Akatsuki Drabbles

Students see us leave the same car and guess what they think (Itachi)

Typical. Just typical.

Usually, you always made sure you were up and ready perfectly on time, but through a series of occurrences—your alarm turned off, your shirt ripped, you spilled your cup of coffee—you were running a little late. That had put you on edge enough, and it was why you had grabbed everything as quick as possible and rushed out of your apartment. Then, when you reached the train station, it turned out your train was going to be late, and not just by a few minutes. Normally you checked the status of the train lines before you left, but because of everything that had happened you hadn't had the chance to do so, and clearly you were paying for it now. If this wasn't a picture-perfect example of Murphy's Law, then you didn't know what was. But you had to make a choice as to where to go from here, and calculating the timing in your head, you decided it would be quickest to walk.

Heading out of the train station, you immediately turned and headed in the direction of the school. You were a teacher, and it wasn't fair to the students to be late. It would throw everyone's routine off, even if only a little bit—and ultimately leave you with more work to do. Not to mention it might make a bad impression. Glancing at your watch as you thought about it, you knew it would be a brisk walk, but you might just be able to get there on time. There was no time to dwell on it, anyway; you just needed to get to school, meaning you were so focused on walking that it took you a while to notice the car pulling up alongside you—it was only when it honked its horn that you jumped and turned around. What you had been expecting, you weren't sure, but you blinked in surprise as you made eye contact with the driver and immediately recognised him as your colleague—Itachi Uchiha. He was one of the new teachers, like you, and around the same age. He was popular with students and teachers alike due to his polite and friendly nature—and his looks merely increased that. You agreed completely, unable to stop yourself from blushing and the intensity of his gaze, but remained quiet as he rolled down the window and called out,

"Y/N? What are you doing out this way? You get the train, don't you?"

Feeling embarrassed at everything that had happened already today, you glanced down and responded softly,

"Yes, normally, but it was running very late. I didn't have time to wait for another, so I figured I'd walk."

"Then get in. I'll give you a ride," he replied instantly, and although you hesitated, not wanting to be a burden, you couldn't see the harm when he was going the same way anyway, and as such you nodded and got inside, thanking him as you did so. As he pulled away from the curb, a part of you realised some would have been wary about getting in his car. Sure, you worked together, but you didn't know each other that well. Then again, as you glanced across at him, you never felt any reason to doubt the decision. Maybe you hadn't known each other long, but you trusted him.

"You didn't have to rush, you know. The school would have understood if you explained," Itachi commented gently as you settled into your seat, but you shook your head.

"A late train isn't reason enough to be late. It wouldn't be fair for the students."

As he let out a quiet chuckle, you couldn't help but blush again, but saw the look in his eyes was gentle, rather than patronising, prompting you to return his smile as he murmured,

"Always thinking of others, as usual, y/n."

Shrugging at that comment, you began to chat amiably as the car ride continued, trying to force down the idea that it had been a good thing this had happened if it meant getting to spend time with Itachi like this. Sure, it was nice to get to know him better, and he'd been so kind to help you out like this, but that was no reason to react like this. You weren't one of your teenage students. You were an adult. Yet still a warm feeling came over you when you glanced at Itachi out of the corner of your eye. Then the school appeared up ahead, and pulling into the parking lot, you thanked Itachi again for giving you ride as you both got out of the car, though he dismissed your gratitude, saying it was no big deal.

You continued to talk as you started walking up to the entrance, when you suddenly heard someone call out,

"Itachi-sensei? Y/n sensei? What do we have here?"

Glancing round to see one of your students smirking teasingly in your direction, you frowned in confusion as to what he was getting at. But when several other students joined him, teasing and questioning as to what was going on, you realised what it looked like. You and Itachi had arrived together, getting out of the same car. It was completely innocent, but they were teenagers, you were the same age...that meant gossip. And a lot of teasing.

It just might have been a lot easier to deal with if you didn't slightly wish it was true...