A/N: Sorry for the lack of updates. I've been busy. Yeah, not lazy, busy.
Well at first I was lazy, and then I get busy. Get the point? No? well anyway, HSC is coming, and it's coming REAL fast... and I have some catching up to do... coz I've been lazy all this time... and that's why I get busy!! someone hit midd on the head!
Disclaimer: Same as the chapter before.
Status: un-beta-ed. anybody wants to be my beta??? Mail me coz I'd be happy to have one!
A/N2: THERE'S SOME ACTION!! get thrilled guys!
NOW, READ!
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Taka asked me to meet me at lunch today. And I had agreed, with much encouragement from Kurenai, of course.
And I was supposed to meet him for lunch only. That's what he said. Or that is what I thought. We're not just having lunch, we're seeing a movie together too. Kamisama, it's like a date! And I dare say he planned this on his own. He knew I can't reject him fully, not after that.
FLASH BACK
"Morning, Iruka." A familiar voice greets me on my way to the teacher's room.
It was too early for me to arrive her at the academy but lately since the 'glorious event', it's the only place that is 'safe' for me to think and get away from people, especially people who are surprisingly unknown to be gay and also single, who since last week had been hitting on me merciless with useless conversation and silly sense of humor.
"Morning, Taka." I smiled up, taking a look at his handsome face (which I have to admit now or later because he really is a very good looking man). "It's not like you to arrive this early," I took a glance at my watch, "6.30? Not bad for a replacement teacher."
He brightened up, I can sense it. He has been trying to start up a conversation with me since...I think it was since the day I met him that day.... And today I 'kindly' offered the first start of a conversation, I can imagine it. He was just like me when I tried to approach Kakashi in the first place. Asking how Naruto is while I was just trying to speak with him, or treating the whole team for a ramen, which Sakura and Sasuke complained much while I was just trying to get closed with him... It was unfortunately unforgettable.
"I assumed you will be here, and I was right... I, uh, wanna talk with you about something..." He stuttered on his speaking. Oh no, don't tell me. If you say what I think you'll be saying, you'll be the fifth man already!
"Do you have some time for a meal together? I uh, mean, a lunch together perhaps?" He said groggily. What? He thinks I will reject him? Well, I was planning on it but it was surprising me that he asked me out for lunch and not for...
"Huh? That's it?"
He looks at me strangely, "'Huh that's it' what?"
I blushed red, "No, Gomen, I thought.. well, lately..." I look at him to see if he was offended or angry now, but he's not, he's face shows that he's listening to me, to what I'm about to say next. "There are men, who asked me, since 'the whole village' know I'm...ahem, you know, gay..." I paused, "for a..." oh God, I'm continuing this embarrassing conversation, "a quick...round....or a...----you know..."
Even though I cannot see my own face, I could tell that I radiated the ray of shame on my face. Surprisingly enough, again, Taka is glowing red for once.
"Yo- You mean????"
I nodded, "Not that I would think you'll be asking that... well, I did, but I didn't mean to offend you... God, WHY am I EVEN talking about this!?" this is so embarrassing! I was assuming, and now I'm sorry and frustrated. Great. It couldn't get better than this.
"NO! I wouldn't think of you that way!" he blushed all over his face, to his ears and even his neck is red.
Not surprising, but I found the floor suddenly fascinating to look at. I can't look Taka in the eyes because I know that he know my face couldn't get any redder than this.
God I blush a lot!
And then, after some (very long) uncomfortable silence, we are both gotten to surprised by a slam on the door.
I unconsciously looking up and heard a bit of conversation the person that was about to enter the room.
"Yeah, sure Kakashi, I'll catch you up later."
I feel like my adrenaline is dropped from the monument of Hokage. Straight to the bottom.
Kakashi is behind that door.
I can tell how horrid my face looked right now. Because Taka is staring at me now and the person, Asuma, look a bit startled to see me coming earlier than I used to although he tried to hide it.
I try to keep my notion normal.
"Hey, Asuma, good moring." I smiled at him. The same smile that I would put to everyone else.
He smiled back at me, nervously, looking less than obvious that he didn't want me to hear...or to know that my ex-lover was talking to him.
I don't know, it seems like everyone is avoiding me to meet Kakashi. It's been a month and I haven't seen him even once. Well, isn't that strange or what?
"Hey Iruka!" he replied, "looking good today, you there," he take a glance at Taka, "and your boyfriend." He smirked.
Taka smiled happily but I don't.
"He's not, okay? Stop acting like whenever I was with a guy you would tell me that person is my boyfriend," though my voice sounds steady, I blush again.
Yeah, well, can't blame the habit.
"Oh, okay then," he sat down on his chair, "it's unusual for you to come this early in the morning, Iru-kun, big task?"
I laugh, "no, I just felt like coming early today. And don't call me Iru-kun, we're not 5 anymore."
He rest assures that he thought I didn't know who he talked to before.
So I keep the play myself.
"Who was that?" I myself took a seat and pointing to Taka to take a seat too. He mumbled 'ah, yeah, gomen'. I thought it was cute.
"Oh, that was nobody. It's a newbie, you didn't know him. Nah, it's a small matter, don't worry." He does sounds normal I would've fooled if I didn't hear the truth he was saying 'kakashi' at the door.
"Yeah? Why didn't you asked him to join us here? It's good to know a newbie,"
"Oh, he said he have to meet with the Hokage first. Ya know, getting his license cleared up first." He put on a smoke and I can tell that he's nervous. "Yeah...and it's hot here. Did the air conditioner off or something? I'm going out first, kay?"
He went out and the door is shut.
Yeah and it's not hot here. It's frickin' moring. It's cold. That's why we put the heater on, and besides, it's almost winter.
"Iruka."
I heard a voice called my name.
"Yes, Taka?" I replied.
"....nothin',"
H wanted to talk about why I was lying to Asuma because he knew I recognized the person. But he didn't.
He's a very kind man. He's just too good for me.
"Taka?" I asked him.
"Huh?"
"About before," I find myself hard to speak, "Uh...I'd like to have lunch with you."
And I never see a brighter face than his before in my entire life, including mine.
That smile, lingered in my memory ever since.
KAKASHI
It's been a month.
I can't believe I made it...alone, for that long. I haven't seen him ever since that. Not EVEN once.
I know that people are trying to dissociate us. As I guess... they felt sorry for him. Because of me.
Isn't it a coincidence that whenever I was about to walk into the teacher's room, to see him, everybody would just perks up from their desk and tell me and asking for help...in a place with quiet a distance enough. Or dragging me to some place because they felt like it.
So that he wouldn't see me.
After all, what can I say; I was the one to put into blame anyway. They did nothing wrong. What they do is for his sake.
And it tears me apart. Everyday. Each seconds of it, burns a deep scar in my heart and each time I stood up, not to giving up, the wound would reopened creating a deeper scar in my heart.
And biggest resistance to face him, is not because of my friends, or people who tried to distract me, or him.
Him.
We met, once. And it's enough to tell that he fond the creature that's mine. Or what is used to be mine.
Once.
We met on duty. A couple of days ago, a Rank A mission. We are supposed to deliver a negotiation letter to Sand Village. After the incident with Orochimaru, things are just not where they were.
It was an important mission to do. To not get jeopardized by the enemy, or getting killed in case the new KazeKage just somehow...change his mood about renewing Sand's friendship with Leaf Village.
And what danger us the most.. is Gaara the Sand. Either way, he doesn't have any business with the mission we're in to, but there lies a great enemy ahead. We cannot turn our head from him. Afterall, he's one of the candidates of the future KazeKage.
But that was not the problem.
The meeting in Sand Village was going rather too well than what we'd have expected. KazeKage agreed about the matter of allying back with Konoha with conditions though.
Quiet hard one to be fulfilled.
At least with the current condition of Konoha right now. Anyhow, even if we weren't in great renovation, it would still be too unreasonable.
FLASH BACK
"They can't just ask us for that! Or kill us if we refused!" one of the member in this assignment, like the rest of us, has gotten frustrated with the whole situation and finally reached out on top of his lungs the words we all think about.
"He attacked us! They can't ask any further funds than what we can give to them! It's voracious!!" he continues, but we all know that without someone to tell us.
"But it's the only chance we got. The KazeKage has finally strike to start a new line of ally with Leave. We cannot turn our back from it. Since we all know that'd be too risky to do." Another member responded.
We all nodded our head. Agreeing to the fact.
Although now it doesn't seems to be important. But the Leave had seen what Sand Village could do. Even with their limited amount of shinobi, their teamwork is very efficient and effective. Despite also their small area, it doesn't stop them to form a very defensive fortress. And their lust for blood is indeed dangerous, especially the Shukaku kid.
"But it might be the best for now to stand back and analyze the situation. Ours now is not helping much. We may consider to re-negotiate." Another member voiced their mind.
"Negotiate what? Their intention is purely excessive! Unreasonable! They asked for a share of territory! We can't let them have that! Even more after what they had done to us!"
I suddenly get a bad feeling about this. It's true their conditions may be too despicable. But it's getting to my brain that it's not their read intention.
They simply independent.
I hushed the man, "Lower down your voice. No matter how much you disagree, we cannot discuss the subject here." I put my hand to the man's mouth, feeling the omen pressure I got a few moments ago. "Especially lingering here..." I can tell there are a few hurdled steps made by a group of man.
The man was oblivious to the fact. He's too much taken to his emotion. I nod my head to the other teammates. At the corner, I see Taka holding a Kunai already.
"Do you feel that?" I whispered slowly.
The silence warned us the fact that our suspicions are true.
An ambush.
We are, dislike it or not, are in the enemy's territory.
"I think that KazeKage's offered to us to stay isn't for a good purpose." He spoke suddenly out of blue, Shinobi new member, Kyouji Taka. "And what he wanted wasn't our territory or wealth."
There are pillars being knocked outside. And the steps are getting closer to us by any seconds.
"He just wants us dead."
I moved to get a better position. I chose to stand next to him. I tore the doorway paper (1), and adjust my headband, revealing my Sharingan.
"For a newbie," I smirked, "I think I'm beginning to like you."
Is it my hearing that is wrong, because of the entrance of a group of Shinobi on the west side of the room, but I heard him muttered out a few words that only I can hear.
"I don't."
FLASH BACK ENDS
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"AMBUSH!!"
Some random Jounin yells from somewhere in the room and alert everybody else more, that clue the rest of the group in the next room.
And the fight is on.
Blood flew across the room as I let out my Chidori as a warning to the enemy, how they picked the fight with the wrong opponent. But the warning goes by as if it's a lie as the enemies' number increases.
As I stand here, stabbing someone's chest I don't know, screams heard behind me, besides me, everywhere.
And then, sands started to fill up the space in the room.
He is coming. Gaara of the Sand. And he is not to be underestimated. Regardless he is still a genin, his charka control is indeed amazing for someone so young. And as I recall to the past, he has the ultimate defense I saw in the tournament. Regular shuriken and Kunai won't be able to hurt him a single bit.
While I keep fighting and trying to keep my composure stable, our shinobi decreases greatly. Last thing I saw before being surrounded by a large mass of Sand Shinobi, two of the Leaf Shinobi are taken by Gaara's Dessert Coffin.
His method works best in small area because then the sand can trap whoever it is and wrapped them in a blanket of sand. As he squeezes them, the screams stop, replaced by a swift rain of blood.
I threw a Kunai at him. As I thought, his sand defense disables any body harm. Seconds went by as if forever. The amount of enemy is too big to handle. Half of the team is swept already. It leaves only a few survivors in the pool of blood.
The enemy surrounded us, another member is killed each passing second I tried to analyze the situation. Our effort to fight is futile. We cannot win and about to die right here and then.
Something crossed my mind.
Someone's smile I thought I finally forgot.
Iruka.
I cannot die here.
Not now.
I gather the last strength I have. The last. To break free, at least.
If someone did what I do right now, I'd tell them it's stupid. I'd tell them what they did simply was a suicide.
I force myself to do the last thing. I don't know if I'll live, but I'll try.
I make myself two Chidoris from both hands. It's my first time ever done this. The technique absorbs a lot of my Chakra. The sound filled the room, threatening them to step back if they value their life. I don't care about any further announcement or strategies both sides, mine or the Sand's will do. I launch forward. Breaking free. At least, I killed two of them, other Sand Shinobi unconsciously stepped aside and creating a small crack in the formation.
But small is enough.
I did some Bushin to push them aside only to get the slaughtered faster than I was planning. Other Leaf Shinobi aware of what I'm planning and do some catching up with me. It is a pity that some of the survivors were killed in the attempt that leave us no choice but to keep running.
I tried my best to keep running the fast as I can endure. But I lost sight of my fellow teammates.
As my feet can't hold my weight any longer, and I figure it's far enough already that Sand Nins wouldn't risk their Shinobi to come and search for us, I slumped down to the dirt.
I closed my eyes.
The killing felt like a dream in naptime. Happened so fast yet taste surreal.
Relaxing tense muscles and my heartbeat, I decided it'd be best if I stop for a while to catch a breath, when suddenly I feel someone's presence near me.
"Stop hiding!" I ordered the mysterious man, "reveal yourself!"
If it was someone from the Sand, I'd be half ready to get him. If it was Gaara, then I'd be doomed. But it was not the enemy, or so I thought.
I recognized his face.
"Hey newbie," even thought I'm exhausted, I still feel like greeting him. Honestly, I feel relieve. Because it's almost like a miracle I even survived the assault, "I see you still alive."
He stepped forward, "I see you too, is still, very much, alive."
I let out a weak chuckle, "not really..."
"Good."
It confused me but a second passed and I have two Kunais stabbed on my chest. I look at him. With bewildered expression.
Did he betray us?
"I assume you think I betray my own village. No, I don't." He knew what was I thinking and answered it. "I don't know what went wrong in the negotiation but apparently, they didn't care about it in the first place." He continues, "And what I did, now, has nothing to do with whatever happened in this very night or the past. I have no personal vengeance to you but if you must know, it is for the sake of someone."
His hand reached out to one of Kunai in my chest. And thrust it further into my flesh.
I coughed out blood.
"Forgive me."
He pulled it out, and once again, thrust the metal into me.
If I could scream, I would.
And if I was to die, I regret that I didn't at least say my last goodbye to Iruka.
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A/N:
ANGST ANGST ANGST!!! OMG!! OO!! I can't believe I wrote that!! ::stare at the writing:: it's still there!! I really wrote that!
SORRY that I HAVE TO MAKE SAND FIGHTS WITH LEAF!! But I was really cool to write... Yeah, and I made Gaara a villain too.. but that's why we all LOVE him, don't you think so too? No? Is it just me? ....oh well.
And you think I'd let Kakashi die?? Oh please, I'm not that evil. ::smirk:: maybe.
SO! I bet you know what I want! Its 6 letters word and started with R.