Disclaimer: This is a fanfiction based on the novel Daddy-Long-Legs using characters from the series Naruto. I own not the novel nor the series so, if you please, do not sue me for I own nothing but my computer. Also, tis mild SASUNARU and KAKAIRU and GAARANARU so beware all ye who dare to read on.
"The Letters of Naruto Uzumaki to Sharingan Rooster-Head-sama"
"So if a moving object—"
"Yo!"
Naruto and Iruka looked up from their lessons to see Kakashi standing cheerfully by the doorway.
"Whatcha want ya lech?"
"Tsunade-sama says that lunch is ready."
The two boys stood up and followed Kakashi towards the dining area. Kakashi wasted no time, launching immediately into his new favorite pastime.
"Iruka-kun, how do you manage to make such a boring subject sooooo interesting?"
"Aren't you going away yet?" Naruto grouched, effectively saving his friend from stuttering a reply to Kakashi's inane teasing.
"Nope! It's still raining too hard for me to go."
"As if something like that can stop you!"
"Of course. I am but human."
A heavy shower had fallen the day the three had arrived, just before Kakashi could leave. Thinking that it would stop the next day and wanting to spend more time with Iruka, Kakashi had stayed in the farm for the night. His prediction had been wrong. The next day the downpour had continued and even increased in intensity.
"A pervert like you can't be called a human."
"How mean! Why do you continue being friends with such a brat Iruka-kuuun? You're so kind and he's super cruel. You've only met me for a short time but you care more for me than he does."
Kakashi mock-sniffed as Iruka blushed for the umpteenth time that day. It had been the young man's idea for Kakashi to stay until the freak typhoon had abated, sensibly saying that Kakashi couldn't possibly travel in such weather. The others, who knew Kakashi more, would have protested had Iruka not looked so upset over the prospect of Kakashi driving off and maybe meeting an accident.
"Oi, stop bickering already," Jiraiya called out as the three settled down around the table. "And Kakashi stop being such a drama queen. Only Iruka falls for your act."
"But that's the whole point isn't it?" Shikamaru said wryly.
Kakashi's eye curved gleefully. Iruka muttered a protest that nobody took notice of.
"Shikamaru-kun, you're really so observant!" Kakashi chirped, picking up his chopsticks.
Everyone uttered a hearty "Itadakimasu!" and began to noisily dig in.
"You guys have room for one more?" a new voice suddenly said above the din.
All heads whipped to the door where a figure was lounging.
"SASUKE!"
Naruto suddenly laughed out loud as his dark-haired nemesis entered the room dripping on the mat.
"Wahahahaha! You look like a drowned rat!"
"Naruto shut up!" Tsunade yelled, ineffectively bopping the boy's head. "Ino get some towels. Sasuke, you better change first before you eat. Follow me. What the hell were you thinking—"
The three left the room and returned after a few minutes with a dry Sasuke, Tsunade carrying a bigger pot of tea, and Ino putting down an extra plate and pair of chopsticks.
The group returned to eating peacefully, well except for Naruto who kept snickering into his rice.
"Oh get over it you moron!" Sasuke snapped waspishly. "It wasn't my fault that this damn rain won't stop."
"Why were you out in this weather anyway, Uchiha-san?" Iruka asked, trying to get back the peace. "Something important must have driven you to brave this rain."
"Yeah," Naruto muttered. "And see what it happened, instant bath!"
"I had an important meeting that I couldn't postpone," Sasuke explained, ignoring the blonde.
"So he got wet…like a drowned rat. Nihihi."
"Afterwards, the people I met with offered to put me in a hotel but I decided to just come here since it was near," Sasuke sighed a long-suffering sigh. "I should've taken up their offer."
"Drowned rat. Nihihi."
"Shut up idiot!"
"Make me," Naruto met Sasuke's glare but his lips curved mischievously, "drowned rat!"
"Why you—!" Sasuke tried to lunge at the blonde but was held up by Tsunade.
"Not while we're eating."
Naruto snickered. Sasuke glowered. Everyone else sighed.
After the meal, the two students went straight to the area Naruto had claimed to be their study room. Ino and Chouji were assigned to help Tsunade. The others just wandered along trying to find something to occupy them.
"Wait! Wait! Explain that last part again," Naruto whined as they got back to their books. "I got lost during that part about derivatives."
Iruka shook his head before opening his mouth to explain again. A cold voice beat him, however.
"Hn. You're a real moron. You can't even get a simple formula right."
"Hey! Who asked you! And what're you doing here? This is a restricted area."
Sasuke's eyebrow went up a notch.
"You know what restricted means?" he taunted, snatching Naruto's book before settling down on the floor.
"Give that back!"
Sasuke's eyes quickly scanned the page before pushing the book back.
"It's quite simple," he took a piece of paper and an extra pencil, quickly outlining a diagram. "You just put this here and get the sum of this, multiply that and use this formula for that."
"Wow! Uchiha-san that's a good way to solve that problem. Even I didn't know you could do a shortcut like that."
"Hmp! Show-off!"
"I think we can use that too with this problem," Iruka added, pointing to another part of the book.
Sasuke read the passage and nodded.
"Yes, but you could also do this with that…"
"Hey, hey, wait even I know that you can't do that!" Naruto interrupted, actually managing to keep up with the two.
"Technically you can't," Sasuke answered almost contemptuously, "but if you use the formula like this then you can still get the correct answer in the end."
Naruto's eyes widened. Who knew that Sasuke would be a genius with this stuff? As they went on, Naruto actually found himself enjoying the lessons. Sasuke's shortcuts reduced the usually bewildering formulas into simple solutions. Although the blonde had a hard time ignoring Sasuke's smug attitude, he managed to check in his temper.
And it wasn't just Math or Physics that Sasuke knew. He could also give out tips on all the subjects that the two boys were reviewing. Of course he always made sure to imply that Naruto was an idiot for not knowing the information in the first place. Naruto would just glower and mutter "Bastard!" before studiously reading his notes.
The rain stopped two days after just in time for Sasuke to rush to another meeting. Naruto had mixed feelings about the dark-haired young man by then. On one hand he was glad that the insufferable know-it-all would finally be leaving. On the other hand, the guy was really a genius and he could make Naruto understand even the most complex of things.
"So," Sasuke straightened up from fixing his stuff in his car. He looked directly at Naruto. "If I learn that you failed your exams even after all that I taught you, I will personally hunt you down and flay you alive."
"Hmp! Bastard! I can manage to pass everything without your help!"
"Yeah right," Sasuke scoffed. He acknowledged everyone else with a nod and drove off.
"Well I'll be off too," Kakashi said.
Naruto almost jumped. The man had become quiet during the past two days. Or maybe he had been too caught up in his lessons to notice if the perv had been making Iruka uncomfortable again.
Iruka was the only one who bowed to the man.
"I'll pick you two up at the end of your vacation," Kakashi said. "Oh and Iruka-kun?" his one eye twinkled merrily, "make sure that Naruto doesn't tire you so much!"
"You bastard!" Naruto yelled as Iruka blushed bright red.
August 20
Dear Daddy Rooster-Head,
My last summer in high school is over. I'm now facing five major exams next week. But you know what? I'm not nervous at all. Iruka and I really studied hard during our vacation. Also Sasuke's lessons—yes, that bastard was at the farm again since he got caught in a freak typhoon that suddenly poured down in that part of the country for several days—his lessons really helped a lot. But don't tell him that if you ever meet him. I think I learned more from those two than from my cram school teacher.
After the rains stopped, I took Iruka around Chidori Farm. I showed him Tsunade's herbal garden, the river where Jiraiya took us last summer, and I introduced him to Gamukichi and all the other farm animals. We also went camping one night with all the other guys. It was lots of fun. But during all those time, I don't know, for some reason I felt like something was missing. I still can't put my finger on what I was feeling.
Anyway, I'm going to rescue Iruka from Inari and Haku now. Inari's been pestering Iruka to tutor them since we got back (they have lots of exams coming up too). Haku can manage but Inari's really such a brat. And he says that he likes Iruka's way of teaching rather than mine. Says that he learns more with Iruka's method. Hmp! That stupid kid obviously doesn't know what he's talking about.
Off to save his friend from the dorks,
Naruto
September 5
Dear Daddy Sharingan Rooster-Head,
Due to an epidemic of students ignoring the ten o'clock rule of lights out for the past few weeks, the dorm committee has scrapped that law. We can now stay up all night so long as we don't disturb anybody in the other rooms. But now that we are allowed to keep our lights on until dawn, we seem to sleep early. I guess the cancellation of the rule was a little too late. By nine-thirty people are turning off their lights and by ten o'clock everything's quiet.
Tonight, our group is planning to have dinner outside. Iruka has befriended the manager of a local inn with a terrific restaurant. We're walking all the way to the next prefecture just to sample their food. We know that we'll come back late but we have Iruka on our side so nothing can touch us! It's sooo great having a powerful friend!
Getting ready,
Naruto
Dear Daddy Rooster-Head,
Can you guess what I'm doing right now? Besides studying hard and attending to all my extracurricular activities, I mean. I'm writing a book. I started it three weeks ago. I've caught the secret now. Sasuke (the show-off bastard!) and the editor man were right. I can only be convincing if I write about the things that I do know. So. This time I'm writing about something that I'm really an expert on. And what, you ask, might that be? I'm writing a novel on the Konoha Home! Yep. Yep. And I can really say that it's good. I'm just telling about tiny things that happened every day there.
I have a good feeling about this. I know that this book will be finished and published! I'm a persistent kind of guy. I'll never give up.
Going back to writing his book,
Naruto
November 10
Dear Daddy Rooster-Head,
My birthday last month was really hectic. First I received your presents. Thanks a lot daddy! I love the shoes and the jacket and the books and the bag and the new sketchpad and all those art stuff and—daddy you're really spoiling me! But I love you for it! No one's ever bothered to spoil me before.
Sakura's class was into knitting last month so she gave Iruka, Haku, and me a scarf each. Woohoo! Then Gaara gave me some meal certificates at the Ichiraku. And then Iruka threw me a special surprise party with some guys from the school. There was cake and ice cream and some food called spaghetti, which was really good.
Anyway, all these events got me thinking, when's your birthday daddy? I know you won't answer this so I just went ahead and enclosed a little present for you with this letter. It's a photo album. I've put in some pictures of my party. The one with just five people shows the guys I'm closest to. That's me in the middle with Iruka at my right and Inari at my left, Neji is that guy trying to turn away from the camera and Haku is that one who's smiling next to Inari. He looks just like his brother doesn't he? In the next picture I'm clowning around with the guys from the Kempo team. After that is the pic with my Monthly staff. Gaara's the redhead at the back. He's become our temporary photographer. Our regular guy suddenly came down with chicken pox. But Gaara's been able to take over the job really well. He has a good eye for stuff.
So, do you like my birthday present for you daddy? If your birthday's through then it's a belated present. And if it's not yet done, then this will be an advance birthday present! You can put in the picture I gave you before. Also I'll be sending you lots of stuff to put in it in the coming years so you can have a photo documentary of me growing up.
Your spoiled child,
Naruto
December 2
Dear Daddy Sharingan,
Do you want to do something good for somebody else besides me? There's a family here who really needs help. Hayate-san used to work in a glass factory and became sick because of the poor work environment. Worse he was fired because the management thought he might infect the other workers. They didn't even give him something as separation pay! Hayate-san doesn't know how his family will be able to make it through the winter—and he has two little children too. I've given them what I can from my savings but it's not enough.
You're the richest man I know who has the heart to help people they don't know. I don't know if Sasuke would be willing to part with his money. Sometimes he can be quite stingy. Plus I don't know where to write him right now 'cause in his last letter he said he was going overseas for a bit. Neji is just plain not the kind to help anyone. I can't ask Iruka since I know he'd willingly give his whole allowance if he knew, and that would be bad because his family isn't exactly rich. So, daddy, you're my only hope. Can you spare some yen for Hayate-san's family? I wouldn't ask if it weren't for the little ones.
Hoping for the best,
Naruto
Naruto sat up and muffled a bout of coughing. He wanted to curse up a storm but his throat hurt so much that his eyes were watering from the pain. He was really hating the fat that he was in his school's infirmary for the third year in a row.
"You really make it a point to get sick during winter don't you?"
Naruto's hackles went up. Really, couldn't a sick guy rest in peace around here? He glared at dark-haired boy walking nonchalantly into the room.
"Sasuke," he hacked out.
"You caught a terrible cold during your first year here. Then you got sick for three days when you spent your Christmas at my family's house. And now…tell me, do you put it in your yearly calendar? 'Get sick in December'."
"Bastard!"
The expletive would have been much more effective if Naruto's voice hadn't cracked and become hoarse.
"What're you doing here?"
Sasuke eyed the presents on the bedside table. A note from a bank was on top stating that a certain amount had been transferred into Naruto's account.
"Your guardian sure gives you a lot," he commented coolly. "Gifts and money for Christmas."
Naruto snatched the note.
"Not for me," he growled.
"Oh?"
"For a friend. What're you—"
Naruto's eyes were riveted once again to the door. Sasuke looked behind him and saw a redhead entering the room.
"Gaara?" Naruto whispered.
The redhead nodded, ignored Sasuke, and walked over next to Naruto's bed.
"I went to your room and Iruka told me that you were here," he explained.
"Er…" Naruto mumbled something and Gaara had to lean close to the blonde to be able to hear the words thereby forcing Sasuke to take a step back. "Why did you come?"
"I was going to greet you Merry Christmas and give you a present."
Gaara presented a box wrapped in red and green.
"Also, Iruka said to give you these," he placed several notebooks on top of the box. "Are you sure you should be studying even if you're sick?"
Naruto nodded then quickly scribbled something on a blank page.
Everybody else is studying like crazy!
Gaara sighed. "Iruka said that he'll come down later on."
Naruto nodded and flipped through the notes. Sasuke cleared his throat. The two boys looked up at the glaring Uchiha.
"Oh. This is Sasuke Uchiha, Neji's cousin," Naruto muttered. "This is Gaara"
Gaara matched Sasuke's glare. In that instant they understood each other perfectly. Naruto was too whoozy to feel the almost visible tension in the room.
"Hey Sasuke, can you answer this?" Naruto suddenly asked, holding out a notebook.
Gaara's eyes narrowed as the dark-haired young man smirked and moved nearer to the bed thereby displacing him. He needs my help more than you so go away.
Green eyes glowered. Gaara pulled a chair near the foot of the bed and obstinately sat down. I will not give up.
Sasuke's smirk widened as he bent forward and clutched the paper Naruto was handing him. Hn. We'll see.
"This is easy." Sasuke sat on the edge of Naruto's bed as he explained the formula.
"I'm surprised that Uchiha-san still remembers his high school Math," Gaara said after Naruto had been satisfied. "It must be so long ago." You're old!
"Unlike ordinary people, my memory stays sharp and perfect so that I can remember everything that I've ever learned." I'm a genius! So there!
"Excuse me," a nurse walked in. "Visiting hours are over. My patient needs to rest now."
The two visitors didn't move, each one waiting for the other to move first.
"Oi!" Naruto coughed out. "You heard the nurse lady. Go away."
The two simultaneously stood up. They took several steps towards the door.
"Hey, Sasuke!"
The brunette looked back.
"My notes."
Sasuke looked down and seemed to notice for the first time that he was still clutching Naruto's notebook. He walked back, dropped the thing on Naruto's lap, and hurriedly walked out. Gaara gave Naruto a confused look before smiling hesitantly and leaving as well.
The nurse quickly examined her patient.
"You really get the weirdest people as visitors, Uzumaki," she mumbled.
Naruto just sighed in response. He let the nurse look him over, his eyes tiredly closing for a moment.
"Oh my, your last visitor must be rich," the nurse commented.
Naruto opened his eyes and threw the nurse a curious look. She gestured at the notebook on his lap. Naruto looked down. His eyes widened. On top of the pad was a check for 50,000 yen. A check with Sasuke Uchiha's signature on it. On the blank page of the notebook was a hastily written note. For your friend.
ARC: Sorry if the studying part in the beginning was waaay vague. I completely block out all of the Physics and Math lessons that I take as soon as exams are over. Anyway, a big, Big, BIG THANK YOU! to all who reviewed once again. I hope the Sasunaruness here makes up for the lack of fluff in the last chapter. Special answers to some questions:
HarmonyMarguerite, yep you're right it's Master Jervie
Turtledonkey, Naruto et. al. are around 18 now, Sasuke is about 23 or so.
Mkh2, yep it's that one with them in the suits, just imagine a school logo on their suits and they're in uniforms already!
Dragon
