Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto! It's owned by the genius named Masashi Kishimoto.

The Halloween Draw

Two-shot: Chapter 1/2

"Okay people, open your folded pieces of paper... NOW!"

The sound of rustling paper immediately sounded in the air, followed by some excited whoops or disappointed moans as the various Konoha shinobi looked at what costume they would be wearing for the annual shinobi Halloween party. The draw made sure that everyone came to the party as someone different from everybody else. If one was lucky, they would get a really good theme and win the coveted Best Costume contest, which granted the winner an A-rank mission-equivalent cash prize, plus a year's supply of a-bowl-of-ramen-a-day coupons from the famous Ichiraku Ramen Bar.

Why did the shinobi of Konoha decide to have a draw for something like Halloween costumes?

It was due to what everyone has now dubbed the "Bloody Black Halloween", which happened three fateful years ago.

The Godaime Hokage, Tsunade, the sadistic Mitarashi Anko, the deadly Yugao Uzuki, and the indomitable Yuuhi Kurenai attended the annual Konohagakure Halloween Extravaganza wearing the exact same costumes.

...Yes...

It was a bloody and black day.

Therefore, for the safety of the whole of Konoha and its citizens, one Umino Iruka thought of the wonderful "Halloween Draw".

Yes, this wonderful Academy Chuunin sensei has definitely saved countless number of lives.

Anyway, about said man...

Iruka stared at the seemingly innocent and non-threatening piece of paper in his hand... a paper that contained two words that heralded the destruction of his hard-earned reputation and the loss of the respect which he so very deserved.

Izumo, who was closest to him, sensed the dark aura of misery that emanated from Iruka. Turning to his fellow Chuunin in concern, he asked, "Are you all right, Iruka?"

The pony-tailed man immediately stiffened as his head jerkily turned towards Izumo, who sweatdropped.

"Ha-ha-ha," Iruka gave a fake laugh in quite a mechanical voice. "I-I am per-per-per-perfectly fi-fi-fine."

Who do you think you're fooling, little dolphin? Izumo thought wryly. His gaze then fell on the small piece of paper that was suffering a slow disintegration through a tight grip and sweating palms. "Oh! So what did you get?"

Iruka seemed to snap away from whatever precipice he was currently tittering from as he suddenly gasped and grabbed Izumo's wrist. The light brown-haired Chuunin just had enough time to release an "eh?" before he was promptly dragged off by the taller man to the two organizers of this annual Halloween event for this year, Shiranui Genma and Mitarashi Anko.

"Do you have a problem, Ruka-kun?" Anko asked with her teeth bared in a predatory grin.

Iruka thrust a piece of paper to their noses. "I need to swap."

Genma took the paper from him and read the two words written on it with Anko peering at it next to him. They both stared for a second before promptly bursting into disgusting – in Iruka's opinion – guffaws.

"Oh, this is precious," Anko panted between barks of laughter.

"N-No way are we going to allow you to pass this up!" Genma added and they both exploded into new peals of laughter.

"You have to change this!" Iruka argued and tried to use his domineering 'sensei voice' on them. Unfortunately, due to the intense desire of the two to see him impersonate what was written on that dastardly paper, the two Tokubetsu Jounin seemed to have developed 'sensei-voice'-resistant balls.

"Nu-uh," Genma said childishly. "Ebisu came up here just a while ago and wanted to change as well but we didn't allow him. We can't give you special treatment, Iruka, or else everyone who doesn't like what they got would want to change – then this whole draw thing would be moot!"

"B-B-B-But-" Iruka tried to protest. He can't believe this was happening! How could his own genius idea betray him like this? Haven't all the lives he has saved count for anything?

"Maa, is there something wrong, Iruka-sensei?" a familiar drawl sounded from right behind Iruka, who instantly squealed – in a manly manner, of course – and quickly grabbed the paper that was still in Genma's hand so that the newcomer would not have the chance to see what was written on that traitorous piece of tree bark product.

"Ah, Kakashi-sensei," Iruka said quickly with another fake smile as he spun around to face the older and taller nin. "Everything is perfect." He could hear Genma and Anko snigger behind him. Iruka quickly looked over his shoulder and shot them a withering glare. The two instantly shut up although they still wore knowing grins on their faces.

What will you do now, Iruka? Izumo thought with pity for his friend.

Of course, Iruka knew how stupid it was to hide the piece of paper. It was not as though no one would find out – especially once he appeared at the party wearing...

He shuddered at the thought. Unfortunately, the – damn – Jounin in front of him had perfect eyesight despite only having one visible eye and Kakashi leaned closer to him with a searching gaze.

"I think there is something wrong, Iruka," Kakashi said slowly.

"Oh, it's nothing," Iruka said airily before adopting a mournful look. "It's just that I don't think I'll be able to go to the Halloween party after all."

There were sounds of protest from behind him and Iruka looked over his shoulder once more and shot Genma and Anko his withering glare Version Fool-Proof. The protests immediately died.

"What's this I hear about Iruka not going to the party?" a booming voice exclaimed and Iruka winced as all heads turned to him.

Tsunade-hime appeared from behind Kakashi with one fist resting on her curvaceous hip.

Uh-oh, Iruka thought despairingly. I'm screwed...

"Er... Um..."

"Whatever it is, Iruka, drop it," Tsunade ordered. "This party is more important. They're will be sake for one thing."

Ah, of course. Always the sake. Iruka never went to these parties for the sake though – due to his non-existing tolerance for alcohol – but more for the company and the chance to catch up with friends or former students who were otherwise too busy to see him.

"Yeah, Iruka-sensei," Haruno Sakura piped up as she stood beside the Hokage with Shizune and Yamanaka Ino by her side. "This party only happens once a year, you know."

"We can help you shop for a costume if you want," Ino offered brightly. "That way, it'll take you faster to get it."

A couple of snorting sounds. "Yeah," Genma drawled. "You'll be perfect for helping- ACHH!"

Ah... The wonderful sounds of a Tokubetsu Jounin choking on his stupid senbon...

"How kind of you, Ino," Iruka said with a gentle smile. "I will not need assistance although I appreciate-"

"You should still come, Iruka," Shizune insisted. "After all, you were the one who thought of this wonderful Halloween Draw. It also builds up the excitement of wanting to know what others are going appear as without worrying about having the same outfit as someone else."

Iruka winced. Why was he always the one who's betrayed? First Mizuki and now his own brilliant idea?

It was sick.

Iruka knew he would not be able to get out of it. Tsunade seemed determined to make him go and he knew that if he did not show up, she would probably get her ANBU to trace his ass down and drag him to the party.

Only she needs to see me, Iruka thought desperately. I could just appear for a minute – while she's hopefully drunk – while making sure that no one else can recognize me then get out of there. Simple, right? Right?

Right?

Poor Iruka didn't realize that a certain Jounin was eyeing him with such scrutiny that could only spell one word...

T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

A/N: I shouldn't be writing this! I should be STUDYING! Argh! But this is more for fun and I've had this idea since the start of October so it's been waiting to burst out. I think much like An Innocent Letter, this two-shot will have a short first chapter and a longer second chapter. If everything goes according to plan, the second chapter will be out before October actually ends.

Anyway, please tell me what you guys think!

Ceil Scheherazade