Chapter 3: The Second Attempt
Iruka stared at his plate in contempt as Izumo sat beside him in the dango shop, scowling and complaining about the incident two days back.
"And I was thinking that Iruka would take the opportunity to fulfill his task and ask Kakashi out. I even excused myself, so that he wouldn't be tongue-tied with someone around. If I had known, I would stick around and made sure he popped the question."
"Shut up, Izumo. If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't have embarrassed myself in front of Kakashi." Iruka snapped, still annoyed at Izumo over the incident.
Genma chuckled as he took a sip of his tea. He set down the cup and looked at Iruka as he tried to fight off his amusement.
"You know, Iruka. It's already the third day. If you don't take action soon, you are going to lose the bet."
Iruka groaned and covered his face. "I know. Damn it! You guys are horrible."
There was another round of laughter around the table when Raidou nudged Genma in the ribs. Genma glanced up and a grin covered his face as he chewed his senbon lazily.
"Guys, look who's here."
Iruka, Izumo and Kotetsu turned their heads towards the entrance. They stared for a moment as they watched the shop assistant hurried to tend to the new group who had just entered the dango shop. He cursed under his breath as he stared at the group which consisted of Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai and Anko.
Iruka almost choked when Izumo clapped him hard on the back. He glared at his friend, who was oblivious to his irritation as Kotetsu tried to stifle his laughter at the obvious discomfort and murderous glint in the tanned man's eyes.
The shop assistant ushered the group towards a table behind Iruka's and from the corner of his eyes, he saw Genma raising a hand in greeting when the other group acknowledged them.
Iruka turned back to his table and found Genma leaning across and studying his face. He inched back.
"What?"
"Now's your chance, Iruka. You don't get to catch Kakashi so easily. This meeting is a chance. Don't give it up."
"Stop that, Genma!" Iruka growled. "It's bad enough that I embarrassed myself in front of him. I don't want to go around making a spectacle of myself in front of his friends as well."
"It's not that bad, Iruka. If you are concerned about the rest, I can always help you pull Kakashi aside, so you can talk to him alone." Genma smirked. Iruka clenched his fist as he glared at the older man, daring him to try what he had suggested, and promising pain if he actually tried it.
Genma raised an eyebrow and snorted. He lifted himself from the bench and stepped away from the table, giving Iruka a brief glance, as if telling the academy teacher that he was up to the challenge. Iruka stole a glance behind him when Genma started walking towards the other group.
Kakashi and Asuma were talking intently while Anko was prodding her finger on the menu, as the waitress took her orders. Kurenai was studying the menu beside Asuma. He felt the sweat forming on his brow as Genma took another step towards the group.
"Hi guys." Genma grinned, one hand shoved in his pocket and the other fingering his senbon.
"Hi Genma." Asuma returned the greeting. Kakashi nodded in acknowledgement. The two kunoichis gave a brief nod before returning to the menu spread out in front of them.
"Busy lately? I haven't been seeing you around." Genma asked casually. Kakashi raised his eyebrow while Asuma smiled.
"Yeah. There are quite a fair bit of missions going around. We are out of the village pretty much. I'm heading out for another one later. Kakashi just came back from one."
Genma nodded in understanding. "But that would mean a pretty steady income flowing in. Isn't it? Lucky for you guys. I haven't even been out for missions much lately."
"Your turn will come soon. When there aren't enough shinobis going around accomplishing the missions, I'm sure Hokage-sama will rope in the tokubetsu jounin to deal with the demand." Asuma took a drink out from his cup. Genma leaned against the table lazily.
"That's true." Then he paused to glance at the mortified chunin sitting on the other table. "By the way, Kakashi, since you just came back from a mission, I'm sure you do have some time?"
Kakashi narrowed his eye in suspicions. "What's up?"
Genma shrugged. "Nothing's up. I just thought that if you have some time, Iruka would like to speak to you."
Kakashi stared at the honey-haired man, wondering if he should trust him. Asuma lit his cigarette as he shifted his glance between the smiling man chewing his senbon and the masked man, who looked like he was going to assume an attack position anytime. Anko and Kurenai looked on with interest.
"So what is it?" Kakashi finally sighed and asked. Genma signaled for him to follow. Kakashi frowned and push his seat back as he stood up.
Iruka felt himself stiffened when Genma brought the copy nin over to the table he was at. Kakashi took a seat in front of the teacher and stared at him. Iruka looked nervously at his friends who started to leave the table. Genma stood at a distance behind Kakashi, egging him on.
"Well, Iruka-sensei, what is it? Going to ask about Naruto again?" Kakashi eyed Iruka lazily.
"Erm, well…." Iruka stammered, as he tried to avoid all the eyes watching him expectantly. "It's just that……"
'Come on, Iruka!'
"I…. I just wanted to know if….. If…. You……" Iruka stuttered as his empty mind tried to find the right words to fit in. By now, Asuma, Kurenai and Anko were all watching, wondering what was going on. "If you…. You know…. Erm…. If you….."
"If I?" Kakashi's eyes arched in amusement. "What are you trying to say, Iruka-sensei. I don't think I can strike fear so much that you can't even form coherent sentences when talking to me."
'Argh! What the hell? I can't even say it!'
"Erm…. Well, Kakashi-sensei….. Do you think…." Iruka swallowed dryly. His heart pounded faster as he fidgeted in his seat.
Smiles were seen on the faces on his friends as Iruka stole a glance around the room.
"What I wanted to say is…. Erm…. Well…." Iruka swallowed again. He spoke again before his mind could process anything.
"I know Team 7 is out on a mission without you. What I wanted to say is do you think they will be fine on their own?" Iruka licked his dry lips as he heard the silent groans from his friends.
Kakashi stared in surprise for a minute before he scratched the side of his head. "Well, I don't think it's much of a problem. It's just a D-rank mission to help out at the farm. You worry too much, Iruka-sensei."
Iruka laughed nervously as he rubbed the scar on the bridge of his nose. "Well, I can't help it. They are all my students and they have just graduated from the academy. Especially Naruto. You know how much of a trouble-maker he can be."
"Well, don't worry about it." Kakashi stood up and patted the chunin on his shoulder. Iruka tensed at the contact. "They are old enough and capable enough to take care of themselves." The older man straightened himself.
"Well, Iruka-sensei, I need to go and submit my report. I will see you around." Kakashi's visible eye curved into an arc as he smiled at the blushing chunin. He waved a little and stepped away from the table. Asuma met him halfway as they walked out of the shop together.
Iruka could almost feel his friends' glares and scowls at him as he bowed his head in defeat.
Anko glanced at them. "Something here that we should know?" Kurenai raised her eyebrow.
Genma shook his head. Raidou shrugged. Izumo and Kotetsu looked away.
Iruka groaned.
The second attempt.
Failed.
