Don't own anything Naruto. Just writing for fun.

Thank you to all my lovely readers and reviewers. Here is the next chapter to my story. Sorry that it took me so long. I promise to get the next chapters up quicker. Please review and let me know what you think. That does help me to get the chapters out quicker.

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Chapter 4

Kakashi shut the door after the ANBU left, confused as to why the Hokage would want to see them both. Walking back to their bedroom, Kakashi scratched the back of his head trying desperately to think why the Hokage wanted to see them both now. Walking through the doorway, Iruka could see the confusion on his lovers face and asked "Who was that?"

Lifting his head, Kakashi smirked and said "the Hokage wants to see us both."

Iruka's eyes went wide as he yelled "WHAT? NOW?"

Smiling over at his lover, Kakashi replied "Yes, do you think you will be alright?"

Slowly sitting up and groaning, Iruka replied "Yeah, just let me take a shower first." slowly crawling out of the bed as he limped towards the shower. Seeing the tan man having a hard time walking, Kakashi quietly walked up behind him and scooped him up bridal style carrying him to the bathroom. "Wha? Kakashi, put me down." gasped Iruka. Not saying anything, Kakashi continued to walked into the bathroom and set him down in the bathtub. Iruka hissing when his back hit the cold tub. Reaching over Kakashi turned on the water to let it warm up. Once warm, he filled the tub up to let Iruka soak in the water. Iruka smiled as he watched how Kakashi was taking care of him, realizing this was his way of apologizing. He slowly leaned back against the back of the tub and closed his eyes listening to the water. Hearing the water splash, he opened one eye to see the pale man stepping into the tub. "Kashi, what are you doing?" asked Iruka

"Scoot up some." replied Kakashi, squeezing in between Iruka and the tub.

"Kashi, I don't think…" started Iruka, but was stopped by Kakashi.

"I'm not going to do anything. I just want to hold you while your soaking." replied Kakashi, wrapping his arms around the thin waist and resting his head on the tan shoulder.

Leaning back into the embrace, Iruka closed his eyes as he enjoyed the warmth of the water and his lover. "I like this. We don't get many chances to just rest like this." thought Iruka, as he felt his muscles start to relax in the warm embrace. "I wonder what the Hokage wants?" asked Iruka

"I'm not sure. It seemed pretty urgent." replied Kakashi, still deep in thought as to why the Hokage would want to see them both. The only thing that came to mind was a mission, but he wouldn't send Iruka out on a mission. He's a teacher at the academy now, and he doesn't take missions unless the academy is closed for break. And even at that they are few and far between. But that is the only thing he could think of, tensing at the thought of Iruka going on one of his dangerous missions.

Feeling the pale man tense, Iruka turned his head and looked at Kakashi before asking "Kashi, are you alright?"

Coming out of his daze, Kakashi looked over at his lover and smile "Yeah, I'm fine. Just wondering what the Hokage needs is all."

"How about we get out and head over to the Hokage Tower. I don't think I will be able to move very fast anyway." replied Iruka, as he blushed.

Chuckling at the tan man's comment, Kakashi whispered "How about we finish getting cleaned up, then head over." Not able to say anything, Iruka just nodded, his face turning an even brighter red.

Once they cleaned up and dressed, they started to head towards the Hokage Tower, Iruka with a limp in his step. Kakashi stood beside him, worried about the younger man. "Are you sure your alright?" asked Kakashi

Blushing, Iruka rubbed a finger over his nose as he replied "Yeah, I'll be fine."

Reaching the tower, they walked up to the Hokage office where two ANBU were standing outside the door. "He is waiting for you." replied one of the ANBU as he opened the door.

"Thank you" replied Iruka, as Kakashi just nodded his head. Both walking through the opened door.

Looking up, Sandaime raised an eyebrow as he watched Iruka slowly limp into his office, a light blush dusting his cheeks once he realized he'd be caught. "Are you alright, Iruka?" he asked.

Blushing as he scratched the back of his head, Iruka replied "Um..yeah I'm fine.

Knowing the tan man wouldn't say anymore, he didn't say anymore. Motioning his hand towards the chairs, he said "Then take a seat. Both of you"

"If it's alright Sandaime, I think I'll just stand." replied Iruka, his face turning a brighter red.

Raising his eyebrow again, Sandaime replied "Very well, you may stand. This shouldn't take to long anyway."

"Is there a problem, sir?" asked Kakashi

"Yes, and I need you two to go on a mission to the Water Country."

Both sets of eyes widened when they heard the word mission. Iruka couldn't believe he was being sent of a mission, with Kakashi no less. Kakashi was trying to figure out a way for Iruka not to go on a mission with him. Getting his mind back together, Iruka looked over at Sandaime and asked "What about the academy, Hokage-sama?"

"I have already assigned someone to fill in for you while you are away." replied Sandaime

"What's the mission?" asked Kakashi, not liking the idea of Iruka being sent out on the mission.

"There is word that some of the people in a small village are planning to go against the leaders there." replied Sandaime

"And what does that have to do with us?" asked Kakashi, trying to understand why he would send Iruka on this kind of mission. In order for him to be sent on a mission, it had to at least be and A-ranked mission. He didn't like the idea of Iruka going on a high ranked mission.

"They are trying to gather as many people as they can and attack Konoha." replied Sandaime

"And what do you want us to do?" asked Iruka

Hearing this, Kakashi thought to himself "I can't allow him to go on this mission. He could get hurt, and I would never forgive myself. This isn't going to be a simple mission. I have to stop this from happening."

"I want…" started Sandaime, before being interrupted by Kakashi

"I want to request someone else to accompany me on the mission, Hokage-sama." said Kakashi, the Hokage and Iruka both looking at the silver haired man in surprise.

Finally getting his senses back, Iruka screamed "WHAT?"

Ignoring Iruka's protests, Kakashi looked over at Sandaime and said "I don't want him to go on the mission with me."

"Kakashi, I'm not sure the reason you don't want Iruka to accompany you on this mission, but asking for someone else is out of the question. This is a surveillance mission. Iruka will be posing as a substitute teacher and you will be posing as his servant. Iruka is really fluent in their language so it won't be a problem for him fitting in." replied Sandaime

Hurt by what Kakashi had said, he looked over at the pale man and asked "Why don't you want me to go Kakashi. Do you think I'm that weak?"

"Iruka, I.." started Kakashi

"If you think that little of me, then why are you with me." whispered Iruka, loud enough for Kakashi to hear, as he put a hand up to his mouth and a tear escaped his eye running down his cheek. Not waiting for an answer, Iruka turned around and ran out of the office to get away from him, trying to ignore the pain in his lower back.

Seeing the hurt in his lover's eyes, he felt a pain shoot through his chest. But before he was able to say anything, Iruka took off out of the office.

"Iruka, wait" yelled Kakashi, as he started to run after him but stopped when he heard the Sandaime say something.

"I'm not sure why you don't want Iruka to accompany you, but he is the right shinobi for this job. Don't think to little of him Kakashi. He's stronger than what you think." said Sandaime, giving him a small smile. "Here is the scroll for the mission. It tells you in detail everything that you will need and do." throwing it over to the pale man.

Once catching the scroll, Kakashi took off after Iruka, trying to catch up to him to explain his actions. He didn't like the feeling of Iruka going on such a high class mission. Iruka wasn't used to going on missions like he was, and Kakashi would go crazy if something were to happen to him. He always felt comfortable knowing that Iruka was inside the village where he was less likely to get hurt or even killed. He had to tell Iruka how he was feeling. Make him understand why he had said that. Once reaching their apartment, he walked inside calling Iruka's name as he walked into each room searching for the tan man. Realizing that Iruka didn't return home, he left the apartment in search of his lover. Trying to think where he would go, Kakashi headed towards the memorial stone thinking that would be the most likely spot. Reaching the stone, he noticed someone down on their knees, head bent over staring towards the stone. It was Iruka. Quietly walking over towards the tan man, Kakashi kneeled down beside him looking towards the stone. "I'm sorry" said Kakashi, looking straight ahead. He waited for Iruka to start yelling at him like he always did when he upset him, but all he received was silence. "I hurt him more than I realized." thought Kakashi. "I don't think your weak." said Kakashi, looking over at the tan man from the corner of his eye. Iruka was looking straight ahead, not even making a sound. He really did it this time. Will he even forgive me. "Iruka, I…." started Kakashi, but was cut off.

"I don't think we should be together any more." whispered Iruka "I don't want to be a burden to you."

Kakashi's eyes went wide at the reply. "What is he saying. What does he mean a burden. He's not a burden to me." thought Kakashi

Desperately trying to get the tan man to understand, Kakashi grabbed Iruka's arm turning him to look into his eyes, but Iruka turned his head away. Sighing he replied "Iruka please listen to me. Your not a burden to me. I don't think you're weak. I don't want to break up with you. I couldn't imagine my life without you in it."

Iruka shot his head up and looked over at the pale man with tears running down his cheeks when he heard what he said "If you don't think I'm weak, then why don't you want me to go?"

Sighing, Kakashi lowered his head as he replied "If something were to happen to you Iruka, I don't know what I would do. You're the reason I hurry back home after each mission. I never really had a reason to come back to the village before I met you. You give me a reason to return."

Reaching a hand up and bracing a pale cheek, Kakashi looked into Iruka's eyes as Iruka smiled "Believe in me, please. You mean the world to me also. I'm constantly afraid if this will be the mission that you won't return to me. But I keep a positive attitude that you will always find a way to return to me. Besides, if I run into trouble I'll have you with me."

Leaning his forehead against the tan one, Kakashi replied "You will let me watch over you on this mission? No complaints?"

Smirking, Iruka replied "I wouldn't want it any other way." Pulling his head back, he asked "So when do we have to leave?"

"Um, I'm not sure." replied Kakashi, as he pulled out the scroll. Opening it up, he looked down and read it. "Looks like tomorrow morning."

"Great" smiled Iruka "That gives me a little time to heal before leaving because I'm not sure if I can get up at the moment." rubbing his finger across his scar, trying to hide the blush.

Smirking, Kakashi leaned over and whispered in his ear "Don't worry, I'll take care of you." as he lifted him up and headed towards home.

"Kashi, put me down." yelled Iruka, burying his face into Kakashi's chest. "This is so embarrassing." feeling the chest vibrate as Kakashi laughed. Kakashi put his hands together to make the signs to transport them home to save his lover from embarrassment. Iruka looked up once they arrived back at their apartment. "You know I could have done that."

Chuckling, Kakashi replied "Yeah, but it's not as romantic." Laughing again when Iruka buried his face back in his chest.

"Your hopeless, you know that?" mumbled Iruka

"Aw, you hurt me." smiled Kakashi, burying his nose in the chocolate strands.

Lifting his head and raising an eyebrow, Iruka looked up at him skeptically "So your alright with me going on the mission?"

Walking over and sitting down on the sofa, Kakashi held the tan man tighter as he sighed "I'm not really alright with it, but Sandaime said your the right shinobi for the mission, and I do trust your abilities. And it's not that I don't want you to go, I'm just afraid something will happen to you and I won't be able to help."

Looking into the mismatched eyes, Iruka replied "But you'll be with me, and I'll be careful as to not alert anyone. And if I sense any danger, I will tell you immediately. I'm stronger than what you think Kakashi. Please trust me." smiling at the pale man.

Returning the smile, Kakashi replied "I do, if something were to happen, please don't try and handle it on your own." leaning in and giving the sweet lips a quick kiss.

Reaching up and wrapping his arms around the broad shoulders, Iruka gave Kakashi a hug and buried his nose in the pal neck as he whispered "I will."

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Peanut