Title: Understanding
Author: Shinku kai
Rating: PG
Theme: Cranberries

Authors Note: I'm not too sure if I managed to get the mood across properly in this one. Hopefully I did. Un-betaed so let me know it there's any mistakes that i've missed. Story 10/12 for the kakairu Christmas Festival Challenge.

Disclaimer: Not Mine, nor are they filling my pockets with extra christmas cash (as nice as it might be).

Understanding

Naruto peered closely at the label turning the can around in his hand once, twice, before setting it back on the shelf. It had sounded so easy when he had thought of it earlier. After all, it was only Christmas Dinner he wanted to cook, as a way to thank Iruka ni-san for all that he had done for him over the years. He picked up another random tin to inspect, wondering why there was any need to have more than one kind of cranberry.
"Green's Cranberries are better."
Naruto jumped, nearly dropping the tin in his hand as he twirled around to face the offending voice.
"You!"
Kakashi waved in greeting, ignoring the dark look he was receiving from the younger man.
"Funny to see you outside the ramen aisle. What are you up to?" He peered into Naruto's cart, "Christmas dinner shopping as well I see."
"What do you mean 'as well'? I'm the one cooking Iruka ni-san dinner, not you!"
"hey hey, easy there tiger," Kakashi held his hands out placidly, "You'll get us both kicked out for disrupting the peace and then Iruka won't be having any christmas dinner."
Naruto huffed as he turned back to the cranberry display.
"Whatever. I don't see why he chose you of all people."
"You know what Naruto, neither do I."
They both stood in silence.
"How long have the two of you been going out?"
"Nearly 2 years now."
"Two years, and not a word from either of you about it," bitterness framing Naruto's words.
"Well, it wasn't like you were here to tell you," Kakashi replied, tone harsher than he had intended. They both exchanged heated looks until Kakashi sighed and turned away, grabbing a can.
"Look Naruto, I'm sorry that you weren't told sooner, but Iruka wanted to tell you about us face to face, rather than in a letter, and when you did finally arrive back, he wanted to find the right time to tell you. Your opinion matters a lot to him you know. He was worried that you'd end up hating him."
"I could never hate him!"
"No, you hate me instead."
Naruto looked down at the ground.
"I don't hate you Kakashi Sensei, not really. I just... don't want Iruka to get hurt again, that's all."
"And you think I would hurt him?"
"You could."
"Yes, and so could you."
The silence hung heavily on the air, dissipating when Naruto held out his hand, palm facing upwards.
"Pass that can you recommended, will ya. We'll need it for the turkey."
Kakashi smiled as he passed the can of cranberries his former student.
"You know, this doesn't mean that I'm accepting you as Iruka ni-san's boyfriend."
"I know."

Almost there...