AN: So just to clear up the ages of everyone, Kushina, Minato and Mikoto are 18 when Naruto is born in this fic. I kept on changing my mind when I was writing the first chapter about when Naruto went back and decided on 10 years but forgot to change Minato's age. I have changed Minato's age from 22 down to 18 in the first chapter. So Kushina and Minato had Naruto at 18. Obito and Kakashi are 4 years old when Naruto is born. Also, can someone please clarify when Kakashi was made chunin? I think the databook says 6 but the manga has him in the chunin exams with Rin and Obito but they didn't become genin until 9 and therefore won't be able to enter the exams until then, so does that mean he didn't make chunin til he was 9 because I always thought they were the same age.

Also my word processor for some reason keeps freezing whenever I saved so I kept losing edits. So this chapter might be worst than the others in regards to mistakes. I will go over the chapters again and fix them up a bit when I fix my computer but not quite sure how long that will take so I decided to post this anyway.

Chapter 3

At the tender age of five Kakashi Hatake was well on his way to becoming one of the strongest ninja the village. In spite of just entering the academy already he has proven himself more than capable. With an intelligent mind and a natural aptitude for the ninja arts there wasn't very many things he couldn't do. So while others struggled Kakashi merely went through the motions, going through every lesson with a practiced ease that although was far removed from any form of arrogance seemed to have drawn the ire of a few and at the same time inspired the adulation of the rest of his classmates. None of whom were more vocal about their feelings than the single Uchiha in the class, the dark-haired goggle wearing boy who had glared at him at entrance ceremony. The same one who had for some reason taken his general aloofness, the calm and detached demeanour he regarded everybody with as a personal affront.

Ignoring the sour look being directed his way for once again taking the top spot in yet another sparring match the young Hatake patiently waited for class to be dismissed before silently going on his way. Unlike the children whose parents often came to meet them at the gates Kakashi was use to walking home without an escort. As the son of Konoha's White Fang, a man's whose status was only rivalled by that of the Three Legendary Sannin, he had long learnt that his father was someone who was always going to be in high demand. So though he knew the man himself would love nothing more than to walk him home from the academy his many responsibilities meant he simply couldn't. Rather than pout and throw a tantrum like any other child his age would he instead decided to direct all his efforts into becoming a great ninja, a ninja strong and powerful enough to be able to stand beside his father.

Instead of going straight home Kakashi found his way to his favourite training spot. While everything seemed to have come easily for him it did not mean he didn't train. Intelligence and knowledge would only get him so far. Without the proper strength and control there was no way he could even begin to think about performing any technique beyond the requisite E-ranks taught in the academy. Although the genin test was going to be a cinch for him Kakashi was aiming to make chunin by the end the of the year.

Producing a kunai from one of his pouches he stood before one of the trees in the small clearing. He was just about to make his way up the tree using the chakra control exercise he found in his father's study when a sudden movement to his left caught his attention. Acting on instinct he quickly spun around and immediately manouvered into a battle stance. However at the sight to greet him Kakashi found himself slowly lowering his kunai with a confused frown. There sitting on the grass with a carefree smile and happily picking at the few dandelions to be found in the small clearing was a little girl, one who couldn't have been more than twelve months old if her size was of any indication. With bright blonde hair and even brighter blue eyes she was dressed in a teddy onepiece that was an almost blinding shade of orange. As he stared he couldn't help but noticed the smears of dirt all over her, the majority of which was concentrated on the curve of her knees and her bare palms. The teltale signs revealing exactly how it was she had gotten to the training grounds. What he wanted to know was what kind of idiot allowed a baby to crawl away from them.

Not quite sure what to do Kakashi remained where he was.

Bringing a dandelion close to her face the little girl carefully inspected it for a moment before pursing her lips together to blow at the flower head, her wide eyes looking on in fascination as the tiny white florets broke away to hover around her. At that she waved her hands happily. Lips twisting into a pout when all the florets disappeared in the wind. Throwing the empty stem away her gaze darted about the place in search of yet another of the flowering weed.

"Ha," she squealed, a bright smile lighting up her face the moment her eyes fell on him.

Faster than he thought possible the baby girl began crawling towards him, not stopping until she sat at his feet. The top of her head only barely reaching his knees she tilted her face up to pin him with her all too wide eyes. Coupled with the three whisker like marks he had only just noticed on her cheeks he couldn't help but think of a baby kitten. Though he was considerably more mature than a regular five-year old Kakashi felt his fingers twitch at the sight. Silently the young prodigy barely fought down the urge to pet the undeniably cute little baby before him.

"Oop," he heard her demand as she held her arms up to him.

At that Kakashi merely stared blankly back at her.

When no action was forthcoming her lips quivered and blue eyes shone brightly as she again implored with arms out, "Oop."

Although he wasn't well versed in baby talk he didn't need to be to recognise when the universal sign to be picked up was being directed at him. While he never remembered doing the same as a baby he had seen other children, even at his age, using the gesture often enough in order to get their parents to pick them up.

"Um," was his oh so smart reply.

At a lost Kakashi was just about to go find an adult when he heard a sniffle. Alarmed at the sight of the watery blue eyes and trembling lips he found himself kneeling down. Not quite sure what he was doing he wrapped his arms around the crying baby and supporting the little girl as best he could lifted her up and into his arms. The moment he did the tears instantly ceased.

"Ha," she murmured happily.

In spite of the fact all his training had made him was stronger than most five-year olds he still needed both arms to properly support the weight of the young baby. With his hands occupied he could do nothing but stare as she reached for the black mask covering his face.

"There you are!" came a sudden cry, the relief palpable in ever word.

At the interruption she let go of his mask. Her face twisting into a cute littel scowl. Thankful she only managed to reveal a bit of his nose and that for the most part his mask was still in place he turned to the source of the loud voice. Not knowing why Kakashi tightened his hold on the child in his arms, eyes narrowing suspiciously at the newcomer.

"Hey kid, thanks for finding the brat for me," the strangely familiar white-haired man said. Grinning in a way that did absolutely nothing to put him at ease the man leant down and said to him in a conspiratory whisper, "Let's just keep this between us okay kid. Her mother would kill me if she ever found out I lost the brat."

Not even waiting for a response he reached for the orange clad child in Kakashi's arms. Before the young Hatake could react the little girl turned towards the stranger and with a wave of her arm smacked his away.

"No!" the baby yelled, blonde brows twisting into an unhappy frown. "Ba! Ero ba!"

Although Kakashi knew young children only knew a few words and barely understood what they were saying he found himself physically turning the little girl away from the man's reach. The fact she seemed to recognize the stranger and recognize him well enough to call him a pervert instantly began setting off alarm bells. If there was one thing his father had made sure to drill into his head it was that not everybody was kind to children.

"I think you should step away," Kakashi warned. His usual apathetic attitude giving way to an unexpected surge of protectivness.

No doubt realizing what was going through the young Hatake's head the white-haired stranger spluttered and with an indignant sound pointed an accusing finger at the blonde baby in his arms.

"Stop giving people the wrong idea you brat!" he yelled before turning said his finger to Kakashi to add, "And you other brat, don't start getting any stupid ideas in that head of yours! I may be a pervert but I'm not that kind of pervert!"

"Blah, Ero," the baby responded before sticking out her tongue and blowing the clearly peeved man a raspberry.

While the interaction between the two was enough to convince the boy the white-haired man wasn't that kind of a pervert - she was familiar enough with him to be scared of him if he was - he was still somewhat reluctant to just hand her over to anyone other than her parents.

"Come on Naruto-chan, your mother's going to start getting worried if I don't get you back soon," the stranger conjoled, holding out his arms towards the small baby.

"Mommy?" the little girl whose name he now knew to be Naruto chirped.

At the feel of the arms around his neck beginning to loosen Kakashi gave the man before him an even look and leaving no room for argument coolly stated, "I can carry her."

As if only realizing he was still there the white-haired man turned to him with a clearly assessing look. He must have known his offer stemmed from far more than just a simple outpouring of ulturism if the annoyed twitch was anything to go by.

"Fine," the man agreed reluctantly. "Just remember not to say a thing about Naruto getting away from me, okay?"

Not caring in the least about tattling on the weird man even though he probably deserved it Kakashi simply replied, "Fine."

Again the stranger stared at him. Whatever he found must have been to his satisfaction because suddenly he stood up and with a wide grin made to slap Kakashi on the back. Not missing a beat the young prodigy side-stepped what he supposed was to be a friendly pat and simply stared at the man expectedly.

"The youth of today, no sense of camaraderie at all," the man complained with a grumble. "Right then, come on kid. Her spit fire of a mother is waiting and if we're just a second late she'll definitely have my balls."

With that said he turned around. Save for the occasional giggle and babble from the bundle in his arms the strange-looking pair silently made their way through the village. When finally they came to a stop in front of a nondescript home located in the middle of town Kakashi did no more than silently observed as the man knocked loudly on the door.

If he had any doubts before the moment he laid eyes upon the red-haired woman every last on of them was put to rest. While her colouring was different to the child in his arms there was no denying the resemblance. The girl in his arms was definitely her daughter.

"About time you pervert," the woman said, glaring at the white-haired man with a discerning eye.

"Ah Kushina-chan, don't be like that. I told you I'll have her home right on time."

"And that's the only reason you're still standing right now," she returned snippily.

Feigning a shot to the heart the strange man stumbled back to dramatically proclaim, "I'm hurt Kushina-chan. I offered to look after my darling goddaughter out of the goodness of my own heart and this is how I'm treated."

Less than convince she placed a hand on her hip. Then narrowing her eyes she returned with, "Naruto-chan would have been perfectly fine at home while I was making dinner you damn pervert. I better not find out you took her anywhere near the hot springs or else..."

Even though it wasn't aimed at him Kakashi could practically feel the weight of the threat hanging in the air.

"Of course not," the white-haired man protested a little too profusely, causing Naruto's mother to glare at him suspiciously.

Before Kakashi realized what was happening he was being pushed forward. Barely keeping his balance he found himself right in front of the redheaded woman, acting as a human shield between her and the self-proclaimed pervert that was now standing behind both him and the happy baby in his arms.

"I took her to the park. Look see, I have this brat to prove it."

Finally noticing his presence Naruto's mother stared down at him for a moment before breaking into a warm smile as she took in the sight of her blonde daughter cuddled up against him.

For the moment forgetting about the white-haired man she gushed, "Aw, who have you got there Naruto-chan?"

"Mommy," Naruto cried happily.

"My, my, only one year old and already my cute little daughter has excellent taste. You've got yourself a cutie there Naruto-chan," she teased good naturely as she reached forward to gently tap her smiling daughter on the nose, the action causing the baby to go cross-eyed for a moment before bursting into the cutest of giggles.

Thankful for the mask covering his face Kakashi ducked his head even though he knew no one could see the blush burning his cheeks.

When he was certain his whole face wasn't going to up in flames he chanced a look. Catching his gaze Kushina tilted her head to the side and gifted him a smile so reminisce of her daughter he couldn't help but feel his cheeks burn at the sight.

"You're Kakashi, Sakumo-san's little boy right?" she questioned.

Not at all surprised Kakashi merely nodded. For as long as he could remember he has heard people comment on his resemblance to his father. It wasn't uncommon for people to recognize him because of it.

"Sakumo's son!" the white-haired man exclaimed from behind him.

Although he couldn't see him he could practically feel his eyes. It was enough to make him uncomfortable.

"Last time I saw you, you were barely bigger than Naruto and still sucking on your thumb," the man laughed, the memory making him feel familiar enough to set a hand on Kakashi's head to ruffle his mess of spiky silver hair. "It's been a long time since I've seen good old Sakumo. How's your old man doing kid?"

Unable to keep the disbelief from his tone Kakashi dubiously questioned, "You know my father?"

"Of course I do," the man replied with a hint of affront. "We fought together in the second war more times than I can count."

At those words Kakashi tilted his head back. For the first time since meeting him the young Hatake looked at the man, really looked at him. Wearing a short shirt kimono and a red haori the white-haired man was dressed like no other ninja in the village he had ever come across. Noticing the horned forehead protector engraved with the kanji for 'oil' on it the young Hatake couldn't help but wonder where his Konoha one was. Unable to feel somewhat dubious he found himself turning to Naruto's mother for guidance.

"As much as it doesn't seem like it he is actually a very formidable ninja," Kushina confessed to the boy.

"Formidable ninja?" the man repeated. With that he spun around with a flourish and then hopping in what could only be described as a dance fell into a Kabuki pose. "I am more than formidable. I am Mount Myoboku's holy master sennin, also known as the Toad Sennin, I am Jiraiya the Great."

While Kushina sighed Kakashi slowly blinked. Naruto on the other hand clapped her hands cheerfully at the display. Though he often heard it uttered as a joke he couldn't help but think that they were right to say the stronger the ninja the weirder the person. The thought made him wonder what kind of an adult he would turn out to be, especially if he ended being even half as powerful as everybody was predicting.

"You're one of the legendary sannin," Kakashi uttered with a slow blink of disbelief.

"Afraid so kiddo," Kushina muttered like she hardly believed it herself.

"Aw Kushina-chan so cold," Jiraiya complained.

Rolling her eyes she turned her attention back to Kakashi and her daughter. With a smile she held her hands out to little Naruto who graciously allowed herself to be detached from his arms. Feeling suddenly exposed he quickly shoved his hands into the pocket of his black pants with an air of detachment he did not feel.

"By the way Kakashi-kun, your father is on a mission at the moment, isn't he?" Kushina asked as she stood up with Naruto in her arms.

At that he gave a nod. Since his father was visibly absent from the village it wasn't a secret he was probably on a mission.

"I was sure I remembered Minato saying something about joining Sakumo-san on this one," she explained with a fond smile at the mention of Minato. Then looking at him with a slight frown she asked, "I hope you don't mind me asking but who takes care of you when your father is away?"

"I have a caretaker that cooks for me," he answered with a frown. Not quite sure why she was asking. "She usually leaves me for the night after she finishes making dinner."

Though he could clearly see she was less than happy with his answer she gave him a warm smile and said, "With Minato away Naruto and I get awfully lonely at home by ourselves. Would you mind staying with us until Naruto's father comes back?"

Once she finished he frowned, easily seeing through her flimsy excuse. Not liking the fact he was being pitied, nor that his father's care of him was being questioned, Kakashi opened his mouth and was just about to politely refuse when he felt a hand on his head.

"I think that is a great idea Kushina-chan," the white haired man Jiraiya of the Legendary Three saw fit to reply for him. "I'll take Kakashi-kun home to inform his caretaker where he'll be and grab a few things."

"Just make sure you don't take too long," Kushina warned the pair. "We're having dinner as soon as I get Naruto-chan cleaned up."

With that both her and Naruto cheerfully waved them off as Jiraiya all but frog marched him away.

"I'm not coming back," Kakashi firmly stated as soon as they were far enough away.

"A word of advice kid, when a beautiful woman asks you to stay the night you best just nod and do whatever it is she says," the self proclaimed pervert saw fit to tell him.

"I'm not coming back," he repeated resolutely.

No doubt realizing he was serious the man sighed.

"Look kid, trust me when I say Kushina will get her way regardless," Jiraiya said with a confidence that made him frown. "Even if you don't return today there is no doubt in my mind the first thing she is going to do when Minato and Sakumo return is to go and speak to your father."

At that Kakashi scowled, "It's not her place."

"You're right, it's not," Jiraiya sighed. "But that's not going to stop her. Little can when she sets her mind to something and right now that something she is set on is you. I'll say it is an Uzumaki thing but her husband is just as head-strong. Makes me kind of pity the poor sucker that ends up with Naruto. She'll probably end up having a stubborn streak a mile long."

Ignoring the man's ramblings he gritted out, "I'm fine on my own."

Upon hearing the words Jiraiya suddenly stopped. With a speculative eye he stared down at the five-year old for a moment before shaking his head.

"Say that again with a little more conviction and maybe I'll start believing you," the famed Toad Sennin snorted.

"I am," he persisted with clenched fists.

"You know Kushina lost her parents when she was very young," Jiraiya began to say and though he wanted nothing more to demand what this had to do with him he didn't. For some reason he found himself remaining quiet. "Not long after she was sent here by her relatives. She was a lot like you in that she had caretakers who would see to her needs but beyond making sure she was clothed and fed none of them really bothered with her. Due her boisterous nature and the fact she was considered an outsider by many of the other kids she didn't have very many friends when she first started at the academy. She was by herself a lot in the beginning. It made her a very lonely child growing up. I guess she wants to try and save you from the same loneliness she went through."

"I have my father. I'm not alone," he argued, unable to see the correlation between the meddling woman and himself. He may have lost his mother but he wasn't an orphan.

"Being alone and being lonely are two very different things," Jiraiya returned knowingly. "You can be surrounded by a hundred people and yet still feel lonely."

Unable to rebute that Kakashi lowered his eyes. Scared if he faced the man that everything would somehow show in his gaze. The times he would let dinner get cold hoping to share it with his father. The nights he would fall asleep waiting for his father to come home. The days he would spend in the training grounds trying to get stronger so he could start going on missions, so he could get strong enough to accompany his father on missions.

"No one is trying to say your father doesn't love you or that he's not doing the best he can for you," Jiraiya tried to assure him. "I'm sure Sakumo doesn't even know your caretaker leaves you alone so often. Considering who he is I'm certain your father made arrangements with your caretaker to stay with you at night as well."

At Kakashi's confusion over why he would need anyone around so often Jiraiya gave him a deadpan look.

"Aside from being only five year's old you are the son of Konoha's White Fang. There isn't a village in all the Elemental Nations that wouldn't just love to get their hands on you."

In spite of being more intelligent than other children he was still naive in many ways. It was this naivity that made him voice his belief, "They can't get me while I'm in the village."

"You would think that wouldn't you?" Jiraiya seem to muse to himself before revealing, "Well it didn't stop a Kumo nin from infiltrating the village and nearly taking Kushina over the border."

Startled by the revelation Kakashi raised his eyes to meet the dead serious stare of the Toad Sennin.

"If it weren't for Minato Kushina certainly wouldn't be here right now," he added. "And that's why when Kushina goes to your father with her concerns there is no doubt in my mind you will be spending a lot of time with the Uzumaki women from hereon in. Coupled with the fact Kushina is a seasoned Jounin in her own right there is no way Sakumo would turn down such an offer. Better just swallow your pride and get use to it."

As much as he loathed to admit it, it didn't take a genius to figure out the man was right. Defeated he let out a deep sigh.

"Hey look on the bright side kid. If Kushina and hell, even Minato, are any indication then Naruto is going to grow into one hell of a looker," was what Jiraiya saw fit to console him with, a hand resting on his chin as if in deep thought. A lascivious grin lit up his face as he turned to the five year old with a sly look. "Best to get a line in early. Something tells me if you don't you're going to be beating them back with a stick just for the chance to get her attention the moment she reaches puberty."

For a moment there was nothing but silence.

"You do realize that is your one year goddaughter you are talking about right," Kakashi asked him carefully, seriously reconsidering his opinion on whether or not Jiraiya was that kind of a pervert. A pause. Then, "Aren't you supposed to be warning me off?"

"Well considering I'm one of the strongest ninja in the village and know someone who could keep you alive and lucid while I make you experience the greatest pain known to men all over the Elemental Nations I'm pretty sure that's completely unnecessary," was his cheery reply.

At that Kakashi blinked and asked, "You're talking about-"

"Yup," the Sannin interrupted with great relish.

Blinking slowly he took a step away from him and murmured, "Okay, just making sure."