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

3| Corrupted Thoughts

[ Next Day ]

Iruka's P.O.V

I sighed softly and held a photo of Kakashi and Reina smiling at the camera. I remember when I took that photo. It was not too long after she chose Kakashi as her guardian. Reina wanted to make it up to me and we decided to go on a little 'family' trip. The trip was great and all, but during our time together I noticed how close the two of them were. Their relationship compared to what I have with Reina is nothing. She really loves Kakashi.

I'm just a third wheel when it comes to them.

That's what it seems like to me at least.

I trudged my way into the kitchen and I glanced around. It's so empty without him... I frowned at the thought. What the hell was I doing thinking about Kakashi? He shouldn't be on my mind at all right now, he left Reina and I and he doesn't deserve to be acknowledged.

"Dammit, Kakashi... What the hell are you doing to me?" I asked nobody in particular. This was something I wanted an answer to.

Ever since we became Reina's 'parents' everything has been bumpy. We get into arguments over foolish things and we act like a married couple when we share no feelings towards each other whatsoever. And I've been very wary and...different around Kakashi. I'm sure he's noticed a slight change in my behavior as well. Sadly, I do make it rather obvious.

I'm sure it has to do something with his absurd behavior when it comes to Reina and his missions. Of course he cares about Reina, but he doesn't care enough that he'll miss a mission for her sake. After all, he's not one to break rules. Kakashi is well known for his determination to stick to the rules.

"Kakashi..." I whispered softly. A small pain hit me in my heart for a second or two, "Can't you see the stress you cause?"

He drives me insane sometimes, but I guess that's something I should expect from him. He is one of the closest people I know. We're best friends, collegues, companions, and fellow Shinobi.

Best friends?

It sounds so foreign to my tongue, but I like how it sounds. Kakashi and I are best friends? It that true? Does he even see me as a friend? I'm probably a nuisance to him, who knows what Kakashi thinks. He's very closed and mysterious with his feelings. I sighed. If only I knew what he was thinking...even if it was for a second I could possibly learn something about him that would take years to learn. I blinked. Then I gasped and smacked myself.

What was I thinking! That's invasion of his privacy... calm yourself Iruka, calm down. Kakashi will open up to you somehow, there's no need to go into his head for answers. You'll just have to wait patiently for him to trust you.

"D-Dad?"

I spun around. Reina stood in the kitchen doorway with a blanket in hand. She rubbed her eyes and she stared at me sleepily.

"You're awake..." I breathed out, "Are you hungry?"

I turned back around after she nodded and I started grabbing the things I needed to make a decent breakfast. Eggs and toast. Plain, simple, yet tasty at the same time. Reina sat herself on a chair and she stared at me while I cooked the food. She didn't say a word. It was awkward to say the least. Normally a child would speak a lot more than this.

After I finished preparing the food I walked over to the table and placed down her plate. I quickly grabbed her a cup of milk and placed it in front of her.

"Enjoy." I said and seated myself across from her.

We both ate slowly and without a word. It was really starting to become unsettling, but I guess this is what happens when you're left with a child who cares about your friend more. I slammed my fork down and I let out a grunt.

"Well, I'm finished. If you need me for anything you know where to find me, Reina." I stated as I started heading towards my room.

"D-Dad, wait!"

I stopped and looked over my shoulder at my blue-haired daughter.

"Yes?" I asked.

She gulped and wrapped her blanket around her a bit more securely, "Wh-Where's... Where's D-Dad?"

I froze and squeezed my eyes shut.

"He wasn't there next to me when I woke up today... He usually is. D-Dad, where did he go? Is he at the store? With Lord Hokage? Where is he-"

"He's not here, alright?" I snapped suddenly.

The air grew tense.

"Your Dad is gone and he won't be back for a week or two, maybe more. Who knows when he will be getting back exactly, he is gone and that's all you need to know at the moment. So don't ask again, understand?" I spat out, a sudden rage taking over me. The thought of Kakashi simply angered me for some reason, I guess I didn't really want to hear his name.

"O-Oh... I-I didn't mean to make y-you mad, D-Daddy! I-I'm sorry!" Reina whimpered, her lip quivering madly. My gaze on her softened and I frowned. I then realized what I had said and done. I yelled at Reina for such a idiotic reason, too.

"R-Reina, oh god. I'm so sorry... I-I didn't mean to y-yell at you!" I blurted out an apology.

However, it didn't work. Reina shook her head and ran to her room, whimpering softly. Her door slammed shut and I could hear the sound of her cries from where I was. I made a huge mistake! How could I have been so foolish as to yell at her? For heaven's sake, she's only a child!

I made my way over to her bedroom door, guilt eating away at my heart for doing something so stupid. I placed my hand on her door and knocked softly.

"Reina? You c-can hear me, right?"

There was no response.

"I just wanted to say that I'm really sorry for yelling at you like that... I didn't mean to, I swear. I was just a little a-agitated, but not with you...over someone else." I told her.

Again, it was silent.

"I'm sorry... I know I messed up badly, but don't worry. Your Dad will be here in no time. He loves you too much to leave you behind like this. So don't worry too much, he's coming back. I know it." I lied.

.

.

.

"He's coming back..."

.

.

.

Right?