Kakashi was feeling a bit out of sorts by the time they finished their meal. He had been startled, and then amused, when Iruka had sent something through the scroll. One of his hairties. It was a playful acknowledgement of how much Kakashi preferred and enjoyed having his hair down when they were together. He had fetched him back to his place, promising to show him how to go through the scroll himself next time. The ramen caught him by surprise. It clearly meant something to Iruka. He didn't ask, but he wanted to. Badly. Iruka insisted they sit side by side so Kakashi wouldn't worry about him sneaking peeks at his face, even by accident. That was starting to bother Kakashi. He didn't hide his face from everyone. Minato, Guy, and Asuma had seen his face on many occasions. There were even a few civilians, restaurant owners mostly, who knew what he looked like. Hiding his face was more of a habit than a need, honestly, and a way to spite those who viewed finding out what he looked like as some sort of challenge. There were at least two members of Anbu with whom Kakashi had quickly stopped bothering with the mask because they didn't give a shit what he looked like, just what he could give them in exchange for what they were able to give him. His mask was a matter of privacy because he looked too much like his father. For those who had never met his father, it was just a way to keep people at a distance, and to torment those who couldn't handle other people having secrets.
When Iruka sat down beside him in his kitchen, moving his chair close enough so their arms touched, he wanted to be done with the mask. Iruka wouldn't say much while they ate because Iruka was the sort to make eye contact and he couldn't do that when Kakashi's mask was down. But Iruka clearly wanted to be closer to him because this obviously wasn't just a meal, this meant something to him, and Kakashi had no idea what it meant because he couldn't see Iruka's eyes. It made him feel like he was missing out on something, a crucial piece of the puzzle that might explain what he was feeling. In more practical, partners of convenience terms, revealing his face would also let him be done with the blindfold. Iruka's body was very expressive, and the sounds he made were delicious, but his true emotions were expressed by his eyes. Not being able to see Iruka's eyes, because of his own need to be private and mysterious, meant he was also blinding himself to how Iruka felt about what they had. He felt like he was spiting himself, encouraging Iruka to continue respecting the boundaries he himself had already blown past. If he wasn't doing it for himself, what was the point?
"You know," Kakashi started.
"I'm sorry," Iruka said at the same time. "I didn't realize this would feel so much like a date."
Kakashi turned in surprise. He was grateful for the distraction. Did he really want to shed his mask when it was essentially the only line he hadn't crossed? If he wanted to know how Iruka felt, all he had to do was ask. He looked over to find Iruka's eyes politely lowered, an odd smile on his face. "A date?"
"It doesn't feel that way to you?" asked Iruka. If Kakashi hadn't felt that way, then Iruka had just made things awkward himself. He winced.
"I wouldn't know," Kakashi admitted. "I've never been on a date."
Iruka was surprised, and a little sad, to hear that. Maybe he shouldn't be. As far as he knew most 'dates' involved meals, so the mask would prohibit that. Kakashi was a 'famous' jounin who still picked partners up in bars, so he clearly wasn't interested in settling down. But for him never to have dated at all meant he had skipped right past the fun flirting stages of being a genin, before 'dating' became a prelude to sexual hook-ups and serious romantic relationships. Had Kakashi skipped all of that by choice? Iruka pushed his bowl back so he could prop an elbow on the table and drop his chin into his palm.
"I never dated either," Iruka sighed. "But I wanted to. I'd hear other people talking about the dates they had lined up, how nervous and excited and hopeful they were, and I was so envious of them. I never had time for that sort of thing. But I could have made time to at least do things with people, even just sitting down and having a meal together. Some of that was penny-pinching on my part, because I didn't want to be treated by a friend when I was in no position to return the favor. I think most of it was because I didn't want them to get the wrong idea. I didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea. Tonight I realized just how long I've been worrying about that, how much I've missed out on as a result, and how ridiculous it is. I was right, apparently. I can't have a simple snack with another person in public without it being twisted into something it's not. That can't be normal. I refuse to believe everyone is constantly looking over their shoulder for fear of doing something that could be misinterpreted."
Kakashi moved their dishes to the counter and returned. He shifted his chair back enough so they could look at each other more comfortably. He definitely wanted to see Iruka's eyes during this. "Some shinobi are constantly looking over their shoulders, because they're public figures, prime targets for gossip, the more inflammatory the gossip the better. Starting a tasty rumor about someone normally considered beyond reproach," such as claiming a Hyuuga had been caught spying on the women's bath, "gives the rumor-starter attention and pride and satisfaction. But I assume most shinobi stop worrying about that sort of thing after a while. The people liable to start and spread rumors like that will create them out of nothing if they aren't given any evidence to build on."
"That's what I always assumed," Iruka frowned. "Why should I care if people are lying about me so long as I can prove they're lying? You can't stop people like that from saying whatever they want, so why care what they have to say? All I could do was make sure I gave no one anything to talk about. So that's what I did. I don't think I have interacted with anyone outside of missions, training grounds, and the mission room since I graduated. I didn't give anyone anything to talk about because I didn't do anything. And now that's biting me on the ass." He winced at hearing that word come out of his mouth, and that was another bit of nonsense on his part, because it was just a word, and it certainly fit the situation and his mood.
He tried to read the look in Kakashi's eye. Curious and patient, maybe a bit confused? Iruka didn't know why he was telling him any of this, so Kakashi had every right to be confused at his rant. And this was a bit of a rant, wasn't it? It felt like a rant. It felt nice to share this with someone and not try to work it all out on his own, though. "I think the reason people are suddenly talking about me is because I kept my head down a little too well. I'm a non-entity. I might as well be a transplant from another village, the way people are suddenly staring and speculating about me. So I brought this on myself. And that means all the years I've spent keeping my head down, depriving myself of simple things like having a drink or a meal with a friend, was all for nothing. It's beyond frustrating. It makes me angry."
"It should make you angry," said Kakashi. It didn't fit with the image he had of Iruka. "I assumed you were a natural people-person, the sort to constantly be surrounded by friends and comrades-" He broke off when Iruka shook his head. The pinched look on Iruka's face made him wonder if he had misread him. Again? He refused to accept that. Anyone who spent a few minutes with Iruka would know he was the sort that others were drawn to, like cold shinobi around a campfire. That Iruka was popular enough with the chunin for them to pull rank proved they saw the same thing he did. "What are you saying? That you've been isolating yourself, on purpose?" That made no sense. People like Iruka didn't do that. Others didn't let people like Iruka do that.
"Yes, I have," said Iruka. "I feel like my life as a shinobi has been nothing but missions. I do enjoy talking to people, well, some people, up to a point, but then I go away and mind my own business in the hopes that they'll mind theirs. I have plenty of acquaintances, people I call friends, but they're not really friends because they don't really know me. I have worked hard to keep it that way. And it has all backfired miserably. It all seems so pointless now. It makes me want to whine like a child about how unfair it is. Because it is unfair. All I did was go to the bar. I'm a chunin, I have as much right to do that as anyone else. But because I worked so hard to not give anyone any reason to talk about me, that one act has complete strangers looking my way. I'm not whining," he said quickly, "and I'm not just unloading on you, though I do appreciate you letting me rant." He flashed a wry grin and was relieved when Kakashi smiled back and shrugged. Maybe he was amusing him. He didn't mind that. "This isn't just about me. It concerns you, as well, thanks to the rumors. So I actually do have a reason to bring this up with you, beyond my sudden need to vent about it."
"You can talk to me about anything," said Kakashi. He was glad Iruka felt free to 'vent' with him, especially when it meant learning more about him without having to pry and snoop around behind his back. "I hope you'll do the same for me when I need to talk about something without fear it will be repeated to others." That was just the right thing to say. Iruka's eyes darkened, warm and touched and something else that made Kakashi want to kiss him and then...snuggle or something. His reaction to that look wasn't the least bit sexual, but it was definitely physical. It made his chest feel tight and his face feel flushed behind his mask.
"Gladly," Iruka murmured. "I would like to be here for you if you ever need something like that."
The physical reaction was in Kakashi's throat now. He leaned forward, putting an arm around Iruka's shoulders and pulling him into a quick hug. Iruka leaned into him, immediately melting, a hand coming up to run softly through his hair. Iruka was such a physically affectionate person, the sort to constantly be throwing an arm around friends' shoulders, teasing and warm and making true loners like himself both grateful for the brief contact and relieved that it was brief. The idea of someone like Iruka going out of his way to avoid people made no sense whatsoever. He eased back and smiled at Iruka. "I get the feeling you don't get hugged often enough."
Iruka blinked in surprise, and then laughed softly. "I did warn you that I can be clingy. If I make you uncomfortable, just tell me. I promise I'll rein myself in."
"No," Kakashi said quickly, in a playful tone, "don't you dare rein it in. I like you clingy." That earned him another laugh, and then another hug. "Few people touch me. I suppose it's that impenetrable shield I keep between me and the rest of the world."
"You remember that?" Iruka flushed in embarrassment as he released him. "I can't believe I said that to you. Just one of the many reasons I don't talk to jounin. When I shove my foot in my mouth, it's at least ankle deep before I realize I'm choking myself."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "I thought it was an astute observation. That is exactly what I do, instinctively keeping the world at bay, sometimes to my own loss. But I didn't take you for the sort to do that. It's hard for me to understand why someone like you would intentionally isolate himself. I took you for the sort to always be hugging and receiving hugs from friends. Do casual displays of affection make you uncomfortable?"
"No," Iruka admitted. "I was just that sort of physically affectionate person growing up. Once I graduated I finally realized some people are very uncomfortable with being touched, so I stopped doing that." For the first year he had still been able to count on Mizuki to put an arm around him when he cried, or to push his head down between his knees and rub his back when he had a panic attack. All of that had stopped after the first time they'd had sex. Mizuki considered unnecessary contact between sex partners too gay to stomach. In retrospect, Iruka wondered if he would have agreed to have sex with him that second time if he hadn't been starving for any sort of physical contact with someone he trusted. He would have to consider that if he did confront Mizuki about how badly sex had twisted their relationship. His own self-imposed isolation had left him very needy, both emotionally and physically. He sighed at himself, and smiled sheepishly at Kakashi. "If I didn't control myself I'd probably be just the sort you described. Maybe not full hugs, but at least an arm around a shoulder now and then. Some days I feel like no one touches me at all except to hit me."
"People hit you?"
"Oh! I didn't mean it like that." Iruka laughed. Kakashi almost sounded outraged on his behalf, which was both nice and embarrassing. "I just meant slaps on the shoulder or the back. Friendly whacks, you know? That's just how some people bond and show affection. The hits sting. Sometimes they actually hurt. But it's on me for holding still for hits like that instead of stepping aside or stopping them. Honestly, I'm usually grateful that they feel comfortable enough with me to show affection in their own way. It's not the way I would choose to show physical affection, but I'm the clingy sort. If I had my way I'd probably be treating them like children, mussing their hair and giving hugs and making them horribly uncomfortable until they avoided me like the plague."
Someone like Iruka could certainly make others uncomfortable. Kakashi was generally uncomfortable dealing with Iruka's sort, because being that honest with one's affections, with one's emotions, made him uncomfortable. Being touched without invitation was bad enough without knowing he couldn't simply tell the person to stop doing that because it would hurt their feelings, because people like that were quick to be injured and slow to recover. While he could appreciate how much the village needed people like that, he preferred to avoid them himself. They were difficult and he wasn't interested enough to learn how to handle them gently. He also knew there were plenty of other people better able to handle that sort, who could encourage them to continue being themselves so others, who needed that sort of open affection, could benefit from having them around. It was an aspect of the village that Kakashi had noted from a safe distance. That was another reason he was so lost dealing with Iruka, because he normally would be avoiding someone like him as if he were the plague. It really was strange that he had been so determined to pick Iruka up. He hadn't known how physically affectionate he was, but he had seen him as the gentle open sort he usually left alone.
"I wasn't really complaining," Iruka insisted. "I'd rather receive a friendly whack on the back from someone who likes me than not be touched at all outside of a spar or a fight. But it's lonely, you know? I'm so glad you don't mind me being clingy with you."
"Don't mind?" Kakashi drawled. "I don't just not mind it, I expect and look forward to it." That was very unusual for him, another one of those things he couldn't rationalize or explain. Iruka smiled at him, his eyes gleaming in a way that made parts of Kakashi's anatomy perk up eagerly. Damn. The man seriously underestimated his sexual appeal. They were sitting in Kakashi's kitchen. Kakashi had never experienced a hard-on in his kitchen.
"That's good," Iruka murmured, "because as much as I enjoy being touched by you, I like touching you even more. I'm hoping to be very clingy with you tonight, if you have the patience to tolerate me taking my time with you."
Kakashi wasn't sure exactly what Iruka had in mind, but he was very eager to find out. "That sounds nice." He was proud of how casual his tone sounded because his face was uncomfortably flushed beneath his mask. Iruka had the potential to be dangerously sexy with just a bit of encouragement. Only pride compelled him to ask, "Are you intending to have your wicked way with me?"
Iruka grinned widely. "I believe I am. But only as much as one can while bottoming from the top. I just want a chance to explore you the way you did to me the other night. Because mutual trust goes both ways, doesn't it?"
"Yes it does." He was relieved that Iruka wasn't hoping to top him. Kakashi had tried that once and didn't care for it. Iruka, on the other hand, openly enjoyed having him inside him, the more of him the better. The thought of Iruka riding him, his eyes, face, and body on full display made Kakashi want to grab him and carry him to his bed right this instant. But Iruka had sent for him tonight, and Iruka was clearly in an unusually bold mood. He didn't want to do anything that might change that. "My scroll was open. That means my time, and my body, are yours."
"Yes," Iruka sighed. That didn't sound so hard to believe when Kakashi said it so plainly and firmly. It couldn't possibly be right, him having free access to someone like Kakashi. He knew that soon he would be back to missions and if Kakashi had needs while he wasn't available to satisfy them this would likely end. But for now they had only each other and he enjoyed that so much, far more than he should. He thought of Izumo and wondered if he were allowing himself to get too attached. He and Kakashi weren't lovers. They couldn't even be seen together because Kakashi was too famous and Iruka was too fresh a topic for gossip. Besides, Iruka didn't have a secure position in the village yet that would allow him to devote himself to another person the way a lover should. By the time he was working at the academy, Kakashi would be long gone, just a memory of a fling with someone so far out of his league it was ridiculous. But the memories, ah, now those were worth making and holding onto. Kakashi hadn't been his first, but he wouldn't mind if he were his last so long as he could use the memories to sustain him. That was reason enough to indulge himself while he had the chance.
"I need to tell you something," Iruka said quickly, his face flushed with thoughts of what he'd rather be doing than talking. "Before I get distracted."
Kakashi was already feeling distracted. It wasn't enough to be able to see the emotions in Iruka's eyes, he realized, he also needed to be able to interpret those emotions. He couldn't. He couldn't even interpret his own emotions. All he knew for sure was that the emotions were strong, not one-sided, and they made him feel both eager and anxious. A distraction would be very welcome right now. "What is it?"
"I met a friend of yours today."
The hint of a wince around Iruka's eyes told him this could be a very good distraction. Kakashi was so relieved he smiled behind his mask. "Which one?"
"Guy-san."
Now Kakashi was the one fighting a wince. Of all the people. He thought of his last encounter with Guy, who had been enjoying his youth with a supposed tracking tortoise in hand. This couldn't possibly be good. Why couldn't Iruka's distraction have concerned a run in with a well-meaning Kurenai or Asuma? Why did it have to be Guy? Kakashi's voice was strained when he prompted him, "Really? How did that come about?"
"Rumors, supposedly," Iruka sighed. He embraced his lingering amusement from the encounter, enough so he could appreciate how out-of-sorts Kakashi looked. Kakashi had insisted he didn't care what people might say about their encounter at the hospital. This might change his mind. "The way it was explained to me, someone heard about you pulling me aside in the hospital. That person decided you must have done it in order to question me, because a friend of yours was interested in me. This person decided that friend had to be Guy-san." He nodded soberly when Kakashi sent him an exasperated look. It was nice to know he wasn't the only one who failed to follow the logic of this nonsense. "Instead of confronting me to see if I returned Guy-san's supposed interest, this person decided the best thing to do was to tell Guy-san I was a secret admirer of his, admiring him from afar and too shy to express my interest openly. Guy-san immediately set out to find me so he could encourage me to stop being a shrinking violet and go after what I wanted with all the passion of youth, because being rejected would only make me stronger."
Kakashi slapped a hand over his face. That was Guy, alright. He could only imagine how flattered Guy had been to think someone was admiring him from afar, and how appalled he must have been at the thought of that person being too shy to approach him directly. Because Guy didn't believe in beating around a bush when one could burst right through it, incinerating that bush in a fiery passion. The idea of Guy, in a mood like that, showing up on Iruka's doorstep, had him wincing painfully. He spread his fingers so he could peek through them. At least Iruka looked more amused than accusing. "So Guy hunted you down?"
"Yes," Iruka grimaced. "I don't think it would have been so bad if I hadn't been warned in advance that he was Anbu. That made it so much worse. The thought of an Anbu hunting me down, because he thought I was attracted to him, had me going full-on squirrelly. Luckily Guy-san took my bizarre behavior in stride. He greeted me as 'shy one', so maybe he was prepared for the way I panicked when he showed up. It was still horribly embarrassing, and at least partly your fault."
Because Kakashi hadn't thought twice about pulling Iruka into the private wing at the hospital? Kakashi could see how that act on his part might have fed into whatever rumors were going around about Iruka, but according to Asuma those rumors weren't mentioning him by name. How that had led to someone siccing Guy on Iruka was nonsensical. No friend of his would have done that. He didn't have that many friends, and Asuma knew he wanted to sex Iruka up. There was no way Asuma would allow anyone to think it was Guy who was actually interested in Iruka. "Who told Guy that lie?" he asked sharply. That person needed his ass kicked so hard he was picking strips of his rectum out of his teeth.
"It doesn't matter," Iruka said quickly.
It didn't matter to Iruka, because Iruka was the sort to protect people who needed a good ass-kicking. Kakashi, on the other hand, believed people needed to be taught a lesson in a timely manner. He couldn't stop himself from scowling. "Anyone who knows me, or Guy, would never jump to a conclusion like that, much less force an encounter between Guy and someone who has never even met him before."
"I'm convinced the person meant well," Iruka assured him. "They honestly thought Guy-san and I would get along well. And they were right. Guy-san does have a very unusual manner that caught me off guard. But he was very polite and tolerant of me," especially considering how he had frozen and twitched and made a panicked fool of himself. "I found Guy-san refreshing once I stopped freaking out over the idea of him being Anbu."
"Him being Anbu bothered you?" asked Kakashi, with a raised eyebrow. "More than him being...Guy?"
Iruka laughed. "His dress and manner and...extreme masculinity made me very uncomfortable. But only because I knew he had been told I was attracted to him. He didn't seem the slightest bit disappointed to find out that I wasn't. If I hadn't been warned that he was Anbu, and he was hunting me down, I don't think I would have freaked out at all had he suddenly shown up at my door. I would have been confused, but I would have been calm and polite and simply explained things before sending him on his way. Instead I freaked myself out, waiting for him to turn up, and worrying about all the ways I could mess the encounter up and have an Anbu with a grudge against me."
"Anbu aren't the sort to hold grudges because of a misunderstanding," Kakashi informed him. They were, however, the sort to hold a grudge against the person who had told the lie that had led to the misunderstanding. Once again, he wanted the name. If Iruka wouldn't give it to him, then Guy certainly would. Now wasn't the time to worry about that, though. Iruka obviously had no idea he was Anbu, which meant he still knew nothing about him. How would Iruka react when he did learn who Kakashi was? He frowned at the man. Iruka was smiling, amused and clearly relieved that things had gone better with Guy than Iruka had feared they would. Kakashi didn't want to ruin his mood. "If I were a more positive person, I might point out that you could have had far worse people than Guy hunting you down over a blatant lie."
"You're the second person to point that out to me," Iruka grinned. "I agree. I found him horribly intimidating at first, but that was my own issues making me act ridiculous and had nothing to do with how he handled the situation. I like him. I don't care for his use of the word 'passion' in relation to young people, because there are so many ways that could be misinterpreted. And his insistence on favoring emotion over logic seems terribly dangerous to me if shared with the wrong person, but it was refreshing to hear an active shinobi reference the will of fire as if it were a real thing and not just something people say to gullible pregenin. The best part is that he didn't mind me arguing with him."
"You argued with him?" Kakashi couldn't imagine that conversation. No one argued with Guy. Those who knew him either ignored his speeches until he ran out of steam or distracted him. Those who didn't know him usually made one attempt to shut him down and when that merely fueled Guy's eagerness to 'teach' and 'correct' the misguided person, they avoided him as much as possible. He gave Iruka a very doubtful look. "How did that work out for you?"
"Rather well," Iruka informed him. He couldn't keep the smugness out of his voice. The satisfaction he felt was a bit unjustified, considering he hadn't actually changed Guy's mind about the core issue. But they'd had a civilized debate despite both of them holding strong opinions and he had found himself enjoying it immensely. "He conceded that his philosophy isn't appropriate for everyone and could, in fact, harm some people, especially young impressionable people who haven't learned to distinguish between what they want to do and what they should do. In turn, I conceded that some people would do well with encouragement to feed their passion," he gave a wincing smile, "though I really wish he would use the word fire instead. Truth, drive, righteousness, the will of fire, anything but the word passion, which brings to mind sexual and selfish things like blood lust, jealousy, rage, and vengeance. There are just too many inappropriate and negative connotations to the word passion. I can't approve of that. We had to agree to disagree on that point because he was very fond of that word."
Kakashi's eye widened, a befuddled grin curving his lips. Iruka sounded so serious, as if he had put a lot of effort into understanding Guy's perspective. Was that the future teacher in him? Or just another sign of Iruka being considerate of others? Whatever it was, Kakashi could only imagine how much Guy had enjoyed having someone actually listen to his 'passion of youth' rants without immediately assuming he was unhinged. Kakashi still intended to find out who had aimed Guy at Iruka, but maybe he wouldn't hurt the person too badly. "It sounds like the encounter turned out well, then."
"Yes, it did. Luckily." Iruka sighed, and frowned at Kakashi. "But it happened as a direct result of us being seen together at the hospital. Now that I've been seen in public with a friend of yours, there is no telling what ridiculous conclusions people might jump to. I'm honestly past the point of caring, but I've been told I need to pay attention to what people are saying so I can at least try to be prepared for ridiculous things like this. It's only fair that you be prepared as well, now that the gossips are involving friends of yours."
No friend of his would have drawn Guy into this. Asuma had assured him that no chunin was connecting his name to Iruka's, so that pointed to someone of a different rank. Kakashi's suspicions immediately went to Genma. He knew everything and talked to everyone, and Ibiki gave him far too much freedom. Iruka shouldn't worry about an Anbu having a grudge against him. Anbu were too busy, too focused, to indulge in petty things like that. The village busy-body, on the other hand? Kakashi didn't trust him any further than he could throw him, which, to be fair, was a quite a distance. The man had an infuriating habit of hitting on Minato and no matter how much amusement Minato seemed to get out of it, that was a gross display of disrespect that was simply unacceptable. Genma had no sense of boundaries and common decency. According to Minato, Genma 'meant well' and did his best to help and protect his fellow shinobi. But whoever had attempted to set Guy up with Iruka had also 'meant well.' In Kakashi's opinion, a person who 'meant well' could do at least as much damage as someone with a grudge.
"This one is your fault," said Iruka. He shrugged when Kakashi raised an eyebrow at him. "It is. The person who warned me about Guy-san referred to you as my stalker. I told you that might happen. You really should have ignored me at the hospital. If our paths cross again, you'll have to do your part to pretend we don't know each other."
"It's a bit late for that," Kakashi pointed out. He wasn't about to apologize for the hospital. The only thing he felt badly about was the way he had treated and spoken to Iruka because he should have expressed concern rather than anger and suspicion. He didn't regret pulling him aside and making sure he was healed properly. Now that he knew Iruka's first 'accident' had been nothing of the sort, he was even more suspicious about that 'stray' kunai. The two incidents probably weren't connected, but they were equally suspicious and worth looking deeper into. Even without considering all of that, Kakashi just wasn't the sort of shinobi to 'pretend' much of anything without a very good reason. He didn't want anyone knowing he and Iruka were sleeping together because that would make Iruka an easy target. But he saw no harm in making it known that Iruka had powerful people concerned with his safety. "If our paths cross I'll do my part not to cause a scene, but I won't act as if we don't know each other. If people are talking about our encounter at the hospital, then us acting like strangers will just make them talk and speculate even more about what we're trying to hide."
"Sometimes I hate people," Iruka muttered. "I'll never understand how any shinobi could have time for that sort of thing, or why they would enjoy it so much. What do they get out of it? I don't even like hearing gossip because it feels dirty to invade other people's privacy that way. To spread gossip that might not even be true? They should all be ashamed. Instead they're proud and gleeful and I'll never understand that."
"I'm told it's a useful thing," Kakashi laughed. He felt the same as Iruka, but he had been told repeatedly that he was wrong to feel that way. "I have never taken part in it myself, or understood the appeal. But I have been assured that rumors serve a purpose, as a form of entertainment and distraction from the more unpleasant things shinobi have to deal with, as a way of controlling and spreading misinformation, and as a means of intelligence gathering. To me, wanting to listen to and spread gossip is as incomprehensible as someone wanting to work at the Academy." He gave Iruka a teasing smile and enjoyed the way he bristled at that. "There are many aspects of being a shinobi, and the village needs all types, supposedly. You and I might not understand the gossips, but we have to accept that they serve a purpose that some consider vital to the village."
"You can't seriously be comparing the usefulness of a teacher to...gossips."
The way Iruka's eyes flashed made Kakashi grin. The man definitely had fire in there. He would have to prepare himself for his next encounter with Guy because Guy would have immediately spotted that fire and done his best to fan those 'flames' for Iruka's own good. If Guy found out Kakashi was interested in Iruka, he would probably turn into a full-fledged match-maker, ranting his approval at top volume and minimum discretion. That was definitely something to be prepared for. For now, Kakashi was more concerned with prodding Iruka while the prodding was good. "Teachers prepare future shinobi to do their best without getting themselves killed. Gossips keep active shinobi too distracted to obsess over the things that get them killed."
"No," Iruka said sharply. He knew he shouldn't rise to the bait, but he couldn't even joke about a comparison like that. "If the current shinobi need a distraction they can open a book, spend time with friends, go to a bar and find someone to hook up with, or buy a television. There are countless pleasant things they could do to distract themselves that don't involve hurting others. Gossip is a cheap form of entertainment gained at the expense of fellow shinobi and there is no justification for that."
Iruka was very attractive when he was all worked up like that. Kakashi grinned, and warned him, "Careful or I might wonder just how much that encounter with Guy inflamed your youthful passion. I certainly don't want you thinking about him when you're having your wicked way with me."
Iruka gaped, flushed, and then laughed. "Oh, that's horrible. Don't even put that thought into my head!"
"You're right," Kakashi nodded soberly. "If anything could render a man impotent, it would be the thought of that."
"Don't be mean," Iruka grinned. "I'm sure there are plenty of people who would appreciate everything Guy-san has to offer," all of which Guy put on display for the entire village to see. Iruka had found the combination of Guy's overt masculinity, revealing clothes, and insistence on using the word passion very off-putting. Once he had spoken with the man more he had felt like some sort of pervert for even noticing because Guy also had a strange innocence about him. His first impression was that Anko had likely been right, and Guy was the sort to save himself for 'true' love. If so, then Guy's friends should really try to talk him into not showing his body off so blatantly so people didn't get the wrong ideas about him. Guy was ripe to be taken advantage of considering how quickly the man had jumped at the chance to encourage someone he believed was shy. Really, the man struck Iruka as being vulnerable despite the aggressively forward and bold manner with which he approached a complete stranger. He had almost appeared to be a child in a grown man's body. That was just another reason the man was definitely not Iruka's type, and not someone he ever wanted to think about in a sexual way.
"I liked your friend," Iruka told Kakashi, "but he is the last thing I'll be thinking about when I have you naked beneath me."
Iruka felt himself flush when Kakashi's eye widened. It sounded so bold and ridiculous to hear himself saying something like that. But Kakashi himself had said that his time was his, his body was his, and Iruka fully intended to make the most of that. He would likely blush his head off, fluster and cave the first time Kakashi told him to hurry and finish things, but until that happened he was determined to take his time and enjoy himself. And it was only fair since Kakashi had emphasized 'mutual trust' when that encounter had primarily consisted of Iruka trusting that Kakashi knew what he was doing and they would both benefit from him going along with it. Iruka had certainly benefited. But it was only fair that Kakashi give him a bit of trust, too. Iruka was just as capable of giving him pleasure, while enjoying himself at the same time. Best of all, what he had in mind would put them face to face and wouldn't require a blindfold. While the sound and feel of him were nice, Iruka definitely preferred being able to look at him while they were together.
"I think we should stop talking now," said Iruka.
"Yes," Kakashi agreed. He didn't know how anyone could look and sound so vulnerable yet determined, or why that struck him as sexy. With Iruka it did. Maybe it was the honesty, the directness of it. When Iruka reached out a hand, Kakashi accepted it and let himself be drawn into the bedroom. He was reminded of the first time Iruka had gone down on him. Maybe Kakashi wasn't a jaded and plodding broodmare, after all. When Iruka looked at him like that he felt more like the excited colt shying at nothing for the sheer pleasure of it. There was a whisper in the back of his mind about 'youthful passion' and he viciously kicked its teeth down its throat. Now was not the time to be thinking things that might lead to impotency. Iruka was in a mood. A very nice and sexy mood. Kakashi planned to encourage and enjoy that mood to the fullest. If nothing else, life was too short to waste chances like this.
.-.
Genma had realized what was going on when a few people entered the mission room suspiciously subdued. He didn't fool himself into thinking Ibiki had taken his advice. More likely, he had just been saying the same thing Ibiki was already thinking. There were only two options, after all. They could make it clear that they knew by openly eliminating suspects, which would make the spy go to ground and not do anything for a while, or they could pretend ignorance and try to investigate everyone until the spy did something else. They didn't want the spy doing anything else, because the next thing he did was guaranteed to be even worse. Better to drive him to ground and hope they could dig him out before he acted again.
He did his part to keep the subdued from giving themselves away. They weren't looking at anyone, were unusually quiet, and they were doing it because they knew they couldn't risk talking and revealing what was going on. That was the exact opposite of what they should be doing in order to not get others suspicious. So he gave them amusing and harmless things to talk about that had their eyes and heads up. Rumor had it Jiraiya had a new book coming out. That topic aroused plenty of strong responses, from amusement to disapproval. Almost no one admitted to actually reading those books, but the fact that one of the sannin wrote erotica was so absurd it was a very nice counter to Orochimaru's existence. That topic wasn't enough to distract a few of the more sober people, so he reminded them that Tsunade would be back soon. That reassured them and reminded them that they did have one responsible sannin they could rely on, one who just happened to be the best medic-nin around and fiercely devoted to the Hokage and his son. That got them on the topic of Naruto, which was safe and normal because most of the active shinobi worried about him.
The mission room closed for the night and he headed for the jounin bar. He hadn't received a message from Ibiki. He hadn't really expected one. He wasn't a suspect, so there was no rush on his part. He would submit himself to a Yamanaka whenever Ibiki got around to it, just so that could be on record. In the meantime there was one more piece of damage control he felt obligated to do.
He put his game face on as he entered the bar, smiling and flirting and snubbing as needed. As expected, Raidou was sitting at the bar. The man flashed him a grin before continuing his conversation with the bartender. That particular bartender was young and attractive and always up for a quick tumble so long as there were no strings attached. Raidou could do better, but he could also do worse. Genma passed him, his sights set on one of the tables near the back that had only a single person. The man was a fresh face here, hadn't been jounin for long, and he wasn't doing a very good job hiding that fact.
Genma sat down across from the man, smiling at his look of dismay. Bottoms, especially fresh ones, were always quick to mistake him for one of their own. It took time and experience before they realized some people didn't care to limit themselves when it came to things like gender and position. "I'm not picking you up. Relax. But, you see that man at the bar? He's a friend of mine."
The man looked at Raidou and grimaced. "Sorry. He's not my type."
"Understandable," Genma nodded. Some people were turned away by the facial scarring and didn't appreciate someone who wore it proudly rather than hiding it. "That's not a problem. I need to talk to him and I want to use your table. In exchange, I'll help you out a bit. Is there anyone here who is your type?"
The man's first choice was taken, and that was putting it mildly. Genma gave as strong a warning as he could without sending the man fleeing from the bar. The man's second choice was surprising. He was in full Anbu garb, nothing to see except the color of his hair and his hands. Not a bad type, though not the sort to appeal to everyone. He got dumped a lot for not being as cold and violent as some people expected an Anbu to be.
"He's a top," Genma told him. "Closet romantic, doesn't like dirty talk or rough stuff, strong vanilla with nice stamina, very good with his hands, keeps his mask on unless you offer oral, then he'll take it off to return the favor. He likes to cuddle afterward for at least fifteen minutes, longer if you'll let him. He tends to stick with a hook-up until they get bored enough to cut him loose, and then he goes away without arguing." These traits were not a bad thing, apparently. The man sat up a little straighter, a smile hovering over his lips. Genma hid his amusement. The fresh ones were so damn cute. "Here," he said, passing him some money. "Buy a bottle of the green and go sit with him. Tell him you noticed his hands. He won't drink anything here, but he'll pour you a drink. One sip from you and he's all yours. Ask my friend to join me while you're at the bar. Thanks."
As he watched the man hurry away, he wondered if Iruka had looked like that when he had entered the chunin bar. Iruka had probably been even worse with that blush of his. Poor guy. One attempt to loosen that hair and everyone and his brother was looking his way. Iruka could deny it until the day he died, but Genma was convinced Mizuki was to blame for most of Iruka's problems. Ebisu had been a damned fool to place those two on a team together.
"What's up?" Raidou asked as he joined him. "Didn't see you at the meeting."
"Of course not. And you're not supposed to talk about that. To anyone."
Raidou made a face at his warning tone. "Oh, come on. I didn't say what meeting I was talking about. If you're going to act like my mom I have better things to do. Where's your drink? This is a bar."
"I'm not drinking tonight."
"Then I'm not wasting my time," Raidou warned. "If I don't get some soon, I'll explode."
Genma grimaced. No shinobi should be so damn blunt, about anything. "What happened to that chunin you were with? I thought the two of you were serious."
Raidou scowled at him. "Drink something or I'm talking to someone else. I'm not kidding."
"Fine," Genma sighed. "You buy. Dry, strong, and nothing too sweet or sour."
He rolled his eyes at Raidou's grin. He watched him jump up and return to the bar. Then his attention was caught by a chuckle from the Anbu he had hooked up. The new guy had been served that drink and taken a sip. The shocked and puckered expression on his face really was funny. The stuff wasn't nasty, but it sure was sour. It was a weird way to break the ice with a potential sex partner, but Anbu tended to be weird. He watched discreetly as the two talked, and dropped his eyes when the newbie rushed off to the bathroom, the Anbu following a few seconds later. He wished them good luck for the night. He doubted his own night would go as smoothly. Raidou returned and quickly poured him a drink.
"Well?" Genma prodded, after taking a sip of the whiskey. Raidou really was horny to have sprung for the good stuff. Too bad for Raidou, because Genma had no intention of going home with anyone tonight. And, honestly, he would rather have had something cheaper. His stomach was not quick to learn lessons. It had already forgotten last night and was eager for some more of that smooth burn.
"I got poisoned," Raidou admitted frankly. "Kunai to the thigh. Thought it was just a flesh wound and shrugged it off. I don't know what kind of shit they were coating their weapons in. I think it might have been actual shit. By the time I got back to the village I almost lost the leg to the infection. I couldn't get hard for two months!"
"So he dumped you?" Genma winced. "You still had your hands."
"And my mouth," Raidou scowled. "It's not like I didn't try to make up for it. I even offered to buy some toys. That's when he dumped me."
Very unfair, Genma acknowledged. But not unusual for a chunin. Some of them assumed the higher ranks were invincible and were quick to bail at the slightest injury. A complete and prolongued loss of virility was a game-ender for those types. That explained things, but didn't excuse them. Genma took a longer drink, letting the burn brace him. Then he shook his head. "Months without getting any. So you decided to break your fast with Anko, of all people?"
Raidou's eyes widened, then he laughed. "Oh! Is that why you're here? Did she tell you? I should have known you were involved, after that nonsense rumor about Iruka and her. Only you could have started something like that. I don't know what you two are playing at, but don't expect me to fall for it."
"She said if you flirt with her again, she'll take your balls off."
Raidou laughed at that. "Isn't she something? She'd do it, too. I didn't flirt with her, though. Really!" he insisted quickly. "I wasn't even planning on it. I was just going to pick her brains about Iruka. Then on the way back I noticed her ass and, hello, first hard on I've had in months. I was so relieved I almost fell on my face. I was starting to worry I'd never get that back. I owe her a big one now. But I wouldn't repay her by flirting. I know she hates that. I shouldn't be surprised she noticed I was staring, though. Eyes in the back of her head, that one. That ass, though...I swear it gets harder every time I see it. I mean, damn! She must be doing some kind of squatting exercises or something. That's not normal for a woman. Even men don't have asses that tight without some serious effort."
Genma closed his eyes and sipped at his drink. Raidou wasn't wrong. Genma also had a habit of looking down when people walked away from him and Anko's ass was up there with Guy's in terms of muscle tone. The difference was that he at least tried to be discreet when noticing with someone like her, while Raidou was a straight-forward dog about it. His tone was tired and resentful when he muttered, "She told me to get you off her ass and onto mine."
"Seriously?" Raidou's grin was almost wide enough to split his face. "I love that woman!"
"This isn't funny," Genma informed him. "I'm not doing it. She is not my pimp."
"Oh, come on," Raidou waved. "I'm sure she didn't mean it like that. She was probably just teasing you. That means she likes you." He sighed and gulped some of his own drink. "She never teases me. We've worked together enough you'd think she would trust me by now. But she doesn't act like she likes me at all. All business, that one. She gave me a real hard time about Iruka, too. What's up with that, anyway?"
"She finds him funny," said Genma. "I find him sweet. He's the good sort who needs people to keep an eye out for him. You had no business sticking your nose into it and causing trouble for him. What were you thinking?"
Raidou set his glass down and folded his arms over his chest. "I was thinking the same thing as you two. When I met him he was a nice kid who deserved a hell of a lot better than that teammate he was stuck with. And I wanted to do a favor for my own teammate, for old time's sake. Guy will be great for him. He'll be great for Guy, too. He's the sort who will look past Guy's flashy front and appreciate what a good person he is. They're perfect for each other. They'll be hot together, too."
"Hot?" Genma grimaced as an image passed through his mind. His stomach finally remembered that it wasn't too fond of alcohol and churned unhappily.
"You're stuck on Guy's face," Raidou waved. "Put his Anbu mask on him. That body and power with someone as openly expressive as Iruka? That's hot."
When he put it that way, it did have a certain visceral appeal. Pushing that image away was harder than it should have been. He forced himself to focus on his primary purpose here. "You have been operating under a gross misunderstanding, Raidou."
"Eh?"
"Anko told me the conclusion you jumped to you. You were wrong. Very wrong."
Raidou made a face at that. "You're not really going to try to convince me that-"
"Umino Iruka has never made it a secret that he wants to work at the Academy," Genma stated. "Kurenai enjoys working at the Academy and would work there fulltime if she could. Kakashi protects someone who will hopefully be attending the Academy in the near future. Knowing those facts, why do you think those two people might have an interest in someone like Umino Iruka?"
"Oh. Oh, shit. No wonder Kurenai wasn't happy...! Shit. What the hell did I do?"
Genma watched as Raidou paled and fretted. There was strong satisfaction in knowing he had so easily convinced the man he was wrong, after Anko had clearly attempted and failed to do so. But he couldn't be too smug about it. This didn't change the fact that Anko had caught him off guard and gotten the better of him. It wasn't right that she was willing to forgive Raidou for openly drooling over her ass yet she refused to forgive him for a few playfully flirtatious comments he had made years ago.
"From what I hear," said Genma, "what you did was give Guy the impression that Iruka was interested in him. That was cruel of you. But if you apologize to him and explain you were confused, he'll forgive you. He's not the sort to hold a grudge. Iruka isn't, either, but you shouldn't run to him in an attempt to assauge your guilt. If Guy accosted him, he'll probably want to avoid people for quite a while. Having you show up would only make things worse. The best thing you can do, for everyone involved, is to keep your mouth shut and mind your own business."
"I have to apologize to Kurenai," Raidou grimaced. "She was already so morose and worried looking and then I went and gave her something else to worry about. I'm a stupid piece of shit. She'll probably never talk to me again. I can't blame her if she doesn't. She probably thinks I'm the most stupid, indiscreet, meddling idiot around."
Which he was, Genma thought to himself. But he had meant well and was an excellent shinobi on the field. Raidou was the good sort, eager to step up for his fellow shinobi and willing to do just about anything to see a smile on a friend's face. But he was also the last person anyone should talk to about anything they wanted to keep private. Really, Kurenai deserved a strong lecture for that. Hopefully she had learned her lesson. Ibiki would probably be too busy to take her aside any time soon and she avoided Genma like the plague. He wasn't sure why she disliked him so much. He had just invited her to dinner. She was a strikingly beautiful woman. She should be used to people asking her out.
"You meant well," said Genma. "She'll forgive you eventually. I doubt you caused too much harm."
"I told Guy that Iruka was a secret admirer or his," Raidou cried. "And Guy was tickled pink!"
"Which was very stupid of you," Genma nodded, "but so long as you don't make it worse, Kurenai and Guy will both forgive you. Eventually. Be on your best behavior in the meantime and keep your mouth shut. That should do the trick."
Raidou gave him a pained look. "Why didn't Anko just explain to me that Kurenai and Kakashi were investigating Iruka because he wants to work at the Academy?"
Because Anko hadn't thought of that particular explanation. "She was being discreet, unlike you. The rumor about her and Iruka gives people something interesting and ultimately harmless to focus on. Iruka doesn't need nosy people jumping to the wrong conclusions and making his life more complicated. That includes you, so please don't do anything to make this worse."
"Of course I won't," Raidou grimaced. "What do you take me for? I was just trying to help."
"I know that. You're not a bad person. You just lack anything resembling subtlety." He was amused by the way Raidou winced. The man wasn't unaware of his own flaws, he was just incapable of stopping himself without outside help.
"I'll have to learn," Raidou said sharply. "I can't believe I did that to Guy. And Iruka! Damn. Guy is bound to have found him by now. Two nice guys, neither interested in the other, and complete strangers? I'm a horrible person. I just set them up for the most awkward meeting imaginable. And Kurenai, ugh, I gave her something else to worry about when she was already stressed? Fucking hell. Maybe I deserved the last two months of being impotent. Karma was biting my ass early."
No one deserved two months of impotence following the near loss of a leg. That wasn't karma, that was an enemy village being sadistically creative in the substances they chose to coat their weapons with. "Beat yourself up, but only enough so you don't do something like this again. If you want to make up for this, then do it right. Keep your apologies about you, not them. Don't tell Guy anything except that you were confused and you're sorry. If you apologize to Kurenai, do it discreetly. Tell her you were confused and you're sorry. That's it. Don't say anything about why she might have been asking about Iruka. That would be indiscreet. Show her you're trying to be more discreet by not mentioning any of that. Keep it quick, just the apology, and then walk away."
Raidou was nodding. "Good advice. That's what I'll do. I'll just apologize, admit I was confused, and shut my mouth. Easy. I can do that. I appreciate you setting me straight. You're a smart man. You're also a very pretty and sexy man. If you're not busy tonight-"
Genma snorted and finished his drink. "Forget it. Anko basically ordered me to have sex with you, so I'm not going to. Not that I would be opposed to the idea if she hadn't suggested it." Word had it Raidou was a conscientious lover who paid close attention to his partner's needs, with nice stamina and a very skilled tongue. Genma was also very good with his tongue, and he did appreciate stamina. He didn't mind putting his availability out there. He was not, however, going to put himself out there tonight after Anko had essentially ordered him to do so. "Come to the chunin bar with me and I'll hook you up with someone who will help you take the edge off."
"You're turning me down," Raidou sulked, "and offering to hook me up with someone else? What is that, pity? Or are you my pimp now?"
Genma dropped his eyes, casually picking out a senbon and placing it in his mouth. He smiled around it. He would rather be Raidou's pimp than let Anko be his. "Those are your options. I can hook you up with someone tonight, or I can walk out of here and leave you to your own devices."
Raidou sighed and waved a hand at him. "Take a walk, Pretty Man. At least I can look at your ass on your way out the door."
Genma made it a nice slow walk.
.-.
TBC