disclaimer... don't own
Criminal
Was it criminal to wish for the death of a comrade? Watching as Tenzou stole Iruka from him, Kakashi was beginning to think so. For never before had he wanted to strangle his kohai.
Chapter One
Was it criminal to wish for the death of a comrade? Was it criminal to want him to fall off of one of those cliffs he tends to make? Kakashi glared as Tenzou placed a hand on Iruka's shoulder. He saw red when Iruka laughed at something Tenzou said. What could Tenzou possibly say that is funny enough to laugh? Suddenly Iruka was not laughing; instead he was quiet, a red flush spreading across his face. Kakashi nearly growled when Tenzou reached up and traced a finger along the scar across Iruka's nose. Kakashi clenched his fist tighter on the branch he had been holding to steady himself. Never before had he wanted to strangle his kohai.
It started when Kakashi and Tenzou stopped by the Missions Room to turn in their report. Iruka glanced up as they entered.
"You are early Kakashi-san," he said holding out a hand. Kakashi stared at the waiting chuunin for a moment before dropping a muddy scroll in Iruka's hand. Iruka frowned at the state of the scroll.
"Kakashi if I can't read this, I am documenting that you didn't even turn a report in."
"Ah...," Tenzou cut in smoothly taking the battered scroll, "I apologize for my teammate Iruka-san. I will turn in a rewritten report as soon as I can." Tenzou paused, looking over Iruka, "Perhaps there is a blank one here that I could use. Then I could turn in a proper report now, that is, if you don't mind waiting?"
Iruka nodded and got up to get Tenzou a new scroll.
"The team leader is supposed to fill out the report," Kakashi whispered once Iruka had left the room.
"The team leader is also supposed to write a legible report, Kakashi-sempai," Tenzou whispered back.
"Doesn't mean you have to act all sacrificial and write a 'proper report'," Kakashi muttered mocking Tenzou's tone.
"True, but I am not willing to risk my career's performance record on the chance that Iruka-san can't read what you've written," Tenzou whispered back as Iruka reentered the room. "And why were you in such a hurry to get here anyway, sempai?"
"None of your business," Kakashi replied as Iruka reached them.
"It really isn't necessary to fill this out now," he said handing the scroll to Tenzou.
"It's quite all right Iruka-san. I would much prefer writing while the mission is still fresh in my memory," Tenzou responded.
Tenzou sat down on the floor and deftly unrolled both scrolls and began the process of rewriting the report. Iruka hovered over him a moment unsure of what to do before looking over at Kakashi.
"You are never on time for anything. There is no sense in rushing in a report that has to be redone."
"That's because it's late and today is...well," Kakashi murmured suddenly nervous. Iruka waited until it seemed Kakashi wasn't going to speak again.
"What is today, Kakashi-san" Iruka asked looking over Kakashi's shoulder. A jounin walked around the copy nin and passed a scroll to Iruka.
"Today is um kinda important," Kakashi said eyeing the jounin. The jounin returned his stare before giving Iruka a slight bow and turning to leave. Kakashi watched him walk out, his nerve gone. For a while the only sounds in the room was Tenzou writing and Iruka sorting papers. Kakashi shuffled on his feet, fidgeting with the book he kept in a pocket.
"Iruka-sensei, I wanted to tell you," Kakashi said finally breaking the silence. Iruka stopped and looked up at Kakashi, quietly waiting for Kakashi to continue.
"I mean uh the reason is... today is-"
"All done Iruka-san." Tenzou interrupted. Standing he walked over to the desk and handed the new scroll to Iruka with a flourish.
Tenzou watched Iruka as he looked over the scroll.
"Say, to make up for keeping you late, what would you say to my treating you to dinner tonight?" Tenzou asked. Iruka looked up at him surprised.
"Unless, of course, you have already eaten," Tenzou added quickly.
"No, it, its fine," Iruka said with a slight blush, "Just let me put these away." Iruka picked up the remaining scrolls and entered the records room.
"What do you think you are doing?" Kakashi asked rounding on Tenzou.
"Taking Iruka-san out to dinner," Tenzou responded calmly in spite of Kakashi's irritation. Before Kakashi had a chance to say anything else Iruka returned and smiled at Tenzou.
"Any place in particular?" he asked.
"No, I'm afraid not Iruka-san," Tenzou answered leading the chunnin out. Kakashi glared after them, his hands clenched into fists in anger. Switching into ANBU mode Kakashi followed the two ninja. Kakashi ran along the rooftops catching up to Tenzou and Iruka as they stopped at Ichiraku Ramen. Tenzou held aside the curtain and motioned for Iruka to sit.
'That is so cliché,' Kakashi thought in annoyance, 'Everyone knows that Iruka eats here with Naruto all the time.'
While Kakashi stayed during their entire date, it seemed that neither ninja ate much. Tenzou in particular was far more interested in telling Iruka his life story. Even, it seems, that mission where Kakashi fell flat on his face in front of the client. Iruka, for the most part, seemed to listen. When they finally stood to leave it was nearing midnight. Kakashi followed them to Iruka's apartment landing in a tree when they paused at the door.
He really couldn't help it. Kakashi was angry at Tenzou's boldness.
"Night," he heard Iruka say.
"It was nice talking with you, Iruka-san. We should do this again," Tenzou said.
"Yea..." Iruka trailed off when Tenzou learned toward him, gently kissing him. Kakashi tightened his grip and the branch broke from the force. Iruka and Tenzou stepped apart at the sound, looking around for the source. After several long moments Iruka turned back to Tenzou.
"Tomorrow, then?" Iruka asked.
Tenzou nodded and Iruka turned and entered his apartment. As the door closed Tenzou smiled. Whistling softly he left for his own home. Glancing at Iruka's door Kakashi made a quick decision. He followed Tenzou. When Tenzou relaxed his guard Kakashi made his move. Kakashi jumped down behind Tenzou and, grabbing the back of his jacket, threw him into a wall. Before Tenzou could move Kakashi had him pinned with a kunai placed against his throat.
"You have no right to take him," Kakashi hissed.
"What are you talking about?" Tenzou asked bewildered by Kakashi's actions.
"Iruka. Stay away from him," Kakashi demanded. Tenzou glared at him.
"I don't think you have any say in what Iruka-san does," he said.
Kakashi pushed the kunai closer until blood ran down the blade.
"Touch him again and I won't hold back," Kakashi threatened releasing Tenzou. Wiping the blood off his kunai, Kakashi turned and left. Tenzou watched him go, still unnerved by Kakashi's threats.
"Sempai, whatever game you are playing with Iruka I don't know. But I won't allow you to do as you wish. However I won't dismiss you either." With that promise, Tenzou changed his direction to the Hokage tower.