Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine….I just kidnapped him for a while. I was gonna give him back! I swear it!
Warnings: um, cursing...and kissing...and -maybe a little out of character- Iruka... I think that is all...
This is the first chapter i am posting without Panda-chan proofing it! so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be nice?
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"Hey! Come back here!"
The smaller of the two children sniffled as her bright hair whipped forward in the wind, causing her to run momentarily blind. Shoving it impatiently out of her eyes, the skinny girl doubled her speed with some effort as she raced to catch up with her friend.
The boy in front of her ignored her cries as he dodged several branches that were hanging too low to the ground. Grabbing one of the lower ones, the small blonde used his momentum to swing himself into the air, giggling.
The girl stopped a few feet away from her swinging friend and scowled as scarily as a five year old could. "You are gonna get hurt and your mamma will be mad at you."
The bright eyed boy eyed her in amusement. It sounded like she was mad. It even could be said she was scolding him, but he knew better. She was worried about him. She never liked it when he got hurt. Even the smallest scratch would make her cry.
Deciding not to upset the only friend he had, the blonde dropped to the ground, landing in a crouch before eyeing the girl over his shoulder.
"I'm fine. See?" He turned and held out his small chubby hands as she leaned forward to inspect what damage had been done. True to his word however, there was not so much as a single scratch on the outstretched hands.
"Hmmph. You're just showing off now." She accused in a that annoyingly haughty tone she used when she was trying to cover up her good side. Like now.
He couldn't help but giggle. He might be little but he was smart for a six year old. He hadn't missed the look of relief on her face when he'd proved he was ok.
Sighing, the boy wiped his sweaty, stinging palms on his jean covered thighs before grabbing the girl's hand and pulling her with him towards the break in the lining of the trees.
"Come on. I'm hungry!" He tossed her his trademark goofy grin over his shoulder. "Mamma is fixing us ramen!"
The smaller of the two rolled her eyes. It seemed like ramen was the only thing her friend ever ate.
"I want beef stew." She informed him loudly. The words were accompanied by her adorable little pout that the blonde simply couldn't resist. And she knew he couldn't.
As though he could hear her thoughts, he tightened his grip on her smaller hand and nodded without looking back. "K. I'll ask."
She smiled brightly and skipped a few times so that she was walking beside him. Her own hand tightened on his. "Thank you, Naruto."
He nodded and smiled back as they broke through the trees. The boy trying desperately to ignore the strange sense of wrongness that hung heavily in the air.
Something was wrong…
"Sakura…"
The single word was breathed into the stillness. A small frown tugged at the corners of his mouth as his hand reached up into the emptiness for a familiar comfort that was no longer there.
"Forgive me…"
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The kitchen was warm and smelled delightful as the man moved to the counter, reaching for the familiar pot of coffee.
Out of all the gifts Kakashi had given him over the years, his coffee pot had to be his favorite. Seriously, who could not love the machine that brewed that small amount of dark liquid heaven. And it had a timer no less! No more waking up thirty minutes earlier than he had to just to get the coffee going.
Fighting back a yawn, Iruka sat down in one of the wooden chairs and looked around at his quickly emptying kitchen. Almost everything had been packed by now, much to the brunette's relief. Only a few small necessities remained out for ready use when needed. Of course, his coffee pot was one of those few.
Enjoying the peace and quiet, Iruka was suddenly thankful that Kakashi had offered to take the boys shopping for new clothes this morning.
He shook his head in amusement, smiling. He couldn't help but find it slightly weird that those three actually enjoyed shopping. But, if it helped cheer them up, then it was fine he guessed.
He frowned at that thought as he took a sip of the hot liquid from his coffee cup.
It had been a solemn, depressing year since the threats had started. They had already moved three times by now. Each time being followed by the persistent psycho who was determined to get his hands on Naruto. He seemed to have become adept at avoiding the law. And each time they started to settle, to relax… He sighed. The threats always started again. Always.
Naruto seemed to be handling it a little better than he had at first however, and Kiba no longer punched things at the sight of the letters. Just snarled out promises of what he would do when he got his hands on the guy.
But over the course of the last year the threats had gotten progressively worse. Iruka was hanging on to his sanity by his fingertips. And he was slipping. He knew it. And so did Kakashi apparently. Thus the shopping trip to give the man some time to recover a little of his self-control…
And surprisingly, it seemed to be working. He smiled to himself as he considered all that his silver haired friend had done for them the last few months.
Kakashi had approached him not two months ago with an idea. Apparently, the silver haired heart throb had some I.O.U.s he could collect on, thus insuring all of them safety. Iruka didn't know how he could insure it. Didn't know what he'd really been talking about. But if there was one thing Iruka had learned in his time with Kakashi, it was that he should trust him. Kakashi had never let him down. Not once.
And so Iruka had listened to his idea. He had informed the brunette that his old home in the city of Konoha was still there and unlived in. That in it self set alarms off in his head. Kakashi had always been very clear that he hated Konoha and would never return. For any reason. And yet, now. He shook his head, still confused. He had a distinct feeling Kakashi knew more about their situation than he was letting on.
Iruka sighed again as a frown formed. He was well aware that there were things in Kakashi's past he didn't like to talk about, and Iruka had accepted that and had never pushed him. After all, even Iruka had some secrets. Didn't everyone? But still, Kakashi hated that city with a passion. So his insistence had conveyed exactly how strong he felt about this.
So after nearly two weeks of stubbornly refusing his friend's offer, Iruka had given in. Within two days they would be in the city of Konoha. In their new house.
Kakashi had produced pictures of the first house he had ever owned, and had never had the heart to sell, and had bragged about the place nonstop. Two stories, with five bedrooms and three bathrooms. A large backyard (fenced in)and an in ground swimming pool.
He sighed again as he rubbed his forehead. He didn't want such an expensive place, but Kakashi had insisted. And Kakashi always got his way. Whether through ridiculously large amounts of money (mainly used on the boys) or giving Iruka the saddest kicked puppy look he could muster.
'And it always works damn him!' He thought with a scowl. And found himself wondering once again where the man got all his money from. The guy was filthy rich! He smiled. 'Stupid Kakashi.' He turned his thoughts back to the move.
Iruka, with some help, finally had managed to enroll the boys in the city high school and all that was left now was to finish up with the packing and actually move.
They were supposed to leave tomorrow. Iruka could only pray that nothing would happen.
He sighed and shook his head to clear it of the spinning thoughts. This was getting him nowhere. He needed to go check the house. Make sure everything was ready to go.
Still, he wasn't overly thrilled with the idea.
Suddenly the sound of shattering glass echoed through the otherwise quiet house. Iruka jumped and sloshed his coffee onto his chest, the scalding liquid burning his skin through the thin T-shirt he wore.
Trembling visibly, the brunette moved slowly to the window and stared down at the cause of the damage. A rock. With a note tied around it.
This was definitely a new approach to their stalker's habits. An icy dread crawled its way up Iruka's spine.
Carefully avoiding the shards of glass, Iruka knelt down on the floor and pulled the paper loose from its bindings. He tried desperately to ignore the rising panic he felt nearly choking him as he unfolded the note and began to read.
Iruka's breath hitched in his throat. Tan hands shook uncontrollably as they held the piece of paper.
'Oh God. Wha- what is this?!' His mind screamed in denial, even as his eyes filled with unbidden tears that trailed down his cheeks.
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Kakashi stopped abruptly, the laughter dying in his throat at the scene that met his eyes. They had just gotten in sight of the house when something had caught his attention.
"Oh God, no…" His voice was a mere whisper before terror seized his heart. "Iruka!" He screamed.
Kakashi dropped the bags he'd been carrying and ran. Taking the steps two at a time Kakashi bolted through the front door and into the kitchen. There he was given a closer look at the damage that had been inflicted in their absence.
Eyes wide, the silver haired man looked desperately around the room. But there was no sign of the missing brunette.
Mere seconds passed before both Kiba and Naruto raced into the house. Seeing the damage they instantly took off in search of their missing dad.
"He's not here! We can't find him!" Kiba's voice sounded panicked as they returned to the kitchen, out of breath and looking frightened.
Naruto, ignoring his own rising panic and fear, eyed the room more closely. His eyes landed on the crumbled up piece of paper that had been left on the floor. Azure depths flashed with barely concealed fear as he picked up the note and began to read it aloud with growing dread….
Hello Iruka-kun,
I see you are running away from me. It won't help. No matter where you go I will always find my little Naru-chan.
Naruto choked on a sob, his voice trailing off. He looked up at the wide eyed Kakashi in helplessness.
'Oh God,. . . '
Kakashi took the paper from Naruto's shaking hands and read it in silence.
Hello Iruka-kun,
I see you are running away from me. It won't help. No matter where you go I will always find my little Naru-chan. How's the boyfriend Iruka-kun? I see you staring at him. You love him don't you? Would he leave you when he finds out about how daddy used you? I wonder…how will he react when he finds out about your little drinking problem? Would he still love you? I don't think so. I think he would turn from you in disgust. Why have used goods? I bet he would get rid of you in a heartbeat. He has the connections. Go on. Ask him about his past. He's just like your daddy was.
I will have my Naru-chan and you won't be able to stop me. Nor will your little boyfriend…but maybe he will want to play with him like I do. Until then Iruka-kun.
'He's…sick…That little son of a bitch!'
Panic swept through him as he wandered back toward the front door.
It was empty. The entire house was empty. Iruka was not here. Somewhere. He was somewhere else. But where?
Frowning, Kakashi stopped in the doorway. Both Kiba and Naruto were on their cell phones, calling people they knew. People who might help them find their missing dad.
Tears sprang unbidden to his eyes. The words of the note engraved painfully into his mind. He knew. The sick, twisted bastard knew about him! And he'd had the gall to say something like that to his Iruka?!
'He's mine and if you lay so much as a finger on him I'll show you just what kind of connections I have!'
Hot fury and cold fear battled for control as he struggled within himself. And that part about Iruka's father… What was that about? And a drinking problem? Iruka didn't drink. Did he?
Fisting his hands in his pockets in frustration, Kakashi swallowed the bile rising in his throat.
'No. I-It doesn't matter, damn it! Iruka where are you?!'
His eyes slid shut as he tried to figure out where his friend could be.
The note. That was obviously the reason he had left. But…
Iruka must have found it before they had arrived, because it had been laying on the floor…wadded up. Something in there had struck a low blow, a raw nerve maybe, for Iruka's infamous calm to have snapped so easily.
He moved silently across the yard until he was standing in front of the broken window.
That note. They had been receiving those letters non-stop for the last year. But this one….
Kakashi forced down the bile rising in his throat once again and jerked his cell phone out of his pocket.
'Damn it! I'm not losing him like this!'
He stared at the cell phone in silence. One call. That's all it would take. Just one-
He has the connections. Go on. Ask him about his past.
He cursed and was about to dial the number, praying that somehow, he would be forgiven for what he was about to do, when a loud scream caught his attention.
Racing back into the house, Kakashi found a fearful looking Kiba and a pale faced Naruto standing frozen to the spot. "Naruto! What's wrong?!"
The blonde didn't answer. Instead, he took a deep breath and brought the nearly crushed cell phone back to his ear. "Is…is it really…?" His voice trailed off into the eerily quiet air.
A few seconds of silence and suddenly loud cursing could be heard on the other end.
"Easy! My eardrums are gonna bust!" Naruto shouted back, a small bit of color returning to his face as he listened to the caller.
"Kiba?" Kakashi eyed the brunette curiously as he turned to him. "What's going on?"
Kiba shrugged. "Some guy called Naruto and he went all pale and quiet and shit. Then all of a sudden he started screaming." He frowned and turned back to his now grinning brother. "That's when you walked in."
"Thanks so much! We'll be there in ten minutes!" Naruto snapped the phone shut, ignoring the questioning looks that were turned his way. "I know where Dad is. Let's go!"
Exchanging another curious look, the two males followed a slightly dazed (albeit happy) Naruto out the door.
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Music blared, echoing through the crowded room. Sweaty, writhing bodies pressed closer as they moved with the rhythm. At the nearly deserted bar, a single figure sat looking down into his not quite empty glass.
The thin, frightened figure gripped the sheets with white-knuckled fists, whimpering. He could taste the blood in his mouth, a small trickle escaping down his chin. His left eye felt swollen and sore.
He shivered and pushed the pain farther into the corners of his mind.
Drums beat harder as they joined the guitars in not so perfect harmony.
It was strange. Ever since he'd become friends with the musically gifted heart throb of a perverted man named Kakashi, Iruka had been able to hear the music being played through different ears. The notes bringing new meaning and color in his dark, gray life. He scowled. Kakashi played better than this. His eyes watered.
'Kakashi…'
Iruka slammed his forehead down on the bar. His heart began to beat wildly within his chest. The world around him blurred as images flashed through his mind.
"N-No…Pl-please…nngh…s-stop…"
The brunette gulped down the rest of his drink, the alcohol lighting a fire in his throat as it slid down.
A hand gripped his hair and shoved his face into the pillow beneath him. Chocolate strands pooled onto the white linen, creating a curtain between him and the world, as an almost eerie feeling settled into the room.
Iruka shivered. A small broken sound escaping his throat. The pain hit him hard as he relived the memories. Memories that were supposed to have been locked away for the rest of his life. He bit his lip to keep from whimpering as his eyes slid closed.
The teen bit his bottom lip hard drawing even more blood into his mouth, allowing him to focus on the sharper stinging pain rather than the burning, throbbing pain in his lower body.
"Mmph…pl-please…" He whimpered, his voice slightly muffled by the pillow.
A choked sob escaped his bloody lips as more pain erupted in his scalp. A growl sounded loudly in the room, as his head was jerked back unceremoniously.
"Shut up you worthless little piece of-"
"Iruka!" A voice shouted, cutting off the nauseating flashback.
His eyes burned with hot angry tears. 'Go away.' He pleaded silently. His chest tightened.
'I wonder…how will he react when he finds out about your little drinking problem? Would he still love you? I don't think so. I think he would turn from you in disgust. Why have used goods?'
A single tear found its way down his cheek, the words replaying over and over again in his mind.
"Dad!" Louder than the first call. It sounded strangely like two voices blending perfectly together into one. Perfect harmony.
'Would he leave you when he finds out about how daddy used you? I wonder…'
He frowned through the fog that had settled onto his mind. His thoughts seeming to run in never-ending circles.
"Dad!" The voices were closer now. Louder. He groaned, pressing closer to the cool, comforting wood.
'I think he would turn from you in disgust. Why have used goods? I bet he would get rid of you in a heartbeat.'
"K-Kakashi…"
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He was going crazy. He just knew it. Never in his whole life had he felt so sure of that fact than right now.
Scowling, he shook his head. No, he was completely sane. So why was he seeing a ghost?
"Um, hey." He whispered dumbly, before turning uncertainly to watch in a bit of worry as Kakashi pulled the drunken brunette off of the bar and lifted him into his arms.
"It's fine Naruto. I've got him." Frowning slightly, Kakashi turned to the shadowy figure standing in the corner. So this was the man who had called them and informed them of Iruka's whereabouts. His eyes narrowed dangerously. How did he know Naruto? And why had he called them?
He didn't know who the man was. But it was obvious Naruto did. He glared and shifted his weight. Eyes promising death if the male tried anything.
Naruto, sensing the change in the atmosphere followed Kakashi's gaze back to the strange figure. The man was leaning back against the wall with his arms folded over his chest, managing to look lazy. Dark, nearly gray hair was slicked back from his face. Bright almost pink eyes glittered with amusement. Pale skin came close to glowing in the limited light, as a grin suddenly broke out onto his face. The silence stretched.
"What are you doing here?! How'd you find me?!" He finally snapped, unable to take the silence any longer.
The screamed questions made even Kakashi flinch as he turned to the wide eyed blond. "You know him, Naruto?"
Even Kiba was looking stunned.
The man straightened from his position and strolled forward. "Long fucking time no fucking see."
Kakashi blinked. Kiba drooled.
Naruto gaped. He really was here. In the flesh. The cursing proved it!
Speaking of flesh…
Azure eyes moved downward taking in the violet sleeveless button up shirt that hung open, swaying with each step the man took. Black leather pants, that had to be painted on, (because there was no way in hell anyone could get into pants that tight without have serious respiratory problems) showed off his well muscled thighs and calves, riding down just enough to give a tantalizing view of his hips. His black boots clicked easily on the tile floor as he walked.
Suddenly, Naruto was no longer standing beside Kiba. He was in fact glomping the strange man quite happily. "I c-can't believe it! You're here! Why are you here?! Are you really here?! I'm not going insane am I? Cause that would be bad!"
Kakashi frowned. "Naruto!" He yelled, gaining the ecstatic blonde's attention. "Don't you think you should introduce us?" Kakashi wasn't sure why, but he felt himself relax. If Naruto was so happy to see this man, then…
The guy arched an elegant eyebrow as he looked up to the source of the voice. "Well, fu-mmmph!"
Naruto laughed nervously. " Right! Hehe." He cut off the man's cursing with his hand and grinned, completely ignoring the 'Look of Death' he was being given. He eyed Kakashi and his still unconscious dad with a sigh. Then his gaze slid over to a literally drooling Kiba.
He shook his head and smiled in amusement. "Well, you already know my Dad, Iruka. The guy holding him is Kakashi. And the dude drooling over you is Kiba, my brother."
He smirked, as Kiba turned an interesting shade of red. He laughed." And this is Hidan!"
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The bed gave a small groan of protest to the added weight as he laid the unconscious figure down gently. A few dark, chocolate colored strands of silk fanned out onto the light cream colored pillows where they had fallen loose from the man's ponytail.
Careful not to wake the dosing man up, Kakashi moved to the bathroom to get a cool rag.
It only took him a few minutes but when he returned he was stunned to find Iruka sitting silently on the edge of the bed, simply eyeing the floor.
"Ru? You ok?" He crossed the floor and sat beside him, frowning.
A shrug was his only answer. Remembering the letter from earlier, Kakashi carefully slid an arm around his shoulders. "You know… I don't know what happened to you but its ok. It wont change how I feel about you. I want you to know that. Ok?"
Iruka turned slightly to look at him, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I-Im s-sorry,…K'ashi… I…It was true!" His voice raised an octave, sounding on the verge of hysteria. "He did! He…did it…And you c-can't want used goo-"
His words were cut off suddenly by a hot mouth pressing against his own. Brown eyes grew impossibly wide as he gasp in surprise.
Taking advantage of the situation, Kakashi used the moment to slide his tongue inside that warm cavern and taste him. Despite the lingering taste of the alcohol, Iruka's mouth was heavenly. Yes. He was in heaven.
He was going to die. He was sure of it. Kakashi was kissing him! Him!
Iruka shuddered as he felt a hand grip the back of his neck, holding him still. Another hand trailed its way up into his messy hair and freed what was left of the ponytail.
Dark, mud colored strands brushed against his shoulders as he felt Kakashi tilt his head to deepen the kiss. Iruka found his eyes sliding shut of their own will as he shivered.
Damn, Kakashi could kiss.
He moaned as he felt Kakashi patiently continue to coax him into responding. Fingers curled into his hair careful to not pull too much or cause him any discomfort. Mouth feeding hungrily on his own…It was too much.
A hand slipped from his neck and moved soothingly over his back. He gasp as his mouth was finally released only to have Kakashi latch onto his neck. His head fell back with a low groan, managing to bare more of his throat for Kakashi's exploration.
"K-Kakashi…"
"Hm..?" He murmured brushing his lips along Iruka's jaw line.
"Pl-please ….S-Stop…"
Kakashi froze, a slight frown making its way to his face as realization of what he was doing slowly dawned on him. How had lost control like that? How had he managed to get himself into this situation?
Iruka found himself frowning, as Kakashi stood slowly. "I'll… leave you to get some rest. Good night Ru." Kakashi paused just inside the doorway. "I don't know why I did that. But…I'm not sorry." And with that he was gone.
Iruka reached up in a daze and touched his slightly swollen lips. That had been…amazing…
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"…"
"Hidan? You ok?" Naruto watched anxiously as Hidan finished reading through the last threat.
Hidan wasn't cursing. A non-cursing Hidan was a scary, extremely ticked off Hidan. Naruto frowned.
The older male finally looked up with a scowl. "How long?"
Naruto shrugged slightly. He knew what the guy was talking about. He also knew playing dumb would be pointless. "Around a year I think."
"And the police haven't caught him?" Hidan glanced over and frowned. "Why not?" He asked when Naruto shook his head.
"I honestly don't know." Naruto moved to sit beside the older man on the sofa. Without really thinking about it, the blonde leaned over to rest his head on the strong shoulder. "I missed you…"
Hidan sighed. Normally he wouldn't allow a subject change. Normally he would press for answers. But something told him to let it go. Just this once.
A strong arm wrapped around Naruto's waist and squeezed gently. "Yeah."
Naruto couldn't stop the smile that spread across his face. "Im glad your alive. And safe. And…here, um,…with me." He looked down at the carpet. His face burning in embarrassment.
"Me too, Naruto. Im glad I found you,…Little brother."
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ITS DONE!!!!! Finally…this part turned out to be really really loooooooooooooooooooong!
Ha! Bet u weren't expecting that kind of reunion, eh?! Hahahahahahaha
Well, let me know what you think, k?
Next Chapter: Lost and Found