Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I don not own Naruto. It belongs to the mighty Kishimoto-sama

Chapter 1. How it all begins...

"The cookies are ready!" Minato yelled. Orange-yellow came jumping from upstairs. With grin on its face, it took a cookie from the plate.

"Chocolate chips! Man, you're the best dad!" it said and took a bite.
"Thanks Naruto, "the taller blonde said softly. Naruto gave a smile to his dad before heading to the main door.

"Dinner will be at five, be sure to come home then!" Minato said loudly to his precious blonde-haired son.

"Don't worry, I'll be heading to library after school and then come home straight away," Naruto said while pulling shoes on. Then he waved goodbyes to his father and left the house.

(-)(-)

"Mornin' Naruto," said boy with brown spiky hair with red tattoos on his face.
"Mornin' Kiba, Shikamaru, Shino, Chouji, Lee, Gaara, Neji…" Naruto said as he walked through the bus to his usual seat.

"Morning Sai," the blonde said to the black-haired boy on his left. Sai nodded shortly and kept reading. Naruto slumped on the seat and sighed.

'Man, why are Monday mornings always the worst?' Naruto thought before he was disrupted with screaming girls.

"Kyaa, Sasuke-kun"
"Ohayou Sasuke-kun, how are you this morning?"
"Keep your hands off Haruno!"
"Say what Yamanaka?"
"Bitch!"
"Forehead-cow!"

While the girls kept fighting, the blue-black- haired boy passed coolly his classmates before slumped into the back seat of the bus. Naruto turned on his seat, facing the back.

"Morning Sasuke-teme!" the blonde said to the dark-haired student.
"Usuratonkachi," the boy said calmly before lifting his gaze to look into the blonde's eyes. Naruto gave his warmest and happiest smile to Sasuke who 'hn'ed to the blonde, smirking.

"Ooh, it'll be a good day because I made Sasuke-teme smile!" Naruto said happily.
"You call that a smile? Imagine him grinnin'!" Kiba shouted from his place, laughing at the same time.
"Oh shut up you dog-lover!"
"Say that again ramen-freak and Akamaru will eat your furry orange-blue balls for lunch!" "Make me!" Naruto shouted merrily back to the spike-haired teen. Kiba just laughed harder and sat down.

"So Sasuke! How's our project going in your side?"
"Better than yours."
"Hey, I have been doing it! I'm even going to library after school to search some information.." Naruto said, pouting. Sasuke smirked and came to sit next to the orange-yellow teen.

"Look dobe. I want to have a good mark from this project. You might not understand, but.."
"It's because of your brother and strict father. I know Sasuke, I have known you since 1st grade. You live for your father's and brother's anticipation. I know," the blonde said knowingly, giving a small smile to the other boy. Sasuke sighed, lifting his hands behind his head.

"You know it's even harder than you know. Like I have no opinion about anything."
"So why don't you show some balls then? Be a man!"
"I can't.. Because.. Because.."
"Because of your mother.."

It became silent between the two boys.

"She wanted it. Wanted me to have a good career, a family. A nice future."
"But why does it include your father?"
"He's a big name over the world. And by this way I will have a good career, just like my mother wanted.."
"Yeah, but do you think she wanted you to be-"

"Sasuke-kun!" chirped two female voices.
"Do you wanna sit with me at lunch?"
"Do you want to sit with me at the bus when we go home?"
"Step back you Ino-pig!"
"Kiss my ass Haruno! He's mine!"
"No, he's mine!"

Sasuke just watched boringly at the catfight. Naruto gave Sasuke a sad look and stood up.

"Where are you going usuratonkachi?"
"If you haven't noticed we are at school," Naruto said calmly to the pale boy. Sasuke looked through the window, seeing the familiar school building.
"Oh," he said and stood up.

As Naruto walked towards the school, Sasuke jogged beside the blonde.

"Hey, what's wrong with you? PMS?"
"Oh shut up teme!" Naruto pushed Sasuke away from him.
"No really, what's wrong?"

"What you said earlier..At the bus.."
"About what?"
"About your mom..How you live for her expectations.."
"And what about that?" the darker boy asked indignantly.
"It's just that.."
"That?"

As the bell rang, Naruto looked into Sasuke's onyx eyes. Sasuke's heart missed a beat.

'Naruto looks..Sad?'

"Don't you think your mother wanted you to be happy more than have a good career..?" the blonde asked before walked away from Sasuke, heading to his class. Sasuke stood in the hallway, thinking about what Naruto had said.

(-)(-)

"Oy, that's my seat Naruto! Move away!"
"No! I pressed my sumptuous butt first on it so keep walking Shikamaru!"
"Mendokuse.." the pony-tailed boy said and sat across the blonde.

As Naruto took a bite from his sandwich, a warm hand came to rest on his shoulder. "Afternoon boys."
"Afternoon principal Namikaze."
"How are we doing today?"
"Your son is being troublesome sir," Shikamaru said and got a punch from said blonde. "Shut up you pineapple head!"
"Now now Naruto! Behave as you should. Oh, you forgot your PE clothes, here," Minato said and handed Naruto a bag.
"Thanks dad," the younger blonde said, giving a side hug to his father. Minato smiled warmly to the boy, waved and walked out of the cafeteria.

"Aaw, it always warms me to see father-and-son- love at our school."
"Oh shut up Kiba!"
"Or what? You'll go and tell your daddy about it?"
"Why you-"
"Keep your lousy mouth shut Inuzuka," came a voice behind Kiba.
"Oh, Sasuke's defending his boyfriend, eh?"
"Just shut your mouth up or I'll stick something unpleasant in your place where there is no sunshine," the dark teen said and sat down beside Naruto.

"Were you searching for some facts for the project?" Naruto asked, busy with chewing his food. Sasuke looked disgusted.
"Yes I was. And I hope you do know that you look very pretty while eating your food mouth open."
"Oh..Sorry, a bad habit," Naruto said and smirked. Sasuke gave a small smirk and grabbed his sandwich.

(-)(-)

"Ok, class dismissed!" Iruka said as the bell rang. Some whooping was heard, cheering, sounds of papers and chairs and the classroom was empty.

"Oh, hi Naruto! What do you want?"
"I..Just wanted to talk.."
"About what?"
"About..You're gay, right?" Naruto asked bluntly, faintly blushing.

Iruka became a bit red, coughed but answered: "Yes, I am, and I find there's nothing to be ashamed of it."
"Yes...When did you come out?"

Iruka smiled to the young boy, gazing into the empty space.

"When I was about your age. It was my best friend. After I told him, he was shocked but accepted me as the way I was. On the other hand my parents said that I was a freak of nature. By their beautiful words I left them, moved in with my best friend and his girlfriend. It was nice until she got pregnant. They insisted I would stay, but I wanted them to be a real family without any burdens."

"I moved out of the town and came to Konoha. I found a new apartment here and started a new chapter in my life."
"So…You have a boyfriend now?" Naruto asked hesitantly from the teacher. Iruka blushed.

"..Yes, I actually have one. First he seemed like the worst bastard and the most perverted in the world, but he kept asking me out so many times and in so many romantic ways that I couldn't say 'no'. I'm happily living with this man now," the brunette finished and smiled warmly to the old memories.

Naruto watched his teacher's beaming for awhile.

"My question for you, Naruto, is why are you interested so suddenly about my sexuality?" Iruka asked while landing down to the Earth. Naruto sighed, faint blush still playing on his cheeks.
"I have always wondered how gays know they are gay..Like, is it just one person that makes you change your mind about sexuality…Or..Or.."

"Naruto. When one person, girl or boy, says he or she likes you, you will know."
"But how?"
"That is a question which I cannot answer. You just know when your number One walks to you. Somehow he or she makes you feel different, makes you happy and mad at the same time. It's called love Naruto," Iruka said softly and smiled to the boy. Naruto watched Iruka's brown eyes, amazed how they gleamed in the sunset's light.

"Shit, I must be going sensei! Thanks for your time!" Naruto stood up, got his bag and waved goodbyes. Iruka watched how the blonde left, smiling after the orange-yellow blur.

'Hee..I think he will be good a boyfriend for someone, someday,' Iruka thought, gazing at the roof.
"Your speech was a very impressive one, Iruka-sensei," a voice came from the door. Iruka turned his gaze and smiled softly.
"It came explicitly from the heart. Every word was as true as my existence," the brunette said warmly and walked to the door.

(-)(-)

By that time Naruto had taken a bus to the library.

'So we meet again, eh? Well, long time no see,' Naruto thought and bowed to the building. "In we go," he said and went through the doors.

'Literature..Literature..Ah, there! Ettoo, S as Shakespeare…S…Shakespeare..Oh there! Let's see..Not that..Or that…Or that…Ah, there! Romeo and Juliet!' the blonde grinned and took the book.

'Quiet place. I repeat: mission Quiet place..Bingo!' The blonde sat down.
'Saa..Papers, pencil case, the book, handouts..Check! So let's work!'

"Oy Naruto…Naruto!" The yellow-haired boy lifted his gaze from the book.
"Oh, hi Shikamaru!...And Neji.."
"Afternoon Naruto. What are you doing at the library?"
"Well, I'm studying if you cannot see with your…eh, nice eyes Neji. I really need to finish my part of the project, ya know," the blonde smirked and ruffled his hair.

"Anyway, what are you two doin' here? Hot date?"
Shikamaru blushed slightly while Neji coughed, answering to Naruto's question: "For your information, Shikamaru is my partner in the project and we are here to finish our task. Now, if you may, we shall go and find another table."
"So…No hot date?"
"Oh shut up you ramen-face!"
"I like you too pineapple!" Naruto winked to Shikamaru who walked away, muttering to himself. Neji nodded to the blonde and followed the pony-tailed boy.

'Saa, let's continue…' Naruto thought and opened the book which was dog-eared.

'So if this dude is this dude's friend and this dude loves this chick but the chick loves the other dude, then this dude must hate this dude…'

"Nice doodles dobe," familiar voice said behind Naruto.

'No way in hell..'

"Sasuke. What the heck are you doin' here?"
"Well, library is for everyone, you stupid,"
"I'm not stu-"
"and you said you were going to library. Because I'm in this project with you and I do NOT want you to ruin it so I came here to help." Naruto stared at Sasuke, thinking whether he should laugh hard at the speech or groan his irritation away.
"Argh! Alright, sit down then!" Sasuke sat down and took his papers and notes.

"Dude, how much information do you have?! That's like two hundred pages!"
"Actually, usuratonkachi, it's only twenty pages and most of them are unimportant which means we have to underline or highlight the facts we need."
"..Oh shut up you nerd…"

(-)(-)

"…As we can see from this sentence, there are many hyperbolas and alliterations..Shikamaru, are you listening?"
"Krrrh..What?"
"Stop sleeping! Do you have any respect to your work partners?"
"Sorry but this work is troublesome..What's the big idea of doing it?"
"It is supposed to guide us into the world of literature."
"…And where will we need this..'fine piece of art'?"

Neji went silent."Good point. I really don't know…But that's not the point. The point is that we do our works and projects in time so we learn something about being under the pressure of time limit and deadlines."
"…Mendoukusai…" the lazy teen said and yawned.

"Hey Neji…"
"What?" Neji snapped at Shikamaru.
"Aren't clouds nice?"
"What?"
"I mean, instead of being here, I would prefer to be outside, lie on the grass, watch how clouds go their own ways and how butterflies fly from one flower to another."
"What?"
"It's called relaxing, chilling..Have ever tried that?"
"What?"
"And now you have become a retarded parrot…"

Neji stared at the other boy who was smirking at him.
'Me, retarded? A parrot?!'

"Just for you to know, I want to be something great in the future. Not some lazy bum as you will be if you keep going like this."
"Relaxing and being a bum are two different things," Shikamaru said smiling.
"You should try it."
"Being a bum?"
"No, relaxing. Let's just finish this tomorrow and leave now. I know a great place to watch the sunset." Neji looked at Shikamaru in amazement.

While the other boy stared, Shikamaru packed his and Neji's bags, swinged them on his shoulder and took Neji's hand.
"Ok, off we go!" the pony-tailed boy said and led a shocked Neji out of the building.

(-)(-)

"Sasuke! Can we stop now? It's half past four and my dinner will be at five! You know how sad my dad will be if I don't eat dinner with him!" Sasuke stopped writing and looked at the blonde.

"I guess we can stop...And of course we must let you go so you can enjoy your lovely meal with you lovely daddy," the dark haired teen said sarcastically. Naruto showed him his tongue and started to pack.

"Y'know I was gonna ask you for dinner because my dad likes you, but because you're so mean…" Naruto muttered clearly enough for Sasuke to hear.
"And why would I want to eat dinner with you two?"
"…Because it has been a long time since you have had dinner with us.."
"You know, I have my own family.."
"Who are not even at the house and if they are, they eat their dinner and other meals in their own rooms while working.." Naruto spoke softly, gazing at his bag. Sasuke lifted his eyes from the table, staring at the blonde.

Naruto lifted his head and smiled sadly to the other boy.

"It's ok if you don't want to but my dad would really appreciate it..And he misses you much..you are like the second son to him," the blonde chuckled and smiled warmly. For a while it was silent between the two teens.

(-)(-)

"…And here we are! And right on time!" Shikamaru beamed and lay down.
"I swear I shall NEVER ever again walk your stupid routes to anywhere.." Neji said but shut his mouth as he reached the top of the hill.

The sky was deep orange yellow with a hint of pink far away, filled with soft orange-pink-grey-white clouds. Shikamaru lay on the long grass which was dancing with the wind. He saw some flowers blooming and a few butterflies dancing near Shikamaru's face who was smiling.

"This is what I call relaxing. Ok, lie down Hyuuga and enjoy!" the pony-tailed teen said and patted the empty space beside him.
Neji looked hesitantly at the boy but sighed deeply and got down on his knees.

"I will only sit here Nara. But you are right, the view is quite awesome."
"Did you just use the word 'awesome'? Man, you have been infected by my sayings!"
"I am not! Oh shut up and be silent, you are ruining the moment!"
"The moment of what?"
"Of being totally relaxed," the long haired boy said and closed his eyes. Shikamaru looked at Neji, chuckled and also closed his eyes.

(-)(-)

"Dad, I'm home!"
"And only five minutes late! Good job Naru-chan!"
"...Naru..chan..?" Minato walked into the hall, finding deep red Naruto.
"Oh, hi Sasuke. Were you escorting Naruto or are you staying?"
"Well, as Naru-chan invited me and if it doesn't bother you, I'd love to eat dinner with you and Naru-chan," Sasuke insulted the shorter blonde.
"Great then! And stop gritting your teeth Naruto! I have been calling you Naru-chan since 1st grade and Sasu-chan has heard it many times," Minato smirked, being pleased by seeing the two deeply blushing boys.

'And Yondaime scores!' the taller blonde thought and went into the kitchen.

"You know what dobe."
"What teme?"
"I think I hate your dad..."
Naruto snorted.
"Really, he hasn't called me Sasu-chan since 3rd grade! This is-"
"Embarrassing?" Naruto said and looked at Sasuke. The raven haired boy was looking into the sapphire blue eyes.

After awhile Naruto shrugged his shoulders and smiled.
"Well, it's good thing to know he still likes us. I mean, he could be as nice as your dad.."
"In that point of view, I can honestly say I love your dad," Sasuke said smirking. Naruto's blues eyes softened.
" Yeah...I love him too.."

Sasuke panicked. 'Is he going to cry?'

Hesitantly Sasuke put his hand on Naruto's shoulder, squeezing a little. The blonde patted it gently.
"I know it's only been six years...But still..He's my only family..." Naruto smiled and wiped his eyes. Sasuke was panicking again.
'Oh, don't cry you cry-baby! Dammit!' he thought and pulled the shorter teen into his embrace. Naruto's eyes went wide, but he still hugged back.

Tenderly Sasuke stroked the sun kissed hair and whispered: "You know I'm also your family. And whenever you feel bad you should come to me, you know that Naruto. You have done it since you were seven years old, dobe."
Naruto hiccupped.
"Teme, don't bring the past out, it embarrasses me," the blonde said and laughed, letting go of Sasuke.

The darker boy wiped few tears away from Naruto's eyes. Blue eyes silently gazed into Sasuke's onyx eyes.
"Boys, the dinner will get cold! Come here already!"
"Yes dad! Let's go to eat Sasu-chan," Naruto said and offered his hand. Sasuke smirked and grabbed the blonde's hand.
"If I can sit next to you Naru-chan."
"Always," the sunshine haired smiled and led Sasuke into the dining room.

(-)(-)

"Thanks Minato-sensei, the food was delicious."
"You're welcome Sasuke, but please don't call me sensei. We are not at school anymore and it makes me feel old," Minato laughed shortly.

Naruto finished his plate and stood up.
"I can gather the plates dad," he said and collected the plates and dishes.

When Naruto went into the kitchen, Minato leaned closer to Sasuke.
"So Sasuke. I heard you are pretty good at math." Sasuke lifted his gaze from the table. "Eer..Yeah, I guess I am.." Sasuke said and imagined his straight A papers.
"That's good. I'd like to ask could you teach Naruto some math. He really can't make through the courses and he's failing bad."

"Thanks for the encouragement dad," Naruto said behind his father's back.

Minato froze, turned and smiled awkwardly to his son.
"Eh heh hee.. But, you know it's true Naru-chan. you are failing your classes.." "Actually I'm not failing, I'm just passing them with the lowest mark which can pass the course," Naruto said annoyed and slumped on his chair. Sasuke smirked insolently.

"Well, I want you to have better marks from it so I asked if Sasuke here could help you."

"I actually heard your conversation and I don't want this teme to teach me," the blonde said, pointing at Sasuke.
"Don't be rude to your friends Naruto. And yes, Sasuke will teach you math."
"Why?!"
"Because I wanna have good marks in your graduation papers so you can have a bit better future than I had!" Minato yelled. Naruto shut his mouth and watched his angry father. Sasuke was silent because he didn't want to be a part of the fight.

Naruto wanted to say something but he was too afraid. Minato smiled sadly to his son and walked next to him.

"I want you to have great future, better than mine."
"But dad...You have a good life..Well, mom is.."
"I know but I don't want you to be in the same situation as I was"
"Well..Why didn't you choose the other life? You would have been happier.."
"Maybe I would have But it would have meant that I wouldn't have seen you grow up. I would have missed your first smile, your first steps, your first birthday, your first school day. I would have missed everything that is important to me now! But as I gave up my dream I got actually more precious thing. Love and happiness," Naruto's dad beamed and hugged his son tightly, giving a soft kiss on top of the golden locks of his son's head. Naruto hugged his dad back.

Sasuke stared at the two blondes, wondering whether to laugh or question ´What the hell is going on in this soap opera?!
"Umm..I guess I must be going now.."
"Oh sorry Sasuke. Do you wanna have a piece of cake with you?"
"Sure..."
"Ok. Naruto, be so kind and escort the young Uchiha to the front door please," Minato gagged, smiling, and went into the kitchen.

Naruto led Sasuke to the front door, slightly blushing at the scene before.
"So..I guess I will see you tomorrow then.."
"Oh yeah.." Naruto blushed. The two teens stood in silence.

"Can I ask one question?"
"Umm, yeah, go ahead."
"What..was your dad's big dream then?" Sasuke asked.
"Oh...It was-"
"Here's your cake Sasuke," the older blonde singsonged and gave a box to Sasuke.
"Thanks Minato."
"There are also slices for your father and brother." Sasuke went pale.
"Well, I must do some paperwork. Bye bye Sasu-chan!" the taller blonde said, waved ad disappeared.

Sasuke stared at the box in his hands.
"Your dad is great," he said bluntly. Naruto grinned sheepishly and scratched his head. "Well, he wants everyone to be happy," the shorter blonde stated and smiled. Sasuke looked at Naruto.

"So what's his big dream? Actor? Ballet dancer?"
"He had a chance to be.."
"America's next top model?"
"No you baka! He had a chance to be a pro level football player," Naruto said softly and smiled. Sasuke froze a bit but recovered quickly.
"Oh.."

"Yep..But he wanted to have family instead of being famous super star," Naruto said sarcastically, smirking at his comment. Sasuke smirked back and met the blonde's gaze.

'Damn he's cute..No, wait! Did I just say cute? Uchihas do not use words like cute!'

"Well, good night teme," the blue eyed boy grinned to the dark haired boy and opened the door. Sasuke roused from his mental state and shook his head.
"Oh right..Nights dobe."
"Be careful outside. You never know if your lovely fan girls are stalking you in the darkness.."
"Oh shut up usuratokachi!" Sasuke said and shut the door.