I remembered one quote: Who needs enemies, when he has friends. - I like it. Iruka is probably living example of this :)
Anyway - which looks like its starting to be my favourite word - on with the story!
6
Iruka was happily talking about something back and forth and Hayate was ignoring him. If he thought about it, he wouldn't even be able to say what was Iruka talking about.
".. and then he basically told him.." not like Hayate wasn't interested in whatever Iruka was saying. He was just worried, because he felt the presence of the person from forest, and every-time when he took a sneaky glance back, he could see a shadow creeping around.
So he is still tailing him. Hayate frowned to himself. Time to do something. And time to do something drastic. He gripped Iruka's forearm and pulled him violently inside of narrow – and dark – isle. He pushed him inside small niche, crouching close to him so they wouldn't be seen. He covered Iruka's mouth and shielded his brith yellow t-shirt with his own black-clad body.
"Shhh.." he whispered and followed the spiritual track, until it was far enough. He sighed in relief and uncovered his friend's mouth.
"What was that?" Iruka asked with raised eyebrow. Hayate hesitantly stood up and let Iruka do the same.
"You know.. as you told me about the one who was following you around.." Hayate scratched his head. "He didn't stop – I felt, and saw, him this morning in the forest and he was tailing us right now."
Iruka sighed. "Yeah, I know." he chuckled. "Why didn't you tell me, though?"
"Well, I didn't want to scare you or anything.." Hayate mumbled.
"You thought I was totally oblivious and felt the need to protect me from big, bad stalker." Iruka smiled teasingly. "Let's go find the rest. Or do I have to carry you, Haya-chan?"
Hayate punched his shoulders. "Right. Let's go, Ru-chan."
They didn't have problem in finding the other team, since they had never changed their training area. They were obviously still training, so Iruka plopped down on the bridge letting his legs hang down. Hayate laid down next to him, not really caring he was blocking the path over he bridge, so everyone passing it would have to jump or step over him.
"Neee.. Have you already thought about the strategy?" Iruka asked Hayate who just shook his head. "Me neither. I guess we would have to wait for those three and to see who from the jounin are playing.." the larger teen thought out loud.
"I guess.. ne, Iruka.. why do you think Ibiki-sama is not letting us take the chuunin exam?" he asked suddenly, that was something what had been bothering him for a while.
"Maybe 'cause we don't have the third.." Iruka mumbled after thinking about it. He was content – listening to the whispering water, pair of small footsteps nearing the bridge, the surreal rush of Konoha and distant noise of weapon against weapon from the training teens.
"So what? It's not like we have to be three to attend or anything.." Hayate mumbled. That would be stupid. There were no laws for the number of shinobi in team, after all, it was just recommended to have four members.
"Then maybe Ibi-sama doesn't think we are strong enough.." Iruka said softly and closed his eyes.
Hayate thought about it for a moment, but it wasn't easy, because he had that feeling, that he forgot something. He checked his sword – he still had it. So what was that he forgot. And he felt that it was important, too.
Just when he was about to open his eyes and ask Iruka what was that he could have forgotten, he felt something hit his stretched legs and stumble over them. He heard a thump indicating the person hadn't balanced himself and Hayate almost choked as he recognized the chakra as the one that was tailing them for so long time.
Damn. Now I know what I forgot.
"Ouch.." the one who had stumbled said, before Hayate had even time to open his eyes and that voice startled the small teen. It was a girl.
"Hay, are you alright?" asked Iruka with a frown and crouched next to the girl. He had strange expression on his face, but it disappeared before Hayate blinked. He than looked back to the girl as she refused help with standing up and took a few steps away from them, glaring at them. She had dark purple hair which was weird, but not ugly, surprisingly, and pale brown eyes. She looked angry and unfriendly and was still glaring at them, even they didn't do anything. Yet. Hayate didn't like her.
"I am Iruka and this is Hayate. What is your name?" Iruka asked her hesitantly, but with a smile on his face and Hayate wanted to facepalm, or hit his teammate. He was getting all friendly with his. Own. Stalker.
"I don't like you." Said the girl and crossed her arms on her chest looking away.
"So?" Iruka asked with raised eyebrows. "I don't like you either." he laughed and the girl stared at him with wide eyes. "What do you think, Haya-kun?" he asked suddenly, sensing his friend's anger raising.
Hayate sighed. It was so like Iruka to befriend someone who was trying to stalk him. "You have pretty hair, but you look like a boy." he frowned on the girl. He didn't really have a choice but to say what he thought, unless he wanted to get in argument with Iruka.
"You look like a girl, what's worse." the girl hissed on him, trying to anger him, but succeeding only in making Iruka chuckle and Hayate smile softly.
'But Ibiki-senseeeiii, he looks like a giiiirl..' small Iruka moaned and pointed towards shocked kid, little bit smaller then himself.
'So do you, so shut up.' Hayate narrowed his eyes on the rude kid with long hair.
'Not my fault, my kaa-chan always wanted a daughter.' the kid laughed and the scarred jounin sighed in relief. They didn't look like they will be killing each other.
"Soo.. you wanna go play flag with us?" asked Iruka and Hayate almost smacked him. Yes, he had heart the saying: 'keep your friends close, and enemies even closer' but she was a stalker. But.. now that he thought about it, Iruka probably didn't even know.
The girl looked surprised for a moment, thinking about it.
"You know, there is only five of us, and there is five of them, but they are older and stronger, so it would really, really, help us." Hayate offered. I hope you know what you are doing, Ru.
"O-ok." The girl nodded and shyly pulled on a strand of hair. It looked as if she had been trying to make a braid on the back of her head, but almost half of her hair had somehow escaped and were falling down over her face. "I am Anko." she added and hesitantly stretched her hand towards Iruka.
Anko. As in Mitarashi? Well, damn. Hayate thought again and watched as Iruka shook their hands with a smile.
"Ne, Iruka.. Can I talk to you for a moment..?" Hayate asked slowly and took a hold of his friend's shoulders, pulling him away from the girl.
"Yea, wait here for a moment, Anko-chan, we will be back in no time." he promised in a cheeky grin and followed Hayate down from the bridge.
They stopped when Hayate was sure that they were somewhere no one would hear them.
"Iruka, Ru. She is the one who stalked you." Hayate said bluntly watching as Iruka scratched his head.
"I know.. I just thought.. she looked lonely." he said sheepishly. "And now when we are friends, she wouldn't have a reason to stalk me or something." he muttered defensively and Hayate sighed.
"Alright. I won't question it, but.. You aren't going to ask her why, are you.."
Iruka shook his head. "Maybe.. on time.. not now."
"I thought so." Hayate couldn't help but smile. "Let's go back, can't let our friend waiting." he said.
"Be nice, she doesn't look dangerous or anything." Iruka frowned and they started their way back.
"She is Mitarashi. As in snake sannin's student." Hayate pointed out. But, maybe, just maybe, that's why she is so.. weird. Just thinking that she was always with her sensei as if he was her father and then he betrayed leaving her all alone without any experience with other people.
"I don't think she is like him. She would have left, if she was." Iruka said. "And she is nice, when you get to know her." he smiled.
"You don't know her." pointed out Hayate, but was already smiling. Looks like they made new friend.
"But I will." Iruka laughed and his friend joined him. That was nice..
Maybe they, together, will be able to learn the girl how to live, again. Maybe not, but they are not going to give up.
They were Ibiki's ordinands, after all.
Well..that was weird. hehe. Hmm.. No Ibiki there, that makes me sad, he is such a funny character. I am actually quite enjoying the last sentence in the chapters, even though I am starting to be short on what else they are to their sensei.. :)
Oh, another question, shall we?
As you know, they are going to play "capture the flag" (one of my fav games, btw :P ) against the jounin. I am going to make them bet, so that the team who lost will have to do something.
Anyone has idea/wish what should the bet be about?
See you tomorrow, by the way. :)