Disclaimer: Naruto is an ongoing Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto and published by Shonen Jump.
All I do is read it.
A somewhat alternate version of Iruka's and Shino's confrontation set in Hindsight AU by the-human-error.
Also for Ichi Stars for being the voice of actual constructive criticism.
But mostly, deliberately, ESPECIALLY for you the-human-error
AN : Publishing fan fiction of an AU fan fiction is the equivalent of literary masturbation.
Inspired by Hope but fueled by my undying incandescent RAGE.
A man could fester only so much, Iruka thought, before the need to confront his foe overrode all reason.
It made sense, they were trackers. All the same, he didn't care why Team Eight always choose the most remote, thorn infested patch of grubby wilderness possible to train
Breaking free in somewhat relative stealth, Iruka surprised absolutely no one as beheld Kurenai instructing all three of her students in the advanced albeit severely tailored forms of genjustu. Apparently she was in the midst of correcting the very person he had come to…converse with.
Shino shivered as his swarm unfurled, his image blurring and suddenly, with less ceremony than a bubble popping, there were three Aburame , spectacles glinting in triplicate in the dappled forest light.
One stood with Kiba who had carefully slunk upwind the moment he had first sensed Iruka, The other stood with Hinata as the third stood with his sensei. At some unseen signal all three began forming rapid hand seals faster than the eye could follow. Suddenly either of his teammates would confide an instruction to their particular Aburame, his pattern would change abruptly and after a few seconds the remaining two clones would adapt to duplicate this new pattern.
Kurenai nodded approvingly as she suggested slight alterations, until she caught sight of Iruka. Her scarlet eyes flickered as her attention was divided and for a moment her body language read that she was about to drop whatever complicated jutsu her mind was entangled with in favor of having a frank adult discussion of a very questionable subject involving one of her students, and he suspected, his behavior towards students in general.
It was a relief when she sent Hinata over instead.
It was a conversation he was not quite ready to have yet. With anyone. At all.
"Apologies Iruka sensei" Hinata began "Shino is at a critical point in refining one of his jutsus , one we hope could give us all a vital tactical advantage in the upcoming war."
"Since I have already received instruction, I hope you don't mind if I keep you company?"
He really hadn't thought Kurenai would stoop so low as to deceive her own student just to deny Iruka access but Hinata looked so earnest.
"Not at all Hinata."
Hinata had matured much since he last laid eyes on her, but traces of her past self remained. Occasionally she regressed, clasping her hands across her bosom, as if to ward of confrontation of the unavoidable.
Like now, Iruka realized.
Eyes deferred, whether from respect or embarrassment in light of recent developments she sat across form him, whilst in between and far ahead, the specter of Shino struggling against himself. It was subtle hint; symbolically significant he was sure. Iruka was equally sure he did not care.
"So sensei," she hesitated "how have you been?"
A classic opening, if a bit predictable.
"My life", he snorted "could do with fewer complications."
"Naruto is fine", he tossed in absentmindedly
"Are the complications of….of Love worth it?"
The sudden intensity her words burned in the air. Startled by her directness Predictability sank as Unforeseen Consequences brazenly erupted into their previously civil conversation.
Her eyes captured his, no remnant of uncertainty, only the iron resolve of Hyuga, lady of war, made apparent.
Damm you Naruto, Iruka thought, the very mention of your name summoned dilemmas specifically designed to plague my life.
"Hinata….I am probably the last person you should ask."
"But it IS worth the effort." Her nostrils flared with insistence.
It was curious and yet unsurprising how she had bypassed the usual question of recognizing love, he mused, even as he struggled to formulate a response.
"Shino says… He said despite everything …" her brows drew together as Hinata recalled his exact dialogue "…he doesn't hold any expectations, he accepts her and the things she has done, her past, … what she has to do doesn't matter. The only imperative is to be together. Because they are cohesive parts of a greater harmony.
Like hell they are, Iruka thought derisively. He's just a fool kid with a vague idea of what love is. He had no idea what Sakura needed. None.
His first thought that was a massive cold front had suddenly localized over the Leaf.
His second was maybe his thought process wasn't as internalized as he once hoped.
He hadn't quite believed that the alternate Hinata had stood alone against the legendary Rinnegan. As he beheld the frost eyed glare of the iron maiden before him his doubt was sucked away. Along with the warmth in his bones and any possibility of survival.
" Shino-kun…." she dismissed his apology before he could stammer it out. " Shino-kun may be a kid, but he knows what he wants. He'll fight for what he wants. He'll stand against the world."
Abruptly she swirled away from him. "He's a better man than most give him credit for."
Watching her stride away he had the distinct feeling she hadn't be referring to Shino at all.
Then the rest of the sentence caught up to him.
He'll fight for what he wants.
For a moment panic gripped him.
He isn't the only one. Bring it!
Resolve set Iruka turned confront his nemesis upon the training field.
Only to find it completely deserted.