I do not own Naruto. Never will.

Thank you very much for all your positive feedback and comments. I'm glad that such a plot is being accepted by many of you.

LIMITS

It was on their way home did Iruka open his mouth to speak again. Through out the rest of their drinks, Iruka remained silent and deep in thought. Kakashi could make out the lines between his brows as he hesitated and wondered if he was really serious.

Kakashi was definitely serious.

Turning down one of the street divisions, Iruka turned towards Kakashi. "You serious?"

Kakashi nodded. "Yes."

"How does this benefit you? Other than being able to be someone's dancing partner." Iruka didn't look relaxed. His shoulders were too stiff.

"Your dancing partner." Kakashi corrected and this made Iruka frown just a little bit. "I never really had a hobby. And besides, dancing seems like a good work out on its own. It might come in handy one day during undercover missions."

"Dancing is an art. While I agree that it might benefit for missions and such, it's no good if you're just learning it for kicks." Iruka shook his head and looked back at the road.

Kakashi couldn't help but feel a bit insulted. "So I'm not worthy enough to learn dancing."

Iruka gave him a brief glance. "Maybe. Because if you are just doing this for kicks, then I'm not going to waste my time."

Oho. Look who's talking...

He reached out and grabbed the Chuunin's thin arm, stopping him so that he can really look at his face seriously. "Do I look like I'm kidding?"

Iruka didn't react with his arm being pulled. "We'll see."

Kakashi narrowed his visible eye a bit, ego challenged. "We'll see."

Iruka eyed grip on his arm then looked back at Kakashi's face. "When do you want to start?"

"I'm stepping down from the mission ranks to do more training." Kakashi said; he still hasn't perfected the new Sharingan technique. It was requiring a lot of study and stamina building because his chakra reserves were not enough. "You give me a time."

"I'll spare you my evenings. Show up any later than ten and you can forget about it. Eight, my place. You can start coming in two days." Iruka said, flat and dull.

Is he giving me attitude?

"Sure. Though, why can't we start tonight? Or tomorrow?" Kakashi asked. He just wanted to ruffle Iruka's feathers a bit.

"Because my current accommodation is too small to even move. I am moving in to my new one. It should be enough space." Iruka jerked his arm off Kakashi's grip - surprising him with his strength once more - when Kakashi didn't let go of it.

Ah. My bad.

"I see. Sure then. I'll see you in two days at your new place." Kakashi nodded.

Iruka merely gave him a silent look before nodding. "This is my route. I've enjoyed your company."

"I know this is your route. I am walking you home. Wouldn't want anyone stealing my teacher now would I?" Kakashi said, playful tone and grinning under the mask.

Iruka looked at him, shook his head in slight amusement and continued down the street till they both reached his apartment complex.

Kakashi was not pleased with the area.

It was a messy area, the walls spray-painted with obscenities, trashcans overflowing and many vicious looking alley cats prowling the sidewalks. There were passed out drunks in the alleys and way too many men and women dressed in skimpy clothes and smoking cigarettes (or what seemed like cigarettes). There were dogs barking and someone yelling curse words and every now and then there was a faint sound of glass breaking. Kakashi was just about to comment when a large heavy looking shoe came flying out of a window a feet in front of them, a shower of glass falling from one of the apartments above them.

If it weren't for Kakashi's reflexes, they'd both be picking glass out of their hair and possibly risk being injured. He peered up at the broken window where he can hear a couple yelling at each other and frowned.

Iruka sighed audibly. "It's normal. They always fight like that. That would be the third window this week." Iruka shook his head and stepped under the building roof to walk towards the lobby. "You probably shouldn't come up. My landlord doesn't like shinobis."

"Is that why you're moving?" Kakashi eyed the place, not approving of what he's seeing.

"Partly. But I really can't stand the atmosphere here." Iruka climbed the first few entrance steps and looked at Kakashi. "Thanks. From the shoe."

Kakashi couldn't help but smile. "Dodging shoes is my specialty."

Iruka cleared his throat to stop the laughter from bubbling out, but the smile that reached his eyes was good enough for Kakashi. "Yeah, well. Good night."

"Good night." Kakashi nodded and watched Iruka turn and head for the building lobby. "Hey, sensei?" Iruka turned to look at him. "You need any help moving your stuff?"

I have no idea where your new place is.

"I'll give you my address Kakashi-sensei. Don' worry. I'm not going to ignore you."

If Kakashi squinted, he could make out the laughing-grin on Iruka's face. "Oh. Right." He heard a chuckle and Iruka disappeared around the corner in to the building's stairwell.

Busted. But I'll be damned...

XXX

Kakashi found himself on his tiptoes with eager in the next two days. He was restless, couldn't focus much on anything because he was too excited to find out just how and what will Iruka teach him. How does he train his students? Will he be able to find out if Iruka really was the person he kept seeing in the Valley of the End?

While during his idle time his mind roamed at the possibilities of how Iruka was going to handle him, he remained focused and dedicated to his morning training and managed to do all the missions handed to him by the Hokage without any mishaps or casualties.

If I can even get as close as that Ace did with Iruka, then Icha-Icha can go suck balls for all I care...

Kakashi blinked at his thoughts, pausing in lifting weights.

Okay, I take that back...

Kakashi never really saw Iruka except once or twice while he was exiting the Academy building and he was idly listening to what the Hokage was lecturing him about. He was glad that the Hokage's office had a large window that he can zone out to. Tsunade's reactions were never pleasant whenever he was caught, but watching Iruka chase the children around and carrying them to their parents in a playful mood was enough to withstand the impact of the paper weight on his head.

When the eve of his first dance lesson came, Kakashi couldn't keep the excitement to himself. He was in an overly good mood that made his fellow Jounin do a double take. He was too excited to eat and over all just looking forward to spending time with Iruka because he was a strange person to be around with.

At five minutes passed eight, Kakashi was ringing the doorbell of a newly painted door. Iruka sent him a scroll by one of the pigeon-messengers most shinobis used to get messages around. Kakashi was quite pleased with the new area Iruka moved in to. The building, albeit a bit old, looked safe. He didn't think that he'd be dodging shoes or pots and pans anytime soon. The area was cleaner, organized and majority of the inhabitants of the area were either families or shinobi couples.

It also didn't look like Iruka leased his apartment for a cheap price.

Was that why he was selling that cupboard?

Iruka answered after the second ring went off. "Yo!" Kakashi greeted.

"Good evening. Come on in." Iruka opened the door and allowed Kakashi entry. "Have a seat while I just put some stuff away. Would you like a drink? I've got fruit juice, beer and tea."

Kakashi pushed his shoes off at the step in of Iruka's new home and headed for the living room. "Just juice thanks."

"Make yourself comfortable." Iruka said and disappeared to the connecting kitchen.

Kakashi wrinkled his nose at the smell of air freshener trying to out win the scent of new paint. The window in the far end of the living room was open to clear the smell of paint away. Kakashi noted how simple and yet homey Iruka's home was. There was a shelf where he kept his stereo and small television, along with his books in the connecting bookcase. There was only one large couch and a small low table; both were pushed aside, leaving a thick rug in the middle room, so as to have space. There were a few plants in one corner of the room along with an aquarium with brightly colored fish.

Kakashi found himself liking the place so far.

Iruka came out a minute later with a large glass of fruit juice that he set down on the table in the corner. "Before we start, I'd like to talk to you first." Iruka motioned for the couch where Kakashi dutifully sat down.

"What is it?"

"Is there anything you're afraid of? Any phobias of sorts?" Iruka didn't react when Kakashi raised an eyebrow at him, wondering where the 'stupid' question came from. "Not as a shinobi, Kakashi-sensei. But as a person."

Kakashi wondered in thought. "I don't really think so. No, none."

Iruka gave him a look. "Are you afraid of women?"

Ego squashed, Kakashi frowned. "No. Why would I be?"

"I don't know, ask yourself. It's very important I know these things so I will know who would suit you the most as a partner. You can't learn to dance on your own. You do need a partner." Iruka reasoned.

"You're going to get me to dance with a woman?" Kakashi blinked, excitement dying fast.

"Yes. I already know a few who are willing to help others learn."

Kakashi was not liking the idea of being touched by a woman, let alone holding her too close or lifting her in the air like Iruka did with Yui. "But why do I need a woman?"

Iruka remained silent, merely studying him before looking completely and utterly amused. "All right. Let's forget about your partner for now. Is there anything else you're afraid of?"

"Hey. Hold on a minute there."

"It's all right. Leave it."

"You planned on getting me a partner without even telling me!" Kakashi said, not pleased.

Iruka rolled his eyes at Kakashi, which did wonders to flare up his annoyance. "Look, Kakashi-sensei. If you're really serious about this, you wouldn't be making such a big fuss. And seeing as you are, maybe this type of activity is just not suitable for you."

"I haven't even tried and you're already saying that?" Kakashi visibly frowned.

"You need a partner. A female partner. A dance is an opposite of two people, yin and yang, black and white. You can't have to yangs or two whites now can you?"

"Why can't you be my partner?" Kakashi challenged.

"Because I do not have vagina." Iruka replied dully, making Kakashi blink.

"I'm sure you don't. You seem perfectly fine playing the woman's role when you were with Ace." Kakashi grumbled, all excitement completely gone.

"Oh." Iruka said, dawning look in his face. "Oh I see now."

"You see what?" Kakashi glared.

If possible, the look of amusement on Iruka's face increased. He was practically glowing. "On your feet." Kakashi stood up as Iruka stood in front of him. "Feet together, back straight." Kakashi did as he was told. He felt his skin jump when Iruka pushed the base of his spine forward. "Straighter. You're still slouching."

Kakashi winced a bit and forced himself in to the position Iruka asked of him. "Straight enough?"

"Will do for now." Iruka said and went about eyeing his posture some more.

Will do for now? What the fuck?

"So, what do you want me do?" Kakashi asked, feeling a bit awkward being studied like he was lab rat.

Iruka moved to stand in front of him. Kakashi felt his space was being invaded. "Things in dancing gets touchy. So, when I am falling, I will trust that you will catch me. Between partners, there has to be trust. If you can't trust your partner, then you shouldn't be dancing or even thinking about dancing."

Trust. Right. Easier said than done.

"Noted."

"I should hope so." Iruka nodded and looked at him again. "You might want to get a bit comfortable. Dancing with your flak jacket and weapons are not really recommended. I suggest that when you come here in the next few days that you bring a set of clothes you're comfortable in."

"Will do." Kakashi dropped from his stance and started taking off his gear, leaving only his pants, shirt and leg bindings on. He stood back on his posture, remembering well how his muscles were positions to not earn another prod at the back.

"Now, first thing is respect. When you dance, you have to show your respect. The people must feel the respect from you towards your partner."

Kakashi nodded. "I can do that."

Iruka merely looked at him, not really believing him but said nothing. "We'll find out soon. I am going to start with basics. But I need to know your strength first."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "In what?"

Iruka took a step back and leapt forward at him, which quickly made Kakashi lift his arms and catch Iruka by his sides, lifting him up like how a lover would lift one dear to him after not seeing said lover for a long time. Iruka's arms came to rest on his forearms, eyes meeting his single one and smiling a bit. Kakashi was quite surprised at how light Iruka seemed to be.

"Good." Iruka nodded and Kakashi set him down. "You should be able to handle lifting well then."

Kakashi felt his ego purr. "Glad to hear you approve."

Iruka motioned with his hand and Kakashi stood back in his posture. It earned him a prod on the shoulder. "Lift it up a bit. You're still slouching."

So much for praise...

"Right."

Iruka stood beside him and effortlessly slipped in to the same posture. "Now, there are four basic steps. When you're dancing, you lead your partner. You don't follow your partner, they follow you. When you dance, your partner is your child, your wife, your lover, your best friend, mother, father, brother and sister. Even your grandmother." Kakashi found himself blinking. "This means, you handle them with care. You wouldn't shove your grandmother or drop your baby would you?" Iruka looked at him.

Kakashi blinked yet again. "I don't have a baby."

Iruka rolled his eyes again - which really annoyed Kakashi - and nodded anyway. "So, before we even get to the leading part, we'll have to work on your foot work and grace. You, Kakashi-sensei, have no grace at all."

Kakashi looked at him like he was slapped. "Excuse me?"

I beg to differ, Sir Dolphin. People say I am the most graceful ninja they've seen. I've heard it! Women flock at my feet and elders admire me for crying out loud!

"I'm not kidding. You're stiff, you slouch a lot, your foot steps are heavy when you walk, you drag your heels, even if it's silent and your arms are just way off."

M-My arms? Oh if I punched you, you wouldn't be even -

"You say it like it's a crime." Kakashi grumbled.

"In dancing, it is. And really, you're a genius and I respect you, but you're just disgusting with your posture and how you carry yourself." Iruka said, not even blinking as he prodded his side again. "I told you to not slouch in that manner."

Disgusting? Why you piece of -

Kakashi could feel his temper rising as he was jerked back by the prod to the right position. Never in all his life did anyone insult him the way this Chuunin did. "Hey, do you mind with -"

"So, from your ugly and unrefined slouching turtle self, I'm going to teach you how to be a swan." Iruka cut him off,

I don't want to be a fucking swan!

"Right." Kakashi nodded once. "A swan."

"You can back out now if you think you can't handle it." Iruka offered.

Kakashi glanced him, looking down at the shorter male, a frosty look in his eye. "I've survived the Fourth's training. I think I can survive yours."

Iruka could only give him a smile. "We'll see."

TBC

Notes and acknowledgements:

Step up played a large role in inspiration for this chapter. Because I noticed there that strength is actually needed in lifting. Those who have seen the movie will know what I mean. No spoilers. It's a nice film.

The fun (or at least for me when I wrote it) actually begins after this chapter. Because I am attempting to write a different Kakashi and Iruka from how I'd usually write them (or RP them), I would say that this chapter was actually very enjoyable. I'm really, really glad lots of you are enjoying this. As I've answered most of my reviewers, I will say it again. I was actually hesitant in putting such a fic up because of the extremely different plotline and idea. That I might actually get bashed for it and/or the story not being appreciated.

Was supposed to be a one-shot, but heh. Judging by how I'm on chapter five and still tweaking chapter four ... so much for a one-shot.

Anyone who agrees that the shoe mentioned above should have hit Kakashi in the head, say AYE! (coz' I sure as hell wanted it to hit his head. But that'd be insulting his abilities. I'm trying to keep this in-character - which I feel I'm failing miserably at - as much as possible).