Second Chances

Chapter 5

Kurama was so lost in his musings that he didn't notice the quads leaving the dinner table.

"Hey Kurama, come on it is present time," Naruto said snapping Kurama out of his thoughts.

Everyone gathered around the fire place with their presents in hand.

"I'll go first. This is for you," Iruka said as he placed a large book with a red ribbon tied around it on Kurama's lap.

"It's a photo album. It has a lot of pictures starting from the day you and Naruto came into our lives," Iruka said as Kurama looked through the album.

"This is from the day you and Naruto found out the gender of the quads," Iruka said as he pointed at a picture of Naruto and Kurama staring at a black and white photo (sonogram).

"Thank you mother, it's beautiful," Kurama said smiling pleasantly.

"Well then, I guess it's my turn. This is for you," Shino said as he gave Kurama a small rectangular box.

Inside it was a sliver bracelet with a small kunai shaped charm attached to it. The kunai was inscribed with the word 'Breathe' on its back. Kurama pouted when he saw the inscription.

"It's your own fault. If you didn't overwork yourself so much I wouldn't have to remind you to take a break once in a while," Shino said.

"Thank you," Kurama said as hugged Shino.

"My turn. These are for you," Naruto said as he handed Kurama a pair of chakra blades.

Kurama's eyes it up when he saw the two blades. He immediately took them from Naruto and began examining them.

'The shape of the blades is odd but the weight is fine,' Kurama thought as he examined the blades. 'Hmm, if I take them out for a spin-'

"Thank Naruto for his thoughtful gift," Iruka said as he took both blades from Kurama. "You can test them out tomorrow."

Kurama pouted as he said, "Thank you Naruto."

Naruto giggled when he saw Kurama's crestfallen expression.

"Alright, it's our turn. Our birthday present to you is a performance," Aiko said excitedly.

Upon hearing this, Kurama immediately cheered up. The four omega sat around the fire place and watched the quads' performance. Akihiko played the piano, Akihiro played the guitar while Ai played the harp and Aiko played the flute. The quads played wonderfully. The beautiful melody they had created left the four omega enraptured and when they started singing Iruka cried.

Omega tended to release sweet smelling pheromones when they were happy. These pheromones had a tendency to attract unwanted attention from alphas. Although these pheromones weren't as potent as the ones they released when they were in heat, they still had a tendency to drive an alpha crazy. That was why Ai had to prepare the house. If you think one sweet smelling omega can drive an alpha crazy, imagine having four.

By the time the quads were done with their performance, the entire room smelled like heaven. It was too much for the four adolescent alpha to take so the party came to an end. Kurama and Naruto took the quads to bed while Iruka and Shino cleaned up.

"We're sorry, we didn't mean to overwhelm you," Naruto said as he looked at his daughters and nephews.

"Don't worry about it," Ai said with hazy eyes.

"We're fine," Aiko said dazedly.

Kurama would have believed them if their eyes weren't red and their claws weren't showing.

"Alright. Everyone go to sleep. You'll feel better in the morning," Kurama said as he tucked them into their respective beds.

When the quads finally fell asleep, Naruto and Kurama went downstairs.

"Wow, that was quick. I guess you two didn't need us to help," Kurama said looking at the spotless living room.

"Nonsense! You're the birthday boy, asking you to clean is out of the question. Naruto go help Shino wash the dishes," Iruka said.

Naruto was about to protest when he saw the look on Iruka's face. When Naruto left the room, Iruka pulled Kurama to the couch.

"I noticed that you seemed distracted during the party. Care to tell me what's wrong?" Iruka asked as he sat on the couch beside Kurama.

"Nothing's wrong," Kurama replied flashing the biggest fake smile Iruka had ever seen.

"I've known you for a long time and I know it's hard for you to open up but from all these years, I'd like to think I earned a certain amount of trust from you," Iruka said.

"Look Iruka, I'm fine. I'm just tired from a long mission," Kurama said avoiding eye contact.

"As I said, we've known each other for a long time, we both know neither of us are going to leave this room without you telling me what's wrong," Iruka said.

Kurama gave a long and exaggerated sigh.

"You know Iruka, I still don't get why people think you're an angel who wouldn't hurt a fly," Kurama said in hopes of provoking the omega so he would drop the subject.

"Don't even try it. That trick might work on Naruto but it certainly won't work on me," Iruka said.

"Dan told us a story today," Kurama said.

"About what?" Iruka asked.

"You," Naruto replied as he walked into the living room with Shino following behind him.

"Oh. He told you the story of Iruka the late bloomer. Iruka the trail blazer who opened up the doors of curiosity and opinion," Iruka said as he rolled his eyes.

"Well not in those exact words," Kurama said.

"The villagers have a way of twisting facts to suit their own ideas," Iruka said with clenched fists.

He growled in aggravation as he recalled all the rumours floating around the village about him and his pups. He then turned to look at his pups and sighed in resignation when he saw their curious gazes.

"I've never really told you boys about myself have I?" Iruka asked to which the boys replied No.

'It was bound to happen sooner or later,' Iruka thought.

"Boys, you know how the world works. Children are taught from an early age about their second gender from alphas, betas and to omegas. It's common knowledge that omega are the lowest of all three," Iruka said.

"Mother, you already told us this," Naruto said.

"You're right but back then I left out a few details. All children are treated the same until they present. Alpha are given more responsibility and authority in order to prepare them for the responsibilities that come with being an alpha. Beta are neutral ground. Based on how they act or behave they are either treated as alpha or omega but not exactly. While omega are removed from school after they present, beta are allowed to continue with their education even though they act like omega."

"They may not be allowed to hold positions of power like alpha but at least they are allowed to work. Omega, on the other hand, are removed from school after they present. They are then groomed by their caretakers into good and proper omega. Unfortunately for me, right after I presented my parents passed so there was no one to teach me," Iruka said.