Warning: OOC, weirdness, sexual references and foul language. Any misspellings or wrong grammar is unintentional. I am my own beta. I could have missed some stuff.

I do not own Naruto.

ROOM-MATE

Iruka was just crossing the parking lot, feeling extremely tired and already soaked to the bone when he heard his name being called out.

"Iruka?"

A glance behind him told him that it was Raidou under an umbrella. "Raidou-san?"

"What are you doing walking in the rain? You'll get sick!" Raidou quickly moved to cover Iruka with his umbrella. "Look at you! Soaked to the bone!"

Iruka felt the blush on his cheeks intensify as Raidou stood close to him, the warmth off the older man giving him a little comfort. "I'm fine, Raidou-san. It seems the rain likes to pour when I'm not carrying an umbrella. Weather seemed fine a few hours ago."

Raidou shook his head. "This time of season is as annoying as it'll always be. Totally unpredictable. Have you had dinner yet?"

"No."

"Join me for dinner then? After you get changed first! Come, come. Let's get you to a drier place." Raidou ushered him hurriedly across the parking lot and walked him to his room. He shook the umbrella and left it outside to dry out as Iruka dug out his key and unlocked the door.

Kakashi was sitting on the floor, watching a show on TV with a forgotten text book and notebook by his side when Iruka entered. Iruka offered him a smile. Raidou greeted him as well, leaning against the door as Iruka grabbed a set of dry clothes and padded to the bathroom to get dressed. He could hear the brief exchanges of cold conversation outside but wasn't focused enough to pay attention. He doused himself in hot water, dried up and got dressed.

He pulled the door open and found Kakashi throwing his book on the bed and crossing the room for the door. Iruka stared at him, trying to smile. "Kakashi?"

"What?"

Iruka was taken aback by the too quiet tone; he can recognize anger in an instant now that his paranoia was reawakened again. "W-W-Would you like something from outside?"

"No. It's fine. Have a nice time."

Raidou had moved to leaning against the wall as opposed to the door. He was frowning at Kakashi, Iruka noted. Kakashi also didn't look very pleased with Raidou himself. Iruka felt worry tug at the edges of his mind as he looked between Raidou and Kakashi.

"Is something wrong? Raidou-san?" Iruka looked at Kakashi again. "Kakashi?"

Raidou smiled at Iruka. "Nothing's wrong." Kakashi left the shut the door behind him. "He got a phone call earlier. He seemed hot headed about it."

"Oh." Iruka nodded, things making more sense. "That's why."

"Ready?"

Iruka grinned, eyes crinkling. "Lead the way."

Raidou shared his umbrella once more, their shoulders touching each other as they made their way to the food-corner of the campus where popular joints opened to serve within the living quarters of the university. They dined at a rather warm joint that specialized on dim sum. Iruka found it funny that most of the food was bland and ended up pouring a lot of salt in to his food, surprising Raidou in the process.

"You sure you should be eating that much salt?"

Iruka looked up at him and frowned. "It's kinda' bland." He took a bite of his now very salted sho-mai and nodded to himself. "There. Now I can taste it."

Raidou reached out and felt Iruka's forehead; an awkward blush started to creep up Iruka's neck at the cool hand against his forehead. "You're kinda' warm."

"Warm?" Iruka felt his neck with the back of his hand and shook his head. "Funny. I feel fine."

"Maybe it's because of the rain. You were soaked to the core earlier."

Iruka's shoulders lifted in a slight shrug. "I guess that's probably it."

As Raidou went back to continue with his food, Iruka secretly hoped that he wasn't getting sick. He rarely got sick; he was just lucky that way. There were times in the year where he would normally just lose all sense of taste and have a stuffy nose for a day or two. He was a fighter and didn't appreciate a cold or any sort of illness to render him bed-ridden; he moved around a lot to counter this. So Iruka didn't really pay much attention to himself and started making small talk with Raidou.

They spoke of the crummy weather and how their soccer team topped the first three best teams in the nationals. Time dragged by as Iruka laughed while Raidou narrated a particular event that happened in the final match. Iruka wasn't entirely surprised when he heard that Gai had taken the MVP award home. He saw how Gai played and he will be the first to admit that the man was a hardworking star player.

"Do you play anything, Raidou-san?" Iruka asked, sipping his tea and having some of his dessert while Raidou chewed.

"I used to play soccer. Played for my old high school team but I quit. I didn't want soccer to revolve around me." He lifted his tea cup to his lips. "Do you play?"

"Not soccer. I can never get the ball to go in what direction I want it to go to. But I used to be in track and field. Back in high school. I got a scholarship for my undergrad university education because of it."

"Oh? So you're quite the runner eh?" Raidou looked amused.

"That was years ago." Iruka rubbed the back of his head, a shy blush tickling his cheeks. "Now I'm just slow, flabby and weak."

Raidou frowned at him. "You're not weak. And you're most certainly not flabby. I think you're quite attractive."

Iruka blinked and grinned. "So are you, Raidou-san. You're so sweet and considerate and I really like your hair. It's handsome. You're handsome."

There was a long moment of silence.

Both of them erupted in to peels of laughter that left them with their sides aching for a few minutes. "Now that is priceless!"

"How come?" Iruka chuckled. "I'm not lying, Raidou-san."

Raidou looked at Iruka and smiled, eyes crinkling at the corner with mirth. "I'm not used to that kind of comments really." Raidou touched the burnt side of his cheek.

Iruka quickly reached for Raidou's hand, pulling it away from the facial scar and giving it a warm and reassuring squeeze. "Raidou-san, I think you're handsome. You better get used that, okay?"

Neither really noticed how they were suddenly holding hands and staring at each other, as if they were trying to understand what the other was thinking. Neither really noticed how they looked like a couple, a pair of lovers on a warm date.

"This is - Iruka, you - this isn't really -" Raidou sighed and looked away, asking for the bill. Iruka only held his hand tighter, refusing to let go.

In a way, Iruka understood Raidou's pain. He never found himself attractive, always thinking that the hideous line across his face was a monstrous feature. He never felt beautiful, handsome or cute up until he met Mizuki during the teacher's board exam. He let go of Raidou's hand when he had to take out his wallet to pay.

They stood up, Raidou not asking for the change and shared the umbrella once more. It was an uncomfortable walk and Iruka wondered if he made a mistake. He was determined to not be wrong nor feel guilty, because as he looked at Raidou briefly while they climbed the stairs, he couldn't help but really feel that Raidou was an attractive and handsome man who was merely unfortunate to have a facial scar. If Iruka tilted his head to the side just a little bit, the scar was pretty endearing, almost sexy (some would think so).

Raidou dropped Iruka in front of his door. "You really should take a pill or two. Just in case."

"I know. I will before bed."

"Good." Raidou gave him a small sad smile. "I better get going; it's late. And wear something warm. It's quite chilly. I don't know why you didn't bring a jacket with you when we headed out."

Iruka felt embarrassed to tell him that he had no jackets or sweatshirts to wear anymore. "Ah, I wasn't feeling very cold. Besides, it rarely gets this cold around here anyway. Might as well take advantage of this rare weather!"

Raidou chuckled, turning to head down the hall. "As long as you don't get sick. Good night, Iruka."

"G'night." Iruka waved as Raidou raised a hand and disappeared around the corner and down the stairs.

Iruka dug out his keys and reached for the keyhole. He felt guilty for not saying anything to Raidou when the man clearly didn't think he was telling the truth. Without thinking, pulled his keys out and rushed down the hall, taking the stairs two steps at a time. He ran for the main entrance and found Raidou opening his umbrella and stepping out in to the rain. Iruka pushed doors open and jumped down the wet steps.

"Raidou-san!"

Raidou turned and his eyes widened. "Iruka! What are you thinking of, getting -"

Iruka stopped him from speaking when he threw his arms around Raidou, his white shirt already wet, ponytail droopy from the rain. Iruka could feel the grin spread over his own lips, moving some more to give Raidou an even warmer and tighter hug. He had surprised Raidou so much that the umbrella lay forgotten on the ground (he even knocked the breath out of Raidou). He knew there were people staring and smiling, some raising eyebrows and some just ignoring them. Iruka didn't care; he wanted Raidou to understand that he was wanted, needed, loved and cared for (even if Iruka didn't know him that well).

Iruka melted further in to the warmth when he felt Raidou embrace him back. "Don't ask."

"I have to." Raidou said. Iruka could feel the grin in his tone. "What's this for?"

"Nothing." Iruka pulled back, both of them drenched. "Have dinner with me tomorrow. Same time. It's a bit late but, I just have to run some errands and well, you know." Iruka grinned wider. "Will you?" Raidou's face fell in to a very sad expression, pulling Iruka close and hugging him tight, burying his face in to Iruka's slightly bonier shoulder. Iruka started to worry. "Raidou-san?"

"I'd love to. How about at nine-thirty?"

Iruka reached out to ruffle Raidou's spikes affectionately. "Nine-thirty is good."

"All right." Raidou nodded, lips curved up in to a smile.

"Meet me here? I'll bring a jacket this time." Iruka pulled back, smiling widely at Raidou. "And Raidou-san, I really, really think you're handsome. Whoever dates you and settles with you, is going to be a very, very lucky to have someone like you." Raidou's cheeks colored as he cleared his throat. "Are you with someone?"

Raidou hesitated, but ended up shrugging. "Not exactly."

Iruka merely gave him a smile and pulled him for another hug. "Well, doesn't matter. I'm sure there's one person who'd want to be with you. They're just being stupid and all."

Raidou chuckled at the irony. "That's probably it."

Iruka enjoyed hugging Raidou; it reminded him of the side Sai only showed to him when they were alone and away from their classmates. While hugging Raidou, Iruka could feel the heat pool in his eyes, the emotion of remembering Sai flooding him with great sadness. The warm hand smoothing his back in a hug was enough to remind him that he was with someone else and that he shouldn't look so frail and helpless. Iruka shut his eyes, willing himself to sober up fast. It was the familiar stare he felt that made him pull away and look around.

Iruka felt his breath catch in his throat when he found Kakashi staring at the both of them, Genma beside him. Iruka didn't know why he didn't feel happy with the way the staring duo was looking at him and Raidou; like they were dirty and diseased.

"K-Kakashi. G-Genma-san." Iruka looked around, most of the students already gone and sheltered. He reached up to wipe the raindrops away from his eyes.

Genma moved to pick up Raidou's fallen umbrella. "Umbrellas weren't meant for the ground." Genma mumbled, frowning at Raidou.

"Don't start with me." Raidou glared, taking the umbrella and putting it over his own head and Iruka's. "Still up to no good at this time of the hour?"

"You care? I'm so touched." Genma replied. Iruka knew there was nothing sincere in what Genma just said. "Iruka, you must be really cold. Raidou's recklessness is going to make you sick one day."

"Hey, he didn't -" Iruka gasped when he felt Genma's hand slide down his wet back and pull him close. He found himself pressed against Genma completely, a hand playing with his shirt's neckline as Genma attempted to warm him with his hands. Iruka struggled and pushed against Genma, only to receive a leer and a smile that would have made the girls (and guys) swoon. "S-Stop that!"

"Oh? So only Raidou is allowed to get touchy-touchy?" Genma's smiled turned bitter. "Am I interrupting your date?"

Iruka looked at the three men helplessly, shaking his head; he didn't like the cold and uncaring look Kakashi was giving him. "It's not like that! What is the matter -"

Raidou wrapped an arm around Iruka and steered him towards the glass doors of the dorm entrance. "Go on upstairs and get dried. I'll take care of these two."

"Did I say something? Have I done anything that may have brought you trouble?" Iruka asked worriedly.

Raidou merely shook his head and continued to usher him past the glass doors. "You haven't. That idiot is just being his normal self."

"Raidou-san!"

Raidou shook his head. "Trust me. If he was angry with you, he would've punched you in the face without saying a word. I know Genma." Iruka looked unsure and nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay." Iruka peered at past the glass doors, noticing how Kakashi was speaking to Genma in a tensed manner and how Genma was merely scowling. "Tomorrow then."

Raidou nodded and gestured to the stairs, giving him a reassuring smile.

Iruka bounded up the stairs and entered his room, kicking the door shut and grabbing his towel from the back of his chair, turning to look down the window. He could see Raidou pointing at Genma, looking furious and giving him quite a mouthful. Genma looked just as pissed and was talking back. It wasn't until Raidou turned his attention to Kakashi, giving him a mouthful as well did Kakashi's gaze turned to as cold as ice; from his floor height, Iruka could feel a shiver run down his spine at the sight of Kakashi's angry gaze. He looked away, leaning against the wall, wishing that he knew what the cause of the argument was. He couldn't help but feel that he was caught in the middle of everything.

He glanced at the window again, finding Kakashi gone and Raidou walking away, dragging Genma by his elbow. Eyes widening, Iruka quickly rushed in to the bathroom and locked the door, turning on the hot showers. He didn't want Kakashi to think that he'd been watching the whole time. He doused himself in hot water and pulled on the last set of clean clothes he had. He'd have to go and do laundry after classes the next morning.

When he stepped out of the bathroom, he found Kakashi sitting on his bed, drying his hands and getting ready to sleep. Iruka gave him an almost desperate look, hoping that he'd say something - anything - to ease his worried mind. He gave a quiet sniff as he settled on his bed, hating his clogged nose. All the while, Kakashi said nothing.

When the lights were turned off and everything was quiet, Iruka found himself mumbling a silent apology, sniffing again, getting only complete silence as a reply.

He couldn't help but feel sad that Kakashi was ignoring him.

XXX

He remembered waking up to get ready for class. He remembered sitting on the bed and tying his shoe laces. He also remembered the floor changing its position and coming to face him as opposed to remaining under his feet. What he wasn't sure of was whether he took notes in class or not, whether he greeted his instructor or not or whether he did his laundry or not. He wasn't the type to forget or get confused, but what he did remember clearly was seeing the foot stand of Kakashi's bed along with some boxes the man kept under the said bed.

After that, he couldn't remember anything and everything was just a muddle of unclear visions.

Iruka's mind had switched off from his high fever, the medicines Ryuuken prescribed lay forgotten on his study table underneath a few notebooks and textbooks that he prepared earlier that morning before getting dressed. Time ticked away and he remained asleep and out like a light bulb on the floor, shoelaces half tied and clothes rumpled; it was no longer enough to keep his body warm from the chills that racked through his bones.

His cell phone remained on the bed, vibrating when calls kept coming in till it managed to move towards the corner and thump down to the ground. Iruka didn't hear the phone fall, nor did he hear the insistent ringing. He merely curled to one side, arms tucking around his stomach and lay in fetal position to keep himself warm. Hours later, he began to hear his cell phone's ring when things in his head were making a little more sense.

He couldn't move from the chills and ache in his bones. He couldn't keep his eyes open for too long and drifted between sleep and consciousness. He could have sworn he heard hard knockings on his door at some point. Iruka didn't want to deal with anything, releasing a whine deep in his throat as he twisted in is sweat soaked clothes.

For a moment, things were very quiet. His cell phone no longer rang and vibrated on the floor and Iruka was just glad that he could go back to sleep. The next thing he felt was a hand tapping against his cheek and his head being lifted off the floor.

"Oi! Hey, wake up! What the fuck got you on the floor?"

"Let go of him! Don't touch him! This is probably all your doing anyway!"

"Hey, 'Ru? Ru, you gotta say something! Can you hear us? It's 'Zumo and 'Ko!"

"Move it, you two!"

He was briefly aware of motion and something pricking his arm. After that, he decided it was just too bothersome to keep up with everything floating around him.

He just went back to sleep.

TBC

More explanation later. Things are a bit 'rushed' and muddled at the moment, but it's meant to be that way. Again, thank you for your reviews. Updates will probably slow down a week from now; real life gets in the way. I will try to at least have half of this story up within this month.

Credits:

When I typed up this chapter two weeks ago, I was at a dim sum house and their menu had Sho Mai on it. It's the open-top-steamed thingie. Really nice with spicy (or sweet 'n sour) dips.