Disclaimer: Don't own.
AN: NC-17 warning for #54
51. Sport
It was an unspoken sport between. It was quiet silly, but the end result was always well worth it. One or the other would initiate it with a lustful gaze, and then the games began; the games of seduction. It was easier to accomplish and win while at home, to make innocent, simple task not so innocent. But when Iruka had to go to the academy, and Kakashi had to either train his team or enjoy a peaceful day, they still played the game one way or the other. There would be the situation when Iruka would be teaching and Kakashi would casually enter his classroom, make a comment about sitting in, and sit in an empty desk in the back. When he didn't take out his orange book, Iruka knew the games were on. Iruka has no idea how a single, blue eye can hold such a steady gaze that he could even feel the eye on his back as he wrote on the chalkboard. He could feel the shiver it sent down his spine. But he would turn the tables, and use Kakashi to give examples of different jutsus and hand seals, not because he couldn't do it himself, but because it was more fun this way.
"Kakashi-sensei, if you could do me a favor?"
"Hmm? What is it Iruka-sensei?"
"If you can help with examples to better my lecture on hand seals, it would be greatly appreciated."
Kakashi nodded, rose from his desk and made his way to the chunin. Iruka gently took him by the elbow and turned him away from him, and face him towards the class.
"Now class, the combination of hand seals, that are derived from the Chinese zodiac, are combined with chakra and used for a variety of ninjutsu and genjutsu. Kakashi-sensei will show you the different hand seals, and I want all of you to follow."
The class nodded, nearly in unison, and they moved their gaze to the silver haired jounin. Kakashi looked back at them, and then glanced at the chunin. He brought his hands up and made the first seal: Rooster. Iruka stood next to him, and placed his hands on the half gloved ones.
"In this seal known as Rooster, both index and pinky fingers touch, with the middle and ring fingers entwine with each other. It a bit difficult at first but with practice, it becomes as easy as breathing."
Kakashi looked at their hand the whole time the chunin talked, the touch shouldn't have been able to send a shiver down his spine, but the chunin's hands always seemed to do that. He swallowed and the hands moved away from his, the finger tips discreetly brushing along his. Iruka went around making sure everyone had their seals right, and corrected others that weren't.
Kakashi went through seven more seals, and his hands were currently in the form for Ram. He felt Iruka stand behind him and turn the position of his hands so the class could have a better look from a different angle. He felt the younger man's body pressed against his back and his heart skipped a beat. He swallowed and was thankful for his mask, and that these children were too innocent to see the gesture as anymore than repositioning for teaching purposes. He went through five more seal and
rested on the last one, Tiger. And every seal Iruka would touch his hands one way or another, but he didn't for this one. And Kakashi found himself frowning in disappointment.
"Is something wrong, Kakashi-sensei?" Iruka asked, being able to see the frown despite the mask.
"No, Iruka-sensei," he saw the younger man smirk, but only for a second before he turned his attention back to the class.
"Everyone is doing very well," he praised his class and all the faces lit up with smiles, "Now Kakashi-sensei will give us some examples as that what these seals can do."
Kakashi went with something simple, "Bushin no Jutsu," and a clone appeared next to him. There were a few sighs of amazement.
"This Jutsu, that all of you must learn to graduate from the academy, creates a clone without substance, meaning that it only looks like you, nothing else, and can be used as a distraction."
The clone disappeared with a puff of smoke and Kakashi made another seal, "Kage Bushin no Jutsu," another clone appeared.
"This jutsu is like the previous one, however the difference is that the clones do carry substance, meaning that they carry an equal amount of chakra and can use the same techniques the user possesses. This technique can be used to cut down training time, since whatever the clone learns or experiences, the user will too." The class nodded in understanding and took notes.
Kakashi heard his clone take a sharp intake of breath and turned to see what caused it, he noticed his clone was…blushing? He quirked an eyebrow in confusion and his clone looked at him before averting his eye, and instead looked at the class. Kakashi frowned and released the clone, making it disappear in a puff of smoke. He felt himself blush when he realized what happened. Iruka had groped his butt. His clone's butt at that. Iruka gave him a sideways glance.
"Is everything alright, Kakashi-sensei?" a tone of amusement in his voice.
"Y-yes, Iruka-sensei," he cleared his throat.
"Iruka-sensei? Are there anymore techniques that Kakashi-sensei can show us?"
"I don't know, is there?" he looked at Kakashi.
Kakashi made a quick seal, "Henge." When the smoke cleared there was another Iruka.
Iruka's eyes widened and felt a blush in his cheeks when Kakashi…or he? Leered at him. The children missed it though; they were too amazed that there were two Iruka-senseis.
Iruka mentally smirked and made a quick seal, "Henge." A puff of smoke and there was a Kakashi.
Kakashi eyed the other man with brown eyes, the class going wild. Kakashi's breath hitched when a half-gloved hand caressed…his?...thigh rather sensually. But it was only caught by him, and he felt himself losing the game. Iruka dropped the henge and made a seal, "Kai," making Kakashi drop his henge as well.
Kakashi cleared his throat and murmured something before heading out the window.
Iruka mentally grinned, and put his attention back to his class, "Now then…" class continued, and Iruka held back a grin the whole time.
When Iruka returned to his apartment he found himself being pinned against the front door and lips hungrily kissing him. Eager hands undressed him and dipped under his waistband enough to follow the curve of his hipbones.
"You win," Kakashi said a bit too breathlessly.
Iruka couldn't help but grin.
It was wonderful to be in an equal relationship, and these games just made things interesting.
52. Deep in Thought
Iruka walked into the living after washing the dishes and found the jounin staring at the ceiling, his arms tucked under his head, obviously deep in thought. He walked over to the older man, contemplating if he should ask or not. Iruka smiled when mismatched eyes looked at him. Kakashi sat up and Iruka took a seat next to him.
"What were you thinking about?"
Kakashi smiled, "Us."
Iruka's eyebrows rose, "Oh?"
Kakashi nodded, and went back into his thoughts before looking at the younger man again, "Iruka, we've been together for three years now…"
"Three years and four months," Iruka smiled a blush finding its way onto his cheeks.
Kakashi chuckled, "Three years and four months," he smiled fondly at the younger man, memories of their time together coming back to him, "Iruka…I've been the happiest I've ever been during my time with you," his smiled softened, "And I would like…no, love, to continue our time…our lives together," he paused, nervousness creeping into the pit of his stomach, "Forever…as long as forever is for us."
Iruka looked at his lover, and smiled fondly at him, "I would love nothing more than that, Kakashi."
Kakashi swallowed and got off the couch, and knelt down on one knee, his mismatched eyes looked up at the shocked chocolate pair, "Iruka, will you let me spend the rest of my life with you?" he brought up a hand and opened a black velvet box, "Will you marry me, Iruka?" Even through thinking about the different outcomes and different ways of proposing, and actually rehearsing a way to propose, he realized that he was thinking too much about it. So he let his heart speak for him.
Iruka looked from his lover to the silver ring, then back at his lover, "Kakashi…" he cupped the pale face in his hands and slid off the couch, becoming eye level with the older man, "Of course I'll marry you," he sweetly kissed the older man, wrapping his arms around the pale neck, as arms wrapped around his waist.
Kakashi realized that he wasted too much time thinking about it.
53. Keeping a Secret
Their relationship wasn't unnatural in the village; their kind of relationship wasn't rare. That isn't the reason they keep it a secret.
"Iruka, you have to understand…," the jounin paused, choosing his words, "I have enemies…enemies that would do anything to get to me," he cupped the younger man's tan cheek, "even hurt you…and I don't want you to get hurt because of me."
"Are you saying that I can't take care of myself?" it wasn't taken as offense, he knew that this was difficult for the jounin to say, he was just asking to clear the water.
Kakashi shook his head, "I'm saying that they are my enemies…and they aren't dead for a reason…" he trailed off, letting the meaning sink in.
"Then…we should keep us…our relationship a secret," Iruka said, taking the words out of the jounin's mouth.
Kakashi looked at the younger man solemnly, "It's not that I'm ashamed or anything, I just don't want you to get hurt."
Iruka's eyes softened at the crack in the voice, "I know you're not ashamed, 'Kashi," he tried lightening the mood, "I've noticed the way you look at me in public," there was a slight tease in his voice, earning him a smile from the older man.
Kakashi's smile faltered, followed by a sigh, "I'm sorry…"
"Don't be, 'Kashi," he gave the older man a reassuring smile, "If this is how it has to be…just as long as I can be with you…" a blush crept onto his cheeks as mismatched eyes looked at him, "Then I think it's worth it."
Kakashi pulled the younger man closer and dropped back onto the bed, "Thank you, Ruru." He whispered. Even though, the guilt that laid in the pit of his stomach wouldn't leave.
Through this understanding the two nins have been extremely sneaky, making their relationship seem like a simple friendship as where Iruka would ask about Naruto and Team seven over lunch, giving them an excuse to have lunch together. Though, they were careful not to make it seem as if they were too close, because Kakashi feared, sadly, that even a good friend could be used against him.
But when Iruka heard that Kakashi was admitted to the hospital after passing out due to blood loss. He went numb. He expressed natural concern, but his mind was reeling. He remembered the jounin saying it was short mission, a week, no more than two. It had been three weeks, and now he was in the hospital? Blood loss. He thought, nothing major. His heart ached. He needed to see him. After his shift he went to hospital and asked for Kakashi's room.
"I'm sorry Iruka-sensei, only family or close friends can see him right now." He knew what she meant, family or people close to the patient, such as lovers.
He hesitated, "How…how is he? Just…I just want to know how he is."
The nurse smiled warmly at him, before it faded, "All I can disclose to you is that his condition is critical."
Iruka felt numb again, Just how much blood did he lose?...was it just blood loss? He looked back at the nurse, "When…when would I be able to see him?"
The nurse smiled, "I'm sorry Iruka-sensei, I know you two are friends, but even if I knew, I wouldn't be able to tell you."
Iruka nodded in defeat. A turned away from the nurse's station. He didn't realize he walked home.
He couldn't sleep. The nagging feeling that he had to see the jounin with his own eyes to make sure he was alright. That he was alive. Wouldn't let him sleep. He tossed again and looked out his window. He sat up on the edge of the mattress and continued his gaze out the window. He shook his head and got dressed.
Tsunade looked at him, a look of understanding in her hazel eyes, "So you two have been in a relationship…for how long?"
"A year…," he said a blush creeping into his cheeks.
"And you've been keeping it a secret, because of Kakashi's paranoia, basically," she said, making sure she understood the chunin's explaination. Iruka nodded and she sighed, "You know I won't go around telling, I respect my shinobis' privacy and I understand his wanting to protect you," she leaned back on her chair and considered the younger man in front of her, "Are you alright Iruka-sensei?" she asked concern in her voice, the man was visibly tense and she can not only sense, but see the man hasn't been resting.
"I need to see him," he downcast his gaze when his voice crack, "I…I need to make sure he's alright."
Tsunade looked the young chunin, a warm understanding in her eyes, "He was critically injured," she started, "Major blood loss, and at his attempt trying to make it back before the loss took its toll, he is suffering from major chakra depletion," she sighed, "We had trouble keeping him stable, Iruka…," she shook her head slowly, "I don't know if he was being stubborn, or what, but…it was as if he was fighting us. Like if he didn't want us to help."
Iruka felt like if he couldn't breathe, he felt tightness in his chest as Tsunade continued, "But he held on. I could have sworn he whispered something, but I didn't catch it," she smiled at the chunin, "though, now I have a good idea as what he might have said."
Iruka looked at her, "Tsunade-sama…"
Tsunade stood and gestured Iruka to follow, "I don't want to keep you waiting. I just needed to let you know…before you saw him."
Iruka nodded and followed her.
They walked down the empty halls, the late shift nurse were the only exception.
"If anyone asks," she said above a whisper so only Iruka would hear her, "I'll say that you're a good friend of his, and needed to know he was alright," they continued down the hall, her heels echoing, "If they ask you, tell them I gave you permission for one day." Iruka looked at her, "to keep things inconspicuous, I would suggest coming every other day…because that's how rumors start," she frowned.
They reached a certain room and Tsunade placed her hand on the knob, and hesitated, "It's not pretty, Iruka. He has an IV on him, oxygen, and machines to keep him stable," she sighed and looked at the chunin, "He hasn't settled down. He needs to settled down, to relax, and let his body heal, and he's not doing it," her voice reflected her concern. She opened the door and let the chunin in.
Iruka's heart ached when he saw his lover. He was paler than usual, even in the dim light. The machines beeping softly in the room. Iruka moved closer and heard Tsunade close the door behind them. He reached the bed and looked at the pale face, The blood loss…he reminded himself. He stroked the exposed pale cheek that felt cool under his fingers. He felt tears threatening to spill, "Oh, 'Kashi," he said softly and cupped the pale jaw, stroking his thumb under the unscarred eye. His eyes softened when the older man seemed to lean in to the touch.
"You're having a good effect on him," Tsunade said softly, interrupting the moment. She went to the opposite side of the bed and hovered her hands above the torso. She nodded and looked at a machine; "He's relaxing…" she smiled warmly at the chunin, "Wish you would have come sooner."
Iruka looked back down at the pale man and continued to caress the pale cheek. He missed the fond smile Tsunade gave them.
"I'm glad he has you…," she said softly, "Now that I think about it…his admittance rate to the hospital has dropped through the past year."
Iruka looked up at her, a look of surprise on his face, "it has?"
Tsunade nodded and looked at Kakashi, "He's being more careful and actually not rushing through his missions," she looked back at Iruka, "And I think I know why…"
Iruka blushed and moved his gaze back to the jounin.
"You can stay as long as you want, but I would suggest you leave before dawn. You still have class tomorrow," she began to walk to the door, "Good night, Iruka-sensei."
"Good night, Tsunade-sama." He heard the door click shut. He took a pale hand in his and kissed the pale knuckles, "I'm sorry, 'Kashi," he whispered against them, "but I had to tell her…I had to see you." He felt tears weld up in his eyes and silently roll down his cheeks, "I'm so glad you're ok." The tears continued to roll down his cheeks, "I was so worried…" he said through the lump in his throat. He ducked his head as his tears couldn't seem to stop. His breath hitched when he heard a sudden whisper that he barely caught.
"Ruru…"
This was a secret that Iruka didn't regret telling.
54. Tower
They shared a kiss on top of the Hokage Tower. Their original occasion was to watch the stars, and the older man suggested that the Hokage Tower would be a great place to observe them from. Iruka learned that the jounin was right. The view wasn't obscured by any trees or clouds and the stars where bright against the dark navy blue sky. The kiss was spur of the moment, but it was turning rather heated, and neither of them were willing to break it, but the call for oxygen became too strong. Iruka's lust filled eyes looked at the older man as he pulled up his shirt, the cool air ghosting along his tan stomach. Pale hands caressed his exposed skin before then went down further and began to undo his pants; suddenly he was thrown out of his haze.
"Wait! We can't do this here!" he whispered harshly, vaguely wondering how star gazing turned into…this.
"Don't worry," Kakashi gave him a reassuring smile, that turned into a grin, "You'll just have to hold back those wonderful noises and sounds your make." His hand dipped under the waistband and into the younger man's boxes and gently cupped the hardened member.
Iruka gasped and held back a moan. The hand moved away for a moment to pull his pants down pants his hips, before resuming their gentle stroking. Iruka pressed the back of his hand against his mouth, choking back moans and whimpers.
Kakashi moved away the hand and replaced it with his lips, grinning when he felt the younger man kiss him with enthusiasm and sudden need. He felt the chunin rock his hips against his hand, and the tan hands move to undo his pants. Kakashi broke the kiss, "Wait -," before he got the chance to protest the warm hand cupped his own arousal, rubbing it against the palm. He bit his lip as he choked back a groan and squeezed the younger man's erection, and watched as the younger man's lips parted in a silent moan.
"'Kashi," he said just above a whisper.
Kakashi leaned down and buried his face into the younger man's neck, bracing himself on his forearm, as the hand on his arousal wrapped it's fingers around his throbbing erection, and began to stroke it, slowly but so sensually that Kakashi's breath hitched several times, holding back moans. Hands increased their speed as Iruka's free hand pulled Kakashi's shirt up, revealing scar sensitive skin.
Kakashi moved his head up and looked at his flushed face lover, watched as the parted lips panted for air and let out silent moans and gasp. He kissed his lover, feeling himself near the edge. He brushed his thumb along the tip of the younger man's erection and added a twist to his strokes, the tan hips bucking against his hand. He broke the kiss to pant for air, his breath mingling with the younger man's. He dropped his head and he rocked his hips against the tan hand that has him so close, as his own hand quickened.
Iruka cupped the older man's face, raising the mismatched gaze to meet his. He became mesmerize by the flushed face of his lover, lips parted in fast short breaths, mismatched eyes hazed with lust and love. He watched as the mismatched eyes drifted close and heard a low moan rumble in the older man's throat as the jounin's body twitched above him, and felt the hot seeds hit his stomach. That face, that expressed pure pleasure and the body that gave over to it and made the jounin vulnerable in a pleasant way, only belonged to him. And it was beautiful. He watched as his lover came, as the pale, flushed face contoured with concentration of staying quiet and giving over to his orgasm, and watched as the face relaxed, hazy mismatched eyes opening to look into his and felt his own body twitch. He lost himself and felt a moan ready to rip out his throat, but lips effectively cut it off. His body jerked and added to the mess on his stomach as he went into a boneless state. He opened his eyes when a warm hand stroked his cheek.
"Beautiful," he whispered and deeply kissed the younger man.
They lazily left the Hokage Tower, and needless to say, neither of them was able to see it the same way ever again.
55. Waiting
"Kakashi?"
"Hmm?"
"Uh, what are you doing?"
"Waiting."
"At the bookstore?"
"Hn."
"…I have a feeling as to why, but just in case I'm mistaken…why?"
"The new Icha Icha is coming out today and the order while be here at 2pm – wait! Where are you going?"
"Home."
"I thought you were going to give me some company!"
"You thought wrong."
56. Danger Ahead
Kakashi stood in front of Iruka's front door, contemplating if he should knock, let himself in, or just go home.
I shouldn't have done that, he mentally kicked himself and continued to contemplate the door.
The door swung open to a glaring Iruka, "Are you just going to stand out there the whole night, or are you coming in?"
Kakashi cringed at the tone but nodded, regardless. He followed the younger man into the apartment and watched him disappear into the kitchen as he toed off his sandals.
Iruka came back into the living room with two cups of tea, and gave one to the older man. He then sat on the couch, sipping on his tea. Kakashi sat next to him, facing him and sipped on his own tea.
Kakashi sighed, "I want to apologize."
Iruka shrugged and continued sipping on his tea.
Kakashi frowned, "Really Iruka I –"
"Don't worry about it," Iruka looked at the older man, a small smile on his lips, "I won't hold it against you or anything," he took another sip from his tea, "You got angry and snapped. It happens."
Kakashi sighed; "It was a long day, and the mission with team seven was just frustrating…" he trailed off and ran a hand through his hair.
"I guess I was just asking for it then. Shouldn't have given you a hard time with that mission report," he sighed and looked at the older man, "I guess we both had rough days, huh?"
Kakashi chuckled and took a drink from his tea, "You know I was kind of scared coming here tonight."
Iruka laughed, "Are you serious?"
"When I left that mission room, Iruka, I had a 'what the hell did I just do?' moment," he chuckled, "I guess I didn't want to see you angry at me," his smiled faded when he remembered the surprised, hurt look on Iruka's face when he snapped in the mission room. He put his cup down and leaned towards the younger man, he cupped a cheek and turned Iruka's face towards him and sealed their lips in a sweet kiss.
Iruka placed his cup down and leaned back, pulling Kakashi with him. He broke the kiss and pulled off the hindering hitai ate, "Don't ever feel that you can't come here, alright?" he stroke a pale cheek as the older man smiled at him.
Kakashi felt foolish for thinking that it was 'dangerous' coming here, thinking that the younger man would be angry at him. Wasn't it he that always spoke of 'underneath the underneath'?
57. Sacrifice
Through his duty to Konoha, he's been sacrificing himself. At first, he didn't have anything to lose. He took missions, and joined ANBU. He didn't have a fear of dying, and that made him strong. Through this, he gained the name of "Copy Ninja Kakashi" for his Sharingan usage, and achieved the third tomoe in his Sharingan eye. He sacrificed himself, because it didn't matter, and in turn it made him strong. When he retired from ANBU, and only took ANBU missions occasionally, and rarely, the hokage questioned him as to why, and Kakashi couldn't answer, more like, he couldn't put it into words, but the Hokage understood either way. He continued taking missions, and continued to serve his duty. When he volunteers to become a jounin sensei, he never passed any of his teams, not because he was being difficult, but because they simply didn't pass and didn't understand the meaning of teamwork. But when team seven rolled around, he was more than pleased when they were the first team he passed. Part of him knew this meant something more. Through his teams' achievements he learned the name of the chunin that manned the mission desk and that he occasionally saw with Naruto, his name was Umino Iruka. And for the first time, in such as long time, he let himself fall. And when his team unpredictably fell apart, Iruka didn't let him think it was his fault. He didn't let him think that his sacrifice was for nothing.
58. Kick in the Head
Kakashi was training with team seven, and currently sparring with Naruto, blocking and dodging the blond boy's kicks and punches with ease.
"Is that Iruka-sensei?" he heard Sakura say from behind him, and he turned his head to Sakura's direction, just as Naruto was aiming for it. He staggered as the foot met its target, which apparently was the side of his head.
"Oh, never mind it's not."
He groaned and glared at Naruto was had a mortified look on his face before it turned into suppressed laughter. He continuing glaring and began to rub where the boy's foot met his head. Naruto snorted and slapped his hand over his mouth.
"Yeah, laugh, don't apologize or anything," Kakashi grumbled.
Naruto burst out laughing, "Wait-wait until Iruka-sensei hears about this!" he ran off to inform his teammates of his achievement.
Kakashi groaned, I'll never hear the end of this.
59. No Way Out
Iruka looked at Kakashi, and held his steady gaze.
The older man just smiled.
"If I agree," Iruka started, "You'll buy lunch, for a week?"
Kakashi nodded, "Even two weeks!" he said, trying to persuade the younger man, "And I'll take it to the Academy…on time."
Iruka was tempted. He sighed, "There no way out of this, is there?"
Kakashi grinned.
Iruka looked at the box in between them, eyeing it, as if trying to see what was in it, "I don't even get a clue as to what I'm getting myself into?"
Kakashi's grin grew, "I promise that you'll like it."
Iruka's eyed the older man, then the box, he was curious, and lunch for two weeks? He frowned and looked back at the older man, "Ok," he said slowly, as if waiting for something to pop out of the box.
Kakashi grinned and opened the box. Iruka blushed and mentally kicked himself for not being able to see through it. Though his curiosity got the best of him, and leaned a bit closer to have a better look, his blush deepened when in the back of his mind liked the fact that he couldn't get out of this.
60. Rejection
Iruka sighed in his sleep and shifted into a more comfortable position, snuggling closer to the warmth around him. His eyes snapped open when he felt fingers dip past his waistband. He caught the hand by wrist and looked up.
"Having trouble keeping your hands to yourself?" he asked lazily, his mind was still half-asleep.
Kakashi smirked, "More like having trouble keeping my hands off of you."
Iruka gave him a blank look and rolled over, turning his back to the older man, "Not gonna happen." He said, sighing as he wrapped himself with the blanket.
"But Ruru," he placed a hand on the younger man's hip.
"If you want to keep that hand, Kakashi, I would suggest you get it off of me…" he said, the threat still keeping its hold even though he was half-asleep.
Kakashi frowned, "But…can I just…" he scooted closer and spooned against the younger man.
Iruka sighed, "Fine, only if you behave. Now go to sleep."
Kakashi's frown turned into a pout and urged himself to sleep. Rejection was a painful, painful thing.