Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Can I keep You ? ❯ Part 11: Heal ( Chapter 11 )

Can I keep you?

Sequel to Pumpkins and Ravens

Main Pairings: Kakashi/Iruka, Sasuke/Naruto and others

Part of my 100 themes challenge.

 

Part 11 -Heal (83):

 

Iruka was content puttering around in the kitchen as the kettle on the stove slowly came to the boil. He placed four traditional style cups on a small tray, admiring the soft grey/blue colouring and the smooth texture. They had been his mother's many years ago and were one of the few things he had left from that time. He smiled at the memory putting the one he had been holding in its place as he filled the matching teapot with the fine green tea leaves.

 

He turned when he heard the ruckus, finding himself faced with a deeply worried looking Naruto, standing in the doorway to the kitchen. He took in the fraught expression and went to speak, but was interrupted by the blond nin, “Kakashi-sensei…” Iruka didn't think. He dropped the box of tea leaves he had been about to spoon into the waiting teapot, sending the dark green leaves across the clean tiles as he shot into a dead run headed straight for his room.

 

His voice came out firm and efficient, his shinobi training coming to the fore, “What happened?” He reached the entrance to his room and took in the sight of Sasuke leaning over the jounin, concern clearly lining his brow as he checked the older nin's pulse and breathing.

 

Sasuke spoke back to Iruka in an almost militant fashion, giving the base facts of the matter, “We were discussing the accident and he became unresponsive and still. It started about five minutes ago, give or take a few minutes. It took me a few seconds to realise he had gone almost catatonic.”

 

The chuunin crossed the room with sure strides, looking down at the jounin from the opposite side of the bed to the last Uchiha. He sat on the edge of the mattress, surveying the older shinobi. Kakashi was fully relaxed into the bedding but though he looked like he should be sleeping both his eyes were open. Iruka lent in checking the light reactions of his normal eye before turning his gaze on the sharingan. He spoke quickly and with authority, “Go get Tsunade-sama, but before you leave pass me my hit ate.”

 

The blond moved across the room to the desk, picking up the item the chuunin requested and shifting back to the bed to lay the item in his outstretched hand. “Iruka-sensei…”

 

Iruka could hear the concern in Naruto's voice and tried his best to reassure the young man. “I think he's going to be fine Naruto. From what I can tell he may be remembering the events of the other night. What you said to him must have triggered the memory and the sharingan - as it records everything - opened to allow for the memories to be realised in his mind. It is likely he will come out of this on his own but I want Tsunade here to check him out if …when he does.”

 

He turned slightly, just enough to take in the blonds slightly calmer expression, as he nodded his acknowledgement. “Alright Iruka-sensei.” Iruka's attention returned to the man lying in his bed as he felt his heart squeeze - he hoped what he had assumed was correct.

 

Iruka sat for only a moment before he spoke again, “Take Sasuke with you.” Iruka turned catching the raven's intense stare before the young man moved away from the bed, his point made. Iruka raised a hand to his neck, smoothing his calloused fingers across the unmarred skin - he hoped that this wouldn't be the second time that he would have to pray for his life. He listened to the two as they walked out the apartment, quiet murmurs until the front door slid shut.

 

The chuunin returned his full attention to Kakashi, hoping what he was doing was the right thing to do in the circumstances. He could feel the healing mans chakra slowly depleting and knew that the more he did with the sharingan the more it would continue to deplete. He curled his fingers around his hit ate, bringing it up as he whispered quietly, “I hope this works.”

 

He lent over the jounin, carefully placing one hand over the swirling red eye, blocking out the light and hoping that would be enough to encourage it to close. He was deeply concerned for the Kakashi, he had never seen the blood red orb do that before on the few occasions he had seen it in action, the tomoe had turned slowly - right now the whirling inside the crimson orb was almost dizzying.

 

Iruka placed his hit ate across the back of his hand to cover the exposed orb as he removed it from where it rested. He took a tie in each hand and carefully secured the ends behind Kakashi's head. He sat back studying the shinobi's chakra signature for what felt like hours but was only in truth a few minutes. He let out a sigh of relief as the chakra flows around Kakashi slowed and then stopped. He had been right. Iruka couldn't resist running his fingers through the soft strands of the Copy-nin's hair, tantalised moments before by the tickling of the loose locks against the backs of his hands as he'd worked.

 

He had missed the sensation, what looked like it would be coarse and thick strands were actually sinfully soft and fine, smoothing under the palm before bouncing back into that familiar style. He smiled at Kakashi, whispering quietly, “You should be alright now. We best get the Hokage to check you out though.” He continued his ministrations as he looked down at the other man, wanting nothing more than to continue the quiet interlude they were having, even if he was asleep once again.

 

Iruka felt his heart flutter when he saw the older shinobi's stormy coloured orb blink slowly, as though just coming awake from a dream. He shifted slightly, pulling his hand back from the enticing tresses. He started when he felt fingers curl firmly around his retreating wrist; his eyes flitted back and forth between his captured arm and the Copy-nin's face.

 

The older nin looked back at the young teacher curiously, trying to remember what had happened and why the touch of Iruka's fingers had felt so soothing. He didn't want the feeling to stop, he felt foggy when he had reached out to grab at Iruka. Kakashi didn't apply any pressure and he went with the odd urge he had to run his fingers along the smooth surface that he found was interspersed with small scars, likely from Iruka's weapons training. He had the same scars on his own arms.

 

Kakashi looked up into startled chocolate orbs, feeling a smile lift his lips, even though he knew the other couldn't' t see it. He ran calloused fingertips back and forth, feeling the hairs on the chuunin's arm raise at his soft touch. Kakashi felt his mind slowly coming into focus at the grounding touch, enjoying the way that the teacher was staring at him and watching the blush blooming on his cheeks. He wanted to touch the other man's face to see if his cheeks were as warm as they appeared. It was an odd reaction and yet in this state of mind he couldn't help going along with the need to feel the other mans presence and his touch.

 

Kakashi released Iruka's wrist with a slow slide of fingers and he moved the outstretched hand slowly upwards reaching out. But just as he passed the other nin's chest, his fingers grazing his exposed throat he watched as something dark flickered across Iruka's features as the teacher shifted away from his searching hands. He didn't stop to think. His hand reached out and latched onto the retreating man, curling around his arm once more. He let the question roll off his tongue, his speech slightly slurred the chuunin's name, “'Rukaaa …what's the matter?”

 

Iruka heard the jounin's question and froze, feeling fingers holding onto his arm with a vice like grip. He couldn't explain to Kakashi, not now and maybe not ever. It hurt to know that the older shinobi could see his obvious distress even when he tried to hide it. Iruka felt his free hand come up to touch his throat, as he marshalled his thoughts. He turned back to the probing man offering a half-hearted smile, “I'm fine Kakashi-san.”

 

He let his eyes shift to the fingers once more curled around his arm, letting his free hand drop to touch the pale digits. “Please let go Kakashi-san, I need to let Hokage-sama in when she arrives.” He felt the need to distance himself from Kakashi but he was warring with himself in every way. Though he knew that in the state the other shinobi was in it meant that it was unlikely he would do him any harm, his body wanted to react as though Kakashi was a threat.

 

Iruka's gaze lifted to look into the jounin's eye and watched the other nin shake his head before replying, “Stay…'Ruka.” He could never deny the other mans request, forcefully pushing down the insistent urge to pull away and create some safe distance between himself and Kakashi. He turned back fully facing the other shinobi that looked slightly dazed and felt his cheeks warm again at the almost childlike look Kakashi gave him.

 

Kakashi felt confusion whirling through him, the way Iruka was behaving had his hackles up, plus he had gone back to using the more formal `Kakashi-san.' He hated that coming from the teacher's lips, but it was the fear that had shown so clearly in his eyes that bothered him the most. What had caused such a reaction? He had the oddest feeling that it was him. He had resorted to childish tactics to ensure the other nin stayed with him but he couldn't make the man feel comfortable. Kakashi could see his rigid posture and could feel the bunched muscles under his fingertips.

 

He didn't stop himself from loosening his hold to stroke his fingers up and down the scared skin of the chuunin's arm, hoping to ease the tension he had some how caused. When he felt the teacher settling once again, he let himself enjoy the gentle contact they were sharing, wondering if Iruka would run his fingers through his hair one again. Kakashi truly loved the sensation, but had not let anyone touch the silvery locks since his mother had passed. As he sat there quietly contemplating he felt a deep lethargy taking him, his limbs grew heavy and his hand stopped its soothing strokes.

 

Kakashi felt a hand settle into his hair again just before his eye slipped shut, the warmth of that hand easing him into sleep.

 

Iruka watched Kakashi slowly drift off into sleep, surprised by the unusual show of trust the jounin was giving him. He knew it was most likely unintentional but it helped sooth his fraught nerves. He smiled Kakashi, running his fingers lightly across his pale forehead and silver hair, “Sleep well Kakashi.”

 

It didn't take long for the Hokage to arrive after that, Naruto and Sasuke in tow. Iruka remained on the bed with Kakashi curling around his forearm, one pale hand firmly grasping his arm so he couldn't move away. Iruka watched the woman gently analyse Kakashi whilst he continued to sleep, oblivious to her ministration asking him questions as she did so.

 

He was pleased when she agreed with his prognosis, finding that he'd covered up the sharingan early enough to stop the loss of chakra made her give the younger nin a heartfelt smile. “Well done Iruka-sensei … you would have been a fine medic-nin.” He couldn't restrain the blush at the compliment but he still couldn't stop the fire building in his gut. He watched as her eyes shifted between him and the sleeping Kakashi, the smile growing on her features, “He must trust you a great deal.”

 

Iruka eyed her critically before responding, “He's exhausted and needed to sleep. That's all.” He couldn't help but deny Tsunade's words. Kakashi barely knew him, even if he was interested and had been for sometime in the Copy-nin. There was no way the feelings would be reciprocated.

 

She didn't reply until she was almost out the door, “We'll see sensei. Take good care of him.” With that she was gone, not even a backward glance. Iruka sat contemplating her last words, looking down at the sleeping man. He heard the two boys come into the room and looked up to see Naruto giving him a gentle smile.

 

He couldn't help being defensive, “What?” He heard Sasuke snort at the exclamation and turned his gaze on the Uchiha, frowning subtly.

 

“Nothing Iruka-sensei.” He could hear the repressed laughter in the blonde's voice but choose to ignore it.

 

Iruka was surprised when the raven gave him an odd look and then spoke, “I'll go make the tea as your - indisposed.” Iruka spluttered at the young man and felt his cheeks heat once more, though he was oddly grateful to Sasuke for taking Naruto with him with a gentle tug on his hand.

 

He heard Naruto from the kitchen when he yelled back to him, “Hey Iruka-sensei we're staying the night alright.” He felt himself frown and then shrug in acceptance, the two young men were concerned about their teammate he couldn't blame them for that.

 

He looked back down at the jounin currently wrapped around his arm, he replied with a quieter voice than Naruto had used, “Alright - your making dinner though - and no ramen.” He heard a quiet chuckle that could only be Sasuke laughing at the pout Naruto was no doubt sporting.

 

He carefully brushed the silvery hair from Kakashi's face, before speaking quietly to the other man, “Those two are troublesome, as Shikamaru would say. But they care about you so you best get better soon.” He didn't get a reply from the sleeping man, but then again he hadn't expected one.