I DO NOT OWN NARUTO or any of its characters, they belong to the wonderful Masashi Kishimoto

Fear Will Not Be The End of This

Chapter one

Click click click…click click click….both Flesh and prosthetic fingers stop and hover over worn keys as a deep sigh escapes the owners mouth. A resounding creak fills the quiet room when a tired weight sinks back into a well used office chair, placing Naruto's head in the direct path of sunlight glaring through the open window, basking him in a warmth that only makes him more lethargic. Another long sigh.

"You're beginning to sound like Shikamaru.."

A cerulean orb peaks out of a single heavy lid at its intruder. A silver crow. Leaf headband no longer secured over one eye, characteristic mask concealing his mysterious lower face and very uncharacteristic, comfortable garb draping a hard, lithe body still capable of exerting the power of a man half his age.

"Should a retired Hokage be hopping through a high window unannounced ? It doesn't seem very professional." With a small chuckle and shake of his head Kakashi leaps gracefully to the floor, stepping the short distance to the desk to perch on the ledge facing Konoha's current Hokage, whom has both eyes closed again. "For as long as it continues to be the quicker route, I shall continue to take it… Hokage-sama."

Naruto forces out a chuckle himself and sits up straight, spine popping, to run his real hand through golden locks at a length more reminiscent of his teenage years, the other hand reaching forward to shut the computer down. The scarecrow leans over to tap the top of it with a long slender finger, "all done?"

"Not quite. I stopped because I couldn't remember how to spell eloquent, or if I was even using it in the right context to begin with and now I just don't care at the moment. I'll finish it first thing tomorrow. Shall we?" Naruto sweeps a hand towards the front of the office, "you are coming with us still, right ? You promised Himawari." Kakashi simply nods as they stand in unison and head out the door together but he glances back at the stacks of reports and scrolls, "I don't miss this job."

Laughing, Naruto shakes his head. "It never really suited you…but you were a great Hokage, none the less."

A crinkle of one visible eye lined with crows feet is the only sign of a smile on the older mans face. "Of course I was. I am amazing at everything, Naruto-kun."

"Hai, hai."

The sixth and seventh exit the building together, returning greetings in passing to various civilians and fellow ninja, heading in the direction of the Uzumaki household. After fifteen minutes of companionable silence they reach their destination and enter, only for Naruto to be immediately bombarded by an adorable dark haired girl on a rampage.

Clinging to the front his shirt, Himawari looks up from the height of his waist with watery eyes, the apples of her cheeks red with frustration. "Papa! Boruto-Baka ruined it! Momma's favourite dish…" She lowers her head as her voice starts to wobble, trying to hold back her tears. "It'll take me hours to make it again and we're supposed to leave soon." Boruto comes stomping down the hall as their father starts to pat her head, mouth open and ready to holler out his defence when he notices the former Hokage standing beside Naruto, an amused expression on his face.

"Rokudaime-sama!" Boruto exclaims with a quick bow in Kakashi's direction. He nods in return and Himawari peaks out from where she's buried her face in Naruto's shirt, fixing her older brother with a glare identical to the one her mother reserved only for her greatest enemies.

"Boruto…" Naruto starts but his son cuts him off. " It wasn't my fault! Maybe if she didn't leave that stupid doll laying around, I wouldn't have tripped and knocked everything over!" He declares, crossing his arms stubbornly and sticking his nose in the air. Himawari spins around and stomps her foot. "Well maybe if you stopped walking around with your stupid face glued to your mindless video games you would have noticed the doll!"

Naruto sighs for the umpteenth time that day and pulls his daughter back by the shirt as the siblings start to shake their fists at each other, ready to continue screaming their arguments. He throws a pleading glance Kakashi's way but his old sensei shrugs and puts his hands up, silently declaring not to get involved.

"Enough, you two," Naruto says with a finality you don't question.

"Boruto, you really do need to pay more attention as to where you're walking or I'll take your handheld away. As for you, sweetheart, please don't leave your toys laying around. Understood?" Both children nod, eyes downcast until Naruto looks away, then they quickly stick their tongues out at each other. Kakashi steps forward and squats in front of Himawari. "I'll bet the food would have tasted just as good as when your mother made it. You always have made it very well. But since you don't have time to make it again, why don't we bring ichiraku instead? I know you love it as much as your father does. "That puts a smile on Naruto's face as its one of the few characteristics that his daughter shares with him.

Himawari cocks her head to the side and smiles. "You're for sure coming with us today, Ojichan?" Naruto tilts his head back and laughs as Kakashi hangs his, the title bothers him. "Ma,ma, chibi-kun, I'm not quite fifty yet! Call me something more youthful… Like Nisan!" But she just smiles. He knows she'll keep saying it for as long as it continues to put a smile on her fathers face. "Well," Kakashi starts, standing up," as for your question, Yes I am still joining you today. So let's head out, your fathers had a long day and we have a couple of stops to make on our way to visit Hinata-Sama."

"Hai!"

"Hai!"

The sun is starting to sink low, colouring the sky with pink and orange as Naruto and Kakashi start to pack up their take-out containers, getting ready to leave. It probably seems in distaste to have what is essentially a picnic in a cemetery especially if you're the Hokage but Naruto dotes on his daughter, who looks so much like her late mother that his heart aches and soars at the same time. So if Himawari wants to 'have dinner with her mother' then that's what she gets. The darling girl currently rearranges the flowers they brought, setting them more prettily beside the headstone while Boruto kneels in front, eyes closed, having a silent, private conversation with the memory of his mother.

Four years ago today, Hinata Hyuga-Uzumaki had succumbed to a rare, fatal disease that affected her chakra, slowly draining it out of her body with no way to replenish it eventually taking her life force. Medics from Sunagakure came to try and help Sakura and Tsunade develop a cure or at least a treatment for this rare disease before it killed Her but after months of research and medical battle, it won out. Hinata finally closed her eyes and never opened them again leaving Naruto a widow at the age of twenty eight. Thankfully however, time slowly heals all wounds. Now at thirty two, Naruto has genuine smiles to give to more than just his children. Himawari doesn't cry endlessly for her mother and has learned to cherish the happy memories. Boruto started at the academy and began making more friends over the past few years. He finally stopped acting out, realizing he wasn't the only one hurting and that he needed to grow up and move forward.

As dusk finally settles, Naruto and Kakashi stand side by side watching the children say their final goodbyes for the evening. Feeling a strong hand squeeze his shoulder in silent thanks, Kakashi turns to face Naruto, offering in return as warm a smile as he can give with a mask on. Himawari runs to her dad and grabs his hand queuing the OK to leave and as the foursome stroll out of the cemetery, Kakashi leans in close to Naruto's ear and mutters quietly, "I stole a bottle of Tsunade-sama's finest imported sake." The Jinchuriki doesn't turn to look at him but offers a wide grin in acknowledgement.

Much later that night after both children are well asleep, Kakashi pours his Hokage and himself a third round of sake, thankful that the sunny blonde is a cheerful drinker despite the occasion. They started in the study but are currently situated on the roof. The night is still and warm, not a single cloud in the sky to cover the bright full moon or the billions of twinkling stars.

"Ne, Kaka-sensei…."

Kakashi's stomach does a flip at the use of his old nickname, causing unexpected butterflies and he smiles, "Yes, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto doesn't look at him, glassy blue eyes focused on the beauty above them. "Thank you. For everything. You've been a rock for me…heck, since I was a teenager. One constant –fairly constant- fixture in my life that I can completely..." he finally focouses on Kakashi and holds his gaze, smiling, "well, mostly depend and count on," Naruto says with a laugh and winks at him. Kakashi's stomach flips again and he suddenly finds himself needing to be reassured that the surprising, pleasant warmth rolling like lazy waves though his body is simply an alcoholic effect.

Giggling a little, Naruto continues,"You even took Chibi and The Brat out for private, Toddler Ninja 101 lessons and ramen a couple times a week while I struggled to come into my role as a new Hokage… and recent widower….and you hate kids!"

Kakashi wants to stop him right there. He opens his mouth so he can tell him that he would do it all over again, that he wishes he never had to go through that pain to begin with. So that he, himself would never have to see Naruto, Konoha's brightest light, dimmed, lost and desperate. To watch a single father-an insane responsibility on its own- unable to properly grieve, for having just been inaugurated to lead a village that should seriously be called a city by now. All this went through his head in seconds but before he could reply out loud, a voice calls up from the street.

"You boys started without me! How cruel."

They both lean over the edge to see Sakura standing cross armed with a feigned look of pissyness. An ill concealed smirk pulling at the side of her mouth failing her attempt to seem upset. There's a bottle of rice wine poking out from under her elbow, the glass gleams under the streetlight.

"Sakura chan!" Naruto stands up and waves frantically at her, seeming for all the world seventeen again. The former sharingan user is equally relieved and disappointed at the interruption. In one powerful jump, the pink haired beauty lands gracefully on the other side of Naruto and pulls him in for a loving hug followed by a playful punch that would bruise anyone else.

"I had trouble finding someone to stay with Sarada but then she threw a me sized tantrum about not needing a babysitter and made some pretty good points so I let her win and here I am," she says. Her tongue had stuck out at the mention of letting Sarada win. Sakura doesn't often spoil her daughter but this is a hard date for her to cope through as well so she let it slide. When Hinata passed, Sakura felt like it was her fault for a long time until she was finally able to accept that she tried her hardest and did the absolute best she could in an awful situation. Medic nin are at a complete standstill with that mysterious chakra disease. No treatment options and certainly no cure.

Naruto pulls her down to sit between himself and Kakashi- much to the latter's disappointment which he inwardly curses himself for, wondering what's gotten into himself tonight.

"Sakura-chan, I never have trouble finding a sitter." Smack.

"I wonder if that has anything to do with the fact that I am your sitter."

Their former sensei smiles, glad that the relationship between the two always stays the same. He leans back onto his palms, content to watch the two banter for a while, occasionally grabbing his drink.

"Kakashi-sensei."

"Yes, Sakura-chan?"

"Let me finish off that sake there, then I'll open the rice wine." Kakashi obliges, pouring the last of it into the glass that's been waiting for her the entire time and handing it off. The smile on her face is wide with flashing teeth. A rare site to see. She's only like this with them and her daughter. Even Sasuke doesn't see these smiles, but then again he's not exactly the most chipper person to be around, when he even IS around. Kakashi has never understood what she loves so deeply about him.

After a couple of hours the alcohol is gone, cheeks are rosy and the shared stories are being told at an increasing level in volume, mainly by the younger two. The eldest decides it's time to be the fun police and shut their little session down. After all, Hokage-Sama still has to be at the office bright and early even though Kurama does sober him up quite efficiently.

He gets up and stands behind the two, bending down to rest a hand on each one of their shoulders. "Naruto, Sakura, I think it's time we say goodnight." Sakura pouts but Naruto nods in understanding and stands up.

Thwump. Living up to his label as number one unpredictable ninja, Naruto throws his weight into Kakashi embracing him in a big bear hug, letting a contented sigh escape his mouth. The silver haired warrior shivers when Naruto's breath hits his neck and he very lightly returns the hug then pulls away, a little unsure as to how he's feeling at the moment and confused as to why he's unsure.

After the blonde hugs Sakura good night as well, Kakashi walks her home then returns to his own apartment in a quick puff. Laying in bed, his thoughts focus on trying to figure out when he started possibly feeling something a little different then the normal love he already holds in his heart for the young Hokage. When finally succumbed to sleep, his dreamworld is surrounded by the clearest blue and the brightest yellow.

"Hokage-sama, here are the latest mission reports."

Grumble grumble grumble

"Hokage-sama, don't forget about your meeting with the head of the Free-folk Traders at two this afternoon."

Smile and nod

"Hokage-sama, Hatake Kakashi has requested to join you for the meeting at 2."

Naruto's head shoots up with an instant smile at that statement. "That lazy crow is willing to take precious time off of retirement to go to a meeting with me?"

Shizune gives him an exasperated look, "he IS on the council Hokage-sama. Which means he does in fact work…to an extent."

"That's fair."

"He'll meet you here."

"Thank you."

1:45 P.M.

Village Main Square

Naruto practically bounces along beside Kakashi, looking quite joyous as they browse along through the farmers market set up at Village Square for the weekend, waiting for the free-folk traders to show up. The retired Hokage has donned a traditional Jonin uniform for the occasion, knowing it makes him look more like one to be reckoned with.

The young Hokage keeps stealing glances at his older companion. It's refreshing to see him dressed for action, despite the casual outdoor agricultural business meeting. Kakashi is one of Naruto's favourite Ninja to watch doing his part for his country. It always gets him pumped up and excited observing the former copy nins power and it just works out that he happens to look better than anyone else in the Hidden Leaf outfit. Naruto stops dead at that thought.

Kakashi regards Naruto with a lazy eye, "everything alright?"

The blond cranes his neck comically slow towards him, eyes wide and alarmed. "Yea sensei just fine." the blond head slowly turns back.

I'm just going to store that thought and come back to it later…on my own time.

The villagers are, as always, very eager and happy to stop and chat with the saviour of the Fourth Shinobi War, their beloved young Hokage. Respectful nods are reserved for The Sixth which is absolutely fine by him, he never was one for warming up to people. Always a few steps behind them of course are their ever diligent shadows that only himself and Naruto would be aware of. Speaking of which, one of the silent shadows appears swiftly a hairs width away from Naruto's ear.

"Hokage-sama, Honzo-San is being escorted through the gates now." Naruto nods. The shadow with a mask disappears.

"Why are you interested in attending such a casual meeting Sensei?"

Kakashi doesn't hesitate.

"These free folk as they so call themselves are like gypsies, they travel from land to land,sometimes settling when their groups get a little larger from families being formed, children needing to be raised in one spot. They refuse to be a part of a governing system and feel no allegiance to the countries they live in. They have their reasons and that's fine. However, this means they don't pay taxes even though they feed off the land…"

Naruto nods, he knows all this.

"But since they are very, very talented at what they do it's actually good for the land they're on. They use it efficiently and when they are ready to move on, the land replenishes itself marvellously in the absence of use. And of course they trade or sell their delicious fruit, effective fertilizer, huge vegetables etcetera, etcetera with all of the nearby villages, at a bargain affordable for anyone- therefore they tend to be granted leniency from Leaders." Kakashi takes a breath, they can see Hanzo and his carts, along with two of his people- a beautiful woman and a skinny teenage boy making their way towards them far down the east street escorted by two chunnin.

"Naruto did you know that these people are not fond of Ninja at all? In fact they despise Ninja. They blame the Hidden Villages and us ninja in general for every war, every hateful and bloody thing that's ever happened to the world." Naruto's eyes darken and Kakashi can tell this is news to him.

"There's been rumours…no factual reports yet just very supported rumours, that these free people are involved with drugs and illegal weapons trading as well as human trafficking-" Naruto stiffens, " not just any humans either but people with Kekkei genkai, whether they're active Ninja or civilian it matters not."

Keeping his stare straight ahead at their incoming guests, Naruto's mind reels and he states quietly, more to himself than anything, quite sure Kakashi is already aware of the information that just bingo'd into his head, "one every few years since the end of the war, missing persons reports have been filed ...never from the same country twice in a row but definitely, always from a Hidden Village and always from a clan with a bloodline limit."

"Let's say this is all happening for real, Sensei. What would they be doing with those people? Killing them ? Using them ? The latter makes more sense to me. Kekkei Genkai is very valuable, it gives the user a literal super power…but why would farmers need that kind of power…"

Kakashi interrupts his brain storming.

"We-the council- think that with being so relieved by the peace after the last war and so focused on rebuilding, we've stopped paying attention. Not to the world of Ninja but to the civilians. Forgetting that, even though they aren't as powerful as us physically, that doesn't put them beneath us. If anything there's more civilians than ninja whom are very powerful in a rich and influential sense and there's a chance people like that are a part of this, supporting it financially- greedy Lawyers, corporate business owners. There's a ninety nine percent chance we've overlooked a complex and dangerous civilian underworld that's been building up right under our ignorant noses. Why create something like that if not to make change? I predict that these people are going to use what makes Ninja ultimately special- the power of bloodline limits- to end the world of Ninja. Start a revolution, or try to."

The now somber blond shakes his head in disbelief, trying to take it all in.

"Naruto, we need to make friendly with these people, get them close. This is the first time free-folk traders have come to fire country since before the war. If- when we discover something; I'm quite positive this is all very real, just being covered up incredibly well; you need to call for a meeting with all Kages, make sure they're in the loop."

Naruto nods and wills away the hardened look on his face, revealing a characteristic happy façade. Their guests are only a few stalls away. Thankfully they stopped several times to chat with random sellers.

Hanzo, a weather worn, solid man with big, scarred hands introduces himself and his companions after Naruto and Kakashi welcome them. The boy is Lenny, the well endowed woman with red hair and piercing green eyes calls herself Mina. Something immediately feels off to both Naruto and Kakashi however they continue with the pleasantries knowing the ANBU will also catch on to the tension but hopefully these three have not. An instinctively paranoid part of them doubt that.

Outwardly Naruto is just talking business, but inside…

Naruto….

"Kurama, do you feel this woman's chakra? It's viscious."

Kid…I heard your conversation with Hatake. I've lived long enough to see revolutions start as a simmering thought then boil over into chaos. These people waited over decade to come back to fire country and if they are what you're old sensei says they are and they're starting to be discovered…That could mean they're getting big and starting to making moves. If they were ready to make a statement, going after a Jinchuriki war hero would be a mighty bold and effective way to do it.

If this woman has a Kekkei Genkai… Who knows what it is? Probably something effective against anybody or why even dare present her to you? I say be ready to unleash at any moment.

….i'll tear her heart out for you…

Kurama still gives me the chills sometimes, Naruto thinks to himself, bringing his mind fully to the present, melting away from the kyuubi's domain inside his head.

The group walks leisurely, discussing terms and agreements for Hanzo and his people to farm a large, unowned acreage a few miles away from Konoha for this coming summer and winter and the summer after. Lenny and Mina occasionally stop to barter at a stall that is selling something of interest. As they reach the large round clearing dead centre of the Village Market, all hell breaks loose.

If Naruto had been ten years younger he might have been fooled by Hanzo. A strong and burly rough spoken man on the outside but with a personality Naruto's inner child adores. A passionate hard worker with nothing but praise for the companions that he speaks of with much love and to top it off, a positive determination that is simply admirable.

While this seemingly amazing man was doing an unfortunately good job at pushing the Hokage's –everybody can be a good guy button-there was just no denying the killing intent rolling off of the gorgeous Mina behind Them. It seems Kurama's instincts are right.

Sharp, beautiful green eyes lock onto the blond Hokage with a savage intensity and moving faster than the average eye can see, Mina makes haste for her target. This matters not as the Hidden Leaf ANBU are what they are for a reason, blocking her path with precision speed but what comes next is brutally unexpected.

A Rabbit masked professional executes a perfect combo directly on target and Mina takes it hard, flying into the brick siding of the nearest building, however, an eerieily dark chakra surrounded Rabbit the instant she made contact with the red haired intruder.

Former and currant Hokage, Elite Ninja and civilians all look on in horror as Rabbit's form begins to de-evolve, becoming smaller and smaller as she reverts from woman to teenager, adolescent to toddler than a baby… until she disappears into non-existence. A being who was never born. Just gone. At the same time the ANBU operative has vanished, scrawny Lenny lights a match, arm stretched out towards the Free-folk supply cart.

Luckily the Jinchuriki smells the faint beginnings of reaction between flame and powder before the match makes devastating contact with the altered produce. Abruptly transforming into Nine Tails Sage Mode, the Seventh Hokage immediately produces unrivalled chakra in the form of protective cloaks over any and all compromised by the impending blast.

These split seconds of chaos in which the Seventh Hokage unleashes his power to protect his people, the ANBU, at a loss as to how to effectively subdue Mina- fail grab the Fatal to Touch female as she beelines her way towards Naruto, taking the best opening she'll get...Until an enraged silver haired man blocks her path again, saving Naruto from her lethal touch by seconds. Chidori crackles menacingly on the other side of Mina's punctured shoulder...I missed, she saw me coming...And then her horrible dark chakra ignites around Kakashi's entire frame. The scarecrows wide eyes make contact with Naruto's own shocked expression and the last thing his fogging mind takes in is blue on black pupils shaping into black slits on red and claws protruding from shaking fingers, giving away Kurama's merge into the blondes physical body.

Half beast Naruto doesn't waste a second. Later, when the overworked Hokage would look back on this, he would not remember the moments between meeting Kakashi's eyes as his life was about to be erased, to when he simply stood in the middle of the village square with a heart in his hands and a head laying severed on the ground beneath Sasuke's dripping sword.

Seconds was all it took. Kakashi's form became enveloped in the woman's wretched chakra and Naruto took Kurama up on his offer. As soon as Mina's heart was crushed in his mutated hand Sasuke showed up out of nowhere and took her head clean off her shoulders, just to be sure Naruto would not continue to be affected by the sinister chakra that started to envelope him as soon as his hand ripped her still beating heart from her chest.

Naruto drops the crushed, disgusting red mass to the ground regaining his senses as best he can with the uproar of a terrified community blaring in his ears. The people are already being assured and directed by well trained Jonin and Chunnins. A clean up crew takes care of what is left of young Lenny's body and Medic Nin run around attending to anyone who may not have been protected by their Hokage's chakra. Hanzo is detained by two ANBU. Ignoring the hand that reaches out in an attempt to squeeze his shoulder in reassurance, Naruto flashes away from Sasuke and heads needlessly to Kakashi's body a short distance away. His heart still thunders in his chest despite having analyzed that his Sensei is already trying to sit up and thankfully still the height of a grown man.

He stops, remembers who he is and abruptly turns away from his Sensei to attend to the situation at hand in a way that is expected of him. Already knowing his children are fine and the village under no threat in another location thanks to Nature Mode makes it easier for Naruto to take a much needed deep breath… Until he hears an anguished scream.

Whipping around, Naruto observes Sakura assessing Kakashi, doubled over in crippling pain, holding his left eye, blood creeping out beneath his fingers.

"Kakashi-Sensei!please remove your hands, I need to see!" Sakura-chan's plea borders on uncharacteristic hysteria. The late night does not go unregistered in Naruto's mind and also brings Sasuke's unexpected presence back into light. Sakura is more than stressed out.

The Fox Container again appears quick as lightening to Kakashi, restraining him for her. The slightest gasp and single tear gives away her break in professional code but only to his ears.

" Sensei," she says affectionately, "you're incompatible with the Sharingan at this age and having gone so long without it." She smiles, although sweat wets her brow and Kakashi's breathing is haggard and unregulated from shock. "But it's ok. I'm going to pour chakra into your eye and you'll be just fine."

As Sakura places her glowing hand over the Copy-Nins eye, Naruto places his own on top of hers, adding his chakra to speed up the process.

As the pink super medic pulls away, Naruto notices all the background noise die down and takes a weak mental note that he pretty much tossed all Hokage protocol out the window for one man. He lowers his gaze from the smoking town square to a tuft of surprisingly shiny silver hair, then lower still... and his heart stutters at the hypnotic sight of mismatched eyes on a face carrying the youth of a Sensei he once dropped a chalk eraser on.

Hi guys.

So I'm no writer and this is definitely being done on my phone, in my spare time but I'm having a lot of fun doing it and I hope you and enjoy it!

Thanks for reading :) next chapter should be up in a week.

XOXO

Kat