Chapter 4

The next couple of weeks you spent avoiding Iruka. You couldn't look at him, not after what happened. You busied yourself with countless missions. It was the only thing keeping your mind off of how damaged your heart felt right now. You couldn't remember the last time you'd felt so shallow. It was becoming a bit difficult to steer clear of Iruka though. He'd almost caught you a couple times. 

From the look you caught, you could tell he wanted to tell you something. You didn't care though. You didn't want to hear what he had to say, not right now at least. You knew you couldn't avoid him forever, but you weren't going to face him now. It was too painful.

"(Y/N)-sensei!!" you spun around when you saw Naruto running in your direction. You smiled, looking at the blond haired ninja. Hey Naruto, what's going on." He grinned. "Can you train with me. Sakura-chand and Kakashi-sensei are both really busy. But I can't slack off if I wanna be Hokage. " You laughed. "I understand. I'd be happy to train with you. You don't know how much of an honor it's gonna be to train with a future Hokage." you praised. Naruto beamed, taking your hand as he pulled you. You watched as he tugged on your hand, dragging you along.

"So ambitious, I understand why Iruka thinks so highly of him." you were smiling until you realized your had unconsciously thought of the very person you were trying to forget. You grimaced.

"Alright, we're here!" you looked up at the familiar training area.

"So, what do you want to get started on first Naruto?"

"Hmmm, how about we-"

"(Y/N)." you jumped at the voice behind you. You didn't even need to turn.  You recognized it.

"Iruka-sensei? No fair, I found her first. I wanna train with her~" Naruto whined.

"Naruto. I need to have a conversation with her." Naruto looked up when he heard the stern tone in Iruka's voice. Naruto didn't say anything, just nodded.

"Okay, I understand." you were a bit shocked at how quickly he agreed. You thought he would fight a little more.

"Later!" Naruto called running off.

When the younger boy was gone, you just stood there.

"You knew he would find me didn't you. You used Naruto to track my chakra." Iruka looked to the side. "I heard him talking earlier so I followed him. I had a feeling your guard would be down if you were with him. This way you wouldn't keep running. I'm sorry for deceiving you."

"Heh, I don't want your useless apology, just leave me alone. Then we'll be even." Iruka sighed.

"I-I know you're angry with me but I'm just looking out for yo-"

"I DON'T NEED YOU TO LOOK AFTER ME!!!" you raged. Your eyes were furious as you turned with gritted teeth. Against your will, tears started to gather again. "I-I don't want you to look out for me.." you sobbed out. "I don't need you.."

Iruka looked torn. "B-But (Y/N) I-"

A flash of grey crossed your view. You were stunned to see Kakashi standing before you protectively. "K-Kakashi.." he looked down at you.

"You said what you had to, now just leave her alone." Iruka's eyes hardened.

"I-I won't let you hurt her Kakashi!!" you gave him an incredulous look.

"T-The only one that's ever hurt me..is you Iruka.." you whispered. Iruka stiffened.

"I-I've loved you for as long as I could remember Iruka." your confession made Iruka's heart shatter. The color drained from his face as realization hit him. "She...was going to confess to me that day.." He just stared as you spoke.

 "I know you're a couple years older so it was hard for you to see me as more than a kid when we were smaller but I...I'm not a kid. I've never loved anyone but you for all these years, and it kills me that you don't feel the same. It hurts.." you wipe the tears from the corner of your eyes, straightening your form. "But I'm in the wrong too. I can't force my feelings on you. For that, I apologize." you bowed fully, swallowing what little pride you had left.

When you stood back up, you gave him a smile.

"Even though that's the case, I think it's better we keep our distance for a while. I....I can't guarantee that I'll ever stop feeling this way about you..but I'll try." Iruka wanted to tell make a confession of his own, but the words wouldn't come out.

"Let's go, you've said all you needed to." Kakashi took your hand, leading you in the other direction. When the both of you turned, he gave Iruka a side glance. Iruka's blood boiled at the look in Kakashi's eyes.

Iruka stood there, watching you walk off with Kakashi, unable to say a word.

"I really am a coward.."