Kakashi stood before him, a little beaten, his clothing torn and stained with blood.
Tears welled up in Iruka's eyes.
"Welcome home."
Kakashi stepped forward and held Iruka tight, as if to never let go. He nuzzled into his neck and held his body close.
"This smell. I miss it so much." He said.
He leaned in to Iruka and planted his lips on his. He laced his hands with his and tightened his hug even more, as if somehow their time wouldn't last.
"My only sanity was knowing that we live under the same sky, but, even so, I don't think I've ever missed anyone as much as I've missed you." Kakashi whispered, staring into Iruka's eyes.
He took Iruka from behind and fell onto the bed with him.
"Wait, what are you...?!"
"Can't we stay like this for a little while?" Kakashi held onto him until he stopped struggling.
"If you really want to..."
Kakashi closed his eyes and enjoyed Iruka's warmth.
"Hey, Iru, did you miss me?" He asked.
"Of course I did. You left without telling me and you could've gotten yourself killed. How was I supposed to react?" Iruka moaned, quietly.
"I know, and I'm sorry. I got dragged away."
"I know. Tsunade told me everything. I was so worried. I was crying all the time, getting stomach cramps, staying off work..."
Kakashi held Iruka's hand tighter.
"I'm sorry I put that burden on you. You mean the world to me yet I hurt you so much."
"That's alright. It was worth the pain to see you home safe. That's what counts to me." Iruka said. More tears rolled down his cheeks.
"I'm just so happy."
They talked like that for a while until they eventually fell asleep in eachothers arms.

-

"Hey, Iru, it's Christmas eve tomorrow. What do you want to do?" Kakashi asked. He was sat reading the paper.
"Well, Naruto's organizing a party tomorrow. We could take a walk?" Iruka suggested.
"I suppose."
"What? Were you hoping on something else?" Iruka asked.
"I just thought we might do something, I don't know, bigger?" Kakashi moaned. "I mean, it only comes once a year."
"Alright, any suggestions?" Iruka asked.
"I don't know, it's just that it's our first Christmas together and it should be special, right?"
"A walk it is."
"What?"
"They'll have decorations up on all the trees, and we could get dinner too."
"Now that's more like it."
"So then, it's settled?"
"But what about afterwards?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Well we have to do something afterwards, don't we?"
"No, we don't."
"Come on, Iru."
"No."
"Come on."
"No."
"But you like it, don't you?"
"I said no and that's final!"
"You say that, but you'll be begging for it later."
"Since when have I ever begged for it?"
"With those puppy dog eyes."
"What?"
"And in the Sound Village."
"Wait, that was totally different."
"You asked for it."
"No, you've got it all wrong."
"In fact, you're practically begging for it now."
"Kashi!"
Kakashi got up and leaned over him. He kissed him gently and then put his hand up Iruka's shirt.
"Mmm, Iru you're so warm and comfy." He said, resting his head onto his chest and laying on him.
"Ahhh! Your hands are so cold!"
Iruka sighed and smiled softly. This man knew how to push his buttons, so why did he love him so much?
"Hey, Iru." Kakashi asked. "Are you sure that's all you want to do? You don't want to do anything else?"
"Not especially. Is there something you want to do?"
"I think that we should walk through the park afterwards. Y'know, just the two of us." Kakashi said.
"I wouldn't mind. We could do that if you'd like to." Iruka agreed.
"Who knows? Maybe we'll go right into midnight, and see the first moment of Christmas day."
"Maybe we will."

-

"Hand me that tape over there, Sakura." Iruka asked, high up on a ladder.
"Which one, this one?" She picked up the tape and walked over to him, reaching up to pass it.
"Thankyou. I'm almost done over here. You can leave if you like, y'know." Iruka added.
"No, no. It's fine. I have nothing better to do, anyway. Don't mind me."
Iruka smiled. It was nice knowing what all his old students were up to these days. He practically brought up Naruto as soon as he started school, and even though he wasn't there for him enough, he still saw him as a little brother.
"I'm done over here, too. Iruka sensei?"
"Oh, sorry Sakura. I dozed off a little there. Thanks for the good work."
Finally, the decorations were done. The party was this evening, so Iruka had offered to help with the decorations since Naruto was on a mission with Sasuke and Kakashi. Sakura had offered to help, so he took it.
"By the way, how are things going with you and Kakashi sensei, anyway?" Sakura asked. Iruka coughed loudly, choking on nothingness.
"What? Why are you asking?"
"I don't know, I just thought you might want some advice. That's all."
"Huh?"
"All I'm saying is, I'm just wondering how you guys are doing. We don't really get to hear much about you two." She said.
"I don't know, I suppose it's going well?"
"You certainly seemed closer after Kakashi came back. We were all really worried about you."
"Wait, when you say we...?"
"Yes, the whole village seems to know now. Sorry about that, but everyone's been really supportive." Sakura told him.
Iruka sighed. It was too late to go back now.
"At least you guys can be more open about it outside now, right?"
If only it were that simple.
"Well, we have the decorations up. Everything sorted. Now we'll just have to wait."
Sakura smiled at him.

-

"We look stupid."
"We look awesome."
"We look like idiots."
"We look mysterious"
"We look...gay."
Kakashi and Iruka stood in front of the mirror wearing matching samurai costumes.
"You look great. I look like a mascot for a porn video."
"Lets not rush into that just yet."
"What?"
"Kidding, kidding." Kakashi said.
"Your face says otherwise." Iruka pouted.
"Oh, do you want to start now?" Kakashi smirked at him.
"Woah! Slow down there!"
"Come on, it's not like anyone else is going to watch it. I'll just keep it."
"Oh, have you seen the time? We should be leaving now." Iruka yelled. He crawled away from the man towering over him and opened the door.
"Shall we?"

-

As the pair neared the venue, you could hear music and see lights.
"Yo, Kakashi and Iruka Sensei! How are you guys?" Naruto asked. He was walking with Sasuke and Sakura and happened to see them.
"We're good. Thanks for the good work earlier, Sakura. Couldn't have done it without you." Iruka said.
"Oh no, it's fine. I was happy to help. You guys look great by the way." She replied.
"Oh, thanks." Iruka blushed, Kakashi smiling at him.
"Lets go inside."

Inside, there were crowds of villagers sitting, dancing and eating. It looked as if most of the village had turned up, and, to Iruka's relief, many were in costume.
"Well this is a good turnout. Don't you think?" Kakashi asked Iruka. Iruka seemed happy. He was admiring his own handy work, and beaming about it too.
"Y'know, things you've done look better at a second glance sometimes."
"You did a good job" Kakashi agreed.
Tsunade was drunk, forcing Hinata into her singing frenzie on the karaoke machine.
"So haawe wuz it? Ded you laike mah sahng?"
Gai Sensei and Lee had taken to the dance floor with some embarrassing moves, and Choji was enjoying the food bar.
There was no Kurenai, as she had a baby to look after.
"So, are you guys going to dance or what?" Sakura asked.
"No way, I think I'm going to sit out of this one." Iruka replied.
He and Kakashi sat at the bar.
"Are we actually going to do anything whilst we're here except drink alcohol?" Kakashi asked.
Iruka rested his head on the bar and moaned into his arms. "Probably not."
"Huh, we could at least dance."
"Sure, go ahead if you want to look silly. I don't even know how to dance."
"Yeah, me neither."
Just then, Sasuke appeared. He sat by them at the bar. He was wearing a black suit with a blue shirt.
"Hey Sasuke, what's up?"
"Nothing, really, I'm just bored of the noise."
"Already?" Iruka asked.
"Already."
Sasuke leaned his head back and rested it onto the bar behind him.
"Don't you think Naruto's been acting weird recently?" He asked.
"Hm? How so?"
"I don't know, I think he's been avoiding me?"
"I really hadn't noticed. Besides, you guys are together all the time."
"Maybe."
"Why? Are you worried about him?"
"Kind of. He's been acting weird since I told him."
"Told him what?"
"...That I liked him."
Sasuke expression was solid.
"That you what?"
"Wait, so you didn't know? I thought he'd told you!"
"I haven't heard anything.
Sasuke scowled. He had assumed that Naruto would tell Iruka about it because he saw him as a big brother. Time to crawl into his new grave.
"You like Naruto?" Iruka asked confused.
"Yes."
"And you confessed?"
"Yes."
"And he started avoiding you?"
"Yes."
Iruka laughed a little bit. By now Kakashi had heard the entire thing, and he was laughing too.
"What the hell is so funny?" Sasuke scowled more.
"I just wouldn't imagine you to be that type, Sasuke."
"Don't laugh! I really..." Sasuke looked down. His expression was kind of sad but embarrassed at the same time
"Sorry, Sasuke. I think you should go for it." Iruka said.
"What, really?" Sasuke said, surprised.
"Yeah, you can tell you're serious about this. To be honest, it feels kind of weird at first, but bit being with Kashi has made me happier than I've ever been in my entire life. You can give that Iruka's seal of approval."
Kakashi blushed a little behind him. Sasuke saw it and laughed.
"I think I'll go for it."
Iruka smiled as he watched him walk through the crowd, take Naruto by the arm, and lead him out.
"I hope it goes well between those two, don't you?"
"Happier than you've ever been in your entire life?"
"Oh, that? I guess it's true. I mean, I haven't exactly had a happy life, so don't get your hopes up."
"I love you so much."
"Huh?"
"I love you."
"What's with you now?"
"Can we go now?" Kakashi asked.
"We've only been here for a few hours, let's-"
"Lets go to the park now."
"Why would you want to-"
"Its almost midnight."

"Why did you want to come out here? It's cold." Iruka asked.
"And quiet." Kakashi answered.
"What was the real reason?"
"Is it midnight yet?"
"No, in about a minute. Why do you ask?"
"No reason. Tell me, where would you like to be when you're older?"
"I've never really thought about-"
"Do you like sharing beds with people?"
"I guess, if it's with you the-"
"Do you want kids when you're older?"
"Not particularly. Why are you asking all these questions?"
"Is it midnight now?" Kakashi asked again.
"In about ten seconds."
"Understood."
Kakashi knelt onto one knee, and pulled out the small red velvet box.
"Hold on a second!?"
"Iruka. Will you marry me?"
That second, the clock struck. It was Christmas day.
"Merry Christmas, Iru."
Tears fell from Iruka's eyes.
"Why would you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Give up on a normal family? A wife and kids? Just to be with me?"
"I'd already decided a while back. Actually, I bought this back in the Sound Village. I had a feeling I might need it."
"But that was before we were going out!"
"Sometimes you just know these things."
"Did you love me then?"
"You becha'."
"Woah."
"So, are you going to answer me or not?"
"Oh, right! Yes! Of course! Of course I'll marry you!"
He hugged Kakashi, tackling him to the ground.
"I thought you were going crazy with that whole 'How long is it until midnight?' thing, and all those questions about what I want to do when I'm older."
"Yeah, sorry about that, just double checking."
"So, are you going to give me the ring, or..." Iruka asked.
"Oh, right." Kakashi said putting the ring on his finger.
"Oh, wow, you're really going all out with this, aren't you?"
"You do all kinds of things for the person you love." Kakashi said.
"Really? You're taking the cheesy route? A cool guy like you? No way." Iruka teased.
"You love it." Kakashi said.
"You know it." Iruka replied, kissing him.
"Its usually me forcing myself on you. I should have done this earlier." Kakashi said, pulling away.
Iruka pouted.
"My oh my, how on earth can you beat this Christmas present I wonder?" Kakashi said.
"Oh I don't know, with voluntary sex?"
"Now that might do it."

-

"Are you ready? Because this is the only time I'm ever going to do this." Iruka said, coming out of the closet (Oh, I am so funny sometimes~Author).
"Well that suits you. Frankly, I would say this gift was just as good as mine." He said, looking Iruka up and down. He was wearing an incredibly revealing maids outfit, with a duster and tights. And lace.
Lots of lace.
"Now say something sexy." Kakashi asked.
"But I don't know what to say!" Iruka moaned.
"Surprise me."
"Hmm..."
Iruka put his hand on his hip.
"Would you like me to clean your room, master? Or would you like your pillows fluffed? Or perhaps..."
He placed a single finger on his chin.
"You'd like me, instead?"
Kakashi stared at him hard.
"What? What is it?"
"Get over here, right now."
Kakashi pulled Iruka onto the bed and leaned over him. He kissed him and bit his lip.
"Aaaaaaaah! what was that for?"
"Why are you turning me on so much?"
"So you bit me?"
"Shut up and let me lick you, ruffian."
"I'm a maid, not a ruffian. Do you have some kind of cosplay fetish?"
"It appears so." Kakashi said, looking as if he had learned something about himself. He licked up Iruka's neck to his ear, biting it gently.
"You certainly like biting today."
"You bet. You moan more when I bite you." Kakashi smirked.
"That's nice. Hold on, do it there."
"Here?"
"Yeah." Iruka moaned.
"That's the one. You're being very forward today. I feel like I've seen another side of you."
"I'm a little bit drunk."
"That would explain it then."
"But it's basically what I'd do if I were comfortable."
"Comfortable?"
"Yeah, instead of always being nervous and embarrassed. They're basically my true thoughts. I'll act like this more after we're married of course."
"Huh, sounds weird when you say it like that." Kakashi said.
"Yeah, so you better get used to it." Iruka said. "And hurry up, whilst I'm still aroused."
This Iruka was funny.
Kakashi kissed him passionately.
"I should get you drunk more often." Kakashi laughed to himself.
"I think we'd both like that." Iruka said.
Kakashi practically ripped the costume from Iruka.
"Enough talk. More action."

-

AUTHOR'S NOTE

I'm sure you don't want all the details ;) so I'm going to stop it there.
I'm really sorry this wasn't uploaded on Christmas day as I'd promised. I was really busy (c'mon, it was Christmas) and I had a friend over for a while on new year, so I haven't really had time for this, but I thought I'd get it over with before Monday, because I'll be busy. I apologize if anything is crumpy, I'm sat up at 6:30 in the morning on a Sunday writing this. The things I do for you.
And yes, New Years did happen, but I don't think I'll write a chapter about it. What do you guys think? Do you want a chapter for New Year? It'll be pretty late but...
I guess I'll leave that up to you.

Did you read this note?

You did?

Well then I have a treat for ye'.

-

EXTRA

Iruka sat up. His head was killing him. That party must have been pretty amazing. Then he noticed the ring on his hand.
Oh yeah, Kashi had proposed, hadn't he?
And he had said yes, hadn't he?
Iruka shrank into the sheets, attempting to hide his blush. From whom, you may ask? He didn't know either.
"Wait, last night, what did we...?"
Iruka looked around. There were items of clothing strewn allover the floor, including a certain maid costume which had been worn by...
...guess who?
Iruka remembered everything. What he had said to get him in this situation, what he said during it, and what he said afterwards.
Or, rather, what he did afterwards.
Which was sleep.
And what was all that crap about 'the real him when he was drunk?' Was that even true? Or was he just saying it because he was drunk? Or because he was horny? Or because it was dark and...meh.
His migraine couldn't take the science. Or the math.
Sasuke had said something, hadn't he? He said he liked Naruto. That was a shock to him and Kashi. What a strange string of events from last night.
"Mmmmmmeeeeeeehnmmmm" Kakashi began stirring. He was cute when he slept, or so Iruka thought.
Kashi had chosen to give up on having a wife and children for him. Yes, he was incredibly happy, but he felt bad.
Maybe if he had been born a woman, he would have been able to give Kashi what he deserved. If he could physically give him a baby, everything would have been fine and dandy. But he couldn't.
Was Kashi really alright with this?
Would he want to adopt?
Would they be able to adopt?
Would they even be able to get married?
What would everyone else think?
No, that didn't really matter, but he was sure they'd be happy anyway.
What would he have to wear?
Would he have to wear a dress?
"Hey Iru, my honey~ You're awake it seems." Kakashi crept up behind him and wrapped his arms around him.
"Morning, Kashi."
Kakashi smelled Iruka's back.
"Mmmm, I love this smell in the morning."
"What, sweaty Iruka?"
"No, baby powder Iruka."
"Yay, I smell like babies."
"I like the smell of babies."
"Don't get any ideas. I'm not that kind of woman."