So here is the REAL chapter five, and I thank all of you who have posted encouraging reviews. I was a little surprised when I got back to my account and found five people have reviewed in one day... but it was a good surprise! So thank you for your consideration.

Disclaimer: Nope don't own. Too bad, can't sue.

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Having made up his mind to pay Iruka a visit, Kakashi made his way towards Iruka's apartment. It couldn't hurt to visit for a bit before going home. Alighting near the door, he knocked once before waiting to see if the chunin would answer the door. While waiting he glanced around. The sun was beginning to set, causing a nice glow in the sky. Rin had once said that sunsets were magical. He had thought she was being... well, a girl... but now he could see what she meant by it. At the sound of the door opening, he tried his attention back to the person standing there. "Yo, Iruka-san." He said calmly. "Just got back, so I thought I'd pester you for a few minutes."

"You just got back?" Kakashi nodded at the chunin's question. Iruka smiled a little and gestured inside. "Would you like to come in? I just finished with marking so I'm free." 'Ahh, ever the polite chunin hmm', Kakashi decided with a smile as he accepted the offer assuring Iruka that he wouldn't stay for long. Iruka's apartment was rather comfortable. There were various pieces of art done by students probably, hanging on the walls, littering the windowsills, and even the kitchen table. The living room table was covered in what appeared to be the day's homework.

"Torturing those monsters of yours?" Kakashi teased lightly. Iruka followed his gaze and frowned.

"Homework is hardly torture Kakashi-san. Homework doesn't even compare to the real deal." Iruka sounded pretty upset, Kakashi noted with a wince. That hadn't been his intent. Sure he liked annoying people but not like this.

"True... but to them, it is torture. Wait until they're older, then they'll be able to fully appreciate what you do for them." There, hopefully that would remedy his earlier comment. Thankfully, Iruka relaxed and seemed to calm down enough to ask Kakashi if he wanted anything. "No, I'll be going shortly. Just wanted to drop by for a bit before going home." He paused thinking about that little incident before he left on the mission. "And in case I didn't say it then, thanks for lending me your vest when I took that nap." He scratched his chin absently while Iruka blinked, recalling the event Kakashi was speaking of.

"Oh, your welcome." Iruka smiled softly. It wasn't that big a deal to Iruka but if Kakashi wanted to be polite well, why stop him?

Kakashi did leave shortly afterwards, continuing on home wards. Iruka smiled as he leaned against his kitchen counter after Kakashi had left. He wondered briefly if he was suppose to be this happy. 'Of course I am. He came back from mission safe. That's reason enough to be happy.' He decided with a nod. Somehow during the time since he had began to hang around with Kakashi and now, he had begun to enjoy the time spent with him, regardless of how short. Kakashi always managed to surprise him and kept him guessing. Maybe that was why. No matter how hard he tried, Kakashi was a puzzle that refused to be solved. And Iruka wanted to solve at least some of that puzzle.

He started laughing softly to himself. He couldn't believe it... but it was true. Somehow, he had gone from just trying to offer a few minutes of comfort to a fellow shinobi, to not only enjoying the man's presence but enjoying the thrill of trying to understand him!

He shook his head softly, still smiling. It was true... all he knew about Kakashi's past was that his father had been on par with the Legendary Sannin, and that Kakashi went to the memorial pretty much every day, which suggested a loss that the jounin hasn't recovered from yet. Or losses... Iruka realised, frowning as he considered that idea. Sighing, he shifted and decided that he might as well eat something before calling it a night.

-over to Kakashi-

Kakashi studied the photo of his old genin team. Most specifically, his gaze focused on a certain person. And for once, it wasn't Obito. Instead he was studying his old sensei. Yondaime had always tried to encourage Kakashi to try and get along with kids his own age. It was usually a failed effort though. But now, he was actually getting along with someone. Iruka was a few years younger but not by much. He wondered if Yondaime was cursing at him for taking so long. Well... cursing was a bit of a harsh word. It would be more like berating.

Iruka was interesting. The way he could go from one mood to another and back again in a very short, how he hasn't gone crazy from teaching the little monsters... and why he felt Kakashi was worth offering comfort to.He still couldn't understand what Iruka saw in him worth trying to save, hell, he didn't even know if he was cabable of being saved. But... he was tired... tired of being the strong one, tired of being alone. Maybe Iruka saw what Kakashi had failed to see all these years. He wouldn't put it past the chunin. The guy had to be good to keep a whole class of monsters in line without sever injury.

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End of chapter five. Poor Kakashi seems a bit depressed but I sure Iruka will cheer him up.