4. Chapter 4

Iruka threw the snapped piece of elastic in the bin, he didn't want to leave his hair down because he felt much more comfortable when it was out his face. He growled and left his bedroom, walking towards the lab.

'Maybe Uncle will have one? He gave me the last one….. His hair is short though, I wonder where he got it?' Iruka was so caught up in his thoughts that he bumped into someone walking the opposite way.

"Oof! Sorry I…." Iruka bowed to the person but when he straightened up his jaw nearly hit the floor. A silver haired man in a casual outfit stood before him, mask hiding his face and his visible eye gave the brunette an indifferent look.

"You!" Iruka exclaimed and Kakashi hummed in agreement.

"Me!" he mocked. Iruka noticed the bandaged hand and smirked, it ware rare for him to instantly dislike a person but the bandage proved that he'd been the one who dragged him through the mirror and undressed him.

"I hope that really hurts," Iruka said and Kakashi snorted.

"And I'd heard you were nice but that didn't seem very nice to me," Kakashi yawned.

"I'm not nice to perverts," Iruka crossed his arms tightly over his chest and Kakashi chuckled.

'He's smart but I already knew that…. Let's see how far I can push him on our first official meeting,' Kakashi thought slyly.

"Pervert? Me? I'm hurt by your accusations Omocha-chan," Kakashi gave an upside down U smile while Iruka spluttered, his face turning red with anger and his deep brown eyes resembled red more then their original colour.

"O-Omocha? That's not my name!" Iruka glared. Kakashi leaned in and pressed his masked cheek to Iruka's flaming one.

"I know. I have to go but let's play dress up again soon Omocha-chan," He sang, he turned and walked away. He felt a sharp impact against the back of his head and he stopped in shock, he looked at the ground beside him and found a red bean bag.

'A bean bag did that? That hurt, he has one hell of a throwing arm,' Kakashi thought, he turned around and saw Iruka throwing a blue bean bag up in the air and catching it with ease.

"I just thought you should know Pervert-san, that I have very good aim," Iruka glowered. He dropped the bean bag on a pile of more bean bags that sat on the floor and walked off with a huff.

'It's just as I thought….. We will see what his reaction is when he is told who I am….. But who the hell leaves a pile of beanbags in the middle of the hallway?' Kakashi rubbed the back of his skull tenderly.

"Ah! There's where I left them!" Lee cheered. He appeared at Kakashi's side and bowed to the taller man.

'Of course. Of course it's Lee's doing,' Kakashi scolded himself.

"Prince Kakashi, don't you have a meeting with King Sakumo and King Obito before breakfast?" Lee asked.

"I do but I was wondering what all these bean bags are doing here?" Kakashi said, fingers still rubbing his head.

"The academy is having a sports day but Shikamaru-san asked me to do an important task so I had to 'drop everything'," Lee explained.

"I see," Kakashi nodded. Lee's eyes grew wider (if that's ever possible) and he gasped in shock.

"Have I displeased you Prince Kakashi? If so I will run around Konoha 30 times with 10 large sandbags on my…." Lee announced.

"No Lee. You haven't displeased me, please get the bags to the academy," Kakashi dismissed, Lee saluted and started to clear up the mess.

Iruka strode into the laboratory, still grumbling from his meeting with Kakashi and slammed the door shut. A few people jumped a foot in the air, they had come in early to get some information on an artefact and didn't expect to see the new researcher. Mashimizu heard the noise and poked his head out of his office.

"Iruka-kun! Please come in," He chimed. Iruka stormed up the hall and into his uncle's office with a huff.

"What's the matter?" Mashimizu asked.

"That pervert! You know the one I woke up next to? Just bumped into me, called me "Omocha-chan" and said we should play dress up again some time! I could wring his neck," Iruka snarled. Mashimizu blinked and bit the inside of his cheek violently.

'That's why Kakashi brought Iruka here. He's bored and wants someone to irritate, he's seen me get furious when a experiment goes wrong and he's always found that funny….. Baka Prince. If I wasn't so devoted to King Sakumo and King Obito….' Mashimizu thought, he placed a hand on Iruka's shoulder and the younger man stopped his ranting and sighed.

"Don't worry about him, he flirts with everyone and he's just trying to annoy you. I just need to sign a few files and we can go see the Kings," Mashimizu pulled out a pen with a flourish and started writing.

"Do you have another hair band I can borrow? Mine snapped and…" Mashimizu reached into his drawer and pulled a hair band out, he held it towards Iruka but when he didn't take it Mashimizu looked up.

He realised why Iruka had stopped talking. On Mashimizu's desk stood three picture frames, the first picture was one Iruka recognised immediately. It was the only picture he kept in the house, their last family photo where everyone had been together. He saw his grandparents, his mother's older brother and his wife plus their toddler and baby, Uncle Mashimizu and his parents with a 14 year old Iruka.

"Grandfather, Grandmother, Uncle Aito and Aunt Fuji, cousin Hanayo, baby Daichi, Father, Mother, you…. Me," Iruka whispered, trailing his finger over every face delicately. The second picture was of a younger Mashimizu with an un-scarred Iruka, both giving the camera peace signs with bright smiles.

"I didn't know you took these with you," Iruka mumbled.

"The mirror said take essentials and I did," He stated. Iruka felt tears welling up in his eyes at the large picture, he had stored away most of the photos when everyone died so he had almost forgotten what they all looked like.

'He doesn't know what happened…. Should I tell him?…. No, ignorance is bliss and it would only upset him,' Iruka decided. He picked up the final frame with a curious look, a man with sandy coloured hair and a small brunette child was in it. Both wearing formal clothes as if they were at an event, the child had the man's bright green eyes.

"Who are they?" Iruka asked.

"My husband Kaname and my son Hoshi," Mashimizu said anxiously. Iruka looked down at the happy pair with a confused look, he was happy that his uncle had a family but it only made him feel more alone.

'He wouldn't want to know about our family….. He has his own now,' Iruka thought darkly. Although he couldn't deny that the trio would make a lovely family, the small boy's eyes were filled with happiness.

"What a cutie…. Your son I mean. Don't worry so much, I'm not against it if it makes you happy," Iruka smiled, he took the hair band from his uncle and tied his hair back.

"Iruka-kun…." Mashimizu said happily.

"Come on, I've made a decision," Iruka said walking out the office.

"You're on time?" Kakashi blinked, both his parents were sat neatly on their thrones although Obito looked like he was about to fall asleep.

"So are you Kakashi. Interested in Umino-san's answer?" Obito teased.

"It's obvious what the answer will be," Kakashi pulled out his book and leaned against a wall. Before Obito could answer the door swung open and Gai walked in.

"Umino Mashimizu and Umino Iruka to see you Heika," Gai saluted.

"Show them in," Sakumo nodded. Iruka could feel the dark haired King's eyes on him as he entered, he felt strange wearing some of his uncle's old clothes because they were a big on him.

'Do they look that bad?' Iruka thought self consciously. Obito watched the young Umino carefully, he couldn't deny that he held a rare beauty if he wore the right things. His dark eyes radiated intelligence and held the sparks of a fiery personality.

"Good morning Mashimizu. Iruka-san," Sakumo greeted politely.

"Good morning Heika," They replied in unison.

"I believe introductions are in order. I am Hatake Obito, Sakumo's husband," Obito bowed his head. Iruka smiled at him and bowed as well.

"I am Umino Iruka, Heika," Iruka said politely.

"And over in the corner is my son Kakashi, Crown Prince of Konoha," Obito said pointing to Kakashi. Iruka's eyes widened a fraction and he cleared his throat, Mashimizu sent the prince a warning look.

"Prince Kakashi," Iruka gritted out and Kakashi smirked beneath his mask.

"Umino-san," Kakashi bowed his head and looked back at his parents.

"Do you have an answer for us Iruka-san?" Sakumo asked.

"I do. It's an honour that you want me to work here, something I will never forget….. However I can't accept, I have responsibilities that I can't ignore. I don't like leaving things unfinished," Iruka explained. Kakashi's eye twitched and Mashimizu sighed, he had a feeling Iruka would say something like that.

"It's your decision but I think you should wait a moment," Sakumo said seriously, the door opened and an old man in a long robe walked in, his hat obscuring his face. An object wrapped in long red bandages was carried in his arms.

"Hiruzen-sama," Mashimizu whispered. Everyone, including the monarchs bowed low to the man. He ignored the gesture, he walked quickly towards Iruka with a inquisitive look.

"This is highly unusual," He said, he looked Iruka up and down with a hum.

'Hiruzen-sama? He's the guardian here if I remember right,' Iruka thought. The old man started to unravel the wrappings until a small handheld mirror was sitting in his hands.

"This is the mirror that I use to communicate with the other guardians or Kages. Guardian Jiraiya and Hokage Tsunade are requesting you," He pushed the mirror into Iruka's hands. Iruka's heart sped up at the words and his head started throbbing.

"Jiraiya-san and Tsunade-hime? They're…..?" Iruka shook the confusion away and looked down at the mirror.

The mirror glowed bright red and two familiar figures were seen in it.

"Iruka-san I know you're angry…." Tsunade started but Iruka scoffed.

"I'm not angry…. Well I'm a little angry but I'm more confused. Just when I think I understand things something like this happens," Iruka said tiredly.

"I know," She soothed.

"You're guardians?" Iruka said hesitantly.

"I am but Hime is a Kage…. Sorry," Jiraiya said quietly, he didn't want to provoke Iruka's legendary temper.

"It's fine, what's going on with my class? I haven't taken a day off in years," Iruka said lightly, he wanted some normality.

"You should have seen their faces when we said you were off ill. I think the receptionist nearly fainted. We arranged for cover for your classes so don't worry… you could stay awhile," Jiraiya laughed.

"Why?" Iruka said.

"Because it's a wonderful opportunity to learn about another dimension and get over your fear of the supernatural," Jiraiya said wisely. Iruka suspected he was reading that from a piece of paper but he didn't draw attention to it.

"Plus Earth is boooorrinngg," Tsunade grinned. Iruka shook his head with a laugh.

"I don't know Tsunade-hime, it's a big change," Iruka bit his lip.

"Coward," Kakashi said from the corner, Iruka tensed and glared at the prince.

"What did you call me?" Iruka said dangerously, his voice alone was sharp enough to kill. He pushed the mirror into Mashimizu's hands and walked towards Kakashi. Mashimizu laughed nervously and started talking to the mirror to diffuse the tension.

_"Tsunade-hime! Long time no see," Mashimizu smiled._

_"Umino Mashimizu, time hasn't been kind has it?" She joked._

_"I wish I could say the same of you," He complimented._

_"Somethings never change, you're as bad as Jiraiya," Tsunade laughed._

Iruka stood in front of the prince with both hands on his hips, fiery eyes staring at the masked man. He didn't care that he was royalty or that the Kings were watching, he wanted to slap the pervert.

"What did you say?" Iruka said sternly.

_"Can't you come through and fix this before there is bloodshed?" Mashimizu whispered into the mirror and both elders shook their heads._

_"This is a communication mirror not a portal," Jiraiya said seriously._

_"I can't go through anyway. If a woman went into a dimension full of men then the fabric of that dimension would fall apart," Tsunade shrugged._

_"And the other damn mirror won't let us through," Jiraiya added bitterly._

_"People are saying you're smart and that having you as a researcher would help immensely but you're so adamant about leaving that I doubt you could have been any help at all," Kakashi sneered. Iruka's mouth dropped open in shock, the silver haired man was calling him stupid._

"I am intelligent and I could be a great researcher, I have other responsibilities," Iruka persisted.

"You couldn't last one month as a researcher here," Kakashi challenged.

"I could!" Iruka snapped.

"Prove it," Kakashi smirked. Iruka cursed himself, he had been backed into a wall.

"I have classes and I…." Iruka said nervously.

"We can cover your classes for a month Iruka-san," Tsunade said cheerfully, Iruka glanced at her suspiciously.

"We'll just say you've got the flu or something," Jiraiya added hastily.

"See now you don't have an excuse. Prove it!" Kakashi said loudly. Iruka licked his lips and wracked his brains but he couldn't find any valid arguments.

"Fine. I can handle a month in this dimension, easily!" Iruka glared at Kakashi.

"Then it's settled, Iruka-san will stay here for a month and if he wants to return home at the end of the month then he'll be allowed," Sakumo said finally. Iruka couldn't help feeling like he'd been ganged up on, that he'd played right into their hands.

"Got to go Iruka-san, call you soon," Tsunade winked and the mirror returned to normal. Hiruzen snatched the mirror off Mashimizu and shook his head wearily, he left the room to take a nap and try to forget about all the hassle.

"Come on Iruka-kun! I'll show you all the labs and what we're doing and…." Mashimizu grabbed his nephew's hand and pulled him from the room quickly. Kakashi bowed to his parents and left the room.

Obito tugged on his hair with a thoughtful look.

"Do you think….?" Obito stopped quickly and shook his head with a laugh.

"Do I think what?" Sakumo frowned.

"Nothing, let's get to breakfast!" Obito cheered.

Tsunade placed the mirror on her Kage desk with a sigh. She ran her fingers through her hair in a worried fashion, Jiraiya sat on the desk with a bored look.

"You shouldn't worry Hime," Jiraiya said pouring her a drink.

"I would be less worried if he was back on Earth," She said accepting the sake with a half smile.

"Orders are orders Hime," Jiraiya reminded. The blonde downed her drink and scoffed.

"Yeah…. Orders are orders," She said sorrowfully.

"I'm going back to Earth," Jiraiya said.

"I'll join you later, I need to have a discussion with the other Kages," She dismissed.

Mashimizu pushed a coffee in Iruka's direction, Iruka took it with a small smile. They were sat in the lab's canteen which was mostly empty to Iruka's delight. He was still trying to get his head around the reason he was staying.

'How dare he think I'm stupid,' Iruka thought.

"Iruka-kun, I know you aren't happy being here," Mashimizu sighed.

"No, I am happy being here. Especially now I know my life on the other side isn't going to be affected. Like Jiraiya-san said 'It's a wonderful opportunity'," Iruka took a sip of the coffee and grimaced, it wasn't sweet enough.

"I'll go get you some sugar and cakes and then we should talk about …. Things" Mashimizu said walking off to find some sweeteners.

'This world…. I don't have a problem with it but it's still a lot to handle… but I'm not sad because I get to spend time with my uncle…. My only living relative…. And his family,' Iruka's thoughts were interrupted when a shadow fell across him.

Iruka looked at Kakashi with a bored look which Kakashi matched.

"Did you need something?" Iruka asked.

"Are you going to apologise for hitting a Prince?" Kakashi said arrogantly.

"Are you going to apologise for dragging me through a mirror?" Iruka countered.

"No," Kakashi said bluntly.

"There's your answer, don't think your title changes my opinion of you," Iruka said.

'I thought as much,' Kakashi thought, he concealed a smile at the brunette's words. It was refreshing to have someone so fun to play with, someone who treated him like a normal person instead of a royal figure.

"But I'm the prince," Kakashi whined, Iruka blinked at the change and laughed.

"And used to getting your own way evidently. I'll respect you even if you are a pervert but if you act like a child, I'm going to treat you like a child," Iruka lectured. Kakashi looked taken aback for a moment, he closed both eyes and opened them again. He respected the man's honesty and straight forward attitude.

"Okay Omocha-chan," Kakashi smirked.

"Don't call me that," Iruka growled.

"What should I call you then?" Kakashi said smugly. Iruka brought a finger to his lip in thought.

"Iruka-sensei," Iruka decided.

"Kinky," Kakashi commented.

"Shut up," Iruka snapped. Mashimizu turned around and looked at the pair, it was hard to tell if they were friends or enemies. Iruka noticed his uncle looking and he blushed.

"If you'll excuse me Prince Kakashi, I'm busy," Iruka said firmly. Kakashi looked at the blushing face for an extra second before nodding.

"I have things to do anyway, I'll see you around Omocha-sensei," He said racing out. Iruka's hands gripped the edge of the table in an effort not to follow and beat up the prince.

"Iruka-kun, I have the snacks," Mashimizu said dropping the tray on the table.

"That's goo…." Iruka stopped when he saw the serious look his uncle shot him.

"What is it? That pervert and I were making a truce…. Sort of so don't worry," Iruka laughed. Mashimizu sat down and blew across his own cup of coffee.

"Any questions about this world before we start our lab tour?" Mashimizu said picking up a doughnut with a grin, he had a terrible sweet tooth.

"Yeah what's an uke?" Iruka asked innocently, Mashimizu choked on his doughnut.

"This world is made up of Semes and Ukes. Semes are the dominant males, the protectors. Ukes are the submissive males, they carry the babies," He said simply.

"Okaayyy….. But that seems unfair, I thought relationships were meant to be equal?" Iruka pouted.

"They are. It's just in this universe people have roles just think of the Uke as the woman in a relationship but they aren't women. In fact a lot of Ukes hate the submissive role and I know several Ukes who are more fiery then their Semes but they're still Ukes," Mashimizu tried to rethink things, he was starting to confuse himself.

"I think I understand. But how do you tell if you're Uke or Seme?" Iruka questioned, he was starting to get interested in this world's basic lifestyle.

"Physically Semes are taller, bigger and just… more confident. Ukes are smaller, more feminine… Don't look at me like that Iruka-kun, I didn't make the rules," Mashimizu said biting into his pastry.

"This is determined when they're born?" Iruka said carefully and Mashimizu nodded.

"Yes usually, it can be told in the third scan," Mashimizu answered.

"What?" Iruka fussed.

"On Earth you can tell if it's a boy or a girl so it's not that strange that in this dimension you can tell if it's a Seme or Uke," Mashimizu said simply.

"But you weren't born here so how did you know?" Iruka said.

"Everyone has a soulmate Iruka-kun. I was drawn to Kaname, who was an Uke so it made sense that I was his Seme," Mashimizu said dreamily. Iruka smiled at the sappy expression, it was nice to see him happy.

"I want to meet your… husband and son before I leave. Not right away but… eventually," Iruka looked away with a slight blush.

"You'll meet them, I promise…. So you're a teacher?" Mashimizu conversed.