Missed Opportunities

Missed Opportunities

WARNINGS: Cursing; yaoi; allusions to m/m sex; mild angst

888



Iruka swallowed looking out at the hot springs. He could do this. It wasn’t like ‘he’ was the only one in there. Shikaku, Inoichi, and Shibi were also present. Swallowing Iruka turned to go back to dress, he couldn’t do it. Had ‘he’ not been in there Iruka would have joined the others but Iruka was sure he would embarrass himself if he went into the water now. He was tip toeing back toward the showers when his face turned red as a tomato. He really did need to put a muzzle on that kid.



“Iruka-sensei!!” Naruto hollered coming out of the showers with Shikamaru pushing him.



“Move Naruto, I’m not going to stand here in a towel all day.” He muttered a vague ‘troublesome’ as he passed us.



“Are you coming into the pool too?” Naruto grinned. He was always glad to see me and it lightened my heart a little. Of course the Nara brat outted me and I sighed, if the others hadn’t heard Naruto’s yell they had definitely heard Shikamaru telling them that Naruto caught me on my way in. That kid had to know my secret. He spent far too much time in the office these days thanks to his giant genius stupid brain.



“Iruka!” Three of the four jounin called him in.



“I guess I am, Naruto. Let’s go.” He smiled nervously but moved to the water. Iruka did his very best not to blush as he slid into the water lifting the towel only seconds before the water touched it. He sat trying to relax. Eventually he closed his eyes and listened to the stories being traded. He even smiled at a few of Naruto’s, chuckling when Shikamaru told the truthful version of the same story. Eventually the others started to leave and Iruka sighed as silence came over the pool. This was what he loved, being alone in the hot soothing waters with just the bubbling waters and crickets.



Of course his mind finally moved to its favorite subject to fantasize about. The rumors of his prowess in bed were everywhere and if he’d really slept with everyone who claimed to know how talented he was, Iruka didn’t think he would have time for missions. Of course Hatake was late to everything so maybe he was getting to half of those people. Shaking his head Iruka sighed a frown tugging his lips. Not that it mattered really. All of the people who seemed to have any truth to their descriptions had one thing in common they had something unique about them. Kakashi was a collector of sorts. It was also no secret that his last relationship had been in his ANBU days with Itachi Uchiha who was not only unique but beautiful.



Iruka was just Iruka. Plain Iruka, there was nothing unique about him. He never surpassed Chunin, he taught school, and worked in the Hokage’s office. He was a background character in the story of his own life. Letting a sad sort ofnoise out Iruka pulled his pony tail down and sunk under the water before coming back up and blinking the water out of his face. Relaxing back against the rocks once more he allowed his body to float in the bubbling waters. He had to stop that train of thought or he’d end up at his apartment crying into his tea at his sad lonely life which was just more then he could take. He should date, he should accept one of the offers he’d gotten. He hated dates, they usually ended in him allowing the man who would ask him out to go too far and leave before Iruka woke that morning. It was unfulfilling and humiliating when the man would smile and collect his assignments as if nothing had ever happened. Not that he could blame them if the situation were reversed he would likely question the honor or intentions of such a man. In the end Iruka believed he had no one but himself to blame for his current situation. Yes, that’s what he would do he would accept a date and NOT give into his body’s needs. He would pursue a relationship with someone. Of course he had no desire to have anything with anyone who was not the positively breathtaking Kakashi Hatike. The ninja teased him relentlessly, his good eye always held a smile, and despite being a complete pervert or perhaps because he was a complete pervert he had the air of a man who knew exactly how to make a man happy.



A smile drifted over his face. He could only imagine the things that man could do with his hands. He knew from various occasion of having seen the jounin shirtless that his body was fit with a slight tan. Iruka wondered if he had tan lines and blushed. There had been many scars on his torso and Iruka had to sit on his hands not to touch and kiss them learning each one. He couldn’t help but wonder what lay beneath that mask. If his lover’s were to be believed the only time he removed it was to shower and in bed. Another sad frown marred his face, he would never know but maybe he would let Kaiuske take him out. The ninja had been asking almost every week and every time Iruka had politely requested a rain check.



88



Kakashi closed his book because the steam was getting to it. Once the others had abandoned the spring and a quiet had fallen over the area he’d relaxed finally. When he’d heard that Iruka was joining them he’d come close to excusing himself but knew his sudden departure would be noticed. Since the teacher had seated himself at the farthest end of the pool and Naruto was there to block the sounds of the other ninja Kakashi had decided it was safe enough. He’d assumed that Iruka had left as he’d come, with Naruto. It wasn’t until he looked up that he noticed the chunin was still present.



The silver haired man watched fascinated by the looks that fell over his face. The brunette was adorably expressive. He remembered the day of decision for the chunin exams. It was rare for anyone to argue with him when he’d made a decision. Kakashi hadn’t meant to but he’d begun teasing the younger man and grown to savor the blushes that followed his suggestive comments. His one good eye widened when the pony tail came out and the mousy brown fell to his shoulders. It was beautiful. There was no other word for it.



Unfortunately he’d heard a conversation earlier between two fellow ninja. One had been asking the chunin out every week now for a month but each time been given a rain check. He’d insisted that Iruka had better be a good enough lay to be worth such hassle. To his horror the other man had insisted that the sweet man was. With a pricey meal and enough sake Iruke took only a little kissing and petting before walking him home. The ninja who seemed to have knowledge of Iruka that was starting to give Kakashi violent thoughts instructed his friend to be sure to make the goodnight kiss deep and press the man into the door and open it, from there Iruka would tumble them inside and into bed. The best part Kakashi learned from the soon to be injured ninja was that the next day Iruka would give a few hopeful looks but quickly realize the truth of what the night had been and never say anything or act as if it were a big deal. The two had not been able to continue their conversation as a well placed paper bomb had knocked them both unconscious and only mildly injured.



Kakashi had been in quite a fury when the other jounin had found him and convinced him what he needed was a trip to the springs. They’d talked about students and children and laughed when Kakashi had mentioned that Naruto was going to be the death of him. Adding that he had no idea how Iruka had managed the wild ninja. Of all the people to answer he hadn’t expected Shikaku to respond that Iruka had infinite patients that the man was one of his wife’s few friends. The two other ninja agreed that Iruka was a great friend and a good ninja. Shibi had informed the group that his wife had been trying to fix the chunin up with her younger brother for months but he always bowed out. Inoichi growled stating quite firmly that there were too many careless ninja who didn’t realize their actions were hurtful. Again a round of agreement had gone up and as the conversation continued Kakashi learned that many of the jounin played guard dog against the less reputable ninja who had traded stories of their evenings with Umino to friends. Anyone with caring eyes could see how each failed date and subsequent behavior as if nothing had happened chipped away at the already damaged self worth of the younger man. However none of them knew how to approach the man about it and so instead they just tried to warn off anyone who might further hurt the man who helped turn their children into fine ninja.



When Iruka had come back up from under the water, hair wet, water falling off the beautifully chiseled chest Kakashi had swallowed and his hands had fisted because he’d wanted to touch. A few moments later he watched as more of that amazing physique was literally floated into his view and immediately pulled his head band up. No he had no right to capture that sight but he wasn’t stupid enough not to take advantage. He was also very sure the brunette had no clue he still had company. Once more the emotions passed over Iruka’s face and his heart tugged when the sad smile returned and this time it stayed.



Suddenly Kakashi hated that look. It didn’t belong on Iruka’s face. No Iruka should smile and blush and rage but he should never look so sad. He hated who ever had put that look on the teachers face. Without instruction his body moved until it was right next to Iruka’s and he let his thumb caress the scar over Iruka’s nose.



“AH!!” Iruka jerked hitting his head and winced, sitting up. “Ow! Ow! Don’t you have any manners?” His eyes opened and widened before he blushed blinking. Oh Kami he’d been there just floating in the water for the whole world, no worse for Kakashi to see. “Kakashi-sensei I didn’t realize you were still here. I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have ever… mwahmwwa…” Chuckling Kakashi did the only thing he could think of to do, he kissed the smaller man. Much to his surprise and pleasure Iruka returned the kiss and was quite good at it.



“You should never frown, Iruka you are far too beautiful to let such a thing on your face. You should stop calling me sensei I am not your teacher…” He cocked a brow at the brunette suggestively adding. “Unless you want me to be.” He felt immense pleasure at the blush that colored Iruka’s face.



“Hatake-san that is… thank you. That is very kind of you to say. Ahhh…” His eyes fluttered shut as Kakashi’s fingers gently ran through his hair. “Cheat.” He muttered as he shivered.



“My name is Kakashi as you well know Iruka.” He glanced around and the brow above his black eye raised. “Shall we take this conversation somewhere more appropriate?” He filed away the reaction Iruka had to fingers in his hair for later.



Flushing once more Iruka nodded, “I’ll follow in a moment.” He first needed to get control of his body before he embarrassed himself.



Chuckling Kakashi moved into Iruka’s space. “I have a similar problem. No need to be embarrassed. Would you like me to walk you home?” Iruka nodded and got out wrapping a towel around his waist still flushing, being sure to use the cold water when he rinsed off before dressing.



Biting his lip Iruka looked at Kakashi. “I haven’t had dinner yet…”



“No.” Kakashi cut the younger man off. “There will be no dinner or sake Iruka. I am going to walk you home.” He felt that same tug at his heart when Iruka nodded as if he were struggling with something. They walked to his small apartment and on the doorstep Iruka unlocked the door, then Kakashi watched slightly confused as the brunette hesitated and turned back to him.



“Would you like to come in, Kakashi?” The air left Kakashi’s lungs at the look of desperation in Iruka’s eyes. They were searching his face for a sign of something and when they didn’t find whatever they were looking for, the brunette turned away. “I have some lovely green tea but maybe another time.” Blinking the copy-nin was shocked at how quickly the chunin moved and slammed his door shut and flicked the lock.



Scratching the back of his head Kakashi couldn’t shake the feeling he’d just screwed up. He was fairly sure he’d done the right things. He hadn’t felt the other man up, he hadn’t leered, he’d avoided the pratfalls of dinner and sake which he knew would lead to Iruka’s bed, and yet he’d nearly had his nose taken off by the door. “Damn.” He just hoped Iruka would still talk to him in the morning.



On the other side of the door Iruka swallowed over and over as panic rose in his throat. What had he done? He had made a fool of himself in front of his crush. He as too old for crushes and he was being foolish. Kakashi always teased him. He was a playful silly game for the silver haired man. He’d made a fool of himself and now hoped he’d covered well enough that Kakashi wouldn’t bring it up again. Just to be safe he would offer to take Kaiuske up on his rain check if he was still interested. If not he was sure word would get around that he was free that night and he would get an offer for a drink if nothing more promising.





please leave feedback. I've never really written this pairing before.