Gaffe

AN: Thank you for reading and especially for rating and reviewing.

There's an OC, but he's far from a central character.

BennyPeace: Thanks, I hope to keep you interested.
Ryu Earth: Kakashi's a bit out of the loop, isn't he? ^_^;
silverfox: *Pats* Don't cry. Everything will be all right... or not... well, might be.
Anise: Nice to see you again. It's been too long since my last KakaIru, I know. I hope this one's worth the wait and won't leave you unsatisfied.
reixgaara: Hope you found something happy to read. Sorry, I'm not on Y!
Anon: Thank you. Always nice to have international readers ^.^
brukleflesche: That they are. They really don't know what's best for them.

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White clouds swept across the sky like in a speeded up film. Leaves swirled in the wind forming small, twister-like air columns. Kakashi hunched his shoulders against the gale. Two weeks and a few days had passed since the last time he saw Iruka, it took the whole time for him to muster up enough courage to contact the teacher. He'd laid on his bed at nights, running scenarios in his head. Each of them as elaborate as the next, until he was certain he'd covered all possible, and some quite impossible, outcomes. Last evening, heart beating like a jack-hammer, he had raised the receiver and dialled the number.

The small coffeehouse looked quiet from outside. Kakashi opened the door and was immediately greeted by a pretty, black haired waitress. Her wide hemmed dress was a size too small, nearly showing her panties and pushing her breasts out from the deep scoop neckline. She was indicating to a table next to a large window when Kakashi noticed Iruka sitting in the furtherest corner. He thanked the girl his eyes fixed on the brown pony-tail, and asked her to bring him a cup of coffee to the table where the academy teacher was sitting at.

“Have you waited long?” Kakashi smiled nervously and scratched the back of his head as he sat at the table.

“Oh, hi Kakashi. No, I just arrived.” Iruka answered turning a mug full of steaming tea around in his hand.

They waited as the waitress brought the coffee and asked if there would be anything else. She took her time pouring the coffee and tiding her outfit giving Kakashi meaningful glances. The copy-nin pointedly ignored her. His eyes were riveted on the abstract pattern on Iruka's tea mug. He could only marvel how calm and natural the chuunin could be; Iruka had never tried to hide his sexual preferences, but he wasn't flashy about it either. He remained the same quiet, shy academy teacher who would blush every time Kakashi teased him. It was frightening how different Iruka was when he went out; He would dress in the sexiest outfits, talk in the huskiest voice, and practically ooze sex. But what made Kakashi most nervous was that he would still be the same Iruka.

Now, as the chuunin was sitting in front of him in his normal working clothes, it was hard to accept he was the same man Kakashi'd seen over a fortnight ago at the bar.

“So, how have you been?” Iruka leaned on the table with his elbows.

“Uh, well. You know. I've been on missions and developing new teaching methods. The same old, same old. And you?” Kakashi sipped his coffee. It was bitter and freshly brewed.

“Good. Teaching mainly, some paperwork at the Hokage's office, but not so much in these days.” Iruka tried his tea, and decided it was still too hot to drink. “It's been a long time.”

“Yeah, I meant to call earlier... but I didn't know what to say.” Kakashi avoided Iruka's gaze.

“Oh? I'm glad you did, though.”

An awkward silence landed between them. Jingling of tableware from kitchen and chatter of the few other customers grew lauder in Kakashi's ears. I have to say something, anything.

“Was there something in particular you wanted to talk about.” Iruka asked lifting the tea mug in his hand.

Yes. Don't go out with other men. Don't go to bars and flirt and leave home with strange men! Don't let other men than me touch you ever again!

“No, nothing in particular. I saw you at the bar the other night, and I... There was the thing with Gai and I... And I saw you when you were leaving with the man”

“You mean, Otake Keitaro?” His response was bafflingly natural; there was no embarrassment, no awkwardness, his cheeks didn't have even a hint of red in them. He says it so easily, Kakashi thought.

“Yeah. And I, well, I just... I'm sorry.” The apology was the first Kakashi made to Iruka, and they both knew it held a deeper meaning.

“Nah, there's nothing to be sorry about.” Iruka answered after a brief silence smiling his usual, warm smile. Kakashi knew the answer covered more than the night two weeks ago, and he breathed a little easier.

“I just wanted, you know, catch up.” He held a pause, debating whether he could say the next words. “I wish we could be friends again.”

“Friends again, huh? I think we could do that.” Iruka replied his face looking playfully contemplative.

“We can take it slow, I mean, I don't want you to push yourself...” Kakashi tried to hide his eagerness.

“Hey, I missed you too. Our friendship, that is.” Iruka chuckled “We were much longer friends than six months.”

“I'm glad.” Kakashi's visible eye curved into an arc.

Iruka's tea had cooled enough to be drinkable. They chatted a bit about what had been going on in their lives. The atmosphere was comfortable and eased; Kakashi felt happier than in months. It was almost like it'd been before the half a year of nearly evading each other.

“I bought a new bookshelf, it's arriving Saturday morning. Say, would you come and help me with it?” Iruka asked in passing. As Kakashi didn't answer right away he coughed a bit nervously and added “That's what friends do...”

“Oh, yes, sure.” Kakashi hurried to answer as he heard Iruka's insecurity. Of course he was ready to help Iruka in any way possible, he just hadn't expected such a fast development in their revived friendship. “What time?”

“Around noon. If it's okay?”

“Yeah, I'll be there.”


The reunion went better than Kakashi could've ever hoped for. Iruka didn't seem to be angry any more, and now Kakashi had the chance to show the chuunin he was a changed man. He walked towards the training grounds with a new spring in his steps. Saturday was still couple of days away. Plenty of time for me to check on a few things.


The wind blew in strong gusts making it the perfect weather for target practising. The air was filled with swishing sound, grunts, clinks and bonks as the kunai and shuriken spinning in blur of speed hit their targets. Most of the ninja were younger, less experienced shinobi, who really needed to work their technique, but the ones Kakashi came to see stood a bit farther away in their own group watching over the younger ones.

“Oy, Kakashi-san! What a surprise to see you here.” Yamashiro Aoba adjusted his shades and stepped left to allow the sharingan user join their group.

“So tell us what brings you here? As I recall, the only time you care to show your ass is during the exams or when you're showing your pupils how to train properly.” Aoba continued.

“Nothing special. I just thought the weather was good for a bit of shuriken practise.”

Raidou snorted. “Yeah, that's likely.”

“I do take my training seriously, thank you very much.” Kakashi said posing overly hurt.

The jounin continued their interrupted conversation about last weekend's events. Kakashi listened waiting for a convenient pause.

“Genma-san, you know Otake Keitaro?”

“Yes, he was in my team when I was still a genin. Why do you ask?” Genma asked.

“I was just thinking. I remember seeing him in the Hokage's office. He's a jounin, isn't he?”

“Yeah, he's been in Inuzuka Tsume's team.”

“Oh yeah, now I remember. He's pretty much a ladies' men, isn't he?” Kakashi probed.

“Otake? No, not really. He's married, you know.” Genma bit the senbon needle, it tilted up and then down again.

Married, huh? Well, that's interesting.

“Oh, right. I must've mixed him up with someone else.” Kakashi's eye arced and he looked a little confused.

“You're talking about Otake Keitaro?” Aoba joined the conversation “I heard he liked men.”

“No way! Have you seen his wife? Now, there's a kunoichi that would make even Boy George switch to women.” Genma defended.

“Oh, I know she's hot, but I've heard Otake enjoys dipping his dick into younger men every now and then.” Aoba continued.

“I really don't believe that. Have you heard how Otake talks about women? Now, there's a man who's devoted to the pleasures of the softer sex.” Raidou interfered.

“That's true, but many shinobi like to indulge in the carnal pleasures with another man. It doesn't mean they're gay, now, does it?” Aoba adjusted his sunglasses again.

Yeah, it's true. Many men have sex with their team members on long missions and it means nothing. It's a well known secret. Everybody knows about it, but nobody talks about it. That's what makes it so weird. How come is it okay while on missions, but wrong if you're open about it? About being gay?

The others quietly agreed nodding their heads and changing their posture. It was time for another topic.

Saturday took longer to arrive than was rationally possible. Kakashi had done a month's worth house chores, trained with the ninken and even finished reading the Icha Icha Paradisu. He was starting to believe there was a genjutsu freezing him in time, forestalling the Saturday.

Feeling like a schoolboy on his first date Kakashi pulled the hem of his vest and adjusted the high collar covering the lower half of his face before knocking on the painted door. Soft footsteps came closer, a sound of lock opening and the door slid forwards.

“Hi Kakashi. I'm glad you came. Come inside.” Iruka looked a bit shabby. His hair was tied loosely, escaped strands pushed behind his ears. Dark circles under his eyes told about night without much sleep. Still, he looked nice in the grey slacks and a tight t-shirt.

Kakashi left his shoes in the small foyer. He inhaled deeply the scent he'd missed so much; Green tea, a hint of detergent, fresh laundry, and the best of all, Iruka. The place was the same as the last time Kakashi'd been there, except for the books, photos and other stuff lining the hall walls, waiting for the new shelf. The apartment was small and tidy. Kitchen opening to the living room, dark drapes hanging slightly over the sides of two windows. Large and ugly sofa covered in a dirty swamp green velvet dominated the living room. It looked totally out of place in the otherwise clean home, but Iruka would never even consider getting rid of it. The couch was an eyesore, but its lush, sinking cushions plus high back and armrests made it perfect for reading or watching movies. On the floor beside it was a brown rectangular carton package.

“Oh, yeah. I forgot to tell you it has to be assembled.” Iruka said following Kakashi's gaze.

“No problem. I have the whole day.” Don't mind spending it here with you.

Kakashi knelt beside the carton and opened it along the long side with a kunai. The shelf pieces were piled on top of another, the sides and back at the bottom, the shelves on top. A plastic bag with screws, hexagonal key and fluted wood dowel pins was on one end of the package, beneath it was a booklet. Kakashi pried it out and opened it. The instructions seemed clear and detailed enough.

“Okay. Let's get to it then.” Kakashi said tearing the rest of the carton away. “We might need a hammer. The package includes a hex key.”

“I have one in the foyer cabinet. I'll get it.” Iruka's smile lightened his face a bit and Kakashi could see how much the chuunin appreciated his help.

Smiling to himself Kakashi organized the pieces against the wall scanning through the instructions. Okay, so first we have to insert the dowels into the holes and fit the pieces together. Then insert screws into the larger holes and screw them in with the hex key. Simple enough.

A clatter, then soft cursing, drifted from the foyer. Kakashi put the pieces down and was about to stand up when Iruka appeared at the door opening.

“Are you all right?” Kakashi inspected the teacher's unusually pale face.

“Yeah. It was just this stupid... It's nothing, I was just clumsy.” Iruka's lips curled a bit. He handed the hammer to Kakashi. “Here.”

“Thanks.” Kakashi turned back to the instructions. “You were out last night?” The words came out before he could stop them.

“Eh? Yeah, I was with some friends.” Iruka pulled the string tying his hair off, ran his fingers through the locks couple of times before tying them up again.

“Did your boyfriend keep you up late?” Still not facing Iruka Kakashi swallowed. Why did he ask it? He really didn't want to hear the answer. The familiar pain in his chest gripped him again.

“Keitaro-san? He's not my boyfriend.” Iruka's voice was clear. Kakashi's heart was racing. Is it anger? No, more like surprise. I really shouldn't have--

“Yeah, that's what I guessed. He's married, isn't he?” Damn it! Now, he's going to kick me out!

“Uh... Yes, but...” Iruka's voice trailed away. He was suddenly more serious, unable to hide his sorrowful expression.

“Sorry, it was out of place to ask.” Kakashi regretted ever opening his mouth. He could've dealt with an angry Iruka, but with sad... No he didn't want that to happen again. “I didn't mean to...”

“Don't worry about it.” Iruka smiled reassuringly. “What if I made us some tea? You don't mind green tea, do you? It's all I have.”

“Green tea's fine.” Kakashi sighed. Iruka had all the right to be mad at him for asking something like that. Yet the teacher only subtly changed the subject and excused himself, which only made Kakashi feel worse. I'm not going to screw things up again. From now on I'll keep my mouth shut. Even if it kills me! He bit his lower lip and gently knocked on the side of the second side panel making the wood dowels sink further into the chipboard.