Title: Wishes Are Free
Author: Cheza-chan
Rating: PG-13 (for now)
Pairing: KakaIru, SasuNaru
Disclaimer: (does a Mandark laugh) Ah haha! Ah haha ha ha! Ah haha! I have the right to soooo many things! Every living being and thing in the Hidden Wave Village belongs to me; every house, every store, the Academy—that little ramen shop... mine! (cackles behind her hand) XD
A/N: (snuffles) Oh, I caught a cold, but that didn't stop me from bringing out this chapter. (beams) I hope everyone enjoys it! Also, in the chapter title, "Shuuha" is basically translated into "wave". I don't if it's the verb or what, but... I just know that's what it means.
Chapter Four – The Living Lies of Shuuha
Healed from his assault last night, Naruto stumbled from his room and down the hall, miraculously making his way to the kitchen unharmed, only to find Sasuke already there. "What are you doing...?" he mumbled, rubbing his sleep-filled blue eyes.
"Making Iruka-sensei breakfast," Sasuke answered coolly as he continued searching the stocked fridge, still ruffled at what had taken place the same night as Naruto's sudden beating.
The blonde's eyes narrowed until the pupils were no longer visible, practically squinting at the brunet. Sasuke ignored him and closed the fridge, checking his pots on the stove.
'He's serious...!' "Nani... Dosuhite?!" Naruto sputtered. "You don't even like Iruka-sensei!"
"That may be..." Sasuke trailed off, turning all attention to the food.
Naruto yelled and rushed through the cupboards, looking for something he could make for his favorite Chuunin also. He pulled out ingredients that had little to do with breakfast and several appliances he'd found tucked away, dumping them all on the counter.
Iruka flinched as he continued to sleep, pulling the covers up to his nose.
Kakashi and Sakura crossed the mildly busy street to the other home, the young girl politely greeting the villagers her gaze locked with. The Jounin only wanted to see Iruka, but jumping up to his window was out of the question for the time being. He knocked on the door, doubting anyone heard the deliberately soft sound, then pushed it open, glancing over his right shoulder to check the Sakura closed it behind her. Crossing through the dining room, ignoring the yells and threats from the kitchen, he bounded up the stairs.
Kakashi nudged open the door he knew belonged to Iruka with a faint grin on his face behind the mask. He slipped in, grabbing the chair from the work desk he'd been provided, glad for the sudden clatter and yells, and set it down beside the bed, sitting on it backwards.
Kakashi leaned his chin on the back of the chair, watching the peacefully sleeping Chuunin; Iruka looked innocent and almost younger than his actually age without the worries of life weighing on his mind. He knew the man had yet to wake with his years of training because no change in breathing had been detected. He also thanked his team's racket in concealing his presence even more.
The Jounin reached out slowly, curling his fingers to stop their intended path of pushing back stray chocolate-colored strands of hair. Iruka's brow knitted in faint and sudden distress then relaxed, the young man turning away towards the bare wall with a soft sigh.
Kakashi smiled and decided to wake him up so he wouldn't be late for his first day at school... at the age of twenty-five. He placed a hand to a bare bronze shoulder and ended up with a kunai to his throat, his own quick and numble fingers barely grazing the weapon pouch on the back of his waist. 'So fast..!'
Iruka gasped, eyes wide, and sat back. "Gomen, Kakashi-sensei!" He stuffed the weapon back under the pillow from whence it came and bowed his head. That's when it dawned on him-plain white sheets covering his lower half-he was still in bed, and glared at the other man
"What are you doing over here? Where's Sakura?"
"Downstairs with Naruto and Sasuke," Kakashi answered softly, hand touching the throat that had almost developed an "ear-to-ear" smile of it's own. "Iruka, we–"
"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto kicked open the door while balancing the tray of food he'd wrestled from Sasuke, a grin on his face. "Breakfast! Eh?" The boy glowered at the silver-haired ninja. "What are you doing to Iruka-sensei?" he sneered.
"Nothing. Just waking him up." The Jounin's interest was piqued to its culminating point; he swore upon his Sharingan that he would find out how many layers there were to Umino Iruka. Kakashi backed away from his chair slowly after standing as to not interrupt the bonding between the Chuunin and Naruto, and left through the open door.
Iruka fisted his hand on the bed to stop the trembling, pressing his entire arm against his body. Kakashi's eye, his stare... the ferocity he'd sensed was unsettling.
"Iruka-sensei! Hayaku, hayaku!"
He stared at the hyper boy before him and grinned, reaching out to tousle already-unruly blonde hair. "Hai, hai. Naruto-kun." Naruto whined, but smiled.
§§§
Within hours, Team 7 minus their leader, set off with the Chuunin to the Hidden Wave Village's newly developed Ninja Academy, Naruto chattering away incessantly.
'He's still watching me.' Iruka blushed, ducking his head slightly, the action not going unseen by Sasuke. 'Kakashi.' He glanced over his shoulder just before they turned their first corner and spotted the silver-haired shinobi standing in the middle of the street, oblivious to the growing traffic surrounding him, and hands tucked into his pockets.
The one visible eye narrowed and Iruka hurried to catch up the children. Kakashi shifted his gaze skyward as two white doves flew away from the roof of his temporary house, watching them ascend toward the sun with less interest than should've been.
§§§
Umino Iruka walked out of the main hall, smiling at the children. Naruto saluted his former teacher and strutted in with his teammates flanking him. They stood before the desk of the appointed Jounins in charge of applications.
"Umino," the man read. All documents had been doctored by a professional-no need to release names. "Umino Sasuke."
"Hai," the boy replied.
"Umino Naruto."
"Hai, hai! Here to become the greatest ninja ever!"
The female Jounin smiled at the blonde's enthusiasm, fingering a curl in her hair.
"Umino Iruka-san's boys?" the man questioned, eyebrow raised slightly. Both nodded, Sasuke looking over the adults' heads as they were scrutinized for some form of resemblance in their relation.
"We're... half-brothers you could say," he muttered.
"You're the same age," the man stated in a deadpan tone. "Iruka-san had two woman at one time?"
"He doesn't look the type," his partner commented innocently. "Maybe he means step-brothers?"
Sakura sweatdropped faintly, her smile wavering slightly. 'Sasuke-kun could've said he was adopted. There would've been no need for all of this.' She tilted her head, chuckling uneasily. 'I wonder what he was thinking.'
"Ano sa, ano sa!" Naruto started in defense of his teacher, eyes blazing. "Otou-chan isn't like that!"
"We're not as interested in the facts as you seem to think. Next is Haruno Sakura."
"Hai."
"Thank you for the essay. I have to say your request to be a Genin may be granted," the man said with a half-smile.
The girl grinned, giggling, "Thank you."
"As for the two of you–" Naruto was looking at the far wall to his right, pouting with his arms crossed, while Sasuke kept his gaze locked on a mere speck on the floor. "–We'll prepare a series of tests to see if you have what it takes. Dismissed," the long-haired male stated firmly, closing the folder he held, never once looking up at the undercover Team 7. "Stay on the Academy grounds so you can be easily notified."
"Hai." The trio bowed, then turned and walked out.
"I think it's great," the young woman exhaled after she'd set down her pad. It was blank save for a few doodles of past recipients. She stretched, long red hair falling down her back in waves, then smiled, blue-green eyes sparkling. "Don't you, Hizaku?"
"Aa," the man murmured, pushing his forehead protector up to the top of his head to keep stray sandy-colored locks away. "The boys' father became Chuunin just before they came in. Was that wise, Tenko?"
"Hmm." The woman pressed a finger to her full, pouting lips. "He was good, but, you know, Shuku-san is looking for anybody to help in the class and still work the field with her. He seems like one of those types," she added, remembering the earlier dispute.
Hizaku was engrossed with Haruno Sakura's folder and barely listened to his partner–though he asked for her opinion–simply mumbling in agreement. Tenko frowned and tossed her hair, slouching lower into her chair childishly.
§§§
"Sakura-chan! My head hurts!" Naruto's fingers were tangled in his spiky, but manageably soft blonde tresses as he groaned loudly.
Konoha's Team 7 had found an empty classroom to wait in and was drilling old shinobi rules and information back into the kyuubi's head.
"Naruto," Sakura stressed. "If you pass, we'll probably get put in the same team again. That's a plus for this mission."
"Demo sa...!"
"Just do it, dobe," Sasuke sighed, leaning forward and pressing his entwined fingers over his mouth to hide the half-smile tugging at his lips for unknown reasons. Naruto reduced his whining to grumbles and picked up the scroll he'd dropped before, unrolling it to see what else he was to study.
Sakura blinked, mouth hanging open slightly. Usually, she hypothesized, Naruto and Sasuke would be going at it, soon to be broken up by her interference. She smiled, shrugging her shoulders, and decided it was best not to look a gift horse in the mouth. Moments after Naruto finished his cram session, the door slid open, banging in its frame.
Iruka smiled at the trio of ninjas, walking behind his superior. The jab to Naruto's side reminded him that outbursts to the man could no longer be made and he lowered his arm, settling for a broad grin. The Chuunin stopped in the middle of the floor, partially behind a much smaller woman.
"So... You're my wannabe Genins," she exclaimed in a voice that made up for her diminutive stature. She was taller than Sasuke, mind you, but missed Iruka's shoulder by about two inches. Her dark brown hair was done in a thick braid that hung down past her waist. "Shuku May, at your service. Iruka-kun's told me so much about you. Haruno-san, I'm so sorry."
Sakura smiled nervously, nodding when Iruka did. "Thank you," she mumbled, also mimicking the man.
May grinned, crossing her arms over her black halter top, deep blue trench coat hanging open and down to her ankles. "Now. I want to test your Ninjutsu. Naruto-kun?"
"Yosh!" The blonde sprang to his feet and ran down the floor.
"Since your father is Iruka-san, I expect something good." May winked, her grin broadening. Naruto could tell he was going to like her.
Iruka sweated behind the Special Jounin, praying that Naruto did nothing to mess their chances up. The blonde laughed softly, raising his hands. "Sexy no jutsu!" he yelled.
Sakura slapped a hand over her face, groaning in a strained voice at the naked female figure below; the important assets well concealed with the lingering mist.
'Naruto...!' The clipboard Iruka handled snapped in half as the Konoha and Hidden Wave teacher lowered his head in defeat, expecting nothing less from the boy. His eyes widened at the robust laughter and he looked up to see May bent forward, hands pressed to her thighs as she tried to regain her breath.
"You're your father's son," she sighed, straightening up and wiping at her eyes. "Next. Sasuke-kun."
Naruto returned to normal, a wistful smile on his face at the comment he'd been given. You're your father's son. He folded his arms behind his head with a soft snicker and glanced back as Sasuke walked down, freeing an arm to raise his hand. Sakura tilted her head, blinking in surprise as the two boys gave each other a high five. 'Maybe it's an act. Brothers fight, but can be nice on occasions.' She nodded and smiled at her conclusion.
Naruto took a seat beside the pink-haired girl, folding his arms atop the desk to rest his head on them and observe Sasuke's Ninjutsu skill test. 'Sasuke... We both pretended as if the kiss never happened. I don't know what I'm feeling right now... but it should come to me soon.' He grinned and closed his eyes.
§§§
With the tests out of the way around the same time classes were to be let out for the afternoon, Iruka left with the children, but not before receiving instructions from May on when to return the next day.
"Ramen... ramen... ramen..." Naruto whined and leaned against Iruka. The new Chuunin teacher of the Hidden Wave Village wrapped an arm around the boy. They'd only been here two days and finding a shop that sold ramen would require some time.
"I'll make you some," he offered with a smile.
"Honto?" the blonde sniffled. "Arigatou, Iruka-sensei...!" he sobbed, hugging the man tightly. Iruka chuckled, patting his head, then glanced at Sasuke.
The ebony-haired youth would always remain the silent one, but the smile tugging at his lips conveyed a new-founded sense of self-reassurance on the boy's part.
'And Naruto did this?' Iruka asked himself incredulously. Sasuke's scowl slipped into place as he released he was being watched, glaring at the sweatdropping adult out of the corner of his eye.
"Ah! Isn't that Kakashi-sensei?" the kyuubi-carrying child inquired, pointing. Iruka's heart skipped a beat and he lowered his head, eyes wide at the sudden feeling he experienced. He raised his head once he'd calmed his irregular heartbeat, unable to stop the blush already coloring his cheeks.
The Copy Ninja stopped before the group, eye trained on Naruto. "I came to meet you," he drawled languidly. "I didn't know you'd be back so soon."
Naruto tilted his head, trying to see behind his leader, but the silver-haired Jounin shifted. "Ano sa. Ano sa! What do you have?"
"Ramen," Kakashi chuckled, pulling the bag from behind his back.
"Kakashi-sensei, sugei!" Naruto cried, hugging the man around his waist. Iruka's arm dropped lifelessly as its support had now become another's; that helped in losing his blush.
"Hear that, Iruka-sensei?" Kakashi said childishly taunting voice.
"You're bribing him. You should know Naruto would do anything for ramen." Iruka crossed his arms and turned away defiantly. 'Everything I do you find intriguing and you can't help coming up with more and more ways to tear my soul apart, searching for your perfect answer.'
Kakashi laughed softly and handed the begging boy the bag. He fixed the cloth over his Sharingan idly. Sakura folded her arms behind her back, leaning forward with a knowing grin.
"How long did you spend trying to find Naruto ramen?" she drawled.
The scarecrow sweatdropped, smiling nervously under his mask, his eye's curve faltering. "About three hours."
"Ha!" Naruto laughed with a mouthful.
"You're becoming restless," the girl sighed, shaking her head. "And we haven't even been here a whole day."
"Hai," Kakashi admitted. "I made the bookstore clerk turn several shades of red, but that got boring after an hour."
"What do you mean?" Iruka interrupted, bristling as the Jounin's lazy stare became affixed on him.
"I bought the books I was missing in the Icha Icha series, but not before asking about every other..." Kakashi glanced back at the children, then finished in a sigh, "Well, you know what I mean."
'Sadly, I do.' Instead of nodding, Iruka shook his head, which pretty much told the other he'd gotten the gist of it.
"Done!" Naruto exhaled, wiping his hand across his mouth. "But it just made me hungrier!" He crossed his arms with a pout.
"Kakashi-sensei can take you to get more," Sasuke interjected, the tone of his voice monotonous. Naruto opened one eye to stare at him, catching an ebony orb. The brunet smirked, causing the blonde's face to split with a wide grin.
"We'll all go," Iruka corrected, unwavering in his glare towards the older man and unmindful of the moment he'd broken. Kakashi shrugged and turned around, starting back towards the ramen shop. The dolphin followed further behind, placing the children and as much distance as possible between himself and the Jounin as he needed the privacy with his thoughts. He knew the more distant and detached he became the harder Kakashi would try, and if he got too close the man would become suspicious. 'I can't win."
The Chuunin teacher sighed and stuck his hand in his pocket, tapping his thumb against the kunai nestled there; he'd used it in a demonstration with the children and forgot to put it back in the holster.
They reached the ramen shop after a few mere minutes of going in the opposite direction of their houses, and Kakashi held the door open for them. He and Iruka shared a glance after the children had entered, the Jounin's eye visibly narrowing, then allowed the door to close behind them both.
The establishment was nothing like Ichiraku; it was bigger, but still quaint, with twelve tables that held four customers situated in the middle, in front of the counter. There were two waitresses currently on the floor and a fish tank in the corner to the left upon entrance. Pictures lined the pale yellow walls as well as hanging lamps. Iruka swore he heard his wallet scream.
Naruto bounded up to the wide counter, eyes wide with excitement. "They have so many flavors! I want ramen with miso, pork, and beef... for now!"
A waitress leaned down beside him, smiling brightly. "Hai. Please, take a seat."
"Sugei! They never had service at..." The boy bit his tongue to curb his comment then grinned at the girl, rushing off to join his team.
Iruka smiled and took a seat at one of the tables against the wall to the far right. Kakashi sat across from him, folding his arms atop the table. The dolphin blushed faintly, a common action when left alone with the other and nothing else occupies his mind.
Kakashi tilted his chin upward slightly. "Why are you still a Chuunin?" Always straightforward.
The brunet teacher jerked as if another of Mizuki's giant shuriken had landed square in his back, immediately losing his blush. The waitress's appearance at their table saved Iruka from answering, and he also realized the children would not be joining them; they had picked their own table against the far left wall, one row back. Sakura sat beside Sasuke, but the Uchiha was across from Naruto.
Iruka placed his order with the girl and lowered his eyes to the pale yellow tablecloth, accessing the silverware and two sets of chopsticks. 'I guess if one breaks.' He smiled.
Kakashi sighed loudly and raised an arm to lean his head atop his hand.
"Why do you want to know, Kakashi-sensei?" the brown-haired teacher asked in his own sigh, only able to ignore someone for a specified amount of time, especially if that person continued to be annoying. He smoothed out a crease in the folded napkins.
"Oh," the scarecrow breathed. "You did hear me."
"I tried out for Jounin several times, but I never made it. Is that what you want to hear?" 'You're digging yourself into a deeper hole!' "So I just gave up. The Sandaime said it was the best," Iruka added in a softer voice, shrugging his shoulders. He looked up then quickly away from the silver-haired Team leader to the whoops and shouts–mostly from Naruto–from the other shinobi table. He would rather laugh over a shared bowl of ramen any day with Naruto than be interrogated by someone whose only interest in him was to find out what made him tick.
"Sensei." Smiling at the waitress that made her presence known as she placed down the bowl, Iruka picked up a pair of chopsticks, snapping them open. He was aware of the young waitress asking the Jounin if would like to order also, but whispered "itadakimasu" before an answer was given and began eating.
"Onee-chan!" Naruto called out.
Sakura sighed and twirled her chopsticks in the soup before bringing the noodles to her mouth. Naruto laughed heartily as his chestnut-haired waitress came back to take his order. "Ano sa. Ano sa. I'd like to try the chicken, shrimp, and lobster," he informed her.
"Hai," she giggled, jotting it down on the pad before hurrying off. Naruto laughed again but more softly, fixing his forehead protector out of habit.
Sasuke sipped sullenly at his water while staring past the blonde's head through the window. Villagers walked by, unaware that there was someone, possibly something, stealing their children; oblivious to the fact that a neighboring ally Country infiltrated them. He scoffed and set down his glass, raising raven-colored eyes to cerulean blue. 'He kissed me... last night.' Naruto grinned sheepishly at the stare, rubbing the back of his head.
Sakura glared at him then shot the boy next to her a shocked look at how steadily he kept the blonde's gaze as if there was something interesting there. 'What's going on? Sasuke-kun is Naruto's rival. And Naruto hasn't bothered me the entire day!' She shook her pink head and continued eating. A sense of normality returned as Naruto's three new bowls of ramen were brought to the table and he exclaimed.
Finishing, Naruto stacked the final bowls with the first set, creating two stacks of three. He sat back, mewling as he stretched with feline laziness, then looked over at the teachers' table. "Iru–Ow! Why'd you kick me?!" he yelled at Sasuke.
The brunet rolled his eyes. "He's not your 'sensei' right now."
"Sou, sou, sou! Otou-san!"
"Your son's calling," Kakashi informed the man across from him.
"Huh?" Iruka raised his head slowly and looked in the children's direction.
"I'm full!" the blonde stated with a cheeky smile and pat to his slightly rounded stomach. The dolphin smiled and reached into his pocket for his wallet. Kakashi poked at the centerpiece with his fork, wanting to catch the younger man by himself–completely alone–so they could talk. That would be next to impossible because of the other's teacher status, but one never knows until he tries. He gave a small smile under his mask.
"Kakashi-sensei," the Chuunin started.
"Eh?"
Iruka's eyes widened as the miniature glass structure on the table shattered at the Jounin's surprised poke. "Ara, ara." Kakashi drawled, swirling the fork through the shards, eyebrow raised in a mixture of surprise and amusement. "Ara..."
Iruka raised his hand as if he were a student in school. "Excuse me... sir...?"
§§§
"I'll pay you back," Kakashi whispered, raising his hands in a peace offering, as they headed back to their houses under an evening sky. The older stars decided they would shine brightly first before the younger stars came out to try and steal the show with their assorted constellations.
"Between you and Naruto..." the Chuunin sighed. "I'd have to get a second job."
"In what?"
Iruka glared at the man whose face was right next to his. "Bartending," he muttered sarcastically.
Kakashi sighed and kept his tongue for the remainder of the walk. 'What are you hiding, Iruka?'
With little reason to stop, they reached their houses, each "family" bidding the other goodnight, and turned in. Iruka locked and bolted the door, pressing his tightly clenched knuckles against it. He released a shuddering sigh, body relaxing, and listened as Sasuke and Naruto made their way upstairs. 'At this rate, I'm not sure I can last.'
Naruto threw open his door, slamming it shut behind him and made his way to the bed, collapsing face-first onto it. He began drifting off, but quickly remembered if he wanted an answer, he would have to confront the other that played a part in tearing his mind asunder. The blonde kyuubi pushed himself up from the bed and ran to the door, pulling it open.
Sasuke took a subtle step back, raising his lowered head. He avoided looking into the captivating blue orbs.
Konoha's #1 Loudmouth Ninja blinked. "Sasuke, were you... You wanted to see me about something?"
"...Aa."
Naruto tilted his head, trying to catch the brunet's eyes. "Nani, nani?" he rushed out. "Because... I was just coming to discuss something with you." Sasuke spared him an uncomfortable glance and the blonde fidgeted slightly. "I'm not sure what's changing between us, demo..." Naruto continued, scratching his nose. "I don't mind... if you don't, that is!" he added quickly, holding up his hands with a nervous, but bright grin. "So..."
"Naruto, I–" The Uchiha's statement was cut short as he pushed back into the hall by the shorter boy, lips locked in another unexpected kiss. He raised his hand and placed it lightly on Naruto's shoulder to keep them both steady, but ended up against the opposite wall, the blonde's body conforming perfectly with his. Sasuke's mouth parted under Naruto's once more, but the kyuubi child did not pull away. Instead, Naruto slipped a tentative tongue past the brunet's lips.
Sasuke pulled away first at the new sensation, licking his lips unconsciously. His hand remained on Naruto's shoulder, the young blonde biting his tongue in a nervous fashion. Both were at a loss for words over what had just occurred, though the raven-haired youth rarely had any.
Iruka slowly crested the stairs and gave the boys a once-over before going around them to get to his room. "Oyasumi," he mumbled.
"Oyasumi, Iruka-sensei," Naruto replied quickly. He backed up into his room as the man's door closed then glanced at the boy remaining. "Oyasumi, Sasuke." He grinned before shutting his own door, cheering silently on the other side for not getting beaten into a pulp. Sasuke sighed to himself and returned to his own room, door closing slowly and softly.
A/N: A chapter consisting of just one day... Interesting. (doesn't want to do anymore like that, but knows it's going to happen) No. Not all chapters are going to end with SasuNaru shonen-ai goodness; this one and the last one were just flukes. XÞ I also don't want to rush things; I already have the story mindset and I really don't want to fall out of it, but I feel as if readers might be getting impatient. I can update quicker. X3
See you in the next chapter! (bounces around) And thanks to all those who told me about the ANBU!
