The Importance of Being Family

PG (occasional language)

So, Konoha doesn't have child protective services. They do have a chronically tardy jounin whose aggravating pug-dog conscience bullies him into tolerating a new room-mate. Or two. A/U.

Chapter 2: Fret –In which Iruka frets about being a new teacher and hopes that he can teach his kids enough so that when they die one day it won't be his fault…and he's not going to be responsible for that one's death either, darn it.

Beta: Thanks to my wonderful beta reader, Random Flyer.

A/N: For those of you who haven't read the new A/N in Chapter 1, please go do so.

Iruka was having a very long day. Honestly, all his days seemed longer now that he'd unexpectedly been promoted to head sensei for the youngest academy class. He'd been quite happy simply being assistant sensei—and really, Jiro-senpai should have known better. They'd all been adequately forewarned that the Kyubbi brat would be starting the academy this year. And everyone knew that Hatake-san was playing bodyguard for the thing.

Iruka probably hadn't paid as much attention to the situation as he should…looking back, Iruka had the impression that Jiro-sempai may have been bullying the kid. At the time, Iruka really just hadn't wanted to deal with it and he'd been more than happy to let the senior sensei handle the kid on his own. That is, he'd been happy with it until Hatake-san showed up one day out of nowhere (Iruka really itched to know how he did that) and sweetly-as-you pleased requested an "audience" with Jiro-sempai…who then didn't return to the classroom for the rest of the day…or the next day…or the one after that.

Iruka heard rumors that Jiro-sensei had been shipped out on some unfavorable long term mission…but those were just rumors. The only thing that Iruka knew for certain was that the academy principal, a seasoned kunoichi with a weathered face and a biting tongue known as Miyagi-sama, stopped in one morning to tell Iruka that he was officially in charge of the class and to be especially respectful to the blond brat.

Iruka, understandably, was a bit ruffled by the whole situation, but he'd worked hard to make sure that the Kyuubi kid was treated exactly the same as the other children in the classroom. He'd asked for an assistant of course, but administration was having trouble finding takers for the job…which was a bit unusual. Generally, there was no shortage of ninja on the injured list eager to take a low-stress assistant-sensei position at the academy for a few months. It wasn't a job people clamored for—but it helped to pay bills until wounds healed and ninja were cleared for more strenuous duties.

Apparently the rumors about Jiro-sempai had spread quickly. Iruka scoffed at the idea that any of them were true…he highly doubted Hokage-sama would let Hatake-san get away with half the tales that had reached his ears. No matter how much the Hokage doted on the Kyuubi brat like a favorite grand-child, turning a blind eye to Hatake-san murdering academy teachers was a bit farfetched. Unfortunately, the rest of Konoha didn't seem to share Iruka's faith in the Hokage's control of the infamously eccentric copy-nin.

This all meant twice as much work for the already overwhelmed Iruka. It was his first year doing anything at the academy—he had just as much to learn as the students. He also had an extremely overactive conscience that wasn't helping him adapt to his new duties. A tiny voice in the back of his head kept whispering that if he messed up this lesson or skipped that topic it might cause one of these kids to die somewhere down the road.

The responsibility, his inexperience, and the potentially deadly future consequences of his screw-ups were combining to create a suffocating atmosphere for his daily life. However, he'd been finding his way in the dark for a couple of months now and he thought that he was finally adjusting to the burden. He was beginning to feel that he might be getting the hang of this after all. Maybe no one was going to die because of this mess. Well, obviously some of his students would die…they wanted to be ninja after all. But just maybe they wouldn't die because their stupid inept academy sensei failed to teach them how to tell the difference between a senbon and a toothpick.

Iruka caught himself nibbling on his red grading pen and scowled, bringing his arm down and tapping the pen impatiently on the desk. He was currently marking homework that the kids had turned in earlier that day. Most of the class grasped the concepts pretty easily. However, it looked like Kiba-kun might need a remedial assignment and Shikamaru-kun might be joining him. Iruka knew that the Nara child understood the concepts; he was just too lazy to do his homework and half the time the papers he turned in were covered in doodles of clouds. Iruka was still trying to find the proper motivation to get Shikamaru to pay attention, but he hadn't hit on any successful ideas yet.

The other problem was that he was missing one paper—the Kyuubi br—err, Naruto's. Iruka had been expecting that child to be one of worst behaved in his classroom. But, surprisingly, the kid seemed to behave pretty well. He was generally quiet and kept to himself. He wasn't an extremely social child, but he got along well enough with most of the boys in the classroom and the timid Hinata-chan. The only one he didn't seem to play well with was the Uchiha boy. Of course, Sasuke-kun was a bit spoiled and snobby, none of the other boys "played well" with him either. The girls, however, seemed to have developed an early case of hero-worship and trailed after Sasuke-kun like little puppies. It was harmless enough at the moment, but he'd have to watch it in a couple of years.

-And there he'd done it again! He'd been meaning to think about Naruto and the kid just slipped from his mind! Naruto was like that…despite insistently wearing the loudest color on the planet and having the potential power to destroy the entire academy in a tantrum, he tended to fade from your attention rather quickly. Iruka would be thinking of scolding him one minute and the next he'd be distracted by another child and wouldn't realize that he'd forgotten about the blond brat until later that evening. Naruto was one of the highest performers in physical activities, but his academic grades were only average. Despite this, it was a bit odd for him not to turn in his homework. Iruka wasn't exactly looking forward to one-on-one time with him, but if it were another child he would pull him aside so—

"Naruto, stay after class." Iruka looked out at the class full of students, all busy scribbling away on their quizzes. Naruto's head subtly shrinking into his shoulders was the only sign that the boy had heard him. Iruka spared Ino a glare as she snickered…she really shouldn't sit on the front row if she wanted to misbehave. Ino threw her hair haughtily over her shoulder and went back to work.

About thirty minutes later the silence erupted into chaos and laughter as the children filed out the door, pushing each other in their eagerness to get out of the classroom for the day. Iruka yelled at a couple to stop running, broke up a squabble over who-stole-who's ruler, and barely stopped Chougi from eating a flower-wreath Sakura had made during recess. He waited patiently as Hinata-chan stammered out her traditional "thank you for teaching us this week, sensei" before she bowed and ran from the classroom, and finally he hit Shikamaru on the head to wake him up on his way back to his own desk at the front of the classroom. Iruka had finished his grading by the end of the school day for once and was looking forward to a nice, relaxing evening at home.

A shy cough reminded Iruka that one student remained in the room. Right—Iruka bit back a groan and looked over the side of his desk, where Naruto was patiently waiting, hidden from view. Iruka looked forward to the day when his students would be too tall to be hidden by the furniture. It was always a bit unnerving to think that they were starting to teach kids how to be assassins before they were tall enough to reach a chalkboard.

Naruto watched him from under a shaggy, dirty blond mop of hair. It was the first time Iruka had been alone with child without other children distracting him, and Iruka took a moment to observe the boy before him. The kid could use a hair-cut, and probably a bath too, but so could most of the other boys in his classroom by the end of the day. It was incredible how quickly little boys became filthy.

Naruto twitched nervously for a moment under his sensei's gaze and Iruka finally asked him why he hadn't turned in yesterday's assignment.

Naruto kicked at the floor with his sandals. "I'm out of pencils, I don't got no more."

Iruka blinked. "What do you mean you are out of pencils?"

Naruto still refused to look up at him and just shrugged his shoulders. "I don't got no more. Can't do papers if I can't write nothin'."

Iruka narrowed his eyes. "Then how did you complete your quiz today?"

"Borrowed one from Shika-kun. He wasn't gonna use it anyways…gave it back though." The sheepish looking child kicked at the ground.

His explanation caused Iruka to pause and make a mental note to look for Shikamaru's quiz later that night. If it was missing…maybe talking to the boy's mother would instill some motivation in the lazy brat. Still, while this pencil story was a new excuse, it was not one of the better ones he'd heard so far in his limited teaching experience.

"Naruto, pencils aren't that hard to get a hold of—"

To Iruka's surprise, Naruto's head whipped up and Iruka found himself on the end of a baleful stare.

"'Kashi-san says not to steal things, stealin's bad, but I don't got no more pencils Sensei!" Naruto punctuated his declaration by crossing his arms and digging his fingers into his elbows.

Iruka was beginning to feel like he was fighting a losing battle, but he wasn't quite ready to give up. He leaned back in his chair with a sigh. "Have you asked Hatake-san for more pencils?"

"He's not here."

"What do you mean—" Iruka caught himself, he was beginning to sound snappy and if this were any other child Iruka wouldn't be snapping at them, no matter how long the day had been. Iruka cleared his throat and repeated the question a bit more calmly. "What do you mean he's not there?"

Naruto blinked at him warily and shifted a bit, trying to shrug again only he was clutching his own arms so tightly he was restricting the movement of his shoulders. "He's not here," Naruto repeated in a very quiet voice.

Iruka was bewildered at his student's behavior for a moment, until he realized that maybe Naruto was expecting Iruka to lash out just because Hatake-san wasn't present to pick him up from school that day. "I'm not mad at you Naruto, I'm just trying to understand things," Iruka explained in what he hoped was a reasonable voice. "Why don't I just go talk to him."

Naruto looked at him, a bit bewildered. "…But, he's not here Sensei!"

Iruka shook his head as he gathered up his papers. "I know he's not here, that's why I'm going to go home with you and wait for him there." Naruto opened his mouth to protest, but Iruka cut him off. "I don't want to hear any buts about it." He picked up his bag and walked away, pausing at the door when he didn't hear the expected pitter-patter of feet behind him. Naruto was standing hesitantly by the desk. "Come on then," Iruka said, making a beckoning motion with his free hand.

Naruto reluctantly followed him out of the door, out of the academy and out into the village, leading the way to Hatake's home (presumably, at least, that's where Iruka hoped Naruto was taking them). It was a bit of an awkward walk. Iruka was sensitive to the frigid stares of villagers who were normally very friendly when he walked to school by himself in the mornings. He could tell from Naruto's hunched posture that the kid knew the rude behavior was for him. Iruka began to feel a bit ridiculous about the whole thing. Naruto couldn't even spell Hokage properly yet (he kept writing Hoe-kagay on his papers) and most of the people here were looking at him as if he were responsible for murdering their best friend-oops, maybe Iruka shouldn't go that far.

He straightened his back a bit and continued to follow Naruto, who'd wandered a few steps ahead during Iruka's internal musings. Iruka bit his lip…despite everything; Naruto was a pretty decent kid most of the time. He didn't really cause any more issues than the other children caused…and Iruka had been watching him like a hawk the past few months since he'd been given sole charge of the newest class. He had to admit that he'd not seen anything malicious or Kyuubi-like in the child's behavior.

Iruka was startled from his thoughts when they stopped in front of a rather average looking housing complex. It was three stories high, he guessed five units per floor from the front, although it looked like a building that might have units in the back. The design was a bit old, but the building seemed to have been kept up nicely. Iruka looked down at his student, only to find Naruto gazing up at him speculatively, chewing on his lip.

Iruka raised an eyebrow, "Well?," he prompted.

Naruto sighed and muttered something about "'round back" before trudging forward. Iruka followed, stuffing his free hand into his pocket. He followed Naruto as he slipped to the side of the building and around a corner. In the back of the building was a porch like structure with a bit of a yard. There were fewer units in the back, only three per floor…Iruka assumed they must be larger. The yard was fenced in, with an empty alley behind it. But Naruto didn't stop to consider his surroundings as he marched up the porch and a stairway that led to the second floor. Naruto stopped in front of an unassuming green door with chipped paint and Iruka paused as his student ducked down and crawled through the dog flap at the bottom of the door.

Iruka blinked in surprise, and after a couple of seconds bit his cheek. "Naruto," He called out, knocking on the door. The door stayed closed, mocking him. "Naruto, if you don't open this door right no—" It swung open, and Iruka's fist hit empty air. He looked down at his student, who rolled his eyes.

"I had to undo the trap." Naruto stated matter-of-factly. "But you can come in now."

"Oh, right." Iruka worked his mouth for a moment, and then gave voice to his curiosity as he stepped through the door. "Do you always come through the dog door? Don't you have a key? Are there dogs here now?"

Naruto ignored his academy sensei, dropped his book bag on the floor, and disappeared through a door off the living room. Iruka hesitantly took the only chair at a tiny kitchen table. He was surprised to see the apartment itself was much smaller than he originally thought. It seemed to be one room. He'd at first thought Naruto had gone to his own bedroom, but now he heard a toilet flush and Naruto emerged mumbling an apology about really needing to use the bathroom before coming into the kitchen and sitting on the floor in front of the dog door.

Naruto watched him, but didn't seem very inclined to start the conversation.

Iruka cleared his throat. "So, Naruto…where's your bedroom?"

Naruto pointed to the living room, which was partitioned by a screen. Iruka assumed that there must be a bed behind it.

"But, where is Hatake-san's room then?"

Naruto scrunched his nose. "He gets the bed when he's home, but he's not here much, so its mine most of the time."

Naruto's odd response barely registered in Iruka's head as he started making other observations about the apartment…none of which added to the conclusion that two beings shared this home. Iruka rubbed his head, he didn't want to get involved in this, he should stop thinking while he was ahead. Fortunately, he was saved by a growling stomach. "Naruto, do you have anything to eat while we wait for Hatake-san?"

Naruto blinked and hesitantly responded,"…ramen?"

Iruka's lips twitched a bit. "I was thinking of something healthier, maybe fruit? You've had instant ramen for lunch every day this week, I've seen you eat it! You can't have that all the time you know."

Iruka's light scolding was met by a ducked head. "…But I like ramen?"

Iruka laughed and stood up from his chair. "Why don't you let me fix the snack?" He couldn't help but smile at his student's sheepish expression, especially when he opened the pantry only to find it contained about twenty boxes of instant ramen and nothing else. "I can see you weren't understating your affections," Iruka said dryly as he moved on the refrigerator…which was completely empty of food, as were the cupboards over the sink, and the ones under the sink…Iruka whirled on his student. "Naruto, there's no food in this house!"

The six-year old puffed up indignantly before yelling, "There is too! I gots plenty of ramen! You shouldn't be such a picky eater."

Iruka narrowed his eyes. "Naruto, where is Hatake-san?"

"He's not here," was Naruto's sulky reply.

"Yes, we've been over that," Iruka reminded himself to remain calm, and rubbed at the bridge of the nose before taking a deep, soothing breath. "Where is he?"

"Out."

"Out where?"

"I dunno."

"Ok, when will he back?"

"I dunno."

Screw calm. "Naruto!"

"I dunno!" The child wailed and covered the top of his head (which made Iruka feel horrible because it wasn't like he would ever be mad enough to hit the kid). "He's out on a mission and he's not here. He's not here lots, it happens all the time."

Iruka stepped back and sat in the chair again, trying to make himself seem less threatening and more like the reasonable teacher that Naruto had known for the past few months. Naruto's answers weren't that odd, after all, Hatake-san was ANBU, plenty of other children lived in households where one or both parents were on active duty. It wasn't that unusual a lifestyle. Surely, Hatake-san had been gone only a day or two and something had happened with whoever was assigned to watch Naruto in the meantime.

"How long has he been on his mission, Naruto?"

Naruto peeked out from where he was half hidden—half clinging to the pantry door, bravely protecting his ramen horde from his sensei's temper tantrum. "Since the day Sasuke and I got into the fight about the kunai at lunchtime…" the shy voice trailed off.

Iruka felt a tick developing in his eye. "Naruto, that was two weeks ago."

Naruto crept behind the door a bit more. "Yeah…"

Iruka groaned and let his head fall into the table. He sat there, his thoughts whirring, wondering what to do about the situation. Naruto was only six; he was too young to be alone. But, recalling the attitude of the villagers earlier, maybe staying in Hatake's home was still the safest solution. He was drawn from his thoughts by a small tug on his pants. He moved his head a bit till he could see the kid patting at his knees. "Are you ok, Sensei?"

Iruka took a deep breath and sat up. "I'm fine kid." His stomach growled. Well, at least that was one problem he could fix in the immediate future. Iruka grinned and ruffled Naruto's hair, ignoring the child's flinch beneath his hand. "I just need some dinner."

"Ramen?" Naruto looked up at him hopefully.

"No." Iruka said firmly. "You and I are going out to a nice dinner, which does not include ramen," (he ignored Naruto's scowl) "and then we are going to go grocery shopping, find you some pencils, and finish that homework you missed."

"But sensei—"

"No buts."

"Aaawwwww…"

A/N- Before I get spammed by angry reviewers—No, Kakashi is not abusing Naruto. Naruto just reacts that way because of issues with strange adults. The villagers treat him horribly, its not easy for him to open up to new adults and trust them, but we all know Iruka can't resist the urge to parent anyone that will let him, and he'll parent most of those who protest too.