Author's note: Happy New Year 2015! Hope you'll all have a better year than what was 2014. This story is a way to say good bye to all the crappy things that happened to me, and that I'm ready to look at a new beginning.

I'm sorry it took so long before it was finally put up here. It was hard. Both writing the story and living through the year. I'm glad to tell you that things are better.

Again, just as before, sorry for the grammar errors and the syntax that sometimes won't be right. English is not my first language. Please, feel free to let me know!

I started writing it without knowing the ending of the manga. Therefore, it's clearly not the same, since overwriting everything would have taken so much time, and it would have change the outcome of the plot.

Disclaimer: Naruto is not my property, but solely goes to Masashi Kishimoto.

Chapter 1

His mother used to say that he was born from the sea, taking its patience and strength with him. As a young boy, he had not understood what she meant, but the words had made sense over the years as he fulfilled his shinobi life. He knew that he was kind of patient, but had always wondered for the strength. He had not been able to be one of the strongest of his class, yet his strategic mind had always been at its finest.

Though, the years brought him another point of view: as a shinobi, he could bring other people to their death. It was one of his strength, just like the sea could do so. Even if he did not always wanted to bring death, yet he could. It was part of being a shinobi, and he tried to not think too much about it. Because he hated it. It was part of what he was still working on, even after all those years.

And through this mission, he hoped he would be strong enough to not bring anyone to his death. It had been many days now that they were making their way to the Land of Iron. It should have had taken less time than this, but to find someone who had a boat to transport them there had been harder than what they thought at first.

Izumo moved by his side, changing his position again in a way that seemed even more uncomfortable. The boat was not big, used mostly by an old man who used to fish.

"What's the matter with him?" asked Raidou, putting away his over-than-ready kunais. Iruka had found out that this man liked to be prepared for any eventuality. Well, every sensed shinobi would be, but Namiashi Raidou sure was on an other level. He was protecting the Hokage, after all.

"He's seasick. He's always like that when we have to cross any land of water."

"I see. Is he capable of fighting in that state?"

"Just do as if I wasn't there, please," came an annoyed voice. "I just have nausea, I don't have chakra depletion." Iruka tried not to laugh, while Raidou shook his head. "Once I'm off that boat, I'll be happy again."

"I was just trying to spare you some talk, 'Zumo." The scarred jounin took out a map from his pack. "Anyway, we're only gonna reach the rendez-vous point in some hours."

Iruka studied the map briefly, tracing all the distance they had made, departing from Fire country to end up in Water country, renting a boat to a mostly blind and deaf man referred by their Intel team. "The sea never lies to the soul, young men," was the only cryptic explanation they were told when they met him. And that was suppose to reassure them.

"While the meeting take place, I want you guys to be alert. 'Zumo," started Raidou again, waiting for a small 'yes' to be heard, "you've got the photographic memory. Remember what I ask you?"

"Yes, Raidou. I was not put at the head of the mission desk for nothing," Izumo replied in a lazy voice. If he was challenging Kakashi for the laziest looking man on earth, he was clearly winning if you would ask Iruka. He was surprised by the familiarity his friend showed with Namiashi; having higher clearance in Konoha administration did have its perks.

"Iruka, you remember what we talked about?" went on Raidou, studying intently the ponytail haired chuunin.

Iruka's hands became sweaty, remembering exactly what he was referring to. He didn't like the tone his captain had, but he could not take it out on him; Raidou needed to be sure he had everything secured, and Iruka could be a loose end.

"Iruka," repeated Raidou again, more gently.

Iruka took some seconds before looking in the dark brown, almost black eyes, feeling Izumo pressing his back against his leg in some form of moral support, he supposed. "Yes, Raidou, the job will be done. I've got everything under control," he answered, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"Good. So from what we know, there's only a few people working with him. Some samurais and his medical corps. I doubt there will be anything happening during the meeting. But once we'll be out there, it's for sure that we'll hear about it.

"If it is disrupt by anything, be it a missing nin, a natural disaster, or whatever you want, protect Mifune at all cost, and we'll meet at the western outpost and follow the protocol. I trust you, guys."

And he was trusting them, Iruka knew it. Yet, he could not shake off the strange vibes he was getting from him. Somehow, he felt that it was because of Kakashi that his mission captain did trust him really.

They knew each other from the silver haired jounin, but had never talked, only maybe greeted each other awkwardly while Kakashi was leaving to join him. It was to say that he had a hard time to link with his lover's friends, starting back then with Asuma that had never truly took time to know him, even with Kurenai trying to help. Genma was nice, but other than that, they had not much common friends.

The two of them simply sat in a thoughtful silence, Raidou studying his map, Iruka looking at the water. Izumo tried to change his position again, slumped between their packs not to far from the humming old man.

"There, young lads. The sea has brought you to port!" chimed the fisherman, his gravely voice rumbling through the air.

In front of them was a small looking beach, just at the border of a little wood. There was no snow yet, but Iruka knew that it would not be too long with this temperature.

Kakashi had always like kissing. He was not sure if it was because his lips were mostly covered all the time by the black fabric of his mask, or if it was because of the way Iruka's chiseled ones felt as he kissed him back. Neither to say, his body was responding in a matter of time, sending his head spinning with desire and his blood rushing down to a lowest part of his body.

"Come on, Kakashi, let me work!" the younger man chuckled as he felt the kisses and nibbling on his neck.

"Come on, Iruka," answered Kakashi with a husky voice, "take a break. I promise it'll be worth your time..."

Pale hands were roaming under his shirt seductively, his skin crawling in pleasure. And if it had only been his skin it would have been easier to keep a cleared head. "Oh, I know that." His hand scoop up his lover's chin for him to turn and kiss him deeply, tongues playing together for some seconds. "I know that, 'Kashi," he whispered tenderly.

The jounin pouted. He knew this tone: his Sensei would not change his decision. "Okay, then. What are you working on?"

"Some theoretical research I'm doing about chakra wires and explosive tags. It should keep me teaching for some years." The chuunin smiled as he saw Kakashi absorbed by the papers as he started reading them.

"I recognize a genius when I see one," mumbled Kakashi, forgetting completely his first task that had taken him out of his Icha Icha reading. "It's a shame that you have to prove yourself that much to keep your job."

"Hmm." He took hold of the strong arms as they circled him. "That's the price for peace, I suppose. We don't need as much effective as we used too, and the Hokage can't do a thing about it. Even you have a hard time finding missions worth the pay."

Kakashi kissed his head. "Yeah, but I'm one special case. Who cares, anyway. I'll be retired soon enough, they don't need me anymore."

And Iruka could not tell if there was bitterness in his voice, his lips pinched in a thin smile as he wondered about it.

A loud noise jerked him awake, the kunai hidden between the mattress and the base of the bed in his left hand in a defensive stance. Looking at his wall for a long minute with sleepy eyes, Kakashi wondered what was happening. He could hear his neighbors yelling and swearing insanities, throwing things and smashing in his wall. Again. Sighing, he simply put the kunai back in its place before he turned, his right arm looking for Iruka on the right side of his bed, so his man could finish what he was just doing.

But Iruka's side of the double sized bed was cold and empty. Oh, Sharingan no Kakashi realized. Iruka had, indeed, left two weeks ago for his duties, and his groggy mind of a genius had forgotten, having just come back from a way too long mission and dragged himself tiredly to his bed. He had fallen asleep with his shinobi outfit, dirty and smelling.

Sitting, he scratched his head grumpily, feeling his need down in his pants. With a grunt, he made his way toward his bathroom, fiddling with his black boxers once he was able to unbuttoned his pants. He rested his head against the cabinet fixed on the wall at his head level, trying to remember the dream he just had, his now cold hands discouraging him.

Iruka taking the lead – pleasuring him in ways that Yamato had not been this good at. His mind was great at remembering him what he missed dearly, the fun he and his chuunin had by simply being together, sharing and understanding one another, by being honest.

That day, when he had asked his lover to be on top, he had been sure he would have been greeted with a 'no'. He had seen the uncertainty in his deep brown eyes for a moment. It had been there, even if he knew Iruka clearly wanted it. Maybe it was from remembering her, maybe it was simply because he had never done it that way. Yet, he knew for sure that his lover liked it. So much for him to be away that long.

He would clearly be happy to remember his noisy neighbors that they were not alone.

"My husband has been waiting for you. Please enter," curtly said the tall lady, her blue eyes cold as steel as she straightened her back after opening a small wooden door. Iruka knew that she was strong, her stance right and solid, ready at any moment to draw her katana and fight back with all she had. She was not a woman to mess with.

After some hours of running at a good pace through the tundra, they had finally reached an underground entrance hidden by a bundle of rocks, before meandering through empty, cold and dry tunnels lead by Mifune's wife. They had not meet anyone other than her and the samurai protecting her.

She had been arrogant since they first met. Or was it simply some resentment, Iruka could not tell. After all, the decision Mifune had taken back then had given birth to a drastic situation and put their lands into chaos.

"Thank you, Naomi-sama," simply answered Raidou with respect, bowing his head, before leading his three man-cell in the room, the lady closing the door behind them.

It took time to adjust to the badly lit room, and slowly Iruka was able to discern a figure seated behind a small table. "Please sit, we don't have much time," said a raspy voice, before a deep cough silenced him. As Iruka sat in front of the old man, he could see how the sickness had ravaged the once strong body, now defined by gaunt cheeks and sallow skin. "You were not followed or seen? Good. I'm surprised that the Uchiha that serves you as the Hokage accepted to help us..."

"Konoha is deeply redeemable for the help you're troops gave us in the Fourth War, Mifune-sama," simply answered Raidou. He waited patiently, lips pinched, as another fit of cough took the old samuraï.

"I see," breathed out Mifune. He eyed his wife for a second before putting some torn papers on the table, while the sound of the door being opened and closed was heard. "And yet you are not in the grasp of a civil war today. Honor is still holding you together, and, I suppose, a sense of unity in your country."

The three men looked at the door opening again as another row of deep cough troubled the man, studying Naomi kneeling at the side of her husband, handing out a steaming wooden mug and helping him to drink. "Thank you, my love," Mifune whispered tiredly, taking a few whistling breath.

None of the shinobi could hear what she whispered back, but they could easily see all the love she held in her eyes and in the small, sad smile she made for him. Yet, as she sat back near him yet at a respectful distance, her eyes became hard again, her small lips becoming a curt line and her piercing eyes observing the three shinobis with - Iruka clearly seeing it now - mistrust.

"I am sorry for the inconvenience my sickness is bringing you. Here," Mifune handed a scroll to Raidou, which gave it to Izumo. "This is a letter I need you to bring to the Hokage and the instructions for your infiltration mission. I suggest that you burn the scrolls if you are to be captured; they'll simply think that you are some missing nin that were sent in a meager attempt to overthrown them.

"My son's troops were able to find out one of our enemies' biggest hideout, but is in no posture to get there. Somehow what you will find will help us to fight back what little government they could install through the chaos. You need to know that they are planning something against your kind, shinobis; the opposition is angry that we took action in your war."

"Can we trust the men you are working with, Mifune-sama?" asked Iruka, bowing his head.

"Other than my son and my wife, there's only a few of my trusted men still alive. I can spare no one to back you up. Either you make it, or we are all doomed."

The night was mostly silent, grasshoppers chirping being the only noise that could be heard. The moon shone with its silver light, giving the clearing an eerie look. So far, chakra sensing and his ninken detected nothing.

"Sure it's the right place?" he asked Genma through shinobi hand signs.

Genma's lips became a thin line. "Yes, same place as last time," answered the tokubetsu's hands. "Shouldn't be too long."

Kakashi said nothing and went back to his observations. He had been chosen to replace Raidou on this scroll retrieval. For sure, he did not thought it would be that kind of retrieval mission, hidden in the trees, waiting for grass ninjas to show themselves. Usually, he would simply kill the enemy and pick up what had been stolen.

An owl made itself heard three times. "There," Genma signed, before pointing at the bird of prey flying over the clearing.

"A summon," Kakashi signed back. His friend nodded.

"Yes. Follow me, they aren't too far."

They jumped from branches to branches, before finding a small steam and following its course north. It was not too long before they found the two of them. From their stance, he understood rapidly that they were skilled adversaries, but the teamwork was not attuned. Even if blondie seemed open to negotiation and clearly the leader in this mission, he was not at ease with his partner, a semblance of an old grizzly showing his teeth. He was too tense, his posture stiff and rigid.

"Nice to meet you again, Toot'pick, " greeted with a thick accent the blond one, a smug smile lighting the grim look in his eyes. Or maybe he was a bigger player than what he could discern, thought Kakashi.

"Same here, Grasshoppers," replied Genma on the same playful tone.

Kakashi narrowed his eye as he saw the second grass nin hidden behind a straw hat bristle, one of his hands automatically drawing a kunai.

"Takeshi!" warned between his teeth Blondie, studying Kakahsi intently. He knew who he was, and he was not going to risk it even more. "I'll cut down to business, Toot'pick. I got what Konoha wanted. Got what we're looking for?"

Kakashi was not sure if there was boredom in the blond's words, but the way Genma answered showed that it had been more than a few times they were meeting. "Sure. Kakashi?" The copy nin threw their respective backpacks a feet away of the two grass nin, just as Blondie threw a thick scroll at him. "You have medic stuff you need for at least a month."

"Soldier pills?"

"Twelve bottles."

"Good. You've got all t'e intel' we could get and t'e team you sent is in."

If Kakashi frowned even more, he hoped it did not show through the dark. He said nothing as Genma simply agreed and they retreated without a glance. And for some hours, they stayed silent, simply making their way back through the night, making sure no one was following them.

Genma finally broke the silence, "What is it? You're rarely that silent nowadays on a mission. Want to know something?"

Kakashi rolled his eyes, and kept silent for two more jump. "How much are they helping in the Land of Iron case?" he finally said.

A sigh. "I don't know everything, and what I know is still classified, but it's been a while they're observing the place. You know how Grass country is, always on the watch. They may be poor, but they know how and who to sell their info to." He landed on a sturdy branch, his fingers playing with his senbon, tapping it lightly against his lips repeatedly.

Kakashi leaned against the tree, his arms crossed over his chest. "You've work with that nin before?"

"The blond one? Yeah, but the partner's new. Anyway, I've met him a few years back in an infiltration mission. He helped me stay alive."

Gray eyebrows rose. "Really? I'm surprised."

"Yeah, as I was. But he's good. He's the one who brought the last intel about the civil war and where Mifune's stationed with his wife."

"Hm." He looked at nothing for a minute, thinking of the last teams that had been sent for long length mission. Only a few.

Genma scratched his head, "Want to know something else?"

"No need. We should keep going; we need to report our mission as soon as we can. Naruto and Rokudaime are surely still awake," he stated, starting his way back.

The brown haired jounin shook is head slightly before following his friend. "Don't know for the brat, but sure, Rokudaime-sama will be awake," he simply added. Silence greeted him. He shook his head and jumped after Kakashi.

The clothes he had been given were a little too big for him and ranked of sweat. Clearly, the last one who wore them had not taken a shower for a while, and the fact that he could not differentiate if their gray and brown color was their natural one told him their level of cleanliness.

Putting his Konoha outfit in the same bag as his teammates, it had been a while he had not done those kind of missions. He was nervous, but at the same time his body was more than asking for this. It had been too long since he had done something truly useful.

"The others surely have arrived at their destination. We are a crucial part in this mission, and if we can make it right, things will go as planned." Raidou kept silent for a moment, breathing heavily through his nose as he closed his eyes, his hands balling and tensing. "Remember that if we are captured, there is not a lot of chance that we are getting back." Iruka and Izumo exchanged a glance before looking back at their captain, nodding. "Let's just do our best to make it back home. We all have a family that awaits our return," he whispered, pulling his hood to hide his features.

Iruka said nothing, controlling his shaking hands. Each shinobi had their way to deal with their mission. Each shinobi had their way to try to control that dreading sense of adrenaline that was getting in your system once you were about to get into action. Your body just knew that it would start soon.

Dark brown eyes opened again to observe an unrolled map set in front of them on an old broken table that could barely stand. "Izumo, what does it look like?"

"The Intel might have found out the emplacement of their collective data. It should be in that building," the chuunin explained with apprehension, his eyes shining with intelligence. "I suggest that we take some days to round out the place, finding out the surveillance and the shifts. I'll be able to step in and find the necessary documents."

"Alright. Once we got everything, you step in." It was a sentiment of pride that settled in Raidou's stomach as Iruka stared back at him with determination, nodding with confidence. He guessed that it was how this reserved guy took those kinds of mission.

"Yes. Once you're out, Izumo, I'll blow the rest of their data. I'll be rigging the place with a system of explosive tags, I'll keep them busy. "

"And I'll be backing you up, whatever happens." They nodded at each other. "Good, let's go. Follow me."