Title: Leaves of Konoha
Rating: T, at most, for now
Series: Naruto AU
Pairings: Implied KakashixIruka, possibly HakuxZabuza, but not quite defined as being so, yet.
Summary: Haku is found mostly dead in Konohagakure, after defeat by Kakashi. Zabuza- Sunagakure. What could this mean? Will the two Mist-nin meet up once more, or will their seperation tear them apart forever?
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, as it was all created by the brilliant Masashi Kishimoto. If I did, however, Haku and Zabuza would still be alive, and well... It would be one huge Yaoi fanstory... . ;
A/N: Have had this for a while, but just havn't uploaded it here. Started out with some mood-music, but I just continued on when I had to click the 'repeat' button for the song 20-billion times over xD
Enjoy 3
A leaf on the wind... It soars high, and low, but always winds up where it wants to be... Exactly where the wind takes it.
Iruka stared at the memorial before him, a frown set into his face. Too many people he knew had their names on it. Too many times did the people he loved come close to winding up with their names carved upon its surface. Too many times... More times then he had ever wanted.
Looking up, Iruka spotted a figure laying on the ground, nearby. He hadnt noticed them before, and reached to his kunai pouch as he went to investigate. What he found was a jet-black haired boy that was remarkably femmenim in look. The boy was uncontious, and had a rather curious wound to the chest, though, it looked partially healed.
Iruka looked around, and, after seeing nobody nearby, lifted the boy and began heading back to the lived-in part of Konoha, hoping that he hadnt seen the injured figure in his arms too late...
Upon further examination, it was noticed that the boy was apart of the Village Hidden in the Mist. His pale hands looked rather callaced around the fingers, and Iruka wondered if Senbon was his main use of weapon. With that thought, the Leaf-nin paused. He'd heard that description before. A boy, apart of a missing-nin Duo from Kirigakure, who looked practically like a girl, and the weapon of choice was senbon, or medical needles. He had also heard that the boy posessed a strong bloodline.
Looking around again before continuing on, Iruka wondered where the other of the pair was. His name was one he wouldnt forget, as his story was almost legendary. Momochi-
"Zab... uza... san"
Iruka looked down at the boy known as Haku, a frown set on his lips once more. Missing-nin, or not, the boy was badly injured and needed aid. He remembered a conversation earlier that week, with Kakashi...
"You're too soft..."
"I know... I guess I cant help it..."
Iruka smiled and hastened his pace... he would make it to the hospitol within the next few minutes, if he moved quickly enough. Or so he thought he would wind up there...
Hatake Kakashi yawned as he sat on the edge of his bed, a warm cup of coffee in his hands. He had already gotten ready for the day, and was just really waiting to wake up fully. In front of him, hanging on his wall, was a sketched picture of coy swimming in a pool. A leaf rested upon the water, and the ripples around it said that it had just landed. Iruka drew it... He always liked the things Iruka did...
"Hmm? What are you drawing, Iruka-san?" Kakashi asked, leaning over the others' shoulder to peer at the peice of paper in Iruka's hands.
"Just... I dont know, really. I guess its a drawing of the coy..." Iruka responded, giving a small smile. "I never could draw the tails right, though"
"Why not put a leaf in there to block the tails so you dont have to worry about it?" Kakashi offered, pointing to the exact spot on the paper where the leaf could be drawn.
"Ah... You're right!" Iruka said, smiling a bit more as he got to work.
Later that day, the two watched over some of the Academy Students, as Kakashi had no missions, nor students to look after, for that day. Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke all had their own missions to accomplish...
"How's that?" Iruka asked, showing Kakashi the picture.
"Hmm... Good, actually." Kakashi smiled, although it was hidden behind his mask.
"Then... you can have it."
"Really? But you worked so hard to finish it..." Kakashi looked curiously at the other Leaf-nin.
"Oh, that's alright. I feel better when other people can enjoy my art, rather then hoarding it all to myself..." Iruka smiled and held out the picture.
Kakashi looked at Iruka for another moment, then took the picture with another hidden smile.
"You're too soft..." Kakashi said, kindly.
"I know... I guess I cant help it..." Iruka replied with a grin.
Finishing the last sip from the cobalt-blue mug in his hands, Kakashi returned his mask to its rightful place over his mouth, and stood, brushing a hand across the picture that had been the center of his attention for the morning. Depositing his coffee mug in the sink of his kitchen, he headed out to check up on his students, who had returned late the previous night.
Deciding to travel by rooftop, as Naruto was one of the first he was to visit, Kakashi spotted a figure moving swiftly in his direction, carrying another figure in its arms. It took the Leaf-nin a moment to realize it was Iruka carrying someone, but as he shifted forward to see what was up, he recognised the nin in his arms. Haku... The boy he had killed... That he had helped bury... Was alive, wounded, and in the arms of a man Kakashi respected almost more then anyone else. But, still... The boy was a missing-nin... Did Iruka not know that?
"Iruka. Stop." Kakashi moved and blocked the others' path, causing the teacher to do as told. "What's going on?" He asked, wondering how it all happened...
Iruka looked down at the uncontious form of Haku, and back up at Kakashi. "I was at the memorial... and I found him like this..." He said. "He needs help, Kakashi..." His voice was almost pleading. Although he knew the boy in his arms had commited many crimes, he didnt want to see him die in such a way...
Kakashi looked at Iruka as he stepped forward. He looked down at Haku, then at the wound causing him so much pain. "Go lay him down on my bed. The hospitol is still a ways away, and he needs help now. Besides, my house has water and rags so you can clean the wound as soon as possible." He instructed, giving a mental sigh. 'He's right... Besides... I want to know his story...' He gave another glance to the mist-nin in Iruka's arms, then rushed off to the hospitol, having left his house keys with the other man.
Iruka watched gratefully as Kakashi went off, then moved over to Kakashi's house, unlocking the door and slipping in. He dropped the keys off on the kitchen counter, noting that that was exactly where he always put his own keys. Looking around the apartment, he went and rested Haku on Kakashi's bed, as told, and then went off to rummage around for washrags.
Returning to the bedside with a few rags he'd found and cleaned quickly, and a bowl of hot water, he peeled back the topmost part of Haku's robe, wincing as he saw how bad the wound actually was. Recognising the pattern of the injury, he began to wonder about how Haku received it, and who delt it, as he cleaned it gently. It almost looked like it was caused by the-
"I dont know exactly what he needs, so I just grabbed a medical kit." Kakashi grunted as he closed the door behind him. "How is he?" He then asked, walking over to the bedside and resting the kit down next to Haku. Mentally wincing at the condition of the wound, he marvelled that the kid was still breathing... He marvelled that he was here, and alive, even. That would be the first question he would ask, he deemed.
"Thanks..." Iruka murmered, setting to work as he removed Haku's top completely to get a better view of the wound. He was no medic, but every shinobi went through basic survival classes.
'Its good we arent at the hospitol, anyways... He might get recognized...' He thought as he worked. After giving the boy a few rough stitches where he needed them most, he cut a few strips of gauze and soaked them slightly in a basic healing salve. Resting them on the wound, he used the rest of the gauze to wrap it completely up.
"There... We'll have to change the bandage in a few hours..." Iruka murmered, wiping a small bit of sweat from his brow.
"Mhmmm..." Kakashi grunted from where he was leaning against the wall. He looked Haku over, then glanced over at Iruka, who seemed to be examining his handiwork as well. "He's probably going to take alot of care before he can even move around on his own... Alot of time and effort..." He murmered, raising an eyebrow as Iruka only grinned in reply.
"I'm up to that challenge!" Iruka smiled at Kakashi.
'He... reminds me of Naruto, sometimes.' Kakashi thought, smiling in return.
"But... Uhm... Kakashi...?" Iruka's smile had faded, and he was looking back at the boy beside him. "I dont really have alot of room at my place..."
"Its fine. He can stay here." Kakashi said, shrugging. "I guess I've got no choice, anyways..." He murmered, almost as an afterthought. His eyes widened as the other Leaf-nin had gotten up and glomped him, in a way.
"Thank you..." Iruka murmered, hugging Kakashi before going back over to Haku and lifting him. "You have a place to put him, for a little bit?" He asked, looking back at the other man.
"Yeah... Why?" Kakashi asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I need to clean your blankets..." Iruka looked slightly embarassed at the bit of blood and water he'd spilled on the others bedsheets.
"Oh... Yeah, there's a small couch on the porch... the fresh air might do him some good..." Kakashi mentioned, and watched as Iruka put the boy where he said. He was about to start helping in cleaning up, when the other man shoo'd him off.
"I'll clean up. Can you go keep an eye on him?" Iruka asked, grabbing the bowl of now-bloodied water, some of the garbage from what he'd used in the medicle kit, and the medicle kit itself and headed off into the kitchen.
"Nhh... Yeah." Kakashi murmered, giving one last glance back to Iruka before disappearing out onto his porch to watch the sleeping Haku. He leaned against the wall, his features growing troubled as he tried to figure out exactly how the boy got there... Or where his partner was... He was brought out of his thoughts when the boy in topic shifted his head to the side, looking bothered. Curious, Kakashi moved to his side and tried to deturmine what he was dreaming...
Suddenly, Haku opened his eyes and grabbed Kakashi by the throat, his face an expression of rage. "Where is Zabuza-san?" He asked, although it was quite obvious that he was still dreaming, as after he spoke, his grip loosened, and his eyes began closing again. He was soon sound asleep once more, leaving Kakashi coughing.
"Kakashi...?" Iruka poked his head out the door and smiled slightly as he spied the white-haired man crouched by Haku. "I've moved the things to the dryer... I also found another set of sheets and put them on the bed, if you want to move him..." He disappeared inside, humming slightly as he disappeared into the kitchen. Rummaging through Kakashi's cabinets, he found a few things to make some soup, and did so. Haku would probably need something liquid to eat when he woke up... Besides... He knew Kakashi hadnt had breakfast, as there was a high absence of dishes in his sink, and he knew the other man didnt really clean until he felt like it.
Kakashi watched as Iruka disappeared back into the apartment, and went and lifted the uncontious figure sleeping on his couch. He went inside and placed him on the bed, rubbing his throat slightly. If Haku'd been awake, and had realised what he was doing... He could have killed Kakashi right there on the spot. It was a bit of an awkward thought for the leaf-nin. Giving a bit of a straigned sigh, he looked over to Iruka in the kitchen.
"Hey. I need to head out for a bit... I take it you're going to be staying here to keep an eye on him?" He appeared behind the other man, examining the contents of the pot on the stove.
Iruka jumped slightly. "Uh... Yeah. Hey, are you going to check on Naruto? Can you tell him to stop by, later?" He asked, turning to face Kakashi.
Kakashi thought for a moment. "I'll come relieve you later, and you can talk with him, then." He said. 'If he knew about Haku... It might be best if he didnt.' He thought to himself, receiving a smile from Iruka for his offer.
"Thanks again, Kakashi-san..." Iruka smiled. "I'll save the leftovers of the soup so you can eat them, later." He pointed to the soup he was making.
"Okay... Thanks." Kakashi murmered, and felt slightly awkward. He felt he needed to do something, as he stood there, facing Iruka... Shrugging it off a bit, he headed for the door. "I'll try not to be gone long. Take care of the kid." He muttered before leaving.
Iruka stood where he was, still staring at the place where Kakashi had been moments before. A slight blush rested on his cheeks, though he had no real idea why. The smile faded though as he looked to the form resting on the bed. The wound matched that received by someone attacked by the Chidori... Kakashi's Chidori... Pushing the troubling thoughts aside, he returned to cooking, feeling almost like.
"A house wife." He mused aloud with a slight chuckle that disappeared as soon as it came.