Archive of Our Own

(I don't own any characters etc etc)

The afternoon of September fifth was, all things considered, fairly normal for Kakashi. Team Seven bickered as they trained, the sun was high in the sky and shining brightly, the sky itself was a calm, serene blue. He had his book out, half reading and half watching his genin, and had won a challenge with Gai that morning.

All was fairly normal, until Iruka showed up.

Kakashi looked over at the approaching shinobi, surprised to see him there during academy hours. The genin, it seemed, took it in stride, pausing their training to wave and call out unsurprised greetings that the teacher returned.

“Hello, Kakashi-sensei,” Iruka greeted him with a wide smile. “How are you?”

“Okay,” Kakashi replied, still holding his book. “Is everything okay?”

“It is.”

“Okay,” Kakashi repeated. “Then, what are you doing here?”

“Oh, I was assigned,” Iruka calmly, casually told him, looking at the genin and seemingly studying them.

“What?” Kakashi asked, blinking.

“Yeah, assigned to your team,” Iruka said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, and Kakashi started to see red.

Was someone doubting his ability as a jonin-sensei? Again? Was Iruka trying to tell him what to do? Was he in trouble? Being punished? Pranked? If so, it wasn’t a good prank, the jonin mused, clenching his jaw underneath his mask.

But before he could continue his negative thoughts, Naruto shouted out and interrupted him.

“Happy birthday!”

Kakashi blinked as his anger gave way to surprise and looked at the genin, who had now walked towards the adults.

“What?” Kakashi asked yet again. Honestly, he thought, did he have any other vocabulary today than “what” and “okay”?

“Yeah, I hired Iruka-sensei to work with us instead of you!”

“We did,” Sasuke corrected him, rolling his eyes. “We, not just you,” he said, and Naruto nodded.

“What?” Kakahsi asked for the hundredth time. Or was it millionth?

“Well,” Sakura began, “we know your birthday is sometime this month, and we talked about what to get you for it. We threw around some ideas but none seemed good.”

“Then we thought, why not get you a mission, but we weren't sure what to ask for,” Naruto admitted.

“And an ANBU suggested we hire someone to help you instead, maybe even cover for you,” Sasuke shared.

“I have someone to track down, I see,” Kakshi sighed.

“And then the Hokage helped us figure it out,” Naruto continued. “He helped us decide who it could be, and even gave us a super discount!” he added, before his teammates shushed him.

“Anyway,” Sakura interrupted the blond. “We don’t know when your birthday is, so we just picked a week and it worked out!”

Sasuke nodded. “The academy is on light duty right now, so Iruka-sensei was able to be here.”

Iruka nodded and smiled. “So, here I am!”

They stood in silence for a long moment while Kakashi tried to process it all.

“You’re training them instead of me?” he slowly asked the chuunin, who nodded. “I see. And I get how much time off?” the copy nin asked his students.

“Til the 17th,” they said in unison.

“Okay,” Kakashi said, nodding again, more to himself than anyone else. “Okay! Thanks! See you later!” he added disappearing in the blink of an eye,

“Well that was…unexpected,” Iruka mused.

“Whatever,” Sasuke sighed. “Let’s get back to work.”

__

Kakashi loved his time off, at least initially. He slept in, he ate some mild junk food, he stayed up late reading Jiraiya’s books. He lounged and slept in the sun like his ninken, and even went out for a few meals, because why not?

But, Kakashi being Kakashi, he started to get antsy after the third full day. What was his team up to? What were they doing? What was Iruka like with them?

He wandered the village the next day, telling himself it was to find a good reading nook, and it was coincidence that he happened to find one with a good vantage point of Team Seven.

“I’m just in this nice tree, in the cool shade, reading. They just happen to be training over there,” Kakashi told himself as he took today’s book out. “I can’t really hear them, and they can’t see me…”

But every so often, he would glance up and watch Iruka direct the kids this way and that. They were working on a jutsu today, Kakashi noted, though he wasn’t sure which one. An earth one, perhaps?

The team stopped for lunch an hour later, and Kakashi pulled out his own bento box he had picked up on his walk that morning. It was a coincidence he was having lunch at the same time they were, that was all.

And so what, he thought, if Iruka was fully engaged with the kids the whole time during lunch? That even Sasuke didn’t look bored, and everyone was talking and laughing?

And so what, Kakashi mused, if the kids seemed eager to get back to work after lunch? No dragging of their feet, no dawdling. Or was he the one to usually do that?

He shook his head, no matter. Surely Iruka would hit the same afternoon slump Kakashi always got with his gremlins.

Except….except it didn’t seem so. They still worked at a significant pace, and only stopped for sips of water here and there.

Kakashi started to panic slightly. Was he actually, in fact, being replaced? Would his team want him back? Was Iruka going to be promoted? The four seemed so peaceful together…

Just as he was considering leaving his hiding hole (reading nook, he reminded himself!) the unmistakable sounds of Naruto and Sasuke fighting reached him, music to his ears. No, the music was Iruka shouting at them to stop, and Sakura’s clear exasperation as well. Then Kakashi drank in the sight of the chuunin separating the two boys who were swinging at each other, and the jonin settled back against the tree trunk, a weight off his shoulders.

Maybe some things weren’t changing after all.

___

After that day, Kakashi continued to keep tabs on his team, but only when he happened to come across them in the village itself and not during training. He still kept his distance when he saw the team running errands, walking about, or having meals together.

It was strange, he had to admit, seeing his students walking with Iruka as their team leader. But it also felt…right. He felt warmed by the scene, Iruka so engaged with the kids and listening intently, smiles and laughter from most of them. Sasuke was still stoic as ever, but even seemed a bit less frowny, sometimes smirking more.

Still, Kakashi wanted to know what was happening without waiting for the end report. He trusted Iruka would catch him up on any progress and lesson planning at the end of Kakashi’s time off, but that wasn’t enough for him.

So, while he continued to relax and unwind, alone and with friends, Kakashi began to plan and plot. He “happened” to run into Iruka here and there, inviting the chuunin to walk with him, or to get tea together, or to join him if Iruka came to Ichiraku’s when Kakashi was there, not that the jonin had planned it or anything…

And so, Kakashi would casually inquire about the teacher’s time with the students, not appearing so invested that he cared but just getting glimpses of progress and Iruka’s challenges.

To his surprise, he also just generally enjoyed his time with the other man, who had not let it get to his head that he was now in charge of Team Seven. Some might, Kakashi mused, what with having the jinchuriki and last Uchiha on their team, not to mention being personally approved by the Hokage to replace the Hatake Kakashi. But Iruka was humble, and seemed more thrilled than anything else that he was working with his former students again and seeing their growth first hand.

Eventually, Kakashi’s vacation was over, two days after his friends took him out for a quiet birthday celebration. He formally met with Iruka in Hokage Tower, sitting in a lounge together to go over the ins and outs of the genin’s work. Iruka dutifully wrote his mission report and shared it with the jonin to review, fond expressions on both men’s faces as he did so, even if the teacher couldn’t tell what lay under the jonin’s mask.

So, Team Seven returned to its original Team Seven, and life started to resume once more for the copy nin. The kids fought here and there, Kakashi read while he trained them, and D-rank village missions came in. Nothing seemed amiss, but a few nights after getting his genin back, Kakashi was feeling restless and went for a late evening walk. The village was settling down and darkness was falling over it, and Kakashi started to let the soft noises settle his mind.

Until, that is, he saw three very familiar genin walking together. He frowned slightly, surprised they would be out and about this time of night, for usually Sakura was with her family, Sasuke was home training, and Naruto was doing whatever he did at night.

Kakashi decided to follow them, intrigued to see what they were up to. Meeting with their former classmates, perhaps? All having a bout of nighttime munchies? Doing laundry?

His curiosity increased when the trio went to Hokage Tower, and he stealthily followed them to the missions office, of all places. Maybe, he tried to tell himself, they were asking for a mission for the four of them? Though, why do it themselves and not wait for him?

Kakashi froze when he saw the genin approach Iruka’s desk there without any hesitation, the chuunin smiling warmly as he welcomed them. The teacher immediately took out a scroll and the trio hunched over it, clearly discussing something with Iruka.

Kakashi shrugged, figuring it was just tying up loose ends from their time together, or perhaps coming in themselves for a mission after all, so they could present it to Kakashi?

“That’s what it must be,” he told himself, but the next day, he waited. And waited. And waited. But they made no mention of Iruka, nor of a mission.

This repeated itself over the next three days and nights. The kids would meet up after dinner and go to see Iruka in the missions office, and Kakashi could only follow them and wonder what they were all doing together.

Kakashi’s stomach sank on the fourth night. Was he being replaced, after all, he wondered? The kids had evidence now to show that Kakashi wasn’t good enough of a teacher for them, but would they use it?

Would the Hokage give them to Iruka, Kakashi couldn't help but wonder, and he started to grow angry at the chuunin.

Who did Iruka think he was, waltzing in and taking his kids? The teacher could have said no to the missions request, to the Hokage. Iruka could have…he could have backed out after a day, gotten more help. He could have done anything other than what he did…unless the chuunin had a plan for Team Seven, and everything had fallen into place?

And with that, Kakashi left in a swirl of angry leaves. Iruka looked around to see the source of the sudden burst of angry chakra, frowning when no one else was present.
___

Kakashi thought about what to do, how to handle the situation. Go to the Hokage and confront Sarutobi? Plead his case? Embrace and accept that he would not have a team anymore, and could do whatever missions he wanted?

All of that seemed good, but he had something else to do first, as Kakashi had a certain chuunin to confront. If Iruka was going to take his students away from him, the man had better be prepared to admit it and duke it out. Kakashi would at least agree to not use his chidori…probably…

“Two faced son of a –” Kakashi muttered to himself as he started to plan when, where, and how to confront Iruka. “All smiles and ‘here I am!’ when he’s waiting to stab me in the back. If he wanted his own team he should have quit the academy and gone on with it! Who does he think he is, swooping in and stealing them, building on my progress with them…”

It wasn't long before Kakashi took action, and one night when Iruka was leaving Hokage Tower, Kakashi stepped out from the shadows.

“Oh, hello, Kakashi-sensei,” Iruka warmly greeted him. “How are you?”

“How the hell do you think I am?” Kakashi snapped, noting Iruka’s eyebrows raising.

“What?”

“Don’t act innocent, I don’t have time for it,” Kakashi snarled, advancing and gleefully seeing Iruka slowly back up against the building. A classic mistake if there ever was one.

“Are you feeling okay?” Iruka asked.

“Who do you think you are?” the copy nin continued, ignoring the question. “Stealing my team, taking what’s mine!”

“What?” Iruka asked again, firmly placing his hands, palms down, against the building.

Kakashi wanted to laugh at it all - the teacher was acting like some scared rabbit rather than fight for his honor!

“You heard me.”

“I…you’ve got it all wrong,” Iruka told him, a frown on his face. “That’s not what happened, nor was it ever my intention.”

“As if I’d believe that,” the copy nin snapped. “I hope you had a good dinner, it might be your last meal,” he said, closing the distance between them even more.

Just as Kakashi had slammed his hands on the building on either side of Iruka, he was roughly pulled away and found himself face to face with a cat masked ANBU. Kakashi pushed his friend away but Tenzo put himself between the two shinobi.

“This has nothing to do with you,” Kakashi said in a dangerous, low voice. “It's all with him,” he said, pointing at Iruka, who still had a frown on his face and arms now crossed. Sure, Kakashi thought, it was easy to act tough now that there was an ANBU.

“I don’t know what you’re going on about,” Iruka said. “Can we talk like civilized adults now?”

“Ha, joke’s on you if you think I’m civilized,” Kakashi snorted.

“Or an adult,” Tenzo added. “We’re getting a mediator,” he said, and in the blink of an eye the three appeared in the Hokage’s office, where Sarutobi was clearly expecting them.

He puffed on his pipe as he took it all in. “Well, what’s going on?”

“He’s trying to replace me!” Kakashi snapped, pointing at Iruka. “He was ‘hired’ by my team and is worming his way in to still work with them.”

“He was approved to work with them to give you time off,” Sarutobi agreed, nodding. “Why do you think he’s now replacing you? His mission with Team Seven ended.”

“I saw them with him at the missions office for a few nights now,” Kakashi said, looking at Iruka, who appeared nervous. Kakashi inwardly cheered, victorious he was correct, as unfortunate and bittersweet as that was. “They’re plotting something.”

The Hokage hummed in thought. “Iruka?”

The teacher stepped forward and nodded. “Kakashi-sensei isn’t incorrect, not entirely,” he admitted.

“Ha!” Kakashi cheered.

“But it’s also not what he thinks it is,” Iruka said, looking at the copy nin.

“What?” Kakashi asked before he could stop himself.

Iruka nodded. “The kids wanted to take him out for a meal for his birthday, as another gift,” he began, and Kakashi froze. “They wanted to go somewhere nice, really treat him. I told them if they worked a few hours a night at the missions office they could get paid, to help them earn money for it without interfering with their training with him during the day.”

The room was silent. Sarutobi nodded as he smoked, Iruka watched Kakashi, and Tenzo was practically vibrating from keeping laughter in.

As for Kakashi, well, he didn't know what to think.

“Really?” he asked in a pitifully small voice, and Iruka nodded.

“Well, it seems like this was easily resolved,” Sarutobi cheerfully observed, though Kakashi barely registered it, so overwhelmed by the unexpected information. “Thank you, Iruka, for your service to Konoha and its residents.”

Iruka bowed. “My pleasure, Hokage-sama,” he said, exiting the office after his clear dismissal.

Kakashi swallowed nervously as he turned to the Hokage, who was watching him with an unreadable look.

“Is everything okay, Kakashi?” Sarutobi asked, concerned. Kakashi nodded silently. “Are you sure?” Another nod.

The room fell into silence for a moment.

“Sometimes we project our own insecurities on others, and can make incorrect determinations as a result. Jump to conclusions, if you will,” Sarutobi offered. Kakashi sighed and nodded. “It’s rather unlike you to do so.”

The copy nin shrugged. “I don’t have a good answer, Hokage-sama,” he embarrassedly admitted. “Perhaps I get too watchful over my team.”

“The very team you fought to not have, to fail, even,” the older man mused, a smile on his face. “Yet now you’re protective of them. How interesting, how you’ve grown.” He paused. “Please, keep it up, just have full evidence before you take action, hmm?”

The copy nin nodded and Sarutobi dismissed him with a cheerful goodnight.

Kakashi finally left the office and sighed, knowing he had a mess to clean up. He found Tenzo in the hallway, leaning against the wall across from the office still in full ANBU gear, arms crossed.

“Don’t,” Kakashi sighed, shaking his head. “Just, don’t.”

“Good thing Umino let us know something was up, otherwise you might have killed him all over a dinner invitation,” Tenzo casually commented.

“Yeah, well, I’m pretty sure you were the ANBU to help my team plan all this anyway, so I owe you a thanks too,” Kakashi sarcastically spat out.

Tenzo shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. What will you do to make it up to him?”

“To who?”

Kakashi could practically hear his friend roll his eyes. “To Umino.”

“What?”

“You did accuse him of quite a lot, what will you do?”

“I don’t know," Kakashi said, walking away. “I’m tired, I’ll catch you around.”

And he jutsued straight home, flopping into bed once his sandals and leg bindings were off, not bothering to change out of his uniform. His mind was racing and reeling this way and that.

Iruka hadn’t been trying to usurp him or steal his team? He was trying to help them? His team wanted to give him another gift for his birthday? And were actually working together and putting real effort and planning into it? Not to mention giving up time off for it?

And Iruka hadn't been the scared, incompetent rabbit Kakashi had thought when he confronted him at the building, thinking of Tenzo’s words? No, when Iruka had his hands against the wall, he was sending chakra into the seals and wards, clearly telling the guards there that something was amiss outside. Not worried and scared, but cool, calm, and collected.

“He’s even more competent than I thought!” Kakashi sighed, covering his face with a pillow.

Thoughts of how steadfast Iruka looked when confronted turned to warm smiles from the brunette and warmer laughter when they had shared meals and tea together when Iruka was with Team Seven, when he and Kakashi met here and there, trading stories and gossip.

Kakashi felt himself relax at the memories, recalling his time with Iruka and how much he enjoyed it.

“And then I go and ruin my interactions with him by nearly killing him and making false accusations,” Kakashi groaned. “I don’t know what to do, except to hide…”

___

So, Kakashi hid. He took a solo mission, just three days long, telling himself that it was best for everyone. He got time away to lick his wounds, Iruka was safe away from him, and the kids had all that time to earn more money, if they wanted to.

Not that Kakashi deserved to be treated for his birthday, he mused as he hiked. He wondered how they had even found out his birthday was nearing, and figured it was Genma or Asuma letting it slip. Perhaps even he Hokage, since Sarutobi seemed to have spare time on his hands while running a village to help Team Seven…

Kakashi sighed; he didn't like birthdays, for himself at least, and that was all the truer this year.

“Maybe they won’t take me out, maybe Iruka will tell them what I did. Or the Hokage will. Or I will…” Kakashi thought. But then he couldn't help but think of when his own sensei had shared of the importance of showing people you care, and that if his own students wanted to take him out, Kakashi knew he should let them, even if he didn’t feel worthy of it.

The copy nin returned in the early evening of the third day, and went to give his report to the Hokage, who thanked him for his service and suggested he not leave the village for a few days, offering a knowing smile.

Kakashi nodded, and slowly walked out of the building, peering into the missions office. There, Iruka was at his desk, and Team Seven were nearby sorting scrolls.

Iruka looked up even though the jonin hadn’t entered or made any noise, and looked at him with an indecipherable look, raising an eyebrow. Kakashi looked back, and a moment later Iruka jerked his head to the left, where there was a lounge. Kakashi nodded and went there, making himself a cup of decaf coffee.

His genin came in a few moments later, chattering that they “happened” to have stopped by the missions office to review a previous mission report and had learned “from someone” that Kakashi was back.

He dutifully played along, not that they knew, and the kids checked in on his health and wellness. Once he shared that he was fine, just tired, they suggested that they train in the afternoon the next day, “and into the evening,” and Kakashi agreed.

“Definitely until, like eight o’clock,” Sakura told him, and he nodded.

The genin left soon after, and Kakashi stayed behind for a few moments, letting them get away without worrying about him catching onto anything.

He made a second cup of coffee and went to the missions office, passing it to Iruka, who accepted it with a quiet thanks.

“Sorry,” Kakashi said. “For accusing you and thinking you were up to no good.”

Iruka shrugged slightly stiffly. “It happens, I suppose. Looking back, I guess it made sense you might think that.”

Kakashi nodded, unsure of what else to say. “Thanks, for helping them.”

That, fortunately, earned a small but genuine smile from the other man, and Kakashi basked in it, even if it wasn’t directed at him.

“They’re good kids, it was my pleasure,” Iruka said.

Kakashi nodded, and was rescued by several shinobi coming in, including another missions office worker and others turning in reports. He waved at Iruka as he left, and glanced back just outside the door, watching Iruka help someone else.

Kakashi sighed, knowing he still needed, wanted, to do something more to make amends.

____

The next day Kakashi went to the memorial stone in the morning and updated his friends there, having avoided doing so since That Night.

“I know you’re all laughing at my stupidity,” he sighed. “I hope to make it up to him, really. He’s…nice, too nice for the likes of my sorry butt. I don’t know what to do, I don’t know what would help if I was in his position. Any thoughts, anyone?”

After, Kakashi meandered the village lost in thought until it was time to meet his team, only showing up slightly late today. Not that the kids minded, it seemed, and they resumed training from before he left for his mission.

As they had met after lunch, they trained until dinnertime, and Kakashi pretended to not notice the genin seemed focused on the time.

At six fifteen, the three suddenly proclaimed they were “very hungry” and told Kakashi they should all grab dinner. He agreed, walking behind them as they left the training ground and started off around the village.

He pretended to be confused when they went to a nice barbeque restaurant, and even more so when they had a reservation for six thirty.

“What’s all this?” Kakashi asked, appearing to be surprised and still confused. “We never have reservations.”

“Happy birthday!” the genin told him.

“We wanted to take you out for it,” Sakura said.

“Even though we already got you time off,” Sasuke added.

“Well, thank you,” he said, giving them an eye smile. “This is a wonderful surprise.”

“Good, let’s think of what to order, I’m starving!” Naruto shouted.

Kakashi let them do most of the ordering, adding a few items so that they knew he was truly invested in it. He couldn't help but feel saddened that the table was for only four people, as while they ate he kept thinking that really, there should be a fifth.

Iruka should be with them, Kakashi thought to himself, seeing as the teacher had helped the kids to plan this and earn money for it. Hell, the teacher probably helped them pick the restaurant and made sure they had a reservation, he sighed to himself.

The food was great, the kids kept him entertained with tall tales from training with other rookie teams while he was gone, and Kakashi shared some of his own they hadn’t heard. At the end, a small cake was brought out with candles, and the kids sang happy birthday.

“Make a wish!” Sakura and Naruto reminded him.

Kakashi considered it. “I have a good team and my health, I don’t know what else to wish for.”

“Lame,” Sasuke snorted.

Kakashi shrugged, before a thought came to him and he blew the candle out.

They had tea and cake, and the staff boxed up the remaining cake, about two pieces’ worth. The kids naturally insisted he take it, and he thanked them again at the end as they stood outside.

“This was really kind and thoughtful, I’m appreciative and touched,” Kakashi said as he bowed, to their surprise. “Thank you.”

“Ah, don’t get mushy on us,” Sasuke said, shuffling in place. “It was nothing.”

“Are you kidding?” Naruto snapped. “We worked and worked and –”

“Shut up!” Sakura snapped before smiling sweetly at Kakashi. “Happy birthday, Kakashi-sensei.”

“It’s a bit later than we usually end,” Kakashi mused. “Why don't we take tomorrow off? See you the next day?”

The kids cheered and they went their separate ways. Kakashi started to walk and looked down at the box of cake, a plan coming to mind.

He changed course and went to Hokage Tower, pleased to find Iruka in the missions office working alone.

Iruka warily greeted him, and Kakashi put the box on his desk. The teacher raised an eyebrow.

“What’s this?”

“Birthday cake,” Kakashi said. “The kids took me out for a meal and I thought that since you helped them so much, you should have some cake too. Sorry you couldn't join us.”

Iruka offered a small smile and shrug. “They invited me but I said I had to work here. Seemed best for everyone.”

Kakashi nodded, reading underneath the underneath.

“Well, will you join me for cake and tea?” Kakashi asked, feeling nervous as he waited for a response. Was Iruka still mad at him? Would he say no?

Iruka seemed to deliberate it as well, but the cake appeared to win him over.

“If you insist,” he slowly said, and Kakashi nodded. Iruka smiled, and Kakashi sighed in relief. “Then sure, thanks.”

They made tea and sat together eating cake, Kakashi pushing the bigger piece onto Iruka. Not one to pass on sweets, Iruka didn’t fight it, and initial slightly tense small talk turned into more casual and comfortable discussion as had happened in the past.

“Again, sorry about, well, everything,” Kakashi said as they cleaned up. “I was a jerk.”

“Yeah, you were. But I think it’s kind of nice that you care so much about them,” Iruka said, pausing as the next shift came to relieve him. A few minutes later and the two men walked out of the missions office to exit the tower.

“I mean, I don’t know I care about them,” Kakashi mused, clearing his throat. “They’re okay.”

“You like them, you have a soft spot for them.” Iruka teased, grinning. “You care so much you were willing to fight me to keep them.”

“I mean,” Kakashi began again, running a hand through his grey hair as they stepped outside. “I suppose I have an obligation to them,” he weakly added.

“Uh huh, sure,” Iruka laughed. “Hey, we're back in the same spot as that night. Did you want to show off again or anything?”

Kakashi sighed. “No,” he blandly replied. “By the way, that was impressive.”

“What?”

“Getting in touch with ANBU as you did.”

“Oh, that,” Iruka said, scratching the scar on his nose. “Well, I didn’t want to die that night and leave someone else to take Naruto out for ramen.”

“I wasn’t going to kill you, just rough you up a little.”

“Even better, wow,” Iruka sarcastically replied. “You know, all this talk about your birthday, and I didn’t get you anything,” he said, changing the topic.

“Oh, I suppose,” Kakashi mused. “You did help my team, so that’s something,” he offered, though he couldn’t lie and say he wasn’t intrigued by Iruka’s comment. Would the teacher offer something?

“How about we spar?” Iruka posed.

“What?” the jonin asked, for that was the last thing he would have expected.

“Yeah,” Iruka said, shrugging. “It seemed like you were looking for a fight that night.”

“I guess, but…”

“So let’s do it. Tomorrow?”

“Sure. Nine in the morning?”

Iruka agreed and as they parted ways, Kakashi couldn’t help but think that he could invite the teacher out to lunch after they trained, and fell asleep eager for the next day.

Later that day, Kakashi watched Iruka on his back on the ground, breathing deeply, but not in an Icha Icha way. No, more like in an exhausted to the bone way after they had sparred for a few hours.

“I’m done,” Iruka wheezed. “I don’t know if I can do any more.”

Kakashi laughed and helped him stand. “You put up a valiant effort, I just had more energy, I think.”

“From what?”

“Cake,” Kakashi told him with an eye smile. “I had two pieces last night. I guess it’s birthday power, or as Gai might say, the power of youth?”

Really, it was excitement over training with Iruka and wanting to be the very best version of himself, as well as a soldier pill. But Kakashi wasn’t going to admit to any of that, ever…

Iruka snorted. “Sure, yet you’re older than me.”

“Ah, don’t rub it in,” Kakashi sighed. “You’ll make me feel old. Anyway, what do I get as a reward?”

Iruka paused from dusting himself off and looked at him in surprise. “What?”

“Yeah, I won our sparring sessions, what’s my prize?”

“Uh…I thought this was all your gift?”

“Gift, yes. Prize, no.”

Iruka pursed his lips. “What do you want? I could take the team again to give you a break,” he suggested.

“Lunch,” Kakashi quickly told him.

“What?”

“Lunch, with you. Now.”

“Okay,” Iruka agreed, nodding.

“And then a walk.”

“Oh, okay,” the teacher said, surprised, and they began to leave the training ground.

“And tea. And finding somewhere to relax, maybe read or nap,” Kakashi continued. “Then we could go get groceries and I could make us dinner,” he added as they walked.

“That sounds like quite the day,” Iruka laughed.

“Yes,” Kakashi bluntly agreed.

“Almost like a…” Iruka paused, trailing off.

“A what?”

“Never mind, nothing,” the chuunin murmured, and they walked in silence for a few minutes.

“Like a date?” Kakashi quietly asked, glancing at the other man.

“Yes,” Iruka softly agreed.

“Would you say no?” the jonin asked, and Iruka looked at him.

“I’d say I was surprised since not long ago you wanted my head served to the Hokage for possibly stealing your team.” Iruka paused. “Is this a prank?”

“No.”

“You sure?”

“I’m sure that I overreacted,” Kakashi sighed. “And that I’ll try to not do it again. But I’m also sure that I want to spend the rest of the day together, in a date kind of way. If you’re interested.”

Iruka smiled. “In that case, then yes. So, lunch, a walk, tea, relax, grocery shop, and dinner, cooked by you,” he reviewed, nodding. “Then maybe watch a movie, or another walk,” he suggested, and it was Kakashi’s turn to nod. “That’s quite the reward,” Iruka laughed.

“Well, you could cash it all in for a kiss at the end,” Kakashi suggested, summoning the spirit of Icha Icha. “Sparring was a gift, the rest is a date, the kiss is my reward.”

Iruka laughed again. “I suppose that’s all fair, and quite thought out,” he agreed, before glancing around. Figuring the coast was clear, he leaned in and kissed Kakashi’s masked cheek as the man’s lone eye widened. “Seeing as it’s for your birthday, you can have two kisses,” he posed. “Now, where do you want to have lunch?”

“Anywhere you want,” Kakashi breathlessly said. “Or we can skip to the goodnight kiss?”

Iruka laughed and took his hand to lead him down the next street. “I’ll think about it, but for now, I’m starving.”