Naruto's a great shounen series. By shounen, I mean that it's written for boys, which means it's basically an action manga/anime. However, the characters are endearing, and there's just enough angst to keep me happy. This section will be predominantly Iruka/Kakashi. Because, let's face it, they were meant for each other.
I Dream of Blue Eyes by silenced eyes
Summary: A Naruto birthday ficlet. "What do you dream about, Iruka-sensei?"
Rating: G
ikyrian's Notes: A brief look at Iruka's and Naruto's relationship.
Marks by Fambrena
Summary: Why did Iruka never take the Jounin exam? Kakashi investigates.
Rating: PG
ikyrian's Notes: An interesting take on the reasons why Iruka didn't go that one step further to become a Jounin. Could be construed as slashy, but I decided that ultimately it wasn't strong enough for me to stick it in the slash area. More about friendship than anything else.
Gifts Passed On by Bishiehuggler
Summary: It's Father's Day today, but what if you don't have a father? Iruka reminisces in the past until a flying orange ball decides to bug him.
Rating: G
ikyrian's Notes: Cuuuuute. I love reading stories of Iruka's and Naruto's relationship. When I first started to read the series, I was bit iffy on the relationship, thought there might be future slash potential. But really, their relationship is more familial than anything else. Which makes me happy, as not everything is about the slash.
Stealing Paradise by Jecir
Summary: Soon after his appointment to Chuunin status, fifteen year old Iruka takes a dare he will forever regret: Steal from Hatake Kakashi.
Rating: PG-13
ikyrian's notes: This made me laugh-especially because Iruka thinks he's so clever here. Jecir has a good eye for what makes a nice chase scene. There's really not a lot for me to say other than I enjoyed it very much. It shows us just how much of a brat Iruka can be, and highlighted his prank days very nicely.
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To the Theme of Rain by Snapped Chopstick
Summary: Iruka, Naruto, a rainy day, and a warm bed.
Pairing: Iruka/Naruto
Rating: R
ikyrian's notes: (And yet, strangely, I start with a non-Kakashi/Iruka pairing...)I'm reccing this because it's so hard to find Iruka/Naruto slash. Especially good Iruka/Naruto slash. It's understandable, given the age difference between the two, and the fact that there is more of a father/son relationship between the two more than anything else. However, everytime I read this story, I'm reminded of how sweet it could be.
Four Times a Week by Sunfreak
Summary: Iruka tries out his new pick-up line and, shock of shocks, for once it works. The joys of dating, Irukaka style.
Pairing: Iruka/Kakashi
Rating: PG-13
ikyrian's notes: This story reminds me of the humor that is always present in Naruto. Sunfreak has Iruka's awkwardness and bravery down.
Such A Thing by Sunfreak
Summary: The Nine Tails Fox has a most unexpected person on the brain...
Pairing: Surprise!
Rating: PG-13
ikyrian's notes: This is a pairing that, really, would never, ever work, but I would love to see someone try. Just a what if, it seems, but still, it'd be cool to see it fleshed out a bit.
Small Heroes by Sunfreak
Summary: In the cold months before spring, Iruka takes a moment for himself and asks someone a very important question. Shounen ai.
Pairing: Kakashi/Iruka
Rating: PG-13
ikyrian's notes: Heh, Sunfreak again. I must admit, I don't like all of her stuff, but her Naruto fics are pretty good. Not only does this focus in on Iruka (my favorite Naruto character), but it focuses on his relationships with Naruto himself, and Kakashi. Great fun.
Tryin' to Get to Heaven by Kiki
Summary: Konoha is at war with Sound. Iruka's screwed over, Kakashi's
screwed up, and Gai's just screwed.
Pairing: Kakashi/Iruka, Shikamaru/Tenma, implied Genma/Raidou, implied Asuma/Kurenai
Rating: R
ikyrian's notes: This one is...interesting to say the least. At the start of the fic, you're thrown right into the middle of a war between Konoha and Sound, which is a little disconcerting to say the least. Despite that, when you finally get into the story, you realize just how good it is. Everytime I read it, I feel Kakashi's heartbreak, I feel Iruka's helplessness, and I just plain feel for Gai, because the author's right, Gai is just plain screwed. As the author is writing about this war, she manages to give the reader a sense of what it would be like to actually, be there. And it breaks your heart all over again, even though all you can do is root for them to get home.
Butterfly in Reverse by bite the hand that feeds
Summary: Tsuande wasn't a very good teacher somedays. (Kakashicentric)[WIP]
Pairing: Kakashi/Iruka
Rating: R
ikyrian's notes: I've been meaning to rec this fic for awhile now, mostly because, yes, it's that good. I have trouble keeping this one in my head, so when a new chapter comes out (chapter 16 was the latest), I have to back up one or two chapters to remind myself what had gone on before. Which is crazy weird for me, because written stuff, especially stories? Normally stays in my head until I forcibly remove it. But I'm not complaining, with this story it is totally worth that refresher. My yardstick for good stories sometimes seems to be if I can go back and reread it or not. If I stumble across a story and I can't reread it, then it most likely won't get rec-ed. Anyway, not the point, the point is: this is a good story. It's hard to find a story that's not only Kakashi-centric, but written well and still Kakashi-centric. I'll admit it, I'm an Iruka whore, I'll read pretty much anything with him in it, unless it's a blantant Mary Sue. Ack, off track again-yes, good story. Wonderful characterization, aand though there are points where you wonder what the author was thinking, it still makes for an amazing story. This is not one that you can read when you're tired, because you'll miss something. It'll probably be small but it'll be important, trust me. With each read through, I find more and more. Should I be a more careful reader? Perhaps. *laughs*
How to File Form 39-B by The Hoyden
Summary: The first time Iruka met Hatake Kakashi, he was still on some pretty good painkillers.
Pairing: Kakashi/Iruka
Rating: NC-17
ikyrian's notes: Iruka POV, always an agreeable thing, especially when it's written so delightfully like in this one. The movement of Kakashi and Iruka's relationship is competently done here. Iruka's overall obliviousness, Kakashi saying "I know you better than anyone." despite Iruka's prostest, "but you just come for dinner..." is fantastic to read. And when Iruka "marries" them! Kyaaa! Cuuuuuute! It's really wonderful, and put an immediate smile on my face.
Only Polite by granate
Summary: Kakashi takes advantage of Konoha's rules of hospitality to get some dinner.
Pairing: Kakashi/Iruka
Rating: PG
ikyrian's notes: Oh, this is short'n'sweet and oh, so lovely. Well, sort of--as sweet as an obnoxiously polite person can be, but it's still a lovely bit of writing. Kakashi POV and it's wonderful. If you want a quick, uplifting read, this is it. Spoilers through ep 25, though, be careful.
Reasons and There's the Man I Chose by cinnamaroll
Summary: Reasons: Scenes from Kakashi's life on how he fell in love. Man I Chose: Iruka's in love. And married. He just doesn't know it yet.
Pairing: Kakashi/Iruka
Rating: PG-15
ikyrian's notes: Ah, I love these stories. The reason they're recced together is that "Man I Chose" is the sequal to "Reasons". The first story is Kakashi's POV and the second is Iruka's. Their summaries really do a good job of telling the reader exactly what the stories are about without actually giving anything away, so good for cinnamaroll. It's not easy coming up with a good summary that actually summarizes without giving away the punchline or whatever. But that's not the reason I'm reccing these stories. The reason I'm reccing them is because they're just that wonderful--the characterizations are perfect, especially when you realize along with Kakashi exactly when he fell in love. And I feel so bad for Iruka in these stories because he's just so oblivious to what's really going on around him. But the stories are also light-hearted and uplifting, which made me want to rec them even more. If you're having a crappy day, these two can definately put a smile on your face.
Bored already? Take me home!
Questions? Comments? Broken links? Email me!