Teachers and their Pets

Chapter 15

Asuma was surprised as he opened the door to see Ino standing outside once again, but he very nearly smiled, that was until he noticed the look on her face. Without waiting for him to speak, the blonde charged into the house. A little confused -and more than a little wary- Asuma closed the door silently after her and then turned to look at his lover. She was standing in the unlit hall, her hands upon her elbows, looking down, face sorrowful.

"I just bumped into Kurenai Sensei,"

Asuma's stomach dropped. What had Kurenai said to Ino to make her come storming back here? The man's mouth curved into a frown. Kurenai was a kind, caring woman and Asuma would never have thought she'd be cruel, but here was Ino, standing in front of him, looking very much like someone had slapped her.

Oh God.

"Asuma, she…she worked it out straight away," Ino tugged at the bracelet on her wrist and yanked it off with ease. She held it up, all manner of emotions dancing across her face. "All she said…all she said was that adults were messed up, and that I should be careful,"

Asuma waited, wondering what she was going to say next. Was she going to call it off? Had she realised that he wasn't what she wanted? That idea hurt the man more than he would have guessed. God, he hated being so uncertain. How had they gone from laughing together only an hour ago, to this? He brought one of his hands up to his hair and ran his fingers through it, watching Ino with his chocolate orbs.

"And I couldn't say anything back Asuma," Ino looked up now, and Asuma saw she seemed almost near tears. "Cuz I couldn't exactly defend you could I? I couldn't say we were together cuz we're not, are we? I know what people say about me in the village you know; everyone says I'm easy and everyone will say that I seduced you, and that's what happened and we're not anything, and I told you this morning that I like you, and I do, I like you so much, but I don't know what to do now, because other people are going to find out eventually, and what do we -I- say to them?" Tears trickled out of her eyes now and Asuma realised that perhaps Ino was just damn good at hiding her feelings. "Asuma, I'm scared because I feel like I might be falling for you, and I don't want to. And the…the only reason I don't want to is because it's not fair on you and I'm just a stupid little girl-" the tears began falling hard and fast.

Asuma closed the gap between them with two strides and he grabbed her, pulling her into a hug. Ino didn't fight it. She closed her eyes, feeling stupider than ever.

"Ino," Asuma murmured her name and then pressed his lips into her hair, staying still for a long time before he drew back and gazed into her eyes. "Ino, you do know that if you fall for me, I'm going to be there to catch you, right?" He brought a hand up and wiped one of her tears her away with his thumb. "You seem to be under the illusion that you're the only one getting pulled into this."

Ino stared at him with her wide tearful eyes, obviously trying to suss what he was saying. "But what are we?" She mumbled. "I didn't think I cared, and I didn't think I cared that much about us, but I do-"

"You want a label?" Asuma ducked his head down and kissed her jaw. "Then let's be boyfriend and girlfriend? That help?"

Ino felt like her heart was about to fall out of her chest. She stared at him, lips parted, even as her skin began to go a delicate pink. "R…really?" She managed. "You mean it?"

"God Ino, you're more insecure than I thought," Asuma flicked her gently on the nose. "You do realise that I'm the one overachieving in this?" He indicated between them. "You're the one being lumped with your boring ex Sensei; I'm the one with the smoking hot blonde."

Ino's face split into a happy grin and she squealed, bringing her arms around his neck and pulling him in tight. She pressed her lips to his before drawing back. "So we're together then? You're…you're my boyfriend?"

Asuma couldn't help the smile that spread across his own face and then he bit his bottom lip before shaking his head playfully. "If you want me, you've got me." He returned.

Ino nearly began jumping around, but she stopped herself, instead grabbing his cheeks and bringing him in for a kiss.

Suddenly everything was beginning to look a lot brighter.

"Do you have training today?"

Sakura turned to watch as Kakashi pulled his sandals on. She couldn't help but smile as she noted he was still shirtless. That was, of course, down to her cutting his clothes in two, but still…she liked it.

"I do," she said in answer to the man's question. "Lady Tsunade offered to train me every day this week. Ino should be coming too, but knowing her she's probably planning on spending the whole week with-" the pinkette shut herself off and her eyed widened.

Kakashi looked up and raised an eyebrow. "With Asuma?" He guessed.

Sakura's mouth dropped open. "No! Um. What? How did you guess?"

Kakashi placed his hands in his pockets and cocked his head, grinning. "It's kinda obvious," he muttered. "So is this just some scheme of Ino's? Are the pair of you seducing your old teachers for a reason?"

Sakura pouted and shook her head at him, obviously insulted. "You're such a pervert Kakashi," she retorted. "I bet that's a plot within one of your books."

Kakashi stretched slightly. "As long as you're not comparing us," he replied cheerily. "I'm afraid I probably put Asuma to shame."

Sakura strode forward and jabbed the man in the stomach quickly. "Stop showing off," she retorted. "I'll have you know that Ino is very taken with Asuma Sensei."

"As opposed to you?" Kakashi's tone was playful. "Because you're just using little old me for my body, right?"

Sakura couldn't help the smile that rushed across her face, but she turned her back nonetheless, pretending to be angry with the man. "You know that's not true." She returned.

There were a few moments of silence and then Kakashi moved forwards, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her gently on the neck.

"I do," he replied, his voice quiet. "And I'm grateful for it."

Sakura squirmed a little under his touch, enjoying it. She turned her head slightly. "Would you have ever thought we'd be like this one day?"

Kakashi kissed her neck again and then laid his chin on her head. "No, but I'm enjoying it," he replied. "When's training?"

Sakura brought a hand back and entwined it with one of his. "In half an hour." She replied.

"Ah, so you have plenty of time." Kakashi said.

Sakura giggled. "Maybe by your clock Sensei, but by everybody else's clock, I should get going."

"Can I walk you there Sakura?" The man moved out from behind her and stood in front of her, cocking his head as he moved a hand forward to brush some of her hair behind her ear.

Sakura smiled, ducking her head slightly. "I'd like that," she replied. "But I do have to point out that you don't have a shirt on. I'm not complaining, but it might look a little weird if you go walking through the streets shirtless."

"Now that is in one of the plotlines of my books." Kakashi grinned and then body flickered, disappearing. He reappeared a moment later, pulling on a shirt as he did so.

Sakura watched as he rolled his mask up and then she tutted. "I prefer you without your mask." She muttered.

Kakashi leant down and smiled as he pulled his headband over his sharingan eye. "Well I much prefer you without your clothes on Sakura, but we're both having to make sacrifices."

Sakura smiled and shook her head before leaning forward; planting a gentle kiss on the man's masked lips. Then she extended her hands and grasped one of Kakashi's.

"Let's go." She said, leading the man to the door.

Then the pair stepped out, hands entwined.

Sorry sorry sorry that this is so short and there's no sex in it! I've had so little time to write and I'm sure this is a disappointment. Argh. I feel so bad!

*Ducks head and bows*

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