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- Chapter 01 - Present Iruka brought the breakfast tray he made for the slumbering man under his covers, to his room. There was a bowl of oatmeal and a plate of buttered toast on it. As well as a row of pancakes he stacked high on Kakashi's plate. Iruka couldn't resist himself and he also included some sunny-side up eggs that he had once enjoyed, three strands of bacon, and some home fries he prepared separately from the pancakes. There was even a tall glass of orange juice and a cup of coffee to wash the meal down, to rejuvenate any lost strength Kakashi-sensei may had suffered the other night.
He rarely had the opportunity to cook for others and he supposed he was a bit overzealous in the kitchen when he woke up this morning.
He only hoped Kakashi won't mind.
It was called the Grande Slam breakfast, as the westerners termed it. But in Konoha, in his village, this was the rare treat for the japanese person. One, Iruka had to admit to himself, he permitted himself in having once a month. Even on his school teacher salary.
As Iruka approached his bed, the silent releasing sleeping breath of Kakashi-sensei, hummed in his room. Increasing his heart-rate just for the moment and making him feel like there were butterflies fluttering around in his stomach. But that had to be a mistake,... it was only out of concern from the other night, did he feel this way. Or so, Iruka told himself. Instantly denying the underlined attraction that had bubbled up on its own overnight, while he had watched over the year older sensei like himself.
But that was easier said than done. Letting go Naruto, even under the parental guidance of the Hokage...it was nearly impossible for him and Iruka found himself indirectly drawn to the man overseeing his former student in more ways than he thought.
It was only yesterday evening, while he was returning home late from the Academy, for his workload had doubled by his volunteered duties at the Mission Reception Desk at the Hokage Hall, that Iruka had happened to come upon Kakashi. In what looked like his anbu uniform, without the required animal mask to conceal his identity, as the jounin laid there peacefully in the road, seemingly unaware of the exposed position he was in.
Usually for Iruka when returning home, there were no persons on the back road's he traveled to get back to his own apartment. Except for the occasional couple that strolled out for a late-time walk or a stray animal that happened to cross his path. As for anything else, usually Iruka was left to walk alone, with the occasional street light to keep him company.
Afterall, it was forbidden that an anbu soldier would be visible to a civilian of the village to see, let alone identify. Under the Hokage's ruleage, strict orders were given in times like these. No matter the circumstance, an anbu soldier must remain invisible when reentering the village after completing their duty. If not, the proper punishment will be issued out.
But Iruka didn't think Kakashi would allow that to keep him from upholding the Hokage's rule, so maybe Kakashi just drank too much and was just sleeping it off on the roadside. Thinking nothing of it.
Thinking no one will walk by, considering this road was usually deserted except for the occassional drifter.
But a prickling thought entered his mind, deterring him from that thought. If Kakashi remained outside, as he was, Iruka was sure the jounin would bare a cold. Possibly even a fever. Further more, if Iruka left Kakashi in the road like he was and willingly, worse, some terrible man might come along and pick up Kakashi and mark him off as a free lay. Since there were sexual predators in their village, shamefully enough.
Or maybe a robber would come along and Iruka was sure would take advantage of Kakashi's defenseless form and pick-pocket him of an important document or something as simple as Kakashi's wallet with his mission wages.
But seeing there were no other choices that present itself to him, that didn't involve some sort of harm towards Kakashi, Iruka went over to Kakashi's unconscious form and stopped.
Thu-dump.
Seeing this was their jounin instructor.
Iruka's fingers gripped Kakashi's white vest. Twisting the fabric in his fist as the memories of his broken childhood, from the death of his parents during the nine-tail fox demon attacking their village, filtered into his mind.
Along came the terrified screams of the people that echoed all over the village. Of the anguishness of the soldiers that were helpless to do anything to ease their pain but die because the kyuubi way much stronger than any opponent Konoha ever faced.
The desperateness the villagers faced as their own military power was flung left and right, by the kyuubi's demonic sweeping tale and of all the crumbling buildings that crushed their loved ones. And then at last, the eerie reminder of their village being painted in a morbid color of red before it was all over in a flash of light.
Shivering in fear but also knowing it was over and that he was safe. As the reminder of all those painful memories that had haunted him as a child resurfaced in an instant when he went to pick Kakashi up but sealed away when he released him.
But obviously he hadn't. More so, why would those horrid memories resurface now? He could see that maybe Kakashi's helpless appearance could play apart in it. Afterall, since that unforgetable day, Iruka didn't want to see another person die. Let alone this man. This hero that is much hope to this village, as preceeding hero's that died while in duty.
What connection does this man have with him that he can't remember.
Confused but thankful, Iruka went about dragging Kakashi's heavy body to his apartment. He decided out of goodwill he'll care for the jounin for the night or until Kakashi's consciousness returned. Whichever came first.
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