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Another Perfect Wonder	By : jaded_priceless Category: Naruto > Yaoi - Male/Male > Kakashi/Iruka Views: 10014 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I make no profit from this work of fiction. Full disclaimer inside

Chapter List
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Chapter 32

Warning: Homophobia
Reminder: “:indicates non-verbal communication using scout signals:”

Iruka woke up the next morning and killed their last fish for breakfast. He gave Kakashi his herbal medicine then took stock of their clothing. There were three pairs of pants, six pairs of socks, two sets of thermal underwear, three turtlenecks, a t-shirt, four pairs of clean boxer briefs, one hat, one scarf, one pair of gloves, two sets of sheets, three blankets, one coat and one pair of shoes between them.

“What are you doing?” Kakashi questioned when Iruka began dragging whole sections of wood and two of the larger pots from the tack room.

Iruka didn’t stop moving as he answered. “We’re starting to run low on food. I killed the last fish this morning and haven’t been able to catch anymore rabbits or squirrels. There’s enough rice and root vegetables to last the rest of the week. I’m trying to find the best way to take you with me.”

Kakashi looked at everything the man had brought out. A sled would be the most logical thing, but his lack of clothing meant he would be exposed to the elements. A cart would offer more coverage, but they didn’t have time to build one. He could always stay behind but his instincts were telling him that purpled eyed bitch was telling the truth when she advised them to stay together.

“We aren’t just going fishing are we?” Kakashi asked noticing the methodical way Iruka was messing up the room.

“No, I was thinking I’d catch enough fish to sell in the village. You need a coat and shoes,” Iruka responded verbally.

He added, “:We need to be gone long enough for them to search the cabin. Those packs were here a long time and we pissed off Manzô. They need to come in and find the pack Shinsuke left us sitting out in the open to ease their suspicions. If we’re out in public Manzô will be less likely to retaliate for angering him:” using scout signals.

Kakashi grudgingly admitted it was a good plan. It gave them a chance to re-supply while gathering information. All he needed was sheltered transportation. His eyes drifted back to the large cauldron that Iruka was wiping, “You seriously aren’t planning on putting me in that?”

Two hours later Iruka had inserted the broken blades into a section of wood to form makeshift sled runners. The pot handle was tied to a metal protrusion on the opposite side that may have once anchored a shelf. His fishing gear, the saw, two smaller pots and some of the dried pieces of wood sat beside it.

Inside the largest piece of cookware dressed in two pairs of pants, five pairs of socks, a thermal underwear set, two turtlenecks, Iruka’s hat and various pieces of household bedding sat one disgruntled Copy Nin.

It was a slight comfort that the surprisingly loud and laughing ninja in the trees above him unanimously agreed that he was not their missing target – the great Sharingan no Kakashi of Konoha would not be caught dead being pulled through the snow in a pot.

Iruka was sweating by the time he reached the lake. He quickly built a fire in one of the smaller pots and placed it in the snow. He tied ropes around the two largest trees in the area and used them to anchor himself as he built smaller fires directly on the frozen lake while waiting for the worms to crawl up.

He baited his hooks and dropped his lines in the middle of the lake first. He sawed off several small branches and turned them into fishing poles. Then melted several small holes closer to the shore and stuck one of the new poles into each one.

“Make yourself useful,” he instructed pulling off his gloves and giving them to Kakashi before rearranging the blankets covering his companion so his arms were free to fish. He built a small fire on the ground beside him as an extra precaution.

Kakashi’s eyes widened. This was how Iruka fished? They would freeze fishing in such an archaic method. He was about to protest when he felt a slight tug on his line. He waited until the rope grew taut and pulled. It had been less than ten minutes and he’d already caught a fish.

“Hey Rui, this one’s too little. Throw it back,” Kakashi called out knowing full only rich civilians didn’t keep what they caught for dinner. A ninja on a mission would eat a minnow or tadpole if that’s what they caught since there was no guarantee they wouldn’t need to move before they caught something bigger or better.

“Nah, it’s small, but I can still sell it. The poor need fresh protein just like the rich,” Iruka said while freeing the fish from the line and placing it in the empty pot with slowly melting snow. He re-baited Kakashi’s hook and went to check the lines in the middle of the lake.

Iruka pulled up two large catfish and dropped the lines once more before returning to the shore and burying them in the snow. He checked the smaller lines and pulled up two small fish. He was picking up more worms for bait when he noticed they had a visitor.

He’d never fished from this spot but there were several broken trees and rotten logs in the area, “Shishi, do you like turtles?”

“They’re ok pets, but they stink.” Kakashi replied boredly as he pulled up another fish. This one was somewhat larger but still snack sized.

“Not as pets, for dinner,” Iruka hissed. “I guess there was one hibernating nearby. It must have felt the warmth from the fire.”

“I’ve never had turtle, but if it’s as good as your fish stew I’ll eat it. I really think you should put out these fires and we should move to another location,” Kakashi said nervously looking around for any other signs of wildlife. “Snakes like to hibernate in rotten trees and I really don’t want to get bitten.”

Iruka threw the worms on the board and doused the fires. He checked the areas for signs that he had awakened any other sleeping reptiles before turning his attention to the turtle.
It had predictably followed the worms and was happily gnawing on his bait.

Iruka dangled a piece of string in front of it and cheered when the head retracted into the shell and there was no immediate snapping recoil. He used the now empty pot to scoop up snow and dump it on the turtle. He didn’t want it crawling off before he turned it into dinner.

Iruka checked the lines closest to him and each one had a small fish. The ones in the middle of the lake were full as well although half of one was missing. He was about to bait the lines again when he noticed a large shadow beneath him in the water.

He slowly walked sideways keeping an eye on both it and the shore and made note of his position when it disappeared. Once Kakashi was healed and properly outfitted whatever that was would be someone’s dinner.

The walk into town was predictably longer, but less taxing than he expected since the trail had been well worn over time and sloped slightly downhill. For the first time since he began fishing in the area he skipped Mama-san’s restaurant and headed straight to the affluent section of town.

The bar owner paid fairly, but the grand ladies of Kaibara paid better. They gave the newcomer a quick once over and paid him no attention as they ruthlessly outbid each other for the choicest selection.

Once the rich had purchased their wares all but one of the larger fish were gone so he headed to the poor section to unload the smaller ones. He received a few coins but mostly the fish were traded for other foodstuffs. He was able to get millet, rice, vegetables, tofu, flour, oil, and a bottle of milk that was two days from expiring.

Their response to Kakashi was different in that they actually acknowledged his presence. The seamstress promised to knit a hat and scarf in exchange for her purchase. One woman gave them a pair of gloves belonging to her late husband. They were old and worn but they were better than the nothing Iruka currently wore.

The short trip to the general store was easier now that his burden had been lightened. Iruka secured smaller items and carried Kakashi into the store. A voice called out in greeting when the entry bell chimed, but there was no one behind the counter.

Kakashi had spent several days lurking in Kaibara when he began his mission so he was familiar with its layout but the town seemed very different now that he was interacting with its occupants.

The hill where the larger homes were didn’t seem as opulent and the poorer section didn’t seem as shabby. There was less of a demarcation between the haves and have-nots in terms of condition of property than in most areas he’d traveled. All of the buildings showed signs of careful paintings and repair. But the real surprise was the inside of the store.

It was wooden like the rest of the town showing outward signs of being built in the warring clan era. He expected the inside would also have that same archaic feel and to an extent he was right. There was a raised entryway lined with shelves and hooks so customers could remove their winter clothing and store their belongings.

The dry goods and hardware sections were separated by large reams of cloth. Each one was filled with old fashioned barrels and wooden drawers lining heavy wooden shelves. Kakashi could see manual tools such as hammers, screwdrivers and awls mixed in with snow blowers, power drills and chainsaws. To the left of that were hangers filled with coats and ready to wear clothing.

What appeared to be the original back wall was lined with shoes of all types. Just beyond that was a convenience section to that would please even the most inept of bachelors. Its refrigerated containers held beer, microwave meals, and several different types of bottled water and juices.

The shelves were arrayed in the standard configuration: candy, chips, gum, infant and medical needs. There was a small sitting area just to the right of the books, maps and scrolls section. The store was such a blend of modern and traditional that he was willing to wager that if he searched hard enough he would probably be able to find family planning products mixed in with the infants or medical section.

He was still looking around when Iruka sat him down on one of the benches in the shoe section.

“What size do you need?”

“Size 11 or 29.5. How is the measurement listed?” Kakashi replied paying closer attention to the sturdy boots in front of him.

He was looking in the low to mid-price range when Iruka picked up a more expensive pair.

“Can we afford that? I was looking at these down here,” Kakashi said pointed to the lower quality footwear.

“It will be more cost effective in the long run to get a good pair. We don’t know where we’re going to end up settling and what we’ll have to walk through to get there. If those wear out in three months we’ll have to purchase another pair. Besides,” Iruka smiled, “this way I don’t have to worry about cold and water seeping in making you sicker.”

Kakashi shook his head. This was a mission. He didn’t know how long they would be there and what supplies they would need before they headed back to Konoha. He couldn’t let Iruka spend the equivalent of A rank mission pay on a pair of closed in boots he’d only wear until he could summon his ninken to fetch his belongings.

“That’s true but…” Kakashi’s protest was interrupted by the arrival of an older woman.

“Rui, how nice to see you! Are you feeling better? I was starting to get worried,” she exclaimed grasping Iruka’s hand affectionately, “Why are your hands so cold? What happened to your gloves?”

“I’m fine Shibata-san,” Iruka replied warmly. “I was never ill. The medication was for my friend. Shibata-san I would like to introduce you to Shishi.”

The woman turned to regard Kakashi as he was inspecting her. Shishi was an odd name for a male, but somehow it fit the golden hued stranger. His complexion was the same as a lion she’d once seen at a zoo in the capitol and that swollen bruised eye gave him an air of danger.

“Shishi-san it is nice to meet you. I don’t see how anyone could go without shoes in this weather…” the woman gasped and brought a hand to cover her mouth. There was snow on the ground and the temperature was well into the negatives but this child was out and about without even a pair of shoes.

“It’s nice to meet you as well,” Kakashi responded semi-politely; apparently letting your mouth over run your brain was common in this area. He was beginning to think that a twelve year old Naruto was a fountain of wisdom. “My lack of shoes and outerwear is the reason we are here.”

Iruka quickly interrupted to diffuse the situation, “Shibata-san, are these boots ninja rated?”

“Oh no,” the woman replied, “We keep those in a special area. They’re in high demand and rather expensive since they are so durable. What size do you need?”

“An 11 or 29.5, depending how the box is labeled,” Both men remarked answering simultaneously smiling at the shop keeper and then at each other.

“What size shirt do you normally wear?” Iruka asked once Shibata has retreated to the ninja gear section. His clothes were a bit loose on Kakashi, but he was slowly regaining his weight now that he was eating regularly again.

“Whatever size you wear is fine. These won’t be so loose once I regain my health and it will make things easier,” Kakashi replied.

“Here you go,” Shibata-san returned carrying three boxes. “I brought the size you asked for as well as one larger and smaller. Sometimes the fit is different between ninja and civilian gear.”

“Rui, I can’t let you get these.” Kakashi grimaced. These were almost twice what the exact same shoe was sold for in Konoha. Then again Konoha was a ninja village. There were plenty of suppliers to meet the high demand for ninja gear. Out here in the wilderness it was likely they didn’t often fill such request.

Iruka put down the pack of long sleeve t-shirts when he saw the price on the shoebox Shibata brought them. “Try them on.”

“That is too much money,” Kakashi argued. “They’ll probably end up collecting dust or going to the dogs once we get settled anyway. I can get a less expensive set.” He added subtly reminding Iruka about his perfectly good pair of shoes in the possession of his ninken.

Iruka stubbornly shook his head, “Try them on. I don’t care about what happens to the boots once we figure out where we’re going and get there. I care about what happens to you while we make that decision. You’re getting these. Stop arguing.”

“Fine,” Kakashi huffed striping down his socks until he only wore two pair.

He tried on the pair he requested and walked around then tried the ones a size larger. He selected the original pair after allowing Shibata-san to remind him that he was wearing two pairs of socks and the others might be too large in a single pair. Kakashi was starting to hate pretending to be a civilian almost as much as he hated killing children.

“Rui-san, Mama-san told me of the circumstances that brought you to our village. I have packed up some of my menfolk’s clothing that they no longer wear. Would you like to see if either one of you can fit any of it before I give it away?” the woman mentioned discreetly.

Iruka’s pride was about to decline but then his sensibility kicked. Kakashi was practically naked and it wouldn’t be long before his clothing wore thin with the repeated washings and both of them wearing them.

Sandaime had often told him that the difference in a helping hand and charity was only in the mind of the person receiving it, not the mind of the giver. Iruka bowed, “Thank you Shibata-san I would like that very much.”

Iruka waited at the cash register while the woman called for someone to bring the boxes. It didn’t take long for her son to appear from a side room. He greeted at his customers in passing on his way to their living area. When he returned he set the castoffs in front of Kakashi as his mother instructed.

Iruka handed her the box as he watched Kakashi picking through the clothing. It looked like he had found several ugly but functional flannel shirts.

“Where are the shoes?” Shibata asked anxiously afraid she’d lost valuable merchandise.

“He’s going to wear them home. Do you need him to take them off to complete the purchase?” Iruka asked as Kakashi picked up a woman’s slip and added it to the keep pile.

“Oh no, that’s fine. I only use it to verify both sizes are correct. I guess if he’s wearing them I don’t need to do that. It will be 300 inter vill-age…,” Shibata-san trailed off once she realized the young man was also selecting women’s undergarments. “Rui-san is one of your sisters living in the cabin?”

“No, Ma’am. It’s just us.” Iruka answered as Kakashi added two more men’s t-shirts and a bra. He counted out all the money in his pocket.

“So there’s not anyone else staying with the two of you?” the woman paused questioning why would two men need a bra before drawing her own conclusion, “Rui-san did you find a young woman to court? Who is it? I’ve overheard several of the young ladies saying good things about you.”

Iruka blushed, “No Ma’am. I didn’t know that was a matchmaking event. If I did I would have declined. I’ve been reunited with my lover.”

“Oh okay,” the woman chirped in relief as she counted the money handed to her.

“With your existing credit you’ll still be 5 ivc short. I’ll exten-” the woman stopped, dropping the money and jumping back as if she’d been burned.

Like most shopkeepers she chatted on autopilot while concentrating on the register so it took a moment for her brain to process this latest information. Rui had been reunited with his lover. There weren’t any women living with them. He’d carried in a man and bought him the most expensive item in the store. That man was now picking up men’s and women’s clothing.

Rui, the young man in front of her, that she’d invited into her home, and introduced to her family liked other men. The woman had stepped several feet away from the open cash register and was pressed completely against the wall.

“I let you into my home, around my husband, around my sons, around my grandson…” she sputtered accusingly, her hand coming to her mouth in horror as her dark skin paled.

Iruka didn’t bother masking the pain on his face as he turned away from the register. “Shishi put that stuff back in the boxes. We’re leaving.”

Kakashi was about to ask the reason for the sudden empty handed departure when he saw the room’s other two occupants expressions. He wordlessly began placing the items back in the box mourning the loss of his finds.

Free clothing would have been okay, but the slip would have made a nice breathable protective face covering and the elastic, wires, and clasps from bras were some of the most useful things ever invited.

Iruka still had he last large fish that he hadn’t sold. He went outside without his coat and set it on the cash register.

“This should make up the difference, Shibata-san. Thank you for your business.” Iruka said stiffly before helping Kakashi back to the entryway and into the extra layers of covering.

The woman looked at the fish as if it would come back to life and bite her. She went to the door to tell Rui to take it away; she didn’t want it to poison her or her family. She knew it was illogical. They’d eaten several fish that he’d caught with no adverse side effects. Until that moment she was starting treat him in a manner in which she wanted someone to treat her own sons.

She realized how poorly she’d done him when she saw that kind young man whose hood had been pushed back by the wind pulling the pot that held his companion.

MisatosPenPen: I’m glad I was able to make you laugh. Shinsuke has a lot of growing up to do before he gets to happy for a week much less ever after. Ps--Did you figure out who he likes?

Whitetiger9953: Thank you for the feedback. I try to let people know how much I appreciate their feedback. Each plus and review are like golden tickets, hearts and rainbows. I hope you continue to enjoy it.

Miri: Thank you for your kind words. I’d also forgotten about AFF.net and I am so glad I remembered. I hope my Iruka doesn’t disappoint you.

Aenith: Thank you for the support. I’m glad I made your reading list. I can’t say when but I promise this story will be finished.
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Another Perfect Wonder