[FIC] The Kunoichi's Heart 02
And here chapter two.... ^_^
Title : The Kunoichi's Heart
Rating : PG-13 (this chapter), R later on.
Disclaimer : The characters are NOT MINE.
Chapter : 2/???
Words : 4,782 words
Summary : What if Iruka was a female? Follow the Naruto story since the very beginning.....
Pairing : KakaIru (the others will ba canon-like hopefully)
| Chapter 01 - The Failed Student |
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Chapter 02 - The Realization: 4,782 words
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“You know why the villagers hate you so much? It’s because…. inside of you …there is the Kyuubi, the nine-tailed monster that killed hundreds of our people ten years ago. That’s right. You killed all the people that day when you were born, Naruto-chan… And of course, Iruka-sensei’s parents … and mine as well.” Hate poured into each word as Mizuki said them.
“That’s a LIE!!” Naruto’s shaking voice could be heard for miles.
“Oh, no…that’s a fact. Why do you think people have never liked you? They despise you. Why? Because inside your little body, there’s a monster waiting to escape, to kill again and again…” Mizuki’s voice got lower and lower.
“I DON’T BELIEVE YOU!!”
“Believe it or not, I will kill you here. You deserve it anyway, you monster.”
Through her fuzzy sight, Iruka saw Mizuki slowly retrieve a huge shuriken from his back and-to her horror-throw it towards them-no, towards Naruto!
Naruto!!!
Without thinking, she leapt out toward the shuriken with the strength she didn’t know she still had, hugged Naruto to her battered body, and shielded both of them with her back.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A mere second later, Iruka could feel pain slamming into her back. She coughed blood onto the ground; some of it fell on Naruto’s shocked and teary face.
“Iruka…sensei?” came the trembling voice.
Iruka tried to focus on the boy in her arms, but her own blood and tears (since when did she cry?) made it so fuzzy that it was only blurring her sight. Trying to smile, she tightened her grip on Naruto's back.
“Forgive…me…Naruto… Don’t blame …yourself…Kyuubi or not… you’re a … good boy…believe that…”
With that, her sight turned black. Her bloodied body fell down toward the boy under her.
Amid the blackness that began consuming her, she could hear Naruto shouting at the top of his lungs.
“YOU DARE HURT IRUKA-SENSEI!!?!?? KAGE BUNSHIN NO JUTSU!!”
Opening her eyes for the last time, she could see what seemed like hundreds of Narutos attacking Mizuki at the same time.
You did…well…Naruto…
And she smiled.
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“-Ruka-sen….-wer..Me…”
“-Ruka-sensei…!”
“IRUKA-SENSEI!!”
Trying to open her eyes, Iruka could feel someone pull her to lean back against a hard surface, a tree she presumed.
Finally opening her eyes, she was greeted by a pair of huge blue eyes filled with tears, threatening to fall in seconds. She offered a weak smile. “Naruto…?”
Naruto, kneeling before her, sighed in relief. “You’re okay, Iruka-sensei!?”
“How’s…Mizuki…sensei?” she whispered weakly, too tired to say more.
Naruto stiffened a bit, but answered the question. “He's out cold. I already tied him up with rope, there.”
Glancing briefly at the direction Naruto pointed, Iruka just nodded in relief. Mizuki was unconscious and tied to one of the trees. From his wounds, it was likely that he would wake up in a few hours. They still had time.
She had never thought that Mizuki could pull something like this. His motive was still unknown to her, but now she knew for sure that the silver haired Chuunin was holding a really deep grudge against the boy -with or without the Kyuubi inside.
Their last conversations passed through her exhausted mind once again.
“Why are you doing this, Mizuki…?” she asked, gritting her teeth. She needed to know why all of this had started before deciding on her next action.
Mizuki just smirked, shrugging. “Simple. I want more power. And the scroll Naruto-chan stole is one of the gateways for me to achieve that.”
“You would abandon your loyalty to Konoha because of this single scroll!??” Iruka said in disbelief.
Mizuki just chuckled, playing with the kunai in his hand, “I don’t need to explain myself to you, sensei. Konoha isn’t worth my time, that’s all you need to know.”
“Run, Naruto.” Sensing that there was no way to change the man's mind, Iruka pushed Naruto aside and attacked Mizuki with shuriken, hoping for a moment of distraction.
And the fight began.
What was Mizuki after? Did he really want to exchange his loyalty as a Konoha Shinobi for a simple scroll, just like that?
There were some facts missing and unknown to her now. But Iruka couldn’t force her tired brain to work anymore.
On the other hand...Naruto…
She could feel a painful throbbing in her back, but she tried to forget it for a minute. “Naruto…?”
“Yes...?” There was worry in those blue eyes, and Iruka’s eyes softened.
“Come here…for a minute…”
Obediently, Naruto moved closer until he was nearly on Iruka’s lap.
Slowly, forcing her right hand to work, Iruka brushed Naruto’s blond hair back. There was some blood in it, but she didn’t care. The important thing was that the boy was still alive.
Iruka smiled at the fact.
I suppose…I care about him more than I thought…
“I’m," she began, coughing, "glad you…’re…alive, Naruto.” She whispered between the bitter taste of blood flowing inside her mouth.
Naruto’s tears fell down in seconds at that. Immediately, he jumped into Iruka’s lap, embracing his sensei tightly. His speech was broken by sobs. “I thought… you… died… Iruka-...sensei…”
Not minding the painful grip the boy had on her, Iruka smiled against the blond hair obscuring her face. “Let…me…give you…something.”
The boy snuggled closer into her chest, still sobbing. “…What?”
Forcing Naruto out of her arms slightly, Iruka touched Naruto’s face lightly, “Please…close your…eyes.”
Seeing the boy had closed his eyes obediently, Iruka's left hand touched her own hitae-ate, pulling it as well as the band tied with it out. Strands of brown hair fell down immediately. With trembling and bloodied hands, she tied the hitae-ate on Naruto’s head instead.
“You can…look now, Naruto,” she said, and coughed.
Naruto opened his eyes slowly. They widened at the sight of Iruka’s untied hair and immediately both of his hands went up toward his own head.
And felt an unfamiliar cold metal…
His blue eyes widened even more as his mouth hung open, finally understanding what was going on.
Iruka smiled widely as she kissed the metal on the boy’s forehead, on the Konoha symbol. “You pass the test, Naruto. Congratulations.”
Even I can’t produce THAT many kage bunshins with my full chakra. You deserve this for your courage tonight, Naruto…
“SENSEI!!!!”
A second later, with the weeping little blond circling her broken torso tightly, Iruka had never been happier.
She chuckled, tasting the bitter blood, which was oddly sweet behind her lips.
Welcome to the Shinobi world, Naruto…
“Iruka!!”
Seeing a few familiar figures jumped down before them, Iruka could feel the smile widen slightly. Izumo. Kotetsu. Genma. And the last, Kakashi.
Finally….
And she closed her eyes.
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Kakashi didn’t think anything when he searched around the rivers, jumping from one tree trunk to the next. His body moved on autopilot as his mind tried to process what was happening in Shinobi-mode. Yet his brain only could form a single word as he pictured Naruto’s familiar grin.
Sensei!!
He knew it was unlike him to do something without any plans beforehand. Hell, he didn’t even spare a few seconds to summon any of his dogs! His mind was filled with so many feelings that there was no place left for any thinking.
There was anger, confusion, disappointment, fear, but mostly… remorse, as he continued to jump through the trees, trying to sense any chakra in his surroundings. The Forest of Death was a very large area to find a small child, and it was a very difficult thing to do with only a few Chuunin and Jounin.
Forgive me, sensei...
I can’t forgive myself if I can’t protect what you left….
It had been a few minutes without result, when suddenly he heard a faint shout a few miles ahead of him. It was faint, but Kakashi could hear every word of it clearly.
“YOU DARE HURT IRUKA-SENSEI!!?!?? KAGE BUNSHIN NO JUTSU!!”
His eyes widened at those words.
Iruka-sensei…? Don’t tell me…
Fisting his hand tightly, Kakashi ran faster, hoping that he wasn’t late. The image of Iruka’s smile and Naruto’s grin filled his mind as his feet brought him to where the sounds were coming from.
Be alive….please…
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Apparently, the battle was already finished.
“How is she?”
Relief surged into his lungs as Izumo answered, hands testing the pulse on the female sensei’s neck. “She’s alive, thank God. She’s fainted due to blood loss. We have to take her to the hospital, though.” The other Chuunin, Kotetsu, had already picked up the unconscious sensei as he glanced at Kakashi.
“Kakashi-san. What should we do with him?” He turned his head at the man still tied up a few meters away from them.
Kakashi nodded. “We will take him to Hokage-sama. Sandaime will decide what to do with him.” He gestured to Genma to handle the man - the Chuunin whose name he didn't bother to learn. Genma nodded and did what he was asked to do.
“Will… Iruka-sensei be…alright?” Naruto asked between sobs, his fear filling his words.
Kakashi glanced down at the hiccupping boy, who was standing beside him, familiar blue orbs staring into his own dark eye, tears glistening and asking with worry. Aside from the dirt and leaves on his form, there were no injuries on him.
Thank God…
Kakashi smiled as his single uncovered eye softened at the boy, and his gloved hand found itself patting the blond head gently. He felt the growing warmth inside at the first contact he'd had with his sensei’s son.
“She’ll be alright. Everything’s alright, kid.”
And he meant it.
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“Iruka-san! You shouldn’t get up on your own. Your back is still tender, you know!” The nurse shook her head at the stubborn patient on the bed.
Iruka just smiled sheepishly, trying to sit straighter. She was really tired of sleeping on her stomach.
“Ah…forgive me…”
The nurse shook her head again, sitting on the side of the bed with a wet towel in her hand. “I know it’s not comfortable. Still, you should lie on your stomach. I would like to clean your back and check whether it’s healing or not, Iruka-san.”
Groaning internally, Iruka lay on her stomach obediently. She could feel the nurse open her hospital gown from behind. She winced a bit when the cold wet fiber met with the tender skin of her back.
“My…this will be a huge scar, I’m afraid,” the nurse whispered.
Iruka smiled against the pillow. “It doesn’t matter. The important thing is that my student is still alive.”
The nurse sighed. “Well... you’re extremely lucky, Iruka-san. A few millimeters more and the shuriken would have hit your spine. It’s a miracle you avoided that.”
Yeah… I’m extremely lucky. With a few broken ribs, a huge blow to the back, a concussion, and a nearly pierced lung…
“Well…it’ll be fine in a few weeks. I suggest you don’t do any hard activities yet, okay??” The nurse finished her cleaning and buttoned the gown. Iruka didn’t move at all.
“Iruka-sensei!! I brought flowers for you!!”
Iruka’s smile widened at the hyperactive blond boy barging into her hospital room.
Ah well… it’s worth it….
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-A few days later-
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“Iruka-sensei. I heard the news…”
Iruka winced inside at the words, glancing up sheepishly from the papers she was currently working on at the concerned face of Kurenai. Beside her, Asuma and Genma wore the same expressions. It seemed that the news of Mizuki and his betrayal had traveled very fast around the mission room.
“Ah….Kurenai-san. Asuma-san. Genma-san.” She bowed slightly from her sitting position; the bandage wrapped around her torso prohibited her from doing more than that.
“Do you feel better now, Iruka-kun?” Iruka smiled back a bit at the worry in the red-eyed woman’s words. To Iruka, Kurenai was one of the older Kunoichi she looked up to, and it warmed her heart to know the Jounin cared about her.
“You shouldn’t start working so early, Iruka-chan…” Genma said, for once not winking at her,. She remembered the Jounin was one of the Shinobi that helped in searching for Naruto, for which Iruka was grateful (and she could let the -chan go this time).
“I’m fine…really…” Iruka brushed the long strands of hair from her face, free from the usual hair band. Because of the concussion, her head had to be wrapped in bandages, which prevented her from wearing her hitae-ate on her forehead as usual (and the hair band as well). She wore the hitae-ate around her neck instead.
“So…how bad is it…? You still seem a bit pale… shouldn’t you be still in the hospital or something?” Asuma raised his eyebrow, concern evident in his words. His cigarette -for once- wasn’t in his closed mouth.
Inside, Iruka grimaced at the word ‘hospital’. Like other Shinobi, she wasn’t too fond of the hospital, where it reeked of death and blood. That’s why she'd run here (after escaping the nurses of course), hoping the work could ease her troubled mind. No such luck though. “Well… the worst is the injury on my back and I got a little concussion…that’s all…”
From the looks of the three Jounin, they didn’t believe her a bit.
Iruka sighed, shaking her head. “I’m fine. There’re some scrapes around my arms and legs as well, but that’s all.”
“Don’t ‘that’s all’ us, 'Ruka!” Suddenly, Izumo and Kotetsu appeared beside her. Iruka groaned.
And here they come… my ‘babysitters’…
“What’re you doing!? You’re STILL supposed to be in the hospital, you stupid woman!” Kotetsu shouted, hand gripping Iruka’s sleeve none too gently.
“Keep your voice down, Ko. 'Ruka, you should be resting now. Let me and Kotetsu take over your job today, 'Ruka?” Izumo asked in a worried tone, patting Iruka’s shoulder gently.
“I’m fine… really, guys…”
“Where the hell can we translate ‘I was nearly beaten to death’ to ‘I’m fine’, 'Ruka?? You look like HELL!!”
“Keep your voice DOWN, Ko!!”
“Er… Izumo-san, Kotetsu-san…calm down, please...?”
“It’s useless, Kurenai.”
“Shut up, Asuma.”
Iruka sighed at the obvious worry in her teammates’ tones. Really, for years she'd had them as her teammates; the one fact she really understood so well was that the two of them were really over-protective of her, particularly in times like this.
“Maa…what are all these people doing here? Waiting for new missions?” The familiar baritone voice came along with the sight of that familiar silver hair. Kakashi walked toward the desk where all the Jounin and Chuunin stood, surrounding the obviously agitated Chuunin.
Instinctively Iruka stiffened up at the sight before her.
Silver hair…
“'Ruka…? Are you okay?”
“Your face’s pale…Iruka-sensei, are you sure you’re okay?”
That same silver hair…
Mizuki…NO!!!
And Iruka fainted.
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“And what did Ibiki get from him?” Sandaime stared back at him.
Kakashi shook his head. “Nothing. He doesn’t talk about anything. He only laughed and screamed to be let out.”
“He's gone crazy.” Sandaime sighed at his explanation. “I appreciate your effort, Kakashi. You may go now.”
“What about…Naruto?” Kakashi couldn’t help but ask. From Iruka’s report, it was regrettable that that traitor (Kakashi still hadn’t bothered to remember his name) had a chance to let the secret out of his disgusting mouth.
He’s old enough to know the secret. After all…it’s about himself. He deserves to know the truth…
Sandaime nodded at his curiosity. “I’ll explain to him myself.”
Satisfied with the answer, Kakashi asked another question. “Should I tell Iruka-sensei about this, Sandaime?”
“She will ask if she’s ready. And I’ll appreciate it if you tell her if she does.”
Kakashi nodded. “As you wish.”
Walking out of the Hokage’s office, Kakashi walked in his infamous lazy stroll, his mind busy trying to process what had happened recently.
It was strange… that crazy Chuunin took risks too big, fighting Iruka that night. There were some Jounin patrolling outside the Forest, yet he still risked a fight with Iruka, who was a Chuunin like him and could give him a hard fight in return. His only intention was the Kage Bunshin scroll, it only held a simple yet important jutsu. Why didn’t he steal a more precious scroll? There is something fishy about this…
“It’s useless, Kurenai.”
“Shut up, Asuma.”
Kakashi raised his eyebrows when he saw the crowd ahead of him. Iruka, sitting behind her desk with a tired expression on her face, was surrounded by Jounin and Chuunin who were talking rather too loudly for Kakashi’s tastes.
“Maa…what are all these people doing here? Waiting for new missions?” Walking toward the said crowd, Kakashi raised his eyebrows at the slight change in Iruka’s face as their eyes met.
Apparently the quiet Chuunin, Izumo, noticed it as well. “'Ruka…? Are you okay?”
“Your face’s pale…Iruka-sensei, are you sure you’re okay?” Kurenai asked as well.
The Chuunin didn’t answer as her face went paler the closer Kakashi got.
Huh…? Is there something on my face, sensei?
And then, seconds later, she fainted.
With Jounin reflex that even only a few Jounin could have, Kakashi already had his arm circling the unconscious sensei, keeping her head from meeting the hard surface of her desk. The Jounin and Chuunin around them let out gasps of concern at the sudden event.
“What the hell?? Kakashi-san??”
“Kakashi-san? What happened?”
“Iruka!!??”
Kakashi ignored the voices around him as he lifted the Chuunin into his arms and said simply, “She’s still tired from everything that has happened recently. I’ll take her to the hospital.” With that, he vanished in a swirl of leaves, leaving his baffled friends to themselves.
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“Well…I’ve never thought my presence disturbed you so much, Iruka-sensei…” said the Jounin who sat beside the hospital bed. The Icha-Icha book was-as usual-opened under his nose. Unknown to the sensei, Kakashi was eyeing the female Chuunin out of the corner of his eye, somehow glad that there was nothing wrong with her besides … that.
Iruka blushed at the remark, too humiliated to say anything. She sat against the headboard of the bed with pillows under her back, letting their softness ease her bandaged back.
According to the silver haired Jounin, Iruka fainted right after he had arrived. And-being the good comrade he was-he picked her up and brought her to the hospital, where the doctor later explained that Iruka was still-somehow-traumatized after what had happened in the ‘Mizuki accident’. The most disturbing fact was that apparently she couldn’t bear seeing ANY silver haired guys for a while because it was a trigger for her trauma. Still, the doctor reassured her that it was normal and it would fade eventually. She should be back to normal in a few days - hopefully.
Kakashi, Iruka guessed, wore an amused expression behind that mask, which was the reason why Iruka didn’t dare to look at him (with or without her trauma).
Kotetsu, Izumo, Kurenai, and others had visited her earlier, but regretfully they had their own jobs. Iruka couldn’t blame them; it was still in the middle of the afternoon, after all. (And she was grateful for the fact that there was no Kotetsu or Izumo bickering about her health anymore).
Still, unfortunately for her, apparently Kakashi had no job at that time (he had just finished a mission report that day), thus allowing him to visit the poor sensei for a little longer than them (which Iruka hope was just a few minutes longer). He was currently engrossed in the middle of reading that … porn.
As far as Iruka knew, she had exchanged only a few words during all these years with the copy nin. And that put Kakashi as a mere ‘acquaintance’ to her. So, why the hell was he keeping her company now!??
Except… maybe he feels responsible for making me faint this afternoon…After all, how many silver haired guys are there in Konoha anyway?? He must be amused by all of this…. Oh God, he must think I’m so weak - can’t handle a little trauma at all……
“You don’t talk much in front of me, do you Iruka-sensei?” The sudden words from the Jounin snapped Iruka out of her thoughts. In response, she glanced back, avoiding looking at that dreaded silver hair in the process.
“Huh?” She blinked.
“Do you hate me, Iruka-sensei?” Kakashi stared back at her; his tone was neutral. His Icha-Icha book, for once, was turned down on his lap. He had noticed the Chuunin’s expressions for a while and somehow… somehow, he felt…hurt by the grimace the Chuunin had sent him.
Does she dislike me?
“Wha…NO! Why would you think that, Kakashi-san!?” Iruka shook her head a few times in confusion.
“Well…you’ve never wanted to talk to me more than necessary… like now.” The Jounin raised his eyebrow at her, eyeing the slight blush that appeared on those tan cheeks. His heart tightened at the familiar sight.
Iruka blushed, brushing the scar across her face in a nervous gesture, lowering her gaze back to her lap. She decided to tell the truth, there was no use lying in front of that piercing eye. “Uh…well…how do I say this…er… it’s stupid.”
“What is stupid…?” Now Kakashi was really curious.
She couldn’t answer that. She didn’t understand the reason itself.
Why can't I…? He has never done anything wrong to me…
…it’s his eye…
His stare always seems to be reading the depths of my soul… and it makes me a bit uncomfortable…
Yet why…is it so…familiar?
I think…I’ve seen those eyes….somewhere…before…
……
Plus, my stomach always wants to dance around when he’s near…
What the hell’s wrong with me!?? ARGHH…!!!
“Never mind.” Kakashi sighed, lowering his eyes to his own hands.
So she doesn’t like talking to me. Fine…
Kakashi ignored the hurt feeling he felt as he readied himself to leave. It wouldn’t do if he made Iruka more uncomfortable than she already was. He'd better leave before things got uglier.
She could feel the man beside her sigh at her silence. For some reason, it made Iruka feel more horrible than ever.
“I’m…sorry. I don’t understand myself,” she said finally, looking down at her hands.
“Hmm...?” Kakashi glanced up. Feeling that the Chuunin sensei still wasn't finished with her words, he relaxed his posture back into his seat.
“It’s just that… ano… your stare makes me…uncomfortable.” There, she'd said it.
“Uncomfortable…?” Kakashi raised his eyebrows in wonder.
Huh?
Iruka didn’t dare to look back at the Jounin (for fear of the silver hair trigger or something else). She could feel heat rising into her cheeks.
“Um…-"
“IRUKA-SENSEI!!!”
Iruka could kiss silly the person who barged into the uncomfortable silence at the right time in the right place.
Naruto! I love you!!
She hadn’t had a chance to greet him back when suddenly a bundle of orange blur jumped into her arms, embracing her around her waist. Her back protested against the pressure, but she didn’t mind a bit of pain. Her smile automatically grew at those big blue orbs staring up at her.
“Iruka-sensei!! How’re you!?? Kotetsu-san and Izumo-san said that you got sent back to the hospital AGAIN because you forced yourself too much! You should listen to the doctor you know! I’m worried! Does Iruka-sensei need something!? I can bring you something so you’re not lonely here, so-…” Naruto rambled on and on, cuddling eagerly into his sensei’s arms. Iruka chuckled at Naruto’s antics. She couldn’t help but brush the blond spiky hair gently. Her smile widened (if it was possible) at the familiar hitae-ate the blond boy wore.
“You shouldn’t hug her too tightly, kid. She’s still recovering, you know,” came a dry voice at her side.
Oh, my God! I forgot that Kakashi-san’s here as well!
Turning her glance to the Jounin beside her, Iruka couldn’t help but blush a bit at the rather odd stare that single grey eye bore into hers. “Ah… it’s fine, Kakashi-san.”
Kakashi couldn’t help but stare deeply at the rather adorable scene before him. He was even tempted to lift his hitae-ate to engrave the sight forever in his mind with the Sharingan. Anyone could see the close bond the two shared between them, and somewhere in the depths of his mind he could see the long forgotten memory emerge slowly, creating the picture of a certain smiling red-haired woman with a blond baby in her lap.
“Look Kakashi-kun… Isn’t he cute…?”
Kakashi nodded at his sensei’s wife, a slight smile appearing behind his mask. “Hai, Kushina-san.”
Naruto, who was obviously annoyed that someone had disturbed his cuddling time with his favorite sensei, grunted at him. “Iruka-sensei said it is fine. Who’re you, mister?”
Kakashi blinked, the memory vanishing in the blink of an eye at his words.
Ouch…. Now he isn’t cute at all, Kushina-san….
Horrified by Naruto’s less than polite tone, Iruka smacked the blond’s head. “Naruto! You shouldn’t talk like that! And he’s Kakashi-san, my…friend. Tell him you’re sorry!”
Naruto wanted to protest but refrained against Iruka’s glare. He finally mumbled, bowing a bit toward the copy nin. “Sorry…”
Kakashi just shrugged, “It’s fine… But I’m serious about her wound, you know. Don’t hug her too tightly.”
Naruto pouted at that, hesitantly loosening his too tight grip on Iruka’s waist (which, in a tiny part of Iruka’s mind, she was really grateful for). Instead, he sat beside Iruka on the bed, facing the sitting Jounin who sat on the single chair beside the bed as his legs dangled a few feet from the floor. “Okay…I’m Uzumaki Naruto, Iruka-sensei’s student. Who’re you, mister…?” he asked curiously. Obviously he forgot Iruka had introduced the guy a few seconds earlier.
Kakashi’s eye curved into an inverted-U. “I’m Hatake Kakashi.”
Hmm…he obviously forgot our last meeting in the Forest of Death…
Naruto’s eyes blinked innocently. “Kakashi? Scarecrow…? You have a weird name, Kaka-san! And why do you wear a mask? Are you ugly or something?”
Iruka rumpled Naruto’s hair a bit in exasperated affection. “Don’t say that! He’s a Jounin, Naruto. You should respect him.”
Naruto grinned sheepishly. “Ah…sorry, Kaka-san.”
Kakashi chuckled a bit, not minding the nickname he got from the hyper blond. Slowly he brought his hand to brush Naruto’s hair gently. “It’s fine, Naruto.” His orange book, thankfully, was hidden already - or so Iruka thought.
Naruto didn’t mind the touch at all. He grinned widely back, obviously enjoying the large hand on his spiky hair. “You know what, Kaka-san?”
“Hmm…?” The Jounin kept rubbing the boy’s hair, obviously enjoying it as well. Iruka just stared at them, feeling a sudden unknown warmth grow inside her.
Kakashi himself was lost in that grinning face. The whiskers on those chubby cheeks only added to the cuteness factor and Kakashi couldn’t help but smile at him, although it was hidden by the mask.
Minato-sensei…. He really resembles you, huh….
“You seem weird to me, with the mask and that one eye, but you’re nice. Not many people want to talk to me except Iruka-sensei. She’s the nicest sensei I have!” he said honestly, a wide grin on his face.
“Really…?”
Despite of the warmth she felt at Naruto’s innocent, honest words, Iruka tensed up.
Kakashi should know…about Kyuubi…
“Mmm… And I think you and Iruka-sensei will make a nice pair together!” Naruto laughed.
At this, Iruka forgot about her worries, blushing to the roots of her hair at the innocent remark instead. “Naruto! What’re you talking about!??”
“Maa…it’s okay, Iruka-sensei.” The Jounin just chuckled at her outburst, still rubbing Naruto’s blond hair. It seemed that he was rather taken with the little blond boy in front of him. Stealing a glance at the blushing sensei, Kakashi felt something tighten inside his chest. Again; that made it how many times that day?
She should blush more often…
Naruto laughed back at Iruka’s expression. “Iruka-sensei! Your face looks like a strawberry!”
Iruka was tempted to smack the sneaky blond boy near her, but a soft knock made her turn her head to the door. “Yes?”
A nurse walked into the room, smiling at the sight of the three of them. “Umino Iruka-san?”
Iruka nodded. “It’s me.”
The nurse came to her and nodded. “You can go home this afternoon. The doctor said you should take a break for a few days, two days minimum. You’re still a bit tired, so please don’t overwork yourself, alright?”
Iruka just nodded obediently. “I will try.”
“Well…then I’m off. Please enjoy your day, Umino-san.” There was a strange glint in the nurse’s eyes when she said that as she glanced at the three of them. Iruka was sure she winked at her.
Huh…? Did I miss something…?
Kakashi just shrugged at the confused glance Iruka threw at him. “Don’t ask me, sensei.”
Women are strange like that….
Tbc....
A/N : Oh well... even nurses can sense there's something between the two... xD
Thank you again for my lovely beta!! at_splicken!! You're really great and SOOO quick,dear! :D
The Next Chapter - The Promise & the Test (Will be up AT THE VERY LEASTnext Saturday/Sunday, the first weekend in October- hopefully) - I might update faster than that though... ^_^
~blue-iceland
PS : *SPOILERS for chapter 367*
I used the REAL name of Yondaime & his wife here. It was stated in chapter 367 by Jiraiya AND Tsunade. ^____^
Previews for the next chapter : Unbetaed!!
Iruka sighed, “That’s one of the problems as well. Sasuke needs a figure that impresses him enough to make him -at least- follow the teaching. He holds high his ability and proud of them. And Sakura is sometimes too clever. She would accept anyone as long as he or she is really too smart for his or her own good. And last, Naruto is… the boy. Not many people, even some jounins, who would want to associate with him. I couldn’t think anyone who would want to bear with all of those.”
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“You’re free to do any tests you think as the best for them, but please keep them under the rules. I’m sure you all know what the rules are. I do not want to see or hear anyone get killed here, got it?” She put her best teacher ‘obey ME or you can go fuc**ng EATEN by missing nins for all I care ’ glare. Everyone nodded obediently at that. Iruka ignored the gulps or snorts that were heard.
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Well…at least he doesn’t protest having a rather imbalanced angsty boy, a kyuubi container, and a pink haired girl as his team. Wait a minute… does he know any students beside Naruto…? I don’t think so…
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That's all I can tell u now... =P
| Chapter 03 - The Promise & the Test |
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Oh yes....btw... I just posted a new cute Kakashi art in my DA account. Go see it if u're interested! :D
Chibi Head 02_Kakashi by ~blue-iceland on deviantART
Title : The Kunoichi's Heart
Rating : PG-13 (this chapter), R later on.
Disclaimer : The characters are NOT MINE.
Chapter : 2/???
Words : 4,782 words
Summary : What if Iruka was a female? Follow the Naruto story since the very beginning.....
Pairing : KakaIru (the others will ba canon-like hopefully)
| Chapter 01 - The Failed Student |
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Chapter 02 - The Realization: 4,782 words
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“You know why the villagers hate you so much? It’s because…. inside of you …there is the Kyuubi, the nine-tailed monster that killed hundreds of our people ten years ago. That’s right. You killed all the people that day when you were born, Naruto-chan… And of course, Iruka-sensei’s parents … and mine as well.” Hate poured into each word as Mizuki said them.
“That’s a LIE!!” Naruto’s shaking voice could be heard for miles.
“Oh, no…that’s a fact. Why do you think people have never liked you? They despise you. Why? Because inside your little body, there’s a monster waiting to escape, to kill again and again…” Mizuki’s voice got lower and lower.
“I DON’T BELIEVE YOU!!”
“Believe it or not, I will kill you here. You deserve it anyway, you monster.”
Through her fuzzy sight, Iruka saw Mizuki slowly retrieve a huge shuriken from his back and-to her horror-throw it towards them-no, towards Naruto!
Naruto!!!
Without thinking, she leapt out toward the shuriken with the strength she didn’t know she still had, hugged Naruto to her battered body, and shielded both of them with her back.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A mere second later, Iruka could feel pain slamming into her back. She coughed blood onto the ground; some of it fell on Naruto’s shocked and teary face.
“Iruka…sensei?” came the trembling voice.
Iruka tried to focus on the boy in her arms, but her own blood and tears (since when did she cry?) made it so fuzzy that it was only blurring her sight. Trying to smile, she tightened her grip on Naruto's back.
“Forgive…me…Naruto… Don’t blame …yourself…Kyuubi or not… you’re a … good boy…believe that…”
With that, her sight turned black. Her bloodied body fell down toward the boy under her.
Amid the blackness that began consuming her, she could hear Naruto shouting at the top of his lungs.
“YOU DARE HURT IRUKA-SENSEI!!?!?? KAGE BUNSHIN NO JUTSU!!”
Opening her eyes for the last time, she could see what seemed like hundreds of Narutos attacking Mizuki at the same time.
You did…well…Naruto…
And she smiled.
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“-Ruka-sen….-wer..Me…”
“-Ruka-sensei…!”
“IRUKA-SENSEI!!”
Trying to open her eyes, Iruka could feel someone pull her to lean back against a hard surface, a tree she presumed.
Finally opening her eyes, she was greeted by a pair of huge blue eyes filled with tears, threatening to fall in seconds. She offered a weak smile. “Naruto…?”
Naruto, kneeling before her, sighed in relief. “You’re okay, Iruka-sensei!?”
“How’s…Mizuki…sensei?” she whispered weakly, too tired to say more.
Naruto stiffened a bit, but answered the question. “He's out cold. I already tied him up with rope, there.”
Glancing briefly at the direction Naruto pointed, Iruka just nodded in relief. Mizuki was unconscious and tied to one of the trees. From his wounds, it was likely that he would wake up in a few hours. They still had time.
She had never thought that Mizuki could pull something like this. His motive was still unknown to her, but now she knew for sure that the silver haired Chuunin was holding a really deep grudge against the boy -with or without the Kyuubi inside.
Their last conversations passed through her exhausted mind once again.
“Why are you doing this, Mizuki…?” she asked, gritting her teeth. She needed to know why all of this had started before deciding on her next action.
Mizuki just smirked, shrugging. “Simple. I want more power. And the scroll Naruto-chan stole is one of the gateways for me to achieve that.”
“You would abandon your loyalty to Konoha because of this single scroll!??” Iruka said in disbelief.
Mizuki just chuckled, playing with the kunai in his hand, “I don’t need to explain myself to you, sensei. Konoha isn’t worth my time, that’s all you need to know.”
“Run, Naruto.” Sensing that there was no way to change the man's mind, Iruka pushed Naruto aside and attacked Mizuki with shuriken, hoping for a moment of distraction.
And the fight began.
What was Mizuki after? Did he really want to exchange his loyalty as a Konoha Shinobi for a simple scroll, just like that?
There were some facts missing and unknown to her now. But Iruka couldn’t force her tired brain to work anymore.
On the other hand...Naruto…
She could feel a painful throbbing in her back, but she tried to forget it for a minute. “Naruto…?”
“Yes...?” There was worry in those blue eyes, and Iruka’s eyes softened.
“Come here…for a minute…”
Obediently, Naruto moved closer until he was nearly on Iruka’s lap.
Slowly, forcing her right hand to work, Iruka brushed Naruto’s blond hair back. There was some blood in it, but she didn’t care. The important thing was that the boy was still alive.
Iruka smiled at the fact.
I suppose…I care about him more than I thought…
“I’m," she began, coughing, "glad you…’re…alive, Naruto.” She whispered between the bitter taste of blood flowing inside her mouth.
Naruto’s tears fell down in seconds at that. Immediately, he jumped into Iruka’s lap, embracing his sensei tightly. His speech was broken by sobs. “I thought… you… died… Iruka-...sensei…”
Not minding the painful grip the boy had on her, Iruka smiled against the blond hair obscuring her face. “Let…me…give you…something.”
The boy snuggled closer into her chest, still sobbing. “…What?”
Forcing Naruto out of her arms slightly, Iruka touched Naruto’s face lightly, “Please…close your…eyes.”
Seeing the boy had closed his eyes obediently, Iruka's left hand touched her own hitae-ate, pulling it as well as the band tied with it out. Strands of brown hair fell down immediately. With trembling and bloodied hands, she tied the hitae-ate on Naruto’s head instead.
“You can…look now, Naruto,” she said, and coughed.
Naruto opened his eyes slowly. They widened at the sight of Iruka’s untied hair and immediately both of his hands went up toward his own head.
And felt an unfamiliar cold metal…
His blue eyes widened even more as his mouth hung open, finally understanding what was going on.
Iruka smiled widely as she kissed the metal on the boy’s forehead, on the Konoha symbol. “You pass the test, Naruto. Congratulations.”
Even I can’t produce THAT many kage bunshins with my full chakra. You deserve this for your courage tonight, Naruto…
“SENSEI!!!!”
A second later, with the weeping little blond circling her broken torso tightly, Iruka had never been happier.
She chuckled, tasting the bitter blood, which was oddly sweet behind her lips.
Welcome to the Shinobi world, Naruto…
“Iruka!!”
Seeing a few familiar figures jumped down before them, Iruka could feel the smile widen slightly. Izumo. Kotetsu. Genma. And the last, Kakashi.
Finally….
And she closed her eyes.
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Kakashi didn’t think anything when he searched around the rivers, jumping from one tree trunk to the next. His body moved on autopilot as his mind tried to process what was happening in Shinobi-mode. Yet his brain only could form a single word as he pictured Naruto’s familiar grin.
Sensei!!
He knew it was unlike him to do something without any plans beforehand. Hell, he didn’t even spare a few seconds to summon any of his dogs! His mind was filled with so many feelings that there was no place left for any thinking.
There was anger, confusion, disappointment, fear, but mostly… remorse, as he continued to jump through the trees, trying to sense any chakra in his surroundings. The Forest of Death was a very large area to find a small child, and it was a very difficult thing to do with only a few Chuunin and Jounin.
Forgive me, sensei...
I can’t forgive myself if I can’t protect what you left….
It had been a few minutes without result, when suddenly he heard a faint shout a few miles ahead of him. It was faint, but Kakashi could hear every word of it clearly.
“YOU DARE HURT IRUKA-SENSEI!!?!?? KAGE BUNSHIN NO JUTSU!!”
His eyes widened at those words.
Iruka-sensei…? Don’t tell me…
Fisting his hand tightly, Kakashi ran faster, hoping that he wasn’t late. The image of Iruka’s smile and Naruto’s grin filled his mind as his feet brought him to where the sounds were coming from.
Be alive….please…
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Apparently, the battle was already finished.
“How is she?”
Relief surged into his lungs as Izumo answered, hands testing the pulse on the female sensei’s neck. “She’s alive, thank God. She’s fainted due to blood loss. We have to take her to the hospital, though.” The other Chuunin, Kotetsu, had already picked up the unconscious sensei as he glanced at Kakashi.
“Kakashi-san. What should we do with him?” He turned his head at the man still tied up a few meters away from them.
Kakashi nodded. “We will take him to Hokage-sama. Sandaime will decide what to do with him.” He gestured to Genma to handle the man - the Chuunin whose name he didn't bother to learn. Genma nodded and did what he was asked to do.
“Will… Iruka-sensei be…alright?” Naruto asked between sobs, his fear filling his words.
Kakashi glanced down at the hiccupping boy, who was standing beside him, familiar blue orbs staring into his own dark eye, tears glistening and asking with worry. Aside from the dirt and leaves on his form, there were no injuries on him.
Thank God…
Kakashi smiled as his single uncovered eye softened at the boy, and his gloved hand found itself patting the blond head gently. He felt the growing warmth inside at the first contact he'd had with his sensei’s son.
“She’ll be alright. Everything’s alright, kid.”
And he meant it.
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“Iruka-san! You shouldn’t get up on your own. Your back is still tender, you know!” The nurse shook her head at the stubborn patient on the bed.
Iruka just smiled sheepishly, trying to sit straighter. She was really tired of sleeping on her stomach.
“Ah…forgive me…”
The nurse shook her head again, sitting on the side of the bed with a wet towel in her hand. “I know it’s not comfortable. Still, you should lie on your stomach. I would like to clean your back and check whether it’s healing or not, Iruka-san.”
Groaning internally, Iruka lay on her stomach obediently. She could feel the nurse open her hospital gown from behind. She winced a bit when the cold wet fiber met with the tender skin of her back.
“My…this will be a huge scar, I’m afraid,” the nurse whispered.
Iruka smiled against the pillow. “It doesn’t matter. The important thing is that my student is still alive.”
The nurse sighed. “Well... you’re extremely lucky, Iruka-san. A few millimeters more and the shuriken would have hit your spine. It’s a miracle you avoided that.”
Yeah… I’m extremely lucky. With a few broken ribs, a huge blow to the back, a concussion, and a nearly pierced lung…
“Well…it’ll be fine in a few weeks. I suggest you don’t do any hard activities yet, okay??” The nurse finished her cleaning and buttoned the gown. Iruka didn’t move at all.
“Iruka-sensei!! I brought flowers for you!!”
Iruka’s smile widened at the hyperactive blond boy barging into her hospital room.
Ah well… it’s worth it….
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-A few days later-
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“Iruka-sensei. I heard the news…”
Iruka winced inside at the words, glancing up sheepishly from the papers she was currently working on at the concerned face of Kurenai. Beside her, Asuma and Genma wore the same expressions. It seemed that the news of Mizuki and his betrayal had traveled very fast around the mission room.
“Ah….Kurenai-san. Asuma-san. Genma-san.” She bowed slightly from her sitting position; the bandage wrapped around her torso prohibited her from doing more than that.
“Do you feel better now, Iruka-kun?” Iruka smiled back a bit at the worry in the red-eyed woman’s words. To Iruka, Kurenai was one of the older Kunoichi she looked up to, and it warmed her heart to know the Jounin cared about her.
“You shouldn’t start working so early, Iruka-chan…” Genma said, for once not winking at her,. She remembered the Jounin was one of the Shinobi that helped in searching for Naruto, for which Iruka was grateful (and she could let the -chan go this time).
“I’m fine…really…” Iruka brushed the long strands of hair from her face, free from the usual hair band. Because of the concussion, her head had to be wrapped in bandages, which prevented her from wearing her hitae-ate on her forehead as usual (and the hair band as well). She wore the hitae-ate around her neck instead.
“So…how bad is it…? You still seem a bit pale… shouldn’t you be still in the hospital or something?” Asuma raised his eyebrow, concern evident in his words. His cigarette -for once- wasn’t in his closed mouth.
Inside, Iruka grimaced at the word ‘hospital’. Like other Shinobi, she wasn’t too fond of the hospital, where it reeked of death and blood. That’s why she'd run here (after escaping the nurses of course), hoping the work could ease her troubled mind. No such luck though. “Well… the worst is the injury on my back and I got a little concussion…that’s all…”
From the looks of the three Jounin, they didn’t believe her a bit.
Iruka sighed, shaking her head. “I’m fine. There’re some scrapes around my arms and legs as well, but that’s all.”
“Don’t ‘that’s all’ us, 'Ruka!” Suddenly, Izumo and Kotetsu appeared beside her. Iruka groaned.
And here they come… my ‘babysitters’…
“What’re you doing!? You’re STILL supposed to be in the hospital, you stupid woman!” Kotetsu shouted, hand gripping Iruka’s sleeve none too gently.
“Keep your voice down, Ko. 'Ruka, you should be resting now. Let me and Kotetsu take over your job today, 'Ruka?” Izumo asked in a worried tone, patting Iruka’s shoulder gently.
“I’m fine… really, guys…”
“Where the hell can we translate ‘I was nearly beaten to death’ to ‘I’m fine’, 'Ruka?? You look like HELL!!”
“Keep your voice DOWN, Ko!!”
“Er… Izumo-san, Kotetsu-san…calm down, please...?”
“It’s useless, Kurenai.”
“Shut up, Asuma.”
Iruka sighed at the obvious worry in her teammates’ tones. Really, for years she'd had them as her teammates; the one fact she really understood so well was that the two of them were really over-protective of her, particularly in times like this.
“Maa…what are all these people doing here? Waiting for new missions?” The familiar baritone voice came along with the sight of that familiar silver hair. Kakashi walked toward the desk where all the Jounin and Chuunin stood, surrounding the obviously agitated Chuunin.
Instinctively Iruka stiffened up at the sight before her.
Silver hair…
“'Ruka…? Are you okay?”
“Your face’s pale…Iruka-sensei, are you sure you’re okay?”
That same silver hair…
Mizuki…NO!!!
And Iruka fainted.
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“And what did Ibiki get from him?” Sandaime stared back at him.
Kakashi shook his head. “Nothing. He doesn’t talk about anything. He only laughed and screamed to be let out.”
“He's gone crazy.” Sandaime sighed at his explanation. “I appreciate your effort, Kakashi. You may go now.”
“What about…Naruto?” Kakashi couldn’t help but ask. From Iruka’s report, it was regrettable that that traitor (Kakashi still hadn’t bothered to remember his name) had a chance to let the secret out of his disgusting mouth.
He’s old enough to know the secret. After all…it’s about himself. He deserves to know the truth…
Sandaime nodded at his curiosity. “I’ll explain to him myself.”
Satisfied with the answer, Kakashi asked another question. “Should I tell Iruka-sensei about this, Sandaime?”
“She will ask if she’s ready. And I’ll appreciate it if you tell her if she does.”
Kakashi nodded. “As you wish.”
Walking out of the Hokage’s office, Kakashi walked in his infamous lazy stroll, his mind busy trying to process what had happened recently.
It was strange… that crazy Chuunin took risks too big, fighting Iruka that night. There were some Jounin patrolling outside the Forest, yet he still risked a fight with Iruka, who was a Chuunin like him and could give him a hard fight in return. His only intention was the Kage Bunshin scroll, it only held a simple yet important jutsu. Why didn’t he steal a more precious scroll? There is something fishy about this…
“It’s useless, Kurenai.”
“Shut up, Asuma.”
Kakashi raised his eyebrows when he saw the crowd ahead of him. Iruka, sitting behind her desk with a tired expression on her face, was surrounded by Jounin and Chuunin who were talking rather too loudly for Kakashi’s tastes.
“Maa…what are all these people doing here? Waiting for new missions?” Walking toward the said crowd, Kakashi raised his eyebrows at the slight change in Iruka’s face as their eyes met.
Apparently the quiet Chuunin, Izumo, noticed it as well. “'Ruka…? Are you okay?”
“Your face’s pale…Iruka-sensei, are you sure you’re okay?” Kurenai asked as well.
The Chuunin didn’t answer as her face went paler the closer Kakashi got.
Huh…? Is there something on my face, sensei?
And then, seconds later, she fainted.
With Jounin reflex that even only a few Jounin could have, Kakashi already had his arm circling the unconscious sensei, keeping her head from meeting the hard surface of her desk. The Jounin and Chuunin around them let out gasps of concern at the sudden event.
“What the hell?? Kakashi-san??”
“Kakashi-san? What happened?”
“Iruka!!??”
Kakashi ignored the voices around him as he lifted the Chuunin into his arms and said simply, “She’s still tired from everything that has happened recently. I’ll take her to the hospital.” With that, he vanished in a swirl of leaves, leaving his baffled friends to themselves.
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“Well…I’ve never thought my presence disturbed you so much, Iruka-sensei…” said the Jounin who sat beside the hospital bed. The Icha-Icha book was-as usual-opened under his nose. Unknown to the sensei, Kakashi was eyeing the female Chuunin out of the corner of his eye, somehow glad that there was nothing wrong with her besides … that.
Iruka blushed at the remark, too humiliated to say anything. She sat against the headboard of the bed with pillows under her back, letting their softness ease her bandaged back.
According to the silver haired Jounin, Iruka fainted right after he had arrived. And-being the good comrade he was-he picked her up and brought her to the hospital, where the doctor later explained that Iruka was still-somehow-traumatized after what had happened in the ‘Mizuki accident’. The most disturbing fact was that apparently she couldn’t bear seeing ANY silver haired guys for a while because it was a trigger for her trauma. Still, the doctor reassured her that it was normal and it would fade eventually. She should be back to normal in a few days - hopefully.
Kakashi, Iruka guessed, wore an amused expression behind that mask, which was the reason why Iruka didn’t dare to look at him (with or without her trauma).
Kotetsu, Izumo, Kurenai, and others had visited her earlier, but regretfully they had their own jobs. Iruka couldn’t blame them; it was still in the middle of the afternoon, after all. (And she was grateful for the fact that there was no Kotetsu or Izumo bickering about her health anymore).
Still, unfortunately for her, apparently Kakashi had no job at that time (he had just finished a mission report that day), thus allowing him to visit the poor sensei for a little longer than them (which Iruka hope was just a few minutes longer). He was currently engrossed in the middle of reading that … porn.
As far as Iruka knew, she had exchanged only a few words during all these years with the copy nin. And that put Kakashi as a mere ‘acquaintance’ to her. So, why the hell was he keeping her company now!??
Except… maybe he feels responsible for making me faint this afternoon…After all, how many silver haired guys are there in Konoha anyway?? He must be amused by all of this…. Oh God, he must think I’m so weak - can’t handle a little trauma at all……
“You don’t talk much in front of me, do you Iruka-sensei?” The sudden words from the Jounin snapped Iruka out of her thoughts. In response, she glanced back, avoiding looking at that dreaded silver hair in the process.
“Huh?” She blinked.
“Do you hate me, Iruka-sensei?” Kakashi stared back at her; his tone was neutral. His Icha-Icha book, for once, was turned down on his lap. He had noticed the Chuunin’s expressions for a while and somehow… somehow, he felt…hurt by the grimace the Chuunin had sent him.
Does she dislike me?
“Wha…NO! Why would you think that, Kakashi-san!?” Iruka shook her head a few times in confusion.
“Well…you’ve never wanted to talk to me more than necessary… like now.” The Jounin raised his eyebrow at her, eyeing the slight blush that appeared on those tan cheeks. His heart tightened at the familiar sight.
Iruka blushed, brushing the scar across her face in a nervous gesture, lowering her gaze back to her lap. She decided to tell the truth, there was no use lying in front of that piercing eye. “Uh…well…how do I say this…er… it’s stupid.”
“What is stupid…?” Now Kakashi was really curious.
She couldn’t answer that. She didn’t understand the reason itself.
Why can't I…? He has never done anything wrong to me…
…it’s his eye…
His stare always seems to be reading the depths of my soul… and it makes me a bit uncomfortable…
Yet why…is it so…familiar?
I think…I’ve seen those eyes….somewhere…before…
……
Plus, my stomach always wants to dance around when he’s near…
What the hell’s wrong with me!?? ARGHH…!!!
“Never mind.” Kakashi sighed, lowering his eyes to his own hands.
So she doesn’t like talking to me. Fine…
Kakashi ignored the hurt feeling he felt as he readied himself to leave. It wouldn’t do if he made Iruka more uncomfortable than she already was. He'd better leave before things got uglier.
She could feel the man beside her sigh at her silence. For some reason, it made Iruka feel more horrible than ever.
“I’m…sorry. I don’t understand myself,” she said finally, looking down at her hands.
“Hmm...?” Kakashi glanced up. Feeling that the Chuunin sensei still wasn't finished with her words, he relaxed his posture back into his seat.
“It’s just that… ano… your stare makes me…uncomfortable.” There, she'd said it.
“Uncomfortable…?” Kakashi raised his eyebrows in wonder.
Huh?
Iruka didn’t dare to look back at the Jounin (for fear of the silver hair trigger or something else). She could feel heat rising into her cheeks.
“Um…-"
“IRUKA-SENSEI!!!”
Iruka could kiss silly the person who barged into the uncomfortable silence at the right time in the right place.
Naruto! I love you!!
She hadn’t had a chance to greet him back when suddenly a bundle of orange blur jumped into her arms, embracing her around her waist. Her back protested against the pressure, but she didn’t mind a bit of pain. Her smile automatically grew at those big blue orbs staring up at her.
“Iruka-sensei!! How’re you!?? Kotetsu-san and Izumo-san said that you got sent back to the hospital AGAIN because you forced yourself too much! You should listen to the doctor you know! I’m worried! Does Iruka-sensei need something!? I can bring you something so you’re not lonely here, so-…” Naruto rambled on and on, cuddling eagerly into his sensei’s arms. Iruka chuckled at Naruto’s antics. She couldn’t help but brush the blond spiky hair gently. Her smile widened (if it was possible) at the familiar hitae-ate the blond boy wore.
“You shouldn’t hug her too tightly, kid. She’s still recovering, you know,” came a dry voice at her side.
Oh, my God! I forgot that Kakashi-san’s here as well!
Turning her glance to the Jounin beside her, Iruka couldn’t help but blush a bit at the rather odd stare that single grey eye bore into hers. “Ah… it’s fine, Kakashi-san.”
Kakashi couldn’t help but stare deeply at the rather adorable scene before him. He was even tempted to lift his hitae-ate to engrave the sight forever in his mind with the Sharingan. Anyone could see the close bond the two shared between them, and somewhere in the depths of his mind he could see the long forgotten memory emerge slowly, creating the picture of a certain smiling red-haired woman with a blond baby in her lap.
“Look Kakashi-kun… Isn’t he cute…?”
Kakashi nodded at his sensei’s wife, a slight smile appearing behind his mask. “Hai, Kushina-san.”
Naruto, who was obviously annoyed that someone had disturbed his cuddling time with his favorite sensei, grunted at him. “Iruka-sensei said it is fine. Who’re you, mister?”
Kakashi blinked, the memory vanishing in the blink of an eye at his words.
Ouch…. Now he isn’t cute at all, Kushina-san….
Horrified by Naruto’s less than polite tone, Iruka smacked the blond’s head. “Naruto! You shouldn’t talk like that! And he’s Kakashi-san, my…friend. Tell him you’re sorry!”
Naruto wanted to protest but refrained against Iruka’s glare. He finally mumbled, bowing a bit toward the copy nin. “Sorry…”
Kakashi just shrugged, “It’s fine… But I’m serious about her wound, you know. Don’t hug her too tightly.”
Naruto pouted at that, hesitantly loosening his too tight grip on Iruka’s waist (which, in a tiny part of Iruka’s mind, she was really grateful for). Instead, he sat beside Iruka on the bed, facing the sitting Jounin who sat on the single chair beside the bed as his legs dangled a few feet from the floor. “Okay…I’m Uzumaki Naruto, Iruka-sensei’s student. Who’re you, mister…?” he asked curiously. Obviously he forgot Iruka had introduced the guy a few seconds earlier.
Kakashi’s eye curved into an inverted-U. “I’m Hatake Kakashi.”
Hmm…he obviously forgot our last meeting in the Forest of Death…
Naruto’s eyes blinked innocently. “Kakashi? Scarecrow…? You have a weird name, Kaka-san! And why do you wear a mask? Are you ugly or something?”
Iruka rumpled Naruto’s hair a bit in exasperated affection. “Don’t say that! He’s a Jounin, Naruto. You should respect him.”
Naruto grinned sheepishly. “Ah…sorry, Kaka-san.”
Kakashi chuckled a bit, not minding the nickname he got from the hyper blond. Slowly he brought his hand to brush Naruto’s hair gently. “It’s fine, Naruto.” His orange book, thankfully, was hidden already - or so Iruka thought.
Naruto didn’t mind the touch at all. He grinned widely back, obviously enjoying the large hand on his spiky hair. “You know what, Kaka-san?”
“Hmm…?” The Jounin kept rubbing the boy’s hair, obviously enjoying it as well. Iruka just stared at them, feeling a sudden unknown warmth grow inside her.
Kakashi himself was lost in that grinning face. The whiskers on those chubby cheeks only added to the cuteness factor and Kakashi couldn’t help but smile at him, although it was hidden by the mask.
Minato-sensei…. He really resembles you, huh….
“You seem weird to me, with the mask and that one eye, but you’re nice. Not many people want to talk to me except Iruka-sensei. She’s the nicest sensei I have!” he said honestly, a wide grin on his face.
“Really…?”
Despite of the warmth she felt at Naruto’s innocent, honest words, Iruka tensed up.
Kakashi should know…about Kyuubi…
“Mmm… And I think you and Iruka-sensei will make a nice pair together!” Naruto laughed.
At this, Iruka forgot about her worries, blushing to the roots of her hair at the innocent remark instead. “Naruto! What’re you talking about!??”
“Maa…it’s okay, Iruka-sensei.” The Jounin just chuckled at her outburst, still rubbing Naruto’s blond hair. It seemed that he was rather taken with the little blond boy in front of him. Stealing a glance at the blushing sensei, Kakashi felt something tighten inside his chest. Again; that made it how many times that day?
She should blush more often…
Naruto laughed back at Iruka’s expression. “Iruka-sensei! Your face looks like a strawberry!”
Iruka was tempted to smack the sneaky blond boy near her, but a soft knock made her turn her head to the door. “Yes?”
A nurse walked into the room, smiling at the sight of the three of them. “Umino Iruka-san?”
Iruka nodded. “It’s me.”
The nurse came to her and nodded. “You can go home this afternoon. The doctor said you should take a break for a few days, two days minimum. You’re still a bit tired, so please don’t overwork yourself, alright?”
Iruka just nodded obediently. “I will try.”
“Well…then I’m off. Please enjoy your day, Umino-san.” There was a strange glint in the nurse’s eyes when she said that as she glanced at the three of them. Iruka was sure she winked at her.
Huh…? Did I miss something…?
Kakashi just shrugged at the confused glance Iruka threw at him. “Don’t ask me, sensei.”
Women are strange like that….
Tbc....
A/N : Oh well... even nurses can sense there's something between the two... xD
Thank you again for my lovely beta!! at_splicken!! You're really great and SOOO quick,dear! :D
The Next Chapter - The Promise & the Test (Will be up AT THE VERY LEASTnext Saturday/Sunday, the first weekend in October- hopefully) - I might update faster than that though... ^_^
~blue-iceland
PS : *SPOILERS for chapter 367*
I used the REAL name of Yondaime & his wife here. It was stated in chapter 367 by Jiraiya AND Tsunade. ^____^
Previews for the next chapter : Unbetaed!!
Iruka sighed, “That’s one of the problems as well. Sasuke needs a figure that impresses him enough to make him -at least- follow the teaching. He holds high his ability and proud of them. And Sakura is sometimes too clever. She would accept anyone as long as he or she is really too smart for his or her own good. And last, Naruto is… the boy. Not many people, even some jounins, who would want to associate with him. I couldn’t think anyone who would want to bear with all of those.”
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“You’re free to do any tests you think as the best for them, but please keep them under the rules. I’m sure you all know what the rules are. I do not want to see or hear anyone get killed here, got it?” She put her best teacher ‘obey ME or you can go fuc**ng EATEN by missing nins for all I care ’ glare. Everyone nodded obediently at that. Iruka ignored the gulps or snorts that were heard.
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Well…at least he doesn’t protest having a rather imbalanced angsty boy, a kyuubi container, and a pink haired girl as his team. Wait a minute… does he know any students beside Naruto…? I don’t think so…
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That's all I can tell u now... =P
| Chapter 03 - The Promise & the Test |
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Oh yes....btw... I just posted a new cute Kakashi art in my DA account. Go see it if u're interested! :D
Chibi Head 02_Kakashi by ~blue-iceland on deviantART