AN: Any stories in this series labelled .5 are still part of this verse but focus on characters other than Naruto and Neji. There are a bunch of ships I like, some canon, some not, so I've included as many of them in this verse as I can.
You should get a girlfriend. You won't know how great it can be until you try.
Naruto's advice was playing on Iruka's mind. For a while now there had been someone he admired, but the timing never felt right. Still, Naruto was right, he would never know if he didn't try.
He went to Ino's mother's shop and found Ino behind the counter. She was Asuma's pupil.
"Iruka sensei," she smiled. "How are you?"
"I'm well thank you, Ino. How are you?"
"Great," she grinned back. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Oh, umm…" he faltered, feeling unnecessarily guilty. Asuma has been gone five years, it's fine. Ino is happy with Sai, she'd want Kurenai to be happy too. "I'm thinking of asking someone out…"
Ino's eyes lit up.
"Really?! It's about time Iruka sensei! Who's the lucky lady?"
I don't want anyone to know if Kurenai isn't ready.
"That's classified information for now."
"Oh, no fair!" Ino complained, but she did come over to help him look.
His eyes roamed over the large selection of flowers. There are so many to choose from…
Ino pointed to a big bunch of roses.
"No girl can resist roses," she said. They were beautiful, but they were also very intense.
"I think they might be a bit full on."
"Okay," she said, directing his attention to another bunch. "How about lilies? They symbolise devotion."
"I don't want to come across as too pushy."
"Alright," she said, plucking a smaller bouquet of daises off the shelf. "Then I think daisies are just the thing. She'll know you're interested, that your intentions are pure, plus they're cheerful too."
The bouquet was a mixture of white, pale pink, and deep pink flowers. They remind me of Kurenai's eyes.
"Perfect," he accepted. Ino rung them up and he paid for them.
"Good luck, Iruka sensei," she smiled. "You've totally got this."
"I hope so. Thanks, Ino."
When Iruka arrived at Kurenai's building, he was met by Mirai. The four-year-old was determinedly heading out onto the street. Iruka looked around for Kurenai but she was nowhere to be seen. Something's not right.
"Hey, Mirai," he greeted. "What are you doing out here?"
Asuma's daughter looked up at him curiously.
Then he heard Kurenai's frantic voice, calling for her child and he realised that Mirai had gone wandering by herself.
Quickly, he tossed the daisies in a nearby trashcan and scooped the girl up.
"Mirai!" Kurenai called frantically as she stepped out onto the street.
"She's here. She's fine," Iruka informed her.
Her red eyes met his, and immediately he could see the relief in them.
"Oh thank goodness," she said. "Why did you run off?" she implored her daughter, who simply buried her face in Iruka's shoulder.
"Where did you find her?"
"Right here. I was just walking by," he fibbed. Now wasn't the time to hit her with something else unexpected.
"She's just gotten tall enough to open the door by herself," Kurenai explained.
"And you thought you'd make a break for it. Huh, kiddo?" he said to the girl.
Kurenai looked frazzled, and he knew things hadn't been easy for her, carrying and raising Asuma's child without him. She needs support and a friend, not a boyfriend.
He handed the child over, and once he'd satisfied himself that mother and child were okay, he took his leave.
Walking by a hardware store, he made a decision. Banishing all his previous intentions, he decided to be the support Kurenai needed. That's the best way to express my care for her.
He went inside and purchased a lock, then headed back to Kurenai's place. He went up to her apartment and knocked on the door.
She answered, looking surprised to see him again.
It was different to the flowers he'd planned to offer her, but it was better. It was something useful that would help make her life easier.
"Iruka…"
"Hi," he smiled nervously, hoping he wasn't overstepping. "I saw this, and I thought maybe it might help…"
She looked down at the little latch that would stop Mirai getting into trouble again, and then back up at him gratefully.
"I can fit it now if you want…"
"Yes. Please," she accepted, letting him in.
Kurenai stayed nearby while he worked.
"You must think I'm a terrible mother," she said, eyes downcast with shame.
"No, not at all. I think you're an incredible mother. One thing I do know is how much of a handful kids can be. Doing this by yourself must be very hard, and she's so much like her father…"
"I think about Asuma every day, wonder how he'd have been with his daughter, and what he would have me do differently."
"Kurenai, I'm sure he wouldn't have any criticisms. Mirai is a healthy, happy girl. What more could he ask for?"
She cast her eyes down and blushed.
That colour looks so pretty in her cheeks…
Remembering himself, Iruka rubbed his neck and grinned.
"All done!"
Kurenai looked up at the lock, and then into his eyes again.
"Thank you, Iruka. Having one less thing to worry about is a big help."
"Of course. And anything you need help with, Kurenai. All you ever have to do is ask."
"I'll remember that," she said, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
"Oh, umm," he fumbled, smiling too wide. "Well, I better get going now."
Then he tried to leave without unclipping the latch he'd just fitted.
Kurenai giggled, reaching up to release it.
"Better?" she smiled.
"At least we know it works," he blushed. Really smooth. "Bye, Mirai."
The girl waved back to him and he shared one last look with the beautiful kunoichi before he left.
On his way home, Iruka ran into Ino and Sai.
"Iruka sensei!" Ino beamed. "How'd it go? Did she love the flowers?"
He gave her a little smile in return. Even though it hadn't turned out exactly like he'd planned, he was satisfied with the outcome.
"I decided not to give them to her. The timing wasn't right."
"Oh, that's too bad," Ino said.
"Actually, I think it might be better this way for now. And who knows? I might be back for those roses one day."