Hey there, wolf here. This chap is pretty important :D That's all I'm going to say so enjoy!
Ryu Earth: I really wanted them to have a big moment hehe and it's cool, it's gotten less awkward now lol
XxSesshomaruandRinxX: Thanks you :3
(break)
"Good morning Iruka," Kakashi greeted, sauntering into the kitchen; taking in the delicious aroma of homemade pancakes.
"Is it really?" Iruka mumbled under his breath, flipping the flat cake gracefully in the air and catching it in the pan.
"Iruka," Kakashi warned, taking a seat at the dining table, eyeing the tanned man warily.
"Oh, you heard that?" Iruka asked, placing a hot plate of pancakes in front of the silver haired man. "Sorry," he apologized, sitting down with his own set of food.
"You don't have to apologize, love. Just try and think positive, alright? For me?"
"For you," Iruka chuckled out, pushing a spoonful of food into his mouth. "So how do you want to spend your last d- today?"
"I thought we could go to the movies, or maybe to the park. It doesn't really matter. I just want to spend as much time as I can with you before I depart."
The two ate the rest of their breakfast in silence, each one not knowing what to say to the other. Iruka collected the dirty dishes and washed them, as Kakashi showered and got dressed. Iruka followed suit once he was done and soon the two were ready to leave.
"Why don't we take Sango?" Kakashi offered, glancing down at the dog that was standing at the front door, wagging her tail eagerly.
"Haha, ok," Iruka said, walking towards a nearby closet and returning with a red leash.
He attached it to Sango's collar and wrapped the other end around his hand.
"All set?" the pale man asked.
"Yep," Iruka replied with a bright smile.
The silver haired man opened the front door and laughed as Sango began dragging the other outside.
"She's strong for a small dog," Iruka stated, trying to calm the dog down. "I guess that's what to expect when her owner is a Karate master."
"Oh haha," Kakashi replied sarcastically, picking up his pace so that he was walking side by side with Iruka. "You're one to talk, Mr. 'I'm gonna punch you in the gut and give you a nasty bruise.'"
"Oh come on, you had it coming! You were the one who decided to jump out from behind the couch and scare me. I was just defending myself," the younger sniggered out.
"That's why you stared at me for ten seconds before punching me?"
"Delayed reaction."
"Only you, 'Ruru, only you. By the way, where are we going anyways?"
"Huh?" Iruka asked, looking around at the scenery. "Well there's Swan Lake… and that's Ichiba's Tea Shop, so we must be heading towards Oak Park. I guess Sango's been secretly leading us there while we were talking."
"Smart dog," Kakashi laughed.
"She must have my brains," Iruka giggled out, turning a street corner and entering the park.
"More like coyness," Kakashi countered, earning him a punch to the arm.
"Hey, that looks like a good spot to relax," Iruka said, pointing to a nearby bench surrounded by white rosebushes.
The duo strolled towards the bench and took a seat, Iruka undoing the lock on Sango's leash. The small dog immediately spotted an orange and black butterfly flying above her. She gave a short jump, jaws open in an attempt to catch it, but missed and fell face first into the earth below instead. Getting up and looking at the insect once again, the dog threw herself onto the ground near Kakashi's feet and hastily fell asleep.
"That must be the cutest I have ever seen," Iruka said, biting back a giggle.
"So you don't think I'm adorable?" Kakashi questioned in a hurt tone, turning towards the other with a small pout hidden by his mask.
"I don't think the word adorable suits you. That's like calling the hulk adorable."
"But I'm not green and I don't speak in third person."
"Yea, but you're strong Kashi. Besides, you're, er, dominant," Iruka said, muttering the last part under his breath.
"Kakashi mad, Kakashi smash," the elder teased, banging lightly against his chest with his fists.
"Haha, King Kong bangs against his chest, oh smart one."
"Oh... well so do I."
"Well I personally think that handsome, sexy, funny, strong, caring, protective, and stupid would best describe you. Not adorable. Maybe your pouts are, but that's it. Wait, forget I said that last part; you might use it against me."
"Don't worry dear, I'll only dream of blackmailing you," Kakashi comforted, resulting in another punch from the other man.
"You know, I'll miss this. I'll miss our conversations, our time together- everything."
"I know baby, I will too, but I won't be gone forever," Kakashi whispered, pulling the other against his chest in a soothing hug.
Kakashi and Iruka stayed in that position for a while, watching as people casually walked by, some doing their routinely jog through the park while others were on romantic dates. The rose bushes around them swayed gently in the breeze, surrounding them with their sweet aroma, as the sun shone brightly above them in the clear, blue sky.
"Kakashi?" Iruka whispered softly.
"Yea?" the pale man replied, resting his head atop the others, closing his eyes.
"Promise me one thing."
"What's that?"
"Promise me you'll stay safe. Don't try to be a big hero or something. I just want you back in one piece."
"Don't worry, 'Ruru, I won't get hurt."
"Promise me."
"I promise."
'Thank-you."
The two sat in silence once again, until Kakashi decided to break it.
"It's getting late, we should head back."
"Ok," Iruka said, breaking away from the warm body.
He attached the leash onto Sango's collar and stood up, stretching his cramped muscles as he did so. The small dog rolled onto her paws and happily barked, eager to start traveling.
"I have no idea where you get that energy from," Kakashi told the dog, who perked her ears and cocked her head to the side in response.
"Must be you," Iruka answered, grinning at the other. "I swear you have no off button, do you?"
"Off button? With what?" Kakashi asked, dumfounded.
Iruka glared at him, chocolate orbs burning deep holes within the other's flesh.
"Oh! That!" Kakashi exclaimed, standing up. "Well can you blame me?"
"Haha, I wasn't blaming you or anything. I was just saying that, well, if you could, you'd go all day long. It's like you get hornier and hornier by the second."
"What can I say? I'm like a rubrics cube. The more you play with me, the harder I get."
Iruka held back a small sob as realization hit him fully in the face- feeling like he had just went head first against a speeding train.
'I really don't know how long I can go without him,' the tanned man thought in distress.
"Hey, you ok?" Kakashi asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Yea," Iruka replied quickly.
"Good," Kakashi said with a smile. "Let's head back."
The two made their way back home, enjoying the warm summer day as they did so. They soon arrived home, unlocking the front door and releasing Sango so that she could find a comfortable corner to sleep in.
"I can't believe the time has come," Iruka said, looking down at the ground.
"I know, but please stay brave for me."
Iruka nodded. Kakashi grasped his hand and led him out the front door once more.
"They're picking us up at the harbor," Kakashi stated, hand still entwined with the others, as he walked down the streets. "A ship will be there to gather us."
Iruka said nothing in response. The sun began to set as the two trekked towards the harbor, Iruka trailing behind Kakashi like an injured animal. The harbor soon came into sight; hundreds of people lined along the coast. A large, steel ship was anchored near the shore, a metal ramp protruding from its center. Iruka glanced at the crowd and recognized numerous, familiar faces. Asuma, Anko, Genma, Tsunade, Naruto- they were all here. Each approached the couple, offering their condolences and sharing in their sorrow- retreating back into the mass to say their goodbyes to others once they finished. A large horn sounded from the pinnacle of the ship, and an old man's voice sounded above the bustling noise of the crowd.
"May I have your attention please?" the elderly man began. "Thank you. The recruited have ten minutes before they must board the ship. Ten minutes. That is all."
Iruka gulped as a tear escaped his eye.
"Iruka," Kakashi called out, bringing the other back to reality. "I know this isn't lavishly planned or anything, but please hear me out." The pale man dropped to one knee in front of the now surprised man, grasping a shaking hand with his left hand and reaching into his pocket with his right. He took out a tiny, black box and opened it, taking out a small, golden ring with the initials 'I.U.' and 'K.H.' carved into its smooth surface. He gazed up at the young man with a loving smile. "This is not how I wanted this to happen, but I'm hoping this will give you some sort of hope. Iruka Umino, you are the light of my life. When I'm with you, nothing else matters. You are my pride and joy; my air and my sunshine. You make me the happiest man on Earth, just by seeing your beautiful smile. I want to spend the rest of my like with you, so Iruka, will you marry me?"
"I-I," Iruka stuttered, before breaking down completely. "Yes, yes! Of course I'll marry you!" He exclaimed, tears streaming down his face from both joy and sorrow.
Kakashi slid the ring on Iruka's finger and a tiny roar of applause erupted from the people nearby, congratulating the two on their newfound happiness.
"One minute," the elderly man's voice called out. "One minute."
The clapping soon died down.
"Kakashi, I love you. I love you so much," Iruka wept out.
"I love you too, 'Ruru," the silver haired man said, pulling the younger into ne last embrace.
A final horn sounded, signaling that it was time for the drafted to leave.
"Stay strong," Kakashi reminded, giving Iruka one final kiss goodbye.
Kakashi broke away, wand with a wave, began walking towards the ramp. Iruka ran over to the coastline, standing by Anko and Kurenai- the two wrapping and arm around the saddened man in an attempt to ease his nerves, as they watched the pale man board the ship. When the last person had entered, the ramp retreated within the depths of the metal monster, and the anchor was reeled in. The ship slowly began drifting off into the horizon, occasionally sounding its horn until it was too far away to be heard. Iruka stood there like a zombie, hand clutched to his chest as he stared off at the sparkling, sapphire ocean.
"He'll be back before you know it," Anko whispered, leaning her head against Iruka's shoulder.
"Yea, he's a tough soul. He'll push through fighting all the way," Kurenai agreed. "Besides, we'll be right here for you. All of us."
Iruka continued to stare at the ocean, frozen in time, until a tear strayed down his face, followed by another, and then another.
'I love you,' he thought, slowly shutting his eyes. 'Come back safe.'
(break)
Gasp! Kakashi proposed! Awe, what can happen next? It's going to be butterflies and sunshine right? Wrong! Lol, anyways, please review. :)