Once Naruto had finished his last bowl of ramen, gulping down the broth as he always does, he let out a garlic sigh in satisfaction when he was done.
Iruka had patiently waited for his former pupil to finish his third bowl, which seemed to have flown by because of his deep thinking.
"Hey, Iruka Sensei." Naruto stated as he stood up and lent forward to try to gain the attention of his dazed Sensei.
Iruka had his eyes closed and head slightly bowed, thinking.
"Iruka Sensei?" Naruto stated again, this time leaning forward and waving his hand in front of Iruka's face. When that didn't work he resolved to poking him in the shoulder, "Iruka Sensei?" Then poking him in the temple. "Sensei? Are you alright?" When that didn't work, he asked Ayame for a paper bag.
Ayame had bent down and grabbed a brown paper bag hidden by the counter and handed it to Naruto.
"Plug your ears Ayame-chan." Naruto warned, he placed the opening of the bag to his lips and blew into the bag.
Ayame had proceeded to plug her ears.
"Iruka Sensei..." Naruto gave him one last warning.
The cook happened to come in with a stack of freshly cleaned bowls and cups. He didn't see Naruto, but saw Ayame standing there.
Naruto had blown up the bag and then spread his arms wide, then in a fluid movement rammed his fist and his other hand together, with the bag in between them, causing a loud POP-ping sound.
This scared the cook and made him jump, throwing the plates off balance. "Whoa, whoa~... Whoa!" He wavered and shifted, trying to regain balance of the plates.
Ayame looked over her shoulder, her fingers out of her ears, and cringed slightly as he tried to regain his lost balance.
Once, the chef was able to balance the plates again, he glared over at Naruto, then turned and placed them in their proper spots on the shelves below.
Ayame sighed, than looked over at Naruto and Iruka.
Iruka hadn't budged an inch!
And Naruto was flat on his back on the floor. He then rolled up to a sitting position. "Awe man." Naruto murmured, rubbing his head, "Nothing worked! He must be really out of it." He mumbled to himself.
"Hm?" Iruka opened his eyes and looked to where Naruto sat on the ground. "Did you say something?" He questioned.
Naruto growled and balled his fist.
Ayame just chuckled a bit.
Iruka looked back and forth between the cook, Ayame, and the steaming Naruto, confused. A question mark formed over his head. "Did I miss something?" He asked Ayame.
"Nothing much." She replied smiling.
Iruka finished his last mouthful of ramen before leaving the money on the table. "Come on, Naruto."
"Hai!" Naruto stated proudly and saluting his Sensei.
The next day, Kakashi found Iruka, who was walking down an outside hallway to the teacher's lounge.
"Hey," Kakashi stated, causing Iruka to stop. "Naruto told me you need to talk to me, or something?" He leaned on the railing, hands in his pockets.
"Oh! That's right!" Iruka stated, 'Impressive, Naruto. You actually remembered! You are out doing yourself, yet again.' Iruka thought with a small smile on his face. 'He's growing up.'
"Hello?" Kakashi waved his right hand, trying to distract Iruka's thinking.
"Oh!" Iruka shook his head a bit. "I'm sorry." He stated. Then coughed, trying to get rid of his embarrassment. "Yes. I needed to speak with you." He looked down and the crossed his hands over his chest, making sure not to crush the papers. "So, is it true?" Iruka asked after glancing left and right, making sure no one overheard.
"Hm?" Kakashi questioned. "Is what true?"
"That... Rai's back?" He leaned forward slightly and whispered the last part.
"Uhh..." Kakashi drawled. He took his hands out of his pockets and placed his left on the railing and the right hand scratched his head. "How should I put this?" He looked up and placed his right hand on his chin.
"It's just a simple yes or no question." Iruka stated slightly irritated by Kakashi's drawling and dragging answers out. "Just pick one." Iruka looked down, gritting his teeth and shutting his eyes, trying not to pummel the Jonin's head in.
Kakashi sighed. "Then... yeah..."
Iruka's mouth dropped slightly. 'Now was that so hard?' Iruka's smart alack mind replied. "You're not joking... are you?" Iruka asked warily.
"I wish I was." Kakashi sighed. He placed his hands back into his pockets. "It's been so long."
"Yeah, five years is a long time." Iruka replied. "A lot has changed."
Kakashi squinted down at the ground.
"Is something wrong?" Iruka asked.
"I don't know..." Kakashi replied.
"Don't know what?" Iruka asked, having a question mark hang over his head, yet again.
"I don't know if she even remembers how to change into-..." Kakashi cut off, seeing if Iruka knew what he meant.
"Well, it has been a while." Iruka sighed, leaning his head back against the wall. "It'll probably come to her in time." Iruka sighed, closing his eyes. Then he began to chuckle.
"What?" Kakashi asked, confused as to what he had missed.
"Wow... Just, wow." Iruka stated after his chuckle. "It's amazing."
Kakashi had a question mark hanging over his head this time.
"When you think you've just figured out reality, it comes back and bites you in the ass." Iruka chuckled again. "It's amazing, but miracles do happen."
"But, for five years, Iruka?" Kakashi questioned.
Iruka shrugged. "Any ways, I need to get back to-" Iruka was standing up and turned to head to the lounge when Kakashi's voice stopped him.
"Oh!" Kakashi just remembered. "I need to do something tomorrow, so could you watch my squad for me, while I'm gone?" He stood up.
Iruka looked over his shoulder at Kakashi, "Sure... but... What do you want me to do with them?"
"Bring them to class." Kakashi shrugged. "Keep them busy, have them clean, grade papers, do something!"
Iruka nodded. "Alright." He turned and walked away.
Kakashi called after him, "Don't worry, they'll be fine!" Then he muttered to himself, 'Thanks Iruka, I owe you one.' He turned and walked away to his room.