Wakashudo

Naruto was nervous. It wasn't a wholly unfamiliar feeling to him, but this was the first time in a long time that the feeling was not accompanied with an imminent threat to his life. Still, he had promised he would try to be here and there was nothing holding him back now. Kakashi had dismissed team seven unusually early. So, there was no reason he couldn't attend Konohamaru’s party. Gripping his present in his hand, he marched to the door and rung the doorbell.

A moment later the door opened revealing a dark-haired red eyed woman. It took him a minute to remember that her name was Kurenai. She was a sensei to one of the other teams, although he couldn't remember which one at the moment. “I think I have the wrong place,” Naruto said double-checking to make sure this was the Hokage’s residents.

She smiled kindly and replied, “If you're here for the party they're in the courtyard.”

Stepping inside, he followed her down a hallway, uncomfortable with the silence, he racked his brain for something clever to say. “So, why are you here?”

Glancing over her shoulder, she blushed, which seemed odd to him. “Somebody forgot to pick up the cake. He asked me to do it and I was invited to stay.”

Naruto nodded and before he had to come up with another clever thing to say they were in the courtyard. It was a fairly large open space, probably bigger than his apartment. It had a small tree in the center, but most of the ground was paved with stone.

The weirdest thing, though was the table that had been set up. It had several small presents on it, but the thing that drew his attention was the Hokage. He sat smoking his pipe, but in his civilian clothes, he looked strange and Naruto suddenly understood why he never took off the hat. He was bald! Before he could take in anything else, he was blindsided by three hyperactive children.

“You made it!” Konohamaru exclaimed as he rebounded off of him.

Kurenai relieved Naruto of his present as he was pulled into the first of many party games. Most of them were new to him, but he had fun. Several hours later, his pockets were full of candy and he had joined the elite rank of ninjas who could claim they had hit the Hokage and live to tell about it. Granted, he had been blindfolded at the time, but Asuma insisted it counted.

Eventually, it came time for cake and he took a seat between Udon and Moegi. The latter of the two unexpectedly leaned against him and smiled up at him. Her cheeks reddened as she asked, “Hey, Naruto if you have free time, do you think you can play with us again?”

“Sure,” he responded without thinking. It never occurred to him that he was agreeing to play with little kids, something both his age and profession made unusual.

After the cake was devoured, it was time for presents and he started to feel a little nervous. He had never given a gift to somebody else before. Well, unless you include the flowers he had given Sakura when he was younger. So Naruto had to guess what Konohamaru might like, so he bought something he would've liked. Still, he was nervous as his friend started to tear into his presents.

From his grandfather and uncle, he received various ninja material. Udon gave a big book of brainteasers and a piece of paper that said good for one free homework assignment, which was immediately confiscated. Moegi's gift was some sort of game that was supposed to be played outside called lawn darts. Then there was only his gift left. Unconsciously, he bit his lip and scrunched his toes, hoping his friend wouldn't have to force a smile when he opened it.

Being unfamiliar with wrapping presents, Naruto had used more than half a roll of tape and a little too much paper. This prolonged his agony as Konohamaru tore, ripped and scratched his way through layers of colorful paper. Slowly, the gift was revealed. It was a construction set that used magnets, instead of plastic blocks.

Konohamaru face lit up as he shouted, “Thanks. I've been bugging grandpa for these.” To his surprise, his friend came around the table and gave his best attempt of a bone crushing hug. All Naruto could do was grin, glad that he had chosen a good gift.

It wasn't long after that the party started to break up, Moegi and Udon saying they had a curfew. As they were saying their goodbyes to Konohamaru, the Hokage leaned over and asked if Naruto would speak to him privately for a few minutes. The blonde agreed, a little nervous about the sudden serious tone in the old man's voice.

The two retreated to the study and the old man gestured for him to take a seat in an overly plushy chair. Naruto collapsed in to it with a grin as the thick cushions encompassed his small body. “So, what do you want old man?”

Sarutobi smiled indulgently as he took a seat across from him. “I would like to speak to you as the Hokage for a moment.”

“Aren't you always?” The blonde questioned confused.

“No,” the old man laughed. “For the rest of this conversation I’m just a grandfather."

“Okay,” Naruto nodded, seriously not really understanding.

Leaning back in his chair, the old man began. “Out of your entire class, I think you have come the furthest in your abilities since you're graduation. You still have a lot to learn, of course, but you have turned into a fine genin. I read your sensei's report about your Wave mission with great interest. I think you have the potential to be a great ninja one day as long as you continue to work hard.”

The genin scratched the back of his head and laughed nervously, “Well that's what I've always told people.”

“Yes, but you also have been a great influence for my grandson, and I'm not just referring to the fact that he stopped trying to assassinate me. He's working hard at the physical aspects of his training, if not his mental. He's even made some good friends and I think you've had a lot to do with all that.”

“Well, he's a nice kid,” Naruto said, not having any idea why they were talking about this.

The old man continued, “I'm not happy about everything you taught him though.”

The orange clad genin winced, “Is this about that jutsu?” He was starting to recognize the tone of a lecture coming.

Sarutobi coughed to hide a sudden colored rush to his cheeks. “No, well, there's that too, but I was referring to something else.” He paused for a second to see if his companion would catch on. Naruto didn't, so he continued. “Something you too might have done last time you were together,” He permitted the sentence to hang in the air.

If Naruto had been standing, he would've fallen to the ground as pure unadulterated terror course through his body. He opened his mouth but no sound came out, he tried to figure out how the old man could have learned about that. There was no way Konohamaru would have told his grandfather of all people. Oh why hadn't he learned a jutsu that could turn him invisible, or better to water, so he could just melt right through the floor and disappear.

“Relax Naruto, if I had thought you had done something bad, we would be having this conversation in a different location. I just want to know how it happened.”

Those words were like a lifeline to a drowning man. He shook himself as he slowly realized that he may not be in trouble after all. Despite all that, he still couldn't meet the elder’s eyes and instead concentrated on the floor. “Well,” he began slowly “the morning after I came back from the Wave mission I was sort of in the middle of something when Konohamaru sort of picked my lock and let himself in.”

“I see, he does seem to have a talent for that, picking locks I mean. So he caught you, um, relieving yourself and you explain what you were doing,” The Hokage supplied. Naruto nodded, not wanting to explain the complicated situation. “Then what about the other time?”

He further retreated into the chair, his face turning red. “Konohamaru was curious what it would feel like if somebody else did it for you and so was I so.”

“I see,” the old man held up a hand to stop him. “So, he initiated it both times?”

“Initiated?”

“Started it.”

“I guess so.”

The old man nodded to himself before rising from his chair. “I thought it might be something like that. I can't say I'm happy he found out about it that way, but it wasn't like he wasn't going to find out eventually. Anyway, it isn't like it can really hurt him.” He thumbed through one of the numerous shelves that lined the walls before picking out a thin white book.

“Konohamaru is very precious to me. He's my daughter’s son after all, and the way my son behaves he'll probably be my only grandchild. Unfortunately, I know that an old man like me can't always be there for him. Have you ever heard of Wakashudo, Naruto?”

The genin blinked at the apparent sudden change in conversation. “Um no,” The word itself sounded old to him. After all, who said something like the way of the youth anymore?

“I'm not surprised," the old man said sitting back down. “It was going out of fashion back when I was your age and it was always more of a samurai thing. That's not to say ninja didn't do it, but well never mind.” He waved his hand dismissively and continued. “Basically it's a form of mentoring, an older individual would take the younger person under their wing and help them become a man. These bonds could lead to lifelong friendships, but in its early years, this friendship often had a sexual nature to it.”

If it was possible, the blonde’s face darkened further, putting Hinata’s best impression of a cherry tomato to shame. The older man handed over the white book, which he took with trembling hands. It had a simple cover with the title of Wakashudo A Guide in large block letters. Under the title there was a black-and-white picture of a chrysanthemum, Naruto briefly wondered why he knew the name of that particular flower.

“I don't want to force you into anything and the final decision does lie with Konohamaru alone. However, if the situation does progress that way, I want you to know. I don't think he could choose a better person. I saw that today, you generally like him and there's no way you would ever consciously hurt him. You would have my blessing.” He leaned forward and put a hand on the genin’s shoulder. “Now, I think it's time for you to go home.”

It took Naruto a minute to have the confidence to stand. The last few minutes ranked high on his weird scale and he clasped the book to his chest, not really wanting to take it. The Hokage held the door open for him and he traced his steps back to the courtyard.

“Hey Naruto,” Konohamaru said jumping in front of him “you want to see if you can spend the night?”

Before he could say anything, the Hokage answered for him. “Maybe some other time Konohamaru, you still have to visit your parents.”

“Oh come on,” Konohamaru complained.

“Don't take that tone with me. I asked you if you wanted to pay your respects before or after your party and you said after.”

Naruto used the argument to slip away unnoticed and by the time he was at the front door he could hear his young friend arguing loudly. Smiling to himself, he headed for his apartment, deciding it had been a good day even if it had become a little strange there in the end. Although the book was in his hand he didn't really think about it until he was back at his place.

Tossing the white book on his kitchen table he stared at it for several minutes, like it was a trap he had to disarm. Unfortunately, curiosity was something the blonde had in spades and he cracked the cover to skim the first chapter. It was written in an old style which was a little confusing, but it basically described how important the relationship could be to both parties. Then, a particular section caught his eye.

“The younger partner is the only one who can advance the relationship. While it is the responsibility of the elder to keep the health and well-being of the younger forethought in his mind and must always be a proper and responsible role model.” That caused him to smile as he remembered how he had been introduced to everything.

The orphanage wasn't really a bad place. The three-story building had had the boy’s dorm on the top floor while the girl’s were on the second. The first floor was separated into a nursery, playrooms and classrooms.

Six year old Naruto woke up in his bunk bed and glanced around his room. Like all the rooms on the floor it had two bunk beds, but he currently only had one roommate which allowed both of them to have the top bunk. Blinking blearily, he tried to figure out why he was awake when the pressure in his bladder reminded him of his need.

Slipping quietly out of bed, he left his room for the dimly lit hallway. His always overactive imagination transformed the simple task of going to the bathroom into a dangerous mission of the utmost importance to the village. His bare feet made little sound as he crept down the hallway to his destination. Pausing at the bathroom door, he listened intently for enemies like in the stories before opening the door.

The bathroom was brightly lit but he still pushed his back against the wall and scanned the room for his goal, a urinal. Then a sound and broke into his imaginary world. Listening carefully, he tried to identify where the sound was coming from. The room was big and it took him a moment to realize the sound was coming from one of the stalls.

It sounded like groaning and there was another sound he couldn't identify. Thinking the person might be hurt or in trouble, he knelt down and found the stall with the legs in it. He considered calling out to them but something told him not to. Creeping up to the stall, Naruto tried to peer through a crack but couldn't see anything. Kneeling on the floor, he peeked under the door.

Souya, one of the older boys, sat on the edge of the toilet seat, his eyes closed and pants around his ankles. The little boy frowned confused. It looked like the older boy was trying to pull his privates off or like he was trying to stretch it. Neither made any sense to him.

Then the older boy's eyes opened and saw him. His face turned crimson and Naruto knew he was going to get pounded. Scrambling to his feet, he bolted for the door as the stalled doors flung open behind him and a hand grabbed his neck.

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please don't hurt me.” he flung his hands up to protect his head.

“How long were you there?” Souya demanded, grabbing one of his arms.

Naruto noticed he wasn't getting pounded and calmed down, if only a little, since he was still being restrained. “I had to go to the bathroom and I heard this noise and thought somebody might be in trouble and I want to look, and I'm sorry.”

The older boy didn't say a thing for a minute and then he asked, “Well did you go yet?” Naruto shook his head nervously. “Go then,” Souya let him go, pushing him toward the urinals. The younger of the two did as he was told, nervous that the other boy was still staring at him. “You can't tell anyone what you saw.”

“I won't.”

“Good, because I would get in trouble,” the older boy paused for a minute before adding “and so would you.” The last part caused the blonde to spin around frowning, trying to figure out what he had done wrong. “You see that's a secret ninja training technique and you're not supposed to know it yet.”

The little blonde’s obsession with all things ninja was well-known and the older boy smiled as he asked, “Really?”

“Yeah, I'll make you a deal. I'll tell you how to do it, but you can never tell anyone and if you get caught doing it, you can't say I showed you.”

The young Jinchuriki nodded eagerly and crossed his heart in the most solemn act of secrecy a six-year-old knew. Following his elder into a stall, he was told to sit on the toilet and pull his pajama bottoms down. He hesitated knowing he wasn't supposed to do that in front of others.

The taller of the two said, “Listen, you saw me do it right? So you know it's okay. I just got to show you what to do.” Biting his lower lip, Naruto did what he was told. “Okay, this is a two-step process. First you have to make it hard and then you have to jerk.”

“Make it hard?” Naruto had no idea how that was possible.

“Here,” the other boy was starting to get agitated and before the six-year-old knew what he was doing, the other boy grabbed his thing.

He yelped in surprise and embarrassment, but at the same time it sent a surprising feeling through him. It sort of tickled but it was different. After a few seconds of fondling, it became hard. He stared at it in amazement. Now that he thought about it, this had happened before, but only when he really had to pee.

“Okay, once it's hard like that you just kind of pull on it.” His teacher showed him with his hand. Frowning, he gave it a few experimental strokes. “Just keep doing it until you get a good feeling and it goes down. You want to do it for as long as possible to build up your stamina.”

Naruto nodded and concentrated. His concentration was so thorough, he didn't notice when Souya left, leaving him alone. Eventually, he felt like he was going to pee but he kept on going, figuring he was already on the toilet and he felt the feeling that left him breathless. Looking up, he wanted to ask if that was it, but found he was alone in the room.

Pulling himself out of his memories, Naruto smiled sadly to himself, remembering how gullible he had been back then. He had believed him. For a long time he did believe it was training. He had a lot of questions but Souya ignored him. Two weeks later Souya moved out of the orphanage with the rest of the soon-to-be graduates from the Academy.

It was when he remembered how confused he had been back then and how frustrated he had become that he made his decision. If Konohamaru had questions, he would do his best to answer them. As for the other stuff, well, he didn't know. One thing was sure, though, he would do his best to be there for him because no one had been there for him.



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Authors note: I have an account on fan fiction.net but, this is the only story currently there.