Illusion's Folly
Chapter 18
Midnight Dawning
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The day of the Spring Festival shone bright and warm. It promised to warm to an even hotter afternoon with a cool evening to enjoy the fireworks that were planned for midnight. Booths had been going up since late yesterday, most just simple carts with detachable wood fronts. Students from Iruka's old class were put to work setting up the paper lanterns and paper art. They had been lucky to finish the hanging before the sun had set the day before. A whole section of the merchant area was cordoned off for the festival, the residential areas hosting thier own little parties before the night time festivities started.
Children screamed in delight at the many games that had been set up. There were tons of masks, tantos, and beautiful silk kites up as top prizes in the harder children's games. The older children were given a scroll and instructions not to open them until the sun started to wester past the noon hour. A large scale scavenger hunt had been planned to last for several hours with newly smithed katanas for the winning team. To limit the size of the groups, most were put into four man teams. There were as many as five in some teams, but the sword smith had been working for the last six months to create the katanas just for the festival.
As the morning progressed into the noon hour, more and more people started to wander in from the residential areas. Delicious scents wafted through the air as food vendors hawked thier wares to the passing throng. Many laughs and screams of childish delight colored the air, people enjoying the warming afternoon air. Adults escorted thier broods through the area, stopping every now and then to play a game or grab some takoyaki. The adults were waiting for the Chuunin and Jounins to stroll into the festival area. The women were primping in quiet corners, wondering and plotting. The ninja of Konaha always showed up right after the sun entered into hour of the monkey.
A hush fell over the crowd as the first of the mixed groups of Chuunin and Jounin flowed into the festival area. Married couples with thier children, dating pairs, friends, and family strolled arm in arm, laughing and fanning themselves in the heat. The villagers greeted them, marveling over the pastels and bold colors of the year's Spring Yukata Walk. Swords, chains, fans, and other accroutrements flashed in the sunlight. Women traded styling tricks, men congratulated each other on previous missions, and the children ran about the adults in glee, all in remembrance of older times and traditions. After the main throng thinned out, the other ninja that didn't participate in the Walk made thier way into the festival.
Asuma tried not to blush as a clearly fascinated Kurenai made her way toward him. He hadn't worn a yukata in years and he was concious of the expanse of chest he displayed and the calf that flashed below the hem of his yukata. He hadn't had time to get a proper yukata and had borrowed his uncle's from the year before. Done in gray on white crosshatching with a lighter gray belt holding the yukata together, Asuma wore his trench knives hanging from his belt.
He was also trying not to stare at Kurenai in her deep crimson furisode with golden firebirds flying across the fabric in full splendor. Her wild hair had been tamed and was settled around her face in a lovely light bun with two beautiful kanazashi sakura chains flowing over one shoulder. Her obi was tied in a butterfly knot, in sakura pink with a gold obi-jime and just a bit of gold peeking over the top of the obi. She wasn't wearing the traditional under-robe, but no one really noticed. Asuma did though. His cigarette nearly fell from his mouth as the crimson vision approached him.
Kurenai didn't know if she could stand the tall zori her parents had made for her much longer. She just wanted to wear geta without tabi, the white socks irritating her to no end, but her mother had nearly thrown a fit when she said so. To calm her, she had worn the zori, but she had hidden her geta in her obi. She waved a mother of pearl fan in front of her to cool herself. It was really hot today. The sakura chain hanging from her kanazashi tinkled with small bells to keep the spirits away as she moved. Her hair was starting to fall in wisps around her neck. She should have known it wouldn't stay that way for long. She lifted her eyes to Asuma as she came closer to him. He looked like one of those old timey samurais, with his yukata hanging open like that.
As she got closer, she smiled. "It seems that this festival brings out the best in men." She laughed when he blushed and puffed on his cigarette harder. "Where did you get that yukata?" She didn't give him a chance to answer as she whispered close to his ear, "I like it on you." She moved on, letting the light jasmine perfume float by him. She glanced back once with her fan hiding her lower face to blink slowly at Asuma.
Asuma didn't say a word, but just stubbed out his cigarette and followed her. There wouldn't be much talking from him. He could already tell by her heated looks and that perfume.
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Kakashi shook his head as he watched his friend get lured away by the crimson clad woman. He could only guess that it was Kurenai. Why those two just didn't move in together was beyond him. Most of the others had figured it out, but they just didn't seem to care. He yawned again. He'd slept late to make up for the lack of sleep he'd had over the past week. Luckily he had missed the Walk. He didn't think he could stand to hear the squeals of the village girls over his masked face and the black patch covering his Sharingan. The old thing had gotten a lot of use in the past two months. Maybe he should wear it when he visited the hot springs. He leapt down to the street lithely, surprising a couple that had snuck off into a shadowed alley to make-out. He smiled at them and continued into the street.
He wondered where Genma and Raidou were. He hadn't seen Genma for the last three days and Raidou had been a blur as he came in and out of the Hokage's office. They had said they were attending the Spring Festival, so they should have been there already. What he hadn't counted on was the hulking and loud green blob heading his way. He groaned and tried to make himself as small as possible.
"Where is my Eternal Rival? Where is Hatake Kakashi?" Gai's over loud voice boomed. He strode toward the nearly hidden silver mop as it weaved away from him. "There you are!"
Kakashi sobbed to himself and stopped trying to sneak away. "What was that noise just now?" he queried, wiggling a finger in his ear.
Gai held a hand over his heart. "Always so cool!"
"What is it, Gai? I'm to tired to fool with your antics today," Kakashi said, turning to his old friend. "This is my time off and I plan on enjoying it."
Gai held his hands out in front of him. "Nothing to worry about, rival of mine. I'm just here to show you to our booth so we can all revel in this spring of youth surrounding us." Gai held his arms akimbo and gleamed.
Kakashi could swear that he acutally sparkled. He blinked his eye and shrugged. "Take me to the damn booth, Gai."
Gai sniffed and turned away. "Fine. Be that way, sourpuss."
Kakashi thought about hitting him in the head, but he wasn't sure if he could stand to get close to the green monstrosity. The man didn't have any imagination whatsoever. Gai had dressed in his famous green, but in yukata form with a red belt. He even had a small red fan tucked into his belt. Kakashi looked anywhere but at Gai's back as they meandered to a stall that had set up several tables and a large booth. Genma and Raidou were already there, both wearing simple white on grey crosshatched yukatas and geta. Kotetsu and Izumo were also wearing matching patterns of dragons in blue and red on black. There was no sign of Iruka and that was just fine by Kakashi. He didn't think he could handle being close the man or he might just take him then and there. He had been thinking about him constantly. Even his normally quiet libido was bugging him about the teacher. He settled in near Genma and greeted the group, pushing thoughts of a certain brown haired Chuunin out of his head.
Genma smiled over at Kakashi. "Is that a new yukata?"
Kakashi rolled his eye. "Yes. Why?"
Genma shrugged. "I just noticed that it was longer than the last time I saw it. How do you like this time-off?"
"I needed it. She's been riding my ass all week. I still haven't figured out why though," he scratched his head. "Do you know?" He didn't miss the look Genma shot the group.
"She's just mad at you for being so insubordinate," Genma lied.
Kakashi narrowed his eye. Something fishy was going on. "Genma, I know you're lying. You always look away from me when you lie." He waited as Genma tried to think of a way out of this one.
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Iruka smiled and greeted the people he knew as they called out to him. He was blushing profusely when several young girls he had never met said that he was sexy with his hair down. He had decided that he wouldn't wear his hair up, though he wished he had brought the silver tie with him. It was getting hot and the turquiose fan was barely moving the air around his face. His sword clacked lightly in it's scabbard as he walked through the large festival area. He had done the Walk, walking the entire length of the festival grounds with his students laughing and playing around his legs and the parents chatting with him. He hadn't seen any of his friends, though he thought he caught sight of Kurenai in a stunning deep crimson furisode. He would have to track her down and congratulate her on her kimono.
After a lengthy stuttered walk back near the middle of the grounds, Iruka spotted Gai and Izumo sitting in a large booth. Grinning, he strode over to the table and tapped his fan on the table, taking up a saucer of sake.
"Hello, my fine gentlemen," he beamed, not noticing the silvered Jounin. "Another fine Spring Festival we celebrate and may the years be kind to those that come after!" Iruka threw the sake down his throat and looked around the table. He froze when he spied Kakashi. Shit. "Hatake," he nodded cooly, snapping the fan open.
Kakashi didn't know what to do. Here was his fantasy in front of him and he was giving him the cold shoulder. Didn't he know that it wasn't his fault? Why was he being so mean to him? Hell, why was everyone being mean to him? It just wasn't fair. He goes on one stinking mission without telling anyone and he catches all the shit. Arrggghhh!
"Umino," Kakashi replied just as cooly. Fine, if that's how you want to play it.
Genma glance between the two and nearly panicked. "Guys, come on. Be nice. It's a festival and we have tomorrow off. Why don't we head over to the river and go fishing? Huh?"
Iruka smiled brightly at his friend. "Sure, Genma. I'd love to. I haven't had much time these last few months. What time?"
The afternoon quickly faded into dusk and then nightfall. Iruka had tried not to tip his hand in letting Kakashi get close to him and hadn't been surprised when the man had replied back just as coldly. He had probably figured out what was going on and wasn't happy about it. It was all his fault anyway, so why not make him suffer a little in return? Thier group ordered takoyaki and drank more of the warm sake that seemed to appear on the table whenever there was an empty bottle.
It was getting close to the fireworks to be set off and they paid the booth owner. Laughing loudly and carrying on like a bunch of schoolkids, the seven men made thier drunken way to the viewing field. They watched as kids ran around with sparklers and shot off firecrackers. Parents and couples cuddled close, sharing looks, touches, and fleeting kisses. There were many that had gathered in the field and Iruka wanted to see if his old spot was still available. He waved to his friends and set off for his secret spot. He didn't notice the shadow that followed close behind.
Iruka sighed in relief when he found the clearing empty of people. This was his and Mizuki's old hideout and thier Spring Festival viewing spot. They could watch the fireworks without the distractions of sparklers and noisy children. He tapped a hollow tree and smiled as he pulled the old, but clean, white blanket from inside. It never failed that it was always clean and smelled of the Sandaime's tobacco. It still smelled of his old friend and mentor, so he could only guess that Tsunade-sama had taken over the cleaning of it. He buried his face in the fluffy whiteness and inhaled. He spread it out, taking his sword away from his waist. He almost missed the feeling of someone watching him. He tried to focus on the direction of the watcher without using his Chakra. There!
Iruka leapt for the nearest tree to make him a lesser targer then cursed when he remembered he was wearing a light color. There would be no hiding from his watcher. He swung his eyes around the small glade and spotted a flash of white. He narrowed his eyes and thumbed his blade open. He wouldn't be caught off guard this time. He wondered how long Kakashi would play his cat and mouse game. He tracked flashes of white, not once picking up Chakra flares. He was fast, but Iruka was just a bit faster.
He calculated the path that Kakashi was taking and sped over, taking the man's legs out from under him. Kakashi flipped over his head, but Iruka was already across the glade. He glared at Kakashi and dared him to make a move. It would be a shame to dirty up his brand new yukata, but it was a small price to pay if he could teach Kakashi one thing. He shifted his weight to his off foot and waited, his thumb still keeping his blade open. He watched as Kakashi lifted the patch from his Sharingan and pulled his mask down. His face was a blank, but Iruka could just imagine the Sharingan was starting it's lazy whirl. He would have to be careful.
Kakashi couldn't figure him out. He had acted so non-aware when he had followed him, but as soon as he set that blanket on the ground, he had focused in on his position. He had watched as Iruka had tried to hide in the shadows, but the yukata wasn't going to help either of them this night. He had heard the slide of the blade as it was opened. He was serious. He had shaken his head, but had darted away to the left, hoping to get behind him. After three passes, Iruka had been in front of him and had tripped him up. He was fast and was getting even better at tracking.
After waiting for the Sharingan to start it's activating whirl, Kakashi looked for the shift that would indicate Iruka's intentions. He was still holding the blade in a draw position should he need it, but he hadn't yet drawn it. This temper the little teacher was showing him made him want him more. He had not dared go near him since that disasterous retrieval, fearing he would do something he would regret later. Then the Hokage had given him what he had thought was a godsend when she sent him on all those missions. They kept him so busy he was too tired to even want to talk to anyone. Now that he thought about it, it was just a little to convienant. He narrowed his eyes as he stared across the glade at the object of his desire.
He could only wait, but that didn't mean he couldn't take in the gorgeous brunette across from him. He looked really good in the dolphin patterned beige yukata. His hair was flying wild and made him look even younger than he was, but the expression in those chocolate brown eyes held him rapt. He could see the fear and excitement mingling in thier depths. Iruka was enjoying this as much as he was. If he wanted to fight, they would fight. But that didn't mean he couldn't have this beguiling man. He smiled to himself and launched himself across the clearing, his Sharingan become active. Unfair, but it would keep him from getting sliced.
Iruka put his weight full on his left foot. He sensed Kakashi's muscles bunching, then waited as he sped toward him. As he got closer, he saw the Sharingan whirl crazily. Damn. He would have to be unpredictable, nothing calculated. Troublesome, but he could possibly get the upper hand. Instead of a throwing himself to the side, he fell back and let Kakashi fly over his head. He quickly gained his footing again and spun. He dodged to the right as the silver haired man threw a quick punch to his chest, but caught a left fist in the ribs. He grunted, but sweeped Kakashi's legs. He wasn't surprised when he jumped over his leg. At the same time he pulled the fan from his belt, his hand flying up and slapping the side of Kakashi's head. He didn't smile when the man huffed, but leapt as far as he could backwards. He ripped his sword from his belt and tossed it onto the blanket as he sailed over it. He wouldn't need it.
Landing lightly, he scanned the bushes for Kakashi. He had ducked behind a tree and was probably in the tree tops. He stretched his senses. He felt the man silently making his way around the trees behind him. He waited, the fan tapping his leg. He ducked as Kakashi flew at him from above, barely feeling the heels of his feet brush by his head. He shoved the fan into Kakashi's back and smiled as he was thrown off balance. Taking advantage, he quickly threw a series of punches though he only landed the first two. The Jounin dropped, grabbed Iruka by the waist and threw him onto the blanket. Before Iruka could gain his feet, Kakashi was straddling his chest. Iruka felt the pressure of Kakashi's knees dig into his arms and felt his legs gripped tightly by his opponents calves and feet.
Breathing heavily, both men stared at each other. Neither noticed as the first of the fireworks were shot into the sky creating a midnight dawn.
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A/N: A promise is a promise. Another chapter to follow this one very shortly. I'll be working on the next few chapters over the next week, but can't say when I'll have them up.
We are having a rather large music festival starting next weekend and I'll be attending the events for the following week. In about two to three weeks, I will have a site that will host fanart related to this fic and others. If anyone would like to contribute a pic for the site, just send it to me through my email. You can find that on my profile page.
Ja!