A/N: I'm almost done with Part I! Yay! That means that I can focus more on Kakashi and Iruka's slowly budding relationship. Well, a little bit. I still have a lot of questions to answer, don't I? Well, no worries! You'll have all your answers by the end. If not then, then in the sequel that has slowly worked it's way into my head. But more on that later. For now, the story!
All the Broken PiecesPart 1: Chapter 9
Iruka arrived at the practice field where he'd seen Guy and his team the day before in record time. He'd been contemplating how best to challenge Guy for most of the day- much to the delight of his classes because a distracted Iruka-sensei was always a fun Iruka-sensei. He had finally reached the conclusion that small and simple was probably the best way to go, and he was eager to try it out.
He jogged up to the group, finding that this time it was a tracking exercise for Neji- without using his Byakugan. Rock Lee and Tenten were no where to be seen as the Hyuuga genius was using all his self-restraint to not use his best jutsu and find them easily.
Guy looked genuinely surprised to see him approaching. "Back again so soon, Iruka-sensei? Your wound licking prowess is truly inspiring."
Iruka waved his hand, deciding it wasn't worth the energy of deciding whether that was intended as an insult or a compliment. "I'm afraid I'm notoriously stubborn, Guy-sensei, and I am refusing to be deterred from my goal. You are the only person who has given me any indication that they know anything about Kakashi. I've come this far and suffered this much humiliation, and I refuse to turn back now."
"Your youthful determination is also inspiring, Iruka-sensei," Guy murmured. Iruka momentarily thought that Guy murmuring anything was creepy all on it's own.
"But?"
"But my esteemed rival is more than that. He is also my friend…and friend's do not tell the others secrets without the very best of reasons."
"I have a good reason, Guy-sensei."
Guy didn't seem to be convinced by just his words alone and raised a bushy eyebrow. "If your cause is truly as noble as you think, Iruka-sensei, why not just ask him yourself? You said you aren't afraid of him, and if you aren't just digging up gossip there is no other reason for you not to get the answers from the source."
"But there are other reasons," Iruka implored, slightly frustrated. "Many other complicated reasons involving rather painful things…"
Guy waited for him to explain and Iruka simply shook his head.
"Ordinarily, I wouldn't mind Kakashi-sensei's privacy. I can very much relate to wish the past remain exactly where it's at. But the Sharingun asked for my help…"
Guy looked at Iruka as if the younger man had just informed him he was going missing-nin, and since this was Guy looking at him like that Iruka felt distinctly uncomfortable.
"My cool and hip rival's eye asked for your help?"
When worded that way, Iruka realized how ridiculous it sounded. "Yes. Well…kind of. Not with words. I mean…it's sort of…"
"Complicated," Guy finished for him, nodding knowingly.
Iruka scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Yes, exactly. I feel…no, I know…that Kakashi-sensei has been through a great deal of pain. I can understand that too, and I want to help him." Iruka voice dropped to a whisper as he lowered his gaze to the ground. "No one should have to bear so much pain alone."
He heard a sob and looked up in surprise. Guy was standing there, rubbing his eyes to try and rid of them of free flowing tears. Iruka took a hesitant step forward and placed a hand on the Jounin's shoulder.
"Guy-sensei? Are you alright?"
Iruka's concern twisted into surprise and embarrassment as the Green Beast of Konoha flung his arms around his neck and began weeping openly onto Iruka's shoulder.
By now, the team of Genin had completely forgot about their training and were now staring at the two teachers. Well, Tenten was staring in open-mouthed confusion. Neji looked like he wanted to go beat his head repeatedly against the nearest rock, or something harder. Maybe Lee's head would do.
Rock Lee himself was simply managing to look and odd mix between curious and angry. "What did you do to Guy-sensei?" Lee demanded, raising his fists in a challenge.
"Nothing! I didn't…"
Might Guy righted himself then, wiping his eyes on his sleeve. "Do not fear, my cute students…"
'Like I said,' Iruka thought, not sure whether he was still joking about Guy's preferences or not. His latest display had shaken the teacher a little bit, not to mention soaked his uniform.
"Iruka-sensei has not hurt me! He has instead enlightened me in the ways of true human compassion! Even though he has suffered much in his few short years, he still finds room in his ever-youthful heart for those as wretched as my most esteemed rival and myself. Iruka-sensei is truly a great ninja!"
Tenten had managed to close her mouth, but didn't look quite ready to try and comprehend her teacher. Neji seemed to have decided a tree would do, and was currently banging his head against the trunk in a rhythmic pattern. Lee was taking notes.
Iruka blinked stupidly and blushed, looking down at the ground. This was really turning out to be much more than he'd bargained for when he'd left his house early two weeks ago. 'Next time, I obey common sense and sleep as long as possible.'
"I want you all to be like Iruka-sensei, and remember that a shinobi is only as strong as his love of those he protects!" Guy gave his team a thumbs up, and the light reflecting of his smile blinded a nearby squirrel so it crashed into a tree.
'Well,' Iruka thought, the color on his face darkening a couple of shades, 'that at least is a good lesson to learn from all this.'
"Yes, sensei," Lee said, snapping his small notebook shut with a salute. Tenten shot a sideways look at Neji before she nodded, and since the Hyuuga had not been as successful in his endeavor to knock himself unconscious as he'd hoped nodded as well.
"Does this mean," Iruka ventured carefully, aware that the young Genin were still watching them but not sure whether Guy had realized he needed to send them back to training or not, "that you'll tell me what I wanted to know?"
Neji, Tenten, and Lee quickly forgot everything but curiosity as they looked from their former teacher's hopeful expression to their current teacher's thoughtful one.
After a long pause, Guy sighed. "I would truly love to help you, Iruka-sensei, as your cause seems just enough. But, I cannot in good conscious betray the trust placed in me. You must win me in a fair fight as fate decides to get the information you desired."
"Fate and I had a talk yesterday," Iruka smiled wryly to himself, "and we have reached the agreement that it is only fair I win this time."
Guy smiled then, and his team unconsciously held their breath in anticipation as their sensei raised his fist.
"Shall we begin then?"
Iruka raised his hand as well, feeling more prepared this time then he had the day before. "Yes, let's."
"1, 2, 3, go!"
The three teens blinked, waiting for something to happen after 'go' but neither of the men moved. It took a moment for them to realize exactly what they'd been talking about as all three looked at their hands in unison.
Iruka's hand was extended, palm and fingers parallel to the ground. Guy's hand was fisted…except for the two extended fingers.
The Jounin grinned at his opponent. "Scissors beats paper, Iruka-sensei."
Neji looked like he was contemplating beating himself unconscious again, and from the look on his face Iruka's thoughts were following much the same line.
'Of course it would be when I challenge him that happens to be the one time he doesn't choose rock! How could I possibly not have anticipated that? Nothing in my life can ever be just that easy, can it?'
Guy took one long look at Iruka's disappointed face, and the fists clenched in frustration at the man's sides, before walking over and laying a hand gently on the chuunin's far too tense shoulders. "Your cause is truly a noble one, Iruka-sensei, and I do not doubt that you will find your answers…but apparently now is not the time. Have patience, my youthful friend, and they will come when you are ready for the responsibility that goes with them."
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Yesterday, Kakashi had not put much thought into how that poor, unfortunate tree must have felt when his student had attacked it- unprovoked even- in a fit of rage. Now, he thought he and that tree should become drinking buddies, as they could very much understand each other's woes.
He should have known when he saw Iruka standing on the bridge with a dark contemplative look on his face that today would not be a good day for sparring. In fact he had realized it, analyzed it, and decided that it would be a good lesson in focusing on one's task and forgetting others until later. Unfortunately, that plan had one built in flaw. He'd been counting on Iruka's frustration to mess the other up and make fighting Kakashi more difficult. He hadn't realized that when Iruka was angry, his focus and reflexes became that much sharper.
He was really glad for his mask now, as he was sure his lip was going to be swollen for days.
'As fascinating as this development is,' Kakashi thought grimly, using his forearm to protect his face from a close encounter with Iruka's foot, 'I've got to get him to calm down. He's faster and stronger this way, but he's not even paying attention anymore. I've got to get him to calm down or we won't get anywhere.'
Hoping that Iruka would somehow find a way to forgive him for what he was about to do, Kakashi ducked below another kick Iruka sent his way. A quick roll had his behind the teacher, and he quickly pressed that advantage by elbowing the other in he head. Iruka stumbled, and Kakashi grabbed onto the other's wrists, forcing his arms behind him. Iruka yelped in pain, dropping down onto one knee.
"Let go of me!"
"Not until you calm down. You're fighting like you're Naruto! I expect better of a man about twice his age. Now get your emotions under control, Iruka-sensei."
That didn't sound nearly as compassionate as Kakashi had intended to. In fact, it was what he'd meant to say at all. His mental troops regrouped for another attempt at playing nice while Iruka took a few deep breaths- not an easy feat when the muscles used in holding his arms behind his head were compressing his rib cage.
"Better?" Kakashi asked, much more quietly this time. Iruka nodded and the Jounin immediately released him.
The chuunin felt humiliated as he dropped completely down onto his hands and knees. It wasn't Kakashi he was angry at; he was angry at life and it's way of thwarting him no matter what he tried. Kakashi was the one he was trying to help, and here he was taking it out on the other man like an immature child.
Kakashi sat down on the grass next to him, absentmindedly running his fingers along a cut the other had made on the side of his head.
"…I'm sorry…"
Iruka's quite whisper took Kakashi off guard, and only years of training kept him from jumping. Instead, he simply shrugged. "You weren't mad at me."
"No," Iruka said, sitting up too and slightly amused by the bluntness of this statement. "No, I'm not angry with you. And I shouldn't have been taking it out on you."
"Just don't try that in battle. Anger clouds your judgment, and can be your greatest weakness next to fear. Though, I must admit, you certainly loose a lot of your inhibitions when your angry and that makes you more interesting to fight."
Looking over at his teacher in surprise, Iruka noticed the blood trickling down the side of the Jounin's face. With a mild curse, the Academy teacher jumped up. "I'm so sorry, Kakashi-sensei!"
"For managing to hit me."
"For hurting you. I didn't mean to. That's the last thing I wanted."
Kakashi stared at the sincerity in Iruka's face with more than a little confusion. What on earth did that mean?
Suddenly the chuunin was kneeling beside him, inspecting the wound. Kakashi pulled away quickly.
"It's not bad."
"No, I suppose it isn't. I'm not really strong enough for that," Iruka smiled without any happiness in it.
"I didn't mean that."
"You don't have to." Iruka stood, reaching down to brush the leaves of his knees. He looked at Kakashi for a moment before he suddenly blurted, "come eat ramen with me."
Kakashi blinked a couple of times, still sitting on the ground. "What?"
Iruka looked very much like he wanted to find those words and stuff them back down his throat again, but since that wasn't possible he steeled himself and forced a smile. "I would like it if you came and dinner with me. At Ichiraku ramen. To make up for acting so childish today. That is, if you want to. I mean, you don't have to but…"
"I would like to," Kakashi said, holding Iruka's gaze instead of simply allowing the other man to look away so he would see that he meant it. Iruka, unlike some of the other brainless shinobi, was interesting company. Once he'd stopped being nervous about messing up in front of Kakashi, and consequently doing it, Iruka had actually been fun to be with. His fierce determination not to let Tsunade down and his somewhat biting sense of humor and mischief had Kakashi actually enjoying his company instead of grinning-and-bearing it…but he somehow doubted Iruka had been able to tell the difference.
"Oh," Iruka looked surprised, but slightly pleased, to hear the affirimtive answer. Yep, he'd definitely missed the memo. "Come on then."
He offered his hand down to Kakashi and helped the older man to his feet. They walked side-by-side back to the main part of the village, Iruka slightly pulling ahead as they neared his favorite haunt.
Much to the surprise of both Nin, Kurenai and Asuma were already there. They were in no way touching, and instead staring down at their newly arrived bowls of ramen. It couldn't have been any more painfully obvious that they were on a date-that-was-not-a-date, and the awkwardness in the air was nearly tangible.
Kakashi took it upon himself to attempt to dispel some of it, and approached their booth with a grin in Iruka's direction. "Yo!"
Kurenai and Asuma didn't exactly jump, but it was a very near thing, and Asuma bumped his knee against the table anyway. He cursed softly while Kurenai laughed.
"Konban wa, Kakashi-san. Iruka-sensei."
"Konban wa, Kurenai-sensei," Iruka said, using what little he had left of his self control not to laugh as Asuma rubbed his knee sulkily. Kurenai smiled and scooted over so there was more space on the bench.
"Won't you two join us?"
"Oh, we couldn't possibly impose…" Iruka began, but Kakashi shoved him down neatly into the seat next to Kurenai. "Well," he said, trying to salvage some of his dignity by glaring at Kakashi as he sat across from him next to Asuma, "if you insist."
Kakashi simply grinned at him, picking up the menu to look at it.
Asuma let out a low whistle. "What happened to your face, Kakashi?"
Kakashi set down his menu, and Iruka no noticed a bruise on his cheek that was barely visible above the mask as well as the jagged cut on the side of his face. He winced inwardly, glad that he'd decided to take Kakashi to dinner to make up for it. He really owed the other man for this one.
"Iruka did," Kakashi said brightly.
Or not.
Asuma's cigarette nearly fell out of his mouth. "Iruka-sensei did that to you?"
"Oh yes. Our training is coming along rather nicely. He'll make Jounin in a month easy, and I wouldn't be surprised if he hit ANBU only a month after that!"
Iruka couldn't help but blush at the praise, even if he knew Kakashi was only joking.
"You're lying," Asuma said, glancing from Iruka to Kakashi and back.
"I never lie."
That simple statement had the other three laughing almost instantly. Kakashi looked slightly put out.
"Well, I never lie about anything that's unbelievable anyway."
"Hey," Iruka protested. "My becoming a Jounin isn't unbelievable."
"That wasn't what I meant," Kakashi said, shifting uncomfortably. "I'm going to go order."
"I'll come with you," Asuma said. "I want to hear more about this, and the truth this time, Kakashi!"
Iruka sighed, shaking his head as the two male Jounin left. It took a couple seconds, but he realized he was being stared at. He turned his head to meet Kurenai's crimson gaze, and she didn't look away even after she'd been caught. It was almost creepy.
"What's wrong, Kurenai-sensei?"
"…There have been some interesting rumors going around about you, Iruka-sensei," she said, a small smile pushing it's way onto her face. "Something about you having a crush on Kakashi…"
Iruka groaned, his face reddening. 'Not that again!' "I've just been trying to solve the mystery of Kakashi-sensei, that's all."
"Why?"
"Why? Well…I…have my reasons." After Guy's reaction that morning, Iruka found himself a bit unwilling to share what had happened again.
Kurenai's mouth formed into an 'o' before she nodded. "So it's true then."
"What! No, I never said…"
"Iruka-sensei," Kurenai laughed, shaking her head, "I'm just teasing. Even if you do have a crush on him, it's none of my business. I just thought I'd give you the heads up that nearly everyone is saying it. You should be prepared in case Kakashi hears and decides to do something about it."
Iruka nodded, glancing over at where Kakashi and Asuma were leaning against the counter. He didn't really have a crush on Kakashi but…he wasn't bad. In fact, he was rapidly finding himself getting attached to the nearly constant companionship.
'I'll miss it,' Iruka realized with a start. 'When this is all over and Kakashi moves on with his life. I really will miss it…and I wouldn't mind if something did start between us.' Iruka shook his head at the thought, not at all surprised by it. He'd known he wasn't interested in girls since his genin days…but he'd never thought he'd be contemplating Hatake Kakashi that way since he'd never really had a desire for men either. 'You're just being silly, Iruka. You're lonely, that's all, and it'll never happen.'
