Yet another drabble... working on two stories and college work is hard. Anyhoo, I don't own Naruto or its characters. Some MizukixIruka and KakashixRin.
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By now Iruka had learned not to ask. He had learned not to ask when Kakashi came home with a dead look in his eyes. He didn't ask when he found an old photo of a younger Kakashi and a young teenaged girl, the same girl in that other photo (1) only older. He didn't ask questions when all Kakashi wanted to do was hold him almost unbearingly close; and when Kakashi needed his space. He had learned to not ask Kakashi to tell the truth when he was late; and even the rare times when he was on time or even early. Iruka had learned to just not question anything regarding Kakashi, though sometimes he wished he had the courage to.
Kakashi had never asked. He never asked when Iruka came home with a scowl or a happy smile from something one of his students had done. He didn't ask when he first saw the scar on Iruka's back; when Iruka cried claiming he had trusted that person. He didn't ask when Iruka was in a good mood and all but pulled him into the bedroom, and when Iruka would wave him off. He never asked Iruka why he bothered coming early when he surely knew Kakashi would be late, or the very rare time when Iruka was the late one. Kakashi had never asked Iruka anything about himself, except in his mind or to the memorial rock.
Neither of them had ever asked. Others would look at them and shake their heads. They believed that it wouldn't last; that it couldn't last.
So when Kakashi was brought in almost four months later then expected barely able to walk and being supported by a fellow jounin, everyone was shocked when Iruka took a look at him and whispered. "When did you become so important to me?" Kakashi didn't say anything for awhile but then spoke softly. "I don't know... I've been meaning to ask you the same question."
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(1) The photo of Kakashi as a genin and his two team-mates. The one right above his bed.
Review people! Oh, and if you will be so kind, please send in requests and/or challenges. I'm rather desperate for ideas at the moment as I'm also working on another fanfic at the same time. Dear God, shoot me if I ever do this again!