A/n: I have an IruNaru. hides People don't seem to accept IruNaru too much...funny thing Is, I think it's one of the most canonical pairs. () SUPPORT IRUNARU AND REVIEW THE FICCY!
Disclaimer: I own Iruka, Dolphins, Peodphiles, and Foxes. Actually...I own none. I am teh sadness.


To Be Loved

"Dannnncceeee wittthh meeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Kakashi sung, tap-dancing.
"Ooooooohhhhhh." Tsunade sung along in harmony, her back up singers, Ino, Sakura, and Hinata all dressed like common cowgirls. Sandaime did a jig as Asuma romanced Gai in the corner. Anko then walked in dressed as a man with a very, very, VERY large penis. Suddenly, a soft knocking noise made the vision blur and fade.

Iruka opened his eyes and yawned. 'What a weird dream...'
he thought, rubbing the back of his head gingerly. 'Well, at least it was better than the one about Ibiki and the magic bunny...'
He sat up, clad in his black body suit. He looked around somewhat dazed.
What had woken him up? Then he could hear the soft, nearly hesitant knocking at his door. He yawned, stood, and gave a quick stretch. He sleepily made his was to his door, then opened it, and blinked the sleep from his eyes.

"Naruto?"

Iruka sat a mug of coco in front of Naruto, on the table. He then sat across the boy on a large couch. "Naruto, what are you doing out so late?"
Naruto smiled nervously at him. "Did I wake you up?" He asked, and Iruka smiled.
"No, I was up." In truth, it was nice to see Naruto. He hadn't spent quality time with the boy in awhile, and life was getting pretty lonely without him.

Naruto sipped his drink and smiled. "It's good."
"Good...did you need to talk to me about something?"
Iruka inquired, a small smile on his face.
"Ah...no." The blonde looked down at the mug.
"Not...really."
Soft brown eyes blinked, and Iruka wondered what was wrong.
"Is everything okay?" he asked softly, and Naruto nodded.
"Y...Yeah..."
Iruka frowned. He didn't like it when Naruto kept things from him, like the Mizuki incident.

"Then what is it?" He asked softly, hoping to convince the boy to open up to him.
Naruto didn't answer, and silence passed between them.
Iruka wondered if perhaps he'd upset Naruto in some way.
He suddenly felt a wave of guilt for not spending time with the boy recently.
"I'm sorry..." the demon's host murmured. "I was...lonely."
Iruka's eyes widened. 'Of course!' he thought. It made perfect sense suddenly.
Naruto had no one to go home to.

Iruka stood and walked across the room to sit beside the small boy.
He placed a hand on the blonde's shoulders in a comforting manor.
"I'm sorry Naruto...I'm glad you came to see me."
Iruka smiled warmly, but it promptly faded when teary blue eyes stared up at him.

They weren't ninja's eyes. They were child's eyes.

"I'm...tired...of being alone." Naruto murmured.
Iruka watched him, and felt his heart wrench in pain. He pulled the boy into his arms.
He held him tightly, keeping his own tears at bay.
"It's alright Naruto...it's okay. Your not alone."
The blonde clutched the Chuunin's front tightly, crying into his chest.
Iruka was hurt and surprised, Naruto rarely cried before anyone, choosing to show a happy smile and face to all.
"Shh..." Iruka comforted, stroking the blonde's hair. "It's okay."

"I-Iruka-sensei..." Naruto hiccupped out, looking at the older man with glossy eyes.
His eyes reflected pain and hurt.
"I..." He seemed to be in despair. "I...just...want someone to...love me.."
Iruka watched him solemnly, before smiling.
"I'll love you Naruto."

Naruto watched his sensei hold him closer, and kiss him softly. He closed his eyes, and felt his soul begin to heal.

This was love.


...Love me forever, and let me die in your kiss...