Welcome To my story I'm currently fixing it with the help of Itabitaboo. She is doing so much for this story so I must give credit where credit is due. Believe me it's due a lot here. So all who love this story thank Boo and check out her awesome work. Anyway as always enjoy and don't be nice be honest.

Chapter One: Goodbye Kakashi

It was so early in the morning that the sun wasn't even up and, yet, Iruka was being awakened by his lover.

"Wake up, 'Ruka," Kakashi whispered into Iruka's ear.

"What," Iruka mumbled softly through a yawn as he sat slightly up in bed and rubbed his watering eyes.

"I'm leaving and you always tell me to let you know before I go. Remember you yelled my ear off last time," Kakashi said, followed by a quiet a chuckle. Kakashi ran his hand over Iruka's cheek, caressing it gently.

Iruka sat up and quickly shook off his sleepiness. He pulled Kakashi close and hugged him tightly. Then, he pulled down Kakashi's mask to give him a long kiss. This had become a routine for the pair each time Kakashi left on a mission. They would both be constantly hoping to return to each others' arms as soon as possible but, because they never truly knew if they would, they would kiss as if there was no tomorrow. There was only that moment and they would relish in it until reality came back to break them up again.

When the kiss was broken, Iruka enclosed Kakashi in another tight embrace. No matter how many times they had done this, Iruka could never be rid of the sadness that he felt in his heart. Kakashi's departure always made Iruka want to cry but he held his emotions in, regardless. He could only close his eyes and sigh into the hug as he prayed a silent prayer in his heart for Kakashi to return safely to him. He knew that Kakashi was just as depressed as he was and he didn't want to worry Kakashi any more than necessary. He never wanted Kakashi to feel guilty for something that couldn't be controlled. He never wanted to let Kakashi out of their goodbye hug, either.

Iruka whispered quietly while trying to keep his voice steady, "Be careful, 'Kashi, and always remember that I love you."

"I will be," Kakashi reassured, hugging his partner back just as tightly. "And I love you too, 'Ruka," Kakashi whispered.

With those final words, Kakashi was gone all too soon for Iruka's liking. If only, Iruka wished, he could drag out those goodbyes a bit longer. Agonizing as they were, the moments after Kakashi was gone were worse. The seconds immediately following his absence were so tortuously hollow. At least, as time went on, the ache dulled and Iruka grew accustomed to it but he could never get used to that initial sting of loneliness.

As the days passed by, Iruka began to worry about Kakashi but, because Iruka was always worried whenever Kakashi was away, Iruka thought it was just the same as any other time that Kakashi was gone. He thought that he was just overreacting and that his life would return to normal, as it always did, the minute that his sliver-haired lover came home. When a month passed, though, Iruka absolutely could not stop thinking about Kakashi and the possibility of him never returning. Iruka keep himself busy by thinking of all the other missions that had taken Kakashi this long because it was the only way the academy teacher could keep himself hopeful. Although Iruka was getting nervous, he was determined to try and keep his hope alive.

An entire season later, however, Iruka broke down completely. He was crying relentlessly and had lost the cheerfulness that people used to associate with him. Even after a whole other season had passed by, Iruka still couldn't pick up the pieces of his broken heart. No matter how much time seemed to pass, everything reminded Iruka of Kakashi. It didn't matter if it was a few months or a few seasons, he couldn't get the pain to leave his heart. It was an endless torture that consumed him and made him miserable, no matter the length of time that passed. He pushed on, though, always faking an empty smile but his friends, and even Iruka himself, knew that his heart was forever broken. He felt that the only time that he could show how he truly felt was at night when he usually ended up crying himself to sleep, thinking about Kakashi.

Finally, by the time a full year had passed, Iruka had begun to pick up the pieces and move on in his new life without his lover. He reassured himself that Kakashi knew that he was loved by Iruka before his death. Then, Iruka convinced himself that Kakashi dying with that knowledge was enough. That was, at least, until the fateful day on which Iruka heard a knock at his door. When he answered, he found that it was Genma and, behind him, stood Kakashi. The shock was enough to stop Iruka's heart. It was rather a miracle that he didn't drop dead right there. It had been a full year, four whole seasons and, yet, there Kakashi was, standing at his door step. Once the shock passed, Iruka ran heedlessly to Kakashi, pulling his mask down and kissing him fiercely in one swift movement. Iruka felt Kakashi kiss back momentarily before abruptly pushing him away.

"Kakashi," Iruka reprimanded immediately, equally as angry as he was confused. "You've been gone for an entire year and you don't want to kiss me!? WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU," Iruka yelled furiously.

"I… I don't know you," Kakashi said, a little flustered as he pulled his mask back up.

"WHAT," Iruka exclaimed in disbelief.

"Iruka," Genma interjected quickly. "I found Kakashi while I was out on a mission in another town but… he has no memory," Genma informed sadly.

Iruka's heart began to pound in his chest and he felt like he had forgotten how to breathe. He stood there just praying that this was some cruel, sick joke that Genma was playing on him but with one look into Genma's serious eyes, he knew that it was all too real. He tried to swallow but a lump in his throat prevented it. He couldn't believe that this was happening to him. What in the world did he do to deserve this? Why was he being punished like this? He wanted to close his eyes and wish all of it away but no matter how much he wished for Genma and this look-alike Kakashi to disappear, the wish wasn't going to be granted.

Thanks for reading and I'll try to fix everything and get on with the new chapters soon so wish me luck.