Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Because You Never Knew ❯ Part 11 ( Chapter 11 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
Beta-read and ready! Thank you to V-chan for doing this!
BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNEW 11
Days began to fly by and Naruto was getting less sleep. He was starting to get used to his missions and whatever injury he may gain in the field now took time to heal due to his body suffering from fatigue. He was frequently getting nauseous and was slightly pale looking. Gaara had forced him to take multi vitamins and stress tablets that he asked Shizune for, but they weren't giving pleasing enough results.
Naruto set the last folder in the box beside him and began to pinch the bridge of his nose. He was very tired. He’d been coming home after every mission vomiting his guts out. It was almost like a ritual now. He firmly believed that humans, criminal geniuses or not, were still humans in the end. They still had some form of good in them. It could be anything ranging from feeding the pet cat or goldfish they may have at home to nurturing a growing plant. Not everyone was pure evil. Maybe even Orochimaru had some good in him. Then again, Orochimaru was technically no longer considered human due his ability to use other bodies as vessels to live in. He was already dead anyway, killed by none other than Sasuke himself. Naruto was quite surprised when he heard of it a year before his return to Konoha from Jiraiya.
He gave out a tired sigh, the office hours now over. So far, he and Gaara had accomplished roughly about six minor missions and about eight difficult and hardcore ones. Naruto had respect for Gaara, who could stand all forms of stress and just not get tired. He envied him in that way. Whereas for himself, Naruto felt pity. Jiraiya was right. He chose to be what he was at the moment. He was going to have to deal with it.
“You all right?” Gaara asked.
“Just a headache. Clear up will you? I’m going to use the bathroom.” Gaara gave him a nod as he padded out of the room towards the men’s lavatory. He went about his business and washed his hands, tapping his cheeks with cool water. His vision was getting a bit blurred and he really wanted to sleep. It would have been all right if he slept for a while but even his dreams were plagued by the killing he’d done and by angry red eyes. Naruto closed his eyes for a while and grabbed the edge of the marble sink to prevent himself from falling. He sucked in a shaky breath and headed back to the mission room.
“Late again.” Gaara said, and Naruto instantly knew whom he was talking to.
“Sorry. A bird ate the last one I made.”
Naruto felt a smile tug at his lips. He remembered those excuses. Once it was ‘the cat ate the report I made’. He even remembered his infamous excuse of ‘getting lost in the road of life’ and ‘a black cat crossed my path so I had to use another route to avoid bad luck’. Naruto shook his head and wiped the silly smile off his face and entered the office to help lock up.
“Another one of your excuses.” Gaara said, clearly not amused because he got the yelling at the end of the day for all late reports. Same thing went for Naruto. “Can’t you ever be on time?”
“Sorry. But I do try.” Kakashi said, shrugging.
Naruto entered the room, giving Kakashi a polite greeting. “Good afternoon, Hatake-san.”
“Yo!” Kakashi said, though it was a bit forced and hard.
“Late again, I presume?” Naruto said, arranging his pen in to his drawer.
“Yeah, well, the pigeon who took the first one really liked it. Said something about the ink being tasty.” Kakashi said, eye curved in his happy-go-lucky way.
Naruto couldn’t stop the smile from reaching the corners of his lips and only realized it when Kakashi was staring stupidly at him. Naruto turned his back to him, now facing Gaara. Gaara was looking a bit amused about the whole situation. He was actually smirking.
“Well, next time -“ Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose to shoo away the onslaught of nausea and brain racking migraine. “Make sure you tell the pigeons to bug off. We get the yelling at the end of the day.”
“Yes, yes. I’ll tell the pigeon.” Kakashi said, waving a hand. He then peered at Naruto. “You all right?”
“Fine.” Naruto said. He looked at Gaara and sighed. “Let’s go. I’m tired.”
“Should have slept in this morning.” Gaara whispered, as the three of them left the mission room.
Naruto stood close to Gaara, his headache getting worst and worst. His vision was getting blurry and everything seemed to double then triple. He blinked it away to clear his mind. Only when they were finally in the open field in front of the gates did he start to feel too light for comfort.
“Damn.” He whispered, and stopped walking. Gaara peered at him cautiously, while Kakashi turned to look behind him to see what was going on.
“Hey.” Gaara whispered, Kakashi already approaching them.
“I’m fine.” Naruto said, giving Gaara a reassuring look before squaring his shoulders a bit and continuing walking.
Only when he took roughly about five steps, did his world finally go black.
XXX
Gaara saw it quicker than Kakashi did, but he chose to stand rooted to the spot and left Kakashi to do the catching. Kakashi caught Naruto’s torso and ended up kneeling on the ground and holding Naruto’s head securely in his arms, giving his shoulders some support with the use of his kneeling position.
“I knew he wasn’t feeling well.” Kakashi hissed. “He’s too tired out.” He looked up at Gaara. “And I don’t think it’s from paperwork.”
Gaara’s face betrayed nothing. “Whatever. Hand him over. I’ll take him home.”
“No.” Kakashi said. “I’ll take care of him.”
“He won’t like it.” Gaara said. “I’m warning you.”
“What would you know?” Kakashi asked, anger gnawing at him. He'd never really liked or fancied the idea of having Gaara living with Naruto and being close to him nearly all the time. In fact, he downright opposed it. But he heard from Iruka that Gaara was a rather nice boy and was organized. He even heard that Gaara kept Naruto in-check. It pissed him off so bad that he was tempted to punch the redhead squarely in the face.
“Birds of a feather, Hatake-san.” Gaara said. “But that’s beside the point. If you really cared, he wouldn’t have left.”
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. Gaara was crossing roads he was never meant to cross and Kakashi began to wonder. Was there something between Gaara and Naruto? “You know nothing. Stay out of this. I’ll take him home when he’s better.”
“Fine. Do whatever you want. I’ll lose my job if I put up a fight with you. But I warn you, he won’t like it.” Gaara turned to walk away. “One more thing. Do anything stupid and I won’t hesitate to kill you.”
“You wouldn’t, even if you’re life depended on it.” Kakashi retorted back.
“You’d be surprised, Hatake-san. You’d be very surprised.” Gaara said, and left.
Kakashi muttered a few curses under his breath and carried Naruto to his apartment. Once inside the safe confines of his warm house, he settled Naruto on the bed, gently propping the pillow under his head and removing his sandals and flak jacket. He stowed them away carefully and returned to cover Naruto with a blanket, but stopped midway. His eyes strayed to the necklace hanging out of Naruto’s turtleneck. He knew that it was the necklace owned by the first Hokage and he knew its value. But that’s not what he was gaping at. It was the ring. The ring that he knew so well because he had gotten an imprint of that ring on his face once a long time ago when his teacher had punched him during training.
Almost in a daze, he reached out to lift the ring so that he could take a closer look. His fingers gently touched the smooth surfaces, taking in its shape and contour. A million questions zipped through his mind. It was when he felt the sharp sting of his hand being slapped away that his eyes settled on Naruto’s narrowed blue ones. Naruto had the ring tightly around his hand, which he quickly shoved under the collar of his turtleneck.
“Where did you get that?” Kakashi asked slowly.
“Why do you ask?” Naruto said, sitting up.
“Just answer the question!” Kakashi snapped.
Naruto blinked at the reaction and began a silent a debate within himself. “None of your business.” Naruto made movement to sit up, but Kakashi pinned him down on the bed, leaning over him and pressing Naruto’s hands down on both sides of his head.
“Answer me.” Kakashi hissed. “Please.” He added softly, looking away.
Naruto swallowed. “It was left behind for me, that’s all I’m going to say.”
Kakashi turned to look at him and stared deeply into Naruto’s eyes. Then he knew it. It was like looking at an old photo only there was a softer touch. Like more cream in coffee. Naruto was a spitting image of his teacher and mentor. But something about him was genuine and surreal. Not even the fourth’s eyes were this vibrant and this intense.
And he never noticed!
“You’re - oh god.” Kakashi whispered and then he felt horrible. He didn’t even know what to feel and all he could do was burry his face in shame in the hollow of Naruto’s neck. Kakashi remained like that for several long minutes, mask and hair band still in place. “I’m so sorry.”
“Hatake-san.”
“I didn’t know. I should have! You look so much like him!” Kakashi pulled back and stared into Naruto’s eyes, releasing his hands and supporting himself with the help of the mattress rather than Naruto’s wrists. “Forgive me. I - I can’t live with the idea of you hating me. I couldn’t. Forgive me, Naruto.”
Naruto stared at Kakashi sad and pleading eye. Then he just did what first came to his mind. He propped himself up a bit and gently touched his lips to Kakashi’s, the feeling of the soft silky fabric of his mask tickling his lips as he kissed the older man.
When he pulled back, Kakashi was zoning out. He was not expecting that and it had definitely caught him off guard. Naruto turned his head away and slowly sat up, sliding himself away from Kakashi and standing up from the bed. He made his way towards the door, but Kakashi gripped his wrist, stopping him before moving to stand in front of him. Kakashi pulled his mask down. Naruto stared almost owlishly at Kakashi’s smooth and alabaster features. The scar running down his eye didn’t even seem bad at all. He was indeed handsome and had very appreciating looks. Kakashi gently traced a finger down Naruto’s cheek and made the boy face him. He didn’t even say anything but leaned forward and pressed his lips to Naruto, gently kissing him. He gave Naruto’s bottom lip a sensual lick before pushing his tongue into his mouth. Naruto let out a little whimper but soon had his hands resting on Kakashi’s neck and kissing him with equal fervor.
It was not something Kakashi had hoped would happen. Nor was it something he would have ever thought would happen. But for some strange reason, he suddenly understood that he had fallen hard for Naruto, ever since the boy left.
Desire devoured Kakashi and Naruto and soon their hands were all over each other, roaming, touching and searching. Kakashi leaned lower and began to suck on Naruto’s neck, while Naruto placed his hands on his shoulders and leaned back, a groan escaping the back of his throat, causing a shiver to run down Kakashi’s spine. A large red mark was left screaming on Naruto’s neck. Kakashi moved back up and pressed his lips against Naruto once more, both breathing hard and groaning in unison. Somehow, in the middle of it all, Kakashi managed to pin Naruto against the wall as they continued kissing. Naruto’s hips were grinding against Kakashi’s while the Jounin’s thighs rubbed against Naruto’s. It was a series of hot lustful movements full of burning desire all mashed up to one puddle of goo.
“Oh god.” Naruto gasped as Kakashi’s hands slid past the waistline of his pants. “Stop.” Kakashi paid no heed. “Stop!” Naruto hissed louder. “Damnit, I said, stop!” Naruto shoved Kakashi off him. Kakashi stared at him, a bit surprised, all feelings of lust suddenly vanishing. “No. Not yet. I can’t.” Naruto ran his fingers through his hair. “I have to go.”
“Naruto, wait.” Kakashi grabbed him and held him. “I - I’m sorry.”
Naruto looked at him for a long moment before turning away. “Me too.”
As the door closed, Kakashi briefly wondered if Naruto was sorry for the moment-of-lust kiss or just sorry because Kakashi and he could never be.
Either way, Kakashi felt a dull ache in his chest.
And it wouldn’t go away.
XXX
Naruto entered the apartment he and Gaara now shared and found Gaara sitting on the couch, reading a mission scroll.
“Another one?” Naruto asked.
“Not your regular one. More of a rescue and assassination.” Gaara said, tossing Naruto the scroll. “Location is not far. An hour away from here almost. We have to move tonight.”
Naruto read the contents of the scroll, eyes growing wide by the second. “An entire ANBU unit is being held in captivity?”
“Read further.” Gaara said, taking out a bottle of water from the fridge.
“Sasuke. Neji. Shino.” Naruto whispered, eyes slightly darkening. “It doesn’t say who we’re up against. Did she tell you?” By she, he meant Tsunade.
“Yes.” Gaara said. “The minor members of Akatsuki are holding them. Maybe four or five, the details are not clear. But they’re Akatsuki minors.”
Naruto knew better. Minors usually meant someone within the skill level of Kakashi or Gai. They were people not to be messed with at all. “We’ll go. We have to bring those ANBU back.”
Gaara said nothing. But Naruto knew that Gaara would follow him.
TBC
Oh! Steamy! Yum!
Me ish thinking of writing a Genma/Gaara fic. Oh, oh and Yondaime/Iruka too! He, he, he!
This IS a KakaNaru fic. Just you wait and see. Oh and I’m still really thinking of making this a deathfic, but a few ideas of NOT making it in to one popped up, so I’m still vague on how the ending should be.
BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNEW 11
Days began to fly by and Naruto was getting less sleep. He was starting to get used to his missions and whatever injury he may gain in the field now took time to heal due to his body suffering from fatigue. He was frequently getting nauseous and was slightly pale looking. Gaara had forced him to take multi vitamins and stress tablets that he asked Shizune for, but they weren't giving pleasing enough results.
Naruto set the last folder in the box beside him and began to pinch the bridge of his nose. He was very tired. He’d been coming home after every mission vomiting his guts out. It was almost like a ritual now. He firmly believed that humans, criminal geniuses or not, were still humans in the end. They still had some form of good in them. It could be anything ranging from feeding the pet cat or goldfish they may have at home to nurturing a growing plant. Not everyone was pure evil. Maybe even Orochimaru had some good in him. Then again, Orochimaru was technically no longer considered human due his ability to use other bodies as vessels to live in. He was already dead anyway, killed by none other than Sasuke himself. Naruto was quite surprised when he heard of it a year before his return to Konoha from Jiraiya.
He gave out a tired sigh, the office hours now over. So far, he and Gaara had accomplished roughly about six minor missions and about eight difficult and hardcore ones. Naruto had respect for Gaara, who could stand all forms of stress and just not get tired. He envied him in that way. Whereas for himself, Naruto felt pity. Jiraiya was right. He chose to be what he was at the moment. He was going to have to deal with it.
“You all right?” Gaara asked.
“Just a headache. Clear up will you? I’m going to use the bathroom.” Gaara gave him a nod as he padded out of the room towards the men’s lavatory. He went about his business and washed his hands, tapping his cheeks with cool water. His vision was getting a bit blurred and he really wanted to sleep. It would have been all right if he slept for a while but even his dreams were plagued by the killing he’d done and by angry red eyes. Naruto closed his eyes for a while and grabbed the edge of the marble sink to prevent himself from falling. He sucked in a shaky breath and headed back to the mission room.
“Late again.” Gaara said, and Naruto instantly knew whom he was talking to.
“Sorry. A bird ate the last one I made.”
Naruto felt a smile tug at his lips. He remembered those excuses. Once it was ‘the cat ate the report I made’. He even remembered his infamous excuse of ‘getting lost in the road of life’ and ‘a black cat crossed my path so I had to use another route to avoid bad luck’. Naruto shook his head and wiped the silly smile off his face and entered the office to help lock up.
“Another one of your excuses.” Gaara said, clearly not amused because he got the yelling at the end of the day for all late reports. Same thing went for Naruto. “Can’t you ever be on time?”
“Sorry. But I do try.” Kakashi said, shrugging.
Naruto entered the room, giving Kakashi a polite greeting. “Good afternoon, Hatake-san.”
“Yo!” Kakashi said, though it was a bit forced and hard.
“Late again, I presume?” Naruto said, arranging his pen in to his drawer.
“Yeah, well, the pigeon who took the first one really liked it. Said something about the ink being tasty.” Kakashi said, eye curved in his happy-go-lucky way.
Naruto couldn’t stop the smile from reaching the corners of his lips and only realized it when Kakashi was staring stupidly at him. Naruto turned his back to him, now facing Gaara. Gaara was looking a bit amused about the whole situation. He was actually smirking.
“Well, next time -“ Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose to shoo away the onslaught of nausea and brain racking migraine. “Make sure you tell the pigeons to bug off. We get the yelling at the end of the day.”
“Yes, yes. I’ll tell the pigeon.” Kakashi said, waving a hand. He then peered at Naruto. “You all right?”
“Fine.” Naruto said. He looked at Gaara and sighed. “Let’s go. I’m tired.”
“Should have slept in this morning.” Gaara whispered, as the three of them left the mission room.
Naruto stood close to Gaara, his headache getting worst and worst. His vision was getting blurry and everything seemed to double then triple. He blinked it away to clear his mind. Only when they were finally in the open field in front of the gates did he start to feel too light for comfort.
“Damn.” He whispered, and stopped walking. Gaara peered at him cautiously, while Kakashi turned to look behind him to see what was going on.
“Hey.” Gaara whispered, Kakashi already approaching them.
“I’m fine.” Naruto said, giving Gaara a reassuring look before squaring his shoulders a bit and continuing walking.
Only when he took roughly about five steps, did his world finally go black.
XXX
Gaara saw it quicker than Kakashi did, but he chose to stand rooted to the spot and left Kakashi to do the catching. Kakashi caught Naruto’s torso and ended up kneeling on the ground and holding Naruto’s head securely in his arms, giving his shoulders some support with the use of his kneeling position.
“I knew he wasn’t feeling well.” Kakashi hissed. “He’s too tired out.” He looked up at Gaara. “And I don’t think it’s from paperwork.”
Gaara’s face betrayed nothing. “Whatever. Hand him over. I’ll take him home.”
“No.” Kakashi said. “I’ll take care of him.”
“He won’t like it.” Gaara said. “I’m warning you.”
“What would you know?” Kakashi asked, anger gnawing at him. He'd never really liked or fancied the idea of having Gaara living with Naruto and being close to him nearly all the time. In fact, he downright opposed it. But he heard from Iruka that Gaara was a rather nice boy and was organized. He even heard that Gaara kept Naruto in-check. It pissed him off so bad that he was tempted to punch the redhead squarely in the face.
“Birds of a feather, Hatake-san.” Gaara said. “But that’s beside the point. If you really cared, he wouldn’t have left.”
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. Gaara was crossing roads he was never meant to cross and Kakashi began to wonder. Was there something between Gaara and Naruto? “You know nothing. Stay out of this. I’ll take him home when he’s better.”
“Fine. Do whatever you want. I’ll lose my job if I put up a fight with you. But I warn you, he won’t like it.” Gaara turned to walk away. “One more thing. Do anything stupid and I won’t hesitate to kill you.”
“You wouldn’t, even if you’re life depended on it.” Kakashi retorted back.
“You’d be surprised, Hatake-san. You’d be very surprised.” Gaara said, and left.
Kakashi muttered a few curses under his breath and carried Naruto to his apartment. Once inside the safe confines of his warm house, he settled Naruto on the bed, gently propping the pillow under his head and removing his sandals and flak jacket. He stowed them away carefully and returned to cover Naruto with a blanket, but stopped midway. His eyes strayed to the necklace hanging out of Naruto’s turtleneck. He knew that it was the necklace owned by the first Hokage and he knew its value. But that’s not what he was gaping at. It was the ring. The ring that he knew so well because he had gotten an imprint of that ring on his face once a long time ago when his teacher had punched him during training.
Almost in a daze, he reached out to lift the ring so that he could take a closer look. His fingers gently touched the smooth surfaces, taking in its shape and contour. A million questions zipped through his mind. It was when he felt the sharp sting of his hand being slapped away that his eyes settled on Naruto’s narrowed blue ones. Naruto had the ring tightly around his hand, which he quickly shoved under the collar of his turtleneck.
“Where did you get that?” Kakashi asked slowly.
“Why do you ask?” Naruto said, sitting up.
“Just answer the question!” Kakashi snapped.
Naruto blinked at the reaction and began a silent a debate within himself. “None of your business.” Naruto made movement to sit up, but Kakashi pinned him down on the bed, leaning over him and pressing Naruto’s hands down on both sides of his head.
“Answer me.” Kakashi hissed. “Please.” He added softly, looking away.
Naruto swallowed. “It was left behind for me, that’s all I’m going to say.”
Kakashi turned to look at him and stared deeply into Naruto’s eyes. Then he knew it. It was like looking at an old photo only there was a softer touch. Like more cream in coffee. Naruto was a spitting image of his teacher and mentor. But something about him was genuine and surreal. Not even the fourth’s eyes were this vibrant and this intense.
And he never noticed!
“You’re - oh god.” Kakashi whispered and then he felt horrible. He didn’t even know what to feel and all he could do was burry his face in shame in the hollow of Naruto’s neck. Kakashi remained like that for several long minutes, mask and hair band still in place. “I’m so sorry.”
“Hatake-san.”
“I didn’t know. I should have! You look so much like him!” Kakashi pulled back and stared into Naruto’s eyes, releasing his hands and supporting himself with the help of the mattress rather than Naruto’s wrists. “Forgive me. I - I can’t live with the idea of you hating me. I couldn’t. Forgive me, Naruto.”
Naruto stared at Kakashi sad and pleading eye. Then he just did what first came to his mind. He propped himself up a bit and gently touched his lips to Kakashi’s, the feeling of the soft silky fabric of his mask tickling his lips as he kissed the older man.
When he pulled back, Kakashi was zoning out. He was not expecting that and it had definitely caught him off guard. Naruto turned his head away and slowly sat up, sliding himself away from Kakashi and standing up from the bed. He made his way towards the door, but Kakashi gripped his wrist, stopping him before moving to stand in front of him. Kakashi pulled his mask down. Naruto stared almost owlishly at Kakashi’s smooth and alabaster features. The scar running down his eye didn’t even seem bad at all. He was indeed handsome and had very appreciating looks. Kakashi gently traced a finger down Naruto’s cheek and made the boy face him. He didn’t even say anything but leaned forward and pressed his lips to Naruto, gently kissing him. He gave Naruto’s bottom lip a sensual lick before pushing his tongue into his mouth. Naruto let out a little whimper but soon had his hands resting on Kakashi’s neck and kissing him with equal fervor.
It was not something Kakashi had hoped would happen. Nor was it something he would have ever thought would happen. But for some strange reason, he suddenly understood that he had fallen hard for Naruto, ever since the boy left.
Desire devoured Kakashi and Naruto and soon their hands were all over each other, roaming, touching and searching. Kakashi leaned lower and began to suck on Naruto’s neck, while Naruto placed his hands on his shoulders and leaned back, a groan escaping the back of his throat, causing a shiver to run down Kakashi’s spine. A large red mark was left screaming on Naruto’s neck. Kakashi moved back up and pressed his lips against Naruto once more, both breathing hard and groaning in unison. Somehow, in the middle of it all, Kakashi managed to pin Naruto against the wall as they continued kissing. Naruto’s hips were grinding against Kakashi’s while the Jounin’s thighs rubbed against Naruto’s. It was a series of hot lustful movements full of burning desire all mashed up to one puddle of goo.
“Oh god.” Naruto gasped as Kakashi’s hands slid past the waistline of his pants. “Stop.” Kakashi paid no heed. “Stop!” Naruto hissed louder. “Damnit, I said, stop!” Naruto shoved Kakashi off him. Kakashi stared at him, a bit surprised, all feelings of lust suddenly vanishing. “No. Not yet. I can’t.” Naruto ran his fingers through his hair. “I have to go.”
“Naruto, wait.” Kakashi grabbed him and held him. “I - I’m sorry.”
Naruto looked at him for a long moment before turning away. “Me too.”
As the door closed, Kakashi briefly wondered if Naruto was sorry for the moment-of-lust kiss or just sorry because Kakashi and he could never be.
Either way, Kakashi felt a dull ache in his chest.
And it wouldn’t go away.
XXX
Naruto entered the apartment he and Gaara now shared and found Gaara sitting on the couch, reading a mission scroll.
“Another one?” Naruto asked.
“Not your regular one. More of a rescue and assassination.” Gaara said, tossing Naruto the scroll. “Location is not far. An hour away from here almost. We have to move tonight.”
Naruto read the contents of the scroll, eyes growing wide by the second. “An entire ANBU unit is being held in captivity?”
“Read further.” Gaara said, taking out a bottle of water from the fridge.
“Sasuke. Neji. Shino.” Naruto whispered, eyes slightly darkening. “It doesn’t say who we’re up against. Did she tell you?” By she, he meant Tsunade.
“Yes.” Gaara said. “The minor members of Akatsuki are holding them. Maybe four or five, the details are not clear. But they’re Akatsuki minors.”
Naruto knew better. Minors usually meant someone within the skill level of Kakashi or Gai. They were people not to be messed with at all. “We’ll go. We have to bring those ANBU back.”
Gaara said nothing. But Naruto knew that Gaara would follow him.
TBC
Oh! Steamy! Yum!
Me ish thinking of writing a Genma/Gaara fic. Oh, oh and Yondaime/Iruka too! He, he, he!
This IS a KakaNaru fic. Just you wait and see. Oh and I’m still really thinking of making this a deathfic, but a few ideas of NOT making it in to one popped up, so I’m still vague on how the ending should be.