Title: Teach Me To Love You

Fandom: Naruto

Pairing: KakashixIruka

Rating: T for now, will go up

Summary: Kakashi had never been anything else than what had been expected of him. And nobody had ever expected him to be human. So how could Iruka even want to be near him? How could he say he loved him?

Spoilers: Spoilers for Kakashi Gaiden and very slight ones for the events before the time-skip.

Status: Chapter 15 of 15

Disclaimer: Don't own.

Teach Me To Love You

by nayru_kleinefee

Chapter 15 – So I'm lost now?

XXX

"How was your day, my love?", Iruka whispered into his ear, making him shiver.

"Only three B's." Kakashi yawned and stretched on the couch. "Yours?"

"Only three detentions." Iruka smirked at him. "And then I still let the poor little twerps out earlier because I couldn't wait to go home to my love."

"Your love." Kakashi grinned happily and dragged him down upon him. "It's nice to be called that."

"It's nice to call you that." His lover snuggled his face into his neck.

"Can I have a name for you, too?", Kakashi asked carefully, stepping into a topic he'd been thinking about very much lately.

"If you want." Iruka sighed and lightly nipped at his neck. "But if it's something embarrassing, please keep it inside the apartment, okay?"

"Oh. What would be embarrassing?"

"Well… 'muffin', for example. Or 'honey-puff' or something like those."

"'My beloved'?", Kakashi tried the name that had stricken him as perfect for his Chuunin already a couple of days ago.

"That's wonderful", Iruka breathed and lifted his head. "Please call me that whenever and wherever you want."

"Also in public?" There was a big, silly grin stretching on his lips.

"Especially in public."

XXX

"Mmmh… harder, Kakashi…", Iruka moaned.

"Harder?" Kakashi smirked at his lover's back. "You want it harder?"

"Give me what I want…" Iruka turned his head and pouted and glared at him at the same time. "Harder."

The Jounin felt a shiver creep down his back. "If you wa-"

Bamph.

"Aaaaaaah!"

Kakashi jumped in surprise and quickly turned his head to see Pakkun stare at them. "Pakkun, what's wro-"

"You're mating on the couch!", the pug yelled. "I'm sitting there when I'm here! Right where you're mating and-" He blinked. Blinked again. "You're still clothed, boss…"

"That's because I'm massaging Iruka's back. We're not mating", Kakashi sighed exasperatedly. And even if they had been, it was making love, not mating!

"But Pakkun's right." The Chuunin lazily turned around on his back and smirked up at his lover. "You really should be naked…"

"Oh, I should?"

"I'm very sure about that." Iruka reached out and pulled him down for a kiss. "At least your shirt so we're even. Although I wouldn't mind at all if you somehow lost the rest of your clothes, too…"

"I so don't have to see that." Pakkun poofed away.

XXX

"Ha! Kakashi! Harder!"

"Har… der?" The Jounin stopped his movements. "But I-"

"Don't you dare to stop!", Iruka hissed. "Move!"

"But I…" Kakashi felt his body start to shake at the sight of his lover beneath him, flushed, naked and disheveled.

"Harder. Now." Iruka rocked his hips and squeezed.

Kakashi's eyes crossed. "Oh my…"

"Now!" A rough pull at his neck, then a bite at his shoulder.

"Iruka…", the Copy-nin moaned, starting to move again. "Oh… I…"

"Harder", his lover demanded once again. "Kakashi!"

"Yes…", he panted helplessly, obeying without a second thought. "Yes, Iruka…"

"Yesss… Kak- Ah! Kakashiii… I-"

Bamph.

"Aaaaaaah!"

"Wha-" Kakashi whipped his head around to the kitchen door, freezing in mid-movement. "Pakkun!" Was that becoming a habit or what?!

"You're massaging him on the kitchen table!", the pug shouted and quickly covered his eyes with his front paws. "And you're naked! I'm eating there!"

"Out!", Iruka hissed, his head thrown back. "Out!" His fingers clawed into Kakashi's back. "Now!"

"I saw the boss' backside!", Pakkun complained more. "I'm going to become blind! I'm-"

"Out!" Iruka reached out, grabbed and threw an apple at him without really aiming, then pulled Kakashi down for a deep kiss. "Tell him to leave!", he demanded lowly. "I don't care what he thinks we're doing here, I want him to go now!"

"Pakkun, I want you t-"

"You really could go to your bedroom for that." The pug snorted but turned to leave hastily, eyes still closed. "Pray I don't find massage oil on the table tomorrow."

"Pray yourself you don't find anything else on the table tomorrow", Kakashi muttered darkly.

Iruka threw his head back in breathless laughter. Kakashi couldn't resist and kissed him until he gasped for breath, then continued to make him even more breathless.

XXX

"Pakkun, I am absolutely sure that you won't find any trace of massage oil on the table", Iruka told the pug, smirking.

"Hrn." Pakkun continued sniffing around in the kitchen before he jumped onto the table.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you…", Kakashi told him calmly, fighting down a blush and a snigger.

"Why no- Hm?" Sniffing. More sniffing. Eyes widening.

"I told you so."

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Fainting pug.

XXX

"Iruka?" Kakashi frowned while he peeked into the bedroom. "Cookie, where's Iruka?"

Cookie only grunted sleepily and curled up more in his basket.

"I guess he went out for something while I was showering", Kakashi guessed out loud, toweling his wet hair. "Maybe he-" He gasped when suddenly two warm hands touched his back and travelled to his chest.

"Now look what I caught here…", Iruka purred into his ear. "An unsuspecting little Jounin who's not watching his back…"

"Poor me…" Kakashi grinned broadly, feeling goose bumps building on his skin.

"You know the rules out here in my territory, don't you?", Iruka whispered and started nibbling at his earlobe. "You catch it, you may keep it…"

"Really?" Kakashi leaned his head back to rest it on a broad shoulder.

"M-hm… You catch it, you may keep it and you may do with it whatever you want", Iruka told him slowly, his hands trailing over the Jounin's chest and stomach to rest on his hipbones, only barely concealed by the towel around his waist.

"So I'm lost now?", Kakashi breathed.

"All lost to me…" Iruka bit his neck, then once again. "And all mine. Only mine."

"I am, my beloved."

"Only mine."

"Yes… yes, Iruka", Kakashi whispered, his heart beating faster and faster.

"Stay", the Chuunin commanded softly. "Don't you dare to move." His hands left.

"You'll not go, will you?", Kakashi asked softly but didn't turn nor move.

"Never." The sound of cloth rustling could be heard. "You'll never get rid of me ever again." Another soft noise, then there were once again hands on the Jounin's chest and bare arms encircling him while a warm and definitely naked chest pressed against his back.

"I'll never want to", Kakashi promised breathlessly, feeling a pleasant stirring in his groin already.

"Good…" Iruka bit the back of his neck gently. "Turn around."

"Yes." Kakashi hurriedly did as told and purred happily when he immediately felt warm lips on his.

"You don't need this", Iruka murmured and tugged at the towel around the Jounin's waist until the knot gave in and it fell apart in front, only held up by Iruka's hands taking a firm grip on his buttocks.

"You're naked", the Copy-nin observed approvingly.

"Convenient, hm?" Iruka chuckled, then the grip on his behind tightened before Kakashi felt himself being lifted up suddenly without warning.

"Whoa!", he gasped and quickly wrapped his legs around his lover's waist.

"Nice", Iruka declared and squeezed.

"Hn!" Kakashi felt his body jerk at the slightly rough treatment, then gasped once again when it caused him to move against Iruka in a very pleasant way. Biting his lip, he started to rub himself against his lover slowly.

"Mrrrrrh…", Iruka purred. "I really tainted your innocence, didn't I?" He started walking towards the bedroom slowly, squeezing once again when he entered it. "Close the door."

Kakashi reluctantly let go of his lover's skin and quickly did as wished, immediately attaching his fingers to Iruka's hair afterwards. He sighed when warm lips found his, then once again when the towel whispered to the floor, allowing Iruka's hands to touch his buttocks finally. His legs tightened their hold around his lover's waist as if refusing to ever let go again when-

"Oh!" He tensed in surprise and almost fell from his Chuunin's arms when he felt a fingertip touch him in a very private place.

"Shh", he heard Iruka whisper into his ear. "Only if you want it, my love." The finger stayed in place but didn't move.

"I want it", Kakashi decided immediately. "I was just surprised." He kissed his Chuunin. "I already said you could have me."

"You're trembling", Iruka told him softly. "All over."

"I…" He felt himself blush deeply. "Maybe I'm a little… nervous?" When Iruka had allowed him to be inside him for the first time, the Chuunin had given over every single bit of control to him, hadn't held back at all. The thought of him doing that was a little frightening to him, not because he didn't trust Iruka but because he'd never before allowed himself to give over like that.

"I won't do anything you don't want", Iruka whispered into his ear while he just stood there and held him. "I will only do what you allow me to do, nothing more. And if you want to stop, we will. Immediately."

"I know", Kakashi whispered back and kissed him. "I know, Iruka." He carefully tightened his hold around his lover when he felt that he leaned forward to place him on the bed.

"I love you", Iruka murmured, spreading butterfly kisses all over his face and neck. "Love you, Kakashi… can't wait… to be yours… can't wait… to make you mine…" His hands roamed over the Jounin's chest, his stomach and thighs, and back up to follow the muscles in his arms. "I'll make it so good, my love… so good for you…"

"Please", Kakashi whispered back over the impossibly loud pounding of his heart. "Please, Iruka… don't make me wait…" He was still a little afraid of letting go, but he felt anticipation building inside him as well, whispering and promising to him that this was Iruka, his Iruka, and that everything Iruka had ever done with him had always been wonderful.

"So impatient suddenly?" His lover smirked down at him. "I love it when you can't wait to feel me, Kakashi. I love the way you look at me right now." He leaned down and kissed him deeply.

"Love you", Kakashi murmured breathlessly, trying to reach the drawer of the nightstand with his left hand. "Love you, Iruka."

"Let me." His lover gently captured his searching hand and instead pulled the drawer open with his own, digging around in it for a while before he took it back with the tube of lubricant firmly in his palm. "Do you want me to prepare you? Or do you want to do it yourself?"

"Please, you do it", Kakashi whispered, then kissed him deeply. He was ready, as ready as he would ever be, to give himself over to another person. No, not to another person, to Iruka and only to Iruka. It would always be only Iruka for him, only Iruka who would ever be able to have him trusting so much, craving and needing so much.

"Breathe slowly, my love", he heard his lover whisper and snapped his eyes open to see that Iruka's fingers were already shining slickly and feeling for him.

"I… how…" Kakashi fell silent and instead decided to do as told. Breathing slowly, deeply, he spread his legs to welcome his lover and laid his head back down on the bed.

"If anybody could see you like this…" A slightly cold finger touched and surprised him. "But I will never let anybody see you like this. I will always fight my fiercest to keep you all to myself", Iruka murmured softly. "Only to myself, nobody will ever be allowed to have you."

"I only want you to…" Kakashi gasped when a finger slipped inside him suddenly, then relaxed again when it didn't hurt but only felt slightly weird. "I only want you to have me, Iruka."

"Music to my ears, my love." Iruka smirked up at him. "You always find the right words to tell me." A second finger swiftly entered the Jounin's body. "How does it feel?"

"Ah… full?" He had no idea how to describe it, how to explain the feeling of being stretched slightly. It felt… alien to have something inside him, and slightly uncomfortable, too, but it wasn't much. And there was this… feeling, tingling and even tickling a little inside him, but he didn't know whether it really was there or whether he was imagining it.

"It'll get better soon", Iruka whispered and slowly leaned his head down. "Let me…" And then there suddenly was a hot, wet tongue on him.

"Oh… oh, Iruka…", Kakashi moaned hoarsely, then groaned when lips closed around him. He felt that he was slowly being stretched even more but it faded away, the strain and the slight burn, until all he could make out was a steady pressure inside him and a moist heat around him. He whimpered at the loss when both left him.

"May I have you now?", Iruka whispered while he crawled up to face him again. "My love? May I?"

"Please." Kakashi reached out and drew him in his arms for a long, loving kiss. "Please make me yours now."

Iruka laughed softly. "Oh, my love, but you are mine already." He placed a quick kiss on his lips. "How could I ever make you mine more than by allowing you into my body? I want to be yours tonight, I want you to claim me even more than you already have."

Kakashi blinked, then blushed fiercely. "Then… then I want that. I want that you are mine and I am yours." He spread slightly shaking legs around his lover and took a deep breath. "Now."

"Oh, so demanding…" Iruka chuckled and quickly coated himself with the lubricant, then all but threw the tube away onto the nightstand. "And who am I not to obey?", he whispered, carefully lying down on the Jounin and positioning himself.

Kakashi closed his eyes, hissing softly when he felt a steady, gentle pressure at his entrance. He felt his whole body tremble slightly in excitement, nervousness, eagerness, and clawed both hands into his lover's soft hair.

"Don't hold your breath", he heard Iruka whisper and just wanted to answer when suddenly he was being stretched more than was comfortable. He gasped and felt his fingers tug at his Chuunin's hair while the burning stretching increased even more, while he felt Iruka fill him so much he thought he wouldn't be able to take it, all the while whispering sweet words of reassurance in his ear.

"Shh…", Iruka whispered. "Shh, my baby… my love… shh… you're doing fine, my baby… shh… only a little more… shh…"

"B-ba…by?", Kakashi forced out through gritted teeth.

"My baby", Iruka murmured soothingly and finally, finally stopped pushing. "My wonderful, beloved baby… so beautiful like this… my baby-love… so brave… so strong… my beautiful baby-love…"

Kakashi took a deep breath, then several more, while he let the soothing, praising words flow over him without really listening. It still burned, it still stung, it still felt like nothing else ever had to have Iruka inside him, but he noticed that the uncomfortable strain started to fade already. It became easier and easier to let Iruka's touches, his words and whispers drown out the discomfort until there was nothing left but a foreign pressure inside him.

He just wanted to tell Iruka that he was fine, that they could go on, when his lover started to move, obviously having felt it, too. Kakashi gasped softly when the Chuunin moved inside him for the first time, then when it happened again. And there it was again, that feeling, that feeling he had never felt before, tingling inside him like the smallest of touches.

"Iruka!", he gasped when the feeling suddenly overwhelmed him shortly, seemed to fill his being for a tiny moment and sent pleasantly stinging shivers through his body.

"Kakashi…", his lover moaned back, his face flushed and his teeth worrying on his lower lip. "My love… so beautiful… such a… pretty, pretty baby… feel so good… s-so tight… Kakashi…" He resumed his thrusts into his Jounin, expertly finding that spot again that had Kakashi writhing beneath him.

"Oh", he gasped breathlessly, his legs wrapping around his lover on their own. "Oh, Iruka… there… please…" This felt… so… He couldn't think, couldn't even move without trembling, only desperately hold on to his lover and meet his hips clumsily, trying to get more, more, more of him, always more.

"More, baby?", Iruka asked breathlessly. "Is it good like this, my love? Do you want me to… give you more?" He wrapped his right arm around the Jounin's waist to lift his lower body slightly, supporting his own body with his left forearm, then started moving a little faster.

"Yesss…", Kakashi heard himself hiss when suddenly waves of pleasure flowed through him and soft, teasing tingles made his nerves sing. "Iru… ka… more…"

"So beautiful…" Iruka groaned. "So… beautiful… so… so pretty… my baby… all mine…" He leaned his head down and started nibbling at the Jounin's collarbone, never ceasing his rhythmic thrusting into him. "Love you… love… you… Kaka… shi…"

"Love you", Kakashi panted back softly. "Love y- Aah!" His eyes opened wide when suddenly his lover thrust hard into him once. "Oh… Iruka…", he whimpered, clinging to his Chuunin desperately. "Please…"

"Yes… yes…" His lover's hand clutched his hair and slowly forced his head backwards, then teeth bit his neck not too gently. "So beautiful… I want… to see my marks… all over you…" A bite at his throat, then one under his left ear, both stinging, throbbing. And then another hard, fast thrust, perfectly aimed and drawing a helpless moan from his lips.

"Please", Kakashi whispered. "Please…" He needed… needed… needed whatever Iruka could give him, whatever his lover would grant him, pleasure and lust and pain, no matter what.

"Kakashi…", Iruka hissed and then there were lips on his, kissing him, spoiling him, claiming him.

"P-please…" His hands found their way into his lover's hair once again, pulling at it, tugging his head down to keep their lips connected while his whole body shook uncontrollably. He tried desperately but he couldn't even get his hips to move how he wanted them to, couldn't meet his lover's thrust as he wanted to, could only growl in frustration, in hunger, trying to urge Iruka to give him more.

An answering growl and Iruka suddenly tightened his hold around his hips, pulled his lower body up towards him and thrust, fast, hard, deep. His eyes closed, his teeth bared, beads of sweat building on his skin and running down, he roughly pressed his lips onto Kakashi's again, panting against him in a shallow imitation of a kiss. And then he thrust, thrust again and once again until-

"Iruk- Aah!", Kakashi screamed when suddenly his body erupted in flames, licking over his nerves and fraying his muscles. He heard his Chuunin groan and felt himself tighten around him almost impossibly until he thought he would tear, then his hips jerked uncontrollably against his lover. He felt Iruka clutch him to his chest, felt his arms press the last of air out of his lungs, and then liquid heat inside him suddenly, while stars danced before his eyes, black and white, singing to his confused senses like sirens.

He barely felt it when Iruka fell down on him, even when the lack of oxygen made his lungs burn, he could only lie there, spent and exhausted. The first sharp intake of breath felt divine, the second made his chest constrict, then the pain slowly stopped until it only left warmth behind and Iruka's weight on him.

He wanted to talk, wanted to say something. He wanted to tell Iruka how frightening it was to know that he'd lost control over himself so much, how foreign it had been to him and how willingly he would do it again and again if only it would always be with him. He wanted to shout his love for Iruka out, wanted to whisper it into his ear, wanted to let everybody and nobody but Iruka know how very much he was in love with him. And he wanted to promise to always stay, to always keep, to always be with Iruka, wanted to pray that he would be able to do it, but he couldn't find words in him and therefore only held his beloved close.

"I love you", Iruka whispered finally and said it all for him.

"I love you", Kakashi whispered back, knowing that Iruka could hear it all.

"Let's stay like this a little." Iruka slowly moved his head until his forehead rested against the Jounin's throat. "I don't think I can move."

"Let's." Kakashi placed his hands on his head and back, holding him possessively, then just breathed.

He growled unhappily when his lover finally tried to move. But no way would he let that happen, so he held him tight.

"We can't stay like this all evening and night", Iruka whispered. "And don't you hurt?"

"I don't care", Kakashi told him. But yes, it stung and burned and even throbbed by now.

Iruka chuckled softly. "Let me take care of you, my baby, hm?"

"Your baby-love." The Jounin couldn't quite suppress a yawn. Baby-love sleepy now…

"Yes, my baby-love." Iruka carefully lifted himself up.

"Mh!" Kakashi couldn't help the hiss when tender fingers pulled his lover out of him.

"Shh…" Gentle hands stroked over his thighs soothingly. "It'll get better soon… and you can stay in bed tomorrow, my love, I know you don't have any missions waiting…"

"But I want to watch you teach", Kakashi protested softly, struggling to keep his eyes open. "And have lunch with you."

"You can decide tomorrow whether you want to get up then, okay?" Iruka kissed his forehead. "And what about a bath now, hm?"

"Sounds…" Kakashi yawned. "Good…"

Iruka laughed softly. "Or a little nap while I clean you? While I take good care of my sleepy baby-love?"

"Mrrrh…" He sighed, then thought of something. "You called me 'pretty'…"

A chuckle. "Did I?"

"M-hm… an' not only once…"

"Ah." A soft kiss was placed on his lips. "Do you want to scold me now, then? I only said the truth, you know."

"Mrrh… don' know…"

"Good for me then, hm?" Gentle hands stroked over his face. "Sleep, my pretty baby-love", his lover whispered. "Scold me tomorrow. Purse your pretty lips and scowl at me so very prettily if you want it. I'll endure everything because I love you."

And while drifting into sleep, Kakashi decided to maybe tolerate his lover calling him 'pretty' if only it made him speak in this tone of voice to him.

XXX

Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.

Kakashi made a face while he carefully walked on towards the Academy. He would – ouch – have never thought – ouch – that allowing Iruka – ouch – into his body would – ouch – hurt quite that – ouch – much afterwards. Ouch.

Stopping and pretending to look into a shop window, he carefully shifted to probe his aching muscles. Ouch. Iruka had said that it would hurt although he had promised to be gentle and make it good.

And he had, and how he had.

Kakashi couldn't help the lewd smirk on his lips when he remembered how his lover had tenderly soothed and patiently prepared him, how he had whispered reassurance, love and praise into his ear, how Iruka had felt inside him.

He wondered when he would be well enough to do it again…

"Ah, but this time you definitely were the bitch."

"PAKKUN!"

XXX

He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so nervous, so insecure. But what if they hated him? What if they immediately saw that he wasn't good enough for Iruka? What if they demanded that Iruka left him? What if-

"Mother, Father." He saw Iruka bow to the Memorial Stone. "This is Kakashi. We love each other."

A gentle breeze ruffled the Jounin's hair, much too warm for the season.

"I think they approve", Iruka whispered and took his hand. "I believe they can look into my heart and see how happy I am."

"I'll do my best to keep it that way", Kakashi murmured and embraced his beloved, promising to always hold on to him to the names on the stone and himself.

XXX

"There's that Copy-nin."

Kakashi just pretended that he hadn't heard that. Hey, if people were stupid enough to talk about him where he could hear them…

"I heard he's with Iruka-sensei."

Yes, he was, lady. And he had no intention to change that.

"Poor Iruka-sensei. I bet that Hatake somehow took him in."

Yeah, sure. As if…

"Yes, I bet. But I think Iruka-sensei will soon see how wrong he was to even only associate with him. And then leave him."

Kakashi did his best not to stiffen too much. But it hurt. Although they didn't matter at all, it hurt.

"Of course. Won't take long anymore if you ask me."

A soft gasp escaped his lips. Damn, it hurt.

"But it won't be a big deal for Iruka-sensei. I mean, everybody knows that he's too good for that Copy-nin."

Yes, he knew that, too. But still he hoped that Iruka would never see it.

"Yes, won't be a big deal to leave him. It's not as if they had anything binding them. Not really. And then Iruka-sensei can find himself a nice girl and marry her."

Kakashi gasped, shaking all over. He had to do something to prevent that!

XXX

"Iruka?" Kakashi quickly looked around in the living room while he pulled down his mask. "Iruka, are you here?"

"I'm here." The Chuunin walked out of the bedroom. "What's it? You sound as if something happened."

"Can you come here?"

"Sure." Frowning a little, Iruka walked over to him and stopped right in front of the Jounin.

"Iruka?" Kakashi felt his right hand tremble in his pocket.

"Yes?"

"I… I…" He took a deep breath. "I have… a new stone…"

"That's nice." Iruka smiled. "Where is it?"

"In my hand. I… I want to give it to you."

"Okay."

"Okay."

"Okay…"

"Okay…" Kakashi took a deep breath and quickly pulled his hand out of his pocket, tightly clenched to a fist. He noticed that Cookie was regarding him with slight worry, just as if he was feeling the Jounin's distress.

"Where did you find it?" Iruka smiled at him.

"I… I…"

"Kakashi?"

"I…" The Jounin swallowed. "I…"

"Kakashi." Iruka made a step forwards and tenderly placed his hand on his forehead. "My love, what's wrong with you?"

"I…" Kakashi took a deep breath, then another. Alright… alright… He could do this. He had to do this. And he wanted to do this.

"Kakashi, wha-"

"I need to kneel down!", the Jounin exclaimed when that detail suddenly sprang into his mind. He all but fell to his knees, accidentally letting his treasure fall from his shaking fingers. "No!" He jumped forwards and caught it before it could roll under the couch, then clutched his hands to his chest, trying to calm his pounding heart.

"Kakashi." And then there suddenly were hands on his face, pulling his head up. "Love, tell me what's making you so upset", Iruka whispered.

"I want… I want… You're kneeling!" Kakashi's eyes widened. This was wrong! It wasn't supposed to be like this!

"But my love…" Iruka smiled softly but the Jounin could see small lines of worry on his face. "Please calm down and tell me what's wrong."

"I… but I…" Kakashi sighed. "It's not right like this…"

"What's not right?" His Chuunin tilted his head. "You're with me, what could be not right about that?"

"I'm not talking about that…" Kakashi smiled a little despite his nervousness. "I mean I can't do it right. My beloved", he added to calm down further.

"Do what right?" Iruka smiled at him. "I thought you want to give me a stone."

"I… I do." The Copy-nin sighed. "But I wanted to do everything right, at least this time."

"But you're always doing fine, Kakashi. I couldn't be happier with how you're treating me."

"Really?"

"Yes, love." His lover smiled. "My pretty baby-love."

"And… and you don't think about leaving me?"

Iruka's eyes widened. "Now that I finally have you? Never." He leaned forwards and gave his lover a gentle kiss. "Never, Kakashi."

"Okay…" The Jounin smiled hesitantly. "But I still want it."

"Want what?" Iruka chuckled. "You're acting a little weird today."

"I want…" Kakashi took a deep breath and held out his fist still clutching his hope. "I want…"

"To give me the new stone?"

"That too." Another deep breath and the Jounin felt as ready as he could ever hope to be. "And I want to ask you something."

"Alright." Iruka smiled. "Ask me something."

Kakashi slowly opened his trembling fist, showing the milky-white ring made from crystallized quartz to his lover. "Will you… marry me? Please?"

Iruka's eyes widened. "Oh… oh, Kakashi… I…"

"I don't know if we can though", the Jounin heard his mouth rant suddenly out of sheer nervousness bubbling inside him. "I mean, since we're both men. But Tsunade's looking it up whether we can or not. Officially, I mean. And if we can, then… then we can. And if we can't… I mean… then we could be married for us only, you know. And never leave each other. And always stay together. And-"

"Yes!" Tears were flowing over Iruka's face and his whole body was shaking but he was smiling. "Yes, Kakashi. Let's get married."

"You want it?", the Copy-nin breathed.

"Of course." Iruka made a soft sniffle, then quickly threw himself into his lover's arms. "I want to marry you and always be with you and never leave you."

"I want that, too." Feeling a broad, completely silly grin spread over his face, Kakashi hugged his lover, his fiancé to his chest. "I want that so much…"

"I love you, Kakashi." Iruka lifted his head and smiled at him, then held his right hand out for the Jounin.

"I love you, Iruka", Kakashi breathed back and carefully slipped the ring onto his finger.

"Why a ring made of stone?" Iruka placed his head on his lover's shoulder and turned his hand, making the ring reflect the light and sparkle a little. "It's perfect, but why stone?"

"I didn't know how to start asking you", Kakashi confessed, blushing slightly. "And I thought it would be easier to first say that I have a new stone with a hole for you. It wasn't though…"

"I see…" Iruka smiled. "You need an engagement ring, too. To show everybody that we belong together."

"I'll get one for me first thing tomorrow", Kakashi promised. And he wouldn't wear his gloves anymore when in the village so everybody would see his ring and see that it matched Iruka's.

"But don't put it on already, okay? I want you to bring it to me and then I'll ask you to marry me and if you say that you want, then I'll put it on your finger. You'll say that you want, won't you?"

"I will." The Jounin kissed his lover's forehead. "My beloved."

"Can we have wedding rings made of stone, too?" Iruka kissed his neck, still turning and watching his hand.

"That's a good idea." Kakashi smiled, then lifted Cookie up into his arms when the piglet came hurried over to them.

"And I want a big wedding ceremony", Iruka told him. "No matter whether we will be allowed to marry officially or not. And I want a huge cake and Genma and Raidou and Anko as flower girls." A small snigger. "And Gai can be your best man and Naruto… Oh." He sighed.

"We can wait until he's back", Kakashi offered softly although he wanted nothing more than to marry Iruka now, nownownow, at that exact moment. And then once again, just to make sure.

"I don't really want to wait…" Iruka sighed again but then lifted his head quickly. "We can marry twice!", he told his lover, beaming. "We can have a small ceremony first and then, when Naruto's back, we can have a big ceremony. And then he can be my best man and the one to hold the rings. I think he'll be very happy. And then we can have a big wedding party."

"Perfect." Kakashi gently pulled him close and kissed him. "Perfect."

"Yes." Iruka smiled at him. "I love you so much."

"I love you." Kakashi kissed him once again, then thought of something. "Iruka?"

"Yes?" The Chuunin snuggled against him.

"Can you make apple pancakes for the wedding party? But only for me?"

The End