The night before
'Okaasan, Otousan, I am sorry that I will not be able to come and visit the both of you in a long period of time. Forgive me.'
"Iruka San?"
"Yūgao San. You are here to see Hayate?"
"Yes."
"I see."
Looking back at the graves of their loved ones who have passed on before them, a moment of silence.
"I don't remember seeing you during this time. It's kind of late for a Sensei to be out during this hour, isn't it?"
"Occasionally, when I am not able to sleep, I do enjoy a little walk of my own round the vicinity."
"So, I've heard your relationship with Kakashi has ended."
"Yes, it has."
"Life of a Shinobi."
"Yea... Don't you think the night is beautiful tonight?" Looking upon the night sky.
"Yes, it is. A full moon."
Another moment of silence stretched between them.
"Get some rest Sensei, I shall see you tomorrow."
She turns and leaves, leaving Iruka on his own.
'Indeed, Life of a Shinobi.'
The conversation
Iruka did not get a single wink since the night before, not that he will if he can. After his short visit to his parents' graves, he had gone to see Naruto at his apartment. Naruto was sleeping soundly with his usual PJs and was not aware of his favourite Sensei's presence. It may be due to his ongoing vigorous training he had during the day, to grow stronger so that he could protect his Nakama. Then he headed home and was surprised to find Asuma waiting outside his apartment.
"Iruka Sensei, we need to talk."
"At this hour?"
"Apology for the late night intruding but I can't think of a better time than now to talk about the issue at hand."
"About Kakashi?"
"Yes, in a way. Can we talk inside?"
"Sure."
Iruka unlocked the door to his apartment and Asuma followed in. The moment the door was closed; Asuma swiftly performed a genjutsu sealed. Iruka was slightly taken aback by this abrupt performance of genjutsu but did not flinch.
"There, now we can talk Iruka Sensei."
"What is it of Kakashi that you want to talk about require the casting of such a 'special' genjutsu?"
"From the outside, to those who are watching or listening, it will be a conversation on how I will persuade you to forgive Kakashi for his 'wrong doings' and you will stubbornly refuse to it. This should buy us some time. I am not going to beat around the bush. I have been digging stuff of my own and I understand the importance of this mission. But what I do not understand is, why did you volunteer? I have checked with the others who were chosen for the candidate testing, none of them knows the purpose of this test and Anko herself has vouched that she did strike off your name from the list, else she will be denied dango for the rest of her life. She said that those whose name was strike off from the list couldn't have possibly known the time and location. So enlightened me Sensei, why were you in the test in the first place?"
"..."
"Iruka Sensei, I know you are hiding something."
"..."
"Iruka Sensei, I can't let you leave knowing that the people whom you will be leaving behind, will get emotionally hurt is my best friend and my fiancé. I have also come to regards you as a friend too."
"..."
"If you won't tell me, I have to tell Kakashi about this and he will ask you himself."
"Tsunade Sama has given specific order to those who know about this mission to sworn secrecy to it."
"I did not receive that direct order, thus I am willing to take the risk."
"Please don't make things harder than it is, Asuma San. The last thing I want is seeing you getting hurt too. And since you have taken the precaution of casting the genjutsu, you should know that my movement is being watched intently. They will stop you from telling Kakashi."
'They? So, there is indeed another hidden force behind this mission.' Asuma confirms his thoughts. "Iruka Sensei, I know there is more to the picture than meets the eye. I will dig further if this is what it is going to take to stop you from leaving."
"... ... My name was struck off from the list which Anko had, but not from the other list."
"The other list?"
"Yes, the marked list."
"I don't understand, a marked list? That means there was two candidates lists?"
"Yes. Only a handful of Shinobi was chosen in the marked list. I am one of them. You see, I am considered a liability to some people in the village. Especially when I am in a relationship with one of their potential Shinobi who 'they' think should engage in a normal relationship and start a family to spread the 'Will of Fire'. Losing a talented and gifted offspring is not an option, and I believed 'they' have some other consideration, thus I was chosen as one of the candidate in the marked list."
"You know it before the test?"
"No, I did not. I was given the venue just like the others."
"When did you find out?"
"I was summoned and briefed by them on the purpose of the test a couple of days later after the test. I was told the others did not meet their requirements and standards to be suitable for this mission. They wanted someone who is sociable; able to connect with people, gain their trust, and blend into their culture and environment, yet at the same time their loyalty to Konoha will not falter. Furthermore, as a school teacher, I am equipped with both the background knowledge of other nations and the ability to be independent in any unlikely event, thus my description fits their criteria."
"And you agreed? Just like that? You are willing to step into a ceremony with a total stranger?"
"Yes."
"Do not hide the truth Iruka Sensei. As I said, you volunteered, not chosen."
"... I wanted to reject and they know I will, even if this is an order by 'them'. They specifically said that if I will to reject, Kakashi shall be the one assign to this mission and I shall be his escort. Hence, rejecting 'them' is not an option."
"What? How could they? Kakashi will never agree to it and even if he does take on this mission, he will never betray you."
"He will not, but to see him every day lovey dovey with his lady companion, and me as his escort, it will be too much for me to bear. Moreover, I don't think I can stand the idea of witnessing Kakashi going through the ceremony without causing a scene. I will rather be the one to take this mission."
"Kakashi will feel the same. He will rather be the one taking this mission then to see you going through the ceremony with an unknown lady."
"Yes, that is why I chose to break up with him. In that way, he will not feel the same and life goes on for both of us."
"This does not feels right."
"It does not matter now, Asuma San. I have thought about it since then. Kakashi deserves a normal family. He may not seem like the type, but he adores children. That is something I cannot give him, and never will."
"But he is not... "Before Asuma can finish his sentence, he notices the determination in Iruka's eyes; his mind is set and nothing he says will change his mind. "I wish you every success in this mission, Iruka Sensei."
"Thank you."