MIRROR 2

Iruka headed for the mission room, a cup of strong tea in his hand. It was his afternoon shift already and he wanted to finish however many boxes of reports there was since Kotetsu and Izumo left. As usual, the room was empty while he set his cup down on the edge of the table, as he emptied the box. There were brief tip-taps of footsteps down the hall. The door opened, revealing it to be Raido who seemed to have just returned from a short mission with a pale looking Genma. Pale, but fine.

"Good afternoon, Iruka-sensei!" Raido greeted, mission report done and written. Raido set it down on the table and stood with his arms crossed, waiting for a new mission.

"Good afternoon, Raido-san, Genma-san." Iruka dipped his head a short nod before rummaging through the box on the floor for a new mission. "Shouldn't you be in bed, Genma-san? You don't look too good."

"I'm fine." Genma replied coolly, though he was now staring at Iruka's crouching form with curiosity. Even Raido was looking a bit unsettled – the concern was almost invisible – agreeing wholeheartedly with Iruka's words.

"As you say." Iruka replied, still rummaging through the box glancing at the mission briefing to pick a light one. If he gave the duo an A-class mission, the results would be messy. Apparently, Shizune took care of getting rid of Genma's fever, as his vision had shown last night. Still, a few hours of rest wouldn't do, no matter how good the healing-jutsu was. Fatigue was different from wounds or being ill. Iruka still felt that Genma should stay in bed, so as to increase his performance and assure a mission's success later on. But he didn't want to talk anymore, so he kept quiet, opting for giving the duo what they want, but keeping it light. "These are all escort missions. You two up for that?"

"Anything to tackle the work load." Raido answered, shifting his weight and stretching his arms.

While he stretched, Iruka tensed, eyes hazing over. He saw his cup of tea being knocked over while Raido finished stretching. When the vision faded and his fingers picked the mission to give to Raido and Genma, he stood up and the words came tumbling out of his mouth before he could stop it. "Don't worry about the tea, Raido-san."

Raido dropped his arms, done stretching and blinked at Iruka's words, just as he knocked the cup of tea over. "Tea?"

Iruka realized his mistake and quickly sealed his mouth shut. Instead, he began to jot down the mission number on a separate scroll and who was going to complete it.

The tea on the floor was spreading, the light brown liquid mirroring confused looks of both Raido and Genma who were staring. Genma quickly glanced back at Iruka, words ready to tumble out, but Raido beat him to it.

"How did -" Raido started, but Iruka cut him off.

"Here's your mission, B-rank, and it requires two shinobis. As always, I assume both of you are going together. It's not much, but it might take some time. The merchant and his daughter will need protection from bandits as well. So, here's the briefing and good luck. If you come home late in the evening, don't worry about handing in the report tonight." Iruka finished jotting down their names and the date and handed it to Raido who as still looking at him funny. Iruka knew that Genma did most of the report-writing, so he was giving him opportunity to sleep off the hour he'll use to write a detailed report. "Take care." He gave them a brief smile, his gaze lingering on Genma's eyes longer.

"Right. See ya' around sensei." Raido said, looking at the spilt tea, thinking he should really wipe it clean at least.

"I'll clean it up." Iruka stood up and took out the box of tissues beside him to wipe the mess up, starting with the broken porcelain pieces first. "Don't worry about it. Accidents happen."

Raido gave a forced grin, waved and headed for the door. Just before Genma left, he tossed Iruka's figure one last look before closing the door behind him.

XXX

Iruka was clearing up the desk, setting the completed report filings in its box before leaving it in the corner of the room for the person the next morning to collect it and store it in the database room. It was still quite early and Iruka was surprised that he finished at ten-thirty instead of one AM. There wasn't much he could do since all A-rank missions were handed out by Kotetsu and Izumo earlier that morning. He didn't think that anyone who did take the mission will be returning soon. Three days from now he'll have a whole mountain of folders to do. The short break from paper work was more than welcome.

Iruka had his dinner waiting for him on his table, two onigiri that was given to him by a fellow teacher who apparently made too much that morning. Iruka didn't complain because free food was free food. Sighing, he stretched his arms and back a bit, making his way to the table. He sat on its surface, picked one of the onigiri and took a bite. He paused after taking his first bite and stared at the food in his hand.

"This is pretty good." Iruka mumbled and took a hungrier bite this time, chewing and savoring the taste. While chewing, his gaze drifted up over to the moon. He did not sense the presence coming closer, nor did he hear the person, until he focused his gaze on the vivid reflection of the person who entered the room via the window. A frown creased Iruka's features when he realized who it was that came at the ungodly hour of quarter to eleven to hand in a report. "Back so quick?"

Genma set the folder down, looking tired and worn out. "It was still early."

Iruka took some tissue and wiped his hands and mouth. "I gave you the chance to submit your report tomorrow morning. Why didn't you take it?"

Genma frowned a bit. "I'm fine."

Iruka took the report, scanned it, checked it, stamped it and then carried it to the box in the corner of the room, adding it to the cluster inside. He then approached Genma, staring right in to his eye, like he was searching for something. "For real?"

Genma's buttons were being pressed. "What is it you really want to hear, sensei?"

Iruka's brows suddenly creased, when he thought he was staring at Mizuki. Blinking away the image and turning his head away moderately, so as not to look rude, he stared out the window, still seeing Genma's reflection in the glass. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound rude. It's just that I'm -" Iruka tried to search for a word, but ended up closing his eyes when Genma turned to face the window, deliberately staring at him through it.

"Worried?" Genma supplied.

Iruka smiled and sighed, picking up the container of onigiri. "Yes. I'm worried." He turned to face Genma, smiling sheepishly but genuinely. It was actually very sweet. "Maa, I'm told I worry too much." Iruka offered the last onigiri piece to Genma,. "It's pretty good."

Genma couldn't help but smirk and shook his head. "No thanks. I just had some spicy chicken ramen with Raido." The smile on Iruka's face faded almost instantly. Mizuki hated the spicy chicken ramen flavor. He didn't like chicken ramen at all. The immediate reaction made Genma do a double take and frown a bit. "Not that I don't like onigiri. It's just that I'm full at the moment." When Iruka didn't reply, Genma stepped closer and shook him gently by the arm. "Iruka-sensei?"

Iruka tensed a bit, quickly recovered and gave Genma a wide and forced smile. "Your loss, Genma-san." Iruka took the last piece and ate it. "You should get some rest." He said as he swallowed, sitting himself on the desk. Genma watched him eat, and shrugged as a reply. A grain of rice stuck to Iruka's cheek, and Genma couldn't help but chuckle. He pointed at his own cheek and gestured towards Iruka's. Iruka blinked almost - almost - cutely, in Genma's opinion. Iruka brought a finger up to his cheek caught the grain and grinned sheepishly, taking his index finger in to his mouth and it remained there, with Iruka smiling and chuckling and Genma knew he was staring. Iruka blinked, eyes widening, finger still in his mouth. "Genma-san?"

"You're getting too cute, sensei." Genma shook his head, tearing his gaze away. "At least now I know why half the entire administrative office has a crush on you."

Iruka didn't intend to do it. The finger in his mouth came off, the hand sagging to his lap. "Is that so?"

--

"You got cream on your cheek, sensei!" Mizuki said, pointing on the left side of his cheek. "You eat like a kid I swear!"

"Oh? Here?" Iruka blindly felt for the smudge to scoop it up with his finger.

"Lower." Mizuki said, eyes drooping in mock boredom.

"Oh there it is!" Iruka stuck the finger in to his mouth, smiling before blinking when he realized that Mizuki was looking at him funny. "What?" He mumbled, finger still in his mouth.

"You're acting all cute, sensei!" Mizuki raised an eyebrow. "Now I know why half the administrative building has a crush on you."

Iruka stared wide eyed. "Really?"

"But you're mine, ne?" Mizuki asked, and kissed him gently since the staff room was empty.

--

Iruka brought a hand to his head, feeling a headache coming. He stuffed the rest of the onigiri that he previously offered Genma in to his mouth, and grabbed his belongings. "Well, that's nothing new." He mumbled, fixing the contents of his table.

"You knew?" Genma asked, surprised.

"I heard. But -" Iruka paused, remembering Mizuki again. "But that was a long time ago."

There was sorrow in his voice that was ringing quite loudly in Genma's ears. Genma frowned a bit. "Iruka-sensei, I -"

Iruka turned and beamed at him. "But I bet even you have your own large group of crushes. Why else would there be flirty talk about you in the administrative office, hmm?" Iruka shrugged. "It's getting late. I'm going home. You should too. Don't want a fever in the morning again, right?"

Genma's eyes widened a fraction. His mouth opened to reply to that, but Genma decided against it. "Yeah. I'll be on my way home."

They parted at the gates after bidding each other goodnight. Iruka walked down the silent road with his hands in his pockets, shoulders slumped slightly forward. He had his home as his destination but his feet carried him elsewhere, to a dark and secluded area of Konoha that no one ever visits. Trees that were almost bare save for a few leaves surrounded the small empty lot. There were a few nameless tombstones that were erected around the empty space. Moss covered some of them, while others were already worn out and chipped due to weather conditions and time. Iruka knew which one he came for. He made his way to the fourth row, second column of the semi-neatly aligned graves. This was where the ashes of traitors, exiles and executed dead people were buried. Although some villages simply burned and discarded the ashes of the dead traitors, Konoha didn't follow such an example. Even with the dead, the village still somewhat respected their rights as humans, and so they buried the pot of the dead's ashes.

Iruka stared at the nameless grave and knelt in front of it, staring at it helplessly, as if wishing Mizuki would come back by some miracle. His shaking hand came to rest upon the gravestone, brushing off the layer of dirt and dust only to reveal smooth and cracked pewter gray stone. Just staring at it made him dip his head forward and bite his lip. Iruka desperately began to chant a prayer, voice cracking in the middle as the flow of his tears increased. Deep inside, he knew that Mizuki can never be replaced, and that he wished every night that what happened three years ago never happened. He brought his hands to his face and cried silently. Even after three years, he could never forgive himself for not being able to stop Mizuki. If only his visions gave him a brief glance, Mizuki would still be beside him.

He felt like fate was laughing at him.

XXX

There were times when Iruka wished he had Naruto beside him to distract him. But ever since Naruto left two years ago for training with Jiraiya, things were too quiet for his own good. Naruto sent him letters once in a while, but rarely. Tsunade had explained to him the other year that Jiraiya didn't want to make their destinations and stops known to anyone for Naruto's safety. Iruka understood perfectly well and he knew he was being selfish when he longed for Naruto to tell him of his whereabouts.

They didn't even get to eat ramen together.

--

"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto cried out, skidding down the hall to a stop in front of his classroom door.

Iruka turned to look at the hyperactive grinning boy just as he threw the pieces of paper that littered the classroom floor in to the trash bin. "Oh! Naruto!" He couldn't help but smile back.

"Long time no see, sensei!" Naruto threw his arms behind his back, still grinning ear to ear. "Been busy with missions and such." He paused a bit, then looked up at him, the grin no longer as wide as it was before. "I'll be gone for quite a while. Ero-sennin is taking me outta' the village to train and stuff. He says it will be three years long. I - I thought I'd come by to tell you."

Iruka couldn't stop the sinking feeling of having the boy away for that long. But he smiled, feeling proud that Naruto had grown up to be a good teenager. "I bet you're all excited."

"Of course! And I'm going to train really hard and do my best!" Naruto boasted, grinning some more. It's a miracle his face didn't split in half yet. "Oh yeah, sensei, when I come back, wanna have ramen with me?"

Iruka chuckled. "Sure! I'd love that Naruto."

"Great! I'll bring you something nice from wherever it is we're going to. Anything you want specifically?" Naruto asked, bright blue eyes shining up at him.

"Just your safety Naruto. I want you to take care of yourself and come back safely." Iruka said with genuine care and love in his voice.

Naruto looked up at his forehead protector. "I have the forehead protector you gave me. I'll come back for sure and when I do I'll show you my new moves! And it will give me good luck!" Naruto threw him a hug around his waist, grinning up at him. "Don't over work yourself?"

Iruka hugged him back. "No, I won't."

"Promise?"

Iruka smiled. "I promise."

"Good. At least I won't have to worry about you falling asleep on your desk." Naruto released his hold on him and took a step back. "Well, I'm off to pack. See you when I get back sensei. And keep your promise." He shouted, running down the hall and waving as he disappeared down the corner.

--

Iruka missed the boy, period. Seeing Naruto grow up was a constant reminder of the choice he made. He watched how Naruto changed from the unruly, irresponsible brat to this protective, honorable and strong lad that he is now. Naruto was one of the best things that happened in his life and him being gone for two long years made him feel like a parent who lost his only child. Iruka reminded himself regularly when memories of Naruto came to him that this training will help the boy get stronger and bring him closer to his goal in being the Hokage.

"He'll make a fine Hokage." Iruka mumbled, stifling a yawn, feeling tired. He barely got any sleep the other night after coming home from Mizuki's grave and his bones were aching badly. He hoped that he wasn't catching a cold or a virus for his work and duty will be affected. It was not a convenient time to get sick. He stood up to get more tea for he still have about eight or twelve more reports to file before he could call it a night. It was only eight in the evening. "And he tells me not to overwork myself. Ah, Naruto." Iruka whispered, a bit guilty because he knew he was overworking himself.

Standing up, he headed for the lounge in the administrative building. He set the water to boil and mixed the tea mixture he liked. Iruka had a migraine and he didn't have any aspirins with him, wishing desperately that he did. He was tired, he was frustrated in more ways than one and he would do anything to go to sleep and not wake up for about two to three days straight. Iruka briefly wondered if he could seek help from the Hokage or maybe even Shizune, see if they have any drug that can knock him out for the next few days in a dreamless state of sleep. He chuckled to himself just as the automatic switch of the electric kettle clicked, steam rising from the mouth. For his mind to be thinking such thoughts, he must be getting really desperate.

Break the rules, his mind said.

The tea mixture he prepared was a sudden waste. Narrowing his eyes in slight mischief that was very un-Iruka, he wrote a memo, tacked it on the teacher's notice board, left the eight or so folders for Izumo and Kotetsu and stalked out of the office. To hell with work. He headed to the most secluded, darkest and emptiest bar available, ordered sake and started downing cup after cup after cup until he felt his eyes hurt and water. He really shouldn't because having a kidney failure or any organ-failure was not something he wanted. Even still, he would raise his empty cup to the barman asking for another jar. He was still coherent after five jars, not completely smashed, but enough to blabber things if one pushed the right buttons. His earlier thoughts of catching a virus might have been true - or maybe it was the alcohol, he wasn't sure - because his nose was too heavy and cloggy and he was feeling hot from the inside and icy from the outside. Hiccupping, he poured another cup. It was a miracle that he still remembered to use a cup when some would drink straight out of the jar by now. Even the barman was already amazed that a young man - who looked like hurting a fly was a crime punishable by death - was able to down five jars of sake and counting.

Iruka, tapped the table lightly catching the barman's attention. "Sake. Stronger one."

"You sure you want it?" The barman asked, wondering, now a bit concerned.

"Yes." Iruka replied, voice still a bit steady. "Bring me another jar."

The barman did as he was told and brought him his order. Iruka still used the cup. After that jar, he drank two more before slumping on the table, feeling too full to drink anymore, but he didn't feel as light headed as he aimed to be. No, in fact, his vision was not that cloudy yet. Iruka knew if he drank anymore sake, he'd be pouring wine from out of his nose. A mental image came to his mind and he couldn't stop the hysterical laugh that tore out of his throat.

"You need anymore?" The barman asked, not surprised to see Iruka laughing at himself. It's normal for any person to after consuming that much alcohol.

"No, thanks. I'll be pouring sake outta' my nose if I do. How much do I owe you?" Iruka asked, managing to sound polite and quite coherent. He was actually amazed at himself.

"Sixty." The barman said, carrying the empty jars to a compartment under the counter.

"Right." Iruka dug for his wallet and started peering inside. "Is this a fifty?" He asked, blinking like an owl at the bill in his hand.

"That's a twenty." The barman said, pitying Iruka a bit.

"Oh, sorry. Here, this is a fifty, no?" Iruka asked, hiccupping and covering his mouth with the back of his hand. "Excuse me."

The barman blinked. "Yeah, that's a fifty."

"Okay, here." Iruka set in on the counter, peering in his wallet, occasionally wiping at his watery eyes. "Ten. Is this a ten or a one?" Iruka couldn't see the number value correctly, so he waved it like a child in front of the barman.

"That's a ten. You need help to get home?" The barman asked, taking the bill and storing it in a drawer behind the counter. "You sure look like you'd collapse soon."

Iruka laughed. "No, no. I'll be fine." He stood up shakily, not the least bit surprised that his legs felt like jelly and started hobbling towards the door. "Good night, mister. Great sake you have here." He didn't see the barman lift a hand in a parting greeting as he exited the door. He stared at the street signs, the letters meshing together and making it hard for him read. Blinking his watery eyes and staring really hard, he found the right sign and followed it. It took him nearly an hour instead of ten minutes to get to his building, once again feeling very amazed at himself. He managed to enter his house without tripping on the stairs or running in to a wall and kicked his sandals off by the door way, forgetting to lock it. He left a trail of clothing all the way to the bedroom, leaving but his black shorts on before climbing under the covers. He really wasn't feeling good and it was probably the virus.

Iruka was glad he left that memo at the notice board.

XXX

Tsunade frowned as she saw the six box fulls of reports that needs filing left undone. "Kotetsu! Izumo!" She shouted, making the two Chuunins scoot in to the room and others who were nearby cringe.

"Yes Hokage-sama?" The duo chorused.

"What is this?" Tsunade pointed a finely manicured nail at the boxes of reports. The folders were sticking out and threatening to fall out. "Why are these not done?" She demanded. "Are we at a nursery or is this an office?"

"I'm sorry Hokage-sama." Izumo bowed. "Iruka-sensei has been doing his shifts for two days now. We just finished filing the other ten boxes of reports."

"Why is he not showing up?" Tsunade demanded. "Why was I not informed?"

Kotetsu wanted to say that she was but she was too busy reading a medical book to take notice of the memo found in the teacher's lounge with Iruka's hand writing on it. "A note was sent to you, Hokage-sama."

"Whatever! I want this done immediately! Find a replacement. And where is Raido? Or Genma? Send any available person to my office now!"

"Yes, Hokage-sama!" The two chorused and scooted away after picking up one box of reports each.

Kotetsu and Izumo got lucky because Shizune, Iwashi, Raido and Genma were heading for the mission room to get a new mission. "Oh there you are! Who of you four are free?" Izumo asked, looking at them.

"He is." Shizune jerked a finger to Genma. "Raido and I have a mission to report and Iwashi is doing sub-report filing."

"Oh thank god!" Kotetsu said in relief. "We sure need all the help we can get." Iwashi forced a small smile. They were no fans of paperwork.

"So why are you asking? Something up?" Shizune asked.

"Hokage-sama wants you at her office. Go quick before she goes on a rampage." Izumo warned.

Genma didn't even hesitate and quickly left for Tsunade's office.

XXX

Genma glanced back at the address in the small paper in his hand then back up at the apartment complex. The area was close to the academy and seemed quiet, clean and had more family tenants rather than bachelors or single females. He didn't know why he was the one who turned out to be free. Now, Tsunade had ordered him to go and drag Iruka's butt out of his house if he's at home. If not, Genma was given the mission to 'find' him and report back his whereabouts. If he's not anywhere in the village at all, he will be declared missing. Genma could already feel the headache pounding his temples. But he had to admit that even he was a bit curious as to why Iruka had suddenly stopped coming to work for four days straight. He sighed, seeing that he was at the correct place and climbed the stairwell to the floor where Iruka lived.

"Flat six." Genma mumbled, looking at the number plates and found the door he was looking for. He stared at the wooden surface and pressed the doorbell. He waited for a few minutes and when he got no reply, he checked the know, surprised that it was unlocked and opened freely.

The idea that Iruka left his front door open made warning bells ring in Genma's mind. Although Konoha's citizens had some sort of mutual trust with each other, it was still careless to leave one's front door open. On alert, Genma pushed the door open enough to let himself in and closed it lightly behind him. He couldn't stop the frown of surprise from coming to his face upon seeing the sight in front of him. Iruka may have been organized at work, but his home clearly mirrored otherwise. Stepping away from the trail of discarded clothes, Genma proceeded deeper in to Iruka's home. Other than the trail of clothes, Genma noticed that everything else seemed pretty much in their places, except for the layer of dust covering the flat surfaces of the furniture.

Genma felt a very distant - almost fading - beat of chakra, making his senses heighten for danger. He followed the source that led him to the bedroom. At a glance, the room looked empty. The blanket and pillow were no longer on the bed. The beige bed sheet was half-off the bed, crumpled like there was some sort of struggle or pleasured activity. Genma cautiously stepped forward, taking a closer look at the bed. He did not need to look longer because something else caught his attention.

"Oh god!" Genma gasped, rushing over to the floor on the other side of the bed, where Iruka laid, head no longer on the pillow that he must have grabbed from the bed on his way down to the floor. The blanket was twisted around Iruka's legs and waist, his ponytail long gone leaving his hair in a clumpy mess. Genma lifted Iruka's head, gently brushing away the sticky and greasy strands of hair off the Chuunin's face. "Iruka-sensei! Oi! Iruka-sensei!" A shaky, weak and tired exhale was all the response Genma received. "Iruka-sensei, pull yourself together!" Genma felt his forehead and noted the high temperature. "Oh geez. No wonder you haven't been coming to work." Genma mumbled to himself, while gathering Iruka's hair to one side and arranging the sheets around Iruka's waist. "Iruka-sensei? can you hear me? You gotta' wake up a bit!" Genma said, managing to untangle the sheets. Genma noticed that Iruka's skin looked dry.

"M - Mi -" Iruka whispered.

Genma quickly turned to look at his face quickly. "Iruka?" Iruka winced a bit as he struggled to slowly open his eyes, lips parting to take in deep tired breaths. Dark orbs peered from the heavy looking eyelids to stare up at Genma. Iruka's eyes were rimmed red and slightly puffy, probably from the fever he had. Genma couldn't help but smile in relief that the Chuunin was pretty much 'alive'. "Iruka?"

Genma watched with puzzlement as Iruka stared up at him, a little bit of disbelief and perhaps a bit happiness crossing his dark eyes. "M - Mi - Mizuki...?" Iruka's eyes softened a bit.

"Mizuki?" Genma frowned. "No. It's me, Genma."

Iruka looked like keeping his eyes was taking too much effort. Even in his sick state, he still look a bit puzzled and maybe it was a trick of the light, but Genma could see some sort of relief as well. "G - Genma..." Iruka whispered, closing his eyes again.

Genma was still feeling annoyed despite the pity he felt for the Chuunin's condition. He was mistaken for someone else and no just anyone, but a traitor. "Sorry, Iruka." Genma grunted as he lifted the Chuunin up and settled him on the bed, pulling the blanket over him. Genma took a few minutes to stare at the sleeping figure, before turning around. "I'm not Mizuki." Genma hurriedly left the apartment to look for a medic nin to take a look at Iruka's condition.

By the heavens, Genma was not expecting the medic nin he found to demand Iruka be taken to the hospital. He was also not expecting the medics to pump the contents of Iruka's stomach contents out because of the excess alcohol intake and inject several types of antibiotics in to his system. Seeing all the needles and colored liquids being injected in to the unconscious Chuunin, Genma had yelled at them.

"It is too strong for him to take them orally." One of the medic attending to Iruka said.

"Then just do that chakra-healing thing you people seem to know so well! Stop sticking things in to him!" Genma hissed, surprising even himself.

"Chakra healing won't do anything for the virus within him. He's over worked. No amount of chakra healing can replace the healing abilities of rest itself." The medic replied calmly. "He should have been brought in earlier."

They measured his blood pressure and temperature after pumping his stomach clean and giving him the antibiotics to find his condition slowly getting stable. Genma could only watch as Iruka slept peacefully, looking much better than he did when Genma found him. The medics said that they were going to keep Iruka confined for a few days until the virus he caught was completely cured.

Genma didn't know why he shouted at the medics caring for Iruka earlier. But he knew that Iruka intrigued him, and he was relieved that the Chuunin's condition was stable.

XXX

Warm.

Everything around him was warm and oddly smooth and had that clean scent lurking in the distance. He cracked his eyes open a bit, everything around him a bit blurry. There was a slight shuffle making him turn his head slowly towards the sound. For a brief second, he saw Mizuki, sitting on a chair, eating an apple and staring at him while he chewed, a small smile on those full lips that Iruka loved so much. Said lips, began to move.

"Good afternoon, sleeping beauty."

Iruka narrowed his eyes to focus his vision. Blinking slowly, the silver hair and smile vanishing. What was left instead was honey colored hair, a reversed-bandana and a smirk. "Who?" Iruka croaked out, his throat feeling like it was on fire and completely dry.

"It's me."

Iruka stared for a few more seconds before noticing the man speaking to him. "G-Genma-san."

"Bravo. You got me right this time." Genma said, still smirking and took a bite off his apple.

Iruka looked around him and slowly sat himself up. "Where am I?"

"Hospital." Genma said, taking another bite off his apple.

"Hospital?" Iruka blinked, almost cutely. "I don't remember getting hurt."

"No." Genma shrugged, tossing the apple core in to the nearby trash bin. "But do you remember getting a virus? Sick even?" The Jounin pulled his chair closer to the bed, reached for the mineral bottle of water and poured a cup for Iruka. "Remember anything about falling to the floor? Getting all feverish? Watch the water." He handed the cup to Iruka's shaking hands as the Chuunin took a grateful small sip.

"Not really." Iruka confessed. He remembered waking up cold then suddenly hot. Other than that, everything else was a bit blurry.

Genma shrugged, slouching on the chair he was on. "They had to pump your stomach clean. Did you know that you had too much alcohol in your system?"

Iruka stiffened a bit. "Did I?"

Genma took the cup from him before the contents spilled. He didn't mention anything about the alcohol after that. "You've been out like a light for the past two days. You look horrible, your hair is all sticky and you're too pale."

Iruka couldn't help but smile a bit at the description. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Genma said, smirk growing wide. "Oh, they're going to keep you here for a while. So I took the liberty to bring you some stuff, since I had to go back and lock your door." Genma added a shrug to his statement. "I got you spare clothes, a book to read, and oh those." Genma pointed at the side table on the other side of the bed where two picture frames lay. One of Iruka's old team - the one where he and Mizuki was grinning and holding up the peace sign - and the other of him and Naruto on a new year's eve just after Naruto graduated. "So that you won't feel alone in this place."

Iruka briefly wondered if he was being mocked or laughed at, but kept quiet. "Thank you." He said once more, this time a bit tightly. "For the trouble."

"None at all." Genma said, sighing. "You'll be staying here for a while. Those medics didn't look like they're going to set you free any time soon. If you ever need anything, just tell me." Genma meant his words, and he said it in a soft manner that Iruka actually did turn to look at him. "Don't hesitate. Comrades are comrades."

Iruka continued staring, taking note of how Genma slouched in his chair, one leg thrown over one knee, now chewing on his needle while honey eyes stared up at the ceiling. Iruka continued watching the Jounin, until he couldn't take it anymore, so he turned his head away, looking at the picture frame on his side table. Seeing Mizuki's grinning and happy face, Iruka was reminded once more of the precious thing he lost. He tore his gaze away from the picture, a painful look crossing his features, a hand reaching out to set the picture face down.

The action, obviously did not go unnoticed by Genma. "Look, I better go. Good to have you among the living." Genma said, shifting his needle from side to side in his mouth. "If you need anything, just ask."

Iruka nodded. "Thank you, I mean it."

Genma couldn't help but smirk. "I'll be seeing you." A hand reached out and patted Iruka on the shoulder.

Iruka gasped a bit, muscles tensing as the scene before his eyes changed to a different one. As he stared wide eyed in to the vision, his eyes narrowed a bit when he realized what the scene was. It was the mission room and it was set in the evening. He was correcting test papers when Genma strolled in to the room, dropping him a dinner box of warm rice and beef misono and all the while Iruka himself was blushing shyly.

The vision melted away in a flash of bright light, making Iruka snap back slightly that Genma had to steady him with two hands. Realizing what just happened, Iruka quickly brought both his hands to his head. The vision had given him a headache.

"Oh god." Iruka whispered, wincing.

"Are you okay?" Genuine concern laced the Jounin's voice.

"Yes." Iruka whispered. "Headache."

"I'll go alert the nurses." Genma said.

"No, it's all right. I'll sleep it off." Iruka said, fingers moving to rub his temples.

Genma gently pushed him down the bed and arranged the blanket over him. "Get some rest. Medics says you need it." Iruka nodded. "Right. I'll drop by tomorrow." With a small wave, Genma left the room.

Iruka watched him disappear before slowly letting his eyes drop close, unconsciously smiling.

TBC

I feel weirded out. I don't know why. O.o

Thankies to Kagaya! I have not abandoned this fic, as you can see peeps!