Why the late update you may ask? A F******* virus attacked my laptop, deleting all my files! Said F****** virus did not even spare one single file! F****** VIRUS! DIE! Anyway, not only are my files gone, but all my art, homeworks and projects including my most prized possessions of translated Naruto Manga that took all my patience to download and all 76 episodes of Naruto along with other music videos. Now these two missing things are what really pissed me off! So please, my deepest apologies for the extremely late update. I should be able to get back on track now that I have most of my fics again (after numerous savings and copy-pasting) and as for the manga and anime, well, I'll just have to download them again eh? Sheesh!
Thank you my kind and loyal reviewers! I love you all!
Raven's Haelo – Should you contribute to the K/N fandom?!!!???!!! ~grabs huge mallet and whacks it over the person's head~ YES YOU SHOULD! ~does good guy/gal pose~ If you are truly a fan, then you will do everything in your power to show your love for them! Let the power of youth guide you!!! ~crickets chirp~ Ahem! Well, when you do produce something of this particular pairing be it art or fic … TELL ME! I want to read more fics on this pairing! He! He! Enjoy!
Feathered Edge – Happy ending? ~ponders, ponders~ … Well, let's see ne? Depends on my mood usually. Or maybe they won't get together at all. ~hides behind Yondaime (I love him!!!)~ Kidding! Kidding! Let's see ne? ne? I appreciate suggestions, though.
cdkobasiuk – Naruto feeling empty? Didn't consider that. Maybe just a bit … eh … pissed? We'll find out soon ne?
Nikkler – Naruto and Iruka? *thinks of the idea and likes it* Not bad! I like the picture, but alas this is a KakaNaru fic. You just wait and see ne? But IruNaru ain't bad. Maybe I'll include some in this fic. :p
WHY NOT 13Iruka watched as Naruto fell asleep beside him. He was still a little kid in a man's body. He looked innocent and so at peace while he slept, the golden locks fanned about on the light green pillow. His lips were slightly parted as he breathed in and out deeply. Iruka pulled the covers over the sleeping boy and got out of bed. He picked up the tray that had a plate of cookies and a glass of milk to the kitchen. Naruto still loved eating the chocolate sprinkled cookies Iruka bought from the bakery with his milk before he went to sleep. Iruka remembered how Naruto used to hate milk. When Iruka had pointed out that Hokage's drank milk all the time (Naruto was around about six then), Naruto began to down several gallons a week. The habit kind of stuck ever since.
Iruka chuckled to himself as he dried his hands with the kitchen towel. He then heard a soft knock on his front door and frowned. He opened the door and found Kakashi standing at his doorstep. "Kakashi-sensei?"
"Naruto with you?"
"He's asleep." Iruka let him in. "Something wrong?"
"No." Kakashi shrugged. "Just checking. He wasn't home."
Iruka nodded. "He crashed here tonight." A sad expression then glazed Iruka's gentle features. "I guess, even until now, he doesn't want to be alone." He then sighed.
"Where is he?" Kakashi asked, admiring the small and homely apartment.
"In my room." Kakashi raised an eyebrow, and Iruka flushed. "Not in that way! I swear Kakashi-sensei! Those books by Jiraiya-sama are a bad influence!"
Kakashi merely smiled and let out a low chuckle. "Can I see him?" Iruka nodded and motioned for him towards his room, covering a yawn with a hand.
Kakashi entered the room and found Naruto lying on his side, arms around himself and shivering. He was dressed in a pair of white cotton pants and yellow t-shirt. Kakashi pulled the covers over him and gently brushed away the locks of hair from his face. He stared at his sleeping face, sitting at the edge of the bed. Naruto was beautiful and he once again felt his face heat up. Something in him swelled, a feeling that has grown and matured over the years of Naruto's absence.
Slowly, Kakashi placed a cloth-covered kiss on the side of Naruto's lips.
He then left the room and joined Iruka outside for small talk before leaving the apartment. Iruka locked the doors after Kakashi left and headed back for the bed. He found Naruto facing the opposite side, his back towards him. He smoothed down the boy's hair and then went to sleep.
*
Naruto stared at the light blue painted wall in front of him. Kakashi had kissed him. He actually kissed him, on the sides of his lips. Naruto felt his face heat up tremendously and he let out a little unintended whimper. He was good with jutsus, and could handle several high-classed mission. But this was something new! He was never kissed before. Not in such an intimate way at least. Another whimper escaped his lips.
"Naruto?" Iruka asked, stirring from his sleep.
"Hmm?"
"Are you all right?"
Naruto nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine." He turned to face his teacher and found Iruka's brown eyes looking at him with concern. "I'm just a little confused."
"Want to talk about it?" Iruka offered.
"I don't know. I'm not entirely sure." Iruka blinked. But Naruto smiled and cuddled close to him. Iruka wrapped his arms around the boy's body and kissed the top of his head like a father would to his son. Naruto as precious to him. "When I have the strength, I will tell you, Iruka-sensei."
"All right." Iruka said, and just continued to hold him. "Sleep, Naruto."
Naruto fell asleep and he dreamed of Kakashi.
TBC