Had Kakashi not been a self-respecting shinobi, there would be KI spread across the village, no doubt making everyone believe they were under attack.
But since Kakashi had good control over his emotions – as a shinobi should have – the KI was well contained.
Though if the people stumbling and flinching away when his piercing gaze met theirs were any indication, perhaps not as well as he thought.
He couldn't quite bring himself to care, for pack - family - meant everything to Kakashi, and when those that were his were attacked, he doesn't just roll over and accept it. Oh, no – he would raise hell for pack.
Of course, Kakashi had an admittedly small pack – limited to his ninken and one other, in fact – but that just made him all the more protective.
And it was that one other that had him ready to bust down the Hokage's door and demand action be taken, damned the consequences.
His otouto, sweet little Naruto, had been attacked, again.
This had been a problem for years – since he was born, actually – and he had complained each time, but the Council – the civilian in particular, for the shinobi one cared little for Naruto's furry little companion – had rebuffed him each time.
He had wanted to adopt him, but the Council denied him, stating that he did not have time and was not suited to care for a child, which – admittedly – was true, but Kakashi did not care.
Minato-sensei had wanted his son to be looked at as a hero, but people were fickle things and their hatred for the Kyuubi and its attack on the village transferred to Naruto, many seeing him as the Kyuubi itself.
The attacks happened irregularly in the past six years, except for on the anniversary of the Kyuubi attack, and that particular one was always the most severe.
This year, a mob had formed and somehow gotten past the boy's ANBU guard – he suspected the Council had something to do with that as well.
Naruto had been severely burned – the mob citing that they were finishing the Yondaime's job – and ANBU had almost not made it in time.
While Kakashi often guarded him as Inu – espiecially on this day – he had been called away on an urgent mission demanding his presence.
When Kakashi had made it back, he was informed by the Hokage that Naruto was in the hospital, and had barely finished his sentence before Kakashi had body-flickered to the hospital.
Which brought him here, late at night, stalking down the hallway of the hospital, nurses and patients alike hastily making way for him.
He stopped short in front of Naruto's door, ignoring the guard who nodded to his taichou.
He stepped in carefully, and paled a little at the tiny bundle on the bed.
Though the attack had happened only hours ago, Naruto looked unharmed, if a little pale – no doubt thanks to the Kyuubi.
Kakashi's shoulders slumped in relief and let out a sigh that might've been a little heavy for someone his age.
His otouto had almost died, and Kakashi wasn't sure how much more of this his heart could handle.
Only when the newly-arrived Hokage cleared his throat did Kakashi tear his gaze away from Naruto.
"What happened?" had it been anyone else, they would have been reprimanded for the harsh tone, but as it were the Hokage only sighed and stepped up beside him.
"It seems some of the ANBU have been taking orders from Danzou," the Sandaime told him, and seeing Kakashi's expression hastily added - "Though they were few and have been dealt with accordingly."
Content with ending that particular conversation – for the time being – Kakashi turned back to Naruto, his expression hardening.
"I won't let them stop me this time, it's been going on for too long."
The Hokage looked weary, "Please, go easy on them?"
He looked to his Hokage, expression incredulous.
The Sandaime sighed again, "Well, it was worth a shot."
When Naruto woke up, it wasn't in excruciating pain and screaming people, but to soft quilts and the pleasant smell of miso soup.
He sat up immediately, his sharp eyes scanning his surroundings.
He was in a bedroom, with the door ajar, letting light spill into the otherwise dark room.
The bed he was in was right in front of the door, and there was a desk and bookshelf to the right of him, scrolls and books covering every surface. The the left was a dresser and a window above it.
When a shadow blocked the light of the door, he immediately cringed away, scrambling up the bed until he was halfway up the headboard.
The man was a shinobi, made obvious by his hitae-ate but also his uniform - jounin, Naruto thought - and his various pouches. His silver hair stood up and his hitae-ate covered one eye. His appearance made something in the back of his mind itch, but he ignored it, for he had more important things to focus on.
The visible eye closed itself to an upside down U, and his smooth voice filled the silence, "I see you're awake, Naruto-kun." His voice made the itch worse.
Naruto's eyes narrowed and he regarded the strange man with a critical eye, "Who are you?"
His voice stayed the same but his eye softened the tiniest bit, and had Naruto not been so apt at reading body language, he would have missed it.
"I'm Kakashi, are you any hungry?"
Naruto looked away, "No." then flushed down to his neck when his tummy growled.
Kakashi's eye filled with mirth, and he motioned behind him, "Come on, I made food."
Naruto cautiously stood up from the bed, and took a step forward, but Kakashi only continued into what Naruto presumed was the living room.
When Naruto made it in to the room - which was actually both a living room and a kitchen - his eyes immediately zeroed in on the Hokage, sitting by the kitchen table. "Jiji!"
The Hokage smiled at him, his expression softening considerably, "Naruto-kun, I'm relieved to see you're okay."
Naruto stepped towards the Hokage, "Ojii, where am I?"
"You're in my apartment." It was not the Hokage, but 'Kakashi' who answered.
"Eh?" Why was he in this stranger's apartment?
The Hokage sighed, "Because of the attacks and their increasing severity, it's been decided you will be living with Kakashi-san from now on."
Naruto's eyes widened, "What? I don't need anyone to take care of me!"
The Hokage looked upon Naruto and said gently, "Naruto, you almost died."
His tired eyes and heavy voice made Naruto calm down. "So you're just gonna leave me with some jounin?"
Kakashi let out a chuckle, "Maa, maa, I didn't think you'd forget me that fast, Naruto-kun."
Forget him, Naturo thought in confusion. He's never seen- Naruto gasped. Oh.
Seeing Naruto's expression, he crouched down and looked at him with adoring eyes.
Naruto looked up at him, his eyes shining with tears, "Inu-nii?"
At Kakashi's slight nod, he quickly launched himself into his arms, a sob escaping him.
Kakashi held the boy, murmuring words of comfort.
After a few minutes of comforting, the Hokage rose from his seat, causing Naruto to sniff and peek out from Kakashi's embrace. "You're leaving?"
The aged kage's heart nearly cracked from the sound of Naruto's broken voice.
"I need to deal with the consequences of yesterday's attack, Naruto-kun."
Naruto was silent for a moment before he nodded and quickly shoved his head back into Kakashi's chest.
The Hokage nodded to Kakashi before he made his way to the door and closed it quietly behind him.
Kakashi rocked Naruto gently and sighed. "Do you want to eat now?"
Silence.
He looked down at the boy in his arms, fast asleep.
An unseen smile quirked at his lip.
"Later, then."
