Ghosts of the Past (Naruto, Kakashi/Iruka)

Iruka knelt in front of the memorial stone and set two white candles at the base of the stone, wedging them in around the melted wax left behind by previous visitors. It was a popular time of year for visits, not quite the anniversary of the Kyuubi attack but close. He liked to come earlier, before crowds surrounded the stone in remembrance. Besides, the actual anniversary was Naruto’s birthday and he liked to think happier thoughts on that day, for Naruto’s sake.

Naruto wouldn’t be home for his birthday this year. In a way, Iruka was almost glad. It had to be hard for him, trying to celebrate while the rest of the village was in mourning.

A quick flash of hand symbols brought the candles to life, two twin flames sparking awake in front of him. He sat back on his knees and stared up at the stone. His eyes found his parents’ names immediately. The air was unseasonably cold for this early in October, but not quite cold enough yet for him to see his own breath as he let out a deep sigh.

His eyes wandered over the stone. There were too many names that he recognized there. More conspicuous were the names not on the stone. He tried not to think too much about those names or the betrayal attached to them.

The candle flames winked out. Iruka jerked his head down and stared at the candles. He hadn’t felt a breeze and the few fall leaves scattered in the clearing hadn’t even rustled. He turned, half rising as he scanned the area. He was alone still but there was a faint niggling at the back of his mind, an unease that crept up on him, growing stronger as the light from the setting sun slipped away into darkness. His eyes told him he was alone but he couldn’t quite shake the feeling that he wasn’t.