Thank you for reviewing! Mizuki makes his first appearance in this chapter, but there will be no MizuIru romance/relationship/abuse/anything. That's at least ONE cliche that won't be here :D

Noon found Kakashi on the ANBU training grounds. His fists were worn bloody from nearly four hours of abuse and his entire form was slick with sweat, trembling from the exertion even as he continued training.

This was Gai's healing method, not his, but as his current decompression target was surrounded by tiny children that severed as flashback fodder, it would have to do.

The only problem was, someone had been watching him for the past half hour. It was an ANBU, if the way they were disguising their Chakra was any indicator, but it wasn't good enough to hide their identity from a sensor nin. Too bad he wasn't a sensor nin.

He did have a nose, though, and that mean he could smell the ninja spying on him. Sometimes, Kakashi wondered if people really didn't realize how distinctive their smells were. He could tell people apart just as easily by smell as he could by looking at them or hearing their voice, and yet people never bothered to disguise their smell when around him.

Well, if they wanted to underestimate him, then that just made his job easier.

Now, however, it was annoying.

Finally, utterly worn out, Kakashi dropped his fists and turned to face the deserted clearing. "I know you're there. Show yourself."

Straight out of one of the tree trunks appeared a slim figure, made of wood and melded into the tree. His identity was worthlessly hidden with his feline ANBU mask, which maybe would've disguised his appearance at least a little if he wasn't using Mokuton. At his kohai's appearance, Kakashi groaned and turned back to face the steel wall in front of him- a log was too soft for ANBU and would be pulverized in mere minutes. "Cat, if you're not here to give me a mission, then get out of here. I'm busy."

"It looks like it, Senpai."

Kakashi completely ignored Tenzou's presence. He set about pummeling the steel again, metallic, rhythmic crashes echoing around the clearing. His kohai's sigh was still audible. "Lion-sama asked me to… check up on you. He said you didn't make it to the civilian district last night…?"

"My coping methods are none of your business."

"I agree, Taichou, but it's my mission."

"Bothering your captain is not an ANBU mission. Are you getting mission pay for this? Tell me how I can get a few jobs like that; I could use the extra cash."

Tenzou sighed loudly, a breathy exhale of air that Kakashi could barely hear over his pounding fists. "Look, Senpai," he called, "can you just tell me why you didn't go the civilian district? I don't care if it's a lie or not; all Lion-sama wants is to put his conscience at ease. If he tries to check up on you, then he can pretend he's done all he's can."

Kakashi groaned. "I don't need amateur psychology lessons."

"Then just give me something I can report back to Lion-sama so I can leave you alone like I know you want."

"I discovered a new club. I decided to go in and five women tried to ask me out. We had an orgy together. Two of them had sex with each other while one of them sucked my dick, one of them gave me oral with a strap-on, and the other served us snacks. She was the ugly one. We're all meeting up next week; you're invited, too. Bring pretzels."

Kakashi's little speech had all been said in a bland monotone, sounding so unemotional and, well, dead that it barely provoked the embarrassed flush form his kohai that he desired. He curved his eye up and beamed. "Well? Will that do, or does Lion-sama want a less explicit version of last night's events?"

Tenzou shifted uncomfortably. "…I'm sure that'll be enough, Senpai." It was silent for a few moments, and then Tenzou cleared his throat amidst the smashes. "Um, Kakashi-senpai… I won't tell Lion-sama, but… everything is okay, right? And before you tell me that it's none of my business, you're my squad captain; if you're not coping, then it actually is my business."

"Maybe I just found a new way to cope."

"And it's clearly working."

Kakashi hit the block of steel one more time, then stopped. He slowly let badly bleeding fists drop to his side, the heavy rise and fall of chest calming somewhat before he turned to face Tenzou. He forced another purely monocular smile. "It was working, Tenzou. I just wasn't aware he'd be hanging out with triggers all day. Don't worry; I'm fine."

Tenzou softened. He stayed still, then slowly approached his captain, holding out the roll of gauze he had brought just in case. "…Here. Um, sorry your new fix was a bust."

"Oh, no. He still interests me. I'll just avoid him when he's teaching. Thanks." Kakashi accepted the bandages and slowly, almost reluctantly leaned back against the ruined steel, beginning to absentmindedly wrap up his abused hands. He glanced back up at his kohai, then smiled again. "You don't need to be concerned, Tenzou. I'm not breaking. Really. I just found a new interest. Isn't that supposed to be healthy?"

"Neither one of us is really the best judge on what's healthy, Senpai. So, what is so interesting about this new guy?"

Kakashi shrugged ambiguously. "You know me, Tenzou. You know what turns me on."

Tenzou flushed. "Y-you didn't say interested like that…"

"Maa, I'm just teasing. But, now that I think about it, he is cute. Maybe I should set you two up."

Tenzou's cheeks grew even redder. "Senpai! You know that I don't- that I'm not interested in- I don't date!"

"Stop being so insecure." Kakashi gave his kohai a teasing smile as he tossed back the remaining bandages. "You're a fine catch. The kind of guy in Icha Icha who at least one woman dreams about and always ends up with someone in the end."

Tenzou groaned. "Please don't set me up. I'm sorry I asked."

"His name means dolphin, you know," Kakashi continued brightly as if Tenzou hadn't even spoken. "You would like to have sex with a dolphin, Tenzou?"

"Senpai…"

Kakashi beamed. "He's also a sensei, so, if you're into kinky things-"

"Senpai!"

That afternoon, only when Kakashi was absolutely positive classes could no longer be in session, he risked going to the Academy again. Iruka was still there, but all the children, thank god, were gone. In fact, Kakashi had caught Iruka just as he was leaving himself. The teacher had that same small, happy smile on his face as he walked throughout the village, waving or saying hello to almost everyone he saw- and always getting a cheerful greeting back.

Kakashi frowned. He knew most of the village's residents, civilian and ninja alike, but that was because that was just something ANBU did. And most knew him by title- he was famous, after all. But there was a difference between that and what Iruka was doing. Kakashi could count the number of people who would say hello to him if they saw him in passing on one hand.

Instead of returning home, Iruka went to eat dinner at Ichiraku Ramen. Kakashi remembered the place faintly from years ago, of when Minato had occasionally taken the team out whenever congratulations or celebrations had been in order. The memories made him smile, and he watched from the shadows as Iruka cheerfully stuffed his face. He seemed to be rather familiar with the owner, Teuchi- that hadn't changed over the years, Kakashi noted- and talked with him and his daughter frequently throughout the meal. Kakashi was content to just watch Iruka eat and talk without being close enough to hear.

It seemed so… normal. He just seemed too happy and normal. Something about watching Iruka just made Kakashi want to smile. A shinobi could be so unhurt and easygoing and happy- that little girl who was dead contrasted with this-

Maybe her life wasn't worth the happiness of everybody in Konoha's, but his job was to keep Konoha safe, not the world. And seeing Iruka like this just slightly eased the pain in his chest to know that what he was doing was working.

Kakashi followed Iruka home that night and didn't leave, even once his door was shut and the teacher was inside. Normally, Kakashi didn't stick so close to the civilians he discovered who did for him what Iruka was doing now. But the last mission had been particularly bad, and the fact that Iruka was a ninja, even if just an Academy teacher, doubled his effectiveness. He was like a very nice drug, and just one hit wasn't enough.

When Iruka ate the last remaining cookie from his class, though, he reminded Kakashi just how long it had been since he had eaten anything. His stomach growled unhelpfully, and he sighed. Taking so many long missions really conditioned him to forget about food and how often humans needed to eat. It was rather inconvenient; he had just been having fun, too.

With a regretful sigh, Kakashi turned and dropped to the streets, walking away from Iruka's home. "See you tomorrow, Iruka-sensei," he called softly with a one-handed wave. He went home and, as was always the case after his visits to the civilian district and now, Iruka's, he found it slightly pathetic and sad that he went into a cold, lonely apartment and ate dinner with himself in the dark. But families weren't reserved for shinobi. Not even Iruka, it seemed.

For a moment, Kakashi considered summoning his ninken, just for someone to talk to. Then he shook his head. He may be a sadly lonely old man, but he wasn't pathetic. If he could do without company for ten years, he could do without it for one night.

His house was almost entirely empty of anything edible- after returning from a mission to find a fridge full of expired and moldy food, he had learned his lesson. All he had was a few small containers of instant ramen that would do little more than whet his appetite. With a loud groan, Kakashi turned right back around and unhappily ventured outside, in search of food.

He wondered aimlessly about Konoha for a few minutes, letting his nose lead him. The night life of Konoha was certainly alive, with ninja coming and going at all hours, and unless he made his way into the civilian district, he wouldn't have any trouble finding a place that was open.

Somehow, Kakashi found himself standing across the street from Ichiraku's. He blinked in surprise, then shrugged. Well, it was food, after all.

When he crossed the street, Teuchi looked up at him and smiled broadly, voice a little disbelieving. "Kakashi-kun? Is that really you?"

Kakashi blinked again. "You… remember me?"

"Well, of course I do! Not every restaurant in town can claim they were a favorite of the Fourth Hokage's. And it's pretty hard to forget the little masked boy that always tagged along with him, who ate so quickly I thought he'd make himself sick. I haven't seen you in a while; how've you been?"

Kakashi slid into the booth, making a conscious effort to not sit in the same seat Iruka had. "Well, you know. Missions and all of that."

Teuchi shook his head. "You know, maybe you should think about retiring. I think you've been a ninja longer than I've been in the ramen business."

"I'm twenty four. I'm still young yet. Hmm… do you remember what I used to get here? I'm afraid I don't." Kakashi smiled sheepishly, and the owner just sighed.

"How many times have you been hit in the head over the years? You're twenty four and have the memory of someone my age. Yes, I still remember! I never forget a customer's favorite."

Kakashi scratched the back of his head awkwardly. How many times had he been hit in the head over the years? …No, that was far too troublesome to count up.

Well, no matter how bad his memory may or may not be, he still remembered Iruka talking effortlessly with Teuchi earlier today. But after those first few moments of conversation, Kakashi found that it had fallen into an awkward silence between them. Normally, that wouldn't bother him. Talking with civilians was often a waste of time and he preferred to just do his business and leave, not dawdle and chat. And it wasn't so much that he wanted to talk with Teuchi, but he couldn't help but recall Iruka's dinner earlier- the Academy sensei had seemed to enjoy talking with the owner while he ate, and it had seemed to create somewhat a picture of normalcy. A normalcy that should be impossible for a ninja.

Kakashi opened his mouth, then frowned and shut it again. Talking was harder than it sounded. What was he supposed to say? He honestly had no idea.

How had Iruka made this look so easy?

A simple hello was how people started off conversations, right? Only he couldn't do that; they had already said hello. What was supposed to happen after that?

Uh oh. He didn't know.

Maybe he really was pathetic…

No, no. He was just really, really socially inept. Not pathetic, by any means.

Kakashi sighed. It was sad no matter how he looked at it.

Teuchi set a steaming bowl of ramen before him several minutes later, and there still had not been a break in the silence. Kakashi tried several times in the midst of his dinner to work up the courage to speak, but, by the time he had paid and left, the only word that had been said was a quiet 'Itadakimasu'.

He never realized how awkward silences could be before. Next time, he should really bring an Icha Icha to read in case this happened again.

Wait, what next time? Was he really going to try and repeat that disaster?

Unsurprisingly, Kakashi found himself wondering back to Iruka's. He discovered the sensei lying back on his couch, head pillowed on his arm, absently flipping through a few files that looked like they were from the Academy. His flak vest and headband were absent, hair let down loose over his tanned cheeks. The scene was peaceful, and exactly what he was looking for. As long as he stayed right here, the memories would leave him alone.

And he did stay right there. He sat back against the tree, half-gloved hands clasped in his lap while he watched Iruka work until half past midnight. Occasionally, he almost forgot to keep up the simple henge that was making him blend into the tree, Iruka's activities were so relaxing. He was content to just sit there and spectate until the teacher glanced nonchalantly up at the clock, then jumped.

His mouth formed words and, invariably interested, Kakashi cocked his headband above his Sharingan to read Iruka's lips. "…didn't realize it was so late. Damn, I'm going to be so tired in class tomorrow… maybe I'll just give them a pop quiz and take a nap? No, no, Naruto would destroy the classroom. Um… I'll just sleep during my lunch break, yes. Can't wait for the weekend; I've stayed up late every night this week…"

Kakashi smiled as Iruka turned away, moving out of his small line of sight into the apartment. His worries were so… civilian-like. It was almost cute.

But now that Iruka was out of his line of sight, it was also time for him to leave. Because staring at an empty couch all night would be very pathetic, even for him, and he wasn't really all that interested in Iruka's house.

Kakashi's second day on leave passed much the same as his first had. He woke up near dawn, went to the memorial stone, light training until Iruka's classes were over- he made sure not to see any of those children again this time- and then began more Iruka Watching.

Once again, Kakashi had the luck to find the teacher just as he was leaving the Academy. And, once again, Iruka didn't go home. Kakashi followed him all the way to what he vaguely recognized as a new shinobi bar that had sprung up that he had seen several times but never gone to. He and his ANBU team rarely went out, and when they did, they didn't go to places frequented by chuunin.

Well, he could always try new places, couldn't he?

Kakashi walked closer to the bar, then paused. He didn't want to be recognized tonight, but his appearance was a bit too distinctive and his name a bit too famous to get away with that. After a moment's hesitation, he put up a simple henge and lowered his mask, then slipped into the bar.

His hair was now short and brown, his scar was gone, and he looked for all the world like a normal shinobi. He wore the standard uniform and the only thing that made him stand out was the headband still cocked over the Sharingan. Satisfied with his new appearance, Kakashi slouched into the bar, casting a wary eye about for Iruka.

He soon found him sitting at the counter, right next to two other chuunin that he recognized. One had spiky, unruly black hair with a bandage that went over his nose and cheeks, while the other had long, glossy brown hair that fell across the side of his face and a pretty boy smile. He looked like a more feminine, more pushover-y version of Genma. It took Kakashi a moment to place them- ah, yes. Those two chuunin who guarded the gate. Two other ninja that and the 'easy life', then.

Kakashi sidled as close as he could to the group without being suspicious. He ordered a drink just to blend in and almost forgot he didn't have to drink it at the speed of light, he was so focused on Iruka and his friends.

"And so, and so, I tell you, Izumo went absolutely bat shit crazy on me. He says 'Tetsu, Tetsu, don't use it to clean the floor, don't use it, or it'll take us twice as long to clean up the mess' and you know him, he gives up, because he's a pushover, and then the whole office is covered in syrup!"

The brunette chuunin gave a miserable groan. "Why are you so thrilled about this, Kotetsu? We had to clean the syrup up! It took forever! You shouldn't be proud!"

Kakashi watched, amused, as Kotetsu just rolled his eyes. "But it's proof that our new technique works! Any enemy that meets us is dead now!"

"Stop being so arrogant, Kotetsu," Iruka chuckled. "Just because you can spit up a little syrup doesn't mean you're instant assassin material."

"Oh, but come on. No one will expect it!"

"Yeah, and no one would expect me to dance the can can, either, doesn't mean it's a viable battle strategy."

Kotetsu rolled his eyes. "Yeah, whatever. It'll still be awesome next time we fight someone."

Kakashi chuckled quietly at the thought of fighting an enemy who spat syrup at him. It would make him stop and think twice, that was for sure.

"Puh-lease. I'll never fight anyone with you ever again, Kotetsu, unless you kill the new syrup idea."

Iruka laughed at that. "You know I'm all for teamwork, but I think Izumo is right. He'll be risking his own life at this point."

"What?" Kotetsu gave a magnificent pout, shoulders slumping in depression. "Oh, come on. I would've thought at least you, Iruka, would back me up. Same genin team and all… but no… all I get is a betrayal."

"Kotetsu, I was on the same team with you and Izumo, I'm not automatically obligated to support you. And I'm being absolutely serious when I say that until you stop getting convinced that syrup is a wonderful new weapon, it's not safe to team up with you." Despite his tone being serious, it was all said with a teasing smile, and Iruka took another quick drink before returning his smile to his teammates. "Ne, Kotetsu, we're just teasing you. We'll always be here to fight with you. Just… please don't get us wet and sticky while we're doing it."

The spiky-haired chuunin gave a disappointed sigh. "I can't believe none of you think my syrup idea is good. I thought it was a brilliant idea- hey, what am I doing, talking in past tense? It is a brilliant idea! And I'll find someone who thinks so, too, you just wait!"

Izumo groaned. "Really, Kotetsu?" he deadpanned. "Okay. We're in a bar full of shinobi. Find someone who believes in your ridiculous shit!"

Kotetsu took this challenge to heart. He immediately twisted around in search of such a ninja, eyes wide and alert- that alighted upon him. "Hey!" the chuunin called brightly. "Hey, you! Get over here!"

Kakashi stiffened. He moved back an inch, lone eye going wide. This wasn't part of the plan. "M-me?" Shit, what do I do now?!

"Yes, you, Mr. Timid!" he called. "I got a question for you!"

"Um… well…" Quick, his genius mind sputtered frantically, think of something! Don't talk to Iruka!

Groaning, Kotetsu grabbed him by the front of his vest and yanked him forward to stand in front of the trio. "I've got a question for you," he repeated. "You're a ninja, right? Chuunin?"

"Uhum… ah… yes. Chuunin," he said intelligently.

"Good! So, tell me. Would you like to have a teammate that can use syrup release?! Huh, would ya-"

"Baka!" Izumo thumped Kotetsu over the back of the head and glared venomously. "There is no such thing as syrup release! Don't lie to him and make it sound cooler than it is!"

"Look, all my idiot of a friend is trying to say is that he's come up with some new attack where he can… I'm not sure, I think spit syrup at people, and he wants your opinion on it. So? Good or not?"

Kakashi blinked at Iruka's blinding smile. Was the teacher really intending to be so nice or was it just natural for him? He coughed, suddenly wishing for his mask. He fumbled for an answer, but he hadn't expected to be just dragged out to talk to Iruka like this- damn it, he stalked his fixes for a reason, he didn't have social skills, he didn't want to talk to them!

But Iruka was still smiling, a bit awkwardly, now, waiting for his response. "Uhm… uh… I…" What was he supposed to say? What did one say in a situation like this?

"Yo, Iruka."

Kakashi let out a tremendous sigh of relief at the new voice. Oh, thank god.

Izumo and Kotetsu shared a disgruntled look at the voice, but Iruka brightened. Kakashi perked up, interested, as his sensei turned to look towards the newcomer. "Mizuki! Glad you could join us!"

Kakashi examined Iruka's friend with a sharp eye. He also appeared to be a chuunin, with long, white blond hair and black eyes. Mizuki sent him a passing glance and scoffed as he slid into a seat next to Iruka. "Who'd you dig up now?"

Iruka smiled; Izumo and Kotetsu just continued to look very displeased to see Mizuki. "Well," the sensei answered, "Kotetsu had a question and we just pulled him over here to answer it. I don't actually know his name…?"

"Taji," Kakashi supplied and smiled back.

Mizuki just nodded. "Oh. Kotetsu had a question for you? Let me guess, some stupid shit about a new technique? Dumbass."

It was all said with a teasing lilt to his voice, but Kotetsu didn't seem to take it as a joke, and Izumo didn't look very happy about it, either. "Yeah, well, it's been nice meeting you, Taji," the brunette chuunin said swiftly, "but Kotetsu and I have to work the night shift. Sorry to drop out early, Iruka."

Kakashi watched in slight confusion as the pair of chuunin hightailed it out of there, and Iruka seemed a bit confused, too, but Mizuki just shrugged and turned back to him. "So, Taji, huh? I've never seen you around here before. You just blend into the crowd, like Iruka? Yeah, you look kind of like him; boring and all of that."

Kakashi frowned. So maybe this wasn't his best henge; that didn't mean it was boring. And he hadn't bothered to change how his face looked- well, he'd been called a lot of things, but boring wasn't one of them.

Iruka was enough for him. Kakashi didn't need to use Iruka's friends for a fix when they were insulting and annoying; Iruka was definitely all he needed. "Well, actually, I just remembered that I-"

"You know, Mizuki's right. I've never seen you around before, either. You don't seem that much older than us and you said you're a chuunin; how come we've never had any missions together?"

"Ah, you're forgetting, Iruka," Mizuki cut in. "We've got the easy jobs as teachers. We don't take missions. This guy's probably an actual ninja. Yeah, see, he doesn't look all weak and flabby."

Kakashi blinked and shifted back awkwardly. While he didn't think Iruka had the hardest job in the world, wasn't it considered rude to say that to someone's face? And Iruka did have the physique of a ninja; that was undoubtable.

Iruka chuckled uncomfortably at Mizuki's offhand comment. "Mizuki, stop it. Teaching our classes is not easy, it's just different than what most ninja do. Take it seriously, would you? Taji, don't let him scare you off. Mizuki just has an… odd sense of humor."

Kakashi forced another smile. It was so much easier to fake emotion when half his face was obscured by a mask. "Ah. Well, good to know, Iruka, but I actually… have a mission tonight."

Iruka frowned. "You… went to a bar just before setting out on a mission? That's not exactly safe…"

"Oh, don't worry, don't worry. It's just a simple scroll delivery, I'm not expecting any trouble." Kakashi smiled airily, but Iruka's concern had thrown him for a loop. How strange. Iruka had only met him- or Taji- five minutes ago, and he was already asking questions about his safety? Was that what normal people did? It certainly wasn't what he did when he was a chuunin. Standing, Kakashi forced another smile and waved slightly at Iruka. "Goodbye, Iruka. I'll see you around."

The moment Kakashi was out of the bar, his shoulders slumped, and he let out a disappointed sigh. Well, that wasn't exactly how he wanted his evening to go.

He pulled up his mask and released the henge in the same moment, still thoroughly disappointed. He had wanted to stay back and watch Iruka from afar; having a relationship with fixes was severely discouraged in ANBU. Particularly if said fixes were not ANBU rank themselves. Not only that, but he liked Iruka because he was normal, and Kakashi had a way of turning everything he touched to mud. Old fears from his original team remained, all too real, of all he had to do to kill someone was get close to them, and they would just end up dying. He didn't want that to happen to Iruka, too.

Well, Taji was just a bad idea from the beginning. From now on, Kakashi wasn't going to follow Iruka anywhere where something like Taji was necessary.

He'd gotten his fix for the night, at any rate, so Kakashi decided he really had nothing to do but go home and sleep. He only had one day left on leave, and while he had successfully distracted himself from his mission, that didn't mean his vacation time was now worthless. He still wanted to further unravel the enigma that was Iruka, but to do that, he needed a bit more sleep.

That, and he wanted to get back at Mizuki for calling his face boring. Boring, of all things. There were people who would kill to see it.