A/N: A series of KakaIru first kisses. Tried to just write whatever came to mind, then named each story afterwards with whatever is suitable, so had no story plan or drafts. Some might turn out better than others. Some will be pretty lame. Originally intended just to drabble, but most of them ended up as one-shots, because I'm so bad at shortening plot development _
So I just realized, for any of those who are reading this for the second time, god knows why, that it didn't matter what age Iruka was when his parents died, because the last time he cried was when he rescued Naruto from Mizuki. The big cry baby. (Iruka: Am not, shut up) I forgot, because my brain only has a one gig memory capacity, and most of it is taken up by perverted thoughts of two men doing the sticky… So never mind. The relevant corrections have been made.
Disclaimer: I still don't see how these things are necessary. I thought it would be fairly obvious… But yeah, nothing is mine besides the badly laid out plans of mice and men. No, actually those aren't mine either.
First Kiss
-1. Rain-
Iruka opened up his umbrella with a small sigh as he walked towards the memorial grounds alone, the droplets thudding erratically against the fabric above his head.
Today would be exactly twelve years since his parents died.
Despite everything that had happened, and despite knowing that his parents were heroes, it was difficult to let go of the fact that they had left him alone. But he was managing, and he'd told them so every time he visited, in that odd belief which people held that their words would be heard.
He trudged silently through the muddy grounds as the rain splattered noisily around him.
Iruka paused in his tracks when he spotted a figure a little further off by the memorial stone. He squinted his eyes against the rain and made out the vague outline standing hunched beneath the splattering droplets, the unmistakable crop of hair identifying the figure as Hatake Kakashi, even though the silver stands were weighed down by the water, and vaguely resembled a normal hairstyle.
Iruka considered whether he shouldn't come back later, and give the older man a bit of privacy.
His mind was made up for him when the jounin sneezed, wrapping his arms around his body as he continued to stare balefully at the stone.
The teacher bravely treaded closer, careful to make a bit of noise so as not to startle the jounin, although he doubted he would have been able to even if he'd tried.
Kakashi ignored the new comer, hoping that he wouldn't be too irritating. He blinked when the rain suddenly stopped splattering onto his skin, even though it continued to rain around him, and he looked up, surprised to find an umbrella held above his head. He glanced to his side, noticing that Iruka's shoulder was being rained on as he gazed silently at the memorial stone, his eyes trained on two names that Kakashi recognized as the teachers parents.
"I don't mind the rain," Kakashi said shortly.
"You'll get sick," Iruka replied softly.
"They get rained on all the time," Kakashi snapped, indicating the names on the memorial stone, his outburst surprising himself into silence once again.
"They're dead," said Iruka quietly. Kakashi stared at the usually soft-spoken and sensitive academy teacher, surprised at his brash choice of words.
"You're awfully respectful," Kakashi said sarcastically, his brow knitted together in irritation as he stared down at the engraved rock.
"They didn't die so that you could cry yourself sick in the cold everyday," Iruka retorted, his voice raised in anger, but the underlying softness betraying his pain.
Kakashi glanced at the teacher, surprised to find angry tears sliding down the usually smiling face. The chuunin furiously rubbed his sleeve across his eyes in a manner that reminded Kakashi greatly of Naruto, and he remembered that Naruto probably acquired his endearingly stubborn nature from this very man currently scowling at the ground before him.
"Iruka—"
"Damn it," Iruka quietly scolded himself, scowling furiously at the stone, his fingers tight around the handle of the umbrella. Kakashi gently pried the umbrella from Iruka's fingers, before standing closer and holding it above them so that they were both covered.
"Even the sky cries sometimes," Kakashi said softly as the droplets padded lightly above their heads.
The two men stood in silence once more, each contemplating the other's words as the raindrops slid irregularly over the dents and curves of the engraved names.
"We're too obsessed with death," Iruka suddenly muttered, his brow slightly furrowed as he looked away from the stone and gazed around him, a different light in his eyes.
"What do you mean?" Kakashi asked curiously.
"Today, twelve years ago, the Yondaime died, and also my parents, leaving me alone," Iruka said softly, his eyes slowly turning to meet Kakashi's, "Today is also Naruto's birthday," he said, his lips slowly rising into a soft smile, "It's easy to forget that I wasn't alone for long. But when I remember, it makes the world a lot less disappointing. Good things always come and go, and we have to appreciate them when they come, and not be too upset when they eventually have to go."
"But you miss Naruto, don't you," Kakashi said softly.
"I do…everyday… but if something good comes into my life, I'll be sure to appreciate it with all my being, and I won't forget the good times, or dwell too much on the fact that they've already passed when the time comes for it to go," Iruka replied, a smile now prominent on his face, a gleam of strength in his eyes that Kakashi had never seen anywhere else before.
Iruka's smile completely lit up his face, and the more that Kakashi gazed upon it, the less gloomy the rain became.
"The rain brings grey skies, but without it, the grass would never be as green," he said softly. Iruka beamed and nodded.
"Since we're both here, it's evident that we don't have anywhere else to be. How would you like to join me for lunch? We can celebrate Naruto's birthday," Iruka said, a cheerful smile back on his face. Kakashi felt a new surge of admiration towards the younger man. The teacher may just be a chuunin, but his strength far surpassed that of many jounin, including his own, when it came to spirit and heart. He dropped the umbrella, to Iruka's surprise, and leaned in to press his lips to the startled pair before him.
"W-what was that for…," Iruka stammered, a bright blush on his face as Kakashi finally pulled away. Kakashi smiled gently as he brushed the now wet strands of hair away from Iruka's face.
"Would it be alright if I tried to be the 'something good' to come into your life next?" Kakashi asked quietly as the raindrops eventually slowed down to a light drizzle.
Iruka nodded wordlessly, his cheeks still burning as he glanced to the side in embarrassment.
"I'd like that."