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My 13 - Ch 11

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My 13
By Kitteh and NeoFox
Rating: PG - 15
Warnings: Language, violence, romance
Pairings: Sasuke x Naruto, Kakashi x Iruka
Disclaimer: Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto
Summary: After Sasuke's departure hope had nearly been lost. Days later it was Naruto's own determination to bring him back that allowed him a chance to train in the ranks of ANBU and earn him the title of Hunter-nin. Now a year later on a quest to find the one thing he lost he runs into a mysterious person on his twelfth mission. The few traits of Akatsuki are clearly seen, but it is not the eldest Uchiha behind the Sharingan eyes.
Beta: Kitteh and NeoFox

Chapter 11

A village ran on its stomach, so it was no surprise to anyone that the market place was one of the busiest places in Konoha. The streets were lined up with stores of every stock imaginable. Some catered to fresh produce, their new stocks of vegetables and fruit displayed in wooden bins with neon signs proclaiming their prices. While butcher shops hung their fresh meat on hooks for passerbys to see.
All of this was far too intimidating to a young ninja who had no experience in shopping for anything that didn't have the word 'instant' in the title. Naruto had settled for going to the same grocery store he always did his shopping at instead of braving unfamiliar territory. It had a little bit of everything at fairly decent prices.

With sadness Naruto forced himself to bid the instant ramen section farewell as he treaded into the fresh produce section holding tight to his cloth shopping bag with its happy winking frog on its side. This was a whole new world for him. He glanced this way and that suspiciously at the fresh fruit as if it would gain sentience and launch a sudden fruity surprise attack upon him.
Tentatively Naruto walked up the vegetable isle. The sight of fresh vegetables was new to him, it wasn't something Naruto actively ate let alone bought. The other shoppers there shared the same train of thought as they stared at him as well, finding the boy as out of place as Naruto felt.

Naruto walked up to a random bin of fresh vegetables, picking up a radish he squinted at it. "Hello. I don't believe we've met."

"Well, of course not. That's what happens when you spend most of your time in the instant cup of ramen section of the market," a voice spoke up behind Naruto. Before the boy could turn around a hand had already reached out to grab the radish from him and tossed it up a bit, catching it on its way back down. "It makes me wonder if you've gotten yourself lost, Naruto. What exactly are you doing?"

Naruto's breath caught in his throat knowing exactly who it was that spoke. He spun around in an instant, his cheeks warm with embarrassment about being caught. "Iruka-sensei!" Naruto was torn between excited to see his old teacher and being completely nervous. He had been hoping to put off seeing Iruka just yet. His old teacher thought he was off trying to find Sasuke; Naruto had wanted to keep that ruse for a little while, at least until the dust settled. Now there would be questions and complications. "Hi," Naruto dragged out the greeting rather awkwardly. "Buying veggies?" Naruto realized too late that his answer didn't sound very convincing when it was in the form of a question.

"I see that." Iruka kept the radish in his own hand while he continued to keep his eyes on Naruto. The boy seemed more then a little nervous which seemed a bit odd to Iruka. He had heard a few things going around the village, but had planned to ignore every bit of talk. Of course to see Naruto in front of him as he was made things a little more interesting. "It's good to see that you're back and in one piece. I didn't expect you to come back to Konoha for quite some time." He finally handed the vegetable back over and gave a warm smile while he kept the conversation in safe territory. "What's with the sudden change in diet?"

Naruto couldn't veritably say 'Sasuke needs vegetables to cook me dinner' safely. He also knew he was a terrible liar; Iruka had become quite the master of detecting his sneaky ways being an old teacher of his back in his hijinks years at the academy. So Naruto opted for something far safer; omitting truths. "Veggies are healthier," he blurted out giving such a wide wonky smile. "Better for me. Yeah?" He dumped the radish in his bag; whether Sasuke needed it or not, Naruto hadn't a clue.

Such words only caused Iruka to blink in a very clueless way. Certainly Naruto didn't just suddenly decide on such things all by himself. That wasn't like him at all. "Is that right?" Iruka lifted a hand to scratch near the back of his head while he thought over it all and decided to take it a step further. He was interested in this new side of Naruto that was for sure. "Well then, what do you plan on making for yourself?"

Naruto stared at Iruka; he had to be kidding. Naruto failed at cooking things that had more than three step instructions on the back. "Uh." What had Sasuke said he would make? He wasn't exactly specific on the dish. "Rice," Naruto announced. "Rice. Fish. Veggies."

Iruka gave a bit of a nervous laugh after such answers. "Well, yes, but I meant what kind of dish, Naruto. I'm not used to you eating anything but ramen." He finally turned his attention away from the boy to look through the vegetables himself. He had been so preoccupied with Naruto's shopping that he had forgotten he was there for his own list of things. "I didn't even realize you could cook," he continued to tease lightly.

"I can burn easy make curry," Naruto commented absently to himself as he gave the surroundings a glance around too. "Uhh, well, I dunno. It's kind of, heh, up in the air." He waved a hand around. "What kind of veggies and fish go well together?" Naruto looked up expectantly at Iruka; if he could get some veiled guidance, that would help him completely.

"Mmm, well it all depends on preference or even the dish." Iruka picked through a few potatoes to try and find what he thought might have been the best. "If you're grilling the fish then the vegetables are only meant as a side since you'll have the rice as well." He placed a couple of potatoes he had picked out inside his own bag before he tossed one over to Naruto to catch. "You could steam up some potatoes or even a few carrots to place on the side. Of course if you can burn curry then I don't think I'd trust you to grill fish," Iruka spoke on to make it obvious he had heard Naruto's earlier comment.

Naruto went rigid; caught again. He gave a nervous laugh as he added the potato to his bag. One radish, one potato; Sasuke was already having his work cut out for him. "Right. Carrots." He looked around. "Carrots, carrots, carrots." He perked as he spotted the vegetable. "Carrots!" He sped over to rummage through to find the best of the best from the selection of carrots. "This one looks like a winner! Oh- and this one is definitely a champion." Naruto added the few carrots he liked into his bag. "What else, Iruka-sensei?!" he shouted back to his old teacher eagerly.

"Mmm, well you should be okay for vegetables. It's no good to overdo your side dish." Iruka stepped over to Naruto after he finished picking through what he needed as well. He ruffled the top of the boy's hair once he reached him and gave him a small smile for the moment. "You said you wanted to cook fish, right? Have you been to pick out your seafood yet to see what exactly you would like to purchase?"

Naruto closed one eye and stuck out his tongue at the ruffle to his hair. "Beh." He tried to fix his hair while he gave it some thought. "I don't know. All fishys are delicious." He blinked up at Iruka. "What seafood goes well with potato, radish and carrots?"

"Tuna goes pretty well with most sides and since this is your first time trying to cook a decent meal you could probably handle such a simple dish much better," Iruka continued to tease. He started to walk down the small isle, motioning for Naruto to follow along beside him as he made his way deeper inside the market. "So, Naruto, talk of food aside. Are you doing okay? When did you get back? I expected you to at least come to see me."

Naruto busied himself with swinging his bag around, glancing at the things at display here and there. But Iruka looked at him expectantly and Naruto knew he had to give him some sort of answer. He felt rather bad whenever Iruka mentioned that he never visited. Naruto meant to, he just always found himself easily distracted; Sasuke was a rather big distraction at the moment.

"I'm good. Pretty good," Naruto tried to sound as casual as he could about himself. He was pretty damn happy actually; he never knew he could feel this happy until now. But Sasuke was already such a taboo subject, Naruto didn't know if the old man could take the shock of knowing he'd actually managed to bring Sasuke back; his heart would probably give out. "I returned just yesterday, actually." Naruto scratched a hand through his hair. "HA! There's where they hide the fishys!" Taking full advantage of the distraction of the topic at hand Naruto hurried over to the seafood section to browse their selection.

Iruka continued to keep a careful eye on Naruto after the boy seemed to change the subject right back to his shopping. He stayed behind only a few feet, watching as Naruto picked through the seafood, but still he was a little bothered by the entire ordeal. He couldn't shake all the talk that had been going around since yesterday. Still, he didn't want to outright confront Naruto on that and took another route instead. "I thought you wanted to stay out until you found Sasuke?" He finally stepped up beside his former student and reached out to grab one of the wrapped up pieces of fish and handed it over to Naruto, turning to face him afterwards. "Well?"

Naruto took the fish, staring down at his lost distraction. He fiddled with the package for a moment as he tried to come up with something, anything. "I told you already that I found him." He glanced up at Iruka. Seeing his old teacher's face Naruto's expression suddenly grew serous. It grew more and more serious by the second. Until he spoke up, "Where do they keep the onigiri?"

Iruka raised a brow at the sudden question while he was stared at with such a serious face. It seemed he wouldn't be getting any real answer from Naruto and he was soon to give up. If Naruto didn't want to talk about anything then he wouldn't force him. With that thought he gave a small sigh before he turned around. "Come on, this way." He then proceeded to lead Naruto further in.

On the way Naruto grabbed a few things along the way as he followed Iruka. A few pre-made buns and rolls. He didn't think Sasuke would scold him for getting some quick meals when they'd be on the go; at least that was how Naruto perceived it.

"Hey Iruka-sensei," Naruto hurried to walk beside the man. "How did you learn to cook? Who taught you?" Having no parents as well Naruto wondered how his teacher had gone about learning, hoping to pick up a few quick tips that wouldn't be too hard.

"No one actually taught me. I taught myself." Iruka had gone about doing much the same as Naruto, stopping here and there to pick up the few things he had on the list in his head. "I admit I wasn't the best when I first started out, but over time I got the hang of things. It's just a matter of trial and error. If something doesn't turn out okay then you just try it again until you get it right." He finally stopped near a small section and leaned over to pick something up before he was turning towards Naruto to hand him over a pack of the onigiri he had been looking for. "I have to admit that I'm glad you're trying new things now, Naruto."

The onigiri was soon added to Naruto's bag. "Really?" Naruto peered up at Iruka and adjusted his own hitai-ate thoughtfully. "Y'know, you should have shared some of that culinary wisdom back when I was in your class. Heh, I might have actually learned something useful back then." He laughed. "If I had seen you up there in front of the class in an apron watching you try to teach us to cook- that would have been hilarious!"

Iruka gave Naruto a look for such words. He then proceeded to lift a hand up so he could bap his fist on top of his former student's head. "From what I remember I was trying to teach you other useful skills instead. Like trying to become an actual ninja. Your skills in cooking weren't very high on my list at the time." He pulled his hand away and laughed a little at the boy. "But look at that. It seems I was successful in what I attempted aside from the bit of help along the way."

Naruto rubbed his poor abused head and stuck his tongue out at Iruka for the hit. "Heh heh, help from Kakashi-sensei?" He smirked some knowing Iruka and Kakashi never saw eye to eye, especially since he had joined ANBU. "I suppose you helped me get there, yeah. I'll give you a little credit." Naruto smirked more.

"A little credit?" Iruka narrowed his eyes for a moment. Finally he shrugged a shoulder before he turned his back on Naruto to continue with his shopping. Still, he continued to speak and his voice could be heard as he made sure to tease his former student with his words. "Fine, I guess it makes no difference that I was the one that passed you at the academy, not Kakashi-sensei. I could have kept you back another year, but no, I was the one that gave you my hitai-ate and allowed you to graduate." He hid a smile.

Naruto fell for the guilt trip easy and waved both his hands. "N-no, I didn't mean it like that." He gave a nervous laugh. "I appreciate what you did. Even though you were a hard ass, and especially tough on me, if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have tried my best to prove myself. Hell, I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for you." Naruto stepped over to stand in front of Iruka, point at him as he gave him a wide cocky grin. "And you wouldn't be here without me, Iruka-sensei."

Iruka's smile turned nervous after such words, but after a few seconds he shook his head while he reached out to place a hand on top of Naruto's own. "Calm down, Naruto, I was only playing around. I'm glad I could help you along the way, though. It makes me feel good to know I had some part in your life as small as it was. I'm also glad to know I don't have to worry over you any longer after what you spoke to me about last time. I'm just glad that you're home safely." He dropped his hand back down to his side while he gave Naruto a curious look. "Was there anything else you needed?"

Naruto peered into his bag. "Hm, looks rather incomplete without at least one cup of ramen. But, I think so." He lifted his bag up to show Iruka the contents of what was inside. "What do you think? Do you think I need anything else? Doesn't cooked food need spices or something? Seaweed? Sauce? Some kind of quick fix mix?" Naruto gave a disgruntled look. "Why doesn't food come with an instruction manual?"

"Well, like I told you before, it's all trial and error, Naruto." Iruka peered into the bag and seemed to think over just what it was he saw. "Hmm, you could use some spices for the fish. Some sauce as well. Seaweed isn't very necessary and neither is any type of mix." He straightened up again and smiled once more at the boy. "Come on, I'll help you pick out some spices. It shouldn't be too hard and mostly depends on your own taste and what you want on the fish."

"Iruka-sensei," Naruto's voice spoke up more solemnly behind Iruka, a tone quieter than his usual boisterous voice. "Why didn't you ever tell me that the Uchiha district was seized back by Konoha?"

Iruka stopped in his tracks and seemed completely at a loss for words. He didn't even notice when few other people tried to move past him as his mind was too focused on the question that Naruto had presented to him. It had been common knowledge that the Uchiha district was taken back, but Naruto had never noticed. His training hadn't allowed it. With careful steps he turned back around to face the boy and a small frown stayed on his face as he tried to think up something to say. "You found out?" It was all he could say and all he could ask.

Naruto's eyes widened, a pang of surprise and betrayal crossing them.  Those simple words were far too hurtful to hear from Iruka. He didn't say anything in response and simply took a step back from Iruka.

"Naruto, no wait!" Iruka was quick to call out at that look on the boy's face. It was just something Iruka couldn't bare to see from someone he had considered to be like family for a long time now. "Listen to me, okay?" he spoke up carefully. "You were so busy training that you didn't realize Konoha had taken the district back, and if you had found out would it have made any real difference? The Hokage wanted to keep it as low key as possible in case Sasuke did in fact return. There was no sense in making a big deal about it."

Anger was quick to go through Naruto and it was plainly on his face. "And if he did come back? You weren't going to return it to him anyway." He held the bag he carried tighter. "You were just going to let him remain homeless? Let him fend for himself on the streets alone?" Naruto's eyes snapped wide as he finally got it; exactly why the deed was done. He shook his head as he took another step back, mortified. "... You all thought I'd never succeed to begin with. It wouldn't matter if I tried or not, no matter how much of myself I put into it- you all thought I couldn't do it. That Sasuke would never come back. So you gave away the Uchiha clan area."

Iruka flinched at the accusations if only because most of them were true. Most of Konoha didn't think it possible that Naruto would be able to bring Sasuke back. There had been the few that had a small bit of hope for such a thing. Tsunade, Kakashi and himself, but it hadn't been enough to stop the village from taking back what they thought was rightfully their own. "Naruto, I had faith in you. I really did, but the other people of the village felt betrayed. They didn't believe any longer. To them the Uchiha clan was no more."

Naruto staggered on his step back, all of this was far too overwhelming. "F-faith? You let me think I was working towards bringing a piece of this village back, making Konoha whole again. But you had already given away the only thing left he had in this place that mattered to him! It was all he had left of his clan! Of his family!" Naruto swung out his hand, he didn't care he was shouting now, making a scene in the store; he was fine playing out his role as the obnoxious cast out. "You might as well have defiled their graves- it would have been just as honourable! Or better yet-" Naruto choked on his breath as he glared fiercely at Iruka, "just kill his entire family all over again!"

Those words stung something fierce. The massacre that had befallen Sasuke's clan wasn't something that anyone wanted to be associated with not even in comparison to any other wrong doing. Iruka kept his ground though, and narrowed his eyes on Naruto's form as he searched the boy's face. It was then that such determined words made everything he had heard the past few hours all the more truthful. "You really did find him," he spoke up quietly and in the same stern voice he would use the years back as the boy's teacher, "the rumors have been true. You found him and you took him there, didn't you?"

The boy froze, stilled completely as he stared at Iruka with helplessly wide eyes. It was that reaction alone that told Iruka that he had guessed right, Naruto's source of determination had been caught. For a split second Naruto debated if he should deny it completely, but there wasn't any point to it. He and Sasuke had already been seen publicly, they had been far from subtle or stealthy about Sasuke's return. Word had spread. There was no hiding it.

Naruto tore his gaze away, rubbing away the proof of hurt from his eyes with the back of his sleeve. "I said I would bring him back, didn't I," he quietly shot back. "... And I found out I had nothing to bring him back to."

Everything about Iruka finally went lax as he continued to watch Naruto. His expression became worried and it didn't take long for him to ignore most of the people around while he walked forward and tugged Naruto in for hug. He was so afraid the boy had already pushed him away for keeping secrets from him and the hurt in Naruto's expression made him feel even worse. "You did say that, yes, and I'm sorry that things didn't turn out very perfect, but I'm glad that you were able to accomplish what you've been working so hard for. I know it was wrong of the village to take back a piece of Sasuke's past and nothing can really bring it back, but maybe over time things will become better."

Naruto was stubborn at first, almost debating rejecting the hug given to him. But as quickly as Naruto was embraced all the fight left him, and he was quick to give in; this was just something he never had that he craved so much. He made some acknowledging sound to what Iruka had said but really the man's word brought no comfort or optimism. Naruto just let his face plant against Iruka's vest and went slack. The bag he held barely kept on the tips of his fingers.

Iruka took the silence as some form of good sign. To know that Naruto had given in and allowed the hold was enough to put his mind at ease. He had known Naruto long enough to know the boy was rather stubborn when it came right down to most things. If he didn't want to listen he would have resisted and went his separate way. Iruka took what he was allowed for a few seconds and finally pulled back, moving a hand through the mess of blonde hair to try and smooth it into some semblance of shape only to fail. "I'm sorry, Naruto. I really am," Iruka spoke up when he finally looked Naruto in the face once again. "If you had asked me then I wouldn't have hesitated to tell you, I promise you that, but please don't hold this against me, alright? I always believed in you."

"... He has nothing. Absolutely nothing here now." Naruto stared straight ahead through Iruka's chest. His expression fell some. "I know he brought it all on himself. I know that when he left he was accepting all the consequences that came with it. Coming back solves nothing." Naruto's gaze lowered heavily. "Guess I just hoped it would," he added very quietly. The bag fell from his hand to the floor, he didn't have the energy to hold it anymore, or care.

Iruka's gaze moved towards the bag and the contents that had tried to slip out. Naruto's sudden strange appetite made even more sense now and he frowned even more at that. With Naruto's worried words, Iruka couldn't help but think back on the conversation he had what seemed like so long ago now with Kakashi. It had seemed so farfetched what the other teacher spoke about, but Iruka wasn't sure what to think anymore these past couple of days.

"I wouldn't say all of that," Iruka finally spoke up once again while he leaned down to pick up the discarded bag. He made sure everything was still in tact and carefully handed it back over to Naruto, slipping it between the boy's fingers once again. "He has you doesn't he, Naruto?" He glanced back up to try and read the expression on the boy's face while he gave a weak smile of his own. "And I doubt you've willed off ramen all for the sake of your own diet."

Warmth spread across Naruto's cheeks much against his will. Naruto wasn't willing at all to tell Iruka that the groceries he was buying was because Sasuke had offered to cook for him. Nor anything else that had gone on between him and Sasuke. "... Guess there is more in the world than just ramen." Naruto blinked as he realized it was Sasuke's words that escaped him. He quickly scowled at himself as his face went a shade darker. "But not much," he quickly added.

Iruka smiled just a little more at Naruto's behavior and finally shook his head. He stood back up and placed a hand on Naruto's back to try and guide the boy away from the middle of the market and towards a different aisle much like he had planned before. "Well, is Sasuke fairing alright? I haven't heard very much, but it sounds to me like he was pardoned if you've been able to keep him around the village and show him his home."

"Y-yeahh," Naruto was hesitant to answer. "I guess it's kind of complicated, but, yeah, that's the short of it. He's offered to give exclusive insight and information about the group. I guess that's what won the old lady over. Tch, she knew about Sasuke's home the whole time." Naruto suddenly felt stupid for nearly throwing his entire dreams away when Tsunade had already taken so much. He snorted. "She ordered me to keep a watch on him. Doesn't matter much, Sasuke has no rank now, it's not like he has anywhere to go, or stay."

It wasn't hard to tell Naruto was still upset, but Iruka didn't want to dwell on it too much. He was still trying to understand the entire situation himself. "Ordered to watch him?" He glanced around as if Sasuke would be standing right there at any moment before he turned his eyes back on Naruto while they walked. "Naruto, if you were ordered to keep watch over Sasuke, then where is he?" Iruka's expression became one of worry soon enough as he continued on before Naruto could even answer, "And wouldn't it have made more sense for Tsunade to give such an order to maybe a Jounin instead?"

Naruto gave a quiet scoff. "I doubt anyone else here would want to be around Sasuke for that long but me." His eyes lowered to the ground, more sad with disappointment than anger. "Kakashi-sensei has been a great support and an even better teacher but... I know he feels the exact opposite of what I do. Even an idiot like me can see it. He holds loyalty above all else." Naruto gave a small sigh. "I brought him back, I watch him. A 'small vacation' the old woman called it." He gave a weak shrug. "I'm not complaining... I missed him," he admitted very quietly. Naruto was quick to spring forth with new energy, changing the topic. "He's napping back at my place. He spent the entire night cleaning my apartment instead of sleeping." Naruto gave an amused sound. "Compulsively anal about being tidy. Juus-Sasuke hasn't changed much." He quickly cleared his throat hoping Iruka hadn't caught the erroneous nickname.

Iruka either didn't notice the slip up or just didn't seem to pay much attention to it. He only seemed interested in what he had been told while he stopped to stand in the small aisle which contained various spices that he had told Naruto he would help him sort through. "You don't say? He came back to Konoha just to stay at your apartment?" It was a little amusing to Iruka to learn what he had about Sasuke and suddenly hear what he just had. Of course if Sasuke really had seen what had become of his home then it wasn't all that odd. "I remember back at the academy when you refused to even be on the same team as him and now you're telling me you missed him? Times certainly changed you, Naruto." He finally turned away from the boy to look through the few spices in front of him, but kept an ear out for whatever Naruto had to say.

For the second time now Naruto felt his face grow hot. "Yeah. Well. It is kind of pointless to train so hard to bring that bastard back and then say that I don't want him around." He crossed his arms and looked away. Naruto thought over Iruka's words of his days at the academy. It was strange to compare then to now. He had admitted so many times to hating Sasuke, everything about the other boy had just ticked him off. Most of it was based on ignorance Naruto realized thinking back. But it hadn't taken them too long to realize that they worked rather well side by side. It never really felt right to have one without the other. "It's not so surprising," Naruto mumbled stubbornly. "He's just a friend. People miss friends." Naruto grit his teeth; that sounded completely suspicious with denial, even to him. "Even you, old man," Naruto tried to add as cool and calm as he could to throw Iruka off.

Iruka let out a small laugh that he had to hide behind the back of his hand. Once he got a hold of himself he shook his head while he glanced back at Naruto for a moment. "I'm not doubting any of that, Naruto, and yes it's true that there are times I miss my friends." He reached over to give that playful ruffle to the boy's hair that he usually gave before he turned back around to resume what he had been doing seconds ago. "I miss you all the time when you leave on your missions and I worry for you." He finally grabbed up a few things and turned back around to place them in Naruto's bag for the boy. "I'm glad the two of you finally see eye to eye enough to call each other friends. I always worried the both of you would constantly be at each other's throats for the rest of your lives."

"Heh." Naruto finally gave Iruka a sincere grin; he liked mattering enough to be missed. Then just as suddenly his grin turned wicked. "Actually, that hasn't changed much either. Getting along completely? Pfff! Where's the fun in that!"

"Of course, I should have expected as much." Iruka let out a small sigh after such a thing. He looked over the aisle a few seconds longer before he shrugged a shoulder and turned his complete attention back on Naruto. "That should be all you really need." He seemed to study the boy for a few seconds until his expression became a little nervous. "Ah, Naruto, you aren't actually going to attempt cooking, are you?" In all honesty he felt bad for Sasuke if that was the case.

"Hey!" Naruto shot Iruka a glare for implication that he had no talent cooking; even if it was true. "I'm not that bad." He pointed at Iruka accusingly. "You've never tasted my cooking, you wouldn't know!" Never mind that he had just confessed to being able to burn easy make curry. But then he thought back to all the times he'd eaten his own home made bento boxes for lunch and all the times he had to run to the bathroom because it was going to run out of him at both ends, Naruto's argument died in his throat. Just as quick he turned away from Iruka and started to walk off in annoyed indignance. "Sasuke is cooking," he added very quick and quietly.

Iruka had been rather amused at first by Naruto's outburst up until the quiet words he heard spoken from far away. That certainly wasn't something he expected and it had him hurrying after Naruto to keep up and question his former student on what exactly was going on. "Sasuke is cooking? First cleaning and now cooking? The same Sasuke that used to find enjoyment in trying to use you as a target for his shuriken practice in the academy if you annoyed him just enough? That same Sasuke is cooking?" Iruka felt as if his mind had just snapped. "Did I miss something?"

Naruto gathered up his shopping bag in his arms to grasp since Iruka's words both embarrassed and demeaned him. "Hey- I got him back for that," he grumbled. "I put a laxative in his soup." He snickered to himself at the vengeful memory. "Sasuke never did end up bringing soup again for lunch."

Iruka blinked his eyes, but soon he let out another sigh as he gave up trying to understand Naruto's train of thought. It seemed rather odd to him how two people who were so opposite could live under the same roof so suddenly and cooperate with each other. Not that Iruka wasn't happy for Naruto on finding his friend. It was just something to get used to. "Well, I suppose it is a bit of a fair trade off for him to make a few meals if you're allowing him to stay with you, but it is very kind of you to give him a place."

"Wasn't like there was much other choice," Naruto muttered half to himself. The bitter anger reared its head again but Naruto tried to keep it well enough to himself. Sasuke was no saint; there was no defending what he did. Perhaps Sasuke deserved to lose all he had for his abandonment, but his clan didn't deserve to be wiped clean off all existence and memory. The Uchiha clan had such tragedy that followed their lineage it seemed. But at least Sasuke had a family to remember, a clan to be proud of and fight for. Naruto only had Naruto.

Suddenly Naruto stopped and it caused Iruka to nearly crash into him. Naruto turned to face Iruka, staring up at him. He opened his mouth, but the question died in his throat. No, Naruto didn't want to know about his parents. Even if Iruka had known who they were, Naruto supposed he had good reason to keep that information hidden, like he had about the Uchiha district. If his parents had ended up casualties of Kyuubi like Iruka's, no, Naruto didn't want to know. He wouldn't have been able to live with himself knowing that. Naruto knew it was selfish, and that Sasuke was a far braver soul living with himself having even witnessed the end of his family at the hand of his own brother.

Naruto closed his mouth and instead gave Iruka a smile; no one could have been a better father to him than the man standing in front of him. "I missed you too, Iruka-sensei." He waved a stern finger. "And I hope you know I haven't forgotten that I'm supposed to treat you to ramen."

Iruka gave a rather sincere smile at such words. It felt good to know that he still had Naruto's trust and that the boy wasn't all that upset any longer. He had been quite worried. "No, no, I haven't forgotten. Of course, I understand you've been pretty busy as of late, but I'm still looking very forward to it." His expression grew a little more teasing before he continued to speak up, "But, with how Sasuke plans to cook a few meals for you and spoil you here and there then I would be amazed if you ever want ramen again, Naruto."

"Ch! Yeah right! The day I don't want ramen is the day I'll be dead!" Naruto waved that thought away quickly since it was so nonsensical. "Hm. Uh." Naruto fidgeted a little nervously as he thought over something. "I... well, haven't exactly reported back to Kakashi-sensei yet, though I have a feeling he already knows I'm back. Heh. But, yeah, how is he?" He smirked some at Iruka. "Are you two still getting along as good as ever?" Naruto smirked more knowing that the truth was the exact opposite.

Iruka's stomach nearly dropped with the question. He had indeed seen Kakashi lately while Naruto was away and it only brought back the memory that Iruka had told the important information he had promised to keep secret. He tried to keep his face as impassive so as not to give his thoughts away while he shrugged a shoulder to such questions. "We manage, I suppose. He's doing alright from what I've seen. We may not see eye to eye, but he's okay company in small doses."

Naruto blinked before smirking more. "Really? That's disturbingly better than normal. Usually there isn't even small doses, and a lot more angry name calling." He held up his shopping bag so he could try and balance it on his head for his own entertainment. "It looks like there's more than one miracle happening in Konoha!"

"It seems so." Iruka reached out to grab hold of the bag before it could be in danger of falling from Naruto's head. Even if the boy could balance it quite well he didn't want to chance any of the contents falling either way. He handed it back over with a stern look in Naruto's direction before he shook his head with a smile. "Well, are you enjoying your small vacation so far otherwise, Naruto?"

"Trick question! It's been great- yet kind of strange. It's weird not to be out doing something in the ways of training or missions. All of this is so new, strange, unexpected." Naruto swung his bag around as he gave it some thought, tempted to balance it on his head again. "I never thought this day would come. Yet here it is! And I have no idea what I'm doing- but, hey, I must be doing something right! He's pretty happy I think. I mean, pfff, as happy as Sasuke can be."

Iruka couldn't help laughing a little at such words. Naruto did have a bit of a point there. It would be unusual to see Sasuke happy over anything. Iruka couldn't remember a time in his own class when he had seen the boy ever smile over anything, but then again, that had been after the tragedy. Sasuke had always had different teachers before that point in time and even during. "Well, as long as you're helping him out for now then I suppose it gives him reason to be. Although, I don't think it would do him good to stay cooped up inside your apartment all the time. The both of you need fresh air and even though you're on vacation I doubt Kakashi-sensei will give you any slack." They made it to the front of the market to check out and Iruka was the first to empty his bag for the time being so he could pay.

"He can't get on my case if he can't find me!" Naruto dug through his bag to pluck out the radish. The way the leaves fell it reminded him of Kakashi's strange hair. “‘Naruto stop slacking'," Naruto made the radish 'talk' in a mocked of Kakashi's voice. “‘Keep focus. Keep your senses open. Concentrate harder. Standing on your head does not qualify as the stance of a Shinobi.'"  Naruto laughed at his own amusement.

"It amazes me that you accomplished anything for a year, Naruto." Once he was finished Iruka thanked the lady at the counter and placed his groceries away once more while he moved aside for Naruto. "And besides that, I really don't think Kakashi-sensei would find it funny if he saw you saying such things. Much less mocking him like that." He gave his former student a rather stern look. "It isn't very polite after he took the time to train you." Still, Iruka couldn't keep a small amused smile from showing.

Naruto was less kind to his groceries and just dumped the contents of his bag to be rung through. He raised the Kakashi radish up to push it near Iruka's face. “‘Iruka, you're too soft on Naruto! Maybe if you spent more time worrying about your other students rather than the one who hasn't been yours in a long, long time- we'd have less lazy Naruto’s in the world to worry about. And one Naruto in Konohagakure is enough for us all.' "

That caused the smile to fall away instantly and Iruka seemed to easily become stubborn and embarrassed. "That's not funny at all, Naruto." He quickly grabbed the radish up from the boy's hand and glared at him until he realized the strange look they were receiving from the woman behind the counter. Iruka turned his head and gave her a nervous smile before he proceeded to hand over the radish. "Ah, sorry." He quickly turned away to mind his business after that.

Naruto was too busy laughing to care that his Kakashi radish had been taken. "You should see your face!" He pointed as he continued to laugh. "Kakashi-sensei really gets to you. I don't think even I've made you that angry."

"You've come quite close," Iruka mumbled under his breath. He waited for Naruto to pay for his own groceries and receive them back before he finally turned to make his way out of the store. "You'll be on your way back home after this I assume, right? Or do you plan to let Sasuke sleep in a little longer since you told me he stayed up most of the night? It's no surprise he would be a little restless after his first night back not to mention learning what he did..." Iruka trailed off on the topic.

"I said I'd be quick." Naruto didn't want to speak more on the topic of Sasuke's home as much as Iruka did. "I don't want him to think I ran off." Naruto snorted. "And I should make sure he's actually sleeping and not compulsively cleaning again. If he is-- I'll drug him. Stubborn bastard. Worrying won't solve any of this." He lifted his grocery bag to brandish it with a pleased grin. "He has to have his strength to cook! I won't let him talk himself out of that promise."

"A promise, hmm?" The smile came back to Iruka's face at such a thought. It amused him that Naruto spoke so openly about the newly formed bond between himself and Sasuke, and despite Kakashi's words to him before, Iruka couldn't help feeling like a strong friendship was something the two boys needed. "Well, maybe I should come along with you just to see how the two of you are fairing, Sasuke especially. It's been a while since I've seen him and despite the things he's done it's hard for me not to worry."

Naruto's mouth then hung open, shocked. It took him a moment to shake his head to come to; Iruka was sincerely serious. "Y-you want to see Sasuke?" Naruto couldn't seem to believe it. No one wanted anything to do with Sasuke, save to hold contempt and anger for.

"I believe that's what I said, yes." Iruka gave a short nod while he continued to walk. "Although I don't forgive a good portion of what Sasuke did, especially the simple fact that he nearly killed you and left you as such, I can't ignore the fact that he was once my student." Iruka's voice had gone quiet, but he made certain that Naruto could hear him while they walked. "You see something in him after everything that happened that most people in the village just can't, and if you can forgive him and make amends then I can at least try despite what I think."

Naruto's steps slowed and he stared at Iruka's back. He was amazed.  Though Naruto knew his old teacher was doing all of this for his sake. Still, the fact Iruka was willing to give it a try, to see things Naruto's ways, it meant a lot to Naruto to hear. "Thanks, Iruka-sensei," he quietly spoke up. Naruto hurried to Iruka's side to walk next to him. "Heh, don’t know if Sasuke will be happy to see you or not, but I think he'll appreciate knowing at least one other person wants to see him. I was thinking of dragging him along when I treat you out to ramen; whether either of you wanted it or not. This is probably a better idea anyway."

"Mm, yes, it seems so." Iruka glanced to the side at Naruto after a few seconds and finally gave the boy a curious stare after certain conversation was brought up. "All of this cooking business has me wondering, though. Didn't you want to take Sasuke out for ramen? I suppose not being able to drag him along when you take me sort of ruins things, doesn't it?"

Naruto looked forward and hoped that Iruka didn't notice the new warmth that spread along his cheeks. "M. I took him out yesterday," he answered quickly, trying to sound as if it was no big deal at all.

It wasn't hard to miss the flustered look on Naruto's face even with how hard the boy tried to hide it and once again Iruka was amused. He let it all slide though, and only let Naruto off with a small 'hmm' as his response. His eyes were forward once again as he paid more attention to where they were headed back to the boy's apartment and allowed a comfortable silence to wash over them on the way there.
'... He has nothing. Absolutely nothing here now.'
---
Naruto - *neofox
Iruka - *Insanity-Icons

~ Image in preview belongs to *neofox and I do have permission to use it.

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Flying-Fossa's avatar
Hmmmmmlovethisstoryabundle.
:heart: I love Naruto's and Iruka's father-son relationship..it's so cute! :aww: