The Trick Is Not Minding

Chapter Thirty

Iruka stood outside the store, shifting uneasily from foot to foot. This was the third day in a row he’d stood outside this same store on his lunch break, trying to work up the nerve to go inside. Little did he know that his indecision was becoming a major source of curiosity. His co-workers’ interest had been piqued when he had admitted he was moving in with someone, and since then they had been taking turns discretely tailing him, trying to find out just who the lucky lady was that had stolen their Iruka’s heart.

Which is why Kurenai and Anko were currently hiding behind some bushes, silently rooting for the chuunin to grow a pair and just go inside already. When he finally pulled open the door they inwardly cheered and hurried across the street to peek in the window and get more intel.

The sight that met their eyes would have made any girl squeal. There stood Umino Iruka, beloved chuunin sensei and one of Konoha’s most eligible bachelors, nervously talking to a clerk in the village’s most respected jewelry store.

The women strained to hear what was being said, anxious to know what the teacher was buying for his mystery girlfriend. Maybe a necklace, or some earrings, perhaps? they pondered as they peered, eagerly waiting for a glimpse of what was being discussed.

Iruka was nervous. He’d never bought any kind of jewelry before, and this was so important. He wondered again if perhaps he was making a mistake, then shook his head and turned back to the objects under discussion, assessing and fingering, looking for just the right . . . “Ah,” he exclaimed, “This one . . . it’s perfect. Do you do engraving?”

He wrote the inscription on a slip of paper and then wandered around, nervously peering into the various cases until the clerk reappeared, opening the small box he carried to show the teacher the finished piece.

“Wonderful.” he breathed, then he thanked the man and hurried from the store, tucking the box into his pocket and heading back to the Academy. He had only taken three steps when he found himself flanked by Anko and Kurenai.

“So, Iruka,” Kurenai began, “who’s the lucky girl? Does this mean you’re out of circulation?” she smiled and elbowed the teacher in the ribs.

“Yeah come on, spill.” Anko continued, “What lovely lady has stolen the heart of the hottest available guy in town?”

“Hatake Kakashi.” the chuunin simply said, leaving the two dumbfounded women in his wake as he reached the Academy gates and disappeared inside.

When the women finally unfroze they looked at each other and blinked. Hatake, they both thought, why him? followed immediately by, Iruka’s gay? And finishing with, did he just call the copy-nin a woman? before they both started talking at once.

“Why him?” Anko cried, “I mean sure, he has a nice body, but most ninja do. Really, he’s just creepy. How can he sleep at night next to someone like that?”

“I’ve got it!” Kurenai declared, “He’s kidding, he only said that to get us to leave him alone.” she finished triumphantly. “Let’s keep an eye on him, we’ll find out the truth.” With that the two women made plans to meet again at the end of the school day and follow the teacher, sure they’d reveal the chuunin’s real girlfriend.

The Hokage had been observing the man across the table from her for years and, although she wouldn’t admit it, she had a soft spot for ‘the Hatake brat’. After all, he was her teammate’s only surviving student. She cleared her throat and broke the silence they had been working in. “So brat, I hear you’re fixing up your family’s house . . . planning on finding a nice girl, settling down, and having some kids now that you’re not doing missions anymore?”

“No,” the copy-nin replied without lifting his eyes from the scroll he was studying, “I’m fixing it up so Iruka and I can move in there, his apartment is pretty tight for the two of us,” he looked up and regarded her seriously as he continued, “so I’m not in the market for a girl, and as far as kids go . . . I certainly haven’t brought it up, obviously I can’t have children and I don’t want him to have any second thoughts.” he finished nervously.

Tsunade blinked. Kakashi and Iruka, she thought, dazed, I never, ever, would have guessed. “You’ve certainly kept this a secret.” she finally managed. She thought for a moment before she continued “I hope it works out for you, you deserve some happiness.”

“Iruka saved me.” the copy-nin replied seriously, “I’d do anything to make him happy.” he looked up and his visible eye crinkled into a smile, “So, thank you for your well wishes Godaime-sama. Now,” he continued with mirth in his voice, “who are we going to hook you up with?”

Iruka left the Academy at a run, racing home to change before hurrying back to the market to collect supplies for the evening. Soon he was headed toward the Hokage Tower, a large covered basket on his arm. This is it, his stalkers thought with glee, he must be going to pick up his girlfriend for a picnic . . . how romantic, they squealed internally as they stealthily shadowed the oblivious teacher.

Five minutes later their jaws dropped in shock when the sensei exited the tower arm in arm with none other than Hatake Kakashi himself. “He was serious!” they both exclaimed, taking in the sight of the obviously happy couple. “What did he get at the jewelry store then?” Kurenai wondered. They decided to continue tailing the couple, although they increased the distance, fearing detection by the copy-nin.

“What’s this all about ‘ruka?” the jounin asked as they walked arm in arm.

“The apartment is full of boxes ‘kashi, and I haven’t gone to the market because we’re moving in a few days . . . so I thought we could have a picnic in our new garden.” They left their shoes at the door and moved quickly through the silent house, heading out the back door. The teacher spread the blanket he was carrying under a pretty sakura tree, pulling the copy-nin down to join him while he busily unpacked the basket.

Kakashi drooled as the chuunin began pulling out all his favorite foods . . . and some really good sake. It’s not my birthday, he mused, what’s this all about? He decided to just relax and enjoy when he was pulled firmly against the teacher’s strong chest and divested of his mask. Soft lips covered his own in a gentle kiss, before Iruka broke away to pour two cups of sake, handing one to the jounin before lifting his own. “To our future.” he toasted before bringing the cup to his lips.

“Our future.” the jounin replied as he drained his cup. When he looked up, his eyes locked with serious chocolate orbs. Iruka caught his bottom lip in his teeth, worrying it in his hesitation. I can do this, he thought.

“‘kashi,” he began, taking the jounin’s hand in his and wetting his lips nervously with his tongue before continuing, “I am so happy that we’re moving here in a couple days, and I was thinking, you’re bringing so much to this relationship, and I’ve been struggling to think of what I had to give in return. I finally realized that there is only one thing I have to give, me.” He pulled out the small box he had hidden in his pouch and handed it to the copy-nin. The jounin opened it and turned wide eyes on the teacher. “Marry me ‘kashi” he implored, “let me be yours always as you will always be mine. Let us truly make this the home of the Hatakes once again. I want us to claim each other publicly, so everyone knows you are mine and I am yours. Forever.” he finished, as he bent to capture his lover’s mouth in a passionate kiss.

When they broke apart for air the copy-nin took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure, he studied the teacher carefully, seeing nothing but sincerity and love in his eyes. He lifted the slim platinum band from the box and studied the inscription inside, forever yours forever mine, yes, he thought as his heart lifted in joy, hell yes. He lifted his gaze to meet worried chocolate and replied “Yes, of course I’ll marry you ‘ruka.” and he smiled widely as the band was slipped on his finger.