"Nee, Iruka-sensei, Kakashi's due today," Kotetsu prodded quietly. "Maybe you should-"

"Shut up! I don't like him like that!" Iruka had no idea how he had gotten a shift with Kotetsu again after only two days. Iwashi, the other unnecessary mission desk paper pusher, was listening with a very disturbed look on his face.

Genma and Raidou entered the room. They went to the closest ninja, Kotetsu.

"It only takes one to turn in a report," Kotetsu pointed out.

"My mission. He's just here," Raidou replied. Genma always made excuses to go to the mission room. He knew good gossip could be found in bored ninja.

"Alright... arigatou, Raidou." Kotetsu filed the clean sheet.

"So." Genma also knew Kotetsu was a reliable source. "Anything new?"

Kotetsu glanced at Iruka. He leaned over and whispered in Genma's ear. Genma looked at Iruka several times, and when Kotetsu finished, said, "You didn't."

"We did."

"That's..." Genma thought for a moment. "That's cheating!" he said finally. Kotetsu's grin widened.

"He denies it, of course. But we really just wish he'd get on with it; after all, my week's almost over and Izumo's is the first one of September."

"Me too, I'm the last week of September. I just can't believe Anko bet December. She's either blind or has no hope for the two."

"If you mean Kakashi." Iruka was on the verge of exploding. "There is nothing of that nature between us. I don't even know him!"

"And yet you find that sexy," Genma said. "Don't even deny it, you blush every time he comes around-"

"I DO NOT!" Iruka was seething. "I do not like him like that! We're both-" men. Obviously. So were Kotetsu and Izumo. "I'm straight, okay?"

"Does that mean you're a girl?" Genma asked, slyly. "Because you find him sexy and you know it. Admit it to yourself and things'll get better."

Raidou raised an eyebrow upon hearing that come out of Genma's mouth, but said nothing.

Iruka sighed. They were being nitpicky. "I am a man. I don't like other men. I'm not gay."

"Don't know what you're missing." Kotetsu grinned lecherously.

"Yo."

Iruka's eyes widened. The shock of silver hair in question was standing at the door.

"What's up, Genma?" Kakashi flashed two fingers at his friend. "Iruka-sensei." He turned to face the Chuunin. "My report, as you requested."

Iruka blushed as he indignantly took the thrice-folded paper.

---

Ne - (neh) - an interjection meaning a combination of hey, don't you agree, and isn't that right? Extra e's can be added for drawing out the sound.

Arigatou - (ah ree gah toh) - thank you

---

EPILOGUE: Iruka gets picked on a bit more by Kotetsu, Izumo, and Genma, even Raidou, but finally Raidou tells him it's just a joke. Then he plots to take them all down in something huge, but zaybex hasn't quite figured out what that is, so until then, this is all there is ::sweatdrop::

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