Disclaimer- I don't own Naruto.

Enjoy! :)

K is for Kakashi

When Ibiki had first met Kakashi, the younger man had made it more than clear that he didn't like him. Ibiki had just been appointed as head of T&I, and the rumors were spreading fast and furious. Kakashi had, and quite unlike the Copy Nin to do so unfairly, come to the assumption the Ibiki was an unforgiving sadist who enjoyed torturing people. This was far from the truth, but Ibiki had let him think that because he had no reason to convince him otherwise. He wasn't interested in being friends with Kakashi, and the only time they really interacted was every Christmas Eve, where they put their differences aside.

This all changed one day when Ibiki found himself on the way back from a mission brutally injured and too far from the hospital to make it before he passed out. He feared that if he fell unconscious that no one would touch him, too scared of his reputation to think that he needed help. The only person who lived close enough to help him was Kakashi, and he put up with the chance that Kakashi would shut the door in his face as he staggered to his apartment.

Kakashi didn't say a word, just guided the injured man to a chair and started bandaging his wounds. Once Ibiki's chakra was restored enough he could help heal the wounds, but he was so exhausted and wounded he had to crash at Kakashi's place, who didn't object, just let him have the bed, sleeping on his own couch.

Ibiki said thank you and bowed the next day, and was fully prepared to hear a snide comment on the irony of it or a thinly veiled allusion to Ibiki's chosen profession. Instead, Kakashi smiled at him and told him he could come back any time he needed help. Of course, Ibiki never planned to take him up on that offer.

The next time Ibiki saw Kakashi at a bar he bought him a drink out of gratitude and expected their contact to end there. In return, a bruised and battered Kakashi showed up at his home. Ibiki supposed their friendship had started off in a very manly way- two men getting hurt.

So, what did you think? Review! :)