Search for Strength

A/N: Hello all! There is a cameo by my OC, Rei. In this story she’s a spunky civilian with an affinity to nicknames. Hope you like her. I always wanted to do a song fic but found
reading them boring. (The lyrics almost distracting.) So in this chapter there are some lyrics from ‘Feel It’ by Jakalope. It’s a great tune and if you have it, start it when the game starts. I’ve cut down the lyrics in the story so it doesn’t get dull. If you haven’t heard the song, it is one of the hottest songs out there! Thanks to my lovely Michele for editing.

Iruka sighed and massaged his bruised ribs. It had been great to see the kids again but he was probably more bruised than he had ever been with Mizuki. The dog pile he had found himself at the bottom of when he entered the classroom had just been the start. He had received several rib-cracking hugs…no make that hundreds of rib-cracking hugs throughout the day and was eager to slip into a hot bath and settle into a solitary evening of grading papers. He glanced around the busy street, nodding to people’s enthusiastic waves as his arms were loaded with groceries. He shifted the bags again to rub a particularly sore spot that Konohamaru had favored. He had actually cried out in pain when the young Sarutobi had hugged him goodbye. It was the simple fact that he loved the kids so much, and they clearly had missed him incessantly, which had kept him from screaming at the eager horde to stop touching him.
He paused at a stand to buy some tomatoes, holding one of his bags out for the vendor to place them in and haphazardly balancing his bags while trying to retrieve some money from his pocket.

“Don’t worry about it, Iruka-san. They’re on the house today.” Iruka would have looked shocked but half the things he had bought at the market had been given to him gratis.

“No really…just a sec…” He frantically dug into his pocket, not wanting anyone to treat him any differently than they had a week before.

“I insist. Kiku swung by the stand on her way home. I can’t remember the last time she looked so happy. We’re all glad to have you back. Please, have a good evening.” Iruka smiled softly. Kiku was a lovely girl and was well on her way to being a fabulous shinobi.

“It really should be me thanking you. She’s a joy to have in class. She’s incredibly bright and you should be very proud of her. I know I am.” The purveyor beamed. Most pre-genin were offspring of shinobi and it was an immense honor to have a child in the academy, shinobi or civilian. Iruka grinned at the delight that emanated from the man at the compliment. Nothing made him happier than telling a parent that their children were special. It was never a lie either. His students were special.

“Now I insist. If I get one more thing for free today I’m going to feel like a crook. Please let me pay for these.” The merchant looked as if he was about to protest but seeing the sincerity in the teacher’s eyes, he simply nodded.

Iruka began to juggle the bags as he reached into his pocket. The man held out his hands in offering to hold one of Iruka’s burdens but a moment to late as Iruka leaned a bit too far forward and items began to tumble in slow motion from the top of the bags. Iruka tried to free his hand from the confines of his pocket but knew that the items would hit the ground before he could catch them. Items that included the beautiful, vine ripened tomatoes that he had stubbornly urged to pay for. A surge of chakra beside him made him jump in surprise and he watched in awe as hands moving almost too fast to follow snatched the items from the air. He gaped at Kakashi whose arms were loaded with items that Iruka had recently purchased…or more likely was given.

“Wow,” he breathed, “nice catch!”

Kakashi grinned behind his mask, his visible eye curving into a happy arc. “Good timing I guess.”

Iruka had begun to reach back into his pocket when Kakashi dropped the items back into the bag, forcing the chuunin to use his free appendage to steady the bags. Kakashi then handed the vendor some money, waved off his change, snatched one of the loaded brown, paper bags from Iruka’s arms and headed off down the street.

Iruka sputtered in protest towards Kakashi’s retreating back. He shot a small smile at Kiku’s father, who was still rooted in shock from the impressive display of agility and the large amount of money he had been paid for four tomatoes, before rushing down the street after jounin.

“You really didn’t have to do that,” Iruka breathed when he caught up to the copy nin.

“I did something to make you mad this morning. It seemed that a friendly gesture would help matters.” Iruka flushed in embarrassment remembering the ridiculous scene he had displayed earlier in the day.

“Uh, yeah. I’m sorry about kicking you out. I was just…I dunno.” He sighed and stared at the ground, running a hand over his restrained hair. Kakashi was admiring the gesture when he noticed a large, fresh cut on Iruka’s arm, just barely hidden by the man’s shirt. He grabbed the offended arm near the elbow, whirling Iruka around to face him. His sharp eye studied the wound before rising to meet Iruka’s surprised chocolate gaze. Iruka’s eyes widened as he read the demands of explanation in the stormy blue-grey eye, an eye that promised merciless pain to whoever had inflicted it.

“No, it’s okay. It was one of the kids. Stray kunai from practice today. I don’t know how I could have missed it.” Iruka sighed in frustration, “I feel all…out of sync. My timing is off, my reactions are slow and I’m not sensing things like I should. I…I might have to give up my position if this doesn’t improve.” Kakashi’s heart wrenched at the look of complete despair on the younger man’s tanned face.

“You’ll be okay. You just have to get back into the swing of things.”

Iruka shook his head. “I don’t think you realize how bad I’ve gotten. I’m pretty sure most of my student’s have better reaction times than I do right now.”

Kakashi pondered silently for a moment before wrapping his hand around Iruka’s arm. “Come on. I have something to show you.” Iruka tried to protest but the Copy nin was already pulling him in a direction which was not the way to his apartment.

“Kakashi, I’m tired and very sore. I think some of the kids crushed ribs today. Can we do this some other time?”

Kakashi shook his head and stopped in the middle of training ground five and turned to the chuunin. “Fight me.”

Iruka’s mouth dropped open in surprise. There was no freaking way. He hardly felt in good enough shape to spar with a genin forget the most powerful jounin in Konaha.

“WHAT?! No way. Look, I’m exhausted and besides what good will you kicking my ass do for me? I’m no match for you.” His eyes darkened and Kakashi heard the unspoken line as clearly as if Iruka had shouted it. ‘I’m no match for anyone anymore.’

Kakashi growled and started walking toward one of the wooden posts that were along the edge of the forest.

“Iruka, I’m going to set this bag down over there. Then I’m going to pull out a kunai and attack you. So you can either run, or you can prepare to defend yourself.” Iruka watched as Kakashi set the paper bag down by one of the posts and pulled a kunai from the holster on his leg.

“Kakashi, not right now. I just don’t feel up to it. Maybe…” He didn’t get a chance to finish however as Kakashi, true to his word, launched himself at the still unprepared brunette.

“SHIT!” Iruka dropped his bag and only just got his own knife out to block the approaching weapon that was inches from being buried in his chest.

“What the fuck, Kakashi?” Iruka leapt backwards, the skilled jounin hot on his heels. They flew around the training field, the spar looking far more like a chase or a game of tag than a match.

“Fight me, Iruka. Stop running away!” Kakashi sliced the air with the kunai, severing a small lock of Iruka’s hair that had fallen from his ponytail.

“Ha, yeah, you’re making that option really enticing.” He turned his back and leapt away. Finally, getting sick of the chase, Kakashi released a burst of speed and was suddenly in front of Iruka who swore in shock, frenetically blocking attacks with speed far above that which he would normally have been able to achieve, his legs and arms blocking the kicks and punches as efficiently as if he had been predicting them with the sharingan. Kakashi got the drop on the chuunin and finally pinned him to the ground. He pressed his knee forward between the slim legs and pinned the tan hands on either side of his prey’s head. He smirked at Iruka in contempt.

“You didn’t even land a blow.” He leaned his face so that he was hissing into the chuunin’s ear.

“No wonder Mizuki was able to control you so easily.” Kakashi’s position didn’t allow him to see the flash of rage that illuminated Iruka’s eyes or he might have been prepared for what happened next. As he pulled his head back hoping to get some sort of reaction from the man trapped beneath him, Iruka released a strangled cry of fury and swiftly brought his forehead up to smash into the bridge of Kakashi’s nose. The silver haired man yelped in surprise and released the brunette’s wrists to grip his nose. In a flash Iruka had switched their positions and had trapped his opponent’s arms beneath his legs as he straddled the pale, slim body, his kunai pressed to the masked throat.

Kakashi looked up at the fiery, brown eyes that were burning into his and coughed on the blood pouring from his nose that was caught under his mask. The eyes lost their intensity almost immediately and Iruka removed his weight from Kakashi’s arms.

“Oh my god. I…I’m so sorry! I can’t believe I just did that! I…shit, Kakashi, I’m so sorry.” He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to the now chuckling jounin.

“Nice move!” Kakashi chuckled pulling down his mask and covering his face with the rag. “That’s more like it.” He gave one more bloody cough before wiping his hand on his vest and gently squeezing Iruka’s thin, muscular thigh.

“That was more impressive than some of the ANBU I spar with. You’ll be fine. You’ve just lost your confidence.” Iruka looked in shock at the bleeding mess of a man beneath him.

“I broke your nose so you could give me back some confidence?” Iruka slid back over Kakashi’s hips and to his feet, offering his had to the silver haired man who was still chuckling.

“Apparently so. Although, I didn’t know you would hit me so hard. Nice head butt by the way.” Iruka smiled and Kakashi shook the daze from his vision.

“Thank you. Again. For everything. I…”

“Enough,” Kakashi bumped the brunette’s shoulder playfully, “I’m happy to be here for you. Really.” Iruka just blushed scarlet and avoided the older man’s gaze. They collected the bags and resumed the short trip to Iruka’s apartment. Kakashi handed Iruka the other bag at the door and rubbed the back of his head.

“Oh yeah. I ran into Anko and Kurenai today and they both said they would kill someone if you didn’t come out this weekend…and I’m pretty sure they meant me, so do you want to go out for drinks tomorrow?” Iruka’s broad, sparkling smile made the jounin’s chest tighten painfully.

“Yeah sure. It’ll be good to get out again.” Kakashi nodded trying to keep his appearance even, when he wanted to jump for joy and shout in victory.

“I’ll swing by here to pick you up at nine.” Iruka nodded breathlessly and shot the older man another smile before closing the door. A thought crossed his mind as he leaned back against the closed door.

‘Did I just get a date with Kakashi?’ He shook his head at the absurd notion and began unpacking the groceries.

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It was a quarter to nine and Iruka was absentmindedly primping. He had been ready half an hour ago but needed something to distract his nervous mind. He had told himself a hundred times that this wasn’t a date but he couldn’t but feel very aware of the birds in his stomach…butterflies couldn’t cause such pangs of panic. He checked his reflection for the thousandth time. His brown locks were loose around his shoulders and slightly tousled, that flawless-I’m so hot I don’t have to try-look. The fact that he had worked on his hair for a solid twenty minutes was neither here nor there. He smoothed the invisible wrinkles from the crimson dress shirt that was unbuttoned over the snow white wifebeater. He had to smile at the irony of his clothing choice. His black leather jacket was on the back of one of his chairs and it looked amazing with his dark jeans. The white undershirt seemed to glow against his dark skin.

His stomach clenched painfully and the birds took flight as he heard a knock on the door. He glanced at the clock… eight fifty. No way. Kakashi was never early. He probably wouldn’t be there for another hour. Iruka groaned at the thought of another hour of his restless pacing.

He cracked open the door and peeked out, eyes narrowed in suspicion. He had to keep his jaw from dropping in shock and arousal as he took in Kakashi leaning languidly against the railing of his floor’s balcony. Kakashi looked…hot. No, that didn’t do it justice. He looked smolderingly sexy. Like something from a magazine cover or one of his teenage wet dreams. The jounin was wearing a dark blue, sleeveless shirt that matched his mask and headband that was in place of his hiatai. His legs were covered with snug fitting black pants. The contrast in colours made his pale skin glow much the same way Iruka’s white tank-top did against his bronze skin and dark shirt. Kakashi’s silver hair hung lower than it usually did, long spikes framing his face. He turned his head to look at the partially opened door and waved, snapping Iruka back to attention. He flashed Kakashi his white teeth before opening the door the whole way.

“Hey. I’ll be right there.” Iruka slinked back into the kitchen gabbing his jacket, wallet and keys. Kakashi who had moved to the door frame was now gaping at the chuunin as he shrugged on his black leather jacket and pulled the collar of the dark red shirt above the collar of the jacket. He realized that his mouth was hanging open beneath his mask just in time to snap it shut when Iruka turned around to face him. Kakashi let out a low whistle as he admired the man in front of him. The look wasn’t what he had expected. Iruka didn’t look delicate or feminine. He looked like a man. A dark, strong, masculine man. Even his long hair looked masculine as it wasn’t precisely placed and hung carefree around his shoulders, the front pieces hitting just along the edge of his jaw.

Iruka looked over each of his shoulders before pointing to himself, his face splitting into a grin that was 50 percent sly, 50 percent embarrassed and 100 percent sexy. Kakashi had to mentally slap himself to keep from drooling as he stepped out of Iruka’s way.

“I can’t remember the last time I saw you in civies. You look good.” Iruka flushed at the compliment as he stepped onto the balcony and locked his door.

“What about you? I didn’t even know you owned clothes that weren’t a uniform,” he teased. Kakashi chuckled and glanced at his feet, bewildered by the fact that he suddenly felt intimidated by how good Iruka looked.

“Yeah, I guess I don’t get dressed up all that often.”

Iruka nudged him with his elbow, “And I’m worthy of the effort. I feel so special.” Kakashi froze and stared at Iruka’s back for a second. How could, earlier today, this same man have been so self-conscious? Confidence seemed to be radiating from every strand of disorganized hair, every inch of cinnamon skin, every subtle seductive movement he made. Kakashi actually had to close his eyes when Iruka flipped his hair as he whipped around to see what was keeping the older, silver haired nin.

“You okay? You seem a million miles away right now.”

Kakashi nodded and cracked open an eye and swallowed a groan as perfect, warm, caring eyes met his gaze.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just couldn’t help but feel sorry for the poor women who are undoubtedly going to be throwing themselves at you all night.” Iruka chuckled and blushed.

“Uh, thanks. Are you ready to go?” He jerked his head towards the stairs and Kakashi nodded, walking maybe a little too closely to Iruka, their arms ‘inadvertently’ brushing several times before Iruka blushed and met Kakashi’s eyes that had not been removed from his form since they descended from the chuunin’s apartment.

“So where are we going?”

“I think everyone is going to be at the Shuriken.”

“Aaah, that’s perfect. I don’t really want to have to talk to a bunch of civilian parents tonight. I just want to have some fun.” Kakashi couldn’t be certain but he was pretty sure he had caught a very mischievous smile on Iruka’s face when he said that.

Iruka blinked as they entered the bar. The music was already throbbing and drinks were flowing. He smiled and waved to a group of shinobi on the dance floor and headed towards a group of friends at the bar. Anko, noticing their entrance, nudged a petite brunette, drawing her attention to the approaching men. The woman who was perched on the bar squealed in delight and launched herself at the pair, her green eyes sparkling. What happened next pushed Kakashi far beyond shocked. The woman leapt into Iruka’s arms, snaking her legs around his waist she firmly pressed her pink lips to the chuunin’s dark mouth. Iruka wrapped his arms around her hips, easily supporting her weight as she peppered his face with light kisses.

“Oh my god! Sweetheart, I missed you soooo much!” Iruka smiled at her with a warmth Kakashi thought was reserved only for Naruto.

“It’s good to see you, Rei. I’ve missed you too.” Rei then began to half-heartedly smack one of his shoulders.

“You jerk. How could you have not told me you were in the hospital! I just found out third hand tonight when I came into work!” Iruka smiled and pulled her back into his body.

“I’m sorry. I’m fine.” He gently stroked her hair as she nuzzled his jaw by his ear.

“I was so worried about you,” she whispered as she wound her hand into his dark hair.

Kakashi watched the very intimate scene, jealousy pulsing though his veins. He knew it was ridiculous. He knew that Iruka favored the male sex. However, he still wanted to tear the small woman from the chuunin’s arms none the less. Much to his relief, someone did it for him. A tall, muscular woman he recognized from the missions office wrapped her arms around the tiny waist and pulled Rei into a searing kiss. Rei froze in shock for a moment before winding her arms around the woman’s neck and retuning the kiss with gusto. Kakashi glanced at Iruka who was grinning at the pair of hot and heavy females who finally broke the kiss for air.

“Mmm, I love it when you’re all possessive and jealous like that, but Sweetheart is gay, remember?” Rei cooed to the kunochi who looked up and smiled at Iruka.

“Of course. Sorry, Iruka. I didn’t recognize you with your hair down. How are you feeling?” The men notice that even though her face was no longer promising swift death, the female ninja didn’t relinquish her grasp on her girlfriend.

“I’m good, Takara. Thanks. How ‘bout you? Looking after Rei I trust?” Takara nodded and gave the woman in her arms a small squeeze.

“Oh yeah, my big strong ninja takes fabulous care of me. What about you, Sweetheart?” Rei’s green eyes shifted to Kakashi, her face splitting into sly smile, “Who’s your smexy friend?”

“Ah, sorry. This is Kakashi. Kakashi, Rei and Takara.” Rei offered Kakashi her hand while Takara simply nodded, not wanting to remove her hands from Rei’s waist.

“It’s nice to meet you, Kakashi. Wait. Kakashi? Hatake Kakashi? The Kakashi? Wow, Sweetheart, ku-dos!” Iruka shot her a bewildered look.

“I’m impressed. You’re seeing Konaha’s legendary copy nin? Very nice, Sweetheart, very nice.” Iruka blanched and began to stutter.

“What? No! It’s not like that. We’re just friends. I…he’s just been helping me out since I got out of the hospital. We’re not…we would never…not like that.” Rei eyed the pair before coughing something that resembled the word denial.

“Ahem. Sorry I must have something in my throat. Come on. First round’s on me. Then you have to work for the rest.” She looked pointedly at Iruka who laughed and rolled his eyes.

“The game? Tonight? Come on, Rei, gimme a break.” Rei twisted her neck to look at her lover.

“I dunno, Takara, sounds like an open admission of inadequacy to me. What’s the matter, Sweetheart, scared I’m going to beat you like I always do?” Rei motioned to the bartender to bring them a round as the four of them sank into a table marked reserved.

“You don’t always beat me. I haven’t played in ages and am a little repressed right now. I just didn’t want to traumatize you. If we play, I will win.” Kakashi, beginning to feel a little left out, decided to interject.

“Isn’t this a shinobi bar? No offense but what are you doing here?” Rei looked a little taken aback.

“The Shuriken is my bar. Well, it’s my parents’ bar but I’ve been running it for a year and a half now. Besides, there are so many shinobi dating civilians that we had to let spouses and significant others in or we’d lose business.” She gestured to the door where a chuunin was signing in his girlfriend.

“So are you singing tonight?” Rei shot Iruka an exasperated smile.

“Gee, you really have been out of the loop. I sing on Wednesdays and Thursdays now. We had to move it to our civie day and add an extra night just for shinobi.”

“Wow, good for you, Rei! To bad I was hoping to hear yo-hurgh!”

Anko had materialized from the bar and flopped on Iruka’s lap demanding a minimum of three dances tonight. Kakashi glanced at Rei as she pushed a bottle of sake across the table to him.

“So…you and Iruka seem…close. How did you two meet?” Rei gave Kakashi an evaluating stare before leaning across the table so she wouldn’t have to yell.

“Sweetheart and I have been friends forever. He, Misu and I were inseparable before they got accepted to the academy. We drifted apart now and again but we’ll always be close. We were each others first kiss you know…and first time.” Kakashi pulled back to examine her face to see if she was kidding. She shot him a knowing smile and mouthed ‘jealous?’ at him before leaning back towards him.

“It wasn’t long after we slept together that Iruka decided he liked boys and I decided I didn’t.” Kakashi couldn’t help but chuckle, “You turned each other gay?” Rei laughed in response.

“Yeah, I guess you could look at it that way. I don’t because…well, that reflects badly on me…well, on both of us.” She plastered a contentiously wistful smile on her face.

“He was pretty good for a guy. We were so young that we went all night. Not all one round. It must have been five or six. Sweetheart does have excellent recovery time. I-.” Rei was cut off by the crunch of breaking glass and they both looked at the splinted sake bottle in Kakashi’s hand. Kakashi gaped at the shards of glass in his hand; he hadn’t even realized he’d tightened his grip. He raised his gaze to the insufferable superior look on Rei’s face.

“No need to get upset. I promise I have no aims on your boyfriend.” She swept the glass into her palm and dumped it onto the tray of a passing server and pushed her bottle of sake across the table.

“Iruka and I aren’t together.” One brown eyebrow arched and her face contorted into a smirk.

“Riiiiight. Hey, Sweetheart, your…FRIEND…needs a drink. Are we doing this or not?”

Anko twisted and bounced in Iruka’s lap.

“Oooooh, are you playing the game?!”

“I guess that’s up to him. He’s getting old and a little rusty so I don’t think he’s up to it.”

Iruka stood up abruptly, almost tossing Anko to the floor.

“I’m going to make you eat those words!” Rei laughed and slid gracefully to her feet.

“Okay then. I’ll get the jury, you pick the song.” Kakashi watched Rei gather a group from the bar as Iruka glided to the jukebox. His curiosity peaked; he leaned across the table towards Takara.

“What are they talking about? What’s the game?” She didn’t have time to answer him as Genma, Raidou, Kurenai and Asuma joined the table. Rei returned to the table with a very large bottle of sake and several shot glasses. She poured herself a drink before addressing the group.

“Now, I know Iruka hasn’t been out for a while and we’re all excited to have him back but let’s try to keep this UNBIASED! Sure he looks unbearably hot tonight but you all remember the rules. Keep it fair, his bar tabs are always huge!” The group chuckled and she tossed back her drink. Slamming the cup on the table she kissed her girlfriend and shot Kakashi a mischievous smile.

“Enjoy the show.” She had said it to the table but Kakashi got an overwhelming feeling it had been just for him.

Iruka dashed back from the dance floor and removed his jacket and dress shirt revealing his bronze, powerful arms.

“I was thinking a little Jakalope would suffice.” Rei’s eyes widened as she too slipped off her jacket and pulled down her skirt so it hit just above her knees.

“My my, you are feeling adventurous tonight aren’t you. Well, you don’t faze me. I’m going to win.” He shrugged and tapped his foot impatiently as she adjusted her boots.

“Are we doing this or are you scared.” She glared up at him.

“Go start the music and prepare to be crushed.” Iruka took off across the dance floor and made his selection. Kakashi looked at Asuma and Kurenai whose eyes were glued to the pair of brunettes stalking across the dance floor towards each other in time with the slow, sultry music that had begun.

“What are they-?”

“Shhhhhh!” the table chorused. Takara leaned towards Kakashi and whispered, “You heard the woman. Enjoy the show.”

Everyone’s attention was now firmly on the erotic display on the dance floor, the moves already looking more like dry sex than dancing.

//Is that you doing that to me... with your stare. I feel the temperature start to rise and I really take it from there//

Rei slid seductively down Iruka’s body and back up before Iruka pulled her tightly into him, their feet and hips moving and grinding in perfect synchronization.

“Oooh, did Rei just flinch?” Genma pondered. Anko snorted.

“Pshh, you’re dreaming. My girl’s gonna school the teacher.”

“I dunno. Iruka’s got game tonight. I’ll put twenty down on Iruka.”

“You’re on. Now shut up and watch.”

//I start to press my skin to you I'm craving it I'm feeling you. Will you relieve me fast? Feast your eyes on my display, take control, fall over me, Cover me in ecstasy//

Rei hooked one of her legs around Iruka’s hips and he dragged her a couple of feet backwards, her other lean leg trailing behind. He then flipped her over, leaning her body into a deep dip and running his hand centimeters above the length of her torso.

“Okay, she definitely flinched that time. Score one for the pretty boy.” Anko glared at Raidou in response.

“What! Don’t glare. I calls them likes I sees them.” The music picked up and so did the dancing. Iruka wrapped his muscular arms around Rei from behind and slowly slid them up her ribcage.

I can feel it...When I taste like the wind I breathe. Crawling inside of me baby Oh oh oh//

Rei turned the tables and went on the aggressive, moving her body in a wave against his.

//Now's the time for you to let go of all your inhibitions. We can do this one more time with a little tease and conversation//

Iruka dropped her into a dip and she stretched her neck and nibbled on his ear. He immediately threw her out of the dip and shook his head a little rattled.
//Crawl over you I'll dominate your destiny I'll be your faith. I will be your fantasy//

Rei dropped to her knees and slowly stood up, running a hand along the inside of each of his thighs.

//Let me ride to heaven. Let me feel the swelling//

“Oh my god! Did she just grab is crotch!”

“Yes she did, and he winced. Score one for Rei.”

“No,” Kurenai interjected, “I’d have to say score two. One for the wince, one for going the extra mile to win.” The ‘jury’ nodded in agreement.

Rei then placed a hand on both of Iruka’s butt cheeks and gave a very visible squeeze.

Asuma shook his head, “She’s killing him. He’ll have to pull out the big guns if he wants to stand a chance.”

Kakashi watched dumbfounded as his usually reserved and polite teacher performed an almost X-rated dance in a room full of people.

“Do they do this ofte-?”

“Shhhhh!” the table chorused and he fell back into his lecherous stupor, wondering if Iruka would dance with a man…well, him the same way.

Iruka, feeling he had to do something drastic to come out on top, locked his hand in the back of Rei’s dark hair and pulled her into a deep dip, a look of complete dominance on his face he ran his tongue up her throat before sticking it in her mouth which was hanging open in shock. Rei began to slap his shoulders and when he released her she squealed and rushed off the dance floor, straddling her girlfriend’s lap and burying her head in the kunochi’s neck.

“He licked me!! Eeeeeewwww!!” Iruka strutted back to the table and flopped lazily into his seat, throwing one of his legs over the arm of the chair.

“I believe Kakashi and I will be drinking the house’s best sake tonight!” Rei pull her head from Takara’s body and glared at her old friend.

“That’s not fair! He cheated! There’s no kissing on the mouth in the game!” The table nodded in agreement. Iruka smiled slyly.

“I didn’t kiss you, I licked your tonsils. There’s a big difference. Jury votes, do you think that was a kiss? Votes for yes,” Anko and Raidou raised their hands.

“Votes for no,” Genma, Kurenai, Asuma and Takara raised their hands. Rei looked at her lover, scandalized.

“Traitor!” She glared at Iruka who ran his tongue over his teeth making the woman squeak and burry her face back into the crook of Takara’s neck. Everyone at the table laughed except Kakashi who was staring at the cinnamon chuunin, who seemed to be oozing sex from every pore, in shock.

“WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED? WHAT WAS THAT?” Iruka grinned.

“That was the game. Rei and I dance and see which one of us will get creeped out first. It’s getting harder and harder though because we’re so comfortable with each other. The loser,” Iruka looked pointedly at Rei, “buys the winner’s drinks for the night.” Kakashi just stared for a second before shaking his head and pouring himself a drink.

“Who are you and what have you done with Iruka?” The chuunin leaned his head so he was whispering seductively in Kakashi’s ear.

“Even the boring, prudish sensei needs to cut loose from time to time.” Kakashi was, for what seemed like the hundredth time since seeing Iruka at his apartment, glad to be wearing his mask to hide the way his mouth had fallen open in shock; Iruka’s breath on his cheek wreaking havoc with his libido.

“Rei, I believe we need some drinks.” Rei stuck her tongue out at Iruka.

“So what, you want to make out now?” She hopped up and scurried off to the bar while Iruka leaned back even more lazily in his chair, his expression indolent and sultry. Kakashi tried to get the image of the come hither gaze Iruka was sporting during the game out of his mind and focus on the current idle conversation. Rei placed a bottle of sake in front of both Iruka and Kakashi.

“It’s jumpin’ in here tonight. I gotta go help at the bar. Have fun and, Sweetheart, I want a dance later where we don’t molest each other.” The rest of the table booed but Iruka smiled and nodded.

Hours and several bottles of sake later, Iruka had made it though the ridiculously long line of women who had asked him to dance and collapsed at the table beside Kakashi. He was completely sloshed at this point as almost every person he’d danced with had bought him a drink. He sloppily threw his arm around the jounin’s shoulder.

“I didn’t know you were such a wallflower. Don’t you like to dance?” Kakashi grimaced as he thought about his lack of coordination on the dance floor.

“Truth be told I’m not very good at it.” Iruka chuckled and pulled their heads closer together.

“You’re so smooth on the battle field, how can you not dance? It’s the same thing, just no weapons.” Kakashi tried not to let his proximity to the half naked man throw off his impassive expression. (Iruka had removed his shirt at some point during the evening whilst dancing.)

“I’ve been told I’m pretty good at it.” Kakashi ignored the possible double entendras in everything that was now coming out of Iruka’s sweet, dark lips.

“You are good at it,” he breathed in response.

“I could give you a private lesson if you wanted. You know, one on one.” The older man’s chest tightened painfully.

“That…could be fun…I suppose.” Iruka was now humming in delight and the sounds reverberating off the jounin’s jaw were making Kakashi’s decision not to move forward with Iruka tonight seem impossible to stick too.

“Mmmm, I should go home soon. I’m really drunk.” Iruka continued to hiss into the silver hair.

“I’ll be back in a minute. Then, would you take me home?” The chuunin slipped forward sloppily and Kakashi wasn’t sure if it was intentional or not but the dark lips were now pressed firmly to his earlobe. Iruka giggled in pleasure and hummed teasingly.

“Mmph, yes, I’ll take you home! Just go…do what you have to do.” The bronze nose slid along the masked jaw as Iruka pulled back and stood up. Kakashi dropped his head back and moaned, wiping beads of sweat from his forehead, unsure if it was from the unbearable temperature in the crowded bar or the way Iruka’s mouth had touched him. Sighing, he watched the brunette stumble towards the bathrooms. He chuckled as Iruka almost fell and Rei leapt over the bar to guide him to the hallway that contained the restrooms. Iruka was hot right now, despite being ridiculously drunk. So hot in fact, that Kakashi had to steel his resolve not to molest the beautiful chuunin when taking him home. He watched Iruka disappear around the corner and smiled at the way he ran his hands along the wall to steady himself. The stormy grey eye widened and he leapt to his feet as a silver haired man slid down the hall behind the brunette.

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Iruka opened the door to the bathroom and slowly entered the bright room. Bracing his hands along the wall until he came around the corner, he stepped in front of the sinks. He glanced briefly at his reflection before the room tilted and he lost his balance and collapsed against the wall. He chuckle at himself and tried to steady himself. He began to fall again when strong hands wrapped around him. He pushed back into the grasp, his head lolling from side to side.

“You are wrecked, aren’t you?” a voice whispered in his ear.

“Mmmm” was his only response. The hands pulled his back into the mysterious body and began sliding over the naked skin, pausing to tweak the dark nipples or tilt the bronze neck to the side so the stranger’s mouth had more room to work on it. Iruka moaned in ecstasy and he threw his head back over the other’s shoulder, thrusting his hips into the erection that was grinding into his ass. The man then pushed him forward onto the counter with the sinks and began fumbling with the button on Iruka’s jeans. Leaning his forearms onto the counter the brunette thrust his hips into the man’s hand, gasping at the pressure it created on his now straining erection.

“God, I’ve missed you. It’s been so long since you moaned for me, Baby.” Iruka’s head snapped up and he saw Mizuki smirking lecherously at him in the reflection of the mirror. He immediately began to struggle, though the un-intoxicated chuunin had an obvious advantage.

“Mmmm, it’s been a while since you fought for me too!” Mizuki hissed in his ear, never relenting his molestation of Iruka’s body.

“God, you’re so hot. I forgot how hot you could be.” A pale hand slid down the front of the dark jeans making Iruka cry out in surprise and pleasure causing him to double his efforts to get away.

“Why won’t you submit, Baby? I know you want this. I can feel how much you want this.” Mizuki ran his pale hand along the bulge in the front of Iruka’s pants.

“I know you want me. You know how I can make you feel.” Iruka panted at the hot breath in his ear and leaned back into Mizuki’s body…for about three seconds. Mizuki thinking he had won dropped his guard and was unprepared for the elbow that flew into his stomach. He staggered backwards. Iruka whirled around, bracing his hands on the counter behind him for support.

“You’re right, Mizu. I do know how you can make me feel.” He glared at his former lover before turning his back and cranking the faucets open.

“Leave me alone.”

Kakashi pressed his back to the wall and listened to Mizuki hissing in Iruka’s ear and the object of his desire moaning at his abuser’s touches. He wanted to scream, he wanted to vomit, but most of all he wanted to break the abusive chuunin’s face. His eyes widened and a smile formed on his lips as he heard Mizuki’s grunt of pain and he watched in the mirror as the other silver haired man stumbled backwards and Iruka spoke with a clarity that he thought impossible of the incredibly intoxicated brunette. Seconds later, Mizuki was stalking around the corner; shoulder’s hunched and very irritated. He stiffened as he reached for the door and saw Kakashi leaning against the wall.

“What?” he sneered. “Protecting poor little Iruka?”

Kakashi’s eye narrowed and never left the chuunin. “He doesn’t need me to protect him from the likes of you.”

Mizuki fumed and stormed from the washroom. Kakashi moved around the corner and watched as Iruka was practically giving himself a sponge bath at the sink, clearly trying to scrub Mizuki off his skin, which was becoming angry and red in certain spots. The jounin moved forward to stop Iruka from doing any real damage to himself. He placed a hand on one of the heavily scrubbed shoulders and was surprised when the younger man’s knees buckled at the tiny amount of weight shift. He caught the falling body under the arms and pushed it against the wall. Iruka’s head lolled against the wall and he smiled slowly at Kakashi.

“My hero,” slid over the dark lips and the copy nin couldn’t help but admire how beautiful Iruka looked at this moment, smiling with such sweet gratitude, smiling just for Kakashi.

“‘Ruka, can you move your feet?” Iruka smiled again before pulling Kakashi a little closer and whispering,
“Are you asking me to dance?”

“Oookay. Time to go home.” Iruka buried his face into Kakashi’s neck and mumbled something the jounin couldn’t make out, but the lips moving on his sensitive pulse point made him shiver. Pulling Iruka’s arm over his shoulder he guided the chuunin from the washroom and towards the entrance. Rei waved to them on the way out and Kakashi nodded in response. Iruka’s feet seemed to have had enough and decided that they would do no more work. Kakashi scooped the man up in front of him and began slowly trudging towards Iruka’s apartment. His pace quickened as Iruka began nuzzling his neck. Trying to swallow the grunts of desire threatening to tear from his throat, he leapt to the rooftops and took off at a near breakneck speed. He paused on a rooftop to wrap the bare, tan shoulders in their leather jacket when Iruka gave a hearty shiver and snuggled closer to his body. Once the jacket was in place, Iruka tightened his arms around Kakashi’s neck, swaying dangerously on his feet.

“Thanks,” he whispered softly into the covered throat and turned his face up to gaze at his crush. Kakashi swallowed hard at the look of appreciation and lust in the half lidded brown eyes. Unable to stand the seductive expression he scooped Iruka back into his arms and continued. He tried to set Iruka down to open the door but the younger man’s knees buckled immediately. He pressed the smaller man against the wall of the apartment, pinning him there with his legs, freeing his hands to search for Iruka’s keys. He groaned in sexual frustration as the brunette pulled himself back into the warmth of the jounin’s body, winding his hand into the silver hair on the back of Kakashi’s neck and pressing his crotch against the thigh that was supporting him.

“Mmmm,” Iruka moaned in delight, “are you coming in?” Kakashi swallowed thickly and smiled in triumph as one of the keys slid easily into the lock.

“Come on,” he said as he wrapped his arm around Iruka to pick him up again. Much to his delight and the same time dismay, Iruka snaked his legs around Kakashi’s waist and began panting in the older man’s ear.

“Shit!” Kakashi groaned and moved immediately into the bedroom to deposit the chuunin and dash home for a long, ice cold shower. When he dropped Iruka on the bed however, he found his shirt in Iruka’s very strong hands and was pulled down with him.

“Mmmm,” Iruka moaned and bucked his hips under the silver haired man’s weight. Kakashi frantically tried to get up; sure he couldn’t take much of that before ravaging the teacher senseless. Iruka allowed him to get on all fours before gripping the front of the blue shirt and purring in Kakashi’s ear.

“You don’t have to go. You could stay. I want you to stay.” The older man exhaled slowly, trying to steady his voice.

“I have to go. Get some sleep.” Iruka whined and began gently sucking on the pale earlobe.

“You might like it you know. I’ve been with straight guys before. They both said I was the best lay of their lives. Hotter, tighter and more agile than any woman they’d been with. It doesn’t mean anything. It’s just sex.” A moan escaped the covered lips as Iruka palmed Kakashi’s straining erection threw his pants.

“I could help you with this. I want to help you with this. Please, let me make you feel good.” The seductive voice and the contact with the dark, muscular body was torture for Kakashi, the words tumbling from the younger man’s mouth were mind blowing and if the situation had been any different Kakashi would have ravaged the body right then and there…but they weren’t. They weren’t different and there was no way that what could happen tonight would be healthy for either of them. Iruka was still so vulnerable and Kakashi was actually feeling something he hadn’t in a long time for the addictive teacher.

“I have to go. Go to sleep and I’ll see you in the morning.” Iruka whimpered and ran his tongue over the ear again.

“But in the morning I’ll just be boring, uptight Iruka again.” Kakashi gently caressed Iruka’s brow and whispered into the chocolate locks, “That’s who I want.” He pushed himself off the bed and quickly exited the apartment, releasing a shaky exhale as he leaned over the railing on the balcony. There was no way that a cold shower alone could deal with this. Trying to calm his racing heart, he headed off down the street, pausing only to lift a large rain barrel above him and dump the contents onto his head. Shaking his hair out he wondered how Iruka would react in the morning. All he could do was hope that the skittish teacher didn’t pull away.

Kakashi: Are you trying to kill me? Cuz that’s what you’re doing. You’re killing one of your leading men.

Me: I’m sorry perv, but you just couldn’t be a good guy and sleep with him.

Kakashi: I hate you! He was such a sexy drunk. And the hair, and the purring…and what he said!! Did you hear what he said?

Me: All good points but you couldn’t do it this chapter.

Kakashi: A chapter coming up soon?

Me: Believe it!