Disclaimer - I don't own Naruto or any of the characters from the original series! Okami Etsu and the Onizuka's are mine however - so please ask nicely before borrowing! Any characters and situations herein are purely fictitious, and any similarity between those and persons living or dead is coincidental.

Warning

Iruka was woken the next morning by an odd, strangled crowing noise. He sleepily wondered why someone was strangling a cockerel in his apartment building. He sat up suddenly and looked round. Hell, he'd actually stayed the night at Etsu's?! He flumped back on to the pillows - Izumo and Kotetsu would never let him hear the end of it when they found out... If they found out. His eyes wandered over the room, drinking in the details. Etsu apparently favoured natural wood furniture; the fabric she'd used for curtains and cushions was bright and cheerful. Kami, but this would be a wonderful place to live.

Iruka swung his legs out of bed and reached for his clothes. He'd have to make an early start of it if he was to get back to his apartment, shower, change and be out to the academy in time to take his classes. He noted with surprise that the quilt was handmade also. Only patchwork, but beautiful none the less. He jumped as a soft knock sounded on the door.

'Hello?' He called as he quickly pulled his navy shirt on.

'Sorry, Umino-san, but I thought you'd want an early start.' Etsu spoke from the other side of the door.

'Um, yeah. Thank you.' Iruka ran his fingers through his hair, pulling it into its usual high ponytail. He grabbed his flak jacket and pulled the covers neatly over the bed. He cautiously opened the door only to find Etsu had disappeared back downstairs. He stopped briefly at the toilet before clattering down the stairs to be greeted by the smell of breakfast. Etsu gave him a sunny smile as she looked across to the doorway where he stood. She motioned that breakfast was almost ready and put a finger to her lips, pointing to the floor above them. Iruka nodded, he'd kind of guessed that Naruto and Itsuki were still asleep.

'Any plans for today, Umino-san?' Etsu asked politely as they sat eating breakfast.

'Not really. I've got my class at the academy, and then I'm covering the Missions Room.' Iruka shrugged. 'Standard really. Any news on Ikeda-san?'

'He's going to be ok.' Etsu smiled broadly. 'He'll have to stay at the hospital for a few days, but apart from that it's all good by the sounds of it.'

'That's good news... Honda-san and Itsuki-kun will be happy.' Iruka grinned.

'Keiko-san was very happy when I saw her this morning, and Itsuki-kun will be happy when he wakes. Thank Kami... Well, you'd best be off.' Etsu nodded to the clock, Iruka chanced a glance and gasped.

'Hell, I didn't realise it was so late!'

He ran down the hall and pulled his sandals on. He realised somewhat belatedly that Etsu had followed him holding another small package.

'For lunch.' She smiled. Iruka gulped, the over-riding desire to kiss her tempered with the knowledge that they'd been friends less than a week. In the end Etsu made the decision for him. With a graceful movement she kissed him on the cheek. Iruka could feel himself blushing as he kissed Etsu's cheek in return.

'I'll see you around then?' Iruka murmured.

'Of course. Just come over whenever you want.' Etsu smiled shyly.

Iruka couldn't remember the last time he'd been this happy. He certainly had no idea how he got from Etsu's house to his apartment... Or from his apartment to the academy. Was this what people meant when they said 'sky high'?

Iruka sighed as he tidied his desk at the end of the day, preparatory to heading to the Missions Room. He jumped as he realised someone was watching him from the classroom doorway. He whirled round to find Anko staring at him with a venomous look in her eyes, her fingers lazily twirling a kunai round in a way all too suggestive of violence.

'Anko-san?' He queried nervously.

'I'm here with a warning Umino... You hurt Etsu-chan and I will personally see to it that the rest of your life is a living hell...' Anko growled. Iruka nodded dumbly as Anko turned on her heel and strode back down the hallway. Iruka let out a long sigh of relief. What the hell?! He had worked out that Etsu and Anko knew each other, but he'd never known Anko be so... territorial? Iruka shook his head... No, territorial was the wrong word. Defensive? Protective? Yes, Protective. Iruka took some deep breaths. Anko was protecting Etsu... But why?

His shift in the Missions Room dragged by abominably. The time was made worse by how jumpy he'd become after his encounter with Anko.

'Iruka-sensei, what on earth is eating you?' Shizune asked impatiently as he dropped a handful of scrolls for the hundredth time.

'Nothing. Just a bit of a fright earlier is all.' Iruka muttered. He placed the scrolls firmly in a cupboard and locked the door. He turned to find Shizune directly behind him, an intense look on her face.

'Spill it, Iruka-sensei. What's happened?'

'Well, I don't want to mention names, but I guess I could outline the situation.' Iruka said after checking that the room was empty apart from the two of them.

'Fine. Talking will help, and maybe I might be able to offer some advice.' Shizune sat down in a chair and indicated Iruka should do the same.

'Well, I, um...' Iruka stuttered. 'Someone threatened me earlier...'

'What?! Who?' Shizune leaned forward with a look of concern.

'No, not like that. It wasn't serious. Nnnnnn... I met someone...' Iruka trailed off as he took in Shizune's knowing smile. He blushed profusely.

'Look, I'm pretty certain I know who...' Shizune smiled, her amusement all too clear. 'So you met her... and became friends... and now after less than a week you're wondering if you dare ask for more? Naughty!'

Iruka fidgeted uncomfortably at the last word. He was trying to be considerate of Etsu's feelings. Granted he'd wanted to kiss her this morning, but he had waited until she made the first move.

'Ok, ok, sorry, sorry, I shouldn't tease. So who threatened you?' Shizune asked seriously.

'Um, well they're not a friend exactly - just someone who knows the person I'm friends with. Anyway they said if I hurt her they'd make the rest of my life a living hell.' Iruka leant forward and buried his head in his hands.

'Aaaand I'm guessing the fright was who said it rather than what was said?' Shizune puzzled for a minute, watching as Iruka rubbed his face. 'Well there's only a few people who I can think of who would say something like that... And they're all tokujo or jonin...'

'Exactly.' Iruka muttered.

'Anko... It was Anko wasn't it?' Shizune frowned. 'Why in hell would she be threatening you? She doesn't even know Etsu-san...'

'I think she does.' Iruka hurried on as he noted the puzzled look on Shizune's face. 'Izumo told me it was Anko who opened the door when I spoke to Lady Tsunade... I mentioned Anko's interest to Etsu-chan and she said she was pleased Mitirashi-chan still thought of her. And today when Anko threatened me... I'd say she definitely knew Etsu-chan. '

'Weird.' Shizune looked worried as she glanced at Iruka. 'You realise I'll have to tell Lady Tsunade about this?'

Iruka nodded dumbly. He really had no clue why Shizune needed to tell the Hokage... At the end of the day Anko's threat wasn't that serious - it had just rattled him somewhat. He groaned as Shizune bustled out of the room. The talk hadn't helped a bit. If anything it had made him feel worse.

Annnnd here ends Chapter 5...

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