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The shopping center of the village was in disarray. People were frantically going from shop to shop looking for that one special thing. One would think there was a holiday, but no. It was just the upcoming birthday of Umino Iruka.
Iruka’s birthday always caused such stress for people. All of his former and current students flooded the shops trying to find the perfect gift. And, of course, Iruka’s many suitors were out looking at trinkets and items in an attempt to woo him.
None of it seemed to work. Each year both his classroom and the mission room were flooded with items from people trying to gain his favor. And each year, Iruka brushed off all the gifts. Kakashi wasn’t going to lie, he loved seeing everyone’s defeated faces as Iruka ignored their favors.
Usually, he didn’t do anything special for Iruka’s birthday. He would just try and make his mission report neater than usual. It always made his day when Iruka would smirk at him with some backhanded comment about how he actually does know how to write a report.
This year was different. This year he was going to do something for Iruka. Something big. Everyone was out buying flowers and getting gifts, but Kakashi knew something they clearly didn’t.
The real key to Iruka’s heart.
Which is how he found himself having Naruto stay back after they finished up training. Iruka had recently adopted Naruto. Though everyone in the village knew they were close, very few people had that particular knowledge. If there was anyone that could help him woo Iruka for his birthday, it would be Naruto.
He just now had to convince the student to help him.
“Naruto, I will buy you ramen for a week if you help me come up with a plan. Don’t you want to make Iruka happy?”
“No way am I helping you. You’re a bad influence on him, Kakashi-sensei! All you do is read that pervy book.”
Naruto crossed his arms with his back to Kakashi.
Kakashi took a deep breath, “Naruto, what if I buy you ramen for a month and get you one of those ridiculously unhealthy milkshakes?”
Naruto turned to him, slightly more interested but still hesitant.
“And, I’ll make sure our next two missions are C rank.”
That got his attention. “Really?! Okay! But you better not play with his feelings. Or else, I’ll fight you. And I’ve been practicing too. I can totally take you now.”
Kakashi nodded, “I promise, I have no intention to hurt Iruka.”
Naruto seemed to size him up some before nodding, “Alright. What do you want to know?”
“What would be the perfect gift for Iruka? What would be his perfect day?”
“Probably to not have to deal with annoying jounin.”
“Naruto,” Kakashi sighed.
“Sorry, okay. Hmm, he’s always really happy when we go to the lake. He loves to swim and we always bring a strawberry cake and it’s favorite.”
Kakashi nodded, he could work with this. “Where is this lake?”
“It’s not far. It’s near the practice field you took us to the other day.”
Kakashi started walking away already deep in thoughts.
“Kakashi-sensei, I want my first thing of ramen.”
He raised his hand in acknowledgment. He had a plan to set in place.
Kakashi was many things, but a chef he was not. Lucky for him he knew someone who was.
It wasn’t long before he was in front of Gai’s apartment. He knocked on the door, hoping his friend wouldn’t be in the mood for a completion today.
“Kakashi! What can I do for my eternal rival?!”
“It’s less of what you can do for me, and more of what you can do for Iruka.”
“Ah, Iruka. I’m just in here painting a mug for his birthday tomorrow!”
Of course, Gai was also doing something for him. Although, the two of them have gotten closer so he’s not surprised. He knows they only see each other as friends.
“I wanted to surprise him, and was hoping you could maybe help me.” He could feel the blush slowly creeping up on his neck and was so grateful that he wore a mask.
Gai just smirked at him. Kakashi shrunk a little bit
“My eternal rival, of course, I will help you with a cake. I think Iruka will very much appreciate the effort you’re making. What type of cake would you like me to make?”
“Strawberry cake, it’s his favorite.”
“Consider it done! I will have it ready tomorrow morning.”
Kakashi smiled beneath his mask. Things were coming together. After bidding Gai goodnight he headed back to his place. He may not know how to bake, but he could cook.
Back at his home, he began to make the preparations for the ramen. He decided to make enough for Naruto to join them. As much as he’d love to woo Iruka alone, he knew the man would probably appreciate it more if Naruto was also present.
Grabbing a scroll, he quickly scribbled his mission report. Making sure it was neat, or well, neater than his usual.
Everything was set, now all he needed was to get Iruka to say yes to spending his birthday with him.
_____________
Iruka’s line in the mission room was practically out the door. It was ridiculous. There were some people that didn’t even have a report to turn it!
It also seemed like it was no secret that red was Iruka’s favorite color. Everyone had presents wrapped in red paper. Genma, in particular, held a huge box in his hands. Even though he knew he had something special planned, Kakashi was starting to get nervous. What if this was the year Iruka saw someone’s gift and actually decided to give them his time?
He hung in the back, waiting for the right moment. He was hoping to catch Iruka right before his shift ended. To pass the time, he decided to watch everyone fumble over their words as they gave Iruka his birthday gift.
Iruka didn’t seem overly interested in anything with the exception of Genma’s gift. If Genma happened to trip on Kakashi's foot on his way out the door then that was his own fault for not paying attention to his surroundings.
It was finally nearing the end of Iruka’s shift so he headed into the line. When it was his turn he flashed a big smile toward Iruka, eye squinting in joy.
A little birdie told me it was your birthday today.
“Oh, Kakashi-sensei! Good to see you, yeah my birthday is today.”
“Are you having a good day?”
“Yeah, it’s been pretty good. I’m excited to go home though and just rest.”
Kakashi nodded as he handed Iruka his report, “That makes sense. Well, I was wondering if after your shift you’d allow me to walk you home?”
Iruka’s eyes widened hilariously at the question. “Kakashi-sensei, are you serious?”
“Of course. And I told you, it’s just Kakashi. I’d love nothing more than to make sure you are escorted safely to your next destination so you can get some well-deserved rest.”
He watched in amusement as Iruka seemed to consider it. “Okay, I’d like that…Kakashi.”
“Perfect! It’s a date, I’ll see you in 10 minutes when you get off.” He made sure to raise his voice at the date part. And if he noticed some glares, well that wasn’t his problem.
After his shift, the two of them headed out of the mission room.
“Do you want to know something I find funny, Kakashi?”
“What’s that?”
“It seems that my birthday is the only day you seem to know how to do a full mission report, any reason why that could be?”
Kakashi looked away, scratching the back of his neck. “I have no idea, I guess you just keep getting lucky.”
“Well, it’s always a nice surprise to not have to re-do a report. So, I hope I continue to get lucky in the future.”
Kakashi glanced over at him, “If I have it my way, you’ll be getting lucky in more ways than that on your birthday.”
He instantly thought the comment may have been too much, but it was hard to regret it as he watched the lovely shade of red appear on the other man’s cheeks.
“Where are we going? My house isn’t in this direction.”
“Well, I was hoping we could take the scenic route.”
It wasn’t long before they were in front of the lake. Kakashi had arranged for Naruto (with Sakura and Sasuke’s help) to pick up the cake and the ramen from his place and to set up the picnic under one of the trees.
“Iruka!” Naruto ran up to them, “Look at what we did! It was all Kakashi’s idea, but I was the one who told him what to do! Do you like it?”
Iruka was hugging Naruto but he glanced over at Kakashi. “You did all of this?”
“Happy Birthday, Iruka.” Kakashi smiled.
“Wow, this is. Wow. Is that strawberry cake?”
Kakashi nodded, “It took a village, but I hope you like it.”
“Like it? I love it. This is the best birthday ever.”
Naruto ran back toward the food screaming about how they should eat the cake first.
Iruka walked up to him until he was close enough to whisper.
“I can’t believe you did all of this for me.”
“Maa, it was nothing. Besides, you’re worth it.”
“Hm, you know Hatake, if you keep this up, I won’t be the only one getting lucky tonight.”
Kakashi almost choked, but Iruka just gave him a wink before joining the Naruto on the picnic blanket.
This may not have been his birthday, but Kakashi was still feeling ecstatic.
Take that Genma.