A/N: Yeah...this just randomly came to me. I hope it's cute. For this story pretend that Minato (Fourth Hokage) is still alive. Okay? Just go with me on that.
One-Shot #78
Shuriken Practice
Minato Namikaze was confused. His twelve-year-old son, Naruto, was a brilliant shinobi. Second in his class and the pride of the village, at least up until three months ago. Naruto's class scores dropped dramatically, especially his shuriken practice scores.
At home, Naruto could hit any mark his father demanded. At school, he barely hit any of them, even the easier ones. With no explanation for his actions from his son, except sudden outbursts and blushing, Minato went to his teacher, Iruka Umino.
The teacher felt intimidated standing in front of his Fourth Hokage. It wasn't every day the man asked for a one-on-one meeting with the chuunin. As he sat there, nervously looking around the Hokage's home, he could feel his palms begin to sweat. Minato sat down in an overstuffed chair across the Iruka, a teacup cradled in his hands.
"Iruka, do you know why I asked you here?" Minato asked, sensing the man's fear.
"N-no, sir." Iruka stammered out, nervously fidgeting in his seat.
"Well," Minato began, taking another quick sip of his tea before placing it on the table between them. "My son's grades have dropped quite dramatically, do you have any idea why?"
Iruka's mouth formed an 'o' as he gave off a nervous laugh. Of course this is why the Fourth had wanted a meeting. He was worried about Naruto. With the intimidation calming slightly, Iruka let his muscles relax.
"I mean," The Hokage continued, ignoring Iruka's sudden lack of fear. "Naruto has amazing skills. At home his shuriken skills are flawless, but at school…what has him so distracted?"
The chuunin scratched the back of his head, unsure of how to explain the lack of concentration properly. "Well, you see Hokage-sama…you're son is distracted by…a classmate."
"Oh!" Minato laughed. "Yeah, girls have that effect on teenage boys, I guess." Iruka gave the Hokage a strange expression. Minato caught it at the same time another thought entered his head. "Wait…doesn't the academy still separate the girls and boys during their shuriken practices?"
Iruka nodded.
"…Naruto's distracted by…another boy?"
Iruka nodded again.
"Which boy?"
"Sasuke Uchiha." Iruka waited for any reaction, but none came. Instead, Minato just stared at the chuunin. "Hokage-sama, before you react…it's normal for boys to be…curious."
A tight laugh left the Hokage as he glanced down at his teacup again. "Yeah. No, I'm not angry or anything…I'm just surprised. Didn't Naruto declare him his 'eternal rival' or something just a few months ago?"
Iruka nodded. "I think that's how it started."
"Huh…" Minato scratched the back of his head. He wished now, more than ever, that his wife were still alive. She'd know how to handle that his son might be gay better than he did. "Is…is that boy…good to my son? Uchiha's have a reputation as being…difficult to be with."
"Yeah," Iruka laughed. "They are nearly inseparable. They're actually quite cute together."
"Was he ever going to tell me?" Minato asked, looking into Iruka's eyes.
"I'm sure he was, sir." Iruka put his hands up defensively. "It's nothing serious right now. I think they're just…testing the waters, so to speak."
Minato nodded as they heard the front door open. The cheerful voice of his son floated into the room as Naruto announced he was home. The two heard quiet murmurs as two pairs of feet shuffled down the hallway. Two teenage boys appeared in the hallway, Naruto and Sasuke. Both boys' eyes widened when they saw Minato sitting with Iruka.
"Welcome home, Naruto. I see you brought a friend with you." Sasuke blushed as Naruto nodded. "Make yourself at home, Sasuke." The Uchiha nodded, still blushing.
"What are you doing, dad?" Naruto asked, his eyes still focused on Iruka.
"Just having a meeting about your grades. Why they were dropping and such." Naruto just nodded, tearing his eyes from Iruka to his father.
"I told you I'd bring them up. They're getting better now, right Iruka-sensei?"
"Oh, yes, Hokage-sama. As a matter of fact, I think he'll pass the graduation exam with flying colors!" Iruka beamed as Naruto puffed out his chest in pride. Sasuke just snorted.
"Well, dad, we're going to go train, right Sasuke?" Sasuke nodded. "See ya later!"
As the two boys jogged out the door, Naruto with his hand wrapped tightly around Sasuke's wrist, Minato laughed lightly.
"Guess they thought you ratted them out, Iruka."
"I'd say so, sir." Iruka said, laughing himself.
"Thank you, Iruka." Minato said, standing while he stretched his hand out in front of him. Iruka stood and shook the outstretched hand, smiling happily.
"No problem, sir. I'm glad I could help."
After Iruka left, Minato went to the door that led to their backyard. The boys were there, throwing shuriken at a huge bulls-eye nailed to a tree. He watched as Naruto's shuriken landed perfectly in each mark, the same as Sasuke's did. After each set of three, when the boys went to the tree to fetch their respective shuriken, the boys would see who was closest and laugh. Once, when Naruto knocked Sasuke's shuriken out of the mark with his, he threw his arms around the boy and hugged him tightly.
Minato smiled and left the boys alone. It wasn't so bad, at least his son was happy. And that, after all, was all that mattered.
I hope it was cute. I really, really do.
