I'm Only Human

Encouragement

Warnings: slight violence and blood

__________

Iruka couldn't shake this unsettling feeling in the back of his mind. He knows this because he has already tried several times, to where the Third Hokage glancing at him that noticing the academy teacher distract behavior, but remained silent. Danzo soon after left when team seven left, but something seemed off about team seven, exceptionally with Kakashi. Lord Third didn't seem to notice how Lord Danzo's entrance created a slight tension in the room. After the village elder left, it felt like it was easier to breathe, even more so, when a chatty group of jonin entered the mission's room after a successful mission.

'What was with Kakashi?' Iruka thought as he continues to stare at the report in front of him. He already felt guilty for accusing Kakashi of abusing his former students. However, with some of the rumors he's heard of the cold-blooded Hatake as a kid and the jonin's lazy demeanor, the Umino wouldn't put it past him if Kakashi did.

However, he couldn't help but self-reflect when Sasuke defended Kakashi that really surprised the Chunnin-sensei. Sasuke doesn't stick up for people unless they're important to him or that he has great respect for the individual. Whenever it comes to Kakashi, Iruka's temper seems to be much shorter than for the other jonin. He knows something must have happened to the silver-haired jonin, by the way, his mood changed and the way he moved around the room, as if show slight signals of, 'back off.'

'Something must have happened, but what?' Iruka's mind pondered in thought, mentally replaying the whole encounter. Then inwardly concluded, 'Kakashi's mood changed at the moment, where Lord Third informed them that the stolen documents were child records.' Iruka made two more corrections on the report he was working on. while he continues to mentally analyze team seven's strange behavior. 'Kakashi's movements also changed when Lord Danzo entered the room," he inwardly remarked. Remembering how Kakashi was moving around the room with a purpose in each step. The more Iruka thinks about it and everyone's placement in the room. During the time, he notices that Kakashi was between Lord Danzo and his former students.

'Did something happen between team seven and Lord Danzo?' Iruka asked himself. Remembering how the three students looked nervous, but they were trying to hide it. Plus the words the two lone-eyed men exchanged with each other.

"Hatake, with your skillset, this mission should go easy, but if you need any assistance, don't hesitate to ask," Danzo spoke.

To anyone else, it sounds like a comrade offering a comrade aid. But Iruka knows there must be some sort of hidden message. It wasn't until Kakashi's words finally struck him on how bad the situation really is.

"No need. Your forces will be in the area even without my request," Kakashi answered, looking over his shoulder at Danzo.

Lord Danzo's word now made sense when you think of how they can be taken as a threat. 'My forces will be waiting. For you to let your guard down,' Iruka inwardly quoted what could be the hidden message, and thought of that Kakashi's response could mean along the lines of 'I know.'

The Chunnin eyes narrowed, and worry started to coil tighter in his stomach. Before glanced at the clock that read 5:55 pm, Team Seven left around 2:30 pm. 'What's taking them so long? The mission's supposed to be around two to three hours long? Did something happen?' Iruka considered feeling a bit more paranoid.

"Do you have somewhere you need to be, Iruka?" The Hokage asked, noticing Iruka staring at the clock finishing the report he was working on.

"Yes, sir. I have a doctor's appointment at 6:30," Iruka answered respectfully.

"Ah, I forgot that the yearly medical examinations are due soon. I assume the hospitals still have quite a long waiting list," Lord Third chuckled, still puffing his pipe.