To Be Alive At All Is To Have Scars (Kakashi Hatake x Iruka Umino)

Epilogue

It's safe to say that Kakashi doesn't get any sleep after practically kicking poor Iruka out of his apartment. He drags himself to train Naruto the next day and, for whatever reason, along with Yamato and Naruto, Gaara of the Sand is also there. Kakashi doesn't question it, instead standing next to Yamato inside of the barrier the younger man has made.

It's a gorgeous morning. Despite the sleepiness plaguing his eyes, Kakashi manages to enjoy it. It's cool outside since the sun hasn't fully risen, the sky is purple and pink and blue, and a light breeze blows through his silvery locks. He's learned to appreciate the little things like this- with the Akatsuki on the move, they may not have too many more peaceful mornings left.

So, Kakashi tries to enjoy himself. Spending his days watching his student- his sensei's son- grow so much is a privilege... At least, it is most of the time.

But then, there's days like this.

Naruto runs up to Kakashi with a huge, shit-eating grin. Gaara slowly follows behind him, but remains a couple feet away from the other three, simply standing with his arms crossed and staring at them as Naruto talks.

"So, heard you had a hot date with my dad last night?" Naruto snickers.

"Your dad?" Kakashi questions. He's so tired that it takes him a moment to realize Naruto was referring to Iruka. Suddenly, the sleep in his eyes seems to go away as they snap wide open at the thought of Iruka divulging the details of what happened to Naruto of all people. "Oh, you mean Iruka... Wait, he told you about that?"

"Well, no," Naruto answers with a laugh, scratching the back of his neck. "He just sort of maybe came home with concealer still all over his face. I didn't know you two moved quick like that!"

"Naruto, we didn't do anything," Kakashi groans. He can tell by the look on Naruto's face that the boy doesn't believe him. He wishes he and Iruka had slept together last night- that's where it was heading after their date, after all, but because of his scars, he pushed Iruka away. Kakashi has no idea if he'll be able to salvage their budding relationship. "All we did was kiss... Not that it's any of your business."

"So, he's your soulmate?" Naruto asks. His big blue eyes are sparkling with joy. "Right?"

"No-"

"Yes," Yamato interjects, standing up and crossing his arms. He shoots Kakashi a sharp glare, to which Kakashi glares back. "Stop lying, Kakashi, you really couldn't be any more obvious."

"Oh, oh! That means Iruka knows now, right? That's great!" Naruto cheers, clapping his hands together. "He's been looking forever and-"

"Well, about that," Kakashi awkwardly interjects. He thinks back to the conversation he and Naruto had about soulmates recently. "You remember that talk we had a little while back?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"I... Still haven't told him."

"Ha! Kakashi, I never knew you were so funny," Naruto laughs, only for his smile to drop moments later when he sees the look on Kakashi's face. "Oh... You're not joking."

"No," Yamato says. Every time he looks over at Kakashi, he seems to age by another year. "He's not."

"Hm..." Gaara hums, seemingly perplexed by what he's overheard.

Just as Kakashi is about to say something, Kotetsu and Izumo approach from the forest that leads to the village. Kakashi raises his eyebrows, confused as the two men come up to them- normally, they're on missions together or guarding the village gates.

"Kakashi, Lady Tsunade has requested you at her office for an escort mission," Kotetsu starts.

"When?" Kakashi replies.