A/N: Thank you all my reviewers I look forward to hearing more.

Well this chaoter was...HARD! I had to work out Iruka and Akane's emotions. Iruka was easy. Akane...she's a tricky one. So far I got this chapter out of it. I hope you like it and I hope it doesn't ruin the rest of the story.

Please remember to review, I really enjoy them and so far so good.

Chpater 15: Indecision

He was devastated. They had only been there for a week and a half and she was leaving him, again. It seemed as though she were avoiding him by circumstance.

Iruka sat quietly at the kitchen island with what seemed to be his fifth cup of coffee, he wasn't sure though how many he had had. He was desperately trying to work up enough energy to face her before she left. He wanted to tell her to be careful and a few things he had yet to worked up the courage to do.

This shouldn't be so hard after all we've been though, and still I can't tell her. I feel like a coward. His head sank towards his cup as he clutched it tightly. How he had managed to get in this state only amazed him more

Talking to Akane had always been easy. She would listen and tell him what she thought, once he had even said what he was planning to.

(Flashback)

"Akane!" Iruka had spotted her walking with Genma. It seemed the two were always working together.

"Iruka?" She looked shocked. Her face was covered in acne; it made him laugh at times. However he could see through it, She was beautiful even at the age of sixteen. He knew she would make men stare once she was older.

"I was looking for you." He huffed as he reached them.

"You were?" She looked confused and laughed. "Of course you had troubles, we just came back from an A class mission." She smiled again and hugged him in greeting. She always did that.

"I need to talk to you alone, is that okay?" He felt nervous but he knew she wouldn't tease him.

"Uh sure, Genma do you mind? We'll just be over there." Genma nodded his consent and put his hands in his pockets and turned to look to the trees.

"Thanks Akane."

He walked her to a small clearing near by. It wasn't too big, actually very small, the trees were trying to overtake it and he liked it for that. Not only was this a secluded place but very few people knew about it. He liked because it was far away enough from the practicing gennin and also for the wild flowers that grew along its edges. This was a -lace of peace. Not many have seen it or touched it. He hoped it would remain that way.

"I need to ask you something."

"Really?" She was curious; she always was when someone said that.

"Heh heh Yeah."

"Okay well ask." She sighed and crossed her arms.

He had no choice but to make his move. He leaned closer. She didn't back up or flinch. She just remained still and gave him a level stare.

Leaning still closer he touched her arm and he could feel her relax.

"I need to tell you something." He repeated as his face neared hers. He felt the blush covering his face.

"You said that already." She was being a smart ass.

"Yes I guess…" He was inches from her face. "I did." He was surprised at how deep his voice had become, and how husky he sounded.

He gently brushed his lips against hers. They were soft and moist but at the same time very warm. In seconds she responded and unfolded her arms wrapping them around his neck.

He wasn't really sure where he was going with this but it was nice. He liked the feeling of her close to him like this. He liked the scent she had, she smelled of fruit. The taste of her lips was almost overpowering to his senses.

He felt his arms wrap around her waist as he pulled her closer and increased the intensity in his kiss. He knew better though he had to stop this.

"I'm sorry, I guess this happens a lot." He laughed nervously. It happened every time she or he had come back. It was crazy and he knew it wasn't a safe thing for her. He also was sure he was being selfish.

"Yes it does." She looked down. Was she feeling guilty?

"I wanted to tell you something, important."

"Oh lets not start this again." She joked.

He laughed. "I think we need to decide where this is going."

She froze in his arms and suddenly leaned into him even more. "I know and I have been thinking about it."

"You…you have?" He should have known better.

"Well I think we should hold off on this and wait. I just think it's too dangerous for me. I can't drag you down with me. I can't let that happen, not only would they kill me but they would kill you as well." He wasn't expecting this. Not only did she basically tell him she didn't know if she loved him but she basically told him she didn't want him as much as he did her.

"You…sure about this?" He was starting to feel the lump in his throat. "I just was going to…" She stopped him.

"I know…I can't, we're friends and I don't want to lose that, not now. Maybe later, maybe not, I don't know. Right now I need you as my friend."

He was crushed. She basically turned him down, dumped him, and left him. It hurt. He felt bad, and couldn't blame her though.

He slowly released her from his hold and turned away.

"Iruka please don't hold this against me." She sounded sad. It hurt him so much. He wanted to do something, but what was there he could do? SHe had basically just chewed him up and spit him out, at least she did it nicely.

"I…I won't don't worry about me." He wanted to sit in a dark corner and cry. He knew better though, what good could that do him? None, he had to help her and by doing so he'll start to feel better about the way things were.

It was one thing to think you could do something and another to do it. In this case he was worried to be rejected again and more worried that she would laugh at him. He knew she would never laugh at him but…there was still a chance.

Who am I kidding? She can't see anything in me. She told me years ago we were just friends, how could it have changed? I haven't seen her in a long time and she probably won't want anything to do with me.

Sighing Iruka was actually more worried about losing her to the jounin. Kakashi was nice to her, almost to a fault. It was there, and no one seemed to notice the attraction. No not a single person, except Iruka.

That idiot is now trying to get into my life. I'm tired of his games. He makes it look so easy, the way he flirts with her.

Iruka scoffed at the last thought. He cared for Akane so much but every time he tried to talk to her about it, Kakashi would walk into the room. It drove him nuts; it was as if the silver haired man had a sense for these situations.

Its now or never, he's in the market with Nariko so I can talk to her in peace.

Grabbing the coffee cup he placed it on the counter and left to Akane's room.

It was a mess…no not even mess was the right word. He couldn't really see the floor. How the woman managed to walk in there let alone find anything boggled his mind.

You'd think she was ten.

It was true that Akane did sometimes resemble a child in her actions but there was always a purpose behind them, no matter how strange.

"Eh? Akane!" Iruka queried at the door.

"Yeah?" She looked at him from around the door jam.

"Heh, I was looking for you. How…what are you doing?"

"Oh I'm looking for something, it went missing. It's kind of important, I don't need it but it would be nice to know its safe."

Always count on Akane losing things.

"What is it, can I help?"

"My old mask, it's gone." She sighed as she turned back into the messy room. Books, scrolls, weapons, odds and ends, all littered the floor. As she moved she picked up a few and put them back in their places.

"That's not good." Iruka muttered.

This is bad. If he finds that mask then…

"Oi! What the hell happened in there?" Genma was obviously in a good mood.

"Akane did." Iruka said as he pointed into the room while he glanced over his shoulder at the older man.

Genma laughed. "Well it is her room, but I've never seen it this messy."

"She's lost her mask, the old one from eight years ago." Iruka added. He liked that mask but the new one as better. He felt a little obsolete since her entire team had thier new masks while he still had his old one. It was a silly thing to feel bad about but he felt he should replance it soon. The issue was when and how without many people knowing. When he had gotten he was much younger and less known. He couldn't jsut walking to the basement of jounin HQ, and demand a fresh one. No that would be stupid. He'd have to deal with it here while on mission. The entire wind village knew who he was, so keeping it hidden now was redundant. The only thing keeping him from using his gear was Kakashi.

"You mean the nice one?"

"Yeah that's the one." Akane answered. "Seen it?"

"Nope!" Genma chirped. "Want me to keep an eye out for it?"

"Yes sure, that would be great, except one thing."

"Oh?" Genma was curious. Iruka wasn't in the slightest, he knew what was going on.

"How can you help me find it when you're going to come with me on a mission?"

"Eh what!" Iruka laughed. Akane loved to keep people on their toes. It was what made her one of the best ANBU captains in the village. Not a single member of her team has died since she had command. It never surprised him. She was after all one of the most gifted people he knew. But with a gift like hers there also came responsibilities and many problems. Something Iruka was sure Kakashi knew more about.

"Your pack is ready?"

"Well yes, but mission?" He didn't even try to talk right, he was too stunned.

Iruka laughed. "Looks like she caught you."

"No kidding." Genma huffed.

"It's not hard." She stopped cleaning and threw something into the pack on her bed.

Iruka winced; he really wanted to talk to her badly.

He was worried. She would be leaving before Kakashi and Nariko come back. He had to warn her about Kakashi's sudden urge to patrol and snoop. Not to mention a few other things.

"Genma do you mind? I need to talk to her alone." Iruka sighed. He didn't want to disrupt the conversation but the longer he took the less time he had and the less likely he'd ever say what he wanted to.

"OH! Okay." Giving Iruka a quick wink and a pat on the shoulder. Iruka hated that; it was as if he could read his thoughts. Everyone seemed to have that talent lately; it unnerved him quite a bit. Was he that easy to read?

Packing was her least favorite activity. Watching Iruka suffer with conflicting thoughts another least favorite thing.

"What's wrong?" She looked to his face. It wasn't pale so that was good. He wasn't sick. He wasn't hurt from his training that morning, another good sign.

"How much more do you have to pack?"

Eh, what?

"This is pretty much it. I just have to slip the armor on and grab my mask."

He obviously hadn't noticed yet. She was hearing the ANBU uniform again. He must have liked what he was seeing since a slight blush crept over his face. She didn't mind. She took it as a compliment.

I wish he'd stop gawking at me like that, I'm his friend!

"I just have a few things I need to ask, clear up and tell you."

Here we go again.

"Oh so you have lists now do you?" She laughed. He was like that. Always so organized, while she was the oposite. She liked to have a little bit of cahos in her life, but not to much.

I hope you don't take too long.

"Well." He chuckled nervously as he rubbed the back of his neck self-consciously. Soon though the smile disappeared and he became more serious once again.

"Genma told me something interesting, I was wondering if you could tell me about it."

"Sure."

And twenty-Questions starts now.

"He told me there were a few people who thought you were dead. He said they claimed you were attacked by a giant snake." Akane went rigid. She had worked in the main shinobi village that day and indeed she was attacked, and had never gone back to the village.

He just had to bring that yp. I'm trying hard to forget it.

"Um well I was…I got away but I left that village, I couldn't work there. They expected me to lead two more teams as well as the two I have."

"Isn't that overkill?" She knew he didn't buy it. He could figure her out quickly; there was no way he believed all of what she had just told him.

"Yes. I sent them a message to find someone to take my place."

"Okay so the giant snake?"

"Two guesses." She stopped adjusting her armor. Glancing up she saw the worry on his face intensify.

Great now he'll think you need his help. She winced. The last thing she needed was him to look after.

"Is he after you?" Iruka was concerned. It wasn't like she couldn't take care of herself.

"I don't know. I doubt it. That would be suicide as far as I'm concerned. Thanks to Katon I'm not that easy to kill." Katon had saved her so many times. She owed him so much.

I just hope no one figures out how to get rid of him.

"Okay so that's answered. I don't need to know more, unless it happens again." Akane nodded. She knew better than to deal with these things alone. However she also was sure no one was after her at the moment. Akatsuki were to busy with the biijuu to deal with her.

"So what else."

"Well I wanted to tell you that Kakashi-san has been snooping. He's also started going out at night, I'm suspecting he's doing some kind of rounds, or looking around the village, I'm not really to sure."

Akane knew this. She had seen the man do both of what Iruka was mentioning. She wasn't fully sure about his abilities but running into him as what she is now would be a death sentence.

"So, what can I do about it? I can't lock him in a closet…well I could, but I'm sure he'd get out and not be to thrilled."

I wonder what he'd do though, it would be rather funny.

"True." Iruka assumed his usual thinking pose, where he touched the scar on his nose for a second then moved his hand and grabbed his chin while the other he placed around his waist. She had seen this so often it was like second nature to know what he was doing.

"Nothing?"

"No I wouldn't be able to stop him, and if I mention it he'll just keep doing it or step it up a notch. It's too risky, I guess we'll have to leave him as is."

"I think that was a wise decision. Let him think he has the upper hand." Akane loved these games. She wanted to show that jounin that she could outwit him easily.

Iruka sat next to her. She had yet to put her armor on and felt almost exposed without it. She shivered a little when she noticed how close he got to her. It wasn't that she was nervous; it was the fact she knew what was going through his mind, and that she wished he'd stop it. Somehow though she knew better than to outwardly tell him off. It was best he realized it all on his own.

"I want you to be careful."

"I know." She smiled. He used to always say that. Over the past few years she had missed it. She treated it like a little good luck charm. She was guaranteed to get home whenever he said that.

"Please, if you…" Akane placed her fingers to his lips.

"I know…use a summon to get you, I know." She smiled.

How does she do that? It's like she can read my mind.

Staring wide-eyed Iruka looked more intensely into her eyes. He could see only slight worry in them. She was confident, she was always confident.

"Don't worry okay." Slowly she removed her fingers. He watched her as her face displayed several emotions.

Carefully he reached for her face and held his hand there before he leaned forwards. He was careful not to be too quick. If he had gone faster she would have flinched back and the moment would have died.

He was inches from her face as he spoke. "I know…" Gently he pressed his lips to hers.

I shouldn't be doing this…but it…feels good.

Her lips were soft and moist. The way he remembered them. She used to kiss him all the time when they were closer. Now it felt almost nostalgic.

He knew it wasn't going to last. Akane wasn't the type to just let people kiss her without her knowing it. Sure enough her hand came up and pushed on his chest. Iruka wasn't nearly as upset as he thought he would be, instead he was accepting it.

I know how she is; she'll need more time to sort herself out. I can't force this on her.

"Please don…" Her head sank.

"It's okay I know," He sighed and stood up. "Good luck." He smiled. He'd have to talk to her about it later. "Don't let Kakashi-san see you, what ever you do."

She smiled. His heart sped up considerably. "I'll make sure to keep some distance between us, I can get someone to follow him and keep tabs on him."

"You sure it's safe?" He stopped at the door and looked back.

She slipped the ANBU armor on and muttered something under her breath. Iruka wasn't too sure if it was about him or something else.

"Yeah, I'll be fine, they can keep me updated by whistles. He wouldn't be able to tell the sound apart from the other birds."

Iruka smiled. Kakashi had never seen such a form of communication. Eventually the silver haired man will figure it out, and when he does Iruka was sure he'd try to learn it. There was one thing he could say about the man, he loved to gain knowledge and learn. Something a shinobi should never stop doing.

Opening the door Iruka waved his goodbye and left. He had no clue when he'd see her again, all he had left was to hope that it was soon and the circumsances are good rather than bad.

Genma muttered and muttered. Raidou really wanted to stuff something in his mouth. Sure Genma loved to talk, but Raidou wanted peace and quiet so he could read the scroll he had found.

"What's the problem?" He asked as he looked up from the scroll.

"Akane-san decided to sign me up on one of her missions."

"Oh, well at least you get out." Raidou wasn't taking it to hard being cooped up but Genma was. The sandy haired jounin would fidget, pace, and re-clean all his kunai to keep himself busy. Raidou on the other hand took to looking through all the books the family owned. They seemed to be well informed on a number of topics, from politics, to science. He was surprised to find several scrolls on medical jutsu and a few also stolen from other villages.

"I just wish she'd tell me these things the day before or sooner."

"Hmmm…" Raidou was sure that was the way Akane was though.

She's not one to plan to far ahead, unless it's very important. This mission is something else. Probably just to make sure Genma is in shape and able to fight as well as she remembered.

He knew she had been in Konohoa a few times, he had seen her. But he had no idea she was foreign, she seemed to be in her element back in Konohoa.

"Damn it, I need to get more explosive notes…"

"You didn't check before you left home?"

"No, I forgot."

That's just like you.

"Take mine, I doubt I'll be needing them." Raidou was sure he didn't need them. He wasn't to do anything until after they found the team that went missing. His job was to stay at the estate as backup. Simple enough.

Iruka had done an exceptionally good job planning the rest of the mission; he was surprised. It seemed the chuunin was very good at analyzing situations and making the proper decisions in split seconds. Akane seemed to be the same way.

Akane leaving is a bonus, not only does she prepare her teams but she also has enough time to deal with other situations while she waits for her signal. If help is needed she'll take over.

"There, all done." Raidou glance to Genma. "What?"

"Watch your back, there's something going on here. That disease was enough to make me suspicious."

"No kidding…Usually the Akahoshi are wonderful healers, a virus or disease would be nothing to them. This was some kind of experiment, I think."

"Probably." Raidou was sure it was. The entire scroll he had read held testimate to their powers. From what he could see from Akane and even Iruka they were taught to handle any situation. Every shinobi in the village was well versed in medical jutsu as well as assassination methods. It was placing Iruka in the whole picture he had troubles with. Where did the chuunin learn all this?

"We'll see, I bet we will soon find out more."

"I'm sure of it." Raidou looked to the window.

If we don't this entire village will die, antidote or no antidote. We don't even know if a person can get this twice or if it's a onetime deal. From Kakashi's behavior I'm thinking a person can only get this once.

"Well I had better tell her I'm done." Genma stretched his back and walked down the hall. The man was always like that. He was lazy and relaxed but when he was needed you could rely on him. Raidou loved to work as his partner, not only does he get entertainment but he's able to have an intelligent conversation (or close to one) with the senbon user.

Genma hummed as he walked down the hall. The house was huge. He was used to it since he had lived there for a year but sometimes he could feel the size of the place pushing itself in on him. It was part of the reason why he was so restless and why Akane seemed to want to get him out.

I owe you so much for this. Not only are you helping Iruka but also you get me out and away from here. I need someplace I can think.

Reaching for Akane's door he was surprised to see it open just as he was about to do the same.

"Eh? Genma-san?" Iruka looked a little ruffled.

"Let me guess…"

"Um…" Iruka's blush told him enough.

"You need to stop that." Genma laughed. Iruka's blush was funny, it told people whether the man was lying or if he was guilty, or better yet if he liked someone. It was just too much fun. The only person who managed to make it appear by whim though was Kakashi. No one knew what he does but it would appear as if he willed it there.

"Ahhhh" Iruka was feeling a little awkward.

"How was it?"

"Eh…GENMA!" Iruka screamed at him making him shy away. "That's between me and her not you and us, besides what makes you think that's what happened? You're being perverted!"

"Well you know it…"

"SHUT UP…" Iruka's face was far from friendly.

Glancing in the room he saw Akane already fully dressed in her gear, including the mask. He wondered where she had hidden it all the past few days.

Okay so things didn't go as I was thinking, they must have just talked…still I think them making out was better.

"So how come she's like that and you look tussled?"

"I'm not getting into this." Iruka muttered and shouldered past him.

"What's with him?" Iruka seemed to be even more tense, or was it testy?

"You know how he is. Don't worry nothing happened." Akane stopped going through a drawer.

Nothing? Worry? I would have loved it if something happened, then Iruka would be less tense.

"Oh?"

"I stopped it before we ended up making a mistake. It just felt…wrong."

"You know him too well." Genma had seen this happen a lot.

"I think so. I just can't do this. He wants to but I just…I …don't know." She looked scared.

"What's really going on?"

I seem to be the mission councilor this time, or is it just me? They're all messed up as far as I'm concerned. Am I the only sane one?

"I let him do it. I…I think I even started it. I don't feel for him like that. I just wish he'd back off a little."

"So you only feel for him as a friend?"

"I think so."

"So tell me why you let him kiss you like that, if you think of him as only friend?" He wasn't upset but Akane was making excuses, or there was something else.

"Well I don't really know, maybe it was just because we're both lonely."

"Akane! The man loves you. He worships the ground you walk on. He'd give up his life for you. Wouldn't you do the same?"

"I KNOW!" She screamed.

"Don't get mad at me." Genma sighed. She seemed to be listening to reason but at the same time she pushes it aside.

"You don't get it. There's a good reason why I can't let him get that close."

"You like someone else." It was a good guess.

"I don't know, that's why, not because I like someone else, because I haven't worked it out yet." She shook her head.

"Akane-san please; just relax. Think about it while on mission." Genma knew she was making these excuses, he knew who she really liked.

Someone who would never have her. He wants her but he's to busy with his head shoved up his ass to really see what's going on. Even Iruka was unapproachable as soon as the mission was over.

He felt sorry for her. She wasn't really a part of this village. Where she belonged was Konohoa, not the Wind Village, and even now she's not a part of Konohoa either. It was approprate to call her a drifter, someone who lived in two worlds and worked in two worlds, but not belonging to either one. He'd have to ask Kakashi about it, he'd know more about people like that.

"We should gather you're teams." Genma smiled as he came to her side and gave her a strong reassuring hug. She leaned closer. "What ever you decide you know I'll be there to support you."

"I know, thank you Genma-san." After all he always saw her as his little sister.

TBC...

A/N: Hmmmm...who took her mask? I think I know who...I'm not telling. Who do you think it is?

So it seems Iruka made a move...and was rejected...well sort of. As you can see Akane is very confused. She doesn't want to be with Iruka because of how close they are, she's worried about hurting him.

And Kakashi is snooping...what's new there, he seems to do that a lot. ha ha .

Well there's more to come, much more. I'm really sorry to everyone about the stor being so long but I have to cover everything that's happened and so on.

I had some troubles with this one, it's comming along but what I need now more than anything is a suggestion or two where I should go next or what you would love to see happen. I'm a bit stuck for what to do next so if you want to help out a little that would be awsome.

So as my final note, REVIEW.