Chapter V:

First date

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-Ramen?-

And so they were here now, staring at each other, nothing to say coming at hand. He had asked himself over and over again how he had ended up in this situation.

Sure… he was sad, and sure, he was confused… and he did just have a breakdown in front of all of his colleagues; then again… he also made out with one of say colleagues in front of all the others… alrighty. He was a screwed up man.

But now all of those questions could wait, he was dying here! They had been sitting across each other for a good ten minutes already and none of his cell brains would come to help, he had forgotten completely how to interact with another human been! What really mattered now was to start a conversation, ANY conversation.

-Say something damn it- he recriminated himself, and looked up to see an amused face

-Ok… I will, what would you like me to talk about? I guess there's always the weather thing…- said Genma with a flick of mockery showing in his voice

Oh fuck… had he said that at loud? He seemed to do that a lot lately

-Sorry… that was supposed to stay in my head- great; he was beginning to blush now

-I thought as much- smiled Genma, he sure liked to make this Chuunin turn red, but as much as he was willing to try new ways for this to happen, he decided he had something important to ask. There was a thing he wanted to take out of the way, even if it was only for curiosity's sake –Why did you kiss me back? – His amused face turned serious

-What…?-

–I mean… I didn't know you liked men- ok, maybe that was him trying to make the teacher blush, and boy was it working.

-…- Iruka was sure he hadn't been this red since the Naruto accident

-Well…- where was all his teacher knowledge and eloquence when he needed it? …alright maybe he didn't have those to begin with, but god he could use them now –I guess I never really thought about it- was he gay? He did like women, but taking a glimpse at his partner he thought But I like you too which of course added to his currently growing redness.

-Get a hold of yourself Iruka! - He mentally screamed

-I… I guess love knows no gender- it felt like the world had stop for him, even as the words were coming out of his mouth. It was like watching a slow motion crashing accident. Did he just say "love"? Crap… he really needed to think things before he voiced them out.

Ever so slowly he raised his head, what would Genma think of him now? And of course, he looked shock.

-I mean…- he rushed the words, he had to fix this –it's not like I love you or anything- he laugh nervously shaking both his head and hands

Silence… did he make it worst? To his surprise Genma looked… disappointed?

Oh shit…

-Not like I couldn't love you of course! – What could he possibly say now? –I don't think you're disgusting or anything… not that I care about those things…- he said while signalling his own scarred face –looks are only superficial really, and… and we all get old at the end, so, I won't mind when that happens either… of course I'm not saying that we'll grow old together, but we'll probably see each other around, that's for sure…- why wasn't Genma answering? He could at least be gracious enough to take a kunai out and put him out of his misery -although being a ninja village we probably won't be… seeing each other that is… yep… definitely death by forty, so no worries there… yeah…- Did he just proclaim them both death? – Not that I don't trust in your skills… or want you death by that matter…- He was a sorry excuse of a man, really, the poor Chuunin was a nervous wrack, and now that he realized that he had found a way of insulting his partner in every possible and imaginable from he decided to just sulk in his misery and shut the hell up… or not –We could die though… and that's the whole… oh god have you no compassion? Please stop me… now! …alright I realize I could have done that myself… shutting up that is… ugh…- Iruka was now completely ashamed and had his face trapped under his hands, preventing them from showing to the world how embarrassed he felt.

Again the silence… and then, Genma broke laughing

Iruka wanted the earth to open and swallow him whole.

-Are you always like this? – said Genma while washing a tear away

-There's no need for you to mock me you know? - said Iruka resembling terribly one of his students when pouting.

-Oh no… you misunderstand it- Genma was once again with that smile –I like it… I like you-

Iruka was of course at a loss of words, thankfully, the heavens seemed to have had enough of his humiliation and graciously allowed him a moment of peace, because at that moment the food arrived. Finally something he could comment on, a topic he could not get tired of debating… bless Ramen.

They ate quietly, the conversation always finding its way home to the delicious delicatessen; they were at last getting along just fine.

Genma insisted on paying the bill, he owed it to him to at least do that, since Iruka had provided the entertainment, statement that was received with a furious blush.

Then Genma wanted to join him on his way back home, which only added for his stress; but when Genma's hand found its way to Iruka's, the poor chuunin thought he would be victim of internal combustion, which was a completely valid fear once you looked at his burning face.

Half the way there, Iruka finally felt rested. He was comfortable now, even making Genma laugh once in a while… although in a completely unintentional way that is. But by the time they reached his home he was proud to say that they had at least shared one civil conversation, which put Iruka at ease. He could do this!

They were at his door now, and before he realized it, he was leaning into Genma, and had a warm feeling as their lips met, it was a candid kiss, but still very powerful, sending those now recognizable pleasant shivers all over his body… and… did he initiated this? A bit surprised still, he broke the closeness and just when he was about to say his goodbyes and enter his home he remembered… Genma was a jounin… he would surely now why were those other Jounins treating him so badly right?

-There was something I wanted to know- and he cursed himself for sounding a little spaced out… damn after kissing effects –Do you happen to know why were the Jounins behaving a little… different… around me? I mean… maybe it was all in my head, I- but he was cut off by one of Genma's quick pecks

-Do you really want to know? - He asked while still showering him with slow sensual kisses –Does it matter? - He stopped a second to see his partner's eyes

-I… I guess not… it just stroke me as bizarre- again… damn effects

At hearing this, Genma smiled, slowly kissed Iruka one last time before stepping out of his porch.

-It's really stupid actually- Genma was facing Iruka, walking backwards with his hands behind his head –Kakashi likes you- and just like that he went away

-Yeah stupid- he walked inside his home and was heading to the kitchen when it hit him -Kak… Kakashi likes me?-

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A.N: m'kay bit of a crappy chapter, sorry for that, since I finished it, along with the other one, I haven't take a look at it again. Sorry. Mexico won! I love Mexicans, I also like to live through them, maybe next time we'll get there… damn… I'm lying to myself, it'll never happen… sniff sniff… ok I've shed enough tears for those bastards

Thanks for all the kind reviews, sorry if I didn't answer them myself, but I'm almost every hour of my day at classes.