5. Chapter 5
Iruka tugged his bedroom curtain closed with a thoughtful sigh, he'd been in this dimension just over 2 weeks and it had been surreal. He'd been introduced to the research group and they all got on like a house on fire even with head assistant Aburame Shino.
When he hadn't been studying up on the culture or helping with an experiment he was talking to Kakashi. Arguing was what they both would call it but it started to develop into contemptuous conversation, where they both could talk to each other but it usually resulted in yells of 'Pervert' or Kakashi making a smart-ass comment and running off.
'Mother and father in heaven, I hate to admit it but I like it here. Yesterday I helped dissect a meteorological rock and it showered everyone in space dust which made us all glow in the dark for 3 hours. I've looked over countless innocent looking artefacts almost forgot that they could be killing machines…. I never imaged I would do anything like this,' Iruka thought honestly.
He wished his parents were with him, so they could tell him what to do. So they could tell him it was okay to enjoy being in the strange world or that it was wrong and that he should return hope A.S.A.P. Not everything was good though, Iruka still had to deal with the perverted prince and various people giving him strange looks, especially when he was with said prince.
'He's okay when you're able to deal with him being a condescending know it all idiot one minute and then a whining child and then a perverted teenager who'll flirt outrageously with anyone,' Iruka shook his head at the thought. His latest target for flirting was Iruka, the brunette hated it because he always blushed no matter how hard he tried not to.
Something else he'd learned about the prince was that he wasn't ready to be king, something the silver haired man openly admitted.
"**Being king would be boring," Kakashi yawned.**
"**You'll have to be king eventually, King Obito is looking for a suitable uke for you to marry," Iruka said.**
"**What do you know about that?" Kakashi said defensively. **
"**I've been reading up. You have to take over the throne when you're married," Iruka smirked.**
"**Not immediately, I can wait up to a year. I'm not getting married anyway," Kakashi gave a masked pout.**
"**I don't know, the king is very persistent," Iruka laughed. He found it hilarious to think of the playboy prince as a married man.**
"**Mothers," Kakashi rolled his eyes. A image of his own mother flashed in front of Iruka's eyes, her long dark hair and soft grey eyes that were always happy. Her warm smile and soft melodic voice calling him in from playing. **
"**Hm," Iruka hummed.**
"**Your mother must be looking for someone for you?" Kakashi questioned. **
"**No," Iruka said firmly. Kakashi let his eyes wander over the brunette's body with a frown, it seemed highly unlikely that people weren't interested in him.**
"**Tsunade-hime has been trying but I have no intentions of marrying someone I don't love," Iruka said proudly, a hand pressed against his heart in a sentimental manner. Kakashi burst out laughing and wiped away a non-existent tear from his eye.**
"**How romantic you softy," Kakashi laughed. Iruka would never tell Kakashi that he liked his laugh, it was a low rumbling laugh that made Iruka want to laugh too. **
"**Shut up pervert," Iruka snapped in embarrassment. A hand groped his behind and Iruka squeaked indignantly and tried to hit the prince.**
"**Later Iruka-sensei," Kakashi leered and he disappeared around the corner.**
Iruka fell onto the bed and crushed a pillow into his face, he was blushing again.
'Thinking about him made me blush, maybe I still have some space dust in my brain,' Iruka thought dryly. A short knock on the door was heard and the door swung open.
"Omocha-sensei!" Kakashi greeted indifferently. Iruka pulled the pillow off and threw it at the visitor, Kakashi caught it with one hand and smirked.
"Don't call me that and don't just open the door," Iruka scolded.
"I knocked," Kakashi shrugged. Iruka pushed himself up until he was sitting and crossed his arms over his chest.
"You didn't wait though, what if I'd been naked?" Iruka snarled. Kakashi stared off into space with a perverted look in his eye, Iruka blushed and threw his other pillow at the man.
"Don't think about it you pervert prince!" Iruka yelled. Kakashi dodged the white cushion and watched it fly into the hallway.
"You're late, you're normally in the lab by now," Kakashi pointed out.
"I've been here 2 weeks, there is no 'normally'," Iruka said clearly. Kakashi rolled his eyes and leaned lazily against the door frame. He finally noticed the clothes Iruka was wearing, a pair of dark jeans and a navy jumper that clung to his body in all the right places (in Kakashi's opinion).
"Going on a hot date Omocha-sensei?" Kakashi grinned and Iruka glared but made no move to hit him.
"No, today…. I'm going to meet Kaname-san and Hoshi-chan," Iruka said quietly, the grin dropped from Kakashi's face and he observed Iruka closely.
"You're nervous," Kakashi stated.
"I'm not. You're_ normally _out sword training by now, Go train," Iruka mocked, Kakashi shook his head and walked off.
Mashimizu had to stifle his laughter at his nephew's reaction, Iruka looked at every building and every aspect of the main town. He hadn't been outside the castle walls, he'd been in the castle gardens, which he found beautiful but being outside the castle was new to him. They passed shops and clubs and restaurants, the ramen bar caught Iruka's attention the most.
"Come on Iruka-kun, it's just down this side street," Mashimizu latched onto Iruka's wrist and started to pull him, a few people recognised them and were whispering about the dimension jumping duo.
They stood outside a Japanese house, the wooden boards painted a sky blue colour which oddly suited it. Mashimizu opened the small iron gate and tried to pull Iruka down the path but the young man dug his heels in.
"M-Maybe we should come back later, what if he's busy or…. Aren't you meant to be at work?" Iruka panicked.
"I told Shino to cover for me while I took you here," Mashimizu said with a strained voice, he pulled harder but Iruka hung onto the gate.
"Shino-san? He won't cover for you, he's a great researcher but selfish," Iruka said in shock. Mashimizu pulled ast Iruka but he couldn't make him move.
"I know, thats…. Why…. I… was… trying.. To be… quick!" Mashimizu gave an almighty pull and Iruka's grip broke. Mashimizu knocked on the door and held Iruka in place with one hand.
"Iruka-kun calm down, just be yourself and you'll be fine. Kaname is going to love you," Mashimizu said loudly. The door slid open and the sandy haired man in the picture stood in the doorway in a pair of jeans and a loose white button up shirt.
"Kaname this is Iruka-kun," Mashimizu said backing away from the pair to watch them. Green eyes locked with brown eyes and they both bowed quickly.
"It's nice to meet you Kaname-san," Iruka said.
"It's good to meet you too Iruka-san," Kaname replied. Both men straightened up and Mashimizu looked pleased.
"Good? Good! I have to get back to the castle…. Love you," Mashimizu kissed Kaname briefly and Iruka looked away, he didn't want to intrude on the sweet moment.
"I'll come get you later Iruka-kun," Mashimizu called over his shoulder. The men watched Mashimizu rush off and they walked inside the house. The whole atmosphere of the house screamed 'Home', it was warm and comforting with the occasional toy thrown about.
'Nothing like my house,' Iruka thought.
"Please come through to the living room Iruka-san, I'll serve tea," Kaname said gesturing to a room.
"I can help if you want," Iruka offered but the blonde shook his head.
"It's fine. Hoshi is in the livingroom but he'll probably be hiding, he doesn't deal with strangers well," Kaname bit his lip.
"I'm a teacher so I'll try not to be intimidating. He's 6 right?" Iruka checked and Kaname nodded with a soft smile.
"A spoilt 6 year old, Mashi can't help spoiling him," Kaname shook his head and walked into the kitchen.
Iruka knocked on the light wood door and he heard someone shuffling about, he waited a moment and opened the door slowly. Instead of looking for the hiding child behind the couch or under the coffee table… Iruka walked over to the middle of the floor and sat down. He closed both his eyes and waited for a few minutes.** (1)**
He felt a tug on his sleeve and he smiled.
"What are you doing?" A small voice asked.
"Well it's kind of scary when I'm standing up and trying to find you, don't you think?" Iruka said carefully.
"Yeah," the voice answered.
"Can I open my eyes? Is that okay?" Iruka said levelly.
"O-okay," the voice said but Iruka could feel the nervousness in it. He opened his eyes and looked at the small boy in front of him, wearing black pants and a purple t-shirt. His bright green eyes drilled curiously into Iruka, fluffy brown hair was tied back in a short plait.
"I'm Iruka," the older man said and the boy fidgeted,
"Umino Hoshi," Hoshi held out a hand and Iruka shook it gently.
"You're very polite. Your mother tells me you're 6," Iruka said and Hoshi nodded.
"I thought you were older, you're a big boy for 6," Iruka praised, Hoshi's eyes lit up and he grinned.
"I know, I'm a seme," He said proudly. Iruka looked taken aback by the boy's words, he couldn't tell the boy was seme. He just looked like a 6 year old, maybe on the tall side but Mashimizu was tall.
"Really? Wow," Iruka gasped.
"What are you?" Hoshi asked and Iruka looked into space.
"I… I don't know, I come from a place where they don't tell you," Iruka shrugged. Hoshi waited a few minutes before he tried (and failed) to click.
"You look like the man in daddy's picture except from this," Hoshi said. He reached out and tapped Iruka's scar, Iruka winced at the feeling. Hoshi drew back with a frightened look.
"Don't worry it doesn't hurt, I was just surprised. It is me in your daddy's picture, I'm your cousin," Iruka said slowly.
"You're family?" Hoshi said and Iruka nodded.
"Good. I like you," Hoshi gave a toothy grin.
"I'm glad, I like you too," Iruka said standing up.
A blonde leaned against the tree trunk and held his hand up to shield his eyes from the sun, he looked over at the two men sparring with a fond look. The raven sitting in the shade of the tree looked up from his book at the taller man.
"Kakashi, Naruto let's take a break," Minato shouted. Kakashi shrugged and Naruto started to whine.
"But daaaaadd I'm beating him!" Naruto shouted. Instead of pulling his book out, Kakashi looked up at the clock tower with a indifferent look but Minato could tell he was stressed.
"You have to beat Gai first, he's number 2 and I'm… Number 1!" Kakashi bragged. Kakashi's 'eternal rival' was always trying to beat the prince at everything they did, they'd been competing since they were both toddlers.
"I can beat Gai-sensei and you! I'd win with both hands tied behind my back!" Naruto said proudly.
The older blonde pulled out a few money notes and fanned himself with them.
"I thought you were hungry, I was going to give you money for ramen but if you would rather fight then…" Naruto snatched the money out of his hand with a cheer.
"Rammmeen! I'll be back soon to kick your ass princey!" Naruto grinned. He winked at Sasuke and ran off to get food. Sasuke rolled his eyes and turned the page in his book, it was one he had 'borrowed' from Neji. He felt warm breath on his neck and he looked up, both older men were gone.
"Something you aren't telling us Sasuke?" Minato smirked over his left shoulder.
"Have you told Naruto yet?" Kakashi smirked over his right shoulder. Sasuke snapped the book shut and turned to glare at both men.
"I'm not pregnant. Neji had a pregnancy tantrum and threw the book at me, I was bored and decided to read it," Sasuke said simply.
"So will you be okay in your _'fragile state' _if we leave you for 10 minutes?" Minato asked. Sasuke threw a knife at the man who dodged it easily, Sasuke opened the book and continued reading.
Minato dragged Kakashi further into the mass of trees without another word, they finally reached a small clearing with a few benches. Minato sat down on the bench and patted the spot beside him.
"Sit," He said. Kakashi followed his order and pulled out his book so he wouldn't have to talk to his teacher. Minato snatched it out of his hands and held it just out of his reach, Kakashi gave a masked pout and crossed his arms over his chest childishly.
"Why is this happening? That's the second time this week that someone has taken my book off me, first Iruka-sensei took it away and that was only because I wouldn't show him what it was. You should have seen the look on his face when he realised, red as a strawberry," Kakashi laughed. Minato blinked and set the book down on his lap.
"Iruka-sensei? Umino Iruka?" Minato scratched his cheek and Kakashi turned his head away.
"Yeah Iruka-sensei, not because he's my teacher because he isn't, he's younger then me so it's impossible. Well it's not impossible but… anyway he's a teacher but he teaches little kids which explains why he has a lot of patience with me, except when he's stealing my book," Kakashi rambled.
Minato blinked a few times and smirked down at his feet.
"He's been here 2 weeks and I haven't met him yet. I've heard nothing but praise about him," Minato said.
"You haven't seen him around the castle?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow and Minato shook his head.
"The weather has been so good lately that I've been outside a lot and I hear he's always either in the lab or his room. There are also rumours that he's been up the labs 'secret tower'," Minato whispered loudly. Kakashi rolled his eyes at his teacher and stowed his book back in his pocket.
"I'll fight you next sensei," Kakashi said standing up and stretching his arms above his head before returning to his lazy posture.
"Deal! I guess I'll just have to see Iruka-sensei at the ball…. Opps," Minato clapped a hand over his mouth with a sheepish look.
"Ball? Minato-sensei?" Kakashi glared.
"I wasn't supposed to say anything….. Obito-kun wants you to settle down so he's invited all the nobles, researchers and most eligible Ukes to a ball next week," Minato said seriously. Kakashi shook his head with a bitter laugh.
"Of _course_. Don't worry I'll act surprised," Kakashi pulled his sword out of it's sheath and looked along the blade.
"But you're going to pay for not telling me, let's spar sensei," Kakashi smirked.
Kakashi loitered around Iruka's door with a masked pout, it was late and there was no sign of Iruka. He'd even been forced to change into his pyjamas because it was so late. Mashimizu rounded the corner and walked up to Kakashi with a frown.
"What are you doing out of your room?" the professor asked and Kakashi shrugged.
"Getting some air," Kakashi yawned. Mashimizu raised his eyebrow, the prince's room had french windows and a small balcony so why would he come out into the hallway.
"Unlikely," Mashimizu said sternly.
"Aren't you worried about Iruka-sensei? He's been gone a while," Kakashi said lazily.
"He's already back. He's up in the labs," Mashimizu said. Kakashi started to walk towards the lab section when he heard a shout from behind him.
"Where do you think you're going? You're not getting in my lab! I remember the last time I left you alone there!" Mashimizu yelled. He was still mourning the loss of some important artefacts that the prince just_ had _to play with.
"I won't be alone, Iruka-sensei will be there," Kakashi gave his upside down U smile and ran off. Mashimizu watched the royal race off with a serious look, he didn't know what to make of Kakashi and Iruka's sudden friendship.
"But if it makes Iruka stay then it's okay," he told the empty hallway.
The laboratory looked like something out of a horror film, every strange shaped object cast a creepy shadow and the bars on the windows (for security) only added to it. Kakashi had never been inside the lab at night, a few artefacts glowed in different colours and the child inside Kakashi wanted to go play with them but he knew he had more important things to deal with.
"Omocha-sensei?" Kakashi called out but no one answered. Kakashi opened various doors into offices but they were all empty.
'Maybe he's trying to scare me?' Kakashi thought.
"I'm onto you Omocha-sensei, come out and we can go to my bedroom and play a game!" Kakashi called seductively. When no calls of 'pervert!' we heard and no blunt objects were thrown at him Kakashi grew worried.
'What if something has happened to him?' Kakashi worried.
Kakashi's inner theatre
"MWAHAHAHAHAHA!|" A loud voice boomed. A random door burst open and a large man dressed in a green jump-suit appeared.
"Gai what are you…?" Kakashi stopped and crushed his hand to his masked mouth to stop the laughter. It was Gai but he had an overemphasised evil moustache that curled at the ends and a red mass over his broad shoulder.** (2)**
"Ah my eternal rival! Don't get in my way for I am on a mission of affection and youth!" Gai proclaimed. The red mass moved and Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
'Wait! I know that ass!' Kakashi realised. The body over Gai's shoulder struggled but both of his hands were tied together with duct tape. Iruka, wearing a slinky rich red kimono, was pulling at his bonds with all his might but they didn't loosen up.
"Iruka-sensei!" Kakashi exclaimed and Iruka let out a whine.
"Kakashi help!" Iruka pleaded. Kakashi pulled out his sword with a menacing look, he pointed it between the bushy brows.
"Let Iruka-sensei go or I'll shave them off!" Kakashi threatened. Gai paled and threw Iruka at Kakashi with a girly scream.
"No you've bested me my esteemed rival. You'll always be better then me!" Gai declared, he rushed out and slammed the door behind him. Kakashi tore the duct tape off Iruka's wrists and the brunette rubbed the sore skin tenderly.
"You're safe now Iruka-sensei," Kakashi said valiantly. Iruka's arms wrapped around Kakashi's neck and he pressed his body against the taller man.
"Oh Kakashi, my hero. How can I ever repay you?" Iruka said cutely, he batted his eyelashes and leaned closer to the prince.
"Iruka," Kakashi rumbled.
Kakashi blinked a few times and pouted beneath his mask, he was back in the empty lab with a distinct lack of cute brunette in his arms. He continued to check in every door until he was tempted to give up.
'Maybe the professor lied to me?' Kakashi thought. He turned around and saw a red velvet curtain in a corner, he walked over to it and brushed it aside. Behind the curtain was an ajar door and Kakashi looked around suspiciously.
'Is this the door to the secret tower? He must be up here,' Kakashi pushed the door open fully and walked up the stairs.
Iruka looked up at the stars in complete silence. The day with Kaname and Hoshi had been great, they had gone out for lunch and went to the nearby park. The beauty of the area astounded Iruka but he found himself watching Hoshi instead of the scenery.
\\ "_How cute," Iruka whispered. Kaname laughed and passed Iruka his coffee, Iruka took it with a grateful smile and sipped it carefully._
"_You're great with kids, you should have one of your own," Kaname said, Iruka spluttered and coughed loudly._
"_No, I'm not married or ready for kids yet," Iruka blushed. _
"_I thought the same thing when I found out I was pregnant," Kaname admitted._
"_Hoshi wasn't planned?" Iruka tore his eyes away from the child to look at Kaname. _
"_No, we were engaged but Mashimizu kept putting it off because of some new discoveries at the lab. I got pregnant and it gave him a reality check, he gets so engrossed in his work," Kaname laughed._
"_He's enthusiastic but he can go too far," Iruka agreed._
"_Hm… I suppose no one has caught your eye then? Mashimizu told me you were from a dimensions with.. Girls," Kaname said in a bitter voice. Iruka raised his eyebrow at the tone and Kaname shrugged._
"_Sorry, just thinking about my Mashi with a woman makes me feel ill. Girls are kind of like mythical creatures here," Kaname said, Hoshi waved at the pair and the men waved back._
"_I understand and no, no-one has caught my eye," Iruka said quickly. _
"_Hmmmm okay if you say so but you sound unsure," Kaname said rushing off to push Hoshi on the swings. /_
Iruka pressed his lips together and raised a hand to trace over the shapes in the sky. He didn't know why Kaname's words stuck in his head. The floor beneath him was getting cold and Iruka was about to get up when he heard a voice.
"So this is what researchers do and you call _me_ lazy," the voice said from the doorway. Iruka turned his head and looked at Kakashi with a frown.
"You're not meant to be up here," Iruka scolded. Kakashi shrugged and finally looked up at the ceiling, his mouth dropped behind his mask.
"I didn't know this….. But wouldn't people notice if the turret suddenly disappeared?" Kakashi said.
"The ceiling isn't gone, it's invisble from the inside and not the outside," Iruka said turning his attention back to the stars.
"Omocha-sensei! Pay attention to me," Kakashi whined, Iruka rolled his eyes and continued to ignore the prince.
"Go find someone else to play with Prince Kakashi," Iruka snapped, he let his eyes drift shut and he sighed deeply. He felt a warm body lie down next to him and a sharp blue eye looking at him.
"The meeting went bad?" Kakashi asked.
"No. It went great, Kaname-san is a wonderful person and Hoshi-chan is so cute," Iruka smiled.
"Then why are you sad?" Kakashi said, even without Iruka's eyes he could tell the brunette was upset.
"I'm not sad…. I'm just homesick," Iruka said honestly. He missed his home, his bed, his students but most of all Iruka missed his family. The family that should have been living in his family home and not 6 ft under.
"Why do you care anyway? You don't care about anyone," Iruka said opening his eyes and looking curiously at Kakashi.
"Yeah, I don't care about anyone….. But you're not just anyone are you Iruka-sensei?" Kakashi grinned. Iruka snorted and couldn't help smiling at the silver haired man's answer.
"Shut up baka," Iruka chuckled.
"I know about stars you know?" Kakashi said proudly, Iruka turned on his side and raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"I _do_ go to lessons,"
"Only to ogle the noble ukes,"
"Aaah you know me so well Iruka-sensei," Kakashi teased. Iruka glanced at the sparkling stars one last time before he sat up and stretched.
"Come on let's get out of here before someone finds out I let the Crown Prince inside the tower," Iruka said standing up and walking over to the console. He tapped away at a few buttons until he heard a small beep. They rushed down the stairs, shut the door and pulled the curtain over it. They locked the lab up and walked leisurely down the hallway.
"Did you hear about this ball my mother organised next week?"
"Yep,"
"When?"
"I found out a few days ago,"
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"You didn't ask, Goodnight Prince Kakashi," Iruka smirked, he dissappeared into his bedroom leaving a stunned Kakashi behind.
'Sly little teacher,' Kakashi thought fondly.
