Roommate

by shi-chan

AU KakaIru Iruka lost his dorm room to an accidental explosion and was given temporary residence with Kakashi. Iruka thinks Kakashi is a complete psycho. Is there more to Kakashi's antics than meets the eye or does he simply hate Iruka?

17. Chapter 17

Warning: OOC, weirdness, sexual references and foul language. Now with added fluff, angst and sexual content. Any misspellings or wrong grammar is unintentional. I am my own beta. I could have missed some stuff.

I do not own Naruto.

NOTE: Authoress feels that this chapter is not up to her standard but couldn't think up of any other way to put things in to words. Somewhere in the middle, there will be an explicit sex scene ahead (which I've taken off, so it's not posted here on due rules and regulations. You will know when it starts, so when you DO feel like reading NC-17 material of man on man sex, head over to my profile page where you will find the link to the 'cut off' sex scene).

ROOM-MATE

They parted a building away from their respective temporary dorm rooms, both too drunk and too tired to accompany the other. Kotetsu gave him a silent warning glance before wobbling down the sidewalk towards his dorm building. Iruka started walking towards his own building at a snail's pace, a portion of his nose (that managed to get a scratch from the blow) and one corner of his lip was bandaged, the cool medicinal green gel smelling thickly like mint and citrus (it made Iruka want to gag) wafting up directly into his nostrils.

As he slowly made his way up the stairwell of his dorm building, he remembered the packet of cigarettes he managed to snag during the cleaning up of their little 'dinner'. The hallway was empty (considering it was one thirty in the morning) and Iruka had no intention of smoking in the room. He never saw (or smelled) tobacco in the room and he doubted Kakashi smoked. He was too stressed to really care and decided to flop himself down on the floor (beside his door) and lit a cigarette. He managed to smoke half of his first stick when he heard the door lock turning and the creak of it being pulled open.

He turned to find Kakashi holding his cell phone a few inches away from his ear, staring at the bandages Iruka donned. His exposed eye (he was wearing a folded and tilted bandana at that moment) trailed towards the cigarette Iruka was smoking. Iruka tiredly looked away and took a long drag from the cigarette, allowing the nicotine to linger in his lungs for a few seconds before exhaling.

"I'll call you back. Yes, no, yes! I know! Later!" Kakashi pressed the end-call button on his cell phone a little too harshly than necessary before wrenching the stick out of Iruka's fingers. "What the fuck happened to you? What is this?" Kakashi gestured to the cigarette. He threw it against the ground and stubbed it out with the soles of his room slippers. "Since when did you smoke?"

"I don't." Iruka said, hiccupping after that and shakily getting to his feet. He noted to himself to never smoke in Kakashi's presence; ever. "It's been a messed up evening."

"I can tell." Kakashi said, eyeing the bandages. He touched Iruka's cheek lightly and turned it to one side, giving the dried blood a critical look before his whole face settled in a deep frown. "Who did this to you?"

"Misunderstanding." Iruka turned to look away but Kakashi kept a firm hold on his chin.

"Who?" He repeated more firmly, tone clearly saying that there was no room for argument.

Iruka, however, was still a bit woozy from the alcohol to notice. "Accident. Not your concern."

"It is my concern. You're my boyfriend."

"I said it was a little misunderstanding. We were drunk."

"Too drunk to notice that you've got load on your hair?" Kakashi asked, looking just a little bit betrayed and hurt.

Iruka wasn't too drunk to notice the look on Kakashi's face (along with the possessive tone in his voice). "Load?" Iruka blinked and touched his hair. He pushed passed Kakashi towards the bathroom and stared at the mirror (he can see three of himself being reflected back), noting just how ugly the mess around his face looked with the bandage to top it all off. He found the white smears on one side of his head, remembering how he and Kotetsu fell against the yoghurt (and managed to roll over it somehow). "Oh. That."

"Must have been a really good blowjob if you got that much in your hair." Kakashi said bitterly, turning to lie back on his bed.

Iruka couldn't be bothered to clean up and merely toed his shoes off, got rid of his socks, unbuttoned his pants and discarded his shirt to one side. "Think what you want. I didn't go suck someone's dick." He mumbled, dropping face down on his bed and pulling the blankets over him.

"Whatever."

"I didn't suck anyone."

"Whatever."

"I'm not lying."

"Whatever."

Iruka gritted his teeth and turned to face the other way. "Fine. Be that way!"

"You should clean up. You reek all the way till here."

"Deal with it. I'm too tired to move."

"Suit yourself. I'm opening the window. You free tomorrow?" Kakashi got up from his bed and pushed the window open, allowing the cool breeze to enter the room.

"Hmm yeah." Iruka mumbled, slowly drifting to a sleeping state, curling his toes under the pillow and huddling deeper under the covers.

"I know you've got a hospital appointment tomorrow. You usually go on a T-F-S. I'll take you out to dinner. Then maybe we can just cruise on the bike, get some quiet time over at the hills."

"Hmm." Iruka hummed, liking the sound of it. "I'd like that."

"Good. Go on and sleep."

Iruka heard only half of what Kakashi said and promptly fell asleep without knowing.

XXX

Iruka woke up to the smell of coffee and something from the bakery (he knew because of the vanilla-like scent). He blinked awake, hearing his hair make a rough sound against the pillowcase from all the dried beer and yoghurt. He gave out a pained moan, feeling the borders of a hangover as he turned his face towards the lovely smell. He found himself staring at Kakashi's back who was running his fingers through his hair, jeans hung low (probably yet to be buttoned) and whistling quite cheerfully.

"Why are you so happy this morning?" Iruka asked, groaning and turning to lie on his back.

"It's a good day. Forecasts say no rain." Kakashi hummed, hands moving down to button and zip up his jeans.

"Lovely." Iruka grumbled and pushed himself off the bed. He sat up with a pained grunt and clutched his head.

"Go shower and I'll have something ready for that headache. And we'll redress those bandages." Kakashi said, stuffing a few books in to his book bag.

Iruka mumbled something incoherent and stalked for the bathroom, dragging his feet behind him. It was a quite a miracle that he didn't hit his head against the knobs on the wall or the glass door of the shower stall. He did manage to somehow brush his teeth (and get toothpaste all over his chest). By the time he stepped out of the bathroom, he collapsed on his bed, threw his beer and yoghurt smelling pillow off to one side and curled against the bundled up single-duvet. He knew he was going to leave a large wet patch on the bed but he didn't care. He didn't want to go to class, and ignored the hand shaking his shoulder.

"Not going. I'm going back to sleep."

"Yes, you are. Get up."

"No." Iruka whined, turning his face further away.

"Go and I'll give you a kiss. And a surprise tonight."

"Where? And what?"

"Where do you want me to kiss you? And it won't be a surprise if I told you." Kakashi forced Iruka to turn around, hands grasping the bare shoulder and pulling the duvet over the bare skin, eyes focused on Iruka's. "Anywhere special?"

Iruka rolled his eyes. Kakashi pressed a kiss against the dried and healing cut on his lip and nose, parted lips trailing down to fully press against Iruka's lips. It was a soft and very intimate kiss, not demanding and breathtaking. It was so sweet that Iruka found himself unable to breathe as he stared in to Kakashi's eyes, full of affection. "Thanks."

"Get dressed. I'll get the med kit from the bathroom." Kakashi said, kissing his lips once more before standing up to grab the said med kit.

Iruka got out of bed and pulled out a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, noting with dismay that he only had one pair of sweatshirt left. He was going to have to do his laundry soon (and take extra care to not spill anything on the last one he was pulling on). He was running a comb through his hair when Kakashi appeared with the open med kit, searching its contents for the proper ointment tube.

"Got any betadine solution?" Iruka offered, towel drying his hair and running his comb through it once more. He kept doing it a few times till his hair was dry enough to be pulled back up in a ponytail.

"Yeah. Found it." Kakashi pulled out a small bottle and started taking out the bandages.

Iruka quickly made his bed (more like folding his duvet and tossing the smelly sheets and pillowcase in to his laundry basket) and sat down on the chair Kakashi pulled out from under his desk. Kakashi instructed him to not move a muscle and gently started dabbing some of the yellow colored liquid against the red gash. Iruka stared at a spot on the collar of Kakashi's shirt, waiting patiently till the bandage was in place and Kakashi was done checking his handiwork. The kiss on the uninjured side of his nose surprised him.

"What was that for?"

Kakashi kissed the other side of his uninjured lip as well. "To make the boo-boo go away." Iruka looked away and started chuckling when he felt a warm flask press against his palm. "Coffee to drink on your way to class." A paper bag with the popular cafe logo on campus printed on the sides was placed on his lap. "And muffins to snack on later. Blueberry and chocolate chip."

Iruka stared at the things Kakashi just handed him and blinked back up. "You shouldn't have."

"That coffee is a special mix of mine. It'll ward your hang over away once you take a few mouthfuls." Kakashi reassured, smiling down at him. "I'll walk you to the gates."

Iruka nodded dumbly, still trying to digest the fact that Kakashi was being ridiculously sweet that morning. "Okay."

They walked down the stairwell, Iruka managing to take several mouthfuls before they reached the bottom. By the time they both stepped out in to the windy weather, the headache Iruka was feeling when he woke up was reduced to nothing more than a silent and almost steady hum in the back of his head. A few more mouthfuls later and he was seeing things much clearer than before, feeling quite light on his feet.

"I'll wait for you in the room at six thirty. Appointment is at seven, right?" Kakashi asked, standing in the middle of the quadrangle.

"Yeah." Iruka mumbled, shifting the weight of his backpack on his shoulder. "Where are we going tonight again?"

Kakashi laughed. "You were too drunk last night, hmm?" He teased, making Iruka redden in the cheeks. "Dinner after your appointment, then cruising. Maybe some dessert in the hills. Quiet time because you seem very stressed the last few days."

Iruka wanted to point at Kakashi's face and yell the fact that it was his entire fault that he was so stressed out. If it wasn't for Kakashi entering his life, Iruka was pretty sure he would be doing pretty fine without looking 'stressed in the last few days'. It was all Kakashi and his boyish charms' fault, along with his quiet considerate manner, his sweet little ways of showing affections, voice, kisses and touches.

"Right." Iruka managed to reply in a strangled manner.

"See you later then."

Iruka waved and watched as Kakashi disappeared in the opposite direction towards one of the economics building until he disappeared in to the bustling crowd. Iruka took out one of the muffins from the paper bag he was holding and made his way to class.

XXX

The whole day passed with Iruka zoning in and out of reality. His lunch had been the second muffin Kakashi got him. Kotetsu and Izumo were outside of campus with a class work study of some sort. The day pretty much dragged in its slow and steady usual tune, Iruka torn between wanting to bolt out the class of the lecture room and dropping his head down on the wooden bench table and just going to sleep.

By the time five thirty loomed close, Iruka found himself walking tiredly back to his room. The day's droning lecture was enough to reawaken the hangover that the coffee Kakashi provided that morning managed to kill. He entered the room and found Kakashi arguing heatedly over his cell phone. The harsh tone Kakashi was using over the phone made Iruka feel on edge. Kakashi waved a finger at him (a silent request for a minute) before he left the room and continued his conversation elsewhere.

Iruka didn't want to know the 'insane fool' was on the other side who 'obviously didn't listen to a word' Kakashi must have said sometime ago. Pulling his sweatshirt off and toeing his sneakers towards his chair, Iruka tiredly dropped himself on his bed, using his folded duvet as pillow. He was about to fall completely asleep when Kakashi walked in to the room silently, cell phone gone and made his way to sit beside Iruka on the sheet-less bed.

"Long day?" Kakashi asked and only got a tired moan as a response. "Rest up for an hour then I'll wake you up for your appointment."

Iruka didn't really feel it when Kakashi untied the knot of his hair tie and started massaging his scalp with his fingertips. Iruka also didn't know that he had fallen asleep until he felt his shoulder being shaken lightly. "Wha -?"

"You'll be late if you don't get up." Kakashi said, rubbing at Iruka's temples with his thumbs in slow circular motions. "Wakey-wakey, 'Ru!"

"Oh shut up." Iruka grumbled and brushed the hands away, pushing himself off the bed as he puttered to the bathroom to wash his hands and face and to make himself look a tad bit more presentable than his current ruffled state. A glance at his wrist watch told him that he had about ten minutes before his appointment. He came back out to put his shoes on and found Kakashi ready to leave and running his fingers through his hair. "Is it always like that?"

"I cut my own hair." Kakashi said, which explained the uneven and poofy-state.

"No wonder it stands that way." Iruka mumbled through his sweatshirt as he pulled it back on.

"Come on; let's get you over at the hospital." Kakashi said, taking Iruka's hand in his and giving it a light a kiss on the wrist.

Iruka got another kiss on the chin when he started blushing, making Kakashi chuckle as they walked down the hallway of their dorm building like a couple in love.

XXX

"What ... happened?" Ryuuken asked, eyeing the bandage on the side of Iruka's lip and nose. He looked concerned, curious and displeased with the sight.

"Got in to an argument with my friend Kotetsu. We were sorta ... drunk." Iruka cleared his throat.

"Seemed like it was a bad argument to merit bandages."

Iruka started to twirl his thumbs around the other, moving to sit cross legged on the chezlong that he seemingly got too comfortable in. "He punched me because he disapproved of my choice of love interest."

"Kakashi?" Ryuuken asked. Iruka took a whole two minutes before he nodded. "Maybe Kakashi just gave him the wrong impression, got on his bad side. Or maybe he's just worried for you. He is your best friend after all."

"He didn't have to punch me. Or get that angry." Iruka mumbled, staring at the marble floor of the room, chewing on the uninjured side of his lip. He was starting to fidget again, getting uncomfortable as the 'conversation' progressed.

"Maybe he didn't like the relationship you were in previously and is just worried about you?"

Iruka unconsciously started beating his tongue against the roof of his mouth, eyes strained on the invisible spot on the floor. A full five minutes passed by before he nodded. "Sort of." Iruka cleared his throat and uncomfortable looked at Ryuuken. "When I was with Mizuki, my previous boy friend, Ko' and 'Zumo liked him." Ryuuken nodded, understanding. Iruka started chewing on his lower lip nervously, taking long minutes just to say the next few words. "But they started to dislike him."

Ryuuken's eyebrows drew together. "Do you know why?"

Iruka nodded. "They thought Mizuki was cheating on me. With another girl."

Ryuuken didn't blink in surprise, and merely nodded again. "Did you think he was cheating on you?"

Iruka shook his head. "We were happy. He loved me. We were practically married." He fell as silent as the dead the moment he said those words.

Ryuuken didn't force him to say more and merely moved to cross his leg over the other. "Did you confront Mizuki at the time?"

Iruka shook his head. "I couldn't."

"Why not?"

Iruka blinked at the watering of his eyes, remembering the night Naruto came banging excitedly on his door and waving the disk with important data. He can hear the echo of the gunshot killing the pet dog he and Mizuki nourished for more than a year along with Naruto's terrified screams. Iruka started rubbing at his temples to ward the memory away. He could still remember Mizuki's betrayed facial expression and Goro's whimper as he took the bullet Mizuki shot his way. "He tried to k-kill me."

Ryuuken seemed to understand. "The bullet scars on your back."

Iruka nodded after a minute, rubbing at his eyes. "Yes."

"But Iruka, your wounds initially looked like bullet scars. But the skin around it is too damaged and rough to be from the bullet entry or the surgery in extracting the bullet." Iruka looked like a deer caught in the headlights, and forcefully looked at the floor at Ryuuken's polished shoes. His heart was racing a mile a minute. He could feel the phantom prick like pain in the middle of his back from where the bullet entered. "I've studied your imaging thoroughly and I've looked through your previous records. It seems like your previous doctor didn't cover the cause of those scars." Iruka's lips trembled and he shook his head furiously. Ryuuken grasped his shaking hands, squeezing them in comfort. "I've been meaning to ask you and I will ask you now. What really happened to your back?"

Iruka found himself subconsciously gripping on the pale hand in fright. "I can't tell you. He'll find out."

"Mizuki?"

"He always finds out! He'll know! And then maybe this time he'll -" Iruka bit down the whine like noise bubbling up his throat. "-He'll kill me."

"Where is Mizuki right now?" Ryuuken asked after a long uncomfortable silence. "Do you know where he is?"

Iruka's erratic breathing eventually slowed down as Ryuuken gave the back of his tanned hand a few strokes of encouragement, massaging the shaking digits. When Iruka got enough air into his lungs, he swallowed thickly and managed to croak a reply. "N-North East Correctional Facility."

"Then you are safe." Ryuuken said, smiling and patting his hand a few times. "He can't possibly get you."

"He can. And he won't stop. He will! He broke out the first time and he can do it again!" Iruka all but screeched but Ryuuken didn't bat an eyelash. Iruka forced some calm in to his system and stared at Ryuuken's shoes once more. "He'll get to me. He'll find a way. He always does."

"He won't. Because he doesn't know you've told me and he won't know because I am your doctor, and I have obligated myself to protect you and help you. He is far, far away, Iruka. He can't hurt you anymore."

"He can! He'll find a way and maybe he'll get you too! He'll hurt everyone I care for and respect because he's - I - I betrayed him!" Iruka slapped a hand to his face and shut his eyes tightly, fingers digging in to the skin of face, forcing the flow of emotion to stay back and not pour out. "I just want him to leave me alone."

"Leave you alone?"

"Memories. Dreams. Everything! I want to be with Kakashi, I really do but - but -" Iruka fell silent, biting his lower lip for speaking his mind out so freely. Ryuuken gave his hand a squeeze, gently encouraging him.

"But what, Iruka?"

Iruka wrapped his arm around himself, huddling a bit and hiding his face from Ryuuken. "I'm afraid that he might hurt me. But I still want to be with him even if I know that he might hurt me eventually."

That said, Iruka bit his lower lip again and squeezed his eyes tightly shut, willing the tears to not escape and the fear in his throat to die down. Ryuuken squeezed his hand.

"Iruka, there's something I want you and I to try out. I think for you, this just might work."

XXX

Iruka stood in front of the elevator, the numbers glowing as the elevator approached the floor he was in. He stared at the journal he held in both his hands, recalling Ryuuken's instruction. He is to describe everything he hated about Mizuki and everything Mizuki did to him that left a mark on his body in detail within the journal. Because he was finding it difficult to speak of what Mizuki did to him, Ryuuken suggested writing. Iruka was slightly comforted by the idea. He tucked the journal under his arm and entered the elevator once it dinged its arrival.

There were several nurses inside (male and female) along with a couple of interns. He was squashed between two male interns who seemed to think that leering at him was a good idea at the time. Three nurses were already cooing at his direction, asking him if he was all right (he had puffy eyes again) and if he'd like to meet up with a physician for a checkup just in case. It amused Iruka how people seemed to be attracted to him like bees to honey. The nurses tittered and giggled, talking quietly and kept glancing at Iruka's direction with pink staining their cheeks. The interns weren't discreet with their actions either; they kept brushing up against his back and sides. One of them had the nerve to actually step back and cope a feel of his thighs before innocently apologizing for the cramped up space.

Through it all, Iruka remained as bored and as stiff as a lamp post.

When the blessed elevator doors finally slid open in the ground floor, Iruka pried himself away from the staring and giggling crowd and made his way down the hall towards the lobby. Kakashi was outside the glass doors, leaning against one of the entrance pillars, watching people come and go, Icha-Icha book in hand. He caught sight of how the nurses at the desk were giggling and 'discreetly' pointing at the 'handsome cute young man' standing outside. He saw how some of the single women or mothers eyed Kakashi appreciatively as they entered/exited the hospital building; the admiring and leering glances of several young and old men didn't go unnoticed by Iruka either.

He found himself getting strangely uncomfortable with the idea that lots of people were eyeing up Kakashi like he was some sort of grand landmark (although a part of Iruka acknowledged the fact that Kakashi was indeed grand).

He headed over to the nurse's desk to reconfirm his next appointment. He found Kabuto looking up at him from the nurse's desk, blinking in pleasant surprise and greeting him with a smile.

"Oh, if it isn't Iruka-san! How have you been? We keep missing each other." Kabuto grasped both of Iruka's hands and gave it a light and friendly squeeze.

"Yeah, we do. It seems like it's been very busy for you. Desk duty?"

"Practice. We're supposed to know all the nurse's duty and how the hospital is run apparently." Kabuto looked side ways cautiously and motioned for Iruka to lean forward. Iruka quirked an eyebrow and did so, eyes following Kabuto who moved close spoke in a whisper, lips nearly touching the shell of his ear. "But I think our instructor was pissed at one of the guys in class for dropping the cadaver from the study table. Was messy. We were studying the lower organs, mess on the floor."

Iruka made a face at the idea of having kidneys, bladders and intestines sprawled all over the floor. "My. That couldn't have been pretty."

"No, it wasn't." Kabuto said, moving back and typing up a few keys on the computer. "Reconfirming your appointment?"

"Yes." Iruka nodded and tiredly rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"You're so tired, Iruka-san." Kabuto glanced up from the blue screen and eyed Iruka critically. "Would you like some eye drops? It'll help cool down the irritation and hot feeling in your eyes."

"I'd appreciate that." Iruka smiled. His eyes were itchy and the last thing he wanted was to look like he's been crying nonstop in front of Kakashi. He was already feeling tired, hunger forgotten. He simply wanted to go back, do his laundry and just drop on the bed.

"Wait here a second." Kabuto said and quickly approached one of the nurses, said something quietly before disappearing behind a pair of swinging doors.

Iruka shifted in his footing and turned to look through the glass doors again. He found Kakashi pacifying a kid who looked like he was trying to run away from whatever doctor's appointment her mother was trying to take her to. Iruka found he mesmerized by the sight of Kakashi crouching in front of the girl, book gone and speaking to her quietly while her mother worried on her toes a few feet away. The little girl finally nodded and shook hands with Kakashi before following her mother in to the hospital and disappearing down one of the halls. Kakashi stood up and watched the little girl go, eyes catching Iruka through the glass and distance between them. Iruka couldn't help but smile fondly at Kakashi who shrugged and stepped into the hospital, hands tucked in his jacket pocket, casually and leisurely approaching Iruka.

Iruka found his heart fluttering towards his throat as Kakashi approached him. It was then did he finally notice just how model-like Kakashi was and how he carried an air of political and commanding aura as he walked. Some of the children waiting in the lounge turned to look at the 'cool man with weird hair' walk around like he was some sort of super hero (he could have sworn that he recognized the girl with explosive curls on hear head giggling at how cool Kakashi was). Iruka could hear the nurses' excited chatter beside him as Kakashi approached Iruka by the desk. Their eyes remained locked, making Iruka feel a shudder of electricity trickle down his spine as Kakashi continued to stare at him with the ferocity of a man attracted to another person. The stare tuned out all the noise that beat loudly against Iruka's eardrums till everything seemed to melt away into nothingness and the only thing that existed was himself and Kakashi.

A hand came to rest on Iruka's elbow and he nearly jolted from the contact. Iruka found himself staring at concerned dark eyes behind a pair of round glasses. "Oh, Kabuto."

"I got you your eye drops. You seem out of it, would you like to sit down?" Kabuto offered and turned to look at the direction Iruka was staring at. Iruka didn't miss how Kabuto stiffened and the breath catch in his throat as Kakashi finally stood beside Iruka.

"Problem?" Kakashi asked, eyeing Kabuto critically.

"I was bringing Iruka-san his eye drops. Problem?" Kabuto returned, cocking an eyebrow at Kakashi's direction.

"Eye drops? What for?" Kakashi turned to look at Iruka, who immediately dropped his gaze low to hide his slightly red and puffy eyes. Iruka felt cool fingers grasp his chin and tilt his head upwards. Not wanting to cause a fuss, he complied with the light force of the touch and found himself looking up at Kakashi's frowning face. "Iruka?"

"Fine." Iruka mumbled and tugged Kakashi's hand down from his chin, squeezing it in reassurance.

Kabuto looked slightly put out and merely cleared his throat. "Come over here, Iruka-san." Kabuto said quietly, leading them to a bench against the wall in one of the less crowded hallways. Iruka followed wordlessly, feeling the heat of Kakashi's stare at the back of his neck and his displeased aura towards the young intern. "Have a seat Iruka-san and look upwards."

Iruka sat on the bench and tilted his head back, touching the top of his head against the cool wall. He could feel hungry eyes trailing down his neck and he swallowed involuntarily. A side ward glance told him that Kakashi was the one drinking the sight of his exposed neck, arms folded across his chest. A glance on his other side told him that Kabuto was unscrewing the lid of a small eye drop bottle while his eyes trailed down his neck as well. Warm hands touched Iruka's forehead as Kabuto allowed some of the medicinal drops to fall in to Iruka's open eye. Iruka shut them after both his eyes took in two drops each, the cooling sensation relieving the itch and soreness, a pleased and relaxed sigh escaping his lips. He could feel Kabuto's warm thumb caressing just above his eyebrows, the slow and gentle rubbing circles relaxing him further.

"Done yet?" Kakashi asked, obviously not very pleased by how Kabuto was taking his sweet time in putting eye drops.

"In a minute. Open your eyes, Iruka-san. Two more drops." Kabuto answered. Iruka opened his eyes, took in the last few drops and closed them again. He could feel the soft caress of what felt like a tissue paper dabbing at his cheeks.

When Kakashi's 'killing intent' got too much, Iruka quickly raised his hand and stopped Kabuto's gentle wipes, taking the tissue from him and dropping his head back to its normal position. "Thank you." He mumbled, opening his eyes and blinking away the residual drops. He felt better with the itching sensation gone.

"You okay, Iruka?" Kakashi asked, making Iruka look up. He found Kakashi and Kabuto with their gazes locked. Kakashi was measuring up Kabuto, looking at him up and down with a slightly twisted expression that made Iruka's stomach lurch.

"F-Fine."

"Take care of yourself now, Iruka-san." Kabuto said, turning away from Kakashi's gaze, completely unperturbed and smiled at Iruka. "Wouldn't want to see you hurt."

"Neither do I." Iruka laughed and rubbed the back of his head. "Thank you, Kabuto."

"Let's go." Kakashi said, looped an arm around Iruka's waist and quickly led him away.

Iruka managed to wave at Kabuto and offer him an apologetic smile before he found himself across the lobby and in the evening air, journal tucked under his arm and Kakashi nearly squishing him too close against his side. Iruka looked up to find Kakashi frowning deeply, brows knitted together and jaw in a taut line. They crossed the parking lot to where the bike was parked. Iruka watched as Kakashi silently released his hold on him and freed the helmets from their holsters, wordlessly handing Iruka one. The silence was too thick that it was suffocating Iruka.

"Kakashi?"

"Hmm?" Kakashi mounted his bike and started adjusting his helmet before pulling it over his head.

"What's wrong?" Iruka asked. He knew that Kakashi didn't like Kabuto and he couldn't understand why. Kabuto was a sweet young man who was helpful, hardworking and caring. There wasn't anything remotely dislikeable about the guy; if anything, he was very loveable and everyone in the hospital adored him. Iruka found himself staring at Kakashi through the small gap of the helmet, the tinted visors lifted up so that he could see Kakashi's frown clearly.

"What's wrong? Nothing." Kakashi answered, blinking and playing the I-don't-know-what-you're-talking-about card. "Hop on."

Iruka tucked the helmet under his other arm as Kakashi took the journal and placed it into the small compartment under the love seat to keep it safe. "What was that just now? I get the fact that you don't like Kabuto, but must you be cruel to him?"

"I am not being cruel to anybody."

"Please, Kakashi." Iruka said tiredly, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I just want to know something." Kakashi finally answered after a minute of silence. "Why is he like that with you?"

Iruka blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Like that. He touches you like one would to his wife or something." Kakashi looked awfully put out and irritated.

It clicked in Iruka's head. "Oh." Iruka tilted his head a bit to one side, studying Kakashi's face.

"And you don't seem to mind. Obviously, my presence didn't seem to be that important and -" Kakashi sighed and pulled down his visors. "Never mind. Come on, let's go. I'm sure you're hungry by now."

Iruka couldn't believe his ears; Kakashi was jealous. A slow smile came to his lips as Kakashi started the engine of his bike and waited for him to get on. When Iruka didn't get on, Kakashi turned to face him, head titling in question. Iruka laughed and reached out for Kakashi's head and pushed the visors up. He fell in love with the expression Kakashi had on his face; eyes were closed and head dipped a bit to hide his discomfort for his previous outburst (it was almost like he was ashamed). He felt heady and leaned forward to brush a slow lick on the top of Kakashi's nose, giving the area between his brows a quick kiss just for good measure.

Kakashi stared at him stupidly, blinking at what just happened. Iruka chuckled and dropped the visors back down, pulling his own helmet on and mounting the bike. He slid his arms comfortably around Kakashi's waist, closing his eyes and rubbed a few gentle circles on Kakashi's belly.

Kakashi pulled out of the parking lot and drove towards the city. They managed not to get caught in the traffic jam as Kakashi drove them towards the bottom of the hills where a line of cozy grill houses lined up as a tourist attraction and dining spot. It was always packed and nearly difficult to find a seat since most companies preferred the scenery to take their foreign clients out for a drink or a good meal.

Iruka was mildly surprised when Kakashi parked in front of one of the best three grill houses in the country and quietly led him inside. The Maitre'd took Kakashi's name and lead them to a private booth that overlooked a great landscape. Most of the patrons close to their private booths were either married couples or best friends going for some quiet dinner. Iruka appreciated the expensive looking place, the warm beige interiors and dim lights relaxing him from his rather difficult session that day. Crystal glasses glinted on the table, along with the cutlery and square shaped plates.

They took their seat and were immediately served the signature wine. Iruka stared at the scarlet liquid and thanked the waiter who will be serving them through out their meal. He glanced at the menu and nearly choked on his own air at the price. "Uhm Kakashi? What are you having?"

"Platter four with extra sour cream." Kakashi said, taking only a minute to glance at the menu before he set it down.

Iruka was too overwhelmed to think of what he wanted to have. "I can't really decide. What do you recommend?"

"Judging from your eating habits, I'd say you take platter six."

"Fine."

Their waiter came to take their orders and promised the meal to be ready within twenty minutes. He brought over a basket of different kinds of breads and a salad side dish as an appetizer before disappearing to attend to his other tables. Iruka idly nibbled on one of the breads, staring at Kakashi the whole time. He couldn't keep the small smile off his lips as he watched Kakashi chew on the potato salad he took a bite off.

"What?" Kakashi asked, still looking a bit disappointed.

Iruka almost pouted. "Are you jealous, Kakashi?"

"Yes, I am." Kakashi admitted bluntly. It took Iruka by surprise because he was expecting Kakashi to deny the fact and make up an entirely absurd excuse (as usual). "Let me make things clear here." Iruka watched as Kakashi set his fork down and his eyes narrowed. "I like you. In fact, I might be in love you with you; I really don't know and can't tell because I've never felt this way for another person. And I don't appreciate the fact that you let people touch you like that especially when I'm right next to you. Why, Iruka? Why do you let that greasy lil' brat touch you that way?"

Iruka would have gotten angry if it weren't for the sincerely confused tone Kakashi was using to ask his question. He stared dumbfounded into Kakashi's almost hurt gaze and found his breath taken away once more. "I -"

"I don't know what to do. I know you care for him as a friend or whatever. But please, give me some consideration. I'm right there, Iruka. You didn't have to - to lean in to him or - or purr or whatever. If you want to do that, then do it when I'm not around at least. Give me that much."

Iruka quickly grabbed Kakashi's hand and grasped it (part of him wanted to yell, 'I don't purr!' out loud but he squished the urge down). "Kakashi, shut up."

"Jealous, possessive. Hell, I never asked to feel this way. You just do that to me. I'd really, really appreciate it if you'd tell me firsthand that you'd want to be with someone else. If you really like him then I'd back off. I do want you to be happy, 'Ruka. You look like you've been through so much and I want to cut you some slack but you didn't have to -"

"Kakashi, shut up." Iruka said, smiling. Kakashi looked up at him and Iruka couldn't take the heart wrenching hurt and betrayed look in Kakashi's face. "Keep looking at me that way and I might just really, really fall in love with you."

Kakashi blinked, looking confused and looking almost strategically hopeful. "That's a bad thing?"

Iruka could feel a gaping canopy appear before him, fear enveloping him. He knew that when his heart slowed down while he looked at someone and when he started to feel heady and the sudden urge to put that person above everything else in his life that he was in love. It terrified him that it was the exactly the feeling he was getting as he stared at Kakashi's face that very moment. He wanted Kakashi to be his and wanted to belong to Kakashi. Old memories chained him back, pulling him further and further away from the man who was merely a foot or two away from him, yet felt so very far away. Closing his eyes, Iruka looked at his plate, subconsciously clinging on to Kakashi's cool hands.

"No. I hope not." Iruka mumbled, swallowing. A long silence passed between them and Iruka cautiously looked up. He found Kakashi looking at him with complete adoration.

"That's all I want to hear." Kakashi said and without breaking eye contact, kissed the knuckles of Iruka's hand.

XXX

They drove up to the hills after their meal, Kakashi parking his bike underneath a canopy of hanging leaves from what seemed to be like a drooping tree. They sat underneath the canopy, the bike behind them, legs stretched out in front of them as they stared at the city's view ahead of them. Iruka was full and feeling content and warm with lovely food in his stomach, leaning against Kakashi's shoulder, arms looped loosely around the firm waist. Kakashi had his arm around Iruka's shoulder, rubbing the arm while his head leaned against Iruka's.

"Iruka?"

"Hmm?" Iruka mumbled, ready to have a cat nap against Kakashi's shoulder since he was so comfortable.

"What's Kabuto to you? Really?"

"A friend." Iruka answered easily. "We were room-mates at some point and he was attracted to me. We made out once and I - I stopped it before it got any further. He's sweet and all, and cute but I just can't find it in me to return his affections. Not more than a friend."

"Oh." Kakashi said, sounding a bit surprised that Iruka didn't lash out at the question. "Do you think you can return my affections then?"

Iruka shifted and stretched out on the grass, lying on his back and pulling Kakashi down with him. Kakashi followed, pillowing Iruka's head with his hand and supporting his upper body with an elbow as he looked down at Iruka. "I think so." Iruka replied. "I'm a bit slow. I never thought I'd be dating someone when I decided to do my masters. You can say this is unplanned."

"Is that bad?" Kakashi asked, the tips of his hair tickling Iruka's forehead.

"I ..." Iruka looked at Kakashi apologetically. "I don't know, Kakashi."

"I don't think it's bad." Kakashi said, leaning over to kiss the unbandaged part of Iruka's lips. "You got out of a bad relationship recently?"

Iruka doubted that more than a one year span can be categorized as 'recently' but he nodded anyway. "Yes."

"Iruka, I'd never, ever hurt you intentionally. Please remember that and never forget it." Kakashi said, leaned forward to touch his forehead against Iruka's. "If anything happens, I want you to know that I care for you and always have and always will. Okay?"

Iruka wanted to laugh but he couldn't. He felt the breath hitch in his throat at the almost apologetic way Kakashi was speaking to him. "What's going to happen, Kakashi?"

"It's a funny world. You never know what can happen." Kakashi mumbled quietly, kissing Iruka's nose. "But I just want you to know that I'd never hurt you intentionally."

Iruka wrapped his free arm around Kakashi's neck and nodded, moving up to peel the bandage off the corner of his lip. The cut was dried enough for the bandage to be removed; the initial medicinal ointment the hospital applied did wonders to dry the wound fast. He tossed the bandage aside and massaged the back of Kakashi's neck with his fingers. "Kiss me."

Kakashi pulled back and stared down at him in mild surprise. "Kiss you?"

"Kiss me." Iruka replied, lowering his eye lids and swallowing, managing to add a breathy, "Please."

Kakashi leaned forward and pressed his lips over Iruka's, the sweet and slow movement of their lips making Iruka loose his breath. Kakashi shifted so that he was leaning over Iruka fully, a knee coming to rest in between Iruka's legs as he deepened the kiss, sucking on Iruka's lower lip till Iruka parted his lips and guided Kakashi's tongue in to his own mouth. Iruka closed his eyes completely, wrapping both his arms around Kakashi's neck and pulling him closer, never wanting to break the lock of their lips. He could feel Kakashi's body press down against his, the feeling of the larger frame sending tremors down his spine. It was only the need for air that broke them apart, Iruka gasping as Kakashi panted and trailed open mouth kisses down his jaw line, finding a spot on Iruka's neck to nibble and suck on till a large mark was left on his wake of trailing kisses.

Iruka tilted his head back, giving Kakashi complete access over his throat as the hot mouth clamped itself over Iruka's bobbing Adam's apple, teeth offering the bobbing bulge little nips before Kakashi's mouth closed over it once more, tongue swirling slowly and teasingly, making Iruka whimper and arch in to Kakashi's mouth.

Kakashi breathed Iruka's name out, one hand managing to free Iruka's hair from the ponytail and threading cool fingers against Iruka's scalp while the other remained in Iruka's tight grasp (that somehow managed to detach itself from Kakashi's neck and shoulders to hold his hand instead). "I'm going to make you feel good. Right here, right now." Iruka was far too gone to even comprehend a firm 'no'. "Look at me, 'Ruka." Kakashi said, pulling his hand away from Iruka's hold and trailing his fingers lightly over Iruka's side till he found the button of Iruka's jeans. "Let me touch you. Let me relax you. I'll be good, I promise."

Iruka managed to whimper, hands dropping down from Kakashi's neck to grasp the grass, fingers tugging at the green blades with enough force to rip them off. He couldn't find himself to concentrate as Kakashi sucked on the other side of his neck, leaving yet another mark. Iruka wanted to hold on to something and managed to reach behind to clasp his fingers against the rims of Kakashi's bike tire, knuckles turning white from the force of his grip. He could feel Kakashi's hand fondle with the button of his jeans, eventually unbuttoning and pulling the zipper down with agonizing slowness, trailing his pinkie finger against Iruka's stirring manhood.

In his mind, Iruka wanted to yell at Kakashi to stop before they did anything foolish or irrational. But Kakashi silenced what he had to say by kissing him and stroking the fabric of his boxers till Iruka was hard and squirming underneath Kakashi's figure. "Ka-Kashi ... if you - you continue, I - I don't -"

"Relax. Just feel." Kakashi said, words whispered over Iruka's chin as the cool and long fingers continued to stroke Iruka's arousal through the fabric till Iruka arched forward, gritting his teeth as Kakashi clamped his lips over Iruka's, silencing the scream of release that just wanted to make its animalistic way out of his throat.

Iruka slumped back, his front feeling exceptionally warm and sticky from his orgasm, eyes hazy and staring unseeingly at the night sky. Kakashi was watching Iruka's face the whole time; Iruka didn't realize it till he sucked in a deep breath and blinked, staring up at Kakashi's almost pleased and cat like expression.

"Kashi, that -" Iruka stopped dead in his sentence when Kakashi snuck a finger down the waistband of Iruka's boxers and coated the said finger with the stickiness within, bringing up the finger to his lips and sucking on it; Iruka watched with wide eyes and a blush redder than an apple as Kakashi cleaned off his own finger and pulled it out with a pop.

"You're beautiful. I think I can die a happy man after seeing you like this." Kakashi whispered and kissed Iruka's lips gently, the act itself being so sweet, like how one would kiss a newborn child. "And you taste wonderful."

Iruka lost his breath at the look Kakashi had on his face and sat up, pushing his lips onto Kakashi's and kissing him for all he was worth. There was no lie being reflected over Kakashi's eyes this time as he kissed Kakashi who was more than happy to return the kiss eagerly. Iruka pushed his weight up so that he was sitting and had his arms around Kakashi's back, fingers tracing the lines over Kakashi's jacket.

"I think I'm falling hard for you." Iruka said breathlessly, touching his forehead to Kakashi's chest as his heart drummed loudly in his ears. "Do you want that?"

Kakashi wrapped his arms around Iruka and kissed his temple. "I've fallen hard for you right from the beginning. Nothing can make me happier than for you to return my feelings."

Iruka tilted his head up and smiled up at Kakashi in an almost apologetic manner. "Can I trust you?"

Kakashi didn't hesitate and kissed the top of Iruka's nose. "Yes. You can."

"For real?"

"For real." Kakashi repeated, and pulled Iruka on top of him as he laid his back on the grass. Iruka fell against him with a laugh, the smile and mirth reaching his eyes as he looked down at Kakashi and his loose hair brushed against Kakashi's cheeks. Kakashi stared up at him silently and Iruka watched the emotions flicker back and forth in the mismatched orbs.

Hesitation, fear, adoration, lust and guilt flickered past. Iruka didn't know what any of them could mean and he didn't care. For once, he was going to act on impulse and give everything just one more try. He cupped Kakashi's cheeks and touched their noses together. "Don't look like that."

"Like what?" Kakashi asked, blinking in confusion.

"Like you're afraid and guilty. What can you be afraid of?" Iruka asked, giving him a small smile. "I'm practically harmless. And if you're guilty of something in your past or of something you've done, I don't care about that."

"Iruka, don't say that."

"I have to." Iruka said, reaching out to touch Kakashi's brow with his index finger. "I don't think I like it very much when you look like you've lost so much hope and carry the weight of the world on your shoulders."

"Iruka -"

"I got this wound on my nose and lip because I told one of my best friends that I think that I'm in love with you. I cried tonight during my shrink sessions because I was terrified of falling in love with you. But I want to try and it's stupid to love someone so suddenly, but - but you're so alone, Kakashi. You're so lonely."

Kakashi closed his eyes, the action speaking volumes. "Don't say that."

"It's all here." Iruka kissed Kakashi's closed eyelids. "Behind these eye lids. You're lost."

"Not lost. Not when I'm with you."

"Tell me I'm not going to regret this." Iruka said and Kakashi still didn't open his eyes. When minutes passed, Iruka felt the dread creeping up his chest as Kakashi didn't answer. Emotions surged in his chest channeling directly up to his tear glands, making his eyes water. Iruka bit his lower lip and forced a chuckle, pushing himself off Kakashi as the man remained silent. Iruka got on his feet and buttoned up his jeans, dusting the grass and dirt off his clothes. "It's getting cold, Kakashi. Maybe we should head back."

"Iruka?" Kakashi quickly got up and wrapped his arms around Iruka, pressing his front snug against Iruka's back, forehead resting on Iruka's shoulder. "I want to tell you that you won't regret it, but I can't. Because I'm not perfect. I'm going to fuck up just like I've done every time and it might hurt you in the process. But I swear to you that I am going to do my damn hardest to make sure that you would never regret choosing me."

Iruka remained silent in Kakashi's arms; no matter how reassuring Kakashi's words was (because nobody was perfect; Mizuki wasn't and he doubted Kotetsu or Izumo was to each other either), the uncertainty managed to glue itself in his heart.

In the end, Iruka could only smile sadly and hope for the best that nothing goes wrong this time.

XXX

When they got back in to the room, Iruka's boxers were crusty and stiff from Kakashi's hand job. He jumped in to the shower first before Kakashi claimed it (he did manage to worm out of Kakashi's tickles enough to slam the bathroom door shut and lock it) and stepped out in fresh clothes. He glanced at the wall clock and noted that he had enough time to do his laundry. He crouched by his basket and sorted his laundry while Kakashi's showered; he then replaced the sheets on his bed before knocking on the bathroom door.

"Kakashi? I'm going to go do some laundry. Anything you want washed?"

"Just my shirt and jeans by the bed. And the two sweatshirts by my chair." Kakashi called out.

Iruka found the clothing and picked them up, placing it on top of his basket and making his way to the Laundromat downstairs.

As usual, the place was empty save for one young man who was unloading his dried laundry and closing the circular door of the machine. Iruka recognized the young man and they exchanged pleasantries before Iruka was left all alone again. Crouching by one of the machines and slipping the appropriate amount in the slots, Iruka chucked his whites in and set the timer. He used another washing machine for his colors, just so that he can save time. He was already loading Kakashi's clothes in a different machine, shaking his jeans out (a glance at the denim label told him that it was a branded pair of jeans and the type Iruka would never think of buying - he remembered seeing a pair he liked before but wasn't ready to pay one-hundred-fifty-thousand-ryos for a pair of jeans when he can simply find an equally decent one for only forty-thousand-ryos) when he noted (again) with dismay just how wide Kakashi was compared to him. With no one looking, Iruka pressed the jeans to his waist and found with a frown that he could probably fit a few stuffed animals just around the waist line to fill up the space.

Sighing (and pitying himself while at the same time vowing to see a dietician once more - just to give it another try), Iruka dusted the dried mud patches on the pant-leg, straightened it one more time before a light thump sounded off in the quiet place. Iruka raised an eyebrow at the object that fell on the floor and noticed that it was one of Kakashi's Icha-Icha books. He glanced at the back pockets of the jeans and they were large enough to house the small, palm sized book. Shrugging, he tossed the pants in to the washing machine, set the timer and allowed the machine to do its job.

With nothing much to do, he picked up the book (mumbling to himself at just how reckless Kakashi got with his books). He plopped himself cross legged on top of one of the washing machines and glanced at the yellow cover of the book.

Icha-Icha-Paradise - Mirage edition

Iruka couldn't help but frown at the poor paperback quality and the lack of taste for the colors on the soft cover. The book looked beaten up and worn, the type one would find in a second-hand book store. He glanced at the publishing date and cocked an eyebrow at the printed date; the book was more than thirty-five years old. Humming to himself, Iruka flipped the pages and quickly scanned the text.

It was simple literature, straight to the point with draggy descriptions of places, people's appearance and clothing along with lengthy dialogues. It seemed like a romance story of a rich political young man who fell in love with his personal maid. Iruka frowned at the storyline and continued going through the pages till he found several text passage circled with red pen, tiny writings scribbled on the margins of the book. Iruka had to pull the book close to read the scribble; they were merely numbers and little notes like 'must try this' or 'definitely on top-ten list' or 'need a dusting feather for this'.

Confused, Iruka flipped back to the front pages of the book. As a teacher, he made it a habit to jot down notes either in the back or front of any book he used for reference on research or lesson planning. The front part was clean but when he glanced at the last few pages of the book, his eyes nearly fell out when he found Kakashi's handwriting covering every inch of space available. What shocked him even more was the fact that his name - 'My Iruka' to be more precise - was scribbled on the top of what seemed like a list with page numbers.

Iruka picked out the first thing he saw - scene twelve, page forty-four - and quickly flipped to the said page. Just as he suspected, he found the passages circled with an arrow pointing to a number eight. He read the passage and the next few pages after that and nearly dropped the book after everything finally sunk in to his head. The passage he just read was about a maid wearing a skimpy purple uniform, complete with the wrist cuffs, head dress and frilly apron being fucked by her boss. It was also that very maid (who happened to be an 'exotic looking brunette') that Kakashi referred to as 'Iruka Fantasy 8' at the back of the book. Flipping back and forth, Iruka couldn't believe his eyes.

He turned to the last page again and picked out a different page number, read the passage and remained as red as an apple for a good fifteen minutes till one of the washing machine dinged loudly, signaling the end of its task. Not only was there a fantasy-eight, but apparently, Kakashi's fantasy list stretched out all the way to fantasy-twenty-three (which Kakashi made a tiny foot note to refer to part three of the Mirage series - fantasy-twenty-three apparently required a school girl's uniform and purple panties).

Iruka shut the book quickly, hugging his knee to his chest and thumping his head against his knee repeatedly. A second ding sounded off and Iruka didn't budge from his spot. When the third ding sounded off, Iruka dropped his knee and started unloading his dry colored clothes, taking his time in folding them one by one and stacking them neatly in his basket. He did the same for his whites and finally, Kakashi's clothes. He grabbed the book from the top of the washing machine - mind still in shock that Kakashi had kinky fantasies about him - and stuffed it in to his back pocket, silently and blankly making his way back to the room.

When he entered the room, he found Kakashi packing his laptop bag on the bed. Iruka felt his cheeks go hot at the mere action of Kakashi lifting his head up to acknowledge his greeting. He set his basket down and handed Kakashi his clothes, all folded and stacked before he pulled the book out from his back pocket and handed it to Kakashi.

Kakashi blinked up at him as he took the book.

"You left it in your pant-pocket. It fell." Iruka explained, unable to meet Kakashi's eyes as his cheeks heated up more than it already was.

Kakashi tugged at Iruka's wrist, pulling him straight to his chest as he moved to lean against the wall, holding Iruka close to him on his lap. Iruka did manage a squawk at being pulled down so suddenly and with a rather admirable force.

"Really? Did you peek?"

"You're sick." Iruka grumbled, pushing himself off with the help of the wall but his legs remained locked against one side of Kakashi's thighs (he was holding them in place, while his other arm was wrapped around Iruka's middle). "Let go."

"Did you peek?" Kakashi repeated, kissing Iruka's nose.

Iruka sighed and gave up struggling. He leaned against Kakashi's head instead, kissing the cool cheek and giving Kakashi a shrug. "I don't peek in to other people's belongings. Is there something in there that I should know about?"

Kakashi grinned cheekily. "Maybe."

"Well, when you're sure, you come and tell me." Iruka mumbled and moved to stand up. "I'm going to go to sleep. Really tired."

Kakashi kept staring at his back even after he finished brushing his teeth and finally lay on his side (back to Kakashi). Kakashi finally turned the lights out and Iruka could still feel his eyes roaming all over his back. It reminded him of one of the scenes of the book where the maid would be bent over and doing the bed, pink panties flashing and 'her' (that maid was actually a man in desperate need for money so he disguised himself as a female just to get the job) master would be eyeing her intently from across the room. Iruka felt like the maid just then with the way Kakashi was staring (and undressing him) with his eyes across the room.

Just before he closed his eyes, Iruka found himself briefly wondering if Kakashi would faint if he showed up on his doorstep that Saturday afternoon in a maid's outfit.

Smirking to himself, Iruka eventually fell asleep.

XXX

Iruka underestimated his own control and his attraction towards Kakashi.

The next morning, when Iruka found the sticky note Kakashi stuck on the bathroom door saying that he will be staying in the city due to some study he had to do within the said city, Iruka nearly went mad. While he seethed and sulked in the shower (and was reminded of how good Kakashi was with his fingers from the hand job he gave him last night), Iruka couldn't help but feel cheated.

It was very sweet of Kakashi to leave a note like that (along with muffins and coffee on his study table), but as the rest of the weekday dragged on, Iruka was confident enough to say that he was absolutely crazy about the taller, bigger and ludicrous man that was his room-mate.

He didn't even hesitate that Saturday morning as he packed his bag and SMS-ed Izumo and Kotetsu that he was spending the weekend in the city. His sexual desires crept up on him during the night, leading to one session of masturbation to another till he lost consciousness from the amount of orgasm that piled one over the other. But no matter how many times he relieved his strain, it was never enough.

Which was why Iruka was pacing the small room of his apartment an hour before noon, glancing at the small box innocently sitting on his living room couch, its dark blue and white surface mocking him from across the room. It's been roughly an hour since he arrived in the safe confines of his home after a grueling trip in a crowded train. He took a detour towards the pharmacy two blocks away from the closes subway station in his area, in which he then proceeded to fidget in front of an entire isle of home-enema kits (and had the poor sales attendant practice his marketing skills on him).

Said kit was the perpetrator of his current fidgeting (and was still mocking him from his living room couch - the bastard!).

He managed to swallow a light breakfast from the mess hall before he left that morning. It took three trains to pass him before he finally decided to board one (despite the firm decision he made that morning that he was going to go over to Kakashi's place no matter what).

Staring at the box sitting on the couch, he briefly wondered if he was sane enough to be picking a fight with an inanimate object. After all, Kakashi was going to be staying with his dogs all day; he wasn't going anywhere (apparently, he was going to spend the entire weekend morning giving all his dogs a bath that they needed as far as his little note mentioned).

He had roughly a few hours left before it strikes five. His clothes were ready and waiting on a hanger in his closet to be put on. He absolutely had no clue how to kill time

And the box was really starting to piss him off.

Grabbing a throw pillow from his couch, Iruka tossed it over the box, covering it and blocking it from his sight. A few minutes later (after he puttered in to the kitchen to put some tea on), Iruka returned to the box, pulled it out from under the throw pillow and buried it under a couch sitting-cushion. Just for good measure, he picked up the stack of magazines on his center table and dropped them haphazardly over the slightly lumpy couch cushion. He piled the other throws over the magazines, took a step back to admire his handiwork, and smirked at a job well done before he returned back to the kitchen to finish brewing his tea.

He planned to soak up in a bath to relax with his cup of herbal tea beside him along with that good book that's been sitting on his shelf for too long and kill time amidst the bubbles and soap suds. In the end, he only ended up soaking in a tub of hot scented water, staring at the steam wafting up to the ceiling as the minutes ticked away. He fell asleep in the tub, head against the plastic inflatable pillow on his back. He was startled awake when he heard his neighbor's daughter scream so loudly that he slipped and nearly slipped under the cold water. He cursed the child (a very uncharacteristic act) and glanced at the small clock sitting on his sink that he brought along earlier. He boggled when he realized he's been asleep for nearly an hour in the cold water. He dried up and got dressed, sitting on the couch and picking the first CD from his stack of music and placing it in his player. He got comfortable, staring at the digital clock on his player till it blurred.

When he blinked, he surprised himself again by realizing that he fell asleep once more and that it was five-fifteen in the afternoon. It was then did he remember the enema-package under his couch cushions. He stared at his ceiling blankly for another half an hour before he finally got on his feet, took the box out and headed to his bathroom.

For once, he was going to be fashionably late.

XXX

The door opened and Iruka found himself staring up at Kakashi's wide eyed expression. Ishi stuck his head out from the corner of the door and gave a loud happy bark at the sight of Iruka and started pawing at his knee to be carried up. Soon, Kakashi had to let go of the door as the other dogs pushed passed their master to greet Iruka.

"Get in before the neighbors start shouting." Kakashi said, shaking his head and opening the door wider for Iruka to step in. "I just finished having dinner. Have you eaten yet?"

Iruka spent one hour on his enema and another two nervously fidgeting in his apartment. He didn't like enemas in general but he didn't want Kakashi to feel queasy. He also couldn't find it in himself to swallow anything after he was done with kit.

"I'm not really hungry." Iruka answered, setting Ishi down and kneeling to give the other dogs a neck rub. "They seem happy and healthy."

"They're cleaner too. Spent the whole morning bathing them." Kakashi shrugged. "No, Chibi. No licking."

Iruka turned to the large dog who hung his head low as he let out a long whine. Iruka wrapped his arms around the large neck, ruffling the ears affectionately. "Hey, big guy." Iruka mumbled as Chibi looked up at him and nuzzled one side of his cheek.

"Iruka, I'm going to stop beating around the bush." Kakashi said, whistling and waving a hand at the dogs that quickly scattered about the living room in their usual spots. Iruka got up from his kneeling position and straightened. "You came, today after five. Is it because -"

Iruka peeled off his jacket and moved to drape it over the back of the couch. "I hope you've got rope. I'm not very fond of hand cuffs."

When Kakashi remained silent, Iruka looked up to find the man staring at him with very wide eyes and incapable of breathing. Iruka wasn't expecting to be suddenly pushed up against the wall and kissed till his lungs ached. His head connected with the wall quite hard, making him see black spots for a few minutes before he felt hands snaking under his shirt and a cool palm pressed against his navel.

"You - You should watch what you say or I might just lose control." Kakashi panted, sinking his teeth in to Iruka's jaw line and pushing his palm in against Iruka's navel. The force of inward push made Iruka shudder and his knees buckle. It was the hand on his stomach that held him place, along with the other one on his wrist that was pinned on the wall.

"T-That's fine. Do whatever you want. I want you to fuck me so hard that I won't be able to walk tomorrow. Not without limping at least." Iruka swallowed, choking on his own air as Kakashi pushed his knee up between his legs, the muscular thigh caressing his twitching arousal and making Iruka lose his breath once more.

"I'm going to tie you up and watch you, memorize every movement and face you make. I am going to make you scream tonight." Kakashi said heatedly against Iruka's ear, lips brushing against the outer shell.

"N-Neighbors?"

"Place is soundproofed. Too many dogs." Kakashi explained and wrenched Iruka off the wall and tugged him towards the bedroom. Kakashi pushed Iruka against the green sheets and kissed him again. Iruka bounced against the mattress as he wrapped his arms around Kakashi, taking one of Kakashi's sweating palms and trailing it up his stomach towards his left nipple where the cool jewelry made Kakashi shiver visibly. "Did you read my book, Iruka?"

"Yes." Iruka sighed out, eyes closing as Kakashi stared down at him in the dim room, hope and excitement glowing in his eyes.

"And?"

"Let's see what Halloween drags around hmm?" Iruka smiled up at him.

"Let me get those ropes."

XXX

It was the familiar feeling of sunlight on his back that roused Iruka from his slumber. He registered the lack of body heat that he fell asleep with the other night. With effort, Iruka lifted his head up from the pillow under his head (he could have sworn he had Kakashi's arm as a pillow the other night), untangling his arms from under the snug tucking of the duvet around him. He pushed his weight up with his arm, pleasantly sore all over from the all the stretching and strenuous pleasuring he got the other night.

A glance around the room told him that it was empty. He tilted his head back and found a note taped in the middle of the square mirror mounted above Kakashi's dresser. Grunting, Iruka managed to push himself off the bed; he found a spare robe draped over the footboard of the bed and tiredly reached for it, pulling it on as he limped towards the dresser, wincing with every step. He rubbed at his eyes as he plucked the small yellow note off the mirror. He had to blink the sleep away several times before Kakashi's small handwriting came to focus.

I'm either in the shower or I've gone downstairs to get us breakfast. Either way, make yourself at home and feel free to pluck clothes and boxers off the first two drawers in my closet. Towels are still in the same place...

Henohenomoheji

Iruka sighed and looked around the room once more. He found the floor cleared of anything that was tossed aside the other night, his clothes nowhere to be found. A good look at his reflection told him that he had white smears all over his chest and phantom chocolate smears on his neck and cheek. His hair tumbled down his shoulders like strips of old leather, clumpy and sticky and smelling of sex and chocolate. The large red marks on his neck and cheek didn't go unnoticed; if he was going to hide them, he was going to have to use turtlenecks till they faded. He lifted his wrists up and noted how deep and bruised they were from the ropes.

Despite how terrible he looked, Iruka felt extremely pleased and rather happy. He made his way to the bathroom, noting that it was empty; Kakashi must have been long gone. Iruka glanced down the hallway and found Kakashi's pug peering at him from behind the couch, blinking large eyes at him. Iruka smiled at the pug, waving and only got an ear flick in return as Pakkun disappeared behind the couch. Iruka chuckled to himself as he puttered in to the bathroom and turned the hot shower on. Because he was aching (though it was pleasant aching), Iruka took his time and allowed the hot water to relax him further. He then hastily tied a towel around his waist once he was done, looking around Kakashi's sink for some mouthwash, hair dripping down his back and neck.

"Mouthwash. Mouthwash, where would he keep it?" Iruka mumbled, glancing around the cabinet behind Kakashi's mirror. He found the usual shaving cream, after shave and his blades stacked neatly one shelf. The second shelf had his toothpaste, toothbrush, some hand lotion and ointments for skin irritation and gashes. "Really. Where is the mouthwash?" Iruka sighed, going through each bottle thoroughly, learning more about Kakashi as he went through his hygienic products.

When he couldn't find anything on the top shelf, he sighed and dropped down to a crouch, pulling the cupboard under Kakashi's bathroom sink open, peering inside. He found cleaning agents (some the same brands as those he used at home) and laundry detergents. He also found a stack of unopened boxes of bath soap, shampoo and toothpaste. Judging by the stash, Iruka guessed Kakashi didn't like going shopping much. He also saw some of the dogs' shampoo and flea powder in a separate plastic basket on one corner. Iruka sifted through the stock, hoping to find some mouthwash or maybe even a spare toothbrush (he wondered why he didn't bring his own - then again, he didn't think he'd be spending the night on Kakashi's bed let alone going through with what the man suggested a week ago). He found a small black case behind the dogs' plastic basket of hygiene products and grabbed it.

Grumbling to himself, he unzipped it open and blinked at the contents. There were several tubes of beige cream like liquid and others that looked like glue stick. There weren't any labels on them except for the barcode printed on the lid. Frowning some more, Iruka plucked one of the tubes and unscrewed the cap. He took a sniff of the content, noting at how it smelled like soap. He capped the lid and tried another tube; they all smelled like soap. Curiosity getting the better of him, he squeezed some of the creamy substance on to his finger and recapped the lid, placing the small case on the side of the sink. He rubbed the cream over the side of his hand, just below his thumb and wondered if Kakashi had some sort of skin problem or if he used the creams of maintain his paleness.

Ludicrous thoughts went through his mind as he placed everything back in to the case when the cream felt nothing more like lotion. He zipped the bag closed and crouched back down to place it back in place behind the dogs' plastic basket; he caught sight of his wrist as he stretched to drop the case back, eyes widening as a portion of the bruise on his wrist disappeared.

Heart slowly lulling to a nervous halt, Iruka stared at his wrist, rotating it around, watching as the trail of red and purple halted to where he managed to rub some of the nameless cream on. Kotetsu's words came slamming back in to his head that very moment, as he struggled for the case once more, unzipping it with trembling fingers. He took out the glue-stick like tube instead of the cream this time and uncapped it; he twisted some of the beige colored stick out and rubbed some on his bruised wrist. He watched for a few seconds as the color blended with his skin, effectively hiding the bruise.

"I was asleep one morning and Genma was getting ready to head out. The guy sleeps in his boxers. I woke up a few minutes later and I saw him rubbing concealer over one of his arms while talking on the phone. He had two of them! On both arms and I saw it! It was the same mark as the logo in the secured database in Morino's division! Don't you get it? Genma is ANBU! And so are his friends!"

Iruka's fingers went lax around the concealer stick, the small tube clattering down the white tiles as Iruka stared wide eyed at his wrists. He rubbed at his wrists, trying to get some of the stuff he applied off by rubbing, but none came off. Without noticing that he was holding his breath, Iruka turned the tap on full blast, grabbing the bar of soap off the soap dish and scrubbing at his wrists furiously. He watched as the tap water rinsed the concealing agent off and his bruises finally came to view once more.

The dogs started barking outside, Kakashi's laughter echoing down the hallway. Alarmed, Iruka dropped back to his crouch and quickly capped the concealer stick once more, shoving it back in to the black case and pulling the zipper close. The zipper got stuck as Kakashi's voice came closer; he was moving towards the bedroom, the dogs following him as he hushed them, telling them that Iruka might be still asleep. Tensing and nearly panicking, Iruka managed to free the stuck zipper and close it all the way, placing it back behind the plastic basket and closing the cupboard as quietly as he can.

"Iruka?" Kakashi called out, knocking on the door.

He pulled the mirror-cabinet open and took out the tube of toothpaste, tapping the cabinet closed and popping the toothpaste tube-cap open just as Kakashi pushed the door open to find him smearing some of the green gel on to his finger.

"Ah, Kakashi! You're back!" Iruka said, smiling almost nervously. Three dogs peered from the corner of the door, one of them barking in greeting. Iruka was glad for the distraction and smiled at curious eyes. "Hey Miira, Manju. Ishi."

Kakashi was staring at the toothpaste on Iruka's finger, looking amused. "What the hell are you doing?"

Iruka glanced at the toothpaste and automatically came up with the quickest and most believable lie he could conjure up. He didn't really think when he squeezed the gel out. "Attempting to ward off morning breath without the help of a toothbrush or mouthwash?"

When Kakashi laughed and left him to get breakfast set, Iruka found himself slumping against the wall.

He was starting to really wonder whether what Kotetsu saw was an illusion or reality; funny part was that he couldn't remember knowing or having heard of any product that concealed marks effectively.

Trembling, Iruka got back to his feet and proceeded to rub the toothpaste over his teeth before gargling it off. He glanced at his reflection and noted how nervous he looked.

He hoped Kakashi didn't notice.

TBC

This chapter is solely dedicated to the wonderful Kakashi2000 who drew the cuddle scene at the end of the smut scene and drew me another fanart that I'd like to pimp out and share with all my readers; link is available at my profile page. A big thank you to you sweetie!

Again, you may read the sex scene by heading over to my profile page and clicking on the link there.

Notes and credits:

- To wikipedia who provided me with all the knowledge for the sex toys used in the "cut off sex scene". Also, to the numerous sex-products sites I had to check to make sure I got things right (rolls eyes).

- Ryuuken isn't mine. He belongs to the Bleach author/artist and Jump.

Pretty much nothing more to credit here really. There wasn't much going on.

Again, thank you for reading people. I'd like to know what you think. This chapter was a killer to write (goes to slump in to bed to sleeeeeep).