Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Facilitating Between Heaven and Hell	By : ChaCha92 Category: Naruto AU/AR > Het - Male/Female Views: 6098 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Don't own anything in the Naruto universe. Some dude in Japan does. Make no money on my stories either.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
A/N: It’s been awhile since the last time I used a flashback, so here’s a little reminder. Anything that’s a past memory I write in past tense while everything else is in present tense so the reader feels like the story is unfolding ‘now’. I don’t believe in labeling the memories ‘flashback’ or anything because you guys are smart enough to know when I’m doing that. I merely put those sections in italics to make it easier to read.
Mellow hues of subtle blue chasing the predawn darkness away filter in around the edges of the curtains in the bedroom as Ibiki’s internal clock wakes him up around his usual time. Blinking away the last hints of sleep, he glances down at the redhead nestled comfortably against him, noting she’s still sound asleep. Stifling a yawn with a free hand, he then reaches out to pull the blankets up around her shoulders while his thoughts drift to their relationship.
Since getting engaged, they spend as much time together as possible getting to know each other better. Although, both aren’t easily forthcoming with certain information from their pasts, he finds most of their conversations easy and comfortable.
After their argument over the invitations, giving each other the silent treatment became a common occurrence. However, once they give each other some space they discuss things to at least reach an understanding, even if they still stubbornly refuse to give in to the other.
He certainly finds it interesting being with Naruto. She doesn’t simply follow his lead without question. Even when she understands his reasons it still doesn’t mean she’s willing to go along with them regardless if it’s for her own good.
Choosing to continue lingering in bed, he mulls over the events of the previous night. Not just the bachelor and bachelorette parties. Those went as expected. He’s not surprised both ended up with strippers and figures Naruto isn’t surprised her wishes were ignored because being ignored is par for the course.
Naturally his thoughts drift to her childhood. Though he uses that term very loosely. There is no way he’d call the way she was raised a childhood. No other child he has ever known, regardless of how tragic their circumstances, grew up like she did.
Unless it involved genin or academy students rarely did his cases involve children. Even when the Uchiha police force still existed they rarely had cases of violence against children unless it involved domestic violence or child abuse. Unfortunately, Naruto seemed to be the exception to that rule.
Ibiki always knew she was a child, not the demon. As a citizen of Konoha it was his duty to find the ones responsible for any crimes against her. It’s been that way since the first case Inoichi pawned off an incident against her on him not long after he joined T&I.
“Ibiki!” the disembodied voice of the head of the Torture and Interrogation department bellowed from the hallway into the small office.
“Yes, sir!” the young man answered, jumping from his desk to stand at attention.
Within moments Inoichi stepped inside.
“A new case came up and I want you to lead it.”
“Me, sir?” Ibiki asked in confused disbelief. “I thought you had to lead every investigation, sir.”
“Not this time,” Inoichi replied brusquely, handing the brunet a file. “Get going. The clock is ticking.”
Before Ibiki could respond, the Yamanaka disappeared back out the door, leaving the stunned brunet staring after him. Reeling, he opened the file and reads, feeling honored he was chosen to lead a case as a new recruit. When finished scanning the contents, he slipped on his coat and confidently strode out with the file tucked under his arm.
“So Inoichi pawned the case off on you?” Genma asked when he encountered Ibiki in the hallway moments later.
Puzzled, Ibiki asked his own question instead.
“What do you mean?”
“I can’t handle the investigation like usual because I’m out of T&I next week,” Genma explained. “ No point in starting something I can’t finish.”
“Wait a sec,” Ibiki frowned in confusion. “What do you mean, ‘like usual’?”
“Whenever a case comes up involving the Uzumaki kid, Inoichi always pawns it off. You’ll see.”
Ibiki watched Genma saunter on down the hallway and disappear around a corner, feeling the pride at being asked to lead an investigation fading quickly. Deciding not to dwell on it and use the case to prove himself, he continued on his way.
He wasn’t prepared for what he found. If he had any deeply hidden doubts to Naruto’s humanity, seeing a barely six-year-old child bruised and bloodied with a couple of broken bones forever squashed them. She was shy around him because he was a stranger, but once she got used to him, she became more open and cooperative. By the following week he knocked on Inoichi’s office door to submit his report.
“Come in.”
“Sorry for disturbing you, sir,” Ibiki apologized, standing at attention before Inoichi’s desk. “I came to submit my report on the Uzumaki case.”
“Just leave it in my box,” Inoichi absently gestured, not looking up from the document he was reading.
Ibiki hesitated for a moment before asking, “Sir? Don’t you want to hear my verbal report?”
Still reading, Inoichi asked instead, “Is the case solved?”
“Yes, sir,” Ibiki replied. “It was fairly easy to solve and the perpetrators have been caught.”
“It’s enough to make the Third happy,” the blond answered dismissively.
Ibiki gaped at the man pointedly ignoring him. Deciding to leave it alone, he slipped the report into the box on the desk and left the office. He probably could’ve mentioned the Third was not happy when Inoichi didn’t show up to crime scene, but he had a feeling he didn’t give a shit.
Deciding there was nothing he could do about it he moved on. He focused on developing a reputation for sadistic mind games. He took his oaths and his job seriously, but it bothered him that his boss was far more lax and prejudicial in his attitude.
Inoichi did nothing to change his opinion when a few months later he barged into Ibiki’s tiny office and unceremoniously dropped another file on top of the document littered desk.
“This is yours,” he declared before walking right back out.
Leaning back in his chair, Ibiki sighed wearily into the silence. He was already used to Inoichi’s closed off, brusque attitude. Members of T&I aren’t sociable by nature, but there was a definite lack of camaraderie that should be present amidst such a small, elite group.
However, Inoichi was conveniently ignoring the fact that he was mired deeply in work and didn’t really have time for another case. Reluctantly picking up the file, Ibiki flips it open and groaned; another attack on the Uzumaki kid. Running a weary hand over his close-cropped hair, he read the note from the Third, stating he wanted Inoichi to handle the investigation.
Resigned to his fate, Ibiki rose from his desk and grabbed his coat. He’ll have to deal with the Hokage’s ire, but at least it’s a way to prove himself and further hone his investigative skills.
Minutes later he stepped through the damaged door of the Uzumaki kid’s apartment and inwardly cringed at the cold, hard gaze of the Sandaime.
“My memory is not slipping as I distinctly recall specifically summoning Inoichi,” the old man bit out tersely.
“My apologies, sir,” Ibiki bowed. “Inoichi asked me to take the case.”
“And are you a trained counselor, Ibiki?” Sarutobi asked with an arched brow. “Because I wanted Inoichi so he could counsel Naruto through her trauma.”
Stuck in an awkward position, Ibiki couldn’t resist shifting under the Third’s flinty gaze.
“No, sir.”
“Then why did you come instead of Inoichi?”
There was no mistaking the bite in the Sandaime’s voice.
“I don’t know the details, sir, just that he was unable to.”
It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the entire truth either and Ibiki wondered if he was going to become a client of T&I for lying to the Third. The older man spent several uncomfortable minutes carefully scrutinizing him before finally blowing out a frustrated breath.
“You’re here, so we’ll just make the best of it. Naruto is currently staying at my home, so you’ll have to go there to interview her,” he began before filling Ibiki in on what was known so far.
This case was even easier to solve since it merely involved vandalism to her apartment. Like the time before, Naruto was very reluctant to prosecute, but still cooperated with him to capture them.
Ibiki was more than a touch irritated a few more months later when he entered his office one morning to find a rather innocuous manila folder sitting on his desk. He knew without looking what it was. Scowling down at the contents he read the note from the Third specifically asking for Inoichi. Knowing it was a bad idea to delay, he headed right back out the door to report to the Sandaime.
The aged Hokage didn’t appear the least bit surprised when he showed up in the waiting room at the hospital.
“Thank you for being prompt as usual, Ibiki.”
“Sir?” Ibiki asked in confusion. He was certain he’d be facing an irate Hokage for coming instead of Inoichi.
“Deliver this note to Inoichi,” the old man ordered, holding out a folded slip of paper. “You’ll probably find him with his old teammates at their usual bar. The only reasons I will accept for him not returning with you to stand before me is if he’s either dead or in traction. As far as I know, he is not a patient in the hospital.”
Ibiki took the proffered paper, inwardly shivering at the look in the Sandaime’s eye and left. As the Hokage stated, Ibiki found Inoichi warming a bar stool with Choza and Shikaku.
“Aren’t you working a case right now?” Inoichi asks, shrewdly eyeing the young jounin.
Deigning to reply, Ibiki handed over the message. Choza and Shikaku watched in amusement as the blond spent a moment scowling down at the contents before looking back up at Ibiki.
“The case is still yours,” he tersely stated before turning back to his drink.
“The life of an interrogator is tough,” Choza mused, refocusing on his food.
Ibiki weighed his options as they go back to ignoring him. Since he was not willing to face the Third’s wrath, he opted to listen to the higher-ranking boss who had the power to order his imprisonment and execution if it struck his fancy. Thus having the advantage of being a few centimeters taller, he grabbed Inoichi in a full nelson and dragged him off the stool.
“What the hell are you doing?” an outraged Inoichi demanded, struggling in Ibiki’s grasp.
Dragging the irate blond away, Ibiki nonchalantly informed his surprised teammates, “Hokage’s orders. Put your bill on Inoichi’s tab. It’s the least he can do for shirking his duty.”
Ignoring the threats of official reprimands and a court martial, Ibiki dragged a ranting Inoichi through the streets all the way to the hospital several blocks away. Shinobi and civilians alike either gaped or snickered as they passed, but no one tried interfering. He could’ve Sunshined the both of them, but decided this was far more embarrassing.
To say the Third was not pleased to see Inoichi literally dragged into the empty office he commandeered would be a severe understatement. The aged Hokage silently watched in misleading disinterest as Ibiki released Inoichi. Straightening his uniform, the blond promptly lambasted Ibiki.
“I’m writing you up for conduct unbefitting a shinobi and insubordination for disregarding the orders of a superior!”
Still standing at attention, Ibiki remained unaffected and patiently waited for his next orders from the Hokage. Recovering his composure Inoichi turned to Hiruzen with a bow.
“I’m sorry for all this nonsense, sir. I trusted Ibiki to conduct the investigation in my stead, believing he might appreciate the opportunity. I felt he proved his competence.” Glaring over at a still passive Ibiki, Inoichi added, “It seems my confidence was misplaced and will have to reevaluate my subordinate.”
The Third allowed the silence to uncomfortably stretch out as Inoichi unconsciously shifted slightly under his intense gaze.
“Perhaps I’ve been Hokage for far too long, but I’m used to having my orders carried out exactly as I give them,” Hiruzen finally spoke in a voice so low the other two almost had to strain to hear him. “Unless it’s a field mission where circumstances have changed drastically and there’s a good reason for it, I do not expect my ninja to simply ‘wing it’ and change my orders as they see fit.”
The old man’s gaze turned hard and cold, causing a shiver to creep up Inoichi’s spine.
“You may be the head of T&I, but last I checked I am still the Hokage and my orders take precedence. Always. As the head of T&I you are required to lead every investigation, not pass them onto a subordinate despite your ‘faith’ in their competency.”
Wizened eyes become flinty.
“When I give my ninja a specific assignment, I expect that ninja to carry it out. I recall summoning you for the last two incidents involving Naruto and being surprised when Ibiki showed up both times instead.”
Inoichi resisted the urge to shrink under the Hokage’s unyielding glare, but definitely felt the sweat rolling down his back. After another long, uncomfortable stretch of silence, Hiruzen continued.
“I utilize the talents and abilities of my ninja as I see fit. I do not care what your personal, misguided opinion of Naruto is. She is a citizen of Konoha with all the rights and privileges. As such she is to receive the same professional level of service from a Konoha ninja as any other citizen.”
Closing his eyes briefly with a soft sigh, he fixed tired eyes on Inoichi.
“I don’t expect my ninja to respect the last wish of the Yondaime Hokage and see Naruto as a hero. I imagine they realize if it weren’t for her, Konoha would not be standing today. That she was sacrificed for all our sakes and was far too young to be given a choice in the matter. I also think they would realize if she had, or would have been overcome by the demon, we would not be standing here talking today. With all that in mind, don’t you think she has suffered enough for our wellbeing?”
Inoichi found he couldn’t think of an answer for the Hokage and couldn’t meet his steady gaze. Letting him stew for a few minutes, Hiruzen spoke again.
“I need your skills as a counselor for Naruto. If that’s too difficult, then admit to it. I have far too many people under my command who swore to follow my orders, but seem to believe the ones regarding Naruto are the exception. The least I can do for the thankless job she is doing for us is try to give her as normal a life as possible. You are the best and I need the best to help Naruto. I understand the oath you swore as a psychiatrist is the same as the medics, to do no harm. If you can’t get past your personal feelings toward a child you don’t know to do your job without hurting her further, then it’s better if you don’t do it at all. I apologize, in that case, for thinking you were a professional.”
Inoichi winced at the bite in the Hokage’s words, but couldn’t refute a single one because they were the truth.
“I’m so sorry for forgetting myself, Hokage-sama,” Inoichi bowed deeply. “May I at least be allowed the chance to meet and evaluate Naruto before saying definitively whether or not I’ll take her case?”
After some consideration Hiruzen acquiesced with a nod.
“I expect you to be honest now and not wait until later to decide you don’t want to work the case anymore.”
“Yes, sir,” Inoichi readily agreed.
Without another word, the Third walked out of the office with Inoichi and Ibiki trailing behind.
Ibiki finally broke his silence as they made their way through the corridor to ask, “Why are we in the security wing, sir?”
With a weary sigh, Hiruzen explained, “It’s the safest place for Naruto while she recovers. It lessens the chance of non-authorized personnel coming in and attacking her like the last time she was in the hospital.”
Ibiki nodded in understanding while Inoichi gaped in shock.
Finding his voice, Inoichi asked, “Someone actually tried hurting her while she was in the hospital?”
The Sandaime grimly nodded.
“Some idiot thought it was a good idea to finish her off while she was down. Fortunately I had an ANBU guard on her that apprehended the fool before she could even enter Naruto’s room.”
Once they step through the secured entry doors, a medic approached the Third.
“Naruto’s been asking if you were here yet, Hokage-sama,” the medic stated.
Hiruzen smiled before asking, “How is she doing, Yoshi?”
“Her condition is good and stable, but I have to advise against a lengthy visit and stressing her out, sir.”
The old man nodded in acceptance.
“I’ll keep that in mind, but I’d liked to get the ones responsible before they cover their tracks well.”
“Understood,” Yoshi nodded in understanding. “I’ll stay close in case I need to sedate her.”
After Yoshi left them alone, Hiruzen turned to Inoichi.
“You will be on an extremely short list of people authorized to see Naruto. Should you decide not to take her case, you’ll be promptly removed from that list and expected to keep the fact she is in the hospital injured quiet. We have enough trouble keeping her safe as it is and don’t need you endangering her further with gossip.”
“Yes, sir,” Inoichi solemnly agreed and followed him with Ibiki into the room.
Naruto was sitting propped up on her bed gazing out the window at the fading afternoon light.
Turning to them, she smiled slightly as she greeted Hiruzen with a joyous, “Jiji!”
The bruising and swelling along her jaw matched the ones around her eyes, clearly making any facial expressions or movement painful. The vivid coloring of the bruises along with her dark red hair stood in stark contrast to her pallid skin and the whiteness of the room. Her right arm was wrapped in bandages and rested in a sling. Her lower left leg was in traction, held in place by a metal frame and pins because of multiple breaks in her tibia.
Sarutobi smiled warmly as he walked over and carefully sat on the edge of the bed so not to jostle her.
Forgetting her injuries, Naruto tried to lean forward to hug him until the sharp pain reminded her of how much her movement was severely restricted. Yelping softly she curled slightly on her side, panting heavily and waiting for it to pass.
“You’re not supposed to be moving like that, Naruto,” Hiruzen gently admonished. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he guided her back against the pillows. Once she was settled, he asked, “Do you need anything?”
Naruto shook her head before noticing Ibiki.
“Hi, Ibiki!” she greeted him with a slight smile before noticing Inoichi standing next to him off to the side.
Seeing she noticed Inoichi, Hiruzen introduced him.
“This is Inoichi and he’s Ibiki boss in T&I. He may be helping to find the people who did this to you.”
“Hi, Naruto,” Inoichi greeted her with a smile.
The silence stretched out when she kept staring at him.
“What’s wrong, Naruto?” Hiruzen asked in confusion. “It’s not like you not to return someone’s greeting.”
Naruto glanced at him briefly before swallowing and asking, “Are you Ino’s dad?”
Surprised Inoichi nodded, asking, “You know Ino?”
“I’m sorry for talking and playing with Ino,” Naruto hurriedly apologized. Becoming increasingly upset, she pleaded, “Please don’t punish her! It wasn’t her fault! She didn’t know she can’t play or talk to me!”
Recovering from his shock first, Hiruzen asked a tearful Naruto, “Please explain yourself. Why do you think Inoichi would get upset if Ino played and talked to you?”
Reluctant to answer, Naruto stared down at her lap. Curious, Inoichi gently repeated the Hokage’s question.
“Naruto, why would you think I’d get upset? Ino can play and talk with whomever she wants.”
Naruto’s head snapped up in surprise.
“You’re not mad?”
Deciding it’s probably intimidating her if he continued standing, Inoichi slowly walked over while shaking his head and slid into a seat by the bed near the Hokage.
“Ino wants to become a kunoichi and she’s going to meet a lot of different people while doing missions. She needs to get used to talking and being around all sorts of people. So I’m not going to get mad because you two talked and played together.” He watched her closely as she processed his words before asking, “Has someone gotten mad at you for doing that?”
Naruto’s gaze dropped before nodding.
“Who?” Hiruzen gently asked.
With a deep sigh Naruto shrugged.
“It’s just that all the other parents don’t like it when I’m anywhere near their kids.”
“It seems like something worse happened because you seemed really worried for Ino,” Inoichi gently observed. “Did someone get really mad at you for talking or playing with their kid?”
Naruto glanced up briefly before looking away guiltily.
“You’re not going to get in trouble for telling us what happened,” Hiruzen gently prodded.
With anguished eyes Naruto looked at him.
“It’s not me who’s gonna get in trouble.”
“No one will get in trouble as long as they didn’t do something bad,” Inoichi assured her.
“They will ‘cause they were around me!”
Taking a deep breath Inoichi tried again.
“Please tell us, who got in trouble for being around you?”
Sighing heavily, Naruto’s gaze dropped to the bed and quietly said, “Sakura.”
Arching a brow, Inoichi glanced over at Hiruzen. The aged Hokage’s expression clearly indicated this was the first time he was hearing about this too.
Turning his attention back to a still downcast Naruto, Inoichi asked, “Naruto, please explain what happened? We weren’t there and would like to know.”
“The other day I was playing in the sandbox at the park,” Naruto began reluctantly. “Ino and Sakura came over and asked if they could play. I was happy someone wanted to play with me and said yeah,” she smiled happily. Her expression then dropped back into sadness. “We were having fun until Sakura’s daddy came up and started yelling at me for being around her. He grabbed Sakura and hit her before dragging her off to yell at her. Ino was crying and scared. She said she came with Sakura and her daddy. So I told Ino to say I bugged them and wouldn’t go away. That way he won’t get as mad. Ino jumped and ran when Sakura’s dad called her to go with them.”
Taking a couple of shaky breaths, Naruto looked sadly at Inoichi.
“I’m sorry. I was so happy someone wanted to play with me, I forgot I wasn’t supposed to go near other people or kids.”
“Who said you weren’t supposed to go near anyone else?” Hiruzen asked with a frown.
Taking another deep, calming breath, Naruto rubbed at her eyes.
“People get mad and look at me mean when I come around. Some call me monster before turning away or pretend they don’t see me. Ino and Sakura didn’t know and shouldn’t get in trouble ‘cause they didn’t know. I don’t want Ino to get punished like Sakura did.”
“What do you mean?” Inoichi leaned in closer.
“What do you mean, Naruto?” Hiruzen prodded when she didn’t answer. “You’ve always been honest with me and I don’t expect that to change now.”
“The two people who hurt me said it was ‘cause I got Sakura in trouble and Sakura got hurt with a broken nose,” she reluctantly explained. “Her daddy told them it was my fault and that he nearly got in trouble for it. They said I needed to learn not to get good people in trouble.”
The three men watched her drop her gaze again before eventually breaking the lengthy silence minutes later.
“Jiji? Can I live in that big fenced in forest area near the training grounds?”
“The Forty-fourth training ground?” Hiruzen blinked in surprise. “Why would you want to go in there?”
“No one wants me around,” she quietly stated. “Even though you said I’ve never done anything wrong I must’ve done something really bad to have so many people mad at me. I don’t remember doing anything wrong, but people don’t get mad for nothing. No one goes in there, so I want to live there so maybe no one will hurt me anymore.”
“There are many dangerous animals in there. It wouldn’t be safe for you live in there,” he reasoned.
Sad blue eyes gazed into his.
“Animals are easier to figure out, people are a lot harder.”
Closing his eyes briefly and taking a deep breath, Hiruzen gently, but firmly said, “You’re not moving into the Forest of Death.”
“And Ino is not in trouble for playing or talking with you, Naruto,” Inoichi added. “There’s nothing wrong with people playing and talking together.”
Naruto gave him a skeptical look, but didn’t say anything.
“You should lay back and try to get some sleep,” Hiruzen suggested.
“You’re leaving already?” she protested in dismay.
“I will be back later,” he nodded with a soft smile. “You know how my paperwork will pile up if I stay away from my office too long. It’ll be so bad I won’t even be able to get in the door.”
Still upset, Naruto managed to give him a small smile at his joke as he tucked the blanket around her.
“None of this is your fault,” he assured her with a kiss on her forehead before rising and leaving the room with the two younger men trailing behind.
They walked down the corridor in silence until the Hokage led them into an empty exam room.
Turning to Inoichi, he asked, “Will you help Naruto? As you can see, she blames herself for other people’s actions.”
“I need to talk to Ino first,” the blond sighed heavily. “Unless I’m mistaken, it seems the playground incident may be directly connected to her attack.”
“It sounded that way to me and certainly provides a motive,” Ibiki commented.
“Sakura was treated for a broken nose and other injuries a few days ago,” Hiruzen explained. “It was brought to my attention because the circumstances were questionable.”
Inoichi nodded in understanding.
“The situation concerns me because depending on what Ino says this could be a possible conflict of interest.” Taking a deep breath, he added, “Otherwise, I will take Naruto as a patient.”
“Are you certain?” the aged Hokage asked, leveling a firm look at the blond. “Because I expect you to help Naruto for as long as it takes. As much as I’d like to think otherwise, I’m certain this won’t be the last incident she’s the victim of. I want to know how committed you are to actually helping her and how much effort are you willing put forth to that end?”
“I can’t in good conscience not help Naruto,” Inoichi stated, boring into the Third’s eyes. “I never saw her as anything but a child and no child should have such a wariness of interacting with other people. Yes, I avoided anything having to do with her simply because I didn’t want to complicate my life. Avoiding her meant I didn’t have to acknowledge dishonoring the man who saved our asses from the Kyuubi. I’d like the chance to rectify my mistakes.”
Hiruzen scrutinized him for several minutes before speaking.
“If you do this, I will hold you to your word. I’m tired of being lied to and my ninja shirking their duty. If you violate my trust, you will be prosecuted the same if you violated my law regarding Naruto.”
“I promise you won’t be disappointed,” Inoichi agreed without hesitation.
“Go do what you need to,” Hiruzen dismissed the two men who bow and leave the room.
The following morning Inoichi surprised Ibiki by knocking on his doorframe before stepping into his office.
“I’d like for you to go with me to see the Sandaime.”
Ibiki nodded and rose to his feet to follow him to the Hokage’s office. At Hiruzen’s prompting, both settle into chairs in front of his desk.
“I sat Ino down last night to ask her about the incident at the park,” Inoichi began without preamble. “She echoed everything Naruto said. The girls got along fine and were playing until Sakura’s father came over and started yelling at Naruto before dragging Sakura off and hitting her. They returned to the Haruno home until Saki stopped by to pick her up. Ino said Sakura’s dad was still mad because he kept throwing and slamming things around. She said Sakura was scared and wouldn’t calm down, but said nothing would happen while she’s around.” He paused to sigh heavily. “Ino was extremely upset when Saki told us during dinner the next night that Sakura had an accident at home and was taken to the hospital by her father.” Reluctantly he admitted, “I thought Ino was just upset to hear Sakura got hurt and didn’t ask her about it.”
Hiruzen nodded and handed him a folder.
“That’s the Uchiha police report and medical file on Sakura. The medic treating her was suspicious and asked about the finger shaped bruise marks and how her nose got broken. Her father, Yuu, explained since Sakura wants to become a kunoichi he was attempting to spar with her. He said it’s harder for civilians to become ninja and he wanted to help Sakura become as strong as she could. He admitted he got carried away and unintentionally hurt her, swearing not to spar with her again since he has no training himself. The medic was still suspicious and reported the incident to the Uchiha police,” Hiruzen continued. “Sakura didn’t contradict Yuu’s story. Since her injuries weren’t life threatening and the Uchiha officer dispatched found no reason to remove her, the medic was forced to release Sakura back into Yuu’s custody.”
Inoichi considered his words for a moment.
“I understand why Yuu wouldn’t touch Naruto or he would’ve hurt her at the park or at home later. He clearly didn’t want to be in violation of the law.”
“Naruto saw both of her attackers,” Ibiki nodded in agreement. “She didn’t identify him as one of them. However, I don’t understand why he would hurt his own daughter instead and how that would lead someone else to attacking Naruto.”
“Naruto may only have been the trigger for his rage,” Inoichi smiled humorlessly. “I know for a fact that Haruno Yuu and his wife have been separated for more than two years and he retained custody of Sakura. Neither one talks about the separation, but Saki and I agree that we both feel things aren’t friendly between them.”
Hiruzen handed over another file folder to Inoichi.
“Those are additional Uchiha police reports of noise complaints against the couple. The neighbors said there was loud arguing and violent crashes coming from the home. However, neither Haruno claimed there was any abuse going on and weren’t willing to press charges against the other.”
“That pretty much explains what happened to Sakura, but how does that lead to Naruto being attacked?” Ibiki asked.
“Yuu clearly has a terrible temper, but is very good at hiding it most of the time,” Inoichi explained. “Assuming he’s not getting counseling for it, and it’s very likely he isn’t, then that implies he doesn’t claim any responsibility for his actions. It’s always someone else’s fault. He was in control of himself enough to know not take out his anger on Naruto, so he took it out on Sakura instead, seriously injuring her and calling unwanted attention to himself. That further fueled his anger.”
“I’ve seen Yuu hanging out at the bars and Naruto’s attack occurred two nights after Sakura was treated at the hospital,” Inoichi pointed out further. “I’m willing to bet Yuu either went to a bar after taking Sakura home that night or the following night. Then he probably started complaining about how he’s been unfairly placed under suspicion of abusing his daughter and put the blame squarely on Naruto.”
“That sounds likely because it’s not hard to stir up people against her,” Ibiki mused thoughtfully. “The last two incidents involved perpetrators who got involved in an angry bar discussion over her. All it takes is the right words to motivate someone into attacking. Since this involves another child that probably made it easier. Naruto is very young and lives alone, making her an easy target.”
“Times like this makes me wonder why I continue working myself into the ground for people who deliberately forgot about the Will of Fire,” Hiruzen sighed wearily. “However, I’m afraid of what would happen to Naruto if I were to step down since no one else is willing to honor the Yondaime’s last wish and help protect the child who saves us every day that she lives.”
Inoichi studied his leader for a few moments.
“I’m willing to start pulling my weight and help. There is no conflict of interest, so I’d like to start working with her to try repairing some of the emotional damage.”
“I want you to find the ones who injured Naruto because this time they came very close to succeeding in killing her,” Hiruzen grimly explained. “ANBU sealed up her apartment, so it’s the same as it was the night of her attack and the evidence remains undisturbed. I want to know if Haruno deliberately set Naruto up to be attacked. If he did, he will be punished with the others as if he struck her himself.”
“Yes, Hokage-sama,” Ibiki replied.
“We’ll find them,” Inoichi promised before stunning them with his next statement. “However, this will be my last case since I’ll be resigning as the head of T&I. I agree with my Hokage’s assessment that I haven’t been fulfilling my obligations. T&I is one of the most important divisions and it’s a great risk to village safety when any member doesn’t at least give a hundred percent. I forgot my place and that’s unforgivable,” his pale blues eyes bored into Hiruzen’s emphasizing he’s completely serious. “I will continue counseling Naruto for as long as she needs. I also recommend Ibiki for my position. In the short time he’s been there he’s proven to be more than capable of handling the position and understands what it means to be in T&I and serve the village and our Hokage.”
Hiruzen took his time to study Inoichi.
“Honestly assessing one’s own actions and abilities is one of the most difficult things a shinobi can do. However, the benefits are being able to work on and overcome any weaknesses we find, making us stronger in the long run. I accept your resignation on the condition you continue as a member of T&I. Your skills and clan abilities are too valuable to lose and should prove a great asset to Ibiki, who I agree is a suitable replacement,” he paused to smile at the gob smacked brunet. “You would also be able to aid Ibiki with your years of experience as department head.”
“All right, I’ll continue as a member of T&I then,” Inoichi agreed.
“You are dismissed to continue your investigation,” Sarutobi nodded.
Although outwardly calm, Ibiki was reeling from what just happened. He returned to his senses when Inoichi clapped him on the shoulder as they left the building.
“Not bad getting promoted to department head at 22 and barely a year after joining T&I. Congratulations!”
Frowning in confusion, Ibiki turned to the older man who was now his subordinate.
“Why the hell did you resign? You may have dumped the first two cases concerning Naruto off on me, but that doesn’t warrant your resignation.”
“Yes it does, Inoichi sighed, dropping his hand away. “Those two cases weren’t the first time I’d done that,” he admitted. “I’d been able to get away with it before since the incidents were minor and escaped the Sandaime’s notice. I allowed my personal feelings to interfere with my duties and that’s very dangerous for an interrogator. I screwed up regarding Naruto, but didn’t know how badly until I talked to Ino last night.”
“Ino said she and Sakura noticed how the adults behaved toward Naruto and decided to try befriending her,” the blond continued as they navigated the village streets. “They couldn’t see what was wrong and wanted to find out for themselves. She said they had fun together and she liked how Naruto made Sakura feel better when another kid made fun of her forehead. Naruto said strong features like her forehead belong on strong people. Ino mentioned it was the happiest she had ever seen Sakura after getting teased. She also said when Yuu started yelling at Naruto, she flinched as if he were going to hit her.”
“Ino was afraid to tell me she thought Sakura’s dad hurt her because of what Naruto said,” Inoichi sighed heavily. “Apparently, she noticed how indifferent I reacted whenever Naruto’s name was mentioned. That was enough proof what Naruto said was true and she’d be in trouble for talking and playing with her.”
The silence stretched out between them as they continued walking. Ibiki patiently waited, sensing Inoichi had more to say.
“I never believed Naruto was the demon. I thought I was different from all the others calling for her death. Seeing her lying in that hospital bed and later talking to Ino made me realize I wasn’t. No self-respecting human would be unaffected much less approve of any child being deliberately injured like that. Yet, I stood by and allowed the abuse to continue, fooling myself into thinking since I didn’t join in, I wasn’t responsible. My inaction gave others the impression I silently approved.”
Inoichi heavily sighed again.
“That might not be so bad if I didn’t head T&I and wasn’t such a public figure as clan’s leader. That alone shows that, in a way, I did give my approval. My behavior was enough to convince my daughter she was wrong by doing something as simple and normal as playing with another child. I clearly need to step back and relearn what it means to be a Konoha ninja and a human being.”
The silence stretched out comfortably between the two men while Ibiki carefully considered the blond’s words.
“It’s the fact we are affected by the suffering of others and are willing to do what we can for our fellow villagers is what sets Konoha shinobi apart from the rest of the ninja world,” the younger man finally observed. “We aren’t so heartless that we don’t care what happens to others. There’s simply no way we can efficiently continue doing our jobs without that compassion. The fact you realize you forgot that important aspect shows why the Hokage still trusts and believes in you. It’s why he still wants you in T&I. If you can change then there’s hope the rest of the village will change their attitude toward Naruto.”
Taking a few moments to consider Ibiki’s words, Inoichi smirked.
“And that’s why you’re the perfect man to head T&I.”
Both men chuckled as they arrived at Naruto’s apartment.
After breaking the seal and stepping inside, if Inoichi had any lingering doubts whether he’d put his best effort into helping her, seeing the state of her apartment killed them.
Having investigated the last two incidents, Ibiki wasn’t surprised by what they found, but could clearly see the shifting mix of anger, shock and revulsion in Inoichi’s eyes. Judging by the splintered condition of the front door, the bloodstain in the middle of the floor and the rumpled, bloodstained sheets nearly dragged off the bed they easily pieced together what happened.
Ibiki busied himself with poking around for any specific clues. It gave Inoichi time to process what he was seeing. He certainly understood what the older man was experiencing. It was the same reaction he had when he worked that first case.
Both scenarios were depressingly similar, although this time, Naruto’s attackers caused far more damage. Judging by the blond’s pale complexion he was certain Inoichi was mentally visualizing the entire scenario, including imagining Naruto’s cries and screams. It was how they worked their cases. He knew it wouldn’t be long, though, before Inoichi’s professional side took over and regained control over his emotions. If the man was sincere about helping Naruto, he’ll use his outrage to relentlessly pursue her attackers.
“Is this how the last two crime scenes looked?” Inoichi quietly asked after several minutes.
Ibiki paused from examining the bed to look at him.
“The second incident was just vandalism. The perpetrators destroyed a couple pieces of furniture before painting curses and threats to burn her alive in the middle of the marketplace.”
Pointing to a patched hole surrounded by a dark stain in the floor near the larger, newer stain Inoichi was standing near, he continued.
“They also left a dead cat impaled by a piece of quarter inch pipe. As for the first incident, this scene resembles it, but with far less blood. That attack mostly took place in the bathroom since that’s where they cornered her.”
Ibiki watched Inoichi’s fist clench slightly as he processed his words before turning back to examine the bed and the area surrounding it.
True to his word, Inoichi began counseling Naruto later that day after they finished with her apartment. He also became friendlier toward Ibiki as they worked through the case until they captured the perpetrators.
Days later a knock on the doorframe of Ibiki’s new, larger office snapped the brunet’s attention to Inoichi poking his head through the doorway.
“You know if the door is open you don’t have to knock.”
“Courtesy,” Inoichi replied, stepping inside and settling into a seat. “I did enough barging into your office when I was your boss. The least I can do is show some respect now that our roles are reversed.”
“Don’t you think you’re going a bit overboard?” At Inoichi’s confused expression, Ibiki rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair. “First you force us to switch offices when I didn’t care if I kept my old one and now you’re suddenly standing on ceremony? The only ceremony, or procedure, we should be following are the ones for our job. Everything else is superfluous.”
Inoichi grinned.
“It’s going to be interesting with you in charge. When I came on board, my boss insisted we had to knock before entering his office and even then we could only come inside when told to. Once we could enter we had to stand at attention and wait for him to address us first. Didn’t matter how urgent or how long it took, we had to wait for that acknowledgement.”
“That’s bullshit,” Ibiki muttered, causing the blond to bust out laughing.
“That’s what I mean,” Inoichi chuckled, calming somewhat. “You’ll run things with no frills.”
“T&I is one area we can skip all that pompous crap for. We’ve got enough work to do and there’s no room for it.”
“And that, my friend, is why you’re the boss now,” Inoichi grinned at his annoyed scowl. “Speaking of work, I heard the Sandaime was rather pleased at the outcome of Naruto’s case. Even the old bats Koharu and Homura conceded to allowing extra patrols of her apartment. Not as good as putting a guard on her, but better than nothing.”
“Indeed,” Ibiki nodded. “And the message is certainly getting out that the Sandaime is not playing around when it comes to her. It’s taking far too many times for it to sink it, but it finally is nonetheless.”
“You know,” Inoichi began quietly, “words can’t begin to describe the outrage I felt when I stood in the middle of that rundown apartment of a lonely child with no family, imagining what she suffered through. It made me sick to realize it could’ve just as easily been Ino in that situation if the circumstances were right,” he sighed heavily. “I have no idea who Naruto’s parents were, but it’s possible they may have been killed during the Kyuubi attack because no one in their right mind would allow their child to become a Jinchuriki. It’s appalling how she is treated and deserves better.”
Naruto shifting in her sleep interrupts Ibiki’s memories. Once he’s sure she’s asleep and not experiencing a nightmare or waking up he continues his musings.
Smirking to himself, he recalls the day after Naruto revealed everything to her friends and comrades.
Inoichi stopped by Ibiki’s office early after the daily debriefing. Seeing the door was open, he stepped inside, drawing the younger man’s attention from the document he was reading.
“Still business as usual despite the life changing events of yesterday, huh?”
Ibiki rolled his eyes.
“Only in my personal life, not my professional life.”
“Until two weeks ago, they were one in the same,” Inoichi goaded, settling into his usual seat. “ You had no personal life before.”
The blond laughed at the glare his friend leveled at him before continuing.
“I have to say that everything Naruto has shared certainly was an eye opener.”
“She was unnecessarily worried over your reaction to hiding the fact Sasuke raped her and the resulting pregnancy.”
“Understandable,” Inoichi nodded, “but not all that surprising she felt she had to hide what happened. It was shocking to hear Sasuke raped her as there was absolutely nothing in his personality profiles to hint of that. However,” he sighed heavily, “those profiles are old and dated because Orochimaru was not an influence back then.”
“That part, I’m sure, is proving the most shocking to everyone who knows so far,” Ibiki mused thoughtfully. “I’m sure Iruka and Kakashi never imagined Sasuke being capable of doing that to anyone, much less Naruto.”
“True. There’s also been something I’ve been meaning to share with you,” Inoichi grinned. “I don’t know if you remember years ago during the investigation of one of the assaults on Naruto, but I said no one in their right mind would allow their child to become a Jinchuriki.” At Ibiki’s nod he continued, “I never realized how true my words were because I always thought Minato was nuts for wanting to lead this crazy village!”
The two busted up laughing for a few minutes.
Becoming serious again, he quietly added, ”My respect for Minato increased a thousand fold because I can’t imagine sacrificing my own daughter like that for the sake of the village.”
Ibiki remained silent for a few minutes before surprising the older blond.
“That’s why I’m honored to have the privilege of working with you. I imagine it can’t be easy admitting you screwed up all those years ago and subsequently changed accordingly. You also subtly corrected your former teammate’s attitudes toward Naruto without alienating them, making them think about what it’d be like if one of their children was in her shoes. Once you made them aware of their own fallacies, they in turn did their part to encourage a change within their own clans. You three also inspired a change with some of the other clan leaders like the Inuzuka and Aburame.”
“Thank you for that my friend,” Inoichi smiled. “Although, we weren’t as successful as we should’ve been. There were still some holdouts like the Hyuga. Hiashi remained indifferent and arrogant until Naruto’s suicide attempt.”
“I recall that her suicide attempt combined with a rumored temper tantrum by Hinata served to open Hiashi’s eyes,” Ibiki smirked.
“Hinata still refuses to confirm it, but that’s what Hanabi told Ino,” the older man grinned. “The change was slow, but the Sandaime was still pleased to see it before he died. Unfortunately, that didn’t mean the attacks stopped altogether, just that there were fewer and fewer people who approved, encouraged or incited them.”
Ibiki sighs softly into the stillness of the gradually lightening bedroom. Despite the apparent change in the villagers’ attitude, Naruto has been burned too badly to truly believe it.
Thanks to Inoichi that improved over the years, but Sasuke nearly was the final straw. Despite the number of people she trusts growing, there are select few she trusts completely and she still has her moments of doubt. Too often she’s had to go it alone with no one around to defend her when she really needed it to be capable of relying on others to protect her now.
So he can’t bring himself to become upset at the disbelief in her eyes when he promised last night he wouldn’t let anyone hurt her anymore. He wonders how often after each attack during her childhood the Sandaime promised to protect her and it wouldn’t happen again.
Despite that understanding, it still bothers him a little. He meant it. No one will lay a hand on her anymore.
Reaching down he rests his hand on her slight baby bump. Naruto barely started showing within the last couple of weeks and she joked their kid is going to specialize in stealth if they’ve been hiding this long.
The bump isn’t visible to the rest of the world, but with her lying against him naked it is. Caressing the gentle bulge he silently acknowledges that somehow he’ll have to prove he can protect her.
“Are you sure we’re not going to be bothering them?” Ibiki asks as they stroll through the chilly streets later that morning.
“No, we won’t,” Naruto rolls her eyes. “I want to find out what happened after we left,” she impatiently tugs on his hand, trying to get him to walk faster with no success.
Tugging his hand free from her grasp, he drapes his arm around her shoulder and pulls her close, ignoring her irritated scowl.
“There’s no hurry to find out and it’s likely they stayed late to monitor each party and are probably sleeping in.”
“They’ll be up,” Naruto huffs with irritable confidence.
True to her words, a very awake Iruka opens the door and ushers the couple inside for some tea. Naruto helps her before settling on the sofa next to Ibiki. Grabbing her cup, Iruka sits in the armchair closest to them.
“Where’s Kakashi?” Naruto asks. “I thought he’d be with you since baa-chan gave you guys the day off for helping to maintain the peace at both parities last night.”
“He is attempting to reclaim his sanity at the Memorial Stone,” Iruka chuckles.
“That’s nothing new,” Ibiki states, arching a brow. “Kakashi’s feet have worn a permanent impression in the ground in front of the stone.”
“Today he really needed his alone time,” Iruka smirks.
“Okay, what happened after we left?” Naruto eagerly asks. “It’s got to be good if it drove Kakashi to the stone instead of spending his day off with you.”
“I’m not sure if you’ll think it’s good, but it was interesting, to put it mildly,” Iruka grins while sipping her tea. “It took only a few minutes after you left for everyone to notice you were gone. The girls debated going after you or not, but decided to invade Ibiki’s bachelor party instead, which was fine since the restaurant staff wanted to start cleaning up. Of course, the guys weren’t unhappy to see us because they spent the entire time arguing over that drinking game they were trying to invent when Ibiki left.”
“I’m not surprised,” Ibiki shakes his head while rolling his eyes.
“Me neither,” Iruka agrees. “I did learn some interesting things about my former students when they get drunk. Like how Kiba becomes everyone’s best friend, encouraging them to drink up and live a little.”
“Did he break into old drinking songs?” Naruto eagerly asks.
Blinking in surprise, Iruka replies, “Yes, how’d you know?”
Naruto grins.
“We’ve all tried getting each other drunk at one time or another and succeeded with Kiba.”
Shaking her head, Iruka continues.
“Shino may be quiet, but he’s stubborn, refusing to allow anyone to get him drunk. Same for Neji, although, I had hoped to see what he’s like drunk.”
“He’s not much different,” Naruto states. “In fact, he becomes even more anal-retentive.”
“Are you serious?” Iruka asks, incredulous.
The redhead nods.
“We got him drunk once and he was even more solemn, turning into a walking encyclopedia of Konoha laws and regulations. He even went so far as to evaluate everyone’s fighting styles. He was really annoying.”
“You’d think he’d be the polar opposite,” Ibiki chuckles.
“Yeah, which is why we were sorely disappointed and ready to kill him and hide the body before the night was out,” Naruto smirks.
“Shikamaru had to be the most entertaining,” Iruka grins, continuing. “He doesn’t appear drunk, but his inhibitions are certainly lowered. When we got to the bar, he was entertaining some of the guys with three dimensional shadow puppets.”
Naruto laughs hysterically as a chuckling Ibiki asks, “Seriously?”
Joining in her laughter, Iruka nods.
Briefly regaining her composure, Naruto eagerly asks, “Did he create a little shadow terrier and have it do tricks?”
Still laughing hard, Iruka nods again as Ibiki laughs.
After a few minutes, Naruto wipes the tears from her eyes.
“The only time Shikamaru does the shadow puppets is when he’s drunk,” she explains, her voice thick with mirth. “The shadow terrier is the best one. Especially when he has it balancing on a ball and jumping through hoops.”
Iruka breathlessly quips, “I never thought the Nara clan jutsu could be so versatile. Too bad Choji wasn’t there,” she adds more calmly, “I’ve been curious how he is drunk.”
“You can’t get Choji drunk,” Naruto replies factually. “That high metabolism of his clan also processes the alcohol quickly through his system. It drives the others crazy knowing he can drink as much as he wants and won’t even get sick. You probably also noticed that Ino and Tenten can’t hold their liquor.”
“That’s an understatement,” Iruka smirks, rolling her eyes. “Ino began telling jokes and would start laughing hysterically before she’d get to the punchline. Then she couldn’t remember it once she finished laughing. Tenten turned into a female version of Gai, becoming extremely competitive and challenging the others into kunai throwing competitions.”
Ibiki laughs uproariously as Naruto grins knowingly.
“It wasn’t long before the ladies got it into their heads to hold a pole dancing competition for the guys,” Iruka continues.
Red eyebrows disappear into Naruto’s hairline while a skeptical expression crosses Ibiki’s features.
“They wanted to pole dance for the guys?” Naruto asks, incredulous. “What did Hana and Tenten have to say ‘cause they were the ones ranting over sexism and equal opportunity strippers for my party?”
“Since they were feeling pretty good by that point were the first to volunteer to compete,” Iruka grins while Naruto rolls her eyes. “They heard about the strippers hired to perform for Ibiki and liked it was a performance instead of just jiggling the goodies. However, the ladies wanted to remind the guys they have much more to offer, so they convinced Yamato to supply four poles lined up along the bar. It wasn’t a drinking game and would be in rounds with the winners of each competing against each other in the last round. Eventually it morphed and the ladies started challenging the guys.”
“This should be good,” Ibiki laughs.
Iruka nods.
“There weren’t any takers among the guys at first, but did spark a debate on who’d likely be the best dancer. Gai claimed he’d be the winner because of his physical prowess, which he directed everyone to ask Kakashi to back up his claims. That sparked some sniggers and a few winks and nudges as some suggested it explained his fixation on challenging Kakashi. Gai has a deep-seated need to always have his attention. Genma decided to be helpful and planted the idea into Gai's head that pole dancing would make a great challenge between him and Kakashi.”
“Bet that went over well with Kakashi,” Naruto quips.
“Genma recoiled under his glare and probably is hiding to avoid retaliation.”
“Won’t work. Kakashi has a long memory and is great at holding grudges.”
“That he is,” Iruka agrees. “Besides the fact Kakashi refused to participate, the girls objected because as funny as that would be, they didn’t want the night to turn into a Kakashi and Gai showcase. So they insisted the others had to compete too.”
“I’m not surprised Kakashi refused,” Naruto snorts. “I wouldn’t either in his shoes.”
“The implications alone are enough incentive not to do it,” Ibiki observes in amusement. “Just the mental picture of him and Gai trying to out dance each other is cringe worthy.”
Naruto thinks about it before shuddering.
“No, it’s traumatizing actually.”
“Besides, Kakashi shouldn’t be dancing for anyone else but me,” Iruka quips.
“Too much info, way too much info,” Naruto grimaces in disgust.
Smiling, Iruka continues.
“Well, they managed to rope Sai, Kiba, Genma, Izumo and Kotetsu into giving it a go. What’s funny about Sai participating is he wasn’t even buzzed, but decided to give it a try anyway.”
“Someone probably told him it’s a great way to strengthen bonds,” Becoming contemplative for a moment Naruto adds, “Probably Kakashi. If he was annoyed enough by the others trying to get him to compete he’d sadistically take it out on the first person he could.”
Iruka nods.
“It was a good thing Kakashi didn’t participate because Gai somehow found a lime green, feather boa. No one has a clue where he got it.”
Naruto and Ibiki gape incredulously.
“Are you kidding?” Ibiki asks.
“Nope,” Iruka shakes her head. “If you think that’s bad, Gai really started getting into his routine. In addition to the usual pole spins, he was bumping and grinding like a pro. Needless to say, he was so good he turned out to be the winner and has some seriously wondering about him.”
Naruto stares in horror before shuddering and covering both eyes with a groan.
“I think I just ruptured an entire lobe of my brain on that image. I was going to bitch about all the fun stuff happening after I left, but hearing about that I’m so glad I missed out!”
Ibiki shakes his head, commenting, “No wonder Kakashi needs some alone time. That’s the stuff of nightmares.”
“That’s an understatement,” Iruka snorts. “Surprisingly enough, Kiba and Izumo gave Gai a run for his money. Sai, Genma and Kotetsu didn’t have the same flair for it. None of them contested Gai’s win, though that may have been due more to processing what they just witnessed than good sportsmanship. Kakashi and I decided to call it a night after that.”
Urgent knocking on the front door attracts their attention. Frowning in confusion, Iruka rises from her seat and answers it. A frantic Mozuku looks around wildly before zeroing in on Ibiki and stepping over to him.
“Boss! We need you because Shimon and I pissed off Anko! Ino hid somewhere and I barely escaped after she got Shimon and locked him in Room 10!”
“What the hell?” Ibiki glowers, rising to his feet. “Go find Inoichi. He wasn’t scheduled until later, so he should be at the flower shop. I’ll head over in a moment.”
Mozuku nods and disappears back out the door.
“I’m sorry, but it’s an emergency,” Ibiki apologizes to Naruto.
She blinks in surprise as he vanishes.
Watching Iruka close the door, Naruto wonders, “What the hell was that all about? I’ve never seen any of Ibiki’s people shaken up like that.”
Iruka rubs her scar thoughtfully.
“A hung over Anko is a scary creature to encounter and she got really trashed last night. She didn’t even wake up when they carried her home.” Shuddering, she adds, “Her locking Shimon in Room 10 is beyond cruel.”
“What’s special about Room 10?” Naruto asks, cocking her head. “I’ve never heard of it.”
“Because you’ve never worked in T&I. I know about it because I worked there once before becoming a sensei. It was enough to convince me the academy was the right choice,” she smirks, moving to sit next to Naruto on the sofa. “Room 10 is a special genjutsu room they’ll lock the more difficult prisoners in. The person who designed the genjutsu had a sick sense of humor. It doesn’t draw on adult nightmares since most are based on memories and experiences. The truly sadistic aspect of it is it uses your worst childhood nightmares.”
Quirking a brow, Naruto states, “It sounds bad, but not necessarily horrific. Also sounds like you had some personal experience with Room 10.”
“Anko locked me in there once as a practical joke.” Iruka shudders and takes a deep breath, admitting, “When I was a little girl I used to be terrified of clowns. As I got older I went through a brief period of being afraid of drag queens.”
Naruto couldn’t resist laughing before accusing, “You’re lying!”
Unable to resist chuckling, Iruka insists, “It’s true! I had a bad mission experience with a couple of comrades, who shall remain nameless, and they had to dress up as women and infiltrate a brothel in the red light district of a village in Lightning. The guys had to go in because this particular brothel specialized in cross dressers and transvestites and I couldn’t quite get the look right. It really was the scariest thing because they had to be the ugliest drag queens ever. They put their makeup on so badly they reminded me of clowns. So for some time afterward I kept having nightmares about it.”
Leaning back into the sofa, Iruka drapes an arm along the back and continues.
“Now when Anko locked me in Room 10 the genjutsu brought that back. Imagine Jiraiya, the Third and Homura wearing fire engine red, micro-mini dresses with five-inch platform heels and looking like a make-up cart from a flea market ran them over.”
Naruto twitches before shuddering, “That image will haunt me for the rest of my days.”
“It’s a good thing you’re already in therapy,” she sighs. “Though, poor Inoichi is likely still traumatized from when he helped me recover from that incident.”
Naruto eyes Iruka and asks, “You did get some payback from Anko didn’t you?”
The answering grin gave Naruto the shivers as she coldly intones, “Once I was done, Anko never tried pranking me again.”
“I’ll definitely have to ask about that later,” Naruto smirks. “Let’s get back to the party. Did the others make it home safe?”
“A lot of partygoers quickly called it a night once Gai finished his routine. Some of the more sadistic jounins who deliberately stayed sober to take advantage of the drunks decided to just herd the others home. Obviously, Gai’s routine had a sobering effect on a lot of our comrades.”
Shaking her head, Naruto chuckles, “I’m not upset I missed that.”
“Trust me, you shouldn’t be,” Iruka grins as Kakashi returns home. Walking over he gives Iruka a kiss.
“Getting the low down on the party after you left?” he asks, reaching over to ruffle Naruto’s hair.
Unable to resist temptation, she asks instead, “Out taking a jutsu for a spin, Kakashi? I hope you didn’t bump into anyone annoying or nothing ground on your nerves.”
Kakashi stops ruffling Naruto’s hair to glare down at her before grabbing her in a headlock and giving her a noogie.
“Naruto is pregnant,” Iruka rolls her eyes with an exasperated sigh. “You can’t be that rough with her right now.”
Releasing a squawking, indignant Naruto, he gives her another glare before walking toward the kitchen.
“You shouldn’t be so bratty, Naruto, or I’m not going to make you lunch.”
Ignoring him, Naruto grumpily smoothes out her hair before getting up and following after Iruka into the kitchen.
As Iruka starts helping him, Kakashi asks, “Where’s your fiancé? I thought Ibiki would be with you today.”
“He was here listening to all the gory details of the party after we left until a nearly hysterical Mozuku showed up to get him because he and Shimon pissed off Anko and she locked Shimon in Room 10,” Naruto explains
Kakashi shudders before igniting the burner under the wok.
“Anko must really be hung over to be that cruel.”
“I can’t see why,” Naruto airily replies, leaning against the counter nearby. “From what I’ve heard, Gai’s routine should’ve sobered her up instantly.”
Kakashi throws another glare over his shoulder and growls. Laughing, Naruto grabs him from behind in a hug.
“I understand. The way Iruka tells it is enough to cause nightmares. But I’ve got a remedy for that.”
A bright yellow covered book with the words ‘Icha Icha Spectacular!’ stamped in gold foil appears in his line of sight.
Kakashi immediately snatches it out of her hand to stare at it for a moment before whirling around to look at a grinning Naruto.
“You’ve got a very valuable book in your hands,” she jabs a finger at the book. “It’s the special anniversary edition that was supposed to come out in June, but there was an error during printing and it never got shipped.” Gesturing at the cover she points out, “Look at the female character running from the man. When the cover went through the press a final time her blue dress was supposed to be printed. As you can see, her body is nothing more than a beige silhouette. Although there aren’t any specific details beyond the outline, she sorta looks naked don’t she? The mistake wasn’t discovered until several thousand copies were printed and ready to ship.”
Leaning back against the kitchen counter with her arms crossed, she continues.
“Ero-sennin always gets the first few copies and sent me one in thanks because I edited for him and he didn’t notice the mistake either. The publisher freaked and worried about some sort of public outrage if they sent the books out like that. Since the books hadn’t shipped yet, those copies were destroyed, but they weren’t able to reschedule the printing until the fall.”
Gesturing again at the book in his hands, she grins wider.
“Since all the other copies were destroyed, unless Ero-sennin kept some, that may be the only one left in existence. Should be a collector’s item. I was going to surprise you with it for your birthday, but you can think of it as my small way of making up for last nights trauma.”
As a stunned Kakashi processes her words, Iruka takes the book out of his hands and rolls her eyes, muttering, “Great, more porn to distract him from his responsibilities.”
“As if,” Naruto scoffs, straightening up to place her hands on her hips. “You’re not going to stand there and pretend you don’t benefit from his reading Icha Icha.” Rolling her eyes, she adds, “I’ve certainly walked in on you two enough times to know that ain’t the case.”
As Iruka blushes, Kakashi grabs Naruto in a fierce hug and spins her around repeating, “Thank you!”
“I wouldn’t have wished last night on my worst enemy,” she laughs, hugging him back. “That should ease some of the trauma.”
Kakashi grins as he eases her down before realization lights up his eye. Reaching down he rests his hand on her stomach.
“You got bigger.”
Smiling, she places her hand over his.
“I started showing in the last couple of weeks. I’m just not big enough yet to be noticeable through my clothes.”
Iruka comes around to her other side to feel her belly too.
“Have you felt the baby move yet?”
“I don’t know,” Naruto shrugs. “Baa-chan says the movement feels like gas, but I’ve got so much of that it’s hard to tell.”
Noticing Iruka is distracted, Kakashi attempts to retrieve his new book from her grasp.
She immediately snatches it away with a glare, tersely reminding him, “We are in the middle of making lunch and you’re not going to bury yourself in it for the rest of the day.”
Kakashi glares back, but before he can open his mouth to protest, Naruto pulls him close to whisper in his ear. A grin breaks out on his face as he nods and goes back to making lunch.
Arching a brow, Iruka shoots Naruto a questioning look.
Smirking back, she explains, “The sooner we have lunch, the sooner I can leave and he can read the pages aloud to you. Then you’ll have all afternoon to duplicate some of the maneuvers in the book. Ero-sennin really outdid himself this time.”
Iruka gives Naruto a lidded glare, unable to stop the furious blush spreading over her face while the redhead laughs uproariously. She promptly swats the younger woman in the head with the towel she was holding before going back to helping Kakashi with lunch.
A/N: At any rate, this pretty much finishes out the bachelor/bachelorette parties as there’s always an aftermath. Don’t know how soon I’ll update this one again, but I’ll try not to leave it for too long.
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Facilitating Between Heaven and Hell