Author's Notes: I'm really sorry I couldn't update sooner! I got carried away updating my other fics XD Anyways, I'm going to try and update this story more often now. I have a lot of ideas for it! Hope you guys didn't lose your interest in it, though! Here's an extra-long chapter for you guys!

Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING!

Chapter 4

No, no, no, no…! Kakashi, where are you?

That thought kept repeating over and over in Minato's mind as he jumped from the vacant room's window. Kakashi was in there just a few minutes ago. Minato did not feel any chakra signatures around, so it was impossible for someone to have taken him. Which meant that Kakashi had gotten out on his own.

But why would he do such a thing?

He sped through Konoha's streets, looking like nothing but a flash of yellow as he frantically searched for his only student. He rounded corners, went into dark alleys and made sure to check everywhere inside the village… yet he found no sign of his precious person.

Where could he be?

He jumped to the roof of a building, blue eyes traveling over the streets, almost completely empty due to the late night hour. He glanced at the Hokage's Monument, and a thought crossed his mind. That's the highest place in the whole village, he thought, if Kakashi is still outside and in the streets, I'll be able to see him from up there.

With that thought in mind, Minato disappeared from the building's roof, hastily making his way up the monument.

-oOo-

Kakashi did not care where his legs were taking him, but he made sure to keep his chakra in check. All he wanted was to get as far away from that hospital, and everyone in it, as possible, and fast. He knew the guards wouldn't let him exit the village through the gates; no one in their right minds would let a kid wander off on his own, unsupervised, with a war waging outside the village's safe walls.

Luckily, Kakashi knew somewhere he could go to for a while, just until he could understand why he was feeling this way, why he suddenly hated Minato-sensei and Jiraiya-jiji and Konoha as a whole.

He suddenly stopped and looked around. He wasn't paying attention where he was going, and this was definitely not the place he was aiming to go to. Everywhere around him, he could see trees, stretching way up there towards the sky. His brows pulled together in confusion. He thought he knew where he was going… and a part of him told him that this place was where he was supposed to be… He was positive he never came here before, so how did he come here?

He promptly cut his train of thought as his eyes caught something. In between two of the trees, he could see a shadow that was darker than the rest.

The Hatake inwardly cursed (if Minato-sensei knew, he'd be in big trouble… but who cares about what Minato-sensei thought anyways?). He didn't have any weapons on him. His chakra reserves were low for some reason. Thus, if this person hidden between the trees decided to attack, he would have nothing to defend himself but Taijutsu.

"I know you're there," he said with false confidence, "What do you want?"

"I told you before, and I don't like repeating myself," a familiar voice stated, "I'm only here to help,"

"Who are you?" he asked again, furiously trying to make out the concealed form.

"Does it matter?" the person countered, "I advise you to come with me quietly, or else…"

"Or else what?" Kakashi knew he shouldn't be blatantly challenging a person of unknown power, but he wouldn't go anywhere without a fight, that's for sure. Listen to him, a voice in the back of his head whispered, it's in your best interest, trust me. If Kakashi was not confused before, then, he was thoroughly perplexed now. A voice inside his own head was telling to trust him, like he was some other person, who wasn't Kakashi.

What in the world is going on? He wondered before white-hot pain racked his small frame. His arms and legs burned, and even his head throbbed, his body felt like it was on fire. His eyes stung horribly and he could barely move his hands enough to rub at them. He heard his own screams echo in the clearing, the trees lost their shapes to become nothing but silhouettes he could only just make out.

"Don't scream like that… I did warn you," his assailant stated emotionlessly, and just like that, the burning sensation was gone, "You don't want anyone to hear you, do you?" he could hear the smirk in the person's voice.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Kakashi asked, after he got his pants under control.

"Again with the questions…?" the other drawled mockingly, "Are you coming?" With a shaky breath, the Hatake stood, his legs trembling, but surprisingly, he couldn't see any evidence showing that he was being burned alive just a few moments ago.

"What did you do to me?" he questioned; he has always been a curious kid.

"Move it, boy," the man ordered, completely ignoring his query.

"No," Kakashi said resolutely, "I'm not going with you,"

-oOo-

Gai had gotten up that night, feeling warmed up and ready for some late night training. He went to his usual, private training spot which was located a ways into the forest on top of the Hokage Monument. He was just finishing the first round of a hundred one-handed push-ups, when he heard someone scream.

Whoever it was that screamed, he or she sounded to be in a lot of pain. Maybe someone else was youthfully training at this hour, Gai gasped, what if they cut themselves with a kunai, or are wounded, and need my help?! I must go there, now! Hang in there, my Friend! It will only take a moment for me to get to you! And if I can't save you, I'll do a hundred, no! A thousand laps around our most Glorious Village! On my fingertips! Backwards!

With a nod, Gai sprinted to where he thought he heard the scream. Is that…? He paused, YES! It is Kakashi! My Eternal Rival, it seems you've been training here for hours before me! I must train twice, thrice, four times harder! I will not allow you to stay ahead of me forever!

Just as he was preparing to jump down and see what was giving his Eternal Rival trouble, he saw it; the shadow looming between the trees.

"You don't want anyone to hear you, do you?" Gai watched from the distance, making sure to conceal his chakra. He could hear his rival say something, but couldn't make out what.

"Move it, boy," Kakashi replied, but whatever his answer was, it wasn't what the other man wanted to hear. And then, Kakashi was screaming again, knees buckling and fists gripping the grass so hard that his knuckles turned white. Gai fumed internally. He was going to make that man pay dearly for inflicting such pain upon his Eternal Rival.

He got ready to knock that man out with a Youthful Punch, before another thought hit him. If his Eternal Rival, genius Hatake Kakashi, couldn't even lay a finger on that person… just what chance did Gai, Taijutsu only Gai, have? Perhaps, he should look for someone older, stronger, than he was. After all, his best friend's life might be on the line.

With that thought in mind, Gai jumped away, in search of someone, anyone, who would help him.

The person below glared at the spot he used to occupy, I'm sure he won't cause any trouble… by the time he's back, we'll be long gone.

-oOo-

Kakashi pulled out the grass, his skin felt like it was peeling off of him over and over. He felt like pulling his hair out, just to try to lessen the pain burning through his torso. His teeth were clenched so hard, he thought he heard a few cracks, but he couldn't be sure as he couldn't hear anything above his racing heart and his loud screams.

He had no high hopes of anyone finding him and rescuing him from this creature that couldn't be human. He was sure this was a demon, no human would inflict pain upon another living, breathing being and laugh annoyingly at the same time.

"Listen, brat," For the second time that day, the pain was gone. Kakashi stared at his skin in wonder, thinking just how it was still in place, and not ripped and peeled off like he imagined it would be, "I don't have time for your stubbornness, move it,"

"Why don't you show yourself, and get me yourself!" Prompting an enemy was never a wise decision, but Kakashi couldn't care less at that moment, "Who are you?!" he asked for the third time. The demon sighed heavily.

"Who I am does not matter…what matters… is what I plan to do,"

"Well… what are you going to do?" The silver-haired child decided to play along. It might buy him more time; enough time for someone to notice that he was gone and come looking for him. He no longer kept his chakra on a tight leash, in hopes that someone would notice his distress.

"I will destroy the Leaf Village… and everyone in it," the person said, rage fueling his words, "And you, brat, are going to help me make that dream a reality,"

"Why would you destroy Konoha?" he asked, but knew he wouldn't get an answer, "And, anyways, who told you I'm going to help you with anything?"

"It's because I know what these villagers have done to you," he said, "I know the pain and suffering they obliviously caused, I know," he paused, "And that's why I'm offering you a chance… to set the score, if you will. So… how about it?" Kakashi seemed to be mulling it over, a good sign in any case.

-oOo-

Gai did not know who he was supposed to go to. His eyes were getting teary, and he wasn't sure he could keep his tears at bay any longer. He headed straight for the Hokage Monument and was about to start to make his way down when he saw a figure looking over the village. That's…! That's my Eternal Rival's youthful teacher!

"Namikaze-sensei! Namikaze-sensei!" he shouted at the top of his lungs. The famed Yellow Flash, glanced at him and gave him an apologetic smile.

"Hello, Gai, it's nice to see you, but I'm kind of busy right now,"

"Namikaze-sensei! I am sorry to interrupt your busy time! But this is important! It involves my youthful Eternal Rival!"

"You mean Kakashi?" Gai did not know what happened before he felt someone shaking him back and forth, "Gai, you must tell me! What did you see?"

-oOo-

"So, Kakashi-kun, what is it going to be?" he asked, preparing to approach the young Chunin.

"Hey! Stay away from my student!" The demon couldn't help the surprise that was etched on his face at the newcomer's voice; he didn't feel his chakra coming. Beside the blond man, a green creature landed on one knee. That boy from before…

"My Eternal Rival! Are you alright?" the boy in the green jumpsuit asked.

"I wouldn't touch him if I were you," he advised coolly.

"Why not?" the blond asked as he went over to check on his student. The moment his hand touched the boy's head, his knees collapsed under his weight, and he emitted a high scream of pain.

"Well… that would happen,"

"What have you done to him, you bastard?!" Konoha's Yellow Flash asked, obviously enraged.

"Nothing, nothing at all. I did tell you not to touch him… it was you who made him scream, not me," the man said mindlessly, "If you're angry about that… just wait for a couple weeks, it gets even worse from here,"

"What do you want?" the young man seethed.

"Me…? I don't want anything from you," he said, "I'm only here to help that poor boy… it seems he's gotten a troublesome seal on the back of his neck. I wonder how that got there…"

"Why don't you tell me?" Minato tried to peer into the darkness surrounding his enemy, he couldn't see anything… other than his eyes, the whirlpool, purple eyes Kakashi was talking about.

"Look… I'm willing to strike a deal," he said, "I'll take the poor kid… get him all fixed up, and then, I'll give him back to you as good as new. Deal?"

"What, are you crazy? There's no way I'm handing him over!"

"But you see, Yellow Flash," he said mockingly, "you don't have a choice. The pain is only going to get worse from here… Do you want to be the reason your student suffers?" Minato could tell the man was smirking, as if he had already won, "He will feel pain, and suffer greatly, until he finally, finally meets his death… at the ripe age of six… he'll meet his mother and talk to his father. He'll be happy, right?" Minato gritted his teeth. How dare that man talk that way about Kakashi, like he knew him?

A pained gasp brought him out of his murderous thoughts. He resisted the urge to touch the boy, gently pat his back, and tell him that everything was going to be okay.

"This can all end, just say the word, Namikaze," In a flash, Minato had a kunai held at the other man's throat. His enemy chuckled, "Do it, Namikaze… but I assure you, the moment that blade cuts through my throat, your precious student's life gets cut as well," He's bluffing, I'm sure he is… Minato thought.

"You think I'm bluffing? Try if you will," With a growl, Minato let him go, kunai still in hand and landed next to Kakashi's prone form, "Didn't think so,"

"Alright," he said, choosing to ignore what was said, "but I come with you," Minato said resolutely, "There's no way I'm letting him go with you, without someone else there as well,"

"Unacceptable," the man said, sounding falsely remorseful, "I'm not taking the Great Yellow Flash with me,"

"Then, I shall go!" the weird kid with the bushy eyebrows exclaimed.

"Gai, don't be stupid, I'm not sending two kids with an enemy," Minato said, "I'm sorry, Kakashi, this is going to hurt," he said as he carried the Chunin in his arms, wincing as he screamed but otherwise not showing any reaction.

"So… that's how it's going to be," the Yellow Flash glared daggers at him.

"Let's go, Gai,"

"But, Namikaze-sensei…!"

"I'll be here for the next hour, if you change your mind," the man said, "Don't send your ANBU to kill or apprehend me, or I swear, that boy will pay dearly," Minato jumped away, and with one last look at the enemy, Gai followed the other Konoha nin.

"I'll take him home now. You should be getting home as well, Gai," the teacher said.

"Namikaze-sensei, do you think it'd be okay for me to come as well?" Minato didn't see the harm in that, and allowed Gai to stay. Minato made sure Kakashi was comfortable on his bed before going to the kitchen to make the three of them some breakfast.

"Hey, do you want orange juice or milk?" he asked as he poked his head into the bedroom. His eyes widened, all thoughts of food were brought to an end, and he quickly jumped through the window.

The only thought passing through his mind was, Gai, what the hell are you doing?!

Author's Notes: I hope you enjoyed this chapter, please leave your opinion in a review! Is Gai too OOC? I really don't know how to write him, so any help in that domain would be highly appreciated!

A Response to the Reviews on Chapter 3:

Prescripto13: I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well (despite the fact that it was very, very, VERY late XD)

TheHaloFreak: I plan on continuing this to the end, I'm not sure how long it's going to be yet, but we'll get there… eventually XD And your wish just became true :D

Jleath1234: Thanks for your review! Hope you enjoyed reading this chapter!

Lady Inulzayoi: Thanks!

Seth7: Hmm… who knows? Well… to be honest, I do know who the person is, but I'm not telling you till later. Thanks!

As usual, thank you all for the wonderful reviews, follows and favorites! Until next time!