Square the circle

AN: Thank you for all the reviews! Thanks to the readers as well.

j.s.: Ain't that the truth.
Velvetina: Teasing is fun. But we're getting there...
Reno's_Lover: I think Iruka would make a lousy liar, so it's better that he doesn't lie.
hina88: Yeah, me too. But my New Year was boring, so I just live through this fic...
kiwii-chan: Thanks, and here's some more.
Hestia: You got me there. Darn you and your sharp eyes (and mind). I patched that hole, hastily :)
Reily: Yeah, it's not easy to be Iruka. At least not in my hands. *evil laughter*

Thank you Juxtathought for beta reading this.

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Iruka woke up with an odd sense of danger. Moving slowly, he turned the light on and saw Kakashi standing beside the bed with a kunai in his hand. For a second, he looked like he didn't know where he was, and as recognition set in, he dropped the kunai. He hung his head and looked at Iruka apologetically. Iruka calmed his breath. Kakashi had just come back from a mission yesterday, he must still be a bit agitated. Fortunately, Kakashi was experienced enough not to sink the kunai in Iruka's neck before he could turn the light on. He had been trained to confirm the identity of the target before killing him. Iruka sighed in relief.

"Why don't you come back to bed," he said soothingly. Kakashi slipped under the blanket.

"Sorry about that. I guess I thought I was still on the mission," Kakashi apologized.

"That's alright. Just try to remember where you are, and with whom, next time you wake up," Iruka said, trying to sound amused.

Kakashi pulled him into his arms and kissed his neck. Soon, Kakashi's breathing grew heavier. Iruka couldn't get to sleep. He knew what kind of missions the S-rank missions were. They were dangerous, filled with fights and the high probability of someone getting killed. In the past Kakashi had been an Anbu.

He must have killed many in his young life, Iruka thought. True, many of the kills happened in a kill or be killed situation, but they still changed the people who survived. In addition, most assassinations were assigned to Anbu. It freaked Iruka. Kakashi didn't look like a cold hearted assassin and he certainly didn't feel like one. Still, Iruka knew Kakashi had killed many. Kakashi had only been thirteen when he had achieved the status of Jounin. Some time later he had watched his teammate die. It was not something a child should see, and in Iruka's opinion, that was exactly what a thirteen-year-old was, a child. It was a cruel world, especially for the gifted. What kind of man could grow from a child who had seen so much death and, undoubtably, had taken lives before his sixteenth birthday. Had Kakashi just gotten used to it? Iruka truly hoped that he hadn't. There was no returning back to humanity once taking another's life didn't make you feel something.

No, Kakashi hadn't gotten used to it. He couldn't have. He wouldn't be so gentle and warm if he had. Kakashi pressed Iruka tight, clinging to him like his life depended on it. Iruka calmed himself and finally fell asleep.

Morning light seeped through the little gaps between the curtains. Iruka squinted.

"Nhn, morning," Iruka said in a sleepy voice.

"Top of the morning to you, Iruka," Kakashi was way too awake. He was still holding Iruka in his arms, Iruka's back against his stomach.

This was a perfect way to start a day, waking up in the arms of a lo... of someone you liked a lot, Iruka thought. He liked to cuddle and was glad that Kakashi hadn't vanished like last time. Kakashi's hand caressed his side. It was warm as it slowly slid up and down. It was turning Iruka on.

"Now that we're dating, tell me something about yourself," asked Iruka. Kakashi thought for a minute or two and then answered

"There's not much to tell. You know what kind of missions I have," he paused.

"Well, tell me what you like and what you dislike. What’re your hobbies and that kind of stuff?" Iruka was anxious to hear something about Kakashi's personal life.

"Okay. I like broiled saury with salt and miso soup with eggplant. I don't like Tempura. My favorite hobby is reading. I train quite a lot. And I really like you—I think you're cute when you blush." The last remark made Iruka's cheeks color with said blush.

"Now it's your turn," said Kakashi.

"What would you like to know?" asked Iruka.

"Anything and everything."

"That could take a while. Hm, for starters I like ramen and I don't like Maze-gohan. I like to hang out with my friends and go to hot springs. I'm an academy teacher and I like children."

"Is that all?" asked Kakashi, raising his brow.

"No, that's not all. But that's about the same as you told me about yourself."

"Not quite," said Kakashi, sounding like a brat.

"I like you too," whispered Iruka, the butterflies started their fluttering again.

"That's better." Kakashi kissed his shoulder and neck. Iruka could feel Kakashi's semi-erect member pushing against his rear. Iruka responded to it by pushing back and rocking his hips. Kakashi's teeth bit Iruka's neck gently.

A knock on the window distracted them. It never ceased to amaze Iruka how fast Kakashi reacted; before Iruka realised it, Kakashi had his pants on and his mask was covering his face. Kakashi disappeared behind the window curtain momentarily and, once he reappeared, Iruka could see from his face that Kakashi had to leave.

"Something’s come up. Would you like to have a dinner with me when I come back?" Kakashi asked as he pulled on his shirt.

"That would be nice," Iruka answered, trying not to show his disappointment. Kakashi lowered his mask, gave him a quick kiss, and then he was gone.

Iruka laid on the bed, frustrated. Of course Kakashi's first obligation was to the village and he to go when called. Konoha had a shortage of manpower and all the jounin were constantly running on missions. Still, Kakashi had arrived from one only yesterday, he should have at least a few days of rest before called on another. If he kept this up, he would burn himself out. The Fifth was a medical ninja, so Iruka hoped she knew what was best.

Iruka's caressed his own skin, trying to mimic Kakashi's hands. Iruka could feel his arousal diminish, it didn't feel nearly as good as it had when they were Kakashi’s hands touching him. He decided to give up and get dressed. The bed was a mess so Iruka changed the sheets. When he was finished, he regretted changing the pillowcase on the pillow that Kakshi had used. It would have been nice to fall asleep holding something with Kakashi's scent on it. Iruka thought about it, but in the end gave up the idea of changing it back.

It was New Year's day and he had the day off. The sun was shining, and the day was absolutely beautiful. Iruka put on his green vest and went for a walk. The birds were singing, making Iruka feel like it was spring already. He walked to the forest, the trees swaying in the wind. Iruka felt light, breathing easily. He was happy.

He really had fallen for Kakashi and he wanted to be near the man all the time. After the walk, Iruka was hungry. He went to Ichiraku Ramen. He made his order, and in no time, a steaming hot bowl of ramen was placed in front of him. He had taken his first taste when he heard a familiar voice coming from behind him.

Naruto.

He lowered his chopsticks and turned his head.

"Hello, Naruto. I see you're back from training."

"Iruka sensei!" Naruto yelled, smiling from ear to ear.

"Come and join me. I'll buy you a bowl of ramen," Iruka said, smiling as well. It sure was nice to see the boy.

"Whoa! Thank you, sensei!" Naruto said and sat beside Iruka.

"How was your training with Jiraiya?"

"It was great! I've learned lots of new techniques."

"That's nice," Iruka said. He really had missed the boy. Naruto kept ranting about the new techniques and all the things that he had seen. Iruka listened, not necessarily hearing. He liked to hear the boy’s voice as he chatted so enthusiastically about everything. Naruto explained that they had come back to Konoha for a month because Jiraiya had some business here, then they would head off to somewhere else again. Iruka was glad that they would be staying so long. Now he could spent more time with the boy. He was truly content. He was dating, and Naruto was in Konoha. Life couldn't be better.

As the days went by, Iruka started to become concerned. There had been no word from Kakashi. At least, it meant that nothing unpleasant had happened to him. Usually the bad news traveled much faster than the good. He had met with Naruto almost daily. The boy kept telling him about the places they had visited while Iruka listened. Although it was only temporary, it felt like before when Naruto was still training with Team 7.

He missed Kakashi. Why was it that when he was with Kakashi, he had missed Naruto, and now that he was with Naruto, he missed Kakashi? Why couldn't they both be here at the same time so he could just be happy and not missing and worrying over them? Naruto was good company, but he wanted to have some time alone with Kakashi. He felt like they had some unfinished business. After that was taken care of, they could do something together, just the three of them. Iruka didn't think Kakashi would mind.

It was late and Naruto had to leave. Iruka had brushed his teeth and was readying for bed when a sound came from the window. It was Pakkun, one of Kakshi's dogs.

"Kakashi asked me to tell you that he's back. He wishes you would come to his place tomorrow evening," the dog said, sounding bored. Iruka had met Pakkun before and scratched his head behind his ear. The dog seemed to enjoy it.

"Would you tell that I’ll be there?" he asked. The dog nodded, appreciating the attention Iruka was giving him. It vanished too soon when Iruka stopped.

The same as the owner, thought Iruka. He sighed in relief. Kakashi was alright and he was back at last. Iruka laid down on his bed, but the anticipation didn't let him sleep. He had never been in Kakashi's apartment before and he couldn't wait to see it. He couldn't wait to see Kakashi.

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