16. Candy Cane
The candy canes were calling out to Iruka. ‘Eat me’ they seemed to say every time his gaze rested upon them. The entire mission room was hung with them and the temptation had been getting to Iruka, there were now several spots that were suspiciously lacking in cane shaped candy and several sticky wrappers lurking in Iruka’s bin.
Just as he decided that one more couldn’t possibly matter his lover sauntered slowly into the room, glancing around to see who was present. When he had ascertained that they were alone Kakashi ambled over and pecked him quickly on the lips. He gave Iruka an odd look as he pulled his mask back up into place, turned and ambled back out again.
Iruka looked at his retreating back in confusion; he came all the way here just to kiss me? Forgetting the incident in the afternoon rush of shinobi trying to get home in time for dinner he was pleasantly surprised to see his lover return in the early evening just before his shift ended clutching a strangely wrapped package.
“Yo Iruka, I got you a gift. You can open it now if you want.” Iruka took the parcel that Kakashi awkwardly held out to him. It had a strangely familiar shape to it. Sure enough, when he unwrapped it he beheld the single largest candy cane he had ever seen. It was a least as long as his forearm and nearly as round, his mouth watered at the sight and he gazed adoringly up at his copy-nin who always knew how to brighten up his days.
17. Snow
The horrible grinding noise came again and Kakashi, curiosity piqued, stuck his head cautiously into the kitchen. Naruto had come over with a strange box and he and Iruka had vanished into the kitchen almost immediately and then a long series of horrible noises had begun. At first Kakashi had tried to ignore them but they were starting to grate on his nerves. It didn’t help that Naruto kept laughing the entire time.
The kitchen was definitely a sight to see, water was dripping everywhere – including over the two chuunin, who were giggling madly and squirting something thick that smelled sickly sweet over two small mounds of what looked suspiciously like snow.
Iruka, obviously sensing his lovers confused presence, held up a small cup triumphantly
“Would you like a snow cone Kakashi? I have strawberry or plum flavoured syrup”
21. Sprinkles
Kakashi grit his teeth in concentration, sweat beading on his brow. He’d never attempted this type of jutsu manipulation in front of an audience before and he screwed his eye shut to block out the sight of expectant childish faces. Several of the small children laughed at his antics but he persevered clutching hold of his chakra and squeezing it tighter. Oh so slowly he dribbled out a tiny bit through a series of hand signs performed with excruciating slowness and felt a slight coolness land on his cheek.
Iruka’s soft gasp echoed through the class-room mingled with that of his pre-genin students as a few tiny sprinkles of snow drifted down from above Kakashi’s head melting on contact with his skin.
18. Christmas Tree
Iruka giggled at Naruto’s affronted look, he had gotten the boy a living Christmas tree to decorate but it seemed that he had forgotten to remind his almost-son that he would have to water the tree everyday. Kakashi was idly pushing the fallen pine needles closer to the withered trunk of the half-dead plant with his toes and studiously ignoring the other two occupants of the room.
He patted the top of Naruto’s head affectionately, having to reach up to do so, and whispered conspiratorially in his ear.
“Yamato-sensei has a way with trees doesn’t he? Why don’t you ask Kakashi-sensei if he knows how to contact Yamato-sensei?” Kakashi shot him a dirty look as Naruto turned watering eyes his way and he sighed in defeat.
“Come on then Naruto, we’ll leave Iruka to clean up the mess and go and look for Yamato”
19. Mittens
There was a burn-hole in his favourite pair of Christmas-themed oven-mittens. A large burn hole, large enough for two of his fingers to poke through, how in Kami’s name had Iruka managed to burn his mitts? Further investigation revealed smoke stains on the ceiling in the kitchen and a cracked fondue kit in the bin. There were also several chocolate covered strawberries in the fridge.
Well at least he knew what had happened but surely Iruka could have left him a note or something to say what had happened rather than just leaving the evidence lying around and his favourite mittens in tatters. The door slamming shut made him jump slightly in surprise, Iruka never slammed the door – ever.
“Kakashi?” came Iruka’s voice from the entry-way. He answered and slowly Iruka appeared around the corner holding out a small bag in front of him.
“You’re early today.” He murmured, paling dramatically when he saw the ruined oven-mitts clutched protectively in Kakashi’s pale hands. “I, ah, had a slight accident this afternoon” he began softly before thrusting the small bag directly at the copy-nin. Opening the bag revealed the ugliest set of oven-mittens that Kakashi had ever seen.
“I’m so sorry Kashi-kun, these were the only ones that they had left”
20. Home
Iruka slung his arm around Naruto’s shoulders as they made their way from the ramen stand towards the apartment that Iruka and Kakashi shared. Kakashi was currently out on an urgent pre-Christmas mission and Iruka was lonely. He had just invited his favourite ex-student to come over and play a few video games with him.
It was midnight when Kakashi leapt through his kitchen window, he was rather proud of himself, he had managed to complete a 5 day mission in only 3 days and he didn’t have a scratch on him. Making his way into the lounge room he spied his lover and his team-mate passed out on the floor, the TV screen clearly showing what they had been doing before the sand-man had come along.
“I’m home” he whispered quietly as he tucked a sheet around the sleeping pair before cuddling up to his beloved.
