Missed Opportunities

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I didn’t intend to write another chapter to this but Kakashi annoyed me until he got his say in things. He also didn’t like the way I left Iruka. Evidently I am a mean evil writer.

8

Kakashi sighed watching Iruka work. The silver haired ninja was sitting comfortably in a window one leg stretched out the other dangling lazily with the latest issue of Itcha Itcha in his hand. He had no interest in his beloved novel right now because his favorite hobby had become Iruka watching. It had been since that ridiculous argument over their students. He would arrive early for assignments and wait his turn, using the additional time to find a nice perch and watch Iruka. The brunette was kind and gentle even with the more fierce ninja. Iruka chatted with some about their children and he always remembered their names. Children he was teaching, children he had taught, and children he would teach every name and no one else seemed to notice how miraculous that was. Kakashi could hardly remember the names of all the Rookie’s! It was only a matter of time before Kakashi had started flirting, nothing too much he didn’t want to scare the Dolphin off but the pink flush was reward enough.

Every day without fail Kakashi would amble in during Iruka’s shift and watch. When Iruka didn’t work he rarely bothered having someone else pick his assignment up for him. Iruka didn’t date much and when he did it appeared he was incredibly picky no man had made it past the first date with him, but Iruka was professional and never hinted at the failed romantic attempt. If he hadn’t been so secretly happy about it Kakashi might have felt sorry for the poor bastards who were given a chance and then rejected. Hatake had been working toward asking Iruka out himself when he’d over heard another ninja as and Iruka had politely turned him down. Kakashi watched and listened as week after week the poor SOB was turned down. You’d think he’d give up by now of course had it been Kakashi he wouldn’t have given up easily either.

It wasn’t until a week later he’d learned why the other ninja had been so persistent. He was fairly sure the creep had gotten off too lightly. Then had come the hot springs and he’d kissed Iruka not once but twice. That had been very nice because Iruka was a surprisingly good kisser. The copy-nin had been expecting something else perhaps more timid but instead Iruka had been like a spark that built to a fire in short order. Then they shared the walk to the teacher’s home and absolute failure. He had been invited in. It had struck him as he walked away what Iruka had offered, what he’d been trying to say to Kakashi while completely sober and without some bizarre sense of debt. It was then that the jounin wondered what Iruka really thought of him.

The next day had been like a bucket of cold water dumped on him. Iruka was professional and polite with everyone including him, except those happy eyes were blank for him and never moved past his shoulder. This behavior continued for three days and Kakashi was ready to drag the other ninja to a back room and either shake or kiss some sense into the man. Instead he sat in his window watching Iruka work. When the chunin stood and moved around his table to another man Kakashi fought the urge to move between them. He watched the gentle ninja help the ass hole into a chair, smile at him, whispered discussion was had. When Iruka knelt beside the chair and with soft caresses of the pad of his fingers traced one of the new scars on Keiuske’s face Kakashi saw red. He didn’t need his sharingon eye to tell him that Iruka had nodded in acceptance of a date.

Sliding silently out of his window the jounin left the tower and headed off to his other thinking place. It had taken a couple of hours but he’d come up with a plan. The sun was setting when Kakashi took up residence against Iruka’s door. He heard the pair before he saw them.

“You really are something Iruka. So cute and sexy. You’re incredibly lovely all flushed from the sake… I wonder do that glow go farther down?” Kaiuske was pulling Iruka close nuzzling his neck and moving up for a kiss when the book snapped shut as they rounded the corner catching Iruka’s attention.

Jerking away at the site of that spikey silver hair and horrid orange book Iruka gave a proper blush, the sort Kakashi loved putting on his face. “Kakashi! What are you doing here at this hour?”

“Yes, Kakashi what are you doing here?” The tall ninja slid a possessive arm around Iruka, who’s eyes just widened when he looked down at the arm and back up into an eye that was far too calm.

Relaxing himself purposefully Kakashi held up a bag. “I’m afraid I’m having some problems with Naruto. Every one I’ve gone to has instructed me that you would be best able to help.” He smiled beneath his mask as Iruka straitened and moved away from the man holding him toward his door shaking his head.

“What has Naruto done now? Give me the bag and I’ll check it.” Iruka was much more serious and moved into the house inviting both men in for tea. He set the kettle on and took the bag out back. After a few moments he returned and smiled. “What was he doing with these?”

“He was setting them up around Sai’s bedroom while he slept.” Kakashi blinked worriedly. Trust Naruto to be cause and answer to almost any problem he had. “Why?”

Chuckling Iruka put the bag in what appeared to be a chest. “They would have turned the boy orange and made him smell like sour lemon all day. HOW he managed orange and sour lemon I’ll ask later.” Pouring the tea he looked at his date. “I’m sorry about this evening. Naruto is a special person to me.”

“That little trouble maker? Just because you taught him doesn’t mean he’s still your problem.” Keiuske argued glaring at Kakashi. “He’s on your team. That makes his your problem and it’s a little rude of you to stick around now that you’ve gotten your answer.”

Kakashi was never so greatful for his mask as he was in that moment watching Iruka’s irritation rise. “Naruto is NOT a trouble maker. He’s a prankster and he never HURTS any one which makes him a very good prankster. Kakashi is currently responsible for Naruto in the field that he cares outside of those duties is noble and Naruto is NOT just a former student. I still spend a good deal of time with him when he’s not on missions. I consider him a younger brother.” Taking the cup of tea away Iruka moved to the door. “Thank you for a nice evening Kaiuske but I think it’s time for you to leave.”

Once the other man was gone Iruka turned back and moved to clean the kettle he was thoroughly annoyed. Kakashi moved to wrap arms around Iruka’s waist. When the brunette turned to him, Kakashi wasted no time in diving for a kiss. After a few minutes of intense kissing Kakashi found himself planted in a wall.

“YOU! You did that on purpose. You ruined my date!” Iruka was accusing fire back in his eyes.

“Mah, mah Iruka… that man was no good, he was trying to sleep with you!” Kakashi decided the truth was the best option.

“This may come as quite a surprise to you Kakashi Hatake but I am attractive to some men! Also I don’t need your help failing on my own dates. I do that quite well. Now if you have finished with whatever game you’re playing tonight please leave.” Iruka pointed at his door.

“No.” Kakashi swallowed wondering how dead he was about to be. “No. I like you. That guy was going to use you and pretend nothing ever happened. You deserve better.” Iruka flushed red, looked up at Kakashi blinking as if Kakashi had turned into a dancing koi fish and then fainted right there on the floor. Scratching the back of his head with a sigh the copy ninja frowned. “Not the response I was hoping for but at least I’m still breathing.”