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Another Perfect Wonder	By : jaded_priceless Category: Naruto > Yaoi - Male/Male > Kakashi/Iruka Views: 10014 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 4
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Chapter 31

It took longer than they expected for the Snow ninja to retrieve their belongings and by the time someone showed up they’d both fallen asleep.

The knock at the door woke them both up. Iruka slipped his hand inside Kakashi’s and communicated that he’d get the door and for Kakashi to pretend to be asleep.

Kakashi’s blinked once, the standard code for yes, while signaling look at the window against Iruka’s retreating hand.

“Who is it?” Iruka yawned, discretely looking in the window to see just who he was about to give a view of his assets.

When he saw Shinsuke’s face ducking beneath the glass, he reached for the closest pair of underwear and pulled them on before slipping out of bed.

“It’s Shinsuke, Rui-san. Arisa and I forgot our bags.” The boy responded.

“Just a minute,” Iruka replied pulling on his pants. His shirt was relatively clean so he left it lying on the floor.

Iruka shivered when he opened the door and the cold air hit his torso, “Come on in. I placed your bags under the table.”

Iruka’s nervousness was real when he looked at the younger man and bowed, “Shinsuke, I apologize for earlier. Shishi and I have been separated for a while and we got carried away, but that still isn’t an excuse for how we behaved in front of you and Arisa. Please give her our apology as well.”

“Um, ok, I’ll tell her, but you really don’t owe us an apology. We did just barge in” the teenager blushed and stammered then bowed as well, “We should actually be the ones to apologize. Manzô is a bit …overzealous at times.”

“I noticed,” Iruka replied gesturing Shinsuke to a chair as he settled on the foot of the bed.

Shinsuke eyed the chairs warily then smiled when his host told him the one he’d selected was reserved for guest and not the site of any manly activities.

“What is his problem anyway? At first I thought it was because Shishi and I are both males then I remembered he attacked me the first day I was here. Does he not like civilians or is it just outsiders?” Iruka asked.

Shinsuke looked at the floor and sighed. Iruka could tell he was choosing his words carefully before speaking. “Manzô means well. He is a good man and a good ninja, but everyone in his family is a great ninja, especially his older and younger sisters. The oldest one died in the war and the youngest is a member of our council. He’s constantly trying to live up to their reputations.”

Iruka winced, “I have an older sister so I understand the feeling of living in your sister’s shadow but shouldn’t he have outgrown that by now? Most men grow up to be stronger than their sisters.”

Shinsuke nodded, “Most civilian men do but it’s different with ninjas. As far as physical strength he may be stronger, but Saya-sama is far stronger in ninja arts. She can defeat him with one hand literally tied behind her back.

“Manzô knows this so he is constantly looking for ways to prove himself. If he can prove that you and Shishi are Konoha ninjas he’ll-” Shinsuke abruptly stopped after he realized what he just said.

“Don’t worry. We’re not ninjas and definitely not from Konoha or anywhere near that damned country. The dogs,” Iruka sneered.

“Oh,” Shinsuke gasped. He was surprised at the disgust and anger he heard in the other man’s voice. “May I ask why you are not fond of them as well? Most civilians don’t take that tone in regards to ninjas.”

“I tried to stop one of them from violating my sister and received this for my efforts,” Iruka ran his fingers along his scar. “He told me I was lucky he was in the mood for something other than killing and tied me up in the corner. He made me watch. When he finished said ‘his bloodline was too precious to risk some refugee wench birthing his bastard.’ He did something to her. Nee-chan has been married for 5 years and hasn’t had a full term pregnancy.”

“That’s awful. Don’t worry Rui-san. We’ll get them. If all goes well in two years you and your sister will be able to personally avenge her virtue and her unborn children,” Shinsuke said reassuringly and completely unaware what he just said was far more revealing than the fact his cell leader thought they were Konoha ninja.

Iruka didn’t bother hiding his smile, “Thank you for the offer, Shinsuke, but that’s not necessary. Apparently that precious bloodline drove one of his kinsmen mad and he killed the whole lot of them.”

“An Uchiha?” Shinsuke asked incredulously, “No one has ever faced them and lived to tell about it!”

“Dark haired bastards with red eyes?” Iruka questioned.

Shinsuke nodded in confirmation.

“Good riddance. I mean of all places. Why would he think we’re from Konoha? We tramped around a lot but we tried to avoid places with ninjas.” Iruka muttered.

“I’ve only been around him a few months. I’m still learning how his mind works,” Shinsuke admitted with a shrug.

Iruka chewed his lip pensively before speaking, “He doesn’t seem to like couples like Shishi and I, will he or the others make trouble for us? I know same sex couples aren’t accepted in all areas. We’re planning on leaving as soon as Shishi is able to travel.”

Shinsuke thought carefully before speaking, “There are a few of the older men and women who have more traditional beliefs, but none of them are as homophobic as Manzô. They may look at you funny, but they’re too professional to harm a civilian or say anything. The only reason Manzô is so uptight is because his Dad left his mom for a male former teammate after his sister died. His dad is obviously the woman in that relationship. He’s already weaker than his sister so that gives him all the more reason to prove his manhood.”

“I’ll remember that. What about Ryuu-sama, Takamoto and the townspeople?” Iruka asked.

“You don’t have to worry about Ryuu-sama or Takamoto in regards to that!” Shinsuke laughed. “Ryuu-sama has a husband and a wife back home. Takamoto…”

Shinsuke stopped and blushed then looked at the lump of covers behind Iruka and spoke sadly, “You should keep an eye on Shishi. Takamoto likes blondes. Most of the townspeople still hang on to the traditional beliefs, but those two guys who work on Saito-san’s farm have lived here for a while and don’t seem to have any problems. But most people haven’t realized they are together. They moved in together after their wives died in the chaos after Konoha murdered our country’s rightful leader.”

“Rui, can I ask you a personal question?” Shinsuke inquired timidly.

The teen waited until he received an affirmative to continue. “How did you approach Shishi? You and your mother were his family’s servants. What made you feel comfortable enough to seek a relationship with him giving the difference in your status and the fact you’re both men?”

Iruka chuckled, “Actually it was my younger brother, Maki’s, doing. Shishi has a younger sister his age. He caught Maki peeking in her window. Shishi dragged him away and asked him what did he think he was doing? Maki answered ‘just looking’ then asked Shishi why he was so upset. Apparently Shishi looked in my window all the time but unlike Shishi, Maki stated he had the good sense to keep his hands out of his pants until he made it back to his room.”

“Shishi didn’t know I overheard them. After hearing that approaching him was easy,” Iruka explained.

“Is there someone, a man, you admire?” Iruka asked kindly.

“There is, but I don’t know where I stand with him. One minute he lets me get close, but just when I start to think we may have a chance he pushes me away and says he doesn’t like children. I’m seventeen and he’s twenty. It’s not like he could be my dad or anything. It’s frustrating,” Shinsuke ranted.

“He’s older and stronger so I don’t really have to confidence to approach him, but at the same time I’m a little bit relieved because I don’t want to be the woman. How did you end up the man in your relationship, Rui?” the teen asked a bit calmer.

“That is precisely why your intended says you’re a child,” Iruka chastised. “Shishi and I are both men. Neither one of us is a woman. What you most likely are referring to as ‘playing the woman’ is act in which he allows me to physically give him my love.”

“And before you ask, yes, I have received Shishi’s love physically. I did enjoy it and no, it did not make me feel like a woman or less of a man. Relationship roles shouldn’t be defined by status or strength or terms like superior, inferior or stronger and weaker. Both sides should come together as equals and balance out the other one,” Iruka huffed.

Iruka could see the teenager struggling with the idea. In this region of the continent everything was based on status and strength. This Darwinian belief went back to ancient history when people first settled the region. A woman needed a strong man to provide for her. A man needed a strong woman to bear strong children to provide for him in his old age.

Communities needed strong warriors who could defend them from outsiders and natural threats. The clan needed a strong leader to keep the warriors in line. Those who were weak in mind, body or spirit simply did not survive.

Over time the violence decreased as individual communities and clans joined to form cities and countries. People began to explore other occupations leaving the fighting to the ninja class but still hung on to the old ways mostly in regards to social class and their choice of spouse. The haves shunned the have-nots and marriages were still arranged based on money and prestige more so than love.

“But how can you say that when one of you is allowing the other into your body just like a woman does?” Shinsuke argued.

“Shinsuke, this person you have affection for, do you care for them very much?” Iruka asked.

“I do,” the boy agreed. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone.”

“I’m guessing he is are aware of your feelings since you say he lets you get close then pushes you away. Have the two of you kissed?” Iruka question kindly.

His guest replied in the affirmative, “We’ve kissed several times and even made it to the point where we had taken our shirts off.”

“But he pushes you way before you can go any further?” Iruka speculated.

The boy nodded once more and Iruka continued. “You’ve given him your feelings and offered your body, but yet you do not have a relationship. Do you know why?”

The teen frowned, “Because he doesn’t like me back.”

“I wouldn’t say he doesn’t like you back, just that he hasn’t accepted your feelings. If he didn’t like you, he could very easily use you to satisfy his physical urges without any regard to your feelings,” Iruka advised. “Once he accepts your feelings then the two of you will have a proper relationship. That’s what a mature healthy relationship is, both people giving and receiving. In time that giving and receiving turns physical.”

Shinsuke shook his head stubbornly, “But he allows you to-”

“Exactly, I love Shishi and he allows me to love him,” Iruka interjected. “You love your precious person. But they do not allow you to love them in return. Let me ask you a question Shinsuke, how would you feel if your precious person returned your feelings?”

“What would you do if your relationship progressed physically? Would you feel like a less like a man because the person you loved wanted to love you in return or would you just be happy to receive their affections? Would you look down on him if he allowed you to physically express your love?” Iruka questioned.

“Don’t answer yet,” Iruka advised, “Take your time and think about it. Would you look down on your precious person and think they are less than a man if they allow you to love them and would you feel like less than a man for allowing yourself to be loved?

“The distance between seventeen and twenty isn’t that great in terms of years, but the difference can be as wide as the Giha chasm in terms of maturity levels.”

Shinsuke smiled, “I think I understand what you are trying to tell me. He calls me a child because I think like a child more so than the gap in our ages. Can I ask you another question? How much younger is Shishi?”

Iruka burst into peals of laughter, “Shishi is a little over three years older but several times smarter and richer. Well, he was several times richer, now we’re equally poor but no less happy.”

“Thank you, Rui. I’ve taken up enough of your time. I need to get back before they send someone after me,” Shinsuke said politely.

“I don’t mind. I enjoyed talking to you. It’s nice to know not everyone is so hostile,” Iruka paused for a moment then decided to something he wasn’t quite sure was brave or stupid. “Shishi, do you mind mailing a letter for me? Mama-san gave me a letter from my mother when I was in town on New Year’s. I haven’t been able to send my reply yet.”

When Iruka rose to give him the letter and see him to the door the bed rose just enough to jostle Kakashi and free the coughs he had been suppressing.

Kakashi pushed himself up on one elbow, using his other hand to cover his mouth completely forgetting his lack of clothing as the hacking barks shook his body. Iruka was at his side in an instant. He wrapped the blanket around Kakashi and helped him into a sitting position and rubbed his back, “Shinsuke, can you get some tissue from the restroom?”

When the boy returned Kakashi’s coughs had diminished in strength. Shinsuke handed the tissue to Iruka. He watched contemplatively as another brutal set of coughs shook the older man’s body and once again offered to assist them, “Shishi-san, I know you don’t like ninjas, but I may be able to offer some assistance. My mentor is teaching me civilian methods of diagnosis so I don’t have to use chakra if you allow me to check you.”

Kakashi managed a “no” between the rough hacks until Iruka slapped him on the back a bit harder than necessary.

Shinsuke flinched as Rui glared at his lover while addressing him, “Shinsuke-san, you are trained in civilian methods of diagnosis? So you can help Shishi without using your ninja magic?”

“That’s correct, Rui-san,” the boy agreed somewhat afraid to contradict the man least he become the subject of his ire.

“Do you mind waiting here while I discuss something with Shishi?” Iruka asked tossing Kakashi and the bed covers he was wearing over his shoulder. He stooped to pick up the earlier discarded underwear and carried the unhappy man into the bathroom.

Like any good ninja Shinsuke was tipping down the hallway to eavesdrop when the two men began yelling. He had no idea what “sugar, chocolate, monkeys, and sharp objects,” or “papercuts, hemorrhoids and thousand years of pain” or “ramen, boobs, and writer’s block” or “paper, clumsy, cold and stinky” had to do with anything but Shishi looked decidedly unhappy when a triumphant Rui smugly guided him to a chair.

“Shinsuke-san, Shishi-sama has decided to accept your offer of medical treatment so long as you do not use your ninja magic and only use civilian methods. He was very upset and it took quite a long time to calm him the last time you tried to use ninja magic to heal him. We would be very grateful if you are very mindful of your touches,” Iruka smiled and then bowed to the young Snow ninja.

Rui’s words were pleasant but there was firmness in his voice that brokered no discussion. Shinsuke and all of his comrades had been trying to guess the origins of the man’s ninja heritage, but until that moment Rui’s behavior offered no clues.

In spite of the polite bow there was no mistaking the bloodlust in the man’s eyes or the number of pointy teeth adjacent to his unnaturally sharp canines. Shinsuke gulped.

Rui’s father was a Mist ninja.

The teenager knew enough about them to know the reason most of them went missing was to hide a bloodline limit. He’d heard countless stories from his grandmother about a clan rumored to be extinct that used ice and snow as weapons. The teenager’s imagination supplied the rest as he determined Rui’s father must have been a member of that clan. There was no other reason a man born in the temperate southern regions would move his family to the northern countries.

He’d already seen evidence of the man’s temper. Arisa had confided the reason she ran off was because it felt like Rui was choking her. The unrestrained ki was so strong she was almost back to the fortress before his stranglehold was loosened.

“Hai, Rui-san, I’ll be happy to examine Shishi using civilian methods. Let me get my bag,” Shinsuke said nervously.

Kakashi’s face twisted in question and he tilted his head towards his fellow Konoha ninja. One corner of Iruka’s mouth barely lifted and his shoulders rose faintly in response. Kakashi recognized that unmistakable gesture even though he hadn’t seen it in over two years.

It clearly said “I may or may not have done something but you will never be able to prove it either way.” That movement had been Sasuke’s only concession to teenage mischief.

Kakashi’s suspicion that Iruka had indeed done something to the teen was furthered when the boy took a deep breath before pressing a stethoscope to his chest and advising him to do the same.

Kakashi was remarkably obedient and surprisingly amused as Shinsuke fumbled through the examination. The boy in front of him didn’t seem like the same person whose uneven chakra caused him more pain than his injuries when he tended to him.

“Shishi-san you have a low grade fever and pneumonia. What have you been taking for it?” Shinsuke asked after checking his eyes, ears, nose, and chest.

“I haven’t been taking anything. Rui’s been making herbal tea with mint and lemongrass” Kakashi answered. He frowned when Iruka retrieved two boxes from the kitchen.

“I’ve been giving him one of these every six hours,” Iruka admitted sheepishly. “I crush one of each pill in his tea before I give it to him.”

Shinsuke relaxed as the tan man handed him the two boxes. Rui looked perfectly normal. In fact he was blushing. Those extra teeth and bloodlust had to have been his imagination. He looked at the civilian medicine to reduce fever and decongestion and tried but was unable to remember the conversion.

He knew that civilians needed a 1.5 times higher dosage of ninja medicine to compensate for the differences in chakra. But the civilian doses of their over the counter medicine had never made sense to him. No matter how many times Kaede-sensei reminded him the on the box dosage was a general guideline but sometimes needed to be adjusted depending on patient gender, age, weight and the severity of the condition, he could never remember how to do it..

“Rui-san, please continue to give him one of the red pills every eight hours along with two of the fever reducers. I’ll leave you my pack and show you how to make something to increase their function that you can give him halfway between each dose,” Shinsuke advised.

“Are you sure you want to leave it with us?” Kakashi asked not quite sure he heard the boy right or if he was still under the influence of the medication Iruka had been drugging him with. There was no way in hell the kid had just offered them a fully stocked Kumogakure med kit. “What if you need it?”

“Nah, it’s fine,” the boy responded. “We have several more at the base. They won’t notice if I get a new one. You’re sick and Rui is at risk from exposure. Besides you two are on the run from your family. There are a few things in here that can help if you get in a jam.”

The two men watched with rapt attention as the young Snow ninja showed them how to mix the herbal supplement. “Rui” retrieved stationary so he and “Shishi” could take notes when the teen began explain the contents of every packet, pouch, and vial, their function, and possible usage combinations in great detail.

When he was finished with the explanation he quizzed them on the contents so they would be sure to remember it. He left promising to take Iruka’s letter straight to Mama-san’s for mailing.

After he was gone the two Konoha nin had a rare moment in which they could feel no lingering chakra signatures.

“Maa, Iruka,” Kakashi whispered, “Did that really happen? I know I’ve injured my head, but I think that boy just revealed all of the bases and antidotes for Cloud’s poisons.”

“It happened all right,” Iruka took a risk of performing a small summons to store a copy of their recently gleaned information and samples of each item with his parents’ belongings.

When they were once again secreted away he looked at Kakashi and laughed. “That’s why you should always be nice to people.”

MisatosPenPen: Thank you for your always kind words and constant support. Hopefully my elusive plot bunnies don’t cause too much misery.

Whitetiger9953: Yay! A new reader. Thank you for your kind words. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.
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Another Perfect Wonder