Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Can I keep You ? ❯ Part 25: All that I have ( Chapter 25 )

Can I keep you?

Sequel to Pumpkins and Ravens

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

Part of my 100 themes challenge.

 

Part 25 - (92-All that I Have)

 

Iruka couldn't stop the smile that lit his face; he'd enjoyed every minute of their evening so far. They had walked around the small stalls lining the shrines walkways with the boy's in tow. The brightly lit huts were filled with gifts for sale, games to play and food to be eaten. They had stopped part way around to enjoy some tea and dango from one of the stalls.

 

It had been a long time since the brunet had been to one of these events and he had forgotten how nice they were, the atmosphere was filled with joy the sound of children's laughter and the quiet rumble of pleasant conversation and soothing sound in his ears. Kakashi had been inseparable from him after taking his hand at the gate and he was thankful for that. It had been a little worrying when some of their fellow shinobi had seen them but most had given them knowing smiles and chattered idly with them about mundane none work related things.

 

Kakashi couldn't help but turn and watch the brunet beside him; the smile that lit the chuunin's face was priceless. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen Iruka this happy. They had trailed all over the shrine grounds, trying different foods and buying small trinkets. The brunet had even convinced the jounin that they should fish and try and win one of the golden-scaled fish that were swimming around in the pond. It had taken him a while to figure out how the game worked with a little help from the teacher. It had been a very long time since he'd been around for a festival and the gentle instruction and warming fingers curled around his wrist to assist him in his capture made a familiar warmth that was all to do with the younger nin squeeze around his heart.

 

The older nin couldn't resist his own gentle touch, letting his cloth covered lips whisper across the chuunin's ear as he leant over the pond. He'd been rewarded with a softening of the teacher's concentrated expression and flush lightening his cheeks. Kakashi had laughed softly and left the teacher to retrieve his own fish. Now they were wondering the stalls a few small bags and a fish each in hand. The boy's had disappeared some time ago but he wasn't concerned - the two were old enough to get in trouble and out again on their own.

 

As he watched the brunet's face and when he got a little ahead of him down his toned form he could really admire the way the kimono he had given Sasuke to gift the chuunin with truly suited him. The ocean that foamed at hem and cuff and the rich blue sky above complimented the warm caramel skin and the soft chocolate locks that cascaded down to mid back. He'd never seen Iruka wear his hair down except that once in the shower and to bed and as always the wavy strands were a temptation for his curious fingers.

 

Iruka turned back to the Copy-nin and went to ask if they could head to the viewing area to get a good place for the fireworks and instead he paused absorbing the way the older nin was just looking at him. He could feel the caress of that smoky orb as it took in everything about him, from top to toe and he felt his cheek's heat once more. But instead of remaining were he was he walked forward, standing in front of the jounin close enough to touch and he let his hand trail up the front of the dark kimono. The texture of the fabric was so delicate under his rough fingertips and he loved the smooth sensations he ran from kimono to mask and up to run a gentle finger across the exposed skin of Kakashi's cheek. He spoke softly, “Wakey, wakey Kakashi.”

 

“Mah Iruka.” He watched the jounin slowly blink and when his dark orb curled into a familiar smile he let his own lips return the gesture.

 

“You looked miles away, something the matter?” Iruka couldn't help the concern the drifted through him, he hadn't wanted anything to mar the wonderful evening the Copy-nin was treating him too but his worry for the man would always win out.

 

“I was right here - just admiring you.” Iruka was the one to blink this time, his cheeks flaring even redder as his hand pulled back from the jounin to scratch nervously at his scar. He wasn't sure how to respond to that and he could feel those butterflies from earlier taking flight in his belly once more.

 

“I…. can we go watch the fireworks Kakashi?” Iruka winced at his obvious avoidance; he wasn't certain how to take this kind of teasing. The jounin was being more straightforward than was usual and the teacher didn't know what to do.

 

“Mah sensei, changing the subject hmmm… alright we can go but there is somewhere I want to show were the fireworks will be best.” Iruka felt the air shift around him as the jounin moved closer, he felt an arm curve around his back and the lightest brush of fingers against the back of his hand.

 

When he looked up at the jounin he saw something in that dark orb that he hadn't noticed or hadn't been permitted to see. Kakashi was nervous about something and Iruka found that rather startling. Kakashi was either never nervous or had conditioned himself to remain completely emotionally blank to the world. That he was showing him this made the chuunin's heart warm and he let his own fingers turn, linking with the jounin's as the heat of the older man's palm at the small of his back guided him away from the crowd's.

 

Kakashi felt nerves jangling in his stomach, he had been alternately anticipating and worrying about this ever since the thought had occurred and his plan set in motion. He had truly heart Iruka the day he had refused to come and live with him and he hoped the chuunin wouldn't turn him away. He rubbed the curve of Iruka's spine with his hand, loving the way it dipped so gently to the swell of firm buttocks. His other hand was curled in Iruka's bag's dangling from their wrists as he walked the chuunin through the wood's surrounding the shrine.

 

Iruka wasn't sure were Kakashi was taking him, they were moving further and further away from the shrine and deeper into the small wood's behind the old structure. The brunet never stopped or faltered, content to follow were the jounin was leading him, happy that he could feel Kakashi's touch in the darker part's of the grounds. The sound of laughter and the golden glow of the stalls and their customer's disappeared and he felt a little lost in the dark now surrounding them, his only anchor the warmth of Kakashi's palms. He couldn't restrain his curiosity forever so he spoke quietly, the silence surrounding them like the one's that filled libraries and holy places, “Were are we going Kakashi?”

 

“You'll see `Ruka.” Iruka smiled at the familiar term, something they'd both dropped in a more formal setting but it didn't ease the fluttering in his stomach or the nervous tensions seeping across his body.

Kakashi didn't give the chuunin a real answer, he wanted to get to were he was taking the younger nin and then he'd explain everything. It wouldn't be long now. They continued on in silence both men growing increasingly nervous with every step. Kakashi breathed a soft sigh of relief when they crossed over onto familiar ground, the fireworks would be lit close by and were he was heading would have one of the best views, as it had at every celebration the shrine held.

 

Iruka walked steadily, following the jounin's lead, his free hand consciously curling and uncurling from the straps dangling around his wrist in an attempt to sate his nerves - with little effect. He turned once more to the jounin, his features barely discernable in the shadow of the large trees blocking even the stars pale light. He went to peak, “Kakashi…”

 

“We're here.”

 

The chuunin turned to see were here was and took in the sprawling house that lay before him. The trees had thinned but due to the lack of moonlight he hadn't noticed the change but as he stared at the unlit building he felt confusion colour his mind, inciting him to speak, “Were are we Kakashi?”

 

The jounin moved around Iruka, never releasing his hand but stepping in front of him gentle pulling him forward. He spoke in a quiet drawl, “This place has the best view, and I've been coming here since I was small to watch the fireworks.”

 

“But were are we?” Iruka could understand to a certain extent that Kakashi was generally a very secretive person but this was growing a little frustrating. He went a long with the older nin's tugging but he wouldn't relent in his own pursuit of answers, “Kakashi… explain…please.”

 

The jounin walked Iruka up to the large double doors and through, the solid oak not making a sound as one of the doors swung inwards. He pulled the other nin inside and into a large courtyard studded with small trees and shrubs. That's when he heard the first boom of a firework being let off. He turned to the chuunin and manoeuvred him into the centre and watched as Iruka's face turned skywards. He watched as the teacher's face was lit with wonder and different colour's as the fireworks display began, it was a childish reaction but he couldn't help but admire the way the brunet's face had softened, looking wonderingly up at the sky as the fireworks exploded directly over head.

 

He didn't dare speak or risk breaking the spell. Though he enjoyed seeing the bright sparks of light fill the sky with celebration his attention was wrapped up in the chuunin before him, he looked perfect here. He was surprised when Iruka's face tilted slightly to the side, his hand reaching out and a warm smile tilting his lips. The jounin didn't have to hear him to know what the other man wanted. He walked across the space that was between them and laced their fingers together.

 

Iruka's hand beckoned the other man and he came, the warmth of Kakashi's finger's entwining with his own an oddly fulfilling sensation but he wanted more. He tugged the other man around, placing his back to Kakashi's chest and let his head fall back to rest on a cloth clad shoulder. Now this… this was perfect. He looked up at the light studded sky, the thrill of the display paired with the warmth of Kakashi's body at his back. He grinned when he felt two strong arms curl around his waist and pressing him closer. Iruka moved his own hands to rest on top of the jounin's their bag's swinging gently and then settling as they remained still watching the celebration in the sky.

 

When the sky finally grew dark once more the chuunin tipped his head just enough to press a chaste kiss to the dark material covering the jounin's jaw and he watched as the other nin looked down at him with such a tenderness expressed in his dark eye. Iruka gave the other man a soft smile, “Thank you Kakashi that was amazing. I've never seen them so close.”

 

Kakashi felt so content stood here with Iruka, his arms full of the teacher's warmth and rich scent. When he felt the soft press of lips to his jaw he smiled behind his mask and wanted nothing more than to push it down and give the brunet a kiss of his own. But as the reality of the moment set in he knew it was time, he felt something twist in his belly and he looked away trying to summon the words he needed.

 

Iruka caught the look that flittered in Kakashi's dark orb and he pulled back when the other nin turned his face away from him, concern rife in his voice as he spoke, “Kakashi…?”

 

“You asked me where we were… this is my home.” Iruka looked around the dark building, taking in its size and design. The place was large, an estate much like the Uchiha area.

 

“I…I don't know what to say… I guess I just assumed you lived in the apartments like I do…” Kakashi could see the confusion in Iruka's dark chocolate pools and he wanted to go to him to wipe the frown that was now decorating his brow away.

 

The jounin gave a very succinct reply, “I do.”

 

“Then…how?” Iruka felt increasingly confused by what was going on, the fluttering in his stomach speeding up to an all out tornado inside him.

 

“This is were I lived with my family.” Kakashi waited, words hanging in the air as he watched the comprehension dawn on the chuunin's features.

 

Iruka didn't know what to say, he felt almost guilty for intruding on such a personal place, on Kakashi's history and all he could do was apologise, “I'm sorry.”

 

Kakashi winced at the apology, it wasn't what he wanted and he told the brunet so, “Don't say that `Ruka… I brought you here to ask you something.”

 

“What did you want to ask me…?” Iruka turned to face the jounin once more, wanting in that moment to be closer to him and yet feeling like he was further away than they'd ever been.

 

“Mah…. I knew you'd look good in that.” Kakashi saw the confusion race across the other's face again, along with annoyance at his sudden change of direction. He just needed a few more minutes.

 

“What do you mean… this was a gift from Sasuke…. Wasn't it?” Iruka felt uncertainty and a little annoyance pooling inside him, why couldn't the jounin just come out with it instead of twisting and turning his way around the subject. This kimono was a gift from Sasuke or - he'd thought it was but now he wasn't so sure. The patterns, the cut they were to similar not to have been made by the same person so how was it that could be? He turned a piercing gaze on the jounin, demanding answers to all these questions.

 

“No…from me.” The chuunin felt something tighten inside, he wasn't angry per se but he didn't like the fact that he was lied to by Kakashi and Sasuke. He had believed they had been building some kind of understanding between them. He worried just as much about the raven as he did about Naruto and it angered him that Kakashi had put that at risk.

 

“Then you paid for this.” The chuunin's tone was clipped when he spoke trying not to lose his temper at the to her man. He knew the jounin would have a reason and yet he couldn't figure out what it was.

 

“No.” Kakashi could hear Iruka's anger bubbling as though it were a volcano ready to explode and yet he tried to stretch this out a little longer.

 

“I don't understand.” Iruka clenched his teeth in frustration, his hand balling into tight fists as he watched the older nin.

 

“Did you notice how they match?” Iruka was about ready to explode at this last, why had the jounin brought him here? It made no sense why was he discussing kimono when he could see quite clearly that the older nin was trying to dodge something else.

 

“Yes… earlier… but why…” He paused to take deep breaths as he spoke, asking the obvious question.

 

“My Okaa-san made them… for my Otou-san.” That completely threw the chuunin. What could he say to that? He looked between himself and the older nin and he could see it. He could see the similarities the care and time that had been put into the designs. They were beautiful and made out of deep love and affection.

 

“…” Kakashi was a little surprised by the sudden silence but watched Iruka as thought's churned through his mind.

 

“He never got to wear that one.” He could see bewilderment cross the chuunin's face and he wasn't sure how the other would react.

 

“I don't know what to say…” Iruka stated the obvious; he was stunned that this man would give away something that was obviously very important to him. One of the last things his Okaa-san had given his Otou-san was, in his eyes, immeasurably precious. He stared out into the darkness unsure what to do, his anger had left him so quickly he felt emotionally hollow.

 

“There is nothing to say. It's a gift I wanted you to have.” Iruka's eyes lifted to the jounin's and he stepped forward, reaching out again as he had earlier. How could he ever pay him back for this? It was too much.

 

Kakashi watched the chuunin as he approached, not really sure whether he should let the other man close, his emotions were all over the place and he didn't think Iruka's were much better. The teacher looked stunned and his words reflected that, “But… it's so…much.”

 

“No…not really.” He denied that. Kakashi had wanted to give this particular kimono to Iruka. The young teacher had done so much for him and yet he still did more. Kakashi knew that he cared very deeply about the young teacher and he wanted to see that kimono put to use. It suited him and it was important to him in so many ways.

 

When Iruka stepped up to him, hand resting on his forearm as he stared with wide eyes. Kakashi could see confusion in those dark orbs and he let own hand reach out and pull the other nin closer. Iruka's words were spoken so softly Kakashi barely heard them, “But what does that have to do with…”

 

Kakashi pulled the other man in, pressing their bodies chest to chest as he looped an arm around Iruka's waist and the other reached out to curl an absent strand of hair around his finger. The feel of it curling around and around soothed the jounin and he leant in close, eye locking with Iruka's as he spoke sincerely, “This… I wanted to ask you… would you… move in …here I mean… with me?”