Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Can I keep You ? ❯ Part 3:Stripes ( Chapter 3 )

Can I keep you?

Sequel to Pumpkins and Ravens

Main Pairings: Kakashi/Iruka, Sasuke/Naruto and others

Part of my 100 themes challenge.

 

Part 3 - Stripes (49):

 

Iruka had guessed who the next pair of guests would be before he had reached the door. He could hear the blond audibly from the other end of the apartment and though he couldn't hear his raven headed partner they he knew they were practically inseparable. When the chuunin opened the door it was to see a smirking Uchiha and his favourite blond, who was clutching his head where Sasuke had likely clipped him for his stupidity again.

 

Iruka felt his whole body relax, tension dissipating - these two, they made him feel so much better. It has never been anything that Iruka could put a finger on, but since the pair had finally gotten together, there was an odd sense of comfort and contentment that followed them around and spread to others. Iruka gave a sincere smile before speaking, “Naruto I have neighbours, would you try to keep it down - plus Hatake-san is still sleeping.”

 

It was a slight scolding and all Iruka got for it was a sheepish grin from the exuberant blond and an odd look from Sasuke. “Sorry Iruka-sensei.”

 

Iruka turned to allow the other two shinobi entry into his small home; when he spoke he turned to look at the two, “Come in both of you. I need you to watch over Hatake-san. I need to go pick up some grocery's for our dinner - unless you could go for me?” When his gaze moved from cerulean to obsidian orbs he got the distinct feeling that he was being assessed.

 

It was very rare that Sasuke ever looked with such a penetrating stare at anyone, but it left Iruka feeling as though he had been thoroughly examined and desperately confused. He had hoped the last Uchiha had come to at least tolerate him as he was a firm part of Naruto's life, but maybe he had been mistaken.

 

He felt his shoulders slump dejectedly but he managed to retain the faux smile as Naruto bounded inside after removing his sandals, the raven close behind but at a more sedate pace. Naruto was absent from the living room when they walked in and Iruka knew that the young man would be checking in on the jounin they had brought him a few weeks ago.

 

He turned to Sasuke, making polite conversation with the other man, “So how are you Sasuke? Have you and Naruto been doing alright - it's been a while since I have seen you both?” He watched in surprise as the Uchiha's eyebrow twitched at his enquiry, he didn't think he had asked anything unusual or upsetting of the raven but you never knew with him.

 

“We're fine Iruka-sensei. I've been out on a mission till a few hours ago.” The raven was his usual self when he spoke, reserved and only giving the minimal amount of fact when responding.

 

“You must be tired then - are you sure you wouldn't rather have stayed home today?” Iruka couldn't help his concern for the younger man, it was part of his nature and what made him a good teacher, he cared for his students and family openly.

 

“Hn - I'm fine.” Iruka watched as the Sasuke's gaze turned to the bedroom door as Naruto reappeared and walked up to the other man.

 

“Alright then if you're sure.” Iruka saw the subtle nod and then watched as Naruto walked up to the stoic Uchiha and planted a soft kiss against his cheek before turning to me, his usually bright eyes dark with worry.

 

“Sensei he still hasn't woken up yet has he?” Iruka couldn't help but feel badly for his young charge, knowing the guilt he must feel - the same feeling he had to go through with Sakura.

 

The chuunin's gaze didn't waver from Naruto's as he spoke to the young man, “He will soon - Sakura came by earlier for a check up and said that his fever is ebbing and hopefully he should wake up soon. The sleep helps with the healing so the more he gets the better.” He watched as Sasuke came closer to the blond, granting his own form of comfort, he wasn't openly affectionate like Naruto but he tried and that made Iruka happy. He had guessed that the raven hadn't noticed that he had caught the subtle shift of their hands, watching as long slender fingers slid through familiar tanned and their palms squeezed together.

 

Iruka turned from the two, feeling both the familiar warmth that the awkward pair had managed to come together at all and a firm clench around his heart at the things he himself wished for. He shook his head subtly, dislodging the thoughts, “So then you two gonna get my groceries so I can keep an eye on Hatake-san?” He gave them a warm smile when he turned but he caught Sasuke's suspicious eyes again.

 

Naruto was the one to reply, “Hai Iruka-sensei.”

 

Sasuke's hand shot out and clipped the back of Naruto's head again and he spoke to the blond, “You would have no idea what you were buying in a food store - we are not eating more cup ramen.” The raven turned back to Iruka, “ Would you make a list Iruka - I refuse to concede to this baka's need for ramen at every meal.”

 

Iruka couldn't help but laugh at the young man's comment, knowing the blond the way he did he could well imagine that's all he ate. “Alright Sasuke.” He wrote the boys a list and sent them on their way with some money for the meal and instructions on what to get. When they left he returned to his room to watch over the sleeping man once more, he hoped what Sakura had said was true. He hated seeing the blond looking that way and he hated seeing this strong man injured as he was now.

 

 

00-00-00

 

 

The evening went by quickly once the two had returned and it was well after midnight when Iruka decided it was time for sleep. When he turned to look at the boys he saw they were both exhausted and he took a guess that the blond had been up worrying about Sasuke whilst he had been on mission. He envied the way they were cuddled together on his sofa, Naruto acting as a pillow for the dozing Uchiha.

 

Iruka made his way from the kitchen to the couch and lent down to speak in Naruto's ear, “You can both stay if you'd like, he looks exhausted.” When heavy lidded cerulean orbs looked up at him and that warm smile he loved to see came across the young mans face he nodded quietly. “I'll get the spare futon - you won't mind sharing will you? I only have one?”

 

“Nah we'll be fine sensei - but what about you?” Iruka turned at the doorway to his room and spoke quietly, “I'll take the couch - it's only for tonight.” He smiled as he walked to the cupboard, hearing the quiet mumbles from the living room as Naruto roused the sleeping man and explained that they were staying here for the night.

 

Iruka was the last to go into the bathroom for the night, striping off his high-necked shirt and replacing it with his normal sleeping shirt before cleaning his teeth. He didn't hear the door open as he finished washing his face but jumped at the feel of cool fingers curling around his forearm.

 

He blinked water from his eyes as he turned to look at who was in the room with him - surprised to find a familiar obsidian gaze watching him or more importantly staring at his throat. He pulled his arm away placing a protective hand around the deep purple surface, ashamed at having been discovered by such a stupid mistake.

 

“Sasuke …uhm…please…don't….” Iruka was cut off by a sharp gesture from the intense young man, he reached out to grab the raven as he turned to leave the bathroom, “Don't tell Naruto - please Sasuke?” He didn't want the blond to know that he had been hurt helping his sensei; it would only make everything worse for the blond.

 

Sasuke didn't stop, he had shrugged off the hand that had clasped his shoulder as he disappeared from the room and Iruka slumped against the sink, head gripped in hand as he tried to decide how to explain what had happened without giving to much detail. He heard the door slide open and looked up with wide eyes as the Uchiha returned, “What's going on … I don't … what are you doing?”

 

The only reply he got from the raven headed shinobi was his usual, “Hn.” Before he watched as the Uchiha opened a small pot that the chuunin hadn't noticed he carried, swiping his fingers through the oily substance he advanced on the startled figure. When those slender fingers covered in ointment came up to Iruka's throat he automatically moved backwards as far as he could go. He heard Sasuke huff under his breath before speaking again, “Stay still.”

 

Iruka froze at the demanding tone and the odd look the Uchiha gave him before allowing the young man to gently minister to the bruises. He stood patiently trying not to flinch away from Sasuke's insistent fingers and listened with some surprise at the quiet voice that spoke to him - his words flowing more freely than usual. “These look like finger marks sensei - new ones at that, considering how you keep tensing. Your neck looks like it's been patterned to match a Zebra's stripes. I won't ask how you got them but I can take a good guess. I won't tell the dobe either he'd just get all stupid about it anyway - silly baka. But you better plan better Iruka-sensei - the mistake you made was elementary at best.”

 

Iruka flinched at the firm scolding he was being given by the younger man - but he knew he spoke the truth. “Hai - I know.” When the fingers moved away from his neck he looked back at the young Uchiha and gave a subtle nod, “Thank you Sasuke.”

 

He watched as the other turned around, walking quietly out the bathroom as he whispered back, “You two are so alike - I'll get Sakura to make some more bruise balm. Silly klutz's the pair of you.”

 

Iruka couldn't help but smile at the younger man, knowing he was being categorized in with his favourite blond didn't really bother him and he knew that although what Sasuke had done was for Naruto, the odd looks he had been given throughout the day where the Sasuke's form of concern.

 

He walked out of the bathroom and checked in on Kakashi for the last time that night - though he was sure to rise in the night as he always did to see to the jounin again. He changed the cold compress once more and lent down whispering in the older man's ear, “Goodnight Kakashi.”

 

When he returned to the living room it was too find the blond and the raven twinned comfortably together on the futon, Sasuke's face pillowed on Naruto's chest as one of the blonde's arms curled around him. He smiled down at the two - he was glad Naruto and Sasuke were happy. But that familiar feeling returned, pulling at his heart and he turned his eyes back to the bedroom where the famous Copy-nin slept.

 

He shook his head dejectedly; whispering quietly to himself, unawares that he had two very keen set's of ears listening to him whilst feigning sleep, “What am I to do …Kakashi -san.”