Don't own anything Naruto. Just writing for fun.

Sorry for the long wait. I think I had a little bit of a writers block, then I hurt my shoulder, but now I think everything is back to normal. Thank you to everyone that has read and reviewed my story. Please review and let me hear from you. I enjoy hearing all of your comments, and it helps to get me motivated in writing.

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Chapter 7

"Why are you doing this?" asked Iruka, looking over at the griffin. The griffin turned his head and looked over at the tan man, narrowing his eyes, not saying anything. But Iruka wasn't scared. "It'll take more than a glare to scare me."

"You know Kakashi was the one that killed your son, but it was just as much your son's fault. Maybe if you would just open up your eyes you would realize that." Iruka watching for any kind of reaction from him. Iruka could have sworn he saw the griffins face change for a second before he narrowed his eyes even more and growled at him. "Maybe he does realize that, just doesn't want to admit it."

"You realize that don't you? You know your son was just as much at fault than Kakashi was. You know your son went to far. You also know it was him that killed Kakashi's friend and not Kakashi. But why…"

Growling, Mikio rushed over to where he had Iruka tied up, lifting his arm up and wrapping his long claws around the tan neck, pinning him to the ground. "You know NOTHING about what I have been through. If it wasn't for that arrogant, self centered dragon my son would be alive today. All he wanted was to be friends, but because he was a griffin, Kakashi shunned him, making his friends do the same. I will NEVER forgive him and as long as I'm alive, he will never see happiness. He deserves everything that I have done to him, but unfortunately for you, you are also paying the price for his earlier actions."

Iruka's eyes were wide from the sudden attack from the griffin. He knew that he was pushing his luck with what he was saying, but he didn't realize how much. Mikio let out another growl, as he pushed away from the tan man, Iruka instantly grabbing his neck as he gasp for air. His throat felt like it was on fire from the lack of air as he tried to get his breathing back under control. But Mikio wasn't going to stop him from caring for the dragon. Kakashi was the first one willing to be his friend and he wasn't going to let the griffin stop him. Narrowing his eyes, he glared "I won't let you stop me from being Kakashi's friend. He deserves happiness in this life, everyone does. Everyone does things that they later regret, it's what they learn from those actions that makes them stronger. Everyone deserves a second chance." His voice cracking from where the griffin had held his neck, feeling the bruises already starting to form.

"Your wrong." growled Mikio "Even if I killed Kakashi, that would be to easy of a punishment for him."

Iruka sighed as he lowered his head as he listened to the hate filled griffin speak. "He's been angry for so long that all he can see is hatred. I'm not sure if he could ever see the truth."

"I know what it's like to be hated, to not have people to care about me. It's horrible. It makes you feel empty inside and you feel like there's no reason for living. The pain that I've felt was unimaginable, mentally and physically." A tear running down the tan cheek as he started to remember his past.

Mikio narrowed his eyes as he stared at the tan man in front of him, noticing the change in his voice as he spoke. "How could you possibly know what it feels like to always be left out, never allowed to join in the fun? You probably had everything you ever wanted."

"Your wrong. Before I met Kakashi, I lived in an orphanage where you were lucky to get one meal a day, you we're beaten every day for no real reason. Our beds where pretty much made of rags that they called blankets. The rooms were so packed that you had just enough room to walk to your bed. We were only allowed to shower once maybe twice a week. It was the next thing to hell." Iruka looking off to the side, still not able to make contact with the griffin, not willing to show his weakness.

"That nothing like what Kakashi did to my son." growled Mikio

"No, your wrong. After running away from that place all I could think of was revenge. But after I met Kakashi he made me realize that the pain of revenge wasn't worth it. I had finally excepted for the first time in my life to accept my past, and move on from that day and begin my new life, putting all the bad memories behind me. All the hatred inside of me started to leave, filling my heart with the want to care and protect. I've never felt like that before, and the feeling is something that I will never let go." Lifting his head, he stared into the griffins eyes. "Kakashi has changed, whether you want to believe it or not. He regrets what happened back then, but he also realizes that he cannot change the past. He has learned to accept his fate, and accept the punishments that you give him. He warned me about you, told me it was dangerous to stay by his side, but not matter what I couldn't leave him."

Not wanting to hear any more, Mikio didn't say a word as he turned around and left the cave, leaving Iruka chained to the rocky wall. Iruka sighed as he watched the griffin turn around and leave, knowing that he was starting to break through the brick wall that Mikio had built up around him. "Maybe I can still make him see the truth."

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Kakashi was flying as fast as he could across the large lake. He knew he had to get to his old home as fast as he could before Mikio did something to Iruka, he just hoped that the dragons would let him explain his reason for returning, more than willing to forfeit his life in order to save Iruka.

Finally reaching the entrance to the land of the dragons, Kakashi took in a deep breath as he entered, looking around for the dragons that were normally on guard at the entrance. Hearing a noise above him, Kakashi stopped as he saw two dragons swoop down towards him, pulling back a little when they hovered in front of him.

"State your business?" asked the tan colored dragon, twirling around a sharp stick in his mouth as he spoke.

"Uh, I need to speak to Sandaime." replied Kakashi

"Sandaime is no longer alive." said the dragon.

Kakashi eyes widening at the statement. "This is going to make things more difficult."

Looking back and forth between the two dragons, Kakashi realized he didn't recognize either one of them. "Then I need to speak to your leader."

"That's is not possible. Tsunade does not meet with just anyone, especially a dragon that has been banished from our lands." growled the other larger, black dragon. He had a long scar on the side of his face that extended down to his shoulder.

Kakashi narrowed his eyes at the black dragon as he growled "I have to speak to her. It's important."

"We have strict orders to never allow you in." replied the tan dragon.

Dropping his glare, Kakashi looked over at the tan dragon pleading. "Please, I have to see her. I'll leave after I have talked to her."

"NO" growled the black dragon. "If you know what's best you will turn around now and leave." flapping his wings as he moved closer to the silver colored dragon, trying to push him back.

"I have to see her, even if I have to do this by force." Narrowing his eyes, Kakashi flapped his wings harder as he dove forward, ramming his head into the black dragon's chest pushing him backwards, curving his body and swinging his tale around to hit the smaller dragon, but missed as the dragon dropped down out of the way.

The tan dragon narrowing his eyes as he launched the stick that was in his mouth towards the silver dragon, sending it flying through Kakashi's wing. Kakashi roared as he felt the stick pierce his wing, pulling the wing in from the pain, falling to the ground below. The impact knocking him unconscious.

"Let's take him to the dungeon. We'll let Tsunade deal with him." growled the black dragon, dropping down to where the silver dragon had fallen, the tan dragon following him.

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Gai became restless after his friend had left to return home. He felt so ashamed that he said he was unable to help. He was a serpent that never gave up, and here he had let his friend leave without giving him the help that he so desperately needed. His most precious one had been taken by that evil griffin, and now more than ever Kakashi needed Gai's help. Gai was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear someone come up behind him.

"Ah Gai-sensei, how are you this wonderful, bright morning?" yelled Lee

Jumping, Gai turned around to see his most precious student beside him. Turning his head back and looking over the lake, Gai replied "I have failed." lowering his head as he repeated. "I have failed."

Lee stared at his sensei as he looked over the lake as if he was waiting for something. "How could you have possibly failed. You are the strongest, bravest serpent that I have ever met."

"I have allowed my closest friend to return to the land that he was banished from alone. I have failed him when he needed me most." The large sea serpent sighed as he lifted his head to look across the water.

"Then you must set things right. You must help him." replied Lee

"I can't. He has returned to the land of the dragons, and because I am a sea serpent I am unable to help." Gai hissing as his emotions started to overwhelm him.

"Then I shall help my wonderful sensei in his time of need." yelled Lee

Gai turned his head as and looked down at his miniature self, giving the smaller serpent a questioning look. "And how do you plan to do that?"

My eternal rival is a dragon himself. I will ask him for his help. Come, let's go to the other side of the lake to where the land of the dragons is. I will summon him at that time." Lee smiling up at his sensei.

"You…..You have a friend that is a dragon? Why have I never heard of this?" Gai still confused at what the younger serpent had said.

"Yes, we often spar together to see who is the strongest. That is why I must have you show me everything you know. I must become the strongest sea serpent." yelled Lee, the water splashing around from his excitement.

"Then let's go and meet this friend of yours." yelled Gai, unable to contain his excitement. Both heading in the direction of the land of the dragons.

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"You have taken him to the dungeon?" asked the blonde dragon.

"Yes, he is chained so he can't escape once he wakes up. But his wing is injured." replied the black dragon.

"Why is his wing injured?" asked the blonde dragon.

"He attacked us when we wouldn't allow him to enter. We saw it necessary at that time to stop him by force, Tsunade" replied the tan dragon.

"I understand. You two are dismissed." Tsunade motioning for the two to leave, both dragons bowing their heads before leaving. Turning her head she looked to where the dungeons were located. "What is so important to you brat that you would actually return when you know that you would be put to death."

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Thank you for reading. Please review and let me hear from you.

Peanut