Disclaimer: I lay claim only to my family, cat, house and car.

So the inspiration for this chapter goes to the very talented twitchi who did a set of pictures called Splash. Thank you!!

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Chapter 4

As Iruka crested the hill on his way to the memorial he stopped when he saw a figure sitting cross-legged in front of the large stone. Kakashi. I should probably leave him in peace and just come back. As he turned and started back down the hill, a voice stopped him.

"It's ok, Iruka. I don't mind having some company if you don't."

The teacher approached the memorial and knelt down, bringing his hands together in prayer and bowing his head. After a few quiet moments he sat back on his heels and looked over at the silver haired jounin next to him, a small smile in place.

"How have you been, Kakashi?"

"Pretty good I suppose. And you?"

Iruka's smile widened but Kakashi could tell there was no truth behind it. The kinder, smaller smile from a few moments ago had been genuine. This smile was covering Iruka's true emotions.

"Couldn't be better."

Iruka saw the one visible blue eye studying him and he looked back at the memorial. He truly didn't mind having company at the memorial. But Kakashi always made him feel uncertain of himself and without knowing why he couldn't remedy the situation. And if it was one thing that unnerved Iruka, it was not being able to solve a problem. For the past few weeks he'd found himself becoming distracted with thoughts of Kakashi. He wondered what the jounin was doing at the moment, or why he read Jiraya's books, or why he wore the mask all the time. Little random thoughts of Kakashi would pop into his head at the oddest moment. The worst was when he was teaching class and he began to imagine what Kakashi had been like as a child. He wasn't sure how long he'd spaced out, but he was brought back to reality by his students' laughter.

"So what do you say, Iruka? Care to join me?"

Iruka snapped out of his daze and turned to face Kakashi, his eyes blinking more than necessary in his confusion.

"Um…"

"You didn't hear a word I said, did you?"

"No, I'm sorry. I was just---"

"No, don't apologize. I shouldn't have asked while you were praying. It was rude of me. Please forgive me."

Iruka watched in stunned silence as Kakashi bowed his head to him. When he lifted his head again Iruka could see the outline of a frown in the mask covering the lower half of Kakashi's face.

"What did you ask me, Kakashi?"

"I was wondering if you'd care to join me today in a training session."

Please say yes. I just want to spend some time with you.

"I'm actually free today. I'd love to help you with the children."

Whoops. Ok, here goes nothing…..

"No, the training is for me."

"You? How could I possibly help you train?"

"You shouldn't doubt your skills, Iruka. So what do you say? Will you help me?"

"I…..yeah, sure. Why not."

Iruka noted the surprised, yet pleased reaction from Kakashi. He could see an outline of a smile and his one visible eye sparkled. What's the big deal? It's just training and I still doubt I'll be able to help him.

"Great. Meet me where the stream widens in the northeast sector in an hour."

Iruka just nodded and turned back to face the memorial, already worrying that he'd just made a huge mistake.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Kakashi smiled when he saw the lone figure emerge from the dense forest and approach the riverbank. He folded his ever-present book and slipped it into his pocket in a practiced move, his eye never leaving the figure below. Jumping down from his perch in the tree, he slowly approached the river and waved at the figure across the running water.

"Glad you could make it."

"I said I would come."

Kakashi heard the annoyance in Iruka's voice and wondered if he was truly offended by his statement or if something else was bothering him. He really is sensitive.

"So what would you like to work on?"

"Chakra control and manipulation."

Iruka frowned and tilted his head to the side, blatantly studying Kakashi as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"So why do you need my help? Chakra control is within you. There's nothing I can do for you."

"On the contrary. I'd like to practice using my chakra to aid my movement and mobility during a fight: things like hanging from a tree limb or walking on water and such. I want you to attack me. Throw anything you want at me. Literally."

Iruka was skeptical about Kakashi's plan and couldn't help but feel like he was being set up for something, but he had agreed to train with Kakashi and wasn't about to back out now.

"Fine."

And with that simple statement Iruka disappeared.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

SPLASH!

Kakashi watched with a wide eye as Iruka went flying backwards, landing in the stream with a splendid arching splash. He hadn't meant to use so much force, but the chuunin had caught him by surprise and he reacted instinctively, sending out a strong blast of chakra to repel his opponent. As Iruka picked himself up and stood in the river, Kakashi stifled his chuckle and slowly approached the obviously annoyed man, squatting down so he could be level with Iruka, a smile breaking through as he started losing the battle against his laughter.

"Sorry about that. But look at it this way, Iruka…..you don't have to take a bath now."

The teacher sloshed his way through the cold water, letting one shiver shake his body. As he closed in on the amused jounin he reached out and grabbed Kakashi's outstretched hand, yanking him into the river.

After Kakashi had recovered himself and stood facing a scowling Iruka, he finally let his chuckle free.

"I guess I deserved that."

As Iruka took in the sight of a dripping wet Kakashi trying to squeeze the water out of his hair and ultimately shaking the water free by shaking himself much like a dog, Iruka couldn't help but laugh.

"Come on. We'll both get sick if we stay here."

Iruka grabbed Kakashi's hand and dragged him out of the water and up onto dry land. Kakashi wasn't surprised by the physical contact. Iruka was actually pulling him along much like he would a disobedient student and this amused Kakashi more than anything. What truly shocked the jounin was the warmth of the hand holding his. I haven't been in this cold water as long as he has and my hands are almost stone cold. Why is his hand so warm?

Iruka began shedding his vest when he saw Kakashi's blue eye gazing at him.

"What?"

"Why…..? How….?"

Iruka put his hands on his hips, his unfastened vest forgotten, as he smirked at the dumbfounded man.

"Yes?"

"You're so warm." Kakashi approached Iruka and grabbed his hand, holding it firmly between both his hands. "Is it some trick? Chakra control, maybe?"

Iruka felt his cheeks burning as his hand was petted and squeezed by Kakashi, the jounin studying his hand looking for clues. Iruka gently tugged his hand free and took a few steps back as he started refastening his vest, feeling suddenly exposed before the silver-haired man.

"No, um, I'm not doing anything, really."

"You mean…..that's just you?"

"I…..guess so."

Kakashi looked from his own hands to Iruka and back again and without realizing he was speaking aloud he whispered his appreciation with one simple word.

"Wow."

Suddenly Iruka felt very self conscious and wanted to flee. What's going on with him? I'm not that warm. Maybe he's just that susceptible to the cold. Thin blood maybe? He shouldn't have…..touched my hand like that. It was…..it felt…..oh gods, I can still feel his hands on mine.

"I…..should go. So should you."

Kakashi just looked at Iruka for a few seconds and then seemed to regain himself and rubbed the back of his neck. He's right. Training while soaking wet will only get us sick. But I had wanted to spend more than a few hours with him.

"Yeah. Alright. Why don't you let me treat you to some dinner? A little 'thank you' for helping me out today."

'Oh, uh, that's very nice, Kakashi, but I'm afraid I have other plans for dinner. And there's really no need to thank me. You helped me more than I helped you, I'm sure."

Other plans? With whom? Why? Is he dating someone? Kakashi shook his head a few times and hit himself in the forehead in admonishment. I'm acting like one of his students! Of course Iruka has a personal life. He's a grown man with friends and hobbies.

When Kakashi looked up at Iruka again, he saw the frown marring the normally genial face and realized how weird he'd been acting just a moment ago. What the hell is going on with me? Why can't I act normally around him? If I can keep my cool around Gai's foolishness, surely Iruka should be no problem.

"Sorry about that. I just realized I forgot to take care of something. So, thank you, Iruka and enjoy dinner."

Kakashi waved and offered a smile before disappearing in a puff of smoke. Iruka just stood there and watched the smoke slowly dissipate into the air, unable to shake the feeling that Kakashi was lying to him.

To be continued….