Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or anything with Naruto.

A/N: So sorry, it took me so long to post up a new chapter. I got really sick and life happened. Side note: I took a page out of the book of life (No, not the movie), for the second half of this chapter. So I hope it translates well.

And as always, this will be posted once more on yaoi.y-gallery under YuYuPerson and on Live Journal under fairyparatsuki. Both are also my users. So if you prefer to locate them there, please do so. Links will be provided on my main profile page shortly. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter Two

Night had fallen rather quickly and even with the usual sounds of nature, Naruto was still on edge. He had taken to walking from the back room to the main door at regular intervals, listening for anything that could mean danger was coming to them. His exhaustion was starting to take a hold of him, since he nearly threw a Kunai at a poor rabbit, giving him a rush of déjà vu. That had been enough to keep him in the back room longer. He took a caffeine pill to become more alert.

Moving back to Iruka, he proceeded to dab cool water on Iruka's forehead in an attempt to bring down the fever, which was now fighting back viciously. It was most likely due to the poison. He had done his best to make a leg splint for Iruka out of some sturdy branches and roller bandages. He did his best to provide elevation with his own flank jacket, but he felt that didn't go so well.

Much as he noted before, he was not the best at anything aside from basic first aid. He has a fast healer, after all, and there was usually a medic. Still he had pushed on. Naruto consistently woke up Iruka to have him drink water and take another dose of the fever reducer, when it was needed.

Giving Iruka another dose of the fever reducer, he settled for the center spot between the back room and the main door. Giving himself enough distance to listen from both ends.

It was late into the night that he was jolted to attention by Iruka's pain filled grunt. He got up from his post, looming over his teacher, who was obviously having some kind of nightmare and the movement caused the pain.

"Iruka-Sensei?" he called, gently touching Iruka's shoulder. "What's wrong?"

He could barely hear the "I'm sorry," the man whispered. He leaned in closer, asking him to repeat himself. The last thing he anticipated was to be pulled down into a kiss. He pushed his teacher away, harsher than he meant, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Iruka nearly yelled when his shoulder hit the floor.

"What the hell?!" Naruto yelled.

"I'm sorry," Iruka muttered between gritted teeth, "Kakashi."

He stared at Iruka in disbelief, completely taken aback. Iruka was seeing his former teacher in HIM? He took in a deep breath before approaching the older man again, hesitating when he put his hands on Iruka's shoulders again. "You're having a dream."

"Why are you playing with me?" was the response. He had his eyes wide open and was attempting to sit up. Naruto didn't like how glassy they looked, barely focusing in. "I'm sorry I didn't return your feelings. I'm so sorry."

"I. Am. Not. Kakashi." He punctuated each word as he heard Iruka start to sob. "I'm Naruto. You're feverish and poisoned." He growled a little before continuing. "Someone will be here soon to help, okay? You'll be healed. And when you are, you can tell the REAL Kakashi how you feel. Whatever you want, okay? Not me."

He had never seen his teacher cry the way he was doing now, through those damned glossy eyes. The guilt was more than the embarrassment. Somehow he felt as if he should just play along, but that would be much, much worse. And even then, to discover this, THIS part of his family... He softened his voice a bit, helping his teacher finish sitting up, giving him a loose hug. "I know you think I'm Kakashi, but I can't...I won't pretend. It would be too weird and just not fair to you."

He felt him fall a little slack in his arms as he took in labored breaths again, no longer crying or flailing, seeming to calm down. The fever was back and it was hotter than before. He could feel it over the bandages. "It doesn't matter. I just wanted to tell you I loved you before I died."

"You're not going to die. I won't let that happen, okay?"

Naruto looked over for some reassurance. Iruka had closed his eyes. Naruto cursed as he reached for the bowl of cool water, doing his best keep the fever at bay.

Every so often, Iruka would stir a bit, calling out for Kakashi. When he stopped, Naruto's worry increased 10 fold. Feeling his forehead, the fever seemed to be increasing than decreasing. Naruto decided to take a chance and gave him a little over the recommended dosage for the fever reducer and placed the cool cloth behind Iruka's neck.

It was nearly mid afternoon, when the rays of light came through the boarded window, when Naruto heard the rapping at the door. He could barely hear someone calling out as he attempted to go back to sleep, Iruka still aslseep on his arm. Realizing what had happened, he was wide awake with surprise, he quickly felt Iruka's pulse, noting it was still there, but fluttering very softly. Gently, he pulled his arm out, sending a clone to answer the door. He positioned himself at the room opening, getting ready for an attack.

The clone slowly allowed the door to creak open, spotting a familiar mass of grey hair. He allowed the door to pen a little more, allowing only enough for one person to step through. He recognized Kakashi, as well as the fox, Yamato-Sensei, and two Konoha Medic Nin. The clone expelled itself. Naruto relaxed as he stepped into view, directing the medic nin to Iruka.

He could only watch as the medic nin re-assessed Iruka's injuries and even as they healed what little they could to get him ready for transport, muttering on how much worse things would have gone had the fox not appeared in Konoha when she did.

Naruto couldn't help observing Kakashi's reaction as well, trying to figure out what was going on between his Sensei. How his eye gave away exactly how he felt: pained, worried, sad. He looked as if he wanted to ask more than the basic questions, but held back.

Yamato was the only one to approach Naruto to inquire for more information. The medic nins did their best to wake Iruka to continue their inspection.

"We managed to..." Naruto started. He looked at Iruka when he gave a distinctive grunt, as one of the medic nins checked on the wound on his side. He started over. "We got separated during an attack by enemy nin. Two from our cell have died. Iruka managed to fend them off pretty well from what I saw That was...he sustained the most amount of injuries, but he survived their attack. I tried to use a topical solution on the burns and the cuts. But I don't know how long he was without care until I got to him. I have no idea how he got injured. The Fox...Miss said there is a slow acting poison in his system. I think its making him hallucinate. I think they intended to make him release vital information by making him see his loved ones. He called out for them."

"What?" Kakashi asked. "Like who?"

"For me," he lied. "And more students. Other ninja. But he passed out from the fever before he could even say anything he regretted."

"Naruto," Yamato called to him. "The mission-"

Naruto lifted a hand, urging him to stop. "The details of the mission are confidential. I cannot give anymore than that. Now, Iruka is the main focus. We need to get him safely back to Konoha."

A resounding "Yes" came from Yamato. Kakashi's expression became more pained and worried. Maybe Naruto was the only one to notice, since no one else paid much attention.

Once the medic nins completed their work, and okay'd for Iruka to be moved, they started their trek back to Konoha, Kakashi carrying Iruka on his back. Iruka still needed more treatment, but he was out of immediate danger for now.

It had taken less than a day to arrive with how quickly they were moving. But all the better. Once at the Konoha hospital, Kakashi allowed for the staff to take Iruka, watching the medic nins follow in. Yamato had gone to give an assessment to the Hokage from the rescue team. Naruto, waited for word from Sakura, who was manning the front desk with another girl, as to who was going to take charge of Iruka. "I will be," she said. "They are preparing him right now. I'll be there in a bit. You will hear from me once everything is done."

With this in mind, Naruto sat and waited. It was just Kakashi and himself, sitting and waiting. It took several hours before Sakura emerged from the room declaring success with a serious expression. "He's not ready for visitors yet. He's stable, at least. It is going to be a bit before anyone can see him." She noted the worried expression on both Naruto and Kakashi's faces. Her features relaxed, bringing up a smile. "He's okay. He's going to live. We're just getting ready to have him settled in a room. No visitors for a bit. Now, go and clean up before coming back."

Naruto breathed a sigh of relief. Iruka was okay. Looking at Kakashi, he saw the holder man run his hands through his face before throwing it back to try and physically will the worry away. Naruto motioned for Kakashi to follow him outside of the building. It may be too soon to talk, but Naruto was impatient and wanted to get it out of the way.

Once outside, before Kakashi could protest or make any demands, Naruto blurted out with "I lied."

Kakashi merely nodded. "I know you did. I was trying to figure out which part."

Naruto waited, knowing whatever he said would not only affect him. He scanned around, ensuring they would not be overheard. "It was what Iruka-Sensei said. He...He never called for me. He never called for students or other friends. He called for you." He was a bit surprised to see Kakashi give a confused look. He expected more of a shocked response or a demand to know what was said. Instead, he remained quiet. Frustration flared in Naruto. "Kakashi-Sensei, what's going on between you two?"

Kakashi just stared at him, the confusion increasing. "Why?"

"Before I say anything else, I want to know."

Kakashi let out an irritated sigh. He knew Naruto for too long. He knew he would not say anything without an answer. And he would not stop until he got some kind of answer. "We're just friends," came the defeated answer, and he looked away, crossing his arms.

"Bullshit." It came out with more venom that Naruto intended, surprising them both. He quickly regained his composure and continued more calmly. "No one calls out the way he did if you were just friends. What is your relationship with Iruka-Sensei?"

"That is honestly none of your business." Kakashi attempted to walk back into the hospital, but Naruto grabbed his arm.

"If the last thing Iruka-Sensei wanted to see was you, then it's my business. And it sure as hell has affected me. He was like that for hours. HOURS, Kakashi. He would only call for you. He's MY family. To see him like that, it hurt. I want to know why he was calling out for you. Now, tell me."

"Fine!" Kakashi scanned up and down the area again before continuing. "Just...Please don't judge him or treat him differently." He waited for Naruto to nod in agreement. "I've liked Iruka for a long time. And I don't mean as friends." He shot Naruto a look as if to challenge him on his sexual preference. Naruto just stood there with his arms crossed. "When I finally confessed, he shot me down, saying something about lacking an understanding village and status. That he...That he couldn't feel the same, EVER. It didn't matter how long I waited or how often I brought it up. That was always his answer. So, I stopped him. That was the end of everything."

"That's it?"

"That's it. We're not in a relationship or anything. It's just unrequited love. Nothing has come from it. We've just been friends."

A sigh of relief washed over Naruto, though he was still embarrassed and confused. "He just kept calling out for you. Only you. And I couldn't make heads or tails of why."

"Oh," Kakashi just muttered. "Did he...Was anything else said? Or did he just call my name?"

Naruto rubbed his face. He was tired. "It's not right for me to say anything. And I can't make any promises on what he wants. But Talk to him again when he's better. And I don't mean in the hospital. When he's home. Talk to him again."

Naruto turned to walk back in the building.

"No."

He turned back quickly. "What?"

"I can't," Kakashi said with painful, sad eyes. "Whatever he said, he was obviously not in the right frame of mind. It hurts enough as it is. I just can't do it anymore."

"Why?"

"He said things drugged, Naruto. How do you know if he would still be interested in anything sober? I'm not...it's just not right. It's like Sakura or Hinata getting drunk and confessing their undying love for you. Would you accept anything from them like that?"

Naruto thought it over. "No. I get it. Sorry."

"Confessions don't come when you're drugged or drunk. You're just taking advantage of someone at that point." Kakashi attempted a smile. "Look, I appreciate what you're trying to do. But this is not some cliche love romance. I can't take anything anyone says in a compromised stage serious. I'm not the one you should talk to. So, please don't mention these things to me anymore."

Naruto merely nodded. With that they both walked back inside, waiting to be notified of Iruka's room status. Naruto remained quiet over everything. He wasn't going to tell Kakashi everything that happened, considering it still sent an uneasy shiver up his spine.

It had been another few hours before they were told Iruka was allowed to see visitors. Once allowed to enter the room, Naruto didn't hesitate, but the sight he saw was one he didn't think he would ever really be ready to see.

Iruka was practically a mummy. His neck and chest were completely covered in bandages. One arm was completely wrapped all the way to his fingers. His right leg was in a plaster Cast. One arm had an IV drip and at the shoulder was wrapped in a bandage with a strong smelling ointment. His complexion was pale. If his hair were lighter, he could pass as a person trying to Cosplay as Kakashi. His cheeks still had a slight tinge of pink. Sakura said the fever had gone from severe to mild and would continue to go down. His breathing was still labored, but it didn't seem to hurt him anymore.

Given the chance to breath a sigh of relief, Sakura called him over to get his story on what happened, as per protocol, and to take care of a set of wounds he didn't even realize he had.

Kakashi slowly took a seat on the chair next to Iruka's bed. Eventually he put his hand on Iruka's. Naruto looked back once more, staring at his Sensei.

Whatever hurt it is, he would always care. He knew that feeling all too well, still caring some residue of it as he followed Sakura.

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