shinycry- it's not a dream…I'm actually updating this story! God, I forgot how long it's been since I last typed one of these. Shame on me, big time. Oh well, I won't waste your time on this note, I'll let you get to the story!

Disclaimer- shinycry does not own Naruto…

Ch. 9

"Why won't you answer my questions?" a fuming blond demands.

"Huh? What questions?" the old man answers back which only fuels the blond even more up.

The dark haired boy of the group just simply rolls his eyes. For the pass ten minutes, Naruto's been trying to figure out why Jiraiya needs to go to Iruka's house. The blonde's been asking a bunch of questions nonstop. Usually Sasuke finds Naruto's questions to be stupid, annoying, or just plain both. However in this case, he's actually finding himself curious to know some of the answers. Well, actually just the important one and it's why the older man needs to go to Iruka's house. After all, did Jiraiya even know Iruka at all? Sasuke pretty sure he doesn't. But back to the matter at hand, the old man is still refusing to answer any questions leaving both boys in the dark.

Of course Sasuke knows it has something to do with Gaara that much is obvious. It just makes sense. Unfortunately, his teammate lacks common sense needed to figure at least that much out. If Naruto had, he could have been asking question dealing with Gaara from the start. Sasuke figures after Jiraiya got back from wherever he was at, Tsunade probably informed him of the situation. Either Jiraiya volunteered to help out or Tsunade ordered him to help 'babysit', for a lick of a better term, Gaara. 'Just what is going on' Sasuke silently wonders.

"GAH! I know you're old and wrinkly but you're not deaf!"

"I am not old or wrinkly, brat!"

"Have you looked in the mirror lately, old man?"

"I don't need to look in one to know I'm a stud." Naruto gives the old man a face like he just grew another head and an ugly ass tail or something. He seriously doesn't know whether he should gag or laugh at Jiraiya's statement. Last time he checked, Jiraiya is most definitely not on the stud's list for Konoha. If anyone's on the stud list, it's most definitely Sasuke without a doubt.

'…there's NO way in HELL I just called that bastard a stud right now! NO freaking way! I mean, compared to the old man, sure Sasuke is a total stud…AH! I did it again! I blame the stupid old man for this! What in the world am I thin-' "Hey, you're changing the subject again on me!" yells Naruto.

"Who? Me?"

"Dammit, just tell me already!"

"Huh, tell you what?"

"Ah! Not even Sasuke is this difficult!" shouts Naruto who jumps on Jiraiya's back, hoping to get on the older man's nerves. A little pay back for getting on his nerves! 'I mean, what is so difficult about answering a few questions…?' the blonde silently reasons.

Sasuke's in the middle of a thought when he hears Naruto's comment. Personally, he doesn't think he's difficult. Perhaps not the easiest person to persuade but he's not difficult. But whatever, he doesn't care what the idiot thinks of him. He really doesn't. What he does care about is his sanity and Naruto's loud voice is starting to get on his nerves. He has no idea how Jiraiya can stand it and he's the one the loud voice is being directed to. "Why don't you leave him alone? It's obvious he not going tell us anything."

"Huh? But Sasuke, aren't you curious why he's heading towards Iruka-sensei's house?"

"Not really. I don't even care if he ends up staying at Iruka-sensei's house." Sure, Sasuke wants to give the old man a break from Naruto but he never said anything about himself. He's hoping for some sort of reaction that betrays the older man.

When Naruto hears this, he explodes. "What? He can't say over at Iruka-sensei's house! No way, I won't allow it!"

"Isn't that for Iruka to decide?" the old hermit asks who's desperately trying to get the monkey, aka Naruto, off his back.

Sasuke doesn't skip a beat, "So you are staying over at Iruka-sensei's house then?"

Sometimes ignorance is bliss and Jiraiya's finding it to be very true. He knows the Uchiha boy is sharp so unlike his teammate who continuing to make him deaf with his loud voice of his. 'I'll just have to be more careful'. Changing the subject yet again, Jiraiya asks "Speaking of Iruka, where is his house? Shouldn't we be near?"

"I'm not going to answer you because you haven't been answering my questions" Naruto detaches himself from the hermit's back. "I'm not stupid. The only reason why you're going to Iruka-sensei's house is because Gaara's there." Both Jiraiya and Sasuke blink at the blond as he continues, "I don't know what is going on but I'm telling you right now, if Iruka-sensei was placed in any danger and the Hokage knew about it…I'll never forgive her or you for that matter." With being said, Naruto marches off towards a two story house that comes into view.

Marching behind Naruto is Sasuke who sends a warning glare to the older man. All he knows is something is obviously going on and Jiraiya obviously knows a lot more than any of them. 'Just what did this dope get me into…' he thinks as he looks up at the house that more than likely got itself another occupant.

After a moment of watching the boys' back, Jiraiya follows them towards the house. Now more than ever, he's dying to meet this Iruka person that everyone seems to love. 'Things are going to start getting pretty interesting from here on out…' However Jiraiya doesn't know if that's a good thing or not.

"There you go, Ga-chan! Ruka is all nice and clean now. Here" Iruka hands the small stuff dolphin back to eager little hands. Once Ruka is safely return to her friend, she's brought into a big hug. Looking at the scene makes Iruka's smile widen. He knows Gaara was worried about his stuff dolphin when he was washed it. Gaara kept asking if it's really okay to wash her and told him not to hold her under water for so long because she might drown. He had to laugh at the last one, it was just too cute. Of course he told Gaara that dolphins live underwater so Ruka going to be just fine.

But then he had to walk in and make a comment about dolphins can't live outside of water. When Gaara heard that, his mouth fell open with a little grasp. Then his eyes started to water up because he thought him hurting his friend by 'making' her live outside of water. Iruka seriously wishes he has a kunai to throw at that man sometimes. For ten minutes, he tried telling the little boy Ruka's fine and dolphins need air to breathe anyway. The boy looked so confused when he told him that. So Kakashi took it upon himself to help out with the problem he created.

*Flashback*

"You know, dolphins are just like people" Kakashi says from the countertop behind them. Iruka isn't so sure where Kakashi is heading with this but decides to let the man talk, at least for the mean time.

"What do you mean? Me and Ruka are same?"

"Not exactly the same but yeah, somewhat. It's true that dolphins live in water but that doesn't mean they breathe in water. They actually breathe in air like us."

"Really?" questions the boy who quick glances at his friend.

"Yup. They come up to the surface to breath air then they go back underwater where they hold their breath. Did you know they can hold their breath up to six to seven minutes? Us humans can only hold our breath for a minute or two, perhaps more but don't try it."

"Huh? Why not?"

"Because mommy Iruka would kill me, that's why." Kakashi smirks behind his mask when he sees Iruka's face expression. "Mothers can be so over-protective sometimes. They get scary when they're mad, right Iruka?"

"I don't know Kakashi because I don't go out of my way to make them mad like some people do. Now go and do me a favor by taking out some ground beef from the freezer. We'll have spaghetti for dinner." Iruka says as he opens a drawer to fetch a towel to dry the stuff toy. He doesn't want Gaara getting all wet when he hugs his friend and making puddles all over the place. That's an accident just waiting to happen with a house full of kids, well, with the exception of him and Kakashi.

Speaking of Kakashi, he glances over in the other man's direction only to find him with the package of frozen ground beef in front of his face making 'mow' sounds to Gaara who's laughing. He doesn't know how Gaara thinks it's funny but…well, okay maybe he does. When Gaara starts to make 'mow' sounds too, Iruka can't help but laugh. It's a funny sight to see as well as adorable. 'Who knew Kakashi has a cute side to him?' he thinks with a small smile as he continues to dry up Ruka. At least Kakashi remembered to take out the ground beef.

*End of Flashback*

"Come on let's go back to the family room. Sakura should almost be done with putting away your clothes." With that, Iruka grabs Gaara's hand and leads him out of the kitchen with Kakashi following closely behind him. Once they in the family room, they see Sakura coming down the stairs.

"Ah Iruka-sensei, I'm all done! I arranged all of them by color and then neatly placed them in the draws. I also hung whatever needed to be hanged."

"Thank you Sakura, I appreciate you doing this even though you don't have to" Iruka says as he lifts Gaara and places him on the couch seeing as Gaara is having a hard time trying to climb the couch while holding Ruka.

After coming down the stairs, Sakura goes straight to the couch where Iruka and Gaara are sitting. She pets Ruka on the head and says "But I want to sensei! Besides it was so much fun, I even know what Gaara can wear tomorrow." She then lifts Gaara onto her lap and starts playing with him and Ruka. Gaara doesn't really seem to mind, the pink thingy is really growing on him. Plus she's nice to Ruka, unlike one-eye over there who's reading something.

"Kakashi, can you please put your book away?"

"Why?"

"What do you mean 'why'? Because there are children around that's why!"

"Not good enough."

"What? I think it's a very good reason! I'll ask again, Kakashi please put your book away." Iruka pleads. He doesn't care if the man reads those types of books. All he cares about is the fact Gaara is starting to stare at the book and Sakura is trying her best not to look but occasionally glances over from time to time. Probably due to the fact she's use to it but still curious to know what's on it that makes her teacher read them every day. He knows curiosity killed the cat but in this case, curiosity is going to kill their innocent minds. Even though he doesn't really know what's in the book but it has a NC-17 rating on it. There has to be something to make it have that rating, right?

While Iruka continues to panic over lost innocence, Kakashi's studies him. He can tell the other teacher really wants him to put down his book. But it's just getting to the good part! How can Iruka expect him to put it down when the heroine of the story is going to dive into a pool of water in a white shirt? He'll be insane to stop now. But looking at the man and his damn cute pleading eyes…er, scratch out. Kakashi meant damn pleading eyes that look adorable. Wait, no, just plain pleading eyes…that look, shit. Damn Iruka for getting in his way of his entertainment. "Fine but I want pudding for dessert. Make that vanilla pudding."

Blink. Blink. Blink. Iruka doesn't know whether or not to take Kakashi serious but as he looks at him he can tell other man isn't joking. Blink. Kakashi wants pudding, vanilla pudding. "Let me get this straight, I have to make you vanilla pudding in order for you to stop reading your" pauses to cover Gaara's ears and shares a look with Sakura who understands and covers her ears too, "porn. Are you making fun of me here?" When Iruka removes his hands from Gaara's ears, Sakura does the same.

"I think it's a fair deal. Don't you think so Sakura?"

Sakura hangs her head down in shame. Sometimes she just can't take her teacher anywhere without him embarrassing her. She can't believe he wants pudding! She didn't even know her sensei likes pudding. He must love it enough to exchange it for his precious 'book'. "Iruka-sensei, I've learned to just go with his crazy mood swings."

"Crazy…mood…swings…?"

"But why do I have to make him pudding? Either way, he wins!"

"Crazy mood swings….?"

"I know Iruka-sensei, but this is Kakashi-sensei. If it counts, I'm surprise he's willing to part with his book over food."

"Crazy mood swings?"

"Really? Come to think of it, I'm surprise too. I thought he would have come up with something better."

"I'm in the room and crazy mood swings?"

"And out of all the things, vanilla pudding. I mean, I like vanilla pudding but still…vanilla pudding?"

"What's wrong with vanilla pudding? And what crazy mood swings?"

"I know, Sakura. I thought he was joking but he seemed pretty serious about the vanilla pudding.

Well, if it's just vanilla pudding then I guess I don't mind."

"Well, I'm glad to know you realize what a great deal it is. Now can we go back to me having crazy mood swings?"

"Hey Iruka-sensei, you don't think if you always have vanilla pudding on hand, Kakashi-sensei would stop reading his book completely?"

"I don't love vanilla pudding that much."

"I don't know, Sakura. I don't exactly want to be the cause of Kakashi letting himself go with all that vanilla pudding."

"…letting myself go…?"

"You have a good point there, Iruka-sensei. Considering how much he reads his book would mean he would be eating nonstop. I don't exactly want a fat sensei."

"…I just wanted some vanilla pudding…What's wrong with you two?"

"Oh well, it was a good thought though Sakura. So it's decided, we'll have vanilla pudding for dessert. How does that sound, Ga-chan?"

For the most part, Gaara been watching and wondering what this vanilla pudding is. He's never had vanilla pudding before but if his mommy makes it, then he'll eat it. After all, why would his mommy make something that might taste bad? With that thought, he nods at Iruka. He can't wait for him and Ruka to taste it!

Turning his head, Iruka glances at Kakashi. "You can put away your book now, Kakashi. I'll make you your vanilla pudding for dessert."

"That's nice to know but the offer expired not too long ago" Kakashi says as he sits back to get more comfortable on his chair. He starts flipping through his book, trying to find where he last left off. He was trying to be nice here and they go and make fun of him. Blah, who needs them when he has his books?

Getting up, Iruka strolls over to Kakashi and sits on the armrest of his chair. Of course this doesn't go unnoticed by the older man but he continues to read his book.

"Kakashi?"

"Hmm?" a page is flipped.

"Would you still like vanilla pudding for dessert?"

"The offer expired" another page is turn.

"I know, I heard you the first time. But would you still like vanilla pudding?"

"I wouldn't want you to go out of your way for me" some more flipping.

"No, it's fine with me. I don't mind."

"You don't?" pausing in the middle of flipping a page, Kakashi looks up to see a smiling face.

"No, I don't. So if you want vanilla pudding, I'll make it for you."

"I'm still going to read my book, you know" even though he says that, he closes his book. He's not putting it away because Iruka's smiling at him. Oh no, he just lost interest in the book is all. Besides he's read this book already, has nothing to do with Iruka's warm smile.

"I know" with that Iruka gets off the armrest and goes to sit down next to Sakura and Gaara. Right when he's about start a conversation, he hears the door open followed by a loud "Iruka-sensei, we're home!"

Of course he gets up to go greet the boys and ask how their day went. Or at least that was the plan until the white haired man who's companying them comes into view. To say Iruka is surprises is an understatement as he continues to stare at the man who's known as one of the legendary three, Jiraiya. "Um…" Iruka doesn't know what to say. He's never really met the man before but he's heard about him from everyone especially Naruto.

"Sorry Iruka-sensei, he wanted to know where you lived" Naruto comments as he walks over to the loveseat and pops himself down on it. He's tried and annoyed. Nothing a good cup of ramen can't cure but it's going to have wait. He first wants to know what the hell is going on. "So he ended up following us like a lost dog." Naruto snickers as he notices Sasuke walking over and sitting down next him. He doesn't mind.

Looking at the blonde with a distasteful look for insulting him, Jiraiya declares "I'm not a dog."

"You're right, more like an old pervert hermit if you ask me" Naruto says in a matter-of-fact tone.

Blinking and knowing Naruto knows better than that, Iruka scowls him. "Naruto, what have I said about talking to your elders like that?"

"Um…is that a rhetorical question, Iruka-sensei?"

"Wow, dope, you know a big word. And here I thought you never paid attention in class."

"What do you mean? I never paid attention in class."

"That's not something to be proud of Naruto!" Sakura frowns at her teammate. And here she thought she only has Kakashi-sensei to worry about embarrassing her. Naruto has to add himself into the mix. Only Sasuke doesn't embarrass her as well as Iruka-sensei. Thank goodness for them or the other two would have driven her insane.

"I don't hear anything, I don't hear anything." Iruka repeats while rubbing his forehead. After a few more times, he stops and turns his attention to Jiraiya. Putting on a smile like nothing's wrong, he replies "You wanted to know where I live? May I ask why?"

"What? I can't visit my son?" Jiraiya says proudly, going towards Iruka with his arms out like he's going to give him a big hug which he does. Iruka would have moved out of the way but he was too shock to move. Even as Jiraiya continues to hug him, he stands there frozen, as does the rest of the people in the room. Gaara just blinks.

"Does that make you my grandpa?" the little one asks, curious eyes blinking at the older man who's hugging his mommy.

"Why yes it does!"

Looking at his mommy to the old thing, then back again to his mommy, he noticed something. "But you no look like mommy at all though, why is that?"

"That's because Iruka gets his looks from his mother."

"What's a pretty lady doing with you?" the boy is obviously confused. They don't look anything alike. Of course he knows he and mommy don't look alike either…but that's okay. He still likes his mommy very much.

Everyone sweat drops, well, expect for Naruto who's too busy holding his stomach from laughing too hard. Sakura has to hit him in the back of his head to make him stop laughing. "Even if it's true, it's rude to laugh." A few feet away, someone mumbles how it's also rude to be blunt about things making Sakura blush with embarrassment.

Jiraiya scratches the back of his head with a sheepish grin on his face before replying "I got lucky?" all the while thinking how blunt this child is. He then turns his attention to the man he still has an arm around. "Speaking of getting lucky, is there anymore grandchildren I should know about? And where is the father?" Then he looks at Kakashi's direction, he starts laughing. "Don't tell me Kakashi here is the father?"

If it hadn't been for the arm around him, Iruka would have dropped died with shock. Not only does the much older man claim to be his 'father' but is implying him and Kakashi…they had…. Well, we know how babies are made. Him and Kakashi, Kakashi and him, no matter how it's said, it still doesn't sound right. Oh, and the fact it's impossible! Two men can't have babies! Unless Jiraiya thinks he's a…woman, a woman who is cable of giving birth? Just because a small child is calling him 'mommy' does not mean he's a woman! 'Oh my god, do I look like a woman, is that it? I mean I know I'm not the manliest man out there but still! This is ridiculous!' a panic Iruka thinks. While Iruka continues to have mental breakdown, Naruto and his other two teammates have the most unusual faces. They look like they just bit into the sourest lemon known to mankind.

Once he gets over his disgust, Naruto questions the older man with "What have you been smoking?" He pauses to look at Gaara, "Don't believe this weirdo, Gaara. Iruka-sensei would never, never hook up with a pervert like Kakashi-sensei! He has taste, non-perverted taste!"

"Are you calling me a liar, kid?"

"Well…yeah!"

"Oh…. I suppose that was a bit too much, wasn't it?"

"So you're not my grandpa?" Gaara just really needs to know because this 'grandpa' is too much like one-eye over there who's giving his mommy a really weird look. It's the same look he gave his mommy this morning when he was combining his mommy's hair.

"Sorry kid but I'm not."

Gaara sighs in utter relief which causes the white haired to make a face. 'How insulting' he can't help but think. He can't believe the manners on this kid. He's been hanging out with Naruto for too long. Getting over it, Jiraiya walks over to Gaara and ruffles his red hair. "But just because I'm not doesn't mean you can't call me grandpa. I don't mind."

"What? If you want to call him something Gaara then call him old pervert, old man, or nasty old man!"

"Naruto!"

"What? It's true Iruka-sensei!"

TBC

shinycry- um, I'm very much aware it's been a loooooooong time since I last updated this story. Hell, I'm not even sure anyone going to read it anymore because of that. Surprising enough, I got an email saying if I was ever going to finish this and…well, I felt bad. It's just because I got lost on what I wanted to do/go with this story but now I have an idea. And sorry if it kind of took me this long to figure it out. I hope I haven't lost all my readers for this story. I'll do what I can do for this story. Thanks for reading and review please! Even if it's cursing at my laziness…