Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this innocuous interlude. Oodles of respect for Masashi Kishimoto, the creative force behind Naruto. Please do have patience with me and with the ninja who needs to go home.
NINTEEN: HOBBLE HOME
In the middle of the night, Sukea made himself scarce so ANBU could collect Iruka. This time Hound was accompanied by a three-man cell, and they set a brutal pace. Iruka threw himself forward, drawing upon long-disused chakra in order to keep pace through the treetops.
He acquitted himself well enough, all things considered. Or so he thought.
When Hound called a halt—much to Iruka's relief—the other ANBU managed to exude enough restless energy to indicate that they weren't the ones who needed the break.
Disheartened, Iruka broke into a rations pack. And immediately wished for his usual table at his favorite restaurant. Pathetic.
This was no time to be looking back. He had a place waiting in Konoha, and he needed to be ready to reclaim it.
Tents went up. Traps ringed a perimeter.
They expected him to sleep?
Grateful as he was for the consideration, Iruka couldn't calm down. And his escorts didn't help, watching over him from behind their masks. After a while, Hound came out from behind his, and Iruka was facing Kakashi.
"Why are you awake, Sensei?"
Short on excuses, Iruka merely shrugged.
With a sigh, Kakashi joined him, hip propped against the same moss-covered stone. "You need the rest, or our pace will suffer."
"Can't sleep," he muttered.
"Want to talk about it?"
"Can't," he repeated. "Can I?"
Kakashi tangled his fingers together. "Maa, I suppose I could hear you out."
"And answer questions?"
"Only if I know the answers."
Iruka stared into the one visible eye that showed above Kakashi's mask and whispered, "Is it true?"
The jonin winced and beckoned him closer.
Heads together, Kakashi clarified. "About Itachi?"
Iruka nodded.
"Yes, it's true."
He whispered, "But why?"
"I'd say … love."
That wasn't anything like the answer he'd expected. Iruka shook his head.
Kakashi said, "He loves his home, probably as much as you do. And then there's Sasuke."
"I'm not sure I follow."
"Would you do anything for Naruto?" posed Kakashi. "Anything?"
"To keep him safe? Yeah." He'd thrown himself in front of a whirling blade to protect that boy. Truth be told, he'd do it again. Because to his way of thinking, Naruto was Konoha's future. "I'd die for him."
"Some people, like you and Minato-sensei and the Sandaime, are willing to die for the people you love. And some of us—Itachi included—are willing to kill for them." Kakashi kept his gaze fixed on his hands. "Our 'anything' is different, but it comes down to loyalty."
Love and loyalty. Iruka took some time to digest that before asking, "How long have you known?"
"About Itachi? Not long." Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck. "Wish I had. Though I'm not sure it would have made a difference."
Iruka thought back. Would he have treated Sasuke differently in the classroom if he'd known?
He couldn't begin to guess. The tragedy still happened. Still wrecked one boy's whole world. Still separated him from the only family he had left.
"Don't meddle, Sensei. Those two are beyond help."
"I don't believe that," Iruka countered. At least, he didn't want to believe it. "There has to be something I can do."
Kakashi looked away.
But Iruka could tell he was smiling. "Are you laughing at me?"
"I was only thinking that Naruto would agree with you." Kakashi's smile warmed his tone. "The past is the past. But when you believe in something strongly enough, against all odds, it can change the future. It's part of what makes you a good leader."
That came out of nowhere.
Iruka protested, "I lead children."
"They are our future." And before the weight of his compliment could fully settle, Kakashi asked, "Are you going to force me to render you unconscious?"
Iruka bridled, rethought his position, and finally offered a weary nod.
"I don't get many volunteers." Indicating one of the two-man tents, he asked, "Shall we?"
Dragging his way inside, Iruka could almost hear Sukea's playful tones. "Relaaax. We're not a couple of genin sneaking into each other's tents."
"Lie back, Sensei," prompted Kakashi.
Iruka dropped onto the bedroll and tried to settle his limbs. To his surprise, Kakashi joined him, sprawling languidly at his side.
It was oddly companionable. But it made him miss Sukea all the more.
"Well?" he finally asked. "Is there a consent form I need to sign, first?"
"Maa, Sensei. You know how much I enjoy paperwork."
Iruka laughed. It helped.
"Need anything?" asked Kakashi.
Rolling onto his side so they were facing, he gave the only answer he could. "I need to go home."
Kakashi studied him solemnly for several moments, then asked, "Want anything?"
A very different question.
One with very different answers.
Iruka wanted a long, hot soak at the bathhouse. And he wanted steamed buns by the plateful. Enough shouchu to make him tipsy. Long conversations sprinkled with laughter. Maybe even his hands bound, and a warm body at his back. Kisses pressed to his shoulder and low promises murmured against his ear.
He wanted Sukea.
"Yeah," Iruka answered, voice gone hoarse. "But I need to go home."
Kakashi slowly lifted his forehead protector, exposing his scar and a sharingan eye. "I'll get you there, Sensei. Even if I have to carry you."
Tomoes spun gently, and red expanded, filling Iruka's view. Or … was it just that Kakashi was closer now? He forced himself to blink.
"Let it go for a little while, Sensei. I have you."
Was Kakashi holding him? That was confusing. But also a whole lot closer to the things Iruka desperately wanted. And since his hands weren't tied, he could grab and pull and pretend that he didn't have to let go of anything. At least for a little while.
End Note: originally posted on January 19, 2021. 961 words.
Managing Expectations: the next chapter is the final chapter of News Hound, though not the end of Iruka's mission. So look forward to a little more, and then a lot more in the coming year.