Okay, I will admit that this chapter is relatively very-very-short. But I'm having a bit of a problem with the next chapter and hence I couldn't make fixed settings in this one. I will make it up in 27 and have at least four or five pages available for your reading. Frankly speaking, I'm still debating. But well, I kinda' like this chapter and my beta-reader (thank Ravenshaelo for making my messy fics eye-bearable) seems to have liked this chapter to.

Anyway, on with the reading and … gush! Well kinda' …

Enjoy!

WHY NOT 26

Naruto woke up in the middle of the afternoon the next day. He had fallen asleep at dawn the other night and Iruka had to leave after much convincing from Tsunade. When he woke up, his stomach gave out a very loud rumble. He rubbed it and was shocked to find how flat it was. He slowly swung his legs off the bed and hopped down. He wobbled and his knees buckled under him, causing him to grab the frame of the bed. He steadied himself and concentrated on standing still.

His door opened suddenly and he found himself face to face with a certain copy-nin who was breathing hard. He lost his balance and with a panicked 'gyaaah', his legs gave out and he crumbled forward but he never hit the ground. The smell of pine and musk assaulted his senses, for a moment blinding him. Kakashi had him in his arms, and with ease, lifted him off the ground and sat him on the bed.

Kakashi had heard the news from the bustle of students in the academy, who begged Iruka to give them a free lesson so that they could make little cards with their crayons and have their chuunin-teacher give it to Naruto – their hero! Kakashi, for a moment had remained frigidly still in the middle of the hallway after overhearing the words from the little tykes.

Flashback


Since Iruka was in a good mood, he laughed and granted his students the free period. "Fine, fine. But no noise, all right?"


"YES SENSEI!" A loud and hearty chorus came from the children and then there was a rustling of paper and fumbling for crayons.


Iruka stepped out and found Kakashi in a frozen position. "Kakashi-sensei?"


"Is it true?" He asked, voice deep and husky.


"Yes. He woke up last night." Iruka said and smiled at the memory.


"Is he all right?" Kakashi asked.


"Yes, he's fine." Iruka said. "He'd like to see you Kakashi. I know you love him too."


Kakashi turned and frowned at him. "Of course I do! He's my student!"


"Not in that way, Kakashi-sensei. You know what I mean." Iruka gave him a smile and turned to walk down the hall towards the teacher's lounge. "Don't hurt him, Kakashi-sensei. I'm warning you." He said, without turning back.

End Flashback

He had arrived at the nurses' desk in a flash and he confirmed it with them. Now there he was, standing in front of Naruto, staring into azure blue eyes. Naruto was staring at him, a little flush on his cheeks and lips slightly parted in surprise.

"Naruto?"

"Yes, sensei?" He replied and swallowed visibly.

Kakashi, for a moment, lost control of his senses. He brought a hand up to Naruto's face and gently pushed back the wild uneven locks of golden hair, tracing his eyes and cheek and finally his lips.

"You're awake." He whispered and pulled him into a tight embrace, as if to reassure himself that Naruto was indeed alive and awake before him. Kakashi buried his face in Naruto's neck, and continued to embrace him tightly. "You're awake."

"Y-yes." Naruto said.

Kakashi pulled back and knelt before him. "Are you hurt? Do you feel any pain? Would you like me to get you something? Anything you need?" The worry was etched on Kakashi's face and Naruto felt himself warm up inside.

"N-no. Thank you. Please stay." He said, the words unintentionally spilling out of his mouth. "Don't go."

Kakashi's eye softened and he cupped Naruto's face in his open palms. He leaned forward, and placed a gentle kiss on Naruto's cheek, mask still on. "I won't." He whispered and placed another kiss on his jaw line.

Naruto flushed beetroot – then the door burst open and Sasuke stepped in, freezing in his steps as Kakashi kissed Naruto. Kakashi pulled back immediately, just in time as Sakura rushed into the room and gave Naruto a big hug, nearly knocking the wind out of him. Hinata, Ino, Lee, Neji and Shikamaru followed her and also gave Naruto a hug. Only Sasuke remained by the door, attention on Kakashi completely.

Naruto was given headlocks, scalp rubs, pats on the shoulders, kisses on the cheek and bigger hugs as they all poured out their worries on him. He was showered by gifts, flowers, get-well cards and several more things. But every once in a while, his eyes would flicker to Kakashi who was staring at Sasuke with – Naruto couldn't comprehend the emotion Kakashi was showing. But Sasuke looked hurt.

Speaking of Sasuke.

"Sasuke." He said, and waited for the Uchiha to look at him.

Sasuke did turn to him, patted him on the shoulder and then turned to leave. "Good to know you're among the living again."

Lee scowled at Sasuke for being an arrogant ass then joined the rest in conversing excitedly with Naruto. Two hours later, Kiba, Shino, Tenten and Chouji joined them and it turned out to be a fun filled afternoon. Kakashi left Naruto with his friends, promising him to come by in the evening.

But Naruto couldn't help but think of Sasuke's words. It was as if he didn't want him to be awake.

TBC