Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. It's that simple. That's why this is called Fanfic..'kay? Okay!

A/N: I decided to scrap my original story for this and start new. It took a bit longer than expected since I was studying for finals when I decided this in the middle of learning "Gusshori" and "Bisho Bisho". Yes, my muse decided it would be better to start everything years earlier. Mainly to add some teasing "back story"! Didn't help that my boyfriend has decided that the fans have unanimously (yeah right) agreed that Kakashi and Iruka got together in spite of a spat in the chuunin exams. In spite of that, I decided to add a bit of his character in to both Kakashi and Iruka (he thinks I'm evil because I'm using him as a model XP). Also I noticed I sort of continued it half-assed without thinking, and I HATE doing that, so I'm revising my timeline. (This is also thanks to one reviewer…if it wasn't for that, I wouldn't have noticed).

So without further a due, here is the edited version.

How it builds
BY
Fairyoftwilight

Prologue

It had happened before the Kyuubi attacked Konoha. That was all he remembered. It was a game they were playing. Or at least it was supposed to be one. They were all young, and running through the forest, each trying to catch one another in the darkened woods.

Somehow he had gotten dragged into it. They both did. How old were they anyway?

It had been a festival day, too. Some of them were drunk with the alcohol they managed to take and others just happy.

"C'mon, Iruka," his friend had said. "Have some fun. You lack impulse. It's making you boring."

"What?! Who's boring!"

That was how they had gotten him. It didn't really help that he was a little tipsy. His "lack of impulse" caused him to take a swing of strong liquor. But he was determined to find her. She had insulted him and he wanted revenge.

To make their game more interesting, they were all wearing some kind of mask. It had been Iruka's idea, and they bought into it.

He landed on a tree and took a second to catch himself. As he scanned the area, he saw a figure that looked like hers, or at least that spiked up hair. He managed to sneak up behind them, ready to launch an attack. He pinned whoever it was down. He didn't hesitate in pulling the mask down and kissing whoever it was.

"Ha! Gotcha!" he yelled when felt the person push a little. "How was that for lacking impulse, huh?"

"You're an idiot," he muttered, managing to push Iruka back entirely.

"What? Where's Mugiko? I thought you were her."

"Obviously not," he said. "But you wouldn't dare do that again."

"Says who?"

"Says me."

Iruka was tired of it. All day Mugiko had mocked him, and he wasn't about to let someone else start, too. He didn't hesitate pulling him in for a second, longer kiss. He was taken aback when the person kissed back. But he didn't care as he deepened the kiss as much as a thirteen year old could.

"Oi! Iruka, where are you?"

That was all it took to break the contact. He turned quickly, letting go for a few seconds. That was enough time to let that person get away. He let out a sigh of discontent before he started towards where his friends were.

Years passed without word or sight of the person from that night. He couldn't place who it was. It was nearly six years later when he found himself face to face with him again. It was his fist week at the Missions Office. He was still learning the ropes when an irritated finger tapped the desk, bringing him out of revising an important document.

"While we're young," Kakashi sighed out, not even bothering to look at Iruka.

Iruka looked up and smiled. He had been getting such remarks from shinobi all week. It had to be now of all times the person teaching him the ropes got sick and had to stay home for a few days.

"I'm sorry. It's been a little slow. We're a little held back at the moment," he said, checking the mission report Kakashi was handing in.

"I don't really care," Kakashi smiled at him. "I just want to get my next mission, so I can finish it quickly, and get home. We shouldn't suffer because you're a little slow."

The others waiting in line laughed. Iruka couldn't help himself when he also started to show an irritated smile, reached down, and pulled out a mission meant for Genin. Kakashi kept smiling as he stared at the mission, not amused.

"So you can finish it quickly and get home," Iruka stated with a smile.

Anyone in the room could feel the invisible sparks fly between the two. But no one dared to step in between, although a few snickered here and there.

"Funny," Kakashi almost sneered out. "Where's my mission?"

"That is your mission."

Iruka looked on as Kakashi left with his mission, clearly peeved, but too tired to cause a fight. Iruka resisted the urge to put a hand on his temple. He looked at the mission report again and finally spotted the name. Hatake Kakashi. One thing caught him quickly once his irritation subsided: Kakashi's hair was similar to Mugiko's, one of his old friends.

Soon after Kakashi returned, he spotted a note along with the mission report: I will get you for this. A challenge. If anyone had told him they would get along after that, Iruka would have laughed in their face.