Wisdom of a Sensei

Sasuke laid on his side, staring at the digital clock for so long, the numbers became a blur. He noted it was sometime after midnight and outside the window, nothing stirred. The only sound was that of a dog barking somewhere in the distance but soon, even it grew tired of hearing its own voice and fell quiet.

Beside him, he could feel Naruto's calm breathing and his body heat. After his confession, he'd refused to allow him to go home alone and so, Naruto had taken him back to his own apartment. The blonde was too stressed out from the day to even complain when he'd climbed into the bed, but maybe that's because he possibly felt it was another way he could keep an eye on him. His intentions fell flat however as Naruto had fallen asleep first, his exhaustion heightened due to his tears from earlier.

Naruto had been right about one thing though: this bed was too small for the both of them. The two nearly had to spoon in order to fit but he knew Naruto would have a heart attack if he woke up to see them like that. Instead, Sasuke had sacrificed his own pillow to put between them to ensure he didn't cross that line.

He knew this was going to be another night of insomnia. The incident at the restaurant repeated itself in his head, tilting his emotions back and forth. No matter what justifications he tried to make though for his actions, he knew he was in the wrong. He'd made a promise to himself to walk a path of redemption. That didn't mean being humble until someone pissed him off. He smiled wryly as he remembered on multiple occasions telling Naruto that he'd shoulder the world's hate for his previous actions. Now, he was cracking from a single person?

No. Talk is cheap. The weeks and months in which he left the village were for nothing if moments like this became his undoing. He'd have to learn to take all judgement, the good and the bad. Still though…what about criticism against Naruto? He knew Naruto had been hurt for a long time by the treatment of others. He didn't want him to have to ever feel that way again. But maybe…that wasn't his battle to fight. Naruto had his own way of doing things—just like he did, Sasuke again noted—and perhaps it wasn't for him to be Naruto's knight in shining armor.

He felt better now that he'd thought things through and rolled over on his other side to where he was facing Naruto. He'd forgotten how hard of a sleeper the blonde was and was now paying the price as Naruto rolled over, nearly crowding him off the bed. The pillow that'd been between them was now flattened under his body with an arm flung out with no care, hitting Sasuke in the face.

I had wanted to respect his space, but if he's going to violate mine, then I say all's fair. He grabbed the arm, pulling it over him as he moved closer. He managed to wriggle the pillow out from under Naruto, putting it back in its rightful position under his head. When he settled down, he was now only a few short inches from Naruto's face with the arm draped across his middle. It was still cramped but he didn't mind as much as it was now warmer with them closer together.

He'd worry about any repercussions later.

~.~.~

When he woke the next morning though, Naruto was still asleep beside him. He read the clock and saw it was just a little past nine in the morning, much later than he would normally get up at. Creeping out the bed, he dressed in his regular clothes in the bathroom.

Sasuke grabbed the black cloak he'd left on the back of the kitchen chair from two nights ago and slunk out the door, slipping it on to protect against the morning chill. As he walked, the streets already had a crowd but then he remembered that today was a weekend. That meant nothing to a shinobi but he saw several stores putting up sales signs, promising extravagant value at a reasonable price. He didn't stop to linger as he had a target in mind.

He weaved himself through the roads until he found himself outside the restaurant from last night. As this side of town was busier during the lunch and dinner hours, the crowds were considerably thinned out but he'd timed his arrival perfectly. A middle-aged woman was writing on a black chalkboard propped outside the store, advertising the upcoming lunch specials. Her back was turned to Sasuke and she didn't see him.

With a deep breath, he stepped forward. "Excuse me. I'm looking for a particular person that worked here last night."

"Eh?" She glanced at him but then dropped the piece of chalk and backed away. "It's you again! I saw what happened yesterday! The absolute nerve of you to return!"

He figured she must've either been a manager or the restaurant's proprietress. Still forcing himself to remain calm, he said, "That's actually what I came here to discuss. I'd like to apologize for my behavior yesterday. Is the man that I…had the altercation with here at this time?"

"Save your apologies, they're worthless here," she said menacingly. "Leave before I call the police. And now that they're not run by your kind, you won't get any favoritism." She turned her back on him, taking the chalkboard inside.

He let out an aggravated breath but wisely turned around and walked away. Even if he wasn't forgiven, he had hoped he could've at least apologized. He started to head back to Naruto's house, but switched course, deciding on one other stop.

By now, it was a little after ten and he could only hope the occupants were awake. Standing on the front porch to Kakashi's house, he rang the doorbell and waited. It only took a few seconds before the door was opened with Iruka standing before him dressed, for the first time that Sasuke had ever seen, in casual clothes.

"Excuse my timing, but is Kakashi here?" Inside, he winced a little bit; at some point, he'd dropped using nearly anyone's honorific but considering he was going to the household of not one, but two of his teachers, he realized it was probably for the best to use proper behavior.

Iruka though didn't seem to catch it, instead staring at him curiously. "…Sasuke? Is that really you? My goodness, you've grown! I've barely seen you since you graduated! Come in, we're just about to have breakfast." He stepped aside, graciously ushering Sasuke in.

As Sasuke removed his shoes, he could smell something being cooked. He followed Iruka who led him to the kitchen where he found Kakashi, who was dressed in his usual jonin attire. And…for another first, his mask was off. Considering the face was so normal, Sasuke almost didn't even register the rare sight he was witnessing.

"Kakashi-sensei…" he murmured, taking a step forward before he caught himself.

"Sasuke? Never expected to see you here. Staying for breakfast?" Kakshi asked, rolling an omelet in the skillet.

"No—"

"Yes!" Iruka cut across him. "It's been years, Sasuke! Sit, talk, what's going on in your life?" The man pulled out a chair from the kitchen table, pushing on his shoulders to get him to have a seat. He himself was about to take the seat across from him until the sound of a baby crying stopped him. "So it would seem the little ones are up," he sighed. "I had hoped to at least get in a cup of coffee…" He was still muttering to himself as he left to tend to the children.

Kakashi watched after him with a smile before glancing behind him to Sasuke. "I'm quite curious as well, Sasuke. What's going on in your life and what brings you here?"

Sasuke took a deep breath and began to explain the events from the night before. He was finishing his story by the time Iruka returned, carrying only one of the children. "Kaiya's still asleep, thankfully," the man said to Kakashi, who kissed his son on the head before beginning to place plates on the table. To Sasuke, Iruka added, "That seems like quite the rough night. But I guess not everyone is so willing to forgive." He shook his head as he took a seat.

Sasuke whispered a quick grace before digging in, not realizing how hungry he was. He hadn't eaten dinner last night due to said events. "I guess that's what I came here for. I don't necessarily expect forgiveness. Still though, I find it rather intriguing that someone as feared and hated as Naruto was is suddenly loved by everyone. I wanted to ask your opinions on that."

Kakashi and Iruka looked at each other for a moment, as though sharing a thought. Iruka spoke first. "I knew Naruto when he was still in school and was a troublemaker. On a daily basis, he'd pull pranks on me, some of them admittedly good," he laughed, and Sasuke nodded, agreeing. "I was recommended by someone to try ignoring his stunts, that most students tend to stop misbehaving when they don't get the reaction they're seeking and when nobody's laughing. Indeed, the tricks stopped. But…that's also when Naruto gave up trying altogether."

Sasuke remembered that there was a time where Naruto had stopped going to school. Nobody had been concerned about it, figuring that it was expected from someone seen as a flunkie. As top of the class, he'd joined in their sentiments.

Iruka came out of his own moment of contemplation and said, "It was when I started paying attention to him again that, yes, some of his pranks resumed, but the dynamic between us had shifted. You can't just ignore a problem and hope that it goes away. And no matter if Naruto was a jinchurriki, he was first and foremost a person with feelings. Shortly before graduation, you might remember that the village was infiltrated and attacked?"

Sasuke nodded, remembering.

"At a moment when I'd been critically injured, Naruto revealed that he'd learned the Multi-Shadow Clone jutsu, saving me. He'd nearly flunked every class but that day, he protected me with his life. I passed him as I saw that grades weren't necessarily everything. I mention all of this because, in short, Naruto fought every step of the way to earn everyone's respect. That was his ninja code and no matter how he was treated, he stuck to it. It wasn't easy…and…we all hurt him at the beginning. But now, he's become invaluable, not just as a shinobi, but as a person. I'm honored to have taught Naruto but even more, I'm honored that I learned something from him."

Kakashi reached over and patted him on the back, nodding. Finishing for him, he said, "Naruto's dedication and perseverance became contagious, inspiring not only our single village, but entire nations. You asked about how someone that was once as hated as Naruto became someone so respected. The answer is simple in theory, but a challenge to practice. If there's something you're passionate about, in time, others will understand you and will be willing to change their hearts."

It all sounded just like something Naruto would say, but that steadfast mindset indeed had worked out in the end for him. He already was halfway there with his resolution of redemption. Only thing left was to stay the course, no matter what backlash he received. In heart, he already knew this, but it was admittedly comforting to hear it come from someone other than Naruto, yet from someone that Naruto had an impact on.

"Thank you. This was what I needed," he said graciously to the two of them before officially digging into his meal.

He spent the rest of his time there divulging the exploits of his travels, even helping to clear the table once they'd finished. Afterwards, he went into the living room where now both of the twins were up, Iruka feeding one and Kakashi feeding the other. Noticing him watching, Kakashi looked up. "Want to hold one? Everyone else pretty much has already."

"Sure, these two don't seem to cry that much," he shrugged, walking over. Kakashi gently passed over Isao but before doing so, he and Iruka traded looks once more, as though refuting Sasuke's statement.

"They're only quiet now because they're too busy eating. Give it time, they'll start back up again," Iruka said and Sasuke swore he saw a shadow cross his face where previous non-existent lines suddenly formed. "I love them dearly, but I'm certainly looking forward to getting back to teaching once they're a little older."

"Wanna be a babysitter, Sasuke?" Kakashi said with a massive smile.

"Don't push it," the teen frowned, then turned his attention to the child in his arms. Isao did look a lot like Iruka, but the brown hair was much lighter with hints of white, perhaps as a sign of Kakashi's traits. Sitting down on the couch, he fed him while allowing the baby to curiously grip on to one of his fingers tightly.

Speaking up again, he said, "Itachi once told me that when I was younger, I wouldn't let anyone other than immediate family touch me and that I'd cry otherwise. He said that it got to a point where even our mother was barely able to hold me. Itachi just happened to be there for nearly all my firsts…the first time I crawled. The first time I walked. My first word—which was a butchering of his name, by the way. My first day of school…" He realized he was beginning to choke. "He was an amazing older brother," he finished lamely, fighting to not fall apart in front of his teachers.

The two nodded sympathetically, not pressing any further.

From the door, a knock sounded. It was a fast, hard pounding that let it be known that something was urgent. "Who the hell…" Kakashi let slip before catching himself. He strode to the door, pulling the loose fabric of his shirt up to once again cover his face. He reached for the knob with his left hand while bringing his right around to the pouch in the back. To his side, Sasuke saw Iruka put Kai into a bassinet while sliding a kunai from under a couch cushion. His own state of alertness rose but he couldn't honestly imagine someone having the audacity to attack the house of the infamous Copycat Ninja directly.

The door was thrown open and even from his spot in the living room, he heard an unmistakable voice cry out, "Kaka-sensei, have you seen Sasuke?!"

If Sasuke's arms weren't full, he would've face-palmed. "I'm in here, Naruto," he called out.

Naruto must've pushed past Kakashi and into the house without taking off his shoes as seconds later, he came around the corner. "There you are! You always just disappear, Sasuke without telling anyone. Why do you keep doing that?!"

At his shouting, the baby began to cry and Sasuke bounced him in his arms. "Lower your voice, you're not in your house," Sasuke commanded, already getting irritated.

But Naruto was shaking in rage. "You could've at least left me a note. What the hell am I to think when I wake up and not only are you gone, but yet again, you're not at home or most of anywhere I checked? That's twice in just two days, Sasuke, that you've done this!"

Sasuke wanted to reply right then, but checked himself. Isao was still getting fussy and he didn't want to wake up Kai. Standing up, he walked over to Iruka and passed the baby over. "Thank you for breakfast. I'm going to get going now before someone bursts a blood vessel." He headed back to the front door to put on his shoes, Naruto right on his heels.

The moment he opened the door however, an ANBU ninja jumped right in front of him. Both ninja flashed a streak of silver as blades collided, but the other person went no further, reacting only to Sasuke's defense. The woman lowered her arm, hiding it under a standard light brown cloak. Behind the face of a bear, she said, "Lady Tsunade has requested to see you immediately."

Sheathing his own weapon, Sasuke stared at her suspiciously. "And she sent ANBU to tell me this? A bit much, don't you think?"

"I'm to escort you to her."

"Is Sasuke in trouble for something?" he heard Kakashi behind him ask but then the man chuckled. "Don't know why I'm asking, you're unauthorized to tell me." He patted Sasuke on the shoulder and gave him a meaningful look that said, Tell me all about this later.

"I'd like to go too," Naruto declared, turning himself in the direction of the Hokage tower.

"I was instructed to bring Sasuke and Sasuke alone. You may request an audience with our Lady afterwards," the woman said, brusque but not allowing any other emotion to filter into her voice.

Sasuke put a hand on Naruto's shoulder and whispered, "We'll talk once I get back. I promise."

Naruto put his own hand over Sasuke's, squeezing it tightly. Then, the two ninja were gone, Sasuke taking the lead with the woman close behind him. Already emotionally worn out, he turned to head back home, but Kakashi put a hand against his chest. "Why not sit and talk for a bit, hm? I still have some time before I need to get going."

Even with him having barged in so rudely, Naruto felt touched that the man would still offer a consoling ear. He gratefully accepted his offer and followed him back inside.