Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the characters contained therein, they belong to Masashi Kishimoto who is kind enough to let fans write fiction. I make no profit from this nor do I intend to.

Re-write as of 10/2012

Chapter 37

Love is an Electric Blanket

Love is an electric blanket,

with someone else in control of the switch

Cathy Carlyle

...what really mattered in life

Ayumu hadn't really seen Ibiki in a few days, and the time that she had seen him had been all too brief. He had been working late, but not only that she felt that there was something weighing on his mind. Something was off, and it had to do with them. She could tell. She could sense it. Ayumu knew Ibiki too well to know otherwise. When she had asked him straight out if anything was wrong he had paused only for a millisecond, but that was enough for Ayumu. The jig was up. She might not have his refined senses, but she knew him well enough to know when he was hiding something from her. And she would get to the bottom of it one way or another, because she wasn't going to let there be anything between them ever again. She just couldn't afford another time with misspent emotions between them.

Ayumu had left a note for Ibiki at his house telling him that he was to come over as soon as he got home, and no matter the time. No matter the hour he was to come over and see her, even if it was in dead of the night. She had asked Hiroshi if he couldn't bunk somewhere else for the night, and he had waggled his eyebrows at her and grinned. She knew that he knew what that meant; it meant that Ibiki and Ayumu were going to rattle the walls. Usually they spent their 'quality time' over at his house, as both Ibiki and Ayumu felt a little funny with Hiroshi in the next room. Though Hiroshi didn't feel the need at all to reciprocate the feeling when he had a guest over. There was more than one night gone by when Ayumu had to sleep with a pillow over her head. She learned quickly that Hiroshi was a drama queen in all facets of his life. She had even commented to Hiroshi on that one time when she came downstairs bleary eyed, and irritable from having gotten little to no sleep.

"Good Morning Ren, Hiroshi...you two are pieces of work, you know that?"

Ayumu kissed both Hiroshi and Ren on their cheek, and then Ren was at least gentlemanly enough to serve her breakfast. Ren was what Hiroshi and Ayumu referred to as 'Hiroshi's New Pool Boy', as Ren had been bamboozled by Hiroshi to help with the koi pond, and was cheap in his rates. Ren quickly fell under Hiroshi's spell and the work on the koi pond went from being cheap to being free. What I do for our existence kitten, the sacrifices I make, he exclaimed with a smirk. Unfortunately, Hiroshi was gaining all the perks and Ayumu was paying the price: in total lack of sleep.

"Sorry Ayumu, we'll be a bit less -exuberant - next time..." he apologized gently.

"Oh no we won't!" exclaimed Hiroshi with an affronted look. "We don't skimp around here, we give it our all!" and Hiroshi blew Ren a kiss.

Ayumu felt like falling into her coffee and just letting the caffeine soak into her through her pores. "But come on! Even Ibiki and I-"

"Oh?," Hiroshi cut in smoothly with a raised brow. "Last time I remember Ibiki being here the two of you made one of my favorite pictures fall off the wall..."

Ayumu blushed crimson; she had no idea..."Anyway, let's make a pact of some kind? No noogie after eleven pm..."

Hiroshi had given her a scathing look, and then boldly laughed in her face.

So Ayumu had foisted Hiroshi off on Ren and his place, and thought about what was to come. She didn't think that Ibiki would be over before midnight, so she just went off to bed to get some sleep. Ayumu hoped that he would show...sometimes he never came home until the next morning, if not at all. She really needed him tonight...

Sometime after two am Ayumu was awoken. She felt Ibiki slide naked into bed next to her and wrap himself around her, and then sigh heavily in contentment. It was hard to resist the pull of slumber when Ibiki was wrapped so securely around her. Even during the warm summer nights Ibiki's presence was not one to turn away from. He really was like a giant bear, and you couldn't help but want to snuggle closer into him. So she shook herself awake and sat up, brushing her hair out of her face. Ibiki lay before her looking tired, but wide awake. She leaned down to kiss him and he naturally enveloped her in his arms. That too was a hard one to pull away from, but she did. Ayumu got up and started to light the various candles that she had placed around her room, and just for this occasion. The room became bathed in the warm glow of candle light, and some even started to give off their scent of rich sandalwood. The smell always reminded her of Ibiki for some reason. It smelled like the forest.

By now Ibiki had shed his tiredness, and his interest was piqued. He sat up slightly and looked at Ayumu expectantly. She was wearing just a ratty old t-shirt, but her beauty was in no way diminished. Her hair was growing out and the curls now rested right below her shoulder blades, and as usual were in wild disarray. She sat next to him and leaned over his chest to place a soft kiss on his mouth. With gentle hands she pushed him back until he was lying down. He really became interested when she took both his hands and placed them on the bed face down beside him. She gave them a final pat and then rested her hands on his chest.

"Ibiki, I want you to do something for me. You said that we could try anything that I wanted to, right?"

Ibiki nodded his head and said nothing. His eyes were dark, and the light from the candles could be seen glowing in them.

"I want you to do nothing but lay there. I want you to do nothing at all, not even touch me. All right? Promise?"

Ibiki nodded his head again and still said nothing, but the light in his eyes became almost an inferno. His nostrils dilated slightly and he couldn't help but open his mouth slightly in anticipation.

Ayumu leaned over him, placing her hands on either side of his head, and just above his shoulders.

"I want to show you, I want to try and show you just what it is that you do to me. I want to make you feel how I feel when we are together. This is all just for you."

Ibiki nodded his head again and still made no reply, but his hands imperceptibly curled into the bed sheets. He could feel his body quickly coming to life as Ayumu slowly took off her top and sat before him in nothing but her panties. She leaned forward and slowly and deliberately kissed the side of his neck, working her way up to his ear. She nibbled, sucked, and bit the tender spot behind it. Against his will Ibiki closed his eyes and turned his head slightly away from her in order to give her better access. Ayumu whispered dark and delicious things into his ear, promises of things yet to come. He couldn't help but let a low moan out. As Ayumu left his ear she traveled across his face and rubbed hers against his. She did nothing but rub her scent onto his skin. When she finally kissed him it was the most incredible kiss that he had ever had from her. He could feel exactly what she felt for him in that kiss, almost as if she was siphoning off her emotions pouring them directly into him. She sucked, nibbled, and gave with her mouth. While she was kissing him she had propped herself up next to him with one arm and with the other she massaged and stroked his head. Ayumu was the only woman to ever pay such loving attention to the part of his body that he felt most sensitive about. Even when she traced his scars and divots he never felt self-conscious. It was like when she did that she was in some part healing him.

Ayumu left his mouth and nibbled and kissed her way down his throat to his chest. She again rubbed her face against his chest hair and gently played with his nipples. He never knew that they could be so sensitive! Ibiki took a sharp intake of air and his hips rose slightly, almost as if they knew what would come... Ayumu sucked and flicked each nipple with her mouth and tongue. Twirling it in her mouth and even rubbing her face against it. Ibiki grasped the bed sheet tightly, he wanted so badly to touch her, but he had promised...As she moved down his flat stomach her hair left a wake behind her; the soft curls trailing and teasing the path that her face had gone. She spent a moment dipping her tongue into his belly button and Ibiki had to suppress a small giggle in response to the tickling sensation. His stomach heaved up and down as she nibbled around it. She kept going lower, but before she could get to where he wanted her she moved herself between his legs and kissed his inner thigh. She would knead and stroke the opposite thigh as she trailed kisses lightly up and down the sensitive skin. Ibiki could feel his toes curl at the sensations that she was bringing just by touching him there. What also helped was that every once in a while her hair would brush up against his scrotum and he could feel the skin tighten and loosen in reaction.

She wasn't moving upwards; in fact she seemed quite content where she was. He couldn't have that...

"Ayu..." was all he could moan out. He needed more! In response Ayumu moved up and kissed all around his cock, but never actually touching it. She nuzzled the thick patch of black hair but still never made a move to grasp him. He twitched and pulsed, waiting for her to take him, but she never did. Ibiki raised his head and called to her again, in which Ayumu looked up to him with an innocent look on her face.

"Ayu, please..."

"What, Ibiki?"

Ibiki was getting frustrated. He was helpless (he promised not to move and touch her, and he always kept his promises) and starting to ache...She looked up at him with her eyes innocently wide and her full lips in a slight pout. She licked her lips. Ibiki could feel himself start to shake from the exertion of holding back.

"What Ibiki, what do you want?"

"You, Ayu. I need you..."

Ayumu looked innocently confused. Like she had no idea...

"But you have me Ibiki, you know that."

Ibiki put his head back on the pillow and moved his hips upwards to her in a silent plea.

"I need your mouth and hands on me, Ayu. Now." He voice was rough, dark, and needy.

Ayumu put a hand on each thigh and licked his hip. Ibiki groaned in frustration. No! That wasn't where he wanted them.

"No, Ayu! I want you mouth and hands... on my cock...please..." he pleadingly groaned out.

"I will, Ibiki. Soon, but not just yet…"

He could feel her leave his thighs and hover over him. She looked down at him and stared deeply into his eyes. She was watching him not to torture him, but instead as if she was looking or waiting for something. Her eyes were serious but tender. There was nothing malicious about her denial.

Ibiki gave a long and low growl from deep within his chest. It was less a warning and more of a pleading. As if he was beseeching his mate to take the next step and to assuage the great need.

She just waited long enough to build up the anticipation to an almost unbearable height, and then she gave in to his need and grasped him. She took him in both hands and placed a soft kiss at his tip.

Ibiki groaned – loudly. He fisted the sheets when she licked where she had kissed. His toes curled and his legs bent slightly into the bed for traction.

Ibiki had never been overly loud during sex. He was vocal to be sure, but mostly in terms of moaning and low, heated whispers. He did even cry out occasionally, but that was usually at his climax. Now though, Ibiki cried out, almost yelled as Ayumu loved on him. He continually moaned, groaned, and cried out his need for her. She was giving him too much and at the same time not enough. She would tease him by alternating pressure and attention on him, bringing him almost to the edge and then letting up. Ibiki's body was by now covered in a fine sheen of sweat, and his hands were gripping the sheet so tightly that his knuckles almost turned white. It took everything he had to hold his hips in check from slamming hard in her mouth. All he could do was writhe and twist; but Ibiki couldn't control the small spasms and jerks that her attention brought out from him. His body was swiftly becoming something not under his control.

When Ibiki had been held and interrogated for two weeks by Rokusho, Ibiki had held fast. He had taken all the pain and humiliation but had never broken. Now, under Ayumu's ministrations of pleasure and love Ibiki felt himself quickly becoming undone. He didn't think that he could hold back, or even last for much longer. He heard himself utter a constant stream of words; bits and pieces of phrases – he was so far immersed in the pleasure that he couldn't even string a full sentence together. He became incoherent.

"Ayu...more...no, less..less! I can't...please...now...wait!"

Ayu did none of what he asked. She continued forward with no disregard to his commands. She could feel him quickly cresting, she could feel him totally losing all restraint, and yet she still did not ease up on him. She became even more merciless if that was possible. His body became as taut as a bow string. His hands grabbed the bed so tight that he heard fabric rip, and his heels were ground so deeply into the mattress that she could feel their combined weight shift in response. He held his ground, but she knew it wouldn't be for long.

"No Ayu, please, not like this! Not like this! No, I won't..."

Ah, but you will, she thought increasing the pace even more. I will make sure of it, don't worry Ibiki, in this there is no doubt.

Ibiki couldn't even talk now, all he could do was cry out; he cried out in pleasure, he cried out in frustration. He felt like a man quickly being pulled down by a whirlpool. There was no way to control his direction or rate of descent. He was spiraling away from the surface at an alarming rate and taken in by the undertow. He knew in the back of his mind somewhere that going against such a force was useless. Anyone who is familiar with such events is taught that once grasped by such violence the best thing to do is to just let your body relax and to go with the flow. Fighting uses up too much energy and oxygen. Fighting against the tide only ensures defeat. But in this Ibiki wanted to be defeated. He knew that he could never defeat such a force of nature. He knew that he could never defeat her, and he didn't want to now. He knew when he had been bested. So he just admitted defeat and let his body give itself up, give itself up to her.

He allowed himself for the first real time to become totally lost in her. Each time before he had always kept a firm control on himself. It wasn't that he had not enjoyed himself or her, but there had always been his need for control. Control over himself, control over her. But now, the need and the desire was gone. For the first time in his life he gave himself up to the care of another and let them determine his fate. He gladly took the reins of his control and handed them over to the safe keeping of another, and it was the most erotic experience that he had ever had. Period. Nothing had ever come close to this. It wasn't just what she was doing to his body, but more importantly to his mind. She was showing dominance over him but in the most loving manner. She was asserting her control over him through the most submissive of gestures.

It was like he wasn't even in his body, almost like he was outside it and looking down on it from above. He could see/feel her over him and her constant attention to him. Ibiki gave her warning and she still refused to heed it. So be it. He had no choice now but to give in to her demands. When Ibiki came it was as if he was melting from the inside out. It was like he was slowly and sweetly dying; all his thoughts and memories were rushing past him and his body was slowly losing its ability to be controlled. Ibiki had come up from the undertow and was now just floating on the surface in the warmth of the sun. He was drifting weightless and free. He almost couldn't register the fact that she had left his groin and was now tenderly stroking his face. When Ibiki opened his eyes he was looking straight into the sun; he was looking straight into shining, golden eyes that beamed down at him with warmth and love. He didn't even have the strength to move his arms to try and hold her; in fact he could feel himself slowly slipping away into oblivion. So it was with satisfaction when he felt her finally lie down next to him and roll him into her embrace, placing his head down against her breast and kissing the top of his head.

"Do you see, Ibiki? That - this – is how you make me feel every time we make is one of the reasons that I love you so very, very much. You're all I'll ever need or want."

All he could do was nod and slowly bring heavy arms to slowly bring her in closer. He had no words to describe what he felt. All he could do was rumble in his chest and shake in her arms. Ibiki fell into sleep with Ayumu rubbing his back and arms as he lay cushioned against her warmth and softness.

Yes, all I'll ever need or want, were his last, hazy thoughts before he succumbed to the welcoming depths of utter exhaustion.

[Earlier at The House]

The Hiraku Orphanage, or more commonly referred to as The House was a small, two stories building that stood next to the Hiraku School for Gifted and Talented Students. The Orphanage was the progenitor for the school itself, in that originally many of the orphans had been cared for and taught by the local artists. Many of the orphans became Apprentices and later Journeyman to the artists, in that the orphans were a ready and willing pool to be drawn from. The building at the moment housed about thirty children, ranging from five to fifteen, and a full time staff of about five. Many of the teachers at the school donated time for the orphanage so that usually added another ten to fifteen adults at any given time as well.

The orphanage was in no way dreary, bleak, or even uncomfortable. Many of the teachers at the School wished that they could live in such comfort sometimes. Rooms were spacious, cheery, and decorated by the staff and students alike. The food was above average; in fact it was almost on par sometimes with some of the better restaurants around Konoha. The House was very lucky to have an excellent and loving cook with a devoted and talented staff. The building was kept neat and orderly by an extremely competent Head Woman who not only looked after all the housekeeping but the book keeping as well. All the students had revolving jobs within the House, in that they learned every aspect of caring for and running a large facility. By the time they left the House they were more than capable of running any aspect of a Hotel or Manor. Many students who did not go into the art world went instead into business or private service, and were usually very successful.

The House as well as the School was also gifted with a few wealthy and generous patrons. Due to their contributions (and the smart financial decisions of the Head Woman and the Head Mistress) the House and School were financially well off. Money was not spent extravagantly, but neither was it spent frugally. There was a happy medium that was always maintained and so the House's occupants were well kept and satisfied.

Yuzuki, like many of the teachers and staff of the House were also once its occupants as well. Her family had died when she was young and with no one really knowing what to do with her she was put into the House's care. Like many before her Yuzuki also loved the House. It was a place where she always felt like she belonged. Here she felt needed. Here she felt wanted. The staff and students were quartered upstairs, with a boys and girls wing respectively. She, along with another woman lived full time with the girls. Under her charge were twelve girls; the youngest being just five years old and the oldest thirteen. She adored them all. They never gave her any trouble and they never gave the staff any mischief (or any mischief out of the ordinary for children). Things couldn't get any better.

Well, they could get a bit better, she thought as she tried to figure out what she was going to wear tonight to see Iruka. She had been speechless when he had delivered the note himself to the House. She hadn't seen him, but when one of the girls had brought her a note late in the evening she just knew it was from him. Yuzuki couldn't bring herself to open it right away. She just held it in her hand and stared at it, for about fifteen minutes. I'm being ridiculous, she chided herself. Yet still she couldn't open it. She just kept thinking about what was inside. She had never acted so boldly in her life, and she was almost positive that it was a kind refusal to her invitation.

Yuzuki tore the envelope open and quickly scanned its contents. Once. Twice. Three times she read the missive. Then a small and shy smile crept onto her face.

With much anticipation

I look forward to meeting you

tomorrow night for dinner.

I will come by at six o'clock

in the evening to pick you up.

Kind regards,

Umino Iruka

Yuzuki was now trying to figure out what of her wardrobe looked the least plain and simple. She had never before really cared about her general appearance; only that she was tidy and orderly. She generally wore dark colors and maybe a ribbon or two in her hair, but only to keep it in place. Yuzuki never wore any jewelry or other accoutrement on her person as she found them not necessary. It wasn't like she never looked at any fripperies, but when she logically thought about it they never fit into the equation.

For a brief moment she wondered if maybe she shouldn't have asked Ayumu for some sort of help with her attire. Ayumu more often than not looked like one of the traveling gypsies' that she had heard about; colorful clothing, bangles on her wrists and hanging from her ears, and always some flower or pin adorned her curls. The other woman would have certainly added a little flair, if not color, to her normally restrained wardrobe.

But then she wouldn't be Yuzuki, and if she showed up looking like someone else she didn't think that Iruka would be too impressed. In the end she really felt fine as she was. So she decided that she had spent enough frivolous time about her appearance and just decided on a plain green dress and her hair in a no-nonsense braid.

When she came downstairs she saw that Iruka was more than punctual, he was in fact early. He waited in the common room and was being entertained by a few of the students. Iruka had been given a cup of tea, and seemed engaged in some lively conversation. The students and Iruka were laughing over something someone said, and everyone seemed at ease and comfortable. Everyone but her of course. She felt out of place and disconcerted. She almost wanted to run back up to her room and plead an ailment. As she was thinking such thoughts it was then that Iruka choose to look up, and all laughter ceased.

He was mesmerized. He remembered her as being pretty from the night of the Exhibition, but he never realized how beautiful she was. Until now. She stood in the doorway like a frighten doe, not knowing if she was going to flee or step forward. Her hair back in its braid only accentuated the almond shape of her green eyes and heart shaped face. She became delicate and almost ethereal to him. Dressed in the green dress she seemed almost like some sort of woodland creature, something not quite on the same plane of existence as the rest of them. She became something above and beyond their ken.

Iruka rose with a smile and walked over to Yuzuki, and with what he hoped was a calming demeanor. Inside he wanted to race over and grab her. He knew that if he did anything like that she would bolt and most probably never want to see him again. So with as much calm as he could muster he smiled gently down at her and executed a smooth bow.

"Good evening, Yuhara-san. Thank you so much for accepting my invitation," he said smiling.

Yuzuki had never felt so relieved and grateful as she did then. She would be mortified to have others know that she had been the one to instigate their meeting this evening. She felt such gratitude for his compassion and consideration that all tension left her body as she let the breath that she didn't know she had been holding out. Iruka just smiled and winked at her, as if acknowledging the fact.

Yuzuki turned red and looked at the floor. Iruka would have none of that, and held his hand out to her. Tentatively Yuzuki clasped it in her own and looked down at it; his hand was warm and solid. Just like the man. It radiated strength, dignity, and most of all- trust. She knew deep down without having even really known him for long that he could be trusted. It was like something that she knew in her bones, in her soul. This man was trustworthy, and beyond a shadow of a doubt.

So Yuzuki and Iruka left the House, but not before her charges walked or waved them out. And not before some wise cracker read Iruka the Riot Act: he better behave himself and he better have her home at a decent hour. Iruka wasn't in the least bit upset or condescending. He gave them his full and serious attention, and more importantly his word that he would act accordingly. With that being said Iruka led Yuzuki out into the early evening.

After walking a bit away from The House Iruka turned to Yuzuki with a wicked grin on his face and laughter in his voice. "They really are something, aren't they? You are certainly lucky to have such protectors..."

Yuzuki couldn't help but answer his laugh with a small one of her own. "Yes, and they are all very special to me as well. Umino-san-"

But Iruka cut her off with a finger held in the air. "No, please – please call me Iruka, and if it is all right with you I will call you Yuzuki. Ok?"

Again Yuzuki was caught off guard by such informality so quickly, but she wasn't perturbed by it. She felt glad that once again she was given such closeness and so quickly. It made her feel good to know that someone felt that she was worthy of such attention.

"Yes Umi-, I mean Iruka, and please call me Yuzuki, of course."

They walked quietly side by side, but it was an easy companionship. Neither felt the need to say too much, they just enjoyed each others company. The silence was also nice for them both because as teachers they were constantly bombarded all day with talking. It was nice to be able to enjoy the silence.

"I hope that you don't mind Yuzuki that I made reservations at a restaurant here in Hiraku. I never really get the chance to come here, and I'd like to explore its possibilities a bit more..."

Iruka looked sideways at her and smiled apologetically. He hoped that she really didn't mind. He really didn't get a chance to come here often enough, and he found that he truly did find this community to be a hidden jewel for him, and in many different ways...

He also wanted to explore the possibilities between himself and Yuzuki. He had never felt the pull towards a woman as he did with her. When he met Ayumu he thought that maybe...but he quickly realized that what he felt for her (and indeed what she also had felt for him) was nothing more than an easy friendship. There had never been any spark or physical attraction. Then, when he saw her and Morino at the Bath house the other night he could see why. She was practically glowing in his arms, and he in turn was holding her protectively against him as he guarded what was unquestionably his.

That was almost what he was feeling towards Yuzuki, and it stunned him. He was feeling possessive. He wanted her, and he could only hope that she would return the feeling. But it was more than just a physical want, though that was certainly present. He also wanted to get to know her mentally as well. He could tell that she possessed innumerable good qualities, and ones that he admired. She was kind, smart, and noble. But she was also shy and unsure of herself, but her timidity only drew him closer to her. It only made him more protective of her.

When they reached the restaurant they were seated in front of a window, and he could see her become nervous. He could see that she felt over-exposed to the attention of being not only in the front of the restaurant but to the eyes of anyone passing by. So without even having to ask her, he asked the hostess if they could be seated more towards the back.

"There, now we can have a conversation and not have every Tom, Dick, and Harry watching or listening to us," he said smiling at her and then turning his attention to the menu.

For the second time that evening with Iruka, Yuzuki felt such a deep sense of gratitude. It was almost like he could sense what she was thinking, what she was feeling. Ayumu is right, he is a very strong and smart Nin, she thought with pride. She smiled her thanks and looked down to her menu as well, and for the first time that evening she started to feel all her cares and self-doubts start to slip away...For the first time ever she started to really enjoy herself.