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“We interrupted a spy who had this communication.” Hiruzen pushed the folded piece of paper across the table to Kakashi, who opened it and read it quickly.
“An ANBU schedule? But it looks strange.” Kakashi said, noting how the scheduling wasn’t the true one, but was more based on location of the on-duty shinobi at each time of day. “There is a clear pattern here in the mornings.”
“Mmhm, the ANBU on village-watch are drawn to something every morning from 0800 to 0830, no matter who’s on shift. It’s a clear hole in our defenses and I need you to look into it.”
Kakashi nodded, he was still on “village-rest” after his latest chakra exhaustion and so this was a perfect mission. He was tired of walking aimlessly around the village while he healed, batting away challenges from Gai and danko-lunch invites from Asuma and Kurenai. He wasn’t generally a fan of information gathering, but it could be worse.
“Do you have any other details from the spy?”
“We still don’t know who she works for, but she is in T&I. I’m sure Ibiki will get that info soon.”
Kakashi didn’t doubt that Ibiki would extract any and all intel from the spy. He could always call on Inoichi if need be as well. He may even be recruited to erase or alter some of those memories. He didn’t like doing that, and hoped the extent of his work on this case would be information gathering.
“Roger.” Kakashi gave a salute and jumped out the window.
Hiruzen sighed and puffed out a smoke cloud that circled his head, “Maybe Gai was right, leaving ANBU has changed him.”
Kakashi decided that the best thing to do was to not alert the ANBU that he would be following them and just see why they were drawn to the field next to the academy every morning for himself.
0800-0830 was normally his time at the memorial stone. He had very little to occupy his time these days in terms of shinobi responsibilities since he just failed his first genin team and was put on rest. Today, he woke up earlier and went to the stone at 0730 instead, excited for something to do. He was surprised to see another person there. It was Naruto’s sensei, Iruka.
Kakashi had just recently spoken to Iruka about his position as Naruto’s teacher and he seemed resolved to take better care of the boy. Kakashi hoped that he would. He seemed like a kind-hearted shinobi, but the 9-tails had killed his parents and that had to take a toll.
He thought he should try to keep a closer eye on Naruto since he was discharged from ANBU, but he was fairly busy with missions, so he hadn’t had the time. That is until now. He should have thought of this earlier this week. He could have used spying on the child as a tactic to avoid that sushi eating contest with Gai. His stomach churned at the memory of all that raw fish.
Following Iruka around a little bit could be interesting as well. He was the one Naruto would be learning from after all. The man was kind and pretty easy on the eyes as well. He liked having a plan and tasks to perform, and this was as good as any for after he figured out the situation with ANBU.
“Good morning, Kakashi-sensei,” Iruka bowed his head slightly, and continued to walk out of the graveyard. His pants were hugging his glut just right and Kakashi swallowed a knot in his throat and forced his eyes up. He was reading too much Icha Icha on this “break”.
“Maa, Iruka-sensei, I’m sorry for interrupting your time. You don’t have to rush out.”
Iruka paused and turned back to face the masked jounin.
“Oh, no, no, no it’s fine. I have class soon and need to be on my way. And besides, It isn’t healthy to linger here.” And with that he turned back around and walked away.
“What a thing to say…” Kakashi mumbled. He was sure Iruka was right, but the hours he spent here didn’t feel like lingering. They felt like repentance. That probably wasn’t healthy either. He didn’t like having all this time to think.
Oh well, he had under half an hour to “linger” before he had some sleuthing to get down to.
Kakashi was following an ANBU guard and was surprised that they didn’t notice him. He was one of the best shinobi in the village, but so were the ANBU. This must not have been a sensory-type.
Suddenly the ANBU looked at their watch and gasped, “it’s 8 already!” before taking off toward the academy.
This was what he was after. Perfect!
The ANBU stopped in a tree-limb with a lovely view of the field behind the academy where teachers often did training exercises.
“I can’t believe I almost missed my favorite part.”
“You’re crazy, I mean, I ask you every time but, how can this be your favorite part?!”
A second ANBU was on the branch next to the first.
“I just love the way they march after him. It's like little ducklings.”
Kakashi looked out into the field and noticed a familiar ponytail blowing gently in the wind.
‘Iruka-sensei? And his new class?’
“He’s in the mesh today! How did we get so lucky?” The second ANBU exclaimed, not being very subtle at all.
‘How did our first line of defense get so distracted?!’ Kakashi wondered, but was also captivated by the sensei lining up the 7-year-olds in front of him. His shoulders looked very well defined, even from this distance.
“Okay kiddos! It’s time to get those heart rates up. Follow my lead! Say, 1, 2, 3!” Iruka smiled brightly and Kakashi wondered how these ANBU didn’t find this to be their favorite part as the kids responded horribly out of sync, “1, 2, 3!!!”
“Look at how they follow him!” The first pointed and the second nodded, their heads bobbing from side to side as they followed the sensei as he moved swiftly across the row of students. Some of the students were keeping up while others were moving side-to-side without any rhythm. It pulled a smile onto Kakashi’s face.
“Look, he’s doing the arm move!”
Iruka was forming a point with his arms above his head while doing a strange squat move that also led him from side to side. The kids all followed him with their heads as he moved slower, but in some approximation. Their little arms were barely long enough to touch their fingers together above their big heads.
Kakashi felt his heart stir, this was their future, the Will of Fire, stumbling over their clumsy feet trying to match the moves of their teacher.
“I love when his arms are above his head.” The second ANBU gushed.
Kakashi focused on Iruka and indeed, his arms were toned and nicely browned from both his natural tone and some time in the sun. He was glistening lightly with sweat as well. He made for a really nice view.
Naruto’s blond little head propelled out of the group of his peers and he jumped in front of Iruka, “Senseiiiii, I came up with a new move!” The rest of the class all complained that Naruto was interrupting, but Iruka held up his hand.
“Now, now, class, Naruto-kun is your teammate, let’s hear him out.” Kakashi’s heart swelled, Iruka listened to him. He was including Naruto.
Naruto’s face broke into the biggest grin and Kakashi had to look away. He was more and more like his father every day.
“It goes like this!” Kakashi couldn’t watch anymore.
He knew what was distracting the ANBU so thoroughly. He made his way back to Hiruzen’s office to report.
“Iruka? As in Umino?” Hiruzen quirked an eyebrow quizzically.
“Yes, the one currently teaching the most loaded class of students to ever enter the academy? Yes that Iruka.”
“Do you not think he is qualified for his post, Kakashi?” Hiruzen looked intensely at his strongest soldier.
“I spoke to him about-”
“I know what you did Kakashi. I asked you a question, so answer it.”
Kakashi straightened up with the command, “I was worried at first, but after watching him today, I believe he is going to do well.”
“Wonderful.” Hiruzen wasn’t done with his questioning though, “And what of the ANBU?”
“I know why they watch.” Hiruzen nodded for him to continue. Kakashi was nervous for some reason. “It also captivated me.”
“I hope this isn’t some Icha Icha nonsense.” Hiruzen shook his head, knowing that Kakashi admired those books way too much to be considered healthy.
“Well, I can’t deny that it was a very… pleasing view…” Kakashi tried to remain professional, knowing how Hiruzen felt about his white haired student’s work. “But it’s much, much more than that!”
Kakashi was shocked at his outburst, but Hiruzen looked almost pleased.
“Go on.”
“It was how the children and Iruka were having fun and working together. That… comforts them . Like it’s all worth it. It reminded them of why they do it.”
“Them?” Hiruzen looked at Kakashi knowingly.
Neither had to say anything. Kakashi also felt the warmth from watching Iruka with the kids. It wasn’t just from some perverted sight of a handsome man in a mesh shirt either. It was the feeling of home and hope and love. Iruka emitted love.
Hiruzen seemed to accept that Kakashi wasn’t going to say anything more. “I suppose the ANBU need an escape.” Kakashi nodded in agreement
They both knew the rate of mental health decline and the number of ‘breaks’ in ANBU was on the rise. They were desperate for something to hold onto their sanity; to remind them of the good in the village. After Itachi’s betrayal last year… well, suffice to say morale was at rock-bottom and work-load was sky-high.
“Great, I’ll inform Iruka to not do the outdoor cla-”
“No!” Kakashi surprised himself with the outburst. “I mean… permission to speak freely, Hokage-sama?”
Hiruzen nodded as his pipe smoke swirled hypnotically around his head.
Kakashi cleared his throat, “I know I’m not presenting new information to you, but the ANBU need this. The village isn’t healthy right now, but Iruka… He gives them something…” Kakashi signed, “wholesome.”
Hiruzen was nodding with his eyes closed. He almost looked like he was sleeping while Kakashi spoke, but the jounin knew better. His leader was old, but by no means tired.
“I didn’t expect that sentimentality from you, Kakashi.” The Third rested his elbow on his knee and leaned forward. “Well, what do you suggest I do instead? I’m not sure Iruka will appreciate being spied on… although he always has been crying out for attention…” Hiruzen stroked his chin.
“I don’t know, but if you ban them from watching, or ask him to stop... I don’t know what can replace that.” Kakashi couldn’t think of anything that made his heart swell like that off the top of his head.
“Don’t worry about it, Kakashi, I can think of something. Thank you for your input.” It was a dismissal, and Kakashi knew he had no say in the final decision. He bowed and made his exit.
The next day, Kakashi was at the memorial stone early again. Iruka was just leaving, as usual.
Kakashi waved and said, “Sensei,” Iruka turned, “I thought you said lingering here wasn’t healthy?”
Both men smiled at one another.
“Ah, well, what is the famous proverb? Model yourself after my instructions, not my actions .”
“Is that why you teach? Good at instructions, but not actions?” Kakashi frowned, that didn’t sound like he thought it would.
Iruka frowned too, “I’m sorry I’m not a genius, Kakashi-sama.”
Kakashi winced at the title, “I didn’t…”
“I know what people say,” Iruka said, holding up his hand, “and I would appreciate it if it stayed behind my back at least.”
Kakashi was very confused by that comment, “What people?” Kakashi felt his heart skip, were people insulting Iruka? Who? He didn’t know why he got so angry all of a sudden.
Iruka just glared at Kakashi, “Well, you for starters.”
“I admire you greatly, Iruka-sensei. So do the ANBU…” Kakashi said off-handedly and resisted slapping his hand over his mouth. DAMN he shouldn’t have said that.
“The ANBU?” Iruka questioned, “What do the ANBU have to admire?”
Kakashi was rubbing the back of his head, “Would you look at the time? I better get my unhealthy lingering in…” Kakashi all but bolted toward the marble stone. Iruka was too polite to follow him here. It was a sacred place after all. Though, he did notice Iruka’s eyes glaring at him for a few seconds before he started back toward town.
Kakashi was back in the trees at 0800 sharp after very little grave time. Today, there were two different ANBU. Kakashi knew one of them, but didn’t say anything.
“Kakashi-san? What are you doing here?”
Well, it seemed like he would have to say something, “What are you doing here?” was his brilliant response.
“Tch,” Kakashi knew the ANBU was rolling his eyes at him. He hadn’t turned his face away from the field for the exchange anyway, so Kakashi didn’t bother paying him mind anymore either.
Iruka was just having the students go through some warm-up stretches, lifting his long arm over his head and leaning to one side, stretching his obliques. Kakashi tried not to combust as Iruka’s shirt untucked from his pants and exposed a mere inch of his hip. One side of a perfect V muscle was just visible.
Suddenly the ANBU cursed and disappeared as Iruka’s eyes snapped to the tree they were hiding in. Iruka quickly tucked his shirt back in and said to the students, “Today, we will go for a short jog instead of our yoga…”
The kids were eager to get to run around the village, and their distraction allowed Iruka to glare at the branches.
Whoops…
Kakashi thought he must be a glutton for punishment. He was up early, again, and at the stone early, again, and waving at Iruka, again.
He looked pissed.
“What the hell, Kakashi!”
He was pissed.
“Maa, good morning, Iruka-sensei.” Kakashi went for innocence.
“Don’t act ignorant. I know you and some ANBU were watching me yesterday. What the actual hell was that about? Come to laugh at the shinobi who can’t handle the real ‘action’?”
Kakashi’s words must have really gotten to Iruka yesterday… ‘How to fix this…’ Kakashi strained his brain. Iruka stood there tapping his foot, arms crossed, pissed.
“Well!?”
Nothing was coming to mind. He was blank.
“Argh!” Iruka stomped his foot and made to leave, “I’ll just keep the kids inside away from jugmental-”
“No!” It was his second unintentional outburst in 48 hours and Kakashi didn’t like this lack of control over his mouth.
“Excuse me? Now you’ll tell me how to run my classroom? Am I no longer good at ‘instruction’ either?!”
“You can’t take that away from us.” Kakashi finally spoke. Iruka just looked confused. Iruka was very confused.
“Take what away?”
“You. And the kids.”
“I’m sorry, but you know how this all seems, right?” Iruka asked, thoroughly confused. He knew Kakashi wasn’t dangerous. Well, he didn’t believe Kakashi was dangerous…
“You are like a balm.” Kakashi attempted to explain, he really did.
“A bomb? You think I’d hurt those kids?!” Iruka was shocked.
“No, no… I’m no good at this.” Kakashi whispered, but Iruka heard and chuckled without humor.
“I agree.”
“Let me explain.” Kakashi pleaded and Iruka didn’t move, watching him and waiting for him to continue. It took a few too many minutes, but Kakashi finally said, “You make us see what we are fighting for. The Will of Fire and the bonds and the future and… goodness?” Kakashi shrugged and stopped talking. Had he ever been so embarrassed?
“Kakashi…” Iruka whispered, eyes wide, “I… I do what? How? I mean… I don’t understand.”
“I hope you never understand, but I have a feeling you know the mental price of war already.” Iruka looked down, clearly he did know. “Isn’t it why you teach? To protect the future? You’re lucky, you get to see that future in your duty. ANBU don’t get to see that. They see all the worst. Only the worst…” Kakashi lost himself for a moment in some of his worst memories behind that porcelain.
He didn’t see Iruka’s look soften toward Kakashi.
Iruka drew him back out of the flashbacks by saying, “And I… I get to see the best. The kids. They lift my heart everyday. I think I get it. As much as a non-combatant can I mean.” Iruka nodded good naturedly.
Kakashi met his sparkling eyes and tried not to sound too desperate as he pleaded, “Please don’t take it away. They watch not for any other reason than to see something good for once in that mask.” Kakashi was giving away too much. He felt the strain in his voice.
“I won’t.” Iruka promised, and he put his strong hand on Kakashi’s shoulder. Luckily his mask hid the dusting of prickling red he felt gracing his cheeks.
“Thank you.”
Iruka nodded, squeezed once, and dropped the grip before walking back toward the village.
Kakashi didn’t turn to watch him. He couldn’t move.
“Oh, and if you or the ANBU would prefer to join in, I’m sure the kids would love it!” Iruka yelled from a little down the path.
Kakashi’s head snapped up and turned to face the young man who was already back to walking away.
“That could work…”
“Shove over!”
“I called yoga day!”
“I wonder if I can give him a new outfit…”
“There’s an afternoon slot too!”
Kakashi laughed as the ANBU were scrambling to sign up for a slot on the “Iruka-sensei’s assistant” schedule sheet.
“Well, looks like we found a way to let the ANBU keep their favorite past-time and work it into a schedule. How did you convince Iruka?” Hiruzen asked Kakashi from the back of the office.
“It was his idea, Hokage-sama.”
“Was it now?” Hiruzen looked Kakashi up and down, with a smile on his face. “Well, you know the schedule isn’t only for ANBU. If you were interested that is.”
Kakashi blushed, and again he was grateful for the mask. “Maa, I couldn’t keep up with Iruka.”
The Hokage smirked, “Hmmm… We’ll see about that.”