By another mischance, Kakashi got yet another urgent mission and wasn't able to come to Iruka that night. Nevertheless, he returned the very next day, quite sure about their deal of being partners.

*- phase 3.0 -*

During his very long day, Iruka felt not like himself. He was nervous and didn't know what to think of Kakashi and his role in his 'certification'.

Why was there all that performance? What was it for?

Could he do it to make Iruka miserable? That was possible, but doubtful. There must be something else, underneath.

Maybe, to lure him into something? Like, into a relationship?

Now that was one ridiculous idea!

Iruka never objected any communication. Still, the occasions when someone approached him with intentions of impure kind for the second time were rare. Hatake Kakashi was never among the candidates, anyway.

Why the sudden interest? Iruka concentrated and tried to remember something about the man's relationships. Did Kakashi ever have an object of passion? No, Iruka could remember nothing of the sort. Except, maybe, his passion for an infamous orange porn book.

Iruka had a mission desk shift in the evening. He sat at his table absent-mindedly and looked like his thoughts were somewhere far away.

His colleagues couldn't believe their eyes. Their usually hyper attentive Iruka was now accepting reports without as much as giving them a second glance!

Until suddenly Kakashi came in. Distracted, Iruka didn't notice him at first. Nevertheless, Kakashi came straight to his table, went around it and literally grabbed him. He dragged Iruka up from his chair and hugged him with affection, like some large teddy-bear toy.

Everyone in the mission room froze and stared.

Iruka stared too. At first - at his big-eyed and slack-jawed colleagues, and then - sideways at Kakashi's fair hair, now partly covering his stunned face while he limply hung in Kakashi's embrace.

Finally, Kakashi nuzzled his cheek, tightened his grip around Iruka for a mere second, and put him back at his table after whispering 'See ya home, hun' into the man's reddening ear.

*- phase 3.1 -*

What unsettled Iruka the most, were not the astonished gazes of his colleagues, and not nasty whispers behind his back, and not even cheesy congratulations of being 'publicly claimed as Kakashi's'.

No, it was Kakashi in flesh in his living-room when he came home in the evening.

Kakashi said "Hi!" and came to the door to give Iruka a 'welcome back' kiss.

Still very much in shock, Iruka allowed him to peck his lips. And only when Kakashi leaned back, smiling fondly, Iruka realized the man was perfectly unmasked.

The state of Iruka's shock deepened. Situation turned out so unreal, he began to doubt he wasn't sleeping.

"What's for dinner?" he wondered in pretentiously normal tone while taking off his shoes.

Kakashi shrugged.

"You don't have much in your fridge. Want to go eat out? My treat."

Iruka shrugged back, not really hungry after all the stress of the last week.

"I always thought partners don't have treats, they have everything joint. What do you want?" he asked, and, by the sight of Kakashi's leer, spread all over his sympathetic (but oh so perverted) face, immediately understood his mistake. Because, once set up on something, this man wasn't going to stop. If he really craves for what he wants, that is.

"No, no and no," Iruka muttered, accurately positioning his body behind the living-room's table, to place something solid between them. "You can't."

Kakashi made several unhurried steps around the table and towards Iruka.

"Yes I can. We've made a deal, time to make us joint."

Slowly, Iruka took a step back.

"That was a spontaneous and hasty deal," now he knew it wasn't a dream, for sure. He snapped to shouting, "I talked to Ibiki-san this morning and found out you tricked me into it!"

Guiltily, Kakashi lowered his gaze, but continued to move towards Iruka.

"Maybe a little."

Iruka frowned, thinking heavily. His eyes narrowed, and he pointed his finger at his stalker.

"You! You planned it carefully, didn't you? First, you tricked Ibiki-san to leave the village for the time of my certification, and then you forcefully took his place."

Kakashi smirked.

"Not forcefully. I volunteered."

"And you told me you won't certificate me!"

"But I did certificate you." Kakashi came even closer and Iruka suddenly realized there was no space to move back, he ended trapped in the corner. "Made you happy, right? Now, to our deal..."

One of Kakashi's hands rested on the wall, effectively blocking the man. His other hand touched Iruka's chest. Iruka found the touch was really tender, it didn't bother him so far.

"Me? Happy? You must be kidding me..."

"Why would I?" Kakashi slowly leaned closer. "I'm very serious. Also, at the end you agreed to be partners. I find it's wonderful."

Feeling trapped, Iruka gritted his teeth.

"Look here, Kakashi-san. It's not like you courted me and proposed. I barely know you, you mysterious idol!" Iruka pressed his back into the wall. "Then, I had no choice! I was desperate the moment I agreed. Because of you, by the way."

Kakashi immediately frowned.

"Don't tell me you already have other options, beside me," his hand slipped to Iruka's side and down to his hip, taking a possessive hold of his body.

Iruka couldn't help a shudder of foretaste, although he wasn't sure where that came from.

"No, I don't have other..."

Kakashi's frown transformed into assured grin.

"So, I guess you are my? I've had my eyes set on you since forever. Can't wait."

"Since forever?" Iruka never noticed. The man seemed mysterious, not interested and unapproachable. To look at the situation from another angle - a secret admirer was a rather thrilling occasion. In addition, Kakashi's touch was pleasant and calming.

Iruka raised his head and looked straight into Kakashi's eyes.

"What do you want?" Then his gaze lowered to the man's lips as they slowly stretched into an intriguing smile.

"You."

Iruka didn't get the clue and shook his head.

"Here I am. And, we are, like, partners. Now what?"

Kakashi reached for Iruka's ponytail and let his hair fall to his shoulders.

"Good. Can I have you now?"

Iruka sighed.

"Well, we've made a deal after all. If you have such an urge, you can. Whatever it means..."

Without further hesitation, Kakashi accurately put his hand around Iruka's waist, and another one - under his knees, and took Iruka into his arms.

"What?" Iruka squeaked and, afraid he could be dropped down, entwined his hands around Kakashi's neck. "Where are you taking me?"

Kakashi hid his nose in the curve of Iruka's neck and hummed, sending vibrations down his spine. He headed to the furthest room, which he checked earlier and identified as bedroom. Carefully, he placed Iruka at his narrow bed and positioned himself above his body.

"Here. Let's see how far we can make it," he began to undress Iruka as he spoke. "I really can't wait."

Kakashi pressed his lips to the side of Iruka's neck and performed several slow, tender kisses up until he reached the red ear. Iruka trembled when he felt the other man's lips and tongue treat his sensitive flesh. This one-on-one action made him really needy. And very much in the mood for deeper acquaintance.

"I don't understand you," his voice trembled, while he already felt excitement get over his whole body and mind.

"Remember, you said I can," Kakashi insisted. He managed to tug Iruka's shirt and pants off and straightened to tug off his own shirt.

"I said you can be my partner. I didn't expect you'll immediately jump me for... this."

Kakashi gave him a leer. He knew well, that if this man wasn't accepting his advantages, he'd confront him more fiercely.

"Then, why do you look like you are up to get some?"

"I don't understand what you are talking about!" continued to pretend Iruka. He tilted his head to the side to avoid looking into Kakashi's sly eyes.

Kakashi laughed and let his body go down.

"You are such a great tease! Just so you know, we are going to have sex now." His hand reached for Iruka's chin and forced him to look up. "We can, right? I promise to be good." And he made their lips merge in extremely tender kiss.

Iruka hummed, sinking into the sensation, as Kakashi's lips tenderly brushed against his. Then, Kakashi's tongue began to lick his mouth, as if pleading for entrance into his depth. Iruka couldn't fight it. Moreover, he didn't want to. He opened his mouth and relaxed in the man's hands, giving his partner full access to his body.

"Fine. We can," Iruka exhaled as soon as their lips parted. He couldn't remember ever getting such heated kiss. And he couldn't overlook an enormous motivation induced into it.

"Thank you," Kakashi whispered. "Thank you so much."

Iruka gave out a low moan, enjoying Kakashi's bold hands caress all over his exposed skin. It was extremely arousing. Nevertheless, Iruka suddenly placed his palms on the man's chest, making him pause.

Their eyes met. Iruka knew, he won't be an easy one for Kakashi, and wanted everything to be clear between them before he was giving up entirely.

"I can't believe you are in my bed after just one day of our 'deal'," Iruka drawled, and he was now becoming mischievous. "So, don't you dare disappoint me." His palms slid first to Kakashi's biceps, and then down to his hips, until they stopped and nails dug into the firm flesh of the man's buttocks through the rough material of his pants. "Or I'll make you regret it."

Kakashi's growl reminded of that of a wild animal's.

"Wow, sensei! You know how to excite me." Kakashi arched, helping Iruka tug off his pants. "I promise to be teachable."

"I'd appreciate that," Iruka accepted, watching Kakashi slowly dive to his face, wishing for him to claim his lips again. "By the way, thank you for certificating me."

Kakashi chuckled, starting to kiss and touch him ceaselessly, sliding his well-worked body against Iruka's, and creating very pleasurable frictions.

"For you, I'll do it whenever you ask."

Unwilling to think about where all that affection came from, Iruka entwined his hands and legs around the man, making their bodies almost merge. Barely audibly, he whispered into Kakashi's ear.

"Right now, I'd like you to certificate me further," he moved his hips up, signifying what he meant. "Please?"