A/N: Thanks to all those who has reviewed. Sorry for taking a while to update. I'm a little torn between ideas on how to continue with this story. So be patient with me while I make up my mind. Enjoy!

Chapter 5: The First Step

Iruka stared at the door, as though by doing that, the door will open on its own. He hesitated for a moment more and debated with himself for another minute more. Finally, he sighed. It wasn't easy trying to get Kakashi's home address from Naruto without making the boy suspicious. It doesn't matter what he thinks about now. He still has to get it done and over with. With a deep breath, he lifted his hand and knocked the wooden door.

The door swung open and Iruka's jaw almost dropped when he saw the person who opened it.

Kakashi was wearing a fitting black shirt and pants, his mask in its usual place over his face. Even without his hitai-ate, the silver hair fell neatly into place, with part of the silver locks covering his sharingan eye. The shirt accentuated the jounin's well-built body and Iruka suddenly found himself drawn to this new image he had never seen before.

Kakashi cocked his head in amusement when Iruka stared at him without so much as batting an eyelash. He took the opportunity to study the man.

Iruka looked good in a simple blue shirt over pants. His hair was in its usual ponytail, except that there wasn't a hitai-ate to cover the fringe that hung over his forehead. Kakashi smirked and decided that if Iruka will dress up so nicely every time they go out on a date, he wouldn't mind going out on a few more, even if it means he has to be the one to ask the chunin out.

He couldn't resist a tease when he found the chunin still staring at him.

"Well, Iruka-sensei, seems like I've done something right today by dressing up. Because it seems to me that you are staring harder than yesterday."

Iruka immediately felt the blush across his cheeks. He averted his gaze quickly and mentally cursed. He had no idea why he was staring at Kakashi the way he did. In fact, he had no idea why lately, he was always so flustered when he met Kakashi or when the jounin spoke to him. It was almost as if every time he comes in contact with the other man, he would lose all ability to speak intelligently.

"Iruka-sensei, are you alright?" Kakashi frowned when he noticed the distracted look on the academy teacher's face.

The blush deepens and Iruka turned away. "Ye…Yes, I'm fine. Ar…… Are you ready to go?"

"Anytime, sensei." Kakashi smiled, his eyes crinkling up. Then he blinked. "Oh, wait a minute, I forgot something."

Iruka turned back to the door and stared in surprise when the jounin bolted back into his apartment. A moment later, he reappeared at the door with something in his hand.

"Since you are bringing me out on a date, I thought I would buy you some flowers. No date is complete without flowers." Kakashi beamed. Iruka groaned inwardly. But he accepted the gesture out of courtesy.

"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei." He muttered as he took the bouquet of red roses from the jounin's hand. He had never actually received roses from anyone before and he was feeling pretty overwhelmed by the attention. Kakashi smiled.

"I'm glad you like it."

"Uh… Yeah, of course. Shall we go?" Iruka sighed in exasperation. If dates constitutes of so many rules, he was seriously considering on never going for another one again in his life.

"Sure." Kakashi chirped happily as he closed his apartment door and followed after the chunin.

Iruka fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat while Kakashi stared at him happily as they waited for their orders to come.

"So, Iruka-sensei, how was your day?" Kakashi smiled.

"It was good, I guess. Nothing out of sorts." Iruka mumbled.

"Oh, so Genma and the gang didn't come up with any more interesting dares?"

Iruka groaned. "Don't remind me."

Kakashi laughed. "Maa…… I thought there would be another chance for me to help you out."

Iruka instantly turned red with embarrassment. "Shut up. I told you to stop reminding me."

"Ah…… But sensei, that was a good memory." Kakashi smirked. "Though I'm curious. Why would they come up with such a dare? I mean, it's not that we know each other very well."

"Tell me about it." Iruka rolled his eyes. "Who knows why they would actually make me do that. Maybe they think that my life is too peaceful and decided that they should push me into hell every once in a while."

"Na, sensei, are you actually saying that going out with me is hell?" Kakashi quirked an eyebrow. "I'm hurt."

Iruka laughed at the feigned hurt in the jounin's single eye. He was amazed at how Kakashi could express so many different kinds of emotions with just one eye. He was a little surprised when Kakashi laughed along with him.

Kakashi looked at the chunin in front of him and smiled. "I'm glad you are finally loosening up."

Iruka blinked. "What?"

"Well, it seems to me that you are finding it a chore to come out with me." Kakashi folded his arms and leaned back in his seat.

Iruka blushed. "Uh…… Sorry."

"Don't be. I understand how you feel. As I said, it's not like we know each other very well." Kakashi's eye crinkled up in a smile. "But I would like to take this opportunity to know you better."

"Oh?" Iruka rubbed the scar across his face nervously.

"Yup. And I hope you won't mind that I'm being so straight-forward. But I really would like to get to know you." Kakashi gave his most innocent look to the chunin. Iruka studied the man for a while before relenting. After all, the jounin seemed sincere enough.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt to give it a try." He smiled. Kakashi returned the gesture.

Their dinner was served and Iruka concentrated on his dinner as he noted from the corner of his eyes that the jounin is removing his mask.

Kakashi watched as Iruka ate his dinner. A grin formed on his face. Step one of his plan – getting the chunin to accept him.

Success.