The Assassin and the Dolphin

Author: jabotus

Rating: T

Pairings: Kakashi x Iruka, Neji x Sasuke, one sided Sasuke x Naruto

Warnings: AU – yaoi (two guys in a relationship), OOC

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

A/N: A big thanks and cookies to everyone who has reviewed this story! Thanks for sticking with me through slow updates. Please continue reading and reviewing it so I know at least a few people are enjoying it and I'll keep writing it! Thanks again!

'…..' - thoughts

Chapter 16

Kakashi woke up when he felt a warm body stir next to him. A smile drifted across his face as his fingers combed through Iruka's loose hair. He could easily get used to waking up like this. Still, it was hard to believe this was happening though. A few days ago, he hadn't even known mermaids…er merpeople existed and here he was sharing a bed with one. A very beautiful one… Kakashi had never had such a wonderful morning after, and they hadn't even had sex! If he had known this would happen, he would have tried drowning himself in the ocean a lot sooner.

Tracing a finger over the scar on the merman's nose, Kakashi contemplated his next move. With all that happened last night, Kakashi hadn't told Iruka he was thinking of staying for a little bit longer. It had been more fun to tease Iruka and convince the merman to stay the night with him on the pretense of guarding him.

Now after a long night's rest wrapped around someone he was beginning to like more than he should, Kakashi was having doubts again. Maybe he would regret leaving, but Iruka would be the one to regret it if he stayed. If Iruka ever found out he was a killer, this…whatever it was that was growing between them, would vanish.

And besides the idea of living in the ocean, and the reality of it were two very different things. To stay, Kakashi would have to give up almost everything he'd ever known. How could a person change their world for someone they may or may not fall in love with someday? It was madness! Kakashi barely knew Iruka. To give up his entire way of life for someone he just met would be the most reckless thing he could ever do…which is why he couldn't do it.

It was only a simple infatuation, Kakashi told himself. He liked the idea of someone trusting him, loving him. It wasn't Iruka. Not Iruka at all. If he wanted a relationship, Kakashi could easily find a human to live with. Certainly not a merman….not the one laying in his arms sleeping peacefully…

Kakashi's arm was numb, but he didn't dare move it. He wanted this moment to last, because he would never have it again. When Iruka woke up, he'd tell the dolphin he wanted to go back. He had to end this before it became anything more. It would be better for both of them.

Leaning up a bit Kakashi kissed the merman's forehead. Everything would be fine once they went their separate ways. It didn't matter if Kakashi regretted giving up Iruka for the rest of his life. It was only one more to add to the pile that was his life. It didn't matter because it would keep Iruka from ever feeling the slightest twinge of guilt for saving a murderer's life.

"Kakashi?" It seemed his kiss woke the sleeping dolphin. "What's wrong?" Iruka lifted his head.

Everything. "Nothing." Iruka searched his face, but Kakashi was a pro at hiding his true emotions.

"Sure." Iruka settled back down, curling into Kakashi's side, with his head on Kakashi's chest, seemingly content to stay where he was for the moment.

Why did Iruka have to be like this? Why did he have to be so wonderful?

"Iruka?"

"Yes?"

He couldn't do it. He couldn't just tell Iruka he was leaving. Not right now, anyway. Kakashi knew he was only making it worse by delaying it, but….not right now.

"Kakashi?" He had taken too long to respond.

"Do you think you could find more of that seaweed?"

"But you don't like it."

Kakashi's next words were out before he could stop himself. "Well I figure if I'm staying here, I should get used to eating it."

Iruka sat up and turned to stare at him. His eyes were so hopeful. Shit.

"Staying here? Do you mean that?"

The lie was out so Kakashi might as well make the best of it. Perhaps one more day wouldn't do much harm.

"I thought I would give it a try if that's ok with you?" Iruka's response was immediate. He hugged Kakashi around the waist.

"You won't regret it. I…I'll show you everything."

Kakashi regretted the moment he woke up in the cave. He should have drowned last Friday. If not for what he had done in the past, but for what he was doing now to Iruka, for giving him false hope. Kakashi gently pushed Iruka off him. It was too late to take it back now. He might as well go through with it…until he came up with a better plan.

"I'm sure you will and maybe I'll show you some things as well." He couldn't resist. Pulling Iruka's face closer, he kissed the merman…his merman…his dolphin. NO! Not his. Never his.

When they separated in order to breath, Iruka's smile lit up his face. 'I am a complete bastard,' Kakashi thought as he controlled his features.

"Why don't you find us some breakfast then?"

"All right. I'll be back soon." Iruka leaned forward and gently brushed his lips against Kakashi in a quick gesture before standing up. He shed his clothes and dived into the pool.

Moving into a sitting position, Kakashi stared at the water as it lapped against the rocks. Maybe…maybe he could drown himself while Iruka was gone and end it all now. Suicide would certainly be easier than telling Iruka he wanted to leave after telling him he would stay. Of course, he hadn't mentioned how long he would stay…

Maybe he would get lucky and find his way out without help. And if he didn't…well it wouldn't really be suicide then.

Kakashi stretched out and dipped a finger in the water. Iruka's kiss kept him safe from the temperature, but it wouldn't last long. If he was going, he would have to do it now. Kakashi lifted his head and then jerked backwards when he saw a face staring at him from across the pool. He hadn't heard a thing.

"What are you doing here?" Kakashi didn't mean to yell, but the damn boy had startled him. They were going to give him a heart attack! Kakashi wasn't used to being around anyone who moved as silently as he did, more so actually.

"Where's Iruka?"

"He went to get breakfast."

Sasuke pulled himself out of the water and immediately began drying off his tail.

"Where's Naruto?" Kakashi asked when his heart stopped pounding in his chest.

Sasuke's hands paused a moment. "I don't know," he said before resuming his drying.

"I thought you two were inseparable."

"Obviously we are." Sasuke wrapped the towel around himself in absence of clothes.

"Is that why you're here? Are you looking for him?"

"I came here to talk to Iruka, not you." Sasuke sat down by the fire pit. "The last few days this is the only place I'm sure to find him. Lifting his head, the teen narrowed his eyes. "He never came home last night."

"You were waiting for him?" Kakashi turned around to face the dark haired teen.

"I was waiting for Naruto. After we…after you two kissed, he disappeared."

"I had nothing to do with wherever Naruto went. And for the record, he kissed me."

Sasuke studied him and Kakashi waited. He wasn't afraid of this teen, but still…hadn't he done enough damage?

Kakashi sighed. "Look, it's not really any of my business, but did you two have a fight?"

"You're right. It's not any your business." Sasuke reciprocated spitefully.

"Sakura told me you were still in love with him."

"That's none of your business either."

"But it's still true or you wouldn't have reacted the way you did."

"You're not one of us so stay out of our affairs!" The merman yelled.

"Neither is Naruto." Kakashi pointed out.

"But at least he isn't human. Humans are corrupt. They destroy everything around them." So the truth comes out. No wonder Sasuke didn't care what 'they' thought when the merpeople mingled with humans.

"You must be pissed off at your brother for choosing a human for his wife over one of your kind."

"Why don't you leave?"

"I'm trapped here remember."

"I bet you hate being held prisoner down here."

"It's not so bad as prisons go. It could use some curtains though."

"You don't belong here. I know what you are and you're the worst kind of human."

"And what would you know about who I am?" Kakashi couldn't tell if he was bluffing or not.

"Naruto told me."

"And how would Naruto know anything?" They couldn't possible know!

"Because it's what he does. It's his gift. When someone is asleep, he can get into their mind through their dreams. From there he can scour their memories for anything. And he isn't limited to just being an observer; Naruto can manipulate the person's dreams and more importantly their memories."

Kakashi was reminded of the strange dream he had the first morning…if it's true, Naruto had entered his mind. Naruto could very well know and have told his best friend.

"I haven't told Iruka you're a murderer if that's what you're worried about."

They knew.

Kakashi didn't respond right away. His staying here was out of the question now. Who knew how many others Naruto told? It didn't really matter because eventually the truth would find its way to Iruka. Kakashi already knew Iruka was sensitive about killing dolphins, so it could only be that much worse in his eyes to kill another merperson. Iruka would probably hate himself for judging Kakashi so badly. If others knew as well…did they have any laws about harboring fugitives…even if it was a different species? Kakashi didn't think the merpeople would keep up such matters. How often could they possibly come across fugitives who were drowning in the ocean? Not that he had a record. He had never left behind a trace of evidence which could lead to him. Lead to another person perhaps, but never himself.

Sasuke was watching him carefully. The idea Kakashi might try to hurt one of them was most likely why Sasuke was harassing him. The teenager was only trying to protect his friends. Sasuke didn't want him here and he wanted out…without having to confront Iruka. Maybe…

"Sasuke, could you get me out of here?"

Caught off guard, Sasuke's eyes widen, but he could do no more than blink at him.

"Could you help me escape?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"Because I can't get out of here on my own."

"Things not going well with Iruka?" Sasuke smirked.

"I can't deal with him right now and I need to get back to the surface."

"You want to leave without saying goodbye. That's rather shallow."

"Fine, I'm shallow. Will you help me? Tonight?"

Sasuke didn't get a chance to answer.

"No."

Kakashi cursed in every language he knew at these creatures' knack of moving in absolute silence as he glanced over his shoulder.

"I'll take you back." Iruka threw a handful of seaweed onto the cave floor. "If you wanted to go back, you should have damn well just told me last night." Iruka dived back into the water.

"Iruka wait!" Kakashi was on his feet and rushing to the edge. He didn't want to leave like this. Iruka was probably sulking at the bottom of the pool so if he jumped in, Iruka would bring him back up and he could explain his reasons or at the least an exceptional lie.

Sasuke's voice stopped him however. "Don't make it worse than it already is. You're leaving tonight so no matter what you do or say, you will break his heart regardless."

Sasuke had known the second that Iruka arrived. He had been facing the pool after all. He was a smart kid.

Without looking from the pool, Kakashi asked him a question. After the stunt Sasuke pulled, he felt he deserved an answer.

"Why haven't you ever told Naruto how you felt?"

There was a long silence in which Kakashi heard the rustle of a towel. It was the only sound the merman made before Kakashi saw him crouching on the opposite of the pool.

"I did. He wasn't interested so I found someone else."

"And it hurts, doesn't it? Settling for someone else."

"Neji and I are doing just fine if you must know."

"Sasuke, please tell Iruka I'm sorry."

"Why should I? You don't mean it." Sasuke stepped off into the pool, disappearing under the dark surface.

Kakashi was left alone with his guilt. It was better this way. It had to be.