Naruto's mind was blank other than the simple thought of Kakashi's lips on his. He didn't pull away, but he didn't move forward to kiss the man back. He opened his eyes halfway when the older man drew back, one eye searching Naruto's blue ones. Kakashi instantly got lost in them, and he wondered what would happen if he kissed Naruto again.

Naruto sat in his lap, staring at Kakashi with an incredulous look. He wasn't offended, and he brought a hand up to touch his lips. Naruto had felt…something when the two connected. He felt Kakashi's arms wrapped loosely around his waist, hanging there slightly firmly. He barely noticed the larger ninja's bare face. He had seen it once before, but now it wasn't a life threatening time, and he could gaze at the man's perfect features as long as he liked.

Kakashi's face was clean save a small scar on his jaw, small but rugged looking. His lips curved into a small smile, clearly hesitant at the smaller boys gaze on his face. His one eye was calm and collected, although in his mind he was freaking out at what the blond might do. He didn't have to wait too long, luckily.

"K-Kakashi…."

"Yes, Sempai…?"

"Y-you…" Naruto's eyes were slightly wider now, and his voice was shaky.

Kakashi just rested his sight on his captain, resisting the urge to kiss him again or flee. Neither would be the mature thing to do right now, but…

"I knew you were… but…why me…?"

Kakashi gave a short nod, his lips twitching. He suddenly didn't want to hear whatever Naruto was going to say. He didn't think it would be good. Because this boy was probably confused enough about his emotions, and he didn't want to force himself upon his friend.

"B-but….I'm nothing" Naruto's small voice whispered.

Kakashi shook his head, smile never leaving for the sake of Naruto's sanity.

"You're everything." And before he could help himself, he had bent his head down again and gently pressed his lips against Naruto's.

Before either of them could do anymore, however, there was a knock on the door, followed by an impatient huff. Kakashi found his hands back in his lap, and Naruto was on the other side of the room. Kakashi felt disappointment, but he stood up and opened the door, pulling his mask up before anyone else could see his face. Naruto plastered a fake grin on his face, but it faltered a little when Sasuke and Sakura shoved their way into the already small room.

Kakashi ran a hand through his hair, trying to collect his own thoughts. He really didn't need this right now, but he was a little relieved that they got interrupted. If they hadn't showed up, who knows what he would have done to his stunned captain.

"What do you need?" he finally asked, avoiding Naruto's eyes.

Sakura plopped down on the floor and Sasuke sat down with a little more grace.

"We're calling a team meeting." Sasuke said stiffly.

Naruto had been so shocked that his friend had done that, he hadn't reacted. He could have moved, avoiding the second peck on the lips, but his body had made him stay. He didn't know why. He didn't have anything against those kinds of people, but he hadn't thought he was closer to males than females. He actually believed that no one was meant for him and hadn't even thought to pursue anyone, regardless of gender. Even with Itachi it had just been a really close companionship, though he knew it could have been more.

He could kill with ease, sneak around so that no one knew where the hell he was, lie and get away with it, but he hadn't a clue what to do in the relationship column. He hadn't even been kissed before! This was his first one. And while it was a new experience for him, it hadn't felt bad. In fact, it felt…right.

"Naruto? Naruto…NARUTO!" Sakura raged, waving her hands in front of his face.

"Wh-what?" he jerked back to reality.

"You spaced out." She deadpanned, eyes narrowed.

Naruto narrowed his own eyes, not liking how she assumed she held authority here.

"Excuse me. Sorry that I was actually thinking about something important."

"What were you thinking about?" Sasuke butted in, not noticing that he defused Naruto's anger and redirected Sakura's fear.

"It's not relevant to you, if that's what you were hoping."

Sasuke looked startled that someone dare refuse him something he asked for, and Sakura looked desperately to their sensei to get this under control. But Kakashi just waved a hand at her, his mind not focusing on their childish fighting. He, too, was curious about what Naruto's thoughts were. They pertained to him, most certainly…

"What did you even want to talk about in this 'team meeting'?" Naruto gave a sigh, dropping his glare to adopt a weary face.

"O-oh, right. That. We- Sasuke-kun – thought that Zabuza would come back and try to fight again. We- both of us would like to train." Sakura tried to say bravely.

"Oh, so Haruno speaks of training! For the first time in her life, perhaps?"

Kakashi's eye landed in Naruto's face, but Naruto refused to meet his gaze.

"Wh-what do you mean?" Sakura stuttered, realizing right away that the blond was taunting her for something.

"'Wh-what do you mean?'" Naruto mimicked, rolling his eyes as he did so. "This will be the first time that you actually show interest for training! Although" he narrowed his eyes and let them wander to Sasuke. "I wonder if it has anything to do with you."

Sasuke narrowed his own eyes, but Naruto didn't back down. He didn't speak again, though.

Kakashi sighed and ran his hand through his hair again. This was not going well. Even though Naruto had a point, he was mentioning it in the worst possible way. Sakura didn't even seem to be standing up for herself; she was merely poking her fingers together not unlike Hinata.

"Team seven is not going to last this mission, is it?" he murmured to himself.

Naruto picked up on it, his hearing more honed than the other two. He didn't respond to Kakashi, but he gave a small shrug to Sasuke, who was glaring at Naruto. As usual, the Uchiha didn't say a word.

"Look, I was assigned as the captain at the start of this mission." Kakashi finally began to show his authority again.

"And what I say goes."

The blond gave a small nod, not looking to see Kakashi's gaze. The jonin looked at each one of them, trying to lock in his order. Sasuke just glared at him, blinking once for his acknowledgement. Sakura blushed and nodded her head rapidly, wringing her hands together nervously. Naruto didn't raise his eyes from the floor, so he didn't see the soft gaze Kakashi sent him.

"Right. Now, as of tomorrow, I'll be training you just in case." He continued awkwardly.

"Fine." came the abnormally quiet response.

It was silent for a few moments, and then Naruto flicked his eyes up to the other teens.

"Well, what are you waiting for?"

He was rewarded with two confused looks.

"Get out of my room!"

After the two scrambled away, Naruto flopped onto the single bed in the room, letting out a muffled groan.

"What's wrong?" Kakashi murmured automatically, turning to face his young captain.

Naruto shook his head back and forth, mumbling an answer. Kakashi threw his hands up in the air, letting out an exasperated sigh.

"If I don't know what's wrong, I can't fix it!" He shouted at the lump on the bed, finally releasing his pent up frustration.

Naruto's head rose from the bed and finally looked into Kakashi's eye.

"You can't fix my problems, Kakashi. No one can."

His tone was cold and it sent a shiver down the man's spine. He gazed at Naruto with an aching heart, wishing to Kami that Naruto was wrong.

"I wish I could" he whispered, dropping his hands to his sides and slouching forward in defeat.

"Why?"

"Because I love you."

Even as Kakashi said it, he knew it was true. He was surprised, and he knew his face showed that deadly emotion. Naruto's eyes went comically wide and he sat up on the bed, mouth slightly hanging open from shock.

"You-you…" Naruto couldn't finish his sentence, but Kakashi knew what he was trying to say.

"Yes."

The blond was suddenly gone, the window open and the slight breeze making the thin curtain flutter towards him, reaching like a ghost hand. Kakashi reached back for it, but he couldn't quite get there.

Naruto couldn't stay in one spot with his thoughts. He knew it would turn and bite him on the ass if he did. So he went to do the one thing he knew best.

Kill people.

He found Gato's place pretty easily. With his speed and agility, he got in without being detected. He even slipped on his ANBU mask beforehand, so if they had cameras he wouldn't be revealed. He didn't want to touch anyone, though, so he brought out his sword and began to make his way through the building, eventually getting to the top floor. It was pretty high up, and he scowled as he recognized why.

All leaders wanted to show their power, their might by being tall. Or living on the top floor of the highest building in Wave Country.

Naruto wiped his blade with a rag, cleaning it so that it shined. He didn't want the slick blood already on it to get in the way of his last kill. He snuck into Gato's room, lip curled in scorn for the heavily sleeping man. Even his guards outside the doors had been snoozing. He ended the man's life slowly, enjoying the peals of noise that rose from the man's throat.

In her room, Sakura was crying for herself. Naruto had been cruel, but he was also right. She didn't know how to fight. Or rather, she knew, but she didn't have the strength or power to back up her knowledge. She bit back sobs, trying to keep her sorrow from the household. They were guests, and she didn't want to act depressed and mopey in front of them.

Sasuke wasn't crying, because he hadn't been put down quite like Sakura had, but he was brooding. He was trying to think of a way to get the blond to train him. He wanted to know how the dobe had gotten so strong so quickly. He had the Kyuubi's help, yes, but was that it? He pondered this thought, also trying to push down his pride so that he might ask Naruto to help him tomorrow.

Sakura sniffed and wiped her tears away, finally finding herself tired. She got into bed slowly, only reacting quickly when she pulled back her covers. A thin white feline rested just between her pillow and sheets, purring up a storm and shedding white hairs all over the dark bedding. Sakura was about to scold the cat for nearly giving her a heart attack, but then she stopped. Yin raised her head, eyes opening slowly to gaze up at Sakura. The purring grew louder and Sakura found that she wouldn't mind some company tonight.

Naruto didn't want to think of Kakashi's kiss, but now it was for other reasons. The taller ninja reminded him of his past lover, Itachi. Naruto and Itachi had never kissed, but they had hugged and touched each other intimately. Itachi had been the one to hold Naruto when he cried, keeping him safe from the outside world. Itachi had been the one to always be there for him. But on the night that Itachi left, killing his clan in the process, Naruto had trusted him. Naruto had trusted him, and Itachi had just pushed him aside, not even sparing him a glance.

Naruto wanted to hate Itachi for leaving him, but he couldn't help but love him. The man had never even kissed him on the lips, but their relationship was much too complex for that. The night Itachi had left; he took a part of Naruto's heart. And he hadn't even stomped on it; oh no, the Uchiha prodigy hadn't even made it easier for Naruto that way. He had left without even doing anything. He just left his heart where it was, locked in the locket that Naruto gave him.

That night, Itachi hadn't even abused his body. Naruto had been willing to give up his first kiss, his virginity even, but the other man hadn't done anything. Just went on and never looked back. So here Naruto was, alone and with his thoughts again. He couldn't hate Itachi, but he couldn't ever get over his betrayal. But maybe, just maybe, with Kakashi, he might be able to get over it. Just a little.

Didn't he deserve some happiness too?

Naruto sat in the corner of Gato's room, eyes staring blankly ahead. His mask was thrown aside, blood spattered everywhere. Naruto didn't notice any of it.

When Naruto wasn't back by morning, Kakashi began to worry. He hadn't wanted to scare the blond away…just…make him better?

"Shit." He murmured, glancing around the room.

Naruto had left no tell-tail signs of where he was. No note, no footprints in the grass, no nothing. Kakashi was worried for his friend, because even though he knew Naruto could take care of himself (and many others) he also knew that when Naruto got emotional, he was unstable as well. And for Naruto, that was a bad thing. He was easily top ANBU, even top ninja in the world. And if the Kyuubi could seize control while Naruto was trying to cope, well…

Kakashi winced and ran on, Sharingan eye swirling rapidly.

Naruto was back by the time Sasuke and Sakura woke up. He actually walked in while they were eating breakfast. They looked surprised to see him carrying Kakashi over his shoulder. Kakashi had run so fast and long that he had fallen asleep, right where Naruto found him on his way back. Naruto hated the touch, but he had to make sure his friend was okay. After all, no matter what happened, Kakashi was still his best friend.

He didn't tell anyone where he went, just left Kakashi in their room and came down to breakfast. Naruto ate quickly, thanking them for the meal and easily eating seconds, thirds, and fourths. He would have eaten more, but he didn't want to impose on such nice hosts. He apologized that he ate so much and proclaimed it was the best meal he had eaten in the last six months.

Then he excused himself to his room. Sakura and Sasuke glanced at each other, but they didn't pry. They didn't want to get on his bad side, and since it came out so easily, they didn't want to risk it. Yet.

Naruto sat on the floor, watching Kakashi's chest rise and fall in a regular pattern. He had left the black mask up, but his tilted headband was missing. Silver-gray hair fell loosely into Kakashi's face and made him look like a god.

Naruto didn't move when he noticed Kakashi waking up. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't want to disturb either the man in front of him or his racing mind.

Kakashi felt the stare as he was waking up, and he knew who it was. He didn't change anything, just regulating his breathing the same and trying not to let the blond know. He knew. Kakashi didn't try to move, though. He wanted to see what Naruto would do. Or, well, feel it. He hoped he could tell where Naruto was in the room if he moved.

And then Kakashi felt his mask being pulled down, but he didn't make any moves to stop it. His eyes stayed closed, and he didn't flinch. His body was dead tired, but when soft lips touched his, he felt like he could fly. Bottomless energy flowed into him, body heat and soul being shared through that one little kiss. His breathing started to change, his chest frozen in place because of the face on his. His fingers reached up and curled around Naruto's wrists, capturing them and pulling gently onto his body.

Naruto was dragged on top of Kakashi, only clothes and a thin sheet between them. Their kiss broke apart for a moment, and Kakashi opened one eye cautiously. Naruto's breathing was ragged, eyes half-lidded and troubled. The blond didn't object when his friend leaned up slightly to capture his lips once more.

Naruto felt his body pressed against the older nin's, friction heating up his body. He felt blood rush to his face in a thick blush. Kakashi let out a moan into Naruto's mouth, letting his head drop onto the mattress immediately after he did. Naruto's eyes were wide now, and Kakashi wished that he kept that in. Now Naruto would be scared again. But before he could let loose a string of curses, Naruto threaded his hand through the soft silver locks.

Eventually the two Genin excused themselves from the conversation at the kitchen table, using the excuse of training to leave. Tazuna told them that he wasn't going to be working on the bridge today, so they could do whatever without much hassle. Inari wasn't to be found.

Sasuke led the pinkette upstairs, heading for their sensei's room. Sasuke desperately wanted power so he could kill his older brother, and the blond had it. He had to get it, now. Sakura followed cheerfully, happy that her precious Uchiha had spoken to her.

The raven was reaching for the doorknob when he heard a noise come from their room. His eyes widened and then narrowed. He pushed open the door, ready to catch who knows what going on.

Naruto was seated at the end of the bed, with Kakashi still under the blankets. Naruto was holding his sword in his mouth, not bothering to watch for the sharpness of the blade. He held a roll of bandages in his hand and a roll of tape in the other. He was trying to pull out a length of both, using the sword's edge to cut them. He was letting out small noises, much like the one Sasuke thought he had heard before. Kakashi was sitting up, watching Naruto with amusement.

"…Training?" Sasuke blurted, entirely confused by the situation.