Naruto, Iruka and Jiraiya – Uh-oh!
Jiraiya ended up being the leader since used the Summoning Jutsu to summon a toad to leap ahead of them. When they finally saw Jiraiya again, the sage was sitting in the shade of a tree drinking sake.
"Cheater!" Naruto yelled and kicked dirt onto the man. "And now you're drinking too! Come on Dad, let's leave the drunkard here." Naruto hefted his back and made to storm off.
"Naruto! We might as well stay here. I'll be dark in another hour or so." But silently he agreed with his son. That really was unfair of him to leave them to walk while he rode on the back of a toad.
Jiraiya yawned and dusted off the dirt. "What are you so mad about? You could have called on a toad too you know!" He'd expected him to do just that. They could have had a toad race.
"Dad wouldn't let me!" This was part of the reason he was mad. "He said I should only call on Gamakichi when I really needed him." Naruto huffed and crossed his arms.
"Lighten up Iruka – we're on vacation! Here have some sake!" Jiraiya caught Iruka around the neck and held the jug of sake to his lips.
Some slipped into Iruka's mouth before he could get away making him cough. "Master Jiraiya! We need to set up camp!" He broke the man's hold on him. "Naruto let's find a nice place off the road. You check that side and I'll check this side." Iruka pointed Naruto away from Jiraiya.
"Yeah whatever. Crazy sage, drinking and carrying on!" Naruto muttered as he crossed the road and disappeared into the trees.
"Do you have to drink so much sake? We just started this trip!" Iruka complained as he passed by the sage who appeared to be weaving on his wooden sandals.
"Nothing wrong with a little sake, this is a pleasure trip after all!" He yelled at Iruka's back. "Hmph gotta get him to loosen up or this won't be any fun at all." The old man rubbed his chin trying to think of ways to get Iruka to let his hair down.
"Nice," Iruka said when he saw the stream and the pool it fed into. "We can have a nice swim before bed. Good job Naruto. Now let's eat, I'm starving." He clapped Naruto on the back.
Naruto nodded smiling. He'd found the perfect spot. It was shielded from the road, dense vegetation around a natural clearing and just a few yards away a stream and a pool. "It'll feel nice. Can't believe I'm tired already." Naruto noted heaviness in his limbs.
"You were in the hospital. Give yourself time, Naruto. The fox heals you but you are still human." Iruka reached out a hand to tousle his hair.
Naruto smiled. It was a nice feeling having Iruka with him but then he saw Jiraiya. "Hey old man, you didn't ask if you could have any! Choji gave that stuff to me!" Naruto ran forward and snatched the half-eaten bag of chips away from him.
"I needed an appetizer. That stew ready yet?" Jiraiya sniffed the air while licking salt off his fingers. "Don't be so greedy!" He chided Naruto.
"Stop taking what isn't yours!" Naruto countered and checked to see if anything else was missing.
Iruka shook his head. He didn't have one child to look after but two. He sat down then stirred the stew. Shortly he was handing a bowl to Naruto who stuck out his tongue at Jiraiya for getting the first bowl. He laughed when Jiraiya flicked a pebble at Naruto hitting him on the head and Naruto retaliated by throwing a handful back at him.
They managed to eat with no more arguments then sat around the fire with Jiraiya telling tales on Tsunade but unfortunately, Naruto knew some of the stories and corrected him. Iruka laughed his head off at how much the late Hokage had had to discipline Jiraiya as a child. Finally they stripped and raced for the pool. All Jiraiya wanted to do was sit and soak so Iruka and Naruto left him by the bank and jumped in. They swam and floated looking up at the night sky.
"Dad…how come you're not married?" Naruto righted himself then began to tread water. "I mean you're a great guy, everybody respects you and you've got a good body – why don't you at least have a girlfriend?" The more Naruto thought about it, he thought Iruka should be married with a brood of kids.
Iruka turned to look at Naruto. Blond head and shoulders were above the water, his eyes showing curiosity. "I don't know. Guess I haven't met the right woman yet. Unlike you!" He smiled thinking of Hinata.
"Really? Is that all? You do like women don't you? Ack!" He got a mouthful of water when Iruka splashed him. He could hear Pervy Sage laughing.
"Yes! I like women! Geez, Naruto how can I answer that any better than I have? And you shut up – you don't have a woman either!" A mischievous look appeared on Iruka's face. "Maybe those books and all that peeping at women is a ruse! Hey Naruto, we might be in danger here – run, swim – whatever! Here he comes!" Iruka laughed as the outraged sage headed their way.
Naruto just barely got out of the water after Iruka. He could feel Pervy Sage getting close. At the water's edge, they turned thinking they were safe but the Toad Sage, looking like a wild man, chased them around the pool yelling about how they could insult his manhood!
Iruka thought how ridiculous they must look running around naked. He was laughing too hard to run really fast. "Naruto – do something!"
Naruto glanced back, Iruka was holding his side barely keeping up and Pervy Sage was laughing like a manic about to close in on his father. Stopping Naruto grinned. "Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Suddenly there were twenty naked Narutos. "Harem Jutsu!"
Iruka's eyebrows rose to see so many naked female bodies but he dropped to his knees at Jiraiya's reaction. The old man's mouth was hanging open, eyes bugged out, nose bleeding and arms out-stretched reaching for a female Naruto. Iruka howled with laughter. The girls danced around Jiraiya taunting him. They had the sage on his knees begging for them to come closer. Naruto led him back to the pool where the girls pushed him in and held him under to cool his hot head – both of them!
Iruka was still chuckling an hour later. Naruto had finally let Jiraiya out of the water when he stopped struggling. By that time they both had to drag him back to the fire. He couldn't remember when he'd laughed that hard.
"Unfair. Unfair. So damned unfair!" Jiraiya grumbled. "Show me all that female flesh but won't let me touch it! You're a mean, cruel teenager!" He told Naruto before turning over and showing Naruto his back.
"Oh hush you old perv! Just consider that payback for leaving us this afternoon." Naruto crossed his hands behind his head then looked over at his father who shared his smile. Suddenly Naruto turned on his side to face Iruka. "You know you never really answered my question, why no girlfriend Dad?"
Iruka groaned, "That again? No reason Naruto." When he saw Naruto was still staring at him, Iruka sat up to face him. "After I lost my parents – I was lonely."
Naruto looked down and started drawing in the dirt. "I'm sorry." He said quietly.
"Hey, you had nothing to do with their deaths – no apologies." He took Naruto's chin forcing him to look at him. "Right?" He waited until Naruto nodded. Iruka tapped his cheek lightly. "Anyway I spent a lot of years doing what you used to do to get attention – clowning around and doing stupid pranks. Later I settled down, the Hokage's influence." Iruka smiled remembering the old man. "I got serious about my studies – worked hard to become a Chunin. Like you!" Iruka lay back down but turned so he and Naruto were facing each other. "Once I became Chunin, well I was unsure of exactly what I wanted. Did want to move up to the rank of Jonin and be sent out on special missions or remain with my squad? As I was trying to make up my mind, there were some openings for teachers at the academy and it got me to thinking."
Naruto's blue eyes caught the thoughtful look on Iruka's face. They moved over the scar on the bridge of his nose and the damp hair that was curling in the wind. Iruka wasn't his birth father but this man, this face was becoming so dear to him – he wanted to know and remember everything about him. "What were you thinking Dad?" He asked softly.
Iruka blinked. He had Naruto's complete attention. He held back a chuckle. If only he'd paid attention like this in class! "Well, I really wasn't sure if I wanted to be a teacher but I remembered the teachers I'd had. They were good but I wished they'd paid more attention to me and not just my schoolwork. I needed more than an education – I needed understanding, support, smiles instead of frowns. I thought maybe I could give my students what I'd lacked so I went for it." Again he reached out to Naruto putting his hand on his head. "And I'm sorry it took so long for me to see you Naruto. I got caught up in the routine and the grades. I didn't see your pain – pain that mirrored mine." Brown eyes to blue – the look in them was the same, a reflection of past pain.
"Dad…" Naruto covered Iruka's hand.
"Shh, it's okay. Let me finish. I gave myself to my students. The only thing I wanted was to be the best teacher I could be and except for a few dates here and there I do what I love – I teach. No female has been able pull my focus away from making my students excel – not yet anyway. So until then, I teach and I try to keep you out of trouble!" He rocked Naruto's head from side to side grinning.
"Yeah, that's a full time job!" Naruto sat up suddenly and launched himself at Iruka. There was a thud as the two hit the ground. He hugged the man tightly and buried his head in Iruka's chest. "Thanks. I love you Dad." Naruto said quietly.
Iruka could barely breathe but he hugged Naruto back and when the air returned to his lungs, "I love you too Naruto."
"You guys sure are saps!" Jiraiya said still with his back to them but he was smiling.
"Forget you!" Naruto yelled as he raised his head but he was smiling as he looked down at Iruka. "Okay. Got it but I'm going to find you a girlfriend!"
Iruka's eyes grew wide at that declaration. "What? Hey no. No Naruto! I can find my own girlfriend when I get ready to!" He held Naruto's arms but Naruto sat up grinning down at him.
"No you won't. You just said that you give your all to your students – and that's great but when do you have time to look for a girlfriend? So I'll do it for you. Maybe I can find you one while we're on our trip but then that would be a long distance relationship. Hmm… I know! When we get back, I'll ask Hinata to help me! Don't worry Dad – we'll get you hooked up in no time!" Naruto laughed with delight.
Jiraiya sat up laughing. "Now that's a good son Iruka! And don't worry, Naruto – you can get him a girlfriend when we get home but there's no reason he shouldn't have a little female companionship on this little jaunt of ours!" Jiraiya rubbed his hands thinking of all the possibilities. A young, good-looking guy like Iruka should attract a lot of females. He looked at Naruto. Naruto had buffed up, he was older. Yes! With these two around, there'll be women coming out of the woodwork! Jiraiya leaned over and slapped Naruto on the back. "We got us a plan! Your dad's going to thank you once this trip's over Naruto!" He laughed long and hard. This is perfect. "Naruto – you're a genius!"
Naruto grinned foolishly. "Hear that Dad? We're going to get you a woman!" He turned to shake hands with the sage.
"Master Jiraiya! Stay out of this! NO – I don't need any help! Naruto – son…" Iruka looked helplessly from one laughing idiot to the other then closed his eyes and covered his face. "Lord Help! Help me please!"
He tried, he really did but no matter what he said, Naruto and Jiraiya were determined to fix him up. Iruka talked until his throat grew dry but those two stayed up late discussing strategies on how to pick up girls and how Iruka should act and dress. Finally he'd fallen asleep on their laughter. They'd long since stopped making actual sense and were making headway into the outrageous.
Morning came late. They were all groggy from staying up too late. Breakfast was quiet but silly smiles were directed Iruka's way the whole time. It was mid-afternoon before they headed out again. It was at least another two days before they reached a town and Iruka hoped he could talk some sense into his companions before then.
"So Dad, we need to go clothes shopping first – like you and Mama T did for me. Get you some new threads, clean you up. You'll look hot when Pervy Sage takes you out on the town and believe me he knows all the hot spots! You know – where all the really good looking women hang out." Naruto wiggled his eyebrows and sounded as if he was speaking from experience.
Iruka was tired of this subject but now Naruto had his attention. "How do you know that Master Jiraiya knows these so called hot spots?" Suspicion was creeping into Iruka's face.
"He took me to some of them." Naruto said then looked up at his father. "What about a hair cut? You could try out a new style? I don't know though, I'm used to seeing this but then I wanna get you a girl so maybe…What do you think Pervy Sage? Should Dad get a haircut? Or maybe, maybe you could wear it down! That would be different then you could put it back up again when you're working!" He was so pleased with this that he didn't notice that Iruka wasn't at his side anymore. "Dad? Come on." He turned around puzzled. "What?" Iruka looked a little mad. "You don't have to change your hair if you don't want to." Naruto backed off the subject of a haircut really quickly thinking his father was upset about that.
"Forget that! Jiraiya took you where? When was this? There were women? Were the women half-naked and disappeared into rooms with men? Dammit, was it a brothel?! What did you see Naruto?" Iruka stalked to his son and gruffly grabbed his shoulder.
"Umm, umm back when we were searching for Mama T. Brothel?" He looked from his father's angered face to Pervy Sage whose neck had disappeared and one foot was frozen in the air. "Is that what you call those places where all the women were?" Seeing that Jiraiya was keeping his mouth shut, Naruto thought maybe he should pretend innocence. "Nothing! Not a thing." He hoped that would satisfy Iruka.
Iruka narrowed his eyes at his son's pink cheeks. Naruto had obviously seen way more than nothing. "So you took him inside brothels? Where else Jiraiya?" Both of them were fully aware that Iruka was talking really calmly and that he had dropped the respectful 'master' when talking to the Toad Sage. "Just what did you expose this child to? Naruto – tell me! Don't you dare lie!" Iruka said when Naruto opened his mouth.
"Now, now Iruka. It wasn't that bad. Naruto learned a great deal on that trip. Useful things!" Jiraiya had finally turned around and was waving a hand in front of his face like it was all a misunderstanding.
"Na-ru-to." Iruka took both of his shoulders and looked into wide blue eyes.
He felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Naruto had never thought Iruka could be anywhere near as scary as Mama T but his father surprised him. "Yes sir! We went to bars, gambling places, bath houses, umm brothels, festivals, temples, castles, clubs, to-to back out of the way places where you needed lots of money to get in – and he owes me money Dad! -Uunderground gambling halls, places where women take off all their clothes and then one where men take off their clothes – eew - and stores, restaurants…those types of places. That's…all…" Naruto wound down then blinked and tried to back away but his father's grip was too strong.
"Ji-rai-ya!" Iruka suddenly released Naruto. He barely noticed the teen stumbling backwards and almost falling. He stomped over to Jiraiya and started yelling. "No you did not take my twelve year old son into strip clubs! And gambling halls and-and places where CRIMNIALS hang out? Not only that but you took his money to get you INTO some of those places!! Brothels? BROTHELS?! WHERE PEOPLE WERE HAVING SEX!!" Iruka gave in to his emotions and grabbed Jiraiya's red vest and began shaking him.
"Calm down Iruka! It was a long time ago. Naruto wasn't your son then!" Jiraiya tried to reason with Iruka.
"SO! HE WAS TWELVE!!" He shook him some more.
"Thirteen actually." Naruto said but snapped his teeth together when Iruka's black frown turned his way.
"You had to know what you were doing was wrong, so why?" Iruka finally let go of him fuming.
"Damn, you tore it." Jiraiya whined about his vest. "But I can sew it up later!" He smiled sheepishly when Iruka raised his fist. "Iruka, Iruka you forget the Akatsuki was after Naruto. I thought it best to keep him close instead of always leaving him alone while I searched for Tsunade." He dared to drape and arm around Iruka. "He didn't see much. I covered his eyes in the strip clubs and he stayed downstairs when I was with the ladies. Besides he was too busy practicing how to do the Rasengan to give those places much attention, right Naruto?" Jiraiya winked over at Naruto.
Naruto wondered how much more he should say. He opened his mouth to go along with Pervy Sage but his father did it again! Iruka narrowed his eyes daring him to lie. Naruto sighed. "Didn't you notice my harem? They improved – more curves and how they moved – I learned by watching those women taking off their clothes. And the ladies in the brothels were real nice Dad. They fed me and told me the funniest stories while Pervy Sage was upstairs. They must have been telling him stories too cause he laughed a lot!" Naruto wondered about that now especially since he'd had a few intimate moments with Hinata. Then he got it. "Ohhhh mannnnn! I don't wanna think about him doing it! Damn!" Naruto clapped a hand over his eyes and held his churning stomach.
"Hey! Nothing wrong with that! You should be happy to know men my age still enjoy women!" Jiraiya said sounding affronted.
Iruka's mouth quirked at Naruto finally realizing what the old sage had been doing. He cleared his throat to keep from laughing. "What about the gambling Naruto?"
"That kid had the damnedest luck! Won back all the money I borrowed on scratch tickets! Even when he got bullied into playing he won and I know they were cheating!" Jiraiya stomped his foot. "All he had to do was lean against the Pachinko machine and he won! Frustrating as hell! That why I paid for our rooms with his money!" Jiraiya told on himself.
"Yeah and never paid me back! Dad he's got money but he'll only spend mine! Old perverted thief!" Naruto yelled at him.
"Ungrateful brat!" They were in each other's faces yelling. Iruka sighed. They were trying to drive him insane. This trip was going to be a test and he wasn't sure that he was going to pass. Calmly he went to them and knocked them both on their asses.
"You will pay Naruto back every cent you borrowed and until we reach the next village – No more Sake!" Iruka, the teacher was in control and before Jiraiya could start arguing; Iruka relieved him of the sake.
"You!" He spoke before Naruto could tease the sage. "You will be silent until tomorrow morning! Not one more word Naruto! And don't think your mother won't find out about this!" When Jiraiya laughed Iruka looked back at him. "I don't know what you find so funny – she's just going to kick your ass – again when she learns all the things you let him see." Iruka finally smiled at the silence. "Now let's get going. We only traveled a few miles to show for this whole day. Let's keep walking until it gets dark." Smiling serenely, Iruka led the way.
"Dad, do I really -?" He never got any further when Iruka gave him that look. Naruto sighed and got off the ground. He checked to see if Iruka was looking then kicked Pervy Sage in the leg before running after his father.
"Just you wait kid – I'm going get you! All you had to do was keep your mouth shut and agree with whatever I said. But no you had to go be all honest and tell the truth! Who tells the whole truth? Give the kid parents and he turns into a wimp!" Jiraiya grumbled and stomped his feet as he followed behind the other two.
Iruka had been glad to stop the two of them from planning and scheming but now the quiet was so absolute. The only sounds were of their steps and nature. Naruto sulked beside him while Jiraiya did the same from behind them.
He still found it hard to believe that Naruto had been exposed to so much of the underside of life. Gambling, crooked con games and prostitution. Of course much of it had gone over his head but that was then. Iruka could tell by the way he'd pause every so often and his mouth would drop open that he was remembering things in a different light now. No doubt he would have tons of questions later and Iruka planned on letting Jiraiya do the answering since this was all his fault anyway.
Maybe the fact that he'd lived away from kids for so long, maybe that could be why the Toad Sage had acted so unwisely. The Akatsuki. Naruto was – is in danger from them so staying close to Jiraiya had been necessary but Iruka was sure a great many of that places they'd searched hadn't been.
All three were lost in their thoughts the rest of the day and they traveled until the moon was high in the sky. Dinner was cold and Naruto went to sleep soon after. Iruka sat down next to him and watched him sleep.
"He's alright you know. Fifteen nearly sixteen. None of what he saw really affected him. Naruto doesn't need to be babied." Jiraiya said with his arms crossed as he lay back against a tree.
"I know that. He's grown so much these last two years, he's almost a man but I can't seem to help worrying or babying him." Iruka reached out and brushed back Naruto's hair. On the boy's jaw was a day's worth of fuzz - another sign that he wasn't a child anymore. "You should have shown more common sense Master Jiraiya - letting him hang out with those women." He looked over at him. "Seems like you're the one in need of a babysitter, not Naruto. Oh and when he has questions tomorrow, and you know he will – you'll answer them!" Iruka wagged a finger at him.
Jiraiya just shrugged but then got to thinking. Naruto was curious about everything. "Uh oh. You'll help me out won't you Iruka? I mean you don't want me to say the wrong thing do you?" He leaned forward trying to weasel out of explaining things to Naruto.
Iruka laughed. Undoubtedly the sage had done some embarrassing things and after having tried to explain sex to Naruto, Iruka knew how uncomfortable he'd felt and that's why this was a perfect punishment for the old man. "You know having Tsunade as a friend is really working to my advantage. That and her claiming him for a son." Iruka cupped Naruto's head then kissed it. Looking up, "If you don't do this, I'll tell Tsunade and she'll get the truth from Naruto with no problems and then she'll kick your ass." Iruka smiled widely. "Embarrassment or a public beat down – your choice!" Iruka rested his chin in his hand, elbow on knee. The old man would probably get the beating too but Iruka kept that bit to himself. "What's it going to be master?" A slight emphasis on master.
Jiraiya squinted at Iruka. "Do you treat your students this way? Teacher my ass, Master Manipulator is more like it! Fine! Tell Tsunade, why do you think I left the village in the first place? To train? Ha! To get away from that witch with her inhuman strength!" Jiraiya complained and unrolled his blankets.
Iruka studied him for a moment. "You still like her don't you? I heard you chased after her for a while. You left because she'd fallen for someone else! That's it isn't? Tsunade's your long lost love? Ow!" Iruka covered his shoulder with his hand. Jiraiya had just hit him – with his hair! It had lashed out like a whip, hurt like one too.
"Time for bed Iruka and if you breathe a word of that to anybody – especially Tsunade – Naruto will be your only child!" The words were spoken quietly but with enough heat to scorch Iruka's skin.
His shoulder hurt but not enough, Iruka fought hard not to laugh his head off. Jiraiya had a thing for Lady Tsunade – had for years! No wonder he never fights back when she attacks him! He must like having her hands on him! Iruka quickly turned his back as a chuckle left his
throat. He coughed trying to mask his laughter. Making his bed next to Naruto's he dared to look over at Jiraiya. The sage was feigning sleep but his frowning and muttering gave him away.
Iruka finally lay down and looked over to check on Naruto. The teen was still sleeping. Iruka wondered what kind of hi-jinks Naruto would come up with if he knew. Would he try to hook them up or do whatever it took to keep them apart? After all he did call Jiraiya Pervy Sage for a good reason!
"…Dad…no…" Naruto spoke softly.
Iruka blinked and as he watched, Naruto curled into a ball and started to shake. He sat up. It looked as if Naruto was having a bad dream. Iruka waited to see if he should wake him up.
"…not really my…Dad…" A heavy sigh left Naruto as tears slid from his eyes.
"Naruto!" Iruka had no idea what the boy was dreaming but to make him cry, it had to be bad and somehow it was about him. "I'm here Naruto." He whispered as he leaned over and hugged the sleeping boy. "Your dad's right here Naruto."
Jiraiya turned to see what was going on. Naruto's body was shaking and Iruka had moved so he was next to him almost hugging him. "Is he sick? A fever or something? Do we need to take him home?" Tsunade had said he was okay.
"He's not sick; he's dreaming something pretty bad…about me." Iruka said meeting the sage's eyes. He looked back down at Naruto who now scooted close to him. Naruto locked one arm around Iruka and rested his forehead against Iruka's beating heart. It should have been difficult for him to breathe the way his face pressed hard against his father. Naruto's shaking stopped but the tears now wet Iruka's shirt. "What is it Naruto?" He asked but Naruto settled down into sleep still crying. Iruka looked up at Jiraiya. "He won't stop crying."
"Just hold him. Doesn't look like he's going let go of you anytime soon. Here," Jiraiya got up to get Iruka's blanket and covered the two of them. "Guess he does need to be babied some after all. What's bothering you now kid? This was supposed to be a fun vacation." His huge hand patted Naruto on the back. "Guess we have to wait until morning to find out. You alright?" Iruka looked uncomfortable.
"Yeah…" Gently he maneuvered the sleeping teen. Iruka lay back then pulled Naruto half over him so that Naruto's head rested more comfortably on his chest. "There now we can both sleep. Thanks."
"No problem." That face, it like it was that day at the falls – so sad and lost. "We're not going let you go there kid. You got family and friends – no more tears!" He adjusted the blanket over them. "Right?"
Iruka smiled at the old man. He was gruff and somewhat selfish but he truly cared for Naruto. "Right. Let's get some sleep. Night Jiraiya."
Iruka heard Jiraiya go back to his blankets and lie down. He held onto Naruto and closed his eyes seeking sleep. It was a long time coming for the wetness on his shirt kept spreading.
Naruto woke up quickly. He knew instantly where he was. He lay quietly savoring the warmth of his father's body. Iruka's long arm circled his back and beneath his ear, he could hear the strong, steady heartbeat. It was great. He loved it and would enjoy it forever how long it lasted. Carefully he lifted his head to look down at Iruka. He was still sleeping, his mouth open a bit of saliva slipping down his chin. Naruto smiled.
Before rising he once again rested against Iruka making a memory then slowly and carefully pulled away. Pervy Sage snored deeply startling him but didn't wake. Naruto hurriedly got the fire going again. The morning air was cool. That done he disappeared into the woods.
He turned over and huddled under the blanket but couldn't seem to get warm. "Naruto!" Iruka spoke even before he was truly awake. The space next to him was empty with only lingering warmth where his son had been. Standing Iruka looked around for Naruto but he wasn't there.
"What?!" Jiraiya's eyes snapped open at Iruka's movement. His eyes went from Iruka to the empty bedroll. "Where is he?" He noted the fire, Naruto's pack but no kid. Jiraiya lay back down. "He can't be far, his stuff is still here." The old man yawned. "And he relit the fire. Probably just relieving himself."
"Yeah," Iruka said noticing the same things. He patted his shirt, it was still damp. He stripped it off and pulled out another. "I think I'll do the same." He said when still there was no sign of Naruto.
"He's fine!" Jiraiya called after the man but Iruka kept walking. "Stupid kid, worrying us." The toad sage found himself sitting up then needing to be active, cleaning up after everyone by shaking out the blankets and rolling them up. He'd give them ten minutes…
"I can't find him!" Iruka rushed back in exactly ten minutes.
"It doesn't mean anything!" Jiraiya said over Iruka's panic. "We'd know if he'd been taken, the little fool probably just wandered off. Let's start breakfast and he'll come back when he smells the food cooking." He'd double checked to make sure Naruto hadn't been taken; there had been nothing out of the ordinary about the camp so all they could really do was wait for Naruto to come back from wherever.
Iruka didn't like it. He wished this were one of Naruto's pranks but the dream, the crying was still fresh in Iruka's mind and he was worried sick. "I'll give him an hour then I'm going looking for him." He dropped down to the ground and stared into the flames.
"I hope you guys are hungry! It took me a while to find them. I saw their tracks but forest around here is thick and…I had to…chase them. Dad?" Naruto was dirty – grass and dirt stains on his face and clothes. In one hand he held three rabbits. He looked from Jiraiya who sat smiling and shaking his head to Iruka who was stiff as a board staring at him. Naruto couldn't make out was his father was feeling but his eyes were so intense that he backed up a step or two.
"Rabbits, plump ones too. Good job Naruto. Let me have 'em." Jiraiya moved by the frozen Iruka and took the rabbits from Naruto. He gripped the boy's bicep briefly then moved to one side to skin the animals. "Nice to have some fresh food while we're on the road."
The look in Pervy Sage's eyes was warm but sympathetic. What's wrong? What happened while I was gone? Naruto looked back at Iruka who was breathing very deeply, clenching and unclenching his fists. "I didn't do anything! Dad – I didn't!" Again he stepped back as Iruka stalked towards him.
"You were hunting? It's been almost two hours Naruto." Iruka gripped the front of Naruto's jacket and lifted him to his toes. "You couldn't tell me where you were going?!"
He'd been worried! …But why was he still so tense? "You-you were sleeping. I got up to pee then looked around for some fruit to eat for breakfast when I saw a rabbit. I thought, I thought getting some fresh food might get you to stop being mad at me…but it looks like I made things worse…" Naruto dropped his eyes and hung there in his father's grip waiting for the yelling and his new punishment.
"Dammit!" Iruka did shake him frustrated as hell that he couldn't be mad at Naruto. After shaking him, Naruto was pulled into his arms and held tightly. "You - you little idiot! When will you stop scaring me to death? You disappeared Naruto. I didn't know where you were. You could have gotten hurt or been attacked. There are still people after you Naruto! You disappeared!" He held Naruto's head close to him not letting him move.
Muffled, "I'm sorry! I didn't think it would take so long to catch them!" Naruto wrapped his arms around Iruka and held on. He truly hadn't thought he'd worry him. The last thing he wanted to do was mess up their time together. He gasped when Iruka released him them grasped his face. "What?" New fear.
Iruka held that precious face and searched it. Naruto looked rested if scared at the moment. The blue of his eyes captured your attention as they always did but Iruka could tell they were slightly swollen and red rimmed. "You'll tell me where you're going Naruto. Always tell me – don't make me worry like this again. Promise me." He nodded Naruto's head.
"I promise. I promise! Dad!" He complained when Iruka continued moving his head up and down.
Iruka laughed finally. He let go of Naruto's head and tucked the boy close to his side. "Come here. Sit down with me." They sat and Iruka still kept him close. "…Last night, you were dreaming Naruto. Do you remember what you were dreaming about? You do! Tell what you were dreaming about Naruto."
Naruto had looked away from Iruka to Jiraiya who had skinned the rabbits and was now cleaning his knife. "Nothing, just a dream Dad. So you want to know where I'm going just on this trip or all the time like at home too?" Talk about something and get him to forget this!
Iruka grabbed his chin. "We'll work out the details in a moment. Whatever you were dreaming – it made you cry Naruto. You asked for me, for dad and you cried. When I got close to you, you grabbed me and wouldn't let go. It wasn't that you just went off hunting without saying a word but you'd cried in my arms most of the night too. So what were you dreaming?"
Naruto felt his cheeks get warm. I didn't know I cried for real! Well that explains why I woke up holding him. Damn, I don't want to tell him, he'll only worry more. "Just something stupid. Really, it was just a dream." He pulled his chin away. "Shouldn't we fix something to go with the rabbits? Pervy Sage is about to put them over the fire."
"Uh-uh, no food until you talk to me. You owe me that don't you think, after scaring me?" Iruka wasn't above using guilt.
Naruto groaned and tried to pull away but his father just pulled him back. He glanced up at Iruka trying to judge his expression – it was set. Sighing he pushed at Iruka until his back rested against his father's chest. He didn't want Iruka to see his face.
Iruka looked over at Jiraiya who shrugged not getting it either. He took Naruto's shoulders. "I'm waiting."
"Yeah, yeah. I found you a girlfriend and she became your wife!" The words rushed out. "You fell in love and were happy." Naruto's voice was smiling.
Confused, "I don't get it Naruto. Why would that make you cry?" Iruka asked.
"You told her about me, what's inside me. She was okay with it until she had your baby." Naruto felt his chest grow tight and he started picking at a ragged fingernail. "She wouldn't let me near the baby. You had a family, a child of your flesh and you didn't spend much time with me anymore. You had more kids and they were forbidden to have anything to do with me…and you said it wasn't fair to your kids to keep seeing me so you said you weren't my dad anymore." Naruto shrugged. "See, stupid dream."
Iruka circled his shoulders and rested his head on Naruto's. "Very stupid. I'd never do that to you Naruto. I thought you knew me better than that?"
"Don't say that Dad 'cause it's not true." Naruto's voice sounded older now. "I love Hinata. She can make me eat my vegetables and be polite and clean up. I do these things 'cause I love her and don't want to disappoint her. If your wife doesn't want me around then you'll ask me to leave because you love her." Suddenly he broke free and turned to face Iruka. "But it's okay! You'd be happy! In love, your own kids – a family. I won't mind when that happens because you'll be happy!" Naruto got on his knees and took Iruka's shoulders. "I'd give you up, if it meant you were loved and happy Dad! So I'm going to pick you out the best girl I can find! She'll be pretty and smart and she'll cook! Do you want to marry a ninja? Does it matter? Nah doesn't matter. Don't you worry, she'll be perfect – promise!" Naruto smiled down at him with his eyes shining with unshed tears. Naruto pulled him close and gave Iruka a quick hug then released him. "I'm going get some water for the coffee! Be right back – I mean it, I'm just going to get water!" Naruto stood quickly grabbing the coffee pot then hurrying away.
"Naruto…" Iruka reached for him but he was gone.
"That's some kid. Isn't it supposed to be the other way around? Parents giving up something to make their kids happy. Naruto's ready to give you up if it means your happiness!" Jiraiya turned the rabbits. "He worked it all out whether in his dream or this morning. He'll lose you but he'll do it willingly. I don't know that I could do it." He finally looked up to see Iruka scowling.
"But it won't happen! Like I'd fall for some woman who couldn't love him! And besides it may never happen! The right woman might not exist for me! He's getting all upset and worrying and making plans for something that might not ever come!" Iruka stood up. "Dammit! Naruto! Come here Now!"
Jiraiya laughed out loud. They were too funny! But then when you loved someone, they could tear your nerves apart without even trying.
"Here I am! Told you I'd be right back." Naruto said calmly smiling at Iruka. Now that it was out in the open, he felt better. Dad would be his dad until he had his own kids. He'd still see him from time to time and he'd always have these memories. It was enough or it would be.
Ignoring Iruka, Naruto sat down rummaging through their bags. "There's got to be, yeah! Not as good as real ramen but it'll do won't it Pervy Sage?" He pulled out some packaged ramen.
"Sounds good but we need more water." Jiraiya couldn't stop smiling.
"Sure, I'll get it." Naruto got up but stopped dead in his tracks choking. Iruka again had him by the collar but from behind. He'd jerked Naruto to a stop. "Wh't…dad…?" The words were strangled out of him as he looked over his shoulder.
"It won't happen. I'm not giving you up Naruto. You're my son. Got that!" He pulled Naruto backwards until he was bent over and looked down into his up-turned face.
Naruto stared up at Iruka seeing that he meant what he said. He smiled slowly. "Yep, you're my dad, always will be even if she says you can't. S'okay." He reassured Iruka then blinked and stood up straight. "Whoa – blood rush! Whoa!" Iruka spun him around making him dizzier.
"You're not listening to me Naruto. Wife, kids or none of the above – I am your father!" He steadied Naruto by gripping his arms.
"Thanks. I know that but I want you to know that I won't get in your way when you do have a wife and kids." Naruto smiled at him.
Iruka growled. "My kids, if I have kids, will have you as their big brother! I will be there when you become Hokage, when you marry Hinata and grandfather to your kids!" He yelled and shook Naruto.
"Married? We haven't even…never mind!" Naruto blushed thinking they were supposed to make love when he went home. "But hey, that's great dad! When you can slip away from your family, you'll always be welcome at our place!" He blinked. Married to Hinata…Our own home…A little girl who looks just like Hinata… It should have scared him shitless thinking about such things at his age but Naruto started to grin imagining his future with Hinata. "I'll probably get married first, huh? And my kids might be older than yours! Wouldn't that be freaky?" Naruto threw back his head laughing.
Jiraiya gave in and laughed along with Naruto, the frustration and surprise on Iruka's face was priceless. He got up and went to them. "Might as well give up man! He's got you married with kids and you've made him Hokage and yourself a grandpa!" He slapped Iruka on the back. "Come on; let's eat before these rabbits get tough! Naruto we still need water for that ramen."
"Okay. Hey Pervy Sage – I'll let you be great-granddaddy if you promise to stop chasing girls in your old age!" Naruto ran away laughing when Jiraiya acted as if he were going to jump him.
"Brat!" Jiraiya said but with a smile. He looked back at Iruka who still looked dazed. "Come on gramps, have a seat. You're just hungry Iruka. After some food I'm sure you'll come up with some better arguments."
"He won't believe me. Why won't he believe me? I won't let a woman or anything stop me from being his father. Is it that he doesn't trust me? Why now after all this time?" Iruka asked Jiraiya puzzled.
"Iruka you're not getting it. Naruto does trust you but he, better than anybody, knows how quickly life can change. Wasn't it only two weeks ago that Sakura and Sasuke were his best friends? Relationships change and grow or they end. We were planning on getting you a girlfriend. In his dreams, Naruto must have taken that one step further and with his situation, that dream could very well become reality. He knows this and has made peace with it." Jiraiya reached over and shook him. "It's the same as last night when he was crying in his sleep, just hold on to him and be there for him. You're right, you don't know if any of that stuff will happen but he'll be alright as long as you're there for him until then. He knows. Naruto knows you love him – whatever happens Naruto will always love you – his father."
Naruto came crashing back to the camp. Carefully he placed the pot of water over the fire and looked up to see Iruka with tears in his eyes. "Dad? You okay?"
Iruka blinked back the tears and found a smile for Naruto. "Yep! Just wondering how many kids you and Hinata are going to have. You're going to be in for it son because they'll probably be just like you!" He and Jiraiya found that extremely funny.
"So? What's wrong with that?" Naruto didn't get why they were laughing so hard.
It was a large city full of every sort of entertainment three men could hope for. The first thing they did was get a room and head for the steam baths. They had a few days worth of road dust to get rid of. Next was a meal, they packed away the food much to the amusement of the locals then bellies full, they went exploring.
Movie theaters, arcades, sports fields and amusement parks drew Naruto's gaze. Jiraiya seem to act like a compass and found every bar, dance club, swimming pool, health club, modeling agency and of course every red light district where beautiful young girls could be found. Iruka gravitated towards book stores, libraries and school campuses. Jiraiya and Naruto dragged him away from those places.
"Okay Dad, here's the plan." They were back in the room having walked the city most of the day. Tomorrow was 'Get Iruka Laid Day!' – Jiraiya's phrase but Naruto wanted to dress him up then gently ease him into first talking to some women and seeing what he liked and what kind of women liked him. "We'll go and get your hair trimmed and see what it looks like down, you know try some stuff then we'll go shop for some clothes. Might have to get me some too since I didn't pack much of my casual stuff. Anyway then we'll cruise the shops! Girls like to shop." Naruto stripped off his shirt and pants then stretched. Next he put on his PJs and favorite panda cap.
Iruka had to smile. Naruto was just about as tall as him, acted older but still clung to that cap. Undressing he asked, "So why am I letting you do this to me again?"
"Because you don't want my kids to be older than yours!" His reply came quickly then Naruto sobered. "I want you happy Dad, can't I want that for you?" Naruto sat down on Jiraiya's empty bed. Pervy Sage was off in a bar somewhere hanging over some drunk girls hoping to get lucky.
"I think you're confused son. I'm the one who's supposed to make sure you're happy. And I'm sorry to say I haven't done much to help that but when we get home, I'll do better." He sat down across from Naruto.
"Dad there's nothing you can do about people's feelings." Naruto said with frown thinking about Sasuke. "But other than that, I'm great. You, Mama T and Hinata. I got friends who don't care about you know who! Did I mention Hinata?" Naruto grinned.
Iruka got a speculative look in his eye. "About Hinata, I know we mentioned you having kids but you guys aren't…having sex yet are you?"
Naruto's cheeks bloomed. "Daaaddd! You don't have to worry about that! Just concentrate on your sex life!" I guess I could tell him but I don't talk about that stuff again!!
Iruka didn't think they were at least not yet but as close as they were, it wouldn't be long now. He personally thought it was too soon for both of them but what they had was real and sex usually followed love. "We'll go shopping for condoms too." He laughed as Naruto's face became blotchy.
"I can buy my own!" Naruto pulled at his shirt since he was starting to sweat.
"Yeah but do you know what kind? Naruto, there are many different kinds just like buying shoes or anything else. You do want some that will prevent pregnancy as well as feel good to both you and Hinata don't you?" God what a weird conversation this is turning out to be!
"There are condoms that Hinata will like? But aren't they made for men? So you've used these condoms with who Dad? Anybody I know?" Naruto's eyes were wide. I'm learning so much stuff…and Dad knows what to buy so he has been having sex but with who?
Iruka laughed nervously. "Never you mind who! We're talking about you and keeping from having babies before you're eighteen years old!"
"Oh come on tell me! Not Anko? That woman's freaky Dad! A real nut job! You don't like freaky-dickey do you?! Kurenai? Shizune? Mama T?!" Naruto's eyes grew so big that his face was mostly blue. "Help!" He turned and started to climb over the bed when his father pounced. Fingers traveled under his arms and tickled him.
"Noisy kid! If I slept with all of them it's none of your business!" Iruka was relentless in his tickling. Naruto jerked, turned, kicked, begged and still tried to ask questions but Iruka wouldn't stop, that is until Naruto farted.
"Oh man! You ate too damn much! Open a window!" Iruka jumped off of Naruto gasping for air! He hung his head out the window for several minutes then looked back at Naruto.
Naruto's face was wet with tears but he was still smiling. "Are-are you ticklish Dad?" It was hard to stand up but Naruto got to his feet. "Tell me who you did it with! What's the big secret? I'm your son – you can trust me…" His words were soft but that grin was pure evil.
"A tickle war? Think you can win do you? Bring it on son!" The two circled each other then Iruka made the first move!
"What the hell did you two do last night? The furniture was knocked over, clothes everywhere and my mattress was on the floor! Not to mention the smell of rotten eggs! Then the two of you were knocked out cold with big grins on your faces!" Jiraiya looked from one innocent face to the other. "Well, I'm waiting!"
"Nothing." Father and son said together, looked at each other then tried not to laugh. Neither had won the war but the battle had been well fought. Iruka didn't really remember but somehow he'd tipped the mattress over onto Naruto leaving the boy's feet sticking out and vulnerable to attack. Naruto had used their clothes to bind him and Iruka had spent almost a half hour howling with laughter and adding to the smell.
Hours later, drunk with laughter they'd fallen onto their bed still trying to out tickle the other. Sleepily, Naruto had Iruka's foot in his hands and Iruka had gone for Naruto's ribs and they lost consciousness.
"Nothing? Yeah right." Jiraiya sipped his coffee. These two are acting like they've been this close forever. As it is, they've picked up each other's habits in the few short days we've been traveling.
"There's a barber shop right across the street Dad. That's our first stop. Then clothes, then…"
"Then the drugstore." Iruka interrupted with a raised eyebrow.
"Dad…" Naruto looked around nervously like someone was listening.
"Well if your plan succeeds, I'll need some too won't I?" Iruka decided if he couldn't talk to his own son about these things then there was no hope of Naruto confiding in him when the boy needed to. He wouldn't be embarrassed anymore – well he hoped not.
"Oh! Yeah I guess so." Naruto frowned. Do I really want him out having sex with some woman he just met? That's probably what Pervy Sage did last night! But I want him to find a wife not just a sex partner! "You're not just going to sleep with her on the first date are you? I don't think you could trust a woman like that." Naruto said seriously gripping his father's arm.
"Ha! Would you listen to him?!" Jiraiya barked causing the other people in the diner to look and stare. "Who's the father here?"
"Master Jiraiya! Keep it down!" Iruka hushed him then covered Naruto's hand. "I'm not a loose man son." That set Jiraiya to laughing again. "I'm a picky man Naruto. She'd really have to be something else for us to get intimate so soon." Naruto was still frowning as he judged his father's words.
"Okay, just don't be like him! He'd give it to every girl if they asked. Too bad for him that hardly ever happens!" Naruto nimbly jumped out of Jiraiya's reach. Quickly he snatched the rest of his food off the table. "I'll meet you outside Dad!" He stuck his tongue out at Jiraiya.
They both watched Naruto as he took off out the door. "You're his father; can't you do anything about that smart mouth?" Jiraiya poured more coffee.
"What, you can't handle the smart mouth of a fifteen year old? Getting too old?" Iruka laughed at him.
"You used to pay me respect Iruka." His cup thumped down on the table. "I think you've been spending too much time with him and Tsunade!" He pointed at Iruka.
"Maybe and maybe I've just gotten to know who you really are!" This time it was Iruka jumping away and waving to the Toad Sage as he exited the diner leaving Jiraiya with the bill.
"Hey!"
Jiraiya watched them get their hair trimmed. Iruka tried wearing his hair down for Naruto but he said it just wasn't him so it went back up. Next new clothes, being a ninja was great but right now they just wanted to look casual and maybe cool. Slacks, knit shirts, jeans and t-shirts, a light weight casual suit and several pairs of shorts to play in. Iruka had a new wardrobe that satisfied his son.
"Looking good Dad!" Naruto complimented him while Jiraiya just shrugged.
In the drugstore, both of them got a new education from the Toad Sage as he explained the numerous kinds of condoms and gels and ointments and lotions and sizes and the list went on. All three left with purchases, Naruto's and Iruka's were modest sized bags while Jiraiya left with two large bags, grinning.
"Now we just have to find some females to try out all our goodies on!" Jiraiya said rubbing his hands together. "Where should we go? Lots of clubs to choose from but the real action won't start until after dark. Maybe we could hit the shops again but this time look for girls, huh? Huh?"
"He's right, come on Dad." Naruto got behind Iruka and pushed him out of their room. The nerves were back on both sides but somehow this had become the focal point of their whole trip and there was no turning back now.
They were an interesting threesome. A young blond man with bright eyes and a mischievous smile. A slightly older man dark, calm and self assured and lastly the overbearing old man talking to anyone showing some leg. Naruto pulled Jiraiya away and let Iruka go on his own. "Pervy Sage, you're chasing away the girls! How's Dad ever going to meet women if you're around?!" Naruto hissed.
"Shows how much you know! I can find him the real lookers, Iruka's liable pickup some mouse. You don't want some Plain Jane for a mom do you?" Jiraiya turned Naruto around so he could see who Iruka was talking to.
The woman did look a little dowdy but then Iruka said something and she smiled. It turned the dowdy woman into a beautiful one. "I think he knows what he's doing besides, he has to live with her, not me! And we may not find his wife here anyway! This is more to get him out there and dating. The real stuff probably won't happen until we get home." Naruto said as Iruka nodded to the woman then moved on.
"Fine! If I can't help, I'm off to find my own women! See you later kid! Have fun being a voyeur!" Jiraiya had hoped to use father and son in his own way to bring in the ladies but they weren't playing along. He huffed away leaving the two idiots to a game they could never win without a master's touch!
Naruto was glad to see the back of him. Sometimes he was just too much and when it came to girls, Pervy Sage was always too much! Looking back for his dad, Naruto saw a couple of women talking to him now and smiled. "Go for it!" He watched for a while but began to feel awkward just standing there watching so he started wandering in and out of shops. Naruto wanted to take off but he'd promised to let Iruka know where he was, so stayed within sight and looked around. Suddenly he remembered Hinata asking him to bring her something back from his trip. There were shops and stands everywhere. It was a perfect time to shop!
Iruka looked for his blonde head for thirty minutes. It had already been two hours since he'd been pushed out into the dating arena and now he was tired and hungry. He'd seen Jiraiya leave and had stepped away from a woman to see where Naruto was but the teen had waved and given him a signal that he'd be nearby and true to his promise, Naruto did not leave his sight. As he cruised the shops and talked to various women, he'd lost track of Naruto several times only to catch a glimpse of him inside a store or window shopping. It worried Iruka that Naruto didn't have anything to do or that he couldn't just let him go off on his own but they weren't at home. There were no Anbu Black Ops watching out for him. They'd have to come up with a better plan or forget this until they were back in Konoha.
Iruka felt pretty good. He'd talked to some nice women and gotten a few phone numbers and a casual date for tomorrow was set up. Thinking that was good for the first try, Iruka decided to find his son and grab some food but when he looked around this last time, Naruto was nowhere to be found. Just a hint of panic was setting in when he finally saw Naruto in a woman's clothing store talking to a clerk. Eyebrows raised he went to see what Naruto was up to now.
"You got something in lavender? Maybe mid-thigh? No, no right at the knees! She's kinda modest and-and it's gotta have sleeves – nothing sleeveless. Maybe the sleeves can you know blow in the breeze like the skirt! You got something like that?" Naruto crowded the woman, anxious to hear her answer.
"Naruto? What's up son?" Iruka could see the woman inching backwards from him and looking for help. Time to rein him in a bit.
"Dad! Hey, I'm looking for something for Hinata. Remember, she wanted me to bring her back something. I thought she might like a new dress. Oh, how'd you do?" Naruto smiled up at Iruka as the man put an arm around him.
Iruka grinned and winked. "Not too bad, not bad at all. A dress huh? Sure you know what she likes?" He asked and looked back at the clerk who had relaxed and was smiling now.
"Yeah, I think so. I know what she looks good in anyway." Naruto smiled to himself seeing Hinata in his mind. "So you got anything like that?" He focused on the clerk again.
"No but I wish I did. That must be one special lady for you to want to buy her a dress. Most men would just let their girlfriends go shopping on their own and volunteer to pay but I like your way better." The women looked to Iruka. "Must be your influence that has turned him into such a thoughtful young man." She looked Iruka up and down.
"Yep, my Dad's the greatest!" Naruto said quickly patting Iruka on the back.
Iruka looked down at Naruto. He had been checking the woman out but Naruto's words filled him with such pride! He pulled Naruto closed to his side and held him there. "You're damned good too Son." He cupped Naruto's head smiling like he'd won a prize.
"Here, let me give you my card. I may get some new things in like what you're looking for and you can call me in a few days or just give me your number and I'll call you!" Sure he had a teenaged son but the man was obviously unmarried and any man who could raise such a good son was worth looking into! The woman thought looking back at Iruka.
"Wow, you didn't even have to say much to her! She asked for your number! You may not need much help at all Dad." Naruto laughed as they left and went looking for a meal.
"Nope but then you did all the work." Iruka said then laughed as Naruto looked at him confused. He decided not to tell Naruto how he'd helped him out back there, not that he planned to use Naruto in that way but he was sure Master Jiraiya was intending to use both of them. That knowledge would surely cause an argument between them. "Never mind. Come on, let's try this place. Looks like they serve well-rounded meals. I want to be able to tell your mother I fed you well."
"You're a wimp Dad; letting Mama T control you like that. All we have to do is tell her I ate my vegetables – it doesn't have to be true!" Naruto hinted, trying to tell Iruka that they should skip the veggies.
Iruka laughed at that. "Nice try but who is it that crumbles like dried rice when Tsunade looks into your eyes and asks real quietly did you do what you were supposed to?! Uzumaki Naruto, that's who! And then there's Hinata, she'll know fairly quickly if you're telling the truth too! Nice try son, just think of them, I'm sure the vegetables will slide down your throat like butter!" They took a table and Iruka ordered for both of them.
"So you've got a date tomorrow? If you can hook females so easily, why haven't you been doing it?" Naruto asked before stuffing an egg roll into his mouth.
"I told you – I was busy but I'll definitely do better when we get home. I forgot how much fun the chase can be. You may get another mother before you know it!" Iruka said as a joke. No way was he rushing into a marriage not when there was Naruto's happiness at sake as well as his own.
"The chase huh? Is that what Pervy Sage gets so excited about?" Naruto frowned.
"Hmm, I think the whole process gets him – the chase, the capture and the quick escape! Yeah it can be fun making a girl like you and finally getting her to go out with you." Iruka let out a loud laugh. "But you didn't get that with Hinata! She did all the chasing! You'll have to ask her about that!"
"Yeah, yeah, ha, ha!" Naruto pretended to laugh but thinking back on how Hinata had followed behind him all those years and how she acted once she'd gotten him – yeah she did enjoy herself. Naruto blushed thinking of all the times she'd seen him naked using those big innocent eyes of hers!
Iruka was very curious about that blush but didn't ask, a guy had to have some secrets he shared only with his girl. They filled up on good food and conversation before heading back to the room.
"Whadyou mean? But you already got some numbers! If you don't go looking every day, you might miss that special one!" Naruto said hitting the lights. Iruka had just told him that he wouldn't be searching for women every day.
"I don't need to be on the lookout for a woman all the time. Nobody's that desperate!" Iruka said and both their eyes were drawn to Jiraiya's backpack and both of them couldn't stop their smiles. "And then there's that! Jiraiya is always sneaking off somewhere. I do not want you tagging along after him - no telling what you'd see now that you know where you were going! Anyway this trip is supposed to be for you Naruto! A chance to forget about the Chunin Festival and all that other stuff. It's also a chance for us to spend some time together as father and son. I'll still date but that doesn't me we can't have fun too."
Reminded of why he was here in a hotel room instead of home where his new status of Chunin was about to be recognized, Naruto went to look out the window. Suddenly their earlier conversation took on a whole new meaning.
Naruto had chased after Sasuke and Sakura hoping to win their friendship. It seemed he'd only just gotten to the point when the satisfaction of the chase should have been settling in and he should be enjoying the results but it didn't happen that way. They had dumped him. He hadn't been their type at all. Left all alone to find his own way home at the end of a very bad date.
He had to laugh. He had to or cry. Naruto was staring out the window but all he saw was the look of fear on Sakura's face and the hate mixed with desire for power on Sasuke's. Naruto didn't feel the tears yet they left his eyes freely.
Iruka had been taking off his jacket and hanging it up when he noticed Naruto's silence. Turing he cursed himself for bringing up the reason they weren't back in Konoha. Fine tremors flowed from the top of Naruto's head down to his feet. In the window, Naruto's eyes were blank as the tears left them. Iruka took his son's shoulders then wrapped one arm around Naruto's chest.
"I'm sorry son, so sorry." Iruka was apologizing for every hurt Naruto had ever had in his fifteen years. He caressed Naruto's head with his own. "I love you." It startled him when Naruto turned to hide his face against him but he smiled sadly to hold his crying son in his arms. "Things changed but that doesn't mean they won't change again. You and Sasuke have a bond Naruto, no matter what happens between you, it's a bond that can't be broken. You live in him as he lives in you."
Naruto breathed in Iruka's scent. The smell he'd know since those first overly awkward days at the academy. He remembered the times Iruka had talked to him to help him understand the ways of the ninja and all the times he'd yelled at him, completely fed up his antics. No matter what, Iruka had always been there. Naruto had often set out intentionally to make his sensei angry. Iruka had punished Naruto severely but he was always there with him to make sure Naruto did the work and he'd talked to him, taking the time to explain his bad behavior or talk about things they'd done in class so Naruto got a double helping of all his lectures.
Naruto clutched Iruka's shirt his hands. He stepped forward even though there was no space between them now. No he didn't have Sasuke. He may not have Sakura but he had Iruka-sensei who now, thank God and those who gave him life, who now called him son. "D-ad, Daddy!" Naruto stood on tiptoe, his hands now cupped over Iruka's shoulders. "Thank you, thank you! Iloveyou-thankyou!" He slobbered against Iruka's neck.
Iruka felt wetness on his own cheeks now as he gripped Naruto about the waist held him. His other hand locked in the boy's blond hair. He was thrown backwards in time when he'd needed a hug like this but all he'd been given was an empty house and dark rooms. He was at once the boy who's parents had been killed by the thing in Naruto's belly and the father Naruto so desperately needed. In each other they'd found the family they'd lost. "It's okay baby. I know, I know Naruto. Daddy's got you." He rocked them and waited for Naruto's heart to steady. "We're going to get through this – you, me, Tsunade, Hinata, Lord Hiashi and your favorite pervert Jiraiya." He smiled when Naruto let out a congested chuckle.
Naruto listened to Iruka's heartbeat and soon his own matched that of his father's. All the pain was still so fresh within him – it surprised him and yet it didn't. Sasuke and Sakura. Iruka marrying and having his own family. That last one could still happen but Naruto was sure of Iruka. Their history and this moment in time, from the beginning and until - no even after they died – their souls would always be connected.
Slowly Naruto loosened his grip on Iruka. He became aware of how wet his face was and jerked backwards. "Aw man, I did it again. I ruined your new shirt." Naruto saw his tears and snot on the shirt and grimaced. "I'll buy you a new one." He undid the shirt and tossed it in the garbage then grabbed some tissues to clean his face and handed some to Iruka. "Dad?"
Iruka kept his eyes on Naruto. He was calmer and there was something different about Naruto. He'd settled something in his mind – something was positive and real about Naruto's attitude. Glad to be free of the messed up shirt, Iruka went to get two towels then returned to his son. As usual Naruto hadn't done a good job of cleaning up after himself. He wiped Naruto's face as if he were five years old. "What is it?"
Naruto's eyes locked with that of his father's then he smiled. He submitted to the parenting willingly. "Nothing really, guess I just like saying Dad. …And, I'm glad you…chose me to be your son. Thanks Dad."
Iruka looked his face over. There had been hopelessness hidden in Naruto's face since the nightmare but now… A sigh left Iruka and every fear mixed in it disappeared. He cupped Naruto's jaw. "You're the most aggravating boy alive! Who else would I choose to make my life this interesting?!" He squeezed Naruto's jaws then smacked a kiss on his forehead. "Go, get ready for bed!" He pushed him towards the bathroom. Just before Naruto disappeared being the door, they shared another look. "You're welcome…son, my son." At Naruto's blinding smile, Iruka chuckled then flopped back on the bed when the door closed. "And thank you for needing me Naruto. Because you need me…my life's the best it's ever been…"
The room was quiet except for Naruto moving and humming in the bathroom. Each marveled over the changes life could bring, the joy and the sorrow. Fate had seen fit to bring them together and mend their ragged seams. Of course fate would again and again cut these seams but neither feared being torn from the other, not anymore. Father and son they were and father and son they would always be.
Crash! The door slammed inward making Iruka jump off the bed reaching for weapons he wasn't carrying. Naruto threw open the bathroom door, standing in his boxers a disposable razor his only weapon.
Jiraiya stood there drunk with three equally drunk young women. "See! I toold you my f-friendsss were goood loking!" He hiccupped and staggered in the room pushing the giggling women inside. "Looky boys! Girlsss!" He tried to whisper. "One for e-each of usss!" Jiraiya let out a loud laugh. "Knew-knew y-you needed help with the ladies! So here!" He pushed one to Iruka and the girl latched onto his neck. Then he pushed one to Naruto, she fell but crawled over until she could clutch his leg. Unfortunately she grabbed his shorts in the process and Naruto got exposed. Unintentionally he stiffly greeted the women.
"Wow!" The girls said awed.
"Oh yeah! Way to go N-Naruto! Let's get this p-party starrrted!" Jiraiya had known Naruto would come in handy!