Sasuke watched as Naruto cleaned up the mess on the floor. Naruto had tried to make a clone do it and had been met with stubborn refusal. They were
duplicates after all and the clone was no more eager to do chores than he was. In the end he had sent the clone downstairs to check on breakfast and started
cleaning the floor himself. Sasuke was impressed that Naruto wanted to stay in his room so badly he was willing to clean up a mess he hadn't made, especially
considering the state of Naruto's own room. He was also relieved that he had insisted on staying here. He couldn't stop thinking about the fact that Kabuto
knew about Kyuubi, which meant the snake did as well. He had to assume Itachi knew as much as they did. Where before he had been afraid to have Naruto
sticking too close to him, he was now afraid to let him out of his sight. Yet he couldn't imagine what Itachi could possibly want with him.
Naruto was just starting to come into his own abilities. He had no fighting experience, making him no threat to anyone. He certainly had nothing in common with
the sort of mutants Sasuke associated with Itachi. He wouldn't be motivated by greed and the desire for power, so he couldn't be used to do someone else's
dirty work. That only left Kyuubi, and according to the fox he couldn't exist separate from Naruto. Kyuubi might have more in common with Itachi's typical
underlings than Naruto did, but Sasuke suspected he was too proud to be someone's lapdog. His awakening had proven that he couldn't be controlled, and
his only loyalty was to Naruto, and possibly Iruka. Itachi might be able to use threats to get Kyuubi to do his bidding, but with Naruto to limit him that wouldn't
last long. Why would Itachi bother? If the snake wasn't interested in Naruto despite what he knew about him, then Itachi shouldn't be either. Even if Naruto was
their 'failed experiment,' that meant he was exactly that - a failure. Someone they kept track of but weren't particularly concerned about. There was no reason
for Itachi to target him in particular. But telling himself that didn't help. He had never been able to get into Itachi's mind. He didn't know what Itachi's goals were
so he couldn't guess what use he might have for Naruto.
The only thing he knew for certain was that Itachi would use Naruto to get at him. He didn't want him to form bonds with anyone. The moment he realized
Naruto mattered to him he would use that against him. Whether he merely threatened to kill him or attacked him outright, Sasuke would have no choice but to
leave him behind. The shield might be enough to protect Naruto from an attack, but it wouldn't protect what he had here. It was foolish to care so much. He
had known from the start that this would be temporary.
He listened to Naruto grumble under his breath as he dried the floor and was reminded of their tussle in the mud. He had come here with no intention of
making friends. Now, simply by being himself, Naruto had become something even worse. He didn't think he could give him up without a fight and that was a
terrifying prospect. He knew what would happen if he attacked Itachi. He might be strong enough now to handle the pain, but not the crippling fear. How much
worse would it be if Itachi knew exactly why he was fighting? He might decide to punish Naruto rather than him, and Naruto had far more people he cared
about. If Itachi decided to slaughter them Naruto would never recover. He might survive, physically, but he wouldn't be Naruto anymore. He couldn't stand the
thought of that.
"Naruto. Come here."
"I'm almost done," Naruto grumbled. He left the wad of paper towels on the floor and came over to sit beside him on the bed. His eyes widened when Sasuke
put a hand on his cheek. The touch was gentle, but Sasuke's expression was cold, his eyes dark with anger. "What's wrong?"
"I hate you," Sasuke stated. Naruto had stubbornly pushed past his defenses and then tempted him with things he had never wanted or needed. Hurt flashed
in those bright blue eyes and he hated him even more for looking so vulnerable.
"What?" Naruto blurted. "Why? What did I do now?"
"Just shut up," Sasuke muttered, as he pulled him over. Naruto squirmed in his arms, and he tightened his hold. This was as much Naruto's fault as his. Hadn't
he been angry with him for giving up without trying? He should be satisfied now. He would fight and he would lose, but he'd make sure Itachi lost as well. Itachi
would have to kill him to take this away from him. He'd finally know just how invested Itachi really was in keeping him alive. "This is all your fault," he growled.
He shoved Naruto's head down on his shoulder when he tried to pull away enough to look at him. "You had better survive this."
As if he'd die that easily. Naruto winced at the fist clenched in his hair, but he stopped trying to get free. He curled his arms around Sasuke's back, returning
the fierce embrace. He didn't know why Sasuke was so upset all of a sudden, but if he wanted to be close to him he was more than willing. Maybe the weight of
it all had finally gotten to him. He wished he could say something to reassure him. Instead he merely pulled him closer. Eventually Sasuke relaxed and dropped
his head onto his shoulder. Naruto loosened his grip and raised a hand to cup the back of his head, petting his hair. Whatever Sasuke thought to the contrary,
he wasn't alone in this. They were keeping him. He'd never be alone again.
.-.
Iruka didn't wake up in a muddled daze the way he usually did. Instead it was a jolt and his eyes snapped open to the familiar sight of his tilted ceiling. The first
thing he heard was his own sigh of relief. The screaming had stopped. For one long moment he wondered if the screams had been his own. He had started to
suspect they were, but now he remembered what his own voice sounded like. The screams had been much higher pitched, a woman or young child. That was
odd. He rarely gravitated toward females. It wasn't until a hand touched his shoulder that he realized he wasn't alone. Another long moment passed before he
could put a name to the face. He sat up with a groan.
"What's wrong?" Kakashi asked, quirking an eyebrow at the scowling man. He had expected Iruka to have difficulty waking, considering he hadn't let him get
much sleep last night. He was startled and a touch amused to find him as cranky as if he'd let him sleep himself out. Iruka spotted the coffee cup, and Kakashi
held his silence when it was snatched out of his hand. Experience had taught him to be wary of a cranky Iruka.
"I got lost," Iruka muttered. He gulped some of the coffee, grimacing when he found it luke warm. That didn't stop him from draining the cup, though. "I should
have taken another pill before I went back to sleep," he admitted, handing the cup back. "I wasn't thinking."
That was an understatement. He must not have been lost for long because the events of last night were quick to return, including some vivid explanations for
the soreness he felt. An automatic blush followed close behind that thought. He fought it off until he recalled why he wasn't particularly dirty this morning. Then
the blush caught him full force. He resisted the urge to scowl at the man responsible. Barely. He knew he had only himself to blame, but that didn't stop him
from feeling taken advantage of. Even a saint would have trouble resisting a naked Kakashi and Iruka was no saint. Still...he didn't regret it enough to feel
angry. He was just a little disappointed in himself, and sullenly impressed by Kakashi's gall.
"You have to share," Kakashi drawled, smirking when Iruka glowered at him. "You can't blush and squirm like that without sharing what's on your mind. Unless
you want me to coax it out of you...?"
"You're incorrigible," Iruka huffed. "I still don't know how you got us to the bathroom. Anyone could have seen us."
"No, there was never a chance of that." He was surprised Iruka hadn't protested more last night, but he supposed the man had been a little out of it at the time.
It was a shame he couldn't impress him some more while he looked so rumpled and vulnerable. Well, his glower didn't look particularly vulnerable, but the
blush and slumped shoulders certainly did. He sighed as he sat on the edge of the bed, keeping his hands to himself for the time being. "Iruka, this would be a
good time to tell me exactly what that drug of yours does." As expected, the sudden question caught him off guard. "Sasuke isn't handling it as well as you do."
"Oh!" Iruka scrambled against the covers. "You should have told me sooner. Is he-"
"He's doing better than he would be if you ran down there naked," Kakashi assured him. Iruka froze and then covered himself. Kakashi laughed. "It's a little late
for that."
"You're horrible," Iruka groaned. He pushed the man off his bed so he could drag the blanket with him to his closet. Kakashi had seen enough of him already.
"What's wrong with Sasuke? His symptoms?"
"You haven't answered my question," Kakashi pointed out, sitting back on the bed. "Why should I answer yours?"
"Kakashi-san."
It wasn't just the formality, it was the tone. Kakashi winced, and then glowered. He didn't even try to keep the condescension out of his tone. "I can only
assume the drug is doing the same thing to him that it does to you. Since you won't tell me what it does to you, I can't say what it does to him."
Iruka snorted softly but didn't rise to the bait. It was bad enough Kakashi had wriggled his way into his bed without letting him into his dreams as well. "I did tell
you. It helps me sleep. You said it looked like a blanket over my energy. That's accurate enough. People sleep with blankets to feel warm and secure. The
drug has the same effect on me." Fully dressed, he turned to toss the blanket on the bed and wasn't surprised to find Kakashi's red eye locked on him.
"What?"
"There's no shadow now," Kakashi frowned. There wasn't even a hint of one. Iruka's energy didn't look any higher than usual, but he couldn't tell if that was
because he was controlling it himself or if that were simply his normal level.
Iruka brushed Kakashi's concern off. "I told you, I forgot to take another pill before I went back to sleep. What did you see when you looked at Sasuke this
morning?"
"Your blanket," Kakashi said flatly, "and nothing else. He doesn't have much energy when he's not using the eyes. That shadow snuffed out what little he did
have, so now he doesn't have enough to use the eyes at all." If he tried to use them now and found himself unable to, he would likely panic. He considered
telling Iruka that, but decided against it. He doubted a guilt trip would get him the answers he wanted, and drugging Sasuke hadn't been Iruka's idea, anyway.
In fact, Iruka had been set against it from the start and would likely place the blame right back on him. He gave a wistful sigh for the loss of that disheveled and
flustered Iruka, and looked back to the motivated and cranky one standing before him. "Under normal circumstances, I'd consider his condition serious. But
with you here, it's not a problem."
Iruka was both surprised and suspicious. "What do you mean?"
"All he really needs is a little energy boost to lift that shadow, and you happen to have a sharing nature as well as energy the sharingan thrives off of." It really
was convenient the way that worked out. He wondered if Iruka's energy was really as incompatible with others as he thought it was. He had only provided one
example, his friend Tenka, and considering his talent was to manifest weapons made of energy it might not mean much that an energy boost was disasterous
for him.
"Is he in his room?" asked Iruka. He found his hairtie on the floor and made a high tail that would do him for now.
"He should be." The house hadn't fallen apart under their feet, so it was safe to assume Naruto hadn't tried to keep him in his mess of a room.
It was only as Iruka was reaching for the doorknob that his sense of decency got the better of him. Admittedly there wasn't much to say about what they had
done. Kakashi had caught him by surprise and he had given in. For him it had been amazing, undoubtedly the best sex he would ever have. For Kakashi it
was just another encounter among many. He would remember it long after Kakashi had forgotten and if he walked out without saying anything he would
remember it with regret. He turned to look back at him. Kakashi was watching him, looking as casual as a man of his experience should be after a night of
meaningless sex. Iruka knew he didn't have to worry about hurting his feelings. He was doing this to make himself feel better about having used him. The fact
that Kakashi had wanted to be used didn't make it any better.
He went over and leaned down to kiss his cheek. Kakashi's eye widened, and he smiled at him. "I'm sorry for being so flustered and abrupt. Last night was
very nice. Thank you for sharing it with me." He brushed the back of his hand over Kakashi's other cheek and then left the room, content that having given in
didn't make him a bad person. They had both enjoyed themselves so there was no harm done.
It wasn't until Iruka shut the door quietly behind him that Kakashi realized what had just happened. For the last ten or so years he had been leaving bedrooms
with remarks similar to the one Iruka had just given him. He was stunned to find himself on the receiving end of such a casual dismissal. He didn't like it one bit.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go. Iruka was supposed to have fled the room in embarrassment that he had gotten his way with him. Hadn't he promised
to never stop blushing? If Iruka thought he could just put last night behind him and go on his merry way as if it had never happened then he had another thing
coming. Kakashi would bide his time and help him with the kids, but as soon as they were alone he would set things straight. As he had warned him last night,
he was just getting started.
Sasuke's room was a little more crowded than Kakashi had expected. Sasuke and Naruto were sitting on the floor eating breakfast. A second Naruto was
sitting across from them and picking at their plates. Iruka was standing over the three, his arms folded as he lectured both Narutos. Kakashi's eyebrow quirked
when he caught the gist of the lecture. He would have expected Iruka to be too distracted to worry about something so trivial as Naruto eating for two. The
worst thing that could happen would be for the chewed food to be left behind when the clone vanished. If Sasuke wasn't concerned about that potential mess,
Iruka shouldn't be either.
"I already ate some downstairs," the clone was defending himself to Iruka. "I'm still hungry." He made a grab for one of Naruto's sausage links only to have his
hand batted away. He pouted until Sasuke gave him one of his. He bit it in half, savoring the spicy flavor. He felt as if he had never eaten before, which
technically was true since he had only been created less than an hour ago. He sent a defensive look over his shoulder, including Kakashi in it this time. "I
deserve a reward. I had to go down there and face everyone by myself. They thought I was the real thing, but Lee's the only one who looked like he believed
me when I explained about last night." He turned back to Sasuke with a shrug. "You're going to have to talk to them this time."
"I don't care what they think," Sasuke said flatly. He offered him half of his cinnamon bun and watched in fascination as he gobbled it down. He couldn't figure
out how a clone was able to eat. It might appear solid, but it was just an extension of Naruto's energy. Right?
"You don't have to share so much with him," Naruto grumbled beside him. He resented the attention Sasuke was paying the clone. He had wanted to dispatch
it the moment it brought the food up as payback for interupting them right when Sasuke had relaxed enough to stroke his back. They might have progressed
to kissing if he hadn't barged in.
"Have you even considered what will happen when that duplicate disappears?" Iruka asked worriedly. His question had been directed at Naruto, so he was
surprised when Sasuke answered.
"If he keeps it around long enough to digest, the food should be transformed into energy. That's all calories are, after all. If not, Naruto will clean up the mess."
"Thanks a lot," Naruto muttered, making a face at his eggs. His disgust at the prospect only put a tiny curb on his appetite, however. Kyuubi was starving this
morning so he couldn't blame the clone too much if he were feeling the same as him. Making those clones last night must have worn the fox out no matter what
he said to the contrary. Kyuubi was curled in a tight ball in his cage, radiating impatience and ravenous hunger. Naruto already knew this one plate of food
wasn't going to satisfy him.
"As long as you're prepared for the consequences," Iruka sighed reluctantly. It wouldn't be the first time Naruto had eaten himself sick, and they knew more
about his duplicates than he did. He was just relieved to find them getting along so well this morning. Aside from his palor and bloodshot eyes, Sasuke didn't
look too bad considering his difficult night. He glanced over at Kakashi and frowned when he merely raised an eyebrow at him. He was the one who had sent
him rushing down here in a fit of worry. "I'm going to check on the others," he told Naruto. "Let me know when you're finished eating so we can check on
Sasuke."
"I don't need checked on," Sasuke muttered.
"I'll come get you," the clone offered, ignoring Sasuke. Sasuke didn't have much food left, so going downstairs again would give him a chance to grab some
more. He ignored the dark look Naruto sent him. He'd thank him later. He rarely got enough food to feel full with just one mouth to do the eating. And if the
food really did get left behind it would be the real body's problem, not his. Besides, Naruto deserved it for sending him down to face the others while he was up
here cuddling with Sasuke. He didn't know how that had happened, but he felt quite smug to have broken it up.
The adults left the room, Kakashi pausing to send an amused look at Sasuke. Sasuke glowered back. Once the man had gone, he slid his plate over, offering
the rest of his eggs. Naruto's clone took the fork eagerly.
"Sasuke!" Naruto scowled at him. "You know, if he really does leave a mess behind I might decide not to clean it up."
"Just make sure he's in your room when you let him go. Then you won't even notice what he leaves behind." He stole Naruto's last sausage, raising an
eyebrow when he promptly threw a fit. "Go downstairs and get some more. Better yet, just go eat breakfast with the rest of them. You don't need to stay up
here with me. I'll be down later."
"No. I want to eat with you." He wasn't letting him out of his sight. He rounded on the clone, who had completely polished off Sasuke's plate. "Go get some
more sausage. And see if there's any bacon left."
"More rolls," Sasuke put in. "And coffee."
"I can't carry all that!" the clone protested. "I'll want to get something for me, too."
"You've had enough already," Naruto muttered. He glared at the clone, wondering if it were worth arguing with himself. If they were too loud Sasuke might kick
them both out. "You'll probably be munching while you're down there, anyway. You don't need to bring anything back up for yourself."
The clone groused and drug his feet, but he took their plates out of the room. Sasuke turned to Naruto once he was gone. "Are you planning to stick close to
me all day? I'm not going to run off." All he really wanted to do was go back to sleep for a few hours. There was no point in Naruto hanging around for that. He
was sure nothing would happen to either of them in the daytime so long as they stayed inside.
"I'm not worried about you running off," Naruto admitted. "I just don't want you to be alone." According to Sai they had at least another day before Itachi was
expected to arrive, but he didn't want to take any chances. Sasuke's eyes narrowed, and he quickly distracted him before he could get insulted or defensive. "I
read some of your journal last night. Kyuubi and I were wondering how you got so fast. Is that a talent you copied?"
"I don't think so," Sasuke sighed. Maybe it was just as well Naruto was feeling over-protective. Even though he knew Naruto would be perfectly safe with the
others, he didn't really want him to leave. "My speed began to improve once I started learning how to use my energy. Unless it's something that naturally goes
along with the sharingan, it isn't a talent. A lot of it is just having fast reflexes. You'll get that with experience."
"So you think we'll get faster the more we fight?"
"Of course. Don't expect to get as fast as me, though. Your talent is power. I've never met a mutant who excelled at both power and speed." He frowned
suddenly, recalling that interupted race in the fields. "Except maybe Lee. If he's as strong as you he may have both. You should spar with him. That would help
you get faster without having to hold back your strength. Just watch out for that energy of his."
"I can't see his energy," Naruto reminded him with a weak smile. "If it gets a little too friendly neither of us will know, so it doesn't matter much." He was still
disturbed by the thought of it, but if he couldn't see or feel it, what difference did it really make? Fighting with Lee was a good idea, and it would probably be
fun. It wouldn't help him in time to take on Itachi, though. His expression sobered, and he sent Sasuke a furtive look. "I assumed Itachi was fast. Does that
mean he isn't strong?"
He might have known Naruto would get back to that. Whereas the thought of attacking Itachi filled him with dread, the thought of Naruto doing so infuriated him
and made him sick to his stomach. It wasn't right. He wouldn't stand a chance. It would be like him attacking Sakura, a senseless bloodbath. He knew Naruto
would never believe it until he saw it with his own eyes. But even then he wouldn't see much of anything because he didn't have the sharingan. He closed his
eyes, knowing he was wasting his breath even as he spoke. "He's strong enough. The last time I attacked him he cut through my attempts to shield as if my
energy wasn't even there. I could see his movements, but I wasn't fast enough to touch him. I still don't know what talents he's copied over the years. He didn't
have to use any of them to put me in my place." He had only seen Itachi use an actual talent once, when he had torn apart that would-be molestor right in front
of him. He had already lost the sharingan by then, so all he knew was what he'd seen. It was gruesome, quick, and effortless.
"How long ago was that?"
Sasuke knew what he was thinking. He was wondering the same thing himself. He was a lot stronger now, faster, and he could manipulate his energy as easily
as his body. It would still be a hopeless fight, but he suspected he was good enough to at least make it a fight. If Itachi was as reluctant to kill him as he
thought, he could probably draw blood before it was over. But it would end swiftly, the moment Itachi used his talents. He didn't need to know what talents Itachi
had at his disposal. He'd seen the mutants who obeyed his every command. Fighting the man they feared would be like fighting all of them at once. He couldn't
imagine a single mutant being capable of that. He certainly wasn't. "It hasn't been long enough," Sasuke said finally. "Attacking Itachi is suicide. I won't let you
do that no matter how much you want to."
"But if we attack him together-"
"We'd die together," Sasuke finished for him. "Forget it, Naruto. I'm not taking you with me."
He said that as if he had a choice. Naruto kept quiet. If Sasuke refused to even consider planning a joint attack, then he'd just have to find a way to help him
on his own. The main problem was still getting around that bubble of his. If he couldn't figure out how to pop it in time, then he'd just have to make sure he
wasn't put in it to begin with. The doorknob turned and Naruto looked up expectantly. But the door only opened a crack.
"Sasuke-kun? I knocked but there was no answer. Is it okay to come in?"
"I told you it was," the clone said from the hall. He pushed past Lee, not minding when he froze at the sight of the real Naruto. "You're lucky I brought help if
you won't even open the door for me."
Kakashi must have soundproofed his room, Sasuke realized. He sighed at the wide-eyed boy standing in his doorway. "Come in. Shut the door behind you."
"Why are there two Naruto-kuns?" Lee asked, once he had recovered from his shock. He sat down beside the clone, looking from him to Naruto in amazement.
"I'm the real one," said Naruto. He didn't know what his clone was thinking, bringing Lee up here. The whole point of using a clone was so he could stay up
here and Sasuke wouldn't have to see anyone. He sent a worried look at Sasuke. He didn't appear annoyed to have Lee here, just resigned.
"Iruka-sensei and Kakashi are the only other ones who know I can make copies of myself," the clone told Lee. "Now you're in on the secret. Don't tell the
others. I'll surprise them with it later."
Lee beamed, pleased to be favored with such trust. "Your secret is safe with me." He handed Naruto and Sasuke the mugs he had brought up, and then went
back to staring from one Naruto to the other.
The clone grimaced when Naruto's eyebrows shot up at the sight of the coffee. "Iruka-sensei knows that one's for you. I tried convincing him they were both for
Sasuke, but Kakashi ratted me out by saying Sasuke doesn't like cream and sugar in his. Iruka-sensei said you only get one cup. He wouldn't let me have any
at all."
Sasuke handed him a sausage to shut him up before he could start whining in earnest. He took one of the cinnamon buns from the other plate. He wasn't as
ravenous as Naruto and his clone apparently were, but he was hoping the sugar would pick him up a little. "Have you eaten?" he asked Lee. He didn't seem to
be in any hurry to leave and the clone had brought up more than enough to go around.
"Yes, thank you." He flashed a quick smile and then looked at him soberly. "I'm sorry you did not feel comfortable joining us for breakfast this morning. I for one
did not believe anything untoward about you this time."
"This time?" Sasuke repeated. Naruto choked, turning bright red. He flicked him a sidelong glare.
"I thought you didn't care what they thought," the clone put in.
He didn't care. That didn't mean he wasn't curious about Naruto's reaction. Conveniently Lee was only too happy to explain.
.-.
Immediately after leaving Sasuke's room, Iruka had rounded on Kakashi. It took a few minutes before he understood his take on the situation. Sasuke wasn't
aware of the seriousness of his condition. He thought it would wear off on its own. If Iruka acted particularly concerned he might realize and overreact. Iruka
was no more eager to see that than Kakashi was. Sasuke was taking this better than Kakashi had expected so they shouldn't do anything to ruin that. It didn't
take long for Iruka to reach the same conclusion. He went downstairs content to give the boys some time to themselves. It was a good thing he did because
unlike Naruto and Sasuke the other kids weren't taking last night nearly as well.
Breakfast was strained and awkward. Ino grudgingly accepted his apology for making them wait, but it was obvious the empty chairs at the table bothered her.
Sakura and Kiba wouldn't be engaged in conversation at all. Iruka fully understood Kiba's reluctance to look him in the eye. The moment he walked into the
kitchen Kiba beat a hasty retreat to let Akamaru outside. By the time they sat down in the dining room he had his blush under control, but he continued to look
horribly uncomfortable. That made Iruka wonder why Naruto hadn't reacted similarly. He wanted to believe that Naruto was simply too preoccupied with Sasuke
to notice, but he doubted he would get off that easily. Lee was the only one of the kids who seemed the same as always. In fact, his enthusiasm was brighter
than ever as he tried to cheer up Sakura. She was downright gloomy and Iruka didn't need to know why in order to see that it was affecting Ino as well. Like
Lee, Iruka focused his attentions on Sakura. He did his best not to think too much of the fact that Neji, Shikamaru, and Sai had failed to come down for
breakfast.
They had almost finished eating when Naruto's clone showed up to raid the table. Iruka watched curiously as all of the kids except Lee dropped their eyes.
Obviously some explaining was needed. He wanted them to develop a healthy respect for each other's privacy, but right now their lives revolved around each
other. The girls in particular were relying on the comfortable group dynamic. He would have to find something to occupy their time. Unlike most of the boys,
they weren't loners. Ino had found a place for herself as the bossy housewife of the group, but Sakura remained in limbo. Although Lee and Naruto were
friendly enough to include her, they had other things on their minds. He decided to take her aside later. She was the only one who couldn't exercise her talents
so even in group activities she was likely to feel left out. Maybe he should ask Kurenai to keep her for a few days. Hinata would love the company and it would
do Sakura well to have a female friend aside from Ino.
He brought up the idea while he and Sakura did the dishes. She was reluctant to miss out on anything that might happen in the house. On the other hand she
wouldn't mind getting away from Ino for a while. They were still discussing it when Naruto stalked into the kitchen, a guilty-looking Lee following close on his
heels.
"Iruka-sensei," Naruto scowled, "Sasuke kicked us out of his room!"
Sakura gasped, and Iruka sent her a quick look before frowning at Naruto. He wasn't sure what to make of the complaint. "It is his room," he reminded him. "If
he doesn't want company, that's his choice."
Lee hung his head. "It's my fault. I told him what we suspected of him." He sent a guilty look at Sakura. "He was very upset."
"Oh, no," Sakura cringed. "Lee, you shouldn't have done that!"
"I realize that now..."
"I want permission to break his door down," Naruto told Iruka. "It's not right that he's blaming me just because they thought he was some sadistic rapist abusing
me."
Iruka choked, his face turning nearly as red as Sakura's. "Wha-"
"Naruto!" Sakura wailed. "How could you be such a tattle? I hate you!" She bolted from the room with tears in her eyes.
Naruto flushed and looked after her guiltily. "I wasn't trying to-"
"Naruto," Iruka said firmly, catching his arm. "Let's discuss this in private."
"I will speak with her," Lee assured Naruto. "It is my fault, after all. I contributed to the misunderstanding and failed in my attempt to explain and apologize for it."
"You really did," Naruto sighed, his shoulders slumping. "But it's not your fault Sasuke's so difficult. Tell Sakura I'm sorry."
"You can tell her yourself later," said Iruka. "Come on. Let's go to my office." He was a little exasperated to find Kiba hovering just outside the door. He had no
doubt Ino had been with him before taking off after Sakura. "If you're going to eavesdrop you should at least be careful that you're not caught at it."
"I wasn't!" Kiba flushed badly. "I was, uh, just going to see if you needed any help, is all."
"Good. In that case you can finish the dishes. Thank you for offering." He flashed him a tight smile before pulling Naruto down the hall. A few steps later he
looked back. "You can help him," he said to Lee, who was following right along with them.
"Oh," Lee blinked in surprise. "Certainly."
They picked up another shadow at the stairs. Since this involved Sasuke, Iruka supposed Kakashi had a right to join them. He would rather have sent him to
the kitchen with the other two, though. He didn't like the odd looks Kakashi kept sending him. Naruto started dragging his feet as soon as they got upstairs.
When they reached Sasuke's room he latched onto the doorknob and refused to be conned another step.
"He's alone in there," Naruto said, wincing under Iruka's reproving gaze. "He blocked the door and he can't hear me when I knock. He could be going to sleep
in there - Kakashi said he's not supposed to!" He turned to Kakashi for support and scowled when the man merely raised an eyebrow at him. "Do something!"
"Such as?" Kakashi drawled.
"Tell Iruka-sensei to let me break the door down."
"You are not breaking the door," Iruka sighed. "Just come into my office so we can discuss this."
"There's nothing to discuss," Naruto insisted. "It was just a big misunderstanding. I had it all cleared up until they heard me yelling last night. But I cleared that
up, too, so everything would have been fine if Lee hadn't told him about it. Now he's blaming me and that's totally unfair. It's not my fault he won't just talk to
them himself."
"Stand aside," said Kakashi. He gave the kid a push when he was reluctant to obey. He removed the soundproofing and rapped lightly on the door. "Open up,
Sasuke," he said quietly. "If you don't let Iruka take a look at you, it could be a week before you can use the sharingan again." Naruto's mouth dropped open,
and he raised a finger over his clothed lips. Something scraped lightly over the floor, a chair from the sound of it, and then the door opened. He beamed when
a narrow blood-shot eye peered out at him.
"What are you talking about?" Sasuke demanded. "Naruto said it would wear off in a few hours."
"That's what I told him," Kakashi confirmed cheerfully. "I lied. If you force yourself to activate the sharingan right now you'll put yourself into a coma. Then you'll
sleep right through your brother's visit. I doubt he'd appreciate that, though you might." Sasuke backed away, looking every bit as stricken and horrified as he
had expected. Kakashi let himself in, holding the door for Iruka and Naruto. He only let the latter in to avoid the tantrum he would likely throw if forced to wait in
the hall. Once they were inside he shut the door and redid the soundproofing. As far as he was concerned the less Sai overheard from this room the better.
"What's wrong with me?'" Sasuke asked warily.
"You're not a mutant," Kakashi explained as if telling him something he didn't already know. He pushed the band off his left eye and nodded. "The drug we
gave you last night has smothered any natural energy you had. It's nothing to worry about, though. Iruka will give you a quick boost and you'll be as good as
new."
Iruka didn't care for his tone any more than Sasuke did. He sent him a reproachful look and then waved Sasuke to sit on the edge of the bed. "I'm just going to
transfer enough energy for you to activate the sharingan. It's the least I can do since it's my fault for letting them give you that drug in the first place."
"It was my idea," Naruto reminded him. "I didn't think it would hurt anything." He folded his arms over his chest, scowling at Kakashi. "You should have told me."
"And what?" Kakashi drawled. "You would have beaten him unconscious instead? You couldn't even restrain him without my assistance."
"If you're going to argue, do it somewhere else," Iruka snapped at the two of them. Anyone with eyes could see how disturbed Sasuke was. He almost looked
frightened. Kakashi and Naruto quieted, though only Naruto looked appropriately abashed. Iruka sat on the bed, frowning over at Kakashi. "Don't let me give
him too much. I don't want to risk his talents getting out of control."
"I wouldn't worry about that."
"You might not, but I do," Iruka said firmly. He indicated for Sasuke to face him and placed his palms gently over his eyes. The transfer went smoothly, but then
it always did for him. If anything he was worried that it might go too smoothly since he hadn't taken a second pill last night. He wasn't feeling at all dizzy when
Kakashi told him to stop.
Kakashi looked them over carefully and then nodded. "Give it a try, Sasuke."
"Let me see," Naruto said quickly, edging in beside him.
Sasuke turned toward their voices and activated the sharingan. When he opened his eyes the first thing he saw was Naruto, then blackness, then fire and
teeth bearing down on him. He recoiled, throwing his arms up in front of him to ward it off. His palms tingled as he thrust the thing away from him, and for a
moment he thought he was hallucinating again. Then blackness swept over him and he realized there was a hand covering his eyes.
"Take it down a notch," Kakashi said sharply. He removed his hand cautiously and stepped back when Sasuke blinked up at him with his normal sharingan.
"Sorry," he said over his shoulder to Iruka. "I guess I did let you give him a little too much."
"You guess?" Iruka snapped, glaring at him as he ran a concerned hand over Naruto's shoulders. Sasuke had barely looked at Naruto and he had collapsed
from it. Even now Naruto's expression was dazed and visibly confused. "Are you all right?"
"Kyuubi isn't," Naruto murmured slowly. The fox was huddled in his cage, singed and letting out furious waves. Naruto shook his head, blinking at Sasuke.
"What did you do to him?"
"That was Kyuubi?" Sasuke grimaced, wishing he had gotten a closer look before reacting. "I didn't know. When I saw the teeth I thought it was another
hallucination."
Naruto slowly rose, surprised that physically he felt just fine. Inside he felt shaken. He didn't remember falling down. All he'd seen was the strange star-like
pattern in Sasuke's eyes, the same one he'd used while mimicking his creepy brother that time. Then he had felt horribly cornered and Kyuubi had rushed
forward only to be met with...something. "I think you made him explode..."
"What?" Sasuke asked sharply. "Your energy looks fine."
"Yeah," Naruto frowned. "I feel fine. And he's not damaged or anything. At least, I don't think he is. You just did something to him. Blew him up so he had to
reform in the cage. I think you hurt him."
"I didn't mean to."
"Of course you didn't," Kakashi said dismissively, interrupting the two. "You just used a little more energy than you're used to. We'll leave you two to work this
out." He caught Iruka's arm and tugged him out of the room before he could argue. He wasn't surprised when the man turned on him the moment they reached
hall.
"What was that? If his energy is out of control we shouldn't leave him to-"
"His energy is a little higher than normal, but not at all out of control. He just used more than he needed at first. He's fine now. You don't really want to be in
there while they make up, do you? I didn't take you for a voeyer."
Iruka flushed irritably. "I wish you would take this more seriously."
"You could stand to have a little levity," Kakashi returned easily. "By the way, your phone is ringing. That's probaby more important than watching our kids
make out."
Iruka flushed and bristled, then he put his nose in the air and stalked past him without a word. With amusement, Kakashi watched him shut himself in his office.
Then he went over to rap on the girls' door. He wasn't suprised to be met by a furiously protective Ino.
"What do you want?" she glared, filling the cracked door so he wouldn't catch sight of Sakura. It was bad enough she had cried without anyone seeing her
eyes all red and puffy.
"I decided I was too hard on you girls this morning. It's not your fault no one has seen fit to explain anything to you. The fact is, Sasuke has an insane
homicidal brother who likes to make his life a living hell. If you care to ask him I'm sure he'll tell you all about it, if only to keep you from jumping to any other
wrong conclusions. If you'd rather not speak to him directly, I suggest you just leave him alone until Sai leaves. Everything should be over by then."
"What do you mean?"
Kakashi smiled pleasantly, saying the one thing guaranteed to send them running straight to Sasuke despite their reservations. He did so like to meddle. "I
mean that by the time Sai leaves Sasuke will be gone, dead, or in a much better mood. However it turns out, things should be much quieter around here in a
few days. So try not to worry too much about anything that happens in the meantime. There's no point taking it personally when it has nothing to do with you."
Ignoring her stunned expression, he turned on his heel and disappeared into his own room.
He predicted it would take less than an hour for one or both of them to storm Sasuke's room. That should ensure the boys were interupted before they could
get into another tiff, and it was no less than what Sasuke or Iruka should have done days ago. If they weren't careful, Naruto wouldn't be the only one of Iruka's
kids getting caught up in the mess when Itachi arrived. He was confident Sasuke would realize that and shut down their nosy concern before it got them killed.
Iruka would thank him for that later, once he realized what Itachi was really coming here for. Contrary to his assumption, Kakashi was taking this very seriously.
He was simply enjoying himself while he was at it.
.-.
"I think he's more upset that you were afraid of him than he is about you throwing him back in his own territory," said Naruto. "You're the first person other than
me who has seen him." Aside from the people he had killed, and maybe that old man at the mall. Unlike them, Kyuubi had wanted Sasuke to see him. It was no
wonder he was so upset now.
'I am not upset,' Kyuubi hissed furiously. 'Don't tell him things like that. He caught me by surprise, that's all. I wasn't expecting him to jump into your mind that
way, let alone that he'd be able to affect me physically. If his brother can do the same thing we'll both be left snarling at him from inside this cage.'
"You hurt his feelings," Naruto said quietly. Although it was undoubtedly true, he mostly said it because he was enjoying the warm embrace Sasuke was giving
him. He was quickly learning that Sasuke was much more tactile when he felt guilty about something. After the way Sasuke had thrown him out of here earlier
he thought he deserved some affection. This was much better than an apology. Kyuubi would get over it eventually.
"He didn't strike me as the sort to have his feelings hurt," Sasuke commented. In fact, he would have thought the fox was the type to angrily dare him to try that
again. Or to mock him for reacting with fear at a mere glimpse of him. He eyed the bushy blonde hair burrowed against his chest with growing suspicion. "Are
you sure you aren't the one upset?"
"No," Naruto said quickly. "I know you didn't do it on purpose." He knew his eager tone had given him away when Sasuke abruptly released him. He tried to put
a surprised and hurt look on his face, but he suspected what came out was more of a disappointed pout. 'Shut up,' he snapped to the mocking fox in his head.
'I was this close to making out with him. That's what you've been wanting all morning.'
'I wanted you to jump him, not guilt trip him into jumping you. Be glad you're such a bad actor. If you had him buying that spiel about me I would make you
regret it.' All he had to do was tell him about Iruka and Kakashi. That would ruin his entire life, much less his day.
Sasuke went over to lean against the desk. He should have known. He folded his arms over his chest and scowled at Naruto. "Did I hurt Kyuubi at all, or were
you just saying that so I would forget about earlier?"
"You really did blow him up," Naruto insisted stubbornly. He wasn't about to have Sasuke viewing him as a liar. He might have exaggerated a little, but only
because Kyuubi was too proud to admit that he was upset at having his first face-to-face meeting with Sasuke turn out the way it had. 'He thought he was
seeing things,' he reminded him, ignoring his denial of any hurt feelings. 'You have to admit your teeth are big and sharp enough to scare anyone who isn't
expecting it.' To Sasuke, he insisted, "Kyuubi's too set on not having feelings to admit when they're hurt. I know he looks a little singed, though, and he won't
come out of his cage so you must have hit him pretty hard."
"You keep him in a cage?" Sasuke couldn't keep his distaste from sounding in his voice. "Since when?"
"No, I don't keep him there. Though sometimes it would be nice if I could." Naruto winced from the mental slash Kyuubi gave him for that. 'Sometimes you
deserve it and you know it.' The fox was still skulking angrily in the back of his head, but at least that had conned him out of the cage. "Kyuubi made the cage
after we were controlled by that mutant. Nothing can touch us in there. I'm not sure what you did when you ran into him, but he popped up in the cage
afterward. When he's in there even I can't make him come out if he doesn't want to."
"I think I made contact with his energy," Sasuke frowned, remembering the way his hands had tingled. "Since he has no physical body it must have been our
energy that clashed." He wondered if his had overpowered Kyuubi's or if he had merely taken him by surprise. Kyuubi's energy had burned his away when
Naruto had tried to heal his arm. Maybe it was different when he was in direct contact via the sharingan. That didn't bode well for Naruto. What he had done
was just a clumsy hint of what Itachi was capable of. He would have warned him if he hadn't known that would just drive Naruto to prove him wrong. "Tell me
more about this cage."
"It has bars and you have to be inside it to imagine doors." Naruto blinked and shifted awkwardly as he found nothing else to say about it. 'How does it work?'
he asked Kyuubi.
'It just does. Tell him to try breaking in here again and I'll show him how well it works.'
"Kyuubi says he'll show you how it works if you want to try that again. I don't think you should, though. He's been in a weird mood all day, so he might be up to
something."
"I have no intention of doing that again." Even with Naruto's permission there was no telling what might happen. He counted himself lucky that neither he nor
Kyuubi had suffered damage as it was. He gave a mocking sniff when Naruto looked as if he wanted to argue about it. "You have enough personalities in your
head as it is. If you want another, go ask Ino."
Kyuubi jumped at that, rushing forward to press hard on Naruto's back. 'Ask her. In here I could do things to her that would never be possible with your body.
And it will be no more than she deserves for attempting to control us by coming in here to begin with.'
'Stop it,' Naruto glared. 'I'm not cheating on Sasuke even if it is just in my head. Besides, in case you didn't notice she has a serious hate of dogs. She'd take
one look at you and run screaming from the house, you overgrown mutt.'
'She wouldn't make it one step. I'd catch her with my tails and...' He let the images speak for themselves.
"Naruto," Sasuke said sharply. Naruto's face was nearly as red as his own eyes, and he was shocked to see him sporting a tent in his pants. He'd seemed
normal just a few seconds ago. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"It's not my fault," Naruto blurted, coming back to himself in a flash. He squirmed under Sasuke's shocked stare, putting his hands over his lap. "Kyuubi is
being a perverted bastard. He's been like this all morning. I don't know what's wrong with him."
Sasuke forced himself to look away. He couldn't protect Naruto from his own fox. This was something they would have to work out on their own. Yet he couldn't
help wanting to go back in there and punch the pervert in that oversized snout of his. "Is he...doing things to you?"
"Ew! Of course not! He's imagining doing things to, um..." He didn't want to admit the fox was fantasizing about Ino, let alone that the images were affecting him.
'Appreciating something sexy doesn't make you unfaithful,' Kyuubi scoffed. 'For instance, this is sexy as hell.' He quickly incorporated Sasuke into the fantasy,
giving him a dominant role over the girl that suited him better than even Kyuubi liked to admit. He grinned evilly when Naruto whimpered. 'Is that jealousy I
hear, or lust?'
Naruto pushed the image away as forcefully as he could. He hated that part of him liked the sight. 'Stop it, Kyuubi! I don't want him touching her or anyone
else. It's not hot, it's wrong! You might as well imagine him kissing Kakashi. That's how wrong it is!' He was startled when the image vanished, leaving only an
enraged Kyuubi in its wake.
'I'll kill him before I let him have Sasuke, too. He's mine.' The thought of what the man had already done to Iruka was so infuriating that he didn't realize he was
projecting until Naruto wailed. He abruptly found himself abandoned in the back of Naruto's mind. So much for not telling him...
With his fox a traitor, Naruto threw himself on the only person he had left. He grabbed Sasuke by the arms and shook him frantically. "Kakashi defiled
Iruka-sensei!" he wailed miserably. "And Kyuubi knew about it! My beautiful statue is in ashes!"
Sasuke's eye twitched as he stared dumbly at the teary-eyed blonde. He couldn't pretend to be surprised that Kakashi had finally gotten his way with the man.
He felt sorry for Iruka, but the man had seemed perfectly normal earlier, so Kakashi couldn't have traumatized him too badly. Naruto was still shaking him, so
he forced himself to say something. "I'm sorry...?" That must have been the correct response because Naruto slumped against him, sniffling pitifully.
"Poor Iruka-sensei," Naruto whimpered. "If only I had met him sooner he would never have had sex and then he wouldn't have been tempted by that conniving
pervert. He could do so much better. It was such a beautiful statue, it really was. Now it's ruined...!"
Sasuke awkwardly patted Naruto on the back. "I'm sure he'll survive," he offered weakly. "Maybe you can repair your statue after Kakashi leaves." That came
out a little more positive-sounding, considering he didn't know what the hell Naruto was talking about. He flinched when he suddenly found himself pushed
away so hard that he struck the side of the desk. Naruto was baring his teeth, his eyes as dangerous as they were blue.
"Oh, no," Naruto growled furiously, "he's not going anywhere. No one fucks with my sensei and then just walks away. His balls are staying right here whether
the rest of him does or not. I'll stick them in the freezer. Yeah. Then the next time some perverted bastard starts sniffing around here I can pull them out to
show them what happened to the last guy who touched my sensei. That's perfect."
"You need help, Naruto. Psychiatric help."
"And I know just where to get it. Stay here, Sasuke. I'm going to take care of this right now." He stalked over and wrenched the door open. He was so set on
ripping Kakashi a new one and giving Iruka a stern talking to that he barely even noticed the startled girls who stumbled out of his way. Kyuubi was trying to
talk him down, and he snarled at the traitorous fox, blaming him entirely for having allowed this to happen. They were supposed to protect Iruka, not stand by
while some sneaky mask-wearing pervert defiled him in his own house.
Ino edged toward the open door to peer warily in at Sasuke. She kept a tight hold on Sakura, who was trying desperately to retreat. Naruto slammed the door
to Iruka's office and she couldn't help flinching. "Um, is he mad that we interupted you?" Maybe she shouldn't have knocked so hard on the door.
"No," Sasuke said. "He's just insane. Now isn't a good time to talk to him."
"He's not the one we wanted to talk to, anyway." She drug Sakura into the room and blocked the door behind them so she wouldn't be able to dart back out.
"So," she started smartly, smiling at Sasuke, "what's this about you having a crazy brother? Is there anything we can do to help?"
Just like that, any sympathy Sasuke might have felt for Kakashi vanished. No one else could be responsible for this.
.-.
Iruka was late picking Hiko up for the drive to the airport. It had taken him a long time to calm Naruto down. In the end he thought it had gone over much better
than he had expected. That silly game had introduced Naruto to the idea of him being a sexually experienced adult. All he'd had to do was reinforce that firmly
and patiently. He was surprised to find Kyuubi supported his right to make his own decisions. They'd spent a good while comforting Naruto. He was a very
idealistic boy, and this was a major loss of innocence for him. Although Iruka felt guilty about that, he knew Naruto was old enough to deal with the reality of the
situation. Eventually. For now he left confident that Naruto would not be attempting to mutilate Kakashi in the next few hours so there would be no macabre
trophies in his freezer when he returned.
Hiko was suspicious about the delay. Iruka had just hung up after promising to be right over when Naruto barged into his office. He spent most of the long
drive to Sisco explaining the situation with Sasuke. He was so relieved that Bunchu had made it back in time that he didn't mind the lecture Hiko gave him for
letting Sai into the house. That seemed to disturb him a lot more than the prospect of Sasuke's brother showing up.
"For all you know he could be planning to kill the lot of you in your sleep," Hiko grimaced. "What makes you think anything he's told you is even true? So they
knew about the Hyuuga kid coming. Lots of people knew about that. It's a matter of public record. That's the only thing you have to base any of their bullshit
on. You're playing right into their hands."
"If so, then Bunchu can confirm it," Iruka shrugged. "The boy has a terrible attitude, but he hasn't caused any trouble so far. They could just as easily have
sent him posing as a mutant with nowhere to go instead of admitting he's a spy. I wouldn't have known any better."
"That just proves my point. Naruto might be off his rockers with that fox of his, but he's right about you checking out the kids you take in. Just because they're
young doesn't mean they're harmless. Have you picked up any others since you got back?"
"Just Lee. He's as harmless as they come." Iruka sighed as he listened to Hiko voice his doubts about that. It was just as well that Hiko didn't know Lee had
been jailed before arriving at the house. "I'm not being reckless," he insisted. "I haven't taken in anyone aside from Sai that I don't feel comfortable dealing
with, and he won't be staying. Anyway, why didn't you tell me last night that Bunchu would be arriving today?" Knowing that might have spared both him and
Naruto this morning's drama.
"I called you as soon as I found out they were here. I don't think they arrived today, though. Tenka said the coast was clear for them to be picked up. My guess
is they've been here for a while, just waiting to make sure they weren't followed or whatever. I really wish Tenka would stop getting involved in this stuff."
Iruka smiled knowingly. "You wouldn't say that if you had seen the kids he helped rescue. If I had offensive talents like his, I'd gladly join him. He's fighting the
good fight."
"I don't want to hear it," Hiko muttered, turning to glare out the passenger window. Iruka wasn't the one who would have to make it up to Bunchu for sending
him off to rescue Tenka's ass again. For someone 'fighting the good fight' he sure didn't accomplish much without getting himself into trouble. "You're too set
on having your little house of mutants to go roaming, anyway. If you had a lick of sense you'd just marry a mutant and start making your own instead of
adopting the strays like this."
Iruka couldn't help but recall that Kakashi had commented on the same thing. He promptly pushed that out of his mind. "I prefer the strays. They're much more
interesting."
"Difficult, you mean."
"Do you remember what Tenka was like as a baby?" Iruka asked curiously, as if he hadn't heard the horror stories.
"Okay, point taken. Don't remind me of that. He never stopped squalling and the mess, ugh, I swear mutant babies are a lot stronger than normal ones. Their
diapers should come with locks to keep the damned things on." The memory of the smell was so strong he had to roll down the window. His wife had been so
proud of how quickly Tenka had taken to potty training, but as far as his own apartment was concerned it had come two years too late. He still didn't know how
she had managed to keep her own home so immaculate. Compared to the filthy little finger-painter he had been, Tenka was an angel now. Which was
probably the reason Iruka had brought it up. Hiko glowered out the window, refusing to give him the satisfaction of knowing his tactic had worked.
The ruinion wasn't nearly as awkward as Iruka had feared. His presence helped, as did the young man they had with them. Tenka was too busy introducing
him and telling about the dispersal of the other kids to say anything that would set his father off. For his part, Hiko was too busy trying to hide his annoyed
affection to start lecturing him right away. They met in the airport parking garage, but judging by their bags they hadn't just arrived. Tenka quickly confirmed
that.
"We heard all about the spies you had hanging around, so we had to wait until they left. Is it true you kept one?"
"He's only staying for a few more days," Iruka sighed. He knew better than to ask where Tenka had received his information. "Does this mean you'll be
avoiding the house until he's gone?"
"Nah, one of them I can handle. We just didn't want to bring Shino in with a whole group of them nosing around. You have room for another, right? His parents
are both first generation, so he's not safe at home."
"We no longer have a home because they destroyed it," the young man corrected him. "My parents are living out of hotels now. They'd rather I didn't."
"You're welcome to stay as long as you like," Iruka assured him. He did his best not to stare. The boy was very tall despite Tenka's insistence that he was only
sixteen. He had thick bushy black hair cut into a flat top, circular black sunglasses, and a pale trenchcoat with a collar high enough to hide the lower half of his
face. He stood out nearly as badly as Kakashi would have, though it was hard to tell if he noticed or cared. His hands were hidden in his coat pockets, but
Iruka spotted a bit of bandaging on his wrists. "Have you recovered from your injuries?"
"He'll be fine," Tenka said quickly, before the boy could speak for himself. "I'll tell you all about it later. Let's get out of here. We've been holed up in this town
for days and I'm dying for something other than take-out." He snatched up two of their bags and prodded Iruka to lead the way to his car. "Do you have a grill?
This is perfect weather for a barbecue."
Hiko sent him a reproving look. "Iruka has enough going on at his place without throwing a party for you."
"Yeah?" Tenka challenged. "Like what?"
"We don't need to get into that right now," Iruka winced. He didn't want to have this discussion in front of Shino. Unfortunately Hiko was eager to tell them all
about the trouble he had gotten himself into. He spent most of the car ride back defending himself.
.-.
Kyuubi was tired of being reasonable. It didn't suit him nearly as well as it did Iruka. And, to be perfectly honest, he saw nothing wrong with mutilating Kakashi a
little. Although he accepted Iruka's choice that didn't mean Kakashi deserved to walk away completely unscathed. He just thought they should make sure Iruka
was done with the man before tearing off any bits he might have a use for later. He realized that line of reasoning wouldn't work on Naruto the moment he said
it. He was left watching in annoyance as Naruto promptly succombed to dry heaves at the thought of Iruka anywhere near those particular 'bits'. 'You really
need to grow up.'
'No one should have to grow up this fast,' Naruto shot back at him. Kyuubi was too heartless to possibly understand what he was going through. 'This is like
those kids in the movies who walk in on their parents having sex. I'm allowed to be traumatized for life.' The worst part was that he'd actually started to like
Kakashi a little. If he weren't careful he might even start to understand why Iruka had chosen to mess around with him. He refused to let that happen. 'Just
leave me alone. I have every right to be miserable.'
'I liked it better when you were angry,' Kyuubi admitted. 'If you want to confront him, I'll help.'
'Sure you will, now that it's too late.'
Kyuubi scoffed at the sarcasm. 'I didn't see you offering to sleep with Iruka instead of Sasuke last night. Stop being jealous just because he got some and we
didn't.'
'That's disgusting!' Naruto wailed.
'No, unfair is what it is. Just like it's unfair that I'm stuck in this office watching you sulk while those bitches in heat are in there sniffing around my mate. If he
ends up smelling like them I'm going to take it out on your hide.'
'As if you don't get off on the idea of him messing around with them. You can't have it both ways.' He knew Kyuubi was just trying to make him jealous or
curious enough to go see what Sasuke was really doing with the girls. He wasn't going to fall for it. Sasuke wasn't the cheating sort any more than he was.
'He may not be, but he wouldn't have a choice in the matter if Ino used that talent of hers. Giving him a chance to impregnate her is very different from letting
her molest him. Or using his body to molest that pink-haired one with the mouth I'd like to-'
"Don't say it!" Naruto didn't realize he'd yelled out loud until he heard the way his voice echoed in Iruka's empty office. His fox was now sulking in the back of
his head, which suited him just fine. He deserved to lose a few tails for what he'd just been thinking. 'I swear, Kyuubi, if you don't stop being such a wanna-be
rapist I really will find a way to lock you in that cage. It's bad enough you lust after everyone I know without you being sadistic about it.'
'Not everyone,' Kyuubi snapped, very insulted. 'Just the fuckable ones. You'd be frustrated, too, if you were trapped in a child's head with the reek of sex all
around you. Even this couch stinks of it.'
With a yelp, Naruto shot off the couch. 'They did it in here?'
'They might as well have. Kakashi and Iruka have been leaving that smell everywhere they go. You have no idea how hard it was to keep you from noticing
when Kakashi first came down this morning. You should be thanking me. I only hid it for the sake of your sanity and because Sasuke's safety was more
important. It still is. Whether you consider those girls a threat or not, they certainly aren't capable of protecting him.'
'Now that I can agree with.' As upset as he was that Kyuubi hadn't told him right away he had to admit that he wouldn't have wanted to be distracted first thing
this morning. He couldn't have dealt with that traumatizing mess on top of his worry for Sasuke. 'Is that why you've been such a hornball all morning? The
smell?'
'The smell of Iruka. You don't want to know the sort of things it makes me imagine. I suppose I could have turned my thoughts toward Kakashi instead, but he
isn't really my type.'
'Please don't,'' Naruto cringed queasily. 'There's only so much mental scarring I can take in one day.' He left the office, marching past Kakashi's room without
so much as a glance at the closed door. He would have it out with him whether Iruka liked it or not. Right now Sasuke was more important than revenge.
He opened the door without knocking and was only slightly disturbed by the sight of Ino lounging comfortably on his boyfriend's bed. Sakura was sitting in
Sasuke's chair, with Sasuke standing a foot away and leaning against the desk, looking resigned and annoyed. Naruto immediately smiled at him. He'd known
Sasuke wasn't the type to cheat even if the girls had been bold enough to tempt him. Which Ino most definitely was.
Sakura stood up when he entered the room, fixing him with a stern frown. "Naruto, you had no right to humiliate me the way you did. But now that I understand
the stress you've been under, I forgive you. Sasuke-kun, please let me know if there's anything I can do to help." If he needed someone to keep Naruto
distracted, and thus safe, it was the least she could do for misjudging him so badly. She was certain Lee and Kiba would lend a hand as well once they
realized what was really going on around here. She started for the door only to stop when she realized Ino hadn't budged. "Let's go, Ino."
"Go ahead without me," Ino waved dismissively. "I'm going to visit a while longer." She smiled flirtateously at Sasuke, something she had noticed made him
distinctly uncomfortable. He didn't know how to deal with girls. She would never have guessed it from that scary first encounter, but he actually seemed
reluctant to come too close to them. Now she was confident he wouldn't attempt to physically remove her from his bed even if she were to make herself more
comfortable than she already was.
Sasuke looked away from the girl batting her eyes at him from his own bed, and glared at Naruto. He was the one who had insisted he couldn't treat girls the
same way he would have treated anyone else. Judging by Naruto's furrowed brows he was too busy arguing with his fox to be of any help. Sasuke turned to
the only other person in the room. Sakura got his silent message and, being a girl herself, was apparently allowed to be as rude and forceful as necessary. He
watched enviously as she marched over and yanked Ino off his bed. The blonde was still indignantly complaining about Sakura's high-handed low-browed
manhandling when he shut the door behind them.
"A lot of help you are," he muttered at Naruto as he went over and opened his window. He didn't know why the girls smelled like mangos, but it was officially his
least favorite fruit.
"What are you doing?" Naruto asked curiously. Sasuke was stripping his bed while sending him quick heated glares. 'What's so funny?' he demanded of
Kyuubi, who was snickering in amusement.
'He doesn't want to smell like them any more than I want him to. You should have let me run her off for him. I'm sure with a little coaxing he would have shown
some...appreciation.'
'As if I'd let you anywhere near Ino right now,' Naruto scoffed. He watched Sasuke toss his bedding in a pile on the floor and then flip the mattress. 'Wow. He's
even more anal about the smell than you are. Shut up,' he snapped when Kyuubi instantly jumped on his word choice. 'I just meant he either really hates their
fruity hair stuff or he hates girls in general. I think it smells nice, myself...'
'Certainly better than them stinking of rat,' Kyuubi allowed.
Sasuke snatched the wad of bedding and thrust it into Naruto's arms. Since he was intent on taking up space he might as well make himself useful. "Go wash
that."
"What? I'm not your maid!"
"No, but you're the reaon I couldn't throw Ino out before she had a chance to rub herself all over my bed. If you don't want me intimidating the girls, you can
clean up after them. Otherwise the next time Ino tries to come strolling in here I'll throw her out the same way I did to you and Lee earlier."
"You better not try that on one of the girls," Naruto scowled. "It's bad enough you did it to Lee. That hurt, you know."
"It was supposed to. Now go."
'Doormat,' Kyuubi snorted, when Naruto grudgingly turned to go.
'Shut up. As soon as this mess with his brother is finished I'll show him he can't order me around. Just you wait.' He stopped at the door to scowl back at
Sasuke. "Don't even think about blocking the door or I'm coming in the window."
"Good luck with that."
.-.
PART 43
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