Blood For Blood: Chapter Thirteen
Title: Blood for Blood
Chapter Thirteen: Family Affairs
Authors: kita_the_spaz and demondreams
Additional Beta by ookami_kasumi and fieryredqueen. (so heap much love upon them for the work)
Rating: PG-13 this chapter
Notes: This is slightly-AU concerning the events after the three year timeskip.
Summary: When a noble is murdered and the blame falls on Iruka, trouble comes in spades and Iruka might have to take his life into his own hands.
Previous chapters can be found here.
Chapter Thirteen: Family Affairs
Kakashi followed Iruka swiftly over the rooftops, noting that the chuunin-sensei’s prediction had proven true. No one, not even the most alert of nin, gave them a second look. Most barely even gave them more than a passing glance. Kakashi wondered idly if Ibiki had ever considered having the chuunin teach a few classes to his infiltration specialists.
Iruka paused on a roof across from his apartment building, alertly watching the street below until it was momentarily empty. He lightly dropped down to the balcony and Kakashi trailed after him. Iruka stopped him with a raised hand before he could even set foot on the balcony itself.
Kakashi perched instead on the railing, watching Iruka attentively.
Iruka scrutinized the balcony and door carefully, his henged face intent. He worried his bottom lip with his teeth. After a long moment, he spoke to Kakashi, his eyes still on his door. “Someone my wards didn’t know triggered them very recently.” He rose and rested a palm against the door. “They set off two of my traps before they gave up or were frightened away.”
Kakashi snorted and raised an eyebrow. “Non-lethal traps? I would have figured you for a more security-conscious individual, Iruka-sensei.”
Iruka turned to look at him and surprisingly, didn’t bristle. “You’ve met my students, Kakashi-san. Do you honestly think I would have lethal traps anywhere that lot could run afoul of them? I learned my lesson when Naruto was still one of my students.” He chuckled darkly. “Before I reset my wards to recognize him, he nearly had a deadly encounter with a garrote. Twice.”
Iruka met Kakashi’s gaze, his eyes gone surprisingly dark. The corner of his mouth lifted in a wry smile. “Trust me, my real secrets are very well protected.” Iruka's grin was suddenly not-very-nice, a thing of bared teeth and menace. Then he blinked, smiled and just like that, he was harmless chuunin schoolteacher again. He unlocked the door and stepped inside.
Warily, Kakashi followed. He tugged his mask down just long enough for a quick sniff, but the scents on the balcony were muddled and too old to distinguish. The only discernible scent was a strong edge of garlic, enough to make his nose itch and his eyes water.
Iruka kicked off his sandals and crossed the spartan main room, dropping the henge as he did so. There was a small wooden cabinet inset into the wall of the corner farthest from the door; and it was to this he went, opening the polished doors. Revealed was a small family shrine with two pictures holding court in the places of honor.
Kakashi made sure that the door was locked and the curtains drawn and then let his own henge go. He removed his own shoes and padded closer to Iruka, peering over his shoulder for a closer look at the pictures.
The one on the right was of a lean, elfin-faced woman with expressive brown eyes and a mischievous smile. Iruka resembled her very strongly. He had her eyes, Kakashi realized belatedly. On the left was a solidly-built man with brown hair and dark eyes. His skin was the same deep mocha as Iruka’s and there were slight wrinkles around his eyes that spoke of someone who smiled often.
Iruka lit a cone of incense in the brass dish in front of the pictures and bowed his head silently for a long moment.
Kakashi shifted uncomfortably. He wasn’t comfortable having others around when he visited the memorial stone and this seemed perilously close to intruding where he didn’t belong.
Iruka suddenly grinned and lifted his head. “Sorry I was late for your birthday, mom, but, well… a lot of things have come up in the past couple of days. I might not get to come pay my respects again… for a bit at least. I wanted to introduce Kakashi-san, also. He’s been… keeping company with me for a while. Not the way you’re thinking, mother, but he’s been good company. A porn-reading pain in the ass, sometimes, but… nice for all that. I don’t know whether you knew him when he was a kid or not, so I thought I’d introduce you.” Iruka turned his head and his gaze transfixed Kakashi. “Be polite and say hello, Kakashi-san.”
Kakashi grimaced, but knelt beside Iruka. “Yeah, um…hello.”
Iruka shot him a dark look, brows knitted together.
Kakashi pretended not to notice, but it wasn't easy.
A hand slapped the back of his head sharply.
He did notice that. Iruka had an arm on him that rivaled Tsunade’s. Rubbing the back of his head, Kakashi fixed Iruka with a stare. “What was that for? I said hello, just like you asked.”
Iruka’s cheeks were faintly flushed. “Be polite, please.”
“This from a man who just told his parents that I was ‘a porn-reading pain in the ass?’ I think you’re the one who needs lessons in being polite.”
This time the blush was a lot more prominent. “Tell me it’s not true.”
Time to get a little of his own back. Kakashi folded his arms and snorted. “While I confess to reading porn; there are much better ways of being a pain in the ass. I could show you a few,” he leered.
“If you think sex is a pain in the ass, then you’ve been doing it all wrong.” Iruka was still bright red, but his brown eyes sparkled with mischief.
Entirely surprised, Kakashi chuckled.
Iruka grinned at him and turned his attention back to the shrine. “Anyway, mom, I’m really sorry I missed your birthday. I don’t know when I’ll get a chance to say it again, but I love you both. Please watch over me and everyone else.” He bowed his head and clapped his hands, muttering silently for a moment before snuffing the incense and closing up the shrine. Smiling, he rose to his feet. “Thank you.” Kakashi nodded, mirroring him. “We should go.”
Iruka proceeded to seal up the apartment again and replace the traps that had been sprung.
Kakashi watched with interest. The two traps that had been sprung were wickedly designed, enough to take even a shinobi aback. If a civilian (or worse, one of Iruka's demon-spawn students) ran afoul of them, he was sure they'd get much more than a simple scare. Only the one on the balcony and first of the layered ones on the door had been tripped.
They resumed their henge and ran swiftly back to the estate.
Serpent challenged them gruffly, his voice still layered with suppressed mirth.
Kakashi, posing his feminine henge provocatively, gave the wary ANBU the correct password in a far too enticing whisper.
Iruka stifled a laugh behind his hand.
They leapt back into the courtyard swiftly.
The ANBU's dismayed "Kakashi-san!" followed them down.
Baying happily, the pack crowded around them.
Kakashi patted everyone quickly, but went straight to Uuhei, still lazing under a tree.
She greeted him with a lick. “You were gone for what- half an hour? Nothing happened, boss.” She tilted her head toward the rest of the pack, who were gamboling around Iruka like he’d been gone forever instead of a mere half-hour. “Even the others managed to be quiet for a change.”
Kakashi stroked her head meditatively. “That’s unusual.”
Uuhei huffed softly, licking his fingertips again. “When did you grow up into such a worrywart? I’m fine. I have you, Iruka-sensei and even the Hokage looking out for me and the rest of the pack to fetch and carry. Aside from the lingering ache, what could be better?”
That startled a chuckle out of Kakashi. “Lazy,” he accused. “Next thing I know you’ll demand to be treated like a princess; all silk pillows and prime rib.”
“Of course.” Uuhei lifted her lips in an expression that could only be a smirk. “Everyone must know their place.”
Kakashi laughed, feeling a weight he hadn’t known was there lifting from his chest. “I forgot how spoiled you are.”
Uuhei gave him a glare of mock offense, and then nudged him hard in the back of the knee.
Caught unprepared, Kakashi tumbled over, laughing helplessly.
Iruka and the other dogs stopped playing to stare wide-eyed at Kakashi, convulsed with laughter.
Uuhei lifted her head and gave him a superior look. “If I were spoiled, it would be your fault, you know.”
Wheezing, Kakashi pushed himself into a sitting position. “Dammit, now you’re not playing fair,” he scolded breathlessly.
“All’s fair.” Uuhei responded. “You should just be glad I don’t have hands.” She turned her attention to where Iruka and the rest of the pack were still staring. “Hey, Iruka-sensei, come here and I’ll tell you where the boss is ticklish-”
Kakashi hurriedly clamped a hand over her muzzle. “Sharing time is over, thanks.”
Uuhei just grinned wickedly under his fingers.
*~*~*~*~*
Afternoon had slipped into evening, edging on true night, when Kakashi went to call Iruka in for supper.
He found the teacher where he had left him, in the courtyard with the ninken, but at that moment, his head was pillowed on Buru’s shoulder. His eyes were closed and his face relaxed. The even cadence of his breathing gave evidence that he was sound asleep.
Guruko raised his head from where it was resting on Iruka’s thigh and thumped his tail.
Iruka stirred at the movement, but soon settled back into slumber.
Kakashi found himself glad that the other man seemed to be sleeping peacefully. He needed the rest. And while he slept… Kakashi straightened up, glancing at the darkening sky.
Uuhei cracked open an eye, but didn’t move from where her head rested under Iruka’s lax fingers. “Boss?” she inquired in a barely audible whisper.
He shook his head, not wanting to wake Iruka. In scout’s hand-signals, he gave them the order to keep watch.
Several tails wagged acknowledgment, though not one of them moved enough to stir the sleeping chuunin.
Pakkun left the group to clamber up onto Kakashi’s shoulder. “Like you had to tell us this?” he admonished in a gruff undertone. “Nobody is getting past us. Not again.”
Kakashi rubbed Pakkun’s ears. “Good,” he murmured. Setting the pug down, Kakashi moved far enough away that he could create a clone without disturbing Iruka. Leaving the clone to watch, he vanished into the night.
~*~*~*~
He passed the ANBU guards on the tower easily enough, for as well trained as they were, he was still the Hound. He padded silently down the night-darkened corridors, navigating easily by memory and the small bits of moonlight that seeped in the small windows.
The wards on the Records Room’s door were difficult; and after seeing the ones Iruka had set on his apartment, Kakashi could see the chuunin’s masterful touch in the shaping of these. It took longer than he would have liked, but at last he managed to disable the final one. The simple lock was child’s play to pick once the wards were down.
He didn’t wager on the trap just inside the door, and nearly got a shave from a series of kunai triggered by his entrance.
With a last cautious look for anything he might have missed, he slipped inside and closed the door behind him.
“Knew I’d find you here sooner or later, brat.” Light flared around him, agonizing to an eye adjusted to the darkness. “I just thought it would be sooner.”
Kakashi was too well-trained to startle, though he had a kunai in hand before he could blink the last painful dazzle out of his eye. He dropped the kunai in his belt holster with a deceptively careless movement. “Mah, I was expected?”
Tsunade chuckled, folding her arms over her breasts. She reclined in the chair, her hazel gaze steady. On the desk before her were several folders, the topmost labeled clearly with Iruka’s name. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist. You are as determined as I am to resolve this matter without Iruka’s death.”
Kakashi only nodded.
Tsunade flipped the file open and trailed her fingers along the first page; a standard dossier. “You do realize that this is sensitive information, and by all rights, you shouldn’t be reading it, correct?”
He gave her a calculatedly blank stare.
She chuckled. “Right, then.” She closed the folder and shoved it across the desk at him.
Kakashi scooped it up, glancing over and dismissing the standard info page. Weight, height, blood type… all ordinary fare. Next was a mission listing and that was worthy of raising an eyebrow over. Before he’d been assigned as an academy teacher (at age nineteen,) Iruka had completed twelve A-ranks… all solo? While an A-rank or two wasn’t unusual at chuunin rank, it was usually while in a team; often a mixed group of chuunin and tokubetsu jounin. But solo?
Kakashi flipped a page, looking for the unclassified mission details. He found them, skimming them with a raised eyebrow. Over half of his B-ranked missions and all of his A-rank were infiltration and information-gathering missions. There was a notation appended, directing him to Iruka’s Medical files for further information.
Without a word, Tsunade slid a second folder under his hands. It was a thin file, obviously not all his medical history.
Catching his glance, Tsunade smiled thinly. “Just the pertinent parts, you understand.”
Kakashi flipped open the folder. He read for a moment before focusing on the important part. Startled, he pulled his gaze away to stare at Tsunade.
She wore a slight smile.
It was all the confirmation he needed.
“It’s called Eidetic memory; often rather inaccurately called photographic memory.” Tsunade explained, leaning back in her chair again. “I’ve seen it before, but never in such a way as Iruka has. Eidetic memory means someone can remember an event with a memory that is as accurate as if the person were still viewing, or hearing, the original object or event. Most people, even those with photographic memory, remember things based on relevance or understanding of what they are seeing. On the other hand, there are rare cases where they can recall things in such perfect clarity that they can recreate things that they have only seen once in as perfect a manner as if they were still viewing them- down to the position of a single dust mote on the corner of a scroll."
Tsunade tapped a painted nail on one of the folders she still had. “This would describe all the testing that he has undergone to prove the veracity of his recall, but unless you are a medic, it makes for dreadfully dull reading, so I’ll sum up. The Third, an entire cadre of medics, and I, have tested him, and proven that Iruka can recall with absolute clarity a given event or information. He can recall things written in languages he doesn’t know with enough accuracy that they can be translated perfectly. It’s what made him absolutely invaluable in those missions,” she flicked a finger at the first folder. “But it’s also why the Third eventually moved him to a position in the village--because what he recalls, he cannot forget.”
Kakashi grunted in understanding. Iruka could be an incredible liability if he were ever captured and broken, because of all the information his mind retained; as well as what could be gleaned from his death.
Tsunade’s voice was frank. “So now you know why something so seemingly insignificant can bother him so much. He’s not used to it-not remembering.” Abruptly, she stood, the legs of her chair screeching against the wooden floor. “And that’s enough for the night. I have to get some sleep before I return to political side-stepping in the morning, and you have a duty to get back to. I trust you can get out the same way you came in?” Her gaze was subtly mocking.
Kakashi snorted. “It’s easier without the wards.”
“Couldn’t make it too easy for you, brat.”
~*~*~*~
Kakashi ran lightly over the rooftops back to the manor, his mind busy with the information Tsunade had given him. While the Sharingan gave him a limited version of photographic memory, it was limited to when he bared it and what he was focusing on; usually enemies. It was hard enough to keep that information organized, how hard must it be for Iruka to keep all he remembered straight inside his head? How could he keep up with that much?
This time it was Ram who confronted him at the estate.
Kakashi gave the correct countersign abstractedly, his mind still whirling. He dismissed the clone, noting that Iruka and the pack were gone.
Except for Urushi, who yawned and lifted his head. “Iruka-sensei went inside to bed and everyone’s patrolling the grounds except for me and Uuhei,” he reported. “She’s up there.” He tipped his head toward the roof.
Grateful to be distracted from his thoughts, Kakashi leapt up onto the roof, finding Uuhei on the slightly-sloped span between the peak and the raised edge that supported the fancifully-shaped guttering. “What are you doing up here?” he scolded. “You’re supposed to be healing; not climbing on roofs.”
Uuhei fixed him with a scornful look. “The day I can’t manage to get up on a roof is the day you put me in a grave, boss. And like a certain person I know, I like to look at the stars while I think.”
“Are you certain you’re not part cat? You have a cat’s love for high places,” Kakashi teased.
“I’ll thank you not to insult me.”
Kakashi, grinning, made his way to her side and dropped down on the roof-tiles.
Uuhei ignored him pointedly.
He lay back, putting one hand beneath his head and crossing his ankles.
She huffed, watching him from the corner of her eye.
Kakashi idly scratched his stomach, fingers moving slowly and lazily.
Uuhei relented with a grumble, shoving her head under his fingers. “Sometimes you’re an ass.”
Kakashi scratched her ears. “But you love me anyway.”
“Of course I do, but that doesn’t negate the fact you have a sadistic streak.” She nipped lightly at his fingers. “Part cat, indeed.”
Kakashi was silent for a moment, his thoughts turning back to the reason for all this; the sensei sleeping below. “Uuhei,” he asked. “What do you think of Iruka-sensei?”
“Hmm. Do you want honest, or comforting?” Uuhei lifted her head, ears canted forward and blue eyes oddly intent. “It’s one or the other.”
Kakashi felt something in the pit of his stomach curdle. “Honest.”
“I like him. He’s sensible and too clever by half. He’s solid and stable, despite a temper that could easily get him in a lot of trouble. He’s amazingly good at reading people, though he seldom uses the knowledge unless he has to. Mind you, this is all second-hand information, except what I’ve observed in the days he’s been here.” Uuhei regarded him thoughtfully for a moment. “But that’s not what you want me to tell you, is it?”
“No.”
She rose, her gracefulness slightly hampered by the way she winced and favored the shoulder that had been hurt. “That, boss, I can’t tell you.”
Chapter Thirteen: Family Affairs
Authors: kita_the_spaz and demondreams
Additional Beta by ookami_kasumi and fieryredqueen. (so heap much love upon them for the work)
Rating: PG-13 this chapter
Notes: This is slightly-AU concerning the events after the three year timeskip.
Summary: When a noble is murdered and the blame falls on Iruka, trouble comes in spades and Iruka might have to take his life into his own hands.
Previous chapters can be found here.
Chapter Thirteen: Family Affairs
Kakashi followed Iruka swiftly over the rooftops, noting that the chuunin-sensei’s prediction had proven true. No one, not even the most alert of nin, gave them a second look. Most barely even gave them more than a passing glance. Kakashi wondered idly if Ibiki had ever considered having the chuunin teach a few classes to his infiltration specialists.
Iruka paused on a roof across from his apartment building, alertly watching the street below until it was momentarily empty. He lightly dropped down to the balcony and Kakashi trailed after him. Iruka stopped him with a raised hand before he could even set foot on the balcony itself.
Kakashi perched instead on the railing, watching Iruka attentively.
Iruka scrutinized the balcony and door carefully, his henged face intent. He worried his bottom lip with his teeth. After a long moment, he spoke to Kakashi, his eyes still on his door. “Someone my wards didn’t know triggered them very recently.” He rose and rested a palm against the door. “They set off two of my traps before they gave up or were frightened away.”
Kakashi snorted and raised an eyebrow. “Non-lethal traps? I would have figured you for a more security-conscious individual, Iruka-sensei.”
Iruka turned to look at him and surprisingly, didn’t bristle. “You’ve met my students, Kakashi-san. Do you honestly think I would have lethal traps anywhere that lot could run afoul of them? I learned my lesson when Naruto was still one of my students.” He chuckled darkly. “Before I reset my wards to recognize him, he nearly had a deadly encounter with a garrote. Twice.”
Iruka met Kakashi’s gaze, his eyes gone surprisingly dark. The corner of his mouth lifted in a wry smile. “Trust me, my real secrets are very well protected.” Iruka's grin was suddenly not-very-nice, a thing of bared teeth and menace. Then he blinked, smiled and just like that, he was harmless chuunin schoolteacher again. He unlocked the door and stepped inside.
Warily, Kakashi followed. He tugged his mask down just long enough for a quick sniff, but the scents on the balcony were muddled and too old to distinguish. The only discernible scent was a strong edge of garlic, enough to make his nose itch and his eyes water.
Iruka kicked off his sandals and crossed the spartan main room, dropping the henge as he did so. There was a small wooden cabinet inset into the wall of the corner farthest from the door; and it was to this he went, opening the polished doors. Revealed was a small family shrine with two pictures holding court in the places of honor.
Kakashi made sure that the door was locked and the curtains drawn and then let his own henge go. He removed his own shoes and padded closer to Iruka, peering over his shoulder for a closer look at the pictures.
The one on the right was of a lean, elfin-faced woman with expressive brown eyes and a mischievous smile. Iruka resembled her very strongly. He had her eyes, Kakashi realized belatedly. On the left was a solidly-built man with brown hair and dark eyes. His skin was the same deep mocha as Iruka’s and there were slight wrinkles around his eyes that spoke of someone who smiled often.
Iruka lit a cone of incense in the brass dish in front of the pictures and bowed his head silently for a long moment.
Kakashi shifted uncomfortably. He wasn’t comfortable having others around when he visited the memorial stone and this seemed perilously close to intruding where he didn’t belong.
Iruka suddenly grinned and lifted his head. “Sorry I was late for your birthday, mom, but, well… a lot of things have come up in the past couple of days. I might not get to come pay my respects again… for a bit at least. I wanted to introduce Kakashi-san, also. He’s been… keeping company with me for a while. Not the way you’re thinking, mother, but he’s been good company. A porn-reading pain in the ass, sometimes, but… nice for all that. I don’t know whether you knew him when he was a kid or not, so I thought I’d introduce you.” Iruka turned his head and his gaze transfixed Kakashi. “Be polite and say hello, Kakashi-san.”
Kakashi grimaced, but knelt beside Iruka. “Yeah, um…hello.”
Iruka shot him a dark look, brows knitted together.
Kakashi pretended not to notice, but it wasn't easy.
A hand slapped the back of his head sharply.
He did notice that. Iruka had an arm on him that rivaled Tsunade’s. Rubbing the back of his head, Kakashi fixed Iruka with a stare. “What was that for? I said hello, just like you asked.”
Iruka’s cheeks were faintly flushed. “Be polite, please.”
“This from a man who just told his parents that I was ‘a porn-reading pain in the ass?’ I think you’re the one who needs lessons in being polite.”
This time the blush was a lot more prominent. “Tell me it’s not true.”
Time to get a little of his own back. Kakashi folded his arms and snorted. “While I confess to reading porn; there are much better ways of being a pain in the ass. I could show you a few,” he leered.
“If you think sex is a pain in the ass, then you’ve been doing it all wrong.” Iruka was still bright red, but his brown eyes sparkled with mischief.
Entirely surprised, Kakashi chuckled.
Iruka grinned at him and turned his attention back to the shrine. “Anyway, mom, I’m really sorry I missed your birthday. I don’t know when I’ll get a chance to say it again, but I love you both. Please watch over me and everyone else.” He bowed his head and clapped his hands, muttering silently for a moment before snuffing the incense and closing up the shrine. Smiling, he rose to his feet. “Thank you.” Kakashi nodded, mirroring him. “We should go.”
Iruka proceeded to seal up the apartment again and replace the traps that had been sprung.
Kakashi watched with interest. The two traps that had been sprung were wickedly designed, enough to take even a shinobi aback. If a civilian (or worse, one of Iruka's demon-spawn students) ran afoul of them, he was sure they'd get much more than a simple scare. Only the one on the balcony and first of the layered ones on the door had been tripped.
They resumed their henge and ran swiftly back to the estate.
Serpent challenged them gruffly, his voice still layered with suppressed mirth.
Kakashi, posing his feminine henge provocatively, gave the wary ANBU the correct password in a far too enticing whisper.
Iruka stifled a laugh behind his hand.
They leapt back into the courtyard swiftly.
The ANBU's dismayed "Kakashi-san!" followed them down.
Baying happily, the pack crowded around them.
Kakashi patted everyone quickly, but went straight to Uuhei, still lazing under a tree.
She greeted him with a lick. “You were gone for what- half an hour? Nothing happened, boss.” She tilted her head toward the rest of the pack, who were gamboling around Iruka like he’d been gone forever instead of a mere half-hour. “Even the others managed to be quiet for a change.”
Kakashi stroked her head meditatively. “That’s unusual.”
Uuhei huffed softly, licking his fingertips again. “When did you grow up into such a worrywart? I’m fine. I have you, Iruka-sensei and even the Hokage looking out for me and the rest of the pack to fetch and carry. Aside from the lingering ache, what could be better?”
That startled a chuckle out of Kakashi. “Lazy,” he accused. “Next thing I know you’ll demand to be treated like a princess; all silk pillows and prime rib.”
“Of course.” Uuhei lifted her lips in an expression that could only be a smirk. “Everyone must know their place.”
Kakashi laughed, feeling a weight he hadn’t known was there lifting from his chest. “I forgot how spoiled you are.”
Uuhei gave him a glare of mock offense, and then nudged him hard in the back of the knee.
Caught unprepared, Kakashi tumbled over, laughing helplessly.
Iruka and the other dogs stopped playing to stare wide-eyed at Kakashi, convulsed with laughter.
Uuhei lifted her head and gave him a superior look. “If I were spoiled, it would be your fault, you know.”
Wheezing, Kakashi pushed himself into a sitting position. “Dammit, now you’re not playing fair,” he scolded breathlessly.
“All’s fair.” Uuhei responded. “You should just be glad I don’t have hands.” She turned her attention to where Iruka and the rest of the pack were still staring. “Hey, Iruka-sensei, come here and I’ll tell you where the boss is ticklish-”
Kakashi hurriedly clamped a hand over her muzzle. “Sharing time is over, thanks.”
Uuhei just grinned wickedly under his fingers.
*~*~*~*~*
Afternoon had slipped into evening, edging on true night, when Kakashi went to call Iruka in for supper.
He found the teacher where he had left him, in the courtyard with the ninken, but at that moment, his head was pillowed on Buru’s shoulder. His eyes were closed and his face relaxed. The even cadence of his breathing gave evidence that he was sound asleep.
Guruko raised his head from where it was resting on Iruka’s thigh and thumped his tail.
Iruka stirred at the movement, but soon settled back into slumber.
Kakashi found himself glad that the other man seemed to be sleeping peacefully. He needed the rest. And while he slept… Kakashi straightened up, glancing at the darkening sky.
Uuhei cracked open an eye, but didn’t move from where her head rested under Iruka’s lax fingers. “Boss?” she inquired in a barely audible whisper.
He shook his head, not wanting to wake Iruka. In scout’s hand-signals, he gave them the order to keep watch.
Several tails wagged acknowledgment, though not one of them moved enough to stir the sleeping chuunin.
Pakkun left the group to clamber up onto Kakashi’s shoulder. “Like you had to tell us this?” he admonished in a gruff undertone. “Nobody is getting past us. Not again.”
Kakashi rubbed Pakkun’s ears. “Good,” he murmured. Setting the pug down, Kakashi moved far enough away that he could create a clone without disturbing Iruka. Leaving the clone to watch, he vanished into the night.
~*~*~*~
He passed the ANBU guards on the tower easily enough, for as well trained as they were, he was still the Hound. He padded silently down the night-darkened corridors, navigating easily by memory and the small bits of moonlight that seeped in the small windows.
The wards on the Records Room’s door were difficult; and after seeing the ones Iruka had set on his apartment, Kakashi could see the chuunin’s masterful touch in the shaping of these. It took longer than he would have liked, but at last he managed to disable the final one. The simple lock was child’s play to pick once the wards were down.
He didn’t wager on the trap just inside the door, and nearly got a shave from a series of kunai triggered by his entrance.
With a last cautious look for anything he might have missed, he slipped inside and closed the door behind him.
“Knew I’d find you here sooner or later, brat.” Light flared around him, agonizing to an eye adjusted to the darkness. “I just thought it would be sooner.”
Kakashi was too well-trained to startle, though he had a kunai in hand before he could blink the last painful dazzle out of his eye. He dropped the kunai in his belt holster with a deceptively careless movement. “Mah, I was expected?”
Tsunade chuckled, folding her arms over her breasts. She reclined in the chair, her hazel gaze steady. On the desk before her were several folders, the topmost labeled clearly with Iruka’s name. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist. You are as determined as I am to resolve this matter without Iruka’s death.”
Kakashi only nodded.
Tsunade flipped the file open and trailed her fingers along the first page; a standard dossier. “You do realize that this is sensitive information, and by all rights, you shouldn’t be reading it, correct?”
He gave her a calculatedly blank stare.
She chuckled. “Right, then.” She closed the folder and shoved it across the desk at him.
Kakashi scooped it up, glancing over and dismissing the standard info page. Weight, height, blood type… all ordinary fare. Next was a mission listing and that was worthy of raising an eyebrow over. Before he’d been assigned as an academy teacher (at age nineteen,) Iruka had completed twelve A-ranks… all solo? While an A-rank or two wasn’t unusual at chuunin rank, it was usually while in a team; often a mixed group of chuunin and tokubetsu jounin. But solo?
Kakashi flipped a page, looking for the unclassified mission details. He found them, skimming them with a raised eyebrow. Over half of his B-ranked missions and all of his A-rank were infiltration and information-gathering missions. There was a notation appended, directing him to Iruka’s Medical files for further information.
Without a word, Tsunade slid a second folder under his hands. It was a thin file, obviously not all his medical history.
Catching his glance, Tsunade smiled thinly. “Just the pertinent parts, you understand.”
Kakashi flipped open the folder. He read for a moment before focusing on the important part. Startled, he pulled his gaze away to stare at Tsunade.
She wore a slight smile.
It was all the confirmation he needed.
“It’s called Eidetic memory; often rather inaccurately called photographic memory.” Tsunade explained, leaning back in her chair again. “I’ve seen it before, but never in such a way as Iruka has. Eidetic memory means someone can remember an event with a memory that is as accurate as if the person were still viewing, or hearing, the original object or event. Most people, even those with photographic memory, remember things based on relevance or understanding of what they are seeing. On the other hand, there are rare cases where they can recall things in such perfect clarity that they can recreate things that they have only seen once in as perfect a manner as if they were still viewing them- down to the position of a single dust mote on the corner of a scroll."
Tsunade tapped a painted nail on one of the folders she still had. “This would describe all the testing that he has undergone to prove the veracity of his recall, but unless you are a medic, it makes for dreadfully dull reading, so I’ll sum up. The Third, an entire cadre of medics, and I, have tested him, and proven that Iruka can recall with absolute clarity a given event or information. He can recall things written in languages he doesn’t know with enough accuracy that they can be translated perfectly. It’s what made him absolutely invaluable in those missions,” she flicked a finger at the first folder. “But it’s also why the Third eventually moved him to a position in the village--because what he recalls, he cannot forget.”
Kakashi grunted in understanding. Iruka could be an incredible liability if he were ever captured and broken, because of all the information his mind retained; as well as what could be gleaned from his death.
Tsunade’s voice was frank. “So now you know why something so seemingly insignificant can bother him so much. He’s not used to it-not remembering.” Abruptly, she stood, the legs of her chair screeching against the wooden floor. “And that’s enough for the night. I have to get some sleep before I return to political side-stepping in the morning, and you have a duty to get back to. I trust you can get out the same way you came in?” Her gaze was subtly mocking.
Kakashi snorted. “It’s easier without the wards.”
“Couldn’t make it too easy for you, brat.”
~*~*~*~
Kakashi ran lightly over the rooftops back to the manor, his mind busy with the information Tsunade had given him. While the Sharingan gave him a limited version of photographic memory, it was limited to when he bared it and what he was focusing on; usually enemies. It was hard enough to keep that information organized, how hard must it be for Iruka to keep all he remembered straight inside his head? How could he keep up with that much?
This time it was Ram who confronted him at the estate.
Kakashi gave the correct countersign abstractedly, his mind still whirling. He dismissed the clone, noting that Iruka and the pack were gone.
Except for Urushi, who yawned and lifted his head. “Iruka-sensei went inside to bed and everyone’s patrolling the grounds except for me and Uuhei,” he reported. “She’s up there.” He tipped his head toward the roof.
Grateful to be distracted from his thoughts, Kakashi leapt up onto the roof, finding Uuhei on the slightly-sloped span between the peak and the raised edge that supported the fancifully-shaped guttering. “What are you doing up here?” he scolded. “You’re supposed to be healing; not climbing on roofs.”
Uuhei fixed him with a scornful look. “The day I can’t manage to get up on a roof is the day you put me in a grave, boss. And like a certain person I know, I like to look at the stars while I think.”
“Are you certain you’re not part cat? You have a cat’s love for high places,” Kakashi teased.
“I’ll thank you not to insult me.”
Kakashi, grinning, made his way to her side and dropped down on the roof-tiles.
Uuhei ignored him pointedly.
He lay back, putting one hand beneath his head and crossing his ankles.
She huffed, watching him from the corner of her eye.
Kakashi idly scratched his stomach, fingers moving slowly and lazily.
Uuhei relented with a grumble, shoving her head under his fingers. “Sometimes you’re an ass.”
Kakashi scratched her ears. “But you love me anyway.”
“Of course I do, but that doesn’t negate the fact you have a sadistic streak.” She nipped lightly at his fingers. “Part cat, indeed.”
Kakashi was silent for a moment, his thoughts turning back to the reason for all this; the sensei sleeping below. “Uuhei,” he asked. “What do you think of Iruka-sensei?”
“Hmm. Do you want honest, or comforting?” Uuhei lifted her head, ears canted forward and blue eyes oddly intent. “It’s one or the other.”
Kakashi felt something in the pit of his stomach curdle. “Honest.”
“I like him. He’s sensible and too clever by half. He’s solid and stable, despite a temper that could easily get him in a lot of trouble. He’s amazingly good at reading people, though he seldom uses the knowledge unless he has to. Mind you, this is all second-hand information, except what I’ve observed in the days he’s been here.” Uuhei regarded him thoughtfully for a moment. “But that’s not what you want me to tell you, is it?”
“No.”
She rose, her gracefulness slightly hampered by the way she winced and favored the shoulder that had been hurt. “That, boss, I can’t tell you.”