Break the Seal

Disclaimer: I’m really getting sick of writing these, so from now on let’s just pretend I write one every chapter and everyone will be happy.

Note: Thanks for all the awesome reviews you guys!! I hope your all enjoying it so far, and I’m sorry I’m being so mean to Iruka-sensei. He’s my fav Naruto character, but considering what this story is about, he’s going go through even more horrible stuff. I don’t want to spoil the surprises I have in store, but suffice is to say that someone is going to try and come between our favorite love birds... and it’s not who you think!! (Mwa, ha, ha, ha, I love to tease!)

‘ ’ Indicates thought.


Chapter Three: Confrontation


(The next day, around eleven am)


Kakashi walked into the office, his back slightly slumped at he sauntered over to the mission desk. He was relieved that Iruka seemed to be off today, and was glad he could get another assignment for his students, however mundane it would be.

Asuma had been in the corner for some time, and watched as his fellow jounin walked into the room. His cell was off today, but he hoped he could catch Kakashi to inform him of Iruka’s interesting questioning.

Smoking a cigarette Asuma stepped up behind Kakashi, and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Hey Kakashi. Can I talk to you for a minute?” Kakashi turned after being handed his mission papers, and said, “About what?” Asuma lifted and eyebrow, and leaned into Kakashi’s ear. “Someone’s been asking around about you.” Kakashi’s visible eye raised in mild surprise, and he nodded as Asuma led them to a secluded part of the office.

When they were sure no one was listening, Asuma began. “Do you know of a chuunin named Iruka?” Kakashi’s heart did a flip at hearing the name. Why is it he couldn’t escape from that man? He seemed to be everywhere lately. Trying to hide his shock, Kakashi said, “Yeah. I met him the other day.” Asuma nodded, and continued. “He came to the bar last night and asked a bunch of questions about you. He seemed very interested in finding out more about you.” Kakashi’s gaze lowered. Why did Iruka have to do this? Wasn’t he rude enough to push the man away? It confused Kakashi. Never had anyone been so resilient to his indifferent gaze and flippant comments.

Asuma caught a glimpse of worry on his friend’s face, and said, “Kakashi? Are you alright?” Kakashi snapped back to the present, and tried to give Asuma a reassuring smile under his mask. “Of course. I just find it annoying when a chuunin decides to make me his new obsession.” Asuma was skeptical, but decided to let the issue drop for now. “Well, whatever. I just thought you’d like to know.” Kakashi nodded, and turned to walk out of the room. Asuma stared after him for several more seconds. He had never seen that look in Kakashi’s eyes before, and he wondered what could be troubling the normally unshakable jounin.

Kakashi couldn’t believe Iruka would go out of his way to find out more about him. In a way it flattered Kakashi, but it angered him also. He was trying to push the chuunin away for his own good, and he was just escalating the situation, whether he knew it or not. Kakashi doubted he’d be able to resist Iruka for long, and decided to put an end to this debacle once and for all.

~*~*~*~

(Earlier that day)

Iruka woke up early, even though he had the day off. He was always an early riser anyway, and it suited him, being a teacher. He quickly rose from his bed, took a shower and dressed. On his way out he grabbed some toast and headed out the door. Today he was going to find Gai. Iruka wasn’t really looking forward to the encounter, but if he could find some more information out on Kakashi, then it would be all worth it.

He reached the school, the most likely place to find Gai, and scanned the training grounds for any sign of a bright green jumpsuit. He did finally spot one, but it wasn’t really what he had in mind. Finishing his breakfast he strolled over to a group of young gennin. He recognized them as Neji, Lee, and Tenten. He gave them a friendly wave that was only returned by Lee and Tenten. Neji just slightly nodded at Iruka’s presence and went back to training.

Smiling, Iruka said, “Is Gai-sensei around?” The children didn’t answer and merely looked at Iruka, or actually, behind him. “Well, if it isn’t the studious Iruka-sensei!” Iruka jumped at the sudden voice from so close behind him, and turned around quickly to see a grinning Gai. Iruka’s heart was pounding in his chest. He hated when Gai surprised him like that.

Not noticing how badly he had scared the chuunin, Gai smiled broadly, and said, “What can I do for you on this most marvelous of days?” Iruka placed a hand on his face. He knew this was a bad idea. “Someone said I could ask you some questions about Kakashi-sensei.” At the sound of his rival’s name Gai perked up even more, and posing proudly, he said, “Of course! Kakashi-sensei is my eternal arch-rival!” Iruka groaned. “I already knew that....”

Gai rubbed his chin for a moment as he went deep in thought. Then something clicked in his bowler hair head, and he gave Iruka a curious look. Iruka started at the man’s gaze, and found himself staring unconsciously at his huge uber brows.

“Hmm...May I ask why you are so interested in Kakashi-sensei?” Iruka drew himself from his strange revery and said in a rushed voice, “Well, you see, I met him for the first time yesterday, and he seemed to be such a.... mystery.” Iruka was blushing now, and prayed that Gai didn’t notice.

Gai smiled, and with his teeth glittering he said, “I see. The man can be quite mysterious. I would expect no less from a rival of mine!” Iruka was starting to get a real headache now. This whole conversation was going nowhere fast... and he found the man’s eyebrows to be very distracting.

“Yes, yes.... but how well do you know him?” Gai smiled. “I have known him since we were children. Ah, to remember the exuberance of youth!” Iruka couldn’t stop his hand from balling into a fist. If this freak didn’t get his act together and get serious, Iruka was going to punch it out of him.

Noticing Iruka’s irritation, Gai calmed himself down some, and started to talk in his somewhat reserved voice. “But on a more serious note, I remember even as a child he was quiet and introverted. Becoming a chuunin at the age of six, I suppose he never really had a childhood, like most of us back then. When his father... died, all he had were his teammates. That’s why it was so hard to lose Obito. Yondaime tried to be a father to him, but nothing seemed to be able to crack through his shell.”

“Yondaime? You mean the fourth Hokage?” Asked Iruka. Gai nodded. “The one and only. He was Kakashi’s sensei, as you may know...”

“How did Kakashi-sensei deal with Yondaime’s death?” Gai thought for a moment, his gaze going dark at the memories of the past. “I heard he didn’t take it too well. He receded into a kind of depression, not talking to anyone for quite a while. He never cried though, at least not in public.” Iruka felt bad for Kakashi. He didn’t even realize how much the man had been through. No wonder he was so reclusive.

Gai noticed the saddened look on Iruka’s face, and his brows lifted. The chuuin seemed to be unusually worried about someone he had just met the other day. What a kind and benevolent soul Iruka-sensei was!

Sensing the depressing mood, Gai tried to lighten the situation. “But don’t worry about him Iruka-sensei! Kakashi-sensei is not only strong in body and spirit, but in mind as well. That’s why he makes such a worthy rival to my unmatched skills!” Iruka perked up some at the reassuring comment, and smiled at Gai. “Thanks again Gai-sensei, but I must be leaving now. I appreciate the time you took to talk to me.” Gai nodded, and said while winking, “Don’t mention it! It’s always a pleasure to converse with my fellow ninja!” Iruka smiled again before bowing and taking his leave. Gai stared after him for several seconds, a serious expression on his face. ‘I wonder what all that was about...’ he thought before returning to his waiting students.

~*~*~*~

(Around six pm same day)

Kakashi walked with a purpose through the streets of Konoha. He was on his way to Iruka’s apartment, having wrung the information from Naruto over a bowl of ramen. He needed to have a serious discussion with the chuunin, and tell him to back off. It was the last thing Kakashi wanted to do, but he knew it had to be done.

Approaching the door to Iruka’s apartment, Kakashi paused briefly before knocking. Did he really want to do this? It would mean having to be cruel to the chuunin, and Kakashi wasn’t too sure he could pull it off. But he had to, to save both of them. Sweating slightly he knocked on the door, waiting patiently for Iruka to answer. He heard muffled sounds of someone moving around inside, and a curse as he heard the chuunin trip over something. Under any other circumstances Kakashi would have found it funny, but he was in no mood to laugh as Iruka finally opened the door.

Iruka’s eyes went wide at the sight of Kakashi standing at his doorstep. He saw Kakashi’s gaze slide up and down him, and then he realized he was only wearing a pair of sweat pants with no shirt, and his hair was untied and unruly over his shoulders. Blushing to the roots of his black hair, he barely managed to say, “Uh, hello Kakashi-sensei. What brings you here?”

The sight of a shirtless Iruka with disheveled hair almost made Kakashi’s nose start bleeding. He was more muscular than he had been ten years ago, and had flowered into quite an attractive, well built man. Trying to casually hide his ogling, Kakashi said, “I need to speak with you.” Iruka started at his serious tone, and he said, “Of course. Please, come in.” Iruka moved aside to let the jounin pass, and as he did so Iruka noticed his eyes wandering all along Kakashi’s slim body before landing on his tight buttocks. He quickly turned his head, blushing even more as he closed the door behind him. Trying to cover up his embarrassment from checking out Kakashi, he rummaged through his room to find a shirt he could put on.

Kakashi gazed around Iruka’s small apartment. It was tidy and cosy, the exact opposite of his own living quarters. It smelled like Iruka, and Kakashi couldn’t really place what he really smelt like. It reminded him of a forest just after a spring rain. It made him feel at ease to be here, so close to the one person he felt he could open up to. It pained him even more at the prospect of hurting the chuunin. Why did this always happen to him?

Finding a plain white shirt, Iruka hastily pulled it over his head, and felt a little better that he wasn’t so exposed. Trying to smile he walked towards the kitchen, and said to Kakashi, “Would you like a cup of tea?” Kakashi shook his head, and Iruka sighed as he walked into the living room to stand in front of the jounin. Iruka hoped that Kakashi hadn’t found out about his prying, but it was more than likely the reason he was here. He felt embarrassed that he had been caught, and tried to not fidget under Kakashi’s critical gaze.

“Why did you ask Asuma about me?” Iruka’s eyes went wide for a moment before he tried to recover. “Well, I don’t know.... you just seemed interesting, and I wanted to know what you were about.” Kakashi sighed. Iruka truly was innocent, and Kakashi knew that was what he loved about him.

“I’d appreciate it if you left me alone. I don’t have time to deal with some love sick chuunin constantly at my heels.” said Kakashi flatly as he headed towards the door. He didn’t want to see the look on Iruka’s face.

Iruka nodded at the comment, and didn’t say a word as Kakashi went to leave. He was right; he shouldn’t have stuck his nose into his business. As Kakashi reached for the doorknob, he heard Iruka behind him. “I’m very sorry Kakashi-sensei. I’ll leave you alone for now on. I’m truly sorry if I offended you.” Kakashi’s heart ached at the apology. He really didn’t know how to deal with these situations; they made him feel uncomfortable. Even with Yondaime there wasn’t this much drama. Now he knew why he had replaced relationships with his beloved Icha Icha Paradise. It was so much simpler to read about it than live it.

Without turning, Kakashi said under his breath, “I’m sorry.” He then opened the door and left silently. Iruka watched him leave, and was surprised at the jounin’s almost inaudible apology. He wondered if he was really meant to hear it at all, and wondered why Kakashi would say such a thing if he really didn’t care.

Iruka was left standing in his apartment again, suddenly painfully aware of how empty it wass. What a fool he had been. He hoped Kakashi didn’t think of him as a complete moron, and heaved a sigh of regret as he went to make himself a cup of tea.

Walking away from Iruka’s apartment was the hardest thing Kakashi had ever done. He had to fight the urge to just go back, break down his door, and make passionate love to the chuunin right then and there. He ached for the chuunin’s touch again, more so than ever. Being alone with him in his little apartment had almost been too much, and Kakashi was now more heart broken than before.

At least he had spared Iruka’s life; that was reason enough to be happy. But deep down he knew he was selfish, that he wanted to have it all for once. He wondered what Yondaime would say. Great. His thoughts had been straying back to Yondaime a lot lately, ever since just before he saw Iruka. Kakashi’s thoughts were in turmoil. He decided to just go home and read some Icha Icha Paradise and call it a night. He had another mission with his gennin tomorrow, and he needed some undisturbed sleep....

A/N: Heh, sorry this chap was so short, but it pretty had everything I wanted to happen already in it. The next chapter should be longer, I think.... Anyway, I hoped you liked it, and don’t get mad at Kakashi for being mean. He’s doing it out of love!! But pretty soon they’ll both be put in positions that will test their feelings for each other. And sorry for you lemon fans out there, but I don’t think there’s going to be a sex scene for a while. There might be, but I doubt it. But keep reading, I have some VERY intriguing ideas for upcoming chaps. Thanx again!!