Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Life for a Life ❯ Encounter Part 2 ( Chapter 17 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

I do not own Naruto

Rasengan 86…-I told you I had put some thought into it.

Zephyrsky…-That is just my theory essentially and it is correct what you have stated. But according to sources, the Hyuugas and Uchihas do share common ancestry. And the connection between Sasuke and Naruto…I ain't spilling giggles

Chapter 17

Watching as his son runs away from his presence, Arashi moves to go after him. His feet moving, he is stopped by Kakashi who appears directly in his path, with Sakura beside him.

“Don't Arashi-san…” The pink haired medic states softly. “Let us go…”

“What…why…?” He asks, his own eyes focused entirely on that fading figure in orange and black.

“We know him…” Is all Kakashi says quietly. “If anything he is running to think, to figure stuff out.”

Listening to their words, Arashi sighs and looks away as both disappear. If anybody would know his son, it would be these two individuals. Ino had told him that Kakashi, Sakura, and the one known as Sasuke were among the first to accept Naruto for who he was. Even Iruka, his first teacher, despite everything, that he had stacked against him and was the only one who did so until these three did. They became his family, when he couldn't be there.

“A..arashi-san…Naruto-kun will come to you, you will see.” Hinata smiled gently as both her and Ino approach. His blue eyes sad and lonely, yearning for a touch of family, both girls' maternal sides for a lack of a better word come out. Wrapping their arms around him a hug, Arashi feels the comforting reassurance that they off.

And which he desperately needs…

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Sakura and Kakashi, had fetched Iruka as they went after their friend and teammate. The three of them splitting up to search for the youth in all his favorite hang outs, it takes two hours of searching before the brunette finds his pupil atop the Hokage monument.

“Naruto…”

Startled by Iruka's presence, as he had been caught off guard, Naruto gives a little sigh of relief. “For a moment there I thought it was him…”

“Arashi-san…?”

“You knew!” The blonde replied with anger and then despair as he looks away. “I can't be that freaking dense! Everyone else knew before me!”

“Not everyone knows yet Naruto…Tsunade has managed to keep it a secret so far. Not only to protect you and him, but to also give him time, to heal to be as he once was.”

“What do you mean Iruka-sensei?”

Iruka sighs and begins to tell his former student everything as he sits down. Talking about the medical records and everything that has happened since Arashi woke up in the hospital. As Naruto listens, he feels some sorrow and even some pity for the man he knows is his father…

“So he wanted to see me…”

“Yes from the very beginning. Ever since he woke up before your return with Jiriaya…his thoughts have been on you. He tried to fight his way out of the hospital once.” Iruka laughs. “You saw the results of that.”

Lost for a moment, his eyes widen as he remembers that day at the hospital where nearly two floors of the east wall had been blown out by some kind of explosion.

“He did THAT!”

Chuckling at the wide eyed expression on Naruto's face, the older man laughs warmly. “Yeah he did, maybe you should tell him you were impressed…”

“I…I don't know if I can talk to him Iruka-sensei. I mean when I was trying to get Sasuke back, he asked my why you know. Why couldn't I understand his loss, his pain…. I told him yes, I couldn't, but then I had always wondered.”

“Wondered what Naruto?”

Sighing the boy looks out towards the distant forest, his memories reflecting on that day, his pain evident in his eyes. “Being with you growing up, Iruka-sensei…I had often wondered if it was like being with a father…”

Iruka smiles gently, feeling honored that the youth beside him had felt such a connection to him. Listening as he continues to speak, he feels his heart break and sadness at his next confession.

“And Sasuke…I had often wondered if being with him…was like being with a brother…” The youth replies sadly. “That's why when I admitted that, and watched him put on his protector…”

“You knew he returned those feelings…he respected you…”

Watching as Naruto nods his head in response; he smiles gently and wraps an arm around the boy in a comforting hug. Giving the youth time to let his emotions out concerning his missing friend…

After a while, Naruto straightens himself out somewhat and looks at Iruka with fear in his eyes. “What if he doesn't like me Iruka…my father?”

“Tell me did you see that in his eyes when you saw him Naruto…?”

“No.”

“Then what did you see?”

Thoughtful at Iruka's question, the youth closes his eyes to remember. Opening them once more, he answers quietly. “I saw longing…and love.”

“He loves you Naruto, we all told him about you and the stuff you accomplished. He was proud…”

“Proud….”

Somehow, deep in his heart, Iruka knows that this is the time to leave now. Giving a reassuring squeeze on Naruto's shoulder, he leaves the youth alone. But not before Naruto asks one question that the boy fears…

“Would you guys…stop hanging around me if I did or didn't?”

“No…we wouldn't Naruto, we are your friends and as you said so yourself, we are also your family. It's just now you have someone who has known and loved you since you were born…and wanting to get to know you. Give him a chance…”

Walking away neither Iruka now Naruto notices, the older man who needed to think himself had come to the monument. And overheard much of a conversation…and although a little jealous of Iruka, he is also grateful.

“Thankyoufor being there for my son…” Arashi said softly.