A Family of their Own

Chapter 4--Naruto's Birthday


A/N: I'd like to thank ALL the reviewers so far.
And for this latest chapter:

Anise: Ramble away! I truly appreciate it.

HumanInfiltrator: Thank you. My mom wanted me to be an English Major (i.e.
journalist), but I went in a different direction. lol.

Lemon Drops: Praise from you is praise indeed. I've read some of your stories on AFF
as well as on other sites. You're really good.

lo: Thank you! Chibi Naruto's speech and actions were taken in part from my own
children's.

Lawliet: Thanks! And who knows?

Laie: I'd let you.

XZanayu: Thanks! Writing as often as I can.

DirewolfLilith: Glad you like it. Stalker, huh? ^__^


Now on with the fic.


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The day dawned bright and cool. Iruka could hear the villagers as they went about
setting things up for the festival. He intended to surprise Naruto, so he made the
boy pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream. Kakashi would be by later to take
the boy out to the forest to see if he could use his chakra. They didn't want to take
any chances on the villagers seeing the child today. Who knew what might happen?
While they were gone, Iruka planned to bake the cake and put up the decorations. He
intended to hide the fact from the chibi that it was his birthday, although Naruto
would probably guess once he saw the village.

"Awuta. *yawn* What dat smell? It make mes hungwy!" Spotting the steaming plate of
food, Naruto ran to his seat. "Itadakimasu!" he exclaimed happily, as he dug in.

Iruka watched in amusement. The red from the berries and the white from the whipped
cream made the boy look like a painted clown. When the plate had been wiped clean,
Iruka picked up his camera and took a picture. Then he grabbed a wet dishtowel and
wiped the mess from the child's face, Naruto scrunching his nose in distaste.

"Awuta! I's fine! Stop!" Little hands batted at the ninja's to no avail. Knowing
he had lost this round, Naruto pouted and crossed his arms.

Finally satisfied the boy was clean, Iruka let him leave the table. He gathered the
dishes, put them in the sink, and washed them while the tiny blond played with his fox
plushie on the floor. Done, he picked up Naruto and took him into their room to get
him dressed for the day. Black shorts and t-shirt soon adorned the hyperactive blond.

Iruka began to clean the apartment in preparation for the party. He wasn't sure if
anyone would come, but he had invited some of his co-workers and students. He hoped
some would show up, for Naruto's sake.

~~~~~~

Kakashi had risen early in order to visit the memorial before the crowds came. He
liked the peace and solitude when he spoke to his former sensei and teammate; he could
pretend they were still there. This morning he had alot to tell Arashi-sensei. He
started by saying how much he missed him. Then he went on to tell him all about the
small boy he had befriended, Uzumaki Naruto.

He spoke of how the villagers didn't appreciate the boy, and abused him every chance
they got. How a young chuunin sensei at the academy had taken responsibility for the
child. Kakashi also said that while the village would be celebrating the defeat of
the kyuubi, he and Iruka would be celebrating Naruto's birthday, his very first happy
one. He told the Yondaime he planned to take the chibi out to test his chakra
abilities, and get to know him better. By the time he headed to Iruka's to get the
blond, he was feeling better than he had since his sensei's death; so much so that he
had forgotten to feel guilty about Obito's death.

~~~~~~

Iruka had just finished his chores when someone knocked at his door. It was too early
for the copy-nin; that man was never on time. Apprehensively, he approached the door.
"Who is it?" he called nervously.

No verbal reply was given; instead, a small burst of chakra was felt. Quickly the
brunette opened the door, surprised to see the silver-haired jounin. He was given a
one-eyed smile as Kakashi pushed past him into the room.

"How long do you need me to keep him occupied?" he whispered to the chuunin, pressing
close to the younger nin.

A slight flush appeared across Iruka's nose and cheeks. He managed to stammer out a
time, and Kakashi nodded. Pulling down his mask, he gave the chuunin a chaste kiss on
the lips, then turned to look for the birthday boy.

He located him curled in a chair, plushie clutched to his chest, asleep. Eyebrow
raised, he looked at Iruka questioningly.

"Heheh, he's been playing since breakfast; I guess, combined with a full stomach, it
tired him out. You can go ahead and take him, though. It would probably be easier to
sneak him out of the village like this." Iruka scratched at the back of his neck, his
anxiety obvious. He was standing next to his crush and Naruto was asleep. He wanted
more than anything, at that moment, to fling himself at the jounin and feel those lips
against his once more. No, it was Naruto's special day, so he would control himself.
Blushing deeply, he pulled the mask back into place, and gave Kakashi a shy smile.

"You better hurry before he wakes up." He walked over and lifted the blond into his
arms, then carried him to the jounin. Kakashi took the boy, and with a flash of
seals, he and Naruto were gone.

~~~~~~

Naruto woke to the sound of running water and birds singing. He opened sleep-hazed
blue eyes. The first thing he noticed was the long leg stretching out from under his
head. Quickly turning to see who it was, he came face to face with the smiling eye
and masked face of Hatake Kakashi. "Tatashi? What you doing here? Where is we at?"
He sat up and gazed at his surroundings. "Why's we in da fowest? Where Awuta?"

Kakashi put away the book he'd been reading while waiting for Naruto to waken. "Ah,
well, I came to see if we could train today. Iruka said to go ahead and take you, and
we could do it after you woke up. That's why we're here; Iruka had some other things
to do today. Well, do you want to get started?" He gave the little boy a
crinkly-eyed smile.

True to his nature, Naruto jumped up, grinning from ear to ear. "Hai!" he yelled.

Thus, the training session began.


~~~~~~

Kakashi was amazed. The child had seemed tireless, determined to do everything the
jounin asked of him to the best of his ability. He hadn't been very good, but he had
heart; Kakashi would give him that. Now, he was sitting leaning against the tree
again with the chibi asleep in his lap. They still had a couple of hours to waste, so
he pulled out his orange book and began to read.

~~~~~~

Iruka really didn't expect anyone to show for the party, so he was mildly surprised
when there was a knock at his door. He opened it to find Raidou and Genma, followed
by Gai, and a couple of his first year students. "Welcome! I...I wasn't expecting
anyone...so soon. Come on in! Have a seat. Naruto is out training with Hatake-san,
but they should be back soon. Can I get you anything? Tea? Sake? Well, obviously
not for you, Neji-kun, or you, Lee-kun. What would you boys like?" A blush had
spread over his cheeks and nose when he realized his error, and stayed while he
hurried to the kitchen to put water on to boil. "There's chips and other snacks in
here; help yourselves," he called. Why were Neji and Lee here? Sure, he had
mentioned to his class that he was going to give the little blond a party, but he
hadn't expected his students to be allowed to come. Most parents told their children
to stay away from Naruto. His unasked question was answered when the two boys entered
the kitchen.

Neji calmly walked up next to his sensei. Just as calmly, he stated, "Hiashi-sama
thinks I'm training with Lee. You won't tell him I'm here, will you?"

Iruka looked at the solemn youngster. "Not if you don't want me to, Neji-kun. Um,
Lee-kun, where do your folks think you are? Training with Neji?"

The five-year-old instantly replied, "No, sensei. I don't have parents. My guardians
do think I'm training, though. They don't pay much attention to me." Lee had a smile
on his face as if this was a good thing. Maybe it was.

"Since you're here, enjoy yourselves. There's plenty of food, and there are toys in
the bedroom." He handed each boy a cup of fragrant tea, warning them to be careful,
it was hot. He grabbed a bottle of sake and some cups, and went into the livingroom.

The three adults stopped talking as Iruka entered the room. Iruka got the feeling
they had been discussing Naruto and/or himself. He gave a mental shrug; people were
going to talk no matter what. He handed out the cups and filled them.

"So," Gai started, "Kakashi is teaching Naruto-kun? When will they be returning?"

Iruka looked at his clock. "They should be back any time now. I told them to be back
by three, and it's almost that now. Then again, we ARE talking about Kakashi-san."

All four ninja laughed; Kakashi hadn't been on time for anything in the last few
years. Genma and Raidou knew the reason, but it wasn't for them to tell. They
chatted about missions and stupid things they had witnessed villagers and shinobi
alike engaged in. Iruka told them about his students, stating the Hyuuga was the
brightest in his class. Lee was promising in taijutsu, but had little chakra so Iruka
wasn't sure he'd graduate. He was in the midst of telling an amusing tale about one
of the class clowns when the door opened and in walked Kakashi, carrying a sleepy blue
eyed blond.

On seeing other people in the room, Naruto became alert. Why were they there? He
remembered all the kindnesses each had given him. Struggling free of Kakashi's arms,
he ran first to Iruka, hugging him tightly. "Awuta, you nebber guess what we done!
We make blue stuffs! It wuth, was, fun! Tatakshi help mes!" The excited chibi
stared around at the men, his eyes glowing with happiness. "He help mes say his name
better, too! Whys yous all here?" He tilted his head cutely as he gazed at the three
older ninja, eyes full of curiosity.

Raidou took the initiative. "We came to see you, Naruto-kun. Happy Birthday!" The
well-wishes were echoed by the others. Neji and Lee came out of the bedroom to add
theirs also.

Naruto stared at each in turn. It was his birthday, and they all wanted to be with
him? Tears filling his eyes, he ran to give each a hug.

Neji looked alarmed when the blond neared him. Reaching into his pocket, he swiftly
pulled out a small package and shoved it at Naruto. His face pink, he couldn't look
the smaller boy in the eye. He stared at the floor, waiting for the baka to take his
present.

"Um, whys you wed, Neji-san?" Naruto made no move to take the offered gift. It
wasn't like he had ever received one before, after all; he had no clue that it was for
him.

Face practically glowing from the heat of his blush, Neji growled, "Don't ask stupid
questions. Take your birthday present, Naruto, and open it."

The little blond followed the older boy's instructions. Inside the box was a silver
chain with a fox pendant.

"I just thought you might like it since you always carry that fox plushie everywhere,"
the Hyuuga mumbled. He wasn't used to giving gifts to people, especially other boys.

Iruka walked over to see the necklace. "It's beautiful, Neji-kun! Tell him 'Thank
you', Naruto." He waited until the child had done so, then offered to help Naruto put
it on.

That was only the first gift the blond was to receive this day. Everyone had brought
him something: toys from the older nins; clothes from Iruka; a plastic, weighted kunai
from Kakashi; and a cup of ramen from Lee. Lee had seemed embarrassed that he hadn't
been able to get anything better, but Naruto's enthusiasic response to it eased his
mind. Other than the necklace, the blond appeared to like his present best.

The three boys carried all of Naruto's new possessions to his room, where they stayed
to play. The five ninja sat in the livingroom drinking sake, telling stories and
laughing. Iruka finally called everyone to the kitchen for cake, and explained to the
happy birthday boy the tradition of making a wish and blowing out the candles. That
done, they all ate with gusto.

Neji and Lee left soon after to attend the festivities with their respective families.
The three older shinobi also took their leave after giving more birthday wishes to the
blond. Finally, it was just Naruto, Iruka and Kakashi left. Kakashi offered to clean
up, while Iruka got Naruto bathed and ready for bed. It had been a long day for the
boy, and he was beginning to tire.

Naruto was sleepy again, but happy, too. This was the first time that no one had been
mean to him on his birthday. Maybe birthdays weren't so bad. He didn't fight about having a bath, and afterwards gave Kakashi a hug, before Iruka tucked him in bed for the
night.

Once assured the child was out, Iruka went and collapsed on the couch. Kakashi joined
him. Iruka glanced at the older teen and blushed shyly. Next thing he knew, he was
enveloped in a warm embrace and soft lips were pressed to his own.

A tiny moan escaped the chuunin, fueling the ardor of the silver-haired teen. He
nibbled Iruka's bottom lip, seeking entrance. Tentatively, the brunette's lips parted
and Kakashi pushed his tongue through them, tasting the sweet cake still lingering on
Iruka's tongue. He could get used to this! The chuunin smelled and tasted heavenly.

The compliant body shifted against him, seeking to get closer. The jounin pulled
Iruka into his lap with the younger nin straddling him. As he leaned in to capture
those lips once more, their groins accidentally pressed together, making him moan
softly.

Iruka pulled back with a gasp, looking down at his body in surprise. Being a normal
hormonal teenager, he wasn't naive to the joys of masturbation. Somehow, though, this
felt even better! He wanted more of this feeling! Leaning in to kiss Kakashi, he
purposely rubbed his crotch into the older teen's. Both let out heated groans. Soon,
Iruka was thrusting back and forth at a steady rate, reveling in the sensations
threatening to overwhelm him. Heat pooled low in his gut; he broke off the kiss and
increased his pace.

Kakashi was thrilled by the brunette's reaction to what they were doing. He bucked
his hips into each of Iruka's thrusts, letting the friction drive him towards his
peak. When Iruka pulled back, Kakashi attacked his neck, sucking and kissing it. As
he climaxed, he bit down on the junction of shoulder and neck to keep from screaming
out.

Iruka showed no such restraint. When he felt teeth sink into his flesh, he came with
a loud cry. As the spasms of pleasure subsided, he smiled down at Kakashi and gave
him a chaste kiss. He slipped off the other's lap, pulling the older nin to his feet.
He led the way to the bathroom, where he handed Kakashi a towel, while he went to his
bedroom. He soon returned with two clean pairs of boxers and an apologetic smile.
"Kakashi, you're welcome to spend the night if you want. I...I mean..." Iruka's face
was beet-red, and he couldn't finish.

The older teen took the offered boxers and slipped them on. Of course, he'd stay! He
looked forward to the chance to hold the cute chuunin all night. He watched as Iruka
got cleaned up and changed, then taking the youth's hand, let the shy boy lead him to
the bedroom. They were soon snuggled under the covers spooned together, Kakashi's
arms locked around his love. Brushing a kiss on the back of Iruka's neck, he closed
his eyes, letting sleep claim him.

********
A/N: Happy Mother's Day! Hope you enjoyed this.