Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

All For the Sake of Pleasure	By : Kanemoshi Category: Naruto > Yaoi - Male/Male > Kakashi/Iruka Views: 8217 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 6
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters and did not make any money from creating this story.

Chapter List
- 38
- 39
- 40
Chapter Thirty Nine
Iruka stretched back against the pillows as he let out a yawn. He did not have to open his eyes to know that he had overslept by at least several hours. Any other time, Iruka would have wondered why Saki's cries had not awakened him at the crack of dawn. He would have worried that something was wrong, but he could feel that he was the only one in his massive bed. No, for once Kakashi must have gotten to Saki before the baby could let out a shriek. Then again, pregnancy had already turned Kakashi into a little bit of an insomniac, so it was not so surprising that he was up before anyone else this morning.
Even though he could logically explain why he woke up so late, Iruka still felt like something was off. It took him only a few seconds to put a finger on what was making him uneasy. It was too quiet – far too quiet considering Saki and Naruto were living in the same mansion. He should at least hear one or the other squealing and racing around. But Iruka couldn't hear a sound. Afraid he had gone deaf while he slept, Iruka slowly sat up, rubbing the last vestiges of sleep from his eyes.
Mere moments later, Iruka's theory of sudden deafness was disproved. Even as the brunet cracked open his eyes, hissing at the bright light shining through the window, he heard his bedroom door slowly opening. Ever aware of his curious child and Naruto's ability to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, Iruka instinctively checked to make sure the comforter was covering up the necessities.
Seeing Sasuke slip into the room, Iruka had to bite back a small chuckle. The jounin did not so much 'slip' as enter as quietly as he could manage – which was loud enough to wake the dead, much less the chuunin Sasuke must have assumed was still sleeping.
"Morning." Iruka yawned as he stretched his arms over his head. Every muscle screamed at the gentle movement, a reminder of last night and the sinful pleasures he had received. Ah, pregnancy became Kakashi. If only Iruka could survive another four months.
Then again, no one in the village was going to survive another week if a certain cranky Uchiha had his way.
Very quick-tempered, very grumpy – and still very pregnant, Sasuke was not exactly the most pleasant person to be around when he was growling about how pregnancy was supposed to be nine months. Watching the jounin, whose due date had come and gone over a week and a half ago, Iruka could sympathize. Eight months was bad enough; he could only imagine what it was like for Sasuke.
And Naruto wasn't making things any better. The strategizing, calculating shinobi had finally won out over the giddy yet terrified father-to-be. Naruto had plans of the shortest routes to the hospital, alternate plans, lists of items, and enough knowledge about labor and delivery to write his own book on the subject. The mansion was covered in sticky notes and labels. Everything had been re-baby-proofed to the point there were bumpers on every corner Naruto could find. There was a packed bag in every room so Naruto could transport his laboring lover the instant it was time. If it hadn't annoyed Sasuke so much, Iruka would have mocked his brother incessantly for his newfound obsessive compulsiveness. But Iruka still had enough of a sense of self-preservation to keep his mouth shut.
"You slept in…" Iruka could hear the concern in Sasuke's words with ease. Pregnancy had made Sasuke far more expressive than anyone could have anticipated or hoped for. But that miracle went both ways – he showed his happier emotions far more openly, but at the same time, he snapped at the smallest thing. No longer was he the man whose mere name could make missing nin wet themselves. Gone was the angst whore who would sit and simmer in his anger, plotting and calculating someone's demise. In his place was a young man on the verge of tears because Iruka slept in.
"Sorry…" Iruka mumbled as he slipped out of the bed. With a small smile, he remembered a time when he would have been ashamed of his nudity – Kakashi had destroyed that part of him. Of course, his close relationship with Sasuke might have something to do with the fact he did not think twice as he shuffled around the room to clean up the mess he and his fiancé had created last night. Once the pile of crumpled material was deposited in a laundry basket, Iruka finally considered putting on an outfit and getting ready for the day.
Pulling open a drawer, Iruka was about to grab a pair of shorts and t-shirt, but stopped when he heard Sasuke cough behind him. As he turned towards the young man, Iruka finally caught a glimpse of something neatly folded in the jounin's arms. Iruka raised an eyebrow, recognizing the material as a kimono. It was then he noticed the jounin was in formal garb.
Iruka could not help but snicker at Sasuke's outfit. He had seen Sasuke in a kimono on several occasions in the past and every time, he could only stare in awe at the young man, desperately fighting the urge to drool. Sasuke was someone who was completely at ease in the formal outfit and had a body and confidence to show it off. Iruka, on the other hand, felt horribly uncomfortable in a kimono, sure he had somehow tied the belt wrong or that he was going to trip over his own two feet. He felt so self conscious in the robes, itching and tugging at it until he was finally able to get back into his uniform.
Right now, Sasuke had that same kind of discomfort in his eyes. Of course, it could be due to his noticeable belly and the resulting shift in his center of gravity. Thankfully, the young jounin had given up on trying to hide his pregnancy from the village. Iruka had been running out of excuses for his grocery shopping, Sasuke's outbursts in public, and other odd behaviors. Though Sasuke had gotten more than a few strange looks the first time he and Naruto went out without him covered up in one of his baggy jackets, everyone quickly learned to treat the rounded shinobi the same as they always used to. Naruto made sure that anyone who dared look at his lover in disgust had a nice little introduction to the demon he contained, making sure they learned that she had a particular soft spot for the jounin who had the courage to carry her kit's offspring.
"Is there a reason we're getting dressed up?" Iruka asked as he looked down to the kimono in the jounin's arms. He didn't recognize it, but he wouldn't put it past Kakashi to buy him a new one. And, as Sasuke began unfolding the robes, Iruka felt a twitch come to his eye. He was really going to have to talk to his fiancé about Kakashi's buying sprees.
Iruka did not have to touch the black silk to know that this kimono was of the finest material that would ever touch his body. Kakashi would not have settled for anything other than the best. Shaking his head, the brunet sighed. Their children were going to be so very spoiled. He had come to learn that his fiancé's clan had been loaded – hence the mansion they now lived in. He had also done a few calculations and nearly had a heart attack the first time he estimated his fiancé's salary. There was no way anyone could use all that money, much less a man who had once lived off of ramen in an apartment the size of a shoebox. Needless to say, Kakashi had quite a bit of his own money stashed away.
"The Cherry Blossom Festival…" Sasuke pointed out as he began laying out the multiple pieces to Iruka's outfit. Iruka nearly smacked his head at his forgetfulness. How could he forget one of the most anticipated festivals of the year when he had spent the past week staring in awe at the pink buds that covered the trees in the courtyard? He had thought the cherry trees were dead, choked by nearly thirty years' worth of weeds that had been covering them, but then one day he saw the first pink buds begin to appear. Ever since, he had watched the trees grow, waiting for the magnificent display they promised.
He wished that he and Kakashi could get married underneath those beautiful trees, but they would have to wait until next year. Then there was the fact Kurenai was making all kinds of plans. She admitted a wedding by the end of May was impossible, so she had picked the end of June. Iruka had already had to listen to her rants about how Kakashi was going to be showing by then, but that there wasn't anything they could do short of elopement.
After discovering how much planning and how many decisions went into a wedding, Iruka was starting to like the idea of eloping more and more. The only thing that kept him from dragging Kakashi in front of Tsunade to get the whole thing over with was the fact his fiancé was a hopeless romantic. Kakashi could try to hide the truth as much as he wanted, but Iruka knew him too well. He would have been dreaming about their wedding ever since he considered proposing. He would have had thought of the perfect ceremony, with their family and friends around them.
How could Iruka take that once-in-a-lifetime experience away from him?
So Iruka gritted his teeth and went to the cake shops to taste test. He looked over the seating charts. He listened to countless bands. He went over menus until he could no longer stand the sight of food. He wrote pages of vows only to crumple them up and throw them out, unsure what he could possibly say that he hadn't already told his lover.
He had always thought himself a romantic. Just look at his track record! He fell for one of the most unattainable people in the world, a man he never thought he had a chance with. But somehow, he melted a heart of ice and showed a cold, lonely shinobi what it meant to love. He had given Kakashi the most precious gift in the world – a child. They had had a roller coaster of a relationship that reminded him of one of his fiancé's smutty novels. But Iruka now knew that nothing is perfect.
Iruka hated to admit it, but he had come to learn something about himself in the past few hectic weeks: he hated weddings. He hated the flowers, the crowds, the gifts. He despised the idea of writing vows that were somehow supposed to represent his feelings for Kakashi. The thought of being the center of attention for an entire day left a sour taste in his mouth. The stress he was already beginning to feel was giving him migraines.
Oh, he could not wait until Kakashi was his husband, but the entire process to get there was grating on his last nerve. He was a shinobi, afraid of nothing…except what was supposed to be the best day of his life. Iruka did not have the courage to tell his lover any of this. How could he when Kakashi was downright giddy at the thought of their wedding? How could he hurt his pregnant fiancé because he was getting cold feet?
Despite his aggravation, Iruka found himself touching the black kimono that Sasuke laid out on his bed. His fingers brushed against the Umino family crest that was so intricately embroidered with golden thread into the delicate material. Other than the five kumon, the kimono was plain – exactly what Iruka was planning on ordering for their wedding.
Our wedding.
Iruka touched the crest in awe. He was not stupid, nor was he ignorant. He had lived with Kakashi far too long to miss the subtle clues. Kakashi probably thought he was being sneaky, that Iruka wouldn't figure it out at all. But Sasuke's actions told him everything he wanted to know. Iruka did not have to look up from the silk to know Sasuke was crying. Any attempts the jounin made to quiet himself only led to another shaky sniffle or sob. Biting his lip, the chuunin fought the urge to cry along with Sasuke.
If it was possible, he was falling even more in love with Kakashi.
"He's been planning this all along," Iruka whispered as he lifted the kimono up to his cheek, brushing the cool silk against his cheek. The material caressed his skin so gently, it was a wonder he could even feel it. A custom kimono of this quality would take over a month to make. Iruka should know, since he put the order for their wedding weeks ago and was told it might not be done until August.
Kakashi must have ordered the robe some time ago or paid an entire army of tailors to get it done as soon as possible. Smiling, his lips brushing against the silk, Iruka wondered how long his fiancé had been plotting. How many weeks or months had Kakashi been hiding his plans?
"So who's walking me down the aisle?"
XXX
"You sure about this?" Naruto asked as he shifted his little nephew in his arms. Saki giggled, for a moment forgetting the dress clothes he had been trying to pull off. Looking over to his future brother-in-law, the young jounin couldn't help but snicker. He had never seen his ex-sensei nervous before – and it was hysterical.
"U-Un…."
What if Iruka didn't like his idea? What if he was actually angry Kakashi took things into his own hands, not listening to his fiancé's thoughts or concerns? What if Iruka refused to come out of the mansion? What if Iruka had changed his mind? Of all his fears, that one was the one that struck his chest the hardest. That single fear strangled his heart until he could barely breathe. What would he do if Iruka didn't want to marry him anymore?
"Gai's never going to forgive you…" That got the genius to glare at him, momentarily snapping out of his panic attack. Naruto smiled cheekily before looking down at his nephew. Saki giggled again, as though he got just as much enjoyment of watching his father squirm as his uncle did. "Now Saki…remember what Nani told you to say?"
The toddler nodded his head vigorously. Kakashi glowered at the pair, unsure if he wanted to know what Naruto had taught his child this time. Saki had already learned quite a few curse words thanks to his uncle, but worse than that were the quotes from the Icha Icha series. Most were harmless enough – ones Iruka wouldn't slap Naruto for…but Kakashi recognized every single one. And the mental images his son's adorably lisped words gave him were just wrong.
"Abowt…fime!"
About time? Kakashi glared at the blonde idiot who was going to one day lead their village. How could Naruto be mature enough to become a father? Just because it took him over two years to get to this point did not mean Naruto could mock him for it. Naruto and Sasuke had made him seriously consider killing the two just to save himself from the hormonal, sexually frustrated fights they had had while they trained under him. Too bad his compassionate side had won out. If he had hidden their bodies years ago, he wouldn't have to deal with them now.
"You two are acting like children." Glancing to the woman who spoke, Kakashi momentarily thought of growling at her. Then again, he shouldn't push her. For once, Tsunade was completely sober. He would have called it a miracle, but he had done far too much pleading with the Hokage to consider it divine intervention.
Taking a deep breath, the jounin looked up at the tree overhead. As a gentle breeze caressed his cheek, Kakashi watched several blossoms dance through the air. He had never been much of a cherry blossom person, but he had seen how Iruka watched them slowly bloom. It was one of the few occasions his fiancé was not stressed. It was the first time in weeks that Iruka did not have that murderous glint in his eye whenever he looked at anyone other than Kakashi and their son.
The first time he had caught his fiancé studying the blossoms, Kakashi had made up his mind. It took asking for favors, threatening his friends, and otherwise sneaking around as though this was the most important mission of his life, but he was sure Iruka hadn't caught wind of his plans. He had planned everything out – with help in the form of a few ideas from his favorite novels – to what he hoped would be the perfect moment. He had convinced Kurenai and the others to distract Iruka, pretending they were still preparing for a giant event Iruka was obviously dreading. And every time he heard his friends' reports on how much Iruka hated it, his resolve strengthened.
Now, all he had felt to do was to wait for what seemed like an eternity for his lover to come outside. As though they could sense his emotional turmoil, the twins began moving around furiously. Still just a fluttering sensation, Kakashi was anxious for the next few months when they were strong enough to really kick him. He had seen Sasuke have the wind knocked out of him enough times to wonder whether or not he was going to have cracked ribs in a few months.
Shifting his weight onto the other foot, Kakashi began pulling nervously at the cuffs of his kimono. The deep blue robes concealed the slight swell of his belly, not that he cared if people could tell he was five months pregnant. Bowing his head, the jounin studied the silver family crest that emblazoned across his chest. Naruto had yet to notice the distinct mark, but it had only taken Tsunade a moment to nod her head approvingly when she had first seen him in the formal outfit. Then again, she might have caught a glimpse of the paperwork he had filed a few days ago.
Suddenly, a gasp shattered the painful silence of the courtyard.
Kakashi's head snapped up so quickly, he made himself a little dizzy. Ignoring his sudden wooziness, the jounin looked towards the source of the squeak. He had imagined this moment so many times, so many different ways, but nothing compared to the reality. Beautiful did not come close to describing the man walking towards him. Breathtaking would have been a good substitute, but Kakashi found himself still able to breathe – to the point of hyperventilating, in fact. Even as Iruka came to stand in front of him, Kakashi could not do anything other than pant for air.
As the smallest of smiles graced Iruka's face, Kakashi found his vision blurring. Nothing could have prepared him for the moment his lover gently touched his bare cheek, wiping away a trail of tears Kakashi had not noticed were falling. In that single caress was all the love Iruka felt for him – love that Kakashi had no idea what he had done to deserve, but he was grateful beyond words for it.
"K-Kakashi…" Iruka could not find the words he wanted to say. Sasuke, in between his sobs of joy, may have already told him about his fiancé's plans, but it did nothing to prepare him for the sight of Kakashi. He had always imagined his lover would look magnificent in a kimono, but his mental images were nothing in comparison to the strong, proud man standing before him, nervously tugging on his sleeves. It took his very breath away. Iruka could not stifle the rush of giddiness at the realization that this man – this wonderful, beautiful creature he did not deserve – was standing before him, prepared to spend the rest of his life by Iruka's side.
This was what his wedding day was supposed to feel like.
Still in awe, Iruka found himself lost in that deep sapphire eye as his fingers sliding from his lover's cheek down to his chest, his fingers resting over a heart that beat in time with his own. Slowly, Iruka's gaze dropped to the silver stitching underneath his fingers and he let out a gasp as the mark registered in his mind. There was no mistaking the crest – how could he not recognize the mark of his own clan?
"I-It…it's not official yet…" Kakashi mumbled as he turned his head to the side, his cheeks ablaze. How could he explain that the term family meant nothing to him until he met Iruka? How could he describe how little the name Hatake meant to him? It had once been a source of shame, a constant reminder of his father, but over so many years, he had become numb to that. Now, it was merely a name. He had so many other ways of remembering and honoring his father. This was one he did not need.
He would much rather share a name with the one man who had shown him what love and family really were.
"You're sure?" Iruka asked quietly, feeling the rapid rise and fall of his lover's chest. Kakashi could not manage words, so he merely nodded his head. "But…what about the big wedding – all the people?" Iruka glanced at the four people around them, along with a pack of uncharacteristically silent ninken.
"The people that matter are here," Kakashi said softly with a shrug of his shoulders.
"HOW HIP YOUR DISMISSAL OF THE REST OF US IS, MY RIVAL!"
Iruka winced at those words. Seeing a blur of green out of the corner of his eye, Iruka glanced to his side in enough time to see Gai posing on the roof. He could only shake his head, having the distinct feeling there were quite a few elite shinobi hiding on the roofs and outside the main gates, eavesdropping because their friend had told them they were not invited.
"I told them to stay away…" Kakashi grumbled under his breath. Tears pricking his eyes at Kakashi's endless compassion and understanding, Iruka brought his hands up to cup his lover's cheeks, forcing his fiancé's single visible eye to look at him. How could he have ever thought that this man had no heart, even for an instant? How could he have believed Kakashi to be unemotional when every emotion was so easily visible in his natural eye?
"Call them down," Iruka said softly as he brushed his thumb against his lover's bare cheek. As soon as those words left his lips, Kakashi's eye widened in surprise. Before his fiancé even got the chance to question his statement, Iruka continued, "I didn't want a ceremony with hundreds of people – but our family is always welcome."
With a loud whoop, Gai swooped down, obviously having heard Iruka's statement. Without warning, Iruka found himself wrapped in a bear hug that bruised his ribs and left him breathless. Someone really had to talk to Gai about his inhuman strength. By the time the blubbering giant let him go and Iruka regained his breath between coughs, the crowd had notably increased.
Iruka felt a blush begin to burn his cheeks as he glanced around and saw their closest friends around them. Strange, he thought it would be off-putting to be the center of attention, but he could only feel a swell of emotion as he looked to each shinobi. Seeing the joy in their eyes, knowing that they were here to support Kakashi and him, his vision began to water.
"T-Thank you," Iruka whispered, his soft words directed to the several shinobi who were like family to Kakashi and now to him. Knowing that they accepted him – that they found him worthy of Kakashi – was more touching than words could describe. By their mere presence, they gave their blessing. Swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat, Iruka looked back to his fiancé. Gingerly, Kakashi brushed his knuckles against his cheek, wiping the few traitorous tears that had slid down his cheeks.
"Is anyone else coming or can I start?" Iruka turned to his left at the sound of the Hokage's grumble. Heat infused his cheeks as Iruka studied the strangely sober woman. What had Kakashi done to get her here without any alcohol in her system? Any chance he had of asking disappeared as Tsunade continued speaking. "Alright…I haven't done this in a while, so bear with me…"
Suddenly, the reality hit him. He was marrying Kakashi. He was marrying one of the greatest men of their generation. He, a mere academy teacher, was tying his life to a legend. He was vowing to spend his life with the person who, as corny as it sounded, completed him. He was racing towards a future that he had never imagined possible, but one he was beyond grateful for.
Iruka did not have to look anywhere other than his fiancé's face to know that similar thoughts were going through Kakashi's mind. The awe and joy in Kakashi's pale features spoke loud enough for him. Feeling a warm touch against his hand, Iruka glanced down to watch Kakashi's long, pale fingers intertwine with his own.
"We gather here to celebrate two individuals whose love and commitment to one another have shown us the beauty of the world we fight to protect. Hatake Kakashi…Umino Iruka. Who stands with these two as witnesses to their love for each other?"
Iruka felt a warm hand brush his shoulder, squeezing gently as he heard his brother speak. "I do." He could hear Naruto's normally confident tone waiver. Iruka knew that if he looked away from his and Kakashi's interwoven fingers, he would see Naruto fighting back tears, which would only make his own eyes water even more.
A soft wail forced Iruka's gaze away from his and his fiancé's hands. Looking up and seeing Sasuke desperately wiping at his eyes, Iruka could not help but smile. From the young man's raised hand, he could only guess he was acting as Kakashi's witness, but could not even make out two simple words between his cries. Naruto was never going to let his lover live this one down. Then again, from the sniffles originating from the blonde, Naruto might not mock Sasuke for his tears when he was just as emotional.
"In a world of darkness and shadow – in an existence filled with death and destruction – you two have found one another. You have learned what the life of a shinobi could never teach you. You have learned to trust another person, not as a comrade, but as someone who will protect your heart from any and all harm. You have had the courage to entrust everything you are to someone else. You have learned that your love for one another is not a weakness, but a strength that no jutsu can match. It is because of this love that you stand before one another today.
"Kakashi…take Iruka's hand and repeat after me."
Iruka barely heard the Hokage's words, his entire being focused on the beautiful jounin before him. Even as Kakashi lifted their hands up, Iruka could not break his gaze away from that hesitant, but radiant, smile. Iruka could understand the nervousness he could read in Kakashi's features. A small part of him still kept wondering when he was going to wake up from this wonderful dream in his old apartment, all alone. Seeing his lover's lips move, Iruka fought to pay attention to his soft words.
"I take you, Umino Iruka, to be my husband. I come to you unarmed, trusting you as I trust no one else. My body, my heart, and my soul are in your hands because I know you are the one who will protect these precious gifts. I stand before you, entirely exposed, even though it goes against…every instinct I have as a shinobi. You have seen my scars, both inside and out, and you have healed me. You have shown me a life outside of our violent world. Y-You have shown me compassion when I had none. You taught me what true strength is. Because of you, I have learned to feel; I…I have learned to care. Most of all, because of you, I now know…w-what I fight for."
Iruka bit his lip to stifle his sob at those words, choked with emotion. He had never known such words could be powerful enough to nearly bring him to his knees. The only thing that kept the brunet standing was the gentle pressure of Kakashi's hand around his own fingers. That light contact was enough to give him strength.
"I-I swear to stand by your side, to protect and defend you, as long as I have strength in my hand to hold a blade. I will always be there for you…through good times and bad. I will love our children with every fiber of my being and continue to fight to give them a better, more peaceful life than we had. As long as my heart beats, they will not know a moment of fear or pain. I will fight for our family with every breath in my body, with every ounce of my strength, and with every bit of cunning I possess.
"I swear to you that I will return to you after every mission. When the day comes that I cannot return to you in body, know that I come home to you in spirit. And if I fall…if I fall, I ask you to live the life I fought to give you and to find someone to love and comfort you as I no longer can. Know I will watch over you for the rest of yours days until we can meet again."
Iruka could not see past the film of tears coating his eyes. He recognized Kakashi's vows for what they were and understood why he had chosen these outdated words instead of writing something himself or going with more modern vows. These were the wedding vows many shinobi said during the last shinobi war, when people fully expected to die in the first few years of their marriage. It was a time of violence and horrors that no one should have to face. It was a time when couples knew there was every possibility only one of them would survive to raise their children…if they were lucky.
These would have been the vows both Kakashi's parents and his own would have said to one another.
It was the best way to honor and remember the four people who never had the chance to see the men their sons would grow to be. In a way, it was as though their parents were there with them. Iruka did not have to wonder how his parents would have reacted to his and Kakashi's relationship. They would have seen through Kakashi's façade to see the proud, powerful, and loyal shinobi. They would have caught glimpses of the loving, dedicated father as he held their grandson. Most of all, they would have fallen in love with the man who had stolen their son's heart.
"Now, Iruka…repeat after me."
Iruka could barely hear the Hokage's words over the pounding of his own heart. Keeping his gaze trained on his lover's – his soon-to-be husband's – visible eye, the brunet quietly repeated vows that would tie him to Kakashi for the rest of their lives. Somehow, he kept his voice even as he watched a tear slip out from underneath the black patch covering Kakashi's Sharingan. It was not until he reached a certain line that Iruka choked on the words, overcome with emotion.
"I…I will love our ch-children with every…fi-fiber of my being and continue to…to fight to give them a better, more peaceful life than we had." Iruka tore his eyes away from Kakashi's teary gaze to look at Saki. For some reason, the little monster was behaving himself, as though he knew how important today was. Saki, seeing the tears in his father's eyes, began to squirm in his uncle's arms. Naruto did not have the chance to restrain the pint-sized genius before Saki transported himself. Iruka barely had the chance to prepare himself before a new weight settled around his neck, clinging to him with strength no one year old should possess.
With his free hand, Iruka cradled Saki against his chest. He had never believed in miracles until he first heard his son's fetal heartbeat. He had never truly thought of children of his own until he felt those fluttering movements in his belly. He had never imagined he would have a family other than Naruto and Sasuke until the first time he had eavesdropped on Saki and Kakashi, hearing the love and pride of a father coming from a man he had never imagined could feel any kinder emotion.
Sniffling softly, Iruka glanced down at Kakashi's belly. From the moment he had felt their chakra, he had loved the twins as much as Saki. He had learned that there was no limit to his love. He would do anything for their children – just like Kakashi. He may not be as strong or as fast as Kakashi, but Iruka could still protect their children and, if it came to it, give his life without hesitation for them.
"A-As long as my heart beats, they will not know a…a moment of fear or pain. I will…I will fight for our family with every b-breath in my body, with every ounce of my strength, and with every bit of cunning I possess."
Feeling his son's small hand on his cheek, Iruka looked down and smiled at the boy who had dramatically changed his life. How could he have ever thought he would be happy with just Naruto and Sasuke in his life? How could he have continued teaching, never knowing what it was like to be one of those proud parents whose child was their entire world?
As he looked back up at Kakashi, Iruka knew that there were no words that he could ever say that would tell Kakashi just how much he meant to him. There was no phrase that could entirely encompass his emotions. There was no statement that could explain what Kakashi had done for him. All he could do was make a promise that they would always be together, in this life and the next.
"I swear to you that I will return to you after every mission. When the day comes that…I cannot…return to you in body, know that I come home to you in s-spirit. And if I fall…I ask you to live the life I fought to give you and to find someone to love and comfort you as I n-no longer can. Know I will wa-watch over you for the rest of yours days…until we can meet again."
Before Iruka could let out the soft sob he had been holding back all throughout his vows, his lip were claimed in a bruising, uncontrolled kiss. He barely registered the soft pop as Saki, in an act of self-preservation, transported out of his arms other than to realize there was nothing separating him from Kakashi other than a few layers of silk. And, from the passion in that kiss, Iruka had no doubt that it was going to be moments before even the material was gone.
"Oi! Oi! You're supposed to wait until I say you can kiss Iruka!"
Iruka ignored the Hokage's exclamation, all of his attention focused on the man wrapped in his arms. The brunet groaned as Kakashi's tongue invaded his mouth, making his head spin. What was it about this man that made Iruka forget even his own name with a single kiss? Feeling his Kakashi's fingers wrap into his hair to undo his ponytail so that Iruka's hair fell down to his shoulders, the brunet couldn't help but whimper. Those long, powerful digits only served to turn him on more, recalling just what those magnificent hands were capable of. Kakashi's fingers wove into his thick hair, forcing Iruka to tilt his head back as the jounin attacked his throat with enthusiasm. Iruka could care less that Kakashi was marking him. All that mattered was the feel of his lover against him, the warmth that radiated from his entire body, and the love that every gentle touch and bite revealed.
Iruka nearly screamed as Kakashi bit down on his shoulder, not hard enough to break the skin, but most certainly hard enough to leave a noticeable mark. Instead of crying out, Iruka hissed even as his legs buckled from the sheer pleasure of his lover's ministrations. Before he had the chance to begin falling, Iruka found himself pressed up against something. Even though the wall behind him was rough, Iruka did not mind in the least. It saved him from the embarrassment of falling to the ground.
Firmly pressed up against the wall, Iruka could do little other than slide his hands down his lover's magnificent body, feeling the tense muscles of his warrior tremble from his touch. Before Iruka had the chance to slip his fingers underneath those silken robes, he found his hands pinned above his head by a powerful, unyielding grip. With anyone other than Kakashi, Iruka would have felt exposed and helpless in such a position. Instead, he felt empowered as he heard his lover growl, telling him just how undone the jounin was by his fleeting touches.
"Get a room!"
Iruka froze at the sound of his brother's voice. What was Naruto doing here? More to the point, why was his brother watching them? It was then he recalled what exactly was going on right before Kakashi had kissed him. Squeaking, Iruka felt a fierce blush come to his cheeks as the rest of the world around them began filtering into his ears. The catcalls from their so-called friends, along with Naruto's gagging, were not exactly what Iruka had imagined for his wedding.
It was then Iruka noticed his and his Kakashi's positions. All it took was a glance behind him to realize that the rough 'wall' he was pressed against was a cherry tree. And at some point, Iruka had unconsciously hooked a leg around Kakashi's narrow hip. Even pregnant, Kakashi could support Iruka's weight with ease. Iruka turned an even more vibrant red when he realized something else. With every inch of their bodies pressed against one another, it was not hard to feel a very large bulge that had nothing to do with Kakashi being pregnant. Then again, hormones might have a role in stripping away Kakashi's very few inhibitions.
Hearing a cough emanating from next to him, Iruka glanced over and saw the Hokage giving him and Kakashi a look that instantly erased his desire to ignore everyone and go back to making his lover growl and pant. Slowly untangling his limbs from Kakashi's, Iruka bowed his head in embarrassment. He hadn't gotten that carried away with a single kiss since…well, he had never been that undone by a kiss. Then again, he had never been kissed like that before. Iruka's face began to resemble a tomato as he wondered if this was just a peek at what married life was going to be like.
He wasn't going to survive to see their first anniversary!
"Now that I have both of your attention again…" Iruka flinched at the Hokage's words. All it took was a quick glance to their small audience to realize why their leader was more than a little ticked off. Gai was already off ranting about youth and passion. Most of the other men were looking anywhere other than the married couple, fighting to keep stoic faces, but the bloodied tissues in their noses were a dead giveaway that they were not as unfazed as they were trying to appear. Kurenai was passed out on the ground with Anko fanning her. The only two who seemed relatively undisturbed by his and Kakashi's actions were Naruto and Sasuke. It was probably because the couple had caught them more than once in less-than-innocent positions. At least this time, Iruka and Kakashi were fully clothed. As a cool wind brushed against Iruka's torso, the brunet looked down and immediately corrected his thoughts. Partially clothed.
An involuntary squeak erupted from his throat as Iruka raced to pull his robes back on, wondering how the hell Kakashi had begun stripping him without him noticing. Quickly covering up his bare torso, Iruka let up a prayer of thanks that his obi had kept his entire body from being exposed. And if Kakashi had a few more moments of molesting him, Iruka had no doubt that the belt would have ended up as a shredded bit of material. He would never have been able to live that one down.
"By the power of my office, I pronounce you husband and husband. I'd say you can kiss to show a sign of your union, but I think we all got enough of a show already…"
Iruka blushed at the woman's statement. Glancing to his lover – his husband – a wave of emotion hit him. Most of all, disbelief raced through him as Iruka tried out that title in his head. Husband. My husband…Hatake – no, Umino Kakashi. It was going to take some getting used to, but Iruka was more than willing to say it over and over again, for the rest of his life if he must.
"Abowt fime!"
Iruka couldn't help but chuckle at his son's exclamation. About time was right! He had been waiting an entire lifetime for today – for this man – without ever realizing it.
XXX
"I'm telling you, Iruka…we have been taking care of our pups for generations of the Hatake clan." Iruka rolled his eyes at the pug's statement. No matter how much experience the ninken pack claimed having, he was not going to let them raise the twins like they were puppies. Kakashi was not having a litter – and actually hated it every time his pack used that term, but he wouldn't say anything against his beloved ninken.
Iruka had learned to have an open mind where the pack was concerned, but he could only bend so far. He was surprised to learn that Pakkun and the other ninken were only a few members of their pack – they just happened to be the ones with the best chakra control so they could be easily summoned. He had been interested to learn that the entire ninken pack was tied to their master's emotions and state of being. When Kakashi was happy, they were happy. When he was stressed, so were they. And, apparently, when the Hatake clan was expecting a child, the pack also grew in number. If Kakashi had accepted his role in Saki's existence a little earlier, it was more than likely Saki would have had an entire litter of puppies to grow up with. The twins, on the other hand, would have their own little pack of ninken by the time they were born.
Pakkun admitted to being one of the ninken born around the time of Kakashi's father had entered the world. Bull and the other six ninken Iruka was most familiar with had been Kakashi's "litter mates," hence why they were so unquestioningly loyal to their master. Pakkun, on the other hand, raised the silver-haired jounin and only stuck around to help Kakashi out of an almost paternal love for the genius – not that the prickly pug would ever admit to loving the jounin like Kakashi was one of his own offspring.
Smiling down at the pug, Iruka knew exactly why Pakkun remained a part of Kakashi's pack while the rest of the ninken his age had retired a long time ago. His love for Kakashi might be deeply buried underneath his quickness to mock the jounin, but Iruka could see just how the pug watched his pregnant master with a little smile pulling at his jowls. Of course, no matter how much Pakkun cared for Kakashi and the rest of their family, Iruka was not going to agree to the pug's newest suggestion. He was not going to put the twins in with a litter of puppies to nurse, sleep, and play. With Iruka's luck, the twins would learn to bark before they babbled.
Turning his attention back to his husband, Iruka felt his chest tighten as he watched the tall jounin walk with their slumbering son in his arms. My husband. Iruka still couldn't get over that thought. The world around them hadn't changed at all, but to Iruka, everything was different. It did not matter that, other than those who were at the ceremony, no one knew of their vows. It was only a matter of days before Anko or one of the others said something and their marriage became common knowledge.
For now, there were no crowds of people congratulating them, no one hounding them for information about their relationship, no one wondering how the hell Iruka had caught one of the most unattainable shinobi in the world – there were none of the things Iruka had dreaded happening their wedding day. Iruka quickened his step to catch up with his husband. Slipping his hand into Kakashi's, the brunet smiled.
To the rest of the world, they were just on a romantic date. And Iruka wouldn't have it any other way. Today was his and Kakashi's day, to celebrate however they wanted. What better way to spend it than to walk through the village hand-in-hand?
Glancing down at their intertwined fingers, Iruka smiled. In true shinobi fashion, they had not exchanged rings. Rings were a way for their enemies to hurt them more. A single gold or silver band was like a beacon, just tempting an enemy to find his or her spouse and hit them where it would hurt most. Shinobi instead marked one another secretly so that only the married couple knew where each other's mark was. Some scarred their husband or wife with a knife or a brand, other received tattoos. It was a practice that had a dark history. In the wars, sometimes those secretive marks were the only way to identify the body of a loved one. Nowadays, it was more so a way to label one another as taken. The marks were always placed somewhere where no one would see it – at least, no one would see it unless the married shinobi was nude and, in that case, the person who caught a glimpse of that mark knew to keep their hands to themselves. A possessive spouse was one thing, a shinobi spouse was someone no one wanted to cross by sleeping with their husband or wife.
Iruka had never really thought about the practice of marking one's spouse, but as he watched his husband, he could not help but find it to be a romantic idea. Unlike a wedding ring, a tattoo or scar was permanent, a constant reminder of the vows they had taken. Iruka knew exactly what he would do to his husband, but he had to wait until after the twins were born before giving Kakashi a second tattoo that would forever mark him as Iruka's.
Kakashi glanced over to Iruka, a nervous smile hiding underneath his mask. He still could not get over the fact he was married. Who would have thought the notorious Hatake Kakashi would one day marry and settle down? Certainly not him. Gently squeezing his husband's hand, the jounin looked down at their slumbering child. Saki was happily drooling over a kimono that cost Kakashi a few paychecks, but the only thing the jounin noticed was the adorable snuffling sound his son made as he wrinkled his nose.
"Thank you," Iruka whispered softly as he leaned his head against his husband's shoulder. Kakashi glanced at him with a raised eyebrow, silently asking what he had done to deserve Iruka's gratitude. The brunet let out a soft chuckle as he shook his head. "For all of this…" With his free hand, Iruka gestured to the crowds of people passing them by as though nothing had changed since yesterday.
"Maa…I wanted you to be happy," Kakashi said with a shrug of his shoulders. He did not have to say that he was more than a little glad that they didn't have a big, traditional wedding. Everyone knew just how much he enjoyed his privacy. Even when the village found out about their marriage, Kakashi would get endless enjoyment out of telling people all kinds of tall tales about how he had saved Iruka from a dragon or some other such nonsense. He had already started a list of stories he would tell people who were nosy enough to ask about his love life.
Only the few people they counted among their family would ever know that Kakashi and Iruka had a tiny ceremony underneath a flowering cherry tree, repeating the vows their own parents had once said. Everyone else would have to keep wondering what a wedding between one of the village's most notorious perverts and their beloved, sweet Iruka-sensei would have been like.
Nuzzling his husband's shoulder, Iruka smiled. Happy was such a mild term compared to the boundless joy he felt every time he looked into Kakashi's natural eye. A part of him could only wonder if Kakashi's eye had always been so expressive or if it was something that the jounin had developed since they began their unique relationship. "So, how about we go home and start our honeymo-?"
Iruka didn't even have the chance to finish his question as he was pulled into his husband's arms. Careful not to wake up Saki, Iruka wrapped his arms around Kakashi's neck and pressed his lips against his husband's…mask. Iruka nearly cursed at the rough material that kept him from tasting his husband's lips.
"I'm burning all of your masks when we get home," Iruka growled, receiving a chuckle from Kakashi. The brunet did not have the chance to speak again before he had a pair of soft lips against his own. Groaning, Iruka could taste something sweet on his husband's tongue and lips. It did not take him more than a moment to recall all the candy Saki had demanded, only to forget about when he saw something at the next stall he wanted. Iruka had wondered where all the chocolate and spun sugar had gone.
"I can think of a better use of your time than burning my masks," Kakashi whispered around their kiss. Iruka's knees felt like Jell-O as soon as his husband's tone hit his ears. The promise in his voice was downright sinful. If not for the fact they were in public – and Iruka had already had a brush with exhibitionism once today – he would have ripped the kimono off of his husband that instant.
"Oi, I can still hear you two…and after your little display this morning, I'd rather if you gave me a little warning before you start groping each other again," Pakkun grumbled as he trotted off in search of Naruto and Sasuke.
Iruka blushed at the pug's words. Any thought of stripping his husband in the middle of a crowded street was erased from his mind as he stood back on his heels, slowly breaking their kiss. Even before Iruka had the chance to focus his gaze, Kakashi's mask was back up. Kakashi might think he was joking, but Iruka was going to find all those damnable masks one of these days and destroy them. He hated when Kakashi covered his face, as though he had something to hide. Then again, with his face covered when they were in public, few people would ever discover how damn gorgeous Kakashi was, especially when he smiled. Perhaps the masks were a good idea, or else Iruka would have to harm anyone who looked at his husband with lust in their eyes.
"Home?" Kakshi whispered, his tone telling Iruka exactly what his husband was planning once they put Saki in his crib for the night. Unable to help himself, Iruka felt his cock stiffen just from the sound of his husband's voice. Iruka could not speak, afraid his words would come out as little more than a groan. Instead he nodded his head furiously.
Before Kakashi had the chance to do the fastest transportation jutsu to ever be performed, a shriek echoed throughout the village.
With reflexes they had trained since childhood, they raced towards the pained sound. They both recognized the sound for what it was, which made them pick up their speed until they were little more than blurs to the naked eye. Iruka quickly outdistance his pregnant partner, but did not slow down until he found the source of the cry. Skidding to a stop, sending up a cloud of dirt and gravel, Iruka figured out what had happened with a single glance to his brother's terror-filled face.
"Son of a bitch!"
Having rarely heard Sasuke curse so loudly, Iruka could only raise an eyebrow at the jounin who was doubled over in pain, his arms wrapped tightly around his rounded midsection. Iruka couldn't help but be amused as he watched Sasuke valiantly fight off Naruto's attempts to help him. Hearing Kakashi finally race up next to him, Iruka glanced to his husband. Instantly, Iruka saw the paleness of Kakashi's visible features. The brunet gently patted his husband's arm, reassuring the over-protective jounin that Sasuke was fine.
His touch did nothing to relieve Kakashi.
Kakashi winced as Sasuke cursed again, knowing just how high of a pain tolerance Sasuke had. It took a frightening amount of torture to get Sasuke to say anything other than a smart-ass comment. As part of his ANBU training, the young jounin had learned how to ignore the pain. Apparently there were some levels of pain that not even meditation and sheer stubbornness could defend against.
"Sasuke…you okay?" Iruka was the first to muster the courage to approach the growling jounin. Keeping his hands up, as though approaching a feral animal, the brunet kept his tone soft and quiet. "I think it's time we go to the hospital…"
"No shit," the Uchiha snarled as his eyes snapped up to glare at Iruka. The brunet was momentarily surprised by Sasuke's red gaze, but he had seen enough of Kakashi's Sharingan to be immune to the eerie sight of those swirling eyes. He knew Sasuke well enough to know the young man wouldn't use a jutsu on him, even in a situation like this. Revealing his Sharingan was a completely involuntary action – a defense mechanism that kicked in the moment the first contraction hit.
"Oooh, looks like the brat finally grew a pair," Pakkun commented as he sat down on his haunches next to Iruka, supremely amused by the turn of the tables. For all the times Sasuke had punted him when he was a teenager…oh, he was going to enjoy this.
"Shut it, dog!"
"Oi, I'm not the one who's going to have kittens!"
"It's kits, Pakkun," Kakashi corrected his ninken on the proper term for fox babies, feeling an all too familiar ache begin in his temple. Oh, yes, he knew this pain all too well. It was the headache he got every time he had to pull Naruto and Sasuke apart as teens so they didn't kill each other or demolish a village. He had been so hoping he would never have to deal with it again.
And here he was, thinking his wedding day would have ended in some fantastic, life-altering sex.
"Naruto, why don't you take Sasuke to the hospital? Kakashi and I will be there once Saki's put to bed," Iruka asked sweetly, but under the sugar-coated words was a tone that told everyone that it wasn't a request. The few people who were in the streets, warily watching the Uchiha have a meltdown, quickly vanished at the sound of Iruka's voice. They were smart enough to escape before Iruka had one of his famous angry fits.
"B-But...I…th…the bags…" The blonde's words were accompanied by halting gestures that only made his lover snarl all the louder. Apparently Naruto didn't do well under stress. Now was not the time to find out their future Hokage turned stupid when he was nervous. Iruka glared at his brother, as though daring him to say something idiotic again.
"Fuck…the bags…" From the tone of Sasuke's voice, Naruto was dancing with death. Iruka could only sigh at the two jounin. What a pair. Would Kakashi have been as useless if he had been around for Saki's birth? A glance to his pale husband told Iruka that the answer was most definitely a resounding yes.
In Kakashi's case, he probably would have called on Gai for help, which would have only made things worse for Iruka. For the first time in two years, Iruka was a little thankful his relationship with Kakashi didn't start until after Saki was born. Iruka was pulled from the terrifying image of Gai dancing around him as he delivered his son, spouting speeches on youth and the wonders of life, when he heard a change in Sasuke's voice.
"P-Please, Naruto…" Gone was the sharp, deadly tone, replaced by a soft cry that tugged at everyone's heart, especially the young jounin it was directed at. Before the first tear had a chance to slip from Sasuke's tightly shut eyes, he found himself lifted into the air. The jounin did not have the strength to even raise his arms to wrap them around his lover's neck. All he could do was lean his head against Naruto's firm chest as he choked back a sob. Listening to the strong, familiar beat of his lover's heart, Sasuke was instantly soothed.
"I've got you, baby," Naruto whispered into Sasuke's hair. His fears were shattered the instant he heard the terror and helplessness in Sasuke's voice. Pressing a gentle kiss against his boyfriend's forehead, reassuring the Uchiha that he wasn't alone, Naruto transported them to the hospital.
Fighting the urge to coo at the cute picture his brother and Sasuke painted, Iruka settled for a smile. The brunet turned to look at his husband, wishing there was something he could do to get rid of that pale, pained look in Kakashi's face.
"He'll be fine," Iruka said softly as he walked over to the jounin, gently cupping his husband's cheek and forcing him to look him in the eye. The haunted look in Kakashi's visible eye told Iruka that he was reliving that horrible, failed mission – the one time in his life where he was victim to a pain that he could not escape.
"You're knocking me out…Tsunade can use whatever the hell experimental drugs she has…I don't want to feel a thing…" Kakashi mumbled under his breath as he shook his head, ridding himself of the images of a past he would be all too happy to forget. Gently pressing a hand to his swelling abdomen, he could feel the twins kicking around, as though they could feel his unease and were distressed by it.
"I know," Iruka said as he smiled up at his husband. "Why don't you and Pakkun take Saki home? I'll go to the hospital to stay with Naruto and Sasuke." Kakashi instantly opened his mouth to refuse, but Iruka moved quickly, covering his masked lips before he could speak. "I will call when the baby comes…but it'll probably be hours…"
"But…"
"No buts. Sasuke wouldn't want to upset you…" Iruka pointed out, knowing the young jounin would never want to put his ex-sensei – and, though Sasuke never admitted to it, a man he loved like a brother – through any pain. It was going to be hard enough on the Uchiha to have his lover there with him, apologizing every moment for putting Sasuke through such agony.
"I'm sorry…" Kakashi apologized quietly as he bowed his head, pressing his forehead against Iruka's. The brunet did not have the chance to ask why his husband was apologizing before Kakashi continued, "I didn't expect our wedding night to end like this…"
Unable to help himself, Iruka snorted at those words. "Baka…today was perfect – more than I could have asked for. And we all knew Sasuke was a ticking time bomb…I'm just glad we weren't away on our honeymoon when he went into labor. He probably would have killed Naruto if it was just the two of them…"
"True…but I wanted to give you something…" If it was possible, Kakashi was sexy even when he was pouting. Tilting his head up, Iruka brushed his lips against his husband's mask. He really did hate that material.
"But think…tomorrow we will have the mansion to ourselves. Naruto and Sasuke will still be at the hospital. We can send Saki over to Kurenai's for the day…" The way Iruka spoke, Kakashi could not help but whimper in frustration. Tomorrow wouldn't come soon enough.
XXX
"I hate you! You sick bastard!" Iruka winced, his ears ringing from the shrieks that filled his ears the instant he popped into the hospital. No need to ask for directions, the brunet just followed the sound of Sasuke's screams to find the Uchiha's room. As Iruka entered the small room, he leaned against the doorway, taking in the image of Naruto dodging every blade imaginable. Where Sasuke had hidden an entire armory in his kimono, Iruka could only begin to guess.
"Should I help you or protect Naruto?" Iruka asked in amusement, momentarily snapping Sasuke out of his angry rant and attempts to kill his boyfriend. Surprised to see Iruka there, Sasuke actually dropped the shuriken in his hand, giving Naruto the opportunity to dive behind his brother, using Iruka as a human shield.
"He's crazy!" Naruto cried as he pointed at his lover. "All I did was bring him here, and now he's trying to kill me!"
"Try? I will kill you!" Sasuke snarled as he glared at the blonde. "I told you to get Tsunade!"
"B-But…she's…erm…she can't come…" Naruto spoke haltingly, as though terrified what his words would do to his lover's already bad mood. Ducking behind Iruka, the blonde moved just fast enough to dodge the shuriken that was now embedded in the door. Iruka, on the other hand, took everything in stride as he brushed his newly shortened hair back behind an ear. He was starting to understand why, as a rule, shinobi were shot with a tranquilizer the instant they were admitted into the hospital.
"Naruto? Why can't Tsunade-sama be here?" Iruka asked calmly as he glanced over his shoulder to the huddled jounin. Naruto mouthed something that made the brunet's blood run cold. Ahh…that's why he was terrified of telling Sasuke exactly why his doctor was missing.
Shit faced. Iruka was beginning to have flashbacks of Christmas Day a year and a half ago, when he had a far-from-sober doctor delivering his son. He could only imagine how much celebrating Tsunade had done today. A festival as well as a wedding – Tsunade would have had quite a bit to drink to, not to mention she must have felt the urge to catch up on drinking, since she had actually spent an entire morning sober. She had to be beyond drunk for Naruto to refuse to bring her here. She was probably in an alcohol-induced coma, which meant that she wasn't going to be any help for at least a day.
"Naruto…go get Sakura for me…" Iruka said softly so that Sasuke wouldn't hear their conversation. The blonde raised an eyebrow at the mention of his ex-teammate. Sighing, Iruka explained himself. "She is the best medic, second only to Tsunade-sama. She was your teammate, so I'm sure Sasuke would be more comfortable around her than a stranger."
"I…I'll get her…but…could you…?" Naruto peeked around his brother's leg to look at his lover, who was still glaring at him with the promise of death. There was no way he would get anywhere near Sasuke until he got back into his lover's good graces by bringing him a doctor. After Sasuke scared away the nurses with his inhuman snarling, it was probably going to be a while before any other medic came near him.
"I'll stay here with Sasuke…but you better hurry," Iruka replied as he helped his brother to his feet. The instant Naruto was standing, he raced off in search of his old teammate. Once Naruto was out of earshot, Iruka spun around to give Sasuke a hard look. "Now why are you giving Naruto such a hard time? He's doing his best, but you've been acting like something that needs an exorcist for the past week."
Sasuke tried to glare at Iruka, but the chilling look was completely ruined by the tears forming in the corners of his eyes. Iruka moved without thought, gliding across the room to sit on the bed and pull Sasuke into his arms before the young jounin began to sniffle.
"He…he doesn't…love me…" Iruka fought the urge to clean his ears out, unsure he had heard the Uchiha right. But from the distraught look on Sasuke's face, the young man somehow thought his boyfriend didn't love him. Feeling the vein in his temple begin to throb, Iruka closed his eyes and counted to ten.
Sasuke and Naruto weren't teens anymore…so why the hell did they still act like they were crazy, hormonal adolescents? Okay, Sasuke had a little bit of a reason because of his pregnancy, but to think Naruto didn't love him? Naruto lived and breathed for Sasuke – the Uchiha meant everything to him! Everyone knew that Naruto's heart had been Sasuke's since they were children. Even through their fights and Sasuke's betrayal of the village, Naruto had been the only one to see the good in Sasuke, to believe in a boy who didn't even think there was any good left in himself.
"Do you really believe that?" Iruka had to ask. Naruto would give up his dreams of becoming Hokage, of being a great shinobi – of everything he held dear, if Sasuke asked if of him. He would do anything without a second thought if it was for his lover. His love for Sasuke was something that was known throughout the shinobi world – they were the most famous couple, known for their hardships, but also their unquestioning affections for one another. How could Sasuke doubt his love and devotion?
"He…I…" Sasuke hiccupped as he buried his head against Iruka's chest. "He doesn't want to marry me…i-if he loved me…wouldn't he have proposed by now? I'm having his kid…but…" Iruka winced at the jounin's words. He hadn't said anything to Naruto, suggesting he marry Sasuke. He hadn't wanted to force his brother into something he wasn't ready for, but had he known how deeply Sasuke had felt about it, he would have smacked sense into his brother months ago.
Sensing a change in the room's atmosphere, Iruka looked to the door and saw two shinobi frozen there. And from the pained look on his brother's face, they had been there long enough to catch some of Sasuke's words. "Iruka…Sakura…could you give us a minute?" Iruka winced at the tone of Naruto voice. He hadn't heard that lost, confused, and hurt sound since Naruto had come back to the village as a teen, nearly killed by Sasuke's hand.
Naruto waited until his brother and old friend slipped out of the room before he took a step towards Sasuke. "You never said you wanted to get married," he said softly as he looked down at his sandals, unsure if he could keep a steady voice if he looked up at his lover. "You always said you didn't want to be tied down in Konoha…that you sometimes hated it here because of everyone was afraid of you…not trusting you…"
"I was wrong," Sasuke admitted from between gritted teeth as another wave of pain hit him. Fisting his hands into the sheets, he gasped for air. The jounin clenched his eyes shut, refusing to let a tear fall. Suddenly, he found himself enveloped in warmth that somehow eased the pain. Opening his eyes, Sasuke was surprised to find Naruto's arms wrapped around him.
"Don't ever question how much I love you," Naruto whispered, his tone harsh. Sasuke knew he wasn't angry, but hurt. Naruto had every reason to be stung by Sasuke's words. After all of their fights – after everything they had been through – the one thing that kept them both alive was their love for one another. He should have known better than to distrust Naruto's feelings for him. But once the first seed of doubt was planted, it grew like a weed until Sasuke questioned the one thing that should have been an absolute truth.
Sasuke felt his eyes begin to water at his lover's words. All he could do was nuzzle Naruto's neck, taking in the warm, woodsy sent he always associated with the man he loved. Sensing his lover shifting slightly, Sasuke pulled away to see what he was doing.
"I…um…I got this a while ago…I was just waiting…for the right time…" Naruto pulled something small out of his robes as he scratched the back of his head nervously. Sasuke furrowed his eyebrows, wondering what his lover had gotten him. When Naruto finally uncurled his fingers, revealing a golden band in the palm of his hand, Sasuke did a double-take.
"A couple months ago…when Kakashi and I were in Suna…I…I mean…he's the closest thing you had to a family…so I asked him…he made me think for a little while he was going to say no, the bastard! And then he helped me pick it out. When we got back…between the ambush and Kakashi's injuries…then finding out about the baby…I lost track of time. Then…I didn't want you to think…that I was asking…just because of the baby or anything…and there was never a good time-"
"Yes," Sasuke somehow choked out, his word somewhere between a sob and a laugh. Anything to stop Naruto's nervous ramblings! Suddenly, he found himself nearly lifted off the bed in a crushing hug that somehow was still gentle enough not to hurt him. Sniffling pitifully, the jounin could only weakly return the embrace.
"Seriously?" Naruto asked, unable to believe Sasuke would say yes so easily. He had been expecting some kind of fight – of Sasuke telling him no at least ten times before he wore the stubborn Uchiha down. That was how their entire relationship had gone up until this point, so Naruto had expected his proposal to be no different.
"Did you want me to say no or something?" Sasuke had to ask, hearing the awe in his lover's voice. Naruto's only response to that was a kiss that curled his toes and made the ANBU captain wonder if sex and labor were such a bad combination. He got an almost instantaneous answer to that question as another contraction hit, forcing him to cry out as he wrapped his arms around his middle.
"Shh, I'm here baby." Naruto's gentle tones did as much to soothe him as his touch. Those fingers pressed against Sasuke's aching lower back, somehow easing the tight, sharp pains. Sasuke could only whimper as those magical fingers did something that, if this was any other time, he would have been Naruto's willing sex slave for weeks. A little angry Naruto had never shown him his mastery of massage before, Sasuke could only groan as those hands continued up his back, relaxing his body until the contraction was over.
"The hell was that?" Sasuke questioned groggily as he leaned against his lover's – his fiancé's – chest and let out a blissful sigh. It was as though all of his muscles had melted, leaving him unable to do anything other than tilt his head to brush his lips against Naruto's neck.
"I…erm…Hinata owed me a favor, so she taught me…how to release chakra points…I thought it would help…" Naruto admitted reluctantly as he shrugged his shoulders. He could feel Sasuke's lips against his neck turn upwards into a rare smile.
"Some favor…" Sasuke commented quietly. Naruto blushed faintly, recalling just what he had done for Hinata to be gifted with a Hyuuga clan secret. Then again, now that he thought about it, Gaara still owed him some favors for acting as a go-between for the two lovers all these years. "Love you…" Naruto almost cooed at the adorable sleepiness in his fiancé's voice. It wasn't often Sasuke let down his guard completely, even around him.
"I love you too."
XXX
"I HATE YOU!"
"I love you too, Sasuke."
"WHEN THIS IS OVER, I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"
Iruka winced as he lost hearing in the ear that had the misfortune to be closer to Sasuke and the jounin's shrieks. Over the past fifteen hours, he had heard every kind of curse imaginable, even some creative ones that Sasuke must have made up just for the occasion. Some of those curses had been directed at him for being cruel enough to teach Sasuke such a jutsu in the first place. A few were to Sakura for no other reason than she was there. The large majority of Sasuke's cries, however, were reserved for his new fiancé, who had already received a broken hand, a displaced shoulder, and countless bruises in the shape of Sasuke's fingers. Thankfully, Naruto healed easily and he took none of his fiancé's snarls to heart.
"Push, Sasuke."
"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK I'VE BEEN DOING THIS ENTIRE TIME!"
Iruka glanced over Sasuke to share a look of amusement with Naruto. Oh, Sasuke was going to be mocked for quite a while after this. He had never heard the jounin speak so much, much less loud enough to wake up half the village. Iruka was more than a little impressed that Sasuke still had a voice to scream at all of them with.
Sasuke fell back against the bed, gasping for air as though he had just run a marathon. Iruka watched as Naruto gently wiped at his fiancé's sweat-coated forehead with a cool cloth. The concern and compassion his brother was showing was enough to make Iruka's chest tighten. Even though his hand and shoulder must be killing him, Naruto refused to leave Sasuke's side.
Iruka felt Sasuke's grip around his hand tighten, something he had quickly come to recognize as a warning of the next contraction. Before Sasuke began letting out another string of curses, the exhausted jounin actually let out a small gasp. Seeing Sasuke's eyes widen, Iruka could not help but follow his gaze and have the exact same reaction.
Kakashi only met Iruka's gaze for a brief instant before he stepped fully into the room. He knew he probably looked like hell, especially when he saw the concern in his husband's features, but he couldn't sit out in the hallway anymore. He had been there for at least an hour, unbeknownst to any of them. Kakashi refused to be known as a coward. It had just taken him a little while to work up the nerve to enter the loud room. More than anything, it was his young friend's cries that gave him the strength to be there for Sasuke when all he wanted to do was escape.
Stepping towards the bed, Kakashi knelt down so that he was at eye-level with Sasuke. Closing his natural eye, he caught the Uchiha's gaze with his Sharingan. He hadn't done this in many years, but he quickly remembered how he had made his one-on-one training sessions with Sasuke bearable. To combat the angst whore's nasty temper, he had sneakily hypnotized Sasuke before every lesson. It was the only way to save his ears and sanity from Sasuke's snarls and overall acerbic personality, so he had redirected the teen's thoughts, for a little while easing the pain of his childhood so that they could train. Kakashi theorized that the jutsu should work in much the same way when Sasuke was in physical pain.
Naruto, Iruka and Sakura watched in amazement as Sasuke calmed down before their very eyes. He still grimaced as the next several contractions hit in rapid succession, but he did not curse them. He did not scream or cry out. "What did you do to him?" Naruto had to ask as his fiancé's death-grip on his bruised arm lessened, as though Sasuke finally realized just how tightly he had been grabbing him.
Whatever it was Kakashi did for his lover, Naruto was infinitely grateful. No matter how many times he pleaded for Sasuke to take something to help with the pain, his fiancé refused. Naruto knew not to push him. He was probably one in a very small handful of people who understood why the Uchiha refused to get a shot of something to numb him. Sasuke hated needles with a passion, his feelings on the sharp objects bordering on paranoia. After his years as a pincushion and science project for Orochimaru, it was no wonder Sasuke never wanted to be pricked by a needle again, even if it was to save him from unbearable pain.
That understanding had not stopped each of Sasuke's pained cries stabbing him in the chest like a knife.
Thanks to Kakashi's intervention, the next half hour passed without any more broken bones or promises of murdering Naruto. But by the end of that hour, it was obvious that even the most powerful of shinobi eventually reached their limits. After almost sixteen hours of labor, even the notorious Uchiha Sasuke was on his last legs.
Shaking his head, the young jounin fell back against the pillows with a whimper. How the hell did women do this every day! If men had been the ones to give birth, the human race would have died out within a few generations! Gasping for air, he cracked open an eye and caught a glimpse of the emotion in Naruto's eyes. Somehow, that warm, awed expression gave him the energy to try one more time.
"Okay…one more good push, Sasuke!" The jounin barely registered Sakura's words. All he could feel was a pressure in his abdomen that caused him to instinctively push. Every muscle in his body cried out in exhaustion, trembling uncontrollably, as he gritted his teeth and put all of his remaining energy into that single movement. Crying out, not from pain, but frustration, the jounin poured everything he had left into that push.
Then, suddenly, the pressure was gone.
It was only a mere moment later that a sound hit Sasuke's ears – one he would never forget as long as he lived. Even before the sound completely registered in his ears, his eyes were filled with tears and the exhausted jounin choked on a sob. That soft little gasp for air, followed by a wail that made his chest tighten until it ached.
"A girl," Sakura announced with a soft laugh. Ten fingers, ten toes – the newborn was perfect and, from her loud cries, had a strong set of lungs that would now be the bane of her parents' existence. Slowly standing up, she gently rested the tiny baby in the crook of Naruto's uninjured arm. "Congratulations, Daddy."
Daddy. Naruto kind of liked the sound of that.
Even the toughest of shinobi cried the first time they held their child. Not even a future Hokage was immune to the wave of emotion that hit as he looked down into his daughter's face. As though she knew who he was, her cries quieted and she opened her eyes to look up at him. His gaze grew fuzzy with tears as he looked into a pair of huge blue eyes that were a perfect copy of his own. Her skin was a shade lighter than his. But her hair…that was all Sasuke. The black, thick curls clinging to her head were just like Sasuke's hair when he woke up in the morning. Unable to stop himself, Naruto let out a watery laugh as his shoulders shook with emotion.
"Hi…" Naruto whispered, his voice wavering, as he brought a single finger up to brush his daughter's cheek. Her little fingers wrapped around his index finger and held on with a surprising amount of strength. Feeling like a giant next to the tiny baby in his arms, Naruto couldn't help but grin like an idiot. "You're the one who's been kicking me in my sleep, huh?" And he had the bruises to prove it, while Sasuke somehow slept through the battles their daughter had had with Naruto on a nightly basis.
With a care he never knew himself capable of, Naruto settled down on the bed next to Sasuke so his exhausted fiancé could see their beautiful daughter. Sasuke was barely able to lift a finger to touch his daughter's miniature hand in awe. Somehow, he found the strength to brush a thumb against her round cheek. The soft snuffle she let out undid him. He made no attempts to hide his tears or the broad smile across his face.
Her tiny nose wrinkled as she pouted. It was such a perfect imitation of Naruto that Sasuke couldn't help but chuckle. Not trusting his weak arms to hold his fragile daughter, the jounin was content with watching her as she studied him, her big blue eyes making his chest tighten. Who would have thought that he could lose his heart so quickly? It had taken Naruto years of stubbornness for Sasuke to recognize his feelings for the blonde. In just one single look, his daughter had wormed her way past Sasuke's defenses and took up a permanent residence in his guarded heart.
"What's her name?" Iruka asked softly as he studied the baby, blinking back his own tears of joy for Naruto and Sasuke. She was beautiful, just like her fathers, and Iruka could just tell she was going to be a heartbreaker one day. With those big blue eyes of hers, she was going to be a constant source of anxiety for her poor parents. With just a single cry, she already had two of the village's most powerful shinobi wrapped around her tiny finger. A quick glance to his husband told Iruka that not even Kakashi was immune to the baby's cries. The tall jounin made no move to wipe the tears from his eyes as he watched the newest addition to their unconventional family.
"Um…" Iruka looked up from his niece when he heard the embarrassment in Naruto's voice. "You see…we had two names picked out…one if it was a boy…one if it was a girl…"
"Okaaaay…" Iruka raised an eyebrow, wondering why he had the feeling Naruto thought he would have a problem in their choice of names for their child. A glance to Kakashi revealed his husband had a good idea what was putting Naruto on edge, judging from the smirk on his face.
"We didn't want you to try changing our minds," Sasuke said softly as he glanced up from his daughter's tiny, perfect features to look at the chuunin who had given him the greatest gift in the world. Naruto and he argued on everything – from the color of the nursery to their style of parenting – but there was one thing they agreed on wholeheartedly: their child's name. "If a boy, we would have named him Iruka…a girl, Keiko."
Floored by Sasuke's words, all Iruka could do was stare as his eyes filled with unshed tears. All he could do was keep himself from blubbering at the honor of having their firstborn named after him. They were right, he would have argued with them if they had told him before Keiko was born. But…the name Keiko was one he would happily share with the baby girl who had already captured everyone's heart.
"T-Thank you…" Iruka did not know what else to say. Looking over to his husband and seeing the knowing smirk on his face, Iruka couldn't help but glare at him for a moment. Kakashi had known about the names Naruto and Sasuke had decided on, but he could forgive him for that. Then again, he still had a bone to pick with the jounin. Kakashi knew Naruto had bought an engagement ring for Sasuke and he hadn't said anything to him!
As though he could read Iruka's mind, his husband shook his head. "You can't keep a secret and you know it," he stated with a chuckle. Iruka blushed faintly at that comment, wanting to argue it, but he knew better. If he had known Naruto's intentions, he would have accidentally let it slip to Sasuke at some point in the past several months. The truth would have eaten at him until he told the Uchiha.
Slowly, Kakashi moved to stand from his kneeling position. Silently damning the shift in his center of gravity, it took him a moment to get up and balance himself. Taking a step towards his husband, he wrapped his hand in Iruka's and gently squeezed. "Let's go home…give those two a chance to rest," he said softly. Hell, he and Iruka were probably going to sleep like the dead for a day as well, but it was worth it. Kakashi couldn't help but smile as he glanced over at the two young fathers and their daughter. Who would have thought that the constantly fighting teens he had once taught would one day turn into the perfect picture of parenthood?
Turning to leave the room, the couple froze at the odd sound in Sasuke's voice as the jounin spoke. "Naruto? You said the Kyuubi didn't transfer any of her chakra to the baby, right?" Iruka couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Sasuke's odd question. Of all the things to ask, why would he wonder about the demon his fiancé contained?
"Yea…" The future Hokage drew out that word as he recalled his conversations with the fox. She had said that she hadn't done anything to his unborn offspring. Naruto studied his lover's face, wondering why Sasuke had that line between his eyebrows that told the blonde that the genius was contemplating something. And, from that indent, Naruto knew it was something he wasn't going to like. A wave of dread hit him when he heard the evil cackle of his demon in the back of his mind. It was never a good sign when the demon fox was in such a bubbly mood. His fiancé's next comment made the blonde recall that he couldn't trust anything the Kyuubi said.
"Then explain why your daughter has fangs."
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