Disclaimer: Don't own… though if I did…. There would be some changes.

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From what you do, because of you
You know I can't be there
Each time that you call
I swore not to come, but I'm here after all
I know by the look that I see in your eye
I won't stand around and I won't watch you die
From what you do, because of you
-Because of You; Nickelback

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"Oh…. Oh my…"

Iruka's kind eyes were wide, his throat working to produce any legible sentence. However, all words stuck to his throat.

"He…."

Grabbing Kakashi's clothed shoulders, Iruka shook him painfully. Or would of, if not for the growing state of insanity. "Naruto can't be." shaking his head when Kakashi attempted to draw him closer, Iruka stepped back and turned to stare out the window of his apartment.

"He said he'd be back tonight."

Iruka turned to look at Kakashi again. His eyes pleading for some form of comfort. Something Kakashi knew he couldn't give at the moment.

"Iruka…"

Iruka shook his head and with spun around quickly, throwing Kakashi off guard when he put his fist through the wall. "He can't be gone!" Iruka was leaning towards the dented wall, his eyes closed and his body radiating denial.

"He can't be dead!"

Iruka's voice was loud and he seemed to be trying to convince himself that the words Kakashi spoke were lies.

"Don't say that, don't say such disgusting things!"

Iruka crumpled to his knees, his bruised fist cradled lightly in his arms against his chest. "Only a week ago, Naruto came to me and told me he was going on a mission. Saying it was nothing big, he'd be back within a week."

Iruka was rambling now.

Kakashi moved and kneeled beside Iruka, dragging the emotionally shocked man into his arms. Hoping to give at least an ounce of comfort. Seeing that Iruka wouldn't pull away, Kakashi picked the Chuunin teacher up bridal style and moved to the large bed where he swiftly covered the rapidly paling man with the thick comforter.

No tears fell from Iruka's eyes as he gazed pathetically up at Kakashi. The jounin held Iruka to his chest, where Iruka stiffly pushed away. "Don't touch me!" Kakashi backed off, instead he moved to the kitchen where he started a pot of tea.

Iruka remained in the uncomfortable position of curling up, partly reclined. He stayed in that position as Kakashi set a mug of tea down, when Kakashi took a shower and changed- even as Kakashi slid into bed and grimly remained on his side.

When the moon was the only source of light, Iruka glanced over at one of the three frames resting on his bedside table.

Naruto- at the tender age of 10, was giving Iruka a great bear hug. It had been father's day.

-------fLaShBaCk-------------------

"Naruto?"

Watery sky blue eyes moved from the ground, up Iruka's form at to Iruka's concerned eyes.

"Yes Iruka-sensei?" Iruka gave a slight smile. "It's time for the presentation. Come on, I would really like to see what you were working on for the past two weeks." Naruto's eyes gave a brief flash of hope.

"Really?"

Iruka gave a honest smile as he scratched the side of his scarred nose. "Well, you seemed to have put effort into this project from what I've seen in class. I'd like to see what captured your insanely short attention for longer then five minutes."

Naruto jumped up from the lone swing set and grabbed Iruka's offered hand. He dragged the young teacher into the large school towards where Shikamaru and Chouji were standing with their fathers.

While many students and fathers gave Iruka a truly confused and almost disgusted look, Chouji, Shikamaru and their fathers merely stared at them with hidden curiosity.

Iruka stood next to Mr. Nara and Mr. Akimichi. Exchanging brief pleasantries, the three turned to stare at the three kids.

Shikamaru never truly hated Naruto. Yes, he was 'troublesome', but to Iruka- everyone and thing was troublesome to the lazy genius. Chouji didn't mind Naruto at all. The chubby child had another friend, one of few that the kid had.

When father's day was over, and all the parents and children were gone: Iruka gave a slightly startled jump when Naruto slammed against him and a flash went off. Mr. Nari stood there with a camera in hand. He gave a shrug at Iruka's questioning look, then gestured to Naruto.

"Thanks Mr. Nara!"

The almost annoyingly loud voice carried and Mr. Nara passed Naruto the camera before he walked off mumbling about 'late… wife… furious…'

When Naruto was gone, Iruka remained with the other teachers to clean up. He ignored the questioning looks and the comments about how Iruka could stand that 'damned demon child'.

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Iruka gave in to the unbearable pain in his chest, and stinging in his eyes.

Tears came flooding and left trails over his normally cheerful face. He cried well into the night, to near morning. Kakashi merely remaining on his side, turned away with wide eyes. In bed even, the jounin wore his mask. But it was plain to see the pain in him at having to listen to Iruka's hysterical sobs. Knowing that nothing he did could soothe the pained Iruka.

Iruka's eyes were blood shot and swollen by the time he was done crying. He slipped off into a restless sleep with the single picture frame held tightly against his chest.

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Ahhh, poor Iruka. I love him- he's so cute!

Hope you review!