SilverKnight7: Yay!!! Someone likes my story!!!!

kali: I know what you mean about KakaIru. It was the first slash pairing I ever read in the Naruto fandom, so I'm very attached to it. Kakashi and Iruka are adorable together aren't they?

I'm glad you think my story is well worked; there are more twists and turns coming up........ *cackles*

And I don't think you need to worry about me changing the slash pairing; there will be more, however. Pairings up the wazoo....... *grin*

Keep writing?! Be happy?! You betcha, babe! One of the things that keeps up my spirits and gives me inspiration is getting reviews!!!

Kakashi Uzumaki: Funny?! Me?! Really?! Yay!!!!!!!!!!

I always try to update as much as I can...... *sob sob*

And it's not that I don't want to write slash, it's just I'm building up to it. I need to do that, since it's rather crucial to the plot.  

Raikage Yondamie: Who said I mislead you?

Deadguy23: Don't you worry; Naruto and Hinata will be together. *starry-eyed*  

You're welcome for being mean to Raikage; it's always fun. It's my duty as his baby sister to annoy him (even if he's older than me by a few minutes......)

Kakaaaaashiiiiiii.......

Kakashi: Oh, god, not again.

Will you? Please? Please? Pleeeeaaaaase????

Kakashi: HeartofSword26 does not own Naruto. That is all. Read the fic. And please, god, review, she cries when people don't review.......

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Shuriken 3: Jiraiya's Imposter! Iruka-Sensei is Late!

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"Tsunade."

Tsunade fell out of her chair.

"I'm popular today," she grumbled as she righted herself. "What do you want?"                                                                      

Jiraiya leaned in the doorway and stared at her. "Who is Hunter," he asked.

"A legend used to lull little kids -- and not so little kids -- to sleep."

"Legends can talk?"

"Aren't you and I proof of that?"

Jiraiya ignored that. "Tell me who Hunter is, Tsunade."

Tsunade immediately realized that Jiraiya knew Hunter existed; either he had heard at the door, or he had felt Hunter's chakra.

However he knew Tsunade didn't care; all she cared about was the realization that this was not Jiraiya.

"I don't see why I should tell you," she said coolly. "It's not like it's any of your business."

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This was bound to be interesting.

Kakashi lay heavily on a tree branch, arms and legs dangling lazily over the sides as he watched Naruto pace on the bridge.

Kakashi, of course, had been late.

But Iruka was even more so.

Naruto was fretting out loud as he paced. "What if Iruka-sensei fell into a trap? What is he's sick?" Naruto's eyes widened. "What if he's dead?!" the boy turned to look up at Kakashi, his face as white as the albino's own. "Kakashi-sensei, we have to find Iruka-sensei—"

"Who is touched by your concern."

Naruto whirled to face -- Iruka (who was looking much disheveled, with his hair falling out of his hair tie).

"Where have you been?!"

Iruka's eyes were suddenly bright with mirth.

"Well, there was this old lady in the park—"

"Liar!"

"You've heard that one?"

"Iruka-senseiiiiiii!"

Iruka laughed and hugged the boy.

"What were you doing?" Kakashi asked from his perch.

"The great Kakashi-sensei?" Iruka said in mock amazement. "Actually taking an interest?" Then he winced. "I'm sorry. It's been five hours since my first cup of coffee...."

"Five hours?"

"Yes. And then my class tried to revolt around 8:00 AM."

"But Iruka-sensei," Naruto protested. "You were supposed to meet us here an hour before that!"

"I had come up to tie up a few loose ends when they came in and took me by surprise." Iruka rolled his eyes. "Konohamaru tried to start a riot by pulling down his pants and mooning the class, and it took me and three other teachers four hours to restore order. I just got back from that."

Naruto and Kakashi blinked.

"But never mind me. Where are Sakura and Sasuke?"

"Oh, Naruto and I left them alone at the..." Kakashi trailed off and his eye widened. Swearing like a pirate, he disappeared in a puff of smoke.

There was silence for a moment on the bridge. Then Iruka and Naruto burst out laughing.

It subsided after a while, and Iruka tousled Naruto's hair.

"Come on," he said. "Let's go to my place. I think we both have things to pick up."

"Ramen!"

Iruka chuckled. He'd missed Naruto terribly, and it was always a treat to be with the blonde.

"Yes, we'll have lots pf ramen."

As they walked in the direction of Iruka's apartment, Iruka asked, "So how are things going with you and Hinata?"

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With a puff of smoke the shinobi's disguise disappeared.

It was no longer Jiraiya dead on the floor, but a Sound ninja.

Feeling sick, Tsunade stared at the frozen, grimacing face. Then she turned to Anko.

"Any word?"

Anko shook her head. "No. The guards didn't see or sense anything. If Hunter did, then he's keeping his mouth shut." She scowled. "I wish he wasn't so close mouthed."

"Hunter is bound by rules we can't even guess at Anko." Tsunade smiled ruefully. "I have to admit though; I wish he shared more too."

Anko nodded glumly. "Tsunade, this guy was able to get past the ANBU patrols. That means Orochimaru was controlling him for at least part of the way."

"Yes," Tsunade murmured. "He seems to be stepping up the game."

She bowed her head in thought, working out a plan.

Then, raising it, said, "Take your team and trail Team 7 and Iruka. Hunter will be doing the same, so let him know you're there. He'll probably control Iruka to talk to you; Iruka won't know he's doing it, so it'll be O.K."

Anko bolted.

Tsunade immediately called for a group of Examiners. She wanted to know everything there was to know about this body.

The fate of the village could very well depend on it.