For Now
"Hello Kakashi Sensei. What brings you here?" Iruka asked looking up to the doorway from his desk at the teaching academy.
"Oh hey there, Iruka-san, I was just looking for Naruto. I would like to get some of his training under way." Kakashi said.
"I'm afraid you just missed him. He and Sai headed out to the Ichiraku ramen shop." Iruka said.
Kakashi sighed. He looked around the academy and for the first time it dawned on him that the kids were all Chunin now. Minus Naruto but he would be soon enough.
"Something wrong Kakashi Sensei?" Iruka asked concerned. Kakashi looked at Iruka with a far away look in his eyes.
"I am afraid that time has gotten away from me Iruka-san. The kids are no longer kids but young adults. Before long they will be us." Kakashi said wistfully.
Iruka nodded. He could understand it after all he taught them all. "What else is on your mind Kakashi Sensei?" Iruka asked.
"You are a sharp one, Iruka. I will give you that. I was just thinking about all of the things I would like to do before my number is up." Kakashi said.
Iruka raised an eyebrow. "Such as?" He asked curiously.
"I would like to work along side Sasuke again as equals. I would like to travel the world. I would like to kiss you. I would—Kakashi Sensei!" Iruka yelped.
The young chunins face was red and he was trying hard not to pass out. Kakashi smiled.
"Oh Iruka-san. You asked what I was thinking about? That book is better left alone, I say." Kakashi said and walked out of the academy.
Iruka sat there for the next hour doing nothing but going over Kakashi's last wish.
It was a few days later when Iruka seen Kakashi coming out of the Hokage tower. He walked up to the silver haired man and smiled.
"Just back from your mission Kakashi Sensei?" Iruka asked.
"Yes, just. How are you Iruka-san?" Kakashi asked.
Iruka waved a hand to say life was good. Kakashi stumbled and blood dripped from beneath his vest. Iruka caught the older man and held him against his side.
"Kakashi Sensei, you are hurt! We should get you to the medical facility." Iruka said frantically.
"Nothing that a bandage won't fix, Iruka-san." Kakashi said. Iruka glared for a moment.
"Kakashi Sensei you are stubborn. Okay, but I am helping you get home." Iruka said.
Kakashi nodded and allowed Iruka to half carry half drag him home. Once there he helped Kakashi out of his vest and shirt and examined the wound. It wasn't as bad as it had seemed and so he bandaged it.
As he was getting ready to leave he turned to Kakashi. "About that kiss, Kakashi Sensei." Iruka pulled Kakashi's mask down and kissed his lips softly. He pulled away and walked to the door.
"Iruka-san, Thank you for the kiss. It will do for now." Kakashi said with a smile. Iruka turned beet red again and rushed home.