How Kakashi met Iruka was never unclear for either of the two shinobi. Iruka was four years old and Kakashi was about to turn six. Iruka's father had taken him to watch some shinobi train for the Chunin exams because his friend's son was there. Little did Iruka know that his father's friend was the "White Fang", Sakumo Hatake.
When he arrived at the training field he saw all the tall, teenagers and one very short little boy. Iruka instantly wanted to get closer in hopes of seeing who this little boy was. He ran up to the railing, his father following behind. The man standing with the little boy turned and waved at his father.
"Daddy?" Iruka asked.
"Yes?" His father responded.
"Who is that man?"
"That is the White Fang, Sakumo Hatake. He's an old friend of mine. His son is who we came to watch. Maybe one day you will be able to work with him."
"Which one is his son?"
Sakumo picked up the little boy and carried him towards Iruka and his father. The little boy protested loudly but Sakumo just ruffled his hair and continued walking.
"Hey Sakumo." Iruka's father said.
"Hello, is this Iruka?" Sakumo asked as the little boy squirmed in his arms.
"Yes. Iruka can you say hello?"
"Hi." Iruka quietly said.
"You've grown so much since the last time I saw you. I don't know if your dad mentioned it but I am Sakumo Hatake." Sakumo said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
The little boy decided to kick at his father's legs.
"How have you been Sakumo?" His father asked.
"Good. Busy but what else is new. Yourself?" Sakumo said as the boy kicked harder. "Kakashi stop!"
"I want down!" the little boy, Kakashi, said.
"Not yet. I don't want you out there alone."
"I want my sensei!"
"Not now. Now please stop kicking me."
"I want to go home!"
"We are here to practice. Just let me finish talking and we can go back."
"No! Now! Now! Now!"
"I am so sorry. Usually he isn't this bad. He just hasn't had a nap and has been up since 4 am trying to get me to train. Now Kakashi can you say hi to Iruka?"
"Hi. Now can I train?"
"No Kakashi. Once again I am sorry."
"Don't apologize we all have days where we are tired. He just wants to train so go train with him and we can go for coffee afterwards." Iruka's father said.
Sakumo and Kakashi went off to train, the older one helping the younger with his skills. Iruka watched in awe of the young boy who could most likely out fight most of the teenagers there. At one moment Kakashi managed to hit 20 kunai in the center of the target when the rest only hit about 5. After an hour the two stopped as Kakashi started to get sleepy and hungry.
This time when Sakumo picked Kakashi up he just happily submitted to the attention. Sakumo retrieved their things and carried them over to where Iruka sat with his father.
"Did you enjoy yourself Iruka?" Sakumo asked.
"Yes! I want to fight like that one day!" Iruka said.
"Let's go get some lunch."
"Okay! Can we daddy?"
"Of course." His father said.
They spent a good few hours together talking. Afterwards Iruka and his father said goodbye and both pairs walked home hand in hand.
"So what did you think of Kakashi?" he asked Iruka.
"He's cool! I want to be just like him when I am older!" Iruka said.
Meanwhile as Sakumo carried the almost asleep boy he had the same conversation.
"Did you like Iruka baby boy?" Sakumo asked.
"He's funny daddy, but nice." Kakashi mumbled.
"Maybe you can be friends?"
"Maybe, can he come over one day and play with me?"
"I think that'd be possible."
"Okay…"
"I love you son."
Instead of an answer Sakumo was rewarded with a nuzzle to his neck and a soft sigh. Yes, introducing their children had been a good idea.
