Ah! My favorite chapter of all! I LOVED typing this part out! You'll see why once you're done. A big thank you to Ravenshaelo my faithful and nice and sweet beta-reader! She makes this fic readable from all the mistakes I make in grammar. sheepish laugh

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter as much I have enjoyed typing it! One word – CUTENESS! (Ravenshaelo said this too).

By the way, to all of those interested in GenIru, I have made a sidestory for them and it's called "Faint". It's how their relationship started till the point when Naruto does leave and leaves his Hitai-ate with Tsunade to give to Iruka. I'm making it a combination of drama/romance/comedy. Maybe Angst too. Anyway, to those who were asking about it, I have already uploaded 2 chapters.

NYA!

WHY NOT 27

Naruto begged Tsunade to allow him to go home that very evening. Tsunade told him to go the next morning, but he couldn't stand the smell of the hospital and he needed a bath – badly! He felt itchy all over and his skin was already marked red from all the scratching he'd been doing all day.

He enjoyed that day immensely. Sakura and Hinata had brought him cookies while Ino got him a Christmas cake – icing and all. He was also itching to consume them. He was starving and hospital food did him no good. Tsunade had sent Shizune and Raido to pack his presents (and it surprised him that the villagers left him something – now he had an entire new wardrobe and new pairs of nin-sandals and some house equipment). He was thankful – really!

Genma came to escort him home. "Iruka has a staff meeting, so I'm going to take his place for just a few hours. If you don't mind."

"No. Not at all." Naruto said.

Genma had helped him walk to his apartment, Naruto insisting on the little exercise. Surprisingly, he managed to walk with minimal assistance and Genma actually felt proud of the teen.

"Now that was progress! Good job!"  Genma said, a small smile on his lips.

"Thanks."

Genma helped him up the stairs and into his apartment, where everything was arranged, all the presents and packages in one corner of the house, conveniently done by Raidou and Shizune who'd left earlier.

"Need any help?" Before Naruto could reply, his front door opened and Kakashi appeared. "Oh, will you look who's here! Kakashi-sensei."

"Genma-san." Kakashi greeted back. Naruto lost all words in his mind. Kakashi was here – he kept his promise to come in the evening!

"Well, I'll leave you two alone. You have a lot of catching up to do." Genma sat Naruto on the couch and ruffled his hair, much to Naruto's chagrin. "Good night you two." Genma headed for the door and stopped by Kakashi to give his shoulder a squeeze. "Do anything stupid and make Iruka and Naruto mad, I'll kill you myself."

Kakashi smiled at the threat. "I'd kill myself first before you could reach me anyway."

Genma nodded and patted his shoulder, leaving the apartment.

Kakashi strode next to Naruto and knelt in front of him. "Would you like me to prepare a bath for you?"

Kakashi turned the tap off, and dipped his elbow in to the water and decided that it was warm enough. He mixed in some warm bubble bath before going out to fetch Naruto, who was watching some nature show on television.

"Naruto." He called out gently, placing a hand on his shoulder and then sliding it down to take one of his hands. "Come." Naruto blindly followed, too surprised and shy to do almost anything on his own – since when did Kakashi have such an impact on him? Oh yeah, since he kissed me. At the mere thought, a hand came up to his jaw line where Kakashi had placed a very soft kiss earlier, and as always, he blushed.

Kakashi pushed the bathroom door wide open and ushered Naruto inside. Naruto felt the warmth surround him and the sweet smell of spring from the scented and bubbled water tease him. The smell of hospital would finally go away. He couldn't wait to jump into the water. With a small smile on his lips, he reached up and began to undo his shirt. He heard Kakashi leave and close the door slightly, the jounin's footsteps echoing down the hall. He entered the tub and sank himself into the water until it came up to his chin. He closed his eyes in pure bliss and remained like that for a few minutes before reaching out for the blue fluffy body scrub and applying some soap on it. He began to scrub his feet and legs until he was satisfied. He turned the tap on and rinsed the blue body scrub before applying some more soap and scrubbing his waist and stomach.

Just then, Kakashi came in, towels in his arms. He placed them on the closed lid of the toilet seat. Naruto was scrubbing his fingers clean. Kakashi watched him for a few seconds before kneeling beside him on the floor and placing an un-gloved hand on Naruto's soap soaked hand. Naruto looked at him, hair damp and sticking to his neck and face. Kakashi gently took the body scrub from his hand and reached out for the soap, lathering some more until his hand was covered in soapsuds.

"Just trust me on this one all right?" Kakashi said and ever so gently, he began to rub Naruto's shoulder with a soapy lather, gently going in circles all the way down to his hand. He was very gentle, surprising coming from a highly-skilled assassin. He then stretched his arm a bit to reach Naruto's other shoulder and like before, rubbed soft soapy lather on his limb. Occasionally, Kakashi's fingers would brush against his bare skin and Naruto would blush. The steam had painted his cheeks red and his lips rosy. Once Kakashi was done with his other arm, he rubbed more soap on the body scrub and gently rubbed circles on Naruto's chest. He then went to his neck and scrubbed his back gently. Kakashi then smiled at him, reaching out for the showerhead and turning it on a soft spray. He placed a hand gently on Naruto's neck and held the spray of water over his head, wetting the golden strands completely.

Kakashi watched as the locks stuck together, looking just as valuable as any gold substance. It seemed to – glow! Kakashi gave Naruto's scalp a little massage before turning the shower off and reaching out for the shampoo that Naruto used. He poured a generous amount on his palm and began to massage his water soaked hair. Little suds trickled down Naruto's temples and some on his forehead. When Kakashi was done, he peered at Naruto's face and found him staring at the wall in front of him, lips slightly parted. Kakashi covered Naruto's eyes, gently guiding them closed, his long eyelashes tickling his palm as he did so. He then turned the shower on and rinsed Naruto's head, the soapsuds dissolving with the bubbly water Naruto was hiding in. Once all of the soap was gone from his upper torso, Naruto turned to look at Kakashi and stared at him with his intense blue eyes.

Kakashi stared right back, and gently took Naruto's hand, helping him stand up, eyes never leaving the blue orbs. Kakashi rinsed Naruto with the shower, still locked with his blue gaze and when he felt it was enough, he turned the tap off, grabbed a towel and wrapped it around Naruto's waist.

"Come." Kakashi whispered and led Naruto to his own bedroom and left him to stand facing the bed. Kakashi peeled the towel off and wiped Naruto's body gently with a drier one. Once done, he grabbed the light blue yukata and put it on Naruto, tying the sash around the waist and then reaching for a comb on the dresser to run it through Naruto's hair. When he was done, Naruto was the vision of his dreams.

Naruto finally looked up from his gaze on the plush carpet and stared at Kakashi.

"Thank you." Kakashi tucked him under the covers and watched as he closed his eyes slowly to sleep. The day tired him out – from all the visits and the walk from the hospital to his apartment. "I trust you." He whispered and then he was asleep.

Kakashi pulled his mask down and gently placed a kiss on Naruto's lips before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

Kakashi left Naruto's apartment to fetch a change of clothes from his own apartment. He came back in a few minutes, took a quick shower and changed into his turtleneck pair pajamas. The snow was still drifting down from the heavens outside. Kakashi sat himself on the couch and lay on his back. After staring at the window for quite some time, he finally fell asleep.

He stood in a black void, with no light. His eyes couldn't see anything. Then he heard gentle drops – water? Using his senses, he approached the source of the sound. He found Naruto on his knees, head dipped in front of him.


"Naruto?"


"How could you?" Naruto said, looking up at him with dead eyes that were bloodshot and teary.


"What do you mean?" Kakashi asked.


"You killed me." Naruto said, more tears trickling down his cheeks. "My death came from you." Kakashi felt hurt and his chest began to ache. Naruto pointed a finger to his own heart and his face became sorrowful. "You killed me here."


"No." Kakashi whispered. "No! I did not!" Naruto began to slowly fade. "Naruto!"


Suddenly he was cold and naked, bathed in darkness. Kakashi wrapped his arms around himself and dipped his head.


"You killed him, sensei." A pair of arms wrapped around Kakashi. "You killed Naruto's heart. He can't love anymore. Because you killed his heart."


"No." Kakashi whispered. "I'd never do that. I couldn't do that."


"But you already did." The voice said and tilted Kakashi's head back, lips looming over his. "You killed him when you slept with me."
Kakashi's eyes widened as lips pressed down upon his – UCHIHA!


Then Naruto was gone forever – while he was in the prison of Sasuke's arms and lips – leaving him with his cold warmth.

Kakashi woke up with a light gasp and stared at the morning-induced apartment. It was eight in the morning, a lovely Saturday morning. He brought a hand up to his face and sighed in relief. "Just a dream." But his chest hurt!

He got up, some fear in him, and headed for Naruto's bedroom. The chakra radiating from it convinced him that Naruto was still inside, fast asleep. He smiled and headed for the kitchen and began to prepare breakfast. Once he was done, he took a shower and changed into a clean Jounin uniform, minus mask that he brought with him last night. Barefoot, he padded in to Naruto's room and found him lying on the bed, face tilted to once side, exposing his neck to the sunshine pouring from the window and one arm free from the yukata's sleeve. He was vision of a dream, of any divine being – any man's erotic fantasies come true!

Kakashi shook his head and gently sat himself beside Naruto, brushing a lock of his hair away. "Naruto?"

"Hmmm?" Naruto moaned and flicked his eyes open.

"Breakfast is ready." Kakashi said.

Naruto was suddenly wide awake – not because of breakfast, but because Kakashi was –

"Kakashi-sensei?" He asked, looking at Kakashi with wide eyes. "Your – Your face." He whispered.

Kakashi smiled. "Should I put my mask on?"

"Why the hell do you wear that piece of crap anyway? You're so handsome!" Naruto immediately bit his lip as he let that unintended comment slip.

"Ah!" Kakashi said, and nodded. "Well now you know the reason eh?"

"Aren't you being a bit conceited about it?" Naruto said, narrowing his eyes.

"What? About me being handsome?" Kakashi rubbed the back of his head. "Of course not." He then leaned over to Naruto's ear and whispered teasingly. "But I'm glad that someone likes what they see, hmmm?" Naruto blushed.

"I'll wait for you outside." Kakashi said and closed the door behind him.

Naruto was tempted to hit his head on the wall. Why did he just let it slip like that? But Kakashi was indeed handsome! He wasn't lying about that part. And the mask! That piece of shit-cloth! Naruto felt like screaming.

"Alright, boy! Calm down. Breath in, breath out." He pulled himself together and went to the bathroom to freshen himself up. He changed into clean clothes and joined Kakashi at the table. Kakashi was already pouring some coffee in two mugs, the smell of bacons and eggs along with toast wafting up to Naruto's nose.

"This looks great!" Naruto said, eyeing the fantastic spread. "I'm feeling really hungry."

"Good thing you brought your appetite." Kakashi said and handed him a plate of eggs and bacon. "Go on. You'll need all the nutrition you can get."

Naruto grabbed a piece of toast and spread some marmalade on it. He then tried his eggs only to freeze in mid chew. Kakashi was flipping through his Icha Icha Paradise Special Edition. Naruto paled incredulously. The eggs were – HORRIBLE! Naruto swallowed the bolus in his mouth with great effort. Maybe the bacon was nicer – nope. Naruto felt a bit sick now. The bacon was even more horrible. A bite on the toast told him that it was stale toasted bread. Wait a minute! Did Kakashi use the things in his fridge?!! The stuff in there was about five months old!

"Na? Do you like it? Here have some more!" Kakashi handed him more eggs. If Naruto loved it, then he'd sacrifice his own hunger and let the boy eat everything. Anything for Naruto!

Seeing the unmasked smiling face, Naruto couldn't find it in his heart to tell Kakashi that it was horrible. So taking a huge breath he gobbled everything down with amazing speed and tried not to hurl everything out of his guts. He gave a little burp and paled. He was definitely going to have a little problem later.

"You pack quite an appetite." Kakashi said, smiling.

"What can I say? You cook great!" Naruto said, forcing a grin.

Kakashi looked at him with a soft expression. Kakashi reached out and touched Naruto's cheek. "I'm so glad you're finally awake."
Naruto flushed a bit and smiled. "Me too."

Kakashi began to clear the table and Naruto got ready to go to the Hokage. He was confused and he was definitely going in circles in his head. He needed to ask Iruka something – and fast! The Hokage could wait. This couldn't.

"I have to go Naruto. I have a little mission with Asuma at the border. I'll see you tonight alright?"

"All right." Naruto said and watched as Kakashi poofed away. Few seconds later, he poofed away too.

Iruka was in the middle of explaining the Henge no Jutsu to his class when a knock sounded from his classroom. The little crack told him it was Naruto and he told his class to continue reading silently for a few minutes. Iruka left the classroom and greeted Naruto. He then quirked an eyebrow. "Naruto? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Just a little stomach ache." Naruto said.

"Did you eat something?" Iruka asked, guessing that it was probably hunger.

"Yeah. Kakashi's breakfast." Iruka gave him the 'look'. "Not like that you twisted person! I swear you're taking lessons from Ero-sennin."

"Well? Kakashi? Breakfast? It doesn't really paint an innocent picture you know? Besides, you're head over heals for him. That makes the picture even less innocent." Iruka shrugged.

"For your information, Kakashi used the stuff in my fridge that's most probably five months old to make breakfast! Hence the stomach ache!" Naruto hissed and groaned a bit as he placed a hand on his stomach and shifted his weight on the other leg.

Iruka gaped. "You ate something that old?"

Naruto's voice fell to a whisper. "I – I couldn't tell him. He looked so happy."

Iruka smiled inwardly. Naruto really had it hard for Kakashi. The bastard! Feeding Naruto something old! Iruka could bet his entire next month's salary that Kakashi had no idea that it was old – too engrossed in making Naruto the biggest breakfast ever to even check that the things were already expired. Yeah, that was probably it. "So what brings you here? I suggest you go to the hospital and have something –"

"I love him, Iruka-sensei." Naruto whispered.

Iruka stopped talking for one full minute. "I figured that much already." Naruto dipped his head. "What's the problem?"

"I want to tell him." Naruto said.

Iruka nodded slowly. "But?"

"But I'm scared." Naruto said.

"We all take risks everyday and we get hurt everyday. Even the tinniest thing has a great impact on us shinobi. I don't think there will be any problem Naruto." Iruka remembered Kakashi's expression when he heard Naruto was awake. It was priceless! "I also have a feeling that it will turn out okay."

"How do I do it?" Naruto asked, looking lost.

"You let what's inside you speak Naruto. I can't tell you what to say. This is something you have to do on your own." Iruka said and placed a hand on his shoulder. "And if it turns out negative, just know that I'll always be here for you." He then smiled fondly. "And Genma too, since he began to take a rather fond liking of you already. Says he wants to take you for ramen when you're free."

Naruto nodded and winced again from his stomachache. "I'll do it. Tonight."

"Good luck." Iruka said and watched as Naruto poofed away.

TBC

Ne? Ne? What do you think? I love this chapter! WOO!