Idea: Hi no Ishi, The will of fire is starting to die out in the older generation, with the loss of the Yondaime; the older ninja just don't know what to do. It is up to ANBU!Kakashi and newly graduated Umino Iruka to keep the will of fire alive in the younger generation. But that's not all they have to do. With an infant Naruto left in their care, can this unlikely duo prevail? (Gender flipped Iruka KakaIru)

Summary: The night of the Kyuubi attack, the Yondaime entrusts the care of his infant daughter to his genius student: Hatake Kakashi and the most promising Academy student: Umino Iruka. Not long after, the duo starts to notice the deep depression that the older generation seems to be falling into. It very quickly becomes apparent that the will of fire is starting to die. The Hokage, seeing this despite his own problems, tasks the young pair with protecting the younger generation. Can they do it when they have a charge of their own to look after? (Gender flipped Naruto and Iruka KakaIru)

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto!

Attention: Flamers will be ignored, blocked or deleted! I will however take reviews that critique my work. Flames don't exist.

A HUGE thanks to The Un-Wanted Angel for offering to be my Beta! And to Silver Flyer, who helped with the majority the last chapter.

Title: Hi no Ishi o Mamoru: Protecting the Will of Fire

(Chapter Six: Saving Sakura)

Deidara and Haretsu grinned at each other as they congratulated themselves in capturing a kid. Haretsu glanced to the side and said, "Hey, Deidara, guess what I see. Little brats out all alone. We should 'help' them out."

Deidara grinned and replied, "Let's do it."

Haretsu and Deidara walked up to the kids they had seen and asked, "Hey there, little ones. Do you need any help?"

Deidara's eyes sparkled with malice and excitement.

The children trembled slightly in fear.

Naruto turned to Shikamaru with frightened eyes, "Run Shika!" she grabbed his hand and began dragging him away from the frightening duo, "Want Nii-san..."

"Nawu, slow!" Shikamaru complained quietly as he tried to get his feet under him to run.

"No," Naruto replied, "Dey bad. Bad Happen to us dey catch!"

Shikamaru sighed, he really couldn't argue with that.

They both shared grim looks when they came upon Hana and Kiba, "Hana-nee, Kiba, Run!" Naruto called as they ran passed.

Hana looked at Naruto and Shika before turning to face where they just came from. She saw the duo holding a squirming bag and she paled. "Kiba, run."

Hana grabbed Kiba and followed after Naruto and Shika. They had almost made it to the end of the lane when the two appeared before them again. The blonde one grinned.

Naruto whimpered, she knew something bad would happen if they left the safety of the Compound!

Hi no Ishi o Mamoru

Pakkun stopped and sniffed the air, "They left the Namikaze Compound a while ago and went," he turned to the left, "This way. We need to hurry; I can sense a hostile presence with them!"

"Damn it!" Kakashi muttered, he turned to his companions and the rest of his dogs, "Bisuke, Ryou-kun, you go with 'Ruka, Bull, you go with Tora, Kiku-hime, you go with Neko. The rest of you spread out, Pakkun, you're with me. Let's get our kids back before something happens!"

Naruto, Hana, Kiba, Shika, and Shino shivered as they looked at the two ninja in front of them. They could tell they wanted something with them, they just didn't know what.

Hana was frozen. They radiated bloodlust and made her wish she could move. Hana's eyes widened as she realized exactly what she could do… scream. Hana breathed in deep and let it all out in a long, drawn out yell that sounded a lot like a howl.

Kakashi's head snapped up, "That was Hana, Pakkun, answer her!" They sped up as Pakkun howled in answer. Now the entire search party was heading towards the younger kids.

Kakashi and Iruka were the first on the scene, just as Deidara took a step forward, a frightening smile on his face.

"Iwa…" Kakashi snarled as he landed between Hana and Deidara.

Deidara froze, "It's…" his face paled, "You…"

Kakashi smirked, "You are lucky that Sensei is busy…"

Deidara's face went white, "Come on Haretsu; let's get out of here!"

Haretsu blinked, "He doesn't look that tough Deidara…"

"He's one of the Yellow Flash's Little Devils!" Deidara snarled, "I've heard horror stories from survivors of the War! In fact I was training during the tail end of the war!" Deidara made a hasty retreat, taking the sack with him.

Sakura, who had heard the entire thing, felt her chance of rescue slipping away and she cried out, hoping against hope to be rescued.

Naruto's head snapped in the direction Deidara had gone, "Got kid…" She realized, "Nii-san, dey got girl!"

"'Ru, take the kids back to the compound," Kakashi told his partner as he raised his Heate-ite, revealing his Sharingan eye. "We will retrieve the child."

Iruka nodded, it made sense, even if she was really good, she was still just a Genin, it was better to leave this to the Jounin. "Ok, kids, we're going home."

Hi no Ishi o Mamoru

Kakashi, Tora and Neko took to the trees, the dogs following them. Even with Deidara's head start, the three were gaining. Kakashi knocked out Deidara's partner, causing Deidara to panic.

In his panic, Deidara dropped the bag, which Tora caught. She opened the sack, expecting to see a clan child, only to find a civilian instead. "Why would they want a civilian child…?" Tora asked herself as the child clung to her. She only hoped the girl's parents were still alive.

Hi no Ishi o Mamoru

Back in the village, Kuromaru was investigating the home of the newest kidnappee, he could smell death on the air. At least one of the unfortunate girl's parents were dead.

They had probably been taken by surprise and had died quickly; at least, that was what Kuromaru hoped. He leaped in through the window and found one dead and the other almost dead. He howled as loudly as he could. 'Poor kid,' he thought, 'she's going to be devastated...'

…And the kids had just gained another playmate.

Hi no Ishi o Mamoru

Kakashi looked at the children, feeling his eyebrow tick slightly in annoyance.

The pink haired girl stood there, watching him curiously.

Kakashi felt an aggravated smile stretch across his face.

The little brat was LOUD. Even at her age, she was just too loud for his ears.

The little girl smiled brightly and chattered excitedly in that overly loud voice, making Kakashi's ears hurt, his mind scream. 'Make it stop!'

Iruka noticed Kakashi holding his ears, "'Kashi?" she asked in concern.

"She's so loud 'Ru…" Kakashi whispered, "It's hurting my ears…"

"That's the Hatake senses right?" she asked.

Kakashi nodded, "I really don't know how Naruto-hime is dealing with it, Sensei's hearing was even better than mine..."

Iruka nodded, "I'll see what I can do Kakashi."

"Thanks," Kakashi replied.

Iruka approached the kids, "Hey Naruto-hime, who's your new friend," she asked quietly.

"'Ru-nee, this Sakuwa," Naruto replied, "Sakuwa, this Iwuka-nee."

Naruto looked around mischievously and then waved Kiba forward slightly. They had gotten so bored, confined to the Compound unless they were escorted and they had decided to sneak out. If they had known what would be awaiting them, they never would have tried it. Now they were going to be facing the consequences.

(End Chapter)

Well there's Sakura… I hope everyone enjoyed this. Haretsu means explosion