Author's Note: I'm so, so sorry for not updating for so long. I've had a long range of medical issues. (I'm still going through tests, but it's not as bad as the past...four months? ) Just to name a few, I caught the flu, bronchitis, a really bad sinus infection, discovered three new allergies, and I'm getting tested for abnormalities in my insulin levels and for sleep apnea. Oh joy. So, again, I apologize for not updating. It was hard enough trying not to fail my classes. But, now that I'm feeling better, I've read through most of my stories so I feel that I can get back to writing again. I hope you all forgive me.

Last time: "What would happen now? Jiji told him everything was in order, and that things would get better now. But, life wasn't that kind to him. Naruto knew that. The only thing that life gave him that hasn't slapped him in the face so far was the voice in his head that told stories, his Jiji, Shikamaru, and Iruka-sensei. Though, even though things have been going well so far, he's still waiting for the shoe to drop. The shoe always dropped. No matter how hard he tried to stop it. What would happen this time? Life couldn't be this kind to him. There were no happy endings. Everyone besides a select few hated him, so there had to be something missing. There had to be a catch somewhere….right?"

Chapter 7: Surprise, Surprise

Naruto followed Hiruzen all the way into the residential area of Konoha. With each step Naruto became more and more nervous. Sweat started to bead at his brow, his lip was getting raw as he kept chewing on it while speaks of blood trailed down to his chin, his body was shaking, and all the while, Naruto was silently begging the voice in his head to tell him another story. A story that would elevate his fears.

"Naruto-kun," Sarutobi says in a kind, soothing tone. "It's okay. You'll like where we're going. You trust this old monkey don't you?"

Naruto gave his jiji a small, yet still nervous smile. Hiruzen inwardly prayed that his decision will make his adopted grandson happy.

Soon, however, the duo stopped at a small caramel colored house. Naruto looked in awe at the small flower gardens that were suspended around the yard as they walked up the stone paved walk way. However, once they get to the patio, Naruto jumped in fright as a large dark spotted koi fish jumped in the pond. Hiruzen chuckles and Naruto blushes in embarrassment as the old Hokage knocks on the door. As steps are heard coming towards the door, Naruto hides behind his jiji, stealing glances every couple of seconds to see who this mystery person is.

"Hello," a familiar person said as the door slides open on creaky hinges.

"Ah, Iruka-kun," the old monkey answers. "I hope we're not too early, but I thought I should bring Naruto over before his appointment with Inoichi."

"Hokage-sama," Iruka exclaims in excitement. "You're not too early, in fact, I was just making some finishing touches. Come on in!"

Iruka throws the door open wider to let in the village leader and his favorite—former—student inside.

Naruto looks at Iruka with some suspicion, wondering what the two could be up to. However, Iruka just gave the blonde-haired boy a mega-watt smile. It was like this was the happiest moment of the man's life.

"Right this way," Iruka said as he led them deeper into his home, past his room, the guest restroom, and right up to the guest room.

To Naruto's wonderment, Iruka threw open the door with barely contained glee, and Naruto sucked in a large, but silent, gasp of air at the room. The room was filled with books, had a Soji board set in a corner of the room, had a queen sized bed, a desk, a cabinet, and a large couch that could be folded out into another bed. The room was a calm blue and the celling was a sky blue that had large fluffy painted on clouds. The bed spread was orange and had many fluffy pillows. A journal and a drawing book with colored pencils and pens were laid on the bed as well as a stuffed orange fox.

Naruto's eyes watered in stunned wonder.

"It gets better," Iruka whispered with a wink as he turned the lights off.

Naruto's jaw dropped as tiny lights started to glow along the ceiling.

"I know how much you like stars," Iruka told the stunned boy. "Those lights are seals that you can charge with chakra or by the sun."

Tears started to flow from Naruto's eyes and he fell to his knees in shock.

"What's wrong Naruto-kun," Hiruzen asked. "Don't you like it?"

Naruto nodded.

"Then what wrong," Iruka asked.

Naruto quickly took out a pad and drew a picture of a fox starving and finally getting food.

"Oh," Iruka said as he pulled the poor love-starved boy into his arms. "It's okay, Naruto-kun. This can be your home now. This room is yours, as is everything that is in here. You don't have to be alone anymore."

Naruto nodded, and his silent sobs slowly ceased; however, Iruka held Naruto until the boy let go.

"Naruto-kun," Hiruzen said, "I hate to cute this moment short, but you still have your appointment with Inoichi. Would you still like me to call for Shikamaru?"

Naruto nodded.

"Shikamaru goes to Naruto's appointments," Iruka asked confused.

Sarutobi nods as he explains, "It helps calm Naruto."

Iruka nods in understanding.

"Naruto," the Chunnin asked. "Do you mind if I go to your appointment with you?"

Naruto tensed, and then slowly nods.

Iruka looks downtrodden so the old village leader asks, "But, maybe one day he can go?"

Naruto thinks for a moment then nods.

Iruka smiled at that. He's waited all these years to get the adoption papers to get approved, he can wait a while to be able to go to Naruto's appointments.

"Alright then," Hiruzen said. "I'll go call Shikamaru, you should go get ready to meet him at Inoichi's office."

Naruto nodded, and he ran and hugged Iruka before hugging his jiji and running out to meet his friend.

Challenge Winner:

Wolf
Paring: Naruto and Oc
Chapter 1
One day Naruto was looking to see if any of the clans had thrown away any books or scroll. So far he had scrolls on fire and recipes book on spicy curry and foods. Also a few scrolls on lava jutsu. Those were from the Uchiha clan's trash dumpster. From the Hyuga clan's trash dumpster he found scrolls on the charka system and ways to fix and/or destroy it. From the Aburame clan's trash dumpster he found scrolls and books on insects. It tells him how to find them and feed them. Also it tells him what each insect does. From the Yamanaka clan's trash dumpster he found scrolls and books on mental health. As well as mental diseases and disorders, it also tells him how to tell which one is which; also how to play mind tricks and mind games. From the Akimichi clan's trash dumpster cook books and scrolls. As well as how to live off of the land in the entire element nations, also food storage scrolls plane storage scrolls. From the Nara clan's trash dumpster he found how to make medicine. Which plants are good and which ones are poisons. Then he reaches the Inuzuka clan's trash dumpster just like the others. Here he finds books and scrolls on animal health and how to treat their wounds. Also he finds about twelve summing scrolls. There were for Wolves, Foxes, Coyotes, Jackals, Dingos, Labradors, Huskies, Kelpies, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Pit Bulls and Jack