Title: Wishes Are Free
Author: Cheza-chan
Rating: PG-13 (for now)
Pairing: KakaIru, SasuNaru
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto—oh, I wish I did—but I own Kan'you, all the characters of the Hidden Wave Village. I own the Hidden Wave Village because I created it! I own the Hidden Wave Village's special jutsus, etc.
A/N: Happy New Years! I bring in the year 2005 with a new, long chapter that's filled with action and happenings ::beams:: And there's going to be a December festival! ::does the cha-cha:: Once again, this is only a Saturday update because January 1st falls on this Saturday... day... ::hangs head:: I'm losing my enthusiasm in writing Author Notes.
Se Bakuha - (roughly translated) "Torrent Explosion" (I used an online dictionary thing)
Chapter Sixteen - There's Doubt and Still Hope
Saturday turned into Sunday, then Sunday afternoon rolled around and Sakura—or any of Team 5 for that matter—had yet to return. Kakashi traveled across the mildly vacant street to the Umino house. He didn't bother knocking and, instead, walked right in. He passed the two sullen boys in the kitchen—they had barely left the house all week—and headed up to the bedrooms.
Iruka had been staring at the window curtains while laying on his stomach when the door opened. Kakashi circled around the bed, blocking the Chuunin's view of what could be considered nothing in particular. Iruka turned his head the other way.
"Saturday was yesterday," the Jounin said, placing a knee on the bed. "My house is still one person short."
"Take Sasuke." Iruka listened to the other man's movements and slid his hand under the pillow, knowing he would receive comeuppance for the smart-mouthed remark. His fingers curled around the kunai's handle, then his entire body became immobilized. The Chuunin managed a sigh through unmoving lips and Kakashi canceled the jutsu he'd learned during his years of ANBU training; he did so only after physically restraining the other. The dolphin removed his hand from under the pillow, groaning. "I'm sorry. So she's a day late. I promise you she'll be here today."
"What can I hold you to other than a promise?" Kakashi turned so he straddled the younger man, also pinning his arms. "How about time together at the bathhouse if she returns?"
"Fine."
The scarecrow raised an eyebrow and tilted to the side in order to get a better look at the brunet. Iruka was tired, and he really didn't want to be bothered. Naruto and Sasuke would be back out on the streets come tomorrow and, unless he enforced more rules or they suddenly developed a change of heart, the would probably be even more rebellious than before.
The Chuunin gasped softly at the hands squeezing the tight knots out of his shoulders; at least they tried to: he tensed up even more under the Jounin's touch. The missions he'd also administered ranks to not only proved Team 5 had successfully completed their mission, but also helped provide him with more stress. The dolphin whined and shifted his shoulders to indicate he didn't want to be touched. It didn't work. Kakashi slid his hands under the other's black top, working them along the younger man's sides.
"Stop it, Kakashi!" Iruka freed an arm, elbowing the silver-haired shinobi in his abdominal area, managing to get him off his back. He stood with a sigh and disappeared into his bathroom.
Kakashi blinked from where he'd been discarded, staring after the brunet. 'That's not how this was supposed to happen.' He groaned and closed his eye.
Down at the Shuuha docks, familiar figures stepped back onto their home soil, but not with pleasant demeanors.
"It took just as long," Hizaku muttered, pulling Sakura along; he'd forgotten her had taken her hand to help her from the boat.
"Let her go!" Oyasa yelled, wrapping his arms around Sakura's waist. "We didn't know you had such an awful case of seasickness. It was, in fact, your fault it took so long getting home! The boat practically floated back here." He and Sakura screamed as they fell together after the Jounin had released her hand.
Takai stepped over the bodies with a snort and a shake of his head. He had what he needed: two Hidden Cloud hitai-ate, courtesy of Sakura.
Said young girl glared at their backs before getting to her feet. Oyasa stood with her. "Thanks for being concerned," she muttered, smoothing out her clothes. A smile suddenly tugged at her lips as she realized seeing Kakashi would be a comforting feeling. Bidding Oyasa later, the pink-haired Genin ran by her teammate and leader in order to return to the house that probably stayed empty and unattended. It took a mere few minutes to reach and she fished around for her keys. Sakura stopped and looked behind her at the other house. She turned sharply and headed over.
Sasuke sunk further into his chair as the door opened. It was his way of relaxing because his Konoha teammate had returned safely. Naruto sprang from the kitchen counter and Sakura had little time to prepare herself as she practically tackled onto the floor. She smiled ruefully and ran her fingers through his hair. "Tadaima," she sighed.
"Okaeri, Sakura-chan! We missed you so much. Iruka-sensei grounded us! Sakura-chan!" The blonde was sobbing into the girl's red top. Sasuke snorted, closing his eyes.
Iruka stepped from the bathroom—finally—as Kakashi stood from the bed to welcome back his "daughter". The two men exchanged a glance then the scarecrow disappeared around the corner.
Sakura had finally pried Naruto away, only to let out a shriek as she was lifted into the air. Incredulously wide green eyes stared down at the Jounin. "Kakashi-sensei...?" She sweatdropped as he shook her lightly, squeezing her eyes shut. 'Maybe I should have stayed in Hidden Cloud...'
"Nothing's falling off. You don't look like you're in pain. You won me a bath with Iruka-sensei." Kakashi grinned and placed the Genin back on the floor, hugging her. He blinked several times, fingering the long gash in the back of her shirt. "I stand corrected..." the man mumbled. "What happened here?"
"Oh." Sakura laughed, rubbing the back of her head. "Arashi-san's scythe is pretty sharp."
"Oh? That's it?" The Jounin shook his head with a sigh and straightened up. He stared at the bubbling blonde and sulking brunet, eye curving with his smile.
"Is Iruka-sensei here?" Sakura questioned, peering around the silver-haired shinobi.
"He is," Kakashi replied, rubbing the back of his head. He immediately recalled the look in the Chuunin's dark eyes as he'd left the room—had it been a glimmer of faint hope? Were they both really that desperate for the phantom of what their relationship could have been?
"Iruka-sensei." Sakura smiled, rushing to the young man that had just stepped into view. She hugged him around the waist, laughing. The dolphin chuckled soft, placing a hand to her pink head. "Thank you so much for allowing us to go on that mission," she gushed.
"You should thank Shuku-san."
"I will!"
Iruka smiled then raised his head to stare around at the other three figures within the dining room and kitchen. They were all together; they were all together and pleasant—Sasuke's scowl was his trademark. It would probably be the last time, though. The Chuunin knelt, placing a hand to the girl's shoulder. "Are you tired?" he asked. Sakura shook her head. "What say we all get ready and I'll treat us to Kan'you's?"
Sasuke sat up slightly and Naruto visibly radiated his happiness and excitement: new chakra shone from him as brightly as his hair, if that were possible.
"You can tell us all bout your mission," the dolphin added.
"That sounds great," Sakura said with a broad smile. She wiggled away from the young man and grabbed Kakashi's arm, putting her weight into dragging him out of the house.
Naruto tackled the dolphin once the door closed, arms wrapped tightly around him. "I'm sorry for all the bad things I thought—you're the greatest, Iruka-sensei!"
"Thanks," Iruka murmured, smiling with his hand atop the boy's back. He raised it to tousle the unruly blonde tresses.
Naruto made a squinty, pouting face, tired of people doing that. He'd ask Tenko if he should shave it all off since her hair was so long. The blonde grinned at the thought, sitting up. "We're sorry about what we did," he sighed. "Aren't we, Sasuke?"
"Hn." The Uchiha pushed away from the table and stood. He circled it and stared down at the bodies blocking the hall entrance. "I thought we were going somewhere," Sasuke muttered, hands deep in the pockets of his shorts.
"Naruto," Iruka groaned, shifting and pushing up the boy. "Go on up and get ready." His gaze followed the excited and fleeing blonde then returned to Sasuke. The boy took a step back, hanging his head as the man stood. "Sasuke." The Chuunin indicated to the chairs at the table. "I'm going to make this simple," he sighed as they sat. "What your problem with me?"
Sasuke glared at the far wall before him; so stiff was he that it might have been possible for him to snap if poked. "There's no problem," he scoffed.
"If it's about the clothes..."
The Uchiha whipped around to face the man, an unknown emotion working the muscles of his face as it tried to form a foreign expression. It had been about the clothes. It was about the flare in the chocolate-haired man's chakra that had shook him so.
"I'm not mad," Iruka smiled. "Well... I'm mad at Kakashi-sensei because he had no right to make you do that, but I'm not mad at you." He folded his hands atop the new table he'd gotten, idly picking at the wood. "We actually understood each other the first weeks here. So, why do you hate me now?"
"I... don't," Sasuke grumbled, relaxing a little.
"Then what is it?"
What was it? Other than wanting to know what true power lay within the man... The boy lowered his head, feeling the strain on his facial muscles for putting them through so much. They should both be harboring hatred for Kakashi, not each other. "It's nothing," Sasuke sighed, standing. "Can I go?"
"Look at me," Iruka ordered. The ebony-haired Genin rolled his eyes before raising his head to look at his "father". Iruka tilted his head with as mile and raised his hand in a dismissing fashion. "Go get ready."
Sasuke sighed and turned away from the table, taking the hall stairs two at a time. Around twenty-something minutes later, the Konoha shinobi were on their way to Kan'you, the evening peaceful around them.
The night spent together at Kan'you had been well-appreciated. Not only did it give everyone an excuse to escape their worries, but Sakura had opened up to them more than ever. But Iruka couldn't believe Team 5 had been called in for another mission the day after they returned. Given good praise from the special Jounin—along with a D-ranked mission—they left once more to complete their task.
"Team 10 should be arriving soon," May groaned as she stretched. She had so many things on her mind and so little time to dote on it all.
"They seem a little late," Iruka commented, staring at the open door. Miki and the others were, in fact, seven minutes overdue, and it was not every day a team was late in receiving a mission.
§§§
"Miki-sensei..."
Fifteen minutes had slowly rolled by, but Aoi and Rei never showed. Miki had begun to fear the worst when practice had solely become a two-person spar. "We have to go on," the Jounin sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. Kaoru nodded slowly, allowing her to nudge him into moving and in the direction of the Academy building. Iruka and May sat straight as the two figures stepped into the fairly empty reports room.
"Finally," the village-founder sighed with a smile. "We were wondering where..." She blinked, tilting her head as she looked behind them. "You're missing... Where are the other two boys?"
Miki stared between the special Jounin and the Chuunin's head at the wall behind them as she answered sullenly. "They haven't shown up for days. That's why it took so long for us to arrive—we waited, hoping..."
"Well," May cleared her throat. "As there are no more Genins to replace the two... lost..."
Kaoru fisted his hands at his sides, grunting softly in self-restraint. 'Aoi... Rei!' Iruka lowered his gaze at the sight of blood rolling down the boy's chin.
"Team 10 is officially disbanded," May finished. Miki nodded, bowing, then straightened and wrapped an arm around her remaining student, walking him out of the large room. Iruka's head snapped up as the mission scrolls fell from the desk to see the elder woman sprawled over it. Her shoulders shook and he could only presume she was crying.
"Shuku-san...? Shuku-san!"
The other Chuunins in the room ran over.
The Jounin of the former Team 10 sighed as she and the child walked along. She had a feeling patrols and death would come natural to her once more.
"Do you think they're still alive?" Kaoru mumbled once they were yards away from the school and its grounds, the village life surrounding them.
She didn't want to raise the boy's hopes and she highly doubted that they were. "No," the Jounin sighed softly, raising an arm to lightly hug his head and making him lean against her.
Kaoru fisted a hand against his own side once more, arm trembling. He would make the ones responsible pay with their own lives—with this right eye of his. Miki knew her student; she wouldn't have been a good leader if she didn't. She knew Kaoru was kind-hearted and also sometimes dependent of others. He would know his limits when it came to pleasing people, but he would always remain caring. Aoi and Rei also fell into a group with Shikyo—those three were the first to consider him a friend even after learning about his heritage.
"They don't..."
Miki looked down, slowing their pace.
"They don't deserve what they got!" Kaoru cried, pushing away from her. "They were just children, like me... I'm sure they had several more years ahead of them!"
The Jounin pulled him into her arms, then pushed off from the ground, landing gently on the shingled roof of a shop. The pair then disappeared, leaving villagers curious as to what the problem had been.
Sasuke sat up from where he lay in the couch, brushing his bangs from his face to see who had walked through the door. "Iruka-sensei..."
The Chuunin stiffened and raised a hand to his face. "I thought you were practicing."
"Kentan -sensei started bawling after Yoku destroyed his book. He sent us home... Is something wrong?" The boy stood, but Iruka hurried through the dining room to the other hall, and up the stairs. He'd reached his door when Sasuke grabbed his arm. "It's not fair," the Uchiha started in a gruff voice. "It's not fair that you break down other's barriers then put up an iron wall."
Iruka chuckled, sniffling. "I guess you're right. It'll be better to tell you than the others anyway."
Sasuke released the Chuunin's sleeve and followed the man into his bedroom, closing the door.
§§§
Sasuke rubbed the back of his neck with a sigh and the body in his lap shifted. He had no idea that Iruka was such an aggressive person. They talked, because it had been the original deal, and the Uchiha learned of many things. He also learned the reason why Naruto wouldn't be home—the blonde had scrawled a note saying he and Shikyo were spending the night at Kaoru's and he wouldn't be back till the next afternoon.
'I'll let it slide this time.' Sasuke sighed once more, leaning his head against the wall. He glanced at the moon's silhouette on the curtains and was somehow immediately reminded of the one man he wanted to put out of his mind. It was a surprise the older Uchiha hadn't shown up for either him or Naruto. "I wouldn't be surprised if he walked into town right beside the Hidden Wave's enemy..." he muttered, letting his hand rest on Iruka's lower back.
The Chuunin shifted again, mumbling softly. "...Who?" was what the ebony-haired Genin heard from the man.
"No one," he said in reply. He could only ask himself how he ended up in such predicaments. It should be Kakashi's lap Iruka slept in, not his; he wanted Naruto in his. Sasuke closed his eyes, leaving his hand where it had fallen, and hoped sleep came quickly.
"Iruka-sensei's downstairs," Sakura sighed.
"Not true..." Kakashi rolled over. He'd forgotten about the mental notes he kept making for himself and challenged his students yesterday. Not only did his Icha Icha Paradise get destroyed, but Yoku had actually managed to reopen the wound on his left shoulder.
The young girl scowled and formed hand seals. "Suiton; Se Bakuha no Jutsu!"
The Jounin yelled, sitting up as he was blasted with freezing water that appeared from the girl's spread hands. He shook his head, shuddering, and blinked up at the grinning Sakura. "Iruka-sensei's downstairs," she repeated. "Go see him." She could truly admit that going away and returning allowed her to see how much she enjoyed spending time with her leader, whether it be long or short.
"Hai... Sakura-sama..." the man mumbled, dragging his soaked body from the equally soaked bed. He sloshed down the stairs and mustered enough energy to glare at the silently laughing Chuunin; it was too early in the morning and he hurt.
"I heard a Genin manage to best the illustrious—" He mouthed the remainder of his sentence—Sharingan Kakashi—with a broad smile. His time spent with Sasuke the previous night had helped ease some of the depression he felt growing within him, and he also appreciated that he and the young boy were back on speaking, not yelling, terms.
"I'm always bested by them. What brings you here?" Kakashi finished his question with a yawn.
"Sorry. I gave you my word, since you didn't want my promise." Iruka pulled his hands from behind his back, showing the small basin holding bath supplies. "But it seems you already took one."
Kakashi shook out his hair, water droplets flying everywhere. "No. This was Sakura's idea of a wakeup call. I'll be right back."
The brunet smiled and watched as the scarecrow ran off, back upstairs. 'What am I getting myself into now?'
Sakura appeared at the top of the stairs, smiling. "Thank you so much."
"For what?" the dolphin murmured, blinking.
"Not only for last night, but for getting him out of the house. He thinks I'm his personal chef." The young girl rolled her eyes with a soft scoff, now standing at the bottom of the stairs.
Any reply Iruka had was cut short as Kakashi came back downstairs, and in quite a hurry. "Come along, Iruka-sensei," the silver-haired shinobi cooed, grabbing the brunet's arm.
"Have fun, otou-san."
"Don't call me that."
A vein popped out on the girl's head as the door slammed shut behind a bewildered Iruka, and she raised a clench fist. There were also times when she just wanted to feel the Copy Ninja's neck just snap under her hands.
§§§
Iruka was glad for the absence of bodies as they entered the bathhouse. Feeling more secure than normal around the Jounin, he set down his basic by one of the low benches and started removing the black, long-sleeved turtleneck he wore.
"When did you get injured?" Kakashi asked in a husky voice right beside the dolphin's ear, rubbing his hands lightly over the bandaged arms. "You can't take a bath like this."
"Sasuke and I went out to spar last night. Besides, you have a similar problem." Iruka turned and touched two fingers to the upper half of Kakashi's left shoulder. "Right here." He slid his hand down, estimating the location of the ANBU tattoo. It was good to know that they barriers between them were slowly diminishing after that fateful blackout night.
The Copy Ninja's eye curved and he wrapped his arms around the Chuunin's bare torso. "Let's get you lathered and rinsed," he chuckled.
With his head resting on the younger man's shoulder, Kakashi hook his thumbs into the waistband of Iruka's pants and underwear, slowly sliding them down. The brunet elbowed him away and sat on the low bench he'd set his items beside. The long wall of faucets stretched out behind him, and, behind Kakashi, the large baths. He removed his sandals and unwrapped the bandages from around his calves, placing them all aside.
Iruka was about to stand once again, but Kakashi placed a hand to his shoulder and knelt, grabbing both black pant legs and tugging. "Kakashi...!" The younger man covered his bare lap, face crimson. "Just because—"
"Turn around," the Jounin ordered softly.
Bracing himself against the hands that worked the tie from his hair, Iruka reluctantly did as he was told. He kept his hands folded in his lap, jumping at the cold cloth to his back. Kakashi had lathered the washcloth and was running it over the Chuunin's back. He inched away after a while and wiped at the suds with his hand, studying the scar he had just made visible. Iruka lowered his head, feeling the stare.
"You're strong," the Copy Ninja whispered, tracing the long, jagged scar. "Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
"...Hai."
The brunet, startled, turned at the feel of warm lips against his shoulder blade. A hand fell across his eyes and he could only rely on his sense of touch as the other's mouth slanted over his. 'I want to see you...' He grabbed the hand but it wouldn't budge. 'Please, let me see you.' Iruka gasped as he was pulled into Kakashi's lap. "This is a public bath house," he rushed out.
"So?"
Iruka jumped at the cold metal-it came from the gloves-against the inside of his thigh and mustered enough strength to push the arms away. Kakashi's dark eye smiled at him. A flustered dolphin skipped the remainder of the washing and went straight to dumping cold water over himself. Kakashi smirked at the shivering frame below him, then pulled his own top off, smoothing the mask's material down against his neck.
As Iruka had mentioned, his own arm was bandaged. Not only did it help with old wounds, but it covered the symbol that would completely give them away. His visible eye widened slightly, eyebrow rising as he stared at the dolphin's own bandaged arms. 'No.... no way.' He laughed to himself and stepped out of the remainder of his clothes. The brunet looked up through soaked bangs as the Jounin sat beside him, then looked away, blushing.
"Ara, ara. I can't wash my own back properly," the Copy Ninja drawled.
"Just rinse."
"Ohh." Kakashi smiled under his mask. "That's breaking the rules."
"So?" Iruka shot the older man a small grin.
"Touché." Kakashi decided to improvise. Filling the basin with water, he created soap suds in it, stirring it all around with his hand. He really didn't want to get anything he still wore wet, but there was no other choice because they couldn't be removed. The silver-haired shinobi dumped the water over himself, gasping slightly. "Why the hell is this water so cold?" He shuddered, shaking his unruly locks.
"Because it's December," the brunet replied, standing.
"Ah. Wait a minute." There was nothing remaining on Iruka that he could grab, so the Jounin's hand just hovered in the worst possible area.
Iruka turned away sharply and hurried to the heated water of the baths. Kakashi joined him shortly and they sat in silence. He slid an arm around the other's waist, pulling him closer. "Why did you and Sasuke spar in the middle of the night?" he asked.
"Oh. It was nothing. And I've been so busy that I haven't had time to update my report."
"Tell me."
Tucked against the Copy Ninja's side, both sitting in the warm water that rose to their chests, Iruka relayed all the information he'd collected on the events of the Hidden Wave Village.
The Chuunin had a faint feeling of remorse as he reported to the village founder's office. He also felt scared; what if she had found out about the small meeting he and Kakash had held in the town bathhouse three days ago? Iruka whined, wringing his hands nervously. He took a deep breath after reaching the door, and knocked.
"Mmm!"
Deep brown eyes blinked and the young man opened the door, stepping in. The woman's form was hunched over the desk; she seemed to be scrutinizing something of great importance. "Shuku-san?"
"It's May, and look!"
"Water Festival? Next Friday?" Iruka read from the paper shoved in his face. He woke up today and it was already a Friday
"Hai!" The sheet was pulled down, revealing an ecstatic May. "It was an idea in the making, and now... it's become an actual event!"
The uncertain young man took the paper from her fingers, reading softly to himself. "The Genins are going to perform?"
"Hai!"
Iruka stepped back, sweatdropping nervously at the woman's raw and unbridled enthusiasm. "We're going to put a hold to missions and everything else and they're going to put on shows displaying the skills they learn during practices." May was practically gushing with pride at her first official festival. "The Jounins will serve as bodyguards, and the Chuunin's will be chaperones. You. You'll be at my side."
"Ah... hai." The dolphin smiled weakly, still sweatdropped.
"You can help with decorations!"
'She's gone... crazy!'
May snatched the paper back. "We have to clear out a few of the trees surrounding the large lake just past the last bridge. Then set Jounins in the trees to keep an eye on wandering children that happened to get away from a Chuunin."
Iruka laughed softly at the woman infatuated with making the event work. He believed—if she was as determined as she seemed—seven days was almost more than enough to set up this festival. The sudden change would probably be welcomed in helping to ease what little pain it could that came from knowing about the slow, but steady string of disappearances. He knew it allowed May to revert all that grief into a much better form of energy.
That would be good for her, especially after sadly learning that Tsushi Rei and Morishita Aoi had been killed. The bodies found around 1:00 A.M Thursday morning were far from recognizable. Miki had been brought in to help identify the children and then led away from the scene by Team 2's Jounin; he ended up carrying her back to town.
"Iruka-kun!"
The brown eyes widened and the Chuunin's arm rose slowly, hand squeezing life back into his heart. He hadn't realized he was so deep in his thoughts. "M... May..."
"Gomen, gomen." The special Jounin grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head. She grabbed her thick braid and brought it forward so it hung down her chest, duly noting that the young man had called her what she always told him he could. May sighed deeply and moved back to her desk. She picked up a stack of flyers created and handed them to the brunet. "Put these up. Then check out the designated area and see what can be done for today."
"Hai." Iruka took the papers and bowed, then excused himself, stepping out. He descended the flight of stairs and started down the hall that would lead him outside. What he didn't expect was Team 12's untimely return, and with an injury. The scowling Chigiri had very reluctantly allowed herself to be assisted by her teammates, but only because she could barely keep either foot on the ground. "What happened?" Iruka murmured, stepping aside to allow them a better passage.
"A strategy went bad," Kentan replied. "She learned her lesson though, ne?" 'Don't ever destroy one of my books again.' The Jounin smiled sweetly. The corners of the young girl's lips turned down even more as she glared at her leader.
"Kentan-sensei," Iruka interrupted. "After you're finished here, I need to see you."
Kentan nodded before herding his students to the infirmary. The dolphin sighed and left to complete his work. He was joined about thirty minutes later—he'd just finished conversing with Risa and her mother, inviting them to the festival. Iruka plastered a flyer against a power pole when a gloved hand rested atop his. He smiled.
"Water Festival," Kentan read softly. "Do we swim?"
"Idiot."
The disguised scarecrow grinned. "What did you want to tell me?"
"Oh. I forgot. But did you see Shuku-san while you were in there?"
"Oh, yeah. I saw her," the light-haired Jounin mumbled. "She was with some guy—neither of them looked too pleased."
"Put these up!"
The visible blue eye blinked as the remaining papers were shoved at him and he stared after the Chuunin disappearing in the distance. "Ara, ara..."
§§§
"Itee..." Iruka raised a hand to his face and pulled it away to stare at the blood dappled across his fingers. He looked around sharply, dark eyes narrowed, having felt the sharp but faint slice. Wiping at his cheek, the young man rushed into the school building to check on his supervisor. The door was locked when he reached the office, and no reply came after several moments of knocking.
Iruka sighed and wiped a fist against his cheek. He glanced warily over his shoulder, then relaxed at the sight of Hizaku.
"She's not there?" Team 5's leader sighed. "I really needed to report this, too."
"If it's about missions, you can hand it in to me." The brown-haired young man turned to give the other his full attention.
"You could say it does, but it's something I only share with May."
"Oh."
Hizaku smiled and stuck his hands in his pockets. "I'll see you during the festival presentations."
Iruka nodded stiffly, dragging his fist against his cheek once more. 'Why won't it stop bleeding...?'
"Maybe you should get that looked at," the Jounin suggested as he turned and walked away. The Chuunin glared after him.
Sakura's green eyes opened slowly and she managed to catch sight of a frustrated Iruka as he stormed in. 'I left the door open?' "Kakashi-sensei's not back yet," she sighed.
"Of course not," the brunet groaned. "I made him put up the flyers."
The young girl sat up with a bright smile. "The Water Festival, right? I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet."
"Hizaku-sensei taught you a few things?" Iruka managed to relax enough to take a seat beside the young girl on the black couch. He braced his hands on his thighs, still feeling uneasy. Where was Shuku May?
Sakura folded her hands beneath her chin, eyes sparkling. "He has. Everyone in my new team has been so helpful, and I'm glad for my new stamina."
"I hear you've been spending time with Takai-kun."
"He's so nice! Even though he doesn't... look it..." The young girl trailed off, blushing, and looked away from the brunet's teasing smile. "Iruka-sensei..." Both looked at the door as it opened and Iruka stood as Kentan appeared in the frame.
"Now I hate dogs. I did find an interesting being standing outside. Not so sure she's of this Earth." Kentan stuck his finger in his ear, rolling his eye as Miyako pushed him aside.
The young girl smiled, bowing. "Sumimasen. If you had given me five more minutes..." She glared at the bored-looking Jounin. "I would've come in on my own."
"She looked like a stalker," the man chuckled.
Brushing back brown bangs and twirling a finger nervously around red locks, the Genin returned her gaze to the other two figures. "I just wanted to meet the Sakura that captured the Nago family's heart."
The pink-haired girl blushed, pointing to herself. Miyako nodded, grinning. It didn't take long for her to make friends, and everyone in the village knew her by name, with the exception of the girl before her—Naruto had been properly acquainted with her weeks ago. "The name's Yun Miyako. I was curious as to whether you'd join me?" the tri-colored-haired girl questioned, fully aware of the adults in the room; she also had no problem speaking her mind.
"Join you?" Sakura mumbled, blinking.
"For a bite to eat!" Miyako laughed, rubbing the back of her head. Iruka's eyes widened, amusement obvious in the, and a smile tugged at his lips as he realized Kentan felt the same way he did.
"Sure, I guess." Sakura glanced at the Jounin who nodded, then beamed. "It's a date!" Both girls giggled.
Kentan shook his head with a snort and he found himself kicked in the shin and being restrained by the Chuunin. Miyako glanced over her shoulder and grinned evilly, sticking out her tongue. "Just let me pull out one ponytail," the disguised shinobi snapped before the door closed.
"No," Iruka chuckled, turning his head away from the smoke of transformation. Kakashi sighed deeply, hanging his head. "I need you to help me with something, so I can't let you go."
A silver eyebrow arched as the younger man's hands removed his vest, placing it on the back of the chair. The dolphin smiled coyly as he removed the tie from his hair, locks falling free, and took Kakashi's hand. He pulled him towards the stairs and laughed as he was scooped up into eager arms. They would find a relief that would benefit them both.
§§§
Miyako wondered if she should've picked up Sasuke along the way also; it would have made for a more interesting evening. Her hands were folded behind her head as she stood behind Sakura. The pink-haired Genin stared at the blonde seated at the table. "Maybe I should have said we were meeting others," the long-haired girl murmured.
"It would've helped," Sakura hissed.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto sang, waving them over. Miyako nudged the other into moving and pulled up another table once they'd reached the trio. Shikyo smiled warmly, but Kaoru kept his head bowed; he had been glad for the comfort the day before, but he wasn't ready to smile just yet.
"Sakura-chan, I don't think you've properly been introduced." Naruto grinned. "This is Shikyo." He pointed to the shy, young girl beside him. "And Hotaru."
"Kaoru," the navy-haired boy corrected.
"My cousin," Miyako added. She waved a waitress over.
Sakura anodded her head politely. "I'm—"
"Sakura-chan!" the kyuubi said on her behalf. She smiled at Naruto, almost eased to see his grin. This was the third time—in a month and a half—that she had eaten in Kan'you.
The pink-haired Genin folded her hands in her lap after tucking away stray locks, and allowed a soft giggle to pass by her lips; the sound came from out of the blue. Naruto's grin broadened and Kaoru slowly raised his head, orange eye regaining the light of life. Miyako laughed as the bowls were place down, and Shikyo managed to enjoy the taste of the bread she was ordinarily refused. Maybe things would begin to look up once again.
A/N: Why'd I make this again...? Oh, yeah! The mention of Itachi. In the very first chapter, in the very first Author Note, I said I hated him and Orochimaru, but I figured... what's the harm in mentioning him... So I mentioned him. And that's all the publicity he's gonna get XD
