Namikaze -Iruka Umino-

Chapter One

~ teen years~

Asa walked down the streets of Konoha. The teen girl walked with the little four-year-old Naruto in her arms. Since the girl had taken her nephew in since the death of his parents it had been hard. The girl barely passed the academy because she had to take care of the little boy. Now, she was trying to make ends meet, the girl worked in the Yamanaka's flower shop to help pay the bills as she worked to be a medical nin.

It was Asa's dream to be the best medical nin. She was working to have a job in the hospital, but with the little boy now it was going to be hard for her. But the girl never gave up, she worked hard. Studying all night to learn medical ninjustu and working all-day in the flower shop.

The girl kept walking to the grocery store, the boards were running low and they needed food. Asa looked down at the little boy who laughed as he played with a strand of her blond hair. Asa could hear the whispers all around her. She knew that everyone hated her nephew but she tried her hardest to ignore them.

Asa finally reached the store and walked in, only looking for simple things. She was quick to grab what she needed and carry the two large paper bags. The girl balanced the bags and boy in her hand the best she could, but it wasn't easy.

As she walked from the store and down the street a little ways before one of the bags started to slip. Asa kept repeating 'no' as she readjusted the bag only for the other one to start slipping as well.

"Let me help you," said a male voice. Asa looked up to see Iruka with a big smile on his face. She gave the boy a closed eye smile as thanks.

"Oh thank you Iruka. You didn't have to," the girl chuckled. The two began walking again toward the apartment building in which they both lived in. Iruka was Asa's neighbor in the building, this also helped with their friendship.

"It's no problem. I was headed home anyway," laughed the boy. They walked in comfortable silence. Asa's cheeks heated up at the thought of Iruka. The girl had to admit that she had a crush on him, but she wouldn't tell anyone.

"Well, I can make dinner if you want. As a thanks," Asa offered looking up the teen beside her. Iruka blushed a deep red looking at the girl as she smiled with closed eyes.

"S-sure," he replied chuckling nervously. The two were then plunged back into the silence as they neared the building. The building was a one leveled apartment.

Asa approached her door, searching for her keys in the kunai pouch she had on her. Finally after a minute she had grabbed them.

"Do you mind?" the girl asked handing the teen the other paper bag. Iruka shook his head, taking the bag from her hands as Asa opened the door, letting the boy go first.

"Thank you for inviting me over, its been a while."

Asa looked up as she set Naruto down onto the floor, "It's no problem. Your my friend, I miss hanging out with you."

Iruka rubbed the back of his neck smiling as he chuckled. Asa never noticed how nervous he was around her, but he had never noticed how nervous she got either. It was like the two were oblivious. Asa's friend Emiko would always say something about the way Iruka would look at her, but Asa always passed it off.

She never believe that he would like her back. I mean why would he like the aunt to a boy who had the nine tails beast. She loved Naruto as if he were her own. She was the only mother figure the boy had. The only family that he had left.

Asa walked deeper into the small apartment, taking the bags from Iruka as she started to put away the food and get other things ready for dinner that she would make for the three of them. Over the last few weeks she had been doing this. Asa would make dinner for Iruka and Naruto, she enjoyed having Iruka around.

He would help out, stay to make sure the two were okay. He was falling for this girl, ever since the academy, he had a crush on her. Lately, Iruka would stay the night, sleeping on the couch when he wasn't sent on missions. Asa didn't mind it, she felt safe with Iruka here with her and Naruto.

***

Well passed dinner as Asa was sitting in the living room with Naruto reading to him she felt as if someone was watching her. Asa looked up to see Iruka staring, this caused the boy to look down with a blush on his cheeks. Asa giggled at that, seeing how embarrassed he was. Asa looked down to see Naruto sleeping in her lap. This always got the boy to sleep. So, the girl stood to her feet. Walking down the hall to put Naruto to bed.

The apartment was small where she and the little boy shared a bedroom. It never bothered her, but she had been thinking lately that she wanted to get a two-bedroom. As the girl walked back into the tiny living room to see Iruka was reading one of the books he had brought from his place.

The teen boy looked up to see a smiling Asa,  it warmed his heart to see her smile. He hated when she was upset. Iruka had set his book down as Asa took a seat next to him. They sat in silence, it was usually like this for the two of them.

"So... I was thinking," Asa started, "I want to get a bigger apartment."

Iruka looked into her big blue eyes, "Well, with Naruto getting older you should. Talk to Lord Third I'm sure there is something."

"Yeah, I'll have to do that soon," Asa said looking down at the mess on the floor. The girl stood up and started to pick up all of Naruto's toys that were laying around. Iruka stood to help the girl pick up.

He knew she was struggling, he wanted so bad to help his friend. It bothered him to see that she tried to give her nephew the best life that she could. It wasn't long after that Asa said she was going to bed. The girl gave her friend the option to stay if he wanted.

Iruka didn't pass it up, he laid on the couch as Asa disappeared from sight. He only wished that he could do something to help her. To make her life a little easier. He wanted to talk with the Hokage to see if there was something that he could do.