The next morning, Asuma woke up later than he expected and had to skip breakfast and a shower in order to meet Team 10 on time, leaving him in a not so laid-back mood.
When he reached their meeting place the scene looked the same as it did every morning. Chouji was eating. Shikamaru looked half-asleep and Ino looked fired up and ready to go on the day's mission. He read the day's agenda and sighed, this is going to be a long day.
By the end of the day, Asuma was covered in mud, had pines needles in his hair and was out of cigarettes. Now, I'll just pray that Kurenai doesn't see me and I can get home and have a nice, hot bath. Just as he was about to round the corner, he heard voices. I know those voices. It's Kurenai and...Kakashi? What could they be talking about? I should go ask. He straightened out his jacket, ran his hand through his dark hair and stepped around the corner.
"Hey, Kurenai. Kakashi." He waved a greeting.
Both Kurenai and Kakashi turned to look at the Jounin.
"Hey...Asuma?" Kakashi gave him a confused look.
"What?"
"You're covered in dirt and pine needles." Kurenai answered a bemused look in her crimson eyes.
He blinked before he realized that he had completely forgotten that he was filthy. Oh crap! Gotta get home and get cleaned up!
"Igottagethome. ToughdayoftrainingtodaysoIgottagogetcleanedup. I'lltalktoyoulater! ByeKurenai!" With that he disappeared in a puff of smoke and was gone, leaving the other Jounins perplexed.
"Well bye, Asuma."
"Kurenai, do you think Asuma was acting just a little weird just right now?"
"Unless sentences are supposed to said all in one word. Yeah." She turned to look a Kakashi again.
He didn't look at her. He was still staring down the street. "Actually you know what? I just remembered, Naruto wants me to meet him at the Ramen Shop so I have to go."
"Kakashi have I told you that you are the worst excuse maker? If you want to go check up with Asuma you can say that you know." She elbowed him in the ribs.
Kakashi winced at the impact and looked at her, giving her the hint that he was smiling, though it was really hard to tell when most of his face was covered with a mask.
"You should go. Besides, I don't remember what we were talking about anyway. I'll see you later." With a little nod, Kurenai disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
"Geez, would you guys stop stealing my exits!" Then he too disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Kakashi landed on Asuma's room's windowsill with a soft thud. Right, now to find out what's wrong with our Smokey. At that moment, Asuma walked out of his washroom, drying his wet hair with a towel. Idiot doesn't even know I'm here. This is a great chance to scare the pants off of him! Kakashi had expected to surprise Asuma but it was obvious that Asuma was aware of his presense.
"Normally, people use a door, Kakashi." Asuma said, the towel still covering his head.
Kakashi nearly fell off the windowsill. He quickly recovered. "So you did know I was here." Darn it! I guess I'll just have to try another time.
"Duh, what kind of Jounin do you think I am?"
"The kind that slacks off, is lazy, smokes all the time..."
"I get the point, Kakashi." Asuma went back into the washroom and closed the door. "So, what brings you here?"
Pfft. Like he doesn't know. "I was worried something was wrong when you left so...uh...how can I say...smoothly?"
"What was I supposed to do?" came a reply from behind the door, "Kurenai would think I'm a slob with mud all over me and stuff."
"You do realize that she saw you right?"
"Yeah. Which was why I had to go. No one wants to be seen talking to a walking mud man!" Asuma replied, still in the washroom.
"Well, if it helps, I'm talking to a washroom door right now."
After a few seconds, Asuma finally came out. " Sorry. You wanna drink something?" He walked out towards the kitchen and Kakashi followed. They each got a beer and sat down on his couch.
"Was my exit really that bad? Did Kurenai say anything?"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow, "You seem especially concerned about a certain someone's opinion. You wouldn't happen to have a little crush on that someone would you?"
Asuma looked away, "I have no clue what you're talking about."
Kakashi raised his other brow, "Come on Asuma, everyone knows you have a certain something for Kurenai. Except her of course."
This time he looked, " Are you serious! Is it really that obvious?" Realizing that he had just admitted it, Asuma blushed. I hate it when he does that! Gotta get back at him somehow...
"Now, we're getting somewhere! Let me give you some advice, you should give her flowers and ask her out to dinner or something. Oh, um...her favorite flowers are cherry blossoms, she likes sunsets and she likes to go to the bridge over the river. Yeah, I think that's it." That was when Kakashi saw Asuma's interrogating look. "What?"
"Heh, looks like someone has been talking to Anko." Asuma stated.
"Only here to help you, Asuma." was the short reply.
" Well thanks, I think."
"Anytime, Smokey."
"Anytime Mophead."