Nao was sitting on the short wooden stool beside the bathtub allowing the water to run over her hand to check the temperature. She had changed out of her customary cheongsam into a plain white t-shirt that was extra long and loose in order for her to move freely while she assisted her new hyperactive charge with his bath. Drying off her hands with the fluffy towel, she walked out to see what mischief he was getting himself into. He had been quiet; way too quiet, especially for him. After a quick search of his regular hiding places, including both of their bedrooms, she had not found him.

"Where could that boy be?" she mumbled to herself. Meandering into her shop, she glanced around to see him sitting on the top rung of the ladder she used to reach the items on the higher shelves. Folding her arms over she chest, she watched him in inquisitive silence for several long minutes. He was studying the bottles, running his finger over the words written on the label as he tried to pronounce them. "I can teach you if you'd like."

"Whoa!" Naruto yelled, startled by the sound of her voice. He momentarily lost his balance on the ladder long enough to cause him to fall backwards.

Nao rushed forward to catch him in her arms. She grunted when his full weight hit her in the chest, driving her to her knees. Her kneecaps banged the wooden floorboards sending stinging pain racing up her thighs to her belly that clinched with such severity she felt nauseated.

"Teach me what?" Naruto asked, oblivious to her discomfort.

Nao groaned, setting him down on his feet. "I'll teach you how to read. I can also explain what all of these things are, tell you where they came from...anything you want to know. Ow," she gasped from the throbbing ache pulsating through her knees as she stood up. "But for now it's time for a bath."

"I don't wanna take a bath," he whined, stubbornly planting his feet in a wide stance.

"Come on. It's nearly bedtime and - "

"I don't wanna take a bath!"

"Naruto," she growled through her teeth. This cute little boy sure knew how to test her patience. His cuteness was the only thing that prevented her from killing him sometimes.

"I don't wanna and you can't make me!" He folded him arms over his chest resolutely, turning his nose up into the air to dismiss her. As far as he was concerned, he had won this argument. He had not yet been introduced to Nao's unyielding nature. At this moment, he was about to get acquainted with a new side of her personality.

"Yes, I can," she told him, grabbing him by the collar of his filthy t-shirt. He had been playing all day, therefore he was a disgraceful wreck covered with dirt and sweat. She dragged him, literally kicking and screaming, into the bathroom. Grabbing his brown shirt that had started out a pristine white, she snatched it over his head while he wiggled and screamed like a captured wild animal. Next, she seized the waist of his blue pants and stripped them off along with his underwear.

"Now who's being a pervert, Nao?" he accused, pushing at her chest when she picked him up to take him to the tub.

"Well, the thing is...if you're going to act like a baby, you're going to get treated like one," she said, sitting him in the tub.

Then the real battle began. It was like trying to bathe a cat. Naruto got one leg over the side of the tub, and when Nao pushed it back in he had flung over the other. This process repeated itself several times until she took a different tactic to keeping him in the water. Seizing both of his legs by the ankles, she plunked him down in the tub, successfully sloshing water over the side and down her front. He slid along the slick porcelain bottom, clawing at the side like a cat trying to extricate himself. Kicking out his foot, he knocked over Nao's bottle of lavender-scented bubble bath. Suddenly flower scented bubbles swirled around him and a few floated through the air.

"What's this?" Naruto asked, releasing the handfuls of her drenched t-shirt that he had grabbed onto in another vain attempt to pull himself out.

"Bubble bath. I make it myself. You like it?" she questioned him, smiling at him as he scooped up two handfuls of the fluffy white foam.

"I do like it. A lot," he murmured, deeply breathing in the lavender scent.

Nao drew in a sigh of relief when he did not try to escape the bath again. She sat down on the stool beside the tub, turning off the water before the bubbles overflowed the edge. Draping a towel over her chest, she dropped another one on the floor to soak up the water. Lavender really did have a calming effect because the formerly rowdy child settled down to contentedly splash and push around the mounds of suds. Reclining with her back against the wall, she picked up her book from the sinktop to begin reading.

"Whatcha reading?" Naruto inquired, fashioning a bubble hat for himself.

"I'm reading a story about a Queen who lived a long, long time ago," she answered without looking over her book at him.

"That doesn't sound very exciting," he muttered, deciding he should have a beard to match his hat.

"It's actually quite fascinating," she responded.

"Is it a made up story?"

"No. She was a real person."

"That sounds even more boring," he muttered, reforming the bubble hat into two big ears.

"It's not," she argued, rereading the sentence again so she could comprehend it. He touched her breast drawing a moan from her lips that were painted a deep, blood red. Oh, a good part.

"Would you read it to me?"

Nao felt her face heat up with a blush. She was reading about an independent Queen who chose to rule her country alone, without a husband. Although she refused to marry, she satisfied her sexual desires by having multiple affairs with men. Her favorite lover was the General of an enemy army. Their relationship was accounted in great detail in the book. "Uhhhh...no."

"Why not?"

Crap, now what do I say?, she wondered, closing the book because she could no longer concentrate on the words anyway. There was absolutely nothing wrong with being curious about such things at her age. What she decided to read was her own business. Besides, it was a historical novel and was based on a real Queen. She was reading it for educational purposes. At least that was what she told herself to keep from feeling like a degenerate. "Mmmm, I've got something else in mind for you. How about something that involves heroes who go on epic quests to find things like golden shields and enchanted spears that grant them special abilities?"

"Okay."

Nao stood up, laying a dry towel on her stool before moving it closer to the tub for him to reach it. "There. I'm going to leave so you can get out and dry off. Your pajamas are right there on that little table."

Nao took the opportunity to change out of her sopping wet shirt. She had not noticed that the thing had gone transparent after getting wet. Thankfully Naruto had been so mesmerized by the bubbles that he had not noticed either. She would not have wanted to explain what was under her shirt. Once she was dressed in her pink pjs that consisted of a silk top with a mandarin collar and mid calf length pants, she went to her bookshelf to find a story better suited to his age and interests. There was a history book from a distant land that had many stories about the gods and goddesses the ancient people believed in. These deities would send humans on impossible journeys for their own selfish amusement. With a few tweaks and a little imagination on her part, she could turn one of these into a story for him.

"Ready?" she asked, when he walked out of the bathroom. She smiled to see him in the red shorts decorated with white swirls and the top that was white with red swirls. It was so nice to see him out of that orange jumpsuit. If she were the type of person to be cruel, she would burn that eyesore. Instead she had washed it and packed it away where he could not find it - just in case he asked for it in the future.

"Yep, I'm ready." Naruto passed her, going into his room. He jumped on the bed, throwing back the blanket.

Nao sat down on the futon beside him, pulling the fuzzy warm blanket over the both of them. She propped herself against the pillow, holding out her arm for him to sit next to her. She kissed the top of his head once he was comfortably cuddled to her side with his head laying against her breast as a pillow. It was only fair since she had stolen his pillow to support her back and left him with none. Opening the book, she began telling him the story of a man sent in search of a spear that belonged to the goddess of the hunt. The man wanted to become the best hunter of all the humans so he was willing to risk death to steal the spear. She incorporated her own ideas and words to make it interesting in addition to understandable. Her eyes became heavy as she read. Eventually, the book fell to the side and her arms wrapped around the sleepy little boy reclining against her. At this point, she was simply using her own imagination to tell the story because her eyes were burning with exhaustion. Her voice became softer and softer until she was no longer talking at all.

"Nao...Nao?" Naruto called, looking up at her. Darn it! She had fallen asleep. He wanted to hear the rest of the story. Oh, well...there was always tomorrow night. Snuggling more tightly against her, he hugged the stuffed fox she had given him. When he felt her arms tighten around his shoulders to keep him close, he sighed with the deepest contentment. He loved being here. He loved her.

=^..^=

Nao had Naruto sitting on a stool with a map spread out on the counter. She had been showing him where some of the products in the shop had come from. After showing him a jar, she would say the word then spell it out with him repeating it after her. Then they would find it's place of origin on the map. After explaining the item, such as its uses and health benefits, she would move on to the next one. They had done this on many days but only for a few minutes at the time because that was as long as his attention span had lasted before he ran out the door to play. She was not sure if he was sincerely interested today or if she had a captive audience due to the pouring rain outside. Either way, he seemed to be willing to learn and that was what mattered. Their learning session was interrupted when Iruka walked into the shop.

"Honey?" she inquired knowing he would be due for another jar of the sticky, sugary substance.

"Yes, dear?" he rejoined with an uncharacteristic show of a sense of humor. However, he had been unable to deliver the line without blushing violently.

"Good one," she chuckled, moving to the shelf to retrieve a jar.

Naruto watched the man with a suspicious eye as he came to the counter. He refused to return Iruka's friendly smile. Instead he narrowed his eyes while deepening his frown.

"What's up, Naruto?" Iruka asked in an attempt to draw him into a conversation.

"The sky obviously. Anything other questions?" he retorted, challenging the man.

Nao snorted like a pig in an attempt to withhold her giggle. She held out the jar of honey to Iruka with a broad, silly grin on her face. Laughter still wanted to bubble out of her mouth, especially when she saw the pink tint high on his cheekbones.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do have more questions," he said, taking the jar of exotic creamy honey with a slightly pinkish hue from Nao. "Tell me about this."

Naruto glanced at Nao, receiving a nod of encouragement. He looked back at the teacher, giving him such a wide foxish grin his eyes narrowed to slits. The teacher was about to get schooled. "It comes from an island far across the ocean. The island is mostly volcanic, but there is an indigenous tree that grows there called the Ohia. The flower of the tree is called Lehua. The flower is viewed as sacred because it is said to be the first form of life to grow from the hardened lava flows. The legend is told that the island goddess had transformed the man she loved, Ohia, into the tree because he loved another woman and not her. The woman he loved, Lehua, was so saddened by his fate that she attached herself to the tree he had become, turning into a flower so she could be with him always. The people say that when a flower is picked from the tree, it rains because the lovers are crying at being separated."*

"Wow," Iruka gasped, his gaze transfixed on the child. He noticed the boy seemed to be waiting for him to ask another question. Picking up the small tin of tea Nao handed him next, he asked "What about this?"

Naruto looked at the map, pointing to a country far away from their part of the world yet connected to it because it was all on the same land mass. "It comes from here. It is a black tea that is a great blood builder due to its iron content. It also helps improve blood flow to all parts of the body. Stamina and energy are increased as well. It also helps with...what was that word Nao? Li-lib-...What was it?"

"Yeah, Nao, what was it?" Iruka asked raising an eyebrow. He was sure the word Naruto was searching for was libido.

"Well, forget about that part. You've explained enough, Naruto," Nao mumbled, her face heating up so drastically with embarrassment that she felt dizzy. She added up Iruka's purchases so she could get him out of the shop quickly.

"Geez, Nao, what are you teaching this kid?" Iruka could not stop smiling at her.

"More than I should apparently." She walked around the counter, pressing her hands against his shoulder blades to scoot him toward the door. "You should be going now. Have a nice day."

"I thought you wanted to talk about enrolling him in the Academy." He attempted to dig in his heels to halt his unwanted exit but the determined woman would not be deterred from getting him out of the shop.

"Later. Good bye." She thrust her shoulder into his back to shove him out of the door.

"Libido!" Naruto yelled, remembering the word. His eyebrows drew together and his lips puckered because he was deep in thought. "What does that mean?"

"Ask me again in six years, and I'll tell you."

=^..^=

The first day of school. Naruto was excited. Nao had to wrap her leg around him to keep him still while she brushed through his golden hair that would not be tamed and stood right back up into its customary spikes. She looked him over from head to toe. His choice of deep blue colored shirt with a narrow white stripe down each long sleeve, black pants, and black sandals had her approval. He still had not asked for the dreaded orange jumpsuit.

"Ready?" Her lips turned up into a smile, although she felt sad. She considered the possibility that she was more nervous about this than him. Probably so.

"Let's go!" He grabbed her hand and jerked her forward which almost caused her to topple over on top of him.

"Would you slow down? I promise the school will still be there when you arrive and you won't be late." They were leaving thirty minutes ahead of time after all.

Naruto held her hand securely as they strolled toward the Academy. He chattered enthusiastically about all the things Iruka had told him he would be learning. "I won't just be learning the usual boring stuff like reading, writing, and math. I'll be learning how to be a ninja!"

Nao smiled to herself basking in the secret knowledge that over the last several months he had been learning the 'boring stuff' on a daily basis by helping her at the shop and had never once found it dull. It had often been an obstacle in the way of time with his friends, but never had it been mundane to him. She tightened her grip on his hand as they neared the school that was already bustling with activity. Her steps slowed to a stop. Looking down at him, her eyes met his vibrant blue ones. Tears filled her eyes unexpectedly

"It will be all right, Nao," Naruto assured her, letting go of her hand to give her a brief hug. "I'll be back home before you know it."

Nao chuckled self-consciously squeezing him quickly before releasing him. She would not want to embarrass him in front of the other students by treating him like a baby.

Shouts of jubilation mingled with the sobs of sorrow from the students milling about in the crowded school courtyard. The joyful children had gone to run and play with their friends or find their classrooms while the tearful ones clung to their parents. Nao had not felt like this much of an outsider since she had first came to this village eight years ago. Her mother had heard of the devastation of Konoha on their travels. Thinking it was a good place to rebuild their lives while helping to rebuild the village, they had come here to set up a business and make a life for themselves. At first they had been shunned and ignored, but through time they had gained a quietly hostile tolerance. After her mother died, she had been accepted as part of the village due to her willingness to maintain the shop many villagers had grown to depend upon. Squeezing Naruto's hand, she realized that was just another reason she felt so connected to him. It pained her that she had been received by the villagers better than the child of a former Hokage. Why had they not chosen to honor their dead leader's memory by someone, anyone, stepping up to take care of his child? Naruto had needed someone to love him and take care of him more than any other orphan considering he harbored that demon inside of him.

"Nao! Nao!" Iruka called, jogging up to her when he could not get her attention. He touched her on the shoulder, jumping back from her when she flinched and screeched. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. I'm just a little...nervous," she muttered, glancing around at all of the people.

"And you're not even the one at their first day of school," he teased, grinning at her.

Naruto was searching the crowd for one of his friends. Seeing Shikamaru, he jerked his hand free from his overprotective guardian's and ran toward him.

"Naruto! Wait!" she yelled, her heart thumping in her chest.

"He'll be fine. Don't be so worried. You're acting just like a real mother," he said, watching as more boys gathered around the blonde to talk to him.

"You're acting just like a real jerk," she muttered, receiving an open mouthed stare of astonishment from the shy man.

"Don't be surprised when that sassy mouth comes back to haunt you when Naruto becomes an epic smart ass," he warned, smiling when it was her turn to gape at him.

"Ooooh, Iruka," she taunted in a low voice moving closer to him. Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she murmured, "You said ass. Now is that the polite thing for a teacher to do around all these innocent children?"

"Hmmmm," he hummed, leaning closer to her. "Touche. Would you like to discuss this later over dinner?"

"Are you asking me out on a date?" Nao asked, pretending to be offended.

"Maybe."

"What if I said no?"

"Are you?"

"Maybe."

"NAAAAOOOO!" Naruto bellowed, barreling into her full force to push her away from Iruka. He threw his arms around her waist, squeezing until she could barely breathe. "I'll see you later!"

"Almost time for school to start. I better get to my classroom," Iruka said, offering her one last timid smile before walking away. He clapped Naruto on the back, herding him and a few other boys into the school building.

Nao once again felt the sting of tears behind her eyes as she slowly trudged home. She would miss him being with her, asking tons of questions, or running in and out constantly when taking a break from playing. Wiping away the tear that streaked down her cheek, she chided herself silently for being ridiculous. It was his first day of school, for god's sake, so why was she crying? She would have a big bowl of ramen waiting for him as a special treat to welcome him home.

~...~

Nao was in the kitchen cooking when Naruto dragged himself through the kitchen door. She turned to greet him, receiving a weak hug in return. She kissed his forehead which felt a tad too warm.

"Are you feeling all right?" she inquired with concern.

"I'm just tired," he responded, plopping down in a chair at the table.

"Eat this," she encouraged him, putting the overly large bowl full to the brim down in front of him. She was astounded that anything could deplete his seemingly boundless energy. Sitting down in the chair next to him, she waited to hear about his day.

"We read a lot...worked math problems on the chalkboard...then we began training," he mumbled, stuffing his mouth full of noodles.

"How did that go?"

"Tiring."

"I can tell." Nao watched him carefully to make sure he did not fall asleep in his bowl of ramen. His eyelids drooped with exhaustion, hooding his big blue eyes. "Want me to run your bath?"

"Uh huh."

Nao was sitting beside the tub testing the water when he shuffled his way into the bathroom. For once, bathtime was a relaxing experience with no wrestling or struggling. He was so dead tired that she was afraid to leave him alone. The bath was over and done with in a matter of minutes. She assisted him with getting into his pjs and then into his bed. No bedtime story was needed tonight because he was far too weary. Soon after he was tucked into bed, he was asleep.

Nao lay beside him, stroking his head. She was shocked that school had worn him out so much. Once she was satisfied that he was in a deep sleep, she sat up to scoot to the edge of the futon. Her movements halted instantly when she felt his fingers encircle her wrist.

"Nao...I love you," he mumbled, opening his eyes slightly.

"I love you too, sweetheart," she replied, leaning down to kiss his cheek.

"I want to marry you someday," he yawned, closing his eyes again.

"Marry me? Naruto, you can't - " She stopped speaking when his eyes opened wide to stare at her.

"You marry the person you love, right?" he asked, sitting up to move closer to her.

"Yes...sometimes...but - " There are different kinds of love. How could she possibly explain this in a way he could understand?

"Then I'll marry you some day." His huge blue eyes fastened themselves to her face.

The emotion there was so pure, so innocent, there was no reason to argue with him. Naruto would learn the difference someday. Nao smiled, hugging him before kissing his forehead again. She waited for him to lay back down before tucking the blanket around him. Brushing her fingers through his hair, she said, "Good night. Get some sleep now."

Nao hugged her arms around her body as she walked to her room. The childish declaration he had made warmed her heart. The sentiment and resolve he had expressed had been so sweet and sincere yet so naive. You marry the person you love right? Then I'll marry you some day.


*I have to say I did not make this up. This is an actual tree from Hawaii and the mythological story behind it. There really is an exotic honey made from the nectar of these flowers.