Introductions

She'd been stood up. Well damn, what was she supposed to do? Crumple and sob in self-pity? Yeah right. Who needed a boyfriend anyways? Boys were stupid, especially Kiba who would probably laugh all week about this. And it was raining. No, it was a hurricane practically and she was too ticked off to walk home just yet. She smoldered in front of her dad's office and glared across the street.

"You'll catch a cold like that."

She whipped around to another Chunnin fairly taller than herself with a pleasant face, a scar across his nose, and an umbrella in his extended hand stopping the rain from pounding down on her.

"Who-"

"Oh, sorry." He smiled and tilted his head slightly. Lord Hokage, it was cute. "I always forget introductions. I'm Umino Iruka." He stuck his other hand out. She took it and shook.

"I'm Inu-"

"Inuzuka Hana, right?"

"Y-yes. How did you-"

"Kiba's told me some about you. Oh yeah," he leaned his head back and scratched it, "I forgot again. I'm the Academy Instructor. Kiba was in my class for several years."

"Oh."

"This is quite a small umbrella. Guess one of the students took mine and put theirs in its place." He examined the handle. "Should have known. Konohamaru's quite a troublemaker sometimes." He blinked at her, still smiling slightly. "Step in a bit if you're getting wet."

"Oh!" She hadn't even noticed the rain still pelting down on her back. Abruptly she stepped forward, just as he did. Their bodies touched for a second before they hastily stepped (leaped really) backwards into the rain before finding a midway point. She carefully examined her feet. She felt his temperature rise in embarrassment.

"So, um, why were you here anyways?" He blinked again. "I mean, not that you shouldn't be here, I didn't mean…" he trailed off awkwardly.

"No, it's okay! I…I was here for a date, but…" she crossed her arms, dang it was cold all of a sudden, "I guess he stood me up."

Now it was his turn. "Oh."

She looked up at him. He was looking away pointedly. She looked down again. Something slid around her shoulder and she found herself pressed to his chest. She glanced up again, to see him doing the same, blushing fiercely. She watched the blush spread to his nose and ears until he was completely red, but he still held her firmly to him. He looked down.

"You were getting wet," he explained hoarsely. He swallowed. "If you'd like, I'll walk you home." He looked away again.

"I'd like that a lot actually, thank you."

"Oh, sure," he smiled, still red, "But first, let's find a bigger umbrella."

She smiled. "I'd rather not."