Seals, Barriers and Iruka's House for Odd Shinobi

by RukaIayLomperGay

Every Hokage has a secret Keeper, someone that has all of Konoha's secrets sealed inside of them. After the Kyubi, Iruka finds himself burdened with a job that was never meant to be his. (Universe Alterations, Kakashi/Iruka, Asuma/Kurenai, Ibiki/Anko, Genma/Ebisu, Aoba/Gai) EDIT*Glitch fixed

1. Chapter 1

Seals, Barriers and Iruka's House for Odd Shinobi

Chapter One: Short Change Hero

XXX

"What's this one?"

Iruka looked up at the seal his father was holding up. He bit his bottom lip thinking. It was the weekend so he didn't have to be at the academy, which he was thankful for. At least at home he got to learn cool things. He smiled before looking back at the seal on the scroll his father was holding. "Summoning?"

"Good job, can you tell what I'm summoning?" Ikkaku grinned down at his son, putting the scroll on the table so Iruka could get a better look. Iruka shuffled so he could get a better look but didn't touch the seal. His brow furrowed.

"Metal ... weapons?" Iruka looked up at his father to check his answer. He smiled when Ikkaku nodded in approval. "What kind of weapon? Can I try?" He asked eagerly.

Ikkaku looked at his son and the long scar across his nose before sighing. "No, you're still a little young Iruka but recognizing them is just as important. It's going to make things a lot easier later when you're old enough to use them."

"But I'm in the top of my class for weapons training! Well ... what they let us do so far. And it's not my fault that Hayate's kunai caused mine to ricochet and hit Megu-sensei." Iruka pouted. "And they still made me apologize."

"I think your father is thinking about how you got your scar, son." Kohari stepped into the room with a smirk. She gently ruffled Iruka's hair. "The last time he let you summon a weapon? I don't know if you remember it?"

Iruka put a hand up to his face feeling the scar across the bridge of his now and going from cheek to cheek. It had been when he had got accepted in the academy, he had begged his father to let him try a seal or to make a barrier. Eventually they settled on summoning a weapon. It had been a long blade sword instead of the expected kunai, the scroll had been mislabeled. His dad's face had been shocked when it popped out. Iruka had been too close and ended up getting cut pretty deeply. Kohari had not approved of Iruka's usage of weapon symmons and had come home rather angry at Ikkaku. Iruka flushed embarrassed and pouted at his mom.

"I was six, I'm eight now. I can do it. It's not my fault someone mislabeled it." Iruka looked at the seal on the table. Ikkaku smiled at Kohari and she sighed. It was a soft spot for them. Wanting to push all their knowledge into their son since both of them were from Uzushiogakure. Ikkaku was an elite when it came to seals and barriers, he had come to Konoha a few years before Kohari to learn more from Mito Uzumaki before she died. Now he helped the village with their barriers and making quality seals and tags for their shinobi. Kohari had come with the others after the destruction of the village. First as a guard for the young Kushina but now she was part of Konoha and one of their ANBU. She had a bloodline limit and was a good asset for the village to have. Iruka had been disappointed when he didn't get his mother's ability. At least it hadn't been activated yet but he still hoped, so he decided to pursue his father's career path. He still hoped that one day he could at least mimic some of his mother's techniques.

"How about a barrier instead?" Kohari smiled and Iruka grinned wide. "Your father tells me you've been getting better."

"I have!" Iruka jumped up from the table and ran to his room to grab his supplies, he liked working on his own material. A trait his father said was from his mother, she didn't argue it. Iruka dumped his paper and ink on the table when he came back. "The last one I made dad had to use his own chakra to break it!" He had been proud of himself. He didn't see his parents share amused, yet proud expressions behind him as he set it up.

"Alright." Iruka inscribed his tags for the barrier he had been practicing. He still didn't have as good control of his chakra as he wanted. And found that it was hard to make them unbreakable like his father's. He placed the tags around the table before sitting and concentrating. It took a moment before suddenly there was a visible barrier around the table.

"Oh wow Iruka! You've gotten better at making it big!" Ikkaku ruffled his son's hair before walking around it. "Nice and solid, looks thick too. How do you feel?"

Iruka thought about it. "I thought about putting more chakra in it so that it would be tougher."

"Very good." Kohari watched them from the doorway.

"Yes good but that's not the only thing a good barrier needs." Ikkaku pressed against it with his hand and smiled, it was a good barrier ... for a beginner. He looked at his son who was watching his inspection closely. "Do you remember what we talked about last time?"

"You said to put feeling into it?" Iruka frowned, unsure.

"Yes son." Ikkaku nodded. "When you make a barrier you need to explain to it what you want it to protect or capture. What its purpose is. You can turn your barrier into an ally. You're already feeding it your chakra, make it more a part of you and how you feel."

"Won't that take a long time?" Iruka asked.

Ikkaku grinned but shook his head. "It takes practice. There are barriers made with no feeling at all and they can do their job, they can be perfectly good barriers. But if you want the best, you need to communicate to your creation, make it the best."

Kohari watched her son think about it, she loved his expressive face. She hoped he never lost it. She raised an eyebrow at her husband who winked at her.

"Think of it like when I use my kekkei genkai." Kohari smiled when her son quickly turned to her, she knew he had been upset that the ability hadn't awakened in him. "I find that my water and fire both work better when I share my emotions whether they're happy or sad."

"Ohhh." Iruka's eyes shined with understanding. "I think I get it. If I don't really care ... then why would the barrier care?"

"Exactly!" Ikkaku pulled out a kunai and stabbed the barrier causing it to crack before bursting. Iruka sighed dejectedly at how easy it had been. "You weren't really wanting to keep me from my paperwork, try again!"

"You should try and lock him in there with it." Kohari teased and Iruka laughed. Ikkaku let out a strangled whine. "I'll start dinner while you keep practicing."

"Okay!"

XXX

Kakashi sighed from his spot under the tree. Obito, as always, was late. He looked over at Rin who was humming while making a daisy-chain. Minato was talking to another jonin a little ways away from them. Kakashi tried to remember the man's name. He was rather plain looking, had a mustache, dark skin and a high long pony-tail. He was pretty sure the man had been at his father's funeral but Kakashi had never worked with him. He was curious what he was talking to Minato about.

Did they have a mission?

Both men let out a laugh and Kakashi sighed, apparently not. He wondered if they had a big mission coming soon. It had seemed like the attacks from Iwa were calming down but Kakashi knew it was the quiet before the storm. He looked over at Rin, "Rin do you want to spar while we wait for Obito?"

She looked at him surprised before smiling. "Let me make one more, then I'll have one for everyone."

Kakashi got up and walked over to watch what she was doing. Her small hands linking the flowers together. He huffed sitting next to her and picking up one of the ones she already made before putting it on his head. She giggled. "Is this wrong?" He asked and she shook her head.

"That's exactly what I was going for, it looks good on you." Rin finished the one she was working on with a slight blush. She put it on her head before standing up. Kakashi noted she had three extras as he got up to follow her over to Minato and the other man.

"Minato-sensei! Ikkaku-san! I made these for you." Rin grinned walking over to them, Kakashi noted Rin knew the other jonin. Kakashi looked over Ikkaku, noting the two large scrolls on his back and packed pockets. The man was obviously prepared for something.

"Oh Rin, these are beautiful." Ikkaku immediately put the flowers on his head with a laugh, Kakashi watched Minato followed suit. "Thank you."

"Sensei, can we start now?" Kakashi crosses his arms, if they weren't going to train as a team then he could go to another training field on his own.

"We're waiting and then today I'm going to have Ikkaku-san teach your class." Minato motioned at the man next to him. "Have you met?"

"It's been awhile." Ikkaku nodded and there was something in his eyes, and a twitch in his smile. Obviously this man had worked with his father, Kakashi nodded back. Ikkaku's face was so expressive, it was a little unsettling, but Kakashi could tell the man held no ill will toward his father. If anything there was sympathy and a tinge of ... regret?

Kakashi felt a little dizzy from the interaction, how could this man be a ninja?

"I'm here!" Obito came running down the bridge wheezing, "I'm sorry I had to help this little girl catch her cat and it took forever."

"Hn." Kakashi narrowed his eyes.

"Glad you made it." Rin laughed putting a flower crown on his head and Obito looked around confused. Minato's shoulders were shaking but he didn't make a sound. Obviously trying to hold his laugh in.

"Is this everyone then?" Ikkaku clapped his hands. "My name is Umino Ikkaku and I'm going to teach you guys about setting traps."

"Traps?" Obito grinned. Kakashi scoffed but refrained from rolling his eyes. He quickly caught the pack that that Umino threw at him before handing a pack to Rin and Obito. Obito opened the bag curiously. Each pack was full of small balls of paint.

"I should phrase that differently." Ikkaku gave them a mischievous grin and Minato gave them a two finger salute and vanished. "I have placed traps through those woods over there, you have an hour to hit your sensei with one of those paint balls without getting caught in one of my traps. You're limited to just this training area so don't go out farther."

"Ohhh it's on!" Obito whooped already grabbing a paint ball to throw.

"See you in an hour! Go!" Ikkaku grinned as the three ninja's vanished.

Kakashi rolled his eyes, this was going to be too easy.

It was an hour later and Kakashi sat on the grass panting, blue paint from one of the traps splattered on his leg. Obito was covered head to toe in the paint laying face first in the grass and letting out small whines and irritated huffs. Rin was trying the wipe the paint that covered half of her body off with a towel, it didn't seem to be working. Minato was showing Ikkaku the one spot of paint on his robe that Kakashi had managed to hit him with once. Apparently, neither of his teammates had been able to do it. Kakashi had to admit he had set off a trap when he had thrown the ball at Minato which was how he got the paint on his leg.

Ikkaku hadn't taken it easy on them, Kakashi found himself begrudgingly reanalyzing the man. What was he doing here at the village instead of out on the battlefield? Kakashi wondered if he was injured. Ikkaku caught him staring and winked with a grin, Kakashi sighed.

"Good job Kakashi." Ikkaku took their paint packs back. "You certainly live up to your reputation." Kakashi let himself smirk as Obito made a frustrated noise. Ikkaku laughed. "Don't worry guys, one day you'll be as good as my son ... and he's eight."

"Iruka-kun told me you set up traps at home, I'm not surprised." Rin sighed with a smile on her face. "I feel bad for him."

"He loves it." Ikkaku grinned. "Alright well now that you've had a demonstration; I think it's time we talk more about -" He stopped and both Ikkaku and Minato looked up at a bird flying about them. Kakashi tensed ready for action. "I'm sorry looks like we'll have to postpone this for another time. It was nice meeting you guys!" Ikkaku nodded at Minato before vanishing in a puff of smoke.

"Sensei?" Rin asked nervously as the three of them quickly got to their feet.

"I've been summoned, you too Kakashi." Minato wiped his hands before looking at Rin and Obito. "Both of you go home and prepare your gear, we'll probably be heading out."

Kakashi looked down at the paint on his leg, it felt itchy as it dried. He ignored the part of him that disappointed in the lesson ended early. It had been entertaining.

Time to work.

XXX

"Are your parents still gone?" Kotetsu asked as they walked out of the classroom. Iruka nodded.

"Yeah, what about your dad?"

"He came back yesterday, he was pretty roughed up so I think he'll be home for a few days." Kotetsu smiled. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you came over and had dinner with us though."

Iruka shook his head. "No thanks, I have a lot to do at home."

"Alright, see you later then." Kotetsu bumped his shoulder before heading the other way. Iruka waved before saying goodbye to Hayate, Izumo and Yugao.

Iruka made his way back home. The streets were practically empty other than civilians and a few scattered shinobi. The war was obviously affecting the village in many ways, Iruka looked up at the dark rain clouds in the sky. He wasn't worried about his parents, they were strong shinobi. It was just ... he kept hearing about ninja's returning injured and half of the teachers were gone from school. There was a rumor that it was going to be closed next month if the war didn't end soon. Iruka walked up to his house, walking through the barrier his father had set when he left a week ago. His mother had been gone for almost a month now. The barrier filled him with warmth as he walked through it and Iruka smiled, As long as the barrier was up, his father was alive.

Iruka put his school bag away before starting his routine. It was easier to deal with his parents being away on mission as long as he kept up the routine, first he prepared dinner. Iruka went to the kitchen and started chopping vegetables to make a stew, it was easy and he would have leftovers for a few days. He left it to simmer before heading out to the garden and checking his mother's plants. He was happy he hadn't killed any of them yet. He couldn't water them like she did ... she could control water and gently water all the plants at once while she hummed her songs. When she was worried about frost she kept them warm with a gentle steam, Iruka had seen her leave it up for a few days without taking it down.

He looked at his hands wondering if he'd ever be able to do something like that without being born with a kekkei genkai. He shook his head before grabbing the watering tin and going outside. He looked back up at the dark clouds, they had been around for a few days but no rain came from them. He started humming the song his mother did when she tended to her plants or helped his dad clean the house. It didn't take long to go around the garden, checking on the plants and emptying the tin before going back inside to check the stew. It was done so Iruka quickly ate and then cleaned the kitchen and the other rooms of the house, he wanted his parents to come home to a clean place. Then they could relax from their missions and not have to worry about cleaning. Iruka nodded his head pleased with himself. After cleaning he took a bath and got ready for bed before going to his father's office. Sitting at the table where there were books on barriers and seals, Iruka had left his current book open where he had left off.

He might not have his mother's steam ability but he could study hard and maybe surpass his father one day.

Iruka stretched before getting comfortable and reading until he fell asleep at the table.

XXX

"Hey you! Brat!" Iruka tried not to smile as he let out a huge sigh and sagged his shoulder for dramatics before turning to look at Kushina-san. Her bright red hair up in a ponytail and she had all her gear on but it looked like she just got back from a mission. She was from the same village as his parents, Iruka didn't see her much but he liked her. She sometimes had too much energy even for him though. Kushina giggled pointing a finger at him dramatically. "Foreign spy!"

"You're the one that looks alien." Iruka mumbled a little too loud, her expression changed and he blinked wide-eyed.

"Why you!" She ran at him and Iruka turned tail before running straight into a hard body and falling on his butt. He winced looking up at the blonde man he had run into. Iruka blinked. He had seen his father with this man a lot. Minato-san.

"Hey Iruka, I see you're still keeping Kushina on her toes." He laughed, Iruka grinned getting back on his feet. Kushina huffed crossing her arms. Minato also looked liked he had come back from a mission.

"Minato-san." Iruka bowed slightly, he had rumors that there was talk of this man becoming the next Hokage. He felt a little nervous talking to him now. He looked between the both of them, "Were ... you looking for me?"

Kushina gave Minato a look and Iruka felt like ice had hit him. "Is it my parents?" He was too afraid to ask if they were alright.

"Your father was injured on our last mission together, he's going to be okay but I thought he might like to see you." Minato put his hand on Iruka's head before kneeling down to his level. "Plus he talked about you the entire time so I wanted to see how much you've grown myself."

"But he's okay?" Iruka asked nervously, smiling when Minato nodded.

"I just saw you and wanted to yell at you." Kushina grinned tugging on Iruka's ponytail. "Is it cool if I come with you two?"

Iruka smiled grabbing both of their hands and pulling them toward the hospital. "Yes you can come too but let's go now!" He didn't see them trade looks above him. Small smiles and blushes as he pulled the young couple to the hospital to see his dad. Iruka noticed it was busier than usual so he wondered how many people were on this mission. He paused at the entrance but Minato started leading the way pulling him behind him.

"Seriously he wouldn't stop talking about you Iruka, he said you're better at detecting traps than my students! And one of them just made jonin!" Minato teased and Iruka blushed at the praise.

"He really said that?" Iruka felt warm all over even letting out a laugh in Kushina lifted him off the floor. He struggled in her grasp before giving up, she carried him under her arm like a heavy bag. He sighed.

"He said you've started making barriers all by yourself, that's really impressive for someone your age." Minato continued. "Are you going to go in your father's footsteps?"

"I want to specialize in seals." Iruka grinned, "Just like him."

"You'll need better handwriting than that chicken scratch you have now." Kushina squeezed his middle with her arm while still carrying him, Iruka squaked.

"Better than yours!" Iruka huffed.

"I recognize that voice." They stopped at a room and Iruka could see his dad sitting in the bed. He had a foot up and in a cast. Ikkaku smiled at the sight of his son. "Iruka!"

"I've decided I'm taking this one Ikkaku-san." Kushina grinned keeping her hold on Iruka. "You and Kohari-san will just have to make another one."

"She called me a foreigner!" Iruka struggled to get out of the hold and Ikkaku laughed. Kushina eventually had mercy and put Iruka on his feet so he could go over to his dad. "Minato-san said you wouldn't stop talking about me"

"You are a shinobi of Konoha." Ikkaku pulled his son into a hug and Iruka crawled on the bed so he could sit next to his father. Ikkaku leaned over to whisper at Iruka. "Don't tell anyone but you know that Kushina-san, your mother, myself and a few others all came from Uzushiogakure. We plan on taking over but not yet."

"Should I step out of the room while you plot?" Minato was grinning and Iruka laughed.

"Thanks for getting Iruka, Minato-san." Ikkaku bowed his head slightly. "Kushina-san."

"No problem. Let us know if you need anything else." Minato turned to leave before giving Ikkaku a look. "I'll find you in a few days for an answer."

"Alright." Ikkaku waved them off with a smile. Iruka leaned against his dad's shoulder.

"An answer for what?" Iruka frowned looking at the cast on his father's leg. "Is your leg going to be okay?"

"Minato asked me an important question and sometimes you can't rush into the answer. It might seem obvious but you got to think of every angle before you answer." Ikkaku ruffled Iruka's hair. "Just like everything else a shinobi does. As for my leg, I'll be fine. The doctor said I can leave in a little bit when I get some of my chakra back."

"I'll help you home, I've kept the house clean for when you and mom get back." Iruka paused looking at his hands. "Have you seen mom at all?"

"No." Ikkaku shook his head. "But you know you're mom, she'll show up before the first frost to make sure her garden is okay."

Iruka laughed.

And that's exactly what she did.

XXX

Minato was going to be the next Hokage. The Yondaime. Kakashi looked up at the ceiling from where he laid in his bed. It made sense, Minato had been the key to stopping the war in several fronts. Sandaime was getting old and the council was pressuring him for a successor. Kakashi knew there was some surprise the current Hokage hadn't named one of his students, mainly Orochimaru as his successor but with his status from the war Minato made sense.

Kakashi lifted his hand up to block out the light from the sun coming through his window. With the war over he didn't know what his purpose was. He couldn't sleep and Minato wasn't giving him any missions. He winced at the pain on the left side of his face. He knew the eye Obito gave him was crying.

He hadn't been able to save the two most important people to him, in fact it was by his hand that Rin had-

Kakashi got out of bed to wash his hands. He felt the chakra presence before they knocked on his door. Kakashi tried to think of who could be visiting him and hoped it wasn't Gai. He sighed before opening the door and was surprised to see Minato was standing there with an ANBU guard. She was female from her body-type with long brown hair. Her mask was a snarling dragon, it left an unsettling feeling in his gut which Kakashi was pretty sure the goal. It was a terrifying mask.

"Sensei?" He asked quietly but the blonde man just smiled.

"Remember what we talked about at the hospital?" Minato asked and Kakashi nodded, it was after he had failed a mission and needed to be saved by Gai and the ANBU following him. He knew his sensei was doing this to keep a closer eye on him but at the same time Kakashi was thankful for the new mission. Minato wanted him to be part of his personal ANBU guard, Kakashi looked at Dragon. She was probably going to be his captain.

"Let's go."

XXX

"Irukaaaa!" Iruka flinched at Anko's voice before looking at Izumo who looked just as worried.

"Run!" Izumo let out a laugh before running to the training field. Iruka grabbed his bag before following.

"Hey!" Anko appeared in front of him before he reached the edge of the woods, Izumo had been faster and made it. She huffed crossing her arms. "Why are you running away?"

"Because you always get me into trouble." Iruka secured his pack on his back. "You wrap me up in your plans and then ditch me when we get caught!"

"You wouldn't get caught if you were a better ninja." Anko smirked, her leaf headband shining in the sunlight. Iruka crossed his arms. "Besides I haven't done that in a while! I'm a genin now, I have to be good because my actions reflect on Orochimaru-sensei." Iruka eyed her warily. It was true that they hadn't been doing any pranks lately or picking fights with bullies.

"What do you want?" Iruka finally asked, his curiosity finally getting the best of him.

"I'm in love." Anko sighed, a pink blush coming to her cheeks. "I want you to help me learn more about him."

"Ugh, who is it now?" Iruka groaned he thought about trying to make another dive for the woods. But Anko was his friend and if she wanted he help he felt a little bad about leaving her. Plus spying on someone was always more fun than doing something that would get them yelled at. "It's not Kotetsu again right?"

"Ew no." Anko huffed grabbing Iruka's arm. "It's someone waaaay better and not still in the academy. An older man!" She chuckled, "He's not as beautiful as Orochimaru-sensei but he's still great. Besides Kotetsu never goes anywhere without Izumo these days and I don't like sharing!"

"What are you two doing?" Both of them paused to look at Hayate, a sick looking boy just a year older than Iruka. He was carrying a training sword, obviously coming out to the training field to use it.

"Save me." Iruka whined as Anko laughed. "Anko wants to spy on her new crush."

"Ohhh who is it this time." Hayate turned to start following them. "I can't wait to see."

"You'll see, you'll see!" Once they got into town Anko let go of Iruka's arm knowing his curiosity would make him follow her. Hayate followed close behind as they made their way to toward the mission office.

"So it's a shinobi." Hayate noted and Iruka shrugged. He honestly couldn't see a civilian following for Anko's crazy antics. Or survive.

"There he is. The tall one." She immediately pushed both boys against the wall of the closest building. Iruka and Hayate leaned around the corner to see a guy with dark skin and black hair laughing while talking to two younger girls and a weird looking boy in spandex wearing chunin vests. The man of Anko's interest was more than a few years older than them, Iruka noted he was a jonin. He waved and there was another young man walking over, they looked very similar. Iruka blinked, he knew Asuma ... or at least had seen him around a lot.

"Isn't that the oldest Sarutobi?" Hayate mumbled quietly. "The Hokage's son? He gave a lesson in my class a few weeks ago, it was really cool."

"Hiruma." Anko sighed dreamily. "My team was on a mission and we ran into his group and he was so amazing. I fell in love, he took down an enemy nin so easy."

"You were on a mission and you got attacked by enemy nin?" Iruka asked looking his friend over. "Are you okay? When did that happen? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine shhh." Anko waved him off. "I'll tell you later, we got back yesterday. It wasn't a big deal. But look at him." She made a happy noise, "I want to know more about him."

"I don't know if spying on a jonin is such a good idea." Hayate said quietly and Iruka had to agree.

"We didn't invite you." Anko huffed annoyed. "Now are you two going to act like ninja's and help me?"

Iruka watched the man walk inside. "What are you wanting to find out about him?"

"His birthday, favorite food, his other favorite things ..." Anko blushed a little. "His type of girl." She turned and looked at them. "Let's go inside!"

"There's no reason for us to be in there." Iruka frowned, "It would be really obvious if Hayate and I were with you in the mission room because we can't take missions yet. I think we should wait for him to leave."

"Or ..." Hayate lifted his hand and waved, both Anko and Iruka turned to see who he was waving at. Asuma spotted them and waved back before heading over. Iruka froze and he could feel Anko tense up before she shot a glare at Hayate.

"You know his little brother?" She hissed. "You couldn't have mentioned that?"

"I don't really know him." Hayate put his hand down before offering a small smirk. "He's friends with some of my friends."

"Oi, Hayate right?" Asuma walked up and Iruka looked over at the two girls and green spandex guy that had followed him. They were outnumbered by higher class shinobi! Sure they were all on the same side but there was a chance that Asuma wouldn't want to learn his brother was being spied on.

"Yeah, do you know if Genma or Ebisu are in there?" Hayate pointed to the building that held the mission room. "I'm looking for them."

"Oh! You're Hayate!" The green man spoke up causing Iruka and Hayate to jump. "I'm Gai! I'm one of their teammates from when we were genin! If you want I'll go look." He moved in a weird way, striking a bizarre pose before walking away from them. Iruka looked over at Hayate who was making a confused expression.

"Ha!" Asuma laughed at Iruka and Hayate's expressions. "It's okay Gai's a little weird but he's a good ninja." Asuma looked at Iruka and Anko. "You're Ikkaku's kid right? And Orochimaru's student?"

"Yeah this is Iruka and Anko." Hayate waved at them offhandedly. "Is this your team?"

"I'm Kurenai and this is Shizune, I'm on Asuma's team with Mizuki. Shizune here trains under Tsunade-sama." Iruka noted the look of pride on Shizune's face with that announcement. He had to agree that was amazing, granddaughter of one of the founders of Konoha and the best mednin. Iruka felt a little awed in the presence of these guys. Kurenai was the daughter of one of the jonin captains and Asuma being Hokage's son. Iruka glanced at Anko who seemed to be sizing Asuma up.

"Asuma-san," Hayate started, "Anko here went on a mission and your brother helped her out, she wanted to tell him thanks." Anko flushed bright red and glared at Hayate. Iruka noticed both Asuma and Kurenai smirk, probably figuring it out. Anko was going to kill Hayate and most likely Iruka too for being a witness. Iruka sighed.

"Hiruma? Sure." Asuma seemed to be thinking something over, he glanced at Kurenai who shrugged. "He's gone to a meeting now but if you want me to pass the word on I can."

"Please do." Anko was trying her hardest to not look disappointed. Iruka opened his mouth to get the attention off of her but he hesitated at the site of the ANBU meeting on the roof of the building across from them. Everyone seemed to notice his attention was elsewhere and turned. Iruka felt a little silly staring but he actually didn't see the elusive shinobi often. There were three of them, one with long brown hair and a terrifying dragon mask, a smaller one with silver hair and a dog mask and another one with spiky black hair and a bird mask.

"Ohh I wonder what they're up to?" Anko whispered to Iruka.

"We are not going to try to follow them." Iruka hissed back, he looked up when Suzune snorted, she was watching them amused. Iruka looked past her to see the ANBU had disappeared.

"Hey!" They all turned to see Gai coming back this time with two others, a sandy haired teen with a senbon in his mouth and another one with dark sunglasses on. Hayate moved to meet them already waving bye to Iruka and Anko. Genma lifted one eyebrow but Hayate said something Iruka couldn't hear and Genma let out a laugh. Ebisu pursed his lips not looking as amused before nodding his head.

"Oi Gai, we're going to head to training field 3 with Hayate." Genma nodded as they headed away. "Feel free to join us later."

"I think we should go too." Asuma nudged Kurenai who smirked taking his hand and causing him to blush. Iruka blushed too.

"It was nice meeting you guys." Kurenai gave them a nod before pulling Asuma with her. Anko let out a long sigh.

"What's wrong young maiden?" Gai smiled down at her, Iruka froze.

"I'm a what now?" Anko glared at the man in green.

"Oh no." Iruka and Shizune both said at the same time before looking at each other startled.

"A young maiden! Blossoming with youth!" Gai thumped Anko on the shoulder and Iruka was actually surprised to see her wince.

"Gai, you're two years older than me." Anko growled out and he blinked down at her apparently just now realizing his mistake and who he was talking to. "You might be a chunin but I'm going to kick your ass right now. Let's go. I am not in the MOOD today."

"No wait I didn't mean-" Anko grabbed Gai's arm and pulled him with her. "Anko wait!" She didn't wait and Iruka felt a pang of sympathy for Gai ... but really, he was happy it wasn't him.

"I've talked to him about talking to kunoichi like that." Shizune let out a sigh and Iruka let out a small laugh, they were the only two left. She shook her head with a sigh before giving Iruka a once over. "You're Ikkaku and Kohari's son?"

"Yes." Iruka nodded looking around. "I should probably head home actually."

"Mind if I walk with you a bit?" Shizune smiled and Iruka blushed, a girl that wasn't Anko or Yugao wanted to spend time with him? He wasn't going to argue that. Shizune was a teenage girl! He nodded and tried not to be nervous as they started walking together. "I was actually talking to your father about medical seals the other day. He has some really interesting ideas and Tsunade-sama was trying to convince him to switch fields." Shizune laughed.

"I don't know if my dad would be a good doctor, he cried when I broke my arm last year." Iruka admitted with a smile. Shizune let out a loud laugh.

"I can't imagine that but it's funny to think about. So you're still at the academy?" She asked and Iruka nodded.

"But I plan to graduate next year." Iruka grinned. "And then I can join my friends on their missions!"

"I hope you do." Shizune smiled and Iruka had to look at the ground to keep from tripping, she had a nice smile. "So do you think you'll take after your father and study seals?"

"And barriers." Iruka nodded enthusiastically. She looked at him surprised. "I want to be able to do it all. I also want to fight like my mom but I think that will be harder."

"I'm sure you'll be able to do it with training." Shizune ruffled his ponytail.

"Is this a date?" Iruka flushed bright red at his mother's voice, he looked up to see her carrying groceries. She had a devious smile which meant nothing good for him.

"Moooom." Iruka whined as Shizune laughed.

"Hi Kohari-san, I just met your son today with friends. I was hoping to see if your husband would have a book I could borrow based on the conversation I had with him the other day." Shizune pushed some hair behind her ear and Iruka mentally groaned. He might have got his hopes up.

"It's nice to see you Shizune." Kohari smiled. "Ikkaku is in a meeting that might take a while but if you have the time you can join us for dinner."

"Oh no I couldn't intrude." Shizune paused on the street. "I have a lot of homework from Tsunade-sama. Thank you though! It was nice meeting you Iruka." She smiled and Iruka waved goodbye before sighing at his mom and holding his hand out for a bag. Kohari laughed.

"Sorry I didn't mean to chase her away." His mom laughed handing him a bag full of vegetables. "She's cute Iruka, do you like her?"

"She's a teen mom and already a chunin, I don't think I'm even on her radar ... but it was nice meeting her." Iruka blushed as his mom giggled some more. "Don't tell dad."

"Oh you should know he probably already knows, he has eyes and ears everywhere." Kohari smirked and Iruka groaned.

"No he doesn't, you just tell him everything." He whined. "Did you have a good day?"

"I did, I got a new trainee." Her expression looked like a cat that got the cream. Iruka hoped the trainee would be okay. She didn't get many people to take charge of, Iruka guessed, because she didn't take genin teams. "How was your day?"

"Class was great! Izumo fell asleep and Rei-sensei hit him with chalk and then Hayate hit all the targets today. It was really cool. I got most of them but not all." Iruka admitted. "And then Anko caught me after school because she wanted to follow her new crush around."

"Who is it this time?" Iruka shivered as they passed through the barrier leading them into their front yard of the house. His mother smiled opening the door for him to go through first.

"Hiruma-san." Iruka sighed putting the groceries he had on the counter. "Then Hayate embarrassed her in front of his brother Asuma-san so I'm pretty sure he'll die tomorrow."

"Not tonight?" Kohari asked amused.

"No there was this other chunin, he was wearing green spandex and his name was Gai." Iruka looked at his mom. "He was really loud and he called Anko a maiden so I think she took him to a training field to kill him."

"That would be Duy's son." Kohari let out a little chuckle. "Don't worry about him too much, I saw his match in the chunin exams. I'm sure he can hold his own against Anko." She paused. "But it will be close."

"Anko can be scary." Iruka nodded and Kohari laughed.

"People say the same about me." Kohari tugged Iruka's ponytail. "And they'll probably say the same about you one day."

"You think so?" Iruka smiled looking at the floor. "Anko says I'm not very intimidating because I'm not strong."

"You just need to train." Kohari pulled his ponytail again and Iruka leaned against her. "And don't forget there are many ways a person can be strong."

"Strength or smarts?" Iruka guesses as he helps put up the groceries. "Like that?"

"Like that." She agrees. "Some people are physically fit, some people are really smart. Some people are both or neither but all of them are strong or have the possibility of being strong. A lot of it depends on how you use your strengths but also how you use your weaknesses."

"I wish I could have been born with a kekkei genkai." Iruka sighed. His mother gives him a look and he regrets saying it. He looked down at his hands

"Iruka ..." She kneels so that they're the same eye level. "Even people born with abilities like me or the Uchiha or the Hyūga have to train every day to use their kekkei genkai. We have to train so that we can control it and train to get stronger. Some people end up stronger in other areas, I know Hyūga clansmen who rely more on their genjutsu than their strong taijutsu skills. There are civilians who are stronger and braver than some shinobi I've met."

"Really?" Iruka didn't really see how that could be possible but he knew his mother wasn't one to stretch the truth for him.

"Yes." Kohari smiled. "So I think as long as you train and put forth the effort you will be strong."

"I guess that makes sense." Iruka pressed his head against his mom's shoulder. She wrapped her arms around him in a hug.

"Tell you what, after dinner if you finish your homework I'll work with you on water jutsu." Kohahi kissed the top of his head and Iruka looked at her wide-eyed.

"Really?" She laughed and nodded. Iruka didn't have time to waist, he hugged her before running to his room. "I'm going to do my homework now!"

"I'll call you when dinner's ready!" He could hear his mom laughing as he made it to his room.

XXX

Kakashi watched the rogue nin fall to the ground, he knew they were dead so he turned to the other battle going on. He had been on patrol with his new ANBU team and they caught some Kumogakure rogue nin's terrorizing a small town in the Fire Country borders. The first two nin had been easy picking but these last two had taken some time. Kakashi watched as Dragon performed a jutsu, a water dragon crashed onto the man before bursting into searing hot steam. Even a ways away Kakashi could feel it against his skin. He shivered as the warmth bit through his body, had that been a fire and water combination? The cries of the enemy nin suggested severe pain before it became eerily quiet. Kakashi winced, it had to be a painful way to go. He wished he could copy the technique but he hadn't been able to watch it up close yet and he was pretty sure it was a kekkei genkai.

"Hound." Kakashi turned to Crow who he had been working with him on the other nin. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Kakashi helped him dispose of the body. "Just admiring the steam."

"Don't ever piss Dragon-taicho off." Crow joked. "Let's go." They made it over to the other two team members as they disposed of their body. Dragon was soaked head to toe, Kakashi had to wander if the other nin had mistakenly attacked her with water and she turned it around, or if she got caught up in her own attack. Did the searing steam bother her? Tiger, the other member was dry but seemed to be on the lookout for something.

"What happened?" Crow asked as he and Kakashi landed next to them.

"There might more to this than just some rogue nins terrorizing civilians." Dragon turned to them, her killing intent was palpable. Kakashi tensed at her next words. "It was a distraction."

"Orders Dragon-taicho?" Tiger asked.

"Crow call your birds and send them around the area to give us eyes above." Dragon turned to Kakashi. "Hound, call your fastest and send them to town, tell the gate to heighten its security." Kakashi immediately summoned Uhei. It was like his senses had been dulled before and they immediately burst back to life. It had been so long since he had summoned one of his ninkin that he had forgotten what it was like. He was proud at himself for not coughing but there was a shake in his voice.

"Konoha, tell them to raise security at the gate." Kakashi noted Uhei's pause before his nod and then he took off. He wondered if it was the mask or ... the lack of contact. Or the obvious fact he had been overwhelmed by the canine senses. Kakashi would need to fix that if he was going to be using them again. He knew the ninken were worried and he had to admit he had been avoiding answering their curious questions about his failures of being a shinobi.

But he had a purpose now.

Kakashi shivered, a cold wind blowing away the leftover heat from Dragon's attack. He hadn't even realized it was still lingering. He looked at his captain.

"Let's go, spread out. Call if you find something." Dragon nodded but Crow motioned them to stop.

"Also there were some academy field trips leaving the village today. They were heading toward the North Fields." Crow pointed in the direction. Dragon hesitated before nodding.

"Crow and Tiger both of you head to Konoha, Hound and I will head to the North Fields. Contact if you find anything."

Immediately they separated, Kakashi wondered if there was a reason they only went two ways instead of splitting up into four. Did Dragon know something he didn't? Had the rogue nin given her and Tiger more information before they killed him? He kept his questions to himself though, this wasn't a lesson he was learning from Minato. No, his classmates were dead and he was the only one who survived. This was the ninja life he was given and he had to live it for the ones he failed.

A noise to the east. Kakashi halted and Dragon landed next to him, a silent question in the tilt of her mask. Kakashi wondered if she knew about his heightened senses.

"There's a fight in that direction, I can hear the metal." Dragon nodded and they changed direction. It didn't take long before they could really hear it, Kakashi cursed at the sound of children making scared noises. They found the class. He looked at Dragon as she signaled him, formation A.

When they got close enough to see, a group of ten children were backed against a cliff. One teacher was standing in front of them, Rei-sensei if Kakashi remembered her correctly. She had several kunai sticking out of her and was breathing hard but had her guard up as she watched the fight in front of her. The kids looked roughed up and one of them was bleeding but otherwise not in the worst condition. Kakashi noted there was a barrier around the children.

The other teacher, Yoshiro-sensei, was currently fighting a rogue nin but didn't seem to be on the winning side. In fact there was another shinobi watching the fight with a smile on his face.

Their mistake, you should never play with your food.

Kakashi let out the bird call so the teachers would know they were allies before he jumped down on the laughing enemy ninja. There was a look of shock before Kakashi shoved the kunai into his throat. He only had a second to make sure it was a kill shot before he jumped to dodge a barrage of senbon needles. He looked to the woods, there was one more.

XXX

"Stay back kids." Rei-sensei panted and Iruka felt tears in his eyes as blood came out of her mouth. They had been attacked by a few enemy ninja while on a field trip to the North Fields. They were farther from the village that Iruka had ever been and he was scared. One of the ninja's had hit Kotetsu before the teachers were able to move. Iruka glanced back to see Izumo holding his friend up. Tsubaki was next to them watching the fight horrified. Their other classmates were keeping around Ami Hyūga who the rogue nin's had said was their target. They had said they didn't need the rest of them.

"Don't." Hayate let out a scared noise as he held onto Yugao's shirt. Yugao was trembling as she stared at the enemy who were no fighting Yoshiro-sensei. Apparently they were going to take out the teachers before going for the kids. Iruka didn't know how she was doing it, she was obviously as scared as the rest of them but she also looked like she was ready for a fight. He was glad Yugao was in their class. She was so brave.

Yoshiro-sensei let out a cry as the shinobi stabbed him in the side with their sword. Iruka wanted to shout but no noise would come out.

"Iruka has your father taught you how to make a barrier?" Rei-sensei's words were quiet. "Can you make one around you and the other students?"

"I-I don't know." Iruka wanted to grab someone's hand but he kept himself from doing it.

"I need you to try." Rei-sensei smiled at him, "Don't worry you can do it and don't take it down until I tell you too. Show everyone how to do it." Iruka nodded reaching his shaky hands into his pockets, he had brought his seals with him. It had just been luck he had been practicing writing them down and ended up with multiples of each. Yugao moved next to him.

"Can I help?" She asked and Iruka immediately handed her two of them.

"Put these against the cliff, above everyone." He said nervously, he'd never made a seal against a wall before but it should still work. This is what all his studying was for. He put two of the other ones down on the ground in front of him before making the hand seals, and pushing his chakra out like his father told him.

His feelings.

Protect us, please protect us. Please don't break. His arms shook, the ninja's were going to kill them and take Ami. They couldn't allow that. Protect Ami. Iruka heard a small gasp and opened his eyes to see they were inside the barrier. He did it!

"Good job Iruka." Rei-sensei said before coughing up more blood. "Don't let it down."

"What about you?" Iruka pressed his hand against the barrier. "And Yoshiro-sensei!"

"It's the teacher's job to protect the students." Rei-sense was smiling again. "Keep the barrier up."

"I don't know how strong it will be." Iruka admitted worried.

"Don't worr-" Rei-sensei's head snapped to the side looking into the trees and Iruka immediately took a step back. He couldn't hear anything but birds-

"Look!" Tsubaki shouted from the back of the group.

An ANBU fell out of the trees onto the rogue nin who had been watching the fight and then there was another one driving their sword through the one that had been attacking Yoshiro-sensei. Both enemy nin fell to the ground in a spray of blood. The closest ANBU was the one with the dragon mask in all her terrifying glory. Iruka gasped as weapons came out of the woods, both ANBU moved out of the way before vanishing.

"What's happening?" Hayate asked before he started coughing.

There was noises of fighting all around them. Iruka jumped when Rei-sensei collapsed against the barrier.

"Rei-sensei!" Izumo shouted.

"Keep the barrier up." Rei-sensei coughed sliding to the ground. Yoshiro-sensei ran over to them but he looked severely injured too, blood was going down both of his arms and the side of his face.

"Rei!" Yoshiro was at her side looking her over before looking at the barrier around the kids. He turned back around to keep an eye out for more enemies, there was a scream and then everything fell silent.

Iruka grabbed Hayate's hand not caring if he got crap for it later. Hayate squeezed his hand and didn't let go.

"Yoshiro-sensei what should we do?" Yugao had her hands against the barrier.

"Shh." He shushed them quietly. Iruka felt like his nerves were on fire. What was going to happen? Did the ANBU get all of the rogue nin? Were they going to come back or was there other help on the way?

Suddenly the ANBU were back. Iruka tried not to stare a the blood on their uniforms.

"ANBU-san." Yoshiro-sensei nodded at them.

"All of the enemy's have been dealt with." Dragon spoke, Iruka had never heard an ANBU speak before. Her voice was obviously changed, it had a strange ring to it. Iruka wondered if all ANBU had something to change their voices under their masks. "Two more of my team are on the way here. We'll escort you back into town."

Yoshiro-sensei immediately relaxed. "Thank you." He turned to Rei-sensei. "We need to get her to a hospital. I'll stay with the kids."

"Is Rei-sensei going to be alright?" Iruka asked.

"Crow." Dragon spoke as two more members appeared, Iruka had no idea how the ANBU knew their allies were there. Crow nodded before going over and picking up Rei-sensei who let out a grunt of pain. And then they were gone. Dragon turned the the kids in the barrier. Iruka had a weird feeling she was looking at him. "This is a very good barrier, can you take it down now?"

Iruka hesitated, surprised she didn't do it herself like his father does. He had actually never taken a barrier down himself but he had read about it. He put his hands up and dispelled it. There was a woosh and then Iruka felt pressure as the barrier ended, there was someone behind him holding him up when he opened his eyes. He felt a little dizzy, he hadn't realized dispelling the barrier would take chakra too. He realized Hayate was the one that caught him.

"Here." Yugao was there handing him his seals and he took them shakily. "Iruka that was cool." Iruka smiled shakily putting the seals back in his pocket.

"That was a good barrier." Iruka's eyes shot up at Dragon. "You did a good job children, now follow your sensei back to the village. We'll be watching over you."

With that all the ANBU vanished.

Iruka grinned wide looking over at Yoshiro-sensei who let out a low laugh before patting his head. "Good job, all of you. Not everyday a bunch of pre-genin get complimented by an ANBU. Now is everyone okay? Kotetsu? Ami?"

"I'm fine." Kotetsu had an obviously bruise forming on the side of his head but Yoshiro-sensei nodded.

"I'm alright." Ami wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Alright Yugao, you and Hayate take the back of the line, Iruka stay with me and the rest of you stay alert. Let me know if you see anything." Everyone was quiet as they made their way back to the village. It took a lot longer making it back to the village that the sun was setting by the time they made it. When they saw the gates, the ANBU showed themselves again before vanishing.

"We made it!" Izumo whooped. Yoshiro-sensei took a sigh of relief as more ninja from the village came out. Parents of the students and guards. Yoshiro-sensei looked at all the students.

"All of you did a good job today, I'm going to say that your class is cancelled tomorrow so you can rest. But when you come back on Wednesday I want each of you to have written a short essay on what happened today. Kotetsu I'm going to take you to the hospital with me."

"Yes sensei!" Everyone agreed before dispersing to their parents. Yoshiro gently picked Kotetsu up and made his way to the hospital.

"Iruka!" Iruka turned in time for his dad to pick him up and hug him tightly. "I heard your class was attacked, are you alright?" Iruka hugged Ikkaku back, grabbing onto the man's clothes and burying his face in his neck. "Iruka?"

"I'm fine." Iruka held on, shaking and grateful his dad started walking. He didn't feel as bad when he heard someone start crying near him. Was this nerves? It was so scary! "I made a barrier around my classmates but Rei-sensei and Yoshiro-sensei got hurt and Kotetsu got hit by one of the enemies and they said they were after Ami."

"Is Ami alright?" Ikkaku asked gently, Iruka nodded in his dad's neck. "What about Kotetsu?"

"He had a really big bruise on his head and sensei took him to the hospital." Iruka sniffled. "It was scary."

"I bet it was, it's okay to be scared. You know, I still sometimes get scared on missions." Ikkaku's hand was rubbing Iruka's back. "But you said you made a barrier?"

"Rei-sensei asked me to and I already had the seals in my pocket because I practiced writing them down." Iruka wiped his face leaning back. "But there were ANBU who saved us and one of them said it was a good barrier!"

"Ohhh it didn't pop?" Ikkaku grinned.

"I dispelled it myself." Iruka nodded. "I felt really dizzy afterwards though."

"We'll have to work on building up your chakra." Ikkaku tugged at Iruka's ponytail. "But good job son, I bet it was good if an ANBU complimented it."

Iruka flushed, "There were four of them but two of them were the ones that saved us. They were so cool." He turned to see they were almost home and shivered when they went through the warm barrier. "I want to get better and make different kinds, all I've made is the ones with the paper seals."

"Ohhh feeling ambitious now that you've used it on the field?" His father laughed as they went inside.

"I want to be able to protect the teachers next time and then one day I'll be good enough to protect the whole city." Iruka mumbled with a blush, he hated that Rei-sensei and Yoshiro-sensei hadn't been in his barrier. "Isn't that what they're for?"

"That's a good dream to have and along the way I'm sure you'll figure out all the uses of barriers." Ikkaku put Iruka on the ground. "Do you want to practice some more tonight?"

"Yes!" Iruka braced himself looking up at his dad. "I need to practice so I can be the best."

"Alright then!"

XXX

"Good job today, Hound." Kakashi paused at his locker before looking at Dragon as she took off her mask. He'd already seen her without it and he kept being surprised every time, for someone who was a terrifying force of nature, she looked rather plain. Though he had to admit any time she smirked or smiled it sent chills down his back.

"Thank you." He took his mask off and began to change. "Did you get any information about the enemy nin? Kohari-taicho."

"They were after the Hyūga girl and they were hired hands." Kohari changed too. "They're putting up higher security, obviously there was an information leak at the school as well so they're looking into it."

"They?" Kakashi asked not bothering to hide his interest.

"We have been put on a new mission but you'll get the details tomorrow." Kohari winked. Kakashi didn't like that side of her but at the same time appreciated that he at least got the information he needed when necessary. "Meet here at 800."

"Okay." He nodded, she smiled again before leaving. Kakashi wondered if she really felt as relaxed as she looked or if it was just the vibe she was going for.

Kakashi slowly made his way home afterwards, he paused at his apartment building looking up to the third floor where a certain person wearing green was waiting for him. He sighed when Gai noticed him and jumped down to the street when a smile. He debated escaping but then he noticed Gai had a black eye, he raised an eyebrow.

"Kakashi my rival!" Gai grinned. "Let's spar!"

"Hmmm" Kakashi pretended to think about it. "Maybe if the story behind that black eye is amusing." He expects Gai to laugh and tell him what happened, instead Gai made a strangled noise before blushing bright red. Kakashi had never seen this expression on his rival before. "Gai?"

The Green Beast of Konoha mumbled something.

"Care to repeat that?" Kakashi drew himself closer. "If you tell me I'll spar with you."

"Anko hit me really hard." Gai mumbled. Kakashi had to turn his head to hide his laugh, Gai had always been better than most at reading his expressions, it didn't change now with one eye covered. His urge to laugh caught him off guard, it felt almost foreign and it hurt his throat. He glanced back over at Gai who was pouting at him embarrassed and not at all attuned to Kakashi's lack of laughter in his life.

"Why did Anko hit you?" Kakashi finally asked when he knew his voice would be even. "This is the genin training with Orochimaru-san, right?"

"Yeah ... I called her a maiden and apparently she didn't like it and we sparred ..." Gai shifted his gaze, his red face a huge contrast to the green suit. Kakashi narrowed his eyes. Gai wouldn't meet his eye.

"So she got you while sparring?" Kakashi asked, Gai was silent. "I can always ask her."

"Iaskedheroutandshepunchedme." Gai wheezed.

"She punched you for that?" Kakashi asked curious. He had heard things about Anko Mitarashi, like that she was the best rookie of her year and being the student of Orochimaru was a big deal. He had seen her a few times but they had never officially met. "Wait you asked her out? Really?"

"She was so good at fighting! And her energy is so amazing!" Gai sighed. "I was having so much fun I thought why not? Plus I'm older by two years and I thought ... well she yelled at me and punched me in the face before leaving."

"An eleven year old gave you a black eye." Kakashi put his hand on Gai's shoulder, it seemed to be the thing to do. Gai huffed.

"We're thirteen Kakashi." Gai mumbled bright red. "Enough about this! Let's spar! Want to race to the training field?"

"Sure." Kakashi stretched as Gai did a little dance. He figured he owed it to the other teen since Gai did confess about the black eye.

"Last one to Training Field 4 has to fight with one hand behind their back!" Gai yelled striking a pose next to Kakashi. "Go!"

XXX

It was dark out. Normally it would have been a school night but tomorrow was the festival for the Hokage and Ikkaku had gotten him out of bed to try a new technique. Iruka had been excited but so far all they had been doing was sitting in the dark silence. Iruka kept quiet next to his father, keeping his eyes closed. He wanted to shift, he was getting uncomfortable, but Ikkaku seemed sure that Iruka would have fun with this.

Iruka listened.

"What do you hear?" Ikkaku asked quietly. "Tell me, what you can see, remember I rearranged some things so they might not be where you last saw them."

Iruka bit his lip nervously. "I hear my heartbeat and yours." Iruka listened, trying to imagine the house around them, also shrouded in darkness. Iruka tried to stifle a yawn. It was hard to pay attention when he wanted to go to bed. "There's a table in front of us?" He tried.

"You're not supposed to go off of memory." Ikkaku chided but he sounded amused, Iruka sighed. And listened, it slowly started to rain outside.

"I can hear the rain outside." Iruka listened. "I think one of our windows are open, it sounds like it's coming inside."

"Can you tell which window?" Ikkaku whispered.

"The kitchen downstairs." Iruka frowned. "And the one in my room?" He opened his eyes. "I left my homework on my desk!" He got up but tripped over the table in front of him. "Oof!"

"One sec." Ikkaku laughed before turning on the light in the room. Iruka ran out of the library and down the hall, the window was open above his desk, water was on the scroll he left out but nothing was too damp. Iruka quickly ran over and shut it with a sigh. He looked up in time to catch the towel his father tossed him to start cleaning up the mess. Ikkaku leaned against the door frame. "Is it salvageable?"

"Yeah." Iruka dried everything but left the scroll to dry on its own, he didn't want to chance smudging the ink. He sat on the bed thankful there wasn't more damage before yawning. "Can I go to bed now?"

"Yes, yes." Ikkaku laughed messing up Iruka's hair. "I'm sorry I kept my son from his most important sleep. Don't worry about the echolocation yet, I just wanted you to try once. Sleep, tomorrow's Minato-san's inauguration as Hokage."

"Will mom be back from her mission?" Iruka yawned crawling into bed.

"I don't know but I know there will be a festival so you can see all your friends." Ikkaku waited for Iruka to stop moving under the sheets before turning off the light. "Night son."

"Night." Iruka

XXX

Kakashi watched from the top of the head of the Hokage monument as the inauguration went on below. Dragon stood beside him quietly. He wondered idly why they were on watch together but he also knew they weren't the only ones around. He had spotted a few more squads keeping an eye on things, they were in groups of three or four he noted.

He watched the council speak before Sandaime went to the stand to make his speech, handing the torch over to Minato. His old sensei was standing there next to his wife, Kushina. She was standing still - Kakashi noted, it was the first time he had seen her like that but there was a huge smile on her face. Minato looked incredibly nervous. Kakashi opened his sharingan.

Maybe Obito would want to watch their sensei become Hokage.

It was the least he could do.

If Dragon noted the spike in his chakra usage, she didn't say anything.

XXX

"Here you go." Iruka grinned taking the caramel apple from his dad. It was like a real festival! They were both wearing their matching Yukata, a deep blue with water and koi patterns. Iruka looked up at Ikkaku who was wearing his hair down though it looked a little messy.

"I can't believe mom took your hair tie before she left." Iruka took a bite of his apple watching his dad blush, he frowned. "Gross."

"It's not bad to wear it down sometimes." Ikkaku laughed before noticing some people in the crowd. "Inoichi, Choza, Shikaku!"

"Ikkaku-sensei!" Choza grinned before looking down at Iruka who waved. "This must be Iruka, he's gotten big."

"Not as big as you." Shikaku laughed when Choza glared at him.

"It's been a while." Inoichi kneeled in front of Iruka who was watching them amused. "Do you remember us?"

"You're my dad's genin students right? He has a picture on the wall ..." Iruka looked at the three men. "Though you look old now."

"Ha!" Shikaku laughed. "Cute kid Ikkaku-sensei. If we look old I wonder old he thinks you are?"

"Hey now, I'm his father, I have no age!" Ikkaku laughed loudly. Iruka smiled before turning to the three men.

"Do you have kids I can play with?" Ikkaku started laughing louder this time at the startled expressions of his three old students, all of them flushing red. Iruka frowned, "What's so funny dad?"

"Yeah boys, have you're lovely wives convinced you yet?" Ikkaku leered.

"Sensei!" Choza whined. "It's a festival, can't we have fun?"

"Girls can be fun to play with." Iruka spoke up and frowned at the 4 men looking down at him, all of their faces had gone bright red. He took another bite of his apple. He was nine years old but he had lots of friends that were girls. Adults were weird.

"Haha what a boy you have here Ikkaku-sensei!" Inoichi laughed. "I should be glad I don't have a daughter for him to break her heart."

"Iruka come play!" Iruka grinned as Izumo ran over and grabbed his hand. Kotetsu close behind. "Yugao found a good spot for fireworks!" Iruka looked at his dad with big eyes.

"Go have fun but after the fireworks meet me over by that fountain." Ikkaku pointed and Iruka looked to see a huge fountain that must have been placed temporarily for the festival. Iruka looked at the rest of the surroundings before nodding and running off with Izumo and Kotetsu. Before they got too far he could hear Inoichi speaking.

"I heard your son made a barrier when their class got attacked."

"Like father like son right?"

Iruka beamed.

"I like your yukata." Iruka looked over at Izumo who was pulling him through the crowd. Izumo was wearing a simple black yukata with stars on it and Kotetsu was wearing a dark red one with flowers.

"I like both of yours too!" Iruka grinned, "Where are we going?"

"Over here." They pulled him to the woods and he followed, it didn't take long before they were looking over the festival on a cliff, it was going to be the best spot for fireworks.

"You found him!" Tsubaki grinned, she was sitting on a blanket with a picnic basket. Iruka grinned seeing her. Yugao and Hayate were sitting on the blanket too, Iruka noted neither of them were dressed up and Hayate had his training sword. He sat down winded on the blanket next to Tsubaki who was wearing a dark purple robe. "I was worried you wouldn't be able to watch the fireworks with us."

"Dad said it was fine." Iruka grinned before working on finishing his caramel apple. "Did all of you go to the inauguration? My mom had a mission so we ended up getting there too late to be in the main audience but we watched from the street."

"I heard Jiraiya-sama was there." Izumo sat next to Iruka. "I didn't get to see any of it."

"I was there." Yugao grinned. "I saw Jiraiya-sama standing next to Orochimaru-sama and Tsunade-sama. I think he was bragging because Hokage-sama was his student." It took Iruka a second to realize Hokage-sama was now Minato. He blinked before smiling.

"That is a cool thing to brag about." He laughed. "His sensei was Sandaime and now his student is Yondaime."

"I'd rather brag about being Hokage." Kotetsu teased.

"You have the same chance of being Hokage as my cat at home." Yugao huffed opening the picnic basket that Iruka had assumed was Tsubaki's but apparently not. "You guys can have some of the cookies I baked if you want."

"Thanks!" All the boys reached in grabbing a cookie, they were a little burnt but otherwise really good. Iruka grinned at her, she blushed and looked away.

"Were you training Hayate?" Kotetsu asked pointing at the sword, Hayate nodded as he nibbled on his cookie. "My dad just started showing me how to use a dagger! It's a lot heavier than I imagined but he says I'm doing really well."

"Ohhh that's so cool!" Izumo definitely sounded a little jealous. "My parents won't let me mess with their weapons until I become genin."

"My mom won't let me either ever since I got my scar." Iruka let a little whine into his voice, it was unfair. He was fully capable now. Kotetsu smirked at them obviously loving the fact he could practice special weapons before them.

"But you did that barrier the other day." Hayate got their attention. "That was really cool." Iruka felt warmth blossom over his whole body. He was really proud of that too.

"Ohoho?" They all turned to see Asuma come out of the woods with the people Iruka saw him with the other day. Gai, Genma, Ebisu, Shizune and Kurenai. There was another boy there with shoulder length hair who didn't have a happy expression. Iruka wondered if that was Mizuki from Asuma's team. "Looks like the spot's already been claimed."

"Oh Hayate, here you are." Genma waved. "I thought you were going to skip this." Hayate huffed and then glared at Yugao who giggled. Iruka felt Izumo shift nervously, they were all in the academy and now there were a bunch of genin and chunin here.

"I made him come watch the fireworks." Yugao lifted her basket up. "We're keeping our spot but if you want to stay you can have some of the cookies I made."

"Ohh Yugao-chan made cookies?" Genma went over and pulled a cookie out. "This is good Yugao-chan!" He rubbed her head making her huff and glare at him.

"Ugh, don't touch me with your pervert hands old man." She batted his hand away and Iruka, Kotetsu and Izumo tried not to laugh but it was hard to hold in.

"Haha, looks like she knows your number Genma." Asuma laughed before nodding at a clear spot a ways away. "We'll sit over there so we don't bother you guys."

"You shouldn't flirt with little girls." Iruka heard Ebisu chiding Genma as they went to their own spot. He looked over to see Yugao glaring at Hayate who shrugged at her. Genma let out a laugh.

"She'll probably be really cute when she's older." Iruka rolled his eyes as Shizune and Kurenai both punched the sandy haired man. It really was the best spot, Iruka watched amazed. Iruka looked over to the group of older kids and they were watching fireworks too. He noticed they had more people joining them, another boy with red sunglasses and one with his face covered except one eye and his silver hair. Iruka felt like he should know who he was but he couldn't remember his name. The silver haired teen's eye met his gaze and Iruka quickly looked away and back at the lights in the sky.

When the fireworks were over and they started cleaning up after themselves Iruka noticed the silver hair boy and Gai had left their group. He shrugged realizing Yugao and Hayate were waiting for him. "I have to meet my dad at the fountain, do you guys want come with?"

"No I told my dad I'd go home right after." Hayate shook his head.

"Same, my parents are waiting. See you at school." Yugao and Hayate waved bye as they went separate directions.

"Bye!" Iruka waved him off before heading toward the fountain, now that the fireworks were done there was less people around but it was still decently busy. He smiled when he saw the fountain and looked around, it looked like he beat his dad. He paused noticing Hiruma laughing with a girl and holding hands. Iruka ducked before peaking above the side. Anko wasn't going to like this!

"Namaiki, you want to go get some food?" Hiruma asked her with a blush on his cheeks. She smiled with a blush and nodded. Iruka watched them leave.

"What are you doing?" Iruka froze at the voice behind him and turned to see Gai behind him, he sighed relieved. Gai looked at him confused. Iruka blushed.

"I-I uh nothing." Iruka stood up straight. "Did you enjoy the fireworks?"

"They were fantastic!" Gai waved his fist in the air, "And then I challenged my eternal rival and won! It has indeed been a wonderful night!"

"Is your rival Asuma?" Iruka asked but Gai laughed loudly.

"No no, my rival is Kakashi!" Gai kept going so Iruka assumed he was supposed to know who that was. He wondered if it was the silver haired boy from earlier, the one with one eye. "Tonight we raced from the cliff we watched the show on to the stop of Hokage mountain!" Iruka looked at the top of the mountain and then back at the woods where the cliff was.

"When are you racing?" He asked confused. That was a pretty long distance, he wondered how long it would take.

"We already did! Our start was with the last firework." Gai gave him a thumbs up. Iruka decided thirteen year olds were weird.

"Iruka! Sorry I'm late, I ended up walking a bit far." Iruka smiled when he saw his dad. Ikkaku looked at Gai. "Oh you're Duy's son right? You look just like him!"

"Yessir Ikkaku-san." Gai smiled but Iruka saw the teen tense, as if expecting a blow. He frowned.

"He's a good man, thanks for keeping Iruka company." Ikkaku put his hand on Gai's head and ruffled the bowl cut. Gai seemed surprised but Iruka couldn't figure out why. "We should be heading home now."

"It was nice to see you Gai." Iruka waved goodbye, Gai smiled and waved. Iruka grinned before looking up at his dad as they walked home. He wondered if maybe Ikkaku had added to Gai's good night by complimenting his dad.

"Does his dad really look like him?" Iruka asked and Ikkaku nodded.

"He does." Ikkaku grinned. "Did you have fun with your friends?"

"I did!" Iruka told his dad about the burnt cookies earning a laugh and Ikkaku told him about catching up with his students. Apparently Choza's wife was actually pregnant.

"I can't believe Minato-san is Hokage-sama now." Iruka looked down at his feet.

"He's going to be great." Ikkaku grinned. "I should tell him you'll be next right?"

Iruka laughed. That would be so cool.

XXX

Kakashi reported at the ANBU offices. He watched the others come and go earning a few curious glances and a couple of nods. Today he decided to put on a wig with his mask, a lot of ANBU did it to help cover their identities. He decided to go with black hair. He smirked when Dragon almost passed him in the hall before stopping in front of him. He wished he could see her expression but he also could guess it was probably amused.

"Trying something new?" She asked. Kakashi looked at her long brown hair.

"I was curious." Kakashi admitted.

"You should have been a cat." Her tone was obviously amused. Kakashi scoffed.

"I'll tell my ninkin you said that." He followed her when she started walking on the street. "Have you thought about using a wig?"

"It's more difficult with longer hair." Dragon jumped out the window and Kakashi followed, he realized they were heading to the Hokage's office. "But I've thought about it." He nodded it made sense, it didn't take much to cover shorter hair but if you wanted a long wig to cover long hair it would add a little weight. A henge would be easier for undercover missions in non-shinobi villages. He followed Dragon through the window on the Hokage's balcony. Inside the office Sandaime was talking to Minato-sensei ... Yondaime and Ikkaku. Kakashi noted how Ikkaku's lips twitched to more of a smile when he saw Dragon's mask but he kept talking as if they weren't there. Kakashi was curious if spouses were supposed to know about their ANBU partners but seeing Ikkaku in this office ... maybe it had to do with security clearance as well.

"I think we can make the whole process easier-" Ikkaku continued, "I'd like to talk to Biwako-sama later if I could. To ask more about the process and the seals used." Sandaime nodded taking a puff of his pipe.

"If you want to come with me now, we can have lunch together." Sandaime turned to Minato. "You should come too when you're done so you can know what to expect as well." He gave the two ANBU a nod before leading Ikkaku out of the office and closing the door behind them.

"Yondaime-sama." Dragon kneeled. Kakashi knelt beside her and glanced up to see Minato blushing and looking overwhelmed. There was a pang in his chest as he watched the man compose himself. Kakashi waiting til Dragon stood before standing as well.

"It's been a few months and I'm still getting used to that." Minato ran a hand through his hair, before taking on a more serious expression. Kakashi tensed ready for the mission. "I need both of you to take watch over Kushina. Everything I tell you here confidential and must never be repeated. I trust both of you completely. It will only be the two of you but I'll let you choose the schedule as long as one of you is there at any moment."

"Sir." Dragon and Kakashi stood up straighter. Kakashi's mind was racing, who was targeting Kushina and why?

"Kushina is pregnant." Minato paused, "She's also the Nine-tails Jinchuriki and the seal that keeps the Nine-tails inside of her will be weakened when she gives childbirth. I want you two and you two only to guard her until after she's given birth to our child. We have plans in place for when she gives birth but we need to cover all angles. If at any moment you think there is something wrong I want you to summon me immediately but never leave her side when you're on duty."

Kushina was the Nine-tails Jinchuriki. Kakashi was still processing it. The high strung wife of Minato-sensei. She was a strong ninja and fearsome even with off duty but she was also gentle and kind. To think she was carrying such a heavy burden for the village.

"I'm not telling anyone when she's due but when it gets to that time the guard will be heightened. With me becoming the Hokage, I'm also nervous about our enemies wanting to use her without knowing the truth about her. We ... I need her to be safe." Minato gave them a small nervous smile. "This mission is of the highest security clearance and importance. Whenever you switch shifts report to me, verbally no paperwork."

"Understood." Dragon nodded. "We'll start right away."

"You can wait til after-"

"Hokage-sama." Dragon's tone made Minato stop talking. Kakashi was glad it wasn't directed at him. "We will start right away." Minato looked at Dragon with a small smile, Kakashi felt a different tug in his chest this time, that expression was similar to the one Minato used to give the team. Obito ... Rin ... and ...

"Alright. Thank you both." Minato nodded and Dragon motioned for Kakashi to follow her so he did. She took him to one of the special ANBU meeting rooms.

"Do you have a preference over morning or night shifts?" Dragon asked him. "If you have something scheduled we can always work around that too." Kakashi blinked at her from behind his mask.

"I have no preference or anything else scheduled." Kakashi shifted as Dragon stared at him for a few seconds, her mask was really unsettling.

"You'll take 400 to 1600, I'll take the rest. Is that alright with you?" She finally asked.

"Yes." He immediately nodded. That meant he was starting now, he stood up.

"You might see me out of uniform." Kohari stood up taking off her mask. "I'm friends with Kushina, we're both from Uzushiogakure. So if you see me, don't be alarmed unless I'm telling you to be alarmed."

"Thanks for the warning." He hesitated. Wondering if he should mention his connection with Kushina and Minato but he decided not to, he was pretty sure Kohari knew. He nodded to her before leaving the room to start his duty. He found himself outside Kushina and Minato's apartment and he watched her cook in the kitchen.

He watched Kushina mix batter in a bowl. She was carrying the Nine-tails inside of her. He knew Konoha had a Jinchuriki but he had never thought it was someone he knew. He didn't know what he thought, had he thought it would have been one of the elders? That Konoha was different from other villages and not turning children into a different kind of weapon. Rin had been turned into a Jinchuriki against her will ... had Kushina? Had it been her choice? When had it happened? How long? How long had Minato known?

He took a deep breath.

He needed to calm down.

He realized his arms were shaking but thankfully he hadn't made his chakra signature rise so he should still be invisible. Kakashi wanted to take off the porcelain mask to breath but he knew better. He would wait until Dragon relieved him of his duty before going to Minato for answers or maybe he should go to Kushina himself.

Make sure it wasn't the same as Rin.

He watched Kushina answer the phone with a smile. She let out a loud laugh.

Could someone carry a monster and really be that happy?

XXX

Asuma sighed as the rain poured around him. He hated gate duty but it was necessary, he figured he shouldn't complain. Gate duty could be worse. They could be getting attacked. It was quiet while the chunin exams were being held in Sunagakure this year. His father had stayed behind with the village while Minato the new Yondaime, oversaw his first exams. He had thought things would change more when his father finally stepped down but it seemed like nothing had changed at all.

Hiruzen still spent more time with the village than his own family. Asuma knew he was being petulant, it didn't help that he and his father had more arguments than conversations lately. It just irritated him, they just couldn't seem to meet eye to eye.

"Everything alright?" Asuma looked at Shikaku, his team leader, who's ponytail was flat in the pouring rain. He looked like a drowned rat and Asuma tried not to laugh.

"It's quiet here Shikaku-sensei." Asuma shrugged. "Anything from Kurenai or Mizuki?" Asuma's post was the furthest away so he assumed he was the last to get checked.

"Alls well. Our shift ends in an hour so I suggest you go home and dry off." Shikaku pulled out a cigaret before sighing at the rain and putting it back in his pocket. Asuma laughed earning a glare. "I'll see you bright and early tomorrow." Asuma sighed as he vanished, that's right they still had another week of this.

He high fived Genma who came up a hour later to take over his shift. He grinned seeing Kurenai and Mizuki waiting for him at the entrance to the city. "You guys want to get some ramen before heading home?"

"It's my turn to turn in the report for the shift." Kurenai smiled but shook her head. "Just wanted to say bye before I go." Asuma and Mizuki waved as she left.

"Ichiraku's? I could use some warming up." Mizuki waited for Asuma to nod before they headed to the ramen stand, the rain was still pouring but they were already drenched, it didn't matter. Asuma smirked and Mizuki narrowed his eyes. "What's going on in your head?" He asked quietly.

"A certain member of team Choza asked out Shizune." Asuma smirked and Mizuki stared at him surprised. He let out a low whistle. "Can't be Genma because he's tried before when we were 12 and she laughed in his face, he still isn't over that. Can't be Gai because he asked out Orochimaru's protege a few months ago and she gave him a black eye that Kakashi ... I'll repeat, Kakashi laughed at him. Our friend who never shows any sort of emotion." Asuma smiled wide, of course that was just going from Gai's story, there hadn't been any witnesses. "Gai says he's going to wait for love which leaves ..."

"Ebisu. Nice deduction detective." Mizuki rolled his eyes. "I swear you like the sound of your own voice."

"I do, I have an incredibly sexy voice. It's a Sarutobi trait." Asuma laughed when Mizuki scoffed. "Who told you? What did she say?"

"Genma told me last night, he was actually pouting." Asuma smirked. "And I quote, 'She said no to me but yes to the nerd with sunglasses?' I don't even think he has a crush on her anymore, I think it's a strange matter of his playboy pride."

"He's never had a girlfriend." Mizuki snorted as they ducked into Ichiraku's and waived at Teuchi who welcomed them. Asuma glanced at the other patrons, it was a couple with their kid. He ordered with Mizuki before continuing. "As I was saying, he's never had a girlfriend and from what I know the only girl he's ever kissed have been on missions."

"It's the image he wants, doesn't mean he actually has to do the things required." Asuma laughed. "Besides not everyone believes in limiting their choices based on gender."

Mizuki choked on his water, Genma was bi? He paused, no that made sense. "Has he had a boyfriend?"

"No but I caught him and Aoba making out next to training field 2 last week, so ... he has some experiencing in kissing at least." Asuma leered and Mizuki laughed. He suddenly heard a tapping noise.

"Aoba? Huh." Mizuki started eating his soup. "Wait don't distract me, Ebisu and Shizune are dating now?"

The tapping turned into morse code, Asuma and Mizuki both tensed as it spelled out SOS. He turned to see the older man showing them the sign for "training" with his hand. Asuma immediately relaxed. Their son was eating his ramen while counting as he tapped his foot against the chair, Asuma was impressed that he wasn't spilling the soup at all.

"I heard since the Hyūga girl's class was attacked they've been working more on codes at the academy." Mizuki whispered and Asuma nodded, it made sense. There had been the attack on the academy class leaving the village a few months ago and then there was an attack on a non priority mission with a Hyūga agent on the team just a few weeks ago. Asuma had a feeling it wasn't a coincidence.

Asuma looked the family over again. It was Ikkaku and his wife and son he realized. The tan man made his son start his code over again for 'enemy nearby'. Ikkaku was one of Minato's aides and had been having constant meetings with Biwako, Asuma's mother. Asuma had a feeling that Ikkaku was going to be more than just an aide. Biwako had been his father's Secret Keeper. A position not many people knew about but every Hokage had needed one. It was important that no one but the most inner circle knew the Secret Keeper's identity. Asuma only knew because he had overheard one of the elder's arguing after a meeting when he wasn't supposed to be there. He had been sworn to secrecy and could never talk about it or else it would put his mother in even more danger than being the Hokage's wife. Ex-Hokage now.

If Ikkaku was going to be the Secret Keeper it was a huge role, not just for the Hokage but the whole village's security. Asuma didn't envy him. It was going to be a heavy burden and he was going to have to give up missions outside the Fire Country. It made sense though, Ikkaku's barriers and seals were the best in all of Konoha. He had all the skills necessary. Of course that was only if Asuma's assumptions were right.

After all the position of Secret Keeper didn't exist, it was just a rumor.

"So have you and Kurenai officially started dating or are you too just friends with benefits." Mizuki asked and Asuma spit out the soup in his mouth.

XXX