Looking in the Nooks and Crannies

Summary: Following Orochimaru's attack, Naruto is homeless. Kakashi finds out and does his best to remedy the situation, in the process he learns things about his student he never knew. Sometimes it's the brightest Cheshire grins which hide the darkest truths.

Warnings: None, show level violence. Not canon, not canon at all. I try to keep the characters in character though. I haven't watched all of the anime or read all of the manga.

A/N: I'm super excited to post this! I don't know why but I love a parental Kakashi taking care of Naruto. Anyway, don't judge too hard. No bashing, but I'll try to be realistic.

Naruto frowned, his momentary displeasure mashed in confusion.

"Nani?!" Naruto exclaimed, jumping up.

Kakashi looked down at his student.

"You cost your team half the pay for this mission, in return, you have to give up your pay to them, it's only fair, Naruto."

It was a repeated statement. Naruto's eyes widened, mouth opening and his blustering outrage seeming to swell to bursting point, Kakashi winced, preparing himself for his student's loud outburst, but it didn't come. Kakashi was relieved, if slightly confused, as he watched his student deflate, going from eruptive anger to a sort of meek sheepish state.

"Ah, hai Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi eye smiled in relief at Naruto's acceptance and the abnormal honorific. Kakashi tilted his head toward Naruto's teammates. The Uchiha and rosette were leaned up against the wall outside the missions office, Sakura fuming, loudly complaining about their mission and blonde comrade while Sasuke ignored her, gazing out at the Konoha horizon, haughty air of disparagement being pointed at the buildings back dropped by the steep Hokage cliff.

Kakashi watched Naruto approach the two, Sakura springing from the wall to screech unpleasantries before pounding Naruto in the head. The violence ceded once Naruto got a word in, hands offering up his own pay. Sakura seized hers with righteous fury, stomping away while Sasuke took the money cooly and hopped from the roof. The lesson now learned by the blonde, Kakashi sprang away, leaving Naruto to turn and face the empty space.

Kakashi stepped nimbly back into the missions room. Ever since Orochimaru's attack and the Third Hokage's death, work had been piling up. Kakashi had been working to make sure his little genin were exhausted by monotonous and numerous D-rank missions. It was complicated to say the least, the village in absolute chaos. Kakashi had it the worst though, the Uchiha was once again a difficult topic, especially since the Council had discovered the curse mark placed on the boy. It had been a pain in the ass keeping the boy on his team, there were certain ninja such as Mitarashi Anko who believed that the Uchiha should be locked up, even killed in some extreme opinions.

The jinchuuriki was another; very few knew about the display involving the release of the nine tail's chakra, but those that did know were scared. It was a difficult thing to persuade the council to let both children stay active on a team and not be locked up. Sometimes Kakashi wondered if his students realized exactly how much he did for them.

"Hatake-san!"

Kakashi turned, looking at the chuunin. The shinobi blushed, rubbing the back of his head,

"I-uh," the shinobi stuttered.

Kakashi blinked, taking in the nervous ninja before him.

"Your, well," the man went a deep red and then turned very pale.

A few moments passed and then he put an arm out, a formal envelope in hand. Once Kakashi had taken it, the shinobi fled. Kakashi sweat dropped as he watched the chuunin leave. Obviously the Copy-cat nin was terrifying to some ninja.

It was another message from the council. Kakashi tucked it into his pocket with a sigh, already guessing about what its contents were. No doubt another summons about further information gained on Orochimaru, or rather lack of information. That or the council had finally decided on who the next Hokage would be.

Kakashi looked around the mission room, it was empty, no teams lined up waiting to get a mission or give a report. The curtain backing the desk area of the mission assignment was pulled back.

"Oh, Hatake-san, I thought you left with your team earlier?" Tanaka Tomomi had a round pleasant face, a shinobi who had immediately taken on this desk job following her passing the chuunin exam.

She only paused a split second before speaking again, not giving Kakashi time to answer.

"It's perfect though, one of your little shinobi forgot something of theirs."

Tomomi ducked down behind her desk and came back up with a bright orange jacket in hand.

"That Naruto, just the cutest little genin I've ever seen," Tomomi smiled, laughing a little, she wasn't from Konoha originally, she didn't know about Naruto's past.

"You must be so lucky to have your own adorable team of children!"

Kakashi took the jacket, and tried to nod in agreeance. 'Lucky', hah, Kakashi would be lucky to have his little genin be someone else's headache. Turning on his heel, Kakashi stepped out of the office, leaving the plump chuunin behind.

Kakashi looked at the orange jacket for a few moments, considering just hanging onto it till tomorrow and giving it to the twelve year old when the team would meet up. However he realized that he should probably check up on Naruto, make sure the boy wasn't drinking rotten milk again. On top of that, Naruto had taken the Third's death hard. Kakashi didn't coddle, but he was interested in the basic health of the genin he took care of.

He hadn't been to his student's house in a long time, not since he had first become his teacher. Decision made, Kakashi set off across the rooftops. As Kakashi went along, the roofs became dilapidated, the buildings lower and squat. The putrid scent of the ghetto of Konoha drifted up and made Kakashi's lip curl in disgust. Landing softly on the roof of the apartment complex Naruto lived in, Kakashi looked down at the street.

The streets here were littered, many of the non shinobi lived here, those that were poor. It wasn't an ideal place to live. Kakashi landed soundlessly on the window seal of Naruto's apartment. Frowning in confusion he took in the female panties strewn on the ground alongside other articles of clothing. All the plants were gone and posters of famous male actors were pasted on the walls. Kakashi watched as a young adult stepped out of the kitchen, in the middle of tying her long black hair into a ponytail. A young man walked out next, wrapping his arms around her.

Kakashi left, returning to his post on the roof. He stood for a few moments thinking. Naruto hadn't moved, that he was sure of. But Naruto's apartment was now hosting some civilians. Kakashi summoned Pakkun. He wasn't unsurprised to see the annoyed face of his dog turn toward him.

"I need to find Naruto."

There was a strange pause as the dog looked pointedly at the apartment complex, Pakkun knew that this was where Naruto lived. Kakashi however didn't say anything more.

"Whatever you say boss," the ninken scoffed.

Pakkun raised his snout to the air, nose twitching. He gave a low growling yip and sprang from the rooftop. Kakashi followed. Several minutes later the padded feet of the dog met with the ground, a tiny puff of dust rising from the loose, dry dirt that was several hundred yards beyond the river. They were near the bridge leading south out of the village. Kakashi landed a moment later. Pakkun looked up, drooping eyes regarding Kakashi with a dry, inquisitive look. Kakashi however was just as puzzled as his ninken.

Both walked slowly forward until they came to the underneath of the bridge. There was a line strung across two of the high wood beams, several orange jackets and pants hanging on it along with plain black t-shirts. They were Naruto's. Stepping past the clothing, Kakashi saw a small body curled up against the dirt embankment. Around him were a few items Kakashi recognized as Naruto's, dull kunai and shuriken and his nin bag.

Kakashi stooped, picking up one of the kunai. Pakkun meanwhile walked around the campsite, sniffing the various items. It was relatively light, the moon pasted in the sky; a bright, round disc reflecting off the gently running river. It was nearer to being a stream, only ten or so feet across and rather shallow.

Naruto was curled around himself, legs tucked up and blonde head resting on his arms. His tiny breaths disturbed the dirt, making small grains flutter up and fall back down. Right in this area, the dirt was soft and dry, near to being like sand. One of his jackets was draped across his body, but from here Kakashi could see that he was still shivering.

"I thought Naruto lived in the village," Pakkun said hesitantly.

Kakashi stood.

"Hai," he replied softly, eyes stuck on his student's form.

"He's been here for at least a month, I can smell it," Pakkun stated.

It made sense, the Third Hokage had ensured fair treatment for Naruto, after the man's death the council must have pulled Naruto's orphan funding. It wasn't illegal per say, especially as Naruto was technically considered an adult, all shinobi were given that respect. But he was twelve, in a village filled with prejudiced people.

Kakashi crouched down next to his student and placed a gentle hand on Naruto's forehead, just below the metal head guard. Bright blue eyes snapped open and Naruto jerked away from Kakashi, a small scream beginning and then catching in Naruto's throat. Kakashi dodged to the side as a kunai flew past him. Naruto was scrambling backwards, eyes wide with terror and limbs shaking.

Kakashi held up his hands in placation. Naruto froze, breathing heavy and eyes glazed over.

"Kaka-sensei?" Naruto whispered hoarsely.

Kakashi eye smiled and nodded his head. Naruto nodded, eyes flickering from the surroundings and back to Kakashi as he tried to ground himself in reality. His eyes cleared but he didn't relax any, instead tensing even more.

Naruto seemed like he wanted to say something, opened his mouth-lips trembling-and then shut it with the click of his teeth against each other. He gave a tiny shake of his head and stared at the ground.

Kakashi opened his mouth to speak but found the words died on his tongue as those bright blue orbs turned up at him. Pakkun padded over, nuzzling Naruto's arm.

"Hey, kid," Pakkun gruffly said.

Naruto smiled, a hand reaching out to pat the ninken. Pakkun smiled wistfully, allowing the genin to pet him. The distraction gave a levity to the situation which both teacher and student appreciated.

"Trying to get the best fishing spots before everybody else?" The ninken joked.

Naruto gave a weak smile and shook his head 'no'.

"Naruto."

Naruto looked up at his teacher's voice.

"What are you doing out here?"

Naruto's eyes darkened with shame and he lowered his head, shaking it.

"Sutomo-san raised my rent, and I haven't been making enough with our missions or at work, I just-I don't work hard enough at, if I was a better ninja…" Naruto trailed off, tears forming in his eyes but not falling.

Kakashi exchanged a confused look with Pakkun, work? Surely the only work Naruto did was on his team as a shinobi. Naruto shook his head as Pakkun climbed onto the child's lap allowing Naruto to wrap his arms around the ninken and bury his head in the short fur.

"Gomenasai," Naruto said, pulling back from Pakkun and wiping at his eyes.

Pakkun licked Naruto's nose, an uncharacteristic action from the usually serious ninken.

"There's nothing to be sorry about, Naruto," Kakashi reassured, looking at his student in a level, calm manner.

Naruto didn't seem to listen to him, head still ducked in shame. Kakashi tried to smile, an ineffective thing which didn't reach his eyes and only creased the masked curve of his lips. Kakashi had never imagined his student was homeless, it was depressing to look around the area and realize it was well organized and smoothed with use; it meant Naruto was used to this, used to being homeless. Kakashi didn't consider himself the best teacher, he was notoriously lazy and had the natural inclination to be unempathetic. This however left him thinking that he had made a grievous error concerning his bright, oblivious student. It seemed that such cheshire grins that grew on the child's face distorted a reality of neglect and abuse.

Everyone had either looked at Naruto with hate or through those ever useful rose-colored glasses which helped ignore the fact that beneath the strength of a jinchuuriki, the loud, rude mouth of a child and blinding optimism was a being who needed-as all children did- the basic fundamental comforts of home, food, and unconditional love. Naruto had none and had bravely brazened his way through life. It hurt the most to think that Naruto had never thought it necessary to go to those who claimed to care for him for help, either to save them the trouble or from the belief that help would be denied and Naruto mocked.

Naruto should have felt comfortable enough expressing any financial or housing issues to his sensei.

Kakashi turned, hands flickering through the shadow clone jutsu. Two replicas of himself appeared and began gathering the items in the area. Naruto had his face buried once again in Pakkun's fur.

"Come here," Kakashi said softly, having turned so his back was to Naruto.

Naruto looked up and Pakkun sprang lightly from his lap.

"But sensei, I'm not injured."

Kakashi flapped his hands, gesturing for Naruto to climb on. A few moments later, Naruto hesitantly climbed onto his sensei's back.

"Yoi," Kakashi said softly, making sure his body was relaxed so Naruto would feel safe, the boy's body was coiled like a spring.

"Pakkun."

The nin dog turned, looking up at his master. Kakashi gave a small nod and the dog blinked, an understanding now between the two. Naruto was looking in confusion at the shadow clones as they gathered Naruto's items.

"Kaka-sensei? What-" Naruto broke off.

There was silence, "Don't worry, Naruto."

Kakashi jumped from the spot, air sweeping through blonde and silver spikes of hair. Naruto tightened his grip and nuzzled his face into Kakashi's back. Kakashi headed for his own apartment, a spacious three bedroom furnished in bright blue tones. It had been put together following his promotion to ANBU by Minato as a gift. He had never had the heart to change to it. He came in through the window, landing on the floor of the kitchen.

Naruto slid from his back and Kakashi stepped forward to flip on the lights. Turning, he gazed once again at his student. Naruto was standing there, head hanging and shoulders slumped, piercing blue eyes staring up through the fringing spike of hair. It was disconcerting to Kakashi to see his student so quiet and subdued. Kakashi tilted his head to the side.

"Are you hungry?"

Naruto looked up, eyes brightening at the mention of food. Kakashi smiled, there was his little orange genin. Naruto still looked ashamed and unsure but he nodded his head vigorously, letting out a loud 'hai'. Kakashi went over to the cupboards rummaging through them. Internally he sweat dropped as he realized that the only things he had in his cupboard was some generic green tea and old ramen packets.

He pulled down the green tea and ramen, then went to his stove. Kakashi hesitated, unsure of what to do. He didn't use his kitchen enough to remember how to make ramen. Little hands plucked the ramen and tea from his hand and Naruto fiddled with some parts of the stove. Kakashi stepped back, letting Naruto take control of the situation. Within minutes the kettle was whistling merrily and two cups of steaming tea and two bowls of ramen were placed on the table.

Naruto sat and began enthusiastically eating, "Arigato sensei!"

Kakashi watched Naruto, nausea rising at the way his student was inhaling the food. He pushed his own food to the side and laid his arms on the table. A few minutes later three clones came in through the window, arms laden with Naruto's things. Naruto stopped eating for a moment to look in confusion at the clones.

Gulping down the last mouthful without chewing, Naruto drew a dirty arm across his mouth and burped loudly. Kakashi cringed.

"Sensei," Naruto started, hesitancy back, "what's happening? Is this some special training? I'm not in trouble am I?"

"No, Naruto, you're not in trouble. There isn't any training."

Naruto frowned, staring in confusion at his sensei.

"Nani?! Then what's going on!"

Within the house Naruto's voice seemed amplified, Kakashi winced, remembering his reasoning to always making sure that team seven only did missions which lacked four walls and a roof.

"Quiet Naruto, I'm just having you stay here until you have somewhere else to stay," Kakashi admonished, frustrated at Naruto's usual thick headedness.

If it had been Sasuke he'd brought back, the boy would've already guessed that he was being brought in from being homeless. Then again, the Uchiha's pride would be just as frustrating as Naruto's obliviousness. Naruto seemed even more confused now.

"But, I don't understand, why?"

Kakashi was silent, the terrible connotation of the word ringing in his head. Why? Why would Kakashi take his student in so he wouldn't be homeless? Why was a twelve year old child so comfortable with the idea of being derelict? Naruto didn't think that the adults around him held any responsibility when it came to ensuring he was provided with basic care.

"Because you can't be homeless, Naruto," Kakashi stated matter of factly.

Naruto blushed a little, that shame that bothered Kakashi back on Naruto's face, and he shrugged one of his shoulders.

"I know," Naruto ducked his head sullenly, staring off to the side.

"But I try to be a good ninja, sensei, I really do, I work as hard as I can, I don't mean not to make enough, if you give me time I can prove it, I can work really hard and make enough money, I'm not lazy, I'll work hard! I can talk to Nakamura-san and she can give me more hours! I'll make more money than any other genin, believe it!" During this outburst Naruto straightened, fists clenching and a desperate conviction entering his eyes.

Kakashi blinked at the barrage of words and the intensity with which they were said, trying to take them in. He wondered if he should even try to explain to Naruto that as a child he wasn't supposed to be responsible of his finances. The money genin made was pocket money, a majority of profits going to the teacher and the village, or being low cost so as to allow all members of Konoha to be able to afford help from the shinobi. The D-rank missions and a majority of the C-rank were never meant to subsidize the income of an individual shinobi which was why you had chuunin only capable of C-rank who had steady jobs working elsewhere in Konoha such as Umino Iruka who worked as a teacher.

"Of course, Naruto, you work very hard, no one would think you were lazy," Kakashi mollified.

Naruto beamed, grabbing the other bowl of ramen and making short work of it. Kakashi watched his student in fond exasperation and with an undertone of deep regret. He wondered who Nakamura was, where and what this other job was. There were some grievous oversights in Naruto's financial situation, a vein that Kakashi had no doubt ran further than just loss of housing. He was beginning to wonder if a love of ramen came from a fiscal necessity rather than the preference of children for unhealthy foods.

Naruto finished noisily slurping up the ramen, head tipped back as he chugged the broth, before slamming the bowl onto the table, a bright grin on his face.

Kakashi stood and began walking toward the guest room, Naruto followed spouting off a diarrhea of questions and comments, from asking about why his walls were a sky blue and then going onto asking about Kakashi's favorite color, and then going into what his favorite color was and why.

"Ne, ne, ne, and that's why, sensei, orange is my favorite color, but you see, Sakura-chan didn't believe me and-"

Kakashi cut him off, "this is where you'll be staying."

It was the guest room of the apartment, the largest room since Kakashi preferred a smaller space for his own. It was just the same as the day it had been shown to him those years back when he had been made ANBU.

"It's a little dusty," Kakashi warned.

Naruto however rushed in, jumping onto the bed in excited glee. The flash of brilliant yellow and stark blue brought back a memory for Kakashi.

"I don't see why I need this much space."

Minato smiled softly down at his student and stepped further into the guest room, flopping onto the bed. He'd just shown the whole place to Kakashi, offering up the apartment as a gift to Kakashi for becoming ANBU.

"An elite shinobi should have good quarters. You'll be able to use it for your friends to visit."

Kakashi sent him a blank stare, the silent 'what friends?' being heard by both.

"Well, anyway, once me and Kushina start making some buns you'll see how much you'll need the rooms,"

Kakashi looked to the side, a small smile hid under his mask at his teacher's crass reference to having children. It slipped from his face though, the faces of his teammates rising to the forefront of his mind. Kakashi walked over and slouched against the wall, staring out the window with an affected manner of boredom. Minato's face softened with sadness and he stood up from the bed.

"Me and Kushina would love to have you stay with us until the apartment is done," Minato placed a hand on his student's shoulder, squeezing gently.

Kakashi didn't respond, staring out the window.

"You know that you'll always have a home with me and Kushina,"

Kakashi blinked back tears, glad that his student was too busy jumping to notice his teacher reminiscing. Even as a child he had had people around him who had helped keep him safe. It was with painful realization for Kakashi to recognize that the care he had been offered was something Naruto didn't have. He had failed as a sensei.

"What's wrong kaka-sensei?"

Naruto had stopped jumping on the bed and was staring at Kakashi with honest curiosity. Kakashi didn't answer.

"There's a shower for you to use, feel free to use the laundry machines as well. Get some sleep."

Kakashi stepped out of the room after that, ignoring his student's loud cries of asking where his teacher was going. Pakkun was sitting patiently in the kitchen.

"I have to go, stay with Naruto."

Pakkun let out an annoyed sigh but gave a small nod of his head, "of course, boss."

Kakashi went through a few hand motions, setting some wards. Once that was done he jumped out the window.

It was nearing midnight now, time having gone by quickly since the end of the mission and since this whole headache had started. Kakashi made his way to the council members room, the formal note from earlier still in his pocket.

Within a few minutes he was right outside the room. He appeared inside, a puff of smoke signalling his appearance in a garish show. Kakashi grinned sheepishly, waving at the council members and elite jounin. There was a murmur of annoyance from the occupants of the room.

"You're late Hatake-san," Utatane Koharu said coldly.

Kakashi bowed slightly, "my apologies Utatane-sama."

The elderly woman bowed her head in acceptance of his apology before turning to the council. Kakashi ignored the blatant gaze of Shimura Danzo, the man disapproved of him.

"Our discussion was on Orochimaru at the moment, if you'd continue Sarutobi-san."

Sarutobi Asuma gave a small nod and began speaking.

"We haven't gathered any further information. The trail is cold, and without any genuine cause for extending our search, we'll be asking for trouble from our bordering neighbors. The sannin Jiraiya is searching at this moment."

There was a pause, then Homura Mitokado spoke.

"And team 19 didn't find anything?"

Asuma shook his head, "no."

He nodded his head.

"Would it do to stop our searches? We don't even know if he is alive," a jounin asked.

"And let Orochimaru get away with what he's done!?" Someone yelled in outraged response.

Kakashi watched the discussion explode, angry words being tossed back and forth. He leaned back against the wall, arms folded. He wasn't interested in how this would unfold, Orochimaru was obsolete at the moment, if the sannin was alive he would be out of reach and in a place licking his wounds, honestly the sannin was the least of their worries. Most understood that; the ninja who had the ability to look without sentiment and in an objective way. Many though were still reeling from their Hokage's death and wanted vengeance.

The arguing could last for hours, even though it was more important for them to be discussing the next Hokage. Lack of a head in government was a sign of weakness and therefore made the village vulnerable to attack from other villages or nin.

Eventually it grew close to dawn and the council men ended the meeting, no headway having been made. Kakashi hung back as the ninja filed out of the room or jumped from the windows. Kakashi approached councilwoman Utatane.

He bowed respectfully.

"Lady Utatane-sama," Kakashi said, rising back up from his bow.

"Hatake-san, what can I help you with?"

Utatane was an old woman, wizened and hardened by experience. Her gaze shone sharply despite her age and she regarded him with withdrawn eyes. The meeting had exhausted her.

"I wish to ask about one of my students."

She raised her brows, "Ah, you mean the Uchiha."

Kakashi gave a small shake of his head.

"Uzumaki," he clarified.

Kakashi watched her expression shift through the expressions of surprise, confusion, and then understanding in a microsecond.

"The jinchuuriki," she said dryly.

"My student," Kakashi corrected.

Utatane paused a moment, regarding Kakashi.

"I was wondering about his funding," Kakashi continued, no need to prance about the subject.

Utatane's gaze sharpened and she straightened slightly.

"It's been cut. A decision made by the council," it seemed that Utatane wasn't going to pussyfoot around either.

"He's an orphan, a child, by law he's guaranteed funding," Kakashi said.

"You know, if I had my way that child would've been killed the moment after the kyuubi was placed in him," she said with no remorse, Utatane paused a moment, tongue rasping in her mouth as she stared up at the Copy-nin, before continuing.

"Also know that I would have him fed and clothed, treated as any other orphan of Konoha is. However, my job is to ensure this village's safety, at the moment I am paying attention to the biggest threats of that safety, the financial situation of one genin isn't something I can fight over with others."

Kakashi grit his teeth, apparently they were at an impasse. Utatane would have no aid for him, meaning that he was on his own.

"Thank you, Utatane-sama, for you help."

The old woman let out a sharp, cutting chuckle at the irony of the statement.

"I suppose we'll all pay when our times come, not yet though Hatake-san, we're both red with blood and yet more to come."

She stepped past him then, light on her feet from many years of training. Kakashi watched her go, aware of the council member Danzo's eyes on him. Without sparing the man a glance, Kakashi left.

Kakashi landed back in his apartment feeling exhausted, he had been awake the last 49 hours and in need of rest. Even a jounin had their limits. He noted that Pakkun had unsummoned himself, probably exhausted and determining Kakashi's wards strong enough. Bypassing his kitchen he stepped into the hallway, but he halted when he heard sounds coming from the laundry room. Stepping silently down the hall he was surprised to find the door open and Naruto busily taking sheets from the dryer.

"Naruto?"

Naruto spun around in surprise, letting out a loud shriek. He dropped the laundry before recognizing Kakashi and blushing in embarrassment.

"What are you doing up, Naruto?" Kakashi asked exhaustedly, it was four thirty in the morning.

"Doing laundry," Naruto said in response.

Kakashi didn't respond. Naruto laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head in a nervous tic. Kakashi turned around to go out, wanting to escape his apartment and spend time meditating. In all honesty the last day had been draining emotionally, memories he preferred not dredged up had been brought to the forefront of his mind and guilt piled on shoulders already bearing the regret of every death he'd seen.

Naruto, like most children, followed. Kakashi had to keep himself from sighing in exasperation.

"If I'm staying here, what should I do? You don't want me to clean do you? Is there anything I could help with? I'm really good at that kind of stuff, is there anything I can do? Ne, ne, ne!"

Kakashi massaged his forehead, the twenty six year old trying to find a way to escape his chattering twelve year old student.

"No, Naruto, there's nothing," he replied.

"Are you sure? There isn't anything? Are you sure, I could-"

"Hai, hai, hai," Kakashi said, interrupting to stop the flow coming from Naruto's mouth.

"I need you to-" he struggled to come up with something. The still askew cabinet door in the kitchen gave him the perfect idea.

"Shopping, I need you to help me with shopping."

Naruto pumped his fist, jumping into the air with a loud shout, "I'll get your shopping done sensei! It'll be the best shopping you've ever had done! Believe it!"

Kakashi grabbed a paper and pen and scratched down a list of items he thought probably went in the cupboard and fridge, then passed it to Naruto.

"Go to Mitsuwa's," Kakashi said, then jumped from the room to escape.

Naruto's good mood left instantly at the name 'Mitsuwa's' and he stared at the empty space where his teacher had just been. Clenching his fist he determined that he would do his best to fulfill his teacher's request.

TA DA! *Sparkles and magic*! Le first chapter is done. Review, darlings, review.