SAYING GOODBYE
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of it's characters
"Love is something not simply created. It is an understanding of the experiences and wonder in your life, the good and the bad. Love comes to those who still hope even though they've been disappointed, to those who still believe even though they've been betrayed, to those who still love even though they've been hurt before."
After all the deaths he had experienced in his life he never thought he would have to live through the death of his best friend, soul mate and companion. He had always taken the older man for granted, believing that no matter what, Kakashi would always be there even though he knew that his jounin status would never allow it. Yes, he may have been naïve for believing this but it was this naïve thought that kept him sane whenever Kakashi ventured on his month long S and A- rank missions.
"Love is not sacrifice. However, sacrifices must be made to protect the ones you love. If they can't get close enough to hurt you, they can't get close enough to love you."
He knew he should be strong, he knew that if the roles were reversed that Kakashi would be able to live out the rest of his life, struggling perhaps but still living. But he wasn't anything like Kakashi because he was weak and no matter what the stakes were or how impossible the situation Kakashi was never weak and he never gave in. And because he was so weak Iruka cried. He cried because he knew that no matter how many times he wished, hoped and dreamed for it Kakashi was never coming back and it destroyed him worse than any enemy nin every could.
"There is sadness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief….and unspeakable love."
The worst part of all of this wasn't actually the fact that Kakashi had died and left Iruka all alone, it was the fact that he never got to say goodbye and he never got to tell Kakashi just how much he really meant to him. It was true at first that Iruka had felt annoyed by the former Anbu member even to the point of dislike at one point. But as they got to know each other - mainly through Naruto - they realised that they actually had a lot in common and gradually they began to fall for one another. But recalling old memories of his dearly departed friend only made Iruka's heart break. And looking at Kakashi's body lying pale and bruised in his coffin only made Iruka's eyes - already swollen and red - shed a thousand more tears.
"Love is everything it's cracked up to be. That's why people are so cynical about it. It really is worth fighting for. And the trouble is, if you don't risk anything, you risk even more. Never wait until the last minute to tell someone how you feel because it just might be too late."
And as Iruka stared down at the body he finally realised that he had to let go of the past and move on with his future, even if Kakashi couldn't be apart of it. And so, with one last look at Kakashi's frail and beaten body he turned around and began to walk away from the funeral and from the life he had grown to love. But just before leaving his past behind forever he turned around one final time and whispered:
"Goodbye Kakashi and good luck…..wherever you are."
"The hardest part of loving someone is knowing when to let go and knowing when to say goodbye"
Hoped you enjoyed it. I know there wasn't actually a plot but I was bored so there you go. Please Read and Review but no flames please, they scare me.