Summary: Last chapter left you off with Sasuke in the
hospital with Kakashi who was teaching his last lesson.
Unbeknownst to them, Iruka was listening at the door but he's
not the only one, Tsunade and Naruto just also happen to be
there as well.
* * *
Naruto dragged his feet up the stairs; his day had been a long and tiresome one. He just wanted to fall into bed the moment he stepped inside but when he reached his door, something felt out of place. Naruto opened the door carefully but sensing no imminent threat, he decided that sleep took priority over investigating. Not bothering with the lights, Naruto removed his cloak and stripped off the jumpsuit before flinging his hat carelessly onto the floor. He quickly changed into pajamas and jumped into bed but was quickly surprised to find someone was already in it.
"Naruto!!"
Naruto didn't need to turn on the lights. He knew that voice anywhere, "Sasuke?" but why was he here? He thought.
"Hnn." Sasuke muttered as he flicked on the lights.
Naruto squinted from the sudden glare of the lights, "What are you doing here?"
Sasuke looked away defeated, he didn't want to admit it but he had nowhere to turn to, "I need a place to stay."
"You're breaking and entering!!!" Naruto screamed and dragged Sasuke off his bed.
Sasuke exhaled loudly, this was more painful than any torture he could have imagined, "Please?"
"Fine, fine, fine. Treat me to ramen then."
"They're closed."
"Tomorrow." Naruto walked over to the closet and dragged out a dusty futon for his unexpected visitor, "Here."
Sasuke looked at the futon questioningly, the futon was yellow and was covered in dust, hair and anything and everything imaginable. He sighed, there was no other choice. Since he was away from Konoha most of the time on missions, he never bothered to get a place of his own. He never made many close friends back then so he only had Naruto and Sakura to impose on. There was no way he would intrude on Sakura. They had too much of a past.
After laying the futon out and getting ready for bed, Sasuke turned off the lights. He scrunched his nose, there was an odd smell coming from the futon. "Umm... what's this smell?" Sasuke was answered with light snoring. The corners of his mouth quirked up against his will. Whenever he was around Naruto, he couldn't help but feel relaxed. He didn't want to admit it but through the many years together, through the many missions they went through, through all the crap they took from Kakashi, and most of all through the fighting they had formed a bond.
A rustling noise came from the bed before Naruto's head appeared out from the side of the bed, "Ne... Sasuke?"
"Mnn?"
"Do you have any regrets?"
Sasuke's body stiffened, he had a lot of regrets, "What are you getting at?"
Naruto flopped back onto bed; perhaps he should have been a bit more specific. He threw off his covers and sat up to look at the window. It was a clear night with a full moon above, so it was easy to see the Hokage Monument from his apartment. They were in the middle of construction now so the last face was only starting to resemble him. "You remember how this all started?"
"Baka, spill it."
Naruto scrunched up his face, Sasuke knew him better than he thought, "Alright! Alright! I need your help!" Even though he couldn't see Sasuke he could feel Sasuke smirking in the dark.
"Hnn."
Naruto mumbled something to himself before proceeding to ask Sasuke what he needed to, "Eh, heheheh... I kind of forgot, what happened after you got out of the hospital?"
* * *
"They shouldn't have come after me then." Sasuke muttered underneath his breath.
Naruto was stunned. He had known Sasuke to be rather cold but not like that. Tsunade released her foot and Naruto took it as his chance. He ran in, fists raised in the air, ready to teach Sasuke a lesson. Sasuke turned around to face him, just in time as Naruto's fist connected with his face but not without landing a blow himself. Blame it on youth and ignorance, but without giving it much thought both boys had begun to use their newly acquired jutsus: the rasengan and chidori. Luckily for them, responsible adults were nearby.
Tsunade took this as her chance to intervene, "Ahem." She coughed.
"Hokage-sama." Everyone replied in unison.
"Kakashi-sensei, Iruka sensei: can you both please step outside for a minute," She headed for the door but before she reached it, she shot looks at Naruto and Sasuke, "I hope you two can control yourselves."
"I have a mission for the two of you. Iruka, you're relieved from your duties at the academy."
"Hokage-sama! That's-" Iruka protested.
"Iruka, please listen to what I have to say first." Tsunade turned around and gripped the railing of the balcony over looking the town, "You both know the situation at hand. I need you both to watch over Sasuke and Naruto. This town needs them, now more than ever."
Kakashi nodded, he knew she was right. The fate of Konoha was in the hands of the two boys. It seemed unfair that they would have such a weight on their shoulders at their age. Konoha would not be safe until Akastsuki was wiped out and with Itachi among their ranks, their only hope at defeating him would be Sasuke. No one really knew what power the Kyuubi possessed but if it was enough to have the world's most dangerous and possibly strongest shinobi after it then it was something they must guard with their life.
"Isn't Jaraiya training Naruto?" Iruka asked.
"Not anymore. He's gathering some information. We need to know more before we can implement any strategies." Tsunade smiled and placed her hand on Iruka's shoulder, "Besides, there isn't anyone Naruto trust more than you."
"Shouldn't this be a mission for a jounin?"
"Ah. About that..." she glanced at the other shinobi, "Kakashi- sensei, perhaps you should check up on the boys and make sure they haven't already killed each other?" She stared at Iruka for a moment before continuing, "Iruka; I looked over your records today..."
"My records?"
"Why haven't you nominated yourself for a promotion? You have done all the required field work and you've stayed at the academy much much longer than necessary."
Iruka bit his lip he certainly wasn't expecting this today.
"What's holding you back?"
Iruka opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. How could he admit to the Hokage that he was afraid?
"Just think about it." She walked towards the room but whispered in Iruka's ears, "Regardless, your mission now is to watch over Naruto and train him, please teach him to be a little more inconspicuous."
Tsunade walked into the room to see quite a spectacle; Kakashi had Naruto pressed to the wall with his foot and had an outstretched arm holding Sasuke in bed.
"Naruto, Kakashi-sensei, I think it's best you leave the patient alone so that I may continue his treatment."
Kakashi released his hold on Naruto and Sasuke and proceeded towards the balcony with Naruto in tow, "We're leaving now."
Iruka leapt off the balcony following Kakashi who still had a hold on Naruto. The boy squirmed and struggled to get free but gave up after a few minutes, "Iruka-sensei! I'm starving! How 'bout you treat me to some ramen." Iruka smiled at Naruto and invited Kakashi to come along seeing as to how he was still holding Naruto hostage.
When the three were seated, Naruto leaned over to Iruka and whispered, "Sensei, watch this, watch this we'll finally get to see Kakashi-sensei's face! Last time, stupid Ino got in the way so we wasted our money and we didn't get to see his fish lips!"
Iruka laughed loudly, "Fish lips?"
"He must have fish lips! Or horse teeth, why else would he always wear that mask?"
Iruka laughed so much he started tearing and pointed his finger towards Kakashi, "He's already finished. You missed it."
"What?! So fast?"
Kakashi looked over; confusion etched on his face, "Hn?"
Iruka leaned over and whispered to Naruto, "He doesn't have fish lips or horse teeth."
Naruto slumped over on the counter and began chewing slowly and mechanically. Kakashi stared at Naruto in amazement. How peaceful it could be if he would only shut up now and then. He snickered to himself when he noticed Iruka looking in his direction. Iruka had been wary that Naruto was plotting a way to see Kakashi's face and would ultimately suffer dire consequences at the hands of the other man; Kakashi's snickering only confirmed his suspicions.
"Iruka, where did you get that scar?" Kakashi asked out of the blue.
Startled by the sudden question, Iruka only managed to mumble, "Some stupid Jounin."
"Mm?"
"When I was in the main building, some kids had just received the news they made it as Jounins. Then out of the blue, I heard this loud voice saying something about 'Fight me! Something something, it's a tie!' The next thing I know, a shuriken is headed my way and well... I wasn't able to dodge it on time."
Kakashi thought about it for a second, it all seemed a bit familiar. Then it hit him; Gai had challenged him to a rematch once they had received their Jounin titles. He had not wanted to fight but Gai had been extremely persistent and so he finally relented. They were careless to be fighting indoors but the halls seemed empty enough at the time. "Did you see who threw it?"
Iruka shook his hand sadly, "No but if I find him one day..." Iruka trailed off, he realized he didn't know whether the attacker was male or female, "or her one day..."
"So you don't have a clue as to who it is?"
"I think..." He stopped, trying to recall the events that took place on that faithful day, "it was a silver haired Jounin."
Up until this point, Naruto had merely slouching there listening to their conversation and devising up different schemes but he suddenly erupted, "It's Kakashi-sensei!"
* * *
Gomen Gomen. I know this took a while for me to get up but I have the story coming much futher along in my little notebook. Please review! The more I get the faster I write I've noticed.
Also, I just wanted to thank a few of you who have always reviewed and continue to read this umm.. slow moving fic. -_- ;
DarkDemonMaster, Distant Soul, Renn, RuByMoOn17, SasuSweet: Thanks for the reviews and support – the fic is for you guys! [and of course to anyone who reads and enjoys it but doesn't review!]
* * *
Naruto dragged his feet up the stairs; his day had been a long and tiresome one. He just wanted to fall into bed the moment he stepped inside but when he reached his door, something felt out of place. Naruto opened the door carefully but sensing no imminent threat, he decided that sleep took priority over investigating. Not bothering with the lights, Naruto removed his cloak and stripped off the jumpsuit before flinging his hat carelessly onto the floor. He quickly changed into pajamas and jumped into bed but was quickly surprised to find someone was already in it.
"Naruto!!"
Naruto didn't need to turn on the lights. He knew that voice anywhere, "Sasuke?" but why was he here? He thought.
"Hnn." Sasuke muttered as he flicked on the lights.
Naruto squinted from the sudden glare of the lights, "What are you doing here?"
Sasuke looked away defeated, he didn't want to admit it but he had nowhere to turn to, "I need a place to stay."
"You're breaking and entering!!!" Naruto screamed and dragged Sasuke off his bed.
Sasuke exhaled loudly, this was more painful than any torture he could have imagined, "Please?"
"Fine, fine, fine. Treat me to ramen then."
"They're closed."
"Tomorrow." Naruto walked over to the closet and dragged out a dusty futon for his unexpected visitor, "Here."
Sasuke looked at the futon questioningly, the futon was yellow and was covered in dust, hair and anything and everything imaginable. He sighed, there was no other choice. Since he was away from Konoha most of the time on missions, he never bothered to get a place of his own. He never made many close friends back then so he only had Naruto and Sakura to impose on. There was no way he would intrude on Sakura. They had too much of a past.
After laying the futon out and getting ready for bed, Sasuke turned off the lights. He scrunched his nose, there was an odd smell coming from the futon. "Umm... what's this smell?" Sasuke was answered with light snoring. The corners of his mouth quirked up against his will. Whenever he was around Naruto, he couldn't help but feel relaxed. He didn't want to admit it but through the many years together, through the many missions they went through, through all the crap they took from Kakashi, and most of all through the fighting they had formed a bond.
A rustling noise came from the bed before Naruto's head appeared out from the side of the bed, "Ne... Sasuke?"
"Mnn?"
"Do you have any regrets?"
Sasuke's body stiffened, he had a lot of regrets, "What are you getting at?"
Naruto flopped back onto bed; perhaps he should have been a bit more specific. He threw off his covers and sat up to look at the window. It was a clear night with a full moon above, so it was easy to see the Hokage Monument from his apartment. They were in the middle of construction now so the last face was only starting to resemble him. "You remember how this all started?"
"Baka, spill it."
Naruto scrunched up his face, Sasuke knew him better than he thought, "Alright! Alright! I need your help!" Even though he couldn't see Sasuke he could feel Sasuke smirking in the dark.
"Hnn."
Naruto mumbled something to himself before proceeding to ask Sasuke what he needed to, "Eh, heheheh... I kind of forgot, what happened after you got out of the hospital?"
* * *
"They shouldn't have come after me then." Sasuke muttered underneath his breath.
Naruto was stunned. He had known Sasuke to be rather cold but not like that. Tsunade released her foot and Naruto took it as his chance. He ran in, fists raised in the air, ready to teach Sasuke a lesson. Sasuke turned around to face him, just in time as Naruto's fist connected with his face but not without landing a blow himself. Blame it on youth and ignorance, but without giving it much thought both boys had begun to use their newly acquired jutsus: the rasengan and chidori. Luckily for them, responsible adults were nearby.
Tsunade took this as her chance to intervene, "Ahem." She coughed.
"Hokage-sama." Everyone replied in unison.
"Kakashi-sensei, Iruka sensei: can you both please step outside for a minute," She headed for the door but before she reached it, she shot looks at Naruto and Sasuke, "I hope you two can control yourselves."
"I have a mission for the two of you. Iruka, you're relieved from your duties at the academy."
"Hokage-sama! That's-" Iruka protested.
"Iruka, please listen to what I have to say first." Tsunade turned around and gripped the railing of the balcony over looking the town, "You both know the situation at hand. I need you both to watch over Sasuke and Naruto. This town needs them, now more than ever."
Kakashi nodded, he knew she was right. The fate of Konoha was in the hands of the two boys. It seemed unfair that they would have such a weight on their shoulders at their age. Konoha would not be safe until Akastsuki was wiped out and with Itachi among their ranks, their only hope at defeating him would be Sasuke. No one really knew what power the Kyuubi possessed but if it was enough to have the world's most dangerous and possibly strongest shinobi after it then it was something they must guard with their life.
"Isn't Jaraiya training Naruto?" Iruka asked.
"Not anymore. He's gathering some information. We need to know more before we can implement any strategies." Tsunade smiled and placed her hand on Iruka's shoulder, "Besides, there isn't anyone Naruto trust more than you."
"Shouldn't this be a mission for a jounin?"
"Ah. About that..." she glanced at the other shinobi, "Kakashi- sensei, perhaps you should check up on the boys and make sure they haven't already killed each other?" She stared at Iruka for a moment before continuing, "Iruka; I looked over your records today..."
"My records?"
"Why haven't you nominated yourself for a promotion? You have done all the required field work and you've stayed at the academy much much longer than necessary."
Iruka bit his lip he certainly wasn't expecting this today.
"What's holding you back?"
Iruka opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. How could he admit to the Hokage that he was afraid?
"Just think about it." She walked towards the room but whispered in Iruka's ears, "Regardless, your mission now is to watch over Naruto and train him, please teach him to be a little more inconspicuous."
Tsunade walked into the room to see quite a spectacle; Kakashi had Naruto pressed to the wall with his foot and had an outstretched arm holding Sasuke in bed.
"Naruto, Kakashi-sensei, I think it's best you leave the patient alone so that I may continue his treatment."
Kakashi released his hold on Naruto and Sasuke and proceeded towards the balcony with Naruto in tow, "We're leaving now."
Iruka leapt off the balcony following Kakashi who still had a hold on Naruto. The boy squirmed and struggled to get free but gave up after a few minutes, "Iruka-sensei! I'm starving! How 'bout you treat me to some ramen." Iruka smiled at Naruto and invited Kakashi to come along seeing as to how he was still holding Naruto hostage.
When the three were seated, Naruto leaned over to Iruka and whispered, "Sensei, watch this, watch this we'll finally get to see Kakashi-sensei's face! Last time, stupid Ino got in the way so we wasted our money and we didn't get to see his fish lips!"
Iruka laughed loudly, "Fish lips?"
"He must have fish lips! Or horse teeth, why else would he always wear that mask?"
Iruka laughed so much he started tearing and pointed his finger towards Kakashi, "He's already finished. You missed it."
"What?! So fast?"
Kakashi looked over; confusion etched on his face, "Hn?"
Iruka leaned over and whispered to Naruto, "He doesn't have fish lips or horse teeth."
Naruto slumped over on the counter and began chewing slowly and mechanically. Kakashi stared at Naruto in amazement. How peaceful it could be if he would only shut up now and then. He snickered to himself when he noticed Iruka looking in his direction. Iruka had been wary that Naruto was plotting a way to see Kakashi's face and would ultimately suffer dire consequences at the hands of the other man; Kakashi's snickering only confirmed his suspicions.
"Iruka, where did you get that scar?" Kakashi asked out of the blue.
Startled by the sudden question, Iruka only managed to mumble, "Some stupid Jounin."
"Mm?"
"When I was in the main building, some kids had just received the news they made it as Jounins. Then out of the blue, I heard this loud voice saying something about 'Fight me! Something something, it's a tie!' The next thing I know, a shuriken is headed my way and well... I wasn't able to dodge it on time."
Kakashi thought about it for a second, it all seemed a bit familiar. Then it hit him; Gai had challenged him to a rematch once they had received their Jounin titles. He had not wanted to fight but Gai had been extremely persistent and so he finally relented. They were careless to be fighting indoors but the halls seemed empty enough at the time. "Did you see who threw it?"
Iruka shook his hand sadly, "No but if I find him one day..." Iruka trailed off, he realized he didn't know whether the attacker was male or female, "or her one day..."
"So you don't have a clue as to who it is?"
"I think..." He stopped, trying to recall the events that took place on that faithful day, "it was a silver haired Jounin."
Up until this point, Naruto had merely slouching there listening to their conversation and devising up different schemes but he suddenly erupted, "It's Kakashi-sensei!"
* * *
Gomen Gomen. I know this took a while for me to get up but I have the story coming much futher along in my little notebook. Please review! The more I get the faster I write I've noticed.
Also, I just wanted to thank a few of you who have always reviewed and continue to read this umm.. slow moving fic. -_- ;
DarkDemonMaster, Distant Soul, Renn, RuByMoOn17, SasuSweet: Thanks for the reviews and support – the fic is for you guys! [and of course to anyone who reads and enjoys it but doesn't review!]