Chapter 52: Kakashi: The Promise

It had been some time since I hadn't slept for real and despite the urge to go and see Iruka, after the hot shower, I couldn't do more than set my alarm clock and fall unconscious on my bed.

When I got up, Pakkun was there, relaxing in his favourite spot on the couch.

"Oi, Boss! Tsunade wanted me to let you know. Team 7 has been attacked, but all is fine. The reinforcements took care of everything. They're safe."

I was glad Pakkun wasn't the kind to leave you worrying for the sake of suspense. If anything serious would have happened to them, the guilt would have killed me.

"Hiroki summoned you?"

"Yes. They all did as you told them, but those guys were strong."

I scratched the top of his head, and the gruff pug closed his eyes in appreciation.

"I should have summoned the pack before I left..." I said suddenly regretting not having spent more time setting up protections in case I would be called back. I never expected to have to leave them on their own for so long.

"Don't feel guilty about this, Boss. They are safe now... and Hiroki could have summoned them, you know."

He tilted his head to the side; his bulgy eyes fixed on me in what almost looked like a tender gaze. Was he... wagging his tail? Was he trying to cheer me up?

I must have looked like crap... At least, I felt like it.

It was hard to protect a genin team on the front, especially when you got so attached to them. I knew those three so well now. They were like my children...

...and at the moment, that extra attachment was taking its toll on me. But what was done was done, and the kids were safe. I had to move on.

I ate a light meal, quickly packed weapons and some ration bars, then left.

Not being late was the least I could do for the shinobi who would give up his life for us all.

As I jumped from one tree to the next, I couldn't help but feel uneasy. I was anxious to know who my partner would be. I could only guess that Tsunade would be sensible to the choice of teammates in this mission. It would be pretty mean on those willing to give up their lives for the village to pair them with someone they could hardly suffer. No, it had to be someone they would feel comfortable with...

... and that scared me.

I prayed it wouldn't be someone I knew too well. At the very least, I knew it wouldn't be Gai since he was never called back to the tower, but the thought still made me wince. It would have been awkward to be the one to accompany him in death and have the duty to record is undoubtedly overtly poetic last words.

I hoped I would get someone who was a bit more down to earth.

Then, there was the possibility of being teamed up with one of those too many girls who had a crush on me. That would be strange, but it would also make my role simpler. I could pretend... just for a night. With his compassionate soul, Iruka would understand that. In any case, there were lots of jōnin in Konoha, it could pretty much be anyone... and I would know soon. I was almost there.

When I arrived at the clearing, I saw a silhouette in the distance. My teammate was already waiting for me. At least, it was someone serious. The place was quiet. There was no one else around, no potential enemy hidden. I double checked, feeling for chakra traces to make sure we were really safe.

Then, I felt something that made my heart twist.

That chakra signature...

I landed on the grass, stumbling, but recovering quickly.

Iruka...

He was as handsome as in his best days, standing straight and proud, hands in his pockets contemplating the view in front of him.

"Iruka?"

Seeing him like that brought back so many emotions. He has been ill for so long that I had forgotten what a formidable shinobi he had been.

I uncovered the sharingan. His chakra pathways were glowing with life, but I knew what caused it. It wasn't a recovery; it was just the effects of a soldier pill. His fragile chakra channels were filled to the brink. Even if he got out of there alive, the thinning arteries wouldn't survive the heavy stress. He would be dead in a few days.

He turned around.

"Kakashi!"

He rushed toward me, hugged me, kissed me, just like he did when I'd come back from long mission… no, just like he used to do before the illness claimed him. The memories of all the happy times we spent together, of what it was like before sickness, flooded back and tears threatened to fall from my eyes.

I had missed him... missed him so much... and now that I had found him again, he would leave us for good.

My body was frozen, my lips stiff under his. It hurt so much that I couldn't reciprocate his embrace.

Slowly, he backed up, his hands lingering on my shoulders.

"So, it is today..." I said unable to completely hide the pain in my voice.

That's all I was able to say. I had known this day would come, but it didn't ease the ache. I looked at his expressive eyes, his silky brown hair and the distinctive scar that went across his nose, all familiar traits that I would never get to see ever again at the end of the next day.

"Kakashi... I am sorry."

I did not answer. I knew what he meant. He could have told me beforehand, ask my permission even if my answer wouldn't change anything, but it wasn't the way it was meant to be. Lingering on this would have hurt us too much. His death had to be sudden. Just like removing a bandage stuck over a wound, he had to be pulled away from this world in one swift gesture.

His dark chocolate eyes peered into mine.

"Are you mad?"

How could I be... I would have done the same if not worse.

"No!" I replied; my voice half chocking in my throat. "No, I'm not… I am just… I know I promised… but let me… it's a bit much…"

The words tumbled incoherently from my lips, my brain still trying to assimilate what would happen in just a few hours. Finally, my arms curled around him. His body was warm and strong. I drowned in the familiar smell of vanilla and chalk, tracing the well-known curves the were uniquely Iruka's.

I felt his body relax against mine. Being together like this, it felt so complete, for both of us.

"I love you Iruka."

My arms tightened around him, my head pressed against his.

"And I missed seeing you healthy like this."

::

Sorry, I got into the habit of writing shorter chapters lately. I am buried under work, and smaller bursts of writing seem to fit better my crazy schedule... at least it makes me write more!

Let me know if it becomes too unpleasant.

As usual, thanks for keeping up! :D