This is yet another slightly revised version. Most spelling errors have now been taken care of. :D

THIS IS CHAPTER THREE and FOUR

Stuck in the Darkness
Written by: Jazzy

Pairing(s): Iruka/Kakashi and Naruto/Sasuke
Rating: Mature
Sequel: No

CHAPTER THREE

Iruka did not leave Kakashi's house at first. Months of hulling up inside of the shared apartment, keeping himself separate from the scary world outside. Here he had some control of his space and person. Out there he wouldn't know up from down, left from right, navigation, buildings, and streets, trampled by horses or kids or crowds of market shoppers. He trembled in mortal fear and terror of leaving the house and doing things on his own. He couldn't.

He couldn't do it.

He was blind.

He couldn't see.

His world was nothing but darkness, endless night without stars or moon to guide him.

How was he supposed to take care of himself? How was he supposed to leave his house, walk the streets or explore the forest without sight? How was he to be of any use to Konohagure when he could not read files or reports documents, how was he to do his job? How was he to teach throwing kunai or shurikan if he couldn't see what his students were doing wrong or even see the target? How was he to protect his student or his village when he couldn't see his enemies if they stood before him?

How was he to teach or protect the young ones when his eyes were gone?

He despaired. He felt useless.

His pills helped but they couldn't bring back his sight. He hated that he needed them. Every time he took them he felt worse. He felt so much self loathing. Tsunade had also prescribed anti-depressants and anti-anxiety pills to go with his pain meds. He hated being helpless. He hated needing these pills.

He hated being so pathetic and needy. But he was in so much pain. It was real pain not faked. Why didn't they want to believe him? No one knew what he was going through. No one had suffered through what he'd suffered through. No one knew what he was feeling. What he could see every day behind his useless eyes.

He sat in his chair and rocked. The back and forth motion helped sooth his frayed nerves like Tom-Tom and Tommy-cat in his lap both cats purring and sometimes having conversations with him. Mainly though he felt cat hugs. Cats could be very expressive, even unselfish sometimes. He wished he could read their faces but their voices were kind and sweet to his ears. They soothed him and comforted him and they were there for him when Kakashi was at the mission's desk.

Kodachi wandered the house in her usual protective circuit. Her eyes searched the property at random intervals as did her nose. It was her job to keep the chunin safe and to be his eyes when he needed them. She felt the chunin's chakra spike. She made her way quickly back up the stairs to the master bedroom.

Iruka thought he sensed someone in his room. The cats had departed only moments ago. He reached out tentively to explore his environment. He thought he heard breathing not his own.

"Tom-Tom?"

"Tommy cat?" He asked growing uncertainty. His voice shook as did his exploring hand.

"Kodachi-sama?"

No answer. Iruka trembled and felt sweat pop out on his brow.

"Kakashi?"

The presence was still there, Silent, watchful. Iruka felt afraid.

"Who's there?"

No movement, barely even the sound of breathing but it could be his own breathing, but it wasn't always in time with his breathing so it couldn't be his own breathing. But maybe it was, maybe he should hold his breath and listen for the other's breathing. Iruka held his breath and listened. Someone was holding their breath as well. He'd heard it and then the very quiet inhale and a click of teethe on senbon or on kunai or something.

Yes, there was someone else in the room with him.

Iruka jerked out of his chair. "Who's there?" he roared. He was in defensive stance ready to aim an attack at the person in the room with him. He was listening very carefully for where the next sound would be coming from. Was he about to be attacked again? Or was it that they just wanted to look on the ruin they had left behind them in their last assault?

"Answer me!" he growled.

The presence was suddenly gone. The sound of padded paws came to his ears and sudden relief as the presence disappeared and he was alone with Kodachi. He was shaking so bad he fell to his knees and hugged the dog tightly.

"Iruka-Sensei, what has you upset?" asked Kodachi, on alert.

"I … I thought someone was in the room with me." Answered Iruka shaken.

The dog sniffed the room for a little bit circling and sniffing and finding nothing for her senses to pick up on.

"Perhaps you just need to rest a little. Your scent speaks of you being very tense. I'm here, you don't have to worry, and Kakashi will be here soon. His time in the mission's desk is almost up for the day."

Iruka laughed. "I still can't believe he's covering for me at the mission's desk. He can't even write a report without smudging the ink. Let alone his handwriting skills remind me of a less disciplined three year old."

"Maa, Iruka." Whined Kakashi. "So harsh."

Iruka laughed delighted all fear suddenly gone from him as well as all tension. He threw his arms around Kakashi and kissed the jounin's face all over.

"You're home! Oh Kakashi I missed you so much!"

Kakashi blushed with pleasure. He enjoyed being needed and being missed and being appreciated. He was glad to come home to Iruka's arms.

But he could tell that today there was something more to his Iruka's greeting. He could smell fear and relief and see it in Iruka's chakra. He looked sharply at Kodachi. Kodachi shrugged. Kakashi frowned.

Iruka's neediness was another part of his trauma. At times it was something Kakashi shamefully admitted to enjoying. But the worst part of such neediness was how devastating Iruka could be. The mood swings were more spectacular than anything Iruka had been like before the attack that left him blind and traumatized.

But today Iruka seemed more of a wreck than usual. He would have to talk to Kodachi in private later.

Meanwhile he had a dolphin to comfort and take care of. Iruka stroked Kakashi's face fingers wandering carefully, mapping every inch of bone and skin. Kakashi smiled and stroked Iruka's back and let his hands wander lower. Iruka trembled and they kissed. It was a kiss filled with love and need and passion.

It felt like Iruka was sucking all the oxygen out of his lungs. Then the kiss broke and Iruka whispered words into his ear.

"Make it go away. Say those words again. Make me believe you'll never leave me."

Kakashi obliged him. Kiss. "I love you." Stroke. "I cherish you." Kiss kiss. Caress. "I'm never leaving you."

He gently backed Iruka onto the bed Kakashi's voice was strong like his arms and firm like the bed beneath them. He continued to make love to his little chunin. "I love you" they kissed again.

"I love you." Said Iruka arms tightening around Kakashi as he lay on his back with Kakashi's weight pinning him to the soft yet firm surface.

"I love you" they repeated together as one, breathing as one, their rhythm joining into one rhythm, one heart beat after the other. Passion built like a fire, hot and burning, then expiring into gentle heated embers known as afterglow.

Kakashi held Iruka for a while. Kodachi made them soup from a can and some toast for dinner. Then she sat down and gave a vigilant report of her day's doings.

"I felt his chakra spike just moments before you returned home. I heard him demand that someone speak but no one was there. I only scented Iruka and his cats in the room, Kakashi-san."

"I see." Said Kakashi looking sad. "Thank you."

Kodachi bowed then went back to her mate, Bull, and her pups, in the other realm. Kakashi lay back on the bed and spooned against his mate feeling something like pain tearing his heart. He stroked Iruka's hair. It was getting long. It was thick and soft and he loved Iruka's hair. He loved Iruka. But his heart was breaking.

Would Iruka never get better? Would this madness never end?

Tsunade had told him it would be forever but Kakashi had hoped it would eventually settle down a little maybe become a little more manageable with time. Still it didn't make much of a difference to him. He would always be by Iruka's side.

Always.

The silent watchful presence kept showing up. Iruka was getting afraid. He was creeped out. He clinged even more over the growing weeks to Kakashi, begging him not to go to work, begging him not leave him alone with just the animals.

"Why, what's gotten into you Iruka?" asked Kakashi concerned.

Iruka trembled, his breath quickened as fear and adrenaline pumped through his veins he was finally going to tell Kakashi what he'd been noticing and fearing the last couple of weeks.

He popped a pill dry, like candy, and took a deep calming breath hoping the muscles in his stomach would loosen soon. His nerves were killing him. His eyes ached.

"I swear Kakashi someone is always watching me. I heard him. He's careful but every now and then I'll hear something like a needle or a senbon or something, maybe just an uneven or quickening of breath." Iruka felt tears creep into his eyes felt horror once more.

"The animals never seem to notice him. But I felt him." He tried to breath tried to calm down but nothing seemed to be helping.

"This seems strange Iruka. Don't you think your cats summons or our Kodachi would have noticed something?" asked Kakashi concerned.

"He touched my face once. I was napping and then I felt this touch and I woke up and no one was there but someone was there, someone who wouldn't answer me. The summonses didn't notice him, not at all."

"Are you sure it wasn't one of the cats?" asked Kakashi gently.

Iruka bit down on his lower lip. Trying to control his breathing and to calm himself down to keep from weeping with frustration. "I'm sure it wasn't the cats and it wasn't Kodachi. Her weight on the bed is never unnoticed. I told Kodachi to search the room and she smelled no one, nothing, she saw no one. Tommy-cat and Tom-Tom say the same things. But I know someone was there. I know it. And they don't show up if you're here Kakashi. I am so afraid."

Kakashi frowned. He didn't like what Iruka was saying it gave him a feeling of unease and … fear.

Maybe this wasn't madness after all.

CHAPTER FOUR

Kodachi, Tom-Tom, Tommy-Cat

The nin-cats and nin-dog were having a stare down. Tommy-cat smirked then licked his impressive claws.

"So how long have you been with your master?" asked Tom-Tom

"How long have you been with yours?" asked Kodachi in reply.

Both cats twitched. "We're not slaves." Said Tom-Tom, "like you dogs are." Chimed in Tommy-Cat. Then the brothers said together "Humans serve us."

Kodachi growled. "I'm no slave. I choose to serve."

"We help out Iruka from time to time." Agreed Tommy-Cat the more mature yet younger of the two cats.

Kodachi growled. Cats were so annoying!

Tommy-Cat didn't like dogs but Iruka needed the three of them to look after him while his lover was away. He wanted some peace in the house between them. He knew it upset Iruka to have them fighting. The chunin was rather jumpy these days.

"He's always needed us to look after him" Purred Tom-Tom, in his superior tone. Tommy-cat sighed. Tom-Tom was in a rather snippy mood today. Perhaps his brother was sensing something? Even his own hair tingled with unease today.

Kodachi choked. "I'm not a nurse maid."

"Are you sure of that?" The brothers asked as one, teasing their house mate.

Kodachi turned her nose up at them then padded up to Iruka's room, not that her presence would make "the weird one" go away. "The weird one" that came around from time to time was back. Kodachi couldn't see him or hear him or smell him. Kodachi never seemed to notice "the weird one". Tom-Tom pointed him out to his brother one day not long after Iruka started getting really paranoid.

Tommy-Cat was uneasy about "the weird one's" visits. He coveted Iruka. He was like an alley cat trying to barge into another cat's territory. If Iruka were female and in heat Tommy-Cat had no doubt that "the weird one" would make a move and try to force Iruka to abort Kakashi's kits and force a claim of his own on Iruka. Only a strong mate would keep such a thing from happening and kill the interloper. He wondered when Kakashi would start to get wise to the interloper's presence.

Tommy-Cat hadn't liked the look of him but Tom-Tom ever mischievous liked to play with the visitor. He liked to see how much he could push both Iruka and "the weird one's buttons. "The weird one" was really trying to be sneaky. But didn't he figure out yet that they were ninja-cats? Cats can see anything, invisible, ghost, chakra, and anything visible from secret jutsu techniques to reading a person's face and body language. Cats were not to be messed with.

They were cats they kept their secrets close to the vest. They never let information out except when there was reason to. A reason that they thought was reason by their terms. "The weird one" didn't dare bother Iruka when two nin-cats were eyeing him with narrowed slits and ears held down in fierce warning. They didn't dare hiss. It upset Iruka. Then there wouldn't be any pettings or special cat nip treats or play with the strings if they frightened Iruka.

"The weird one" was only just now figuring out the things that cats know. "The weird one" was being more careful lately. Probably because Kakashi was also on alert like a good mate should be.

The cats made their lazy way up the stairs as well but hurried when they could clearly feel and hear Iruka's growing agitation and terror. He was clinging to Kodachi on the floor.

The cats looked on their friend with pity. Iruka used to be so immaculate, hair in place, clothes without wrinkles. Now days his hair was a mess and loose around his shoulders, hiding his further scarred face. He was in a robe and loose sleeping bottoms and little else. He was weeping again.

Kodachi grumbled comfort in her husky feminine dog voice. She licked Iruka's hand and looked around the room but as usual her eyes could see nothing. Her nose twitched from the scent of fear rolling off of Iruka-Sensei but she couldn't smell anyone else in the room except for the arrogant cats that were creeping into the bedroom now.

The cats glared at "the weird one". Their eyes followed his every move. He began to sweat. The cats showed him their large fangs and gleaming claws.

"Don't upset our Iruka." They hissed.

Kodachi took offense. "I didn't do it. He was like this when I found him."

The cats rolled their eyes at the dim whit dog. Their eyes glared at the shadow in the corner of the room, their message was clear and "the weird one" smirked then left the house with a jutsu for transport.

"We weren't talking to you, dog." Said Tom-Tom in his best superior I know more than you do tone. Tommy-Cat merely sniffed he didn't want to get involved in another sniping contest.

The dog gave them a dirty look over Iruka's trembling shoulders. She had one good thing to her advantage. She was huge and warm and Iruka fit into her like a pup to its mama. The only reason the cats tolerated her at all was that she was a comforting presence for their deeply messed up little chunin friend.

"Kakashi will be home. Just hold on a little longer, alright?" asked Kodachi gently.

"Did you take your meds today Ru-chan?" asked Tom-Tom worried.

Iruka sobbed harder. The cats accepted it as an answer of "no I have not."

The cats sighed. They worked as a team to get Iruka's food prepared and meds and glass of milk for the chunin to swallow the three pills down with.

Iruka would soon be taking a nap. The meds always tired him out. His pain would ease as well as his emotional turmoil. The cats lay down on the bed with their friend. Kodachi sat guard at the foot of the bed, her eyes on constant vigil, running around the room and out the window to gaze on the scenery outside contemplative yet alert for danger much like her master, Kakashi.

Iruka had good day as well as bad days and it was a constant struggle for balance. "The weird one" continued to come for visits but pretended he wasn't really there. The cats suspected his motives and always kept an eye on him until they managed to spook him off. But the cats suspected "the weird one" was able to figure out when they were with Iruka and when they were not and was probably timing his visits for when they were absent from their chunin friend's side less chance for "the weird one" to be discovered and more time for him to torment Iruka.

The cats wanted to be with Iruka more but they were cats. They had needs. They had curiosity in spades and a wide world to visit and check out for themselves, so they were not with their friend as often as they would have liked. It wasn't that Iruka was boring it was just that Tom and Tom-Tom were cats.

They didn't like to stay around in one place for very long, their territory ranged wide and distant and they liked to prowl around and make sure the territory wasn't being impinged on by any other worthy rivals. Cats would defend their territory to the death. They were possessive little buggers and they liked to make sure that people understood one thing and one thing only.

"We allow you to be friends with our Iruka. We allow you to live in our Territory. We answer to no one, but you, you answer to us."

They were the lords of the manor so to speak. They believed they owned Konoha and they were not afraid to let others know they owned everything and everyone in Konoha, even the slave-dogs whose loyalty was reserved for their humans or pack.

The Inuzuka compound was a particular favorite of the cats. They liked to lord themselves over the dogs and make their lives miserable with pranks and territory scents. They had such joy in harassing those canines and their ninja human counter parts.

Kakashi arrived home at his usual time. He prepared dinner for Iruka and himself Kodachi went back to Bull for some special time with her mate. Iruka was cute, napping as he was doing. Kakashi suspected Iruka hadn't taken a bath yet so he went to fill the tub grateful for Iruka's home having elaborate indoor plumbing. A bathtub that size was not standard issue. Kakashi smirked as he filled the tub with bubbles and soothing spicy scents.

Iruka awoke to Kakashi's arms around him. Kakashi smelled so good. Kakashi's usual jaunty humming put him to ease. He felt safe with Kakashi home. The stalker never showed when Kakashi was home. He was safe with Kakashi and loved.

He hated that Kakashi always ended up leaving him. He hated that Kakashi was at the missions' desk rather than here at home with him. He didn't like being alone with just the animals for company. He missed Kakashi so much. He wanted Kakashi to stay home with him and stay with him forever and never leave him alone in the darkness.

The mask was gone from Kakashi's face. Kakashi never wore the mask at home now days especially now that Iruka was blind he didn't have to worry about him seeing the scar on his face or the secrets his face could reveal so easily without the mask on. Kakashi had never been able to quite control his face to show no emotion, just his eyes. Only Kakashi's eyes were under his total control. He wished Iruka could see his face. He wished Iruka could see the love he had for Iruka.

Kakashi wanted to cry as he gazed into the shattered brown eyes. His eyes trailed the new scars over cheek bones and eyebrows and down his throat a trail of scars careful wounds that had been inflicted to cause pain and harm but not instant death. He had to be strong for Iruka now. He had to show Iruka how much he was loved and treasured. How much he would have hurt if his Iruka had died.

Iruka's hands read his face and lips and body as they stroked over muscles and under Kakashi's clothes. He could read every thought Kakashi had with every caress of his palms and trailing of his fingertips. He sighed in pleasure as Kakashi stroked him in turn.

Kakashi kissed him then carefully helped him into the bathing room.

"Have I told you lately how much I love this little spa you created for yourself?"

Iruka blushed. "It was made for two."

"To make bountiful love in." commented Kakashi leering satisfied and teasing his sweet little dolphin.

Clothes were quickly scattered at their feet as hungry mouths and even hungrier hands made desperate passionate love to one another.

(warning: LOVE SCENE) skip this if you don't want to read

LOVE SCENE

LOVE SCENE

Iruka reclined in the tub with Kakashi supporting him. Kakashi stroked him gently and lovingly. Soaping Iruka up and spreading his beautiful golden thighs as wide as the tub allowed. He kissed Iruka hungrily and played his fingers slowly tickling over soft satin skin, down a ridged and muscled stomach.

Iruka shivered murmuring pleased little sounds as Kakashi nipped and licked clean washed skin, suckling one rosebud nipple and then the other, fingers teasing and caressing Iruka's heated flesh. Gripping him firmly in his strong jounin hands. Iruka keened, as Kakashi stroked him. He didn't need eyes to know it was Kakashi touching him. Those others hadn't touched him like this. Their hands hadn't been kind or pleasuring, they had been painful and torment.

"Kakashi." He gasped. "Oh Kakashi."

Kakashi smiled, he was proud to make his Iruka sigh with passion to make Iruka's hips arch wantonly into his touch. Iruka was so beautiful like this, eager and passionate, his sounds so erotic. The water lapping at their bare flesh enhancing the glowing bronze flesh he held in his arms at his mercy under his hands.

Hungrily he engulfed Iruka's tongue and kissed him more wetly. Water splashed over the sides of the tub as Iruka bucked and writhed.

Soon Kakashi's hands explored past the heated slicked iron flesh, Iruka begged him for more, Kakashi murmured "love. Soon. Very soon."

Gently Kakashi's hands made a determined path over flexing thighs, caressing them up and down and then returned to the weeping erection that begged for more attentions. Kakashi licked at his fingers tasting Iruka's overwhelming arousal, sucking them as if they were Iruka's hard aching flesh. His own groin throbbed with painful burning need.

Kakashi returned his hands to the heated flesh and than beyond it to the delicate sacks and beyond that to the delicate opening. Fingers carefully coaxing in and out, since the rape Iruka was like a wild horse, spooked and uneasy about being ridden. Kakashi knew all the things his chunin loved and as long as he went at it slowly, like a mission, Iruka would always comply, even beg him in the end to take him, with enough delicate handling that is.

Time passed and soon Iruka spread his legs wider, his opening riding Kakashi's fingers eagerly. Iruka bit down on a sob of pleasure. "Kakashi, please." He begged. "please."

Kakashi blinked, was it that time already? He'd gotten lost in watching his Iruka and touching him, he had almost even forgot his own painful throbbing arousal so caught up in watching his beautiful Iruka aglow with his love.

They kissed passionately and then without much more preamble or foreplay, Kakashi plunged into Iruka's quivering body. The velvet and tight channel wrapped itself lovingly around his cock making him hiss and almost cum just from one squeeze.

Control Kakashi, he chided himself, control.

Iruka murmured feverish words of devotion and adoration. His body saying more than his words. His body seemed starved and on fire with his need for Kakashi. Kakashi's thrusts were angled for maximum pleasure for both of them but Kakashi was going too slow. Iruka felt as if he was going to die if Kakashi didn't fuck him full force.

Kakashi sighed, he was very proud that he could make Iruka so bossy and demanding. Iruka almost took the lovemaking out of his hands with his forceful riding. Kakashi dug his fingers into Iruka's hips reclaiming his position as the lead in this lovemaking. Iruka whimpered and then screamed as Kakashi pounded into him.

It was time. Time to make them both cum. He'd drawn this lovemaking session out to its fullest.

Iruka became louder and then breathless as Kakashi's rhythm drove him to the edge and over. Kakashi rode out Iruka's orgasm before succumbing to his own.

(END LOVE SCENE)

END LOVE SCENE

END

"I love you." He whimpered, his breathing a ragged winded sound. "Kami-sama, I love you so much." Confessed Kakashi.

Iruka grinned. "I love you, too, Kakashi."

Soon they rinsed themselves then dried off and then headed straight to bed without dinner too exhausted by their lovemaking to do anything else but sleep.

A week or so later

Grabbing courage with his hands and with the help of Kodachi Iruka decided it was time to make his acquaintance once more with the village he lived in. Now that he was blind he had to get to know his world all over again. It was time to stop cowering in fear and behind safe closed walls.

The world was a noisy scary place but the people he bumped into were kind and familiar and supportive. He didn't bump into them literally, Kodachi was careful, nimble, and made sure that Iruka did not come to any harm nor cause harm to others. There were a few murmurs in the streets, gasps of pained pity for the newly scarred and damaged Iruka but Iruka tried valiantly to brush all of that off and ignore it. He'd had pity before from these people when his family had all been killed after the demon fox attack. He survived that pity once and he could survive it again.

The Inuzuka leader grinned proudly. She praised Iruka's efforts and ingenuity.

Iruka blushed. "It was Kakashi's idea. Kodachi is Kakashi's ninja dog. She's been very kind and considerate to me."

Kodachi stood proudly, chest puffed out, tongue lolling happily out of her mouth. It was true praise. She preened under it. Her job was not an easy job, no matter that some of her brothers had teased her. Rehab with Guy Maito and psych rehab with Ibiki Moreno-Sama aside Iruka was a full time 24/7 baby sitting position. He had to be watched carefully and forced to do just about everything that a healthy person did without argument.

The Inuzuka continued to smile. "That's good. People always said Kakashi was a genius but he's always seemed rather foolish to me. If he had not asked one of his ninja canines to help you I would have given you one of our Inuzuka dogs, well trained for helping the handicapped and disabled."

Iruka winced. He hated those words. Every shinobi man and woman did. The Inuzuka clan was a bunch of bold and plain speaking people. They were not delicate people and they like Iruka never hid their emotions, like their animal partners they were very loving and very loud. Iruka tried not be hurt by her choice of words. He'd worked with Inuzuka clan kids before and was familiar with the Inuzuka and their ways. He knew it would have been an honor to be given such a help mate in one of the Inuzuka Companions.

"Thank you Inuzuka-san for your kind intentions. I would have been deeply honored to be given such a special companion."

Inuzuka patted his shoulder. "I will get one ready for you any way just in case things with the ninja dogs don't work out. Not saying anything bad about Kakashi but if a mission…well you know….Then his ninja canine won't be around either."

Iruka fought back a panic attack and tears. He hated to think about anything that could happen in the future that could take Kakashi away from him. He knew or rather suspected Kakashi would not stick around forever. No matter how often or how much Kakashi promised him he'd never leave him, Iruka couldn't believe him, not entirely.

Who would devote themselves to a worthless helpless person like Iruka? (Iruka self pity party, not author's personal beliefs)

Kakashi was not a paper pusher and he did not much enjoy the antics of the mission room or all the organizing he had to do on a daily basis there. Iruka knew Kakashi was getting itchy for a true mission of import or just to get out into the field, maybe itching to leave his needy partner behind so he could be free. Depression was making an effective overpowering comeback.

Iruka had no clue what he would do without Kakashi. He didn't even want to contemplate that Kakashi could die and leave him, permanently. He didn't want to think what he would do without Kakashi. It was too horrible of a thought to think about.

He fought the whimper that tried to escape his throat and closed his blind eyes behind the Aburame shades Kakashi had gifted him a month ago for his outdoor travels, travels he hadn't been brave enough to do until now.

Inuzuka frowned then slapped herself in the head. "Oh jeese. Oh Iruka-Sensei, I am so sorry. I had no intentions to upset you. I uh I spoke too plainly, I am so sorry, forgive me."

"No, no, that's alright, Inuzuka-san. My emotions are a little battered right now. It's my fault entirely." Insisted Iruka bowing low to her.

"No, it's my fault, Iruka-sensei," insisted Inuzuka bowing lower. "Please forgive me."

After five minutes of arguing and bowing one more humble then the other requesting forgiveness and insisting the other was not at fault Iruka and Inuzuka eventually both burst into fits of laughter and forgave one another. They clapped each other on the back then parted ways.

Iruka continued his journey in the warm spring day. He thought about the market and decided to go check out some fruits and vegetable and get some fresh fish for supper.

Sasuke was also at market that day. "Iruka-Sensei." Greeted the Uchiha.

"Sasuke-kun, it is so good to see you. How is Naruto doing?"

Sasuke felt the orange in his hand flatten with his fist in his distress. He tried to get his emotions under control. He was an Uchiha and they were not known for being emotional.

"He's fragile still. He uh." Sasuke couldn't continue. He never spoke of any of it aloud not even to Sakura. He never realized just how emotionally straining this was. "It's hard to discuss." He finally managed to force out as he tried to stay in control and tried not to feel tears burn his eyes. He would not cry.

Iruka took his life into his own hands when he reached out unerringly to Sasuke and embraced the unstable youth. Sasuke surprisingly did not kill him but instead clung to Iruka sensei like he once used to as a toddler.

"Its not good, sensei." He whispered.

"Do you think seeing me will help at all?" Asked Iruka achingly.

"They finally let me take him home last month. He's quiet, withdrawn." Explained Sasuke. "I don't know Sensei. He's like a different person. Even now the Lady Tsunade has taken him off his meds, because he's much better than before but he's still not himself. I don't know what to do Sensei. I have no clue what will happen if you visit."

Sasuke ducked his head and took a moment as if having a private conversation inside his head he then nodded to whatever decision he had come to. "All right, Sensei. I can only think it just might work. Seeing you alive and well just might be the trick he needs to come back to us." Sasuke smiled a rare actual kind smile.

Kodachi described the Uchiha for Iruka to see him in his mind's eye. He felt warmed that Sasuke could smile like that and at him. It had been years since Sasuke made such a facial expression. It transformed his face to something beautiful even angelic.

"Good, then we will go directly after shopping. I've missed Naruto so much."

"He's missed you a lot as well Sensei." Insisted Sasuke, feeling a strange sense of peace come over him. He felt as if things were getting better and lighter for his shoulders. He loved Naruto and he would stay with the dobe for however long Naruto continued to love him in return. Through sickness and health, they were friends, teammates, lovers. He'd committed himself to Naruto. His heart burned for vengeance still but Naruto had to come first right now. Naruto would be strong again and together they could hunt down Itachi and avenge the clan Uchiha together.

How were they supposed to become an unbeatable team and become stronger than strong if Naruto didn't get better? Sasuke wasn't Sasuke any more without Naruto. The only way Naruto was going to get healed was with Sasuke's help and now with Iruka's. Sasuke felt blessed. Things were finally going to be happy again. His dreams, his and Naruto's both, could possibly maybe come to pass after all. With Iruka sensei's help Sasuke was sure Naruto would come back to him. They would be strong again. Itachi would die for his crimes and Naruto would one day be Hokage and Sasuke would be his right hand man. They would adopt or have surrogate mothers for children for them and they would have a large and happy family some day.

He helped Iruka with his vegetable and fruits and fresh meat. When one stall owner tried to short change Iruka Sasuke's eyes glared red. The guy made a hasty retreat and counted out the right amount back to Iruka.

Iruka smiled. "Thank you, Sasuke but Kodachi would have done something if I hadn't caught it or rather in this case, if you hadn't have caught it. Some people are cruel in this world and I am not blind to that fact."

Sasuke snorted. "It's despicable for them to trick a blind man, especially an honorable sensei."

"Yes it is."

"They're without honor; pathetic and weak." Hissed Sasuke glaring at the market and stall owners in general.

Iruka laughed. He couldn't help it. Sasuke was a strange kid. He was right though. What was the point of trying to trick a blind man? Greed, how pathetic and totally weak still there were criminal elements and apathetic assholes all over the place even in Konohagure.

Naruto was lucid he couldn't believe his eyes.

Iruka sensei was here!

Iruka-sensei.

"IRUKA SENSEI" he screamed and threw his arms around his blind and damaged special person.

Iruka smiled and hugged Naruto tightly. "Hello Naruto." He murmured into Naruto's hair blushing slightly from happiness.

"Iruka-sensei." Wept Naruto. "I missed you. Gama-Kichi told me we were set for Ramen but you never came! And then I had a terrible dream sensei. I dreamed someone had killed you." He wept harder and with horror.

"I'm all right Naruto, see my arms are tight around you and I am right here."

Naruto nodded his shaggy head of blonde hair and gave Iruka another squeeze before letting him go but not completely. He still clung to Iruka's hand like a toddler.

"I'm sorry I missed out on Ramen with you." Apologized Iruka gravely. Then he smiled. "However Sasuke-kun and I went shopping today. Sasuke-kun will be preparing ramen for us, isn't that wonderful and so very special?"

Naruto smiled shyly and nodded. "Sasuke-Teme's been good to me Iruka-Sensei. He bought me these clothes." Said Naruto patting his chest showing off his orange shirt with its patterns of black cats on the hems, described by Kodachi in a droll and bored tone. Iruka's lips twitched as he fought back a laugh and a wider smile than was polite.

"It's very handsome Naruto." Iruka managed to say politely even managing to get a tone of admiration in once he could control his reaction.

Naruto's grin could be felt throughout the whole house. Naruto still had yet to figure out Iruka was blind. He even failed to notice Iruka's new scars.

Sasuke's scowl could be felt throughout the room. But it wasn't a real scowl. Sasuke had done his best for Naruto and had come to an agreeable compromise with his own inner clothes critic for the dobe's happiness. Orange was acceptable if it made Naruto comfortable and happy.

The evening passed pleasantly.

At the end of their dinner together Sasuke escorted Iruka back to his and Kakashi's home.

"Please Iruka-Sensei; you must join us again for tea. Your visit helped Naruto so much."

Iruka smiled warmly. "You think so?"

"Yes. I know so. Naruto hasn't been that lucid in months. His heart was damaged when you were almost killed. Seeing you alive helped him so much. So you must come to visit again and often. Between the two of us I know that my Dobe will be cured in no time." Insisted Sasuke, part arrogance and part hope.

"You're putting a lot on me Sasuke. I am not even healed yet. I can only try my best to be there for you and for Naruto, but I have bad days as many as my good days are I have a lot more bad days. I can't promise you anything other than I will try my best."

Sasuke's hope dimmed for a moment but then he looked at Iruka with a keen sharp eye. "Don't give up Iruka-Sensei and I will not give up. We owe it to Naruto that we don't ever give up. My Dobe will never give up so I will not either and so you cannot either. Don't give up."

Iruka gulped back on a sob. Sasuke was right. Iruka could not give up. He had to think about his students and about Kakashi. He had to try. He had to get strong again and help Naruto the best he could.

"You have my word." Said Iruka determination burning within him.

The stalker smiled grimly.

Iruka was more beautiful when he was miserable instead of shining with inappropriate inflated hopes. He'd have to see what he could do about remedying that. He couldn't have his chunin be anything other than beautiful.

Kakashi could treasure Iruka all he wanted but his time with Iruka was numbered. The stalker had grown so much more enamored with Iruka these many weeks. He knew he'd have to have to make Iruka his very soon.

TBC