By: Selim
Summary: When the newlywed Iruka wants to adopt a child, he meets a discriminated boy named Naruto with a dark past. Can Iruka and Kakashi obtain a small family with the boy, or lose him back to the boys original parents…
Pairings: Kakashi x Iruka, Sasuke + Naruto
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Information of this fiction: This is a slight AU. Though it has to do with Ninjas, has Kyuubi, and both Kakashi and Iruka are at designated jobs in the manga, some things are different. Instead of 25, Iruka is only 22, and Naruto is 9 along with all the other kids he grew up with in the manga. Beware of OOCness, because there are so many characters, and the amount of manga I've read only introduced a few. Also, this is being beta'd now – just for y'all to know.
Thanks for reviewing (FF) Zoomi, Twizidchick666, DeusExmchna, Silver Fox aka Vash, Snow887, Lil Saiyan, Chewy-Chan, XwolfdevilX, Pryawiccan, Fractured Dreams, Fitful Fantasy, Silvermane1, Johsdottir, Alaskantiger, IceNight009, Weirdchick101, Tsumei-kun, Soccer-ckik, Fullmoonhowler, Anonymous, Blackmoon13, Gold Silk, Kage-Youkai Girl, Weavers, AmaneRose (AFF) Eve4mem, Briryan, Chelzi, Reno'sLover, Bakura, Avila7989, Inoku, Yaoigurl91, Lonelylulaby, SapphirexKat2, Mazoku-Onna, Reb Riddle, ShadowofLight, and Sky
As Iruka opened the door to excuse his class for lunch, he came across his son mid-knock. The small boy was dressed in dark blue, clutching a frog bento box a huge smile on his face. "Iruka-daddy! I want to have lunch with you!" The small boy squealed and ran into the room, past all the pre-genin students. Taking a seat at Iruka's desk, Naruto began digging through the drawers, singing loudly about pigs in the market place. "Today I go home with my daddies – ah-ha! Found your lunch!" He danced from foot to foot as all students, leaving Iruka propping the door open, deserted the classroom.
"Wouldn't you rather eat lunch with Sasuke-san?" Iruka asked sliding an extra chair that he used during conferences with parents towards the desk before sitting down. Thanking for the food, the two broke their chopsticks and began to eat (Iruka savoring the food as he swallowed some sushi).
As Naruto finished the last of his rice he sniffled. "Sasuke-san doesn't want to play with me anymore. His mommy and daddy said that I'm a bad boy and don't want him to be around me anymore. Everybody stopped playing with me!" He bawled.
Reaching over, Iruka brushed Naruto's hair back lovingly. "Don't worry Naruto, I'm sure he still wants to play with you. Some people just…don't understand how special you are and…don't like the fact that you're living with Kakashi and me." He fought for his words, deciding to avoid the knowledge that the lack of liking was actually due to the fact that Naruto held the Kyuubi. "And, if Sasuke really liked you, he will decide later if he wants to play with you. But right now, he is going to do what his parents tell him to." He closed his bento box after finishing his rice.
Kicking his feet out, Naruto frowned. "Sasuke said he wanted to play with me, but his mommy and daddy found out he was getting permission to play with me from Itachi-san and they didn't like that. He said that his parents grounded him and told him not to play with me anymore 'cause he can be hurt or get in trouble with the village. I don't think it's fair because all the others can't play with me either, their moms and dads said the same thing. Am I really a bad boy like that?"
Sighing, Iruka pressed his chopsticks together and decided his words carefully. Never in his life had he been angrier at that law stating he wasn't allowed to tell Naruto about the Kyuubi. "I don't think so. They don't know what they're missing by not knowing you. I bet Sasuke will come back though, he really likes you."
"Conscience says the same thing. He doesn't think Sasuke will leave me by myself, throughout class he watched me and I saw he wanted to come sit by me." The boy grinned. "But Itachi-san greets me with a smile. Sasuke told me before Itachi-san doesn't smile for no one!" Giggling, Naruto closed his bento box and pushed his chair noisily against the floor as he ran to Iruka's desk drawer to find some paper and pencils so he could draw. "On the way home can we stop for ramen?"
"You just ate, Naruto!" Iruka cried out, astonished.
"But we have a long time until school is over and I'll be hungrier then!" Naruto whined, drawing on the back of paperwork that made Iruka squirm. Luckily he took out anything important from that desk drawer.
Chuckling, Iruka laid his chin against his palms as the door opened and Hikari entered the room. She smiled at Naruto as he greeted her happily. "I'm sorry to interrupt Iruka-san, but I need to tell you that I had to cut class short today because of a doctor's appointment I have. We'll finish tomorrow, and probably have class for three hours on the weekend if we don't finish this week. Is that all right with you?"
Wide eyed, Iruka stared at Naruto before back at the teacher. "Ah. No problem, I can handle him from here I suppose. Thanks for telling me this. Um…do the other children's parents know of this change?"
"Well, besides Sasuke, most of the kids were able to walk home because one of their parents was there. I sent each with a note explaining the situation. Sasuke said both his parents are working and his brother went to Sand with your husband on a mission. Uh, you don't mind if I send him in here so he's not out on the play yard this entire time? He's a good boy and will love learning about chakra control." She smiled, causing a small chuckle to leave Iruka's lips.
"It's fine, just…as you're leaving, tell him to come to my class when the lunch bell rings." With a nod, the other Chuunin teacher left, leaving Iruka and Naruto in the classroom.
"Kakashi-san is in Sand? Where's Sand? Is he going to come home soon?" Naruto bounced in his chair. "Do I get to sit by Sasuke in your class?"
"No." Iruka put their lunches away. Lunch was almost over, so students that had scattered around the academy or headed home for lunch would soon be returning. "Sasuke will sit on one side, you on the other. Can't have you two playing around during my class. So instead, you guys can do any homework or unfinished assignments. I know you have a lot of studying to do, since exams are coming up. You want to go on to Mizuki's class, don't you?" He asked.
Glaring at the door, Naruto shook his head. "No. He scares me. Always smiling at me."
Sighing, Iruka leaned against his desk. "He finds you amusing." He cleared that up as the door opened and Hikari led Sasuke in along with both boys' backpacks. Taking each bag, Iruka patted a seat on the far end of the room, near the window, which Sasuke wasted no time to take – childishly sticking his tongue out at Naruto (who returned the gesture). Naruto took the seat nearest to the door just as Hikari quickly explained to Iruka that Sasuke was the read some strategy scrolls in his pack while Naruto was to continue catching up in his classes. While both adults were busy, Naruto passed Sasuke another glance before smiling brightly – the look was returned with a quirk of the lips.
The bell rang just as students began to fill the room. Girls squealed when they saw the Uchiha child sitting in the corner, and quickly flocked to surround him, commenting how he looked so much like the "Great Itachi-sama". Iruka broke the swarm off just as Hikari left the classroom. "Sasuke, Naruto. Do your assignments and try to stay quiet while I teach. The rest of you, leave the kids alone or you'll be cleaning this room." The class fell silent. "Good. Can anyone tell me what chakra is and why it is important?" With that, his class had begun again.
Throughout the class, little eyes would glance up from their work to watch what was going on, absorbing information like little sponges. Often or not, when Sasuke would bite his bottom lip, Iruka could tell that the small boy so desperately wanted to raise his hand and ask questions. Naruto's eyes twinkled mischievously before looking down at his paper. Finally, when class was over, both boys packed their bags and waited for further instruction from their new teacher. When the room was deserted, Iruka turned to Sasuke.
"When will your parents return home?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Sasuke slithered into the arms of his backpack. "I don't know, Hatake-san. They're always working, or mom's always with her friends. Itachi usually comes to get me when work is done, but he had to go on a mission."
"Oh? Um." Iruka stared at Naruto, watching the boy jump from toe-to-toe while chanting in a singing voice about ramen. "Would you like to join Naruto and me for an after school snack?"
Looking at Naruto, Sasuke blushed before whispering, "Dad says I can't play with Naruto."
Right. Iruka opened the classroom door, allowing Naruto to run past him. "I'll explain the situation to him when we drop you off at home, after some food, maybe the park, or something." Really, he just wanted to go home and relax. Lie around on his back while Naruto screamed he was bored. He wanted to feel like everything was normal in his life again. Naruto ran past him again. "What are you doing, Naruto?" Iruka sighed.
Pulling on Sasuke's arm, Naruto tried going down the hall again. "Ramen! I want ramen! No more healthy food for me!"
Smirking, Iruka followed behind the two. "How about onigiri instead of ramen?"
Sasuke brightened at that thought while Naruto gave a totally opposite response by breaking into tears. "Ramen! Iruka-san lied to me about ramen!"
He still planned on taking Naruto out for Ramen, but he couldn't fight the temptation to pick on the boy, even if just a little. They'd just have onigiri for a light dinner later that day, since Iruka never saw need to make large amounts of food when some of his family was gone. While Naruto was away, he only made enough for Kakashi and himself, never extra. With Kakashi gone, and while Naruto was gone, Iruka made light meals to sustain himself, just as he had done ever since his parents had died. Maybe he'd buy some snack for after dinner to celebrate Naruto's return home.
That night, while Iruka sat in bed going over some scrolls he'd been given as a gift from the hokage on raising children when his bedroom door opened and a small blonde head stuck into the bedroom. Some of Naruto's blonde hair was covered with a penguin nightcap that matched penguin foot pajamas. In his arms were both his fox plush toys, clutched tightly to his chest. Iruka's pulse slowed as he saw crystalline tears going down his face. Patting Kakashi's side of the bed, Iruka gave his permission for Naruto to completely enter the room.
"What's wrong, Naruto-kun?" Iruka wrapped his arms around the small.
Naruto sniffled, rubbing his nose against Iruka's shoulder and his back into Kakashi's pillow. Relaxing, he spread his toes and tensed his shoulders, unable to fight off a yawn. "I dreamed that you and Kakashi didn't want me anymore and gave me to my mom and Toshi. There, mom stopped being nice to me and Toshi hurt me and called me a bad boy and Sasuke didn't want to talk to me anymore…" The boy ranted on, his voice draining as he closed his eyes. "I can't sleep now. Tell me a bedtime story?"
Wrapping his arms around Naruto, Iruka rubbed the boy's head. "I can't think of any stories right now. How about I tell you how Kakashi and I met?"
"Mm." Naruto muttered, though he didn't look very enthused about the idea. "I don't want to hear about that. Read me this!" Naruto slid halfway under the bed and pulled out an orange book, throwing the pages open. "Kakashi-kun left off with Miki being held down with fingers on her tummy." He pushed open to chapter nine. "I want to know if she reaches the n-nir…vana." He sounded out the word from memory.
Iruka's eyes narrowed to the pages of the book before finally snatching it out of Naruto's hands. 'That god damn idiot!' Rather than cussing his husband out loud, where tiny ears could hear, the academy chuunin choose to curse the man mentally. He'd caught Kakashi reading this book to Naruto twice, but judging on how far along the boy was in the book; he was starting to second-guess himself.
With a throw of the windows, the book was sent flying out of the apartment. One less book he'd have to worry about, Iruka decided, closing the windows with a huff. Climbing back on the bed, Iruka put all his scrolls on the floor before pulling the light blanket over both his and Naruto's body. "I met Kakashi back…" He began his story, ignoring the groan from the small boy.
Halfway through his story, the near asleep Naruto muttered so softly that Iruka almost didn't hear him, "When me and Sasuke have kids, I'll never tell them boring stories."
Iruka choked on newly acquired air.
Thousands of kilometers away, Kakashi snorted awake from his catnap with a feeling of dread. Why did it suddenly feel like he was better off not going home? Sighing, he scooted his back further against the tree as he watched charred ash from the fire still burn red. A little away from him, Itachi stared up to see what was with the sudden movement before relaxing again. "Naruto came home today." Itachi stated, matter-of-fact.
"Yes he did." Kakashi nodded. "I'll see him tomorrow though, more than likely. I've been wondering, since we left Konoha the other day, what possessed you to come along with me to Sand. This isn't a mission that someone of your caliber would need to be doing when Konoha would probably need you in crisis."
Wrinkling his nose, Itachi picked up a twig and began to poke at the dead fire pit they had made at the beginning of their camping. "True, but I doubt anything will happen within two days that they can't handle on their own. Besides, I just…needed to get away." By nature, Itachi was usually reclusive. His words were soft and hesitant, trying to decide what he could say that wouldn't offer too much information. Kakashi had realized this when he first met the young man.
The woods fell into silence again as Kakashi listened to the crickets mating calls that echoed loudly before dying once more. "What did you need to get away from?" He finally asked. Part of him kicked himself for even asking something, telling him to leave Itachi alone. Yet, he also was struck with sudden curiosity. "Itachi-san, you can tell me anything. Whatever you say out here will never need to be repeated unless you choose for it to be open news. Besides, who would I tell?"
"Iruka, Naruto, your Jounin friends. Obito." Itachi muttered offhandedly.
Taken aback, Kakashi trained his expression to an impassive look. "The dead tell no tales."
Rolling his eyes, the young ANBU captain rolled his shoulders as he relaxed. Taking a deep breath he whispered, "Fine, I'll tell you. I trust you. Besides, I've been meaning to ask you some questions myself – which is why I asked to join you on the little mission." Kakashi's fine raised eyebrow allowed him to continue talking. "Questions beginning with why - mostly about your personal life, such as your choices. Answers to some confusion that has arisen, especially surrounding Naruto. May I ask you some questions? You don't have to answer, but it'd be nice."
"As long as they aren't too personal."
Nodding, Itachi picked up his stick, absently making circles in the dirt. "Why Naruto? Did you just decide to adopt Naruto because he's Yondaime-sama's son?"
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. "I ask myself that often. I believe, at first, I did want him with me because he was my dead teacher's son. I wanted him because he was part of me that was missing, reminding me of what I've lost. But, when I see his smile as he played back at the apartment, comparing it to how he looked back at the orphanage, I realized the other part of it. I wanted him to have a different life. But, in the end, it does go back to Arashi-sensei. I don't want him to know that we – we as in Konoha – have abused his son. I don't want it to look that I've also turned the other cheek on the boy. But, with Arashi-sensei, I was also doing all this for Iruka." He silenced himself, feeling depressed.
"Hm." Itachi broke the twig. "How do you adopt? Generally I mean."
Kakashi looked up, confused. "Explain a little further than that, you've lost me."
"I can't stay at home anymore. It's breaking me. I'm dreaming of murdering my clan, Hatake-san. When my father is telling me to do things 'for the Uchiha clan', I feel the desire to tear all his vital organs out. The same with mother. I just want to see the whole clan die for the pressures they put on their offspring, and it scares me. I must get away from the clan before I do something I will regret."
"And what does adoption have to do with any of that? For that, just approach Sondaime-sama and have him remove you from residency."
"Ah." Itachi narrowed his eyes. "No one else sees it, and I guess you don't either. Sasuke will never been seen as a human in the main Uchiha Clan. He'll be pushed to over exert himself, to become strong, to be only the best. Everyone, even outside our family, will compare him to me. Our father is the worse. He's the most persistent that Sasuke either live in my footsteps or surpass me. By the time he is twelve, he will go insane and probably act upon the same desires that I have. Right now though, besides scolding him on low homework scores and weapon knowledge, though he's the best in his class, our parents don't pay any mind to him. We're only trophy children to bring honor to a family with no love. I don't want Sasuke to live the same life I've lived at this point. Since I am the one that pays him the most mind, when I leave I plan to bring him along."
Sighing, Kakashi rubbed his temples. "I won't offer advice or anything of that matter. I will say this though. Choose carefully because if you do decide to adopt Sasuke, you'll be making a life changing decision. Children will take a lot from you, but I hear in the end they return it to you pride. A long time ago, I'd have probably just taken a mission to get out of Konoha, for a sense of adventure and something to do. Now, I have a family to support. I have to take whatever the mission hall will give me, pathetic missions like C class, or dangerous ones. I have to take them. Iruka is on a fixed salary, which usually goes to paying all the bills. Anything I make goes to our financial wants. Adopting Sasuke could mean that you'll be taking on more responsibility than what you already have. You're still a kid; try not to take too much responsibility." Kakashi closed his eyes to fall into another catnap.
If Itachi was listening, he didn't show it.