A/N: Wow, I got some REALLY great reviews this time! O.O -feels proud- I hope you'll all continue to encourage me to write on xD I think I'm gonna answer the reviews, hehe!

Mange Wolf: Wow, thanks! I really try to keep them in character, but I'm not sure if I succeed at it, thanks for saying that! XD

Anon: If it had been me, I'd probably have kissed that spot too -grins- thanks!

Ffpanda: Cookies? OO …. I'd do anything for those!

just a rambling romantic: isn't it cute? I'd love to hear a giggling Iruka xD

BlackMystick: I hope you'll succeed at getting your crush drunk -laughs- perhaps I should try it too, ne? XD

Yuki Bombay: Thanks!

Pie Junkie: Exactly, that's why I made Iruka drunk -grins- since someone (I can't remember who it was O.O… and I'm too lazy to look it up xD) asked if I could do some from Iruka's point of view.. so now you all know how Iruka was feeling too!

Oro-sama: You too!

Rubba Dub Dub Three Men in a Tub: (love your name xD) It wasn't really meant as a cliffie o.o.. but.. I'm sorry xD

shapeshifter mina-san: Thanks -grins-

Inuyashafeudalgirl: I feel honoured! Lol, maybe you can get addicted to yaoi too, ne? XD

Grace: Thanks a lot! I'm glad you feel that way! XD

On to the story! Enjoy!

Chapter 10

Xxxx

The next day

Iruka woke up with a headache as big as the Fire Country. And he was nauseous. In fact, he had to throw up and therefore quickly ran towards the bathroom- he barely made it in time.

Kakashi however, felt quite good that morning. Actually, Kakashi felt more than good, he felt great. In fact, he felt so good that he wanted to float fifty centimetres above the ground or perhaps skip merrily through the apartment, or maybe give everybody he saw a great, big hug and tell them he loved them, or maybe buy tons of flowers, skip merrily through Konoha while throwing them at the villagers and then tell them he loved each and everyone. However, he refrained himself from doing so, as Iruka needed some water right now.

"Good morning," he said, trying not to sound too cheerful, but failed entirely. Iruka slowly stood and swayed as he was a bit dizzy and still had his headache. Kakashi saw this and gently grabbed Iruka's shoulder with his free hand to keep him from falling, which would have made said Chuunin blush if he hadn't been so focused on his headache. "I've got some painkillers and water for you, you'd better drink this," the Jounin continued.

Twenty minutes later, Iruka started to feel a bit better and dared to eat a bit of breakfast in the hopes of keeping it all in. He also tried to remember what he had done last night- he knew Kakashi had taken him out for drinks, but he couldn't quite remember what happened when they got home. His eyes widened for a second or two, before realising he wasn't… sore anywhere. He must've simply fallen asleep.

After he ate something he grabbed his plate and walked to the kitchen and placed it on the counter. When he did so, he suddenly felt someone standing rather close behind him and he saw an arm next to him. "What the hell do you think you're doing Kakashi?" Iruka barked at him, thinking Kakashi wanted to… grab him or something. Well, he might have been overreacting at that time, but you mustn't forget the Jounin had been the reason of his hang over and Iruka wasn't too pleased with him right now.

"Hm?" Kakashi said, pretending to be uninterested. "Oh, I was only grabbing an apple. No need to be that touchy about it," he replied eventually. He was very pleased with himself when he saw the slightly smaller man blush heavily, before giving him an angry glare.

"I hate you," he simply said, turning around to face the Jounin who was still standing close to him.

"Ah, but the line between love and hate is a thin one," he replied happily. Was it just Iruka, or was he getting closer again? Iruka pulled himself away from this thought and looked even more angry at Kakashi. He snorted.

"Which idiot said that? The one writing those Icha Icha books?" Wow, he's good, the Jounin thought. Indeed he had read it in one of his Icha Icha volumes when the lovely Lolita was running away from her obvious future lover Mandengo (he honestly didn't know why they had such weird names, but that didn't matter), who- but he was trailing off again. As if Iruka had read his mind, he said, "Ah, so I was right about that. It's the same guy Naruto is training with, right? How could I have ever let that boy go off training with that pervert?"

"Well, Jiraiya is also one of the Legendary Three," Kakashi mumbled, which made Iruka snort again. Before the Chuunin could reply, Kakashi's face had come even more closer to his face- alright, this was getting weird… Not that Iruka completely complained of course, but it was slightly unexpected. Kakashi however, was very amused at the startled look the Chuunin gave him when their two heads were not even two centimetres apart. After the man had fallen asleep on his shoulder yesterday, they sat like that for a while and Kakashi had enjoyed the warmth of the other mans body, the sweet smell that he had around him and the lovely snoring sound he made. Then the man had decided to put him in bed.

When he saw Iruka sleeping peacefully in his bed, Kakashi had only one thought roaming through his head:

I can't live without him.

Kakashi snorted at the memory of this- they had known each other for, what? A couple of months now? How could he possibly think like that? Ah, but you do love him, a voice said in the back of his head. You'd do anything for him. Yes, that was certainly true.

Wanting to feel that body against him again, Kakashi put both his arms around the others waist and pulled him against him. At first, Iruka tensed, but after a couple of seconds he relaxed again. Kakashi was grateful he didn't pull back. "Kakashi," he murmured into his chest. He had no idea of what to do next- should he pull away, or should he stay like that? He didn't want to give Kakashi the idea that he wanted a relationship with him or anything like that… well, a part of him wanted that- a part of him felt safe with the Jounin, felt secure. But the other part of him was scared of losing someone close again- that was probably his biggest fear. He snorted inwardly. He was always giving lectures on how people die to protect you and how they become strong because of loving someone, and here he was fearing one of the people he loved would die.

Kakashi's hands were running down his back and for a moment, Iruka wondered if he should pull that goddamn mask off. "Iru-" the Jounin merely could say, before someone entered the apartment with a pale face. It was a Chuunin, though Kakashi didn't recognise him. For a moment, the Chuunin was taken aback by the sight of the two men standing so close together (Iruka had been able to take one step behind when he heard the door slam open), but quickly gathered himself.

"Kakashi-sensei, Hokage-same needs to see you, it's urgent! Three children have been kidnapped, they're being held just outside the village. Please hurry!" Kakashi gave him one small nod. The young man was about to leave the apartment again, before Iruka's voice stopped him.

"Who are being held captive?" He asked, trying to sound too worried. He failed at this though- Kakashi could easily hear the panic in his voice.

"Konohamaru-kun, Fuuko-chan and Toshi-chan," the Chuunin walked away, leaving a trembling Iruka. Kakashi watched him, before walking to the door and putting on his sandals. He walked back to the other man and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'll bring them back safe and sound."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ten minutes later

"They're hiding in an old abandoned house, just beyond the river. They sent us this note an hour after the children went playing. I suppose they left the village without guidance because Konohamaru convinced them to," the Hokage shrugged, before continuing, "here, read it Kakashi-san." She handed him a small note, at which Kakashi cringed when he finished reading it.

Hokage,

In exchange for the life of Hatake Kakashi, we will return the three children to your village. Give us your reply before sunset tomorrow.

"More Missing Nin?" Kakashi asked, and he got a small nod as a reply. The infamous Copy Nin shrugged and tried to remain cool.

"They're probably stronger as well, I suppose the Hidden Mist Village underestimated us before, but I reckon they won't do that anymore. I believe they fear you most of all as you are the last remaining student of Konoha's Yellow Flash. We have already sent ANBU down to the forest and I'm sure they'll manage the situation but," she closed her eyes for a second. "You need to watch it, Hatake. You need to be careful from now on- it's you they want for now, so keep close to the village. I won't send you on any missions without guidance from another Jounin or Chuunin, from now on you'll need to work in a team." Kakashi was about to answer, before he heard a small beep coming from his pocket. Oh, shit, he thought and without saying goodbye or explain what was going on, he jumped out of the window and made his way to the forest.

Xxxxxxxxxx

In the meanwhile

Iruka was standing in his apartment, watching as Kakashi left to go to the Hokage. What the fuck was going on? He needed to go to the forest to save the kids! Well, he thought as he grabbed some shurikens and kunais, including the one Kakashi had given him for Christmas, if he's not going to save them, I will.

Barely two minutes after leaving his home, Iruka was already rushing through the forest, trying to find his students' chakra. Then he heard some screams not too far from where he was and without thinking of some sort of plan, he ran towards the noises and yelling- he had recognised one voice to be the one of Konohamaru. He saw the missing nin standing right outside an old house, one was holding the young boy up in the air with not much effort. Alright Iruka, control yourself. You have to control yourself or else there are going to get people hurt and- he stopped thinking as a kunai was thrown at Konohamaru, while the boy couldn't even dodge it! Cowards! Iruka ran towards him, quickly grabbing one of his own and throwing it at the other one.

The kunai that had been thrown by the missing nin hit a tree instead.

Still having the advantage of the surprise attack, Iruka kicked the missing nin holding Konohamaru. He quickly grabbed the young boy and held him in his arms as he glanced over to the house where he saw the two other children sitting tied up. He couldn't do anything else after that as a nin had appeared behind them and held a kunai to Iruka's throat. He swallowed, but didn't let go of Konohamaru who had buried his face into his teachers chest.

"Give that boy here, he's caused enough trouble," the other man hissed into his ears. Iruka tensed, holding Konohamaru holding tightly. "I want to kill him." The nin licked his lips at the very thought of killing the boy. Psycho, he thought.

"No," Iruka responded. "Konoha will not pay for dead children you know," he continued, trying to keep his voice under control. "I'm sure you know that." The other nins let out a cackle before answering that.

"Well, we never said we would give them back alive," one of the others replied, grinning heavily. "But I suppose that if you won't give him to us, we'll have to kill you first, your choice," he waited for a couple of seconds for a response from Iruka. When none came, he continued, "no? Ah well, later." He nodded at the missing nin standing behind Iruka, who was ready to cut his throat, when he suddenly got kicked away from Iruka. The Chuunin, who still held Konohamaru tightly, looked up and saw a silver-haired man, together with three others clearly from ANBU standing next to him. He felt safe.

The ANBU quickly killed them and freed the other children while Iruka was still holding and soothing Konohamaru, who had seen death so near to him. Kakashi was checking Iruka for wounds (well, it was more or less an excuse to be able to touch the Chuunin in public), before the other two children ran to their sensei looking for the same comfort as he was giving Konohamaru.

Xxxxxxxxx

One hour later

The ANBU agreed to bring the children to the hospital, even though they weren't hurt at all. Well, besides another scare of those annoying missing nins who kept coming back to scare those poor children. Iruka was fine too, but slightly bitter about how Konohamaru had barely escaped death.

When the two shinobi were standing in Iruka's apartment, Iruka started to talk heavily about the experience, not noticing the pale face of Kakashi.

"-I mean, can you believe he actually wanted to kill Konohamaru? The poor boy couldn't even do anything and-"

"Why did you go into the forest?" Kakashi interrupted him, not caring if it was rude or not. You could say he was quite mad at the younger man for going into the forest alone like that, he could have been killed. Iruka was slightly taken aback by this question.

"Because it's my duty as their teacher, if I hadn't done so, Konohamaru would be dead by now and maybe the other kids as well. I mean, if this is about the pride you get out of killing missing nin or something, I'm sorry, but I couldn't sit here and do-"

"This has got nothing to do with my fucking pride!" Kakashi yelled at him, slamming his hand on the table. How could the Chuunin not know what this was about? How could he not know? Iruka raised an eyebrow.

"Then what is it Kakashi?" He inquired, and crossed his arms. The Jounin looked at the young man and- should he? Should he finally do what he had been longing to do all this time? Should he pull down his mask? What if he didn't like his face? He probably wouldn't like it, he couldn't like his face… "Kakashi? Tell me," Iruka said, walking towards him. At that point, Kakashi decided it was now or never for him. He couldn't continue living if he wouldn't do it now. He straightened, and put an arm around Iruka's waist to pull him closer to him. With his free hand, he pulled down his mask. Iruka's eyes widened when he saw what the Jounin was doing, but felt oddly relaxed.

"It is about you," the man murmured. "You could've died," and with that, he placed his other hand on the back of Iruka's head and kissed him. They didn't notice the strange bird that was sitting on the balcony, eyeing the two men with great interest.