I'm earlier than early! Woot!

I won't ramble on today, I'll just ask you to enjoy and sneak back out ^.^

Disclaimer: Kishimoto's getting a restraining order for me. Apparently I decided the doorstep stunt would definitely work a second time and the last thing I remember is a wall of sand...

Kakashi waited nervously just outside Naruto's hospital room, fiddling with something in his hands. Today was the day, after almost two more months since he woke from his coma, that Naruto was finally being released from hospital. To say the boy was glad to be going home was an understatement; every time Kakashi had the nerve to come and visit his student, all he did was complain about being bored, how bad the food was, how the smell and silence irritated him to no end, how he really wanted to get out and train for the first time in years and how he couldn't properly spend time with Kouichi.

The last part always made Kakashi's stomach churn uncomfortably and he usually decided sake was needed afterwards.

But, despite how much it hurt him, he was genuinely glad Naruto seemed happy with this Kouichi person. Kakashi hadn't met him yet; he didn't have the guts to see the person that had stolen Naruto from him, but Obito and Rin loved him, and assured Kakashi he would, too.

Sighing, Kakashi slipped whatever it was he'd been playing with back into his pocket and trudgd down the hall. He was sure Kouichi would be helping Naruto take all of his get well presents home and he didn't particularly fancy being a third wheel. No. It was time for some nice, hot ramen - something he'd taken to eating on a regular basis since Naruto's disappearance - to cheer himself up. Taking to the roofs, he sped across the village, his heart clenching painfully in his chest for what he had lost.

'Bakashi!' Obito called as the silver-haired jounin landed outside Ichiraku's. The scarred Uchiha waved his friend over and Kakashi felt his stomach churn with jealousy as his friend made space for him, snuggling up next to his wife. Rin gave the Copy Nin a brilliant smile as he approached.

'Yo.' He said, his visible eye crinkling with a fake smile.

'You should join us,' the med-nin said, returning the smile and deciding to turn a blind eye to the mask that her friend wore, at least for now. 'We're waiting for Naruto and Kouichi to join us. You know, to celebrate finally leaving the hospital.'

Kakashi felt a knot form in his stomach and he turned away.

'Maa, maybe next time. You guys don't need me overcrowding things.'

'What are you talking about? Naruto would love to have lunch with his favourite sensei.' Obito teased, wiggling his eyebrows, a cheesy grin gracing his features that was big enough to put a Cheshire Cat to shame.

Kakashi frowned and looked back to his friends. 'Huh?'

Obito's smile faltered. 'You mean he didn't talk to you before he...' The Uchiha paused, thinking through his wording before continuing. 'Before he left?' Kakashi frowned again. He remembered the night - or rather, the morning - that Naruto was stolen from him. Remebered it too well, in fact. The memory of Naruto's chapped lips pressing against his, and the moans and begs and pleas that rolled from Naruto's tongue as he fu-

'Baka!' Obito snapped suddenly, throwing his chopsticks at the man and snapping him out of his reverie. The chopsticks slapped against Kakashi's cheek and he glared, half-heartedly, at his friend. 'I thought you were supposed to be a genius, Bakashi!'

'I know what you're talking about, moron.' Kakashi snapped, flinging the chopsticks back. He was happy in the knowledge that Obito hadn't dodged them either. 'But how the hell do you know?'

Obito scoffed. 'Who the hell do you think he came running to?' Kakashi stared wide-eyed at his friends, disbelievingly. 'Iruka and I knew from the beginning. Rin knew when I proposed. Since he woke up, all he's talked about - to us, at least - is how much he's in love with you. But. He doesn't know if you'd want him now. Or if you've maybe moved on.'

Kakashi continued to stare, finding it difficult to process what the Uchiha was saying. 'But... Kouichi...?'

This time Rin laughed. 'Don't tell me you're actually jealous of a six year old boy, Kakashi?'

'What?'

It was Obito and Rin's turn to stare. 'Kouichi is Naruto's son.' Obito stated slowly. 'You knew that, right?'

Slowly, Kakashi shook his head and took a seat next to his former teammates. 'His... You're sure...?' Obito nodded. 'How did...?'

'Apparently he was forced onto others, as much as he had people forcing themselves on him.' Rin whispered, gaze downcast. 'She didn't survive long enough after the birth. So Naruto raised him practically alone in that... Place... A couple of the other prisoners helped... But it was mostly him...'

'Stay, ne? Naruto would want you here. He's been asking why you always left before Kouichi showed up.' Obito grinned. 'Just wait til he finds out.'

Kakashi had the Uchiha pinned against the wall in a heart beat, sharingan swirling dangerously though he didn't remember pulling his headband up. He was only vaguely aware of Teuchi shouting at them to take it outside. 'Don't you fucking...'

'Baka.' Obito smirked. 'You wouldn't use my own eye against little old me, now would you?'

'Try me.'

Obito snorted and pushed his friend away. 'Don't worry your pretty little head about it. I won't say anything to Naruto. But don't think you'll be living it down anytime soon. Oh! Hey! If you guys get hitched, I'll worm it into my best man speech!' Kakashi growled and threw his fist into Obito's jaw before pulled his headband back into place and storming back to the counter. 'Baka! You're so fun to tease.'

'Fuck off.'

'Obito-sensei! Rin-sensei!' Naruto came barrelling into view, a silver-haired little boy and his parents on his heels. Naruto stopped just shy of the couple and grinned at them, rubbing the back of his head. 'I'm sorry we're late, I got distracted, seeing my room and my home and the village again, you know.'

'Maa, not so loud, Naruto.'

The blond spun around and fixed his sensei with a warm smile. 'Hey, Kakashi-sensei. I didn't see you there.' He inched closer to the man unconsciously, a shy smile playing on his lips. 'Ano... Are you... Joining us for lunch?'

Kakashi nodded and the blond beamed, taking another unconscious step forward. A small hand gripped his own and he jumped, snapping his hand away as if he'd been burnt. Spinning, he stared wide-eyed at the silver-haired boy behind him. He visibly relaxed and knelt down next to his son, a hand on the boys shoulder.

'Sorry.' He mumbled, pulling the boy into a tense hug and pulling away quickly. 'You scared your old man, is all.' The boy nodded, eying the new person warily. 'Oh! That's right, you two haven't met! Kouichi, this is Kakashi-sensei. Sensei, this is my son, Kouichi.'

The boy nodded carefully in acknowledgement and Kakashi gave him a small wave, one eye crinkled as he smiled.

'Hey kid.'

The boy stared up at him, open mouthed, for a few seconds before turning to his father and grandfather.

'Is he a cyclopes, too?'

'K-Kouichi!'

Minato doubled over with laughter and Kushina bit her lip, torn between scolding the child's rudness and laughing as hard as her husband. Kakashi glanced at a disgruntled Obito, and Naruto spluttered indignantly, his face a bright shade of red. The two jounin shared a look of pure disbelief. Obito sighed; he'd had all of this before, when he first met the boy, but it had stopped after the first few visits. He was sorta hoping he'd forgotten about it since and hadn't thought that the Copy Nin would bring it all back.

'Kouichi, apologise now!' Naruto snapped, blushing furiously. 'I'm sorry, sensei. I don't know where he got his attitude from.'

Kakashi snorted. 'I think I have an idea. But don't worry about it. Let's celebrate, ne?'

'Yes! Ramen!' The blond cried, forgetting his embarrassment instantly.

Teuchi pulled out a table and set it down just outside the ramen shop. The family of four sat down around it and the three sensei's moved down the counter, setting themselves near the family. Obito struck up an animated conversation with Minato and the kid, Rin occasionally throwing in her two cents. Kakashi sat quietly, the loud and jovial conversation beside him barely registered in his mind. His gaze was glued to mother and son.

Kushina wrapped her arm around Naruto's shoulder and he snuggled into her side, resting his head on her shoulder. She ran her fingers through his hair and leant in, pressing a kiss to his temple, making him smile.

'How are you feeling today?' She muttered. He closed his eyes and sighed heavily through his nose. He nodded and pressed in closer to her.

'Better...' He whispered, opening his eyes and glancing over his family - including the extended members. 'I'm still... Just so glad Kou is okay...' His gaze landed on his son and he felt tears welling up behind his eyes. 'I... Don't know what I would have done... If anything had happened to him...'

'I know, baby...' She tightened her grip on his shoulders. Teuchi brought the bowls round and only then did she let go. He pulled away and broke his chopsticks as she gave his hair a quick ruffle. 'I know...'

'Man, how I've missed this!' The younger blond cried out, digging in to his meal.

-X-

'So, what are you gonna do?'

Kakashi sighed and shrugged, not looking at his friends.

'I've seen the reports. Inoichi says they didn't let up.' The trio stopped at the entrance to Kakashi's apartment complex. 'After what he's been through...'

'Maybe he just needs someone there to love him?'

Kakashi snorted. 'He's got sensei ad Kushina for that.' He pointed out with another shrug.

'That's not what I meant.' Rin placed a hand on her friends shoulder and gave him a warm smile. 'I mean he might need someone to show him what real love is. Not just the physical; the only people he allows to touch him is Lady Tsunade and Kouichi at the moment. But -'

'And his mother,' Kakashi interjected. Rin ignored him.

' - the emotional side of things?' She shrugged softly. 'Perhaps you could do that.'

'And work towards the physical stuff.' Obito added, none too playfully. He turned serious very quickly after that. 'He didn't just tell you, all those years ago, did he? Just... The way he talks about you...'

Kakashi sighed again and felt a blush creeping up his neck. He was so thankful for his ever present mask to hide it. He softly shook his head, not looking at the couple. 'No... He didn't even outright tell me at first. He told me he liked someone that wasn't Sakura, told me he was older and asked me how to get their attention... Then he kissed me. Then... Well...'

'No.' Obito jumped in, mouth agape. Rin watched on, confused. 'No, no, no. Please don't tell me you slept with him?' Kakashi nodded, embarrassed, and Rin gasped. 'Kakashi, he was thirteen!'

'You don't think I realised that?' The Copy Nin snapped. 'I didn't exactly plan it! It just... Happened. Do I regret it? No. I really don't.' He sighed, running a hand through his hair. 'I thought at first it was a stupid crush on my part. Or some kind of idol worship. The son of the Hokage, you know?'

'But?'

'But, I loved him. Even back then, I loved him. I still do.'

The couple shared a look, neither knowing what to say.

'He wants to get back into training again, already.' Kakashi was thoughtful for a moment, eye turned to the ground in front of him as if it held all of life's answers. 'I suppose I could use that as an excuse to talk to him but sensei or Kushina or the kid will probably be there. I doubt they'll leave him alone in my care ever again.'

'You're still blaming yourself, I see.'

Kakashi startled but didn't show it, turning almost lazily to see his former sensei leaning against the wall, smiling.

'Sensei.' His voice was calm but his heart-rate betrayed that calmness. 'How long have you been there?'

'Long enough.' Minato smiled softly at his former students and unfolded his arms, pushing himself from his draped-against-the-wall position and stepped towards their conversation. 'You know I never blamed you, Kakashi. You were out there for months searching and we had to drag you back home, kicking and screaming, just to get you to rest up. I thought we were going to loose you, too.'

Kakashi had the decency to look sheepish at least and he rubbed at the back of his neck. While he remained calm and collected on the outside, inside he nerves were on fire.

How much did he hear? Did he hear what I said about that night? What Obito said? Kami, he's going to kill me, isn't he? Fuck! What do I do, what do I do?

Panic stricken thoughts chased each other around his mind as his sensei finally joined them and he - just barely - resisted the urge to bolt. The knowledge that his sensei was still faster than he could only dream of being was the only thing that kept him rooted to the spot, praying for a swift end.

But Minato only smiled at him and rested a hand on his shoulder, turning to the couple and asking them politely, 'Could you give us a few minutes? I need to discuss something with Kakashi privately.'

'H-hai... I've gotta get some sleep anyway; mission in the A.M.'

Obito and Rin didn't miss the flash of pure terror that sped across Kakashi's visible eye as they bade their friend good night and turned away.

Traitors.

The silence was deafening.

'Sensei...' Kakashi begain, unsure as to what he was going to say.

'Don't. I heard enough.' Minato's expression had turned serious, but not unkind, as the couple had left. 'Listen. I can't say I'm happy about what I heard. I can't imagine what was going through your head when you slept with an underage boy.' He emphasised the last of his sentence with a deep frown and cuffed the Copy Nin upside the head. Kakashi had the decency to look at least somewhat sheepish that. Minato's features quickly softened again. 'But if I have to entrust my sons happiness to someone, it would be you.'

The hand on his shoulder gave a gentle squeeze and Kakashi smiled, eye crinkling, glad he wasn't about to die a slow and exceedingly painful death. He opened his mouth to say something - though what, he wasn't sure - when Minato turned pensive and the hand was removed from his shoulder. The blond Hokage turned sheepish and rubbed at the back of his head almost nervously.

'You can tell Kushina. I like life.'

And, without another word, the Hokage was gone, leaving a newly terrified Kakashi in his wake.

Maa, I'm so dead... He thought solemnly as he slowly climbed the stairs to his flat. Sighing, he shoved his hands into his pockets, fingers brushing against the box hidden there. He paused, mid-step, and pulled the box out, opening it carefully, thoughts running rampant.

'I should talk to Naruto first...' He decided suddenly, fingering the delicate chain. 'Tomorrow. If we're on our own during training, I'll tell him.' He let his thoughts drift back to his conversation with the Hokage and he visibly winced. 'Better make sure he knows I love him... His mother's going to kill me...'