Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Can I keep You ? ❯ Part 24: Star (34) ( Chapter 24 )

Can I keep you?

Sequel to Pumpkins and Ravens

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

Part of my 100 themes challenge.

 

Part 24 - Star (34):

 

Iruka stood quietly, back pressed to the solid pillar painted a rich and vibrant shade of red. The pillar supported one part of the torii gate into the heaven shrine; it was the largest shrine in Konoha and was always the focus of the Tanabata festival. Iruka remembered many happy hours spent as a small child traversing the stone pathways inside the shrines gates, his parents following close behind. But as time passed and people left him alone he found his visits decreasing until they all but petered out altogether. This would be his first time at the Tanabata festival since the rebuilding of Konoha after Pein and the Kyuubi's fight three years previously.

 

Iruka's hands were folded up into his sleeves keeping warm; the crisp air had started to get that nip of cold that signified winter was coming. He stood fiddling nervously with the thick red string of his coin purse hidden inside the voluminous sleeve of his right arm, twining the string absently through and around his fingers. He could feel the butterfly's chasing around in his stomach making him feel uneasy, he had been feeling a mixture of apprehension and excitement all day. The air felt like it was electrified, there was a strange sense of something impending... but Iruka had no idea what it may be.

 

Iruka thought back on the events of the past twenty four hours as he stood waiting for the famously late jounin.

 

It had surprised him when Kakashi had chosen to leave relatively early the previous evening but he said he had things he needed to do. Iruka had felt more than a little bereft at the jounin's absence, the warm arms that usually curled around him, the feel of a steady heartbeat and quiet, easy breaths had lulled him into sleep more often than not and he had trouble finding that sense of peace he needed to fall into slumber without Kakashi's presence in his bed. He had missed the Copy-nin fiercely; the bed felt empty and much too big without him in it.

 

Sasuke and Naruto had arrived at his home early this morning before he had the chance of getting out of his warm bed. The pair had been surprised to find him alone in his bed but had quickly shaken it off, an odd look passing between them as they had given Iruka the box that Sasuke was carefully holding onto. When he had given the chuunin the rich mahogany box Iruka had been very careful not to drop it, Sasuke was giving him a great gift and it was an honour. The raven's family had meant a great deal to Sasuke and Iruka would honour that as best he could.

 

When he had opened the box, peeling away the fine white tissue paper he had felt his breath stick in his throat. The rich colours and enticing texture called to him to run his hands across the sensual looking material. Iruka knew even without unfolding the elaborate kimono that it was a thing of beauty and had been crafted with great care and attention. He had tried to voice a protest to the young Uchiha but Sasuke wouldn't hear it, insisting that he wanted the chuunin to wear it. When Iruka had tried to insist again that he wasn't worthy of such finery, Sasuke had pegged him with those deep obsidian pools and said one word, “Please.”

 

The way he had said it rocked Iruka to the core, how many times had Sasuke ever said please? And he had never said it to him. Iruka had flushed with pleasure and a little embarrassment before relenting with a quiet, “Hai Sasuke it would be an honour.” He had rubbed at the scar bridging his nose not sure what to say to the two men. Naruto had made their excuses, something about a C rank mission that would only take a few hours then they would be back for dinner and to walk Iruka to his meeting.

 

That was how he had ended up here.

 

He looked down at the soft folds of the kimono he now wore, when he had unfolded the soft silk he had been stunned into silence by the elegant patterns that scrolled across the edges, such an item must cost a fortune. Iruka had reverently gotten dressed, relishing the feel of the silk brushing against his skin as he had slipped into the delicate fabric. When he had emerged from his room to see if the boys were ready he was greeted with silence. He had to smile at the sight of Naruto, mouth agape and Sasuke reaching over to the blond to literally close his mouth with a pale finger.

 

Iruka had blushed at the attention, the nervous fluttering in his stomach intensifying as he had looked at the two men in his living room. He stuttered when he spoke, “Does it...look...alright?” Iruka had to know, he didn't want to go and look foolish in front of the entire village and more importantly in front of Kakashi. He had looked up from his fixed gaze on the nap of his carpet when he heard Naruto snort quietly. He could see Sasuke glaring at his lover and he felt his heart crack in response to that sound and as he turned to silently leave the room he heard Sasuke's firm hit to the back of Naruto's skull the hushed words he spoke overrode Naruto's grousing, “Now look what you've done... idiot!”

 

Iruka had been surprised when a pair of strong arms had laced around his middle halting his departure from the room. He could sense the blond behind him, feeling him press hard against his back much as he had done as a child, hiding behind him thinking the chuunin wouldn't return the gesture. Iruka stood there for a moment but as he went to speak he heard Naruto's quiet words, muffled by the fabric of his kimono, “Sorry Iruka-sensei. I didn't mean it the way that sounded. It was a stupid question in the first place. You look really nice.”

 

Iruka had tried to turn around then, finding himself trapped against Naruto's slightly taller frame, he sighed under his breath before asking quietly, “Naruto could you let go a minute please.” When those arms pulled away he turned to see the blonds' eyes downturned as he stared past him to look at Sasuke he could see in those dark eyes a sadness he hadn't seen in a long time. When he looked back at Naruto he bent his knees just enough to look up into the blonds' face giving him a soft smile before asking again, “You think so?”

 

He had gotten a firm nod and he gave the blond a much broader smile, “Thank you Naruto.” Iruka reached up and ruffled thick golden strands much like he had done when Naruto was smaller and when curious sapphire orbs looked up at him from lowered lashes he gave the blond a warm look. What Iruka saw in those darkened blue pools made his heart twist, Naruto was curious yes, but there was a deep well of sadness there too and it appeared to be directed at him. When he looked down at himself he realised just what had caused that look. Iruka looked back into sapphire orbs and smiled softly, speaking quietly, “No more Naruto - it wasn't your fault. I don't blame you and neither should you, hm?”

 

Iruka had watched the fox for a few minutes maintaining that steady gaze and saw a smile curl those lips before he was glomped by the enthusiastic blond. He couldn't help but laugh at the boy's antics and Sasuke all but pulled him away from the chuunin. When Iruka looked back at the raven he watched as the dark haired man nodded almost imperceptibly and Iruka returned the gesture. Apparently today was an oddity not only had he gotten a please but a silent thank you as well. Iruka felt his heart fill with warmth at the thought even though the butterflies were rampaging in his belly. Iruka turned as Sasuke spoke, “Shall we go then?”

 

“Hai. Hai we'll be late and we are not going to be like Kakashi-sensei.” Iruka smiled at that, subtly rubbing his stomach in the hopes of quieting the little quivery feeling that was upsetting it.

 

The chuunin made sure his voice didn't sound any out of the ordinary when he spoke, “Let's go then.” But he could feel eyes on him and he knew there was one person in the room he couldn't fool with his nonchalant attitude.

 

 

*****

 

Kakashi walked up the steps leading to the heaven shrine with anticipation bubbling in his gut. He had spent most of yesterday feeling rather nervous, a feeling that was distinctly unfamiliar. But today he was looking forward to seeing his Iruka, he had missed the presence of the other man in the bed with him. The chill and silence that had echoed around the house had made him feel incredibly lonely and in need of the teachers company.

 

Kakashi had everything planned out and he hoped that Iruka would follow along, meaning he wouldn't be alone in his bed tonight - well hopefully anyways. Kakashi had arrived at the bottom of the stairs in a puff of grey smoke, having chosen to walk the hundred and eighty steps so he could take the time to enjoy the experience as part of his date with the chuunin. It had been a long time since he had visited, often away on missions over the larger festivals.

 

When Kakashi reached the final steps his uncovered eye searched hunting for the pale hues of that particular kimono. When his head capped the final step he caught sight of what he was searching for, feeling his chest constrict tightly, and his breath nothing more than a gasp as he gazed at his brunet. The teacher looked exquisite, soft chocolate brown locks were, for once, not restricted but flowing loosely down past his shoulders the top half secured with a dark ribbon, leaving strands free to float around his face.

 

Kakashi's gaze lovingly followed the contours of Iruka's tanned throat down to the way the silk conformed to his leanly toned figure. The pale blue colour brought out Iruka's own naturally bronzed skin, the fine stitching a mix of deep blues and finely detailed silver, depicting foaming waves at cuffs and hem which only seemed to add to his beauty.

 

Iruka could feel someone's gaze on him, the heat that tingled just under the surface of his skin washed through him as he felt predatory eyes raking his body. There was only one man that did that to him. He turned dark chocolate orbs, searching and locking onto a mop of silvery haired, as untamed as it always was. Iruka's gaze wandered south, seeing the matt black wrap of cloth in place of the jounin's hit ate covering his sharingan. Iruka had the strangest urge to pull the fabric away, to expose those swirling tomoe to the air so he could look into both arresting orbs without hindrance.

 

As his eyes wandered further he took in Kakashi's normal black mask but instead of the familiar khaki green vest a pale ash grey kimono took its place. The fabric was decorated with subtle hints of silver and deeper shades of grey, showing shadowed grasses swaying in the wind, picked out in silver thread which appeared to be like moonlight. The kimono was beautiful and it was strange that the design itself looked very much like the kimono he himself was wearing.

 

Kakashi smiled watching Iruka looking at him so heatedly made him feel something coil tightly in his lower belly, the first bud of need being fanned by those deep chocolate pools. Kakashi stood straighter now, his usual slouch absent as he strode towards the waiting chuunin, drinking in the sight of him. When Kakashi was stood just in front of the chuunin he leant in to whisper in the younger nin's ear, “You look ... delicious `Ruka.”As he stepped back he gave the other man a cheeky wink and let his hand reach out to brush lightly along the supple skin of Iruka's cheek never venturing towards his jaw as he didn't wish to spoil their evening so early on.

 

Iruka leant into the warm touch of those slender fingers, almost whimpering when they drew away. It would seem the jounin was set on teasing him this evening. The way Kakashi had winked at him after sending tingling shivers down the teachers spine from having those lips mere millimetres from his ear had set his insides to boiling already, the butterfly's that had bothered him all day long forgotten as Kakashi's proximity made his mind wander.

 

Iruka leant in and placed his hand on the jounin's bare forearm, rubbing the fine hairs softly back and forth, he felt excitement course through his veins at his proximity to such an stunning man, he let his lips graze Kakashi's cloth covered cheek as he spoke with a deep rumble, “Don't think I have forgotten how you embarrassed me in front of 30 pre-Gennin yesterday `Kashi. There will be payback and if this is how you wish to play...” The chuunin let his tongue peek out and lick lightly at the small patch of exposed skin at the peak of Kakashi's cheek.

 

Kakashi look down at the chuunin with a mix of surprise and burgeoning need and he gave the chuunin a wolfish grin before replying in a husky voice, “I love playing with you Iruka -sensei.”

 

Iruka knew they were both goading each other equally and what was more his nerves had dissipated; they had been going through this odd routine for weeks now. They would tease and taunt each other relentlessly and it felt - natural. The chuunin gave Kakashi a warm smile and tilted his head to the side before speaking, “Shall we?” He let the twinkle in his dark eyes shine through as he eyed the slightly taller shinobi.

 

Kakashi returned the look with one of his own, a playful air twisting around them as he replied, “Let's.” Kakashi was happy that Iruka didn't look half as nervous as he had when he had first seen him and in turn their banter had brought forth a sense of the norm, something they did every day, easing away his own nerves. Kakashi just hoped the rest of the evening would go as well.

 

They turned to take in the sight framed by the torii gate, seeing hundreds of people in a wide variety of colours and styles. Kakashi took a long deep inhale, relishing the mix of scents coming from the vendors lining the walk to the shrine, the bright lanterns creating little pools of amber light against the towering trees lining the stone walkways, illuminating the stalls and the faces of the curious. Kakashi smiled and turned a sot look down at Iruka who was now stood beside him, he couldn't help but reach out, tracing his fingers down the tanned skin of the chuunin's arm and letting his hand brush against the back of Iruka's. He hoped it was a blatant enough invitation.

 

Iruka flushed at the feel of those pale fingertips tickling the hair on his forearm but it was the carefully placed touch on his hand that made him smile sweetly. He turned his hand enough to graze Kakashi's palm and felt long fingers slip between his own, giving his hand a gentle squeeze before relaxing comfortably entwined. Iruka gave the jounin a quick glance from under lowered lashes, hoping he wouldn't catch him looking and flushed at the sight before him. Kakashi was looking at him with such openness, such ardent interest and a degree of warmth he hadn't seen in another's eyes directed at him in many years.

 

They smiled at each other softly, before Kakashi tugged gently on Iruka's hand, leading him forward into the shrine grounds.