Warnings: No spoilers that I can think of, but Naruto is going to be 16 in this fic, so Iruka's, like, 26, yep. Shotacon. Kind of AUish fic, no ukesas inggo to the undso. (The people who know, know what that means.)

Pairing: Iru/Naru

Summary: Iruka always cared about him, for as long as he could remember, and Naruto knew he'd always care, no matter how much he screwed up.

Genre: Romance

Rating: PG 13 for slight, very slight, sexual situations and maybe language.

""-speech

''-thoughts

It was a rainy morning in April when Naruto blearily opened his eyes only to realize that he had a mission today, and that he had to be at the bridge in five minutes. With a cry of agony he leapt about his room, in search of clothing before a thought drifted into his mind. Kakashi-sensei was always late, so did it really made if he came on time. With this in mind he slowed down his pace and casually walked to the bridge, grinning up at the sky. He loved days like this, where the light rain cooled you down while the few rays of sun peaking out from behind the clouds kept you in high spirits.

It was only when he finally came upon the bridge and no one was there that Naruto frowned. He wasn't that late, so why wasn't anyone here? 'Maybe they went looking for me? Ya, that's it, and once they see I'm not home they'll come back here!'

Naruto waited for an hour, and by then, even if the rainfall was light, he was soaked to the bone, and due to this he had decided two things. One, he hated his life, and two he hated being wet. With these thoughts in mind he wanted to get out the rain as soon as possible, which is how he found himself in front of Iruka's house.

'Iruka-sensei won't mind, besides, he lives closer to the bridge then I do.' Naruto thought, grin back on his face as he knock on the door. There was no answer. He knocked again, louder this time, and finally heard a muffled, "Just a minute!" from inside.

So he stood there, tapping his foot impatiently as rain slowly dripped down his face until the door finally started to open. "Ano sa ano sa Iruka-sensei, what took you so-" Naruto stopped mid rant as he looked at his teacher who was partially hiding behind the door, more than likely because he was dripping wet and only in a white fluffy towel. 'Oh... That explains why it took so long.' Naruto thought with a blush as he ripped his eyes away from Iruka's body and looked down at his feet instead. "Sooooo Iruka-sensei, can I come in?" He asked, looking up through his eyelashes at Iruka, who smiled and opened the door wider. "Of course Naruto, you really don't have to ask."

Naruto entered his teacher's house as Iruka left to dry himself of and get dressed. The blonde wondered over to the living room, eyes gazing over photographs where Iruka was around ten, maybe eleven, and had a shy smile on his face, a beautiful brunette woman on his right side and a tall redheaded man on his left. 'Iruka-sensei's parents...' He took one photograph down and eyed it closer. Iruka, he had his mother's smile and hair, but his eyes and face were definitely his father's. And for the first time in quiet awhile, Naruto wondered whose eyes he had, if his mother smiled like him or if his father was blonde, but Naruto supposed he'd never know, nobody ever cared to tell him, and he didn't know if he should ask, who he could ask, if they'd even bother answering him. Naruto could feel his eyes brim with tears and he fought to keep them back, he felt hot, hot and weak, but he couldn't let Iruka see him cry.

"Naruto, I brought you a towel to-" Iruka had snuck up behind him and in a sort of shock Naruto accidentally let go of the picture. The glass shattered on the floor.

There was a tense moment of silence before Naruto was down on the floor collecting the sharp fragments of glass and muttering apologies through his tears, he was vaguely aware of Iruka pulling him away from the glass, telling him everything was okay, asking if he was alright, before his world went dark.

Naruto woke up with a muffled groan, his temples throbbing, his throat sore and his vision blurry. 'I'm sick aren't I?' Apparently waiting around for over an hour in the rain wasn't that smartest thing he could have done, but it was too late now, and Naruto found himself wondering how he got into a bed and into his white pajamas.

"Oh Naruto, you're awake." Oh, that explained everything, Iruka put him to bed. Naruto opened his mouth to speak, but Iruka placed one finger to his lips. "Shh, just go back to sleep Naruto, I've already contacted Kakashi and told him you couldn't be there for tomorrow's mission." Naruto frown. "But," He frowned more as his voice cracked and his throat stung. "But I don't have a mission tomorrow." Iruka smiled lightly. "Today is Saturday Naruto, not Sunday." Naruto's eyes widened. 'Crap! I did all that waiting around today for nothing?' Iruka chuckled lightly, probably guessing Naruto's thoughts dead on. "Just go back to sleep Naruto, some rest will do you good." Naruto obeyed reluctantly and closed his eyes, letting all the tension drain away from his body. He was asleep seconds later.

He woke up again, either really late at night or really early in the morning, he couldn't tell, nor could he understand why he woke up, he felt exhausted, more sick than before, and he could feel his stomach painfully reminding him that he hadn't eaten all day. He was about to get up and solve his hunger problems when he heard something, footsteps.

'Iruka-sensei's probably just checking up on me.' Naruto thought as he feigned sleep, hugging one of the pillows close to his chest.

Half a minute later he heard a sigh above him and felt a hand ruffle his hair. "Oh Naruto, you've really got to take care of yourself." Iruka said, his voice just above a whisper. "Sometimes I wish… I wish that you'd let me take care of you." Iruka crouched beside that bed and Naruto was sure that if he opened his eyes now, he'd be looking straight into Iruka's caring obsidian orbs.

"You shouldn't be living by yourself," Iruka continued and Naruto was sure he could feel Iruka's breath against his face, just how close was he? "You should be with someone who really cares about you, like me." Naruto heard Iruka get up and move towards the door, but just before he left Naruto heard one more thing, something said so softly he could hardly be sure he didn't just hear it in his mind.

"I love you Naruto."

Naruto couldn't seem to get to sleep until the sun finally began to peek over the horizon, and even then he had fitful dreams. Alone on a swing, the villagers in front of him, mocking him, glaring at him, whispering about him. And at his back he could feel the dark presence of Kyuubi, in all of his murderous glory.

"Naruto, come on, wake up." Naruto groggily opened his eyes, squinting them in an attempt to block out most of the light. "Nnn, whaddyou want Iruuka-Seeensei?" He asked with a slight slur as he attempted to sit up, not exactly failing, but not achieving his goal either, he more or less slumped against the headboard and used all of he power to stay there.

"Are you feeling any better?" Iruka asked, sitting at the edge of the bed beside Naruto, eyes filled with silent worry as Naruto shrugged and muttered. "I'm hungry." Iruka smiled. "I thought you might say that, I'll be back in a minute." And indeed Iruka came back nary a moment later carrying a bowl of something Naruto was very saddened to find out that it was not ramen.

"You're stomach probably wouldn't be able to hold it." Iruka explained as though he was telling a three year old to tie his shoes. Naruto knew this because he remembered when Iruka tried to teach him, something about a bunny and a rabbit hole and that little bunny going into the rabbit hole- Naruto snapped out of his little delusion when he spotted the spoon being held just centimeters away from his mouth.

"I can feed myself." Naruto said irritably and Iruka clicked his tongue in disagreement. "Naruto, you can hardly stay sitting up, I don't want you spilling hot soup all over yourself." Naruto complied and opened his mouth, swallowing the chicken flavored broth with a blush. This was like something you did with a baby or a lover. Naruto's blush heightened as he recalled Iruka's words last night, they could have meant anything- "Naruto?" Iruka could have been speaking about love, like as a brother- "Naruto, are you alright?" or as a father, but was Iruka, was he, did he like… Men? "Naruto!" The blonde came to and looked into Iruka's worried eyes. "What's wrong Iruka-sensei?" Iruka didn't answer but laid his hand across the blonde's forehead. "Naruto, do you want any aspirin? You feel a bit to hot." Naruto shook his head. "I'll be fine Iruka-sensei, I'm just hungry." Iruka frowned but nodded.

Naruto blushed the whole time he was being fed.

When three o' clock rolled around Naruto was feeling a bit better, and he was also feeling very cramped, staying still all day just didn't sit well with him, so stumbling out of the bed Naruto slowly made his way towards the living room, one hand bracing himself against the wall as he trudged along slowly. He was about halfway there when- "Naruto!" "GAH!" Needless to say, Iruka had snuck up on him again and Naruto tripped and landed on his crossed arms. "Owww."

"Naruto, you shouldn't be out of bed." Iruka said as he lifted Naruto off the ground as if it took no effort at all, Naruto pouted. "But Iruka-sensei, I can't stay in here anymore, it's too boring!" Iruka smiled lightly. "Well then, I suppose I'll just have to entertain you." Iruka said as he made his way towards the living room, laying Naruto gently down on the couch. "Are there any bored games you want to play?" He asked softly and Naruto shook his head. "No, can we just… Talk?" Iruka nodded and sat down on the floor.

Silence filled the room, Naruto not quite sure what to say and Iruka not wanting to interrupt him, until finally words were spoken. "Iruka-sensei. Did you know my parents?" Iruka looked a bit startled for a second before shaking his head. "I don't think anyone is sure who your parents are Naruto, they could have died in battle, maybe the Third knew, but perhaps the information passed away with him." Naruto was silent once again, thinking things over.

"Iruka-sensei, do you think…. What I mean is… Could my parents still be alive but, but they… They don't love me anymore?" Naruto asked in a broken voice, his eyes drifting over to the pictures, there was one missing, the one he had dropped.

"I'm sorry about your picture Iruka-sensei." "It's okay Naruto, I'll just get it a new frame." They were silent after that, Iruka didn't want to try and answer Naruto's previous question, and Naruto didn't want to ask anything else.

Naruto had decided to sleep on the couch, Iruka had tried to protest, but the blonde waved of the brunette's concern with a, "It's your bed sensei, I don't want to take it up longer than I have to." And now he was laying there, his mind half asleep, his eyes barley open, but he was waiting, waiting to see if it would happen again tonight. And sure enough he heard the sound of footsteps and closed his eyes fully, waiting once again for what Iruka would say.

Iruka kneeled down beside the couch, gazing at Naruto with eyes full of love and affection. "I wish I could tell you how much you mean to me." He began softly, his voice tender. "But you're so young, still a child, but maybe someday I'll tell you how much you really mean to me."

Naruto heard Iruka sigh and expected the older male to simply get up and walk away, he didn't expect a soft pressing of lips against his and it took all of his will power not to snap his eyes open or give away any proof that he wasn't really asleep.

Just as quickly as the kiss came, it left, Iruka with it, and for reason Naruto didn't quite understand, he suddenly felt very hollow inside.

Naruto spent the rest of the night wondering over his feelings for his teacher.

Daybreak had come again, and with it the village of Konoha slowly stirred into wakefulness, in no time at all there were people in the streets, going shopping, ninjas training, going on missions. But in Iruka's house, everything was still, almost too still. Naruto was still awake, although barely, and he was wondering if Iruka was still asleep. He probably was, Naruto knew that the teacher hardly ever slept well on weeknights, but Monday was a bit of an exception, there was always far to much marking to be done, but on the weekends Iruka was able to relax, unwind and prepare himself for the oncoming week, and on Monday, he probably needed a couple extra minutes of rest. It would make sense for Iruka to sleep as much as he could when he had nothing better to do. It didn't occur to Naruto that Iruka did have something better to do, take care of him.

So it came as a surprise to Naruto, that, after only a few seconds after shutting his eyes only to open then again slowly, Iruka's face was right in front of his.

"GAH! IRUKA-SENSEI? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Naruto screamed as he fell off of the couch, Iruka laughed heartily before helping the boy up. "Well, I was going to wake you up, but you did that all on your own." Naruto stared at Iruka, then he stared some more, and then some more. Iruka began flushing, the light pink contrasting with his normally tanned skin. "Anyway, what do you feel like for breakfast today?" He asked to break the silence, quickly adding a, "Not ramen." And feeling slightly bad when he watched Naruto's face fall, he added, "Look, I'll take you out for some ramen once you're better." And inwardly. 'It'll be just like a date.'

Soup broth and some crackers, for some reason, it just didn't seem as fulfilling as his ramen, as good as him ramen, as… Well ramen was just great, it was the best and Naruto longed to be better so that Iruka would give him ramen. 'Speaking of Iruka…' Naruto looked at the man who was sitting across from him, reading a red covered book, he looked very deep in thought, concentrated. 'Well, Iruka-sensei isn't that bad looking.' Naruto blushed a bit and fiddled with the hem of his pajama top, looking up through his eyelashes at his old teacher. 'Iruka always believed in me, always cared for me, but… What do I feel for him?' Naruto flushed even more, unaware that Iruka was absolutely drinking in the sight of him. 'He's so adorable when he blushes, I wonder what he's thinking about? Probably Sakura.' Iruka let out a soft sigh. 'Well, who am I to stand between Naruto and his crush, I'm not even his sensei anymore.'

Meanwhile, during Iruka's small bout of self pity, Naruto had made up his mind. 'I'll just go over there, tell him I heard him those two times, and that I really like him too.' Naruto nodded to himself. 'I just hope he doesn't get embarrassed or try to deny it.' And so Naruto got up and strode purposely forward, intent on making his objective known… Only to trip on the hem of his pajama pants…

"Naruto, are you okay!" "I'm fine! Really I am!" "Are you sure?" "Yep, anyways, you should hurry up, you're going to be late for your own class." "I'm taking the day off." Naruto blinked. "Huh?" Iruka smiled softly. "I want to take care of you."

The whole day Naruto had been gather up the courage to tell Iruka that he liked him, then something always seemed to go horribly wrong and he'd end up failing. His hope was dwindling away, like Iruka's money after he'd offered to buy Naruto ramen. But there was still some hope left, he just needed a window of opportunity…

He was having soup, again, and Naruto decided that he never ever was going to eat soup for the rest of his life! Well, unless Iruka decided to feed him again, but that was beside the point, soup broth got really, really boring after it's all you've eaten for four times straight.

Naruto stared dully at the steaming yellow broth sitting innocently in front of him he picked up his spoon and lowered it into the bowl, stirring it lazily. 'This is not my day.' He let out a long sigh. 'He would probably get really embarrassed if I told him I heard him those two times, but what else am I supposed to do, 'trip' and fall, somehow miraculously landing with our lips locked. Like that would ever happen.' His eyes snapped open. 'Wait a minute! That has happened to me before! Damn Sasuke, stealing my first kiss! But if it can happen once, it can happen again.' Naruto chuckled evilly, although it sounded more like a giggle than anything else. He quickly got up, he had some preparations to make.

The soup was left on the counter, untouched.

Naruto had pleaded with Iruka to let him go to the park, using his biggest, brightest most tearful puppy-dog-eyes he could muster. Iruka relented in five seconds flat. Very few people could stand up to the Uzumaki's puppy dog eyes, and the people who could were just plain unfeeling bastards.

It was noon by the time Naruto was dressed and happily skipping alongside Iruka, his plan was absolutely perfect.

The park, although it was usually fairly busy, all ninja academy students would be in school, and all the ones who weren't enrolled yet would be sitting at home eating lunch. And Naruto could think of any reason why someone his age or older would go to the park, accept to watch over their sibling or child. So it made perfect sense that when they arrived at the old park, it was completely deserted.

Iruka seated himself on a bench, book in hand. Naruto eagerly went over to the swings, he couldn't properly execute his plan if he fell on top of Iruka right away. So Naruto swung, eyes drifting over to where Iruka was reading, but every once in a while the older male would look up from his book, his dark eyes following every movement that the blonde made.

And then the time to act was upon him, without even bothering to stop swinging Naruto leaped just as the swing had begun it's decent, he landed with cat-like grace. "Iruka-sensei!" He bounded over, and a not even mere foot away began slipping with his arms outstretched. This was it.

"Naruto!"

Iruka caught him, inches before contact, Naruto's eyes were wide with shock that his plan didn't work, his fingers lightly gripped Iruka's collar as the man held him up. 'Damn it, I have to act fast!'

"Naruto, are you okay?" Naruto looked into Iuka's eyes, opening his mouth as if to answer… Then he smashed his lips against Iruka's, trying to get some sort of reaction from the other man.

Iruka, for his part, was sitting there in shock, and unable to hold Naruto up any longer the boy slunk closer to his body. He was just about ready to kiss back when Naruto pulled back, gasping for air.

Heart stopping blue met with the deepest of blacks. Naruto's cheeks flushed a rosy pink and he looked down. 'Okay, so maybe I was being a bit to forward there…' "Naruto?" The blonde looked up and felt Iruka's lips gently sweeping over his own. The kiss was soft and sweet, as opposed to the brutal kiss Naruto had initiated only seconds before. Blue eyes fluttered closed as he brought up his legs to sit astride on Iruka's lap, undoing the man's ponytail and running his hands through the dark brown hair as Iruka slowly ran his hands up and down Naruto's back. Iruka's tongue ran over the seam of Naruto's lips and Naruto opened them with a sigh, allowing Iruka to map out the inside of his mouth while his own tongue playfully ran along Iruka's.

When they finally broke away from each other Iruka cupped Naruto's face, looking straight into his eyes. "Naruto, when did you… Why did you kiss me?" Naruto flushed. "I heard you, last night and the night before." He grinned at Iruka's reddening face. "And I decided that I really like you, you were always there for me." He snuggled into Iruka's chest, fiddling with the chuunin's green jacket. "You would always make sure I was okay, and you would buy me ramen." Naruto smiled to himself. "And… Well I never had a chance with Sakura, and I know that, and I would really like to have a relationship with someone who I know will always care about me, no matter how much of a bastard I turn out to be." "Naruto! Don't use that language." Iruka scolded, holding the boy closer to his chest.

"So Iruka-sensei-" "Iruka, just call me Iruka." Naruto grinned from ear to ear, his eyes squinting shut. "So Iruka, what does this make us now?" "I think that we've definitely become boyfriends love." Iruka replied as he playfully nipped Naruto's ear, Naruto chuckled a bit before looking his sensei, his boyfriend, his lover straight in the eye.

"So, want to go back to your place, and continue our earlier train of thought?" "What train of though?" Iruka looked confused until Naruto playfully placed a kiss on his lips. "Oh."

They quickly scrambled back to Iruka's dwelling, both feeling great, Iruka finally had Naruto and Naruto finally had someone to love him.

'Today is definitely my day.'