A/N: YAY! I have time to write... I'm currently sitting up in work watching random late night television, ah bliss. It times like this I'm truly at peace with the world at large. ^_^ So yeah I'm kind of chilled at the moment hopefully it will help the creative process. As usual thanks to everyone who has reviewed/fav'd/alerted it truly means a lot. On the point of reviews I didn't realise that I had anon reviews switched off, oops. I've now changed that around ^_^. *Hint hint lol*
Anywho on with chapter.
Chapter Eleven.
Iruka poofed back into existence in an alley just outside the Hokage's office and slumped against the wall. He slid down the bricks and pressed his palms into his stinging eyes as hot tears slid down his cheeks. What on earth was wrong with him? Why couldn't he seem to control himself? It just seemed as if he was trying to get someone to put him out of his misery, he had after all just pissed off not only the Hokage but the Hyuga clan head as well. Why oh why couldn't he keep his mouth shut? It would certainly improve his life expectancy and cause him a lot less trouble. Maybe instead of killing him he could persuade Tsunade to just cut out his tongue. The brunette almost chuckled at the masochistic thought, he would only be so lucky. After all after that little explosion in the office both Tsunade and Kakashi now knew for certain about his unnaturalness.
Iruka briefly wondered how long it would take the copy-nin to catch up with him and exact his own brand of rebuttal. The dark thoughts that had previously been repressed were quickly re-emerging circling his wounded psyche like vultures. The teacher was under no delusions that now whatever Kakashi had heard had been confirmed and the Jounin was going to dispose of him in order to protect his reputation. After all the silver haired man was one of the elite and if he was made to look bad, it made Konoha look bad. Iruka knew deep in his heart he was living on borrowed time, he just hoped his demise was swift and honourable. It was all he could ask for as a shinobi.
Drawing a shuddering breath the brunette hauled himself to his feet and winced as the bright morning sunlight stung his weary eyes. Raising a hand to shield them from the glare he moved out into the village without looking back. First thing on the agenda was a trip to his apartment, he badly needed a shower and his outfit had certainly seen and smelt better days. At least then he would start to feel physically human again even if he didn't feel it mentally. Then it would be some sort of sustenance, he generally wasn't much of an eater but the stress of the last few days had began to take its toll and Iruka was starving.
The village was now wide awake and in full swing but even as he passed through the familiar streets Iruka could not feel comfortable. He could sense the people looking at him, judging him, condemning him. He even heard a few of the underhanded and downright nasty comments as he passed and the brunette was fairly convinced that he had been meant to hear the barbs even though they were uttered in hushed tones. The once welcoming village had shunned him completely, it was a fate almost worse than death. A bitter laugh escaped his lips as Iruka began to understand what those who went rogue probably felt like before betraying their village, he had to admit the idea of leaving and never coming back was certainly starting to sound appealing.
After all he didn't know how much time he had left or how much more strain he could take before he broke completely.
Running away was certainly starting to sound appealing.
The brunette shook himself, what was he thinking? The very notion of him fleeing was so completely selfish it made his heart ache. He couldn't just burden others with his self centred whims and besides he still had duties to perform even if they were self imposed ones. Iruka knew that no one would care for the orphans in his stead and the thought of failing them hurt even more than the complete social isolation the village was imposing on him.
No, he would stay for the moment. At least until he found someone else to care for the mites.
In his detached state the sensei hadn't even noticed where his traitorous feet had been carrying him. Instead of taking him to his apartment like he planned, he had ended up at the academy stood in front of the swing set he had seen a desperately lonely Naruto sit upon many a time before he had reached out to the boy. It seemed a rather appropriate place to wallow in ones despair and the irony of reminiscing his failings at the location of his greatest triumphs was not lost on him. Sighing deeply Iruka sat on the swing and watched the classes through the windows, swaying to and fro with the breeze. The shower for the time being could wait.
The brunette wasn't quite sure how long he sat there just wistfully gazing out at nothingness but the next thing he knew a warm pair of hands were clamping down on his shoulders and a loud, shaking and relieved sounding voice was bellowing in his ear.
"Iruka-sensei!"
It took all of Iruka's shinobi training to not jump out of his skin and he slowly craned his head round to confront his assaulter, although he already knew who it was. He would know the blond jinchuuriki's voice anywhere. Wearied brown eyes met wearied blue and Iruka forced a smile onto his face.
"Hello Naruto."
Naruto's brows were knitted together in a frown as he stared down his former sensei and Iruka noted the blond looked completely exhausted.
"You look like shit Iruka-sensei."
The brunette barked a laugh and dropped his gaze, he could always rely on Naruto to be blunt. It was one of the young man's most endearing and most frustrating traits.
"You're one to talk Naruto. You look as if you haven't slept in days."
The blond didn't reply straight away and Iruka felt unease curl around his heart, his former pupil was never this subdued especially when he was concerned about something. The teacher was about to look up when he felt a pair of arms encircle his shoulders and pull him into a loose hug.
"You had me worried sensei, you just disappeared off the face of the planet. I looked everywhere for you." The blonds voice was sad, low and quiet in his ear.
The unease began to tighten his chest and Iruka felt his breathing hitch in sorrow. Once again he'd managed to burden someone he cared about with his stupidity.
"I'm sorry."
Behind him Naruto let out a noise that sounded halfway between a sigh and a snort.
"Don't be sorry Iruka-nii, just tell me what on earth is going on with you. We're all worried, me, Sakura, Izumo-san, Kotetsu-san, Kakashi-sensei..."
"Somehow I seriously doubt Kakashi-sensei is worried about me." Iruka's rebuked harshly.
The jinchuuriki paused and levelled the brunette with a piercing stare. "Is this to do with the rumours flying around?"
"I... No..."
Naruto's voice turned exasperated "God damn it Iruka stop lying to me! What the hell is wrong?"
The elder saw red "Whatever is wrong with me has nothing to do with you! You shouldn't be wasting your time worrying about an insignificant old man, there are more important things deserving of your attention."
Cerulean eyes widened in shock and the blond could control the anger in his voice,. "What the fuck are talking about!"
"I'm talking about you poking your nose it business that doesn't concern you!" Iruka growled back.
He knew deep in his heart that what he was doing was wrong, that pushing away the blond in such a manner could do irreparable damage to their relationship. But at that moment in time Iruka really didn't care and he levelled the younger man with cold eyes. He just wanted to be left alone. Naruto's shocked gaze narrowed and he frowned.
"But it does concern me and you promised to stop doing this..."
"Forget what I promised. I lied..."
"I don't believe that for a second..."
"Believe it.." The familiar words were twisted with venom "I am shinobi, I lie, it's part of the job description."
The young man just gaped before turning his back on the brunette, hurt radiating off him.
"If that's the way you want it Iruka..."
Naruto's voice was lost on the wind and with a slight displacement of air he was gone. Iruka felt his heart plummet through his chest and he clung to the ropes attaching the swing to the tree. He had been expecting the pain but the look of utter desolation on Naruto's face had almost destroyed him. But he knew that it was best that the blond go through the pain now and get over him before he damaged the blond too much. Naruto deserved better than having him corrupt him.
The thought didn't make the pain in his chest hurt any less.
Feeling numb Iruka reverted back to his original plan and headed toward his apartment. Once there he quickly made his way to the bathroom and stripped off, tossing the dirty clothes in the corner to be dealt with at a later date. The brunette turned the shower on full blast and set it as hot as he could humanly stand before stepping under the spray. He winced as the scalding water hit his skin making it flush instantly but he ignored the discomfort as he began to scrub viciously with a brush. Iruka continued to ignore his stinging skin as he scrubbed himself raw, continued to ignore the stinging in his eyes and the shakes that were wracking his body until his legs finally gave out and he sank to the floor.
Sobs consumed his weakened frame and Iruka huddled himself in the corner of the shower, completely bone weary and mentally exhausted. He sat there as the water turned freezing and goose pimples pricked his skin either unable or unwilling to move. The brunette just sat there consumed by his grief and screamed the unfairness of life to the cold walls of his bathroom, releasing all the pent up anguish in one massive blow out. Completely drained brown eyes slid shut and he submitted to his exhaustion.
Kakashi looked back at the door and grimaced as he saw the two ANBU block the rooms only exit. Sighing he sat down in the pro-offered chair, folded his arms across his chest and glared at the Hokage. Tsunade appeared to have recovered from her shock and returned the glare. She stooped her fingers in front of her face, clearly unimpressed with the show of defiance.
"Drop the attitude brat."
The copy-nin shifted in his seat, he didn't have time for this interrogation. Every minute he wasted here was time wasted trying to help Iruka, he was still deeply worried about the other man. He knew from experience that such dark thoughts didn't just disappear and he was fairly convinced that Tsunade's forced confession hadn't helped matters. Kakashi knew he should tell Tsunade about the events prior to the meeting but he knew that the sensei wouldn't appreciate his meddling, even more than that he was fairly certain Tsunade would have the brunette admitted to a secure unit. Pushing his thoughts aside Kakashi focused on the problem at hand, he couldn't help if he was incapacitated and if this meeting went badly then that is exactly what could happen. The Jounin relaxed his posture and slumped back into the chair, a clear sign of submission.
"Report."
Tsunade had dropped her fingers and was now looking at him with a curious glint in her amber eyes. The silver haired man smirked under his mask, running a hand through his messy hair. Time for his infamous 'evasion-no-jutsu'.
"Maa on what exactly Tsunade-sama? On what I had for breakfast, maybe some Icha Icha?"
The Hokage's lips pulled downwards, frown lines marring the otherwise youthful complexion as her eyes hardened.
"Don't play games with me Hatake I haven't the time nor the patience for them. I want to know what happened while you were unconscious and what is going on between you and Umino."
Kakashi just shrugged "Nothing happened while I was unconscious, I was unconscious, it's pretty self explanatory."
"Why do I find that hard to believe? We are after all talking about you Hatake, you seem to be a magnet for the strange and bizarre."
"I can assure you Tsunade-sama that nothing happened whilst I was under, why would I lie?"
Tsunade shot him a feral smile "Oh I can think of a number of reasons as to the 'why' Hatake, I just don't understand the motivation. You don't normally act this guarded when it is you own well-being on the line but I'm having difficulty trying to figure out who you might be protecting."
Damn.
Kakashi remained impassive on the surface but inside he was mentally cursing Tsunade's perceptive nature and his own unique character traits. Was it really that obvious he was protecting someone? Maybe he should take a few extra lessons in concealment if this was going to be the result. Face still neutral he replied to the comment.
"I have no idea what you are talking about Tsunade-sama, I was unconscious that's all there is to it."
That was his story and he was sticking to it. Admittedly not a work of literary perfection unlike some of his excuses (He was still rather fond of getting lost on the road of life), it was simple and hard to prove or disprove as the case may be. The blond didn't look at all convinced and she pretty much told him so with the arc of a tawny brow.
"Hatake I'm not going to ask again. I respect you enough to not order you to answer me but there is an easy way to do this and a hard way to do this."
"Tsunade-sama how many times do I have to repeat myself nothing happened and even if I were protecting someone which I am not do you honestly think I would put an individual's safety above the safety of Konoha?"
The Hokage seemed a little taken aback by the reply. "Fine have your secret, but we have nowhere near finished discussing this topic. So what is going on between you and Umino?"
Kakashi ground his teeth under his mask, the infernal woman was really starting to get on his nerves. Couldn't she just accept that there was nothing sinister going on? The Jounin chuckled at the thought, of course she couldn't.
She was a kage.
It was part of the job description to be wildly suspicious and nosy.
It still did not stop the silver haired man feeling frustrated at her incessant pestering however. Kakashi forced his body to be painfully neutral as he lied, he knew the Hokage would pick up on the slightest fluctuation and he couldn't afford to be delayed any further.
"There is nothing going on that I am aware of Tsunade-sama. I have to admit I was a little shocked at his outburst."
"You mean to tell me you knew nothing about any of that?"
"No Tsunade-sama."
"So what was he going on about? And why on earth were you on top of the Hokage monument?"
The Jounin took a deep breath "Naruto asked me to look for him, he was worried. I used Pakkun and that was where I found him."
Tsunade raised her brow again "And that's all?"
"That's all Tsunade-sama. It was just coincidence that we were found together."
Behind him Kakashi felt the two ANBU shudder at the stressed word and he just about resisted the urge to gloat. It was nice to know the reputation he had painstakingly cultivated during his stint in the black ops hadn't diminished with the passage of time, that even now as a regular Jounin he was still considered someone who you did not piss off. The Hokage noticed the exchange with an exasperated sigh and waved her hand urging the man to continue.
"As to what he was talking about, I overheard one of the nurses gossiping about a disagreement between you and Umino-san. I may have mentioned in passing what I knew and well as you saw, he wasn't very impressed."
Tsunade visibly blanched at the comment and this time Kakashi couldn't resist the urge to smile victoriously. It served the old bag right. His victory was short lived as the blond bounced back quickly and if one hadn't been present they wouldn't have known about the woman's brief show of weakness.
"Okay that's enough Hatake."
The Jounin did a mental happy dance at those words, those words meant he would soon be free. He rose to leave.
"Where do you think you are going?"
Kakashi's heart fell through his chest.
"Tsunade-sama?"
The Hokage's feral smile was back and the silver haired man could feel the power, annoyance and vindictiveness pouring off of the blond.
"Stand by to receive orders."
Reluctantly Kakashi stood to attention, his single visible eye narrowing in discontent.
"Hatake you are to be escorted to your residence, where you will remain until further notice."
The silver haired man visibly shook in anger "What? Why? I am fine!"
Tsunade rose a tawny brow "Where you are physically able, I have yet to ascertain your mental state. There may be unforeseen mental trauma."
"I am fine Tsunade-sama."
" I beg to differ, your behaviour has been somewhat erratic brat. I want you to stay where I can see you until I can arrange a psychological analysis."
"But..."
"There is no discussion about the matter." The blonds voice was curt.
Kakashi glared at his leader but nodded in head in resigned acceptance, he knew there was no arguing with the blond and was pretty sure if he tried he'd end up in a white room with a nice white jacket on. Turning stiffly the Jounin walked toward the door, blatantly ignoring the two ANBU members dropping down behind him as he strode out of the tower. He quickly made his way back to his apartment through the back roads and alleys of the village. At the current moment Kakashi truly didn't want to run into anyone, he could still sense the ANBU tailing him and knew that anyone who would actually stop to talk to him would also be able to.
As he opened the door to the tiny apartment the smell of dust and disuse immediately hit his senses causing him to cough. Shaking his head Kakashi kicked off his shoes and made his way through to the kitchen hoping that something remotely edible was still residing there. After raiding the cupboards the only edible food available to him was simple white rice, shrugging he switched on the rice boiler and set to it.
Ten minutes later he had a bowl of rice and had folded himself onto his spartan couch. A suddenly feeling of loneliness hit him square in the chest, Kakashi hadn't realised how much he had relished the impromptu companionship Iruka had provided. The thought of the brunette made the Jounin sigh in despair, he was supposed to be helping and all he was doing at the moment was making things worse. It made him want to find a very sturdy wall and repeatedly bang his head against it. The silver haired man quickly wolfed down his small meal knowing he would need his strength for what he was about to do. His chakra control was still a little out of whack.
Kakashi quickly bit his thumb and once again summoned Pakkun, the tug on his chakra once again making him feel dizzy. The small brown dog looked up with baleful eyes.
"What's up now boss?"
"I need to ask a favour."
The pug raised what one would assume was a doggy eyebrow in surprise. "A favour? Since when do you ask for favours?"
The copy-nin tried to not sound irritated "Since now okay."
"Okay, okay whatever. What do you want me to do?"
"I need you to go to Iruka-sensei's house and keep an eye on him."
Small brown eyes widened "What? Why?"
"Because I need you too."
"Is this to do with this morning?"
"..."
"Why can't you go?"
"... I... Can't..."
Pakkun watched his master with concern and slight confusion. However when he sniffed the air he quickly realised why his master was unable to go anywhere, why were ANBU watching Kakashi? The small animal frowned as he levelled his master with a piercing stare.
"What did you do?"
"Nothing. Tsunade is still concerned about me and wants me to stay 'where she can see me' until I have a full evaluation."
The pug groaned "Why is nothing ever simple with you?"
Kakashi merely shrugged "So will you go?"
"Yes. What do you want me to look out for."
"Just anything wrong, out of the ordinary."
"He's a teacher how out the ordinary can he be?"
"Pakkun..." Kakashi growled.
"Fine, I'm going. I'll report back if anything 'out of the ordinary' happens." The pug got to his feet and padded toward the door.
"Thank you."
Pakkun yipped a small laugh "Thank me with steak."
The silver haired man nodded as the dog left the apartment and slumped back down on the couch. He grabbed the book he had been reading before he left off the coffee table and thumbed through to the page he was last at. Kakashi jolted at the knock the door, the book he had been reading lay open on his lap.
' I must have fallen asleep'
The knock at the door came again, sighing in resignation the Jounin rose to his feet and walked to the entryway. He took a deep breath before pulling open the door.
"Hello Hatake-san."
Kakashi froze.
~End Chapter Eleven~
A/N: *Dodges various objects being thrown at her* Sorry I couldn't resist leaving it on a cliff-hanger.
And no your eyes do not deceive you this is an update in a timely fashion ^_^. I am currently ill again (YAY!) so have some free time to finish this up. Thanks once again to everyone you guys are all awesome, I am still amazed that every time I seem to open my e-mail I have a new person fav/ alert this.