ChapterEight

The three arrived at the hospital and took the elevator up to the patient recovery floor. After a few minutes of searching they arrived at the front desk and waited 'patiently' as the nurses found Iruka's room number and made a dash for the specified room, Kakashi in the lead. When they arrived – both out of breath and worried- they saw that a woman was currently speaking to Iruka while hovering over his bed, Kakashi recognized the woman standing there as Iruka's Mom and she looked hurt. When her eye caught Kakashi, she smiled and welcomed the small group into the room. Though she was so beautiful and well kept, at that moment Kakashi realized that her mascara had been running and her naturally rosy cheeks were blanched and slowly returning to a pale pink color.

Kakashi cringed when he saw Iruka, his left eye was swollen shut, bruised to a dark purple and yellow while a gash exceeded his hairline with stitches. His right arm had a cast bound to it and a sling held it tightly in place. While Kakashi and the others stared at him with deep compassion and worry, they could only possibly imagine the damage done elsewhere. Kakashi chewed his lip lightly before forcing a smile.

"Hi." Kakashi was surprised to hear his voice crack. He let the smile fall.

Iruka's smile faded and he pushed himself up in his bed. "Something wrong?" There was a long pause as his good eye brushed back and forth between the three of them and his Mother, finally he stared at Kurenai as she moved towards Asuma slightly, her eyes smiling.

"No." Kurenai blinked, brushing back an onslaught of tears. She approached the bed and sat next to him on the fluffy mattress. "Care to tell us what happened?"

Iruka looked away and then up at his Mother. She sent her son a small smile and nodded before she stood and swiftly left the room, cupping Kakashi on the shoulder in compassion. The moment she exited the room all of them stared at Iruka, faces contorted with a billion question.

"Nothing, really!" Iruka began defensively. "I ticked off Mizuki and his group, and I forgot my bag in my car and they beat me up." He nodded, looking convincing. Kakashi wasn't convinced however, he could almost sense Iruka's lies, but he didn't say anything.

"How was school?" Iruka looked at them happily at an attempt to change the subject.

Kurenai crossed her legs and beamed. "It was great, we didn't even have to go to our last classes, thanks to you."

"Oh really? Good."

"Hell, I was enjoying my class though." Asuma shrugged. "We were watching a documentary -"

"-And you fell asleep." Kurenai cut in, placing her hands on her lips, a coy smirk crossing her lips.

"So? I still enjoyed the class." Asuma shrugged with a grin. Kurenai laughed quietly.

"Go figure."

Iruka looked down, still not sure what to make of the pair when he looked back up to see Kakashi staring out the picture window; the light filtering through cast deep shadows on his fair features, making the teen look older somehow, and definitely more attractive. Iruka started at the thought before dragging his eyes back to her lap. Blushing, he quickly looked back at Kurenai, although Kurenai had her back to him as she and Asuma conversed over what he was bringing back for supper, it was as if they were all in their own little world.

Kakashi sat on the end of the bed, fixing himself into a comfortable position and conversed with Asuma and Kurenai. They came to a conclusion that one of them had to stay behind while the other two got food and spoke to parents. Kakashi was voted to stay; Asuma simply gave him a wicked smile as he and Kurenai left.

Kakashi fell silent, playing with the blankets beneath him still staring out the large picture window. Iruka stared at Kakashi, drinking in the features of the older teen; from his ash-coloured hair to the pale skin that stretched over the long limbs. Kakashi dragged his eyes from the window and to Iruka's face. The dark blue-grey orbs stared into his own chocolate brown ones, and Iruka knew immediately that he was caught in his own lies. A smirk wove its way across Kakashi's features, and Iruka's immediate response was a soft blush.

"Are you going to tell me what really happened?"

Iruka's eyes flashed down to the blanket, attempting to hide from Kakashi's prying gaze. Placing his hand behind his head gently he gave a weary smile. "I guess you knew?"

"Yeah. Mizuki won't waste his energy messing around with you. What I'd like to know is: was it really on purpose?" Kakashi crossed his arms, looking down at the sheets as he thought.

"What do you mean?" Iruka's confusion was evident in his voice, and a frown wove it's way across his features. Kakashi looked back to him.

"It just sounds sloppy, like Mizuki didn't plan it out. Like the idea just sort of... came... to him."

"Well it did." Iruka sighed. "He heard what Asuma said – about me being a "boy toy" – and decided that I should get some sense knocked into me. In other words, he called me gay and thought that was a good enough reason for him to try and kill me."

"I see. Well, I'm going to kick his ass." Kakashi proclaimed, a sinister grin contorted his features. Iruka blinked before shaking his head with a frown.

"Don't. There's no need to punish him, just let him rot away on the inside."

"Right. He might as well just have beaten me up too. That little runt, he's so dead."

"Kakashi!" Iruka snarled. "Let it go!"

"Why?" Kakashi gave Iruka a slightly hurt look. The younger teen sighed.

"Because I can't stand you like this. It breaks my hear-" Iruka stopped and snapped his head down to look at his fingers. Kakashi looked at him sympathetically then placed his pale hand over Iruka's and smiled up at him, merrily.

"I won't. I like you too much." Kakashi nodded.

Blushing, Iruka just placed his good hand over Kakashi's and let out a deep breath that had been bottled up in his stomach. "I really didn't mean to worry you."

"That's okay. I had a feeling that you were okay. You'd never just disappear."

"Yeah." Iruka nodded, then shifting his weight he flung himself forward.

- bliss –

Kurenai blinked as she slowly looked between the menu and Asuma, they were currently standing in a small take out restaurant and Asuma had wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She looked down hearted.

"Iruka will be just fine." Asuma reassured her, though his own head was telling him that Kakashi might not be.

"I know, but I'm more worried about Kakashi. He looked pretty hurt." Kurenai's voice was small although at the statement Asuma shot her a look of confusion. Though he was sure he had been thinking about Kakashi in his head, he began to wonder if he had said something previously.

Finally taking in a breath after fixing together a sentence, Asuma smiled lightly at her then looked up at the menu above them again. "He really did, but Kakashi really does feel something for him."

"Are you serious?" Kurenai's eyes opened as far as they could as she put two and two together in her mind. "Kakashi's gay?!"

The entire restaurant at that time looked and stared at Kurenai, their faces twisted into an array of confusion and distaste. She turned into Asuma blushing vibrantly, burying her face into his chest in an attempt to hide from all the stares.

"He might be, but the whole world doesn't have to know." Asuma chuckled and pulled her closer. She breathed steadily, her eyes glimpsing back at the menu.

"Let's just get some noodles and leave." She giggled, though she was evidently nervous. "That old lady in the corner keeps glaring at me."

In curiosity; Asuma cocked his head to see whom she was talking about and sure enough there, sitting three tables away, an old woman with silvery white hair was staring intently at the couple. Her features were masculine however and made her look slightly intimidating.

"She's hideous." Asuma winked.

"Let's just go." Kurenai took his hand and pulled him out the door.

"What about the food?"

"McDonald's it is!" Kurenai smirked as she followed Asuma's agonized stare. "I'm kidding. We'll go to that little ramen shop and pick stuff up."

"Good. For a second there, I though you were trying to kill me."

"And why would I do that?"

"You tell me." He kissed her cheek and caused her to blush intensely before she straightened out her face and walked next to him casually. Her dark hair bounced off her shoulders and Asuma watched her slightly out of the corner of his eye. Once again both of them were off in their own little world.

- bliss –

Back in the hospital room, in the patient recovery wing all was silent except for a cry of a toddler who was most likely getting a shot. Iruka was pressed up against Kakashi's chest, while the silver haired teen sat there in shock. He hadn't moved or breathed, this all happened so quickly and he wasn't quite sure who was supposed to make the next move.

Iruka finally turned his head to look up at Kakashi, his face red in embarrassment. He slowly pushed himself off Kakashi, but before he could go too far Kakashi's arms wrapped around him in a soft hug. Both of them were a brilliant red but not uncomfortable.

Unwilling to break the silence Iruka wrapped his good arm around Kakashi's side, though curiosity was slowly taking over his body. He pressed his cheek against Kakashi's collarbone and sighed inwardly. "Kakashi…" Iruka mumbled.

"You once asked me if it was wrong to have feelings for a guy, feelings other than friendship." Kakashi sighed and took two deep breaths, this worried Iruka slightly and though his body was warm he wriggled a bit under his elder partner's grip. "Well it's just that I have those feelings and it's taken hours of annoying Asuma to get them straight But…" His fingers loosened around Iruka's back ad he pushed him back into his pillows, in a smooth motion as gently as he could. "…After what happened to you, I think it would be best if 'we' didn't happen." And with that Kakashi escaped the bed and Iruka's hurt eyes and left the hospital all together.

He hailed a cab and went home, not once did he stop or look back and Iruka's eyes never left the door from where he had exited.

[1 Hour Later

Kurenai and Asuma stumbled back into Iruka's room. Their arms full of food, presents and balloons. They were laughing so hard that they almost toppled over on several occasions. It wasn't until they saw that Kakashi was gone and Iruka was staring past them hopelessly that they fell silent.

"Uh, where did Kakashi get to?" Asuma glanced around the room in confusion, her glance landing on Asuma. However, Iruka just shrugged and thumbed his blanket timidly. Kurenai sat on the end of the bed tying a large red balloon to the post while Asuma quietly handed Iruka some ramen. The three sat in silence, none of them making any sudden movements or causing the slightest of sound.

'He just left?' Asuma pondered the subject for hours.

[Next Day: First class

Asuma sat at his regular seat, but he sat all alone while the substitute rambled on about regressions and limits. He had no interest on the subject, so his mind was free to wander back and forth to others. Like Kurenai, his last cigarette, when he worked next and Kakashi's whereabouts. He just couldn't wrap his head around anything. Finally, he excused himself to the Nurse's room, but instead wandered down to the large front foyer.

To his surprise, there was Kakashi in the office filling out a late slip for second period. Asuma narrowed his eyes and marched calmly towards him.

"Where the hell have you been?" Asuma snapped.

"I was … I went back to the hospital." Kakashi didn't look at him once. "But his Mom was there so I didn't bother going in."

"Liar." Asuma snapped. Kakashi looked up at him with that same stupid smile he always wore. One the one side of his face was a large welt that had turned purple and his left hand was bandaged slightly. To his amusement, Asuma gaped at his friend's injuries.

"Don't stare, it's impolite." The secretary glared at Asuma.

"Yea buddy." Kakashi smirked. He waltzed out of the office and down the hall to his locker, Asuma following slowly behind him.

"Gonna tell me what happened?"

"Nope."

"Why?"

"Because. Who's the sub?"

"Miss Clyse. Why?"

"You don't need to know." Kakashi pulled out his binder with his left hand and his face contorted with pain.

"Let me handle that." Asuma took Kakashi's binder and his Spanish textbook. "You look worse than Iruka."

"Doubtful. I wasn't the one getting beat on."

"You beat up someone, is that what happened?" Asuma looked at him, with disbelief filtering through his eyes.

"No." Kakashi sighed. "I punched a wall with my left hand and the wrench that was hanging on the wall caught me in the face"

Asuma burst out in laughter. "Just stick with the other story." He mouthed during fits of laughter.

"I will." Kakashi nodded. "But I don't want anyone to know about any of this."

"Alright. So, why did you hit the wall?"

"No reason. I just got frustrated."

"Oh sure."

At that moment, Rin came ripping around the corner, her lips pulled into a tight and vibrant smile. She paused only for a moment. "Stay for lunch today Kakashi. You really want too!" Then she was off again in a blur.

"She's excited about something." Asuma grinned.

"That's a good thing though, she didn't stop to ask what happened to me." Kakashi smiled, trying not to aggravate his sore face.

"You know, you weren't there when we got back." Asuma's voice was quiet but angry. "You didn't see how hurt he was."

Kakashi yawned and then turned back to look at Asuma with a grin. "We should practice tonight."

"I guess so, I'll tell Gai." He shrugged and clapped a hand on Kakashi's shoulder before walking back to his first class.

[4th Period

Kakashi sat, his forearms folded on the table before him with his chin resting lightly on them. Mrs. Kingston was just organizing her desk and the rest of the class was quiet, because he was the only one in there. He was slowly falling asleep and his eyes were opening and closing on their own as he forced them to stay open and awake. It was deemed an impossible task and he finally gave in.

Thoughts of music notes and wrenches filled his head, a soft hum of voice's coming from somewhere behind the veil of darkness. His hands trembled as he looked down to see a crowd of faces that looked back at him, screaming and smiling, shouting his name in an idolizing cheer. His hands wrapped around the microphone before him and his voice came over the millions of speakers.

His fellow friends jamming along with him from behind, their faces shrouded in darkness with the glint of their teeth sparkling form the multi-colored stage lights.

Suddenly the crowd separated like a wave breaking on a beach and in the center of the crowd was Iruka smiling timidly until the people swallowed him in their masses.

"Gyah!" Kakashi snapped up and once again toppled off his chair.

"Uh, Kakashi?" Rin blinked back at him. "Were you sleeping?"

Kakashi shook his head and stood up trying to get his bearings. "I guess I was."

"Oh, well I'm sorry for waking you. But … what happened to your arm and that black eye? What did you run into?"

"A moving car." He smirked.

"Already trying to commit suicide, and you missed lunch today."

"I know. I stayed here."

"Not feeling well?"

"Yea, so what was so exciting about lunch?"

"Oh nothing. You'll have to see tomorrow." She winked and walked to her seat as the bell went.

Asuma took up his regular seat next to Kakashi and paid no attention that Kakashi had once again fallen on his butt. He opened up his binder, uncharacteristically and flipped to a page cast with doodles and love notes, most of them from his class before lunch with Kurenai.

Scribbling something next to a sad smiley face he closed that part of his book when he realized that Kakashi was staring and looking up at him he tightened his jaw and glared at him. Kakashi shivered, the pain tingle that went down his back made him stiffen as he sat down quietly.

"Something wrong?" Kakashi muttered.

"No." Asuma grumbled.

"Okay."

"Gai's not coming tonight."

"What! Why not?"

"He said he wants to quit the band."

"You're kidding!"

"Nope." Asuma growled. "You've had your head so far up your ass lately that you've failed to realize that he's been planning this all along."

"Heh?" Kakashi winced. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Ask Gai, not me." He spat and glared at his paper.

"Sorry." Kakashi whispered and picked up his stuff and sat next to Anko, who was in her seat at the back of the class like always. She welcomed Kakashi to her table, but not openly. She looked at him questionably, here eyes prodding his face for a reason in the sudden shift of tables. "Hi Anko, nope you don't mind."

"No not at all." She grinned. "I hear Gai's really pissed off at you."

"How'd you hear that?" Kakashi muttered.

"Please. Listening to Asuma grumble for a class, you hear a lot."

"Oh brother."

"Yea. What'd you do?" She grinned malevolently.

"I ignored the band."

"Hm? Girlfriend?"

"Not exactly."

"Boyfriend?"

Kakashi shot her a look of utter surprise and glanced back at Asuma who still was hunched over his binder, scribbling his girly writing all over a loose page. He didn't answer her, instead he pulled out a notebook and took down the notes that were on the board.