I do not own Naruto and never will.
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When Iruka first began dating the man known as the Sharigan Kakashi, he was bewildered. How could one person have so many levels to his personality? How could he joke around one minute, and then turn deadly serious the next? How could he seem so arrogant and yet so unsure of himself? It seemed to the chunin that, the more he tried to understand Kakashi, the more difficult it became. He was clearly more experienced than him, yet didn't mind letting Iruka be seme as well. The only true way to hurt Kakashi was to hurt Iruka. And then you had a pissed off jounin hunting you down. He always walked around with an adult materiel book, letting people think the worst of him.
How much of Kakashi's persona was truly Kakashi and how much was the result of everything he had lost? At times, Iruka wished he could see Kakashi without the mask. But to shinobi, exposing weakness meant certain death. Kakashi knew better than most. But still Iruka wished. To see the Copy Nin weak, to see that he was human. He let Kakashi see him at times when he wasn't as strong as he would like to be hoping that his lover would –eventually-- trust him enough to do the same.
Sometimes though, Iruka wondered if Kakashi would ever show his weakness. For at times, it didn't look he ever would. Still Iruka waited. He waited for Kakashi to feel comfortable enough to trust Iruka that much.
The only complaint Iruka made about the relationship was Kakashi's missions. Sometimes the jounin was gone for weeks at a time. The longest had been three months. During that time, all Iruka could do was worry. He didn't want to lose Kakashi. When Kakashi finally returned home, the first thing Iruka did was check him for injuries that needed attention. He wanted to take care of the scarecrow the same way Kakashi took care of him.
Kakashi would always smile while Iruka checked on him, but the chunin always saw a cold almost haunted look in Kakashi's normal eye. It would soon go away after awhile, but to Iruka, it was still terrible. Terrible that anyone had to experience something that could cause such an expression. Terrible that Kakashi wouldn't let Iruka take complete care of him.
When they first started going out, Iruka quickly noted how Kakashi seemed almost obsessed with taking care of him; from small things like cooking dinner when Iruka was working late, to babying him when he wasn't feeling well. Yet Kakashi didn't seem to want to let Iruka do the same for him though the chunin tried. Again it seemed to be an issue of trust.
He tried to be patient… he tried telling himself to just give Kakashi time. But the more time passed, the more he began to wonder if it would ever change. He began to wonder if being with Kakashi was a mistake. He loved the jounin but… he just didn't want… to feel that Kakashi didn't trust him. And he felt that way. He felt that way a lot.
Sighing Iruka stared at the ceiling, laying down on their bed. Kakashi should be back soon. He had gone on an S-ranked mission about a week ago. Iruka just hoped nothing went wrong.
Due to the silence Iruka was able to hear the front door opening, a few soft footsteps, and a small thump of sandals hitting the floor. Sitting up he crossed his legs. "How'd it go?" He called as Kakashi stepped into sight. Kakashi merely shrugged, a few scratches adorning his body. "Nothing significant." He muttered as he crossed over to the bed.
Iruka pointed at the spot just in front of him, intent on making sure. Kakashi knew what the gesture meant but to the chunin's surprise, leaned forward and grabbed Iruka in a tight hug. Iruka let out a surprised sound then relaxed, snuggling into the jounin. Strange… normally he initiated the hugs, but it was a nice change.
Kakashi sighed softly. "Iruka…" He hesitated as though unsure of what to say or how to say it. "Be patient with me… Please." There was a pleading note in the copy ninja's voice that had never been there before.
Suddenly straightening up, Kakashi smiled. "I just need a bath. And maybe food…" Iruka blinked and then smiled and nodded.
On second thought… maybe there was still a chance.
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I actually like this one. Anyway review people! Gives me a reason to update.