Chapter Eight
Camp
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Genma curled against the warm cushion. Sighing happily, he wrapped his arms around it and snuggled closer. It was a simple pleasure to wake up this way, though his partner didn't think so. Raidou grunted and turned over, dislodging Genma enough to get an arm under the man and lift him onto his chest.
"Will you wake up already, Genma?" he muttered, his other hand rubbing across his scarred face.
"No. It's so nice and warm," Genma whined, rubbing his face on Raidou's equally scarred chest.
Raidou grinned and continued with thier morning ritual. "You'll be late if you keep that up, Gen." He looked down on his lover with a wicked gleam in his eyes.
Genma looked up at him and smiled cattily. "Is that a challenge?"
Raidou laughed and slapped Genma's naked ass and rolled out of bed. If he didn't hurry he would be late himself. "Up, you wicked cat! We'll be late!" He disappeared into the bathroom and ran the water for thier morning shower. He checked the shampoo and soap for anymore of the red dye Iruka had planted a week earlier.
After a few playfull kisses, the couple had breakfast and dressed for work. They left the apartment and headed for the mission office. Running into Kotetsu and Izumo on the way, the group talked of inane matters as they entered the office. They were surprised to see Asuma and Gai waiting for them.
Asuma stood and didn't wait for the greetings as he said, "We need to have a campout."
Genma blinked a few times before it sunk in. "A campout?"
"Yeah, like we used to. I'll bring the drinks and food," Asuma replied, pulling a cigarette out of his pack. "We'll camp down past the back fields. You know, back in the deep."
Genma smiled hugely. "That sounds like a good idea. Who's all coming?"
Asuma lit his smoke and blew it out in a ring. "Well, it's just us guys, so all of us, Iruka and Gai. And bring some more booze," he added, taking another drag.
Raidou looked a little confused. "Camping back in the deep? What are you talking about?"
Genma hugged Raidou's arm close and smiled up at him. "You'll like it. It's our special camping spot." He turned back to Asuma. "We'll bring as much as we can carry."
Kotetsu had a frown on his face. He looked to Asuma. "What about Kakashi? Isn't he coming too?"
Asuma looked to Genma and Raidou. "Well? Should we?"
Gai couldn't keep quiet anymore. "You have to let him come! I want to challenge him to a drinking battle." He smiled at the dumb expressions on his friends faces. "It's something I haven't done in a long time."
Genma chuckled. "I'll tell him later this afternoon. He's bound to show up." He shook his head. "He can't seem to stay away from the office."
With plans to meet up at the camp later that night, they broke up and went to work. Gai said something about tacking Iruka down, giving his Genins a three day training routine and getting ready for the campout. Then Asuma said as much himself and took off. After a short discussion of what each was bringing, Izumo and Kotetsu left for the Hokage's office. It was only lucky that they were all on the same rest schedule as the mission office and Genin instructors.
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Stretching his arm, Iruka was pleased that what little medical jitsu he knew worked. He gathered his laundry bag and left his apartment. He's put it off for as long as he could. He was down to his last few pairs of underwear and only two uniforms, though he didn't have much use for them now. Walking into the laundry, Iruka greeted the smiling woman and took his ticket after a short chat. He needed to keep busy and let last night's events fade from his mind. It made him nervous to think back on those lips and not blush. Shaking his head to clear the image of that handsome face from his mind, Iruka set off for the market.
Since the spring festival was nearing, he would need a new yukata and sandals, as well as a new belt. Finding the sandals was easy enough, now he just had to find a yukata and matching belt. Sighing in frustration, he entered the cloth seller's store. He hated going in there. They hardly ever had what he wanted and it was frustrating to even talk to the man that owned the place. Browsing through several panels of gray, yellow, and black fabric, he was about to leave when he spotted a light colored bolt nearly hidden under several bolts of gray silk.
Carefully moving the delicate bolts, he uncovered the most amazing cloth he had ever seen. Made of a creamy beige silk, embroidered silk, bottlenose dolphins danced across the bolt in white ocean spray. Small embroidered kanji of his name were placed in between each of the nine patterns. Letting the silk slide between his fingers, he barely registered the little man coming up to him.
"I see you've found something you like, Iruka-kun," the old man chuckled. He smiled up at the young man. "I was going to track you down if you didn't come around in the next few days."
Iruka stared dumbly at him. "You were? Why?"
The old man raised his eyebrow at him and said, "Because I had that made especially for you."
"For me, oji-san?" he repeated.
"Yes, for you. I've noticed that these past couple of years you haven't found anything to catch your eye. So I had this made for you," he smiled brightly.
Iruka was stunned. He rubbed the cloth against his cheek. "But why would you do this for me? That can't be the only reason."
The little man grinned even wider and answered, "It's also for all the hard work you've done for this village. It takes a special person to deal with the little hellions this village produces."
Iruka laughed and agreed. "How much will it be for this to be made into a yukata?"
The old man scowled and shook his head. "Nothing. It's a gift from the village this year. Besides, I have a special crest to put on it."
Iruka looked at him suspiciously. "What kind of crest?"
"It's a secret, but you'll like it, Iruka-kun," he said as he took the bolt from the table. "Come with me and let's get your measurements."
"Don't you have them already?" Iruka asked as he headed for the back room.
Chuckling, the old man replied, "You've added to your shoulders since last year, Iruka-kun. Haven't you noticed?"
Iruka thought about it and shrugged. "Not really. Most of my clothes still fit me." He stripped down to his underwear and patiently let the man take his measurements. "The only thing I can see changing is the new aches and pains I have everyday after training with Gai-sensei."
As if saying his name was a summoning jitsu, Gai stuck his head around the corner. "What was that, Iruka?"
Jumping into the air at the sudden appearence of the Jounin, Iruka squeaked as he landed. "G..g..gai-sensei!"
Coming into the little room, Gai smiled at the two men. "Gai, Iruka, please. What are you doing in your underwear?" He gave the old man an evil look.
Iruka blushed and laughed nervously. "Oji-san here is taking my measurements for a new yukata." His composure back, Iruka gave Gai a look. "What are you doing here, Gai?" He lifted his arms again so the old man could get his arm length again.
Gai leaned back against the wall. "I'm here to inform you of the camping trip we are taking." He smiled.
Iruka looked at him funny. "Camping trip? Just us?"
Booming in laughter, Gai answered, "Not just us, silly little youngster! Asuma, Genma, Kotetsu, Izumo, you, and me." He forgot about adding Kakashi to the list. He really hadn't paid attention to the last part of the conversation as he thought about what he was going to take on the camping trip. "Besides, I like women. Though not to say that you aren't a fine specimen of the spring of youth in this village."
Iruka nearly choked on his tongue as he listened to Gai. The last of his measurements taken, he dressed and thanked the old man. With the guarentee that it would be done before the festival and a proper belt would be added, Iruka and Gai left.
"So what time are we leaving?" Iruka asked as he entered the laundry. Pulling the ticket from his pocket he took his laundry, leaving the fee on the counter.
Gai stopped posing for the pretty laundress. "We leave as soon as you can gather clothes for two days and anything else you will need for the trip." Gai waited as Iruka opened his door and invited him up. Following the man, he continued. "Asuma and Genma are bringing drinks and food, but if you have anything you want to bring, just stop at the store and pick it up. My treat."
"Thanks, Gai. Let me just grab my bag and I'll be right out," Iruka grinned, heading into the bedroom.
Tossing the laundry on the bed, he opened his wardrobe and hefted out the camping bag he kept ready. You never knew when Genma and the group would call for a campout. It paid to be prepared with so little notice. Checking to make sure it contained his swim trunks, pillow, extra blankets, two sets of clothes, a tent and one jacket, Iruka nodded and left his room. He found Gai nosing around his stereo and smiled. He realized this was the first time that Gai had ever been to his apartment. In fact, he had never been to Gai's.
"Ready!" he called out, startling Gai into bumping his head on a low shelf. He hid his smile.
"Alright! Let's go. I have to stop by my place and pick up my gear," Gai said, rubbing the top of his head.
It didn't take long to make it to Gai's apartment. He invited Iruka in and made his way to through the small apartment to his wardrobe. Iruka took one look and one sniff of the apartment, then tried not to gag. It smelled as if something had died. It was filthy, too. Didn't he ever clean? Noticing Gai coming back, he pasted a smile on his face, hoping that it didn't look as sick as he was feeling. He also tried not to breathe until they exited the apartment.
It wasn't long after that, the two men were heading for the campsite, after a quick stop to pick up some of the sweet sake that Iruka liked. Knowing where they were going as soon as they passed the regular camping spot three kilometers out of the village, he guessed they were heading deep. Iruka smiled. Asuma must be planning to get really drunk this rest period. He wondered if Kurenai was off on a mission with her Genins or if Asuma just needed time away from the kuniochi. It was something that kept his mind playing through several scenarios as the last few kilometers flew by.
Reaching the campsite, Iruka and Gai set up thier tents. After that was done, it was time to gather the firewood they would need. Each taking a small hatchet, they spread out looking for deadfall branches and trees. By late afternoon, they had a sizeable pile and spent the next hour or so gathering kindling and creating the firepit. As the last rock was placed, Iruka sensed approaching people. It wasn't long before a laughing Genma, Raidou, and Asuma. Each man was weighed down with heavy packs and clinking bags. Greeting them with smiles, the two men helped the others set up thier tents. A few minutes later, Kotetsu and Izumo came into camp. After each person was settled, it was getting dark. Setting a fire in the pit, Asuma broke out the food. Laughing and telling funny stories, the men sat around cooking shiskabobs.
Asuma leaned over and whispered to Genma, "Where's Kakashi?"
"Said he would be here tomorrow," Genma whispered back.
Asuma rolled his eyes. "Late, huh?"
Genma laughed. "I think he needed to go buy some gear. He's never been camping with us and I had to explain to him that all he needed was a bedroll and booze." He laughed again. "He then asked why he didn't need a tent and I told him it was a surprise. You should have seen the look he gave me."
Asuma chuckled and lit a cigarette. "I wouldn't have minded to see that."
After dinner, the guys decided to head to bed. It had been a hard day for the men at the mission office and they were all tired. Soon, snores filled the night air as each man drifted off to sleep.
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Yells and screams filled the morning air. Two huge splashes caused waves to jump onto the high banks of the river. Asuma and Gai surfaced with huge grins, shaking water from thier eyes.
"Who got the biggest splash?" Gai hollered back at the four men standing on the rock high above the water.
Laughing, Iruka called back, "Asuma did! He got us!"
Slapping the water, Gai said to the grinning man, "I will get the biggest splash yet!"
A few seconds later, Iruka and Genma dived off the twenty foot high rock. Each performed a perfect swan dive and made small splashes as they entered the water. Right behind them, Izumo grinned as he tossed the fighting Kotetsu off. What he didn't expect was the kick from behind that sent him flailing off the rock. The watching men laughed as Asuma peered over the top.
"That's what you get, you little heathen!" With a whoop, Asuma jumped off the rock.
Soon they were trying to drown each other. Genma had Izumo under, but was jerked under by a grinning Iruka. Raidou and Gai were holding a struggling Kotetsu and tossed him into the air and then scrambled out from under him as he came back down. Asuma was lounging on the bank smoking a cigarette, not noticing the approaching Iruka and Genma. They smiled as they broke the surface, grabbed an ankle, and drug the surprised man into the water, the cigarette still hanging from his lips.
Kakashi watched from the top of a tree. He was smiling and laughing at thier antics. He was glad that he had brought a pair of swim trunks. He had reached the campsite a few minutes ago and had heard the yells and splashing water. He had changed into the trunks and made his way to the river. Grinning, he leaped from the tree.
"Bonzai!" he yelled, sailing from the tree and rolling into a cannonball.
Everyone turned to stare at the white ball of flesh as it came hurtling down. They all yelled and tried to move away, but was to late as the man splashed down right in the middle of them. Gai watched as the splash towered above them and drenched the rock. He could never beat that splash! Iruka could only blink as he was drenched. Kakashi?
Surfacing with crinkled eye, Kakashi shook the water from his hair. "Yo! Sorry I'm late, got lost on the way here."
"You lie!" they all yelled, laughing.
"Glad you could make it, Kakashi," Genma said, earning him a smile.
"I'm glad that you invited me," Kakashi replied. "What have I missed?" He looked around as Asuma jumped on Iruka and took the stuggling man under.
Genma watched the water for Asuma as he answered. "Not to much. We had dinner and went to bed early. We decided to have a morning swim and then Gai challenged Asuma to a splash contest. Asuma won, though with that magnificent cannonball you did, you won by default. And-" Whatever he was about to say was lost as he was jerked under the water.
Kakashi blinked and watched the water. He wasn't going to be that easy a target. He watched as Kotetsu jumped onto Izumo and wrestled with him enough to cause a white froth to form around them. Izumo cried out as Raidou took them under. Gai was also watching the water as Iruka and Genma surfaced coughing. How long could Asuma hold his breath?
Iruka carefully made his way to Kakashi. He didn't trust Asuma not to take him down again. Reaching the masked man, he smiled. "Hey, Kakashi. Good of you to make it to our little get together."
Smiling back, he exclaimed, "If I had known this was what camping was like, I would have done it sooner."
Iruka could only stare. White skin gleamed with the morning sun, making the pink scars stand out on his lean torso. Not overly muscled, his lean form was beautiful to look at. He had the look of a svelte hunter and it showed in the way he held himself, prepared to take on any threat. He also noticed that he was wearing his black eye patch. God, he's gorgeous!
"You've never been camping?" Iruka finally asked. Kakashi shook his head. "Not even when you were little?" Again he shook his head. "Well, we'll have to make this one the best yet!"
Kakashi grinned, until he caught sight of a black shadow under the water. Grabbing Iruka, he leaped, landing on the shadow. Slick flesh was hard to stand on, Kakashi realized. He took Iruka under with him as he lost his balance. A small yelp left his lips as he went under. Sputtering the three men surfaced at the same time. Kakashi laughed as Gai caught his breath.
By mid-morning, the men were tired and headed for camp and breakfast. After another breakfast of shishkabob, this time of shrimp, Asuma broke out the first bottle of sake. Soon each man was drinking from bottles and getting pleasently drunk. Genma then held them enthralled with tales of his and Iruka's Academy pranks. Iruka blushed on some of the ones, but was always correcting Genma when he told something wrong. Then Izumo had them rolling in laughter over his activities in Tsunade's office.
Night was falling by the time stomach's started to growl in hunger. Asuma was told not to bring out any more kabobs and instead took out several steaks and potatoes. Grinning, he then pulled out a grill screen. Cheers went up as sizzling meat was prepared and potatoes went into a bed of coals. More sake was opened as well as some red wine and, amazingly, a bottle of whiskey from Kotetsu's pack. It wasn't long before loud voices proclaiming Asuma a god were ringing through the forest.
Dinner done and several empty bottle of wine later, the men were sharing pulls from the whiskey bottle. Genma was giving Raidou a shoulder massage, making the man groan in pleasure as he leaned back into his partner. Iruka was sitting near Kakashi passing him a bottle of sweet sake. Izumo was staggering around then tripped over a lounging Gai. Asuma was leaning on Kotetsu and regaling him with his sex life.
"This is pleasent," Kakashi murmured, taking a gulp of the sake.
"We haven't even started yet," was all Iruka said as he stood up unsteadily. "It's time to play!" he announced to the group. Whoops and hollers came back at him with a couple of groans. Glaring at Raidou, Iruka said, "It's time to play Shadow Dance."
"Shadow Dance?" Kakashi asked as he stood.
"It's easy," Iruka explained. "All you have to do is stay in the shadows and not get caught. It's like tag, but with a twist. There is only one Shadow Dancer at a time. Once you catch the Dancer, you get a boon. You can't use any jitsus and you can't leave the ground. It's all about your tracking skills."
"Interesting," Kakashi purred, a dark glint coming into his eye. "I can see where getting drunk beforehand makes it even more interesting."
Iruka didn't see it as he gathered some sticks together. "Okay, the one to get the short one is the Dancer!" He walked around and each man took a stick. They held them up and Iruka groaned. He held the short one. "Five minutes until the curtain rises!" he yelled as he ran off into the forest.
Genma and Raidou exchanged looks and grinned. Asuma looked at them and grinned, too. Kotetsu lifted Izumo from his sitting position and helped him stand. Gai stretched and nearly fell over, his cheeks a rosy color. Kakashi shook his head and then focused on the sounds of Iruka running away from camp. He was going to find him first and get that boon.
"I'm going to find him first!" Gai bellowed drunkenly. "If I don't..."
"You'll clean the campsite," Asuma said.
Gai nodded and hiccupped. "Or I'll clean camp!"
After another minute, they set out after Iruka with drunken howls.
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hehehehe I've finally got what I was looking for. You might want to get some ice for the next chapter. No, it's not for the hangover! bwahahahaha
I'm so evil today...
Arigatou guzaimas! The next chapter is dedicated to everyone that wants lemons! P