Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Hybrid Host Club ❯ Chapter 4

Hybrid Host Club

Part 4 - Expectations (33):

Iruka watched the two stare at each other for a few more seconds before they both visibly flushed and pulled away from each other. Iruka could only assume that they had finally realized that he and Kakashi were watching them as they touched almost intimately. Iruka felt happiness and hope flood through him; he had never known Naruto to allow someone he'd only just met to touch him. That he had let Sasuke run his finger's across the marks carved into his skin was an amazing step forward and Iruka hoped that what Kakashi had scented would develop into something that would help to heal the wounds Iruka knew only an intimate relationship could.

Iruka had managed to help Naruto to move forward, to repair some of the damage that had been inflicted on his heart and mind as well as his body, but it had taken a lot of time and effort on his part as well as the other hybrids he had come to know. Sasuke had taken a step Iruka wouldn't have dared to do only a few years ago - the scars that stretched across Naruto's cheeks were sensitive to touch but also held a great deal of pain, memories that had not dulled with time only sharpened, and Iruka had only scratched the surface of the story behind them.

He sighed quietly, frowning again as concern dowsed his brief happiness like water poured over a fire. Iruka already knew that Naruto and Kakashi would hear him sighing and he felt bad about that, but sometimes feeling's like these deserved and needed some physical outlet. Iruka felt fatigue start to weigh on his body as thoughts; feelings and too much time spent not getting any rest made themselves know in aching muscles. Today, like so many others, had been a long one and though Iruka was pleased by what he had found out in regards to Sasuke and Naruto he needed to sit down and try to replenish his flagging reserves.

He looked over at Sasuke as he spoke quietly, trying to hide the sheer exhaustion that was pulling on him from every angle, "Sasuke-kun shall we go and sit at one of the booth's and one of the waiter's will bring the food to us there?"

Sasuke felt heat flood his cheeks when he realized just what he was doing and though he felt suddenly uncomfortable he couldn't regret the action. The way the blond haired man's eyes had gone cloudy and soft had made something clench with happiness in his chest. It was something on the way to the look the fox had given Iruka and that pushed back the heat of jealousy that had tried to swamp him. Sasuke could still feel the tingling of tanned skin under his fingertips, the way those whisker marks felt slightly indented into otherwise smooth cheeks. Sasuke absently rubbed his fingertips together as his gaze was pulled to Iruka when he spoke his name.

It took Sasuke a minute to process what it was Iruka had asked before he nodded gently, hair swaying forward slightly before settling back around his face. He turned curious eyes on the blond that had remained frozen in place beside him, catching those bright azure eyes looking back up at him from under lowered lashes. The way the fox's face was set in a frown had Sasuke certain that the little fox was just as confused as he felt. But he pushed that aside for now instead speaking to the blond haired man before him, "So, would you like to come and sit with us for a while instead?"

Sasuke watched the frown deepen before the whiskered man looked over at Iruka. Sasuke followed his gaze and saw the tired expression that their sensei had tried to hide, though the smile that tilted his lips was genuine. Sasuke turned when he heard Kakashi clear his throat from behind the brunet and noticed the way his eyes had shifted up to the clock mounted on the wall behind him. Sasuke turned back to the blond when he heard him curse vehemently, "Shit, I'm late!"

Sasuke was surprised to see fierce cerulean orb's shift to glare at him intently a hand coming up, one finger extended as the fox jabbed at the air in front of his chest, pointedly not touching him, "This is your fault, Teme!"

Sasuke took the glare in stride feeling a smirk tilt his lip just a little as he responded, "You should keep a better eye on the time, Dobe."

He heard the fox growl softly before Iruka cut in, "Na… ah you should get to work then or you'll have to make up the time later." Sasuke watched Iruka frown in frustration on going to speak the blond man's name but he composed himself quickly and didn't let the full name slip, which both pleased and disappointed Sasuke. He could find out more about the fox if he had a name and yet he enjoyed the idea of the challenge of earning that name from the blond haired hybrid.

"Hai, sensei." With those parting words and another glare sent his way from the irate fox, he was gone. Sasuke watched him stalk across the floor to the service door and he couldn't help but see the fox's rigid posture and the subtle sway of his hips and tail. He felt his finger's clench once more, wanting to bury them into the thick, soft fur of that swaying tail.

Sasuke turned away from the delightful sway of the blond's hips to be greeted by two smiling faces and he felt warmth flood his cheeks before he turned his face away to look out at the dinners. "Hn. We should go sit down before there aren't any tables left, Iruka-sensei."

"Hai Sasuke-kun." Sasuke could hear the amusement in Iruka's voice but tuned it out, concentrating on pulling the heat from his cheeks so his normal, cool mask was in place before he turned to Kakashi and nodded before getting up and searching for a booth to sit at.

Sasuke and Iruka spent what felt like hours talking, catching up and even doing a little reminiscing much to Sasuke's embarrassment and Iruka's amusement. Sasuke had paid avid attention to his sensei only looking around for that increasingly familiar blond head of hair and black tipped ears.

The meal had come and gone quickly, but neither had really paid any attention to it arriving but for taking the required effort to cut, bite and chew around and then to speak once more. Sasuke was completely engrossed in their conversation. It had been such a long time since he'd actually spoken to anyone at any degree of length, the subject's chased one another from politics to history and further - it was a relief to not be discussing work.

Sasuke had no real friends to socialize with, his life seemed to revolve around his job and nothing else, the most conversation he had was with his secretary and his empty apartment. His routine consisted of waking, going into work, getting home late and going to sleep only to begin all over again the next day - he even worked through his weekends.

Just talking with Iruka like this proved just how much Sasuke was missing in his life, though some of the distance had been self imposed, he hadn't realised just how disconnected he'd felt. No wonder his secretary was concerned for him. Sakura was as close as he had come to socializing, though she was dating someone she seemed to worry over him much as his own mother did.

Apparently over the years since Sasuke had seen Iruka the other had been exceedingly busy.

Initially Iruka had left to take on a teaching position after graduating from his training, what Sasuke hadn't known was that it was in a hybrid school. Iruka explained that the hybrid schools were crying out for staff because so few people wanted to work with them. There had been a sad look in Iruka's eyes, a mix of upset and regret, and Sasuke didn't push for more information but he knew that the look was likely caused by the transfer to a new place, new people that didn't trust easily and trying to convince them that you truly wanted to help. It had to have been difficult, even for someone as outgoing and friendly as Iruka. But Sasuke knew Iruka had managed and by the look of it he'd done very well and he'd expected nothing less.

Iruka explained that he'd spent a year or two at the school before he'd been approached by one of the schools patron's - Jiraiya Sannin. What the man was looking for was someone with Iruka's knowledge, interest and experience of teaching hybrids. At the time Iruka had tried to garner more information but this Jiraiya hadn't been at liberty to explain more unless Iruka agreed and signed some paper's that swore him to secrecy - that alone sparked Sasuke interest. As Iruka was telling him about it Sasuke couldn't resist questioning whether he should be telling him about such things?

But Iruka had shrugged it off saying something like, "I have plans Sasuke-kun and I'm hoping you will be a part of them."

Sasuke had been rather intrigued by that and had openly encouraged the man to continue with his story. Jiraiya had taken Iruka back to Tokyo after he had signed the agreement that had been proffered and what Iruka discovered in Tokyo had lead him to what he was currently working on. Sasuke wanted to ask more about his current project, as Iruka didn't elaborate on what it was Jiraiya had introduced him to, but he refrained hoping that Iruka would return to it as he had implied that he had something to offer Sasuke.

Iruka had seen a lot of things when in the hybrid school. Meeting the parents of the children he taught had given him a degree of insight into their lives and Sasuke could see that what Iruka had bore witness to weighed heavily on him. Iruka had been saddened to find that some of his most promising students would never find their way into the professions they were best skilled for, the artist, the mathematicians and many other's amongst their ranks would never really fulfil their potential because of a rule that had been set in stone fifty years before.

Sasuke could see that it weighed heavily on Iruka's mind, the way his shoulders slumped in his seat when he spoke of it showed just how affected Iruka was. Sasuke listened as Iruka told him of the parents that had looked at their clever children with sadness because they knew they would never be more than what they themselves had become. Sasuke knew then that Iruka was one of the people fighting for Hybrid rights and he truly couldn't blame him. Even in the short time he'd started learning about these unusual people he knew in his heart and mind that just because they were different it didn't mean we as a people could treat them as less.

What Iruka told him next about what he was doing currently had Sasuke sat speechless. His former sensei had become a bit of a rebel in his own way. Iruka was teaching older hybrids, ones that had passed the age of sixteen that weren't permitted to enter into further education. Not only that, he was advocating and compiling a case to bring to the government to try and revoke the law against hybrids being restricted to just blue collar work and lower level education.

Sasuke really looked at Iruka then, absorbing all the details he had missed or chosen to ignore. Iruka looked tired, dark rings under bloodshot eyes and he looked too thin. Sasuke could see just how thinly his sensei had spread himself; he could understand Kakashi's concern for the man. Sasuke felt both pride and a well of need bubble up inside him. He lent forward over the table slightly, keeping his voice purposefully low, knowing that the hybrids running around the place would be able to hear him if he spoke to loudly, "You're running yourself into the ground Iruka-sensei!”

Sasuke heard Iruka sigh before speaking, his eyes closing as a look of resignation crossed his face, "Whatever it takes Sasuke-kun.” Those warm brown eyes suddenly intent, filled with determination as Iruka's voice became firmer, “You should understand that better than anyone. Your Father demanded nothing less."

Sasuke didn't look away from Iruka's gaze, openly chastising Iruka "Yes, well that matters not. You're trying to cover too much ground by yourself. Itachi always said that delegation was key. You have to know your own limit's Iruka-sensei and you have quite clearly exceeded them."

That got a chuckle from Iruka and a warm smile before he spoke again, "Itachi said exactly the same thing to me after mumbling about his otouto having the same problem."

Sasuke looked at Iruka with slightly widened eyes, surprised that Iruka had spoken with Itachi at all. He frowned, mind working frantically to bring the puzzle pieces together to make some sort of sense only to find that he was still too short on pieces to make the picture have any sense. He shook his head slightly, before bringing his expression back under control a soft scowl adorning his features instead, "Is that so? Remind me, if I ever see him, that he shouldn't be discussing me with other people."

Sasuke started when he felt familiar finger's ruffling his hair and he felt his whole body relax under the oddly comforting sensation, "You're as serious as ever, Sasuke-kun."

"Hn."

Iruka leant forward then, elbows leaning on the crisp cream-colored cloth covering the table, he crooked a finger at Sasuke in a come closer gesture. Sasuke leant forward, unconsciously mimicking Iruka's pose and listening intently as the other man spoke, "I have been trying to do just that. I run this place for Jiraiya too - well, Kakashi-san runs the floor and I deal with everything else, which gives me a chance to assess the people that come into the restaurant and bar. I have had some success in finding willing people who can, shall we say, advance the hybrids natural skills.”

Sasuke considered Iruka's comment for a moment before replying, "You've been finding them teacher's, sensei?" Sasuke watched Iruka closely, absorbing ever nuance of Iruka's face as he waited. There was something missing from this story and he was hoping Iruka might just give himself away.

"Yes. But it's still not enough. There are so many that need help and the work I have done so far to approach the government with isn't complete. I need more time to work on it and I need more case studies to use for examples, but I'm afraid time is not being very kind." Sasuke could see there was a slight hesitation, those dark chocolate eyes flickering out to the floor when he spoke of others needing help without openly referring to them.

"Iruka-sensei, forgive me, but what aren't you telling me? You have had years to prepare this and yet there's a piece to this puzzle I'm missing - what is it?" Sasuke watched the other man with rapt attention, his dark eyes staring into deep umber.

"Just like Itachi - nothing gets past you."

"Hn. That doesn't tell me anything, sensei."

"Yes, I know. There is more to it than what I have told you.” Sasuke waited as Iruka paused for a moment, a look chased across Iruka's face that made Sasuke feel uncomfortable. There was pain in Iruka's eyes, a heavy set to his lips and a frown that dipped his brow and overshadowed his eyes. Remembered pain if nothing else and Sasuke knew that remembered or not, they never really stopped hurting.

So he waited for it to pass, not sure whether he should try to comfort or let Iruka work through it, he knew what his Father would have said about such things. But just as he was about to speak, offer something, he wasn't sure what, Iruka continued as if he'd never stopped. “When I was working in that hybrid school I mentioned earlier, I discovered a little boy that didn't play with the other children. When I asked the other children about him and why they weren't playing together, they claimed that his scent was odd.”

Sasuke arched a brow as Iruka continued, curious to where the story was headed, but an odd feeling curled in his stomach, he wasn't quite sure but he could have sworn it was trepidation. “That wasn't really an unusual thing for a hybrid to say, they have a very keen sense of smell after all, but something about it bothered me. The child was a prankster, always into mischief and, fortunately, I knew why that was.” Iruka smiled softly and Sasuke returned the broad turn of lip with a small flicker of a smile, there and gone again in a moment, He remembered the fun they had had playing tricks on Itachi when he was still small.

Iruka continued, “He needed the attention. That boy wanted to play with everyone else and yet they stayed away from him. Children can be cruel, mostly because they do not understand that what they are doing is unkind and hurtful to others. They don't have the social training that you get as people learn to interact together, but that is another subject entirely. Anyway, I watched that boy for weeks and I noticed something - he always came to school with cuts and bruises that I couldn't account for in class."

Sasuke felt something land heavily in his stomach, that feeling he'd been trying to identify solidifying into dread, "Ah…"

Iruka look up at him then, hands woven together and clenching tightly on the table with an emotion Sasuke could recognise - anger. "Yes, you guessed right. That little blond boy was being abused, but until I visited his 'home' I didn't know to what extent. Do you know why he smelled odd to the other children?”

Sasuke felt bile rise in his throat, because he thought he might know, but he wasn't sure how Iruka could bare to know, “Sensei?"

Iruka face darkened then, the words practically being spat out into the air, a mix of anger, frustration and deep regret, "Because he wasn't just being physically abused. And I never knew."

They sat in silence, pain etched on Iruka's face as he remembered something that Sasuke couldn't even imagine. He felt pain and sadness radiate through him for the blond child Iruka spoke of and for the man himself.

Sasuke looked up at Iruka again, his own hands resting in tight fists on top of his thighs, in impotent fury that had nowhere to go. Iruka's spoke in hushed tones, "You know what was worse? Because of what he was nobody would do anything about it. There are no rules to protect them as there are for human children."

Sasuke didn't know what to say to that, shocked, angry, disbelieving. The idea that children were vulnerable, just because someone hadn't cared enough to make a law to protect them made his stomach heave in abject disgust. Such blatant prejudice and disregard was unforgivable.

"I've been building cases, not just to overturn the law on education, but to create new laws to protect their innocence too."

Sasuke looked up at Iruka then seeing this man for what felt like the first time, he wasn't just his sensei anymore. That was a childish notion. This man was trying to do something that nobody else would. Iruka wanted to help those who couldn't help themselves and he'd be damned if he didn't try to help him do that. "What can I do?"

Sasuke watched as sad eyes looked back at him and a tiny smile tilted the corner of Iruka's lips, "That's the Sasuke I remember. Thank you."

Sasuke's chest felt strangely full, an odd sense of pride at the way Iruka spoke of him in that moment and knowing that Iruka had faith in him. Sasuke could see how happy Iruka was in that moment and it made his chest squeeze tightly.

Sasuke listened silently as Iruka continued, "In truth your brother has been helping me with the case and with something else, but I need something different from you, Sasuke. There's someone I need you to take under your wing for a while. Itachi told me you graduated with a distinction in business and that you studied architecture on the side?"

Sasuke considered Iruka's word's, knowing Itachi to be one of the finest business men and lawyer he knew. The man was a shark in the boardroom and in court. Iruka would go far with his brother's assistance. He considered Iruka's interest in his own higher education, wondering where he was headed with it. Sasuke spoke quietly, not quite matching Iruka's enthusiasm so visibly, but intrigued and a little excited about what they were discussing none the less. "I did. Itachi thought it best not to tell Father about it and we kept it between us, until after the art gallery was built."

Sasuke watched as Iruka's expression clouded over, the man gave him a rather puzzled frown, "Oh… why then?"

Sasuke gave Iruka a small smirk before replying, "So he didn't tell you everything then?"

Iruka looked rather amused then, that puzzled expression disappearing as quickly as it arrived, "No, what am I missing?"

Sasuke paused for a moment before responding to Iruka's query, enjoying the little bit of suspense he could create between them, "I designed it."

Iruka's lips twisted into a grin and Sasuke felt warmth surround his heart at the open expression of pleasure on his former sensei's face, "That's perfect!"

Sasuke hadn't been expecting that, he raised a curious brow at Iruka's words before asking outright, "How so?"

Iruka's smile widened considerably, "He loves that building."

Sasuke felt frustration starting to well, who was this person Iruka kept referring too? He hoped it wasn't evident in his voice when he spoke, "He who?

"Your new student," Sasuke thought that Iruka was taking far too much pleasure in dragging out his suspense.

He scowled at Iruka, which just got a chuckle from the other man, "Do I get an introduction?”

"You've already met." Sasuke sat back in his chair, easing his rigid posture for a moment so he could sit and think for a few minutes.

He'd never met any hybrids until he'd come here, there weren't any to be found in the business world that he traversed and he frowned at that small revelation. Someone like Kakashi would be very good at business if he could put his mind to it. Could it be Kakashi? Wasn't he to old?

Iruka butted in on his thoughts then, smiling kindly, "Can't guess? That little fox you're so fond of."

Sasuke sat up then, attentive and definitely interested now. The challenge was won, "Ahhh…perfect indeed."

Sasuke turned to look out at the floor, searching for the elusive blond haired man, but he turned instantly at the call of his name, "Sasuke."

Sasuke response was automatic, he wasn't sure he'd ever stop calling Iruka that, "Yes, sensei?"

"Be careful with him please - he's family." Sasuke took in the pause and watched the way concern and happiness flitted across Iruka's exhausted visage.

Sasuke locked eyes with his sensei and spoke in a very solemn tone that showed just how much he put into his words, "I promise."

"Thank you."

Sasuke smiled at the relief that washed over Iruka's face and showed most in the sudden slump of tensed shoulders. Sasuke settled himself more comfortably into the soft, plush fabric of the booth chair he's been sat rather rigidly in for quite some time. They continued their chat and he watched out for the fox on the now much quieter floor.

Apparently as they had been speaking the restaurant crowd had started to ebb, leaving behind the bar goers from previous evenings.

Sasuke didn't hear the other man approach, but didn't even flinch when he spoke on his blind side, "Mah, what have you two been conspiring over here for the last three hours."

Sasuke turned to watch Iruka and Kakashi interact and a little plan started to form in his head that would hopefully remove or add a different kind of fatigue to what Iruka was carrying around. He listened intently as Iruka replied to the bartender, "We've been here that long?"

"Hai." Kakashi's one word reply actually conveyed a little more than he'd likely meant to.

There was the faintest hint of annoyance there, but it was his posture that gave it away. Although, Kakashi appeared comfortably slouched as normal, his arms were crossed over his chest - a clear sign of hostility. Not to mention the way his tail was twitching spasmodically behind him. It would seem that Kakashi was a little jealous of the time they'd spent talking together. That was a good sign in Sasuke's mind.

Sasuke looked up at Kakashi as he spoke, "Kakashi-san?"

"Sasuke-kun." Sasuke inwardly smiled at the tense tone of his voice. Silly man thought he was interested in Iruka, he'd put that idea to bed quickly.

"When's the Dobe's next day off?"

Sasuke watched Kakashi as he stood there contemplating him for a moment, before letting voice to his curiosity, "Why?"

Sasuke didn't reply for a moment, formulating his answer so he wouldn't let anything slip through his tight control. Sasuke didn't like everyone knowing his business. It was bad enough Itachi had been talking to Iruka about him, but he could understand that to some extent. Still he was a very private person and he intended to keep it that way, "We have some… business to discuss."

Sasuke watched as Kakashi exchanged a quick look with Iruka and when Iruka nodded his assent the bartender gave his answer, "Thursday."

Sasuke gave both men a small smile before turning his gaze back out onto the floor, catching sight of the fox and watching avidly as he bussed tables quickly and efficiently.

Two days away he could be ready for then, "Perfect."