Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto. Aren't you getting tired of reading that yet?

Chapter Three: Unintended Consequences

But things were getting out of control. That was very clear when Kakashi went to a bar, a few days after their return, and proceeded to get thoroughly plastered. A ninja ended up in the hospital because he tried to get a rise out of the silver haired man over the betting pool and whether or not he was as into Naruto as the pool suggested. The ninja, who had drunk more than his common sense could handle, shot his mouth off taunting the poor sex-starved jounin with how delicious the fox container looked and how nice it would be to be the one tapping Naruto's tight butt. That had been his mistake.

Everyone in the bar got a very up close and personal look at just what made Kakashi one of the most well known, and feared ninja in the known world, as the lazy man seemed to transform before their eyes into the most deadly looking predator they could ever imagine. He began to prowl toward his chosen victim, people shakily melting out of his way as quickly as they could. Then, moving so fast he was nothing more than a blur, he had the man by the throat and was growling at him in rage. The fire in Kakashi's visible eye had the poor drunk soiling his pants before he could control the urge as Kakashi planted his other fist in the ninja's face. A second later the fool was flying through the bar wall and landed in a broken heap in the middle of the street. A deadly serious and growling Copy-nin began to prowl towards the hole in the wall the drunk had made as the drunks friends rushed to his aid. What his comrades were going to do was unclear since all of them had drank more than they should have and even sober none of them were a match for the legendary Copy-Cat Ninja. But they were lucky in that while they helped their injured friend to his feet Kakashi's own friend stepped up to give them time to get away.

As fast as Gai and Asuma were known to move, an angry Kakashi was faster they found as the drunk was in a newly made pot hole before they could reach Kakashi. It was only through their combined strength that the other ninja's friends were able to get him away. Asuma was muttering under his breath about the lack of brains in the present crop of chunnin while Gai was complaining about their unyouthful attitudes. Both thought it was the height of stupidity for anyone, drunk or sober to say that to a jounin about one of the jounins students period but especially if it was a well-known fact that said jounin also liked the student in the same manner.

Then Gai and Asuma turned their full attention on Kakashi. They calmed him down and got him out of the bar by assuring him that the idiot didn't really mean he would hurt Naruto, let alone rape him as his words had implied he would. They'd finally gotten him to his front door just to have him turn around and head for Naruto's place. Once again, he spent the night in the tree outside Naruto's place keeping watch over his student just to make sure no perverts got to him. In his mind, he knew damn good and well the drunk had meant every word he'd said. To Kakashi, it was impossible that someone else wouldn't want what he saw in Naruto. Asuma and Gai split the night in half so they could keep a watch on Kakashi and make sure he didn't kill the next idiot that made a paly for Naruto or seemed inclined to make a play for the teen.

In the morning both Gai and Asuma had gone to Tsunade and told her point blank, "You made this mess. Now fix it before he kills someone."

She'd been surprised but by the time they told her what had really happened in the bar she had to admit if the two of them didn't get together soon the village would likely fall apart the next time Kakashi was pushed too far. The man was wound as tight as he could get and much as she loved her little brother his cluelessness wasn't helping anything. She knew Naruto was seeking the Copy-nin out each day but he'd never say or do anything. He'd just watch him for a few minutes, nod his head and move off on his own pursuits. And to Tsunade, and everyone else who actually knew the blond, that was all the proof they needed of how important the man was to the teen. No one else received that kind of attention for him. Not even Hinata got that kind of a daily check-up.

But now she just sighed and said, "I don't know why you think this is my fault. I'll admit I did start the betting pool and some of the rumors were planted at my suggestion but come on. They're the ones trying to hide from each other."

Asuma gave her an incredulous look and told her word for word what she had said to those she'd put on the Night Watch of Naruto's apartment. "You have Kakashi tied in knots for fear if he touches him you'll chop his head off. Not to mention, he's convinced there's someone else after Naruto who doesn't love him and that stupid loud mouth last night only confirmed it for Kakashi. I pity the person who does make a play for the kid now. Kakashi will kill them."

Gai added, "Hatake men don't share. Ever. Anyone who makes a move on Naruto is poaching unless Naruto makes it clear he does not want my rival in the same way my rival wants him."

"I know Kakashi wants to be with Naruto and the Gaki wants to be with him as well but no matter how many opportunities I arrange both hold off. I am working on it though. So get out of here and let me get back to work," Tsunade said bluntly.