Murder in Mathematics

Kakashi: Teacher of the year

Kakashi Hatake shuffled uncomfortably in his seat.

It was seven am, an hour before the first wave of students would be arriving at the school, and the Literature teacher was in Tsunade's office, in-front of the desk like a school child, being completely grilled by Detectives Orochimaru and Jiraiya.

"You can see where we're coming from, can't you Kakashi? You left the classroom ten times that evening. Time wise you had the capabilities."

Kakashi nodded slowly to Jiraiya's words. His After-School Detention exploits last Monday were really getting him done now. If only he had just stayed in the classroom the whole time, actually watched the class; then he and the kids would be completely off the hook. He felt pretty bad about it.

"Now," Orochimaru began, "All we need is a motive, hmm. Tell me, Kakashi, what did you know of Kankuro?"

Kakashi sighed, "Not much. I taught his sister for a couple years but I don't anymore. Otherwise, I know very little."

"His sister?"

"Yes. Temari. She's in her last year here. A nice enough girl. Very responsible, or at least she is in school."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing. Just, students can sometimes be very different in and out of school."

Orochimaru's golden eyes really did have a good look at Kakashi now. Had he said something suspicious? Maybe to a Detective but not to the normal ear. But sadly he was dealing with Detectives, so he would have to watch his mouth and not say anything stupid that would make him look even worse than he already did.

Jiraiya looked at his watch then back to Kakashi, "Kakashi, we're going to have to end it there. Business back at base to do, you know? We'll be catching up with you after the weekend."

Kakashi stood and nodded. He had been interviewed by the pair enough times in the last week. At least now it was Friday and he could go home once lessons were over and forget about the sorry business for two days.

As he left the office, Asuma and Kurenai, who apparently just had a shared interview, left Shizune's office after questioning from Detective Kabuto. They were both red-faced, as if embarrassed by something- that or Kabuto had them doing jumping jacks the whole time.

"You two okay?"

Asuma grunted and Kurenai answered.

"We're fine, why wouldn't we be?"

Kakashi shrugged.

The three left the Teacher's Corridor together, keen to make space between them and the Detectives so they could talk about how their interviews went. It was in Kurenai's classroom they often met to talk, so this is where they headed now- a cramped Geography Department room with a large, inflatable globe hanging from the ceiling; individual desks lined in six poorly formed rows.

"So," Asuma began as he placed himself on the corner of Kurenai's desk, by the whiteboard, "How'd the interview go this time, Kakashi?"

Kakashi sat himself on one of the front tables, "Well, they've made sure to establish the fact I had the capabilities of killing Kankuro. Now they want me to tell them the reason," He paused in contemplation, then, "Why were you two having a shared interview?"

Asuma and Kurenai looked to each other with the corner of their eyes.

"Cross-referencing our stories," Asuma replied gruffly.

Kakashi rose his head in acknowledgement. Fake acknowledgement. Acknowledgement to appease the two of them. Kakashi, after all, knew their history. Something had happened with the two of them to warrant a joint interview.

"Listen, who wants coffee?" Kurenai said, still standing, "I'll go fetch us some from Staff Room."

"And risk the chance of running into the Detectives again? Kurenai, you're an angel," Asuma smiled.

Kurenai shrugged, "We can't live in fear of them. We know we're not murderers."

Kakashi and Asuma mulled over these words as the women left. No, Kakashi thought, he wasn't a murderer and he was certain neither were the two of them. He knew them too well. But then, he knew the other suspects. The kids. It kind of creeped him out that the killer could be entering the school gates any second now, ready to start the school day.

In the end, Kakashi stayed too long for coffee. When he had finished his cup Kurenai's Form had already arrived at their Home Room and upon rushing through the school to his own Form found all his students lined up outside the classroom door, waiting for him.

"You're late!" Sakura roared immediately.

Nowadays Kakashi didn't bother granting her with a response, instead unlocking the door with the keys from his pocket and giving her an innocent shrug to give her a sort-of-sorry.

The teens filed in, taking their seats sporadically around the class. They only had to be in Home Room for fifteen minutes until First Period, so Kakashi never bothered giving them something to do. He let them sit about in groups and chat, under the promise that if a senior member of staff was to walk into the room then the conversation would turn to that of school work.

He himself simply sat at the front desk, reading his book. Well, in truth he didn't actually read it anymore; not since Tuesday and the damn murder case. It was one of the things that got him in the hot water, not watching the class when he should have, so since then he peered one eye over it, surveying the students. One of his favourites; a gifted, popular boy by name of Sasuke Uchiha, sat alone at the back. Odd, it was well reported that Sakura was his girlfriend. The two were very close. They were already nail on favourites for Best Couple in the end of year YearBook. His eye turned to the pink-hair. She was with Naruto and Sai, looking glum.

It was not actually much of his business but he didn't like to see his students upset, so as the bell rang and they all left for lessons, Kakashi blocked Sasuke's way. He was the last student to get up and leave, so they had privacy.

Sasuke looked up at his Sensei, though not in the normal way. He never looked happy, true, but he never really looked annoyed with Kakashi. Now, he was basically screaming at him with his eyes to get out of the way.

"Sasuke."

"Hn?"

"There anything up with you?"

Sasuke shook his head.

"Why weren't you sitting next to Sakura and Naruto?"

Sasuke glowered, "Why does it matter?"

Kakashi shrugged, "I just noted it is all."

"Well, I need to get to Maths."

Sasuke moved forward, expecting Kakashi to move out of the way, but he did not. The Uchiha looked very annoyed now.

"You will say if something's bothering you? I know this murder thing is-"

"I'm fine, okay?"

Kakashi slowed as Sasuke cut through him. He went to say more but Sasuke pushed past, out of the doorway and away.

It was a far shorter conversation than Kakashi had anticipated and he actually found himself very surprised. Sasuke was short on words but he spoke with respect. Kakashi couldn't believe that the murder situation was the cause of his behaviour, after all, if someone like Naruto could take the pressure then so could cool as ice Sasuke Uchiha.

The next two periods was double Literature for a first year class. Kakashi paid little attention to it, an incredible feat seeing as he was teaching. Come break time; that was when he actually bothered to put some work in. He paid a visit to the renowned power pair, Pein and Konan, School Guidance Counsellors.

"Kakashi," Pein said as the silver-haired teacher pushed through the office door, "What a pleasant surprise. Have you come to speak to us about-"

"No," Kakashi smiled, "That was a onetime thing that Tsunade made me do. I'm actually here to speak to you about a student."

Pein rested his chin in his hands, "Oh, and who might that be?"

"Sasuke Uchiha."

Konan nodded, "We know him. When we tried to speak to him about the murder he was very quiet. Barely said a word."

"Yes," Kakashi said, "He's been acting a bit differently of late. Since the murder actually. He's never with his friends. I need you to talk to him. He's not likely to say much but you two are good."

Kakashi was always a skilled sweet-talker.

Konan smiled very slightly but as usual Pein kept a stoic face.

"You humble us, Kakashi," He said.

"We'll talk to him later today," Konan put in.

Kakashi nodded, "Just keep in mind he won't be easy to break. I doubt you'll be able to get him talking in one sitting."

Konan took something from her draw as she spoke, "Don't worry, we'll handle it. And here, for you."

She handed Kakashi something. A leaflet. He took it tentatively, scanning it very quickly. A church brochure. Hmm.

"Kankuro's death has been hard on you, we can tell," She said as Kakashi looked at the yellow paper, held daintily in his hands.

Kakashi forced a smile, "Err, thanks. I'll… think about it."

"We really do admire the effort you put into your students, Kakashi," Pein said as Kakashi turned to leave, "You could be, perhaps, the teacher of the year."

Kakashi, taken aback by the sudden compliment, nodded appreciatively, before leaving, Juugo sitting by in the waiting room on the way out.

The day went really quick from then on, Kakashi eager for lessons to end so he could just go home. His plans were ruined somewhat then, when Yamato, Gai, Asuma and Kurenai arrived at his classroom door at four o'clock, students having left half an hour earlier.

"Kakashi," Gai said with a grin, "Drinks to end the week. You, me, drinking competition."

Kakashi threw his pens into his draw and turned, "No thanks, Gai. I'll pass."

"Kakashi," Asuma then began as Gai's eyes burned with rage, the green shirted man stomping away and apparently no longer coming with his pre-decided drinking competition called off, "It's been a tough week. Come out with us. Enjoy yourself."

"First rounds on me," Yamato put in from the back.

Kakashi sighed and flung his strap bag over his shoulder. Well, what the hell?

"Okay, fine. Yes, I'll come."

He followed the group out of school and then in-turn followed them to the chosen bar in his car. The decided drinking establishment was downtown, on one of the hilled high streets. After struggling to find parking spots, the four finally entered the building, a low roofed joint with a horrible orange carpet and an equally horrible orange lighting system. The actual bar counter was to the right wall, long and wooden. Kakashi sighed as he followed his friends to order drinks. He wasn't really in the mood, but perhaps it could be a good thing, just unwinding.

In-fact, after taking their drinks and sitting about talking for an hour, Kakashi felt quite relaxed.

"So I said to the kid: Kiba, you're very sweet, but seriously, shut up and do your work, you're going to fail."

Kurenai took a swig as the others laughed at her story, now all sat by a small, round table in the corner of the busy bar.

"That kid really is a flirt, huh?" Yamato smirked as he drank some of his own drink.

Kurenai gulped her lager down, "Hm. He's a nice boy, he doesn't mean it. He's just showing off."

Kakashi smiled though in the corner of his eyes noticed a very uncomfortable Asuma.

"More drinks?"

It was the Sarutobi who had spoken. He stood, grabbing everybody's glasses in a quick sweep before rushing to the bar for refills. Kurenai frowned and went to question why he was acting so strangely, when Yamato spoke, pointing forwards at the door.

"What the hell are they doing here together?"

Kakashi turned in his chair to see Lady Tsunade and Anko walking into the bar.

Kurenai smiled, "Probably planning on getting Tsunade drunk and charming a promotion out of her, if I know Anko."

"Or," began Yamato, eyes still on the arriving members, "They're here with those two."

Kakashi, who had already turned his back on this situation and was sipping on his drink which he had managed to move away from Asuma, watched as Kurenai's ruby eyes flashed in shock.

"Oh, shit," she murmured as she placed a hand over her face.

Kakashi turned once more and then fully understood the situation. Walking in with Anko and Tsunade were Orochimaru and Jiraiya. This was not ideal. Kakashi, they all, wanted to get away from the whole situation and kickback with some drinks, but now their school ordeal was following them.

Asuma, in the middle of the bar as he walked back to the seats with drinks in hand, did a silent scream, before speed-walking back to the others.

"Please don't see us, please don't see us, please don't see us," he muttered repeatedly as he placed the newly filled glasses on the table and sat down himself.

"Wu-oh! They're walking this way," Yamato teased.

"Oh man, I was just enjoying myself and then this happens," Asuma mumbled in response.

"Hey everybody!"

Anko had arrived, Orochimaru by her side.

All four looked up, pretending as if they had not seen the pair already, and said in equally disheartened measures (except for Yamato who seemed to find the situation very amusing), "Hey, Anko."

"Look, I'm here with Orochimaru. It's so weird, you know we actually know each other?"

Asuma looked up, met eyes with an ever smiling Orochimaru, and bobbed his head back down, "You don't say?"

"When I was younger I happened to catch Anko in many compromising positions," Orochimaru filled in.

No one missed the innuendo.

"Yeah, like that time I was sixteen and I threw that milkshake at that old man. You were literally in the cop car watching the whole time."

Anko and Orochimaru drew up seats, still talking, much to the horror of Kakashi, Asuma and Kurenai, who in unison sighed when the pale Detective placed himself down in-between Anko and Asuma.

Soon enough, Tsunade and Jiraiya arrived, drinks in their hands, resulting in further exasperated sighs.

"Oh, Anko you've found the rest of your workforce?" Tsunade said in a cheerful tone that the three murder suspect teachers (and Yamato) had never heard, "You four don't mind if we join you?"

"Haha, oh look at their faces!" Jiraiya suddenly laughed as he grabbed a nearby seat and sat next to Yamato, "Don't worry you three! We're off the clock!"

Kakashi, Asuma and Kurenai smiled unsurely.

"So, you four here on a double-date?" Yamato asked to make conversation, though he regretted what he said immediately when witnessing Tsunade's face.

"No!" The Head Teacher exploded quickly, "We're just here to enjoy drinks like you!"

"Jesus Tsunade, I didn't know being with me would be such a nightmare!" Jiraiya joked.

Now Kakashi really did regret coming out. How much simpler would it have been to just go home? Instead he was sat in the corner of a bar, trapped by his boss and the detectives that suspected him of murder. It probably couldn't have gotten any worse.

Though it actually did when half an hour later a large shout was heard from the entrance.

"Hey-o! Get us some drinks-o!"

Everybody in the bar, seated or standing, turned to the voice.

"Oh Christ, what are they doing here?" hissed Tsunade.

Hidan, who had called out the bar-wide greeting, and all his friends, had just entered.

Every teacher's nightmare. Stuck in a bar with a group of rowdy school students.

Kisame wandered in behind Hidan and upon seeing the teachers in the corner, all of whom watched with thoroughly annoyed looks, grinned with his eyes wide, pointing at them all. When his friends had seen what he was excited about instinctively they all wandered over.

"Hey Lady T, Ms. K, Mr. A, Mr. Y, Mr. K, detectives," Hidan greeted with a nod as he fell down onto the empty table to the right of the teachers, "What a coincidence, huh?"

"Are you all old enough to drink?" Tsunade snapped at the younger man, who grinned with all his friends behind him (minus Itachi and Kakuzu who had gone to the counter to order.)

"Course we are hm," Deidara replied, "Hey, shall we sit with you?"

"You will certainly not!" Tsunade hit back.

Deidara and his friends laughed as Orochimaru and Jiraiya watched in amusement as each of the teachers' faces sank.

For the rest of the evening Kakashi sat in his corner seat in absolute misery. Naturally he and the two other murder suspects quietened down with Orochimaru and Jiraiya present, though to be honest the whole bar seemed to go silent in the wake of the teen boys' arrival. It seemed like chaos, with both Sasori and Deidara getting thoroughly drunk and arguing (as usual, though this time it was more aggressive) about their favourite artists and Kisame and Hidan constantly trying to join in on the Teachers' conversation.

Kakashi managed to excuse himself for five minutes though, when he got up to go to the toilet; Asuma having already made a good excuse to get the hell out of there regarding his need for a cigarette.

Splashing water onto his face in the brightly lit, white tiled restroom, Kakashi sighed. What a bloody week. It had started and ended in disaster. First the news of Kankuro's death, then becoming suspect number one, and ending with a spoiled night out with friends. He could only wonder how all the other suspects were coping and prayed that the kids were doing better than him.

Thinking about the kids at a time like this, Kakashi thought to himself. Maybe he really was the teacher of the year.

Bit of a weird chapter that, in my opinion; though I hope you still enjoyed.

Anyway, as usual, sorry for any mistakes and please drop a review if you liked!