YES! I'M ALIVE AGAIN! AMAZING RIGHT?
So, the past year was a full one for me, not that you want to hear about it. So I'll just say, I'm attempting a come back, or at least finish some of the things that I never got to post before they and Shale drive me farther off the edge.
This little scene however, is what you're here for, yes?
This scene is actually from the original edit of Triangles, in chapter 16. I'd written up the first part, and then realized it didn't work with where I was going, so I cut it. So, now I've edited, and added and it's a nice little one shot.
Enjoy!
…
Iruka hummed as he moved around Ibiki's kitchen. Practiced hands making quick work of sushi rolls and seasoned chicken skewers.
It had been a few weeks since he'd been cleared of medical leave fully, and things had started to settle out into a comfortable pattern.
A majority of his and his boyfriend's time was spent at Ibiki's house. The more comfortable and privet option out of all their various homes. (Really, Ibiki's and Iruka's were the only places used anyway, as Kakashi's place was an attic studio that Ibiki refused to enter out of protection for his head.) Occasionally the trio went out, but this was always made tiring due to the stares that followed the two famous Jounin. So the seclusion and peace of Ibiki's garden was the preferred 'date' location.
The fact the bedroom was close by for convent use was often taken advantage of as well.
Iruka continued humming happily as he plated the colourful rolls and chicken into spiral patterns before setting the plates aside. Glancing up every so often to watch the large hibiscus flowers bob gently outside the kitchen window.
It was Sunday, Ibiki's –and now his – day off. Saturday used to be his free day, but after a quick talk with Tsuande (and a small bribe of sake from Ice, donated by Kakashi) Iruka had managed to switch his days, so there was always one day of the week that could be spent together, no interruptions.
Kakashi, as the active nin, had less say. So his system was to milk every single moment he was home. Iruka and Ibiki didn't object much.
Today was a nice coincide of time though, with Kakashi being on leave on the same day as his partners. On days like these Iruka mused, they rarely made it out of the bedroom before noon.
The price of having two boyfriends with high levels of stamina he supposed.
It was wonderfully sunny that afternoon and Ibiki had of course taken advantage to work in the garden. Kakashi and Iruka had helped as well, and Kakashi had summoned the pack, who had fallen in love with the garden and its big keeper far faster than either Kakashi or Iruka had expected.
Iruka, of course, they already adored and a common pass time for the mutts was to teasingly ponder just how their idiotic pup had gotten not one, but two mates they actually liked.
A glance out the window revealed Ibiki still peacefully digging through a bed of tulips; dirt streaking the big arms. Bull was once again digging up the lawn and didn't seem to be helping matters by showering the big Jounin in soil every few minutes. On the up side he was making a marvellous hole. Ibiki could plant a new tree.
Kakashi appeared to have fallen asleep by the pond, (which was now his monthly task to clean) the rest of the pack sprawled around him, they too dozing in the sun. It was cute; Iruka suspected the ninken didn't get many chances like this, to behave like dogs and not weapons. Kakashi too for that matter.
Smiling he turned back to the food, cracking eggs into a bowl to make an omelet.
"Fucking hell Tsu that was my foot!"
Iruka frowned, hand frozen in mid-air, about to add sugar to the bowl. Had he just heard that?
Looking over Iruka leant closer to the kitchen window, where the distinctly not male voice had come from.
"Ah shut it Ko and keep moving. Ya sure this is the place?"
"Pretty sure, the file said this was his address."
Iruka resisted the urge to slam his head against the wall. Anko; that woman was going to be the death of him, and herself if this is how things were going to go, but who did she have with her?
"Fine, fine. Now which one of these blasted windows do ya think leads to the bedroom?"
Tsume. He shouldn't have been surprised really.
Pulling himself up on the counter Iruka reached over to open the window a bit farther and stuck his head out, looking down at the two woman trying to hide in the hibiscus bush. Ibiki wouldn't like that.
"Well it's not this one Tsume-san"
"Ah, thank ya Ruka-"
Tsume never finished the sentence as it occurred to her and she and Anko looked up.
Their reactions were wonderful. Anko shirked and ran for it, grabbing Tsume and taking the clan leader with her. Her biggest error however was that she ran for the back yard, not knowing all that waited there was two currently relaxed Jounin and a pack of nindogs.
Quickly hopping off the counter Iruka ran for the back door, stepping out on the deck seconds before Anko and her captive rounded the corner, only to freeze when Ibiki looked up and Kakashi snapped awake.
Both Jounin were on their feet in seconds, Kakashi's mask covering his face once more while all the dogs ran to form a protective circle around Kakashi and his 'mates'. Bull placed himself directly in front of Ibiki while Uhei, Bisuke, Shiba and Guruko ran to Iruka, the remaining three staying with Kakashi. All of them growling furiously.
Quickly composing himself Ibiki slowly crossed his dirt streaked arms, pulling off an extremely terrifying glare in Anko's direction.
"Mariashi. What, may I ask, are you doing here?"
Anko paled, seemly just realizing a huge down side to her plan. The possibility of getting caught.
Hey, no one said fangirls were smart.
She smiled sweetly "Well, Ki-kun we-"
Ibiki's eye twitched and she quickly shut up. Iruka bit back a snicker while Kakashi's only visible brow rose at the nick name. The ash coloured head tilted slightly as the Jounin appraised the bigger man.
"Ki-kun?"
Ibiki twitched again and turned to level Kakashi with a burning glare. "Use it on pain of death, Shi-chan."
Kakashi only grinned in response, the grey eye tilting and the twist of his mouth could just barely be seen through the mask. Iruka knew where this would go. Now both Jounin had ammo in the form of old, cute nick-names, Kakashi's having been happily supplied by a drunk Jiraiya.
Iruka turned his attention back to the two women, who were slowly edging away with the air of those who hoped to escape a dangerous predator whilst it was distracted.
Now he couldn't have that.
"Leaving so soon, Anko? Tsume?"
Both Kounichi froze, turning imploring eyes toward the Chuunin as his Jounin partners looked back up from their glaring contest. Iruka simply grinned and leant over the deck railing. Anko sighed, muttering something that sounded like 'sadistic imp' which made Ibiki snort in amusement.
Tsume on the other hand was gazing around, almond shaped eyes wide and amazed as she took in the large, full garden. The old willow tree, swing swaying in the wind. The water fall that fell gently into the Koi pond, which now actually held Koi, taken care of by Iruka and Kakashi. The trails of soft green grass that wondered off through beds of bright flowers and around trees stretching to the sky, already heavy with fruit.
Noticing her companion's distraction Anko let her attention be turned as well, until both women were directing their gazes at the big Jounin. Questions clear in their eyes.
Ibiki sighed and ran a hand over his covered head. "Well, there goes my reputation."
Kakashi snorted and reached up a hand to pat the large shoulder. "I'm sure you'll survive. So long as they continue to believe you're actually a sadist you'll be fine."
Anko's eyes widened as the same moment Ibiki turned his glare back to the Jounin. Kakashi simply grinned innocently.
Iruka watched the scene, amused, as he sat down and reached out to give Bisuke and Guroko a pat each before clapping his hands at the other dogs, sending them tripping over their paws as they raced toward him.
"Well." Iruka grinned as he was surrounded by the swirling tornado or fur, hands extended as he scratched ears and bellies. Kakashi watching with sincere affection gleaming in the grey eye. "I suppose we have a few options here ladies." Anko and Tsume quickly turned their gaze, watching the brunet with fear that preceded his rank. "Option one: I ask the pack to run you off"
The dogs instantly stopped in their circling and turned to face the intruders, paws set, ready to spring into action and an eager light for the chase in their eyes. Tsume looked nervous, but held her ground. Anko gulped and shifted back.
Iruka's grin grew and he reached up to stoke Bulls ear. "Option two; I run you off." Terror filled the Kounichi's eyes and both of them stepped back this time, making Iruka's grin twist.
"Or, option three." Neither Kounichi seemed to be breathing, as they stared transfixed. "You can join us for lunch."
Silence hung like a cloud over the garden as even the dogs stared at the smiling Chuunin. Iruka was un-phased by the attention. He'd spent his life confusing people; the prankster knew it was only a matter of time before they got over the shock and someone-
Ibiki let out a bellow of laughter, quickly followed by Kakashi's low, throaty chuckle. The pack soon joined in as Bisuke called out to the shell shocked Kounichi "You shoulda seen your faces!" Both women blinked once, twice, before sagging slightly, sheepish (or in Tsume's case, fanged) grins tilting their lips.
Iruka simply snorted, shaking his head as he stood and strode back into the little house to finish lunch. Yelling over his shoulder for Anko to help and hearing the snake sommoner scrambling to obey before he changed his mind.
Soon they were all gathered back in the garden, spread out by the pond surrounded by plates of food. Iruka settled in between his boyfriends on the grass, leaning on Ibiki slightly while his legs tangled with Kakashi's. The copy nin had donned on a plain bandanna over his face, so to eat normally, though Anko and Tsume were being mildly well behaved and neither were trying to peek.
The pack hovered nearby, begging for handouts. Ibiki was the worst for caving, followed closely by Anko, while Kakashi and Tsume scolded them every time they did.
The day wore on and Iruka found himself being pulled against Ibiki, the larger man's legs stretched out on either side of him as he leant against the solid torso. Both relaxing as they watched Kakashi, Tsume and Anko play fight with the dogs. Tsume and Kakashi seemed to be doing ok, despite the fact the dogs were cheating, while Anko was losing abysmally as she kept getting pinned.
Iruka smiled, closing his eyes as he let the laughter and playful barking fill his ears, Ibiki's arms warm and comfortable around his chest.
"Iruka?" The deep voice rumbled by his ear, vibrating up his back.
"Humm?" It was more of a sigh then a hum.
"Thank you."
Iruka opened his eyes slowly and glanced up at the bigger man. Ibiki's gaze wasn't on him, rather on his other partner, the rowdy pack and two friends as they raced around garden – still wary not to step on any flowers.
"For what?"
Ibiki's gaze turned to him, a peaceful smile on his lips. "For filling it. For bringing it to life."
Iruka's blinked, then smiled and stretched up to kiss the scarred lips before settling back down, Ibiki's arms holding him tight.
Gardens, he supposed, were like hearts. Delicate, but with deep roots. Flourishing in the sun, but growing strong with rain. And while beautiful and tranquil on their own, were perhaps at their best when filled with laughter and love.
…
Why must everything I do end sappy? *sighs* ah well, an occasional serving of cheese is supposed to be good for you (of course, I have to live with myself, so there's no escape.)
As mentioned before, I'm attempting a comeback. I have three stories that I would love to get up, though the issue is, none are finished and two are still in note books… Translation? This is going to take a while.
The one I hope to finish first is the IbiIru mentioned before, now called Oak Tree and is the only one completely composed on the computer.
The other is actually a sequel to Storms Calm, that has been worked on off and on since 2011 and then a random Chapter story called The Crazy Ones that would be the last to see light of day.
So again, fingers crossed, and thanks to the people who actually read this.
Hearts ~Rythum.