That was then, this is now.

Back then, we were kids. We could have done anything we wanted to, and it wouldn't have seemed out of place. (Of course, holding hands and the like would not have been a part of that 'anything', since the image of you and me holding hands is already out of place.)

We could have gone fishing like we used too, lazed around in the sun's burning heat before jumping into the icy coolness of the river's water. Or we could have studied our ninjutsu like we were supposed to (but that wouldn't have been any fun).

Before I met you, things were alright. I was always alone, always on my own, but I had grown used to it, sort of. Funny how much you have to adapt to life after both of your parents are suddenly gone. But what's even funnier is how one little comment can suddenly gain you a new friend.

You had dropped your book, that infamous book; I remember it quite clearly:

"Hey, you dropped your book."

"Oh thanks."

Always the cool one, weren't you, Kakashi?

I had caught a glimpse of it, then I handed it back to you, appalled by the graphic images and suggestive reading.

"You actually read that stuff?"

"Yeah, what of it?"

We stared at eachother, for a moment or two. Maybe for a couple of minutes.

"You're Iruka, right?"

"Yeah, and you're Kakashi?"

"Yeah. You wanna grab a bite to eat?"

And that was it. After three bowls of ramen (and me lending you the five dollars that you always 'forgot' to pay back), we became friends, just like that. We did everything together: we bathed in the pond, we rolled down the grassy hills, and I even agreed to read Icha Icha Paradise with you. Remember? I lasted five seconds before I fainted from the blood lost.

But now, things are different. Where is the casualness that was once there? The atmosphere of comfort?

The smoke of the bathhouse fumed and frosted the tiles with their heat.

"So how are Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke? They still a handful?"

"Yeah," you turn the page of Icha Icha Paradise, careful not to soak the tips too much with your fingertips. The bathwaters are warm, and we were both relaxing after a busy day: I had sorted papers and you trained the future shinobi of our village, but something was amiss, the old familiarity was gone.

"So..."

"Wait, it's getting to the good part."

"What?"

"The book."

"Oh."

Silence once again. Oh, how I hate this awkward silence. What has happened? You always used to talk, even when you were reading that cursed novel!

"Hey, Kakashi, remember that time I fainted? We were what? Twelve? I agreed to read Icha Icha Paradise with you."

"Haha, yeah. You idiot, she was just in her underwear and you had a nosebleed with enough blood to fill a basin."

Good old memories, they eased the quietness for a moment, but only for a measly moment. Silence filled the bath again.

Then, you put your book down.

"Where's the extra towel?"

"I don't know."

"Oh, I see it."

You reach over, your body brushing against mine and your arms extending to the towel that lay undisturbed in the corner. I had an urge then, an urge that I couldn't fight. So, I acted on it.

I pushed your head, dry silver hair and all, and submerged you into the water.

Like a fish on land, you jumped back up, gasping for air and recovering from the shock. I couldn't stifle my snicker.

"Iruka! You dumbass! What was that for?"

"I couldn't help it, you were just too... vulnerable."

"What the hell?" You swiped the towel I had on my thigh and slapped me on the head with it before you used it to wipe the excess water from your face. "We're not kids anymore, you know."

And that did me in.

So time has changed our relationship. All these memories I had hoped to relive, like us fishing in the river, are nothing but memories. I sank a little, letting the water come to my chin. You don't notice how much that hurt, both the slap and the words, because you've stuck your nose back into that damned book.

I sighed and mumbled to no one in particular, but I doubt you heard me.

"That was then, this is now."

Author's notes: This was written for a challenge at the LJ community tempsmort, therefore it won't be continued.