Helpful note: Disclaimer & warnings are in the first chapter
~o0o~
"We're home!" a pair of voices echoed from the front door.
Little Iruka looks surprised at his guardian. The guardian smiles at the little boy and winks before he slips back down his ANBU mask.
"Go on," said the ANBU, "greet your parents."
The little boy smiles with a nod. He stands up quickly ready to dash away but stops at the last second. He whirls around to give a quick hug to his guardian before running out of his playroom.
The ANBU shakes his head but smiles behind his mask. The little boy's caring and selfless heart never seize to amaze him. The ANBU drapes his white cloak over himself before following the boy to meet the parents as well.
"Mama! Papa!" little Iruka cries out as he races down the hallway.
Usagi Umino gasped with delight when she sees her only son running toward her. Her feet move to meet her adorable child halfway. She wants nothing more than to embrace him and suffocate him with hugs and kisses. "My little Preci-Gah!" Usagi's face goes 'splat' against the wall.
"Ruka-ru!" a bright-eyed Tora Umino has pushed his wife out of the way to hug his cute son.
"Papa!" Iruka Umino jumps into his father's awaiting arms.
"Oh, my Ruka-ru! Papa has missed you so much!" Tora hugs and snuggles his cute son for all he's worth. He squeals like a schoolgirl when he and his son share Eskimo kisses.
But Tora's happy reunion is short-lived when he hears the distinctive noise of a kunai being drawn and sees the point of that kunai right before his eyes. Tora begins to sweat and shakily turns his head around to look at his wife. He gulps seeing a dark mist seeping out of her, "Uh… Honey?"
POW!
Tora goes sailing across the hallway and slams into a wall. Usagi catches her little boy in her arms before he hits the floor. Usagi, "Hmphs!" when she sees her husband's twitching body stuck on the wall.
"Mama!" Iruka cries out happily and completely unfazed by his mother's violent behavior.
Usagi squeals and glomps her child, "Precious! Mama missed you so much!"
The ANBU guardian walks down the hall and noticed Tora's twitching body on the wall. He shakes his head and mutters, "Idiot." He approaches the lady of the Umino Household and bows respectfully, "Good evening, Usagi-sama. We weren't expecting your return until tomorrow morning."
Usagi sighs dejectedly, "Its Usagi, Jaguar. Usagi! You know we hate it when you use such formalities with us. We've known each other since forever and you still won't stop with that whole 'sama' crap."
The ANBU codenamed, Jaguar, chuckles behind his mask. "Forgive me, my Lady. But old habits die hard."
Tora has managed to unpin himself and falls to the floor with a loud 'thunk' with an imprint of his body still on the wall. He rises to his feet and dusts himself off as if nothing is out of the ordinary. "It's not just a habit, Jaguar, and you know it. You're so uptight. Always doing everything by the book. You need to learn to loosen up a bit. Like your wife!" Tora laughs as he pats the ANBU's back.
Usagi giggled, "You and Kizuna are such complete opposites. While you're uptight and serious, Kizuna is loud and exuberant. It makes me wonder how little Gai is going to turn out."
Jaguar wants to sigh deeply seeing the laughing couple, but his professionalism wouldn't allow it. Besides, he is already used to their giddy weirdness since he was a kid. "I take it your mission went well?" he questioned wanting to change the subject.
Tora shrugs and makes his way further into the house. Jaguar and Usagi follow him into the kitchen. "It went better than 'well'. We actually got to see the kid in action. The kid's got potential and strong chakra. He's going to become a great ninja one day. And…" Tora looks toward his wife helping Iruka wash his little hands in the kitchen sink. He stares at his little boy and smiles, "…and a good master…"
Usagi and Tora are eating a late dinner. Iruka is munching on a snack and coloring on the kitchen floor. Jaguar is sitting next to the married couple at the breakfast nook.
Jaguar looks down at Iruka, "So when will you introduce them to each other?"
"Who knows? Soon I hope," Usagi answered.
"We've already informed Hokage what's going on," Tora said. "Hokage will be explaining our families… situation to them. Once everything has been understood and accepted Hokage will let us know when, where, and what time."
"I still hope it's soon," Usagi said. "Iruka's powers are becoming more restless every passing day. Iruka needs to start training. And with Iruka's fiery temper it's going to be hard to control him by myself."
Jaguar kept his eyes on little Iruka. His heart began to twist painfully as he thought of Iruka's future, 'You are a blessing to this world, and yet… you will become someone's slave…'
Slap! Over the head!
Jaguar is knocked off his stool. His ANBU mask has gone sailing across the kitchen. "Ow!" he looks up to glare at his attacker. "What the-!" he begins to growl but goes silent when he sees Usagi towering over him and her power flaming around her in an angry black blaze. Jaguar gulps. Sometimes he forgets how frightening and dangerous Usagi can be.
Tora has shrunk but keeps on eating. And Iruka is still happily humming away while he colors.
"Stop with your worrying, Dai!" Usagi roars. "I've told you once! I've told you a million times! Iruka is going to be fine!" Usagi then lets out a few breaths to calm herself before she traumatizes Dai any further. Her blazing power diminishes into a black haze until it completely disappears. She offers a hand to Dai and pulls him to his feet. Usagi's expression is more serene now, "Iruka will be fine," she repeats again as she straightens Dai's cloak.
"How do you know for certain?" Dai questioned, still feeling uncertain and worried.
Usagi sighs, but smiles at the tall man, "I don't know in what way to make you understand anymore, Dai. I've told you before, our happiness is their happiness. Our life is their life. Master and Servant, we have been branded, but…" Usagi steps up to her husband and hugs him from behind, "there is love. Much love."
Tora pats his wife's arm, "Love ya too, Babe," and goes back to slurping his noodles.
Slap! Over the head!
Tora's face goes 'splat' into his bowl of ramen and Usagi keeps it as such to torture her husband's lack of romance.
While Usagi continues to drown Tora in his noodles, Dai feels a tug at his cloak. He looks down to see little Iruka holding up his ANBU mask to him.
"Here you go, uncle Dai," Iruka said.
Dai crouches down and takes the mask. He ruffles Iruka's dark hair and the boy giggles. No matter what Usagi kept drilling in his head, Dai still can't shake off his bad feelings. He just has this gut feeling Iruka isn't going to be as fortunate as his parents. 'Kami-sama, I hope I'm wrong.'
Iruka skips ahead of his mom. He's filled with joy and it shows on his adorable face and those huge deep brown eyes. Iruka waved and greeted everyone he passed by with a smile to rival the sun. Everyone couldn't help but melt at the sight with an audible, "Dahwww !"
Today is the day. Iruka has been waiting and anticipating this day for a long time now. Today Iruka is going to meet him for the first time.
A month ago the Hokage had paid the Umino family a visit. Hokage had given Tora and Usagi good news. Really good news, because Iruka saw how much relief and happiness the Hokage's good news had brought to his parents. That same night Iruka's parents told him he will soon be meeting his destined one.
"Come here, precious. Take mama's hand," Usagi called to her frolicking child.
Iruka did as told and stuck to his mom closely. They are walking by the Uchiha District now, Usagi on full alert. Iruka isn't scared because his mom isn't frightened either. After all, his parents have many friends within the Uchiha Households. But Iruka can still remember a private conversation he had overheard a long time ago. His mom had told his dad that she has felt an ominous aura surrounding some of the Uchiha's and didn't trust them.
Of course, nothing has happened. The Uchiha clan has remained loyal to Konohagakure, but the Uminos' still remain cautious with anything that concerns the Uchiha bloodline.
"Are we almost there, mama?" Iruka asked.
Usagi laughs and gives her child a mocking look, "Are we being impatient, Ru?"
Iruka shakes his head trying to look innocent, "No, mama. I was just asking."
"Hmm, we're almost there," Usagi tells him.
"I wish Papa was here," Iruka said sadly looking down at the street.
Usagi squeezes her child's hand, "Me too… me too…"
It's sad Tora will be missing this special day. He wanted to be present and see when Iruka came face to face with his destined one. Sadly, the Hokage has sent him away on an important mission.
Iruka squeezes his mom's hand in return. At least he still has his mom with him… unless Tora summons for Usagi's help.
"Oh! Well, look who's here," Usagi said to herself.
Iruka looks down the street to see a couple coming their way. They look to be married and about the same age as his parents. Iruka wonders why they are dressed all in black. Has someone died maybe? It didn't take long before Iruka noticed the young boy walking beside the married couple. Iruka's heart begins to race and he starts to feel nervous for some reason.
Iruka takes hold of his mom's hand with his two little ones and squeezes. He looks up at Usagi, "M-mama…?" Iruka noticed a strange expression of concern in his mother's face before it quickly disappears.
Usagi looks down at her little boy with a bright smile, "Neh, would you like to make a new friend, precious?"
Iruka's cheeks flush and nods, but he still hides behind his mom's legs as they approach the couple.
"Good afternoon, Tomoyo. Hideki," Usagi bows her head in greeting to the couple.
Tomoyo smiles at her friend, but her smile did not reach her eyes, "Good afternoon, Usagi."
"Hello, Usagi," Hideki bows his head in return. "Is Tora not with you today?"
Usagi huffs, "No, he's away for the time being."
Hideki then noticed the little boy shyly hiding behind Usagi's legs. "Is that your boy?"
Usagi smiles proudly, "Yup! Isn't he cute?"
Iruka blushes deeper and his eyes gloss over with embarrassment.
Tomoyo sucks in a breath, "Oh my, he's grown so fast. He's adorable, Usagi!"
Usagi swells with pride. Her eyes then look at the young boy trying to get a better look at her Iruka. "Let's not forget about your boy…"
The boy straightens up when all attention is directed at him.
Usagi smirks, "He looks like a strong one. He has amazing chakra reserves. And he's growing up to be as handsome as Hideki," she finishes with a wink.
Both Hideki and his son blush while scratching the back of their heads looking sheepish and Tomoyo rolls her eyes.
"Precious…" Usagi looks behind her to see her little boy still clinging to her yukata. "Come here. I want to introduce you to someone." Usagi takes hold of Iruka's hand and guides him to the front.
Iruka's mom stands him before the other boy. The boy looks to be two or three years older than him. He has onyx eyes and smoky black spiky hair. His gentle eyes make him look kind and his toothy smile makes him look playful. And those weird goggles on his forehead make him look goofy.
'Is this him…?' Iruka thought. Is this the person his red thread of destiny led Iruka's parents to? Is this who Iruka has been waiting to meet all this time? Iruka tilts his head looking at the older boy skeptically, 'Is this who I'll be bound to?' The boy's warm aura signifies he's pure of heart, but something felt off. Iruka can't help feeling something is… missing?
Usagi squats down next to her little one. "Iruka, this is Obito Uchiha. He's a very nice boy."
Tomoyo places her hands on her son's shoulders, "Obito, this is Iruka Umino."
Obito steps closer to the younger boy and smiles while offering his hand, "Nice to meet you, Iruka. Want to be friends?"
Iruka looks at the offered hand for a moment before smiling and shaking Obito's hand, "Yeah!"
"Great! Let's play at the park!" Obito exclaimed.
Iruka looks up at Usagi, "Mama, can I?"
Usagi smiles at her little one, "Of course you can. It will give us grownups some time to talk."
"Obito, make sure to keep a close eye on Iruka," Tomoyo warned. "Iruka is your responsibility now."
Iruka's heart thumps against his chest hearing those words, '…his responsibility…'
Obito takes Iruka's smaller hand in his, "Don't worry, Iruka, I'll always protect you. Let's go!"
Iruka smiles brightly with a nod, "Ok!" and lets himself be guided away.
Iruka has finally met him. He is holding Iruka's hand and Iruka is holding his. He will protect Iruka and Iruka will protect him. Looking at their conjoined hands, Iruka wishes Obito will never let go.
~o0o~
Eight chuunin are sitting around a fire pit trying to keep warm against the cold forest wind. A ninth chuunin is sleeping inside her tent healing from her wounds. Those chuunins are heading home after being thoroughly tested on their skills, knowledge, and chakra. Each chuunin was placed in a three-man group. Each group received their own individual mission to complete. Each group had an elite ANBU watching over them at all times and judging their every move.
After a private assessing conversation between the three ANBU leaders, only four of those nine chuunins will have the opportunity to partake in the jounin exam. Now all they have to do is wait for Fox and Serpent to show up to find out how their chuunins did.
Hound stood silently perched on a high tree. His eye keeping a vigilant watch of their surroundings. Tortoise and Ferret are patrolling the area to make sure no unwanted guests are anywhere near them. It's been a tough day for the chuunins and they deserve a peaceful night. By tomorrow morning, they should be back in Konoha.
Laughter made Hound look down at the chuunins. They are all skilled ninjas, but only four of them are really ready to move on up. Hound shakes his head, 'They get younger every year.'
"So who do you guys think is the greatest ninja?" one chuunin questioned the others.
Hound rolls his eye but holds back an undignified breath. It's the same old question one would hear all the time. 'Maa... haven't people gotten bored with the answer yet?' he thought.
Two of the chuunins answered with Naruto Uzumaki. One said Sasuke Uchiha. Another said Kakashi Hatake. A kunochi said the Godaime before she changed her answer to Kakashi.
Now there are three chuunin left contemplating their answer. The three chuunin look at one another for a moment before all three nod in agreement. They turn to the rest of their companions and answer in unison, "Iruka-sensei!"
Hound almost slips off his branch at that unexpected answer. And it looks like some of the chuunins are also left confused and surprised by that answer as well.
One chuunin laughs, "W-what?" He laughs harder, "You mean, Iruka Umino? The chuunin – the Academy teacher? That Iruka-sensei?"
The three chuunin who have chosen the teacher look miffed by their companion's reaction. "Yes! That Iruka Umino!" all three exclaimed together.
"B-but why?" the chuunin continues to laugh.
'Yes, 'why' indeed?' Hound thought.
Hound isn't one to be prejudice of a ninja's ranking level. Everyone is skilled in their own respect. It's just that some ninjas are better at something than others were. It's common sense.
But why would anyone place Iruka Umino on top of the 'greatest ninja' pedestal? Sure Iruka is Konoha's best Academy teacher, but he's just a chuunin. He doesn't possess a blood-limit. He has low chakra reserves. He doesn't have any special jutsus. He's smart, but his skills are average. Not to mention Iruka has one savage temper.
Hound shivers remembering that one confrontation he had with the sensei all those years ago during the Chuunin Exam Nominations. While the sensei's chakra blazed with his temper it wasn't the least bit threatening to the Copy-nin. If the sensei had attacked, Kakashi was confident he could take down the chuunin without breaking a sweat. But it was those eyes that made the infamous jounin feel otherwise. Iruka's eyes were sharp, cold, and savage like those of an untamed beast ready to taste the blood and flesh of his victim. The dark depths of the sensei's eyes were unlike any heartless enemy the Copy-nin has ever faced before. Iruka Umino was unfathomably indescribable that day. The sensei had filled the great Copy-nin with such fear and thrill at the same time Kakashi didn't know what to do about it.
After that confrontation, nothing much changed between their relationship. Kakashi and Iruka are nothing but bittersweet acquaintances, who had shared three mutual ex-students.
"Sora, don't you remember?" one of the female chuunin's questioned the other kunochi.
"What are you talking about, Yukari?" Sora questioned in return.
"Remember, that day when Iruka-sensei took us out for a training field day?" Sosuke questioned next.
"How could you forget, Sora?" Shintarou exclaimed, "that was an amazing battle!"
Sora's eyes then bug out and she gasped loudly, "Oh my gosh! I do remember now! I remember that day! Iruka-sensei, he was… He was… Iruka-sensei was freaking incredible that day! Kaname, I want to change my answer," she told the chuunin who had started the 'greatest ninja' question.
Kakashi can't help but frown underneath both his mask. The girl who had chosen him has now replaced him with the chuunin teacher. And Kakashi wants to know why. What could have possibly happened that day Iruka took his ex-students on their training field day?
"Oh yeah, I remember that day too," Ryu said. "I arrived at school late that day and since my class was gone on their own field trip I was placed in Iruka-sensei's class." Ryu slaps a hand over his forehead, "Crap, I can't believe I almost forgot about that day. Iruka-sensei was like a super ninja that day. Hey, Kaname can I change my answer too!"
Kakashi can't believe it. The vote has come down to Iruka: 5, Naruto: 1, Sasuke: 1, and Kakashi: 1. And Kakashi has a sinking feeling if that ninth chuunin was awake she would choose Iruka too. She is after all one of Iruka's ex-students like the other four chuunin.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Kaname settles everyone down. Even his own mocking laughter of the Academy sensei has died out. He's now fully interested in getting more information from his companions. "You guys have to tell me what happened that day. I need to know what made Iruka-sensei so great in your eyes."
'Yes, do tell,' Kakashi inwardly insisted.
"Well…" Yukari began, "this happened one month before our graduation from the Academy. Iruka-sensei decided he was going to test us one last time before we graduate. Iruka-sensei asked the Hokage for permission to step into the Konoha forest with his class. Lady Hokage agreed with the condition of taking a jounin with him…"
"I heard Godaime recommended Kakashi Hatake," said Shintarou, "But Iruka-sensei refused. Instead, sensei chose Gai Maito."
Kakashi inwardly huffs, 'What does that teacher have against me anyways?' Then again, at that time Kakashi would have been adamant to accompany the Academy teacher and his students.
Sosuke shrugs, "It makes sense after all. That Iruka-sensei chose Gai-sensei. I mean they are childhood friends."
"Oh yeah," the other ex-students of Iruka chimed together remembering that aspect.
Kakashi blanched at this new information. He didn't know Gai (his so-called eternal rival) is childhood friends with Iruka Umino. 'How in the world did those two become friends? They're complete bi-polar opposites!'
"Well, get to it. What happened?" Shinji pressed on.
"The trip started like any other normal day," Ryu began, "Nothing very interesting happened. I remember Iruka-sensei teaching us about this and that. Gai-sensei was doing the same, but his explanations were always loud and flamboyant…"
"Iruka-sensei divided us into groups," Sora continues. "We were all given different missions to accomplish before a time limit. Some of the missions were really hard, but…" Sora smiles fondly remembering her ex-teacher, "Iruka-sensei never stopped encouraging us…"
"We were all surprised when Iruka-sensei and Gai-sensei had made lunch for the whole class," said Yukari. "I remember Iruka-sensei and Gai-sensei eating their lunches together under a sakura tree. They looked happy and comfortable with each other. Iruka-sensei kept smiling and laughing. And I've never seen Gai-sensei so reserved and normal when around Iruka-sensei…"
"Get to the good part already!" Toya exclaimed.
Sosuke rolled his eyes, "Our trip finally came to its end. The whole class was exhausted. Iruka-sensei's patients were only hanging by a thread. Gai-sensei was still being loud and exuberant. Everyone couldn't wait to go back home. But…" Sosuke pokes at the fire with a stick. His expression looking serious and distant, "we never made it anywhere near the gates before we were attacked…"
Yukari stares into the dancing flames remembering the attack, "It was four rogue ninjas hired to kidnap pre-gennins. For what purpose? We never found out…"
"At first, Gai-sensei did all the fighting," Shintarou continues. "Gai-sensei was trying to give us an opening to run away. But Iruka-sensei refused to leave him behind. Instead, Iruka-sensei did something we never thought him possible of…"
"What did he do?" Kaname asked.
"He performed a barrier-jutsu all on his own," answered Sora. "I've been told a barrier-jutsu is a high-class jutsu only the most skilled ninjas can execute, but Iruka-sensei pulled it off without the help of tags or scrolls. Iruka-sensei encased us within his barrier and assured us the barrier will not fall unless he dies…"
Kakashi is becoming more fascinated by the Academy teacher.
"What happened next?" questioned Shinji.
"Well…" Ryu began, "the battle was going in Iruka-sensei and Gai-sensei's favor. They had managed to take down one of the four rogue ninjas. But then… an old traveling couple making their way back to Konoha unintentionally came across the battle. One of the rogue ninjas threw an exploding tag at the old couple. Without a second thought, Gai-sensei dashed to save the old man and woman…" Ryu draws quiet and bows his head.
Sosuke releases a shaky breath, "Gai-sensei reached the old couple, but not fast enough. The tag exploded. Gai-sensei took all the damage while he shielded the old couple. They were blown away right next to Iruka-sensei's barrier where we were still safe…"
"I remember Iruka-sensei pleading to us," Sora continues. "Iruka-sensei ordered us to drag in Gai-sensei's body into the barrier and the old couple. At first, none of us dared to step out of the barrier. We were all frozen with fear…"
"Iruka-sensei swore nothing would happen to us and implored us to help Gai-sensei. He said we had time," said Yukari. "That's when we all noticed the three remaining rogue ninjas using the minor distraction to revive their fallen team member with healing chakra. I remember a few of our classmates bravely stepping out of the barrier to drag Gai-sensei's body inside the barrier. Others helped the old couple too…"
"After that, we hoped and prayed the Leaf-nins at the gate heard the explosion," Shintarou continues. "Because we all feared for Iruka-sensei's life when that fourth ninja woke back up. I could still remember that fourth ninja's voice. He sounded so angry. He told Iruka-sensei; after I kill you I'm going to torture every single one of your students…"
"I recall that angry voice too, but that's not what had all of us shivering with dread. I've heard rumors of Iruka-sensei's infamous temper before, but this was just… frightening" said Ryu. "It was Iruka-sensei's own voice in return that had us trembling and turning our hair white," Ryu shivered. "Iruka-sensei's voice was dark… so very dark. We couldn't see Iruka-sensei's face, but I bet his expression would've looked just as dark…"
"That darkness was coming off Iruka-sensei in waves… He wasn't the same Iruka-sensei we've all come to love and cherish," said Sosuke. "Iruka-sensei felt like a completely different person, you know? So with that dark voice, Iruka-sensei said in return; you will die for even thinking of hurting my students. Then we saw Iruka-sensei nip his finger to draw blood. He performed the Summoning jutsu and slapped his hand to the ground…"
"We couldn't believe it!" Sora exclaimed. "We never knew Iruka-sensei possessed a Summon!"
'Neither did I,' Kakashi thought. 'I wonder what kind of Summon was it.'
"So what kind of Summon was it? A lion? A tiger? A sea demon?" Toya questioned.
Yukari shakes her head, "No! It was a boy!"
"What?!" Kaname, Shinji, and Toya cried out.
'What?!' Kakashi inwardly cried out too. 'I think Iruka-sensei is too hung up on his students if a kid happens to be his Summon.'
"What did this boy look like?" Shinji asked.
Sora and Yukari sigh dreamily, "Veeery cute!"
Shintarou shakes his head before continuing, "He looked like an average boy," he shrugged. "He was maybe about twelve or thirteen. He had black eyes and smoky black spiky hair. He had some goggles on his forehead for some reason. And there was a beautiful striped cat perched on his shoulder."
'Maa… The goggles inspiration probably came from Naruto or Konohamaru. But what's up with the cat?' Kakashi snickered.
"What happened next?" Kaname wants to know.
"Well, for some reason Iruka-sensei kneels before the boy and tells him; I leave it up to you," Sosuke continues. "That boy looked at the rogue ninjas and glared at them. He then turned to look at us within the barrier with a kinder expression." Sosuke then blushes, "Then the boy removes Iruka-sensei's hitai-ate to place a kiss on his forehead. He then said to Iruka-sensei; fog the area so the children can't see. Then kill them as you see fit…"
"The cat mewed at sensei before the boy disappears in a puff of smoke leaving the hitai-ate forgotten on the ground," Sora began. "Oddly, Iruka-sensei didn't retrieve his headband. Sensei then performs another jutsu and everything is being shrouded in mist. Iruka-sensei and those four rogue ninjas disappear from our sight. We all started to panic and cried out sensei's name. We all then gasped into silence when Iruka-sensei's smiling face appeared within the mist. He told us to be patient. That it will all end soon and we will all go home soon…"
"Iruka-sensei then disappeared back into the fog," Ryu said. "We all stayed silent and listened. We heard the clinks and clanks of weapons clashing. We heard things colliding against each other. There were rumbles and explosions. The ground shook underneath our feet. But we didn't know who was winning. Then someone screamed! And strips of blood were splattered against the barrier…"
"Thinking the worst, we were all about to start crying again, but then Iruka-sensei comes flipping out of the mist and smoothly landed next to us!" Yukari continues with her expression filled with 'awe'. "Iruka-sensei wasn't hurt or bleeding. His vest and weapons pouch were missing, though. And his hair had come undone and swayed in the wind."
"Then things continued to become more mind-blowing!" Shintarou exclaimed. "Without performing a jutsu, a pair of blades appeared in Iruka-sensei's hands. And they weren't your regular looking swords either. These blades had no hilt; they weren't metal or even made by chakra. They almost looked like solidified water or something of the sort, similar to icicles. The blades were black in color with a blue sheen to it. Iruka-sensei then throws those blades into the mist. The blades spun rapidly and sliced right through the mist. Then there was another scream. And before Iruka-sensei dashed back inside the mist he winked at us with a smile…"
"He was so freaking cool!" Yukari, Sora, and Ryu cried out.
"Then what happened?!" Kaname is at the edge of his seat like the others.
"Everything suddenly went silent," Sosuke continues. "And true to his word, the battle did end within a few minutes. Two clones of Iruka-sensei came out of the mist. Both looking proper and sensei like. One of the clones released the barrier. And the other clone gave us instructions. The two clones led us and the old couple back to the village assuring us everything was ok now. We still couldn't see anything because of the mist. We didn't want to leave Gai-sensei behind or Iruka-sensei, but we had no choice. The two clones kept a close eye on us until we reached the gates. We were handed over to other Leaf-nins while the clones returned to the forest with help in tow. And that was it."
Kaname, Shinji, and Toya look astonished by the Academy teacher's secret abilities.
Sosuke, Ryu, Sora, Yukari, and Shintarou smirk triumphantly at their other three companions, "Isn't Iruka-sensei awesome?" Sosuke questioned in a sarcastic and patronizing tone.
Kaname raised a questioning eyebrow at the way the chuunins are smirking evilly. Why do their expressions look so devious all of the sudden…? Unless! "Wait a minute!" Kaname stands and points an accusing finger at Sosuke, "You bastard! Was all this a lie?"
The chuunins were getting ready for a brawl, but before Kakashi can intervene he sees something twinkle a few feet away. He takes out a kunai and silently dashes toward the small light. As he dashes away he can faintly hear the chuunins arguing. When he reaches the small light it was nothing but a strip of silver tinsel a bird is using for its nest. Suddenly Kakashi feels an unfamiliar speck of chakra back at camp. But when he returned to the group of young wards nothing was out of the ordinary.
In fact, Kakashi found Yukari, Sora, Ryu, Sosuke, and Shintarou laughing their heads off at the rest of the chuunins. Apparently, the five chuunin had made up the whole story about Iruka-sensei being a super ninja. Sosuke and Yukari had made a bet to see if they can make others believe a ridiculous story of an unlikely low-level ninja to be some secretly powerful Leaf-nin. The result had been hilarious and Sosuke and Yukari won a lot of money from their companions. It wasn't long before the score went back to Naruto: 3, Sasuke: 2, Kakashi: 2, and Tsunade 1. And this time, nobody spoke of the Academy teacher.
Still, Kakashi feels something is off. The minor distraction that took him away from the chuunins seemed normal, but it was a distraction nonetheless. And one he easily fell for. Then while being distracted Kakashi felt an unfamiliar speck of chakra somewhere in the camp. He knows it didn't belong to any of the chuunins.
'What could've it been…?' Kakashi questioned himself.
Hound was about to summon one of his nin-dogs to do some sniffing around, but his other two ANBU teammates returned to camp. Shortly after Fox and Serpent arrived with their chuunins. Everyone took another two-hour rest before they all started heading back to Konohagakure.
Thank you for reading! (^_^)/