Hi, everyone. (^_^)/

(¬_¬) So, I know I was being unkind to Kakashi in the last chapter. Don't get me wrong. I'm a big fan of Kakashi Hatake too, but in my fic (depending on how I want it to go) Kakashi isn't out of the woods yet.

In regards to Iruka's anger/hate toward Kakashi, that will be explained (not necessarily justified) as the story progresses.

Nonetheless, Kakashi's relationship with Iruka will improve, bringing them together as a couple, just not anytime soon. And I am aiming for a 'happily ever after' ending, as cliché as that may be. KakaIru 4ever!

Helpful note: Disclaimer & warnings are in the first chapter

~o0o~

"…And when the storage room burst into flames Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi made a run for it," Naruto continues to laugh as he tells his story to Sasuke, Kakashi, Sakura, and Lee. "Suddenly the storage room exploded with a burst of fireworks! Everyone ducked and covered thinking they were under attack. That's the funniest shit I've seen this month. Too bad Konohamaru and his team didn't get far. They were caught and scolded by ANBU."

Sakura and Lee laugh. Sasuke only smirks a little with his usual, "Hn."

Naruto glances behind him and pouts. Not a single reaction from his former teacher. Kakashi is looking like his usually aloof-self, but Naruto can tell something is bothering his ex-sensei. No matter how hard Kakashi is trying to hide it, Naruto senses his former teacher is feeling down. Kakashi has been like this for the past few days and not getting any better.

Yesterday when they had gone on a mission together Kakashi had been so deep in thought he didn't notice the enemy attacking. Sasuke had barely made it in time to save Kakashi from having his head sliced off. Naruto has never seen the usually vigilant Copy-nin like this before. Something has to be wrong. When Naruto questioned his ex-sensei, Kakashi just brushed off the question with a 'not enough sleep' answer.

Naruto slows down his pace to walk beside his ex-sensei. When Sasuke glares at him for leaving his side, Naruto glares back a hundred fold with a look that says; say or do something and you're sleeping on the couch tonight.

Sasuke inwardly broods but continues walking alongside his other two companions.

"Neh, Kakashi are you ok?" Naruto asked.

Kakashi looks up from the road to stare into a pair of electrifying blue eyes. He didn't even notice Naruto approaching him but hid that fact from the blond. Kakashi scratches the back of his neck looking sheepish, "What do you mean, Naruto? I'm fine."

Naruto sighs as he bends his arms behind his head and looks to the blue sky. "Physically you may be here, but your mind is elsewhere. You've been distracted a lot lately. You try to look normally aloof for the rest of world, but…" Naruto looks at the Copy-nin from the corner of his eye, "when I really look, you don't appear to be like yourself. You seem distant and depress to me. Even your chakra, it feels like a small ember trying to survive." Naruto grabs the other jounin by his arm and stops them from walking further, "Seriously, Kakashi, what's wrong? You can talk to me. You can tell me anything. I know I'm reckless and a knucklehead, but I'm a good listener. If you would only-"

Kakashi interrupts the young man with a chuckle and ruffles his hair. He smiles behind his mask. Leave it to Naruto to be so perceptive and aware of others feelings. 'I have to be more careful around this guy from now on…' he told himself. He doesn't want to lie, but he has too. Kakashi offers a fake smiling-eye, "You're thinking too much, Naruto. Really, I'm ok. I've just…" Kakashi shrugs, "been thinking about Jiraiya lately. The anniversary of his death will be next month. I really miss his novels. And there's no one in the world who can write all that sinful smut like Jiraiya did."

"Oh…" Naruto bows his head looking sad.

Kakashi feels like an ass using Jiraiya as a safeguard for his behavior. After all these years, he knows how sensitive Naruto still is toward the Sannin's death. Jiraiya had been like a grandfather to the Jinchuuriki. Kakashi sighs and places a hand on Naruto's shoulder, "I'm sorry I brought that up."

Naruto shakes his head, "No, it's ok." He looks up at that single eye, "But seriously, Kakashi, if you ever need to talk you know I'm here for you, right?"

This time Kakashi's smiling-eye is genuine, "I know and thank you. If I ever do need to talk to someone you'll be the first to hear about it." That much he promised the blond after causing him hurt.

"Are you guys done with your male bonding?" Sasuke questioned; arms crossed and looking annoyed.

"Hey…" Naruto looks left and right, "where's Sakura and Lee?"

"They left ahead of us and will meet us there. Iruka is one of Sakura's patients. She can't wait all day for you, Usuratonkachi," Sasuke told him.

"Don't call me that, Teme!" Naruto barked before looking back at his ex-sensei, "You coming, Kakashi? We're going to Iruka's place to see how he's doing."

"I don't think I should go, Naruto…" Kakashi looks away from the blond to hide any sadness that might cross his eye. He even steadies his chakra so the future Hokage can't sense his uneasiness.

"Oh, come on, Kakashi!" Naruto loops his arm around the silver-head jounin's and drags him off. "You have to come. It makes Iruka happy whenever he gets visitors."

Kakashi sweat drops from the way Sasuke is giving him a murderous glare for being too close to his spouse. 'But it's not my fault! Naruto is always so touchy,' inner-Kakashi whined pitifully. "I really don't think I should go, Naruto." Kakashi manages to slip his arm off of Naruto's before Sasuke really does kill him. Like the Uchiha's bloodthirsty aura behind him isn't a huge hint to his doom. "Naruto, you know as well as I do that Iruka-sensei and I don't have a close relationship. You and Sasuke are family to him. I'm just an acquaintance." His own words stung badly. "I don't want to create an awkward situation with my unnecessary presence."

"Don't be ridiculous, Kakashi. If you say Sasuke and I are Iruka's family, then so are you!" Naruto counters. "If Sasuke and I look at you as a father figure, then that makes you family too."

Kakashi blinks; surprised by the blonde's words. He looks at Sasuke who gives him an affirmative nod but still looking stoic. Kakashi flushes behind his mask, not sure how to respond to that. He always saw himself as their ex-leader and teacher, even a friend. But he never would have thought Naruto and Sasuke thought of him as a parental figure. "Maa… If I'm being viewed as your father, what does that make Iruka-sensei?"

Naruto's smile spreads wide open and winks with a thumb's up, "Our adorable mother-hen. Dattebayo!"

Sasuke shakes his head at his spouse's idiotic logic.

Kakashi chuckles, "Don't let Iruka-sensei hear you say that." Something about Naruto's words causes his heart to flutter, Kakashi isn't sure why though. "Either way, Naruto, I'm not going to-"

Naruto takes hold of Kakashi's arm again and drags him off, "Enough! We are going to Iruka's together and that's that!"

Kakashi sighs in defeat. Once Naruto is dead set on something he can be overly stubborn until he gets his way. Kakashi's spine tingles up and down feeling Sasuke's murderous aura on him again. 'Don't kill me, Sasuke!' inner-Kakashi wails.

Kakashi and the two young men make their way through a quiet residence in the Uchiha District. Ever since Sasuke's return to Konohagakure and his marriage to Naruto, Sasuke has offered his clans property to the rest of Konoha to live in. It's better for the district to be filled with new life than to remain empty with dark memories. Sasuke has even given Iruka his own personal space in the district. Even though his new home is farther away from the Academy, Iruka couldn't be more grateful to Sasuke, because he's happy to live somewhere closer to his favorite blond knucklehead, more spacious, and free of rent.

The door swings open before Naruto can knock, "Oh! Sakura, Lee, are you guys heading off?"

"I do have other patients to attend to, Naruto," Sakura said.

"But we're going to get a bite to eat before Sakura goes back to work," Lee said with a smitten expression toward his fiancé. They are both busy and hardworking nins, so it's rare when Lee and Sakura have time for a quick rendezvous during the day.

"Stop that!" Sakura scolds Lee, "you're drooling all over me," but she really does love the attention. "We'll be going now. Iruka is still resting." She then glares warningly at the blond while shaking her fist at him, "don't be overly loud, Naruto."

Naruto's eyebrow twitches and waves his hands around in defense, "I won't. I won't!" The pink-haired kunochi is still as brutal with Naruto as ever since their gennin days.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi wave off the engaged couple as they walk away. They enter the quiet abode before Naruto bellows a, "Damn it!"

"Quiet, Dobe," Sasuke hissed, "what's with you?"

"I forgot to ask Sakura how Iruka is doing," Naruto answered.

"He's doing better actually…" said a voice from the hallway.

Everyone turned around to see Gai Maito quietly closing the chuunin's bedroom door and walking toward the group of visitors. He's balancing a rosewood tray on his hand with a half empty glass of water, medicine bottles, and an empty soup bowl.

"Good afternoon my friends," Gai said with one of his blinding smiles but keeps his voice controlled.

"Gai, what are you doing here?" Kakashi questioned because it bothers him for some reason to see the Green Beast in the Academy teacher's home. Especially after seeing Gai walk out of the sensei's bedroom.

"Eh? Don't you know, Kakashi?" Naruto looks at his ex-sensei, "Iruka and Gai are childhood friends."

Kakashi's eye widens, 'It's true?!'

When Kakashi had questioned Gai's relationship with the Academy teacher, the Green Beast didn't deny it, but he also didn't confirm it. Then a few days ago when Gai and ANBU came to Iruka's rescue, Gai and Iruka were behaving too close for his comfort. Kakashi wouldn't call the behavior intimate. It looked more like a brotherly love. And Kakashi didn't want to think too much into it either. But after Iruka's harsh words and behavior, Iruka looked like he would prefer anyone's touch but his, even if that other person is the Green Beast of Konoha.

'It's true…' Kakashi thought to himself. 'Those chuunin weren't lying about Iruka and Gai being childhood friends, but… Why is this the first time I'm hearing about it?'

"Don't tell anyone, Kakashi," Sasuke interrupts the silver-head jounin's thoughts.

"Eh? Why?" Kakashi questioned.

Gai sighs with a half-smile, "Isn't the answer obvious, Kakashi?" Gai sets the tray down on the coffee table. "Just like you, I have many enemies who wish for my life or the lives of those precious to me." Gai looks at the Copy-nin with a very serious expression, "And Iruka is very precious to me. I promised my parents and the Uminos I would always protect Iruka from harm."

Kakashi stares at the Green Beast, "…Oh."

And yet, Kakashi knows Gai isn't being completely truthful with him. When he thought about it, practically the whole world knows about Iruka's close relationship with the Nine-tails vessel and the last of the Uchiha. Naruto and Sasuke probably have more enemies than Kakashi and Gai combined. So why would Gai bother to hide his relationship with Iruka when Naruto and Sasuke didn't? Then again, there is no point in hiding Naruto's connection to Iruka. Everyone knows Iruka had been Naruto's guardian for a majority of the Jinchuuriki's life.

"Is it ok if I see Iruka now?" Naruto asked the bushy-brow jounin.

"Of course, Iruka isn't asleep yet. But he did take his medicine a moment ago, so he might get sleepy soon," Gai tells the blond jounin. "Either way, Iruka will stubbornly stay awake because he knew you would be visiting soon."

Naruto smiles brightly. He takes hold of Sasuke's hand and leads him away, "Come on, Teme, let's go see Iruka."

Kakashi and Gai watch as the young couple entered the sensei's bedroom. When the Uchiha softly closed the door behind them Kakashi turns back to the other jounin. "How's Iruka-sensei doing?"

Gai picks up the tray and makes his way to the kitchen, "He's doing better."

Kakashi remains where he stands. He wants to take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe the Academy teacher's home. He might never get this chance again now that he knows how Iruka really feels about him.

The sensei's home is fairly large. The living room is enchanted with warmth and a welcoming atmosphere. The walls, the furniture, and the décor are all soft and earthy colors. There are several houseplants around the living room. In the center of the living room is a single sofa to seat at least four people. The sofa has a few throw pillows adding to its charm. Before the sofa is a coffee table littered with ungraded work. And a solid tan colored rug lies underneath the sofa and center table.

Doodles, notes, artwork, poems, and pictures of the sensei's Academy students cover up one of the walls. There's no TV in sight, but there's a long bookcase sitting below the only large window in the living room right next to the door. The bookcase has a variety of books all lined up neatly on its two shelves and a nice looking stereo system sits above the bookcase. There are two fish tanks mounted on the right wall of the living room. The fish tanks are rather big and round shape. They are half glass spheres with open tops. They are beautifully decorated with black-blue sand and silver marbles. The decorative rocks are blue-green. Along with real underwater plants, there are plastic plants of blue, pink, and lime green colors. One tank has exotic looking saltwater fish while the other has freshwater fish.

Kakashi then catches sight of what stands between the fish tanks. He draws closer to get a better look.

Right below the fish tanks is an antique looking mahogany table. And sitting on the table is a mount-stand where the most beautiful sword rested. The unmarred steel gleams brightly like the moon at night. The blade of the sword looks sharp enough to slice the very air one breathes. The black ivory handle of the sword was skillfully shaped and carved to represent a black wolf. Its eyes are a pair of amber stones. The metal guard on the sword was also skillfully shaped and molded to look like a pair of black wings. And wrapped around the blade collar is a silver chain with two pair of dog-tags dangling from it. They are the tags of two fallen Leaf-nins.

But whose?

"That sword belonged to Tora-sama…"

Kakashi looks back at Gai stepping out of the kitchen, "who is that?" He slowly steps away from the sword back to his previous spot.

"Iruka's father," Gai answered. "It was a gift given to him by Iruka's mother, Usagi-sama."

Kakashi looks back at the sword, "It's beautiful. I've never seen such a perfect sword in all my life or craftsmanship. Whoever Umino-sama chose to create such a masterpiece is beyond skillful. Is that blacksmith still alive?"

Gai's expression saddens for a moment before he shakes his head, "No, she's not. Usagi-sama died alongside her husband during the Kyubi war."

Kakashi's eye widens, "You mean… Iruka-sensei's mother created that sword?"

Gai nods with a proud smile, "Yes, and according to my father, it took her five years, nine months, and 6 days to create that perfection. She went through many hardships to create the perfect sword for her husband. A sword that would protect Tora-sama when she couldn't…" Gai offers the other jounin a cup of warm tea before he takes a seat on the only sofa facing the two fish tanks and the sword. "Iruka told me he will have Naruto inherit the sword one day if he doesn't have children of his own."

Kakashi sits next to his friend. He lowers his mask trusting Gai will not peek. Kakashi takes one slow sip of his tea and stares down at the liquid when he speaks. "How's Iruka-sensei's condition?" he asks while readjusting his mask.

"He has pneumonia. His fever has gone down, but Lady Tsunade believes it will make a comeback," Gai answered. "Lady Tsunade said he should be good and ready to start working next week."

Kakashi kept staring at his steaming cup. There's something he wants to ask Gai but isn't sure if he should or not. It will be a stupid question seeing how Kakashi knows Gai is already dating someone, but he wants to know. "Hey, Gai?"

"Hmm?" Gai looks at his Eternal Rival.

"Are you and Iruka-sensei… you know…?" Kakashi looks away feeling embarrassed. He clears his throat, "… in love with each other?"

Gai's eyes widen for a moment before he burst into laughter, "Bawhahaha - that's too funny, my Rival."

Kakashi flushes even more and looking annoyingly at the Green Beast.

Gai wipes the tears from his eyes, "Pfft - no, Kakashi, Iruka and I are not like that. Iruka and I care about each other like brothers." Gai's expression then turns devious as he wiggles his bushy brows, "Any particular reason whyyy you want to know?"

Kakashi raised a questioning eyebrow, "Eh? Well…" he shrugs, "just curious I would say."

Gai shakes his head and exhales deeply, "You are hopeless, my friend."

"What do you mean by that?" Kakashi questioned.

Gai chuckles, "don't worry about it. Maybe one day you'll figure it out on your own. You are supposed to be a genius after all."

"What do you mean 'supposed'? I am a genius!" Kakashi tells him.

Gai chuckles again as he stands up and stretches, "I should get going. I've made plans with my precious Shizune."

"I still can't believe you are actually in a relationship with someone," Kakashi said. "Especially with someone like Shizune."

Gai shrugs, "I'm not getting any younger, Kakashi. While I may live a dangerous life, I want to believe I could one day have a family of my own. And my strikingly good looks aren't going to last forever," he winks.

Again Kakashi is given more proof Gai is hiding something from him in regards to his secret relationship with Iruka. He doesn't mind the whole world knowing he's dating and in love with Shizune, but doesn't want his relationship with Iruka to be found out? What's up with that? Granted, Shizune is a much more skilled ninja than Iruka. And she can protect herself better than some chuunin shall trouble finds her. But something still didn't add up. Either way, Kakashi isn't going to meddle since Gai is choosing not to tell him whole truth.

"How long have you guys been dating?" Kakashi asked.

"One year and going on strong baby!" Gai says with one of his signature smiles and poses. "Bid my farewell to the others," Gai said as he makes his way toward the door. "I shall come and check on Iruka tonight. Later, Kakashi." Gai waves at his friend before he's out the door.

"See ya…" Kakashi releases a deep breath before inclining his head back to stare down the hallway. He wondered how much longer Naruto and Sasuke are going to be. He debates whether he should leave or not. Kakashi then looks back ahead of him. The fish are gliding in their water in a rhythmic dance. He can hear the soft hum of the hidden tank filters, the muffled conversation in the sensei's bedroom, and the lively world outside of the house.

Kakashi's eye is then on the sword. More precisely, he stares at the black winged beast that is the handle of the sword. For some reason Kakashi feels the winged beast's amber eyes staring back at him, drawing him in. Kakashi can't help feeling some strange attachment toward the sword like a long lost friend as fathomable as that notion should be.

Without Kakashi's notice, the whole apartment suddenly goes deathly quiet. The jounin's surroundings are dimming and foggy as if he's in a dream. There's no sound coming from the outside world. But then Kakashi hears a soft voice calling to him, whispering in his ear. They are incoherent words the Copy-nin vaguely understands. Subconsciously, Kakashi rises from his seat and walks back to the sword. Kakashi's expression is going blank, the iris of his single eye is growing darker while the pupil begins to glow an amber color as if he's being placed under a spell. Kakashi continues to hear someone whispering in his ear requesting something from him.

Kakashi finally understands… The sword, it wants to be held… by him.

Kakashi reaches out for the handle of the sword. The winged beast's amber eyes begin to glow. His fingertips tingle with a strange sensation. A foreign energy is emanating from the sword causing his chakra points to respond. His very soul stirs by the cause of an unseen force. Inches away from the sword and the whispers in his ear are starting to sound like a purring growl.

"Kakashi!" Naruto yells.

The Copy-nin gasped, startled out of his trance. He drops the mug and the tea splatters over the wood floor.

"Hey, Kakashi, are you ok man?" Naruto asked as he comes up to his former team leader. "I didn't mean to yell at you like that. I kept calling you several times, but you wouldn't respond."

"I'll get a kitchen towel," Sasuke said and disappears into the kitchen.

"No, it's ok. I was just…" Kakashi looks back at the sword. 'What was I doing?' he questioned himself. One moment he's sitting on the sofa after Gai left and the next he's back standing before the sword. "Never mind that," Kakashi shakes his head before looking at Naruto, "is there something you needed?"

Naruto gives his ex-teacher a concerned look before responding, "Um, yeah… Can you keep an eye on Iruka until we get back?"

"Come again?" Kakashi stares at Naruto as if he just grew another head.

"We won't take long. Iruka just wants me to pick up a few things for him," Naruto said.

"Why me? Have Sasuke keep an eye on him."

"I would, but I'm going to help Dobe," Sasuke said as he tosses the towel to the silver-head.

Kakashi frowns, 'Yeah, right. You're just tagging along with Naruto because you're one territorial bastard.'

"It'll be quick, Kakashi. Please?" Naruto begs. "Besides, Iruka is already asleep."

"Did you tell Iruka-sensei this?" Kakashi questioned.

"Uh… Well, not exactly…" Naruto sweat drops. "Iruka fell asleep before I could tell him. But I'm sure it will be ok."

Kakashi sighed, "Fine. And be quick about it."

"Sure thing!" Naruto said with a salute and disappears in a puff of smoke followed by Sasuke.

Kakashi stares at the hall's entryway that leads to Iruka's bedroom. He'd be lying to himself if he said he didn't want to be here. He's as much concern for Iruka as the others are. But more than anything, Kakashi wants to be near him. Especially now that he knows he never can or ever will. He isn't going to pass out this opportunity Naruto has given him.

'So close, yet so far away…' with one last dejected sigh, Kakashi gets to work drying up the spilled tea.

Thank you for reading! (^_^)/