Chapter 7: I never want to be a parent…
Looking after someone was hard. Really hard. The abundance of energy and extra caution you need to take before even breathing was shocking to Kakashi. But he should have known. Naruto thinks everything logically, no emotions involved, shaking him would logically make him think Kakashi or Inu, as he sees me, is angry. Maybe even furious? Kakashi deduced systematically. Honestly he sometimes felt like disappearing as Naruto's personality should be imprinted into his mind, but no, he always got flustered and overly protective of the boy, to even notice he was hurting him. His heart willed him to outrun the boy and stop him from closing the door, the distance Inu had closed seemed to have just doubled in size, unfortunately when having a poor background he just was not equipped to address his feeling- or others feeling for him.
His legs having fallen asleep in the gap of time, while his mind processed the happenings at snail pace, he forced himself to stand and soundlessly walk to the door Naruto retreated through. One didn't need sensitive ears to hear the hushed sniffs and rustle of clothing as they wiped away the tears. I will fix this…, Kakashi thought with determination and resolve but immediately froze, walking in on him crying…no. This would merely hinder their slowly flourishing relationship. Kakashi would be oblivious and this would retain Naruto's image as an indifferent person, instead of turning the territory around them into thin ice with awkwardness.
Inu straightened his back and promised mentally to return back home in maximum two hours. Transporting himself in front of the familiar mahogany doors, leading to the Hokage's office, Inu rapped on the door to hear a joyous cry of 'enter'. Making his grand entrance the old man, being addressed this way respectfully, smiled all too brightly at the sight of Inu, with no knowledge of the purpose of the man's presence, invited him in. Kakashi nodded in the Hokage's direction after announcing his fidelity with a casual two-finger salute out of habit, which was expected of all ANBU but with more formality.
"I wanted to inform you about incident at the library…" Kakashi explained with bitter tone but restrained himself from straying away from the purpose of his visit. The old man waved him hand with a nod, as if to mentally prepare himself of the worst update, he leaned forward with seriousness. Not what he was expecting, after all as much as he liked a distraction for the wretched paperwork, hearing bad news was always unwelcomed.
"Uzumaki-san and I had left the ANBU's canteen, after having a fitting meal, to the central library. We were immediately made known that our presence was undesirable by the civilians but no one dared to become physically violent due to my presence. Many scowled at my purpose and glared at Uzumaki-san, giving me a perfect example as to how he reacts to hostile atmosphere. To my surprise he was detached with his surroundings if not stubborn with complying with orders. I left him to his own devices seeing he was very absorbed with his book only to return after hearing a quite feminine scream from a grown man. The unknown man suffered damage to both of his arms but I did not survey the scene as withdrawing Uzumaki-san from the crime scene was my top priority. Once again the boy was not moved or squeamish of the injury that he went to the extent of surveying the wounds with impassiveness." Kakashi ended his monologue with a pause as if wanting to say something but was rethinking his decision.
"He's quite different from what I imagined him to be. When he received my gifts he had a lot more emotion. When he was vulnerable and first met me he was better at showing his emotion. He is very different…" Kakashi stopped to release an understandable sign as the Hokage closed his eyes and puffed his pipe, collecting his thoughts on the situation.
"Just take it slow, Naruto himself is trying to not address the situation directly, but with time you will bond. But you don't have time. If you bond with Naruto as Inu the boy might entirely give up bonding with Kakashi. Tread carefully. But be as honest as possible." Kakashi nodded mournfully while letting his lips tighten into a thin line. Interacting with Naruto was harder than surviving a minefield. Setting one off near Naruto will explode all of them and all links to Naruto will be broken. Kakashi wondered helplessly.
"As of the incident at the library, I think we have all learnt something" Kakashi winced at the low blow feeling his heart clench guiltily. "But then again maybe this is a sign, this man, which Naruto has supposedly injured, was admitted into the Main Konoha hospital. But if you catch up to Dr Katsura then maybe you can look into what type of injuries the man sustained." Kakashi nodded once more with a bow.
"I was not expecting this Inu but next time just be careful. There is just so much I can protect Naruto from in the combined meeting with the Village Council. Those rats will immediately try and press delirious charges again a not even grown boy. I already still have to drop the bomb about Kakashi looking after Naruto." Kakashi grumbled internally with a hiss of animosity. Kakashi, his counterpart, has an implantation of the Sharingan, which is a trait passed down generations genetically by the Uchiha Clan. After the demise of the Uchiha Clan the Council looked far and near for an appropriate guardian. With ill karma shower Kakashi every day, after the dead of his team-mate and the growing distance between his other surviving one, Kakashi was a wreck.
He was 'invited' by the Council to review his competence in looking after the sole Uchiha massacre survivor, Uchiha Sasuke, luckily Kakashi had very low self-esteem and outright refused to do anything with children. Feeling that his bad luck will result and an even worse childhood. If he had not refused so strongly, with the backing of the Hokage and the Ninja Council, he would have been stuck with a Sasuke and have no chance of looking after Naruto. The Council was outraged that they insisted that Kakashi be forced to look after Sasuke, while Kakashi being the only person alive with a Sharingan and ability to teach others, but the Hokage immediately shot them down with a disappointed glare.
When Kakashi looks back he smiles, if he had adopted Sasuke then the Council would have never let Kakashi even reach out to Naruto like he is doing now.
"Then I shall leave with your dismissal, Hokage-same…" The Hokage groaned with horror.
"I was hoping you would stay for longer Inu." The old man glared with at the paperwork piled high haphazardly around his desk, with the ulterior motive of shredding the articles with no care for the trees which were sacrificed.
"As much as your request should always comply to I have a cold-blooded boy at home to take care of." Kakashi once again saluted and transported to the hospital's reception. The receptionist was a large bag of flesh and bone, with layers of fat being folded at her waist, in her late thirties. Her lipped chapped and smothered distastefully in bright florescent pink, she waved her beefy arm slowly in Inu's direction.
"Honey! What can I do for you?" The woman raised her hairy eyebrow suggestively.
"I have an emergency appointment with , made by the Hokage." Kakashi voice in monotone not bothering to sound remotely interested in being a gentleman, which he is only around Naruto.
"Well honey, you will find him in room No.105 on floor two." Kakashi turned to leave only to hear a loud wailing "And you can find me in the staff lounge" Kakashi rolled his eyes. I would rather date an impassive ball of cuteness by the name of Uzumaki Naruto, than a fat witch like you. Kakashi thought pleasantly but froze promptly to correct himself. Well if Naruto was a girl and if he wasn't underage and urgh… Kakashi would have continued to correct himself if he hadn't slammed directly into 's door. Damn auto-pilot… Kakashi lifted his hand to knock on the door only to hear an amused voice.
"We don't like to have our doors knocked down only two years into their life of employment. Come in Inu" Kakashi grumbled once more. This Katsura character was ultimately shady to him, but he has operated to remove imbedded objects and diagnosed Naruto's injuries many times if the Hokage's personal doctor wasn't around. Kakashi begrudgingly trusts him with Naruto, if not he has to.
Doctor Katsura was in his late twenties but was slightly shorter than the average height for his age group and had a much tanner skin tone compared to Naruto. With a dashing smile and well-groomed chestnut brown gelled back meant he was mostly popular for his looks. His lip in a wide ever expanding grin which reached to his pale green eyes, glistening in excitement. The man ran to Kakashi with boundless energy dragging the taller male to his desk, which reminded every one of the Hokage due to the papers piled high just ready to tip onto the floor with an avalanche of whiteness.
"So I've been waiting for you since I found out about this body from the Hokage!" His voice high and words being rapidly spat out in bursts of energy, making Kakashi backtrack. The petite man waved his arms around frantically in an attempt to share his growing delight for the case.
Pointing at a microscope with a beam of pride as Kakashi awkwardly untangled himself from another man. Leaning in he saw flashes of white which reduced slowly to reveal circular cells tinted red all speeding around in the line of his scope.
"What you see there are organisms we have never seen before!" Kakashi retracted back to see the growing bubbly attitude of the other male in annoyance. Skinny hands peeking out from his pristine white lab coat were placed delicately on his hips as he scolded Kakashi with playfulness. "This is amazing Inu-san, the way his organism has a mind of its own even when it doesn't contain any form of DNA. Like a temporary clone, it breaks down flesh into an unknown substance which it lives on. This function could only be used as a weapon seeing as it does not heal but automatically eats its own clones when running out of a food source which we so far know is flesh until there is no food source and it dies. Do you know who attacked this man?"
Kakashi stiffened to the question and instead tried to steer the man away from the question.
"Can you duplicate this organism?"
"So far we don't know seeing as we only found it on the man's body on a cellular level by chance. We didn't have enough time to actually test out the cells behaviour and what it's synthesised out of."
"Synthesised?"
"Yes." The doctor folded his arms with a gentle smile he began to explain more. "Seeing as the cell itself has no DNA then there is probably no chance of seeing the structure at that level. Right now we have a few culture mediums growing the stuff in a controlled area off limits to see if we could encourage them to duplicate themselves."
"I don't know anything but the basics but seeing as flesh was its food before what are you feeding it now?" Kakashi asked out of pure curiosity.
"Ah, good question ANBU-san. Well, right now we are regularly giving them doses of pig's meat. Later on, when we successful making clones we can experiment on them." Kakashi merely hummed in thought, As long as they don't know Naruto made them, other than the Hokage, everything is fine. But I have to talk about this to Naruto…
"So Inu-san were you on a date?" Katsura wondered with a mischievous wiggle of the eyebrows.
"No date, I had taken Uzumaki-san for lunch. Your receptionist, however, seemed quite eager." The room filled with soft giggles as the man hunched over in an attempt to contain his fit.
"Yes, nowadays with the Uchiha brats gone all the women turn to men in ANBU hoping to catch their eye. You know the ANBU are the highest paid ninjas in the village. Plus they are the fittest meaning woman are guaranteed to have a fine catch. With the ANBU not being at home much the woman can fling off with anyone behind their back. Oh, the benefits for a strong but never home husband."
"Right…" Kakashi muttered with uncertainty.
"So Naruto is staying with you?" The man asked but before Kakashi could politely answer he ear were victim to an on a wave of squeals. "Isn't he just adorable? Whenever I hug the poor kid he just freezes and doesn't say anything but when he asks a question his voice. By god that kid is gonna be a lady killer when he grows up!" Soon all respect for the Katsura, Kakashi had accumulated over this short period had melted away to leave an empty husk of nothingness. Kakashi quickly made up an excuse.
"Nice talking to you about the case, but I have an errand for the Hokage to complete. I'll see you tomorrow with Naruto." Katsura smiled sweetly and nodded with great enthusiasm.
"Come in during my lunch break then we can talk. Be sure to bring Naruto. I'll have come Mikado's ready, Naruto loves that stuff!" Kakashi noted this detail on Naruto and seeing this as a go sign he left with a short burst of blue sparks.
Making a short trip to a convenience store he was faced with a deadly dilemma. He was surrounded by an unworldly number different flavoured Pocky, also known as Mikado, sticks to choose from. Varying from: traditional Matcha, to unique Cookies and Cream and an unexplainable sour lime. Sighing to himself he took a few traditional and plenty of different flavoured fruits. Reaching the cashier the man looked down at the items and back at Inu with a knowing look.
"Children?" Kakashi nodded slightly. Naruto is not my child and he will never be. I would rather be family but not a father. The man thought with determination.
Finally reaching home he looked up to see the dusty old clock hanging on the bare wall, ticking away without a single worry. Sometimes Inu wished he could just drift away to waste the days in a warm forgetful dream. But I have Naruto and I will look after him till my last breath.
Looking round for the boy, he can't help but think about every second of his never ending days, a bundle of blankets was laid casually over a frail, but the distinctively fascinating body, who Kakashi identified as Naruto. Placing the bag of sweets onto the table he approached the warm bundle to see a head peak out from the layers. Bleached lemon yellow strands spray out from a head of an alluring boy. Soft pinkish lips open to breathe as a steady rhythm of rising and falling indicated his chest and hopefully amicable dream. He didn't look introverted, relentless or unpredictable. He looked delectable to take a bite off and Kakashi quickly drank the seraphic image before it reverted back into an animal always baring its fangs.
"Uzumaki-san?" Kakashi whispered, not wanting to touch the boy just yet. Stirring slightly, the boy was a light sleeper, he slowly awakened and stretched now wandering his eyes to Inu with a nod of acknowledgement. Reaching out to new lengths his joints cracked the silent air. Now fully risen Naruto blinked and looked down to see a few buttons of his shirt undone revealing the white firmly bound bandage and an expanse of exotic skin shimmering slightly a tantalizing golden. A flush of rosy red colours flooded onto his skin as the boy quickly covered up his neck, wanting to sink magically into the couch and disappear of embarrassment.
"You will have to give me a break Uzumaki-san." Naruto looked up questioningly. "I have been so used to looking after myself that I don't know how to deal with you." Naruto's teeth sank in nervously into his soft lips to dampen the upcoming punch.
"So I've decided I'll to try my best. But in return…" Naruto looked up with the jerk of his head at the news and nodded after a slight pause. "You have to tell me how you feel. You won't get a family you always wanted unless you tell me how you feel, I can read some people but Uzumaki-san you are a blank book. Lesson four: So please cooperate with me."
Naruto merely stared into the man's eyeholes as if to test his resolve but a timid nod and glint in the boy's eyes meant he was ready to cooperate.
"Now I have a treat for you" The man's bulky body picked up the plastic bag and he seated himself loosely onto the sofa next to Naruto. Naruto turned and folded his legs onto the couch to fully face the man and watch his moves intrigued with the contents of the bag. Taking out a small box decorated with green and black Naruto's eyes widened like he had seen god descend onto the earth in order to grace his miserable life. Unintentionally the boy reached for the box, like in a state of hypnosis, he did not notice the amused tilt of Inu's head as he used his height to lean back and inch the sweet out of Naruto reach. Childishly the two inched away from each other until Naruto muttered helplessly.
"Please…" Inu's froze as such a word had been honeyed plentifully in a tone of helplessness. Naruto's eyes dull with need. Having leaned forward so much Naruto used his back legs to boost himself and grab the box and fall back to rip it open ravenously. Taking out a thin break stick coated generously in green flavoured chocolate, humming with approval the boy looked at Inu for further guidance.
"Well…" Inu quickly tried to gathered his scattered thoughts when they had exploded due to the act Naruto just pulled but Kakashi wondered with a serious tone This kid is going to be a lady killer if not my killer… "You can talk!" Inu pressed hotly with a worried tone. Naruto just shrugged with indifference.
"It stopped hurting." Naruto pointed to his throat.
"I'm going to remove the bandage…"
"No." Naruto moved away from Inu's gentle warm hands. Shaking his head slowly.
"I don't want you to see…" The mark… Kakashi thought with gritted teeth.
"Okay but don't push yourself" With a nod the questions started but Kakashi would have to take him to Katsura for a check-up. Right now he would see how long Naruto would last with his voice.
"Now first question, Use one word to summarise the reason to live." Naruto shrugged with indifference chomping on his candy like a child he was mean to be.
"Death." Inu almost felt like groaning with frustration. And this was only the first question. Inu nodded but prodded more for a glimpse into Naruto's deduction.
"Why?"
"We all die one day. It applies to everyone. Even me." A snort resonated in the boy's head as he heard a low 'Insects die too easily.'
"Okay." Inu wanted to just ask simple questions to get to know the boy better but even after the agreement there is no motivation. "After we finish this you can ask me question. So answer with longer sentences or else I'll make you answer again from the beginning" That seemed to have worked since Naruto immediately become more attentive. Learning about Inu-san! Naruto's empty heart filled with warmth.
"Why?" Inu asked again.
"It's the only thing which is normal about me. If I can die like others I'm not a daemon. If I was I would be immortal." Naruto explained flatly like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Fine. Favourite pass time?"
"Hunting, reading and thinking." Naruto pointed his last stick treat towards Inu for him to take and enjoy. Plucking the stick out Naruto's hand in a single blink Naruto's had missed the whole thing as Inu's hand as draped innocently around the plastic bag. Damn it Naruto scowled but a Prince Kurama couldn't help but intervene with a manipulative 'So what will you do when you see his mouth? Kiss it?' Internally Naruto groaned in frustration. I would… Naruto wondered with a hazy mind.
"You hunt?" Inu sounded scandalised at that theory. But how there was three ANBU's with him at all times! He couldn't have just got up and left in front of us.
With a hum he continued uncaringly. "At District 666. This purple haired woman stalks me and tells me about hunting spots." Inu shook his head with uncertainty as he too had heard the rumours of a snake woman living in the Forest of Death. She had purposely isolated herself to subdue the attention she had drawn to herself when Orochimaru had abandoned her. His living experiment.
They both conversed comfortably until Inu had run out of questions. With a dangerous smile Naruto reached out for another packet of sweets only for Inu to reluctantly hand him one. They jumped from favourite colour to cooking and activities at school; everything was okay until school which made Naruto uncertain and tempted to not cooperate again but then again Inu will cut the deal about asking him questions. A small price to pay in Naruto's eyes.
"How come you're single?" Inu waited for a smile to crack onto Naruto's face as a joke but Naruto's emotional range was that of a rock sometimes.
"I never thought about it. Plus I don't have the time, being an ANBU Captain and looking after the cadets." Inu answered truthfully. It's the least he could do when Naruto cooperated.
"So you don't love anyone?" Naruto looked away while asking that question, suddenly tense from having blurted out an intimate question. Inu watched his reaction carefully. The boy's chest was still, he was holding his breathe. His shoulders stiff.
"No" A slow gush of air was released as a sigh from Naruto's mouth. He was relieved.
"What do you think about going to school tomorrow?" Naruto shrugged in response but opened his mouth.
"The man in the library." Inu stiffened, Naruto wasn't supposed to remember that. He remembered the incident with the priest and now the man in the library. But he forgot about lesson two. Something links the two incidents. If I could find it then maybe, just maybe, Naruto would be able to prove to everyone he isn't a daemon. Inu knew that if Naruto kept on being careless about what others thought then everyone would have their way with him. The Naruto in front of him was just drifting through time indifferently. If Inu would become his anchor and start to help Naruto care and show emotions then that would prove Naruto isn't a daemon, after all the people of Konoha think daemons are incapable of emotions. Firstly get Naruto a family. And then Naruto will be happy. And then he can show emotions. And then Kakashi would die without a regret.
"He's fine. At lunchtime tomorrow I'm going to pick you up to have a check-up with Katsura." A hum of agreement hung in the air.
"Sleepy?" Inu asked. Naruto looked down with a nod, still embarrassed to ask of anything or look selfish in front of the man. The two make their way to the kitchen and Inu opened the cupboard to find some noodles. Unfortunately they would have to deal with it until tomorrow when Naruto and he would go shopping. The two sat in a comfortable silence until Naruto spoke in a timid but firm voice.
"Do you trust Kakashi?" Inu saw a chance. Before they would separate he needed to loosen the attachment Naruto was making with Inu and make Naruto idolise Kakashi instead. This way when he comes as Kakashi, Naruto won't give him the cold shoulder and run after Inu. A stroke of genius.
"Kakashi was the one how brought up your condition. He make the Hokage snap," Strike one Kakashi and zero for the Hokage, "and had me, a person he trusted the most, to be in the team which protected you." There was a clatter of chopsticks. Naruto looked up with anger brewing and boiling in his eyes. His eyes which once shimmered in the light now glowed a dangerous unrestrained colour. His face vacant of emotion.
"Kakashi saved me? You didn't? Where is he then?" His voice low as a whisper but sharp as a blade cutting though Inu like butter.
"He is saving up to accommodate you. He's taken up multiple long missions to raise money to fund you and him. Seeing as he is adamant not to use the benefits you get from the Hokage."
Naruto slumped his shoulders. 'Insect don't you dare breakdown now!' A voice shattered his dead front. Kurama he lied to me! He said he saved me!
'And he did save you dimwit. Kakashi simply brought you into Inu's eyes. Inu can't keep track of thousands of people being under the Hokage's command and all. So put on you big boy pants and stop your whining. All this atomine your brain is excreting makes me sneeze, insect.'
Inu was ready to restrain the boy if he exploded but instead the boy straightened up, almost like booting up a machine, and returned to eating his food. I need to really get him check-up… Inu said with a flood of relief.
"So school tomorrow…" Inu pointed out with a careful voice.
"I'm going kill everyone." Naruto voiced monotonously shrugging when finished. Yep a check-up. Katsura and Hatori better be there damn it, I feel like everywhere I step there is a landmine damn it! Kakashi groaned and returned to his magic treat of eating in a blink of an eye. That annoys him but he looks so cute when he tries to catch me in the act. Wait CUTE?! Inu slammed his head in the table.
"Inu-san?" The boy looked at him with worry shrouding his head but his face visage dictated that Inu was acting like an idiot.
