Iruka woke the next morning feeling better than he had in a long time. He tried not to think about why as he brushed his teeth and got ready for work, but it was hard not to. The chuunin still wasn't quite sure what Kakashi was feeling, or wanted, so he didn't want to get his hopes up. But...kissing him had almost literally felt like the stars aligning. It was hard to tell if that wasn't just his heart exploding in his chest, but he supposed time would settle that dispute.

When he got to work, a class full of eager children awaited him. Iruka blinked rapidly as he stood at his desk, watching his class watch him in return. They looked almost as they had before the war. Slightly restless, some of them potentially plotting murder, but mostly innocent and excited. Iruka didn't want to jump to conclusions, but it seemed like their 'sharing circle' had really helped. Maybe just the idea that there was someone to talk to was enough for the students.

"Ah...great to see you, class. You all look well!"

Various forms of agreement were shouted at him at varying levels of 'indoor voices'. Iruka laughed, cracking open his bag and pulling out his lessons for the day.

"It's good to see, because we have a lot to do today. I hope you all didn't think you'd get away with missing..."

Iruka yanked out a giant stack of paper.

"...physics quiz number three, did you?"

A wave of horror washed through the crowd of children.

"IRUKKAAAA-SENSEEEIIII!"

He laughed as he always did when his students looked like they were in pain. Iruka would admit to anyone who asked that he tortured them a little sometimes. Pay back was good for his sanity.

"Don't worry. I'm saving it for the end of the week. Right now, we really need to get caught up on chakra focus. I certainly hope you didn't forget your text books."

To his delight, the vast majority of his class happily held their books aloft. Only a few children looked embarrassed with a helpless shrug.

"Excellent! We're off to a great start today. Rumi, Keeko, Niina, please share your textbooks with your partners." Iruka spun to face the board, his good mood from the morning increasing dramatically. He drew something quickly with white chalk.

"Now....this is a chakra point..."

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The lunch staff meeting went just as well as his first period of class had. All the teachers noticed significant improvements in the attitudes of their children. There were still some tough cases where the students had had a much more traumatic experience than the rest of their class, but for the most part, they were all elated that things had gotten better.

"I would be more than happy to stay after school with her." One of the teachers, Onoki, offered. "It's really just her who is still lagging behind, and I already know what she's upset about. I think she just needs to talk it out a little more, on her own where others can't hear."

"Thank you for your efforts, Onoki. I'll also be staying behind with a couple of my students. It seems they need a little bit more help in their classes, too, so I'll be tutoring as well." Iruka looked down at his list of 'to do's' and jabbed his finger at an item he'd forgotten. "That reminds me. This is something I've wanted to bring up for a while..." Iruka started. He smiled to himself, remembering his favourite special case, the one who had brought this issue to his attention. "I want to start a kind of tutoring service. I know this isn't usually how we do things, but I want to use Naruto as an example. He was a terrible student. Well, I hardly think I need to go into details -we all remember."

The faculty nodded. Some groaned.

"But look at him now. All he needed was a little extra time, and a lot of extra affection. There's a very big possibility that some of our 'bottom' students could be little Naruto's. A ninja who could be so much more with just a little bit of effort. Not only do we owe it to the students, but we owe it to our village as well to make sure we aren't missing out on talent."

Iruka paused to gauge the interest level of the teachers. The vast majority of them seemed intrigued, with only a couple looking like they had serious gripes with his plan.

"I wanted to bring the motion to Kakashi-sama to see if he could possibly fund the hours each teacher puts into it, if we agree to do it. This way, the students get extra care, and a teacher has a chance to make a little extra money."

Now that got their attention. Everyone perked up instantly.

"Wow, you really think we could actually get paid?"

"I can't say for certain, especially with the war and repair costs. But...it wouldn't be too much of an extra expense, and Kakashi has already shown such concern for the students welfare."

Chatter erupted from the table. Iruka let them talk it out patiently, though he could tell they were interested. That worried him a little, since it was obviously the idea of extra money that motivated them, and he wasn't sure if he could get it.

"Alright!" A teacher near the end of the table exclaimed. "We'll get on board. Let us know what Kakashi-sama says about the pay. I sure could use a few extra bucks; my son eats like an animal!"

Laughter accompanied the teachers comment, and for the rest of the lunch period, everyone was in a much brighter mood. Iruka hoped he could keep it that way.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

A loud sigh escaped Iruka's lips as he sunk down onto his couch. He'd gotten take-out dinner yet again due to his ridiculously late arrival from school. Thankfully, his higher position had resulted in higher pay. It wasn't anything crazy, but it definitely made his life a little more comfortable. Kakashi really was too good to him.

Thinking about the jounin brought butterflies to Iruka's stomach. He had tried not to think about him incessantly all day, but it had been extremely difficult not to. Iruka wanted to see Kakashi again very badly, but both of them were busy. Kakashi had promised to come and see Iruka, but that didn't mean it was going to be right away. The Hokage obviously had a lot of things to do. Although...Iruka did need to speak to him soon regarding the tutoring sessions.

Iruka's heart nearly stopped when a knock sounded at his door. He took a deep breath to calm himself, but the last thing he wanted to do was answer it. If he hadn't been expecting Kakashi, he wouldn't have. Slowly he stood and padded over to the looming wooden object, taking another deep breath.

"Who is it?"

"Iruka-sensei!"

The chuunin nearly passed out from relief as he unlocked his door. It wasn't Kakashi, but it was definitely just as good.

"Naruto. What brings you here?" Iruka greeted warmly as the blond was revealed.

"I heard what happened." The young ninja answered, his tone far more serious than it normally was. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Iruka laughed lightly and stepped aside for Naruto to enter. The blond did, but stopped not far from the chuunin, crossing his arms and regarding him with obvious concern.

"It isn't that I didn't tell you, Naruto. I haven't really had a moment to myself, let alone to find you and give you gruesome news." The chuunin laughed again to try and relieve his concerned friend, but Naruto continued to stare him down with a searching gaze. The blond stepped forward, his mouth in a hard line, looking Iruka up and down. He stared right into his eyes. He scratched his chin.

"Huh. Well. You seem to be fine." He concluded. Suddenly, his seriousness melted. A large, toothy grin replaced his frown and he threw his hands behind his head. "Heh heh heh...I just worry about you, you know. I'm here for you too, if you ever need anything."

The young ninja suddenly looked serious again, but it was laced with compassion. "Promise me you'll come to me when you need it, Iruka-sensei. You always try and take care of everything yourself."

Iruka felt his throat constrict just slightly. For Kakashi and Naruto to say the same thing to him in such a short time; it was obviously a legitimate issue. Iruka had no idea he was one of "those people" who could never ask for help, but when he thought about it, it made sense. He was just so used to taking care of his students, he didn't really think about himself. He smiled, bright and warm and genuine, and stepped up to Naruto. The two scooped each other up into a tight hug. Iruka couldn't stop smiling; it was so wonderful to have Naruto around. Someone who was basically family to him, who would love him no matter what.

"Thank you, Naruto. I promise."

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Papers were Iruka's pillow as he snoozed on his marking table. The poor chuunin had intended to get some solid work done that night, but he'd just gotten such poor sleep over the last two weeks that he stood no chance. He'd already been asleep for a couple of hours before a shadow glided through his window.

It was so unearthly quiet, it hardly even stirred the air in Iruka's apartment. The chuunin slept soundly on, completely oblivious. The mysterious visitor paused beside Iruka, seeming to consider him as he slept. There was a very cold cup of tea next to him that that indicated he'd been asleep for a while. Slowly, a hand extended towards the sleeping school teacher.

Iruka yelped and jumped up, nearly throwing his table over. He panted and stared at the person who had jerked him from his sleep.

Kakashi seemed to be blushing with embarrassment.

"Somehow I thought this would be a better way to approach you than using the door."

Iruka was clutching his heart as he attempted to smile at the Hokage. "Ah...it...was certainly more direct."

Kakashi scratched the back of his head. "Maa...I was afraid you wouldn't answer the door. Not that I'd blame you."

Iruka stood from his splayed position on the couch and smiled reassuringly. "Honestly, you're right. The only reason I've been answering it at all is because I was expecting you."

"Oh." Kakashi exclaimed, as if he'd forgotten he even told Iruka he was coming. "Sorry I'm so late. Lots of things to do in the office. Someone tried to make babies with the memorial stone today...seems the entire village is a little off."

Iruka blinked. "Someone...tried to have sex with the memorial stone?"

Kakashi tutted and crossed his arms. "Well, I was trying to keep my explanation PG-13..."

"How...was it a woman?"

"Nope."

"...Then how..."

"It's best not to think about it, Sensei."

Iruka laughed, choosing to take Kakashi's advice. With how things had been going recently there was a good chance Iruka really didn't want to know. "Alright. Oh! Would you like something to drink?"

"Nah." Kakashi answered casually. He flopped onto Iruka's sofa like he visited all the time, resting his arms behind him on the back of the couch. He looked like a splayed cat, utterly relaxed, but still sharp as a tack. Iruka didn't think he was ever an overly sexual person, but the urge to leap onto Kakashi was so great that he had to start organizing his school work to give his hands something to do.

"That reminds me...there's something I want to ask you."

Kakashi's eyebrows flew up. "This has something to do with sex and rocks?"

Iruka stared at him in total confusion before he put the pieces together and laughed with a slight blush. "No, no...actually, it has to do with school-"

"-...molesting rocks reminds you of children?"

Iruka stood straight and put his hands on his hips, shooting Kakashi one of his best 'shut up, teacher is talking' scalding looks. Kakashi grinned and waved for Iruka to continue.

"...As I was saying. I had a meeting with the teachers, and they're all on board. I wanted to kind of...start a sort of tutoring service. I always thought about it, but our system is just so...rigid that I never thought it would be a possibility. Naruto is just such an excellent example, but think about all the students who are considered 'no talents' or 'bottom of their class' who may just need a bit of extra time and care. Actually, even Lee is a great example. The teachers told me how much he struggled, and if it wasn't for Gai, I'm not sure what would have happened to him. I don't see a point in that ever happening if we can help it..."

Iruka trailed off then, looking extremely bashful. He hated asking Kakashi for money, especially just after he'd been promoted and given a raise. He didn't want the copy-nin to think he was trying to take advantage of their...friendship. But, this was something he was passionate about, so he had to do it.

"...I was...hoping we'd be able to pay the teachers. This way, it's a chance for a student to get extra help, and for a teacher to make a little bit of extra money. I was wondering if there's any way that could be possible?"

Iruka bit his lip and watched Kakashi nervously for his reaction. To his delight, Kakashi was smiling up at him brightly. He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands as he thought. "Well. I think that's a great idea. Even Gai had a very hard time getting into the academy when he was young, and he's one of the best shinobi I've ever known. As for the pay, I think it should be possible. We just have to set an amount of hours that can be billed so we can calculate a budget for it. I'll speak to Shizune; she deals with this sort of thing. I don't think it will be much of an extra expense, though."

Iruka stared in shock, his eyes wide and his hands wrung together. "Really?"

Kakashi laughed. "Yes, really. I like it."

The chuunin thought he was going to pass out, he was so happy. He couldn't even recall how many years he desperately wished they would just tutor the poor kids who couldn't seem to keep up. But it was "against the ninja system" and they didn't want the rookies to "be too soft". In Iruka's humble opinion, there were many ways the Academy tried to prepare their students for the real world. Actually, the thing that did that for them was training with their jounin and being full-fledged genin. Why not treat the poor kids with love while they were still children?

"Thank you so much, Kakashi. I'm so excited. I'll draft up a budget right away. Thank you!"

The way Kakashi was looking at Iruka, he seemed to be just as happy. The chuunin thought about how happy he would be to see Kakashi's eyes that warm every day.

"I'm very pleased to see how seriously you're taking your new position, Iruka."

"I love it." The school teacher breathed. "I realize it hasn't even been a week, but I feel like I can really make a difference. I'm so grateful to you for this opportunity."

The air around Kakashi seemed to change. It made the general atmosphere in the room feel thicker, heavier. Iruka's heart was already pounding in his chest, and now he felt his knees start to weaken. It was honestly a feat that he managed to have real conversations with Kakashi, the jounin affected him so.

"Why don't you come sit with me, Iruka? It's hard to have a conversation when you're so far away."

Iruka could feel himself heating up already. He smiled and slowly sat beside Kakashi, suddenly excruciatingly nervous. One of the arms Kakashi had rested over the couch dropped down to land around Iruka's shoulders.

"I think I'm starting to understand why you've been attracting so much negative attention." Kakashi started, his eyes shamelessly boring into Iruka's. The chuunin was utterly captivated, but also curious and a little nervous. He had been wondering the same thing himself, and was slightly worried Kakashi was going to say something negative.

"...And, why is that...? I'd like to make it stop."

"Oh, you can't." The jounin countered with a wolfish grin. "It's inherently a part of who you are. Iruka, you constantly give off an aura that makes anyone around you feel like they're at home. When you smile at them, it makes them feel like they can trust you. And when you reach out to them, your warmth is so addictive it makes them feel like they can be healed. You're that person who can help anyone, no matter who they are. And unfortunately and fortunately for you, it isn't something you can turn off. It's noticeable almost immediately. You practically smell like compassion."

Iruka stared at Kakashi with his mouth forming an adorable little 'o'. No one had ever complemented him so thoroughly. He had no idea Kakashi thought so highly of him. Was he really...was his warmth 'addictive?'. He hadn't thought he was that great at helping people, just sort of average. Make people feel like they were at home...did he make Kakashi feel that way, too? He hoped so. Because the more time he spent with Kakashi, the less he could stand to be apart from him.

"You..." He breathed, at a complete loss for words. "...I...Kakashi..."

"What?" The other ninja purred as he leaned in, pulling his arm around Iruka tighter. His voice was sultry, but his eyes, his eyes were intense and demanding. "What is it? Say it."

Iruka nearly gasped as a pulsing pleasure began to pool in his groin. He supposed he should be slightly ashamed that Kakashi's order had turned him on, but he definitely didn't care. There was something about the older ninja that made Iruka want to abandon all of his dignity. He found he couldn't answer, because there wasn't really anything he wanted to say. What he wanted to do was kiss him, so he did. His eyes hardened, he ripped down Kakashi's mask without bothering to ask for permission, and kissed him. It seemed that was what Kakashi wanted, because his kiss was answered instantly.

Iruka barely held back a moan as their bodies gently came together, Kakashi's fingers pressing into the small of his back and pushing him closer. Their kiss was heated, but slower than the one they'd shared the other night. There was no rush, no one to interrupt them. Iruka hesitatingly combed his fingers through Kakashi's hair, loving its softness despite its tendency to stick out wherever it pleased. It seemed an awful lot like Kakashi himself; appearing to be sharp but actually quite tender.

They slowly pulled apart, Iruka glancing down at their laps from a sudden shyness that overtook him.

"I really like you." Iruka blurted out. He looked up at Kakashi with wide eyes, but the Hokage's smile told him his worry was for naught.

"I like you too, Iruka." Kakashi murmured. Their foreheads rested together, the two unwinding in each others warmth. "I always thought you were cute. But lately, I've gotten to know you a lot better. I had no idea what I was missing out on." Kakashi finished with a a large, affectionate smile. It startled Iruka how beautiful Kakashi was when he smiled. It was sad that the whole world missed it because of that infuriating mask. But, he supposed it just made seeing it that much more special.

"Kakashi...I...don't understand what happened, really. I didn't even realize I was, uh. Well. That I preferred men, until I started seeing you more. I'm sure you hear this all the time, but you're an incredible person. I'm so glad you got to be Hokage, because I can already tell you're going to be wonderful for this village."

Kakashi's eyes danced as he listened to the chuunin, making it incredibly difficult for the younger ninja to concentrate. There was always something mischievous about Kakashi, even in such an intimate situation.

"I'm very flattered to know that I flipped you over to the other side."

Iruka's entire face lit up. "Well...I mean...I don't know..."

Kakashi laughed and Iruka turned even more red. He coughed once before explaining himself. "I should have known, really. In my dream..." he stopped suddenly, realizing he was about to divulge something he never had any intentions of sharing with anyone. Kakashi seemed to realize this. His expression went somber, but warm and understanding. He seemed to coax Iruka to continue with his eyes, and the chuunin couldn't resist. There was probably a very big part of him that was desperate to talk about it.

"In my dream...well, my parents were alive." iruka's voice softened and he glanced down at his hands. "They were really alive, Kakashi. It was so real. It was like they'd never died. They had aged; they looked like they would if they were alive now...I really believed it."

Iruka felt a gentle warmth on his knee and glanced over. Kakashi had ever so lightly rested his hand there, his eyes never moving from Iruka's. The chuunin smiled and continued.

"Anyway. I was visiting them with my...'spouse', but the entire dream, I never got a look at who it was I was married to. I had a child, but he looked nothing like me. I knew in the dream that he was adopted, but why would I do that if I was married to a woman? Not to mention other things, like the fact that I had to lean up to kiss whoever it was, or that I felt strong hands instead of delicate ones. It was like...I always knew my dream was to have a family, but I suppose I never understood who I wanted to have it with."

There was silence for a moment after Iruka had finished speaking. He suddenly felt embarrassed, concerned he'd said too much. He and Kakashi weren't THAT close, after all. Their relationship was really only just beginn-

"-That sounds a lot like what my dream would have been like." Kakashi interrupted warmly. Iruka looked to him with joy, the two of them sharing a smile. "My father would have been there, and my mother. My team, too. I never thought about a family before because I could never get over the past enough to think about the future. But, now, there would be one. I think I would want a son, maybe just so I could give him a better childhood than I had."

Kakashi pondered with a smile still on his face, as if he was having fun thinking about his 'ideal life'. "I think I would actually prefer if my son looked nothing like me. I don't know if I could have a little version of me or my father running around."

Iruka was listening so intently he was sure he had a ridiculous look on his face. Kakashi was such a private person, he couldn't believe he was telling him any of this. The comment about not being able to handle a child looking like him or his father tugged at Iruka's heart, but it seemed far too personal for them to discuss at this point, so he skipped it. "Are you...I mean...would you think about marrying a man? If that's even possible. I've never heard of it happening before."

"Never thought about it." Kakashi answered casually. "But, there was one male couple in ANBU. They were married in their hearts, certainly. It didn't seem like they cared about 'legally' getting married, although that may have also been because of the danger levels of ANBU. You never know what can happen."

Iruka smiled, loving the idea of being 'married in your heart'.

"...Also. Kotetsu and Izumo are definitely banging each other. You could probably just ask them."

The chuunin's jaw dropped and his entire head turned tomato red.

"W-w-wow! What?"

Kakashi shot him a look. "Come on. It's obvious."

"I...I didn't find it so obvious." Iruka stammered.

Another wolfish grin found its way onto Kakashi's face. "That's not really surprising."

"...Hey..."

Kakashi laughed, leaning back and throwing an arm over the couch again. "Don't worry. I find it very endearing."

The chuunin crossed his arms defensively. "What's endearing? Don't insinuate that I'm clueless."

Kakashi merely grinned. Iruka huffed.

"I am not."

"Alright..." Kakashi began, obviously enjoying himself thoroughly. "How about Anko?"

Iruka blinked. "What about her...?"

"You don't notice that she makes it a point to stare at your ass whenever you're around?"

Iruka practically sputtered. "Wait, what?"

"See." Kakashi teased. "Everyone else knows that."

It looked like Iruka's head was about to explode. He was starting to think Kakashi wasn't totally baseless in his 'clueless' accusations.

"Actually..." The Hokage continued, not bothering to hide how much he was enjoying himself. "Your ass is a conversation starter in the mission room more often than not. Kotetsu and Izumo take turns bringing it up. It should flatter you to know that everyone unanimously agrees that it is very nice."

The urge to turn around and stare at his apparently magnificent behind was so strong Iruka barely held himself back. But, there was something about the way Kakashi was leaning in that told the chuunin he was expecting him to do it. And if he did, he'd never live it down.

Urge; resisted.

"Alright. I'm oblivious. For starters...I mean...I'm just as fit as the next shinobi, but...it just looks like a regular butt to me." Iruka offered with obvious confusion.

Kakashi practically cackled his grin was so wicked. "It's not just that it's perky, Iruka. It has fantastic shape to it. Also, we all agree; quite round for a man."

"Okay." Iruka cut in. There was practically steam coming out of his ears. "I accept. Thanks...I think."

There seemed to be a bit of satisfaction ringing Kakashi's eyes that Iruka wanted to wipe off as viciously as possible. "I suppose you are well aware of the actual, real life Kakashi's Kunochi's fanclub at the other end of the village, then?"

Kakashi sighed. "Yes. I know it exists. They send me presents on my birthday every year, as well as pictures of every single one of them naked."

Iruka leaned back, his jaw hanging loose from his face. "Wow. I...assumed they were more subtle than that."

"Nope."

"Huh."

"Also, I've gotten letters from every single one of them detailing their infinite tsukuyomi dreams about me. How it 'must be fate' and that 'we were so happy together' and lets 'just go ahead and get married now.' It's really a little ridiculous. I have to get Shizune to read the letters, I just don't have time anymore."

This was starting to get a little sad. Iruka frowned, feeling sorry for Kakashi. That was a lot of negative energy thrown at him, when Iruka had merely had one incident with one woman. "I'm sorry, Kakashi. I...feel a little childish for being so upset about only one woman approaching me."

"Hey." Kakashi started, his expression serious. "Don't do that. It's easy for me to ignore a letter or fifty, while it is much more difficult to pretend a woman doesn't exist when she's screaming and crying at you in your apartment. It's not the same."

Iruka smiled and glanced down. "Thanks..."

"Although..." Kakashi sighed dramatically, looking to the sky as if only the heavens could understand his pain. "I did get a lot of attitude from the mail man. It made his job a lot harder, as you can imagine. He used to just stuff all the letters into my tiny mailbox and leave them crumpled and strewn about everywhere. Honestly, half the time I couldn't read what the letters said because they were so chewed up. I went through a new mailbox every year."

Iruka laughed lightly, very much enjoying Kakashi's sense of humour. "You poor thing."

"Yes. I was a victim." Kakashi sunk down lower in on the couch, looking distraught. "It's difficult, you know. To be wanted like this. Just so difficult."

"Horrible." Iruka chuckled. There was something about the way Kakashi lay on the sofa that made him want to crawl over to him. He realized with a start; why not? Kakashi had told him he was attracted to him. Slowly, Iruka put hand over hand, inching his way to Kakashi until he was leaning over him.

"Maybe you should try to be less magnetic." The chuunin breathed. Their eyes were locked in a heated stare.

"Who says I'm magnetic?" Kakashi murmured.

Iruka bent down and put a soft, lingering kiss on the side of Kakashi's mouth. When he pulled back, Kakashi had that smouldering look in his eye that made the little hairs on the back of Iruka's neck stand up.

"You're...the most sensual person I've ever met." Iruka answered softly.

Kakashi leaned forward slightly, his intensity increasing. "Do you want me?"

The chuunin had to swallow thickly before he was able to answer. "Yes."

Iruka was on his back without even realizing he'd been moved. Kakashi straddled him and pushed his shirt up, kissing his lips and running his hands over his chest. A low moan rumbled in Iruka's throat and his back arched enough to push his hips into Kakashi's. Their tongues fought with each other as they ripped at clothing. Iruka lifted his arms and his shirt was gone in an instant. He felt callused fingers that belonged to an exceedingly powerful person twist electric circles over his bare skin and he shivered with pleasure. Iruka pushed Kakashi's shirt up, feeling his soft skin and muscular abdomen, and wanted so badly to touch him all over. But Kakashi wouldn't move his arms from Iruka, so there was no way to get his shirt off.

"Kakashi-" Iruka gasped, trying to get his attention. It felt like Kakashi grinned against Iruka's mouth before he broke their kiss and transferred his lips to the chuunin's neck. Iruka wrapped his legs around Kakashi's waist as his Hokage trailed slow, lingering kisses down his throat. The chuunin dragged his fingers along the muscle of Kakashi's shoulder blades, his sides, his shoulders. He wanted to feel the other ninja's bare skin against his so badly. The kisses were making him so hot his back was arching off the couch. He couldn't believe Kakashi was touching him, kissing him...

Suddenly, Kakashi leaned back and swung his legs over the couch, his hands under Iruka's thighs. As he stood, he pulled the chuunin up with him, so Iruka was straddling him as Kakashi strode out of his living room. He was tossed onto his bed with Kakashi climbing on top of him as soon as he'd hit the mattress. Again, Iruka tried to take Kakashi's shirt off, but with an impish grin Kakashi refused to cooperate. Iruka looked adorably confused from his position underneath Kakashi. The Hokage dripped down and placed a chaste kiss on the chuunin's lips.

"I'm going to make love to you. Is that alright?"

Iruka's brain completely sputtered out, but he didn't really need it to answer.

"Absolutely." He breathed without hesitance. Iruka had never slept with a man before, and he hadn't really heard about men...sleeping with other men, so he wasn't entirely sure what constituted as 'making love' when vagina's weren't involved, but it seemed like Kakashi knew what he was doing.

Except for the 'getting naked' part. He seemed to be forgetting about that.

Iruka reached up and tried to tug at Kakashi's shirt again, but the other ninja was preoccupied with dragging Iruka's pants off one leg at a time. Excitement singed the chuunin's nerves as he slowly lifted his hips and allowed his pants to slide off of his body. The two gazed at each other, Kakashi's look scalding hot, but there was a wonderful soft affection mixed in there as well. It was that softness that told you to trust Kakashi. It showed you he had a heart, and used it frequently. Iruka had never seen Kakashi so open before and he loved every second of it.

They kissed again as Kakashi lowered himself. He pressed against Iruka, still in his full jounin uniform, the fabric of his clothes scraping against the chuunin's bare skin. It made Iruka feel dominated. If this was what Kakashi was going for, it was working. Iruka knew there was a beautiful body under Kakashi's clothes and it was driving him crazy that he couldn't touch it.

"Kakashi...why aren't you getting undressed?" Iruka asked against his lips.

Their kiss was gently broken so Kakashi could look into his eyes. Iruka was not surprised to find the usual mischievous twinkle firmly in place.

"What's the rush?"

Iruka shot him a look. "Ummm..." and then threw his arms open wide, glancing down at himself. "You aren't going to join me?"

The mirth slowly drained from Kakashi's eyes. There was sadness there now, and perhaps a little bit of fear. He seemed like he was trying to shift the mood into something humours, but Iruka was starting to see that there was actually nothing funny about it.

"I...already feel quite naked, Iruka." Kakashi explained with obvious hesitance.

"Kakashi..."

Iruka shot up, his features concerned. "We don't have to do this. I mean..." He laughed nervously, scratching his nose. "This is...I don't usually sleep with someone this fast. I'm just really attracted to you. Really, really..."

Iruka descended into utter bashfulness as he slowly scratched a his nose. It brought a warm smile to Kakashi's face. He reached out and grasped Iruka's hand, pulling it from his face and pressing it against his chest.

"I want you, Iruka. It just...has to be like this, for now. If that's alright."

Iruka smiled brightly. "Of course. Whatever makes you comfort-Haa!"

Kakashi hadn't even waited for Iruka to finish talking before sticking his hands in the chuunin's underwear and grasping his erection. Their kiss was resumed as Kakashi stroked him. He played with the head of his penis, twisted his hand around his length. Iruka had to fight the urge to buck his hips into his hands.

"Kakashi..." Iruka moaned against his lips, his hands roaming the Hokage's clothed back.

Iruka suddenly found his arms Kakashi-less as the other ninja broke their kiss to trail his lips down the chuunin's chest. He panted and arched slightly, his eyes closing as little bursts of heat made their way lower and lower. When Kakashi's mouth closed over his erection he gasped loudly and gripped the headboard behind him.

"Oh..."

A tongue swirled around the head of his penis, lapped at his slit. Iruka bit his lip in an attempt to not embarrass himself. He already felt his abdomen tightening, his limbs starting to go numb. It had been such a long time since he'd been intimate with someone and he hadn't enjoyed it nearly this much. Warm, wet, tight; the feeling slid down his length, sucked hard and pulled back up. Iruka hissed and his back arched higher.

"Haaa...Kakashi..."

Iruka felt fingers gently circling his entrance as Kakashi tasted him. His instinct was to ask about it, but thoughts escaped him when he felt his Hokage flick his tongue over his balls. Iruka sighed and his head fell back, his grip on the headboard tightening. The tongue dragged up his balls, along his length, and around the head of his penis before lips gently sucked on his tip.

"Ahh! Haa, Kakashi, how..." Iruka panted, his legs splayed wide open as his back continued to arch. He merely heard a soft chuckle in response. Fingers returned to his entrance, but they were slick with something and kind of cold. Iruka opened his eyes and looked down. Kakashi was looking back up at him.

"I was just seeing how ready you are. You're nice and relaxed."

It dawned on Iruka exactly what Kakashi was referring to as 'ready' and his eyes widened in surprise. Oh. So...that's how things were done. Well. It made sense...

"Okay..." The chuunin whispered.

Kakashi chuckled and leaned forward to kiss Iruka on the cheek. "Trust me. And keep relaxing, it'll make things easier. I'll go nice and slow."

It seemed like Kakashi really knew what he was doing with this whole 'man sex' thing, and it made Iruka extremely curious as to how that was possible.

Fingers slowly pressed inside of him, eradicating all other thoughts from Iruka's mind. Instantly, he tightened to the point where Kakashi's fingers were stilled. Iruka shifted, gripped the headboard tighter, and took a deep breath. It was an incredibly alien feeling at first, so his initial experience was one of discomfort. But...it only took a few seconds for his muscles to relax, and a new kind of pleasure started to pool in his groin. His body instantly knew what this meant. It knew what was to come, even if Iruka didn't. And suddenly he wanted it. He wanted Kakashi's fingers in him; deep in him, totally filling him.

Iruka gently bucked his hips into Kakashi's hand. His Hokage's eyes seemed to dance with understanding. The fingers moved farther into Iruka, who opened his legs wide and let his head fall back. Slowly, Iruka felt them slide out and then slowly push back in. His body knew what the movements meant and his legs shook slightly in anticipation. A deep, biting want was accumulating in is brain. Again Kakashi pulled his fingers out and pushed them back in, his finger tips seeming to prod inside of him for something. Sharp, white-hot pleasure shot up Iruka's spine and he shouted out a moan.

"AHH! Kakashi, please...Oh..."

"You're ready?" Kakashi whispered into his ear, the voice hot and hitching.

"Yes. Oh. Please..."

The absence of warmth inside of Iruka almost made him keen. He wanted Kakashi so badly he could hardly think straight. He felt like he would completely unravel if he didn't have him. God, he wanted him.

"Remember to relax." Kakashi whispered against the side of his face. He was above Iruka, covering him. Instantly the chuunin's arms flew around his back, gripping him tightly. Something pressed against his entrance again. It slipped inside, wider than the fingers had been. Everything in him knew what it was and he could feel his body desperately accepting it. Despite the slight discomfort, the adjustment his body needed to physically go through to fit Kakashi, Iruka had to swallow a cry of pleasure when he was completely filled by him. God, he wanted him. He wanted to scream.

Kakashi's breath was becoming ragged, the muscles on his back clenched under Iruka's hands. Slowly Kakashi entered Iruka again, filled him to the hilt, and pulled out. Iruka dug his fingers into Kakashi's back and the copy-nin became slightly concerned.

"How do you feel?"

"Great." Iruka panted. "It's fine. I want more."

Kakashi smiled to himself and gripped Iruka's thighs, hoisting his hips up and angling them against the bed. He slid in again, slightly faster this time. Kakashi rolled his hips, rocking into Iruka, pushing in and slipping out in a gentle, steady rhythm. Iruka dug his nails into Kakashi's back, clenching tight around him. His entire body was buzzing, an intense, blinding pleasure mounting in his abdomen. Iruka pushed his face into Kakashi's shoulder, panting, his eyes squeezed shut. Kakashi inside him, the friction, the waves of pleasure whenever Kakashi's cock hit him just right. He was in heaven.

"Yes...Haaa...Ah...Oh, Kakashi..." Iruka moaned shamelessly. He'd never felt so good in his life. He abandoned his dignity and keened when Kakashi shifted ever so slightly, grinding against him, drilling into the spot that was driving Iruka mad. Kakashi began to pick up the pace, thrusting in and out of him, pushing him up against the headboard. The chuunin sank his teeth into Kakashi's shoulder and tore at his clothes.

"Kakashi...I...Ahh..." Iruka panted. He knew he was close, he could feel his entire body twisted like a top, ready to snap. He was amazed he'd lasted this long.

Kakashi suddenly stopped thrusting. He tugged at Iruka's waist, urging him to turn over.

"Hands and knees." The Hokage panted.

Iruka quickly did as he was told. As soon as he was bent over before Kakashi, he felt an iron grip on his hips and Kakashi was inside of him again. Except this time, it was much faster, stronger. Iruka gasped and went down to his elbows, fisting the sheets and biting into them. The Hokage pounded into him relentlessly and Iruka felt himself slip.

"Kakashi." Iruka moaned. He came, Kakashi riding him through his orgasm. He panted heavily into the sheets, enjoying the feel of Kakashi still inside of him. It wasn't long before he heard a deep, low moan and felt warm fluid fill him. The two sagged down together, Kakashi slowly removing himself from Iruka before rolling to the side and laying next to him.

Not one time in his entire life did he recall feeling so good. He had no idea sex could be so passionate. His body tingled, his legs were a little numb, his mind felt like it was on vacation and he was sure he had the stupidest grin on his face. It was amazing. Kakashi smiled back at him.

"It's a good thing I put a sound-blocking jutsu on your apartment, Iruka. Otherwise the whole village would know what we did by lunch time tomorrow."

Iruka froze. He looked absolutely mortified.

"Oh...I...didn't...sorry. Was I too loud?"

Kakashi laughed again and pulled Iruka closer. The chuunin felt a kiss being placed on his forehead.

"You were sexy, Iruka. I liked it. Especially...when you begged. You have no idea what that did to me."

That did nothing to diminish Iruka's embarrassment. He felt ridiculous. "Oh, God...I did kind of beg..."

"It was delicious." Kakashi purred before he captured Iruka's lips in a deep, long kiss. With a sigh Iruka snuggled right up against Kakashi, his Hokage's clothes brushing against his bare skin. That turned Iruka on, somehow. Knowing Kakashi had that barrier and he didn't. He certainly was learning a lot about himself lately. Apparently, he had some kinks.

Iruka moaned lightly as Kakashi's hands roamed his body. He felt a leg hook around his and pull their hips together. It embarrassed Iruka how much he liked the feeling of being vulnerable in Kakashi's arms, his bare hips pressed against clothed ones, the fabric a blissful friction against him.

"You're hard again." Kakashi spoke as he pulled away. "Iruka...you're really surprising me."

"I like it when you touch me." Iruka whispered back.

There was fire in Kakashi's eyes as he rolled over and on top of Iruka. The two gazed at each other, Iruka trying his best to shed his shame and just accept himself. Kakashi didn't seem to be bashful or embarrassed. He was open, 'naked', as he'd stated before.

"You don't mind that you can't touch me?" Kakashi asked.

It was especially hard now, but Iruka kept reminding himself not to be embarrassed.

"I...I think...I kind of like it..." He murmured, despite his efforts not to be bashful.

A large, pleased grin spread across Kakashi's face like melted butter.

"That's what I thought..."

Iruka wanted to punch Kakashi in the arm and ask why he always had to make Iruka say everything when he already knew the answer. The thought fled him when he felt Kakashi run his flat palm up Iruka's body from his abdomen to his neck. The chuunin swallowed thickly.

"We can't leave you like this now, can we?" Kakashi whispered, his voice husky.

Iruka, never looking away from Kakashi, shifted his hips around so he could open his legs and position them on either side of Kakashi. His expression was almost one of innocent abandon; giving himself to Kakashi thoughtlessly because he trusted him.

The look the Hokage shot down at him was almost enough to make Iruka come again.

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

A long, satisfied yawn escaped Iruka's lips as he woke to his alarm clock. He turned and slapped his hand down on the noisy contraption. Something seemed terribly out of place. Iruka sat up in his bed, looking around.

Kakashi was gone.

A nervous pang shot through his stomach. The chuunin shook his head and tried to talk sense to himself. Of course he left early, Kakashi was Hokage; he was busy. Iruka didn't know why it would upset him to wake up and find Kakashi gone.

The chuunin threw off the covers and stepped out of bed. At the corner of his eye he noticed something float down to the ground. He blinked and bent down, searching the area near his bed. A little note sat on the floor, innocently staring at him from where it had landed. Iruka picked it up and read it with mounting anticipation.

Iruka,

I'm sorry to leave you like this. Well, the truth is I couldn't bring myself to leave last night; I was too comfortable. But, I have a lot of things to do this morning and I didn't want to disturb your sleep to say goodbye. I know you need your energy for your students.

Hopefully you're not too sore today,

Kakashi.

Iruka smiled as he folded up the note. His night with Kakashi came floating back to his mind and he closed his eyes and enjoyed it. They'd fallen asleep after their second time, and it had been no less passionate than the first. Iruka still couldn't quite get over the fact that Kakashi felt the same way about him. The fact that they'd slept together was on another plane of reality in his mind altogether. If he didn't have the letter, and the soreness, Iruka might have thought it was all an incredibly detailed dream.

A sudden fear of the infinite tsukuyomi clenched the chuunin's gut. He laughed and walked out of his bedroom to take a shower, shaking his head at himself again. It would be just his luck for two infinite tsukuyomi's to happen to him within the same month, but it was damn unlikely.

Iruka showered, dressed, and headed to work in the best mood he'd been in in recent memory. When he arrived at the academy, he stood before his class and delivered their lessons with such flare many of the students were staring at him like he'd grown an extra head. At lunch break, Iruka had to be snapped back to the conversation three times while he ate with his work friends. They asked him what the heck was up, but he just smiled and said he was in a good mood.

"You kinda look like you just got laid." One of the younger teachers remarked flatly.

Iruka turned bright red before he was able to catch himself and wave the comment off. His comrades sighed and gave up needling him for the moment, but promised more later.

When Iruka returned to his class, it was to find an ANBU standing in the doorway with a hoard of children whispering excitedly behind him. Iruka blinked and bowed in greeting.

"ANBU-san. What can I do for you?"

"Keekyo has run away from home. We were wondering if you'd have any ideas as to where she would be hiding."

Iruka's expression fell into scared shock. He hadn't thought anything about the young girls absence from class that morning, especially since her mother was always so attentive. He ducked his head and tried to think. Keekyo had a thing for nature, he remembered that. She was always wanting to practice in the forest instead of out in the open.

"She loves trees. I would check the park in the middle of the village. I can hardly keep her from running off into the woods when we train outside."

The ANBU nodded his thanks and turned to leave.

"Wait! How long as she been missing? Why did she run away?"

"That information is classified for now." The ANBU responded calmly. He was gone in the next instant, the class 'ooing' and 'awwing' at the teleportation jutsu.

Iruka leaned against the doorway, incredibly concerned for his young student. Keekyo hadn't been one of the kids he'd kind of 'singled out' for extra help in dealing with the infinite tsukuyomi. It didn't mean everything was daisies with her, but to run away? Konoha wasn't a big village, and a child getting past the main gates was pretty much impossible unless they were some kind of prodigy, which Keekyo was not. It seemed pointless unless she was in trouble.

Iruka's mood was shot for the rest of the day. He finished with classes and was sure to ask his students if anyone wanted to stay behind to talk about anything. He only had a couple students stay this time, which was supposed to be a good thing, but now he wondered how many needed help that weren't getting it.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

In the wee hours of the night, Iruka sat at his marking table with his face leaning against the palm of his hand. He had been trying to mark for the majority of the evening, but couldn't get his mind off of his missing student. Iruka wanted to go to Kakashi and ask, but he didn't want to think he had 'special privileges' just because they...well...had sex. Awesome sex.

Awesome sex.

That brought a smile to Iruka's face, a smile that had been missing since lunch time. He sighed and dropped his pen onto the table. This was pointless and he knew it. He may as well go to bed and toss and turn all night and just get it over with. Another loud sigh escaped the school teacher as he scraped his chair back, stood with a wince, and hobbled over to his bedroom. If only there was something he could do to help, but if ANBU was involved, he didn't think there would be. That was another thing...Kakashi had thought the situation was so serious he'd involved ANBU. Why was that?

Morbid thoughts followed the chuunin as he fell onto his mattress. Cuddling up and closing his eyes, Iruka tried to relax. It was pointless and he knew it, but he figured he'd have to try. Class tomorrow was going to be hard on such little sleep, but he'd technically done it today. He just hoped Keekyo would be there tomorrow.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

A loud thud woke the teacher from his light, troubled sleep. He popped his head up and looked around, all senses on high alert. Silence followed. Iruka closed his eyes and felt anxiety stir in his stomach.

Please don't be anything. I'm really not in the mood to deal with more craziness.

A loud knock sounded at his door.

Iruka threw the covers off and leaped out of bed. Sure, it could be someone disguised as a child ready to molest him. Or it could be Kakashi. That was definitely worth the risk.

The chuunin practically smashed into the door, he rushed at it so quickly. "Who's there?"

"It's me."

Iruka pressed his forehead against the wood door frame in a brief moment of sheer, utter relief. He swung the door open and greeted Kakashi with such a wide eyed, hopeful look that the Hokage seemed to actually grow more somber in response.

"Kakashi! I'm so glad. Have you...I mean..."

"We found Keekyo, Iruka." Kakashi answered quietly.

Iruka laughed and clasped his hands together. "Oh. That's great. I was having a hard time sleeping-"

The chuunin was cut off by Kakashi gently grasping his arms and walking him backwards into his apartment. Iruka looked understandably confused but followed his Hokage's lead. Kakashi turned and gently closed the front door behind him. The copy-nin returned his attention to Iruka, standing so close to him that their chests slightly touched. There was something in his eyes that scared Iruka.

"What...what's going on?"

"She's dead."

Iruka stepped away from Kakashi. He looked devastated, his eyes blown wide in disbelief.

"...No...how?"

There seemed to be light rings under Kakashi's eyes that Iruka hadn't noticed before. He was clearly not taking the news that much better.

"She must have been so desperate to hide. She was found in what appeared to be a self-dug hole. She put a slab of earth and grass on herself, but must have fallen asleep. One of the ANBU dug her up in the forest you recommended they search."

Iruka squeezed his eyes shut and glanced down, trying not to cry. He couldn't believe it. Keekyo had been a pretty good student, definitely smarter than suffocating herself. It just didn't make sense.

"Why..."

Kakashi stepped up to Iruka again, sliding his arms around his waist lightly. As he suspected, the chuunin instantly melted against him.

"We're investigating. Her parents claim ignorance, but that's obviously not true."

The warmth from Kakashi's body calmed Iruka's tears, but it did nothing to stave away his guilt. "I...feel like I should have been able to do something."

"What could you have done?" Kakashi asked gently.

"I should have noticed something was off. I...she stayed with me and the other students after school during our first session. She seemed to be alright after. I can't remember if she told me what her dream was about. I just...should have paid better attention."

"You're not her parents, Iruka. You already did more than enough."

The chuunin shook his head against Kakashi's chest. The arms around him tightened and he couldn't help but return the embrace. Kakashi was strong and warm and comforting in his resilience. It was a terrible tragedy, and it must have affected the Hokage as well.

"How are you doing?" Iruka asked as he glanced up at the older ninja.

Kakashi smiled down at him, but his eyes looked tired and hollow. "I'm...frustrated. It was a senseless death that shouldn't have happened. I want to get to the bottom of it."

The words from his Hokage seemed to sink Iruka's heart even further. He didn't want the warmth from Kakashi to leave, but he knew his visit was only temporary.

"I'm...technically here to question you. But no one said it had to be a formal process."

Iruka laughed lightly at Kakashi seemingly following his train of thought, but it didn't have much mirth to it. "Of course. Ask me anything you like. I want to help."

Kakashi managed to maneuver Iruka over to the couch without having to let go of him. They sat down together, with Kakashi giving him one last gentle squeeze before leaning back and extracting a scroll and brush from his pack.

"You started to say that she was affected by her infinite tsukuyomi. How?"

"Oh..." Iruka started, looking serious as he concentrated. "She wasn't too bad. I remember she cried with the class when I first asked them about it. She stayed after school during our first counselling session. I remember...I asked her what her dream had been about and she just shook her head. I thought she just wasn't ready to talk about it. But, she didn't come out to the session the next night and looked fine in class that day. I assumed her dream simply hadn't been that bad, but that she was sad for her classmates instead."

Kakashi was scribbling down Iruka's comments wickedly fast. It amazed the chuunin that Kakashi managed to excel at everything, even note taking.

"Did she ever talk about her parents?"

After thinking about it for a moment Iruka slowly shook his head. "No. I met her mother several times and she seemed like a nice person. Keekyo has never missed a day of class until today. Her mother always brought her to school..."

Kakashi stopped writing when he noticed Iruka looking continuously more somber. The Hokage tried to give a comforting smile.

"I'm sorry, Iruka. If it wasn't so imperative to do this quickly..."

"No! No. I'm fine." Iruka protested. "Please continue."

That brought a real smile to Kakashi's face as he looked back down at his notes. "Alright. Did you ever notice anything strange with Keekyo? Maybe...a slightly haggard appearance, no lunch, any bruises?"

Iruka tried his hardest to remember, but he was an extremely observant person and if Keekyo had showed signs of abuse he was confident he would have noticed. "No. Only recently, but she didn't stand out from her class at all. There were other students in far worse condition than her."

Kakashi nodded and wrote furiously. He seemed to be adding his own notes to the interview as he wrote far more than Iruka felt like he'd said.

"I...feel like I'm not being very helpful."

With a flick of his wrist Kakashi finished his notes. He rolled up his scroll as he spoke to Iruka. "It is what it is. Maybe her parents are completely innocent in this, who knows? But that's not what I think."

"What...do you think?" Iruka asked quietly. He was almost afraid to ask.

The Hokage's pack snapped shut behind him. He turned back to Iruka, his eyes hard and sharp.

"I think Keekyo was made to feel like she wasn't wanted."

Iruka sat back on the couch. "What makes you say that?"

"Well. I could sense guilt from her parents, first of all. Especially her mother. It's interesting that she was always the one to bring Keekyo to school, since both of her parents are ninja. At their age, it's rare for them to be on the same mission unless there's a reason for it. They couldn't possibly have the same schedules. I think her mother went out of her way to bring her to school because the father didn't care to."

Intrigued by Kakashi's deductive abilities, Iruka leaned forward slightly. "You have a reason for thinking this. He wasn't emotional at the news of his daughters death?"

"It wasn't so much...his reaction. It was more his answers when we questioned him. He barely seemed to know anything about her. When we asked how she was in school, he said she was doing poorly. When we asked the mother, she said she was doing well enough, but didn't have any passion for it. I asked her why Keekyo was in ninja school if she didn't have a passion for it and the mother went completely white. She stammered out a completely bogus answer. Their family apparently comes from a long line of ninjas. It seemed like Keekyo didn't really want to be one."

Iruka put his face in his hands. "She always tried so hard. I thought she was a great student."

"Hey." Kakashi shifted closer to Iruka, placing a calming hand on his back. "Don't go blaming yourself again. You aren't Keekyo's only teacher. Besides, your year is graduation year. She was probably putting everything she had into it."

The chuunin was giving it his all to keep it together in front of Kakashi, but it was hard. He prided himself at being good at reading his students, but this one had gotten the better of him, and now she was dead. He kept wondering if he couldn't have done better by her. Noticed more.

"Iruka."

With slight hesitation, the chuunin glanced up. Kakashi was looking right at him, concern and fear in his eyes. "That's enough for today."

"No..." Iruka protested weakly. "I want to know everything."

"I want you to get some sleep."

Kakashi moved so close to Iruka that they were pressed against each other. Gently he captured the chuunin's chin with his fingers, tilting his face so there was nowhere to look but at Kakashi. "If I told you I could guarantee your rest, would you let me?"

"What..." Iruka whispered, captivated by Kakashi's intensity. He grasped the hand that held his chin. "How?"

Kakashi dipped his head, pausing just before their lips met.

"Just trust me."

Their eyes locked and the consent was given just before Iruka closed his eyes. There was the briefest of pauses before Kakashi pressed his lips to Iruka's. Fire seemed to flow between them and the kiss deepened instantly. Iruka opened his mouth and Kakashi's tongue slid against his. A small, soft object was left in the chuunin's mouth as Kakashi pulled his away. With barely a thought against it, Iruka closed his lips, tilted his head back and swallowed the pill.

The Hokage was on him as soon as he was done, kissing him, touching him and pressing him against the couch. Iruka whimpered loudly and gripped the body on top of his, his lips and tongue responding with equal intensity. Their bodies slid against each other, ground together. Iruka couldn't get enough of Kakashi; his taste, his hard body, his unbelievable warmth.

One moment his arms were full of his Hokage, and the next, they seemed to be impossible to lift. Iruka gasped lightly as his hands slowly slid off of Kakashi and dropped to the sides of the couch. Their kiss slowed, becoming a chaste peck when Iruka couldn't feel his legs anymore. Kakashi gently pulled away, gazing down at Iruka with warmth, his eyes still ringing with lust.

"Sleep well, Iruka. I'll come to you when I figure everything out. Until then, I order you not to stress."

The last thought the chuunin had was how frustrating it was that he couldn't say anything witty back.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo