The Chemicals Between Us

A/N: Dom- I'm not naming the fucking chapters. Deal with it. This will probably be updated twice a day...unless I feel really lazy. Um...reviews are appreciated. That's it.


The Chemicals Between Us

Iruka groaned and blinked open his deeply brown eyes, rubbing a hand over his face as he sat up. He folded his legs gracelessly beneath him and stared around the room he was in. The brunette knew he wasn't at his own home simply from the fact that this bed wasn't as soft as the one he had.

He squinted in the dark, able to make out blurry shapes of furniture he didn't recognize. Iruka sighed as he tried to think back. The only thing he remembered was drinking and Sasuke...

The professor blushed thoroughly when that thought and the realization that he was naked hit him. His head ached from the slight hangover as well as the new information slowly being processed. Iruka stood up and walked unsteadily toward the bathroom across from the bed, tripping over his discarded clothes.

He knew he sometimes managed to undress himself while passed out, so his worry quickly dissipated. Well that along with the fact that he wasn't sore anywhere helped ease him.

The brunette showered quickly and donned his shirt and slacks, padding out of the room as he searched his pockets for his glasses and cell phone.

Sasuke nodded at Iruka as he passed by the end of the stairs, a cordless phone pressed to his ear. The raven was dressed in sleep pants, his bare chest glistening with a soft sheen of sweat as he headed toward his kitchen.

"Alright, I'll be there in an hour." Sasuke disappeared behind a wall urging Iruka to follow.

The professor blushed lightly, sweeping his damp loose locks behind his ears as he walked after the younger man.

He stopped short and covered his eyes with a groan when they entered the kitchen. The drapes in the room he'd woken up in had been closed, apparently it was late in the morning and the sun was bright. Iruka sighed, ready to apologize for whatever humiliating thing he had said or done the previous night, leaning against the counter as he waited patiently.

"Drapes," Sasuke said flatly.

In an instant the room grew darker, the cloth shade built between the glass panels lowered itself as the Uchiha turned on the lights dimly, walking over to the fridge.

"Sleep well?" He asked reaching for the orange juice then removing a glass from the cabinet and filling it.

"Here, this will help." Sasuke held it out for the smaller man to take.

"Impressive," Iruka said, nodding toward the windows.

"And thank you, I slept as well as could be expected. I didn't irritate you too much last night did I?" He took the glass and sipped at it, hoping he hadn't done something he would regret.

"No you were just tired." Sasuke poured himself a glass of orange juice before replacing the carton back in the fridge. He turned as he took a long drink from the tall glass.

"Good thing it's Saturday." Dark eyes glanced to the clock on the wall above and behind the brunette.

Iruka nodded his agreement. At least he had picked a good day to be hung over.

"Do you know where I put my glasses?" he asked. "I can't seem to find them."

Sasuke furrowed his brows for a second as he was thinking. "I do they are-"

The phone rang.

"What?" The raven addressed the person on the other end of the phone, nodding at Iruka as he passed the smaller man, heading for the stairs as he listened to the speaker.

It seemed the Uchiha was an incredibly busy person; as Iruka followed after him, Sasuke had two more calls on the way to his room. The brunette walked slowly, admiring the artworks he hadn't been able to see previously. It only took him a few moments to realize that something seemed to be missing, and then another to notice that Sasuke didn't have any family photos showing.

Sasuke set the phone back in its caddy on his desk, walking around to reach into the tuxedo coat from the night before.

He held out the glasses for Iruka to take, setting his cell phone which he pulled from the same pocket down on the desk top as he emptied the rest of the pockets.

"I can have my driver take you home, when you're ready." He straightened. "Or if you'd like some lunch..."

His phone rang again.

Sasuke picked it up and pushed the silent button, ending the noise. A few seconds later his cell rang, the Uchiha proceeded to give it the same treatment, setting the device back on the polished wood.

"I don't want to interrupt you," Iruka said as he adjusted his glances and looked up.

His cheeks instant went a flattering shad of pink. It was one thing to see the blurry outline of Sasuke's naked torso, but with his glasses, every line was sharpened and refined. The taller man was....incredibly physically attractive, obviously sparing the time from his busy schedule to exercise regularly.

Iruka glanced away and rubbed his scar furiously, "I...I feel like I've already taken up enough of your time."

"Nonsense" Sasuke answered.

He wasn't one for having many guests, but when he had one, they were treated with respect. The Uchiha headed for the door to his room.

"I'll make us some lunch." He knew Neji would be upset that he was late, but the Hyuuga could just deal with it.

The professor followed closely behind the taller man, protesting weakly. He still had a few students' reports he needed to look over...thought they could certainly wait a day, he hadn't told anyone where he was and they would be worried for him, and he was still in the clothes he had worn last night.

Sasuke led them back down and into the kitchen. Walking over to the island he began to pull out pans for cooking in.

"Anything in particular?" Dark eyes were watching the smaller man closely.

Iruka smiled lightly, seeing this wasn't an easy thing to get out of. He was embarrassed over the drunken incident and his clothes smelled like sake. Sasuke didn't seem to mind though and the brunette gave in, deciding that lunch at least wouldn't hurt anything more.

"I need to make a call first if you don't mind," he said as he slipped out his cell phone. "And I don't mind what you make; I'm not very picky...as long as there are no steamed vegetables."

Sasuke nodded and turned his back to the other man, heading for a door at other end of the large kitchen. Walking into the pantry he could hear Iruka greet the person he had just called while slipping out of the kitchen to get more privacy.

"..."

"Anko?"

"..."

"Hello?"

"..."

"Anko answer me!"

"I'm sorry, you said you spent the night where?!"

Iruka sighed and closed his eyes as he massaged the bridge of his nose. "Anko please, I just wanted to let you know where I was, nothing happened."

"..."

"Anko?"

"..."

"Would you stop it?!" the small man seethed.

Anko chuckled darkly on the other line. "When should we expect you back?”

"Soon, we're having lunch."

"..."

"Anko I'm hanging up now."

Iruka glared at his phone and sighed as he shoved it back into his pocket. He was anxious to get back into the city and to his home, but as he entered the kitchen again as saw Sasuke cooking with his shirt off…the brunette found himself a little less motivated to leave.

“Than you for this,” he said.

Sasuke glanced up at Iruka, sucking the small amount of hot oil that popped onto his thumb off. "It's nothing."

He continued to stir the browning rice, seething softly when another pop of oil hit his bare stomach causing the pale abdomen to flex away from the attacker.

Iruka's baser instincts didn't want to suggest it...

"It might be safer if you had a shirt on," he remarked casually as he sat at one of the stools. "I can make it while you change."

"It's done already." Sasuke lifted the food off the burner and turned around. He tipped the pan to spoon the rice onto two separate plates, the chicken breast already having been done cooking.

Sasuke turned, walking back over to the Island and setting a plate down in front of the professor. "It's simple, I usually don't cook."

"I wouldn't think you'd have the time," Iruka remarked. "It looks wonderful, thank you."

Sasuke nodded, waiting for the other take a bite before beginning to eat himself. Their meal was rather quiet, the two sitting in the dimly lit kitchen, the hum of the fridge the only sound other than their chopsticks.

Iruka had been building himself up, preparing to ask out the billionaire across from him to a proper date when the door opened.

"Sasuke!" a voiced whipped out.

The brunette started and swiveled his neck around to watch the stoic man who accompanied Sasuke storm in. He looked incredibly angry and Iruka glanced at the Uchiha.

"I told you I would be there. You didn't have to come all the way out here." Sasuke replied flatly taking another bite.

Neji's blank eyes shifted over to Iruka before settling back on Sasuke as he neared, whispering so that only the Uchiha could hear. Sasuke's dark gaze fell on Iruka as Neji spoke to him, looking rather... bored.

The brunette waited for only a few moments, disliking how the long haired man looked at him, and then ignored him. He sighed wearily and adjusted his glasses before retrieving his cell phone and standing.

"I should go Sasuke," Iruka said, smiling at the Uchiha. "Thank you for last night. I'll call a cab."

He gave a small wave before starting quickly to the front door, anxious to leave the rude stare he received behind

Sasuke nodded at Iruka, standing up and finally bringing his eyes to meet the Hyuuga's only a short distance below his own, speaking just as softly before brushing past the pearl eyed man and heading upstairs to shower and get dressed.

The cab ride was uneventful except for the short few minutes in which Tsunade decided to call and yell at Iruka for leaving and not telling anyone. He sighed when he got to his Maisonette apartment.

"Messages," he called.

The phone on the kitchen bar whirled and started playing back his voice mail. Most were from Anko informing him that everyone had been told where he'd been and that he shouldn't worry. The cackle she produced afterwards made him do a double take though.

Kakashi called once, sounding a bit miffed as he told how he'd just gotten a quick call from Anko, and he'd wanted to know exactly where Iruka had been.

The brunette made a disgruntled noise in the back of his throat and changed into his jogging outfit. At least something had gone right. He'd left his jacket at Sasuke's, giving the man a perfect excuse to come see him. Iruka would take the hint if one of his personnel dropped it off. He laced up his sneakers and headed out, a grin plastered across his lips.

Sasuke loosened the knot in his tie before sliding the silky material from his neck as he headed up the stairs. Something lying across the foot of the made guest room bed caught his eye. He pushed the door open more, noticing that the professor had even changed the sheets, folding the ones he had slept on and laying them on the end of the bed next to his own tuxedo jacket.

Sasuke lifted the black garment up by the collar, checking the pockets to see if Iruka had left anything in them, finding a few business cards with names and numbers printed on the back but not much else. He continued down the hall, laying the coat on his desk before heading towards the shower.

Iruka lounged around the house for the remainder of the day, finishing the work he'd held up until the weekend so he'd have tomorrow free.

He hadn't expected Sasuke to call, but he was still somewhat disappointed while he got ready for bed. Of course he suspected the billionaire to work hard for his company and Iruka didn't want to disturb that. But he liked the younger man. He gave off an attractive confidence that probably pulled in most of the people he met.

Iruka fell asleep early, planning on taking Kakashi up on his offer of a movie some time if the Uchiha proved to be disinterested.

When Sasuke emerged from the shower the next morning, he picked up his cell and hit one of the speed dial buttons, calling his secretary. The cheerful sounding man on the other end of the line answered quickly and politely, listening to his boss’s demands.

Once the raven was dressed again, he grabbed the professor's coat off his desk and headed for his car.

While on the expressway into the city, his secretary called to give Sasuke the information he had asked for. The young man read off Iruka's home address before Sasuke hung up, turning off and heading towards the professor’s apartment.

The brunette was on his bed when the doorbell rang. He stood on top of two boxes over his mattress, trying in vain to reach his overhead fixture so he could change the light bulb. Iruka sighed and gave up, vowing to get his assistant Lee back here to do it for him.

He swept a loose lock of hair from his ponytail as he trotted to the door, fully expecting Anko to come by and interrogate him again. She lived next to him in the same large tower and loved to drop by unannounced.

Instead the professor was pleasantly surprised to be greeting Sasuke. Iruka smiled warmly after opening the door.

"I was hoping you'd come by to return that."

Sasuke extended his hand holding the coat for Iruka take.

"So you did leave it on purpose." He stated, his hand sliding into his pants pocket as he stood out in the hall way.

Iruka blushed as he took the coat and stepped aside for the Uchiha to enter the large apartment.

"I guess I wanted to give you a good reason to come see me," he said. "If you couldn't think of one yourself."

Sasuke took a few long strides into the apartment, noticing boxes on the bed as well as a few papers here and there.

"I didn't mean to interrupt you..." He said, turning, as the smaller man closed the door behind him.

"You didn't," the brunette said, adjusting his glasses. "I was trying to change a light bulb up there...and down here I was grading papers."

The smaller man watched as Sasuke took in the wide room and instantly noticing the light being out upstairs.

The apartment was a completely open space; the only privacy being had would have been in the bathrooms. The floors were a polished wood paneling, driving attention to the tall windows at the far wall directly across from the front thick metal door. There were six of them, each growing just shy of the high ceiling by a few long feet.

Iruka’s furniture was comfortable, not stylish or rich. A couch and two chairs were in the corner and middle of the room facing the large TV and stereo system that was rarely used. The walls were red and brown bricks with splashes of color from hanging art.

The silver metal staircase was against the wall to the side of the front door, leading up to the second story. There wasn’t a wall separating the rooms, so anyone walking in could see directly to Iruka’s bed without problem. There were two bathrooms, one on the second floor and one on the first, beside the staircase.

The kitchen was medium sized, big enough for five people to move in freely without bumping into each other. There was no dining table, but a breakfast bar was built on the side facing the living room, giving some semblance of the kitchen being closed off.

The space was sparsely furnished and slightly messy with a treadmill shoved into another corner and a plush rug taking up a good size of the floor.

"I see." He continued to dart his dark eyes around the large open home, finally settling on the professor.

Iruka found himself blushing faintly as he pulled at the shirt he was wearing, the sweat pants he wore hanging on his hips snugly.

"I went jogging before you came," he explained, sweeping past the taller man. "Would you like something to drink?"

“Water?" The raven followed Iuka into his kitchen area and waited by the breakfast bar while the brunette retrieved a glass from the cabinet and then using the ice and water dispenser on the fridge to fill it before handing it to Sasuke.

"Thank you." He took a small drink before setting the glass down on the counter in front of him.

"Are you busy today?" Iruka asked, deciding to take the initiative. "You seemed…pressed before."

"Not today." He lifted the glass to his lips. "I'd like to apologize for yesterday." He added, shifting so he was sitting on one of the plush stools.

"You don't have anything to apologize for," Iruka said, smiling lightly.

"Neji can be...harsh when we are in the middle of taking over a large company." He corrected his previous statement. "He doesn't take change well."

"And this would be change?" Iruka asked, obviously meaning the two of them.

"They are demanding a re-negotiation for the contract, and he's handling it. It's a large alteration; most people aren’t quite as paranoid." Sasuke lifted the glass again. "Of course he needs my approval for any changes to be made final." He took a long drink.

Iruka didn't miss how the Uchiha either didn't get what he was referring to, or chose to ignore it. If the latter was the case, then he didn't want to seem rude or pushy and stopped trying to be forward.

"You don't have any partners he could turn to for help?" the brunette asked, only semi curious as he went to put up his coat.

"No," Sasuke glanced over his shoulder. "He tends to look out for me, whether he'll admit it or not… and not just in business." He turned back around as Iruka headed towards him.

"He sounds like a good friend then," the professor said as he leaned against the counter opposite where Sasuke sat. They were silent for a few moments.

"Mmm," Sasuke looked the smaller man over. "What did you have in mind?" He asked shifting on the stool so one foot was resting on metal leg.

"I…I'm sorry?" the smaller man said, furrowing his brows in confusion at the question he didn't fully understand. Was Sasuke asking what he had thought about the Uchiha's and Neji’s relationship?

Sasuke's lips curled in a slight smirk. "You asked if I was busy..." He lifted the nearly empty glass. "I assume you had something in mind."

The younger finished off the glass of water, the ice clinking against the side of the glass when he tipped it back from his mouth. Iruka smiled and gave a soft laugh as he crossed his arms, enjoying the way Sasuke looked with the light from the high windows washing over him.

"Lunch maybe," he grinned as Sasuke set down his glass.

"Alright, lunch." The raven answered, his smirk never waning.

The brunette blushed and glanced at the clock hanging over the bar. "Let me change first," he said, chuckling softly as he left the kitchen.

Sasuke turned and stood up, walking over to the large windows with his hands in his pockets as he watched the city moving about below.

Iruka was quick, dressing in the bathroom so he could have a little privacy, not sure whether the Uchiha was the type to sneak a peek or not yet.

The thought made him grin as he tied his hair back into a better ponytail, dressed in a simple blue long sleeved shirt and straight legged pants. The smaller man trotted down the stairs after grabbing a light jacket and walked to Sasuke's side.


Sasuke turned to Iruka as he pulled out of the parking garage. "So where would you like to go?" He turned onto the busy street, taking note of the dark car that seemed to be following him.

"Do you know you're way around the city?" the brunette asked, extremely comfortable in the black Porsche. "There's a nice cafe a few blocks down, the ramen stand in the market place...what are you in the mood for?"

"Mostly." Sasuke answered, making another turn with the flow of traffic. "And anything is fine with me."

He glanced up at the review mirror before looking over at Iruka. "As long as you don't mind a slight detour."

The professor gifted the billionaire with a strange glance. "You're acting like we're being followed."

"We are." Sasuke nodded behind him, the light turning red so he slowed to a stop. "The silver Lexus two cars back."

Iruka blinked as if he were waiting to see if the younger man were joking, and then turned around in his seat. Sure enough there was the car behind them with two people inside from what he could see.

"Who....why are they following us?"

"They are following me, reporters."

As soon as the light turned green Sasuke took off, leaving everyone else behind them. The silver car attempted to go around the ones in front of it but was cut off by the other lane of traffic.

"I'll circle around just to be safe." He sped up, passing a few cars before taking a quick right.

Iruka could only stare at the taller man in surprise as the Porsche was pushed beyond the speed limit. He gripped his seatbelt tightly, a smile glistening over his lips.

"You've done this before?" the brunette guessed, shifting slightly when they narrowly missed another passing car.

Sasuke's lips curled into a sly grin as he readjusted his grip on the wheel and pressed on the clutch before shifting into the next gear.

"A few times." He turned to look at the smaller man.

Iruka slid deep into his seat, his knuckles going white with the hold he had as the car jerked again.

"Don't look at me, look at the road!" he snapped as they sped up again.

Sasuke lifted a brow as he pulled back into the slow lane, making a quick turn as he pressed on the breaks before speeding back up with the arc in the road. After a few minutes on the straight road, and no cars following, Sasuke slowed back down to the speed limit, Iruka's apartment building a few blocks in front of them.

"So where did you want to go?"

The professor glared at him. "Why were they following you?"

"It's as if I'm a celebrity." The Uchiha explained simply.

"And they follow you around all the time," Iruka said, shifting back up straight in his seat, glancing behind them again. "...and they're going to write about you meeting me aren't they?"

"They'll note that I was with someone." The taller man stopped at a red light.

"I warned the security guard at the garage gates they were following." Sasuke added. "I can drop you off at home, I'll understand." Dark eyes darted over to take in a quick analysis of the brunette's expression.

Iruka smiled lightly and shook his head. "No, it's just strange," he said. "I'll get used to it soon enough. Turn here."

Sasuke turned, not ignoring the smaller man's comment but letting it slide.

"So where are we going?" He lifted a brow when they hit heavy traffic.

There's a little bistro ten minutes away," Iruka said as he glanced at the Uchiha. "It's private and they only let friends in during the lunch rush. I've known them for a while."

"Alright." The taller man let the professor direct him to the restaurant, parking off the street in case anyone was looking for him.

Sasuke locked the car after they were both out, following closely behind the brunette.


The closed sign was showing, but Iruka walked in anyway, smiling at Sasuke as the taller man came in after him.

"Konohamaru-kun!" he called out.

Sasuke watched as a mop of brown hair appeared from behind the doorway to the kitchen, the teenage boy looking excited to see Iruka as he bounded over to them, smiling and simultaneously giving Sasuke a questioning glance.

"He's a friend of mine," Iruka said sternly. "No tricks."

Konohamaru rolled his eyes and faked a gag. "I haven't done anything like that since I was ten."

The professor turned to Sasuke. "This is Asuma's nephew, you saw him briefly at the coffee shop at the seminar."

Sasuke nodded remembering the large man. Normally he would have held out his hand and stated his name, but the confused look he was receiving told him not to. So he stayed quiet, letting Iruka introduce him to the other people in the shop and giving each person a nod of acknowledgement.

"That one's Moegi," Iruka pointed out the blushing girl who smiled widely at the Uchiha. "The boy next to her is Udon and...Sarutobi-san!"

He walked up to an aged man coming from the kitchen, wiping his hands on his apron. They greeted each warmly, shaking hands and then talking fondly with each other.

"Sasuke! This is Sarutobi-san," the professor said. "He's nearly raised me since I was nine."

Sasuke bowed his head to elder man who simply chuckled and patted him on the shoulder.

"He's a looker." The old man winked at Iruka before smiling brightly at the Uchiha.

The brunette blushed heatedly and pursed his lips in frustration. Sarutobi patted him on the back and chuckled loudly, the younger kids joining in until Iruka started glaring. The teens scattered at once and left the three adults alone.

"Just take your seat and I'll make you the special," Sarutobi said, smiling grandly.

Sasuke followed Iruka, sitting down in a rounded booth across from the brunette. "The special?" an elegant brow arched in question.

"Broiled fish, fried rice, and shrimp soup," the smaller man didn't look up until he had fought down his red flush.

Sasuke made a small humming sound, letting the smaller know he had heard him.

"You bring a lot of people here then?" The raven brow still lifted, Sasuke noticed the blush spreading back across the deeply tanned cheeks.

"No, of course not!" Iruka said defensively, bristling.

Sasuke's lips curled into a sly grin, the two suddenly interrupted by Konohamaru, the boy setting a tea tray between them on the table.

The professor sighed and pulled the cup away from the Uchiha when he reached for it. "Ink in the tea," Iruka explained. "Konohamaru...I made up that prank."

The teen frowned and took the tray back. "You could have let him fall for it..."

Sasuke leaned forward a bit. "You could have at least given him hope it would have worked."

When the brunette looked up at him a bit surprised the pale lips curled upwards once again. Iruka blushed again, for another reason this time. He leaned forward on his elbows, glancing at Sasuke's mouth and letting his eyes linger before he drew them to the side.

"It would have only made him want to trick you again," he said.

Sasuke lifted his shoulders in a shrug as he leaned back, resting against the back of the booth. The boy brought back another pot of tea, eyeing the two suspiciously as the old man watched. Iruka nodded and thanked him before Konohamaru turned, grumbling, as he returned to the kitchen. Sasuke waited for Iruka to pour their glasses after the smaller man had shooed his own away.

They moved closer to each other in the booth for privacy, both ignoring the three teens fighting for the best view from the kitchen door.

"Sorry," Iruka smiled, laughter lighting up his features. "Maybe I should have picked a quieter place."

"They aren’t that bad." Sasuke's dark gaze slid over to look at the three pair of eyes watching them.

Sasuke looked at Iruka. "Don't worry about it."

Slender fingers curled around the small porcelain cup filled with warm tea before it was brought up to pale lips, taking a small sip.

"They're behaving themselves right now, they can be worse if they want to," the brunette said with a grin. "It's better than the paparazzi I guess."

Sasuke nodded setting down the small cup. He glanced out the window at the sirens that passed by loudly followed by a few press vans, the parade of vehicles disappearing around the corner of the building.

"I assumed they were." He glanced at the kitchen again, turning his head and catching everyone as they proceeded to pretend they hadn't been watching.

"Don't mind them," the brunette said mildly. "They're just curious. I've never brought anyone here."

Sasuke's eyes darted over as Sarutobi brought out their soup.

"The rest will be ready in a few minutes." he smiled at Iruka before walking away, the other's whispering quietly until the old man cleared his throat.

"They'll get nicer if you decide to get to know them," Iruka hinted lightly as he leaned back to his side.

The raven watched as Iruka sipped broth off his large spoon before lifting his own to his lips. Sasuke nodded but was unsure if the professor had caught the slight gesture or not. They ate in relative silence, giving one another quick glances before Konohamaru brought out the fish and rice. Both men thanked the boy before he took their nearly empty soup bowls.

Iruka made a noise of approval as he took a bite of his fish, smiling with pleasure. "Mmm, this is the best place for lunch in the city."

Sasuke proceed to take a bite, chewing with the littlest amount of movement, just as he had been taught to do since he was a child.

"It is delicious." He agreed.

"You'll have to tell Sarutobi that," the brunette said.

He paused a moment before sliding closer, leaning back against the plush cushions as he gazed outside. Iruka blinked and stiffened in surprise before he broke into a smile.

"I thought you were free today?"

Sasuke looked out the window seeing Neji standing outside, looking at them. "I was.” He growled in annoyance.

“Excuse me." Sasuke slid from the booth and stepped outside, walking the Hyuuga to the corner, his back to Iruka.

Neji scowled deeply and immediately started in on the Uchiha, his smooth voice never rising above its low tone. He glanced through the large window, spotting the professor inside waiting patiently.

"I've been paging you all morning," the stoic vice president and lawyer uttered, milky eyes gliding back to his boss. "If you had checked your messages at all, you would have known that the stock holders want to hold a meeting. Some of them are having doubts about the buyout and won't be swayed by anyone but you. Sai can only hold them off for so long."

At the mere whisper of Sasuke's secretary's name, Neji's nose wrinkled in displeasure.

Sasuke pulled his phone from the jeans pocket, flipping it open to see countless messages from both Neji and his assistant, Sai.

"Just head back. I'll be right behind you." Sasuke turned, Neji giving the raven a glare before turning and heading to the short limo waiting for him.

Iruka smiled understandingly though the glass, already reading the Uchiha's expression of slight guilt and annoyance as Sasuke passed by him.

He stood as the younger came toward him after entering the small restaurant again, "It's alright, don't apologize."

"I owe you one." Sasuke pulled out his wallet, reaching inside before holding out one of his business cards between two fingers for the professor to take.

"My cell number is on the back." Sasuke glanced toward the kitchen, the others ducking inside quickly.

Iruka gave a brief flash of a grin as the taller man's phone rang. Apparently he had turned it off and whoever was on the other line sounded angry when Sasuke answered it. He sighed shortly and looked like he wanted to say something more to the professor, but Iruka had already waved him off after taking the card.

Sasuke waited until he was outside before speaking, his tone only slightly angry, but other than that, his words were harsh enough.

Sai didn't seem to mind, the equally dark haired male on the other end kept his cheerful disposition as the Uchiha spoke, interrupting the stoic man when someone else was speaking to him at the office. Sasuke started his Porsche, slamming on the gas and clutch then screeching down the small street.

Iruka watched him leave, hiding his disappointment well. He knew that the Uchiha was a busy man, but it still didn’t stop him from being slightly put out. A worn hand patted his shoulder gently and the brunette turned around with a smile.

“You missed him Chiyo-san,” he said.

The old woman chuckled. “Ne, I did want to meet him! Moegi-chan said he was a real hottie.”

Iruka blushed and started laughing as he shook his head. “Chiyo-san, I’m glad you didn’t get the chance to embarrass me!”

Chiyo grinned. “Well if can’t toy with you; I’m only left with my boring husband!”

“I’m not boring!” Sarutobi said as he came out of the kitchen.

Iruka tuned out their instant bickering with a fond smile as he started cleaning up the dishes with Konohamaru.

A/n: Dom-feel free to review, I know many of you have a fear against pushing that button, but don't worry...it can't hurt you anymore. You're safe in this fict.