Chapter 7: Well Underway

"Alright, that's all for today." Kakashi dismissed his students without looking up from his book.

"Eh? But it's still early!" Naruto sulked.

"Yeah, sensei. It's only 3pm. Why are you dismissing us so early?" Sakura was confused at the jounin's antics. He doesn't usually dismiss them so early, unless he had a mission to go to. And judging from his overly happy look, she certainly doesn't think he has one.

"It's Saturday, so you kids should go and enjoy yourself. And, I have an appointment." Kakashi answered as he jumped off the branch he was lounging in. "So, see you on Monday."

Before either of them could protest, the copy nin had formed the seals and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Tch."

Kakashi arranged his shirt as he stood outside the academy teacher's apartment. He grinned and knocked on the door. A moment later, the door opened and a tanned face looked out.

"Ah…… Iruka-sensei, sorry that I am late. I was on my way here, but I happened to meet a dog who told me that I can't come empty handed. So I went to pick up some sake." Kakashi smiled as he held up the bottles in his hand.

Iruka laughed lightly and shook his head. "It's alright, Kakashi-sensei. Just come in."

Iruka stepped aside and the jounin entered the neat little apartment. Kakashi toed off his sandals and took in a deep breath. The apartment smells exactly like the chunin – the smell of sunshine and spice. Kakashi decided that he love the smell and would do anything to possess it.

"Kakashi-sensei, make yourself comfortable. Dinner will be served soon. Would you like some tea?" Iruka gestured to the couch and then turned to walk back into the kitchen.

"No worries, Iruka-sensei, do you need any help in the kitchen? I may not be able to cook, but I'm sure I can help out with other stuff." The jounin winked and followed Iruka to the kitchen.

Iruka arched an eyebrow, then he burbled with laughter. Kakashi blinked.

"What?"

"Nothing." Iruka shook his head, an amused smile hanging on his lips. "I just thought it strange that you can't cook since you've been living by yourself for ages."

Kakashi shrugged. "Maa… It's so much easier to just get take-outs."

"But it isn't healthy." Iruka said as he turned to the stove and stirred a pot.

The jounin grinned. "So that gives me more excuses to come over for dinner then."

Iruka turned to look at him and frowned. But the telltale amused smile on his lips clearly tell the copy nin that the chunin doesn't mind. Kakashi was about to tease him when he felt something being shoved into his hands.

"I don't provide free dinners. Go and set the table."

Kakashi smirked under his mask as he took the cutleries over to the dining table.

Dinner was a light affair, with jokes, laughter and the occasional teasing. Kakashi let his mask pool around his neck, not minding the fact that the academy teacher could actually see his face. In fact, as he thought about it, it shouldn't be something he should mind either.

Halfway through the dinner, Kakashi decided that he should put step three of his plan into action. He smiled as he fiddled with the mask around his neck and listened to Iruka telling him about a failed prank by Konohamaru.

"That boy is growing more and more like Naruto." Iruka shook his head. "Playing pranks instead of focusing on his studies and his basic trainings." Kakashi grinned. Perfect timing. Now all he had to do is to choose the correct words.

"Well, growing more like Naruto isn't exactly a bad thing. He is definitely growing stronger."

Iruka nodded. "That's true. I'm proud of him."

"You are close with him, aren't you?" Kakashi casually noted, changing the direction of the conversation.

"I guess." Iruka scratched the back of his head.

"Well, at least someone cares for him. I don't think it's very healthy for him if he grows up being hated and out casted by everyone."

"He survived that for years, I guess. It's not fair for him though. Whatever happened wasn't his fault." Iruka said wistfully. "But I'm glad that he had his bunch of close friends now."

Kakashi nodded. "I'm curious though. Everyone shuns him like he's some demon reincarnated because of the Kyuubi incident. Why did you choose to care for him?"

Iruka felt himself tensed at the question. He knew he couldn't claim full credit for caring for the Kyuubi vessel. He had his fair share of shunning the boy during his younger years too. He prodded his food disinterestedly.

The older man seems to notice his uneasiness and changed the topic smoothly as he popped another piece of fish into his mouth. "Maa….. This fish is good. You should teach me how to cook it sometime. At least, it spares me from eating too much take-out. As much as it is easier, I think I can survive better with some cooking skills."

Iruka laughed at that. And Kakashi laughed along with him. The mood lightened up a little as Iruka dished some of the fish slices on his plate over to the jounin, and in return, Kakashi gave him a grateful grin. The laughter ceased slightly and Iruka felt a little more relaxed.

He rubbed the scar across his nose nervously as the previous question rang in his mind. He took a sip of the sake before he spoke.

"You know….." He started. Kakashi looked up from his plate and stared at him. "I used to treat Naruto indifferently. My parents were killed in the battle against the Kyuubi and although I never blamed Naruto for that, but I have never been particularly fond of him either. Even when he became my student at the academy, I never spared him a second glance. To me, he was just a troublemaker and someone who plays pranks to pass his days."

"I didn't even think much of him as a ninja, considering the fact that he had failed the graduation exam so many times. But I guess Sandaime changed my perspective and I realized that Naruto is a lot like me when I was younger." Iruka rubbed his temple ruefully. "And when I found that common link, it was so much easier for me to bond with him."

Kakashi grinned. "I think I know what you mean."

Iruka laughed. "That's good to know." Then he blushed. "And it's good to know that you are getting along with him as well."

"Well, other than his recklessness and his lack of common sense when it comes to certain stuff, Naruto isn't a very hard person to get along. His unpredictability is one thing that really interests me." Kakashi chortled.

Iruka nodded in agreement. They looked at each other for a moment before breaking into another round of laughter.

Kakashi put on his sandals and smiled at the chunin.

"Thanks for the dinner, Iruka-sensei."

"Anytime." Iruka returned the smile. "It's nice to have company for dinner sometime."

"That I agree." Kakashi's eye crinkled up. "It takes away a little of the boredom of having to eat alone. Especially when you can escape the routine of having take-out."

Iruka laughed softly. "Well, I wouldn't mind having you over for dinner again."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow as a pleased smile formed under his mask. "Thanks in advance." He opened the door and stepped outside. "Good night, sensei. I will see you again."

Iruka nodded and watched as the jounin stepped away from his apartment and headed down the stairs. He closed the door and leaned against it, a silly grin forming on his tanned face. It had been nice to have Kakashi over and he was beginning to enjoy the older man's company more.

He walked to the kitchen to clean up the dishes and in the back of his mind, he wondered how long more he would have to wait before the next date with the copy nin.

Kakashi was pleased. Or rather, he was more than pleased. Everything had gone well, and if it keeps up, he would be able to move to his final step very soon. Sooner than he had initially planned.

He had expected the subtle probing session to halt when the chunin had appeared uncomfortable earlier on. So, he was pleasantly surprised when Iruka actually shared his feelings openly. It had made it easier for him to answer when the younger man had asked some personal questions regarding himself.

As the jounin headed home, hands shoved in his pocket and adding a little skip into his steps, he couldn't help but grinned.

Step three – Opening up to each other.

In excellent progress.