Realizing How Important You Are To Us
Disclaimer: I do not Own Naruto
Dayxxdreamer: I am so sorry for taking so long toupdate, school keeps me busy and my life has become unexpectedly hectic and I'm sorry you had to pay for that… Thank you all for reading and reviewing, it means a lot smiles
Important: I forgot to tell you this; Naruto has already brought Sasuke back from Orochimaru
-----------------------------------------The chapter begins--------------------------------------------
Inside Naruto's head while he's in the hospital
"Brat "The venomous voice of Kyuubi called
"…"
"Brat!"
"…"
"BRAT!" Kyuubi's cage shook with the strength of his deadly voice
"…" Sniffle
"..Kit?" He called a bit softer
"Yeah" answered a faint whisper
"Kit, what's wrong, you know you're not going to die right?"
"I don't care if I die or live, everyone would probably be better off without me anyways"
"Don't be so foolish all your friends are weak now because of your condition"
"What?"
"They're all worried sick about you"
"I doubt it, they're all probably celebrating because the "demon boy" might die"
"That's not true"
"Yeah prove it"
"I will." His voice sounded a bit childish "The poison in your body won't be gone for two more days so while you're in the hospital I'll leave you hear and feel what people say and do to you while you're like this. Kit they think you're dieing so get ready for a lot of big sappy speeches"
"We'll see"
"Perfect, that old hag is here; let's see what she's going to do"
"Probably beat my brains out" Naruto mumbled
Outside of Naruto's head
Tsunade sat down by Naruto's bed and looked at his unmoving body. "Naruto "she let out a heavy sigh she seemed to want to caress Naruto's cheek but was almost afraid to touch him "Naruto are you going to leave me as well? Is this happening because I'm cursed? I know I sound selfish when I say this but you can't leave, too many people need you. You always bring hope and light to the people who need it. If you go- "Tears began to form in her pure hazel eyes "If you go we'll all be lost. I'd be lost, everyday I find myself questioning why I became Hokage and every time I see you my question is answered. You inspire people to do good things; you inspired me to protect the people of this village. I'd be lying if I said that was the only reason though… Naruto I took the job as Hokage so that when I was finished I could hand it down to you… So wake up so I can give you your dream" she sounded as if she was pleading him. Tsunade got up and placed a kiss on Naruto's forehead then left. Soon after tears escaped from Naruto's closed eyes.
Back In Naruto's head
"Kit are you alright?
"I'm fine" he said turning away so his tears wouldn't show
An ominous laughter echoed through Naruto's head which made Kyuubi start to growl.
"Who's there?!" Naruto called out looking around
"My, my, what a sad show, don't you agree Naruto-Kun?" Orochimaru said as he stepped out of the shadows.
"Get the hell out of my head you creep!" Naruto yelled at him
"Just think how easy it'll be to take over the village with everyone in such a pitiful state"
"No way they'll see you coming from a mile away"
"I think not, that hag didn't even notice that I was in the room with her" Orochimaru laughed
"In... the room?"
"Yes Naruto-kun" Naruto felt a hand trace up his stomach
"Get the hell away from me!!"
"Why would I do that when you're so, defenseless" A voice whispered in Naruto's ear before licking his cheek.
"What the hell do you even want with me, you freak!" Naruto yelled
"Well who else do you think poisoned you? I need a new host and since Sasuke won't come willingly anymore I want you"
"What makes you think I'll go with you!!?"
"If you care enough about this village you will, just think if your own Hokage couldn't even sense me in the room with her what makes you think anyone else will notice an army of sound ninja who can hide their chakra levels perfectly?"
Naruto remained silent.
"That's what I thought, now since I'm such a caring person I'll give you two weeks after you wake up to say good bye to everyone, and I've placed a jutsu on you so you can't tell anyone about this little chat, good bye Naruto-kun see you soon" Orochimaru laughed as he faded away.
"Kit?"
"Yeah?" Naruto's voice was even weaker than before.
"Kit what are you going to do?"
"What else can I do? I'll have to go with him"
"What?! Kit you can't give your body up to that vermin!"
"What else can I do?"
"Fight him of course"
"Kyuubi, he can probably beat me with his tongue alone"
"Kit what the hell is wrong with you normally you'd have thought of beating the hell out of that lowly fool in two seconds!"
"I'm not going to risk the lives of the villagers and my friends in a hopeless battle"
"Kit I can train you while you're unconscious. Now you'll be like this for two more days, I know you want the two weeks to spend with your friends in case something goes wrong so while you sleep we'll train as well and I guarantee you'll be ready by then"
"Kyuubi, why are you being so nice to me, I thought you hated me..."
"Well Kit you have a habit of growing on people/demons just look at that ice-prince bastard"
"What about Sasuke? There's no way he'd ever be worried about me, he's probably mad at me for causing all this trouble and delaying the mission. I'm not important enough for Sasuke to care about me…."
Sensing the blond needed to be distracted from the subject "Kit let's start training to show the vermin Orochimaru that anyone who threatens Kyuubi, Kyuubis container and his friends are dead meat"
Naruto gave a stronger smile "Yeah, he won't know what hit him"
Outside Naruto's head and somewhere in the village
Iruka was walking around aimlessly, his eyes looking dull his composure lazy, he wasn't paying any attention to his surrounding he was to depressed to care because if he had he would have noticed a sliver haired copy-nin following him, worry evident in his eye.
Iruka found himself in front of his house he sighed and got his keys out to unlock the door. As soon as he had the door open a flash of silver pushed his into the house and shut the door behind them.
Iruka had almost fallen from the push but when he regained his balance he looked at the figure that had pushed him oddly "Kakashi? What was all that for?" Kakashi slightly winced at Irukas voice it was dull as well.
"I need to talk to you now" Kakashi muttered before taking Iruka and leading him to the living room where they both sat on the couch. Iruka silently followed and looked at Kakashi with those lifeless eyes. "Well?" The hallow voice questioned.
"You have to snap out of it"
"Snap out of what?"
"This, how you've been acting" Kakashi couldn't control the worry in his voice
"I don't know what you mean…-"
"What would Naruto think if he saw you like this?" Kakashi knew that this subject was a sensitive spot at the moment but he also knew that it had to be done " What would he think if he saw his favorite sensei, the man he thought of as his father walking around like a zombie?"
"Kakashi…. I know it's wrong but I can't help but feel like this, I feel so useless and I can't do anything to help..." Iruka said in a very quiet voice.
"I know, I know." Kakashi said comfortingly patting Iruka on the back" I feel the same, we should have known better then to let all of the kids to go off on their own, I should have done something... But we can't leave ourselves fall, Naruto would never leave that happen to us and while he's temporarily out of commission we have to hold everything up..."
Iruka nodded.
"Have you gone to visit him yet?" Kakashi asked slowly
"No… I'm too scared… babyish I know-"Kakashi placed his hand on top of Irukas
"We can go together... if you want" Kakashi offered
"Kakashi?" Iruka looked at the copy-nin with a bit of shock
"Right, sorry, you probably have someone else to go with" he quickly said and was about to make his leave
Iruka grabbed his wrist faster than lighting "No, I mean I was just flattered that you'd ask..."
"Oh" the two settled in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes. "Should we be going then?" Kakashi conjured up the courage to break the silence
"Oh, right yeah lets go" Iruka said clumsily and stood up. Kakashi followed closely behind the dolphin, maybe a bit to close not that the dolphin was complaining.
--------------------------------------At the hospital----------------------------------------------------
Iruka stood in front of the door that led to Naruto's hospital frozen in his spot. His body and mind wouldn't let him go any further and see the boy who he had thought of as a son be lifeless in a hospital bed, not when that boy had been the life, the light in so many things in his life.
"Iruka?" Kakashi asked in a soft concerned voice. Iruka tore his gaze from the door and look at the silver haired nin, his deep brown eyes studying Kakashi.
Why was Kakashi even hanging out around him, he and the copy-nin rarely spoke anymore… Not after they broke up. They usually just exchanged greetings and were off with their own business.
Well Iruka at least Kakashi would usually just laze around somewhere, Iruka knew because he liked to gaze at the handsome man whenever he could. Unfortunately Iruka had never gotten over his ex-lover and took every chance he had to get a look at the silver haired man.
They had not parted on bad-terms but it's very rare that anyone would be comfortable around their ex. They broke up for logical reasons, pity they didn't no logic had no place in love. Each was usually busy and Kakashi starting fearing that he was to close to the chocolate haired man, which he thought was a bad thing because in his mind being close to someone would only get you hurt…
"Iruka?" Kakashi questioned again. The younger had been looking at him strangely for the last couple of minutes and he was beginning to get worried. He thought he'd be able to get over Iruka quickly after they broke up, but it turns out he was dead wrong.
Kakashi knew he was a coward for trying to push Iruka away and such, he knew that he, the Great Kakashi, copy-nin, had fallen to his own fears. He felt unworthy of Iruka, and why would the brown haired man even want him back after how childish he acted?
In Kakashi's mind they'd never be together again, so all he could do now is secretly love him from afar and try to help Iruka out whenever he could, care for him without the other knowing it. Protect him if he was in danger not that Iruka was the type to ever really get in a situation where he needed protecting.
Iruka was too good natured and caring to cause enough trouble where he'd need saving. He also didn't go on any dangerous missions; he was practically always the academy. But Kakashi couldn't leave his mind wander now; he had to focus on the one he loved but lost.
"Sorry, I was a, um-"Iruka had started but Kakashi interrupted him
"It's ok, I'm nervous too, but it'll be ok, we won't have to face it alone, because we have each other" Kakashi said calmly
Iruka nodded his head, he wasn't sure if he was able to rely on his voice now. Not when Kakashi spoke with that strong but wise voice, Kakashi could always think clearly and not let his emotions in the way. Iruka admired him for it.
Iruka could always count on Kakashi back then, when they were together… Kakashi's words suddenly rung in his head again "…We won't have to face it alone, because we have each other" Iruka involuntarily blushed, he couldn't help it, those words brought back all those times he and Kakashi spent together.
Even though he longed for those times with all his heart, he still couldn't feel happy thinking about them. Iruka brought himself out of his daydreaming, he couldn't keep zoning out or else Kakashi would think he'd lost it.
Iruka nodded "Let's go in then, together?"
"Together" Kakashi agreed, oh how he wanted so much to take Iruka's hand in his and lead him in there, so they could be confident together but he just settled for walking close to the younger man as they entered the room.
Upon entering the room that Iruka felt his heart sink to see the little boy he seen grow up into the young man he is today lay still in a lifeless room of a hospital. Iruka brought his hand up to his mouth in pain and shock, he knew it would be bad but he could have never even begun to imagine the pain he was feeling right now.
"Iruka's shoulders started to shake, he couldn't believe, it not him "Not Naruto…why?" He whispered in a broken voice. He felt a protective arm wrap around his shoulders comfortingly.
"Iruka, nothings happened yet, Naruto can and will still make it out of this, you know him better than that" Kakashi said in the bravest voice he could conjure up. He'd be lying through his teeth if he said he wasn't affected by seeing one of his students like this.
He had already lot so much in his life, he couldn't lose Naruto. He wouldn't let himself believe that there was a chance that his blond pupil might not survive; it was that ignorance or belief call it what you will, but it let him be strong for him and Iruka.
"I… I know but, this shouldn't have happened to him, anyone but him, he doesn't deserve this!" Iruka cried the last part.
Tears began to from him the chocolate eyes but before they could fall he was pulled into a gentle hug. "Shh Iruka, its ok. Naruto has enough strength to power the village, he has too much will power to leave a poison bring him down. Naruto brings strength to us all. He will not die" Kakashi cooed into Iruka's ear while rubbing Iruka's back to get him to calm down.
Iruka hugged Kakashi back, his hands tightly gripping the back of his vest while burring his face in Kakashi's chest (Kakashi is taller than Iruka). God how he missed Kakashi's sent, it was manly but had a sweet tint to it that promised to always care and protect you, Iruka never thought that he'd missed the smell so much, ever since they broke up… that's right … they broke up.
"Kakashi?" Iruka whispered looking up at Kakashi confused. Kakashi had no clue what he was doing, it was just so instinctive to hold Iruka forgetting that they were no longer together, just make him feel better is what his body told him to do, and he willingly complied.
Kakashi tilted his head downwards to look at Iruka; their eyes locked both burning with a passion they thought was lost in the other. Slowly and cautiously Iruka brought his hand up and caressed Kakashi's masked cheek, the silver haired man unconsciously leaned into the touch.
That was all the younger of the two needed before slipping Kakashi's mask down, both their lips were reunited, they touched with longing and love. Kakashi lightly licked Iruka's bottom lip wishing for entry, which was granted rather quickly.
Kakashi's tongue became reacquainted with every inch of his loves mouth before they pulled away to catch their breath. While the air refilled their lungs they're eyes were telling each other their side of the story. Needless to say no words were needed for them to be sure that they were doing the right thing right there and then.
Kakashi nuzzled Iruka's cheek lovingly; the one being nuzzled giggled slightly and leaned closer to the others body.
Inside Naruto's head
Naruto was jumping up and down cheering for his both his teachers.
"I knew they'd get back together! I knew they loved each other!" Naruto was shouting
Kyuubi chuckled "Yes, yes kit, true love prevails on and such and such… Just quiet down and listen some more" he advised
Outside of Naruto's head
"You know, you're right, Naruto is to strong to let this get him." Iruka said thoughtfully
"Of course, we should expect nothing less than our future Hokage" Kakashi chuckled.
In those few moments both had once again become complete, and with them being whole they could surely take anything on, and have enough courage for both of them to keep going. Because when one is down, the other is there to pick them up.
Iruka left Kakashi for a moment and placed a kiss on Naruto's forehead and whispered "Get better soon…" then faintly almost impossible for even god to hear "… my son"
Inside Naruto's head
"He, he called me his…." Naruto couldn't say the word
"Son" Kyuubi finished for him "I can't believe how oblivious you are kit, it's almost frightening"
"I never thought someone would think of me as their s-son"
"Baka, why else would I call you kit"
Naruto spun to face the fox "Kyuubi?" he said in disbelief
"Baka, baka, baka" he said while shaking his head " At least now you know"
"Thank you Kyuubi" Naruto said smiling sincerely
"No problem kit, but keep listening the perverts up" Kyuubi chuckled
Outside Naruto's head
Iruka then looked at Kakashi and went by the door leaving the other say what they had to, to the unconscious blonde. Kakashi pulled his mask up before ruffling the already unruly blonde locks, an old habit of when Naruto was actually awake.
"Get better soon little guy, you can't die before me I need to watch you grow so you can become the great ninja we all know you'll become." He said with the utmost caring tone he could use.
Inside Naruto's head
"I think that's the fist time Kakashi's complimented me..."
"Sometime people don't appreciate the things they have until they almost lose them." Kyuubi said
Naruto smiled, he heard his teachers leaving. "Ok let's get back to work!" he said with newfound confidence
Outside Naruto's head.
Hand in hand Kakashi and Iruka left the hospital, both knowing once their blonde woke up that they'd be the happiest they could be.
------------End of chapter
Dayxxdreamer: Well I would like to officially apologize for taking so long to update only to give you a bad chapter. I won't ask for reviews for this chapter, but feel free if you want to though I don't expect you will. If you have any suggestions you like to tell me feel free. Have a merry Christmas everyone and a happy New Year.