Erm... my first time posting a story and writing a kind of story like this. So, yes, it might be horrible, but please don't eat me.

Warnings: Yaoi! Sasunaru, of course. Unbeta'd. Swearing... later on.

Disclaimer: Looks like someone doesn't know how to share! :glares at Masashi Kishimoto:

A man covered his head from the showering rain. He ran hurriedly through the street in hopes of getting home faster. Oh, how he wished he'd taken his car to work. It looked all fine and dandy in the morning with the sun shining. Who would've thought the day would end by a thunderstorm? Using his coat as a shelter from the weather, he picked up his pace. He just needed to cut through the park and he was home free. The dim lighting from lamps around the park provided little scenes of the area around them. It was empty at the time, and it seemed to take an eerie effect late at night. The man huffed as he rushed down the dirt road. Fear set in when he looked around the deserted area. He concentrated on the path ahead and saw a figure sitting on a bench, the rain drenching said figure.

'Now who could that be?' the man wondered.

He slowly walked forward, scared that if he made any sudden movements, the figure would run away. The brown haired man realized that the figure was a boy in his mid teens. What was he doing out in the rain? He studied the younger boy. His hair, even when damp and in the darkness of the night, looked amazingly blonde. His head was down in his arms, his back hunched over, and he was curled up in a ball. The brown haired man timidly reached out with one of his arms. When he touched the boy's arm, the boy tensed.

'His arm is so cold,' the man thought. "Hey, what are you doing out here? You're going to get sick."

The boy shifted on the bench and lifted his head to stare at the man. He had the most beautiful blue eyes the man had ever seen. They studied each other for a while, forgetting the rain pouring down on them. Finally, the boy set his head back down into his arms. The man frowned at this.

"Hello?" He waved a hand in front of the other.

No reaction. The man, in his sudden worry over the boy's health, grabbed the other's arm and pulled him along the path. The boy, startled, began to protest wildly.

"Calm down. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm just taking you back to my house to get you out of the rain. If we both stay out of here an longer, we'll both end up with a cold," the man announced.

The boy seemed to relax at this, but he was still uncomfortable and pouted. They walked in silence through the park until they both got into a nice, warm house. The house was small and lonely, but it had a lively feeling to it. The man hung his drenched coat on a hook and took off his shoes. The boy remained where he stood, observing the house.

"Well? Aren't you going to take off your shoes?" the man asked.

The boy snapped his head toward his host and blushed. He let his head hang as he took off his shoes and placed them beside the door. They walked into the kitchen where the man began preparing some drinks. The boy stood off to the side awkwardly as he watched the other busy himself around the room. After two cups of hot cocoa were made, the man handed one to his guest as he drank out of his.

"Now, you can explain to me why you were out there all by yourself in the rain," he stated.

The boy shifted from foot to foot with the cup in his hands. The man sighed.

"Hello, my name is Umino Iruka," the man stretched out his hand, "now it's your turn."

The boy hesitated before shaking the hand, but didn't give a reply. This was going to be more difficult than the man thought.

'Maybe conversation isn't the best thing at the moment,' Iruka thought.

"Since you're soaking wet from the rain, how about you go take a shower, and I'll go get some dry clothes for you to wear?"

The boy nodded at this and followed Iruka to the bathroom. He was shown where the towels, shampoo, and soap were located as well as his new set of clothes he was supposed to wear afterward. Iruka went back to his kitchen when he was sure the boy could manage on his own. He went to go drink the rest of his cocoa, and watch some news as he waited for the boy.

A couple minutes later, sounds could be heard in the direction of the bathroom. Iruka turned around to see a boy in loose fit clothing much too large for his body. He also noted the crystal blue jewel followed by two silver balls on each side that hung from the boy's neck.

Iruka smiled sheepishly and said, "Sorry that they're kinda big on you, but I only have clothes for me."

The boy smiled back and nodded. Iruka put the volume lower and decided that this was a good time to start. He pointed to a comfortable looking chair beside the sofa he was sitting on. The boy obeyed and sat down.

"Now, let's start talking. Would you like to tell me your name?"

The boy looked lost, and gazed at Iruka confused. He concentrated on the floor before he came to a conclusion.

"... Naruto," he said in a quiet tone.

"Naruto...?" Iruka asked, waiting for the boy to fill in the blank.

The boy, Naruto, shook his head.

'Did something happen? No one can be stupid enough to forget their own name, can they?' Iruka mused. "So, you forgot it?"

The boy shook his head again. "I never knew my surname."

"No one told you?"

Another no answered his question.

"That's weird... Well, how old are you, then? Do you have somewhere to go home to?"

"I'm 16, and, no, I lived at an orphanage."

Iruka's eyes softened at this. He used to work at an orphanage and he knew what kind of pain the children in there went through. Not having parents was a tough thing to handle, especially for kids. They're too young to handle that kind of sadness, that kind of loneliness.

"You lived? As in used to? What happened?" Iruka asked, more confusion seeping into his words.

Naruto's eyes seemed to dim at this, and he let his head hang a little with his bangs covering his eyes. A small frown made its way onto his face. Iruka suddenly realized that Naruto must have had a reason why he was outside in the park. So something occurred back at the orphanage? Iruka understood that, but the real question was what. He decided that going to visit the place would sort things out.

"That's okay if you don't want to tell me. Though, I think we should make a trip to the orphanage in the morning."

Naruto shook his head stubbornly, but Iruka's tone made it final. They were going.

"On another note, is there something you would like to eat?" Iruka asked.

Perking up at the question, Naruto shouted, "Ramen!"

Iruka let out a laugh as Naruto, suddenly full of energy, bounced off the walls, yelling ramen over and over.

Morning came and the house was bathed in sunlight. Iruka opened his eyes, yawned, and stretched. He got off the couch, and looked at the clock. 9:36 AM. He decided this would be a nice time to wake up the younger boy and take him to the orphanage. Guilt flowed through him as he remembered the sullen face the boy took on when he mentioned the place.

'I have to, but what if this wasn't the best thing? No, it is for the best, but, then again, the other one could also work out...' Iruka quietly stood in the middle of the living room, contemplating which side he should take, until a sleepy Naruto shuffled into the room with a hand rubbing the tiredness out of his eye.

"G'morning," Naruto yawned out.

"Good morning, Naruto. Would you like something to eat?" Iruka asked.

Naruto was about to answer, but Iruka cut him off, deciding that it would be best if he chose breakfast. "On second thought, never mind. We'll have some eggs."

"What?! Eggs? But I want ramen!" Naruto protested.

Iruka smiled warmly. They had become quite close in just a short amount of time. It was surprising how Naruto opened up to Iruka, showing his real personality, after he knew he could trust the man. That gave Iruka a nice feeling inside. This boy had made his house feel more happy, more like the house that belonged to a family.

"No, we're having eggs and juice."

"Aw... but Irukaaa!"

A vein popped on Iruka's head and, with a crooked smile, firmly said, "Eggs!"

Naruto quickly closed his mouth. He learned from last night that arguing with Iruka when he had that weird smile on was useless.

After they ate and got dressed, it was off to the orphanage. Naruto had to be stuck with more oversized clothes because his old ones he had come into the house with were still dirty. Iruka quickly noticed that Naruto, apart from his necklace, was wearing a golden bracelet on his wrist.

'Why didn't I notice that before?' Iruka pondered. He let it go and proceeded with driving.

Naruto fidgeted nervously in the car seat beside Iruka. He would pull at a string coming out from the side of his pants, and worry his bottom lip. Iruka spared worried glances toward him as he drove along the road.

When they arrived at the buidling Naruto gave directions to, Iruka parked the car and pulled out the keys. He sat there, staring out the windshield until he took a deep breath and finally started to get out of the car. He noticed that Naruto hadn't moved an inch since the engine turned off. Iruka patted his shoulder lightly, and the blonde jumped.

"Naruto," Iruka whispered, afraid that any louder would startle the boy more, "we're here. Time to get out now."

Naruto, still staring out the windshield, nodded slightly, and went to open the door. Once they were out, Iruka had to push Naruto along to get him inside. It was warm, a relief from the cold weather outside, and it looked exactly like, well, like an orphanage. Sadness made it way into Naruto's features as he took in the familiar surroundings; he didn't bother with hiding it.

Iruka walked up to the counter to see a young woman sitting in a chair with her back to him. Naruto decided to stay by the entrance, unmoving. After a while of waiting, Iruka realized that the woman wasn't going to turn around any time soon. He waited a few more seconds as the sound of typing filled the silent room. Iruka tapped the counter with his hand while cleared his throat. The woman that was typing away on the computer jumped at the new sound. She swiveled around in her chair, and Iruka was met with light brown eyes. She managed an embarrassed smile and stood up.

"I am so very sorry, sir. I didn't notice you there. What can I help you with?"

"Please, it's okay. I'm just here to... return someone."

"Return someone...?" The woman stretched out the question and peered behind Iruka. Her eyes set on a blonde haired boy standing near the entrance. Her eyes widened and her hand came up to cover her mouth. Tears began forming at the corner of her eyes.

Iruka stared at the woman, clearly confused, until she shouted out, "Naruto-kun! Oh my goodness! You're back— you're alive! We were so worried about you! Don't you ever scare us like that again, young man!"

Iruka took a step back, and kept looking back and forth between the hysterical lady and Naruto. Iruka's confused expression settled on Naruto as the young lady kept switching from scolding Naruto to being over the edge with happiness.

Naruto threw on a small grin while he scratched the back of his head.

"Heh, sorry, Rikka-chan."

Naruto's eyes darted toward Iruka for a second before going back on Rikka.

"Honestly, Naruto-kun, you shouldn't give us a scare like that. You know how your condition needs to be monitored every waking moment!"

'Condition..?' Iruka thought.

Naruto sighed. "Yes, yes, I'm sorry, Rikka-chan."

Rikka barged up to Naruto and hit him on the head. "Don't say sorry when you're not even trying to sound like you mean it!"

"Oww! Rikka-chan! You don't have to hit me..." Naruto whined as he rubbed the now sore spot.

"Oh, yes I do! If I don't hit you, nothing I say will get through your thick skull!"

"Hey!"

Iruka continued to watch the scene pass before him. He felt like he was out of the loop; well, he was out of the loop because he didn't understand anything that was going on. What was this about a condition, and why had Naruto run away..?

Rikka, after being done with scolding Naruto, turned towards Iruka and apologized. "I'm sorry if you're confused, sir. It's just, we haven't seen Naruto in ages, and we're all very protective of him."

"We?" Iruka asked.

"Ah, yes! We as in all the staff at this orphanage. That reminds me, I have to tell Nakisame-sama you're back!" She said, turning her gaze toward Naruto before walking across the room toward a door, motioning them to follow.

"So, if you don't mind me asking, why are you so protective of Naruto?" Iruka inquired. Glancing at Naruto and noticing that his expression was blank. He turned his attention to the woman's back as she spoke.

"Um, I think you should ask Naruto-kun if it's okay first. It is, after all, his life."

Iruka looked at Naruto walking beside him. Naruto turned his head and gave a curt nod. The woman, waiting for Naruto's permission, had twisted her head around to see his answer. Smiling, she continued with the explanation while facing the front again.

"It's been about 5 years since that day. The day we found little Naruto-kun here out on the streets, passed out, and on the verge of death. When we brought him in, it looked like he had a concussion, a high fever, and had a lack of food and nutrition since the last few days. We treated him immediately. While we managed to clear his fever and tend to his concussion and food loss, we weren't able to stop him from going into a coma. It seemed his heart was very weak back then.." Her voice only a whisper now. Her pace became slower as the story went on.

"We were afraid that he wasn't ever going to wake up. We wanted him to, though, because even when we didn't know a thing about him, he was still too young to die. He hasn't been able to make his own decisions on life, to choose his own path. It took him a little over a year to recover from that coma, but when he did, we were so happy."

She paused and let a caring smile slip onto her face. Her eyes were filled with warmth upon remembering that day.

A white door creaked open and a nurse walked in, her heels clacking on the polished tiles. She walked up to the sleeping patient and replaced the empty IV bag with a new one. As she was working, another person stepped inside. The sound of beeping from the heart monitor was the only thing heard in the small room. The nurse finished her job and turned to leave, noticing the man leaning against the wall by the door. She eyed the way he kept wringing his hands as she walked to the door and stepped out.

The man glanced up at the sleeping figure. He timidly walked towards the bed and watched with worried eyes. The boy's chest rose slowly with each breath and his face looked so peaceful. The man smiled. The boy looked so calm. The man wondered what he was dreaming about. Soft, golden locks framed his face. Three lines were evident on each cheek, making him look like he had whiskers. He looked so fragile while on a hospital bed.

The man came here every day, or every chance he got to, since the first time he'd seen him. One of his employees was carrying him in her arms, saying that she found him on the streets passed out.

The boy looked just like his son, except for the whisker marks, of course. His son had the same shade of skin and the same color of hair. It all felt so nostalgic, standing in the hospital room next to a sleeping blonde haired boy.

His son was in a car accident while crossing the street. He was rushed immediately to the hospital. The man visited his son every day because, after his wife died, he was the only thing he had left in his life. Sadly, his son didn't wake up, and one day, his heart just gave out. The hear monitor produced a dull, relentless beep, signaling that the man's son was dead.

With that pain in his heart, he couldn't help himself with dropping by every chance he got to see if this boy would wake up. The year was closing in and with each day, hope was fading.

The man pulled up a chair and sat, staring at the young boy. His eyes flickered to the boy's face as he saw it twitch. Lips turned into a frown and the nose scrunched up as if the boy smelled something awful. A whimper escaped his mouth and the man watched with wide eyes as the boy began to stir.

He stumbled out of his chair and yanked open the door yelling for a doctor or nurse, forgetting about the easily accessible pager in the room beside the bed. He was too excited— the boy was waking up!

A woman with blonde hair in two pigtails rushed in to see the surprising news. She thanked the man that called her, already familiar with him because of his regular visits. She observed the boy as he finally opened his eyes. Bright blue eyes stared into stunned golden ones. The little boy lifted his head and looked around the room, trying to figure out where he was. He sat up and looked at the woman at the side of his bed. He tried to speak, but his throat clogged up. The busty woman quickly handed him a glass of water, and the boy drank it greedily. The doctor sent a nurse to retrieve more after the cup was drained.

"Well, I see you have finally woken up. You're some lucky brat," the blonde doctor noted.

The boy puffed his cheeks out at the name and crossed his arms over his chest. Tsunade chuckled at his behavior. She turned to face the older man in the room.

"Looks like the brat's gonna be okay. Go ahead and call your other friends so they can hear the good news."

"Hey! Stop calling me that," he croaked out.

The man smiled and nodded as he headed out of the room in search for a phone. When he came back, the younger boy had already gotten in a fight with the doctor.

"Why, you little—!" Tsunade yelled as she raised a fist, intent on hitting his little head hard enough to make him lose some brain cells.

"Haha! You old ha—" His was abruptly cut off by a fist hitting him on the head, hard. "Ow.." he whined as he clutched at the new throbbing bump, coughing as he did so.

"Serves you right!" Tsunade told him as she brushed off imaginary dust from her sleeves; a smirk dancing on her lips.

The man cleared his throat and both pairs of eyes landed on him. He walked up to Tsunade and asked, "How is he?"

"It looks like he's intact. It's no short of a miracle that his organs haven't failed up to this point. He's fine for now, I guess, but there is one problem..."

"Hmm?"

Just then, the door burst open and two woman rushed into the room. They gasped as their eyes landed on the patient.

"I can't believe it! He's actually awake! Just like you said," one of them said. The other nodded in agreement. They both rushed over to hug the boy and tell him of what happened during the time they waited for his recovery.

The man and Tsunade both stared at the two girls who took turns glomping, then talking, to the poor blonde boy, their voices filled with happiness.

After calling the other girls over, Tsunade decided to finish what she was saying earlier. "Well, because of his concussion and malnutrition, there is a possibility that he has forgotten everything of his past up to this moment. In other words, he might have long term memory loss, making him forget about his past life.

"Seeing as you found him on the streets, I'm guessing he's had a rough childhood, so it's more of a situation that concerns his mental health. What I'm trying to say is... his memories shouldn't resurface anytime soon, or at all for that matter, unless something from the past triggers those thoughts to come out on their own. And because we don't know what might do that, or when it will happen, you'll have to keep a watchful eye on him at all times. I don't know if his memories will come back in pieces or all at once, but when they do, I don't think he would be able to take it; alone that is. It could very well severely damage his mental stability, so when he does remember, I want someone to be close by, someone he knows and trusts. Please, Nakisame-san, for his sake, take care of him."

Nakisame Fuyu nodded, understanding the woman's concern. The boy was, after all, only a minor.

Naruto had to stay in the hospital a couple of months until the doctors were sure he was able to function for himself. In those months, he had grown attached to Tsunade, and she had grown fond of him.

"Brat! You awake yet?" Tsunade yelled across the hall while headed for Naruto's room.

A muffled reply reached her ears as she strolled up to the door and pushed it open. A small bundle of blankets was all that greeted her when she walked in.

"What was that?" she asked the bundle on the bed.

A louder, more confident muffle came from the bundle.

"Oi! I can't hear you when you're under there!"

"I said," the boy yelled while bursting out from under his blankets, "that I was just about to wake up that nice, slow pace until you shouted my ears off! And cover the windows! They're too bright."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Nice, slow pace?"

Naruto glared. "Yes. Nice, slow pace of waking up, but I guess you'd never know what that feels like because you're like one of those monsters that never sleep."

Tsunade hit him on the head. "I'm not a monster!"

"Maybe you are! Who knows! You have the weird part down, what with your temper and disproportional body!"

"You brat!"

"Whoa, whoa, what's this? I walk in and see Mrs. Crazy chasing Mr. Even Crazier; what's going on?" Nakisame-san asked with a grin.

"Hey!" Naruto and Tsunade yelled in unison.

"Just stating the obvious here. Don't have to get mad," Fuyu laughed out. "So, Naruto, today's the day you get outta here. You excited?"

"Sure am! Who wouldn't be?"

"Well, I thought you'd be a little sad because you're going to be leaving Tsunade here all alone."

"What, that old hag?" Naruto pointed a finger at her. "She can wait a few years, I mean she is already fif— ow!"

"Shut up, you ungrateful brat! You never appreciate what I do for you!" Tsunade scolded.

"Kidding! God! I'll come visit, right, Nakisame-san?" Naruto asked.

"Whenever there's time," he answered with a reassuring smile.

As Naruto checked out of the hospital, Tsunade rushed up to them just as they were about to step out.

"Naruto, here, take this." She reached around her neck and unhooked the necklace she had been wearing. "It's a good luck charm. I want you to have it; might come in handy one day."

Naruto smiled up at her as he took it and hooked it around his neck. "Thanks, baa-chan. Thank you— for everything."

"Sure thing, kiddo. Don't forget to visit, you hear?"

"Yeah, yeah!" he shouted over his shoulder as he walked out of the hospital with Nakisame-san.

Rikka finished up her story after they stopped in front of a door.

"We welcomed him in like family, and it's been fine ever since," she ended while hugging Naruto.

'It's looks like Naruto had a nice relationship with the people here... then, why did he run away?' Iruka thought. It seemed odd that Naruto would just run away because he felt like it, he wasn't that kind of person from what Iruka could gather. So, something must have happened, but what?

Rikka finished her hug with Naruto, after he told her she was breaking his ribs, and knocked on the door lightly.

A middle aged man came to answer the door. He looked from Rikka's face, to Iruka's, and then, finally, to Naruto's. His eyes lit up at what he saw.

"Naruto! Where have you been, son?" he asked with joy while patting Naruto's back.

Naruto didn't look like he wanted to answer. He glanced beside him to Iruka with pleading eyes.

"So, you're the owner, I presume?" Iruka shot in. Naruto gave a thankful smile. Fuyu didn't fail to notice these gestures.

The man cleared his throat and answered, "Ah, yes! I am Nakisame Fuyu, the owner of this orphanage. And you are?" Iruka shook the hand he offered out.

"Umino Iruka, nice to meet you."

"Pleasure's all mine."

"So... is Naruto really your son...?"

Fuyu chuckled. "Oh, no, he's not my actual son. I see him as one of my own, but we're not blood related or anything."

"I see."

"Well, with that all cleared up, let's all go into my office and talk some more over a cup of tea," Fuyu offered.

They shuffled in and sat on the chairs around a wooden table where their tea was placed.

"Well, well, it looks like you've taken a liking to Naruto as well, huh?" Fuyu asked Iruka while turning to face him. Naruto and Rikka were talking on the other side of the room.

"Ah, yes. He's very easy to get along with. Although, he can be a handful..." Iruka answered while taking a sip of his tea, and setting it back down on the table.

Fuyu laughed at the last statement. "He sure is, but it's worth it. He has a special gift of drawing people towards him. He makes everyone smile and feel welcomed. It's nice."

"Sure is."

The both of them looked to the other side of the room where Rikka was showing Naruto a picture on the wall. Iruka smiled fondly at them, and he came to a conclusion.

"Nakisame-san, I would like to adopt Naruto."

This is the boring chapter, I know. It'll get better, hopefully. :] And it's short! Urgh!!! :is frustrated: I really want to write long chapters, but I guess the story's not letting me.

And beware! My updates are going to be pretty far apart because of my lack of motivation. So sorry.