Kakashi heard Orochimaru calling for him, or rather calling for Kabuto, and quickened his pace. There was an excited whine in the sennin's usually monotone voice. Hengeing back to the Sound nin, he made his way over to the demon. Orochimaru was almost in its mouth, chanting and making hand seals.

Kakashi gripped the scroll in one pocket and a kunai in another. He needed to wait until Orochimaru and the kyuubi were almost joined. Once he activated the jutsu he would only have a few moments to grab them both with his chakra and drag them with him into hell.

He looked over at Naruto, who was lying on the ground writhing as if in agony, even though his eyes were rolled up as if he was out cold. But at least he wasn't dead. The kyuubi was streaming out of him, filling the area with its blood red demonic aura. Almost at its full size but still attached to its anchor at the boy's navel.

Iruka ran over to him and knelt beside the unconscious boy. He knew he had to move him as soon as the kyuubi was completely separated or he would certainly be its first victim. Iruka shook the boy's shoulders, wincing at the agony that shot through his hands at the contact. But Naruto did not respond. It was probably just as well that he had no idea what was happening to him.

They were bleeding, his hands, staining patches of red through the dirty bandages. Somehow he had to carry, or at least drag the boy away. Surely he had enough strength for that! He tried to grip him with his forearms and elbows, to spare his hands enough pain to make it possible. But it was difficult and with the cast between his left elbow and wrist he couldn't find a place that he could hold onto securely.

He had Naruto propped in a sitting position, and was holding him around the waist from behind, when Kakashi activated the scroll.

The copy nin had closed the gap between himself and Orochimaru and was less than a dozen feet away when the Sound leader's chakra started to flow out of his body. It started as a whisp of blue, like cigarette smoke, streaming out of his mouth. In less than a minute he was enveloped in a dense cloud, which started to twist and roll, stretching and shaping, becoming a glowing phantasm… a giant snake. It was more than chakra. This was the sennin's soul.

The spirit serpent climbed up the demon's massive foreleg and reared over its shoulder ready to plant its fangs in the monster's neck. And to take over its body. Kakashi took his hands out of his pockets, sliced the tip of his thumb on the kunai and planted it on the scroll.

Space fell away behind him, leaving him with the feeling that he was falling or maybe floating, he couldn't tell. Two worlds swirled like vertigo, one in front and one behind, leaving him poised between existence and extinction, life and death. But so light-headed that for all his genius he could barely think. Struggling to make the necessary seals, his saw his target became visible. Two entwined monsters, frozen in time and space by the power of the jutsu. He felt as if they were just a little ahead of him, somewhere in an endless bright tunnel. All he had to do was fold his chakra around them and take one step back.

Suddenly golden chakra was erupting around the red. It covered it, wrapped it, and was forcing it to collapse into itself. Kakashi could feel the source of the golden light behind him, pouring past him into the tunnel. But for some reason he could not, or dare not, turn around.

The demonic feel in the air dissipated as the kyuubi was pushed back into the seal under Iruka's hand. Kakashi found himself on his knees with the bloodied scroll by his side as the gold and red both vanished together. Leaving him with the echo of a familiar loss and sadness that he thought he had put behind him years ago.

Orochimaru was the first to come to his senses. Shocked and disappointed to find that he was still undoubtedly human. The kyuubi had gone and the seal was repaired, it was out of his reach now. Had Sakumo's brat done that? If so he had badly underestimated him. Pity. In that case he shouldn't risk trying to take his eye, and the one he had found was almost useless now. Those Uchiha eyes were such useful tools. But there were other ways to get them. He would just have to wait.

If he had stayed a few moments more before jutsuing away, he would not have had to wait for very long. As soon as he was gone Sasuke came stumbling out of the trees.

"Iruka-sensei, you sealed the nine tails." The breathless boy whispered, shocked and impressed that a chuunin could do such a thing.

Iruka blinked, equally shocked. "But I couldn't have, there's no way I could do that kind of jutsu, even if I knew how. "

By now Kakashi had staggered over to them. He slumped onto the grass as if every bone in his body was broken. Looking every inch a man who had just cheated death.

He spoke very quietly, almost reverently. "No, it wasn't Iruka-sensei. It was The Fourth, I could feel him. He must have reached through from the opening to the next world while the pathway was open."

The copy nin looked at Iruka, his Iruka, with a strange mix of awe and satisfaction. "But you were part of it."

Taking the teacher's hand, oh so gently in his own, he lifted it to reveal the crimson print it had left on Naruto's belly. "Yondaime used your blood and your love for Naruto to repair the seal."

Iruka gasped and looked at the bloody mess of bandages on his hands. "You mean it's over? Naruto's safe, the village is safe now?"

Kakashi put an arm around him and pulled him close, almost onto his lap. "As long as you are. Now let's go home."

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

They met up with the ANBU squad that had been sent after Iruka just outside the village. Kakashi explained everything to them as briefly as he could. Two ANBU escorted them while the other two continued to the mine. Kakashi left Iruka with Naruto at the hospital, and after a very brief detour, went from there to the Hokage's office.

Tsunade opened the door to him herself, smiling. He decided that it didn't suit her. Her desk was pilled with mission reports, medical files, pens, pencils and an empty teacup. She watched him appraise the disorder then sat in her chair and put her feet up on it too.

"So Hatake, you almost disobeyed me when you went after Orochimaru. But for all that you did well."

Faint praise was at least an improvement over outright scorn. "Thank you Hokage-sama, I did my best."

She tossed her hair back casually. "Iruka sensei too. You worked well as a team, perhaps I should send you on missions together more often."

Kakashi stiffened. "I'd like that where it is appropriate, but there is no place for a chuunin on most of the missions I'm asked to do."

Tsunade laughed coarsely. "Protective of your little teacher aren't you? So what can you tell me about Orochimaru now?"

"Nothing. He left before I had sufficiently recovered."

"And Naruto?"

"I believe the kyuubi is sealed as well as it has been for the past thirteen years."

She took her feet down and leaned towards him, reaching out a hand. "The scrolls."

Her expression changed as he put them in her palm, becoming unreadable. She examined the brown bloodstain on one of them. "Hatake, you realise that if you should ever need to use this again you would be the only person in the history of the world to use it twice."

For some reason his heart was beating very fast. He nodded his reply.

"Well I'm sure you are anxious to get back to the hospital. I believe Umino Iruka is waiting for you there."

He bowed and left hurriedly. Relieved as always when dealing with Tsunade, that he had no need or desire for a wife.

Ibiki was waiting outside the door. He walked with him, matching his pace.

"So Itachi wasn't involved after all. Damn shame, I thought we might finally have a lead on him."

Kakashi stopped and turned towards him, allowing the half-formed thoughts he'd provoked to bubble to the front of his brain. "I think we will, before too much longer." He snorted quietly and shook his head. "It's this damned eye, sees shadows of things that aren't even there. And you'll need to watch out for that Kabuto kid too, he had a few underneaths I couldn't get to."

Ibiki slapped his shoulder amiably then started to walk away. Kakashi called after him.

"Ibiki! Thanks."

The big man turned back to look at him, a question in his dark eyes.

"For caring I mean. About everyone, about Iruka. It helped. When I thought I'd have to… It helped to know that there would be someone to care for him."

Ibiki pulled a face that was impossible to distinguish as either a grimace or a smile. "Yeah well, just don't let it get around. You'll ruin my reputation."

Kakashi watched him hurry away, pride and satisfaction apparent in the set of his shoulders, then rushed back towards the hospital.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Iruka sat by Naruto's bedside. The boy had woken briefly, demanded ramen, and was now in a deep but normal sleep. The Hokage had sent word that she would check him herself later that day. His mind drifted and he remembered how he had been sitting like this with Kakashe six months before. The thought was swiftly followed by the nightmare of not remembering. He shook his head. That was in the past, the seal had been broken. It wouldn't happen again.

But then there were some things that were best forgotten. He turned as he sensed an unwelcome presence and saw Ochiro Akira standing in the doorway.

The doctor took a step forward. "Iruka-san, Hatake-san came to er… visit me in my office. It seems he picked up on my interest in you." He grinned nervously. "Frankly he had come to warn me off. I wanted to thank for not telling him how strongly I came on to you that time. You see I didn't understand."

Despite his automatic anxiety, Iruka was almost tempted to smile. "Akira-san I tried to explain that Hatake-san and I have a close, that is an exclusive relationship."

Ochiro Akira grinned, wolfishly this time. To be perfectly honest I don't think that would stop me from trying. What I didn't understand is how possessive Hakate-san is. He's a very dangerous man, I probably owe you my life."

With a sheepish smirk the doctor bowed and left. Iruka heard a small arrk from the corridor, then Kakashi walked into the room.

"What the hell did he want?" The copy nin demanded irritably.

Iruka stood and draped his arms over the his lover's shoulders, letting his freshly bandaged hands hang free, at least the cast had finally been removed. "He just came to let me know that he's lost all interest in me suddenly. Perhaps I'm not as attractive as he first thought." He eased down the mask with his teeth and pouted temptingly.

Kakashi pressed his lips against the others that were so teasingly close. "Good."

He looked over to the boy lying on the bed. "Are you going to stay here?"

"No. He won't wake up for a while, I'd rather be with you." The look in the teacher's dark eyes made it clear exactly why he was anxious, no desperate, to be with him.

"Good." The copy nin said again. "You're strong enough now, come on I'm going to teach you to fly again."

He led the teacher outside, then supporting him under his good arm, helped him to leap up onto the hospital roof.

Iruka laughed. "You're over estimating me. I doubt if I could have made that jump before I was hurt."

Kakashi just shrugged. "That's why I'm teaching you."

He helped him to leap from rooftop to rooftop to an area of neat tidy homes about a mile from the academy. Giving the other man just enough extra strength to keep up but no more. They stopped on the roof of a cosy one level house. Kakashi sat and stretched out. Iruka collapsed beside him, panting less than he would have expected.

"You see, you did much better than you thought you would. In a few more days you won't even need my help."

He tried to ignore the way the younger man was pressing his body against his. "By the way, what do you think of this house?"

Iruka really did not want to talk about houses right now. "It's sort of difficult to tell from up here but it seems like a nice house."

Kakashi took his arm and jumped down, landing as softly as an autumn leaf. "Yes it is." He took a key from his pocket and opened the door. "Would you like it?"

"Iruka laughed, his eyes shining. What was the man up to? Kakashi was confusing him, but then he often confused him. "Of course I would like it, but I couldn't possibly afford to buy a house like this."

The silver haired nin slipped down his mask, he looked ridiculously pleased. "Good then it's settled. You may not be able to afford it but I can. I inherited some money, I've just never had anything I wanted to spend it on before."

Iruka was horrified. "What are you saying? You want to buy me this house?"

Kakashi pulled the teacher towards him and mashed their lips together in a long hard kiss, as if he was trying to kiss some sense into him. "No, I don't want to buy it for you, I want to buy it for us. To live in together, as a couple. Wouldn't you like that?"

Like it? It was beyond all comprehension. "It… it's… Kakashi! But why? Why now? You've always been so careful, so secretive. Why do you want to live with me openly now, let everyone know?"

The copy nin had never been happier. "Part of being a genius is knowing when you've been a fool and having the sense to do something about it. I thought I was keeping you safe by keeping us, our love, secret. Well I was dead wrong. I do have something of a reputation you know, and it can't hurt for anyone who wants to target you to know that they'll have to deal with me too."

Iruka looked at him wide eyed and bewildered. God he looked so cute like that. "But why would anyone target me? I still don't understand."

His partner, he could call himself that now, kissed him again. Gently this time, barely allowing their lips to brush together. He sighed loudly. "What was it you called me in the hospital? A pompous arrogant bastard?"

Iruka's eyes went wider still. How was that even possible? "But I didn't mean… I was upset… "

Kakashi silenced him with a look. "Yes you did and you were exactly right. I thought you were attacked because of me, to get at me, which it certainly did by the way. But I was wrong, it wasn't about me, it had nothing to do with me at all. You were the only target all along."

Iruka still looked at him blankly.

"Look everyone old enough to remember knows that the biggest threat to the village, to the whole country, is the kyuubi. As long as Naruto is secure and happy the seal is strong, but if it weakens the kyuubi could get free, it nearly did. You my dear Iruka are the one who makes Naruto feel secure and happy. By caring for him and loving him you and you alone keep the seal strong and the kyuubi imprisoned."

Iruka still didn't look convinced.

"Naruto is the kyuubi's prison but you are the key to that prison. That makes you the most dangerous man in Konoha. And as a Konoha shinobi it is my sworn duty to protect my village even if that means staying as close to you as I possibly can, every available hour of the day and, of course, the night."

A wide grin spread across the teacher's face. He stepped close to the other man, very close, every cell tingling in the power of his aura, and snaked his arms behind his back and up to his shoulders.

"I do love Naruto, and I love you. We don't know how much time we'll have together, of course no one does, but you know what I mean. And no matter how long it is I know that it won't be long enough. If being the kyuubi's key means I can spend more of the time we have like this, I don't care how many enemies are after me."

Kakashi relaxed in Iruka's arms, letting the younger man be the assertive one for once. "Yeah, me too. Except the part about you having enemies. I don't like that part at all."

Now Iruka was getting somewhere. "Did anyone ever tell you that you're an impossible romantic."

"Only you."

Iruka ground his hips into the other man's groin, feeling hardness against his own. "Want to do something about it?"

Kakashi's normally pale eye, already darkened with desire, hazed over with pure lust. I suppose we should try this place out, make sure it er… suits our purposes."

The brown eyes teased. "Which room do you think we should try?"

The copy nin's eye curved closed into a happy arc. "Mmm, there are a few. I think we should try them all, probably more than once, how else can we compare them properly."

Iruka found himself lying on his back on the wooden floor. He hadn't seen the elite jounin move, hadn't even felt himself touch the ground. He didn't care, the tongue that was expertly stroking the sides of his and tickling the sensitive ridges on the roof of his mouth just felt so right. It belonged in his mouth. There was only one thing he could do, use his own tongue to make an equal claim on the mouth pressed against his. He felt impossibly happy and overwhelmingly sad at the same time.

"I can't wait for my hands to heal, I hate not being able to touch you." He whispered as they finally parted to breathe.

Kakashi was staring at him with both eyes now. The blue one flashed wickedly. "I'll touch enough for both of us. But if it's making you feel guilty I can fix that."

Before he had time to process the words Iruka felt his hands tied together with chakra charged rope, high above his head. His surprised gasp melted into a smile. "So you're still more pervert than romantic after all."

Kakashi grinned back. "To the end. But you can you know, touch. My heart's in your hands right now." Obito's eye was crying again, but this time it was tears of joy.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

So there it is. Iruka-kun's the most dangerous man in Konoha. How many of you guessed it?