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

The date! Or is it? Hey, is that Genma over there? Why does he look so irked? Hmmm…

Picture This

Chapter 11

Kakashi emerged from the alley and into the happy chaos that was the firefly festival. His stomach was full of butterflies, but in a pleasant way as he made his way to his destination and his first date with Iruka. I don't care if he doesn't want anyone to know. It's still a date.

As he neared the entrance, he began scanning for Iruka. I can't wait to see what he looks like in a yukata. I'm willing to bet my entire collection of books that wearing this damnable thing will be worth the trouble. Kakashi recalled his trip to the clothing store and the look on the man's face when Kakashi had asked for a yukata. An hour's worth of teasing later he had a yukata and matching accessories.

"Kakashi!"

Kakashi's ears perked up at the familiar voice and he immediately zoomed in on the waving figure standing only twenty yards away. But as quickly as his heart soared, it fell and he frowned as he came to a stop in front of a smiling Iruka. That son of a bitch. He didn't wear a yukata. He….he….tricked me!

Kakashi's blue eye roamed over Iruka who was standing before him in a pair of loose brown pants that matched his eyes and a creamy tunic that had a simple swirl pattern outlining the collar in orange thread. And as Kakashi reached the top, he found a warm smile and sparkling eyes framed by soft chocolate tresses. He wore his hair down. And he looks so happy. Is it because of me? Could he actually be that happy to see me?

"Wow, Kakashi. You look---"

"Beautiful."

"Uh, well, actually I was going to say festive. The yukata…it suits you." Iruka's smile broadened and he reached out to tap the eye patch covering Kakashi's sharingan. "And this is a nice touch. I'm impressed you found one to match your clothes."

Kakashi was thankful most of face was covered at the moment. He was mortified for having said Iruka was beautiful out loud. And worse, Iruka thought he was talking about himself. Why am I such an idiot around him?!

"Kakashi? Hello?"

Iruka's smile had faltered and he was waving his hand slowly in front of Kakashi's face. Kakashi blinked and rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling.

"Oh, the patch, yes. Well, apparently there is a high incidence of ninja loosing one of their eyes. Morbid fact of life, but fashion bonus for me."

Iruka chuckled as he took in the full picture of Kakashi. He was wearing a dark blue yukata with a silver sash and matching silver mask that covered from his nose down. The eye patch was silver as well and the wild mane of silvery-white hair looked as untamed as ever. My gods, what a picture. And he did this for me.

"Well, I like it."

Kakashi saw the twinkle in Iruka's eyes and the rosy cheeks as his gaze fell one more time, very quickly, taking in Kakashi's image. Forget seeing him in a yukata. That look on his face is reward enough.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Is that…..?"

"Hey, don't stop walking, you idiot! I almost spilled my drink!"

Genma still wasn't paying attention to Asuma as the older man walked around him with a grumble and sat down at the table with his drink. His attention remained fixed on the two people across the way.

"What are you looking at?"

Asuma followed Genma's gaze to see Iruka and Kakashi across the way at a kabob stand. They were smiling and talking as Kakashi handed first one, then two kabobs to Iruka who tried to balance the food with the drink already in his hands and a small bag of food.

"Is it possible? Are they on a---"

Before Asuma could get his question out Genma was walking towards the pair and managed to catch Iruka's drink before it splattered to the ground.

"Genma! Wha---? Oh thanks, I appreciate the save."

Genma smiled at his friend and gestured to the small drinking garden behind him.

"Asuma and I were just having some drinks. Want to join us?"

"Oh, uh, no thanks. We were just about to eat."

"We?"

"Yes. We."

Genma and Iruka turned to see Kakashi standing there with two more kabobs.

"Hey, Kakashi. What are you doing here?"

Kakashi's eye narrowed just enough to make Genma's smirk curl just a little more. Does he know about me and Iruka? He seemed concerned about Iruka before and I figured they were friends. But…..Is he just protecting his friend, or is there more?

"I'm about to sit down and eat with Iruka."

Genma turned to Iruka and clamped a firm hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Why don't you guys join us? We have a big enough table."

Genma pointed over to his table where Asuma was seated, watching the exchange. When all eyes turned towards him he just rolled his eyes and took a long, deep drink of his beer.

"See, Asuma's lonely. C'mon, 'Ruka."

Iruka turned questioning eyes to Kakashi who merely gestured that it was Iruka's decision. Iruka sighed and looked over at Genma, then to Asuma, and then back to Kakashi. I wanted to spend this evening with Kakashi. Just the two of us. And Kakashi won't eat in front of them. But if I decline…they'll know something is up.

Iruka turned to face his friend with a sheepish grin and burning cheeks. To hell with it.

"Kakashi and I…..w-we're on a date." He felt the presence of Kakashi's body as the silver haired man stepped up to stand right behind his shoulder, a reassuring hand on the small of Iruka's back. "Maybe some other time?"

Genma's smile fell and he looked to Kakashi for a brief moment before returning his attention to Iruka.

"Yeah, sure. Have fun."

Genma handed back the drink he'd rescued and Iruka watched as Genma walked back over to their friend and slumped down into his seat with a huff. Iruka felt guilty but seeing Asuma's reassuring nod, he felt a little better and allowed Kakashi to pull him away.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Where are you taking me, Kakashi?"

"It's not much further."

Kakashi had led Iruka from the festival through numerous alleyways. They hadn't been walking for long, but all the twists and turns had Iruka out of sorts and it seemed like they'd been walking for quite awhile. Iruka frowned down at the kabobs in his hands. I bet they're cold by now.

Finally they emerged and Iruka found himself someplace he was unfamiliar with. It appeared to be a park, but none that he knew of. He could see a playground off in the distance, but mostly it appeared to be large grassy areas with shrubs, trees, and benches strewn about. The sound of running water was coming from the far right and he imagined it was a fountain of some sort.

"Where are we?"

While Iruka had been admiring their surroundings, Kakashi had walked off a little bit and then jumped up into a tree.

"Kakashi?"

By the time Iruka reached the tree, Kakashi had reappeared with a basket and blanket and two servings of kabobs clenched tightly in his teeth.

"What---?"

Kakashi placed the basket on the ground and quickly spread out the blanket and sat down with a grateful sigh, taking the heavy kabobs from his mouth. He looked up at Iruka with a smile and gestured at the spot next to him on the blanket.

"Have a seat."

Iruka sat down next to Kakashi who was reaching into the basket and came back out with some plates and a couple bottles of water. He took the kabobs from Iruka and put them on a plate and offered him a bottle of water.

"Kakashi, what did you do?"

"Well, I wasn't going to eat in public so I found a spot a little out of the way. I hope you don't mind."

"No. It's nice here, but….where is here?"

Kakashi chuckled as he pulled down his mask.

"The people of this neighborhood decided they wanted a park nearby so they made one. I'd say it's about a year and a half old by now."

"It's lovely."

The pair sat in silence for a few moments as they began to eat but after finishing his first kabob, Kakashi spoke up, hoping his voice wouldn't sound as uncertain as he felt.

"Iruka, I wanted to thank you…..well, maybe not thank you but…."

Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck and hung his head with a groan and Iruka couldn't help but smile slightly. He was still amazed that someone who presented such a calm and collected persona to the outside world could be so unsure of himself at times.

"What you said to Genma really meant a lot to me."

Iruka felt not only his cheeks get warm, but his entire body. He had felt guilty for blowing off his friend, but once he realized he was willing to do it to spend time alone with Kakashi, the guilt vanished, replaced with a nervous excitement at finally accepting how much Kakashi truly meant to him. I guess this means there's no hiding now.

Iruka looked up and smiled at Kakashi who was gazing at him expectantly. I'm not in this alone. He's scared too.

Iruka reached out and entwined his fingers with Kakashi's.

"After we finish eating, you're going back to the festival to win me a fish like a proper date should."

Kakashi chuckled and nodded, squeezing Iruka's hand tightly before letting go and continuing their nighttime picnic.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Iruka and Kakashi left behind the bright orange and yellow lights of the festival and started for home. Iruka stretched his arms skyward and yawned. If he'd been on a sofa, Kakashi would have thought him a cat.

"If you're that tired I can teleport you home."

Iruka's arms dropped back to his side and he smiled at Kakashi.

"I'm fine. It's a lovely evening and I enjoy walking with you."

Kakashi smiled and turned forward again, reaching out for Iruka's hand and entwining their fingers together. Iruka didn't think twice about the gesture. Once he'd realized how much Kakashi meant to him, he'd become much more relaxed around the silver-haired ninja.

The pair walked slowly towards Iruka's apartment, talking and laughing, lost in their own world. But eventually they arrived at their destination. Kakashi opened the door to Iruka's apartment building but Iruka smiled devilishly and shook his head.

"Would you mind teleporting us to my balcony please?"

Kakashi approached Iruka and wondered what the teacher's smile meant. I guess I'll know soon enough. He slipped an arm around Iruka's waist, bringing them in very close and other than his cheeks adopting a flattering shade of pink, Iruka showed no signs he was uncomfortable with what Kakashi was doing. I don't know what happened tonight, but I'm grateful.

Within seconds Iruka and Kakashi were standing on Iruka's balcony, tendrils of smoke dissipating around them.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Kakashi brought a hand up and brushed stray strands of hair from Iruka's eyes. Until Iruka made him, he wasn't going to let go.

"I had a nice time tonight, Kakashi."

"Me too. Do you think there will be another?"

Iruka couldn't help himself and he teased the copy nin.

"Of course. You know they have the firefly festival the same time every year."

"You're cruel, you know that?"

Iruka chuckled and reached up, pulling Kakashi's mask down and carefully removing the eye patch.

"Hmmm. Better."

"Really?"

Iruka just nodded and then bit his bottom lip. Kakashi couldn't resist any longer. He closed the small distance between them and kissed Iruka. The kiss was still tame compared to what Kakashi wanted to do but it felt like heaven nonetheless. And he was more than pleased when Iruka closed in and kissed him after he started to pull away, not wanting to push his luck.

Kakashi was so lost in the feel of Iruka he never once thought about if anyone could or would see them. He didn't care. And neither does Iruka.

"Goodnight, Kakashi."

Kakashi regrettably and slowly let go of Iruka as he backed up to his balcony door.

"Goodnight, Iruka."

To be continued….

Has anyone managed to keep the fish from carnivals and the such alive past three weeks?