The sound of shifting furniture roused the young boy from his sleep. His face hurt, and his eyes were large and puffy. The dried tear streaks had gathered a bit of dirt, which rubbed away as Iruka wiped his face off.

He slowly sat up, and yawned, looking around. For a few moments, he didn't realize that he was in his bedroom, and panic bloomed in this chest. What was happening?! He frantically stood up, blood draining from his head due to the quick movements, and he tottered a bit; gasping loudly.

"Iruka?" Kakashi's voice came as the door creaked open a bit. "Are you in here?" Iruka looked at the door, and he dragged his feet - which now felt as heavy as led - over to the now cracked entry way. One of his eyes peaked out to meet a stone gray one.

"Go away." His voice was choked and crackly from the crying he had been doing and the lack of use. He didn't want to see anyone. He couldn't stand to see anyone. His parents were gone. He hated the world and everything in it.

"Iruka..."

"I said go away!"

Kakashi pushed open the door wider, and looked down at the brunette. He lightly reached out, and rested his hands on Iruka's shoulders. "Listen to me. You can't shut yourself away like this."

"I'll do what I damn well please!" Iruka shoved the silver haired boy away from him. He glared up at him, his scar bunching a bit as his face contorted with anguish and rage. "Go away! I don't want to see you anymore!" He yelled out, hands balling into fists. His body quaked, but he didn't care. He hated everything and everyone now. He didn't want to see anyone give him pity for losing his parents!

"Iruka you can't just-"

"I can, and I will! Leave!" Iruka grabbed onto the door, and shoved it shut. He didn't care if Kakashi got hurt by it. It was the other's fault for standing there. His fingers quickly turned the lock, and he glared down at the floor, eyes filling with tears.

He was pushing away his best friend, and he couldn't care more in the world. But he had to do it. He couldn't stand seeing him anymore. He needed to change himself; and to do that, he had to cut all ties to his past.

Six years later, Iruka pulled his new Chūnin jacket over his shoulders, and he grinned. It looked good in his opinion. He'd worked hard for it, too! He turned around in a circle in front of his bedroom mirror.

"I bet you're proud of me..." He looked over to a picture frame sitting beside his bed. He sat down, and brushed his fingers over the faces of his parents. "It's been so long...But I know everything is better for you." He smiled softly.

Iruka had come so far to get here. he had made a fool of himself once he went back to school, and had disappointed many people with his lazy test scores. He had talked himself into not caring about anything other than trying to rebuild himself. But after watching his friends graduate before him made him realize that he had to get his act together. He was a ninja, and ninja aren't failures!

He brushed his fingers over his new jacket, and he sighed softly. "I'm going to do the best I can as a chunin..." He gave a determined look, and clenched his fingers into a fist. "I may not be the best at fighting, but I'm going to gladly give my life for this village. There isn't a thing that can stop me."

A tap that came from his window caught his attention, and he turned, giving a surprised look. It was one of his teammates. He grinned, and opened the window.

"Iruka! The rest of us are going to get lunch to celebrate being made chunin! Come with us."

The tanned male chuckled and he nodded. "Sure thing! I'll meet you guys there. I just gotta finish up something here real quick!" He replied, and gave a thumbs up. The other nodded, and waved goodbye, telling him that he better not be late before running off.

The brunette let out a deep breath, and sat back down on his bed. He was still trying to wrap his mind around being made Chūnin. It was a giddy feeling and he was so excited. But it still felt like something was missing. Sure, he would be celebrating with his friends...But he really wished that he could have seen the look on his parents' faces when they found out.

"Chūnin, eh?" The voice caused Iruka to jump, and he grabbed a kunai from his pouch out of a nervous reaction. His gaze turned to the window. A noise of surprise left his lips along with a name.

"Kakashi-"

The Jōnin let his only visible eye curve up into a hint that he was smiling. "Sorry to scare you. I thought I'd just stop by and congratulate you. It's not every day you get made a Chūnin, you know." Kakashi stated, looking at the awestruck Iruka.

Confusion and joy crossed over Iruka's brain. He hadn't spoken to Kakashi in a long time. He had ignored the other ever since that night the Kyuubi attacked. He felt rather guilty because of it. He had always known that Kakashi was there. He had gotten quite famous because of that left eye of his. He also knew that Kakashi had always watched out for him even if Iruka hadn't noticed fully. And all he had done for the other was ignore him.

"T-thank you." The teenager stuttered, rubbing his scar embarrassedly, a small flush rising on his cheeks. He glanced off towards the side, hearing the other male chuckle.

"No problem. But, don't you have somewhere to be?" That statement caused Iruka to snap out of his thoughts. Had the other been listening in?!

"Right!" He turned towards his bedroom door, getting ready to leave. Though he paused with his hand on the doorway, and he glanced over his shoulder.

"Kakashi?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry." And with that, he shut his bedroom door, leaving Kakashi leaning against the window frame, smiling to himself.