Disclaimer: Don't own.
AN: NC-17 warning for #38 and #40.
31. Flowers
Iruka walked into his classroom with a good ten minutes to spare. But he froze as soon as he opened the door to his classroom and his eyes looked at his desk. There was a bouquet of flower sitting on his desk, in a vase. He felt a smile tug on his lips and walked over to his desk. He looked at the bouquet, his mind giving him the hidden meaning of the various flowers.
He looked at a red flower that resembled wheat, Amaranth…fidelity, he smiled and his eyes landed on another orange flower, Ambrosia…reciprocated love…He looked at a red flower that looked a lot like a rose, but rounder in shape, and felt himself chuckle, Camellia…'you're a flame in my heart', he then saw the it's white pair and felt himself blush, 'you're adorable'. His eyes landed on another red and white pair, but these were carnations, and his expression softened, Red carnation…my heart aches for you…he touched the soft white petals of its pair, Pure love…he touch a blue strip of small buds, Blue salvia…'I think of you'…He looked at the bouquet longingly, and touched the petals of a single tulip, perfect lover…His fingers brushed along another pink strip of flowers, Gillyflower…bonds of affection…His fingers brushed a stringry red looking flower, and noticed that there were quite a few, Chrysanthemnum…I love you. His eyes lingered on the bouquet and picked a couple of bell shaped buds from a strip, Heather…he walked over to the window and opened it, a soft breeze took the buds from his hand, Be careful 'Kashi. He heard his students enter his classroom, and chatter begin to rise.
"Iruka-sensei! What a beautiful bouquet!"
Iruka turned back and looked at the bouquet, "Isn't it?" Much like the one that gave it to me.
32. Night
During the day, Iruka is a well-known sensei over at the academy. He is loved by children and parents alike, even if the little brats try to get the best of him sometimes. He also works in the mission room, even though it's not full-time, he does what he can, and collects and files reports that are turned in.
During the day, Kakashi trains his team and often heads out on D-rank missions with them. He's not exactly loved by them but he mostly thinks because he gets the better of them most of the time. When he's not training his team, he lounges around, either in a specific tree by the academy or in his apartment, though he hasn't been in his own apartment for a long time.
During the night, neither of them are the well-known sensei or the great Sharingan Kakashi, they are simply Iruka and Kakashi, or rather Ruru and 'Kashi, where Kakashi is the surprising romantic and Iruka is actually not that shy. Where they don't hold anything back and hold each other as their hands wander and roam. Where their kisses are breathless, and their movements are sensual. Its not that they have to wait for the night, their schedules call it for it to be that way. Yet, when Iruka isn't in the mission room, and Kakashi is lounging around, well, afternoon is the limbo of day and night, where the sun and moon have their own fun as well.
33. Expectations
Every parent has their own expectations for their children. To live and grow up to have a family, fall in love, make money to support yourself and your family. They have their expectations for their children to succeed and prosper.
Iruka sometimes wonders if he's a disappointment to his parents. For not taking the initiative, and taking the jounin exam. But his heart lives in teaching and being in the academy. He wonders if his parents would be disappointed that he hasn't gotten married and begun a family. But his heart lives with his lover, this man that brings him happiness in every shape and form. He wonders if his parents would be disappointed for not carrying his blood line. But his heart doesn't beat that way, and he knows, and hopes his deceased parents would understand.
The ring around his fingers and the dozing silver-haired man leaning against him, this may not fulfill his parents expectations, but this fulfills his own: To simply be happy. Falling in love, was a bonus he didn't expect.
34. Stars
Iruka woke up, propped in a sitting position, leaning against a warm body, and with arms and a thick blanket wrapped around him, and blushed when the memories of the night came back to him. He shifted and the arms around him tightened.
"Ah, you're awake," Kakashi whispered into his ear, "You had me worried when you passed out."
Iruka's blush deepened that he murmured something that sounded a lot like "Idiot". He tipped his head back and looked up and through the thin branched and at the dark sky above them, dusted by bright stars. He shifted and snuggled closer to the warm body that was enveloping him. He sighed and continued his gaze on the shining stars above them, "They're beautiful, aren't they?"
"Hmm," Kakashi hummed in response, but he wasn't looking at the sky, but at the younger man in his arms. He nuzzled the younger man's neck, "Beautiful." No, stars couldn't compete.
35. Hold My Hand
"Kakashi?"
The older man didn't move, the pouring rain drummed on the umbrella and the unmoving figure. Iruka watched as the silver head dipped farther down. He slowly walked towards him, and stood next to him, shielding him from the pouring rain and looked down at the memorial. He gave a sideways glance to the older man and noticed that the hitai ate was pulled up. He moved his grip on the umbrella to his free hand, and tentatively took a cool pale hand into his. The pale hand instantly gripped his, and he gripped
back, and felt the older man begin to tremble, whether it be from the cold or emotional strain…or it could be both. He fell onto his knees as the older man's gave out, holding the pale hand in his, soothingly kissing the knuckles. The umbrella was blown out of his hand by a strong breeze, he instead cradled the jounin closer, tucking the silver head under his and soothingly threading his fingers into the wet locks. Their fingers entwined and the older man trembled against him. Iruka knew it wasn't the anniversary of the Kyuubi attack. He knew this could possibly be deeper, a burden that the older man carries every day. All he could do is be there for him and support him, hold his hand and let him know he's there.
36. Precious Treasure
Kakashi watched as his lover slept. Sunlight poured in through the slightly parted curtains, basking the younger man in a warm, golden glow. The thin sheets discreetly covering the lower half of the tan body, and the younger man slept half sprawled on his stomach, a tan arm pillowing the brunette's head. Chocolate bangs crossed the tan forehead and framed the younger man's face. He smiled at the sight and gingerly brushed his fingers along the younger man's side, feeling it break out into Goosebumps by the light touch. Chocolate eyes fluttered opened and lazily looked at him, as a warm smile spread on those wonderful soft lips he couldn't get enough off.
"'Morning 'Kashi."
Kakashi smiled and kissed the younger man's forehead, "'Morning, Love." He brushed back the chocolate strands and his smile grew wider when the chocolate eyes fluttered closed under the touch, I don't think you know how precious you are to me, he planted another kiss on the tan forehead, how valuable your love is to me. Chocolate eyes opened again and the younger man leaned in closer, sealing their lips in a sweet morning kiss. How I live for moment like these…moments with you.
37. Eyes
Iruka looked up from his grading when he felt the older man's gaze on him, "What?"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow, "Hmm? Nothing."
One of Iruka's dark brows furrowed, "You're staring at me."
Kakashi smiled at him, "I'm not staring at you, I'm admiring you."
Iruka felt his cheeks heat up, "What?"
"I'm admiring you," Kakashi said from the couch and sat up against the arm rest.
"Why would you be?" Iruka frowned.
"What do you mean?" he shifted and took a seat on the floor next to his lover.
"I...I don't have anything toadmire," Iruka's frown deepened; suddenly he felt self-concious and rubbed the scar on nose. A hand pulled his away and soft lips kissed his nose.
"Of course you do, Ruru," he gave the younger man a warm smile, "You have plenty to admire."
Iruka continued frowning and went back to his grading. The same hand tipped his chin up.
"Like that scar on your nose," he began, "Did you know the tips of it wrinkle when you're concentrating? And sometimes disappears when you blush hard enough?" Kakashi smiled at the soft blush that crossed the tan cheeks, "And your bangs brush just at the right point on your cheekbones and frames your face beautifully," he took a tan hand in his and kissed the knuckles, "And your hands…they may not have wielded as many kunai and shuriken as mine, but they have a gentleness that mine will never have, and have the capability of wielding a kunai masterfully…" He smiled fondly at the younger man, "And your eyes. One of first things that I fell in love about you, are your eyes. They're so lively, and every expression, even if it's not evident in your face, can be seen in them," he cupped a tan cheek in his hand, "Their so caring and gentle…and they see me as who I really am," his smile faltered for a moment, "They see me as Kakashi, simply Kakashi, not as the great Copy-nin or the infamous Sharingan Kakashi, or even Hatake-sama…just…Kakashi."
Iruka smiled warmly at him and leaned into the hand cupping his cheek, "Your eyes…or your eye rather, was the first thing I fell in love with about you…it wasn't that it was mysterious or because you didn't really give me any other choice, but…because…it looks at me…with a care, and gentleness that, at first I couldn't place my finger on. I don't even think you know how expressive you can be with that single eye of yours," he cupped the older man's jaw and brushed his thumb under the pale blue eye, "It narrows when angry or upset, it shows when you are bored or worried, it curves when you're happy, and I've noticed, that it gets a special glint when you only look at me…and that always makes me smile."
Kakashi smiled and kissed the younger man softly, "I realized you saw that when I saw the same glint in your eyes."
38. Abandoned
It's been nearly two months. Two months without touching his lover. Two months without feeling those soft lips on his. Two months without – just without him. He rushed through the gates, giving enough times for the guards to search him, before speeding off again. To say that he needed his lover wouldn't give justice to what he felt. But it came close. He needed Iruka. He leapt from rooftop to rooftop, landing on a specific one and swinging off the ledge to land on the specific bedroom window. He was quiet as he shed off his clothes and climbed into bed. The younger man jumped as he felt the mattress dip, but relaxed when he felt the familiar presence. He kissed his lover, desperately and passionately, as a sign of apology before his hands began to work on his lover's body, trying to control himself but he felt his body shaking. Chocolate eyes met with his and he lost himself. He thrust into his lover without abandon, driving into the tight heat that he missed so much as arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him down for a searing kiss, those lips that he craved. Legs wrapped around his waist, the closeness of the tan body that
couldn't stop thinking about for the past two month. His lover cried out in pure pleasure and he drove faster into him, hitting deeper and sending sparks through the tan body under him. The whispers of his name, the voice that he heard in his dreams while he was gone, fueled his lust. He felt himself losing control, he yielded to his release allowed it to rack through him, and filled his lover with his seeds, feeling the younger man flex and twitch around him, and arch off the bed. Hands pulled him down and he was kissed so hot, and so tenderly, he gave himself over. He felt exhaustion overcome him as he tried to relax his heart.
"Welcome back home, Kakashi," the voice was soothing, as were the hands that smoothed over him.
He abandoned himself to his exhaustion, to his lover and felt himself come back. He felt the change, the edge coming off of him, as if the hands rubbing his back, and threading into his hair were magnets, draining away everything and just leaving him behind. Him and his lover.
"I'm back," he whispered into the tan chest underneath him, "I'm back, Ruru…"
39. Dreams
It was cold. He felt himself shiver. He looked around and walked forward, his legs felt heavy and it was hard to breathe. Everything became focused and he found himself standing in front of the monument. He took a step back.
This doesn't feel right.
He turned around as he heard soft footsteps approach him.
Iruka?
The tan chunin held his downcast gaze, a bouquet in his hands. He knelt down and placed the bouquet of gillyflower, pink and white roses, and red chrysanthemum in front of monument.
Kakashi felt his breath catch.
He looked at the bouquet…gillyflower, bonds of effection…chrysanthemum, I love you…
The last one struck him hard and deep.
Pink and white roses…I still love you and always will.
He looked at the younger man who began trembling and pressed a hand against his eyes, "Kakashi…"
The soft whisper broke him.
No…
"Kakashi…"
No.
"Kakashi."
Kakashi snapped his eyes open and let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Iruka hovered above him, concern in his eyes.
"I…you were having a nightmare."
Kakashi continued staring at the younger man above him, It was only a dream…he felt a pang in his chest, it was only dream…
"Kakashi?"
He swallowed and pulled the younger man into a warm embrace, he didn't realize he was shaking until Iruka hugged him back.
"It's alright, 'Kashi, it was only a dream," he said softly against the shaken man's neck.
Kakashi nodded, but it felt too real…the pain felt to real.
Iruka propped himself on an elbow. Mismatched eyes widened when he brushed away a stray tear, "It's alright…" he whispered. He leaned down and planted a soft kiss on the older man's lips, a reassuring kiss.
Kakashi shut his eyes and pulled the younger man for another kiss, it was only a dream.
A part of him told to stop being so naïve.
40. Rated
"Iruka, would you like to go out for a movie tonight?"
Iruka looked up at the older man standing in front of his desk, a bit taken at back, "A movie?"
Kakashi nodded.
"Uh, sure," he smiled, "Yeah, that'll be nice."
"Good, there's a movie that came out today," he shrugged, "I don't think it'll be crowded though."
Iruka quirked an eyebrow, "Why?"
Kakashi shrugged again, "Just a hunch. Then I'll pick you up, say…six?"
Iruka nodded a smile of his lips, "Ok…and by six you mean…seven, right?" Iruka hid a grin as he saw a blush rise from under the rim of the dark mask.
"Uh…yeah," he gave a nervous chuckle, "I'll you see then, Iruka," he walked to the window that he came in from; he stopped when he heard Iruka call him. The younger man gave him a coy look before pulling down his mask and giving him a tender kiss.
"I'll see you later."
Kakashi smiled and pulled his mask back up before taking off.
7pm came by quicker than he thought, and the knock at the door almost came as a surprise.
"Yo," Kakashi greeted, his eye taking in the sight of his lover who was wearing a dark pair of jeans and an un-tucked buttoned up brown striped shirt.
Iruka smiled at him, and blushed when he noticed his lover's observation. He took the opportunity to admire the older man who was wearing a pair of stone washed jeans and a black turtle neck shirt, or was it a shirt that connected the his mask, he couldn't tell. The hitai ate was replaced by a simple eyepatch, allowing the silver bangs to discreetly cover it.
"Are you ready?" he tried fighting back a blush as he noticed Iruka looking at him.
Iruka nodded, "Yeah."
They left the apartment and walked down the lit sidewalks and towards the theater.
"What movie are we going to watch?" Iruka asked, his curiosity getting the best of him.
"You'll see," Iruka could hear the grin in those simple words. He stopped walking. Kakashi turned and gave him a questioning look.
"I swear, Kakashi, if it's a damn Icha Icha –"
Kakashi raised a hand in defense, "It's not. I wouldn't do that to you without a warning of some sort." Mostly for my well being…
Iruka gave a contemplative look as the older man walked back toward him and wrapped an arm around his shoulder and began to walk again.
They reached the theater, and like Kakashi said, it wasn't that crowded. Kakashi bought two tickets for the mystery movie and the clerk shot him a sweet smile before looking back at Kakashi and handing him the tickets.
Iruka had a strange sinking feeling in his stomach.
They made their way into the small auditorium, and Iruka noticed that there were at least twenty or thirty people. Mostly men and a few women. They took a couple of seat in far corner in the back, Iruka taking the seat closest to the wall, separated from the others.
"Will you at least tell me the title?" he whispered to the silver haired jounin.
Kakashi smiled at him, "It's title Throes of Love."
Iruka raised an eyebrow, "That doesn't sound so bad…how come you didn't tell me earlier?"
Kakashi shrugged, "Wanted it to be a surprise."
"What is it about?"
"You'll see."
Iruka frowned and his eyes adjusted as the room became darker. He watched with interest, and about forty five minutes into the movie the main character and a sub character kissed. Iruka blushed. Mainly because the two characters were males. He glanced at Kakashi who was watching the movie with interest and then around the auditorium, and realized why they were mostly men. He continued watching the movie, it had a good plot and it turned that the man the main character kissed earlier was the antagonist and was trying very hard not to fall in love with the other man. Iruka blushed again when they kissed in another scene, his cheeks grew hotter when the kiss was rather heated.
"Kakashi?" he whispered.
"Hmm?"
"What is this movie rated?" he couldn't seem to take his eyes off the screen.
"NC-17."
Iruka's eyes widened and felt his blush reach his ears, "W-what!" the older man wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"Just watch, Ruru," he said softly.
Iruka returned his attention to the screen. The men began to undress each other, and the cinematography was what set it apart from porn and art. Even though, Iruka felt his heart skip a beat as the main character was gently pushed onto the bed and was lavished by the other man, who took him just as tenderly. He could practically feel the passion that the characters shared, the love that was supposed to be unspoken between them, because it couldn't be, because the protagonist is suppose to find a wife and carry out his blood line. And because it was simply unacceptable. Iruka watched as the cinematography accented the curves of the body, the tender, sensual touches, and equally sensual movements. The sighs and low moans filled the room with the background of a classical melody.
The movie continued, and the characters, or lovers, watched each other from afar, and shared passionate kisses despite their effort and attempts to forget one another. Iruka watched the character's anguish and inner struggle, and tried not cry when one that had to find a wife, sacrificed himself for the one he truly loved when his family found out about their unacceptable relationship. He did however feel a tightness in his throat when the main character struggled to say three simple words: I love you, before
becoming limp in his lovers arms, not giving him a chance to tell him the same, who cried out of sorrow and frustration, venting out on the family that didn't understand, and that they never will.
The movie ended bittersweet. And the lights came back on, a light applause from the small crowd.
"Did you like it?"
"Huh?" Iruka turned to the older man, "Oh, yeah. It…it was good."
Kakashi smiled and stood, Iruka followed suit. They left the theater nearly three hours later. Stopping by a small take-out restaurant for an order of yakitori.
"You did like it, right? You're not just saying that?" Kakashi asked, a bit nervous.
Iruka gave him a small smile, "Yes, I did."
"Sorry, it's just I thought that maybe you wouldn't…"
"Why not?"
Kakashi shrugged, "I don't know," he scratched the back of his neck, "the rating maybe…you being against porn and everything."
Iruka's smiled grew, "I liked it," he blushed when the statement earned him a leer, "N-not just that part – I mean – I liked the whole movie. As a whole."
Kakashi smiled, pleased, "Good."
"I'm just glad…"
Kakashi raised a questioning eyebrow, "About what?"
Iruka smiled down at his cup of tea, "That…it's not like that here."
Kakashi looked fondly at his lover and smiled, "Me too."