Thanks for the reviews guys! I read that y'all wanted another chapter, so here it is!
Although, I warn you, I had planned for this to be a one-shot, so if you guys are asking me for a story, I might comply, but even I won't know the ending! It'll be a surprise for all of us, including me!
Enough chit-chat, let's go forth to the next chapter!
"Hey Naruto! We've been summoned by Lady Hokage!"
"Alright Sakura-chan! On my way!"
I came into step with her and smiled. She grinned back and continued the conversation all the way to the Hokage Tower.
We passed the Rookie Nine with Team Guy, they greeted and wished us luck on the mission. We grinned and waved goodbye.
We continued our way to the Hokage Tower. When we arrived, Granny Tsunade welcomed us with a new mission. After our debriefing, she let us go to get ready.
Sai, Sakura, Kakashi and I parted ways.
"See you all at the gates in an hour!"
"Yes sir!"
We turned our back to each other, on our way to prepare for the upcoming mission.
I walked a few steps and glanced back, they were gone.
What a pity, they didn't notice.
I had just finished preparing my pack when Iruka came in.
"Hey! I heard you have a mission right now!" he smiled.
I tensed for a moment, then relaxed. He can't see. I turned to him and smiled,
"Yep! I'm all ready for it! How have ya been Iruka-sensei?"
He looked at me for a moment and answered,
"Oh, I'm fine!"
He walked towards me and smiled brightly, he went to my living room and sat down on the couch. He beckoned for me to sit beside him and I complied.
"I've been teaching the kids the history of the Hokages. As always, they don't seem so enthusiastic about it!" We laughed.
I relaxed,
"And don't get me started on Konohamaru! He's been up to so many pranks I'm worrying about my hair graying!"
I laughed with him again. Kami, it felt so good to laugh. It felt so good to be near him again. I've missed him…
"Well, I wonder where he got that horrible hobby from!" I joked. He laughed.
"I wonder too!" He grinned, a wide smile stretching the scar on his nose. The edges of his eyes crinkling and the edges of his cheeks slightly wrinkled with laugh lines.
I stared and forced a smile. He opened his eyes, took one look at me and frowned.
"Naruto? What's wrong?"
I force myself to not react, I simply stare in fake confusion.
"Whaddaya mean Iruka-sensei?"
He crinkled his brows and stared at me in worry.
"Don't try to lie to me Naruto, I know something's wrong."
I'm struggling with a knot in my throat. I can't breathe properly, so I clear my throat.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Iruka-sensei stares at me with serious eyes,
"Naruto… When I came in and greeted you, you tensed for a moment. You usually welcome me in and offer me tea, and I usually never have to invite you to sit next to me, you usually do it on your own. Your laughs aren't desperate, and your smiles aren't forced."
I stiffen, how did he know that I was faking it all?
"Naruto, I've known you since you were a little kid, I've heard your fake and forced laughter, as well as smiles. I can tell the difference between your real expressions and the fake ones. And what gives you up the most, is your eyes."
He lifts his hand and cups my cheek, a sad smile on his face,
"Your eyes always shine when you're happy as well as have different hues of blue in them. But they always take on this dark and opaque color when you're sad… Tell me, what's wrong Naruto?"
I fight the sudden hurt in my chest, but my lips quiver and I feel my eyes begin to water. Damn…
He sees the tears and immediately embraces me, and just like that, I break down and open up,
"S-Sasuke is such an a-asshole! H-He first l-leaves the stupid v-village a-and and," a pathetic hiccup interrupts me but I force myself to continue.
"And then he c-comes and m-makes me feel like utter sh-shit while I'm still m-mourning P-Per-Pervy—" a sob escapes my throat and I cry harder. It's so painful for me to even speak of him…
"Pe-Pervy S-Sa-ge a-and and!" I feel so pathetic, crying into my childhood teacher's vest.
"And then h-he goes and starts ta-talking c-crap about how I-I'm a-all alone and how I'll always be a-alone and and- that a-asshole made me f-feel like crap and I felt so lo-lonely and he p-pissed me off and and that asshole rejected me! I wanted c-comfort and then he g-goes and r-refuses to! And I'm upset and and kyu-kyuubi is an asshole too because he's been m-messing with me and and!" I bury my face in his chest and just sob. Kami, I'm pathetic, but I can't help myself. I've burdened two months of pent up frustration and hurt and I just want it to end!
Iruka-sensei soothingly traces my spine with his fingers, rocking me back and forth as if I were a child. A part of me wanted to back away and force a smile while saying that I'm alright and that I'm a big boy now, but I killed it. I've been wanting this comfort for two months now! I want and need a hug damn it! Pride be damned I need to recover from all this depression and get back up! And I can't do that without someone comforting me damn it!
I snuggle into Iruka-sensei and breathe in his scent – he smells like books and ink with a hint of chalk. I smile, he hasn't changed at all. He's still kind and caring over me. I don't know what I'd do if anything were to happen to him…
I stiffen. What would I do if he got killed?
I… I'd kill the one who murdered him. I'd burn villages down in my fury. I'd kill myself because of the despair I know I'd suffer. I…
"Naruto? You alright?"
I forgot I'm being hugged by Iruka-sensei, of course he'd feel the sudden tension in me. I slowly take a breath and relax. It's gonna be okay… I'll protect him with my life…
"Nothing. I just had a bad thought, don't worry. I'm okay now." I wiped my tears away and simply snuggled into his chest. If I could, I'd stay all evening like this. It's so relieving and relaxing being in someone's arms. Iruka-sensei's the only one who I've allowed to hug me like this, and he's the only one I hug like this as well. I… I wouldn't feel comfortable with anyone else. Iruka-sensei is… is like a…
"…mother." I smile and sigh in content. But Iruka-sensei straightens up and laughs a great and deep laugh. I release myself from his arms and stare at him in confusion.
"What?"
"You randomly said mother then immediately after, snuggle into me! What? Did you think of me as your mother or something? I'm a man you know!" he chuckled.
I grinned,
"Of course! You're my mother!"
"Hey! I'm male!"
"So? You act like a mother!"
"I do not!"
"Do too! When I was little, you always nagged me about my eating habits and you sometimes brought me healthy lunches – which I always whined about – and every time there was a little fight between me and some other kid you always sent us to the nursery, only to come in a few minutes later, asking if I was fine while holding a first-aid kit in your hands!"
We burst into laughter and hugged it out. Chuckling, he murmured,
"Alright, alright. Fine. Maybe I am like a mother-hen, but you can't deny that you enjoyed having me at your tail, dotting on you like a worried mother!" We chuckled.
"Can't deny that, cause honestly, I loved it!"
We chuckled again. I feel as if I'm forgetting something… something important…
"Hey, don't you have a mission to go to?"
I freeze, look to the clock on the wall and curse, scrambling to my feet. I'm nearly twenty minutes late!
"Hey! No curse words in the house young man!"
I pause then smirk at him,
"See? Just like a mother!"
We laugh and he hands me my pack as I finish kicking my shoes on. We walk out of my apartment and I quickly lock my door. I turn to him and we smile at each other. Kami, it felt so good to just let everything out! I feel so much better!
"Well, I'll see you later Naruto!"
Iruka-sensei turns to leave but I stop him for a moment and give him a quick hug, I whisper,
"Thanks for everything, and see you later… Mommy!"
I quickly turn and jump on the roofs, heading for the gates. I feel a blush on my cheeks and I fight to get it off. Kami, I hope Iruka-sensei isn't mad at me for honestly viewing him as my mother!
When I arrive at the gates, everyone is already there – even Kakashi is waiting, who then proceeds to raise an eyebrow at me, in question of my lateness. Sakura is visibly annoyed and Sai simply fakes a smile.
"What took you so long? Baka!"
"Sorry Sakura-chan! I was getting some issues solved!" I give her my best grin and she simply huffs in response. I ignore the sudden jab of annoyance crawling up my spine – that's new. I usually never get annoyed at Sakura…
"Well guys, let's hit the road!"
I do an air-punch and stride out the village with a bounce in each step.
I'm ready to get out of the pity-hole I've buried myself into and get things together. Starting with Sasuke.
Y'all asked for a second chappie, so here it is!
I had to even out some of the negative stuff from the first chapter, so sorry for those who wanted something a bit darker.
If you guys want a story, I'll give it to y'all, just let me know for sure though. lol. I'll make another chapter or two if you guys don't want a full story though.
I'm thinking of making the next chapter in Sasuke's Point Of View... But I don't know... Are y'all up for it? You guys think y'all ready for it? lol.
Let me know if you all want the next chapter in Sasuke's POV!
