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The door creaked loudly and closed. Naruto winced slightly at the unpleasant sound and mentally made a note that he should be lubricated. Or finally buy a new one.
He left his bag in the hallway, along with his coat and scarf, and went into the room himself. Nothing had changed since his last visit — all the figures were in their places, photos were hanging on the walls (he did not look up so as not to accidentally look at them, but with his peripheral vision he saw hanging frames), and books were lying in a chaotic order on all available surfaces. Naruto rolled his eyes. Of course, he understood everything, but was it really so difficult to clean up?
"Dad! " he shouted loudly, entering the large bright living room, "Dad, I'm home!"
There was a shuffling of slippers from somewhere in the corridor, and an old man entered the room. He was tall, thin, his gray hair was braided in a ponytail, and round glasses sat on his forehead. The scar on his nose had completely faded over his entire life, so that it was difficult to even see it. The man was wearing plaid shirt, thin blue jumper and ordinary light trousers.
The old man narrowed his eyes and came closer.
"Naruto?" he drawled and wrinkled his nose. Naruto rolled his eyes again, but in a kind way, and with a grin flicked his finger on his glasses. They fell right on the man's nose, and he froze in surprise.
"So that's where they were... " he drawled and smiled, "And I was already thinking that... it doesn't matter."
"Dad!" Naruto said with a sigh and immediately frowned, "Dad, what happened?"
"What happened?" the old man answered uncomprehendingly, sitting down in an armchair.
"You know what I mean. Yasuko called."
"This scoundrel? Not surprising."
"Dad, she said you yelled at her."
"Maybe I don't remember. But she stole my watch."
"What watch, Dad?"
"The same ones. I left them in a conspicuous place on purpose to check it, and then they weren't there! She stole them! And I'm not going to live in the same house with thieves."
Naruto sighed and rubbed his eyes wearily.
"What are you sighing for? You're so worried about me, like I can't handle it on my own. I don't need nurses, Naruto, I'm an adult and an independent man!"
"Dad, we've already discussed this, you can't live alone. And where did you leave it?"
"The watch? I don't remember... somewhere…"
"Have you looked in the jewelry box?"
"Naruto, don't get off the subject, there is no watch in the jewelry box! And I repeat once again, I am coping with everything on my own. And I won't give you the apartment."
Naruto, who was about to leave the room at that moment, stopped abruptly. He looked at his father with his deep blue eyes filled with horror, and leaned against the doorway.
"What apartment, Dad?"
"Which you want to evict me from. Or do you think I didn't guess right away? Hey, no, man, I've been saving up for her for 15 years, she's mine by right. And I will give it to you only when I die."
At these words, Naruto swallowed noisily and turned away. He unhooked himself from the doorway and still went into the bedroom.
At that moment, Iruka mumbled with his false teeth and got up from his chair with a grunt. Going into the kitchen, he pulled out a chair and sat down on it. Then Naruto came up to him, holding in his hands the ill-fated watch given to him for his wedding anniversary. Naruto was smiling.
"I told you they were in the jewelry box. You just forgot. But you were rude to Yasuko, now she definitely won't come back."
"Good riddance," Iruka snatched out his watch and briefly examined it. Everything was fine.
"Dad, you... you know how hard it is to find new nurses right now. I'm already tired of coming in every day after work, I can't even help you with the housework."
Iruka grinned.
"Raised a son. He doesn't even want to help the old man."
After standing for a while, Naruto squatted down in front of his father, looking into his eyes through his glasses.
"Dad, please. I'm not getting any younger either, it's hard for me too."
It's true. Mimic wrinkles gathered around the crystal-blue eyes, eyebrows began to fall out, hair gradually began to lose its bright yellow color. He was a handsome man and not that very old, only 37 years old, but the years always take their toll. Iruka reached out a dry hand and stroked his son's cheek. He immediately tilted his head, like a puppy trying to grab more affection from its owner.
"Yes, and especially with the current circumstances," Naruto began from afar, shyly lowering his eyes. Iruka squinted and withdrew his hand.
"What circumstances?"
Naruto got up and turned to the countertop, pretending to get snacks for tea.
"You remember, I told you that I met someone," it was always difficult for him to talk to his father about feelings, no matter how old he was, "So, he invited me to his place."
"He?" Iruka asked incredulously.
"Yes, Dad, you know I'm bi," the blond man rattled.
"I know, it's just... you haven't had a relationship since you and Hinata... well…"
"Yes. But I love him. I really do. And I would like him and me to live together."
"So, what's the problem?"
"He's from Spain."
"Lord, have mercy," Iruka leaned back in his chair and covered his mouth with his hand, "Naruto, it's so far away!"
"I know, that's the problem," he turned around. A mask of guilt and regret froze on his face, "Because of this, I won't be able to visit you as often. But I will definitely fly in every month for a week or even more."
"So you're leaving me, then?.."
Naruto opened his mouth, closed it, and opened it again. His eyes darted around the room; his forehead was covered with perspiration.
He knelt down again, this time taking his father's hand in his palms.
"No, no, of course not, Dad, what are you saying? I hate to leave you, but I love him, and I know he loves me. I can't sacrifice him, just like I can't leave you. That's why I'm looking for a nurse."
"And who will you leave the child for? Will you throw him to Hinata into a new marriage? Or will you hang it on me? Will the three of us live here?"
"Dad, you know Boruto is studying in the States, he doesn't need supervision."
"Fuck him, I remember that he's in America, but how about Himavari?"
"Hima… Dad, did you do it on purpose?" Naruto abruptly stood up and left the room.
Taken aback, Iruka stared into the void for a few seconds, and then got up and followed his son. He was already standing in the hallway, dressed in a coat and scarf.
"Naruto, wait…"
"I can't, Dad, I have to go, really," he bent down and kissed the old man on the cheek, picking up the bag from the shoe rack, "Tomorrow I'll bring a new nurse, try not to scare her off," he opened the door and was about to leave, as Iruka, feeling guilty, grabbed his sleeve.
"Naruto, if you thought something… I don't mind. I, on the contrary, missed her. She hasn't called me or visited me for a long time, I'll even be glad if you bring her to visit me."
"Who is her?" Naruto asked in shock, taking the car keys out of his pocket.
"How... Himawari… We were just talking about her..." Iruka helplessly waved his hand towards the kitchen and let go of his arm.
"I don't understand what you're talking about," Naruto said just as suspiciously and went out the door.
The door closed behind him without a single creak.
***
The morning began again with the tooth-crushing construction outside the window and the wild chirping of birds. Iruka moaned plaintively and tried to cover himself with a pillow, but even this did not save him from the noise. He had to get out of bed and go close the window — the very thing for a summer day.
These bastards don't think about people at all. That their endless construction and asphalt paving can turn into a migraine or aching pain in the teeth for someone. Bastards.
Well, since he got up, it would be worth changing my clothes. Iruka has not changed his wardrobe for almost 10 years — the same trousers, shirt, jumper. And why for? The quality is still excellent, it is not torn anywhere, why should he drag himself after new clothes in his old age? Although, he remembers Himawari once suggested that they go to the store together. Something like a grandfather and granddaughter family trip. Well, she certainly would have picked up something... unusual for him, she was a famous fashionista. Uh, yes. Well, that's how next time he comes to visit — then they will go. There is nothing for him to spend all his days in the apartment and walk in the park, it's time to broaden his horizons.
Iruka pulled his glasses on his nose, habitually wound up his watch and shuffled into the kitchen. For some reason, it turned out to be clean. No frying pans, pots, cups and plates, as if no one has had breakfast here yet. Strange, maybe he has urgent business? Then why didn't you leave a note?
Rummaging in his pockets, the old man pulled out a smartphone in a blue book case. A gift from Boruto on the day of his departure.
He adjusted his glasses and began poking a crooked finger into the phone book, sometimes getting into other people's contacts and cursing softly under his breath. Finally, the desired phone number appeared on the screen, and Iruka put the phone to his ear. To his surprise, he did not hear sound signals, but a strange melody, which was quickly replaced by the phrase "the subscriber is out of the network access zone." Cursing, he threw the phone on the table and turned on the kettle. Again, this idiot forgot to put his phone on charge.
With a sad sigh, he opened the closet door, but found no dishes there. Then Iruka got really angry — he repeated so many times that if you take the cups to the living room, please take them back to the kitchen.
"Good morning," he said, as if they had known each other for a hundred years.
Iruka recoiled and pressed himself against the door.
"Who are you? And what are you doing at my house?"
"Excuse me?" the man stared at him uncomprehendingly, still smiling.
"I asked who you are and what are you doing in my house?"
"I'm Sasuke."
"Ah, well, then everything is clear at once," Iruka pursed his lips mockingly sarcastically and took two steps forward, "I ask you again, who are you?"
"I'm Sasuke," the man repeated, as if his name was the answer to the question, "Your son's husband."
"My son's..." Iruka opened his eyes wide and leaned on the second chair, "Ah ... wait, how long have you been his husband?"
Sasuke was standing next to the old man at that moment, helping him to get into a deep seat. He looked at Iruka as if he were a fool, pulled back the sleeve of his shirt, looked at his watch and slowly said: "In ... 3 months it will be 4 years."
"Four years? Ah, well, of course. Four, exactly," Iruka covered his face with his hand and laughed, "How could I forget!"
Sasuke, looking at him, also smiled and sat back down in the chair opposite him.
"Wait," Iruka said, laughing, "Aren't you the one from Spain?"
"Um... no, I'm Japanese," Sasuke drawled slowly.
"What about the one he's going to Spain to see?"
"Who is going to Spain? Naruto?"
"Yes! He... he came to me yesterday for this. He said he had found me a new nurse because he was going to Spain to visit a man he loved very much. I said then that Spain is so far away! Didn't he tell you?"
"No… I do not think so…"
"Ah!" Iruka clenched his hand into a fist and covered his mouth like a naughty boy, "Oh, my God! Did I give him away?!" he laughed again, slightly clicking his false teeth and swallowing saliva.
Sasuke looked at him strangely and got up from his chair, heading somewhere behind the old man. Iruka immediately jumped up and followed him.
"You... what's your name? You, most importantly, do not get upset! Naruto, he's like that... simpleton. You know. Although he does not know how to play with feelings, but believe me, they will not live long with this Spaniard, that's for sure!"
Sasuke, standing in the middle of the kitchen, awkwardly smiled at him, nodding his head, and continued rummaging in the upper closet.
"Did you take your medicine today, Umino-san?"
"Who do you take me for? Where is Naruto? I need to ask him something."
"He went to the grocery store, he should come soon," Sasuke put a glass of water and a couple of pills on the table, "But in the meantime, drink, please."
"All young people are the same," Iruka croaked roughly, but obediently drank the medicine, "You just want to stuff me with something so that I die as soon as possible. Hey, no, you can't just get rid of me, I'll dance on your grave."
From the corridor came the slam of a door and the rustle of packages. Sasuke abruptly shook his head, causing his long hair, braided in a ponytail, hit him on the cheek.
"And here's Naruto," he said and went to the noise. Iruka also decided to keep up, but before that he reached for the abandoned phone. However, it was not there. Blinking his eyes helplessly and adjusting his glasses, Iruka was surprised to find that yes, there was no phone in the kitchen. Maybe he took it with him to the living room? Most likely.
"Dad! I'm home!"
Iruka waved his hand and headed out into the corridor, wiping his sweaty hands on his jumper as he went.
"Naruto, can you help me? I think my phone is broken, you can see what's there..." Iruka froze and recoiled from the door.
A stranger was standing there. He also had blond hair, but a softer, lighter color, and his eyes were brown. In any case, his facial features looked more like a woman than a man, although there was still something familiar about him.
"Dad, what are you doing?" the stranger said cheerfully, handing a bag of groceries into Sasuke's hands and muttering to him to take it to the kitchen.
"Where's Naruto?.." Iruka asked breathlessly, backing away.
"What do you mean… Here I am," he waved his hand at himself.
The old man shook his head and quickly (as far as his age allowed him) went into the living room.
"Dad? How can I help?"
Hmm, right. The phone was on the nightstand. He took it in his hand and looked at the phone book.
"Yes, I tried to call Kakashi today, but he's not answering. Either he forgot to charge his phone, or something doesn't work for me. Could you take a look?"
Iruka looked up and met the completely dumbfounded brown eyes opposite. Naruto didn't say anything to him, just stood there and looked at him like he was sick. Just like his hubby.
"So...? Naruto, could you take a look?"
The blonde slowly and very carefully took the phone out of his hands, as if it were a bomb, and pressed it to her chest. Then he smiled tightly.
"Y-yes... yes, of course I will. Absolutely," he almost whispered the last word, "Have you been taking pills?"
"Sasuke made me."
"Who?" Naruto turned his back on him and looked straight into his eyes.
"Sasuke..." Iruka almost bleated, sitting down in a chair, "Your husband…"
"My who? Dad, what are you talking about?"
"Are you kidding me?" Iruka shouted, banging his fist on the upholstered upholstery, "You just gave him a bag of groceries!"
"What bag, Dad? Who are you talking about anyway?"
"You just came back with a bag from the store! And I gave it to Sasuke, your husband!"
"I don't have a husband and never have, Dad! There was Hinata, but we have been divorced for 2 years!"
"You want to kill me!" Iruka roughly pushed his son away and practically ran into the kitchen. There was no one there. No grocery bags, no pills in a glass, no mysterious Sasuke with long, sticking-out hair. Iruka breathed quickly, putting his hand to his heart. Someone snuggled up to him from behind, gently hugging his shoulders and kissing him on the cheek.
"Dad, please stop. You just imagined it. Can I take you to wash up? Did you brush your teeth?"
"I am... But I... he was..." the old man whined plaintively, folding his hands and blinking often, "Well," he succumbed to a slight nudge towards the bathroom, "And Kakashi will come soon? Again, he went for a walk in his park, and what should he do there now? In the end, they unearthed everything."
"Soon. He'll be here soon. I promise."
***
New morning, old construction site. The same pants, shirt, jumper. Everything is the same as before. Only Kakashi went for a walk without him again — for sure, insomnia tormented him. Although, it's not surprising at all. With such a huge amount of discarded fuel and crushed asphalt under their window, something else can happen to the body.
After walking a little down the corridor, Iruka noticed that the door to the office was ajar. An office? How long has it been here?
Naruto was sitting at the table, typing something quickly on his computer. He pulled his glasses over his nose, not as round as Iruka's, and the glass was thinner there, but still. Yes, the years are running very fast. Once this man sat on Iruka's lap and cried into his collar that he was being bullied at school.
Naruto looked up and smiled. Iruka nodded to him and entered the room, looking around. Was there any repairs?
The blond man sat down next to him at a small tea table and squeezed his dry hand.
"How did you sleep?"
"Disgusting," Iruka lied. "These bastards have been bothering me all night."
"They don't work at night," Naruto quietly remarked, carefully removing a gray lock from his father's face.
"They're already getting into my nightmares," Iruka retorted nasally, sitting a little closer. He loved to caress his son; they have a pretty strong bond since childhood.
"Don't worry, they'll be done soon. Did you drink the medicine?
Iruka rolled his eyes and leaned back on the sofa.
"You're talking about it again. No, I didn't drink" it always pissed him off. He was ill at most 5 times in his entire life, some old age will not take him.
"Dad, we discussed this," he was interrupted by the doorbell, and Naruto turned around.
Iruka clenched his hands in fright and bit his lip.
"Are you waiting for someone?"
"Yes, yes." he got up from the sofa and went out into the corridor. There was a creak of the door, and someone's unfamiliar girly voice echoed throughout the apartment. The old man rolled his eyes. Well, of course. Another nurse arrived. They all treat him like a child. He's in his eighties now, and they're sending nurses to his house! Vaughn, Kakashi is almost five years older than him, for some reason they don't talk to him like an idiot, and they don't look for nurses for him. And they live together.
"Dad, please meet Orito."
Iruka looked up and squinted. In the doorway stood a short, very young brunette with a bright scarf around her neck. Her blue eyes sparkled brightly, and her lips curved in a smile.
"Nice to meet you, Umino-san!" she said cheerfully, taking a step forward, "Your son has told a lot about you!"
Iruka, without taking his eyes off her, got up from the sofa and smiled belatedly. He accidentally missed a turn and hit his hip on the table, which made Naruto jump up to him, but he didn't seem to notice it.
"Hello... Orito-chan?" having received an affirmative nod, Iruka patted his sides with his hands and turned to Naruto, "What a nice girl." He took her by the elbow and pushed her to the place where he was sitting. She nodded her thanks to him and sat down where she was told.
"So, you are... so you work as a nurse?" Iruka leaned slightly, as his speech had become a little slurred over the years.
"Well, yes. I love helping people," she looked at him tenderly, which made him uneasy.
"Dad, don't embarrass Orito. Orito-san, as I've already told you, Dad can be stubborn sometimes, but he's not a particularly conflicted person at all."
"Oh, believe me, Hatake-san, my intuition tells me that we will become friends. Isn't that right, Umino-san?"
"Y-yes… Of course, yes. What time is it now? Isn't it time for tea? Where's my watch? Naruto, have you seen them?"
"They're probably in the room. I will go…"
"No, no, it's not worth it. You see, Orito-chan, for some reason my son is sure that I can't handle anything on my own. Although my brain remembers everything down to the smallest detail!" he shouted the last sentence as he headed to his bedroom to check his watch. And indeed, here they are. They were lying on the bedside table where he had left them yesterday.
Returning to the room, he fastened the watch on his wrist and looked at the dial.
"Oh, like I said. Tea time. I always tell everyone that I have two pairs of watches, one on my arm and the other in my head! Orito-chan, what kind of tea do you like?"
"For me, please, the same as for you."
"Great choice! Naruto, don't stand there, go make tea and get yourself something. I'll bring the tea set," Naruto pretended to roll his eyes and smiled at the girl. She nodded slightly, and he went into the kitchen, where the kettle was already boiling. Apparently, Kakashi had already had a cup in the morning.
Putting the teapot on the table, Naruto helped his father put three cups, looking at the fourth with surprise. Orito, noticing his look, turned to Iruka, who was already pouring boiling water for everyone.
"Will anyone else join us, Umino-san?"
"Yes, Kakashi. This is my husband. He's probably already had his tea, but when he comes back, I think he won't refuse another cup."
"Do you have a spouse? How cute!"
"Oh, yeah. Even though I'm jealous. Imagine, I spent all my best years on this scoundrel, so that later he changed his last name to the last name of his father, who was almost never at home! He is a military man, already retired," Orito smiled happily, but as soon as she saw Naruto's deathly pale face, she put the cup aside.
"And where is your husband now?" She asked softly, stroking the old man's hand.
"He is walking, probably. He loves this park, even though it's all dug up. He goes there every day. He used to walk our dog, but he died a long time ago. I mean the dog. Naruto, what's wrong with you? Are you sick?" the blond man squeezed the fourth cup so hard that it almost burst. He was looking through his father, somewhere in the wall. Then he put the service on the table with a clink and left the room with a quick step. Orito looked after him worriedly and was about to follow him when suddenly Iruka's hand intercepted her.
"I understood," he said happily, as if he hadn't noticed his son's departure, "You are very similar to my granddaughter, Orito-chan."
"Do you have a granddaughter?"
"Yes, and a grandson. But he went to study in this America of his, leaving me here alone, and my granddaughter, yes, is here. Himavari. However, she didn't come visit me for a long time. Although she has exams at school now, and you yourself understand what kind of competition there is. Poor children. After all, I have worked at the school myself for 40 years. By the way, she also draws for me. A wonderful girl. I'll show you," he tried to get up, but this time Orito grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
"Umino-san, I'll be happy to take a look at the drawings, but let's do it in a couple of minutes. I'm going to go to Hatake-san now, I'll get you some medicine, and you'll tell me everything, okay?"
Iruka shook his head, but sat down on a chair.
"Only faster. The tea will cool down."
"OK!" the girl was already on the threshold of the room when she suddenly turned around, "And tell me about the school where you worked. I'm very interested!" and fluttered out.
The old man smiled blissfully and stirred the sugar in the cup. He poured Kakashi without any additives and more boiling water — he will come anyway, and everything will cool down.
***
The next morning Naruto came to Iruka's apartment with a bunch of papers and documents. He searched for something on all the shelves, and when he found it, he triumphantly grunted and put everything in a separate folder. Iruka was sitting in the kitchen, mindlessly chewing an omelette and tapping his fingernail on the phone case.
Finally, Naruto came up to him, took the dirty plate and asked him to change his clothes, as they would have to go somewhere. Iruka didn't mind. He had been staying in the apartment for a long time, even he was bored. Orito didn't come today, and Iruka didn't know why. Yesterday they seemed to have a good conversation, he told her about the school where he worked first as a teacher, and then as a director, told about his acquaintance with Kakashi (she laughed so loudly and moronically with her slightly shrill laughter, just like Himawari. Iruka told her about it, and probably offended her a little, because then Orito did not laugh, only giggled and smiled with restraint), showed her favorite granddaughter's drawings. Orito especially liked the collection dedicated to Indians and the wild West. Hima drew them just in time for her brother's departure, having read about the development of the continent and all sorts of adventure-romantic books on this topic. Iruka also liked it very much, but not as much as the ocean landscapes. He kept them most carefully, sheltering them from dust, sun and moisture.
Why didn't Orito come today? This was the first nurse that Iruka liked. Apparently, besides Iruka, she also had other old men. Well, please.
Loaded into Naruto's car, they drove along a long concrete highway, which Iruka always squeamishly bypassed. He never recognized global urbanization, often recalling how in the old days there were almost no cars on the streets, and there was at least something to breathe. And there was no fucking highway.
We didn't drive for long. We stopped in the parking lot, got out of the car, took each other by the elbow and walked towards the building. Iruka realized that this was a hospital, but he didn't show it. Deep down, he was a little offended — he thought that his Naruto would be lucky to walk, they would spend time together with him, and then the doctors again.
After briefly hanging around the reception desk and climbing to the right floor, Naruto led him to the right office, opened the door and pushed him inside. Entering the room, Iruka jerked. There was a woman sitting at the table whose face seemed unusually familiar to him. Exactly. So it was her facial features that Naruto had when he came from the store that day. When they still had this strange Sasuke in their apartment.
"Good morning, Lady Tsunade," came from behind him, and Iruka pressed his head harder. The son gave him a little push and sat down on one of the chairs in front of the doctor's desk. Iruka hurried to sit next to him. Tsunade just nodded, quickly filling out something on the computer, and finally turned her whole body to them.
Apparently, Iruka's participation was optional, because Naruto answered all the questions and also dictated the symptoms. He quickly went through the gaps in his father's memory, and the hallucinations that he sometimes sees (Iruka already wanted to be outraged that he doesn't see anything, but bit his tongue), and the deterioration of his health (again, I would like to object, but it's somehow inconvenient to swear in front of a doctor). They talked for a long time about Iruka, about his treatment and medications, Tsunade shone a flashlight into his eyes, muttered about something and wrote out a new prescription. Feeling free, Iruka got up without saying a word, nodded a restrained farewell and headed for the door.
"Oh, by the way," Iruka drawled as casually as possible, "Have you sorted out my phone? I'm worried about the problem with Kakashi."
"Oh, isn't that your husband?" unexpectedly, a woman answered instead of Naruto, "I'm so sorry. To lose both my husband and granddaughter in such a tragedy, I can't even imagine how hard it is. And you, Mr. Hatake. God, poor girl."
"Thank you very much, Mrs. Tsunade. We are grateful to you. My daughter… She left so early, she was only 15. And my father. This is a great tragedy for our family."
"I understand everything, the whole city was worried when they found out about this accident. Indeed, please accept my condolences."
Naruto thanked her again, assuring her that everything was fine, and again took his father's elbow. Taking him out into the corridor, he sighed sadly and turned to him.
"Well, Dad, shall we go to the park? You said you haven't been there for a long time, but flower beds have been planted recently, everything should bloom there. Dad?"
Iruka stood staring at the wall. An accident? Kakashi? Himawari? O Lord… When…
He... he saw Kakashi recently. Today at breakfast. Or was it brunch? Or was it not today? When was the last time he saw his husband? When did he go for a walk with him? When did Himawari call him?
She told him that her exams had started. Wasn't it recently? Or long ago? Why can't he remember? Spain? Sasuke? Hinata? When did they get divorced?
"Dad!"
Iruka turned his gaze to his son and squeezed his palm with a trembling hand.
"Let's go."
"Where to? Are you all right?"
"Let's go to the park."
"Dad, they dug him up. You can't go there now, they'll put a tile in a month, then let's go."
Feeling that his strength was leaving him, Iruka tightened his grip on his son's hand, fearing that he would now disappear into thin air and leave him. They went outside, and Iruka's lips trembled and her eyes filled with tears. There was snow on the road.
Iruka stopped understanding anything at all. He seems to be going crazy.
***
In the morning, Iruka woke up without the usual sound of a concrete crusher. He got out of bed, surprised by the sudden silence, and looked out the window. His hands automatically grabbed the wooden ledge of the windowsill (wasn't it plastic?). There was no old park in the window. They even dug it up. There was a small garden outside the window, where elderly people were walking (why only them?). But no, there's a young girl over there. A nurse, judging by her clothes. And there is another one. And also a nurse. And here's a young man. Also... medical worker…
Without changing his pajamas, which he never allowed himself to do, Iruka opened the door of his bedroom and went out into the corridor. Into the hospital corridor. He turned around helplessly and, to his horror, saw that his room was not there. It was a ward, albeit with an ordinary bed, without ivs and any medical supplies, but a ward. When did he get here? Where is he? Where is Naruto? Where's Kakashi? Does he live with him or has he been moved to a separate room? Or is he at home? Is Iruka sick?
"Mr. Umino, good morning! You've been sleeping too much today."
Iruka turned his head sharply and saw Sasuke in front of him. He was dressed in medical clothes, his hair was tucked under a cap, and his badge had the name Shikamaru on it.
The old man felt that his legs were getting weak, and began to slowly descend the wall. Shikamaru grabbed him by the waist, muttering something in fright, and helped him get to the bed.
"I... where... Where is Naruto?" Iruka whispered in a trembling and quiet voice, pressing his hands to his chest.
"Your son? He's in Spain. Here are postcards from him. Do you really like to review them every night, have you really forgotten?"
Iruka looked listlessly at the bedside table and noticed a stack of papers. Shikamaru kindly took them and passed them into the weakened flabby hands of Umino. The postcards depicted the Royal Palace, the Alcazar of Seville, the Cathedral of St. James, the Sagrada Familia and Santa Maria de Montserrat. Iruka knew all these places, although he had never traveled outside Japan. No wonder he taught geography for almost 40 years.
On the back of the postcard were completely covered with Naruto's crooked handwriting. He told about his new life, that he was doing well, that he had found a job and started learning Spanish. There are a lot of questions about Iruka's condition, promises to come in a couple of months, questions about whether he wants some souvenir or a local delicacy.
His hands were shaking. A couple of drops fell on the postcard, and a piece of paper went to the stack with the rest of the letters. The old man's shoulders shook, and he sobbed hollowly, biting his lip. Shikamaru immediately sat down next to him, stroking his shoulders soothingly, but Iruka continued to sob.
"I have lost everything," he finally whispered through tears, "My son, my husband, my daughter-in-law, my grandchildren. They're all gone. They all abandoned me. I lost my leaves; I was left completely alone."
"Come on, Umino-san. Your son didn't leave you. He constantly calls us to find out about your well-being, writes to you non-stop, and soon he will come to you. What are you so worried about?"
"He won't come, he doesn't need me. I'm a burden to him," Iruka continued to sob, shrinking and hunching more and more, "I'm a burden from a past life. He's got a clean slate, he doesn't need me. They all abandoned me. Why are they doing this to me? What did I do to them? Why are they hurting me?"
"Umino-san, would you like to go to Spain with your son? Is there something you don't like here? Maybe someone from the staff was rude to you?"
"They abandoned me," Iruka continued, ignoring the doctor, "I want to go home. My husband is there, he's waiting for me. We have to go to the park, we haven't been there for a long time. Since our dog died. Poor Pakkun, he suffered so much. And we weren't at home. He died alone. And I will die the same way. I don't want. I don't want, I don't want, I don't want! Please call Kakashi, he will take me home, I want to go home," Iruka finally burst into tears, burying his face in his hands.
Shikamaru sighed raggedly, and hugged the old man, pressing his cheek against his back and stroking his shoulder with his hand.
"Would you like me to take a walk with you, Umino-san? We don't have a park, but the place is also suitable for a walk. Let's take a walk, calm down, then have some tea. Do you want me to ask the nurses to share some sweets with you? I know they definitely had a cake."
Iruka only mumbled, without taking his face away from his hands, but obediently stood up so that Shikamaru could help him put on his slippers and a warm robe-coat. The doctor gently held his elbows, whispering words of support in his ear. Iruka wiped his snot with his sleeve and looked at the man with wet, faded eyes.
"And Kakashi walks there? Will we meet him?"
Shikamaru smiled awkwardly, twitching his head and tsked.
"Yes, he is there. Let's go, maybe we'll run into him on the way."
"That's good. Just don't call him for tea," Iruka giggled, carefully and slowly taking step by step, "He doesn't eat sweets anyway, but I love cakes.
Despite the smile, salty tracks continued to run down his cheeks anyway.
***
Another morning. Again, there are no sounds of repairs on the road, but Iruka does not pay attention to this. He habitually gets out of bed, changes into daytime clothes and goes to the mirror to adjust his jumper. An involuntary cry escapes from his throat. It's not him in the reflection. More precisely, he, but…
There was no gray hair. There were no wrinkles, no toothless mouth, no protruding veins. Strong long black hair, clear coal-black eyes, clear caramel skin with several moles and full sensual lips. The familiar scar was no longer faded, no longer hiding under the roughened overhanging skin, no. Iruka touched his fingertips to the skin next to his eyes and involuntarily gasped.
Then his gaze fell on the calendar hanging right next to the mirror. Two dates were circled in it: October 10 and 22. The tenth was Naruto's birthday, and the twenty-second…
"On the twenty-second Himawari suggested going for clothes," Iruka mused aloud, thoughtfully rubbing his chin.
"Should I ask who Himawari is and why are you going to buy clothes with her?" a deep baritone voice sounded behind him. Iruka abruptly turned on his heels and pressed his hips against the bedside table.
Kakashi was standing in the doorway. Just as young. Alive. Favourite. The most beautiful.
He was holding a plate in his hands and wiping it with a kitchen towel.
"You've been sleeping too much today. Come on, come to us, I baked pancakes."
"To us?" Iruka muttered stupidly.
"To Naruto and me. And yes, talk to him after breakfast, I found a crumpled failed test in the trash today," with these words, his husband left the room, leaving Iruka alone with his thoughts.
The sun entered the room through the window, softly illuminating the room with its light. The dense green trees swayed slightly. All their leaves were in place. Something snorted at Iruka's feet, and the man looked down.
Pakkun, the same old man, made a funny face at him, sticking out his tongue, and limped after the owner into the kitchen. He was comically hobbling after joint surgery, easily twitching his short tail, which is even difficult to call a tail. So, the stump.
Iruka took a deep breath, smiled, automatically wound up the watch on his hand and left the bedroom.
The sun was shining on him today. He's happy today. Is this happening today?