[FIC] Rumor Has It - part II

Dec 17, 2011 13:57

It was four days later when the door was opened for the first time by someone else than staff or Tsunade, and Kakashi turned from the window, the half-lidded eye staring indifferently at the newcomer, who merely raised an eyebrow.

“And hello to you, too,” Asuma drawled, walking to the window, turning to lean his back against the window sill. The burly man gave a cursory look at the sitting one, who had turned his attention back to the scenery outside, the lone eye staring at one particular spot, before turning himself to stare at the opposite wall, where a painting of an old building hung.

Asuma knew from experience that if you tilted your head just the tiniest bit to the left, you could see the Academy’s roof squeezed between the other buildings. It didn’t take much of a genius what Kakashi was doing. They stayed like that, Kakashi staring out and Asuma at the painting.

“Is there something you want?” Kakashi finally asked, as they had stared at their respective subjects for at least ten minutes.

“No really, just came to check on you,” Asuma hummed, following the outlines of the painted walls of Suna for the umpteenth time.

“No you didn’t,” the silver-haired man murmured, tugging absentmindedly the hem of his mask. The medics had given him one of those sleeveless shirts with attached mask this morning, like many times before. It made Kakashi wonder if they had them for everybody or just for him, since there was always one ready for Kakashi. “You’re here because of Iruka,” he continued softly.

“He’s worried about you. That makes everybody worried about him. Kurenai wants to know if you two had a fight - Anko wants to know, which one she should “beat for making the sexy sensei depressed, that missing-nin or that bald balled monkey?”. Her words, not mine.”

“Anko?” Kakashi straightened, one eye brow rising, “she and Iruka aren’t friends.”

“I know, but it seems she doesn’t like seeing Iruka troubled no less than the rest of those who work with him,” the bearded man shrugged, “even my sister has been bullying me to find out why her son’s teacher is so glum suddenly.”

Kakashi winced in sympathy at the mention of Asuma’s older sister, who had inherited their mother’s way of thinking that women were stronger and made to endure pain. It thus gave her the so called the right to train the men in her family to suck it up or, like in this case, get information from Asuma.

“So, did you have a fight or not?”

Kakashi had to think about it for a moment. To say what was fight and what was not was really hard at best, since they hadn’t really fought since that time at Chuunin exams. He did know how to read signs when Iruka had fought with someone - if Iruka was volatile, it wasn’t serious, if he was silent, it was serious - and Kakashi fancied that Iruka could say the same when it came to the jounin.

But had they had a fight or was it just a sum of unfortunate mistakes? Or could it be solely blamed upon Kakashi’s odd temper tantrum?

Honestly saying, Kakashi had no idea and he admitted it to Asuma without hesitation. He was just merely confused by all this, confused and slightly distressed, because Iruka had clearly been more affected by Kakashi’s actions than he had wished for. Maybe he had been hoping that the reason behind Iruka’s absence was because of some sort of sulking - it had happened but the dark-haired man had been avoiding Kotetsu, never Kakashi.

He didn’t tell this to Asuma but the familiar glint Kakashi saw in his eyes told that the older jounin was aware there was something more there. But Asuma didn’t say anything, to which Kakashi was thankful. It was already bad to see the veiled accusation. No reason to make it worse.

oOoOoOo

“What the hell was that? ”

“That, Kiba, was the enraged bellow of Umino Iruka. I’m sure you’re familiar with it from Academy.”

“That was Iruka-sensei?! But it came across the village!!”

“From hospital, I believe. Kakashi must’ve finally grown some balls, none too soon, if you ask me.”

“Huh, what do you mean by that, mom? Why would Kakashi-sensei make Iruka-sensei so, so…”

“Absolutely pissed off? Well, he just needed to clear the air and remind who the alpha in their pack is.”

“Kakashi-sensei?”

“You’re still a pup, Kiba. Sometimes you remind me of your father.”

“Sheesh, mom, don’t call me that.”

oOoOoOo

“Make sure that brat is out of my sight when I have my hospital round, Shizune. If he can summon, then there’s no need to keep his lazy ass occupying the bed.”

“B-but, Tsunade-sama - “

“No buts! And the more, the merrier; here’s a mission for Iruka-sensei to babysit Kakashi as a punishment. I don’t want my mornings start like that ever again just because Kakashi doesn’t have the sense to wait one day and decides to use ninken as messenger hawks so that he can clean his mess.”

“I believe Iruka-sensei already made it clear that he didn’t appreciate Kakashi-sensei’s behavior either. The medics informed Kakashi-sensei being quite subdued when they fled, er, left them alone.”

“Damn right he made. Almost lost my hearing because of that!”

“Before I go, here are some files that need to signed, Tsunade-sama.”

“Alright, give me those then.”

“…”

“…”

“My apologizes, Tsunade-sama, but have you heard the, um…”

“The rumors that they are in a relationship? Yes, why?”

“Oh, um, it’s really not my place to say, but do you think there is any truth in them?”

“Shizune. I might be the goddamn Hokage of this village and even though it’s my duty to know what my ninja do, there is a line I will not cross. It’s their lives and as long as there isn’t any fraternizing with the enemy, I don’t care who goes out with whom.”

“O-oh, I understand.”

“Good, here are the files. Now go and drive that Hatake brat out of the bed and call Iruka-sensei there, too.”

“Yes, Tsunade-sama.”

oOoOoOo

Iruka couldn’t decide whether he should tear Kakashi a new one or just be immensely relieved when Akino had appeared behind his bedroom window that morning, just five days after he had last seen Kakashi. But then the tawny dog had told Iruka that Kakashi wanted to meet him at the hospital, the former had won as soon as he had realized that Kakashi had used summoning jutsu - without being released.

Five days of worry, stress and bottled up anger had simply spilled over as Iruka tore his way through the village and to the “Sharingan suite”, where the silver-haired jounin had had the decency to look quite startled, perhaps a little scared and very, very guilty when Iruka had started to yell at the top of his lungs how stupid and reckless Kakashi was. Iruka hadn’t cared for the meek medics, who had slipped away as soon as the chuunin had stormed in, or the cringing, injured fellow ninja that were mercifully carted away, leaving the whole floor empty, save for the two men.

“Do you have anything to say, you idiot?!” Iruka demanded, finally coming to the end of his window rattling rant, dark eyes blazing with irate fire, “do you?! I sure as hell didn’t come here just to yell at you!”

“I do,” Kakashi murmured from where he stood, his visible eye firmly on the flushed chuunin like it had been from the very beginning. Taking a deep breath, Kakashi straightened from his usual slouch and determination replacing the guilt. “I’m sorry I acted like the way I did,” he said at the still glowering Iruka, who only tensed at the reminder, “there’s no excuse for my behavior; I was tired and took it on you. I shouldn’t have done that, because you were only worried and - “

“Worried? Worried?!” Iruka hissed, “try terrified. I came as soon as I heard about you, Kakashi, waited for three fucking hours when they operated you, wondering for god knows many times if this was it, if this was the mission that would finally kill you.”

As Iruka spat those words out, Kakashi flinched as he saw just how scared the other had been. It made his insides twist and chest throb even worse than five days ago, but this time it wasn’t because of what Iruka said, instead of what he showed.

“I’m sorry,” Kakashi whispered hoarsely.

Iruka silenced and looked hard at the masked man, before deflating with a deep sigh, leaving him look suddenly worn out and tired. Kakashi became immediately alarmed and carefully made his way to Iruka, who just stood there. He made a small sound of surprise or defeat, it wasn’t clear, in the back of his throat when Kakashi somewhat awkwardly wrapped arms around the chuunin, hugging Iruka gingerly.

“I’m sorry, Iruka,” Kakashi repeated again, cursing the lack of words to tell just how much regret wallowed inside him, “I’ll be more careful, if not for me, then for you.”

It was the right thing to say, or at least close to. Iruka sagged and allowed his weight to rest against Kakashi’s, fingers clinging into the dark shirt. “You better keep your word or I’ll come after and kill you myself, Kakashi,” his voice vibrated against the wide shoulder but there was little bite in it.

“I’ll remember that,” Kakashi hummed, letting a small smile to twist his lips, when Iruka muttered “you do that” before tightening his hold around the jounin.

It was roughly three hours later when a timid Shizune poke her head inside, relieved when she saw two men in the room. “Kakashi-sensei, Iruka-sensei,” she nodded and walked to the bed, “Tsunade-sama sent me to give a message for both of you.”

“Good morning, Shizune-san,” Iruka greeted politely, rising from the chair to bow while Kakashi simply nodded from the bed:

“Shizune-san.”

“Tsunade-sama has ordered you to go home, Kakashi-sensei,” she informed, earning surprised looks from both of them, and Iruka had to ask:

“Already? But the medics said he should stay a week here.”

“Yes, they did, but since Kakashi-sensei managed to perform a summoning jutsu without, um, keeling over, he gets to be released early.”

“Maa, I believe Shizune-san means Tsunade-sama got angry for my little stunt and has decided to kick me out for annoying her, am I right?” Kakashi drawled, giving a questioning look at the woman, who blushed a little but nodded.

“And she has ordered you to make sure Kakashi-sensei reaches safely his apartment, Iruka-sensei,” she added with a small smile while reaching for the paperwork and signing them off, ignoring the blanching dark-haired man, “and you have also been ordered to guard him for at least the next 48 hours.”

“W-what? Why?”

“Tsunade-sama wasn’t very pleased about the disturbance this morning,” she simply said, causing Iruka to flush and bury his face into his hands as he recalled just how loud he had been. “The substitute teacher has been informed, so you don’t have to worry about anything. Please make sure to inform us if there’s any need for it. Have a nice day, Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei.”

With that the Hokage’s secretary slipped away, leaving the baffled and mortified Iruka alone again.

“Kakashi, be honest,” Iruka muttered against his palms,” how well can you move?”

“I can walk out of the hospital. Maybe. It took more chakra than I realized to call Akino,” Kakashi told sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.

Iruka glared at him between the gaps of his fingers. “Of course, why did I even bother to ask?”

“Maa, we can rent a movie,” the pale man grinned weakly, trying to lighten the atmosphere that had suddenly taken a nosedive.

Rolling his eyes, Iruka lowered his hands. “We’ll have to go to my place, because Ukki-san is there and I’m not going to drag it back to your place if there’s the chance for you doing it yourself,” he informed, deadpanned, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“No complaints from me,” Kakashi agreed, slowly standing up, “shall you do the honors, since technically I’m still a patient.”

Snorting, the dark-haired chuunin stepped close and rounded his arms around Kakashi’s chest. “You just want to get close and try to cop a feel.”

“What can I say? It only takes one taste to get hooked,” the jounin declared far too cheerily, his eyes curved into crescents, before Iruka teleported them away.

oOoOoOo

Kotetsu’s eyes followed intensely Iruka’s every single movement, finding the situation quite eerie.

Iruka was chipper.

That was the only word he could come up with to describe it the sudden, one-hundred-eighty degrees chance of mood. He was so damn happy that it raised some suspicions on its genuineness. The corner of Kotetsu’s eye twitched as Iruka flashed yet another dazzling smile. He had been making those little eye blinding things for whole morning, as if Iruka was trying to fill up the missed quota from last week. Kotetsu’ jaw didn’t exactly drop on the floor but the twitch became worse, when Iruka all but flirted with Kaede-hime, the elderly noble giggling like a young girl with her first crush - she was so smitten that she hired a three man team to guard her granddaughter’s engagement party, though.

He’s finally gone mad, Kotetsu shook his head with a crooked grin. Whatever was behind this behavior, it had to have something to do with the fact that Kakashi had been seen enter Iruka’s place and not leave until Sunday afternoon. Maybe they’ve finally figured out that half of the village is match-making them and Iruka tries to flirt his way out of it, the spiky-haired man played with the thought, before snorting quietly. Yeah right.

Waiting for Iruka to bid farewell to the flattered Kaede-hime, Kotetsu carefully leant closer. “Did something nice happen to you or is there some other reason for you to be so damn chipper?” he asked, genuinely curious. He didn’t flinch when Iruka turned sharply and gave a hard look as the pleasant expression dropped, giving a way to a small scowl.

“Nothing ‘nice’ happened, thanks to a certain idiot,” Iruka muttered, returning back to the scroll where he worked out the details for Kaede-hime’s mission, “because of him, I lost some work hours and the “pay” I got from that so called mission didn’t even cover those movies we rented.”

Folding his arms over his chest, Kotetsu rolled his eyes. “Well, Godaime-sama doesn’t really like to be awakened like that after spending the night out. I think that my own ears are still ringing and I had a guard duty all they way at the edge of the village.”

Groaning under his breath Iruka rubbed tiredly his temples. “I know, I know, but I was just so damn angry at him,” Iruka mumbled.

“It’s nice to see you two are good again, though,” Kotetsu commented abruptly with quite serious voice and a quick glance showed a baffled Iruka, “you were making a good imitation of a kicked puppy, Iruka, don’t deny it. And they say Kakashi-sensei wasn’t cheerful either. He’s not the most emotional person, so he must have been feeling quite bad to actually show it.”

Iruka’s eyes narrowed at first but they widened as the other continued, but he had no chance to say anything back when a new group of expensively dressed couriers floated in, effectively gaining their attention. But, as the time passed on, Kotetsu noticed a thoughtful look cross every now and then Iruka’s face.

When Kotetsu’s shift came to an end, he glanced out of the window and saw a familiar figure loitering at the rooftop across the street. Grinning, he wondered if he should tell Iruka about it but decided against it. As he walked on the corridor, Kotetsu passed two young women and heard them whisper:

“Did you see what I see? Hatake-san was staring at the Mission Room - “

oOoOoOo

“What did you do?”

“… Nothing?”

“Don’t play innocent, Hagane, I know it was you. Now tell me what the hell did you say to Iruka?”

“Whoa, whoa, don’t point with that thing or somebody’s going to lose an eye.”

“Among other things if you don’t start talking. What. Did. You. Say?”

“Care to elaborate, otherwise all I can say is nothing. Which clearly is the wrong answer - please, put the kunai away.”

“Yesterday. You two were at the same shift. He came back troubled and the others claim having no idea why and I actually believe them. That leaves only you, Hagane.”

“Oh you mean that? I didn’t say anything, really. He was all happy and then we talked about things, like about your fight and - oh… Damn.”

“What?!”

“They were right. Shit, they were right!”

“Damnit, Hagane, what are you babbling about?”

oOoOoOo

“Excuse me, Asuma-sensei, may I ask you something?”

“Sure, don’t mind if I smoke?”

“No no, please feel free.”

“…”

“…”

“So, what’s in your mind? You didn’t come to watch me smoke.”

“Did you have a hand in that Kakashi managed to get his head out of his ass?”

“Maybe.”

“Thank you for that.”

“You’re welcome but that’s not the reason for you’re here, just to thank me.”

“No.”

“What is it then?”

“I know.”

“…”Well, that was unexpected.

“I know what they say about us; have known since Kakashi kicked me out of his room.”

“I see. What about Kakashi?”

“He doesn’t. Maybe. I don’t know. He hasn’t indicated but this is Kakashi. He doesn’t listen to any gossips as long as nobody tries to get his Icha Icha or look underneath his mask. That’s the reason we’re even friends, he doesn’t care.”

“Maa, that sounds like him. You never really know what’s underneath his underneath.”

“You are quite right.”

“Are you going to do something about the rumors?”

“I don’t know. Not yet, that is. They are not right but they are not harmful. At least it seems to think so, since there’s no angry mob demanding to resign from Academy or my door hasn’t been flattened and a certain someone isn’t here to defend my honor.”

“Naruto?”

“I never saw that woman - she was a civilian from the market street - ever again. It seems she didn’t appreciate her date having an overprotective Kyuubi vessel as some sort of honor guard. Weird, huh?”

“Weird, indeed. … You aren’t really against them, are you?”

“Not really. It would be… nice if they were real. He’s a good friend and I imagine he would be a good lover, too. People often forget that underneath all that mystery and fame he’s just another man, who in the end deserves to have something better in his life than mindless fans.”

“You don’t love him.”

“Of course not but I like him. There’s a difference, I know, but Kakashi doesn’t love me either.”

“True. Then what is your plan? Tell him?”

“No. Maybe. If he asks.”

“He won’t.”

“No, I suppose he won’t.”

“Want one?”

“Sure, why not. It’s not every day you realize having non-platonic feelings for your best friend. The chance at getting a lung cancer on top of that is even more unlikely.”

“Truer words have never been spoken.”

oOoOoOo

They skirted around each other for several days, pulling and pushing the subject back and forth between them. They knew it was there, the lump of something they both were hesitant to acknowledge. Outsiders saw no change in their actions and those who where more closer with the men did but only few hints that something was off but not enough to really get worried - that, or they stayed respectfully quiet.

When it became three weeks, the tension snapped:

“We need to talk, Iruka.”

The said man froze hands underwater and he stared at the sink. Trust Kakashi to pick the most inappropriate moment for Iruka to stop beating around the bush.

“I know,” he sighed, picking the dish brush and started again, “help me finish these first, okay?”

“Fine,” he agreed with a nod.

Despite his madly beating heart, Kakashi couldn’t help but wonder how they managed to do something so mundane like washing dishes, when the next moments could easily change forever their friendship. Smiling wryly underneath his mask, Kakashi mused how this was one of the many things Kakashi liked on Iruka; the fact that he made Kakashi feel and enjoy normality.

When they were finished, Iruka spent watching the water drain, gathering his thoughts with a deep breath. “Shall we sit down or do you want to stand?” he asked, turning around.

“I’m good,” Kakashi said, leaning against the cupboard, leaving Iruka no choice but to stand in front of him.

“Alright. I’m guessing you want to talk about those rumors and what they say about you and me.”

The masked man nodded, the visible eye riddled with quickly flitting emotions Iruka didn’t really want to identify, not now. “How long have you known?” Kakashi asked quietly.

“Month or so, I’m not sure,” Iruka admitted, shrugging nonchalantly, “I accidentally heard some of the nurses to gossip about it when I left and suddenly all I could hear was us.”

“Us,” Kakashi repeated, more thoughtful than displeasured, “you’re not insulted that they make you my lover?”

The question was not the one Iruka had predicted, catching him so off guard that his mouth actually fell open. “What? No! I mean, I don’t understand, what do you mean?” he demanded to know, aghast.

Kakashi gave a miniscule shrug, not looking at the chuunin in the eye. “People might think you deserve better than some half-blind and half-mad jounin, who most likely dies before the age of thirty,” he murmured levelly but the pale fingers were digging into the counters edge, belying the calmness.

“That’s bullshit,” Iruka barked furiously, making Kakashi’s face snap back at him so fast it nearly gave him a whip-lash. “You might be half-mad and if you keep up with that idiotic behavior of yours, you will die before you’re thirty,” he snarled, dark eyes narrowed into slits, “but you’re not a bad person and anybody would be lucky to have you as a partner, you hear me? Anybody!”

Kakashi blinked and the pressure in his chest eased notches at Iruka’s words, the somewhat questionable praise heating his face beneath the mask.

“And as for your question, no, I don’t feel insulted at being your “lover” but what about you? Does it make you feel ashamed that they think you have a relationship with a man?” he growled heatedly, openly challenging the silver-haired man to agree with him.

Kakashi’s eye widened and he frantically shook his head.

“No, I don’t. I’m not actually sure how to feel about this,” he told truthfully, relieved when Iruka calmed enough into a dark scowl. “You’re a good friend, more than anyone has ever been to me and when we had our fight, I regretted my actions far more than in years. It just that I don’t hate idea of being in a relationship with you but - “

“You’re not interested in me that way,” Iruka ended softly and in that instant the sizzling flames anger reduced into ashes, leaving him surprisingly sadder than Iruka had expected to be.

“No,” Kakashi corrected firmly, straightening his stance unconsciously, “don’t jump into conclusions, either, Iruka. This is more complicated than “I don’t like you in that way”; I’m not against it, should it happen.”

That froze Iruka on the spot, eyes wide and a simple “oh,” was all the dark-haired man could only say at that moment.

“Yes, oh,” the other chuckled, shaking his head, “this may have started because of others but it’s really up to us if we continue it.”

“Us, eh?” Iruka couldn’t help the little grin, playing in the corner of his lips as he tasted the word in his mouth.”So, what you’re saying is that you don’t mind giving us a try?” he asked, sounding only a little hesitant but Kakashi could still pick it.

“Yes,” Kakashi smiled back, pushing away from the cupboard and coming to stand right in front of Iruka, leaving at least half a foot between them, “and you? Do you want to try and see what might happen?”

The grin turned mischievous and Iruka cocked an eyebrow, daring. “I don’t know, do you think I might finally get to see under that damned mask of yours if I say yes?” he teased, poking Kakashi playfully in the chest.

“Maybe,” was the answer, earning an indignant snort from the other. “Keep that up and you have to learn to enjoy the taste of fabric,” Kakashi drawled jokingly before making the bold decision and bent to close the distance.

“Wha - ?” Iruka gasped when something smooth and slightly damp touched his nose, nuzzling and the chuunin got the impression of a newborn pup being touched by a pack member; eager and gentle but also a little awkward, too.

It was over as fast as it started, leaving Iruka slightly lightheaded and already missing the warmth as Kakashi took a step back, watching carefully for his reaction. Knowing this was most likely the crucial point in this tentative relationship of theirs, Iruka quickly collected himself and summoned a shy smile. “I can live with that,” he hummed, smiling wider when Kakashi visibly relaxed in front of him.

“How about watching that movie now? I can make the popcorn,” the jounin offered, falling in to the usual pattern, and for that Iruka felt grateful.

They could talk later, needed to, but for now it was good to do something familiar. And when Kakashi sat next to Iruka and not on his usual spot on the floor, the other didn’t question it, only asked if he was comfortable. In turn, when Iruka slowly moved close enough that their thighs were touching, Kakashi hummed and gave a quick lean back, before returning his attention on the Iruka-track, laughing silently as the snarky remarks turned the crappy movie ten times better.

oOoOoOo

Three months later…

“What the hell? What happened to you?! You look like a drowned rat!”

“My apartment building was flooded, that happened to me.”

“Flooded?!”

“It seems one of my neighbors had a fire of sorts and what’s the most natural way to put it out?”

“You’re kidding. Tell me you’re kidding.”

“Nope. A water jutsu. Never seen my floor so sparkling clean, though. But then again, all my stuff was swallowed by the wave. Although it was nothing compared to Mitarashi-san’s scream of outrage - almost shattered the whatever windows that were left unbroken.”

“Shit. Where are you staying?”

“I was kind of hoping that…”

“… Fine, why not. At least you don’t extinguish fires with water jutsus.”

“Of course not, don’t be a stupid. I’ll use an earth jutsu.”

“…”

oOoOoOo

“You never guess what Iruka-sensei received today at lunch.”

“Oh, do tell me? Was it anything scandalizing?”

“A soggy, burned apple pie.”

“You’re joking?”

“About Iruka-sensei? Never.”

“But how a pie can be both soggy and burned at the same time?”

“Beats me but I know what I saw. He was quite astonished, I tell you. Then he blushed, the brightest shade of red I’ve ever seen him do, and rushed out. With the pie. And he was smiling like a crazy!”

“Now that’s odd.”

“I couldn’t agree more. Anyway, have you heard about Genma-san? Rumor has it - “

THE END

- Senna-chan

iruka, kakashi, fanfiction, kakairu

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