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The first time Kakashi saw Iruka, he was spellbound.
He was on patrol for ANBU, watching a sparring class from the branches of a nearby tree, mentally correcting the postures of several of the young students.
And then one caught his eye.
Sun kissed skin, curious eyes and a scar that ran across the bridge of his nose.
Kakashi leaned forward a bit, to examine the other boy a little closely.
Was this a crush?
Was this how O-
He cut himself off before he could finish that thought.
The other boy managed to defeat his opponent with ease, before moving back to the edge of the training ground, away from everyone else.
And then he looked up at the branch where Kakashi was, eyes locking onto him as though he could actually see him.
Had he made a noise? Had he given his position away?
“Hello?” The younger boy whispered, still looking up at him, “Hello? Is someone there?”
Kakashi just about managed to stop himself from calling back, watching as the young boy was called back to spar again.
“Iruka! Stop daydreaming!”
Iruka… so that was his name.
All too soon, the class was over, and the students went to leave, not realising that there was an ANBU agents following them on behind. From his position from the branches though, it was clear that Iruka didn’t seem to have any friends, the other children running on ahead of him.
“I know you’re there.” Iruka’s eyes were on the children leaving, but Kakashi knew he was talking to him, “I hope you’re not a pervert or anything, otherwise Ito-Sensei is never going to let us train out here again.”
Kakashi couldn’t hold back the chuckle, tensing when Iruka looked over in his direction for a moment.
“Alright then.” Iruka didn’t seem overly disappointed, giving the general are a wave, “Sense you tomorrow!”
And then he was gone, and Kakashi felt…. Different.
Warm and happy… any tiredness that he was feeling, completely dissipated.
He needed to know more.
…………………………………………………………….
He could have cursed when he was given a patrol away from the Academy, hoping that his displeased nod was enough to convey just how unhappy he was with the situation.
“It’s just for one week.” The Third Hokage sighed, thinking that he was merely annoyed with the fact that it was change, “Then I'll put you back on your usual route, understood.”
He nodded, bowing before the Hokage waved him off.
One week.
He could do this.
…....................................................................
He nearly managed it.
Around five days after the change, he was set upon by enemy ninja on the outskirts of the village, and whilst he managed to take care of them relatively recently, one managed to get him right in the side.
He made it a couple of streets into the village, before resting against a nearby, alley wall and slumping to the ground.
“Fuck.” He sighed, pulling his hand away from the wound for a bit, wincing at the amount of blood that was there.
“Hello?”
Kakashi’s head shot up to see a familiar figure standing over him, concern in their eyes.
“We should get you to the hospital!”
“I’m fine.” He grunted.
“You’re bleeding!” Iruka knelt in front of him, hands hovering over the wound, “I-I don’t know any good healing jutsu!”
“I’ll be fine.” Slowly, Kakashi pushed himself to his feet, silently cursing the fact that this was the first time Iruka was seeing him properly, and he looked like this.
“You can’t just walk away!” Iruka grabbed him before he could even take one step, “You’re bleeding!”
“It’s a little scratch!”
“No, it’s not!” Iruka glanced around, “You’re ANBU right?”
“… You’re not meant to know about us.”
“I have tea in Hokage-sama’s office every so often.” Iruka scratched at the scar on his nose a little sheepishly, “There’s always an ANBU guard there, even if I’m not meant to see them.”
“You… have tea… with the Hokage?”
Iruka looked away a little nervously, looking up into the branches and seemingly deserted window ledges.
“Aren’t there any more ANBU hanging around that can- “Iruka yelped as one such agent dropped down in front of him.
“Hound.” Hawk sounded disapproving, “What happened?”
“An unexpected complication.”
“Hound?” Iruka frowned, “That’s your name?”
“That’s all you get to know.” Hawk snapped at the teen, who flinched back for a second, only to straighten up with a scowl, “Go on. Get on home. I’ll take it from here.”
As Hawk carried him away, Kakashi fought to get one last look at Iruka, frowning at the look on the teen’s face.
He almost looked worried.
For Kakashi?
It had been a long time since anyone had worried about him.
“My heart feels funny.” He mumbled to Hawk, “I think it’s love.”
“It’s blood loss.”
“True love!”
“Definitely blood loss.”