Okay so here is the second chapter. And I still don't own Naruto.
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Iruka wondered briefly what Kakashi was thinking about; he looked so serious gazing up at the sky. He couldn't imagine what might be going through the older ninja's head. But then, everything about Kakashi was a mystery. Why he always came to the memorial rock, why he always covered half of his face, why he always read that…book… and how did he get the sharigan if he wasn't a member of the Uchiha clan? He shifted his body a little, careful not to move the umbrella too much. Kakashi smiled as he noticed Iruka's careful consideration. "You don't have to worry about me Iruka-san. It's my own fault really for not bringing an umbrella." He didn't want the chunin to go out of his way for him. Iruka was being nice enough to him as was.
He didn't think that just anyone would stand out in the rain when he could be inside drinking something warm. He almost felt a little guilty. A warm smile directed at him by Iruka dispelled that though. "I don't mind. I couldn't just let you catch cold or something." Kakashi blinked then grinned though it wasn't visible. Iruka gazed thoughtfully at the stone while Kakashi studied the sky again.
"It doesn't look like it'll stop raining anytime soon." Kakashi murmured softly. He glanced at Iruka. "Should we head back?" Iruka nodded a little, "If you're done." Instead of walking away from the rock, Kakashi got a hold of Iruka and quickly used the teleportation jutsu. Iruka blinked when they emerged and looked around bewilderedly. "Maa… why walk through the rain when you have a faster way?"
"Kakashi-san, is this your apartment?" Kakashi nodded and took the umbrella from Iruka's hands, closing it. He set it by the door way and slipped his sandals off. The apartment was small, Iruka noted. There was just a small kitchen, bathroom and the bedroom. A small table was located near the stove, the chairs arranged so that one could watch the door and window while sitting down. Iruka shook his head and quickly removed his own sandals. "Thanks."
Kakashi waved it off as he began to rummage through a cupboard. "Tea, Iruka-san? I know there's a box of it somewhere in here…" He eventually found it and pulled it out. "Ah, sure, thank you." Iruka glanced around and found the kettle, checking to make sure there was enough water in it before turning it on; while Kakashi got out two cups.
Once the tea was made, they sat down at the table. Iruka gazed thoughtfully out the window watching the rain pouring down. "Wonder how Naruto's holding up. Hope he's not getting soaked… or worse." Iruka blinked when Kakashi shook his head. "Don't worry. Jiriaya will take care of him. He'll do a good job of that. Although Naruto will have his hands full trying to keep him away from the women's hot baths."
Kakashi chuckled, knowing the full truth of that statement. He also knew Naruto would most likely fail in his attempts. Well… it would teach the kid that he can't always get his way and patience which Naruto definitely needed. Iruka sipped the still hot liquid carefully. He felt that he could trust Kakashi's word about Jiriaya. Kakashi knew the Frog Hermit better than he did after all. All he knew was that he was one of the Legendary Sannin, he wrote Icha Icha… and he liked peeping on bathing women. That information was courtesy of Naruto.
Kakashi leaned back into his chair, cup still on the table. He would wait for it to cool down and Iruka wasn't looking before trying to down it in a second or two. He had tried to do that, once when the liquid was still piping hot. His mouth was burnt for several days. He closed his eyes with his hands clasped in front of him while Iruka was studying the surroundings. It really was a small apartment. But then… Kakashi probably wasn't home that often, if his days at the mission desk proved how busy a jounin of Kakashi's level could get.
He exhaled softly, noting that Kakashi didn't have many personal things lying around. There was the odd kunai, and shurikan lying around; in one corner of the kitchen/living room were what appeared to be old bandages. There were two doors; he guessed were the bathroom and Kakashi's bedroom. Quietly sipping the tea he glanced out the window. "It's quiet without Naruto." He muttered softly. "I know I shouldn't worry so much but…" He glanced at Kakashi, blinking when he saw that Kakashi was smiling. At least… his eye had curved up so Iruka guessed that he was smiling.
"I won't tell you not to worry. That would be pointless as no one can safely say what will happen." He scratched the back of his head, gingerly. "Besides, Naruto needs someone who cares enough to worry about him." Iruka was surprised at Kakashi's words, and then frowned as he recalled how he chose to ignore Naruto over Sasuke. He knew Naruto needed someone to care for him, yet he still gave his attention to the Uchiha? His scowl deepened, becoming more visible.
Kakashi frowned when he noticed the expression on the teacher's face. It was kind of hard not to with Iruka sitting right across from him. His own expression grew serious. While he couldn't read minds, he had a fairly good idea of where Iruka's thoughts were going. He sighed softly. It was probably inevitable. He was actually amazed that it hadn't happened sooner. It was the reason he took so long in letting Iruka come closer to him while at the memorial rock.
"You can say it you know…" Iruka started slightly and stared at the Copy Ninja. "I won't think less of you if you did. How I should've treated my students as equals, how I should've…" Kakashi broke off unexpectedly blinking as Iruka's hand was pressed right against his mouth. Damn… he didn't even notice Iruka move! Damn… and Iruka was still a chunin because? He blinked again, as Iruka's hand was still pressed firmly against his mouth.
Satisfied that Kakashi was going to be silent, Iruka pulled his hand back. He could have gone for the mask, Kakashi noted suddenly. Yet he didn't. Iruka went back to the chair he had left to shut Kakashi up. "I don't need to. It sounds like you already blame yourself." He murmured softly as he picked up the tea cup. He didn't add that, once he pulled his thoughts together, he realised that Kakashi probably had some sort of reason for paying more attention to Sasuke.
While Iruka was looking at the cup, Kakashi quickly downed his own. Iruka smiled, knowing that the jounin would do that. Finishing his, he stood up. "I'm going to get going. Thank you for the tea Kakashi-san." He bowed slightly before heading to the door.
Kakashi closed his eyes, brooding to himself as he listened to the sound of Iruka pulling his sandals back on and the opening and closing of the apartment door. He smiled to himself. Maybe… just maybe he had found a friend.
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Author's note: Please forgive the time it took to get this up. I've just started college and don't want to screw my first year up plus a week was wasted thanks to having to get my wisdom teeth taken out which hurt like hell!
