REVIEW! READ AND REVIEW! I REPEAT! REVIEW!

RockBane: I find character development (as with the whole snake prank) is slow but... oh so crucial. Ah well...

crazy-antman: It's nice that you review late or not. How are you like that Deidara? One word. 'Yeah'.

I don't own Naruto….. sigh….. and its probably just as well……….

Iruka Beefs Up

"I have been there," he nodded.

"You WOULD say that," Iruka snorted.

"I was there," repeated Kakashi. "Several months ago. I had reached a plateau just as you have reached one."

Iruka looked up.

"What did you do?" he asked.

"What did I do?" Kakashi asked. "You should know what I did. You sit beside Tsunade-sama."

"Uh… she said you were training."

"So you should train too."

"But I have nothing special! Even the Rookie Nine have more special traits individually than me!"

"Yes, but you are the one who taught them everything." Kakashi said. "You're probably – no, you ARE – smarter than the whole bunch. Use those brains of yours. Think up your own jutsus – just like I have. Or do research on some old, forgotten ones – or something."

Okay, Kakashi. I have been doing what you advised… and look where it's got me! But…. What now?

He reeled at the blow to his chest. Using it as a spring, he flipped away before speeding up to hit his opponent - in the arm, as the limb came up to block him. A foot connected with a knee. A resounding crack and a grunt. A fist in his vision, quickly dodged followed by a slam to the gut. Retaliation... A four hit combo in the back as his sparring partner fell forward in reaction to a near-groin kick.

"You dirty bastard!"

"Don't call the kettle black."

There was breathless laughter, which quickly ended as Iruka pinned Genma to the ground in a complicated headlock. Genma sighed.

"It's your fault." Iruka smirked. "You said, no ninjutsu."

"It's my fault..." Genma growled, then, gathering chakra to his arms, boosted himself up in the air, throwing Iruka off. Iruka flipped in the air, landed on the ground and skidded back several feet.

"Well, Iruka, that's all I can do for you," Genma said, breathing heavily as they stood under the trees of the training ground. "I liked the new jutsu you made – but I think speed is the key. You have been beefing up so just increase your speed."

Iruka nodded.

"How do I do that?"

"I don't know!" Genma rolled his eyes. "I'm not the one to ask… you've sucked me dry – go pester somebody else now. Bye…"

Genma turned to leave, Iruka grabbed his arm.

"Genma-san."

"What now?"

"I just…. Wanted…." Iruka looked at his sandals and scratched the back of his neck shyly.

Genma sighed.

How Kakashi manages to keep his temper around this guy is amazing. I'm going to boot this pansy in the pants soon…. Sorry, Shizune.
"I just wanted to say thank you," Iruka said in a rush, noticing the glare of the Jounin. "How about a drink?"

Genma tilted his head and then, slowly nodded.

As they seated themselves in their favorite bar, Iruka and Genma waved to Aoba and Ebisu.

"So… it's been a while since I've seen you in here drinking…." Genma drawled. "Have you ever gotten drunk since that night?"

Iruka blushed.

"No. It hurt too much afterwards and I don't remember a single thing after following Shizune to your table."

"You don't remember leaving in Kakashi's arms?" teased Genma. "For me, that would be hard to forget."

Iruka blushed even deeper.

"N-n-noooo. I don't remember anything after that."

He felt like his head was on fire, remembering that morning – he had felt so sick and on the table was a short note from Kakashi with a recipe for relieving alcoholic headaches.

He remembered that morning – he had woken up in bed. What had he expected? Iruka didn't know but he felt grateful to whoever dragged him home.

It had been Kakashi.

But for the life of him, he couldn't remember anything. Not one thing. Which was okay.

Iruka shrugged.

"I don't think anything that would interest you happened."

"You would know," Genma smirked at Iruka's confused look.

"Whatever," Iruka shrugged.

He looked around the low-ceilinged room.

"Soooo…."

There was a silence.

"How's it with your team?"

"They're coming out tomorrow. Still a little itchy but okay. I'm going to have to drag them out on a shitty D-rank mission, weeding or walking dogs or some equally awful thing."

Genma sighed morosely.

"I dunno how Kakashi survived a year of D-ranks."

"I don't think he did much," Iruka said, laughing. "He was reading a lot."

"Reading those books? On a mission? In front of the kids?" asked Genma, in surprise. "No kidding?"

"Yes," Iruka shook his head. "I told him again and again not to do that, but he never really listened to me."

"Well….." Genma shrugged. "A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do to keep his sanity. I should take up something."

"How about knitting?"

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Yeah, yeah," chuckled Iruka.

He watched as Genma finished his drink and stood up.

"Gotta go and prepare for tomorrow."

"Okay. Thanks again."

"Sure. Whatever. Glad to help."

Genma shrugged and turned away.

"I wish you good luck with your team," Iruka called.

"Wish me sanity!"

Iruka, walking through the town, sighed.

For months now, he had trained and trained as per Kakashi's advice. He had needled Genma for advice, trained with Raido (when he was in town), increased his chakra control by using some tips from Ebisu and even went to the Hokage for some tips on increasing strength.

He remembered with joy the day he had created his very own jutsu – a water element which could imprison or blast away an opponent. Iruka frowned. His newest jutsu, however, needed speed to increase it's impact – it was a flashing jutsu, useful for a taijutsu fighter.

With two new jutsus under his belt, and a third one being conceived, Iruka knew that his extensive knowledge of chakra control, knowledge and mixing was being used to its full potential.

In our war with Sound, we've got to find a way to combat all of those sound techniques. Their attacks are quick, and unavoidable for those who specialize in gen and nin jutsus.
Iruka smiled. His newest jutsu, was in its early stages of conception, but with time, if he managed to perfect it, he would teach it to as many as possible.
After all, isn't that what I'm best at? Although…. Kakashi could probably figure it out in a minute or two…..
Sitting down at the Ramen shop, Iruka ordered a bowl of ramen. Just as he was about to put the chopstick to his mouth, he caught sight of Gai and his team, entering in.

There was no way to avoid them.

"Iruka-sensei!" Rock Lee yelled.

"Geez! Iruka! You are the epitome of –"

"Shut up, sensei," Tenten rolled her eyes, elbowing her posing sensei. "You're going to make him sick."

Neji just rolled his eyes and turned to the shop owner, ordering his bowl.

"Right, Lee!" Gai said. "Order us the big ones, tonight it's on me!"

"Yosh!" Lee said, saluting.

Tenten sighed.

"So…" she said, conversationally. "I hear you've been training."

Iruka nodded.

"Yes…. Well…."

"That's good to hear, Iruka," Gai said, giving the Chuunin a thumbs up. "You're still in the springtime of your youth – a great time to reach your potential."

"Well…. I've got a long way to go… my speed needs working on…."

"Speed?" asked Neji.

"Hmmmmm….." Gai said, frowning. Then he smiled. "It so happens that Lee is able to be off this time around. I'll have him teach you some of our tricks."

"Errmmmmm…." Iruka squirmed.

Tenten looked sympathetic and shrugged.

Neji sighed.

Rock Lee, shoving a large bowl in front of Gai, turned and said, "What's happening, Gai-sensei?"

"Iruka here, needs a few lessons in speed – maybe you can get him up to a respectable pace. After all, Lee, your speed is the most incredible in Konoha."

Iruka smiled weakly.

Lee saluted, his eyes sparkling.

"Hai! I'll do it, Gai-sensei! Iruka-sensei will shine for you by the time I'm done."

"Although…" Gai murmured looking the Chuunin over. "I think a new uniform would be ideal for this as well."

Whipping out a streamlined body suit, Gai said, "With this streamlined, aerated, spandex, kunai proof suit, Iruka-sense will turn into a Rock Lee machine in no time."

Iruka choked on his ramen.

Neji pounded him on the back.

"Ummmm….. I think I'll be going…."

"Rock Lee will be at your door around noon – that okay with you?" called Gai.

"Yes. Yes. Fine."

Iruka disappeared down the street hastily, breaking another personal record.

All this for you, Konoha. I should be crowned Model Chuunin of the Year for this.