Warning: OOC, weirdness, sexual references and foul language. Any misspellings or wrong grammar is unintentional. I am my own beta. I could have missed some stuff.

I do not own Naruto.

ROOM-MATE

The next morning, Iruka woke up with the feeling that he was run over by a truck several times. His joints ached and his eyes felt hot, like tears were about to erupt without him knowing. His nose was clogged and his ears felt like someone clamped hot irons on them and left it to burn. He gave out a grunt as he sat up from bed and glanced at the clock. He had exactly fifteen minutes to get to his class.

When he did manage get to class, Iruka heard none of the lecture, couldn't answer any of the questions properly and people were starting to ask if he was all right. His instructors offered him a break or to go back to his room to rest up. His cheeks got redder as hours ticked by and he couldn't stand up from his seat when classes were over.

He bumped in to Izumo and Kotetsu during lunch at the mess hall. Both had a healthy looking meal on their trays while Iruka only had an apple. He didn't trust himself enough to order more than an apple in fear of dropping his tray. Sometime ago, his hands started to shake from the chill that seemed to have settled over his entire body.

At the sight of his tired state, Izumo started rummaging through his bag to look for some mild antibiotic. "Here. It'll help you get through the day."

Iruka swallowed the pill dry and took a small bite from his apple. "Thanks."

"What happened to you?" Kotetsu asked. "You look terrible."

Iruka sniffed, his pronunciations hindered by his clogged nose. "Oh uh, I had ice cream yesterday. After my trip to the hospital. Kakashi fed me."

Kotetsu choked on his drink and Izumo boggled. "Who did what?" Kotetsu squeaked.

"Kakashi fed me. Took me out. He took me to the hospital actually. On his bike. He has a nice bike." Iruka sniffed and rubbed his nose. "And he drives really well."

"So it was a date?" Izumo asked, blinking. "Do you even like the guy?"

Iruka shook his head. "He just took me to the hospital then to dinner after that. This stupid cold is probably from the rain last night. But I'm okay."

Izumo and Kotetsu straightened and looked at him with worry. "What did the doctor say?" Kotetsu asked.

"Sessions. I have to go through sessions. Much like before. He says no prescriptions till he knows what's really wrong with me. I have an appointment tonight at seven. I just hope I can make it through the day."

"Tell you what." Izumo said, grabbing Iruka's bag. "Let's get you to your room so you can lie down for a bit. You really look like you're about to fall flat on your face. I have no idea how you managed to get through half your classes."

"No, no. I'll be fine. I still have that debate later on." Iruka waved his hand, making him wince due to his already sore joints.

Kotetsu shook his head. "You might get worse later. Better rest up. I'll personally drop by a message to your instructors that you're ill."

Iruka frowned. "Not ill. Just tired."

"I doubt they'd accept the 'tired' excuse you know? Sick or ill. It'd work." Izumo stood up, his food half eaten on his tray. Kotetsu managed to polish off his food in minutes. "Come on, on your feet. What time is your appointment tonight again?"

"Seven." Iruka sneezed and started coughing.

Izumo and Kotetsu could only wince.

"You have four hours. We'll give you a call on your cell by six-thirty. You'll make it on time if you just walk." Izumo said, wrapping an arm around Iruka's shoulder and steering him towards the doors and out in the lawn. They had to cross a few buildings to get to Iruka's end.

They reached Iruka's room shortly and Izumo did not hesitate in tucking Iruka in, pulling the covers up to the brunette's chin.

"Your shoes are right beside you on the floor." Kotetsu pulled the third drawer open where Iruka kept all his jackets and sweatshirts to find the drawer completely empty. "Uhm Iruka? Where are your jackets?"

"I only have two now. The white one and the black one. Both are in the laundry." Iruka mumbled, briefly catching Izumo placing his cell phone by his pillow. "I lost the others."

"Oh right. Genma and the Laundromat." Kotetsu sighed and started to shrug off his own jacket. "Well, wear mine."

"And take my scarf." Izumo tugged the scarf around his neck and folded it over the jacket Kotetsu placed over the chair. "You gotta get some jackets soon. I'll give one of my extras even."

"It's all right guys. I really appreciate it." Iruka coughed again. "Don't leave your jackets and scarf. It's too cold outside."

"No, you need it more than we do." Kotetsu bent forward and patted Iruka's forehead. "You rest up. We'll wake you up for your appointment."

"You should feel better when you wake up. That pill does magic." Izumo reassured him, smiling down.

"Thanks guys. Really." Iruka felt his eyes close on their own.

"Sleep." Kotetsu whispered, smoothing Iruka's hair before standing up and leaving with Izumo.

Iruka didn't hear them leave. He just simply drifted off to sleep in an instant.

It didn't feel like he slept for four hours when his cell phone started to ring. Iruka found a whine tearing itself from his throat as he felt for the vibrating cell phone beside his pillow. He was able to move his arm a lot easier than the morning; he pressed the answer key to Izumo's call.

"Hello." He croaked, voice raspy from sleep.

"You have an appointment in exactly twenty-eight minutes."

"Right. Getting up." Iruka said, forcing himself to sit up and slide his legs over the side of the bed. He found his shoes and started to slip it on while Izumo babbled like a worried brother on the other end of the line.

"Take the main road and be careful when you walk. Kotetsu is in a study group and I'll be in the library. If anything happens, just make sure you give us a call and we'll be there in a jiffy, all right?"

Iruka tied his shoelaces and shakily got to his feet. "I hear ya'. Thanks 'Zumo."

"Don't be thanking me just yet. Fat load of use it's going to be if you just end up sprawled in the street. Don't forget your jacket and scarf!"

Iruka slipped on the jacket and wrapped the scarf around his neck. "Putting it on right now."

"Good. Now, when you reach there, do send me a message? Just so that I won't worry my dick off."

Iruka laughed and ended up coughing. "Wouldn't want that. Ko' wouldn't be happy."

"One day, when you're in a relationship, I'll tease you so much, you'd beg me to stop."

Iruka cleared his throat and chuckled. "Yes, yes. I'm ready now."

"Be safe! If anyone dares to touch you -"

"Now you're being silly Izumo." Iruka mumbled, running a quick comb through his hair and quickly pulling his hair up to a high ponytail. "What person would want to touch me anyway?"

"You'd be surprise. There are lotsa people who'd be more than willing to get in to your pants. Want me to name a few girls?"

Iruka sighed and shook his head to himself. "No thanks. I'd rather not know."

"Boys then?"

"Nope. Definitely not them either." Iruka said, leaving his door and making sure it was locked as he headed down the stairwell to the streets.

"Well, you take care. Out on the streets?"

Iruka pushed past the swinging doors and shuddered under the cold night air. "I am now."

"Good. Now get going."

Iruka said goodbye and stuffed his cell phone in to his back pocket, burying half his face under Izumo's scarf and tightening Kotetsu's jacket around him. He made his way across the parking lot and started walking towards the hospital once he was passed the gates. Izumo was right about the pill; Iruka didn't feel the same heavy feeling he woke up that morning with. He was able to jog to the hospital, reaching the place in fifteen minutes. He knew the direction to Ryuuken's office so he merely offered the nurses at the desk a smile as he made his way to the familiar office (all the while typing a text message to Izumo on his cell phone just as promised).

He was told to wait by the desk nurse as she went on ahead to inform Ryuuken that his next patient was waiting. It wasn't till seven-ten before Iruka was admitted in to the office. The last patient had been a tall lanky looking blonde man who had half his face covered and weirdest curly eyebrow Iruka has ever seen. Burrowing in to his scarf some more, Iruka smiled at the nurse who held the door open for him, thanking her for her kindness and stepping in to the warmer office.

There were two couches situated next to a scenic view of the hospital's lawn. Iruka could see the bright lights of the vehicles moving past in a distance, the lights tall buildings of the Fire-City's skyscrapers glowing a magnificent shade of red, gold and blue. Iruka silently admired the office setting; there was a comfortable looking chezlong with an equally attractive single couch adjacent to it.

It wasn't the office Iruka entered the other night. The nurse had led him to a door beyond the one he was previously in and Iruka found himself liking the current office more than the other one.

"Have a seat, Iruka." Ryuuken said, moving to sit on the single couch while he gestured for Iruka to take the chezlong. "You're dressed rather too warm. Are you well?"

Iruka remembered Kotetsu and Izumo saying that he looked horrible; no doubt Ryuuken thought the same thing. "I'm fine, doctor. Really."

Ryuuken eyed him closely but said nothing further. "Make yourself comfortable." Iruka nodded and leaned further in to seat, sighing in to the softness and comfort of the chair. "It is important you feel comfortable when you're speaking to me, yes?"

Iruka nodded, swallowing. "Yes, doctor."

"Before we start, I'd like you to undergo a few tests. Mainly blood testing and medical imaging. These are standard procedures, considering your history. I'd like you to book an appointment before you leave so that I'll have all your updated data with me before our next session."

Iruka understood perfectly; it was not the first time anyway. "I'll get it done right away."

"Good. Let's get started then." Ryuuken shifted in his seat and leaned back. "How do you feel this all started?"

Iruka stared at the beige ceiling, remembering the day clearly. "We were having lunch in the mess hall. Me and two of my friends; Izumo and Kotetsu." Iruka was familiar with the process when asked; he would have to relate his feelings as he remembered it to Ryuuken. "I remember that I had a burger and one of those small packed-cups of water. The hall seemed more crowded that day, I think."

"Recognize any familiar faces in the crowd?"

Iruka nodded. "Some I've helped before; freshmen and seniors alike. We sat in the first available seat we saw, more towards the window."

"I see." Ryuuken took down some notes. "Continue."

Iruka related what happened that day when Kakashi triggered his hidden trauma. Ryuuken didn't stop him while he spoke, listening and merely confirming minor details so he can write something down. Just remembering the scene alone made Iruka's chest clench. He couldn't erase the memory of Kakashi angry face and it was part of the reason why he hesitates in agreeing with everything Kakashi wanted to do or see done.

"Tell me about this man Kakashi reminded you of. What do you remember of him?" Ryuuken asked, sounding too gentle, like he was cajoling a two-year-old.

Iruka felt like he was young again, back during pre-school. "He was tall, had really dark eyes. He was pale and had his hair combed back. H-His grin - w-when he grinned, he reminded me of a demon. Like how they painted them in picture books. H-He was part of the Nine-tails group."

"I see." Ryuuken nodded. "And what did this man do to scare you?"

Iruka shut his eyes, seeing the face he dreaded for years. It was the face that had him screaming at night, even after his scar long healed. It was the very face that made him terrified of walking alone in the dark. "He was hurting my best friend. When I was a kid, no one really liked me; I never understood why. We were in the gym having P.E. when that man took us as hostages towards the swimming pool next door. He was yelling at the girls and - and he made some of them cry. He threatened to kill them if they won't stop crying. Then my best friend - Fujiwara Sai - bit his arm to let go of this girl's pigtail. The guy had a gun and h-h-he lifted Sai from the back of his collar and s-started - he started to -"

Iruka brought a hand up to his head, sucking in a shaky breath. "Slowly, Iruka. There's no rush." Ryuuken said. "Take a deep breath."

Doing as he was told, Iruka sucked in a few shaky breaths, still remembering the look of horror on Sai's face when he was lifted up. "Sai looked scared, but he tried to be brave. When that monster started to pull the gun out, I - I knew Sai was going to die. I tried to stop him, begged him to let Sai go and I pulled at his huge hand. He said that since we were both energetic boys, we should have some fun." Iruka dreaded the next part, feeling his eyes water a bit. "He took one of the pink pool balls - a slightly deflated one - and placed it on top of Sai's head. H-He gave me his gun and told me that if I can shoot the ball, he'd let us all go home unhurt."

Ryuuken narrowed his eyes. "What did Sai say?"

"Sai encouraged me, told me to be brave so that we can all go home. He said that I can go over at his place and we'd play Go again. He said that if I win, he'd teach me that awesome secret move of his. The gun was so heavy! I couldn't possibly aim right with that huge thing! I was a skinny brat who hated his vegetables and milk." Iruka covered his eyes with his hand. "The man was laughing. He was laughing so hard. He yelled at me to fire the gun and - and Sai said that I'd be a hero if I try. He told me he believed in me - that I'd hit that goddamn pink ball! It was big! But I missed!" He swallowed, forcing himself to calm down as the tears trickled down the sides of his face. "I shot Sai through the head and he fell on the ground. I remember the other kids were quiet. The man was angry; he lifted me up by the collar and looked at me. He - He was a monster! He - He brought a field knife up to my face and - and -" His fingers touched the scar across his cheek. "He did this."

Ryuuken stood up and pulled his chair closer to Iruka, handing him some folded tissues to dry his tears. "It's all right, Iruka. It's fine."

Iruka didn't stop. He sat up and crossed his legs, burying his face in his hands. "He threw me in to the pool after he cut my face, telling me it's punishment for being so weak and killing my classmate. I don't know why I didn't drown. But the pool was red from the bullet hole on Sai's head. I didn't know how to swim and I panicked. I remember Sai's face floating in front of me." Iruka forced himself to calm down, squeezing his eyes shut tight to stop any tears from leaking. "I woke up in the hospital after that. I remember crying at Sai's funeral. I never saw his parents after that. They say he was the best Go player in the region. And b-because of me, he was never able to - to -"

"Iruka, you have to understand that it was not your fault."

"I know that." Iruka said, sniffing through his already clogged nose. "I've been told that and I know now that it wasn't my fault. But that man - I can never forget his face. I can never forget the face of the man who made me kill my best friend. His face was that of the damned. He was a horrible man who - who made the girls cry!" Iruka choked out, trying to control his emotions. "I couldn't understand him. I couldn't understand his face nor I could I figure out what he really wanted. I was told there were police officers ready to strike in if he hurt one of the children. I didn't understand what he wanted. I didn't understand why he was so angry. We - We were just children. Snotty lil' brats!"

Ryuuken reached out to rub Iruka's shoulder in comfort. "It was not your fault."

"I know." Iruka nodded again. "I know. I tell myself that."

"Telling yourself will never be enough." Ryuuken shook his head. "You have to believe that. And you don't."

"I still try. I forgot all about it. I was fine. I really was." Iruka said, wiping at his eyes and trying to gain some composure. "And then Kakashi just had to - had to do that stupid thing and I - I just remembered. He was so angry. Kakashi I mean. I've been dreaming of Sai's death ever since then."

Ryuuken nodded. "I see. Do you dream of anything else?"

"Two other memories that I forgot about. It resurfaced after the memory of Sai's death came to me." Iruka's voice somehow steadied.

"Will you tell me about it?"

Iruka nodded. "The second memory I've been trying to forget was the death of my parents. We were out one evening in the Park-Square. It was a newly opened park the Uzumaki Corporate and it was around the time the fourth successor was recently appointed. It was a grand opening and there was a festival going on. I remember going to one of the stores to buy some candy. When I came back out, I saw a red-masked man shooting down everyone. My parents were within range and tried to stop him, but they - they got shot." His eyes were starting to water again as the image of his parents merely crumpling to the ground like dolls and the blood pooling around them from their chest wounds flashed in his head. "There was a police officer nearby. He dragged me away when I started screaming."

"What was the most distinct thing you can remember about the shooter?"

"His red mask. It looked like a fox's grin." He cleared his throat, eyes already aching from the amount of tears he was trying to hold back. "I found out later that those men were members of the Nine-Tails organization. It was later on within that week did the fourth successor die."

"I remember that time, yes." Ryuuken nodded.

"It was I who insisted we go to that part of the park near that candy store. M-Maybe if I didn't bug mom for those sweets, they'd still be alive right now." Iruka said, blaming himself for the death of his parents. "I was a nuisance and I whined a lot. It was just stupid, stupid cherry candies. It could've waited! I was - I was so selfish!"

"Accidents happen, Iruka. I don't believe your parents found you a nuisance then."

"I just wished that things were different. That I wasn't so ignorant and so stupid."

Ryuuken gave him a smile. "You were a child. You are not to blame. Remember that well."

Iruka nodded slowly giving Ryuuken a shaky smile. "I miss them."

"And that's perfectly fine. I'm sure they're proud of you wherever they are now." Ryuuken smiled back. "What was your other dream?"

"It was years later. When I got in to undergrad university for education, major in math and physics. It was towards the end of my studies and I was doing the first set of board exams. I met this - this kind and funny young man." A bittersweet crawled over Iruka's lips. "His name was MIzuki and we were in the same level and we shared most of our classes. He was an orphan too, moved from foster home to foster home. He told me he lost his parents at that shoot out in the Park-Square too. We became friends and later, more than that." Iruka closed his eyes, memories of all the lovely times he shared with Mizuki flashing in his head. "We taught at the same school together later. We had the Uzumaki heir in that school, a complete outcast. Mizuki took a liking to the boy, befriending him and all."

"What was the name of the boy?"

"Naruto. Uzumaki Naruto. He is a replica of the fourth successor of the Uzumaki Corps." Iruka smiled a bit when he remembered his favorite student's face. "It was just before Naruto graduated elementary school. Mizuki wanted to steal data files off Uzumaki Insurance. I never got why he wanted to do so, but he blamed Naruto for the loss of his parents. I figured it was because Park-Square belonged to the Uzumakis, and the desire of the Nine-tails to bring down everything the Uzumakis owned was the main reason why Mizuki wanted to destroy the company." A shaky breath escaped his lips. "I just remembered Naruto's butler coming to me and asking if I've seen the boy or not."

"You had him in class that day?"

"I had his last class and I was the one who dismissed him." Iruka nodded. "Mizuki wasn't around and it took all night up until Naruto came knocking on my door, holding a CD in hand. He said, 'Look, sensei! I memorized the codes and formulas Uzumaki corps uses to maintain security! You'll pass me in math now right?' I remember feeling confused. I did tell Naruto that he'd fail anyway, but to hear such a thing while carrying high level security material, I - I didn't know what to do. He said, 'Mizuki-sensei said you'd let me pass!'. He was excited."

Ryuuken frowned. "I see."

"Mizuki had a gun and he aimed for Naruto from behind. I don't know what took over me, but I covered for the boy, and I took two bullets to the shoulder. We fought, there was a struggle. I don't remember much except that I took another bullet to the back; doctors called me lucky. I just think fate likes to see me suffer." Iruka's voice grew quiet the more he spoke of Mizuki. "I loved him. I didn't hate him for shooting me, wounds heal. Even years later when he tried to burn down head offices of the Uzumakis, he still tried to kill me for betraying him. For choosing Naruto over him." Tears trickled down his face and Iruka felt so ashamed that he hid his face once more behind his hands. "I told myself, maybe if I loved him enough, I wouldn't have betrayed him. Even now with him so far away and locked up, I miss him."

Ryuuken shut his notebook and set it on the table. "There is nothing to be ashamed of. Whether you loved him or not, you stopped him from ruining another small child. You protected Naruto, because you felt that boy was like you."

Iruka nodded. "He is."

Ryuuken smiled. "How are you feeling now that you've let out everything?"

Iruka sucked in a deep breath and tried to sort out his mind. "Tired."

"And with every right to feel so. I've kept you for already an hour." Ryuuken studied Iruka once more. "Let me take your temperature, Iruka."

"Doctor?"

Ryuuken stood up and pulled out a thermometer from his drawer, shaking it a few times before placing it under Iruka's tongue. A few minutes later, he took a look at the measurement and frowned. "Your temperature is fine. But I'm going to prescribe you with some pills. Keep them just in case you start to feel sick. Do you think you'd be able to sleep tonight?"

Iruka thought about it. "I think so. I feel - I feel kind of relieved. I haven't spoken about any of this for years."

Ryuuken smiled once more. "I'm glad to hear that you're relieved. Crying isn't a crime or a sin, Iruka. Remember that." Iruka managed a nod as he tightened the scarf around his neck. "Take this to the pharmacy downstairs. If you feel anything short of the flu, take those two pills three times a day, every eight hours."

Iruka stared at the prescription before folding it and slipping it in to his wallet. He felt embarrassed for crying and he started apologizing for it. "I'm sorry to - to have been such a mess, doctor. I'll try not to -"

"Hey, hey, come on." Ryuuken shook his head. "I told you, crying is a part of healing. It's perfectly all right. You shouldn't apologize for it."

No matter how many times his doctors told him that, the embarrassment never left him. "Thank you, doctor."

Ryuuken stashed away his thermometer after disinfecting it and walked Iruka to the door. "I will see you the day after tomorrow. All your test results will be sent to me. I'd like to check if there's any change in your body since you've already stopped your medication for almost five years."

"Yes, doctor."

"Excellent." Ryuuken nodded and walked him to the door, all the while Iruka's hand clenched in Kotetsu's jacket pocket from the cold he was starting to feel. "Do be careful on your way. If you start to feel anything, do not hesitate to contact me or the hospital. Okay?"

There was a slight relief in his chest as he nodded, knowing that there'd be someone to take care of him if his friends couldn't. "Okay."

They exchanged goodbyes as Iruka walked back to the nurses' desk, asking when he could get a blood test and imaging done. The first available nurse took him away to a room to get some blood samples. It was about another two hours later when Iruka walked out of the hospital; there had been many other patients waiting and since he had nothing else to do, he decided to just wait and get it over and done with.

It was just his luck that it started raining again when he was just a few blocks away from the dorms.

TBC

This was - to put mildly - a headache to write. I've decided to make Konoha a suburb of the Fire-City (or Fire-Capital as it was known in the old days) and Uzumaki Corporate as the thriving and one of the most powerful companies in the G5 countries (Lightning, Earth, Water etc.). So think of Uzumaki Corporate as Konoha no Sato in canon. Like all great cities, there will be mafia groups or yakuzas trying to bring them down; in this story, I've used the demon Nine-Tails as the cause of terror. Others will come along. It's very hard to implement canon-storyline to real word storyline. I am trying my best to stay AU without going over the top.

Iruka's past was a challenge itself. Bummer.

The shrink session up there is not meant to be real. I don't know how sessions go; I'm only using what I see on TV (Fashion House and Loveless to be exact).

Credits:

Fujiwara Sai - Fujiwara no Sai to be exact - is another Jump character in, no surprises, Hikaru no Go. I needed someone dead, and he seemed like he'd make a cute kid. In the HnG series, Sai appears as a grown up; I like to think of his as some sort of reincarnation here. I've been watching toomuch Honoo no Mirage. What with this reincarnation and stuff.

Ryuuken as stated before, belongs to Jump and the Bleach creator. Not mine. He is a certified medicine practitioner and is also a certified shrink.

The blonde patient that came out of Ryuuken's office was Sanji from One Piece. I just found it funny that he'd need a shrink.