Author's note: This isn't the chapter I originally intended to post. That chapter will now be Chapter Three.
After talking with the Hokage, Iruka was thinking more than ever that maybe it wasn't such a good thing that Naruto would be treated like every other student. Kakashi had never passed a single student under his test, not one. Iruka could do nothing but wait for the results, there were no classes to occupy his time and it wasn't his day to work the mission desk. He sighed and pulled his hair down as he walked into his bathroom and filled the bathtub, willing himself to relax while he waited. He stripped his clothes off and slid into the water and began to meditate. He ignored the sound of his own stomach and closed his eyes.
"I really need to stop skipping lunch like this. Tea just isn't that filling…"
Kakashi dropped down on the post Naruto was still tied to and smiled.
"Ah, good. You're still here."
"Of course I'm still here, you didn't untie me!" Naruto struggled against the rope. "Hey, you left me here on purpose didn't you?"
"Actually," Kakashi scratched his cheek and pretended to be in deep thought. "Yes. Yes, I did." He ignored Naruto's wails and insults and untied him. "Naruto, I think Iruka-sensei would love to hear the good news." The blond boy stopped in mid-insult and beamed.
"Hey, hey, maybe Iruka-sensei will treat me to ramen to celebrate!"
"Great." Kakashi's eye curved happily. "Let's go find him, Naruto."
"Yeah, I know where Iruka-sensei lives, he's probably there." Naruto ran ahead of Kakashi and led the way. When Kakashi and Naruto arrived at Iruka's door, Naruto knocked enthusiastically.
"Iruka-sensei! I passed, I'm a ninja! Iruka-senseeeeei!"
Iruka opened the door slowly, having just gotten out of his bath, his hair was still down and dripping wet. His only covering was a black towel he had quickly wrapped around his waist. It was apparent from Iruka's expression that he hadn't expected Naruto to bring Kakashi along. Something nagged in the back of Iruka's mind to be embarrassed by his state of undress, but they were all men, he rationalized.
"Naruto?" Iruka laughed. "You passed? That's great!" He hugged the boy gently, making sure not to let his towel slip. He paused to look at Kakashi who had been awfully quiet. A darkened spot had formed on his mask. "Are you okay, Kakashi-sensei? Your nose is running…"
"Huh?" Kakashi snapped himself from his daze, thankful for his mask as his nosebleed wouldn't be noticed for what it was. He lifted a hand to his face. "I'll be fine, thank you for your concern, Iruka-sensei. Mind if I use your bathroom?" He didn't wait for a response and walked inside. He followed the traces of water droplets back to the bathroom and closed the door, then pulled his mask down to clean his face. "Damn," he thought to himself. He pulled his mask back up and walked back out to join Iruka and Naruto.
"Kakashi, if you're sure you're feeling okay…Naruto wants to go to Ichiraku. Do you want to come along?" Iruka was fully dressed and his hair once again tied back when Kakashi reappeared.
"Maybe for a bit," Kakashi made sure not to sound too interested in the offer, considering it was his own idea. He walked out the door with Naruto and Iruka following behind him. Naruto ran ahead of the two adults while Iruka laughed as he caught up with Kakashi and walked beside him.
"How was he?" Iruka smiled at the man beside him.
"He's got a lot of improving to do, but these kids…they're the first who ever passed my test. You must have been a good teacher for those three, Iruka-sensei."
"Really?" Iruka smiled and blushed faintly. They arrived at the ramen shop where Naruto had already ordered for himself. After Iruka and Kakashi got their orders, Kakashi waited until Iruka was in mid-conversation with Naruto and quickly ate before they could see his face. When Iruka turned back to look at Kakashi, he blinked as he saw the empty bowl. "And here I thought Naruto ate ramen fast…" He laughed and began working at his own ramen.
"It was good, Iruka-sensei." Kakashi sat his hand down near Iruka's and glanced over at Naruto. He knew the two weren't related in any way except teacher and student, but the two acted more like father and son. It was only when Iruka cleared his throat that he realized he'd been staring.
"Kakashi-sensei?"
"Hm?"
"Do you have to stare like that?"
"No," Kakashi replied, but made no move to look away. Iruka sighed in frustration and went back to his ramen. Kakashi looked at Iruka's darker complexion; it made himself look deathly white. Iruka quickly finished his bowl while Naruto finished his third. Kakashi dared to move his hand over Iruka's as he stood.
"Well Iruka-sensei, I'll see you later. Naruto, meet up with the others at the mission room tomorrow morning." Kakashi smiled under his mask and disappeared before Iruka could react to his impertinent hand. Both Iruka and Naruto blinked at his sudden disappearance.
"Naruto, is he always like that?"
"He is, he wouldn't even tell us anything other than his name when we asked."
"Well…that doesn't surprise me, honestly. Who knows, you three may find out more about him than anyone ever has." Iruka touched his own hand gingerly where Kakashi's hand had been moments before.