Chapter Text
Iruka’s life was cozy. Peaceful and simple. And he had earned it with his own sweat and tears. Iruka had spent years of his youth developing new wards and sigils for The Council, scraping together every spare silver he could manage. After years following mindless orders, the life of his dreams was now a reality. It was nothing flashy, a simple, calm and consistent life. A potion shop, a home, and enough funds to indulge at his favorite pub, Ichiraku.
The shop was a cozy space brimming with drying herbs, rattling bottles, and bubbling cauldrons. Potions and ingredients scattered the shelves, while the entire west wall was dedicated to Iruka’s newest projects. A bit odd, but the shop felt like home, Iruka’s own personal paradise. A challenge to manage alone yes, but rewarding all the same. Outside of a potion shop, the building was also quite literally his home. A quaint 2-bedroom apartment lay above.
Iruka loved the solitude his home brought him. After living in orphanage and council housing, something that was solely his was a luxury. Iruka looked over at the jumble of spell books, and the charred spot in his kitchen with fondness, well mostly his.
A few years back a kid had shown up at his door, soaked to the bone, scraped up, and clearly worse for wear. Little did Iruka know, but the kid would turn out to be his apprentice. Iruka, despite the strong exterior, had a soft heart and could not help but take pity on the small blonde. Iruka did not waste a moment quickly and quietly ushering the injured child inside the shop, grabbing a towel and dabbing numbing salves on the various injuries, frowning all the while. After ensuring the kid was no longer shivering, Iruka began the brew for a rapid healing draught while maintaining friendly chatter.It turned out the scuffed up child name was Naruto and despite his inquiries the child refused speak of his injuries. It left a sour taste in Iruka's mouth, so he let the boy remain.
What was the harm in letting the boy linger? Not that long ago he and Mizuki had taken refuge from bullies in any shop they could find. And, if he was going to host the boy he might as well do it right. Iruka ended up offering Naruto his own lunch and at rate Naruto shoved down spoon after spoon Iruka was glad he did. The rest of the day the potioneer slowly talked himself through every step of each potion as a small shadow followed through the shop. After an hour Iruka had about enough of this game and beckoned Naruto over. If he was going to have an extra set of hands around he might as well put them to work.
Iruka set up a simple color change powder on his work bench. All Naruto had to do was sprinkle and grind in a little rose, sea salt, and antler and the magic would do the rest. Naruto’s face had been alight with joy over such a simple task, Iruka couldn’t help but chuckle thinking back on that first day. Iruka also remembered his surprise when Naruto had appeared the next day with a handful of wild herbs and flowers as an offering begging to be his apprentice. Iruka had spoken to Sarutobi that evening.
Coincidently, it so happened that The Council had been looking for something to do with Naruto’s wild untamed magic and saw Iruka as a perfect opportunity. The next day Iruka gained an apprentice and lost his spare room. Now he had scorched floorboards, torn tomes, and a few missing mortars, but Iruka would change absolutely nothing.
With a sigh Iruka flung the curtains of the main shop window open, moats of dust settling to the floor. He closed his eyes and basked in the rays of dawn. He was opening early today. It was, after all, the busiest day of the year. All Hollow’s Eve and everyone and their familiar needed last-minute ingredients for their brews, potions, and hexes.
Iruka sighed thinking of the trying day ahead, flickering on the candles with a wave. A mug of strong steaming witches brew sat waiting to brace Iruka for upcoming hours. Pulling out a scroll the potioneer began the mundane task of taking stock and compiling order calculations. Iruka twisted at the small vial at his neck absentmindedly. It glimmered silver, reflecting in every twist. An heirloom of his mother’s containing quicksilver, the base of many potions, spells and sigils. A practical yet beautiful adornment.
Iruka frowned, comparing scrolls. His vendor from Sunagakure was nearly two days past due. Draining the rest of the bitter brew Iruka set to work. Customers would be arriving shortly and starting restock now would prevent tedious lines and impatient customers later.
Iruka rolled his ladder to his ingredient shelf climbing with practiced ease. Routine so familiar Iruka absentmindedly thought of the day's orders while plucking different items to restock from the levitating basket. Mug wort full, Chanterelles topped off, poppies rotated.
The entrance ward trilled, and without looking Iruka called to the incoming customer
“Welcome, I will be with you in just a moment.”
The rustling of a cloak was the only indication anyone had entered. Iruka picked up the pace, finally reached his intended goal, the yarrow. A few white corymbs remained. With a sigh Iruka reached for the recently gathered bundles of pink, and white flowers, settling them in their respective drawer. Adjusting said blooms with one hand Iruka reached for the yellow yarrow. In his foolish haste had overreached wobbling, the next moment plummeting toward the floor. Before a softening incantation could be uttered, strong arms held him firm.
Iruka felt his cheeks burn. How embarrassing, caught by a customer. Their eyes locked. Something about the single dark grey eye and piercing red stopped Iruka mid apology. They were intense, and deep, and looked terribly sad. The man’s eyes widened and face contorted into an unreadable expression under a thick scarf, choking and gasping. Shock ran through Iruka as he hit the cold floor. All that was seen was a flash of grey robe bolting through the door.
Iruka was in shock that the man had graciously caught him and then promptly dropped him on his ass. What was going on? He would demand answers. But just as Iruka stepped outside, an older man leaning heavily on a staff approached calling out to Iruka, a fake smile firmly settled underneath cold eyes.
Ah Danzo Shimura, Iruka loathed the onslaught of questions to come. The haggard mage assumed Iruka was an idiot willing to give up information with the slightest of pressure. Well, Iruka was not. Iruka sighed, shutting the door firmly behind the old man. Iruka’s one relief was at least Naruto wasn’t here in creeping prying eyes.
Iruka couldn’t help the condescending tone leaking from his lips, “Good morning High Mage, whatever can I help you with today?”
And with that any hopes of pursuing the stranger were lost.
Finally rid of the old man, Iruka went back to the ever-growing list of orders. At about a quarter past 10 a man entered looking around he hesitated and then strode toward the premade potions. Iruka watched as the man seemingly picked up different potions at random. Briefly gazing at Iruka between pretending to read labels and shuffling around bottles.
Odd, but the man was endearing with ruffled chocolate tresses, broad shoulders, and large soft eyes. If Iruka were to be honest he wouldn’t mind spending the evening with his newest patron. Oh, Anko would never let this go if she were to find out.
But it seemed something had caught the timid man’s attention. His face was turned down in concentration as he read the label of each potion.
Iruka leaned over his work bench chin resting on entwined fingers “Is there something the matter with my sleeping draught?”
The man jerked, nearly dropping the bottle. “There is nothing technically wrong with the draught.” The man hesitated, fingers fiddling the wax seal “But why chamomile when poppy is clearly a better, more effective base?”
Oh. Tall, broad, and bashful really did know what he was talking about. Iruka smiled and tilted his head with a hum.
The man's eyes widened after a moment stumbling out “Forgive my boldness sir, I did not intend to insult your craftsmanship. I understand poppy can be difficult to grow and timely to process, not everyone desires such a burden.”
Iruka shrugged, “No that’s not a problem, I quite enjoy poppies, and all their peculiarity, but not all of my patrons obey instructions, so I err on the side of caution. Can’t over use chamomile ” Iruka said with a shrug.
The man placed a finger on his chin thoughtfully as if considering this notion for the first time before nodding.
“Since you seem to question my elixirs. I would like to hear your opinion on my latest lunar brew.” Iruka stood sweeping his hand in the way of his work bench.
The man approached standing so close to Iruka he could smell the scent of pine and honey that clung to his cloak.
“You see, the mugwort is giving me some trouble. I have been considering grinding instead of straining to create a longer effect, but it doesn’t seem to dissolve as well. Any ideas?”
The peculiar stranger looked down, lips parted when a commotion outside snapped out of their haze and the man quickly ran out of the shop face flushed.
“Wait, what’s your name-?” and he was gone.
What was with Iruka and these strangers today, must be the harvest moon.
Iruka shop had been busy non-stop since Mr. Bashful’s disappearance, but it was the lunch lull at last. Iruka glanced longingly at the pumpkin danish and hazelnut coffee, but his mixing minerals from Sunagakure were running dangerously low. And said shipment of quartz, salts and other assorted minerals had just been delivered an hour ago. It was as if nothing was meant to go right today. Delaying the task would mean chaos later.
For the sake of his patrons and the sake of the shop Iruka would forgo his treat and lunch break. As Iruka walked over to sprinkle a floating powder on the heavy crates, another stranger burst through his door, nearly toppling a display of color changing salves.
“AH SO THIS IS THE SHOP OF GREAT WONDER I HAVE HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT!”
Iruka was in stunned silence where did this man produce all his energy from? Iruka needed to know so he could bottle it, sell it, and drink it himself.
The man caught sight of the crates at Iruka’s feet. Immediately swooping one up as if it weighed nothing.
“Running such a fine establishment as this, you must be fueled by the power of youth! But even the youthful must nourish their bodies!” The large man clad in green leaned his head toward the forgotten muffin and lukewarm brew.
Iruka tried to protest to no avail. The man was a fountain of energy, not only moving crates but restocking drawers, refilling displays, smiling and chattering the whole time. Iruka nearly kissed the man when he wiped down his work bench.
Work completed and the store restocked, the man finally stopped. Iruka stood there gaping. ” Please, I must pay you for your work. I don’t think I could have ever managed this on my own.”
The large man vigorously bowed, blushing. “It is my pleasure to serve a beauty such as yourself. For what is the purpose of youth if not to impart its glories onto others! I need no such payment, helping another is payment in itself ! ” Iruka felt his face flush, and the man was gone. Had he been so distracted once again that he had not caught the name of this generous stranger?
The wards hummed once again alerting Iruka to a familiar magical presence. Iruka sighed.
“Oh yeah show that wolfsbane who’s boss” A few lingering customers sent sideways in the direction of the door, quickly shuffling out.
“Don’t you have somewhere better to be Anko, not here harassing my customers with your lewdness.” Iruka frowned into the now pink powder. He would glower at the woman but a moment of lost concentration and the whole mixture would be ruined. Glowering at the powder would have to do for now.
Anko gasped dramatically, a hand clutched to her chest. “Me lewd, I am nothing of the sort. You are the one with a dirty mind Iruka, but that’s what I love about you Mr. Smolders”
Iruka trained his face into a neutral expression. “Get off the counter Anko, your lavender froth is nearly ready.” Iruka kept his eyes trained down grabbing a pinch of lilac and sprinkling it in the powder.
“Oh Iruka, you have to join me in the festivities tonight, I promise I will make it worth your while.” Anko wiggled her eyebrows leaning over the counter into Iruka’s personal space.
Iruka slid open a drawer to produce a white satin bag quickly pouring the fine powder within, and using twine to seal the bag while securing a bundle of rosehip, “As you well know Anko. Simply mix this in 3:1 parts gin for desired results. Once the brew reaches desired levels add a sprig of rosehip and your cauldron will refill endlessly through the night.”
“Well, that wasn’t a no.” A cat-like grin spread across Anko’s face.
Iruka looked at her unamused, “That will be 20 coppers, and no I will not accompany you tonight, Mizuki has already asked me to join him tonight.”
Anko frowned at that but said nothing of her concern.
Anko shooed out the door, magical items secured for the night, Iruka was reaching for his satchel when there was a tapping on the front window. Mizuki beamed at him with a short wave. Iruka hurriedly collected his things.
The moon was full, the night was clear, and there was a crisp breeze. A truly beautiful Halloween Night.