Chapter Text
“No.”
“No?!” Iruka sputtered.
“No.” Kakashi repeated and Iruka started to flush red, anger bubbling up.
“Well too bad for you, it’s not your decision. I’m going.” he kept himself from stomping his foot immaturely, but his hands were still placed on his hips defiantly.
“I’ll tell Tsunade you can’t go.” Kakashi threatened, his anger from Iruka’s announcement still fresh.
“Don’t you dare! You know this is an amazing opportunity for me!” the chunin spit out. When Kakashi wouldn’t take it back, Iruka headed for the door. He looked back over at the copy-nin, but when it was clear the jounin wasn’t going to apologize, Iruka left without another word.
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Dear Kakashi,
I’m sorry I left without saying goodbye, but I knew it would be too hard. I’m still angry about what you said before I left, but I also know how you feel. And I know a year is a long time for an assignment, but I’ll write all the time. I hope you write back. I will miss you.
Sincerely, Iruka
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Iruka,
I guess now I know how you feel when I have to leave on long missions. I didn’t mean to say what I did. I know you are a capable shinobi, and the best one for the job. Just make sure you come back to me in one piece.
K
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Dear Kakashi
I was really happy to hear from you. The first two weeks have been hectic. Trying to set up a new academy from scratch is not an easy job. But the shinobi who will be the teachers seem passionate about the project, so I think it will all work out. I already miss my own students so much. And I know you must be missing Naruto while he is training with Jiraya, even if you don’t admit it. Keep an eye on the academy kids for me.
Fondly, Iruka
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Iruka,
The academy is surviving without you, although I think the kids are getting a bit too comfortable now that their most terrifying sensei is away. Should I keep them in line for you?
My apartment seems empty without you nagging me. Although it’s been nice to be able to go a few weeks without having to eat ramen.
I have a mission coming up, so I’m not sure how soon I’ll be able to write back, but I will as soon as I return to Konoha. Perhaps in your next letter, you could include a picture of yourself to keep me company on these cold, autumn nights.
K
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Dear Kakashi,
How dare you disrespect ramen while I’m not even there to defend it! And there is nowhere to get good ramen here in Getsugakure. I swear when I get back, I will set up a tent outside Ichiraku’s and live there.
And I can imagine just the type of picture you are hoping for, you perv! You’ll have to cope with just your memories. I hope your mission goes well. Be safe.
Your Iruka
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Iruka,
Sorry for the delay, the mission went longer than expected. Things are going well in Konoha. I’m not one for gossip, but you will probably want to know that Izumo and Kotetsu finally officially started dating. Honestly, it’s about time. Watching those two pretend to not be interested in each other was almost painful.
Kurenai and Asuma say hi, as well as their teams. Shino, Choji and Hinata will be taking the next Chunin exam. Kurenai and Asuma are confident they will pass.
I have a few letters from Naruto to you. I’ve attached them with this. I didn’t read them, but he sent me one as well and it seems he is doing well with Jiraya.
K
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Dear Kakashi,
Thank you for sending Naruto’s letters along! I miss him so much. And thanks for letting me know about the Chunin Exams. I’m sure those three will do just great! I wish I could be there for them.
The academy is really starting to take shape. It has been easier than we expected to convince civilian families to admit their kids to a shinobi school. I’ve even had to turn a few away, but a lot of the kids here have some good chakra potential. I remember when I was testing Naruto for his entrance exam and his chakra almost blew me away.
I miss him, and I miss Konoha, and I miss you. I really miss you. I look forward to hearing from you.
Warmly, Iruka
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Iruka,
I heard a rough storm passed through Getsugakure. I hope everything is alright. Tsnuade has been running me ragged. She even tried to assign me a new genin team, but they failed so spectacularly I almost laughed. Don’t worry, they weren’t your students, I think they were Daikoku’s.
People keep telling me to say hi to you. Apparently you are much more popular than I am these days. I hope those folks at the new academy appreciate just what an important member of Konoha they have with them.
K
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Dear Kakashi,
Is the big, bad copy-nin being worked too hard? Should I send a letter to Tsnade? Haha, I wish I was there to see you with a new genin team.
The storm did pass through here, and the academy building did sustain some damage. Luckily I’ve been able to use the clean up process to show the new teachers some different techniques to teach chakra control to the students. Wall walking has some extra difficulty added when you are carrying wooden beams and tools.
Anyway, I’m really enjoying the work here, but I miss Konoha terribly. I hope everything is good there. Please make sure my windows are shuddered. I know winter is coming soon and I don’t want my apartment in shambles just because I was gone a year.
Take care, Iruka
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Iruka,
So nice to know you care more about your apartment than little ole me! (I took care of it by the way.)
Great news, all three of the kids passed! And now Hinata and Neji have even been sent on a few missions together. I would hate to be on the receiving end of two Byakugans.
The academy has already requested the Hokage call you back. Apparently the kids are wild without you! Don’t worry though, a few anbu went as guest speakers put the fear right back into them. Maybe they’ll be even more behaved when you get back.
It’s been almost three months, and it’s been crazy and busy but it also feels like it’s been much longer than that. I miss you.
K
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Dear Kakashi,
I miss you too. You must be reading more Icha Icha than normal for you to get all soft on me.
Right now the weather is so cold. I will say that it was a bit nice in August to get away from Konoha’s heat, but now that it’s almost December it’s getting way to cold. The Umino’s were not built for this kind of cold!
All I want to do is cuddle up with you in my own apartment. Nice and warm.
Missing you, Iruka
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Iruka,
We had a few surprisingly hot days for November, and I bet you would have hated them. I think Genma actually might have melted on duty the other day. I’m looking forward to the first snowfall, but it looks like it’s going to be a little longer.
How is the new academy doing? Are you going to give them winter break? I’m sure you deserve it too.
K
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Dear Kakashi,
I’m jealous of the warmth! And yes, I am releasing the new students for winter break next week. I want the new teachers here to understand the importance of young shinobi having rest periods while their bodies adjust to the strain. I just wish it would be long enough for me to come home. I miss you.
Iruka
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Dear Kakashi,
I can’t believe you came to see me! Thank you so much. I’m writing this before you’re probably even back to Konoha, but I couldn’t wait. Being with you for those few days meant everything. Now I know I can make it to the end of this assignment. But at the same time, now I know how much I miss you...
Thank you again. Your visit was everything.
Overwhelmed, Iruka
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Iruka,
I’m glad you appreciated my visit. I missed you too, and when you said you were going on break, I couldn’t stop myself. I want you to know that I did get permission from Tsunade to go - but even if I didn’t, I would have been there.
I miss you even more now, so I guess it kind of backfired. I don’t know if I can do another eight months without you.
K
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Dear Kakashi,
I’m sure you will make it through. We both will. And I’m glad you didn’t go AWOL and make Tsnuade come after you. Afterall, I need you to be in one piece when I return.
I know eight months is a long time, but think of it this way. We are already one third done! We can do this.
Fondly, Iruka
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Iruka,
Leave it to you to include a math problem in a letter. Might I remind you I skipped the academy altogether and turned out fine.
Eight months is too long. Now that I've visited, I can’t stay apart for that long. I’ll go crazy. I’m pretty sure the mission desk already wants to strangle me now that you aren’t helping me with my reports.
So you need to come home so I can submit my paperwork properly. Yup, that is the only reason you need to come home…
K
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Dear Kakashi,
I think ‘turned out fine’ is a stretch for you. You are an absolutely crazy jounin after all. But you’re my crazy jounin.
Speaking of which, I really hope you are waiting for me. I know Genma might be looking pretty handsome right now, but remember, you are mine!
Iruka
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Iruka,
I’m horrified you think I would sink so low as to hook up with Genma while you are gone! Haha, no I would aim higher - perhaps Ebisu???
Okay, 5 months celebit is not working out for me, and I might need to come visit you again. If you remember, you refused to send me some pictures to keep me company. So what else am I supposed to do?
K
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Dear Kakashi,
I hope you are keeping busy (but not too busy and definitely not busy with Genma.) And you are not five months celibit. Do you not remember your little winter break visit? Although, you’ve worn me down a bit...I hope you enjoy what I’ve attached to this letter. Do I need to remind you that it is for YOUR EYES ONLY? It will have to hold you over for 6 more months.
Irresistibly sexy, Iruka
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Ruka,
How could you do this to me? Those pictures are driving me nuts. And how could you even think I would let anyone else see them??? I have half a mind to find every single one of your previous flings and gauge their eyes out. Anyone that’s seen you naked and isn’t me needs to die.
Although speaking of flings, it’s been painful to watch Asuma and Kurenai think they are hiding their relationship. I mean seriously, even your pre-genin would have been able to figure them out.
K
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Dear Kakashi,
I’m sure those two will figure it out sooner or later. If I’m remembering, a certain jounin was nervous when we started dating. Something about ‘If we go public, you would become a target, blah blah blah.’
Missing you, Iruka
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Iruka,
Blah blah blah? Is that what you hear when I talk?
You were right though, they finally went public. I think Kiba was the only one who was shocked though. Tried to get all intimidating with Asuma - you can guess how that went.
With three months to go, is there really a point to you staying there? You might as well come home now.
K
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Dear Kakashi,
I’m happy for those two. They deserve to be just as happy as us. But I am jealous that they are together and we’re not. I miss you so much. This new academy is really starting to flourish and the new teachers are passionate, but I miss Konoha and I miss my students.
I know how you feel about screaming pre-genin, but could you pop into the academy, see how they are doing? There was a pretty rowdy Inuzuka there before I left, and I want to make sure he’s back on track.
Always worrying, Iruka
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Iruka,
You’re right. I do hate screaming pre-genin. However I did do a bit of recon, and the kids seem okay, although Daikoku is nowhere near the disciplinarian that you are. I hate to say you might be starting from scratch with this group when you get home. The work of a sensei is never done.
K
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Dear Kakashi,
After your last message, I think I might have leaned into these new kids a bit more than necessary. I just hate the idea of them lacking the discipline that could save their lives! You know how hard it is for me to watch them grow up and they go out into the field. So many of them don’t come back…
But don’t worry too much about me. And I hate myself for asking this, but please don’t come for another surprise visit. If I see you in person, I really don’t think I will be able to continue my work.
Two months to go, Iruka
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Ruka,
Knowing that you wouldn’t be able to stay, I want to come see you so bad. Unfortunately Tsunade has me on back to back guard detail...I think she knows that if I leave the village I won’t return unless you are with me.
I did drop in to see your students though. A few well placed threats should hold them together until you get home.
K
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Dear Kakashi,
Lowly guard duty for the infamous copy-nin? I’m surprised you are not bored out of your skull. Hold it together until I get home. And by the way, get ready to cash in some vacation time because when I get home next month, we will not be leaving the apartment for at least a week.
Already planning, Iruka
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Iruka,
With a promise like that, I think I can suffer through guard duty for a little longer. And I just put in for two weeks.
K
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Dear Kakashi,
This is the last week before I’m in your arms. I can really express how happy I am, so you’ll just have to wait until you see me.
Love, Iruka