My Dolphin's Love

Chapter 3 “Returning to the Real World”

Iruka was nervous. He hadn’t been this nervous since he started the academy when he was six. He had supplies for Naruto in his bag and his nin pack was full of his school supplies. He placed the chibi in the baby carrier that kept him securely and comfortably strapped to Iruka’s chest. This was it time to face the rest of the village. He and Naruto hadn’t left the safety from cottage since the attack two weeks ago. Though he did receive visits from the Hokage and Naruto’s godfather the legendary Toad Sage and Sanin Jiraiya. Jiraiya-sama explained what to expect to happen over the years with the seal mixing the Fox’s chakra with that of the chibi’s. He was slightly sadden that Kakashi had not visited yesterday but he was probably was busy with the repairs to Konoha.

“Okay my Chibi Kitsune it’s now or never.” Iruka locked the door and set the Genjutus wards before heading out.

“Iruka-chan!” The pre-teen jumped as he was slapped on the back by his kunoichi classmate.

“Anko-chan! Careful!”

“Huh? What’s that?” the purple haired girl asked spying the pouch on the boy’s chest.

“This is my new foster son. This is Uzumaki Naruto.”

“The Kyuubi kid!” Anko gasped.

“Don’t call him that! He’s a baby and nothing more.” Iruka snapped. “If you are going to hold the Kyuubi against him then you are no longer my friend and you can stay away from us!”

“Whoa calm down. I am sorry I upset you I didn’t mean to. Iruka you’re my best friend don’t hold it against me. There was a whole meeting after the attack Uchiha Fugaku said that Kyuubi was sealed inside Uzumaki Naruto. He didn’t say it was a baby I was just surprised.”

“I’m sorry Anko. I guess am just a little defensive because Uchiha-sama wants to turn the village against him Naruto.” The chibi started to fuss from his foster father’s anger.

“Let me see him?” Iruka reluctantly nodded taking the babe out of his mini hammock and gently placing him in the kunoichi’s arms. “He’s so tiny”

“He’s only two weeks old and loves to eat.”

“Kawaii!”

“Huh? What is it?”

“Chibi-kun has whiskers!” Anko squealed as Iruka too a closer look. He really hadn’t noticed the birth marks that had appeared on the chibi’s cheeks. Three lines on each cheeks were slowly darkening on each cheek and they looked like fox whiskers.

“It must be the Kyuubi influence.”

“I don’t care what the reason is, Foxie looks so Kawaii!!”

“Who’s Kawaii?” asked a boy dropping from trees with a boy with spiky hair, followed by another wearing a bandana.

“Izumo! Kotetsu! Look at Iruka’s Chibi!”

“CHIBI?!” they shouted making Naruto cry. Anko glared as she comforted her little Foxie and Iruka hit his class mates in the head.

“Owie! Iruka you didn’t have to hit so hard.” Kotetsu complained.

“Yeah. Aren’t you too young to have a kid?” Izumo asked rubbing his bruised head.

“I’ll tell you all but you have to wait until I seal off the area.” The three classmates watched as their friend sealed the clearing with a soundproof jutsu. Iruka was the smartest in their class and top in seals and hand signs even if he did get into trouble sometimes.

“What’s with all the secrets?” Izumo asked.

“This is my Forster son Uzumaki Naruto. The Yondaime seal the Kyuubi inside of him the just hours after he was born.”

“Why would he do that? Where did he get the chibi any way?” Kotetsu looked skeptical.

“There was no other way to stop the Kyuubi. He sacrificed his life and the life of his son for our peace and freedom.” the scarred boy said sadly before taking Naruto back in his arms. “You guys are my best friends so this can not go any farther then us. Uchiha-sama is going to make sure Naruto’s life becomes a living hell with the villagers. I wanted ask you guys to help me protect Naruto. The Sandaime’s hands are tie because the conflict between the clans and elders he can’t order his protection.”

“But what can we do? We’re not even genin yet.” Izumo sighed defeat.

“Baka! We will graduate this winter we are strong enough to protect this baby! And if not then we’ll get stronger! We are not going to run away from this. We are ninjas and we have train for this. We will honor the Yondaime’s son and his sacrifice! If you don’t I’ll make your lives a living hell!” Anko growled at the two boys. She was the strong willed and leader of their little group. She lived with her dad who was an abusive drunk. She enter the academy as soon as she could to escape the bastard. It turns out that she was gifted in Tai-jutsu and Fire jutsus.

“Hai Hai! We get it!” Izumo and Kotetsu dropped to their knees in surrender. They did not want to be kicked and fried with in an inch of their lives.

“Good.” The kunoichi smirked. “Now Iruka-chan what are you going to do with the chibi when we’re in class?”

“I’m taking him with me there is just no other way. Sandaime-sama already spoke to the teachers but I was warned to be careful. No one is happy about it and during practice it might become deadly.”

“Then we’ll watch your back! Won’t we?” Anko glared at the other to boys nodded hastily. “See you got nothing to worry about. Now give me the chibi and you unseal the area, we got class soon.”

Iruka handed Naruto to the Kunoichi once again and began to take the seals downs. The other boys took this time to examine the chibi. The chibi yawn and stretch and Anko cooed at him. Izumo wrinkled his nose when Naruto burped in his face. Iruka took the chibi back and placed him back in his hammock.

“Do you think I can hold him?” Kotetsu asked as he inched closer to the chibi.

“Don’t be a baka!” the kunoichi snapped. “You might drop him on his soft spot then he’ll be a baka just like you!”

“Chibi-kun will probably be a genius, with you know who as his dad.” Izumo pointed out.

“I didn’t think about that, but he’s still just a baby. I don’t know what he’ll do when he starts showing his talent.”

“Don’t worry about it Iruka-chan we’ll deal with it when it comes. Now let’s go we’ll be late.” Anko said taking the lead as they raced through the forest to school.


XxXxXxXxXxX

(Cough, cough) The teen with shaggy brown choked on his cigarette he had just lit. His fellow chunin looked at him in amusement. The teenagers were gathered out side the Barbeque waiting for the jonin to show up.

“Asuma why don’t you just give up smoking you are pathetic at it.” Kurenai glared.

“I’m not going to quit. I’m going to show my father I am a man and should be treated like it.”

“More like and idiot.” Kurenai huffed and turned her back on the young Sarutobi.

“Have no fear My Hip and Cool Rival will be here!”

“Gai we’ve been waiting thirty minutes already!”

“Asuma quit bitching we’re here.” Kakashi drawled as he Raido and Genma strolled up to them.

“Why are you late Hatake? You seem to get later and later every time we meet.” The Kunoichi complained.

“I got held up by a little old lady who had a kitten stuck in a tree.” Genma nearly choked on his senbon at hearing the stoic teen make his first joke ever.

*~*~*~*Flashback*~*~*~*

“What are you doing in my tree Hatake-san?” Iruka asked as he was cleaning the upstairs nursery. He had found his old crib in the attic and some old blankets to make a mattress in the closet just right for the chibi. His parents had probably kept it in hopes of giving him a sibling but they never did.

“I was just seeing if you are alright.”

“I am. So is Naruto in case you were wondering.” The preteen pulled the shade down to let the chibi nap and went down stairs to the kitchen to let the Jonin in. “So what have you been doing Hatake-san?”

“I’ve been helping with the repairs and going to meetings. But recently I’ve been late to the meetings and my superiors have been upset with me.”

“Why have you been late? It can’t be that bad can it?” Iruka poured some tea for them both and place a batch of fresh scones on the table to go with it. Kakashi removed his mask totally relaxed with the other boy knowing no one else would see them in this remote part of the forest.

“I’ve been checking on you and the chibi. They do not like when I tell them that.”

“I haven’t seen you visiting. If you’re going visit knock on the door.” Iruka was exasperated by the older nonchalant attitude as he shrugged. “Well if they are going to be upset with you for being late, at least make up an excuse that will entertain them. You might get yelled at but later they’ll be a mused with the excuse. I use to do that with my parents. Sure they were frustrated with me but later I would see than smile and talk about my wild imagination.”

“I’ll think about. You need more Scones.” The teen shrugged as he finished off the last one. Iruka eyes were wide the 10 scones had been eaten in less the five minutes and the boy didn’t even share.

“HATAKE-SAN!!”

*~*~*~*End Flashback*~*~*~*

“Uh… Well is ….” Kurenai was speechless.

“So noble is My Rival! I shall endeavor to be just as noble a Shinobi as you Kakashi!” Gai declared not seeing it for the joke it was. Genma buried his face in the back of Raido’s vest to muffle his laughter.

“That’s great Gai but we got a job to do.” Asuma said as he handed out assignments. “Three of us are need at the Academy for last minute repairs. The other three are to help in the village.”

“We’ll take the Academy Asuma Chunin do better with civilians.” Kakashi knew that the students would be returning to class today. He wanted a reason to be there so he could be able to be there with Iruka to protect the chibi. He also wanted to at least make sure the first day went smoothly.

“Good cause I’ve been banned from the Academy.”

“What?!” the Kunoichi Screamed.

“The Academy Director Hoishito found out at I was the one who set the fire at graduation. He told me if I ever showed my face at the academy again he’ll set me on fire.” The smoking chunin laughed nervously.

“Fine. We’ll take the village. We’ll see you guys tomorrow same time.”

“Will do.” Radio replied as he detaching his giggling team mate from his jacket. Once the chunins were out of hearing range Raido turn the masked jonin. “You practically jump on the academy job.”

“Iruka is starting the Academy today. Naruto will be with him I just want to make sure the first day goes smoothly.”

“I see, well we better head over class has already started.” The three headed to the academy.

XxXxXxXx

The day was not going well. Sensei Harunato was sneering at him and Naruto the whole lesson. He didn’t even try to stop the spit-wads at him or the tripping as he walked down the isle. Naruto was a good baby he didn’t even cry as long as he could heart Iruka’s heart beat. They were now heading out to the training grounds to practice with the kunai.
He was thankful that Anko Izumo and Kotetsu were by his side.

“Remember everyone we are working with Real Kunai. They are very sharp and if not handled correctly someone could get hurt maybe even killed.”

Iruka didn’t miss the glare in his direction and he didn’t miss the underlining message. ‘Kill the Kyuubi.’ Anko was pissed and gripped her Kunai tighter. Izumo and Kotetsu did the same as they now realized how real the threat on the baby’s life was.

“Alright let’s begin.”

Iruka secured Naruto to hi chest giving him the free use of his arms and not a moment to soon. He lean just far enough back to catch the kunai by the hilt and redirect it at the sender. Then next second he heard a clanking metal from all sides Anko Kotetsu and Izumo were deflecting kunai. It had turned into a fucking Free-for-all attack on the Kyuubi. Iruka shield the Chibi from the Kunai with his own body but it was not enough he took one in the shoulder. Soon it all stopped. Iruka let out a sigh of relief as he saw a familiar Silver hair boy standing in front of him.

“It looks like your class has gotten out of hand Sensei.” Kakashi said lazily. He might have sounded calm but deep down he was fuming. He wasn’t the only one either. Genma and Raido were also pissed. They were on the roof doing repairs when they saw the class leave for the training grounds. Kakashi stopped working so he could see how Young Iruka was fairing but it seemed that all was not well judging from the stiff posture of the pre-genin. Then concern turned to alert when the teacher brought out real Kunai. The young Jonin nearly had a heart-attack when he saw the Kunai almost hit Naruto if it hadn’t been for Iruka’s quick and flexible movement. After the first throw all hell broke loose and the three jonin ran to put a stop to it since the teacher wasn’t going to.

“Oh yes Hatake-san. I’ll make sure the guilty ones who started it will be properly punished.” The teacher pale when he spoke to the Silver-haired jonin. It was well known in the village that the young Genius was the prodigy of the late Yondaime and it was not wise to cross him.

“See that you do.” Kakashi nodded to the other Jonin and they headed back to fixing the roof.

XxXxXxXx

Practice went smoothly after the Kunai assault but not the rest of the day. Once healed, Iruka and his friends were given detention for instigating the fight. Anko would have protested if Kotetsu and Izumo weren’t holding her down with a rag shoved in her mouth. Needless to say once she was free they got the beating of a lifetime.

“Well Chibi that’s the last of it.” Iruka said as he stretched as he stood up from cleaning the floor. He smiled and turned to the bundle of blankets the kept his charge safe. “The others probably all gone home by now. So it’s just you and me walking home.”

“And me.”

“Eek!” Iruka jump so high in fright he stuck to the ceiling automatically channeling chakra into his feet then threw a Kunai at the door where the intruder dodged with ease

“That’s impressive.” Kakashi said as he looked at the Kunai he just barely dodged.

“Hatake-san! You scared me!” the Brown eyed boy glared before jumping down. He mentally cursed himself for letting his guard down “What are you doing here anyway, besides sneaking around the school.”

“We got done early today. How’s the chibi?” Kakashi mumbled uncomfortably taking the weapon out of the door. He was a socially stunted youth and unsure of what to do with himself. He made a promise to his Sensei that he would watch over his son and this boy but that also meant interacting with them and made him terribly uncomfortable.

“He’s fine.” Iruka sighed as he gathered the chibi in his arms. “He slept most of the day. He has no idea what happen today or what’s likely going to happen tomorrow.”

“No, but you do. You’ll be strong for the both of you just like today.” Kakashi said as he put Iruka’s book bag over his shoulder. “Come on I’ll walk you home.”

The two boys walked through the village ignoring the sneers and taunts. Iruka was never so glad he lived in the forest as he was right then. After Kakashi’s second visit Iruka reset the wards and traps to The ANBU’s chakra so didn’t need to take then down and put them back up. Naruto started to fuss the closer they got to home and Iruka just smiled.

“Looks like I’m not the only one hungry.”

“He scrunches his face like Pakkun.” Kakashi commented dropping the book bag on the table

“What is a Pakkun? And don’t throw my bag all my school stuff is in there.” Iruka Scolded making sure Naruto was secure in his bassinet.

“Pakkun is one of my pack pups. I have eight Pakkun is the smallest.”

“You have Nin-ken your lucky I wish I could have a summons.”

“It’s not all fun. My family has a contract with the Dogs but I was to young when I became a genin to handle a pack. The Elder of the Dogs gave me pack of pups this year they can’t do much.” Kakashi shrugged as he sifted throw the stuff that fell out of the school bag.

“Shouldn’t you have your Pack with you to train as they grow? Hatake-san get out of my bag.” The young jonin’s head whipped up to see the pre-genin still had his back to him and was making dinner.

“Yeah I guess but I haven’t had time to with the war and everything.” The silver haired teen replied wondering how Iruka knew he was going through his bag.

“You can train them here there is plenty of room here and no one really comes out here so you can has privacy.” Iruka busied himself with dinner and warming a bottle for Naruto.

“I guess.” Kakashi said picking up an orange book that fell out of the school bag.

“HATAKE-SAN!” The brown haired boy turned to ask if Kakashi would like tea only to find the teen holding the Icha Icha Paradise book he got from school.

“What’s this?”

“It’s nothing!” Iruka tried to take the book back but the Jonin was faster.

“My Teammate use to carry a similar book before he died, but he never let me see it.” Kakashi examined the book keeping it out of the smaller boy’s reach.

“That’s because it’s not an appropriate book to have!” the pre-genin jumped at the Jonin trying to get the book back.

“If it’s not appropriate then why do you have it?” Now Kakashi was curious and began to read the orange book.

“Because my last Baka Sensei didn’t know how to answer the question ‘Where do babies come from?’ He bought the whole class porn so he wouldn’t have to answer the question!” Iruka was blushing so bad he gave up trying to get the book back and buried his face in his hands.

“Interesting.” Kakashi’s eye widen as he read more.

Before the pre-genin could retort Naruto made it known that he was hungry. Leaving the older boy in the world of Icha Icha Iruka feed the chibi and continued to make their dinner. It had been a long day and even though his company was absorbed in porn he was glad not to be alone. He was still in deep mourning for his parents but Naruto and Kakashi occupied his mind. They distracted him from his loneliness and they need him as well. It had only been two weeks since the Kyuubi attack their world had changed. It would be a long time before any of them would feel Normal or safe again.

“Hatake-san, dinner is ready.” Iruka set the plate before the older teen and one for himself.

“Kakashi. Arigato Iruka-san.” Kakashi slipped the Icha Icha into his nin pack and nodded his thanks.

“Huh?”

“Call me Kakashi. I don’t care too much for formal titles. Plus I have been over here almost every day for two weeks. I think we can drop the formality.

“Alright, Kakashi-san.” Iruka smiled shyly. Maybe there was hope for them after all. They just needed to take it one baby step at a time.


A/N: Okay Still I haven’t finished with MCD Chapter 16 and I have run out of time here in Arizona while visiting my family. I am now moving and will Not have Internet for a while but hopefully when I do get it the next chapter of MCD and MDL will be ready to post. Thanks for reading keep reviewing.