Legend:

:…: Naruto's conversation with Kyuubi.

"…" Internal monologue.

Warning: Possible grammatical or typo errors along the way.

Chapter 3

It was already past four in the afternoon when Shizune returned to the Hokage's office looking battered. Tsunade looked at her assistant.

"What happened to you? Why do you look like you just came home from war?" Shizune looked at the Hokage with a weary look as she began to narrate what had happened earlier in the training grounds.

- Flashback -

BOOM!

And down goes the poor innocent trees.

"Iruka-sensei! Calm down! I demand that you stop it right this instant!" Naruto hollered trying to catch up with the distraught teacher of his. The others however were trying to avoid the falling trees and the fragments of whatever that was flying towards their directions.

Naruto then looked ahead and saw that the four shinobi's that Iruka-sensei were trying to punish, more or less kill, were cornered. So with his quick thinking, he jumped ahead of his teacher and landed right in front of the four horror-stricken shinobis.

"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto spread his arms in defense of the four poor shinobis behind him.

"Naruto save us!" They all hid behind his back seeking refuge from Iruka's wrath. Right then, the rest of Rookie 9 also came in defense of the shinobis.

Good thing the three Jounin teachers including Shizune were able to hold him down before he even neared where Naruto was.

"Calm down man, what's gotten in to you, someone stole your pants or something?" Asuma held on to Iruka's right arm, holding him in place.

"Sensei, you're destroying the training grounds!" Kurenai reprimanded, looking flustered than ever.

"Umino-san! Why are you are you so determined to punish those four youthful shinobis? I'm sure that whatever it is, they did not mean it…" Gai was about to begin his speech of youth when Iruka butted in.

"Those FOUR were thinking of perverted thoughts towards Naruto! Can you imagine what they could do further?!"

"Why? What were they thinking sensei?" Sakura asked.

"These four said that I was 'hot'." Naruto deadpanned.

"You forgot to include the word 'incredibly', Naruto-kun." Kotetsu supplied.

All of them, including the Jounins and the rest of Rookie 9 stared at Naruto finally noticing the changes.

"You DO look good Naruto." Kurenai said after checking out Naruto from head to toe.

"Youth does have its perks!" Lee sighed.

"I have to agree, you do look HOT." Kiba drawled.

Hinata, Ino and Sakura, Ten-ten were blushing, thankfully, three shades of red, after what it seemed like ogling at him from head to toe.

"You forgot the word 'incredibly'." Genma said with a passion.

"Add the word 'sizzling' and everything else would be in place." Kiba added his two cents worth.

Neji, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Shino, and the six male shinobis nodded their heads dumbly in agreement, Naruto, and the rest of the girls however sweatdropped at their reactions.

All of them suddenly felt cold as they slowly looked at Iruka's direction. Unknowingly, the seemingly 'innocent' conversation had further fuelled Iruka's protective nature, thus, making the supposed control and rescue squad, the new victims of Iruka's wrath.

"All of you… I definitely won't allow any of you to have your perverted thoughts messing around Naruto's innocence!" Iruka whipped out as he started to chase the group of male shinobis through the training grounds apart from Chouji who never really participated in the conversation since he was practically busy munching on his chips.

At that moment, all of them had a silent agreement, they vowed to never enrage the usually calm and collected chuunin whatever the consequences were.

"Ne, Shizune-san, what do we do now?" Naruto was practically twitching at the scene before him.

"We better restrain him before he decides that the next training ground is the village."

The girls, plus Naruto, quickly followed the new path that Iruka created. Fortunately or unfortunately, they saw a couple of ANBU members who were also out and about the training grounds, had their hopes that they could ask for their help and assistance, but instead, they ended up as additional targets for Iruka who happened to see that most of them were trying to flirt and grope Naruto's cute ass.

- End of Flashback -

"And so Naruto, the rest of the female Shinobis and I were the ones left to restrain Umino-san. Good thing Naruto-kun came up with an idea from all the chasing and immediately caught up with Umino-san. Naruto-kun then gave Umino-san one of his 'puppy-eyed-looks' as he asked, well, begged Umino-san that he wanted to get Ramen with him and catch up on things." Shizune heaved a heavy sigh before she collapsed on the nearby couch. "So that's how Naruto-kun managed to get Umino-san's attention away from all of them."

"Is that so? Maybe I should promote Iruka to Jounin rank." Tsunade mused after she had envisioned the said chain of events in her mind. After all, insanity is a helpful mental state in accomplishing missions. Shizune was too exhausted to argue. Suddenly, she remembered that there was one more package left in her custody.

"Oh my! I forgot to give this back to Naruto-kun!" Shizune wearily stood up but found herself reeling back in to the comforts of the couch.

"What is it Shizune?"

"It's Kakashi-san's present. I forgot that he was on an A-Class mission today." Shizune dug out the parcel and shakily placed it on the coffee table near her. Tsunade stood up from her seat, walked towards the coffee table, and picked up the medium sized parcel.

"Shizune, I think it's best that we give this parcel to Kakashi when he returns from his mission." The Hokage's assistant gave her an understanding look. "For now, I suggest that you go home and rest. I believe you're worn out to the bone."

With that, Shizune slowly stood up from the couch and trying hard not to fall back as she gave a swift bow to the Godaime before she disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Tsunade then walked back to her desk and placed the parcel inside the drawer. She then looked outside the office windows, staring at the horizon, muttering a silent prayer to the heavens hoping that from this day onwards, everything would turn out right for the blue-eyed blonde.

Somewhere else in Konoha…

A group of young Shinobi lay exhausted, panting and catching their breaths on the soft grass, some, on the branches of the trees, of the now safe training grounds. Never in their life have they imagined a Chuunin running after them with the most intense idea of skinning them alive.

It would have been easy to outwit a Chuunin, however, the said Chuunin seemed to have evolved into a Super ANBU slash Hunter-nin. Just because of his over-protective mother hen nature…

"Nature and nurture works in mysterious ways… Mental note: Never Mess with MOTHER HEN!" All of them thought at that moment…

At Ichiraku's…

After eight bowls of Extra Special Pork Miso Ramen, Naruto sighed contentedly as he took a sip of his green tea. Iruka looked at the boy beside him.

"He has changed a lot… Although some habits die hard…" Iruka noted as he stared at Naruto with utter fascination.

"Ano sa, ano sa! Iruka-sensei, how have you been?" Iruka brought his hands into a thinking position and tilted his head a little bit to the side.

"Well, I'm definitely okay now, now that I've seen you." He looked at Naruto thoughtfully. "When you left without saying a word, I resigned from being a teacher at the academy. Tsunade-hime was tight lipped about you. So I did missions instead…" Iruka held the teacup in his hands, his head bowed slightly with a faraway look in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Iruka-sensei… There were things in my mind back then… I was not even thinking straight… A lot of things had happened and bothered me four years ago."

"Why didn't you come to me then? You know that I'm always willing to listen and help you out Naruto." Iruka pointed out.

"Well, that part I sort of forgot…" Naruto sheepishly smiled as he darted out his tongue playfully, earning him a light smack on the back of his head.

"I can't tell him the truth… Well, maybe not yet. Four years hasn't done much to heal what was broken. If Iruka-sensei knew… He might do something to him…maybe worse, kill him…" Naruto knew how protective Iruka was when it came to him. The incident earlier was living proof of that. He was like a father/brother figure to Naruto.

"You forgot? What kind of reason is that?" Iruka was appalled.

"I told you I wasn't even thinking back then… But it's ok now." Naruto beamed. He just had to second the thought of not telling the chuunin, he knew he had to hide it.

Quickly changing the topic, Naruto paid their bill as he dragged Iruka down the street, begging him to show him the things that had changed since he was gone.

The two spent the whole time together catching up on things. Naruto told him about his journey and training with Jiraiya, which of course, in some points in their conversation, almost gave Iruka a heart attack.

Iruka also told him that the older Uchiha was back in town and reinstated to his former rank; for Naruto, knowing all of it made him smile in relief. Right then, Jiraiya, alongside with Orochimaru appeared in front of them in a swirl of leaves.

"Jiraiya-sama! Orochimaru-sama!" Iruka's jaw dropped as he looked at the more or less battered and disheveled state of the white-haired sannin. Jiraiya looked, if not more or less if you studied his state longer, more battered as if he had done a despicable act in front of the village people which often resulted to being mobbed on the spot.

"Naru-chan!" Orochimaru tackled bear-hugged his favorite godchild, technically, his only godchild since no one else would not dare ask him to honor them nor would he deem anyone else acceptable. "It's so good to see you! I'm so glad you're back!"

"Jiraiya-sama! What happened to you?" Iruka looked aghast as he scurried to ht toad sannin's side and led him to take a seat since Naruto was currently in a bear hug.

Orochimaru gladly narrated what happened while the said frog sannin: how he was flying out of the window because of his accidental slip of the tongue with the "flat-breasted bitch Tsunade" and how he landed in the bathhouse. With glee and dread, Jiraiya also narrated his mixed fortune, when he had landed in the male section of the onsen, relatively, a good part wherein he was able to sneak peek and take notes for his 'research' at the women bathing at the other side. Fortunately, or should I say, unfortunately for the white-haired toad sannin, he got caught, was beaten up to a mush and went airborne the next five minutes only to land yet again at a nearby bathhouse for the second time.

"You deserved it! You perverted sannin!" Naruto and Iruka exclaimed mentally.

"Good thing I still have those intact." Jiraiya said as he referred to those things down under.

Iruka and Naruto on the other hand sweatdropped at the level of perversity of the Toad Sannin and at the same time twitching, refusing the urge to pummel the said sannin.

"Anyway Naruto, it would be best that I show you your new home. Iruka-san, care to tag along?" Jiraiya stood up dusting his clothes.

"Yeah! That would be fun Iruka-sensei!"

"I appreciate the invitation, but I have an early shift tomorrow. Maybe I'll drop by in the afternoon." Iruka smiled.

"Okay, if that's the case then I'll make dinner. You'll be staying for dinner right?" Naruto suggested.

"You cook?"

"Believe it or not, but the boy can whip up something more than just instant ramen." Jiraiya sniggered as Naruto puffed his chest in defiance.

"Somehow, the idea of combining Rasengan and 1000 years of pain to drive it up your not so sorry ass is beginning to be such a good scheme, Ero-sennin." Naruto drawled as he cracked his knuckles. Jiraiya paled while Iruka began to picture the image of how it would end up.

"Well, you guys better get going; it is getting late. See you tomorrow Naruto-kun; till then Jiraiya-sama, Orochimaru-sama." Iruka bade as he went to the direction of his apartment.

"Have a good evening Iruka-san." Orochimaru bade.

The trio also went their way to Naruto's new home, weaving through the streets of the village; Jiraiya asked Naruto how his day had been, making the blonde grimace as he recounted the events earlier that day. Jiraiya was laughing out his heart delight upon hearing it, wishing all the same that he were there to take notes. Who knows, it might have come in handy by the time he decided to write Icha Icha Paradise Yaoi version, with Naruto, as its main character. Orochimaru just glared at Jiraiya

: I am sensing an odd vibe that the perverted sannin is up to something kit. :

: What do you mean Kyuu-chan? : Naruto raised a brow.

: Hmm, let's just say something appallingly perverted so to speak. : Kyuubi drawled.

: Kyuu-chan, everything in the sannin's head is perverted, unless it has to do with him losing his family jewels. : Naruto informed as Kyuubi snorted.

"So, did you get to see him?" Jiraiya walked straight ahead, waiting for his student's reaction.

"See who Ero-sennin?"

Jiraiya paused in his tracks as he stared at Naruto.

"It's either that Jounin is on a mission or Naruto just avoided him. I don't see anything wrong as of the moment." Jiraiya pondered.

"Ero-sennin, something a matter?"

"Iie, I just remembered something that I forgot to ask Tsunade." Jiraiya pushed back the thought of mentioning the silver-haired Jounin to Naruto. "Come on let's get going before it gets too late…"

Orochimaru tilted his head a bit, catching the toad hermit's eye. Jiraiya just gave him a look promising that he would explain later making the snake sannin hold his peace for the meantime.

Thus, the trio made their way to Naruto's new home, every so often, cracking up something funny. Unbeknown to them, a figure was hopping pass them not too far from where they were.

Somewhere in the outskirts of the Konohagakure no Sato, a silver-haired jounin made it's way back to the village. It was already ten in the evening and he would have to immediately hand in his report. However, the report can be done the following day. He wasn't really the type of person who would make a report explaining what had happened in the course of his rather quick and uncomplicated mission at the said time of the night. What mattered now is that he delivered the scrolls to the Hokage or rather hand it over to Shizune. Very typical of the said Jounin, after all, he was infamous for his rather uncanny ways of making up weird excuses.

"Still no news of him; it's been four years, Naruto, where are you…" Kakashi let out a heavy sigh, his thoughts on the blonde lingered through in his mind as he reached the tower.

"Kakashi-san! You're back early!" Shizune was surprised, she had just known the nature of his mission and knew that he wouldn't be back till the day after tomorrow to say the least.

"Everything went well, fortunately." Kakashi smiled, his visible eye curving upward.

"I see, you handing in you're report now?" Shizune knew that it was a dumb question. The jounin never submitted his reports on time, if he ever did, it was either Tsunade had just reprimanded him yet again or something was up his sleeve.

Kakashi chuckled good-naturedly, "Shizune-san, when did I handed reports on time?" The Jounin half joked.

"Whatever." Shizune rolled her eyes. "Oh, by the way, Kakashi-san, report tomorrow to Tsunade-sama at 10AM. I think she has something to tell you."

Kakashi nodded and handed Shizune the scrolls as he bade her goodnight and made his way out of the tower not seeing the undistinguishable look on Shizune's face. As he began to jump from one roof to another, Kakashi saw a blur of golden-blonde hair in the corner of his eye. He stopped immediately and looked back to where he had seen it, however it was no longer anywhere in sight.

"Am I seeing things now?" Kakashi said to himself and brushed it off as he continued his way back to his apartment. "I must be worn out from the trip."

Kakashi entered the safety of his apartment, securely locking the doors and windows. He then went to his bedroom, dropped his bag on the floor, went to sit at his bed and stared at one of the three pictures he had of the blonde boy.

"If only I could turn back the hands of time, Naruto, I will." Kakashi thought as his thumb brushed over the smiling face of Naruto in the picture.

TBC

Footnotes:

(1) Let's just say that Iruka has a LOT of stamina and he was hell bent on literally skinning those who dared defile Naruto's innocence. Lols. However, to think, that was a lot of running and dodging starting from 10am till 4pm… (sweatdrops) Can you imagine, six hours of non-stop action! (Evil laughter) No pun intended. (winks)

(2) Iruka was one of the people who moved Naruto's stuff in his new home along with Shizune.

(3) Shizune's appearance after Tsunade sent her home would be explained in the next chapter…

Authoress' Notes:

Revisions have been done and I hope all of you are happier…

Yes! Kakashi has arrived! Stay tuned for the next chapter coming soon…

And this story isn't a comedy okay?! I only add those funny lines and scene just because there is a need for it. You choose, end up with puffy eyes the rest of the story from the next point onwards or holding your aching sides occasionally because of how I made some of them do something unexpectedly. (More or less something stupid for their part. He-he-he…)

Well literally speaking, the humorous parts help to lighten up the sad and brooding part of the story. Crystal clear? Good. If not, just send me a note and I'll explain it again thoroughly to you… (Wide smile plus sweatdrops)

Blue: (starts to type madly, as if the author was in the amazing race) I feel like my head is splitting in to two… Hey, why does it suddenly seem like I have two monitors… Ne, Naru-chan, cut out that Kage Bunshin thing and don't go running around in my house, you'll never know when those two might pop-up again…

Naruto: (pops up beside Blue and starts poking her) Hey Blue-chan! Why don't you call it a night? You've been up and about for nearly 15 hours straight… You're starting to see things in two's!

Blue: Can't yet, need to start on Chapter 4 at least so I won't lose my train of thought… And stop poking me!

Naruto: (eyebrows twitching) Dattebayo! Do that later! Go get some sleep!

Blue: Mou! Yada! (sound of incessant typing can still be heard)

Naruto: (grabs Blue-chan by the collar and drags her to her bed) You! Go to sleep! Or else you might make me do something incredibly stupid in that… Blue-chan? (sweatdrops)

Blue: Zzz…(Z's appeared on her head the moment she hit the covers while clutching her favorite hug-pillow)

Naruto: Anyway, Read and Review people! I'll tell her to continue her work once she wakes up… Ja! Until next time! (gets a blanket and covers the sleeping author then finds a place to hide)