Daily Work
Iruka continued through a lesson on Ninjutsu basics thinking about all the news that he learned this morning. It was rare for him to be included in such a large scale mission. Many of the faces he stared at came from talented clans. If the enemy targeted any one of them he would be ready.
Although he wasn't involved with any squad that dealt with the enemy he was included. Distracted he stopped the lesson sure he was making no sense to his students. He told them to practice writing an intelligence report just to give them busy works so he could think.
Returning to his desk he went over everyone's odd behavior lately. No wonder everyone was on edge. An internal attack with seemingly no motive hit the village.
The clock ticked down the final moments of class. Iruka looked relieved as the kids filed out the class. He collected their paperwork and placed it in a folder as he started to head out.
Naruto surprised him giggling in the doorway.
"Hey Iruka Sensei," Naruto exclaimed.
"Hi Naruto," Iruka said.
"Can I talk to you," Naruto asked.
"Sure. You're paying," Iruka said.
"What," Naruto complained, "shouldn't you get Ramen free now?"
"Old man Teuchi wouldn't be in business if he gave out free Ramen all the time. So what is it you want to talk about Naruto," Iruka asked.
"After all this time…eh I mean um…How did you know that Anko was the girl you were going to marry and she only cared about you," Naruto said.
"All of a sudden out of the blue like that, eh Naruto," Iruka said.
"Well it's not what I wanted to talk about but something came to my mind just now," Naruto said.
"There's a long list of things not just one thing. I had a crush on her, I liked talking to her at the Academy and we both enjoy Ichiraku and she's just nice so I could definitely see myself with her. I guess I knew the day she asked me out," Iruka said.
"She asked you out," Naruto asked.
"Yes," Iruka said as they walked the Academy grounds.
"All that time you were at the Academy and you never asked her out," Naruto asked.
"When you say it like that Naruto, it seems lame some how," Iruka said.
"That's so lame Sensei," Naruto laughed.
"Not everyone is as spirited as you Naruto," Iruka said.
"Lame, totally lame dattebayo," Naruto was roaring with laughter.
"Laugh all you want but its still my love story and you should have seen her then I couldn't ask for a more perfect moment," Iruka said.
"Sure whatever you say," Naruto said.
"Anyway as far as other guys are concerned no one really thinks of all that when they fall for someone. I mean it just happens then you start trusting that person, considering their feelings. The next thing you know it hits you that you can't live without them," Iruka said.
"I trust Sakura-chan…," Naruto trailed off looking over the new Konoha. It had been a good while since he spent time at the new Academy and he tried to recall the old Academy. His conversation had nothing to do with Sakura and he really didn't want to talk about her in that light.
"So that is what this is all about," Iruka grinned and added, "that's lame Naruto."
"I guess it is," Naruto laughed going along with whatever Iruka thought he meant.
"Sakura and half your class squealed whenever Sasuke did anything. What I'm saying is some girls have major crushes but they all grew up. Ask any of your classmates now what they think. They may say he's cute but they are probably happy where they are now," Iruka said.
"I guess so but that's not what I wanted to talk about," Naruto said.
"You'll likely always have to deal with those feeling of jealousy and doubt," Iruka said ignoring any protest by Naruto.
"It isn't like that with Sakura-chan. She notices me not him and we are all so past that now," Naruto said.
"Well I had this whole speech about jealousy and doubt but I guess you're a settled down married man. Anyhow I somehow forget who I am giving advice to," Iruka said.
"Not needed."
"Don't judge Sakura too harsh on her actions. She is human after all and cares about Sasuke as a friend maybe as much as you do. The both of you spent years pouring all you had into finding him," Iruka reminded him.
"So about what I really wanted to talk about. Sasuke's leaving; well he left to help out the Otogakure," Naruto said not giving away too much classified information just enough that Iruka knew what he was talking about.
"I heard as much at the meeting," Iruka said and paused just outside Ichiraku.
"Sakura's upset that I didn't try harder to stop him. I think he can do this. I started to see this as his chance to straighten things up. To make amends," Naruto said.
"Like the Kazekage," Iruka said.
"Yes," Naruto nodded, "I guess just like Gaara."
"I'm probably the last one to talk about Sasuke these days," Iruka said.
"No. I value your input," Naruto said.
"Sasuke is strong and powerful but not the type of leader that would be a fit for Konoha. It is clear that the people favor you right now. Sasuke knows he can't gain that influence over people compared to you…he'd have to take power by other means. He knows the people of the Otogakure so he has that edge. I can't think of anyone who could take on a challenge like that and succeed. Sasuke is a person who is at peace when driven to accomplish something. It bores him to not have a challenge. He thrives on being the best but he's not one to boast about his accomplishments. In the past his family was who he looked to for that pat on the back of recognition. Who do you think he looks to now," Iruka asked.
"Naruto long time no see," Ayame greeted Naruto.
Iruka followed after him.
"What are you two doing here," Ayame asked as they approached.
"I ran into Naruto and he was treating so here we are," Iruka said.
"Hello Ayame," Naruto greeted.
"How are you doing," Ayame asked.
"Not too bad. I can't complain," Naruto answered.
"How is Sakura?"
"She's…There is something we…Doing well all things considered," Naruto stammered out.
"Secrets, I see. Tell Sakura to come by and see me sometime," Ayame said.
"What is the big secret Naruto," Iruka asked.
"Maybe we should tell you all over dinner sometime dattebayo," Naruto said.
"Alright, you'll keep us quite for a while I suppose. Dinner would be nice," Iruka said.
"Nothing too fancy just dinner at our place," Naruto said.
"Um Naruto if you'd like help I can cook for us all," Ayame suggested.
"You don't like Sakura-chan's food much do you," Naruto asked.
"No. I mean no it isn't like that. I just thought I'd cook because I love to cook that's all," Ayame said feeling embarrassed that she suggested something like that.
"We can all come by for a nice hot pot and call it an evening. I'll talk it over with Anko she should be fine with everything," Iruka suggested.
"Sounds good," Naruto agreed.
"I don't know if I plan on bringing anyone," Ayame said and blushed.
"You don't have to; I kind of invited everyone without thinking. I am not even sure if Sakura is alright with me telling you about the- oh oops I almost ruined everything. It is fine if it is just you two," Naruto said.
Ayame gave an odd look to Iruka who shrugged his shoulders in confusion.
Despite what anyone heard about Sakura, Naruto knew that she could cook fairly well. It wasn't gourmet food but it was good enough for him. Besides they ate out far too often. This would be a good opportunity to tell all the people they wanted to that she was going to have a child.