Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the characters. Please don't sue me because I already have student loans.

Last time: Iruka gets a surprise: an easy point when Yamato (probably under threat of duress from Kakashi—kidding!) asks him out, then after some ribbing from his former students, Iruka secures a date with Tenten and brings the score up to Iruka-7, Genma-0. He, ho, let's go!

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Iruka knew Jiraiya would be one of his toughest targets, so he was going to save him for last. Today, he decided to try and hit up Ayame and Beni. He'd head over to Ichiraku's after missions' room duty for dinner and possibly stop by Beni's bookstore and café during his lunch hour. It was close enough to the Academy, he knew, because he'd visited his sort-of cousin often enough when he first started teaching to pick up materials and books from her store. True, they'd fallen out of touch lately, but he was sure she'd appreciate the visit.

Iruka soared on his good mood all morning and made good on his decision to visit Beni at the lunch hour. They caught up over a cup of tea and after a quick explanation of the bet, she agreed to go out with him the next day. Again, Iruka's good mood carried him through his classes and he ended the day on a bright note, handing out no homework for the evening.

Iruka had booked the evening off, because he had so many social engagements (er, dates) to keep up with, but luckily for him, because Tsunade knew about his dilemma she gave him no flack for it. On the contrary, she had laughed his request off, telling him he really should take more time off—he needed it and the village would still run without him (if not as smoothly, she had joked—only half serious). That gave him almost six hours of time before he'd like to be at home and settling in for the night. Two hours of his time were already accounted for with a date he'd set up earlier yesterday, but if he hurried, he'd still have a bit of time to talk to Ayame and pick up a quick dinner—then he could have two hours all to himself. He was almost giddy at the thought—he hadn't booked vacation time in so long that he had over several years worth of consecutive time banked. Now he'd actually have a little while to just . . . . do nothing. To his brain, hard-wired for hard work and used to no downtime, it was a novel concept.

Iruka finally decided that he'd take an early dinner at Ichiraku's so that his free time would land at the end of the evening, when he could head over to an empty bathhouse. He smiled at the thought—he really enjoyed the hot springs more, but he'd take what he could get—he never was one to complain.

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Upon arriving at Ichiraku's, Iruka headed up to the stools closer to the wall, where he knew Ayame tended to stay. She was rather shy and didn't travel the counter as much as her more social father. Iruka smiled at her and quietly ordered his usual. Knowing that he'd come at a very busy time and that neither Ayame nor Teuchi took a break to cook for themselves until their customers had been served, Iruka patted her hand and indicated she should return to speak with him after she'd handed his order to her father. When she returned, Iruka had removed a box of baking from his baking spree the other day and handed it over with a smile, as he always did. Ayame gratefully accepted the gift and went to show Teuchi, while quickly grabbing something out to munch on.

Iruka pulled out some of his books and a few loose parchments. He began to mark some papers his kids had handed in that day, but then he had an idea. What better way to flirt with someone than show them how you thought they were beautiful? Iruka had always been a bit of an artist and also being the kind person he is, he had always been able to find beauty in anyone—even if it was the smallest thing like laugh lines, beautiful hands or a nice smile.

Iruka sat back and began to sketch. He sketched with quick, efficient strokes. He preferred to press lightly on the page but go over some of his lines several times to create depth and shading in his drawings. He concentrated on her face, catching with his charcoal pencil the shy smile she offered guests, the gentle way she clasped her hands and smoothed out her apron strings around her neck and how her eyes shone with such understanding and warmth. He was so immersed in his work that he didn't notice she'd crept up on him with his order until she gasped.

"I-is that me?"

Iruka looked up, taking in the sight of his food placed to the side and Ayame's lightly blushing features. "Oh, yes, Ayame. I hope you don't mind my sketching you." He pushed the page towards her to give her a better view.

"Oh!" she brought a hand up to her face, seemingly embarrassed, "It's very good."

"It was easy, with such beautiful inspiration." He nudged the drawing closer to the hand she had on the counter. "You can keep it if you'd like, maybe give it to your father—I'm sure he'd love a sketch of you."

Her hand paused over the sheet and her emotions wavered over her face. "A-are you sure, Iruka?"

He laughed. "Of course, Ayame. It's the least I can do, since I did not ask your permission to sketch you in the first place."

"I really d-don't mind." By now, the dinner rush had subsided and Teuchi himself had made his way over.

"It's beautiful," Teuchi breathed, running a hand over the sketch. "You're very talented, Iruka-kun."

"It only reflects your daughter, Teuchi-san. I can do one of you too, if you'd like."

Ayame blushed harder as Teuchi smiled, "No, I don't think I need one of me. But perhaps you could draw one of our mutual friend and my best customer with Ayame-chan for me to hang in the restaurant. I'm sure Naruto-kun would love to know he always has a place here." Teuchi smiled again, then added, "How about in exchange for a steaming bowl of ramen?"

"That's a commission I'll gladly take!" Iruka pulled his food closer and began to dig in. "I can get it done by tomorrow afternoon, I know Naruto and Ayame's faces well enough to do it without them there."

"Thank you, Iruka-kun. We have such great customers, don't we, Ayame-chan?"

Ayame nodded, then started to tidy up the counter a little ways away.

"It's your customers who are lucky to have such kind hosts as you. I don't know of any other restaurant where I feel as at home as I do here."

Teuchi nodded his head in thanks and shuffled of to greet another customer, responding as he went, "Thank you, Iruka-kun—we're glad to be here for people such as you."

Iruka finished his meal in peace, then walked over to the counter where Ayame was wiping it off. "Ayame?"

She looked up, pausing in her task. "Yes?"

"I know that you hear a lot in your shop here, shinobi let their guards down in a place like this. Have you happened to hear about my dilemma regarding Genma?"

"Oh, um . . . ." Ayame paused to think, then exclaimed, "oh, yes! He was not very nice to you from what I've heard. Naruto-kun and Konohamaru-kun were rather upset the other day. Hinata-chan tried to cheer them up with ramen, but they weren't interested in anything but plotting to get revenge for you. Frankly, Iruka, even though I think you are in the right and Genma-san has wronged you, they frightened me a little."

"They can have that effect on people, especially in tandem," Iruka agreed, laughing lightly, "I can't say they're harmless exactly, seeing as they're ninja, but they are good people. I'm sure they didn't mean to frighten you."

"No—of course not. I have started to think of Naruto-kun as a little brother, you know. I'm not as close to him as you two are, but he has been coming here for years, since he was just a little tyke and I do care for him deeply."

"That means a lot to both of us, Ayame." Iruka glanced at her thoughtfully, then continued, "I was wondering if you could od me a favour, though."

She looked at him, showing her attention and he continued, "Genma gave me a list of people he wants us both to try and win dates from, and you're on it. Now, I know you're interested in Raidou, but I thought maybe I could help you with that in exchange for a date?"

Ayame blanched. "R-r-r-raidou? A-am I th-that obvious?"

"Don't worry," Iruka assured her with a hand-pat, "I'm sure it's only because I know you so well. Don't forget, Ayame, that I've been coming here since before either of us could see over the counter!"

"O-okay." she didn't sound completely convinced, but she ploughed on anyways, "So what did you have in mind?"

"Well, I'm going to diner and Zumo and Ko's later this week, and they invited Raidou too. So you could go as my date and I could formally introduce you, since I can explain to everyone there why we're only on a sort-of date. How does that sound?"

"I-I suppose so." Ayame paused, glanced around nervously, "But do you think that'll work, Iruka, I mean, he's never noticed me before and—"

Iruka reached over the counter and pulled his friend into a one-armed hug, "Ayame, I'm sure it'll be great. If Raidou sees what I see, then he'll love you and if he doesn't, then he's not worth your time."

Ayame sagged a little in his grasp, so he tightened his fingers on her shoulder in a reassuring squeeze, "But he will though. I know him—we've worked together before and I think he's ready to find someone, settle down and maybe start a family. He's even been talking about retirement lately."

"Really?"

"Promise." Iruka gave her one last hug, then said his good-byes and headed out the door.

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It was on his way out of the dessert bar after his semi-date with Kurenai (which had gone much better than his previous date with Kiba in a real bar—that boy was far too raucous for his own good and Iruka had been right—his adopted sister-in-law really appreciated the relaxing night away from her toddler who was so much like his father, Asuma, that Kurenai was running on practically empty. Iruka decided he'd have to give her a hand more often, maybe get some of his former studnets to baby-sit for her pro-bono) that Iruka bumped into Shizune.

Actually, once he paid more attention, he realized she seemed to be looking for him. "Ah, I thought you'd be here. Those clowns Kotetsu and Izumo said you were out with a friend."

"Good evening, Shizune-san."

Shizune waved away his niceties and began abruptly, "Tsunade-hime told me all about your little bet. She's already put money on it too, by the way. So she says you'd better win, but everyone who knows knows you will. Don't worry though, because not everyone knows. Anyways—oh. I'm rambling, aren't I?" She sighed apologetically.

Iruka just shrugged, "It's quite all right, Shizune-san. Was there something you needed to see me about?"

"Um, yes. So I know I'm on your list and I know everyone thinks I'm shy and reserved but I can tell you that after working for Tsunade-hime that is soo not the case."

"Please continue." Iruka moved out of the way of the doorway and leaned on the wall to listen to her.

"Let's just get this over with then. I normally wouldn't go out with you. Not that you're not nice and good date material, but I just think we're too similar in the work ethics department to ever work, you know? We'd never see each other and the point of dating is finding someone to stay with right?"

Iruka nodded as Shizune paused to catch her breath. Then she continued, "Still, there's no way in hell I'd ever go out with Genma. Since I have to pick between the two of you, it's you that wins easily. How about I pick you up from your shift at the missions' office tomorrow, then we can be sure that Genma sees and we could go out for ice-cream. I know ice-cream might seem childish, but I don't get many breaks working with Tsunade-hime and it makes me feel carefree again, like when I was little. What do you say?"

Iruka pushed himself up from the wall. He smiled and extended his hand. "I'd say that you have a deal. You just made my job a whole lot easier."

"Good. Tsunade-hime really likes you, so she's pretending that she just wants you to win your bet so she can win the bet she placed on yours, but she seemed genuinely worried for you. I'm glad to help."

"Thanks, and I'll give you a little pointer, too. If you can't hide her sake, then dilute it 50-50 with sugar water. After a few glasses she can't tell the difference, but it cuts down on the hangovers. Believe me, not only did I use that trick when I was younger, but I still do it every time Tsunade and I meet up for drinks."

Shizune laughed, "Why didn't I think of that?" then sighed, "We really shouldn't have to think of that."

Iruka chuckled, "The joys of being crazy shinobi, I guess. Anyways, thanks, but I'd better head off if I want to get to the bathhouse on time. I don't want them to close on me."

"Of course. I'm glad I caught up to you, Iruka-san. I look forward to tomorrow."

"Me too, Shizune-san," he waved as he jogged off, "I'll be seeing you then!"

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Iruka wiggled in his seat, sinking lower into the warm waters of the public bath. It had been a long time since he'd relaxed like this. Too long, in fact. He reflected over the circumstances of him being there and he decided that maybe Genma's insults had been a blessing in disguise. After all, he had managed to work up the courage to leave Genma and now he was pursuing a relationship with Kakashi, that he'd wanted since forever but was too afraid to try for. Plus, he'd realised what good friends he had when they all rallied around him; and on top of that, he had this evening all to himself!

Well, almost all to himself, he amended in his head when he heard small noises at the door to the room.

Iruka didn't even bother turning at the noises, after all—he was a ninja and didn't think he had much to worry about. That is, until he felt the presence of whomever it was that had entered and realised they were dampening their chakra. Now why would they do that?

Iruka continued to stay still, not feeling any hostility coming off of the newcomer. He sensed them coming closer though, and peeked one eye open. What he saw caused his breath to hitch in his throat. There stood, in all his naked glory, Iruka's own copy-nin. He struggled to sit up quickly and turned to face Kakashi, opening his mouth to speak, but Kakashi cut him off with a fingers to his unmasked lips and a quiet, "Shhhhh."

Iruka obeyed, watching as Kakashi slowly made his way over, gently nudging Iruka so that he'd scoot forward and Kakashi could slip into the spot behind him, completely out of the water except for his calves, one of which dangled on either side of Iruka's shoulders. Iruka's face heated up at the thought of what was directly behind his head and he resisted the urge to turn around.

He took a deep breath and tried to speak again, but Kakashi cut him off with a finger pressed gently to his lips this time and another, "Shhhhh."

Giving up communicating right now, Iruka decided to enjoy whatever happened next and let Kakashi set the rules. He felt Kakashi's hands rub up and down his arms and shoulders, carefully cupping water and allowing it to trail gently back down. As Iruka relaxed, Kakashi's fingers worked deeper into Iruka's muscles, kneading away any residual tension from the day. He couldn't help himself and began to moan appreciatively as Kakashi's skilled hands massaged the weight on his shoulders away.

This got a reaction from the silver-haired nin, who enjoyed all of the delicious sounds Iruka was making. He pushed Iruka gently forward again and slid into the warm water behind him, sighing as Iruka leaned back into his embrace.

"Kakashi, I—"

Kakashi sighed and shushed Iruka again, his chuunin really was stubborn and single-minded sometimes, and he needed to be distracted. Yeaah, that's it. Make him enjoy the moment and he'll forget all about talking for right now.

TBC . . . .

I promise to finish this lemon next chapter, but I gotta go for now! Bye-Chickie

Author's note: Sorry, but I just remembered a note I should have posted before. Vaseline really isn't a lube that's actually good for you. I only let the guys use it because it was an emergency (okay, maybe not, but they were desperate). Because it is oil-based, it can clog up skin pores and is difficult to wash out of you, unless you have a magic way of getting warm soapy water everywhere and that can cause infections. So don't use it! Plus, don't pay any attention to Iruka's hangover reducing technique—I totally made it up! (It's based on the fact that drinking cocktails mixed with sugary pop is better than diet because you won't get drunk as fast, because the sugar acts as a buffer to the alcohol getting absorbed into your bloodstream, kind of like how eating helps . . . . but that doesn't mean you can drink like Tsunade as long as you have sugar—so don't try it! Please.)

Thanks for reading!

Write ya later, Chickadee