It is a proven fact, once you want a baby to go to sleep, the worst possible thing to do is look them in the eyes. After three hours of trying to lay Naruto down to go to sleep, Kakashi made the mistake of looking into those baby blue eyes. Again.
It had been a couple of months since he decided to take the little boy into his care, though technically the third hokage had legal guardianship. Since Kakashi was only a teenager, the Hokage believed it was for the best that he not have parental rights. Which didn't make a ton of sense, but Kakashi was getting paid to take care of the boy, so he's not going to complain.
The other members of his squad had a good laugh once they heard Hatake Kakashi was going on leave to take care of a baby. The only person who didn't laugh was Genma, and he actually offered to help. I've only ever called him once, and never again will I make that mistake.
Who gives a newborn a senbon as a teething toy?
Honestly, it's easier being in the Anbu blackops. At least there you get to sleep or kill whatever is preventing you from sleeping.
Kakashi let out a tired sigh and plopped onto his mattress, looking down at the bundle squirming in his arms. His bright blue eyes reflecting the moonlight; they remind him of a warm summer sky and sparring sessions. The wispy blond hair just barely covering his head resembled Minato so much, it was almost heartbreaking.
Finally, Kakashi laid back against the mattress and settled Naruto against his chest. That's where he liked it best -one of the parental books says its because they like to hear your heartbeat- and gently rubbed his back. Something warm and protective had squirmed its way into Kakashis heart ever since he took Naruto home. Something that made the world a little more bright yellow and deep blue. He didn't feel the urge to take on dangerous missions anymore or throw himself headlong into battle. After a long time, it felt nice for his secluded house in the woods to feel more like a home. It didn't feel as empty anymore with Naruto there.
At some point he must have fallen asleep, because he awoke feeling a presence somewhere in his house. It wasn't a noise or a smell, but it felt like someone was walking somewhere. Without disturbing Naruto he sat up and grasped his kunai from under his mattress. Keeping his left eye open he quietly side stepped around his bed and walked toward the door. Cradling the newborn with one arm, tucked protectively underneath his chin. There was a bubbling rise of anger seething underneath his mask, because who in the hell is dumb enough to walk into his house.
Right after he fell asleep.
There was definitely someone here, and they were in his kitchen. The lithe form of a person weaving in and out of the shadows. He kept Naruto in his arms as he approached the intruder, deciding it was best to keep the boy close.
In one swift move he turned on the light with the blunt of his kunai and then threw it with deadly accuracy right next to their head. Once the light was on, Kakashi realized he knew who it was.
"Fuck Tenzo, what are you doing?" The wood style user laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his head, as he stood next to a big container on the table.
"Sorry Kakashi-senpai, I was just coming to bring you some food for the rest of the week. Genma Mentioned you probably haven't been eating."
"That's sweet and all, but do you know what time it is?" Kakashi asked with ill-contained annoyance, his mismatched eyes halfway closed as he glared at his teammate. The little boy in his arms squirmed slightly and the teenager froze, silently pleading: Please, please do not wake up.
Tenzo smiled and looked at Kakashi, noticing how rumpled and sleep deprived he looked. "Yeah, its 8 in the morning. I was going to make breakfast after I dropped this off, but if you would like I can watch Naruto for awhile so you catch up on your sleep?"
Kakashi had never thought Tenzo would be the kind of person who liked kids, he was so sheepish and shy around other people. "Would- would you really do that?" He tried not to get his hopes up, but apparently the other boy realized how desperate he was. Because before Kakashi knew it, Tenzo had crossed the kitchen with his arms held out.
"Absolutely, besides I think you need a little bit of a break. Haven't you been watching him for two months straight?" Kakashi let out a sigh of relief and gently handed Naruto over to the younger teen. His arms suddenly felt very light, and empty. Tenzo took the baby and swaddled him tighter, holding him with both arms. "You go get some sleep Kakashi-senpai. If I think we need anything, ill come and wake you."
"You don't have to tell me twice. Thanks Tenzo, I owe ya one."
The next couple of years continue on like this, up until Naruto turned five and could start taking care of himself. Sometimes Tenzo or Genma would come around to watch him while Kakashi would go on missions or go to the store for whatever. But other times, Naruto would demand he was old enough to stay at the house by himself, but Kakashi would always worry about leaving him alone too long.
Once when he was walking through the market, picking things up to make for dinner, he overheard a conversation that made his blood boil
"Well you know, that Jinchurriki boy is growing up." some woman a few feet away said in a hushed voice.
"You don't think they're actually going to let him enroll in the academy, do you?" Some one else had replied, casting a glare around the shop, like she dared anyone challenge her.
"They better not! the Hokage shouldn't have let him stay in the village in the first place."
His hand was gripping the basket of vegetables so hard his knuckles had turned white, he didn't say anything and once his anger had subsided, he simply continued shopping.
It was difficult to keep quiet, especially since this was a normal, everyday occurrence. Most of the village hated Naruto and wanted him banished out of the village. Once the Hokage had suggested Naruto live on his own in one of the run-down apartments. Saying it would probably be easier on the Jounin if he didn't take care of the child anymore. If there was ever a time Kakashi wanted to pummel a Kage, it was then.
He had just turned seventeen, so Kakashi demanded he be given the parental rights over Naruto. The Hokage had hesitated, eyes slanting at his former Anbu captain, before he reluctantly agreed. Naruto was so excited when Kakashi took him out for Ichiraku that night, and he didn't even know what the special occasion was.
But today was Narutos first day at the academy, and Kakashi was almost beaming with pride. Naruto slid on his little orange jumpsuit, bouncing off the walls -literally- with more energy than he knew what to do with. Kakashi kept himself busy at the stove cooking breakfast, he glanced up from the skillet to see Naruto staring up at him. A dramatic change from giddy and hyper, to completely serious.
"Is something wrong, Naruto?" He paused what he was stirring to raise his single eyebrow at the boy.
"Nothing is wrong, but I have an important question." Kakashi squats down to be eye level with Naruto, letting his arms lay on his knees.
"And what's that?"
The kid beamed a bright smile and leaned right up close to Kakashis face. "Since today is my first day at the academy, can we celebrate tonight at Ichiraku? Please!" With the most long-winded, pitiful please he had ever heard. Kakashi sighs, pretending to be frustrated.
"All right, I suppose we could drop by after you get out of class." This got Naruto more riled up than before, jumping and throwing his arms up in the air with a celebratory screech.
Kakashi rolled his eyes in fake dramatics and smiled a little underneath his mask, he checked the clock on the wall and whistled to get the boys attention. Who promptly skidded to a halt and almost crashed into the wall.
"You better hurry, or you're going to be late."
He gaped like a fish out of water for a second and then ran over to hug Kakashis leg and beamed a smile up at him, "Bye Kakashi-sama, ill see you after school!" And then he bolted out of the door, running through the little forest path that led to the village. Kakashi watched him go and smiled a little. I hope things go well today.
