[ON HOLD] Follow Your Heart || KakaIru Fanfic / Kakashi x Iruka

2| No Goodbye

Iruka's P.O.V

Reina was balling her eyes out at Kakashi's needed and sudden departure. She was crying about how her Dad was leaving her, how she would be alone from now on. I had to admit, it did hurt me hearing all these things from here. Did she not care for me as well? I mean, I was her so called 'mother' or - her other guardian -, I would think she'd show some kind of affection towards me like she does to Kakashi all the time.

I sighed and pushed Reina's cover back, I then pulled her to my chest and embraced her. Her sobs were quieting down slowly as I embraced her, she sniffled and tugged on my vest. Looking down at her, I smiled.

"Yes, Reina?" I asked her softly.

Her outer lip was stuck out, "Mom, w-why it that Dad has to l-leave?" She asked me.

I frowned. It seems like I have to explain to Reina what a Shinobi is and what they do. I rubbed Reina's back as I started to explain the job of a Shinobi of the Hidden Leaf.

"Reina, your Dad and I are important people to the village. We're Shinobi's, otherwise known as Ninjas. When Lord Hokage has a mission or job for us to do, we have to listen no matter what. These missions help protect you, you and the people inside of this village this very moment. It's also how Kaka- your Dad and I collect money." I explained, swiftly correcting myself as she threw me a glare.

Reina nodded and eyed me, almost seeming to beg me to continue with my explanation.

"The job of a Shinobi isn't a game. It's something you have to stick with and out all your will into, but in this case, that will is called the Will of Fire." I stated, poking Reina's chest. "And in a few years, you'll have the Will of Fire in you like many people in this village do at this very moment."

Reina gasped in awe, mesmerized by the whole speech. I couldn't tell what she was gawking over exactly, but I was taking a guess that it was about the will of fire. I smiled at her tear stained face, she had stopped crying.

Giggling, Reina made herself comfortable in my lap. She wiggled around and poked at my chest. "Ne, D-Dad...? Why do all the people in the Leaf village care so much about the others around them, even if they don't know them?" She asked me, curiously.

I tussled her blue hair around, "Reina, the people here in the Leaf Village care about everyone, even those who they don't know a single thing about. To us, them, everyone is family." I explained, pointing out the window at the previous Hokage's faces. "See those faces out there?"

She nodded, "Yup!"

"Those faces belong to the previous Hokage's." I stated.

She gasped, "You mean there was someone else besides gramps?!" She asked, dumbfounded.

I nodded, "That's correct." I said.

"No way..." She gasped.

I lifted Reina over to the window as I walked over to it. I pushed the curtains away and sat on the ledge of the window. Reina quickly scurried out of my arms and onto my back.

"D-Dad, stop! That's scary!" She shouted.

I chuckled, "Oh now I'm your Dad." I joked around.

Reina smacked me in the back of my head, "You have always been my Dad, baka!" She shouted.

I winced and chuckled nervously, "O-Oh, sorry then." I muttered out in apology.

Reina sighed and slowly, ever so slowly, she crawled into my lap. As she was seated in my lap while I was basically sitting on the edge of a window - which was a good height above the ground - I stared up at the sky.

Reina hummed and leaned back into me. She made herself comfortable and snuggled against me. A smile made its way to my face. Reina, she really was a great little girl. I still couldn't believe how calm and collected she could be after her clan was basically killed in front of her eyes. I guess children tend to forget or get over things quickly.

Still, even during this amazing moment we were having together, I couldn't stop thinking about my earlier thoughts. The thoughts on how Reina seemed to care about Kakashi more than she did about me. Was it all what I thought it to be? Did Reina care for Kakashi more than she cared for me? I've wondered this for awhile now... However, I do understand why she would care about him more. He did save her from death that night he went out on a mission, he was her savior. Her hero. He was everything to her.

Without him, I'd think Reina would lose it all. He's her leader and she's following his footsteps. I can already see her becoming a great Shinobi when she's older. Reina can already handle weapons well for her age, but it's not too surprising seeing we have Sasuke, one of the remaining Uchiha, training his butt off. I was brought out of my thoughts by a loud yawn coming from Reina.

Her mouth was wide open as she did so, "Daaaaaad!" She yawned out, stretching her arms out, hitting me on the side of my face by accident. "O-Oh, sorry..."

I twitched and forced a smile on my face, "It's okay, just go to sleep. I'll carry you to bed." I whispered into her ear. Right away, Reina nodded and leaned back against my chest, shutting her eyes immediately. "Good...night, Da-... Dad..." She muttered out before falling asleep.

I smiled and lifted her up. I walked over to her bedroom and laid her on her blue bed, quickly enveloping her in her warm blankets. She snuggled against the blankets, her face digging it's way into the pillow. I laughed and kissed her forehead.

"Goodnight, Reina. Daddy Iruka loves you."

~*~

"Iruka, please, just leave this conversation at this." Kakashi said, pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance.

I shook my head, "No, Kakashi, I won't let this conversation end here. You need to understand that Reina can't handle you leaving her all alone. After all, she's used to being around you the most! I mean, look at her! She practically cries over you, but with me? Nothing. Can't you understand she loves you more?" I blurted out angrily.

Kakashi was standing at the Leaf Village gate with all of the things he needed for this week long mission he received from the Hokage. I was trying my absolute best to make him stay or at least say goodbye to Reina. He didn't even say anything to her before heading out, He just walked out of the room and left me and Lord Hokage to explain what was happening to her. Of course, that was awhile ago, but he didn't even see her one last time. I sighed and looked back. She should still be asleep. I'm glad she didn't have to hear us argue again.

"Iruka, I understand what you're trying to tell me, but having Reina around isn't going to stop me from doing my job as a Shinobi." He stated.

"Well why can't you let her know you're leaving? She cares about you." I said.

"I can see that, and I do as well. However, I will not have her distracting me." He mused, and walked out of the village gates, not looking back. "I'll be back in no time, tell Reina she has nothing to worry about."

I wanted to make my legs move and run towards him, but I held in the urge and stood still. All I could do was stare at Kakashi's figure as he faded away into the distance. He was still waving as he walked away like nothing, like he didn't say anything wrong. When really, he did.

"Kakashi..."

__________

A/N: I apologize for the extremely, very, super late update. I really have no great excuses seeing I told many of you that I would update this book how long ago? But for those of you who keep up to date with me in my Real Randomness boo, you understand my current situation at hand for the lack of updates. Again, GOMEN! Please bare with me some more!