What? a new chapter already? yes, yes I know, try not to faint.
10th chapter! Wootness! (No, that is not a word, and no, I do not care) first off, I would like to thank my guest reviewers, I wish I would PM you guys but it means a lot that you'd leave me a review regardless.
Second, I am sssssoooo nervous about how people will react to the end of this story (which will be the next chapter) honestly, the last time I was this scared was when I was standing on top of a long drop with a pitiful 'stretchy' string attached to me and someone was yelling "JUMP!YOU'LL BE FINE! TRUST ME!" -_-
Hum, anywho…..on with the story!
(Just so you know, all the quotes are things I can see Iruka saying to someone in the chapter – their also sorta an over view for the chap, if you squint.)
XoX
If Tylenol, Duct tape and a Band Aid can't fix it
you have a serious problem.
XoX
Iruka snapped awake, his mental alarm clock that all teachers develop after the first, horror filled day they are late for class was blaring franticly. It was loud in his head and kinda sounded like a bullhorn, which meant-
7:20, 45 minutes till I'm late and the world ends.
All of this registered with in seconds of the chuunin waking up, and while his mind was very good at processing the normal 'SHIT I'M GOING TO BE LATE' routine fluidly and in blinding speed there was one small detail that had been forgotten – but was reviled when Iruka moved to jump out of bed and began he customary 'scramble around the apartment in a complete lack of the organisation and calm-ness I usually pride myself in cause I'm going to be late damn it'.
Iruka had forgotten about Ibiki.
Needless to say the jumping out of bed didn't go to well; in fact, the chuunin didn't even manage to move more than an inch, if that, before he knocked all the air out of his lungs when he collided with the steel taught arms that were wrapped tightly around his waist and chest.
Ibiki grumbled sleepily in protest to the movement and tightened his grip before rolling to the side slightly, dragging the chunnin with him. Iruka struggled, desperately trying to break free from the iron welded death grip, conscious all the while of the precious seconds as they slipped away.
"Nuh! Biki! Wake up!" Iruka shoved at the entrapping arms while he wiggled his body down, hoping he would be able to slip out from under them when Ibiki sighed and flipped them so the smaller man was not only pinned under the strong arms but one solid thigh and the top part of the Jounin's broad torso too.
"Biki!"
The Jounin grumbled but cracked an eye open, the sleepy black orb gazing down at the chuunin hazily.
"w'at?"
Iruka glared and pushed against the solid chest "Let me up"
"W'y?"
Iruka groaned and pushed harder, realizing that there was no way he was actually going to be able to move the big man – not without a pulley system.
"Going- to be – late. Horrifying consequences, end of the world. Let go"
Iruka could feel himself fighting tears, though he wasn't sure if they were from the pure (futile) physical strain of him trying to lift Ibiki (not one of his brightest idea's granted but a panicked soul does strange things) or from the horrifying images his mind was supplying of what his class room would look like if he was even to minute late walking through the door the first day back after a long weekend.
"World ending consequences? You deserve a raise if that's true"
"Despite the fact that it is true – Move!"
Ibiki just chuckled "But your warm and this is comfy"
"I can't feel my legs and in thirty five minutes my classroom will be on the moon!"
"Your very loud in the mornings, you know that?"
Iruka snorted "You sound like Genma. Now please let me up"
Ibiki huffed but rolled to the side, freeing the chuunin who shot out of the bed, grabbed a uniform and was in the bathroom in a matter of seconds, leaving behind a very amused Ibiki who took his sweet time getting up and dressing while he listened to the various bangs and swears that were coming from the bathroom.
Iruka emerged five minutes later, looking very put together – nothing like his real state of mind – and dashed for the kitchen yelling "What do you like on toast?" over his shoulder.
Grabbing some slices of bread he tossed them in the toaster then ran to the fridge to find the yogurt and oranges.
"You don't have to make me breakfast if your running late Iruka"
Iruka glanced over at Ibiki who had just exited the bedroom, dress shirt and skull cap both held loosely in one hand as the big man walked over to the edge of the small corner kitchen, an amused smile of the thin lips.
"Nah, its fine, I have to make something anyway or Naruto will go and eat ramen for breakfast again, this way, he'll actually start the day with nutrition"
"Naruto?" Ibiki took a step into the kitchen and peered into the toaster "Ah, yes, that explains the seven pieces of toast"
Iruka laughed then swore when he saw his toaster was once again burning the food "Damn this thing!" quickly he grabbed a fork and began slipping the toast from the appliance while Ibiki retreated to the other side of the counter, where he stood by the row of bar stools there as he watched the chuunin move around the kitchen.
"Just Naruto though? No Raidou or Anko?"
Iruka didn't look up from where he was spreading bright orange and red jam over the toast with practiced ease, only taking two swipes of the knife to fully coat the bread before picking the next piece.
"No, Rai's out same as Gen and Anko only comes over now when Gai's out or if he suggests it – though when that happens he insists on helping me cook and we always end up making a buffet that feeds Naruto and Genma for the next week"
Ibiki's chuckle at the story was cut short when there was a loud 'BANG' from the hall and the newly fixed door shook on its hinges. Iruka glared at the wood frame for a moment then rolled his eyes when a moan came drifting in from the outside hall.
"ITS LOCKED NARUTO!"
There was another whimper before the pitiful answer of "Ya, I kinda figured that out" came floating back from the crack at the base of the door.
Still grinning Iruka placed a full plate in front of Ibiki who nodded in thanks before walking over the open the door, revealing the sad and bruised looking young man who was crumpled on the floor, nursing his head.
"How many time's will you do that until you remember the door is locked in the morning!" reaching down a hand Iruka helped his blond brother up before heading back to the kitchen and sliding the Jinkuurki's plate forward.
Naruto crawled forward until he could drag himself into his stool, still nursing his slowly bruising body while he started wolfing down the four pieces of marmalade toast, cinnamon apples and yogurt, Ibiki watching the scene with intrigued fascination when it suddenly dawned on the 20 year olds mind.
"NUH!" the blond man whirled around, inhaling the food in his mouth as he did. After a brief coughing fit the Jinkuurki quickly regained his composure and stood, stool falling backwards behind him as he raised a finger, pointing at the scarred Jounin while he waved his arm up and down.
"YYYOOOUU! WHAT ARE YOU- HOW ARE YOU- WHY ARE YOU HERE?!"
An empty container of orange juice hitting the side of the whiskered face put a stop to the blonds rant.
"Ow! Nii-san!"
Iruka glared at his younger brother who was staring at him with shock "Don't 'Nii-san' me, what have I said about yelling this early in the morning"
"But- but" the arm began waving again, once more pointing at Ibiki who was still leaning calmly against the counter, the expression on his face clearly stating the Jounin didn't know if he should be amused or insulted by the whole scene.
"But it's Creepy Scar Dude! What is Creepy Scar Dude doing here?"
"NARUTO!"
Iruka threw the lid to the jam container at the blond before glancing over at Ibiki whose face had taken a turn for the 'insulted' side. The chuunin gave the bigger man an apologetic smile.
"Sorry Biki, on the upside, blondy here only ever nicknames people who stick out in his mind"
Ibiki brow rose and Iruka found himself grinning "Would you prefer Bushy Eyebrow? Bushier Eyebrow Sensei? Or Scary Eye Guy?"
By now Naruto seemed to have realized his slip and was staring meekly at the floor – until his brown eyed brother began reciting all the nicknames he'd ever invented out to the scarred Jounin, who looked like he was fighting a grin.
"Nii-san!"
"Ah, Perverted Hermit, Octopops, of course there's Kakashi-san with Idiot-Sensei or Cyclops-Sensei – depending on the mood – let me see, Weird Hair Girl, Chimney Guy. Oh! And my personal favorite; Pink Flow-Mff!"
Iruka's little speech was cut off when the blond let out an embarrassed wail and launched himself onto the brunet, knocking all the air out of him and making him topple to the floor – laughing hysterically.
"I Told You That In Confidence!"
Iruka only laughed harder as Naruto's protest rented through the house – likely waking the neighbors five doors down.
"Your whole family seems to be very loud"
Iruka glanced up at the clearly amused Ibiki from his position on the floor. The big man was grinning down at the two brothers, poorly suppressed laugher dancing in the black eyes as he watched Naruto drag himself up while the chuunin smiled sheepishly
"Ya, we're a little loud – least between me Naru, Gen and Anko we can drive poor Rai batty"
Naruto snorted in amusement while he retreated to his plate of food, once again sending himself into a coughing fit when he inhaled his toast.
Iruka chuckled to himself while he stirred honey into his tea cup, glancing lazily at the clock before doing a double take when he saw the time.
"SHIT!"
Flailing he rushed into the den and snagged his bag before dashing back to the kitchen and grabbing his tea and a piece of toast. Not really aware of the world around him Iruka wouldn't realize until later that he had grabbed both men in a quick one armed hug before dashing out of the place like he was pursed, yelling "See you later" over his shoulder.
Of course when he did remember this you probably could have roasted a marshmallow over his mortified blush.
Hopefully Ibiki had found it amusing and not weird…
XoX
Stupid, freaking, fucking GREEN! And of course it's non-wash out, vibrant and STUCK IN MY HAIR!
Kakashi was not having a good day.
And not just because he was still stuck wearing the most uncomfortable piece of clothing he'd ever had to wear or because he still had the urge to throw up every time his hair came into view or that he had woken up with his entire torso bruised and in pain – though these things did wonders in adding to the Jounin's current terrible mood.
No, most of it was due to the awful pounding his brain as his genius mind walked itself in circles, coming to the same conclusion each and every time only to have Kakashi snarl to himself that it couldn't be right and try to puzzle through it again.
Going through everything that had happened over the past two months or more as he desperately tried to find the person who had done this; a person who was obviously from the village, was skilled, crafty and smart, who was loyal enough and right enough to get Gai to help them and above all –
He was trying to find a person to blame – that wasn't one very likable chuunin sensei.
It couldn't have been, he wouldn't believe it, because if it was Iruka then, then-
Then it meant he had really hurt the younger man.
Kakashi groaned and collapsed back on the couch, arm thrown over his eyes as he when through the information for the hundredth time.
Same end.
Frustrated Kakashi stood back up and began pacing across the room.
He knew the chuunin was fully capable, he'd heard the stories and Iruka was certainly skilled enough to pull it off – but that wasn't the mental black he was struggling with. If it had been Iruka; why? What had he done? The chuunin had been willing to sleep with him so - just what small detail was he overlooking that was the key to why Iruka hated him?
Snarling Kakashi stormed to the bedroom and grabbed a hat and the trench coat he hadn't been able to wear earlier, pulling both on as he headed out the door and down the street to the Hokage's tower.
XoX
Iruka groaned and leaned over his desk, exhausted. It had been a long morning, starting with him rushing in a minute and a half after the newest Naruto/Konohamaru copy, Kiji, had entered the room (Iruka always shuddered when he thought of one of the two – or heaven forbid – both of them had kids of their own and handed him blood reincarnations to deal with and not the just the copy-cats)
Even a minute of freedom was never a good start to Iruka's day. Granted he wasn't completely late and his classroom still existed more or less the way it had been the previous Friday, but giving the demonic species known as his students even a centimeter was asking for pain.
Knowing he was already flustered, Kiji had pushed his sensei's limits like never dared before; though Iruka was proud to say he had impressed himself with the amount of control he had exercised – only yelling for half the day - his voice was sore but not gone, meaning he still had plenty saved up for the Mission Room later.
Sighing he stood, slowly collecting papers and putting away supplies before grabbing his bag and heading for the door, giving the scorched clay now permanently stuck to the classroom ceiling one last heated glare as he slipped out.
Walking the streets of Konoha was always entertaining, watching the people as they went about, buying, selling, chatting and gossiping, people watching was not only a fun pass time, it was educational – least that's what his Mother had always said.
Quietly he watched the civilians going through their lives happily, though it was easy to tell the ones that lived in the village from the visitors, who flinched slightly at the sight and fast movements of the mingling ninja walking the streets, the residents had long grown used to the more powerful auras. There were many shinobi strolling along the streets and mixing with the market crowd; the bight and excitable Genin, dragging (or being dragged) their friends and teammates along, calling out loudly at the various colours and goods that lined the busy streets. The more somber but still defiantly grinning Chuunin walking alone or with a friend, voices more hushed as they maneuvered familiar territory and of course the Jounin – all different, all the same – traveling in tight packs or slinking along by themselves, all talking without really having to speak, eyes constantly roving, watching, processing without end, smiles same as the Chuunin – grim but still present, a show of survival in the knowledge of how cruel the world really was and a acceptance at how beautiful is was at the same time.
The walk passed quickly this way as he slipped through the crowds unnoticed by shinobi and civilians both, no one called greetings out to the sensei as he went passed, and he was fine with that, he loved being 'Iruka-sensei' but sometimes he just wanted to be left alone.
Coming up to the Mission Room doors he entered silently, waiting until a fair haired chuunin exited and slipped in through the slowly closing door.
The Mission room was fairly calm, people chatted in low tones, their voices blending with the shuffling of paper, quiet scratching of writing and the dull thud of stamps. Lines were formed and they were moving along nicely, the greetings between the desk workers and waiting nin civil, polite and sincere.
Still no one paid him mind as he slipped around to his chair and took his place, only gaining attention once his bag hit the floor with a quiet 'thump' – causing Iwashi and the three ninja in the line in front of him to jump and stare at the chuunin in confusion.
"Holy hell, where did you come from!?" Iwashi stared wide eyed at his friend, the stamp in his left hand falling to the desk with a clatter. The three Jounin standing in the line seemingly agreed with the question as they shift forward slightly, small twitches of their eyes and hands the only betrayal of their curiosity.
"The door Washi"
The other chuunin glared while the Jounin showed various levels of amusement and exasperation.
"Yes, I realize that, but when? I didn't see or sense you come in. Did you lock your chakra again?"
Iruka laughed "No, not this time, just had one of the longer days at school – didn't want to greet every other person on the way here is all, sorry if I startled you"
Iwashi's face softened at that as he reached out to retrieve his stamp. All of the long-time desk workers knew of Iruka's occasional 'I don't want to exist right now' moments that occurred after a particularly trying day at the Academy or when one of his family were in the hospital. The result usually ending with Iruka shrinking into himself so that his chakra was harder to sense.
The waiting Jounin however still looked mildly intrigued and Iruka found himself fighting the urge to roll his eyes. He found very annoying that most Jounin believed that no chuunin would have skills on par with theirs – it was downright idiotic really – he'd been a chuunin 12 years and what? They thought he'd stopped training completely? He still practiced, just not with the thought of a promotion in mind, he sparred with Genma, Rai and Anko all the time and even if he wasn't aiming to reach the top he still always tried to make himself better.
Iruka brushed aside his musing when the line in front of Iwashi spilt in half and moved to stand in front of him while the chuunin he was there to relieve finished up his work and headed off, waving at the other workers as he slipped out.
Time passed pleasantly for an hour or so, the lines moving along and no one was being overly loud or annoying among the waiting shinobi. Iruka liked times like this, when everyone coming through the doors was met with a quiet and peaceful welcome home – no fireworks, no fist sights, no yelling, no off key singing.
He found the chuunin and Jounin usually left more relaxed and sane this way.
Slowly the afternoon stream of returning ninja receded to a trickle until no one had walked through the door for a good 12 minutes – the signal the desk workers were home free for the time being (it is a well-known hidden fact – meaning everybody knows but very few have ever actually seen it - that the desk workers are masters at the 'goof off then look like nothing was happening' their even better at it than the Jounin as they don't break things, and even if they do no one will ever find out)
Books were pulled from desk drawers, two friends seated on opposite sides of the room began tossing a ball – making it sail over the ceiling fan each time – while someone settled down for a nap and everyone else began chatting.
Iwashi instantly whipped around, grabbing onto the smaller brunettes arm with an exited "Did you hear!?" causing Iruka to tilt his head in question, Iwashi wasn't usually the gossip so whatever had him hyped must be good.
"Hear what? Despite knowing just a bit too much about whose cute, crush worthy or a 'total loser' by seven year old standers the gossip of older more course people alludes me"
Iwashi snorted then shook his head "Well then let me fill you in. Yesterday three of the most uppity Jounin in the existence of this village were taken down about a half a dozen pegs. By who is still unknown, but this person must be brilliant"
Iruka leaned forward, fringing innocent interest while snickering madly in his mind "Ya? What happened?"
"Well, first off; Aoba. Not sure how but the guy is attracting cats like his a fresh piece of fish – he can't get rid of them, he even ran to the Inuzuka's place in an attempt to lose them but the sheer number of felines overwhelmed the dogs and Tsume sent him packing. I heard he settled for hiding in the Jounin lounge closet, the cats clawing at the door but unable to get in"
Iruka laughed out loud at that, gaining surprised grins from the other chuunin around the room "Poor Tsume, getting harassed by cats. Who else got hit?"
Iwashi grinned, obviously very happy the sensei was getting story telling like this – Iruka didn't usually enjoy gossip so finding something he would listen to was an achievement of sorts "Well, then there was Juka Rida – whole load of shit went down with him. You were in mission room yesterday right?"
Iruka nodded, wondering just what else had happened to the Jounin.
"From what I heard, after the 'blame everyone I can' for whatever had happened to his house it came out – the guys a total bastard, not to mention a slut and a cheat"
Iruka blinked in surprise "Slut? Cheat? What do you mean?"
"Well, first thing, the guys been gossiping about mission sex – watch yourself about that, I think your one of the people he talked about – anyway, it also turns out the guys engaged, well, was "
Iruka started "E-Engaged? You're serious?"
Iwashi nodded "Sad isn't it? A chuunin from a lower Hyuuga family – absolutely wonderful girl, bout as sweet as you could find and skilled – they'd been engaged half a year, she wanted to wait till she'd passed the Jounin test to get married; like it's gonna happen now, Rida's been picking up lays almost every night for the past year or longer – not to mention the mission sex – he hadn't even told any of his friends he was engaged and only ever wore the ring around her. Anyway, this all came out and now Harashi is getting involved, doesn't matter she's from lower family he's taking it as a direct insult to him that someone would treat a Hyuuga like this. Then when Rida tried to skip all the drama and hide in his apartment he discovered his was locked out"
Iruka grinned – so it had worked "Locked out? What kind or shinobi locks themself out? I've forgotten my keys before sure but you just break in through the window, no bigy"
Iwashi rolled his eyes at the smaller man "Ya I know, but you can break into Genma-san's house when it's in lockdown cause he forgets to pay rent, unfortunately us mere mortals sometimes run afoul of poor planning"
Iruka tilted his head to the side, confused "Whatcha talking bout?"
"Most ninja set their own traps so that if something does happen they can take them down easy. Most ninja use common sense, Rida however was thinking when the show off part of his brain"
"How so?"
"You set the traps for most of your friend's houses right? For Genma-san and Anko-san?"
Iruka nodded "It's not that uncommon of a thing to do either"
"Right, but Rida it seems had asked an ANBU friend to trap his house – to 'impress' the underlings if you would – of course the problem here is the traps are above Rida's ability to disarm so-"
"He can't get inside" Iruka whispered, a numb feeling slowly filling his body, Iwashi however simply winked, looking absolutely pleased at how the younger man was reacting to the story.
"Right, and the friend is out of village at the moment so he's doubly screwed"
Iruka let his gaze fall to the table, shock coursing through his body. ANBU traps? Those had been ANBU traps? It couldn't have-
Iruka snapped up when he realized Iwashi was still talking and had said the name 'Kakashi'
"Wait! I'm sorry I missed that"
Iwashi glanced at him but happily repeated he sentence "I said; the third ninja who seemed to be part of the whole thing was Kakashi. He was wearing Gai's clothes and spent the whole day with the other man, he was also wearing a hat so something must have been up with that strange hair of his - so the general speculation is he's somehow involved too or he finally went off the deep end and decided to dress for the occasion. Either way it was hysterical."
Iruka grinned, pleased with himself when it didn't turn smug "So, what's happening now? What are they doing?"
Iwashi hummed thoughtfully for a moment "Well, Aoba might still be in the closet, though someone said they saw him sprinting for the Hokages tower a while ago, so he might be going for help. The others I don't know"
"I do"
Looking up Iruka realized that most of the room seemed to have moved in and had been listening to their talk; the one who had spoken was a young man – recently promoted chuunin – who looked rather heady at the fact the older chuunin's focus was switched to him.
"Rida's cowering at the Hokage's tower – I saw him a while ago when I was delivering files – and one of my friends said she just saw Kakashi storming down the street, wearing a hat and a trench coat, heading in the same direction."
A special jounin across the room nodded "Ya, from what I heard all three of them are going after Tsunade. Aoba's on the verge of hysterics and one minute he's demanding to know who's responsible and the next he's begging for her to help figure out what's attracting the cats. Rida-san's ranting up a storm, blaming everything and everyone but himself, demanding funds to have a team of chuunin go in and unlock and repair his house, while cursing threats at whoever did it. Kakashi-sama isn't being too bad, all he wants is some 'professional assistance' in getting what ever happened to him off" the Tsubuki snorted "the guy can't ask for help without using big words, though he's the only one who's being remotely polite and respectful – I think Tsunade-sama is close to using the other two as punching bags"
Iruka and his fellow workers winced – as desk chuunin they probably knew the extent of the Godaime's strength better than anyone – but when everybody turned back to their work Iruka found himself extremely distracted.
When he'd set out for payback he hadn't intended for it to get dumped on Tsunade's head – mainly because he's never considered the possibility that they Jounin would be so disrespectful as to complain to her – he knew Kakashi being there was innocent enough, the number of time the mednin master had patched the Copycat up meant they had a semi close relationship, and from the sounds of it he was only asking for help in getting the clothes off and the dye out but the others –
They were pushing the bounds – though really Iruka didn't know why he was so shocked they were acting like this. Aoba would be out of his mind with confusion and Rida'd already proved he was a pompous dick.
Iruka sighed, trying to work out how he was going to fix this. He should release the jutsu's on Kakashi and Aoba, that would be a start – but how to get Rida off Tsunade's back was a small problem.
Also, how to get near any of them was an issue, you didn't just break into the Hokage tower after all – the last time he'd done that he'd been 17 and the ANBU had almost beheaded him before they recognized him.
The biggest thing was he had to touch Aoba to turn off the tags and Kakashi need a special formula to wash the dye out – and though he didn't give a flying hoot about Rida he was the only one who knew where the keys were. The more he thought it through the fewer options there seemed to be, until he was left with only one.
He was going to have to fess up.
Not very appealing as he'd never been caught before – ever – well, only when Anko was with him, but as they seemed to have the talent for destroying things without even trying when together that was to be expected.
He didn't want to do it but at least the look on Rida's face would be worth it.
He glanced up at the clock, noting he had around fifteen minutes left in his shift; that worked. He would head over to Hokage Tower – stopping at Rida's place first to get the morons keys –then try to explain the whole thing to Tsunade – though that most likely wouldn't be too hard, she liked him and had nothing against the torture of Jounin if it was deserved –get the jutsu's off of Aoba and Kakashi, flip Rida off, then go home to pack a bag and head over to Ko and Izumo's.
Or, something along those lines.
"Oh hey, I forgot"
Iruka turned back to look at Iwashi who was staring at him curiously.
"Yes Washi?"
The older chuunin leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands behind his head, one brow raised as if he was trying to decide the wisdom of his next question.
"Were you out with Ibiki yesterday?"
Iruka tilted his head "Ya, why?"
"Was it a date or something?"
Iruka couldn't have stopped the blush even if he'd tried "Uuhh, sorta? He came over for dinner. Is that a problem?"
Iwashi blinked in surprise then held his hand out in a sign of peace "No! no, it's fine, I was just a bit surprised when I heard some Jounin talking about him 'being dragged around by the sensei' just wanted to know if it was true or just more made-up drabble"
"Mmm, no, he helped me with some groceries, if I was dragging it's a force of habit; Anko's worse than a kid and you have to keep firm hold on her or she wonders, guess I kinda do it automatically"
Iwashi chuckled, knowing full well of the sibling's strange relationship. "Ya that makes more sense. Though to be honest, I thought Ibiki was straight"
Iruka blinked "Really? Why?"
"Well, I know he sleeps with guys on occasion but that's pretty much everyone. We ninja aren't very picky when it comes to physical pleasure but the T&I staff were sure he swung predominately the other way"
"T&I staff? Are you talking about the guys Anko gets smashed at her karaoke every week?"
"Ya them. They came in here a couple nights ago, saying a lot of stuff I probably shouldn't have heard but anyway, one of them was ranting about how 'Ibiki-sama' was obsessed with some cute curly haired kounichi that works at the academy. Saying the he always walks past the school in the morning and goes to the tea shop at the same time as her. Stuff like that you know?"
Curly haired sensei – they mean Suzume-chan.
Iwashi scratched at his chin thoughtfully, not really noticing the his audience had zoned out "Not sure if there's anything true behind it, but that's why I was so surprised when I heard" the older chuunin shrugged and went back to the files in front of him, leaving the now very distracted sensei to his thoughts.
So what if I was an attempt to forget Suzume? I can see him liking her, but what does it mean?
It means you're both doing the exact samething – trying to forget the person you really like by settling for someone you can like. Iruka frowned; he hated it when his lecturing side was right.
Iruka sighed; he'd have to talk to Ibiki, if Iwashi was right it was unfair for the both of them – also if what had been said was true Ibiki did have a chance with Suzume. Though he was in no way playing matchmaker – not after last time.
A chorus of greeting alerted Iruka to the incoming change of shift, glancing up he grinned at the other chuunin and Jounin – none of them looked happy with the prospect of having the night shift.
Stacking up his papers Iruka slipped everything back into his bag, calling good night to Iwashi as he headed out the door. Reaching the street he glanced around then ducked down an alley way, starting toward the Jounin complex – time to key Rida's keys.
XoX
The soft tinkle of metal against metal chimed softly as Iruka flipped a set of keys in the air and caught them smoothly before tucking them into his pocket.
The trip into Rida's place had been quick, though he had paused briefly to take a closer look at the traps he'd brushed aside on the last visit – Iwashi had been right, they were high level, there just wasn't many of them in the house (which was in terrible shape Iruka was pleased to note)
He was still a little dazed to realize this but at any rate he would believe it now when people told him he was good with traps. He grinned, it was cool actually – he could do ANBU level traps.
That thought put an extra little jaunt in his step as he slipped through the alleys, heading toward the Hokage's Tower.
Scrambling up the side of the building Iruka carefully pried open a window and slipped in, landing in the middle of an empty hallway. He ducked to the side when he heard voices heading his way then paused when he recognized the high pitched whine that was followed by a stern rebuke.
"Hello Konohamaru"
Iruka straightened up just when the boy and his captain came around the corner, the effect was wonderful.
Konohamaru shrieked and jumped backward into Moegi, who yelled and punched him in the head, sending the poor boy to the floor with a thump. Ebisu's reaction was just as good, the bespecled man had been the one closet to Iruka when they walked passed, but instead of punching out like he'd expected Iruka was amused when the other man yelped and flipped backward as well, grabbing on to Udon and shoving the teen behind him as he passed, a kunai leaving his hand in blinding speed.
Iruka quickly reached out a hand and deftly caught the sharp projectile before it could hit him, the small, care-free smile never slipping from his face.
"This yours?"
The weapon was tossed back to hit the wall by the other man's head, making Ebtsu start then scratch at the back of his head sheepishly, though the special jounin made no sign that he planned on apologising – Iruka didn't expect him too, Ebisu was too proud for his own good sometimes.
Brushing this thought aside Iruka turned his attention back to the three youths who were still in the various positions on the floor, against the wall or looking very put out. He fought back a laugh – all of them sixteen now, with Moegi being a new chuunin and still the three of them could cause chaos without even trying.
Moegi was the first to recognize him, she stopped yelling at the poor crumpled Konohamaru on the floor to turn to the person who had startled them – no doubt to apologise, or yell some more, Iruka wouldn't rule out either option at that point – when she tilted her head and stared at him.
"Iruka-sensei?"
Iruka nodded "Afternoon Moegi-chan, how have you been?"
The four ninja stared at him with various degrees of emotion. Konohamaru with something like exasperated respect, Udon seemed rather smug that his old sensei had pulled one on his captain and loudmouth teammate, Meogi seemed to be thinking something along the same lines of Udon while Ebisu was staring with a sort of stunned bewilderment
Though Iruka figured that made sense. He didn't fool around like that very often with people who didn't know about his impish side, and every time Ebisu had been told the stories of his 'unproven pranks' he dismissed them as made up gossip, designed to strike at 'the honorable sensei's reputation'
There were many people in the village, some of them refused to believe that Iruka could do anything deceptive or unruly – Ebisu was the leader of these people.
Still, the look of pure shock and confusion was so worth it.
"Sorry if I startled you, just got back from a mission?"
Konohamaru bounced up instantly at the question, a fiery light back in his eyes "Yup! I just took down a bandit camp with my awesome jutsu's! And- OWW!"
Moegi huffed as she sent the spiky haired teen to the floor once more "That is not what happened! We saved your ass from getting torched after you knocked yourself out. And they're not your jutsu's either! Naruto-nii-chan was the one to show you!"
All of this was said with a terrifying glare on the freckled face before the young kounichi turned and smiled prettily "Now we going for tea while Konohamaru weeds Gimana-san's garden as punishment for insulting the Hokage"
Konohamaru flinched and shielded his head with his arms, the expected strike never came though as the female simply grabbed hold of the poor boys wrists and began to drag him away, calling a polite goodbye over her shoulder at her old sensei.
Konohamaru settled for looking down right miserable and calling out a "say hi to Boss for me" while Udon and Ebisu glanced at each other then took off after the Kounichi and her captive, leaving a very amused Iruka to walk off in the other direction, smiling to himself.
Well, good to know Moegi's got her team under control.
The smile slipped from his face however when the bright red door to Tsunade's office came into view – time to do this, though he couldn't say he was looking forward to it.
Iruka paused outside of the office door and glanced at the two ANBU guards standing there.
"May I go in?"
The ANBU looked at each other than nodded, one of them even reaching out to open the door for him, Iruka gave him a small smile, he knew who it was, there was a scar on the hand holding the door that he had seen before when at the raman stand - where the man had been dragged to many times before - just like every other person who'd had the pleasure of training the blond Jinchuuiki.
Stepping shyly into the office Iruka approached his leaders desk cautiously, still nervous and dazed with what he was about to do – Anko would never let him live this down.
"Hokage-sama?"
The blond woman raised her head, her look of surprise quickly fading into a fond, but tired smile "Evening Iruka, is there something you want?"
Iruka blushed and ducked his head "Umm, well sort of, I kinda wanted to –talk with you"
Tsunade sighed "I don't mean to be rude Iruka but could you be quick? I have some issues involving three Jounin and a village in hysterics because of them to deal with, not to mention none of the brats are happy or pleasant to deal with"
Iruka flushed in shame, he hadn't meant for this to become Tsunade's problem "well, T-That's what I came to talk about Tsunade-sama"
The Hokage had gone back to looking over the papers on her desk, shuffling through them to find the right ones "oh? How so?"
"I did it"
XoX
*dramatic music plays while Rythum cackles evily on the floor*
Jiraiya: you have mean issues, you know that? And why are you on the floor?
Ryth: its cooler. Hello my darlings! Hopefully nothing was too confusing in that, and if it was, Ignore It!
Jiraiya: I'm sorry people, she's in one of her moods.
Kakashi: ya, feel free to run for you lives any time now
Jiraiya: theres no shame in it, really.
Ryth: *pouts while glaring at the two men* you guys are mean. anyway, I'll post up the last chap when I have time - cherry season just started and by the end of two week's I just know my hands will be premnaitly red *huffs*
(side note, the very last scene between Tsuande and Iruka was what started it all - this whole story from that one scene - that and a strange dream I had of some guy getting attacked by cats...)