The Way Of The Shinobi

Chapter Eighteen: Iruka

(Kakashi's POV)

    "Iruka?" I questioned as I turned to see my fellow comrade standing behind me. He smiled gently and looked back up at the window of the inn. 

   "I've never seen you like this Kakashi." He explained as I sighed deeply. He was right, I had never been like this before. Something about Mayumi made my heart race.

   "Can I ask you something Iruka?" I mumbled, keeping my gaze hyper focused on the window. Iruka nodded and took a few steps towards me.
 

    "Of course Kakashi, how can I help?" He asked. That was a good question that I had no idea how to answer. 

   "Have you ever been in love before?" Iruka pondered for a moment as he tapped the tip of his chin. 

   "I have, but unfortunately she passed away a long time ago." He admitted as I turned to face him. 

    "How did you know you were in love?" My voice trailed off as Iruka chuckled.
  

    "I think this is a question I should answer over a few beers, my treat." Iruka walked passed me and began heading to the bar. I quickly caught up with him and shoved my hands back into my pockets. The bar wasn't very big, only a few people where there scattered around the tiny room. Iruka and I walked up to the old wooden bar and sat down, the barstool creaking under my weight as the bartender came over and took our order. Two large glasses of ember colored beer was placed before us. Condensation slowly dripped down the side of the glass. 

   "So, to answer your question; I didn't know I was in love at first. It took a long time and a lot of people telling me that I was oblivious to even realize that they had a point." He began to explain. I took a sip of my ice cold beer, the rich hops taste coated the back of my throat. "When I met my late wife, I had no idea what being in love felt like. But I knew that every time I saw her, it was like the world stopped." He smiled gently. My eyes widened a bit at Iruka's words. That's how I felt when I saw Mayumi, it was like everything around me stopped moving; everything but her. I groaned and placed my hands on the sides of my temples. 

   "How did you tell her how you felt? Every time I try to even talk to her, I fumble on my words and say the wrong things..." I explained. I knew I needed to tell her soon, or these feelings would eventually devour me.

   "Well honestly? I just got up the courage and told her everything that was on my mind. I knew if I didn't someone could potentially take her from me. I was surprised when she told me she felt the same. We were together from then on." Iruka admitted. He never talked about his deceased wife, even though everyone knew about her. 

   "I don't think Mayumi is the type of girl who will take kindly to me doing something like that." I rubbed the back of my head as I commented.  My words caused a relaxed chuckle to come out of Iruka. He lifted his beer mug to his lips and took a big gulp. 

    "That is true... Mayumi is quite an odd girl." Iruka stated. I glanced down at my half full glass, the condensation wetting my finger tips. 

  "I feel like she's just misunderstood. She is constantly in her fathers shadow, she has a lot of pressure on her." I admitted. "But don't tell her I said that. She would kill me if she knew." I added.
   

  "I think you need to do something soon about your feelings, Kakashi. Who knows what could happen." Iruka spoke softly as he tilted his head back and finished the remaining sip of his beer. Iruka was right, with Mayumi going on this mission soon, who knows what could happen. I quickly chugged the rest of the beer in my glass and sighed. 

   "Okay, it's been decided. I'll tell Mayumi about how I feel tomorrow when I see her." I confidently stated. Iruka patted my shoulder and smiled as we both stood up. 

   "That's good to hear Kakashi. I really hope it works out for you." Iruka commented as we paid our tab and left the bar. As soon as Iruka and I walked out of the bar, I felt the small petite body of a young woman slam right into me. My eyes widened as I looked down to see Mayumi staring back up at me. Iruka's eyes widened a bit as he rubbed the back of his head and smiled.

   "Oh, hello Mayumi. Kakashi I think I'm gonna head home. Thanks for talking to me tonight!" Iruka waved as he turned and left, leaving Mayumi and I alone. Mayumi took a few steps back and bit her lower lip as she kept her gaze on the ground. Half of her long white hair was pulled up into a ponytail, while the other half cascaded down her back in soft curls.
  

     "...I'm sorry for running into you, I wasn't watching where I was going." Mayumi muttered. Her cheeks slowly turning that attractive shade of pink that I adored. I took a deep breath and took a step towards her. 

    "Mayumi, I know it's late at night but can we talk?" I asked, hoping she'd even give me the time of day to talk. After a few moments she nodded. I smiled and looked around at the scenery, knowing that this wasn't where I wanted to confess.

  "Follow me, there's somewhere I want to take you." I reached down and softly took her hand, causing her gorgeous green eyes to widen a bit. 

   "K-Kakashi, where are we going?" Mayumi asked as we walked towards one of my favorite spots in Konoha. 

   "Don't worry Mayumi, you'll see it when we get there." I smiled as I felt my nerves slowly begin to fester in the pit of my stomach.