Disclaimer: Don't own.

AN: NC-17 warning for #50.

41. Teamwork

Team seven had a mission. It wasn't a simple one. It was to hook Kakashi up with someone, mostly because they thought the guy needed…it.

"But who?" Sakura asked as he drew on the dirt with a stick.

Sasuke laid on the ground, wondering why he was taking part in this, "Does he like women?"

Sakura and Naruto looked at him, as if he grew another head, "What? Do you think he's gay?"

Sasuke shrugged, "He could be."

Sakura frowned, "We should ask him."

Naruto looked at her, shocked, "You can't just go up to man ask him if he's gay!"

Sakura hit Naruto upside the head, "I'm not! We'll just casually slip it in, and take the hints, then we can choose the right person for him."

Naruto nodded, "That makes sense."

Sasuke sighed and shrugged.

Objective: What is his preference?

As they walked to the training ground with Kakashi trailing behind them, orange book in hand, Sakura casually turned to him, "Say, Kakashi-sensei, do you have a girlfriend?"

Kakashi looked at Sakura from the edge of his book, What is this girl up to? "No, why do ask?"

Sakura smiled up at him, "Just curious."

Naruto joined the conversation, "Is there a reason? Is it because you're ugly -," Sakura's fist met the back of his head.

Sasuke gave a long deep sigh.

Kakashi's hidden brow twitched,What are these brats up to? "Do I need a reason?"

Sakura looked up at him, "I…I guess not," she beamed up at him, "What if someone showed interest in you?" she intentionally left out the gender.

Kakashi shrugged. And didn't give any more than that.

Sakura frowned, So he doesn't care? Hmm.

Objective: Fixing him up with someone.

"Okay," Sakura began, "So he doesn't care in gender…at least that's what I think."

Naruto frowned, "But he's so anti-social, do you really think he'll want to be fixed up with someone?"

Sasuke sighed, "How about we just stay out of his love life?"

Naruto leered at the black haired boy, "Don't you want to know what kind of person he'll bite for?"

Sasuke looked at Naruto and blushed as he looked away. Defeated.

"So who can we fix him up with?" Sakura tapped his chin as she thought. Silence fell over them.

"How about Iruka-sensei?" was what broke the silence, by none other than Sasuke.

Naruto and Sakura gave him a shocked look, "What!?"

Sasuke shrugged, "If Kakashi-sensei is anti-social, we should try fixing him with someone that isn't. If he doesn't care in gender, then Iruka-sensei carries a bit of both traits, don't you think?" His other two teammates gave him a considering look before slowly nodding.

"Yeah," Sakura said finally, "I think Iruka-sensei would be perfect!"

"Hold on!" Naruto interrupted, "There's no way we're setting up Iruka-sensei with that pervert!"

Sakura frowned, Sasuke sighed again, "Another thing about Iruka-sensei is that he won't be pushed down by anyone. So, I'm pretty sure he can handle a pervert."

Naruto's frown softened, "I guess."

"Then it's settled! We'll fix Kakashi and Iruka sensei up!"

"Wait," Naruto interrupted again.

"What!" Sakura asked out of frustration.

"How do we know Iruka-sensei likes men?"

I mood of dread filled the room.

Objective: What is his preference?

"Iruka-sensei!"

Iruka looked up and smiled, "Oh, hey, Naruto."

Naruto beamed at him, "How are the brats treating you?"

Iruka chuckled, "Good, they can't be worse than you."

"Hey!"

Iruka laughed, "So what brings you here, Naruto?" he began to clean his chalkboard.

"A question," he sat on Iruka's desk and face the chalkboard.

"Alright, what is it?" he turned back to the blonde boy.

"Do you have a girlfriend, Iruka-sensei?"

Iruka blushed, "Uh…no, I don't, Naruto."

"Any particular reason?" he smiled, making the question appear innocent.

"Uh, no, um, not really."

"What if someone showed interest in you?"

Iruka blush deepened and turned back to the chalkboard, "Uh..," he shrugged, "Have you eaten?" he turned back to the blonde boy.

"No, but I have training with Sasuke, you owe me then!" Naruto jumped off the desk, "Tomorrow!" he ran out of the classroom, "See ya, Iruka-sensei."

Objective: The date/set-up.

"Okay, so neither Kakashi or Iruka sensei care for gender…I think," Sakura stated, "Now," she grinned, "the friendly encounter."

"She seems determined," Naruto whispered at Sasuke.

Sasuke sighed and dropped his head, "Tell me about it."

Team seven and their sensei walked into Ichikamaru's. Kakashi for the most part, felt something fishy going on, but free lunch is free lunch. Especially since his team were so inclined to drag their training till 3pm.

Naruto looked around, He should be here – "Iruka-sensei!"

Iruka looked at the ramen stand and smiled, "Naruto."

"You owe me ramen!" he beamed and pulled Iruka into the stand.

Iruka let himself be pulled into the stand and looked up, "Hi Sakura-chan, Sasuke-kun…Kakashi-sensei."

Sakura smiled, "Hi, Iruka-sensei."

Sasuke raised a hand, "Iruka-sensei."

Kakashi raised his gaze, "Yo."

Naruto frowned at Sakura.

"Sit and join us Iruka-sensei," Sakura gestured at an empty seat next to Kakashi.

Iruka took the empty seat and gave his and Naruto's order, as did Sakura, Sasuke and Kakashi. Small talk rose among them, "How is your training going?" he asked the team.

"Good," Sakura said with a smile. Sasuke ate next to her in silence.

"Kakashi-sensei took us training today…he just took us, he mostly read his book most of the time," Naruto said after swallowing.

"Maa, Naruto-kun, you're making me look bad. You were only sparring."

Naruto rolled his eyes and continued eating.

"Naruto, you should be respectful to your sensei," Iruka scowled.

Naruto flinched, "Sorry sorry."

"Uh, we have to go!" Sakura announced suddenly, noticing that Iruka wasn't done eating, "I told Sasuke and Naruto I would referee as they trained."

"You did? – I mean, you did!" Naruto chuckled and jumped off his seat, "We'll see you later Iruka-sensei!"

"See you later Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei," Sakura waved before they ran off.

Iruka waved after them, chuckling.

Kakashi sighed, "They're silly sometimes."

Iruka's chuckle turned into a laugh, "Tell me about it."

Kakashi took Iruka's hand in his from underneath the counter, "Do you think they know?" he asked, teasingly.

Iruka laughed, "I don't think they have a clue."

Mission: Success.

42. Standing Still

"Kakashi?" Iruka looked back at the older man who stopped in his tracks. He shifted the picnic basket to the other hand and gave the jounin a questioning look.



Kakashi looked at the younger man, then to his right. The place felt familiar, yet, he couldn't put his finger on it.

"What is it?" Iruka made his way back to the man and stood closer to him.

"I…have we been here before?"

Iruka quirked an eyebrow and looked at the spot Kakashi was looking at earlier. He felt his heart sink, "Uh, yeah, we have."

Kakashi tilted his head and looked back at the private meadow, "How about we have our picnic there?" he gestured towards the meadow and began to walk towards it, and paused when the younger man didn't follow, "Iruka?" Chocolate eyes went from the meadow to him and then down casted their gaze, "Iruka, what is it?"

"I…can we go somewhere else?" he looked back up at the older man, a plea in his eyes.

Kakashi walked back to the younger man, concern in his eye, "What's wrong this place?" he asked gently.

Iruka looked at the meadow and then back at the older man, and shook his head, "…let's just go somewhere else…" he tried walking back to their original destination, by a hand held his wrist.

"Iruka, what is it?"

Iruka looked at the lone blue eye and then back at the clearing, "I don't think you remember…you were injured, and you sent Pakkun to get me," he felt a clench in his chest just remembering, "You were unconscious when I got to you…and for a moment…I thought I was too late."

Kakashi let go of the chunin's wrist, and looked back at the clearing, "That's why it looks familiar," he said mostly to himself. He looked back at the younger man who was staring at the clearing with a solemn expression.

"Can we go somewhere else?" he asked softly.

"Of course, Iruka," he took a tan hand in his and they continued on their way. Away from the painful memories.

43. Dying

Kakashi came back from his mission, and to Iruka's fear, he was soaked with his blood. As soon as the jounin stepped through the bedroom window, he collapsed as if he was deboned. Iruka panicked and teleported them to the hospital that took the jounin into a coughing fit. The nurses saw him, both of the nins looked paler than usual, only that one was unconscious and bleeding to death.

Iruka held his lover's hand. It had been three hours since they arrived in the hospital, but it seemed that the event just took place. He looked into the pale face, the oxygen mask in lieu of the dark cloth. He held the pale hand tighter as the door opened and heels clicked the floor. He raised his gaze to Tsunade who was looking softly at him.

"He'll be fine," he said just as softly, "He's just suffering blood loss and chakra depletion," she scoffed and looked at the unconscious jounin, "The same reason whenever he comes to the hospital."

Iruka looked back at his unusually pale lover and rubbed the cool hand in his. A gentle, firm hand squeezed his shoulder.

"If you wouldn't have been there, Iruka…" she said, and trailed off, letting the chunin fill in the blanks.

Iruka gave a small nod.

"Think you can do me a favor?"

Iruka raised his gaze, "What is Tsunade-sama?"

She smiled at him, "Think you can provide enough warmth for him?" she gestured towards the silver haired jounin, "His blood loss makes it difficult to keep his body temperature, the blankets are enough, even if he has two on him."

Iruka's cheeks darkened with a soft blush, "Of course." Her hand gave his shoulder a last firm squeeze before she walked to the jounin and removed the oxygen mask, replacing it with tubes that instead went into the jounin's nostrils. She smiled at him and he heard the heels click away and the door softly click shut.

He looked back at his lover and got up from his seat, and slipped under the blankets to join him. He was careful not to disturb the bandaged torso, and thigh, but managed to wrap his arms around the older man, and gently rested his head on a pale shoulder, tucking himself against the older man's side. He felt Kakashi move his head towards him, leaning his cheek against his forehead.

You scared me half to death, 'Kashi, he gently traced the bandaged wrapped around the pale torso, Please, get better soon.

"Iruka…"

His eyes widened at the sudden whisper of his name. He felt a small smile tug on his lips and he rubbed the older man's chest reassuringly, "I'm here, 'Kashi," he whispered back, and felt he older man relax further under his touch.

"Ruru…" the whisper left the older man's lips before he settled back down again.

Get better soon…because I die a little inside when I see you like this.

44. Two Roads

Iruka is a chunin, an academy teacher that also tended to the mission desk. His life differs much of that of his lover. Kakashi is a jounin, a killer, the infamous Sharingan Kakashi. Despite their ranks, they have similarities that only came about after knowing each other's past. Both have experienced the loss of loved ones, from parents to friends. Experiences that changed their courses. Iruka has declined every offer of taking the jounin exam. Kakashi joined ANBU when he was fourteen years old, the connection to the death of his sensei and his joining can be seen in a variety of ways. Iruka lives through his pain, and despite it all, he wears a smile, and goes on with his life. Even through their experiences, and led them in different directions, they came to meet. Iruka introduced himself to Kakashi as Team Seven's former sensei. And Kakashi learned his name. Learned the name of the chunin that manned the mission desk. Learned the name of the sensei that Naruto spoke so fondly of. Learned the name of the man that always offered him a smile whenever he looked at him. Their roads met, and created a single one. And when it will fork, they will not separate, but take a road together.

45. Illusion

Iruka walked into his kitchen and froze. He stared at the cupboards, Is that egg? It was beyond him how someone could get egg – egg on the cupboards, but he had a good hunch whom was to blame. He felt a twitch develop as he took a step farther in and stepped on something that crunched. He looked at the counter. Flour. Everywhere. Like if the bag exploded and the jounin ran. The sink was full of dirty bowls and pans. He slowly turned his head as he heard footsteps come from down the hall. The older man looked just as bad. He was trying to pick…was that egg? Out of his hair that looked whiter than usual. There was also white on his cheek and dark shirt that Iruka guessed was the flour bag that, he assumed, exploded.

Kakashi froze at the glare the chunin was giving him, "Uh…" he glanced at the kitchen and then back at his angry lover, "Uh…it's an illusion!" he said trying to bring humor into the situation.

Iruka's eye visibly twitched.

Kakashi began to back away.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?! You're going to clean this kitchen or I'llshow you an illusion!" Iruka didn't care that the threat didn't make sense, but it made the jounin move and clean the kitchen.

46. Family

Iruka and Kakashi made their from the grocery store, stopping by a nearby stand to buy lunch, since Iruka just didn't feel like cooking. As they walked down the busy sidewalks, a child yelled out Iruka's name.

"Iruka-sensei!" a small brunette ran up to them.

"Kitsu-chan," Iruka smiled and knelt down, becoming eye level with the brunette, "How are you?"

"I'm good, Iruka-sensei," she giggled, and looked up at the silver haired jounin, and her giggle increased, "Is this your husband, Iruka-sensei?"

Iruka blushed and chuckled, "Yes, Kitsu-chan, this is Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi raised a hand in greeting, "Yo."

The little girl giggled and had the decency to blush.

"You're not here alone, are you Kitsu-chan?"

The little girl shook her head, "I'm here with my mom. She's buying groceries."

Iruka smiled, "Run along, don't make your mother worry."

Kitsu gave a nod, and smiled brightly at Iruka, "Ok, Iruka-sensei," she looked up at Kakashi and giggled, "It was nice meeting you Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi smiled down at the little girl, "The pleasure was mine."

Kitsu continued to giggle and cupped Iruka's ear, "He's a lot more handsome than I thought Iruka-sensei," she whispered, lacking the skill of being inconspicuous. Iruka blushed and gave the older man a sideways glance.

"Thank you, Kitsu-chan," Kakashi said, smiling at the blush that spread over the little girls face.

"I'll see you later, Iruka-sensei!" she waved and ran off from the direction she came from.

Iruka chuckled and stood up, "Sorry about that."

Kakashi shook his head, "I forget sometimes, Iruka-sensei is quite popular."

Iruka laughed and they continued their way home.

Kakashi watched as Iruka put away the last of the groceries, before pulling the younger man against him, wrapping his arms around the slender waist, "Iruka, can I ask you something?"

Iruka wrapped his arms around the older man neck, "What is it, 'Kashi?"

Kakashi sighed and leaned his forehead against the younger man's, "Do you want a family, Ruru?"

Iruka's eyes widened at the sudden question, "What?"

"After seeing you today, with Kitsu-chan…Iruka, you have such a way with children and…I really think you would make a great father…slash mother," he leaned back to have a better look at his husband.

Iruka smiled, "I think you would make a great father too, Kakashi."

Kakashi gave him a look as if he just grew an extra head, "What?"

Iruka chuckled, "I'm serious. You are quiet…eccentric…"

"Iruka, if you're trying to flatter me, you're failing."

Iruka laughed, "You didn't let me finish. You have something about you that would make you a great parent. You're protective, understanding, kind," he smiled fondly at the older man, "and I did marry you," he teased.

Kakashi chuckled and kissed the younger man, "Is that a yes, love?"

Iruka locked his gaze with the mismatched pair, "…are you sure?"

Kakashi held his husband closer, "I'm sure you would be a great parent."

"We," Iruka corrected and kissed the end of the vertical scar, "We would make great parents, Kakashi."

Kakashi looked into the chocolate eyes and found no doubts, "We're going to do this," he said, a note of disbelief in his voice, "We're going to adopt," he didn't believe the words that left his mouth.

Iruka gave him a reassuring smile and nodded, his smile growing wider, "We're going to do this?"

Kakashi nodded, a smile tugging on his own lips, "Yes."

Iruka's smile grew and drew the older man closer, hugging him closer, "I love you, Kakashi. I love you so much."

Kakashi smiled and nuzzled the younger man's neck, "We're going to have a family," he whispered, and felt his heart flutter.

47. Creation

"What. Is. That?"

Kakashi frowned, "You don't like it?"

Iruka tilted his head, and then tilted it the other direction, "What is it?"

"A sculpture," Kakashi stated, and didn't provide any more information.

"I can see that," Iruka tilted his head again, "Kind of."

Kakashi pouted, "Don't you see…it's…uh," he tilted his head.

"What is it suppose to be of?"

Kakashi tilted his head the other direction, the flipped the mass over, "Oh! There we go!"

Iruka blushed and stammered, "W-what! Y-you –"

"You don't like it?"

Iruka covered his mouth and then looked at the older man, "What have you created!?"

"I thought it would be obvious, you know –" he was cut off by lips crashing against his.

"Just shut up, alright?" Iruka said, a bit too breathless.

Kakashi grinned, "So you liked it?"

"Shut up," he sealed their lips in a searing kiss. He pulled away, flushed, "We'll never speak of this again."

Kakashi only grinned.

AN: as to what he made? that's open to the imagination.

48. Childhood

Iruka had a happy childhood. Even though his parents passed away while he was still young, he held the memories before the tragic event dear to his heart, and, yes, he believes he had a happy childhood. In contrast, Kakashi's childhood differed in many ways. He was taught the Shinobi ways at an early age, and passed the chunin exam at the early age of eight. At the age of fifteen he became a jounin. In comparison, Kakashi didn't have the chance to enjoy his childhood properly. But Kakashi would differ, his childhood involved the meeting of a scarred nose child, that probably forgot him with time. They met again years later. And Kakashi will be internally grateful for the kindness that scarred nose child expressed to him, the type of kindness he thought didn't exist anymore, and the type of compassion he hardly came across. In the other hand, Iruka thinks Kakashi forgot him from their childhood encounter, but hoped that he made some sort of impression.

49. Stripes

Iruka was folding the laundry in the bedroom, that's when he came across it. A red striped pair of panties. At first, he stared. Then, he blushed. After, he blushing for a whole different reason.

"Kakashi!"

"Hmm?" Kakashi stirred from his nap.

"Are these yours?" Iruka asked accusingly, raising the pair of panties.

Kakashi's eyebrows rose, "Oh, yes they are."

"What are you doing with a pair of panties!?"

Kakashi sat up and tilted his head, "I needed to get them washed to break them in."

Iruka gave him a disbelieving look, "That doesn't explain why you have these!"

Kakashi stalked over to his lover and snatched away the striped cloth, "I needed to break them in so I can wear them for you."

Iruka's eyes widened and blushed at the mental image, "W-what?"

"I don't wear women's clothing, let alone women's underwear, but I thought it would be fun," he grinned.

"Oh," he tried to urge his blush away, but it only grew hotter.

Kakashi furrowed an eyebrow, "Wait, you didn't think…" he trailed off, the downcast gaze confirming his unspoken question, "Ruru, you didn't honestly think –"

"What else was I suppose to think?" he glared at the older man.

"That I'm faithful."

Iruka felt a pang of guilt and looked away, suddenly feeling foolish, "I'm sorry," he said dejected. Soft lips kissed his cheek, a sign of forgiveness.

"How about I try these on, hmm?" Kakashi said with a slight these.

Iruka didn't think it was possible for stripes to look that good on someone.

50. Breaking the Rules

Iruka was pushed down onto his desk, as his flak jacket was pushed open and pale hands snaked into his jersey to pinch and tease his nipples. His back arched into the touch, making the older man grin. His pants were tugged off, freeing his throbbing erection.

"'Kashi," he breathed. Soft lips met his in a heated kiss, deepening the kiss when he gasped at the feeling of fingers probing at his entrance. A part of his mind was glad that no one was on campus at such a late hour.

Kakashi began to kiss the younger man's neck, licking the soft bruises he left behind as his slick fingers pushed in and spread the liquid, "Ruru," he groaned when the tan hips began to rock against the fingers, urging him along. He undid his own pants with his free hand, letting them pool around his ankles. He 

withdrew his fingers and pulled the tan hips closer to the edge of the desk and began to push into the younger man's tight heat.

"'Kashi," he moaned and felt his body shudder in anticipation.

Kakashi groaned when he was fully seated, "Ruru," he pulled out and began a steady rhythm, the desk creaking slightly under the rocking.

Iruka gasped and rocked back, arching his back when his prostate met a forward thrust, "Oh god – f-faster, 'Kashi."

Kakashi grinned and complied, holding the tan hips and feeling them rock against him. Tan hands placed themselves over his, and maneuvered one along the younger man's side. Kakashi growled and leaned down, locking the younger man in a hot, wet kiss, as his hips slapped against the tan pair.

"Oh god, Kakashi," he breathed and felt a tightness in his stomach, "S-so good."

Kakashi grinned and drove harder into the younger man, making him scream out in pleasure and arch off the desk. The moans and sighs filled the classroom, mixed with the erotic rhythmic movements that the desk echoed.

Kakashi dragged his hands along the sides of the tan torso, following the curves as the body arched off the desk again, shuddering, and panting for air. Iruka pulled him down for a passionate, sensual kiss, rocking with the desperate rhythm as they neared the edge.

Their moans and grunts, and sighed of each other's name echoed in the classroom, followed by pants for air as the creaking slowed to a stop.

"You…," Iruka paused for pant for air, "You know this breaks one of our rules: no sex in the classroom, right?"

Kakashi gave his lover a lazy grin, "I honestly don't know why we have rules to begin with."