Kakashi sprinted on the ground following the nin dog he had currently summoned to follow Sasuke's scent. They had been running for over three hours and Kakashi had summoned his third dog so the others could rest.

"The scent is getting stronger, we're close."

Kakashi nodded at the dog and looked over his shoulder to see Gai and Iruka close behind, both on the lookout for anyone who might attack them. Turning to look ahead without another word, Kakashi almost wondered why they were in the forest and why they had slowed down so much.

"They're just up ahead. But be warned, there's someone else with them and I smell blood."

Kakashi crouched next to the dog and rubbed her head before thanking her and sending her away; his dogs wouldn't get involved unless necessary. He stood up and waited for the other two to catch up and stand behind him.

"'Kashi? Are they near?" Iruka stepped up beside the jounin, looking in the direction Kakashi had been staring into.

"Yeah. And Sheba can smell blood and a third person, most likely Neji."

"Well my eternal rival, I'll place another wager with you. If you win, I'll carry you home. If I win, you carry me." Gai laughed into Kakashi's ear, but instead of his usual booming voice, it was an over-enthusuastic whisper.

"This isn't the time for one of your bets Gai, both our students could be in danger and we don't know by who. I'm going to go first. You two hang back for a few minutes and follow when I signal for you. We will not allow our emotions to control us or make us misjudge the situation. Understood?"

"Understood." The answer given in unison was enough to make Kakashi start ahead and when he sensed the presense of Sasuke, he crouched low and began to edge forward, hiding bedind tree trunks and bushes as he got closer.

"You did this Sasuke. You did, not me."

"NO! That's a lie. I didn't do this... I couldn't."

"This is what you have to do to get stronger. To get as strong as you can you have to take much more drastic measures."

"There isn't much more drastic than this you sick bastard!"

"Oh but there is. Kill your sensei. Kill Kakashi, the one who told me of your whereabouts. Didn't you wonder who the traitor was? Didn't you wonder why Kakashi easily let you run into the forest, knowing I was looking to get you?"

"Kakashi wouldn't do that!!"

Kakashi strained his ears to hear everything that was being said, remaining still so he could make out each word. Deciding he needed to get closer he started moving again, fully aware Sasuke was with Orochimaru and that the third person was Neji and he wasn't saying anything. Taking a step forward, a branch snapped under his weight and Kakashi cursed when he felt someone move and suddenly something was heading his way.

He caught the kunai easily and used it to deflect the few that followed it. He sighed before standing up and looking at Orochimaru, trying not to evidently show the disgust he felt. When his eyes wandered over to Sasuke his eyes dropped to Neji who was in the Uchiha's arms; not moving and heavily bleeding. He cursed inwardly and took a step towards Sasuke, not in the least bit surprised when a large snake appeared in front of him.

"Kakashi. How nice of you to join us."

"Orochimaru you bastard, what're you doing here? Making my job easy I guess."

"I'm here to take young Sasuke here and train him. If you decide to be a problem, you and those two trying to sneak up on me will die. Although now you've seen me maybe you should die anyway."

Kakashi glared at the snake master, a coldness unlike any other the only thing they had in common. "Why do you want Sasuke?"

"To train him of course."

"Why him? Why's he so special?"

"You say that about your own student? Well that's not very nice."

"Either is you trying to kidnap him or injuring a member of our village." Kakashi exercised his emotionless features to control the rage building inside him, hoping Iruka would be able to do the same.

"I'm not kidnapping him if he comes of his own free will."

"He doesn't want to go with you so why not leave him alone?! Why not crawl back into your hole to hide and hope no one finds you because you're just a coward! You give off this impression your the strongest living ninja, but yet you hide away for years, make an appearance and then go back into hiding." Kakashi walked over towards Sasuke and was pleased to say the least when the snake made no objection to this. He pulled Neji into his own arms from Sasuke's and checked the seriousness of his injuries, still keeping his eyes fixed on Orochimaru.

"I'm sorry sensei...I... I didn't mean to! I'm not even sure if I did!" Sasuke reached forward and took Neji's hand in his own, and for the first time since arriving, Kakashi saw the tears streaking down Sasuke's face.

Kakashi took a few moments to take in his surroundings, trying to devise a plan. He needed to get Neji and Sasuke to safety and he knew he, even with Iruka and Gai, was no match to kill Orochimaru.

"I suggest your team mates appear before I kill them." The eerie voice pulled Kakashi from his thoughts and Kakashi saw two snakes slither past him, heading for the trees. Sighing, he signalled and two bodies appeared beside him. One standing in front of him for protection, the other crouching beside him and taking the two genin into his arms, trying to comfort Sasuke quietly.

Kakashi stood up and took his place beside Gai, settling on a course of action. The four older males just stayed there exchanging looks for a few moments before a smirk spread across the sanin's lips. "Are we going to do something or will I just kill you all now?"

"You will fight me and leave Sasuke go!" Kakashi took a step forward and turned to look over his shoulder to look at Gai, making sure he understood. After working together for years, Gai and Kakashi made the perfect team: They thought and acted as one.

"You? on your own? Surely you know you won't last long."

"You will not harm any of my team mates. I'll die before I let that happen!" Kakashi lifted his head band and stared stright at Orochimaru, looking away only to glance at Iruka as he took his place beside Kakashi.

"This should be fun. I not only get to kill the infamous Hatake Kakashi, but also the school teacher Iruka? My my, even I've heard of you. Although... maybe I won't kill you. You could prove useful to the young experiments I find."

Iruka growled and started forward, stopping when a hand fell on his chest. "All in due time 'Ruka."

Iruka followed the arm up to Kakashi's body and frowned, not liking having to wait. "Fine. But let me kill him. I want to see the light leave the bastards eyes!"

Kakaashi looked at the chunin, shocked by the rapid and dramatic attitude change.

"Well well. That's no just friend relationship there. Are you two seriously together?"

Neither answered the snake master but when Kakashi tapped Iruka's wrist discreetly, both leapt towards him with a series of attacks while Gai picked up the two genin and ran, his leg weights having been discarded while Kakashi distracted Orochimaru.

Seeing the flash of green spandex, Orochimaru easily broke free from the oncoming attacks and moved to chase Gai but was stropped when a pack of nin hounds and master stood in his way.

"Maybe you'd like to fight the real thing instead of my clone. Kill me or else you're not geting past."

Orochimaru looked at the man in front of him, turning around to see two logs emerge from puffs of smoke. Looking back, his eyes were dark and his gaze looked with Kakashi's, each passing second feeling like a lifetime.

"You really do like to play."

Kakashi made the first move, rushing forward with the skill of an elite shinobi, hoping he, with Iruka's help, could hold off the sanin until Gai reached the village, and hopefully long enough for the help Gai would send.

-----

Gai sprinted down the pathway with speed only the spandex clad taijutsu master possessed. He was beginning to get tired because of running that fast with not one genin on his back, but two. After two hours of solid running, he took a break just long enough to catch his breath and drop Sasuke on his own feet before he started running again, holding onto the genin's arm to stop him from falling behind.

He reached the village not ten minutes later and to his surprise, without running into any other ninja.

"Gai-sensei!"

Gai looked over to the pair sitting at the village gate and handed Neji over to them, ordering them to take both him and Sasuke to the hospital. Without another word, he took off and seconds later, he was standing in the hokage's office.

"Lady Tsunade, I apologise for the sudden intrusion but it is of great importance that I talk to you immediatley." Gai spoke with his head bent, showing the Hokage the proper respect.

"You're not talking like the familiar Gai, but the ANBU Black Ops Gai. What is it you have to tell me? Did you find Sasuke and Neji?"

Gai nodded and took a step closer to the woman's desk, talking quietly. "We found Sasuke and Neji and I sent both of them to the hospital with Izumo and Kotetsu. Neji was heavily bleeding but Sasuke isn't completly sure what he told me on our way back here happened actually happened. He had a run in with that snake Orochimaru and Kakashi and Iruka are currently fighting him where we found Sasuke. That is all I know."

"Very well. I will send help immediatley. You may go if you see yourself well enough to fight."

"What about the traitor? Has he been found?"

"yes. Danzo is infact the traitor. He's been meeting with not only Itachi, but with Orochimaru and the Akatsuki. They all want to destroy the village, they all want someone from this village. Akatsuki want Naruto, Orochimaru wants Sasuke and Itachi wants to see Sasuke in pain or dead by his hand."

"I see. I will form another four man ANBU squad and lead anyone else you want to send to Orochimaru. We will not fail you."

"Good. Now go, come back in thirty minutes with your squad and be ready to leave. I will assemble everyone else."

Gai bowed again and then left, heading out to find three ANBU he could trust and get them ready for what lay ahead.

-----

Kakashi was panting heavily, blood covering his body. His body was in pain and his Chakra levels were dropping faster than he could control them. He climbed back onto his feet, searching the damaged trees for the snake master and his boyfriend.

"Shit." Kakashi cursed under his breath when he failed to sense either of them.

"Well well, what do we have here? In a spot of trouble, sensei?" Kakashi tensed his body at the feel of a blade at his throat, cursing again he missed this presense.

"What are you doing here Itachi?"

"I was just taking a stroll through the neighbourhood and thought I'd drop by. Why, didn't you miss me?"

"I missed you about as much as I miss Orochimaru."

Kakashi grunted when his back hit the ground heavily, a foot on his chest. "Don't compare me to that filth ever again. I know you won't believe me, but I'm here to help Sasuke. I can't let Orochimaru get his hands on my brother. Sasuke needs to get stronger to kill me, but he can't do it the way Orochimaru will show him."

"Are you afraid that if he goes to Orochimaru he'll become more powerful than you?"

Itachi growled and put pressure on Kakashi's chest, moving his foot slightly and the weight threatening to break Kakashi's ribs. "I'm not afraid of anything, but if that guy thinks he can have my baby brother he's wrong. I've seen Orochimaru's experiments, I've seen what will happen to Sasuke. And if he doesn't experiment on Sasuke, he will simply take his body."

Kakashi grunted and shoved the Uchiha's foot off his chest. "What do you mean, take his body?"

"Orochimaru isn't.. normal. I don't know how to explain it, but he can take people's bodies. You saw it at the Chunin exams and that's the only way I know to explain it. He's going to do that or worse to Sasuke and I won't fight him if he's not my brother."

"Well don't worry, we made sure Sasuke's not with Orochimaru. He's safe, no thanks to you!"

"I don't want him safe, I want him out of Orochimaru's control. But if he's not here, who's fighting Orochimaru?"

Kakashi grit his teeth and looked at the ground, pushing to his feet and avoiding Itachi's eyes.

"Oh, it's Iruka-sensei. Ouch. We all know that man has a temper, but he doesn't stand a chance against Orochimaru."

Kakashi met Itachi's gaze finally and their eyes locked briefly before Kakashi punched him on the jaw making Itachi stumble backwards.

"You don't know anything about Iruka so shut your mouth! You killed your own clan for no god dam reason and then you left, so don't you dare speak about Iruka like you know anything about him!"

"I explained why I killed my clan back in the village kakashi, weren't you listening?"

"You explained but still no one knows what the hell happened!"

"Dam Kakashi, are you just sour because your little boyfriend didn't technically die all those years ago?"

"Don't bring Obito into this, don't speak a word about him or I swear Itachi I will kill you where you stand!"

"Don't you remember Obito's explanation? Or must you be reminded?"

"I said don't!"

"I~"

Anything Itachi might have said was cut off by a loud cry echoing throughout the forest.

Kakashi looked towards the source of the sound, his eyes wide and heart suddenly racing. "Ruka." Kakashi took off through the trees, his heart thumping hard in his chest, images of his Iruka flashing through his mind all at once.

Breaking into a clearing in the forest, his gaze fell upon Orochimaru standing over Iruka who was lying in the floor, kunai in one hand for defence while he used his other arm to try escape from the sanin. Without saying a word, Kakashi darted forward using all his speed to grab the injured chunin and pulling him back near the edge of the trees away from Orochimaru.

Breathing heavily and crouching in a defensive position, he faced Orochimaru, cradling Iruka to his chest with his left arm and holding a kunai with the right. Keeping his gaze locked on the still snake master, he didn't need to turn around to face Itachi when he heard Iruka gasp and inaudibly whisper Itachi's name.

"Let me help Kakashi. I know you don't trust me, and I give you no reason to, but I know your head is no longer in this fight. You may be Hatake Kakashi, Sharingan user, the copy nin with a thousand jutsus, but you can't fight when all you're going to think of is the man in your arms. Let me fight Orochimaru, you get Iruka to safety."

Kakashi let his gaze fall to the chunin, his heart leaping when he found emotion filled chocolate eyes staring back at him. "Alright."

Iruka shook his head sharply. "No. This is... our fight. Itachi... Is our enemy. He.. betrayed us. We.. need to capture him." Iruka spoke in quick and short bursts, his breathing heavy and words spoken with pain reflected in his eyes.

"Orochimaru's also our enemy. Why not let our enemies fight each other? That way we're sure to be one down."

Kakashi stood with Iruka in his arms and grunted when a shuriken found it's way into his thigh. Looking up, he stared at Orochimaru.

"What? I am your enemy and last time I checked it was you I was supposed to be fighting. I don't want to waste my time fighting that Uchiha. I've had enough of him and I could kill him faster than I could kill you. So fight me Kakashi."

Kakashi looked over his shoulder at Itachi and sighed. "If you die, I won't care. If he dies, I won't thank you. I will never trust you and you should know that, but thank you for this Itachi."

Without waiting for a reply, Kakashi performed the necessary hand seals with great speed and transported himself and Iruka to another part of the forest, hoping he could heal Iruka enough to let him fight again or to make his way home.

"Kakashi, both of those people are our enemies. Why did you just leave like that?! You're a shinobi, a jounin no less. You shouldn't run for your life when it looks like you're going to die!" Iruka squirmed out of the jounin's arms and immediatley collapsed without the extra support. When arms wrapped around him from behind, he pushed the body away and tried to get back on to his feet.

"'Ruka... why are you mad at me? I just saved your dam life!" Kakashi looked down at Iruka who was now on his back, staring up at he jounin.

"Because both of those assholes hurt Sasuke! And yes Kakashi,you did beat the shit out of Orochimaru as much as you could before I stepped in, but it wasn't enough! You weren't willing to give up your life to kill the bastard! And not only that, but you let Itachi fight him! You didn't even try to fight the bastard!"

Kakashi dropped to his hands and knees, his head hovering over Iruka's. "I hadn't fought as much as I could have because when I went down for the first time in that fight, you took over. You led him away from me to protect me even though I could still fight! And you did it because you love me. I'm willing to give up my life to protect those I care about. I was willing to die to save Sasuke,I was willing to die to save you. But I'm not willing to let you die! I didn't listen to Itachi, but when he presented an opportunity to save you, I took it at the risk of losing those two because they will both be back. If I lost you, you wouldn't come back."

Iruka looked away from Kakashi, his voice now sounding defeated and pained. "Kakashi... We both know catching and defeating Orochimaru and Itachi should always remain priority. We are ninja, the mission always comes first, isn't that what we live for? To protect the village from threats such as Orochimaru and Itachi?"

"Then shun me, look at me like I'm a disgrace. Treat me like everyone treated my father all those years ago. I stand by my actions because I don't care if you think what I did was wrong. I am like my father, only stronger in heart now. I am like my first love, my first friend... My salvation."

"'Kashi..."

"In the ninja world, those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their friends are worse than scum. These words saved me. These words realised my father was no disgrace. These words made me proud to be the son of Sakumo Hatake! And I don't care what Itachi says. Sakumo Hatake, is my father. I have no brother. Obito Uchiha died because I was a heartless fool who still put the mission before his own boyfriend's life, realising too late what should be done."

Iruka pushed himself onto his knees and turned to face his boyfriend, tears filling his eyes and slowly beginning to fall down his cheeks. He slowly shook his head before crawling closer to the other man and fallng into his arms, holding onto Kakashi as if he was holding on for dear life.

It took Kakashi a few moments to return the embrace, holding the shaking chunin tightly against him, dropping his head onto the chunin's shoulder. "I did it, because I can't live without you. I can't let you die like Obito did. I won't put your life after the importance of completing a mission."

Iruka said nothing back to the jounin, just held on to him, listening to the sound of his heavy breathing and Kakashi's heartbeat.

-------

"Lady Tsunade. We're ready to leave. Is this eveyone you want to send?" Gai stood in front of the Hokage dressed in his full ANBU uniform, one ANBU on either side of him.

"Yes. Now go, quickly! I want both Kakashi and Iruka home alive. Orochimaru can come back either way but I want him brought back here."

Gai nodded and turned around, the group of twelve or so ANBU staring back through poreclain covered faces, not including the two beside him.

"When we get there, we get Kakashi and Iruka out of the way, then we get Orochimaru. It doesn't matter if Orochimaru lives or dies. Does everyone understand?"

Everyone nodded or muttered an answer, knowing no real answer was needed.

"Then let's go. If anything happens to my eternal rival or his youth-filled lover, none of you will live to see another springtime of youth!"
----------------

AN: And that's a wrap =)
God I REALLY hated doing Orochimaru -_-Sure I liked the idea, but he was so hard to do!!
Anyways, I'm actually quite proud of Iruka's and Kakashi's heart to heart type thing :) Nothing changed in the editing stage for once =D
Anyways, leave me a review cause you know it makes me feel all warm inside and it may make me want to write ;D