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Rating: R

Chapter 9: To love you more

Hours later Kakashi walked up the stairs and made his way to Iruka's bedroom. He knocked on the door, and received an answer in moments. The chunin answered the door, his hair wet and freshly washed, "I'm not coming down to dinner." He looked down as he spoke, not meeting Kakashi's eye.

"Why not?"

"I'm not really hungry. Just tired is all."

He lifted Iruka's chin with his finger, and wasn't suprised to see that his eyes were red and puffy from crying, "What happened? What's the matter."

He grabbed Kakashi's hand and gently pushed it away, "I was just thinking...about him. Everytime I do, it's makes me cry. It's normal. I usually cry myself to sleep anyway. Goodnight." Before Kakashi could say another word, he closed the door, and locked it.

"Are you okay?" Amadare asked Kakashi as he walked down the stairs, and made his way back to the dinner table.

"...Yeah...no problem." He answered, his face still twisted in worry.

"Would you like some dessert?"

"...Yeah...no problem."

"Are..you sure you're okay?"

"...Yeah...no problem."

"Kakashi? There's a giant man eating rabbit behind you."

"...Yeah...no problem."

Luckly, Sasuke knew how to snap the elite ninja out of his trance, "Kakashi? Your dick is on fire."

"...Yeah...no - WHAT THE FUCK!" He jumped up and began patting his pants wildly. It took five minutes for him to realize Sasuke was fooling around. "You are not funny!" He yelled, sitting down and idily playing with his chocolate sundae they were having for dessert He wasn't really interested in food at the moment, still unable to understand what Iruka had just done. 'I never imagined what he had gone through. I mean, I know he had been in love before, but I never knew he was hurt so badly. Not just emotionally, but physically. Is there no way I can help?"

"What's up with you?" Sasuke questioned.

Kakashi sighed, "Nothing. I'm thinking."

"No wonder it smells like burnt rubber in here. You might want to slow down." Kakashi, who normally had an insult on standby, ignored the comment.

Naruto gasped playfully, "Now I know somethings wrong! You're always ready for a reason to insult somebody! Are you going to let Sasuke get away with that!" Still no response. "Master Kakashi, tell us whats wrong."

"I said I'm fine. Just tired, there's nothing more to it."

"Are you absolutely sure?"

Kakashi slammed his forked down, getting annoyed and got up from his seat and left, "I'm going to bed. Later."

"Something is most definately wrong with him," Kagayoku insisted. "He's been acting weird lately. Do you think it may have something to do with Iruka?"

Daiya shook her head, "I'm sure Iruka has nothing to do with Kakashi's frusration. Iruka is such an innocent and quiet little thing, it's highly unlikely."

"And yet it seems, each time one is around the other, one of them ends up acting rather strange in my opinion."

"I do agree...but what could possibly be wrong with those two."

"They've never acted like this before," Naruto inquired. "Maybe they had a fall out."

Sasuke brushed it off, "Don't worry about it. Those two have always been a little touched in the head, if you get my meaning."


Iruka removed his clothing piece by piece, before going to bed. He rather preferred sleeping au natural. He left the folded blanket on the bed untouched, feeling it was way to warm to put to any use. Maybe it was the temperature of the room, or maybe it was his body's aftershock of what he had done. To him, kissing Kakashi like that just felt...right, and good, and his body sure enjoyed the tease. But there was something more behind his feelings of happiness. He had always had feelings for Kakashi, but he had always just ignored them and did his best to hide them. He thought that Kakashi had never thought of him as other than a good friend. But that whole episode on the top deck...

Iruka sighed, and slid under the sheets of the warm, slighty fragrant bed. He knew the diffrence between lust and love, and he knew what it was like to feel both for one person. Like he felt for Kakashi. But he also knew what it was like to fall in love, and then have your heart broken, and to not even be given a good reason for it. He knew what it was like to be hurt and used by the one who claimed to be so deeply in love with you. To be betrayed and desserted for another. He knew the feeling all to well, and he couldn't bare going through it again. He couldn't take another blow like that to his already half healed heart. So, to protect himself from this, he did the only thing he could: He began to trust no one with his heart, thinking that as long as he stayed guarded, as long as he stayed in total control of his emotions, he'd never have to go through such things again.

In short, as long as he stayed alone, he thought he would be happy.

And then came Hatake Kakashi, and that changed everything

Kakashi was diffrent from most men. He wasn't afraid to say what he felt, even is it meant pissing someone of, and he wasn't afraid to make an ass of himself. Something Iruka was sure he did by nature. Kakashi had always been kind to him. Even before they became close friends, he always gave Iruka a kind word and warm laugh. He didn't sit around the office making crude jokes and being loud and obnoxious ( but he does always read 'make - out paradise' ). He was always on the move, doing something with his spare time, and for that, and many other things, Iruka admired him...which lead to feelings for him...which lead to crush...which lead him here. But even with all this, all his reasons for falling so helplessly in love with him, He knew he never allow Kakashi to get any closer.

Never.


Kakashi ran his hands through his silver hair, and flooped onto his bed carelessly. He kicked off his shoes, removed his vest, headband, mask and his shirt, throwing all the articles onto the floor. He fluffed up one of the pillows, and laid agaisn't it, throwing the extra ones he any direction he pleased. Try as he might, he couldn't make heads or tails of Iruka's behavior towards him. One moment, he acts like he loves him, the next moment he fears him, and then the next moment he hates him. He wanted to get to the bottom of why Iruka was being so...so...guarded. Like he was afraid to trust him complety, but that type of thinking was never one of Kakashi's strong points. But Iruka had always been an enigma to him, someone he could never truly understand.

Sure, he knew Iruka's favorite color, favorite food, and favorite book, but there was still some boundries they hadn't crossed. There were still some things he had no clue of. It was no secret to some, that he had intense feelings for Iruka. He fell for him from the moment they meet. He used to always see him working quietly in his office, bustling from one room to the next, doing paper work and other such duties. Sometimes he would go to the mission building just to catch a glimpse, however brief, of Iruka. He'd notice other's wathcing the brunett as well, but since he had no claim on the Chunin, he couldn't do much about it. But that never stopped him from trying. Kakashi was known to be secound best in the village, next to the Hokage, and once he set his eyes on something, or in this case, someone he wanted, the people's best bet was to stay away from it.

He had a silent agreement with the men their about Iruka. Kakashi pretty much said without words, 'Back off, he's mine. That means no looking, no touching, and as little social contact as possible. Otherwise, I will, without hesitation, kill you and all who know you.' It paid to be the bad ass of the village. You could get away with a lot of shit. He sighed, still feeling slightly frustrated with himself for not understanding Iruka more.

'I could go and talk to him. Maybe it'll help him somehow.' He got of bed, left his room and immediatly walked down the hall to Iruka's bedroom. He knocked on the door. No answer. He knocked twice more, and recieving no answer, he twisted the knob and let himself in, "Iruka I wanted to - " He stopped in midsentence, seeing Iruka sleeping peacefully in his bed. The crisp white sheets were pulled up to his toned chest. The sheets hugged his sleeping form, and although he tried not to notice, Kakashi could tell Iruka wore nothing underneath the sheets.

He watched the slow rise and fall of his chest and the graceful curve of his waist, which isn't noticiable through the baggy clothes he wears. Kakashi stayed their for some time, watching the soothing scene before finally walking into the room. Quietly he made his way to the bed and smoothed Iruka's hair out of his face before placing a soft, gentle kiss on his tear stained cheeck. He turned off the lamp and whispered words of love and comfort to him before slipping out of the room. He looked much to cute to wake up, and besides there was always tomorrow.


"Yayyyy!" Naruto yelled as one of the servants walked into the louging area, informing them that they would reach their destination by daybreak tomorrow. "Alright! Awesome! Yesss!"

Amadare smiled, "Are you really so excited to see the land?"

"Of course! It's always been my dream to travel to other places, I can't help but get all upbeat. Hey, can you tell us a little about the land? Please?"

She giggled at his enthusiasm, "Sure! Well...where do I began? Lets see...well in the center of the village, thats where our palace is, and - "

"What! Did you say...palace? You guys live in a palace?"

"Yes. Since Kagayoku is the Hokage and all. As I was saying...you'll love the palace! It's huge! I mean it. The stone used to make has sprinkles of gold in it, so it sparkles beautifully. We have a wonderful garden and an aboretum, with every plant and flower ever grown! The village itself is as lovely as the palace. The streets are made of a shiny kind of pebble, we have many shops and markets, and every saturday we have festivles full of dancing and eating and much more. The homes of the villagers is decorated with crystals and are always big enough for the family to have as much room as possible. We have a ninja academy, and a temple. The rest of the land is made of forests and beaches. Sadly, it dosent snow in the village, but it does rain."

"It sounds so perfect," Sakura said.

Kagayoku shook her head, "We have our fair shares of murders and other such crimes agaisn't humanity, but it is never because one is lacking in the neccesities need to live. It is because of pure evil and greed. Our village may seem like a wonderland, but believe me, there are people there who work to make it otherwise."

Naruto jumped up from his seat at the dinner table, "Do you think when we get there, you could show us around!" He asked in unrestrained excitement.

She jumped as well, his happiness infectious, "You bet! And you know what? I'll take you to all the best raman shops! My village has the best raman shops, filled with not only raman, but tons of other diffrent foods!"

"Alright!" Just the thought of eating bowls and bowls of raman made the blond joyful.

"Why don't you come to my room, and we'll make a list of the places we should visit!"

"Really?"

"Yeah!" She grabbed his hand and pulled him away, "Come on!"

"Can we come too?" Hane and Hato asked.

"Sure!"

The two little girls leaped from their seats and followed. Sasuke shook his head, "Looks like Naruto's got a new best friend."

Kagayoku agreed, "And Amadare has someone who shares her intense love of food." She chuckled. "I remember one time she 48 bowls of raman in twelve hours. She never gains a pound, that lucky one."

"One time, Naruto 67 bowls of raman, 25 pieces of sushi, a six pound fried fish, three pounds of shrimp, and 10 bowls of soup."

"Whoa! In how many days?"

"Days? That the amount he ate in two hours."

"No way! He looks like he dosen't eat at all, let alone that much."

"Yeah. It was the first time he came over to my house and cooked. I admit, the food was really good."

They heard Sakura grunt loudly, before getting up from her seat and storming off, leaving only Sasuke, Kagayoku and Daiya at the dinner table.

Kagayoku glared as she left, "Please forgive me if this sounds shallow," She said to Sasuke. "But I really don't like that girl."

"Neither do I," Daiya agreed. "Nor do I mean to sound shallow. I just get a bad feeling from her."

Sasuke smirked, "Don't worry, I know how you feel. Besides, there's nothing shallow about the truth.

Daiya smiled, feeling better about her feelings toward the girl, "Well, it seems it is getting late. I will inform the servants that we have completed our meal. You two go and retrive the young one's and let them now they should retire to their bedrooms. We will be rising early tomorrow. Goodnight and sleep well children."

"Goodnight," Kagayoku and Sasuke repeated.

As Sasuke and Kagayoku made their way to get their respective mates, they crossed paths with Sakura. She looked at Sasuke, "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

He nodded stiffly, "You just did."

"About something...important."

"Go ahead."

She looked at Kagayoku, "In private?"

The Kage shrugged, "As you wish." She walked off, but they disticntively heard her whisper something under her breath that sounded a lot like 'stupid slut.'

She grabbed his hand and held it, "Why don't you love me?"

He jerked his hand away, "Because you aren't my type. Or my gender."

"But I can offer you so much. Much more than that stupid - "

"Finish that sentece and I'll beat the hell out of you. He isn't stupid, as a matter of fact, he's much wiser and smarter than you. And do you really believe you can offer me more than he already has?"

"You know as well I do, that you would probably be better off with me. Isn't he just a burden? Isn't he holding you back?"

"The only thing thats holding me back is you. Like you always have. All you've ever done is throw yourself at me. Never once did you stop to notice that I obviously had no feelings for you."

"You hate him I know it! I don't know whats wrong with you! How could you possibly choose him over me!"

"Easily."

She grinned, "I could get him out of your hair if you like. I know a lot of efficent ways to get rid of - "

With lightening speed he pinned her to the wall, pressing a kunai blade to her throat tightly, "Listen to me, and listen good. If you do anything, and I mean anything to try and hurt him in any way, I will kill you. I've never liked the idea of hitting females, but if it means protecting Naruto, then you won't be much of a loss. Do you understand?" She said nothing, but trembled uncontrollably. "Lets try this again." He pressed the blade tighter to her the throat, "Do you understand?"

"Yes...yes I understand."

"Good." He let her go and walked away. Without even looking back.


"Are you excited at all Sasuke?" Naruto asked, as they prepared for bed in Sasuke's room.

He shrugged, "Yeah, I guess."

"You don't seem like it."

"Just because I'm not jumping around and screaming in happiness, doesn't mean I'm not excited."

He helped Sasuke out of his shirt, being careful to watch his arm, "You are so cynical, you know that? Does anything make you happy?"

"Of course. You do."

He smiled and slipped a plain white tee onto Sasuke, "I do don't I." He sighed suddenly, "Do you think Sakura is ever going to forgive me? She's already forgiven you."

Sasuke snorted, "I don't want her kindness or forgiveness. She has never been anything more than a comrade and she never will be."

Naruto put on a shirt of his own, "You know she's never going to leave you alone, right?"

"Please don't remind me."

Sitting on his knees while on the bed behind Sasuke, he gently massaged the brunetts shoulders, "And you know she's never going to stop trying to get you in bed, don't you?"

Using his good arm, he reached forward, wincing slightly at the pain from his ribs, and swiftly pulled Naruto down, resting the blonds head on his lap, "And you know she's never going to win." Sasuke placed a warm loving kiss onto his lips, "You and I are going to have a life together. And maybe even start a family of our own."

"You? A father? " He giggled. "I can just imagine you running around with a messy diaper in your hand."

"Of course. It'd be nice to have a few hellions running around the house. And besides, I do need a heir."

"So you want a boy."

"I want a girl and a boy. Sadly, there are many orpahns in our village. Surely we can adopt a few."

"A few? Man am I glade I can't give birth. I'd probably never be able to walk. Exactly how many is a few?"

"I was thinking maybe six."

"Six!" He placed his hand on Sasuke's forehead, "Are you okay? You feel a bit warm."

He chuckled and nipped at Naruto's hand, "It's just that...well...we never had the chance to grow up with a..happy, loving family. So..I guess I just want to make sure we can start one of our own."

Naruto snuggled closer to him, "You're right. And I'd like that too. Imagine another me running around the village, terroizing the people. Such a nice thought."

"Another hellion for the next generation. Little hellion jr. if you will." Naruto chuckled.

"So this is what it feels like to be happy."

"Feels good, doesn't it?" Sasuke had never known what it felt like to be truly happy, until Naruto came along. To think this one boy turned his whole world upside down amazed him sometimes. Even though he seemed cold, and ruthless to most, he did have a softer side, which he only exposed around Naruto, "I love you. So much. You know that, right?"

Naruto smiled broadly, "I do." He said as innocently as a five year child. "But I love you more, my one armed, crippled ninja love." He laughed.

"I am not crippled," Sasuke said defensively.

"Just messing with you. But you are my love, aren't you?" He pouted playfully.

"You know I am dobe. Come on, lets go to sleep. Nothings worse than you when you're cranky."

Mage's Notes: O.k, so soon they will make it to the 'Land of Mystics.' It's actually a big continent with many diffrent villages, but you know that already. Anyway, I hope to have some drama in the next chapter, so stay tuned!