Iruka rolled his eyes and gritted his teeth, trying to throttle the urge to wrap his hands around Konahamaru's neck and choke him until the attitude died. Or the kid, whichever came first.
"That's not right. Do it again."
Konahamaru's face screwed up in anger. "I TRIED already! It's not WORKING!"
"Well, try HARDER!" Iruka yelled back.
The class laughed. Iruka took a deep breath. Konahamaru, finally noticing that he'd pushed Iruka as far as he could, tried again.
…
Iruka sighed miserably and sank into the chair, rubbing his aching forehead with his finger. He'd missed lunch and it was getting late, but he had so much work to do.
Sometimes I hate my life. He reached for the pen and another paper, trying to get his mind on business.
"Hey, Iruka."
Iruka glanced to the side and had to smile. Kakashi was perched in the window, grinning and holding a box that smelled really good.
"Food!" Iruka practically knocked Kakashi out of the window trying to get to the box. Kakashi, laughing, surrendered the box and slid off the windowsill, watching Iruka fondly as Iruka tore into the dinner he'd brought him.
"You're working too hard again, Iruka." Kakashi admonished, shaking his head. Iruka gave him a woeful look and continued to shove food in his mouth.
Kakashi wandered over and eyed the pile of homework. "Do you really need to get this done tonight?" he pushed at the pile with a finger and watched in morbid fascination as it shifted, threatening to fall off the desk.
Iruka yelped and shoved the pile back, glaring at Kakashi. "Yesh." He swallowed the food and coughed. "Yes. They're tests. They're two days old as it is and I'm already trying to get the next one prepared."
"Hmmm." Kakashi sighed. "Well, finish your dinner and get started."
Iruka laughed and did as he was told.
…
Kakashi watched Iruka as he quickly scanned the answer sheets, his face lined with weariness. They'd been sitting here for nearly two hours and it was almost midnight.
And he'll be up at four am, Kakashi thought with a sigh.
Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. Moving with swift silence, he moved around and placed his fingers on Iruka's neck.
Iruka yelped. "Kakashi, what are you…"
Kakashi pressed and Iruka collapsed.
Grinning, Kakashi picked him up and slung him over his shoulder. Now, to get him home.
…
"What the hell…Kakashi, what are you doing?" Asuma's voice hissed at him.
Startled, because he hadn't heard Asuma arrive, Kakashi turned and gave the bearded man a blank look. "What do you mean?"
"Is that…IRUKA?" Asuma's face darkened. "Kakashi…"
Kakashi sighed. Really, Iruka's friends and their over-protectiveness…
"He was working too hard. I knocked him unconscious so he'd get some sleep. I'm taking him to his house and putting him to bed…virtuously alone, I might add."
Asuma bit his lip and hesitated, and then nodded. "Ok. Can…do you need any help?"
"That would be nice." Kakashi grinned at Asuma. "Let's go get him to bed."
