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.
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The bedroom door opened and a blue eye canvassed his surroundings. Not even a few moments earlier, he’d heard Kakashi enter the apartment because he’d (Kakashi) stepped on Karu while trying to inconspicuously sneak into the master bedroom. Now, as Naruto snuck towards the front door, he could hear Iruka groan from the backroom. Probably stepped on Iruka too, Naruto clutched his fox-puppy to his chest.
Knowing that they were probably arguing over the covers (more often than not Naruto heard Iruka whispering Kakashi’s name breathlessly. Perhaps it was a breath taking battle for the covers, since Kakashi seemed like a blanket hog?). Giggling, Naruto left the house. He tried arguing with Sasuke over covers, but it all seemed for naught since the overly cool ten-year-old didn’t find excitement in fighting for covers. For the last few months, Sasuke preferred to kiss Naruto on the lips, saying it made them older. Not that Naruto was hesitant. He liked Sasuke’s kisses, they reminded him of ramen. Ramen and foxes! So cool! Naruto squealed and fled down the hall. He was supposed to meet Sasuke by the training ground for some extra training. He needed to learn how to produce a clone, and fast!
Outside the apartment complex, Naruto put Karu on the ground, letting the animal lead/protect him on his trips. A soft growling in his head brought him out of thought. “Conscience-kun, you should be sleeping!”
“You’re thinking too loudly, kit." The stunningly deep voice echoed in his mind. “Where are you going kit? Just because you don’t have school tomorrow, doesn’t mean you should be sneaking out in the middle of the night. I can’t take care of you, and Kakashi or Iruka won’t know you’re in any danger. Let’s go home and back to sleep.”
From heel-to-heel, Naruto danced down the street, his fox kit chasing after his feet agilely. “It’ll be okay, Conscience-kun. Sasuke will be there with me, and I’ve been training really hard. In a few months, I’ll be a strong as Iruka!”
The voice in his mind chuckled ruthlessly. “He’s a Chuunin, Naruto. No more than a traveler, hardly skillful. He lets what skill he could have be diminished by working with children, so his capacity is limited. If war ever happened in Konoha, he’d probably be front line with a few selected jounin, because he’d likely die in the beginning of the fight. Only the strongest will protect the strong hold. Kakashi will have a little more of a chance. Instead of being front lines, he’ll protect the strong hold, but he weakens himself with emotional attachments.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Nothing, Kit. Look, there’s Sasuke. Take him and the little one out to the training area, I’ll protect you there.” Silence took over him as Sasuke ran towards him, dressed in the Uchiha House Uniform. It wasn’t much, a pair of white shorts and a black shirt with the Uchiha Crest on it, but it did him well. His dark eyes, narrowed in the months since Itachi had been disowned from his Clan, filled with light once more as he approached Naruto and slowed down some.
“What took you so long, idiot? We were suppose to get to the training grounds an hour ago!”
“Don’t call me an idiot, b*****d!” Naruto yelled on the top his lungs, startling cats and dogs in the area. Windows opened and people began yelling down at them to be quiet (less formidably than that, but that nonetheless). Taking Sasuke’s hand, Naruto ran fast in the direction they were supposed to be in, Kuro hot on the trail to keep up. “Iruka-dad decided to stay up later than usual, grading papers and stuff. He and Kakashi are fighting for blankets right now, so they won’t notice I’m missing for a few hours. Let’s hurry!”
“Fighting for blankets…?” Sasuke raised a brow, but didn’t raise question. His brother didn’t fight for blankets with anyone, and as far as he knew, nor did his parents. “Whatever.” He finally muttered as they entered the clearing deep in the woods. Sasuke sat on the ground, rubbed the sleep out of his eyes before stifling a yawn. “Show me your clone, Naruto.”
Smiling, Naruto preformed the proper hand movements and chakra exertion. Squeezing his eyes shut, he breathed deeply before checking to his side to see if he was able to maneuver the proper skills. Instead of a healthy looking clone of himself that was suppose to be a distraction during battle; he was staring at a sickly, near dead Naruto lying on the ground. The voice in his head broke out laughing – as did Sasuke. “What the hell is that suppose to be, dead last?” The Uchiha said hotly.
“Gr.” Naruto clenched his teeth together, gnawing at them. “Why should I care if I can’t make a clone? Who needs ‘em.” Retracting the chakra, Naruto watched his clone poof out of existence before shifting feet to approach Sasuke. “I don’t know why I can’t bring up a proper clone.”
“I’ve said it over and over again – you’re dead last, stupid, an idiot…” Sasuke smirked. Karu bit his leg, but earned no response.
“Just like his little friend…”
“Huh?” Both boys stared around. It certainly wasn’t their voices either. This voice seemed almost sadistic as it echoed through the terrain. Around the two boys was nothing, but Sasuke tensed, his freshly trained sharingan turned his eyes red as it looked to discover what was going on. Naruto’s body tensed, his facial features darkening as the unrecognized demon nesting inside of him prepared to defend the two untrained boys.
Sasuke glanced around quickly before throwing his body at Naruto’s, pushing the small child on the ground as a kunai landed where they had once been. From the dark distance they could see the silhouette of their attackers, but couldn’t put names with faces. Men in mask, non-Konoha shinobi was all he could tell directly. One resembled a blue shark, causing both boys’ legs to feel rather heavy as they stepped back. “Don’t harm the Kyuubi!” The shark ordered as three other shinobi approached them with heavy footsteps. Karu began to snarl, jumping in front of the two boys with the instinct to protect them, but he was only kicked aside by one of the approaching ninjas. Naruto’s lips quivered as the need to grab the pet rose in his chest.
Grabbing the fallen kunai, Sasuke ran towards one of their attackers with the intent to protect the small blonde. Deep down, he knew he didn’t stand a chance.
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Iruka panted, dropping his head into Kakashi’s neck to lick beads of sweat as the jounin’s chest rumbled with laughter. Arms entwined around the academy instructor’s waist, tugging the younger man towards the larger torso. “You’re such an animal tonight, Iruka-kun.” Kakashi purred. Carefully, Iruka pulled himself out of his husband, breathing deeply as he felt incomplete. “Mm. So good to be back where I belong…”
“Only in my arms.” Iruka became possessive as he grasped Kakashi’s chin in his hands, claiming bare lips. As they pulled back for air, Iruka climbed off the bed and reached for his robe. “I’m going to check on Naruto…bathe for me?” He smiled, sliding his index finger up Kakashi’s stark chest. “As much as I love you, I don’t like it when you smell of missions.”
Chuckling, the jounin prepared to do as he was told while Iruka left the room. As he made it out into the hall, Iruka backed out from Naruto’s bedroom, his hand to his lips. “What’s wrong?” Kakashi asked, humor aside.
“Naruto’s gone. Was he in here when you came home?” He whispered, quivering against the wall. His voice was beginning to break while his eyes shifted towards the jounin.
Kakashi’s eyes became wide as he tried to remember what had been going on just a few moments before. He could remember sneaking in the house and stepping on Karu, which nipped at his toes before running off. Naruto’s chakra wave was coming out from the room, so he was obviously there then. Walking towards his room, he grabbed his hitai-ate and facemask. “He might have heard you and ran to Itachi’s, or Yuki’s. You check with Yuki-san, I’ll go to Itachi’s then the Uchiha Compound. If he’s not there, meet me at the gates.”
Nodding, Iruka and he both quickly got dressed before taking off in the correct directions to search.
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When Kakashi approached Itachi’s apartment, he knew for a fact that Naruto wasn’t there. Itachi’s chakra signature remained rested in one place, giving a rise to life but nothing else. Sasuke was probably at his parents that night. Didn’t matter though, maybe the ANBU Captain had seen Naruto within the time of his disappearance. Heading to the door, he slammed his fist against the wooden door of the lower-class apartments until Itachi opened the door. The teen looked ragged down from stress and work, with narrow eyes he glared over the older man, waiting impatiently for the reasons of the sleep intrusions.
“Has Naruto come over at any point this night?” Kakashi said breathlessly.
Raising a fine eyebrow, Itachi opened the door some more. “No. I haven’t seen him recently. Not since…” He tried to remember back on when, but found himself unable to. Sketching his face in a scowl, he sighed. “He’s probably with Sasuke – I doubt in the main residence. Naruto’s naïve, but he’s aware when he’s not welcomed.” Carefully, Itachi turned his back towards his bedroom. “I’ll help you. Someone needs to knock sense into that boy…and you haven’t been a respected person in our family since you received the sharingan for yourself.”
Kakashi nodded in understanding. “I’m sorry for waking you so early this morning…” He stared out the window.
From the distance, near the training ground, Kakashi’s eyes fell upon a parting of trees. Naruto wouldn’t go in the woods this late again, would he? Kakashi just didn’t know. He was about to dismiss it when a familiar chakra wave caught his attention (and probably every shinobi in the area). Itachi glanced out of his room, his eyes wide with surprise and shock. “Kyuubi…” Kakashi strayed. “Itachi, hurry! We need to get there first! Naruto’s in danger!” Without glancing back, he vanished in thin air in the direction of the chakra strength.
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Kyuubi decided it was time to take over as Sasuke’s body was thrown back towards a tree with a crash. The demon curled the child in a defensive position, sharp canines spread from his upper lip. Fingernails, chewed down from a nasty habit the child had always had, grew and sharpened while facial features darkened. Thrusting his weight from his legs, the demon threw the vessel’s body towards the attackers.
Blood. Kyuubi’s eyes gleamed as the warm liquid dripped from his nails when he retracted his hand from the chest of the enemy. The man’s body slacked over; death came far too quickly for the nine-tailed fox’s approval. He turned his gaze up at the other two. The shark-man didn’t look as scared as his companions. Instead, his eyes gleamed with enjoyment as Kyuubi lunged towards them. The shark-man didn’t allow himself to be attacked; instead he fought back with equal (perhaps more) strength.
This was how both Kakashi and Itachi found them. The companions of the shark-man held their ground, preparing to attack both Kakashi and Itachi, but froze as Iruka ran in the direction of the confliction. Kakashi stopped Iruka quickly, throwing the man back a few feet. “Careful, Iruka! These are A Class Missing Ninjas! Grab Sasuke, at least, and get the hell out of here!”
One of the shark-man’s companions stepped in front of the dark-haired Uchiha’s body, bearing a weapon. His eyes seemed almost wild and savage, darkened from years of assault and bloodshed. Itachi’s sharingan flared as he stepped forward, quietly stating this is my battle now. Off of the silent adults, the Shark-man’s body slammed against a tree, Kyuubi jumping back from the force. The eyes seemed distracted, red glaring from all directions knowing fully that Konoha ninjas were coming in their direction.
With speed to inflict a wound, Itachi jumped forward, slamming his enemy meters from Sasuke’s body, giving Iruka enough time to grab Sasuke under his arm. With a back glance at Naruto, Iruka narrowed his head and fled into the woods with the injured child.
Lifting his hitai-ate, Kakashi’s reddened eye took in the surroundings – widening as he saw a fourth ninja jump from the trees where he’d hidden to chase after Iruka’s disappearing form. “s**t…” Kakashi cringed. With two forms retreating in the direction of the village, his red eye narrowed in on the other ninja smiling at him with two kunais in both hands. He didn’t have time to play around with this man, he needed to defend Iruka – or help Naruto. Choices! He didn’t know what to do!
With precision, Kakashi lunged at his own enemy. “Itachi, finish that guy quickly, I have to go protect Iruka and Sasuke. Kyuubi’s trustworthy enough, just don’t become his enemy in this battle.”
“Right!”
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Iruka’s body tumbled forward, narrowly missing a kunai attack. Glancing over his shoulder at the enemy approaching him, he clutched the child closely to his chest. He wasn’t stupid to even try attacking; he knew it would be useless since he was only a chuunin, no match for someone who had more skill. Judging by the chakra levels this guy was supporting, Kakashi would have a small problem (if any). The attacker tossed another kunai directly at Iruka.
On reflex, Iruka hit the ground to protect himself, the blade penetrating the side of his ear. Hissing, he pulled Sasuke to his chest as the attacker approached him. “Pathetic…”
Iruka winced as he was kicked in the face. Though his body was thrown, his hold never relented on the child in his arms. Climbing to his knees he forced himself to continue running. He was so close to the gate, he’d be safe there. The original path, which would take no more than thirty minutes walking, ten when running, had been detoured every time the missing ninja would block his path.
As he took off again, he could feel the chakra of his enemy coming closer as he was tripped. For the first time since he started running, Sasuke was tossed out of his arms as his body slammed against the ground by the weight of the other. “No more running, I’m sick of playing games.” The man reached down to unclasp Iruka’s hitai-ate. “You don’t deserve to wear this. Not where you’re going.” Iruka could feel his heart start to race as the assailant pressed weight on his hips. The trousers he’d pulled on before leaving the house were a thin material, offering no wall to hide the fact that the criminal was sporting an erection.
“No…” Iruka fisted dirt. He didn’t feel like lying there and letting this man do as he pleased. With the dirt he’d pulled up, he tossed it in the attacker’s face. The man didn’t even jerk, but he did rub the dirt from his eyes with one hand, the other searching his waist pack for a kunai.
“b*****d, you made me lose most of my weapons in these woods. I should skin you alive.” He ran the cold blade down Iruka’s back. The chuunin tried to thrust him off. The fabric of his white t-shirt (actually Kakashi’s) shredded in half as the blade slithered down his back. Tiny hairs rose on his back as he breathed deeply, trying to crawl out from under. The blade switched hands, pressing under his chin. “No. I’m going to make you pay for the hell that’s been going on! Spike chakra, scream, or do anything that will bring attention to us, I’ll gut you.” He nicked the thin skin of Iruka’s neck for effect.
Kakashi…
As if Kakashi had heard his plea, the silver-haired jounin jumped from a tree limb, kicking the missing ninja off Iruka. His eyes seemed almost seemed evil, narrowed with hatred as he crouched over the other man. All shinobi teachings seemed lost as his fist connected with enough velocity into the man’s face, repeatedly. After three times, blood sprayed, but Kakashi didn’t stop, even while Iruka begged him to.
When Kakashi had showed up, Iruka grabbed Sasuke protectively, watching in shock when Kakashi began to physically attack. He’d never seen Kakashi so out of control. “Stop…” He whispered brokenly. Someone else was approaching towards them, and Iruka knew he didn’t need to look up to tell it was ANBU guards and the Hokage.
“Stop that, Kakashi. The man’s dead.”
Kakashi was about to bring his fist down again when it was stopped by one of the ANBU without trouble. “The Hokage says to stop.” The man demanded, deadpan. With a glare over his shoulder, Kakashi stood up and wiped the blood from his outfit.
“What’s going on-“ The hokage started, but never finished as Naruto’s small form ran in the clearing, jumping into Iruka’s arms. Any residue that the fox demon had taken over him was in the shape of blood, covering the pajamas he wore when he snuck out of the house. No one said anything as Naruto started to cry, brokenly saying what was going on in the other direction. Though it was difficult to understand, they did understand one thing – Itachi had chosen to follow the shark-man. Reaching over, Kakashi lifted Naruto up, trying to comfort him until the child fell asleep in his arms. “Report to the clinic, all of you. Kakashi, Iruka. I want to discuss some things with you there.” Turning, the old man gave orders for the ANBU members to collect the bodies of the missing ninjas.
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Iruka tucked Naruto into the hospital bed before scratching the lose bindings around his neck that covered his neck wounds. Kakashi was leaning against the door, watching the interaction carefully. Dry blood still covered his outfit, reminding Iruka of the savage that had overcome the usually easygoing man. The rage and savagery of his attacks upon Iruka’s attacker with his own hands would likely haunt Iruka all that night. “Why didn’t you stop…” Iruka whispered. As shinobi, they were used to murder, some more than others, but Iruka had never been given a mission that required death. He never saw people literally murdered by his love ones, not since the Kyuubi attacks. That was the last time he’d seen blood inflicted in the hope of murder. He cowered back on the hospital bed, the Hokage would be arriving shortly to discuss with them what had been going on.
Kakashi’s cold expression never faulted. “He was going to rape you, Iruka.”
“You didn’t have to just murder him like that. You ignored the Hokage’s order to stop!”
“Iruka, you only hand out the missions, as well as accept the report. You don’t know about these criminals that the ANBU and jounin’s have been after. That man…he’s on the wanted list of most countries for his sickening traits. He doesn’t just kill his enemies after raping them. He continues to rape them, even in death. He can revive his enemies, just to rape them and torture them. He assaults their bodies sexually even in their death beyond recognition.”
Even though he was paling at the thought, Iruka was still mortified by his husband’s actions. Though justified. “You didn’t have to kill him that way. Kakashi, you could be expelled from duties because of your actions-”
“As could you, Iruka-san.” The Hokage’s stern voice cut in. Both shinobi’s stood at proper attention for the high official. “You know your own limitations, Iruka. When you felt Kyuubi’s alarming chakra, you should have come straight to me for orders, not wander off to handle them on your own. Such behavior is inexcusable.”
“I…”
“My orders were no Chuunin’s were to approach the situation, they were to hold stronghold at Konoha incase the Kyuubi decided to finish what he started ten years ago, all ANBU members were sent out to elaborate the detail on what caused the sudden burst of chakra, while jounins,” his eyes fell onto Kakashi, “were to hold the gates. Both of you failed to approach me for orders, instead you went to handle this situation by yourself. Now Uchiha Itachi is missing, the council is reevaluating if Naruto should be killed off, and you two have been injured in someway. Had this been a real mission, your actions would be inexcusable.”
Kakashi breathed deeply. “Hokage-sama, we were only doing what we had to. When we took Naruto into our house, we took full responsibility of Kyuubi’s actions. For nearly nine months now, we’ve taken care of both beings and know – for a fact! – that Kyuubi wouldn’t suddenly bring attention to himself like that. Usually when he does bring attention to himself, it’s to tell us something is wrong with Naruto. It’s only instinct, as parents, to make sure our child was safe. No line of duty should be in the way-“
“The safety of Konoha exceeds your child’s needs.” Sarutobi almost hissed. “If it’d have been my little grandson in danger, I’d understand the choices you had made, but I’d have to weigh responsibilities. If it was an attack on Konoha, I’d need to know what I was suppose to be, to tell the Hokage that my child or children were in line of danger. Believe me, Hatake-san, I would have given one ANBU member full orders to retrieve both Sasuke and Naruto. We’re lucky that things didn’t get out of control, but I won’t stand down and let your actions continue.” His eyes fell on the Chuunin’s. “Iruka-san, for failure to come for instructions and heading into a danger zone you would obviously be hurt in, your’re under house arrest. Your position at the academy and mission hall will be substituted, and you will receive no pay.”
“F-For how long?” Iruka whispered, letting his gaze fall from the Hokage in misery.
“Two weeks.” The Hokage turned to face Kakashi. “Kakashi, your own actions for ignoring my direct orders, for taking on a mission without approval, and putting your son and a fellow shinobi in danger, are punishable by law, you’re aware of this, right?” Kakashi nodded. “The only mission you are allowed – no forced – is the recovery unit of Uchiha Itachi, beyond that no mission will be granted until I decide you’ve regained trust. You will also be under house arrest for murder of a criminal. You will be monitored on the recovery mission, as well as all other settings for two weeks. Is this understood?”
Kakashi nodded. “How much,” he finally asked as the hokage was preparing to leave the room, “will this affect our adoption process?”
The Hokage looked crestfallen as his fingers touched the doorframe. “You two were doing so well… These actions are going to affect my decision in the end a lot. Unless something differential happens within the next three months, you two will be disapproved for the adoption. Which reminds me; with the attack tonight, Naruto’s joint custody will be changed some. Instead of three days at Shizuki-san’s, it will be a week. I’m sorry.” He never gave the two any looks before he was gone to check on the other child. When the door shut, Iruka broke down in a wave of tears and sobs.
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