C.M.D: I have finally hit 300 reviews. Scary... really, now. I'm happy so many people love this fanfic, but the number keeps growing, and I feel a little shiver run down my spine. I can only hope that I don't disappoint too many people each time I update. Anyways, moving on. THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING: Raiju5, EvilOverlord Barbie, Shinigami, NotThatWord, BrokenComatose, Mrs Hatake Itachi, chibinaru-sama, Sighcoe, Jooheika, AnonymousAuthor13, sakurabender, .Alpha, Loki.1827, Utena-Puchiko-nyu, Ilamay, Nayeli, jo, CottonCandySheep, Kitty20, Young Roy, Ai Enmaxjigoku shoujo, bluefynx, KyouyaxCloud, Mina Hikari, Chaos Dragon-Fox, YaoiYuriLover, Yumi-nachan, AnimelovingCat, mochiusagi, Kakashifangirlnumber1000, and GothicInuAngel01. I think I'm getting to the point where I won't be able to write all the names down for people who reviewed last chapter... Anyways, thank you for sharing with me all your thoughts guys, and thanks as well to the people who read, but don't review. Your stats still show up on my hits page.
Baa baa, Black Sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yessir, Yessir,
Three bags full.
One for the Master...
After his talk with Itachi, Sasuke devised a plan. He would show Naruto his mommy. And if he couldn't do that, then he'd make sure he got the blonde another mommy. Sasuke told himself he was doing this because Naruto was his friend, but the fact was that it made him really sad thinking about Naruto not having a mom. Sasuke couldn't even begin to imagine not having his own mommy around...
And the Uchiha really, really wanted to see Naruto always happy.
Naruto was being unusally quiet, Tsunade noticed. She wondered if it had anything to with last night, but shook her head at the idea. Of course, it was about last night. Minato hadn't returned at all after storming out of the house. Shizune had sent Ton-Ton later to inform the sannin that the Yondaime had spent the night in Kushina's hospital room. It was heartbreaking to know that's where the man ran to when he wanted to be alone.
Tsunade had to take a deep breath, and force the tears back. What use was it to find comfort in a dead woman, when you had a living son to care for? Perhaps the Slug Princess might of said something to the blonde Hokage, but she also knew that you couldn't force someone out of their grief. They had to overcome it themselves, or they would simply delve deeper the more people interfered. She knew from experience... having twice been in the same position as Minato.
Painful thoughts to be thinking first thing in the morning.
Tsunade sighed softly, lifting a hand and rubbing at her eyes. She had gotten little sleep last night. How could she? The only one who had even really slept was Naruto, and that was only because the boy had cried himself to exhaustion. Speaking of which... Tsunade looked down by her side, once again checking that Naruto was actually there. He was, though the silence would suggest otherwise. It reminded her of his temporary muteness, when she had again delivered bad news to Minato, explaining that there was nothing physically wrong with the little Uzumaki; and therefore, nothing she could do.
That had been a horrifying night for her as well. At the moment, Naruto seemed a little dazed. His eyes roamed over everyone in the crowd, stopping particularly on the couple young mothers out and about with their newborns. His grip on her hand tightened in those moments. Did the little boy understand the difference between those women and herself? Tsunade highly doubted it. Whoever had explained the role of a mom to the blonde hadn't done a very good job, leaving the child with a warped concept that could warrant any person a 'mother'. Still... the Uzumaki was smart and he could probably sense what was missing in his life now.
"Naruto...," Tsunade called. The boy did not even raise his eyes to meet hers. Perturbed by this a little, the woman continued. "We're almost at the Academy."
Naruto finally looked up at her, his blue eyes obviously distracted by something else. "...Okay," he answered, slowly. The rest of the walk passed in relative silence. Tsunade could think of nothing to say to a six-year old that would make things seem better. She was a shinobi; a healer... definitely not a mother.
When the red gates of the Academy came into view, the blonde was sorely tempted to turn in the other direction. Could Naruto even be considered emotionally stable enough for another day of school? Just as her muscles were beginning to tense, tendons readying in her legs, that small hand suddenly slipped out of her own. For a bewildering moment, Tsunade didn't know what happened.
"Naruto!," she cried, watching the tiny blonde run off. The woman quickly followed, pausing just past the school gate. Naruto was fast approaching a dark-haired child of similar size; yelling a quick greeting before wrapping his arms around the figure. The girl, Tsunade clued in a second after, shyly hugged Naruto back, sharing smiles with the blonde.
She was dumbfounded. The sannin watched a minute later as Naruto smiled and laughed with the girl, the two of them disappearing further into the mass of children; before the woman quietly turned and left. She had not expected to see a smile on the boy's face so soon...
With a tired sigh, Tsunade glanced back at the Academy. She smiled. Here she had been worrying herself over the school and how it would affect the Uzumaki. Yet, it seemed she had nothing to fear. If Naruto was able to smile and laugh again, so soon after last night, then this was the place that he should be at. He needed friends.
"I hope your father becomes aware of your light soon, Naruto," Tsunade whispered, hurrying on her way. Duties waited her at the hospital, but she'd be back for Naruto after school ended.
"Aren't you going to come inside?"
Kakashi started at the voice, turning his head and staring at the chunnin down on the ground below. For a moment, the Hatake thought about ignoring him, but decided against it. "Umino-san, correct?"
"Iruka is fine," the brunette answered with a smile. "Do you intend to cling to the wall like a spider, casting genjutsu on first-graders all day long, Hatake-san?"
The jounin blinked at the question. "Kakashi is fine," he replied, copying Iruka's words. With a final glance into the classroom, the shinobi released his chakra hold and dropped to the ground gracefully. Iruka was patiently waiting for him, brown eyes wide with curiosity.
"May I inquire as to why a shinobi such as yourself would be sneaking around the Academy?," the Umino asked, getting straight to the point.
"Blunt, aren't you," Kakashi answered, once again avoiding the initial question. He turned away from the teacher, heading for the gate. Now that he had been caught, he didn't see the point in lingering any longer. He didn't want to anger his sensei...
"You're just going to ignore me?," Iruka huffed, pulling up beside the other man.
Kakashi grimaced. "I'll sure as hell try."
Iruka frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. "Forgive me for pestering you, Hatake-san. But when someone is stalking children in my academy- especially the Hokage's son- I have a right to be just a little nosy."
'You just had to say stalking, didn't you?' Kakashi thought. "How did you know I was even there?," the ex-ANBU inquired, finally stopping and turning to face the brunette. Iruka turned to him as well, carefully fixing the folders in his hands before turning his whole attention to the other man. 'So anal...,' Kakashi commented subconsciously.
"Believe it or not," the Umino said, a bit of an acid tone to his voice. "My rank doesn't measure my skill. I could quite easily become a jounin if I so wished."
Kakashi, who was starting to become a little interested in this conversation, raised an eyebrow at this statement. "Then why don't you?," he asked, dropping the badly-hidden sarcasm. He had managed to sneak through the Academy's halls nearly the whole day. Not once had he been approached by any teachers. Was it merely negligence on their part, or was Iruka being sincere when he mentioned his skill? The brunette had seen past his genjutsu to find him hanging on the wall...
Iruka blinked at the question, possibly as stunned by it as Kakashi was by the thought that the chunnin might be stronger than his rank indicated. But then a slow, serene smile worked its way to the teacher's lips. "Because if I became a jounin, I wouldn't have as much time for my kids," he replied.
Kakashi nodded his head slowly. It was always about the kids... that's why he was sneaking around the school, trying to keep an eye out for the little fox-vessel, even after he had been ordered away. Iruka seemed to have noticed the jounin's contemplative silence, because he cautiously reached out and touched the man's elbow. "C'mon inside, and have a cup of coffee. School is about to let out."
Kakashi willingly followed the Umino, heading inside and to the brunette's empty classroom. When they entered, Kakashi flicked his one eye around the room, not understanding why there were no kids in it. "Last period is weapons training outside. One of the other sensei's is responsible for seeing all classes outdoors," Iruka supplied. He gestured for the ex-ANBU to have a seat, pulling a thermos out of his desk drawer, and two mugs.
"I hope you don't mind," he blushed, opening the thermos. "I've already added my milk and sugar to it. I wasn't quite aware I'd be having company." Kakashi really was more of a straight-black kind of guy, but he remained quiet as the Umino handed him a mug. He didn't want to be rude to someone who being nice to him. "I'm sorry if I'm being nosy," Iruka apologized, looking back and forth from his own mug, to the Hatake. "But I really must know why you were slinking around the school. It's a little suspicious, what with you using genjutsu and all..."
Iruka trailed off, and Kakashi only swirled his coffee around. He felt somewhat compelled to tell Umino the truth... the man seemed like he would understand. Perhaps that's why all his students liked him.
"Well, I mean," Iruka continued. He was obviously trying to fill up the awkward silence now, and Kakashi thought it to be a little amusing. "If you think about it, you were here the day before, picking and dropping Naruto off to school. And now you're watching him from the sh- Hey! Are you laughing at me?"
Kakashi quickly schooled his features, forcing the chuckles back. "No," he lied. It was interesting watching the Umino's cheeks darken with indignation, the scar across his nose turning a pretty color due to his blush. Almost... cute, if Kakashi had to describe it. Though Naruto would always top in his charts.
"Hmph! For an adult, you sure don't act like one. I've had students in detention who are more respectable than you!," Iruka said. The Hatake opened his mouth to retort, but was interrupted as the bell rang. It's shrill ringing pealed down the halls; quickly followed by the thunder that was hundreds of children being let out for the day. Once the bell stopped, Kakashi tried once more to reply to the Umino, but clicked his jaw shut when the classroom door opened. Sasuke, the first of his class to return from last period, paused in the doorway. He looked at his sensei, and then to the man sitting beside him. The child recognized the grey-haired shinobi; and wondered why the jounin wasn't waiting at the gates to pick Naruto up.
But nothing in Kakashi's features would reveal the answer to the Uchiha. And Sasuke- starting to feel a little worried that the ex-ANBU might realize he was the culprit behind Naruto's momentary disappearance the day before- quickly walked to his desk, gathered his things and left the room. Kakashi watched the raven like a hawk as he crossed the room, turning away to look out the window once the boy had exited. He waited patiently as the students came and went, keeping his eye on the heads in the crowd, looking for that one crown of brilliant blonde hair.
"Is it so wrong to have a friend?," Kakashi asked, breaking the silence. Iruka watched as the last of his students filed out of the room, before turning to again face the jounin. He could see nothing on the man's face, but could feel his confliction. Pondering on what to say, Iruka too, gazed out the window.
His eyes alighted on Naruto, who was at that moment running to Sasuke. The blonde looked happy, and even though Sasuke was trying to hide it, he smiled a bit as he turned to the younger boy. "How could it ever be wrong?," Iruka answered. "We all need someone we can trust and be honest with."
In his head, Kakashi was replaying the events of the previous night over again. His sensei had been so angry when he had told him that Naruto had made friends with an older boy. But I thought you had agreed with me, the dog-nin argued. Didn't you say yourself that you were finally going to stop holding Naruto back!
Minato's face had crumpled with anger. I never said no such thing, the Yondaime protested.
So you're going to deny it now?, Kakashi said incredulously. I don't understand why you're so upset anyway. It was only icecream, to congratulate him on making a new friend!
It's because I am the parent! I was willing to overlook the school reports; but once again you've put your nose into business that doesn't concern you, Minato yelled.
Doesn't concern me? Sensei, I helped you raise Naruto since he was a newborn. I think it's only fair that I get a say in how he's raised. Minato had bit his lip, turning dark blue eyes off of the ex-ANBU. Kakashi was glad for the reprieve, but even without the direct glare, he could feel the Yondaime's oppressive fury.
I don't want him befriending strangers, the blonde seethed, gripping the kitchen counter tightly.
What are you going to do?, the Hatake had asked exasperatedly. Storm into the Academy and demand that all the children keep away from you son, by Hokage decree? You'll break Naruto's heart! This seemed to do it. Minato swirled on the younger male, fist striking the jounin's cheek. Kakashi crashed to the floor, breaking a kitchen chair on his way down.
Get out, the blonde had spat. I don't want you near my son until you learn some respect! And if I find out you've disobeyed me Hatake-kun, you will answer to me.
He had fouled up again. With a sigh, Kakashi had gotten up and left his sensei's house. Not having stepped foot into it since. Realizing that Iruka had said something to him, the jounin pulled out of his thoughts and focused back on the outside world. He noticed the chunnin studying him, and sighed, getting to his feet. "Thanks for the coffee," he mumbled, handing the full mug back to the brunette. "I have to go."
Iruka quickly rose to his feet, putting both cups down and escorting the Hatake to the door. He quietly opened it for the ex-ANBU and smiled when the other tipped his head in thanks. "Kakashi-san," the Umino called, as the jounin started down the hall. Kakashi paused in his stride, looking over his shoulder at the teacher. "If you ever need to talk- ever- I'll be glad to listen," Iruka offered.
Kakashi blinked, before again nodding his head at the blushing man and continuing on his way.
Sasuke was happy to see Naruto. Having different classes imposed a problem on their communication, but things were alright as long as he saw the blonde before and after school. Even though befriending the other boy had been accidental -Sasuke's main goal was in trying to figure out why he was so bothered by the Uzumaki- he had started to grow used to the younger child's presence in his life.
The raven had been worried since last night, when he had approached Itachi about moms; and fidgeted throughout the entire school day. He wanted to make sure that Naruto's birthday had gone okay. Slipping out the school door, Sasuke deviated from his normal path; heading straight for the first year's hall. He spotted Naruto half way across the playground.
"Sasuke!," the little boy cried; catching sight of the raven. Sasuke stopped where he was as Naruto ran towards him, letting the Uzumaki hug him.
"Alright, alright," Sasuke said, pushing the blonde off of him after a moment. He looked down at the child. "How are you?"
Naruto grinned, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "I'm good," he chirped. "Itachi-nii-san came by my house last night. He gave me an action figure and a book of riddles. Does Sasuke have a present for me too?"
Sasuke, who was glad that Naruto's birthday party had gone well enough, was almost caught off-guard by the question. Big, cerulean orbs were blinking up at him, eager for what the raven would say. Heart beginning to race with panic, Sasuke scrambled for something say. "I-it's at home. I'll bring it tomorrow," he lied. And then winced immediately afterward, because now he had to get something for Naruto so as not to disappoint the child. The Uzumaki's smile that came after his words nearly blinded the Uchiha.
"Hinata-chan," Naruto called, thankfully, turning his attention to the Hyuuga. The girl took her place beside the two boys, smiling shyly at each in turn. "How was your birthday, Naruto-kun?," she asked. "I wanted to ask you before, but Mizuki-sensei wanted to start class right away."
"That's okay, Hinata-chan," Naruto answered. "I had fun!"
The black-haired girl smiled in reply, unzipping her bag and pulling out a baggie. "I'm very sorry that I couldn't stay for lunch too," she apologized. "But I made sure to bring back some cookies. My mom made them especially for your birthday." Hinata's smile almost dropped when she mentioned her mom, but kept it up as she handed the cookies to an ecstatic blonde.
"Thank you," Naruto shouted, pulling a cookie out and munching on it. Sasuke watched slightly disgusted as the other boy gulped down the processed sugar.
"Hinata...," a quiet voice interrupted. All three children turned to the new addition, gazing up at the older boy. His white eyes glanced at them all, before focusing entirely on the little girl. "Are you ready to go home?," he asked.
"Who are you?," Naruto inquired, peering closely at the bigger child. Hinata patted the blonde's shoulder, and he turned around to look at her.
"This is my cousin, Neji-nii-san. He is in one of the older kid's classrooms," she explained. "He walks me to school and home." At this point, she turned back to her cousin. "I'll just say goodbye first."
Neji nodded, then tipped his head to each of the boys in turn. "Uchiha-kun, Uzumaki-kun, have a goodnight," he said, turning on his heel and walking a few paces ahead.
"So... I guess I'll see you tomorrow," Naruto said, facing the Hyuuga girl. He reached out and hugged her quickly, pulling back with a smile. "Have a goodnight, Hinata-chan!"
"Y-you too," the girl replied, cheeks pink with a blush. She waved a little to Sasuke, then jogged to her cousin. The boys watched her leave for a moment.
"Do... would you like me to walk you home?," Sasuke directed to Naruto, peering at the blonde from the corner of his eye.
"It's okay. Auntie Tsunade said she'd come and take me home," Naruto beamed. The raven tried not to be disappointed, but he could still feel the frown forming anyways.
"Well, that's okay. I have training anyhow..."
"C'mon Sasuke, walk me to the gate?," Naruto asked. "I want to tell you all the presents I got." The Uchiha thought about refusing, but he abandoned it when the blonde took hold of his wrist and started leading him to the Academy's gates. He listened absently as Naruto rambled on and on about last night, smiling despite himself.
His smile faded though as they approached the busty woman standing at the gate. Sasuke was ditched for the older blonde, Naruto running into the open arms. "I was just walking him to the gate," Sasuke sniffed, when he noticed the woman studiously observing him. He wasn't about to let on to this stranger that he was anything more than a fellow student to the Uzumaki.
"Of course you were," she replied, quirking an eyebrow at the raven's feeble excuse. Sasuke refused to give her any ground though.
"Bye Sasuke," Naruto called from Tsunade's arms. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" The boy really wasn't good at catching on. Cover blown, Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"Bye Naruto," he said, turning around and starting home. He was going to have to hurry so as not to be late for dinner.
Itachi walked soundlessly down the hall, heading towards his brother's rooms. His mom had beseeched that her eldest son look into the boy, who had been distracted all throughout dinner. Not that the teen wouldn't have anyhow. Sasuke could only be thinking of one thing. Perhaps he shouldn't have said anything to his otouto-kun last night...
Itachi paused outside Sasuke's room, knocking on the door. There was no answer. Frowning, the Uchiha opened the door to find the room empty. Where had Sasuke gone? A bang further down the hall drew the teen's attention, and Itachi flitted to the source of the sound. "Sasuke?" The dark-haired child was rummaging through boxes in the storage room, opening up long forgotten toy chests and spilling their contents onto the floor.
Itachi grimaced at the mess, looking from the pile of worn toys- was that Cherry, his train?- to his brother in the middle of it. Sasuke looked up momentarily at his name being called, but returned to his work immediately after. "Sasuke... what are you doing?," Itachi asked.
The little raven sighed in the back of his throat as he picked up a firetruck missing two wheels, throwing it behind him as he grabbed the next toy. "Nii-san, all of these toys suck," the boy pouted, rejecting three more toys simultaneously. Itachi rescued Cherry the train from his brother's selection process, tucking his treasured steam engine under his arm.
"But you've already outgrown these toys," Itachi pointed out. "Why does it matter if they're no good?"
Sasuke sighed over-dramatically, rising to his feet. "It matters a whole lot," the child cried. "I didn't mean to, I really didn't, but I just couldn't tell him I had nothing. Not after you gave him a present, and the Hyuuga even gave him cookies. And, I mean, I don't even know why I care, I didn't want to be his friend at all. But you weren't here nii-san, so I tried to talk to him and then we were friends. So, it's all your fault. And if I don't find something good for tomorrow, Naruto's going to hate me!"
Itachi, who watched as his brother ranted all this out in one large breath, couldn't help the small chuckle that slipped out. The frazzled boy did not notice it though, clasping his hands together as he looked imploringly up at his older brother. "Aniki, help me!," the little raven begged.
Itachi smiled, reaching out and flicking his otouto-kun's forehead lightly. "If you're so worried, then why not give him Usagi-kun?," he said to the pouting child. Sasuke blinked at the suggestion.
"Usagi... kun?"
The youngest Uchiha turned on the spot, picking up the black rabbit plushie that poked out from the pile of toys. He lifted it before him, studying the doll. The rabbit was in good shape, despite being slightly worn. There were no wears or tears anywhere, and its black button eyes gleamed still. A small tag under the tail sported the Uchiha clan symbol on one side, Sasuke's name on the other. "Usagi-kun...," Sasuke whispered. "I almost forgot all about him."
He turned to look at Itachi. "D-do... do you think Naruto will like him?"
The boy seemed hesitant; as if conflicted about giving the doll to someone else. Itachi was not surprised. Usagi-kun had been Sasuke's since he was a baby. "I'm sure that Naruto-kun will treasure Usagi-kun, and love the rabbit very much," Itachi answered truthfully. This seemed enough for the small raven. He looked at the doll in his arms, snuggling it quickly, before drawing back with a resigned sigh.
"Okay... I'll give him to Naruto," Sasuke announced. Smiling, Itachi turned to leave the room.
He stopped in the doorway, blocking the path of his brother, who was following behind in the elder's footsteps. He turned to face the child, steering him about and back into the storage room. "Not until you've cleaned up that mess, otouto-kun," he told the boy. Sasuke frowned and stuck his tongue out at the teen, but walked back to the mess of toys to get started with his task.
C.M.D: So... this chapter felt a little bit like a filler to me. I did include some points that dear readers were kind to point out to me were missing, but other than that, nothing happened much. I like writing some of the parts though... like Iruka and Kakashi's bantering, and Sasuke's freaking out. They make me smile even as I think about them. Anyways, I hope that at least everyone will enjoy this chapter. My updates may be a while inbetween, but I will do my best to keep the break between them as short as possible. That's all I really have to say this time, so I will just wrap this up. Remember to review everyone and share with me your thoughts!
Oh, before I forget... since I find myself coming back here and reading fanfiction non-stop during one of my lulls, I've decided to become a beta-reader. It's one of my pet peeves, having too many grammar and spelling mistakes in a piece of writing, especially when it's a really good story. So, yea... that's all I wanted to say. Ja ne everybody!