Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Because You Never Knew ❯ Part 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Hmmmm - I like this part. I am such a sappy person that I cry even in Disney Movies - now who the hell cries in Disney movies? That's like so - feh, nevermind. Anyway, I like this chapter. I have decided to make this story an AU, meaning characters that are MEANT to be dead aren't DEAD! Like ~thinks~ Haku! I need this guy to be alive, so I will make up a reason for him to live. Don't FLAME me because of this minute change because I will NOT tolerate it. I have warned you beforehand and I will warn you again in the next chapter. So, please! Bear with me. I need this guy!

Also, in my fic WHY NOT, someone pointed out to me that Naruto is a traditional Japanese-setting - albeit rudely. I was like - ouch! Hell, if I knew anything about Buddhism I WOULD NOT HAVE INTRODUCED THE IDEA OF CHRISTMAS IN THE 1ST PLACE! Anyway, that will be dealt with later. For now, I have omitted implications of Christmas (which I have originally put in the first place and I have changed it just now) and put it as New Year instead. I appreciate the fact that my wonderful readers points out my mistakes (like what one told me about nii-san meaning brother and nee-san meaning sister - thank you!) but guys, please, I'm not an expert and I'm human too. Don't be rude. I felt horrible when insults are said to me just because of a mistake okay? And come on, we all make mistakes.

Anyway, enough of that. Go on guys! Enjoy this chapter! If you're a sap like me, then have a tissue-box beside you.

BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNEW 3

Iruka flipped through his mail excitedly until he found it. A letter amongst all the bills and staff memos. He looked at the address and shook his head. So he was now in Lightning country. He ripped the envelope open and unfolded the paper to read its contents.

Hey Iruka-sensei!

I just turned eighteen one week ago. Ero-sennin got me this cake and a new jacket since the old gray one got ripped up pretty badly when he threw me off a cliff.

"OH MY GOD!" Iruka gasped and quickly clamped his hand over his mouth and met the gaze of everyone in the staff room who had their eyebrows raised at him. Iruka grinned sheepishly. "Ahaha! A complaint." He waved the letter. The staff rolled their eyes and went back to their business. Iruka grabbed his coffee mug, took a long swig and then headed for the playground of the academy. Three years ago, the Chuunin exam took place in Earth Country. Jiraiya requested teammates so that Naruto could enter the Chuunin exams. Tsunade easily sorted it out and when the two genins returned to Konoha, they had Naruto as their personal hero and idol. News spread like wildfire and this made the entire village wonder. Was the boy really that good? Iruka shook his head from his stroll-down-memory-lane and continued to read the letter.

You most probably gaped at that. I swear, Iruka-sensei, you can be such a mother hen at times.

"Well I never!" Iruka huffed and then continued to read.

Boy have I got stuff for you when I come back. I have completed my invention of another jutsu. I call it Phoenix wings! It's great! And oh so destructive. When I completed it, I accidentally dried out an entire lake when we stopped in the Water Country for a few nights. Ero-sennin was so totally freaked out, and he was actually impressed! Too impressed! He even got me a new pair of pajamas. By the way, this guy has got cash man! His Icha Icha Paradise series are so popular in the Earth, Water and even Lightning countries! Geez, you wouldn't believe the number of perverts there are in this world. It makes one wonder.

"Oh I bet!" Iruka grumbled.

Well, not much going on here in the Lightning Country. They are pretty famous for their kimonos here because of the silk and cotton. Fantastic bargains. I myself need a new wardrobe (which I carry around on my back by the way) since most of my clothes are already small or short. I told you in my previous letter that I've grown tall. Well, Ero-sennin says that I'll probably gain another three or four inches before stopping. I've got a little ponytail now and Ero-sennin says that he inspires me. I don't even want to bring myself close to anything that he likes. No way! I got bruised pretty badly last time he was caught peeping in to the woman's bath.

Iruka cringed. "Oh Naruto."

Anyway, I've learned several new genjutsus and I know I told you that before, but well, I'm telling you again anyway. I also devoted a great amount of time in learning how to use a sword. There are many books here on historical techniques and stuff. I've met some samurais here and they were more than happy to give me a few pointers. Now, after a long period of time (years I mean) I think I'm pretty good with the sword or swords (I can use doubles now). Ero-sennin said that it would come in handy and even offered to spar with me several times - heh! I beat him! Cool huh?

I'm in a hurry writing this letter. Still have to clean the little apartment we will be staying in. I don't know when we'll come back to Konoha. Ero-sennin still has a lot of work to do here. But please don't be sad sensei. I know you're a total sap when it comes to the end of my letters. And don't you deny it! But I will come home. Soon. I just... Don't know when. But don't you worry. I'm okay. I have one of the three sennins with me anyway. Plus, I don't think it would be very nice if I just died now right? Remember, I still want to be the Hokage! And when I come home, I'll make you proud! Just you remember that!

Always,

Naruto

P.S - Please send my regards to Kakashi-sensei and Baa-san.

Iruka folded the paper and stared at the afternoon sky. It was cloudless, an endless blue with flocks of birds flying across it's heavenly planes. Iruka felt happy, having heard from Naruto again. Naruto usually wrote to him every month and sometimes twice a month, other times once every two or three months. He couldn't stop worrying about the boy no matter how many times he told himself that he had Jiraiya with him. It was just a bit difficult since he was so attached to the boy.

Iruka tucked the letter into his pocket and decided to go back to the staff room. On his way, he found Kakashi talking to Asuma who was laughing. He debated on whether to pass Naruto's message on to him or do it some other time. He did not want to intrude on the conversation just to say that his student said hi. Before Iruka could make a decision, Kakashi caught him staring in his direction and gave Asuma a pat on the shoulder, excusing himself.

"Something wrong, Iruka-sensei?" He asked.

"No, nothing at all. You didn't need to cut the conversation." Iruka said, looking at Asuma who was now talking to Gai.

"No worries." Kakashi said. "I was just passing a message from the Hokage to him anyway."

Iruka wondered why Kakashi was laughing. What could be so funny about a message from the Hokage? "Anyway, I just wanted to pass Naruto's regards to you."

Kakashi suddenly stiffened and slowly turned his face to Iruka. "Naruto?"

It was actually the first time Naruto ever requested such a thing. For the past five years, going on six, he never mentioned anyone worth saying hello to other than the Hokage herself and Iruka had dutifully passed on every greeting to Tsunade. He wasn't very surprised about it and just shrugged it off. But Kakashi was most definitely surprised. Not even the mask hid that.

"Yes. He sends his greetings." Iruka repeated.

"He wrote to you?" Kakashi asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes."

"Since when?" Kakashi asked, now baffled. His eyes were a bit narrowed and Iruka wondered what was wrong with him.

"Since he left Kakashi-sensei." Iruka said, and watched Kakashi carefully. His shoulders had slumped forward just a bit. His eyes were filled with sadness all of a sudden.

"He never sent me word. I didn't even know where he went." Kakashi said.

"He's in the Lightning Country now." Iruka said. "As for him not sending word to you, ever stop to think why? I've got one reason and knowing Naruto, that's most probably it. My guess I mean."

"Oh? What's that?"

"You never paid attention to him, Kakashi-sensei. You gave Sasuke more importance than him. Even Sakura." Kakashi's hand balled in to a fist. "I have to go. I've done my homework. Good day, Kakashi-sensei."

Iruka entered his classroom to start the sixth period. Kakashi had reacted strongly. Iruka told himself that Kakashi was just hurt or concerned for Naruto since he left like he did. But something at the back of Iruka's head told him that Kakashi was jealous of him because Naruto kept in touch with only him.

"Take out your data scroll and tell me about Chakra circulation. Briefly. Yes, Kai?" Iruka called out to a student.

*

Kakashi stared at the night sky, watching the stars flicker in blue-black velvet. He asked himself several times whether he had been a good teacher. After team seven's disbandment, he never took another team. Sakura was now training to be a medical profession and hoped to join the hunter-nin unit of Konoha. Sasuke wanted to be ANBU and Kakashi knew that Sasuke would make it through. But had he really been a good teacher?

He felt horrible about Naruto's departure. He had not seen the kid in five years and never heard a word from him. Then all of a sudden, he found out that there was someone in the village who was keeping contact with the blonde boy and he never knew! And what hurt the most was that it had been going on since the day Naruto left. Was he really that horrible of a teacher? Iruka seemed to thinks so, or at least that's what his comment meant if one removed the layers of politeness and decency in it. It just gave a big, plain `You Suck' message.

"Was I really that bad?" Kakashi asked the stars for the tenth time that evening.

He was now an active Jounin, accomplishing missions to bring income to the village. Even after five years, they were still short on shinobi. Kakashi was offered to another team, but he declined and served Konoha's needs instead. It had been a tiresome five years for him - assassinations, infiltrations, protection duty, gate watch, academy substitutions - the list just went on. Every night was the same. He'd come home to an empty house and the next day the same mundane routine would begin again. There was no energy, no life, no spark - no Naruto! There wasn't anyone to laugh with, or to listen to silly little things, little fights, little excited chatter. Kakashi sighed.

He missed his student dearly. He could still remember that day when Naruto left and the words he'd said. The hug had been the final touch. After Naruto released him from that thirty second hug, Kakashi suddenly felt paralyzed. It was his words that struck him. Even if he didn't like him like Sasuke, he'd still miss him? Kakashi then realized that he had been neglecting Naruto all the time. It hurt his pride as a teacher and mentor, and he refused to believe it, but it was true. He always paid attention to Sasuke and occasionally Sakura. But he never gave Naruto the same amount of attention he gave them. And when he realized this fine point in the full five minutes that he remained standing like a statue outside Naruto's apartment, it was already too late. Even with his speed, he couldn't reach the gates in time to apologize to Naruto. And he never forgave himself. Was that how Naruto felt the whole time he was on the team? Yet he listened to Kakashi whenever the Jounin spoke to him - gave him his full attention.

"Oh god." Kakashi whispered and brought a hand to his face. "How could I have been so blind?"

He remembered the times when Naruto asked him to train him in his usual loud and boisterous way. Then, as time went by, his voice got softer and softer until he completely stopped asking. And this was after Jiraiya left for another long period of time. Kakashi heard of Naruto getting knocked out from training and did go and visit him in the hospital because Sasuke had been there too due to a minor hand injury. He had asked about Naruto's condition and the nurses told him that it was just fatigue and overwork. Kakashi peeked into his room, found the boy asleep and then left. He didn't bother to go check on him up close, he didn't even ask how the boy felt when he got out of the hospital. Naruto had become completely withdrawn after he woke up from that four day sleep at the hospital. And he never noticed!

Kakashi gave out another long sigh. There were times when he looked at Naruto; he would see his deceased mentor due to the blonde hair and the blue eyes. He told himself that he was just another blonde-and-blue-eyed boy from the village because his best friend never had a son. If he did, Kakashi would have known. He would have told him. He rubbed his neck and stared at the lights glowing from the city. Sitting on top of the Hokage monument gave him peace and cleared his thoughts. But for five years, it has not been working.

He couldn't sort his thoughts on Naruto out. The boy plagued his mind during day and night and even when he was asleep. He would see Naruto standing in front of him, dressed in his orange jump suit and then suddenly he would just turn and walk away, and no matter how many times Kakashi called out to him, Naruto would just keep walking away. Then Kakashi would suddenly be soaked in blood and then he'd wake up with a very painful chest. He asked himself what it meant, but he couldn't comprehend it at all.

Kakashi wrapped his arms around himself and looked at the sky once more. He made a vow to himself. When Naruto came back, the first thing he was going to do was apologize.

It was several months later that Naruto wrote to him. He sent him New Year's greetings and a pack of delicious pastries that were so famous in the Lightning Country. After that, Kakashi did not hear from him again.

TBC