"Welcome! What would you like to order ?" said Ayame, the daughter of the shop owner.
Iruka and Kakashi gave their orders and waited patiently. While they awaited their meal Iruka asked "So, did those three pass the test?"
Kakashi smiled "They may not have the skills yet, with the exception of Sasuke, but I'm sure they'll do well. They do understand the importance of comradeship" said Kakashi. "So yes they passed".
"Really? I'm glad to hear it. Thank you Kakashi sensei" Iruka said with his face lit.
"Hey now, don't call me sensei. You're not one of my students. We're friends okay? Call me by my name. And also, there's no reason to thank me." Kakashi stated. "They figured it out on their own. You've taught your students quite well, Iruka" he said, being a sweet talker.
"You flatter me. All I've done is show them the way. The rest is up to them" Iruka said with a lovely smile on his face and a slight blush. When Kakashi saw this his heart twitched, he smiled under his mask and he almost whispered 'Damn' out loud. Luckily he managed to keep his mouth shut, even though Iruka probably wouldn't have heard it. 'He is, so, adorable' Kakashi thought staring at him.
"By the way, how's that wound on your back?" Kakashi asked wanting to keep the conversation going. "Oh it's alright. The medical Nin are very good with their job. It's healing and it's not really that big of a deal" Iruka replied. "Well that's good to know" Kakashi said smiling cheerfully.
Iruka smiled. He really enjoyed being with Kakashi. He was calm, kind and he didn't gossip a lot, unlike the other shinobi around. Iruka really respected him for that.
"So what about the others?" Kakashi inquired. Iruka began to talk about the other teams and his other students. "Asuma sensei is leading Team 10 which is the Ino-Shika-Cho group. Their team also passed. Kurenai sensei is leading team 8 which is..."
Kakashi listened to him as he talked, with his chin resting on his hand looking at him intently with an attentive, mesmerised look as if he were staring at a beautiful painting. He was smiling under his mask and though he was listening to what he was saying there were many other thoughts running through his head. The way he talked about his students as if they were his own kids was really cute. His smile lit up Kakashi's soul. He had beautiful brown hair and gorgeous dark eyes. He noticed that Iruka's sleeves were rolled up which showed his slender wrists. He didn't wear gloves and his hands were also delicate. Not as much as a women's but still. Very few men had them.
Kakashi recalled that his speed in battle was amazing. His whole body seemed delicate but also very well built. Kakashi began to wonder, what his body looked like under his clothes. 'Woah, let's not go there' he warned himself.
Luckily their meals were served right about then. Two bowls of hot steamy, delicious smelling ramen were given to the them. "Enjoy your meal gentlemen" said Teuchi, the owner. After saying "Itadakimasu" they began to eat.
They ate mostly in silence and every once in a while they would talk about the village, some of the shinobi and about the upcoming plans of the Hokage. Iruka smiled happily enjoying his presence. It was the first time he'd sat down with someone to eat with. He felt at such ease being with him. Iruka realized that Kakashi was probably the first person who had been this kind and respectful towards him. He knew that it wasn't just for show, like the others did with him so that they could gossip.
As they talked Kakashi kept staring at Iruka and took every chance he got to compliment him or make...appealing comments. The more they talked the more nervous Iruka got. Yet he also felt a bit...excited. Their conversation went in an interesting direction. Even Ayame couldn't help smiling. There was no one else in the shop at the moment so Kakashi didn't back down.
"Say, do you have a lover Iruka?" Kakashi asked out of nowhere. He asked as though such a fact would disappoint him and he said 'lover' as if it wasn't just limited to women.
Iruka was speechless for a moment but quickly replied "No. I don't".
"Then do you have anyone in mind?" Kakashi asked.
"Well...not really" Iruka murmured nervously and gulped. Kakashi found it quite amusing, seeing Iruka like that. He asked "Are you sure? There must be someone."
"No. I'm busy with work" Iruka said. "And...I don't get along with others" he whispered.
Kakashi hummed sadly, in agreement. "Yeah. But...don't you have any admirers? Someone who really expresses their emotions to you" and Kakashi asked smoothly. "Surely there must be someone who wants you".
Iruka smiled looking straight into Kakashi's eye. "No. You're the first" he replied smiling cheekily and then chuckling.
His reply took Kakashi by surprise and he was speechless. He stared at him for a few moments, eyes wide before laughing quietly. "Well, I guess I'm pretty lucky" he managed to say. Iruka smiled looking at him blushing red.
Teuchi and Ayame went on with their work as if they heard nothing. A lot of things happened at Ichiraku. It was after all, the most well known place for a night out. Especially for dates, so they weren't surprised. However by now, Ayame had trouble breathing.
The handsome, mysterious and famous jonin Kakashi, whom she herself couldn't help but admire, was having a flirty chat with an academy instructor. Ayame was lost in imagination and her noodles were just about to be over cooked.
Thankfully, both men had finished eating. Kakashi asked for the bill. "I can pay my share..." Iruka started saying but Kakashi interrupted him. "Iruka" he said sternly. "I was the one who invited you to dinner. Besides you've done me a favour. So I'm just repaying you. I hate owing people, especially to someone as nice as you" he began smooth talking. "Besides...I'm always letting others pay for me. So I feel a bit guilty".
Ayame, who was waiting with the bill raised an eyebrow. It was true that the jonin never paid for anyone and instead always smooth talked others to pay for him. However, this was the first time she'd seen him smooth talk so that he could pay.
Iruka nodded slowly. "Alright. If you insist" he said. "If you're free, I'll treat you to a meal next time". He really liked being with Kakashi and the idea of having a meal with him pleased Iruka.
They stepped out into the cool summer evening. Kakashi rubbed the left side of his head, clawing his fingers. He didn't realize it while he had been talking with Iruka, but he seemed to have a slight headache on his left side. His left eye also hurt. 'That's odd. This hasn't happened before. Not since a few years ago' he thought.
"Kakashi are you okay?" Iruka asked worriedly. By now Kakashi was massaging his head. He replied "Yeah I'm fine. I just had to work a bit more today". But as he said this the pain jammed into his head so hard it made him feel dizzy. He stumbled a bit and Iruka rushed over to his side.
"I'm fine" Kakashi muttered, but his face (what one could make of it) and his body said so otherwise. Iruka kept one arm under his shoulder to support him. The pain in Kakashi's head increased twice fold and and he breathed in through his teeth. He breathed slowly but heavily. His left eye felt as though it was being plucked out. (Oh yes he knew exactly how that felt)
Iruka looked at him with his face full of concern. "Kakashi do I need to take you to the hospital?" he asked. "Kakashi!?"
"No...they can't deal with this. I...have medicine...at home" Kakashi said. He lifted his headband and clutched his sharingan eye. The pain was utterly unbearable. Without thinking he opened his sharingan eye.
In an instant the pain in his left eye increased by fifth fold. His vision became blurry and flashed before his eyes. He staggered as his body went slack. His mind wasn't thinking and his eyes saw two different things.
At one point he saw Iruka with his worried face looking at him and calling his name. And then, he saw darkness all around him. The sound of dripping water could be heard. He saw someone in the dark holding a lantern. "You okay?" the voice asked.
Kakashi's mind was in so much agony he couldn't even tell whether the voice was male or female much less figure out who it was. He then closed his left eye immediately and took a long, deep shaky breath.
By now Iruka was completely supporting him. The jonin's body had dropped like a sack of potatoes and he wasn't responding when called to. He seemed to not be aware of his surroundings. "Kakashi?" Iruka called once again.
Kakashi barely heard his voice. He knew, that soon, he would be losing conciousness. "I'm going to pass out. Can you...drop me off at...my house?" he croaked.
"Don't worry. I'll get you there. Just hang on!" Iruka said. But Kakashi barely heard him and he passed out in Iruka's arms.
-
Iruka walked through the streets and jumped from roof to roof as fast as he could. He carried Kakashi on his back and looked at him every minute to check if he was stable. The silver haired jonin was heavy, but since Iruka was a shinobi he was doing fine.
After what seemed like an hour, Iruka finally arrived at his apartment building. He looked over at the multiple floors and tried remembering which floor and unit he lived in. He thought about it for a moment before climbing the stairs.
Finally, he stood on front of a door with the number '49' marked on it. He slowly put Kakashi down, propping him against the wall. He fished around in his pockets eventually finding the keys. "Sorry, but I'll need to borrow this" he whispered. He opened the door and carried Kakashi inside.
As he entered he turned on the lights and took of his shoes. He searched for the bedroom and carried Kakashi inside. He placed him on the bed and looked over at him to see if he was okay. The jonin seemed to be breathing steadily. Iruka touched the jonin's forehead with the back of his hand.
'He's doing alright. Thank goodness. He'll be fine so I should get going' he thought. But as he was getting up Kakashi (who Iruka could swear was asleep) grabbed his wrist out of nowhere.
"Don't go" he whispered. He seemed to be in a semi coma and his voice was heavy. "Not...now...too late. Just sleep here"
"But I-" Iruka started saying.
"You live alone too. Please, don't go" Kakashi whispered. For the last couple of minutes he was having nightmares over and over. He couldn't help but be scared. He felt the need to have someone by his side. He didn't want to be left alone.
Iruka sat down again and he clutched Kakashi's hand. He patted his hand and said "Don't worry I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay here. Just give a minute, okay?"
Having said this Iruka got up and took off Kakashi's shoes and his jacket. He felt tempted to take off his mask, but he just couldn't do it. He made sure to lock the door and turn off the lights. The half opened window was covered with the curtain. Iruka decided to find an extra futon to sleep in.
Just then a sobbing sound came from Kakashi's direction. Iruka turned around and saw Kakashi huddled up. He was shivering and mumbling in his sleep. Iruka slowly walked over and what he saw broke his heart.
Tears streamed down the Hatake's eyes and he murmured "I'm sorry...I couldn't keep my promise. Please forgive me..."
Iruka gulped, his heart heavy with pity. He reached out to wipe away the tears. His heart twisted as he saw him cry. He stroked his hair gently and whispered "It's alright Kakashi. No need to worry. I'm here. Just relax".
Kakashi took a quivering breath "I'm sorry" he muttered. "Please don't go".
Iruka lifted his legs and got close to him. He put one arm of his shoulder and grasped the jonin's other hand. He stroked it gently and whispered "Calm down. It's alright". He slowly let a small amount of chakra into his body to calm his chakra and nerves. The chunin slipped into bed and shuffled close to him. He stroked his hand, his hair and spoke to him soothingly and reassuringly.
Soon afterwards Kakashi stooped shivering and he slept soundly. Iruka was glad and he sighed quietly. The almost full moon on that night illuminated the room. He was once again captivated by his face. He wondered, how he could be so mesmerised by someone who constantly wore a mask. Still, he did have his amazing silver hair and his eyes were a beautiful pair of dark brown orbs. He also had a calm and gentle aura to him which made him like...
As Iruka drifted in his thoughts he fell asleep with Kakashi next to him, their hands together and their bodies only inches apart.
Elsewhere two figures stood inside a cave. One of them, taller than the other suddenly staggered backwards with his hand on his forehead. "Damn" he said and then swore a string of words.
The smaller figure in front of him held a lantern in her hand. She looked at him worriedly and asked "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine" the man replied. "It seems like we'll have to be on lookout from now on".
"You mean it's time?" the girl asked.
"No not yet. But to ensure that nothing gets in our way, we'll have to eliminate all the obstacles from the inside.
The man lowered his hand from his forehead and declared "It's time for you to go on your first official mission".