37.
Kakashi and Inari (now Ichiro) have no idea what to say to the other as they stand on the steps of the Jounin Centre. What exactly can you say after that? Ichiro's eyebrows are furrowed in confusion and the gesture that looks somewhat adorable on Inari's face seems far more daunting and serious on Ichiro's. She's struggling with movement in this body, the limbs are far too long and overall the effect is as unstable as a teen that's undergone a drastic growth spurt. She doesn't know every corner and inch of this body as she does her own after years of working it to its best; she supposes she'll have to pace around her apartment to grow accustomed to the gangly limbs. But first...Inari looks down at the grubby peasant clothing the Hokage gave her and frowns. She's particular about her upkeep and just because the Hokage has consigned her to this frankly bizarre punishment doesn't change that.
"Kakashi-chan," Inari promptly snaps her mouth shut startled by the sharp, deep timbre of her voice.
Kakashi spins on his heel and his eyes scour her up and down in one quick, sleek sweep that brings a light blush to her cheeks. His eyes rest on the one hand that is gripping the thin badly woven fabric of her plain shirt in one hand.
"So vain Ichiro-chan," Kakashi winks and shakes his head.
Inari calmly pinches her own arm and smiles mischievously up at him when he flinches and rubs the same spot on his own arm. 'Maybe it's not so bad,' Inari thinks but immediately abandons that thought when she almost falls flat on her face, 'these legs are far too long'.
Kakashi and 'Ichiro' make their way through the streets towards the more fashion minded district, 'Ichiro's' step growing steadier and more confident with each footfall though he still possess that same slightly awkward clumsiness. 'Ichiro's' calm despite the irritation growing with Kakashi's amusement with the situation. He isn't trying to hide the entertained smile that grows each time 'Ichiro' bumps into a table or barrels through a couple. Finally they make it to the clothes shop and Ichiro's eyes lighten as he immediately slides towards the rows of neatly hung civilian shirts, pants, jackets and every other conceivable item of clothing. Kakashi opens the latest copy of Itcha Itcha (this time covering the escapades of a Samurai who constantly being pursued by scantily clad attractive demons) with one hand and leisurely holds out his other arm as 'Ichiro' makes good use of hanging article after article on the proffered limb.
Eventually both emerge with Ichiro carrying three bags of male clothes on one newly clothed elbow. He wears sandals, jeans of dark denim that have been ripped at the knees for reasons of fashion rather than any real tear. His t-shirt is the right mix of fitted and baggy and the same dark crimson as his hair, a grey hoodie zipped open is placed over that and over the hoodie a light weight black leather jacket. Ichiro stares steadily out at the Konoha people through dark grey eyes, an expression of reflective seriousness on his handsome features before dutifully following behind Kakashi. His eyebrows pull together in confusion as he realises that two female academy students are staring up at him with dreamy expressions. Ichiro smiles softly at them thinking nothing of it.
"You'll have to move your bed sheets onto the couch," Kakashi speaks as Ichiro matches his stride capable of meeting his eyes exactly now they're at the same height. He isn't bothered in the slightest that he's taking the couch, he hadn't expected any pampering on the subject and considering he would be invading Kakashi's quarters (even though it was on the Hokage's orders) he would have silently refused by just lugging Kakashi into his own bed and making camp on the couch every night anyway.
"And we'll have to tell everyone that you're the son of a merchant that the Hokage has asked me to watch over," Kakashi continued, hands stuffed in pockets and leaning back slightly as he strolled beside Ichiro.
Ichiro nodded but glanced back again at the two students that were still tailing them. They were trying desperately hard to be as stealthy as possible but considering the girlish giggles and the heads peeping around corners it was likely they'd fail miserably even if Kakashi and Inari were civilians instead of two Jounin.
"Kakashi-chan," Ichiro gripped the edge of Kakashi shirt and he immediately turned to face him, "do you know those girls?"
"Hrmm," Kakashi hummed and leaned past Ichiro's head to get a look at the two Genin who squeaked and dived back behind the low fence they'd been hiding behind.
"Never seen them before," Kakashi shrugged and the two continued to walk in comfortable silence though Ichiro looked mildly puzzled.
"We'd better head to the bar, Asuma's probably going to turn up there sooner or later," Kakashi spoke casually despite the sudden stiffening in his companion's lean frame.
"Asuma?" Ichiro asked softly.
"Yeah he just got back today," Kakashi nodded and smiled lightly beneath his mask in reply to the soft smile that pulled at 'Ichiro's' lips.
'The smile is still the same,' Kakashi thought.
"So have you thought about what you're going to say to Akira?" Hana inquired and Kimiko slumped her head between her shoulders in response.
"Wait! You haven't said yes? But I thought this was your congratulations drinking," Emiko pouted on the other side of her and Kimiko had to greet her teeth against her cousin's babyish tone. Emiko was three years older than her but she still spoke like she was a cutesy thirteen year old. It drove Kimiko insane. She decided to ignore her already married cousin (who now seemed intent on making sure everyone else shared the same matrimonial bliss) to her soon to be cousin-in-law (maybe? probably damn it).
"I don't know I haven't thought of that yet," Kimiko scowled and took another shot of sake despite it being barely past two in the afternoon.
Inuzaki Hana merely folded her arms and casually regarded her with a sharp understanding that a fifteen year old* shouldn't rightly possess in Kimiko's opinion.
"Well it's not like I don't love him, I love Akira far more than I'd like to admit and I can't imagine marrying anyone else," Kimiko muttered as she poured herself another cup.
"If you're in love you should get married and be happy~" Emiko sang as she nodded her head erratically.
Kimiko growled and rubbed her temples.
"But!" she snapped to shut Emiko up but no amount of verbal abuse ever seemed to dampen her cheery optimistic spirits no matter how hard Kimiko tried, "but well...you're a kunoichi, you understand. Inari's only just got out of hospital if we were married..."
"There's no guarantee that you'd come back from a mission alive," Hana nodded her head once in understanding.
"Exactly!" Kimiko grinned but it dropped immediately, "and with signing up to this A-rank mission, it might be sooner."
"But that doesn't mean you shouldn't have a life," Hana said, sipping from her own cup, "you can't not enjoy life because you're scared you're going to die, that's just a waste."
"Yeah, I guess," Kimiko's head lifted slightly and her face pulled into a thoughtful frown, "I never thought about it like that."
"I'm just saying think about it," Hana placed a hand on Kimiko's shoulder and smiled warmly at her, "you don't have to yes or no right away."
"Wait!" Emiko interrupted, the twenty-nine year old had been silent while she pouted (presumably thinking) but now turned to Kimiko, "I've been thinking."
"Don't hurt yourself," Kimiko muttered then laughed that barking laugh of hers.
"You said something happened to Inari, isn't she your partner?" Emiko blinked as she continued to pout like a child.
"Yeah, she had her arm smashed up," Kimiko replied feeling her mood darken again at the mention of the incident.
"Is she the one with the red hair?" Emiko asked, pointing at her own brunette hair as if making sure Kimiko was aware of what hair was.
Kimiko just replied with a blank scowl and Hana nodded when it became clear that her possibly new cousin-in-law wasn't going to answer.
"Oooohhhh," Emiko's lips rounded in an O, "but she looks really serious."
"She's not really," Kimiko re-joined the conversation, "well she is serious, about missions and protecting Konoha but she's like that before she opens up I guess, I mean I thought she was a real emotionless bitch but when you get to know her she's sweet, she's just the quiet I guess."
"You know what they say about the quiet type," Hana smiled around the rim of her cup and Kimiko laughed that barking laugh of hers.
The door of the bar opened and Hana, Emiko and Kimiko turned on the stools that were tucked under the bar towards the door. The trio were currently the only drinkers inside the snug, little bar considering it was so early in the day and the only other occupant besides them was the apron clad waitress who was currently wiping down the dark mahogany tables the red leather booths circled. First Hatake Kakashi came into view and all three peeked with interest. Hatake Kakashi although odd was perfectly fine eye candy and his choice of reading material had sprouting many interesting rumours about his performance in bed. Those and the commonly pondered question of 'what exactly does he look like under that mask' and 'whether or not the carpet matches the curtain' so to speak. There was something definitely sexy about Hatake Kakashi's casual demeanour without even taking into account the attractive lines of what little of his face you could already see.
Kakashi opened the door for whoever was following and the trio's interest doubled at the sight of the red head that followed Kakashi in. The same lean cut body as Kakashi that just promised elegant lines and slopes of muscle rather than those hard packed abs of the stockier build. His face was stronger than Kakashi's wolfish intelligence but somehow managed to appear approachable and soft anyway. His eyes were open and delicate, almond shaped and the deep grey of storm clouds. Kakashi and his companion passed them and took a booth at the back, apparently oblivious to the fugitive glances the three women were sending their way and the group of now five school girls watching from the window.
"Who's that with Hatake-san?" Kimiko questioned, her eyes trained on the two in the corner, the combination of crimson hair and grey making a striking image as the waitress swayed over to take their orders.
"I've got no idea," Hana said then smirked devilishly, "but red is definitely my favourite colour."
"We should go say hi," Emiko giggled girlishly.
"You're a married woman, Emiko-chan," Kimiko smirked as Emiko pouted. Her eyes wandered back over to Kakashi and the mysterious young man with him as the red head chuckled softly to himself at something Kakashi said. Something about the chuckle snagged at Kimiko's memory but she quickly shook it off.
Hana and Kimiko slid from their stools taking the bottle of sake hostage as they did so.
"But what about Akira-chan?" Emiko whined.
"I'm just looking," Kimiko scowled, "I won't do anything, right Hana-chan?"
No answer.
"Hana-chan?"
Kimiko turned to find Hana was already half way across the bar and nearing the men's table.
"Crap, just wait here and stop bloody pouting you look ridiculous," Kimiko said before speeding off after her friend.
"Do you mind if we join you?" Hana asked shaking the Sake bottle in a teasing manner.
The red head glanced across at Kakashi as in a silent form of question and Kakashi shrugged, "can't see why not."
Hana smiled and slid in beside the red head leaving Kimiko to slip herself into the empty space beside Kakashi.
"I haven't seen your friend around before Hatake-san, do we know him?" Kimiko questioned not really understanding why both the red head and Kakashi smiled to one another at the inquiry as if Kimiko had just become the victim of some prank they'd set up.
"No, I wouldn't think so," Kakashi drawled.
"Well it's nice to meet you," Hana offered her hand, subtly making sure the red head's hand brushed lightly across her chest as he took it.
The red head nodded once and remained apparently oblivious to Hana's advances.
"What's your name?" Hana asked.
"Takahashi Ichiro," the red head replied.
"Inuzaki Hana," Hana smiled, "I've never seen hair like yours before except from Suna, is that where you're from?"
Ichiro shook his head then his eyes widened slightly and flitted once quickly down to his pants. He leaned forward and whispered something in Kakashi's ear, something that made the grey-haired jounin smile.
"Excuse us," Kakashi said and Kimiko slid out the booth so he and Ichiro could depart to the toilet. Immediately Kimiko leaned forward to confer with Hana.
"So what do you think, he's quiet isn't he?" Kimiko whispered in urgent tones, a smirk tugging the corner of her lips.
"Yeah," Hana nodded looking thoughtful, "but I like the strong, silent type."
Hana opened her mouth then paused.
"You don't think-"Hana's eyebrows creased, "you don't think he's here with Hatake-san do you?"
"Of course he is we saw them walk in together," Kimiko scowled.
"No, that wasn't what I meant," Hana shook her head, "I mean you don't think he's here with Hatake-san?"
Kimiko's scowl deepened for a moment then fled as understanding dawned in her mind.
"I wasn't being obvious about my interest but still he didn't react at all," Hana continued, "and then he checked his pants before both he and Hatake-san left for the bathroom, why would he need Hatake-san in there with him?"
"Yeah it's not like he doesn't know how his equipment works," Kimiko laughed.
She glanced up at the two young men emerging from the bathroom and quickly slid over to her seat.
"Thank you Kakashi-chan, I didn't think I could ignore it any longer," Ichiro spoke, he sounded flustered and there was a light red tinge to his cheeks.
"Don't worry about," Kakashi shrugged then smiled, "I bet that's not the strangest thing to happen in that bathroom."
Ichiro chuckled softly, "it felt strange and I'm still slightly sore after that business in the Hokage's office, you don't think we made any mess?"
Kakashi shrugged, "the door might be a bit loose now but I wouldn't worry about it."
"You're enjoying this far too much, you were rougher than need be," Ichiro frowned slightly with irritation.
"Maybe I just like teasing you," Kakashi winked.
Kimiko gaped at Hana, blood trickling from one nostril and Hana raised both brows. They said nothing as they slid back into the booth except for Kakashi's casual nod at the two women and Ichiro looking somewhat uncomfortable. Both Hana and Kimiko noted the way the young man seemed reluctant to even look at his crotch as if something terrifying was lurking inside the dark denim. Kakashi who was now seated near the outside of the booth leaving Ichiro to squash up beside Hana and Kimiko flipped open his porn book and lazily left Ichiro to calmly answer any questions fired his way. The poor young man was growing more and more confused as time wore on and Hana consumed more sake which resulted in her flirting becoming less and less understated. He was practically edging his way into Kakashi's lap by the time Hana started fingering the soft material of his hood and pulling her lips into a seductive smile. If the amused smile was anything to go by Hatake Kakashi wasn't as unobservant as he pretended as Ichiro became adorably flustered and confused.
"That's a lovely shirt you're wearing," Hana smirked devilishly, running a single finger along the seam and dipping it under to graze the soft skin underneath, "you know red is my favourite colour."
Ichiro gulped and nodded though he didn't seem nearly as calm and composed as he had before.
"Especially this shade," Hana whispered, placing her lips near his ear and running her fingers through the hair above it, nails dragging gently across the sensitive skin.
"Kakashi-chan," Ichiro whispered urgently and Kakashi chuckled.
"Ah, Asuma," Ichiro's head whipped round from where he's been carefully watching Hana like she was a coiled snake towards the person Kakashi addressed. Ichiro's face broke into a relieved smile at the sight of Kurenai and Asuma already standing near their table. Asuma was far taller than he had been and his frame was stocky with compact muscles but still tall. His features were broad and handsome, slight stubble clinging to his square jaw, his hair no longer jutting up but falling straight in jagged lines. A cigarette hung limply from one corner of his lips and he had discarded the bomber jacket he'd once favoured for a dark green parka, the hood lined with fur. Looking at him Ichiro couldn't escape the fact that they'd both grown up and she was beside herself with contentment at seeing his face again.
"Asuma," Inari smiled softly.
"Hey Shrimp," Asuma replied.
"Shrimp!" Kimiko blanched then peered hard at Ichiro, "Inari?"
Hana's eyes widened and her fingers froze in their combing through Ichiro's hair. But Ichiro was blind to that. This was the first time she'd seen Asuma in nearly ten years and all she could do was smile softly at him.
Asuma and Inari, still as Ichiro, sat on the jutting surface of the wooden porch ringing the bar. The sun had just begun to set and the feet stomping past them and into the smoke and noise of the establishment winked the orange glow in and out of existence. Asuma sat with his back pressed against the cool stone of the wall and his long legs dipping over the tiny rise, heels dug into the dirt underneath. Ichiro was beside him, quiet and calm as ever his legs, longer than her usual form's, were tucked underneath him as he watched the sun make it's sinking descent behind the roofs of tile and vine. The light was pleasantly warm; the heat was pleasantly warm and this emotion inside Ichiro's chest was the same sunset colours. Asuma flipped a cigarette out of the battered packet he kept and lit it with a squat metallic lighter, they had been speaking in quiet tones with one another for the past three hours and the conversation had meandered away from catching up on what the other had been doing these past years onto gentler topics.
"Do you remember that time Hikaru-sensei came in at five so hung over the bastard could barely see straight," Asuma smirked.
"I remember," Ichiro smiled softly then chuckled, "we only had an hour's training but you seemed intent on making as much noise as you could, sensei said that he'd break your legs if you ever did it again."
Asuma chuckled in one deep, rumbling laugh, "he said that when I asked father to put him on the sex offender's register."
"Somehow it only made him more popular with women," 'Ichiro's' brows lowered in confusion.
"Yeah," Asuma smirked then sighed, "yeah, it did."
Ichiro stopped watching the sun dip it's head beneath the shadowy outlines of the buildings and calmly regarded the lost look on her old teammate's face. She'd never seen Asuma look like that before. She reached out a hand and gently laid it on Asuma's broad shoulder. Something about the contact just like her presence was calming in a soothing manner Asuma had never been able to pin point as children and still couldn't identify now. Inari just had that effect of cradling you in a cocoon of peace within a storm. Asuma smiled bitter sweetly.
"He was an ass," he spoke quietly, taking another long drag and expelling the plume of curling smoke into the warm afternoon air.
Inari smiled softly, every word and emotion conveyed on her features without her even having to say a word. And this time it said, 'I miss him.'
Kurenai and Kakashi watched them both from the window as Asuma laughed softly to himself, "Yeah, Shrimp, yeah...me too."
a/n:
My god thinking about Kakashi and Ichiro having smexy times almost had my nose bleeding too *o* is it weird that I find male Inari hot XD And I'm such a yoai fangirl that I had to add that in there though if it wasn't clear Kakashi and Ichiro didn't actually do fifthly things in that bathroom he was telling her how to pee as a guy but I didn't want to write that scene for obvious reasons. Asuma's back! :D There was something else too..oh yeah! I got 100 reviews VICTORY DANCE So thank you all for all your support it honestly means a lot
Thanks for reading