Breaking the Pattern (Naruto, Kakashi/Iruka)

“Two.” Kakashi discarded into the pile and slipped the new cards Azuma handed him into his hand. His luck was running foul tonight. So far the best he’d managed was two pair and that was a world better than the cards staring back at him now.

“Anyone want a beer?” Anko called from Genma’s kitchen.

Kakashi raised a hand. His fingers closed around the beer that smacked into his palm seconds later. “Nice throw,” he complimented without looking up and sighed. “Fold.” He dropped his cards onto the table. There went another twenty.

Genma and Raidou looked up as a soft knock sounded from the door, almost drowned out by the pouring rain.

“I fold.” Genma tossed his cards onto the table as he stood.

Kakashi glanced surreptitiously around the room, wondering who they were missing. All the regulars were present, scattered around Genma’s coffee table. Kurenai sat between Kakashi and Azuma, with Anko watching from the couch. Raidou sat on the opposite side of the table.

The door opened. Genma’s body blocked sight of the visitor. Soft words were exchanged and then Genma moved aside, ushering his visitor in. Kakashi blinked. He almost didn’t recognize Iruka as he walked in. The scar across Iruka-sensei’s nose gave him away, but that was where the similarities ended. Loose, wet black hair hid most of Iruka-sensei’s face, clinging to his cheeks. Iruka was drenched, his clothes dripping water onto Genma’s hardwood floor.