Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters
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Sasuke hurried towards the Hokage tower, dodging and weaving through crowds and shoving people out of his way. The panic flooding his face matched that clenching his heart as he raced forwards, his breaths becoming harder to find at the thought of losing his brother. When he finally reached the tower, he paused momentarily to stare up at the tall building, his breath finally reaching his lungs before he took off once again, not noticing as the Hyugas fell behind. Sasuke threw himself up the stairs and down the corridors before finally reaching the door and throwing it open, forgetting to knock in his haste.

"Lady Tsunade I~" Sasuke was cut off by the sight before his eyes. Tsunade was sitting at her desk as usual, her head resting on her folded hands as she talked to the people in front of her. Itachi stood to the left side of the room, his face grim and only darkening when he made eye contact with Hiashi Hyuga, Genma and Hayate on either side of him. Behind the Hyuga stood the team leaders and the elder ninja, while Iruka stood in front of the desk, his fists resting firmly in front of him. When Sasuke had entered the room, the sudden noise brought everyone's attention to him.

"Sasuke you brat it's about time you showed up!" Tsunade glared at the younger Uchiha, earning herself a growl in response as the boy moved to stand beside his brother.

"Why are we all here?! I thought you were letting Itachi free?"

"I was Sasuke, but Hiashi brought him in demanding he be charged not knowing you already told me briefly about that night. So now I have to decide what to do next." As soon as she had finished the words, Neji and Hinata took their turn to bursting into the room, taking their place beside Sasuke, making sure everything was alright.

"Neji? Hinata? What are you doing here?! Actually, never mind that doesn't matter. Leave here now; this is none of your business!" Hiashi looked from his daughter, to his nephew, noticing how different they truly were.

"No!" The pair spoke in unplanned unison, smirking as they looked at each other.

"Neji leave or I will punish you, and you know what I mean."

Neji paused for a minute before bowing his head, recognising what his uncle meant. "Would you really kill your own nephew?!"

"For going against me? Yes. You know your place Neji, do not forget it."

"So threatening me is a good way to help me remember?"

"It's the only way!"

"Hiashi, leave Neji be. He is part of your clan and a friend of Sasuke's so he has a right to be here." Tsunade spoke and raised her hand to silence the answer she knew was coming. Seeing the hand, Hiashi bowed his head, muttering something under his breath. "Now... where were we?"

"You were saying how the elders want me killed but you can't decide yet because we said the Hyuga clan is the one who murdered my clan. What else would we be talking about?" Itachi's eyes never left Hiashi's, his gaze as smooth and cutting as his voice.

"Oh yes of course. So as I was saying, Itachi I can't just make a decision here and now. I'll give you a trial, both of you! I don't know when, but it will be soon. Sasuke, Neji, Hinata; you're going to have to speak there, as will your father Neji."

Hinata met Sasuke's gaze as she slipped her hand into Sasuke's, a slight blush creeping onto both of their cheeks as Sasuke squeezed her hand, as if trying to make sure she was really there. Itachi looked down at his brother, seeing the slow, delicate movements and grinned softly towards him.

"Lady Tsunade, if you will, I would rather we get this trial over and done with now. You be the judge and I will send someone to fetch my brother immediately. I have orders to attend to when I go back home and I do not wish for trivial matters distracting me."

"Hiashi, this is not a trivial matter. You want Itachi killed and he's accusing you for ordering the annihilation of his clan. You better take this seriously or you will be charged."

"Yes Lady Hokage!"

Tsunade looked around at the faces watching her, waiting for her answer. She sighed and once again let her head rest on her folded hands in front of her as she thought it over. "Alright. We'll do it now. Iruka, get away from my desk. I don't remember what you were saying but I don't care anymore."

Iruka complied willingly, taking his place beside Kakashi and whispering in his ear so no one else could hear him. When he turned away from him, the copy ninja looked at him with a small grin in place, noticeable even through his mask. He lowered his head a bit so he could whisper back into his lover's ear.

"Will you two stop it?!" Tsunade rose from her chair abruptly, slamming her hands on the table as she leaned forward. "You are not children! If you want to say something, say it out loud. If it's something we won't want to hear, then now is not the time to be saying it!"

"Yes Lady Hokage. I apologise." Iruka bent his head in respect, glaring at Kakashi as he simply leaned away from him and crossed his arms over his chest and looked away. Like children do. Silence descended into the room quickly, the only sound being that of loud breathing and a tapping sound as Tsunade sat down in her chair again, tapping her nails on the desk as she waited for the Hyuga to appear. Three sudden clouds of smoke appeared and out of the smoke came two ANBU and Neji's father.

"Sorry I'm late my lady. I did not know I was going to be summoned." He bowed his head and feeling the two ANBU leave his side, he strode across the room, but to everyone's surprise, he stood beside Itachi.

"All right, now that we're all here we will begin. Hiashi, would you like to explain why it is you have brought Itachi here?"

"Well it's simple really. He murdered his own clan and I fear the safety of the villagers. We cannot let a murderer just walk around the village like a free man! He must be punished for his actions!"

"Very well. Itachi, would you like to say anything in return?"

"Yeah." Itachi looked away from Tsunade, staring at the main Hyuga once more. "You're a lying asshole! You know dam well I didn't kill my clan! They were my family. You ordered their execution!" Itachi took a step forward towards the man but was stopped by two hands on his shoulders. He looked at the two men behind him, as if for the first time, and allowed himself to be pulled back slowly; all the while his eyes never left Genma, a grin spread over his features when their eyes met.

"Hey brat! Are you even listening to me?!"

Itachi looked away from Genma and at the Hokage, not even realising she had been speaking. "Ah, no. I was a bit distracted! What were you saying?"

Tsunade glared at the Uchiha in response. "I was saying what evidence do you have against the Hyuga clan? And if you don't pay attention I'll make Genma leave. Got it?"

"Dam Tsunade! If you take, Genma was it, away I'll have nothing else to look at and I'll get bored. But on the subject of my evidence, there's me, those three and probably most of the Hyuga clan kids." Itachi winked at Genma, before looking at Tsunade this time, only looking away to look at the three genin beside him.

"Well that's not very strong evidence. It's just the accused and a bunch of kids. That's all you have?"

"Well Sasuke's is pretty strong because he was there and the Hyuga clan kids have been told all about the murder of my clan by the clan leader. He spoke quite proudly of it, especially seeing as he ordered it. He looks down on Neji's and Hinata's relationship with Sasuke because he is an Uchiha."

Tsunade looked at the three genin, not missing Hinata and Sasuke holding hands. "Is this true? Were you all told stories of this?"

"Yes, that is correct." Once again, the two Hyugas spoke in unplanned unison.

"Neji! Hinata! Do not lie!" Hiashi barked at the two kids, threatening them.

"I'm not the one lying! You are! This whole clan is built on a lie! You claim the Uchiha clan was corrupt, but then what's ours? The main branch of the clan having another family serving them?? How does that seem? If you leave the Uchihas free, I will not expose you." Neji spoke with such determination and bitterness, it left half the room staring at him in awe as he spoke about his clan.

"You know what would happen if you did that Neji? It would break up the clan. You might even start a civil war. Or, you would simply be shunned from the family if we do not kill you."

"I think by now I would rather live without you, than with you!"

"Do not speak so highly Neji, I have no problem setting you straight!"

"Both of you shut up!!" Tsunade was standing once again, her fists slamming into the wood of her desk again, only this time she cracked the wood. "I don't know what family secrets you have, but it is irrelevant! Just tell me the truth Hiashi! Did you order the execution of the Uchiha clan?!"

"No!"

"Then why did you tell your kids you did?! Why tell them stories about the clan being murdered?!" Hiashi and Tsunade were face to face now, each leaning over her desk to meet in the middle.

"Because I wished I had done it! I knew Sasuke was going to be in the academy as Neji and Hinata so I tried to make them hate him! No, I didn't kill the Uchiha clan, because someone beat me to it!!"

"They only beat you to it because you sent them!" Itachi growled at the man who stood away from the desk, only to step towards Itachi.

"I'm getting sick of hearing your voice! Maybe I should send you to your grave with your parents!"

"Maybe you should."

The two men stood still, just staring the other down for a few moments before Hiashi activated his Byakugan and immediately struck out for Itachi's chest, 'gentle fist' style. Itachi slapped the hand off course and then grabbed it, twisting it behind the other man's back. Itachi then brought him to the floor so he was lying on his stomach, before putting his knees on the man's hands and crawling over him so he could lower his head to the man's ear while keeping him restrained.

"You're losing your touch old man, I saw that attack coming even without my Sharingan activated. I'll strike you a deal. You tell everyone the truth, and I will let you live. How does that sound?!" Itachi spat out the words, but kept them quiet so the people in the room wouldn't hear. The older man raised his head a bit so he could look at the Uchiha, his words sour and almost silent.

"I'll admit to nothing that isn't true! It wasn't my fault you went crazy and killed your family." Itachi grabbed the man's hair to pull him back, but a hand grabbed his shoulder and pulled him away from the man. Itachi let it be done, he didn't want to start a fight when his freedom was at stake.

"Why do you always interrupt me Kakashi?" He looked over his shoulder to the man who was now standing behind him.

"As revenge for you always interrupting me!" The jounin replied simply, shrugging his shoulders. Like children do.

"When did I interrupt you lately?"

"You interrupted Iruka an~"

"Yeah... I remember now. You can stop, I don't need any more images!"

Kakashi grinned underneath his mask at the Uchiha's face. "You sure? I could always fill you in on the details of what happened before you interrupted..."

"Do and I will kill you!"

"Boys, shut up! Why do I feel like I'm always telling you off?! You're dismissed. All of you! I need time to think!! Shizune!!"

The room emptied and Tsunade was left alone with her assistant and their pig once again. The village elders, deciding they had spoken their feelings of Itachi's punishment before Sasuke and the Hyugas arrived, all departed and went home, they weren't needed anymore. Sasuke went back to the Uchiha compound with Itachi, Neji and Hinata. Hiashi and his brother went back to the Hyuga estate, both despising the fact the Hyuga genin went to the Uchiha residence instead of their own. Kakashi went to the memorial stone and Iruka followed him.

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Kakashi sat against the stone that held so many memories, so many names. So many deaths. His eyes were closed, his head thrown back against the stone while his hands traced over the names engraved on the stone. He could see blood, battles and dying. He could see the face of his former sensei, his team and his lover. He recalled so many memories; sleeping on the roof of his house under the stars with his boyfriend, fighting with Obito when they were mere genin and chunin and even trying to get the bells off of his sensei when they first met. He smiled at this, basking in the knowledge of him being the only person to ever get one of those bells. He was brought out of these memories when a familiar chakra approached and Iruka sat down beside him, resting his chest on the older man's chest while looking up to the masked face.

"I know I didn't put that smile on your face, so what did?" Iruka looked up at the jounin, almost as if trying to read his thoughts.

"I was the best."

After a few moments, Iruka knew Kakashi wasn't going to continue, so he decided to move that conversation forward. "Best at what?"

"I was the best ninja. I made chunin at seven and jounin at eight. I was the best... But who was I proving myself to? I had no one to go home and talk about my day to, no one that cared enough to ask. I was the only one to get the bell off of my sensei. No one before me got it, and no on after. I was the best student, so it was only natural I would grow up to be the best sensei right? That I would take after my own sensei; use his lessons and his methods? But if that's the way it's supposed to be, why do I feel like something is missing? Why do I feel... incomplete?"

"I can't answer that for you Kashi, only you can. But I can be here to help and support you, like I have been and always will be." Iruka could say nothing more as his head was lifted and his lips were pressed against the older ninja's, their warmth leaving him wanting more. Iruka lifted his hands to hold on to the jounin, one hand in his hair, the other around his neck pulling him closer. Kakashi wrapped his arms around the other, offering him support as he was lifted up higher. He slid his hands gradually down Iruka's back, enjoying every sound the other made in response to his touches. "I love~"

"Well, if it isn't Kakashi Hatake! Is this how the famous copy ninja spends all his time?!"

Kakashi reached into Iruka's pouch to pull out three kunai and threw them towards the source of the sound, his arms still around Iruka. A soft thud sound told Kakashi that the kunai had missed their target and had hit wood. He let go of Iruka slowly and stood up, looking around the surrounding area in search of the intruder.

"Show yourself!"

"Oh but if I do that, it would spoil the fun!!" The voice was light, yet dark, threatening, yet reassuring.

"Who are you?!"

"I am the one who has no identity." The voice surrounded them like the trees or the wind so Kakashi could not tell where the man was.

"Who were you?"

"You are very clever boy. But my identity holds no relevance or use so it does not matter."

"What do you want from me?!"

"I want nothing, Kakashi. I was merely paying my respects to the dead."

Kakashi and Iruka watched as a lone flower petal danced it's way down from the trees, landing on the stone. When they turned around, they were greeted by a white haired ninja.

"Why are you here? You are not from this village. The fact you do not wear a headband tells me you're not from any village." Kakashi took a step towards the man who's face was covered in shadows, unconsciously stepping in front of Iruka protectively.

"I migrate from place to place... but I was from here."

"Why did you leave?"

"I had to. I came back every now and then to come here. Obito Uchiha... one of the best ninja the land has ever seen. He spoke greatly of you."

Kakashi looked at the man for a moment longer before he disappeared in a cloud of smoke, not uttering a word of goodbye. Kakashi turned to Iruka and took his hand, both men looking lost and confused. Kakashi was the first to break the silence. "You could have said something. Anything. Why did you stay silent?"

"Because he was never talking to me, just you. I didn't feel it was necessary or right for me to speak." Iruka looked away from the older man, deciding to keep the rest of his thoughts inside him.

"You could have backed me up..."

"I know Kashi, but you were only asking questions. Not very much for me to say!"

"I suppose you're right..."

"Come on, I know what will make you feel better!" Iruka squeezed Kakashi's hand before walking away from the stone, Kakashi watching him carefully.

"Where are we going?"

"Wait and see."

"What are we doing?"

"Walking."

"Why won't you tell me?" Kakashi was almost whining now, his one visible eye wide. Iruka stopped walking through the crowds abruptly and let go of the other's hand, ignoring passersby. He put his hands to Kakashi's cheeks lovingly, but quickly moved his hands so his fingers had slipped into the mask. When he spoke again, his voice was sweeter than ever, but Kakashi knew he spoke every word threateningly.

"Because Kakashi, it's a surprise! And if you keep asking, my fingers will 'slip' and everyone will see your face! Is that what you want?" Kakashi shook his head quickly, his eyes even bigger at the idea of his face being revealed. Iruka took the other's hand once more and set off again, leading a quiet Kakashi to their destination.

Iruka walked past the shops looking in all the windows before walking into a small food shop, ordering Kakashi to wait outside. The jounin, still paranoid about his face being revealed, complied and stayed outside. When Iruka finally re-emerged, he carried no bag, just a rectangular object. He threw said object to Kakashi and walked past him slowly. He heard the sound of ripping paper, and what he thought sounded like a shriek of delight before the sound of footsteps chasing after him. He felt arms wrap around his waist and pull him into a tight embrace.

"Icha Icha Paradise!!! How did you know I was looking for it?!"

"Because you're a perverted old man who I know too well! And don't forget you were complaining that you couldn't find it."

"You forgot to add you love me! And how did you get it? They didn't have it in the bookstore."

"I am a teacher Kakashi, people do what I say. And what I told the people in the store was that I needed that book."

"You're the best... sensei" Purred Kakashi into the younger man's ear as they continued to walk, Kakashi still wrapped around him.

"Kakashi, don't tease me like that it's not fair!"

"Tease you like what?? Sensei..."

Iruka stopped walking and turned to the copy ninja, never leaving his arms. "If you don't quit calling me sensei, we will not go back to the Hokage. You know what happens then? Itachi might not walk free and we'll be too busy to stop it. So shut up and let's go! I'm not letting you walk in there late for the second time today!" He pulled out of the man's arms and walked forward, leaving Kakashi walking slowly behind, watching his firm body move with each step as they neared the tower. As they walked up the final steps and turned into the final corridor of the tower, they both stopped before looking at each other and trying not to silently interrupt, they had to make their presence purposely know, but not until they studied the pair, coming to terms with the relationship before them.

Neji's hands were holding Sasuke's wrists, pinning them to the wall on either side of his head as he claimed the boy's lips, his knee resting firmly in between the Uchiha's legs. If the sounds coming from Sasuke were anything to go on, he certainly didn't mind being dominated, much to the two men's surprise. Neji slowly left the other's lips, kissing his way down the others cheek and neck.

Exchanging glances, the two played a game of rock, paper, scissors, deciding who got to interrupt the kids. Kakashi, having played rock paper scissors with Gai many times knew exactly what to do. Locking eyes in healthy, ritual competition and the shaking of fists, Iruka drew paper while Kakashi drew scissors! Kakashi turned away from the man who looked stunned, and took a few steps towards the unsuspecting boys, lowering his head towards Neji's, surprised he still wasn't noticed. "You are supposed to breathe."

Both pair of eyes flew open at the sound of the voice that didn't belong and Neji let go of Sasuke, taking a step back from him.

"Kakashi?! What are you doing here?!" Sasuke tried to put up his non-caring attitude but his breath coming in short quick pants and the soft red that had crept onto his face betrayed him.

"I'm here because I was told to be. Is this how you're going to save your brother? By making out outside the Hokage's office??"

"Leave him alone Kakashi! You're no better!" Iruka came up behind him and slapped him on the back of his head with the book he didn't remember taking back from Kakashi.

"Ouch! But Ruka!!! You know I'm better than those two!" Kakashi looked towards the chunin, and by the red fresh on his face, Iruka knew exactly what the other meant.

"We were waiting for you to get here before we went in. We should have known you would be late. After all, everyone knows Kakashi is known for being late, just as much for being the copy ninja." Neji collected himself faster than Sasuke could and the colour was gone from his face once again.

"You two go on in. I need to talk to Kakashi for a moment." Iruka looked towards the boys, an almost deadly look to them. Both left, opening the door to the office and disappearing behind it leaving Kakashi alone with Iruka.

"Ruka... I don't know wh~"

Kakashi didn't have time to prepare himself before the look in Iruka's eyes changed to lust and he pushed the older man back against the wall, pressing their lips together. "You are such a tease Kashi!"

Kakashi pulled the others mans lips towards his own once again, losing himself to the feeling. Neither noticed the office door open, or the three figures that slipped out of the room.

"Dam kids, you ever stop that?!"

Iruka slipped out of the other's arms to look at the man before them, looking at the familiar silver hair and cheeky grin. His face fell, immediately recognising who the man must be, if Tsunade's face was anything to go by. Kakashi on the other hand, just remembered the face from their earlier encounter.

"It's not my fault I'm irresistible! What are you doing here anyway?! Here to spy on me or something?!"

"No Kakashi... this is Sakumo. Sakumo Hatake. Your brother.
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Dun dun dun.... So I'm here writing this, wondering how the hell I got from Sasuke and Hinata, to here!! xD
And yes, I know Sakumo is his father... but I decided to change it xD It made more sense for what's coming up lols.... but ah, it may take on a second plot.. so NejiXSasuke focus may have to be put off for another chapter xD Please don't kill me O.o

I enjoyed writing this chapter... even if it took forever and didn't want to be written at the start =O But leave me a review and tell me what you thought!!