"You're looking very sexy today, Iruka." Genma grinned, flicking his senbon around his mouth. Iruka eyed him, raising his eyebrow, and Genma flushed a bit.

Surprised and secretly amused, Iruka leaned back in his chair and arranged his face in an impatient scowl. "What do you want, Genma-san?" he asked quietly.

"I want…" Genma paused and then sighed. "I would like to know if you would go out to dinner with me, Iruka. No funny business; I'm not…I'm not trying to…"

"Get in my pants?" Iruka asked. Genma flushed.

"No." Genma reached up and took his senbon out of his mouth. "I'm really not. Will you go out to dinner with me? Please?"

"Ok." Iruka grinned openly at Genma's surprised face. "I will. If you promise me that you'll refrain from groping, embarrassing, or otherwise doing perverted things to me for the whole night."

"I promise." Genma slid off his desk, grinning. "Or…well, I promise to try.

"That's the best I can hope for." Iruka sighed.

…

Iruka laughed, shaking his head. Genma was telling him a story; Ko and Izu's latest shenanigans in the Hokage's office. The story was only faintly risqué; Iruka was blushing lightly but still laughing.

"Then they heard a noise and shot apart. By the time the Hokage was there, they were industriously sorting paperwork-on opposite sides of the room! The Hokage's not an idiot, of course; he knew what was going on. But he didn't have any proof."

"What did he do?" Iruka asked, sipping the sake. Genma grinned evilly.

"What could he do? With no proof, he had nothing to punish them for. But I heard they've been stuck doing crappy C-rank missions for the last week."

"Poor kids!" Iruka laughed and finished his sake, setting the cup down.

"More?" Genma asked.

Iruka shook his head. "No, thank you. That's my limit. In fact…Genma, I'm sorry, but it's getting late."

"It is?" Genma looked around in surprise. "Hmm. I didn't even notice."

"Me either." They smiled at each other and then Genma sighed. "Yeah. Better get you home. School tomorrow?"

"Yes. At least it's only half-day." Iruka rose and they walked out of the resturaunt into the cool, crisp evening.

"May I walk you home?" Genma asked quietly. Iruka agreed and they strolled down the street, laughing and trading jokes. Genma's, of course, were mostly off-colour, but he did his best to keep it light and Iruka was only mildly indignant by the time they reached his house.

"Thank you for the very nice date, Genma." Iruka said quietly. Genma smiled and shrugged, looking pleased.

"It was nice, wasn't it?" Genma agreed.

"I should…" Iruka said slowly.

Genma sighed. "Yes, you should. Iruka…"

He hesitated, then leaned over and gently touched Iruka's lips with his own. It was a chaste kiss; Iruka's eyes fluttered shut in surprised pleasure. It was also over way too soon for Iruka's satisfaction.

Genma stuffed his hands in his pockets and gave Iruka a wide, happy smile. "Thank you for the lovely evening, Iruka. I'll see you at work day after tomorrow, right?"

"Yes." Iruka returned his smile. Then Genma left and Iruka let himself into his apartment, bemused.

He'd started tea when he felt a familiar presence behind him. "Kakashi. You're early."

"You were kissing Genma." Kakashi said slowly. Surprised, Iruka turned and found the copy-ninja leaning on his couch, arms crossed over his chest, eyeing Iruka thoughtfully.

"Yes." Iruka calmly finished the tea and turned. "I was."

"Why?" Kakashi asked. There wasn't any anger in his voice; instead, he seemed mildly puzzled and curious.

"Because he took me on a very lovely date." Iruka explained.

"Oh." Kakashi looked away, then back at Iruka. "You're dating him, then?"

"I went on a date with him." Iruka corrected.

"Hmm." Kakashi sighed. "Guess that means no sex for me?"

Iruka sighed and laughed. "Uhm. Yeah, I guess. Look…I'm sorry, Kakashi. It's just…"

"I know." Kakashi smiled behind his mask and pushed himself off the couch. "I understand, Iruka. Don't worry about it. It's been…very nice. Good luck. I hope it works out."

"It has been. Thank you, Kakashi." Iruka smiled, and the silver-haired man smiled back.

Then he was gone. Iruka turned back, reaching for the whistling tea-kettle. Why did he feel…

Regretful?