The Trick Is Not Minding
folder
Naruto › Yaoi - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
36
Views:
1,523
Reviews:
131
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Naruto › Yaoi - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
36
Views:
1,523
Reviews:
131
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
The following story is a work of fan fiction. The author does not own Naruto or its characters and is not making any money off of this work. Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto-sama. I do, however own my original character Kuroshin Aoshi.
Chapter Seventeen
A/N I'm so happy, almost 4000 hits in less than two weeks! Thank you all for reading! LadyLuck87, I hope this answers your question. Trust me, it will be a VERY big deal when the mask comes off. We're getting close to the end now so enjoy!
Chapter Seventeen
After a while Iruka sadly announced that they needed to get out before he turned into a raisin. “I think you mean a prune.” the copy-nin remarked dozily. “No, I passed prune a while ago, I’m definitely shriveling into a raisin now.” the chuunin retorted.
“Well, I certainly can’t allow that.” the jounin quipped and he scooped the startled teacher into his arms and leapt out of the pool, heading back inside. “Put me down, you can’t just carry me, I’m not some woman.” Iruka squealed, giggling and slapping awkwardly at the copy-nin in a half-hearted attempt to free himself.
“Here you go Princess, safe and sound.” Kakashi said as he deposited the chuunin gently on the floor with a deep bow. “My savior.” the teacher replied, and batted his lashes exaggeratedly.
“Iruka,” the copy-nin began, voice now solemn, “what exactly happened yesterday? Who found me? What happened to Aoshi? How did I end up at your house? The last thing I remember was in the shower at my apartment . . .” he trailed off, apparently engrossed by the view of his nervously shifting feet.
“Why don’t we order in some lunch and then I’ll tell you the story, that way we won’t be interrupted by my howling stomach.” the teacher smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
“Seriously Iruka, I need to know how bad this is going to get, how many people know . . . is that why you brought me here, to give them time to forget?” he stopped, apparently horror struck at his next thought, “Did they see my face, please tell me I still had my mask on.”
“Relax ‘kashi, no one’s seen your face.” the chuunin said in a soft calming voice, “Even me.” he added under his breath. ”Your secret is safe, oh mysterious one.” he continued, in an attempt to once again lighten the mood. His stomach grumbled yet again, “Let’s just order some food and then we can talk about whatever you want, please?” and he turned his doe-eyes full force on the helpless copy-nin, who merely handed him the room service menu and said “Whatever sounds good to you is fine.”
Iruka quickly scanned the menu and phoned in their order. The pair dressed in silence, each man dreading the coming conversation, although for very different reasons.
In a few minutes there was a knock at the door and Iruka opened it to a uniformed man with a cart, who briskly wheeled it inside and began setting the table with their meal. When he finished he turned and headed for the door, remarking “Hope you and your wife enjoy it, newlyweds always work up such an appetite.”
He was almost out the door when he was stopped in his tracks by a roar of outrage. “You said we were newlyweds . . . that I was your wife! I am not a woman.” the copy-nin bellowed. The startled waiter whispered a conspiratorial “Sorry, good luck.” before he bolted from the room and out of the line of fire.
“Now, now ‘kashi, calm down. I never said we were newlyweds . . . although I did book the honeymoon suite because it was the most private. The waiter just assumed I was here with my new wife . . . and what a vision of beauty she is too!” he joked, hoping to avert a major blow-up. “Let’s just sit down and enjoy this wonderful food.”
After finally coaxing the reluctant copy-nin to sit down, Iruka took his plate to the couch so the jounin could eat in peace. As he did so he wondered if they would ever get to the point where they could just eat face to face. One thing at a time, he reminded himself, you’ll get there eventually, for now let’s just get through our discussion after lunch.
All too soon they finished eating, and Iruka had no more reason for delaying. Unless it’s so horrible he doesn’t want to tell me, the copy-nin thought, and he tried to imagine what could be that bad, considering what the chuunin had already seen and heard about, and experienced himself, for that matter. The jounin continued to muse until a soft voice brought him back to the present.
“You wanted to know what happened, and so do I . . . I want to know a lot of things, and I hope while we’re here I’ll get to find some of them out. But you asked first so I’ll just tell it like it happened.” the teacher took a deep breath and began. “I was having a really lousy day after you left, to be honest because you left, and, by the way, I want to know why you left, you were gone before I could even ask a question . . . anyway, that’s why I went to your apartment, to try and talk to you and get some answers. I was standing outside your door working up the courage to knock when I heard you scream. I kicked in the door, but didn’t see anything. Then I heard the shower running so I went to check the bathroom. I opened the door and you were,” Iruka stopped and took a deep quavering breath, “you were . . . hanging there. I thought you were dead.” he shrieked, tears now running freely down his face “I thought you were dead and I grabbed his head and started pounding it into the wall, until I couldn’t hold onto it anymore because the blood made it too slippery so I dropped him on the floor and kicked until his face caved in and his brains fell out . . . and then I kicked him some more for hurting you, and for making you die scared and alone. When there wasn’t anything solid left to kick I cut you down and ‘ported us to Ibiki’s office. I thought you were dead,” he sobbed, hand over his eyes for a moment before he composed himself and went on “I couldn’t find a pulse. Ibiki got one of the T&I medics to heal you, they’re the only two who saw you. Two ANBU went to your apartment to collect the body, but all they know is that a wanted rogue nin was found dead in your apartment. If anything the rumor will be that you ruthlessly assassinated him for his crimes . . . it shouldn’t hurt your reputation.”
Iruka was completely drained, the feeling of loss and despair and rage he had felt triggered all over again. “The medic said you’d sleep for awhile, and would be up to full strength in about a week. We’re both on medical leave at the moment, arranged by Ibiki, I really owe him now. I took you home last night but then I thought maybe here on neutral ground you’d feel safer . . . and maybe you’d want to stay with me.” he finished in a whisper.
The copy-nin’s mind was whirling. Iruka killed Aoshi? he thought, gentle Iruka the chuunin academy teacher? Iruka who bottomed for him, the weak and worthless wonder, famous man of a thousand fucking worthless jutsu? He was startled from his thoughts by a small, worried voice.
“I’m sorry,” the chuunin said, and Kakashi wondered what on earth he had to be sorry for, “I thought you were dead, I wouldn’t have killed him if I’d known you were alive. You were together for a long time, it wasn’t my place to interfere, so, I’m sorry if I hurt you through my actions . . . but I’m not sorry he’s dead. He should have been thanking the gods that he had you, instead he hurt you, I won’t let anyone hurt you.” the chuunin finished angrily.
Suddenly Kakashi was seeing the teacher in a whole new light. Pieces were fitting together in his head life an intricate jigsaw puzzle. He wants me, that’s why he’s doing all this, said I was his, doesn’t want to hurt me, doesn’t want to see me hurt, possessive, protective, so very strong . . . so why did he let me take him? I don’t understand, I just don’t understand, he shook his head, trying to sort out his rampaging thoughts.
The copy-nin’s epiphany was worrying Iruka almost to death. He was afraid the jounin had unrealized and un-admitted feelings for Aoshi and was grieving . . . and, of course, hated him for killing his lover. He buried his head in his hands, why can’t I do anything right, it’s obvious he likes strong powerful men, I’m just a desk jockey, a teacher of children, of course I don’t measure up. He looked up in surprise at the smooth silky sound of Kakashi’s voice.
“You have nothing to be sorry for, I owe you everything. You . . . rescued me, I had given up so, please, don’t be sorry. Thank you for being so strong, for caring enough to save me, for sharing yourself with me.” The jounin took a deep breath and continued, “You said you wanted to know why I left . . . I left to protect you, so I wouldn’t hurt you, taint you, become your jailer as Aoshi was mine. I didn’t want to be like him . . . and all I could see were the ways that I was.”
“You’ve never hurt me physically. . . and I don’t think you ever will. I trust you.” Iruka stated forcefully, “Now, you need to trust me and believe me when I say I’ll tell you if you’re hurting me. That said, I need to tell you how badly you hurt me when you left without any explanation. Please, please, don’t do that again . . . talk to me, please, and at least tell me what you’re thinking. Promise me that, at least.”
“Alright, I promise.” the copy-nin replied, “I know you have more questions Iruka, but I need to think for awhile . . . can we continue this later?”
“We can continue whenever you want ‘kashi, I’m here for you.” and with that the chuunin rose and went outside to sit by the pool and think about what he should do next. Kakashi stayed on the couch, lost in thought, chasing a realization he could not quite grasp.
Chapter Seventeen
After a while Iruka sadly announced that they needed to get out before he turned into a raisin. “I think you mean a prune.” the copy-nin remarked dozily. “No, I passed prune a while ago, I’m definitely shriveling into a raisin now.” the chuunin retorted.
“Well, I certainly can’t allow that.” the jounin quipped and he scooped the startled teacher into his arms and leapt out of the pool, heading back inside. “Put me down, you can’t just carry me, I’m not some woman.” Iruka squealed, giggling and slapping awkwardly at the copy-nin in a half-hearted attempt to free himself.
“Here you go Princess, safe and sound.” Kakashi said as he deposited the chuunin gently on the floor with a deep bow. “My savior.” the teacher replied, and batted his lashes exaggeratedly.
“Iruka,” the copy-nin began, voice now solemn, “what exactly happened yesterday? Who found me? What happened to Aoshi? How did I end up at your house? The last thing I remember was in the shower at my apartment . . .” he trailed off, apparently engrossed by the view of his nervously shifting feet.
“Why don’t we order in some lunch and then I’ll tell you the story, that way we won’t be interrupted by my howling stomach.” the teacher smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
“Seriously Iruka, I need to know how bad this is going to get, how many people know . . . is that why you brought me here, to give them time to forget?” he stopped, apparently horror struck at his next thought, “Did they see my face, please tell me I still had my mask on.”
“Relax ‘kashi, no one’s seen your face.” the chuunin said in a soft calming voice, “Even me.” he added under his breath. ”Your secret is safe, oh mysterious one.” he continued, in an attempt to once again lighten the mood. His stomach grumbled yet again, “Let’s just order some food and then we can talk about whatever you want, please?” and he turned his doe-eyes full force on the helpless copy-nin, who merely handed him the room service menu and said “Whatever sounds good to you is fine.”
Iruka quickly scanned the menu and phoned in their order. The pair dressed in silence, each man dreading the coming conversation, although for very different reasons.
In a few minutes there was a knock at the door and Iruka opened it to a uniformed man with a cart, who briskly wheeled it inside and began setting the table with their meal. When he finished he turned and headed for the door, remarking “Hope you and your wife enjoy it, newlyweds always work up such an appetite.”
He was almost out the door when he was stopped in his tracks by a roar of outrage. “You said we were newlyweds . . . that I was your wife! I am not a woman.” the copy-nin bellowed. The startled waiter whispered a conspiratorial “Sorry, good luck.” before he bolted from the room and out of the line of fire.
“Now, now ‘kashi, calm down. I never said we were newlyweds . . . although I did book the honeymoon suite because it was the most private. The waiter just assumed I was here with my new wife . . . and what a vision of beauty she is too!” he joked, hoping to avert a major blow-up. “Let’s just sit down and enjoy this wonderful food.”
After finally coaxing the reluctant copy-nin to sit down, Iruka took his plate to the couch so the jounin could eat in peace. As he did so he wondered if they would ever get to the point where they could just eat face to face. One thing at a time, he reminded himself, you’ll get there eventually, for now let’s just get through our discussion after lunch.
All too soon they finished eating, and Iruka had no more reason for delaying. Unless it’s so horrible he doesn’t want to tell me, the copy-nin thought, and he tried to imagine what could be that bad, considering what the chuunin had already seen and heard about, and experienced himself, for that matter. The jounin continued to muse until a soft voice brought him back to the present.
“You wanted to know what happened, and so do I . . . I want to know a lot of things, and I hope while we’re here I’ll get to find some of them out. But you asked first so I’ll just tell it like it happened.” the teacher took a deep breath and began. “I was having a really lousy day after you left, to be honest because you left, and, by the way, I want to know why you left, you were gone before I could even ask a question . . . anyway, that’s why I went to your apartment, to try and talk to you and get some answers. I was standing outside your door working up the courage to knock when I heard you scream. I kicked in the door, but didn’t see anything. Then I heard the shower running so I went to check the bathroom. I opened the door and you were,” Iruka stopped and took a deep quavering breath, “you were . . . hanging there. I thought you were dead.” he shrieked, tears now running freely down his face “I thought you were dead and I grabbed his head and started pounding it into the wall, until I couldn’t hold onto it anymore because the blood made it too slippery so I dropped him on the floor and kicked until his face caved in and his brains fell out . . . and then I kicked him some more for hurting you, and for making you die scared and alone. When there wasn’t anything solid left to kick I cut you down and ‘ported us to Ibiki’s office. I thought you were dead,” he sobbed, hand over his eyes for a moment before he composed himself and went on “I couldn’t find a pulse. Ibiki got one of the T&I medics to heal you, they’re the only two who saw you. Two ANBU went to your apartment to collect the body, but all they know is that a wanted rogue nin was found dead in your apartment. If anything the rumor will be that you ruthlessly assassinated him for his crimes . . . it shouldn’t hurt your reputation.”
Iruka was completely drained, the feeling of loss and despair and rage he had felt triggered all over again. “The medic said you’d sleep for awhile, and would be up to full strength in about a week. We’re both on medical leave at the moment, arranged by Ibiki, I really owe him now. I took you home last night but then I thought maybe here on neutral ground you’d feel safer . . . and maybe you’d want to stay with me.” he finished in a whisper.
The copy-nin’s mind was whirling. Iruka killed Aoshi? he thought, gentle Iruka the chuunin academy teacher? Iruka who bottomed for him, the weak and worthless wonder, famous man of a thousand fucking worthless jutsu? He was startled from his thoughts by a small, worried voice.
“I’m sorry,” the chuunin said, and Kakashi wondered what on earth he had to be sorry for, “I thought you were dead, I wouldn’t have killed him if I’d known you were alive. You were together for a long time, it wasn’t my place to interfere, so, I’m sorry if I hurt you through my actions . . . but I’m not sorry he’s dead. He should have been thanking the gods that he had you, instead he hurt you, I won’t let anyone hurt you.” the chuunin finished angrily.
Suddenly Kakashi was seeing the teacher in a whole new light. Pieces were fitting together in his head life an intricate jigsaw puzzle. He wants me, that’s why he’s doing all this, said I was his, doesn’t want to hurt me, doesn’t want to see me hurt, possessive, protective, so very strong . . . so why did he let me take him? I don’t understand, I just don’t understand, he shook his head, trying to sort out his rampaging thoughts.
The copy-nin’s epiphany was worrying Iruka almost to death. He was afraid the jounin had unrealized and un-admitted feelings for Aoshi and was grieving . . . and, of course, hated him for killing his lover. He buried his head in his hands, why can’t I do anything right, it’s obvious he likes strong powerful men, I’m just a desk jockey, a teacher of children, of course I don’t measure up. He looked up in surprise at the smooth silky sound of Kakashi’s voice.
“You have nothing to be sorry for, I owe you everything. You . . . rescued me, I had given up so, please, don’t be sorry. Thank you for being so strong, for caring enough to save me, for sharing yourself with me.” The jounin took a deep breath and continued, “You said you wanted to know why I left . . . I left to protect you, so I wouldn’t hurt you, taint you, become your jailer as Aoshi was mine. I didn’t want to be like him . . . and all I could see were the ways that I was.”
“You’ve never hurt me physically. . . and I don’t think you ever will. I trust you.” Iruka stated forcefully, “Now, you need to trust me and believe me when I say I’ll tell you if you’re hurting me. That said, I need to tell you how badly you hurt me when you left without any explanation. Please, please, don’t do that again . . . talk to me, please, and at least tell me what you’re thinking. Promise me that, at least.”
“Alright, I promise.” the copy-nin replied, “I know you have more questions Iruka, but I need to think for awhile . . . can we continue this later?”
“We can continue whenever you want ‘kashi, I’m here for you.” and with that the chuunin rose and went outside to sit by the pool and think about what he should do next. Kakashi stayed on the couch, lost in thought, chasing a realization he could not quite grasp.