Talking to strangers

Chapter 29: Discovery

N POV

I couldn't help but feel a little nervous, as the door slowly swung open. It had been a long time since I'd been here. Iruka looked at me like I was a ghost. He was a lot older now his hair had sprinkles of gray feathered between his brown locks. The wrinkles around his mouth stretched as he smiled at me.

" Now here's a face I didn't expect to see today" he said.

I felt horrible. It wasn't like I didn't want to see him, but seeing the faint scars along his arms and neck, just took me back to that day.

That day he got hurt, because of me.

Even though he did his best to keep me off the streets and care for me, I still defied him and as a result of my carelessness he was permanently scarred. After he woke up in the hospital our relationship was never the same.

I was overwhelmed with shame, I barely spoke to him and I did everything he asked with out hesitation. Despite his forgiveness, despite his understanding, that closeness that we once had faded away. I could never forgive myself.

To this day, I still struggled to speak to him. I stood in the door way with my mouth open, searching for the strength I needed to speak.

Iruka was patient. He invited me inside with a wave of his hand. " Come, I'll make us some tea."

I nodded my head and followed him inside.

Why was I here? I wasn't too sure myself.

Talking to Hinata was like me taking off some of the chains that bound me to my past. She inspired me. She made me realize that if I keep these thoughts and feelings to myself i will never fully move on. I wanted to heal, I wanted to be a better person and rid myself of the pain of my past, so I could move on with my life.

So to do that I guess I had to start at the beginning.

I watched Iruka pour tea into two cups. I chuckled to myself as he spilled some on his counter and cursed. He was still so clumsy after all these years.

" Every time I see you there's something different " he said handing me one of the cups.

" Your hair is, a lot shorter," he sat down across from me " And have you've been working out? You're practically busting out of you're shirt."

Liar. Did I mention he was also my biggest hype man too?

I took a sip of my tea and a wave of nostalgia washed over me. We use to have tea together like this everyday.

" I-it's good to see you Iruka" I finally said.

Iruka smiled and relaxed back into his seat " What's it been 6 months? I was starting to wonder if you moved again."

" I'm sorry" I bowed my head slightly, " I should come visit you more....it's just."

" Naruto" he said in a calming tone " It's okay I understand."

I looked at him sadly. He shouldn't be so understanding. I was such a disappointment.

Iruka set his tea down and looked me over. " Why don't you update me, you know what's been going on in your life? You still going to school?"

There went another thing to be disappointed in me about.

" N-no I dropped out a while back" I said nervously.

" Hm."

I couldn't tell if he was upset or not. He just sipped his tea waiting for me to continue.

" I've been working, I have two jobs. I work at a hospital and I help out with my friends renovation business. I haven't really figured out what I want to do officially yet."