Well, it's been ages since the first chapter, and I'm really sorry about that. I don't have the time I would like to focus on my stories, not to mention that I have to share a computer with more than two people. Besides that, a lot of my inspiration for Naruto was killed by the more recent manga chapters. I've managed to get some of it back, but even so, this chapter is comparably short to my usual standards. Still, I thought it might be appreciated.

So, yea, pairings. I guess I didn't make it clear last chapter, but the focus of this isn't going to be the pairings. Romance will play a minor part in this, although it might become more prominent as the characters themselves get older. You know, like most people. I just want to establish them now so I know what to work toward. Thanks to those of you that gave me your opinion. Here are the results:

Saku/Lee won by quite a bit.

Sasu/Karin has also won out, but a couple of reviewers gave me some interesting suggestions. The first is not pairing him at all. I have to say that this is actually a bit tempting. The second is Tayuya. While not a pairing I usually think of, I can see the merit in it. Although, to be honest, I can't see her putting up with his attitude for very long. While I will work toward the Sasu/Karin choice, I'll hold off on anything concrete for now. I've got time.

Ino/Sai is the next one. Sorry to those of you who wanted Ino/Chouji (a cute pairing in my opinion).

Since Ino is taken, it's Chouji/OC. I can't see someone as nice as he is ending up alone, you know? With the disheartening number of kunoichi (and female characters in general), I'm left with this. One person suggested this one girl from Sand, but research needs to be done since I'm not familiar with her. If I find her to be a good character, I might go in that direction.

While not one of my original choices for you, another reviewer suggested Iruka/Anko. My twisted mind can actually see this happening, but I don't know if I should go there. I'll think about it.

If it wasn't mentioned in as an option to vote on in the last chapter, it's because I already have an idea on where I want to go with those characters. So, while other suggestions will be read and considered, I probably won't change what I have planned unless I think it's a good idea for my story.

So yea, that's about it for now. Here's the really overdue chapter two. Thanks again for your infinite patience. Please read on and hopefully enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

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Chapter 2

Naruto woke up confused. This wasn't a new thing for him- he often fell asleep only to wake up somewhere else. However, what made it different this time was that he woke up comfortable. Pain, he knew. Cold and hunger were constant companions. Waking up in what was probably the softest, squishiest bed he'd ever felt, covered in warm, fuzzy blankets? Never. So, it was really no surprise that by the time Iruka walked into the room, he was at the point of a nervous breakdown.

Fortunately for the teen, the moment Naruto saw him, the events of the night before clicked back into place.

"Good morning," Iruka said as a greeting, deciding not to question the strange behavior.

"Mornin' Mist- uh...Umino-san," Naruto offered shyly.

Naruto was still a bit unsure as to this new face. Sure, he had hugged him, and sure, he seemed nice enough, but past experience told him that it would be best to keep on guard for a while longer. Iruka smiled a bit.

"I'm sure you're hungry, so why don't you join me for breakfast?"

Iruka watched Naruto's eyes widen, and couldn't help but feel a little guilty, especially when the boy brightened. Did the idea of breakfast really bring him so much joy? He frowned. Surely they wouldn't starve him at the orphanage, would they? Then again, many considered him Kyuubi reborn, so it wasn't outside the realm of possibility...

He really hoped that didn't end up being the case. Still, the thought bothered him up until they were cleaning up, made worse by having witnessed the eager- almost desperate - way Naruto had taken to eating.

"Uzumaki-kun," he began, deciding that his conscious wasn't going to leave him alone if he didn't ask. "Did you like breakfast?"

"It was great!" Naruto cheerfully exclaimed, much more amiable to the man after being fed. "The best thing ever!"

"Oh? What sorts of foods do you eat at the orphanage?"

Naruto made a face and shrugged. "Stuff," he said, "it tastes bad, though."

So they did feed him. That was good. There were many things that children considered bad-tasting too. Like vegetables. Mollified for the moment, he turned his thoughts to other things. Things like where he would be able to buy clothes for the village pariah.

"Perhaps Himura-san. I don't think he has any issues with him..."

It was worth a shot at the very least. If it didn't work, he'd think of something.

"How about we get you some clothes now?"

The enthusiastic response made him smile.

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Iruka was fighting a strong urge to laugh, even as he felt a slight headache coming on from the constant pleading. He'd never known any child this persistent.

"Please, Umino-san?"

'Or adorable,' he admitted to himself as Naruto stared at him with large blue eyes.

He shook his head to clear it of those thoughts, more out of concern for what they could lead him to doing than a genuine dislike. With a sigh, he spoke again, hoping that the small blonde would at least listen to what he had to say.

"Those aren't clothes typically worn in Fire Country, Uzumaki-kun. They're meant for colder climates. You'll probably be uncomfortably warm in them."

"But they're orange! Orange is the best color!"

As he stared at the orange jumpsuit that had snagged the boy's attention, Iruka never felt more inclined to disagree. His attention was drawn by the low chuckle that sounded from behind him. Turning, he came to face the aged man that ran the store.

"Having trouble, Iruka-kun?"

Iruka felt a bit of heat rise to his cheeks. He was glad that he had been right in thinking that Himura would not mind having Naruto in his store, but the older man always had a way of making him feel like he was twelve.

He supposed that since he had known the store owner since he actually was that age, it made a bit of sense.

"Just trying to get him to see reason."

This only made Himura laugh louder. "Let him have his fun. If I recall correctly, I remember another small boy that wanted all of his outfits to come in a bright yellow so that he could be like his hero. He took the title of Yellow Flash a little too seriously, don't you think?"

If his cheeks were warm before, they were positively burning now. It had taken the very man he idolized to talk him out of buying the fashion disasters. It was one of his most embarrassing- though oddly treasured -memories.

"That just gives me all the more reason. I'd be doing him a favor. Really."

Himura shook his head in amusement and stepped forward. "Naruto-kun, would you take an old man's suggestion?"

Naruto looked up at him curiously. He had been hesitant to step into the shop when Iruka had first led him here, but it had quickly faded. Maybe it was because the man was as old as another old man he was familiar with, or maybe it was the way he hadn't glared or flinched the moment their eyes met and was actually nice to him, but Naruto quickly found himself liking Himura.

"I guess so."

"Instead of the jumpsuit, how about something a little more subtle?"

"Su-tle?"

"Subtle. It means...sneaky, in a way, and ninjas are meant to be sneaky, right?"

"Yea!"

Himura smiled. "Good. Now then, try this one."

He reached over to a different rack and pulled out another jacket. Naruto immediately made a face.

"It's all black!"

"It looks like that at first, doesn't it? But look closely, Naruto-kun."

True enough, there was a lone orange stripe going down the length of each sleeve and sides. That wasn't nearly enough color to satisfy Naruto, however, but before he could comment on that very thing, Himura held up a hand.

"I see you haven't noticed the best part."

"Best part?"

"Of course! You didn't think I would completely deprive you of such a wonderful color, did you?" He ignored Iruka's look of annoyance. "Look on the inside!"

Naruto did so and gasped gleefully. The inside of the jacket was lined in orange- an orange that matched that of the jumpsuit.

"Even the orange is sneaky," Himura explained in amusement. "You can bring it out whenever you feel like, of course, since this jacket can be switched around, but I think it likes being on the inside."

"You do?"

Himura did his best to nod solemnly while holding back a smile. "It makes it feel special. If it was on the outside, then everyone could see it, but if it were on the inside, only certain people see it. Very much like a ninja, don't you think?"

What Himura was telling him now was similar to another lesson Naruto would learn later on, but at the moment he was looking almost awed. Iruka had to bite back a laugh at the innocent expression. Children were so trusting.

Needless to say, the jumpsuit was quickly traded in for the "special" jacket. There was a bit of an issue as to what he would wear as a bottom, but with a few more quick words from Himura, Iruka and Naruto left the shop with a few reasonably colored pairs of clothing. The Chunnin couldn't help but muse upon this as they walked down the street, marveling at how easily the older man was able to sway the boy.

It wasn't that Iruka was bad with children- he wouldn't be working at the Academy if he didn't think he could handle it -but this trip made it clear that he obviously lacked experience. There were little tricks to use, he realized, that would make the kids happy while still steering them toward what the adult wanted. He'd never really considered it before, but it was definitely something to think about. If he could learn even one of these tricks, it would no doubt make his job a lot easier in the long run.

For now, though, there were more pressing matters- like a little blond boy starting to wander off while he was lost in his own thoughts.

"Uzumaki-kun, are you hungry?"

Just like that, Naruto was back at his side. Hmm, maybe it wouldn't be so hard to learn to deal with kids after all...

"I know a nice ramen place," he continued. "Have you ever had ramen before?"

"No. What is it?"

"Ah, it's not the healthiest of foods, I'll admit, but it tastes good and it's cheap."

"Okay!"

Just one day, and Naruto already seemed to trust him. Just a little kindness, and he was willing to follow him wherever he went...It made Iruka both happy and sad. Just what sort of life had Naruto led that would make him fiercely latch onto the first person to treat him well? A part of him wished that he'd never find out.

"Umino-san?"

He shook his head to clear it. Later, he reminded himself. He could think about it later. "Sorry. Let's go."

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That evening, as Naruto lay down on the squishy bed once more, he stared up at the ceiling, a warm feeling slowly spreading through him as the events of the day finally caught up with him.

A few days ago, he would have never imagined this. Iruka had given him food, clothes, and a place to stay. The last one was more because it was getting late and the man had decided to let him stay one more night before bringing him back to the orphanage, but still...

It was the nicest anyone had ever been to him besides Jiji.

Kindness was a novel thing to be given, but he knew he liked it. He would treasure Iruka's even more because it wasn't automatic, like the Hokage's, or the man at the store and the family at the ramen shop. Naruto saw the hesitation, and knew that at one time, Iruka might have been just like everyone else in the village. To know that and to see him trying his best to be nice and give him a chance filled Naruto with hope that one day, other people would give him a chance too.

He sighed and closed his eyes with a wistful smile. For now, he would do his best to show Iruka that he hadn't made a mistake. Maybe, if he was lucky, Iruka might let him stay here. It was worlds better than the orphanage.

Just for tonight...maybe he could pretend he had a home.

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While many things were beginning to slip passed him as the years went by, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still a very observant man. Therefore, it was no surprise that he was sitting in his office late at night, looking out over his village as he was deep in thought.

As the Hokage and, more importantly, as a friend of the Fouth, he had taken it upon himself to watch over his predecessor's son. He couldn't be as close as he wished, and it pained him to think about the life such a wonderful boy could have had, but there was nothing he could really do about it at the moment. All he could do was visit when he wasn't busy, pack as much love as he could into every meeting, and take a few minutes out of every day to check up on his ward. Today had been no different. Then, he saw it.

The sight of that smile- of Naruto's happiness as he was led through the market street, completely oblivious to the glares for once -had brought him to tears. It felt like far too long since he'd seen it.

And the cause of that happiness...

He had felt a stirring of hope, and a bit of amusement, as Iruka slowly relaxed around Naruto. He had been by no means comfortable- with his company or the attention he was getting -but just the fact that he had been willing to walk the streets of the village with the boy was a testament to his character, given that he had shared the village's mindset not too long ago. With time, Hiruzen knew that Naruto's bright personality would pull the young man in, just as it did with everyone that gave him a chance.

Thus, his pensive mood.

It was a bit of a longshot, but perhaps he could push the two together. It might help to heal the loneliness that both seemed to be suffering from.

Yes, Hiruzen decided. This was a good idea.

He chuckled softly as he sat down at his desk once more, plans already starting to form in his mind. The biggest hurdle would be his old teammates and Danzo, but he wasn't called the Professor for nothing. If he really put his mind to it, he knew he could come up with something...In fact...

It was simple, but that was the beauty of it. People had come to expect the complicated from him, so much so that this would be overlooked until it was too late. He was sure of it.

'What will come from this, I wonder?'

Scheming done for the night, he made a note to leave on his secretary's desk. It was a request to have Iruka come to see him tomorrow. If he was lucky, the message would arrive while Naruto was still present. If not, well, it wasn't too important, but he would prefer that the Iruka wasn't given the chance to bring Naruto back to the orphanage until they'd spent a bit more time together. The more they got along, the faster things could move forward.

For now, however, it was time to turn in. With a sigh, he placed his viewing orb back in its container and stood, groaning a bit at his body's protests.

"I'm much too old for this," he sighed, casting a melancholy glance to an image of a blond haired man. "Many a time have I wished to have taken your place instead, Minato. At the very least so that you would have the opportunity to see how amazing he is...Kushina as well..." He smiled a bit. "I hope you both approve of what I plan to do. If not, then please forgive this old man's foolishness."

With that he left the room, shutting the door behind him and completely missing the warm, gentle wind that fluttered within his office, carrying a faint echo of whispered words.

Thank you.

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So, that is the end of chapter two. Like I said, it's kind of short compared to my usual chapters, but I figure that something is better than nothing after so long.

Honestly, I'm kind of tired, so my author's notes are going to be short. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me, or at least give me some way to reply in your reviews. I actually don't mind answering them, so ask away.

That's about all I can think of, so take care and until next time!