Note from the Author: For Furuido because I live with her and therefore have to keep her somewhat civil. -.-

Naruto is the property of Kishimoto.

Naash: I don't like mornings either. I hate them with a passion actually. But I like the kind of morning I described here – I had one the other day.

Unmotivated Genius: Yeah … I'm a drabble kind of gal.

Ravensbff: Thanks, love.

Invader-Nehima: It makes me very happy, love:huggles:

Shikamaru's Hot Honey: Puppies, huh? Random. Haha.

Dr. Hairspray: I like being snuggled!

Photograph

Kakashi stood like he was carrying a coffin on his shoulder.

Iruka frowned at the photo, wondering how he had never noticed that before. He remembered taking this, that day he had forced the jounin out of bed and into the park for a picnic. Kakashi had asked him why he had a camera, his tone almost melancholy.

At the time, Iruka had simply thought he was pouting because he had to actually leave the house to be fed, so he'd kissed him on the cheek and said, "For memories." And memories were important to him, considering their line of work. He had albums and albums filled with photos of friends and students that had died long ago, that all he had left of was their photo.

Studying at this picture, the way Kakashi was slumped against a tree, he looked far too old and sad for his age, like he had seen too much of life already and was tired of it. Iruka didn't like it, and he tucked the photo in the back of Kakashi's photo album so that he wouldn't have to see the guilt that was as much a mark on him as the scar on his eye.

Flipping the page, he almost laughed out loud at the still of his favorite genin trying to surprise-attack his favorite jounin. Of course, in the next shot, Kakashi was sitting comfortably on Naruto's back, and Naruto was caught mid-yell, demanding that he be released.

Iruka's smile faded as he turned the sleeve again and found the words "Team Seven" splayed across the top. The first shot was of Naruto and Sasuke standing side-by-side in front of Ichiraku, pretending to like each other for the photo's sake, although anyone who knew them knew they loved each other more than anyone else, despite the time they spent arguing.

When Sasuke left Konoha in search of power, Naruto had been heartbroken – and so had Kakashi. He had failed to keep his team in tact, and Iruka knew that weighed heavily on him, especially since all the people he loved were gone. The Chuunin wished that he could find Sasuke and bring him back, so that Team Seven would be whole again and Kakashi would smile more.

Turning the page, he found a shot of himself tugging down Kakashi's mask as he kissed him. He blushed and slammed the album shut more forcefully than he had intended. How had Kakashi managed to take that anyway? Next time he kissed him, he would have to make sure there were know Kakashi Shadow Clones hanging around.

A flash went off, and Iruka jumped to his feet, kunai in hand. "You're cute when you're embarrassed." Kakashi's eye curved up in a teasing way as he swung the strap of his camera around his finger, leaning against the doorframe.

Iruka cleared his throat. "How long have you been standing there?"

Seriousness returned to the jounin's face. "Long enough to know you feel sorry for me."

Iruka sighed, going to him and wrapping his arms around him. "I just worry."

"I'm happy enough with just you." The silver-haired man replied softly against brown hair. "And," he tugged him in the direction of their bed, playfulness returning. "I can think of fun things to do that would make great pictures."

Iruka winced, allowing himself to be pulled along. "You're not going to sell them to Jiraiya for ideas for his books, are you?"

"Depends."

"On what?"

"How much I like them." He said simply. "If I really like them, I'm going to keep them for my own personal viewing pleasure."

"Pervert."