Chapter Text
Uzumaki Naruto brought the bowl to his lips and drank greedily, sighing happily as the broth warmed his belly. He looked at his feet, to the little fox sitting there, and leant down, setting the bowl in front of it. Said fox sniffed the liquid warily, a pink tongue darting out to taste it. Naruto laughed, watching the creature dive right in after that, happily lapping away. He leant down once more, scratching it behind the ears as it drank.
'What's your mother said about him?' Teuchi asked, leaning across the counter. 'Or has she not met him yet?'
Naruto laughed, scratching the back of his neck. 'You know me so well, old man. She hasn't met him yet, but I think he's cute enough to convince her.' The fox looked up, as if he knew he was being spoken about, and leapt up into Naruto's waiting arms. 'Now, if I could just figure out a way to convince dad, too...'
'Have you got a name for him yet?'
'I'm thinking... Kyuubi sounds like a good name for him.' The blond beamed, scratching behind the foxes ears once more. 'Hey, old man, can I get another bowl, please?'
Teuchi laughed and turned his back to his customer. 'Miso again?'
'Believe it!'
A hand landed on Naruto's shoulder, making the genin jump. He span around in his seat, blue eyes wide, praying his father hadn't caught him eating ramen before dinner again. He glared at the dark-haired man before him, turning back to the counter with a huff. 'Fucking hell, Obito-sensei! Don't do that!'
The man laughed, taking a seat next to the blond. 'A shinobi must always be aware of his surroundings, Naruto. How many times do I have to tell you?'
The blond pouted. 'I'm safely inside the village. I think I can eat ramen without looking over my shoulder every three seconds, thank you very much.' Obito laughed again, ruffling the boys hair before turning his attention to the owner.
'Hey, Teuchi, can I get a bowl of Shoyu ramen, please?'
'Coming right up!'
'So what brings you here, Obito-sensei? Come to pick on me again?' Naruto pouted again, absentmindedly petting the fox in his lap whilst simultaneously keeping an eye on the jounin; he was, after all, where Naruto had learnt all his tricks and pranks.
'Would I do that to you?' The boy glared and looked away, muttering yes under his breath. 'Do I need an excuse to have lunch with my sensei's kid?'
'Yes.' The blond grumbled. 'Only cause you pick on me so much. I don't trust you. There's always an alterior motive and only Rin can keep you in check.' Naruto looked around, searching for someone. 'Where is Rin anyway? Aren't you two normally joined at the hip?'
'We have separate lives and friends, Naruto.' Obito's features took on a slightly tired look. 'It's her day off and I think she said something about shopping with Kurenai.'
Naruto laughed as their bowls were set in front of them. 'When are you gonna ask her to marry you, huh? Mum is dying to help pick the dress and I get the brunt of it. "Rin would look amazing in this, don't you think?"' The boy scoffed. 'Like I would know about dresses. Hurry up already, will you?'
Obito sat quietly for a moment, lost in thought. Naruto watched him carefully; he could practicaly see the wheels turning in the jounin's mind and that never usually boded well for him. Sure enough, after another moments silence, Obito turned to the blond with an evil grin gracing his features. Naruto backed away unconsciously.
'I'll make a deal with you.' He said, his grin growing as he leant closer to the genin. 'I'll ask her if - and only if - you speak to you-know-who about you-know-what.'
Naruto felt himself turn scarlet and backed away again, slipping from the stool. He landed in an undignified heap on the floor, the fox growling on his chest as it looked around for the threat.
'What?!' The blond squeaked, not bothering to pick himself back up. There was just no way he could do that. 'I can't! No way! I'm sorry but he'll just laugh at me, and then he'll probably tell Sakura and the teme and I'll never live it down! Nope. Sorry. No can do.'
'Then I guess you're stuck with your mother squealing over dresses. Just hope she doesn't get to the point where she has you trying them on.' Obito's eyes twinkled with barely contained mirth as he watched the blond writhe uncomfortably on the floor.
'Fuck you.' Naruto grumbled, getting to his feet. 'Fine, but you fucking owe me one, man.'
'Uzumaki Naruto!' Fingers gripped tightly at his ear and he winced, tilting his head to relieve some of the pain. 'I brought you up better than that. Apologise to Obito now.'
'Ow! Ow! Ow! Fine, just let go dad, that hurts!' The pinching fingers disappeared and he glared at the Uchiha who was biting back his laughter. 'Sorry, Obito-sensei.'
Not trusting himself to say anything in front of the Hokgae, Obito ducked his head in acknowledgement and turned back to his meal. Father and son argued away behind him and he vaguely heard ramen mentions a few times. The little fox had grown bored of the excitement around him and jumped up to Naruto's vacated seat, curling in on himself as Naruto unconsciously petted him again.
'Naruto, what is that?'
'Uh... A fox...'
'Yes I can see that. What are you doing with it?'
Obito looked over in time to see Naruto frown at the ground, not meeting his fathers eye. 'I wanted to keep him.'
'Is that why your bedroom started to smell funny?'
Obito burst out laughing at the flush of red that filled the young blonds face. The boy nodded, glaring at the jounin. 'Thanks, Obito-sensei. Great support you are, man.'
'Anytime, brat.'
'Naruto,' Minato slipped between his father and Hokage modes effortlessly. 'We'll see about the fox. Now, report to the missions room. You and your team have a new mission waiting.' The genin nodded and walked away, the fox strutting along happpily beside him. 'Obito, a word, if I may.'
Obito nodded and looked up into the smiling face of his former sensei. Minato curled an arm around the Uchiha's shoulder, his smile turning menacing.
'Yes, sensei?'
'Please hurry up and ask Rin. Kushina's driving me crazy.'
'H-hai,' Obito forced a smile as he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand to attention. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his cousin Itachi escorting his aunt to lunch, and a memory sparked within him. 'Ano, Minato-sensei. I've been meaning to ask you something.'
'What is it?' The Hokage took up residence on the stool next to his former student and absently picked up Naruto's deserted ramen bowl, slurping at it noisily.
'It's just... When Naruto told you about his... Preferences...'
'Please do not tell me you're switching sides.' The Hokage blanched, leaning closer in his seat. 'Kushina will go nuts. She's dying for this wedding to happen. She'll be unbearable.'
'No!' Obito laughed, his hands flying up to link behind his head. Minato smiled, remembering how his son had once wanted to be just like Obito one day and began copying the mans every habit. 'No, but I think Sasuke might. I was wondering how you think my uncle would take the news.'
Minato sat quietly for a moment, thinking about his best friend and head advisor.
'I don't think he'll be happy about it.' He said eventually, and the Uchiha could see mischief sparkling in those sea blue eyes. 'But if you stop teaching my son those bloody pranks and ask for Rin's hand, I might just help you deal with the fall-out.'
Obito grinned. 'Aw, my little protege will be so disappointed.'
Minato laughed. 'How did you know, anyway? I thought he only told Kushina and myself.'
'Ah, he needed some advice, on how to tell you. Iruka and I were the first to know.' Obito's eye sparkled. 'I even know who he likes.'
'You have to tell me!'
'I'm sorry, Lord Forth, but my lips are sealed.' And with that, Obito fled before the Hokage could fully comprehend his words.
----X----
Naruto bounded into the missions room - Kyuubi hot on his heels - and straight over to the desk. Almost immediately he was deep in conversation with Iruka. The rest of Team Seven ambled in slowly behind him. He tried to ignore the presence of his infatuation - he really did - but Iruka gave him a knowing smile. Naruto blushed and tried to bow out of the conversation.
'Have you done it yet?' He asked, grabbing the blonds wrist. Naruto shook his head and glanced over at his team. Kakashi raised an eyebrow and sauntered over to them. Naruto shot Iruka a pleading look.
'Obito-sensei made me a deal. He'll stop being a chicken-shit if I do.' He hissed, trying to wrench his wrist free.
'Here's your chance.'
'Chance for what?' Came Kakashi's voice. Naruto froze.
'Naruto has a secret.' Iruka teased, releasing the blonds wrist only to poke him playfully in the side. 'Haven't you, 'Ruto?'
The genin glared at his former sensei and blushed, forcing himself not to look at Kakashi. 'I don't know what he's talking about.' He snapped, turning away from them both. 'Can we just get our mission and be on our way?'
'What's the fox doing here, Naruto?' The boy in question jumped at the new voice but couldn't be happier for the interruption. He turned to face his father, a sheepish smile gracing his features.
'Sorry, he followed me. You did say I could keep him, though.'
'I said we'll see.' Minato corrected.
'Aw, but dad...'
Minato sighed. 'Look, I'll look after him until you get back and we'll talk about it properly then.' He turned to the rest of Team Seven, taking a scroll from Iruka. 'A simple courier mission. I need you to take this to the Kazekage and await his response. Bring that back to me. There's sensitive information in here, so please be careful.'
Kakashi took the offered scroll and slipped it safely into his flak jacket. Naruto stooped and picked Kyuubi up, petting him affectionately before handing him over to his father. The older blond gave his son a warm smile and ruffled his hair. Naruto huffed and pouted, storming from the room, Sasuke and Sakura right behind him.
'See you in a few days.' Kakashi threw a wave in the direction of chunin and Hokage as he left. He couldn't help but be interested in the snippets of conversation he'd heard as he left. Something about Iruka knowing Naruto's secret. With a sly, hidden smirk, Kakashi decided he would worm the information from the academy teacher when they got back.