Questionable Loyalty

A/N: And finally, the new chapter is done! Whew, that took a while, mainly because I took a few days off from writing in order to think about the upcoming events and putting my muses in order. I hope you like the new chapter.



CHAPTER 38





The next few weeks were tense for Kakashi. He balanced between his new students, his relationship with Iruka, the slowly growing trust between himself and Naruto, all the while trying to get his hands on Iruka’s password and electronic ID card for Tsunade’s medical archive.



Surprisingly, his relationship with his former student had gotten a bit better, actually. After he had walked in on him and Iruka, the two of them had sat down one early evening and had had a long talk. Kakashi had been very careful and selective about what he shared with him, but while he withheld some things – like Minato being his father – the rest had been all true. Initially the blonde hadn’t been too happy about the revelations, especially the part about Sakura, but eventually he understood and forgave. Kakashi felt a strange mix of elation over finally being able to speak some sort of truth and overwhelming guilt over Naruto forgiving him so easily. He didn’t deserve it, and he knew it.



Still, Iruka was happy that their former student began to visit them more often and no longer made shocked faces when he saw them holding each other – because the Chuunin was a cuddly person by nature and he had no desire to stop touching Kakashi, or hold his hand, because there are prudish people around him.



They had both come in contact with that kind of people. Despite the majority of their colleagues being downright pleased with the two of them hooking up, there had been a few nasty, hateful voices. In retrospect, Kakashi thought that he should’ve expected it – small-minded people too preoccupied with what happened in other people’s bedrooms rather than their own – they had targeted Iruka, of course, very well aware that if they ever dared to say anything to Kakashi himself, they’d have to go and search for their teeth all over Konoha.



Even so it had been a surprise to go to the Academy to pick up his lover after work and find him cornered in an alley behind the large building, surrounded by three large men, pushing him around, their faces uncovered and wearing Jounin uniforms. Kakashi couldn’t hear what they were saying, but whatever it was, it made the young man glare at them, his dark eyes flashing furiously. When the Jounin approached, he recognized them – they were off-duty ANBUs, some of the many who had served directly under his command over the years – and they didn’t appear too happy with Iruka’s relationship with him.



“You fuckin’ little queer” the largest of the three was growling “I’ll teach you a lesson you’ll never forget.” He raised his fist to hit Iruka when Kakashi chose to make his presence known.



“Move and I’ll be the one teaching you a lesson you won’t forget.” He said coldly. Everyone stiffened and looked back, noticing him for the first time.



“Iwasaki.” Kakashi walked up to the men “I see you haven’t changed a bit – you still are too afraid to pick up fights with people of your own caliber.” The man’s square face turned red and splotchy. “But then again, I am way out of your league to begin with.”



The others were looking at him with wide, frightened eyes, while Iruka had quieted down and was watching the unfolding scene with tense interest.



“Why don’t you rats skitter along now.” Kakashi suggested mildly, though the frost didn’t leave his tone. “Don’t make me start doing pest control.”



“You think I am afraid of you, Hatake?” Iwasaki said and lifted his chin “I never took you for a fag before, but I guess that the seed of a traitor can only give life to something twisted and disgusting.” He bared his teeth in what was more of a snarl rather than a smile.



Kakashi watched him dispassionately, even if the words cut deep and far too close to the mark that he wished. Still, none of his emotions were written in his eye and when he responded his voice went deathly quiet.



“Iwasaki, one more word and not even Tsunade-sama would able to put you back together enough for you to be recognized as a human being.”



The man turned even redder, and for a moment, he looked like he was about to attack when he suddenly deflated – something in Kakashi’s single uncovered eye had frightened him into submission. Iruka turned and looked at his lover and almost recoiled physically – the eye which he had seen lit up by so many emotions – joy, sadness, arousal, annoyance – had gone dark with murderous rage, something so terrible and promising such extreme violence that it terrified the Chuunin, even if it wasn’t aimed at him at all.



Iwasaki took a step back, then pulled himself back, spat at Iruka’s feet and left, hands curled into angry fists. Kakashi watched them slink away from the alley followed by his cronies and then turned to Iruka, his expression softening.



“Are you okay?” he asked softly.



“I… I don’t know.” The Chuunin answered truthfully.



“I am so sorry that this happened.” Kakashi said gently and reached to take his hand in his. Iruka’s fingers tightened around his and the young man shook his head.



“This was none of your fault, love.”



“Has something like this happened before?” Kakashi asked, and realized that he felt honest, real concern, just like his rage had been real at the prospect of Iruka being hurt. This was most disconcerting. While he would’ve interfered regardless of who those bastards’ were tormenting, the fact that it was Iruka had made it personal, and it wasn’t supposed to be. It wasn’t.



Iruka looked down and sighed.



“Not to this extent, no. Almost everyone I know have been very happy and supportive. There are some fellow teachers that have been… verbally unpleasant from time to time, and a few people requested that their children be moved to other classes, but no one has dared to become physically aggressive. Not until today, anyway.”



“They requested for their children to be transferred?” Kakashi asked incredulously. Iruka nodded sadly.



“It’s okay. Really.” He reached and wrapped his arms around Kakashi, hugging him warmly. “It’s a small price to pay for being so happy with you.”



Kakashi closed his eyes and returned the hug, burying his head in Iruka’s shoulder. This was becoming unbearable.



Two days later after the incident in the alley he was called once again to Tsunade’s office and given the first mission he was to attend with his new Team – a relatively simple job – escort a dancing troupe to their next destination and make sure they weren’t robbed by highwaymen on their way there. He took it gladly because that meant time away from Konoha and consequently – an opportunity to finally speak to Pein.



So when he was sure that they were sufficiently away from the Village Kakashi waited for nightfall and for everyone to fall asleep, then curled up in his sleeping bag and hidden under the covers made the seal needed to establish connection. He waited for far longer than usual until Pein’s mind finally responded to him. The voice Kakashi heard in his head was sad and exhausted.



“Kakashi, I was beginning to worry.” Pein’s tension oozed in Kakashi’s mind and he tensed as well.



“I am fine. I didn’t have any missions for a while, so I had to stay in Konoha.”



“I am glad you’re okay.” There was another wave of grief at those words and it made Kakashi worry for real.



“Pein, what’s wrong?”



Silence.



“Nagato… love, tell me.” He insisted.



Another long pause before his lover spoke again.



“Itachi is dead.”



It hit him like a jackhammer between the eyes and he curled up even tighter under the beddings to keep in his howl of fury and grief. He tried to protect the red-head from the worst of it, but his lover felt it and reached out with his mind, soothing and comforting him despite his own sadness.



“How?”

“He followed through with his plan.” Pein stated,





“I see…” Even here, he wasn’t alone. There were his students, the actors, the animal caretakers… he couldn’t cry. He couldn’t grieve as he wanted to. “What happened with Sasuke?” he asked softly.



“Sasuke didn’t kill him, if that’s what you’re asking for – Itachi simply succumbed to his illness while they fought. The boy is in one of our bases at the moment.”



Kakashi took a deep breath and asked the next painful question:



“How is Kisame?”



“I… I don’t know. He’s not talking about it. He doesn’t want to mention Itachi at all, he’s just buried himself in work.”



“I should be there with you.” Kakashi said desperately. “With him as well.”



There was another surge of love for him, mixed with possessiveness and protectiveness.



“No, love. What you’re doing is very important. You are making sure that his death wasn’t in vain.” Pein told him firmly. “Kisame and I… we’re used to loss and grief. And Itachi’s loss was expected, even if that makes it no less painful. We’ll deal with it. My only regret is that you too… will have to deal with it alone in your village.”



Kakashi swallowed past the lump in his throat. Why? Why did it have to end like this for Itachi? He had known for a long time about the young man’s condition, and yet he had still hoped that there would be a way, somehow, for him to survive, to be happy. But it wasn’t meant to be. He grinded his teeth together furiously. He would see this mission through, he would do everything in his power to make sure that there were no more children, or adults for that matter, that were forced in Itachi’s position ever again. No matter the cost to him, or to anyone who stood in his way – he was going to bring their plans to fruition.



“My mission is progressing.” He said neutrally, changing the subject and feeling Pein’s minute confusion as he tried to switch between the topics. Finally, he said:



“How?”



“I… I seduced the Chuunin. It’s only a matter of time before I get my hands on the information we need.”



He winced at the surge of jealousy and possessiveness that poured through their link, followed by anger. Pein raged silently for a few moments before the anger too was replaced by another emotion – regret.



“I am so sorry, Kakashi.”



“For what?”



“For putting you in this position. It’s not fair. It’s just as wrong as what your village elders did to Itachi.”



“And like Itachi” Kakashi retorted “I make my choices. Whatever I am sacrificing, I know it’s for a worthy cause.” He paused then asked timidly “Are you angry with me?”



“Why should I be angry with you?”



“That I…”



“Had sex with another person?”



Kakashi sent the equivalent of a mental nod.



“I am not angry at you, Kakashi. I am angry, yes, but not at you. Never at you.” A mental caress followed “Is he hurting you?”



“No… he’s treating me well.” Kakashi answered honestly.



“Good. Because if he was hurting you, I would’ve found him and killed him.” Pein hissed in his brain.



‘I am the one who’d hurt him.’ Kakashi thought, but didn’t dare send that thought, unsure of what Pein’s reaction to it might be.



“Kakashi, whatever you do, be careful.” Pein finally said before severing the connection. “I have already lost so many, I cannot bear the thought of losing you too.”





Kakashi returned to Konoha a week later. It was the middle of the day and Iruka was out, working. Unlike he usually did, the Jounin didn’t go and visit him but simply went to their little apartment and washed, then curled under the covers, needing the time alone to grieve for Itachi at last.