Broken Mask

Iruka had woken fresh and relaxed, it had been a long time since he had woken like this. The last time he could remember was when his parents were still alive, those were happy times. Times that Iruka could cherish. As he went about his morning ritual Iruka pondered over his new job. Haru had decided not to open the bakery yesterday and instead had spent most of it talking with Iruka. After Haru's story Iruka had replied with some of his own. It had been rather refreshing for the both of them to find another who understood what it was like to be ridiculed and forgotten. Tossed aside by society for being an orphan when it was no fault of their own.

But what would today entail? Would Haru continue to be open with him or would the mask be drawn back up? Iruka himself was unsure if he could keep his mask down. After revealing so much about his feelings he usually reverted back and drew his walls up stronger than ever before. He didn't like trusting people; it always ended badly, yet he was beginning to trust Haru. A man who had no issues with drugging him and dragging him off to who knows where. A man with connections to the Hokage, enough to call him father. It was not a good person to be involved with but Iruka couldn't seem to help himself. Haru was just so intriguing.

As these thoughts swirled around in his head, Iruka failed to notice that his coffee had gone cold. Taking a sip of the beverage he gagged, cold coffee was not a nice thing to drink in Iruka's opinion. Sighing Iruka poured the cold coffee down the drain and watched as the brown liquid went swirling down the sink and away, sometimes when he closed his eyes Iruka would wonder what it would be like to fade out of existence. To just disappear and never be seen again. But at the moment it would seem like some higher powers wouldn't allow him too, and in truth Iruka was kind of happy about that, for if they had then Iruka wouldn't of met Haru the most singularly complex man he had ever met!

People to Iruka were open books be they shinobi or civilian, Iruka could read them. He could see their emotions on their faces and in their eyes, he could also read their body language enough to know their needs and what to do to avoid or placate them. To Iruka it was both a blessing and a curse, it helped in the classroom and keeping the higher ups happy and pleased such as Danzo and the Hokage. But it didn't help him figure out Haru. The man wasn't like any human being Iruka had ever met before and never responded in the ways that Iruka was assuming he would.

Getting rid of that train of thought, it only gave him a headache, Iruka walked into his bedroom stubbing his little toe on the potted plant that rested near the bedroom doorway, growling at the plant he kicked it with his bad foot causing Iruka to swear rather loudly. "FOR FUCKS SAKE!" Now his headache was worse and BOTH feet were in pain.

Storming into his bedroom Iruka nearly ripped the wardrobe door off its hinges as he began to route around in it for some clothes, putting on his normal shinobi outfit, because that was the only clothing Iruka actually owned, Iruka walked to the front door and put on his sandals, at the moment they were the only things that Iruka could wear without agitating the wound on his foot.

Finally ready for the day Iruka began to make his way to the shop. As he walked down the winding roads Iruka allowed himself to remember other times he had traversed these same streets. The times that he had happily run down them with his parents in tow.

~~~~~~~I am a flashback line~~~~~~

Iruka ran ahead of his Kaasan and Tousan, they had promised to take him to the candy shop today and Iruka couldn't wait. Making a sharp turn Iruka ran into someone almost falling to the ground from the force until muscular arms wrapped around his body stopping his descent to the ground. Looking up Iruka's eyes grew wide as he took in the face of the person he had run into. It was a Chunnin!

"Careful little one." Iruka was shocked at the kindness in the man's voice. With the scars he had Iruka had not thought the man would be very nice. Besides most ninja he had met weren't very kind. They all believed themselves to be above the 'poor defenseless' civilians.

Iruka nodded his head respectfully, eyes still fixed on the giant in front of him waiting for something to happen, not that Iruka knew what that something was. Finally Iruka turned around and spotted his Kaasan and Tousan running up the street, frantically searching for him. Iruka hadn't realized just how far from the two he had traveled. Iruka's parents stopped in between Iruka and the Chunnin before Iruka's Kaasan spoke: "Ibiki-san thank you! I dont know what I would have done if Iruka-chan had gotten lost!"

Ibiki nodded his head his expression closed off and frightening unlike how it was just moments ago. Now Iruka could really tell this man was a ninja, he looked terrifying. Ibiki-san let Iruka go but Iruka couldn't stop staring at the teen. What had happened to the kind voice? To the almost smile that had tugged at the teens lips when he noticed Iruka's wide-eyed look?

"Aren't you going to say something to Ibiki-san?" Iruka's Tousan questioned raising one eyebrow up.

Iruka looked up into the dark chocolate eyes blushing slightly at the reprimand from his father before saying: "Gomen Ibiki-san I didn't mean to run into you!" Iruka bowed at Ibiki before standing up and turning to his Tousan to quickly hiding behind his legs.

Iruka watched curiously as Ibiki's face softened just slightly and he chuckled before responding. "Its not a problem Iruka-kun, just be more careful. Not everyone will catch you."

Iruka nodded his head shyly before watching as Ibiki walked off in another direction. Maybe ninjas weren't as bad as Iruka had thought.

~~~~~~~I am a flashback line~~~~~~

Iruka was so lost in memories that he didn't hear his name being called until the speaker was right behind him and shouting.

"Iruka! Iruka!"

Iruka eventually noticed the shouting and stopped to look around, there walking behind him was none other than Haru. The man was wearing a purple mesh shirt that revealed his muscles and scars. From what Iruka could see his full torso was lined with scars not an inch was spared, but what did shock Iruka was the nipple piercing showing clearly through the shirt. How had he not seen it before? It was glaringly obvious.

But then Iruka remembered the only times that he had saw Haru was when he was drunk in a bar; he hadn't been in his right mind to spot it. The second time they had met was when Iruka had woken up in Haru's flat and there was no excuse for not seeing it then. Unless Haru taken it out? The next time Iruka had talked with Haru, Haru was wearing a baggy jumper so it was understandably covered. But now, now Iruka could see Haru's entire torso and he could appreciate what a lovely body it was, how was it that the man wasn't married?

Iruka chose not to ponder over the question as Haru walked closer a grin on his face, the fabric that was covering his eye was a deep blue blue this time a couple shades lighter than the man's pants. Iruka often wondered why Haru covered up one of his eyes but he never asked, after all it was personal and they weren't friends yet. But Iruka had begun to wonder what it would be like to have Haru as a friend. Would they be able to take their masks off when together? Would Haru trust Iruka to know everything about him? Maybe they could both help the other heal.

Iruka watched as Haru walked closer to him, the man wore a smile and seemed genuinely pleased to see Iruka. Maybe they were already on there way to being friends. Iruka didn't know what to do, in his life no one was ever happy to see him, those higher up and even those with less ranking had always treated him with distaste and scorn. So for someone to be happy to see him shocked Iruka, Iruka tried to smile at Haru and failed. He truly had no idea how to react. It was extremely disconcerting to be at the attention of a man like Haru, and positive attention at that!

Haru seemed to take it all in stride not minding Iruka's smile/grimace as he chirped "Good morning!" Almost vibrating with energy as he stopped before Iruka.

Iruka looked at Haru and wondered how much coffee the man had drank, Haru was nearly shaking! Actually the man really was vibrating even as he hopped up and down on the balls of his feet in front of Iruka. Looking at Haru, and fighting a genuine smile, Iruka had to question him. "How much coffee have you drank?"

Haru looked at Iruka thinking over his answer even as he hopped in place before smiling widely. "I have had about twelve cups of coffee this morning, but then again I have been up since five am. So I needed it!"

Iruka shook his head at Haru in slight exasperation, that much caffeine couldn't be good for the body. But Iruka let it pass as the two continued on their walk to the bakery, Haru babbling about one thing or another the whole way. Iruka wasn't really paying attention his mind floating around and even Haru didn't actually notice what was coming from his mouth as his own thoughts swirled around. The one thought that kept coming back to them was the one that had kept Haru up all night and plagued Iruka's every waking moment: Would they be friends?

Working in the bakery was harder than Iruka had thought it would be. He had never realized that a shop could be so busy. By the time lunch was over Iruka was dead on his feet and bemoaning his agreement to work for Haru, he should have known that being paid so much for such a small job was too good to be true. At least now he knew that Haru really had needed someone to help him and hadn't had a cruel reason behind his offer. Iruka knew that nothing was given for free and had wondered what hidden agenda Haru had had. But truly needing help, and even as a ninja Iruka was exhausted from what he had done, wasn't as bad of an agenda as he could have had.

"Iruka!" Iruka turned silently wondering why Haru never referred to him with an honorific anymore. Come to think of it Haru had never referred to him with an honorific nor anyone else for that matter. Even the Hokage was just his Tousan and not Hokage-sama. "Irukaaaa!" Haru shouted sticking his face right in front of Iruka's.

Iruka startled falling off the stool he had been resting on in the bakery's kitchen. "Ow Haru-san!" Iruka complained rubbing the back of his head. Haru tried to look apologetic but his eyes betrayed his amusement.

"Sorry Iruka but you weren't responding to me." Iruka glared at the hand offered to him and pushed himself from the ground on his own. "Hinata-chan will be coming over soon and I need you to watch the shop while I help her. We'll be out of pastries soon and once that happens you can just flip the sign to closed okay?"

Iruka groaned but nodded his head in acceptance. He had just sat down and his feet were killing him but he would never complain about it. He had agreed to this job, even if it was under extreme duress, and he would stick with it.

Haru chuckled knowingly at Iruka's groan and handed him a small vile. "Don't ask what's in it and don't drink it slowly and you'll be fine." Iruka sniffed the liquid gagging at the smell. Haru's lips twitched in amusement as Iruka looked from the bottle to him and back again. FInally deciding that if Haru was going to kill him it would happen one way or another, Iruka swallowed the odd brown viscous liquid. Iruka gagged as his eyes watered, Iruka was sure that Haru had actually poisoned him until he realized that the pain in his feet and back and arms was dissipating.

"Thank you." Iruka stated even though Haru was obviously fighting laughter. Whatever that stuff had been it was very affective and even though it had tasted completely and utterly awful Iruka was grateful for it.

"I did tell you to drink…" Haru was cut off as the bell above his shop door jingled merrily. Haru hurried out of the kitchen Iruka following behind him refusing to admit that he was only doing so in order to see his boss's ass.

"Little one it's a pleasure to see you back here." Haru murmured bringing Iruka's attention back to the present. Haru was crouched down in front of...Naruto? The child was covered in mud and blood shivering on the wooden floor. What had happened to him? Sure Iruka didn't like, at all, but no child should ever be treated like this. "Why don't we go to the back and clean you up hmm?"

Naruto whimpered as Haru picked him up in his arms his small body trembling and Iruka felt something in his chest constrict. This was the demon! He harshly reminded himself. This was the child that had taken his parents from him! He should not feel bad for the little bastard.

"Iruka turn the sign to closed. You may leave for the day." Iruka frowned slightly at the sudden change in Haru. His voice was soft even as he gave Iruka the orders clearly put that way in an effort not to scare the child in Haru's arms. Iruka simply nodded, he needed to rethink his assumption about the demo-Naruto.

Iruka did as Haru had bid him and left the bakery quickly wanting to make it home so he could think further about Naruto and the day in general. Turning the corner to his house Iruka never saw the needle coming and fell prey to the drug quickly.

Before his target could hit the ground the black clad ninja grabbed him and made his way quickly over the rooftops. He needed to get the target back to Danzo-sama before the drug wore off. Pulling out a scroll the ninja drew out a dragon sending his chakra into the ink to make his creation come to life. Hopping on top the shinobi allowed himself to feel a moment of pride for the timely capture of his prey. Danzo-sama had entrusted him with the protection of Haru-chan, which automatically made him the highest-ranking ROOT member in the organization only following the orders of Danzo-sama himself, and he would not fail his job. He had already apprehended a potential danger to Haru-chan now it would be Danzo-sama's decision what happened to the man.