GAI: DYNAMIC CHAPTER!
S.F: … Umm... yeah... Hi! I'm back! So has it been a long week for you, too? This is the first time I've done anything like this, so it's strange knowing I have fans who are waiting impatiently for more... *pressure!* But wow, the reviews make me feel so special!
GAI: So youthful, this young one feels the exhuberance of youth itself!
S.F: Also, to a certain someone (you know who you are! ;D), The Shino/Kankuro was a complete accident, but I'm glad that you're happy :D
GAI: Excuse me, Miss Fairy... but I can't help but notice that my manly features are not highlighted in DETAIL in this chapter! Why is this?
LEE: Why are you treating Gai-Sensei with so little respect? He is the Sublime Green Beast, and the mot wonderful person in the world!
S.F: Umm... I do not own Naruto or any characters related to Naruto. They all belong to Kishimoto!
LEE: ... Warnings for this chapter are as follows:
GAI: Oooooonnne! Implied yaoi! Between... my ultimate rival and... What? What is this? Rival Kakashi! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! *runs from room*
LEE: ... What was that about...?
S.F: ... You don't wanna know...
LEE: But-
S.F: Enjoy the chapter!

Women are so troublesome, Shikamaru decided, rubbing the swollen lump on his head..

Just as he'd predicted, Yoshino Nara had not been happy to see Gaara looking tired, and had whacked Shikamaru for it.

Gaara had apologised to Shikamaru, and had even tried to explain to his mother about his lack of sleep, but Shikamaru had told him not to bother.

"There's no use," he had said, after pulling Gaara from the room. "She's a witch. She won't listen."

He let his mind snap back to the present. He was sitting at a low table, surrounded by Gennin and Chuunin from all the Hidden Villages. Dotted around where Jounin from the Hidden Leaf, but the room was dominated by the many Gennin of the Leaf. Everyone was chatting, and the noise in the room had become almost deafening.

In the middle of the room, Sakura and Ino were arguing over something, probably Naruto's pigheadedness.

It's funny, he mused, watching them get increasingly more aggravated. This time last year, Sakura would have been agreeing with Ino… I guess that's just a sign about how close those two have gotten since Sasuke disappeared…

"Ino-pig!"

"Billboard-Brow!"

Gaara was watching with vague interest. "Why are they calling each other names like that?" he asked Shikamaru.

Hmmm… how to put this to a person with no idea of people-skills… Shikamaru put his hands behind his head and leaned back against the wall.

"Well… simply put," he said, trying to word it right. "They're friends."

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU, COW!"

Gaara stared at Shikamaru for a moment, not knowing what to say. Shikamaru simply shook his head and grinned.

"That was impeccable timing… I suppose I should probably stop them…"

He got up, and assumed his fighting stance.

"Shadow Possession Jutsu!"

Ino and Sakura stopped, seconds away from hitting each other, both of their shadows now attached to his.

"This is such a drag…" he complained, before turning to Gaara. "Name an animal."

"… Monkey…?" Gaara said, unsure of what Shikamaru was getting at.

"Don't you dare…" Ino hissed, knowing exactly what Shikamaru was getting at.

"Sorry, Ino… but if I have to get up to stop you annoying people, then I'm going to have some fun with this…"

Shikamaru slowly lifted his left arm, testing his control over the two kunoichi, who both lifted their left arms as well. He smirked, and prepared the show.

"Everyone! These two lovely Leaf Kunoichi, Ino Yamanaka and Sakura Haruno, wish to entertain you! Just shout out your requests and they will gladly oblige," he shouted, swinging his hips and his moving arms slowly. The two kunoichi struggled, but were forced to comply. There were many catcalls from around the room, and Sakura started blushing, even as she lifted her fingers to blow a kiss in one direction.

"Gaara…" Shikamaru muttered. "Can you cast a Genjutsu on me? This'll be more fun if people think that they're doing this on their own…"

Gaara was trying not to crack up, but he managed to cast, shielding Shikamaru from view.

"Lap-dance!" A call came from the corner. Ino looked horrified as she started shimmying in that direction.

"Shikamaru, please! Please don't!"

Shikamaru could feel his chakra running low, but pushed for one more spurt, letting Sakura go in the process. He pushed Ino so that she had her hands on the shinobi's shoulders, her face inches away. Then Shikamaru let go quickly, before the snap-back could take effect.

"All yours, Ino!" he shouted, just as she felt the release of his shadow. She turned back to the shinobi, and ran her hands up and down his face.

"You'd like a lap-dance wouldn't you?" she cooed in a voice that screamed danger to any who knew her.

She lifted her foot, as if to step into his lap, and promptly gave a sharp kick to his nether-region, before bringing her knee up to collide with his face.

The shinobi dropped to the floor in pain, but she lifted him back up by his ear. "Sorry, fella. My prices are too high for the likes of you…" she laughed, as he hit the floor again with a sickening crunch.

She turned around, to face cheers from almost everyone else from the room, before going over to Shikamaru, who had just blended back into view.

"I swear to God, Shikamaru…" She threatened, Sakura trying to tug her back. "I am going to tear you… limb… from… limb… Graaaagh! Let go, Sakura!"

"Ino! Calm down… we'll get him later…" Sakura coaxed. "We'll plan it and everything…just calm down…"

Ino relaxed and allowed herself to be pulled over to the other side of the room, where Hinata, and Tenten were sitting. The four immediately put their heads together and started whispering. It was amazing how girls could hate each other one moment, and band together the next. Temari was sitting with them as well, and she was smirking at the ideas that they were coming up with.

"Uh-oh, they're working together… you better watch your back, Shikamaru," a voice came from behind him. Shikamaru's best friend was standing there, a bag of potato chips in his hands.

"Hey, Choji, my man," Shikamaru greeted, bumping fists with him, before sitting back down. Choji sat down next to him and gave a friendly smile to Gaara. "Hi, I'm Choji Akimichi," he said, extending the bag towards Gaara. "It's nice to meet you, when I don't have to fight you, I mean… Take one, they're really good." He shook the bag.

Gaara took one, smiling awkwardly in return. "Gaara no Sabaku," he bit into the chip, revelling in the flavours.

Shikamaru was still watching the girls, but Temari caught his eye. She winked at him, a cheeky smile on her face, before turning back to the others and whispering something.

"Hey, Gaara…" he didn't take his eyes off of the group. "If your sister assists in Ino's revenge, what are my chances of emerging unscathed?"

Gaara closed his eyes for a moment, and considered all the things he'd seen her do during their childhood… She'd put a desert snake in Kankuro's bed after he had dismantled her doll to make one of his puppets, once… and he'd only removed one of its eyes.

He looked over at Temari, and took in the way her eyes sparkled with mischief. He took in the others, as well. Tenten, Ino and Sakura were nodding their heads enthusiastically, all grinning, even Hinata looked mildly interested, if a little apprehensive.

"… I would say that you're in for trouble," he turned back to Shikamaru, who was noting the reactions of the people he'd known for years. "Assuming that they all agree…"

"I think it's pretty safe to say that you're screwed, Shikamaru…" Choji said finishing the bag and crumpling it in his hands. "Ah, they're finally here!"

Shino and Kankuro had entered the room; they quickly found seats as the Jounin and older Chuunin of the village came in through an opposite door, Lady Tsunade following in her Hokage garb.

"Welcome, ninja of the Five Hidden Villages," she said, her voice filled with an air of authority and wisdom that was usually only reserved for meetings of the highest importance, and not usually speaking.

Silence filled the room, and a nervous energy seemed to sizzle in the air.

"Hey Grandma Tsunade!" Naruto's voice answered gaily.

Shikamaru snorted. Naruto really was in a class of his own…

Tsunade ignored him. "We may all be of different homes, families, talents, and ideals. However, there is one thing that we all have in common: We are all strong. We have a great sense of pride in our nations, and in our own personal nindōs, our ninja ways… Enough so that your villages have considered you potential leaders."

She spoke in little more than a whisper, but everyone was captivated by her speech. Lee's eyes were shining with tears, and several people who had never even met the Hokage were nodding along with her speech.

"…So it is with great pleasure, that I, Tsunade, the Hokage of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, welcome you all. Over the next few weeks, you will be shown just how things work around here by the Gennin and Chuunin of our village, as they prepare for our Summer Festival. It is the sincerest wish of the five Kages that the next generation of leaders will stand united through the bonds of friendship…"

Gaara was listening with mild interest. Lady Tsunade did make a few good points, there. If all of the leaders were good friends, then there would be no need for any more war… Techniques and strategies could be shared… That said… he seriously doubted that he would ever be chosen as the next Kazekage… people were afraid of him…

"…That said, tonight is simply about having fun and getting to know your peers in a less formal setting. I hope you all enjoy our hospitality." She clapped her hands, signalling that the formalities were now over

"Now for the feast," Choji said, smiling widely. Shikamaru laughed, shaking his head, forgetting his "death sentence" for a moment.

From the other side of the room, Temari and Ino were watching, as he pulled Naruto to his feet and joked with Kiba.

"Uh, um…" Hinata squeaked. "A-Are you sure that everyone h-has to b-be-in-involved?" She asked, twiddling her fingers, though she was a little excited for what they had planned.

"Oh, yeah," Tenten giggled. "I can't wait!"

Both the inner and outer Sakura were wearing evil grins, and Ino was trembling with excitement and impatience.

Temari turned away from the group of boys, and put her hands on her hips. "Hinata," she said firmly. "If you feel uncomfortable about doing this, you don't have to do it. I don't wanna force my new buddies to do things that they don't wanna do." She turned slightly, and out of the corner of her eye she watched the group of boys again.

She caught Gaara's eye, and he gave her a look that clearly meant, don't cause too much trouble.

She battered her eyelids, and gave what could only be described as the "I'm innocent, what trouble could I cause" look.

Shikamaru turned and caught her eye again. He looked a little worried, but he masked it by giving a wide grin and mouthing, bring it on.

Let the games begin, she thought, as she followed the other kunoichi through the doors to dining room.

Dinner was, for lack of a better word, eventful. Gennin and Chuunin from all villages were present, but the room was, for the most part, filled with leaf shinobi. This made for an interesting blend of topics, to anyone who was listening.

"-This is Neji Hyuga," said Tenten to a Hidden Stone ninja. "You should come along on the second day of the festival to watch him dance!"

"I swear to God, Tenten-"

"You should aim for a slight spin when you throw the shuriken. This helps to-"

"-So, gorgeous, you seeing anyone?"

"Only an annoyance that will be disappearing in five seconds before I kick his ass-"

Iruka watched his old students, pride swelling in his belly. They were doing fine, and many of the strangers seemed to be settling into easy conversation with those of the Leaf.

However some people obviously need a little more encouragement than others, he noted seeing Shino and Kankuro blatantly ignore each other even though they were squeezed together by the people crowding them on either side.

"Whatcha thinking about, Ruru?" A jovial voice startled him out of his revere; Kakashi was sitting behind him, a bottle of sake in hand. "Would you like a drink?"

"I thought I told you to stop calling me that," Iruka said sternly, blushing at the stupid nickname that Kakashi had pinned him with as a child. "If those Gennin start calling me that-"

"Okay, okay… Iruka-Sensei…" Iruka could tell that Kakashi was grinning like a Cheshire Cat under that mask.

"Oh, ha-ha. You don't need to add the 'sensei' on the end."

"But, Iruka-sensei," Kakashi's voice had taken a mock-petulant tone. "If I don't, then I'm likely to fall to temptation, and it will slip out…"

Iruka sighed. Dealing with Kakashi's playful side was draining, but he couldn't help but love his friend for it.

"Jus- Just try," he said, trying not to laugh. "I'm sure that with practice-"

"Kakashi! My Ultimate Rival!" A shout came from in front of them.

Kakashi sighed. "This will only take a moment, Iruka."

"See, was that so hard?" Iruka teased, as Kakashi slowly got up to face Gai.

"Hello, Gai… I suppose it's your turn, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is, Kakashi. And this time the challenge iiiiiiiiiiis-" Gai was posing as he talked again. Beside him, Lee was watching with his usual awe. "-Drinking! I challenge you to a drinking contest!"

"You just want my sake," Kakashi said, hiding the bottle behind his back.

"Ha! Kakashi my friend, all is fair in love and war," Gai grinned. "If you concede that I am better, then I shall let you keep your sake!"

"Okay. I concede," Kakashi shrugged and turned back to Iruka.

"No, my friend, it is not that simple!" Gai shouted again. This time, Lee piped up.

"How dare you give Gai-Sensei so little respect, when he is challenging you with every fibre of his body?" he demanded, stamping his foot like a child.

"Yeah, Kakashi, why are you being so mean?" Iruka was almost doubled over with laughter, but he managed to compose himself to say his piece.

"Aww, but Ruru-"

"I will break your fingers if you call me that again," Iruka threatened, hoping that Lee hadn't heard.

"Gai-Sensei? Why does Kakashi-Sensei call Iruka-Sensei 'Ruru'?" Damn, too late.

Kakashi was backing up, trying to retreat before Iruka could get a grip on him. But Iruka's hand shot out and grabbed hold of his flak jacket, and pulled him close.

"You look really tired," the angry chunnin hissed, pulling a kunai out of his hitai-ate and bringing it to Kakashi's masked throat. "Maybe I should put you to sleep for a while…"

"Ruru- ah!" The grip on his jacket got tighter, and the kunai closer. "Okay, okay! Iruka, calm down! Please don't kill me…" In truth, Kakashi was fully aware that Iruka wouldn't kill him. He'd been in this situation before, and the worst that had happened had been a slight cut to the jugular vein… He'd only been in the hospital for a week…

"Well, Lee… the reason Kakashi calls Ru-" Gai broke off his explanation as the chunnin's glare was aimed in his direction. "Uh… Ummm… sorry, Lee… I don't know."

Asuma came up to them, grinning. "The reason that Kakashi uses that pet-name for Iruka," he said, sitting down next to Lee. "Is because they are secret lovers."

Iruka let go of Kakashi's jacket in shock, his face completely blank. Gai and Lee were staring at Asuma as if he'd just told them the meaning of life, and even Kakashi's eye had bugged.

"Kill… you… I- will…" was all Iruka could manage for a moment, before he lunged at Asuma.

Oblivious to the fight between the teachers in the corner, Naruto and Kiba were having an animated discussion about prank tactics for the festival, with Gaara, Choji and Shikamaru listening intently as they ate. Gaara, at Shikamaru's insistence had been 'welcomed to the fold', as Kiba had put it, and was putting ideas forward, and Shikamaru had to admit, some of them were really good.

"You know, Gaara," Naruto said, while reaching over Choji to grab another sushi roll. "I wouldn't peg you for being one to prank… after all-"

"Naruto, shut up," Shikamaru said, fidgeting slightly. He didn't want to have to break up another fight; his chakra was not yet fully recovered.

Gaara was completely calm when he answered. "These pranks have already been played before," he smiled. "Be forewarned that Temari will know these tricks when she sees them, so she will make you suffer if any are used against her... She created them after all…"

Oh, God, Shikamaru thought, knowing that she was the one planning Ino's revenge. I am so screwed.

Kiba seemed to think otherwise. "She's a girl," he snorted. "We'll outsmart her easily!"

"You're forgetting two things," Shikamaru countered. "One, she's smart. Two, she's working with a whole bunch of other smart girls… and Ino."

"What was that?" A shriek came from behind him. Crap.

Naruto and Kiba sniggered.

"You're in for it no-ow," Choji sang.

What a drag… Shikamaru braced himself for an attack as he turned around.

An angry-faced Ino was standing there, trembling in anger.

"You… you dare…" She raised her hand.

Shikamaru gritted his teeth. He'd been on the receiving end of one of Ino's slaps before.

"SHIKAMARUUUUU!"

Her hand whirled down, and Shikamaru's eyes squeezed shut as he prepared for the pain.

"Heh… wow, Shikamaru, Ino was right… you are a real wimp."

Shikamaru cautiously opened his eyes, and looked up. What had previously been an angry Ino was now a smirking Temari.

"Transformation… damn it…"

"Cry-baby. Though you're probably lucky that she didn't hear that…"

"What do you want?" Gaara was staring at his sister intently. He didn't want her causing too much trouble for the Hidden Leaf…

"Nothing… I just wanted to see how my cute little brother was settling in," she said, playfully stroking Gaara's hair.

"Leave off," he grimaced, pulling away from his sister's touch. In truth, all three of the sand siblings loved each other's' affection, and cherished each moment they got to act like a real family… after all, they were raised as tools…

Naruto grinned at the sight of Temari. "Hey," he cried. "Do you want to join in on our bet? Gaara says you're good with pranks!"

Temari scoffed. "Good? Only good?" She leant over Gaara, her smile slightly evil. "You tell them of my abilities only to describe them as 'good'?"

Even though he knew that Temari was teasing, Gaara shrunk back against the wall, shielding his face.

"Actually, he was describing your pranks in detail…" Choji supplied, setting down his chopsticks for a moment. "They sound amazing…"

"Thank you, um…" Temari trailed off. "I'm sorry, I don't know your name."

"Choji. Choji Akimichi," Choji took no offence, on the contrary, his face broke into a huge smile. "It's nice to meet you in a time where we're not fighting."

Temari bowed. He's the perfect gentleman, she thought, sneaking a glance at Shikamaru, who had just yawned widely without even covering his mouth. Shadow-boy could take a few pointers…

"It's nice to meet you," She replied. "And thanks for the compliment."

Naruto was just about to open his mouth to ask Temari a question, when he was interrupted by a yell of fury.

"ASSSUUUUMMAAAAAAAAA!"

They all looked up. There was a crowd surrounding the corner where the teachers had been eating.

"They're sparring! Iruka-Sensei and Asuma-Sensei!" Sakura shrieked, as more people got up to watch.

"FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT…" the crowd chanted, fists up in the air.

"Iruka! Hit him with the fists of youth!" Came a shout from Gai. "You too, Asuma!"

Iruka and Asuma slowly circled each other, both looking for an opening. Iruka was seething, his vision slightly red. That bastard… how in the hell am I going to be able to conduct lessons now? Every single student is going to ask why two men are in love and parent teacher interviews… I'm going to kill him for this…

Asuma was enjoying himself, though he hadn't expected Iruka to be the one to fight him. He'd been hoping for a spar with Kakashi. Oh well, let's see how powerful the school teacher is…

"Go Ruru!" Kakashi shouted from the sidelines, his eye dancing with mirth.

"You're next, you damned idiot!" Iruka shouted at him, his guard lowered. Asuma took advantage, leaping forward, his arm ready to strike. He was inches away from his target before… he was flying away?

Iruka's years of teaching children had paid off. After all, shinobi in training often tried sneak attacks, whether it was for a chance to show off, or to get something off of him, like answers for a test. And he had never lost, unless you counted Naruto's Sexy no Jutsu… and he tried not to think about that.

Asuma regained control, using the force that Iruka had applied to keep momentum. He sprang back, grabbing shuriken as he went, and flung them at him. Iruka made hand signs, his hands almost blurred, and the shuriken flew back. Asuma tried dodging, but the shuriken followed, tracking his movements.

"Damn," he mumbled, his cigarette tumbling from his mouth. He stooped to catch it, and the shuriken hit him all at once.

"Wow, what an idiot… he didn't even use a substitution…"

"A Jounin was defeated by a Chuunin?"

"Yay, Iruka-Sensei! You did it!"

But Iruka was still tense, his eyes darting around him. The sound of wind through a window reached his ears and he turned, watching Asuma's fake body turn to dust, and scatter. He waited a few more seconds, before kneeling down, and placing his palm on the floor, closing his eyes.

There were titters in the crowd. Shikamaru and Naruto had pushed their way to the front and were watching with great interest. They were eager in learning new things from their sensei.

"Ten buck says Iruka-Sensei wipes the floor with Asuma-Sensei," Naruto whispered to Shikamaru.

Shikamaru studied Iruka for a moment, taking in his angry yet focused face, and calculated.

"I'm not arguing with you there," he murmured back. Asuma may be a jounin, but his moves were well known, not to mention that he wasn't taking the match seriously enough. Iruka, known for being the loveable teacher, was not often sent on missions and as a result, his moves almost unknown. He could easily hold the element of surprise, as there was no way to predict his movements.

Iruka was concentrating very hard; he hadn't used this particular jutsu in a while. He hadn't needed to, children weren't hard to sense.

Like many of the Shinobi of the Leaf, Iruka had inherited a Kekkei-Genkai, a special blood-trait that only his family could use. He could sense waves, whether physical or mental (he tried not to use the mental if he could help it; not only was it an invasion of privacy, he'd had a bad experience as a child sensing the teenage Kakashi's thoughts), and use them to sense where people were, how to attack them, or avoid them. It was ironic, as it worked in the same way that a dolphin or bat used echo-location.

But this jutsu was better suited to the outdoors, where the disturbances were minor. They were in a room full of teenagers, and the physical vibrations from their audience weren't making it easier to find Asuma…

Shuffling of feet…ignore it… heavy whispers… so LOUD… IGNORE it! Naruto's saying something about a bet… Hehe, he can be so cute sometimes… A kunoichi's bracelets jingling… The frequency of that is hurting a little… No, block it out… CONCENTRATE, IRUKA!

Maintaining his concentration, he slowly relaxed his muscles, cracking his neck. He kept his eyes closed, but he could feel the anxiety of the crowd surrounding him. They were getting bored, and many were fidgeting at a rapidly increasing rate… It was hurting. He lifted his free hand and placed it to his temple, trying to pinch the nerve that would help dull the pain.

Kakashi stood up, seeing the flash of pain cross the Chunnin's face. "Everyone!" he called out, mentally gritting his teeth over the pain that he himself was causing Iruka. "Stay still and be quiet… your patience will be rewarded." He sat back down again, and watched as Iruka opened an eye, and mouthed a 'thank-you'.

Asuma was sweating. He should have known that "Dolphin-Sensei" would be using a sensory jutsu… it was a good thing he'd been trained to be able to avoid them. And Iruka couldn't keep it up for long… Could he? He kept up in the air, not allowing his feet to touch the ground. He knew that the slightest vibration would alert Iruka to his presence. He slowly moved himself closer and closer to his opponent, priming himself for the attack… He threw a silent shuriken, and it was on target.

It was an inch away from Iruka's arm when he caught it, using the momentum to throw it back with pinpoint accuracy and speed. Asuma was only just able to block with the metal plate on his glove. He's… brilliant, he thought, touching back onto the ground. He could be in ANBU if he wanted to… with abilities like that… He took out a kunai and waited for Iruka's counter-attack.

Iruka slowly stood up, dragging his foot in a wide semicircle as he did. His eyes were still closed, and he cracked his neck, keeping his head titled so that he was facing the floor. He was facing the complete wrong direction from where Asuma was.

"Uhh… Iruka?" Asuma stepped forward. The Chunnin felt the rippling vibrations and spun, sending a wave of shuriken at his opponent. His face was still tilted to the floor, and Asuma could see that his eyes were closed.

Asuma was a little pissed at this. He's blocking everything, and he's not even looking? Bastard!

Iruka smirked; he had sensed that last part. He lifted his head and opened his eyes, looking straight at Asuma.

"You can concede if you wish," he smiled, but Asuma had no time to even consider thinking about what he had just said before Iruka leapt forward.

And he was fast. Why Iruka had ever thought to being an ANBU was beyond him… he was a jounin, for crying out loud, and he was struggling to fight off this chunnin! He had worked so hard for so long to gain the respect of his squad… and that was all going down the drain.

"Go, Iruka-Sensei!" Ino was screaming with Naruto and Sakura, Choji was bobbing up and down with excitement, and Shikamaru was shaking his head at him. He caught Kurenai's eye, and she was smirking.

Iruka was only using basic moves, but he was, as the teenagers around them were calling it, owning him.

Asuma pulled back, skimming across the floor. Iruka slowed and stopped, his face now in a cheerful, if slightly evil, smile.

"My, my, Asuma-Sensei," he admonished. "It seems as if you've forgotten all of your basic training… how sad that you can't defeat little ol' me…"

Asuma raised his fists and assumed his fighting stance. "Keep talking, Iruka, and I'll snap you like a twig…" he warned, giving the chunnin a little smile to show that he was joking.

At these words, the smile on Iruka's face grew wider. Kakashi recognised the look and leant over whispering to Kurenai. She laughed and nodded her head.

"Asuma!" She called, calling both adults attention to her. "If you win this fight, I promise that I'll go on a date with you…" She winked, blowing him a kiss. Asuma felt his cheeks reddening.

Kakashi yelled out as well. "Iruka! If you win this fight, I will give you my body!" This was answered with cat-calls from Naruto and Kiba.

"Shut up, you moron!" Iruka yelled back, his eyes dancing with mirth at the two jounins' displays of affection. This was why he loved his friends… Kakashi, always eager to play games, even at the risk of his reputation. And sweet Kurenai, never willing to openly admit her feelings for Asuma, but always prepared to joke about them…

He caught Asuma's eye and they exchanged grins. Iruka turned to face the gennin and chunnin in the crowd.

"It seems that Asuma needs a lesson in the ways of the shinobi. As future leaders, you will need to able to teach your students, and your charges these ways, these nindōs. So…" He eased back into his battle stance. "What is the first rule of the shinobi?"

Sakura answered dutifully. "A shinobi must always see through deception."

"Correct as always, Sakura…" Iruka smiled, as his face… melted? No, not just his face… his entire body was turning to liquid, rushing to the floor. Soon Asuma was left staring at a puddle of liquid that wasn't quite water…

"Hey, you stole my sake…" Kakashi sulked, clutching his now empty bottle and, behind his mask, pouting.

"Haha… I'll buy you another bottle," Iruka's disembodied voice said, but from where no one could tell. "…The second rule of the shinobi?"

"A shinobi must prepare before it is too late to," came the voice of a Cloud ninja.

Asuma heard this just as he felt a sharp jab to the lower back. He crumpled, hitting the floor. He groaned.

"Of course, this is directly related to another rule… which is?"

This time, it was Naruto who answered, having experience with this one. "A shinobi must never let his enemy get behind him!" He shouted triumphantly, pleased to know the answer.

Iruka melted into view, smiling cheerfully. "Correct, Naruto. Asuma, have you learnt your lesson?" He asked the jounin on the floor.

"Yessss…" Asuma replied, rubbing his back as he sat up. "Never pick a fight with you unless I want public humiliation."

"Good. Nice to know that you got it." Iruka helped him up, and helped him over to where Kurenai and Kakashi were sitting, ignoring the crowd of awe-struck teenagers.

Kurenai pushed Kakashi off his chair so that Asuma could sit down, and let him rest his head on her shoulder.

"Kurenai…" Asuma turned his head so that he could breathe in her scent. "I lost…"

Kurenai laughed. "I noticed," she said, pulling out a new sake bottle and two cups.

"I'm sorry. I know how badly you wanted to go out with this stud," Iruka teased, as Kakashi passed him a plate of rice balls.

Kurenai blushed, but luckily for her, Asuma didn't see it.

"We could pretend that I won," he said, sounding like a child a he lit up a new cigarette.

"That's cheating," Kakashi poked Asuma's cheek. Kurenai swatted him away.

"YES! Let your love shine like the fountain of youth!" Gai shouted.

"And you…" Iruka's eye had a murderous glint in them again as he turned to Gai.

Asuma's squad, plus Naruto, came up. Ino immediately started chatting away to Lee, the two trying to figure out a way that Asuma could have won the match. They came up with nothing.

Naruto distracted Iruka from his murderous intents by jumping on his back.

"That was awesome, Iruka-Sensei! Believe it! You were all-"

Shikamaru had gone over to Asuma. "So lame…"

"Shut up," Asuma replied taking a drag, and lifting his head, so that he wouldn't blow the smoke into Kurenai's face.

"Just ask her out instead of placing bets…" Choji advised.

"And how many girlfriends have you had, again?" Asuma lowered his head onto Kurenai's lap, a thing they'd used to do since they first met.

"Have you ever actually tried asking her out?" Ino butted in. "'Cause that might actually work…"

"I'll go on a date with you… if you ask," Kurenai blurted, mentally kicking herself.

Asuma looked up at her. "Go out with me?"

"That's the best you can do?" Ino screeched, hitting her sensei.

"Well… I would be asking her a lot differently, if there weren't three brats buzzing around us."

Kurenai smiled down at Asuma, fighting the urge to leap up and run over to Anko, who was chatting to Ibiki. This was so embarrassing… not how she had pictured it at all.

"Yes, sure, I'll go out with you," She answered, casually flicking him on the nose in order to calm her nerves.

"So it's a date?" He asked, not sure whether he had heard her right.

"Yes."

S.F: So... how did you enjoy the chapter? Did you love it? Hate it? No matter which way you feel, please review it!
KAKASHI: Do you want to explain why Gai is attatched to my leg and crying like a girl?
GAI: Rival-Kakashi! Why? *sobs*
S.F: I would, but... this part is reserved for explaining Iruka and Asuma's moves! Just read it while you're waiting...
KAKASHI: *sighs* Fine...
S.F: ... Okay... Just in case it didn't make sense, here's an explanation:

"Damn," he mumbled, his cigarette tumbling from his mouth. He stooped to catch it, and the shuriken hit him all at once ... The sound of wind through a window reached his ears and he turned, watching Asuma's fake body turn to dust, and scatter.

The way I pictured it, Asuma used the ashes of his cigarette to create a substitution, which, after it had served its purpose, broke up and dissolved. :P

Iruka's power of sensory works just like that of echo-location. I just added in the mental part, 'cause I have a fondness for telapathy. Also, he substituted himself for Kakashi's sake, and was using a genjutsu to stop Asuma from being able to see the real him...

KAKASHI: ...Again... why is Gai attached to my leg and sobbing... Ruru, do you know?
IRUKA: I will cut off your ***** if you don't stop calling me that... hey, Snow, can you-
S.F: No. I am not doing anything to maul Kakashi... he will do it himself.
KAKASHI: Say what?
S.F: Okay! Time to go! Byyyyyeeeee!