My Song to You

4

The few weeks after Naruto's special twelfth birthday he seemed to have gained his spirit back. Of course, he'd replayed the video thousands of times, in the morning just before breakfast and when he went to bed. He had learned to fast forwarded it to where Tsunade told him that she loved him. With her love in his heart and on his mind, Naruto slept like he had never before. He dreamt of beautiful things instead of nightmares. He was now brighter than what he used to be. He knew Shizune loved him too, but his granny's love was beyond that of Shizune's. Either way he loved the short haired woman just the same.

The dark aura around him was now gone. His smile was brighter than ever blinding others. His once dull hair now caught the eyes of those who had caught glimpses of him. He had started talking and playing with the children again. He paid attention as much as he could in his lessons. He ate every meal without complaining of how Shizune never got the dishes right. He was never seen in his room again even late at night. Instead, he'd be seen in the younger kids' rooms telling them stories of an amazing woman that had taken care him and others.

Shizune hadn't asked about his sudden change in spirit but was happy her surprise had changed him. She had remembered the night Tsunade had wanted to record the video. Tsuande knew her heart wasn't going to last much longer with how the doctors had described her enlarged heart. Shizune had bought the video camera a few days before to record the children's birthdays, but Tsunade had caught her with it and demanded she use it first. Shizune helped her set it up and left her alone to record whatever she wanted. At first Shizune thought it was for her perverted friend who came by once when she opened the orphanage. Sadly, he died on his way to his editor's office in a car accident.

Today though something seemed to change in the air. Naruto was nervous. He had a feeling something was going to happen, not exactly sure if it was good or bad. He had paced the hallway by the front door over ten times. He made excuses to the children and looked at the door with hopeful eyes. Shizune wasn't sure why either, no one had scheduled to visit any kids let alone adopt them.

Then around dinner time there was a quiet knock at the door almost no one heard it. Shizune hushed the kids and waited for a second knock thinking she had just heard something. The knock came again and she quickly made her way to the door. Each child climbed out of their chair and peeked around the corner of the dining room. Naruto peeked around too having a strong feeling that whoever was at the door was for him. Shizune stepped aside and a man with shoulder length hair brushed into a high ponytail stepped inside.

He seemed a bit nervous as he spoke with Shizune. Naruto eyed the man up and down. The man couldn't be that much older than Shizune. He had dark skin compared to the rest of the house. There was a scar across the bridge of his nose. His eyes shined brightly with hope. Naruto heard him laughing and thought it strange that he wanted to laugh also.

The man and Shizune walked down the hall and ended up in front of the nosy children. They all giggled and ran back to the table to finish their dinner. Naruto though stood there looking up at the man in awe. Without thinking or knowing what his body was going to do Naruto hugged the man around the waist. Shocked by the sudden affection the man laughed and hugged Naruto back patting his back gently. Shizune apologized to the man, but was waved off.

"Who is this little guy?" The man asked continuing to pat Naruto's back.

"This is Naruto. He's our eldest child. Naruto, let the man sit down." Shizune smiled as she spoke to the young child.

Naruto hesitated but did as he was told and stood there with tears in his eyes. The man knelt down and looked Naruto in his shinning eyes.

"Hi, I'm Iruka. Can you show me where you sit? I'd like to sit with you." He smiled and helped Naruto wipe his tears.

Naruto nodded and walked over to the empty chair left open by the head of the table. Shizune quickly grabbed an extra chair and placed it between the two already there. Iruka sat beside Naruto and apologized to everyone else for ruining their dinner and to finish up. One of the younger kids spoke up over the others.

"Miss Shizune, is he your boyfriend?" A small girl with curly copper hair asked.

The young woman blushed furiously and struggled to answer the girl. Iruka shook his head laughing at the question.

"No young lady. I'm just here to check on everyone and make sure everything is alright. Tell me what do you guys do for fun?" Iruka answered instead.

Another child replied, "We play games with Naruto or play with our toys." The kid answered.

Iruka nodded as each child gave him different answers all including Naruto who sat still staring at the man. Shizune apologized again for the blonde's strange behavior but Iruka waved it away as he took note of Naruto.

"What about you, Naruto?" Iruka asked.

"Make fun of Shizune for getting the recipes wrong, playing with the kids and singing." He rushed out not wanting to ruin his constant staring.

Iruka nodded and eyed Shizune with a smile. The two excused themselves and the rest of dinner was filled with the imagination of toddlers. Naruto sat staring at the runny mash potatoes on his plate thinking about the man. He hadn't ever thrown himself at anyone like that except for granny. Then the words of her video echoed in his head. They may not be perfect, and they might not be two parents, or a man and woman. Then it sunk in, this guy was Naruto's parent. Or at least he wanted the man to be.

Naruto ran out of the dining room and into Shizune's office where the man was signing papers and talking about how amazing the house was. Shizune caught him and smiled.

"Ah, there he is. I told you he'd be curious." Shizune laughed and took the signed papers to file them.

Iruka turned in his seat and smiled at Naruto, "Hey, I've got a question for you. What do you call a man who just adopted you?" Iruka asked.

"D-Dad." Naruto cried and rushed into Iruka's arms.