I felt bad about how short the last chapter was, so I got this one up super quick. I hope you like!
Iruka's next few weeks were almost boring in normality. Each morning he would find a small bundle of lilies on his desk, always written with a beautiful note. Rumors about his new admirer had begun to circulate around the school and missions rooms. His students always alive with giggles as he walked into the room.
The first night after he had been tucked in, Iruka had fallen asleep on the couch, much to his dismay, his secret admirer did not help him to bed, but he did find a note attached to his door, speaking of his amazing trap setting abilities. The moment he got home, the traps on the living room window were removed. Every night he fall asleep out of bed from then on, he would find himself tucked in, with a wonderful note stuck to the wall with the same kunai. Iruka was just thankful he used the same hole each time.
Kakashi though, since his first visits three weeks ago, was nowhere to be seen. Iruka at least usually saw him at the Missions Room when he came to hand in reports, but no such luck. Obviously, his meeting with Kakashi was a onetime thing.
Kakashi on the other hand was busy those entire three weeks. He asked the Hokage specifically for no overnight missions. He wanted to be able to stay and watch over Iruka, unfortunately, when he wasn't taking care of those three brats, he was given daytime missions. Which left Kakashi with little to no time to actually visit with Iruka. Yes, Iruka worked all day at the academy, and some of the afternoon in the missions room, but by the time Kakashi had made his way home, filled out his report, which he did much more diligently than he used to, Iruka had already sat himself down on his couch with his papers, and sometimes had already fallen asleep.
He didn't fall asleep on his couch EVERY night, sometimes he would finish marking his papers early, and retreat to his bedroom where he would open a book and read till he fell asleep there. Kakashi had a feeling Iruka never actually planned to sleep. He just continued to do whatever he could until his body shut down. This could not be healthy.
Although Kakashi had no time to actually see Iruka, he had no choice but to spend many hours with Naruto, which started to be a good thing when he realized Naruto knew many interesting and useful things about Iruka. Like how lilies were his favorite flower and that Iruka was adept at gardening. Iruka liked Miso soup the best, that his birthday was coming next month, and that he enjoyed reading romance novels. One of the most interesting facts Kakashi learned was that Iruka had never been seen with a significant other.
"Alright, there's nothing more for me to do with you brats today. Keep practicing and you can show me how little you've progressed tomorrow." And with that he pulled out his trusty orange book and walked away. The brats had learned not to get mad or question him, now it was time to find Iruka.
"Genma-san! How do you expect me to accept this?" Iruka spoke, holding up the wet napkin that was Genma's latest report.
"Well you see Iruka-kun, you take the report, and file it away. Simple yes?" He smirked shifting the senbon to the other side of his mouth.
"No Genma-san… not simple!" Iruka's anger could be seen as his little scar became a violent red. The entire missions room stood still, it was great entertainment for everyone else to watch as Iruka scolded any of the Ninja.
"You expect me to put my signature on this piece of garbage? So when the Hokage comes to look for it, she see's that I, Iruka Umino, have given my word that this piece of garbage is suitable for the standards our ninja set? Your asking me to put my own reputation on the line for your laziness?" Iruka's glared venomously at Genma. "IS IT?" his voice finally rose above his normal loudness.
Genma was looking at the ground trying to think his way out of this one. "Well … there was this-" Genma was cut off.
"No. This is unacceptable." He went around his desk and brought a spare chair to the side of his desk. "Sit down Genma-san. Right here." He patted the chair before rustling threw his desk, coming out with two pieces of paper and a pen. Genma was dumbstruck, standing there looking at Iruka, as he placed the pen and paper on the desk. "You can come take a seat beside me Genma-san. I'll make sure you finish your report properly this time." The smile on Iruka's face could only be seen as evil.
Genma, now properly embarrassed, took his seat and began writing. Iruka looked around the now frozen room, looking over the horrified faces of Jounin, and the others working the mission room trying not to laugh.
"Anyone else need any help with their reports?" and with that, everyone started moving again.
Kakashi had watched the entire scene from the doorway, not wanting to enrage Iruka, who had often scolded him for the same reason, though never as badly as that. After the missions room had gone back to normal he stopped by the desks of some of his fellow Jounin, talking casually with Asuma until Genma had been dismissed. It was now or never, he hopped Genma hadn't put Iruka in to bad of a mood.
"Well hello there Iruka-sensei." Kakashi stated simply as he approached his desk.
Iruka looked up momentarily then back to his papers, promptly followed by a double take. "Kakashi-san! It's been a while, how can I help you?" His smile sincere.
"Well firstly I wanted to … to well … you see I …" Kakashi was not one to apologize, but Iruka's honest and patient face helped him move forwards. "I wanted to … you see I'm …" He took a breath. How was this so hard? "I wanted to apologize for not coming to visit you lately." He spoke it so quickly that it took Iruka a moment to understand what was said, but once he figured it out, Kakashi's favorite smile graced his lips as he looked up at Kakashi.
"It's no problem Kakashi-san, I assume you have been busy." He looked back down to his papers and continued doing whatever it was he was supposed to be doing. Kakashi wasn't sure exactly.
"Was that all you came for Kakashi-san? I have a hard time believing that you would come all this way for uh… an apology."
"Actually … your right Iruka-sensei, I was wondering if you had any plans after your Missions room shift tonight?" He tired to play it off like it was nothing, when on the inside he was actually quite anxious.
"Well … no actually." A slight blush graced Iruka's cheeks.
"Well then, Iruka-sensei, I'll see you after your shift. Don't leave without me." Kakashi smiled his upside down U smile before leaving, very happily.
Iruka was confused. Kakashi, had shown a sudden interest in him, then abruptly stopped, and now was back? Either way, Iruka was sort of … happy, he felt special that the Great Kakashi Hatake wanted to spend time with him, especially because he spent too little time with anyone else. Even his fellow Jounin had limited interaction with him.
Iruka worked anxiously threw the rest of his shift, wondering how he and Kakashi would mesh over a longer period of time. Iruka knew that he and Kakashi had very different opinions on most things, and wondered if their stubbornness would turn discussions into fights.
Iruka was closing the Mission room today, and seconds after the last person had left, Kakashi appeared in the doorway.
"Ready to go Iruka-sensei?" He had changed from the standard Jounin uniform and was dressed in civilian clothes, a nice blue long-sleeved shirt, with accompanying mask of course, and some black slacks.
"You look like a bruise Kakashi-san. And I just a few little things left to do" Iruka spoke as he double checked the cabinets, making sure they were secure and locked.
"A bruise?" Kakashi leaned against the door frame, but the confusion of Iruka's words was obviously in his voice.
"You're wearing black and blue Kakashi-san, has nobody ever told you this?" Looking around the room, moving to a chair slightly out of place.
"No actually, though I'm not sure it's going to change how I dress." He watched the Chunnin move around the room, straitening chairs, locking cupboards, before gathering his work in his arms and walking to Kakashi.
"Would you mind if we stopped by my place so I could put down my work, maybe change?" he asked the question like he was asking something outrageous.
"Of course Iruka-sensei, no problems."
They both left the missions room, walking side by side and chatting casually. Kakashi asked about Iruka's interest in gardening, how it started, why he continued; anything that came to his mind. Iruka was never one to let himself run on, but as Kakashi asked his questions, Iruka found himself unable to stop, and ended up bearing his gardening soul to the poor silver haired man.
When they arrived at his place, Kakashi took a seat on the plush couch once again, as he waited for Iruka to change into something more comfortable. When the man emerged, he wore a dark blue polo and some jeans, very casual for the school teacher he had only ever seen in uniform.
"So what did you have planned for us tonight Kakashi-san?" He spoke casually slipping a few kunai into their holster.
"Just a casual night at the bar Sensei, you look like you need a night out." Kakashi stood and opened the door for the Chunnin.
"Sounds wonderful Kakashi-san." And they left.
Iruka has assumed they would be going to a bar frequented by the village Ninja, but Kakashi signaled to Iruka that it was a bit of a travel, and took off running through the village. Iruka grunted, unamused and chased the excited man threw the village and eventually out the village gates. He had no idea where the man was taking him, but he assumed Kakashi knew some good bars, and by being out of the village, there was less of a chance of him meeting up with someone he knew, begging to see him unmasked.
Eventually Kakashi stopped, and Iruka thanked Kami that the man had gone slowly for him.
"This place has the best micro-brew in all of Konoha." He tugged on Iruka's sleeve and pulled him into the bar.
Iruka took deep breaths, trying to recover from the sudden run. Kakashi reminded him of a child sometimes, his eye clearly shining in delight and excitement, so full of energy and wonder. However, in seconds the man could change to be serious and intellectual … or a complete ass.
He allowed himself to be pulled along by the older man, following him to a secluded booth in the back. The lights were low, the occasional strobe light making its way into the recesses of the bar. Iruka decided it was less of a bar, and more of a club. It didn't really matter, the music was at a tolerable level and Kakashi paid for the first round.
Their conversation was pleasant, and whenever Iruka noticed Kakashi reaching for his beer, he made sure to avert his gaze. Iruka spent most of the evening talking about himself. Kakashi would ask a question, or speak about something from his life, and Iruka would launch into a story. This amused Kakashi to no end. Usually he found himself annoyed or angered listening to another person for so long, but he found himself enthralled in Iruka's stories and couldn't bring himself to interrupt.
The men took turns buying drinks, and both were well into the 'tipsy' zone when Kakashi got that childish spark in his eye. "Let's dance!"
"What? I don't dance Kakashi-san!" But Kakashi was already standing, the smile in his eye pleading as he tugged on Iruka's sleeve
"It will be fun, I promise!" He pulled Iruka's hand eagerly.
"I don't know Kakash-" He was cut off, Kakashi grabbing his arm and pulling him out of the booth easily.
"Have a little fun in life Sensei!" He pushed the hesitant Chunnin out of their secluded corner, letting him look at the once empty area that had become a makeshift dance floor. "Look around Iruka, nobody knows you, you'll never see any of them ever again, and if you do, who is going to care?"
Kakashi had leaned to speak into Iruka's ear, the hot air brushing hotly against the teachers ear. It bothered Iruka. Not in the way that it was uncomfortable, but the exact opposite, it actually made him chew his lip, and it was that realization that made him uncomfortable.
Kakashi took that opportunity to pull the thinking Chunnin to the dance floor. Contrary to Kakashi's earlier thoughts, Iruka was actually a good dancer. He had assumed that Iruka was to high strung and … goody to dance like he was. Kakashi had to resist the urge to pull the dancing teacher to him. He wanted to touch the teacher, feel their bodies dance together, but it was to soon. He didn't want to scare the teacher away.
After a few too many drinks, Kakashi and Iruka exited the bar, Iruka, unused to drinking heavily, was in for a nasty hangover. Kakashi on the other hand was far from drunk, and very amused watching the stumbling, speech slurring, Iruka. The trip home was a lot slower than the way there, Kakashi often forcing Iruka jump on his back so they could run a distance to speed up the trip.
When they arrived back at Iruka's house, Iruka gave Kakashi his key, understanding he was far too drunk to be stumbling with locks. Kakashi helped the Chunnin to his room, removing his shoes and headband, making sure the teacher was tucked in before taking his shoes back to the front door.
When Kakashi returned, Iruka had the covers pulled up under his chin a small smile gracing his lips. Kakashi leaned over, without thinking, and kissed the smaller man on the forehead sweetly before standing up.
"That was nice Kakashi-san." Iruka mumbled without opening his eyes.
Damn, caught in the act! Kakashi only hoped Iruka would not remember this in the morning. He made sure to get Iruka a glass of water and a few Tylenol, setting them on the side table before leaving the house and replacing his traps.
Beta'ed by the wonderful xXxXxRoxasFanGirlxXxXx (www. fanfiction. net/u/2483916/)
Oh boy! That was a much longer chapter.
I just wrote the first kiss... it's a few chapters away. But I promised myself I wouldn't rush into things. more story less smut.
If you do by any chance need some smut, you should look at my other stories. They are smut-tastic. *pimpin my other stories*