Chapter 56 – The Trouble with Iruka
He was still wearing his Konoha uniform and gave a great big smile. This was somewhat out of place considering the circumstances.
"Yes," she squeaked before managing to regain control of her voice. "The boy was already dead though."
Iruka sighed. "You'll need to report this to Sato immediately."
In those seconds she registered that he wasn't wearing a Leaf village head band. "I should see the dwarf back to his cell first."
"I'll take care of that for you," he said helpfully. "Sato will expect to be updated ASAP, there's no reason to delay further, right?"
There was no reason except the kunoichi didn't want to go anywhere near the gang leader! If she continued to make excuses it was going to rouse suspicion. Bokeh didn't dare look up but she sensed his tension. There was nothing either of them could do.
With a frown she held out the rope to Iruka. "Fine, makes no difference to me."
"Thanks. You know," he swung closer taking Yasu by surprise, "I don't think I've seen you around before. Are you new?" He reached for her hat and tipped it up.
"What if I am?" she replied coldly and pulled away from him. Damn it, he's seen my face!
He folded his arms and leaned casually against the wall, deliberately staring. His dark eyes appeared puzzled. She noticed then that his hair (which was usually pulled up in a tight ponytail) hung loose about his shoulders. There was something about Iruka with long hair. He looked younger and... free.
"Your eyes remind me of the sky. They're beautiful."
Lady Leaf wasn't sure what to say. She had to answer as a Suit, but how might they respond to something like this? Come backs didn't exactly roll off Yasu's tongue! In the end she tried to think of something Temari might say. "I bet you say that to all the girls."
Iruka grinned. "Maybe, but only the pretty ones!"
Is he flirting with me? She wasn't sure whether to be flattered or horrified. "I'm going to make that report," Yasu said trying to sound businesslike. Now she knew for certain that the instructor was not in his right mind!
"I'll see you round," he promised taking hold of the rope and leading Bokeh away.
She watched Iruka walk over to Sato and whisper something in his ear before moving off again into the darkness. The man in wooden throne looked amused making Yasu's skin crawl. Where was Kakashi when she needed him? It was ironic that before the mission she'd complained about having no freedom to act independently. Now, given the opportunity to make decisions and formulate plans of her own she was nervous. But that was part of being a jonin wasn't it? All the men and women who were privileged enough to hold the title had to deal with that reality. When there was no one else in the field to rely on they had to take their chances. Despite understanding this it didn't bring Yasu one crumb of comfort.
"Hey Shorty!" Sato called to her from across the cavern. She put hands into pockets and tried to saunter over casually. Up close the boss was wearing a purple shirt and yellow tie. He had a gold ryo which was playfully moving back and forth between the knuckles of his right hand. The men around him were scowling at her their blades at the ready to maim. "You came from Hida Village?"
"That's right."
"You brought the dwarf man back, but no boy?"
"He's dead."
"How did he die exactly?"
It dawned upon Katashi that perhaps some of the finer details of this plan hadn't been thought about thoroughly enough. Whatever she said they might question Bokeh and if their stories didn't match they'd be trouble!
She kept calm trying to think of a plausible cause. "He tried to run so I went after him. Dumb kid fell down the hill and broke his neck." Sato merely grunted at the explanation and tossed the coin in her direction. Yasu caught it before inspecting the money. "What do you call this?" she said narrowing her eyes.
"You solved the problem. You get paid. But you killed the boy;" he added darkly, "count yourself lucky!"
Is it usual for Sato's goons to be paid in the first place? She thought putting the ryo away.
"What happened to the others?"
This was another difficult question for which the Konohan had not prepared an answer. "What are you talking about? They went ahead of me, should have been well back by now."
Sato stroked his goatee as though deep in thought. Trying to build a convincing lie was like trying to build with melting chocolate. "Guy!" He snapped his fingers and the bowl cut ninja stepped forward. "Go take a look." The ninja bowed before leaving.
Yasu stood expectantly awaiting her own orders. Her palms felt sweaty and throat dry. After a further silent spell she was beginning to wonder if she'd done enough to convince Sato after all.
"Well, why are you still here? Get out my sight!"
Relieved the jonin copied Guy's example and bowed. She turned heel and had taken two hopeful steps away when...
"By the way, where is the body? You haven't left it out in the open?" Sato enquired.
Yasu huffed. "What do yer take me for?"
"Then, what did you do with it?"
"I buried him in the woods."
The man responded quickly, "Where about?"
Oh hell!
"Don't tell me you've forgotten?" He gave a low rumbling laugh. Leaning forward on the throne Sato's expression had changed to one a predator may give to game. "Come closer," he entreated. Yasu tried not to flinch when his attention focused on her trousers. "You say you buried him, but there's no mud on your suit. And your finger nails are immaculate too. How did you manage that?"
Before she even had the chance to weave a hand sign there was a four inch karambit being pressed next to her jugular. The curved black blade wasn't cutting skin just yet, but the bodyguard was quivering with anticipation. She was forced to back away straining not to lose her balance.
"Hat and the jacket," Sato commanded. They were removed and Yasu no longer had anything to hide behind. "A woman," he confirmed his eyes turning to slits. "Who are you?"
Yasu glared back remaining silent.
"I have eyes and ears everywhere. I'd heard a group of Leaf ninja were poking their noses in where they're not wanted. Would you be one of those?" A crooked smile spread from ear and ear. "Iruka good timing, come over here would you?"
She froze as Umino came to stand beside her. "Yes?"
"Answer my question, little woman."
"I won't!"
"Give the knife to Iruka," he told the bodyguard. "Good, now Iruka be ready to stab yourself in the heart."
The brunette took a firm grip of the handle. "Of course, just give the word."
He sat back comfortably, seeing the colour drain from the young woman's face. "No, I've changed my mind, when I give the word gouge out your eyes instead."
"Don't," she warned Sato.
"As you can see your friends belong to me now. I want to know how many more of you are out there." He didn't appreciate the look of defiance that the blond gave him. "Funnily enough Iruka brought a bunch of kiddies with him. Shall I get him to slice them up real thin? Do you think he'd enjoy that?"
Yasu felt sick. He wouldn't go that far...he can't! She shook her head. There was still a chance that Kakashi was monitoring the situation. If she gave away information it would put his life in danger too. That was the whole point - Sato was able to manipulate people by threatening others. She had to be strong. But looking at Iruka it was hard. He was still happily holding the blade near his iris. She crushed her eyes shut.
Sato took great pleasure in piling on the pressure. "Which do you perceive to be more important, your duty or this man's life?"
In vain she tried to get more oxygen into her lungs. Calm down, you're hyperventilating! The ex-nurse knew the symptoms well, but she hadn't noticed them creeping up on her. This was too much. Her heart felt like it was going to burst inside her chest. She couldn't swallow properly. An unpleasant dizziness made the cave sway. "Gaara..." Yasu's voice sounded far away before she blacked out.
Iruka sat and took another puff of his cigarette. He considered the smoking stick in his possession, wondering why there was a slight tug in his gut whenever he lit up. It was just one of series of minor irritations he'd had since joining Sato's gang. There was no explanation for it, only that he didn't feel at ease.
The blond was sleeping peacefully in his makeshift bed. The wooden frame was made from oak, the wood user they'd recruited recently really was a useful fellow. An iron sconce attached to the wall held a burning torch which cast short jagged shadows. This chamber was reserved for gang members to rest after completing tasks. There was no one due back here for at least an hour. Iruka had made sure to check. He wanted some time alone with the Konohan ninja, but wasn't entirely sure why.
She's cute. He admitted but attraction to the enemy was dangerous. He had a good thing going with Sato in fact given time he could become his second hand man. Why did he want to step in for this trouble maker? He'd promised Sato that he would take her to Osuzumebachi as soon as she recovered, but he was reluctant to follow through.
Slowly two blue eyes flickered open. They blinked at him and he leaned forward. "Welcome back, did you enjoy your little nap there?"
"Iruka," she said sleepily with a smile. "Thank goodness you're okay."
"You were worried about me, huh?"
She nodded and then immediately winced at the pain. Gingerly a hand went to the side of her head, with surprise she touched the small bandage placed there.
"You hit your head when you collapsed. It was bleeding so I patched it up for you."
"Thank you," she said with embarrassment.
He blew out a smoke ring. "What can I say? I'm just a regular gentleman!" This earned Iruka a deep frown from the kunoichi.
"When... did you start smoking?"
He grinned at the serious expression she wore. "Why? Does it do something for you?"
"Iruka, you've never smoked in your life!" She struggled to sit up.
She watched the man shrug before he threw his fag on the floor and scrunched it out with his foot. He lifted Yasu up until her back was propped against the headboard. Then he sat on the bed too. "I'm curious. You seem to know a lot about me. But I can't place you."
"It's me, Yasu. Katashi Yasu, don't you remember?" she said desperately. "We met each other outside the academy when I came back from Sunagakure. I was completely lost and you helped me get back on my feet."
He pulled the woman into his lap. "Is that so?" Iruka smoothly removed the hair tie that had been keeping Yasu's long locks in place. "Did we know each other intimately?" he said with a seductive whisper.
This was the first time she'd found herself in the arms of another man. The loneliness she'd been carrying around came unbidden into her mind. She'd forgotten how warm it felt to be embraced by someone. There was a deep longing to just press into him and hear his heart beating. Her chin rested on his shoulder and then she saw the stinger. It's the venom making him act like this. I need to take that out! But Iruka's arms were on top in this hug pinning her in place. She couldn't get anywhere near it. He began kissing her hair.
She shot backwards. "Iruka please, you're not yourself!"
"Don't be shy." His eyes were aflame as they took in Katashi's lips. "I'll look after you."
Suddenly her comrade's lips had met her own. What the!? She had always considered Iruka as a big brother. In many ways he'd saved her from a life with no purpose. He was kind and always gave encouragement just when she needed it. Yasu was completely stunned. She waited for sparks but there was nothing there. Lady Leaf felt no stirrings of passion. Is it because it isn't Gaara? She thought. When she kissed the Kage it was explosive, a true head rush. This didn't even come close.
"Wait!" she gasped.
The instructor broke them apart and then inhaled slowly through his nose. He took in the sky blues and sighed. "I'd love to take my time baby, but the others will be here soon."
Yasu tried to think straight. "Okay, just... close your eyes!"
"No, I want to watch you."
She was running out of options. There's no other way! She thought as a creeping heat steadily worked its way to her cheeks. Katashi embraced him this time. "Let me kiss your neck." She blew gently on his skin.
He gave a breathy moan. "That feels good."
"Mmm," she hummed before reaching around to yank out the offending needle.
Iruka gave a sharp yelp. He twitched several times as a giddy feeling spread throughout his body, and then slumped against her.
She heard her rapid breaths echo in the darkness. Oh thank goodness! But this relief was short lived as she sensed a presence in the shadows. It was another Suit.
"Am I interrupting anything?" they asked stepping towards the light. Suddenly a wooden stake was launched in their direction. The person dodged swiftly aside.
With no Sato around to threaten her friend Yasu was prepared to make full use of wood style. She fashioned another deadly spike from her arm, and held it ready. "Stay back! What are you, some kind of pervert?"
"Actually, I'm a friend." With this they removed their hat. Underneath was tufts of thick silver hair. There was a vertical scar running down his left eye. His jaw was narrow and there was a beauty spot under the left corner of his mouth. "Don't you recognize me?"
She tilted her head left and then right. "Kakashi?" He nodded as she put down the weapon. "I've never seen you without your mask before!"
"Not many people have, but it was necessary. I'm too well known." He took out said garment and hastily began fixing it back in place. "If I was going to 'borrow' your idea I had to become less conspicuous."
"Am I glad to see you!"
He raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that? Things look pretty cozy from here."
"This isn't what it looks like!" she tried to say when the academy instructor chose that second to stir.
"Ah, my head!" he groaned. He blinked and saw Yasu sitting up, hair disheveled and then the bed. His eyes went wide. When he turned and saw Kakashi his face dropped.
"Well, this is all kinds of awkward!" The Son of White Fang scratched the back of his head. "Nice hair by the way Iruka, suits you."
The brunette blushed. "What is going on?"
"You've been under the influence of hornet venom that causes a chemical imbalance in the brain. The usual constraints and morals that keep a person in check are removed. It's being created by a ninja known as Osuzumebachi from the Kamizuru clan, and injected by the giant hornets that live in the host's body."
This sent the instructor into a panic. "I was compromised? Where are my students? Are they okay?"
"They're caged up, a little shaken but fine," Yasu said gently. He was understandably upset and put his head in his hands. She glanced at Hatake who merely shook his head.
"Iruka, I know this is a lot of take in but we have to focus right now. We need to get your students and the villagers out of here as well as dealing with Sato and Osuzumebachi."
"But I let everyone down..."
The soft hearted man had a habit of dwelling on things, blaming himself and wallowing in self pity. They didn't have time for this. "Stop feeling sorry for yourself! Those students are relying on you. Are you really going to turn your back on them?"
It was perhaps the worst insult to throw at the teacher. Such words cut deep and Umino leapt off the bed and stormed towards Kakashi. "How dare you!" He grabbed the jonin's jacket. "I would never turn my back on a student!"
The testosterone levels in the room had risen tenfold as the two men eyed each other warily. She watched as Kakashi slowly inched towards the satchel holding his kunai. His grey eye remained fixed on the younger man. Iruka didn't move but continued to glare. What's Hatake doing? Yasu wasn't quite sure whether to intervene or leave them to it. In their universe she had been completely forgotten! He reached inside the bag and rummaged for a moment. At last he took something out and pressed it into Iruka's hand.
"Shall we get to work?" he asked quietly.
Iruka stared at the head band dumb founded. Kakashi had risked being discovered to get it back for him. He gave a small smile. "Yeah, let's do this."
