha. High and Mighty Jounin can't even work with his former teammate because he can't stop being afraid of her!"

The Sandaime pleaded with his eyes, knowing that it would take the might and stubborn will of an Umino Anbu to make Kakashi work at anythingdiligently. Iruka caved after a few long seconds, shaking her head as she did so.

"As long as Kakashi-san promises to cooperate and take equal responsibility in the care of Naruto then I accept. Will I still be taking Anbu missions, Sandaime-sama?" This was directed at the Hokage.

"I don't think that would be wise, so for now your Anbu status will be temporarily revoked, as is yours Kakashi."

Kakashi was about to start another sulk but Iruka glared him into stopping. The Sandaime smiled heartily at that. The fireworks were already starting!

The Sandaime controlled the urge to clap his hands together and glee maniacally. Not only was he preventing another Hatake from possible insanity due to overworking, he was also setting him up! He made an inward smirk, the events occurring reminding himself of one of Jiraiya's crazy stories he used to tell over campfires. Which reminded him, he had to sent Jiraiya a letter, telling him that he needn't return so harriedly.

"So well then, that settles it. Iruka, you will move in with Kakashi later today. I'll have some genin come by your apartment later to help you move in your belonging."

"With all due respect, Sandaime-sama, why do I have to co-habitate with Kakashi-san? Surely we can take turns looking after Naruto within the of our own homes." Iruka, not willing to inagine waking up everyday next white-baired jounin, seeing that assuredly handsome face every mor- wait. Why on earth was she imagining herself living so.intimately with the Copy-nin?

Iruka steadfastedly decided not to pursue that particular train of thought.

Meanwhile, our great copy-nin was busy, er- fantasizing.To put it in PG terms.

Let's leave it at that, shall we?

"Kakashi," The Sandaime sighed, "Cease your lecherous behaviour for now."

"But I wasn't-"

"You were thinking it."

"Point taken."

"So moving on to more important matters, Naruto is currently being taken care of at the hospital. If you two could just head on there I would be most grateful. Also, please change out of your shinobi gear. You're on the reserve squad until the successful completion of this mission."

"But that could take years!" Iruka exclaimed, loudly.

The Sandaime only gave them his most sneakiest, benign smile he could possibly muster.

"Exactly."

Iruka sighed, knowing that nothing more could be done. "Give me three hours to pack my things then Kakashi can get them from there."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow at the pointed lack of honorific for his name. "What? If we're meant to work together to raise a child I might as well call you papa, Ka-ka-shi~."

Kakashi felt a blush rise to his covered face, and he sent Iruka a one-eyed glare.

Iruka smiled. It might turn out to be interesting after all.