Helpful note: Disclaimer & warnings are in the first chapter.
~o0o~
"What are they doing?" questioned Kurama in regards to the enemy standing out in the open for anyone to see them. The Nine-tails fox is curled on top of his vessel's shoulders as they both peeked from behind a tree.
"I don't know, Kyu…" Naruto whispered back. Naruto touched his earpiece, "Are you guys seeing this too?"
"I can see one of them," Sasuke responded from another area in the forest. "He's not even concealing himself. He's just standing there doing nothing."
"Same here," said Kakashi through the communication device. He took out a single shuriken and flung it at the unmoving enemy. The shuriken flew right by the enemy's ankle furtively grazing the skin. The enemy did not flinch nor disappear. "They're not shadow clones," Kakashi said.
Earlier the enemy began their assault against Konoha. The enemies, who are being manipulated by a controlling jutsu, tried to bomb open the gates and attacked the Leafs guarding the gates. Tsunade ordered every nin available to the front of the battle and fight the enemy back. When Kakashi arrived at the gates, Naruto, Sasuke, and Kurama were already there. When Tsunade appeared a second later the enemy withdrew and scattered back into the surrounding forest, but this did not stop their attacks. The Godaime had evaluated the minor damages and no one was badly injured to bother getting worried over before she left back to the hospital. Shikamaru was left in charge of the battle and Naruto, along with other Leaf-nins, entered the forest after the enemies.
But the moment Naruto and the other Leaf-nins entered the forest the battle had gone silent. The enemies' bodies had suddenly gone slack like puppets on strings and become completely still. Some of them had their eyes closed and looked asleep while others were wide awake and expressionless. They stood out in the open vulnerable to anyone's attack. Every Leaf-nin was instructed not to engage and wait for the enemy to make the first move again.
'What are they waiting for?' Kakashi questioned thoughtfully, 'What or who do you want?' His thoughts then wandered over to Darkwater. He wondered where the masked man could be in all this. 'Has he also joined the battle…?' Kakashi scanned the forest without losing his focus on his targets. He isn't sure what he's looking for and doesn't bother using the sharingan since it hasn't worked before on Darkwater. A part of him wished he could catch a glimpse of the other masked man.
'And if you do see him?' inner-Kakashi questioned.
Kakashi inwardly sighed and went back to keeping an eye on the enemy. If by chance he did see Darkwater he wouldn't know what to do. He has his orders just like Kakashi knows Darkwater has his. This is obviously not the time to be social. Kakashi mentally laughed at the irony of his situation. He, Kakashi Hatake, the most solitary person in Konoha wanting to be social with another human being?
'Then again, Darkwater isn't exactly human…' inner-Kakashi commented humorously.
Kakashi inwardly laughed at himself. Only someone like the recluse Copy-nin would think of becoming friends with someone of a different species. Well, him and Naruto too. 'No wonder Iruka and everyone else thinks I'm weird… ' His laughter draws silent and his single eye becomes somber thinking of the Academy teacher. Kakashi thinks back to their recent interaction in the Hokage's office. Iruka's behavior had left Kakashi feeling numb and hopeless. Tsunade told him to be patient with Iruka, 'But for how long…?' he thought.
Kakashi wondered if Iruka is ok, 'He's probably inside the mountain with the children…' Before Kakashi had left the Hokage's office he remembers Tsunade ordering Ibiki to make sure Iruka remains with the children from the Academy. Not to mention the strange conversation Tsunade, Shizune, and Ibiki had over the chuunin. Kakashi glanced up at the clear sky and starts to wonder why Tsunade is so protective and concern for Iruka Umino.
'Should there be a reason? ' inner-Kakashi asked. 'You seem pretty protective and concern for Iruka too.'
Kakashi looked back at the three motionless nins he is keeping an eye on. Two of them are from Grass and one of them is actually a Leaf of Konoha. Kakashi's eye then narrowed, who they are is unimportant now. Whoever is in control of these ninjas, Kakashi isn't going to allow any of them easy passage into his village.
"I don't like this," everyone heard Sasuke say suspiciously.
"The silence is unnerving," Kurama said and Naruto nodded in agreement. Kurama stared intently at the two enemy-nins they are watching over. "Kit, there's something odd going on inside of them."
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked.
"Not only are they sharing the same chakra, but there's this strange energy coming from their blood…"
"From their blood…? Did you guys hear that?" Naruto asked Kakashi and Sasuke.
"Hn," Sasuke responded and activates his sharingan. His blood-red eyes stare into the one Rain-nin he is watching over. "I can see it. That energy is coming from within every one of his blood arteries."
"I see it too," Kakashi said, he used his own sharingan on the three nins he is watching.
Kurama's fur bristles when he sees some movement to his far right, "Kit…"
"Yeah, I saw it," Naruto whispered. "Go after them. See what they're up to. No matter what, don't attack. Come back as soon as possible."
"Got it," Kurama said. He jumps off his vessel's shoulders and silently dashes away.
"I'm going to head back and report this to Godaime," Kakashi said. "You guys should – Gah!" Out of the blue, the enemy simultaneously springs back to life and goes after Kakashi.
"Kakashi! What's going on?" Naruto yelled into the earpiece. His ex-sensei didn't respond. "Sasuke, Kakashi is in trouble."
"I'm heading over to you right -" Krrssssshhhhh – the earpiece suddenly hisses with static.
"Sasuke…?" Naruto's spouse doesn't answer, "Sasuke?!" still no answer. "Dammit!" he yanks the earpiece off his ear and tossed it away. He's a bit startled to see the two enemy-nins looking at him with their blank expressions before they quickly jump away and disappear into the forest. Naruto knows he should go after them, but he doesn't. Instead, he looks to his left; Kakashi should be closer, but… Naruto looks to his right; Sasuke is a lot farther away. But what if Sasuke is hurt? What if both of them are hurt?
Naruto squeezed his eyes shut, battling with his feelings and what the right choice should be. He knows he has a better chance of reaching Kakashi sooner and help, but… This is Sasuke! Without a second thought Naruto dashed away in Sasuke's direction, 'I'm sorry Kakashi…'
Kakashi lands where Naruto should have been. He looks around for the future Hokage, but he's nowhere in sight. The two nins Naruto was keeping an eye on are also gone.
Kakashi didn't have to struggle much against his three opponents. He managed to apprehend all three of them and left them hogtied back at his post. After his little spar with the three nins, Kakashi has concluded that this controlling jutsu didn't give the one being controlled extra strength or power. It only controls their mind and actions. The problem now is figuring out who is behind this controlling jutsu and what is their goal.
Kakashi touched his earpiece, "Naruto?" He hears the echo of static. Kakashi looked at his feet to see Naruto's earpiece. He talks into the earpiece again, "Sasuke?" but all he hears is more static. "What could have happened?" Kakashi sprints away toward Sasuke's lookout point.
Naruto finally comes to a stop from his deadly run. He pants heavily trying to catch his breath. He sees no enemy around, but to his surprise he sees Sasuke standing alone in the forest clearing.
"Sasuke…" Naruto trots over to him. "Sasuke! Are you o-"
Naruto comes to a stop seeing the evidence of a battle around the raven-haired jounin. There are slashes and scorched marks on the ground and surrounding trees. Parts of the earth have been overturned here and there. Used weapons were scattered and left behind. There's a large hole in the dirt ground wide enough to conceal someone.
'Were they after Sasuke…?' Naruto looks back to his motionless spouse and finally noticed small drops of blood dripping down Sasuke's right hand. "Sasuke…?" Naruto cautiously walks up to his husband from behind completely unarmed. The last thing Naruto wants to do is hurt his Teme. "Sasuke, are you hurt? You're bleeding." Naruto sees a glowing blood-red needle piercing Sasuke's right hand.
The young Uchiha remains silent.
"Sasuke…?" he doesn't receive a response. Naruto becomes impatient, "Dammit, Teme, you're making me mad! Answer me, Sasuke!" he yelled.
"I've been waiting for you, Naruto," Sasuke's own voice echoed with someone else's voice.
"Eh…?" Naruto barely had the time to dodge when Sasuke flung after Naruto. Sasuke had removed the glowing needle off his hand and tried to pierce Naruto with it.
"Sasuke, stop!" Naruto implored. He sucks in a breath when he sees Sasuke's lifeless black eyes. Naruto glowered, "They're controlling you."
Sasuke activates his sharingan and comes at Naruto even faster.
"Oh shit!" Naruto dodges left and right while he continuously knocks away Sasuke's hand still holding the needle. Naruto hastily grabs hold of Sasuke's hand and hurls him over his shoulder. "Sorry, Sasuke!" Naruto cried out before Sasuke would hit the tree.
But Sasuke didn't slam against the tree. Sasuke quickly infused his feet with chakra while elegantly twisting his body around. Uzumaki-Uchiha lands horizontally on the tree before pushing off the tree with such force that left a large dent on the trunk. Sasuke instantly flings after Naruto and the blond jounin barely had half a second to bend backward and avoid Sasuke piercing his shoulder.
Sasuke twisted again before landing effortlessly in a crouching stance.
Naruto jumped to his feet and quickly faces his husband.
"You're being difficult, Naruto," Sasuke's voice continued to echo. The Uchiha stands up with his shoulders and head slumping over.
Naruto points at the raven-haired jounin and glares, "Whoever you are, let go of Sasuke now!" Naruto cringes when Sasuke's emotionless expression looks at him again. He didn't like seeing Sasuke like this.
"Sorry, but I need him," Sasuke echoed.
"Why?" Naruto growled.
Sasuke's left hand reaches out behind him to unsheathe his sword. The sword glows and sparks becoming the chidori katana. Sasuke readies himself with his sword in one hand and the blood-red needle in the other. "One way or another you will belong to me, demon fox."
Naruto's eyes widen, 'They're after me…!'
Once again Sasuke is forced to move quickly and attack his Dobe, but Naruto is always one step ahead of the raven-haired jounin. Sasuke promptly swings his sword around trying to bring Naruto closer to the needle. Naruto bent and twisted away from the sharp blade and the needle, but it's taking a lot of effort on Naruto's part to keep up with Sasuke.
'Could this controlling jutsu be making Sasuke faster…?' Naruto watched Sasuke's movements carefully while he continues to dodge, 'No, this is Sasuke's own power and strength. They're just controlling his mind and body.' Naruto cried out and falls when Sasuke's sword grazes his left thigh. Naruto sees the needle coming and quickly rolls out of the way and jumps farther away from Sasuke.
Naruto takes a quick look at the split on his thigh. It isn't healing fast enough, but why? Just then Naruto remembered what Maneki had told him. 'Could this be because Kyu and I have been separated?'
"What's wrong, Naruto? You don't look so good," Sasuke said and charges forward again.
"Shit!" Naruto does some quick hand signs, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" An array of smoke explodes around them to reveal dozens of Naruto clones. 'Not as many as before, but it will do for now,' Naruto thought while he hid on top of a tree. He will let Sasuke deal with his clones for now.
"Return Sasuke at once!" all of the dozens of Naruto clones demanded.
"Very clever, demon fox," Sasuke's voice echoed, "But you can't hide from me forever." Sasuke suddenly turns around and runs away into the forest.
"Ah! Wait!" Naruto yelled. He jumps down the tree and runs after Sasuke. Naruto's clones disappear except for one.
Kakashi arrives at Sasuke's post. His sharingan skims the surrounding area and the Naruto standing in the middle of an abandoned battleground.
Naruto looks behind him, "Kakashi, that you?"
Kakashi steps out from behind a tree. He holds a kunai in his hand and keeps his sharingan open. "What are you doing here, Naruto? Where's Sasuke?" he questioned calmly, but suspiciously.
"Oh, I'm not that Naruto," the clone said honestly. "Naruto had me stay behind in case you showed up. Naruto wanted you to know Sasuke is being controlled."
"Dammit," Kakashi cursed lowly.
"Naruto believes the jutsu gains its control over the person by infecting their blood because Sasuke tried really hard to pierce Naruto with the same needle Sasuke was attacked with."
"I'll let Hokage-sama know this," Kakashi said then looks around, "Where are they now?"
"Naruto went after Sasuke," the clone answered.
"Then I'll head back and report this to Hokage-sama and return with help."
"Oh, there's one more thing," the silver-head jounin looks back at the clone. "Their real target is Naruto," the clone told the Copy-nin before he disappeared.
Kakashi rushed back to the village.
"I-Iruka-sensei… are you ok...?" the nurse asked the pale looking chuunin.
Iruka blinked once and finally awakens from his abrupt shock. 'Gai!' Iruka's thoughts screamed. He quickly makes his way toward the wood door.
"Iruka-sensei!" the Academy children cry after their favorite teacher.
Iruka freezes and looks back at all his students completely distraught.
"Iruka-sensei, where are you going?" Toriko asked worriedly.
"Promise me… You will live and live strong. You will help protect Konoha's future with the power of your heart… Don't be afraid, Iruka… Your papa and I will always be watching over you… "
"I promise, Mama…"
Iruka's breath hitched remembering his mother's words and the promise he made to her.
"I will not ask as your Hokage, but as an old man who loves you like a grandson… Always protect the children, Iruka. They are more important than you and I. Continue to teach them the Will of Fire…"
"I promise, Sarutobi-sama…"
Tears brimmed Iruka's eyes remembering Sarutobi's smiling wrinkly face when he made that promise again.
Toriko reached out a hand to her teacher, "Iruka-sensei, what's wro-?"
Iruka grasped her hand and pulls Toriko into a hug. He squeezed her gently as he stares into the rest of his students' eyes. "Forgive me…" Iruka whispered before he pulls away from Toriko and hurries out the large room.
Iruka hardens his heart and forces himself not to look back when the children desperately call out to him.
An ANBU opens the door for Kakashi and allows him inside the hospital room Tsunade and the rest are still working on Gai.
Tsunade staggers slightly as she approaches the silver-head jounin, "Report."
Kakashi eyed his Hokage worriedly. He doesn't need his sharingan to know Tsunade has overused her chakra to heal Gai. Shizune and the rest of the medic-nins weren't looking any better. He had even come across Sakura resting in one of the hospital rooms from chakra depletion. But it's Gai's condition that is most concerning because he still isn't looking any better. "How is he?"
Tsunade released a tired breath, "We've done all we can…" She looks back to Shizune, who is sitting next to Gai and holding his bandaged hand. Tsunade looks back to the jounin, "The rest will depend on Gai's will to live."
Kakashi looks over to his motionless friend. Oh, how Kakashi wishes Gai would bolt out of that bed and sprout his loud youthful words and do another of his crazy poses. How much he wanted to hear his eternal rival declaring another challenge against him. "Is he going to make it…?"
Tsunade lowers her gaze and whispered, "I don't know…" She looks back at the silver-head jounin, "Tell me you're here with good news."
"I'm sorry, Hokage-sama, but I don't…" Kakashi proceeded to tell Tsunade all he knows. From how the enemy could possibly be controlling the ninja, Sasuke being infected, to Naruto being the enemy's true goal.
Tsunade massages her tired eyes, "And here I thought things couldn't get any worse."
Just then Ibiki walks in and approaches the Godaime, "You called for me, Hokage-sama?"
Tsunade glanced one more time at the Green Beast and makes up her mind. She sighed and looks up at the T&I specialist. "Just in case… I want every civilian and child out of Konoha as soon as possible. Iruka will have no choice but to follow the children."
Kakashi's brow furrowed, 'Again her main focus is Iruka, but why?'
"Halt!" one of the ANBU's guarding outside the door cried out. "You are not allowed accesses to this part of the hospital."
Tsunade and Ibiki look at each other with panic before they dash to the door and step into the hallway with Kakashi right behind them. Kakashi is surprised and concerned to see Iruka standing a few feet away and being blocked by a couple of ANBU.
"Leave at once or you will be removed," an ANBU warned.
Kakashi's eye narrows at the ANBU's threat toward the Academy teacher and unconsciously takes out a kunai.
"Stand down," Tsunade orders her ANBU.
The ANBU did as told by their Hokage, but they didn't leave either. They only step aside to let the chuunin pass.
"Iruka…" Tsunade softly called out to the chuunin.
Iruka didn't answer. His head is bowed – looking to the tile floor. His chakra felt disturbingly calm to everyone.
"Iruka, talk to me…" Tsunade tried again.
"…You…" Iruka spoke quietly, "wanted to keep this from me…? Why?"
"I'm sorry… I didn't know what else to do… I wanted to keep you – this village safe. I'm sorry, Iruka…" Tsunade's hands are faintly shaking.
Everyone couldn't understand why their Hokage is apologizing to this chuunin and looking very nervous as well. But it's obvious to the ANBU; if their Hokage is feeling unsettled, then that means to them this Iruka Umino could be a threat to their Hokage. Each ANBU takes out a weapon while a few more ANBU manifest themselves inside the hallway.
"Safe, huh?" Iruka chuckled dryly and finally looks up at Tsunade. Unshed tears rim Iruka's glowering eyes. "If Gai dies… what then?" Iruka challenged Tsunade's decision, "Do you really believe anyone will be safe?"
Tsunade bows her head for a second before looking back at those angry brown eyes. "If Gai dies, will you be turning your back on the promise you made to Sarutobi and your parents?" she challenged in returned.
Everyone is taken aback to see the always humble Iruka smirking egotistically, "Do you really want an answer?"
No, Tsunade didn't need an answer, because Iruka broke his promise the moment he left the children. Because to Iruka, the safety and lives of his loved ones are much more important than the future of this village.
"I'll be seeing Gai now," said Iruka.
"Please, Iruka. Let me and Shizune take care of Gai first," Tsunade told the chuunin. "Give me at least a chance."
Iruka smiled at Tsunade and it's a smile unlike anyone has seen before. Iruka's smiles were always warm, gentle, vibrant, and full of life. But this smile was cold and empty. Iruka chuckled lowly, "A chance? From the feel of your chakra, I'd say you have nothing left to offer Gai. Besides, I wasn't asking for permission, Tsunade."
Iruka took one step forward.
"How dare you disrespect your Hokage!" an ANBU exclaimed and attacks the chuunin.
"No!" Tsunade and Ibiki cried out too late.
Iruka swiftly grabs the ANBU by his wrist, slams him against the wall, and pins him to the wall by his earlobe with the ANBU's own kunai before anyone could blink.
Tsunade and Ibiki were not surprised, but Kakashi's eye had widened much like everyone else.
"Get him!" another ANBU cried out and all of the ANBU in the hallway charge after the lone chuunin.
"Stop!" Tsunade yelled out, "I order you to stop!" The ANBU did not listen to Tsunade for their duty to protect their Hokage is absolute.
Ibiki unconsciously flinched feeling a dangerous aura next to him. He raised a curious brow at the Copy-nin who stood at his side. 'What the hell?' To Ibiki, the Copy-nin's chakra felt a hundred times more heinous than it did when Kakashi first saw Gai's condition.
Kakashi knows he's supposed to side with the ANBU. Iruka's disrespectful behavior came with its consequences. But he couldn't act upon his duties as a Leaf of Konoha. Instead, every instinct of his being told him to protect Iruka above all else. Kakashi was about to launch himself after the ANBU and stand in their way, but a hand upon his shoulder stops him. He looks at the T&I specialist.
Ibiki shakes his head at the jounin, "Lower your weapon, Kakashi. Trust me; you don't want to get involve."
Iruka's hands glow a black-blue for a small instant before he quickly works through some hand-signs. Chakra vines shoot out of the walls from every direction attacking the ANBU. There are too many vines to evade and the ANBUs weapons wouldn't cut through them as if the vines weren't even there. The vines wrap around each and every ANBU, even the ones who tried to teleport away. The chakra vines withdraw back into the walls and every ANBU is securely bound and left hanging from the walls.
Iruka gasped a low yelp of pain after performing his jutsu. His hand clutches his vest over his chest finding it difficult to breathe before he begins to sway a bit.
"Iruka-sensei," Kakashi was about to go to the chuunin's side, but once again Ibiki holds him back.
Ibiki pushed Kakashi further behind him and his Hokage, "Don't get involve, Kakashi," he seriously warned the jounin this time.
Kakashi looks back at Iruka. He's worried for the chuunin and wonders why Tsunade or Ibiki aren't helping him. After using such a high-level jutsu Kakashi has never seen before, Iruka looks as if he's about to keel over. But after witnessing what Iruka did, Kakashi can't help questioning what else Iruka could be hiding. Or what Iruka is capable of.
Tsunade watched Iruka with concern. She then looks at her ANBU closely – they were all unharmed. The vines were securely wrapped around the ANBU restraining them carefully enough not to leave any marks or bruises. Tsunade looks back at the chuunin, "Iruka… If you wish, you may help Gai, but nothing else is required from you. Please don't involve yourself any further than this. You are not completely healed yet or in any condition to help."
Kakashi looks at Tsunade then back at Iruka, 'What's wrong with Iruka? Does she mean his illness?' But the chuunin looked and felt healthy to Kakashi when they saw each other in the Hokage's office earlier.
Iruka takes in a couple of deep breaths before steadying himself and looking at the Godaime with a sad smile, "You mean I can't punish those who've done this to my family?"
Kakashi understood the chuunin's words. Iruka and Gai's bond has crossed the line beyond childhood friends. It's the same bond Iruka and Naruto held for each other. Right then Kakashi couldn't stop himself from still feeling envious of his former student and eternal rival.
"I promise I'll punish those who've done this to Gai," Tsunade told the chuunin. "Please, let me deal with the enemy."
Iruka sighed and wipes away the sweat trickling down his face, "I want to see Gai…"
Tsunade nods and steps aside. Ibiki steps away as well while pushing Kakashi further back.
Iruka walks into the white room followed by the others. Iruka's heart drops to his stomach seeing Gai's horrible condition. He can feel his power stirring maliciously within him seeing his surrogate brother injured to the point of death, seeing the always spirited Green Beast turned into a motionless vegetable, seeing Shizune's dried tears and shaking hands holding Gai's.
Shizune opens her eyes feeling a new presence in the room. She looks at Iruka and begins to cry again, "Y-you're here…" she sobbed.
Iruka smiles at Shizune and holds out his hand to her. Shizune released Gai's hand and walks over to Iruka. She takes Iruka's hand and he pulls Shizune into a warm hug. Iruka feels Shizune's tears soaking right through his vest as he watched Gai's lifeless body. Gai's miserably beeping heart monitor and Shizune's sobs are like daggers against Iruka's heart.
Iruka holds Shizune tighter, "You won't lose him, Shizune. He's not leaving us. I won't let him."
Shizune cries even louder out of relief and sorrow. Iruka released Shizune and hands her over to Tsunade's welcoming arms.
"Everyone, leave the room at once," Tsunade ordered. The medic-nins left the room quickly. Tsunade looked at Kakashi considerately for a few seconds before going back to comforting Shizune. She will allow the Copy-nin to stay. "You are not allowed to question anything until this whole ordeal is over with," she told the silver-head jounin.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Kakashi answered. He looks back to Iruka approaching Gai and waits to see what Iruka is going to do that Tsunade or the rest of the medic-nins haven't already tried. It's hard for Kakashi to admit, but what their friend needs isn't a healer, but a miracle.
Iruka's heart throbs with pain and anger looking down at Gai's swollen and bruised face. "I'm sorry I couldn't come any sooner…" Iruka apologized to the unconscious Green Beast before leaning down and gently kissing Gai's forehead. Iruka began to remove the IV and anything else connected to Gai. "I'll make you all better soon, Gai. Just hold on a little bit longer."
Kakashi's heart begins to race seeing Iruka removing Gai from his only life-support, "Wai -" but becomes silently still and his eye widens witnessing the unforeseen.
Iruka removes the Leaf's hitai-ate from his forehead and the hair tie holding up his ponytail. Slowly a pair of wolf ears slip out of his dark hair and stand straight up above Iruka's head. A long thick wolf tail magically appears and uncoils from behind Iruka without ripping a new hole on his pants. The color of amber mixes into Iruka's deep brown eyes.
'Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Oh, shit!' Kakashi's mind is racing. 'Darkwater! Iruka is Darkwater! Darkwater is Iruka! Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Oh, shit!' More frantic thoughts rush to Kakashi all at once, 'That masked kid was Iruka! It was Iruka who saved me long ago. Oh, shit! It was Iruka who I almost unmasked.'
Iruka opens Gai's mouth before piercing his thumb with his new sharp canine. "Just one drop should be enough," Iruka looks at Tsunade, "I will entrust the rest to you, Hokage-sama."
Tsunade nods but doesn't understand what Iruka is about to do.
Iruka squeezes his thumb and a drop of blood falls toward Gai's mouth.
"I REFUSE!" Maneki exclaimed, suddenly appearing next to Iruka and catching the drop of blood in her hand.
"Mane-!" Iruka yelped suddenly being forced back and slammed against the back wall by the demon cat.
"Maneki! What the hell do you think -!" Tsunade yelled but was interrupted by a growling hiss from the demon cat.
Maneki glares glowing yellow/lime-green eyes at Tsunade, "Stay out of this human," she hissed. "You don't understand the stupidity this pup was about to commit." Maneki turns her anger back to Iruka, "How dare you play with your life like this? You know the consequences of sharing your Healing-blood without permission!"
"It's for Gai!" Iruka growled and shoves the demon cat away from him. "I will not allow Gai to die."
"At the cost of your own life?!" Maneki growled in return, "I will not allow this."
"Maneki, what are you talking about?" Ibiki intervened.
Maneki and Iruka continue to glare at each other for another moment before the cat scoffed and looks at the other four occupying the room. She wipes Iruka's drop of blood off her palm with one of her long sleeves. "Iruka's Healing-blood is not the same as his healing chakra or the healing tonic in his saliva. Giving his blood to someone is like sharing a part of himself with the other until Iruka's Healing-blood has completed its task. His Healing-blood is as fast and powerful like Kurama's healing to Naruto… maybe even stronger. Gai will definitely be healed and his life will be spared, but -"
"Then why not let Iruka-sensei help Gai?" Shizune cried.
Maneki hissed a growl, "Because you insolent human, Iruka's blood is the sole property of his master. If he shares his Healing-blood without consent from his master then Iruka can die!"
Kakashi's brow furrowed, 'Master…?' He does recall Tsunade mentioning Darkwater used to have a partner. 'Could Maneki be speaking of Iruka's old partner?'
"Iruka, is this true?" Tsunade questioned the silent wolf-eared chuunin. "What else don't I know, Iruka?"
Maneki glared at her chuunin, "A lot more than he lets you believe."
Iruka glares back at the demon cat and straightens his back, "Whatever I chose to do with my blood is my business alone."
"Wrong! It's not just your blood nor is it only your choice," Maneki scolded.
Iruka and his demon cat growl at each other. Iruka's eyes then lightly illuminate, "I order you to stand down, Maneki."
The silver bell around Maneki's neck chimed before the demon cat gasped and took a shaky step back forced to submit. "That's low, Iruka. Even for you," Maneki glowered indignantly.
"Then don't stand in my way again," Iruka said as he makes his way back to Gai.
Maneki grabs Iruka's arm, "May I at least give you some advice, Iruka-sama," she spat out the honorific.
Iruka couldn't help but wince a little with guilt at Maneki's formality, "What is it, Maneki?"
"First of all, I care about Gai as much as you do, Ru. I would do anything to save him…"
Iruka looked into those yellow/lime-green eyes filled with compassion and understanding, "I know you do, Maneki…"
"But I will not risk your life for his or anyone else's. So if you must do this, then let's do this the right way and shorten the threat," said Maneki.
Maneki's suggestion has Iruka staring uneasily at the silver-head jounin. Kakashi's heart thumps loudly suddenly having Iruka's complete attention. Kakashi can see fear and anxiety in those amber/brown eyes and wonders why. Kakashi has a feeling he's about to discover yet another secret of Iruka Umino.
Iruka looks away from Kakashi down to the floor. His ears droop and his tail goes limp. He released a deep breath before nodding, "Do it," he tells the demon cat.
Maneki hugs Iruka, "Thank you." The demon cat addresses the Hokage of Konoha, "I'm all out, Tsunade. If you will, I need another dose."
Tsunade nods at Maneki before turning to the Copy-nin, "Kakashi, I need to see the sharingan."
"Why the sharingan?" Kakashi asked.
"I warned you, brat. No questions until this whole thing is done and over with," Tsunade reminded him. "Now, show me the sharingan."
Kakashi raised his hitai-ate off his left eye and opens his lid to reveal the sharingan.
Tsunade works through some hand-signs as she speaks to Kakashi, "You're usually under a sleep-jutsu and numbed when I do this, so you will feel some discomfort." When she finished with her seals the tip of two of her fingers glowed and sparked with small strips of chakra. "Stay very still, Kakashi. I wouldn't want to remove your eye too."
Kakashi felt like closing the sharingan and running, but he wouldn't disobey his Hokage. Then again he really couldn't move seeing how Ibiki is holding his head from behind.
Tsunade's chakra induced fingers stop millimeters from the sharingan eye. The strips of chakra from Tsunade's fingertips go into the sharingan. Kakashi feels a stinging pressure and wants to pull away, but he couldn't. Kakashi can feel something being sucked out of the sharingan.
"Done," Tsunade said and pulls away.
Kakashi gasped lowly still feeling a burning and stinging sensation from his left eye. His hand covers the sharingan but pulls it away when he feels wetness. He looks at his hand and sees blood.
Ibiki hands the jounin a gauze, "It's not as bad as you think. You look like you've shed a few bloody tears," he teased.
Kakashi takes the gauze and wipes his eye, "Thanks." He lowers the hitai-ate back in place and watched as Tsunade approaches Maneki.
"Here," Tsunade hands over something small into the demon cat's palm, "This should last about a month, I guess."
"It's more than enough, thank you," Maneki said. The demon cat picks up the small item with two of her fingers and holds it up against the light. A little glass sphere about an inch big. The little sphere is glowing red with a blue hue.
"What's that?" Kakashi had to ask since it came from his eye.
Maneki smirks at the silver-head jounin, "This is a sample of Master Obito's chakra and DNA."
"Master Obito…?" Kakashi repeated.
"Maneki, Gai doesn't have much time. Find Obito-sama's soul," Iruka ordered the demon cat.
"At once," Maneki's eyes glow brighter than before. Her cat ears and fluffy tail make a reappearance. She released the little sphere and it floats before her.
The little sphere brightens in its red and blue colors. Jagged lines of red and blue chakra crackle and bolt out of the little sphere. The bolts grow stronger and longer and begin to strike down like lighting where the cat demon stands creating a beautiful sigil. Maneki begins to chant a spell in her foreign tongue and her eyes completely become a ghostly white.
"This is the first time I'm seeing it," Ibiki said and Tsunade nodded.
"What's going on?" Kakashi asked.
"Maneki is performing something similar to the forbidden jutsu, impure world reincarnation," Tsunade said. "She's an experienced Soul Hunter and is capable of entering her medium into the realm of the dead. Unlike the impure world reincarnation jutsu, she can't reincarnate someone, but she can speak to the dead or borrow energy from someone's soul."
"I found him," Maneki's voice resonated, "I've locked onto his soul." The red and blue in the little sphere slowly fades away leaving behind a beautiful sparkling white light. The sigil under Maneki begins to vanish and her eyes become a yellow/lime green again. Once the sigil was gone Maneki falls to the floor gasping for air, her face glistened with sweat and looking utterly exhausted.
"Her method requires a lot of her demon energy," Tsunade said to Kakashi.
Iruka gently grasps the floating sphere before kneeling down next to Maneki. He leans into her and kisses the top of her head, "Thank you, Maneki."
Maneki smiled up at the chuunin cheekily, "Anytime, Ru."
Kakashi watched as Iruka helps the cat woman to her feet, "Whose soul did she bring back?"
Tsunade looks at the Copy-nin, "Do you even need to ask?"
Kakashi mentally gasped, 'They have Obito's soul…!' His genius mind is starting to put the pieces together. Darkwater's partner – Iruka's master – the chakra and DNA sample from his sharingan – Obito's soul. 'Does this mean that Obito is…? No… It can't be!'
Iruka holds the crystal sphere in his hand as he quickly performs the summoning jutsu. He slams his hand on the floor along with the sphere. The sphere shatters under Iruka's hand causing a burst of bright light before a large puff of smoke explodes in the room.
Tsunade, Ibiki, and Shizune coughed and tried to fan the smoke away. All the while Kakashi waits with baited breath.
The smoke finally clears away to reveal a young teenage boy with black hair and eyes and wearing some goggles on his forehead. Obito Uchiha, an exact replica of the deceased boy created and summoned by Iruka.
'It's him…' Kakashi stares at the boy he continues to mourn till this day. The boy he continuously visits at the memorial stone. He is looking at the true owner of his sharingan and Kakashi still can't believe it. He unconsciously opens his mouth to call out his friend's name, but someone else said it before he could.
"Obito-sama," Iruka kneels and bows his head before the young boy.
Obito laughs playfully as he ruffles Iruka's ebony hair before hugging the wolf-eared chuunin, "Quit with the formalities, Ruru."
Iruka embraced the young boy for a brief moment before pulling back and looking at his little master with a brilliant smile and tail wagging. "I know, I know, Obito."
Obito then frowns a little, "How are you feeling, Ruru?" He petted Iruka's hair before his small hand could cup the chuunin's right cheek, "I hope I didn't push you too far in our last mission."
Iruka sighed tenderly leaning into Obito's warm hand and smiles at the young boy, "Never… As always, you are a good master."
Kakashi has long been over his initial shock of seeing his deceased friend alive once again. He's now feeling something unpleasant as he watched the closeness between Iruka and Obito. He didn't even notice himself clutching his fist tightly while seeing Iruka's unusual submissiveness toward Obito.
Obito continues to narrow his eyes with concern, "You still look ill, Iruka," his voice sounding more serious now. "Why?"
Tsunade cleared her throat, "Obito?"
Obito looks to the Hokage and bows his head with respect, "Godaime-sama." He salutes to the tall scarred man in greeting, "Morino-san."
Ibiki smiles down at the boy, "It's good to see you again, Obito."
"And…" Obito looks at the silver-head jounin, "Oh, a new face." Obito smiled at the Copy-nin, "Nice to meet you. I'm Obito Uchiha. And you are?"
Kakashi is taken aback, 'Does he not recognize me?'
Iruka ruefully avoids eye contact with the bewildered Copy-nin. Neither Tsunade nor Ibiki know what to say to the young boy.
"Uhm… Obito-sama," Maneki spoke up, "This is the famous Copy-nin, Kakashi Hatake, I spoke to you about before."
"Oh! Really?" Obito's eyes lit up with excitement. He steps over to Kakashi to shake his hand, "It's an honor to meet you, Hatake-senpai. I've heard so many incredible things about you from Eki-chan and from your Hokage as well. I hope one day you and I can spar." Obito laughed sheepishly, "Maybe you can teach me a thing or two."
Kakashi didn't know what to think or say. Standing before him is Obito Uchiha. The boy who helped him understand his father. The boy who saved his life in more ways than one. The boy who was supposed to be dead long ago, but is now here and doesn't know who Kakashi is?
"Hmm…? Is something wrong, Hatake-senpai?" Obito watched the silver-head jounin curiously.
Tsunade placed her hand on Kakashi's shoulder and squeezed it gently, "Don't be rude, Kakashi. Greet the boy."
Kakashi looked at his Hokage and Tsunade nods at him telling him, it's ok, with her eyes. Kakashi looks back at Obito and smiles with his single eye, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Obito."
Kakashi reached out for Obito's hand, but the boy is yanked away. Iruka pulls Obito behind him shielding him from Kakashi's view.
Iruka bares his sharp fangs and snarls at the Copy-nin with his ears flat against his head, "Touch Obito-sama and I'll kill you," he growled.
"Iruka!" Maneki and Tsunade scolded the wolf-eared chuunin.
"Iruka, what's going -" Obito suddenly gasped, "What happened to Gai?!" Obito runs to Gai's side and holds Gai's hand in his smaller one, "He feels cold." Obito looks at Iruka – the young boy looks ready to shed tears, "Iruka, what happened? Why is Gai like this?"
Iruka's expression saddens as he walks up to the young boy and kneels before him. "I will explain all that later, but first Gai needs our help, Obito. I need you to give me permission to use my Healing-blood on Gai."
"What…?" Obito looks startled. "But Iruka, even with my consent you'll still be in danger."
"I know, but this is for Gai," Iruka bows his head to Obito, "Please, I'm begging you."
Obito looks uneasy. He doesn't want Iruka hurt or in pain, let alone dead. Obito looks back at Gai's lifeless body. He knows how important Gai is to the chuunin though. Obito sighed in defeat, "If it's for Gai, I understand. Iruka, you have my consent to use your Healing-blood on Gai."
Iruka smiles up at his little master, "Thank you, Obito."
Obito looks at Maneki, "Take care of our Iruka, Eki-chan."
Maneki bows to the young boy, "No worries, Obito-sama. I will guard him with my life."
Obito smiles at the demon cat, "I know you will." Obito looks down into brown-amber eyes, "Summon me once you've recovered, ok?"
Iruka nods, "I will," and Obito disappears.
Thank you for reading! (^_^)/
I would like to apologize to all my followers who've stuck around and waiting for an update.
This story of mine will be on hiatus. For how long? I don't know because I need to re-find my inspiration to continue it.
I'll admit I stupidly lost my inspiration when I was reading the "Naruto" manga and Obito was back and a bad guy. I know my story doesn't have anything to do with the original "Naruto" story, but STILL! I got bummed out that Obito was alive and an enemy.
Oh well…
Here's hoping I can continue this one day because I really do love this fantasy story surrounding my Iruka – hehe xD