Chapter 20
Flash Point
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Iruka blinked once, twice, then groaned. He felt something warm and hard pressing into his side and cracked an eye open to see Kakashi's head burrowed into his waist, an arm thrown over his hips. He smiled tenderly down on the sleeping man and ran a brown hand through his crazily skewed silver head. Amazing that only four days ago they had reconciled. It had been the most amazing four days though.
Kakashi had been sleeping in his bed those nights and what pleasures they had brought to one another. Besides the exhausting sex, they had fed one another, bathed in Iruka's huge tub, and gazed at the stars on the roof. Though Iruka had been surprised when Kakashi had decided to take him then and there. That had been an experience. They had almost been caught when the night patrol had passed by. Only the Jounin's senses had saved them the embarrassment. Laughing the two of them had tumbled through the bedroom window and continued where they had left off. Iruka smiled dreamily as he remembered that night.
"What are you smiling for?" Kakashi said through a yawn, his handsome face scrunched up.
Iruka chuckled and ran a hand through that wild hair again. "I was just thinking of the stars."
Kakashi grinned as well, kissing Iruka's hip. It was still warm where he had been sleeping. It amazed him at how supple the teacher's skin was. Smooth and only slightly more scarred than it used to be. He ran a hand over that brown skin, skimming it over the other's taut stomach and felt a shiver run through his lover's body. He smiled to himself. All mine.
Iruka glanced at the clock on his headboard and groaned. If he didn't hurry, Gai would come banging on his door. He playfully shoved the white body away from him and rolled out of bed. He dodged a lunge and giggled as he ran naked for the bathroom. Ten minutes later he was out and dressed in an old pair of sweats and a light shirt. He had pulled his hair back in his usual ponytail and was fishing around the wardrobe for his weapons pouch. Finding it, he strapped it to his waist and stretched again.
Kakashi watched as Iruka went about getting dressed. He had nothing planned for the day and thought about watching Iruka train with Gai and Asuma. He had wondered exactly what it was they were teaching his little teacher and it had him intrigued that Iruka was able to calculate where his attacks had been coming from. He was faster than usual and more limber. He grinned wolfishly at the last. To his ultimate satisfaction. But the bed was still warm and he was still sleepy. He was amazed at the recuperative abilites the Chuunin had. He should have been too tired to crack an eye open, much less move, after the night they had spent rolling around the bed with little cries and shrieks of pleasure.
Iruka could feel those mismatched eyes following him. He could feel the desire pouring from them, but he didn't have time to sate Kakashi. As much as he wanted too, though. He needed this training and it was really the only thing besides Kakashi that kept him sane anymore. He could tell that the training was working. He needed a few more months of this and he would be just as fast as Kakashi, maybe even Gai. Still smiling, he waved at Kakashi and left the apartment, double timing to get to the training field before Gai came looking for him.
Several hours later, a sweaty and winded Iruka leaned againt the giant oak that the little training group had taken as their resting spot. He was very proud of himself that he wasn't doubled over and breathing as if he had no air. This was the sum total of his three months of training. Even his Chakra levels had increased with extended use. He was very surprised at this. He had never thought that a person could increase in Chakra levels if they had a set limit. He shrugged and sipped from the water bottle in his hand. Gai and Asuma were sparring to give him a breather.
He wasn't to sure what they would teach him this week, but it looked to be just as hard as that first week. Gai wanted to show him a new technique for kunai that Ten-Ten has stumbled upon and Asuma wanted him to team with Genma to learn some more sword techniques. He didn't think for a second that he would ever beat Genma on that front. He and Hayate were the best with the katana. Granted he wasn't a bad swordsman, but those two were like dervishes. He watched as Gai was bounced off a nearby tree from a well aimed kick from Asuma. He smiled, took one last sip of water, and headed back into the fray.
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Kakashi glanced up from his well worn Ichi Ichi Violence and blinked slowly. The three men had been at it for several hours now. The sun was starting it's descent when he noticed something strange. He blinked again and focused on the group better. Gai was dodging a dual attack from both Asuma and Iruka, the taijitsu master rapidly backpedaling to avoid the Chakra infused trench knives and kunai each were weilding. Setting aside his book, Kakashi lifted his hiteate, letting the Sharingan activate so he could see what was really happening. Feeling slightly dizzy as it reached full whirl, he focused on the Jounin and Chuunin. Iruka had gained power if he wasn't mistaken. He was using more than he had ever used in his entire Chuunin life, of that Kakashi was sure.
He had watched the little brown man for longer than anyone really suspected. He narrowed his eye as the teacher leaped above Gai and slammed into the ground, a shockwave sweeping across the training field. Gai stumbled as the ground shook. Kakashi had never seen Iruka use that one before. Then again, what did he really know about the man. You've only been screwing him for a few weeks now. He growled at himself and continued to watch as Asuma sped toward the still recovering Gai and Iruka again leapt through the air, seeming to step through it to reach the Jounin, his feet barely touching the trees before launching off again. He's fast, probably faster than me now.
Gai avoided Asuma easily, but nearly was cut as Iruka flipped over and behind him, dipping low to sweep the kunai across his hamstings. Gai stepped aside, but was nearly cut again as the teacher pushed off the ground into a tuck and rolled behind him again. This time Gai jumped with a Chakra burst, gaining the trees and the shadows. Both men stood back to back, scanning the tree line. Suddenly, Iruka muttered something and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. To the left of Asuma came the clash of steel on steel and Gai leapt from the trees, right into Asuma, who put his trench knives to Gai's throat and stomach. Gai lifted his hands in laughing surrender and both stood and waited for Iruka to stride from the trees.
Kakashi had seen it all. Iruka was fast and getting better at tracking. He was a great tracker. Why had he never taken the Jounin exams? He blinked to slow the whirl of the Sharingan and covered it. Iruka was gaining much more from this training that anyone had thought. He was faster, gaining power, and he was surprising the others with jitsus that none had ever seen the Chuunin use or even knew he had. Feeling the drain that the Sharigan leeched from him, Kakashi sighed, gathered his book, and ported to Ichiraku's. He would bring Iruka a good hot meal to help replenish his flagging strength. After his favorite ramen was prepared, he headed for the apartment. Iruka was sure to come home in the next few minutes and Kakashi wanted to surprise him.
Smiling the Jounin entered apartment, but stopped before he entered. He glanced up and grinned at Cat, not really wanting to.
"Yo, Cat. I'm needed?" he asked, gesturing for Cat to come down and enter the apartment.
Cat leapt down and entered, shutting the door behind her. "Hokage-sama requests that both you and Iruka come to her office." She sniffed at the hot ramen, her stomach grumbling.
"Have you eaten today?" Kakashi asked his former teammate.
"Not yet. I've been working non-stop all day," she muttered as she lifted her mask. She shouldn't but standing in the entryway, there was no one to see her face. "I'll eat after I finish up here."
Kakashi motioned her into the livingroom and proceeded into the kitchen, rummaging around for Iruka's favorite bowl and cup. "What does the Hokage want with us?" he asked from the kitchen as he set out dinner.
Cat grimaced and pulled her mask back down. "Not sure. She sent me out after you two." She waved as she went to the window. "See you later Kakashi." She disappeared with barely a sound.
"Things are going to get interesting," Kakashi said to the wall.
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A short time later, the fed men strolled into Tsunade's office, only to duck as a scroll was tossed at them.
"I called you over half an hour ago!" The irate blonde yelled, plopping back in her seat. "You know better, brat!"
Kakashi slouched and shrugged. "Iruka needed to eat. He just finished his training session."
"Bah!" She griped, glaring at the silver headed Jounin. "I don't have time to play games with you today. I have a mission for you two." She tossed them each a scroll. "Those are your instructions. Your travel bags have been packed and are waiting at the mission office. Sakura will be accompanying you so stop by her house to pick her up."
Iruka blinked, but had yet to open his scroll. "Sakura-chan is coming with us?"
"The mission is light enough for her to handle, but still ranked B." Tsuande steepled her fingers and glared over the top of them. "I don't want another incident like the last time."
Iruka blushed and opened his scroll, quickly scanning the contents. Nothing to bad. They were to scout around some fuedal lord's estates and lands for a group of maruaders. More than likely, Sakura was only along for group training, something the newly made Chuunin kuniochi hadn't had in a long time. Sighing, he re-rolled the scroll and bowed to Tsunade.
"We'll do our best, Hokage-sama," he intoned gravely.
Tsunade smiled at Iruka and turned a baleful eye on Kakashi. "If you let anything happen like last time, I will roast your balls and feed them to you."
Kakashi shrugged and turned away. "As you will, Hokage." Opening the door, he called to Iruka over his shoulder. "Come on, Iruka. Let's gather our team and head out."
Iruka blinked after Kakashi, bowed to Tsunade again and tore out the door after his lover. He caught up to him near the doors to the mission office. Nodding to Genma and the others, they picked up their gear and left for the residential district. Iruka knew that Kakashi knew where Sakura lived, as well as he did, but he seemed to be hanging back. Trotting ahead, he knocked on the Haruno's door and waited as Sakura came rushing through the house. Opening the door, she barreled into Iruka, apologized, closed the door, grabbed Iruka and tore off down the street. Five seconds later, Iruka could hear Sakura's mother screaming for Sakura to come back. He shook his head and let her drag him to the bridge where Team Seven always met at. Not surprising, Kakashi was lounging against the rails waiting for them, reading a dog-eared copy of Ichi-Ichi Violence.
Shutting the book, he blinked lazily and said, "You're late."
Sakura stopped dead and glared. "That's my line, Kakashi-sensei."
"I am not your sensei anymore, Sakura. Kakashi will be fine. Besides, we are teammates," he chirped with a smile. "Do you know the mission we are on?"
"Yup, Tsunade-sama informed me a few minutes before sending for you. You know how hard it is to get away from the house if Mom thinks I am going on a mission outside the village," Sakura groused, a small smile playing about her lips.
"Don't I ever," Kakashi said with a smile of his own. "Now, let's be off before that crazy woman finds us and hits me with something hard."
Iruka laughed. "She would too."
Laughing, the three man team headed for the main gate and the beginning of Iruka's nightmare.
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A/N: Gads!!! It's been way to long since I updated this fic. Not to worry. I have a new chapter to finish writing and post as soon as I proof it. Or at least try to proof it.
As for the long time between updates, well, most of it was due to me not being able to think of anything. Writer's Block is the worst thing that can happen in the middle of a great story. But I have overcome my block! Working full time has cured me. Well, mostly. But once you have a time that you have to sit and watch a gate for six boring hours, you kinda get inspired or go crazy.
So, to all my loyal readers, here is the next installment of Illusion's Folly. Expect the next chapter to roll in here in about two days. After that, I don't know when I will have time to write for a month as my fiance is flying in from overseas to spend the month with me. ) But there will be at least two more chapters to be released in the next month, if not three. It all depends on how inspired I can get.
Ja!!