Kakashi grumbled as he rubbed the counter clean with a dirty rag. He wiped his hands on his apron and leaned against the counter with his arms crossed. Today was not a good day. Not at all.
His meeting with the Hokage this morning had not gone the way he had hoped. Kakashi thought back to it. He entered through the door after politely knocking. Completely respectful for once as he waited for Sarutobi to speak. His summons to the Hokage's office was rather sudden. Naruto had just left to go to the park when he got the hawk.
The old Hokage leaned back in his chair and played with his pipe. "Kakashi, how are you today? How is Naruto?
"I'd say we are both doing well." The silver haired nin paused before continuing, "What can I do for you Hokage-sama?"
"Well, I wanted to discuss something important with you. About Naruto."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. Sarutobi was leaning forward on his desk and he was no longer fidgeting. His eyes were hard and his mouth set. A decision had been made.
"I am not giving him up."
"Kakashi, you have had him in your care for about 2 years. He is almost four years of age and you have not officially adopted Naruto, so the question remains. What are your intentions for him?"
Kakashi visibly cringed at the harsh tone the Hokage used. However, his own anger rose up and he couldn't leave out the bite in his next statement. "Intentions? My intentions have always been clear. I will not let him be raised in an orphanage, alone, nor will I allow him to live on his own as you have suggested."
"Kakashi, the boy must be confused. He needs a solid support system." The older man shifted and spoke in a softer tone. "Please don't take this the wrong way, but you are young and grieving. You suffered a great loss and have had not had enough time to deal with it. I understand. However, if you can't come to terms with it and raise Naruto with your full attention, I cannot in good conscious allow him to continue living with you."
"Hokage-sama, please…" Kakashi pleaded with the older man. "I just need more time. Why do we have to rush things?"
"It is a huge responsibility raising a child. If you are not serious about raising Naruto now, then allow him the chance to have a real family." Sarutobi slammed his fist on his desk with emphasis.
"I can't leave him. He's all I have left. Please don't take him away from me."
"Kakashi..." The Hokage rubbed his temple and he looked at the copy-nin with sympathy. "I know you love him. He does need that, but he also needs a family in order to grow. You are not in a healthy state of mind."
"I am his family. If you take him away, you can't guarantee him happiness, or a stable family. Why take him away from me, his only support? It didn't bother you before. Who is pressuring you?" The teenager held the Hokage's gaze and took a step back when he noticed there was an emotion conveyed sharply on the old man's face. Shame.
"It must be done Kakashi. Protection is not always wanted, or received with gratitude. You know the politics. The boy needs to be protected. He would be safer in the orphanage."
"Putting him in an orphanage will not hide what he houses. He will be isolated as soon as he enters that place. Hiding him through sheer numbers is not enough. Many of the villagers already know he is its vessel. That's why I haven't adopted him. I know he will only gain more attention if people find out that I have decided to adopt a 'random' child." Kakashi laced on the venom in his voice. "My mental health has nothing to do with it. I have always made my plans in the best interest of Naruto."
The Hokage sighed and smirked. "I know."
"What? Then why are you questioning me like this…"
"I am being pressured to put him in an orphanage."
"By the council?"
The Hokage stood and walked to the window. "Yes. The council is calling him dangerous. Despite my law, people are still discussing Naruto in subtle ways in reference to the Kyuubi. I am trying to protect him. He needs discretion in order to be safe and you come from a prestigious ninja family after all. Any training he would receive from you would only increase their fear of him."
"It would also protect him. Let them stew in their ignorance. You are the Hokage, they must listen to you. Tell them I am taking care of him for their protection, to watch over the vessel in case he loses control. Please. Just do whatever you have to so he doesn't have to be alone in that horrible orphanage."
"I will try. Just know that I might have to talk to you about this again, to keep up pretenses. Be ready." The Hokage dismissed him with a wave of his hand.
Kakashi sighed as he listened to the sounds of the village, still leaning in his relaxed position. He was half tempted to just adopt Naruto and be done with these talks, but that would be a rash decision. A bigger target would be put on his back and then Naruto would truly be all alone. No mother, no father and no brother.