27. Kaleidoscope
They ran as fast as they could, Iruka leading the way, but the halls did not seem to end. Every turn led them down another identical gray stone-lined hallway; Kakashi could not even keep track of the way in his head as he raced to keep up. The voices of the pursuers had long since faded into the distance behind them, but they maintained their quick pace.
"Iruka! Are you sure you know the way?" Kakashi called, casting a doubtful glance around them. The walls were solid and every few meters there would be a thick, wooden door. "I don't see any cells around here!"
Iruka glanced back, nodding his head ever so slightly in confirmation of Kakashi's inquiry. "They're keeping the kids up here. I'm sure of it. They led me down this way a few times." They continued on through the underground maze.
A few minutes later Iruka pulled to an abrupt stop and turned to face Kakashi. "What is it?" Kakashi asked, "Are they keeping them here?" He moved to the nearest door, examining the lock.
All at once, Iruka's fist collided with the back of his head, knocking him to the ground. A kaleidoscope of color erupted across his vision as his head connected first with the wall and then with the floor. Through his blurred eyes he could make out Iruka's malicious grin above him. The man was almost giggling with glee. Kakashi blinked a few times, but his vision would not clear.
Moving to stand, Kakashi found Iruka's foot firmly planted on his chest. "I don't think so, Kakashi. You're not going anywhere." Iruka's voice was thick and low and held a quality that Kakashi had never heard in it before. He knelt down next to Kakashi and leaned in toward his face. "Were you expecting me to kiss it and make it all better? Hah! The great Kakashi is captured because he trusted his enemy. This is rich!"
Kakashi glanced at Iruka, confused. "What?" he asked slowly, pain and numbness still shooting through his head and down his spine.
Iruka stood again and fumbled with some keys from his pocket. He soon found what he was looking for and wrestled the door beside them open. "This is where you're going to rot," he said, grabbing Kakashi by his vest and pulling him into the room. Once Iruka was back outside, he slammed the door shut and locked it once again. Kakashi could hear his echoing laugh as he left down the hallway.
A trap. Kakashi had fallen into a trap and he had not even noticed it. It had never occurred to him that Iruka would betray him and the fact that he had stung his heart. With a great sigh, Kakashi laid back on the ground, playing with all the different reasons for Iruka's betrayal.
There was movement in the darkness and Kakashi was immediately on edge. His vision was clearing, but there were still colors and shapes swirling across his sight. "Who's there?" he asked.
After a long moment, a quiet voice responded, "Kakashi?"
Kakashi's heart stopped. That was Iruka's voice, he was sure of it. But how could Iruka be here, in this god forsaken cell and outside, tricking his comrades? Kakashi activated his sharingan and peered into the darkness, searching for a face. His eyes found a prominent, horizontal scar and deep, brown eyes. "Iruka… what—?"
"Kakashi! I'm so sorry! They made that clone and I couldn't stop them!" Iruka nearly shouted, his voice breaking a little. "I couldn't stop them…"
Kakashi's heart warmed even with the small bit of knowledge that Iruka was still loyal. What did it matter that they were both locked in a cell or that Sasuke had probably been caught by a similar trick? They were together.
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…. I don't really like this… it's roughly based on an idea I came up with like… three or four years ago which was never put on paper. It's also kind of like that one narusasu one I wrote earlier this month. Sorry guys… this one's late because I've discovered (and rediscovered) my love for Teddy Tonks and Cedric Diggory…. Together?? What?