My Lover's Keeper

It all started with an explosion.

On the two different sides of the burning buildings stood two male kids. The first had dark hair, obsidian eyes that were burdened by tears. He watched the building go up in flames. Nine years of age and orphaned.

The other boy was a redhead, his hair short. His eyes as purple and kind as those of his mother. A kind person he knew he wouldn't see again.

The fire didn't hesitate to attack any who dared try to enter the building. It had quickly escalated and gotten out of hand.

These two boys: nine years of age respectively were both holding their younger sibling's hand. 
the Uchiha and the Uzumaki were both orphaned that night.

Naruto a mere toddler, was holding onto his older brother's pants. Tears in his eyes, scared and not quite understanding what was going on. His older brother, Kurama, kept a protective arm around his blond brother.

People were put in black body bags. Everything around smelled like char. That smell lingered long in Kurama's nose.

The two Uzumaki orphans were thrown into an orphanage then shortly after that it was a foster home.

They were in a house with sixteen other kids. Their foster parents did not deserve the title of parents. Kurama quickly learned that he and Naruto were nothing but a paycheck to them. 
Yet, he kept quiet, did as told and took the beating. He did everything he could for his almost-three-year-old brother.

But it only took six months for them to start physically abusing the toddler too. That's where Kurama drew the line. That night, he took his small backpack and put the little belongings they had in it.

He didn't even need to sneak out, they cared so very little that they had no security system and that meant no locks.

He carried his injured baby brother and left the house he hated. He preferred to live in the arms of the street, no matter how cruel it was.

Kurama had done things, unspeakable things that no child should ever have to go through. He had sold his body in the street. All the perverts; who have taken advantage of his small body and need; were left unpunished.

But to the redhead would do anything for his baby brother. The kid who looked so much like their late father. He made sure to shield Naruto from that harsh cruel reality.

For two years that was how the two of them had lived. Then the men that came for Kurama soon started asking for the blond. He refused. He would never allow them to have his brother's innocence. So they stopped coming, and the little amount of money he could use to sustain themselves was no longer there.

It didn't make things better when Naruto got extremely sick that winter. Kurama had begged people on all fours for someone to help him, he swore he would do anything for them. 
Bodies just shoved him. They called him scum, disgusting piece of trash and he found himself going back to the alley as it started raining again.

The yellow umbrella he was holding was all broken but it was all he had to use as protection from the rain. He got into the cardboard shelter he made, the plastic on the outside made it safe to sleep inside. 
"Naruto" he bit his lip hearing his brother's pained moans. He cuddled to his tiny frail body.

"Kurama?" Little Naruto called out.

"I'm here." The preteen sniffled, feeling his brother's high fever. "I'm sorry, Naruto" he kissed his forehead "please don't leave me too"

Kurama cried until his body gave up to the tiredness. The rain pitter-pattered on the roof of their makeshift home. Yes, that was their home. No matter how cruel it was, their home was still much kinder than their foster parents.

Their tiny cardboard home was unfortunately destroyed by the heavy rain. Naruto woke up feeling the cold water on his face. His cheeks flushed under the dim streetlight, his brother put the blanket around him. The redhead had always put Naruto first.

"Stay warm okay?" He moved his brother's damp blond locks out of the way as he held on to the broken umbrella to shelter Naruto further from the rain assault.

It was dark and cold. From the little movements in the street, Kurama knew it was late. The stores were closed and even the food shops were closing.

But this was how they met the person who changed their lives.

The yellow umbrella caught the man's attention as he walked by. It made him go back and there he saw two young boys.

Kurama immediately stood in front of the smaller younger kid. "He's not for sale," he glared at The older male.

He still got closer and leaned his black umbrella forward covering the two kids as he himself soaked. 
"I did not think either of you were," he gently spoke. "It's a nice umbrella you have there."

"It was...Kaasan and Tou-san's umbrella." he bit his lip, trying to control the tears.

"I'll call for help," the man said but the kid stopped him.

"They're going to send us to one of those...foster homes. I don't want us to go there. They're bad people."

"Niisan," Naruto held his brother's forearm looking at the man in his hazy state.

The man's eyes softened seeing the cruelty the two kids were suffering. 
"How about you come with me home?"

Kurama pulled Naruto behind him again. He did not trust anyone, no one was kind just because they wanted to be kind. That is what two years in the street had taught him.

But he didn't have an option when Naruto collapsed. The man had called an ambulance right away.
"Naruto..." Kurama held his brother's hand.

He didn't like that his little world was shattering. Paramedics took his baby brother away but instead he and the stranger were also in the ambulance.

"How long has he been sick?" The paramedic asked.

"Two weeks" Kurama looked at her and then at the man next to him. "It's my fault"

"It's not your fault." The man whom Kurama could now see had dark brown hair tried to reassure him. "He's going to be okay. They'll get him help"

Kurama wanted to follow once they were in the hospital but where the almost five-year-old was taken he wasn't allowed. Instead, he felt a gentle touch on his back leading him to the waiting area. 
"Are you hungry?" The man asked and the kid shook his head.

All the preteen could feel were worry and anxiety. No hunger, no thirst, no cold...

Nothing but extreme worry for the last member of his family.

He stared at the dirty rags he was wearing, the broken umbrella was still in his hand. This is the second distinct smell of his life but it was soon replaced by the scent of hot cocoa. 
"I'm Umino Iruka. I know you are worried about your baby brother. I promise he'll be alright." He handed him the cup "it'll keep you warm"

"Why are you being nice?" Kurama deadpanned "what do you want?"

"For you two to have a dignified life. I want to help," Iruka stated the obvious. That was why he had chosen to work for Child Protective Services in the first place,

"No one can help...CPS just puts us in an orphanage..orphanage puts us in a foster home to get rid of us...and they treat us like shit...no one wants us..." His small body shook.

"Well the CPS are on their way. I promise you, this time no orphanage...no foster home okay?"

"No...no no...no...I trusted you...you can't promise me shit-..." Kurama started protesting but Iruka only said four words that made him stop.

"I'm adopting you two" the tanned man looked at him with an inviting smile. He slowly brushed his hand over Kurama's hair. "That being said, CPS still has to talk to us"

Kurama didn't know what to say after that. He simply complied. He didn't know what it meant exactly. After all the brunet was a stranger. From his experience, strangers only wanted one thing from him; sexual favours.

The redhead preteen found himself in the custody of the Child Protective Services for a couple of weeks. He wasn't allowed to visit his brother and he felt the brunet had lied to him.

They conducted tests and made him see a psychologist when they knew he had been sexually active. There wasn't much to be said or shared with the psychologist. It was his own choice to sell his body and he didn't want anyone else to judge him for it.

But that day when the door opened, it wasn't the psychologist who walked in, it was the brunet. 
"Kurama?" Naruto called holding the man's hand, he looked around not seeing his brother. "Niisan?" he held on to his new green dragon plush toy the man had bought him.

It was when he heard his brother's bright tiny voice that he got out of his hiding place and went hugging him. He got on his knees so he was on the same level as Naruto. "You okay?"

"Mhm," Naruto gave him his famous smile. "I miss you" he confessed, hugging his older brother.

"Me too." He kissed the blond's forehead "they treated you nicely?"

"Doctor said I was bwave! She gave me this" he showed him the lollipop. "For you, Nii-san"

"It's yours, Naruto"

"No...for you" the blond pouted.

"Okay okay don't cry" he smiled and took the candy. "Thank you" he kissed his baby brother's cheek.

Iruka could see how much the two loved one another and how inseparable they were. 
He tousled the redhead's hair. "Sorry I disappeared for so long. I had to prepare all the papers. But now you can come with me" he smiled.

Kurama said nothing as he just kept his brother close not trusting anyone. His little four-year-old sibling held his hand through the ride. They got into an apartment.

Though it was a two-bedroom apartment, fairly simple in design and decor; both the kids stood in awe. Mostly Naruto seemed to be loving every single thing and exploring it all.

"This will be your bedroom. I hope you don't mind sharing for now. I couldn't find a bigger place on such short notice" the brunet informed letting them walk around. "We can go shopping later today for some clothes"

Again, Kurama felt the hand brushing his hair. It was the same way his mother used to do it. It was loving and reassuring, but he still refused to believe anyone was that nice. He yanked Iruka's hand away, it won't be long before they show their true colour.

Iruka's eyes lit up when he heard the door "oh he's here" he spoke to himself and got out the room. 
Kurama worried immediately and stayed behind holding his innocent goofy brother.

"Kakashi!!" He threw himself in the arms of his lover. The man was still wearing his work gear, he slightly groaned when he felt the weight of his lover. "You're home safe"

"As always" the grey-haired man worked in the special forces and as such had to leave for months at a time for work. His trained ears caught the sound of movements from their guestroom "do we have someone over?"

"Can't surprise you, can I?" Iruka held both his lover's hand. "Remember how....we talked about....well before you left...about-..." he cleared his throat.

"About?" Kakashi inquired since his husband was all nervous, he started walking to the room "you didn't go ahead and adopt a puppy, did you? You know we don't have time for a-..." He froze when he saw the two kids "dog" he mumbled.

"Surprise," he said nervously.

Kakashi only gulped when he realized that they were now parents, he wasn't ready.

🍥🍙🍥🍙🍥

Uzumaki Naruto was nicknamed sunshine when he turned six, it stuck with him since then. He was the embodiment of happiness. His smile was infectious and he brought joy to all those around him.

Eyes as blue and as clear as the sky on a summer day. Hair a bright yellow colour, it was as untamed as his soul. 
Around the neighbourhood, Naruto was the kid who helped anyone in need.

"Ōbaachan" Naruto was walking from school when he saw her struggling with her groceries. "Let me help"

"Ah Naruto-Kun," she smiled "it's quite alright," he didn't care about her objections much and still carried the bags for her.

"It just happens to be my way home too, Dattebayo?" He innocently lied to spare her pride. She knew he did not live anywhere near her home. But the eight-year-old had always offered her help and told the same lie to protect her pride.

"How is school treating you?"

"It's fine...just same as always." He shrugged. "Ōbaachan," he hesitated for a second before he continued "what that man said the other day...I don't think you're a burden. I enjoy walking with you home, dattebayo?"

"You heard that?" her eyes softened.

"It wasn't nice to say."

"Well...that man is my son. His siblings are no different." It pained her, to know that she failed to raise her kids correctly.

"They're stupid," he spoke with no regard to them.

"They're counting time until I am gone...so they can fight each other instead" she sadly spoke, though the statement was mostly to herself and not the child.

"Okaasan," the man showed up taking the bags from the blond "thank you" he forced a smile Naruto's way only because he was a kid. "How many times have I told you to take it easy, Okaasan?"

"You're not fooling anyone with that smile" she straightened her back and walked inside her estate, her son hated being treated that way. "will you come for tea, Naruto-Kun?"

"Okaasama and Otousama are expecting my return soon. Perhaps tomorrow, Ōbaachan" he smiled.

"Definitely tomorrow then, Naruto-Kun"

"Haai" he bowed to her and left in a hurry. She smiled as she watched him walk away, hoping that his pure heart doesn't harden by the cruelty of the world.

He rushed home and arrived at the same time as his older brother. 
Kurama, now fifteen, looked at the flushed cheeks of his brother and his laboured breathing.
"You came running? Naruto-.."

"I'm fine, Niisan"

"You went to help her again, didn't you? His eyes narrowed "why do you insist on that? No one helped u-..."

"That's not true. Okaasan, Otousan took us in. They helped us."

That was always Naruto's argument whenever the two talked about it.
"You don't even remember what we suffered...maybe that's a good thing" his red locks dropped covering his face.

"I remember. I remember every single day...and I know what you had done for me, Kurama" he held his brother's hand but the redhead pulled away. 
Naruto just followed him inside the apartment. "Ku-...."

"I wanna be alone." He went to their shared bedroom and slammed the door shut.

Naruto flinched and just stayed in the living room. He sat down doing his homework. When he felt he wasn't well, he went to the medical cabinet in the bathroom and got the thermometer.

He was used to taking his temperature by now. He was used to doing a lot of other normal check-ups. 
He walked to their bedroom. "Niisan..." He knocked on the door.

"I told you to leave me alone, Naruto!"

"Haai.." he walked towards the apartment exit. Iruka had told him before to go to the neighbours in case he was home alone.

He walked out still holding the thermometer in hand. He knocked on the dark brown door, even got on his tiptoes to reach the doorbell. But no one answered him.

He shuffled his way back inside and to his brother. 
"Kuram-.." he hadn't even finished saying his brother's name.

The redhead was fuming shouting an angry "what?!" As soon as the door was opened.

"I'm sorry" his big blue eyes welled up with tears and with the first tear that streamed down his face, Naruto had seemingly fallen unconscious in his brother's arms.

Kurama had no problem carrying his brother's frail body to the bed. He got out of the bedroom and found the thermometer with the reading. 
He got Naruto's meds, rushed to the bedroom with a sense of urgency.

He sat monitoring Naruto's fever. He held Naruto's cold small hand.

Kurama knew one thing for a fact: his brother was not going to live a long life.

That much the doctor was very honest about.

They don't know what is wrong with him, therefore they don't know how to treat it. Everything they have suspected, he had tested negative for. They have even tested for the most unlikely of diseases with no conclusive result.

Kurama ended up calling 119 when the blond's fever got worse.

It was that event that lead to the meeting of Itachi and Kurama. Both the teens sat quietly in the waiting room as their brothers were both taken in.

Kurama looked at the jittery teen next to him. He didn't know why someone like him would be here. Nonetheless, he got up and bought the teen some tea out of the kindness of his heart. A kindness he swears he doesn't have anymore.

"Tha-..thank you," Itachi accepted it.

"Don't mention it" he sipped from his own cup "who are you here for?"

"My little brother...and you?"

"Me too" Kurama's long locks covered his face. "I'm losing him...." he muttered

Itachi had thought the redhead next to him, also had a sibling with cancer. "You have to have faith. My brother was diagnosed with cancer when he was five. I'm hopeful he can make it through again"

Kurama stayed quiet for a long time before he finally spoke "he doesn't have cancer" he mumbled "I wish it was just that. I wish it was something he could get treatment for"

Itachi put his hand on the redhead's thigh "I'm sorry to hear that"

The oldest Uzumaki broke down when he felt that gentle touch. "it's my fault. It all is my fault" the teen covered his face and cried.

"I'm sure it isn't. You just are trying to make sense of it. But things like these don't usually make sense. They happen and they make us grow" Itachi tensed up a little. It was only noticed by the redhead beside him.

When he looked up he saw the pain behind those obsidian eyes. One that so much resembled his own. 
Kurama was about to hold the stranger teen's hand when he heard a female voice. 
"Itachi-Kun, you can go ahead and see him."

"Hai," he replied in a monotone as he got up. "Thank you for the drink." He bowed to the redhead and left.

"Haa..." The Uzumaki got himself up and went over to his baby brother's room.

🍙🍥🍙🍥🍙

During Naruto's hospital stay, Kurama had come across the old woman twice without giving her any help. 
The third time, he noticed how she actually stopped and looked longingly where Naruto would usually come. 
"Do you need help?" Kurama asked.

"Not at all" she forced a smile. "I just haven't seen my little grandson in a while. He usually comes this way...we were supposed to have tea together a few days ago." Her eyes softened. "Maybe he just grew tired of me too," she mumbled as she walked away clearly broken by that.

Kurama was able to see firsthand why his brother did so much for others around him. It was because he could see the pain behind their smiles. 
He walked to the woman and held her bags. "Is your grandson an annoying blond by any chance?"

The old woman would have started protesting hadn't he asked that question. 
"That would be him"

"He's my little brother...and he's in the hospital" he informed as he continued walking. The woman had stopped. "Ōbasan?" Kurama asked when he noticed it was just him walking.

"What happened?" The grandma thought he got into a car accident after he escorted her home. "He'll be alright?"

"He got sick." He informed "I don't know"

"Come along, child" although she was slow-paced; she still did her best to walk as fast as she could.

Once home, Kurama was invited inside. The woman, whom he noted was rich, refused the help of anyone as she cooked for the boy she called her grandson. 
"Ōba-san, you shouldn't trouble yourself"

"Nonsense" she replied.

After she had prepared a homey meal for his brother. He left with her to the hospital. Kurama saw how genuinely worried she was about Naruto. A kid who only gave minutes of his time daily. 
She even called him her grandson.

"Ōbasan...why do you go to such lengths for my brother?"

"I've seen many people over change who they were....harden their souls and become just as cruel as the society we live in, my children and grandchildren included. Yet, Naruto's smile was always unfaltering. He never made me feel like a chore. Naruto-Kun has such a kind soul, I want to do my best to protect it. I guess I'm holding on to a hope that some people aren't corrupted. You're like that too. I can see it in your eyes"

"People just step on you the moment you give them a chance to. Kindness is weakness" Kurama looked the other way.

"It is both a weakness and a strength. It all depends on your perspective." She got out of the car and went to visit her grandson.

She was no stranger to hospitals, with her health deteriorating so fast due to age. But she despised that someone as young as Naruto had to spend even a second somewhere like that.

The door opened revealing a plain hospital room. White walls, they were decorated with some flowers, fish and cartoon characters since it was a pediatric ward but it remained a hospital room.

"Ōbaachan?" Naruto looked at the woman and thought he was just imagining as his brother soon had his attention.

"You're awake" Kurama rushed to his side holding his hand "how are you feeling?"

Naruto just closed his eyes "Niisan, Itsumo byōki de gomenasai" (I'm sorry for always being sick.)

Kurama kissed his hand. He knew he made Naruto feel like a heavy burden. "Ōbasan came to visit, she made you a delicious homemade meal..." The redhead was just trying to keep his baby brother awake but the boy had already slipped back to sleep.

"I'll visit him tomorrow." The woman small smiled and handed him the Dango shaped plush. It was old but it smelled fruity still after all those years. It used to be hers. It was twice Naruto's size. She put it on the chair with a note.

Unfortunately, when that tomorrow came she couldn't go visit. She had hoped this would pass but days flew by and she was only getting worse.

In her last moments in life, she had only wished she could see him one last time.

Surrounded by people who called themselves her family but her one true family was nowhere near.

"Kaasan," Naruto held on to the plush toy "can we go see Ōbaachan? I want to say thank you"

"Naruto" Iruka began to apprise but he gave up to his son's request with those blue orbs. "Fine but just for five minutes. The doctor said you need lots of rest"

"Haai" he smiled as he cuddled to the plush. He was absolutely in love with it.

They stopped at the end of the street, cars were parked everywhere. Iruka held Naruto's hand and asked if he wanted to be given a piggyback ride which was unsurprisingly declined.

Naruto once seeing the people in and out of their destination, let go of his mother and ran unconsciously to the house.
"Ōbaachan!!"

Iruka ran after him as the kid broke in the house calling for her. 
Following the outraged crowd, he found his son by the woman's side. 
"Naruto" she mumbled his name. Her hand reached his face and wiped the tears that none had shed for her. "Thank you." She smiled weakly.

A tear gently escaped her eyes as she took her last breath, her arm went limp but Naruto held on to it as he cried. 
"Ōbaachan...we didn't get to have tea yet..." He sobbed longing to her loving touch.

Iruka was frightened by the monotony of the other people in the house. It was as if he and his child were the only living beings with emotions. The moment the doctor had declared her dead, they went on mumbling about who gets what.

Iruka kneeled beside his child. He couldn't imagine it being an easy thing to deal with so suddenly.
"Baby, I'm so sorry" the moment he put his hand on Naruto's back, the kid turned to sob in his arms.

"We were...we-...gon-...tea" his voice broke not wanting to accept she was gone.

"Easy now, Naruto-Kun. We talked about this didn't we?" 
Iruka had talked about this when Naruto's pet hamster passed away a few months back. "It's part of life...it doesn't mean she's gone forever. She's right here and here" he put his hand on Naruto's chest and head signalling his heart and memories.

But still, nothing made the pain subside. He held his boy closer when the woman's family rudely kicked them out. The lawyer was all silent until that moment.

"Kire-san had asked for an Uzumaki Naruto-Kun to be at the hearing of her will." The lawyer spoke up. "That would be you, wouldn't it little boy?" She asked looking at the kid and then his parent.

"Is this the time for this?" Iruka was holding his broken child.

"No, but the family requests-..."

"What is wrong with you people? Have you no heart?" He raged before he left with Naruto.

🍥🍙🍥🍙🍥

The blond kept holding the Dango plush she gave him as he watched them bury her.
Iruka was right next to him holding his hand.
"You okay, sweetie?"

"Yeah..." The kid replied still wiping the tears that occasionally streamed down his face.

After that, they were in the house. It didn't seem much like a funeral, no one seemed to be affected. Rudely discussing how much they'd all be getting.

"I know this is hard to lose your grandmother" the lawyer spoke up ignoring the snickers from the adults nearby. "We'll only do this if you're ready"

"Ha.." Naruto agreed.

"Okay then" the woman put her suitcase on the table getting the letter. "I, Kire Rei being of sound mind and memory, declare this to be my last will.

Until my very last breath, I am sure I have held on to the hope of having you turn your ways. I am extremely disappointed in every one of you.

But above all I am disappointed in myself, I was unable to raise compassionate members of the society. 
For ages, you have leeched off my success and I am sure each of you has been counting the minutes for when I drop dead.

I have thought hard about what I am going to leave and to who. Hastily now, I'm sure you're all waiting. 
I leave my entire estate and my share in the company to my beloved grandson-.."

A victorious "yes" was heard from a certain young male who so confidently thought it was him.

The lawyer resumed "I have created a trust fund containing which I also grant to my beloved grandson. Since he is not eighteen years of age yet, he will receive monthly stipends. The trust will pay for any of his life necessities until he comes of age.

If my grandson passes away before turning eighteen, all the assets will be donated accordingly to the following charitable organizations"

"Grandma wrote that while I was still underage" the man smirked "we all know I was always her favourite, that's no lie"

"I know some of you already think I mean them when I say 'beloved grandson.'" The lawyer continued "but there is only one person. He had taken care of me without me asking. He had unconditionally spent time with me. And when I wasn't feeling well he came to check on me.

We may not be blood-related but he had been my family more than any of you had.
Uzumaki Naruto-Kun will be the sole heir."

"What?! Him!!! She lost her mind, hasn't she? We're having this revoked by the court"

"Be my guests." The lawyer silenced them "she left you letters." the young lawyer started distributing them. But not all have replied to her call. "Naruto-Kun," she smiled "she left you one too"

Naruto had sat there in his feverish haze, tuning in and out as she read the will. 
"Okay, we're going back home." Iruka carried him "we're not needed anymore are we?"

"No, I have your address so I can come over at another time" she handed him the letter which he took before leaving.

Iruka's heart was torn to pieces for his child. He walked with him home. 
The moment he walked in he saw his husband has just come back from work. "How did it go?"

"She made Naruto the sole heir. They were all pissed and I don't think Naruto heard even half the will." He took his child to the shared room and laid him in bed.

"I can imagine.." Kakashi drunk from his bottle of water. "He's not any better?" he plopped on the couch.

"I'm thinking of pulling him off school for now. He won't like it but it's what's best for him" he put the letter on the table and sat down next to his husband "it feels déjà vu, except different" 

"Yeah because she didn't tell him to marry a girl to get it" Kakashi smiled "you know I don't regret choosing you. All the money in the world wouldn't make me half as happy as you make me" he leaned in and kissed Iruka to quill the fears in the brunet's mind. "I'd chose you any given day."

"And I'd chose you," Iruka said with a blush on his face.

"You don't get to choose." He smirked leaning in and making out with Iruka right there.

But the phone ring stopped their make-out session. "Work" Kakashi frowned. "I have to go."

"You just came back" Iruka frowned sitting up. He had a bad feeling. Iruka's guts had never failed him before.

"Yeah, I know. I'll be back soon ok?"

"Don't go," he begged.

"That's not possible and you know that" Kakashi pulled from his lover even though it pained him.

Iruka was right with his gut because not even a week later, he had a call to inform him Kakashi was in the hospital.

His knees wobbled as he struggled to stay standing. The air felt thin, his lungs refused to work properly as the worst-case scenario played over and over in his head.

He dropped the phone and that was enough to get the attention of the two kids. 
"Iruka, you okay?" Kurama asked first.

"Kakashi" the man managed to mumble before he just left the house like a maniac.

Naruto looked at his brother as it was unusual for Iruka to leave without saying a word to them. 
"Where did Kaasan go?" Naruto wondered sitting up.

"Work?" The redhead shrugged not wanting to trouble his baby brother "It's your turn" he turned the kid's attention to the game.

"Mhm," Naruto thought about his next move before making it. "Niisan, are you angry with me because of what happened?"

"No, not at all" Kurama smiled, "I think good people deserve good things"

"But you're a good person too, Niisan" the kid pouted cuddling to his Dango plush.

"I am only to you" he focused back on the game. "But you know...until you're better I'll help all those people on your behalf. Okay?"

"Really?" His eyes lit up

"Yes really" Kurama blushed as his baby brother hugged him thanking him.

🍙🍥🍙🍥🍙

In the hospital Iruka was frantic, he saw his husband was suffering from an eye injury. 
"Iruka? I told them not to-.." he stopped as his husband hugged him tight "I'm fine"

"I thought I lost you. Please Kakashi, I can't live without you...I can't"

"Ha," was all the man said knowing what he had to do. He had indeed been thinking about a career change. Working as a field agent might have been alright when he was single, acceptable when he got married but this was borderline mental abuse to those that care about him.

Even though he'd promise he'd get home safe, he had no guarantee and it was not the first time he got injured but this time he almost lost his left eye.

They left home together, that was the event which lead Kakashi to have a career change.