Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me.

Note: This is a non-canon story. It is a tragedy, so there will be a death at the end.

This is a yaoi, so if you don't like, then don't read.

Pairings: Kakashi/Iruka

The smile on Iruka's face wouldn't leave for anything in the world. Happy. He was incredibly happy. No, it wasn't like he wasn't ever happy. Iruka did have Naruto, after all. That kid could make anyone's life bright. No... It was something else. Love. A different love than fatherly or brotherly. It had it's own flavor, it's own special place. It was a different level, a more physical connection.

It was the kind of love that Iruka didn't think he would ever find. After all, not a lot of shinobi lived long enough to find a connection like that.

Iruka had been of a mind that he would be one of the few to never find that special someone. During Academy, during his gennin years, hell... Even his chuunin years had been somewhat desolat. Never had he felt a tug. Not for his fellow kunoichi at least.

Then... Then Kakashi had wandered into his life...

Iruka hadn't done anything. Never would he have even made a move if Kakashi hadn't made it first.

If it were possible, the smile on Iruka's face grew. Oh, he'd been so furious at the jounin for nominating Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura for the chuunin exams. He'd completely forgotten about his infatuation while yelling at the man during the meeting. That really hadn't been his best moment but Iruka had been worried. They were his kids after all.

Then he'd tested them and he'd had to agree that Kakashi had been right and they really were ready.

After that, Iruka had gone off to apologise to Kakashi. It had been more than a bit mortifying and Iruka hadn't been able to keep his face from turning a deep shade of red. Kakashi had chuckled, and called him a mother hen. Then he'd done something that had made Iruka's world freeze. Kakashi had leaned down and kissed him. Iruka had felt the soft skin of lips against his own. The jounin had tugged down his mask.

That had been the start of their relationship. It hadn't really been open since they never were together all that often in public. Iruka had never pushed for anything either. If Kakashi wanted to keep things under wraps, then Iruka didn't mind. He was content with what they had. He didn't need to have public displays to let him know that Kakashi cared for him. The jounin had even asked Iruka to move in. And Iruka had. Most of their friends thought that Kakashi had offered him a room so he could save up for a proper house instead of living in an apartment, and Iruka never corrected them.

Eventually, people would find out. They were shinobi after all. It was just a matter of time. By then, hopefully Kakashi would be ready for it. Though, the man loved dodging questions. It was part of his charm.

Iruka chuckled quietly as he stirred the contents in the pot. It was nearly dinner time, and he was starving. He wasn't expecting Kakashi to get home just yet since he was currently on a mission and wasn't supposed to be back until the morning, but Iruka liked making extra just in case. Even if Kakashi didn't arrive, Iruka could always take it for lunch, and often did.

"Kakashi!" Iruka called happily as he spotted the man in the living room. He hadn't even felt his beloved's chakra signature. "I'm glad you're home! I made dinn-" Iruka tried to lean in for a kiss but Kakashi side stepped him.

"I'm alright, Iruka. I don't want any." Kakashi brushed passed the slightly bewildered chuunin without another glance.

Iruka's smile fell.

A/N: This will be about three to five chapters long, including this one. The following chapters will be a tad bit longer though.

Thank you for reading!