Chapter Text
A little under two years fly by. Naruto’s injuries heal well, and with the help of Guy, Anko, and Iruka, Kakashi manages to help Naruto learn to control his chakra. Naruto manages to master shadow clones, ninja weapon use, basic taijutsu, transformation jutsu, and substitution jutsu within the span of the two years- all things that Kakashi was fearful Naruto would struggle with. The two of them still live with Iruka in the Hatake compound, and much to Kakashi’s relief, his relationship with Iruka has been going swimmingly.
Kakashi nervously shifts his weight between the balls of his feet as he waits for Naruto’s return. The graduation exams are today and he’s expecting Naruto back early to tell him the results. Kakashi knows that the exam was clone-based, so Naruto should be fine, but he still can’t help being anxious for the boy.
At the very least, Naruto seemed confident enough to say that he was going to bring his friends by to celebrate when he inevitably passed, so that gives Kakashi hope. When the clock strikes noon, the front door slams open.
“Okay, so Iruka is still at school, but this is my other dad, Kakashi!” Naruto talks to his friends, who he drags into the dining room. They sit around the table and offer Kakashi greetings of their own, though they’re all a bit awkward. “Kakashi, did you make food like I asked? I told you I’d bring my friends when I passed and that we’d be hungry, didn’t I? And I passed, believe it!”
“Congratulations,” Kakashi smiles. “And yes, I’ve been slaving away on this meal all day, so I hope you all like it.”
Perhaps one of the best parts about having been dating Iruka for almost two years is that the younger man has finally taught Kakashi how to cook a decent meal- or, quite a few decent meals. So, Kakashi was able to cook them ramen since Iruka is left behind at the academy dealing with the last-minute preparations for the graduation ceremony that’s going to take place later tonight. He quickly brings the pot to the table with bowls, cups, and a huge pitcher of tea for all of the boys to fix their own servings. Then, he goes to linger in the kitchen- partially in case they need anything else, and partially to make sure the five sitting at the table don’t absolutely destroy the compound while they’re here.
Naruto and his friends quickly make themselves food and start to eat. It’s silent for a bit save the sounds of slurping, but said silence is quickly broken by Choji.
“Thanks for having us over, Naruto!” Choji happily says as he scarfs down his second- or maybe his third?- bowl of ramen. Kakashi doesn’t mind- he assumed that Choji would be coming along with the others, so he made way more than he normally would. The redhead is sat around the kitchen table with Kiba, Sasuke, Shikamaru, and of course, Naruto. Kakashi stands in the kitchen, quietly listening in and watching through the window that leads to the dining room. “This food is delicious!”
“Yeah, the grub is great, but I’m pretty siked to see Akamaru making friends!” Kiba exclaims while looking into the expansive backyard, where Akamaru runs around with all of Kakashi’s Ninken and Naruto’s three kittens- which have long since grown into healthy adult cats. Kakashi didn’t even notice that Akamaru had come with Kiba in the first place, or that Akamaru had slipped into the backyard immediately upon arrival. “You know, Naruto, I never knew you had all these dogs- this is so cool! And the cats are cool, too, I guess.”
“Personally, I prefer the cats,” Shikamaru butts in between bites. Kakashi notices that the ravenette and Sasuke have considerably better table manners than the other three. “They’re chill. But really, Naruto, it was nice of you to invite us over to celebrate. Your parents are pretty cool, too… Even though it’s pretty weird that one of your dads is Iruka-Sensei.”
“Thanks, guys! I’m just happy you’re actually having fun,” Naruto practically beams, and Kakashi has to turn away to wipe the tears that well up in his eyes. It’s nice to see Naruto being successful and making friends after so many years of misery, but since when was Kakashi so emotional about it? He feels like such a sap… “How about we go train? I know a really good spot just a few blocks from here that we could use! It’ll give us somethin’ good to do till the ceremony!”
“Yo, that sounds awesome!” Kiba agrees and lets out a loud whistle, which has Akamaru rushing to head inside through the doggy door and hopping into Kiba’s lap. “Let’s go!”
Before leaving, Naruto looks to Sasuke.
“Hm… I guess it wouldn’t hurt,” Sasuke, who pretty much lives with them now too, finally chimes in. “Sure.”
The boys all get up and leave the compound, leaving Kakashi alone. He sighs and gets ready for the graduation ceremony, which will be in just a few hours. He wonders what Iruka is up to…
Hours later, Kakashi meets Naruto at the ceremony since he’s attending as a parent. The principal gives a nice speech to all of the new Genin and hands out their headbands, that of which Naruto can’t even get on by himself. Kakashi sits on the ground tying the garment around the blond’s forehead when Iruka approaches, appearing exhausted and even a little out of breath.
“Congratulations, Naruto! I’m so proud of you,” Iruka says. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to see you much today, it’s just that I was so busy conducting the exams and preparing everything for the ceremony… But I promise, I’ll make it up to you! Since the ceremony is over, we can go do something together right now, if you’d like. Do you want to go eat? Maybe Ichiraku?”
“No thanks, Kakashi already made us ramen today!” Naruto says and pulls off to go back to his friends, who are standing by the wooden swing, waiting for him. Kakashi winces and chuckles a bit. He can practically feel Iruka’s heartbreak from here. “We’re gonna go shopping for a bit, love you!”
Naruto doesn’t even wait for a response. Instead, he grabs Sasuke by the hand and encourages the rest of his friends to follow him along. They all quickly disappear from sight and into the village, leaving Kakashi and Iruka alone.
Iruka slouches and rubs the bridge of his nose between his thumb and his pointer finger.
“Man… I remember just a couple years ago, he couldn’t make friends to save his life and everyone in class thought he was obnoxious. Now, he’s got a whole friend group of his own that loves him… It’s nice to see that he’s developed socially and all, because I was really worried for a bit, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t sting a little. I almost miss when I was the only person he really wanted to spend time with. Remember when we first moved in together and he was super jealous of you?”
“Yeah, he thought we kissed that one time and blew a basket… Told me I wasn’t good enough for you and that you deserved someone better,” Kakashi reminisces. “He wouldn’t let you around anyone else, either, and I remember he was pissed off at us for an entire month when we told him we were dating.”
“Yeah…”
“What, are your feelings hurt because he didn’t want to come hang out with his lame parents at Ichiraku like he used to?” Kakashi teases, well aware that there’s some truth to his question. “Don’t tell me you want him to revert into that little brat again.”
“No, it’s not like that! Also, we’re not lame!” Iruka scolds with a light smack to Kakashi’s shoulder. “Don’t say those sorts of things, Kakashi.”
“Well, even though we’re lame old guys that Naruto doesn’t want to hang out with anymore, I still love you, Iruka.”
“Hmph,” Iruka offers a half-hearted pout and rests his head on Kakashi’s shoulder. “I love you, too.”
“Why don’t we go together?” Kakashi suggests in an attempt to lighten the mood. While he knows that Iruka is elated about Naruto branching out and growing up, he also knows that Iruka misses the sweet little Naruto who didn’t want to spend time with anyone else. Watching your kids grow up is difficult. Kakashi feels the same way sometimes. “We’ll see Naruto at the compound anyway since he’s bringing his friends over for that sleepover tonight, so it won’t hurt for us to have some ‘us’ time.”
“I guess you’re right…” The brunette sighs. “Let’s go.”