Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. I just love it so much that it hurts sometimes.

Iruka's concentration is at an all time low for the rest of day. He tries to not let Hatake's question bother him too much, but it was so much easier said than done.

When six o'clock finally hits, Iruka locks up the store and makes his way to Ichiraku's. The parking lot it packed(1), so Iruka parks out front of the store and hurries inside. The scents emitting from the kitchen have their desired effects on Iruka, the tension slipping from his shoulders, and everything is fine for at least another hour.

He finds a seat in a booth nestles in a back corner. The chatter being underscored by clicking glasses and utensils urge Iruka into a sense of security. Iruka feels his eyelids heavy with weariness and his muscles ache.

He doesn't bother looking at the menu. He gets the same thing every time he comes here, he's a creature of habit.

Voices rise and fall around him as the thought the body found in the rubble comes around again. Iruka isn't sure what bothers him the most, people speculating about who'd been killed or those who don't register the death as important.

He ponders the unfairness of it all until a harried server comes to take his order. He shakes his head and digs into his food willing himself to focus on anything but the body.

Full and sated, Iruka pays his tab and makes his way outside. Stepping out a shadowy figure catches the corner of his eye. "Hatake?" The relief in Iruka is strong. He's dressed in sweatpants and a plain shirt. "What are you doing sneaking around in the dark?"

"I didn't know I was."

"Well, you are." Iruka takes a good look around and since there doesn't seem like there is anything else to say, Iruka start past him. "Good night, Hatake. Enjoy your dinner."

"Mr. Umino?"

"Yes?" Iruka stops and turns back to him.

"I thought you'd be interested in knowing that we got the preliminary lab results back."

He certainly knows how to get Iruka's attention. "And?"

"The victim has been positively identified as Midori Stellrecht, Mr. Umino. No doubt about it."

Iruka had been preparing himself for this but it doesn't make the hit hurt less. "Do you know how he died?"

Hatake is watching Iruka closely, but Iruka isn't sure if it's to see if he's okay or if he's trying to determine if he's guilty. "The reports show that there was smoke in his lungs, which means he was still alive when the fire started. Right now, it looks like the cause of death, but we won't be sure until an autopsy is completed."

Everything in Iruka recoils at the thought of Midori alive while the fire raged. "How long will it take to do the autopsy?"

"A week." Hatake shrugs. "Maybe longer."

It's dark but Iruka stares at the spot where Hatake's feet should be. "So, he wasn't murdered before the fire started?"

"No, sir."

Iruka's mind swims with images. Had Midori been aware of what was going on around him? It takes everything in Iruka to get the next question out. "Do you know who did this to him?"

"We don't have a clear picture of what happened yet, but we'll get there." Hatake's voice is almost kind.

"Good. Just let me know what I can do to help. I know plenty think he started the fire himself, but I don't. He had everything lose and nothing to gain."

"Maybe he needed the insurance money."

"No. The store was doing good. He was doing good. I just hope you don't take the easy way out and blame him."

Hatake shifts and it gives Iruka a better look as he stands further in the light. In the low light setting Hatake seems younger than Iruka first thought. Late twenties, definitely not much older Iruka. "Who do you think did it?"

Iruka shrugs. "Midori had several disagreements with people over the Senju Festival. I don't think that's worth killing someone over."

"It may surprise you what people consider worth killing over. For the record, withholding information isn't going to help."

He's making Iruka uncomfortable, but he still doesn't want to disclose seeing Suzume's car. "I'm not," Iruka insists. "It's natural that I seem distracted. You just confirmed a friend's death and then accuse him of arson and insurance fraud."

"I didn't accuse Midori of anything," Hatake corrects. "I suggested that it was a possibility."

"It's not."

Hatake's lip curves slightly. "Loyalty is a good quality to have in a friend. I hope yours isn't misplaced." His gaze flickers down the street and then back to Iruka's face.

Heat rushes into Iruka cheeks and he sends a thanks for the darkness. "I told you everything I know, Hatake. Why wouldn't I?"

The moon is covered by a cloud and cast both of them in shadow. Hatake shifts his stance. "Maybe you're trying to protect someone, and if that's what you're doing, then it's a mistake."

"I'm not covering for anyone. You can relax because I just don't know anything."

And it was true, Iruka convinces himself. Whatever Suzume was doing it had nothing to do with Midori.

Hatake remains silently for a long time, then finally steps forward to tower over Iruka. "Who was the woman who were talking to this morning?"

Iruka is incredulous. Does Hatake have eyes everywhere? "Suzume Funeno. She's my friend and she came over in the morning for coffee before school."

"This friend of yours lives nearby?"

"That depends how you define "nearby." Her and her husband live on the outskirt of town by the Southbound onramp." Iruka almost leaves it at that because he knows Suzume keeps tight lip about somethings. "But her and husband are having a trial separation."

Iruka can't see Hatake's face but he can feel his interest. "How long has this been going on?"

"You're crossing the line here. Daikoku and Suzume have nothing to do with this."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Of course, I am. Suzume hardly knows Midori and I don't think Daikoku has even met him."

"Maybe you don't know as much as your friend's relationship as you think you do."

Iruka shoots Hatake a look because obviously. It isn't his relationship but that doesn't mean it doesn't rub him the wrong way. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying, Mr. Umino, that I have a witness that says they saw Mrs. Funeno and Mr. Stellrecht in an argument on Center Street an hour before the fire broke out. I have two more who are willing to testify that she threatened him. Now it could be that your friend is a witness. Maybe she's more involved than that. Either way, if you know anything, I suggest you tell me."

"That's insane." Iruka snaps. "Why would Suzume threaten him?"

"According to the witness? Suzume wasn't thrilled with the attention he was paying her recently."

"Have you ever met Suzume?" Iruka barks out a disbelieving act.

"I intend to."

"She despises him and isn't the type to step out on her husband."

"What type is that, Mr. Umino?"

"She's a teacher and a director at her church choir."

"I hate to burst your bubble, Mr. Umino, but that doesn't guarantee sainthood."

Of course, not. But Suzume and Daikoku? "You're wrong."

"I am? Let me tell you what it looks like to me, Mr. Umino. It wouldn't take much to convince me that Suzume somehow killed Mr. Stellrecht and tried to make it look like an accident. It wouldn't take a whole lot more to convince me that you're helping her cover her tracks. That'd make you an accomplice to murder."

Outrage swelled up in Iruka. "What about all the other people angry at Midori? Are you accusing them of murder as well?"

"What other people?"

"Chiyome Shimura for starters. She came right out an accused Midori of trying to sabotage her business."

"Did she? When was that?"

"Right before the Alliance meeting."

"Did anyone else hear her say anything?"

"Are you going to accuse me of making this up?"

"Not at all, Mr. Umino. I just want to get the facts straight. Who else?"

"Half the city council and a long list of people in the Alliance. I haven't spoke to a single person who isn't convinced that he started the fire for insurance—"

"And yet you defend his honor."

"At he had some."

"I guess we'll see, won't we?" Hatake takes one last look down the street. "I'm sorry for your loss, Mr. Umino. I'll in touch." And before Iruka can respond, he turns away and strolls across the street like he didn't have a care in the world.