"Guardian of the Fox"

Chapter 11

"Step by step."

Iruka Umino tried to be an understanding teacher.

To take into consideration every child's life situation when coming up with assignments and while grading homework.

Every child is different and, as such, has different needs that need to be tended to for them to grow into a competent shinobi by the end of their education.

There are children that learned to read at an alarming rate but had a lot of problems with simple math equations. Just like there are those that are on the complete opposite spectrum.

There are ones that focus more on the artistic projects than any other class. There are those that can't stand those and turn in less than satisfactory pieces.

And there are those that breeze through everything he teaches like it's as easy as telling them to breathe.

There are times when he's irritated at his pupils, even when deep down he knows they're doing the best they can, but that doesn't mean he's not proud of every single one of them.

Because he is.

He's very very proud of those children, for being able to fulfill their duties consistently despite the constant worry that their parents might die during a mission beyond the border.

The scarred teacher believed that most of them will bring pride to their village once they grow up, and he'll spend his days listening to their accomplishments with the inner satisfaction that he was the one who taught them the values that made them so successful.

But, Iruka thought with a frown, there are also students that hardly seem to be trying at all. Like one Naruto Uzumaki.

Who would rather run around and play stupid pranks on his teachers, than focus on his studies.

It's not that Iruka hated the boy, far from it actually, but he did wish he put more effort into completing his assignments on time, and being more active during lessons.

As his homework left much to be desired, if it was done at all.

Which is why he was so surprised when the whiskered boy's essay was so well written, that he actually asked him to read it aloud to the whole class.

"The appearance of chakra natures is dependent on the amount of nature chakra occurring in the area." Naruto said, sounding very professional, so Iruka knew that he practiced reading the hard words before coming to class. "For example, people with the affinity for fire make up the majority in the Land of Fire, while those with water, Earth and air as their main chakra natures are few and far in between. This is because the Land of Fire is placed in a terrain that possesses a lot of rather active volcanoes, it's air filled to the brim with the fiery chakra which then enters the chakra channels of each child born into the land." The blonde then proceeded to sketch a diagram of the amount of registered fire chakra possessors in the Land of Fire compared to their numbers in other Countries and villages on the blackboard, surprising Iruka even more. "It's a pha-phi-phenomena that has been recorded and documented by scientists and researchers to better understand the people we might be fighting against in the future."

Now he even explained to the class why this assignment was even created, will wonders ever cease?

"In battle anything you learn about your enemy can be used against them. If you know where they're from you can help limit the different possible types of jutsus that could be used against you, at least to a decent degree." Naruto then looked up from his paper. "As a wise man once said 'He who has knowledge, wields power'. The end." And then he bowed.

The class was staring, mouths hanging wide open in shock and no small amount of admiration.

No one believed that this was the same Naruto Uzumaki who just yesterday had trouble writing his name on the board without spelling mistakes.

And stare they did, until Iruka himself stood up from his chair and started to clap his hands in earnest, at that point the entire class stood up, one by one, and gave him a massive standing ovation.

The look on the Uzumaki's face turned from utter shock to a smile that could power the entire village for years. He stood there beaming, his cheeks flushed rosy and a hand scratching his neck in an embarrassed manner.

Finally, the boy had other reasons to be happy and smile, than just ramen.

To Iruka it was beautiful to behold.

"Thank you, Naruto, that was a very well written essay." The teacher cleared his throat once he thought the clapping have gone on long enough. "I don't think we'll have any objections if I say that this is by far the best essay in this assignment and thus fully deserving of the highest grade."

Naruto's eyes went wide.

"REALLY, Iruka-sensei?!" He gasped.

"Really, Naruto." The teacher smiled.

"Even better than Sasuke's?!"

"Well I wouldn't say that Sasuke's essay is lacking in any way," Iruka began, placatingly as he gazed in the direction of the young Uchiha prodigy. "It's just that I believe your amazing progress in studies should be rewarded, that's all."

"It's better than Sasuke's!" But Naruto, predictably, didn't pay attention to his explanation, preferring to instead focus on the 'most important part'. "Ha! Take that, Sasuke!" He yelled, pointing at the Uchiha prodigy, who looked red in the face with anger and shame.

Iruka promised himself that he'll have a little chat with Naruto about boasting once the lesson is over.

"Alright, Naruto, that's enough, go back to your chair."

Thankfully the blonde had enough sense to just listen and do as he's told, thought that did nothing to diminish the enormous smile that was plastered on his face.

Since it was the first time the poor child actually did this well on an assignment, Iruka let it remain that way. For now.

It wouldn't be fair to punish him for doing a good job, after all.

Though, one had to wonder…

What brought on this sudden change?

The teacher decided that he's definitely asking Naruto out on a bowl of celebratory ramen after class to… pick his brain a little.

When the door slammed open with a loud excited "NII-SAN!" echoing through the, admittedly small apartment, Mycroft knew the assignment has been graded.

He chuckled and looked up from the stove he was washing, at the sound of incoming footsteps.

"What is it, Naru-Oof!" Before the red haired boy could finish the sentence, the small yellow ball of energy slammed into him, hands going around his middle in a tight hug. "Well I'm glad to see you too, but what's all the ruckus about?" Mycroft huffed a laugh returning the hug. He kind of missed such greetings honestly.

"I got the highest grade!" Naruto bellowed, pulling out of the hug and rushing to the backpack he must have discarded before slamming into him.

He rummaged in it for a little while before triumphantly pulling out a crumpled piece of paper.

"Look! Look!" Naruto was suddenly right in front of him, enthusiastically pushing the assignment into his face in a way that, even if he wanted to see the teacher's feedback, he couldn't.

"Alright, Naruto, I'll look. Just calm down a little, okay?" Though it was meant to come out stern, the intention was ruined by the chuckles sprinkled between the words.

"Oops! Sorry!" Naruto must have realized his oopsie, because he backed away a bit, and then presented the paper properly. "Here! Look!"

Mycroft smiled, took the paper and affectionately ruffled the golden locks before taking a gander at the assignment.

The teacher, one Iruka Umino, was very impressed with the young Uzumaki's progress and openly praised his ability to search for information not disclosed in the available scrolls. He also mentioned that his writing style also improved a great deal, going from 'barely legible chicken scratch' to 'perfectly average', and it was something Mycroft took great pride in as convincing his new little brother to better his writing was about as easy as convincing his old little brother.

Which is to say "impossible".

"Naruto we really should work on your writing style."

"Why?"

"Because it's hard to read! Like here, your 'm' looks just like your 'w'. How is someone supposed to tell the difference, hm?"

"But an "m" is just like a "w", nii-san! It's just upside down!"

"Oh ha ha, very clever, Naruto, but that's not the point I was trying to make. Are you really going to write all your decrees as Hokage with this chicken scratch?"

"Chicken scratch? But I'm not a chicken, nii-san!"

"Again, very clever, not my point. What will you do once you become Hokage and you have to write something?"

"Can't I just tell my minions to do it? I am Hokage, I can do whatever I want!"

"That's not-"

Sigh.

Or at least it was impossible until the brat saw what his writing looked like.

"Woah! What's that?"

"Hm? Oh that's my practice sheet. I decided to work on my own writing while you were gone, as I've gone quite rusty myself."

"That's how you write?!"

"Er… yes?"

"It's amazing! So loopy and and fancy! More fancy than Sasuke's! I want to write like this too!"

"Are you absolutely sure? It's not an easy style to master…"

"Hai! I'm going to be the fanciest Hokage the village ever saw, Believe it!"

What followed were a few hours of non-stop practice during which they wasted way more paper than Mycroft was comfortable with, but in the end Naruto's writing did indeed look more "loopy and fancy" than at the beginning.

"Well, well… this is high praise indeed." He smiled reaching out and affectionately ruffling the younger boy's hair. "You did well, Naruto. Good job."

The smile on the Uzumaki's face could have powered a small country with it's brightness and Mycroft felt his heart melt a little more.

"Thank you, Nii-san!" He cheered.

"And you said it was the best in the class?" The red haired boy asked walking up to the fridge and sticking the essay on the honorary spot right in the middle with the only magnet they had which was decorated by, what he was earlier informed, was the Uzumaki seal.

"Hai! It was so good it was better than Sasuke's!" Naruto giggle jumping onto a chair.

"Hm," Mycroft hummed thoughtfully as he adjusted the assignment to hang straight. "I'm assuming Sasuke is usually the best in the class."

"Hai!" The boy exclaimed, his face turning into a frown. "Iruka-sensei always says that he's so 'smart' and 'talented' like a 'true Uchiha'." The boy kicked out his feet. "What's so special about him, anyway? He's a jerk!"

"Based on the fact that he's a 'true Uchiha', I'm guessing his family is the reason he's treated differently." Mycroft stated calmly, simultaneously placing a bit of the simple casserole he prepared from what little ingredients the ANBU left him while Naruto was in school, on a plate. "They must be well respected here in Konoha."

"They're the Uchiha Police." The blonde answered, a little distracted by the new food he was witnessing. "They keep the village safe when the Hokage is busy!" When Mycroft placed the plate in front of him, Naruto poked at it with his chopsticks. "What's this, nii-san?"

"It's a chicken casserole." The older boy explained, sitting down in front of him. "One of my favorite dishes. Simple, healthy, easy to make and very nutritious. Better dig in while it's warm."

Naruto, however, poked at the food looking unsure at best. Making Mycroft think that maybe he was a bit too presumptuous when thinking that his new little brother might enjoy chicken just like his old one.

"Do you… not like chicken?"

"I don't know." The blonde admitted, looking up at him. "I never tried it before, I always eat ramen after school." He then brightened up. "But if it's your favorite food then I'm sure I'll love it too, Nii-san!"

The red haired boy couldn't decide whether this information hurt or warmed his heart. Hearing that this poor orphan had nothing to eat but ramen for all his years of living on his own, made his heart clench in sorrow and silent rage at the people that allowed all this to happen.

Swallowing he smiled at the smaller boy and nodded his head.

"Well… you won't know unless you try, so dig in." To add encouragement Mycroft put a fork full of casserole into his mouth. He briefly considered making a content "mmmm" sound after chewing for a little bit but eventually decided it would be overkill. The kid already knew it was one of his favorite dishes after all.

After following in his footsteps Naruto carefully munched on his food, seeming to consider every single new flavor that it had to offer before swallowing and licking his lips in silent approval.

Mycroft smirked.

"So… how's the food?" He asked, a fake casual tone in his voice.

"It's amazing, nii-san!" The blonde jumped in his seat, eyes shining like little stars, and then promptly went back to devouring his portion like the hungry little gremlin that he was, so quickly Mycroft had to chuckle.

"Slow down, champ, no need to rush." He said after a while, placing a hand on the boy's fork midway to the mouth. "There's plenty more where that came from. You can have as many seconds as you like."

"Really?!" The Uzumaki looked more than ready to take him up on this offer so Mycroft, fully resigning himself to being the personal cook of a little vacuum cleaner of a seven year old, said:

"Well, within reason of course." He reached out and ruffled the child's wild spiky hair. "There is only so much casserole in the pot."

He nearly choked when the happy expression started to fade from that small whiskered face.

"But you can eat it all! I don't mind!"

"Really?!" Goodness gracious that was a quick come back. Mycroft thought looking into those sparkly eyes once more.

"Yes, yes really." Something tells him he's going to need to build up an immunity to his brother's crocodile tears, or he'll be in very very deep shi-trouble, he meant to say trouble, one must not swear in front of children. "You could even eat what's left of my portion, if you want." He offered his plate.

"But... nii-san, won't you be hungry?" Blue eyes look up at him with concern.

"Nonsense." Mycroft waved his hand in dismissal, ignoring the quiet protest of his stomach. "I'm not actually that hungry."

"..." The boy looked at him a while longer before smiling widely and promising to not let any of the delicious food go to waste, and returning to his food.

'On the bright side' Mycroft pondered as he stood up to make himself some tea (another gift from the generous ANBU). 'At least I won't have any problem keeping to my diet.' A small plus, yes, but a plus nonetheless.

"So…" He said, after setting the kettle to boil. "You said something about the 'Uchiha Police', could you tell me something more about them and your classmate… Sasuke, I believe he was called?"

"Sure, nii-san!" The child grinned, face stained with sauce. "Sasuke-kun is a big meanie! He always has to be the best in everything!" He then stabbed the innocent chicken a wee bit too hard with his fork.

"Iruka-sensei never praises anyone as much as he does Sasuke-kun. It's like he's the only person that matters!" And just as quickly as that anger appeared, it disappeared, replaced with a big grin. "But this time I was the special one, and he was left in the dust, because my essay was better than his!"

"Mmm." Mycroft hummed to the sharp whistle of the kettle. "I'm guessing he wasn't very happy about that."

"Serves him right! He should let others be special too!"

"While I do agree with that." The red haired boy said, pouring hot water into a cup. "A future Hokage should never boast about their abilities."

"Really?" The tiny Uzumaki tilted his head in confusion. "Why?"

"How did you feel when Sasuke kept saying how much better he is than others?"

"Sad and a bit angry." The child admitted.

"You see? Do you want your followers to feel that way about you, when you become Hokage?" Mycroft smiled and ruffled his hair. "Humility is a leader's greatest trait. You are all part of the same village. In the end, his strength is your strength. Next time you do something better than him, make sure to smile and congratulate him on his score too, okay?" He sat down in front of him.

"But why?" Naruto pouted and crossed his arms over his chest. "He never did that to me."

"Maybe." Mycroft agreed. "But that doesn't mean you can't be the better man, right?"

At the prospect of being a better person than Sasuke, Naruto promptly agreed before hugging Mycroft and running out for his meeting with Iruka-sensei at the Ramen Stand.

AN: Dear Mariela, here is your long awaited chapter! :D Sorry I didn't respond earlier I just can't PM you if you don't have an account on FF ^^

Also PS: Everything the two wrote in the essay is made up so take it with a grain of salt ^^