Sasuke let out a short bark of laughter. "Seriously, Naruto? You really think that guy is SilverFang? The legendary hacker who was able to hack the Hokage's Cipher, the BlackMist, and the Scorpion's Lair? The SilverFang who developed Chidori, the exclusive underground web, even more elusive than the darkweb? C'mon, Naruto…think about it…" Sasuke paused, eyeing Naruto skeptically. "No one knows what SilverFang looks like, so anyone, and I mean, anyone could say they were SilverFang. Doesn't mean they are." Sasuke rolled his eyes as Sakura glared at Sasuke. The implication was clear, at least in Naruto's brain, And why would SilverFang be interested in you?

"You are such an ass, Sasuke. There's nothing to say that SilverFang isn't that guy. Like you said, no one knows what SIlverFang looks like, so it's just as likely he is as he isn't. Besides, why would that guy lie to Naruto? Why would he want to impress a kid? That guy is like forty years old, at least." Sakura huffed, smiling gently at Naruto as Hinata put her head in her hand at Sakura's harsh-although-trying-to-be-helpful comments. Naruto slumped more. He felt worse than before. Suddenly, his phone beeped. Grimacing, he looked down at it.

SilverFang: If you want confirmation of who I am, go ask GT or CK.

Naruto raised an eyebrow. GT was the owner of Cire's, and worked behind the bar. He was a hacker, and no one knew his real name. He was 6'5" and at least 400 pounds…he looked like a wall. His wife, CK, worked there with him. His wife did most of the drinks and scheduling, he did more of the cooking and security. CK did most of the job assignments, so Naruto had developed somewhat of a rapport with her. Walking up, he waited until he got her attention. "Hey, um, CK, can I ask you a question?"

Her friendly brown eyes looked over at him. "Sure, Naruto. But before you start, no, you can't have free ramen, or free pizza, or free anything." She winked at him. Smoothing some of her brunette locks highlighted with blonde behind her ear, she smiled as she poured a beer for a patron.

"Ha, ha. No. I just wanted to know if…well…didja see that guy with the facemask and silver hair that came in earlier?" Naruto felt his cheeks rising in temperature.

"Yea, so?" Her eyebrow raised as her husband's voice came out announcing that an order was up.

"W…who is he?" Naruto asked, stumbling a bit over his words.

"Too old for you." She said with a kind smile and turned to grab the burger and fries sitting on the shelf, waiting to be dispersed to the hungry customer. Looking at the ticket, she handed it to a customer at the bar.

"No, I'm serious." Naruto pouted. "Look…he put his number in my phone and put it under a name. My friends were telling me it was a fake name. Then, out of the blue, he texted saying that to confirm who he was I should go to you or GT."

CK looked at him as she started mixing a sex on the beach. "Password?" she asked.

Shit. Naruto looked down. He saw he missed a text message. Opening it, he saw:

SilverFang: Password is Pakkun.

Naruto looked up, eyes wide. Did this guy have a tracking/audio device on me or what? With a shaky voice, he cleared his throat. "P…Pakkun." He said, voice strangled.

CK shrugged. "He's SilverFang."

()()()

Naruto lay awake that night, staring at the dark ceiling. His friends were…stunned, to say the least. They believed Naruto, because the one thing CK and GT were known for, besides discretion, was their honesty. They didn't lie. They'd rather just tell you they couldn't answer than lie. In addition, they swore anonymity to anyone that worked for them. The honesty helped business, as people knew their secrets were safe with those two. Also, having a bouncer cook who could pile drive you into next week did not hurt…

Naruto rolled onto his side. Why would SilverFang want to talk to me? Unable to sleep, Naruto kicked his blankets off, frustrated, got up and walked over to his dresser. Turning on his light, he sat looking at the statue of the fox with nine tails. It was what had become known as the Namikaze Kitsune. His father had given it to him about two years before he passed away. Minato had finally perfected the chakra and computer security that he wanted and had created the Kitsune. He had been able to extract Kurama from Naruto and place Kurama into the statue. Naruto had tried to convince Minato that he and Kurama had an alliance and Naruto didn't need Kurama extracted. Minato kept telling Naruto that alliances didn't last forever, and he didn't want Naruto burdened with having a demon inside him when that demon could change its mind at any time. Sighing, Naruto put a hand on the statue. He missed his mom, his dad, and even Kurama. Kurama had always felt like a friendly presence, after the alliance. Looking sadly at the statue, Naruto sighed. "Kurama, I wish you were still inside me…or I could at least talk to you…I could really use some advice right now…" he whispered, putting his head on the dresser.

()()()

Naruto opened his eyes at six in the morning, looking at his phone. He hadn't slept well the night before, waking up at odd hours of the night, always checking his phone. SilverFang hadn't sent anything else. Frowning, Naruto bit his lip. He wasn't sure if this was the smartest thing to do. Having "slept" on it, he realized that CK had said that SilverFang was too old for Naruto. CK was kind of a mom to Naruto, ever since Kushina died in that plane crash six years ago. Looking over at the picture of Kushina, Minato, and Naruto that he kept on his bedside table, Naruto swallowed. He loved his mom and dad dearly and missed them terribly, the grief from last night welling up in him again.

"Do you know how I knew your dad was The One?" Kushina asked, pulling Naruto into her lap.

"How?" Naruto asked, snuggling into his mother's embrace.

"I couldn't see anyone else when he was around. It's like, the whole world was fuzzy except for him." She smiled, kissing Naruto's head.

"I still say it's because you didn't have your glasses nor your contacts in. That's why the whole world was fuzzy." Mina chuckled as he walked in, holding the birthday cake with the twenty-six candles on it. Sitting the cake down in front of Naruto and Kushina, he smiled. "Make a wish, Kushina."

Hearing the knock on the door, Naruto frowned, being jerked back to the present. It was six fifteen in the morning. Yawning, he got up, stopping as he heard Sasuke's voice. "Hey, Oro…" Rolling his eyes, Naruto went back to bed, putting some headphones in as he did not want to hear their reunion. He was happy for Sasuke, but it always made Naruto feel more depressed. Grabbing his phone and putting some music on, he sighed. Being alone was not high on his to do list, but he just could not find anyone. SilverFang was cute…and did give him his number. Biting his lip, Naruto hit the messages button and sent a message: Hey. Wanna get ramen sometime? Hitting send, he lay back, closing his eyes. What's done was done. As nervousness overtook him, he tried to relax and just listen to the music, ignoring the loud moans from the next bedroom. Feeling his phone vibrate about five minutes later, he pulled his phone out to look.

Sure. But ramen for breakfast? How about meeting me at Cisco's for brunch at 10?

Feeling his face heat up, he grinned. K. Feeling like an idiot, but grinning nonetheless, Naruto closed his eyes, listening to music.

()()()

At 9:55, Naruto walked into Cisco's. He had started getting ready at 8. Kami, I'm such a girl. Smoothing his jeans, he started fidgeting with his leather bracelets as he got a table, sitting down. As the waitress sat down two glasses of water, Naruto checked his phone. Nothing. He wanted to text "here" but didn't want to seem needy. Sitting there, he gnawed at his lip. He hoped he looked okay. He had chosen a long sleeved burnt orange sweater. He didn't want to wear white and really show off the wearing of his food.

The waitress had checked on Naruto three times. Looking at his phone, Naruto's shoulders slumped. It was 10:15…no text, no SilverFang. As the waitress came back over for the fourth time, Naruto's very late date slipped into a seat. "Sorry, Naruto. As I was headed here a black cat crossed my path…so I had to take another path." His eye crinkled up as he smiled. Naruto looked up, gulping, face engulfed in red as relief washed through him at not being stood up.

"Huh…oh..i…it's okay. I didn't even notice the time." He lied. As the waitress headed off to give them time to decide what to order, Kakashi looked over the menu. Naruto glanced at Kakashi. He had on a mask like people who had the flu had on, his bangs covering his left eye. He had on an olive tee shirt, his black leather jacket hung over his chair.

As the waitress came back over, both men ordered. Naruto took a drink of water. "So, uh…what do you want me to call you? I don't think you want me to call you what you texted me." He smiled.

Kakashi laughed. "No, that probably wouldn't be good. You can call me Kakashi."

Naruto started laughing. "You like Cher? No last name?" He chuckled at his own joke.

Kakashi tilted his head, smiling at Naruto under the mask. "Something like that." He mused. As the waitress sat down their orders, Naruto stared intently, figuring Kakashi would take the mask off. As Kakashi put the breakfast sushi under his mask, Naruto frowned. Raising an eyebrow, Kakashi whispered conspirationally, "I'm not that easy. If you want to see what's under the mask, you've got to earn it." Grinning, he continued to eat.

Naruto shivered at Kakashi's words, but ate his food. As the men talked, getting to know each other, their likes, dislikes, favorite colors, Naruto suddenly smirked. As Kakashi looked up with a questioning look, Naruto deadpanned, "What's your sign?"

Busting out in a deep laugh, Kakashi smiled. "Probably 'Do Not Enter'." He winked. "I like being top." Blushing and trying not to pass out, Naruto forced out a chuckle, which, to his ears, sounded like a dying donkey braying through a lake full of cottage cheese. "What about you?" Kakashi purred. Having finished eating he placed his hand lightly on Naruto's.

"Uh…" Naruto stammered, flustered.

"Maybe, 'Slippery When Wet'?" Kakashi offered, enjoying seeing the blush deepen on those attractive cheeks. As Naruto's ears turned red, Kakashi chuckled again. Laying down some money, he stood, slipping on his jacket. Afterwards, he offered his hand to the blonde. "Walk with me?"

As Naruto got up, he slid his hand into Kakashi's. As the two men walked out, Naruto's blush still hadn't faded.

()()()

The walk turned into a late lunch, which turned into a movie, which then turned into dinner. After dinner, Kakashi bought each of them some dango. As Naruto devoured his, Kakashi smiled, watching him. The blonde really was infectious to be around. He was a happy go lucky kid, who loved all things computers. Talk had turned to shop talk early, and both shared war stories of some of their exploits. However, Naruto never mentioned the Kitsune. Kakashi didn't want to press the issue and make Naruto suspicious. He had to get in Naruto's good graces, get into his house, maybe his bed, and get that password.

Walking Naruto up to his doorstep, Kakashi took in a deep breath, looking up at the starry night. He had had a very pleasant day. He was shocked to discover that he had enjoyed spending time with Naruto. Looking back down at Naruto, Naruto looked up at him expectantly. Naruto really was very much like a puppy. Running a hand down Naruto's cheek, Kakashi smiled. "Could I see you again?" he asked quietly.

Naruto grinned. "Sure! I'd like that." Smiling, he pulled his keys out of his pocket. As Kakashi took the keys from Naruto's hand, unlocking the door, Naruto gulped. Leaning down, Kakashi ran his hand over Naruto's eyes, effectively blinding him as Kakashi held his hand over those blue orbs gently. He slid the keys back into Naruto's hand after unlocking the door. Shivering, Naruto got goosebumps as he felt warm lips press against his as his eyes stared into the blackness of Kakashi's hand. Gasping quietly, he left his hands at his sides as he kissed back gingerly. It felt so good, and he was so nervous, he didn't know what to do and he didn't want to screw it up.

"Good night, Naruto." Kakashi said quietly as he pulled away. Pulling his hand down, Naruto noticed Kakashi had just finished sliding the mask back in place.