Warning: This is unedited from four years ago and it sucks... but the real chapter four accidentally got deleted and so this is the frustrated remains of what should have been chapter five... I'm just sick of holding on to this sooooo here it is.

"Enjoy the little things in life... one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things." -Anonymous

Last Words: Welcome Home

Over the course of several weeks Iruka had made drastic improvements in his recovery. This week he would be returning to his teaching. Something his students seemed to whole heartedly support. (if the amount of get well soon balloons and hand print painted cards, were any indication.)

he smiled to himself as he placed a large reference book back on its shelf.

"Ah Sensei?" a familiar gruff sounding voice cut through his miled revory. Turning, the sensei was surprised to discover Kakashi's pack, huddled together like his pre-gennin students during winter survival training. Pakkun, the ring leader, perched atop the wide head of the black bull dog cleverly named Bull.

"Can I help you?" He asked confused and concerned at the unexpected greeting. The now, awkward looking pack, had never excepted him. Only minding when Kakashi was around and resorting to being unashamedly belligerent when the jounin was gone... Tho it didn't really matter since they never stayed alone with Iruka for long. They could not stand him.

"Ah well we..." The alpha pug stated, shifting a bandaged paw.

"-We have something for you." Bisquet supplied helpfully, tho with no less trepidation. Ully, A lanky gray hound, fished out from behind Bull, a crumpled slobbered envelope. Waging his tale gently he presented it proudly enough to make Iruka wonder if it was filled with exploding tags.

"It's for you." The ninkin said shily, ducking his head slightly. The same sweetly penitent way Kakashi does when he's done something he knows he shouldn't.

Causisiouly, Iruka appraised the envelope. Its mangled appearance reminded Iruka of one of the worst reports Kakashi ever wrote. It made him smile warmly. An action the ninken seemed to misinterpret and they allowed themselves to relax a little.

Loosing patience Bisquit grumbled. "Come on Iruka, open it."

Arching an Eyebrow, Iruka couldn't help but note this was the first time any of the ninkin had dropped the honorifics.

Everso slowly, the suspicious sensei began to rip open the envelope and withdraw a, slightly less damp, card.

Opening it he discovered the folded page was littered with various size paw prints around the words 'welcome home'.

The unexpected gift made the senseis noses sting as he reflected on the endearing similarities to the cards from his class.

"Thank you." He said after a moment.

"We meant it sensei," Pakkun said solemnly. "Were glad your back home safe."

"Me too." He agreed to the hopefull pack.

"did I miss something?" Kakashi asked standing in the entryway, door still open.

"Your ninkin were just giving me a welcome home card." The chunin beamed as the pack seamed to shrink in embasement. The evil side of Iruka grinned wider at there discomfort. " welcome home yourself." he continued to smile as he made his way to his lover to give him a customary kiss greeting.

Kakashi inturn pulled him close. Iruka suspected it was as much a hug as it was to observe his pack behind him.

"I know you go back to teaching this week but I figured we could enjoy a nice relaxing movie night tonight. The jounin pulled a tape out from his vest. "romantic comedy, you're favorite." he teased.

Iruka smiled at the video. "Alright you convinced me, you put it in and I'll go get the popcorn." with a quick peck on the lips the two separated to complete their self-assigned missions.

From the kitchen, Iruka could here the low mumble of conversation but it was impossible to make out what was being said between the intermittent pops and the hum of the microwave.

Just before it beeped Iruka open the door and poured the full bag into a large green bowl. The puffy grains bouncing softly against each other.

After disposing of the bag in the trash, Iruka made his way to the living room with the large bowl.

Kakashi had sprawled out relaxed across the couch, his vest was gone and his mask was down. His long arm casually draped in silent invitation over the empty space at his side. Iruka's mouth drew up dry like an abandoned well. and Kakashi smiled cheekily, recognizing the dark glint of want in the chunins eye.

"we don't have to watch the movie." he offered with cheerfull smugness.

Iruka forced a mock scowl. "I already made popcorn. If you had other plans you should have said something before I went and waisted the bag." he plopped down in fake indignation at the jouinins side... nestling in comfortably to the space left just for him. Kakashi dropped his arm around him and tugged him closer.

"For a genious I certainly didn't think that through." he teased, his warm smile glowing with endearment before starting the movie.

The shinobi lapsed into comfortable silence munching occasionally on buttery curnals as the icha icha credits began. Subtly over the course of the movie, Iruka began to realize the ninken had casually shift closer. First Bull, curled up almost completely occupying the floor at the foot of the couch as Ulli made himself useful by acting as a space heater by forming himself snuggly around Iruka's cold feet. Soon (insert name here) was leaning against Kakashi taking up one arm rest of the sofa with (another name here) claiming it's twin on Irukas end. To Iruka, they resembled old fashioned book ends. by the time (god how many dogs does kakashi have?!) assumed the space at the top of the couch, allowing his front paw to dangle loosely resting on his shoulder. It was like an open invitation and the others all piled in.

Bisquit and (blank) quietly tucked themselves in the nook between Iruka's legs and the couch.

Whail Pakkun rested comfortably on Irukas side, Kakashi appeared not to have noticed but Iruka knew better. A gentle brush of his thumb at his neck both soothed his contemplation and answered his question.

He relaxed against them all. returning Kakashis soothing touch with one of his own... and for the first time since meeting the pack when he was introduced as Kakashis potential mate, he felt excepted.

Welcome home indeed, he thought smiling at Pakkuns puggy grunts of soft snoring. Iruka knew what this meant, and it wasn't tawdry like it was supposed to appear.

It had taken the greater part of two years of vetting his worth and loyalty and now, finally, he was welcome. Finally, he was a member of the pack.

Iruka snuggled closer to kakashi as the jounin rubbed his neck affectionately. All while pondering how wonderfull those last words sound.

He was home.