Disclaimer: I lay claim only to my family, cat, house and car.

This chapter's inspiration was drawn from the lovely sketch of Iruka laying on top of Kakashi in bed, both shirtless. It was drawn by hmo (on Deviant Art I think).

DetoxAngel – Long time? Really? This is about par for the course for me as far as updates are concerned. I hope you check back in at some point cause I'm seeing this through to the end.

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Chapter 13

Iruka hated the fact that he was nervous, but he couldn't seem to banish the feeling that Kakashi was uncomfortable around him. Ever since arriving for their standing dinner date, he'd been withdrawn and that feeling had spread to Iruka.

He frowned down into the sink as he washed the last dish, lost in his thoughts, unaware of the inquisitive mismatched eyes watching him. The feel of a strong hand closing around his own brought him back to the here and now. He looked to Kakashi in confusion as the silver-haired man took the plate and sponge from his hands, turned off the water, and gently dried their hands with the kitchen towel.

"Kakashi?"

Kakashi's only response was a sly smile as he led them to the living room and onto the sofa. He sat down and guided Iruka down onto his lap so the chuunin was straddling his legs. He reached up and cupped Iruka's burning cheeks, bringing him in for a slow, deep kiss.

When he pulled back, he hugged Iruka to him and spoke into his unbound hair.

"I'm sorry, I know I haven't been very good company tonight."

Iruka wrapped his arms around Kakashi and smiled, feeling his body suddenly melt against the man holding him.

"It's ok. If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine."

Kakashi pulled back and looked into the warm brown eyes.

"You're right, I don't want to talk right now."

Iruka saw the sparkle in the blue eye and felt his insides ignite.

"Oh."

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"No…wait…."

"'Kashi?"

The pair had moved from the sofa back to Iruka's bedroom when Kakashi complained of the discomfort of sitting upright. As they walked back to the bedroom they never lost contact with each other and as they smiled and kissed, Kakashi pulled Iruka's shirt off and left it in the hallway. They stumbled their way to the bed where Iruka collapsed on top of Kakashi and they proceeded to bring their frustrations to new levels. Iruka grabbed a fistful of Kakashi's shirt and started to pull it off but Kakashi's hand closed over his to stop him.

"W-wait…."

"Is…something wrong?"

"No….It's just….my body has suffered on many missions and…."

Iruka placed two fingers over Kakashi's lips and smiled.

"It doesn't matter to me. I want you, not some idealized version of you."

Kakashi turned his head and sighed in defeat, closing his eyes, unwilling to see the look on Iruka's face when he laid eyes upon the marred flesh. He allowed Iruka to lift his shirt over his head and he felt warm, soft hands exploring his upper body, starting from his shoulders and working their way down in silent assessment. He bit his bottom lip as waves of heat coursed through him. Finally, those gentle hands came upon a stark white line that started just below the right side of his ribcage and blazed a trail down and around his side until it disappeared behind him.

He could feel his stomach tie in knots at the innocent exploration. Iruka, why haven't you said anything?

Suddenly, a sensation he hadn't expected caused him to jump and gasp. He looked down to see Iruka, worried, apologetic, cheeks burning. He actually kissed the scar? Why?

"I'm sorry. Is it real sensitive? I just wanted…I…I'm sorry."

Iruka backed up onto his heels and began to get off the bed, head hung low, but Kakashi quickly sat up and grabbed his wrist.

"No, wait. I just wasn't….I mean….nobody has touched me in so long." Kakashi gently tugged Iruka back onto the bed, their eyes never losing contact. "I don't want you to stop, Iruka."

"But…I don't really know what I'm doing. Y-you're not a woman."

Kakashi smiled, finally understanding the basis of Iruka's insecurity. I guess I would be nervous too. I remember my first time. I didn't have time to be nervous.

"It doesn't matter. Anything you do will feel good."

Kakashi leaned up and kissed Iruka as he guided him, positioning him once again over his own body. Hesitant fingertips found Kakashi's chest and as they gained confidence the pressure increased and so did the heat. Kakashi groaned and the shared lip lock became deeper.

Iruka felt his nervousness dissipate as he concentrated on the feel and taste of Kakashi. I can make him feel good. But….

'"Kashi…"

The whispered plea against his lips brought Kakashi out of the pleasurable daze he was slowly drowning in to see big brown eyes gazing down at him. He brought a hand up to brush some hanging hair behind Iruka's ear and smiled.

"Hm?"

"I….I don't think I'm ready to….to go any further."

Kakashi's smile widened a fraction and he raised his lips for a quick kiss.

"We'll go as slow or fast as you want. I'm happy as long as you're with me."

For the rest of the evening, the pair lay on Iruka's bed, touching, exploring, and kissing. They didn't have sex but did strip down to their boxers, and by the end of the evening, they were nestled within each other's arms, content and at ease.

"'Kashi? You don't have to leave if you don't want to."

The copynin smiled in the darkness as he continued to idly stroke Iruka's unbound hair.

"Thank you."

Kakashi kissed the top of Iruka's head and closed his eyes, not able to recall the last time he felt so happy.

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Kakashi kept his eyes closed as he felt Iruka pull away from him and get out of bed and resisted the urge to pull him back with a plaintive moan. He heard the soft sound of bare feet padding across the room and out the door, quickly followed by the sound of a door clicking shut. Kakashi just lay in bed and soaked up the feeling of pure bliss. He'd woken up in the middle of the night, his body operating on automatic and knowing it was time to patrol the village as was his habit. He debated for about half an hour before deciding that the ninja actually assigned to guard duty could handle things without him for one night. There was no way he was going to leave Iruka's bed last night without the Hokage storming into the room.

It wasn't long before he heard Iruka padding back into the room. But then everything fell silent and Kakashi wasn't sure where the teacher was. Letting his curiosity finally get the better of him, Kakashi cracked open a crimson eye and saw Iruka standing before him. He had put on a pair of sweatpants, but his hair was still loose and his arms were crossed over his still bare chest. And the knowing smirk curving his lips and the sparkle in the deep brown eyes turned Kakashi's blood into a raging river of lava and he felt his entire body heat up at the sexy sight.

"I knew you were faking. C'mon, get out of bed. I'll make breakfast."

Kakashi closed his eye again and smiled, turning his face completely into the pillow and taking one last deep inhale, delighting in the smell that was uniquely Iruka, before getting out of bed. He was going to follow Iruka's example and just put on his pants but once he had completely emerged from the bed and the covers, he became chilled and opted for a t-shirt as well. Iruka really is hot-blooded if he can walk around half naked in this temperature.

Once in the kitchen he found Iruka making coffee and he just leaned against the doorway, watching. As he admired the way you could see the muscles moving under the tan skin, he frowned when he came upon a jagged streak of darker skin. Without thinking he walked up to Iruka and ran his fingertips over the scar. Iruka jumped at the unexpected touch, spilling coffee grinds on the counter. He whirled around and found Kakashi looking just as startled.

"'Kashi, what were---?"

"Where did you get that scar on your back?" And how did I not notice it last night?

"The scar? Oh….that was uh…." Iruka wanted to turn away from the inquisitive man but that would only expose the object of Kakashi's curiosity. "I was protecting Naruto from Mizyuki."

"That was when Naruto was accused of stealing the shadow clone jutsu scroll."

"Yes."

Kakashi could see Iruka's cheeks getting rosy and that he was fighting the urge to squirm, and normally Kakashi would delight in this sort of reaction from the teacher, but he also saw fear in the normally warm brown eyes and that concerned him.

"I'm sorry if I've brought up a sore subject."

"N-no."

Iruka shook his head and scooted out from between Kakashi and the kitchen counter, but was caught by a pale arm with a firm grip on his bicep.

"Iruka…."

Iruka turned back around and offered a sheepish smile.

"It's ok. That scar…..it was worth it to save his life. I just wish I had seen it coming. If I'd paid closer attention, maybe he wouldn't have had to go through that. I know how desperately he wanted a friend and it's so easy to fall into the illusion and believe the lies. I should have warned him to keep his guard up, but….how do you tell a kid who is shunned by practically an entire village not to easily accept a hand of friendship?"

Kakashi gained a new insight into Iruka. Iruka saw the scar not as a mark of valor for saving Naruto's life, but as a reminder of his guilt for not having protected Naruto better from the start.

"Iruka, there is no way you can protect him from every little bad thing or person in this world. That's all part of growing up and learning how to live your life. The important thing is that he's still alive today and that he learned a valuable lesson. But as you said before, Naruto has a big heart and I'm afraid he'll need you many times over to help save him from life's heartaches, literal or metaphorical."

Iruka reached out and caressed Kakashi's cheek, his smile warm and genuine.

"Hm, yes. But now he has you as well."

Despite what most people thought about his lifestyle or discipline, Team 7 was very precious to him and he understood the seriousness and honor of being allowed to mold these children into adults and ninja. But now, seeing Iruka's smile and hearing his voice, Kakashi was afraid. He was afraid to let Iruka down. If anything were to happen to them, but especially Naruto, would he blame me? Would I lose him?

"'Kashi?"

Iruka reached up with his other hand and now he was cupping Kakashi's face, worried. His eyes had become unfocused and his face had slowly morphed into something akin to mild fear.

"'Kashi.."

Not getting a response, Iruka kissed Kakashi, not sure what else to do to bring him back. At the soft touch Kakashi gasped and started a bit. He blinked at Iruka who was watching him with equal parts amusement and worry.

"Where did you go?"

"I apologize. I suddenly felt very tired at the prospect of having to look after both Naruto and you."

Iruka blinked a few times, not sure how much of Kakashi's words were meant to be sarcastic, but then he watched as the pale lips curved into a sly smile. Iruka scoffed and hung his head.

"Well, I could always step back until after their training if that would make matters easier for you."

Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around Iruka's waist and squeezed tightly as Kakashi nuzzled his neck, sending goosebumps up and down his body.

"That's unacceptable, Iruka, and you know it. I can't go back to a time without you."

Iruka felt his whole body ignite at the whispered and passionate words. He closed his eyes and smiled as Kakashi kissed along his jaw line, finally reaching his lips which had been impatiently waiting for Kakashi's arrival. No….I couldn't go back either….

To be continued….