Authors note: This is a story request made by the lovely Vampiredoll666 who has always left me such lovely reviews for all my stories. Thank you so much for the support I hope you enjoy the story you requested., I will try to make it in the way you described it. It will probably be a short 5-6 chapter fic. Enjoy!

Extended Summary: Orochimaru messes up with his eternal youth experiment. He is aged down too much and seeks out someone who he trusts. Kakashi agrees to watch him for while he is so vulnerable, pretending Orochimaru himself is merely the son of Orochimaru, Kakashi is allowed to keep the genin on team seven under his watchful care. Orochimaru wants to find a way back to normal, but Kakashi has other plans. He wishes to see the boy have the childhood he never got. He wants to change him in to a loyal Konoha ninja, hoping that a better upbringing will achieve that.

"Children must be taught how to think, not what to think."

Kakashi looked over at the raven haired male beside him, he looked troubled about something, he always was he supposed. Reaching over to run a hand through his black strands the copy ninja caught the brooding Sannin's attention.

"It should have worked," Orochimaru said throwing golden eyes at his lover with annoyance.

"You'll get it eventually," Kakashi replied.

"That's not true. I could very well die before I make my break through," Orochimaru said back.

"You don't have a high track record of dying," Kakashi joked back as he moved away from the log they sat on in the warm clearing of grass. The sun was warming the area and it was making the copy ninja rather lazy, he sighed when he realized the other would certainly never find himself looking to be still for even a moment. The Sannin was calm, but he had energy. He had too much at times.

"Neither does anyone still living technically," Orochimaru retorted as he watched the others movements calculatingly. "Had a rough day?"

"Just tired, the usual," Kakashi replied as he settled on to the grassy field his arms crossed under his head. He looked up at the clouds passing over the sky and breathed out calmly. Life was stressful as a ninja, it was certainly a much nicer feeling being able to remain at ease.

"Perhaps I simply missed a step," Orochimaru said as his mind jumped back to his original issue. "I'll see you tomorrow. I'm going to go try again."

"Must you experiment on yourself Oro-chan?" Kakashi asked looking over at his lover, the feminine other now upside down in his sights. Orochimaru nodded.

"Of course, how else am I to do it," he said. "Don't worry, I'll meet you here same place same time. If I don't come then you can worry."

"That makes me feel so much better," Kakashi said with a slightly unimpressed stare.

"It's the best I can offer you my dear," Orochimaru said, he got up from his position and elegantly swooped over to the larger man, dropping to one knee gracefully he pecked his lover on the forehead before moving towards the thicker part of the woods.

Kakashi allowed himself to stay in the sun for a few more minutes, he supposed if the Sannin was going back to work he should be doing the same. Then again, the serpent only ever had two modes, work or… now that he thought about it… that was it. He was an over achiever and he was determined to get done what needed doing. Ambitious wasn't a good enough word to describe it for that matter. He sighed before lifting his still lazy form from the ground, turning back to the great fire nation. He had to check up on his genin anyway, they were all trouble.

Sasuke had something buried deep inside him, and that made him something the copy ninja needed to check on. At the same time Sakura was so in awe of the boy she would do anything he said, it brought about its own risks. Then there was Naruto. He didn't need to explain why the fox child was trouble. He picked up his pace and headed to the village, he had recently been given his team, they had just succeeded in their challenge of retrieving the bells. They would be going on missions with one another sooner than they realized. Naruto would undoubtedly complain about its low rank, despite the fact that he was hardly a stand out prodigy. The gates of his home came in to view and he ducked around people as he made his way through the busy streets. Then he heard the sound he dreaded the most.

"Beat it you brat!" the man yelled, then the blond boy came racing around the corner with something stolen in his mouth. Kakashi raised one hand effortlessly and caught the out of control boy. Naruto yelped and dropped the piece of dango he had tried to escape with.

"Kakashi-sensei!" He moaned loudly, he had always been impressed with the man's natural abilities and looked up to him, but he never appreciated his illegal doings being stopped.

"Kakashi, sorry for inconveniencing you," The man stumbled over his words.

"It really is no problem," Kakashi said casually as he watched Naruto defeatedly hand the item back to the man. The stall was only a few steps behind them and the copy ninja moved over to it before picking up a new dango stick. He paid for two despite only taking one, the stolen stick was on the floor and no longer able to be eaten. Kakashi handed a new one to the blond child after paying for both the accidental purchase and the one he was giving to the orphan.

"Thanks Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto said happily, it seemed to mean a bit more to the genin than it should have. Almost as if the sentiment behind receiving something out of another's care was worth more than the pricey treat itself.

"Don't steal again," Kakashi warned. "That's not how true shinobi do things."

"I won't," Naruto said, he wanted to follow him but then he decided he would probably mess up his new found bond with his new found mentor. Kakashi wouldn't have minded, he was more interested in maintaining his teams morale than in catching a few quiet moments. He watched the blue eyed boy dart off in to the village, he had too much energy as well. It was almost as if the copy ninja could not get away from the demanding members of society.

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"Orochimaru-sama," Kabuto called as he walked through the dimly lit base, he had spoken to the other male hours before, he knew he worked for long sessions at time but even now he decided he would check up on the Sannin. He pushed the door open knowing full well the serpent wouldn't be awfully impressed with the interruption. However the room was empty, to make matters weirder there seemed to be broken vials littering the floor where someone had either been attacked or had lost their mind. Kabuto pushed his glasses back on to his face and stepped fully in to the room.

"Orochimaru-sama?" he asked almost irritably. There was always something happening when the Sannin was involved. He never managed to catch a break it seemed, he breathed out and looked around the room for something to make sense of what was around him. It was completely empty so he left to sense for where the powerful rogue was. The base, he found out, was as empty at the room.

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Orochimaru stumbled through the forest, he couldn't describe how he felt. Physically he could perhaps, but the emotions running through his head was too much to explain in simple words. He had realized he was in danger the minute he heard the silver haired man call to him. Sama. It would be a joke to call him that when he was so young, he needed to go to someone he trusted. He had only been with the copy ninja for a year, he wondered if that was enough time to base his trust off. He raced across the water that lay ahead of him, he got over the first few steps but then one of his feet broke through the water. He caught himself moments before he completely submerged, he stood up again. He was half wet now and he looked at the unsettled water, his own reflection gazed back. His young features, he looked twelve. And since he had always looked younger for his age he looked even more pitifully young. He brushed his long hair out his face, it was a lot longer now that he had aged down from his original form. When he was twelve years old before it came down just past his shoulders, now it passed his waist. It splayed around him gracefully as he sat on the top of the water and looked at himself. His golden eyes stared at the unnatural reflection somewhat lost, he wanted to be young again, but not that young. He had overdone his experiment, he had messed up to the point of no return. He had spent hours in his lab trying to undo it but now he knew that wasn't possible.

He felt the need to simply sit there and sulk, to wait for someone else to come along and tell him what he needed to do. Adult supervision? He snapped himself out of it, he may look like a child but he wasn't one mentally. Despite what he said he knew that wasn't entirely true. He had aged himself down meaning his mind was theoretically that of a twelve year old. Even though his memory was not altered his way of thinking certainly was. He picked himself up and continued towards the field, it was early, he would be there when the clearing was dark. He would sleep under the stars he decided, as he did not want to risk going back to the hideout. He didn't know what Kabuto would do when he discovered his leader was now completely powerless. There were too many opportunities lying in apprehending the weakened Sannin. He reached the opening of vast grass and walked to the log. He slumped down against it and tried to see how his chakara was handling the change. It felt stable and he had no issues controlling it. What he did notice however was it seemed less potent, it felt as if he had less to use, the amount his small form could handle now limited.

He sighed and looked up at the moon shining down on his pale features, his porcelain skin shone straight back up at it. The clothes he wore were too big and they drowned him with the overly long sleeves and billowy openings. The purple ribbon he had decided to leave behind. It wasn't practical, he was a small adult, feminine in stature, as a child he was that much smaller. He looked awfully fragile he admitted, he then wondered if he could manage the same abilities he could when he was an adult. He got to his feet to attempt a few of them. He felt lighter, which was fun to play around with. Other than that however he felt less in control of his movement. He flipped around the area testing out his skills, his serpents obeyed him without question. They could tell he was changed, but that did not alter their will to help him in battle. Besides, he had made the contract with them when he was far younger than twelve. He grew tired quicker than he would have in his adult form, so he sat back in the grass to rest. A large python slipped over his lap as it curiously inspected him.

"I messed up," he stated aloud. He wasn't sure it was because he wanted to actually inform the summoning that could not reply, or if he wanted to make sure he truly realized what he had done. Feeling overwhelmed he drew his legs to his chest and hugged his arms around them before burrowing his face in the material. The snake moved off him when he moved abruptly and then circled his shoulders. He let his golden eyes peer out from his hidden posture to see the snakes uncaring eye. It didn't see the complication, it figured the Sannin was still able to walk, talk, breathe and eat. In its eyes he had nothing to complain about. Usually he would not allow himself to wallow in self pity, he lacked the ability to control himself in this form he realized. The cold air blew past and he shivered violently in the harsh weather. He wondered if perhaps he shouldn't rather go to the copy ninja himself. Instead, since he feared the villagers seeing him, he chose to send a messenger snake. He went to a tree and retrieved his Kusangi, in his smaller form the prospect of a snake slipping from his mouth freaked him out. He opted to never sheath his sword in the same manner, he would do it the normal way. The blade was heavy in his hand, the powerful metal now too much for him. He let it fall to dust upon command as he had done thousands of times.

He would rely on normal weaponry until he turned back he decided, he took out a kunai and used it to slice off a thick piece of bark. He then carved the words of his location and signed his name on it. Hopefully the man would know what to do and would come immediately. He gave the message to a serpent which would make quick work of the forest, it instantly sped off to do as told. He went back to the log he had moved away from and then deciding he felt too vulnerable in the open he climbed a tree and sat in its branches. He was hidden in the leaves as he sat waiting for the other to arrive, he would make certain it was him before emerging. Time passed and for a fleeting moment the boy wondered if the other would ever come. Finally a figure appeared in the clearing, he had a rather tense disposition, he was likely worried. Hopping out the tree the boy rushed over to him. Kakashi drew a kunai when the figure approached. He was expecting to see the shadowy form of the Sannin, who was taller than his childhood self. Kakashi slashed his kunai down when the boy arrived by him, he had the blade stop just before slipping through the flesh of his neck. Orochimaru yelped and fell before the man.

"Stop-it's me-don't," Orochimaru blurted out in a small voice.

"Orochimaru?" Kakashi said in confusion, the golden eyes were unmistakable. The boy got to his feet somewhat gracefully despite his young size. His long hair blew in the wind and a small shiver raced down his spine. "What happened?"

"I messed up with my experiments," he said shyly. He didn't understand why he felt so inferior now, he had reverted back to his child self completely. He lacked his usual confidence, he lacked his assurance in his words. As it stood he almost felt slightly threatened by the copy ninja. He knew the man well, they knew one another well, but the power balance was gone. The white haired Jonin was weaker in terms of jutsu compared to the Sannin, but in physical size he was far more competent. Now he beat the boy in both, it was unbalanced, he was at his complete mercy. Orochimaru looked down his bright eyes averted from the others stare. Kakashi didn't know how to react, he checked the field for something to go off. He then ran a hand through his hair as the moonlight bounced off it.

"How can I help?" He asked. The boy threw expecting eyes at him.

"I was hoping you would know," Orochimaru said. Kakashi then realized his dilemma. The child was looking for guidance as younger ninja often did, generally it was the serpent who issued commands. Now it was very different, he didn't know what to do and he lacked the confidence to make decisions.

"We can try undo what's done," Kakashi said. "Where is your lab?"

"I don't know if it's safe there," Orochimaru said honestly. "Kabuto may not be as willing to help me."

Kakashi watched him wearily, he could bring him back home but that was one of the biggest risks he could think of. Everyone would want him dead if they found out the infamous rogue was so terribly vulnerable. He couldn't help but wonder if they would bring themselves to actually harm him when he appeared the way he did. He looked up with bright innocent eyes, shy and subdued before a fight had even been initiated. He wondered how such a meek boy would grow in to the cold calculated rogue. Then he realized it made complete sense, the world had treated the kind and willing child badly, it had made him forced to change, it had made him grow cold to adapt to the outside weather.

"I'll take you back to my house for now, we can work out what to do from there," Kakashi said as he watched the boys tentative movements. He was so different now, his small size and timid nature almost made the copy ninja compelled to carry him home, almost thinking if he walked too much he may very well break. Since the boy still had his memory he decided not to, the rule went that the younger the snake the more unpredictable. Kakashi started walking and the boy followed seamlessly. He had no hang ups following it appeared, the Sannin generally preferred to either be beside the man or in front of him, he had a strange habit of taking control in a lot of manners, but now he was easily playing in to the follower role.

They did not walk through the gates, there were guards positioned there for all hours of the day. He snuck him over the high wall, he expected to see the boy fail as the copy ninja's team seven genin often did. At their age controlling themselves to the extent of a true ninja was not possible. But glancing back over his shoulder he noticed the pale boy had no issues meeting him at the top, it then dawned on the man that the Sannin, all three of them, had started training at the young age of six years old. He was double that age and so would most likely be rather advanced in his techniques. It was no wonder he was still able to meet a high standard of jutsu. Kakashi leapt down the other side all the while throwing protective eyes over his shoulder. Orochimaru did not miss a step as he walked exactly where the other placed his feet. He looked like a yearling deer, sticking as close to the adult figures side as it placed one uncertain foot after the other inside the older figures footprints. When Kakashi stopped moving the boy threw curious and trusting eyes at the man, waiting to see why they had stopped and never once truly questioning his motives for doing so. They got to his door and he opened soundlessly to make sure no neighbouring ninja came to check up on his early morning departure. They switched the lights on and closed the curtains so no one could see them but so that they could fully see one another.

Orochimaru still had a guide me expression on his face, one he wore so well and yet never used to wear at all. His golden eyes moved across the room, he never visited the copy ninja in his home as he was an enemy to the nation. This was his first time inside, he jumped and skittered away when something moved behind him. Pakkun was the first dog to show himself as he sniffed the boy, he wasn't fooled, he knew it was the infamous rogue and not the lost child he appeared to look like.

"Kakashi what is this?" the dog asked with half closed eyes.

"It's him as I'm sure you know. We need to find a way to make him return to normal," Kakashi said.

"How did it happen?" Pakkun asked.

"In his lab, he was doing an experiment I presume," Kakashi answered after noticing the shy boy was not about to do so for himself.

"Then there will only be one way to undo it," Pakkun stated honestly. "You'll have to go back to your lab and reverse the chemical that made you that way."

"He can't go back. He doesn't think Kabuto or any of the other members of his village will listen to him," Kakashi said. They were all rogues, most had an undying loyalty, but they were as unpredictable as the snake Sannin had been when he was his usual self.

"Then don't go back to your lab, use one of the many in Konoha," Pakkun said.

"We'll be seen," Orochimaru said slightly worriedly, black strands had curtained his young face but never managed to shield the light of his eyes.

"Not much we can do about that I'm afraid," the dog said bluntly. "You'll just have to be careful. If no one sees you you'll be on your way back home in no time… that is if this can be undone at all."

"We have a few hours before light," Kakashi said. "If we want to get away unseen we should go now."

He turned his lights off and opened the door, he didn't enjoy being in the laboratories, they had a sense of illegal doings even in the watchful eyes of Konoha's laws. They made their way back out in to the city, the small dog deciding to accompany them to make sure he would sense another ninja coming dare they arrive. He didn't have much care for the Sannin, but he owed his master every bit of help. That, and looking at the boys helpless disposition made him feel compelled to get it all over with. He didn't need the guilt trip of the small shinobi. They reached the labs and as suspected Jonin littered the front doors to make sure random people did not simply walk in. There were even a few ANBU ninja keeping an eye out for unwelcomed guests. Orochimaru stuck close to the others side, he knew what lay in those halls. The men would not wait for a command to kill him, but perhaps there was one person he could go to for help. It was most peoples last call for help, as there wasn't a soul alive who trusted the man. But the Sannin had grown up by him, he had worked for him, the man owed the boy. It wasn't a guarantee he would honour that, but it was the best he could do.

"We could ask Danzo for help," Orochimaru whispered, small hands tugging on the man's sleeve. Pakkun gave him a look of disgust, the copy ninja one of confusion. He was forced to elaborate. "He owes me, I used to help him and besides, I know things he doesn't want others to know. He couldn't expose me without exposing himself."

"Are you sure Oro-chan?" Kakashi asked. The boy nodded and for a moment his old assurance passed his slitted eyes. Taking it as a cue to listen the Jonin went to the gates and requested the leader speak to him, the ninja were not suspicious, Danzo was in all natures shady. Unexpected visits were no longer unexpected. Two of the ANBU shinobi slipped inside the building until a painful ten minutes later they returned with the bandaged up man. Why he was up and about was of no concern to the copy ninja, he knew the man preferred working in the darkness. It screamed future issues but it was not his job to come about trying to change that.

"Can I speak to you in private Danzo-sama?" he asked. He did not for a second respect the man, but he respected the system and that called for him issuing a proper title.

"You may. Leave us," Danzo said, the shinobi around him did not appear happy leaving their leader without any means of protection, but they obeyed him silently. Once they were gone Kakashi looked behind him to call the boy out form hiding. Orochimaru slipped out of his hiding place and came to stand by the copy ninjas side, the dog dismally followed as he glared at the oldest shinobi. Danzo did not show expression, but a moment of utter confusion passed his face.

"Who is this boy?" He asked.

"It's me," Orochimaru said honestly, his young voice could not demand respect and so he didn't try.

"I didn't know you wished to remain so young Orochimaru," Danzo said trying to remain formal.

"I didn't and I'd like your help getting back to normal," Orochimaru said, he struggled to meet eyes with the man. He didn't like it, his old pride wanted to resurface but new anxiety replaced it and suffocated the possibility entirely.

"For old times' sake I suppose," Danzo murmured. He then turned sharply towards his lab as he somewhat rudely gestured for them to follow. They did as they had no room to start barking orders, they needed him and he did not in any way need them. Orochimaru seemed to recognise the places they were, although he kept quiet about it and still made no move to take a leading stance of matters. Kakashi could only assume the adult him was dying inside of the new him who had taken his own body hostage. It must have been strange to be controlled by his weaker self. They got to a room where Danzo told them to be seated, he then only asked for the Sannin to come with him. The copy ninja wouldn't trust the man with his own life let alone the boys.

"I'll come too," Kakashi insisted.

"If you want my help I suggest you do as I say. I will not tolerate you nosing through my business, be seated," Danzo snapped with a fixed gaze holding the younger man to his spot. The copy ninja looked at the boy but he did not appear too nervous going alone with the elder. Knowing Kakashi was scared for him the boy smiled in his usual slightly shy way.

"I'll be fine," he said in his small voice.

They left the white haired Jonin behind to his dismay, the dog was more than happy no longer following the man he detested, he wanted to merely get everything over with so that they could leave. Time almost seemed to stand still, and it was no wonder, before they knew it the sun was starting to rise. Along with the sun the copy ninja's nerves and worry also arose, where was the boy, what was taking so long? Finally the door opened, but the boy looked troubled and almost emotionally wounded when he came out.

"Nothing is working I'm afraid," Danzo admitted. "We can try again, but I will have people in and out my labs for the next few days. In that time we must find a way to safe keep him."

"How can we do that? He can't hide in his own base and someone is bound to see him here," Kakashi said.

"I don't know, pass him off as someone else," Danzo said. "Tell the Third you found him injured somewhere and took him in, Do what you will, but I do not recommend trying to hide him. Plain sight can often be the way to go about things."

"Pass him off as whom? Not exactly the most plain looking boy we could have stumbled upon," Pakkun said. "Yellow eyes and purple markings, long black hair, pale skin. Everyone will find out."

"I don't think anyone will guess he is the Sannin himself. Perhaps you should pretend he is the child of Orochimaru. That's more plausible," Danzo offered. Kakashi thought it over.

"Will Hokage-same not know he looks too much like he did when he was a child? Surely children don't look identical to their parents to this degree, it may be less plausible," Kakashi admitted.

"Change his hair, give him proper clothes and perhaps he won't look like a spitting image. It's been a while since Hiruzen has even seen the boy. He may not notice it to be overly similar," Danzo said, he checked over at a clock and seemed edgy to leave. "We can try this again in a week's time let's say. Until then do not disturb me, I will find you if I find a way to undo this."

Kakashi watched the man lead them out, he wasn't pleased with the idea. It had thousands of risks attached and he did not want to risk the boys life hiding in plain sight. He was out of other plans and he understood what Danzo had meant about it being impossible to keep him hidden when every land held a threat in it. Not to mention Kakashi had genin to look after, he would have to leave the boy alone at times and that sounded like the worst plan he could think of. Danzo did not stop once they reached the exit, Kakashi wondered where the man was leading them. Since it was early hours few people were around if any and they were too busy to pay attention to the ninja. He eventually noticed that the copy ninja wasn't catching on to his plan, and how should he have, the man gave no inclination as to what it was.

"I'm going to Hiruzen to tell him who we found," Danzo said. "You should go make him slightly different to how he used to look, then meet me in his office."

"Of course," Kakashi said, as if the plan had been established beforehand. He took the boy in to a store that had just opened, he made him wait outside where the woman at the desk could not see him but where the copy ninja himself could causally glance out the window to check what size the boy would need clothing wise. He took a few moments before taking a lilac kimono off the rack and placing it on the desk with a black rope to tie it closed. It had spiralling markings that looked similar to the positioning of snakes. Perhaps that was why he chose it.

He left the store the woman giving him a curious look, she knew the man as he was well respected, she also knew he did not have children of his own. She must have thought it a gift and she handed it to him with a smile. He exited the store and handed the attire to the boy who held on to it until they got home where he moved in to a different room to put it on. He came out feeling even more strange than he had, that dissatisfied look was held truthfully on his young face. Kakashi refrained from laughing at his border line pout, it wouldn't do the boys pride any justice, not that he seemed to be displaying any of that past pride at all.
"Right, your hair," Kakashi said marking off the errands as a checklist in his head.

"I don't trust you with my hair," Orochimaru said.

"Can't take you to a professional. They might notice it's you," Pakkun said. Orochimaru gave the copy ninja a troubled expression, almost pleading the man to think of something else. Since he couldn't Kakashi tried to convince him. He didn't realize the boy was less than keen on putting up a fight, so when he tried to guide him to a chair he simply obeyed somewhat sadly. It had Kakashi feeling much worse, he was used to the other being up for any challenge, he would make his mind up and that was that. It would take a lot more than a simple hand movement to make him obey. Now he did so too quickly, subdued within seconds. The young boy sat on the chair with easily noticeable tension, his yellow eyes full of apprehension. The copy ninja decided he may not be the man for the job after all.

"What are you doing?" Pakkun asked with a suspicious glint in his gaze.

"Maybe we can just tie it up differently. There will be no need to cut anything," Kakashi said, the worried boy seemed to be less nervous now that plans had changed. His small hands lay in his lap as he watched Kakashi scan his apartment. He certainly had nothing he could use to tie up or do anyone's hair, his was short and he did not have any females or long haired males living by him. He sighed and then asked the two to wait for him before disappearing out the room. When he returned he had a small bag in hand which almost seemed awkwardly carried, he put it on the chair beside the Sannin.

"Where'd you get that?" Pakkun asked sniffing it. He knew once he had caught the scent. "Stealing from your own genin?"

"I didn't steal it, I asked her permission," Kakashi said.

"What did she think of her full grown teacher asking for hair equipment?" Pakkun asked, he never looked amused.

"I said I needed it for a friend," Kakashi replied.

"And she believed you. Sakura isn't stupid, she is going to be questioning you the entire training session," Pakkun said with a yawn, he then watched as Kakashi tried to grasp what he would need to do. Orochimaru wanted to let him take the reins, but it was painfully obvious it was not his forte.

"I can do it," Orochimaru said, he knew when he was younger he had shoulder length hair that simply hung down loosely.

Now that he had hair down to his waist he knew he already looked different, he took a hairband and tied some of it up behind his head so that it hung down in a tail like manner. Some if it still hung around his face framing his innocent features. Kakashi admired how efficient the boy was, he still had an air of knowing what he was doing even though he did not want to do it himself if given the chance. They headed to the Hokage's office and the boy could feel his body tense once again nervously. What if he was found out? What if his teacher would want him dead? What if he didn't want anything to do with him, and ignored the fact that he was pretending to be his own child and decided to rather kill him anyway? They reached the doors, many eyes fell to him when they walked, not many recognised him but the few that did wouldn't stop staring. They headed up the long staircase until they reached the large door which almost had the boy turning away. It was strange, as that same door used to be a safe haven in his younger days. Kakashi could see he was hesitant.

"I won't let anything happen Oro-chan," He said.

With the comforting words the boy ducked in closely behind the copy ninja. He met eyes with Danzo who looked calm as usual, then back to the man at the desk. Hiruzen held a warm expression.

"Come in," He said the smile still held to his lips. "I'm Hiruzen, protector of the village. For so long as you stay with us, you have my protection too."

Orochimaru felt eased at his kindness, he knew Hiruzen was at the very least fond of children. If he hadn't acted in utter concern it was unlikely he believed the boy to be a threat. The boy nodded with a lack of words.

"How old are you- Oro-chan was it?" He looked at Kakashi, he must have heard him say it. Maybe it was for the best, he hadn't thought of a name. Orochimaru seemed once again reluctant to reply so he allowed Kakashi to step in.

"He has forgotten all his memories. We took to calling him that until he remembers," Kakashi lied. The Hokage nodded.

"Do you remember your age?" Hiruzen asked calmly.

"I think I'm about twelve," Orochimaru said honestly, it wasn't a lie, he didn't know exactly how old he was since it was by the hands of his mess up.

After a few more questions, most of which the Sannin assumed Hiruzen only asked out of pure curiosity, Kakashi made his long awaited request.

"I would like to take him on to my team if I may," Kakashi said. "All the teams are full, and he has more than enough talent to be on a squad. He will get bored working with the ninja his age, and that isn't safe given his background. Not to mention we need to keep a constant watch on him for obvious reasons."

"How will you handle four genin? One of which holds the Kyubi much to your knowledge; the other an Uchiha, being the last of his clan. I feel you're already in over your head," Hiruzen said with some concern echoing his words.

"A power balance," Danzo interrupted. "After all having one troublesome member on the team can lead to bullying, which is prone at this age. If there are three strong fighters the odds are there will be no room for side picking or for over stepping lines."

"Sakura-chan may be out of her depth then," Hiruzen said.

"You underestimate her," Kakashi said honestly. "She will help me keep order over the boys."

The memory of Tsunade passed through the old mans thoughts, truth be told if she was anything like the blond girl the boys would most certainly be the ones out of their depth no matter what demons lurked inside them. He nodded.

"All right, I will allow it for so long as it works. Redo the bell challenge to assess how the dynamics of the team will work practically. I will give your team a mission only once everything is confirmed to be sorted," Hiruzen said. Kakashi thanked him, he knew that would be much to Naruto's dismay, he wanted action, he was done training he had proclaimed. The other genin teams would be leaving on missions while he would be redoing a past exercise. It would be no small challenge to convince him it was required.

"Thank you Hokage-sama," Kakashi said. "I will keep you updated."

"Please do," Hiruzen said, he allowed the boy and the copy ninja to leave but stopped them at the door with his final words. "And Oro-chan, if you need anything at all, I am your Hokage. Don't hesitate to ask. I am more forgiving than you may think, and if I may be given a chance to prove that don't think twice about coming to me."

"Thank you Hokage-sama," The boy said his young voice rather confident when confronting the man. Perhaps he still did not feel as if he should fear his teacher, he fell back in to his past self, trusting the man who had practically raised him when he was orphaned.

"How do you think the genin will treat him?" Danzo asked.

"This years group is untainted by war and holds more compassion than any of the others. Let it be so that he is finally accepted," Hiruzen said.

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"No! I did it once I'm not doing it again!" Naruto said. He then felt something hard hit him and he sulked a look over at the pink haired girl.

"There is a reason idiot. Let Sensei finish," She snapped.

"Were we not supposed to go on a mission today?" Sasuke asked.

"Things have changed. We have a new edition to the team," Kakashi said, that earned all the genins attention.

"But we already have the maximum amount," Sasuke said.

"The standard is three, but today we made an exception. He is a year younger but he holds more skill than a genin," Kakashi said. "he needs to pass the chunin exam as all of you do, which means he has to fall a part of a team. Our team was allocated this."

"Who is he? Another boy? Can't we have a girl?" Naruto said, he seemed eager to meet the new person his moods much like that of a puppy. His honesty in his emotions were plain to see from miles away, his voice never masking any of that feeling either.

"He is a boy yes," Kakashi said, "Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, this is Oro."

Orochimaru entered the training field once he had been summoned by the other man. His long hair elegantly danced behind him in the wind as it trailed down his back. The other members took a moment to actually believe what their eyes were showing them. The golden slitted eyes held them momentarily captivated.

There were few genin who had anything that screamed different, but this boy was notably in every way unique to the other children. Markings were normal, but the slitted yellow in colour eyes were very much not, he looked a lot like a girl and the pale complexion he had made him look that much more like porcelain.

"Are you human?" Naruto said without thinking. He hadn't meant it rudely of course, he was not rude by nature, bratty and unruly, but not unkind. Sakura seemed to be awaiting an answer almost also asking the question in her own silent way while Sasuke seemed disinterested in the trivial fact and rather wondered what skill the new addition held.

"Naruto," Kakashi warned. He wouldn't have expected it from the blond boy but he supposed he should have. Comments such as those rolled off the long haired boys back, after all people had asked him that question to death. He had meant to reply in his usual nonchalant way indicating he really didn't care what they thought, but his voice betrayed him. Once again the inner child he now was got a say before he did. His voice sounded slightly offended and made no grasp to achieve uncaringness. It was very obvious he had been wounded by the comment but was now trying to pass it off.

"I am human," he said, but it was his voice that gave it all away, his voice and his injured bright eyes that momentarily faded in to something dimmer.

"You're really pretty I mean," Naruto blabbed out, he was trying to rectify his mistake. He had no problems with the others appearance, he was just curious. "I wanted a girl, you pretty much look like one anyway."

He got punched by a merciless force as Sakura's temper flared. He yelped and held his head where he had now sustained damage, she quietly reprimanded him out of everyone else's earshot but the blond seemed rather ready to be good.

"So what are we doing?" Sasuke asked his teacher growing bored with where the conversation was leading. Kakashi looked down at the tempered Uchiha, he had reason to be the bitter boy he was, he had watched his parents and entire clan die by the hand of the one person he trusted the most. It was not an easy upbringing, not that many shinobi got the luxury of a good childhood. His eyes fell to the snake summoner, he most certainly had told the copy ninja a few stories form his past. They were dark, they were sad and they gave him reason to understand why he too became cold to the world. If only people got second chances he mused. The golden eyes boy met his gaze, perhaps some people did. What if changing him back was not possible, but what if a new start was.

"Sensei?" Sasuke said looking mildly disturbed. Kakashi snapped his attention back, he had been wrapped up in his own thoughts, the snake child had tried to read in to those thoughts as the man had been directly looking at him.

"Right," Kakashi said. "We are doing the same as last time."

He outstretched his hand from his pocket revealing three bells. Naruto let out a disappointed sigh and then proceeded to explain his dismay. He had been the one who had been strapped to a log, it had been he who had failed. Then his eyes lit up. Maybe this time he could be the first to attain a bell.

"Let's do it!" Naruto said, switching in almost the same sentence from annoyed to keen.

"Keep that spirit. The person who doesn't get a bell this time will not be allowed on our first team mission. It will be dangerous so only the best of you four will be allowed for the first time," Kakashi said, they then parted ways as the genin were allowed to choose what they would do.

"I'm not getting left behind," Naruto said. "If you get in my way you'll regret it."

He aimed his sentence at the Uchiha. Sakura passed worried eyes but the Sannin spoke first.

"It's not about that. Didn't you do this already? It's about assessing us as a team and how we function. No one will get left behind and the mission we will be put on will be no more dangerous than any of the other genin teams. We need to work together to get the bells so that we pass the exercise," Orochimaru said, Naruto seemed hesitant. "It's about us winning as team, not as an individual."

"But how do we all get a bell?" Naruto asked. "Last time I still got strapped to a log."

"It doesn't matter who has the bells," Sasuke said. "Didn't you hear him? He said it's about how we work as a team."

Orochimaru looked at the Uchiha, he had caught what he was saying but he was still explaining it rather harshly too the other genin who seemed slightly stung by the abruptness.

"You can attain all three bells if you want to," Orochimaru said. "As long as we help you do it we all pass."

"That would make him leader," Sasuke stated. "We are there for resuming the roles of a team where he gets to be in the lead. We should establish a leader among ourselves and then that person can get the bells."

"Why can't I be leader?" Naruto asked annoyed.

"For obvious reasons," Sakura said.

"He won't be leader. None of us will," Orochimaru said looking directly at the Uchiha. "We are letting the best man for the job take the lead. That is how we will do every mission. Whoever is the most suited to succeed will be the driving force of our squad meaning we will always get the best results."

"No team functions without a set leader," Sasuke said.

"Our set leader is Kakashi," Orochimaru said back with challenging eyes. They were bright and almost innocent until he narrowed them, then the young serpent displayed its ability to be a threat.

"I think he is right Sasuke-kun," Sakura said. "Naruto didn't get a bell last time, we already proved we could. Let him get them, no one would ever listen to him anyway."

Naruto pouted in the background, he got what he wanted but not in the way in which he wanted it. Sasuke agreed begrudgingly, pride told him he probably should not have let the annoying demon fox child get his way. They discussed battle strategy and then headed towards Kakashi who had been patiently waiting near the three training logs used for kunai practise.

They were being direct, but their every move worked well with one another. It was a clear display of team work, and they had chosen to be direct as there would be no reason to deny how they were working with one another rather than against one another. That was the point they were trying to make as the four young shinobi attempted to get the bells. As suspected Orochimaru displayed his prowess on the battlefield and greatly outshone the less experienced genin. He had after all the information on fighting the other were just now learning. The other three members of team seven snapped impressed eyes as the pale boy pushed the highly elite copy ninja backwards.

"Don't leave me out of this!" Naruto yelled angrily. He rushed in to steal the bells but Kakashi gave it no attention, after all the pale boy was the threat. He was disappointed, Naruto had gone in to ruin the younger child's strategy, he would in turn only succeed in sabotaging the Sannin. Sakura and Sasuke worked alongside the pale boy, they herded the copy ninja towards his every advance. Still, Naruto was going to ruin their team efforts the Jonin thought. But he was wrong and the pale boy smiled up a fanged grin as he allowed Naruto to use him as a way to get to the teacher. It had been a ruse but the white haired shinobi had not been quick enough to catch it as Naruto attained all the bells in one go. He leapt in the air with excitement.

Kakashi smiled beneath his mask, they had tricked him. They had made it appear as if Naruto was acting off his usual bad sportsmanship when in fact he was the one the copy ninja should have been watching, they had not put their best man up, that would have meant the Sannin would attain the bells, instead they had put their worst member forward so that the element of surprise remained with them. An impressive strategy. They had not forgotten the fact that it boiled down to team work and not the bells themselves.

"Congratulations team seven," Kakashi said. "We will be assigned our mission tomorrow. All of you will be coming with as you displayed a good ability to work with one another. How about we go get something to eat as a reward?"

"Yes!" Naruto said with even more excitement radiating off him. The team headed to the village, Sakura wouldn't leave the Uchiha alone, she hung by his side and muttered just how impressed she was with his skills. Naruto didn't feel left out as he usually did, this time he walked by the Sannin and retold the story of his bell snatching success. Orochimaru humoured him with much experience from his days with Jiraiya. There was no point arguing, and besides, optimism was a good thing to have on a on a team. Kakashi walked behind all four of the smaller ninja, he was content with the end result. He was now set on giving the Sannin a second chance in the village of his old home.

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Danzo and Hiruzen had watched the entire session, the bandaged up man looked over at the Hokage with impressed eyes.

"Well he seems to be working very well with the new team," He said. They had lied to Kakashi, Danzo had told the Third the truth, he had told him it was the Sannin himself and not his child. He did it because he knew the man would find out anyway, he was to in tune with the black haired child. However he knew for a fact that the old man would want to see the boy back under his watchful eye, he would never have the heart to kill him unless it became vital for the village's safety. As it stood he would keep a firm watch on the Sannin to assess his motives, if they could change him, if Kakashi could change him, then he would retire happily. If not, if the Sannin displayed darker motives, the Hokage knew it would be up to him to kill the child he raised. As it stood, Danzo was mightily impressed with the display of comradeship. Hiruzen was not.

"He is still too smart for his own good," Hiruzen said. "he will not fall for the same tricks we use on the other genin, he will ensure neither will his team. What's worse, his very first match he used deceit to win. He even got his team to play along."

"Come now Hiruzen, they would never beat a Jonin playing fairly. They worked well, I think you are reading this wrong," Danzo said. "Children will learn morals after they learn how to fend for themselves. They are selfish by nature, it is the way we survive until we no longer need to rely on such methods."

"We must watch him," Hiruzen affirmed.

"I will do so myself when you cannot," Danzo said. The Third Hokage smiled gratefully. He did not know that the bandaged man had been the cause for his students walk own a dark road in the first place.

Authors note: I hope everyone enjoyed the first chapter! Especially the person this fic is being written for. Thanks for being awesome Vampiredoll666.