Chapter 6

Iruka's pov

"It feels like years since I've talked with her.." the brown haired male was barely keeping it together. Of course he carried out classes as usual. He couldn't let anyone know just how pained he was on the inside. 

Seeing you by Kakashi's side was killing him. He'd spent so many years watching you smile so fondly at Kakashi, that's why he assumed Kakashi was the one you loved. If he hadn't been so cowardly before, maybe you would be at his side now.

"Are you finally going to make a move." Iruka looked back unimpressed. He didn't have the energy to talk with the grey haired ninja today. Kakashi blinked. 

"You knew I was following you?" the male asked curiously. Iruka nodded. "I'm still a ninja Kakashi. I've known since I left the academy."

"Why haven't you tried to fight for her Iruka. Don't you care about her?" Iruka's eyes hardened.

"Of course I do!! I'd do anything for her, when she came to confess that day...I was so sure she was coming for advice about you. I was..willing to let you have her, if it meant she would be happy. But I ruined everything." Kakashi looked down.

"You haven't. I had no intention of taking her from you." Iruka looked up in confusion.

"B-But you said-"

"I was trying to get the both of you together. I do care about (Y/N)-san. She's like family to me. Someone I need to protect." Iruka eyes widened in shock. "A-Are you serious!!" Kakashi nodded.

"There is already someone who's close to my heart. My hope was that the both of you would resolve this by now. I guess I'm to blame as well for intervening. I apologize for giving you the wrong idea." Iruka gave a soft chuckle. "I should be the one apologizing. I was so stupid."

Kakashi nodded. "You can fix it now. She's supposed to be getting back from her mission any minute now. If you leave now you should make it in time to meet her at the gates." Iruka's eyes brightened. He bowed to the grey haired male. "Thank you Kakashi." Kakashi waved his hand.

"Just hurry and tell her how you feel. " Iruka nodded, taking off in a sprint.

"KAKASHI!!!" a voice yelled making the sharingan bearing ninja smile. Kakashi turned watching as Gai approached.

"Let's fight!!"

~Time skip~

"I'll do it for sure, no more stalling." Iruka chanted those words over and over in his head. He needed to tell you. He was tired of being a coward. A wide grin made it's way on his face as he picked up his pace. His gaze was kept forward as he focused on the task at hand. One his way, he had slowed a little when he felt something. His head turned left and right as he finally stopped completely. Iruka wasn't an expert in detecting chakra, but he could feel a flicker of someone close by. What alarmed him was how faint the energy felt.

His head snapped forward when he heard a thud not to far away. A few metres ahead he could make out a figure. "You're gonna have to wait for me (Y/N).'' Whoever it was looked extremely weak from what he could see. He raced over to the person lying face down on the floor. As Iruka got closer, his heart dropped at the individual who was lying unconscious on the floor.

"N-No.."

You were on the ground unmoving. Iruka's heart dropped when he saw the blood pooling around your body. He dropped to his knees, picking up your body into his arms. He was fighting to keep back tears from falling. He couldn't afford to break down now. You were in danger. After he knew you were okay he would have plenty of time to let out his panic. He disappeared from sight heading towards the hospital. His eyes chanced a look at the huge wound on your shoulder.

"Damn it, why the hell were you so reckless! " When you recovered, he was gonna give you one hell of a scolding.

"Don't worry, you're going to be fine." he knew somehow the words were to comfort him.