Hope you enjoy the next installment! (it's a long chapter too)
This is the end of this era for the family...BUT there will be a continuation after this with a 5 year time gap!
Am not sure if I will continue it here or as a new story so keep a look out!
Chapter 25 - Feeling Wanted
Smoke; Iruka could see smoke as he approached the house. With a sigh he went to the kitchen and looked out the window in time to see another small explosion releasing more smoke. "Kakashi! Yamato!" Iruka shouted through the open window "you better not be teaching them what I think you are" he howled in frustration getting himself a glass of water before he went out to deal with his immature lovers. Yamato walked in shortly after chuckling and wrapped his arms around Iruka's waist resting his chin on his shoulder. Iruka let himself be wrapped up in the familiar arms "was this Kakashi's idea?" he asked as Yamato nuzzled his neck leaving soft kisses behind his ear without answering "I know what you're doing Yama" Iruka said taking another sip of his water, he'd had a long day at the mission office. He took comfort from Yamato's arms but was shaken out of the luxury by another small explosion bringing him back to the present "Yamato" he tried again trying to get an answer "kisses and cuddles won't soften me up beautiful" he said patting Yamato's cheek affectionately "you should know that".
Yamato let out a throaty chuckle "I missed you?" he tried still kissing along Iruka's jaw "and I would never…ever… think of using my body to soften you up" Yamato dead panned as he rolled his hip against Iruka. Iruka saw his lover's smirk in the window reflection when a small whimper escaped Iruka's lips as Yamato nipped at the outer shell of his ear. Iruka tried to hide a smirk of his own swatting Yamato's hip with his free hand as he carried on exploring Iruka's neck with his lips. His men were clearly up to something they knew Iruka wouldn't approve of if Yamato was here distracting him; he couldn't help but beam at their cheek.
Three weeks later the family were settling back into their routine again and it was great to see Yamato get back to his serious yet playful self. Yamato was gradually accepting his past with the support of both his lover's. In addition to that Yasahiro needed him as a pillar of strength; he was the only one that could relate to his trauma. The nightmares still occurred where he woke up gasping and confused. Some nights he awoke thrashing as he tried to release himself from the restraints, other nights he was running away from masked medical Nins and more often than not, he awoke in trepidation as his body shivered from the layer of ice he thought that covered him as he searched wildly, shouting for Yasahiro.
Yasahiro too was recovering slowly from the trauma and heart ache of his own father's betrayal. The 8 year old insisted he was OK and tried to act strong however that illusion was broken when one day Iruka awoke in the middle of the night apprehensive. It had taken him a while to figure out what had woken him as he watched both his lover's rest; Yamato sprawled on his front with Kakashi wrapped closely along his side, an arm thrown over Yamato's back gripping loosely onto Iruka's forearm . If there was any sign of danger his lovers were always the first to know with their immense sensing skills and intelligence. Iruka just couldn't shift his unease and lay quietly listening to the soft breaths of his men and the sounds of the night, when suddenly he heard a noise that didn't quite fit in. He lay still, reaching with his hearing to see if he could pick out the sound again and after along moment, there it was again and he distinguished the hitch as a small whimper.
Iruka whipped out of bed and wrenched the door open where his heart broke. Standing in the cold in the cotton Pyjama's Iruka had dressed him in was a shivering silently sobbing Yasahiro. Upon seeing Iruka Yasahiro fisted his mouth trying to stop any further sobs escaping and looked at Iruka with wide round brown eyes filled with fear, hurt and an emotion Iruka couldn't place looking so lost, Iruka immediately fell to his knees pulling the shivering boy into his arms. "Hiro darling, what's the matter?" he asked carrying him into their room to wrap him up. Yasahiro had been through a lot in his short life but Iruka had never seen him this broken before, not even when he lost his mother. "It's OK darling, I've got you" Iruka soothed as he felt Yasahiro fist the front of his shirt and finally let go of his restrained sobs with a low whimper of Ruka-San.
Yamato and Kakashi were now awake and alert, Yamato got up to grab another blanket to wrap around Yasahiro's shoulder and managed to get out the reason for his breakdown. It was a nightmare but he wouldn't say anymore. Yasahiro often woke screaming from a nightmare but this wasn't usually his reaction making Kakashi worry "how long was he out there for?" he asked tucking the blanket around him tighter. Iruka shrugged his shoulder and waited for the sobbing to calm down "Darling why didn't you wake us up earlier?" Iruka inquired when they had managed to get him relatively warm.
Yasahiro sniffed "I shouldn't bother you" he mumbled into Iruka's shirt. "Hiro, that's not bothering us. If you need us, you should wake us and you're never a bother to us" Iruka said pulling Yasahiro from his chest so he could look at him.
"I don't have the right to though, I shouldn't be here, I should be in the Snow Country" he replied "I don't have the right to bother you… I'm not your son" he said in such a light whisper with his eyes down cast that all three men nearly missed it. Iruka's eyes widened in shock as he took in Yasahiro's words whilst Yamato bit his bottom lip in anger. Even Kakashi's calm and cool façade wavered a little as he pulled Yasahiro into his lap.
"Hiro, you are supposed to be here, not the Snow country. Here where we can look after you, you should've never left kiddo" Kakashi began "your mum trusted me with you and it's my fault you got hurt" Kakashi sighed "I'm sorry Hiro". Yasahiro's eyes this time widened in shock, still tear brimmed he couldn't believe the great Kakashi Hatake was apologising to him. "Kakashi San, it's not your fault, my dad…he…" Yasahiro couldn't finish his sentence as more tears fell from his eyes.
"I'm sorry too Hiro" Yamato whispered into Yasahiro's hair "I should have got there sooner, so sorry kiddo" Yamato said wiping the tears from Yasahiro's cheeks as he looked up at him. Yasahiro shook his head "my dad…he left me, nobody wants me because I'm a annoying brat" Yasahiro said pulling away from the men and covering his face as he cried more. "My mum's gone, he didn't want me and now…they were right" Yasahiro said incoherently.
Iruka tentatively reached for Yasahiro trying not to scare the boy "It's not true Hiro, we want you. We've always wanted you" Iruka said running a hand down Yasahiro's back "no you don't" Yasahiro said his words muffled by his hand "you're stuck with me and they were right". Iruka wrapped a arm around the boys shoulders "Oh Hiro" he said tucking the boy into his side as he gently rocked him "who was right darling?" he asked "what did they say?" Yasahiro looked up and finally explained his dream, people he knew from the village, had met when he was with his father the last month they had all physically and verbally abused him, repeating the same thing nobody wants you, annoying brat, no one care, in his dream he had run but he couldn't get away, then his father was there and he was trapped, ice, he felt ice, cold, darkness and he couldn't get out or warm up. He saw Kakashi, Yamato Iruka and Sachiko smiling but when he reached for them they got further and further away from him until they disappeared to be replaced by the cold and darkness and he just couldn't get warm.
The men shared a look; it explained why Yasahiro was shivering on a relatively warm night and the lost look on his face. Yasahiro was now lying on top of Iruka's chest with Yamato and Kakashi on either side running soothing hands along his back as he finished his sobs and the re-telling of his nightmare. When he had calmed enough Kakashi who Yasahiro seemed to respond to, explained he would be staying with them and that they did care and did want him. Kakashi chose to ignore the issue about the ice for the time being and found Yasahiro finally settled into Iruka's chest exhausted from his emotional breakdown, which if the three men were honest, they knew would eventually come.
Yasahiro let out a shaky breath "Yama San" Yamato replied with a low Mmmm "that day in the cave, you said I can stay till I'm a Chunin. If I go back to the snow he'll find me so can I still stay till I'm a Chunin please?" he asked.
Yamato propped himself up on an elbow and leaned over kissing Yasahiro's temple "Hiro you're staying, we want you to stay" Yamato reassured "You can stay till your Hokage but now, I want you to sleep kiddo" he said softly smiling down at him. "Only till I'm a Chunin" Yasahiro said before closing his eyes. The men chuckled lightly "you might be a brat Hiro, but you're our brat" Kakashi said teasingly kissing his temple and pulling the covers around Yasahiro's shoulders as he remained lying on top of Iruka.
-oOo-
Iruka was shaken out of his musings by a scream as another explosion went off. This time Yamato let go of Iruka and hurried to the garden to find their daughter covered in black soot bottom lip trembling as she looked at her hands. Upon seeing Yamato and Iruka she burst into tears with her head thrown back and arms flaying at her side. Yamato run to pick her up and soothe her as Iruka shouted for Kakashi and Yasahiro to come out. Kakashi fell smoothly from the tree above Iruka's head his Icha Icha book in hand as Yasahiro came running to them from the opposite direction with an exploding tag still in hand.
"Kakashi" Iruka admonished, he didn't want the kids to be making their own smoke bombs and explosive tags and had told Kakashi this before. He began to scold his lover right there in front of the children as Kakashi slumped his shoulders in apology. Sachiko was still crying and Yasahiro was looking a cross between pleased and regret at today's training session as Iruka admonished them. Iruka held out his hand and Yasahiro reluctantly handed over the explosive tag "no explosions until you're a Gen…scratch that" he said with a angry sigh "until you're a Jounin" Iruka shouted as he turned to comfort their daughter as well Ruka San he heard Yasahiro whine "you want it to be longer Hiro?" he asked, he though he heard a but from Yasahiro as he turned to face the boy, but found the rest of the complaint was covered with Kakashi's hand on his mouth do you want him to explode at us he heard Kakashi whisper to the boy whose eyes had gone wide in fear at the reminder. Iruka laughed to himself, his lovers were more than strong enough to subdue him yet they acted like he had more power than them and let him discipline them constantly.
Yamato had finally figured out why their daughter was so upset and frowned at Kakashi "it was just a genjutsu honey; Bunny Chan is fine" he said through gritted teeth looking at Kakashi who smiled weakly scratching the back of his head "Am sure Daddy thought it was funny but Bunny Chan is perfectly OK, let's go find her".
Hearing the reason behind Sachiko's distress, Iruka himself turned around and glared at Kakashi, "really Kakashi?" he asked to which he got a shrug from the silver haired Shinobi "she needs to learn how to avoid explosions" he said. "She's five Kakashi?!" Iruka shouted in defeat grabbing Yasahiro "and his only 8!" he reminded his lover "Bath young man" he said following his other lover back into the house whilst smudging the soot on Yasahiro's cheek with his thumb.
"It's never too early to learn" Kakashi said as Iruka carried on scolding them. "Yamato and I were 5" Kakashi mumbled but regretted it as Iruka stopped and batted Yasahiro through to the bathroom "I'll be there in a minute" he said to the boy. Iruka breathed deeply and then turned to wrap his arms around Kakashi's waist with a sigh "Kashi" Iruka said and kissed Kakashi chastely, he couldn't blame Kakashi for the vigorous training he gave the children; he was worried and it was what the Sakumo San had done with a young Kakashi. Kakashi just wanted them to be safe, as did they all but his techniques were just a little on the dangerous side and Yamato didn't know any better and was easily persuaded by Kakashi. After everything Yasahiro had gone through they wanted to make sure he could defend himself and learn how to escape. Iruka resigned himself not to be too harsh on his lover's, he patted Kakashi's bottom and sniffed at his man "You need a shower to babe" Iruka said pulling away from Kakashi who chuckled. "Oh by the way" he shouted over his shoulder as he went to help Yasahiro bathe "Naruto's coming over and his bringing dinner". Kakashi's answer was Mmmm, that's worrying before he disappeared into their bedroom; it was Iruka's thought exactly.
-oOo-
Naruto arrived with Ramen, Sake and dessert for the family to be greeted by Yamato holding a still upset Sachiko cuddling a somewhat tatty grey bunny. "What's up with her" Naruto whispered to Yamato who sighed explaining the genjutsu Kakashi had played on her as he put her down to take the bags off Naruto with a thank you. Naruto crouched down to Sachiko's level "I know exactly how you feel, he did the same thing to us!" he said remembering the genjutsu of Sasuke after his 3 year gap "don't worry we'll get him back one day" he conspired with the five year old covering his butt as he said it. He swore he could still feel the 1000 years of pain jutsu till this day when he sat at a certain angle. Sachiko brightened up a little letting out a giggle as Naruto picked her up and swung her into the air.
Kakashi entered the living room greeting Naruto and was met with a frown from his daughter "Sachi" he cooed trying to coax her out from Naruto's arm "Daddy said sorry" he said knowing he would get the same frowns from Yamato and Iruka if his daughter didn't cheer up soon "come on munchkin". Sachiko was having none of it and clutched at her stuffed bunny, Naruto sniggered seeing Kakashi's predicament to which Kakashi asked "Ma, does Iruka know about the paper you didn't finish to go to the bath house Na-Ru-To?" Naruto's face dropped immediately Sensei he mumbled I bought you Sake he smiled at Kakashi rubbing the back of his head hey Sachi forgive him will you? Kakashi smiled to himself and went to get a cup of the Sake Naruto had bought; Sachiko loved Naruto which meant she would hopefully come round before they sat down to eat.
"He sure went all out" Kakashi said seeing the spread Yamato was laying out on the table "wonder what he wants" he said grasping Yamato's hand as he walked by to pull him in for a quick masked kiss. Yamato smiled into the kiss and begrudgingly pulled away from Kakashi's arms with a small moan.
"He even got us the expensive sake" Yamato muttered as he got the chopsticks out to set the table "hope he hasn't got himself into any trouble" Yamato sighed. It was the last thing they needed right now, Naruto kept Yamato, Iruka and Kakashi just as busy as Yasahiro and Sachiko.
Iruka holding Sachiko's hand lead a chattering Naruto and Yasahiro into the dining room as Kakashi helped Yamato bring in the last bowls of heated ramen. "Dinner looks great Naruto" Iruka said as he helped Sachiko into her chair and sat down opposite Yamato and next to Kakashi "thanks" he said with a smile at his former student who laughed nervously. "Least I could do Iruka Sensei, you and Yamato Taichou have bought me enough ramen in the past. But Kaka-Sensei, you're as tight fisted as ever!" Naruto declared.
Yamato and Iruka laughed as Kakashi replied with a nervous laugh "Ma, Naruto I've done other things for you".
"You tortured and teased me all through my Genin years!"
Yamato and Kakashi chortled harder there ramen spluttering out of the bowls. Yasahiro and Sachiko looked on confused and joined in when Naruto began reciting some of the things Kakashi had them doing. "Iruka Sensei and Yamato Taichou were not much better" he told the kids "Yamato Taichou ruled me with fear" he shivered at the thought of the ghoul eyes "but he did often treat at us to hot springs and bought us delicious meals" Naruto smiled at Yamato. "And Iruka Sensei, he was the first to ever praise me and tell me off in one breath" Naruto laughed nervously at Iruka "he told me off more than anyone and still does" Naruto told Yasahiro embarrassed. "But if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be who I am today" Naruto said with his nervous laugh as he smiled at the men and all three men smiled back at him fondly. "I came by to ask you all a favour" Naruto said fidgeting.
"Mmmm, knew it was too good to be true" Kakashi said teasingly Kashi Yamato said in exasperation "what is it Naruto" Iruka asked ignoring both his lovers. Naruto scratched the back of his head, a habit he shared with Kakashi "I, well…" Naruto took a deep breath "I want to take a break. I want to learn how to be a Hokage from Gaara" Kakashi raised his eyebrow at the blonde "not that you and Granny Tsunade aren't great but…Kaka Sensei I need them, the village, the shinobi's, to… to trust me not just because I'm a Jinchuruki and strong but because I'm…me" Naruto finished with a shrug.
Iruka reached around Sachiko and squeezed Naruto's shoulder "really proud of you Naruto" he said with a doting smile and Kakashi and Yamato made noises of agreement. Naruto beamed back "This is kind of where I need your help" he looked at Kakashi who gave a questioning Hmmm "Kaka Sensei I need you to take over my share of the Hokage work otherwise Granny Tsunade will kill me before she lets me stay. You have to become a full time Hokage please" Naruto pleaded on his knees at Kakashi's side abandoning his ramen "please Sensei". Kakashi let out a huff and dropped his head, he was already doing some of Tsunade Sama's load and well Naruto deserved a break. He guessed he could do it for a couple of months, it would also mean he could watch Yasahiro and Sachiko as he wouldn't be leaving the village often easing Iruka's load. Reluctantly Kakashi agreed his body as aloof as ever but that didn't stop Naruto from hugging his leg in thanks.
"Kaka Sensei you're the best!" Naruto beamed at him returning to his seat when Kakashi shook him off. Iruka kissed Kakashi's temple as he went pass collecting the empty ramen bowls, smiling at him lovingly. Kakashi knew it would be worth all the paper work when Yamato with an identical loving smile kissed him too as he placed dessert in front of him with another warm cup of sake. As Kakashi was basking in his lover's affection he felt eyes watching him as he took small sips of the sake. He glanced Naruto's way to see the blonde peeping at him at intervals watching him eat and drink. Eventually Naruto huffed and whispered to Sachiko "Sachi, what's under your Daddy's mask".
Sachiko who was busy chasing the green tea ice cream in her bowl looked up at Naruto with confusion "Daddy's mask?" she asked whilst Naruto tried to quieten her but by this time they had everyone's attention, Sachiko blinked a few times and then replied with all seriousness of a 5 year old "his face".
Yamato, Iruka and Kakashi shared a glance and all three tried to contain their chuckles choking on their drinks and ice cream. Naruto groaned into his hands "Hiro?" he asked imploringly. "His face" Yasahiro dead panned and all three men burst into laughter with Yasahiro. Poor Sachiko still looked confused and angry at her fathers "not funny daddy" she said to Iruka with annoyance, he pulled her into his lap tickling her ribs as he kissed her ice cream sticky mouth. "No it's not funny Sachi, you told him the truth" he said still laughing.
Naruto grumbled again but then brightened up "Neh Kaka Sensei, as Konoha's Hokage I think you should show me your face so I know when it's not an imposter in the tower" Naruto seemed pleased with his brilliance but clearly was forgetting who his sensei was. "I think you'll find Naruto that I am now the reluctant Hokage of Konoha, and I also know more about you than anyone". Naruto quickly regretted his brilliance and laughed nervously "it was just a joke sensei!" he bounced on his bottom "you don't need to show me your face Sensei!"
When the laughter died down Iruka reached over and ruffled Naruto's hair "good luck Naruto" he said "you deserve a break after all your hard work" Yamato agreed and Kakashi gave him a thoughtful look. "I'm going to miss you Naruto-Ni" Yasahiro spoke up blushing slightly. Naruto along with Sakura and Sai were the very few people Yasahiro had let into his circle and Naruto had helped him a lot after his ordeal. Naruto grinned at him "am going to miss you too Hiro" he said "but I think you're going to do just fine with your family around you" he said at which moment a summoning arrived scaring Naruto with the suddenness and the loud explosion as Gamatatsu appeared clumsily.
In the confusion Yamato had grabbed Yashiro to him and Kakashi had pulled Iruka and Sachiko away from Gamatatsu's landing site. "Naruto" Gamatatsu whined "you were supposed to report in an hour ago. The sage are waiting" Gamatatsu realised there were other people in the room and bent low "Sorry Kakashi San, Iruka San, Yamato San and children" he offered "but I must take him back now" and with that Naruto was gone and as was some of their dessert. After getting over the shock Iruka worriedly looked at Yasahiro, the boy had been jumping at loud noises since his torment and was jittery hearing explosions. To his surprise Yasahiro was giggling away in Yamato's arm as they shared some joke about Gamatatsu's snacking habits and took an inventory of how much ice cream was missing. And then the events of the past few days hit Iruka had; he got up and wrapped his arms around Kakashi pulling the silver haired Shinobi to his chest crushing Sachiko in the process "love you Kashi" he said kissing his temple who replied with a confused love you too. Yamato smiled at them from across the table and Iruka reached out a hand for him squeezing it. Iruka had just realised that his men were helping Yasahiro get over his fear of loud noises and explosion with the training and he had given them such a hard time shouting and screaming. Iruka promised himself he would definitely make it up to them tonight, that tonight he would have them shouting and screaming.
He smirked at both his lover's, Naruto was right they would be just fine, this little family of theirs.