A/N: No more maybes. This is the second last chapter. The last chapter is already in progress and should be up by tomorrow.
Chapter 15: Almost There
Iruka stared in awe at the restaurant as Kakashi spoke to the lady at the counter.
"This way, sirs." One of the waiters came up to them and ushered them into the restaurant.
Kakashi smiled as he followed the waiter, noting Iruka's dazed expression as he trailed after the older man. The attendant sat them down at a table in a quiet corner of the restaurant before speaking politely. "Your orders will be up in a while."
Kakashi nodded before turning to regard Iruka. "I've placed the orders beforehand. I hope you are alright with it."
Iruka smiled. "Yes. That's fine, Kakashi-sensei." The chunin looked around before turning back to look at the older man. "This place is expensive, isn't it?"
Kakashi shrugged. "That doesn't matter. I'm paying for it."
Iruka frowned. "That's not the problem."
"Then don't worry about it. Just enjoy your dinner." Kakashi said with a wink. Iruka was about to protest when a waitress came up to him. She looked at them uncertainly before she spoke.
"I'm sorry to disturb you. But here is something for you."
Iruka blinked in surprise. In the hands of the young lady was a bouquet of red and lavender roses. He took it into his hands and took a good look at the dozen roses wrapped in cordyline and decorated with babybreath. Then he glanced up at the older man who was scratching the side of his head sheepishly.
"Uh….. I hope you like that." Kakashi muttered. Iruka blushed. Receiving flowers in public when he was a guy just seems funny. But then, he somehow didn't seem to mind so much, especially when the flowers were from Kakashi.
"Yeah, of course. Thanks." Iruka set the bouquet at the side of the table, noting the color combination of the roses. And then, Kakashi shoved a box across the table towards him. He blinked.
"This is for you too. I thought it would suit you pretty fine." Kakashi smiled.
"Oh?" Iruka opened the box. Inside, was a silver pocket watch with a gold rim, a leaf carving in the centre and small dolphin carvings decorating the side. He took it out from the velvet case to examine it.
"This is beautiful. Where did you buy it?"
Kakashi shrugged. "I saw it a few months back in the Land of Waves. So, when Anko told me that she was going there for a mission a few days back, I asked her to get it for me. I'm just glad she made it back in time for me to give it to you."
"But, you are buying me dinner and now you are giving me such an expensive gift. I can't accept it." Iruka frowned and push it back to the jounin.
"I won't have any use for it either. I bought it for you. So you can do whatever you want with it." Kakashi said nonchalantly. Iruka raised an eyebrow. Then he smiled.
"Thanks." His eyes strayed to the flowers at the side of the table and he was about to ask Kakashi about the purpose of the roses when the entrée was being served.
He decided to put off asking the jounin when the onion soup was set before him and he tucked into it.
Somewhere through their main course, a violinist came up beside their table and started playing. Iruka startled at the sudden intrusion while Kakashi leaned back in his chair, enjoying the soothing music.
The chunin looked from the violinist to Kakashi and then back to the musician.
"Nice music, isn't it?" Kakashi smiled. Iruka nodded uncertainly.
"Relax, Iruka-sensei. Tonight is meant for you to enjoy. Don't get so tensed up." Kakashi teased. Iruka frowned, sensing something was up.
"What is this all about, Kakashi-sensei?" Iruka hissed.
Kakashi merely gave the younger man a smile before turning his attention back to the piece that is being played. Iruka sighed and gave up his questioning, leaning back in his chair and listening to the soft tune beside his ear.
Somehow, the music was alluring and it soothed the chunin's frayed senses and washed away his tension for the past week. Iruka smiled as he put a piece of fish into his mouth and allowed the melody to further relax him.
Kakashi grinned when he noticed the chunin getting attuned to the warm ambience. This was getting on fine so far. He would just have to play his cards right for the rest of the night.
Iruka stepped out into the cool night air followed Kakashi, who was walking beside him. The jounin was looking relaxed and Iruka could distinctly see the smile behind that mask.
"So, Kakashi-sensei, where are we going?" Iruka raised an eyebrow as he watched the path, which was in the opposite direction from his apartment.
"I've found another place which I think that you may like."
"Oh?" Was the only answer that the chunin could come up with. Somehow, the copy nin just seem more mysterious than he usually was. He shrugged and shifted the bouquet that he held in his hand.
Kakashi led him to the end of the streets and turn into another corner leading to the park. When they were there, the jounin walked through a small path and up some stairs, which Iruka never knew existed. Undergrowth grew on both sides on the path, hiding it pretty well from sight. He followed quietly after the older man, getting more and more curious about what is going on.
They emerged from the bushes at the end of the path into a small clearing. Kakashi grinned and Iruka gaped. The spot was somewhat like the cliff that Kakashi had brought him to the last time. It provides a clear view of the night sky and a view of part of the village.
"I didn't know this place existed." Iruka smiled. "So, did you find this place too when you were in ANBU?"
Kakashi scratched the side of his head sheepishly. "No. I did some exploring on my own. I wanted to find a spot private enough for the two of us."
Iruka blinked. Then he blushed. "I see."
Kakashi stole a glance at his pocket watch. 'Great. Almost 9pm.' He cleared his throat.
"Um, Iruka, would you like to sit down?"
"Sure." Iruka moved over to a spot and sat down, placing the bouquet of roses beside him carefully, all the while wondering about the meaning behind the bunch of flora. He had a tad of a feeling of what that meant. But he did not want to speculate and decided it would be best to hear from Kakashi himself. The flowers were different from the ones that Kakashi usually gave him and he couldn't help feeling curious.
"This goes here!" Kiba growled.
"No, it doesn't! How the hell am I going to fire it if it's place here?" Naruto glared.
"Dobe, just leave that one and get on with the rest." Sasuke scowled.
"Sasuke-kun's right. Naruto, we are running out of time. Quick!" Sakura glowered.
"But –"
"Just what the hell are you kids doing? It's almost 9pm." Asuma grumbled. "Just set it up quickly and leave it as that."
"Troublesome." Shikamaru muttered and set up the little skyrockets by the lake. "I'm done on my side!"
"Why the hell am I being roped in this?" Ino complained. "I'm done on my side too!"
"Good. If everything is in place, get behind the bushes now!" Kurenai tried to speak as loud as she can and not attract attention at the same time. "I don't want to have to treat any burns later."
Hinata and Shino stepped into the bushes cautiously. Shikamaru scowled and walked leisurely into a spot with Choji and Ino following behind him. Sasuke practically dragged Naruto away from his argument with Kiba about where the pyrotechnic device should be placed. Sakura scowled and walked after her teammates with Kiba following closely.
Asuma looked at Kurenai who nodded.
"Alright, it is time."