This one-shot is part of a larger project I'm tinkering around with, exploring Iruka's heritage. However, it stands alone just fine.
This story is compatible with the background presented in my other work ""Ready for War." It's also compatible with what little is mentioned of Iruka's history in "Not Over Til The Paperwork Is In." Please note the meaning of Iruka's parent's names:
Kajiki - Swordfish
Koeda - Foliage
The dark-haired kunoichi turned, having lost her husband in the few moments it took to retrieve Iruka's toy from the baby bag. "Kajiki?" She called out, her gaze sweeping the crowded market.
She finally spied her husband by the vegetable stand. His eyes were fixed toward the distance and he stood unnaturally still. Adjusting her hold on the infant, she approached. "What's the matter, dear? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Not a ghost." Wide, dark brown eyes met hers, and he offered her a wan smile, "A myth."
"What?" She wrinkled her nose at him before sweeping her eyes over the crowd again.
Kajiki pointed with the barest tilt of his chin.
"It's him," he whispered, "The Legendary White Fang of Konoha."
Koeda glanced to her right. "Oh, you mean Hatake Sakumo?" She chuckled. "Yes darling, he does come to the market sometimes. See what you miss because you don't like to go shopping?"
Her jesting went unnoticed as he continued to stare. "I've heard so many stories about that man. But…I didn't believe he was real. I thought it was just campfire tales the veterans used to frighten rookies."
Mischief sparkled in the young kunoichi's eyes. "Well then, let's introduce you to the bogeyman. Come on!"
Kajiki resisted his wife's tugs on his arm. "No, dear. That's not necessary."
"Don't be shy!" Koeda insisted. "Look- he has his son, Kakashi, with him. I was the messenger sent to tell him of his wife's safe delivery, three years ago. Now I get to show him our little boy."
Kajiki sighed, as he often did when faced with his wife's flights of fancy. "There's no reason to bother him over it."
"What? You don't think our son is a big deal?" She asked dangerously.
"He is to us, obviously," Kajiki assured, mindful of her fierce maternal pride. "I just don't see how someone of his station could be interested in the affairs of the common shinobi."
"Oh, Kaji'- you're not in Mist anymore, remember?" his wife chided. "Sure he outranks us, but Sakumo's not a snob. Just you watch."
She moved to support Iruka with one arm, using her free arm to pull her reluctant husband ahead. They caught up to their target, the legend picking out loaves of freshly baked bread.
"Sakumo!" Koeda called warmly. "Good to see you back safe from your mission. And you've brought little Kakashi with you today." She winked at the silver-haired three-year-old. "My, you grow more handsome every day!"
Kakashi gripped his father's pant leg as he stared apprehensively at the woman. She'd called him handsome- a sure sign that he was in danger of having his cheeks pinched. Bad enough that the shopkeepers did it; now he had to fend off other shoppers.
Sakumo chuckled and grasped his boy's shoulder. "He's growing quickly, Koeda… far too quickly." The jounin's voice trailed off for a moment, then he noticed the little bundle that was certainly not an armful of groceries. "And who is this little one?"
Koeda slipped her free arm into her husband's and pulled him forward. "Sakumo, meet my husband, Kajiki, and our son Iruka. He's five months old now."
Kajiki, true to his upbringing in court etiquette, bowed deeply. "It is a privilege and honor to meet you, Lord Hatake."
"Ah- I've heard a lot about you, Umino," Sakumo responded, causing Kajiki to tense in unconscious preparation of fight-or-flight. However, the great White Fang returned the bow. "It's good to finally meet you as well. I understand that you've done our village and our Hokage a great service."
"It was my duty. I am indebted to this great village and the honorable Lord Hokage for granting me asylum," Kajiki responded gravely. "But my service pales in comparison to yours. As far away as Water Country, tales of your bravery and skill strike fear into the hearts of those that would oppose this nation."
"Well…that's…good to know," Sakumo replied, shooting a look at Koeda that seemed to ask 'Is he always like this?'
The awkward moment was interrupted when Iruka dropped the toy he'd been contentedly gumming and let out a wail as it slipped his grasp. Kakashi cringed at the ear-splitting sound, and dove to catch the rubber kunai before it hit the ground.
"Thank you, Kakashi." Koeda smiled and knelt down at level with the little boy. "You have excellent reflexes. I'm impressed."
The three-year-old did not reply, already retreating to his father's side, ever mindful of the danger of pinched cheeks. It never paid to let one's guard down.
Iruka continued to wail, and it was a rather annoying sound. Kakashi considered the toy in his hand and, after an encouraging nod from his father, held it out like a peace offering. "Here, take it."
"You need to put it in his hand, Kashi," Sakumo chuckled. "Iruka can't reach it if you're standing two feet away."
Kakashi reluctantly released his hold on his father's pant leg and approached the crying baby. The lady's arms were occupied with holding the squirming infant, so he felt safe enough to peer at the round little face before looking back up at the infant's mother.
"He's very loud," Kakashi noted seriously.
"Iruka's got strong lungs," Koeda agreed. "And a temper to boot."
Kakashi placed the toy in the baby's hand. Iruka immediately calmed down as he gummed on the toy kunai again. Curious brown eyes peered up at his new silver-haired companion.
The three-year-old was equally curious, quite unused to being around anyone younger than he. He tentatively reached out a hand and, since the mother didn't seem to mind, experimentally brushed his fingers against the baby's arm. "He's soft," Kakashi murmured.
The boy's eyes met the kunoichi's intently. "Loud and soft…I hope you're not trying to make him a ninja. It will never work."
"Kakashi!" Sakumo scolded sharply.
Koeda's eyes flashed with temper. Before she could retort, Kajiki chuckled and rested a hand on his outraged wife's shoulder. He acknowledged the boy's comment with a nod. "Ah, but Kakashi, he is only a baby. All babies are soft and loud, and generally unsuited to a ninja lifestyle. He will grow out of that. And if we train him diligently, I'm sure he'll become a fine ninja, don't you think?"
Kakashi stared skeptically at the baby. However, his father's earlier rebuke and this lady's warning glare convinced him to go along with the man's assessment. "I guess so. If you train him really, really hard."
"I'll be sure to do that," Kajiki replied seriously, though his mouth twitched in a hint of a smile.
"Come along, Kakashi."
The child pursed his lips unhappily. The tone of his father's voice warned him that they were going to have another talk on being polite when they got home. The adults said their goodbyes, then Kakashi turned to follow his father.
Thunk
A rubber kunai hit him on the back of the head. Kakashi spun around with a glare.
Koeda laughed outright. "That's my boy!" She cheered.
Kajiki shifted instinctively in front of the pair. In Mist he'd witnessed the punishment for lesser slights than this. "Forgive him, Lord Hatake! Iruka didn't know what he was doing."
Behind him, his wife started laughing even harder, "Of course he knew! Didn't you, Iruka? My clever little ninja!" The baby grinned toothlessly at the praise.
Sakumo grinned at Kajiki's scandalized expression and handed the toy over to the boy's father.
"There's nothing to forgive," he assured sincerely.
The jounin took his son's hand as they turned away again. Kakashi glanced back one last time, his free hand reaching up to rub the back of his head where the toy kunai had hit.
"So, Kakashi," his father intoned, "It seems that little Iruka didn't appreciate having his skill questioned. I hope you've learned your lesson."
The three-year-old carefully thought over his encounter before nodding. "Yes, father. I should never turn my back on someone after I criticize them, huh?"