Author's Notes: Eehh….okay, I won't make any promises about how fast the new updates will be anymore. Even though I had this short little chapter practically ready in Christmas already, the time and the inspiration to polish it off just didn't come as long as I had courses. I wish I could work on writing on lectures just like I do on drawing…even if I'm not very fast with that either, to be honest.

But! Once again I thank all who have reviewed and read this. The idea that someone's looking forward to reading my story makes me very happy. X3 I work very slowly, but you can count on me to finish this! ….Eventually!

--

Fifth Chapter

When the embassy of Sand Village left Leaf, the Fifth Hokage was there to see them off as was proper. No-one paid much attention to a short merchant about to return to his homeland…but if they had known how the two Kage had fought to get him into the party, they might have looked twice.

Tsunade halted by the robed supposedly-merchant standing in the shadow by a house and looked at him with eyes that one might call gentle. "Everything alright? Ready to go?"

"I'm not a kid," said the boy through his veil. His voice was rather unenthusiastic compared to his normal manner, but Tsunade sadly degreed that the loud, happy tone was likely gone for good. Or maybe she hoped he could find it again in Sand.

"Just remember all the camouflage tricks until you're inside Sand's walls…" Tsunade smiled slightly. "Even if make-up is more trouble, remember to take care of it." Sakura was the one who had painstakingly guided Naruto in applying the thick foundation to cover his whisker marks and the dark eyeliner to his eyes as was more or less customary in Wind Country. He had also dyed his hair plain brown, but the color was supposed to wear off in a couple of weeks.

"You told me that already…it's because a good ninja might detect the jutsu. I know." Blue eyes looked sidelong at the Hokage. He had complained about the make-up because he was wearing a hood that would cover most of it anyway… Oddly, more than anything that seemed to have pleased his team-mate and her sensei. But it was probably better not to make them worry for him. Naruto's tone lightened. "I'm gonna be okay! I bet the trip will be fun…I'll get to visit Sand properly this time!"

Tsunade looked around her then and quickly hugged the boy. "It's going to be alright, Naruto!" she whispered.

Naruto stared at the woman and then looked down quickly, blinking his eyes hard. There was a silence, as Naruto couldn't think of anything to say. He scowled and then turned away.

"Of…course it's going to be alright! I'm going now so we don't blow the cover." He walked towards the main group and settled to stay in the middle. No-one could recognise him…and since Yamato and Naruto's whole team would remain in Leaf, no-one was likely to suspect the Kyuubi container was gone. Even the counsel wasn't aware of this yet…Tsunade would get hell for this, but she was prepared to take it.

She observed the Kazekage cast a fleeting glance at the Sand merchant who hadn't been there before, and his blonde sister give the man a smile when passing.

Yes, he would fare better in Sand. Gaara and her siblings would take good care of him, and there was nothing in the village to remind him of Sasuke. After saving Gaara he was liked in the village by others, too…and they were skilled enough to keep Kyuubi in check. Gaara was holding some of the sealing papers that would placate him…and Yamato would eventually also get there. Very quietly, of course.

She sighed and prayed for all to go well for the blonde boy. Maybe he could piece himself together with Gaara's help. After some time he could return…and maybe by then he could take the fact that Sasuke's killer was now working for Leaf.

The Sand's caravan left after Tsunade had formally bade farewell to the young Kazekage. She looked after them, long enough to see Naruto look back once, the eyes lingering…and then his head snap forward. Stubbornly. She smiled and turned. Keep looking forward, Naruto.

--

The man who was maybe the reason for all this had no idea of what would happen to the blonde boy who disturbed his thoughts. Just like most of the village, he presumed Naruto was merely going to be held in custody. Kisame had now spent about two weeks in Leaf, accounting all he knew about the Akatsuki organization and also Hidden Mist Village again and again to different Leaf officials. But still he had idle time…too much to his liking. When not doing anything, he found himself nervous, unable to relax. And in the end, recounting his time in the Akatsuki again and again did little to pacify him. He had even went to ask Tsunade about when he would receive his first mission even though he knew full well that she would have just told him if it was possible. Needless to say, Tsunade had told him just that.

He needed something to divert his attention….something he could focus on and fill his quiet moments with. And he had remembered the man he met at the hot springs.

He visited the spa a couple of times in that same time, hoping to come across the man again, but he met no-one. He wondered if he had scared Iruka away, so that he was avoiding the springs, but he still went. It was not like he couldn't afford it…Tsunade paid him enough to be sure he wouldn't get second thoughts because of that.

On his way to his fourth visit to the spa inside the week, Kisame hesitated a bit. Maybe he was being stupid: Iruka might have just happened to visit here that one time at this hour. He did like the springs, but enough was enough. Maybe it was time to give up…find something else to occupy him. Like finding out where that green-clad weirdo who had kicked him in the face three years ago lived. Fighting him would get him into trouble, but he was on the verge of doing it nonetheless.

He paid for the bath regardless, and went into the dressing room. As he undressed and headed for the door, he almost missed a carefully folded Chuunin uniform tucked away inconspicuously in the furthermost corner.

He smiled.

When he entered the bathing area he moved just a little bit stealthier than really necessary, and managed to walk all the way to the edge of the spring before Iruka noticed him. And yes, it was indeed Iruka and no-one else. It was again the same day as last time…it figured, this must have been the only fitting day in his curriculum as he was a teacher. To Kisame's satisfaction, Iruka's eyes widened when he noticed the shark nin, and as he slid into the water, the man turned his face with a decisively stern expression. With his hair down he was…pretty.

"…Hello again, Umino-san," Kisame greeted with a polite smile.

He received no answer save a minute sigh.

Well, it wasn't like Kisame could blame him for being distant. He wasn't about to give up on this so soon, though. "….How is Naruto?" he ventured. The concern in his voice was real, which was probably why Iruka even answered. Before the Chuunin spoke, Kisame had time to notice that that may not have been the best choice of subject. For him or for Iruka.

Still not looking at the bigger man, Iruka slowly spoke:"…He is still in custody and he doesn't seem to be getting better."

Kisame's stomach lurched. "….So there's something wrong with him? I thought he was only being held because Kyuubi's influence broke out again…."

Iruka looked up angrily, only to have his face change into an expression of surprised suspicion. As far as he could tell, Kisame was truly worried. He still couldn't believe it. There was no way he could have built that strong a connection to Naruto! They had only met twice, and so briefly!

He decided to voice his thoughts. "Frankly, I can't believe you'd care that much. And I don't know why you'd play that act. Naruto's condition is not your concern, is it? You're not even allowed to see him…"

Kisame answered him with an odd smile that made him feel uncomfortable. "Maybe I was indeed wrong to trouble you about it, Umino-san." That voice was pointy. Short and angry words. Iruka stared, perplexed. Why would he pull such an act? Could he even fake it that well?

There was a lengthy silence, during which they stared at each other. The way Kisame didn't blink was highly disconcerting, and Iruka started to blush slightly despite himself. He told himself it was anger. The shark nin might have been going through an internal argument, but his face, with it's stony affronted look, was as immobile as his eyes.

Finally Kisame lifted a brow, as if deciding something, and abruptly stood up to leave. "I am sorry to have bothered you, Umino-san."

Iruka looked away, wordless. The shark nin was behaving oddly. And…he wasn't looking at him like that. Certainly not. That would have been even worse than normally…

Back in the locker rooms, Kisame dried himself off and pulled his clothes back on, moving fast and annoyed. Who would have guessed the little brunette could get under his skin so effectively? It seemed it hadn't been such a good idea to try and hit on him. But, objectively thinking…he himself was much too sensitive about Naruto. He sighed and ruffled his hair.

"…Naruto is very depressed," said Iruka's voice, sounding almost inquiring. Kisame looked mutely at the door and the man, standing there with his towel wrapped around his waist. "…He won't talk and everyone's worried."

Kisame straightened his back and still stared at Iruka in surprise. When he was opening his mouth to say something, Iruka spoke again. "Tell me, why are you so worried about him? I really can't understand."

"…I have my reasons," Kisame smiled slightly. He couldn't really tell the man he thought he was…fond of the kid, or that he felt he could identify with him… "I'm sure you've noticed he has a way with people." Iruka wouldn't be happy with just that… "I think I felt sorry for him about that mess with the Uchiha kid…and in any case, I was getting fed up with the Akatsuki."

"So Naruto just happened to be there conveniently as a way to get into Leaf?" Iruka cocked an eyebrow. But curiously, he didn't sound angry. Maybe he believed in that reason just as much as Kisame did.

"Heh, I suppose I don't like to admit it, but it seems I did indeed develop a soft spot for him." Kisame scratched the back of his head.

Iruka was astoundingly convincing as an interrogator for being an Iruka in a white towel. He walked closer and scrutinized Kisame's face. The slight redness on his cheeks was only a minor detriment.

"In meeting him just twice, and at both times ending up in a fight with him?"

"…Sharp." Kisame smiled again, and he was feeling an odd mix of joy and annoyance. For some reason the brown-haired Chuunin cared enough to ask, but he was also getting threateningly close to some uncomfortable subjects. "…I did meet him once in between these two times, when he was out of Leaf on his training voyage…"

Iruka suddenly manifested an almost scary face that had a striking resemblance to what in Kisame's mind was described as the mother lion-phenomenon. He hurriedly continued.

"He had gotten separated from Jiraiya-sama, but in the end, having watched him a bit, I just couldn't take him." A little smile.

The Chuunin still didn't seem entirely satisfied, but Kisame told him he had shared this little story with the Hokage as well, and that two different interrogators had verified it as true. According to them, he hadn't lied. Maybe Umino-san would be happy with what the Hokage was happy?

Iruka seemed somewhat subdued and his gaze relented, averting to the wall. Kisame bet he still wasn't entirely satisfied… Maybe he sensed there was something more. But the cold feel from him was gone.

After a while of silence, Iruka corrected his towel slightly and muttered: "I suppose. …If the Hokage trusts you, who am I to doubt her…" The tone was…professional, but the fact that the man even said something like that was a lot. For a brief moment Kisame wondered if what the Chuunin felt for Naruto was something akin to his feelings…but he dismissed the thought. Iruka was way too proper for that.

"I'm glad, Umino-san," he said calmly, and picked up his Chuunin vest. After adjusting the forehead protector, he collected his other things and bowed his head with a small, dry smile. "Maybe I'll see you again."

Iruka nodded back, in a way that could be described as nothing else than meek…as if he might have been a bit sorry…but Kisame was quite sure he wouldn't meet the man again. With mixed feelings he walked out, leaving Iruka to dress up in peace. Maybe it was for the best…Iruka was perhaps a bit too close to Naruto. Tsunade might not like it. Eventually, it might put Kisame in danger of crossing Naruto's territory. Yes, Tsunade clearly wanted him nowhere near Naruto's life. Maybe it was for the best…

But curiously, that same time the next week they were both at the hot springs again.

--

Author's Notes: Next up...more about Kisame and Iruka and a little look on Naruto. My idea is clear, but I don't know when I'll be able to type it down…and it should be a little longer chapter than this.