Chapter Text
It wasn’t like it happened in some lavish way that was fitting of a Shinobi. In fact, the truth of the whole situation only made Iruka feel worse. And now he had so much more to deal with than just the fact of the matter that now he was blind, and unfit to be an active Shinobi of the Leaf Village.
Now, when he went to sleep in the dark, he woke to darkness, and when he felt the sun on his skin he could no longer see it, and every shadow he sat in under a tree was only greatened by the infinite darkness he sat in.
One who sees nothing but darkness, can quickly find themselves thinking nothing but dark thoughts.
Iruka felt so very alone during those first months of pitch black. And all the people eager and willing to help, in fact, did not help him to feel less lonely. All aside from the tiny shining bit of hope that came when a visitor came to knock upon Iruka’s apartment door about 3 months after the accident.
“Who is it?” Iruka asked as he stood and felt his way to the door.
“Um, it’s me… Kakashi. I was wondering if we could talk for a minute. If it’s not too much trouble for you Iruka sensei.” Came the calm inquiring words.
A click was heard as the door cracked open revealing a slightly disheveled Iruka, and he stepped back to allow Kakashi to enter. “I’m not a teacher anymore Kakashi san, you don’t have to address me as such.”
“Maa, you can’t really mean that, can you? You didn’t also get amnesia from the accident did you? Once a teacher, always a teacher in my book.” Kakashi stepped forward noticing the lack of lighting as soon as he stepped into the younger teachers living quarters. “Not that I can’t manage, but do you mind if I turn on a light, Iruka Sensei?” Kakashi asked as he turned to face Iruka, who still stood still by the door.
“Oh, yeah… sorry. I don’t really need lights anymore. I didn’t even think about that. I’m sorry Kakashi Sensei…” Came the sullen reply as he worked his hand along the wall searching for the light switch. Just what Iruka needed, more reminders of what he’s lost…
“No need to apologize. I bet your electricity bill has improved.” Kakashi smiled slightly as the light flicked on above his head. Reminding him what he came here for in the first place.
“I guess it has, I haven’t really noticed since Tsunade has taken over paying for most of my living expenses.” Iruka was listening to Kakashi’s steps as he walked … somewhere… across his living room towards… the window? It was difficult still to map in his head people, and distances, and directions. He really hated this. He could feel his frustration growing, and so the sooner he could be alone again, the faster he could go back to feeling less self conscious about his blindness. “So what was it you wished to talk to me about Kakashi? Something about Naruto, or…?” Iruka trailed off, allowing Kakashi to fill in the blanks himself.
“Well, I was initially out of the village on a mission when the accident happened. So when I returned and heard the news about what happened, I had a thought that I wanted to run by you. And after thinking it over I was wondering if you might like to pick out one of my Ninken as a service dog? It might make daily life easier, and restore some sense of normalcy in your life, sensei.”
Iruka didn’t really know how to respond. It was a fine line between feeling thankful to those trying to help and also battling with a feeling of helplessness that made his current predicament feel all the more dire. He was never the best ninja in their village, by any means, but he had been a teacher, and had played a role in the clockworks that was their village, and home. But now, now all Iruka was was… what?
Iruka didn’t even know what his role in the village was anymore.
“I don’t know Kakashi… I don’t even have my daily routine established yet. I can’t even read Braille yet, let alone walk around my own home without falling over… I wouldn’t know where to start even if I DID have one of your dogs to help me.” Iruka slowly started feeling along the wall towards the middle of the living room, hoping to find his sofa so he could sit down instead of standing idly against the wall. Even standing required careful thought as to not lose his balance.
Speaking of balance, and falling in his home, suddenly Iruka felt his footing shift a bit too slanted and had to think fast before becoming more closely acquainted with his hardwood flooring.
Kakashi saw the wobble and had begun to step forward to help, but seeing Iruka manage to regain his footing was reassuring to Kakashi that the man wasn’t giving up on himself. But the few steps he had taken just in case had not escaped the chunnins well hearing eardrums.
“It’s okay. I got it.” Iruka said hurriedly as he steadied himself on the sofa armrest. Then noticing his sharp tone cleared his throat as he sat on the sofa. “Thank you for your concern, Kakashi Sensei, sorry to trouble you.”
Kakashi raised an eyebrow at the stubborn ninja. “No trouble. So, anyway, I really should get going, but give me a call should you like to look at my dogs.” Kakashi instantly regretted his word choice. And winced at his own blunder.
“Yeah… I’ll think about it.” Iruka said quietly.
Perhaps Iruka had missed the remark, or simply wasn’t showing any reaction to the mistake. Because Kakashi heard no hint of malice in the teachers words, only quiet contemplation.
Then Iruka started to stand up. To which Kakashi sprung to action, beginning his walk across the room and gently touched Iruka’s shoulder to let him know he was there. “It’s okay Iruka, I can see myself out. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me.”
Iruka noted how he could feel the rough snag of dry skin on Kakashi’s fingertips as it brushed against his black turtleneck top, and how the smell of his metal and leather gloves wafted next to his face. What sense he lacked in sight, he now made up for in smell and touch and hearing. Not all was lost, he supposed. There were new things to discover about the world he lived in now that one of his primary senses was eliminated.
As the door clicked shut after Kakashi’s exit, Iruka lost himself in thought about the odd suggestion. He knew he was managing all right, and some even suggested he was learning incredibly fast. Still, even if he could manage on his own, perhaps a dog would at least be good company…