THE KUNOICHI'S HEART

Title: The Kunoichi's Heart

Rating: PG-15 (this chapter), R later on.

Disclaimer: The characters are NOT MINE.

Chapter: 8/?

Words : 5,598 words

Summary : What if Iruka was a female? Follow the Naruto story since the very beginning...

Pairing : KakaIru, SasuSaku, NaruHina (the others will ba canon-like hopefully)

A/N :

Thousand thanks AGAIN for my beta, filleyice! You're so nice and fast in betaing this chapter but I ruined it with posting this late. Gomen nasai! –bows-

Oh my God... I've gotten 4,400+ hits in these 7 chapters. Not to mention 19 favs, 39 alerts, and 1 Cs. Chapter 7 is the most difficult chapter for me to write so far yet I'm glad my effort paid off with how happy people responds to me. -smiles- I've never gotten reviews -with more than one paragraph long- this many before, but I'm glad u people give me ur questions and thoughts of this fic. It really gives me many ideas how to develop the storyline, really -winks-.

This fic isn't a simple one (as if 40,000+ words isn't proof enough -sheepish smiles-) and it'll develop into a more complex story later (I've written the storyline ONLY and it's more than FIVE pages long... oh my.) I just hope I can write and show how each main characters' feelings and thoughts develop in time to u all readers. -smiles-

Not much KakaIru interactions in this chapter, but I still hope u like it! And not to forget, enjoy the story! -bows-

Comments & Questions from U (I'll Try to Answer Them Here)

- I am ready to cry glomps Iruka-chan I love you!

Love u too. -hugs- And yes, I tend to 'torture' my favorite characters this way, sorry -sweatdrops-

- This has got to be one of the most original Irukashi fics I've ever read. And I've read nearly every one over 10k on fanfiction (and a number of the off). I usualy wont 'What If' stories, ecept the select few that grab my attention. Yours is one of them.

Wow, thank u. I'm very happy to know u like this 'weird' fic. -grins- Still, there're many others iruka-being-female fic as well, so I won't take credit of the idea. Still, thank u. -smiles-

- The walls are finally coming down, and I couldn't be more happier. Iruka's display with the pervy sannin made me giggle and I had to smirk at Kakashi; he sure knows how to pick 'em!

Yes, Iruka's wall comes down bit by bit. Hopefully she can show her real self before Kakashi soon -and vice versa. Glad u like Iruka & Jiraiya's banter! And yup, Kakashi has a good taste huh? xD

- I can't but imagine what a baby would look like if Iruka and Kakashi were the parents...will it have silver or brown hair? Not to mention wild as Kakashi's? Will the baby be a genius or as softhearted as Iruka? You, of course, do not have to answer these but it sure has me wondering.

Yes, I told u in earlier chapters that yes, Iruka WILL get pregnant...eventually. Still, I haven't had any ideas of how the child looks like bcause -sadly- it will be a looooooooooooooong time before we reach that part. I'm open for any ideas though -winks-.

- I loved the whole scene with the old team getting together for sake. Can't get enough of over-protective brothers like Izumo and Kotetsu, not to mention Jiraiya's protective streak. I can easily imagine him threatening a poor guy with shoving a Resengan somewhere unpleasent -cackles-

Yes, Iruka is a lucky female - to have three guys on her back complete with their possesive streaks. Poor Kakashi, he has to be very VERY careful in handling this one female or he WILL be castrated - literally. xD

- What I loved was the Iruka-Jiraya interaction - it was just so much fun to read. Great Jiraya, scared of Iruka-chan Even though I can understand him, seeing as Iruka apparently has similar strength as Tsunade. Definitely scary! OOC? Hmm - it's hard to say for me (I only know the Manga and - like you said, there is little [if one at all conversation between the two of them), but I really liked it!

Yup, apparently Iruka inherits more than jutsus from Tsunade, huh? I can't wait to write how Jiraiya handles mad Iruka AND Tsunade at one time. Definitely scary. LoL And thanks, I tried to make their interactions as in character as possible in my mind and that's the result. Glad u like it! -smiles-

- Another of my favorites was Kakashi and Zabuza - AWESOME! I'm hoping for more smiles Kakashi explaing Tsunade to Zabuza laughs Followed up by Izumo and Kotetsu being overprotective towards Iruka.

I like Zabuza being Kakashi's friend. Kakashi needs someone to counter his solemn & introvert self although I know Zabuza isn't the best choice, still I like them both. -grins- As for Ko & ZUmo, I don't think they'll stop being overprotective to Iruka anytime soon. They have too much sister complex to their dear Ruka I think. -laughs-

- When I first read the summary I was a little iffy to be honest. I never thought of Iruka as a girl, but wow. This is really amazing, I really love this story. And although Iruka is a girl, I love the KakaIru pairing to much to care xD

Thank u! Glad u spare a moment to read this story even after reading the summary. I'm aware not many people like the female!Iruka idea but -heck- I like the idea and this's the result. The one thing I'm really grateful for is there are actually many people who still accept this unusual story and really love it. Thank u for your opinions & supports, it really give me motivations to keep continuing this story - however weird it seems to some others people. -bows-

- This chapter was well worth the wait. I couldn't help but laugh at Iruka beating Jiraiya to a pulp. I couldn't breathe for a while.

Glad the previous chapter met ur approval xD Oh well, I don't think Jiraiya mind at all -he's too used being the punch bag of a certain blonde sannin as well, right? LoL

- I have a question the 'he' Iruka refers to a few times is he Orochimaru or do you mean someone that followed Orochimaru? I'm I missing something, sorry, just a little confused.

Sorry for the confusion. The 'he' Iruka means was really Orochimaru, but she couldn't bring herself to mention his name (and Tsunade's) due to their past interaction (which won't be revealed until later chapters).

- Oh, you made me cry on the last part. I like Naruto's description of Iruka being a 'fallen angel'. Now I know they will be closer than ever and that does my heart good. So I forgive you for making me cry. ;D Just joking.

Yes, I like that last part as well. Naruto is quite turning into my favorite gennin in this story - he's so adorable! -laughs- I want to show how close Iruka and Naruto's relationship is in this story and I'm glad u all like it! -grins-

- yay Yay YAY! This is progressing so nicely, good luck with all your tests!

Thank u! -hugs- Glad u like the story development bcause sometimes I feel afraid that this goes too slow (I want to write the part AFTER the chuunin exam SOOO much dam it! -wails-) And thanks, if u're wondering - EVERY time I'm writing a chapter, there's always ALWAYS an exam waiting at the corner and it plays a very VERY HUGE part in how long I can finish each chapter. I just hope u all can bear with me and my lateness! -bows-

- aww poor naruto (he one of those guys that can't stand a girl crying lol xD) i hope iruka-kun feels better in the next chap!

Yup. Naruto is that kind of guy xD. Well….for Iruka part, just read this chapter and u'll find ur answer!

IMPORTANT! I've made a fanart of this fic in my DA account. If u're interested to see female!Iruka with team 7 art, please go here http:/blue-iceland deviantart com/art/The-Kunoichi-s-Heart-71682888 (replace spaces with period please) Hope u like the art! (If it's not working, just go to my profile page and look for its link! I put the address there as well. And no, I don't think my art is THAT bad…. xD)

- Izky

Chapter 08 - Their Confusion : 5,598 words

"Ne….Obito, what do you think?"

He had been standing for more than an hour that night at the memorial stone, telling his teammates and sensei what had happened that day. Right after drinking a few cups of sake with Zabuza in the jounin's bar'.

The previously ex-missing nin's words rang again in his numb mind.

"You're interested in her without knowing her real strength at all…?" Zabuza blinked, gulping his own jug sake. He didn't need a cup at all.

The silver haired jounin was silent, simply staring at his own empty cup.

"…" No answer was given to the slightly drunk ex-missing nin.

"From what I saw this afternoon, she has her own problems, Hatake. Hell, I know that every shinobi's life has sucked, no one is an exception, even that always smiling chuunin of yours." Zabuza continued.

"She's NOT mine." He answered. Finally.

Zabuza smirked at him, "Keep telling yourself that. No one will believe it."

"…"

"Every shinobi, like us, has their own problems to deal with. She's only better at hiding it behind those innocent smiles of hers, Hatake."

"The first time I saw her…. I was merely curious. Who was that chuunin, smiling like an innocent child before a bloodied nin coming in after a bloody battle?" He whispered in his usual emotionless tone, too low to be heard by anyone there.

The stone kept silent before him. But, somehow, Kakashi knew his friends listened, even as far away as they were.

"She has a beautiful smile, even to this day. Right, Obito, I'm capable of saying that word. You can stop staring." Kakashi chuckled.

"Her smile reminds me of yours, Minato-sensei….."

That always happy, kind smile you always gave me…

"It is heart warming…. Sometimes I even wonder if she inherits it from you…"

I missed seeing those smiles on you, sensei…

"Now I wonder…. if her smile is true at all…."

Only silence answered him.

It was a few days later when Iruka saw the silver haired jounin.

Honestly, the chuunin sensei felt a bit … strange at the lack of sight of a silver haired jounin around her. She didn't realize that she was so used to the closeness of a certain silver haired jounin that she… missed him now.

"Where's your sensei today, Naruto-kun? I haven't seen him in the mission room for quite a while." Iruka asked the blonde who was reading a One Piece manga with his head on her lap while the rest of his body lay on the couch.

"Huh? He said he had something to do - I think he has gone for some more important missions given by Sandaime, so he asks us to deliver the mission reports ourselves these days, sensei. Why? Did he say something?" Naruto blinked in confusion. True, his pervert sensei acted er… STRANGER than usual, but the gennins didn't know why besides the fact that he was simply too busy with his missions to train them these past days.

Iruka shook her head slowly, brushing the spiky blonde hair gently. "No…nothing is wrong. I'm just curious, that's all."

"Wha… Don't tell me you MISS that lazy pervert of a sensei, Iruka-sensei?" Naruto raised his eyebrow in wonder, grinning cheekily at the blush adorning his favourite sensei's cheeks seconds later.

" It's just strange to not to see him at all… But maybe … I miss his presence as well." Iruka smiled honestly.

Naruto simply grinned, choosing not to comment anything at the recent honesty his sensei gave him. Unlike what other people thought, he could be sensitive if he wanted. And now wasn't the time for his over-protective mode to kick in.

But it didn't mean that he wouldn't give the lazy bastard sensei the 'family talk' sometime soon for having an interest in his dear sensei… and –judging from the blush which appeared slightly on his sensei's face - vice versa…

Iruka softened her eyes when the blonde gennin didn't say anything, simply grinning at her with a glint of teasing in those shining blue eyes.

He would grow up to be a lady killer if those teasing gorgeous blue eyes were any indication, Iruka mused.

After that 'emotional' day, Iruka was surprised that Naruto decided not to demand any explanations from her. She half-expected that the blonde haired gennin would demand who the crazy person -that dared to make his dear sensei cry like that- was, but no - not a word related to that night uttered out of his lips.

When she finally decided to ask him a few days later, 'Don't you want to ask?' Naruto simply shook his head and brushed his head sheepishly.

His answer really surprised her.

"I guess….you will…uh… tell me if you're ready, right? And I don't want you to tell me when you don't want to do it yourself, sensei." He grinned sheepishly, staring back into her surprised brown eyes with those innocent blue orbs. It was evident that her questions were making him nervous, but Iruka knew the blonde gennin never ever wanted to lie to her in any way.

Iruka simply blinked at his words. No words came out as her mouth hang open in surprise at the honest acceptance in the blonde's words.

Apparently her silence was considered a negative answer by Naruto because he suddenly blabbered and stammered before her; the previously calm and happy attitude changed drastically into the usual twelve year old immaturity Naruto always presented. "Eer….it's really okay, sensei! I know I'm a troublesome kid and give you so many problems now and then, but really – I don't want to pressure you with anything –especially about that night! She said that I must be patient about you and I need to support you to –uh- make you better? Er yes – something like that? And I have to wait until you tell me yourself! I really believe her and you! So…I just thought well…..uh – I forget what I want to say. You do understand what I'm talking about, right, sensei?"

Iruka blinked.

And blinked.

Until all the info was processed in her mind.

Then –after a long minute- finally she chuckled. "A…ha..haha..ha… I think….I understand what you're trying to say, Naruto."

Naruto blinked, turning his face up to glance back at his favorite sensei. "Uh….so, you're not angry, sensei?"

In response, Iruka pulled the small gennin into her chest and ruffled his blonde hair affectionately. "Not at all Naruto. It's me who should ask you that. Are you mad?"

The gennin obligingly circled his arms around Iruka's waist as he snuggled into her arms before he glanced up confusedly at her question. "Huh? Me? Why would I be mad?"

Iruka sighed, pulling the gennin up to face her as she brushed the blonde bangs out of the way. "For….hiding things from you and the others. Are you mad at me, Naruto?"

Naruto suddenly went silent, staring back at her brown eyes as an unusually serious expression adorned his face.

Iruka held her breath, waiting for –what?

And finally Naruto grinned. Honesty, innocence, and love could be seen clearly in his face.

Not to mention the familiar glint inside those clear blue eyes.

Iruka had to remind herself to breathe again at the sight.

He would really REALLY become a lady killer one day, Iruka decided.

"Naah…I've NEVER, ever been mad at you, sensei. I like – love you too much to do that. If there's anything I feel after – I think I'm… -relieved? Because you …-uh...how do I say this?- well you ALWAYS show people how happy & patient you are –were I suppose?- and how very, VERY rare it is for you to be mad at anyone that sometimes I've overheard people betting on how long until they can make you mad at them. I don't like those bets – really. But after seeing you like THAT, I'm just –well- GLAD that you finally cracked –uh, that sounds wrong- I mean…that you finally revealed things besides those smiles – not that I don't like it of course! Your smile is always so pretty, sensei! But what I mean is that…well…there's nothing wrong to in letting yourself go like that night, really. Everyone has their own problem, right? You shouldn't keep it inside all the time, sensei! And….wha-uh, sensei?" Naruto immediately stopped his mouth when he saw the tears trailing slowly down on his sensei's face.

And his face turned pale at the sight.

"Oh shit! Sensei! Don't cry, please! I just-uh- I just want to make you feel better, really! But as usual, I did everything wrong, didn't I? Sens-" Naruto couldn't say anymore as Iruka's arms crushed his smaller body into her own, pulling him nearly into her lap as the female sensei buried her face into his tan neck.

"Iruka-sensei…? Uh… what…" Naruto blinked confusedly as his arms automatically circled themselves around the slender female, rubbing her back slowly as his brain tried to catch up with what was actually going on.

He could feel his favorite sensei tremble slightly against him, not to mention there was wetness on his neck. He gulped nervously. "Sensei…?"

"Thank you…Naruto…. I love you too…"

And Naruto's heart soared.

"Kakashi-sensei…? It has been a while…." Iruka smiled at the sight of that familiar silver hair. He was currently standing before the memorial stone, giving the chuunin the view of his back.

She felt warmth, odd affection, and mostly relief at the first sight of Kakashi's back after days –weeks even- without seeing the jounin. Her feet automatically took her to stand beside the still silent jounin.

I guess….I missed him more than I thought….

"What're you doing here, Iruka-sensei?" The jounin didn't turn to greet her as she as she expected. Iruka frowned a bit at the emotionless tone he used. It had been quite a while since the last time Iruka had heard that emotionless tone from the silver haired jounin's lips. Why did he begin again now?

Is there a problem, sensei…?

And she realized her error as her gaze turned down to the stone before them.

Baka Iruka… He IS paying his respects for the dead at the moment. You shouldn't disturb him.

"I'm sorry. I just …. was on my way home from the Academy and I just saw you here. It has been a while since we talked, sensei." Iruka closed her eyes for a moment, giving a silent greeting to her lost ones. It had been a while since she visited them.

"Hnn…."

Iruka could feel something tightened inside at the emotionless tone the jounin gave her, far different from the usual bored yet teasing one the jounin usually used on her and his gennin team.

"Is there something wrong, Kakashi-sensei…?" She couldn't help but ask.

You sound…lost, sensei…

"You should go now, Iruka-sensei." The jounin said, keeping his stare on the stone before him, never at hers.

Iruka blinked at those slightly rude words before she understood the meaning.

"Forgive me if I've disturbed your time. I'll take my leave now." She bowed deeply at the jounin beside her and turned away, not wanting to show him her sad smile.

The jounin didn't want to talk with her.

And Iruka would respect his wish.

She ignored the tightnessinside, choking her and growing more and more as she took her steps away.

Hearing those light steps walking away, Kakashi growled under his breath.

Shit…

Not this….

Not when I'm still damn confused…

About her polite smile.

Her innocent laugh.

Her kindness.

Is that really…her real self?

Damn it…

I don't know anymore…

His solemn eye stared at the familiar names engraved on the stone before him.

Should I ask her, sensei…?

TWO WEEKS LATER….

"But….! You can't do that, Kakashi-sensei!" Iruka couldn't believe what the silver haired jounin said.

He…wants to make Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura take the Chuunin exam? But they're still NOT ready!

"They're not your students. They're my soldiers, Iruka-sensei." The masked jounin simply stared down in boredom at her.

"They're NOT ready! They can DIE with the little experience they have now!" Iruka's words grew louder and louder in the Hokage room. She ignored the whispers of some jounins who were shocked at the very unusual display of her temper, far different that from her usual polite, kind self.

Iruka knew that she was letting her temper flare before anyone else, but she did not care at all. Among the other gennin teams, Iruka grew to love team 7 more and more every day, particularly a certain blonde gennin. She couldn't help but give most of her attention to their bantering every time they visited her at the Academy or vice versa.

She loved the way Sakura smiled, blushing at the sight of a certain black eyed Uchiha.

She loved seeing the confident smirk on Sasuke's face; left hand subtlely brushing against the pink haired gennin's back as he answered Naruto's jokes beside him.

She loved how Kakashi-sensei kept reading the porn book while he was still watching out for everyone around him, keeping all of them safe and free to bicker amongst each other.

But, most of all, she loved everything about Naruto, the blonde gennin who was breaking her carefully built mask with his smile and laugh.

She loved the way he grinned happily, joking and throwing insults at Sasuke.

She loved the way he laughed and patted Sakura's hand as he winked at the blushing girl and an amused Uchiha.

She loved the way he would exchange banter with Kakashi-sensei, glaring and pleading to the lazy sensei to teach them more jutsus and –just for a second- stop reading that awful porn book.

Naruto was turning into one of the most important people in Iruka's life. His warmth and innocence –unbroken yet by the hard life of being a shinobi- was something that Iruka grew to love seeing everyday.

Please…..not Naruto too…

"Iruka-kun. Please understand."

Sandaime's words made Iruka return to reality as the chuunin turned to face the Hokage.

"But, Sandaime-sama! Those three are still inexperienced gennins! They're far different from Team 8 and Team 10 who have already finished some C missions!" Iruka tried to be reasonable.

"Yet they already faced and finished a B even A-mission, sensei." Kakashi added emotionlessly as his dark eye stared back against her brown ones with something that Iruka didn't bother to decipher.

"But it was unplanned and accidental!" Iruka countered back.

They can die in those fights! Please…Hokage-sama…

The third Hokage simply sighed, shaking his head. "I really understand what you're afraid of, Iruka-kun. But the decision is not yours to make. Kakashi understands his students better than you do, I'm afraid."

Iruka gritted her teeth, trying to keep her temper down as usual.

It is inenvitable, isn't it?

Lowering her head to the floor, she let out a whisper…or more like a hiss.

"I know I'm not a good judge of people, Sandaime-sama. I'll try to understand your choice."

After bowing deeply to the third Hokage seated before her, Iruka turned away from the silent Kage. Ignoring the warning glances some jounins threw at her, Iruka walked toward Kakashi's standing spot instead.

The sudden appearance of Genma before her didn't make her hard gaze vanish at all.

"Now…now…Iruka-chan. Be reasonable, please…" The senbon-sucking jounin grinned uneasily, blocking the chuunin's path from reaching a certain silver haired jounin behind Kurenai. No one in that room missed the dangerous stare Iruka threw at him.

Iruka merely hissed under her breath, turning to stare back into those brown chocolate eyes before her. The words which came out of her mouth didn't seem like hers at all.

"Only two people in my life can call me that, and it's not you. Move or I'll make you, Genma."

Genma blinked.

Iruka cursed lowly, hands making seals that Genma too often saw being used by all ANBU members.

Wait…how the hell can she know tha-

"Kanashibari no Jutsu - Temporary Paralysis Technique." The chuunin whispered.

A second later, Genma gasped as he couldn't move at all for a split few seconds, which was the only thing Iruka needed from the senbon sucking jounin.

Iruka turned her body slightly, skipping the paralyzed jounin for a second with a speed that was impressive even for some jounins, and before anyone could realize it, she was already standing before Kakashi, whose shocked face -unlike some jounins'- was safely hidden by his mask.

Their shocked faces were reasonable. The technique Iruka pulled was used to cause one's opponent to lose the advantage of movement. Freezing them in their tracks, the Jutsu created an opening for a more dangerous attack. And all the ANBU members were trained to know that technique.

They didn't expect a mere chuunin to have mastered that jutsu.

Before he could understand what the hell was going on, Kakashi could hear clearly words that were whispered close to his ear.

"If anything happens to Naruto, I'll kill you myself… jounin."

With those words, the chuunin vanished, leaving most of jounins shocked and the Hokage sighed at the rare display of power the chuunin showed them.

This is growing to be more complicated than I thought…

Behind the shadows, a certain silver haired Sannin who'd witnessed the whole event simply chuckled.

"Well…well…. This is turning out better than I'd hoped it would be…."

Let people see the real you, Iruka-chan…

"Tsutenkyaku : Painful Sky Leg!"

Throwing a kick down from the air, Iruka still couldn't satisfy her anger at the sight of a huge crater formed on the empty training ground caused by her marvellous strength.

That bastard…..baka jounin!

She turned into the nearest tree and attacked. With her sensei's favourite jutsu.

"Shosen Jutsu : Mystical Palm Technique!"

Again.

Doesn't he know it will be dangerous for his team!

And again.

Doesn't he care at all!

The tree was unrecognizable at all when she was done with it.

Still unsatisfied with the condition she put the tree into, she growled and formed a hand seal.

My soldiers! THE HELL!

"Katon: Karyu Endan - Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"

She shot an enormous ball of flame in the shape of a dragon from her mouth, intending to destroy the poor tree. The tree should die, she decided

The poor tree didn't stand a chance at all.

It was three hours later when Kotetsu and Izumo came. The two blinked in awe at the destruction their female teammate had caused in the training ground.

"Whoa….Zumo…. this's worse than the last time her temper got the better of her, huh…." Kotatsu grinned uneasily, picking his unconscious teammate, who was lying in the middle of the site, up into his arms carefully. He glanced around what used to be training ground, now left mangled beyond the recognition.

Izumo sighed, chakra overloading his palm as he checked the wounds all over the unsconcius female in Kotetsu's arms. "She has chakra depletion. We should take her home, Zumo…."

A FEW DAYS LATER ….

"So…..he said all of that?" Izumo asked, sitting on the couch as he played with Iruka's hair. The female sensei's head was on his lap as the rest of her body rested comfortably on the couch.

"Hnn….." Iruka nodded sleepily. She'd spent the last few days working off her temper in her house, destroying some of her things. Kotetsu and Izumo arranged a sick leave for her from the Academy and the Mission room for a few days - or maybe a week, Iruka didn't care.

It was the fourth day when Iruka finally could calm down and sit -or sleep- like the rational person she used to be a few days earlier. She felt really grateful that her teammates accompanied her during those 'irrational' days of hers, sacrificing their work (and pay as well).

"Hmm…. So he lived up that cold emotionless bastard reputation of his, huh?" Kotetsu commented, pillowing his head on Iruka's hip as his back leaned on the couch feet. They were currently watching TV in the middle of the night.

"Unlike what most people think, he's not like that, Ko. I know he means well…but his choice of words really pissed me off…" Iruka muttered, "Not to mention his way of speaking….ugh…the hell." She didn't bother to hide the remnants of her anger and temper before her teammate at all. It had decreased gradually as she destroyed some of her things, but it was still there.

I know I inherited this temper the best of the three of us…

And I don't care… Right now I just want to punch that emotionless face of his!

Izumo chuckled, "That means he is a cold emotionless bastard, Ruka."

"He's not. I told you before." Iruka insisted. She didn't know why, as angry as she was, she didn't like to hear people talking about Kakashi that way.

"So, he is not?" Izumo blinked.

"Nope."

"Well….you're angry as hell at him. Yet here you still defend his honor or something. I'm confused." Kotetsu blinked as well. Still, he smirked at the knowing grin on Izumo's face, unseen by their female teammate.

Iruka blinked at her friend's words, anger began dissipating quickly as confusion replaced it.

True…why the hell do I defend him? I'm STILL mad at Kakashi, ain't I?

"But….he's really not, Ko. I've known him for a while and he isn't like what most people think he is. He only doesn't talk much and often says things so bluntly, but I'm sure he means well." Iruka answered truthfully, but her own words began confusing even herself.

Wait… Why does it sound like I'm on his side…? This's confusing…I AM angry at Kakashi…right?

"But you're still mad at him?" Izumo asked again.

Iruka nodded, anger seeping back to her previously sleepy tone. "Hell yes. He put his team in danger with submitting them in Chuunin exam! And they're still children….!"

"But they're already gennin, Ruka." Kotetsu added, eating his potato chips as his eyes turned away from the TV and to her instead.

"But it's been only for few months! It's not enough, Ko!" Iruka groaned.

"Well…we took Chuunin exams like that too, right Ko?" Izumo blinked, fingers still brushing Iruka's brown hair gently.

"Only because we had a crazy female Sannin as our teacher..." Kotetsu muttered without thinking.

She was so impatient back then… She wanted us to grow up as fast as we could…

The first mention of her made Iruka silent. It always did.

Kotetsu seemed to realize his error at Iruka's sudden silence and Izumo's glare. "Eer…. But they faced that Zabuza, the ex-missing nin, and Haku, right? They must have something if they could survive that A mission in their first C mission, right Ruka?" Kotetsu quickly changed the topic, silently saying sorry with his eyes at the still glaring Izumo.

Iruka sighed, acknowledging her friend's subtle attempt, and nodded. "You're right. They did. But it doesn't make me worry less about their survival rate in the upcoming chuunin exam."

"You haven't seen those children in battle yet, Ruka. They've grown stronger, I'm sure." Izumo smiled, patting Iruka's head slightly.

"I really hope you're right, Zumo." Iruka sighed, enjoying her friend's gentle treatment on her hair.

"I'm sure they're stronger than our average gennins, Ruka. Hell, I don't think I want to say this…but they're taught by the Sharingan Kakashi himself. As far as I know from others, he doesn't take their training lightly at all…except for his lateness that is." Kotetsu added.

Iruka chuckled, "Well… they have had rather unusual training, but yes, I agree with you, Ko. He isn't an easy teacher to please. And he really puts the idea of teamwork above anything else into Naruto and other's minds."

"You seem to know him far better than we thought, Ruka." Izumo raised his eyebrows, grinning at the open fondness the female sensei unknowingly bared with those words.

"Yeah…you're supposed to hate him, right? Telling us some bad stuff of about him so we can mock him and call him names for the trouble he has put you through these last days you know… Yet here you praise him so highly…" Kotetsu smirked, not bothering to hide it from Iruka who gazed at Izumo in confusion until her brain registered with Kotetsu's words.

Both of them smirked at the blush that soon rose on those tan cheeks of their female teammate.

"Ah….you mean…. NO! I'm NOT! I don't know what you're t-talking about!" Iruka sputtered, covering her eyes with a slap of her palm.

Oh my God…

I've known other people often comment about our closeness…

But I didn't expect…Ko and Zumo…

Why do they think like THAT as well..!

"Oh…? And what are we talking about exactly, Ruka?" Izumo asked teasingly.

"Yeah…tell us, Ruka…" Kotetsu whistled at the growing blush on Iruka's face.

"I. DO. NOT. LIKE. KAKASHI. AT. ALL.!" Iruka shouted at the top of her lungs. She thanked God that they were in her house so they couldn't disturb the neighbours.

"Do you?" They asked in unison, chuckling at the growl emitted from the female between them.

"Ko. Zumo. Tell me the reason why the hell you think that before I make the handseals of Doton: Yomi Numa so that it can swallow you alive." Iruka growled as she sat up, lifting her head from Izumo's lap as she glared at both her teammates.

Me and Kakashi-sensei! It's ABSURD.

Izumo and Kotetsu blinked at each other and shrugged. They were secretly far too happy enjoying their female teammate's anger, rare and dangerous as it was.

Oh well… does she really want to swallow her own house? We don't think so…

Izumo coughed, lifting a finger before Iruka's face. "First, you talked about him more than any other guy above twelve years old before us."

Iruka merely raised her eyebrows in return. Huh? I talked about Neji and Lee often as well… And they're thirteen I think…

And I talk about Jiraiya-sensei A LOT in front of them as well… and we're…KYAAH! Don't Iruka… don't imagine it… you'll damage your brain if you do… it's just…EWWW…

"Second, you practically act like his wife before all people. And not to mention, with or without your three kids." Kotetsu continued, ignoring Iruka's sudden ill face.

Iruka blushed slightly at his words, throwing the image of her and the toad sannin out of her mind instantly at her teammate's next opinion. Did I act like that…? Really? But I'm just happy to be around Naruto and the team…I did NOT hang onto his arm or something like that… We simply talked like friends …right?

"Third, you accepted his offer of dinner alone. Don't think we don't know about that, Ruka. It was on the Gossip Vine thanks to Genma." Izumo grinned.

"He practically dragged me!" Iruka groaned.

Gossip Vine! I don't think I want to know at all…

"And you let him. Our point still stands." Kotetsu tsked.

Tch… She's soooooooooo…..in denial.

"We were only talking about Team 7's damn mission in Water country! And Haku-kun and Zabuza-san! That's all!" Iruka protested. Her blush grew redder and redder by the second.

What's wrong with THAT!

"And does he really need to do that? You can read the mission report yourself. And in case you forgot, Haku and Zabuza's info was really classified at that time. No one but team 7, Sandaime, and those two knew about it until the official news was made. But you did, thanks to Kakashi explaining to you himself at that dinner -which I remind you again- you two had alone." Izumo threw back, secretly enjoying the obvious change in their female teammate since their 'bickering' had started. The polite sensei was long gone, replaced by a high-tempered woman who was still in denial.

Come on Ruka….

Iruka couldn't say anything for that one.

It's true…Why did I accept his invitation? I can lift him by my single hand and throw him away like I once did to Genma years ago at his insisting to take me for a date…

And why did he need to take me to dinner that day? He should have taken a rest after a week-long mission, a damn dangerous one I might add…

And why did Kakashi bother to tell me at all…? He asked my opinion and whether I'm angry at his story or not… He doesn't need to do that unless…..

Realization dawned upon Iruka.

The tiny details that she thought were nothing began appearing one by one in her mind, building the memories of her and the said jounin's moments together.

Him giving the reports only to me back then…

His always smiling eye…

Him reassuring me before the Gennin test…

His large hand on mine…

His hard chest against my back…

Him DRAGGING me to dinner…

His warm hand holding mine that night…

Oh…

My…

God…

All those moments and subtle gestures formed one – two – conclusions in her mind.

He…likes…me….?

And somehow….somehow…I might like him BACK…

Both Kotetsu and Izumo smiled at her expression, "So…. you see now, Ruka?"

Izumo brushed Iruka's cheek gently, staring at those shocked brown eyes. "Despite your mask, he -besides Naruto, but we can count him out, right?- manages to make you give him your smile, your real smile - the ones that grow fewer and fewer each year, yet, you often smile that smile every time you talk to him or talk about him…Don't think we haven't noticed that, Ruka."

Really…? I didn't realize…

"And he -besides the children- gets under your skin so much that he manages to let you release that infamous temper of yours, Ruka, NOW and a few days ago. I don't think I know anyone that can do that besides Jiraiya-sensei nowadays…." Kotetsu smirked, patting Iruka's ankle slightly. Like Izumo, he was far too happy to witnessing Iruka's temper at the moment. It had been years since they'd bickered and thrown words against each other like a few minutes ago.

"Not to mention about his possessiveness of you…. He's practically following you around if he can and –despite that underneath the underneath philosophy of his- very very obviously glaring at any males from behind your back…. Even that Uchiha kid and his pink haired girlfriend realize that." Izumo chuckled at the sudden blush appearing so quickly on his teammate's face at his comment.

Now that you say that…

"Even if you deny it, we can see he's damn special to you, Ruka –and you to him- and that's the only reason why we let him get closer to you than any other damn males did. You have too many admirers you know." Kotetsu grinned.

Iruka couldn't wipe the damn blush off her cheeks at all. "You two…."

She didn't know her teammates understood her….far better than she did.

She simply lowered her eyes, staring at her own lap unsurely; the remains of anger were gone completely from her tone as she sighed. "I think…. I get your point….Ko, Zumo."

And I'm not sure if it's good or bad….

"Well…now that we're done with your denial, what do you want to do with it, Ruka?" Kotetsu asked.

FINALLY!

"It's….difficult. I'm sure he hates my presence now, Ko." Iruka finally smiled, sighing again at the confused faces of her teammates. She hadn't felt it before, but the days spent destroying things and working off her temper finally succeeded in expending most of her chakra, which was unusually much bigger than other average chuunin. Moreover, her 'bickering' with her teammates left her numb with the sudden and unexpected realization.

Suddenly…I feel really tired…

"Huh? Why do you think that, Ruka?" Izumo blinked.

Iruka shrugged her shoulder unsurely. Her now tired mind couldn't form anymore polite words (not that she could do that in her state now) as she decided to say the truth. "I don't know…. I used to meet him somewhere every day before. But I haven't seen him for …. more than a month now…. except for that damn fight at the chuunin exam recommendation that's it."

"Maybe he's busy with missions?" Kotetsu raised his eyebrows.

"He's asked Naruto to deliver the damn mission reports to me these days. He even doesn't want to tell me that in person, Ko." Iruka sighed again.

"Ruka…." Izumo whispered, pulling the silent female into his lap instead. He could sense the kunoichi was growing more tired by the second as they talked.

"I think he hates me, Zumo…" Iruka whispered.

Kotetsu sat on the other side of couch, gripping Iruka's upper arm slightly, "Now…now…don't say that, Ruka."

"And I made a fool of myself before him and all the jounins and even Sandaime-sama. They probably think I'm being a PMS-ing bitch or something…" Iruka laughed humourlessly.

Her teammates kept silent.

"Not to mention I threatened him of all people….. I don't think it looked like anything you want to do to someone you like, huh?" Iruka continued, playing with the chuunin vest of Izumo's.

"I might believe yours implications that somehow he liked me…and vice versa. But after that fight…. I doubt that he would look twice in my direction…. No one likes her after all…" Iruka closed her eyes; she couldn't hold enough power to open them.

"Sssh… just sleep for now, Ruka…" Izumo whispered, his gentle baritone tone lulled the female sensei into sleep.

Both Izumo and Kotetsu sighed, staring silently at their precious teammate.

We knew one day it would turn out like this…

But…that's the price you have to pay, Ruka…

Tbc…

A/N :

Kakashi's confused and Iruka finally is aware of HIS subtle attempts and HER own feelings… They're a bit dense, aren't they? It seems that I love 'torturing' them like this. –coughs- And damn… I LOVE how Naruto and Iruka's talk turns out here! –hearts-

Hope u like it! And please review, I'd love to know what do u think of this!

The Next Chapter - The Precious Friends (or Rival)

Preview :

"We know how mother-hen Iruka is sometimes, Asuma. She –hic- simply worries about her 'kids', especially that Naruto brat. I understand her feelings…sort of –hic-." Anko giggled, drinking her own jug. She was already drunk.

"Truly, you're right, Genma! My eternal rival here really needs our support now! But, don't worry! If I, the green beast of Konoha, can't help getting your sweet and beautiful Iruka back to your arms, I'll run 10,000 times around Konoha myself!" Gai, already very drunk himself, stood and posed his 'Good Guy' pose toward his rival as a drunk Anko hang onto his arm.

"Well…well…. you knock the wrong door, Hatake. Yours are the next door you know…." Zabuza raised his eyebrows at the sudden and unexpected presence before his and Haku's place.