A/N: And here's the next chapter! I'm not intending to pull on any longer. So another chapter or two may be all, and I will move on to the sequel. ^_^ Thanks to all of you who's been showing your support. You know I love you!
Chapter 29: Promises and Commitments
Iruka was beaming when the jounin went to pick him up for lunch. Kakashi raised an eyebrow and stared at him strangely.
"What?"
"Well," Iruka scratched his head abashedly. "Genma-senpai and Raidou-senpai came to look for me earlier on."
The jounin's eye narrowed. "Where are they now?"
Iruka shrugged. "I don't know. They were here during my morning break."
Kakashi frowned. "What did they want?"
"They just came to tell me something." Iruka grinned. "Is it true, senpai, that I do not have to stay in the orphanage when you are in the village?"
Kakashi cursed under his breath. He had yet to get even with his two friends for suggesting that idea to the Hokage and land him on yet another baby sitting job and now, they had gone up to the pre-genin and revealed the news to him, even before he had got a chance to gain his composure.
He glanced at the child, who was watching him expectantly for an answer. He raked a hand through his silvery strands and fought the urge to roll his eyes. He nodded.
Iruka's smile widened. "Really, senpai?"
"Yes." Kakashi turned to walk off. Iruka quickened his steps to follow after the teen. "Hokage-sama has commissioned you to stay with me when I'm in the village. He said it will do you better."
"Oh?" Iruka frowned. Then he grinned. "I don't really understand what that means. But at least I do understand the part that I will be seeing you more often!"
Kakashi stared at the child, a little surprised. Sure, he had known that Iruka had grown to rely on him more than he had liked it and the boy was attached to him in a way no one had ever done before. And perhaps, he had even been a little fond of this young boy before him.
But this was the first time that there was someone who was excited at the prospect of seeing him on a regular basis. Having lost so much over the years, to the point where he no longer feels that there is anyone that he needs to come home to, or even if he comes home safely, this feeling was a little overwhelming.
For the first time in a long while, it makes him feels needed.
He paused in his steps and looked at the boy who was staring up at him with curiosity. He absently reached out a hand and placed it on top of Iruka's head, gently ruffling the brown locks.
Perhaps Hiruzen was right. He could grow to like this boy.
Very much.
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Genma cringed under the intense gaze. Raidou fidgeted uncomfortably as he rubbed his face tiredly.
Finally, after a long moment of silence, Raidou finally spoke. "Just speak your mind, Kakashi. I just got back from a mission and I have no greater desire than to just go home, wash up and knock myself out on the bed."
The silver-haired jounin snorted. "You know why you are here."
"Right, right. I know we owe you an explanation." Genma managed a smirk. "But well, we can't help it then."
Kakashi's eye narrowed. "Enlighten me."
"Ah well, you know, we were only at Hokage-sama's office to inform him that Iruka was staying over at your place that night. That was when he kind of mentioned that Iruka had been feeling down ever since he went to the orphanage. And well, he speculated it could have to do with the fact that Iruka no longer gets to see you as often as he would like." Raidou started.
"Hokage-sama is worried. And well, you know, Rai has always been fond of Iruka. So we had a little brainstorming session on how we could help." Genma scratched his head sheepishly.
"And you thought it would be a good idea to get me involved?" Kakashi's voice was a little too calm for their liking.
"Well, you've been taking care of him all along. And it's no secret that he likes you very much. So well, you know, we thought it would be good for him and for you to continue leaving him in your care." Genma gulped.
"And it's not like Sandaime wants you to leave ANBU to solely take care of him. It's more like a side job. You are only required to keep an eye on him when you are in the village. Your role in ANBU will still come first." Raidou smiled awkwardly.
Kakashi scowled. "It's good that you still remember that I'm in ANBU."
"It's not that bad." Genma rubbed the nape of his neck. "Iruka's a good kid and you know that."
Kakashi glared at him. "Still, you don't have to convince Hokage-sama to dump this mission on me right on the very first break that I get in three months."
Genma shrugged. Raidou cleared his throat nervously. Kakashi folded his arms and watched the two intensely.
The tense silence was broken when the excited chatter of kids reached them. Genma thank all the heavens above for the distraction from the wrath of Kakashi.
"What are you guys doing?" Aoba raised an eyebrow at the awkwardness as his genin team took their seats in the restaurant.
Iruka sat down beside Kakashi and watched his three senpai in curiosity.
"Ah well, nothing."Genma grinned and turned to look at Iruka. "How was your training?"
"It was good! I learnt so much more than I would have in the academy." The boy grinned. Genma laughed. Kakashi sighed.
"Let's order something for dinner and we can head home later, Iruka."
The brunette nodded and Kakashi called for the waitress. The group placed their orders in silence and the moment the girl left, they fell into their usual rhythm of conversation.
"So, I heard today, that the academy is going to make some changes to the curriculum due to the recent few incidents." Raidou looked at Iruka.
The child shrugged. "Yes. Sensei was telling us today that he will be observing our progress for the next few months. Whomever he thinks is ready, he will choose them to partake in the graduation exam early next year." Iruka scratched his head. "We don't even have to spend another two years in the academy, if that's the case."
"Are you ready then?" Genma grinned.
"I hope so." Iruka scratched his head. He turned to look at Kakashi who gave him an encouraging pat on the head.
"Looks like we are really running low on people." Aoba smiled dryly. "Since the time after the Third Great War, Konoha hasn't taken such drastic measures to have newbie out onto the field."
"Well, can't be helped. We did lose our strength by quite a fair bit." Kakashi shrugged. "Isn't the chunin exam going to be pushed forward too? Sandaime-sama seems to be working with the other villages to have the exam held in four months time."
Aoba nodded. "Yes."
"Are you going to send them for it?" Raidou glanced at the three genin who were listening on in interest.
"If they are ready." Aoba sighed.
"We are, sensei!" Kurenai frowned. Kagari and Hayate nodded in agreement.
"I'm sure we will do fine. In fact, maybe even better than the others." Kagari snorted.
"Pride comes before a fall, Kagari. Don't be too sure yet." Aoba rubbed his temple tiredly.
"But I believe in our strength, sensei. I'm sure we are ready for it." Hayate smiled.
"We will see then." Aoba shrugged and turned to the others. "Missions are still going around like crazy."
"Yeah. Everyone's been going on mission after mission. This is the first time in a long while that we have all gotten a break." Genma grimaced.
"Remind me. I just got back from one and I'm being dragged all the way here." Raidou groused. Kakashi snorted.
"Well, Kakashi, how long more till your next mission?" Aoba turned to look at the silver-haired teen.
The waitress served their meals. Kakashi sighed and ran folded his arms across his chest as he watched the plate being set before him.
"Day after tomorrow."
Iruka turned to look at him and Kakashi could catch the disappointment in his eyes. He ruffled the brown hair and shook his head in mild exasperation.
"Eat up. We have to get you home to clean up. You still have lessons tomorrow."
Iruka nodded and turned back to his meal. Raidou and Genma exchanged knowing glances.
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"Go on now. I need to leave for my mission soon." Kakashi stared at the child as Iruka stood at the entrance of the orphanage and fiddled with his shirt.
Iruka nodded. Then he wrapped his small arms around the jounin's waist. "You will keep your promise right? You will be back right?"
Kakashi stepped away and crouched in front of the child. "As long as you behave, I will come for you when I'm next in the village."
Iruka nodded. "I will be good."
Kakashi ruffled the brown hair. "Aoba will come by when he doesn't have missions to take you out to train with his team. Genma is currently in the village. He will come by to check in on you."
Iruka rubbed his eyes with the back on his hand. "When will you be back?"
The jounin shrugged. "A week or so."
The boy grabbed the gloved hand. "Come back safely, senpai."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow at the concern. He nodded and straightened himself. Then he shoved Iruka lightly towards the entrance.
"Go on now. I will see you soon."
Iruka smiled and stepped into the orphanage. Then he turned and waved to the older teen before following Kaori towards his room.
Kakashi watched as the child disappeared around the corner and sighed. The burden of having to keep his promise to someone to return home is suffocating, considering that he never had to make such a commitment before.
But somehow, it was heartwarming.
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