"Treasured Dreams"
By Little Spitfire
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Warning: Yaoi, Cuddling

When Iruka awoke he became aware of three things.

1) He was in bed.

2) He was in pain.

3) The bed seemed to be in a furnace … weighted down?

… What?

He slid open an eye and was met with spiked silver hair. Glancing around, he realized dogs surrounded him, pressed up against his body to give warmth. Their master was asleep next to him, curled up against Iruka as well, clutching the chunin tightly to him.

He must have made a noise because suddenly Kakashi was awake and staring intently at him. Iruka's eyelids, heavy, slid closed once more as he turned his head to lean against Kakashi's forehead. He felt more than heard Kakashi sigh and tighten his hold on him.

"How are you feeling?" The jounin whispered.

There was a pause and then, "…hurts."

Knowing Iruka's tendency to understate things, Kakashi knew that admission meant the pain was borderline unbearable.

"The poison's almost out of your system." Kakashi said.

"It's hot." Came Iruka's mumbled reply.

"Your temperature dropped after you passed out so I was trying to warm you."

"Kay." Iruka nuzzled Kakashi's cheek sleepily.

Kakashi snorted affectionately and smiled softly down at the disoriented ninja.

"The antidote kicked in an hour ago. You'll be fine."

Iruka's sleep muddled mind was trying to figure which one of them Kakashi was talking to when unconsciousness grabbed hold of him once again.

The next time Iruka awoke, the dogs were gone and Kakashi was awake and watching him. He lay cradling Iruka to his chest, one hand stroking up and down his spine, the other resting on his own stomach. Iruka blinked sleepily and looked up at his boyfriend noting that the mask was missing and mismatched eyes blinked back at him.

"How are you feeling?" the fingertips continued their trailing along his back and Iruka inhaled deeply, appreciating the sensation.

"It's easier to breathe now." He replied.

"Good." Kakashi's eyes closed obviously relieved. He ran his free hand through his hair and then repeated. "Good."

As Iruka studied Kakashi, he noticed the older man looked exhausted and decided to tell him so.

"Kashi, you look tired." He mumbled.

Said jounin chuckled softly. "Go back to sleep 'Ruka."

"Only if you keep doin' that." Was his muffled answer.

Kakashi smiled and kept stroking his lover's back. As Iruka's breathing once again deepened and evened out, Kakashi slowly allowed himself to relax. He stayed awake a while longer making sure to cherish each and every breath Iruka breathed until he too succumbed to the land of dreams.

Fin.