Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Hope ❯ Part 10 ( Chapter 10 )

HOPE 10

Iruka was glomped the moment he entered the classroom. The children began to give out thousands of questions on his absence and Iruka could only come up with excuses like `emergency missions' and other things along those lines which seemed to satisfy the curiosity of the children. The first day of class had been a very progressive and productive day. Even the notorious children that was always causing trouble in class actually sat still and listened to his explanation and as a welcome back treat, he allowed them to go home half an hour early.

The whole week had been wonderful. He had made a wonderful record of gaining everyone's homeworks on time and how everyone mastered the bunshin no jutsu faster than any other batch he had taught. All in all, he was proud of his students and the rate of mischief had been reduced half its normal level that he made sure his students got off at least ten minutes earlier than normal. This drove the students to behave more and do better.

But as the days passed by, Iruka found himself saddened by the fact that he came home to an empty house. There were times when he would think Kakashi was sitting on the couch, reading his book, or sometimes sitting on the dining table, a cup of warm tea or a glass of juice beside him while he read his damn book. He was always with that book and it was probably the only orange thing in the house. When Iruka went to fetch something from his former room, he found it filled with Kakashi's presence everywhere. The room smelled of pine and musk even after he had opened the window to give the room some air circulation.

Iruka hated to admit it, but he missed Kakashi's presence.

"I don't hate your presence, Kakashi-sensei." He whispered one night as he fell asleep on the bed Kakashi had occupied for three months.

*

Iruka had not seen Kakashi for days, which morphed in to weeks, which morphed in to months. He heard that he was busy with missions and those missions were often long ones. Most of the time, the silver-haired man was out of the village with other members of the ANBU doing his job. Iruka was still blessed with Naruto's presence and his never ending tales and laughter and bickering, but he missed the silent companionship.

He stared at the moonlight pouring from the green-tinted window. Soon, he was asleep, the smell of musk and pines enveloping him in its warm embrace once again.

*

Fingers lightly traced his face, first his eyes then his nose then his lips. He stared back the steady gaze and attention that was being given to him, while the thumb continued to trace his lower lip, before the figure above him descended and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. His fingers move to his neck, lightly massaging it, trailing down to his shoulders, while his lips gently nipped at his lower lip. He responded by parting his lips and slowly, a warm and sweet tongue filled his mouth, exploring the secrets his mouth held as a groan filled and drowned in his own throat.

The kiss lasted long until he slowly dragged his lips to the curve of his jaw, leaving open mouthed kisses and settle upon his beating pulse. He could only tilt his head back, giving him more access to his neck when that wonderful mouth finally settled on his throat, teeth and lips mixing together as a shuddering moan broke free from his parted lips.

Sweat soaked the both of them, and hands roamed free, touching gently and each touch radiating so much warmth that he was blinded by pleasure.

Then suddenly it was so cold and then he was all alone in the bed, sheets covering his naked form. He looked up in need only to see darkness. Then the tears began to fall down his face.

He was alone once again.

*

Iruka gasped and sat up in bed. He shivered and then sighed. The same dream again, the one when he felt so wanted and so needed only to feel alone in the end. He got up from the bed and arranged it before starting a new day. It was a daily routine now - wake up, shower, dress, have breakfast, walk to the academy, teach, have lunch, file reports for the Hokage then go home. It was sad because when he got home, it was an empty house.

Iruka sighed.

He ended classes fifteen minutes early, reminding the children to not forget their homework and to practice their katas. He had a lunch with Naruto at the Ichiraku before biding him goodbye and heading for the Hokage's office to file the reports. Folder after folder was soon tackled and he was nearing the end of the pile when a Jounin entered, placing another folder upon the pile.

"Iruka-sensei! How are you?" Iruka looked up and found Kurenai smiling down at him.

Iruka smiled back politely and nodded. "I am well, Kurenai-sensei. How about you?"

"I'm fine, thanks. Kids all right?"

"Kids are fine." Iruka answered. "How was your last mission?"

"Oh, it was a success. Some of the men on the team got injured. Asuma and Kakashi namely. But they're all right. Hokage-sama said that they'd have to spend the night in the hospital because of the blood-loss."

Iruka found his thoughts whirling in thoughts of the silver-haired Jounin. "Kakashi-sensei was injured?" Kurenai gave him a funny look. "You're joking." Iruka hid his worry behind a disbelieving look.

"Nuh-uh. He's in the hospital right now. Yeah, the legendary Hatake Kakashi got injured. Kind of strange ain't it?" She then shrugged. "Oh well, nice chatting with you Iruka-sensei. Good day!"

"Bye." Iruka said, smiling until the door closed. The smile vanished and then as quickly as possible, he finished filing the reports and then rushed out immediately.

His feet carried him to the hospital.

*

Iruka entered the room Kakashi was in after he visited Asuma. Asuma was asleep and had plastered a `do not disturb' sign on the door. Iruka told the nurses to pass on his greetings to him when he woke up and then went to Kakashi's room.

He knocked twice before letting himself in. He found Kakashi sitting on his bed, pillows supporting his back, clean from any traces of mission with an IV fluid and blood tube attached to the back of his hand. He was reading that month's edition of Icha Icha Paradise. He looked up, his expression surprised, even when he had his mask on. Instead of the hitai ate covering his Sharingan eye, it was simple eye patch.

"The nurses tell me that I look like a pirate." He said off handedly. "I guess eye patches ain't my style."

Iruka did not know what to say. It was rare to see the `invincible' Jounin bed ridden in a hospital. For a moment, Kakashi looked normal, more human. He really was a simple man, not wanting too much elaboration or frills decorating his life. Iruka was aware that he was staring and so he averted his gaze elsewhere.

"So what brings you here, Iruka-sensei? Everything okay in the academy?" Kakashi asked, setting his book down.

Iruka nodded. "Yes, everything is fine, thank you. I am all right myself." Another silence. "How about you Kakashi-sensei? How have you been?" Iruka looked up and watched the color darken a bit in Kakashi's single visible eye.

"I've seen better days, but other wise I'm all right." Kakashi then tilted his head to one side.

They remained like that, looking at each other before Iruka blushed a bit and cleared his throat. "Well, you best get some rest, Kakashi-sensei. I'll be going now."

"All right." Kakashi mumbled and turned his eyes away.

Iruka opened the door and before he stepped out he stopped. "Kakashi-sensei?" The silver haired Jounin looked up from his lowered gaze and turned his full attention to the man by the door. "I don't hate your presence."

Then Iruka left.

*

Days passed by and Iruka was plagued by the same dream of being kissed passionately then feeling alone. He woke up in the morning shivering in the nonexistent cold and feeling empty and depressed the rest of the day. He was staying up late every night and waking up early everyday after that dream.

Now there he was filing reports on a weekend. His eyes felt like lead and he could barely keep them open. He blinked tiredly and placed his head on his folded arms on the table. Just a little rest to clear his thoughts wouldn't hurt. As soon as he closed his eyes, the dream came instantly.

Fingers lightly traced his face, first his eyes then his nose then his lips. He stared back the steady gaze and attention that was being given to him, while the thumb continued to trace his lower lip, before the figure above him descended and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. His fingers move to his neck, lightly massaging it, trailing down to his shoulders, while his lips gently nipped at his lower lip. He responded by parting his lips and slowly, a warm and sweet tongue filled his mouth, exploring the secrets his mouth held as a groan filled and drowned in his own throat.

The kiss lasted long until he slowly dragged his lips to the curve of his jaw, leaving open mouthed kisses and settle upon his beating pulse. He could only tilt his head back, giving him more access to his neck when that wonderful mouth finally settled on his throat, teeth and lips mixing together as a shuddering moan broke free from his parted lips.

Sweat soaked the both of them, and hands roamed free, touching gently and each touch radiating so much warmth that he was blinded by pleasure.

Then suddenly it was so cold and then he was all alone in the bed, sheets covering his naked form. He looked up in need only to see darkness. Then the tears began to fall down his face.

He was alone once again.

Iruka sat up with a gasp and shivered. He shut his eyes tight and buried his face in his hands. He was aware of the tears that began to pour out of his eyes and how he was trying to keep his sobs in a low volume. He couldn't stand the loneliness. He'd do anything for a presence, for a hug, for a touch. Anything! Even if it has to be from one of Konohamaru's annoying friends. He just needed someone close to make him feel that he was not alone.

"I can't do this." He sobbed out and more tears came out, soaking the report that he was writing making the ink blotchy. He didn't even hear the door open and close.

"Iruka-sensei."

Iruka stopped crying immediately and looked up immediately. The breath caught in his throat. "Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi leaned across the desk, his hand reaching out to touch Iruka's cheek to wipe the tears away. He gave Iruka enough time to pull back but when the man didn't move, Kakashi cupped one side of his face and wiped the tears away. "Don't cry." He whispered and then Iruka shut his eyes tight, more tears escaping his eyes. He brought his hands up to his face and hunched, sobbing once again. The loneliness, the fatigue the confusion and all the pain he felt in all the years that passed came jerking out of his body in strangled sobs.

Kakashi came to his side and enveloped the crying figure in his strong arms. Iruka's cries came out hard and painful and the only thing Kakashi could do was give him reassuring words and smooth his hair while he cried in his arms.

TBC

Oh! Poor Iruka! He's so alone that he couldn't take it!