It was seven in the morning when Iruka woke up. His head was pounding with a feverish pace that only the after works of alcohol brought. Oh how he wished he hadn't drank as much as he had because he never had noticed how merciless the sun really was as it peaked in through his curtains and into his room. A hand reached out to grope for his clock to see what time it was, and his eyes widened.

"S-Seven!? Dammit! I'm late!" All the pain and grogginess he had recently been feeling was gone. It was his first day and he was late! Way to make a good impression, Iruka! You sure are headed down the right path to being the best teacher in Konoha. But that wasn't food for thought right now, he had to get ready. And soon, or else he could end up with no job. So he bolted out of bed, stumbling around his room. He ran into the corner of his bed hard enough that he would probably bruise later. He could only curse and continue for there was no time for him to stop rushing around the bedroom to pull on his clothes quickly. It was then when he rushed to the bathroom.

He looked at himself in the mirror, and he groaned. He looked like a total hot mess. His hair was frizzy and all over the place, his shirt crooked and crumpled and he had bags under his eyes. Great...Just great. That's all he could think as he desperately ran his fingers through his hair. It felt kind of greasy and he scrunched his face up knowing that there would be no time to bathe.

I'm going to look like a total mess and everyone's going to think I don't take my job seriously. I'm even late on the first day! Ugh! This is terrible! He thought bitterly as he pulled his hair back into it's normal ponytail before he started brushing his teeth quickly. He straightened his clothing out before he made his way out of the bathroom.

Okay...So all I need now is my jacket...No time for breakfast though.

He made his way out into the living room, searching for where he threw off his chuunin jacket the night before when he had been drunk. He checked the back of the sofa first. But he was greeted by nothing. A curse left his lips as he came up empty handed from that, and he swept across the floor with his eyes as he gazed around for it. Well, he found his sandals which he pulled on quickly.

"Arguh... Dammit I can't go to work without my jacket! It wouldn't be right!" He groaned to himself as he flopped down onto the couch. His face scrunched up as he thought back to what had happened last night. To that wonderful buzz that had floated through his body after all that wine, then his mind drifted over to whom he had been spending that time with. Kakashi. Kakashi had took him out on an unofficial date. Or was it official? Maybe he actually saw Iruka in a way that the brunette himself couldn't even imagine?

"Stop that!" He told himself loudly and sternly. He hadn't even realized that he was blushing as profusely as he really was at the moment. He slapped vigorously at his cheeks, wishing the color would drain away. He didn't have time to be fantasizing about his childhood friend right now! He had to get that jacket and get out of the house! He was almost fifteen minutes late by now and this wasn't alright. He should be using his time to get ready instead of thinking about that stupid date or whatever it was!

As he sat up, he heard the rustle of fabric, and he blinked a bit. What was he laying on...? His jacket! He jumped up and pulled it on, zipping it up before gabbing his plans from the table and ran out of the door. Now he just had to worry about getting there.

Iruka took in a deep breath as he stood outside of the classroom. The door was shut but he could hear children yelling and laughing behind it. It was expected for them to be loud without a teacher, but it still pissed him off. He needed to calm down and hopefully get the year started off great from where the last teacher had left off. He let out the breath he wasn't aware he'd been holding and put on his 'Sensei Face' before opening the door.

The moment it hit the wall with a small 'thump!' the room went dead silent, and the children froze as they all turned to stare at Iruka. Suddenly, Iruka felt like this wouldn't be a good idea at all, a bead of sweat running down his temple. They were just...staring. It was really unnerving and he could feel his facade cracking around the edges.

"Good morning!" He said through grit teeth, trying to control his temper as he walked into the room, closing the door behind him. He made his way up to the desk, setting his things down and turned towards the class.

"Can you all take your seats? I know that I was late and I want to apologize for that! I'm sorry!" He bowed a bit in apology which earned a few gasps from the students. They begun to softly chatter about this as Iruka stood up and turned to write on the chalk board behind him.

"As it says upon the board, you all may call me Iruka-Sensei. " He let his posture get a little more relaxed as a class, all his new students said "Hi Iruka-Sensei!". It was nice hearing his name like that. it gave him a sense of pride and he'd only just begun. He was going to really like this job, wasn't he? It's not like he had anything else to do besides the part time work he did at the Hokage's tower when he filed mission reports. So this was going to be fun. He liked kids. Well, he had to. He pretty much was raising one on his own in a weird way. Speaking of said kid, he thought for a moment as he was writing on the board about Naruto. Wasn't he a few years away from being in his class too? That would be exicting to have him in class, but then again...It would be hell.

He just shook that thought off and turned to talk to the class once more. "Alright, I want all of you to tell me about what you've learned up until this point!"

"Alright, I want all of you to fill out that packet about yourself and bring it in tomorrow!" Iruka said as the students were getting up to file out of the door as the day was ending. It had actually been pretty eventful with the students eager to tell him all about the things they'd learned so far. Although, Iruka had corrected them when they got a few things wrong. It had gone pretty good for his first day, although he knew he would have to be there earlier the next day. He was hoping to get to know all the students by the end of the week. It was his personal goal that he was determined to fulfill. And giving then that little homework assignment had been his first step. It wasn't hard at all to do, just ten questions about yourself and such. He'd even filled one out for everyone to look at as an example. It was still on the board actually.

He walked over and picked up his eraser to erase , staring at his own handwriting.

Name: Iruka Umino

Birthday: May 26

Age: 17

Interests: Reading, Spending time with friends, Working, Going to the hot springs

Favorite color: Green

Favorite food: Ramen

Allergies: N/A

What do you want to do most as a ninja?: To help people

Have a favorite Justu so far?: Replacement Justus

What do you want to accomplish this year in my class?: I want to watch you all graduate!

He had gone into more depth about it all, but his students honestly did seem rather surprised to know how young he was for a teacher. He then had to briefly explain about his injury and how it prevented him from going on lengthy missions, It was sad for him to admit it, but he was actually glad he wasn't forced to go out on missions anymore. It only meant more time with Naruto and those that mattered to him. Plus, he got a lot of breaks due to the school, so it was alright with him!

He wiped the board clean, humming a tune to himself as he worked through the process of getting ready to go home. Although a rather embarrassing rumble sounded from his stomach. He blushed and placed a hand over his stomach, memories of not eating at all today flashing through his head. He groaned and rested his forehead against the chalkboard. Oh why didn't I eat during lunch?! Oh yeah...He was reading up on what the teacher before him had done...Man he was an idiot! He should have thought to have gotten something to eat even if it was something small like an apple or something!

While he was drowning in his own thoughtfulness, the sound of a window opening came from the side of his classroom. He groaned softly and tilted his head to the side to see who was there. Although sudden surprise crossed his face as he saw that familiar face -er...well, partial face- staring at him as Kakashi himself was leaning at the windowsill. The teacher shifted to stand up right, walking over to him.

"Hello there, stranger. " Kakashi greeted and raised a hand, his stone colored eye curling upward to signal that he was smiling. Iruka waved a little in return. He felt so shy now that it wasn't even funny. He just mentally shook his head, his consciousness screaming out: SAY SOMETHING!

"Hey! I seem to run into you quite frequently now." His tone was a lot more confident than he was feeling. He wasn't really sure how he was pulling that off.

"That you do.." Kakashi remarked, his voice dropping an octave or two. Iruka shivered and he really wasn't sure why. That shouldn't have been as attractive as it really was.

"Well, what do I owe this visit, then?" He asked, against the window as he could feel his lips twitch up into a smile. Were they flirting?! Iruka had no skills in flirting! He couldn't really be doing this, could he? It was absurd to even think about and not to mention embarrassing! He felt himself start to panic and he honestly hoped he was wrong and that they weren't flirting because that was weird and he hated how it made his heart go all pitter-patter in his chest at the thought of this small talk being something more than it probably was.

"Mm, nothing exactly. Just wanted to see how the first day was and maybe if you wanted to catch a bite to eat with me?" Kakashi replied, his voice returning to it's normal cheerful tone. Damn, it was getting harder and harder to read this guy. Were they flirting or just what was with that tone of voice from before?! Was he supposed to just blow it off like it didn't happen? He wasn't even sure anymore and it was starting to give him a headache. But...Kakashi did mention food. And food Iruka didn't exactly have to pay for (even though he probably would end up paying for his own anyways) was the best food.

"That sounds great. I'll be out in just a second, I just have to get my bag..." He said, and turned to get his stuff from his desk. He pushed a few papers into the small satchel he carried with him to hold papers and other school material. It was always so odd how Kakashi always seemed to show up around him at the perfect of times, too. It was like he knew exactly when and where Iruka would be free, then he'd drop by and ask him out to do something or just stop and chat. It was confusing, but actually rather nice. It made the scarred man feel like he was wanted around here after his injury rendering him practically useless. And he felt pretty useless with it, but it wasn't so bad. He just healed funny, and there isn't a problem with it. He just isn't exactly able to move like he should when there's the heat of battle. Which is obviously why he was at the school teaching these kids about how to be a proper ninja.

"I'll meet you outside, okay?" Iruka said turning back to Kakashi, who arched his only visible brow.

"Why not just use the window? I'll move."

"W-what? That's hardly a proper way to get out!" He said, although his body was moving towards the window that was opened anyways.

"Everything is so proper with you. Cut loose, Iruka. Do something fun. But let's not get too crazy just yet and start with the window." Kakashi's voice was teasing and Iruka couldn't help but flush in embarrassment. Damn that Jounin and his stupid yet very smooth playful words. But he guessed that there was some truth behind those words. Not like he wanted to admit it. Or even liked to admit it. But ah well. He didn't really have a choice, but he did half glare at Kakashi as he slipped out of the window. It actually have him a slight thrill to do something out of the ordinary for once. He wasn't exactly sure how to pin point the feeling, but some how, it put him in a slightly better mood.

"See, that wasn't so hard." Kakashi teased him, and patted brunette on the head which didn't seem to please him too much by the pouty expression. But the Jounin just chuckled and he started to walk with Iruka trailing along behind him.

"So, how was your first day?" Kakashi asked as he looked at Iruka curiously. The Sensei just chuckled, and he begun to tell him about his morning, leaving out the parts about him day dreaming about their weird little celebration from the night before. There was no way in hell that he could ever mention about that! He would rather die first. But Kakashi seemed rather sympathetic to his hang over of the morning, and that was actually rather amusing to Iruka for some reason.

By the time he had gotten to talking about the class time after lunch, they had wound up outside the ramen shop. Delicious smells drifted out and they started to make Iruka's mouth water. His stomach growled painfully, making itself known once more that it hadn't been fed at all today yet. His arms wrapped around himself automatically and he whined a little. Jeeze that actually kind of hurt! And it seemed like his companion noticed the pain on his face, and rested a hand to his shoulder, pushing him into the little shop.

"Didn't you at least eat lunch today?" He asked as he sat down.

Iruka shook his head as he sat down next to him, still holding his stomach. "N-no...I regret not eating though..."

"Tsk, Tsk." Kakashi's tone was light and teasing as he ordered something for himself. Iruka couldn't help but to huff slightly. He felt like he was being treated like a child again, and it honestly hurt his pride a bit. He wasn't a little kid anymore, and he damn well didn't deserve to be treated like one for forgetting to eat, right? Besides, Kakashi acted a lot more like a child than he did! Bah! He didn't have the time to think about this as he ordered his own ramen. He was too hungry to be angry right now too...

"Don't 'tsk' me. I was busy." He huffed as he rested his chin on his palm, gazing at the masked man. He realized that all these years of knowing Kakashi, he never had seen him eat. Huh. Maybe today would be the lucky day he finally got to see his face. It was very much awaited day to be honest; that is, if he got to see his face. The world's biggest mystery was tucked behind that mask, and it made him more curious than a skinny cat snooping in the garbage.

"Yes. But of course. Busy." Kakashi kept up his taunting. It was almost as if he found it amusing at how angry he could make the Chuunin with all his jokes.

"You're so aggravating sometimes, you know that?" Iruka teased as he smiled over at his friend whom was pretending to be hurt.

"Oh, you've just pierced my heart with such cruel words, Iruka." Kakashi placed a hand over his own heart as their bowls were brought over to them. Iruka just rolled his eyes, picking up a pair of chopsticks and broke them with a small snap. See, that's what he was talking about. The childish actions and the adult voice. Although he wouldn't admit it was one of his favorite things about Kakashi. It was honestly rather attractive when a man could embrace the fact that he could be childish as well as serious when the time was needed. Wait a second...Did he just call Kakashi attractive...? That had to be wrong. He couldn't think like that, could he? No. Nope. Not happening. There was no way in this world that he, Iruka Umino, was calling him, Kakashi Hatake, attractive! The idea in itself was out of this world. He couldn't be crushing on the most mysterious man in Konoha.

But oh he was. He was crushing so hard on him. He had half way come to terms with this in his drunken state last night because it was oh so true. And he hated it. He hated it so much. But he couldn't bring himself to hate anything to do with Kakashi. He could only hate the way his heart sped up when he was around like this.

"Aren't you going to eat?" Kakashi asked, breaking Iruka from his thoughts.

"H-huh? Oh yea- How the hell are you already done!?" He looked over to the other, noticing the empty bowl and the mask still covering his face. That was...unbelievable! It had to be some kind of joke because there was no way in hell he could have eaten that fast! He refused to believe that was humanly possible under any circumstances, but he just continued to gape at him. Apparently Kakashi got a kick out of it because he was obviously trying to hold back some laughter.

"You were staring into space for like five minutes, Iruka. It wasn't really that fast." He told him, then gestured towards the sensei's food. "Now eat before you die of stomach pains."

He scrunched his nose up, but he picked up his chopsticks, starting to eat like he had never before. Ah, Ramen always hit the spot when he was hungry like this. It warmed his belly and soothed the dull ache of thirst in the back of his throat. It didn't take him long to finish, and he gave a satisfied sigh with a lazy smile on his lips. Although he suddenly realized that he probably looked a lot like Naruto did when Iruka himself treated him to ramen after a long day. That alone made him chuckle softly, and he covered his mouth to keep the laughter from getting any louder. So this is the satisfaction Naruto had every time he got ramen, eh?

"What's so funny?" Kakashi's voice broke him from his thoughts once more.

"Nothing, nothing. I was just thinking of how Naruto must feel like this after each time I treat him to ramen is all." Iruka replied with a small grin. Kakashi raised a brow, but he soon smiled a little.

"Well then, I guess you can relate to him a little better now, can't you?" He said, and shifting to stand up. He pulled out a pouch of coins, taking out enough money to pay for their meal.

"Ah! Uh, wait a sec, shouldn't I pay for my half?" Iruka stopped him by outstretching his arm.

"Nope! Think of it as a treat for doing so well on your first day."

Iruka blinked owlishly at him at first, but a wide grin spread across his face, cheeks glowing slightly in happiness. "Thanks!"

Squooshy's note: Holy delay batman! I've been a horrible author lately and this chapter is actually kinda crappy. I'm sorry! It's hard losing your muses then getting them back so suddenly. It actually took me a really really long time to type this out (actually on a computer for once so I hope it should be a longer chapter than when I was writing on my phone!) because i kept getting distracted by tumblr and all things roleplay. I'm really sorry, but I should be back! Slow, but back! I need to work on regaining my muses! I hope you guys enjoyed my awkward little chapter though! I need to go to bed, it's like, 7:50 am and I haven't slept yet! Ahh! -