Chapter 10
"The Happy Mask"

After eating they returned to the bedroom. Kakashi slipped into the bathroom for his nightly routine while Iruka fussed with the sheets. The dark blue sheet had slipped off the mattress, but since the bed was pushed into the corner, Iruka had to do some maneuvering to fix it. When Kakashi came out of the bathroom, Iruka was in the middle of the bed on all fours, fixing the sheet and giving Kakashi a perfect view of his ass. The pajama pants he'd borrowed were loose – all it would take was one little tug…

"Inside or outside?" Kakashi asked quickly, hoping Iruka wouldn't notice that his voice was unnaturally high. Iruka glanced over his shoulder and then sat back on his heels.

"Inside," he decided as he slipped under the covers. Teasingly he added, "Unless you'd prefer to sleep in separate bedrooms."

Kakashi seriously considered the idea. He knew a break was what Iruka needed, but it was difficult to convince a certain part of his anatomy of that fact. Iruka's casual attitude about it wasn't helping either.

"I wasn't serious, Kakashi," Iruka said quickly. Kakashi joined him in bed, arranging the covers around his chest neatly and crossing his hands over his stomach. He stared up at the ceiling. Iruka curled onto his side, staring at his profile in the dark room. He gave him an expectant look. Kakashi cleared his throat and shifted a few inches away from him. Iruka started to grin. "So we're together now, but you're not going to touch me?" he clarified. Kakashi just couldn't trust himself.

"Maybe we should sleep in -"

Iruka closed the distance between them and hooked his leg around Kakashi's waist. Then he dragged his pillow over and moved Kakashi's arm so that he was nestled against his side.

"Much better," Iruka mused. Kakashi had to admit that it did feel nice. He wasn't immediately overwhelmed with the desire to fuck like he had anticipated. It was just warm and cozy.

He liked it.

He drifted off to sleep faster than he usually did, lulled to dreamland by Iruka's steady breathing. It felt like he'd only closed his eyes for a moment when his internal alarm clock went off.

It was 5:30 – time to go pick up Naruto. He opened his good eye and smiled. They hadn't moved much during the night. Iruka's face was hidden in his shirt, and his long hair was fanned over the pillow and his shoulder. For a moment, he played with some of the silky strands and memorized the feel of waking up with Iruka in his arms.

Reluctantly, using his ninja skills, he got out of the bed without disturbing Iruka's sleep. He dressed silently and left. Hopefully, Iruka wouldn't even wake up.

The hospital was just opening to visitors as he arrived. The nurse he'd spoken with the night before was about to end her shift, but she quickly briefed him on Naruto's progress.

"He's not rejecting food anymore, and his color has returned to normal. If I hadn't watched him myself I'd think someone switched him with a totally different little boy! He's up in room 210," she informed as she pulled on her sweater. Kakashi thanked her and headed for the stairs. He jumped them two at a time and quickly located Naruto's room. After a gentle knock he entered. Naruto was sitting up in bed, three empty breakfast trays sitting on a rolling table beside him. He had been staring out the window, but when Kakashi came in, he greeted him quietly.

He was subdued, and Kakashi had a feeling that it wasn't because he'd been sick.

"How are you feeling?" Kakashi asked him. Naruto shrugged.

"Okay I guess," he replied. "I don't really remember what happened. The doctor said I had the stomach flu and that you brought me in."

"That's right," Kakashi replied, coming fully into the room. Naruto pouted for a moment and then became angry.

"Where's my dad?" he asked, blue eyes blazing. "What's going on?"

Kakashi nodded, having already anticipated the questions. He moved to stand by the window and enjoyed the view of the sunrise. He found himself searching for his apartment, where he knew Iruka was sleeping.

"How old are you now, Naruto?"

"I'm eight," the blonde boy replied. Kakashi nodded again.

"So you're not a kid anymore," Kakashi said. Naruto nodded enthusiastically.

"My dad thinks I am, but I'm almost grown," he replied proudly, already forgetting his anger.

"Hmmm…so what do you know about dating?" Kakashi asked in a bland monotone. Naruto turned a brilliant shade of red.

"It's…err…well…you know!" he managed to reply. Kakashi grinned a bit, but didn't let Naruto see.

"It's what two people do who care a lot about each other," Kakashi offered. Naruto nodded, trying to control his blushing.

"So what does that have to do with my dad?" Naruto asked, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"I care a lot about your dad, so if it's okay with you, I'd like to take him out on a date," Kakashi said.

"No!" Naruto replied instantly, arms crossed stubbornly. Kakashi's grin turned into a smile.

"Naruto, your dad has been through a tough time lately, hasn't he?" Kakashi asked. The little boy frowned, but he couldn't deny it. "Your teacher, Mizuki-sensei, and your dad used to be friends when they were boys, but they had a big fight."

"Mizuki-sensei hurt my dad!" Iruka half shouted. Kakashi gestured at him to calm down and moved to sit beside him.

"He apologized. Friends fight like that sometimes, so don't be mean to your teacher because of it, okay?" Naruto looked like he wanted to protest, but he remembered that Iruka had called Mizuki a friend.

"Alright," Naruto agreed reluctantly.

"Now that that's settled, why don't you want me to date your dad?" he asked, his grin returning. The whiskered boy glared at him.

"You're a boy!" he protested. Kakashi nodded.

"That's true, but I like him. It's okay for two boys to like each other just like boys and girls do – it's just not as common." Naruto looked uncomfortable, but he nodded his head.

"Fine…but I still say no. He's my dad. He's already ignored me all week!" Naruto pouted. Kakashi ruffled his hair. The kid wasn't so bad after all. At least he could be reasoned with.

"He's been sick this week, Naruto. He's still not feeling good, so you have to act like a grownup and help me take care of him, okay?"

"Okay, but Kakashi, the mean, fat guy kicked us out of our house! Dad took me to Mizuki-sensei's house, and they had a fight in another room, and then dad came out and took me to Sasuke's house and left me there! He came back later to bring me clothes and when I asked him questions he yelled at me!" Naruto said sadly. He looked like a kicked puppy. Kakashi sighed.

"It's just been a bad week for everyone. Don't worry about your house. I'll get it sorted out. In the meantime you and your dad can stay with me. You can have your own room," Kakashi said, hoping it would tempt the boy. Naruto didn't buy it.

"Dad sleeps with me," he said, his eyes narrowed. The kid was on to his game.

"We'll work something out," Kakashi replied. Naruto's intense look continued until finally, he relaxed back against his pillows.

"I guess you can take him out on a date, but only because he's been sick and good food will make him feel better!" Naruto added quickly. Kakashi smiled and nodded.

"I'll take him to the best restaurant in town," Kakashi promised. Naruto sat back up again, staring threateningly at Kakashi.

"And don't leave me to run with that green dude while you go out!" Kakashi chuckled and raised his hands up defensively.

"Alright, alright, you can invite Sasuke-kun over and the two of you can stay at home."

Naruto huffed and then nodded.

"There's one more thing," Kakashi began. Naruto looked at him warily. "If we tell your dad you came to the hospital, it will make him really worried, so let's just pretend you stayed with Sasuke last night. Okay?" Kakashi asked. Naruto quickly agreed. "Alright, I'm going to go find your doctor and see if you can come home yet." With that, Kakashi left to go find the nurse on duty. He would have dated Iruka even if Naruto hadn't approved, but it made him like the kid a lot more because he had been reasonable about it.

Kakashi checked him out and paid the hospital bill, which set him back a bit, but it really wasn't that big of a deal. As A.N.B.U. Captain, he was making plenty – enough to pay for Naruto's tab at the ramen stand and spoil Iruka rotten, at least. As they walked back towards home, he thought about it some more while Naruto chattered loudly about whatever it was he talked about when he mistakenly assumed people were listening to him. He was making good money and up until now hadn't had anything or anyone to spend it on. He could dip into his plentiful savings so that they could all take a vacation to the hot springs. Iruka would probably like that.

When they reached the apartment, Kakashi interrupted Naruto and told him to be quiet when he went inside, so as not to wake up Iruka.

"I'm going over to your old place to get everything sorted out, so entertain yourself and don't get into any trouble while I'm gone," Kakashi ordered. Not thinking any more about it, he left Naruto at the apartment and headed for Iruka's old building.

It was a good thing he did, because even as he walked up he saw two, bulky movers go into the front office and ask which apartment needed to be emptied out. Quickly, Kakashi intervened.

"Excuse me, but what's going on?" Kakashi asked. The owner of the apartments, who was fat just as Naruto had described him, shrugged dismissively and came around the front desk.

"I got a tenant that's damaged the property and made a lot of noise. Some people complained, so I told him he either had to pay more rent or clear out. I gave him three days to get his stuff out, but he still hasn't come so I called these guys. You interested in the empty room?" he asked brusquely. Kakashi shook his head.

"I'm here to collect his things, actually."

"Good. That means I don't have to pay these guys. I don't need you two anymore, so get out of here," he instructed. The two men started to leave, grumbling all the way. Kakashi followed them out and headed for Iruka's apartment. It was unlocked, but nothing seemed to be missing from inside other than some clothing that had been hastily packed.

Kakashi found two sturdy canvass bags that they had used to bring their belongings from their old place, and quickly packed them full again. He took special care with Naruto's art and the picture of Iruka's parents. When he'd packed the bags, he lifted them with a grunt and staggered outside. Using his transportation jutsu yet again, he re-appeared in a puff of smoke outside his own door. He pushed it open and immediately forgot all about the bags.

Naruto was in the kitchen and he'd made a tremendous mess. He had some kind of batter in his hair, and there were two broken eggs on the kitchen floor. He had turned on the stovetop flame and it was dancing dangerously close to the pages of a cookbook.

"NARUTO!" he shouted, rushing in and extinguishing the flame. Awakened by the shouting, Iruka came stumbling out of the bedroom, his hair a mess and holding up the baggy pajama bottoms with one hand.

"What's going on?" he asked groggily, searching for any danger. Naruto pouted at him.

"I was trying to make you breakfast, Dad. Kakashi said you didn't feel good," Naruto explained, hoping he wasn't going to get into trouble. Iruka smiled and shuffled into the kitchen. With his finger, he scooped a dollop of pancake batter off of Naruto's whiskered cheek and plopped it into his mouth.

"Tastes good so far," he said. Kakashi was not so casual about it.

"He's made a complete mess! And he almost let a cookbook catch on fire!" Iruka gave him an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry, Kakashi, we'll clean it up. He was just trying to do something sweet," Iruka defended. His relief that his son was back, healthy and smiling, was almost contagious. Ignoring Kakashi, Iruka knelt down so that he was on Naruto's level.

"I was a really bad dad this week, wasn't I?" he asked gently. Naruto tried to look tough, but his feelings overcame him and he nodded pitifully. Iruka pulled him into a hug. "I'm sorry, little cat. I'll never do that ever again, and that's a promise."

"Okay," Naruto said. "But it's okay, 'cause Kakashi said you weren't feeling good."

"No, not really, but I feel much, much better now. Why don't you let me finish the pancakes, okay?" Iruka asked, taking the spatula from Naruto as he did so. Naruto nodded and then bounced off to sit at the table. Kakashi pointed at a dishrag.

"Clean up your mess, and then help me bring in your things," he said. Naruto nodded and fetched the dishrag.

"You picked up our things?" Iruka asked. "I thought they'd have been thrown out by now," he said.

"It was a close thing. I got there just in time. I let them keep the furniture, though. It would be a bit cramped if I brought it all here."

"Oh, that's fine," Iruka said, tucking some of his hair behind his ear. He offered Kakashi a gentle smile. From the floor, Naruto scowled up at them making dreamy eyes at each other over his head.

"Ugh! Just kiss already!"

"Naruto!" Iruka exclaimed loudly, his face flushing red.

"What? I'm not a baby anymore, Dad. I know about this kind of stuff now. Kakashi like-likes you. I told him he could take you out on a date, but only if he takes you somewhere really nice."

Iruka looked at Kakashi as if to verify Naruto's outrageous sounding claim. The silver-haired man only grinned underneath his mask.

"We had a little talk this morning," Kakashi explained. Iruka shook his head and smiled, clearly amused.

"Oh, well, I guess I'm the last one to know," he commented. Naruto was watching them hawk-like, unable to hide his curiosity. Before Iruka could make up an excuse, Kakashi stepped forward and kissed Iruka softly on the cheek through his mask.

"Hey!" Naruto protested, "You're supposed to take off your mask!" Iruka laughed.

"I thought it was strange that you were so curious to see a kiss," Iruka said teasingly. Then he glanced down and grinned even wider.

"Kakashi, you stepped in egg."

"Damn it," Kakashi said, picking up his foot and snagging Naruto's dishrag to wipe it off.

"He said a bad word!" Naruto announced unnecessarily. Iruka smirked.

"Yes he did. There's a punishment for swearing, Kakashi," Iruka practically purred. Kakashi grimaced and quickly left the kitchen area. Iruka was taunting him! He expected him to give into lusty thoughts and break his word!

"I have to bring in the bags," he said quickly, hoping to change the subject. Over his pancakes, Iruka snickered. Naruto, a bit oblivious but always happy to see someone other than himself in trouble, grinned as well. "Come help me, brat!" Kakashi said. Still laughing, Naruto came to help him haul the bags inside.

Soon breakfast was done and the three ate the meal happily, as if it were the calm after a mighty storm. Things just seemed better – more promising. Naruto watched his dad and Kakashi interact carefully, and smiled because his dad looked happy again. That was all he had wanted to begin with, and if Kakashi could make his dad happy, then Kakashi could definitely stay.

When the meal was done, Iruka eyed the large bags. Kakashi could almost see the worry start to build behind his eyes again.

"You don't need to find a new place. Stay here," Kakashi suggested. He expected Iruka to protest, but he got a grateful smile instead.

"Thank you, Kakashi," Iruka said. Kakashi only smiled in reply. "Obviously I have some unpacking to do, but what are you two going to do for the day?" Iruka asked as he picked up their dirty dishes.

"Will you train me, Kakashi?" Naruto asked. Kakashi sighed but nodded. He didn't have anything else to do. He'd nearly finished all the available missions they'd had in the mission room the previous week, after all.

"I don't see why not," Kakashi agreed. He stood up and stretched his shoulders a bit.

"Why don't you invite Sasuke-kun along?" Iruka suggested from in the kitchen. He was rinsing off the dishes. "I'll do some unpacking and then bring you all lunch."

"Yay!" Naruto exclaimed, pumping his fist into the air. Kakashi sighed and wondered how he'd gotten stuck watching the brats for the day, but didn't protest. Then an idea occurred to him.

"The kids can come back and stay here, and I can take you on that date tonight," Kakashi suggested. Iruka blushed and didn't immediately say anything. Naruto looked between them and crossed his arms.

"You have to go, Dad. I told him you would," Naruto encouraged. Iruka laughed and turned off the faucet. Kakashi wasn't sure, but he looked almost nervous.

The man could strip and do a lap dance for him without batting an eye, but if you asked him to dinner he got butterflies in his stomach.

'He's definitely a strange one,' Kakashi decided with a slight smile.

"Alright…if you both are going to team up against me," Iruka conceded. Naruto nodded, and then grabbed Kakashi's vest.

"Okay, okay, let's go!"

"Easy, Naruto-kun, I'm coming. I'll take them to the training grounds near the Academy, okay?" Kakashi said as Naruto practically tugged him out the door. Smiling and waving goodbye, Iruka nodded to show he heard him.

"I'll see you soon, and don't let the boys get too roughed up!"

Iruka put away the dishes with a smile tugging at his lips.

It was definitely not how he'd imagined his life to be in Konoha, but he couldn't say the way things were turning out lately was bad.

When he met them at the training grounds, the two boys looked exhausted as they repeatedly clashed against each other in the big field. Kakashi sat nearby reading one of his porn books. Iruka scowled, and the book hastily disappeared when Kakashi noticed his approach.

"Alright, brats, take a break," Kakashi called out. The two boys broke apart panting. They ran towards him like birds of prey swooping down on a helpless mouse.

"Hey, Dad! I'm STARVED! What did you bring? What did you bring?" Naruto questioned excitedly. Sasuke looked equally hopeful. Smiling, Iruka hauled the basket full of food towards the spot Kakashi was sitting at. He set it down and the boys quickly plopped onto the grass.

"I made a little bit of everything," Iruka said as he unloaded the basket. The boys greedily grabbed the food as soon as Iruka uncovered the plates. Iruka sat next to Kakashi and smiled at the hungry boys devouring most of the picnic.

"I'd like to grab something, but I might loose an arm," Kakashi commented. Iruka flashed him a smile and snagged a covered plate before Sasuke and Naruto could polish it off. He set it on Kakashi's lap and un-tucked the napkin covering it. It was a plate full of Kushiyaki – meat and vegetables on skewers. Happily, Iruka plucked one off the plate and began to munch away. Kakashi grinned like a fool underneath his mask. Something about sharing a plate with Iruka made him feel like he'd just been given a new Icha Icha novel.

Well, it was almost that good.

"This is good, Iruka-san," Sasuke said in between large bites. Iruka smiled at the dark-haired boy and thanked him. His heart went out to Sasuke. No little boy should be left alone all the time – even if he was a valuable ninja prodigy. He had asked Mizuki about why Sasuke hadn't been sent to the orphanage like they had, and apparently it was because he was from a legendary clan and his family was extremely wealthy. He'd inherited enough money that he could continue to live in the village and train as a shinobi without cost to anyone but himself.

It was sad. At least at the orphanage Iruka had felt like he'd become part of a family. He decided then and there that he would make every effort he could to include Sasuke.

The boys reached the last plate and glared at each other over it. Almost immediately it turned into a wrestling match that crushed the picnic basket. Iruka scolded them and gave the plate to Kakashi, grabbing them by their shirt collars and hauling them apart.

"No boys of mine are going to brawl like monkeys over food! I know it's difficult, but try to behave like you weren't raised in a barn, Naruto," Iruka scolded. Sasuke, however, stared up at him with an unreadable expression. Then Iruka realized he had called the boy his own. To reassure Sasuke that it hadn't been a mere slip of the tongue, Iruka ruffled the boy's hair. "You're older, so you have to set a good example, Sasuke-kun," Iruka said. The boy's manner became reserved again. He sighed as if he'd just been given a huge responsibility.

"Enough sparring for you two. Go do some pushups over there," Kakashi gestured at the other side of the field. The boys nodded and started to run off. Naruto came back, however, and gave Iruka a big hug.

"Thanks for lunch, Dad!"

"Yeah, Iruka-san, thanks for lunch," Sasuke repeated. Iruka smiled at the boys.

"You can just call me Iruka, Sasuke-kun, and you're both welcome," Iruka said. After a slight hesitation, Sasuke offered him a small smile and nodded. Once the boys were busy with their exercise, Kakashi stole a quick kiss.

"How's the unpacking going?" Kakashi asked. Iruka picked up the crushed picnic basket with an irritated scowl on his face.

"Oh, it's going fine. So far there's plenty of room for everything," he said absently. "How are the boys doing?" he asked, giving the basket up as a lost cause and staring at Kakashi instead. The taller man grinned happily.

"They're terrible, but they'll get better. What they lack in technique, they make up for with enthusiasm." Iruka smiled and then his look turned sultry.

"I could show you some enthusiasm later tonight…to thank you for all you've done for us," Iruka suggested, leaning in close and idly playing with a frayed corner of his flak jacket. Kakashi narrowed his eyes at him.

"You're just trying to make me break my word, aren't you? You are a tease," he said. Iruka flashed him a coy grin and then lowered his eyes again, as if he was fascinated with Kakashi's vest.

"I don't know what's changed, but I just feel differently about it now. Last week was so terrible – I just want to make happier memories," Iruka confessed. Kakashi tenderly tilted his chin upwards.

"We will make better memories – once you've healed and you've had some time. We don't have to rush this."

Iruka gave him an annoyed look.

"What you're trying to do is noble, but I'm telling you I don't need the time. I'm with you now and I want it to be real."

"It's already real. We don't have to have sex to prove something," Kakashi replied. The more Iruka tried to convince him for all the wrong reasons, the more Kakashi's resolve strengthened. He knew he was doing the right thing. Iruka would realize, just as he had realized already, that when they had sex again it should be because they loved each other. Kakashi didn't know if he was to that point yet, but he knew he was much closer than Iruka was.

He didn't like to admit it, but he knew the reality of the situation. For Iruka, he was just a rebound that was letting him move in.

While he had been thinking, Iruka had moved his hands to his hips. That was never a good sign.

"Are you suddenly not attracted to me?" he asked. "Or are you getting if from somebody else?" Iruka pressed. Kakashi sighed. He hadn't wanted it to turn into an argument, especially with the brats just across the field. Not to mention, it was more than a little irritating that Iruka had taken on that possessive tone with him. Hadn't it been just a week before that Iruka had chosen another man over him? True, there were other factors, but that was basically what it boiled down to.

"I am still attracted to you, I just want it to be for the right reasons," Kakashi settled on saying. "I want it to mean something," he added. Iruka's eyebrows knitted together tightly as he tried to figure out what Kakashi was telling him.

"The right reason?" he asked confusedly. Kakashi nodded.

"Exactly."

"Unexplainably, I'm horny for the first time in years and I want you. What's wrong with that reason?" Iruka asked. Kakashi smirked at him.

"It's not unexplainable. You're just not used to someone turning you down when you offer sex."

"Then you're doing it to give me a taste of my own medicine?" Iruka concluded. Kakashi sighed.

"No, but that's not a bad perk. I'm serious about saying you need more time. I want to take you on a real date tonight. Let's focus on that for now, okay?" Kakashi pleaded. Finally, Iruka gave up.

"Alright. You win for now."

"It's not a battle, Iruka," Kakashi replied with a smile. Iruka just huffed and turned away.

Over his shoulder he said, "You're right about that. A battle would require an actual challenge. After you see me tonight, you're going to be singing a different tune, sweetheart."

Kakashi couldn't find it in himself to be disappointed that he wasn't going to get sex. Rather, the fact that he'd found a way to make Iruka interested made him absolutely ecstatic.

A/N: A reviewer was worried about how lovey dovey they seemed, and thought it was moving too fast. Hopefully this chapter explains that Iruka's just looking for a rebound. Kakashi's becoming a bit more involved, unfortunately for him. As for Tsubaki and Mizuki, all will be explained. Sometimes I present things in the story that may seem weird, just because you don't know the past behind it yet. Or, it could just be that I'm a confusing writer, lol. Thanks for the reviews as always. Only four more chapters to go!