Chapter 8

Gossip and Dango

Hehe, another early update cause I won't have time this weekend. Don't ya just love Christmas? (I have so much sugar in the house I'm going to self-implode)

Ryth: Yosh! Mission Room time! Cause we all know we've been missing the chaotic place. I love writing Mission Room scenes actually, there so fun and easy and I can throw any one of the Jounin in! Much better than school scenes, I hate writing with the kids cause I never get them right.

I like sticking to my bat shit crazy grown shinobi.

….

Iruka paused outside of the big double doors that lead to the Mission Room, taking in a deep breath as he stood there – slightly off to the side and out of view from the people moving in and out of the room – and listened to the sounds of mayhem inside.

Yesterday had been one of the best and worst days of his life. He'd helped a fellow ninja take a big step toward healing and come to face with more of his own fears. He'd also thrown the two men he loved most from his house.

That had sucked.

It had been worrying when neither had come back and for a while Iruka had been terrified that he'd actually made a horrible mistake. Then Pakkun, Guruko and Bisuke had shown up at the window to demand food because apparently 'the brat and the bear' were at the Trapwire together, sharing Black-op stories and very strong sake.

Pakkun had bet two hours before Kakashi passed out or threw up, with the pace Ibiki had been setting.

After find this out it had turned into a rather enjoyable evening (surprising, considering he'd spent it with three loud mouthed dogs intent on cleaning him out) he'd made meat balls for the dogs and a light pasta dish for himself and just enjoyed talking with the pack that he'd become extremely found of over the years.

The crowning point of the evening though had been when Tsunade's personal hawk showed up at the window with a sake stained note saying that Ibiki had indeed talked to her that morning and Tsunade was all for the idea of him taking a few Mission Room shifts. Something about having to replace all the windows twice and they'd 'upgraded' the doors six times, not to mention the wonderful new paint colours they been trying out while he'd been gone.

He was a little scared to go in honestly.

Which was why he was now standing in the hidden corner by the Mission Room's (noticeably new) double doors, listening to the screams, yells, cursing, fighting, laughter and Kami knew what else. He was trying to match the sounds to actions and voices to faces and had already deduced that something was on fire, the ceiling fan was broken as well as a good few desks, chairs and a window.

The room's occupants included Genma, Raidou, Anko, Tsume and Tsunade, to name a few and the most recognizable. Tsunade he could tell had already realized where he was, but she knew when he was to show up anyway. The blond healer hadn't said anything but he'd felt her chakra brush gently against his in greeting and the clear question, are you ok?

Smiling Iruka pushed back, trying to show yes, he was fine, just – bracing.

Why did it feel like his first day all over again?

Chuckling softly at the memories of his hectic first day - years ago now when he was 14 – Iruka summoned the courage to enter the room. He could feel Tsunade's slightly sadistic anticipation as she monitored his movements.

A small flare of chakra helped him throw both doors open with no effort and Iruka found himself facing an achingly familiar scene.

People and paper were everywhere. He'd been right and the ceiling fan was indeed hanging from the drywall, held up by its wires at a jaunty angle. It was also the thing that was on fire. There were actually two missing windows while one had been covered with a strange substance Iruka recognize as spider web. He'd have to talk to the village's bug family about that.

Someone was meditating on the ceiling next to the mauled and burning fan while below them something akin to a boxing ring had been formed, using filing cabinets and people. There were numerous things sticking from the walls, including one of the metal waste bins, which was imbedded halfway into the plaster.

"YA! GET HIM TSUME!"

Iruka resisted the urge to slam his palm over his face at the sound of Anko's yell. He should have known the purple haired woman would be behind the boxing fight. It was either her or Genma in these situations and Genma had been warned off months ago by Raidou.

Iruka knew for a fact that Raidou's threat had been to lock the blond man from his bed for a week if disobeyed and all the Desk workers had been very pleased when the threat of 'I'll tell Rai!" had suddenly given them the power to instantly bring the blond menace to heel.

But there was no steel-proof way to control Anko – save for-

"ANKO! DANGO!"

Grinning evilly Iruka yelled the words as loud as he could. Rewarded when the purple haired woman gave a shriek of surprise as she fell from her perch on top of the tall filing cabinet that she was using as a 'referee' box. Not that the match would have actually had rules.

The act of the snake summoner falling onto her own fighters put a spectacular end to the whole thing. Paper notes flying into the air in a small cloud when they flew from the Kounichi's grasp and fluttering to the floor like confetti.

Iruka was momentarily confused at that as, usually; the betting ninja would have jumped at the money like rabid bunnies. The Jounin community had been known to hospitalize their own during the chaos of what had been dubbed a 'fish bowl frenzy'. They weren't all bad; it's how Kurenai had allegedly met Asuma, visiting him in the hospital after knocking him out with her shoe.

But the gathered shinobi did no such thing. Instead they turned slowly till every eye in the room was focused on him. An eerie hush fell over the room, the soft crackle of the burning fan becoming the only sound in the place.

"Iruka?"

His name was whispered gently in Raidou's familiar voice as the scarred Jounin stepped away from the edge of the room where he'd been leaning to avoid the mayhem around him and slowly approached the small brunet.

The sound of his name seemed to snap the rest of the Jounin from their stupors and some started to move closer as well.

Extremely confused now, specially by the soft loving smile Tsunade had directed at him (it was kind of terrifying) Iruka tried to brush it off by giving the red head now standing in front of him a slightly strained grin.

"Hey Rai"

Raidou didn't answer, stepping closer big arms came up to wrap around the slender body and pull the smaller man close. Biting back his moment of surprise Iruka allowed himself to relax into the embrace, leaning into the Jounin's warmth as he returned the hug.

"I'm so glad you're ok"

Iruka smiled when the words were whispered in his ear, tightening his grip on the older man's back in answer to the kind words.

He could feel the others moving closer to them just as Raidou stiffened slightly when he was tapped on the shoulder before he stepped away, letting his boyfriend take his place. Genma pulled the small brunet close and gave him a soft kiss on the forehead then he too was pushed out of the way.

It was probably the most touching scene Iruka'd ever been in, his students may have sent flowers and tried to bury him in a group hug when they visited him, but he'd never honestly expected the Jounin community to care this much.

It was a strange and surreal experience as nearly every Jounin and more than a few of the Chuunin Iruka had ever come into contract with over his life came forward to claim a hug, some pausing to whisper words of relief while others pressed soft kisses to his forehead, cheeks or occasionally the new scars on his face.

It was loving while still being completely Jounin as every time someone new moved in to claim a hug they only had an uncertain amount of time to express their feelings before they were violently dragged from the young teacher and another nin would take their place.

Loving and violent – welcome to Konoha.

"Outta my way!"

There was a loud bang as the Iwashi was thrown across the room, hitting the sliver of wall between two windows in a great show of accuracy – or a tremendous miss, depending on how you looked at it – as the aching familiar slang of the Iunzuka was heard.

Iruka grinned as Tsume pushed her way through the crowd, shoving those that didn't move fast enough to the floor and stepping over them (or on them, depending on whether or not they'd pissed her off at some point in their life) as she plowed straight for the young chuunin.

"Ruka!"

Iruka found himself laughing as he was once again enveloped by strong arms, but knowing this time no one would dare pull the clan leader way. A wet tongue run up his cheek and he forced himself not to flinch or pull away at the strange affection.

A cold nose pressed to his hand before his remaining fingers were also licked, looking down he grinned at Kuromaru. The powerful nin dog was sniffing his mauled hands and body vigorously, little licks and nudges being interspersed randomly as he was given a dogs version of a medical check. The big dog even tried to tug him to the floor so he could search his torso but Tsume waved him off.

"If the Godiame says he's fine than he's fine Kuro"

Clawed fingers smoothed over new scars and Iruka saw the almond shaped eyes narrow in anger but Iruka just shook his head.

"No point in getting mad, Ibiki did that for everyone"

That had dark chuckles coming from some of the Jounin. So Tori had affected the gossip stream, not surprising. Iruka opted for ignoring it, people could say whatever they wanted about him and only an idiot with a death wish (aka Kakashi is seemed) would out right insult Morino Ibiki, whether to his face or behind his back. Ibiki was the king of the villages underground, everything said always got back to him at some point or another.

Sensing the tension in the room mounting to dangerous levels Iruka quickly glanced around from something to distract and divert the Jounin's attention from him and a gossip vine he had no knowledge about.

"Would anyone care to tell me why the fan is on fire?"

Silence once again settled over the room but this time it was the kind Iruka was used to. Ah the sweet sound of shamed silence.

Feet shuffled sheepishly on the floor but no one seemed inclined to answer, most of the Jounin had the eyes to the floor, the sure sign of innocents in the act – save for one purple haired ninja.

"Anko…"

Anko stopped in her casual examination of the foot-print stained ceiling to grin guiltily at him "Yes baby?"

His eye twitched at the name but let it go in favor of crossing his arms and raising a brow "Fan?"

Her grin faltered "It looks better this way?"

"It's a fire hazard this way. What have I said about spontaneous fires in the Mission Room?"

She muttered something, not meeting his gaze she scratched the back of her leg with her foot.

"Sorry, what?"

"It's not nice and can set returning shinobi into panic mode"

"And?"

"And if you have to bail me out of prison again you'll shave my head and sick Hatake's dogs on me"

Smiling sweetly Iruka stepped up to the pouting woman and patted her on the head "Good girl, now put it out please"

There was more grumbling from Anko but it was good natured this time, accompanied a sly grin as a jet of water was aimed at the fan. Iruka, who known what she was going to do and had moved out of range, simply grinned when he heard the loud protests from the surrounding ninja as they were soaked in the jutsu rain.

Moving up to the head table Iruka slid into his chair next to the Hokage. Technically it wasn't 'his' but he'd always been told to sit there when Sandiame had worked there and when Tsuande had taken over he'd had to show her how to do things from this side of the table, as she'd always been on active duty before and like most Jounin or ANBU had no clue just what the desk workers did all day or just how complex it really was.

He smiled softly at his leader and blushed when she leant over to kiss his brow as well, whispering that it was good to have him back quietly before she returned to pretending to do paperwork while really she was watching to antics of her shinobi as they mobbed Anko for drenching them in water.

"So…"

Glancing over Iruka saw Genma leaning casually over the edge of the desk, face schooled into a practiced bored look as the seabon twitched between his lips.

"Yes Genma?" Iruka had a pretty good idea of what the blond gossip whore wanted but he refused to give him anything easily. Genma would have to work for every inch.

"I heard you've been out with Morino"

"Oh?"

Iruka resisted the urge to grin as he sorted through paper, well aware that Genma's eyes had just narrowed in annoyance.

"Is it true?"

"What?"

There was the eye roll.

"That you're with him?"

"Who?"

The seabon rolled to the other side of the pale lips.

"Morino"

Iruka glanced up and tilted his head to the side slightly, unaware the action pulled the hair away from the right side of his head, showing the fact he was missing his ear clearly "With him in what sense?"

Hazel eyes flicked toward the wound momentarily before the Jounin pulled himself back to the present "As in your dating"

Iruka mocked surprise "Really? We are?"

Genma's eyes narrowed again "Ruka…"

"Yes Genma"

They narrowed farther "Stop playing cute"

He couldn't help it, a chuckle escaped as he mockingly bat his lashes at the other man "Cute? Whatever are you talking about Gen?"

Tsuande snorted beside him while Genma tried and failed not to grin.

"Genma! Leave Iruka alone. I believe you can keep your nose out of something that's not your own business for once in your life!"

Raidou grinned as he moved to the desk and leant on his boyfriend, ignoring Genma's protest to the jib (not the being leant on, no Genma had no complaint about that) as he turned the grin toward the chuunin.

"He may want to or Ibiki will feel no regret in cutting it off" Tsuande's comment was only loud enough for him to hear, causing Iruka to choke on the laughter he was suddenly fighting back. The healer sent him a cheeky grin which only became wider at his glare.

He got revenge by making her actually work.

The next hour and a half went by quickly. Iruka found himself busy with the constant flow of people as it seemed all the returning nin decided they had to hand their reports to him the instant they realized it was him working the desk.

Though very few people made any comment on how relived they were at his return the greeting when he had first come into the room and the lightening in people's eyes were more than enough for Iruka. There were however quite a few reactions to his hands, something he couldn't hide even with gloves, not in a room full of ninja.

He had thought of wearing them anyway but had discovered they impeded his ability to hold a pen so he'd had to leave them behind. Now he wished he'd just kept them and dealt with the small annoyance, Ninja shouldn't be getting this upset over a small loss of limb, hell, it wasn't even a limb!

Granted he knew the actual hands looked strange, but it wasn't anything to get murderous about. The scariest part had been when Gai and his team had come in. Let it be known at it was possible for a Hyuuga to produce a death glare rather than a bland bored look, it is not actually possible to use that many different weapons on one person, no matter how much a curtain weapons master wishes it. Lee's Tears of Youthful Love are even more disturbing than his sensei's and Gai should NEVER be allowed to give a Speech of Youthful Vengeance EVER again as it could possibly start a war.

Luckily Tsuande had put an end to all devious plotting before it got overly violent - though Iruka was still mildly concerned about the note book she'd been writing in every time someone had made a particularly creative suggestion on what to do to his tormentors. He was choosing to believe it was a list of the less stable nin in the room, not a list of things she wanted to try.

He was distracted from this thought rather abruptly when the binder in his grasp was forcefully removed by manicured hands; startled Iruka looked over to see Tsuande nonchalantly putting the binder to the side.

"Tsuande-sama?"

Glancing back him the blond healer smiled "Sorry Iruka, but times up. I promised myself I would only let you work for an hour and a half, so as much as it's wonderful to finally have this place working smoothly I'm sending you home"

'Promised myself' ya right, promised Ibiki more like. You hate doing work.

Mentally grinning Iruka leaned back in his chair, smirking cheekily at his Hokage as he did "Out of curiosity what's the threat for if I resist?"

"I'll call Ibiki"

"Right, leaving now" quickly Iruka straightened up and reached forward. About to start his customary routine of filing his papers away and sorting them for taking home but stopped when he realized he hadn't come with his bag and there was no way he was leaving with any papers.

Snatching his hand back Iruka glanced over at Tsuande who was still chuckling over his reaction to her threat. Sighing he stood and bowed to the blond healer, she waved him off with an affectionate "Yes yes, now get out of here before Ibiki suggests to the council they should ban liquor from Konoha"

Well, that answered the question about Ibiki's threat.

Iruka suppressed the giggle before nodding again and heading for the door. He made it half way there when a hand wrapping around his arm stopped him. Glancing over he met Genma's warm eyes.

"You heading home?" Raidou strolled up behind his lover. Iruka grinned at the two Jounin.

"Ya, apparently I'm not allowed to work for a period longer than two hours or Tsunade will pay with her sake. Plus I also left three of Kakashi's pack at my house, I'm hopeful it will still be standing on the soul fact that they like cooked food"

Genma's brow rose at the new information but Raidou simply shook his head in amusement "Well, mind if we walk home with you?"

Iruka instantly noted the red heads choice of wording. If it had been Genma or someone else they would have asked to walk him home not 'home with him' Raidou on the other hand actually had some tact, even if there was nothing he could do to change the fact he and Genma lived on the other side of town from him.

Seemingly the Jounin realized his mistake and quickly flashed the younger man a grin "Gen's taking me out for dinner at the new place in the gardens, it's on the way so-?"

Nice save Rai.

Iruka had to laugh at that, especially when Radou had to step on Genma's foot to cut off the blonds confused "I did? When-Ow!"

"Sure, that's fine"

Still smiling Iruka let the two Jounin follow him from the building. Not saying anything when they casually moved to either side of him once they'd reached the street and had room to spread out, though he did notice that both men were walking much closer than really necessary.

He rolled his eyes, opting to let it slid this time. Once he was back on full detail and slapping them around they'd back off.

"So…"

Glancing over to his right at Genma Iruka raised a brow in question. "So?"

"Kakashi…"

Iruka sighed. "I'm not playing the game anymore Gen, either spit it out or zip it"

Raidou gave an amused snort to his left and Genma gave his boyfriend a glare before turning back to the chuunin. "You said Kakashi's pack was at your place?"

A quick nod was all he was getting.

"So…are you two back together?"

A head shake this time. Iruka had learnt long ago at the less you gave Genma the faster he got to the point.

"But…does he want to?"

A nod, out of the corner of his eye Iruka saw Raidou shift closer.

"Do you want to?"

The question came from the red head this time and Iruka slowly lifted his gaze from the ground to meet his friend's concerned eyes.

"I – I don't know"

Iruka bit at his lip but drew in a deep breath, looking back up he grinned, cutting off rushed protests he knew would come. Both Raidou and Genma were great guys, but they were Kakashi's friends first, they would side with the copy nin, try and defend him.

"I don't know for sure, but I think I do" Iruka face darkened. "But if he cheats on me again – fuck the ranks – I will kill him"

Raidou grinned while Genma laughed. Loyal friend they may be but even they knew that Kakashi occasionally deserved to be mauled.

The rest of the walk past pleasantly, small talk and funny stories being passed among the three man until they reached the BridHouse where the Jounin bid him good night and headed off toward the city gardens. Iruka smiled as he paused to listen to their retreating argument, one that involved Raidou commenting that since they'd walked this far Genma mays well take him out for dinner anyway. The blonde's protests were loud, but half-hearted, even if he would be paying, it wasn't often Raidou demanded a date.

Still grinning he made his way up to his apartment, fumbling with the keys momentarily when he hands wouldn't cooperate. Finally managing it he slipped inside, breathing a sigh of relief as he kicked his sandals off. The day had been great but tiring; all he wanted now was a hot coco, a hotter bath and good book.

Shuffling toward the kitchen he turned on the kettle with that plan in mind, looking around the small house he realized Pakkun and the rest were gone, though they had left some paw print art on his counter top along with a small pile of clover – obviously torn up by sharp teeth as the roots and small clumps of dirt were still attached to the gift.

Iruka grinned and quickly placed the clover into a small dish with some water, after shaking the dirt off over the sink, and put it on the coffee table. He knew it was the packs way of trying to say thank you, and since they couldn't write notes (Pakkun often complained about this injustice) and they – unlike their master – remembered he didn't like receiving flowers unless it was a get well gift, had settled on first and most convenient thing they could think of.

A mouthful of clovers.

No doubt from the park across the street, but Iruka had always believed it was the thought that counted.

Humming softly Iruka finished with making his coco. Absently wondering just when he'd bought the expensive mix he usually only treated himself to at Christmas as he started to run the bath. Pleased when he found his favorite jasmine scented bubble bath also under the sink, and added a healthy shot of it to the running water. Sighing happily as the small bathroom filled with fragrant steam as he stripped and sunk down onto the heavenly water.

Mind peaceful for the first time in a while.

….

In case you're wondering – yes, both the hot coco and the bubble bath are from our favorite lazy bastard.

Ryth: *giggles* hope you guys liked it!

Jiraiya: I just want to get to the next chapter and the smu-"

Ryth: *tackles him to the floor* SENSEI SHUT YOUR TRAP! *turns to readers* YOU HEARD NOTHING!