A/N: Yep. That's it. The final chapter. I'm so into this series that I'm thinking of doing up a sequel for this. Yeah.... Just a thought. Anyway, Merry X'mas everyone. I'm glad that this fic finished in time for a happy ending on Christmas Day for our dear Kakashi and Iruka. Let's hope the new year will be one perfect year for this couple as well. And to everyone of you, best wishes for the new year! Enjoy your festive season and hoped that you would like this last chapter.

Chapter 16: The Final Phase

Iruka was laughing at a joke that Kakashi was telling him when a loud exploding sound startled him and he instinctively reached into his civilian clothes for the kunai which he had hid inside his pocket.

"Chill it, Iruka-sensei." Kakashi chuckled amusedly. Then he pointed into the sky. "Look."

Iruka turned gingerly and then, he gaped at the fireworks display before him. The burst of colors in the sky brightened up the dark night.

"This is…… awesome." Iruka anxiety faded and he grinned happily. "I didn't know there is a festival going on."

"Uh……" Kakashi blinked. "There isn't."

Iruka stared at the jounin, confused for a moment. Then he raised an eyebrow as understanding dawned on him. "There isn't? So, did you by any chance arrange for this?" There was a note of uncertainty in the chunin's voice.

"Well, yes?" Kakashi was thankful that his mask hid his nervousness. He waited for the younger man's response, wondering what will result from his confession.

Iruka stared at him dumbly. Then the brown eyes showed confusion. And after a while, the lips quirked up into a smile and Iruka's eyes lit up warmly. Kakashi almost let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you. This is nice."

"I'm glad you like it." Kakashi muttered.

The two sat in silent companionship as they watched the burst of fireworks, one after the other. When the last of it was gone and the darkness descended on them once more, Kakashi was a little surprised that some time through the display of the fireworks, the chunin had scooted a little closer to him.

"Kakashi-sensei, let's play a game." Iruka stared up into the dark sky, a small smile on his face.

Kakashi hesitated. Then he shrugged. "Sure."

"Truth or dare?"

"Huh?" Kakashi stared at him, confused.

"Truth or dare. You've played that before, haven't you?" Iruka finally shifted his gaze away from the sky and looked at the jounin.

"Uh, not really." Kakashi scratched his head. "But I think I know how it is being played."

"Good. So, truth or dare, Kakashi-sensei?"

"Hmm…… Dare will be a little troublesome. I don't want to get into some troubles like you did the last time. So I will go for truth." Kakashi grinned.

"Truth that is. Tell me, Kakashi-sensei, what is tonight all about? Let's start with the dinner. What is that fancy dinner all about?"

Kakashi shrugged. "I just thought you might want to try something new for a change. And I heard the food at that restaurant is nice."

"But it's expensive. I'm sure there are other places which has nice food too."

"The ambience is nice." Kakashi adjusted his collar. "And relaxing too. I thought it would help you relax after a hectic week at the academy and mission room."

Iruka blinked as he tried to process what Kakashi had just said. He was somehow overwhelmed by the fact that the copy nin had been so considerate of his feelings. Then he smiled.

"Well, thank you. I did enjoy myself."

Kakashi nodded with a satisfied look on his face.

"Right. Next, why the fireworks?"

Kakashi smirked. That's easy to answer. "You told me before that you like it. And I thought since tonight we are coming out to relax, why not have some fireworks to add on to the fun?"

"Someone's helping you to set it off, isn't it?" Iruka asked.

"Uh, yeah." Kakashi tugged at his collar again. It was getting a little choking with all the questions. Iruka raised an eyebrow and refrained from asking more. He would find out who were the ones setting off those skyrockets the next time.

"Finally, tell me about the flowers."

"What about it?"

"Well, the color combination kind of reminds me of something." Iruka stated. Kakashi gulped subconsciously. "So, Kakashi-sensei, tell me the meaning behind the colour choice and the number of roses."

"Do I have to say it?" Kakashi tugged at his jacket this time.

"You choose truth, didn't you?" Iruka chuckled.

Kakashi took in a deep breath. He didn't know whether he should be glad or not that Iruka had been observant about the colors of the roses given to him. He had half-expected the chunin to shrug it off. After all, this isn't the first time he had given roses to him.

"Well……"

Iruka watched in amusement as the copy nin hesitated. "Well?" He waited patiently for the answer as he ran through the thoughts in his mind. If Kakashi said what he thought that he would say, then Iruka decided that he needs to be ready with an answer.

Kakashi cleared his throat as he said slowly. "Dark red roses means…. Unconscious beauty. And readiness for commitment." Iruka raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"Lavender roses means……" A pause. "… Love at first sight." The last sentence was said in barely above a whisper. Iruka almost did not hear what was being said.

The chunin blinked dazedly as the words set in. His face heated up as a new emotion surged within him and he had to gather all of his self control to stop the silly grin from forming on his face. He coughed a bit to distract himself.

"And?"

Kakashi blinked. "And?"

"Well, the number of roses. Why twelve?" Iruka smiled almost innocently, even as he waited expectantly for an answer.

"Oh, that……"

"Yes, that."

"Well, different number of roses means different things." Kakashi started. Iruka almost burst out laughing. He had never seen Kakashi so unsure of himself before.

"Yes, I've heard of that."

"Well……" Kakashi choose his words carefully. Then something struck him. "Wait a minute!"

And it was Iruka's turn to be uncertain. "Yes?"

"That's the third question you are asking me."

Iruka nodded. "I think so."

"Isn't it supposed to be one question per turn?" Kakashi's brows furrowed together.

Iruka startled. He stared at the jounin bemusedly. "Well….."

"So it's my turn." Kakashi gave a feral grin. Iruka frowned. Just when he was going to get his answer, the jounin had to distract him.

"Fine."

"Good. Iruka-sensei, truth or dare?"

"I'm not going to get into trouble again for a silly dare. Truth."

There was a moment of silence as Iruka waited for Kakashi to ask a question. When the jounin did not say anything, Iruka turned to look at him and found the older man looking at him strangely, with a serious look in his single eye.

Kakashi reached up and pulled his mask down, as he watched the movements of the chunin. This is it. This is his one and only chance. He can't screw it up. His throat suddenly constricted and he swallowed hard, trying to will away his nervousness.

Iruka felt his lips turning dry as the copy nin inched closer to him. He stared into the unmasked face and felt his emotions surging and his heart thumping.

Just like that time when Kakashi kissed him after the dinner at the jounin's house.

"Iruka." Kakashi started. Iruka swallowed dryly. He could almost feel the jounin's breath down his neck.

"Y….. Yes?" Iruka asked uncertainly.

"I….. Um…." For a moment, Kakashi could almost empathize with how Iruka had been feeling when he had been dared to ask the older man out for a date. He took in another deep breath and closed his eyes.

'Let's just get it over with.'

"Iruka." Kakashi opened his eye with new found confidence. To hell with it. He could live on even with a rejection. "Do you like me?"

Iruka stilled as his jaw dropped.

"What?"

"Do you like me?" Kakashi asked again, regaining his composure.

"Uh…… Yes?"

"I don't mean as a friend, Iruka. I mean something more." Kakashi searched the brown orbs, hoping to get some hints out of it.

Iruka was stumped for words. Was he prepared for this? Perhaps. After all those dinners and get-togethers, he had found himself liking the jounin more. Perhaps more than he had realized. No one had affected him the way the jounin does or bring out those new feelings that Kakashi had managed to. Then, were the answers he had been contemplating earlier ready to answer this question? Maybe. He had somehow guessed that the date tonight would lead to something else.

And Iruka smiled. No. It wasn't a maybe anymore. He was positive of his own answer.

"Tell me first, Kakashi, what did those twelve roses mean?"

Kakashi sighed. He was beginning to lose hope in this. It seems to him that Iruka was avoiding answering the question. He just hoped that Iruka won't be angry with him or he will risk losing the friendship that had built up.

"It meant 'Be Mine'." Kakashi muttered. "Sorry if it bothers you."

Iruka stared in surprise when the jounin drew up his mask and stood up.

"Where are you going?"

Kakashi did not look at him. "Home."

"Just like that?" The moment the words tumbled out from his mouth, Iruka blushed.

Kakashi turned to look at him strangely. Was Iruka asking him to stay? That's a funny way to ask though.

"Yeah." Kakashi said, albeit a little hesitant.

"I see." Iruka turned away, his face heating up. "So I suppose you don't want to hear my answer to your question then."

Adrenaline rushed through the older man. Does that mean he can still hope? He shook his head to clear his thoughts. Iruka was looking at him expectantly.

"Your answer?"

"Yep. But I kind of forgot your question already. So, let's get going." Iruka stood up and started to move away.

Kakashi grabbed his arm. The chunin paused and turned to look at him. Kakashi felt his breath hitched and then he tried again. "Be mine?"

Iruka raised an eyebrow and after a moment, he smiled.

"Yes."

Kakashi grinned and he pulled down his mask, stepping closer to the chunin. "I hope you know what you are getting yourself into."

"Are you asking me to reconsider?" Iruka teased.

"Hell, no." Kakashi said softly. "That will never do." And that was the last thing Iruka heard before the lips closed in on his.

Kakashi lay on the grass, staring up into the sky, his chest serving as a pillow for his boyfriend.

Yep, boyfriend.

Kakashi couldn't help grinning. Alright, maybe some of the questions and responses that came from the chunin wasn't exactly what he had planned for. But at least, the ending was what he had hoped for. And for that, he was glad.

"Kakashi?"

"Hm?"

"What are you thinking about?"

Kakashi pondered for a moment. "I'm thinking of writing a book."

Iruka chuckled. "Really? What kind of book?"

"A guide book."

"That's surprising." Iruka stifled a giggle. "What guide book would that be?"

"Are you going to help me review it?"

"No. Knowing you, it can't be anything decent."

"That's not true." Kakashi protested. Then he smiled. "Well, I will tell you anyway. I think maybe I should name my guide book 'The Five Steps to Courting a Chunin'."

Iruka chortled. "Are you sure you will be providing good advice?"

"Of course." Kakashi said confidently.

"Are you sure it will work?"

"Definitely." The jounin looked at Iruka and smiled. 'I just succeeded.'

Iruka smiled as he closed his eyes and snuggled closer.

"Iruka?"

"Hm?"

"I think this relationship is going to be great. Don't you?"

Iruka's eyes snapped open. He frowned. Then he rolled over and propped himself against the jounin's chest.

"I don't think. I know."

Kakashi smiled and wrapped his arms around the younger man, pulling him closer.

Step five – Making the chunin his.

A happy ever after ending.

Owari

Ending note: Thanks for all your reviews!