New Promises

Chapter 7

Iruka ran his fingers down Kakashi's spine, following the digits with his tongue. Kakashi moaned in pleasure and begged him to push his tongue down lower.

"I…mmhmm…grumf…"

"Dad!"

"Wha – huh?!" Iruka asked, shooting up in bed. Naruto rubbed tiredly at his eyes, tugging his walrus sleeping cap off of his messy hair.

"You were talking in your sleep," Naruto informed him, yawning hugely as he finished speaking. Iruka realized he'd only been dreaming and groaned, flopping back onto the bed and hiding his blush with his pillow. Sharing a room with Naruto just wasn't working out. One day Iruka was going to say something embarrassing, or Naruto was going to dream something embarrassing, and the awkwardness the next morning would be hell.

Trust a woman not to think of that while planning sleeping arrangements.

"You're not going to stay under there, are you? I'm hungry," Naruto whined, tugging at the corner of his pillow. Iruka sighed and let his son pull it away.

"What do you want?"

"Ramen!"

"You can make ramen yourself. You're old enough to start doing that kind of stuff on your own, Naruto," Iruka chided, wishing he were back in his dream. Naruto gave him a petulant look. Then the boy grinned and rolled onto him, ticking any skin he could find. Iruka squirmed and twisted, trying to escape but only managing to tangle himself up in the sheets as he laughed.

"Make me ramen or I'll tickle you until you pee!" Naruto threatened with a big, cat-like grin. Iruka finally managed to get an arm under Naruto's midriff and push him off.

"Hush or you'll wake—"

"WAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!"

"…Hotaru-chan," Iruka finished dully. Naruto grinned victoriously.

"Guess that means you have to get up and change her and make me breakfast! Yippee!"

Iruka mentally pouted. What a joy it would be to switch places with Naruto for just one day. Someone would fix all his meals, wash his stinky clothing, and pick up after him. He could skip work and play all day.

"You have it way too easy, you know that?" Iruka grumbled as he swung his legs out of bed and stood. His hair was a mess of tangles and he desperately needed a shower. He'd been too tired to clean up after the party. "Since you're so full of energy, go get Hotaru before she wakes up Tsubaki," Iruka instructed. Naruto grasshoppered out of bed and skidded down the tiny hallway, feet thumping on the wood, making more noise than Hotaru.

Iruka sighed. Then the memory of Kakashi's goodnight kiss flashed through his mind and he smiled. Feeling a bit more awake, Iruka stood and stretched mightily. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror over the dresser and winced. He hated looking so messy in the mornings.

Ignoring his appearance, because Hotaru certainly wouldn't care, Iruka left the bedroom and met Naruto in the hall. He gently took Hotaru from his son's arms and bounced her on his shoulder.

"Go get a clean diaper for me, Naruto," Iruka said as he laid the baby down on the couch. She made a fussy face at him and her tiny little tongue darted in and out – her way of letting him know she wanted her bottle soon or she was going to turn up the volume again. "I know, cutie bug, you're hungry. I'm working on it, I promise," Iruka said lovingly, giving her his finger to suck on. Naruto whizzed back in with the changing supplies.

"Now you're going to tell me to make my own breakfast, aren't you?" he asked with a kicked puppy expression. Iruka grinned at him.

"Got it in one."

"But it's not the same when I make it! It tastes all watery and rubbery and clumpy," Naruto whined. Iruka began to change Hotaru and shot Naruto a look of mild irritation.

"Clumpy? Remind me to teach you to cook soon, but for the moment, you can change Hotaru instead, if you'd rather do that," Iruka offered. Naruto grimaced and left for the kitchen, dragging his feet, obviously not that picky about the taste of his ramen.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Iruka huffed in irritation, as his hands were very busy with the mess Hotaru had made.

"Naruto!" he called out.

"I'm on it already! Sheesh, what am I? Your slave?"

Iruka smiled at Hotaru. "You just saved Naruto from getting smacked upside the head because I'm busy with your diaper. Tell him to thank you later," Iruka said. Hotaru grinned and tried to grab his nose.

"Oh, hey Sasuke! Hi, Kakashi!" Naruto said from the other side of the living room. Iruka's eyes went wide. What the hell was Kakashi doing at the house at seven in the morning? He smelled like baby crap and still had morning breath! Naruto, however, didn't care about that. "Come on in! Dad was just about to make me ramen," Naruto chirruped happily.

Iruka stood with Hotaru, who was as clean as she was going to get, and turned to greet them.

"I didn't expect you this early," he ended up saying. Kakashi grinned at him in a way that made Iruka distinctly aware that he wasn't wearing a nightshirt.

"Sorry," Kakashi said, managing to not sound sorry at all. "All the new graduates have been summoned to the Hokage tower. Naruto has to come, too," Kakashi explained. Iruka's brows knitted together. Why hadn't Tsunade warned them last night at the party?

"That woman is so inconsiderate sometimes, I swear she does everything at the last possible second…" Iruka grumbled, walking into the kitchen. Sasuke moved to sit in the living room, where Naruto quickly dragged his box of presents. Kakashi followed Iruka.

"What do you need me to do?" Kakashi asked helpfully. Iruka smiled at him gratefully and passed him the baby.

"Just hold her for a second so I can get her bottle together. If you can feed her, I'll help Naruto find clean clothes to wear." Kakashi winced, but carefully cradled Hotaru when Iruka passed her over.

"Where's Tsubaki?" Kakashi asked, admiring Iruka's backside as he pulled the milk out of the fridge.

"She's sleeping still. I'm worried she's not getting enough rest, so I try to get Hotaru in the mornings before she cries enough to wake her up."

"Calm down, Iruka. You look flustered. It's fine if we get there a bit late," Kakashi said with a smile, almost forgetting he was holding the baby. The more and more he was around her, the easier it was getting. He still felt like he lost all his grace and strength the second she was put in his arms, though.

"I'm not flustered, it's just that I'm not even dressed. We woke up about five minutes ago," Iruka replied, putting the milk onto the stove-top and then pouring it into the bottle when it was warm. He screwed on the nipple and tested it on his wrist. He handed the bottle to Kakashi, who's frown was visible even though the mask.

"I'm not good at feeding her. I don't know that—"

"It's not that difficult. Just keep her propped up on your arm and hold it for her. She'll push it out when she's full."

"Alright, but if I break her then I'm telling Tsubaki it was your fault." Iruka rolled his eyes. Before he raced off, Kakashi caught the hem of Iruka's pajama pants with a finger. "No good morning kiss?" Kakashi asked, smirking. Iruka gave him a disgusted look.

"My breath stinks," he replied. Kakashi's smile widened and he tugged Iruka more persistently towards him. Hotaru whined, wanting the bottle that she saw sitting on the tabletop.

"I don't care. You look pretty kissable to me," Kakashi said, leering. Iruka shook his head, as if he were baffled, but leaned down and kissed Kakashi's cheek. "That's all I get?" Kakashi asked sadly. Iruka smirked at him, and Kakashi thought he looked beautiful with the sunlight from the kitchen window bathing his bare torso and lightening the shade of his messy hair.

"I thought you were afraid of me," Iruka teased gently. Kakashi smiled and released his hold on the smaller man, grabbing Hotaru's bottle and gently offering it to her. He glanced up at Iruka.

"Like this?" he asked. Iruka nodded, returning his smile.

"That's perfect. She'll be full in no time." Iruka started to leave the kitchen, but Kakashi stopped him one last time by calling his name.

"Iruka?"

"What now?"

"I believe in facing my fears," Kakashi said, sounding determined and hopeful at the same time. Iruka forgot all about morning breath. He doubled back and pulled Kakashi's mask down. He kissed him happily, caressing Kakashi's cheek with the tip of his nose and then nibbling on his earlobe.

"You won't regret it," He whispered seductively into Kakashi's ear. Kakashi hoped Iruka was right, because he simply couldn't resist the man. Even if it proved to be the thing that broke him, he couldn't deny himself the chance to be with Iruka again.

When Iruka tried to leave the kitchen yet again, Kakashi finally let him go. He would definitely be seeing him later, after the kids were finished at the tower.

Iruka entered the living room just in time to catch Sasuke and Naruto ending their own lip-lock. He froze, the boys froze, and then the sound of a pin dropping reverberated loudly through the living room.

"Uh…" Iruka said inarticulately. Naruto and Sasuke both blushed, looking at him expectantly as if they were just waiting for him to start scolding them. "Err…sorry to…I mean…Naruto just go get dressed! We'll talk about whatever that was later!" Iruka said, wondering what he had done that was so evil to deserve so many surprises in one morning.

Naruto shot to his feet instantly and disappeared down the hall, his face dark red. Sasuke looked as though he was trying desperately to collect himself. Iruka recognized the dazed expression as the same one he'd had the previous night.

"Just what have you two been up to?" Iruka asked, hands coming to rest on his hips. He remembered what Tenzo had said and hastily crossed them over his chest instead. Unbeknownst to Iruka, that pose looked even angrier to poor Sasuke.

"I'm sorry! I know I should have asked your permission first!" Sasuke rushed to explain.

"My permission?" Iruka interrupted confusedly. Sasuke nodded, his eyes wide.

"Permission to ask out Naruto. Kakashi told me—" Iruka rolled his eyes.

"Well there's your first mistake. You listened to Kakashi. I'm not angry because you didn't ask me for permission, Sasuke. I'm just a little surprised, that's all. I mean, I guessed that you had a bit of a crush, but I never thought Naruto would—"

"I'm dressed! Let's go already," Naruto announced, still looking highly embarrassed. Iruka relaxed, a smirk coming onto his face. The situation was starting to strike him as funny. Hearing snippets of the conversation from the kitchen, Kakashi had obviously decided to risk transporting Hotaru while still feeding her. He came in looking curious.

"Why don't the two of you run on ahead," Iruka suggested. "Kakashi will catch up in a second."

Grateful for the excuse to leave, both boys hastily made their exit.

"What just happened?" Kakashi asked, pushing Hotaru into Iruka's arms. Iruka sat with her on the couch, re-adjusting the bottle in her mouth. It was almost empty.

"I just walked in on those two kissing. Did you know anything about this?" Iruka asked. Kakashi laughed.

"Sasuke told me last night that he 'asked out' Naruto. I think Naruto suggested the idea, because Sasuke didn't know what he had agreed to. He asked me what it meant."

"And you told him he had to get my permission?" Iruka concluded, smirking. Kakashi nodded.

"I couldn't help it! What fun is it to raise a kid if you can't mess with their head every once in awhile?"

"You're terrible," Iruka said, grinning despite his criticism. Kakashi just laughed.

"I have to catch up to them, but tell Tsubaki about the new developments. She'll be amused, no doubt."

"I'll tell her. And Kakashi? Don't you dare tease them about it," Iruka warned. Kakashi pouted.

"But—"

"No buts. You don't say a word unless they ask you something, and then answer them seriously. Don't embarrass them."

"Yes sir," Kakashi grumbled. Iruka nodded, satisfied with his answer. Kakashi left Iruka to finish feeding Hotaru. Once he was gone, Iruka let out a happy little squeal.

"You missed it, Hotaru-chan! They looked so cute together!"

Oblivious, Hotaru just burped in reply.

~*~

Iruka managed to get Hotaru right back down for a nap and then cleaned up himself and the house. The yard was still a mess, but he figured he could tackle that in the afternoon. He was so absorbed in cleaning that he didn't notice how long Tsubaki had been sleeping.

Becoming a bit worried, he tip-toed into her bedroom. She was huddled under her blankets, almost looking as small as Naruto. Frowning, Iruka sat down beside her on the edge of the mattress. He gently stroked her dark hair away from her pale face. Her skin didn't feel hot, but she looked sick.

"Tsubaki? Honey? Wake up," Iruka said gently. Tsubaki clenched her eyes shut even tighter but then blearily opened them, almost reluctantly. She looked disoriented, and her eyes had the dull look of jagged pain in them. Iruka knew that expression well.

"Iruka?" she asked weakly. He nodded and offered her a smile.

"It's late. Are you feeling okay?" Iruka asked. Tsubaki seemed to wake up some. Her eyes brightened so quickly that Iruka wondered if he'd really seen what he thought he saw.

"Hotaru?" Tsubaki said, rising herself up off the bed with what looked like considerable effort. Iruka's concern increased.

"She's fine, honey, just napping. I know I'm no beauty in the mornings either, but you don't look so good."

"Don't worry about me," Tsubaki said dismissively, waving him off. "I've just got a bug or something. I'll mention it to the doctors today when I take Hotaru in for her check-up."

"She has a check-up today?" Iruka asked, surprised that Tsubaki hadn't mentioned it before.

"Yes. Nothing to worry over, just routine," Tsubaki said. Her voice was becoming increasingly defensive. Iruka knew when to back off.

"Alright, I'll let you get dressed then. Do you want me to come with you to help with her?"

"No, it's fine. Thank you," Tsubaki replied shortly. Iruka nodded and left the room, convinced then that she was hiding something. She might have been able to fool anyone else, but Iruka knew Tsubaki as well as he knew himself. They were two sides of the same coin.

He made her breakfast, feeling like it was the only thing he could do for her at the moment.

When she finally made it into the living room, she looked much healthier. With the light coat of make-up she wore, her paleness looked more normal. A little blush gave her some color, and some eye shadow hid puffiness.

"There, much better! I'm a monster in the mornings," Tsubaki chatted lightly. Iruka pretended to play along.

"I know all about that. Kakashi and Sasuke came by around seven this morning when I didn't even have a shirt on yet."

"I'm sure Kakashi wasn't too devastated," Tsubaki said with a smile, moving to sit at the kitchen table. Iruka smirked and handed her a full plate.

"No, he didn't seem to mind too much."

"So where were they off to so early?" she asked, taking a bit of bacon. Iruka noticed the tension in her shoulders – the telltale sign of someone who hadn't slept well and was struggling not to slump tiredly.

"Something about graduation I think. Kakashi took them to the Hokage tower."

"I'm so glad Naruto made it back in time to graduate with Sasuke's class. I hope the two are put on a team together."

"I don't know. It might be good for them to have some time apart and make other friends. You're not going to believe this, but I interrupted them kissing this morning."

Tsubaki spluttered into her coffee.

"What?!" Iruka smiled and joined her at the table with a glass of juice.

"You heard me right. Apparently Sasuke asked Naruto out after the party last night. I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high that they'll get married someday and adopt lots of grandbabies for me. I know these things don't typically last very long. I mean, Sasuke is much more mature than Naruto and might actually know what he wants, but Naruto isn't ready yet. I just hope they come out of it with their friendship still intact."

"Don't be so depressing! It's such an adorable match that I refuse to hear anything that isn't positive about it," Tsubaki said with a big grin. Iruka smiled at her enthusiasm.

"Well it will at least be entertaining while it lasts, and I suppose I'd rather Naruto experiment with a good kid like Sasuke instead of someone questionable."

"That's true. I'll have to keep an eye on them. I don't know what I'll do when Hotaru is old enough to date!" Tsubaki's amused smile faded into a sad frown as she stared into her coffee cup. Quite suddenly, it felt like a dark little rain cloud had floated into the kitchen at the mention of the future. Iruka set his juice down and leaned across the table to gently touch Tsubaki's chin, encouraging her to look at him.

"It's serious, isn't it?" he asked softly. For a moment, he thought she was going to deny it and try to shield him from her pain, but then her eyes filled with huge tears.

She nodded, and her hands started to tremble so badly that the warm coffee sloshed over the rim and onto the tabletop.

"Damn it! I can't even…damn it," Tsubaki muttered, setting the cup down with a clatter. She pulled a handkerchief out of her dress pocket to soak up the spill, only to realize it was already stained a dark maroon.

Iruka's eyes narrowed at the cloth, and then looked at Tsubaki in understanding. She dropped the cloth and covered her face with her hands. For a moment, Iruka took deep breaths and simply listened to her agonized sobs. When he felt like he was strong enough, he walked around the table and gathered her up into his arms.

"It's okay to cry, just let it all out," he soothed. They ended up on the kitchen floor, with her head on his shoulder. He gently petted her hair and rubbed soothing circles on her back. After what seemed like hours but in reality was only ten minutes or so, Tsubaki had cried her fill. Iruka helped her stand and kept her in his arms. She clung to him tightly, soaking up his warmth and strength like a sponge.

"Let's talk in the garden," Tsubaki said weakly. Iruka nodded. The two of them walked outside, still holding each other comfortingly. "Iruka, you're too good to me. You don't even know if it's contagious, but you're not afraid to touch me."

Iruka sat on the garden swing and pulled her down beside him gently, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"I don't care if you have the plague. I'm never going to be afraid of you. You're my best friend. I'll always hug you when you need it."

"I knew I could rely on you. When you were away and I was writing to you, I began to suspect…but I wasn't able to face it then. I needed someone to be here before I admitted it. At first I thought I was just losing weight because I'd given birth, and that my exhaustion was normal, but nothing about this feels normal. Coughing up blood is new, but not unexpected," Tsubaki explained quietly. Iruka nodded, showing that he understood.

"You need to see Tsunade," he said. She nodded.

"I have an appointment this afternoon. I don't want to get my hopes up, but I've heard she's an amazing healer."

"She is! Don't you dare give up already," Iruka said, his voice tight. Tsubaki looked up at him sadly. She sat up, but her hand lingered on his chest. Iruka covered it with his own. Tsubaki bit her lip, staring at him very seriously.

"Iruka…have you ever wondered what happened to my parents? Why my uncle is the only family I have?" Iruka nodded.

"I figured you would tell me in your own time."

Tsubaki stared out at the garden, gently pulling her hand away from Iruka. She placed her hands on the edge of the swing, beside her legs, and gave them a gentle push. "I used to sit out here with my mother all the time as a little girl. She loved this garden. It was her pride and joy," Tsubaki said with a sad smile. Iruka's heart clenched. He'd never questioned how Tsubaki had gotten into gardening. He felt a little remiss as a friend.

"She had reason to be proud. It's gorgeous," Iruka complimented. Tsubaki nodded.

"I've always felt that I was close to her when I'm gardening. When I was young, I didn't enjoy it as much as she did, but after she died, I would come out here and sometimes I could feel her presence. My most treasured memories are of the summer nights we sat out here watching the night flowers bloom and making wishes on the fireflies. I was so happy. I thought things would never change."

"What about your father?" Iruka asked, hesitant to interrupt her. Tsubaki looked at him and smiled, but it was cold and felt more like she was grimacing because of the sun in her eyes.

"He was a lot like Mizuki. He had so much life in him – so much energy and passion. But he was an artist, and I think a lot of the time he felt like the world wasn't a right fit for him. There were times when he was terrible to us, but I never hated him. He loved us, but it was hard for him to cope. He drank heavily. I watched him struggle with the bottle until the day he died, and my mother never once left his side. Everyone thought she was crazy for staying, but they loved each other. When they married, they promised to stay with each other through the good and the bad, and my mother refused to break that vow. She was an extraordinary woman. To her, what everyone else thought didn't matter. My uncle, my mother's brother, was especially hateful towards my father. He despised him. She shielded me from most of it."

"That…explains a lot, actually."

"I've never talked to anyone about this. I've never wanted to. Until I met you, I didn't think anyone would understand."

"Thank you for trusting me," Iruka replied, taking her hand in his own again. She nodded, but didn't try to smile. Iruka knew the tale was not finished, and what would come next would be heartbreaking.

"I lost my father when I was ten. My uncle became a much bigger part of my life then. He was married to a woman for a short while, but she was also a ninja and she died a few years ago. I loved my mother and my uncle very much – I was never one of those teenage girls that rebelled and acted poorly. At least when I look back, I don't have any regrets about how I treated her. We were always close. I was her darling." Tsubaki's eyes trailed over the tall tomato plants and the creeping ivy. Her voice went flat. "But then she got sick."

Iruka just listened, gently squeezing her hand. Tsubaki's eyes turned to him and Iruka saw so much pain and heartbreak inside her that it made his throat close up.

"The doctors didn't know much about it at the time. They knew it was in her lungs, and that it had to do with cells that wouldn't stop growing. They offered me a lot of medical explanations, but none of it made much sense. The disease didn't have a name. It was the first recorded case of it in Fire Country."

"How old were you?" Iruka asked.

"I was twelve when she was given the diagnosis. I was thirteen when she died. It was the hardest thing I've ever done to watch her waste away. The doctors did awful things to her – supposedly attempts to cure her. They used fancy machines on her and did countless surgeries. At some point, her hair began to fall out. She'd always had such beautiful hair."

"Oh, god, I'm so sorry, honey," Iruka said helplessly. Tsubaki nodded sadly.

"Nothing helped. She coughed and coughed and then she was gone. I don't remember her last words. I try, I try so hard to remember, but around the time it happened I started having horrible nightmares about her on her deathbed. She was talking, but all I heard was the sound of rushing wind. To this day I can't remember what she said. The night it happened, I tore up part of the garden. Right over there, where that rose bush is now. That used to be where she grew her prized pumpkin. I ripped up the whole vine. That used to be her nickname for me – her little pumpkin. I've tried replanting pumpkin seeds there, but they never grow. Finally I needed a spot for that rose bush and I put it there, half expecting it to die. It grew like a weed, though."

"What happened after she passed on?" Iruka asked. Tsubaki pushed the swing again, her expression darkening.

"My uncle wanted me to stay with him, but I didn't want to leave her garden. I lived here, by myself. I've been on my own since I was thirteen. I've kept the garden growing, and I've sold vegetables just like she used to do. I fell in love with the same kind of man she did, I had a little girl, and now I'm dying of the same disease. I'm afraid I haven't been as successful as my mother was. I never did much for Mizuki, and I haven't had enough time with Hotaru. She won't…she won't even remember me."

Iruka swallowed past the lump in his throat and gently turned Tsubaki's face towards himself.

"You're an angel on earth, Tsubaki. That baby will know. This village would never let her forget, and I won't let her forget either. If it comes to that…if you can't beat this…I'll take care of Hotaru as if she were my own. You know that, don't you?" Tsubaki nodded, resignation in her eyes. Iruka shook his head at her. "But that hasn't happened yet. You have to try to fight this, Tsubaki. You have to try for Hotaru's sake. Sasuke needs you, too. We all do. Tsunade is the best at what she does, and that's something that makes your story different from your mother's. As long as she's working on healing you, you have a chance – more than a chance."

Tsubaki surprised him by nodding, and even giving him a small smile.

"Remember when I told you in my letter that after I had Hotaru, I felt like I could do anything?" Iruka nodded. "I haven't forgotten how that felt. I'm going to be strong through this. I'm not giving up yet, but I have to face the reality that I might not survive this. If that happens, I have to know that Hotaru will be cared for. This isn't a step I want to take just yet, but if it looks bad, I would like for you to legally adopt Hotaru."

Iruka felt his eyes getting misty. He nodded, gathering Tsubaki up into his arms for a tight hug.

"We'll do this at your speed, whatever you want," he reassured. When they parted, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"There's only one other thing."

"What?" Iruka asked.

"I don't want the others to know. I'll tell them if I have to, but I don't want them to worry unnecessarily. Sasuke is already trying so hard to get past his demons – something like this could push him over the edge. Tenzo is young. It's hard to believe we're the same age. It's going to hit him hard. This isn't an enemy that he can fight with his fists, so he's not going to know what to do and that helplessness will make him angry. There's no sense in that. As for Kakashi…I guess I don't mind if you tell him. I just fear that he'll fuss over me even more than he already does."

"You deserve to have your boys fuss over you. You've been good to all of us. You've been with me through some rough times, and I don't know that I could have held my head above water without you."

"I need your help now, Iruka," Tsubaki said softly. Iruka nodded, squeezing her hand in his own.

"You have it – always. My mother always told me to have faith whenever I told her my troubles as a kid. At the time, I didn't know what she meant by that, but as I've grown older I think I've figured it out. She meant that we should always have faith that things will turn out for the best, even when everything seems bleak. Maybe that beautiful rose bush is proof that even when you think something won't work anymore, it just means you need to try growing in a different direction. Let yourself believe in Tsunade's abilities. I believe she can help you, I really do."

"I haven't lost faith yet. Let's go to that appointment," Tsubaki replied. Iruka smiled, amazed by her strength and touched by her gentleness.

He hoped, he desperately hoped, that history wouldn't repeat itself where Tsubaki was concerned. It would be a tragedy if Hotaru never knew first hand just how beautiful her mother really was.