Chapter 12 - Iruka's Gift

(AN: Wow! You reviewers are awesome! I am so loving this! Lol. Anyways, quick recap, Kakashi made a move on Kaida, not realising she was in a relationship with Iruka. He walks in on them and thinks she's cheating on him, with his best friend. She runs after him… this sorta happened to me once, so I hope I can get the realism down! Sorry its abit short. Remember read, review and most importantly, enjoy!)

His chest hurt, lungs burning, the sweat from his brow dripping into his eyes. Couldn't look back, couldn't try to remember, too much, too much hurt.

Iruka ran into the trees surrounding the village, unhearing of the woman screaming his name. He just kept running.

Kaida ran as fast as she could, having fought the guards to get out of the waiting area where she was told she must stay. She called after him, but he didn't look back, he ignored her. He vanished into the trees.

Lungs on fire she slowed as she reached the tree line, and immediately began searching for his chakra signal. He was already quite far away, she would never catch up to him at this rate! Pushing energy into her legs and feet, Kaida pushed herself hard. She had to put this right, she had to tell him what had happened!

Oh for Kami's sake! Where was he? His chakra dimmed and vanished as she neared him, he must be masking it. Which could mean he was within earshot…?

"Iruka! Please! It really isn't what you think. We never told any one we were together, Kakashi just thought I was single. I was in the middle of telling him when you found us. Please, please, you have to believe me! Iruka! Please… I love only you…"

The last sentence she whispered as she fell to her knees, tears sliding down her ivory cheeks, but it did not go unheard.

Iruka was standing with his back to a tree less than ten feet away. He had heard everything… everything. He was still crying, thinking she had betrayed him, but if what she had said was true, then she had done nothing wrong, and neither had Kakashi. Perhaps keeping their relationship a secret wasn't such a good idea after all…?

She wept, and Kaida never cried. Never had he seen her cry, except if she was in great pain, true pain. He stepped into her view.

She looked up as he appeared before her, she leapt up and ran to him, her arms held out towards him.

He turned her hands away, head not facing her. His pain still evident in his eyes. She paused, unsure of what to do next.

"I'm so sorry Iruka, this is all my fault… if I'd just, just… If I'd just done something sooner… this wouldn't have happened, none of this would have happened… I'm so sorry…"

"Stop… please stop now. I know what you tell me is the truth. I'm sorry I ran off, but I really thought you and Kakashi…"

"I know… if I'd noticed he'd liked me sooner… I don't know! Oh please, forgive me Iruka!"

"There is nothing to forgive. You did nothing wrong, and I guess it's not Kakashi's fault either, he didn't know any better. Though it will be hard to talk to him for a while."

Iruka took her hand and lead it to his chest, placing it just above his heart.

"You nearly broke it…"

"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"

"I know, just please, don't get caught up like that again. I have enough to worry about when it comes to you, without trying to ward off unwanted lovers too."

They laughed together a little, and then walked back to the village together. Kaida had to get back to the waiting room quickly, to find out if she had become Chunin. Iruka didn't want her to miss it, even if she failed.

(AN: Wow… that was harder to write than I thought it would be… You see, Iruka's Gift, is Forgiveness… anyway, moving on! Next chapter is called Hokage's Choice, I'm sure you can guess what's going to happen in that one? Just realised I have about 30 chapters planned and wondering how I'm going to write them all. And just planned a sequel… oh well…)