Hi you're back! Great for me then. Okay I will have my a/n at the bottom cause whatever I have to tell you is gonna ruin it if I say it now. So here goes...
Thanks to Inuyasha Uzumaki!!!! she helped me edit this one... but any mistakes you find will be mine cause I added a lot more that I didn't show her so for the good she's to thank. for the screw ups...that's all me!
warning: shonen ai boxybox and umm that's about it... so if you don't like it don't read it...but considering you're on the 4th chapter... go on and complain closet pervert...
on to the story!
Ch. 4 Ramen Perfection
"Iruka" moaned Naruto quite loudly. He grabed at his warm body. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined it would be this good. He touched him greedly. Iruka was soft. He smelled sweet like, laundry soap. Soap?
"Naruto! Get the hell off my pillow!" Kakashi grabbed the sleeping boy by the neck with one hand and the pillow with his other to pry them apart.
"Kakashi-sensei?" Groaned Naruto sleeply.
"Yes. How may I help you?" Replied the upset jounin. Kakashi wrapped his arms around the poor pillow.
"Sorry. I thought, I was dreaming that..."
"I know what you were dreaming."
"You do?!" Naruto blushed and it showed up very well on his exposed face.
"How could I not? I could hear you moaning all the way to the kitchen. Kinda gross." Kakashi joked.
Naruto groaned even louder. "What am I going to do? Iruka-sensei asked me over to his house. Tonight."
"Well, don't do to him what you just tried to do to my pillow for one." Kakashi took a seat next to Naruto.
"I don't know if I can promise that." Naruto sounded serious.
"Why not? Have some self control."
"Well, I haven't had dinner at Iruka's house in such a long time."
"What's that have to do with it?"
"After dinner we always watch a movie. I used to lay my head on his lap and the popcorn would be in front of him. Then we'd stay like that till it was over."
"That sounds about right. You may not want to lay your head on his lap now. You're old."
"I'm not old, ancient man."
"Naruto I fail to see the problem here." Kakashi ignored the fact he was just called 'ancient'.
"That I want to lay my head there and I want to sleep in his bed like I used to. I know Iruka still thinks I'm a kid, so he'll let me. He'll probably feel awkward if I don't. The thing is I'll want to... 'pillow' him."
"'Pillow' him, hmm. Okay I think you're worrying too much. Just act natural. Whatever happens happens."
Naruto stood up after Kakashi. "Come, I made tea while you were harrassing my pillow."
"Thanks."
"Oh and I have good news for you."
"What's that?"
"Iruka is or at least has been interested in men. It took me a while, but I found an ex that spilled it all."
"Well, spill this way."
KNOCK KNOCK
Both jounin stared at the other. Neither was wearing a mask.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto raised his hand to his face.
"Sorry, I threw them all in to wash."
"Improvise."
Kakashi yelled at the door "I'm coming hold up."
Naruto picked up his shirt off the bedroom floor where he'd left it.
Kakashi grabbed a rag from the kitchen table and held it over his face as he answered the door.
Iruka was there.
"Hi Kakashi-san." He looked beyond the door and he noticed Naruto in Kakashi's bedroom slipping on a shirt and facing the opposite direction. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." Kakashi looked behind him to see what he was talking about.
"Oh that. No, its not that. We were-"
"Its ok." Interrupted Iruka "I just came to ask for those movies I lent you yesterday."
"Oh sure." Kakashi grabbed the movies off the top of the t.v. "Here you go. Thank you."
"Sure anytime." Iruka was about to walk away.
"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto waved from behind the couch. He had half of his face in his black shirt.
"Hey Naruto. I just came by for the movies we're gonna watch after dinner."
"Great. I'm washing my mask by the way. I can see the weird look on your face." Naruto walked closer to the door and pushed Kakashi into the kitchen with his sight alone.
"Oh ok." Iruka sounded almost relieved
"The machine in my apartment isn't working so I came here to do laundry."
Kakashi looked over at the teacher and raised and eyebrow saying 'told you so'
"You can use mine too. If its closer for you."
"Thanks I'll remember that."
Iruka waved goodbye at Kakashi and Naruto.
"See you."
Naruto closed and locked the door.
"Naruto."
"What?"
"I think you're luckier than you think." Kakashi smiled at him
"What do you mean?"
"Follow your instincts tonight. If it feels like he wants you to move closer then move closer. If it looks like he wants to kiss you then kiss him. If he looks cold hug him."
"No, he might freak out and I don't want to ruin anything."
"Naruto do you trust me?" Kakashi reached for a kunai.
"Yes."
"Really?"
"With my life."
"Okay then lets see if you're lying." Kakashi closed his eyes and threw the kunai at Naruto's head.
There was the sound of a wet thud. Like the sound of an axe hitting a wet log.
Kakashi opened his eyes to see that Naruto hadn't moved.
"Great. Then if you trust me this much do as I say."
"You split open that chicken!" Naruto turned and pointed at the kitchen where a kunai was deeply embeded into the piece of frozen poultry.
---
OoOoOo 6:30 p.m. oOoOoO
.Naruto's house
Naruto stood staring at his closet. He had almost everything he owned out on the bed. He felt like a silly girl going on her first date. Butterflies darted left and right in his stomach. He knew it was no different than all the other times they'd had dinner, but deep inside he wanted it to be. He wanted this dinner to go perfectly.
He stared in the mirror and pulled up the only thing he was certain of wearing, his black mask. He combed his fingers through his hair and pointed it carelessly. It always fell the right way why should today be any different. He reached for his forehead protector. It was a habit by now. He would feel empty without its warmth on his forehead. He pulled it under his long blonde bangs and over his short spiky hair knottit it at the back.
Iruka's house
He'd made it out of his shower in time. The food was still slowly cooking and he'd washed without burning down his home. He just needed to change. Change. That shouldn't be too hard. He walked into his bedroom and opened the drawers. Iruka picked out some loose light blue pants. The top met with his hips and hung loosly on his legs. He picked out a black shirt that hung close to his body. He was with Naruto tonight so he didn't bother tying up his hair. He brushed it out and let it fall naturally to the sides.
OoOoOo 6:50 oOoOoO
Naruto's house
Naruto had finally decided to walk out in black cargo shorts. He wore an red open button shirt with cut off sleeves and underneath he had a spotless white cotton tee. He slipped on his nin boots and walked out into the fresh air that cooled his recently washed skin. He felt good. It was going to go perfect. He knew it was going to be a good night.
Naruto took a deep breath of the clean oxygen and relaxed himself before stepping any further.
SPLAT!
"What the hell?!" Naruto ran his hand down and through his hair. That's when he felt the giant, soft, gooey, and sticky piece of gum stuck to it. He turned back and spotted two kids about 12 or 13 years old sitting on top the roof still spitting their gum down on people.
"Hey brats, what are you doing!?"
They heard him yell and as soon as they saw who it was they took off running.
"Oh great. I'm going to be late." He glanced at his watch it was 6:55. He'd have to go to Iruka's house with gum in his hair.
Maybe he likes strawberry flavored gum.
Iruka's house
He had everything ready. Plates were on the table and the place was spotless. Now to wait for Naruto. He wasn't usually late so Iruka decided to wait by the door. He nervously kept opening the door hoping Naruto would be there and they could share a laugh at the sweet coincidence of the open door and Naruto's outstretched arm as he prepared to knock. He did it five times. Naruto wasn't there any of those. He'd keep trying. It would be a good way to laugh a bit and ease his nervousness.
Open. Slam. Open. Slam. Open. Slam.
"Iruka-sensei how many times do you plan to do that?" Naruto was sitting on the window sill that was on the oposite wall of the door.
"God Naruto! You scared me." Iruka pocketed the shuriken he gripped in his fingers.
"So you were going to kill me? That's the second time today my teachers try to kill me. I guess its not my day."
Here is where the laughs came in. As expected Iruka's butterflies went away. In came the dragons who decided to duel in the pit of his stomach.
"Sorry. I thought you would come in through the door, but I see you've picked up more of your teacher's habits." Iruka walked over to Naruto who now held his shoes in his hand. He took them and placed them at the door.
"Its nice of you to come Naruto."
Up until now Naruto hadn't looked at what the teacher was wearing. It was when he bent down to place the shoes at the door that Naruto's attention turned to his sensei's good choice of pants. He lowered his body painfully slow. The pants rode down his back as he kneeled lower and lower. Naruto was pratically leaning completely into the back of the couch trying to get a better look. The edge of low black underwear peeked out. Finally Iruka was arranging the shoes and Naruto was about to tip over the edge. Iruka got up quickly and turned to find Naruto gripping his nose and staring at the ceiling.
"Everything okay?"
"Umm, Iruka do you like gum?"
"Yes."
"Perfect."
---
Naruto sat patiently on the bedroom floor waiting for Iruka to return with the supplies.
"Iruka-sensei what are you gonna do to my hair? No cutting."
"I won't." Iruka entered the room with a bowl full of ice and a bucket with different kitchen items. In his pocket he hid a small pair of scissors just in case.
"Okay Naruto lets try to work it out with some ice. We can just freeze it out and I'm sure you're hair will be fine."
"No scissors."
"Yes no scissors." Lied Iruka. Naruto examined the contents of the bucket and searched throught the ice Iruka was placing in a bag.
"You see. I won't cut it off." Naruto saw a small buldge in the teachers pants. He then reached into Iruka's pocket and pulled out the hidden weapon.
"Liar." Naruto held the scissors in his hand.
"Okay you can hold them. Seriously,I won't cut it."
"A teacher isn't supposed to lie."
"I wasn't it was you know a last resort."
"Fine I believe you."
Iruka placed a bag of ice on the gum.
"How long does it take?" Asked Naruto impatiently.
"Just about 20 minutes to freeze. It shouldn't be that bad, just try to stay still." Iruka got up and started walking into the kitchen.
"Iruka-sensei! Where are you going?"
"To the kitchen Naruto. The food may burn."
"But, shenshei" Naruto pouted as he continued. "I needsh helpy."
Naruto.
"I'll stay then. If you need my help." Iruka took a seat next to him on the floor and held the bag of ice for him over the gum. He couldn't say no. Naruto sat patiently between his legs without saying a word. "But I can't stay too long. I need to watch the food."
"Yes Iruka-sensei."
"Hey! What happened to the cute voice?"
"Same thing that happened to the cute kid. I grew up." Answered Naruto in a more serious tone.
"True. You are a grown man now. A young man, but still a man."
Naruto moved into Iruka and rested his head on his shoulder. Iruka shifted the position made him a little uncomfortable. Naruto took a deep breath. "You smell good sensei." Iruka smelled like spring. Not like laundry soap which brought a smile to Naruto's face just thinking about it.
"Thanks." Iruka was a bit confused. What do you say when somebody says you smell good?
"Okay Naruto I'll be right back." He handed back the ice pack to Naruto and stood. Naruto nodded and took the bag from his hands.
---
Iruka's Kitchen
"Perfect." Iruka stirred the noodles he had in one pot. He then threw in the remaining vegetable into the heated oil. Iruka took out they soy sauce and began to make his simple mix of water, soy sauce, and sugar.
Iruka walked back to the room. Naruto had removed his red top shirt and had it wrapped over the ice pack.
Seeing Iruka walking in with a questioning face he answered. "It was dripping on me and the cold kinda burned my hand."
"Oh, there's towels back here." Iruka pointed at the bathroom down the small hall.
"I remember, but I didn't want to get gum on them."
Iruka nodded in understanding.
"Here let me see Naruto." Naruto removed the ice from his head.
"Okay it froze. Now just work it out with your fingers."
Naruto clumzily moved his hand about his head searching for said gum. He knew where it was, but Iruka didn't have to know he knew.
Iruka laughed at the aimless hand.
"Nevermind I'll work it out." Iruka weaved his fingers through Naruto's soft hair. After taking his time to get to the spot he apologized. "Sorry if this hurts."
Iruka tugged at the gum that was entangled with the hair.
"Itai!" Hissed Naruto.
"Sorry." Iruka kept pulling and finally removed a giant wad, but there was still a piece stuck on the tips.
"Is it off sensei?"
"Not all. There's a bit left, but I can just cut if off."
"No! Don't!" Naruto grabbed the scissors and gripped them close to his chest.
"Its just a bit. It'll grow back." Iruka reached his hands into Naruto's. He wasn't letting go.
"Can't we freeze it again?" Asked Naruto desperatly.
"No. Its already frozen. Here hold on I have an idea." Iruka left to the kitchen once more. He stirred the noodles that were perfect and ready to be fried with the vegetables which by now smelled great. He poured a bit of the sauce to slow down the cooking. Iruka then searched the cupboards and found the canola oil he needed.
"Okay Naruto put this in your hair."
Naruto stared up with helpless eyes and a small pout visible through his mask.
"Okay I'll put this in your hair." Iruka smiled. He was more than happy to help.
He missed being needed. He really did regret that the years had passed so quickly. They were good years, but they took away what he had loved the most. He no longer spent much time with Naruto. There was no free time to spend. He had missions constantly. Every mission was a danger to his life. They wouldn't see each other again after one of those A rank missions. That was always a possibility that he wouldn't return. Iruka hated time. It brought more loneliness for him.
He was lost in thought and had been massaging the oil into Naruto's hair and gum for a long time.
"Iruka-sensei that smells good. What are you making?"
"Huh?" Iruka snapped back to the real world.
"What are you making?"
"Oh yakisoba."
"Smells good."
"Hope you like it." Iruka looked over the top of his head to see Naruto's expression.
"I always like what you cook." You could give be burnt fish and I'd eat it.
"Great. Well now we brush out the rest of the gum." Iruka reached into the supply bucket and found a comb. He brushed the tips of the hair repeatedly tugging out the now softened gum.
"There done. It came out completely. The oil won't come out, but after a couple of shampoos it'll be fine."
Naruto stll sat between his legs and began to lean back into Iruka.
"Thanks." Naruto's head met up with Iruka's chest. He tilted his head up and stared Iruka in the eyes.
"Naruto." Iruka moved his hands up to the blonde's face. He placed them on either side and held it there. Iruka wanted to lean in an kiss the boy over his mask, but stopped and dropped his hands back down to his sides. "The food is probably done." He slowly got up and walked away.
---
"Ah, man!"
Naruto followed the sound to the kitchen.
"What's wrong? Did you burn it?"
"No. I didn't burn it." Iruka lifted a spoonfull of the soggy noodles. "They absorbed too much water. If I put them in the oil now they'll stick."
"I'm sorry. That's my fault."
"No don't say that."
"If I hadn't asked you to stay and help it would have been fine."
"No. I really should have been paying more attention to the time." Iruka looked up at Naruto who place his hand on Iurka's shoulder.
"I'll be back."
"Where are you going?"
"To get dinner." Naruto slipped on his shoes and walked out of the house.
Dammit what are you thinking? You aren't thinking. That's usually the problem.
Iruka cleaned up the kitchen and placed the vegetables in a bowl at the center of the table. They could at least have that for dinner. About 10 minutes later Naruto returned.
"What's in there?" Iruka grabbed the carrying box from Naruto.
"Ramen!"
Iruka smiled and thought it couldn't be better than that. Afterall he did love ramen and so did Naruto.
"Okay, but I said I was invinting you to dinner. Let me pay for it."
"Nope." Naruto giggled and pulled out the covered bowls.
"Iruka, I really miss spending time with you."
"I've missed you too Naruto."
Iruka decided to ignore the titles between them. If he really wanted Naruto to get closer to him he would have to discard it. It was about time he dropped the 'sensei'.
That's not to say he would mind teaching him a couple of new things.
Okay what I wanted to say before.
Yes that is an actual method to remove gum. I didn't just pull it out of my --hat. So if you have gum in your hair try it.
The food he's cooking is actually what I loooove to cook. It actually happens so if you overcook noodles don't bother throwing them in...cause you'll get a giant mush of vegetables and well mush.
Finally review cause you need to feed my ego.
ja