Umi No Koi

Iruka sat down in the lounge, eyeing Zetsu cautiously. It had been nearly a week since he and Kisame had become an officially unofficial couple and this granted him a few freedoms around the stash.

He was allowed to wander freely around the halls, but he could only enter the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and lounge. In his wanderings he had met Zetsu, a strange man who appeared to be half plant. Zetsu was odd looking, but it was nothing to his behavior. He often muttered and argued with the black half of his face. It disturbed Iruka at first, especially when dark Zetsu asked to eat him, but now Iruka had gotten used to this. It was another personality quirk, like Tobi trying (and often failing) to help, and Konan’s nervous habit of folding paper.

Now Zetsu was waiting patiently for Iruka to make his first move on the shogi board. Cautiously, Iruka moved one of the small, square pieces.

Zetsu smiled a half smile and moved to counter, then the game ensued.

Hours later, Zetsu was grumbling to himself and Iruka was smirking at the board.

Somewhere down the hall, a door slammed and there was loud cursing and shouting. Zetsu looked up, distracted as two other members came into the room.

One was a tall, older man who concealed his face behind a mask. His black and green eyes roamed around the room, finally falling on Iruka. His eyes turned up at the corners in a smirk.

The other man, however, was oblivious to Iruka’s presence due to the fact that he was swearing loudly and talking animatedly. He stopped when he followed the other man’s gaze and his eyes fell on Iruka.

“What the fuck is that guy doing her? Seriously!”

Iruka stared at the silver haired man. One look told Iruka that he was a Climbing Silver, a Jashinist.

Zetsu stood up. “Iruka-san…we should go…”

“Aw, fuck no, man…” The Climbing Silver said, crossing the room and standing before Iruka. “What the fuck? A Konoha nin? Man, Zetsu…”

“Hidan-san, this man is in the company of Kisame-san.” Zetsu said evenly, placing a hand on Iruka’s shoulder. Hidan stepped forward, grabbing Iruka’s chin in his hand and turning his head violently. He leaned forward, his pale face just inches away from Iruka’s. Hidan smelled like blood and his hands were like ice. Iruka shied away from the Climbing Silver. He knew better than to respond. Hidan smiled, a look that seemed false and out of place on his face. Zetsu pulled on Iruka’s shoulder, leading him away from the two men. Once outside the lounge, Zetsu turned to Iruka.

“Iruka-san, it is very important that you avoid those two men. They’re no good…” his voice trailed off as Kisame and Itachi came in. Kisame went to Iruka’s side and put his arm around him, rubbing his back slowly.

“Zetsu-san, what’s wrong?”

“Just to warn you…Iruka-san met Hidan-san…”

Kisame’s face changed.

“Did he touch you, Iruka?” Kisame looked into Iruka’s eyes.

“He…touched my face, if that’s what you’re asking…”

Kisame pulled Iruka close to his side. The four men walked up the hall and opened the door to the kitchen. Konan gave a small yelp and spun around, a carton of Ice Cream and a spoon in her hands. Itachi narrowed his eyes.

“You better be careful, Konan-sama, when you eat that ice cream. Your lip ring…”

She blushed and hurried out. Itachi watched her go and opened the freezer.

“Damn. That was my ice cream…” He sighed and left.

Kisame was eyeing Iruka strangely as he made tea. He peeled off his wet cloak, draping it on the chair as he sat down next to Iruka. Zetsu eyed them wearily before sitting down. They talked idly in the kitchen before they were interrupted by Konan.

“Kisame, Itachi and you are being sent on an urgent mission to the stone country.” Kisame stood.

“But, Konan-sama! We just got back!”

She looked at him through heavily lidded blue eyes. “When Leader-sama says go, go.” She left. Itachi came in, his cloak dried. Kisame kissed Iruka goodbye, grabbed his cloak and left. Iruka got up and followed him to the door. Itachi waited outside.

Kisame touched Iruka’s cheek.

“You know this is an urgent mission, so that means…”

“You might not come back…”

Kisame brought Iruka close to his chest, burying his face in his hair. “I’ll try to be back within one week…” He mumbled. Iruka nodded and caught Kisame’s lips in a farewell kiss. Kisame pulled away and slipped out the door. Iruka watched as it slid shut behind him. He had that hollow feeling in his stomach. He remembered that same feeling from when he was a child, watching as one of his parents left on a mission. He was always afraid they wouldn’t come back.

He stood there staring at the door for a long time before he heard cold laughter behind him. He turned. Hidan was leaning against the doorjamb, eyes sparkling menacingly.

Iruka looked at him, careful not to show fear, and walked back towards the kitchen. Hidan followed him, staying no more than four feet behind him. Iruka pretended not to notice. Maybe if he ignored the bastard, he would go away.

Iruka pushed the door open and shut it tight behind him. He sat back down with the cup of tea that had grown cold. Hidan walked into the kitchen and leaned against the counter.

Iruka sipped the cold tea, trying to appear nonchalant. Hidan continued to smirk at him. Iruka wouldn’t give him the pleasure of bating him. He finished the tea and set the cup down. Before he knew what was going on, Hidan had poured him another cup while he turned the chair around and straddled it. Iruka blinked down at the cup while Hidan watched him intently. Iruka cleared his throat.

“May I help you?” he asked in his polite teacher voice.

Hidan’s smirk grew wider.

“Maybe.”

“Well, the sooner you tell me, the sooner I can help you.”

Hidan tipped back in his chair, smoothing his hair with his hand.

“So, what the hell is a guy like you doing here anyway, honestly?”

“Honestly?” Iruka echoed. “I am here with Kisame.”

Hidan tapped his finger on the table. Iruka absently clasped the cup in his folded hands. Hidan stood up, his cloak swirling

“Sooo, your what? His…boyfriend?”

“Something like that.” Iruka said in a cool, even tone. Hidan’s grin grew wider.

“So like, what? You’re gay?”

Iruka put the cup down. “Whatever I am, it is none of your business.” Iruka said as politely he could. He stood up, turning to leave.

“Hidan-san, was it? You have a nice day.” Iruka said, opening the door.

“If I were you, I’d watch my ass, man, seriously.”

Iruka shut the door, a little harder than he had wanted to. He walked quickly up the hallway, looking behind him as he went. This was not good.