Warning: This is not a happy fiction. Keep those handkerchiefs near.
Chance
It was all by chance, really.
A couple of the classes in the Academy had been out on the bigger training field. Following routine, the lessons had been supervised by not two, but four teachers, and the whole area had been surrounded and warded by undetectable ANBU, for security's sake.
As the day had neared its end, when the teachers had gone on to collect and count their students, two mischievous boys had seized an opportunity and snuck away, though not unseen as they had hoped. Iruka had merely exchanged a knowing look with his colleague, before collecting the rest of their student's for their way home.
Sending the group away, Iruka had set off after the pair, idly wondering why the ANBU hadn't brought them back already. Though he needn't wonder long for soon he had found his students, but not in safety as he had assumed.
In a split second Iruka had realized that the bandits surrounding and slowly approaching the two frightened children must have overpowered and killed the lone ANBU before he had time too tell his squad. Then the children had seen them, and there had been no doubt to what the rouge ninja would do to them.
One had sprung forward, reaching for his sword to slay the kids in cold blood. So Iruka had jumped in front of the children, slashing and killing the enemy with a well aimed strike of his kunai. And as the others had realized what had happened, and had leaped at him, he had taken the dead man's sword and fought, shouting out to his students to stay out of the way, making sure the boy's were not hurt, even if he was in the process.
He was. But luckily, the rest of the ANBU had come to their aid before one of the enemy got to land a killing blow on Iruka. The rough ninjas had been eliminated. The two boys, still unharmed, had been taken to their homes where their parents and family were waiting. Iruka, on the verge of collapsing, was taken to the hospital for treatment of his wounds. And word of his great battle spread like a fire through the village of Hidden Leaf.
One week later Iruka was released from the hospital. He was summoned to see the Hokage, because there was one more thing that had to be done before Godaime could go through with her plans. It was asking Iruka one crucial question: Was there any reason for him not to become jounin?
Quote:"…I like to teach…"
Iruka's promotion was celebrated and there seemed to be no end of congratulations and gifts. Soon he was inaugurated in the work and he completed his missions successfully. It was clear to many that the decision to advance his career had been a good one. Hardly any saw that the fire in the former teacher's eyes had vanished. It wasn't until weeks later that Godaime Hokage-sama realized her mistake.
The village of Hidden Leaf mourned the loss of a great man. Though, the man they mourned was not the man, who had taken his own life one night in his apartment; it was the teacher of their children, Umino Iruka, chuunin of Konoha. Because now every one understood this funeral was held a long time too late.
Chance had a laugh.
END