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This one is a bit short but that's because I had to break it up or else you would have had a veeeeery long chapter.

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Chapter 10

"Do you ever wear your hair down?"

Kakashi smiled at the rosy tint to Iruka's cheeks as he turned his attention back to the dinner Iruka had cooked for them. It had become their ritual to have dinner together every Thursday. So far, Iruka had insisted on cooking the meals but Kakashi already had plans for next week. The Hokage better not send me out on a mission.

"What?"

"I was just thinking…..do you ever wear your hair down?"

Iruka shrugged noncommittally, not willing to give the subject much thought. What kind of question is that?

"Why do you ask?"

Kakashi just shrugged as he chewed and swallowed his food.

"I was just curious."

The truth of the matter was he was more than just curious. He really wanted to know what it felt like to run his fingers through it and he wanted to see the boyishly handsome face framed by the dark hair. It had become the stuff of daydreams.

"Kakashi?"

Kakashi blinked himself out of yet another daydream to see Iruka looking at him with concerned brown eyes.

"Hm? I'm sorry. I'm afraid my mind just wandered a bit. What were you saying?"

"Nothing. You just looked---"

"Brainless?"

Kakashi chuckled and reached for his glass of iced water, but froze when he heard Iruka's words.

"Happy, actually. What were you thinking about?"

Should I tell him what I was thinking about? Will he freak out?

"I was thinking about you." Kakashi didn't make direct eye contact when he spoke. Instead he took a sip of his water before returning his gaze to Iruka and sure enough, the quiet teacher looked embarrassed. "I guess I'm more than just curious about what you look like with your hair down."

Iruka blinked out of his embarrassment and his brows furrowed.

"That's what you were thinking? That's it?"

Once again Kakashi just shrugged. Iruka scoffed and admonished himself for being disappointed that Kakashi was only thinking of his hair. What did I expect? He reached up and pulled out the hair tie, shaking the hair out and shoving the tie in his pants pocket. As his hair fell around his face, he picked up his fork and began eating again.

"I don't see what the big deal is. I mean it's just---"

Suddenly Kakashi was leaning across the table and his fingers were running through Iruka's hair. He had that happy look on his face again from just moments ago and Iruka could only sit there as Kakashi leaned in closer and closer, seemingly fascinated by his hair.

What the hell is going on with him? Does he have some sort of fetish? No doubt it comes from those stupid books. But….his fingers, they feel nice.

Kakashi's eyes had been watching as his pale fingers threaded through the dark chestnut hair. He traced the hairline around Iruka's face, noting where it brushed against his still rosy cheek. And then a few strands fell forward, drawing Kakashi's eyes to Iruka's face and he found big brown eyes gazing at him in wonder.

Kakashi slowly let his fingers slide from Iruka's hair, not wanting to project the image that he was doing something wrong by quickly snatching his hand back and acting nervous. If I act normal, maybe he'll do the same. Yeah, reaching over across the table and running your fingers through your companion's hair is perfectly normal. Kakashi kept his head bowed for a few moments, embarrassed for what he'd done and worried he'd upset Iruka.

Say something, damn you!

Without the soothing feeling of Kakashi's fingers running through his hair, Iruka slowly blinked himself back to the here and now to find Kakashi, head bowed, eating. I….I just don't get him. How could something like my hair fascinate him so much? Then Iruka's eyes fell to Kakashi's hand as it reached out for his drink and suddenly Iruka understood. I'm the same way about his hands and his face. I just like to watch them.

Iruka's gaze followed Kakashi's hand up until he met Kakashi's eyes over the glass. He could see the barest of flinches in the mismatched eyes, but Iruka just smiled and returned to eating his dinner, happy that he understood a little more about Kakashi.

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Iruka felt his presence behind him and turned to see Kakashi leaning against the tree, looking casual and carefree as usual. You'd never know how truly deadly he is.

Iruka smiled and walked over to the tree, still at an advantageous spot to observe his students.

"Hello there."

"Hello, Iruka. How are you?"

"I'm fine. What brings you here?"

"I was just reminded that there's a festival this week. So I thought that instead of having dinner at your place, we could go to the festival together."

"You actually want to go to the festival?"

"Yes. I think it will be fun."

"But what about dinner?"

"There will be plenty of food there. Say yes, Iruka."

Iruka looked away from Kakashi and crossed his arms over his chest as he looked out among the children playing during their break. Kakashi is making it sound like a real date. What will people say? And what if my students see us?

Kakashi frowned and hung his head. He had been excited about going to the festival with Iruka. It could have been our first official date. But maybe he's still not ready to---

"I'll go with you on two conditions."

"Hmm?"

Kakashi's head popped up and even though he was hopeful again at Iruka going on a date with him, his stomach was still tight, waiting to hear what Iruka had to say.

"First. We're going to be in public….our peers and my students…..I don't want them to….assume anything."

Kakashi could tell Iruka was uncomfortable making the demand of him and it helped to lessen the hurt he felt. I suppose he has a point. But….I guess that means it's not a date.

"Second."

Iruka turned to face Kakashi with a smirk on his face. "You must wear a yukata. It's traditional festival attire and I won't attend unless you do this properly."

Kakashi blinked a few times, surprised at Iruka's second condition and yet, oddly thrilled. Does this mean we're going on a date? Is he finally going to accept me as a potential boyfriend and not just his friend? And what's with that smirk? It's different somehow, but I really like it.

"You've got yourself a deal, Iruka. We'll meet at the southern entrance to the festival at 6pm."

Iruka nodded and his gaze lingered on Kakashi for a few extra moments before he turned away and headed back to his students. He could feel Kakashi's eyes on him right up to the moment he entered the school building and closed the door behind him. He smiled as he followed the chattering children back to the classroom. I guess we're going on our first date.

To be continued…