A Welcome Change of Climate
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Ficlet by Clockwork Cliche
KxI
Rated T
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The storm outside meant that the inn was cramped and steamy, filled to capacity with grumbling travellers who had been forced to take refuge for the night, despite it's outrageous prices.
Iruka's fingers were slowly coming back to life as he flapped them over the candle flames. They had become so numb during the short walk from the academy bunkers that he could hardly lift his glass.
He was not at all surprised that rain ninja had gained a reputation for being a little.. Fixated, and his opposite number at the rain academy was no exception.
"Looks like the weather will be poor for your return trip" the man across the table commented drearily.
"Ah, well, all in the name of inter-village relations, right?" Iruka laughed awkwardly.
"The weather has been especially bad this month" the other ninja sighed.
"Yeah, you mentioned-"
"Just the other day I commented on it to Nanami-sensei"
"That so?" Iruka struggled valiantly to maintain a polite smile.
"Yes, I said 'hasn't the weather been bad this month Nanami-Sensei?'"
"You don't say?"
"Yes I did, and she said 'yes, it has been' and she was referring to the weather, which was bad at the time"
"A-ah. Well Yukiko-sensei, it's really been a pleasure, thanks so much for your hospitality, but I [i]will[/i] have a bit of a hike getting back tomorrow, so I think I'd better turn in..." Iruka gave a large yawn, trying not to look too happy at the prospect of escape.
"Hoshi-sensei said he was going to join us, perhaps something has delayed him, courtesy would dictate we both wait for his arrival" the other pointed out. Obviously he was looking to share the national spirit of misery around.
"Oh-er of course" Iruka slumped in his chair.
"He's most likely late due to the bad weather..."
"..I'll get more drinks shall I?"
/ / / /
Iruka was jostled and shoved in the grumbling mass of soggy patrons at the bar, several scuffles had already broken out over the slow service and the mood was turning mutinous.
When he finally reached the front the harassed barmaids were all too busy trying to quell the complaints to pay Iruka's polite waves any attention. He was just about ready to climb over the bar and serve himself when a gloved hand landed on his shoulder.
"This is a pleasant surprise, Iruka-sensei" came a familiar drawled whisper.
Iruka turned and caught sight of what looked to be a mass of white candy floss protruding from under the hood of a large rain cloak.
"Kakashi-sensei?" he choked "Wa-what happened to your hair"
Kakashi coughed "It's the climate, lets not dell on it"
They both automatically made towards a deserted alcove at the back of the room where debriefs could be safely exchanged.
"But its curling" Iruka pointed, transfixed.
"So, what brings you to Rain?" Kakashi asked, tucking his hair out of sight impatiently.
"Oh, um, I'm here as ambassador to for the Fire Academy, we're, er, 'forging educational bonds'" Iruka said in an undertone.
"Sounds painful"
"They're very dedicated to the work" Iruka said, a little defensively.
"Certainly, but you'd rather get a kunai in the foot than chat to one for more than a minute" Kakashi observed.
Iruka ignored him and shuffled a little closer to keep from being overheard "Are you on dispatch?"
"Finished actually…" Kakashi's sigh seemed a little melancholy.
"Is there a problem..?"
"Well not now, thanks to this happy co-incidence"
"Why's that?" Iruka asked apprehensively.
"The thing is, our beloved hokage seems to have somewhat underestimated the funds required to complete my mission..." Kakashi patted his pockets for effect.
"You're... broke?"
"Penniless"
"And..." comprehension dawned "And you need some poor sap to pay for your room tonight?"
"I prefer 'compassionate colleague' but that's the gist of it, yes"
"Sorry" Iruka said, not sounding it at all "But I haven't got any spare either, Tsunade-sama calculated my expenses to the dot" He turned on his heal, ready to bid a hasty retreat.
"How unfortunate" Kakashi caught Iruka's arm before he could get away "Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't your room have space for two?"
"That! That seems like a bad idea" Iruka whispered indignantly.
"Why? I'll go in through the window; your hosts won't have to see you inviting strange men in for the night or anything..."
"Inviting!" Iruka spluttered. "I'm not-!" he paused to collect himself "If they find out that the most powerful Jonin in the Fire Village just 'happens' to be hanging around while I'm here they're going to think we don't trust them!"
"When in fact we just find them horrible bores?"
"It could ruin the whole mission!"
"Iruka-sensei, are you saying that you doubt my ability to conceal myself from them?" Kakashi asked seriously.
"O-of course not - but!"
"Great, then I'll see you later, don't worry I already got the room number off your key" Kakashi held up the set that had until very recently been in Iruka's pocket. He snatched them back with a barely concealed snarl. "..And I'm sure your security traps will pose less than no threat to me, so, Bye-bye~"
With a jaunty wave Kakashi sauntered off into the crowd before Iruka could form a suitably venomous retort.
/ / / /
Muttering darkly he pushed his way back to the table, where he found Yukiko the delayed Hoshi-sensei, sitting in their apparently habitual stony silence.
When they spotted Iruka Yukiko-sensei cleared his throat. "You seem to have forgotten the drinks Iruka-sensei"
"Ah! Oh, right, the, uh, the bar is a little busy" Iruka said lamely, taking his seat.
"Must be the weather" Hoshi-sensei said.
"Yes, very bad weather we're having" Yukiko-sensei nodded
Iruka bit the inside of his cheek to stop from groaning.
/ / / /
To be concluded.
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