Bloodlines

Chapter 7
Separation


“Alright, we have your pajamas, we have Ramen the lizard, clothes, snacks, Mr. Stripes.” Naruto smiled at the yellow cat, before stuffing it in the bag.

“Did I forget anything?” Naruto glanced up at the sullen little boy, sighing internally. It was times like this when Haku looked so much like Sasuke it was scary. Even the little lizard seemed rather unhappy, lying listlessly on the child’s right shoulder.

“I don’t wanna go to Iruka Sensei’s.” Haku’s small sandals kicked at the dirt, ignoring the bag his father was handing out to him.

“And miss out on the camping trip? I thought you wanted to go, it’s all you’ve talked about for weeks!” Naruto replied, perplexed.

“I wanted to go with you.” A tiny sniffle escaped the fall of dark hair hiding the little face.”

With a sigh, Naruto plopped down in the grass, pulling Mr. Stripes out of the bag and hugging it to his chest.

“I know kid. And I wanted to go with you, but you know how it works. I can’t take you on missions with me kiddo, and when duty calls, I have to go.”

Haku sniffled a little louder, clearly going for the sympathy card and with a small chuckle, Naruto pulled him into his arms. He dreaded having to tell him about the marriage, or that a new person would soon be entering their lives. It had been just Haku and Naruto for so long, he wasn’t sure how Haku would react.

“C’mon kid, you’re going to have a blast! Think of the head start you’ll have when you go to the academy! And Kakashi-sensei is gonna teach you some really neat things!”

Haku pulled back slightly, eyes still gleaming with the threat of more tears. Smiling, Naruto pushed the yellow cat into Haku’s arms. Immediately the child tucked the stuffed toy under his chin.

“What kinda stuff?”

“Really cool stuff, stuff only you can do.” The prospect was tempting, Naruto could see it in Haku’s eyes, but the boy was also stubborn as only a child of Sasuke’s could be.

“I wanna stay with you. You can teach me instead.”

Naruto was flattered, and felt more than a little bad at having to go and miss such an important event. But. .

“It’s only for a couple of weeks, three at the most. You’ll be having so much fun you won’t wanna come home.”

Haku’s face said he clearly didn’t believe him. But he knew he was beat.

“Just a few weeks, then you’ll come back.” It wasn’t a question.

“Right.

“Promise?”

Naruto nodded, grin bright.

“Promise.”

Standing, Naruto took Haku’s hand, and walked him to Iruka’s. Hugs were exchanged, more tears, and a required kiss to both Haku and Mr. Stripes, and waving, Naruto disappeared to meet his teammates.

“Don’t worry Haku-kun. Naruto will be back before you know it.” Iruka murmured softly, cupping the child’s head gently.

With a sigh, Haku turned, hugging Iruka’s leg. Iruka smiled down at him fondly.

“Why does he have to go away all the time?” The words were slightly muffled against Iruka’s pant leg.

“It’s his duty as a ninja of this village.” Iruka replied, pulling the boy up into his arms.

“Soon you’ll understand.”

“When I go to the Academy?” Haku asked, head pressed against Iruka’s shoulder.

“Mmm, that’s where it starts.”

There was a long pause.

“The stuff Kakashi-sensei’s teaching me better be really cool.”

Iruka laughed, and couldn’t help but think that no matter who fathered the child, he was definitely Naruto’s son.

“Don’t worry, it’s the coolest.”