I wrote this REALLY late at night… I'm sure it's chock-full of mistakes and I probably should have had it beta'd. Please forgive my sloppiness, that last paragraph just popped into my head while I was trying to get to sleep and I just really wanted to get it posted. XD

If it's absolutely horrendous let me know, and I'll try to get around to editing / re-posting it.

But for right now I'm working on the next chapter, and hopefully sleeping… Zzzzzzzz

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Disclaimer - I do not own Naruto etc. etc. etc.

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Stand Alone Scarecrow

-7-

Iruka awoke early the next morning, dressing quickly he made his way across town just as the first rays of light began to filter through the trees. He smiled,

This place is so peaceful at dawn… he sighed, It's probably too early to call on Kakashi just yet… But it's been a while since I went for an early morning run around the village... with that in mind he turned towards Konoha's main gate to set out on his jog.

Iruka was surprised when halfway through his second lap he came across a distressed Gai and equally annoyed Genma.

"I must inform Kakashi of the poisonous nature of these books! Before his youthful spirit is corrupted."

Genma snorted and continued sucking on his senbon needle, shaking his head

"I promise Gai, I don't know where Kakashi went. Are you sure he's not anywhere in the village?"

"Kakashi's left the village?"

Genma and Gai turned to see Iruka panting several feet from them,

"I… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your conversation!" Iruka stammered, a bright blush rising to his already flushing cheeks.

"Don't worry about it." Genma looked relieved.

"For all my youthful searching, I cannot find my hip rival anywhere!" Gai wailed, waterfall tears running down his cheeks.

"I've sent Kakashi on a mission."

The three men turned, startled by the voice.

Tsunade emerged from the tree line, a basket of herbs propped against her hip.

"Hokage-sama!" the three bowed,

"Enough." she waved,

"You said you sent Kakashi on a mission?" Iruka asked

"I did, he left last night."

"Oh… I see."

"Ah, my trendy rival! How admirable that you would rush so quickly out in service of our beloved Konoha! Your youthful spirit is an inspiration to us all!"

Tsunade, Genma and Iruka stood silently blinking at the sudden sunset that was summoned to accompany Gai's enthusiastic monologue.

When the Green Beast had finished, he pulled the orange book from his flak jacket and handed it to Iruka. "I will be leaving for my own mission soon, perhaps you can return this to Kakashi when he gets back."

"Oh... Um…"

"Thank you Iruka-sensei! Now, I must continue my youthful labors! 600 laps around Konoha on my left foot for failing to defeat my eternal rival!"

Gai hopped off, and with a shrug Genma returned to his post at the gate.

"Tsunade-sama," Iruka said quietly, "How long is Kakashi's mission expected to take."

"About 3 weeks, why?"

"Ah um… well…" Iruka thought quickly, "it seems it's become my responsibility to return his book to him."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes thoughtfully; he's certainly blushing a lot for someone who just needs to return a book…

"I see." she shifted the basket on her hip,

"You're probably busy, I'm sorry to keep you." Iruka said quickly, "Have a nice day, Tsunade-sama"

Tsunade watched the frizzy haired teacher retreat through Konoha's streets before turning to head for the Hokage tower. I wonder just what's going through that little chunin's head...

Iruka headed home, his mind a whirlwind.

Three weeks… that's a long time… Wait what!? I've gone YEARS without even speaking to Kakashi!? Why is a mere three weeks suddenly such an eternity!? It's just because I need to apologize for losing my temper with him… that's all… I just feel guilty for taking my frustration out on him… oh, and now I need to give him back his book… it's just trivial things...nothing more…

But regardless of the rationalizations he tried to use, Iruka couldn't shake the sense of unease that plagued him.

I hope he comes back safely... he sighed heavily as he stepped through his door.

…3 Weeks Later…

Kakashi darted from tree to tree, he was closing in on the Fire country's border, another few days and he'd be back in Konoha. His left arm dangled uselessly at his side, and he could sense his pursuer's chakra behind him. He'd received word that Asuma and Kurenai were en-route to meet him, but he was losing blood quickly, and his vision was beginning to blur. Too late he tried to dodge the kunai that flew at him from behind. The explosive tag ignited and the last thing he saw was the ground rushing to meet him... A scarred face flashed in his mind, ...Iruka...

then everything faded into darkness.

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I don't really know much about Genma, except that he's a jonin and is always sucking on a senbon needle.
Does he do gaurd duty?
I have no idea.

He does today!

Does Tsunade go out and gather her own medicinal herbs?
Once again I have no idea, maybe she sends out Sakura or Shizune to do it? But today she's feeling self-sufficient I suppose. Good for her, way to keep the plot moving.

Good grief I need sleep.

Night all!