Winter Already: Chapter 3

Gawd...slowly Winter was becoming of Konoha already. Iruka just couldn't believe the time that flew by so quickly. He was busy getting ready for some early Christmas shopping before it was too late. So Iruka put on his casual clothing pieces and headed straight out the door. On his way out, he met up with a familiar Jounin. That Jounin wasn't an ordinary one, but a special one.

"Oi, Genma-san...!" Iruka greeted him cheerfully in his Christmas spirit. Genma sucked on his senbon giving Iruka a wave to come over to where he was for a quick sec. Iruka confirmed and once he got over there, a white envelope appeared in his face. "Eh, what's this? An invite?"

Genma, "Of course it is, what else would it be? It's a Christmas party I'm having...just about every nin in Konoha was invited!" Iruka blushed at the invite. "I'll see if I can make it, thanks..." he said sheepishly and said goodbye to Genma leaving on his merry little way.

Iruka strolled by every store, wondering what Naruto would possibly want for Christmas...when he got to the Ramen Stand, he figured he would like a gift card from there along with a kunai of some sort. So that is what he bought...for Sasuke he got some weapons. I mean, what else could Sasuke want besides all the fangirls to stop chasing after him? The gift that Iruka got for Sakura, now that was something...he got her some make-up supplies and a new little shuriken set. Hopefully Sakura wouldn't take any offense to the make-up kit.

Then it hit Iruka...What do I get for Naruto's sensei??? The thought rang in his head...so he just decided to get him some dangerous objects as well...he figured the ones Kakashi already had were too dull from all the training and missions.

Iruka got most of his shopping done that day. Thank god. He just thought he couldn't put up with any last minute stuff like he always did. I mean, he even got something for the party. When he got home that evening, he cooked some dinner, took a hot shower like always, and went to go watch some good ol' Christmas specials playing on the television set. Right now, he had all the time in the world since he was on his 1 week vacation for Christmas. How lucky Chunnins were when it came to holidays.

All out of nowhere, he fell asleep he was so tired that day. The only time he woke up was when somebody started shaking him, so he got into defense mode. Especially when he was sleeping. Iruka feeling fierce about who it was jumped up and hit the person on the head, sending them flying across the room. The thing was, the person was Naruto.

"NARUTO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" Iruka screamed at the top of his lungs. Naruto rubbed the bump on his head. "OW! I JUST FIGURED THE DOOR WAS OPENED BECAUSE NOBODY WAS ANSWERING IT!"

Iruka felt somewhat bad for hitting Naruto that hard...even though it was his own fault for sneaking up on him. "Okay, I'll go get some ice..." he said running into the kitchen. When he came back, Naruto was laying lounged out on the couch. He handed the fox-boy the ice packet. Naruto took it firmly, putting it onto his bump. "I just came here to check up on you, that's all Iruka-sensei...you just weren't really acting yourself the other day..."

"Naruto, I'm fine...okay? I'm glad you care, but I can take care of myself." Iruka said that kind of cold-heartedly. He didn't mean it to sound so much like that, so he felt pretty guilty.

"Since you're here, you should just stay...it's snowing like crazy out there, and I bet it's freezing cold..." Naruto nodded at Iruka's idea and decided to stay.

The two of them sat there watching some t.v. and drinking hot chocolate. Iruka figured coffee was too strong for the boy.

Next Day!

The next day, Iruka got up early. Naruto was still asleep on the couch like always when he came over and spent the night. Iruka started cooking some breakfest when somebody knocked on the door. He went to answer it.

The person at the door was Sasuke. "Huh? Sasuke, are you looking for Naruto?"

"Yeah, the dobe had training today...and he never showed up..." Sasuke answered slyly, looking very dull and pale.

Naruto shifted on the couch.

Iruka woke him up and then Naruto hugged Iruka goodbye, while getting a lecture from the Uchiha boy, about not coming on time...that reminded Iruka of Kakashi, since he was always late and never on time...

Later that day, Iruka was getting ready for the big party at Genma's. He thought he should dress up as something since it said so on the invitation. He got a silky red shirt on that was a button up with some light brown khakies he thought he'd never wear. Afer all that, he put some reindeer antlers on as a joke and put his shoes on. "Okay, I hope nobody laughs at me for this..." he said with a sweatdrop to himself.

When Iruka left his house with an arm full of cookies in his arms, he locked the door and headed for Genma's. On his way there, Kakashi noticed him. Kakashi had been thinking of Iruka alot lately, so he went to give the struggling Chunnun a hand with those tough-ass cookies.

Iruka spotted him coming towards him and kind of cowarded. Damn he thought. Not again...

"Hey Iruka-sensei...can I give you a hand with those cookies?" Kakashi asked politely. Kakashi saved the question, What's with those antlers? for later.

"I'm fine, really..." Iruka said, trying not to sound so weak.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure..." Iruka at that point accidently dropped the cookies...

"Shit!" he cursed at his stupd actions.

Kakashi was quick on his feet, so he caught them.

"Thanks Kakashi..." he said sounding so nervous.

Kakashi, "no prob...where are you heading with those things anyway?"

"Genma's house..."

"Oh, you mean for the party? I was going there too...mind if I join you for the walk there? I'm sure you could use the help with the cookies..."

Iruka nodded. After a few minutes of walking, they showed up and rang the doorbell. Genma answered it, happy they could come. "Hey, Kakashi, you're not late huh? I bet it's because Iruka's with you and he always likes to be on time..." he said with a smirk.

Iruka blushed at that comment. Kakashi looked at Genma and glared. "Shut up..."

The two of them pushed right aside as they entered Genma's warm home. "Wow...there sure are alot of people." Iruka concluded. "Oh, and here Genma, these cookies are for your party."

Genma thanked him and took them and made a flirtacious comment. "Heh, I never knew that you, Umino Iruka liked having your cookies eaten by other people...can I get a taste?" he said moving closer to see the blush on Iruka's face.

Iruka just stood there shocked. "Whatever..." he said

Kakashi on the other hand was about to knock Genma out. "Pick on someone less hornier than you right now Genma..." Genma rolled his eyes at that and wondered off into the crowd.

Iruka looked at Kakashi dumbfounded and Kakashi just shrugged.

During the party, Iruka made a trip to the bathroom and came in contact with an un-noticable mistel toe hanging in front of the bathroom door. Kakashi soon followed, faking he had to wait to use the bathroom.

"Freeze right there!" screamed Gai. Iruka and Kakashi turned to see what the hell he was talking about.

Gai was as smart as a horse's ass and announced it to everyone.

"LOOK, THERE'S A MISTEL TOE UNDER THE TWO OF THEM! NOW THEY MUST KISS AND SPREAD THEIR YOUTH OF LOVE!"

Anyone from that point would've guessed Gai was drunk. Of course, everyone there was. Anko, "YEAH, LET'S SEE THEM BOTH KISS!" she pointed out. Everyone stared in silence at the pair.

Iruka squeked in embaressment. "But, but...aren't there rules? I mean, we're both guys and...and" He kept stuttering, his face turning crimson.
Kakashi was silent and blushing. "COME ON IRUKA...DON'T BE SHY!" someone said out in the group of people...it sounded oddly like Tsunade playing some strip poker with Jiraiya.

Iruka closed his eyes tightly, trying to think of more excuses but none came. Kakashi looked over at Iruka in awe and Iruka finally said, "Gawd, that's so stupid...I'm only gonna kiss him if he takes that damn mask off!"

Kakashi was shocked at that. He stood there and then came back to his senses. "Wha-what?"

Iruka glanced up at him with a smirk.

To be continued...you'll see what happens in the next chappie...! Thanks Kishimoto sensei again for letting me use your charries. And thanks for everyone who is reading! Squee!