HUD: Oh man! So much free time. Enjoy!

Iruka propped the door to the café open with a sigh, the smell of cleaning chemicals assaulting his nose. Today he would need to leave it open. He went back to his car and pulled out the newspaper he grabbed on his way out and the extra wash clothes and bleach containers. He planned to wash the floors, starting with the kitchen in the back. There were corners he noticed the day before that were beginning to show signs of mould. Iruka wouldn't let that shit begin if he had anything to say about it.

Iruka tightened his ponytail and set his mobile by the newspaper on the same table he and Sakura had sat at the day before. He paused a moment, staring at the classifieds.

Already he had a home circled, a nice three bedroom and two bath in a small suburb that was entirely in his price range. After checking the address, he found out it was only a few miles east of the café and near the local high school. Konoha really was a small town; the university that Naruto attended was only another ten miles away. Iruka had planned to drive by while the floors dried, but now he wasn't so sure. That was before the dream, before the walk into the deserted Village, and before Anko's ominous call.

Part of him wanted to scrap the entire café, sell it to the next person who walked in the door, and get the hell away from the sleepy town. That was the part of him that was absolutely paranoid, and the part of him that read Kain Wolfe for sport. Sure the romance was nice, but Iruka read for the creeps and shadows and to see people survive impossible situations.

Honestly, a small town with inhabitants that weren't exactly odd but weren't exactly not, seemed to be exactly something Wolfe would write about. Iruka sighed and flipped the paper face down - he knew he was being paranoid, but he couldn't help it. He knew what Anko's dreams meant, but there was no way to say what or when something would happen. If she wasn't so hazy herself, Anko would be the perfect source.

Still, Iruka had cleaning to do that wasn't going to do itself. After a few calming hours of methodical work, maybe his nerves and mind would sort itself out.

Iruka rubber banded the extra washcloths to the bottom of his sneakers and pulled on gloves, heading for the kitchen. That mould was calling him, dammit, and he was too far lost in his head to ignore it.

The teacher grabbed the mop bucket and added bleach and cold water from the tap. He dropped in two sponges and carried it over beneath the dry storage area. Iruka dropped to his knees and immediately attacked the furthest corner.

Within the hour, Iruka was lost within his own mind and ferociously destroying anything that remotely looked like mould. The entire oven base was clean, the kickback from the fryer was spotless, and the entire black base along the wall was bright and shining. Iruka sat back on his haunches and smiled, satisfied. The foundation was set for him to mop the kitchen, and with a sigh, his mind was finally cleared of its paranoia. Iruka dropped the now black sponge back into the bleach and pulled off his gloves.

He fished out his keys from his pocket and crossed to the back of the kitchen. There was a door for running trash and accepting deliveries that he planned to prop open to help with the drying. Iruka pushed the key into the lock and opened the door, a fresh breeze catching the hair that had fallen during his cleaning frenzy. The stray strands tickled his cheek and neck, but feeling the warmth of the sun with the breeze was enough to make him not care.

Iruka drew another deep breath before he dropped the stopper on the bottom of the door to keep it open and leaned against it. His hair tickled again with another breeze; Iruka pulled his hair tie free and let his hair fall down, still damp from his hasty shower. He ran his fingers along his scalp and hummed, enjoying the slight break and relief from his hair being pulled back so tightly.

"Hey."

Iruka started, practically jumping from his skin. His heart beat wildly against his ribcage as he slowly looked to his right. Honestly, he did recognize the voice, but the morning had been so crazy that he allowed himself a mistake.

Kakashi stood there with his ever-present scarf pooled around his neck, as a normal person would wear it. The beginning of that mysterious scar was just poking out beneath his spiky hair, swaying lightly in the breeze. He was wearing jeans and a red plaid button down cuffed at the sleeves, a newspaper tucked under one arm holding two travel mugs expertly in his palm, and Pakkun's leash in his right hand. Iruka smiled softly, happy beyond words to see the man. "Hey, yourself."

Kakashi smiled that crooked smile of his that made Iruka smile wider. "How did you sleep?" He asked, leaving the grass he was walking around in to come to the pavement. Pakkun trotted behind him and yawned.

Iruka's smile wavered slightly as an image of his dream flooded back. Screaming. "I've had better."

"Oh?" Kakashi asked, his tone teasing. "That wouldn't have anything to do with me, would it?"

Iruka smirked coyly to hide his growing discomfort. Not his fault. "You could say that."

Kakashi smiled softly and came to stand before Iruka, just close enough that Iruka had to look up to still meet his eyes. "Depending on the nature, I might not apologize."

Iruka rolled his eyes but couldn't fight his growing blush. "You're quite modest today."

"Maa, sensei - I'm always modest," Kakashi drawled. Iruka snorted, making Kakashi's grin grow sheepish. "Hey, I got you a coffee."

Iruka quirked an eyebrow as Kakashi offered one of the paper cups. "Hmm...I suppose that gets you off the hook this time."

"Whew," Kakashi exaggerated, his shoulders drooping further than his already slouched posture. Iruka took the cup closest to him and breathed in the smell of fresh coffee. "I'm so relieved - I'm not sure you'd let me any closer, otherwise."

Iruka took a slow sip from the cup and sighed at the relief it brought. "Do I even want to know?"

"Maa, perhaps," Kakashi said softly, stepping closer into Iruka's space. Iruka angled his chin slightly to keep his gaze. Kakashi's breath hinted the coffe Iruka just tasted. "Want to find out?"

"Perhaps," Iruka whispered, feeling his heart thump. Kakashi rotated Pakkun's leash to his other hand, holding it and the other cup gently. With his now free hand, Kakashi carefully grazed his knuckles against Iruka's cheek; the teacher's eyelids fluttered shut as he tilted into the touch.

Kakashi tucked strands of Iruka's loose hair behind his ear before weaving his fingers into the dark strands, shimmering auburn undertones with the sunlight. Iruka sighed when Kakashi's strong fingers massaged his scalp and the back of his neck, suddenly needing to grab the taller man's shirt to keep his balance. Whatever Kakashi did, regardless of what or how, it always seemed to take Iruka's breath away. Now was no exception.

"You're beautiful," Kakashi whispered, his breath cool and so close. Anyone else, and Iruka would have protested - he spent far too much of his childhood being mistaken for a girl - but Kakashi's lips were just grazing his and well, the protest wouldn't have changed anything anyway. If Kakashi saw him as beautiful, then Iruka supposed he didn't mind so much.

Kakashi pressed his lips softly to Iruka's, dipping his chin slightly to achieve a better angle. It was perfect - the way their lips slid together, why, Iruka would believe they were made that way. He felt his breath hitch and his heart beat faster when Kakashi trailed his fingers down his neck and back to wrap his arm around the teacher's waist. Iruka gasped when Kakashi pulled him flush to his chest, and couldn't stop his moan when Kakashi used his surprise as an excuse to deepen the kiss.

"Iruka-sensei!"

For the second time that day, Iruka nearly had a heart attack. Kakashi's arm around his waist was the only thing keeping him from falling over, scrambling to keep his coffee from spilling all over them both. Kakashi's chuckles were warm and traveled through his chest to Iruka, making the teacher's skin buzz.

"That boy must have a sense about you," Kakashi muttered, making Iruka laugh shakily.

"He always has," he answered softly, looking down at his hand still fisted in Kakashi's shirt. He let go and smoothed the fabric down, not-so-subtly grazing his fingers over the bit of exposed skin there. Kakashi hummed. "Sorry."

"Maa, sensei," he began softly. "No need to apologize. I'll never complain about you clinging to me."

Iruka rolled his eyes and blushed, swatting at Kakashi's silver hair. The other man grinned and dodged swiftly, leaning forward to steal another kiss that Iruka wasn't hard-pressed to give.

"I'll let Pakkun off and be in the front," Kakashi said, smiling. Iruka nodded and handed his coffee over to draw his hair back into its usual ponytail. "Next time we go out, wear your hair down, please?"

Iruka quirked an eyebrow to fight his smile. "Only if you keep that scarf off."

"Deal," Kakashi answered immediately. Iruka took his coffee back and smoothed down Kakashi's shirt again. His chest was so solid and strong that it made him feel safe, especially after the night and morning he had. Any reason to reach out was one Iruka would take. "Does that mean you'll go out with me again?"

Kakashi sounded so hopeful that Iruka couldn't believe it was anything but genuine. Still, he couldn't help but tease him a little. "Depends - what's in it for me?"

Kakashi shrugged and passed Pakkun's leash back over to his right hand. "Guess you'd have to find out, ne?"

Iruka grinned at the man's nonchalant tone. "I'll be willing to guess."

Kakashi smiled softly, crookedly, and drew his scarf back in place. "I'll be around."

Iruka nodded and stepped back into the kitchen, leaving the door open. He watched Kakashi walk towards the tree beside the café until he couldn't see him anymore. God, that man...

"Iruka-sensei!" Iruka turned to see Naruto pushing the swing door of the kitchen open. "There you are!"

"Sorry, Naruto," Iruka answered. "I was standing outside."

"Did you see Kakashi-pervert?" Naruto asked, crossing his arms over his chest. Iruka immediately felt a flush stealing up his neck. "I saw his car outside."

"Oh?" Iruka hummed, walking around Naruto. He was interested to see what Kakashi drove, having only seen him walking everywhere.

"Yeah," Naruto said and followed after Iruka. "It's pretty cool. He only ever drives if it's gonna rain. Or, that's what Sasuke says."

Iruka was careful of the cloth on his feet as he set his coffee beside the newspaper with his mobile. He peeked around the corner of the door towards The Den, and felt his jaw grow slack.

Of course Kakashi would have a muscle car. All sleek lines and curves, black and beautiful. A Charger, the one car Iruka had admired since he was very, very young. His teacher's salary wouldn't allow for anything that wasn't high on gas mileage, but even with that thought Kakashi's car put his Honda to shame.

"So it's gonna rain today?" Naruto called; Iruka looked towards his right to see Kakashi again, walking up with Pakkun's leash tucked in his pocket and the newspaper and coffee still in hand.

"Maa," Kakashi began sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck. "Pakkun woke up on his back, so I just assumed."

Iruka couldn't help but laugh. "You don't check the weather channel?"

"Why?" Naruto snorted. "Pakkun's sleeping habits are way better than that idiot."

Iruka just shook his head. "Well, since it's going to rain, how about you two help me with the floors?"

Naruto happily nodded and ducked back into the café. Kakashi came up beside Iruka and trailed his fingertips against the inside of his wrist. "Sleeping habits, huh?"

Kakashi just shrugged and squeezed his wrist. "Never fails."

Iruka smiled and stepped back into the café, missing Kakashi's light touch. "Love your car, by the way. I've always had a weakness for Chargers."

Kakashi's visible eye closed in that crescent shape that signaled a bright smile, although he didn't seem surprised by Iruka's statement. Iruka was beginning to believe he could read those expressions more for what they really were after their date. He watched Kakashi set his cup down beside his and dropped the newspaper in the seat. "Would you like to go for a ride, sensei?"

Iruka bit his lip and felt his face heat quickly from just the suggestion - Kakashi's innocent tone didn't help, either. "Ah, well - "

"No!" Naruto snapped, pointing a finger at Kakashi. The man just blinked at him. "Don't invite Iruka-sensei to any of your weirdness! I bet you were planning to take him to your creepy house!"

Iruka walked over and shoved Naruto towards the kitchen. "Manners, Naruto. I'm not going to tell you again - now go fill up the bleach bucket with fresh water!"

Naruto grumbled the whole way, flicking a finger over his shoulder at Kakashi that made Iruka throw a towel at him. Kakashi just chuckled.

"I'm so sorry," Iruka mumbled, hiding his face in his hands. Leave it to Naruto to mess up what could very well be a fantastic relationship before it even began. Kakashi pulled his hands free and tugged him to his chest.

"Naruto doesn't bother me," he muttered, pressing his lips to Iruka's temple. The teacher sighed, glad to feel Kakashi's skin instead of the scarf. "I know you're worth protecting, with or without his influence."

Iruka couldn't help his stomach flip - why would Kakashi say that? He felt his heart quicken and swallowed thickly against the lump in his throat. Fuck, he was suddenly terrified. Kakashi must have noticed because he drew back, looking down into Iruka's eyes. "Iruka, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," he answered after a second's hesitation. "Just thinking too much."

"What about?" Kakashi asked, rubbing his thumb along the edge of Iruka's scar. It was oddly soothing and made him relax slightly. Should he say anything, or keep playing it off? Maybe if he chose his words carefully, he could confide enough to get it off of his chest while not scaring Kakashi off. It was a fine line, but Iruka was willing to try.

"I...had a weird dream last night," Iruka answered. Kakashi continued his light strokes. "It wasn't so bad, but then my best friend called me and said she had a dream that I got hurt." Here he hesitated - Kakashi stopped and waited patiently. To Iruka's growing anxiousness, he couldn't help but feel like he overstepped. "I can't help but be worried."

"Don't be," Kakashi said immediately. He dropped his hands to take Iruka's and squeezed. "As long as I'm here, nothing will happen to you. That I promise."

It was so simple, Iruka wasn't sure what he had been worried about. Kakashi seemed to know exactly what to say to calm him down. It should have been odd, how close they grew in only days, but Iruka didn't care. Somethings he just knew not to question. "Thank you; I just - "

"No," Kakashi said with a shake of his head. "Don't worry about anything. While I'm here, I'm here for you. Never forget that."

Kakashi said it so softly and fiercely that Iruka felt a stirring in his chest. Those words sounded so familiar, yet he couldn't quite place where or why. Again, he should probably stop to consider where this passion from a man he met days before came from, but Iruka didn't want to. There was a reason, and given all things that he felt were meant to be, the answers would come eventually.

"Iruka-sensei! The buckets are ready!" Naruto called. Just as the door began to move, Kakashi squeezed his hands one more time and stepped back to draw up his scarf.

"Maa, excellent," he drawled, heading towards the teen, who scowled. "I don't see any bleach stains yet, but I'm willing to bet lunch that will change within the hour."

Naruto's undignified squawks made Iruka laugh loud and hard. Kakashi winked at him and continued to tease the teen mercilessly, which only got Iruka laughing louder. He only stopped when Naruto turned to him, expression hurt. Iruka apologized and helped Naruto with the kitchen as Kakashi began the floor around the bar and the service station.

Sasuke dropped by later to get the other cup of coffee Kakashi brought and to say hello, Sakura in tow. She took Pakkun some water before joining Kakashi with the dining room floor. Between the four of them, all of the floors were clean and sparkling.

Iruka removed the cloth from his shoes and tossed it into the trunk. The other three did the same. "Those came in handy, huh?"

"Stopped me from getting bleach on my sandals!" Sakura said with a smile. "Good thinking, sensei."

Iruka chuckled and dabbed at the sweat over his forehead. "It's something my mom taught me. Keeps your shoes off the clean floor and helps dry it at the same time."

"Quite useful," Kakashi agreed. "If you can manage to keep your feet under you, that is."

Naruto huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. "It's not my fault that I slipped! You sabotaged me!"

Iruka rolled his eyes and pulled Naruto away from Kakashi to ruffle his hair. "Kakashi didn't sabotage you - I watched you slip fair and square."

Naruto grumbled and swatted his hand away. "Whatever, Iruka-sensei. You're playing favourites."

That got Sakura and Kakashi to laugh too, making the teen grumble even more. "Whatever."

"Why don't you two go see what Sasuke wants for lunch?" Iruka said as a diversion. "My treat."

Sakura smiled and drug Naruto towards the bookstore. "Thank you, sensei!"

Iruka nodded and sniggered at Naruto's back, the orange fabric dotted white from the blue strip at the bottom all the way to the collar. "That's his favourite jacket, you know."

Kakashi shrugged from where he leaned against Iruka's trunk. "Not my fault he got bleach on it. In fact, I believe we bet lunch over it."

Iruka swatted his arm and settled beside him. "Please. He's a starving college student - I'll cover his tab."

"In that case," Kakashi said slyly, glancing sideways at Iruka. "I'll take the double rib platter that isn't on the lunch menu. So will Pakkun, too."

Iruka laughed. "What are you even talking about?"

Kakashi looked back at the café, scratching the side of his face just above the scarf. "It doesn't matter what when I can hear you laugh."

Iruka's laughter trickled off to a soft smile, his chest warm from Kakashi's words. "You have quite a way with words, Kakashi."

The other man shrugged again but looked back at Iruka. "Maa, you flatter me, sensei. I feel like you have an ulterior motive."

Iruka rolled his eyes and smirked. "Maybe it's to get a ride in that car of yours." He jerked a thumb over his shoulder and watched Kakashi follow the motion. His eye crinkled in what Iruka knew was his sweet crooked smile.

"Where would you like to go?" He offered. "Around the town, to the city, to a park? Anywhere, just name it - I'll take you."

Iruka glanced down at his feet, suddenly feeling modest. He didn't want Kakashi to think he was taking advantage of him, but there was one place he wanted to go. "Kakashi, I can't - "

"Maa, is it can't or won't? Those mean different things, Iruka," Kakashi answered lightly. Iruka looked up from his feet to see Kakashi staring at the sky. Iruka bit his lip and looked back down.

"I don't want to take advantage of your kindness."

"You aren't because I offered," Kakashi said. He looked over at Iruka, making the teacher squirm slightly.

The bell over the door to The Den tinkled, signaling Naruto and Sakura. The three of them agreed on ramen from Ichiraku's on Main Street. Kakashi told them what to order for he and Iruka and to put it on his tab, even over Iruka's protests; the teens took off and left Iruka and Kakashi alone, still leaning against his trunk.

"Only one serving, Naruto!" Kakashi hollered. Naruto waved back, but Iruka wouldn't be surprised if he came back with enough to feed an army. A silence settled comfortably, but Iruka felt on edge.

"I..." Iruka began, the silence having lasted too long for his liking. He sighed and stared at the sky. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"I'm not," he said simply. It made Iruka laugh, the sound slightly hysterical to his ears.

"Alright," Iruka said, smiling. He looked at Kakashi and willed himself to answer. "I was looking through the classifieds and found a place. Will you look at it with me?"

Kakashi smiled, his eye crinkling beautifully. "I would be honoured." Iruka felt his belly flip; he just nodded and ducked his head, his face heating. Kakashi certainly was something.

A/N: Whatcha think? Let me know, my dears!