Title: Giving Thanks
Fandom: Naruto
Rating: PG-13/T
Length: ~1600
Content notes: No warnings apply.
Author notes: Any feedback welcomed, I'm always hoping to improve!
Summary: Kakashi isn’t surprised when he wakes up and senses Iruka’s chakra in the hallway outside his door; Naruto’s injured as well, after all, and in the room right next to his.

He is surprised when Iruka knocks on his door instead of continuing down the hall.



Kakashi isn’t surprised when he wakes up and senses Iruka’s chakra in the hallway outside his door; Naruto’s injured as well, after all, and in the room right next to his.

He is surprised when Iruka knocks on his door instead of continuing down the hall.

“Come in,” Kakashi says, and closes his eyes briefly when his attempt to sit upright sends a new wave of pain through his body.

“Please pardon the intrusion, Kakashi-sensei,” Iruka says as he comes in, eyes down and busy with closing the door behind him, “but I--” he stops and then rushes to Kakashi’s side, dropping the bags in his hands to the floor. “What are you doing sitting up? Your injuries are even more extensive than Naruto’s and the medic-nin said he’s barely cleared for more than lying in bed! Lie down, please,” his hands grasping Kakashi’s shoulders and making him lie down even as he talks.

“Honestly, I expect it from Naruto given that he’s a child,” he chides, stressing the word child, “but from you, Kakashi-sensei…”

“Naruto’s of age now,” Kakashi points out, ignoring the rest. “Hardly a child.”

“Well, he’s had to grow up much sooner than he should have,” Iruka replies, busying himself with picking up his fallen bags.

“True,” Kakashi says. “But then again, who among shinobi isn’t able to claim the same?”

“You’re right, of course,” Iruka says, flushing, “But Naruto--”

“I understand. Naruto is special to you.”

“Well,” Iruka says, flushing deeper. “Anyway, I wanted to thank you for helping him in the fight. I know he would have been more injured had you not been there to help him.” He looks at Kakashi, brow furrowed. “I know you are more injured because you took such a large blast for him.”

“As a teacher should,” Kakashi says, shrugging. “Nothing you wouldn’t have done for Naruto, or any of your students.”

“Oh. Well.” Iruka seems speechless again. “But I’d probably never be in that position…” Kakashi raises an eyebrow at that.

“Never?” he asks, thinking of Naruto and Iruka’s close escape from Mizuki. “Really, sensei?”

Iruka must have thought of the same thing. “Well, that was. I mean, of course anyone else would have…”

“Done the same thing?” Kakashi prompts. He tilts his head, considering. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

“Ah.” Iruka seems stumped by that answer, and looks at Kakashi for a long moment.

Kakashi waits patiently at first, then says: “Did you need something, sensei?”

“Need something…?” Iruka asks, confused.

“Your visit today. Did you need something from me?”

“Oh!” Iruka goes into a flurry of motion, reaching into one of his bags. “No, of course not, I just wanted to--” he lifts out a wicker basket of fruits. “I just wanted to thank you, for being such a good teacher to Naruto. I know in the past it seemed as if I’d had my, um, doubts, but I truly do appreciate how you’ve been there for him.” When I couldn’t be, Kakashi finishes for him, catching the look on Iruka’s face. “So. Thank you, Kakashi-sensei,” Iruka says, bowing low and presenting the basket to him.

“You’re welcome. Please don’t take this the wrong way, sensei, but--”

“Oh! You don’t like fruit, maybe?” Iruka says, snapping up from his bow. “I’m sorry, I just wasn’t quite sure what foods you liked, and-”

“The fruits are fine, but both of my arms are out of commission for the moment,” Kakashi says, looking pointedly at where both of his arms are covered with bandages. “So please excuse me if I don’t take the basket from you.”

“Oh no, of course,” Iruka says, turning red. “I wasn’t thinking. And with your injuries - will you be able to ask a nurse to help you eat it--? Or, most of this should keep for a few days…well, except...” He turns to frown at the basket for a moment, then squares his shoulders before facing Kakashi.

“Would you like some kiwi?” he asks.

“Now?” Kakashi asks.

“Yes. They’re very ripe. I thought if you were hungry now, I might…” Iruka mimes scooping out fruit and holding it out to Kakashi. “If you don’t mind…”

“You want to play nurse, huh? Kinky,” Kakashi says. “I approve.”

“That’s not--!” Iruka starts, then gives up, huffing. “Do you want the fruit or not?”

“Gotta work on that bedside manner, sensei,” Kakashi says mildly. Then, before Iruka can retort: “I would love some kiwi. Haven’t had much to eat since the fight,” and looks as pathetic as possible. Iruka’s glare melts away into concern; honestly, Kakashi prefers the former, but whatever gets him some of that fruit. It smells fresh, a burst of life amongst the general scent of antiseptic and artificial clean in the room.

Iruka cuts a few kiwis in half before taking out a spoon from the other bag.

“I brought Naruto ramen,” he confesses at Kakashi’s curious glance. “But he always drinks the soup straight from the bowl anyway, he won’t miss it.”

“I won’t tell,” Kakashi says, and Iruka cracks a smile at that.

Kakashi eats in silence, content to watch Iruka scoop out the fruit and hold it out to him, any embarrassment he might have felt erased by his curiosity instead.

“I'm stuffed,” Kakashi says when Iruka has halved the last kiwi. “You should have some yourself.”

“Oh no, it’s for you,” Iruka protests. “I can just leave this here.”

“And have me watch it go bad while I’m unable to eat it? That’s a bit cruel, isn’t it?” Kakashi asks, making sure to sound approving. “Wow, sensei. I’m learning many sides to you today.”

“I wasn’t--!” Iruka sighs, rolling his eyes. “Oh, fine.” He picks up the spoon and digs it into the kiwi, then stuffs the fruit into his mouth.

“I’ve never seen someone sulk while eating kiwi,” Kakashi remarks.

“I’m not sulking!” Iruka says.

“But you are yelling,” Kakashi points out.

“I’m not yelling!” Iruka yells, jumping to his feet. Kakashi looks up at him pointedly. Iruka sits back down immediately, sheepish.

“Fine. I’ll eat the kiwi.”

“And you’ll be happy about it?” Kakashi asks.

“Maybe,” Iruka replies, still sulkish. Kakashi waits a moment, watching as Iruka’s mouth wobbles on the frown. “Oh, fine,” Iruka says, laughing. “I don’t know why I’m being so silly. Something about you brings out the worst in me, I suppose.”

“You’re not the first to say that,” Kakashi replies lightly, and looks away out the window.

“I kind of like it,” Iruka says a moment later. "It's refreshing." When Kakashi turns back to look at him, Iruka’s looking back with clear eyes.

“Well, with someone like Naruto underfoot, I suppose you do have odd taste in the company you keep.”

“You have no idea,” Iruka says fervently, then laughs. “I can just imagine how Naruto would yell at us if he heard that.” Then, as if suddenly remembering: “Oh! The ramen! I should get it to him before I have to use a warming jutsu.” Iruka bustles for a moment, cleaning up the kiwi peels and throwing them away, then coming back to hover around Kakashi’s bedside. “Do you want anything else before I leave?”

“I’m good,” Kakashi says, smiling underneath his mask. “Thanks, sensei.”

“You’re welcome,” Iruka says, and smiles back. “Well, I suppose I should be going…” he says.

“Later, sensei,” Kakashi says, agreeing, but Iruka lingers for a few more moments to fluff up Kakashi’s pillows and tuck the blankets a little more securely around his body, tugging them up from where they’d fallen slightly while Kakashi slept. Kakashi doesn’t mention that he’s pretty warm, actually, and thanks him instead.

“Alright, well…” Iruka says, gathering his things and yet lingering in the doorway, looking at him. Kakashi raises an eyebrow.

“Sensei?” he prompts.

“Well, just-- I mean, since I’m going to be visiting Naruto often anyway, I thought-- perhaps I could-- that is, if you don’t mind my stopping by,” Iruka finishes. “I understand if you’d rather I didn’t.” He looks tense, practically vibrating, as if bracing himself for Kakashi’s refusal.

“You didn’t ask before you visited today,” Kakashi points out mildly. “What makes you think you need my permission in the future?” He watches with interest as Iruka goes red.

“Well, excuse me for being polite, and, and-- and not only bringing you a basket of fruit - not all in season, by the way, so they were quite expensive! - but also cutting the fruit and-- and feeding it to you!” Iruka bursts out, fists clenching. “If I’d known--”

“You’re excused,” Kakashi interrupts, waving his hand. The spike of pain from the gashes in his arm at the movement are worth it for Iruka looking like he’s about to burst a blood vessel.

“Excuse me? What did you just--”

“I already excused you, Iruka, pay attention,” Kakashi says. At this point he figures he has the right to use Iruka’s name, given all they’ve been through in the last half hour. He raises an eyebrow as if a thought has just struck. “My, my, so that’s where Naruto gets his inattentiveness.”

“What? How dare you--”

“And also his temper,” Kakashi says mournfully, tsking. Iruka’s jaw drops at that, and despite the few times that he closes his mouth, then opens it to say something, then closes it again, he’s silent, apparently too enraged to speak.

“As I was saying, you’re welcome to visit whenever you’d like, sensei,” Kakashi says, grinning underneath the mask. He’s fully prepared for Iruka to storm out and never return; Kakashi tends to have that effect on people, and more so when he’s bored.

Iruka just stares at him for another long moment, flush fading.

Then: “Oh, fine,” Iruka says, abrupt, and turns to leave again. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he mutters at the doorway. Kakashi grins again when Iruka closes the door firmly behind him - just shy of slamming it. A moment later he hears Naruto crowing in delight.

Kakashi looks at the little basket of fruit next to him and thinks that he can relate.