Laughing Fox

Title: Laughing Fox
Author: OceansHex
Disclaimer: If they were mine they’d never get out of bed.
Pairings: SasuNaru, NejiGaa, KibaHinata, LeeSakura and ShikaTemari.
Warnings: Angst, me beating up a poor dobe, sex, me beating up a poor teme, more sex, and mpreg. I think that with that last one I just lost about half of you. There will be more warnings. I just don’t know how many. Oh and there may just be a chapter of just smut. Hope you don’t mind.

The porcelain goddess called every morning and Naruto was tried of it. He felt the chakra and the fox told him and he ignored both. He just worshiped the goddess every morning like clockwork. Then tried to eat his saltine crackers, tried to smash the growing chakra inside him and set out for the bridge for the day’s mission with his team.
The streets of the city were empty. It was early and the sun was just barely peaking over the horizon. Naruto liked that there was no life in the city, he could think to his hearts content. He fiddled with the snap on his Jonin vest; he no longer wore orange. Kyuubi said he was thinking too much. The fox stated that he approved of the man for a mate and father. Naruto wondered that if he ignored the fox he would eventually go away.
4 months and the Kyuubi said he would start showing soon and Naruto should not put himself in danger. 4 months and Naruto still could not believe. 4 months and he had freaked out in denial about growing chakra and the fox had laughed then explained.
Fucking hermaphrodite.
Naruto did not know who to be mad at. His father for putting the fox inside him, the fox for the change to his body, or the man that spent one sunny glorious day fucking him into the ground. Naruto mumbled under his breath. He thought that maybe he was mad at himself for giving into something he had always wanted.
On the plus side it had been a great fight and he had been socked when he had been kissed then stripped then deliciously used. His body remembered every moment of that day. Naruto had felt truly loved, worshiped, for the first time. It did not matter that he had trouble walking for a few days. The fox refused to heal the aches and pains from the encounter. He also refused to heal the claim mark, as the fox put it, from his neck. It had taken three weeks for the hickey to go away. Naruto brought a hand up to the spot and his body reacted to the memory of the mouth that had been there. The fox had left the scar from the teeth mark.
Naruto dropped the hand quickly. It sucked when the man had left on a 6-month mission the day after. They had not had a chance to talk about what the day had meant. Or what would happen after. This time his hand dropped to the small growing life inside him. Naruto was not sure if he could shield this from the man. His chakra was always spilling out and he was having trouble masking the small growing chakra. The fox said it soon would not matter. Stated again that he would be showing soon. Soon, soon, soon. Everything was happening too soon. The other man would be back soon, too soon. Naruto did not know what to do.
Naruto almost walked into a tree and the fox laughed.
He was 17; a Jonin and he should not have to deal with this shit. He should not have to worry about what is going to happen to him. That thought was slowly turning into what would happen to his child. Naruto found that the more he thought about it the more that he wanted a child. He wanted the family that the child would bring. He knew that he might have this one chance. The fox had explained that hermaphrodites were hard to impregnate. For some reason Naruto could not see a woman giving birth to his child. The fox said it was because they were not strong enough. There was a part of Naruto that agreed.
Naruto wasn’t sure of anything anymore. He was not sure how he felt about the other man, sure the sex was great. But it had been a one-time thing that was spontaneous and enjoyed by both. He did not know if the man had meant something by it and he wanted more from Naruto or if he was just convenient. The fox was laughing again, harder this time.
Naruto almost walked into Kakashi. The Jonin was ever the same. Still masked, gravity defying silver hair and in full Jonin gear. His hands were in his pocket and he was standing in the middle of the bridge.
Kakashi was not reading.
Naruto looked at Kakashi.
Kakashi looked at Naruto.
“So,” Kakashi asked. “When were you going to tell us about Sasuke’s baby?”
And the world went black.

**********

When Naruto came to he was laying on Tsunade’s couch. There was light coming in through the window and time had passed. It was early morning again, from what he could tell. The goddess would get no tribute today. Naruto stifled the urge to point and laugh at the toilet in victory.
The ceiling of the Hokage’s office was speckled cream on white. Even as high as it was Naruto could count the dots. He was at 593 when Tsunade came in. Even at 60 she still looked no older then her mid 20’s, blond, pigtailed hair and gold eyes. She was carrying a glass of water and bowl of saltine crackers. Naruto watched as she set them down on the small coffee table. She then sat down beside him and pulling him up and into her arms. Naruto’s vision blurred and he was not able to hold the tears back. She started to rock him back and forth, as his sobs became one continuous wail. It was a long time until he stopped.
“You are not alone in this, Naruto.” She whispered into his hair. “We are all here for you.”
Then there were two sets of arms around him and he knew it was Iruka. His scarred former sensei was, like Kakashi, no different, still teaching and caring for others more then himself. The one little change was his relationship with Kakashi. Iruka would have grown old alone without his lover. Tsunade finally pulled away and Iruka cuddled him to his side.
“You did a good job at hiding this.” Tsunade said from beside him. She handed him the glass of water and Naruto took a grateful gulp. His stomach was in his throat and he could taste his tears. She handed him a tissue and he blew his noes.
“How did you know?” Naruto asked after he caught his breath enough to talk. He fiddled with the glass of water in one hand and the tissue in the other.
Tsunade gave him a hard look. “Neji. He came to me one day after the two of you had sparred and said that your chakra looked strange.” She said. “I asked him to take a better look. I was worried that there was something wrong with the seal.” Naruto watched as she got up and retrieved a sake bottle from her desk. She did not bother with a cup. “He said that all the chakra was gathered around your stomach like it would be if you where a pregnant woman. Kakashi guessed about the Uchiha. To tell you the truth I was hoping that it was a problem with the seal. It would have made all this so much easier.” She sighed. “Only you could become pregnant, gaki.”
Naruto hung his head as he felt tears well up again. He knew that he would be a bother but did not know what to do about it. He did not want to make life anymore complicated for the people he considered family. He did not want to think about the people of the village. He had had suffered enough at their hands. He felt lost and just a little broken. The fox inside him was quiet.
“What do you want me to do?” Naruto asked in a whisper. He was not sure if he wanted the answer. He looked up into Tsunade’s eyes and found understanding for his plight. He did not know what to think of that. Understanding from Tsunade was something that he wasn’t going to question. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know. With Tsunade’s relationship with Jiraiya he had a good idea where the understanding came from.
“I can leave the village if you want me to.” Naruto started. Iruka gasped and Tsunade set down her bottle. “I can if that’s what you want. I can find some small village to live in.” His voice had taken on a slightly frantic tone and his heart was beginning to race and the tears were falling again. “Please, please, don’t make me get rid of it.” He was begging and he didn’t care. An arm had wound around his stomach and his was choice made. “I’ll do anything you want, just not that.”
Naruto felt himself pulled to Iruka’s chest. “No, no, Naruto. We aren’t going to make you abort the baby. We aren’t going to make you do anything.” Iruka whispered to him. “We will all abide by what you want to do.”
Tsunade was back to her spot on his right. “If you want to have this baby then you will have this baby.” She said. “Period.”
Some of the weight from the past 4 months lifted at their words and Naruto sobbed in their arms until he was asleep.

**********

He woke up in his own bed with the entire day gone and Kakashi watching over him. His former teacher was sitting in a chair reading his porn. Naruto found that he wanted to cry again at the thought that his teammate had sat with him the entire day. Kakashi looked over at him and their eyes met.
“So,” Kakashi said without looking up from his book. “Was the sex good?”
Naruto gasped and sputtered and sat up. “That’s none of your business, pervert!” He screamed. Even under the mask Naruto could see that his friend was smiling and he stopped in mid-rant. Kakashi had gotten the reaction he meant to get and Naruto knew it.
Naruto smiled and settled back into the bed, his back against the headboard. “Yes, the sex was good. I couldn’t walk for 2 days. Kyuubi refused to heal anything so the marks stayed there for well over a week.” A hand rubbed his neck. “I had finger shaped bruises on my hips and sore knees and a raw voice.” Naruto glanced at Kakashi and found the older man looking at him with a light blush. Naruto knew the man was picturing it; Naruto was remembering it.
Kakashi swallowed and closed his book. The porn disappeared into his vest. His visible eye turned serious and Naruto knew it was time to talk.
“Were you planning to tell us at all?” Kakashi asked.
Naruto fiddled with a string on his bed spread. This fiddling with things is getting out of hand he thought. “Truth be told, I have no idea. I didn’t know what to do and I still don’t.” He sighed. “Think about it.” He looked at Kakashi. “I’m a man. Granted, I’ve never been normal. But don’t you think this is just a little over the top? Even for me?”
Kakashi nodded. “I agree. But what is done is done and you must live with the consequences.”
“How the hell was I supposed to know I could get pregnant? It’s not like the fox decided to tell me until after the fact. Hell, he could have told me before. But no he had to be a jerk about it.” Naruto grumbled, just a little angry with his tenant and Kakashi was a little worried about Naruto talking to the fox. Kakashi silently wondered how long this had been going on and made a mental note to talk to Tsunade.
“But you do have options. The Hokage said that you had made your choice and are going to have the baby. But this is what I don’t understand: Why?” Kakashi asked. “If you can have children then why not wait a few more years. You are still being trained to be the next Hokage. Raising a child is not easy. Being Hokage is not easy. Are you up for both?”
“I don’t know if I am or not.” Naruto admitted. “There is a part of me that wants this baby. Then there’s another part of me that keeps screaming that this is bull shit and another part of me wants everything to be the way it was and all parts know how that has to happen.” Naruto broke eye contact with Kakashi and fiddled some more with the string. He made a mental note that he should get a new bedspread, this one was coming undone. “Tsunade explained that she could-“ But he couldn’t say the word. “She explained how-” Naruto took a deep breath.
“I understand.” Kakashi interrupted. “I asked her myself. How much can you tell me?”
“About Sasuke? And what Kyuubi said?” Naruto asked. Kakashi nodded.
Naruto wondered how much he should tell Kakashi. All of it maybe.
“The fox explained it to me. He said that soon he would be no more and the two of us would be one. I would have all of his power but none of the problems. He said that this is just the beginning and the physical changes would happen first.” He started.
“There would be more?” Kakashi asked, inside a little frightened at the thought.
“He said that it could be a change in everything from my height to my eye color. He wasn’t sure. Although the height thing would be nice he also said that for all he knew I would grow tails.” Naruto said with a great deal of sarcasm. “Wouldn’t that just be great?”
Kakashi did not answer.
“He is just as clueless as I am.” He continued. “But he knew plenty about the pregnancy. He said that it could take years for me to get pregnant again and there was a chance that this could be the only one. That’s one reason I want this baby. The other is because it’s Sasuke’s.” He took a deep breath and Kakashi handed him a glass of water. “Sasuke has never been interested in anyone. For as long as I can remember. Sakura couldn’t even get through to him and she fancied herself in love with him. He’s brushed off everyone.” Naruto rubbed the back of his head in frustration.
“Sasuke had always been like that.” Kakashi said. “He never let anyone close.”
Naruto nodded. “That’s how the fight started. I reminded him that he did say he would restore his clan. He got pissed.” Naruto forced himself to stop fidgeting with the comforter. “He punched me. I punched him. It wasn’t a spar, Kakashi. This was a fight. This had nothing to do with either one of us being ninja and we both knew none of it was allowed. It was a good fight.”
Kakashi nodded and waited for the other shoe to drop.
“Sasuke said that the council has ordered him, not asked him, not suggested to him, not even hinted to him, but ordered him,” Naruto said and clinched his fists in anger. “They ordered him marry and start having children. They want him to restore the Uchiha clan. Personally, I think they just want the power that the clan would bring.”
The fact that Kakashi did not say anything was an agreement to the statement. Naruto started to rant about the politics and impact of the restoration of the Uchiha clan on the village and Kakashi felt his eyes cross. Contrary to popular belief, Kakashi fully believed that Naruto would be a wonderful Hokage. He was sure that Naruto would someday surpass his father.
Naruto stopped when he noticed. “Sorry,” He said. “I didn’t mean to rant. It just makes me so mad.”
Kakashi uncrossed his eyes. “I can understand it. I think it would make anyone mad. They sound like they are talking about a pawn, not a human being.”
“I don’t think they care.” Naruto grumbled. He was starting to get emotional again and he did not want to cry in front of Kakashi. He knew that there were holes in his story but did not have the energy to continue on the subject much more. Sasuke would eventually do what he needed to do, whether he wanted to or not. He would take a wife and have children. Naruto wanted something of Sasuke’s before his most precious person abandoned him.
“Kyuubi suggested that maybe I could go to Suna. Stay with Gaara and have the baby there. Then come back. I could make up some story that would work. Something that even Sasuke would believe.” Naruto said, but they both knew that the fox had not suggested it. Naruto had just thought it up.
“But it would have to be good.” Kakashi replied. “Sasuke isn’t stupid. He’s an Uchiha. He can put two and two together. And eventually the child may have the Sharingan. Not to mention that the child could look just like his father, black hair and black eyes. The physical traits of the Uchiha clan are hard to miss.”
“Then maybe I could stay in Suna.” Naruto said. “Gaara would let me stay. We could say that I’m going to Suna for training.”
“Yes, the Kazekage would let you stay and that would be a good excuse.” Kakashi said. “But how long would it last? How long could you lie, Naruto? Especially when the person you would be lying to the most is yourself.”
Naruto looked Kakashi straight in the eye when he answered. “I would lie to myself forever if it meant keeping my baby safe.”
“We’ll see.” Kakashi said. “I know you just woke up but eat something and then get some sleep. There is no more ramen in your house. The Hokage ordered me to remove it.”
“It’s ok.” Naruto said. He chucked at as Kakashi’s one visible eye widened. “I can’t keep it down.”
Kakashi nodded. “You and Iruka will go grocery shopping tomorrow morning, for lots and lots of healthy food. Like fruit and vegetables. There’s nothing in your kitchen worthy of being eaten.” Naruto cringed at the thought. “You will learn to cook for yourself. This is also the Hokage’s order. Follow it or not. You’ll just have to deal with her. Oh, and Iruka, too.” Kakashi left Naruto with the horrifying thought of a pissed off Iruka. There were very few things that Uzumaki Naruto was afraid. This one was on the top of the list.
Naruto sat in bed for a moment, then looked at the clock and found that it was almost five in the evening. He sighed at another wasted day and dragged himself from his warm bed. He made his way to the shower then to the kitchen. Rubbing a towel over his head he started to open cupboards. Kakashi had been right. He did not have anything worthy of being called food.
He dressed and shortly found himself down the street at the local restaurant arguing with the owner. This was the third one in 15 minutes that he had tried. He could not go to his ramen shop, as he could not stomach it right now. It was the only thing that he could not keep down, no matter what time it was.
“Look, all I want is chicken salad to go.” Naruto said.
“Look, all I want is for a monster like you to go.” The owner yelled, spraying spittle in Naruto’s face. Naruto threw up his hands in defeat, knowing that once again he would be searching for a place that would sell to him. Sometimes it really sucks to be the jail keeper for the Kyuubi, he thought. Wiping his face on the way out he bumped into someone, almost falling flat on his ass. Naruto’s arm was grabbed before he was half way down.
“Naruto, I apologize.” Neji said, his deep voice laced with concern as he helped Naruto get stable on his feet. “I didn’t see you.”
Naruto laughed. “The great Byakugan didn’t see me.” Making fun of Neji never ceased to amuse Naruto.
Neji smiled. Naruto noticed that it was something that he did more often now. Neji’s change in attitude came shortly after he was given the honor of being embassy to Suna. Naruto suspected that spending most of his time with Gaara had a lot to do with it. He also noticed that he had to look up at the man. Why the hell is everyone taller then me, he thought.
The Kyuubi made a smart-ass comment and Naruto mentally flicked him in the nose. The Kyuubi then said that Neji looked prissy with the long, deep purple kimono sleeves and the silver obi was almost gaudy. Naruto ignored it not because he found it insulting but because there was a part of him that thought Neji looked beautiful. On anyone but Neji the whole thing would have looked ridiculous.
“You ever planning on cutting your hair?” Naruto asked as he ogled. Neji brought a hand up and brushed a knee length trestle away from his face. “Or won’t Gaara let you?”
Neji’s cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink and he coughed. “I can cut my hair whenever I want.” He stated.
Naruto laughed outright at the statement. He knew Neji was trying to save face. Naruto had found out from Gaara himself that the Kazekage had forbidden the Hyuuga from cutting his hair. Something about being able to wrap his hands up in it and yank.
“Sure you can.” He said and chuckled again.
“What is wrong with your chakra?” Neji asked out of the blue.
Naruto jerked and his head snapped up. Neji’s Byakugan was activated and he was looking at Naruto’s stomach. His heart sounded in his ears and his body tensed and made ready to flee. Neji grabbed his arm in an iron grip. They were in the middle of the street in the middle of rush hour foot traffic. It was the end of the day for many of the Shinobi of the Leaf Village.
“I want to help, Naruto.” Neji pleaded. “I was the one that noticed first and alerted the Hokage. I do not want to see you hurt. You are very dear to me.”
Naruto took a moment to calm his breathing and heart rate. His rational mind did know Neji only wanted to help. Neji had done what he thought was best by telling Tsunade. Naruto didn’t blame him or hold him accountable for anything he had done. The protective parent that was starting to rear its ugly head at every turn was screaming to protect his child. Also he was not sure how Neji would take it. The man had a reputation of being a little uptight. In the end he decided to have faith in his friend.
“Let’s go somewhere else.” Naruto suggested. “I don’t want to be over heard.”
Neji nodded and they made their way back to Naruto’s apartment.
“What does it look like to you?” Naruto asked when they got there. He would let Neji work it all out.
He watched as Neji narrowed his eyes and centered his gaze on his stomach. “It looks like you are with child.” He said. “There is a separate chakra-“ Neji stopped and his eyes widened. His hand reached out and touched Naruto’s stomach. “You are with child. It does not just look that way. How is this possible?” Neji was shocked. Of all the things that Naruto could do, he never fathomed that it would be this. Neji looked up into Naruto’s eyes and saw sadness.
Naruto smiled but it was just a little empty. “The fox.” It was a simple answer. Naruto was sure it would explain everything for Neji. “It’s not going to be easy, but I am keeping the child. It might be the only chance I get.”
Neji nodded his head as his mind tried to wrap itself around the idea of a man being pregnant. “Only you, Naruto.” Neji said, as he accepted it for what it was. His friend needed his help and Neji would help in anyway he could. In his mind, he owed Naruto his life.
Sighing Naruto relaxed. Then smirked. “I wonder if Gaara can get pregnant.” It was almost an offhand comment but it was worth it as Neji’s entire face turned red.
Naruto laughed from the heart for the first time in 4 months.

*********

“Naruto, I am sorry. You did not get a chance to get anything to eat.” Neji said when Naruto’s stomach decided that it wanted to be fed. It was 7 in the evening. He and Neji had talked about Naruto’s fears, Sasuke, what the others would think and what he should do. Naruto was happy to have Neji’s full support.
“It’s ok. I was trying to get something to eat but no one would sell me anything.” He scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. The villagers’ treatment was not something he liked to admit. Some of his other friends had seen it first hand. Neji had not.
“No, it is not ok.” Neji said, anger in his voice. “It is not fair to you. You have done nothing wrong other then be the human sacrifice for the entire village.”
Naruto smiled, his mood lifted slightly.
“We will go to dinner. My treat.” Neji said.
Naruto waved his hand. “No, it’s ok.” He said. “I’ll find something to eat.”
Neji frowned. “You do not have anything to eat and you said so yourself that you are unable to keep the ramen down. We will go to dinner.” This time his voice bore a tone that said not to argue. Neji got up and made for the door, not a hair out of place. He turned and Naruto had no choice but to follow.
They made their way down the street. Neji stopping only to ask where Naruto wanted to eat. Naruto told him to choose. In his mind it did not matter, as the restaurant would not sell to him anyway. It was the main reason he ate at his ramen shop as much as he did. Or used to. He made a mental note to go by and say hi.
“Will this work?” Neji asked pulling Naruto out of his thoughts. Naruto looked up and the only sign in the shop said Noodles. “They sell all kinds of different noodles and many of their dishes are light.”
“Sounds good.” Naruto said and followed Neji in.
He was surprised when they were greeted and shown to a booth quickly. Naruto was handed a menu and received a smile from the waitress. Mind in shock he opened up the menu and tried to pick something out. Neji was right when he said the restaurant sold nothing but noodles. His stomach growled at him again. Neji chuckled.
“Oh, hush.” Naruto said. “I think I’ll have the chicken pesto.”
Neji nodded and said he would have the pan fried noodles. The waitress smiled again and left to place their order. They sat in comfortable silence until their food came.

**********

The next day Naruto tried to sleep as long as his body would let him but the porcelain goddess called to be worshiped. He was on his knees, head lying on an arm that was draped across the rim of the seat when a hand brushed his hair from his face. He looked up and found Iruka’s concerned eyes.
The teacher set a glass of water down and wet a washcloth. Iruka smiled a tiny smile and Naruto tried to return it. Iruka handed Naruto the glass of water and wiped his forehead and face. Naruto sighed at the feel of the cold washcloth on his face. Iruka stayed until the goddess was finished with her worship and Naruto felt stable enough to stand on his own. Iruka helped him up.
“Thank you.” Naruto said.
“No problem.” Iruka answered. “You didn’t open your door when I knocked but it’s morning. Hokage-sama said something about morning sickness and I thought you might need some help. Sorry to just let myself in.”
“It’s ok. Having someone else here makes it all a little more bearable.” Naruto said while the fox grumbled about being chopped liver. Naruto brushed his teeth, dressed, and made his way to the living room.
“So, what are we doing today?” He asked, trying to smile.
Iruka frowned and put his hands on his hips. Naruto recognized the look. It was the same look at Iruka always used when a student was in trouble and he wanted to get something out of said student. Being a former student Naruto knew that Iruka would get what he wanted and woe to anyone that got in the way.
Naruto sighed and decided to stop Iruka while the man was ahead. “I’m fine.” He said. “This is normal. It’s happened every morning for the last 3 or so months. It’s not going to change. Now where are we going for my groceries?”
This time Iruka sighed. “The summer market is open. We’ll go there. If they don’t have anything that you want we will go somewhere else.”
“Cool. Let me get my wallet.” He said.
“Don’t bother.” Iruka said with a wave of his hand before Naruto moved. “This is all being paid for my Tsunade-sama. She said to get whatever you want.”
Naruto straightened up from his shoes. “Now wait a minute-” This time he did not get a chance to finish.
“Just hush and let us take care of you.” The tone was unyielding and Naruto knew he had lost before he knew about the battle.
Naruto started to fidget with the edge of his shirt. He was happy that someone was helping him, someone was taking the extra weight from his shoulders. It wasn’t the person he wanted to help him but he was thankful for it anyway. He wondered what he should tell Sasuke.
“Iruka?” He said, getting the man’s attention.
“Yes?” Iruka replied as he gathered his jacket from the closet.
“What should I tell Sasuke?” Naruto asked.
Iruka stopped and stared at Naruto. He was still fidgeting with his shirt and Iruka could tell that this was a delicate question. “What do you want to tell him?” He countered.
“That he’s going to be a father.” Naruto answered without thinking about it. In his heart he knew what he wanted to say.
Iruka smiled. “Sounds like you just answered your own question.”
Naruto ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “But what if he doesn’t accept it? What if he demands to have the baby aborted or demands that he keeps it and I don’t get to ever see my child? What if he-”
“What if he wants everything that you want?” Iruka interrupted. “What if he doesn’t demand those things? There are a lot of “What ifs” in life. You just need to take it one day at a time. If things turn bad we will think of something. If it turns out that Sasuke doesn’t want the baby after this then we can think of something. If things get too out of hand then Kakashi and I can always just kill him.” Iruka said it with a weight in his voice. Naruto knew he was serious.
Iruka walked to Naruto and placed his hands on trembling shoulders. “I won’t let him hurt you. The Hokage won’t let him hurt you. Your friends won’t let him hurt you. I know you realize this but not everyone thinks highly of him.” Iruka said. “There are those that believe that Sasuke should have had his Sharingan sealed and put away for the rest of his life. But Sasuke had a lot in his favor. You, and the Hokage, Sakura and many others all had faith in him. Not to mention whom he killed and the actions he took after Orochimaru’s death. Sasuke did a lot of good. He still does. He is worthy, Naruto. Don’t underestimate him.”
Iruka shrugged on his jacket and stepped out the door. “Come on. Let’s go get you some food.”
“You know something? You really have a way with words.” Naruto said as he made another choice about his and his child’s future.

**********

The employees at the store did not dare say anything as Naruto was shopping with Iruka. Most knew that Iruka was a favorite of the Hokage’s and to mess with the teacher is to mess with the head of the village. Most also knew of his relationship with Kakashi of the Sharingan Eye. Some had yet to decide, of the two, who was the most dangerous. It was slowly becoming known that Naruto was a favorite of all three.
Many had taken to treating him better as he was always in the company of someone powerful. Even out with Hyuuga Neji the villagers treating him like just another person. They did not want to be on the bad said of the Hyuuga clan and Neji was the most powerful Hyuuga to come along in many a year. Naruto thought that yesterday was a fluke. Maybe.
Over all the shopping was uneventful for just that reason. Loaded down with bags of healthy junk, as Naruto started to call it, they made their way back to his apartment just as his stomach started to growl. It was almost noon and the goddess no longer beckoned. Iruka laughed and if he could without getting hurt he would have hit the man.
“Lets make lunch.” Iruka said still laughing under his breath. “What would you like?”
Naruto had to think about it. He set his healthy junk down and opened the door to his apartment. “I don’t know. I only know how to cook ramen and I can’t really eat that now.”
They made their way to the kitchen and started to put the groceries away. There was comfortable silence as Naruto thought about it.
“Hey, Iruka,” Naruto said holding a bag of fresh carrots. “Can you teach me how to cook?”
Naruto could tell that this shocked the man as the glass jar of pickles almost fell to the floor. Iruka gaped at the boy and stuttered. Naruto really could not help it. He found the look on Iruka’s face to be the funniest thing ever and his laughter filled the small apartment. He had to set the carrots down and grip the counter. His sides started to hurt and his legs gave out. He sat on the floor for a good 5 minutes laughing.
Iruka kicked him. Naruto laughed harder.

**********

“I hope that this has lightened your heart some.” Iruka said with a smile.
Naruto smiled back. “Believe it or not, it has. It’s been a great day.”
Naruto have Iruka a long hug and bid him good night. Spending the day with his friend was good for him and he vowed that tomorrow he would seek out his other friends. With that thought he cleaned up the remaining dishes and found his bed. He was asleep within minutes.

***To Be Continued***

Thanks for reading the first part. I would really love for you all to tell me what you think. I need to know if this is worth continuing. Luvs to all. Hex