Avalanche

Monday rolled around. Naruto had ignored all the calls from Kakashi and Sasuke on Sunday. Making his way to school on Monday, Naruto had bags under his eyes. He hadn't slept well Saturday night or Sunday night. Walking into school, he sat down in his seat. Kakashi was there. "Mr. Uzumaki, good morning." The silver haired sensei was stiff, formal. Naruto thought his tone might be laced with hurt, but he convinced himself that he was imagining it.

The rest of the class filled in over time, and then the first bell rang. Naruto ignored Hinata when she came in, keeping his nose in a book. When lunchtime rolled around, Naruto wasn't surprised when Kakashi asked him to stay after for a few minutes. Naruto stayed seated. "Naruto?" Kakashi's voice was soft.

"What?" Naruto asked, not looking at Kakashi.

"What did I do..." Kakashi started.

"Kakashi-sensei, I don't know what you are speaking of. I am hungry. May I be excused?" Naruto's voice was painfully polite.

Letting out a huge sigh, Kakashi just sat down. "Of course, Mr. Uzumaki."

Naruto left, going to lunch. Grabbing food, he sat down. Hinata sat down quietly. "A...are you okay, Naruto?" she asked quietly.

"Yea, why wouldn't I be?" Naruto asked angrily. Sasuke sat down, looking oddly at Naruto.

"What the hell, Naruto? What is going on with you? You leave prom without telling us, you won't respond to my texts, now you are just being an ass. You and him fight?" Sasuke frowned.

"No, we broke up." Naruto said, pushing his food around.

"What the hell, why?" Sasuke asked. He had never seen Naruto as happy as he had seen him with Kakashi.

"Well, not everyone can be as happy as you and Hinata." Naruto hissed standing and taking his tray to dump. He ignored Hinata's gasp of surprise, as well as her look of hurt. As he got up, Sasuke stood, grabbing Naruto's arm, pulling him close.

"Don't you even fucking start with me!" Sasuke hissed angrily, his eyes hard and flashing. "You don't know what the hell you are talking about."

"Oh really?" Naruto sneered. "Well you and she seemed to be really happy kissing each other at prom..."

Sasuke balled his fist, punching Naruto in the gut. "Don't fucking talk about her like that." He hissed. Naruto reared back, punching Sasuke. As the two teens fought, they ended up on the floor, rolling around as students gathered around him. Suddenly, the two were pulled apart. Naruto was held back by Iruka-sensei, and Kakashi had grabbed Sasuke.

"Both of you, detention. My classroom after school." Kakashi said with no room for argument. Both of them huffing for air, faces red, anger flashing in their eyes, were released to return to lunch. Naruto shrugged his clothing back into place as Sasuke just stared at Naruto. The lunchroom went back to normal as the bell rang, signalling everyone to return to class.

\/\/\/

After class, Sasuke knocked on the door. "Sensei?" He asked with his lip swollen and busted as Naruto was sitting at his desk, his eye turning a shade of purple from the fight. Kakashi nodded, motioning for Sasuke to take a seat. As the door shut, Kakashi stood in front of his desk.

"What the hell is going on? Did I shift into another dimension?" Kakashi asked, looking between the two.

"I don't know what the hell is going on with this guy." Sasuke mumbled, crossing his arms. Kakashi looked at Naruto. Naruto crossed his arms, looking the other way. Kakashi sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

The trio sat in silence for at least fifteen minutes. Kakashi patiently waited...he knew someone would break. Finally, Naruto rounded on Sasuke. "How could you! I mean, you sit there, being all sad, and gay, and then all of a sudden, you're now straight?" Naruto spat out. Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"You are a fucking idiot." Sasuke said, turning to Naruto. "I've never told you I was gay. I've just never been attracted to anyone but guys. But Hinata is different. She understands." Naruto scoffed; Sasuke's fist balled up. Kakashi gave a warning glare to Sasuke. Taking a deep breath, Sasuke continued. "She and I started talking. I was able to open up to her about Orochimaru and how I felt about him and how I felt after he died. She was able to do the same with me about Temari. Did you know that they moved here because Temari died about a week after you left? She had an aneurysm in her sleep. Hinata tried to kill herself. I saw the scars. She understands the utter bitterness and loneliness that's left when someone you love dies suddenly." Sasuke's eyes were red and glassy. "I still love Orochimaru. Are you really going to begrudge me happiness?" Sasuke whispered his voice as sharp as glass.

Naruto's face was awash with emotions. He was embarrassed, upset, and ashamed. Looking down, his voice was thick. "I...I'm sorry, Sasuke. I didn't know..."

"How could you? You never asked." Sasuke mumbled, looking away, licking his busted lip. "What the hell was up your ass anyways?" he asked, studying Naruto.

Frowning, Naruto looked away. "I didn't want to be at that damn prom. I couldn't take my boyfriend, and then when I got there, I found out my boyfriend was going to be there anyways...and didn't tell me." Naruto looked balefully at Kakashi, who stared back blankly. "And my boyfriend is ashamed of me...never wanting to do anything with me in public." Naruto pouted like a petulant child.

Kakashi frowned. "Did you talk to your boyfriend, or did you just assume? Perhaps he was called last minute to work because someone was ill? Perhaps his job prohibits him from doing anything with you in public?" His finger tapped in irritation on his arm.

Naruto huffed, turning away. "Maybe my ex boyfriend worries about his career more than me."

Kakashi flinched as if slapped. Sighing, "You both are excused from detention." Turning, Kakashi sat down at his desk as the teens gathered their things. Hearing the door shut, Kakashi looked up, hoping that only Sasuke had left, but instead faced an empty room.

\/\/\/

Naruto went to the door, opening it. He had only been home about an hour after detention. Standing there was Kakashi. "We need to talk." Kakashi said, looking at Naruto.

"I think we've said everything we need to say." Naruto stated coolly, not offering for Kakashi to come in.

"So, you'd end it like that? Over a misunderstanding?" Kakashi pressed.

"There is no misunderstanding...your intentions are crystal clear." Naruto's eyes narrowed. Shutting the door, he locked it, sliding down the door feeling sick to his stomach.

\/\/\/

Naruto trotted into school early the next morning. He had flowers to put on Hinata's desk, as a small token of his apology. Stopping short at the classroom door, he heard a conversation.

"Are you sure, Kakashi? We would hate to lose you...you are an asset to this school." That was Lady Tsunade's voice.

"Yes, m'lady. I have some...personal issues...that I need to take care of. I cannot do that as a sensei." Kakashi's voice sounded troubled.

"Kakashi, are you in some kind of trouble?" Tsunade's voice was worried.

"No...Just trying to make up for a mistake I made." Kakashi's voice was quiet, tinged with resignation.

"Well, I can understand that. Can you stay until I can find a replacement?"

"Of course, m'lady." Naruto's mouth was gaping open. Hearing a rustling that sounded like it was coming closer, Naruto ran off, hiding in the bathroom. Kakashi was willing to give up everything to be with him. Naruto felt incredibly stupid and incredibly selfish. Eyes filling with tears, shame washed over him. After hearing students come into the bathroom, he came out, heading to class. Seeing that Hinata wasn't there yet, he sat the flowers on her desk, sitting in his chair, unable to look at Kakashi.

When lunch came around, Naruto stood. "Um, Kakashi-sensei, could I speak to you for a moment?"

"Of course, Mr. Uzumaki. What do you need?" Kakashi asked, voice neutral.

"Are you really resigning?" Naruto blurted out after making sure no one else was in the room, watching Kakashi.

Kakashi's eye widened. "How did you find that out?"

Naruto crossed his arms. "That's not important...what's important is that you answer my question."

Kakashi sighed, looking at his desk. "Yes. I am. I'm hoping that will rectify a wrong that I did to someone that is very dear to me." He refused to look up at Naruto.

Shame washed over Naruto full force, almost knocking him off his feet. This man was willing to give up everything for Naruto...and Naruto couldn't even wait a year? Swallowing hard, Naruto looked down. "Kakashi-sensei...please don't do that." His voice was strained.

"I'm too late." The pain in Kakashi's voice from that matter of fact sentence pierced Naruto's heart.

"No...Kakashi. Please, forgive me. I am an immature, selfish asshole. Please, forgive me and take me back."