Warning: um,…some memories…some sappy love stuff…Yaoi!!! yay!!!

Disclaimer: Again I ask, "Is Ino dead?" …NO! conclusion- I don't own Naruto!

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Last time:

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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Chapter 4 : Lost and found

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Naruto sighed. It was slowly getting late, but he still couldn't sleep.

After their conversation, Hidan had decided to spend the night. He was now passed out and snoring loudly on floor. Hidan hated beds. Naruto smiled, amused by the lack of change in Hidan's personality. Even after all these years he was still the same.

"Naruto?"

The blonde teen glanced up from the book he was staring at rather than reading to eye his brother curiously. He had decided to call it an early night but still hadn't been able to sleep. "Yo. What's up?"

Kiba shrugged as he leaned back against the wall. "It's nothing. I just…I mean, you seemed really familiar with that guy." Kiba gestured to the silver haired man on his floor. "Like you two were, um… close or something." Kiba was now looking everywhere except at Naruto. He seemed genuinely concerned about something.

Suddenly a thought struck the blonde. Naruto raised an inquisitive eyebrow at his nervous brother. Surely Kiba wasn't upset over his and Hidan's relationship…was he?

"Well, we knew each other a long time ago. He…saved me once. Took care of me and stuff." Naruto glanced to the window and let a soft smile touch his face in memory. "Even though he is a psycho and really weird, he was the only friend I had." Naruto looked back to Kiba's widened eyes. "Don't worry, Kiba. Nothing will change between us. You are still my little brother and my friend, kay?"

Kiba smiled and nodded. "Right. Well, goodnight Naruto."

Naruto chuckled as the dog-lover left the room. 'Kiba, bro, you are weird. Hehe…'

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"Kakashi?"

Iruka knocked softly on the wall next to him to get the silver haired man's attention.

Kakashi frowned. He was lying on his back on the too small of a couch, hands linked together behind his head. He had figured Iruka would have been asleep by now. It was nearly four o'clock in the morning. Why was he down here?

"Um,…I know you're awake, K'ashi." Iruka had moved to stand beside the man. His eyes were closed, breathing even. It would have been easy to assume he was asleep, but the raised eyebrow and the frown gave him away. "I…was wondering. Maybe, we could…um, talk?"

Kakashi's eyes opened, though his gaze fixed itself on the ceiling. "Shouldn't you be asleep?" There was barely concealed frustration in his voice.

Iruka sighed. "What happened earlier…it was-"

"Go to bed." Kakashi cut him off and turned his back to the brunette. "It's too early for one of your thinking sprees. We'll talk later."

Iruka bit down on his bottom lip. His eyes burned as tears gathered, threatening to spill over. "I didn't mean to sound,…harsh. I just…It was too much." Iruka dropped to his knees and buried his face in Kakashi's back. "I'm sorry! Please don't be so cold! Don't be mad! I can't stand when you're mad at me!" The brunette sobbed.

Kakashi sighed. Iruka's tears were soaking into the back of his t-shirt. "I won't say I'm not mad, because I am, but it's not at you. You didn't do anything wrong. Now go back to bed."

Iruka drew in a shaky breath and fisted his hands into the black shirt that was now wet with his tears. "Gomen…K'ashi." He sniffled.

The silver haired man sat up with a sigh and turned to face the former teacher. "Why, exactly, are you apologizing?"

The brunette lowered his head. " I don't know. I just…I've l-liked you for awhile now, but…I never knew you liked me…" Iruka's usually tan face was now a bright red.

Kakashi frowned and reached out to wipe away the fresh tears rolling down the other's face his hand lingering on Iruka's cheek.. " I've liked you since we were teens, 'Ruka. I just never wanted to ruin our friendship over it. And besides, you were always scolding me for being a pervert. I just assumed it would be hopeless."

Iruka looked up at him with wide, surprised eyes. He chewed his bottom lip in thought for a moment before speaking. He wasn't good with these types of situations, it made him embarrassed and nervous, but he really wanted to know. "So…What changed? Why now?"

Kakashi shrugged. "I'm not sure. It just sort of…happened." His fingers traced a careful line down to the tan neck and back. "I'm sorry that I upset you. But I'm still not sorry for the kiss."

Iruka managed a small smile. "I do like you, it was just so sudden and I was so surprised." The brunette blushed brightly as Kakashi's fingers moved back up and brushed across his forehead.

"I see. So I should warn you before I kiss you. Is that what you're saying, Iruka?"

Something in the man's voice sent a shiver down Iruka's spine. "Um...y-yes?"

Kakashi smirked. "Fine. I'm going to kiss you."

Iruka's eyes went impossibly wide as Kakashi's hand gripped his chin and tilted his head up, pressing their lips together.

Iruka gasped and Kakashi took the opportunity to slide his tongue into the brunette's mouth. He was careful and slow in his exploration and was nearly giddy with delight when Iruka's tongue slowly raised to meet his own. The response was shy and hesitant, but there.

Tan hands lifted uncertainly to fist in the front of Kakashi's black t-shirt as dark eyes slid closed. He was stunned when the brunette lifted himself up on his knees and pressed closer. Kakashi let his own hands move up to tangle in the chocolate colored strands of silk.

Iruka moaned. This was as close to pleasure as he had ever come. Never had anyone kissed him like Kakashi did. He pressed closer, his fists pulling Kakashi forward.

Need for air finally broke them apart. Both were panting and Kakashi had a rather smug look on his face as he eyed Iruka. The man's eyes were still closed and he was leaning forward ever so slightly. His face was flushed and his lips a bit swollen.

Kakashi smirked. "That better?"

Iruka blinked, and slowly returned to reality. When he did, the change was instantaneous. His blush reached even his neck and ears. He jerked his hands away and fell back on his bottom, staring up at Kakashi with wide eyes. "Wha-what was that?!" He could swear his voice was a few octaves too high.

Kakashi laughed. "It was kiss, Iruka."

The brunette glared. "I'm aware of what it was Kakashi, you pervert!"

"Then why ask?"

"N-never mind!"

Iruka stood and walked to the doorway, still blushing. He was about to leave when Kakashi's voice stopped him.

"Tell me to leave you alone and I will. Tell me to take it slow, I swear I will. Iruka, you have my word I'll do what you need me to do, but I cant read your mind. You have to tell me."

The man hesitated for a moment before turning to face his friend. "I …" His gaze dropped to the floor. It was embarrassing to be so nervous and uncertain. He jumped when he felt two strong arms wrap around his waist.

"It's ok , Iruka. I promise i won't do anything until you say you're ready. Just give me a chance. That's all I ask."

Iruka found himself smiling as his head dropped forward onto Kakashi's shoulder. "I…ok…"

Kakashi smiled and tightened his hold. He was being given a chance and he would not mess it up.

_________________________One week later_______________________

"Alright, boys, have fun but don't wander off too far without telling me, ok?"

Both boys nodded as they walked away, leaving Iruka and Kakashi to eat in peace. It had been three days since they had arrived here in the city of Konoha and Naruto had been going crazy with the lack of activity. Hidan had left for who knows where with a promise to stay in touch two days ago. He missed the psycho idiot already.

"Tomorrow's the big day, eh?"

"Huh?" Naruto blinked and eyed his brother. "What are you talking about?"

Kiba snorted. "School, you dimwit! We start tomorrow!"

Naruto laughed and nodded. He'd completely forgotten.

'Wonder if it'll be any better than before…' Naruto thought, a frown touching his face.

"Oi!"

Naruto eyed his brother who had suddenly squashed his face against the window of one of the stores. "What exactly are you doing, Kiba?"

Kiba's eyes were wide in excitement. "Look look look!" He pointed to a small box sitting just inside the window. "Puppies!"

Naruto shook his head in amusement, before freezing, a thought suddenly occurring to him. "Oi, Kiba. Didn't dad say you could get a pet now that we're settled in?"

Dark eyes lit up happily as the boy nodded.

Not seeing any help for it, Naruto walked with his brother into the store. It wasn't overly large but it wasn't small either. Cages lined the walls from floor to ceiling. Fish tanks scattered throughout the middle aisles. Birds chirped and sang while meows and barks joined in to echo in the enclosed space.

Kiba grinned as he moved straight to the cages of canines. "Oi! Naruto, look!" The brunette pointed out several puppies that had caught his eye. "You think-"

His words were cut off by a low whimper from what looked to be a runt. He was very small and obviously being picked on by the other puppies.

Naruto looked at his brother and sighed. There was no help for it. Kiba had that look in his eyes. He smiled and was about to say something when a girl stepped up to them and spoke.

"Excuse me…but can I help you with something?"

Naruto turned and opened his mouth to reply, but suddenly froze. The girl's eyes widened. She stood just a few inches shorter than the blonde she was now openly staring at.

"Dude, you ok?" Kiba eyed his brother in concern, before noticing the look of shock on the girl's face. Turning back to his brother, Kiba watched as several emotions flickered across the blonde's face. What was going on?

"N-Naru…to? Y-you…" Her wide emerald eyes filled with tears. "Y-you're…h-here…"

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."

Bright pink hair swayed, barely brushing her shoulders as she took a cautious step forward. A shaky hand reached out uncertainly. "Naruto?"

She smiled brightly and skipped a few times so that she was walking beside him. Her own hand tightened on his. "Thank you, Naruto."

"…"

Something was wrong…

Tears fell from the emerald eyes. "N-Naruto!" She was sobbing now as she lunged herself at him. Arms locking around his neck.

Blood pooled around his feet as the girl clung tightly to his arm. "I-Is he…d-dead?" She questioned. Fear evident in her shaky voice.

"Y-you…y-you're really…h-here…" She buried her face in the crook of his neck.

Tears slid down her face. Blood trickled down over her left eye from the cut on her forehead. She sobbed, sliding to her knees.

"Sa-Sakura…"

"Sakura…" He wrapped his arms around her trembling shoulders.

"Forgive me…"

"Forgive me…Sakura…"

Then Naruto did the most un-guy like thing he had ever done…

He passed out.

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Sorry if the chapter is kinda crappy…DON'T HATE ME!!!!

Anyway…please review…if you must flame then you must…-_-' …tho it will make me sad…

Next chapter : The Lifeless Eyes