Title: December

Author: Cheza-chan

Rating: R

Summary: Fired from his job, his world freezing around him, Umino Iruka must try and cope with the fact that he no longer has anything else left. Hatake Kakashi, owner of an animal clinic, proves that there are things worth living for.

Pairing: GenRai (new), OroIru (non-con), KakaIru, SasuNaru, ShikaKiba, GaaSaku, NejiHina

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto—sadly. I'm just using the characters to express my mounting love for the show.

A/N: (grovels like there was no tomorrow) I apologize… I humbly apologize to all the people waiting to read the next chapter of December! The thing is… this is where it breaks up with lemons and I didn't want to update here and,for the people who want a little smut in their life, have nothing to show over at aff .net… But I caved… I'm still three chapters behind over there—I shoulda started working faster!


Chapter Eighteen – Christmas Dreams

Kakashi knew the other man was scared of him because of his previous behavior last night, but he felt his actions were justified Iruka remained in Kakashi's bedroom, but now he was awake and staring at the goldfish huddle together in a front corner of the tank. 'You're scared, aren't you? Every time you look around, everything's new. That's how it is for me.'

Fear. He had buried such emotions years ago and three people had brought them back up: Genma, Orochimaru, and Kakashi, in that order. He sighed deeply and rolled over then sat up. It was pointless to try for death by lying around. Iruka stood and headed for the conjoined bathroom.

At the sound of movement, Kakashi rushed into his bedroom to see how the young man was faring. The small smile he wore disappeared as his mouth fell open. "I… ruka…?"

The brunet glanced over his shoulder; the shirt he had started removing was locked between his arms, which were above his head. "What is it?" he murmured.

"Your back! What happened?"

"An accident," the brunet said nonchalantly, strolling into the bathroom. "They're old scars. It's no big deal. You've never seen it before?"

"No," Kakashi sputtered.

"Well, we all have our secrets, don't we?"

"Iruka." The older man snagged Iruka's bare arm and kept him from disappearing into the bathroom. Slamming him against the wall, he glared down at the terrified expression he had seen last night, but it was quickly masked over. He hadn't meant to act that way, but he was being pushed farther and farther away. "Enough," Kakashi snapped, punching the wall. "You could have lost your life last night and you act like you don't give a damn!"

"I don't. And it's none of your concern. You have no place in my life." Why did it hurt so much to say that? "Get away from me."

"I'm tired of chasing you," Kakashi said as he tangled his fingers in the deep brown hair. "I've been chasing you for five years." Iruka's eyes widened slightly and he stared up into the solemn mismatched orbs. "You have to let someone in."

"Let someone in?" the brunet snapped. "The last person I let in left me to fend for myself—"

"I love you."

"You don't!" Iruka slapped the hand away and ran into the bathroom, locking himself in. He slid to the linoleum-covered floor and covered his ears. 'You don't love you… you don't love me!'

Kakashi touched the closed door lightly then turned and walked out. He still had preparations to take care of and whether or not Iruka consented, it made no difference; he was going through with his plans.


With his bare feet moving quickly over the cold marble floors, Naruto made his way to the recreation room with a bag slung over his shoulder. He grinned at the sight of the tree through the glass doors and pushed them open, hurrying in to unload his presents beneath it. He then began searching for his own name on the presents.

"What the hell are you doing?"

The blonde gasped and almost toppled the tree over as he spun around. He found Genma standing in the doorway with a fierce scowl on his haggard, sleep-filled face. "I was putting your gift under her, you ungrateful bastard," Naruto mumbled, grabbing his empty sack.

"I saw you leave your room," the man said as he gave a large yawn. "I thought you were going to make a break for it again."

"As much as I enjoy time along, locked in my room, I'm not stupid enough to try that again… so soon."

Genma slugged the boy in his shoulder as he stepped out of the room.

Naruto ran ahead while laughing. Instead of going back to the room he was no longer restricted to, he burst into Sasuke's. The brunet had little time to defend himself, but this was an attack he'd welcome anytime. Grasping Naruto's face between his hands, the older boy took control of the kiss. "Merry Christmas," Naruto panted after they'd separated.

"Merry Christmas," Sasuke mimicked with a warm smile. "I'm thinking staying here's better than going to that party." He slid a hand under the blonde's sleeveless top and tickled his sides. Naruto erupted into a fit of giggles and fell onto his back, trying to push the offending hands away.

"Too damn early!" Genma yelled as he walked by. He slammed the door shut.

Both boys looked at each other and burst into uncontrollable laughter, falling on top of each other. Sasuke sighed and brushed the brilliant golden looks away from the cerulean blue orbs. "I'd hate to say I'm glad my family died," he said softly. "But I'm not so sure I would've met you if they hadn't."

"I thought your sappiness was contained to letters," Naruto groaned. "But I see the point you're making. Maybe your family's up there… smiling down on us."

"I hope they turned their faces when we…" Sasuke kissed along the blonde's neck.

"No," Naruto laughed, pushing at the other boy. "Breakfast is in less than an hour!"

"I'm not doing anything but kissing you."

"Sasuke!"

§§§

Genma sighed as he stared out of the window. He wasn't "killing trees" or whatever else it was people said about those who smoked. Rather, he was simply enjoying the cool breeze. "I envy children," he said out loud. "They don't realize what they have to face later on in life, so they enjoy it all now." He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at the crumpled sheets on his bed. Spring was yesterday because Christmas really was today. He had acquired a new friend and a new lover. "Don't you think?"

A disgruntled moan was his reply and Raido pulled a pillow over his head. For speaking of sex-inducing drugs when there was none present, he was being forced to take over Genma's non-teaching duties for a month.

Genma leaned further out the window and inhaled deeply, a grin spreading over his flushed face. "I envy myself sometimes," he chuckled. Raido snorted into the sheets.


Sakura and Ino were standing by the front door to greet the continuous arrival of guests. The host spoke while the young blonde offered to take jackets. Ino then proceeded to hand them off to the boys on standby. "Do you think he'll come?" she asked, folding a lightweight, gold jacket over her arm.

"Sasuke?" Sakura inquired, smiling at the couple that passed her. "He'll come. And he'll bring his date. It's Kakashi's date I'm worried about." Because she couldn't greet her guests with a scowl, the pink-haired girl settled for forcing a smile through gritted teeth. Ino shook her head, smiling. Both girls couldn't help but smile at the figure casually strolling up the shoveled walk.

"Merry Christmas, kid." Gaara tousled his girlfriend's hair and earned a fist in the gut for it.

Ino rushed forward to intercept guests and her eyes filled with tears at the ebony-haired boy that stood before her.

"Ino…" Sasuke's eyes remained wide as the girl threw herself upon him. He returned the hug then eased her away. "It's good to see you again." Ino's hands lingered atop his and she almost lost the trench coat.

Naruto acted quickly and grabbed the piece of tailored cloth before it touched the ground. He smiled and walked by the duo and into the house.

"Naruto, was it?" Sakura held the golden-haired boy at arms' length then drew him in for a quick hug. "So glad you could make it. I'll make sure Sasuke returns to you," she giggled.

Naruto shook his head. "Let him have fun. I'll mingle. See if I can find… familiar faces."

"Great."

And with that, he disappeared into the growing crowd of partygoers. He tucked his arms behind his head and looked around as he walked, lips forming a cute pout. Naruto tilted his head and stared at the young girl pressed tightly against the wall; he knew her. "Hinata!"

The wide-eyed, blue-haired girl almost dropped her glass of punch. She did when she was lifted and spun. "Sakura's floor…!"

"I feel like I haven't seen you in forever." The carpet stains were being ignored.

"Three weeks, I think," Hinata said softly, waiting to be put down. Neji, eyes shadowed, blended in with the crowd once again. Shikamaru had been eyeing the prestigious boy for quite some time now. He was like the Cheshire cat—nothing escaped him and he was knowledgeable to everything. He just didn't wear the wide, idiotic grin.

Kakashi walked into the Haruno house with its only child attached to his waist. He believed she was only this happy because Iruka hadn't come with him. The young man had moved from the bathroom to the bedroom appointed to him and barricaded the door shut. Kakashi hadn't even bothered saying anything and just left a note. "Sakura," the vet sighed, patting the girl on the head. "I really can't stay. I have to head out tonight and I won't be back until New Year's."

"Sensei," she cried. "That's not fair. Is he going with you?"

"I doubt it," Kakashi laughed. He held up a Christmas-decorated paper bag and handed it to the girl. "For you and others. Distribute them wisely. Don't worry about anything that's for me. I'll collect them when I return."

Sakura smiled warmly, hugging the bag to her chest. "Kakashi…"

"Take care." He placed a hand to her shoulder and leaned down to place a kiss to her pink locks. "I'll see you next year."

"All right. And… tell Iruka Merry Christmas."

"I will." Kakashi stuck his hands in his pockets and exited the house, heading down the walk to the truck. He opened the door and got in. When the engine turned over, he pulled away from the curb and started home, his thoughts circling back around to the young man and how he was going to persuade him.

Iruka sat up at the sound of the approaching vehicle. He cut the lights in his room so there would be no silhouette when he stood before the window. He placed a hand to the curtain and pane and pictured Kakashi getting out of the truck. There was no smile on the man's face in his mind's eye.

This morning had been one of their worst moments. He stepped away from the window and sat on the bed with his arms crossed over his lap. Iruka lowered his head. He had spent all day thinking about it and the entire time he had tried not to reduce himself to tears. The cold reality had settled in and he was now freezing both inside and out. Kakashi gave him warmth. The young man bit down on his lip and covered his face.

Kakashi stopped after cresting the stairs he'd ran up and stared at the brunet. He removed the scarf from around his neck and tied it around his waist to get it out of the way.

Iruka fidgeted until his recently surfaced conscience won out and he took a few tentative steps forward. "We're doing this right here and I don't want you saying anything or coming closer until I finish." There always has to be ground rules. Kakashi tilted his head with a smile and settled in to listen.

"About sixteen or so years ago," Iruka began, folding his hands before him. "In the beginning of this month, my parents and I head out for our annual Christmas trip. We would travel wherever the road took us but always ended up in our cabin out of state and further north. We would get there by Christmas."

Kakashi backed up to leaned against the wall, his full attention to the confessing man.

"We never made it. Crossing the bridge, our car was hit by a semi. My parents died instantly, the truck drive died en route to the hospital, and I survived, but not unscathed as you saw. I was in the hospital for almost two years then they sent me to an orphanage. I didn't want to be there and I made that fact quite obvious. Somehow, like the miracle that kept me alive, I made it into law school and ended up where I was… when the month started. I refused to be hurt again, so I locked away my emotions--that's what makes a great lawyer, isn't it?"

Kakashi wondered if the younger man knew he had begun to cry and was doing so steadily. "Five years…" Iruka raised his head to stare at the other and his unshed tears sparkled in the hallway light Kakashi had accidentally turned on. "You said you've been chasing me for five years."

"Oh. You're finished?"

"No. Was that you I bumped into that night?"

"You seemed to be in a hurry," the silver-haired man said.

"I wanted to get home to scrub the filth off me and drink my worries away. But how could you harbor unrequited love for so long? Were you never going to act on your feelings?"

"Now you're angry."

"I'm not angry! But… if Orochimaru didn't have a part in this, I might never have met you... and… and…"

"Is that a good thing?" Kakashi pushed himself away from the wall and took his time crossing the hall to the brunet. "I said I loved you this morning."

Iruka pressed his hands against the man's chest to keep him at arms' length. "You know how badly I've been hurt. If I'm hurt anymore… If I'm hurt by you, I don't think I can continue on." He gasped as his arms were pushed away and slowly relaxed in the fierce hug.

"I won't let anything happen to you," Kakashi grunted. "I won't ever leave you."

Iruka smiled weakly.

"Okay. That's over. We have things to do because we're leaving. I was half-expecting to tie you up and toss you in the back of the truck."

The brunet scowled as he was dragged into the opposite bedroom; their happy, loving moment was ruined. "Where the hell are we going?" Iruka was plopped onto the bed.

"Don't move," were the instructions he was given. The young man stiffened but placed all of his newfound trust in the older man as a blindfold rid him of his vision. Kakashi placed a chaste kiss to the frowning lips and laughed as he moved about the room. "You have no idea how happy you make me. I could make a rope ladder, toss it to the moon—"

"Stop right now before I change my mind."

The veterinarian chuckled and zipped up the final bag he'd been packing. "Stand," he ordered in a calm voice. Iruka rose to his feet, arms at his sides. His fingers curled around Kakashi's and he allowed his arm to be stretched to its length before he started moving.

Once the house was safely locked and armed and they were belted into the truck, the trip went underway. Iruka fell asleep just as they started across the bridge and Kakashi thought it for the best; they would arrive at the destination in another several hours.


The door to the young girl's room opened, ceasing the sister's giggles. Hinata blushed and looked down at the box she'd just picked up. Neji wore an expressionless mask as he gave them a once-over. It was now or never. "Hanabi, I need to speak with your sister." He glanced at the young girl, eyes narrowing. "Please."

Hanabi got to her feet, brushing the lock of hair away from her face, and scurried out of the room.

Neji closed the door and leaned against it. He recognized the box his cousin held as his own and closed his eyes a moment to gather his thoughts. "Hinata," he sighed, pressing the palm of his hand flat against the smooth wood of the door. He scowled and his lateral veins seemed to almost bulge at the corners of his eyes. "Hinata…"

"Neji," Hinata said softly, pushing to her feet. "Is something wrong?"

"Do you like that boy?"

She took a step back, pale lavender eyes slowly widening. "Naruto?" she stammered out. "Yes," Neji forced through his clenched teeth. "I… I…"

"Hinata, look at me."

"I can't…"

"Hinata, please."

"Neji—"

"Hinata, I love you!"

Hanabi found herself sprawled on the carpeted hallway, wide eyes staring at the closed door. She turned over and scrambled away on her hands and knees.

Hinata fell onto her bed, her hands limp in her lap and mouth and eyes wide. She could form no coherent thought and was hardly sure she was still breathing. Neji had his fists locked against the door, his hair shadowing his hard features. "Open your eyes," he said in a strained voice. "I've been here for so many years… Here, only for your sake." He heard the bed shift and creak and imagined she rose to demand him out of her room.

When the soft hands touched his face, his head snapped up. Hinata's lips lightly covered his for a moment and then the touch was gone. Her warmth lingered and Neji was positive his eyes could grow no wider. "Naruto has someone," Hinata explained in a soft voice, her hands lingering on Neji's chest. "And… I've always seen you."

Neji gave a relieved chuckle and wrapped his arms tightly around her.

"Merry Christmas," Hinata whispered, laying her head on his shoulder.


A/N: Ai… this is so different from the chapters at aff .net… I had to add that Hyuugacest confession at the end of this chapter because… well, the NaruSasu lemon was the upper half and you know… it was a decent-sized chapter… (scratches her head, laughing sheepishly) You'll see what I mean, hopefully, when I finally do get around to putting it up on aff .net.