Chapter Nine: The Fate of May Fourteenth
"Selfishness is the greatest curse of the human race."
- William E. Gladstone
The group of five ANBU returned to Konoha quietly and subdued. Iruka went straight to his apartment; wanting to take a very long shower. He trusted Itachi to turn in the mission briefing and report.
"Tadaima!" He said to his apartment when he entered even though he knew it was empty. It was habit after all even though he knew he knew longer lived with anyone. He sighed and undressed then took a shower, trying not to forget a lot of what had transpired on the mission, willing away the memories easily.
After the shower, Iruka stared at his reflection in the mirror for a long time. Iruka wasn't even quite sure exactly what the matter was. It was elusive, like if he turned his head just to the side…the concept would skitter just out of view. And it would go days before he would remember that something wasn't right. He frowned at his reflection and scratched at his scar while watching himself. No, something was definitely not right. And not in the normal ways. There was something off about him. Many things were not as they seem: the worst things in life never are. There was a metaphorical chink in his armor. He couldn't see it, couldn't quite put his finger on it. Maybe he should ask Ryuu?
Iruka padded into his bedroom and looked over at the calendar. Wait, what? It was May thirteenth? Only one day until the Uchiha massacre to be precise. He sat on his futon and frowned. When had time, something he thought he had such an abundance of, ran out? One damn day? It was tomorrow? He had no idea he was cutting it so close, Iruka thought, and all thoughts of his reflection in the mirror vanishing as they had every other time he had stared at himself and had the same thoughts every few weeks with himself. He sprung off the bed and began pacing his apartment, making preparations for the day.
Then Iruka started thinking…sure he knew the massacre happened on the fourteenth…but did it happen tonight at midnight or tomorrow night before midnight? Damnit, these details were never quite explained in the history books! He frowned as he dressed in his normal jounin attire, slipping into a flak jacket, and adding both of his wakizashi blades to his outfit. He was getting to the point where he felt naked without them. He picked up Samehada and frowned. Hmm…the sword may be a little overkill, he thought. Iruka possibly shouldn't go walking around Konoha dressed ready for major battle. But he didn't feel comfortable just leaving the sword lying around. No, that decided he strapped it on his back and left his apartment.
He went to see Naruto first. He knocked a few times before the young boy answered with a sleepy yawn, then his features erupted into a broad grin.
"Nii-san!" Naruto said happily and tackled him with a huge hug. Iruka loved the hug and loved being called Nii-san but it always vaguely felt adrift not being referred to as Iruka-sensei. Funny, huh? "Can you take me out for some ramen?"
Iruka laughed and looked down at the boy. It was about eight in the morning. Leave it to Naruto to think ramen was a good breakfast. However, Iruka's stomach was growling. He hadn't had breakfast or dinner last night… and frankly the last thing he had eaten in a while were ration bars.
"Sure, sure, Naruto." Iruka said small nod. "Sounds great."
He smiled indulgently and leaned against the doorjamb while he watched Naruto run around his apartment getting dressed quickly as if Iruka would change his mind, and then they were walking through the bustling streets of Konoha. Iruka always loved the village in the morning. There was a freshness to the morning, a sense of liveliness, as if the village had a purpose.
"Did you just get back from a mission, Nii-san?" Naruto asked, looking up at him. "I haven't seen you around…"
"Yes, Naruto." Iruka said with a smile. "I've been gone about a week."
"Did you kill tons of bad guys, save a princess and have tons of fun?" Naruto looked up at him, his young face so innocent and hopeful.
"There are lots of different kinds of missions, Naruto. And missions generally aren't fun."
They walked down the street and turned the corner, then took up their usual seats on stools at Ichiraku's.
Iruka sighed, thinking back on the mission; the first image coming to mind of a very burnt and smoldering Kisame. He reached up and scratched at his scar.
"Why are you grinning like that, Nii-san?" Naruto poked an elbow into Iruka, beaming toothily up at his older brother. "I bet you did save a princess!"
"And I am not grinning, Naruto." Iruka frowned. Had he been smiling? No, surely…not. Just…no. "You know, Naruto, all missions are not like that. As I've just said there are all kinds of missions out there and very few of them actually call for saving princesses." He chuckled.
Ayame, the ramen vender's daughter walked up to them to take their order.
"What can I get you?" Ayame asked Naruto.
"Miso ramen with pork!" Naruto exclaims loudly.
Ayame winced lightly and rubbed her ears, then turns to Iruka, a light blush tinting her features.
"And you?" She blushed coyly Iruka, who looks at this in amusement. That's funny, he thought. Ayame always had the crush on Kakashi in his other life, not him. He was just the forgettable academy sensei.
"I'll have the same thing." Iruka said with a smile at the girl.
She blushed harder and walked away to fill their orders.
"Where'd you get the new sword, Nii-san?" Naruto said leaning back in his chair and craning his neck around to look at Samehada.
"Oh, something I picked up on my last mission." Iruka smirked and put his hand out to catch Naruto before he fell off the stool. "And no, before you ask, I didn't save any princesses."
Then Ayame was back and brining them their bowls of ramen. They thanked her and she blushed prettily. Naruto tutted and poked his chopsticks at Iruka.
"Nii-san, I think Ayame has a crush on you." Naruto whispered loudly.
Iruka chuckled. "Eat your ramen."
"Itadakimasu." They said simultaneously and smiled at each other, happy to have their own little traditions with each other.
"Why don't you ask her out?" Naruto whispered.
"Because." Iruka said biting into a piece of pork.
"What sort of answer is that?" Naruto pouted while managing to eat through his entire bowl in just a few bites.
Iruka motioned to Ayame and then she was bringing them another two bowls of ramen. There were multiple reasons why they always came back to Ichiraku's. First of all, it was the best ramen in Konoha. Secondly; they had great service. And thirdly, well, there was no thirdly. The first two said it all.
"Because I said so." Iruka said giving Naruto a dark look. "And that is the only answer I need."
"Aww…!" Naruto whined.
They ate in silence for a few minutes.
"How is school? Are you still friends with Sasuke-kun?" Iruka asked.
"That Teme?" Naruto scoffed while eating.
Iruka looked at Naruto between bites. "What's the matter? Are the kids picking on you or something?"
"No, no." Naruto shrugged. "Nothing like that. School's just hard. And that Teme makes it look so easy."
"He doesn't make fun of you or anything does he?" Iruka said intensely, putting his hand on Naruto's arm.
Naruto looked over at Iruka in surprise. "No, of course not. We're friends." Iruka breathed out a sigh of relief that he hadn't known he was even holding.
Then Naruto continued. "Just like you and Itachi-san are friends."
Well, maybe not exactly like that. Heh. Not for a few years, at least. Iruka couldn't stop himself from blushing lightly. And forced himself to look down at his bowl of ramen.
"I wanted to invite you over tonight actually, Naruto." Iruka stated casually. He knew it was the Uchiha's getting massacred, true, but he didn't want Naruto anywhere he couldn't see him, or at least behind his safe wards. It was a completely unfounded fear but he would just feel safer knowing the boy was nearby. And safe.
"Sure! Can we invite Sasuke-kun, too?" Naruto asked hopefully.
"Well, actually, that was kind of what I had in mind…" Iruka said with a smile. True he had done what he could to hopefully change the events, and true, he didn't believe this Itachi would be one to kill his clan, but you never could tell. So he was going to do what he could to also minimize things.
"Yatta!" Naruto grinned. "Can I go invite him?"
"Sure, why not?" Iruka smiled, pulling out his wallet to pay for breakfast. Itachi should be back from giving the mission report and would be at home by now. "Ready to go?"
They walked leisurely towards the Uchiha compound through the village, both of them enjoying the morning air. It wasn't a far walk. He supposed they could've transported but it was a beautiful morning for a walk.
"Have you ever been to the Uchiha compound before?" Iruka asked Naruto.
"No, have you?"
Iruka was going to say 'yes' but of course, that had been in his former life, and at that time it had been a shell of its former life. The compound had been deserted, dusty, its halls echoing with disuse and death. Sasuke had been its only tormented inhabitor, the avenger, his lust for revenge filling up the halls with no room for anything else. But when Naruto tugged on his sleeve, Iruka realized that he had fallen back into memories again and he shook his head. They walked up to the front door and knocked.
A pretty Uchiha woman wearing a formal kimono he didn't know answered. Iruka still thought it was weird, very weird to see so many Uchiha's running around in the world. Good, but weird.
"Yes? May I help you?" The woman asked politely.
Iruka cursed internally, wishing he was not wearing his jounin outfit and all his weapons, but managed to bow formally and hoped he was somewhat graceful. Then he reached over and pushed Naruto into a very awkward and very disgraceful bow. He would have to work on that with the youngster.
"Hai. I'm looking for Itachi-san? Is he available?"
The woman smiled at them. "You must be Iruka-san and Naruto-kun?" Iruka looked confused for a moment. "I'm Mikoto-san." She stated and smiled again.
Iruka bowed again. "Oh, it's wonderful to meet you!"
Naruto looked confused. Iruka turned and beamed at him. "Naruto, this is Itachi and Sasuke-kun's Mother."
Realization dawned and Naruto smiled brightly. "Nii-san, I see where Teme get's his looks from!"
Iruka laughed at the confused expression Mikoto-san's face. He wanted to chide Naruto, but honestly, it was just too funny. No, no, he should.
"Naruto, language." Iruka said.
"Dobe." Sasuke said, stepping out of the doorway behind his mother. "I heard that!"
"I was saying you looked like a girl, if you heard correctly, Teme." Naruto said, stepping closer to Iruka.
Iruka put a hand to his temple to rub the oncoming headache. He looked at Mikoto-san who was looking down at the two boys with something akin to curiosity and confusion.
"I think you were trying to say I was pretty, Dobe." Sasuke said leaning against the doorframe, turning to look at Iruka.
"Is Itachi here?" Iruka asked, hoping to change the subject before things got out of hand.
"Yeah, he's here." Sasuke answered. "I think he's sleeping though. Didn't you guys just back from a mission together?"
Iruka blushed. "Well, yeah."
Mikoto-san was looking at him with interest.
"What did you want to talk to him about?" Sasuke asked impudently. "He is my brother-"
"Just go get him, Sasuke!" Iruka snapped, and his hands on his hip, which made his hand brush up against the wakizashi strapped to his hip there. Sasuke looked down and his eyes widened a little.
Suddenly both Sasuke and Mikoto-san were looking at the hilt of the blade. They shared a look, and then turned to look at Iruka.
"Hey, did Itachi give you that?" Sasuke asked.
Iruka sighed and scratched his scar. "Yes." When the two continued to stare at him and the silence grew slightly uncomfortable he added: "What?"
"Nothing." Sasuke said, "I'll go get him."
"Finally." Iruka muttered impatiently.
"Did you want to come in for some tea?" Mikoto-san asked politely, still watching Iruka. "You used to teach at the academy didn't you?"
"Yes. I used to teach." Iruka thought sadly, finding himself blinking back a few tears. He really did miss it. Sometimes he missed it so much…he thought his heart would break.
"What do you do now?" Mikoto-san asked.
"Nii-san is the best jounin ever!" Naruto said loudly.
Iruka blushed and put a hand on Naruto's head. "Hardly." Iruka ruffled Naruto's hair, and then turned to Mikoto-san. "Itachi-san is much better than me. You should be very proud of him."
The Uchiha mother blushed herself and bowed lightly at the compliment. "I am very proud of both Itachi and Sasuke."
They were walking through the Uchiha compound now, it was really quite lovely. It had a central courtyard with a koi pond and even a bridge and little places were one could mediate. Then the three of them were walking into a less formal tea room, kneeling and sitting on very expensive tatami mats to enjoy tea. Very formal tea. Iruka suddenly felt somewhat foolish having had Itachi over at his house so many times. His very tiny and silly bachelor's apartment that must look so crummy next to this place, Iruka thought. He looked around the room; the walls were rice paper and painted with beautiful and intricate bamboo designs.
Naruto was nervously holding the tiny teacup and Iruka knew he was trying very hard to be polite when Sasuke and Itachi walked into the room and sat down formally. Naruto spilled the rest of the tea on himself when they walked in of course.
"Dobe." Sasuke said. "Should I see if I can find you a bib?"
"Teme!" Naruto yelled shaking his fist.
Itachi half smiled, sitting down next to Iruka.
"He's just like you but louder. It always manages to surprise me." Itachi said to Iruka.
Mikoto raised an eyebrow at the comment but didn't say anything. She poured tea for Itachi and Sasuke as well as more for Naruto, who stammered out an apology.
"Good morning, Mother." Itachi said after a sip of tea.
"Good morning." Mikoto said with a small smile. "I like Iruka-san and Naruto-kun."
"I knew you would." Itachi nodded then turned to Iruka and gestured towards Samehada. "Are you going wear that big thing around town all the time now? Isn't that a bit overkill?"
Iruka laughed. Seriously laughed, tossed back his head and laughed. "I knew you'd say that. I was going to leave it home but then, I don't know, something just nagged at me to put it on. Call it a hunch."
"Hn." Itachi sipped his tea.
"Besides, I was curious to see if you'd make a joke or not." Iruka winked at him.
Itachi flushed a little.
"Itachi does not joke around." Sasuke said with a snort.
"That's not true." Iruka turned to argue with Sasuke. "I have it on good authority, Sasuke-kun. And the good authority being my own ears, that Itachi has made no less than nine jokes. Nine. One or two of them was even including the usage of sarcasm. I know, shocking. Surprising. Amazing. Stupefying, really. But there are the facts." Iruka smiled and finished his tea.
Mikoto was even looking a little shocked herself.
Itachi was getting redder, so Iruka thought he'd save him from further embarrassment. "Hey, can we talk for a few minutes?"
"Isn't that what we're doing?" Itachi asked.
"No, like…privately?" Iruka asked waggling his eyebrows. If possible, Itachi's face got redder.
He swore, he heard Sasuke snickering behind him. Naruto looked confused. Iruka turned around and glared at Sasuke.
"Okay." Itachi said and then they stood and they were walking down the corridors of the compound.
Iruka wasn't paying too much attention, figuring they would go back out to the little courtyard or maybe a living room. It seemed Itachi was leading him somewhere. They passed a few Uchiha's he didn't know. They seemed to nod at Itachi and stare curiously at him. He shrugged.
Then they were in a large bedroom with a nice desk and lots of books. Lots and lots of books actually with a big window that overlooked the woods and a nice stream. It was a nice bedroom. He pushed Samehada out of the way so he could sit down on the bed properly. Nice bed. Very cushy.
Itachi closed the door and leaned against it. Iruka belatedly realized the man was studying him. So he started to speak.
"Well…we didn't need this much privacy, actually. I just wanted to invite you and Sasuke-kun over for a…" Iruka paused. Sleep-over sounded wrong. Vaguely…inappropriate? How do you invite a thirteen year old over for a sleep-over? He scratched the scar on his nose. He didn't want to say dinner because he didn't want them leaving. And he didn't want to say party because he wasn't inviting anyone else. But it was definitely a sleep-over. He felt a blush overtaking his features and he couldn't stop it from happening. Well, he would just have to say it and hope Itachi didn't think it sounded weird. "…for a sleep-over. Naruto will be there, too, of course." He went on. "It is all Naruto's idea actually." Iruka added hastily.
Itachi stepped further into the room and picked a book up off the desk and then set it back down idly. He seemed apprehensive or restless. Like he had something on his mind. Then Itachi stood in front of Iruka and frowned.
"Do you still have feelings for Hatake-san?" Itachi asked.
Iruka looked at Itachi in shock. Of all the things he had expected Itachi to say this was definitely the last. Then Iruka laughed.
"I feel a lot of things about Hatake-san, which one did you want to know about in particular?" Iruka raised an eyebrow, chuckling slightly.
Itachi growled slightly and put his hands on Iruka's shoulders and pushed him down. He seriously pushed him down flat to the bed. Iruka couldn't have been more shocked. It was then, at that moment, that Iruka realized that the young man seriously had feelings for him. That he was jealous, probably had been during the whole previous mission, and how had he missed it so completely?
Had Iruka been so wrapped up with his own feelings over killing Kisame? Wrapped up in verbally sparring with Kakashi? Heck, verbally sparring with Kakashi was practically like foreplay the way they did it, which might be why Itachi was kind of…out of sorts. How could he have forgotten what it had been like to have been Itachi's age when you had fallen in love for the first time? It was as if Iruka's world had seriously fallen off its axis. He did not want to hurt Itachi; because he sincerely liked him… in fact he more than liked him. That was part of the problem. Thirteen!
Itachi was looking down at him, still waiting for an answer.
"It was a long time ago." Iruka said. Hoping that answer sufficed, especially since he couldn't give him the real one.
"That wasn't really an answer." Itachi said, still frowning.
"Stop frowning." Iruka smiled. "You're too pretty and if you constantly frown like that you're going to get these horrid frown lines on your face permanently."
Itachi colored a little at the compliment. "That's still not an answer."
"It's Evade Answer No Jutsu." Iruka smiled shamelessly.
"I'm waiting."
"Come to my sleep-over?" Iruka asked.
"We'll come if you answer." Itachi said.
Iruka sighed and closed his eyes. "You will always love your first love a little bit in your heart, even if it's over, even if it ended badly, no matter what, ne? Love is a precious thing and you should always take it and grab a hold of it where you find it, Itachi. There isn't much love in this world. I would say that I will always love him in some part of my heart. But there…is also very bad blood between us. Does that make sense? History. There is a lot of history. Good, bad, ugly, you know how it goes." Iruka swallowed.
Try as he might, Iruka could not forgive Kakashi for leaving him to die. He knew as a shinobi it was his duty to die for Konoha. That he was proud to have done it for his village; proud that he had not broken. And so it shouldn't matter; but there was also this part of his heart…where it did fucking matter. There was this nagging voice in the back of his head…that knew he had died cold, alone and forgotten.
Itachi was looking down at him still, apparently thinking over his answer.
"I didn't know you knew Hatake-san that well." Itachi said thoughtfully.
"I'll tell you all about it one day." Iruka said, truthfully. Kami he wanted to share his secret so badly. It was nice being able to talk to Ryuu about it, but frankly the dragon really seemed to have little interest in mortals except what he watched on reality TV. He would love to talk to Itachi about it. He sighed happily at the mere thought.
Itachi seemed to mistake his happy sigh at the thought of sharing his secret with Itachi, for some thought of Kakashi. Or that's what Iruka gathered because Itachi's eyes darkened with jealousy and the sharingan swirled to life and he pressed the older man against the bed more forcefully. Iruka smirked and he easily flipped Itachi over and rolled off the mattress, well away from temptation. Bad Iruka! Thirteen!
"You know, everyone says you're a cold fish, but I really don't think you are." Iruka smiled to himself, but looked over his shoulder to see how Itachi had taken the comment.
Itachi blushed scarlet at the comment.
"Who says that?" Itachi asked stoically.
"I don't know, that's just the rumor. Silly girls most likely…" Iruka slipped Samehada off his shoulder readjusted it. The strap was pinching. Actually, it wasn't a rumor, he'd just made it up to tease Itachi, and it worked. "Although Ebisu probably, too."
"Isn't he an academy sensei?" Itachi looked scandalized. It was a good look on him.
Iruka told him so. "You know, scandalized is a good look on you. I should start saying shocking things to you more often."
Itachi squirmed under his gaze. "Hn."
"Oh, Itachi-kun, if you keep blushing like that and I'm just going to keep trying harder." Iruka whispered loudly.
"Don't call me Itachi-kun." Itachi said angrily. "You know I hate that."
"Hey, is this your bedroom?" Iruka looked around, changing the subject.
"Yes." Itachi said his features still tinged with pink.
"It's nice. Way better than my place!" Iruka said looking around. "You and Sasuke are coming, right?"
Itachi sighed, sitting up. "Yes, of course."
Iruka smiled. "Good. I'll cook lots of food!"
"Of course you will." Itachi smiling slightly. "Don't go overboard for us."
"Well, Naruto will be there, too." Iruka laughed. "And myself. You know we eat a lot."
Later that evening, Iruka was in the kitchen forming onigiri when Itachi and Sasuke arrived. Naruto was playing video games on the couch and he let them in. Sasuke quickly joined Naruto on the couch and they quickly started fighting over the controllers. Itachi walked into the kitchen smiling.
"What are you making?" Itachi asked.
"Onigiri." Iruka said with a smile. He finished forming the last one and put it on the plate with all the others.
"My favorite." Itachi taking one off the plate and eating it.
"I know." Iruka handed him a cup of tea as well.
"What are you drinking?" Itachi asked.
"I'm having beer." Iruka held up his bottle. He really needed it, too. What a day! He was fucking nervous as hell. He was about to lay a genjutsu a few minutes so he could put a very heavy protection seal around his entire apartment. No one, literally no one would be able to leave except himself until midnight on the fourteenth.
He knew it was extreme but he just wanted to keep these precious people safe. Well, and frankly make sure that history didn't repeat itself. He wove a very careful, delicate genjutsu around them with the help of Ryuu, then went to each of the windows (thankfully there were only two) and the one door in the apartment and carefully placed the seal he had prepared on each of them. He laid his hand and infused his chakra with it; pulsed into the seal and that was that. Itachi, Sasuke and Naruto could not leave his apartment for the next day or so. If they tried, well, let's just say they would be placed into a slumber that would make them sleep for a few days. So, it was all a moot point, really. He would get what he wanted, no matter what.
He dropped the genjutsu and they were none the wiser. Itachi didn't even look up from where he was lounging on the couch eating onigiri. Hopefully, what he was going for is that no one would want to leave for two days. He had plenty of food, games and he hoped they would just have lots of fun. Iruka probably wouldn't have to start coming up with excuses until tomorrow. And then he'd just have to come up with a good story. He was always good with coming up with a story on the fly. Maybe get Ryuu to tell ghost stories. He could always break out the karaoke machine, although he was pretty sure Itachi didn't do karaoke.
He kicked the kids off the video games and put in a movie in the DVD player and made a big bowl of popcorn for everyone. Then he grabbed a bunch of blankets and the four of them sat on the couch. Iruka was actually starting to get into the movie even if he had seen it before when he felt a hand creep onto his thigh. He pretended he hadn't felt that even though it did send jolts of electricity running through him. Gah, thirteen! Remind yourself! Pervert! Hentai! Iruka, you should remove his hand, he thought, to himself. He used his best inner-sensei voice and called himself all kinds of names. He should take that hand off and put it back on Itachi's own thigh. He really should. No, now stop thinking about Itachi's thighs. Oh kami, he wanted to move that hand just a little higher and down inside his own pants. Oh, this wasn't helping his situation any more.
He swallowed and tried to remember the various chakra centers in a body. He tried to visualize the periodic table of elements. He listed off the various ninja countries from an Atlas by memory. What were the parts necessary for making a gin fizz? Oh, kami, was Itachi moving his hand…higher? Think quicker, Iruka! Orochimaru naked! Iruka shuddered in disgust. Gross! Okay, that cooled him off. Iruka shifted in the couch, sliding his own hand under the blanket, to stop Itachi's upwardly mobile hand. He had to. Oh, no he didn't want to. But he had to. Thirteen! He was eighteen! There were five years between them. A thirteen year old and an eighteen-year old? That looks weird. How could Itachi not see that? Seriously, was the kid blind and daft? Wasn't he supposed to be some sort of prodigy?
He felt Itachi's eyes on his face, but he didn't turn to look at the younger man. However he did hold his hand where it was. He couldn't allow it to continue on its path. After a few moments they continued to watch the movie even though Iruka certainly wasn't paying attention to it anymore. Itachi maneuvered his fingers so that they threaded between his fingers. He then leaned against Iruka and before he realized it, somehow Itachi had managed to worm his way under one of his arms, almost snuggled up next to him. The young man had a gift for manipulation of situations, Iruka realized. He couldn't really push Itachi away or move his arm without causing a big scene and drawing the attention of Naruto and Sasuke who appeared wrapped up in the movie. And somehow Itachi had managed to move their joined hands along his thigh. Oh, dear Kami. What had he done to deserve this?
Then the movie was ending and Iruka sat up making sure to puddle the blanket around his lap generously. Sasuke and Naruto ran off into the spare bedroom to go read comics or some other odd nonsense that they were yapping about. He hadn't heard or paid attention. He shot a scowl at Itachi who was calmly eating another onigiri as if he had done nothing wrong. Smug bastard.
Iruka picked up an onigiri to eat then changed his mind and tossed it at Itachi instead. It bounced off his forehead and Itachi laughed lightly, and then picked up the onigiri. "Don't waste food, Iruka-kun."
"I'm five years older than you, Itachi. I don't think you should be calling me kun." Iruka said stiffly.
"I know exactly how old you are. But you were the immature one starting a food fight." Itachi said his features quirking into a small smile.
"I just think sometimes you need reminding how much older I am than you." Iruka pointed out and stood.
"Hn." Itachi said, leaning back against the couch. "You worry too much about age."
Iruka rolled his eyes and stalked back into the kitchen for another beer. He popped open the top and got out a plate of prepared garlic soba noodles he had made earlier. They could be eaten cold.
"You hungry?" He asked Itachi.
"Not really." Itachi said.
"Okay, well, I'm going to eat something if you don't mind." Iruka made himself a bowl and then walked over to the couch with chopsticks. He held the bowl up to his mouth and started to eat.
"What is that?" Itachi inquired.
"Garlic soba noodles." Iruka shrugged.
"Can I try?" Itachi asked.
"Sure." Iruka handed over his chopsticks.
Itachi took a bite and looked surprised then pleased. "This is very good."
"I told you, I'm a great cook." Iruka smiled.
"Actually, I think Naruto said it." Itachi said with a smile.
Iruka made an impatient gesture. "What is important is that someone said it. And that it is true." He took his chopsticks back from the Uchiha. "Did you want your own noodles now?"
"Sure, I'll have some. You have convinced me." Itachi said, smiling slightly.
"Okay, I'll make you a bowl. Can you go check on the boys and make sure they're okay? I'm slightly worried that they've been quiet for so long. I haven't heard the word 'dobe', 'teme' or 'usuratonkachi' in well over twenty minutes. So either they're asleep, dead or kissing. I don't know which one I'm hoping for!" Iruka laughed and walked towards the kitchen.
Iruka tried hard not to laugh at the scandalized look on Itachi's face. But it really was quite adorable. Ahh…Stop it! Gah! Thirteen! No! He frowned and stuck his head in the refrigerator and made another bowl up for Itachi, the got out some lacquered chopsticks for him that matched the bowl.
When he turned around Itachi was standing behind him. Iruka raised his eyebrow.
"Which was it?" Iruka asked.
"Sleeping." Itachi said with a small smile.
"Ah, good." Iruka chuckled and handed Itachi his soba noodles. "If I was a betting man, and I am, that was what I had my money on. They really are a little young for the other two choices."
Soon they were back on the couch eating noodles. Iruka eyed the clock. Eleven forty-five. His stomach was literally in knots. In fucking knots. He licked his lips and drank some more beer. He was so nervous. This was the night. THE night. That night. Wait, Itachi was looking at him oddly, had he said something and he had missed it? Crap.
"I'm sorry, did you say something, 'Tachi?" Iruka said nervously.
"I asked if you had a reason for inviting us over tonight, it seemed somewhat random."
Iruka felt his face blushing. It's not like he could tell the man he was keeping him from murdering his clan. "No, no reason really. I was having breakfast with Naruto at Ichiraku's this morning and-"
"You had ramen for breakfast?" Itachi said with a laugh. "I keep telling you that ramen is not a complete source of necessary vitamins and minerals…"
"Yes, Mother…" Iruka snorted, and then continued eating. Then added: "Anyways, it is Naruto and I, you know…"
"Of course…" Itachi shook his head.
Then there was loud knocking on the front door. Iruka frowned. He certainly wasn't expecting anyone and he was not going to open the door. Actually couldn't - literally couldn't. The door was sealed shut with the seal and jutsu. And he could tell whose chakra it was. Kakashi. Damn that man! Iruka's features turned into a thunderous scowl. Itachi looked at him curiously.
Iruka stood up and he went to the front door.
"Go away!" Iruka yelled through the door. "I'm busy."
"Maa…you don't even know who it is, Iruka." Kakashi said on the other side of the entrance.
"I knew it was you. I know your fucking chakra signature. Go away. Go home, go to Asuma's, go challenge Gai, go sit for hours at the Memorial and chat with Obito - I don't give a fuck, just go away!" Iruka yelled, shaking his fist even though Kakashi couldn't see.
"I think you doth protest too much, Iruka…" Kakashi said teasingly.
Itachi walked up to Iruka and looked like he was going to say something but Iruka shook his head and held a finger up to his lips. The younger man was looking…upset.
"Please, Kakashi, just go home." Iruka said gentler this time. He really hoped Kakashi would just go away.
Then all of a sudden Kakashi was just inside the apartment. He had transported himself in. Iruka looked surprised and startled, as if he hadn't expected the man to do that. Damnit!
"I brought us some ramen and sake…?" Kakashi held up a bag with two portions of ramen from Ichiraku's and a bottle of sake but he looked around and saw Iruka in his pajamas, Itachi in his pajamas, the two empty bowls of noodles on the kotatsu, and Iruka's two empty beer bottles sitting there. It looked very much like a date. Like a sexy-date interrupted.
Kakashi turned on Iruka and pointed a finger at him for some reason fury burning in his one visible eye.
"Maa…you're fucking a thirteen year old…?" Kakashi practically shouted.
Iruka felt his face heat up in embarrassment over what he knew what the situation looked like and over what he felt like were his own elicit thoughts coming back to bite him in the ass. This is your own fault, he thought, miserably. If you didn't feel this way, you wouldn't be humiliated!
"No, it's not what it looks like, Kakashi." Iruka said, his voice raising an octave in anger. He waved his hand in a placating gesture, his face blushing scarlet.
Naruto and Sasuke poked their heads out of the spare bedroom due to the commotion and the yelling. And probably the cursing. Kakashi spied them and some of his ire seemed to evaporate. He was frowning at their appearance.
Iruka pointed at the youngsters.
"It's a sleepover, Kakashi. Nothing perverted, even though I'm sure you'll try to make it into something like that. I'm always telling you that you read too much Icha Icha." Iruka said, rubbing his forehead, trying to hide his blushing. "See? Very proper. We're…ah…chaperones." Iruka turned around and pointed at the boys again. "Go back to bed Naruto. You too, Sasuke. Now!" Their heads disappeared back into his spare bedroom.
Iruka looked at the clock. Eleven fifty nine. So close. He scratched his scar anxiously.
"You…what did you tell him about us?" Itachi said angrily as he turned to glare at Iruka.
"What?" Iruka said not sure how to navigate these waters. Gah, maybe he could go in the spare bedroom with the boys. Maybe they needed someone to read them a bedtime story? "No, I didn't tell him anything." If anything the blush on his face intensified.
Iruka walked away from the two men and went into the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator, grabbed another beer and took a long drink. He never used to like beer, but now the bitter yeasty brew was very appealing. He sighed and glanced at the clock again. It was now past midnight. Itachi and Sasuke were safe. Safe! He took a long drink. He wanted to run around the room and do a few cartwheels but he didn't. He ran the beer across his blushing forehead. The two men in the other room were standing there gaping at him but he continued to ignore them. He was just so relieved he needed a moment to himself.
That's when he heard the noise on his roof. Footsteps. Someone was walking around on his rooftop terrace. What the? He glanced over at Kakashi and Itachi who had also heard the noise. They were ANBU, too. The three of them were frowning. Then someone appeared at Iruka's window. It was Shisui. His Konoha Military police uniform bloody and he was knocking furiously. His face was set in apprehensive lines. Because of the seals on the apartment, he wasn't able to open the door. Of course he could transport in but he didn't seem to be interested in doing that. The butterflies in Iruka's stomach were back in full force again. No. No. No.
"Iruka! Itachi! Can you help me!" Shisui yelled through the window, his eyes wide with an unknown emotion. His voice was muffled through the window. "I need your help now! Come outside!" He knocked furiously on the window. "Ne? Come out here! Help!"
Iruka stood at the window and looked at Shisui. "What do you need, Shisui?" Iruka asked carefully.
Itachi appeared shocked at his behavior. He looked back and forth between Iruka and Shisui. "Let him in, Iruka!"
Kakashi was just standing there looking slouched and awkward, but he always had that expression on his face, so who really knew with him?
When Iruka didn't immediately try to let Shisui in, Itachi tried to move around him to let him in. But Iruka barred Itachi's way and shook his head. Iruka instinctively reached out for Samehada and it was in his hands, instantly. Maybe he looked a little odd in his pajamas and the sword strapped to his back, but that's how he was going to roll. He wasn't taking any chances tonight.
"I'll go out and speak with him, 'Tachi. Why don't you stay in here and speak with Kakashi? I leave the boys in both your care. And stay away from the doors and windows. I was practicing my seal work earlier; I placed a seal on them which is currently active. I would not recommend trying to open any of them." He stated cryptically and then left before any of them could respond or stop him.
Iruka transported himself with a swirl of bubbles to his rooftop terrace where Shisui was waiting. The man was now holding a katana covered in blood. Iruka stepped away from him and stared. Then Iruka frowned nervously.
"Shisui-san? What are-?"
Shisui stepped aside and another figure stepped down. He had been sitting higher up, sitting on top of the next building that overlooked his own building, on a higher rooftop. From Iruka's vantage point it was almost like the moon was perfectly behind his head and he knew that was done on purpose, as that man had a flair for the dramatic. Iruka's blood ran cold but he held his stance firm. He would not run. Even if it meant that he would die again, he would not run.
"Hello, Umino Iruka." Madara Uchiha said walking forward slowly with a slight smile on his face. "You are a man with many secrets…and I like secrets."
"Madara Uchiha." Iruka said. "I'd like to say it's a pleasure, but it's really not."
Madara laughed; it was the sound of cobwebs and sandpaper.
"You really messed things up for me, sensei. You killed Danzō and Kisame and then you took away two of my favorite tools…you took both Itachi and Sasuke from me. That was really too much. Who would've thought an insignificant little chuunin like you could muck up so many things?"
"I'd say I was sorry, but I'm not." Iruka said.
Madara laughed again. Iruka cringed.
"It's alright, things are back on track. Shisui-san helped me with a few errands." Madara stated.
"What?" Iruka snarled. Iruka looked at Shisui, who was now kneeling before Madara. "What did you do?"
"Without Itachi to sacrifice himself for his clan as the martyr I had to find another tool…" Madara sighed dramatically. "Itachi really was one of a kind. So noble. So heroic. So selfless. Well, nevertheless. Someone had to be the sacrificial lamb in this lifetime and murder the Uchiha's. And thanks to you I didn't have a coup d'état and Danzō's political machinations to blame this time."
Madara took a step closer to Shisui.
"So I had to get a little more creative. I may have messed with Shisui-san's mind a little." Madara smiled broadly and reached over to touch Shisui's head. The man's face was slack; his normally jovial eyes with a vacant, empty look about them.
Madara laughed again, clearly enjoying Iruka's dismay and anger. "But, don't we all go…a little crazy sometimes?" He paused and said clearly and with purpose: "Umino-san, I am the leader of the Uchiha clan…and I can choose to cull it whenever I want!"
Iruka looked horrified.
He bent over gagging, thinking of sweet, polite Mikoto-san lying in a pool of her own blood somewhere - who had served him tea in her formal tea room just this morning. Why hadn't he thought to protect her when he was protecting Itachi and Sasuke earlier? He felt so foolish. So…damn selfish! Why hadn't he thought to protect Shisui, either? Why had he been so mindless in his pursuit to just protect only Itachi and Sasuke? As if they were the only ones that mattered? He had blindlessly believed that if he had kept Itachi from the clan that no one would die. Why hadn't realized that someone else had been behind the clan massacre and that if Itachi hadn't been there to do the killing, that someone else would've taken his place? He felt stupid, foolish and so, so powerless. What an idiot he had been? As if the past was so written in stone he could simply make changes by erasing a few things here and there to make a difference. Ha!
Iruka felt a wave of concentrated killing intent force him off the ground and he flew off his roof into the air, and toss him back on to another rooftop powerfully. He mostly managed to dodge it fairly well and if he hadn't, he would be dead. Seriously, splat, dead. By the time Iruka was standing and upright again - panic was setting it. This was…Madara. Madara! Iruka didn't have the ability to fight someone like this. The amount of power he was wielding, just throwing around was…staggering. It was frightening. It wasn't even a jutsu; the man was just tossing him around as if they were lightly sparring. There was already blood coming out of Iruka's nose, ears and eyes. This man could kill him with a twitch of his nose.
Iruka quickly formed the seals: Ox. Rabbit. Monkey. Iruka tossed two chidori at Madara, he easily dodged them.
Madara landed lightly near Iruka.
"Disappointing." Madara said, dripping with scorn. "I hoped you were ready for the heavyweight division, Umino."
Iruka took some of the blood that was dripping down from his from his left ear and summoned Ryuu. It was the only conscious thought he had. He certainly didn't have enough chakra to actually perform any jutsu's. And he was wearing pajamas; he didn't have any exploding tags, kunais or anything else to fight with. As it was, summoning the dragon would take all of his remaining chakra. The dragon sprang suddenly into being, floating protectively just above Iruka; around thirty feet across.
Madara seemed to eye the dragon warily and actually backed up a few paces. It made Iruka feel good that he'd done something to make the infamous ninja back away. It did not hurt his ego that it he was lying pitifully bleeding in front of Madara and slightly helpless when it happened. He was just glad Ryuu was on his side.
"Hello Ryuu-sama." Madara paused. "Nice to see you once more…are you speaking to mortals again?"
"Dolphin isn't just a mortal." Ryuu said seriously and blew out a few massive fireballs in Madara's direction. Madara ducked the first one, but was unable to dodge the second fireball entirely. He flew back and was slammed hard into another roof with the second hit. After a moment he stood up slowly; his clothing looked scorched.
"He's also time traveler…somewhat like you." Ryuu said with great emphasis. "And he has me."
Madara looked livid but he was trying to hide it. "I don't know what it is about you, Umino. I also see you've also you've upgraded from fucking one implanted false sharingan to a true Uchiha. I'm impressed with your ability to move up the chain of command at least."
Iruka managed to look a little surprised. He wasn't going to explain to Madara that he wasn't with Itachi that way. It really wasn't the man's business. He coughed up a little blood and stood up shakily. "Did you just compliment my choice of men in the middle of a battle? I don't think that's allowed."
"It's called witty banter, Iruka." Ryuu shushed him. "All of the best bad guys do it!"
"Besides, what chain of command is he using? I don't think that makes sense? The ANBU one? I mean, they're both technically captains. Doesn't that make them equals?" Iruka turned to Ryuu in confusion.
"It can't be Akatsuki; Itachi isn't a part of the Akatsuki in this version of the world." Ryuu said.
"Thank Kami. That Itachi was so mean." Iruka said.
"You just say that because he killed you." Ryuu said back.
"Well, that does tend to make one bitter." Iruka snorted. "But I was more hateful at Kisame for that situation, frankly. That Itachi did apologize as he killed me. Besides he never did Tsukuyomi on me, for whatever that's worth. And he didn't seem to want to kill me in the end." Iruka frowned at the memory.
"At least Itachi didn't leave you in a dungeon to be tortured and die." Madara said viciously. "How could your lover of six years do that to someone he claimed to cherish?"
"Yes, well. Kakashi does have that mark against him." Iruka said sourly. "And I did my duty as a shinobi to die for Konoha."
"So is that why are you here?" Madara said. "Why did you come back? Vengeance?"
Iruka pulled Samehada out and undid the wrapping purposefully. He shook his head slowly.
"No. Vengeance is fleeting. My home, Madara. Konoha is my home. There are two ways in life: the way of nature, and fighting it. You must choose which one you will follow."
"I am the co-founder of Konohagakure, don't you dare preach to me of honor or duty." Madara spat.
Iruka was unsteady on his feet, weak with blood loss, and lack of chakra but damned if he was going to let Madara get past him without a fight. He also had Ryuu at his back and he felt giddy with the need to fight.
But suddenly the man reached over and put his hand to Shisui and was just…gone.
Iruka realized he had just seen the man perform his Space–Time Migration jutsu. Iruka looked around carefully and sent out feelers with his chakra. He didn't sense him anywhere but he certainly didn't let his guard down. Except for broken tiles and bloody footprints, it was as if nothing had happened. Iruka turned and faced Ryuu who was looking at him oddly.
"…your eyes." The dragon said.
"What?"
"They're bleeding." Ryuu stated.
"Yeah? It happens sometimes in battles I guess." Iruka rubbed at them carefully. They didn't seemed to hurt really. "Let's go back to the apartment…I want to check on everyone. Make sure they're okay." He scratched the back of his head. He was starting to feel a little woozy.
"Iruka…" The dragon said flying in front of him.
He looked at Ryuu and realized that was the first time he'd ever called him by his real name instead of just 'Dolphin' or 'hey, gay ninja!' Something was definitely…different.
Iruka turned and looked at the dragon.
"Do you remember when you told me about how you died? About how Itachi was standing over you and he coughed as you died?" The dragon had the oddest expression on his face.
"Haaaai…" Iruka said slowly. "Can't we have this conversation back inside? You know? Where it's safe within the seals?"
"I don't think you'd want to, Dolphin." Ryuu paused and fluttered around in the breeze. "Well, I have been suspecting something for a while but this…well, I'm afraid it clinches it."
"What?" Iruka said, dreading the answer. Already slightly knowing the answer.
"Dolphin…" Ryuu paused.
"I am not the same person, am I?" Iruka supplied, closing his eyes.
"No, no you're not." Ryuu said truthfully. "Not entirely…"
Iruka nodded. Remembering staring in the mirror all those times. Remembering interrogating prisoners and it not affecting him. Killing people and it not affecting him. Iruka vividly remembered every kill from his previous life; how he agonized over them. How he used to puke afterwards. How he cried for days. Why he specifically became an academy teacher in the first place. Why he had never become a jounin. Never, ever wanted to. The things he had done to Kisame would never had even to occurred to that Iruka, not to mention being something that he could do and go to sleep like a baby the next night.
"I believe part of his blood came back with you when you pulsed your life chakra through the scroll. Not a lot, mind you. You're still...you. You're like 99% you. But there may be like…1% Uchiha in you." Ryuu said with a slight anxious tone of voice. "As a matter of fact…your eyes…"
"What about my eyes?" Iruka frowned reaching up to feel at them. His hand came away with blood.
"You manifested sharingan eyes during that fight with Madara…although I'm positive he didn't notice before he left…because he definitely would've killed you instead of just leaving."
"I now have…sharingan eyes?" Iruka blinked stupidly at the dragon. Nothing looked different. Well, he didn't suppose things would look different. He already had a photographic memory. He wondered how different this would make things. He was still finding it a little hard to believe. It all seemed so…unrealistically. Although, he was already back from the dead, talking to a dragon and calmly discussing time travel. Maybe his own sharingan eyes weren't so far-fetched.
He started dumbfounded at the dragon. "But…sharingan eyes?"
Then he blinked as something else dawned on him. "Wait…are you telling me Itachi is like...my brother or something?" His face was distraught.
Ryuu waved his wings dismissively at the thought. "No, no. Nothing quite as dramatic as that. Although you do have part of his DNA inside you. A very tiny part. A miniscule part. It explains why you have manifested your own sharingan. As well as your…err….unusual behavior."
"I see what you're saying. How long have you known or suspected?" Iruka asked.
"I've been suspicious for a while." The dragon sighed. "But when you cut yourself making obimaki enoki for dinner about a month a half ago, I got some of your blood in my mouth. I tasted Uchiha blood. And Weasel wasn't around. I started asking more questions about your death around that time if you remember correctly."
Iruka sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"Not my brother?" Iruka asked with a pause. "What…so more like a very distant cousin?"
Ryuu laughed, "Are you worried because you want to fuck him? Don't be. My third wife was my sister and I liked her best of all. She had the biggest titties!"
Iruka had no idea how to take that comment, there were so many things wrong with it. So he went with laughter. It may have been a little on the hysterical side and it hurt some of the bruises he felt coming on the left side of his body. He might have a cracked rib or two. "Do female dragons even have breasts?"
Ryuu leered and made a suggestive gesture. "Of course. They've got four!"
"Four?" Iruka's eyebrows rose.
"Look, Dolphin. He's at best like a distant cousin…and at worst you're a little like a clone." Ryuu said cheerfully.
Iruka groaned. A clone?
"I can never tell him that! He'll be disgusted! And on top of the whole he killed me in a former life thing! The whole thing is just preposterous." Iruka covered his face with his hands.
"You think too much." Ryuu sighed.
"You don't think enough." Iruka pointed out.
"You're thinking about Scarecrow again." Ryuu stated.
"What if I am?" Iruka said defensively. "Maybe there was a perfectly good reason why he didn't rescue me?"
"I won't stand in your way if you want to try." Ryuu said.
"Really? What changed your mind? What happened to your theories about lightening in a bottle and such?"
The dragon sighed. "You two have...undeniable chemistry. It crackles in the air between you. Even I can see it and I'm not a gay ninja."
Iruka frowned and sighed. "The sex was always fantastic and we could always fight like cats and dogs. I'm just not sure that's what I want anymore. I mean…it's what I used to want. I just don't know anymore. I'm so confused right now. Things with Itachi...I think things with him could be really, really great too. But he is way too young. Like illegal young. And get your dragony-mind out of the gutter. I am not having sex with a thirteen year old. Why does everyone think that?"
"No?" Ryuu looked put out.
"No. Too young. It's not healthy for him."
Ryuu chuckled. "I'm not sure he'd agree."
"It's not his decision." Iruka said with a laugh.
Iruka started to walk to his apartment. Ryuu made a noise. Iruka turned around and looked at him. "What?"
"Did you want to henge your eyes or something?" Ryuu said quietly.
"Oh, I didn't think about that. Kami, I'm so sick of the lies, Ryuu." Iruka sighed and quickly ran a hand over his eyes and added a henge. "That okay?"
He was about to transport to the apartment when Iruka started noticing various ANBU advancing on his position, as well as Sandaime. He decided to stay put for the moment. He leaned against Samehada heavily, wearily wishing he was asleep at the moment. Soon the ANBU guards and the Third were on his terrace.
"Iruka-san, you appear to have engaged an enemy." The Hokage said carefully.
"Hai, Hokage-sama. Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Madara." Iruka said truthfully bowing respectfully. He felt the gaze of Ryuu on his back.
Sandaime looked shocked and gazed around the rooftop terrace, all of the broken tiles, the bloody footprints, Iruka's bloody and ripped pajamas as well as the fact that he was injured and leaning heavily on his sword.
"Did you hear about what happened tonight at the Uchiha compound, Iruka?" The Hokage inquired softly.
Iruka sighed, knowing there were a few tears streaking down his face. He couldn't help but picture Mikoto-san, and how he had utterly abandoned her and the rest of their clan in his utter selfishness and foolishness.
"Hai, Hokage-sama."
"I'm sorry about Itachi-san; I know you were close to him." Sandaime said putting a hand on Iruka's shoulder, mistaking Iruka's sadness.
Iruka shook his head and waved his hand at the gesture. "No, 'Tachi is fine. He's downstairs in my apartment with Sasuke-kun, Hakate-san and Naruto."
"Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke are okay? They survived!" The Third put his hands on Iruka's shoulders and squeezed almost painfully. He seemed relieved. If slightly confused.
"Yes, today was the fourteenth. Had to protect them." Iruka said with a yawn. Wait, did that slip out?
Sandaime was looking at him curiously, peering a little too knowingly into his eyes, too keenly. "What happens on the fourteenth, Iruka?"
Iruka squirmed under his gaze. "Send the ANBU away, Sandaime."
The Third was giving him an intense gaze but he nodded to Iruka. And with a wave, the ANBU were jumping away, off Iruka's terrace into the darkness of the night. It was a show of faith that he was being left alone with the Hokage; although at this point he had was weak as a kitten. Although he supposed Ryuu was not.
"They won't find Madara or Shisui, Hokage-sama. He used his Space–Time Migration." Iruka sighed and rubbed at his eyes, pulling away from The Third's gaze. "I doubt tracking him would be effective."
"What happens on the fourteenth?" The Hokage repeated.
"It's the Uchiha massacre." Iruka answered.
The Sandaime looked stunned. "The…what?"
"For lack of a better way to explain it…I'm from the future, Hokage-sama." Iruka said. "I am sorry I didn't come to you personally sooner, but I truly thought I was preventing the massacre…I really thought I had prevented it. The people responsible for it before were disposed of and are now out of the way. I had no idea that Madara himself would come here and…use a cat's-paw like Shisui as an end to his own means." Iruka shuddered. "It's entirely fault, Hokage-sama! When had I started thinking I could out maneuver someone like him? I…my own ego just got 108 Uchiha's murdered!" Iruka cried out, tears running down his face.
"Iruka…" The Third said softly but the younger man cut him off. He didn't deserve to be comforted.
"If I had just come to you and told you earlier…but no…I just…with…Danzō gone…and then I protected Itachi and Sasuke so my precious people wouldn't be hurt. I thought that it would be enough. I didn't even think about Shisui or their parents!" Iruka started to cry harder. "But…we could've protected all of them together…We could've fought Madara together! Instead of just me…" Iruka fell to his knees gripping Samehada.
"Did you kill Danzō, Iruka…?" Sandaime asked after a moment.
Iruka didn't answer.
"He was a council elder, Iruka." The Third said cautiously.
"He was truly an evil man…if you had any idea the vile things he did the other timeline…and in the future…" Iruka sighed.
"You should have come to me sooner. I can't pretend that ." The Hokage said standing.
Iruka looked up at The Hokage and nodded. "I can show you things in my memories that he's done in the future, if that will suffice as reason enough?"
"How is that possible?" The Third asked.
"It's an ability I have." Iruka said with a shrug. Because of the sharingan. Actually he wasn't entirely sure he could pull it off, never having been on this end of the procedure.
"I'm not sure it would be acceptable to the other members of the council." Sandaime said, looking at Iruka suspiciously. "And isn't that a sharingan procedure?"
Iruka shrugged noncommittally. Then the Hokage was looking at him as he dispelled his hastily prepared henge. He looked at Iruka's eyes with something akin to dismay.
"Iruka, what have you done to yourself?" He said softly, sadly.
Iruka turned away from that tone of voice. The Hokage shouldn't be sad for him. "I'm fine, Sandaime."
"Are you?" The Third asked.
Iruka swallowed the lump in his throat. Kami, no, he wasn't.
"I'm going to be leaving Leaf for a while. I need to train. I have no idea how long it will take. Am I going to be labeled a missing nin if I leave or about this Danzō issue?" Iruka sighed and looked down at his hands.
"No, you are free to go, Iruka." The Hokage said sadly.
A/N: Please review ^_^