Square the circle

AN: Thank you tovah for reviewing. So here's more for you :)

You who read my Forbidden fic know that I'm a fast updater, so check for updates daily.

Slowly getting there...

Beta read by Juxtathought. And doesn't it look so much better?!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

The clock in the kitchen was steadily ticking towards five pm. Iruka had spent the last two days feverishly cleaning his apartment and finally it was looking decent, in his opinion. He had just showered and was dressing himself in black trousers, not too formal but not too casual, and a blue pullover. His hair was still moist as he pulled it up in a ponytail.

It’s growing too long and I should have it cut, Iruka thought as he looked at himself from a mirror. Then he spotted a stray sock under his bed and hurried to throw it in his now empty laundry basket. It looked lonely, one black sock in a white basket. He walked around the apartment checking and double checking that everything was in place. Music, we should have music, right? he thought and let his eyes wander across the backs of his CDs. Nothing seemed right so he turned the radio on. It played slow and moody music, which was okay—not too romantic and not too disturbing. He looked nervously at the clock; it was ten minutes after five. Kakashi was late, as usual. Iruka went to the kitchen and opened a bottle of nice red wine and poured a bit into his glass. The deep red liquid glittered as Iruka breathed in its full scent and sipped. It was sweet, but not too sweet, good wine. He put the bottle on the table to let it breathe a while.

The time was already half past five when there was a knock on the door. Iruka took a of couple deep breaths before answering it, trying not to look too enthusiastic.

"Hi." said Kakashi, trying to keep the things in his hands from falling. Iruka took two plastic bags from Kakashi, showed him inside, and decided not to be angry for the man being late.

"Welcome, and merry Christmas." said Iruka with smile.

Kakashi smiled back, stripping off his jacket and shoes. As Iruka emptied the bags in the kitchen, the wonderful scent of food wafted in the air.

"It sure smells nice." Iruka commented. There were two more bottles of wine in the bags Kakashi had brought. Iruka blinked at how much Kakashi planned to drink and then scolded himself—how could Kakashi have known that he too had bought wine? Kakashi was looking around Iruka's small apartment. He inspected all the photographs Iruka had on his shelves, checked his books and CDs, and he even took a round in his bedroom. A bit nosy, thought Iruka, but he didn't say anything to Kakashi. He was determined to have a nice dinner and wasn't about to ruin it by picking a fight.

"You have a nice apartment." Kakashi said and Iruka thanked him. Iruka set the table and asked Kakashi to join him in the kitchen. The small kitchen table was full of food, and the delicious aromas made Iruka's stomach rumble.

The food was absolutely delicious. Iruka enjoyed every piece of it. He had eaten almost half of his food before noticing that Kakashi hadn't even touched his own. Still, somehow Kakashi's wineglass had emptied. Iruka poured more wine into Kakashi's glass.

"Why haven't you eaten?" asked Iruka.

"I'm just not hungry." answered Kakashi casually.

"You know, you asked me to have dinner with you and it includes you eating as well."

"Maybe later, I'm not hungry now." Kakashi repeated, like it was the most natural thing to do in this situation. Then it hit Iruka, Kakashi still had his mask on and it seemed like he wasn't going to take it off anytime soon.

"If it is because you don't want to take your mask off, I could promise not to look at you. Although it would be kind of weird to eat and talk with someone without looking at them."

"No, it's alright, I can eat later."

"No, you can't." stated Iruka. "From now on, I will keep my eyes on my dinner and you will lower your mask and eat or we are done with this dinner." Iruka startled at his own determination, but it seemed the only way to get the jonin to eat.

Soon after, Iruka heard Kakashi sigh in surrender and start to eat. He smiled to himself, the years spent teaching paid off in these types of situations.

"This really is good. Where did you learn to cook like this?" Iruka asked.

"My mom taught me when I was still a kid. She was a great cook." There was a bit of sadness in his voice, though its roots were buried in the distant past, worn by the passing of years. It lingered in the air just for a moment and then it was gone.

"Your choice of wine is excellent." complemented Kakashi.

"Thank you. Would you like some more?" Iruka offered and poured more for both of them.

The mood was warm and friendly. Iruka was feeling somewhat chipper from the wine, and the company wasn't bad either. They finished their dinner and Iruka cleaned the table. They had opened a second bottle of wine and were sitting around the kitchen table. Iruka never noticed when Kakashi sipped his wine, but somehow it vanished from his glass. Both of them were relaxing and most of the tension was gone. Kakashi hadn't made any rude remarks, which made Iruka happy. Tthe evening seemed to be successful after all. They didn't have much to talk about except work, and Iruka had had enough about work.

"Have you heard anything from Naruto?" asked Iruka. There was a slight shift in Kakashi's expression. Iruka couldn't read it, but he was sure that if the man gave that much away with just one of his eyes showing, then he must be easily read when he didn't have his mask on or his hitai-ate hanging over his left eye.

"Not much—just that he's doing alright and they won't be heading back to Konoha for awhile." Kakashi stated in an indifferent voice.

"He's growing up so fast." Iruka sighed.

"Yes, he is." answered Kakashi, and this time Iruka noticed that the subject wasn't something Kakashi wanted to chat about. In a way it was easy to understand—after all, looking after the youngsters was Kakashi's job.

"Do you have special plans for the rest of the holidays?" Iruka asked to change the subject.

Kakashi's black eye shot to him and he seemed to be considering the question. "No, nothing special. You?" Kakashi answered.

"Me neither. I planned to rent some movies and just relax." said Iruka and sipped more wine.

"Movie sounds nice. Mind if I join you?" asked Kakashi casually.

"Sure, why not." Iruka replied without thinking.

Soon the second bottle was consumed and they were just laughing at Asuma and how he tried to keep his involvement with Kurenai to himself, but it was obviously a public secret. Iruka was feeling a bit glassy eyed. He looked at Kakashi and started to wonder what the man looked like under the mask. People said that he was handsome, and so it would seem by the features that showed through the thin fabric, but he still wanted to see with his own eyes. Without thinking too much he lifted his hand to pull the mask down. He had his finger under the edge of the black mask when Kakashi's hand stopped him.

"Why don't you show me your face?" asked Iruka pouting.

Kakshi didn't answer, he just looked deep in Iruka's eyes. They were sitting close and Iruka was plotting an ambush to remove the mask. He knew that as a chunin he normally wouldn’t have a chance at ambushing Kakashi, the greatest jonin in the villallge...but maybe if he lulled him into a false sense of security...and wastedness...

Slowly he pulled his hand back and poured some more wine. He started to chat about the happenings in the village as if nothing had happened. For a while Kakashi seemed watchful, but soon enough he relaxed again. Iruka waited for a good opening before he jumped Kakashi. They fell on the floor with Iruka on top of Kakashi, hands clenched in his mask, about to pull it off. He could see his victory inches away when, suddenly, he felt the strong arms around him. The second he yanked the mask away, he was pulled down and his lips were pressed against Kakashi's.

Kakashi’s lips were soft and moist—and open. Kakashi pressed him tightly against himself and his lips kept kissing him.

Kakashi is kissing me! Iruka's brain had terminated their agreement and his lips had a mind of their own. He opened his mouth and let the probing tongue slide into his mouth. Their lips were pressing and kissing, their tongues starting a fierce battle inside Iruka's mouth.

Then they stopped. Iruka lifted his head and looked straight into Kakashi's eye. For a moment nothing happened, then Kakashi realized his mask was still down and he pulled it up swiftly. Iruka stood and wasn't sure where to look. Kakashi had righted himself as well. He coughed dryly and said that he had to leave. Kakashi was too quick, and before Iruka realised it or could say anything, the front door slammed and he was alone.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

REVIEW!!!