Disclaimer: All copyrights of Naruto and company belong to Kishimoto
Masashi.
"AHH!!" Iruka's shriek ran through the immense establishments of Konoha - a more or less daily routine for the villagers.
"Just what on EARTH do you think you're doing, Naruto!?"
"Eh? Showing off my art, of course!" The young blonde moved a few steps back to take a look at his masterpiece, brow furrowed in a somewhat intense concentration. He cocked his head to one side and scrutinized the object of Iruka's exasperation.
He grinned. "Perfect! Don't you think it's great? I'll not only become the greatest Hokage, but the best-est artist in the whole world!" And much to Iruka's already complete dismay, the boy slapped more paint onto the huge manifestation of what everyone else calls the battle arena. The blatant strokes of yellow and orange and blue stripped well against the tan planes of the ground. Naruto had inscribed his entire name onto the floors of the stadium.
A half given-up, half complacent look crept onto the chuunin's usually frustrated expression. He massaged the bridge of his nose with a thumb and forefinger, trying to get whatever minute comfort he could to distract him from the weariness slowly overwhelming him, at the same time hoping that the rubbing would keep him sane.
He sighed. "Naaaaa-ruto, when are you gonna learn?"
"Learn what? To be great? But I already am!" The boy retorted proudly. He continued to judge the colourful calligraphy by stretching out his arm and measuring the ground with his thumb against the paintbrush, oblivious to the man's growing annoyance.
Not being able to withstand any further, Iruka gave a cry that suspiciously sounded like a loud whimper, and heaved Naruto off his feet, and onto his right shoulder.
"You ought to be locked up and chained. Imp!" The threat was hurled and ignored, and hung forgotten in the air, as the self-acclaimed Hokage wrestled his teacher with all his might. A few confused punches hit the teacher square on the face and chest, and Naruto even managed to thrust a foot into the back of Iruka's neck. This continued for a while, but to no avail, as the man was more than determined to get Naruto some punishment he deserved. And nothing was as sweet as teaching this boy a lesson he would never forget.
"You better clean up that mess you made at the arena. I'm going to get you some thinner and rake, and I want to see the place clean from paint and freshly smoothened before tonight, or you won't get home!" With that spat out, Iruka stopped, and dropped the troublemaker onto the floor. They had reached the shed just behind the arena that kept all the equipment they needed.
The teacher continued to select the necessary items. He spotted one, and bent with a sigh to grasp the bottle of thinner. Just before he could straighten himself, Iruka noticed from between his legs a strangely quiet Naruto sitting at the exact spot where he was being dropped like a hot coal earlier. The boy wore a forlorn grimace across his usual broad grin. He was hugging both knees to his chest and drawing spirals on the floor with his finger. For some reason, he looked so vulnerable that it twitched a pang in Iruka's heart.
"It's better that way, I'd rather not go home."
This simple, softly uttered riposte drew a gentle smile on the teacher's face as he finally levelled himself, and with the bottle in hand, he walked towards the curled-up boy. Upon reaching him, Iruka squatted facing Naruto, using his free hand to ruffle the blonde locks.
"Naruto," He began softly, "Tell you what. Promise me you'll never do this again, and I'll help you clean up. And if we make it on time, I'll get the both of us some ramen. How's that?"
The mention of his favourite food had almost immediate effects on the boy. He sprang up from his foetal position, knuckles and knees knocking into Iruka's chin, sending the poor teacher tumbling backwards. "Ow!"
"Really, Iruka-sensei?"
The man groaned as he nursed his sore chin, but he had to smile when he saw his student beaming again. "Yes, Naruto. You can have all the gyoza you want too."
Some time later, the two were seen scrubbing away at the battlegrounds.
- To be continued -
"AHH!!" Iruka's shriek ran through the immense establishments of Konoha - a more or less daily routine for the villagers.
"Just what on EARTH do you think you're doing, Naruto!?"
"Eh? Showing off my art, of course!" The young blonde moved a few steps back to take a look at his masterpiece, brow furrowed in a somewhat intense concentration. He cocked his head to one side and scrutinized the object of Iruka's exasperation.
He grinned. "Perfect! Don't you think it's great? I'll not only become the greatest Hokage, but the best-est artist in the whole world!" And much to Iruka's already complete dismay, the boy slapped more paint onto the huge manifestation of what everyone else calls the battle arena. The blatant strokes of yellow and orange and blue stripped well against the tan planes of the ground. Naruto had inscribed his entire name onto the floors of the stadium.
A half given-up, half complacent look crept onto the chuunin's usually frustrated expression. He massaged the bridge of his nose with a thumb and forefinger, trying to get whatever minute comfort he could to distract him from the weariness slowly overwhelming him, at the same time hoping that the rubbing would keep him sane.
He sighed. "Naaaaa-ruto, when are you gonna learn?"
"Learn what? To be great? But I already am!" The boy retorted proudly. He continued to judge the colourful calligraphy by stretching out his arm and measuring the ground with his thumb against the paintbrush, oblivious to the man's growing annoyance.
Not being able to withstand any further, Iruka gave a cry that suspiciously sounded like a loud whimper, and heaved Naruto off his feet, and onto his right shoulder.
"You ought to be locked up and chained. Imp!" The threat was hurled and ignored, and hung forgotten in the air, as the self-acclaimed Hokage wrestled his teacher with all his might. A few confused punches hit the teacher square on the face and chest, and Naruto even managed to thrust a foot into the back of Iruka's neck. This continued for a while, but to no avail, as the man was more than determined to get Naruto some punishment he deserved. And nothing was as sweet as teaching this boy a lesson he would never forget.
"You better clean up that mess you made at the arena. I'm going to get you some thinner and rake, and I want to see the place clean from paint and freshly smoothened before tonight, or you won't get home!" With that spat out, Iruka stopped, and dropped the troublemaker onto the floor. They had reached the shed just behind the arena that kept all the equipment they needed.
The teacher continued to select the necessary items. He spotted one, and bent with a sigh to grasp the bottle of thinner. Just before he could straighten himself, Iruka noticed from between his legs a strangely quiet Naruto sitting at the exact spot where he was being dropped like a hot coal earlier. The boy wore a forlorn grimace across his usual broad grin. He was hugging both knees to his chest and drawing spirals on the floor with his finger. For some reason, he looked so vulnerable that it twitched a pang in Iruka's heart.
"It's better that way, I'd rather not go home."
This simple, softly uttered riposte drew a gentle smile on the teacher's face as he finally levelled himself, and with the bottle in hand, he walked towards the curled-up boy. Upon reaching him, Iruka squatted facing Naruto, using his free hand to ruffle the blonde locks.
"Naruto," He began softly, "Tell you what. Promise me you'll never do this again, and I'll help you clean up. And if we make it on time, I'll get the both of us some ramen. How's that?"
The mention of his favourite food had almost immediate effects on the boy. He sprang up from his foetal position, knuckles and knees knocking into Iruka's chin, sending the poor teacher tumbling backwards. "Ow!"
"Really, Iruka-sensei?"
The man groaned as he nursed his sore chin, but he had to smile when he saw his student beaming again. "Yes, Naruto. You can have all the gyoza you want too."
Some time later, the two were seen scrubbing away at the battlegrounds.
- To be continued -