Chapter 1
“Yo!” a familiar husky voice greeted.
“Oh, K-Kakashi-san, you’re back from your mission! H-How did it go? Naruto wasn’t too much trouble was he?” Iruka stammered nervously.
He wasn't expecting to see Kakashi so soon, and didn't particularly want to – in fact, if he didn't have work, Iruka would have stayed hidden at home. A lot had happened in the weekend that passed, and rumours had already spread about him; and he was mortified. But not only was he mortified, most of the village hated him for, well, something that wasn't anyone's business to begin with. It was too soon for Iruka to face anyone; and he hoped that Kakashi hadn’t heard what happened, or any variant of it. Ever since he drunkenly came out at a work party, people had been treating Iruka differently, like he wasn't the same person he was before he publically announced that he was gay; and he was dreading the moment Kakashi found out. What would he think of him then? Would he lose one of his last, and closest friends?
Kakashi was just… confused. He had never seen Iruka so nervous around him before. It was like they were meeting for the first time and Iruka didn't know whether he was talking to the intimidating Sharingan Kakashi, or fellow leaf shinobi, Hatake Kakashi. It was strange, because Iruka had never been intimidated by the titles that he carried, nor the stories they told – it was one of the reasons Kakashi got on so well with him; so Kakashi was curious about the change. But since they were out in public in a village where the smallest whispers travelled far, he kept his observations to himself.
“It would have been easier if Naruto followed the plan, but it all worked out, so it doesn’t matter.” He shrugged nonchalantly.
“He’s still doing that?” Iruka sighed. “I’m going to have to lecture him again when I take him out to Ichiraku tonight.”
“Please do.” Kakashi chuckled, making a mental note to investigate the ramen place that evening.
Iruka returned the laughter, somewhat awkward; and the air became filled with a strangely tense silence. Kakashi didn’t seem to know what happened, but Iruka suspected he noticed something – Kakashi hadn't taken his eyes off him since they first spoke. A mild panic erupted inside, and adrenaline rushed through Iruka's veins; and he hurriedly thought for an excuse to escape the interaction. His mind was going into overdrive, forcing his attention away; and it was only when Kakashi spoke that he was brought back to reality.
“Well I have to make sure Sakura isn't writing the mission report for Naruto, so I had better go.” Kakashi finally said. In the silence, he had noticed that Iruka had been becoming increasingly uncomfortable in his presence; and although he couldn't figure out why, he thought it would be best if he left.
“R-Right!” Iruka responded a little too intensely as Kakashi began to turn. When he stopped and turned back after a few paces, Iruka froze.
“Is something bothering you? You seem a little off today.”
“No, no; I’m fine!” Iruka smiled. There was no way he was going to tell Kakashi what happened – it was way too soon to say anything.
Through Iruka's smile, Kakashi could easily see the panic and emotion welling in his eyes; and no matter how much Iruka tried to hide it, it was very obvious that there was something on his mind. Kakashi wished that Iruka had been honest with him, but he also understood the need to contemplate things before sharing them with someone else.
“Alright then,” Kakashi began skeptically, “but if you’re ever not, you know I will listen to and support you, right?”
Iruka nodded and watched as Kakashi pulled out the latest edition of Icha-Icha and departed. He felt guilty then. Kakashi was a man Iruka knew he could trust; and he still remembered how he had offered some advice in the beginning when he didn’t know how to deal with Naruto. In fact, if it wasn’t for Kakashi, Iruka wouldn’t be where he was today; and Naruto most certainly wouldn’t have graduated the academy and become a great shinobi. Even so, Iruka just felt too uneasy opening up again.