Re; Naruto

Bonding

Umino Iruka is a very serious teacher who dedicated his life to education. At least that was what he wanted to be as he will tiredly look into the mirror every morning to hype his motivation up. He has his usual concern with his students but at the same time he has a new concern. That concern has a name; Tempest Naruto. He had received the boy's papers and learned about his suicide attempt from the report. But looking at the blond in his class, it was hard to imagine that this was the same boy in the older pictures he received.

The boy in the picture was tired and haunted with a fragile mask of false happiness. His hair was a mess and he looked unhygienic as well as unhealthy with his slumping posture and out of shape body. Everything about him screamed for help.

The boy in his class looked fresh and stood tall like nothing can topple him down. His hair was clean and his smile was bright. Not to mention the gossip in the staff room was that many clubs wanted him to join them because he was considered a rare sport genius but instead the boy opted for the dying Kendo club.

There was nothing similar about the two.

Even now, pulling into the school's ground, he saw Neji actually falling behind as he ran his usual route with his new Kouhai. But instead of annoyance, that old spark of competitiveness was actually burning in his eyes with how he chased after the longer legged blond. Surprisingly Shino, a quiet boy from his class, was actually joining them despite being in a different club.

Naruto saw him and his smile was bright, "Iruka-sensei, good morning!"

Iruka nodded awkwardly at him, "Morning,"

Naruto stopped into a stationary jog, "Eh? Iruka-sensei, you need coffee. You sound like a zombie, 'ttebayo~,"

Iruka replied with a deadpan, "Well, I'm seeing a zombie coming up right behind you,"

Naruto paled and flinched with a dramatic shudder, "What?! Oh come on! Don't joke about that, Iruka-sensei! I hate zombies, 'ttebayo!"

Neji growled right over his shoulder, "Who are you calling a zombie?"

Naruto shot forward with a tearful face and a terrified screech, "No! I don't want to be a zombie!"

Neji chased after him, "OI!"

Iruka watched the two raced across the school ground, feeling an almost forgotten smile quirking the corner of his lips. He snorted, "Brat,"

Naruto continue to live his life as peacefully and as sane as he understood it. He couldn't help but tease Iruka whenever he could get away with it. Their little banter and exchange of quip somehow seemed to invigorate the stressed man. Sure this Iruka might not have the signature scar over his nose but he still has that little spark of cheekiness that exists in all pranksters. He noticed Iruka keeping an eye on him and Naruto knew that Iruka must have read a report on why he moved to Japan. Naruto knew he too would have kept an eye on someone reported to have a suicidal mind.

Luckily, most Shinobi are too stubborn to die a worthless death like suicide. They would rather go down fighting than slipping silently in the bathtub. But it's not like there were no cases where Shinobi couldn't go on but they tended to have a more creative way to call it quit to life. Just look at Sasuke. He's a prime example of creative suicide.

If purposefully turning the whole world against him is not a long, winding suicide note, Naruto doesn't know what is.

Today's the weekend and Naruto decided to follow his dad to work. Minato was a little flustered and a little exited that he's taking his son to work. It has been such a long time since Naruto followed him to work. He greeted the unmistakable Senju Tobirama doing his stretches on the dance floor before a mirror. Without his happuri, his signature red slashes, and his albinism rather than his unique coloring typical of the Elemental Nation, Tobirama looked a little off. Also, he's very sensitive to light so the studio has dim lighting.