A/N: I deeply apologize for the gap between updates; school seems to filter my extra time that I have. But without going into MAJOR detail and ending up ranting about it, here is the next chapter. Hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Listening To: Caught Up In You by .38 Special

Chapter Nine: Confiding In One Another

The sun held its position high in the sky; the gleaming beams that descended down from it shined upon Konoha. Days has passed ever since Iruka and I had returned from our last mission, both of us coming back saying that it was a test of fate, among many other things. I woke up earlier than Iruka, which only happened on rare occasions. We both called into work, saying that we were both sick, but we knew was a lie. But, it was healthy to take a break every now and again, wasn't it?

Tsunade would totally have me killed if she found out.

I shuddered. Tsunade, me, and lies do not belong in the same sentence.

"Tamaka, wake--oh, well, you're already up, I see." Iruka said, a yawn escaping him. His brown eyes flickered toward me, smiling. I had to admit: Iruka in the morning was a good sight.

"Yep. Remember, we called in sick." I reminded him. He smiled brighter.

"Ah, yes," he said, stretching his arms out and wrapping them around me to bring me down to his level. He kissed my forehead. "I remember."

The thoughts of our last mission kept haunting me at night, which is why I woke up before Iruka this morning. Traumatization was not the word for it; it had a bigger definition beyond trauma, something the human mind could not comprehend. I had spent sleepless nights thinking about the memories, wondering if only, if only. If only I had been a second later, it seemed, Iruka would have died. That was not something even I could comprehend.

".......wrong with you?" Iruka said, finishing his sentence. He must have been speaking, because I was momentarily distracted.

"Huh?"

"Is there something wrong with you?" he repeated, inching closer. I cocked an eyebrow.

"No, I'm fine."

He held his stern look for what seemed like eternity, and then got out of bed. I followed suit, but only a half-second later than he. I knew I couldn't tell Iruka, for he would get worried and he would never leave me alone about it. But then again, telling Iruka would be a good advantage; he could help me. I sighed in frustration and rolled my eyes; internal conflicts were not one of my strong points.

I walked down the hall, into the kitchen, only to hear a scream from Iruka. I rushed down the long hallway.

"Iruka, are you alright?!" I yelled a little too loudly. This was all one big coincidence.

"Yeah...I think I have a piece of glass in my foot.." he trailed off, looking at his foot. I froze, feeling my face become more ghostly pale by the second. He was in the same position I was when I dropped the glass that I was holding, when I was talking to Tsunade. I could feel my breathing become labored, and horrific images flashed through my mind. My mouth dropped open subconciously, and I had not even noticed.

"Tamaka?" Iruka's soft voice said, his hand caressing my face as I snapped back into reality. The first thing I saw were his soft, brown eyes, holding a look of indifference on his face. I stared at him for a split second and then shook my head.

"I'm fine, I'll go get the first aid kit." I said, rushing off toward the bathroom. I shook my head from disorientation. My memories, the images that flashed through my head were becoming worse. Walking in the bathroom, I shut the door behind me, and pressed my head against the wooden door.

"This is getting bad, Tamaka." I told myself, closing my eyes. Vivid flashes of the last mission came flying through my head again, and I had to force my eyes open. I ran through a list of problems in my head, things that could be causing this. Neurological problems...I offered. I shook my head, grabbing the first aid kit out the of medicine cabinet and walking into the kitchen once more. Iruka was sat atop the kitchen island, swinging his legs back and forth. I bent down and slowly took the piece of glass out of his foot and wrapped something around it.

He smiled geniunely at me. I felt comforted for a split second and then sat down on the cold floor. I had made up my mind; I had to tell Iruka about these images and dreams. Because if I did not, I knew they would not go away.

"I know I've asked this about a million times," he started, jumping off of the kitchen island, "but are you sure you're okay? You seem a little distant." he said, entertwining his arms around me. I closed my eyes and exhaled.

"No, Iruka. I'm not okay." I said, staring down at the floor.

"What's wrong?" he asked, lifting my chin up to his eye level.

"I'm scared, Iruka...I keep...having..." I trailed off.

"Having what?" he asked, his voice stern.

"These.....dreams..and..images. They're really bad, Iruka....the last mission traumatized me deeply. They won't go away, which is why I keep waking up before you." I paused. "I'm scared." I said again, forcing back tears.

His face held a look of indifference for the slightest second, and I suddenly regretted what I had said. I knew I should have kept my mouth shut, I knew I shouldn't have told him. We stared at each other for a few seconds that seemed to drag by, and then he spoke.

"There isn't anything to be afraid of, Tamaka." he said.

Like I didn't already know that, Iruka. I thought.

"There isn't anything to be afraid of. I'm not leaving you. I'm not going anywhere, and I'm not physically hurt," he looked at his foot. "except for this piece of glass in my foot. I'm telling you the truth, Tamaka. If you're that insecure, then--"

"No. I know what you were about to say, and I don't want to hear it, Iruka Umino. The last thing I need is you doubting our relationship. This isn't about me and you. It's about me scared out of my wits because you could have died if I came one millisecond later. If Tsunade hadn't have told me, if you didn't decide to fight the man, if--"

He interrupted me.

"If is your keyword, Tamaka," he kissed my forehead. "You can't live your life on if only all of the time. You can't live your life in the past, either. I already told you. I'm staying here, with you, whether you like it or not."

And it was then that I knew I would be okay, no matter what.