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"People are going to write fanfics about your fanfics." Quote K-chan
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Oi! I'm alive and I don't own Naruto!!
I just started a job at a movie theater! It's called Regal Cinemas so yeah.............I am having a great time working there and all!!
I still have a little bit of school left so sorry about the delay; I thought that I would be able to update this by Wed. but apparently not! I end school Tues. so that means I should be able to start getting chapters out earlier and I might be able to finish this story by the end of the month!!
But then again nothing ever goes my way......I thought that this story would be at the max 16 chapters but obviously not! laughs I hope everyone is having a great week and here is Chapter 18!! I am almost at 200 reviews!! YAY!
Enjoy!
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Chapter 18: Hard Reality
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Kakashi stared at the cup of warm sake in front of him. The mission was going nowhere quickly, it seemed that Itachi was always a step ahead, and on top of that they had to send Sayaka back to Konoha so she could give the Hokage all of the updates. Kakashi traced the rim of the cup with his thumb............Iruka would be mad if found out he was drinking.
Iruka.........
Kakashi threw his head back to make the liquid go down quicker before he put the cup back on the windowsill. Why should he care if Iruka was going to mad at him? It wasn't like they were together anymore.........
Kakashi let his body slump so now he was sitting on the floor with his elbows on the windowsill; the team was currently occupying an old house that hadn't been lived in for quite sometime. Kakashi thought it was a waste since the house itself was very homely looking.
It was a tall two story wooden house on the outskirts of Regal; a small village in the Mist country; but it was still close enough that it was just a short walk to the village. The yard was almost made completely of trees and a pond making the house nearly hidden for anyone passing buy without taking any time to look at there surroundings. It was the perfect place to camp for a few days until Sayaka got back.
Kakashi sighed as he poured some more sake in his cup and continued to stare out the window. There were a few knocks on the door before Kakashi lifted his mask and waited for Obito to open the door. Obito walked in quietly and sat down beside Kakashi before he turned his attention from the window Kakashi was staring out of and looking at the silver haired ninja.
"Something on your mind?" Obito gave a small smile, causing Kakashi to give him a lazy glare.
"Not that it is any of your business right?" Kakashi voice was impassive but Obito just shrugged.
"Just trying to be friendly." Obito's face seemed to somber as he turned his head and stared out the same window Kakashi was just a few seconds ago. "The sky is really beautiful tonight."
"Yeah." Kakashi mumbled taking his eyes off the dirty blond beside him and looking at the stars. "It reminds me a bit of how Konoha looks at night."
"Are you homesick?" Obito stifled a playful laugh as Kakashi just hardened his eyes at the sky.
"No."
Obito was about to continue but the harshness in Kakashi's voice kept him from doing so. He watched at how Kakashi watched the stars with no hint of emotion going across his face, Obito smirked as he wondered what was really going through the silver haired ninja's head.
"You answered that quickly." Obito didn't take his eyes off of Kakashi. "Is there something you're hiding from out here that is back home in Konoha?"
Kakashi started considering the pros and cons of pulling down his mask. He wanted sake but Obito was in the room and would see his face, thus defeating the purpose of there being a mask in the first place.
Obito seemed to decide for Kakashi as he grabbed Kakashi's sake bottle and closed it before grinning at Kakashi. "A drunken ninja isn't very helpful on a mission."
Kakashi just glared at the dirty blond team leader.
There was a moment of silence before Obito started to make conversation again. "Hayate is asleep."
"And?" Kakashi didn't bother to hide his disinterest and continued to stare out the window. Sometimes Kakashi would rather just be by himself and be able to sort his thoughts out but it was kind of hard to do that when there was someone else in the room.
Thus defeating the 'by himself' part.
"Hey I was just trying to make conversation you know? You don't have to be such a pain in the-"
"Sorry, it's just a habit."
Obito stared at the form beside him. Did the infamous Copy Cat Kakashi apologize to him? Since when did this guy who had been acting like a jerk since they left on the mission actually develop a humane side?
Obito pinched his arm causing Kakashi to look at him with a bit of an annoyed expression.
"Haha, sorry I was just making sure I wasn't dreaming." Obito scratched the back of his head before he glanced out the window. "So what's with the depressing atmosphere your giving off?"
Kakashi gave Obito a bored glance before he looked out the window. "Do you think that someone in Konoha could be looking at the same stars we are looking at right now?"
"I guess, I mean the constellations shifted a bit because we traveled but these are pretty much the same stars." Obito smiled. "Why is there someone you're thinking of specifically?"
"No." Kakashi answered in his usually bored tone. Kakashi gave a small grin as he thought that maybe Iruka was looking at the stars right now too, maybe just maybe Iruka was staring at the same star he was...............
"Kami I'm pathetic." Kakashi whispered to himself before he got up and opened the window letting the warm summer air fill the room before he got out and sat on the roof with his feet dangling off.
"Do you normally leave company like that?" Obito joked before sat down next to Kakashi and laid on his back to get a better look at the sky. "Why did you say you were pathetic?"
"What are you my psychologist?" Kakashi snapped at Obito causing the dirty blond to grin at him.
"No but I could be." Kakashi obviously didn't find it as funny as Obito thought his joke was so Obito sighed and closed his eyes. "Listen Kakashi, this is the first mission I have ever had with you so I would personally like to get to know you better, I mean I have a feeling this mission is going to take a while so I would like to be able to communicate with the all of the team members and not just the other two of them."
Kakashi thought about it. That made since for a team leader to want to build a relationship with his team members, it would give the leader better control in certain situations since the leader would have a good idea on how its team would react to certain things. It would definitely prove useful to Kakashi since as far as he knew, the Copy Cat Nin knew every shinobi in the village but obviously he was wrong since he hadn't really heard anything about Obito or Sayaka.
"I don't need a psychologist." Kakashi stared off into the distance as a smirk came to his lips but Obito couldn't see it since he still had his mask on.
Breeze came between the two figures and Kakashi looked at the sky one more time to realize some clouds had appeared. Another warm front was coming; Kakashi glanced around the yard and was pleased to see that the pond had made its own mist around the house helping conceal it before he heard Obito yawn.
"When this mission is over I'm going to quit the Anbu squad and become a jounin." Obito stated out of the blue gaining Kakashi's attention.
"Huh?"
"And then after that I will get married, have three kids; two boys and one girl; it has to be that way so that I can spoil the girl senseless and then I will retire." Obito gave a toothy grin towards Kakashi. "And then after that I will open some kind of store and die of old age."
"And what about your wife?" Kakashi yawned a bit before he got comfortable.
"She would die shortly after me because of grief." Obito kept a serious face as Kakashi found it rather amusing.
"I pity your future wife." Kakashi muttered.
"Well I pity yours." Obito retorted causing Kakashi to sigh.
"Too bad I'm not getting married because that just misplaces your pity." Kakashi replied before turning to Obito. "And I plan to die on the battle field where my body will be destroyed and the only proof of my existence will be the carving of my name in our village's memorial tablet."
"That's depressing." Obito commented softly, not really knowing how to respond to that.
"But that's the future I choose."
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"Iruka-sensei!" A squeal came from down the hallway causing the chunin's heart to jump to his throat before he looked around his empty class in distress.
"Why did she have to show up now?" Iruka heard footsteps coming from the hallway before he bolted out of the window he had left open in his room.
Iruka remained still as he stuck to the side of the wall. He heard the door to his classroom open and held his breath.
"Iruka-kun! Where did you go? I wanted to go out to lunch with you." A young females voice was heard from the room before the woman stomped her foot and left in a huff.
"But I don't want to go to lunch with you." Iruka whispered to himself before he heard a female's laughter off in the distance.
Iruka froze slowly turning his head praying it wasn't another woman out for lunch and wanting his company. He looked at the woman in an Anbu uniform with long purple hair flowing behind her in the breeze. Iruka gave her another glance before he jumped back in his classroom; Iruka went to his desk and grabbed some papers before he turned around to see the Anbu was now in his classroom.
"That was really funny." The Anbu girl spoke before she took off her mask and smiled at Iruka. "It's been a while since I've seen something so entertaining, would you mind telling me your name sensei-san?"
Iruka stared at her with his mouth open for a few seconds before he regained his composure. She was really pretty and very young looking to be an Anbu.
"U......Umino Iruka." Iruka had a small blush come on his cheeks. "Is there anything I can help you with miss?"
"Miss!" The purple haired Anbu glared at him. "I am way too young to be called miss you got that Iruka-sensei!"
Iruka just nodded before the girl smiled at him. "My name is Chiyako but you can call me what ever you want cutie."
Iruka blushed and grabbed some more papers from his desk. "Uhh.........if there is nothing I can help you with Chiyako-san then I must be going."
Iruka tried giving a quick glance to the amused Anbu before he made his way out of his classroom. What was with women these days? Iruka made his way into the teachers lounge carefully to see that it was empty and sighed thankfully before he placed the papers he needed to grade on the table and made himself comfortable.
It was a beautiful day in Konoha as the sky was a beautiful blue and all the children were playing tag on the playground. Iruka smiled as he waved by to his students and headed for his apartment where he new some instant ramen was waiting for him to indulge on.
Iruka caught sight of one of his students walking away from the school all by himself causing Iruka to worry. The black haired boy would normally stay after school for shurinken training but after the 'incident' Iruka found out from Mizuki that Sasuke hadn't shown up to any of the classes.
Before Iruka could call out the boy's name there came a high-pitched squeal startling both the boy and Iruka.
"SASUKE-KUN!" Iruka watched as the boy took off running before some girls seem to appear out of nowhere and took off after him.
Iruka just stared in awe as the girls disappeared off in the distance. Poor kid.
"IRUKA-KUN!" Iruka flinched before he turned around slowly to wave at Suzume.
"Hey Suzume." Iruka blushed as his old teammate and fellow teacher hugged him and smiled.
"How's the number one top catch bachelor in Konoha doing? Not lonely I'm sure." Suzume winked at him causing Iruka to blush.
"W-what are you talking about?" Iruka evaded her grasp and started walking home as she giggled beside him.
"Don't act innocent with me. How many hearts have you broken this week alone? Twenty? Thirty? C'mon Iruka I heard that you were avoiding Jasna- sensei at lunch and Kat-sensei, Honda-sensei, and Ryoko-sensei were saying that you turned them down when they asked you out last week."
"Suzume I'm just not really ready to start a relationship right now." Iruka looked at his friend trying to smile.
"Why not Iruka-kun? You just keep telling me that but you won't tell me anything else! As far as I know you have never been in any kind of serious relationship so it's not like you've ever had your heart broken!" Suzume grabbed Iruka's arm. "Please just try to go out with someone I mean it would be really sad if you don't get married."
"Why is that Suzume?" Iruka tried to hide the hurt in his voice at everything she had just said.
"Because you are going to have terrific good looking kids!" Suzume squeezed his arm.
"What makes you say that Suzume? I'm not that great to look at you know?" Iruka retorted before sighing. "I'm average and I like it that way. I'm not lonely and I really just don't want to be in a relationship right now so could you please respect my wishes."
Suzume gave Iruka a hurt look before she nodded her head. "Well I better head home now.................bye Iruka-kun."
Iruka gave her a small wave before he headed back home. Iruka sighed, as he really wasn't in the mood to go to his apartment anymore. Iruka spotted the bookstore on the corner and decided to make a stop since he had already finished the last book he had bought a few weeks ago.
Iruka entered into the store and made his way down the isles before he found his section and smiled contently at all the educational material.
"Now.........Kakashi-baka." Iruka whipped his head around when he heard someone say Kakashi.
Kakashi!
Did that mean the shinobi was back in Konoha? Iruka quickly turned the corner to find out who said that only to run into the person standing right there.
"Ow!" Iruka looked down to see he had knocked over a purple haired girl..............in an Anbu uniform...............that looked remarkably like the Anbu girl you laughed at him earlier.
"I am so sorry miss." Iruka helped her up before the girl whapped him over the head.
"I am too young to be called miss! My name is Sasame!" Iruka looked at her puzzled for a second. Didn't she say her name was Chiyako earlier?
"Sasame?" Iruka looked at her questionably before she smiled sheepishly at him.
"You're the teacher from earlier." She smiled before she picked up the books she had dropped when Iruka had run into her. "Sorry I don't really remember your name but since we we've run into each other again I'm sure you won't mind repeating it."
"It's Iruka and I thought your name was Chiyako?" Iruka pointed up as he picked up the book he had dropped when he had crashed into her.
"Chiyako?" The girl smiled sheepishly before she explained. "Well that's my name too! You see my middle name is Sasame and my first name is Chiyako and I just happen to go by both!"
"Chiyako Sasame?" Iruka was confused now.........that was the first time he heard someone going by both their first and middle name. Iruka shook his head and looked around the store and sighed. It looked like the person that had said something about Kakashi had already left the store.
"What's with the sigh Iruka-sensei?" The purple haired Anbu smiled at Iruka admiring how cute the chunin looked even though he seemed slightly off.
"Oh I just thought I heard someone talk about one of my friends but I guess they left when I ran into you." Iruka smiled apologetically at her. "I didn't mean to run into you."
"It's okay and there hasn't been anyone in this store besides me since you've been in here." The Anbu girl added as if to help Iruka out.
"But I swore I heard someone talking........."
"To themselves? Yeah that would be me!" The girl smiled and showed Iruka two books she was holding. "I am buying some books for a few of my teammates since it'll be a while before they get back here to Konoha but I didn't know what to get this new guy, Kakashi, he's such a jerk maybe I shouldn't get him anything!"
"Kakashi?" Iruka looked at her wide-eyed. "You're on the same mission he is on?"
The girl gave Iruka a skeptical look before she smiled. "So many questions from someone who I figured would be the quiet cute type."
Iruka blushed. "I'm sorry that was a bit rude."
"It's okay Iruka! But if you really want to make it up to me you can take me out to dinner but just so you know I'm not allowed to talk about my mission." The girl latched onto Iruka's arm and smiled. "So where do you want to go?"
"What?"
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"Where did Hayate go?" Kakashi walked into the open room Obito was sitting on the floor in as the team leader read a few scrolls that were around him.
"He went to go meet Sayaka-chan when she got back." Obito didn't bother to look up at Kakashi as he added, "They probably wanted to get some alone time too."
"I didn't want to know that." Kakashi commented before he sat down on the ground too and looked over the stuff Obito was studying. "What is all of this?"
"I went to town this morning and asked some of the people with power about hearing about any strange occurrences and they were nice enough to give me this." Obito held up a scroll. "It has every crime committed in the area for the past month."
"And you think Itachi might be mentioned in there?" Kakashi took the scroll and opened it slowly. "I don't know if he would be stupid enough to get caught committing a crime when his reputation is hot right now."
"I didn't say it said only the cases where the culprit was caught these are every case in the past month." Obito smiled as Kakashi glanced over it. "You seem to be in a better mood."
"Is that a bad thing?" Kakashi gave Obito a skeptical glance while Obito just shook his hands as if he was surrendering.
"I didn't say that now did I? I was just stating that you seem to be in a better mood." Obito smiled. "It's definitely a good thing."
Kakashi stared at Obito while Obito just smiled contently. There was a moment of silence before Kakashi threw the scroll at Obito's face and stood up.
"Screw this! I knew I should just keep acting the way I usually do!" Before Kakashi could take move out of the room he stepped on a scroll and went flying back but quickly regained his jounin reflexes and sent chakra to his feet and he pushed himself up with his arms and attached to the ceiling.
Obito smiled as Kakashi walked away on the ceiling. "You almost made a fool of yourself right then." Obito commented causing Kakashi to stop and flip onto the ground.
"Almost being the keyword."
"Hey you want some tea?" Obito pointed over to a pitcher and a few glasses not to far from him and Kakashi just nodded and sat back down near the team leader.
"Hey Obito-san." Obito looked up at Kakashi and nodded to show that he was listening as he curved his brown eyes and smiled. "When you were talking about your future wife last night, were you thinking of someone specific right then?"
Obito was a little surprised by the question but shook his head. "No not really, I haven't met the woman I'm going to marry yet."
Kakashi just nodded as if he had got an answer he was content with. Obito waited for a second before he glanced at Kakashi. "Why do you ask?"
"I was just thinking about it because the way you talked about her last night made her seem real and I thought it sounded nice, being in love with someone like that without even knowing who they are." Kakashi stared at his teacup remembering that he couldn't drink it with his mask on and sighed.
"Well I know when I meet her it will be love right there because we both will be know and then we will get married, what about you? I know this might be a stupid question but is there a special someone you think about that way?"
"There used to be." Kakashi admitted with a bitter smirk on his lips even though his mask covered it. "It still seems like it was a dream sometimes."
Obito deciding it was best to just take advantage in the fact that Kakashi was talking to him didn't bother asking any questions that might cause the usually stoic shinobi to build a wall again.
"I was head over heels for this person." Kakashi whispered looking out of the window that the light was pouring in from. "I don't think I will ever be that happy ever again."
"What happened?" Obito inquired as Kakashi looked at him with an emotionless expression.
"I broke up with him." Kakashi deadpanned causing Obito's eyes to widen.
"You brok-................He?" Obito was about to say something when the door opened.
"Hello." Sayaka walked into the room with her purple hair put in a bun and Hayate following after her quietly with an occasional cough. "Did you guys miss me?"
"I liked the quiet." Kakashi smirked under his mask as she glared at him.
"I'm not going to let your rudeness ruin my mood Kakashi-san, I am in a very good mood and I can't wait to tell you guys all of the gossip I got!" Sayaka sat down by Obito and pulled Hayate down with her. "Okay where do I start........."
Kakashi shrugged and moved so that he could lay down and listen to their conversation at the same time. Maybe if he was lucky the girl would know something about how Iru-
"Iruko........Inoka...........Iruchacha...........Irenn........I can't really remember his name but man what a nice guy!" Kakashi jolted his head and looked at Sayaka.
"Iruka?" Kakashi questioned aloud causing everyone to look at him.
"Yes that was his name Iruka-sensei! Oh now that I remember he said something about knowing you Kakashi.........well anyway back to my story........."
"What did he say?" Kakashi inquired causing everyone to raise an eyebrow before Hayate coughed.
"Oh yeah you guys were roommates for a few years weren't you?" Hayate coughed. "That's how I met Iruka when I walked you home after a mission, he gave me a cookie."
Sayaka laughed and Obito sweat dropped at that fact. "Well yeah anyway I saw Iruka hiding outside of his classroom because apparently this girl keeps asking him out and he was avoiding her-"
"Really?" Kakashi didn't realize how into the story he looked until Obito coughed a bit.
"Stop interrupting me!" Sayaka glared. "Well then we ran into each other at a bookstore so I made him take me out to lunch! Oh, did you guys know that Asuma-senpai's brother is going to have a baby! (1) I over heard the information on my way home."
Kakashi tried to calm his nerves. Iruka had said something about him? Maybe not.........why would Iruka want to say anything about him? Kakashi put his hands in his hair but made sure he listened to the story Sayaka was saying, who knows she might have some important information.
"After that I told Kurenai that she should quit being a teacher and go back on the field. She has the makings of a jounin and I think she is limiting herself with that teaching position. Speaking of teachers, Iruka-sensei is one cute guy!"
Kakashi visibly tensed. Maybe he shouldn't listen to this, what if he started regretting ending his relationship with Iruka even more then he did now? What if he finds out that Iruka has moved on? Kakashi would like for Iruka to move on but deep down inside Kakashi knows he doesn't want Iruka with anyone else.
Even if that is selfish.
"Apparently Iruka is single and very eligible, or that's what my sources tell me," Sayaka grinned at Hayate when he glared at her. "Don't worry Hayate-chan, I didn't do anything."
Kakashi let out a sigh once he heard Iruka was still single. So what if he was being selfish! Kakashi relaxed a bit and sat up making himself comfortable in the chair he was in where he closed his eyes.
"So who is Iruka?" Obito's voice broke through Kakashi's thoughts and Sayaka's ramblings.
Sayaka paused for a moment, "Umino Iruka-sensei, age 18, lives by himself as of recently, apparently his last roommate kind of vanished last minute. As far as I know the Hokage has a lot of faith in him and by what I found out about him, sad childhood and currently recovering from some kind of relationship but no one seemed to know the details just that 'poor Iruka has so much stress to deal with' and that 'poor Iruka deserves a better life'; he looked fine to me personally."
"What?" Kakashi sat up and looked at Sayaka with a somewhat surprised glance. "I thought you said you just met him."
"Oh I did." Sayaka winked at Kakashi. "But it's odd for me to meet a lower level shinobi and not know who he is, especially one that's a good catch, so I decided to make up for lost time and found out all I could while I was there in Konoha."
"I knew you were up to something." Obito smirked at her and looked over at Kakashi. "You kind of surprised me though since I didn't think you were the type to listen to gossip."
"Don't want to fall behind on the latest fashion." Kakashi mumbled before he got up and walked out of the room.
"What's up his butt?" Sayaka stated bluntly before Hayate hit her.
"That's not how a lady should talk." Hayate sighed. "Didn't you hear me earlier when I said that Kakashi was Iruka's old roommate? He probably just wants to check up on his friend."
"Pfft. The almighty Kakashi have friends?" Sayaka didn't bother trying to hide her sarcasm off her voice.
"Be nice Sayaka." Obito murmured before he stood up and stretched. "Guys I'm going to take Kakashi out on a walk so make sure you have everything packed when we get back."
Hayate and Sayaka waited for Obito to leave the room when Sayaka grinned at Obito.
"Do you think senpai is going to scold Kakashi for being so rude all the time?"
"Not likely." Hayate coughed a bit. "But it's none of our business so let's do what Obito said and pack."
"You're no fun!"
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"Yo Iruka!"
Iruka turned looked up from the mission report he was filing and smiled at Mizuki.
"Hey, Mizuki. Are you fixing to go somewhere?" Iruka took notice on how his friend was no longer wearing the usually chunin attire as Mizuki just smirked at him.
"Yeah I have a date." Mizuki turned his head as his light hair graced his shoulders.
The light haired chunin sensei was wearing normal attire. A t-shirt and jeans with some slip on brown sandals that made him look like he was just returning from a mission that was near one of the beaches in the Water country.
Iruka just nodded at his friend and was about to ask whom Mizuki was dating when he heard a familiar voice call out.
"Mizuki-kun!" Suzume ran up and grabbed his arm before she noticed Iruka and smiled at him. "Good afternoon Iruka-kun!"
"Yeah........." Iruka grinned, as Suzume blushed a bit. "Why are you guys meeting in the assignment room?'
"Oh yeah." Mizuki pulled a scroll out from on of his pockets and smiled. "Here's my mission report; I know it's a little late but at least I finally remembered do complete it."
"Yeah yeah........." Iruka sighed and then waved his two friends off before he looked up at the clock. "Well it looks like I am done for the night guys."
"See you later Iruka-sensei." One of the shinobi in the room gave a smile before he went back to work.
Iruka walked down the streets and smiled as a warm breeze passed him giving him this comfortable feeling. The sky was dark now and the stars filled the sky. Iruka looked up and sighed as he closed his eyes to make a quick wish before he continued on his walk.
'sniffle'
Iruka stopped his footsteps and turned his head in the direction of the practice field that he had taken all the classes to that day. It sounded like someone was still out there but who would be out here at this time of night?
'sob'
Iruka slowly approached the practice field and peered down at a hunched figure running its fingers through the grass.
/ A student? / Iruka thought as he went through the possibilities of why a student would be out here. In his younger classes they had practiced throwing kunai and Iruka knew that no one lost any of their own if they brought any because he made sure after class............
'sniffle'
Iruka made his way out onto the field to get a better look at the student. It was too dark so he wasn't able to recognize the blonde hair and hitai- ate leaf t-shirt until he was practically squatting on the ground next to Naruto.
"Naruto?" Iruka spoke up catching the kid off guard as the blonde jumped up in the air and quickly wiped his eyes as he noticed it was his teacher.
"I-I-Iruka-sensei!!" Naruto stood up so that he was eye level with his squatting teacher. "I didn't do anything so you can't scold me!"
Iruka was about to say something but paused. Did the fox really think he was just here to scold him?
"I'm not here to scold you Naruto." Iruka gave a small smile to the child who was glaring disbelieving at him. "I'm serious! I just heard some noise out here and wanted to make sure whoever was crying didn't hurt themselves."
"I wasn't crying." Naruto spat out even though Iruka could see it was an obvious lie.
"Well then what were you doing out here?"
"I was.........uh...I...I-I-I was looking for a key." Naruto mumbled the last part so that Iruka almost didn't hear it but the chunin sensei sighed and looked at his student.
"Why are you out here in the night looking for a key Naruto, its dark and way past your curfew? I would like you to be able to stay awake through one of my classes before you graduate." Iruka joked until he noticed the boy looked worried. "Is something wrong?"
"It was my house key." Naruto stated not looking up at his young teacher.
"Oh." Was all Iruka could say as he stared at the boy.
There was a moment of silence before Naruto looked up at his teacher who seemed to be thinking of something important so Naruto decided not to bother his sensei and started looking for his key again. Naruto almost grinned as he thought about the fact that that was the first time he ever had a real talk with someone and the person not be yelling at him.
Iruka thought for a moment before he reached into his pocket and smiled. He had found a key when he had checked over the field for any missing weapons. Iruka chuckled to himself before he ruffled Naruto's hair startling the boy.
Naruto flinched when he felt the contact of Iruka's hand and Iruka realized what he was doing and suddenly pulled his hand away. Naruto looked at his weird teacher who had actually played with his hair like some older brother, Naruto was about to ask if Iruka hadn't gotten the memo that no one liked him but Iruka seemed surprised at himself before the teacher took an object from his pocket and handed it to the boy.
"I found it earlier on the field and just remembered I put it in my pocket." Iruka stated quickly before he got up and started walking away.
"Yes!" Naruto yelled in triumph as he grabbed the key. "Thanks Iruka- sensei!"
Iruka didn't reply as he made took the quickest route home. It wasn't until the chunin had taken a shower and thrown himself on his bed till he looked at the hand he had touched the blonde fox's head with.
"What's wrong with me?" Iruka glared at his hand.
There was nothing wrong with being nice to the kid! Iruka turned over and hit his head on a pillow before he sighed. The kid had flinched when I touched him almost as if it was his first time to have someone do that to him ever.........
Iruka turned over and decided to push his thoughts to the back of his head. He had more important things to think about instead of his trouble-making student! Like what he should do for class tomorrow.
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The trees moved in the breeze causing leaves to float to the ground as Kakashi and Obito walked around in no direction in particular. Kakashi sighed as he stared at the taller ninja, he was tall himself so to meet someone taller made him feel like a little kid again. Obito just had a content look on his face as he looked up at the clouds.
Kakashi was about to ask why Obito had insisted he go on the walk but decided against it and remained silent.
"So who is this Iruka-sensei really?" Obito smiled as Kakashi looked at him a bit surprised. "I'm just asking to be friendly; who knows maybe you could use some advice."
"I was too obvious back there........." Kakashi mumbled before he leaned against a tree and sighed. "I don't have to tell you anything."
"I know." Obito smiled. "But I think you need to tell someone or it might affect your performance on our mission."
"You think that this might affect me in a fight?" Kakashi asked almost disbelieving. He was the Copy Cat Ninja Kakashi for goodness sakes!
"In a straight-forward reply, yes." Obito curved his eye even though he could hear a few curses escaping the younger shinobi's mouth.
There was a moment of silence before Kakashi hit the back of his head against the tree he was leaning on. He hated it when people were right, especially when they were right about something that could be considered a weakness and directing it at him.
"I just wanted to let you know that if you want to talk then I'm here." Obito smiled and turned around slowly before he heard something that was muffled and looked over his shoulder to see Kakashi glaring at him. "What's with the face?"
Kakashi sighed. "I said you win."
Obito got a serious expression on his face. "That's not what I was meaning Kakashi."
"What does it matter?" Kakashi sighed.
"What matters is I'm trying to put up with your attitude and become your friend but you keep acting like a spoiled brat who just graduated the academy." Kakashi was about to say something but Obito cut him off by continuing, "I know you became a shinobi when you were a child but that doesn't give you the right to act like one now."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kakashi snapped as he glared at Obito.
"It means exactly how it sounds Kakashi. You are acting like a spoiled brat and it's about time you faced reality. From what I know you seem to really love this Iruka guy but you broke up with him before you went on this mission. Obviously something had to of happened and now you are having second thoughts, I know you don't seem to be the type to listen willingly but heed my words, if you screw up on this mission because you let your emotions get in the way I will have you sent back to the village and that can strip you of you jounin title." Obito's words sunk in as Kakashi glared at the older man.
"What do you know?" Kakashi yelled.
"Exactly, what do I know?" Obito smirked at Kakashi causing the silver haired shinobi to grit his teeth.
Who did this guy think he was? Letting emotions get in the way of a mission! Kakashi had to laugh; he was the guy who mastered over 1000 ninjitsus before his 22 birthday! He's the guy who mastered the sharingan eye without being part of the infamous Uchiha clan! Kakashi continued to grit his teeth.
Spoiled brat? Kakashi lowered his head. Who had the right to tell him he was acting like a spoiled brat? So what if he was acting like one anyway! He had just made the biggest mistake in his life, wasn't he allowed to berate himself!
"Why did you break up with him anyway, if you don't mind me asking?" Obito leaned against the same tree as Kakashi and slid down so that he was sitting on the ground as another warm breeze came through.
"And what if I do mind?" Kakashi mumbled as he sat too. "I'm moron."
"I already knew that." Obito joked before Kakashi sighed and Obito's brown eyes softened. "There was a reason wasn't there?"
"The Hokage told me to." Kakashi stated causing Obito to get some doubt.
"What makes you say that? I mean did he tell to just flat out dump this Iruka character?"
"No." Kakashi paused. "He told me to break any chains that might be holding me back because he didn't want anything to hinder my performance during this mission."
"Ah." Obito nodded as if he understood completely. "Well then it probably was the best thing for you to break up with this Iruka."
"What?" Kakashi stated as he stared at the dirty blonde friend.
"Well, obviously you thought that Iruka was chaining you down. You said that the Hokage didn't tell you flat out to dump the guy so you can't justify yourself by blaming it on the Hokage." Obito pause to make sure Kakashi was getting it. "As far as you knew the Hokage could have meant anything but you automatically assumed Iruka which means subconsciously you believe Iruka is holding you back."
Kakashi was about to say something but paused.
Was Obito right?
"But........." Kakashi looked at Obito. "I loved Iruka, how could I ever think like that?"
"I never said you didn't love him." Obito gave Kakashi a sympathetic pat on the back; this must be hard for the ninja to realize. "It's just that you are a ninja of Konoha and that means we serve our village with our lives, you know this and you knew deep down that there was a chance that you would drop your village and put Iruka first and that is very dangerous for a shinobi."
Kakashi ran his fingers through his hair. Why did it take him so long to realize this? The Hokage had never directly said anything about breaking up with Iruka but because Kakashi had automatically thought about doing so did that mean that everything Obito just said was true?
"Obito." Kakashi looked over at his new friend. "Thanks."
"No problem after all that's what friends are for." Obito stood up and stretched. "Alright lets head back because if I know Sayaka right she bought us some presents from Konoha."
Kakashi just curved his visible eye and nodded as he stood up as well.
This is what he needed, someone to show him the truth; even if it wasn't what he had originally thought.
This was the first step to moving on and Kakashi hated to admit it but.............
He was scared to see where this road led.
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Konohamaru!! Asuma's last name is Sarutobi and in the flash backs in the manga (doesn't want to spoil anything) where something happens to the Hokage and Jiraiya is having a flashback, the Hokage's students refer to the Hokage as Sarutobi-sensei thus I figured there was some relation! And since I don't think Asuma has a kid I figured it could be his brother who is responsible for bringing Konohamaru into the world! Woohoo!
Well? What did you guys think about that chapter? It took me a while to find a way to end it but I think I did a good job. Of course it isn't me favorite chapter but I hope all of you like it! Please leave a review and tell me how you feel!
And now my replies to your reviews! It's been a while!
''''''''''''''''''''Reviews '''''''''''''''''''' TheTrueSilver: I'm glad you like angst because well this story will have plenty of it..........or it did have a good dose of it earlier but of course I always try to follow it up with something a little happier! Thanks for the review! Don't hurt the Kakashi plushie please! SEE! SEE! He does miss Iruka- chan!! (grabs senbon needles from Silver and pets the Kakashi plushie)
Silver Neo: I hope your head ache got better (of course it did b/c you you had it when you reviewed chapter 16) Don't worry Iruka will be feeling back to his normal self in a little bit and don't be so mean to Kakashi please! I mean yeah you can get Naruto to beat him up all you want and poor Sasuke but Kakashi is suffering too.................I think..............Thats really cute that you had them make up in your chap17 review! I know Naruto wasn't in chap 17 a lot but he was in this one a little more! But he wont have too big of parts because this is Iruka and Kakashi's story not Sasuke and Naruto's (and yeah I would pair them together) Thank you for reviewing as always I love it!
Evil Kasumi: I plan to continue this story all the way to the end so no worries there! I didn't know if I did a good job at the break up scene because it was the first time I ever attempted something like that but thanks for the review! I'm glad chap 16 brought out so many emotions and don't worry I do plan to rectify myself! I'm glad you liked chapter 17 too, did I rectify myself a little bit? Ne?
Hikari of Darkness: Yeah about the sharingan from Obito theory.............(sigh).......I wanted to keep this story as true to the manga as I could possibly do but I forgot about Kakashi mentioning this guy named Obito in the funeral chapter so when I was going over the chapter and saw that I had already written the part where Kakashi got his eye from Heidaki but at the same time no one really knows about how he got that sharingan eye so I was safe and all I needed to do was put Obito in this story and give a big part with a sad ending (foreshadowing) and thus I made the Obito that has appeared in 'Growing Pains' I hope you like him! I hope I keep updating faster than I did this time (smile)
Sabrea: Don't worry they will get back together (and believe it or not I am not ruining the ending of the story!!)
Morien Alexander: That's sad that you know how Iruka feels but then again I guess that helps readers be able to get into my story if they can show empathy for the characters I am using! (bows) I can't believe this is one of your favoritest stories because I love your stories!! Speaking of which when are you going to update 'Sometimes'? (lol)
Kami Beverly: I would enjoy it if you called me crazy because I am plain psycho!!
shadoewhunter: I will be nice to Kakashi (hands you a tissue) Thank you for reviewing!
b4k4-girl: please don't cry!! I can't take it that most of the reviews I am getting for chapter 16 are of ppl who are sad!! (but that's my fault isn't it? smirk) Don't worry you will find out what happens soon enough! (laughs evilly)
KakashiSuka{My Fan}: I don't know what really to leave you as a reply since we talk through email but hey keep reviewing! I'm glad you like my story and your really cool! I hope you are having a great day lil'sis!
VertigoMesmerizer: Thanks for the no more 10 years of pain! (rubs bottom) I;m still recovering from last time! And you seem to have the story planned out (laughs evilly) how can I mess up the happy ending...........hm..........I am the author so I don't have to have a nice ending I could end it with unresolved love issues and a character death..........(smirk) but who will die? Thanks for the bearhug! I much prefer that then pain! Maybe you were foreshadowing DUN DUN DUNN but then again maybe you weren't.........(jk)
eyes0nme19: You don't have to hope for more because even if you didn't want more I would keep typing!! (laughs like that is a good thing) Iruka-chan is a cutie isn't he?
Renn: Obito was mentioned in the manga (that has yet to be released in shonen jump) in the chapter where a lot of ppl are mourning cause a certain event happened..............i don't know how far you read so I don't want to ruin it.........but it's a sad chapter (like that helps) Yeah I'm glad you like how I got Iruka moving on even tho it was a slow start but atleast he's moving!
Jenn: yeah Kakashi doesn't think before doing a lot and in some cases it might have a really bad out come (foreshadowing) MAN I LOVE DOING THAT! How did you do one your exams? I still have two more to do then I am done for the year (yippee)
Assassin: HEY! I'm going to miss gym class with you cause that means I won't be able to tell you what I'm planning to do in the future to poor Iruka and Kakashi (laughs like a maniac) Oh and thanks for the job!!
Dream Fox: They are cute together! And that's what makes everyone want to read stories with them together in it! I love KakaIru! Don't worry I should continue faster now that school is out on Tuesday!
Nikole StarGazer: I am so happy that someone actually spent two days trying to finish my story! Because that means something good right?? I'm glad you liked the fluffiness and all that good stuff!
lemmings12: Don't worry their paths will intertwine again and Iruka will eventually move on to a point where.........(mumbles off).........so please keep reading! Thank you for reviewing!
Nekomoongirl: Hopefully you are understanding Kakasihi's state of mind when he broke up with Iruka a little more as the story goes on. Thanks for reviewing!
Blue ½: I'm glad you liked how I portrayed the rookies as children and don't worry there will be more little kid time next chapter! Thanks for reviewing and I hoped you enjoyed this chapter!
Isolde1: Hey! Thanks and I'm glad you liked chapter 17! Please Review again and I love your stories too!
Sadistic Demon: Yeah you will get to see more glimpses of the rookies when they were kids now that Kakashi is gone and Iruka starts to dedicate himself to make sure that they surive!
piNkLaLa-o2: I'm glad you love it! Please review again!
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Please Review!
Have a great week!
"People are going to write fanfics about your fanfics." Quote K-chan
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Oi! I'm alive and I don't own Naruto!!
I just started a job at a movie theater! It's called Regal Cinemas so yeah.............I am having a great time working there and all!!
I still have a little bit of school left so sorry about the delay; I thought that I would be able to update this by Wed. but apparently not! I end school Tues. so that means I should be able to start getting chapters out earlier and I might be able to finish this story by the end of the month!!
But then again nothing ever goes my way......I thought that this story would be at the max 16 chapters but obviously not! laughs I hope everyone is having a great week and here is Chapter 18!! I am almost at 200 reviews!! YAY!
Enjoy!
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Chapter 18: Hard Reality
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Kakashi stared at the cup of warm sake in front of him. The mission was going nowhere quickly, it seemed that Itachi was always a step ahead, and on top of that they had to send Sayaka back to Konoha so she could give the Hokage all of the updates. Kakashi traced the rim of the cup with his thumb............Iruka would be mad if found out he was drinking.
Iruka.........
Kakashi threw his head back to make the liquid go down quicker before he put the cup back on the windowsill. Why should he care if Iruka was going to mad at him? It wasn't like they were together anymore.........
Kakashi let his body slump so now he was sitting on the floor with his elbows on the windowsill; the team was currently occupying an old house that hadn't been lived in for quite sometime. Kakashi thought it was a waste since the house itself was very homely looking.
It was a tall two story wooden house on the outskirts of Regal; a small village in the Mist country; but it was still close enough that it was just a short walk to the village. The yard was almost made completely of trees and a pond making the house nearly hidden for anyone passing buy without taking any time to look at there surroundings. It was the perfect place to camp for a few days until Sayaka got back.
Kakashi sighed as he poured some more sake in his cup and continued to stare out the window. There were a few knocks on the door before Kakashi lifted his mask and waited for Obito to open the door. Obito walked in quietly and sat down beside Kakashi before he turned his attention from the window Kakashi was staring out of and looking at the silver haired ninja.
"Something on your mind?" Obito gave a small smile, causing Kakashi to give him a lazy glare.
"Not that it is any of your business right?" Kakashi voice was impassive but Obito just shrugged.
"Just trying to be friendly." Obito's face seemed to somber as he turned his head and stared out the same window Kakashi was just a few seconds ago. "The sky is really beautiful tonight."
"Yeah." Kakashi mumbled taking his eyes off the dirty blond beside him and looking at the stars. "It reminds me a bit of how Konoha looks at night."
"Are you homesick?" Obito stifled a playful laugh as Kakashi just hardened his eyes at the sky.
"No."
Obito was about to continue but the harshness in Kakashi's voice kept him from doing so. He watched at how Kakashi watched the stars with no hint of emotion going across his face, Obito smirked as he wondered what was really going through the silver haired ninja's head.
"You answered that quickly." Obito didn't take his eyes off of Kakashi. "Is there something you're hiding from out here that is back home in Konoha?"
Kakashi started considering the pros and cons of pulling down his mask. He wanted sake but Obito was in the room and would see his face, thus defeating the purpose of there being a mask in the first place.
Obito seemed to decide for Kakashi as he grabbed Kakashi's sake bottle and closed it before grinning at Kakashi. "A drunken ninja isn't very helpful on a mission."
Kakashi just glared at the dirty blond team leader.
There was a moment of silence before Obito started to make conversation again. "Hayate is asleep."
"And?" Kakashi didn't bother to hide his disinterest and continued to stare out the window. Sometimes Kakashi would rather just be by himself and be able to sort his thoughts out but it was kind of hard to do that when there was someone else in the room.
Thus defeating the 'by himself' part.
"Hey I was just trying to make conversation you know? You don't have to be such a pain in the-"
"Sorry, it's just a habit."
Obito stared at the form beside him. Did the infamous Copy Cat Kakashi apologize to him? Since when did this guy who had been acting like a jerk since they left on the mission actually develop a humane side?
Obito pinched his arm causing Kakashi to look at him with a bit of an annoyed expression.
"Haha, sorry I was just making sure I wasn't dreaming." Obito scratched the back of his head before he glanced out the window. "So what's with the depressing atmosphere your giving off?"
Kakashi gave Obito a bored glance before he looked out the window. "Do you think that someone in Konoha could be looking at the same stars we are looking at right now?"
"I guess, I mean the constellations shifted a bit because we traveled but these are pretty much the same stars." Obito smiled. "Why is there someone you're thinking of specifically?"
"No." Kakashi answered in his usually bored tone. Kakashi gave a small grin as he thought that maybe Iruka was looking at the stars right now too, maybe just maybe Iruka was staring at the same star he was...............
"Kami I'm pathetic." Kakashi whispered to himself before he got up and opened the window letting the warm summer air fill the room before he got out and sat on the roof with his feet dangling off.
"Do you normally leave company like that?" Obito joked before sat down next to Kakashi and laid on his back to get a better look at the sky. "Why did you say you were pathetic?"
"What are you my psychologist?" Kakashi snapped at Obito causing the dirty blond to grin at him.
"No but I could be." Kakashi obviously didn't find it as funny as Obito thought his joke was so Obito sighed and closed his eyes. "Listen Kakashi, this is the first mission I have ever had with you so I would personally like to get to know you better, I mean I have a feeling this mission is going to take a while so I would like to be able to communicate with the all of the team members and not just the other two of them."
Kakashi thought about it. That made since for a team leader to want to build a relationship with his team members, it would give the leader better control in certain situations since the leader would have a good idea on how its team would react to certain things. It would definitely prove useful to Kakashi since as far as he knew, the Copy Cat Nin knew every shinobi in the village but obviously he was wrong since he hadn't really heard anything about Obito or Sayaka.
"I don't need a psychologist." Kakashi stared off into the distance as a smirk came to his lips but Obito couldn't see it since he still had his mask on.
Breeze came between the two figures and Kakashi looked at the sky one more time to realize some clouds had appeared. Another warm front was coming; Kakashi glanced around the yard and was pleased to see that the pond had made its own mist around the house helping conceal it before he heard Obito yawn.
"When this mission is over I'm going to quit the Anbu squad and become a jounin." Obito stated out of the blue gaining Kakashi's attention.
"Huh?"
"And then after that I will get married, have three kids; two boys and one girl; it has to be that way so that I can spoil the girl senseless and then I will retire." Obito gave a toothy grin towards Kakashi. "And then after that I will open some kind of store and die of old age."
"And what about your wife?" Kakashi yawned a bit before he got comfortable.
"She would die shortly after me because of grief." Obito kept a serious face as Kakashi found it rather amusing.
"I pity your future wife." Kakashi muttered.
"Well I pity yours." Obito retorted causing Kakashi to sigh.
"Too bad I'm not getting married because that just misplaces your pity." Kakashi replied before turning to Obito. "And I plan to die on the battle field where my body will be destroyed and the only proof of my existence will be the carving of my name in our village's memorial tablet."
"That's depressing." Obito commented softly, not really knowing how to respond to that.
"But that's the future I choose."
''''''''''''''''''''
"Iruka-sensei!" A squeal came from down the hallway causing the chunin's heart to jump to his throat before he looked around his empty class in distress.
"Why did she have to show up now?" Iruka heard footsteps coming from the hallway before he bolted out of the window he had left open in his room.
Iruka remained still as he stuck to the side of the wall. He heard the door to his classroom open and held his breath.
"Iruka-kun! Where did you go? I wanted to go out to lunch with you." A young females voice was heard from the room before the woman stomped her foot and left in a huff.
"But I don't want to go to lunch with you." Iruka whispered to himself before he heard a female's laughter off in the distance.
Iruka froze slowly turning his head praying it wasn't another woman out for lunch and wanting his company. He looked at the woman in an Anbu uniform with long purple hair flowing behind her in the breeze. Iruka gave her another glance before he jumped back in his classroom; Iruka went to his desk and grabbed some papers before he turned around to see the Anbu was now in his classroom.
"That was really funny." The Anbu girl spoke before she took off her mask and smiled at Iruka. "It's been a while since I've seen something so entertaining, would you mind telling me your name sensei-san?"
Iruka stared at her with his mouth open for a few seconds before he regained his composure. She was really pretty and very young looking to be an Anbu.
"U......Umino Iruka." Iruka had a small blush come on his cheeks. "Is there anything I can help you with miss?"
"Miss!" The purple haired Anbu glared at him. "I am way too young to be called miss you got that Iruka-sensei!"
Iruka just nodded before the girl smiled at him. "My name is Chiyako but you can call me what ever you want cutie."
Iruka blushed and grabbed some more papers from his desk. "Uhh.........if there is nothing I can help you with Chiyako-san then I must be going."
Iruka tried giving a quick glance to the amused Anbu before he made his way out of his classroom. What was with women these days? Iruka made his way into the teachers lounge carefully to see that it was empty and sighed thankfully before he placed the papers he needed to grade on the table and made himself comfortable.
It was a beautiful day in Konoha as the sky was a beautiful blue and all the children were playing tag on the playground. Iruka smiled as he waved by to his students and headed for his apartment where he new some instant ramen was waiting for him to indulge on.
Iruka caught sight of one of his students walking away from the school all by himself causing Iruka to worry. The black haired boy would normally stay after school for shurinken training but after the 'incident' Iruka found out from Mizuki that Sasuke hadn't shown up to any of the classes.
Before Iruka could call out the boy's name there came a high-pitched squeal startling both the boy and Iruka.
"SASUKE-KUN!" Iruka watched as the boy took off running before some girls seem to appear out of nowhere and took off after him.
Iruka just stared in awe as the girls disappeared off in the distance. Poor kid.
"IRUKA-KUN!" Iruka flinched before he turned around slowly to wave at Suzume.
"Hey Suzume." Iruka blushed as his old teammate and fellow teacher hugged him and smiled.
"How's the number one top catch bachelor in Konoha doing? Not lonely I'm sure." Suzume winked at him causing Iruka to blush.
"W-what are you talking about?" Iruka evaded her grasp and started walking home as she giggled beside him.
"Don't act innocent with me. How many hearts have you broken this week alone? Twenty? Thirty? C'mon Iruka I heard that you were avoiding Jasna- sensei at lunch and Kat-sensei, Honda-sensei, and Ryoko-sensei were saying that you turned them down when they asked you out last week."
"Suzume I'm just not really ready to start a relationship right now." Iruka looked at his friend trying to smile.
"Why not Iruka-kun? You just keep telling me that but you won't tell me anything else! As far as I know you have never been in any kind of serious relationship so it's not like you've ever had your heart broken!" Suzume grabbed Iruka's arm. "Please just try to go out with someone I mean it would be really sad if you don't get married."
"Why is that Suzume?" Iruka tried to hide the hurt in his voice at everything she had just said.
"Because you are going to have terrific good looking kids!" Suzume squeezed his arm.
"What makes you say that Suzume? I'm not that great to look at you know?" Iruka retorted before sighing. "I'm average and I like it that way. I'm not lonely and I really just don't want to be in a relationship right now so could you please respect my wishes."
Suzume gave Iruka a hurt look before she nodded her head. "Well I better head home now.................bye Iruka-kun."
Iruka gave her a small wave before he headed back home. Iruka sighed, as he really wasn't in the mood to go to his apartment anymore. Iruka spotted the bookstore on the corner and decided to make a stop since he had already finished the last book he had bought a few weeks ago.
Iruka entered into the store and made his way down the isles before he found his section and smiled contently at all the educational material.
"Now.........Kakashi-baka." Iruka whipped his head around when he heard someone say Kakashi.
Kakashi!
Did that mean the shinobi was back in Konoha? Iruka quickly turned the corner to find out who said that only to run into the person standing right there.
"Ow!" Iruka looked down to see he had knocked over a purple haired girl..............in an Anbu uniform...............that looked remarkably like the Anbu girl you laughed at him earlier.
"I am so sorry miss." Iruka helped her up before the girl whapped him over the head.
"I am too young to be called miss! My name is Sasame!" Iruka looked at her puzzled for a second. Didn't she say her name was Chiyako earlier?
"Sasame?" Iruka looked at her questionably before she smiled sheepishly at him.
"You're the teacher from earlier." She smiled before she picked up the books she had dropped when Iruka had run into her. "Sorry I don't really remember your name but since we we've run into each other again I'm sure you won't mind repeating it."
"It's Iruka and I thought your name was Chiyako?" Iruka pointed up as he picked up the book he had dropped when he had crashed into her.
"Chiyako?" The girl smiled sheepishly before she explained. "Well that's my name too! You see my middle name is Sasame and my first name is Chiyako and I just happen to go by both!"
"Chiyako Sasame?" Iruka was confused now.........that was the first time he heard someone going by both their first and middle name. Iruka shook his head and looked around the store and sighed. It looked like the person that had said something about Kakashi had already left the store.
"What's with the sigh Iruka-sensei?" The purple haired Anbu smiled at Iruka admiring how cute the chunin looked even though he seemed slightly off.
"Oh I just thought I heard someone talk about one of my friends but I guess they left when I ran into you." Iruka smiled apologetically at her. "I didn't mean to run into you."
"It's okay and there hasn't been anyone in this store besides me since you've been in here." The Anbu girl added as if to help Iruka out.
"But I swore I heard someone talking........."
"To themselves? Yeah that would be me!" The girl smiled and showed Iruka two books she was holding. "I am buying some books for a few of my teammates since it'll be a while before they get back here to Konoha but I didn't know what to get this new guy, Kakashi, he's such a jerk maybe I shouldn't get him anything!"
"Kakashi?" Iruka looked at her wide-eyed. "You're on the same mission he is on?"
The girl gave Iruka a skeptical look before she smiled. "So many questions from someone who I figured would be the quiet cute type."
Iruka blushed. "I'm sorry that was a bit rude."
"It's okay Iruka! But if you really want to make it up to me you can take me out to dinner but just so you know I'm not allowed to talk about my mission." The girl latched onto Iruka's arm and smiled. "So where do you want to go?"
"What?"
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"Where did Hayate go?" Kakashi walked into the open room Obito was sitting on the floor in as the team leader read a few scrolls that were around him.
"He went to go meet Sayaka-chan when she got back." Obito didn't bother to look up at Kakashi as he added, "They probably wanted to get some alone time too."
"I didn't want to know that." Kakashi commented before he sat down on the ground too and looked over the stuff Obito was studying. "What is all of this?"
"I went to town this morning and asked some of the people with power about hearing about any strange occurrences and they were nice enough to give me this." Obito held up a scroll. "It has every crime committed in the area for the past month."
"And you think Itachi might be mentioned in there?" Kakashi took the scroll and opened it slowly. "I don't know if he would be stupid enough to get caught committing a crime when his reputation is hot right now."
"I didn't say it said only the cases where the culprit was caught these are every case in the past month." Obito smiled as Kakashi glanced over it. "You seem to be in a better mood."
"Is that a bad thing?" Kakashi gave Obito a skeptical glance while Obito just shook his hands as if he was surrendering.
"I didn't say that now did I? I was just stating that you seem to be in a better mood." Obito smiled. "It's definitely a good thing."
Kakashi stared at Obito while Obito just smiled contently. There was a moment of silence before Kakashi threw the scroll at Obito's face and stood up.
"Screw this! I knew I should just keep acting the way I usually do!" Before Kakashi could take move out of the room he stepped on a scroll and went flying back but quickly regained his jounin reflexes and sent chakra to his feet and he pushed himself up with his arms and attached to the ceiling.
Obito smiled as Kakashi walked away on the ceiling. "You almost made a fool of yourself right then." Obito commented causing Kakashi to stop and flip onto the ground.
"Almost being the keyword."
"Hey you want some tea?" Obito pointed over to a pitcher and a few glasses not to far from him and Kakashi just nodded and sat back down near the team leader.
"Hey Obito-san." Obito looked up at Kakashi and nodded to show that he was listening as he curved his brown eyes and smiled. "When you were talking about your future wife last night, were you thinking of someone specific right then?"
Obito was a little surprised by the question but shook his head. "No not really, I haven't met the woman I'm going to marry yet."
Kakashi just nodded as if he had got an answer he was content with. Obito waited for a second before he glanced at Kakashi. "Why do you ask?"
"I was just thinking about it because the way you talked about her last night made her seem real and I thought it sounded nice, being in love with someone like that without even knowing who they are." Kakashi stared at his teacup remembering that he couldn't drink it with his mask on and sighed.
"Well I know when I meet her it will be love right there because we both will be know and then we will get married, what about you? I know this might be a stupid question but is there a special someone you think about that way?"
"There used to be." Kakashi admitted with a bitter smirk on his lips even though his mask covered it. "It still seems like it was a dream sometimes."
Obito deciding it was best to just take advantage in the fact that Kakashi was talking to him didn't bother asking any questions that might cause the usually stoic shinobi to build a wall again.
"I was head over heels for this person." Kakashi whispered looking out of the window that the light was pouring in from. "I don't think I will ever be that happy ever again."
"What happened?" Obito inquired as Kakashi looked at him with an emotionless expression.
"I broke up with him." Kakashi deadpanned causing Obito's eyes to widen.
"You brok-................He?" Obito was about to say something when the door opened.
"Hello." Sayaka walked into the room with her purple hair put in a bun and Hayate following after her quietly with an occasional cough. "Did you guys miss me?"
"I liked the quiet." Kakashi smirked under his mask as she glared at him.
"I'm not going to let your rudeness ruin my mood Kakashi-san, I am in a very good mood and I can't wait to tell you guys all of the gossip I got!" Sayaka sat down by Obito and pulled Hayate down with her. "Okay where do I start........."
Kakashi shrugged and moved so that he could lay down and listen to their conversation at the same time. Maybe if he was lucky the girl would know something about how Iru-
"Iruko........Inoka...........Iruchacha...........Irenn........I can't really remember his name but man what a nice guy!" Kakashi jolted his head and looked at Sayaka.
"Iruka?" Kakashi questioned aloud causing everyone to look at him.
"Yes that was his name Iruka-sensei! Oh now that I remember he said something about knowing you Kakashi.........well anyway back to my story........."
"What did he say?" Kakashi inquired causing everyone to raise an eyebrow before Hayate coughed.
"Oh yeah you guys were roommates for a few years weren't you?" Hayate coughed. "That's how I met Iruka when I walked you home after a mission, he gave me a cookie."
Sayaka laughed and Obito sweat dropped at that fact. "Well yeah anyway I saw Iruka hiding outside of his classroom because apparently this girl keeps asking him out and he was avoiding her-"
"Really?" Kakashi didn't realize how into the story he looked until Obito coughed a bit.
"Stop interrupting me!" Sayaka glared. "Well then we ran into each other at a bookstore so I made him take me out to lunch! Oh, did you guys know that Asuma-senpai's brother is going to have a baby! (1) I over heard the information on my way home."
Kakashi tried to calm his nerves. Iruka had said something about him? Maybe not.........why would Iruka want to say anything about him? Kakashi put his hands in his hair but made sure he listened to the story Sayaka was saying, who knows she might have some important information.
"After that I told Kurenai that she should quit being a teacher and go back on the field. She has the makings of a jounin and I think she is limiting herself with that teaching position. Speaking of teachers, Iruka-sensei is one cute guy!"
Kakashi visibly tensed. Maybe he shouldn't listen to this, what if he started regretting ending his relationship with Iruka even more then he did now? What if he finds out that Iruka has moved on? Kakashi would like for Iruka to move on but deep down inside Kakashi knows he doesn't want Iruka with anyone else.
Even if that is selfish.
"Apparently Iruka is single and very eligible, or that's what my sources tell me," Sayaka grinned at Hayate when he glared at her. "Don't worry Hayate-chan, I didn't do anything."
Kakashi let out a sigh once he heard Iruka was still single. So what if he was being selfish! Kakashi relaxed a bit and sat up making himself comfortable in the chair he was in where he closed his eyes.
"So who is Iruka?" Obito's voice broke through Kakashi's thoughts and Sayaka's ramblings.
Sayaka paused for a moment, "Umino Iruka-sensei, age 18, lives by himself as of recently, apparently his last roommate kind of vanished last minute. As far as I know the Hokage has a lot of faith in him and by what I found out about him, sad childhood and currently recovering from some kind of relationship but no one seemed to know the details just that 'poor Iruka has so much stress to deal with' and that 'poor Iruka deserves a better life'; he looked fine to me personally."
"What?" Kakashi sat up and looked at Sayaka with a somewhat surprised glance. "I thought you said you just met him."
"Oh I did." Sayaka winked at Kakashi. "But it's odd for me to meet a lower level shinobi and not know who he is, especially one that's a good catch, so I decided to make up for lost time and found out all I could while I was there in Konoha."
"I knew you were up to something." Obito smirked at her and looked over at Kakashi. "You kind of surprised me though since I didn't think you were the type to listen to gossip."
"Don't want to fall behind on the latest fashion." Kakashi mumbled before he got up and walked out of the room.
"What's up his butt?" Sayaka stated bluntly before Hayate hit her.
"That's not how a lady should talk." Hayate sighed. "Didn't you hear me earlier when I said that Kakashi was Iruka's old roommate? He probably just wants to check up on his friend."
"Pfft. The almighty Kakashi have friends?" Sayaka didn't bother trying to hide her sarcasm off her voice.
"Be nice Sayaka." Obito murmured before he stood up and stretched. "Guys I'm going to take Kakashi out on a walk so make sure you have everything packed when we get back."
Hayate and Sayaka waited for Obito to leave the room when Sayaka grinned at Obito.
"Do you think senpai is going to scold Kakashi for being so rude all the time?"
"Not likely." Hayate coughed a bit. "But it's none of our business so let's do what Obito said and pack."
"You're no fun!"
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"Yo Iruka!"
Iruka turned looked up from the mission report he was filing and smiled at Mizuki.
"Hey, Mizuki. Are you fixing to go somewhere?" Iruka took notice on how his friend was no longer wearing the usually chunin attire as Mizuki just smirked at him.
"Yeah I have a date." Mizuki turned his head as his light hair graced his shoulders.
The light haired chunin sensei was wearing normal attire. A t-shirt and jeans with some slip on brown sandals that made him look like he was just returning from a mission that was near one of the beaches in the Water country.
Iruka just nodded at his friend and was about to ask whom Mizuki was dating when he heard a familiar voice call out.
"Mizuki-kun!" Suzume ran up and grabbed his arm before she noticed Iruka and smiled at him. "Good afternoon Iruka-kun!"
"Yeah........." Iruka grinned, as Suzume blushed a bit. "Why are you guys meeting in the assignment room?'
"Oh yeah." Mizuki pulled a scroll out from on of his pockets and smiled. "Here's my mission report; I know it's a little late but at least I finally remembered do complete it."
"Yeah yeah........." Iruka sighed and then waved his two friends off before he looked up at the clock. "Well it looks like I am done for the night guys."
"See you later Iruka-sensei." One of the shinobi in the room gave a smile before he went back to work.
Iruka walked down the streets and smiled as a warm breeze passed him giving him this comfortable feeling. The sky was dark now and the stars filled the sky. Iruka looked up and sighed as he closed his eyes to make a quick wish before he continued on his walk.
'sniffle'
Iruka stopped his footsteps and turned his head in the direction of the practice field that he had taken all the classes to that day. It sounded like someone was still out there but who would be out here at this time of night?
'sob'
Iruka slowly approached the practice field and peered down at a hunched figure running its fingers through the grass.
/ A student? / Iruka thought as he went through the possibilities of why a student would be out here. In his younger classes they had practiced throwing kunai and Iruka knew that no one lost any of their own if they brought any because he made sure after class............
'sniffle'
Iruka made his way out onto the field to get a better look at the student. It was too dark so he wasn't able to recognize the blonde hair and hitai- ate leaf t-shirt until he was practically squatting on the ground next to Naruto.
"Naruto?" Iruka spoke up catching the kid off guard as the blonde jumped up in the air and quickly wiped his eyes as he noticed it was his teacher.
"I-I-Iruka-sensei!!" Naruto stood up so that he was eye level with his squatting teacher. "I didn't do anything so you can't scold me!"
Iruka was about to say something but paused. Did the fox really think he was just here to scold him?
"I'm not here to scold you Naruto." Iruka gave a small smile to the child who was glaring disbelieving at him. "I'm serious! I just heard some noise out here and wanted to make sure whoever was crying didn't hurt themselves."
"I wasn't crying." Naruto spat out even though Iruka could see it was an obvious lie.
"Well then what were you doing out here?"
"I was.........uh...I...I-I-I was looking for a key." Naruto mumbled the last part so that Iruka almost didn't hear it but the chunin sensei sighed and looked at his student.
"Why are you out here in the night looking for a key Naruto, its dark and way past your curfew? I would like you to be able to stay awake through one of my classes before you graduate." Iruka joked until he noticed the boy looked worried. "Is something wrong?"
"It was my house key." Naruto stated not looking up at his young teacher.
"Oh." Was all Iruka could say as he stared at the boy.
There was a moment of silence before Naruto looked up at his teacher who seemed to be thinking of something important so Naruto decided not to bother his sensei and started looking for his key again. Naruto almost grinned as he thought about the fact that that was the first time he ever had a real talk with someone and the person not be yelling at him.
Iruka thought for a moment before he reached into his pocket and smiled. He had found a key when he had checked over the field for any missing weapons. Iruka chuckled to himself before he ruffled Naruto's hair startling the boy.
Naruto flinched when he felt the contact of Iruka's hand and Iruka realized what he was doing and suddenly pulled his hand away. Naruto looked at his weird teacher who had actually played with his hair like some older brother, Naruto was about to ask if Iruka hadn't gotten the memo that no one liked him but Iruka seemed surprised at himself before the teacher took an object from his pocket and handed it to the boy.
"I found it earlier on the field and just remembered I put it in my pocket." Iruka stated quickly before he got up and started walking away.
"Yes!" Naruto yelled in triumph as he grabbed the key. "Thanks Iruka- sensei!"
Iruka didn't reply as he made took the quickest route home. It wasn't until the chunin had taken a shower and thrown himself on his bed till he looked at the hand he had touched the blonde fox's head with.
"What's wrong with me?" Iruka glared at his hand.
There was nothing wrong with being nice to the kid! Iruka turned over and hit his head on a pillow before he sighed. The kid had flinched when I touched him almost as if it was his first time to have someone do that to him ever.........
Iruka turned over and decided to push his thoughts to the back of his head. He had more important things to think about instead of his trouble-making student! Like what he should do for class tomorrow.
''''''''''''''''''''
The trees moved in the breeze causing leaves to float to the ground as Kakashi and Obito walked around in no direction in particular. Kakashi sighed as he stared at the taller ninja, he was tall himself so to meet someone taller made him feel like a little kid again. Obito just had a content look on his face as he looked up at the clouds.
Kakashi was about to ask why Obito had insisted he go on the walk but decided against it and remained silent.
"So who is this Iruka-sensei really?" Obito smiled as Kakashi looked at him a bit surprised. "I'm just asking to be friendly; who knows maybe you could use some advice."
"I was too obvious back there........." Kakashi mumbled before he leaned against a tree and sighed. "I don't have to tell you anything."
"I know." Obito smiled. "But I think you need to tell someone or it might affect your performance on our mission."
"You think that this might affect me in a fight?" Kakashi asked almost disbelieving. He was the Copy Cat Ninja Kakashi for goodness sakes!
"In a straight-forward reply, yes." Obito curved his eye even though he could hear a few curses escaping the younger shinobi's mouth.
There was a moment of silence before Kakashi hit the back of his head against the tree he was leaning on. He hated it when people were right, especially when they were right about something that could be considered a weakness and directing it at him.
"I just wanted to let you know that if you want to talk then I'm here." Obito smiled and turned around slowly before he heard something that was muffled and looked over his shoulder to see Kakashi glaring at him. "What's with the face?"
Kakashi sighed. "I said you win."
Obito got a serious expression on his face. "That's not what I was meaning Kakashi."
"What does it matter?" Kakashi sighed.
"What matters is I'm trying to put up with your attitude and become your friend but you keep acting like a spoiled brat who just graduated the academy." Kakashi was about to say something but Obito cut him off by continuing, "I know you became a shinobi when you were a child but that doesn't give you the right to act like one now."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kakashi snapped as he glared at Obito.
"It means exactly how it sounds Kakashi. You are acting like a spoiled brat and it's about time you faced reality. From what I know you seem to really love this Iruka guy but you broke up with him before you went on this mission. Obviously something had to of happened and now you are having second thoughts, I know you don't seem to be the type to listen willingly but heed my words, if you screw up on this mission because you let your emotions get in the way I will have you sent back to the village and that can strip you of you jounin title." Obito's words sunk in as Kakashi glared at the older man.
"What do you know?" Kakashi yelled.
"Exactly, what do I know?" Obito smirked at Kakashi causing the silver haired shinobi to grit his teeth.
Who did this guy think he was? Letting emotions get in the way of a mission! Kakashi had to laugh; he was the guy who mastered over 1000 ninjitsus before his 22 birthday! He's the guy who mastered the sharingan eye without being part of the infamous Uchiha clan! Kakashi continued to grit his teeth.
Spoiled brat? Kakashi lowered his head. Who had the right to tell him he was acting like a spoiled brat? So what if he was acting like one anyway! He had just made the biggest mistake in his life, wasn't he allowed to berate himself!
"Why did you break up with him anyway, if you don't mind me asking?" Obito leaned against the same tree as Kakashi and slid down so that he was sitting on the ground as another warm breeze came through.
"And what if I do mind?" Kakashi mumbled as he sat too. "I'm moron."
"I already knew that." Obito joked before Kakashi sighed and Obito's brown eyes softened. "There was a reason wasn't there?"
"The Hokage told me to." Kakashi stated causing Obito to get some doubt.
"What makes you say that? I mean did he tell to just flat out dump this Iruka character?"
"No." Kakashi paused. "He told me to break any chains that might be holding me back because he didn't want anything to hinder my performance during this mission."
"Ah." Obito nodded as if he understood completely. "Well then it probably was the best thing for you to break up with this Iruka."
"What?" Kakashi stated as he stared at the dirty blonde friend.
"Well, obviously you thought that Iruka was chaining you down. You said that the Hokage didn't tell you flat out to dump the guy so you can't justify yourself by blaming it on the Hokage." Obito pause to make sure Kakashi was getting it. "As far as you knew the Hokage could have meant anything but you automatically assumed Iruka which means subconsciously you believe Iruka is holding you back."
Kakashi was about to say something but paused.
Was Obito right?
"But........." Kakashi looked at Obito. "I loved Iruka, how could I ever think like that?"
"I never said you didn't love him." Obito gave Kakashi a sympathetic pat on the back; this must be hard for the ninja to realize. "It's just that you are a ninja of Konoha and that means we serve our village with our lives, you know this and you knew deep down that there was a chance that you would drop your village and put Iruka first and that is very dangerous for a shinobi."
Kakashi ran his fingers through his hair. Why did it take him so long to realize this? The Hokage had never directly said anything about breaking up with Iruka but because Kakashi had automatically thought about doing so did that mean that everything Obito just said was true?
"Obito." Kakashi looked over at his new friend. "Thanks."
"No problem after all that's what friends are for." Obito stood up and stretched. "Alright lets head back because if I know Sayaka right she bought us some presents from Konoha."
Kakashi just curved his visible eye and nodded as he stood up as well.
This is what he needed, someone to show him the truth; even if it wasn't what he had originally thought.
This was the first step to moving on and Kakashi hated to admit it but.............
He was scared to see where this road led.
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Konohamaru!! Asuma's last name is Sarutobi and in the flash backs in the manga (doesn't want to spoil anything) where something happens to the Hokage and Jiraiya is having a flashback, the Hokage's students refer to the Hokage as Sarutobi-sensei thus I figured there was some relation! And since I don't think Asuma has a kid I figured it could be his brother who is responsible for bringing Konohamaru into the world! Woohoo!
Well? What did you guys think about that chapter? It took me a while to find a way to end it but I think I did a good job. Of course it isn't me favorite chapter but I hope all of you like it! Please leave a review and tell me how you feel!
And now my replies to your reviews! It's been a while!
''''''''''''''''''''Reviews '''''''''''''''''''' TheTrueSilver: I'm glad you like angst because well this story will have plenty of it..........or it did have a good dose of it earlier but of course I always try to follow it up with something a little happier! Thanks for the review! Don't hurt the Kakashi plushie please! SEE! SEE! He does miss Iruka- chan!! (grabs senbon needles from Silver and pets the Kakashi plushie)
Silver Neo: I hope your head ache got better (of course it did b/c you you had it when you reviewed chapter 16) Don't worry Iruka will be feeling back to his normal self in a little bit and don't be so mean to Kakashi please! I mean yeah you can get Naruto to beat him up all you want and poor Sasuke but Kakashi is suffering too.................I think..............Thats really cute that you had them make up in your chap17 review! I know Naruto wasn't in chap 17 a lot but he was in this one a little more! But he wont have too big of parts because this is Iruka and Kakashi's story not Sasuke and Naruto's (and yeah I would pair them together) Thank you for reviewing as always I love it!
Evil Kasumi: I plan to continue this story all the way to the end so no worries there! I didn't know if I did a good job at the break up scene because it was the first time I ever attempted something like that but thanks for the review! I'm glad chap 16 brought out so many emotions and don't worry I do plan to rectify myself! I'm glad you liked chapter 17 too, did I rectify myself a little bit? Ne?
Hikari of Darkness: Yeah about the sharingan from Obito theory.............(sigh).......I wanted to keep this story as true to the manga as I could possibly do but I forgot about Kakashi mentioning this guy named Obito in the funeral chapter so when I was going over the chapter and saw that I had already written the part where Kakashi got his eye from Heidaki but at the same time no one really knows about how he got that sharingan eye so I was safe and all I needed to do was put Obito in this story and give a big part with a sad ending (foreshadowing) and thus I made the Obito that has appeared in 'Growing Pains' I hope you like him! I hope I keep updating faster than I did this time (smile)
Sabrea: Don't worry they will get back together (and believe it or not I am not ruining the ending of the story!!)
Morien Alexander: That's sad that you know how Iruka feels but then again I guess that helps readers be able to get into my story if they can show empathy for the characters I am using! (bows) I can't believe this is one of your favoritest stories because I love your stories!! Speaking of which when are you going to update 'Sometimes'? (lol)
Kami Beverly: I would enjoy it if you called me crazy because I am plain psycho!!
shadoewhunter: I will be nice to Kakashi (hands you a tissue) Thank you for reviewing!
b4k4-girl: please don't cry!! I can't take it that most of the reviews I am getting for chapter 16 are of ppl who are sad!! (but that's my fault isn't it? smirk) Don't worry you will find out what happens soon enough! (laughs evilly)
KakashiSuka{My Fan}: I don't know what really to leave you as a reply since we talk through email but hey keep reviewing! I'm glad you like my story and your really cool! I hope you are having a great day lil'sis!
VertigoMesmerizer: Thanks for the no more 10 years of pain! (rubs bottom) I;m still recovering from last time! And you seem to have the story planned out (laughs evilly) how can I mess up the happy ending...........hm..........I am the author so I don't have to have a nice ending I could end it with unresolved love issues and a character death..........(smirk) but who will die? Thanks for the bearhug! I much prefer that then pain! Maybe you were foreshadowing DUN DUN DUNN but then again maybe you weren't.........(jk)
eyes0nme19: You don't have to hope for more because even if you didn't want more I would keep typing!! (laughs like that is a good thing) Iruka-chan is a cutie isn't he?
Renn: Obito was mentioned in the manga (that has yet to be released in shonen jump) in the chapter where a lot of ppl are mourning cause a certain event happened..............i don't know how far you read so I don't want to ruin it.........but it's a sad chapter (like that helps) Yeah I'm glad you like how I got Iruka moving on even tho it was a slow start but atleast he's moving!
Jenn: yeah Kakashi doesn't think before doing a lot and in some cases it might have a really bad out come (foreshadowing) MAN I LOVE DOING THAT! How did you do one your exams? I still have two more to do then I am done for the year (yippee)
Assassin: HEY! I'm going to miss gym class with you cause that means I won't be able to tell you what I'm planning to do in the future to poor Iruka and Kakashi (laughs like a maniac) Oh and thanks for the job!!
Dream Fox: They are cute together! And that's what makes everyone want to read stories with them together in it! I love KakaIru! Don't worry I should continue faster now that school is out on Tuesday!
Nikole StarGazer: I am so happy that someone actually spent two days trying to finish my story! Because that means something good right?? I'm glad you liked the fluffiness and all that good stuff!
lemmings12: Don't worry their paths will intertwine again and Iruka will eventually move on to a point where.........(mumbles off).........so please keep reading! Thank you for reviewing!
Nekomoongirl: Hopefully you are understanding Kakasihi's state of mind when he broke up with Iruka a little more as the story goes on. Thanks for reviewing!
Blue ½: I'm glad you liked how I portrayed the rookies as children and don't worry there will be more little kid time next chapter! Thanks for reviewing and I hoped you enjoyed this chapter!
Isolde1: Hey! Thanks and I'm glad you liked chapter 17! Please Review again and I love your stories too!
Sadistic Demon: Yeah you will get to see more glimpses of the rookies when they were kids now that Kakashi is gone and Iruka starts to dedicate himself to make sure that they surive!
piNkLaLa-o2: I'm glad you love it! Please review again!
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Please Review!
Have a great week!
