~Kakashi's pov~

It's been one week, five days, and thirteen hours since you last seen Hide. That was at least how long it's been since you've been in the hospital. It was incredible that you were still alive. That second punch from Hide caused him a concussion. Gai, however, put you in a coma for nine days. After waking up on the tenth day, you found yourself with your head wrapped up, in a hospital room, and there was a sleeping Iruka in the chair next to your bed. When he woke up, he explained how you came crashing threw his house. The doctors thought some enraged demonic animals attacked you. Well, they were close enough. When it came to waiting in the hospital, it was lonely. It was only four days being wake but it felt so much longer. No one came to see you. It felt like no one even cared. The only one who would visit was Iruka. You didn't even know why. It wasn't like you two were best friends or anything. In fact, you didn't even have friends. 'I don't have 'any' friends?' You didn't even realize before how lonely it's been without Hide. When Hide was around, you felt safe. She was the only person in the village you trusted with your personal secrets. She was even there when your father killed himself. Hide stayed at your house for three full months, just to make sure you would be alright.

You felt yourself smile. You remembered how motherly she was back then. It was annoying at first but was so wonderful having her around. Hide used to make you breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert while she was there and every day it was always something different. You two never had the same thing twice. She even did the laundry; clean the whole house, and whenever she knew you felt at your lowest, she would run you a bubble bath. She would always listen too. She never interrupted or asked questions. Everything you've ever told her, even your darkest secrets, she never spoke to anyone else, even the Hokage.

You remembered how nice it felt when she slept next to you. Every night when you woke up from a bad dream, Hide would roll over and just hold you until fell asleep again. The one thing you couldn't do was remember how many nights you cried in her chest, soaking her shirt, and falling back to sleep. Hide was always there for you. Despite the age difference, Hide was so insightful and she was the most loving person you ever knew.

'I don't deserve a second chance.'

You then thought back towards your last mission with her. That's when you guys started to fight a few weeks before. You started to build a wall between you two and she knew it. What she didn't know was why. You were just sick of people making jokes about you two. The other ninjas said you didn't even have a relationship with Hide. You were only babysitting her. They started to call you a predator. Some asked people asked more personal questions. 'How tight was she, did she even know how to give good head or did you have to teach her?' The questions wouldn't stop. The jokes wouldn't stop. It didn't even make sense since. There wasn't even a marriage age restriction back then. As long as you were the age of 14, which she was, and you lived by yourself and paid your own expenses, which she did, you could be with anyone. Back then, you did want to marry Hide and have a family with her. You even knew how you was going to propose to her. But the older ninja just kept picking on you despite it being a legal relationship. As for the sex, we never had it. I knew she was too young for it and she made it clear that she wanted to wait until she was older, that way she could handle it mentally in a much more mature way. I respected that of curse. We only had hot make out sections and occasional fondling. Dear Kami, the things she could do with that mouth. One time you had to hide in the bedroom for two days trying to keep yourself from taking advantage of her heart and weaker body.

Later on, the mission happened. You were the leader, Hide was the tracker, and the three others were back up. It was an S-rank mission to steal the plans of the Stone Village to destroy the Leaf Village. 200 miles out Hide warned you about the traitor, Suki. She killed the other two and led the enemy to your tents as you were sleeping. That's when we were captured. The tortured us for three day before they took Hide away to use her body as a vessel for a demon named Jamongi, The Black Dragon. The Hokage came for me first and I had my dogs lead us to Hide. It was too late. The demon was already inside of her. She was chained down to the pillar, the enemy surrounding her, and her stomach was growing as the demon was growing in her womb. You and the Hokage fought and killed most of the enemy and got Hide down. You grabbed one man and demanded how to get rid of the demon before it could rip itself out if Hide, killing her. However, you didn't see the man behind as you were interrogating one of the others. He shot a poison arrow at the back of your heart when Hide got in the way, going threw her uterus. It killed Jamongi but it was killing Hide also. You killed the enemy, stole the plans and the Hokage took Hide straight to the hospital. You were scared to death for her life. The poison spread through her blood and it mixed with the demon's blood. The only way to save her life was to completely remove the uterus. You knew that would kill Hide. You knew how bad she wanted to be a mother and to raise a family of her own. You felt so ashamed that you could save her, you didn't face her. You wandered how lonely it must have been, not to have anyone to be by your side, no one to talk to, no one who cares. It has been only four days of not having anybody to see me and Hide been completely alone for three weeks because of you.

'You don't deserve a second chance!'

"I'm sorry."

You felt your tears run down you uncovered cheek. 'I'm so sorry.'

"Kakashi?"

You looked up to see the Villages' favorite teacher.

"Are you ok?"

Iruka pulled a chair by the bed and grab your hand as he sat down.

"I'm fine. I'm just realizing a few mistakes I made."

"Do you want to talk about them?"

I looked over at the younger man. His eyes showed care and concern. I've never talked about the past before but this is one thing I need to get off of my chest. Iruka may not be the strongest ninja but he was one of the most professional of the ninjas.

"Iruka, can you keep a secret?"

Iruka looked a little surprised.

"Sure Kakashi, you can tell me anything."

Hearing those words from Iruka actually made you feel better. So you told him your personal history with Hide, the good and the bad. You spoke about the mission, the break up, Hide's return, her relationship with Gai and how you nearly got your brains smashed in.

"Honestly, I would smash your head into for the way you talked about Gai."

"What? Why?"

"Kakashi, believe it or not your Gai's best friend and probably his only friend. You're one of very few people who treat him with respect. Not only did you completely run his name in the ground, you betrayed him by trying to steal his very first girlfriend. And I do believe in Gai, you owe them both an apology because what you did was ridicules!"

"I know. I know, I never deserved such good friends."

You looked away for Iruka's soft eyes as the guilt was sinking in even further. You knew what you did was wrong. Now, you're suffering for it.

"Don't be silly Kakashi. Of course you deserve their friendship. You just need to apologize and I'm sure it will fix everything."

You looked over at the younger man, slightly surprised by his optimist attitude.

"And what if they don't forgive me? I would only be wasting their and my time. Besides, have you seen what they done to me? I may not live through the next assault."

"But if you don't apologize you'll deserve the anger they feel. If you make no effort to show you're sorry, then you prove to them you just don't care. So I'm telling you, you need to do this. Besides, I'll be there with you so if they attack again, I'll be your backup. Ok?"

You never notice before but Iruka reminded you of Hide. He spoke his mind, he cares about doing the right thing, and at this moment, it was nice to be in his company. Iruka also was so caring about others. He loved his job because he loved being around the children. He was surprisingly motherly to them just like Hide is whenever she's around children. Even though Iruka wasn't the strongest, Kami help the man who messes with Iruka's kids. Plus, he wasn't a bad face to look at.

'WHAT? I can't be thinking about that? He's a man! I'm a man and besides, he must have a woman in his life. With his sweet character and his looks, he should be getting glomped on a daily basis.'

"Iruka, can I ask a personal question?"

Iruka tilted his head in a cute way.

'STOP IT BRAIN!'

"Sure, I don't see why not?"

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

Iruka's face went from tan, to hot pink.

"Uh,…well,..no. Not exactly. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, I was just wondering how you handle women. I was hoping if you could teach me a few tricks."

Iruka looked a little surprise but the red in his face wouldn't go away.

'I wonder,…There's been rumors that Iruka was actually gay because he's never seen with a woman, besides Anko but she's not exactly shy about her interest in women. Now I'm interested in knowing the truth.'

"Well, I think the best way to handle women is just be respectful."

"I figured that much. But I need to be taught specifics or else I won't live to see another day."

You then pointed to your bandage head which made Iruka giggle.

'So, he's a giggle type, interesting.'

"Ok, I'll teach you about Women's behaviors: 101."

"Great."

"After you apologize to Gai and Hide."

"Huh?"

After you finally got released from the hospital, Iruka led you to where Hide was spotted last. Once you made it to the training grounds, you felt your heart pounding. If this doesn't work, not only would you have to face Hide and Gai, but the entire team as well. You wouldn't be able to stand a chance. However Iruka simply gave you a little push whenever you paused. He patted your back as if you was a frighten child to reinsure you.

'Damn kids, they don't know how lucky they are to have Iruka.'

Coming even closer, you spotted Hide training with Lee and Neji as Gai were talking to Tenten about working on her taijustu. I didn't know how to start so Iruka started.

"Excuse me, Gai, Hide, can we talk to you?"

"Kakashi-sensai, what had happen to you? Were you attacked by some demonic animal?"

'Yes Lee, and if you don't believe me, look at your teacher.'

Gai and Hide looked pissed but at least they didn't attack. Iruka told the teenagers to keep training and to make him proud. They saluted at him and went up as if the we're still in the academy. They actually listened. Every time Iruka tells a child to do something, they do it. No questions, no back talk, they just do it.

'I wish team 7 would listen to me like that. How does he do it?'

"What do you want Kakashi?"

Hide's glare was sharp. It was like being stabbed with an invisible blade.

"So you must be Hide, it's nice to meet you, I'm Iruka."

Her glare lighted up as she shook Iruka's hand.

"It's nice to meet you too Iruka."

Iruka smile and shook Gai's hand too.

"And congratulation on your relationship Gai. I knew you'd get someone amazing."

Gai smile and kissed Hide on the cheek.

"Thank you Iruka, I got the greatest gal in the whole world!"

The mood immediately improved and Iruka did it with no effort at all. Incredible!

"Anyway, what do you guys want?"

Everyone's eyes were on me and I felt Iruka nudge me.

"I came to apologize to you both. Gai, believe it or not, I actually consider you my best friend. No matter how bad the missions were, or how bad the leaf was in danger, I always felt comfort when you were by my side. In fact, I never did thank you for saving my life all those times. I truly am sorry for what I said about you. I know there'll never be a better man for Hide than you. Please forgive me."

Tear started to flow from Gai's eyes as he kept trying to wipe them away with the back of his sleeve.

"Oh Ka-kashi, apology accepted! You're best friend too!"

Gai ran up and hugged you, nearly crushing the life out of you. Iruka and Hide laughed as your face went from white to blue in a matter of moments. After Gai finally let you go, you turn toward Hide.

"Hide, I owe you the biggest apology I can think of. I'm sorry, not just for our last encounter but for pass 15 years of our lives together. You were the only one I had that never left my side. Growing up was so hard for me since my father's death, but it would've been unbearable if you wouldn't have stayed. You were the only reason I stayed sane even to this day. I mistreated you so bad,…during that mission and after."

I felt my eyes swell up, tear were now running down my face.

"I'm so sorry for everything I've cause you. I knew I didn't deserve a second chance. I knew I didn't deserve you. I'm so ashamed of myself for everything,…I-I"

You voice failed, you couldn't even look into the woman eyes so you just looked down. As you did, you felt thin arms wrap around your neck, holding you in a soothing way as they've always done. You immediately wrap your arms around Hide's waist as you buried your face in her neck.

"I'm so sorry Hide."

"It's ok Kashi-kun. I've never would've held on for so long if I didn't know it was worth it."

She broke the hug you wiped the tears from your face.

"Was I worth it?"

Hide smile sweetly at you.

"A true friend is always worth it and I accept your apology."

I felt myself smiling. The pain of so many years of mistakes was washes away in moments. Iruka was right, apologizing was the best solution. Now that my most dangerous mission is over, I have a new one. I need to know more about Iruka. There were so many rumors about him the poor Genin didn't even know about. As we left Hide and Gai at the training ground, Iruka walked me home first since my apartment was along the way.

"Well this is my stop. Thank you, for everything, Iruka."

"You're welcome. Just remember if you ever need to talk to somebody, just come to me."

You had to smile at that. It was a true blessing the Iruka was there.

"Iruka, I need to apologize to you to."

"For what?"

"For crashing through your house."

Iruka started to laugh and waved it off.

"Don't worry about it. I got insurance on my apartment. It's full coverage, it even covers crash landing ninjas. Besides, it only took them a few hours to fix."

"I see. Well, at least let me make it up to you with dinner."

Iruka's face turned pink again as he scratched his nose.

"You don't have to do that. I appreciate it though."

"I insist you are going to teach me about women's behaviors: 101 aren't you?"

Iruka then put a hand under his chin as he thought about it.

"I should, shouldn't I? Ok, Kakashi. Just let me know when."

"How about tomorrow night, let's say 7 o'clock?"

"That sounds good. That'll just give me enough time to grade papers. Where are we meeting?"

"Oh, how about my apartment? This is a private lesson after all."

Iruka chucked as he understood. The great and powerful Kakashi getting tortured on women would be the story of the year in the Leaf Village.

"That's fine with me. I'll see you tomorrow."

Iruka waved as he walked away. Your focus went south on Iruka's,…round,…firm,…squeezable ass checks.

'OH KAMI WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME!? I need to get a cat scan immediately!"

So without a moment's hesitation, you ran off to see Lady Tsunada herself for answers.