**Chapter 6**
"Shino-san?" Iruka knocked on the heavy looking door, Shino was alone in his private section of the lab so Iruka was hesitant to disturb him.
"Iruka-sensei please come in," Shino said, the door creaked open and Iruka gulped. The dark aura that emanated from the room made Iruka want to run away and hide under a big rock but part of him was curious about what Shino's secret lab looked like. Usually he just spoke to Shino through the door but he was never invited in.
Iruka stepped inside, his footsteps echoing off the stone floor. The door slammed shut behind him and Iruka stopped, he didn't know what to do. The small hallway was suddenly lit by rows of fireflies and Iruka sighed, a little light was better then no light. A small chocolate Labrador puppy bounced towards Iruka, it's tongue hanging out. Iruka bent down and scratched between the canine's ears, Iruka was always good with dogs.
"Wing! Leave Iruka-sensei be," Shino's voice called. The dog whimpered and retreated back, he nodded towards a room and padded into it.
'Does it want me to follow it?' Iruka questioned, he followed down the dark hallway until he reached the room, he could hear buzzing noises but he tried not to be frightened. The door opened and the tall researcher stood in the doorway.
"Iruka-sensei, are you afraid of insects? Because you may not be able to handle coming through the next room," Shino said bluntly.
"I'm not afraid of insects…. As long as they aren't too big," Iruka said scratching his scar.
"Fine, the insects in here are behind glass for now so follow me," Shino turned on his heel and walked deeper into the dark room. The walls were lined with boxes and boxes of bugs, all fluttering about and buzzing and screeching in protest about being locked up.
"I know but it's only while we have a visitor," Shino said to a particularly loud bug, all the creatures settled down for a nap at their masters words. Iruka followed quickly behind Shino and his dog so he wouldn't be left alone with the bugs, they looked like they would kill Iruka and eat him if they had the chance.
They entered the next room where the light was back on, there was a desk and a few strange objects but Iruka didn't comment on them. The dog ran over to his basket and started digging in it to make it more comfortable.
"Shino-san I only came to ask what you wanted for lunch, now I've been out in the town I know where the places are," Iruka smiled.
"I know Iruka-sensei however there is no harm in showing you my research is there? You're leaving in 3 weeks," Shino said. He pulled Iruka over to a chair and sat him down, Iruka was nervous but he tried not to show it.
"Most of it has been tested and passed on but I have a few things I'm still working on," Shino picked up a small bamboo pipe.
"What's that?" Iruka asked.
"Blow dart gun and the darts in this are from the Dokusatsu spider," Shino said as he admired the weapon.
"R-really, that sounds….. Deadly," Iruka laughed nervously.
"It is, the most deadly venom discovered in Konoha," Shino said. Shino pulled is collar down and sealed his lips around the bamboo pipe, he blew quickly and a small rocket shaped dart shot out and hit the wall.
"This is a weapon that will be rarely used but it's good to know we have such power at our disposal. The only problem with it is that the dart isn't quick enough," Shino handed the pipe to Iruka who hummed in thought. Iruka looked over the thin item but found nothing he could do, he stood up and went to examine the dart that was embedded in the wall.
"Shino-san what about these?" Iruka said pointing to the three points at the back of the dart.
"They make extraction easier and less painful," Shino said.
"The minute it hits the victim then death is instant correct?" Iruka checked.
"Yes," Shino said, his eyes drifting over to Wing. The puppy was chewing on a a plastic chewy butterfly toy.
"Then a painless extraction won't matter, the only way you'd get the dart out would be a post mortem. If you get rid of these parts then it'll be more aerodynamic," Iruka said, Shino looked and the dart and nodded.
"Correct, I'll begin making adjustments immediately," Shino wrote down some notes and picked up a fat green bottle.
"I'll need your help to test this one Iruka-sensei, no harm will come to you," Shino said thrusting the bottle into Iruka's hand. Iruka looked down at the black liquid in the green bottle, he had a bad feeling about it.
"Drink it," Shino said sternly. Iruka unscrewed the cap and brought the bottle to his lips, the liquid ran down his throat and Iruka pulled it away with a scrunched up face.
"It's sweet, unbearably sweet," Iruka said pressing his lips together.
"It's a liquid that the Kyoukatsu beetle excretes, it's a small insect but almost all the other insects avoid it," Shino explained, he pushed Iruka into the dark room and shut the door.
"Shino-san?" Iruka gulped, the bugs were restless again and suddenly all of them escaped their glass boxes and fell on the floor. Iruka watched in horror as they scattered towards him.
"Trust me Iruka-sensei," Shino's voice called and Iruka tried to stop hyperventilating. The bugs crawled closer and closer, their jaws and pincers snapping aggressively. 3ft away from Iruka all the bugs suddenly turned away and ran away, even the flying ones stopped and shied away from the brunette.
"What the….?" Iruka started but the door behind him opened and he tumbled back into the light room. Shino shut the door over and watched Iruka get to his feet with a curious look.
"The liquid works to repel insects because there are people out there who are afraid of insects. It lasts about an hour," Shino said scientifically. Iruka clutched his heart and glared at the younger man.
"That was your first test? What if it hadn't worked?" He gritted out, Shino shrugged and walked back over to his desk.
"I knew it would work, if I had been unsure then I would have used someone else," Shino said quietly. Iruka blushed and moved over to the desk, Wing jumped out of his basket and Iruka pet him again.
"I'm assuming Wing was Kiba-san's idea?" Iruka smiled.
"Yes, Kiba thinks it will be 'good' for me, he isn't too bad when you get used to him," Shino said nodding to the puppy.
"Good dog," Iruka said happily. Shino watched the exchange with interest, he knew Iruka was good with kids but also with dogs?
"You should tell the prince that you like dogs," Shino commented.
"Why should I tell _his highness_ anything?" Iruka said bitterly, he hadn't seen Kakashi since he had caught him in a compromising position with a noble uke from his class.
'Stupid idiot, honestly! Holding someone so close in public is… is …. Stupid me! Why the hell should I care if he's off with some uke, this ball tomorrow is all about finding him a husband. I don't care what-so-ever!' Iruka thought angrily.
"Prince Kakashi keeps dogs, down in the kennels. He's very much a dog person, he and Kiba could talk about dogs for hours," Shino said.
"I might take a look after I get the lunch orders back, what did you want Shino-san?" Iruka asked.
"A wild grass salad but you can't run off without seeing my last potion," Shino said, he picked up a thin vial of dark purple liquid with a thick cork in it.
"This is the blood of the Kioku butterfly. It's a memory altering potion, it makes you forget," Shino held it up to the light and Iruka watched it intently.
'Makes you forget, what I would have done for that in the past,' Iruka thought.
"That's very helpful Shino-san, I'll go get lunch for everyone. Bye Shino-san, bye Wing," Iruka said leaving the room. The bugs parted a pathway for Iruka and he hurried past them quickly.
Kakashi slouched down the halls of the castle with a bored look in his eye, he looked completely normal except for the fact he was moving twice as fast as he usually did. His bored eye flicking from side to side, trying to catch a glimpse of Iruka. He'd tried to talk to the brunette for days but Iruka was incredibly skilled at hide and seek which meant Kakashi was having a hard time finding him.
'I'm tempted to get Pakkun to track him but then he'd ask why I have one of Iruka-sensei's hair ties and things would get complicated,' Kakashi thought. He rounded a corner and saw a figure leaning against the door frame that led to the castle grounds. A small wisp of grey smoke rose from the man and Kakashi chuckled.
"Shikamaru," Kakashi said. The lazy man didn't bother to turn and address the prince, he sighed and continued to smoke.
"Have you seen Iruka-sensei?" Kakashi asked.
"He's out getting lunch for the other researchers," Shikamaru said taking another drag of his cigarette. Kakashi nodded, the information was never wrong when it came from Shikamaru. The younger man had 'sources' everywhere so he knew everything that went on in the castle.
"But he still looks angry at you so I suggest you stay away," Shikamaru advised.
"Maa I can handle Iruka-sensei's temper," Kakashi said smugly.
"Would his temper have something to do with you holding Izumo-san?" Shikamaru's lips curled into a condescending smirk.
"I wasn't holding him, he tripped and I caught him," Kakashi protested.
"Kotetsu-san isn't happy with you," Shikamaru said ignoring the prince again.
"I've just talked to Kotetsu and he understands it was a mistake," Kakashi lied.
'I better go talk to Kotetsu after I find Iruka,' Kakashi thought, he rushed out the castle.
Iruka walked along the street with incredible grace considering he had two bags hanging off one arm and one heavy bag on the other.
'All I need to get is my Ramen and I'm done,' Iruka thought with a smile. He had thought he would be too late to get everything for lunch when he was in Shino's lab but he had made it somehow.
He made it to the stand and ordered his ramen, the older man at the stand smiled at him kindly.
"I haven't seen you around before," He said and Iruka laughed.
"No but ramen is my favourite food and my uncle says you do the best ramen anywhere Teuchi-san," Iruka complimented. The older man laughed as he scooped the ramen into a pot.
"Such high praise, thank you…. You must be Iruka-sensei, you have that Umino look about you," Teuchi said. Iruka hid a blush at the compliment.
Iruka felt his hair band slip from his hair and the chocolate tresses tumbled around his shoulders. Iruka span around to catch it but someone had beat him to it.
A tall grey haired man with a gentle smile held the hair band out towards Iruka.
"Lucky I was behind you," The man said, his voice was calm and Iruka couldn't help trusting him.
"Y-yeah thanks, they're always falling out, I'm Umino Iruka," Iruka tried to bow but his arms were too full.
"Just call me Mizuki, turn around Iruka-kun and I'll fix your hair," Mizuki offered. Iruka grew tense and shook his head rapidly, he didn't like relying on others.
"It's fine, I can do it if I….." Iruka tried to juggle the bags and when Mizuki laughed he stopped with a smile.
"I insist Iruka-kun," Mizuki smiled, Iruka gave a hesitant look and turned around. Mizuki scooped the hair back, his fingers brushing against Iruka's neck. Mizuki combed his fingers through the dark hair to make it neat and he tied the band tightly so it wouldn't fall out again.
"There," Mizuki chimed. Iruka turned around and smiled thankfully at the man.
"Thank you Mizuki-kun," Iruka said gratefully.
"My pleasure Iruka-kun, would you like to sit down?" Mizuki gestured to the stools.
"I would love to but I can't…. I'm late already," Iruka said picking up the pot ramen.
"How about tomorrow?" Mizuki asked.
"I'm working," Iruka said.
"Haven't you ever skived off? Meet you here tomorrow at 11?" Mizuki grinned. Something about the man made it impossible for Iruka to refuse him.
"…. Sure, I'll see you tomorrow Mizuki-kun," Iruka said leaving the man and walking towards the castle.
"See you then Iruka-kun," Mizuki called after him.
'I made a friend!' Iruka thought happily.
A pair of mismatched eyes watched the exchange from the shadows, he watched Mizuki's face contort into a corrupt smirk as he walked off. Kakashi's fingers twitched as he remembered Mizuki playing with Iruka's hair.
'He never lets me touch him…. What does he have that I don't, I'm the prince! I should be winning….' Kakashi thought childishly.
"He's my Omocha, my Iruka," Kakashi whispered.
Iruka relaxed on his bed in his pyjamas, the rest of the day had gone well but Iruka felt most excited about Mizuki.
'He seems really friendly, everyone seems nice but Mizuki-san seems really nice,' Iruka thought. He sat up with a pout, he'd had a nice day but he still felt like something was missing. He placed a hand against the wall above the headboard of his bed and sighed.
"What could be missing?" Iruka mumbled, his fingers flexed against the wall and he snapped his head to look at it.
'Kakashi is on the other side of this wall…. I haven't seen him in days,' Iruka thought sadly. He pulled his hand back as if was burnt and a blush blossomed across his scar.
'Why the hell did I think that? I don't care if I don't see that pervert prince!…. Even if he's a decent person…. Occasionally,' Iruka decided. He turned the light off and snuggled under the silk covers.
'I'll see Kakashi at the ball tomorrow night… when did I start thinking of him without his title?' Iruka questioned. He shook the thoughts away and settled down for the night, so many ideas ran through his head about the ball. Obito had said that he would sort things out for Iruka but it made Iruka feel uneasy.
'I've got to learn to rely on people. I'm not alone anymore,' Iruka told himself.
Mashimizu stared at his nervous nephew with a raised eyebrow. Iruka was fiddling with the pen in his hand and his sepia eyes flickered between his work and the clock.
"Is there somewhere you need to be Iruka-kun?" Mashimizu asked. Iruka jumped at his uncle's voice and tried to calm the uneasy feeling in his heart. He wanted to fake illness and run off to see Mizuki but he couldn't do it.
"Ummm uncle can I…. You know that I go get lunch for everyone around 12?" Iruka rocked back and forth on his feet.
"Yes," Mashimizu confirmed.
"Could I go…. Say….. An hour early? Just… you know… for a change?" Iruka said, Mashimizu raised an eyebrow and a few of the other researchers listened in.
"…. It's just…. I'm supposed to be meeting someone at 11…" Iruka said shyly, the researchers gossiped and Mashimizu frowned.
"If it's important…. Sure feel free but you're making up time later," Mashimizu warned.
"Thanks, I'll get the orders and leave now," Iruka chirped. Iruka reached the door to the lab when he felt someone tap his shoulder.
"Uncle?" Iruka smiled.
"This man… is he seme or uke?" Mashimizu said seriously.
"Umm…. I don't know, he's kind of tall so I'd guess seme? But why should that matter?" Iruka answered.
"Maybe you shouldn't get so… close," Mashimizu hinted.
'Why should Mizuki being a seme mean I can't be friends with….?' Iruka's thoughts stopped as realisation hit him. He knew he was technically classified as an uke in this dimension but he never took it seriously.
'Being uke doesn't matter! I like women!…. Well I don't but…. I don't like men either so I…. I don't like either,' Iruka thought stubbornly. An image of the crown prince flashed before Iruka's eyes, his visible eye shone with amusement at Iruka who couldn't help blushing.
"You think I…. No, No, No, No…. He's just a friend," Iruka protested. Mashimizu relaxed at the words and let go of Iruka's shoulder.
"That's fine, get going Iruka," Mashimizu smiled innocently.
Iruka walked quickly down the 2nd floor castle hallway, humming to the beat of his footsteps against the marble floor. He fanned himself with a paper fan that he'd been given by Shikamaru, 'No point in you fainting from the heat Iruka-sensei when it can be prevented by ventilation' or something along those lines was what the Nara had said.
The sound of admiration and giggling gasps reached Iruka's ears, he turned to the window and looked out. He spotted a trio ukes that he'd spoken to a few times, they were standing under the window and whispering enthusiastically. Iruka moved the bowl of pebbles to the side and opened the window silently.
"Not bad but my danna could beat them both easily and he's got a better body," Deidara bragged. The smaller man beside him snorted and shook his head.
"Zabusa could beat the prince, lord Naruto and lord Sasori plus I bet he looks better under his mask then the prince," Haku said sweetly. The tallest man, who was watching in case either man drew blood instead of ogling their bodies.
"Kakuzu would slaughter both of them and he beats them in the looks department too," Hidan said arrogantly. Iruka scratched his head and finally looked at what the men were talking about.
Under the blazing sun two topless figures fought, the sun glinting off their blades. A pale prince gave the sunkissed teen a masked smirk, he never passed up the opportunity to show off. Both men had discarded their tops at the beginning of the match and after applying sun cream they started to spar.
Iruka scrutinised them and tried to figure out why the ukes were watching the fight. The first man was about Iruka's height with bronzed skin and bright blue eyes, a dark tattoo on his toned stomach. Iruka admitted that the boy was fit but he didn't feel right watching him, he was too young for Iruka. Chocolate eyes swapped targets and he focussed on the crown prince. Iruka watched the muscles working in the pale back as he sliced at Naruto, Iruka pressed his lips together with a worried look.
'I should be with Mizuki-kun right now, not watching Kakashi,' Iruka thought. The men dodged each other and Iruka's eyes trailed over Kakashi's torso, faint scars painted into the flawless skin. A small tattoo on Kakashi's shoulder made Iruka frown, he thought it might have been a royal thing. A pink tongue peeked out of Iruka's lips and wet his dry lips, he didn't know why he was having a reaction to the prince. Iruka shook the indecent thoughts from his head and picked up a pebble from the bowl, he aimed it and dropped it on Deidara's head.
"Ow what the hell? Iru….." Deidara's exclamation was cut off by Haku's hand. Iruka pressed a single finger against his lips and winked at the group.
"What are you guys doing?" Iruka whispered.
"What do you think?" Haku said jerking his thumb towards the fighters. Iruka gave them a stern look and waved his finger teasingly.
"What would your semes think?" Iruka mocked. Haku and Deidara threw Iruka a pleading look. Hidan shrugged at the threat, if Kakuzu found out then it meant punishment and Hidan enjoyed his sadistic lover's punishments.
"You just want _that_ all to yourself un," Deidara smirked. Iruka scoffed and tucked a stray bit of hair behind his hair. The sounds of swords clashing was heard in the background but all the ukes ignored it.
"Yeah right," Iruka replied.
"Aren't you meant to be working Iruka-sensei?" Haku checked.
"I am but I'm…. Meeting someone," Iruka said mysteriously.
"Like a date? Who with?" Hidan asked.
"Can't say, I'm already late," Iruka sang. He was about to leave when he felt a fierce gaze on him, he looked back at Kakashi. He'd grabbed Naruto around the waist and thrown him into a nearby bush, the blonde cursing and yelling insults. Kakashi looked up at the window and Iruka's breath hitched, the intensity of the blue eye made Iruka shudder.
Minato glanced up at the window and his mouth made a perfect 'o'.
'So that's Iruka-sensei, Kawaii,' Minato thought. Iruka involuntarily blushed at the attention and rushed away from the window.
'I need to go see Mizuki-kun,' Iruka panicked. Kakashi ran his hand through his hair and turned back to the fuming blonde teenager that was picking leaves out of his hair.
Iruka smiled his friend, Mizuki hadn't cared about Iruka being late and even accompanied Iruka to get the researchers lunches.
"You're too compassionate, always helping others before yourself," Mizuki pointed out. Iruka laughed as they sat down on the stools of the ramen stand. Iruka ordered two bowls of ramen and just missed the scornful look Mizuki gave Teuchi. They'd been talking for an hour and Iruka knew their time together had to end soon, it was nice to be with friends but he had responsibilities to the lab.
"It's just the way I grew up," Iruka said, he accepted the ramen and ate it happily. Mizuki swirled the contents of his ramen around but most of his attention was on Iruka, he watched the brunette intently. The innocent eyes looked at the seme with a curious smile, something about the way Mizuki looked at him made Iruka feel uneasy.
"What's the matter?" Iruka asked. Mizuki looked off into space with a sad sigh, Iruka set his chopsticks down and frowned.
"Nothing…. I'm just thinking about my ex," Mizuki said.
"I'm sorry, did it end badly?" Iruka said hesitantly.
"It was all a big misunderstanding, I was even going to propose to him at the ball tonight but he won't talk to me," Mizuki sulked. Iruka set a hand on Mizuki's shoulder with a reassuring squeeze.
"I even heard a rumour that he's going with another seme," Mizuki cried. Iruka's touch turned into a full blown hug and Mizuki clung to him 'helplessly'. Teuchi glared at the grey haired man and Mizuki replied with an intimidating look, Teuchi turned away from the couple and tried to focus on the ramen.
"Oh Mizuki-kun, don't worry… there must be something we can do," Mizuki was startled by Iruka's determined tone. He pulled back with a confused and timid look.
"We?" Mizuki said quietly and Iruka nodded.
"I'm going to help, it's what friends do," Iruka beamed, Mizuki smiled happily back at him.
"Thanks Iruka-kun," Mizuki said hugging the smaller man, he smirked over Iruka's shoulder.
"I know what we can do!" Iruka cheered, he pulled back from a reluctant Mizuki and the grey haired man waited for Iruka to continue.
"Be my date tonight, it'll give you a chance to speak to him," Iruka offered.
"Are you sure? I don't want to stop you going with someone else…." Mizuki checked.
"It's no problem, I wasn't going with anyone anyway. I'm glad to help," Iruka said, he turned back to his ramen and started to finish it off.
"I'd love to be your date Iruka-kun," Mizuki bowed politely.
"You can just call me Iruka if you want, you are my date after all," Iruka winked, Mizuki laughed.
"Then call me Mizuki," the older man said smoothly, they both ate their ramen. Iruka took the appropriate bags from Mizuki and bowed to the seme.
"I'll see you tonight, I'll let the guards know you're coming to get me so just tell them your name and you should be let it," Iruka said.
"Shirushi Mizuki shouldn't you be working?" A cold voice drawled. A tall blonde and his raven lover stood by the ramen stand, the uke was glaring daggers at Mizuki.
"I am Uchiha-san, I was just on my lunch break," Mizuki sweat-dropped. Mizuki worked for the royal blacksmith, Hoshigaki Kisame which was terrifying enough but Kisame's uke Itachi also loved to terrorise the employees.
"Good because I would hate to have to report you to Aniki," Sasuke sneered. Mizuki smiled widely at the noble couple and bowed.
"Of course Uchiha-san, I'll see you later," Mizuki winked at Iruka and walked off. Naruto ignored the confrontation and rushed forward to the ramen bar.
"Teuchi-san! Can I have….?" Before Naruto could finish his order, he found a steaming bowl of ramen in front of him.
"You're the best!" Naruto grinned. Sasuke rolled his eyes and leaned against the bar, his eyes looking over the brunette Mizuki was talking to. Naruto span round to speak to Sasuke and his elbow nudged the bowl, the ramen plummeted to the ground and Naruto gasped.
A tanned hand caught the bowl without spilling a drop, he put it back on the bar and turned to the blonde. Naruto looked at Iruka with a grateful eyes.
"Y-You saved my r-ramen," Naruto whispered, his bottom lip trembling.
"Well it would be a waste of ramen if it ended up on the floor," Iruka said. Naruto hugged the startled man around his waist as he gushed words of thanks and appreciation. Sasuke glared at Iruka who was trying to pry the strong blonde's arms from around him.
"You're my hero! You saved my ramen!" Naruto bawled. Iruka patted the boy on his head awkwardly (which was quite hard considering they were the same height).
"It's fine, goodbye Teuchi-san," Iruka said politely, he picked his bags up again and walked away.
"Goodbye Iruka-sensei," Teuchi called after him. Both teens froze and looked at the retreating figure.
"That was Umino Iruka?" Sasuke asked and Teuchi nodded. Bright blue eyes watched Iruka walk away with a sunny smile.
"He's a nice person," Naruto said, he felt two jealous sharingan eyes staring at him.
"Don't worry Sasuke, I mean he's a genuinely nice person. Let's go help him with those bags dattebayo!" Naruto chirped, he got his ramen in a takeaway box and both teens raced after Iruka.
"Iruka-sensei! Iruka-sensei!" Naruto yelled, Iruka stopped and looked over his shoulder at them.
"Hm?" Iruka hummed, he turned around and examined the pair. They were both around Iruka's height, the raven wore a noble outfit while the blonde wore a training outfit.
'He was the man that was fighting Kakashi,' Iruka noticed.
"Iruka-sensei do you need any help?" Naruto said, Iruka blinked a few times and shook his head.
"No, I'm fine," Iruka said but Naruto took one bag off Iruka and Sasuke took another.
"We're here to help Iruka-sensei, we're going back to the castle anyway," Naruto smiled. Sasuke hit the back of Naruto's head, making the blonde pout.
"Introduce yourself," Sasuke warned.
"I'm the great Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto said loudly, a few people who were walking by shook their heads at the man. Naruto was one of the loudest men in Konoha, next to Gai and Lee.
"Uchiha Sasuke," Sasuke said coldly. Iruka bowed to both men, Naruto looked taken aback at action but Sasuke nodded approvingly.
"Shall we get back to the castle?" Iruka suggested.
Iruka pouted at the silk kimono that lay on his bed, it was a rich ocean blue with a black obi and a few black patterns on the hem.
"Heika," Iruka growled. Obito had demanded to be in charge of Iruka's outfit and Iruka had told him not to be too flashy.
'I should have known the king would ignore my wishes,' Iruka thought.
_**Knock Knock**_
Iruka looked at the clock on the wall with a confused look.
'Mizuki can't be here yet! The ball isn't for another hour,' Iruka panicked, he rushed over to the door and flung it open.
"What are you….?" Iruka stopped dead. Kakashi stood outside Iruka's room, both eyes bore into the brunette. He wore a black and silver kimono with a thin black mask and a silver crown perched atop his head, Iruka tried not to stare at the handsome looking prince. Kakashi smirked at the younger man's reaction.
"Speechless Iruka-sensei?" Kakashi said. Iruka shook himself from his trance and laughed.
"In your dreams Prince pervert," Iruka hit back. Kakashi's expression softened, it seemed that the bad air between them was forgotten.
"You aren't ready yet?" Kakashi teased.
"King Obito said he would handle everything," Iruka said biting his lip.
"Scary," Kakashi laughed.
"I know. Let me get changed in peace Prince Kakashi, I'll see you at the ball," Iruka said slamming the door shut. Kakashi blinked at the door a few times before shrugging, Iruka was so unpredictable sometimes.
'I heard he was going with Mizuki, we'll see who he's leaving with,' Kakashi smirked.
"Raidou-san I don't see why I need my hair done, I'm not sure I'll stay that long. I'm only going to help a friend and discuss some research with some archivists," Iruka ground out, Raidou was brushing his hair with some strange brush.
"Heika's orders Iruka-san plus you're going to look hot when I'm done with you," Raidou said with a flourish. Iruka glared at Raidou's reflection in the mirror, making the other man sweat-drop.
"I mean hotter," Raidou clarified. Raidou brushed the hair so it was sleek and shiny, he let it fall around Iruka's face and he smiled knowingly.
"So who's the lucky guy?" Raidou said.
"It's Mizuki-kun but we're just friends," Iruka said. Raidou's face scrunched up at Iruka's words, he didn't know the innocent brunette had got involved with that bad seed. Raidou span Iruka around in his chair until he was inches away from Iruka's face.
"I just need to do one more thing and then you'll be ready," Raidou announced, he took a small section of Iruka's dark hair from behind his left ear and started to plait it. Iruka watched Raidou twirl the hair expertly and then secure the braided hair with a small band. Iruka breathed deeply and stroked a finger over the kimono he was wearing.
"Do I want to know how Genma-san got my measurements?" Iruka asked.
"No. With Genma it's best not to ask," Raidou chuckled. He pulled Iruka in front of a full length mirror and let the brunette look himself over. The blue kimono fit perfectly and Raidou had tied the obi just right, his dark hair shone against the silky material and he smiled at the image.
"I look okay don't I?" Iruka said.
"You look better then okay, all the semes will be drooling over you tonight," Raidou winked.
"I thought it was mainly ukes that were invited?" Iruka questioned.
"For the prince's benefit however there are plenty of noble semes that are single," Raidou hinted, Iruka blushed and shook his head.
"No, I'm not…"
_**Knock Knock**_
Raidou left Iruka's side to open the large wooden door. Mizuki strolled into the room wearing a plum kimono and what must have been a clan symbol on the belt. He stopped and swallowed loudly at the sight of Iruka, his eyes raking over the uke's form.
"You look great Iruka," Mizuki smiled.
"As do you Mizuki, shall we go?" Iruka said sunnily. Raidou literally pushed Iruka and Mizuki from the room and down the hallway towards the main ballroom.
"Raidou-san we_ can_ walk," Iruka reminded him, the other scarred man laughed and stopped pushing.
". I've got to find Genma anyway, good luck," Raidou said. He rushed off, his dark kimono billowing behind him. The couple reached the top of the main stairway where they met with Mashimizu and Kaname.
"Iruka-kun!" Mashimizu said cheerfully, he clapped a hand on Iruka's back and Mizuki had to catch him to stop him flying forward.
"Careful Mashimizu," Kaname said seriously. Mashimizu scratched the back of his head with a nervous laugh, he didn't want to argue with his husband on a rare night that they weren't looking after Hoshi.
"Of course Kaname….. And you must be Shirushi Mizuki, I expect you to treat my nephew right," Mashimizu said protectively.
"_Uncle_!" Iruka hissed, his entire face flushing red while Mizuki laughed at the warning.
"Don't worry I will," Mizuki promised, Mashimizu suddenly felt the urge to spit. Something about the man made his blood crawl and one look at Kaname confirmed that he felt the same way.
"You two go first," Mashimizu said.
"No, you're head researcher so you should go first," Iruka replied.
"People are much more excited to see you, believe me," Mashimizu insisted. Iruka sighed in defeat and Mizuki escorted him to the stairwell.
"We'll descend then bow to the kings and then mingle," Mizuki planned, Iruka nodded. Mizuki held out an arm and Iruka linked elbows with him, Mizuki placed a hand atop Iruka's to calm him down; he could feel the brunette trembling with anxiety.
"It's fine," Mizuki whispered in Iruka's ear.
"Announcing Shirushi Mizuki and Umino Iruka," Gai's voice boomed. The large ballroom was decorated in vibrant reds and glorious golds, elegantly done to make it a royal occasion. Iruka didn't have time to admire the room, Mizuki guided Iruka down the stairs.
Various eyes admired the couple - Iruka in particular could feel several hungry gazes on him, he tried not to show his unease and gripped Mizuki's arm tighter. Iruka didn't like attending parties and if he had to attend one then he liked to blend into the walls until he could sneak off.
'No chance of that here,' Iruka thought dryly.
Kakashi looked up from the crowd of ukes he was entertaining and felt his breath catch, he would have to thank his mother later for doing such an amazing job. He wanted to run his fingers along the silky thighs, tug on the single braid with his teeth and completely dominate the teacher.
'He should be on my arm,' Kakashi thought stubbornly, he hated not getting his own way. Liquid chocolate eyes fell on the prince and knots formed in Iruka's stomach, he tried to turn his eyes away from the prince but it was rare to have both red and blue eyes focussing on him.
'I feel like I'm drowning,' Iruka thought helplessly. Mizuki squeezed Iruka's hand and succeeded in grabbing the brunette's attention. They reached the bottom of the stares and walked forward to the thrones, they let go of each other and bowed to the kings. Sakumo nodded and Obito smiled at Iruka, his little experiment was going according to plan. His dark eyes darted to his son and his smile widened when he saw Kakashi watching Iruka intently. Iruka and Mizuki left the royals to find some other researchers.
"So can you see your ex anywhere?" Iruka murmured in Mizuki's ear. Mizuki's eyes combed the area before shrugging.
"He'll be around here somewhere," he said vaguely, Mizuki spotted a certain person leaning against a wall and he smirked. Mizuki's hand slipped down to wrap around Iruka's waist, his fingers resting on Iruka's hipbone. Iruka jolted and raised an eyebrow at his friend.
"I see him, go have fun and I'll get us some drinks," Mizuki said softly, he kissed Iruka's cheek and left the blushing brunette alone. Kakashi tried to regain control of himself, jealousy was slowly eating him alive.
"I need a drink," Kakashi muttered dejectedly, 12 different glasses of sake were pushed towards the prince by a crowd of eager ukes. Kakashi shrugged and started drinking them all, anything to get his attention off Iruka.
Mizuki looked back at Iruka, who was talking to Shino, Shikamaru, Kiba and a pregnant Neji. Iruka stared at the swollen stomach until Neji's eye ticked, he knew Iruka wasn't used to pregnant men but he didn't like being stared at like he was in a zoo. After the initial awkwardness faded, the group were talking casually with warm expressions.
Mizuki turned away with a hidden smirk and he rushed towards one of the food tables. A catering attendant matched Mizuki's smirk but he didn't move from the wall he was leaning on.
"Two sakes," Mizuki said smoothly. The attendant pushed his glasses up and started pouring the sake.
"What are you doing here?" Mizuki hissed quietly.
"Reconnaissance," Kabuto said innocently.
"That's my job," Mizuki replied. They both fell silent as a seme approached the table, Kabuto handed the drinks to him with a smile and they waited for him to be out of earshot.
"You got distracted," Kabuto sneered, he jerked his head towards the happy brunette who was talking to an equally happy blonde. Naruto waved his hands around as he chatted while Sasuke rolled his eyes with a bored yawn.
"Not that I blame you, if I was a seme then I would definitely want to corrupt such an innocent beauty. However Orochimaru-sama is displeased, he says the Big Cheese isn't happy with the timeline. He needs it done within the next few weeks," Kabuto whispered. Mizuki's eyebrows shot up and he licked his dry lips nervously.
"That soon?…. It can be done but _he_ needs to be in position," Mizuki said anxiously.
"Get back to your date, You won't be able to convince that cutie to join us. He seems loyal," Kabuto poured two more drinks and thrust them into the seme's hands.
"I'm very persuasive and if I can't convince Iruka then I don't mind having him as an unwilling pet," Mizuki leered. A thousand twisted fantasies involving scalpels, chains, blood and some forbidden practices ran through Mizuki's sadistic mind. He turned around and plastered a gentle smile on his face, he spotted Iruka beaming at his uncle and he inwardly chuckled.
'You're mine,' Mizuki thought.
Kakashi let the alcohol slide through his thin mask and down his throat, heating the path down with a burning trail. He had watched Iruka dance with Mizuki, Naruto, Mashimizu and even Kaname but the young Umino hadn't even glanced in the prince's direction once. Kakashi had lost count of how many glasses he had drunk but he didn't care. He had hoped the sake would help make the ukes that flocked to him more attractive but he couldn't tear his eyes from Iruka.
The brunette talked away to some older researchers from another lab, completely unaware of the possessive gaze on him. Mizuki was glued to Iruka's side, his arm comfortably curled around Iruka's slender waist.
Shikamaru nudged an uke aside and leaned in to whisper to the tipsy silver haired man.
"Maybe you should retire to bed," Shikamaru suggested, his tone left no room for argument.
"I will if you do me one favour," Kakashi replied, his hand groping for another glass but Shikamaru made sure to clear the area of any liquor.
"Keep Shirushi Mizuki and these ukes busy, I need to speak with Iruka-sensei… alone," Kakashi said in a dazed voice. Shikamaru rolled his eyes at the request and quickly scanned the room to locate his lover. Neji was sitting down in one corner getting talked at by Lee, he rubbed his stomach with an almost unnoticed smile.
'I'll have to get him home soon,' Shikamaru thought. He knew he could leave the prince in a slump but Kakashi would likely do something stupid if left alone.
"That's a stupid idea however…. Go outside. Behind the large fountain, it should hide you from view," Shikamaru planned. He created a quick diversion so the ukes were distracted while the prince slipped or rather drunkenly stumbled away. Shikamaru walked calmly over to Iruka, two white eyes watched him intently. Neji could tell his fiancé was up to something, the way his dark eyes glistened with hidden knowledge. The lovers' eyes locked and Shikamaru raised his hand.
"5 minutes," Shikamaru mouthed.
Neji smirked at this, he fiancé was definitely up to something and it was a turn on. Shikamaru watched Neji curl a long strand of dark hair around his finger, he recognised this signal and gulped.
'Get to Iruka-sensei then get Neji home A.S.A.P,' Shikamaru shuddered. The advisor tapped Iruka on his shoulder but didn't wait for a response, he dragged Iruka away with Mizuki following behind.
"It's an emergency, you need to come alone. Go outside," Shikamaru hissed. Mizuki caught up with them and Iruka rubbed his scar awkwardly.
"I'm sorry Mizuki-kun but there's a problem I need to attend to," Iruka said politely.
"It's fine Iruka, I'll catch up with you tomorrow. Lunch?" Mizuki smiled sweetly, Shikamaru's eyes narrowed in disbelief while Iruka sighed in relief at how understanding his friend was.
"Thank you so much, lunch sounds great. Psst go find your ex, I'm sure you'll work things out," Iruka said innocently. Mizuki nodded with a warm smile and Shikamaru pointed Iruka in the right direction. Mizuki stepped forward to pursue him but Shikamaru extended an arm out.
"Hoshigaki-san needed to see you at the workshop immediately!" Shikamaru ordered, the grey haired man snarled and stormed off in the opposite direction. Shikamaru watched the man leave and he checked his watch, he told Lee to inform the royals he had a family issue and rushed after his fiancee.
Iruka walked around the large fountain, he assumed Shikamaru meant behind the fountain. He tugged the kimono tighter around him, the freezing cold air was a big change from the warm ballroom. Chocolate eyes scanning the area until they saw a figure sitting on the edge of the fountain, Iruka recognised him immediately.
"Prince Kakashi? What are you doing here?" Iruka asked, he moved forward and helped the prince stand. The scent of strong sake hit Iruka and he couldn't help coughing, both of Kakashi's eyes were glazed over and it worried Iruka.
"You're drunk…. Oh Kakashi," Iruka sighed. Hearing his name being spoken so softly woke Kakashi from his daze. He looked down at the dressed up brunette who was literally inches away from him, he had to resist the urge to pull Iruka against his body.
"Why would you do this? Obito-sama went to a lot of effort trying to find a match for you and you get drunk! I thought you had more brains then that you perverted baka prince!" Iruka snapped. His eyes lit up with fire, golden snakes swirling around them and if Kakashi were sober he would have realised Iruka was seriously pissed off. His cheeks were flushed red either from the cold air or anger, a gust of wind blew past the couple making Iruka shiver.
'Don't get so angry, your too hot when you're angry for me to resist,' Kakashi's hazy mind thought.
"Get your ass back in there Kakashi," Iruka threatened, he figured that the prince would be too drunk to remember what Iruka called him in the morning.
"No," Kakashi mumbled childishly, he started to tug at his mask in an effort to pull it down.
"Get you ass back in there before I...I…" Iruka's brain froze at the image before him. The dark mask was hanging around Kakashi's neck and Iruka gaped at Kakashi's bare face. He had a masculine jaw line with unblemished lips, he was the epitome of what a prince should look like, seeing his entire face reduced Iruka to a pile of goo. He finally understood why the prince wore his mask, anyone who looked upon him would stare in awe at how handsome Kakashi was. Even the scar over his left eye was beautiful to Iruka, it showed a powerful element to the prince, a strong fighter.
"I….I…..I…..I…." Iruka stammered. Kakashi couldn't resist the temptation any longer, he stepped forward and tilted the younger man's chin up. He pressed his lips forcefully against Iruka's and Iruka gasped into the kiss, he hadn't expected that from the prince. Kakashi kissed the brunette deeper and Iruka found it hard not to collapse into the prince's arms and beg to be ravished. Kakashi was incredibly skilled at kissing and Iruka was falling victim to his experience. Iruka lost all ability to think when Kakashi's tongue dragged along the seam of his closed lips. He parted his lips instinctively and Kakashi's tongue dove into the warm mouth, it mapped out every inch inside. Kakashi's tongue twined around Iruka's, making the uke squeak in shock. He knew he should have been resisting but everything seemed hazy and Iruka couldn't think of anything but Kakashi. The strong taste of bitter alcohol invaded Iruka's mouth and his eyes shot open.
'Maybe I'm drunk too…. Wait…. Drunk…. Kissing...A man!' Iruka pulled back quickly and threw both hands over his mouth. Kakashi swayed on his feet, the sake must have finally hit his bloodstream but he still saw the tears gathering in Iruka's deep eyes.
"Iruka-sensei," He slurred. Iruka shook his head and sprinted away, into the forest and away from the crown prince. His heart thundered in his ears as he ran faster, he needed space to think about what just happened.
Kakashi sat down on the edge of the fountain with a disappointed groan, he ran his hands over his exposed face and through his hair. He clutched his head tightly as if trying to stop the effects of the large amount of alcohol he'd drank.
"That wasn't.. Meant to happen," He whispered, he looked up at the patch of trees Iruka fled into with a sad look.
Iruka didn't how long he'd been running for but he knew he had to stop soon, he was starting to feel dizzy.
'From running or the kiss?' A stray thought hit him. He stopped and leaned against a tree, the cold bark scratched against his back but Iruka ignored it.
"I kissed a man… A MAN!….. And it just had to be…. Kakashi…. He's never going to let me live this down….. He might not remember it, he is so drunk…." Iruka said hopefully. He looked up at the night sky, the large pale moon drew his attention, it was silver like the prince's hair. He could still see Kakashi's unnaturally handsome face in his mind, he dug his hands into his eyes as if trying to push the image away.
'Kissing Kakashi isn't the worst thing…. The worst thing is….' Iruka thought. He ran his tongue over his kiss bruised lips and sighed.
"I liked it," Iruka breathed in disbelief.
