Chapter 8

"So, what do you think of this years class?" Keiko asked Iruka as they watched the class play during lunch from their spot in the teachers lounge. She stood watching the students, her arms crossed as she studied them and their reactions. It was amazing the things you could learn about them just by watching.

Iruka looked down at them and smiled, "I think they have a lot of potential. More so than other classes I've seen."

Keiko and Iruka looked out over the playground and it was clear to see all the different clichés. Keiko looked at the group of girls giggling to themselves, they were all peeking glances at Sasuke. He was a very bright child and so far the top of his class by a mile. She knew Sasuke had big shoes to fill, following after Itachi was a big job. "I think the girls might have more potential if they weren't so boy crazy." Keiko laughed.

Her fellow teacher placed a hand on her shoulder and grinned, "Kids will be kids. I'm happy they have the luxury to care about things like that."

"It wasn't always like that, huh?" Keiko looked sidelong at him in thought.

Iruka took away his hand and crossed his arms, "No. During the war you were trained in a rush and sent out. Anyone serious about becoming a ninja knew the dangers, there wasn't any time to think about stuff like that."

"I see." Keiko smiled softly, "I never really got to do anything like that either." She shrugged toward the pack of young girls. "I was the only child around. Not a lot of boys to fawn over when its just your father and uncle around."

Iruka raised a brow in curiosity, wondering why she didn't seem to count her time in the academy. They were the same age and he had known Keiko since she had come to the village, though she did not know of him for most of that time. He saw her in the academy and they were both in the same graduating class. He had been disappointed when they were placed on different teams. Iruka always admired her grit to succeed. His gaze settled on Keiko then, taking her in as he thought back to their academy days. Her delicate features that had once been rounded were more defined and delicate. Keiko had grown into a beautiful woman and he often found himself thinking back to his own crush on her when he was a genin.

He would keep those feelings to himself though.

Iruka looked from Keiko, and out to the playground where she was looking. Naruto. He was by himself bouncing a ball against the wall. His eyes softened. He wasn't surprised that Keiko empathized with Naruto, while their situations were not the same they were alike. When Iruka and Keiko were in the academy, Keiko had been the one to be shunned by the other students. Much like Naruto's desire to become Hokage, Keiko had the same desire, but to be a ninja. Not too many people believed in her since she was from a land with no ninja. Even back then, the other genin were already spreading rumors of her being a spy from another land.

"How has he been?"

He was taken out of his line of thought and blinked at her, unsure, "Huh?"

"Naruto." She said simply, "How is he doing in your class?"

They were now almost four months in and she wanted an update. Iruka smiled awkwardly, she might have no relation to Naruto but she certainly did act like she could be his mother sometimes. "Keiko, its too early to tell..."

Keiko faced him, the ghost of a smile on her face, "Iruka, you're dodging the question." He didn't answer her, "You've been ignoring him."

Iruka sucked in a breath, "I have done no such thing." In the back of his mind there was a small voice, one that he had ignored. 'Liar.'

"Naruto is a strong boy, he's dealt with a lot in his short life, but he has seeked me out far more than he used to since he started here. He tells me things."

He was beginning to sweat from the uneasiness he was feeling. "What does he say?"

Her icy eyes regarded him coldly, that ghost of a smile still plastered on her face, "It doesn't matter exactly what he said, but from what I know... you're neglecting him." Keiko looked down, her smile turning sad. She had watched Naruto closely and he was trying hard to be good and do good. Naruto was shunned by his classmates even more than by the adults. The adults would shun him and look at him in disgust, but the children would play pranks and take advantage of Naruto's lust for friendship. She had even noticed Naruto starting to act out, becoming the goof ball of the class to gain attention. "I thought that you, a former class clown might understand his trouble."

Iruka stared at her, not knowing what to say. She left then, leaving him alone to think over her words. His eyes lingered on the blond who was still bouncing the ball. He still saw the fox. Iruka's face twisted into a grimace. He was ashamed. He wasn't fit to be Naruto's teacher.

Later that day, Keiko made her way out to her usual training spot, wondering if her partner would be there that day. Itachi was generally busy, but he would stop by almost at random to spar with her. He was the perfect practice partner for her, they were both skilled with a sword, him even more so. Not to mention He was able to help her hone her jutsu - Ice release; Blizzard. She wasn't overly proud of the name as it was very simple. Keiko was proud of its potential.

She had taken inspiration from some ninja herself and Guy had battled a while back. They had used mist as a form of cover, why could she not use snow to do the same? With her jutsu she could feel and sense everything within it, blind her enemies with the intense wind and snow, and even give them frostbite from the intense cold. It took a lot of focus and energy to maintain, but it would be a great asset on future missions.

On her way to the training ground she heard a rustle and she turned to look. She pretended not to see the boy jump into the tree, choosing to keep her eyes on the bush he had moved from. Turning, she smirked, Itachi had also helped with her senses. He would always sneak up on her when he arrived.

The boy in the tree watched her walk away and let out the breath he was holding. She didn't notice him, good. He continued to follow her further and further into the forest, watching her closely. He gasped when she suddenly disappeared.

"Hi, Sasuke."

Sasuke screamed in shock and flailed his arms as he jumped. He fell out of the tree but was grabbed by Keiko who offered him her famous smile. "Hi, Keiko-Sensei." He said laughing awkwardly from where he dangled.

Keiko helped him to the ground and stood him up. "So, what is young Sasuke Uchiha following me around for, huh?"

Sasuke looked from her to the ground and back again, his face and posture sharing his uncertainty. "I just wanted to know if you could..."

"What was that?" He mumbled the last part really low.

"I need to know how Itachi fights!" He said finally, loudly and clearly. Keiko blinked, not expecting that. "I know he sneaks out to spar with you."

"How do you know?" Keiko asked curiously.

Sasuke looked away a little uneasy. "I... might have overheard my father and brother arguing about it..."

Keiko was genuinly surprised by that. Why on earth would they be arguing about her and Itachi's sparing?

Fearing that Keiko's silence was going to turn into a no he begged, "Please, Keiko-Sensei, I want to prove myself!"

She tilted her head to the side and muttered, "Prove yourself..." He reminded her of Naruto in that moment. Eager and willing to do anything for his goal. It was too bad Naruto had deemed Sasuke 'too cool' to be around. She thought then of Sasuke and Itachi. Itachi would pick him up from the academy whenever he wasn't on a mission and Sasuke's face always lit up from seeing Itachi. The two were very close, anyone could see. Keiko also thought of his father, Fugaku Uchiha. He was a stern man with high expectations. While she had never spoken a word to the man, she had seen him a few times around the academy when Sasuke was being admitted. She found herself wondering at the family dynamic in their household.

Sasuke nodded eagerly, "I want to become stronger, so that Father will notice me."

She knelt down to be at the young Uchiha's level, "And, what do you think will make him notice you?"

"I need to prove I'm better than Itachi." He faltered, taking a moment to think over his words. "Or - at least as strong as him when he was my age." He pointed a finger at her, "You've surely beaten him by now! You can give me some pointers!"

Keiko faltered and she laughed awkwardly. Standing straight and scratching the back of her neck she looked elsewhere, "Well, I've never actually beaten your brother..."

Sasuke's face fell.

"But," She began, holding up a finger, "that doesn't mean I can't help you a bit. Now how about you show me what you know."

Sasuke grinned and nodded, ready to do what he needed to do to improve. His father was always so stern, telling him how he would grow into a great ninja. All he wanted was to be acknowledged as his son.

Keiko watched as Sasuke attacked her, rushing her from all different directions throwing punches and kicks all the while. She dodged them all effortlessly, occasionally catching a blow just before it landed. She was certainly surprised at the level of skill he had at such a young age, how his father could be disappointed in anyway was beyond her.

After a time, Sasuke fell to his knees panting. Pushing himself back he sat down, holding himself up on his arms as he looked up to Keiko who just smiled. "Ready for some notes before we try that again?"

He nodded, throat dry but eager to try again.

Her smile was gone as she looked at the boy seriously, "You hesitate. Itachi never hesitates. Have confidence in your movements. You also leave yourself open quite a bit. So, this time, I will point out to you your openings." Keiko stood back a few feet from him and stood, arms behind her back and feet shoulder width apart, watching him.

When he came at her again, he was faster and more precise and she was happy with his improvement in such a short time. He was still a novice though, "Open." She would say before jabbing him in the side, or on the back where he was open.

He fell again in a huff, holding his side that was sore from Keiko's jabbing. He didn't know he was open to attack so often.

Keiko sat on the ground across from him, "You did good. I'm proud of you."

Sasuke looked up at her in surprise before he beamed. Maybe he did make progress, even if it was just a little. He hoped that someday his father would give him the same praise.

"You should probably head home now though, it is beginning to get late and I'm sure your mother is wondering where you are."

Sasuke nodded, she was right. He hadn't told his mother where he had gone, though she probably had a good idea. She knew how badly he wanted to improve. He got up and dusted himself off, "Thanks for today. Do you think we could do this again?"

Keiko smiled, "Of course, I'll do my best to decipher Itachi for you."

She watched him run off with a wave and Keiko stood there waving back. Once he was out of view, she sighed. Between helping Naruto, her job, missions and her occasional spar with Itachi, Keiko was beginning to feel as though her own training was beginning to suffer. Maybe she needed a vacation.

Realizing the time, she decided to go home as she had already lost most of her daylight. For all she knew Naruto was hanging around her apartment waiting for her to get back. As she began walking back she felt a presence and sure enough, there was Itachi Uchiha walking next to her. "So how long were you here for?"

He shrugged, "Not too long, though long enough to see how embarrassed you are that you have never beaten me."

Keiko's smile dropped and she looked at him blankly, "That's pretty much the whole time."

He didn't answer, "No training for yourself today?"

Her eyebrows perked up and she grinned, "If I didn't know any better I would think you look forward to our sparing."

Itachi scoffed, "Don't flatter yourself." There was a pause, "It is however a nice escape from my everyday life."

She nodded, thinking back to Sasuke and how he wanted to impress his father. "Family drama?" She inquired curiously.

Keiko could see the wheels turning in his head but he couldn't speak of any of it, "Putting it lightly."

It was a loaded question she realized, and she was not permitted the answer. She respected that. There was more silence between them as they reached the main road where they would part ways. He turned to leave without a word but she called out to him and he stopped to look at her, "You should spend more time with Sasuke, he adores you, you know."

Keiko could make out his eyes softening and he turned away from her once again. Was she making progress with him? Who knew. Itachi had always been a reserved individual and she could tell he wasn't telling her the whole truth about most things. She did, however, consider him a friend and if their time together was an escape then she would do her best to give him that time.

Short chapter this time and more of a filler chapter, but it's important in its own way. Got most everything planned out up to Shippuden, so its basically just being sure I have time and motivation to write. How can you help? Review! I LOVE hearing from you guys and it really boosts my motivation to continue writing at the pace I have been. There are some parts I can't WAIT to share with you, but I have to as it is still too early...

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Posted - 5/27/2021