Chapter 1

Sunny Days

A/N: Hi everyone! This story is my take on Kakashi's childhood if Minato had taken a more active role. It will be focusing a lot on the father/son and teacher/student relationship that Minato and Kakashi have. Enjoy!

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"A student?"

"Yes Minato, a student." The Sandaime Hokage finished the scroll he was writing and set the ink to dry. He turned to the young jonin kneeling before him. "This year we have a student who graduated a bit early. He's a prodigy, and there's been some controversy about placing him on a genin team. For the time being I thought it would do him well to have a jonin instructor to himself until we get things sorted out." he said, carefully observing Minato's face for a reaction.

The blonde's face lit up. "I wasn't expecting to get a student so soon! He graduated early, did he? How old is he?"

"He turned five this September."

Minato stared questioningly at the Hokage. "Five?"

"You see, the boy is Hatake Sakumo's son. He's the genius of this generation. I don't think I've seen anyone like him in years. He's inherited his father's brilliance." Hiruzen continued explaining as he pulled out a file and handed it to Minato. Minato's eyes scanned the paper. The boy was Hatake Kakashi. Five years old. Passed the exam with flying colors. He had unruly silvery white hair and wore a mask that covered the lower part of his face. Minato also noticed that his mother was listed as deceased. "So you'll take him on as your student?" The Hokage asked.

"Of course! When can I meet him?" Minato said. He could almost feel the excitement surging through him. His own adorable little student to train and mold and take on missions!

"Tomorrow morning, Training ground 3. He'll be there. Take good care of him Minato, he can be… A little rough on the edges." The Hokage answered. And with that, Minato left the Hokage's office and went off in search of his own sensei.

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"Sakumo's son?" Jiraiya said while rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Minato had found Jiraiya and they were sitting at a table in a restaurant. "Now that you mention it I do think I've met the kid. He's a cheeky little thing. Cute, though. Sakumo has trained him well." Jiraiya said as he sipped his drink.

"Hm. The Hokage said he could be a little rough. I think we'll get along great." Minato said. He had sought out Jiraiya after he got the news from the Hokage. A little advice and information about his student couldn't hurt either, seeing as Jiraiya was good friends with the boy's father.

"Well, in any case, teach him the basics, and just use my teaching methods. " Jiraiya said.

"Sensei, all you did was take me to hot springs and have me cover for you while you peeked to the women's side…" Minato said.

"That was valuable practice in some of the most important skills a ninja should have!" Jiraiya cried. Minato laughed. He and Jiraiya had been so busy lately it had been a while since they had just gotten to spend time with each other. "Regardless, watch over him. He's lived his life in his father's shadow, so let him understand that he can work at his own pace." Jiraiya said, taking one last sip of his drink.

Minato nodded. He would nurture this boy, and train him to be a respectable shinobi.

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Minato arrived at the training ground early the next morning. He couldn't sleep due to the excitement of meeting his young student. Upon his arrival, he was surprised to see the young boy already there. "You must be Namikaze-sensei."

Minato was taken aback. "You can call me Minato-sensei. I'm not one for extreme formalities. You're here early, aren't you? Excited?" Minato smiled warmly.

"It is a shinobi's duty to be on time, or earlier if possible." Kakashi said.

Minato stared at the child. The boy was only 5 but had such a serious air to him that if it weren't for his small stature, Minato would think he was much older. "Well, in any case, we're both here now. Why don't we say a few things about ourselves, and then do some basic training exercises so I can get a feel for your abilities?" When Minato mentioned training he seemed to get Kakashi's attention. Kakashi nodded. "Excellent, I'll go first. My name is Namikaze Minato. I'm 20 years old, and a jounin. I like spending time with my friends and reading. My dream is to one day be Hokage and protect the village."

"I'm Hatake Kakashi. I'm 5, but you already knew that. I don't like anything, but if I had to pick I would say dogs. I don't have a dream." Kakashi finished. He seemed satisfied with what he said.

"C'mon, Kakashi. There has to be something you want to do with your life! It can be something really small or simple, even." Minato urged. His student seemed devoid of any emotion.

"I am a shinobi. A shinobi is tool for the village. I don't have a dream." Kakashi said.

Minato sighed. "That's fine, then. You don't need to have a dream right now. You have plenty of time to get one." Minato grinned. "Now come at me with all you've got!" And with that, the small boy launched into action.

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It was late afternoon, and the sky had turned orange. It was getting late. "Alright, I think that's enough for today. I think I have an exact feel for your skills. We spent almost all day out here didn't we?" Minato said to his student who was on his back, laying on the grass panting. Kakashi nodded, too exhausted to say anything else.

"Well, you worked hard today. I'm expecting great things from you!" When Minato looked again, the boy was fast asleep on the grass. He smiled again. "Then again, you really are only a child." He said to himself. Minato studied Kakashi's sleeping face. When he was asleep, his intense, haunted gaze was gone and had such an adorably innocent look to him. Minato gently scooped the child up, careful not to wake him. Kakashi stirred, opened an eye drowsily to see Minato, then returned to sleep. Minato smiled again. The fact that Kakashi was letting Minato carry him made Minato's chest fill with a strangely paternal sense of happiness. The boy was very standoffish and seemed reluctant to show trust or affection openly.

They had spent the entire day sparring, with brief breaks only for food. Minato himself of course barely broke a sweat, but Kakashi held up well considering his age. He was ridiculously talented. Of course, some of it came from being trained by Sakumo, but a lot of it was just pure talent.

Minato carried the boy on his back to the Hatake compound. Minato had studied Kakashi's file extensively. He knew exactly where Kakashi lived. He entered the home and quickly located Kakashi's room, which was easy seeing as it was the only bedroom that wasn't covered in dust. Minato placed the boy on his futon and examined the room. There was a desk, a bookshelf and some reading materials. There was an entire shelf dedicated to ninja tools. On the top shelf there was a chakra sabre. Minato knew it to be Sakumo's. Minato noted that the room was simple and mature, much like Kakashi himself. There wasn't a toy in sight. He turned to look at Kakashi one last time before exiting the room. The boy was fast asleep.

As Minato exited the house and began his walk home, he felt a pang of anger towards the Hokage. How could he let a five year old live alone in the house where his father committed suicide? Minato understood the rule that shinobi are seen as adults regardless of age in technical matters, but Kakashi was still five. And Minato refused to let the boy live alone in that dusty old compound. Satisfied with his new resolve, Minato headed off for the Hokage tower.

A/N: Chapter 1 complete! it's a little short, but I'm working on 2 right now! please leave a review if you liked it!