Part two of three of this challenged dedication fic.

Kishimoto still owns all things Naruto (so not fair ;_;) I still get nothing but (hopefully) reviews and (I can dream right?) cuddles.

IIXII

WORTH THE WAIT

IIXII

PART TWO

IIXII

Iruka was tired. Bloody, beaten and tired. The mission was a success, yes. But he was quickly realizing that being a teacher at the academy wasn't exactly the best kind of training for active duty. He trailed behind his teammates as they left Hokage Tower, but they didn't even have the decency to wait for him as they left the building. Of course not. They'd been out for almost three weeks and Iruka was partly to blame for that. The mission itself had taken time, but it was his fault it had taken even longer. He sighed.
I need to start training more.

He dragged his body home, deciding he'd put a load in the washer before taking a long bath. After letting himself in, he threw off his clothes, picked up the hamper and began filing up the washing machine. Only to be stopped when something bright orange passed through his hands.
Naruto… This is Naruto's… Of course. I signed back up for active duty and was sent out the same day. I didn't have time to wash or return anything. It's smelly now, I should wash it first, then take it over. Hmmm… Take it over where? His place? Or the Inuzuka compound? Aoba said that's where he spends most of his nights nowadays… How could I have ever missed that? Tsch, whatever.

Mentally kicking himself for getting lost in thoughts about Naruto Uzumaki, he quickly finished the chore before turning to fill the bathtub. He took a quick but thorough shower to wash all the grime, dirt and blood away, wincing as he found a few cuts and bruises he hadn't noticed before.
Definitely need to start training more…

Turning off the shower, Iruka moved to get into the tub, turning off the running water first. Just as he lifted his leg to get in, a knock on the door sounded and the chuunin groaned. But he quickly wrapped a towel around himself and went to open the door – hopefully whoever was there just needed something quick, because he really didn't feel like company right now.
But apparently his blonde visitor had other plans…

"Thank god, you're back!" Naruto pushed him back, letting himself in and closing the door behind him before Iruka even had a chance to object. He was pinned against the wall as the unwelcome guest carefully examined his body.

Iruka blushed bright, trying to push the younger man away from him while at the same time attempting to cover his upper body with his arms, "Naruto! What the hell?!"

"You got hurt pretty bad, huh?" Cerulean eyes looked up, there was pain hidden away and the usual sparkles where nowhere to be found, "You're not fit for active duty, Iruka-sensei. You should've at least trained before you left."

"It's nothing, now let me go!" He pushed violently, running into his bedroom and slamming the door shut. He grabbed a pair of uniform pants and a shirt from his dresser before moving his hands to the towel still wrapped around him. But he froze on the spot at the bedroom door creaked and Naruto appeared in the doorway behind him. Through the mirror next to his dresser they stared at each other for a few awkward seconds, "Naruto, please let me at least change, will you?"

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, "I broke it off with Kiba."

Iruka sighed softly, "Why?"

"Because I want you. I've always wanted you. He seemed a little relieved to be honest. Apparently the whole marriage thing was his mother's doing…"

"I already told you Naruto, the first choice is hardly ever the best one. Now please let me change."

He shrugged, "Go ahead."

Turning on his heels, Iruka stared at the blonde, "Are you kidding me?"

"No. Go ahead, change. I intent to get it off again either way, but if you really feel the need to put your clothes back on," Another shrug, "Be my guest…"

The brunette's voice was cold, "What the hell is wrong with you…?"

"Nothing. You're the one that's been acting weird."

Iruka couldn't take it anymore, "Get out!" He growled, feeling absolutely none of that relief that he'd been expecting as the younger man turned and walked away. Still, he quickly changed into the uniform he'd laid out before walking into the living room. Naruto wasn't there, but he hadn't heard the front door either, so the guy had to be in the kitchen. Iruka swallowed, then took a deep breath before finally stepping into the kitchen.

"There you are… Decided to change after all, huh?"

"Naruto…" He sighed, wiping a hand over tired eyes, "What do you even want from me…?"

The young man sitting at his kitchen table shrugged, "Everything."

"Even if I knew what you meant by that… Nothing's going to happen," A wry smile tucked at the corners of his mouth, "Go back to Kiba, Naruto. Grovel a little, he'll take you back. And if you don't want that, fine. But you're not getting anything from me."

"Not even Thursday night ramen?"

Iruka groaned, letting his head rest against the doorframe like the rest of his body already was, "Fine, we'll still go out for Thursday night ramen…"

"Today's Thursday, and it's just about dinnertime. So maybe it's a good thing that you changed after all, because I intent to hold you to your promise, Iruka," The blonde gave him a small smile, and some of the twinkles in his eyes returned as Iruka's eyes widened.

But his tone was still unforthcoming when he spoke, "So you finally dropped the 'sensei', huh?"

"Well, you're not a sensei anymore," Naruto pointed out, "Besides, it's what you wanted, isn't it?"

Iruka sighed, "I honestly don't care anymore, Naruto. I honestly don't care…"

He got up, moving towards the older man until he was only a small step away, "Why not? Why did you care in the first place?"

Another sigh escaped him, "I don't know, okay? I just… Maybe I wanted more, but… It's just a bad idea, Naruto. No, actually, it's a horrible idea."

"Why? What's so horrible about two guys that are actually in love with each other wanting to be together? Why are you trying to push me back to the guy I never loved? I got along with Kiba, that's about all of it. And he knows now anyway. I told him there was someone else. He's not going to take me back, not now, not ever. I burned my bridges and I'm not giving up on you."

His fingers traced the scar running across his face, eyes closed, "Why?"

Naruto sighed, "I told you. I told you several times. I'm in love with you."

"Doesn't change anything, Naruto…"

"And why not? You said the same thing, why are you backing away from me? Afraid now it's not just a one-sided thing anymore?"

Iruka slowly opened his eyes, his hand dropping back down. Naruto'd gotten even closer now, the younger man's breath tickling his skin, the brunette whispered, "Maybe…"

Naruto's whisper was equally soft, "So that's it, then. You're scared to go any further and so you push me away. But I'm not letting you push me away, not again. I love you."

"Naruto…" But he didn't know what else to say, so Iruka fell quiet once more. He could see Naruto's eyes softly wandering his features, could see the younger man's decision forming in those perfect blue orbs. But he didn't see Naruto's arms come up, could only feel it when they softly wrapped around him. He gasped in shock, only to find soft lips against his own, a tongue deftly slipping in between his parted lips. For a brief moment, Iruka resisted, tried to pull away. But Naruto wouldn't let him go and for some reason, the older man decided he didn't really want him to either.

He could feel himself relax a little, though the strangeness of it all remained very much present in his mind. Naruto tasted like something sweet, with a touch of cinnamon and – what else – ramen mixed in. Iruka instantly realized he was addicted to the taste of Naruto Uzumaki. Wrapping his own arms around strong shoulders he pushed up against the younger man, pressing their lips together a little tighter. He could feel Naruto smile softly against his lips, one hand wandering down until it rested on his ass. Suddenly feeling insecure again, he pulled away, taking a few steps back, his face revealing his shock.

Naruto chuckled, all the sparkles back in his eyes, as he leaned against the doorframe. His tone a little teasing, "Scaredy-cat."

Iruka pulled a face, "So?" He took another few steps back, sitting down on the armrest of his couch, "You must've noticed by now that I've never really done anything like this before…"

"I know, don't care," Suddenly a wide grin appeared on Naruto's face, "Imma teach ya all I know!" He gave the older man an excited thumbs-up, "Believe it!"

He chuckled despite himself, "I'm not sure I want to know all you know, Naruto…"

"Right," He calmed down again, sauntering over until he stood just before Iruka once more, "Then how about we start of slow? Iruka, will you go on a date with me?"

His mouth twitched, "Let me guess, Ichi Raku's?"

"Well, it is Thursday night after all. And unless you suddenly have a new favorite restaurant…?"

"No, I don't," Iruka smiled softly, "But I need you to promise me something Naruto. Please don't go spreading the news, okay? I'm not…" He bit his lip, looking away.

"I know. You need time, don't worry Iruka. I wouldn't put you on the spot like that."

IIXII

Seven weeks had passed. Seven weeks and one more mission. After that one – where Iruka'd broken his arm, gotten more cuts and bruises than he'd like to count and got rightfully yelled at by a team mate almost half his age – Iruka'd decided to call it quits and return to teaching. The chuunin that had temporarily filled in for him until they found a more permanent replacement had all but hugged him, as there was no sign of a permanent replacement ever being found and the 'little nightmares' as the guy called the students had all but broken the man's spirit completely. Iruka had just chuckled, and within two days he had them all behaving once more.

'Thursday night ramen' had slowly turned into 'every night ramen' usually followed by an unhurried walk in which they took the longest route back to Iruka's apartment, and a slow kiss on his doorstep before Naruto bid him a good night and the sensei went off to bed where heated dreams of the blonde awaited him. Tonight was seemingly no different. But last night Iruka had made up his mind. So when Naruto's lips gently touched his own, the younger man's hands lingering on his hips, he wrapped his own arms securely around the blonde, pulling him inside before kicking the door closed. Naruto chuckled lightly, pressing up against the older man just a little more. When they finally broke for air, Iruka was panting so hard he saw little stars. Naruto just chuckled again, but his own breathing was ragged too, eyes twinkling.

"Can't say I was expecting that."

Iruka smiled, "That's kind of the idea here, catch you off guard sort of thing…"

"Ah," There was a mischievous glint in the younger man's eyes, "And now what? Got any more surprises planned, sensei?"

"Uh… No?"

Naruto just chuckled again, letting go of Iruka's hips and taking hold of one, tanned hand instead he pulled him along to the living room. Sitting down on the couch, he gently pulled the older man to sit beside him, "How about we just talk?"

Iruka pulled a little face, his tone hoarse as he brought his face close to Naruto's "We've been talking all night, we've actually been just talking for weeks. How about we just kiss?" He didn't wait for a reply, instead closing the small distance between them.

Apparently, Naruto had no objections, his arms instantly wrapping around the older man, he moaned softly. Iruka pressed his body flush against the blonde's, deepening the kiss while slowly pushing Naruto on his back. The younger man chuckled slightly, breaking the kiss for a moment, "Thought you said you had no more surprises?"

Iruka smiled back, "Maybe I lied," He winked, recapturing soft lips. He let his hands roam the body laying under him, a little hesitantly as he'd never done anything like this before. But Naruto didn't try to stop him, didn't shy away from his touch as Iruka's left hand slipped under his shirt. The toned stomach was no surprise, nor were the hard pecks. What surprised Iruka was the younger man's low moan, his own body's reaction. He trembled a little.

A hand came to rest upon his own, Naruto's touch being soft as he lay his hand over Iruka's but on top of his shirt, "I'm not pressuring you into anything, Iruka. You don't have to."

He swallowed, his voice a mere breath, "I want to," His right hand seemed to think on his own, working its way between their bodies, gently pressing down just below Naruto's waistband. He repeated, his voice a little stronger, "I want to."

He watched the younger man swallow, biting back anther low moan, his hand gently brushing his own away, "Iruka… If you do that one more time I won't be able to hold back anymore… I don't mind taking things slow, but you better be damn sure of yourself if you're touching me there."

He could feel the corners of his mouth turn up in a wicked smirk, placing his hand back where Naruto had brushed it away without a single word.

IIXII

END OF PART TWO