Disclaimers: Naruto isn't mine. This is purely a fanfic using someone else's characters.

Warnings: This story includes strong language, violence, angst, references to suicide/ suicide attempts, sexual content (yaoi of course), & referenced/ depicted child abuse.


For Whom the Bell Tolls

Chapter 10: Music to My Ears

"Life is so full of unpredictable beauty and strange surprises."

-Mark Oliver Everett

- - -

Iruka thanked the doctor for his help and gave his hand a firm shake before heading down the hall towards the front entrance. He made sure to let the secretary know that he would be back soon, then stepped out into the blinding sun. He moved to the side of the building, pulled out his phone, and went to the last number in his call history. One that he called often, or at least has been for the last month.

Seeing the name sent a flutter through his stomach, and a blush across his cheeks. With a smile he clicked the number and held his phone close to his face. After a few rings, he finally picked up.

"Hey.. it's me" Iruka started, "I wasn't sure you'd be able to pick up."

"I have a break" he replied, a smile evident in his voice. "Did you miss me already, my little dolphin?"

Iruka's blush deepened. "I told you not to call me that.."

"No one can hear us."

"Fine.. but that's not why I called. I have a favor to ask."

"I'm listening."

"I know we haven't been" he cleared his throat, "ahmm.. dating that long, but I was wondering how you'd feel about me ughh.. staying at your place for a few days."

Silence.

A long brutal silence that made the brunette fidget with anxiety. "I- I'm sorry, I shouldn't be just inviting myself over like that. Just forget that I-"

Laughter shot through the phone that both pissed him off and sent a wave a relief through him. "You're a real asshole, you know that?"

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist" he said between spouts of laughter. "But all seriousness, you don't need to ask. You're always welcome here."

Iruka blushed. "But what about-"

"It won't be a problem" he said, already knowing what Iruka was getting at. "He'll likely lock himself in his room- hell, maybe I'll be able to convince him to hangout with a friend for once."

"You don't need to kick him out" Iruka said, "but I mean.. you could suggest it."

Another laugh reached him, and he grinned back at his phone. "I'll keep that in mind. So, what brought this on all of a sudden? I mean.. I have been trying to get you to come over for a month now."

"We've only been dating for a month!" Iruka argued.

"And?"

"God, you're impossible. Well.. I do want to spend time with you, but I might have another motive."

"Ahhh.. let me guess, it has to do with your son?"

"You are far more perceptive than you look" Iruka replied, impressed by his boyfriend's attentiveness.

"Well, it's not a difficult guess. From what I know about you so far, you like to meddle."

"I don't meddle."

"You definitely meddle."

Iruka sighed. "Ok, ok- I meddle. But in my defense, I think that they would be a cute couple."

"Oohhh- getting involved in his romantic life. I'm sure he'll love you for that."

"It's fine. I'm sure Naruto will thank me later."

Silence fell between them once more. "Wait, wait- did you just say Naruto?"

Iruka raised an eyebrow. He pressed the phone closer to his ear. "You know Naruto..?"

"He's in my class."

Iruka had been aware that his significant other was a teacher, but they hadn't gone into detail about it yet. Nor, apparently, had he mentioned his son's name. "I never told you his name?"

"No. You just called him your son or 'the kid'" he replied. After a brief pause, he asked "So.. who is it you're trying to set him up with?"

Iruka grinned, a very Naruto-like, impish grin. "One of his friends. Pretty obvious that the friend is head over heels, but Naruto might need a little push before he realizes he feels the same way."

"A friend" he repeated.

Is he talking about..

"They go to the same school- you might know him too! Wow, this really is a small town.."

"What's the friend's name?"

"Sasuke."

A choked laugh echoed through the phone, surprising the brunette. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing, nothing- I think your plan is perfect. They do seem very close."

"Right!? Ok, so does that mean you're fine with me staying over?"

"I would love nothing more."

Iruka smiled. "Ok, well I should probably get back. I'll see you tonight?"

"Sounds wonderful. See you soon, my little mischievous dolphin."

Iruka snorted at the ridiculous name. "See you soon.. my little accomplice Kakashi."

- - -

Iruka convinced Sasuke to go back to school for the second half of the day, though it was not a small feat. The raven was pretty hellbent on staying by Naruto's side, and not too keen on doing anything else. The only thing that got through to him was his suggestion that this would give Naruto a chance to rest before seeing him again tonight.

"Besides, I could use a little time with him before I leave."

Sasuke understood that it was a reasonable request, and the very least he could do for the man who had set all of this up. So, while he didn't want to separate from the blonde, he forced himself to. Before leaving the room, he paused and looked over his shoulder. "Iruka-san?"

He met his eyes and Naruto turned to look as well.

"If the front desk chick asks, Naruto and I are brothers."

Naruto choked on his own spit, and a sharp laugh burst from Iruka's mouth. "Brothers. For sure. Must be why you're so close." He winked at Sasuke, who seemed taken aback by it.

Naruto looked at his guardian with a curious look. "Iruka-san, are you drunk or something? You've been acting weird all morning."

Iruka turned his grin towards him. "Think they drug the ramen?"

"If they did, I'd know" Naruto said.

"Good point."

Iruka turned his attention back to the reluctant raven by the door. "Sasuke, I'll need your address." He walked over and handed him his phone so he could put in his contact information. He handed it back and Iruka gave him a smile. "Great, well- I'll see you tonight. Right Naruto?"

The blonde leaned back so he could see them. "See you later, Sasuke!"

"Yeah.. see you soon, Naruto."

As soon as Sasuke was gone, Naruto turned to his guardian. "What the hell was that?!"

"Hey! Watch your tone, Naruto."

"Why did you do all of that?! Why did you invite him over?! A friend? I've never heard of some friend and now you're staying with them? And even if you are- I'm sixteen! I can stay home alone, it's not a big deal!"

Iruka settled down in a chair next to him. "Anything else?"

"Yes!" Naruto threw out his arms, eyes wide as he tried to get through to the man. "Tell Sasuke he's not coming over!"

"Why would I lie to him?"

Naruto dropped his head back against the cot and threw an arm over his eyes. "I can't do it."

Humor faded, and Iruka scooted close to provide some comfort instead. "What's going on, Naruto? Why are you so concerned about having Sasuke there? I thought you two were friends."

"We are" Naruto said, his voice muffled behind his arm. "It's just-"

"Just what?"

"I think he likes me as… more than that" he mumbled.

Iruka patted his arm affectionately. "And what's wrong with that?" he asked quietly. "You're very easy to like, Naruto."

The blonde flung his arm down, exasperated. "Why are you not freaked out by this!?"

"Why should I be? You have someone who clearly cares a great deal for you." Naruto turned his head to look up at him with wide eyes filled with conflicting emotions. "Do you feel the same way about him?" Iruka asked gently.

"I… I don't know" he admitted. "And I'm not sure Sasuke really knows either.."

Iruka tilted his head, studying the blonde. "What do you mean by that?"

Naruto considered telling his adoptive father about it- about all of it. Sasuke's obvious heartbreak, his resistance to being only friends because of it, and that he looked just like someone that Sasuke had cared about- someone he couldn't move on from. He wanted to say it out loud- he doesn't like me, he likes the guy I look like. But saying it out loud would make it true, and maybe… maybe he didn't want that to be the only reason Sasuke was drawn to him.

"It's nothing.." he said softly, his words carried away with his low despondent voice.

"You don't feel.. unsafe with him, do you?"

Naruto shook his head.

"It sounds to me like you're not quite sure about how you feel. But Naruto," the blonde glanced over, "you won't figure it out by avoiding him. Wouldn't you rather know the truth?"

Naruto looked like he wanted to say something, but he couldn't seem to get the words out.

"Spend some time with him" Iruka advised, "time outside of school. See if the feelings are there- it doesn't mean you have to act on or pursue them, but at least you'll have some answers. You get to decide what happens after that."

"Iruka-san.. why are you so calm about this? Doesn't it make it weirder for the two of us to be alone?"

"I just want you to be happy, Naruto."

Cerulean eyes widened, brimming with tears. "Iruka.."

"If you like this person, don't run from it. It is ok to put your trust in others, to give your heart to another. But if you ever feel unsafe, you call me and I will be there. No matter what."

Naruto rubbed his arm against his eyes as he forced a smile. "Why are you being so serious all of a sudden?" he choked out.

Iruka rose to his feet, leaned down, and gently kissed the top of his head. Naruto stared up at him in surprise as he smoothed back his golden locks. "You're my son, Naruto. Your happiness will always be serious to me."

- - -

Naruto was released from the hospital later that night and the two set off to pick up Sasuke- to start the awkward set-up Iruka had insisted on. Naruto knew his heart was in the right place, he didn't want to leave Naruto alone but didn't feel right cancelling the plans that he had already made. That part made sense. But the blonde still found it odd how calm he was about Sasuke's feelings for him and his confusion about his own towards Sasuke. He couldn't imagine anyone else's guardian letting two teenagers, who were in the middle of a potential romantic entanglement, stay together for days- unsupervised.

I mean what if.. what if we..

Naruto shook his head. No. He had no intention of doing that. Fine- maybe he'll find out over the next few days that he does feel something for Sasuke. That doesn't mean he'll peruse something romantic with him. Love was complicated and dangerous. He wouldn't let himself be ensnared by it. And no one could convince him otherwise.

Right?

Naruto pointed to the quaint home tucked among cherry blossom trees and a large weeping willow. "That's it."

Iruka stared for a moment in awe. "Wow.." he breathed, "this is beautiful."

Naruto nodded, gazing out at the home as Iruka parked the car. He was impressed that a teacher could afford a place like this. Though, he supposed he didn't know a lot about Kakashi-sensei. For all he knew, he had some other sort of career before turning to education. It would make sense- there was a lot about the man that didn't seem very "teachery" at all. Naruto thought back to the massive collection of books in his library. From what he could tell, all of them were adult romance novels. Yeah, he's definitely not just your ordinary teacher. Though, he supposed he was like many who assumed that teaching was a lifestyle instead of a career.

Maybe all of them are like that, he thought.

Iruka got out of the car and stepped around it to open Naruto's door for him and help him down. "You know, you could still change your mind about all of this" Naruto said as they moved up the walkway towards the looming red door. "You could tell him that plans changed and he doesn't need to come over.

"You know I'm a terrible liar, Naruto." Iruka ruffled his hair, disheveling the honey-colored locks even more. "Chin up, kid. This is going to be fun."

Fun. Right.

Iruka knocked on the door then plastered on a large Naruto-like grin. After a brief moment, the door swung open. "Hi, I'm-" His voice dried up in his throat, chestnut eyes widened.

"Hello, Iruka-chan."

Naruto's eyes darted between them, noting the shocked look on Iruka's face and the amused one on Kakashi's. "Wait, do you know eachother?"

The silver-haired man grinned over at his pupil. "Oh yes, Naruto. Your guardian and I are very good.." he glanced at his blushing boyfriend, "friends."


Author Note:

Bearlikespie- as always your comments are sweet and thoughtful and interesting to read. I truly appreciate them and always, ALWAYS look forward to reading them. I hope you enjoy the story all the way through :)