To Have a Mother [Slow Updates]

Episode Eight: The B-Rank

"So," Kiba spoke up in a teasing voice, "Naru-chan, huh?"

Naruto stopped short as he nearly slipped off the branch. It was just then that he realized Akari had addressed him by his new nickname in front of everyone. He supposed he was too entranced by her kiss to notice. But this is why he would have liked to keep things like that private. Naruto knew Akari cared about him a lot and he adored her willingness to openly and comfortably show him affection regardless to whether they were alone or around others. However, he couldn't say he enjoyed the others' reactions and teasing he would receive afterwards.

The blond collected himself and caught up with the group. "What about it?"

"Well, I can see why Akari Sensei is not allowed to be a jōnin leader," Shino stated. "She's far too gentle."

Naruto knitted his eyebrows. "I'm not her student. She can treat me as kindly as she wants." He lowered his voice. "It's not like anyone else does."

"She was bound to give you a nickname sooner or later," Kakashi chimed in, hopping to Naruto's side. "Akari addresses everyone her age or younger with various terms of endearment. You know, things like honey or sweetheart. She finds most children take comfort in that."

Sakura nodded. "My parents call me names like that, too. I've never really thought much of it, though."

"I mean, it was new, I guess." Naruto shrugged. "I wasn't used to it, but I didn't hate it. But calling me Naru-chan was different. I don't know, it was just..."

"Personal?"

"Yeah."

Kurenai chuckled, joining the blond's opposite side. "It only means she feels close to you."

"It does?"

Kurenai hummed a yes. "Only her favorite children get personalized names."

Naruto's blue eyes beamed as a dancing smile and blush grew against his cheeks. "I-I'm her favorite?"

In a momentary lapse of immaturity, Kakashi said, "Don't get ahead of yourself, Naru-chan. I was always her favorite."

Naruto knitted his eyebrows. "Yeah, right! She can't stand the sight of you half the time, Baby Fang!"

Kurenai pushed herself between the bickering males and rolled her eyes. "Say what you want, but Daichi will always be her number one."

Both Kakashi and Naruto nodded. "That's fair."

"Aw, I want a nickname," Kiba said suddenly, grasping everyone's attention. Feeling awkward under so many confused stares, he then tried to explain himself. "Ever since Akari Sensei returned, everyone's been saying that even since she was our age, she's was the village mother. I've heard from some of my superiors in my clan that she practically raised them. Supposedly she visited my cousins every week day at 5pm to make dinner when my aunt was sick."

Naruto hummed. "But did she make yakisoba?"

"I don't know," Kiba replied. "I wasn't even born."

Kakashi smiled beneath his mask. "Her yakisoba is the best."

Kurenai giggled and nodded in pure agreement. "And she's always gone out of her way to make sure everyone's happy."

"Yeah, which is why I'd imagine most my age or younger would like her as an ally." Kiba smiled timidly. "I love my mom, don't get me wrong, but she can be super harsh. It would be nice to just have someone like Akari Sensei on the days you need extra reassurance."

Kakashi rolled his eyes. "Akari is a jōnin, not an academy councilor, you know."

"No, I mean, I get what he's saying, though," Sakura chimed in. "My mother can be a real pain sometimes. Nagging about this and that. Akari Sensei's like a sweet big sister."