Iruka knew it was stupid of him, but he couldn't help but feel intimidated by the beast trio in his class. And by the beast trio he meant Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. Why were they called the beast trio? Iruka wasn't exactly sure, he knew it had something to do with their raw talent and potential.

And the fact that both their grades and physical tests trumped everyone else's. There were even rumors about them aspiring to graduate early, but those rumors have yet to been proven.

The beat trio wasn't the only kids with talent in his class, quite the opposite, anyone that the beast trio talked to and hung out with were guaranteed to excel in at least two subjects. Instead of taming the beasts, it was said that those kids had been tamed by the beasts.

Iruka knew it wasn't fair of him to refer to three of his students as beasts, but he didn't mean it in an insulting way. Goodness no, he means it in a very respected way. It must have seem a bit odd of him having so much respect for the three despite being more experienced, but just like Ibiki he noticed something about them.

No doubt would they become great in the future. For now all he had to do was guide them, teach them morals and compassion, he had to teach them the human qualities of life. Only when they understand these concepts could he allow them to graduate.

Until they inherit the will of fire they'll be in his care.

But Iruka had a feeling that they wouldn't genuinely get the concept, not even when they're older. He buried that feeling down, what was he thinking? They're only kids. They're innocent. Of course they'll be able to inherit the will of fire.

(The lingering doubt remained)

Another thing he noticed was the fact that the three of them refused to be apart from the other. It may have seem endearing at first, but now that he discovered that they even use the bathroom together it just became unnerving for him.

He tried stressing out to them that they needed to learn to function by themselves on more than one occasion. For example when he separated their seats, they simply skipped class until he allowed them to sit together again. Or when he made kunoichi class obligatory to Sakura, the two boys merely decided to participate in the lessons as well. And as the three pointed out there was no rules against that.

When he brought it up to the Hokage, the old man had simply said that it was a passing phase and that the kids do spend time apart outside of the academy. Iruka would like to believe that, but he couldn't see it as a passing phase. In fact he was almost one hundred percent sure that they would stop spending time apart outside of the academy eventually.

He tried bringing it up to their guardians as well.

Mebuki Haruno had acted far too bubbly about the situation for his liking. He couldn't help but believe that there was something off about the woman. Call it an intuition or gut feeling.

Mikoto Uchiha merely waved off his concern, she didn't say it was a phase. In fact it seemed like just like him she could see what it would become in the future. Yet she seemed to accept it. That only solidify Iruka's belief that he didn't understand women.

And of course the Hokage merely said it was a phase. (again)

Heck, Iruka even tried speaking to their friends!

Hinata merely stammered out that she thought it was heartwarming how close they were, and that they did spend time with other friends separately. Apparently Sakura and Ino were going to sleepover at her place soon.

Shikamaru just said that they were more troublesome apart than they were together.

Chouji also believed it was a phase, and compared it to him and Shikamaru's friendship by pointing out how much time they spend together and how much space they give each other.

Ino said it was cute that they always spent time together, and that she totally supported their forbidden love. (Iruka hopes she was being delusional)

Kiba compared their closeness to his and Akamaru's.

Shino compared it to his bugs, saying they need each other to function. (Iruka wouldn't quite realize it until years later that it was only Shino who got how complex their relationship was)

Tenten morbidly compared their relationship as to how a ninja would treat their tools, before cheerfully saying that they'll grow out of it.

Rock Lee merely said it was admirable of them to be so involved with each other, that they were as dedicated to each other as he was to his training.

Left with no choice Iruka had confronted them with the matter directly. He had said it was gently as possible in hopes of making them realize that they needed to be independent. He had even gone as far as to tell them separately.

Their responses were disturbing to say the least.

"But we're like a puzzle. We fit together. There's no point in an incomplete puzzle." Sakura had said as if it was obvious.

"What's the point of even going through life if there isn't anything exciting? Naruto and Sakura's my excitement." Sasuke had drawled out.

"They keep me sane Iruka-sensei, without them I may just go on a rampage." Naruto had said with a cruel smirk.

Iruka was left at a lost.

There wasn't anything he could do, because for some reason only he saw that what's happening wasn't healthy. That it was a form of obsession.

But….

There was nothing he could do about it.

They were too twisted in each other. No one could save them. They'd either ruin themselves, or everyone around them.