I'm done, nothing left to do now but wipe the blood off my sword and file the report of tonight's mission. They were young, barely older than my team 7.........but they broke the rules, shinobi too dangerous to let go.

ANBU. What does that mean anyway? Sure I get to play with my cute nin-dogs but the playing ends when I put on this uniform, I don't wear my mask.........I want my prey to know the identity of their death.........it keeps me just a little more human I guess. I'm a tool, as are all shinobi, as were my prey tonight.

Three kids.........barely older than my team 7.........their bodies still on the ground, wounds made by a sword, my sword, fresh and not even stopped bleeding yet. I watch as the hunter-nin take their bodies to be disposed of, job done.........mission complete. I wrap a blanket round my shoulders and inhale deeply; it smells of him. It's his of course.........he said he got lonely on gate watch, so he has my blanket to keep him warm in the early hours of the morning.

I wrap it tighter around me and give a small smile. I want to cry, I don't, a shinobi must not show emotion.........but emotion means being human. I make my way back to Konoha village; the stars are hidden in the clouds and it begins to rain. I'm cold, wet and miserable.........sometimes I wonder why I torture myself so.

As I trudge towards the main gates to the village I start to think of tomorrow. I won't sleep well tonight and will be late for team 7 again.........I need to think of an excuse to get them off my back.

"Kakashi........."

I look up, it's him.........as wet as I am, as cold as I am, but he has a warm smile on his lips. I stand and stare at him, wrapped in my blanket, warm smile, warm eyes.........I can't keep it in.........the tears fall and I can only manage a small miserable smile back at him.

"Iruka-kun.........hold me.........?"

I don't need to ask, but he smiles and nods anyway. He spreads out his arms and waits for me. I just rush into his arms and hug him tightly; he's warm and gentle, my friend, lover and the pillar that keeps me standing. We stand in the pouring rain for a long while, he's holding me, supporting me because my legs gave way, but at the same time he's soothing me. I stopped crying and just lost myself in him.

"I love you Iruka."

"I love you too. Always and forever.........Kakashi-kun."

Jodlet