Day 4 - Lines
In the late afternoon of the next day, when Iruka felt well again, he took Kakashi out shopping for the school-wide secret-santa exchange. Rather, he felt well enough to walk if he rested when he got dizzy, and Kakashi tagged along to make sure Nobody stole him in his moment of weakness. Iruka, appreciative of the support, saved his breath instead of giving his customary Go to a shrink, hypervigilance is a symptom of PTSD rant. But, thankfully, Kakashi behaved himself right up until the point when they started standing on line.
"Iruka-sensei?" He felt five tiny fingers grasp his hand. He looked down to see one of his first year students. "What are you doing out of the school?
He laughed, "I don't li-"
"When he's good," Kakashi cut in loudly before Iruka could complete his sentence. "They let him out of his cage for Christmas. But, only with a jounin escort."
"Iruka-sensei lives in a cage?"
"N-"
"Oh yes. Kakashi nodded emphatically. "In the basement right next to the spooky dungeon where they keep naughty genin."
Iruka was amused by the way the child processed this for a moment before responding, "The school doesn't have a basement."
Kakashi made a show of looking around like he thought someone might have been listening in on the conversation then cupped a hand over his mouth to whisper conspiratorially, "That's exactly what they want you to think."
Iruka grabbed him by the elbow and hissed in his ear, "What did I tell you about inflicting your deranged sexual fantasies on the children?"
Kakash laughed, "Uh-oh, kid. I'm in trouble. Go call the ANBU for help. Run!"
"I can't take you anywhere," he said, his voice hard and disappointed, as the watched the child dash away. He couldn't laugh about this, not with the possibility that it would get back to the child's parents. To hide the smile he couldn't contain he turned away and pretended he was pouting.
"Because children and animals like me?"
He concentrated on his breathing so he wouldn't end up doubled over on the floor. Iruka guessed Kakashi must have taken this as a sign that Iruka was trying to control his anger because when they came to the cash register Kakashi got out his wallet by way of apology.