Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Fighting Dreamers ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

Chapter 1

 

Japanese Translations

 

Jounin-high ninja

Chuunin-middle ninja

Genin-lower ninja

Shinobi-ninja

hitai-ate-forehead protector

 

* * *

 

All of Konaha's jounins gathered in the Hokage's reception room. From behind his desk, the old Hokage puffed on his old brown pipe, blowing out tuffs of thick, gray smoke from the end of it. The smoke drifted up in swirls, obscuring his sunken nose and hallowed out cheeks. With a sagging hand, its knuckles deformed by years of arthritis, he removed his pipe. “My fellow shinobi,” he said. “As you all know the exams for chuunin will soon be held. Do any of you have students to recommend for this year's exam?”

 

From the crowd, a particular shinobi with a slim, athletic build caught Iruka's eye. He wore navy blue body suit, with a thick, green-pouched vest over it like all other Konaha jounin in uniform. “Hokage-sama,” he began.

 

“Yes, Kakashi-sensei?” the Hokage replied.

 

“I have three students I feel are ready,” Kakashi explained, his manner relaxed. He lifted a gloved hand to his hitai-ate, pushing back silvery strands of hair that fell in his face. For some reason, Iruka found it fascinating, watching how the strands reminded of him of the metal kunai knifes used by shinobi, as a flash of light struck them, their edges sharp and bright, like Kakashi's hair. “I want Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura to take the exam.”

 

What? No way! Thought Iruka. They aren't ready for it! You wanna kill them, Kakashi? His anger pierced Kakashi like a blade in the flesh. Kakashi turned, the crowd parted, their eyes locked.

 

“Is there a problem, Iruka-sensei?” Kakashi spoke, addressing the chuunin formally.

 

“Most definitely,” Iruka snapped, storming up the path the crowd cleared, stopping dead in front of Kakashi. “If anything happens to Naruto, I won't forgive you.”

 

Hushes rippled through the crowd. All pairs of eyes, including the Hokage's swept over Iruka and Kakashi in an all-encompassing gaze that missed no detail.

 

Kakashi pulled Iruka close, whispering in his ear, “Let's take this outside.”

 

Iruka nodded. Once outside in the hall with Kakashi, he calmed down. He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. A few sweat beads formed by his brows, dripping into his eyes, making them sting. “Listen, Kakashi-sensei, I overreacted…”

 

“It's quite alright,” Kakashi replied in a cool, calm voice that Iruka found healing. “Since we're alone, let's be casual.” Kakashi smiled, stretching the mask's fabric around his mouth.

 

In that smile, Iruka saw the jounin's warmth. “Well, okay,” said Iruka, still feeling guilty over his outburst before. “It's just that Naruto-kun's like a son to me.” Memories from the time when Naruto failed his graduation exam flooded Iruka's mind in a myriad of memories. Among them, the most powerful one, deeply etched in his conscious, surfaced clearly. Naruto cried out, his brows furrowed in pain, his eyes red and sore welling with tears, that gushed out in bitter torrents. Naruto said, Iruka-sensei! No one's ever loved me like you do! I felt so lonely before we met, I didn't care if people hated me, as long as I got their attention.

 

“Kakashi, like Naruto I grew up without knowing love. When I told Naruto I loved him, I started to love the child in me. The more I loved Naruto, the more I loved myself. Now that Naruto's gone, I feel as if a part of me is lost. And to see him in danger…” Iruka swallowed, feeling a lump form in his throat. In his pain, Iruka realized he never bared his heart to anyone so openly like he did to Kakashi. He scolded himself. Iruka, you fool! You barely know Kakashi and here you are crying almost! You're a grown man. What will Kakashi think of you?

 

Kakashi slipped one arm around Iruka's neck, and the other by his waist, drawing him into an intimate embrace, reassuring him. “Don't worry, Iruka-kun. I'd give my life any day to save Naruto's. During our battle with Zabuza, I told him, “I'll protect you even if it kills me. I don't let my comrades die.”'

 

“Kakashi…” Iruka uttered, pressing his cheek to Kakashi, gazing into his uncovered eye.

 

“Yes, Iruka-kun?” Kakashi gazed back deeply into Iruka eyes, seeing his inner child hide in them. “By protecting Naruto, I'm protecting you. Neither of you are lost or in danger, because…I'm here for you.”

 

“Why…why are you doing this?” sniffled Iruka, burying his face in the soft cloth of Kakashi's turtleneck.

 

Without a word Kakashi slipped a finger under his mask, pulling it down. He grasped Iruka's face in his hands, kissing him on the lips.

 

To be continued…