shinycry- so sorry for not updating this fic! My computer screwed me over so bad that I had to wipe it out, losing all my data and everything. I was half way done with this chapter before it fucked up on me. Damn, I was pissed and depressed because even when I wiped it out, it started acting up again. It took a week for my brother to fix it and everything. God Bless his soul! Although it took me awhile to get back into my humor mood again to write this story. Hehehee I'm back to myself and my computer is peachy! Well, without further delay, here's chapter 6.

Disclaimer- I do not own Naruto!

Ch. 6

"This place is huge, Iruka-sensei!" the wide eye blond says as he walks around the family room, looking everywhere. He has never been to Iruka's house before, apartment yes, but house no. Although he's heard about it from Iruka but whenever Iruka mentions his house, he would get this weird look in his eyes. Well, maybe not weird but certainly a look of...of something! 'I wonder why Iruka-sensei is so willingly to offer us his house to live in...' Naruto's so distracted he doesn't notice Sasuke in front of him.

It ends up with Sasuke holding his plant closely to himself and glaring pissed off at the little fox on the floor who's rubbing his butt. "You idiot, watch where you going next time." Sasuke walks off towards the couch, placing the plant on his lap to examine it. 'I will kill that idiot if there's anything wrong with it...' Fortunately for Naruto, there's no damage.

Sighing, Iruka wishes Naruto isn't so easily distracted by things. "Okay guys, how about we eat before getting settled in because I don't know about you guys but I'm pretty hungry myself."

"Yeah! I'm hungry too! If I don't eat anything soon, I'm going to pass out!" Naruto places his hand on his forehead like he's actually going to pass out. He loves being dramatic so sue him.

Looking at his teammate, Sasuke mumbles "Well, I say we don't feed him. Maybe then we'll get some peace and quiet around here." Sasuke easily dodges Naruto's kick which causes Naruto to land on his butt again.

"Naruto! Leave Sasuke alone right now!" Gaara had no idea pink thingy could spit out fire like that.

"You should feed the munchkins soon because they're starting to get cranky, Iruka" a bored Kakashi suggests to Iruka as he sits down on a comfortable chair.

Walking up to the blond who sulking on the floor, Iruka crouches down to place Gaara in front of Naruto. "Alright, we'll eat dinner first and then we'll unpack afterwards! So for the time being if you guys don't mind, you can leave your belongings over there." Iruka points to an area near the closet under the staircase. "Naruto, would you mind playing with Ga-chan and little Ruka for me while I make dinner?" Right when Iruka says that, Gaara quickly turns around and hugs Iruka like he's not going to let go of him anytime soon.

"It's okay Ga-chan, I'm not leaving. I'll just be in the kitchen making something for us to eat." He pauses to push a little back to look at Gaara in the eye, "Aren't you hungry? Besides, don't you like Naruto?" That's Naruto's queue to jump in, "Don't you want to play with me, Gaara? We'll have so much fun! Maybe even get Sasuke to play with us!" Naruto laughs inside when he sees Sasuke's face making a sour expression and how Gaara's eyes light up with excitement.

"Yay! Me and Ruka play with Naruto and Sasuke!" Gaara bounces excitedly in Iruka' arms before making he's way to Naruto. Then a thought suddenly currents to Gaara so he turns to look at the pink thingy, "You play too?" He can't be mean to the person who helped him find Ruka, besides she's really nice and has pink hair! Sakura looks at Iruka before looking back at Gaara, "I was going to help Iruka-sensei make dinner, how about afterwards? I can play with you guys after dinner!"

Iruka shakes his head and places a hand on Sakura's shoulder. "That's okay, Sakura. You don't have to help me although thank you for the offer. I have Kakashi so go on ahead and play with them." Iruka smiles and gestures her to join Naruto and Gaara who were trying to recruit a reluctant Sasuke into joining them in their games. Returning the smile, Sakura nods her head and goes off towards them.

"If you all like, you can go outside in the backyard and play. There's a swing out there as well. Come on, I'll show you." Before Iruka can show them where the backdoor is at, he turns to look at Kakashi. His eyes land on the silver hair Jounins sitting on a chair, reading that 'book' of his. Rolling his eyes, Iruka walks over to Kakashi and grabs one of his arms. He tries his best yank the older man up but the other man isn't bulging. Iruka does the next best thing by leaning forward and whispering something to Kakashi.

"I don't want you reading that 'book' in my house especially with children around so could you please put it away, Kakashi? And please come to the kitchen with me" Iruka whispers to Kakashi, who looks at Iruka for a moment before placing one of his favorite volumes into a safe pouch. Then he lets himself be dragged off by Iruka with an amuse look in his eye that Gaara doesn't like one bit causing him to pout.

Bringing Ruka closer to his mouth, Gaara whispers softly, "We have to look out for him, Ruka." Nodding his head to Ruka, Gaara grabs one of Naruto's hands and starts dragging him off to where his mommy went off to. Sakura wonders if she should drag Sasuke like the way Iruka and Gaara both did to Kakashi and Naruto. However, she took too long and notices Sasuke already walking off, closely behind Naruto and Gaara. With a heavy sigh, she follows them into the hallway that leads into the kitchen.

Once inside the kitchen, Iruka lets go of Kakashi's arm and walks up to the glass sliding doors. Iruka slides them open and beckons the kids to go outside. "Play nice and please try not to get too dry, okay?" Iruka pleads with them. Although it's not like he really needs to because he knows they're all good kids. It's just a habit. "Ah, Sasuke if you like you can leave your plant on the kitchen countertop for the time being. I'll look after it and after dinner I'll show you guys your rooms where you can find a nice spot for it. Does it need to be watered by the way?" Iruka asks when he notices Sasuke still carrying around his plant.

Sasuke considers this for a long moment before deciding to place his plant in the middle of the kitchen countertop. He knows he can trust Iruka-sensei, he's never done anything to cause him to mistrust him. If anything, Iruka is too nice for his own good. But Sasuke guesses it's not a bad thing. "No, I gave it water before coming here. Thank you." With that, he starts walking out the sliding doors followed by Naruto, Gaara, and Sakura. They walk on a little stone path that leads you through the garden and to a big tree that has a swing attach to it.

"Me and Ruka want to swing first!" Gaara declares as he points at the swing hanging off a large branch. Whenever he saw a swing set he always wanted to play on one like the other children but knew he wasn't allowed to. However it's different now because his mommy says it's okay. Maybe later on he can get his mommy to play with him on the swings when he's not busy making dinner. Grabbing the pink thingy's hand, Sakura, Gaara pulls her over to the swing. Sakura smiles as she sees Gaara trying to get on the swing by jumping on it but doesn't really work. She picks him up and places him on the swing. She then starts giving gentle pushes form the back when she sees Gaara settle and ready.

Sasuke and Naruto decide to sit at the trunk of the tree the swing is attached to. Both look around the garden. "Iruka-sensei sure has a lot of different types of roses, I wonder if they mean different things. Like you know how the red roses obvious mean love, but what about the rest?" Naruto ponders out loud.

"What an idiot. You see those white roses over there?" Sasuke points to some beautiful white ones, Naruto nods his head. "They symbolize innocence. Those dark pink ones mean thankfulness while the pale pink roses mean grace. The peach roses are for modesty." Sasuke pauses to see if the blond is paying attention or not but sees Naruto actually is so he continues "And the bright yellow roses stand for...friendship."

Naruto looks thoughtful at the yellow roses before turning to Sasuke, "How come you know so much about roses? I mean I never would have pictured you with flowers. Sakura yes, you no."

"Naruto! Stop bugging Sasuke with silly questions like that!"

"But it's not a silly question Sakura, aren't you curious too?" Sakura is actually very curious but she doesn't want to get on Sasuke's bad side especially since they're all having a good time together. So she changes the subject, "Are you having fun Gaara?" Indeed, Gaara's looking like he's having a fun time swinging.

Inside with Kakashi and Iruka
"They look like they're having a great time" Iruka says as he looks out of the kitchen window into the garden. He never thought he'll see anyone on that swing again. Maybe tomorrow after they come back from shopping, he'll play with Gaara on the swing. 'Yeah, that sounds nice...Maybe even have a little picnic or something, hm'

"Oh Iruka, what are you thinking about? You can tell me" a voice brings Iruka out of his thoughts. He's a little taken back when he notices Kakashi staring right at him from the other side of the counter. His question takes him even further back. 'What am I thinking about? Why does Kakashi want to know? Sometimes I don't understand this man…' When Iruka notices he still hasn't answer Kakashi yet, he blushes out of embarrassment and hastily answers, "About how nice it's going to be when Gaara and I play on the swing tomorrow. That's all."

"Oh, just Gaara and you? What about me, can I join you guys?"

"What? Of cour-" Iruka stops when he notices a playful glint in Kakashi's eye. "Stop that."

"Stop what?"

"You know what you're doing."

"What do you mean?"

"Teasing."

"Teasing? Who?"

"Who do you think?"

"Now why would I tease you?"

Sighing at how childish the other man is acting, Iruka makes a mental note to ask Sakura if Kakashi acts like this with everybody. "You know what Kakashi, do whatever floats your boat."

"Oh, would you like to know what's in my boat?" it's not so much the question that makes him blush but the way Kakashi says it.

"No thank you, Kakashi."

"You sure, Iruka? You never know what you might find."

"Yes, I'm sure Kakashi. Can you just help me cut these?" Iruka hands over another knife and cutting board to Kakashi and moves a little to make room for him. Kakashi takes the hint and starts cutting but that doesn't mean he's going to stop teasing the other man.

Half an hour later dinner is served. Nothing much happens if you don't count Naruto spilling his drink onto Sasuke's plate, Sakura yelling at how clumsy Naruto is, Sasuke glaring at Naruto throughout the dinner, Gaara giving Iruka a hard time with not eating his vegetables, and Kakashi reading his 'book' at the dinner table. Other than that, dinner was great!

After dinner, Iruka decides Sakura should be heading home. The sun is setting and it's starting to get late. "I'll be here around seven tomorrow morning. I'm so excited for tomorrow! Yay shopping!" she squeaks with excitement causing the males in the room to cringe a bit. "Bye Sasuke, Iruka-sensei, Gaara, Naruto, and Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura cheerfully hugs Gaara and waves her hand goodbye to the others.

Closing the door behind him, Iruka starts talking "How about we go upstairs to figure out who sleeps where? There are three bedrooms in the house. Two rooms with single beds and one room with two beds." As Iruka talks about the bed situation, Naruto notices something wrong.

"But Iruka-sensei, that's only four beds and we're five people!" Kakashi and Sasuke nod their heads because they noticed it too. Smiling as he picks up Gaara into his arms, Iruka starts making his way up the stairs. "I don't think Ga-chan would want to sleep by himself on a bed. Right Ga-chan?"

"No, me and Ruka sleep with mommy!" Gaara says it in such a childish way that leaves no argument. Well, Kakashi could argue there but it's getting late.

"So there you have it boys. Three beds left for the three of you. Well one of them is already reserved for Sasuke." Iruka pauses as if trying to remember something. Then it dawns on him as he snaps his fingers in remembrance, "Oh yeah, the lamp I mention earlier. I forgot to get it for you."

"Don't worry about it, Iruka-sensei. I don't think I'll be reading tonight. I just want to get some sleep for tomorrow's mission with this idiot" Sasuke dodges the punch Naruto throws his way and continues to follow his former sensei through the hall. Naruto mumbles something about an arrogant bastard under his breath before directing his attention to Iruka. "So basically that means both Kakashi and I share a room or one of us shares a room with you and Gaara?"

Before Iruka can answer Naruto, Kakashi beats him to the punch "No, you and Sasuke will be in the rooms with the single bed. Iruka, Ga-chan and myself well be in the room with the two beds. Wow, that was exhausting but I did it! I say we hit the sack now!" Naturally when he finishes he has two pair of eyes glaring at him. Naruto and Gaara can be so suspicious and disrespectful of him! He doesn't pay them any attention though but instead focus on Iruka. 'I need you to agree with me' he silently tells Iruka.

Flashback
Tsunade is sitting cross legged on the floor looking through some scrolls. When all of a sudden she looks up and turns her head towards the window. "I was wondering when you'll be coming back, Kakashi."

"I figured you wanted to tell me something. Alone." Walking into the room with a backpack over his shoulder and sitting down in front of the Hokage, Kakashi waits.

The Hokage goes back to what she's reading. When she's done, she closes it and grabs another one to read. After a moment of silence, she begins "I'm sure you're wondering why Gaara's even here in Leaf Village to begin with." A nod, "Well his older sister, Temari, approached me about her younger brother staying here for a while."

"Did she say why?"

"No, and I didn't really ask either. She just said if I could keep him here until things cool down in the Sand Village and she'll get him later. I figured it's a family problem" sighing "But I'm starting to wonder just how bad it actually is considering, well, you know" she pauses and stares at him.

"He's the black sheep of the family and how some of his family members aren't very fond of him" he finishes for her. Perhaps it's not Gaara he should be worrying about harming people. Kakashi silently wonders if it was a good idea to leave Iruka and Sakura alone with Gaara.

"Yes, something to that effect. What's got me really concerned is with Gaara in his current state it might make things easier for whoever wants Gaara eliminated to actually attempt something. I can't rule out that possibility. Originally I wanted to sign some Jounins to care for Gaara but they're currently out on missions." Grabbing another scroll, she continues "Then it doesn't help that Gaara decided make Iruka his mother and Iruka willingly accepting the role. Well, I'm pretty sure he doesn't like being called 'mommy' but he's accepting the care-taker role nonetheless. Not like it's a bad idea though. Might do them some good as well as for you" she smirks at Kakashi's raise eyebrow. "Of course you throw in Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura into the mix and here we are."

As Kakashi sat there listening, he couldn't help but wonder why them. Ever since they brought Gaara to Tsunade earlier and before Iruka came into the picture, she had assign Team 7 to care for Gaara. When she's done talking, he finally asks "But still why assign Team 7 to the job? I'm sure you call back some Jounins from their missions." There's a long moment of silence making Kakashi wonder if she, herself, knows why she assign them to this mission.

"I'll be sending Jiraiya over when he comes back from his mission tomorrow. He'll only be there during the daytime but if something happens, he'll be spending the night. Make sure to tell Iruka to give him the couch" a pause, "Another thing, I don't know what the sleeping arrangements are but try to make sure you're with Iruka and Gaara. I don't care how but want you in the same room as them. Just to be on the safe side. I'll keep you inform if something comes up. Make sure to pick up Naruto and Sasuke's mission tomorrow. Don't worry, it's a simple one. With that said, you may go now." Once she's done, Kakashi gives up and leaves out through the window to the spot where they all agreed to meet in an hour.

End of Flashback

Naruto begins to protest, "But I want to sleep with Iruka-sensei and Gaara! Wouldn't it make more sense for you to have a whole room to yourself?" The only one who seems to agree with Naruto is Gaara who's nodding his head in full approval.

Iruka wants to agree with Naruto but he notices the look Kakashi is giving him. Kakashi looks like he needs to be in the same room with Gaara. Thinking about it, it does make sense for Kakashi to be in the same room with them especially if something were to happen to Gaara. "I think Kakashi's right, Naruto." Then he sees Naruto's frown, "Think of it this way, you'll have a whole room to yourself!"

When that doesn't work, Sasuke who understands the situation, steps in "The idiot is probably just too scared to sleep by himself."

"WHAT? No, I'm not!"

"Whatever. Iruka-sensei, can you please tell me which room is mine?"

Looking at Naruto's red face, Iruka answers "Um, the last one to your right. The one next to it is Naruto's and across the hall from his is ours. There are two bathrooms. One up stairs and one down stairs so there shouldn't be any arguing tomorrow morning when both of you wake up." For some odd reason, Iruka just felt like he had to mention that.

"Thank you and goodnight." Sasuke turns around and walks towards his room with his plant. Opening the door and stepping halfway in, Sasuke adds "I better not find you knocking on my door tonight wanting to sleep in my room because you're too scared, idiot." He then walks in completely and shuts the door.

"I'm not scared of anything bastard!"

"Naruto, please watch your language."

"But Iruka-sensei, it's not my fault! He's always the one who starts it. Why does he always have to pick on me?"

Poor Iruka has no clue because he's in the same situation with Kakashi. The only thing he can do is smile and gently gesture Naruto towards his door. "I don't know, Naruto. It's been a really long day for all of us. How about we all go and get some much needed sleep. I'm sure you're tired too, right?"

Nodding his head and opening the door, Naruto bids Iruka and Gaara a goodnight with a hug and a yawn. "I'll see you guys tomorrow morning, g'night." He walks in and closes the door softly.

And that's when Gaara starts to rub his eyes with his tiny fist causing Iruka to kiss his temple. "We should get you to bed. You've had a very long day, Ga-chan" he strolls towards their bedroom. Once inside the bedroom, Iruka notices Kakashi takes it upon himself to choose which bed is his. Honestly, Iruka can care less as long as there's a bed for him and Gaara. Going up to the bed next to the window, he grabs the covers and pulls them back so he can place a sleepy Gaara in bed. The soft and warm mattress lulls the little boy to sleep. Iruka stares at the sleeping child for moment before turning his glance towards the other man in the room. "Is there ever a time where you're not reading one of your books?"

Flipping a page, Kakashi responds with a chirpy "Nope!"

Iruka really shouldn't have been surprise by the other man's responds. "Unless you can read in the dark, I suggest close you book because I'm turning off the lights, Kakashi."

"Ah, do you have to? I was just getting to a really good part" Kakashi's eye follows Iruka's movement that going towards the light switch.

"In that case then" and with that the lights are off. Iruka wonders if Kakashi can see his smile in the dark. Walking back to his and Gaara's bed, he can faintly hear Kakashi mumble something like 'that's cold' and snickers. Slipping under the covers all the while being careful with Gaara who automatically hugs his arm, Iruka close his eyes for the day.

He doesn't even open them when he hears Kakashi ask "No good night kiss for me?"

"Go to sleep, Kakashi."

With Sasuke

Sasuke lays in his bed, looking at the way the moonlight hits his plant that's sitting on a small wooden table under a window. Looking at it for a moment longer, he turns over and shuts his eyes close. Before he drifts off to sleep, a thought occurs to him 'I shouldn't care for it…I really shouldn't…But I can't just let it die…'

With Naruto

Adjusting his nightcap on his head, Naruto pulls up the covers to his chin and happily closes his eyes. "I can't wait to have some ramen for breakfast tomorrow!"

TBC

shinycry- Why is Kakashi and Sasuke so bent on picking on Iruka and Naruto? Is there finally a plot to all this? I think there is!
Putting all that to the side, I want to say thank you for reading! Please review to tell me if you want me to continue or not. Remember, I just need one review at least telling me to continue. later and sorry about it being so late
A big thank you to: Junsui Kegasu, Pink-Phantom, Lady Geuna, Bomb-O-Maniac, koolanimefreek, Yamiyugikun, KageOnil, Shi Rurouni of the Aphrodesiac, Hokai Amplifier, JellyBubble, catc10, and Uzamaki Liliana.
Thanks a bunch guys!