Iruka went through the next day expecting his fellow teachers to say something about his embarrassing encounter with Kakashi. The morning came and passed with the usual greetings and idle chatter. No unusual faces appeared to tease him. His students were no more unruly than unusual. Lunch at his desk was quiet. He let his students go early after reminding them to dress warmly tomorrow for outside training. Enemies wouldn't wait until the snow melted, he reminded them. They'd have to get used to throwing kunai with mittens and hiding their footsteps in crunching snow.
He almost expected something to fall on him when he opened the door to the mission room. Nothing happened. Asuma and Anko were seated at the desk, leaving Iruka to sit off to the side. They were the only ones in the room, though others would be filtering in soon to hand in their mission reports.
"Nice decorations," Anko greeted him with a smile. "You did a great job, as always."
Iruka smiled. Garland now draped along the top of the walls. Wreaths hung at regular intervals a bit lower. A red cloth now covered the mission desk, a string of metal beads draped along the front. What would have kept him busy long after the mission room opened if he'd been alone had been finished with time to spare.
Despite the embarrassment of the whole situation, Iruka had to admit he was grateful for Kakashi's help.
"Thanks."
"I see our handiwork is appreciated."
Iruka blushed and turned. Kakashi was smiling under his mask, his one visible eye twinkling merrily. This was becoming far too common an occurrence for Iruka's liking.
Anko was looking between the two of them. The grin she had on her face did not bode well for him. "You actually helped, Kakashi?"
The white-haired jounin shrugged. "I had some free time."
Anko leaned forward on her elbows, practically leering. "Did you, now?"
Asuma snorted. "There's a first time for everything."
Kakashi shrugged again and set a covered cup in front of Iruka. Hesitantly, Iruka reached forward. It was warm.
"Cocoa. For you." Again Iruka thought Kakashi was smiling at him, possibly even grinning.
Now Asuma was smiling too. "What? You didn't bring us any?"
"No."
Iruka had the distinct impression he was missing something.
"Well." Anko was practically wiggling in her seat. "Kakashi, you dog. I never would have guessed."
He really was missing something. Why was Kakashi a dog for bringing him cocoa? He probably just brought it as an apology for knocking Iruka off the ladder yesterday.
"See you around, Iruka-sensei." Did Kakashi just wink at him? Iruka watched the jounin walk away with a growing sense of confusion.
Maybe Anko wasn't the one he had to worry about.
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