The Assassin and the Dolphin
Author: jabotus
Rating: T
Pairings: Kakashi x Iruka, Gaara x Hinata, Lee x Sakura, Neji x Sasuke, mentioned possibility of Naruto x Hanabi
Warnings: AU – yaoi (two guys in a relationship), Kakashi and Iruka are a bit OOC
Disclaimer: Don't own.
'…..' - thoughts
A/N: Thanks to everyone that is still reading this story! And please keep the reviews coming! They let me know what is liked and what could be improved upon. And so without further ado here's the next chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter 12
Kakashi woke when a drop of water splashed on his cheek. As before, his eyes remained shut. His breathing hitched, but the other person didn't seem to notice. There was a soft sigh and then a hand brushed through his hair. Kakashi allowed himself a few seconds to sort his thoughts. Two more drops of cold water splashed down onto him. He shivered involuntarily and heard a gasp then shuffling.
A "sorry" was whispered.
Was it…"Iruka?"
"It's me."
Kakashi opened his eyes, not that it did him any good. The cave was pure darkness. It was unnerving. Sitting up, or at least going through the motions of doing so, Kakashi tried to decipher where Iruka was.
"I was checking on you. I didn't mean to wake you, but my hair's still wet and …."
"Can you see me?"
"Yes. Why are you waving your hand?"
"I can't see a damn thing."
"Oh."
Kakashi listened, but didn't hear the merman move at all. It gave him goose bumps; even he couldn't move that silently. A low light suddenly filled the darkness. Kakashi blinked and saw spots of light wherever he looked.
"I turned off the lantern last night before I left. I forgot humans have poor eyesight."
"So seeing in complete darkness is another merperson trait?"
"The sun's light only reaches so far into the water. We would be in pretty bad shape if we couldn't see in the deeps. That's where the more dangerous creatures live."
Kakashi wasn't even going to ask what might possible live in the deep, though dinosaurs and 100 foot squids came to mind. (1)
"Kakashi?"
He sighed. He knew Iruka was going to bring it up again today. "What is it?"
"I want to apologize for last night. We're still strangers to each other and I had no right to demand an answer for such a personal question. The shell is your business. I…I'm sorry I returned it to you at all because you obviously didn't want it."
"Fine, I accept your apology, but now can we forget about it."
"…all right." Iruka went over to the pool to retrieve a bucket before returning back to where Kakashi sat.
Peering inside, Kakashi gawked at the green slimy substance. If this was an apology present, he didn't think he wanted it.
"I brought breakfast." Even worse.
"What is it?" Kakashi's stomach churned a little and not because he was hungry.
"Naruto calls it seaweed ramen, but it's only seaweed; a hard to find one, but seaweed nonetheless.
Kakashi poked a finger into the green mass. It was slimy and squishy, probably loaded with salt…then again maybe the salt would disguise the actual taste…
"I don't think I can eat this."
"You can't eat only fish. Humans are like merpeople in that biology. We both need greens in our diet."
Another glance at the seaweed didn't make it look any more appetizing. Kakashi had eaten some pretty strange things in his life including insects and fungi, but a person had to draw the line somewhere.
"And if I refuse?"
"Then…I won't bring any more fish." Iruka was almost pouting. It made him look even cuter.
"So you're going to starve me to death?" After all the fuss, Kakashi highly doubted Iruka would do anything to hurt him.
Iruka sighed in defeat. "No." He picked up the bucket and moved it away from Kakashi. "I guess you won't be here long enough for you health to deteriorate from lack of greens."
Now he felt guilty. Why should he feel guilty? What was wrong with him? This was the same Iruka who dragged up bad memories yesterday. Just because Iruka was willing to try cooked fish and ate his share even when he obviously didn't like it was no reason to feel guilty. And yet Kakashi couldn't shake the feeling.
"Wait." Iruka glanced over at him. "I'll try some."
Iruka's face lit up with a smile. Kakashi felt his insides stir at the sight. What was Iruka doing to him!? 'It's only because I've been lonely,' he tried reasoning with himself. 'And it's been a long time since I've had a close friend who cared enough that I eat healthily.'
Standing up to stretch and get his body moving, Kakashi watched Iruka from the corner of his eye. Iruka went over to the fire pit and grabbed the bowl Kakashi used in his attempt to cook the lobsters the first night. First night…this was his third day here.
"Let me rinse off some of the salt." Iruka opened up a couple of bottled waters and proceeded to rinse off the green heap. "It's the only kind of seaweed I could get Naruto to eat. It actually has a sweet taste."
A few moments later, "Kakashi?"
"Yeah?" Kakashi sat back down.
"Are you feeling ok? You look rather distant." Iruka was looking at him in concern. It made him uncomfortable. It really had been a long time since anybody cared about his well being.
"I'm fine. Just the thought of eating green slim makes my stomach queasy."
"If you think it'll make you sick, don't eat."
"No, I told you I would try it and I will."
"You don't have to just for my sake. I don't want you to get sick."
"I know you don't,' he smiled at the merman, who in turn blushed at the gesture. "A little taste won't hurt me."
"All right." Iruka tore off a strand of the substance and put it on a plate. He carried it over to Kakashi and sat by his side.
The seaweed was still that same shade of green, but with only a small piece on a plate, it didn't look as daunting as a bucketful. With Iruka watching his actions carefully, Kakashi picked it up and used his teeth to bite into it. He had to chew on it to tear off a smaller bite. Ok, so it was slimy and salty, despite the rinsing, but as he chewed it there was a slight sweet tang to it. Kakashi finished chewing and swallowed. It had tasted fine, but he couldn't get over the slime.
"Well?"
"It's…okay." Iruka smiled again and Kakashi couldn't make himself say more.
Taking back the plate, Iruka went back to the fire pit. He put more on the plate and made a plate for himself. Then Iruka brought both plates over, handing one to Kakashi before sitting cross legged across from him. Staring at his plate a moment, Kakashi wondered just what he'd gotten himself into. A quick glimpse at Iruka showed the merman was thoroughly enjoying his meal.
"You said this was Naruto's favorite?" If he was talking, he wouldn't have to eat. He'd try to distract Iruka and hide it under his bed and after Iruka left he could dump it in the water… or something.
"Yes, it is. He wasn't born a merman. Seaweed was not part of his natural diet and it was difficult to get him to eat it when he was a child. Hinata was the one who found this kind and we tried it. He loved it."
"Hinata? Who's that?"
"A friend. She married a human about a year ago. Her family didn't approve so she was disowned and now lives with her husband on the surface."
"Is this the same Hinata you may have mentioned yesterday? You said something about her dad?"
"Her family is very strict and they don't approve of mingling with other species. They don't even like to interact with those who are not purebred, but for the sake of our society they have to. Hinata was supposed to become the head of the family but since she doesn't share their beliefs, her father sent her away."
"Sakura mentioned a process where humans could become a merperson."
"They can." Iruka paused and glanced curiously over at Kakashi, obviously wondering where this conversation was going.
"How long does it take?"
"It varies, but usually about three days."
"So how do they breathe under water during that time?"
Iruka dropped his plate, his face turning red. 'Interesting,' thought Kakashi. This may be the distraction he needed to hide the seaweed. Not to mention, he really was curious about the answer. It may be similar to how Iruka had gotten him into this cave while he was unconscious.
Iruka opened his mouth, but no words were forth coming. Then finally he spat out, "you're not eating!"
"Don't change the subject."
"Leave him alone." Kakashi barely restrained himself from jumping at the intervening voice. Damn these creatures for their silent movements! Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the dark haired youth from the first day.
"Sasuke don't. He has a right to know."
Kakashi couldn't help but be amused by the teen's scowl. He did have his suspicions. "Does it involve mouth to mouth?" Kakashi asked looking back to Iruka.
Iruka blushed more, but didn't seem able to answer with words.
"Maybe I…"
"Sasuke! You bastard!" A blond head popped out of the water and two hands shoved the other teen's head underwater, not that it would have any effect on someone who could breathe underwater.
"Your brother is going to kill me!" Naruto yelled when Sasuke resurfaced. He only smirked at his friend.
"You shouldn't have been poking your nose where it doesn't belong."
"You said the room was empty!"
"Oh, it wasn't?"
"She was naked!"
"You've seen naked females before."
"They don't count, 'cause they don't care. She's human. She nearly decapitated me! Why the hell does your brother's girlfriend carry knives?!"
"Like you said, she's human and humans are paranoid."
"So paranoid they always bring weapons when meeting future in-laws?"
"In-laws?" Iruka questioned.
"Yeah. They announced the other night at dinner that they were officially engaged."
"Where are they going to live?"
Sasuke answered before Naruto could, "Surface, but Itachi had to promise mom he'd come visit at least once every two months."
"Is she doing the change then?"
"She is. That's why they're here right now."
With a mischievous gleam in his eyes Naruto said, "It must be nice to find someone who will do to that, eh Iruka? Not only accept you for who and what you are, but to change in order to be with you."
Kakashi willing tossed another bite of the seaweed into his mouth. If he was chewing, he wouldn't have to respond. Iruka's little brother was beginning to become quite the little pain in the ass.
"Iruka, why's your face so red?"
"No reason."
"Hey, did you get the fish? I forgot to ask you yesterday. Did you like it?" Naruto suddenly asked Kakashi.
"What fish?"
Iruka groaned.
"The clown fish? In a pottery bowl?"
"Oh that fish. I let it go."
"What? You weren't supposed to do that!"
"Am I missing something?" Kakashi looked from one to the other.
Sasuke pushed Naruto's head underwater mid-rant.
"Don't mind him. He's an idiot."
Naruto surfaced and spit out the water he'd swallowed in Sasuke's face. The dark haired merman didn't even flinch.
"Somehow he's gotten it in his head that if you like someone, you're supposed to give them a fish."
"But I saw your dad bring your mom a fish and she went all mushy, kissing him!" Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"And what about when Lee gave Sakura that necklace from the surface with fish charms on it? And Neji! He won that stuffed fish for you at the human fair we went to last summer.
Sasuke's cheeks redden. "How do you know about that?" He tried glaring, but his embarrassment made it ineffective.
Kakashi stifled a laugh. This was better than television!
"I'm the one who told Neji to get the fish for you after I spotted it. He had to play the game five times before he won it. Later when he gave it to you, you were blushing!"
"I did not…Hey! How would you know? Were you spying on us?" Sasuke crossed his arms still trying to look stern.
"No, I just happened to be swimming by."
"Right. I bet you were hoping to just swim into Hanabi."
"I had no such plan. I can swim wherever I want."
"Hah! You call what you do swimming?"
Kakashi glanced over at Iruka who was pointedly ignoring the two while he finished his breakfast. They must fight like this all the time. He leaned across the space separating them.
"Who's Hanabi?" he whispered.
"Hinata's younger sister and Neji's cousin," Iruka answered.
"I think I'm beginning to figure out the who's who around here." Kakashi sat back up and called out to the arguing teens. "Yo, kid…uh…Sasuke. Are you a full blood? I know he doesn't have a tail," Kakashi gestured to Naruto, "but what about you?"
The arguing stopped only because Sasuke was staring at him in surprise. "You told him?"
"Well…I…" Iruka stumbled over his words.
"Of course he told him teme!" Naruto took the pause in his argument to haul himself out of the water. Shaking the water from his hair, he didn't seem to notice he was standing there naked.
"Hey dumb ass, put some clothes on." Sasuke called from the water. Iruka threw a pair of swimming shorts in his brother's direction.
Kakashi looked thoughtfully over at Iruka, but he wouldn't meet his eyes. "Yeah, he told me." Then Kakashi glimpsed down at Sasuke. "So you don't have to hide it. Come on out and join us." He offered the teen a smile which was returned with a scowl.
Naruto stepped closer to Kakashi. "His tail is black and white like an orca's tail. Most of the Uchiha's have tails like that."
"Naruto! It's none of his business what my tail looks like!"
Kakashi grinned smugly, "So you do have a tail?"
Sasuke grumbled something and ducked under the water.
"Forget him." Naruto sat beside him, after slipping on the shorts. "Are you going to eat that?" Naruto pointed to the untouched plate of seaweed.
"Help yourself kid." Iruka frowned at him as he handed over the plate, but didn't say anything.
"You don't mind?"
"You can have it all."
"Not the sea ramen. About us. What we are."
"As long as I'm your prisoner, whatever you say goes."
"Prisoner? You're not a prisoner." Naruto turned to Iruka, "Iruka, how do you expect him to like you back if you tell him things like that?"
Alarmed by Naruto's choice of words, Iruka glanced up at Kakashi, but the words were already said. His cheeks tinted pink
Kakashi waved his hand in dismissal. He didn't want to make Iruka any more uncomfortable. "I already know. It was rather obvious you liked me from the first day."
"I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to be sorry about. You can't help who you like." Kakashi's good mood wavered. 'And how true those words are,' he thought, "and how much pain they can bring…especially if it is only one-sided.' He should do Iruka a favor and tell him to forget it before it became more than a crush.
"Kakashi?"
Kakashi blinked and glanced over at Iruka.
"Are you all right?" It would be so much easier if Iruka stopped fussing over him.
"My gunshot wound is bothering me some." Kakashi stretched out his arm a little. It wasn't completely a lie.
Iruka immediately stood up. "I'll get some of the medicine Sakura left behind."
"Thank you." He heard Naruto giggle as Iruka left them. Naruto smiled at him when he turned to the teen.
"Do you have any games or something to do in here?"
"Oh, I know! Lee taught me some card games. There was a deck of cards, wasn't there?" Kakashi nodded. Naruto shoved the last of the seaweed into his mouth. "I'll get Sasuke so we'll have four players." He set down his plate and dived back into the pool.
A few moments later, Iruka brought over a bowl with a liquid in it. "Here," he said.
Kakashi took the bowl from him and their fingers brushed against each other. Startled Iruka pulled back his arm.
"I'm sorry for Naruto's bluntness."
"I already told you there's no need for an apology." Iruka looked like he still wanted to say something, but Kakashi cut him off. He had to discourage him…right?
"Do you know any card games?" Before Iruka could respond, Naruto resurfaced with a something in his hand. A black tail…
"Found him!"
Sasuke was reluctant, but after Iruka's polite invitation, he hauled himself out of the water. His tail was black and white, just as Naruto had described. Sasuke didn't care for Kakashi's amusement and piled enough towels over his lower half so his tail was buried.
Putting a rough table together out of boards and buckets, they soon had a game of poker going, Naruto and Kakashi teaching the other two how to play. All thoughts of crushes and tails were forgotten for the rest of the morning.