Disclaimer: Don't own.

Warnings: Yaoi. KakaIru. Don't like, don't read. Simple. Probably a little AU.

A/N: Okay, so I needed a break from all the stuff I've been doing lately, so I'm starting something new…ish. It's an idea I've been turning over in my head for awhile just because nobody (that I've seen) has ever done it, and it seems like such an obvious link between these two. Wow… was that vague enough for you? Okay, on with the story, and the clarification!

Iruka sat at his desk rubbing his temples in annoyance, and trying to maintain the delicate balance. Konohamaru was at it again, giving Iruka the subtle warning sign that he was about to do something stupid. It was their unspoken agreement. Naruto was gone with Jiraiya, off to train, and Iruka was left to handle the little beast and his band of misfits himself. When the blonde had left the silent pact was instated. Because the kyuubi container had been so close to the academy teacher, Konohamaru took it easy on the chuunin, a show of loyalty to The Boss. It served as a peace offering. They both missed the blonde terribly, and with that shared link the balance was created. Konohamaru gave subtle warnings to Iruka when he was about to pull something, allowing the chuunin ample to prepare, and on occasion prevent the acts all together. Iruka gave a grand performance of anger and annoyance, but the punishments were always mild. There was an understanding that Konohamaru had an image to uphold, as did Iruka so Konohamaru always acted as though whatever punishment was placed upon him was something too horrid to talk about.

Today was not a good day however, Iruka was in a particularly foul mood, and refused to deal with whatever mess Konohamaru was going to create. He glared at the boy so intensely that Konohamaru actually hesitated. That was all the break Iruka needed. While the boy was trying to collect himself, the chuunin threw several well aimed kunai at the boy, successfully pinning him to his desk. All the students whipped their heads around to stare at what had angered their teacher so thoroughly. None were surprised to see Konohamaru being the culprit.

"Not today, Konohamaru-kun." Iruka said in a frightfully calm voice. All the children tensed. Iruka sighed deeply, and addressed the whole room. "Finish your work, and class is dismissed." Small faces turned to look at the clock noting that if they finished quickly enough they would be out of class a whole half an hour early. They all went to work diligently trying to finish their work, and Iruka was glad for the relief. He had to work the missions room today, and that was sure to be a disaster, though yelling at a few jounins might actually improve his mood. He sighed and began packing up, hoping the kids would finish in a timely fashion. Stress relief via a temper tantrum thrown on some random jounin was starting to sound quite appealing.

His last student left the room about fifteen minutes before classes actually ended. With a sigh, Iruka locked his classroom door, and made his way to the missions room. There was no reason he couldn't be early for work. It only showed that he was truly dedicated. He grinned to himself, glad that he would finally find a target for the anger that had built up in him over the course of the last few days. He wasn't exactly sure why, but he was feeling frustrated, and he was desperate for some kind of release.

When he arrived at the missions room, the place was in utter chaos, and he couldn't help but smile in glee. A reason to completely lose his temper! He nearly giggled in glee. Calmly he went and sat at his desk and looked around the room. Kurenai was blushing in the corner, and Asuma was looking strangely pleased with himself. Iruka decided he didn't even want to know why. Gai was crying Manly Tears, and spewing some dreadful story about his past mission, Iruka would probably have to read the report, and he didn't need to see the live reenactment. The brightly colored pages, large words, and lengthy descriptions (complete with pictures where Gai had evidently decided words were inadequate) were enough for the chuunin; he decided not to get involved in that either. Several jounin were about the room rewriting reports, grumbling, and throwing angry glares at whoever it was that had ordered them to do their work over.

The missions room looked a mess when he had first walked in, but in reality, someone had just condemned anyone who wrote a bad report to redo it, and people were all about the room, creating the illusion of chaos, when in fact, everything seemed to be in order. He groaned in frustration. There had to be someone he could yell at.

As if answering his very prayers someone appeared in front of his desk holding out a decrepit report as though Iruka was actually expected to read it. Without even bothering to look up at who it was that was handing him the report, he grinned. Finally!

"What the hell is that?" Iruka asked in a low snarl. "I am not here to translate scribbles, rips, and dirt into language. Get that away from me, and come back when you have a real report." His voice took on a frightening edge that promised a world of pain if his words were not obeyed… and promptly. There was no reaction. The report remained in front of him, and no words were spoken. Iruka let out a groan that sounded more like a growl. The chuunin finally looked up at his victim, his mind already plotting all of the evil things he would do, but as soon as he saw who was standing in front of him, all of the previous anger left him. He sat blushing and feeling sheepish at his rude behavior.

"Maa, Iruka-sensei, did you just growl at me?"

Iruka let out a little squeak, and blushed a shade deeper. "I… er… uh… well… um… could you please do this over?" Iruka stuttered. "I can't really accept this…" He bit his lip feeling foolish, and gave the silver haired man before him a pleading look.

Kakashi simply chuckled. "Having a bad day, sensei?" His voice was full of good humor, which calmed Iruka slightly.

"Yeah… long…" He looked away still feeling rather embarrassed. He didn't really know how to explain the stress involved in maintaining the delicate balance of power in his classroom, so he didn't even bother. Besides, compared to the stress Kakashi was faced with on his missions, it seemed trivial.

Kakashi nodded. "You wanna go grab something to eat later then?"

Iruka shrugged. "I'll be here for awhile, there's no need for you to wait."

The jounin's eye curved up happily. "There's no reason I can't wait."

Iruka simply nodded in agreement, and scratched at the scar on his nose. Kakashi always made things complicated, ever since he was just a kid. They had only been a year apart, and had actually been at the academy together for a short period of time, but that was a long time ago, back when his parents were still alive. He wasn't sure he would have called him and Kakashi friends, but they were most certain friendly. Mostly Kakashi just talked to him, which was something. Iruka had even hoped that they'd become closer, but the Hatake was on a completely different level. Kakashi graduated before Iruka even got a chance to seriously consider the prospect of their being friends. About five years later, they met again, after Iruka's parents had died. Right after in fact, and Kakashi had been extremely supportive. Iruka knew that it was probably nothing, the same kind of thing the boy would have done for anyone in his position, but he never forgot it. He had even had a bit of a crush on Kakashi during that period of time, and that brought on a whole huge string of confusion. Iruka had learned to accept his sexuality though, moved on.

Kakashi didn't seem to just disappear after that though. There was a long period of time, when they hardly ever saw each other, but then Iruka took up working in the missions room, and they became reacquainted. Still, Iruka wouldn't have called them friends. They were comrads, and the chuunin was sure that the Copy-Nin didn't even remember the vague friendship they had shared years prior. And the Kakashi took a genin team, none other than Naruto's genin team. It was like the universe was pushing the two senseis together. Iruka wasn't complaining. His small crush from all those years ago had come back with full force, and he wasn't going to reject the idea of spending time with the jounin. But then Sasuke left… and then Naruto left, and there seemed to be no reason for them to continue their tentative friendship, but for some reason they had. They had even become closer than before, and things were started to become even more confusing than before. Another delicate balancing act, becoming as close to Kakashi as possible without crossing a line. It was becoming increasingly difficult.

Since Naruto had left they had been spending massive amounts of time together. It had progressed from the occasional bowl of ramen, to the occasional night out, to the occasional training session followed by dinner, and now there was just them. Whatever it was they were. Friends? Iruka thought so, but it was hard to be sure.

"I'll come by your place when I get done here then." Iruka finally vocalized his acceptance of Kakashi's invitation.

"I'll be waiting." Kakashi said simply, turning around a leaving Iruka with his shabby missions report. Iruka simply sighed and began the process of deciphering it.

After work, Iruka stopped by his apartment to drop off all of his bags. He had papers to grade, and reports to read, but he set them aside with a sigh. He considered changing into something more comfortable, but there was no point. He looked around for a moment, checking to make sure everything was in place, an old habit that he couldn't seem to shake, and then he was off to meet Kakashi at his apartment.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Kakashi stood in his kitchen watching as the food cooked, stirring and mixing when it was appropriate. He looked at the clock with a sigh. Iruka really did work too hard and he was glad he could provide a break for the younger man. Today was Friday too, perhaps if he was cunning enough, he'd be able to convince the chuunin to go out and drink with him. Kakashi wasn't much of a drinker himself, but the dolphin needed to loosen up a bit. Just thinking about the other man made Kakashi a bit tense. He shrugged it off, and continued his cooking; it was nearing the end of the day, and Iruka would be there soon, he had to make sure everything was ready.

He went to work setting the table, and before there was even a knock at his door, everything was laid out on his kitchen table. Satisfied, Kakashi went to sit in his front room, and wait for his guest to arrive. Typically they went out to eat, but Iruka had cooked for him last time, and it was his turn to repay the favor. He was sure his cooking was severely below par, especially compared to Iruka's, the man had a talent, but it was the thought. At least Kakashi hoped so. He leaned back again the couch, staring up at the ceiling, thinking about nothing in particular. Thinking tended to get him in trouble, especially where Iruka was concerned, so he avoided it, instead picking out shapes in the shadows that danced across his ceiling, cast by the trees just outside his window. Yes, definitely better than thinking…

A/N: Okay, so that wasn't the best thing I've ever written, but this fic has a lot of explaining to do, and I'm trying to get it done in the least boring way possible. I'll elaborate on their past together more in later chapters. This was just an opening to see if you guys like the idea behind it, so let me know what you think, ne? Thanks for reading.