"Damn Iruka, you keep this up and I might have some competition around here." Kisame chuckled as Iruka finished the last of his laps in the pool. Iruka simply held onto the edge of the pool and smiled up at the other man. "I doubt I could ever be as fast as you but thank you for the compliment."
It had been 3 months since Iruka had started his therapy at the spa and he was making excellent progress despite the initial hiccup on his first visit. He chose not to dwell on the incident and had used the anger he had felt at his physical weakness to push himself forward. As Iruka exited the pool he picked up the single cane sitting by the rail. He was down from two canes to one and only needed the one for the occasional bumpy patch on the road ahead of him.
"Itachi has asked for a reassessment next week, just a heads up for you." Kisame spoke as he wrote some notes in a small file. "At this point you may want to try joining one of the group sessions held twice a week for general exercise. The current group is chatty but they're all good people."
"It sounds interesting, I'll think about it for sure." Iruka promised as he wrapped the provided fluffy robe around himself. "See you next week Kisame."
"See you Iruka." Kisame grinned like a piranha as he watched the man exit that was hands down the best client he had ever had.
"And lastly, did you want to be informed as to when each of the packages you are ordering has been activated?" Itachi asked as he finished entering the information into his computer.
Kakashi nodded, "Yes, sometimes knowing how eager a potential client is to cash in a free spa visit can be very revealing."
Itachi smirked, "I'm sorry Mr. Hatake, but we only provide knowledge of when the package is activated so the buyer of the package is aware of when they will be charged. Any other information about our clients is strictly confidential."
Kakashi smirked as well, "Of course, I would never presume a business such as yourself would engage in such irresponsible activities."
Both men smiled as a small envelope was passed under the table. Kakashi had learned about Itachi's hidden cameras through Jiraiya as his company was the one hired to install the cameras. The self proclaimed pervert had been lamenting about the job one night over dinner because he couldn't reap the benefits of the system in the spa. Kakashi had just rolled his eyes but had pocketed the knowledge for later use. Some time later he had approached Itachi and struck a deal where he would send clients there way and in return Itachi would help him with research on them. It was a win-win situation for both.
"Thank you Kakashi-san for your business. Mother will be most pleased with these last minute Christmas sales." Itachi spoke as both men stood to leave Itachi's office. "Though considering you were the first to know 3 months ago."
Kakashi picked up on the subtle annoyance in the Uchiha's voice. "Meh, better late than never right? Consider it pay back for unjustly profiling me at the time."
Itachi sighed, "Fair enough and I am sorry for that."
Kakashi waved a dismissive hand at him. "No worries, I already accepted your apology. Besides, I probably would have done the same thing if I had been in your shoes."
"I have noticed the change in you… You do know that Umino-sensei is here today right?" Itachi asked.
"Actually, yes I do. Naruto informed me last night while I was at his parents' house for dinner." Kakashi answered.
"Are you planning to join them?" Itachi inquired.
"Only if the opportunity presents itself. I wouldn't want to intrude of course." Kakashi smiled oh so innocently.
"Of course not." Itachi smirked as the two left the office and headed towards the lobby.
"Damn, not even a moan. I must be losing my touch." Tsunade chuckled as she wrote notes in her file.
"I may not have moaned but you did get a few flinches out of me." Iruka winced as he got off the table and reached for his robe.
"True, but it's just not the same." Tsunade laughed. "How are your classes going this term?"
"Good, the students have been so well behaved for me it's almost scary but as I've recovered they've started to slip into their old habits though not as outrageous as they were last year." Iruka sighed.
"It's their respect for you. Enjoy it while you can though. Once that lot moves on you'll only have stories and rumours to support the new found respect they all have. After that it will be your teaching skills that will be put to the test." Tsunade smiled.
"And hopefully by then I'll have enough experience to be able to impress them." Iruka chuckled and bid her good day before heading for the change room.
"Good morning Shikamaru, how are you today?" Iruka asked as he passed the bored looking young man as he walked towards his locker.
Since the incident Mikoto had hired a few extra staff and had added an attendant to each of the change rooms. Most clients didn't have a problem with this after hearing about the assault and near rape that had taken place. Thankfully Iruka's name had been withheld from the newspapers so only the staff knew he was the cause for such changes.
"Same as always Iruka-sensei." The young man sighed as he folded a few towel. Shikamaru was a master at acupuncture but Mikoto had arranged the schedule so that all staff members shared the responsibilities of manning the change rooms. This way clients could speak to a well informed staff member rather than a laky if needed.
"Oh it can't be that bad can it…" Iruka trailed off as he watched an over weight man with too much body hair and too little a towel walk by them towards the showers. "Then again…"
"Oi, Kakashi, what are you doing here?" Naruto practically bellowed as Kakashi and Itachi entered the lobby. Sasuke and Itachi smirked while Sakura swatted Naruto over the head. "Be nice, he's one of our best clients."
"Meh, she's right Naruto. Why I just finished purchasing several expensive spa packages for presents for Christmas. Maybe I should just go back and return the one I was planning to give to your mother." Kakashi smiled.
Naruto immediately shut up as he knew how much his mother loved going to the spa and if she ever found out he had ruined a chance for her to go he'd pay hell for it.
"No worries, I would never do that to your mother." Kakashi ruffled Naruto's hair much to the young man's distaste. "If you're here I'm assuming you're picking up Iruka-sensei no?"
"That he is." A soft voice came from the hallway. All heads turned to see Iruka come walking around the corner standing straight and barely using his cane. The site was a pleasant one to those who knew him best and had seen him just after the shooting.
"You're looking good Iruka." Kakashi compliment as the teacher came to stand between Naruto and Kakashi.
"Thank you Kakashi." Iruka smiled, "So Naruto, ready for lunch?"
Naruto went to respond when Sasuke spoke up. "I'm afraid not Iruka-sensei. You see, Naruto just received an urgent call from his father. Seems there is a mini crisis at work that needs immediate attention."
"Oh and I was looking forward to going to The Shuriken." Iruka sighed.
Again before Naruto could speak he was interrupted, this time by Itachi. "You still could Iruka. Kakashi here was just telling me after our meeting how he was still deciding what he was going to do about lunch for today."
"Really, well Kakashi, why don't you join me then?" Iruka turned to the silver haired man.
"The Shuriken sounds like a great idea." Kakashi smiled politely in return.
As the men headed for the exit Naruto was about to protest when as pointy heel found its way into the top of his shoe. "Have a good day Kakashi-san and Iruka-sensei." Sakura waved oh so innocently.
After the two had left Naruto was finally able to get a word in. "Why do I have to turn into a punching bag when you guys get an idea at the last moment?"
"Because you're horrible at lying Dobe." Sasuke answered as Sakura giggled and Itachi smirked.
The two sat quietly in the car on the way to the restaurant. About half way there Iruka finally broke the silence. "You owe Naruto for stealing him lunch partner."
"Was it that obvious?" Kakashi asked.
"Painfully obvious." Iruka shook his head.
"And yet you didn't say anything." Kakashi remarked.
"Who says I didn't approve of the change?" Iruka smiled.
~Fin~
Author's Notes: And so it comes to an end. I hope you all enjoyed my first multi-chapter story. I had only meant to write 2-3 chapters but it kind of got away on me. I appologize for the wait and if the quality seems less than my last chapter it was because I was trying to get this out be I hit the ground running. I'm in a period of transition right now. I'm Canadian and my husband is American. We made the decision for me to move south and my visa process is almost complete. *crosses fingers and toes* I have many more ideas and plan to write more but for the next couple of months I will be mia as I relocate. Thank you all for reading and please wish me luck, it's been almost a year and a half since my marriage and I want to be with my hubby!
