Chapter 3
"Kakashi, I have an… interesting mission for you." Tsunade declared. "Iruka has just returned from a solo mission, and he's currently at the hospital after being poisoned by an enemy."
"That doesn't sound good. Is he okay?"
"Yes, and no. He doesn't have any major wounds, and the poison hasn't caused any long-term damage; but he does have a serious case of amnesia - he doesn't seem to know anybody, where he is, or anything about his life. His memories are there in his subconscious, and I need someone close to him to help him recover them, and readjust to living in the village."
Kakashi couldn't imagine what it would be like to have amnesia and not know anything. Iruka had to be so lost and confused; and maybe even a little afraid, having his entire life, and maybe even his own self temporarily stripped away from him. He knew Iruka was a sentimental person, too; so he could imagine him feeling guilty not knowing someone or something that he was supposed to. Kakashi hoped Tsunade was right, and that his memories would return.
"So, can I count on you to look after him?"
"Of course, Tsunade-sama." Kakashi replied. "But why me? Surely there's someone more suitable to help with his amnesia…"
"Oh, no, no, no. Definitely not!" she burst wickedly.
"Because…?" he prompted suspiciously, suddenly becoming overwhelmed with a strange sense of impending doom.
"Because Iruka asked for you specifically." she smirked. "He thinks you're his boyfriend."
"U-Uh…" He was lost for words.
It wasn't often that Kakashi was left speechless, but that was the last thing he expected to hear; and he was completely and utterly surprised. He'd suspected that Iruka might be gay, or at least had an interest in men, too; but the idea of him having a boyfriend never occurred to him before, let alone the two of them together. There had to be a reason for him to think that they were partners, though. Had he come onto him before? Was there a drunken fling? Or maybe Iruka was dating someone who's similar in some way? Yeah, that had to be it - he didn't think it was anything on his end. Kakashi cleared his throat, choosing his words carefully.
"I, ah, wasn't aware that Iruka was dating anyone. If he has mistaken me for someone else, shouldn't his actual partner be the one to look after him? I wouldn't want to get in the way of their relationship."
"Kakashi, he's single - has been for years, as far as I can tell. There's never been a partner listed in his file; and his emergency contact is one of his friends. But the poor guy is adamant that you two are dating."
"W-We're not, though, so, um, what would make him think that?"
"Well, if he has an interest in you, the poison could be enhancing those feelings; and with no memory to tell him otherwise, I'd say he's made assumptions based on how he feels." Tsunade said.
"Oh." Kakashi said quietly, feeling his cheeks grow hot.
Iruka always greeted him with a hug and then a kiss on the cheek, and did the same when they parted ways; and Kakashi had always thought it was just because he had a more affectionate nature. But if he had been doing it because he was interested... Well, apparently Iruka had liked him for quite some time; and Kakashi felt stupid having never noticed it for what it was before.
"I'm going to find a way to reverse the damage, and organise some investigations into the incident; so you do whatever you need to do to rehabilitate Iruka - and try not to break any hearts in the process."
"R-Right. I'll do my best."
"I also need you to try and find out what happened on his mission. He was supposed to collect a very important scroll, but he didn't have it on him."
"Got it."
"Good." she said. "Now, go pick him up before he goes wandering off to look for you. I don't want to have to send a search party out for him, too."