Mind (Jutsu) Games

Chapter 9 - Teacher Conference

Shikamaru gave her a parting kiss before they reached the curve in the road that would show them the village gates, then proceeded along with his hands in his pockets, shuffling and contriving to look bored. Beside him, Ino seemed a little tired, but in a generally good mood. Kakashi could tell that she had purposely damped her level of excitement, but he figured most anyone would think it only the pride of having accomplished their mission successfully.

He continued to follow them stealthily until they split ways, Shikamaru shaking her hand and lingering over it a moment longer than he should have. Then he continued to watch Ino, as they were both headed in the same direction, for the time being. She stopped at her house, and he continued to Asuma’s place, figuring that what he had to say was worthy of a house-call.

When he got there, Asuma opened the door wearing only his pants, and Kakashi swore he saw someone ducking into the bedroom in the split second between the door blocking his view and Asuma taking it’s place. Inviting himself inside, Kakashi also noted that Asuma’s other articles of clothing were strewn about the room before sitting in the recliner, a bemused expression on his face.

“Kurenai, you can come out of the bedroom. I already know you’re here.”

Asuma blushed, but the woman who emerged fully clothed from the bedroom was coolly indifferent to the general discomfort in the room. In fact, as she strode over and sat on the couch next to Asuma, who remained perched on it’s arm, Kurenai looked as though she interacted with half-clothed shinobi instructors everyday. And who knew? Perhaps she did.

“So,” Asuma finally asked after a rather long and embarrassing silence, “is something going on, or are you still going to insist that I’m too paranoid?”

Kakashi leaned back and contrived to look bored, though he was really trying to figure out how to handle the situation as delicately as possible. “I think I can safely say that your students are dating,” he said at last. “Though, how long the relationship is going to last, I can’t say.”

Kurenai raised one perfectly shaped eyebrow at that comment. “Oh? Why not?”

“It’s difficult to explain, but I think something’s wrong with Ino, and they might not stay together once that’s resolved,” he thought that sounded like a decent segway into what he truly wanted to discuss, and kept right on going. “There were multiple instances where it seemed as though it was someone else entirely controlling Ino’s body. Whether someone used henge no jutsu as a prank, or if I’m just imagining things, I don’t know, but it was strange.”

Asuma leaned forward, eyes intently fixed on Kakashi’s. “Perhaps a more detailed explanation would help us understand what the hell you just said.”

Kakashi shook his head, trying to figure out what he could say that wouldn’t embarrass the teens nigh to death. In the end, he settled on, “Let’s just say that she was very unsure of herself, and not comfortable being in that position. Normally, she knows what to do, and she bluffs if she doesn’t. But a romantic relationship is a completely new thing, and she was understandably flustered. Then, suddenly, she was calm and completely in control of the situation. And she seemed too… experienced. She’s not, is she?”

Asuma’s jaw was slack as he stared at Kakashi. “Please, please,” he begged, “tell me I misheard you, and my students are not having sex.”

“No, they’re not having sex, just a few make out sessions – never when it would adversely effect the mission, of course. But the principle is the same, whether you’re talking about kissing or sex. Some people have natural skill, but for most, you have to learn. And Ino hasn’t had a chance to learn all that, has she?”

Kurenai smirked, shaking her head. “Not that she would have minded, had a certain angsting member of Team 7 offered to give her lessons. But no, I can guarantee Shikamaru is her first boyfriend.”

“How is it that you’re more sure of this than I am?” Asuma asked the woman sitting beside him. “She’s my student.”

“And I,” she reminded him with just a hint of playfulness in her eyes, “am female, as is the student in question. Take it on faith, if you have to. She’s as virgin as they come, or was the last time I talked to her about it, which was almost a month ago.”

Kakashi decided it was probably a good idea to put a halt to the jounin couple’s playful banter before it got out of hand, especially as he’d had to spend the last several days watching another duo having fun. “So, something is going on. We just need to find out what, who, and why.”

Asuma nodded slowly, though he still didn’t seem quite convinced. “We also need to figure out what to do about Ino and Shika as a couple.”

“Why do we need to do anything about it?” Kurenai queried.

“Because,” the bearded jounin replied, “Chouji has always had trouble fitting in with the rest of the team, Ino in particular. Shika was his only friend, and now Shika’s busy with Ino, who doesn’t really like Chouji. It’s going to throw a wrench into the works, trust me.”

Kurenai gave him a look that said she disagreed, but they’d finish the discussion later, for which Kakashi was grateful. “If you’d like, I could continue to watch her, but I don’t know how much good that would do.”

“Awe, Kakashi,” Kurenai teased, understanding exactly what he meant, “I thought you liked porn.”

Asuma glared. “Kakashi, if you…”

He held up a hand, cutting the student-defending sensei off. “I may like the ‘Icha Icha’ series, but that does not mean I go in for kiddy porn. That’s just wrong.”

Kurenai laughed and poked her lover’s ribs. “I was just trying to get you both to lighten up. No need to get all defensive.”

Asuma gave her a look that could only be described as an endearing glare before his attention returned to his other guest. “I’m still not sure there’s anything wrong, but then again, we all know how lazy I am. Kakashi, if you think there’s something worth looking into, I trust your judgment. Just don’t intrude too much on their fun.”

“Like I’m intruding on yours?” he returned, catching them both off guard enough to blush, a reaction which made him laugh before he stood. “And on that note, I am going to my virtuously empty bed to catch up on a week’s worth of missed sleep. Have fun.”

This last was said at the door and he pulled it shut behind him just in time for the wood to catch a double handful of shuriken and kunai being hurled his way.

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Well, unforeseeable dissasters did occur. Once again, I am tardy in my posting, and this is nearly unorgivable. I most humbly apologize, and will do my best to ensure that it does not happen again. I hope you enjoy, and I will see you again shortly.
Have a great day and good reading.

Crimson Iris