"NARUTO!" Iruka-sensei screamed as the blond haired boy tried to discreetly climb out the window. AGAIN.

The boy climbed guiltily back into the classroom head down.

"Outside!" Iruka yelled, "And this time, use the door".

Naruto shuffled out of the classroom followed by his sensei and snickers from his classmates.

Once out in the hall Iruka turned to Naruto who had his eyes planted firmly on his shoes.

"Well why were you trying to leave the classroom?" Iruka was angry. Most of the students had attempted to sneak out at one point or another but this was the kyuubi.

He had to have ulterior motives.

"I...uh… wanted to go to the grocery store".

He said all this with his head down so Iruka decided he was lying but choose to play along.

"And, why were you going to the grocery store in the middle of the day?"

Naruto, if possible, looked even further down at his toes. He mumbled.

"Speak up, boy!"

Naruto's eyes shot up in surprise at the violent tone and took a step but in fear of being struck. Iruka visibly blanched at the scared expression on Naruto's face and felt his stomach drop as the blue eyes began t water.

"I have to go to the grocery store at noon or else the little girl won't be on till. She is the only one who will sell me anything. The others just throw me out and call me a demon". His voiced dropped to near a whisper and faded off.

Iruka's eyes widened at hearing of the ill-treatment the boy faced.

You mean like how you treat him?

Iruka made himself a vow, after seeing those pain-filled eyes he would be different.

"What time does she finish working at?"

"1", Naruto had once again drooped his head.

Iruka looked at his watch. 12:58 damn he'd be too late now.

"I'm sorry Naruto", he felt his voice break as he saw the distraught boy in front of him.

"Me too Iruka-sensei".

Iruka ushered the boy back into the classroom and turned back to the board.

He heard giggling behind him and perked up his ears before he turned around.

"You're such a cry baby Naruto", he heard a boy's voice jeer.

He spun around to see a couple of boys pulling Naruto's hair and poking at him.

"HEY!" The boys jumped and adapted innocent looks on their faces, "What are you doing!"

"Nothing".

Iruka pondered for a moment then smiled as an idea came to him.

"Class you all get out early today", he paused as the class cheered, "Except for you boys". The boys in question look so pissed off and as the class packed up and raced out the door he heard a harsh whisper, "We'll get you later for this, Naruto".

Naruto ran out the door and Iruka turned furiously to the boys, "You'll do no such thing, and you'll serve your detention with Misuki-sensei".

Iruka exited the school building and began his search for Naruto.

He's not playing with the other children. Come to think of it he's never playing with the other children.

Even though he didn't know where the boy lived he could feel his chakra and followed it. The chakra lead him to an old rundown apartment building. Even more surprisingly it didn't lead into the apartments but to the alley behind the building.

Iruka stepped into the alley and worried that he had followed the wrong chakra when a bustle behind him caused him to turn so fast he scared the five year old boy who was curled up in the box.

"Naruto?"

"Sorry, Iruka-sensei", the boy said as he scrambled from the box, "I didn't know I had to stay behind as well. I'm also sorry for disrupting the class".

Iruka felt his heart break as the little ball of sunshine apologised for being picked on, "You didn't do anything wrong".

"Then why are you here?" Naruto peered through his bangs giving him such an adorable look.

"I could ask you the same question!" Iruka hadn't meant to yell but still Naruto jumped back in fear. Even at a young age he had learned to associate yelling with hitting. Seeing the look of fear on Naruto's face he continued, "I mean why are you here? Do your guardians know you're here?"

Upon hearing talk of his guardians Naruto began to shake, "I don't have any guardians".

Iruka raised an eyebrow at him and he continued, "They threw me out a few months ago".

"And you've been living here?"

Seeing Naruto nod set the gears in Iruka's brain to work, "I'll be your guardian".

Naruto adopted a wary look, "Why?"

"When I was your age, my parents died and I was all alone. I don't want you to have to be alone, or scared or hungry, Naruto. So what about it? Do you want to come home with me?"

Naruto thought for a second before answering, "Yes please, Iruka-sensei!"

"Okay", Iruka laughed at the enthusiasm he hadn't seen in a long time, "Let's go see the Hokage".

Xx—Hokage tower –xX

"Ah Iruka-sensei! What has Naruto done this time?" Casting a disapproving look at Naruto who looked down ashamed, despite having done nothing.

"I want to adopt him".

Silence met this comment and the Hokage stared at him for several minutes.

"I'm afraid I can't do that Iruka", Hearing this Naruto started to cry silently. "Naruto go wait outside for a moment, please", Naruto nodded and left.

Iruka was confused, "Why not?!"

The Hokage sighed, "Iruka, I know you hate the boy, it's no secret. I don't want Naruto to get hurt".

"I don't hate him. Maybe I did but today I found him living in a box and being refused food, and I want to save him from that", he couldn't believe the Hokage thought he would abuse Naruto.

The Hokage's face changed emotion. Happiness at Iruka's change of feeling for Naruto, anger at Naruto's guardian and lastly sadness for the little boy sobbing outside the door.

He probably thinks I'm going to send him to another monster like that.

"Okay Iruka, you can care for the boy", his expression suddenly turned deadly, "but if one hair on his head is touched you will be punished, speaking of which, I need to go 'talk' to Naruto's previous guardian".

"Thank you Lord Hokage", Iruka turned and left the office and felt his heart split in two again as he saw Naruto crying under the coffee table.

Naruto saw him and began to sob harder. "It's alright, Naruto". He pulled Naruto out from under the coffee table and into a hug. Naruto was so shocked his tear stopped and he snuggled into Iruka's shoulder.

This is what a hug feels like.

"The Hokage changed his mind, and you get to live with me", He said it quickly as if he was afraid Naruto wouldn't believe him.

"Really?!"

"Really, come on and I'll show you your new home". He smiled as Naruto's eyes shone with a brightness so great it would put the stars to shame.

Ok that's all for this chapter folks. What did you think? Review or not I don't care I'm continuing the story anyway.