By: Selim
Summary: When the newlywed Iruka wants to adopt a child, he meets a discriminated boy named Naruto with a dark past. Can Iruka and Kakashi obtain a small family with the boy, or lose him back to the boys original parents..
Pairings: Kakashi x Iruka, Sasuke + Naruto
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Information of this fiction: This is a slight AU. Though it has to do with Ninjas, has Kyuubi, and both Kakashi and Iruka are at designated jobs in the manga, some things are different. Instead of 25, Iruka is only 22, and Naruto is 9 along with all the other kids he grew up with in the manga. Beware of OOCness, because there are so many characters, and the amount of manga I’ve read only introduced a few.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iruka watched as the spring months turned to summer. His pre-genin students had mostly graduated so he was expecting a new batch of students along with his repeats this year. Naruto, who had come to the academy later in the year, had to spend his entire summer at the academy catching up on what he missed and was expected, by the beginning of the new school year, to have caught up with his peers in all sense of the word.
At first, he had thought that Naruto had passed the careful stages of his adoption. It was mostly based on the fact the boy was more outgoing around the house and outside. He made friends and considered himself part of the family. He thought that from that point Naruto would be a normal child, but a visit from their social worker said otherwise.
Fujii, as professional as a woman with a grudge could be, had stated that Naruto was only starting to spread his wings. The point of some of his behavior, the demand for bedtime stories and needing people to help him face his nightmares, was psychological. At those points, Naruto was reverting back to younger years, reliving primitive stages of his life with a family to build proper skills he’d need to grow up.
While visiting, Fujii had often met with Naruto alone – leaving the boy in tears and fear. When she’d leave, Naruto would become depressed, talking along the lines that he would have to move in with Yuki forever, but, five bags of ramen later, Naruto would be happy again and running around from one section of the apartment complex to the other. She also came to speak with Iruka and Kakashi once in awhile, to question their parental methods. One question, directed to Kakashi, was why he took the boy to the Kyuubi Monument when the boy had no right to be there. Kakashi begged to differ for unknown reasons. To Iruka, Fujii was ask him if he was failing in his parental duties to make sure Naruto was on top of his studies since the boy barely made it into the pre-genin classes.
The moment he had decided to adopt, Iruka promised himself that he’d give the child the decision of where in the class rankings he or she would be, ninja or no. He would love that child no matter what. Besides, Naruto came late in the year; Iruka wasn’t expecting the boy to be number one Rookie. Sasuke had that title.
And, when Fujii wasn’t around, Iruka would spend as much quality time with his family as he could. Feeling that Naruto had stabilized himself, he had assigned Naruto daily chores to help clean the kitchen after dinner and keep his bedroom a little cleaner. He wasn’t expecting miracles, but these were his terms for Naruto to work at Ichiraku. Yes, at Ichiraku.
It was rare for children under fifteen or not a genin to have a job, but when the old entrepreneur asked if Naruto wanted to help during the summer months, the small boy begged for permission. It was decided that Naruto could work there for tips only on Saturday and Sunday. The rest of the week, he went to his summer studies and did his chores. Kakashi had stated that this schedule taught the boy responsibility.
Other changes had happened within the last few days. Itachi had moved out from his home, but the biggest news was that he had fought with his parents and the hokage for permission to either adopt his brother or take custody of the small boy. His case was dismissed and Sasuke continued to live with his biological parents whereas Itachi was stripped from the Uchiha Heir title. “Phht. Not like I care,” Itachi had muttered over breakfast with the Hatake’s, all the while Naruto chomped noisily at his pancakes.
“You can stay with us Itachi-san.” Iruka looked over the table at the teenage boy. “Until you find a place of your own and stabilize yourself.” Kakashi passed him a glare, but Iruka choose to ignore it.
Shaking his head negative, Itachi rubbed the pancake against his the syrup residue on his plate. “No thank you, Hatake-san. I’ve already found a cheap apartment near work and the Uchiha mansion. I gave Sasuke the address so make sure he comes to visit me, okay Naruto?” He smiled at the small boy.
Giving the thumbs up, Naruto put his fork down and waited for permission to clean his plate. Instead, Iruka continued to talk to Itachi about his future plans now that he was no longer part of the Uchiha clan. When it had happened, Itachi seemed almost thrilled to have the title off his head. Of course, since it had happened he had spent a lot of his free hours at the Hatake house.
Finally, Kakashi cleared his throat. “Itachi, are you busy Friday night?”
The ANBU captain thought about it before shaking his head. “Not that I know of. I was going to have Sasuke spend the night if he is given permission. Why?”
Sighing, Iruka laid his chin in his hands. “Well, since we adopted Naruto, Kakashi and I haven’t had…quality time with each other. Y’know, without worry that something could go wrong. We’d kind of like to go on a date, but most of our neighbors refuse to take Naruto, even if just for a night.”
Though a few had opened up to Naruto in the latest weeks, they had begun to close up ties again recently since foxes had paid the apartment a visit. Neither Kakashi nor Iruka had known about their late night visitors until Kakashi had woke up early in the morning from a fit of insomnia to find a red-eyed Naruto (Kyuubi) leaving the apartment with the next day’s dinner to find stray foxes to feed. After that foxes returned nightly, Kyuubi had said they promised to protect the kit as long as long as Iruka or Kakashi continued to feed them. Iruka had agreed, so now they had nightly guests in return for protection they didn’t know they needed.
Itachi looked thoughtful. Instead of speaking though, he turned to face Naruto long enough to let his gaze drop onto the unwatched boy pouring too much syrup on his pancakes, drowning the cakes before he started to eat happily. Iruka look disdained by the action and put the bottle back in the refrigerator. He’d seen enough to know Naruto wasn’t going to ration the sugary liquid. Smiling, Itachi dipped some of his bare pancake into the boy’s syrup. Sure, he didn’t indulge himself on sugary treats as such, but the startled yell from the small boy made it all worth it. “I’d love to take care of Naruto. I think Sasuke would like to spend some time with him.”
Iruka smiled politely, grasping his husband’s hand under the table. Kakashi, having finished his meal, pulled up his mask. Itachi said nothing about Kakashi’s personal openness within his own home. “Thank you, Itachi-san. We’ll pay you, like any other babysitter.”
“No!” Itachi jerked up. “I’m doing it for free. I-I want to.” He brushed Naruto’s bangs, earning a slap to his wrist from the eating boy, along with a warning growl. “I have to go to work. Thank you for inviting me for breakfast, Iruka-san.” He bowed politely to the academy teacher. Turning to Naruto, he rubbed the boy’s messy hair before leaving the house in a puff of smoke.
Standing up, Kakashi put his plate in the sink before bending down to kiss Iruka on the check, using his mask. “See you at the mission hall tonight.” With, what looked like, a smile, he vanished from the room, leaving a sticky Naruto sitting at the table and the blushing Iruka holding his cheek.
Licking his lips, Naruto pushed his chair back. “Conscience-san says a fox is going to take me to this park near the orphanage. Can I go?” He stared up with pouting eyes.
“Clean yourself up beforehand.” Iruka started to clean up breakfast dishes. “Remember, don’t stay out too long; I’ll be home until three, you and I will go to the mission hall together.” He gave Naruto a wet rag before turning on the water to start his dishes. Scraping at the door told him that the fox had just arrived to escort Naruto safely. “Don’t talk to strangers, Naruto.” Iruka said offhandedly. Naruto choose to ignore him as he threw the rag towards the counter and rushed out the door. When everything was silent, Iruka leaned back against the counter and breathed deeply before he stared at the dishes. When he slept, he could remember his family in dreams and such, but when he was awake it made him smile that he had constant reminder that he had a new family. A lazy husband who rushed off to work so he could be late anyway, a child that had their own schedule to follow, and his own work schedule. Was this how his parents were when he was going up? Unable to remember correctly, Iruka shook his head and went back to work.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Around the gates of Konoha was a memorial for those that had died during the Kyuubi attack. Though most of the year it was bare of flowers and essence, there was always someone there. Whether it be a proud adult wanting to tell family of their accomplishment or people who never gotten over the past, that a family member had died protecting the city they loved, someone was always there. In the morning was no different. People that walked around could claim that the silver haired jounin could be a statue sitting right in front since he always sat in the same place, talking as if someone were actually listening to him as he would tell about how missions had gone, things his lover had done or said, or actions by his child. Sometimes his voice would fall into a whisper, now allowing anyone to hear what he said, but whatever it was happened to be very important.
So when Kakashi showed up in a puff of smoke in front of the memorial, no one looked up or bothered to see what was going on. The man gave a polite bow to the stone before sitting down. Uncharacteristically he didn’t take out his orange book and read, for the sake of honor. He might read it in front of the hokage or an important official, but he could never find it in his heart to read in front of that memorial. He didn’t smile as he glanced up at the blue sky before down again at the words engraved. “It’s Friday, Obito.” He said offhandedly. “Same as every other Friday, but I stated that for a reason.”
Staring over the engraving of his friend’s name, he chuckled. “Rin always seemed happier on a Friday because Arashi-sensei never wanted to take missions on that day unless it was very important. He always said we needed a day off, but as you know I haven’t taken a Friday off in years. Can’t do so. I did today though, because I have to get everything ready. I’ve got it all planned out.
“Y’see, Iruka and I have almost been married a year. We’ve had Naruto a few months now, but in those few months we’ve all been very busy. When Naruto’s not around Iruka’s at work or busying himself to take his mind off everything and I take out of Konoha missions. It’s occurred to us, last Fujii visit, that Naruto, without meaning to, is tearing Iruka’s and my marriage to shreds. I’ve got to replace that spark in our relationship, he’s all I have left.” Kakashi let his hands touch his mask. “Iruka’s been really looking forward to this date since I planned it all myself. Our last date I took him on a small vacation to a resort just outside Fire Country, I think he liked that.
“Because of Naruto, though, we can’t be doing something that extravagant. Every action we take, we always have to ask ourselves ‘Will it be misinterpreted?’ That was how we lost Naruto the last time. The Hokage is being reasonable, letting Iruka and me have Naruto most of the month, but if Fujii spreads misinterpreted stories to him again, he’ll end up staying with Shizuki-san longer.”
Taking a deep breath, Kakashi tried to calm his nerves and find a better way to explain what he was saying. “I saw them. Hand shaped wounds on Naruto’s forearms. Usually Kyuubi heals bruises and wounds on the boy, but he didn’t last time. It was as though the demon was trying to tell us what was going on at the Shizuki house. I don’t think Yuki is the cause of any of it though. I’ve spoken to her enough to know she’s trying to keep her son. Arashi-sensei had a good taste in women based on personality, but made the wrong choice in which one to grab. Maybe he didn’t know she was to be married when he had sex with her, but I bet if the Kyuubi attack hadn’t of happened and Toshi wasn’t in the picture, he’d of married Yuki without question, but that’s just between you and me.” Raising his voice again, Kakashi leaned back on his elbows. He admitted to himself that he only fidgeted like this if he didn’t know what to say. Iruka, Naruto…
Not finding anything else to tell his friend about, Kakashi watched the clouds quietly before sitting up as a fox sat beside him. Reaching over, he pet the animal behind the ear. “What are you doing here?” He whispered, though he didn’t expect an answer.
Instead of remaining there, the fox started towards the village, stopped, and turned back towards him. Kakashi rose to his feet and started behind as the fox continued trotting into the village as though it owned it. Probably thought it did, Kakashi frowned as the fox sat just outside the park, staring at it expectantly. Kakashi stepped towards the fox to see what it was seeing. A group, a suspicious-looking group that had gathered in a circle.
Odd. Kakashi started towards the group, ignoring the yelling and taunts rising from all the adults’ mouths. Something was wrong. From the side, he could see another fox waiting expectantly for the outcome, followed by more. Foxes from all over seemed to be surrounding the group, watching just as shinobi started surrounding the area to see what was going on. A merchant? No, the yelling seemed vicious and unwelcome to be a merchant. Besides, in a park? Kakashi pushed through the group to get to the center when words caught his attention.
“Demon!”
“You caused Konoha great harm, get out of here!”
“Stupid demon, how do you like being pushed in the mud?”
Kakashi’s mind played a mile a minute as he summed the chakra to transport him into the middle of the crowd where Naruto sat, covered in mud and bruises. Tears filled the rims of the boy’s eyes, but he wouldn’t let them fall as he tried to stay strong. Reaching down, Kakashi took Naruto into his arms just as a rock flew their way, hitting Naruto in the back. On reflex, an “ow” escaped the boy’s lips in a cry as he clung around Kakashi’s neck. Just as the Jounin was going to yell at the adults’ behavior, the foxes that had surrounded pounced.
Kakashi felt every nerve in his body go raw. To be honest, he didn’t know what to say or do since he knew the reason behind the sudden attack. He was unable to blame the foxes for just attacking people as they were, but the other side said that it was his job to protect citizens of Konoha. “Stop them.” He whispered to Naruto, but the boy shook his head. “Stop them, Naruto!” Kakashi yelled, causing the boy to pull back scared.
Rubbing his eyes, Naruto stared around at the foxes before he stared back at Kakashi. “I don’t know how!”
Reaching forward, Kakashi grabbed Naruto’s shoulders, almost painfully. “Tell Conscience then to get rid of them!”
“Conscience-kun says they had this coming.” Naruto whispered, wiping his tears. “He says he’s not going to call them off because they hurt me!” A lone fox strayed away from the skulk, baring its teeth at Kakashi. Kakashi relented his hold on Naruto’s shoulders.
“Conscience! Call them off!” Kakashi yelled. Since Naruto always called Kyuubi under the name ‘Conscience’ it was how Iruka and Kakashi started referring the demon when they wanted to speak with the fox personally. “Before the village finds reason to kill Naruto, call them off!”
Naruto’s eyes flashed red, his canines sharpening with a growl. His small, boyish, voice became strong and deep. “Then tell your kind to leave this boy alone. He’s done nothing to them…yet. When something does happen, it’ll be my doing!” Like clock work, the foxes stopped attacking the people and backed off, one-by-one they left the city. “If you’d notice, they didn’t attack until they attacked my kit with that rock. I kept them away when they pushed him in a puddle and when they called him names, but I didn’t attack them. My foxes attack on their own free will, had I attacked you’d all be dead.” With a sneer, the demon marched Naruto’s body away from the scene. “Tell Iruka-kun Naruto will not be showing up at the mission hall this afternoon.”
As a mess of blonde hair vanished in the distance and people that had been in the park during the attack were taken to the hospital, Kakashi remained. His eyes wide, a rare sign that he gave to show he was scared. Originally, Kyuubi was kind to both he and Iruka, but it seemed he’d revoked that liking from Kakashi and still favored Iruka. Taking a deep breath, he prepared to follow the boy as Fujii’s voice behind him tsk’ed.
“This won’t look good at the final hearing, Hatake-san.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more, visit http://www.fanfiction.net/~selim
