Disclaimer: Still no owney. Still sad : . . (But for all you legal aficionados, I will be clear: I do not own Naruto or it's characters, but my sincerest thanks to Masashi Kishimoto for not suing me for borrowing them. I am very good at sharing and I promise I will give them back.

Last time: Iruka had a little down time and began to make friends with . . . . Kakashi? Oh, and Genma issued the next challenge: Anko. Plus, someone is still having naughty dreams!

Author's note:

1. Okay, I don't know your guys' views on flirting, but the situation I use on the street very closely resembles a situation an old friend on mine described, she told me, and I quote: it was the best flirting in my life; it made my day. If you guys have any memorable flirting, let me know so I can use it in the story, as I'm sure I'll run out of ideas on my own! :)

2. The inconsistencies in Iruka and Anko's speech as children are on purpose. I have worked with children and I find that from around nine to sixteen they are bouncing between two identities: who they were as children and who they are becoming as adults. For example, for Iruka's speech as a child was rude and cocky, seeing as he was a prankster. As an adult, he is super-polite, so he bounces between the two while he's in that in-between stage.

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Iruka knew he'd have to work harder for Anko than for Gai. Anko may be marginalised as much as Gai, and she may be open with her sexuality, but she is far from a slut. They'd known each other as kids, which might help him to know how to work her, but it might also make her more hesitant to take him seriously. After all, before she'd been taken by Orochimaru, she'd been his first kiss.

Iruka had been ten and a new family had just moved in down the block. They weren't new to Konoha, but they had just bought their own house. It was before the Kyuubi attack and Iruka was in his last stretch at the Academy. He had gotten off of school for the day already and was biking around his block when he saw the movers.

"Hey!" Iruka pulled over.

"Hey kid, watch out!" Iruka shuffled his bike further off to the side.

"Sorry. Who ya movin in?"

"Just a small family. Looks like they got a kid round your age."

"They ninjas like me?"

"Uh, yeah."

"You know where their kid is? I'm bored, got no one ta play with."

"Sure kid, she's around here somewhere."

"She?" Iruka scrunched his nose. "Itsa she?"

"Yeah, she's a she. You got a problem with that?" Iruka turned and faced the newcomer, a girl a couple of inches taller than himself. She had purple hair and intense-looking eyes. As he looked at her, she scrutinised him.

"You're still at the Academy, aren'tcha?"

"Yeah, so?" Iruka adjusted his bike and stood up a little straighter. "Wanna make something of it, girl?"

"Hmph. You got some spunk, kid, challenging a genin."

"Ya can't be that much better'n me. You aren't much older and even though you're pretty, you're still a girl." Iruka blushed, then continued, "Even if ya beat me, I'll give ya a good run fer yer money. I mean, I ain't a prankster fer nothin."

"Prankster, huh? Got any plans for this afternoon?" She glanced him over again.

Iruka smiled. "Maybe. If you do."

"Mmhmm. Let's go, kid."

Iruka got off his bike and walked it over to her. "We could pick up supplies at my place, since yer not moved in yet. Follow me, girl. Ya know, I don't got nothing against girls or anything. It's just, they keep tryin ta kiss me at school. If ya told me yer name, though, I wouldn't hafta call ya girl."

She laughed. "I'm Anko. And I don't have anything against you, but even if you give me your name, I'm still gonna call you kid. How old are ya, anyways? 'm eleven." They started down the block.

Iruka ducked his head and blushed. "Mmkay, Anko. I'm just a coupla houses this way. An I'm ten, so I'm really not a kid compared to you."

"You are a shortie though," Anko teased, ruffling his hair. He scowled. "You aren't going to tell me your name?"

"You said it wouldn't matter even if I did!" He stomped his foot indignantly.

She laughed again. "You're cute. I can see why your classmates chase you. I might too, if I were in your year."

Iruka blushed harder as she snuck a glance at him. "Only if I was in your year, though?"

Anko laughed, then followed Iruka as he dropped his bike in the yard. "Why? Do you want me to kiss you?" She leaned forward as he opened the door and wiggled her eyebrows at him.

He backed up uncertainly, "N-no." He escaped into the hall and motioned for her to follow him.

"Okay then, no kissing. So, what is the plan?" Iruka grinned.

Running away from the Hokage's Anbu guards twenty minutes later, breathless and giggling, Iruka and Anko both knew they'd found a kindred spirit.

They walked home, talking and laughing, kicking rocks on the way. When they got to their block, they both looked up.

"Well, my parents should have everything moved in by now."

"Ya. Thanks for the help. We'll have to try this again, only we'll get the Hokage!"

"Sure, kid. That was fun. I think I'll like living here."

Iruka grinned. "Me too. Like having you live here, I mean. Welcome to the block, Anko." Iruka quickly got up on tiptoes and pecked her quickly on the lips. He ran away giggling gleefully. "I gotcha! Bet ya didn't 'spect that!"

Anko brought her hand slowly up to her lips and rested it there against them for a minute. "No. No, I didn't." She smiled. "Hey, kid!" Iruka turned back, halfway through his door already, "See ya tomorrow!"

He smiled, waved and dashed into the hall, door slamming behind him. Anko shook her head, laughing. I think I'll like it here.

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It was Sunday and Iruka was planning on getting a head start on Anko this week, because he knew they could have fun with it all week and annoy the hell out of Genma. Anko would be game, he was sure of it. But, he also knew he'd have to work for her cooperation, meaning he'd actually have to flirt and, if he admitted it to himself (though he would never admit it to that prick Genma), work a little harder on his appearance. He firmly believed that it wasn't what was on the outside that counts, but if it would piss Genma off, he could put a little more effort into sprucing himself up and looking, as Genma loved to phrase it, hot. Because he could if he tried, he had as a teenager, anyways.

Iruka enjoyed fresh produce every day and liked to chat with the stall owners, so he made it a point to go to the market on all of his half days or his one day off each week. Since he was also shopping to update his look, he toyed with the idea of going out to lunch, since it was his whole day off anyways.

Seeing Anko on the street, outside of the jounin apartments, Iruka decided to take the long way to the market today. Though she was still a block away, he knew it was her. He'd know her anywhere. Iruka sped up, glanced at who was with Anko and formed a plan of 'attack.' They were a group of three jounin Iruka recognised, but didn't know very well. They were all men and all flirting with Anko. Oh well, he knew how to get her attention.

Iruka slowed as he approached, making sure to make brief eye contact with Anko. As he passed by her, he brushed his hand gently across her forearm and leaned in to whisper quickly, "I didn't think the day could get any better until I saw your beautiful smile. Thank you for brightening my day."

He made sure to brush her shoulder with his own intimately and give her arm a gentle squeeze before continuing his walk, all in the space of a moment, not even stopping. When Anko sighed wistfully and Iruka felt her eyes follow him, he knew he had her. The three jounin knew it too and they all scowled.

One. Iruka made it past the stoop they were lounging around.

Two. He didn't look back, even though he'd love to see the look on the men's faces.

Three. He heard Anko push away from the stoop.

Four. She excused herself from the men quickly and followed Iruka.

Five. "Iruka, wait!"

Gotcha! Iruka smirked as he turned back slightly. "Anko."

She fell into step beside him. "Been a long time, Iru-kun."

"Mmhm," he nodded, looked her over, "you still look great, Anko-chan."

"So, what's with the flirting, you tease? You coming onto me?"

"Tease?" Iruka looked over at her, a smile in his eyes.

"Yeah, kid. Don't play games. I've known you since you were in diapers."

Iruka stopped, almost stomping his foot petulantly, "I did not wear diapers when I was ten!"

"Whatever. So, not that I don't enjoy our on-again, off-again encounters, but I thought that you were over casual sex?"

"I am."

"The fuck, Iru-kun?"

Iruka sighed. He knew he'd have to explain to Anko, and quickly, if he wanted to keep his head. So he did. It took the nearly ten minutes until they got to the market, but Anko listened intently.

"So, you're in a tough spot, huh?" She sighed, "I always knew I'd never be your keeper."

"My keeper?"

"Yeah, the lucky bastard that gets to keep, you, Iru-kun."

Iruka blushed. "Anko!"

"Well, it's true! You're smart, funny, hardworking, too sweet for your own good and the best lay I ever had. And I've had a lot." She sighed wistfully again.

"Don't worry, Anko-chan, you'll find the perfect somebody for you."

"Thanks. And don't worry, I'll totally help you out this week, if only for old times sake. It'll be easy to pretend with you." She smiled.

"You don't think that cheating, though, Anko-chan?"

She looked him up and down. "Like I said before, too sweet. It's not cheating Iru-kun. I mean, I know you're supposed to get a date with me and that you think it's not fair to Genma that we've got a history together, but I look at it this way: you're getting the date because if I had to choose between you and Genma, you'd win hands down. You're nicer, hotter and it may have been ten years ago, but you did seduce me for real at one point and Genma never has, or never will manage to do the same." She added the last part vehemently. "So, if that's what you're worried about, don't. Your bet is covered: you win. Be happy." She leaned over and totally disregarding personal space pulled his lips up into a smile with her hands.

Iruka couldn't help it, he laughed. "All right, you're right. I did seduce you, even if it wasn't this week and Genma hasn't. I can live with that."

"Good." Anko backed off, cocked her head and placed a hand on her hip. "So, tomorrow then?"

"Mmhm. Thanks, Anko-chan."

"Yup. No problem, anything for an old friend. I don't have many of those you know." As she started to leave, Iruka quickly gathered her into a hug.

"You know I'll always be there, right?"

"I know. Thanks for that, kid." He nodded and she skipped off, calling out to a fellow jounin at the pastry stall, "Dango! Buy me a dango, Juugao-chan?"

Iruka laughed at her childish antics and then turned his concentration to the root vegetables in front of him. He also needed more rice and some ramen noodles, he mused to himself. Perhaps a new flavour of tea, to reward himself for his and Anko's newest mad plan. It wasn't as elaborate as some of their previous pranks, and certainly not as exquisite as his solo pranks, but it was sure to drive Genma mad, which made it perfect.

"It seems we are destined to meet over produce, sensei." Iruka looked up, mildly startled out of his reverie by the quiet voice.

"Kakashi-sensei. Nice to see you again." He smiled at the other gently.

"Likewise." Kakashi shuffled his feet a little.

"Not to be rude or anything, Kakashi-sensei, but I thought you picked up a mission yesterday after breakfast?"

"Oh, I did. It was a diplomatic mission that Hokage-sama wanted me to escort, but it was cancelled. Since Gaara is coming here to visit Naruto, he offered to check up on his ambassador and sister, instead of her needing to go there."

"That's nice, Kakashi-sensei. I have seen firsthand how many mission reports you hand in. It will do you some good to be off for a while."

"Yes, well, it's only for a few days."

"That's better than nothing." Iruka moved onto the fresh herbs nearby. Kakashi followed him, quickly choosing a daikon radish and setting the rest back on the stand.

"Maa, Iruka-sensei?"

Iruka looked up, a little surprised Kakashi had followed him. "Yes?"

"Well, I was thinking, you know . . . ." He trailed off, seemed uncertain. He wasn't making eye contact.

Iruka smiled, looking down at the thyme in his hand. "A genius like you, Kakashi-sensei, thinking? What a novel concept."

Kakashi chuckled self-consciously. "I do that sometimes."

Iruka chuckled too, bringing the thyme up to smell. He rolled the leaves in his fingers, then held the sprig up towards the stall owner, indicating he was purchasing it. When Kakashi didn't offer any more information, Iruka spoke, "What were you thinking?"

"I was, uh, thinking that maybe you could join me for dinner, you know, since you were kind enough to invite me for breakfast yesterday, you know . . . ."

"Tonight?"

"Uh, yeah. Tonight. That would . . . . uh, I mean, yes. Yes. Tonight is good." Kakashi gave a firm nod, as if confirming the information to himself. Iruka looked at him hesitantly, then smiled.

"All right. When should I come by?"

"Seven o'clock. Or, whenever." Kakashi shifted his weight to his other foot.

"Seven it is. Thank you for the invitation, Kakashi-sensei." Iruka made his way towards the owner and paid for his purchases. Kakashi stayed put. He didn't even wonder why Iruka didn't ask for his address. Then he glanced at Iruka. Still, he stayed where he was though. Then, as Iruka came back past him, done paying, he seemed to make a decision.

"Iruka-sensei?"

"Yes?"

"Would you like some company walking home? Your apartment block is on the way to my own home, just a block down."

"Oh." Iruka paused. "Well, I would appreciate the company, Kakashi-sensei, but I'm not going home."

"You're not?"

"Um, no. See, it's my one day off in the week and I was going to do some shopping, perhaps meet Naruto for lunch, if I can find him."

"That won't be too hard. Finding Naruto, I mean. You just have to go to Ichiraku's at any time in the vicinity of a meal hour." Iruka laughed out loud at this, walking towards a clothing shop. Kakashi followed him, seemingly unconsciously, and continued, "Though, I am a little puzzled sensei. I thought you were done your shopping." He nodded at Iruka's basket.

"I am, for food anyways. I was just going to buy some new clothes."

"Oh?" Kakashi gave Iruka a once-over. "What's wrong with those? Is there a special occasion?"

Iruka scratched the scar n his nose. "You could say that. There's nothing really wrong with them, I just wanted something a bit . . . . different."

"Oh." Iruka was now holding the door of the small shop. "Well . . . . Would you still like some company? I did promise Naruto to catch up again when I talked to him yesterday, so you could do your shopping and then we could both look for him."

"Are you sure, Kakashi-sensei? It might be boring, after all, I'm only picking up some new clothes."

Kakashi shrugged. "I have no mission and Gai says I should spend more time socialising. He says it's good for me."

Iruka laughed. "All right, Kakashi-sensei, I would enjoy the company. Perhaps you could even give me your opinion?"

"Of course. I always say what I think." Always. Well, mostly. Okay, sometimes. But that's beside the point.

Iruka spent the next hour and a half shopping for new clothes and Kakashi, to Iruka's surprise, very good-naturedly waited patiently and, as promised, gave his opinion on Iruka's choices. When they went in search of Naruto, they, as predicted, found the blond at Ichiraku's ramen stand. Naruto was quite pleased that both of his senseis had bought him a bowl of ramen and he wondered out loud if perhaps Ero-sannin might do the same, as the three parted ways amicably outside the restaurant. Naruto headed off to find said Toad sage, will Iruka and Kakashi headed towards Konoha's shinobi housing district.

As they neared Iruka's complex, Iruka confirmed with his companion, "Seven o'clock, right Kakashi-sensei?"

"Right. See you then, sensei." He waved, continuing up the road. Iruka reciprocated the gesture, letting himself into his building.

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It was only two o'clock. He had plenty of time. He had five whole hours until seven. He leaned against the wall just inside his apartment door. He had lots of time, and really, how could he not be all worked up after spending almost all day with the man? ALL DAY! His hand slowly snuck to the front of his trousers, where he could already feel the straining ache bulging through the fabric. Yeah, he had time.

TBC . . . .