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"What a child doesn't receive he can seldom later give."
~P.D. James
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Chapter 4: Who am I........
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Kakashi opened his eyes and moaned. "I lost Iruka."
This was not good. Iruka was in a vulnerable state right now; he is not supposed to lose him. Even if it was all confusing him on what he had actually done wrong, Kakashi felt like he owed a lot of people apologies. Mainly Iruka and Naruto.
He felt something warm moving slowly beside him. He slowly moved his head to his side. Sasuke was sitting there cuddling with his pillow.
Kakashi sighed and turned back over and slowly closed his eyes to fall back asleep.
"Wait.......What!?!?!?" Kakashi sat up and looked back over at the boy. His back hit the wall behind him as he jumped.
Sasuke moved slowly still with the pillows in his hands as he rolled over.
Kakashi quickly threw off the covers and made sure everything was still intact; clothes, turtleneck up, and all. He looked over at Sasuke who was still dressed also; they were both still muddy and wet from the rain the night before.
Kakashi looked around and noticed he was in Iruka's house. Why did he come here? Did he bring Sasuke? He must have brought him here because of the rain but all he could remember was Iruka's scared and confused face. This was not good.
"Hn?" Sasuke opened his eyes lazily as he looked up at Kakashi. He sighed and closed his eyes again trying to go back to sleep.
"What the heck?" He quickly jumped back dropping the pillow and falling off the bed. His eyes went wide as he began to make sure all of his cloths were still on.
"Good morning Sasuke!" Kakashi said it in such a cheerful manner it made Sasuke very nervous. "Did you like last night?" Sasuke's eyes went wide as Kakashi began to get closer to him.
"You know......the rain, the late night visit, you kissing Akuri, and getting Naruto mad at us....." Kakashi sighed as he stood up. Having the happy go lucky Naruto mad at you was not a good thing, especially when he had Iruka with him.
"Oh crap Naruto...." Sasuke shut his eyes remembering everything from the night before. He screwed up.
"Well come on now, we have a lot of clean up to do...." Kakashi made his way to the door.
"We? What did you do wrong?" Sasuke stood and walked over to the jonin.
"Naruto was mad at me too, but unlike you I can get away with buying him ramen. Plus I need to apologize to Akuri. As do you, that was stupid what you did." Kakashi glared at Sasuke, he hated the fact that Sasuke had kissed Iruka....in his child form or not.
"Crap." Sasuke blushed as they both ran out of the door. Not remembering the large muddy mess they left on the bed.
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"Hey Akuri hurry up!" Naruto yelled as he put his shoes on. He was going to introduce Akuri to Lee and his group since they had the day off.
"Thank you for letting me borrow a bandage!" Iruka yelled running out of the bathroom. He had gotten tired of using the turtleneck as a cover of his face.
"No problem! Lets go!" Naruto opened the door and stopped.
"What is wrong Naruto?" Iruka looked out of the door to see Kakashi and Sasuke sitting in front of the house with their eyes closed. What were they doing?
"Come on lets go before they notice us." Naruto whispered as they began to tip toe until they were far enough away to run. Iruka felt kind of stupid tip-toeing but in the end though it was a bit fun.
"Okay wait here until I find Lee-kun! You will think he is sooo cool!" Naruto grinned when they arrived at the park, forgetting that Sasuke was still at his house. He quickly ran off leaving Iruka in the middle of the park, alone.
He remembered Rock Lee, it was the kid who couldn't use ninjutsu but he was still very gifted. If he remembered correctly he had Gai as an instructor and in his group were Hyuga Neji and Tenten....the girl who was really good with throwing type weapons.
Iruka looked around, there were only a few kids playing on the playground but the rest had to be in school. Thinking about the kids in school made Iruka a little upset, he missed his classes.
"Hey kid are you new here?"
Iruka turned around to face three girls. They were his old students. Kasha, Genii, and Conan, but what were they doing out of school?
"Oh wow you are a pretty girl!" Kasha began to blush.
"Well are you new here?" Conan repeated herself. She eyed Iruka suspiciously.
"Um...I am a boy." Iruka grinned as he saw all three students blush.
"Iruka-sensei is that you?" The usually shy girl Genii jumped out from being behind Conan. "I know its you! I thought you were on a mission!"
"No way! That isn't Iruka-sensei Genii!" Kasha looked at her friend confused.
"No he looks like Iruka-sensei! And Genii would know!" Conan patted her now blushing friend on the back.
"Shhhhhh....call me Akuri, please." Iruka smiled at them nervously, how was he going to explain this?
"Huh? Akuri? Why? And what are you doing in that outfit? Borrowing cloths from Naruto?" Kasha crossed her arms; she still didn't believe that it was Iruka-sensei.
"Um....yeah." Iruka looked at the bright orange pants he was wearing, they screamed Naruto.
"But aren't you on a mission? Isn't that why we got divided up among the other teachers?" Genii looked very confused but she loved seeing Iruka as a little boy again.
"Uh....Yeah! I am on a mission right now! I am just doing some minor things and I had to be a kid for it! And....you cannot tell anyone! Not even your parents!" Iruka tried to make up the best lie possible.
"Well if you say so but come back soon....I don't like any of the other teachers." Kasha sighed, she hated the way they were so boring.
"Don't worry I will!" Iruka smiled but then something popped up in the back of his mind. "Wait a second!"
All the girls jumped at his sudden outburst.
"Why aren't you three at the school right now?" Iruka gave them one of his 'bad student' glares.
"Oh.....uh....." Conan looked at Kasha for an excuse.
"Go back now!" Iruka smiled pushing them toward the school as the girls sighed.
"Yes sir!" They shouted as they ran back to the school.
"Akuri come here!" Iruka turned around to see Naruto being followed by three other people. He quickly ran over but stopped when he noticed Lee blushing.
"Wow Naruto! She is almost as pretty as Sakura-chan!" Lee jumped in front of Iruka causing him to take a step back. Not again.
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"Okay I think I can do it." Sasuke stood up and began to walk up to the door.
"They left a few minutes ago." Kakashi stood up also and began to walk into the direction they ran.
"What? When? Why didn't you tell me?" Sasuke ran up to catch up with Kakashi.
"It was really funny to watch you think on how to apologize. This must be a first for you or something." Kakashi began to laugh as Sasuke rolled his eyes and then glared at him.
They looked around the city and most places Naruto would hang out or hide but didn't see either of them anywhere.
"That is so weird seeing him small like that!" Kakashi looked over to see three girls running out of the park.
"I think he is cute!" The short one with purple hair giggled as they ran toward the school.
Kakashi had an odd feeling that they had seen Iruka.
"I found them Sasuke!" Kakashi yelled behind him as he began to walk towards the park.
"Wow Naruto! She is almost as pretty as Sakura-chan!" Kakashi hid behind a bush with Sasuke as they watched Lee blushing.
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"No Lee! Akuri is a boy!" Naruto whispered causing Lee and his teammates to blush.
"Oh sorry about that Akuri-kun! Lee is a little crazy!" Tenten snickered as she looked over at Lee.
"Was there a point in all of us coming?" Neji looked over to Lee a little agitated with his milky eyes.
"Yeah today was our only day off Lee, I need to go do some things to get ready for the party tomorrow!" Tenten crossed her arms against her chest.
"Party?" Naruto's eyes gleamed.
"Yeah! We are going to have a party and Ino-chan's house since her parents are out of town! You and Akuri are invited too!" Lee smiled doing his thumbs up pose.
"Okay but don't tell anyone else, its invitation only!" Tenten whispered over to Naruto who nodded.
"I am going now." Neji sighed as he began to walk off.
"Yeah I need to talk to Gai-sensei! I will see you later Naruto!" Lee smiled and then quickly ran off.
"It was nice to meet you Akuri-kun I hope you stay in town long enough to go to the party!" Tenten blushed at Iruka and smiled, walking off.
"Hey Naruto!" Iruka and Naruto both turned to see Kakashi and Sasuke walking from the woods.
"Go away!" Naruto huffed crossing his arms; "Akuri and I don't want to see you two right now."
Kakashi sighed and looked down at Iruka who was smiling at him.
"Well Akuri seems happy to see me." Everyone looked down at Iruka who was still smiling; he was invited to a party.
"Akuri-kun!" Iruka snapped out of his daze and looked over at Naruto.
"Hn?"
"I need to talk to Akuri so you two solve your differences while we go chat!" Kakashi walked over and began to push Iruka away from Naruto and Sasuke.
"Hey!" Naruto glared at Kakashi and then moved to Sasuke who was standing in front of him.
"What do you want?"
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"Are you feeling okay?" Kakashi looked over at Iruka a little worried. Something about Iruka was changing he just couldn't pin it down.
"Yeah....spending time with Naruto like that was fun." Iruka sighed and took hold of Kakashi's hand startling the jonin. If he were bigger he would never had done anything like that in public, so he decided it would be smart for him to take advantage of it now.
"Are you sure you are alright?" Kakashi didn't like to hear Iruka sigh like that.
"Am I troublesome?" Iruka looked up into the eye of the jonin.
"What? Why would you think that?" Kakashi pulled Iruka to a bench so that they could sit down and talk.
"Because I just get in everyone's way. Making you look after me and getting Naruto upset." Iruka sighed again but never let go of Kakashi's large hand.
"No Iruka." Kakashi squeezed the young chunin's hand. "You are anything but troublesome. I volunteered to watch you because I care about you and it's not your fault for Naruto getting mad, its Sasuke's."
His voice went to joking at the last part causing Iruka to smile again. But he still felt like he got in everyone's way.
"You are covered in mud!" Iruka had looked down to his feet with he noticed mud all over the jonin's outfit. Had he been wearing that outfit since last night?
"Oh yeah...guess it slipped my mind." Kakashi curved his one visible eye as he stood up. "You ready to go home?"
"Yeah." Iruka stood on top of the bench so he came to Kakashi's jaw. He was really short and Kakashi was really tall. "let's go!"
They vanished.
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"MY BED!!!!!!" Iruka stared in aw at his now incredibly muddy bed.
"Hn?" Kakashi popped his head out of the bathroom. "What is the matter?"
"My bed is all muddy! Did you do this?" Iruka looked up at Kakashi almost in tears, he hated large messes.
"No Sasuke did it too." Kakashi said plainly smiling at the shocked impression of Iruka's face.
"Wha...what...Sasuke was here last night with you? On my bed?" He could feel his face flush as conclusions ran through his head.
"Not like that Iruka," Kakashi grinned as he came out now in a clean outfit. "My how your mind has perverted."
Iruka gave Kakashi a sad face as he blushed; he never wanted to think of Kakashi being with another person ever again. It made him upset.
"I will clean that, why don't you take a shower too and change." Kakashi motioned Iruka to the bathroom.
"What is wrong with the outfit I have on?" Iruka looked at the bright orange pants, he began to like them.
"Nothing I just thought you might like to shower." Kakashi began to strip Iruka's bed, "And then I can help you too!" He grinned.
"Oh no need!" Iruka blushed as he began to go through the large side pockets on Naruto's pants. "Naruto is letting me borrow this!"
He pulled out a back scrubbing brush; Iruka didn't notice the disappointed look he was getting from Kakashi.
"But... but!" Kakashi sighed in defeat. He knew Iruka really wasn't the type of person to let other people join him in the bath.
Though he thought that he should still do something to cheer Iruka up.
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Iruka came out and notice Kakashi was putting on his shoes.
"Going some where Kakashi?" Iruka smiled putting on a now baggy shirt of his.
"Yeah, I wanted to take you out tonight." Kakashi handed Iruka the sandals he had been wearing, they were an old pair of Kakashi's.
"Really!" Iruka blushed as he put on an old pair of Kakashi's black pants. "Where are we going?"
"Any where you want to." Kakashi smiled as he lifted up his mask.
"Ichiraku!" Iruka quickly put the shoes on and smiled, not noticing the now very surprised face of the jonin. "Is that okay with you? For some reason I am craving ramen!"
"Yeah that sounds great." Kakashi curved his one visible eye as he opened the door to let Iruka out. Since when did Iruka crave ramen with out Naruto? Kakashi couldn't help but get worried that it was a symptom of a character change.
"You forgot this." Kakashi squatted down so he could be face to face with Iruka as he slid a bandage over the young chunin's scar.
"Thanks." Iruka couldn't help but blush as Kakashi stood up and grabbed his hand as they began walking.
"Hey Akuri-kun is that you?" Iruka and Kakashi looked over to see Lee running over with Gai.
"Hey Lee-kun!" Iruka was getting used to calling his students kun or chan.
"You know Kakashi-sensei?" Lee smiled with a blush on his cheeks.
"So Lee this is the new kid you were telling me about?" Gai looked down at Iruka and smiled, "Nice to finally meet you Akuri my name is Gai." He squatted down and put his hand out to shake Iruka's.
For some reason Iruka couldn't get his eyes off of Gai's face or eyebrows. He knew it was rude....but they were so disgusting. That is when he noticed Gai's hand out.
"Oh.....nice to meet you too Gai....um san?" Iruka smiled reaching his hand out to shake the bigger, never letting his other hand lose grip on Kakashi's.
"Oh its Gai-sensei!" Gai motioned him the correct formality before he stood up and smiled at Kakashi. Who was looking down at Iruka, he knew Iruka had already known Gai so why did he use san than the usual sensei?
Something about Gai's smile toward Kakashi Iruka did not like.
Gai looked down and noticed Kakashi's hand holding Iruka's. His smile left but quickly came back as he rubbed Lee's hair.
"So Kakashi....is Akuri a relative?" Gai grinned down at Iruka, who returned an annoyed glare. He didn't like the way Gai was talking to Kakashi, or his body language, or the fact that he was delaying their dinnertime.
"Not really, he is a friend's friend's relative's second nephew's uncle's grandson." Kakashi smiled he like to say things like that. It was fun to confuse people, even more so Gai.
"Hey well maybe after you drop him off we can go out to dinner.....before a quick match." Gai patted Kakashi's arm in such a way Iruka couldn't handle the flirting anymore.
"No well actually Gai..."
"OW!!!" Gai interrupted Kakashi as he grabbed his shin. Kakashi looked down to see Iruka smirking before he stepped back.
"Akuri-kun?" Lee looked over at Iruka confused.
"Brat that hurt!" Gai looked over angrily at Iruka who just smirked back before wrapping his arms around Kakashi's leg and mouthing the word 'mine'. He won.
Gai stared in aw at the kid, he couldn't believe it! This kid kicked him in the shin because he wanted Kakashi?
"Oh sorry Gai he is a little happy right now......" Kakashi glared down at Iruka for being so childish, this was not good. "I am taking him to Ichiraku."
"Well we better be going now before he attacks you too Lee." Kakashi pulled Iruka by the arm until they were far from the two.
"Iruka why did you do that?" Kakashi took Iruka into an ally so that no one would see them.
"I...because...um...he was flirting with you and I was...." Iruka couldn't help but get a little confused at himself. Why did he do that? He knew Gai liked Kakashi but he also knew that Kakashi didn't return the feeling. He knew Kakashi liked him. So then why?
"You know all about that situation Iruka........" Kakashi sighed as he put his hand on Iruka's head and rubbed his hair. He didn't really mind the fact that Iruka had kicked Gai; it was just the fact that it was Iruka and he doesn't usually do those types of things.
He doesn't do anything disrespectful.
"I am sorry Kakashi, that was really stupid of me! It is just.......I don't know! I got really angry.....it was weird." Iruka looked up at Kakashi and tried to smile, he didn't understand. After all these years he thought that he could control his emotions in any situation.
Was he slowly losing control now? Because of the jutsu?
He felt his legs grow weak. What was happening?
He fell backwards losing his vision.
Darkness.
Iruka looked around. Wasn't he just in the alley with Kakashi?
"Kakashi?" Iruka turned around; he was surrounded by the darkness. "Kakashi where are you?"
No reply.
"Where am I?" Iruka turned around again, this time to see a reflection of him. But it wasn't a reflection. It moved on its own.....it looked so sad.
"Who are you?" He tried to get the words out without sounding as scared as he was.
The figure looked up at him, its eyes full of tears.
"I am Iruka, no body loves me. I thought that someone may have, but it wasn't so." The child got up and walked over to Iruka, "Will you love me?"
Iruka backed up causing the child to frown and then disappear.
What was that?! Iruka looked around in the darkness. Where did that boy go? Was he really Iruka?
"Hello there." Iruka turned around to see another form of himself. It was smiling; its eyes were strange and green.
"Are you me?" Iruka reached his arm out to touch it, but it smiled and backed away.
"No silly, I am Akuri and Iruka. I am you but not. You and I are the same." The child's grin changed into a smirk.
How could that be? Two of him? Who was he? Where was he?
"You cannot touch me but I can touch you. I need you." The child smirked as it lifted its hand and pushed Iruka's hair behind his ear.
"Who are you? If you are me but I am not you, then who am I? Why can't I touch you?" Iruka could feel his body begin to ache; he was so confused.
"I already answered those questions silly." The child backed away smiling again.
"Who was that boy crying? Is he me?" Iruka looked around trying to find the boy again.
"He is you but also I. Because we are one and the same." The child smiled and walked back over to Iruka.
"Only I can be me, so then who are you? I want a real answer." Iruka glared at the child; he could only believe this was some kind of illusion.
"I am you. Why don't you believe me?" The child looked at Iruka with sad eyes sending chills down his entire body. This child could not be human.
"If you are me then why do you have two names?" Iruka glared at the child. He was not going to be fooled; he needed to get back to Kakashi.
"I am you and everything you wanted to be. I am you but the opposite and yet the same. I am everything everyone else wants you to be." The child still had a hurt expression on its face.
If this child was really him, then why did it have green eyes?
"Prove it." Iruka couldn't think of anything else to say, he was curious of to why this child thought it was Iruka.
"You are lonely yet you have many friends. You cannot love yet you have a lover. You have no family but have silently brought a boy into your heart and your home. You are the contradiction of souls. I have come to relieve your pain." The child brought a small smile onto its sad face.
"What?" Iruka looked questionably at the child. What was it talking about? Did he really feel this way? No he wasn't lonely anymore, he loved, took in Naruto. But what did the child mean by contradict himself? Relieve his pain?
"You are obviously mistaken I......."
"Am I?" The child interrupted Iruka as it began to walk around him. "How many real friends do you have? Real ones that you can trust no matter what? How many days have you gotten home and could only feel loneliness? Who was there to comfort you? Do you really love Kakashi? Yet you doubt him, his love for you. You can never have a family, how long do you think Naruto will let you play father?"
Iruka could feel his heart breaking as the child spoke pulling Iruka deeper into the darkness. What was this child talking about? How did it know? Was this child really him? All his doubts, fears, and feelings?
"No one loves you. No one can. How can anyone love someone who doesn't even know who he is?" The child stopped in front of Iruka and smiled. "Only I can love you because you are I and I am you."
Iruka's head was spinning. This child was not making any sense. What did it know? This child was an obvious illusion just trying to confuse his mind......right?
"All the love, caring, happiness, gratitude......" The child continued, "Everything you have ever received from another person has been fake. It is all an illusion that you put up for yourself. You will not accept the reality of things."
"What reality?" Iruka was so confused.....he felt lost and alone. Why was he feeling this way? Where did Kakashi go? Why was he here and how did he get here?
"The reality that no one loves you. They want you to go away and stop ruining their lives. You will see and then you will understand. I will come back to take you away."
"Wait.....what?" Iruka watched the child disappear as it smiled.
What was that child talking about? He wanted answers...he needed answers.
He felt a sudden feeling of warmth take over his entire body as he gasped. It felt so nice.
"Iruka....."
Iruka looked around in the darkness, did he just hear Kakashi?
"Iruka-sensei can you hear me?"
Hiashi-san? Where were they? Iruka couldn't see them anywhere. All he could see was a never-ending void.
Darkness.
Iruka's head began to hurt causing him to grasp it with his hands. He felt as if something was being taken away from his mind.
"Agh!" He yelled as the pain got worse, he closed his eyes as he began to tremble again.
"Iruka! Open your eyes!"
Iruka opened his eyes at the sound of Kakashi's command. He sat up grasping his head.
"Iruka are you okay?" Iruka looked over to see Kakashi with a very worried expression. His face seemed paler than usual.
"Hn?" Iruka a sudden sense of joy and relief at the sight of the silver hair jonin. But why? Who was this guy?
"Iruka-sensei are you okay?" Hiashi came running into the room. Iruka looked at the taller man. He seemed familiar also....like a friend. Should he know them?
"What happened Iruka?" Kakashi pulled the small form into a hug. "Why did you pass out?"
"Hn? Pass out?" Iruka looked at Hiashi and Kakashi confused. He passed out. So everything that just happened was all just a dream? But it seemed so real....was it?
"I know you just woke up Iruka but I need you to answer a few questions I have." Hiashi gently motioned Kakashi to move so he could inspect the chunin.
"Who is Iruka? Why do you two keep calling me that?" Iruka had no idea who this Iruka was and why they kept calling him that, because his name was.....what was his name? Was it Iruka?
Hiashi and Kakashi stared at Iruka in aw. Was he serious?
"Better yet, how about you two introduce yourselves also." Iruka looked over at their shocked faces. What was their problem?
"Iruka! It's me Kakashi! What is wrong?" Kakashi pushed Hiashi to the side as he grabbed Iruka's shoulders. "You are joking right?"
"Uh....um..." Iruka looked down, the pain in the silver haired man's eyes was to much to handle. The tight grasp on his shoulders made him uncomfortable as his head began to hurt again. He obviously should knows these two people so why doesn't he?
"Ack!" Iruka grasped his head again as the pain took over it. It was so unbearable. What was going on?
"My name is Umino Iruka age 24 I teach at the academy to very hyper active students and I help Hokage-sama with his paper work. You are Hatake Kakashi my lover and best friend you teach Naruto. You are Hyuga Hiashi, leader of the Hyuga clan in Konoha." Iruka stopped and opened his eyes.
Why did he say that out loud?
Why was Kakashi holding his shoulders so tightly?
"Uh....Kakashi? Why are you holding my shoulders? It hurts." Iruka looked up into the worried expression Kakashi had. Why did he look so worried?
Kakashi let go of Iruka and pulled down his mask. "Iruka?"
"Yes?" Kakashi sighed in relief as he pulled the form into another hug. That was not good.
"Iruka I need you to answer some questions, quickly please." Hiashi moved back to be beside Kakashi, they both had extremely worried expressions on their faces.
"Uh........sure. Okay I will try my best." Iruka tried to smile but it seemed to not want to come out. Why were they acting so weird?
"Kakashi has informed me that you have seemed to be acting differently today. Can you remember anything changing or do you feel different?" Hiashi pulled out a flashlight and began to inspect Iruka's eyes.
"Um.....I am always hungry........and I seem to get angrier more easily now." Iruka tried to think of anything but nothing came up. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to him.
"Your anger...what do you mean?" Hiashi began to check Iruka's pulse.
"Um......I don't remember....I think I may have seen Gai-kun I mean sensei.....that is all I can really remember...." Iruka thought that he may have lost his anger but his mind kept going blank. Was he forgetting something?
"You kicked him in the shin." Kakashi decided he may be able to help Iruka with his sudden lost of memory.
"Hmmmmm....." Hiashi looked at Iruka. "Do you not remember that?"
"Uh.....no." Iruka looked over at Kakashi....did he really kick Gai in the shin? He was going to have to apologize.
"Stand still." Hiashi backed up as he closed his eyes. Iruka could see the vein popping out as he was pulling out the byakugan.
Hiashi opened his eyes and quickly scanned Iruka's body. "You see Iruka....there was a strange chakra flow that quickly went through your body but quickly left.....can you explain what that was? What was going on in your mind?"
Strange serge of chakra? Iruka thought that his chakra was blocked. Then he thought of that strange child with green eyes......it seemed so real.
"Nothing but small little things....." Iruka lied. He didn't fell the need to tell Hiashi or Kakashi that some child told him a lot of stuff. Stuff........not truth.
"Iruka do you remember what happened when you woke up?" Hiashi grabbed a scroll and began to write on it.
"Only that when I opened my eyes Kakashi was holding my shoulders.....why? Did something else happen?" Iruka noticed that neither of them would look him in the eyes. "What? What happened?"
"Nothing other than that. Thank you Iruka....can you stay here for a second please." Hiashi motioned for Kakashi to join him in the hall when Iruka nodded.
What on earth is going on here? Iruka felt a little left out as he laid back down on the bed, he guessed he was at the Hyuga house because the room certainly wasn't the hospital, or Kakashi's or even his. Not even the Hokage's room was this clean.
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"As you guess this is a bad sign Kakashi." Hiashi sighed as he leaned against the hall wall.
"How much time do you think he has?" Kakashi tried to hide the pain in his eyes; he couldn't lose Iruka. Not like this....he couldn't handle losing another friend.
"I don't know.....honestly Kakashi I will say not that much longer. A few days at the most. I have also came up with some conclusions...things you should watch out for." Hiashi sighed again as he began flipping through the papers he had in his hands; he did not want to be the one to give Kakashi bad news.
"Like what? Warning signs?" Kakashi braced himself against the wall opposite of Hiashi, he could only think the worst.
"I haven't gotten anything from Hokage-sama or Rei.....but from what I have found out about this jutsu.....I believe that his chakra flow has a lot to do with this......" Hiashi looked over at the puzzled look on Kakashi's face.
"I thought that this was some kind of jutsu.....Do you really believe that it could stop his chakra from forming? The one thing that was taught all our lives as impossible?" Kakashi let the doubt run through his mind; though he had no doubt in his mind that Hiashi was right.
"Sorry this is just too strange......." Kakashi tried his best to grin at Hiashi' taking note that his mask was still down so he pulled it back up.
"Yes it is. It would help if Iruka had seen the jutsu before but as he has said it was new and foreign in his mind. I doubt but there still may be a possibility that it may have been performed on him..........but if that was the case why would the attacker leave after getting Iruka in such a vulnerable position." Hiashi sighed once again, "It just doesn't make sense."
"So you were saying about the stuff I should watch out for........." Kakashi leaned his head against the wall and looked up at the ceiling, it reminded him of the hospital's...........plain.
"Yes I believe that if any more physical changes occur you should bring him immediately to me...........no matter how small they seem. Also if he gets any more emotional changes........you know, like crying for no apparent reason or lashing out at usual friends. If his anger gets any worse you should report that immediately."
"Anything else?" Kakashi prayed in his mind that everything Hiashi said would not happen again with Iruka.
"Memory loss, more things like that.......and I think that it would be a good idea if you kept Iruka with you at all times and maybe let his interaction with children be little at minimum. You told me today that he spent it wait Naruto, is that right?"
Kakashi nodded.
"I believe that in this state being with kids around the age that he looks......he may begin to believe he truly is that age. It would be better if you kept him away, even from Naruto." Hiashi stopped looking at his papers and motioned he was done so they could go back in.
"Wait a second....." Kakashi cursed himself as Hiashi stopped. Did he really want to know what he was going to ask?
"How......How long would you guess....under your observations that Iruka has left to get the reverse jutsu?" Kakashi closed his eyes cursing himself again; he did not want the answer.
Hiashi sighed.
"A week at most."
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K-chan: OMG!!!!! Sorry it took me sooooo long to update!
P-sama7: You are a horrible person! Your fans even began to bug me so I would bug you!
K-chan: Really? *eyes sparkle* They like my story?
P-sama: Gawd you are not this dense are you?........oh wait....sorry I forgot.
K-chan: *eyes still sparkling* They even bugged you! They are the best people in the world!
P-sama: It was only one fan....^_^;;;......besides if you like them so much why did it take you so long to update? Huh? Huh?
K-chan: *tears* I AM A HORRIBLE PERSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P-sama: yep ^_^
K-chan: first exams then texas for two weeks! Then I could only get home to sleep because of my job scheduling me so much! Then school starting again! It has been hectic!
P-sama: uh huh.....excuses excuses.
K-chan: You are just upset because I have a job so I can buy manga[3]....and cds and a printer for my comp......crap I don't think I have any money left.^_^;;;;
P-sama: Baka[1].......
K-chan: shut up! Who taught you Japanese?
P-sama: the tooth fairy!
K-chan: -_-;;; no!!! since when was that my job??? That is where my cash has gone to??? You evil .....evil......kijin[2]!
P-sama: it is THE GREAT ALMIGHTY EVIL PINECONE!!!! To you little minion.
K-chan: ^_^;;;
P-sama: *cackles evilly* I will rule the world!
K-chan: This is taking away the effect of my story......it is supposed to be serious!!!
P-sama: Yeah you hate Iruka don't you......
K-chan: NO!!!!!! I LOVE HIM!!!!!
P-sama: yeah sure..... We will see what everyone else thinks you feel about him after next chapter.........hehe
K-chan: You read it already?
P-sama: yep
K-chan: but I haven't even written it yet
P-sama and K-chan: -_-o?
K-chan: Okay well since you are here lets tell everyone about the fanfic that we are writing together!!!!
*P-sama disappears*
K-chan: -_-o?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^v^ Preview for next chapter!
"Where is your chakra? What are you? Better yet who are you and why have you come to our village?" Neji glared down at Iruka who was now backed up into a tree.
"Uhhhh......" Iruka looked around; the forest surrounded them. Why did he run in so deep? No one will be able to find them for a few hours.
"Are you a ninja? Your skills are beyond even mine yet you have no chakra." Neji pulled another kunai out of his holster, he was going to find out why this intruder was here.
"Neji!!!!!!!! Have you found Akuri yet?!!!!! We need to get back to the party!!!!!" Iruka looked to his left, Kiba was in the woods too. This was his chance.
"Kib!!!!!!" A hand interrupted Iruka's shout and a kunai at his throat.
"Now tell me.....what are you doing here." Neji let the cold steel of his kunai slowly touch Iruka's throat.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^v^ BUM BUM BUMMMMMM!!!!
Don't forget to read and review!!!!!! If you have any ideas on how this story should go feel free to mention it!!!! I have an open mind..........(x- cept I am not willing to have Iruka make out with Lee.........x_X that is just sick!)
"What a child doesn't receive he can seldom later give."
~P.D. James
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Chapter 4: Who am I........
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Kakashi opened his eyes and moaned. "I lost Iruka."
This was not good. Iruka was in a vulnerable state right now; he is not supposed to lose him. Even if it was all confusing him on what he had actually done wrong, Kakashi felt like he owed a lot of people apologies. Mainly Iruka and Naruto.
He felt something warm moving slowly beside him. He slowly moved his head to his side. Sasuke was sitting there cuddling with his pillow.
Kakashi sighed and turned back over and slowly closed his eyes to fall back asleep.
"Wait.......What!?!?!?" Kakashi sat up and looked back over at the boy. His back hit the wall behind him as he jumped.
Sasuke moved slowly still with the pillows in his hands as he rolled over.
Kakashi quickly threw off the covers and made sure everything was still intact; clothes, turtleneck up, and all. He looked over at Sasuke who was still dressed also; they were both still muddy and wet from the rain the night before.
Kakashi looked around and noticed he was in Iruka's house. Why did he come here? Did he bring Sasuke? He must have brought him here because of the rain but all he could remember was Iruka's scared and confused face. This was not good.
"Hn?" Sasuke opened his eyes lazily as he looked up at Kakashi. He sighed and closed his eyes again trying to go back to sleep.
"What the heck?" He quickly jumped back dropping the pillow and falling off the bed. His eyes went wide as he began to make sure all of his cloths were still on.
"Good morning Sasuke!" Kakashi said it in such a cheerful manner it made Sasuke very nervous. "Did you like last night?" Sasuke's eyes went wide as Kakashi began to get closer to him.
"You know......the rain, the late night visit, you kissing Akuri, and getting Naruto mad at us....." Kakashi sighed as he stood up. Having the happy go lucky Naruto mad at you was not a good thing, especially when he had Iruka with him.
"Oh crap Naruto...." Sasuke shut his eyes remembering everything from the night before. He screwed up.
"Well come on now, we have a lot of clean up to do...." Kakashi made his way to the door.
"We? What did you do wrong?" Sasuke stood and walked over to the jonin.
"Naruto was mad at me too, but unlike you I can get away with buying him ramen. Plus I need to apologize to Akuri. As do you, that was stupid what you did." Kakashi glared at Sasuke, he hated the fact that Sasuke had kissed Iruka....in his child form or not.
"Crap." Sasuke blushed as they both ran out of the door. Not remembering the large muddy mess they left on the bed.
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"Hey Akuri hurry up!" Naruto yelled as he put his shoes on. He was going to introduce Akuri to Lee and his group since they had the day off.
"Thank you for letting me borrow a bandage!" Iruka yelled running out of the bathroom. He had gotten tired of using the turtleneck as a cover of his face.
"No problem! Lets go!" Naruto opened the door and stopped.
"What is wrong Naruto?" Iruka looked out of the door to see Kakashi and Sasuke sitting in front of the house with their eyes closed. What were they doing?
"Come on lets go before they notice us." Naruto whispered as they began to tip toe until they were far enough away to run. Iruka felt kind of stupid tip-toeing but in the end though it was a bit fun.
"Okay wait here until I find Lee-kun! You will think he is sooo cool!" Naruto grinned when they arrived at the park, forgetting that Sasuke was still at his house. He quickly ran off leaving Iruka in the middle of the park, alone.
He remembered Rock Lee, it was the kid who couldn't use ninjutsu but he was still very gifted. If he remembered correctly he had Gai as an instructor and in his group were Hyuga Neji and Tenten....the girl who was really good with throwing type weapons.
Iruka looked around, there were only a few kids playing on the playground but the rest had to be in school. Thinking about the kids in school made Iruka a little upset, he missed his classes.
"Hey kid are you new here?"
Iruka turned around to face three girls. They were his old students. Kasha, Genii, and Conan, but what were they doing out of school?
"Oh wow you are a pretty girl!" Kasha began to blush.
"Well are you new here?" Conan repeated herself. She eyed Iruka suspiciously.
"Um...I am a boy." Iruka grinned as he saw all three students blush.
"Iruka-sensei is that you?" The usually shy girl Genii jumped out from being behind Conan. "I know its you! I thought you were on a mission!"
"No way! That isn't Iruka-sensei Genii!" Kasha looked at her friend confused.
"No he looks like Iruka-sensei! And Genii would know!" Conan patted her now blushing friend on the back.
"Shhhhhh....call me Akuri, please." Iruka smiled at them nervously, how was he going to explain this?
"Huh? Akuri? Why? And what are you doing in that outfit? Borrowing cloths from Naruto?" Kasha crossed her arms; she still didn't believe that it was Iruka-sensei.
"Um....yeah." Iruka looked at the bright orange pants he was wearing, they screamed Naruto.
"But aren't you on a mission? Isn't that why we got divided up among the other teachers?" Genii looked very confused but she loved seeing Iruka as a little boy again.
"Uh....Yeah! I am on a mission right now! I am just doing some minor things and I had to be a kid for it! And....you cannot tell anyone! Not even your parents!" Iruka tried to make up the best lie possible.
"Well if you say so but come back soon....I don't like any of the other teachers." Kasha sighed, she hated the way they were so boring.
"Don't worry I will!" Iruka smiled but then something popped up in the back of his mind. "Wait a second!"
All the girls jumped at his sudden outburst.
"Why aren't you three at the school right now?" Iruka gave them one of his 'bad student' glares.
"Oh.....uh....." Conan looked at Kasha for an excuse.
"Go back now!" Iruka smiled pushing them toward the school as the girls sighed.
"Yes sir!" They shouted as they ran back to the school.
"Akuri come here!" Iruka turned around to see Naruto being followed by three other people. He quickly ran over but stopped when he noticed Lee blushing.
"Wow Naruto! She is almost as pretty as Sakura-chan!" Lee jumped in front of Iruka causing him to take a step back. Not again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^v^
"Okay I think I can do it." Sasuke stood up and began to walk up to the door.
"They left a few minutes ago." Kakashi stood up also and began to walk into the direction they ran.
"What? When? Why didn't you tell me?" Sasuke ran up to catch up with Kakashi.
"It was really funny to watch you think on how to apologize. This must be a first for you or something." Kakashi began to laugh as Sasuke rolled his eyes and then glared at him.
They looked around the city and most places Naruto would hang out or hide but didn't see either of them anywhere.
"That is so weird seeing him small like that!" Kakashi looked over to see three girls running out of the park.
"I think he is cute!" The short one with purple hair giggled as they ran toward the school.
Kakashi had an odd feeling that they had seen Iruka.
"I found them Sasuke!" Kakashi yelled behind him as he began to walk towards the park.
"Wow Naruto! She is almost as pretty as Sakura-chan!" Kakashi hid behind a bush with Sasuke as they watched Lee blushing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^v^
"No Lee! Akuri is a boy!" Naruto whispered causing Lee and his teammates to blush.
"Oh sorry about that Akuri-kun! Lee is a little crazy!" Tenten snickered as she looked over at Lee.
"Was there a point in all of us coming?" Neji looked over to Lee a little agitated with his milky eyes.
"Yeah today was our only day off Lee, I need to go do some things to get ready for the party tomorrow!" Tenten crossed her arms against her chest.
"Party?" Naruto's eyes gleamed.
"Yeah! We are going to have a party and Ino-chan's house since her parents are out of town! You and Akuri are invited too!" Lee smiled doing his thumbs up pose.
"Okay but don't tell anyone else, its invitation only!" Tenten whispered over to Naruto who nodded.
"I am going now." Neji sighed as he began to walk off.
"Yeah I need to talk to Gai-sensei! I will see you later Naruto!" Lee smiled and then quickly ran off.
"It was nice to meet you Akuri-kun I hope you stay in town long enough to go to the party!" Tenten blushed at Iruka and smiled, walking off.
"Hey Naruto!" Iruka and Naruto both turned to see Kakashi and Sasuke walking from the woods.
"Go away!" Naruto huffed crossing his arms; "Akuri and I don't want to see you two right now."
Kakashi sighed and looked down at Iruka who was smiling at him.
"Well Akuri seems happy to see me." Everyone looked down at Iruka who was still smiling; he was invited to a party.
"Akuri-kun!" Iruka snapped out of his daze and looked over at Naruto.
"Hn?"
"I need to talk to Akuri so you two solve your differences while we go chat!" Kakashi walked over and began to push Iruka away from Naruto and Sasuke.
"Hey!" Naruto glared at Kakashi and then moved to Sasuke who was standing in front of him.
"What do you want?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^v^
"Are you feeling okay?" Kakashi looked over at Iruka a little worried. Something about Iruka was changing he just couldn't pin it down.
"Yeah....spending time with Naruto like that was fun." Iruka sighed and took hold of Kakashi's hand startling the jonin. If he were bigger he would never had done anything like that in public, so he decided it would be smart for him to take advantage of it now.
"Are you sure you are alright?" Kakashi didn't like to hear Iruka sigh like that.
"Am I troublesome?" Iruka looked up into the eye of the jonin.
"What? Why would you think that?" Kakashi pulled Iruka to a bench so that they could sit down and talk.
"Because I just get in everyone's way. Making you look after me and getting Naruto upset." Iruka sighed again but never let go of Kakashi's large hand.
"No Iruka." Kakashi squeezed the young chunin's hand. "You are anything but troublesome. I volunteered to watch you because I care about you and it's not your fault for Naruto getting mad, its Sasuke's."
His voice went to joking at the last part causing Iruka to smile again. But he still felt like he got in everyone's way.
"You are covered in mud!" Iruka had looked down to his feet with he noticed mud all over the jonin's outfit. Had he been wearing that outfit since last night?
"Oh yeah...guess it slipped my mind." Kakashi curved his one visible eye as he stood up. "You ready to go home?"
"Yeah." Iruka stood on top of the bench so he came to Kakashi's jaw. He was really short and Kakashi was really tall. "let's go!"
They vanished.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^v^
"MY BED!!!!!!" Iruka stared in aw at his now incredibly muddy bed.
"Hn?" Kakashi popped his head out of the bathroom. "What is the matter?"
"My bed is all muddy! Did you do this?" Iruka looked up at Kakashi almost in tears, he hated large messes.
"No Sasuke did it too." Kakashi said plainly smiling at the shocked impression of Iruka's face.
"Wha...what...Sasuke was here last night with you? On my bed?" He could feel his face flush as conclusions ran through his head.
"Not like that Iruka," Kakashi grinned as he came out now in a clean outfit. "My how your mind has perverted."
Iruka gave Kakashi a sad face as he blushed; he never wanted to think of Kakashi being with another person ever again. It made him upset.
"I will clean that, why don't you take a shower too and change." Kakashi motioned Iruka to the bathroom.
"What is wrong with the outfit I have on?" Iruka looked at the bright orange pants, he began to like them.
"Nothing I just thought you might like to shower." Kakashi began to strip Iruka's bed, "And then I can help you too!" He grinned.
"Oh no need!" Iruka blushed as he began to go through the large side pockets on Naruto's pants. "Naruto is letting me borrow this!"
He pulled out a back scrubbing brush; Iruka didn't notice the disappointed look he was getting from Kakashi.
"But... but!" Kakashi sighed in defeat. He knew Iruka really wasn't the type of person to let other people join him in the bath.
Though he thought that he should still do something to cheer Iruka up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^v^
Iruka came out and notice Kakashi was putting on his shoes.
"Going some where Kakashi?" Iruka smiled putting on a now baggy shirt of his.
"Yeah, I wanted to take you out tonight." Kakashi handed Iruka the sandals he had been wearing, they were an old pair of Kakashi's.
"Really!" Iruka blushed as he put on an old pair of Kakashi's black pants. "Where are we going?"
"Any where you want to." Kakashi smiled as he lifted up his mask.
"Ichiraku!" Iruka quickly put the shoes on and smiled, not noticing the now very surprised face of the jonin. "Is that okay with you? For some reason I am craving ramen!"
"Yeah that sounds great." Kakashi curved his one visible eye as he opened the door to let Iruka out. Since when did Iruka crave ramen with out Naruto? Kakashi couldn't help but get worried that it was a symptom of a character change.
"You forgot this." Kakashi squatted down so he could be face to face with Iruka as he slid a bandage over the young chunin's scar.
"Thanks." Iruka couldn't help but blush as Kakashi stood up and grabbed his hand as they began walking.
"Hey Akuri-kun is that you?" Iruka and Kakashi looked over to see Lee running over with Gai.
"Hey Lee-kun!" Iruka was getting used to calling his students kun or chan.
"You know Kakashi-sensei?" Lee smiled with a blush on his cheeks.
"So Lee this is the new kid you were telling me about?" Gai looked down at Iruka and smiled, "Nice to finally meet you Akuri my name is Gai." He squatted down and put his hand out to shake Iruka's.
For some reason Iruka couldn't get his eyes off of Gai's face or eyebrows. He knew it was rude....but they were so disgusting. That is when he noticed Gai's hand out.
"Oh.....nice to meet you too Gai....um san?" Iruka smiled reaching his hand out to shake the bigger, never letting his other hand lose grip on Kakashi's.
"Oh its Gai-sensei!" Gai motioned him the correct formality before he stood up and smiled at Kakashi. Who was looking down at Iruka, he knew Iruka had already known Gai so why did he use san than the usual sensei?
Something about Gai's smile toward Kakashi Iruka did not like.
Gai looked down and noticed Kakashi's hand holding Iruka's. His smile left but quickly came back as he rubbed Lee's hair.
"So Kakashi....is Akuri a relative?" Gai grinned down at Iruka, who returned an annoyed glare. He didn't like the way Gai was talking to Kakashi, or his body language, or the fact that he was delaying their dinnertime.
"Not really, he is a friend's friend's relative's second nephew's uncle's grandson." Kakashi smiled he like to say things like that. It was fun to confuse people, even more so Gai.
"Hey well maybe after you drop him off we can go out to dinner.....before a quick match." Gai patted Kakashi's arm in such a way Iruka couldn't handle the flirting anymore.
"No well actually Gai..."
"OW!!!" Gai interrupted Kakashi as he grabbed his shin. Kakashi looked down to see Iruka smirking before he stepped back.
"Akuri-kun?" Lee looked over at Iruka confused.
"Brat that hurt!" Gai looked over angrily at Iruka who just smirked back before wrapping his arms around Kakashi's leg and mouthing the word 'mine'. He won.
Gai stared in aw at the kid, he couldn't believe it! This kid kicked him in the shin because he wanted Kakashi?
"Oh sorry Gai he is a little happy right now......" Kakashi glared down at Iruka for being so childish, this was not good. "I am taking him to Ichiraku."
"Well we better be going now before he attacks you too Lee." Kakashi pulled Iruka by the arm until they were far from the two.
"Iruka why did you do that?" Kakashi took Iruka into an ally so that no one would see them.
"I...because...um...he was flirting with you and I was...." Iruka couldn't help but get a little confused at himself. Why did he do that? He knew Gai liked Kakashi but he also knew that Kakashi didn't return the feeling. He knew Kakashi liked him. So then why?
"You know all about that situation Iruka........" Kakashi sighed as he put his hand on Iruka's head and rubbed his hair. He didn't really mind the fact that Iruka had kicked Gai; it was just the fact that it was Iruka and he doesn't usually do those types of things.
He doesn't do anything disrespectful.
"I am sorry Kakashi, that was really stupid of me! It is just.......I don't know! I got really angry.....it was weird." Iruka looked up at Kakashi and tried to smile, he didn't understand. After all these years he thought that he could control his emotions in any situation.
Was he slowly losing control now? Because of the jutsu?
He felt his legs grow weak. What was happening?
He fell backwards losing his vision.
Darkness.
Iruka looked around. Wasn't he just in the alley with Kakashi?
"Kakashi?" Iruka turned around; he was surrounded by the darkness. "Kakashi where are you?"
No reply.
"Where am I?" Iruka turned around again, this time to see a reflection of him. But it wasn't a reflection. It moved on its own.....it looked so sad.
"Who are you?" He tried to get the words out without sounding as scared as he was.
The figure looked up at him, its eyes full of tears.
"I am Iruka, no body loves me. I thought that someone may have, but it wasn't so." The child got up and walked over to Iruka, "Will you love me?"
Iruka backed up causing the child to frown and then disappear.
What was that?! Iruka looked around in the darkness. Where did that boy go? Was he really Iruka?
"Hello there." Iruka turned around to see another form of himself. It was smiling; its eyes were strange and green.
"Are you me?" Iruka reached his arm out to touch it, but it smiled and backed away.
"No silly, I am Akuri and Iruka. I am you but not. You and I are the same." The child's grin changed into a smirk.
How could that be? Two of him? Who was he? Where was he?
"You cannot touch me but I can touch you. I need you." The child smirked as it lifted its hand and pushed Iruka's hair behind his ear.
"Who are you? If you are me but I am not you, then who am I? Why can't I touch you?" Iruka could feel his body begin to ache; he was so confused.
"I already answered those questions silly." The child backed away smiling again.
"Who was that boy crying? Is he me?" Iruka looked around trying to find the boy again.
"He is you but also I. Because we are one and the same." The child smiled and walked back over to Iruka.
"Only I can be me, so then who are you? I want a real answer." Iruka glared at the child; he could only believe this was some kind of illusion.
"I am you. Why don't you believe me?" The child looked at Iruka with sad eyes sending chills down his entire body. This child could not be human.
"If you are me then why do you have two names?" Iruka glared at the child. He was not going to be fooled; he needed to get back to Kakashi.
"I am you and everything you wanted to be. I am you but the opposite and yet the same. I am everything everyone else wants you to be." The child still had a hurt expression on its face.
If this child was really him, then why did it have green eyes?
"Prove it." Iruka couldn't think of anything else to say, he was curious of to why this child thought it was Iruka.
"You are lonely yet you have many friends. You cannot love yet you have a lover. You have no family but have silently brought a boy into your heart and your home. You are the contradiction of souls. I have come to relieve your pain." The child brought a small smile onto its sad face.
"What?" Iruka looked questionably at the child. What was it talking about? Did he really feel this way? No he wasn't lonely anymore, he loved, took in Naruto. But what did the child mean by contradict himself? Relieve his pain?
"You are obviously mistaken I......."
"Am I?" The child interrupted Iruka as it began to walk around him. "How many real friends do you have? Real ones that you can trust no matter what? How many days have you gotten home and could only feel loneliness? Who was there to comfort you? Do you really love Kakashi? Yet you doubt him, his love for you. You can never have a family, how long do you think Naruto will let you play father?"
Iruka could feel his heart breaking as the child spoke pulling Iruka deeper into the darkness. What was this child talking about? How did it know? Was this child really him? All his doubts, fears, and feelings?
"No one loves you. No one can. How can anyone love someone who doesn't even know who he is?" The child stopped in front of Iruka and smiled. "Only I can love you because you are I and I am you."
Iruka's head was spinning. This child was not making any sense. What did it know? This child was an obvious illusion just trying to confuse his mind......right?
"All the love, caring, happiness, gratitude......" The child continued, "Everything you have ever received from another person has been fake. It is all an illusion that you put up for yourself. You will not accept the reality of things."
"What reality?" Iruka was so confused.....he felt lost and alone. Why was he feeling this way? Where did Kakashi go? Why was he here and how did he get here?
"The reality that no one loves you. They want you to go away and stop ruining their lives. You will see and then you will understand. I will come back to take you away."
"Wait.....what?" Iruka watched the child disappear as it smiled.
What was that child talking about? He wanted answers...he needed answers.
He felt a sudden feeling of warmth take over his entire body as he gasped. It felt so nice.
"Iruka....."
Iruka looked around in the darkness, did he just hear Kakashi?
"Iruka-sensei can you hear me?"
Hiashi-san? Where were they? Iruka couldn't see them anywhere. All he could see was a never-ending void.
Darkness.
Iruka's head began to hurt causing him to grasp it with his hands. He felt as if something was being taken away from his mind.
"Agh!" He yelled as the pain got worse, he closed his eyes as he began to tremble again.
"Iruka! Open your eyes!"
Iruka opened his eyes at the sound of Kakashi's command. He sat up grasping his head.
"Iruka are you okay?" Iruka looked over to see Kakashi with a very worried expression. His face seemed paler than usual.
"Hn?" Iruka a sudden sense of joy and relief at the sight of the silver hair jonin. But why? Who was this guy?
"Iruka-sensei are you okay?" Hiashi came running into the room. Iruka looked at the taller man. He seemed familiar also....like a friend. Should he know them?
"What happened Iruka?" Kakashi pulled the small form into a hug. "Why did you pass out?"
"Hn? Pass out?" Iruka looked at Hiashi and Kakashi confused. He passed out. So everything that just happened was all just a dream? But it seemed so real....was it?
"I know you just woke up Iruka but I need you to answer a few questions I have." Hiashi gently motioned Kakashi to move so he could inspect the chunin.
"Who is Iruka? Why do you two keep calling me that?" Iruka had no idea who this Iruka was and why they kept calling him that, because his name was.....what was his name? Was it Iruka?
Hiashi and Kakashi stared at Iruka in aw. Was he serious?
"Better yet, how about you two introduce yourselves also." Iruka looked over at their shocked faces. What was their problem?
"Iruka! It's me Kakashi! What is wrong?" Kakashi pushed Hiashi to the side as he grabbed Iruka's shoulders. "You are joking right?"
"Uh....um..." Iruka looked down, the pain in the silver haired man's eyes was to much to handle. The tight grasp on his shoulders made him uncomfortable as his head began to hurt again. He obviously should knows these two people so why doesn't he?
"Ack!" Iruka grasped his head again as the pain took over it. It was so unbearable. What was going on?
"My name is Umino Iruka age 24 I teach at the academy to very hyper active students and I help Hokage-sama with his paper work. You are Hatake Kakashi my lover and best friend you teach Naruto. You are Hyuga Hiashi, leader of the Hyuga clan in Konoha." Iruka stopped and opened his eyes.
Why did he say that out loud?
Why was Kakashi holding his shoulders so tightly?
"Uh....Kakashi? Why are you holding my shoulders? It hurts." Iruka looked up into the worried expression Kakashi had. Why did he look so worried?
Kakashi let go of Iruka and pulled down his mask. "Iruka?"
"Yes?" Kakashi sighed in relief as he pulled the form into another hug. That was not good.
"Iruka I need you to answer some questions, quickly please." Hiashi moved back to be beside Kakashi, they both had extremely worried expressions on their faces.
"Uh........sure. Okay I will try my best." Iruka tried to smile but it seemed to not want to come out. Why were they acting so weird?
"Kakashi has informed me that you have seemed to be acting differently today. Can you remember anything changing or do you feel different?" Hiashi pulled out a flashlight and began to inspect Iruka's eyes.
"Um.....I am always hungry........and I seem to get angrier more easily now." Iruka tried to think of anything but nothing came up. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to him.
"Your anger...what do you mean?" Hiashi began to check Iruka's pulse.
"Um......I don't remember....I think I may have seen Gai-kun I mean sensei.....that is all I can really remember...." Iruka thought that he may have lost his anger but his mind kept going blank. Was he forgetting something?
"You kicked him in the shin." Kakashi decided he may be able to help Iruka with his sudden lost of memory.
"Hmmmmm....." Hiashi looked at Iruka. "Do you not remember that?"
"Uh.....no." Iruka looked over at Kakashi....did he really kick Gai in the shin? He was going to have to apologize.
"Stand still." Hiashi backed up as he closed his eyes. Iruka could see the vein popping out as he was pulling out the byakugan.
Hiashi opened his eyes and quickly scanned Iruka's body. "You see Iruka....there was a strange chakra flow that quickly went through your body but quickly left.....can you explain what that was? What was going on in your mind?"
Strange serge of chakra? Iruka thought that his chakra was blocked. Then he thought of that strange child with green eyes......it seemed so real.
"Nothing but small little things....." Iruka lied. He didn't fell the need to tell Hiashi or Kakashi that some child told him a lot of stuff. Stuff........not truth.
"Iruka do you remember what happened when you woke up?" Hiashi grabbed a scroll and began to write on it.
"Only that when I opened my eyes Kakashi was holding my shoulders.....why? Did something else happen?" Iruka noticed that neither of them would look him in the eyes. "What? What happened?"
"Nothing other than that. Thank you Iruka....can you stay here for a second please." Hiashi motioned for Kakashi to join him in the hall when Iruka nodded.
What on earth is going on here? Iruka felt a little left out as he laid back down on the bed, he guessed he was at the Hyuga house because the room certainly wasn't the hospital, or Kakashi's or even his. Not even the Hokage's room was this clean.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^v^
"As you guess this is a bad sign Kakashi." Hiashi sighed as he leaned against the hall wall.
"How much time do you think he has?" Kakashi tried to hide the pain in his eyes; he couldn't lose Iruka. Not like this....he couldn't handle losing another friend.
"I don't know.....honestly Kakashi I will say not that much longer. A few days at the most. I have also came up with some conclusions...things you should watch out for." Hiashi sighed again as he began flipping through the papers he had in his hands; he did not want to be the one to give Kakashi bad news.
"Like what? Warning signs?" Kakashi braced himself against the wall opposite of Hiashi, he could only think the worst.
"I haven't gotten anything from Hokage-sama or Rei.....but from what I have found out about this jutsu.....I believe that his chakra flow has a lot to do with this......" Hiashi looked over at the puzzled look on Kakashi's face.
"I thought that this was some kind of jutsu.....Do you really believe that it could stop his chakra from forming? The one thing that was taught all our lives as impossible?" Kakashi let the doubt run through his mind; though he had no doubt in his mind that Hiashi was right.
"Sorry this is just too strange......." Kakashi tried his best to grin at Hiashi' taking note that his mask was still down so he pulled it back up.
"Yes it is. It would help if Iruka had seen the jutsu before but as he has said it was new and foreign in his mind. I doubt but there still may be a possibility that it may have been performed on him..........but if that was the case why would the attacker leave after getting Iruka in such a vulnerable position." Hiashi sighed once again, "It just doesn't make sense."
"So you were saying about the stuff I should watch out for........." Kakashi leaned his head against the wall and looked up at the ceiling, it reminded him of the hospital's...........plain.
"Yes I believe that if any more physical changes occur you should bring him immediately to me...........no matter how small they seem. Also if he gets any more emotional changes........you know, like crying for no apparent reason or lashing out at usual friends. If his anger gets any worse you should report that immediately."
"Anything else?" Kakashi prayed in his mind that everything Hiashi said would not happen again with Iruka.
"Memory loss, more things like that.......and I think that it would be a good idea if you kept Iruka with you at all times and maybe let his interaction with children be little at minimum. You told me today that he spent it wait Naruto, is that right?"
Kakashi nodded.
"I believe that in this state being with kids around the age that he looks......he may begin to believe he truly is that age. It would be better if you kept him away, even from Naruto." Hiashi stopped looking at his papers and motioned he was done so they could go back in.
"Wait a second....." Kakashi cursed himself as Hiashi stopped. Did he really want to know what he was going to ask?
"How......How long would you guess....under your observations that Iruka has left to get the reverse jutsu?" Kakashi closed his eyes cursing himself again; he did not want the answer.
Hiashi sighed.
"A week at most."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^v^
K-chan: OMG!!!!! Sorry it took me sooooo long to update!
P-sama7: You are a horrible person! Your fans even began to bug me so I would bug you!
K-chan: Really? *eyes sparkle* They like my story?
P-sama: Gawd you are not this dense are you?........oh wait....sorry I forgot.
K-chan: *eyes still sparkling* They even bugged you! They are the best people in the world!
P-sama: It was only one fan....^_^;;;......besides if you like them so much why did it take you so long to update? Huh? Huh?
K-chan: *tears* I AM A HORRIBLE PERSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P-sama: yep ^_^
K-chan: first exams then texas for two weeks! Then I could only get home to sleep because of my job scheduling me so much! Then school starting again! It has been hectic!
P-sama: uh huh.....excuses excuses.
K-chan: You are just upset because I have a job so I can buy manga[3]....and cds and a printer for my comp......crap I don't think I have any money left.^_^;;;;
P-sama: Baka[1].......
K-chan: shut up! Who taught you Japanese?
P-sama: the tooth fairy!
K-chan: -_-;;; no!!! since when was that my job??? That is where my cash has gone to??? You evil .....evil......kijin[2]!
P-sama: it is THE GREAT ALMIGHTY EVIL PINECONE!!!! To you little minion.
K-chan: ^_^;;;
P-sama: *cackles evilly* I will rule the world!
K-chan: This is taking away the effect of my story......it is supposed to be serious!!!
P-sama: Yeah you hate Iruka don't you......
K-chan: NO!!!!!! I LOVE HIM!!!!!
P-sama: yeah sure..... We will see what everyone else thinks you feel about him after next chapter.........hehe
K-chan: You read it already?
P-sama: yep
K-chan: but I haven't even written it yet
P-sama and K-chan: -_-o?
K-chan: Okay well since you are here lets tell everyone about the fanfic that we are writing together!!!!
*P-sama disappears*
K-chan: -_-o?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^v^ Preview for next chapter!
"Where is your chakra? What are you? Better yet who are you and why have you come to our village?" Neji glared down at Iruka who was now backed up into a tree.
"Uhhhh......" Iruka looked around; the forest surrounded them. Why did he run in so deep? No one will be able to find them for a few hours.
"Are you a ninja? Your skills are beyond even mine yet you have no chakra." Neji pulled another kunai out of his holster, he was going to find out why this intruder was here.
"Neji!!!!!!!! Have you found Akuri yet?!!!!! We need to get back to the party!!!!!" Iruka looked to his left, Kiba was in the woods too. This was his chance.
"Kib!!!!!!" A hand interrupted Iruka's shout and a kunai at his throat.
"Now tell me.....what are you doing here." Neji let the cold steel of his kunai slowly touch Iruka's throat.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^v^ BUM BUM BUMMMMMM!!!!
Don't forget to read and review!!!!!! If you have any ideas on how this story should go feel free to mention it!!!! I have an open mind..........(x- cept I am not willing to have Iruka make out with Lee.........x_X that is just sick!)