Author Contact: mori_duck@hotmail.com

Warnings: violence, plot takes place after Tsunade becomes Godaime, possible shounen ai

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto- just the plot of this particular story.

Terms: -sempai means older student in a mentor way…. –kohai means younger student in a mentor way  Sarutobi is the Third Hokage… other terms you should know through Naruto

Notes: Sorry for any discontinuities. Feedback is appreciated.

Sometimes it's okay to let people think you're a little crazy. Sometimes it's okay for them to wave to you on the street but avoid you in their personal lives. Sometimes it's okay to seem mysterious and cunning or nice but impersonal. Sometimes it's okay to distance yourself from the world.

Sometimes isn't always.

Chapter One: The Letter

            As soon as Iruka had the wooden case in one hand and the letter in the other, he knew something was about to change. Of course, that wasn't a very unusual feeling for those days. What with a new female Hokage, Naruto more powerful than anyone would have guessed, and Jiraya once again on the loose, things were just about as strange as they could be. Iruka wasn't comfortable with these changes and worse yet- he felt lonely.

            Tsunade leaned back in her chair and looked around the room. Her lips were pursed in thought as her eyes wove among the Chuunins and Jounins that were stuffed into the room awaiting assignments. "I want you to take someone with you, Umino Iruka." She looked as serious as usual, but there was an air of amusement about her. "It could be seriously dangerous with what you are carrying. I would like…" a smile spread quickly over her face "Hatake Kakashi to accompany you."

            Kakashi sauntered over to Iruka and stood beside him. "Sounds like fun. What exactly are we taking?"

            Tsunade sat forward and raised her head so she was looking the silver haired Jounin in the eye. "I can't tell you now. Once you and Iruka-san are alone, open the letter. It will tell you about the contents of the box. All I can tell you now is that you must go to the Hidden Shell Village in the east. Any more instructions that are needed, you will find in the letter that Iruka-san holds." She nodded. "Now, get off on your journey. I will expect you two to return in two weeks. If you need more time, contact me." And, so saying, she dismissed them with a wave of her hand.

            Kakashi turned to Iruka, his visible eye arching in a slight smile. "So finally I get to talk with you, Iiiiruka-saaaaan." He drew out the name like it was a piece of taffy in his mouth.

            "Kakashi-san…" Iruka could feel his cheeks flush pink. He remembered all too well his own boldness during the nominations for the Chuunin exam. He also remembered that he had been wrong about his former students while this man had been right. Kakashi-sensei… he had looked bored when Iruka confessed his fears had been unfounded- just as he looked bored now. "Shall we go?"

            Kakashi leaned closer. "Don't you want to get some clean underwear?"

            "A-a-aa," Iruka's blush deepened. "I already have the ninpack that is useful for up to a week. After that, I can wash the clothes and it's not too hard to buy food…" he stopped and coughed, feeling stupid. Since he lived alone, he was used to talking out loud to himself about his plans. "I'm sorry. But I am ready."

            "So am I. Let's go." Kakashi strolled out the door, not looking back.

            Iruka followed, his face still flushed.

            "Wait!" Tsunade called suddenly, standing up so fast that her chair fell over loudly. Both men stopped and turned around. She grinned and looked slightly embarrassed. "I forgot to tell you something. You're supposed to open the letter before you leave Konoha. That's all!" She smiled brightly, waved and went back to helping an elderly man fill out some paperwork.

            Iruka followed Kakashi out of the building and into the pale winter sunlight. It would be Christmas soon. And then New Years… Iruka suddenly felt cold and reached for his coat which was hanging by the front door in a little shed made for wet clothing. Kakashi grabbed his own black coat and fastened the clasps to the side of his neck.

            A mission at this time of year was really nothing new, but it pained him to be away from Naruto this year. He had specially planned a meal for New Years as Naruto hadn't celebrated it before. He had hoped to invite Sasuke as well, because he would also undoubtedly be spending that time alone. Iruka sighed and his breath puffed out into the air.

            "Iruka-san," Kakashi had already opened the letter and was gesturing him over. He walked over and leaned over the other man's shoulder to read what was written on the thin piece of paper in Sandaime's spidery hand.

            Iruka-kun,

                        I have entrusted this mission to you and hopefully Kakashi-san ( if he is still alive) in the hopes that the two of you will be able to complete it. This mission is of the utmost importance.

                        I have chosen you, Iruka-kun, because you are competent when it comes to not using excessive chakra. You are also good at being unnoticeable, and you have remarkably good luck when it comes to missions. I requested that Kakashi-san be sent with you because he is excellent at unusual missions and will be able to fight against any interruptions. If he is not available, I hope that Godaime chose an equally competent Jounin to accompany you.

                        Why all of this planning? Let me explain.

                        The box that you are carrying contains two incredibly deadly kunai. Apart, they are not quite so dangerous, but together, they could kill even me. The first kunai has the ability to detect chakra usage in a thirty meter radius and fly directly towards its user. The second kunai, when it cuts into something, has the ability to make the wounded bleed until they are dry. They have these abilities due to minor demons that are tied into the physical bodies of the kunai. When they are chained together, as they are now, they are very difficult to defeat.

                        They were given into my safekeeping by your parents, Iruka-kun. At the time, your clan was seeking my approval for their continued existence in the Hidden Shell Village. They were partially a gift and partially a weapon that must be hidden behind great walls of protection that we could only provide here.

                        Now that I am gone, I want them to be returned to your clan to be destroyed by the only man able to do so. His name is Toishiyama, but he goes by Toy-san. If he is no longer alive, he will have taught his successor to destroy these.

                        As for the journey, it is not difficult. The road to Hidden Shell is very peaceful and the view is excellent. There is fairly good visibility and several small towns that you can stop in. It would take a shorter amount of time, but you are not to use chakra, as it will awaken the kunai. If you are in a situation where you find yourself fighting an enemy who wants to steal the kunai, Kakashi is there to distract the attackers and fight them over thirty meters away.

                        The warnings are these: Do not use chakra within thirty meters of the box. Do not attempt to use the kunai for your own weapons. Do not let anyone steal them. Get them safely to Toy-san as fast as possible. And above all do NOT take Naruto along with you. If he tries to come along, send him home alone if need be. The chakra from Nine Tails is unpredictable and it will excite the chakra-seeking kunai.

                        Good luck and take care of yourselves. Destroy this letter before you leave Hidden Leaf.

                                                            ~ Sarutobi

            Kakashi muttered a quick jutsu and the paper caught on fire and disappeared within seconds. Iruka shivered a little and adjusted his vest under his coat. It was a huge responsibility to be carrying things like these, but his mind was not on that. It was on the fact that he would be able to meet his clan for once. His parents had never mentioned them and since they died, he had not received word from anyone he was related to. He didn't even know that he had a clan. He just thought that Umino was his father's name and that was it.

            "…we can stop to eat something at around eight and spend the night in a town," Kakashi was saying. Then, suddenly he stopped talking and turned to the dark haired Chuunin. "Were you listening to me?"

            "A-aa." Iruka smiled nervously. "Of course, Kakashi-san."

            "You don't have to call me Kakashi-san, you know. In fact, I'd prefer it if you didn't."

            "What would you prefer I call you?"

            Kakashi appeared to be thinking for a minute, his fingers stroking the cloth on his chin. Then, he leaned close to Iruka and smiled brightly behind his mask. "Kakashi-sempai is just fine."

            "Sempai?!"

            "I like to think of our relationship that way."

            Iruka's face turned a brilliant red and he stepped back. "Kakashi-san!"

            "Anyway, would you care to say goodbye to Naruto before you leave? I need to see at least one of my students to inform them that I will be gone." Kakashi scratched behind his head. "Otherwise they'd sit out at the bridge waiting for me for two weeks…" He laughed. "I'm kind of late at times."

            By the time Iruka had thought up a suitable way to scold him, they were at Naruto's apartment. And, due to the sounds emanating from the apartment, Iruka thought that he would save the lecture for later. It sounded as though the little blond was ripping a cat apart inside. Kakashi pushed the door open, and the two older men were greeted by a scene neither of them had ever thought possible.

            Uzumaki Naruto was lying face down on the carpet, howling angrily. Uchiha Sasuke had caught his left foot in his arms and was trying to clip the other boy's toenails. He was also yelling at his teammate. One foot had been thrown over Naruto's waist to hold him down.

            "STOP TOUCHING MY FEET!" Naruto was shouting into the carpet.

            "IF YOU'D CUT YOUR OWN DAMN TOENAILS, I WOULDN'T HAVE TO!!!" Sasuke shouted back, locking his other leg around Naruto's to keep him from wriggling.

            "OOOOWWWWW!!!" shrieked Naruto. "YOU CUT ME, ASSHOLE!"

            "I DID-" Sasuke suddenly stopped yelling. "Sensei," he said in his usual quiet voice. He untangled himself from his teammate, flushing a little.

            Naruto gave one last yell into the carpet and then picked himself up sullenly. When he noticed Iruka, though, he grinned. "Sensei! Have you come to take me out for ramen?" His hands clapped together and he grinned.

            "Actually, we have come to say goodbye," Kakashi said, leaning against the door frame. "We have a mission. Iruka-kohai wanted to say that he was going to be gone for New Years. I was going to tell you that you will be under the supervision of another jounin while I am gone."

            Naruto's eyebrow twitched and he was silent. It was temporary, however, and everyone waited patiently for the outburst. Finally, he exploded. "NANIIIIIIIIIIIIIII??? Iruka-senseeeeeiiii, I thought you were going to spend New Years with me!" He whirled around and pointed an accusing finger at Kakashi. "And Kakashi-sensei, how can you leave us to some random teacher?!"

            "I'm not leaving you to some random teacher. Asuma-san is going to supervise your missions. He and Nara Shikamaru should be able to take care of five genin." Kakashi waved a hand. "You should be fine. Most people don't ask for higher level missions until the weather is warmer. So settle in for a nice relaxing vacation."

            Naruto opened his mouth to protest, but Sasuke stopped him saying, "Shut up, idiot. We can train while he's gone." The blond closed his mouth.

            Iruka ruffled the shorter boy's hair. "Naruto, you be good while I'm gone. Don't cause any trouble for Tsunade-sama or Asuma-sensei. When I get back, I promise we'll celebrate New Years together."

            Naruto scuffled his foot on the carpet. "Fine, fine," he muttered, then flung his arms around Iruka, burying his face the older man's stomach. "Don't have fun without me."

To be continued…

In Ch. 2: Snip- Naruto and Sasuke prepare for hell.