Disclaimer: not mine.

Chapter 10

Just a second of stunned immobility and blood flowed from his side. Kakashi dropped to one knee in pain and shock, grey eye locked on his 'student' who sneered at him. This action was all they needed, he had attacked a comrade with the intention to grievously harm if not kill, Sasuke was done as a shinobi. And it had only taken four months to get him to show what he really was. Of course now he was bleeding rather heavily and had to deal with a psychotic Uchiha with an almost fully developed Sharingan. Iruka was going to kill him for this. He quickly uncovered his own Sharingan and blocked another attack before throwing a tagged kunai straight up to send out a message that he needed aide. He probably didn't but the more witnesses the better, plus they'd most likely bring a medic.

In a nearby training ground Iruka's eyes narrowed as he saw the brilliant flash in the sky. He may have only been in the village for a few months but that signal was common to all, it was a call for aide. "Naruto go back to the apartment."

"Iruka-sensei?"

"Go now and stop for nothing." He ordered sternly and the blonde took off even as Iruka took off, mentally calculating where the flare had come from. He reached the area quickly enough and his blood ran cold when he saw the two battling, this was no training spar. He instantly saw that Kakashi had been badly injured, the side of his vest soaked red in blood. He didn't even think of hanging back but launched himself into the battle, taking the boy by surprise. He hadn't fought many Sand-nin during the invasion and even if he had Iruka's fighting style was evolving into a blend of styles from both Suna and Konoha. It was enough to but the teen briefly on the defensive and Iruka knew how to fight the Sharingan since his main sparring partner was Kakashi. He locked his gaze on the teen's feet and purposely stopped thinking and instead reacted. Planning was far easier to predict that someone who simply did whatever felt right in that second.

Kakashi backed off for a moment as Iruka attacked, thankful for the time to catch his breath. He was limited in the fight due to needing to take the boy alive but Sasuke had no such reservations. It was amazing to see Iruka fighting and not simply sparring, he was magnificent in battle. Suna had no idea what they had tossed aside. He quickly grabbed some bandages around his stomach and then moved in to try and catch Sasuke between them and knock him out. He felt as others arrived in answer to his distress call and their arrival distracted Sasuke, allowing Iruka to slam the blunt end of a kunai into his head, causing him to drop.

Iruka instantly moved to Kakashi's side and began pulling his vest off to get to the wound beneath. Kakashi saw Iruka's eyes widen when he saw the wound. "Medic!" Iruka yelled in alarm even as he pushed at Kakashi in a way that indicated he needed to sit. It didn't really hurt but Kakashi knew that was the lingering adrenaline. Soon a medic was with them and began flashing through hand signs. Kakashi lay on the ground with Iruka pillowing his head on his lap and holding one hand for Kakashi to squeeze when the pain got bad. The medic soon had him partially headed and stable for transport to the hospital while another had Sasuke on a stretcher while another was set up for Kakashi. They moved him onto it and then the medic moved to Iruka's side.

"You are injured jounin-san." She said respectfully and Iruka frowned before finally noticing the kunai imbedded in his upper arm. The medic chuckled slightly. "You didn't even feel it did you?"

"No."

"The wonders of adrenaline. Your name for the records please."

"Umino Iruka." He answered and saw the slight widening of her eyes in response. While the details of his story were mostly classified some of it had spread among the ranks and even among the civilians. Many didn't know how to treat a foreign shinobi who was permanently assigned to the village, those who knew more were wary about him, after all he had betrayed one village what was to stop him betraying another.

"I will bandage this and then it can be treated fully at the hospital. Normally I could heal this here but not after treating Hatake-san." She explained in case he thought she simply didn't want to treat him.

"Thank you."

Sarutobi read the preliminary reports on the incident and frowned, two shinobi injured, one very badly, all because the Council refused to see the truth. He knew it could have been a lot worse but those two had a place in his old heart. He hadn't wanted to feel anything for young Iruka but the young man had wormed his way in with his polite and caring ways. As Minato's last living student Kakashi would always have a place in his heart, he always felt he had failed the boy after Minato and Kushina died. He got up and left to walk to the hospital, even if Kakashi was not up to answering his questions Iruka's injuries were listed as minor so he should be able to talk. Sure enough he found Iruka sitting on the edge of an examination table while a medic bound his upper arm firmly. His hair was half out of its ponytail and he could see a few forming bruises here and there but overall he seemed fine.

"Hokage-sama!" Iruka exclaimed as he saw him and tried to bow but Sarutobi waved him back down and looked to the medic.

"Is he able to give his account of events or is further treatment needed?" he asked her and she bowed.

"Umino-san only suffered superficial wound other than the kunai lodged in his upper arm. The wound has been treated, he just needs to not use the arm too much for the next two days."

"Very good, may we use this room?"

"Of course sir. If you need any pain relief please call for assistance Umino-san."

"Thank you." He smiled at her and she left. Iruka shifted on the table to grab his shirt and pull it back on as hospitals were always a bit chilly. He crossed his legs to be more comfortable and look at the Hokage. "Have you heard anything about Kakashi's condition sir?"

"He is stable but is being kept asleep so that he doesn't move too much just yet. There was some worry about how much blood he lost but so far everything is going well." Sarutobi assured him even as he pulled up a chair to sit on. "Now I must ask for your report on events. Take all the time you need, there is no rush. Sasuke is currently sedated and under guard."

"Yes sir." Iruka took a calming breath and began to explain what had happened as far a she knew it. Everything else would have to wait until Kakashi could talk.

TBC….