Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Can I keep You ? ❯ Part 6: Questioning ( Chapter 6 )

Can I keep you?

Sequel to Pumpkins and Ravens

Main Pairings: Kakashi/Iruka, Sasuke/Naruto and others

Part of my 100 themes challenge.

 

Part 6 - Questioning (16):

Iruka hadn't slept all night so when Tsunade came to remove her patient's stitches she had given him a very careful once over, noticing the dark shadows that lingered under his eyes, that he had seen in the mirror this morning, before heading in to see the usually irritating patient.

The chuunin had watched from his place leant against the doorframe as she had carefully checked and removed all the stitches in the Copy-nin's chest and stomach before re-bandaging him. Iruka had tried not to visibly flush at the sight of so much ivory coloured skin, even with the reddened marks where the wound and stitches had been, he was stunning to look at.

Iruka wouldn't deny that he had the same feelings stirring in his chest that had appeared whenever Sakura had come to visit the ninja - it was, he realised now, both a possessive and jealous feeling boiling in his gut wanting to rip their hands away from the other nin. Tsunade had spoken to him periodically, mentioning that it would be safe for the other shinobi to bath properly now and just to keep an eye on the newly closed wounds so they didn't get infected.

What was odd though was the silence - Kakashi hadn't said a word to him or to the Hokage all morning and this was beyond unusual. He was clearly awake but there was something in his gaze that made the chuunin feel awkward and under scrutiny by that stormy grey orb. When Tsunade had turned to leave, she had clasped Iruka's shoulder and had shaken her head, “He'll be fine given a few more weeks rest.” She had stared back at the shinobi laid up in the bed who still hadn't spoken having raised her voice on the last word to make sure the Copy-nin had heard; but he didn't even grunt in response.

When those pale green eyes turned back to the chuunin he saw worry burrow in there depths and she had squeezed his shoulder firmly. “Good luck Iruka-sensei, you're going to need it.” As she had disappeared out the door he couldn't help but trail her exit with his eyes whilst trying to puzzle out the mysterious words. What had she meant?

As the morning had rolled into afternoon he had figured out that there was something wrong with the other nin. The tension in the air was palpable and it was all emanating from the jounin, he still hadn't spoken and the aura that radiated from him was thunderous. He hadn't spoken all day; the chuunin had served breakfast and lunch whilst attempting to tease some sort of conversation out of the silent nin but received little more than quiet grunts in return.

Kakashi was thinking about something and he had a feeling it would all come to a boil soon - at least he hoped it would the silence was deafening. The air itself was thick with tension and it was grating on his nerves, he would try not to snap under the pressure but every now and then he caught the other shinobi looking at him intently and it made his skin prickle with apprehension.

This wasn't going to be pleasant.

It was only an hour later when Iruka reached his limit, annoyed at the constant glare that seemed to be following him around. The Copy-nin had been exceedingly rude to the Hokage who had taken her time to come down and care for him, and he had been making him increasingly uncomfortable after all the effort he had put in to caring for him. It seemed the other ninja was back on form with rubbing him up the wrong way because he pivoted around and gave the other man a glare in return before he said in his most level tone, “What the hell is the matter with you?”

Kakashi's gaze hadn't left the chuunin all morning and he knew the other man was aware of it, he'd been getting increasingly agitated after the Hokage had left. He had been relieved to have the stitches out but couldn't bring himself to speak to either of the two ninja. He was still churning over everything and he had hoped that by remaining silent he would get a few answers out of the other man before the boys were due to arrive.

“I want answers Iruka and I want them now.” Kakashi's voice was deep and resonating, even in his sick bed the man was a threatening individual but Iruka refused to be cowed by him. He came further into the room, leaning against the chest of draws beside the bed, his posture purposefully loose and at ease when in truth ever fibre of his being was focused on the lethal man.

“You need to wait for Naruto to get here - he wanted to explain himself alright. I made a promise to him he wanted to face you when he told you.” Iruka gave as good as he got as he stared back at the other shinobi. He watched the other nin closely assessing his movements and expressions, but this man was a master at hiding his feelings behind that damned mask. Iruka sighed in frustration, his hand coming up to rub at the bridge of his nose; it was a nervous tick that he had never managed to stop.

“Naruto did this to me.” Iruka looked back at the jounin, his hand going instinctively to his throat at the dark look that was directed at him by the angry man.

“Stop right there - you don't know the details about what's happened. But let me make this indelibly clear - Naruto is not the Kyuubi.” Iruka was frustrated at the hold that the Copy-nin had over him, he wanted so desperately to explain to the other man but he couldn't he had promised Naruto and promises are meant to be kept. He sighed in annoyance at the way his heart felt so torn between the two.

“Then explain it to me.” Kakashi looked at the chuunin, sole eye focused and willing to listen to the explanation that would hopefully ease the pain that wrapped around his heart at the idea that the blonde young man he had come to know would attack him so.

“I - I can't. I promised Naruto I would let him explain.” Iruka held a hand to his head as he pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration - there was no way to explain without giving the truth and that was the blonds' secret to tell.

“Then explain to me how I'm wrong - I am sat here with the claw marks to prove that he did this. He could have killed me, perforating my chest and stomach after I tried to help Sasuke. How do you explain that?” He watched as Iruka tried to think how to explain the blonds' actions and by the look that crossed his face he wasn't succeeding.

“I ... you... How to explain? You got between Kyuubi and Sasuke - you got between mates. It's the stupidest move you could make even if you weren't aware of it. The little beastie and Naruto both care for Sasuke and I would assume the Kyuubi saw you as a threat Which was likely compounded by the fact that you went between the two of them and tried to attack it.” Iruka was relatively pleased with what he had come up with but he knew that it wouldn't be enough to placate the jounin.

Kakashi sat in silence for a few minutes mulling over what he had learned, “That still doesn't explain what happened Iruka.” His anger was easing but he still had so many questions and so few answers.

“You can't trust a fellow shinobi that can't control himself - and from what I can see that exactly what's happened to Naruto.” He watched Iruka stiffen at the comment and knew the other man was now exceedingly pissed off. But he had spoken the truth in his eyes. Working in a team was all about trusting the other people on that team and if you didn't have that then you'd end up dead - he knew that far too well.

Iruka grimaced, trying to keep his temper in check but he could feel it just under the surface at the bald-faced accusations that the other shinobi was giving.

“Naruto did this - after he promised that he wouldn't use the bijuu's power and here I am after three weeks in a coma.” Iruka listened to the words spilling from the Copy-nin and he shook his head, daring to close his eyes as he fought back fury, pain and sorrow.

“You should trust him he's one of the most sincere and generous people I know. It wasn't Naruto that attacked you it was the fox - it isn't the same.” Kakashi listened to the chuunin's protests but if he couldn't explain what was the point in continuing. Naruto had always been the one controlling the fox in the initial stages of the change, only when the tales increased did the fox take over so how was this different.

“If you can't tell me any different then from my understanding alone, it was Naruto not the Kyuubi that was in control and that makes him a liability.” Iruka stood shocked for a moment at the blind belief that Kakashi was exuding.

“Enough you don't know him at all do you? After everything you have been through together I had thought better of you Hatake, Kakashi.” The shocked expression on the Copy-nin's face made Iruka feel both pleased at finally shocking him into listening and saddened by what had come about.

“Naruto gave up something very important to bring Sasuke back to Konoha, I was surprised at first but it turned out better all round. He gave up something precious to bring back the one he loves - you can't say you wouldn't have done the same?” The other nin remained silent as the chuunin stood there desperately trying to make the other man see what it was Naruto had done and why he'd done it.

“He didn't have the power it would take to win and bring Sasuke home - he needed help and he got it. It took him over a year to tell Sasuke his secret after all the prejudice that he has received over the years in this village I couldn't blame him. But he couldn't tell you because he didn't want to disappoint the man who was one of his teachers - one of his friends.”

Iruka's breath was finally running out, his temper a roaring flame that was always snuffed out quickly. Iruka's heart ached inside his chest at the idea that the man he thought was so good and kind wouldn't have faith in his pupil. He had thought that Kakashi would understand but he had been sorely mistaken and that broke his heart.

“Until I have all the facts I can't trust him - he injured me, attacking a fellow ninja without provocation and no one can explain to me why.” The quiet words hung in the room, so hollow it made the chuunin's heart squeeze in his chest - pain radiating from his clenched fists.

That's when they both heard the quiet gasp from the doorway, they hadn't noticed while they had been trading verbal blows that Naruto and Sasuke had arrived and entered the small apartment using the spare key Iruka had given him years ago. Iruka could see the pain etched in Naruto's features and the way Sasuke had come up close behind the blond in silent support.

“Naruto....” Iruka could feel his heart still in his chest at the obvious distress that darkened cerulean orbs. But when the blond spoke he felt like he had been sucker punched, his voice didn't shake but there was no emotion in it - it was cold and lonely.

“I'm glad you're alright Kakashi-sensei. Please excuse me.” Kakashi heard the words and felt his own heart squeeze but he remained solid, he turned to see the pain the blond was suffering reflected in the young sensei's face and he felt even guiltier for it but it was the truth. He didn't trust easily and this incident had reinforced the danger that the Kyuubi presented.

“Naruto wait please.” The blond had already walked out, leaving his raven behind and the young sensei could see the sadness reflected in those obsidian orbs as he let the blond go.

When Sasuke turned to face Iruka he said only a few words, “He'll go to the memorial.” With that the teacher disappeared in a cloud of smoke heading out for the memorial and his young charge.

Sasuke turned to face the healing nin - eyes as cold and empty as ice. “You're a hypocrite Kakashi-sensei and a fool. Stupid Dobe thinks so highly of you because you believed he could fulfil his dream to be stronger, to bring me home. He did it and you sit there and criticise his methods. He sacrificed two things when he brought me back - at least I have the guts to trust in his decisions.”

“Hn.” The jounin tried to dismiss the Sasuke's words but they burrowed under his skin, compounding Iruka's words in his mind. He felt ill inside at what he had said to the Iruka and about what the blond had overheard. He knew how hard Naruto's life had been but he needed to know he could trust the people he went on missions with and at the moment he couldn't trust the blond haired man as much as he wished he could.

“Really - tell me what would you have given to bring back my cousin - Obito or Rin or Minato-sensei?” Sasuke's eyes bored into the quiet jounin's skull and when one shadowed orb came up to meet his own dark obsidian he could see for a split second the pain of loss the older shinobi hid so well and felt a compression around his heart. But he couldn't go easy on Kakashi, he had heart the man most precious to him and he needed to make the Copy-nin understand that trust - even blind trust was important.

“If you were your fathers son you would have given up everything you had to keep them safe wouldn't you - even after what followed.” With that, the last Uchiha turned from the silent ninja, he paused at the threshold and called back over his shoulder, “Don't leave this house until Iruka says you can go - he has been very worried about you since I brought you here. Though I don't know why he bothers.”