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Arashinobara Jikkankakyoku: Are Sushi and Sashimi still alive?

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Chapter 12

"What's with the fish?"

Iruka's mouth quirked in a crooked grin, but he kept his attention on his cards.

"Kakashi won him for me at the firefly festival."

Asuma chuckled and looked over to Genma who might as well have a dark rain cloud floating above his head for the despondent look and attitude tonight. Jeez, if he was going to be such a baby, he should've stayed home.

"I'm impressed. I've never known those things to live past two weeks."

Iruka placed a card down and looked up at his friend who was sitting across from him.

"Sorry we couldn't hang out with you guys."

"No problem. We understand, right, Genma?"

Iruka and Asuma looked over to Genma who was slouched down in his chair, glaring at his cards, even his senbon drooped lower than usual.

"Genma?"

"Oh, let him pout and just skip him."

"But---"

"I'm not pouting."

Iruka reached out and pushed Genma's hand of cards down so his friend was forced to look at him.

"What's going on?"

Genma slowly turned his eyes from the blank spot in the table to a worried Iruka and felt the guilt starting to twist his stomach. I'm so selfish. Here I am pissed off because he was on a date and he's worried about me. I'm a horrible friend. I should be happy my friend is happy, right?

Genma shook his head slowly and laid his cards flat on the table.

"Sorry, 'Ruka. I'm just not feeling well. I think I'm going to go home."

"O…k. Will you let me know if you need anything?"

Genma looked back and smiled.

"Of course. You think I'm going to Mr. Personality over there?"

Iruka and Genma chuckled while Asuma just rolled his eyes and then leveled a warning glare at their departing friend.

"Why don't you just let Hayate nurse you back to health?"

Genma's cheeks became rosy and he was ready to spit all manner of rude things at his friend, but then Iruka spoke up and his rant died before it could even get started.

"Feel better, Genma."

Genma sighed and offered a defeated smile.

"Thanks, 'Ruka. Oh, and you should invite Kakashi to play with us next time. The more the merrier, right? Goodnight."

Genma waved as he turned his back and left Iruka's apartment. Iruka turned back to continue the card game, a pleased smile curving his lips. I wonder if he'll agree to come play cards with us. I'd really like that.

"So things must be pretty serious between you and Kakashi."

"I guess….yeah. We're taking things slow and it's….nice."

Iruka's smile fell instantly into a frown as Asuma placed the last card in his hand on the pile. He tossed the rest of his cards on the pile and as Asuma started shuffling for another game, he ducked into the kitchen to refresh their drinks.

"Nice?"

"Yes. Nice."

"Shouldn't there be something more? I mean, a relationship just isn't emotional. There's the physical aspect as well. Are you attracted to him?"

Iruka returned with two bottles of beer, his frown deepening.

"O-of course. Why would you ask such a thing?"

"Because a fresh new relationship usually has more physical than emotional going for it and the longer the relationship, the more it balances out. But you make it sound like you made a new friend on the playground."

Iruka's cheeks were now burning and he didn't want to discuss Kakashi with Asuma any longer. Their physical relationship was none of his business. This is why I wanted to keep things secret for awhile. I don't even know what's going on so how can I answer his questions?

Suddenly, Asuma's deep chuckle sounded and Iruka looked up, mouth gaping like a fish.

"My god, between you and Genma, it's like I'm raising two emotionally stunted children. You can't even speak right now, can you?"

Iruka's mouth opened and closed a few times before he managed to stammer out,

"Shut up."

His response only further amused Asuma and this served to bring out Iruka's anger enough to erase his embarrassment.

"This is not funny, Asuma! And my relationship with Kakashi is none of your business."

"Of course it is. And it's Genma's too. We're your friends and it's our job to look after you and make sure this young man has honorable intentions. Now take your turn you poor excuse for a lovesick puppy."

Iruka was about to yell that he'd had enough indignities thrown on him for one night but he saw that broad smile and those glittering eyes and he couldn't help but chuckle as he perused his hand for the proper card to play. He's right. He's my friend and I'm glad he's worried about me. Although I think the puppy comment was a bit much.

"Alright, you've got me. I'm really falling for him. But…." Iruka chose a card and discarded it into the pile. "….that doesn't mean this lovesick puppy won't kick your ass this hand."

Both men chuckled and clinked beers before continuing their game.

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Iruka frowned down at the papers he'd been trying unsuccessfully to grade for the past hour. All he could think about was the night before at Kakashi's apartment. They had been sitting together on the sofa, Iruka having been pulled onto Kakashi's lap during a heavy kissing session when Kakashi's hands had strayed up Iruka's calf, over his hips and under his shirt. Iruka had gasped at the sudden feel of slightly rough hands against his skin but hadn't made a move to stop it. In truth, he couldn't imagine a better feeling.

But just as he was relaxing back into the moment and daring to pull Kakashi's shirt from his pants, Kakashi had pulled back and apologized.

"I'm sorry, Iruka. We agreed to take things slowly. I just…."

"No, it's ok."

But it hadn't been ok. Iruka slid off Kakashi's lap and watched as Kakashi quickly tucked his shirt back in that Iruka had pulled free. Iruka was suddenly very self conscious. Was it something I did? Or maybe it's something I didn't do? He looked over to Kakashi for some clue as to what happened but he could see that the jounin had withdrawn into himself, so soon after their make out session had abruptly ended, Iruka left for home.

I'm very attracted to him and he makes me feel so good. So what are we waiting for? Is he rethinking being with me? Could Asuma be right? Is this just a relationship of comfort?

Iruka stood up from his desk with a sigh and rubbed his eyes before making his way to the shower. As he stood there and let the warm water beat against the back of his neck, Iruka's mind was still occupied with doubts.

It wasn't as if he was a virgin. He'd had a steady girlfriend once upon a time. Granted he hadn't slept with anybody since then, but it's not like it was something he'd forget how to do.

But this is different. Kakashi is not a woman.

Iruka had never done anything with a man before and he was scared to look inexperienced in front of Kakashi. What if I'm really bad and then he never wants to see me again? Or maybe…..that's already happened?

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Kakashi stood in front of the mirror and frowned as he ran a hand down his bare chest and felt the bumps and rough spots that were evidence of how dangerous his profession truly was. As much as he wanted to take things further with Iruka, he found himself pulling back. What will he think when he sees this scarred body?

He closed his eyes and thought back to the other night when he slid his hands up under Iruka's shirt. He had been shocked when his hands roamed over smooth, silky flesh. Suddenly his hands felt like sandpaper and he felt unworthy to be touching such a body and he backed away, using the uneasiness that he sensed in Iruka as an excuse to slow things down. Iruka didn't seem mad but had left shortly after and Kakashi spent the rest of the evening cursing himself for his cowardice.

Pushing his memories aside Kakashi focused on his reflection again. He felt like punching the mirror image for showing him the truth, but instead he turned away and collapsed onto his bed with a grunt.

He means so much to me. If he were to reject me……

To be continued….