A/N: Okay, the ruler option not working is really, REALLY starting to annoy me!
Disclaimer: Sasuke and Naruto aren't mine, but they're trying to be because they like how often I have them having sex, whereas K. Masashi keeps them apart.
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Iruka whistled a random tune as he flipped a pancake, his hips swaying from side to side before he walked to the fridge. He pulled it open and grabbed the apple juice before heading towards one of the cupboards by the sink and pulling out a glass. He poured himself some of the juice, and then walked back to the frying pan, taking a sip as he poked at the pancake with his spatula.
He almost dropped his glass as he felt two hand encircle his waist and someone nuzzling at his neck.
"Jesus, are you trying to kill me?" Iruka let out a slow breath, trying to calm his now-racing heart.
"Mm. Sorry, love. Is this for me?" Kakashi asked.
"Yeah. You're early." Iruka said, glancing at the clock. It was barely even six.
Kakashi was weird, and he loved pancakes cold. Since he usually got off work at seven, which made him get home around seven-fifteen, if Iruka made the pancakes around six, they would be nice and cold by the time his lover got home.
"Mm. Firehouse caught fire. I almost died. Thanks for the pancakes."
Iruka's eyes widened as he spun around. "You—the—what?.!" he sputtered. "You almost died?.!"
"Yeah." Kakashi stared at the pancakes. "Think they'll cool down faster if we put them in the freezer, or will they just turn into blocks of batter?"
"Kakashi!" Iruka slammed his glass on the counter before grabbing his lover's face in both hands. "Focus! You almost died?.! What happened?.!"
Kakashi sighed, rubbing the back of his head. He'd only told Iruka because he knew the Arson Investigator would find out, anyway. He'd just hoped saying it so quickly and nonchalantly would've made Iruka not make a big deal out of it. I should've known better, the Captain sighed.
"The Fan started a fire in the Station, but ensured only smoke was present. If Sasuke hadn't been awake, we would've died from asphyxiation." Kakashi encircled Iruka's waist, resting his forehead against his lovers. "But I'm fine, see? Nothing happened. We just stayed behind to help clean up the mess. The Station is fine, and everything. Just a few things need to be replaced. And nobody was hurt."
"I'm going to kill that bastard when I find him." Iruka growled. "Trying to kill Sasuke is one thing, but he's playing in a whole different field when he starts messing with my 'Kashi."
Kakashi couldn't help but smile as he placed a kiss on Iruka's forehead, hugging him. "I'm glad you're so protective of me, Iruka."
"Damn straight! Anyone tries to hurt you, I'll kill them." He meant it, too. Kakashi chuckled, shaking his head.
"Thanks, love."
"You're welcome."
"Another thing."
"Hm?" Iruka looked up at Kakashi, the firefighter still hugging him.
"Our kitchen's on fire." The Captain smiled down pleasantly at Iruka. The brunette turned in his lover's arms and let out a yelp before extracting himself from the grey-haired man, smoke emitting from the pan the pancake was on. He hurriedly pulled the pan off the stove and rushed towards the back door with it, not wanting to set off the fire alarm.
Kakashi just chuckled, shaking his head as he headed towards the stairs to change. He'd let Iruka chew him out for this later. First, he needed to get into more—appropriate attire. After all, he had a few days off until Station Seven was back in working order, and he intended to make the best of it. Who would've thought I'd leave the hospital, work for a shift, and then get another couple of days off, Kakashi grinned. God must love me.
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"God must hate me." Naruto groaned as Sasuke kissed his neck.
"Mm? And why's that?" the raven grinned, resting his chin on the blond's chest and looking up at him as they both lay in Naruto's bed.
"Because. My ass hurts." The blond winced.
This answer caused Sasuke to burst out laughing. He buried his face in Naruto's chest as his shoulders shook from laughter. Naruto smiled, too, but still hit his lover playfully in the back.
"Shut up, it's true."
"Sorry." Sasuke snorted, and started laughing again. Naruto just shook his head, waiting for Sasuke to calm down.
When he finally did, the raven resumed his previous position, his chin resting on the blond's chest and his dark eyes locked on Naruto's blue ones. "I have a question."
"Question away." Naruto grinned.
Sasuke stared at him for a few seconds before rolling off him and sitting up properly, looking down at him. Naruto propped himself up on his elbows, staring at Sasuke, confused. "Move in with me?"
Naruto's heart leapt into his throat, and he almost said yes before his mind forced him to stop. He lowered his eyes, clenching his fists as he thought about it. Yes, he wanted to live with Sasuke, but like he always told Neji when the Hyuuga offered to let Naruto be his roommate—he couldn't leave this house.
"Sasuke, I-I would love to live with you." Naruto looked up at him, smiling. "I really, really would, but..."
"But what?" Sasuke asked, not knowing that rejection could hurt this much.
"I-I can't leave this house." Naruto whispered. "This—was the same house my parents and I lived in. It was burned down, and then rebuilt. This house means the world to me. I can't leave it."
Sasuke looked away, but he understood. This house was as important to Naruto as Sasuke's pictures of his family were to him. He would respect that.
"But..." Sasuke turned back to Naruto as the blond spoke. "Um, you can—you can move in here, you know, if you want..."
And just like that, the pain in Sasuke's chest was gone, and he grinned. "Really?"
"Yeah, really." Naruto smiled. "You know, as long as you don't pull any more pranks on me." The blond narrowed his eyes in jest, and Sasuke laughed.
"I promise, no more pranks." Sasuke reassured. "But—you're sure it's okay?"
"Of course. I almost said yes to moving in with you, but—I can't leave this house. So, if I can't go to you, I can have you," Naruto rolled on top of Sasuke, smirking down at him, "come to me."
"Don't you mean come for you?" Sasuke grinned.
"Or that. Whichever works." Naruto kissed him gently before rolling off him again and standing up.
Sasuke pouted as he sat up, watching Naruto walk across the room. The blond bent at the waist as he picked up his boxers, and Sasuke's pout diminished slightly as he admired the view. Naruto pulled his boxers on before turning around, catching Sasuke in the act.
"Perv." He fake-glared at him.
"Why are you putting clothes on?" Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Back in bed. Naked. Now."
"I'm hungry." Naruto pouted, patting his stomach. "The little guy is crying. He wants food. He's threatening to eat my spine, and I kinda need that."
Sasuke couldn't decide whether to pout, or glare, so—he did both. Naruto laughed, shaking his head.
"You are the only person I know who can pull off pouting and glaring at the same time." (1) He grinned as he made his way back to the bed, straddling Sasuke. The raven frowned before pulling on the band of Naruto's boxers in disapproval.
"You're still dressed."
"Actually, I'm in my underwear." Naruto grinned. "And I didn't come back to bed for you." The blond grabbed Sasuke's hand and stood, pulling the raven up with him. Sasuke let out a groan before finally allowing himself to be pulled from the bed, going across the room to get his boxers.
He pulled them on before following Naruto out of the room, the blond already halfway down the hall, and heading down the stairs. The two of them met up again in the kitchen, where Naruto was pulling out eggs and cheese to make omelettes.
Sasuke walked up behind him, wrapping his arms around his waist and kissing his shoulder. "You know the only thing I like eating in the morning is you." he whispered before biting at Naruto's ear.
The blond blushed, but continued pulling ingredients out, anyway. "That may be true, but I doubt I'm very nutritious."
"Mm, you'd be surprised." Sasuke watched over Naruto's shoulder as the blond began to make breakfast.
"When are you going to bring your stuff over?" the blond inquired as he began making the first omelette, not even having to ask what Sasuke liked, since he already knew.
"Later today, if that's all right with you."
"It's more than all right with me." Naruto grinned, looking over his shoulder at Sasuke. "The sooner the better."
"Mm. I'm glad you agree." Sasuke kissed Naruto's cheek, having been aiming for his mouth when the blond turned his head away. He frowned, miffed at having missed, but then shrugged, deciding he'd fix that later.
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Sasuke dumped his last box in Naruto's living room before closing the front door of the house, smiling to himself as he thought about sharing this place with Naruto. He'd always had lots of houses, but none had ever really been home. Now, he had a real home, with someone he loved. And no one was taking it away from him. Not even you, Itachi, the raven thought angrily, narrowing his eyes.
"Hey, is that everything?" Naruto asked as he came down the stairs, grinning at Sasuke. The raven smirked back.
"Yeah, that's everything. Sure you've got the space for it?"
"I'm sure I can manage." Naruto teased as he grabbed one of the boxes. "Need help?"
"Sure. Those are books." Sasuke offered as he followed Naruto up the stairs towards the study.
The blond dumped the box on the ground, Sasuke following suit before they both opened their respective boxes and began to put the books on the available shelves.
As Naruto emptied the box, he caught sight of all the titles of the books, frowning as he continued to put them up on the shelves. When he was halfway through the box, he figured it was just about time to ask.
"Hey Sasuke?"
"Hm?"
"What's with all the medical books?" Naruto held one of them up. "I mean, I know we need to know a lot of medical stuff, what with being firefighters and all, but that's usually in the handbook. Why do you have all this extra stuff?"
Sasuke sighed as he continued to put books on the shelf. "Truth be told, I never wanted to be a firefighter." he admitted. "I always wanted to be a paramedic, but because of Itachi, I figured it was almost like my duty to be a firefighter until the bastard goes down." He turned to Naruto. "I passed all the tests, and I'm qualified for a transfer whenever I want, but I won't become a paramedic until Itachi is dead, or behind bars."
"Oh." Naruto looked away, clearing his throat uncomfortably. "Well, I'm sure it'll happen soon." he reassured him as he put the books on the shelf.
"What about you?" Sasuke asked, Naruto turning to him, confused. "Was this a choice, or did you just do it because of your dad?"
Naruto shrugged. "I always kind of wanted to be a firefighter, because growing up, my dad was like the coolest superhero ever. Even after he died, the idea of saving lives kind of stuck. I don't know, I think I'd have become a firefighter either way." He flashed Sasuke a grin. "Besides, firefighters get all the hot babes."
"Don't call me a babe." Sasuke narrowed his eyes jokingly, and Naruto burst out laughing.
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"Aw, why couldn't that have lasted longer?" Kiba whined as he parked the car in front of Station Seven and climbed out. Sasuke followed suit, with Naruto laughing in the back seat as Akamaru continued to lick his face.
"Hey, guys." Kiba called to the previous shift as they checked out their gear. "What's up?"
"Hey, Kiba. Nothing much. But hey, check it out." The firefighter motioned the station. "There she is, good as new."
"Try not to burn this one down, will you, boys?" another firefighter teased.
"Hey!" Kiba pointed his index finger at the firefighter. "We're gonna go down in history as the only firehouse to ever have caught fire! Feel proud!"
"Actually, it makes me feel useless, but then again, I wasn't in the firehouse when it caught fire."
They continued to tease Kiba as Naruto and Sasuke walked into the main room, Akamaru trotting along behind them. He paused at the door and looked back at Kiba before looking forward towards Naruto, and then back at Kiba. He seemed completely lost, not knowing who to follow. Finally, loyalty kicked in and Akamaru returned to his master's side, wagging his tail happily as he watched Kiba threaten the other firefighters.
Sasuke and Naruto walked into the main room, greeting the other firefighters before sitting down at the table. Normally, Sasuke sat across from the blond, but today, for some unknown reason, he sat beside him. Naruto cocked an eyebrow before shrugging and pulling the newspaper towards him.
The Uchiha's hand slipped beneath the table, and a second later, Naruto jerked, his knees hitting the underside of the table as he let out a yelp.
"Jerk!" Naruto hit Sasuke with the newspaper. "Save it for later!"
"Save what for later?" Both men screamed and almost fell sideways out of their chairs as Genma's head appeared between them. To be honest, Naruto was surprised the pervert hadn't been under the table, taking pictures.
"Go away!" Naruto and Sasuke both hollered, the blond shoving his hand into Genma's face and pushing him away.
"You guys are always so mean to me!" Genma huffed before storming across the room and sitting down on the couch, crossing his arms and pouting.
"Jesus." Naruto whispered, shaking his head as Raidou walked out of the bunk room. Naruto motioned him. "Do you never have sex with him or something? Why is he always so horny?"
"I have sex with him at least four times a day." Raidou defended, crossing his arms. "I think he just always has his hormones on high." he whispered to the other two men.
"Maybe we should cut off his balls, that'll lower them a bit." Sasuke smirked.
"I heard that!" Genma hollered across the room, his hands having slammed onto his crotch, as if to protect his threatened balls.
"Radar and super-hearing. He's like the superhero of sex." Naruto sighed, shaking his head.
All of their heads snapped towards the speaker as a voice rang out in the station.
"Come on, men!" Kakashi called as he exited his office. "Let's show those cops down at the station that we actually deserve our paychecks!"
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Itachi sighed as he leaned back on his couch, bringing his feet up to lie down, and lighting another cigarette. He inhaled the smoke, holding in his lungs for a full ten seconds before exhaling again.
Kisame having come outside to help him had caused problems, and now, he had lost his source at Wal-Mart. He knew it wasn't that big of a deal to find a new one, but it would be hard ensuring he didn't accidentally approach someone who was friends with Naruto. He only knew so much about the blond's work life.
He'd figured after having basically ruined Kisame's life, what with having him help a well-known arsonist, that he would help the guy disappear. He'd arranged for a new name and gave him money to help him get started somewhere else before practically shoving him onto a train. The last thing the Uchiha needed was to be ratted out by some disgruntled idiot who had to give up what he had because of him.
Selfish? Itachi? Maybe just a little.
The Uchiha let out a long sigh as he thought back to his encounter with his brother. It had been too long since he'd been able to show his superiority, and he'd felt like he was high on power the whole drive home after the encounter in the parking lot. He'd been concerned he may have severely injured Naruto, but the man had been fine.
And then, Itachi had almost managed to kill his brother once and for all—but the stupid idiot had to be awake. The Uchiha was still mad about that, having been so close to ridding himself of his brother, only to find out he'd been awake all that time. At least Naruto was saved in the process, Itachi reasoned.
Even though he wanted that golden angel all to himself, he wasn't going to forget his first and most important goal: kill Sasuke. Itachi wanted to rid the planet of all Uchihas. Once that was done, if Naruto wasn't destroyed in the process, he would have him, and make him his.
Itachi smirked as he formulated his next plan. He was going to get rid of his brother in the next fire, or he wasn't going to leave the burning building.
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(1) I can do that. :is proud:
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Yes, this was short, and I'm sorry. Next chapter is short, too, because the fic is coming to a close.
Also, this is another note to people who didn't read it in the previous chapter, I now write lemons. They're on my yahoogroup, the link of which is in my profile.