Life's a Dance

Okay so here's my new story. I have about roughly about twenty chapters, possibly more, planned for this. Thanks again to moodysavage for being my BETA.
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Naruto Uzumaki had never been in a situation like this before. Sure he had been to the hospital multiple times, but that was when he injured himself doing some stupid stunt to show off for his friends. But he had never been there for someone else before. It made him wonder how his adoptive fathers handled it.

His godson, Konohamaru Sarutobi, had been in surgery for hours. The boys’ parents were pronounced dead on arrival. Asuma and Kurenai Sarutobi had been good friends of Naruto’s family. When it was evident that Naruto was Konohamaru’s idol, they made the blond the kids’ godfather. The police had already explained that the kid was to be under his custody. The Sarutobi’s had no one else that could take Konohamaru. His grandfather had passed away the year before.

Naruto rubbed the sleep that threatened to take over from his eyes. He’d been there since noon and it was now going on nine at night. He had partied hard the night before since it was graduation. The blond had skipped out on his own college graduation to be here. Kakashi Hatake and Iruka Umino arrived shortly after he did. Naruto was thankful for his fathers.

Naruto stared up at the doors to the surgery waiting room. He was hoping that a doctor would walk through them soon. They had told Naruto that Konohamaru had some internal bleeding and they were doing their best to stop it. The doctors had told him that the surgery would only last three hours at most, but there were complications after they began.

The blond didn’t know what he would do if he lost the little firecracker. Konohamaru had always looked up to him and was always there. The now eight year old was like the little brother Naruto never had and the blond cherished him. Naruto tucked his head between his hands and closed his eyes for a moment.

“Just relax Naruto.” Kakashi’s voice was smooth and his hand was drawing lazy circles on the blonds back.

“It’s hard Dad. I can’t do anything for him but sit in this room and just wait.” Naruto sighed.

“It’s hard Naruto I won’t lie to you about that. Iruka and I have years of experience with you. It’s not going to be easy to take care of him.” Kakashi went on.

“I’m not gonna leave him with a foster family. You know how they treat kids.” The blond snarled.

“I didn’t say you had to do that Naruto. I just want you to be prepared for what will be in store for you when Konohamaru is healthier.” The silver haired man took his arm from Naruto’s back as the younger man sat up straight.

Naruto was found first outside of the Konoha Orphanage one night. The little bundle didn’t have a note, just a bracelet with his first name engraved on it. The orphanage owner had taken him in and treated Naruto fairly well until the blond was adopted at age four by a man named Kyuubi Uzumaki.

Naruto had stayed with the man for two years before it was discovered that the man was a serial killer. He had used the blond four year old as a way to murder his victims. After Naruto was returned to the orphanage, people hated him for something he had no control over. He had no idea what a killer was or what he was being shunned for. He had tried many times to change his last name, but was always refused.

“You’re not like him so stop thinking about that monster Naruto.” Iruka said as he got up and stretched his cramped body.

Naruto turned his blue eyes up to Iruka and smiled. “Thanks Papa. I just wish they would tell us something! I need to get home and start applying for jobs. I can’t be jobless with a kid.”

Iruka shook his head at his sons’ eagerness. It was a good sign that Naruto was accepting what had happened earlier that day. He’d been watching the blond for any signs of a breakdown and so far Naruto hadn’t shown any.

“It’ll be fine Naruto. We’ll help you any way that we can.” Iruka commented as he started to pace the waiting room. They were the only ones in the waiting room. Naruto’s friends had stopped by earlier and stayed for a little bit before heading home.

Blue eyes snapped up to the doors as a doctor entered the room. Naruto held his breath as the doctor pulled their mask down. “He pulled through just fine brat. He’ll be in ICU for a few days so we can monitor him. You can visit him now since you’re his legal guardian. You can come back again in the morning. He should be conscious.”

“Thanks old hag!” Naruto burst out as he hugged the busty blonde woman.

Dr. Tsuande Sannin’s eyebrow twitched when Naruto uttered those words, but she refrained from punching the young man like she normally would have done. It was only because Naruto had been through so much today that she didn’t follow through. She had been his doctor ever since he had been adopted by the Hatake/Umino household and had a soft spot for the brat.

“Follow me and I’ll show you where his room is.” Tsunade said as she pulled out of the hug and made her way to the ICU.

“Will there be any complications?” Naruto asked as he fell in step beside her.

“No he’s lucky. He broke his left arm, but it was clean.” Tsunade stated as they came to the ICU. “I need you to wash your hands and put these scrubs and mask on before you go into the room. We can’t risk an infection right now since he’s so young.” Tsunade said as she handed Naruto a pile of scrubs.

Naruto nodded his head and did as Tsunade instructed. When he was finished, he wearily approached the door that led into Konohamaru’s room. He took a deep breath behind the mask, opened the door and stepped into the room.

Konohamaru was pale, that was the first thing the blond noticed. The next thing Naruto noticed was how small the brunet kid on the bed appeared. The new guardian shivered as he took in the various tubes running into Konohamaru’s body. Naruto felt sick to his stomach as he saw his godson just laying here. He briefly wondered if this was how Iruka and Kakashi felt when he was younger and in the hospital.

Naruto scooted closer to the bed and gently grasped Konohamaru’s smaller hand in his own. The blonds gaze softened as he took in the kids face. It seemed that the glass had missed his face bar a few places on his forehead. Naruto’s left hand flew up to his own cheek and his fingers grazed the scars there.

He sighed as he lowered his left hand. He hoped that being Konohamaru’s guardian didn’t make things harder for the kid. Naruto remembered what school was like when the other students found out about his past. Kids were cruel. Naruto didn’t care what anyone would say. The blond had a hard time trusting others and it had taken him two years to make friends.

Naruto stood there for a few more minutes before letting go of Konohamaru’s hand and making his way back to the room that he prepared himself in. After he stepped through the doors he began to take off the scrubs and the mask. He smiled weakly at Tsunade.

“I assume you’ll be here in the morning then?” She asked as the blond placed the scrubs in a bin.

“Yeah, and then I’ll take off in the afternoon to do some job searching. What’s paying his medical bills right now?” Naruto asked as he worried his bottom lip.

“His father’s insurance policy, you won’t have to worry about the hospital bills. Everything is covered. You will need to make funeral arrangements. There’s no one else. I’m sure that Kakashi and Iruka would be more than willing to help you with your plans.”

Naruto gave her a weak smile. “Thank you Tsunade. I know Konohamaru is in good hands.”

Tsunade only nodded her head as Naruto left the small room. The blond made his way back to the waiting room and signaled to his fathers that he was ready to leave. The two men immediately left their seats and followed Naruto out of the hospital in silence.

When they came to the parking lot, it was Kakashi who spoke first. “Do you want one of us to drive for you?”

Naruto sighed. “Nah, I’ll be fine. I’ll call you when I get to the apartment.”

The blond gave each of his fathers a hug and dove into his bright orange Cobalt. He started it up and waved at his parents as he pulled out of the parking lot. The blond made a list of everything he had to change in the apartment for Konohamaru. He also knew that he should retrieve the kid’s things from his house as well.

Naruto continued his list of things when he pulled into the apartment parking lot. He shut the car off and rested his head against the steering wheel. He knew that his best friend would be full of questions. He hoped that the bastard had gone to one of the many parties that would be raging over in the student apartments.

The blond unlocked the door to his apartment and sighed when he realized that Sasuke Uchiha was indeed home. It brought up warring emotions within Naruto. He wanted to be alone but knew that Sasuke wouldn’t do that. Sometimes he hated the bastard.

“How’s Konohamaru?” Sasuke’s voice was soft and concerned.

Naruto couldn’t help himself; he flung his body against Sasuke’s much larger frame and clung to his best friend. “He had internal bleeding and they had to do surgery to stop it. There’re all kinds of wires Sas’ke.” Naruto burrowed his head into the Uchiha’s chest.

“I’m guessing that Tsunade is taking care of him.” Sasuke said as he ran his hand through Naruto’s blond spikes.

“Yeah, the old hag said he’ll pull through just fine. It was Asuma and Kurenai that took most of the damage. He only broke his arm. I gotta find a job soon. I need to support him.” Naruto mumbled.

Sasuke sighed as he pulled away from the smaller man and led him to their couch. He sat down and pulled the blond to him, settling him in his lap. “I can help you get an interview with my brother. He needs a secretary or personal assistant as the correct terminology states. But it will be up to how well you interview and him if you’re hired. You should still look around for jobs though just in case you’re not hired.”

Naruto let a small smile cross his features. “Thanks. I know how much you hate asking your brother for a favor. I want to be able to make Konohamaru comfortable after everything that’s happened. I want to be a good guardian…” He didn’t continue, knowing that Sasuke would pick up what was unsaid.

Sasuke returned to running his hand through Naruto’s hair. “You will be moron. Just don’t ask me to babysit for you. Do you want a rundown of things not to say or do to Itachi?”

Naruto snorted. “I know you bastard. And from what I’ve heard you’re both alike.” Naruto’s tone was teasing, letting Sasuke know that he wasn’t serious.

“Whatever moron, maybe I should take back my offer. Who knows what Itachi will ask for in return?” Sasuke said as he stopped his hand.

“Please Sasuke! I promise I won’t crack anymore jokes!” Naruto said as he pulled back and gave the Uchiha a small pout.


Sasuke sighed like it was a chore to talk. “Fine. First thing is to always knock and announce your presence before you enter his office. There have been many people who have not gotten an interview because they just walked into the office when the secretary told them too. When addressing him, always do so as sir or Mr. Uchiha. He will not tolerate you using his first name. Sit still during the interview, he does not like fidgeting people. He interprets fidgeting as a sign not to trust someone. When he asks questions, tell the truth even if it’s about your personal life. Itachi likes to run the company twenty four-seven.”

When Sasuke didn’t say anything more Naruto spoke. “Is that why I never met him? Because he was always so busy?”

“Yes. But if you remember those rules you’ll be fine.”

“M’kay. Is he more of a bastard than you?” Naruto’s voice was so low that Sasuke almost didn’t catch the question.

“Yes,” Sasuke chuckled. “He is. But you should have a Masters by now in dealing with bastards.”

“Yeah I guess so. I wanna sleep now Sas’ke. I wanna see Konohamaru tomorrow.” Naruto said as he removed himself from his more than comfortable seat.

“You gonna be okay?” Sasuke asked. He knew that Naruto suffered from nightmares and sometimes needed the Uchiha there to chase them away.

Naruto waved his hand. “Yeah, I don’t want dog breath to come in here and bark at me ‘cause he thinks we got drunk and banged one another.”

Sasuke chuckled. “You’re probably right, but still. He has to understand that you need comfort from time to time.”

“I’ll be fine Sasuke.” Naruto gave him a small smiled before taking off to his room and getting ready to sleep for the night.

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Naruto tried to keep the smile on his face as he entered Konohamaru’s room. Tsunade had told him that the kid knew his parents were dead. The boy hadn’t responded to the news at all. He’d just shut in on himself. Konohamaru was old enough to know what death meant.

“Hey brat. Nice to see you’re awake.” Naruto said as he grabbed a chair and pulled it up to the bed, sitting down in it.

Konohamaru didn’t say anything. He sat in the bed and just stared. Naruto sighed as he leaned back. “Listen, I don’t know what it’s like to lose parents. I never had any when I was dropped off at the orphanage. But you have to say something Konohamaru. I don’t care if you want to let a curse word out.”

Tears began to swell in the dark brown eyes as the kid began to cry. He didn’t say anything as Naruto gently climbed on the bed and cradled him the best he could. Naruto soothed Konohamaru as the kid cried. The blond was careful not to jar the tubes that ran into Konohamaru’s body.

The sobs subsided after a few minutes. “Feel any better?” Naruto asked softly.

“Yeah…but it still hurts.” Konohamaru sniffled.

Tsunade entered the room. “Alright brats, here’s the deal. Konohamaru has to stay here one more night. Just because he came out of surgery and woke up the next day doesn’t mean that everything is hunky dory. Naruto I believe you have plans to attend to.” Tsunade raised her hand as Naruto began to protest. “The crying fit that Konohamaru just had will have tired him out. He’s still weak and needs to rest. You got to see that he’s okay for now and you should go.”

“Okay.” Naruto got up from the bed, again making sure that he didn’t jar the tubes. “I’ll be back tomorrow Konohamaru. I’m going to get your things and move them into the apartment.”

“What do you mean?” Konohamaru asked.

“You didn’t tell him?” Naruto looked to Tsunade. When she shook her head, the blond turned back to his charge. “I’m your legal guardian now. I’ll be taking care of you instead of you going to the orphanage.”

“Really?” Konohamaru gave him a shaky smile.

“Yeah, you don’t have to worry about going to some strange person’s house now. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that said Naruto left the room and waited out in the hallway for Tsunade.

“I know that things will be hard for him since his parents are gone. But how will I deal with his anger?” Naruto asked Tsunade as she stepped into the hallway.

“That’s something I can’t tell you Naruto. I know you don’t like psychologists so the only other advice I can give you is to go with your instincts. It will take some time for him to completely open up. Just be there for him.” Tsunade said as she leaned against the wall behind her.

“When will he be discharged?”

“More than likely next week, you have time to get things in order. I take it you let Iruka and Kakashi handle the funeral arrangements?”

“Yeah, they didn’t mind. I couldn’t handle it.” Naruto sighed.

“Well you better get going. You just became a single father.” Tsunade grinned as she pushed herself from the wall and disappeared down the hallway.

The blond smiled as he watched Tsunade stalk down the hall. He took a deep breath and made his own way out of the hospital. He had a resume to edit and e-mail to Itachi. Sasuke had talked to his brother earlier that morning and he’d said that he would have to see a resume before he would consider hiring Naruto. The blond thanked his lucky stars that he only had to edit it. If he’d had to whip up a resume he would have groaned.

It didn’t take long to make his way back to the apartment. When Naruto entered the apartment, he noticed that Sasuke was gone and the blond thanked his lucky stars. He may love the bastard, but sometimes the Uchiha was too much. Sasuke had hovered over him all night and part of the morning. Naruto knew he had been worried, but he didn’t need to be coddled.

Naruto pulled his laptop off the coffee table and fired it up. He wanted to get this resume edited and sent in by at least two. He wanted to show Itachi that he was able to be prompt and didn’t mess around.

Naruto leaned back into his couch as it took the laptop a few minutes to boot up. He had talked to Sasuke about moving out so that Konohamaru could move in. The apartment complex they lived in wasn’t specifically for college students so Naruto didn’t have to worry about moving.

When the blond pulled himself away from the back of the couch he noticed his laptop was booted and ready. He grinned as he found his resume icon and opened it up. He cracked his fingers and began to add his graduation date, degree, and skills to the resume.

The blond hummed to himself as it didn’t take him long to finish up and save his work. He quickly scanned the document and was happy when he saw no mistakes. He quickly opened the internet browser and accessed his e-mail. He ignored the messages in his inbox and created a new message. He quickly entered Itachi’s e-mail address from the post it note that Sasuke left for him. Naruto attached the document and typed a short message. He hesitated for a moment before hitting the send button. Naruto grinned as he reclined back in the couch, taking a few moments to finally relax.