Butterflies

Iruka was finally able to remove the dreadful cast now that his elbow was all healed up. It also meant that Iruka could officially start finding Kakashi to convince him to return to the mansion. Maito Gai, the strange man who wore green spandex, wrote a letter to inform Ino about Kakashi's whereabouts. apparently, Kakashi had been living with Gai instead ever since he met Rock Lee.

Hearing this made Iruka feel relieved. At least Kakashi was somewhere safe in the company of trusted people. From the sound of it, Kakashi might not have regained his memories yet and the teacher was slightly concerned.

Ino made Iruka put on something nicer before Sai drove them to the address Gai gave them. Iruka was feeling butterflies in his stomach as they reached closer to their destination. His dreams about Kakashi visiting him to snuggle with him in bed every night has been becoming worse and more vivid lately. Truth be told, Iruka enjoyed it but didn't know how he should face the albino trader when they met again.

"We're here," Sai announced and the teacher swallowed. The exterior of the building was impressive in a different definition. It was a little hard to believe that someone as prim and proper like Kakashi who valued cleanliness would willingly stay in such a battered building that reeked of sweat and deodorant. 

Iruka walked in following behind Ino and Sai who looked as if they had been here a few times. IN the dojo, the pale teen asked for Maito Gai and a disciple ushered them to the office to wait for the dojo's owner.

"They live upstairs so it isn't as bad as it is here. In fact, the entire building is owned by Gai-san. He's an odd one like Kakashi-san. Both are rich but quirky..." Ino explained and Iruka couldn't agree more.

Gai entered the office with an apology about not being on time. His enthusiasm was something Iruka wasn't too familiar with but Ino and Sai looked like they were expecting it.

"It's alright, Gai-san. This is Iruka. He's currently living with us and coincidentally, he is the man who saved Kakashi-san back then. We're here to meet him as spoken."

Sai's poker face and stiff smile made Gai falter for a moment. Awkwardly, the martial artist agreed. He led the three guest upstairs to where Kakashi was residing in. Iruka was surprised that above the dojo and gym area, there were proper apartments for rent and there were people living in it. Thankfully, the corridors didn't smell like the sweat and deodorant they were greeted by downstairs.

"He is living here for now. When he moves out, tell him to return the key to my office. I'll leave the rest to you, best of luck!"

Gai left as quickly as he appeared with the difference that Iruka could still hear him from the third floor. He really didn't think that Kakashi and Gai would both be rich beyond imagination. With their eccentric behaviour, it would be natural for others to assume otherwise. The teacher felt slightly bad for not having too high an opinion of either man when he first met them. Kakashi for obvious reasons because he lived with him for a while and Gai simply because Iruka didn't think that rich people would wear green spandex instead of comfortable branded apparels.

Iruka knocked on the door nervously while Ino and Sai backed away. Knowing their leader, he wouldn't open the door if he saw them so they sent Iruka in first and opted to wait near the stairwell. The kids were so insistent that Iruka should go alone that the teacher found himself unable to refuse. The teacher rehearsed what he was going to say when he saw Kakashi for one last time. Ever since he had been dreaming about the handsome trader, Iruka didn't have the confidence to approach Kakashi again.

From inside the room, Kakashi was wondering why Iruka was hesitating for so long. He had half the mind to yank the door that parted them open and embrace the teacher in his arms, inhaling his scent. However, he couldn't do that. He was still pretending to have amnesia after all and wanted to be given an excuse to return to his home with the teacher in it.

Then again, Kakashi frowned. His clan had been telling him about Iruka's insistence at getting a part-time job to get on his feet again and move out because he didn't want to impose. Nobody could stop his dolphin when he was so determined. Kakashi wondered if Iruka would be hurt if the trader wanted to simply keep him at home and shield him from the world like a beautiful potted plant.

Finally, Iruka gathered the courage to knock on the door and it was Kakashi's turn to smoothen out his nervousness to act as casually as possible even though his inner wolf was howling in excitement at seeing his mate again. Technically, Kakashi has been seeing Iruka regularly but just not with his knowledge. Every night, Kakashi gave in to his impulses and snuck into Iruka's bed to cuddle with the teacher in order to satisfy the possessive beast threatening to ruin his carefully paid out plans to woo this beautiful dolphin.

"What a coincidence, sensei," Kakashi smiled and Iruka blushed hard at just the greeting. Kakashi didn't look too different from how Iruka remembered I'm to be but the real person in flesh was more attractive than a memory.

"Hello, Kakashi. It's not a coincidence. I came to invite you back to your home as strange as it sounded. Wouldn't you like to know how coincidental everything was after I got evicted? It must have been a work of fate for us to be meeting so soon. I didn't think it would be possible because you didn't even leave me your contact number."

Kakashi laughed. His mate was too cute. "Sounds like a long story," he grinned. "How about some coffee? I want to hear all about it. And no, I've only regained some of my memories recently so I can give you my number now."

Iruka laughed at the cheesy attempt to flirt but didn't mind as much. He accepted Kakashi's offer and entered the apartment, the door closing behind them. Now in the presence of the albino, Iruka couldn't help but feel the fluttering of butterfly wings in the pit of his abdomen. Really, what has he been reduced to in the company of Hatake Kakashi? Iruka wasn't a fool, he knew what the tell-tale signs are but he didn't want to stop the feeling.

He didn't want to stop falling in love with this man and Iruka was surprised by the possessive thoughts he had about someone. Never in his life had he desired anyone the way he desired Kakashi. Even if it was coffee or a flimsy excuse to spend more time with him, Iruka wanted it all. Even if the kids waiting outside didn't beg him so much to convince Kakashi to return to the mansion, Iruka would have done the same.

"Coffee with milk or sugar?" the trader asked and Iruka smiled sweetly.

"I drink it black," he said and Kakashi made a face, causing the teacher to laugh. Yes, they could start with this, one step at a time.