[Insert Standard Disclaimer Here] Do own my OC's! I don't profit from this but I do enjoy getting reviews. Flames will be fed to Garo or maybe Igneel and Co.

[WARNING!]: The use of Fuck twice in the chapter to display a character's emotion is within. I'm also changing the Chapter Names gradually. Stage was fun at first but now...

Note: This chapter ran away from me again at the end. I created some lore about the Hatake Clan since we know next to nothing. Enjoy!

Note 2: There are several perspective shifts in this chapter. Along with one of the key event's I've been hinting at. Most of you can probably guess what happened.

Note 3: The weather being as bizarre as it has been made writing difficult. It's hard to sit at the computer when the air extremely cold.

Please Read, Review, Follow and Favorite! They make me happy and the story seems to flow better when I'm in a good mood. Hopefully, it will stop running away from me soon. Damn it Kakashi! Follow the plot... for once? Probably not. /sigh

Chapter 8: Journals of the past

[Journal of Hatake Kakashi; Blood Sealed; Time Unknown]

Pakkun returned with a letter, along with a story. It seems that only he and I will be permitted to enter the Sky God's Paradise. I was given a small 'emergency' seal in case something happened to Tatsuo. Opening the letter with shaking hands, after ensuring all seals were up, I began to read.

-/-

[Blood and Soul Sealed Journal; Writer: Velius Tatsuo, Language: Dragon]

[18th Entry Written; Date: November 6th]

[2 Years Later; Tatsuo: Age 7, Naruto and Co.: Age 5]

Time flew by in Konohagakure. Not that it was all peace and love by any means. People died, many by my very hands. Team Ro was getting concerned with my lack of any response to the killing. As Tori put it "Yurei is calm to the extent of possibly lacking other emotions. Or at least the ability to feel them."

I didn't pay that much heed as I figured Tori was still upset that I was immune to the famous Uchiha Eyes. That and my focus was on the Hyuuga Household. The Yami Bunshin I summoned over three years ago were sending me disturbing bits of information. Over the past year, after Naruto turned four, we ran into Hyuuga Hinata several times.

Striking up a friendship between the Heiress and Naruto wasn't too hard. It was dealing with human politics. Due to my saving Hinata and Neji, the head of the main house, Hiashi, was very keen to meet me again. It was Naruto that he had a problem with. But unknown to anyone, I had started training Naruto in using his enhanced senses. First, it was just getting him used to the sudden increase in sounds or smells.

Eventually, I manage to bring Naruto to the hospital with me towards the very end of my shift. I pointed out different drugs and what they did. With my speed, I was able to take a small sample of each one over time. I carefully preserved the cloths and would randomly test Naruto's knowledge by pulling one out and asking him to identify it and what it was used for.

Using Reijutsu, I succeeded in creating a haven away from Konohagakure. It was carefully concealed within several 'Dungeon Levels' that I modified. All but one had numerous storage area's for various items. It was also the only one, so far, that didn't completely erase my presence from the world. To those seeking me or Naruto it appeared as though we were studying or working in our home or outside.

-/-/

[Dungeon Create: Dragon Kit's Haven]

Level 0: Ninja Training / Ninjutsu / Taijutsu / Bukijutsu / Multiple Storage Area's

Level 1: Scrap / Melting / Storage

Level 2: Hunted Game / Dressing / Skinning / Cooking Area / Multiple Storage Area's

Level 3: Blacksmithing / Armor-Crafting / Multiple Storage Area's

Level 4: Herb Garden / Healing Items / Poisons / Multiple Storage Area's

Level 5: Sealing Creation / Practice Area / Multiple Storage Area's

Level 6: Dragon / Bijuu Training

-/-/

I was able to key Naruto into the area's for both Ninja Training and Sealing. It was during one of these training sessions that Naruto met the Kyuubi for the first time. I forced my way into his mindscape unintentionally. So I guess I should say that we both met the Kyuubi that day.

[Naruto's Mind-Scape]

It was bizarre to go from solid ground to ankle deep water. Hearing splashes up ahead, I made my way towards it. Entering a large room with a cage, I found a dazed Naruto sitting in the water. I ran up to him to find him crying. A large blast of KI flooded the room causing Naruto to curl into himself.

I unleashed my own KI, canceling out the first. A deep chuckle echoed from the cage.

"You've impressive KI for a human." The male voice boomed as I turned to face the occupant. "I was surprised to get a visit from my container so early, and then you barged in… How?"

"Thanks. Except your mistaken. I'm not human." I snarled, dropping my henge and assuming my hanyou form. "And to answer your questions. I'm the current King of Dragons! And souls are my domain!"

"Tatsu-nii? I-Is that you?" The tiny voice of Naruto faintly echoed. I sighed and glared at the speaker in the cage. The giant orange nine-tailed fox peered back at me. "Just a moment Kyuubi-dono, I need to speak with Naruto-kun here."

I gave the Kyuubi a faint inclination of my head, the closest to a bow the bijuu would get. I turned away to look at Naruto. I knelt on one knee where I stood to get to his eye level.

"Yes, Naruto-kun. This is my true form. I'm sorry if I scared you."

Naruto peeked up at me, taking in my dragon aspects. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I'm sorry. I was forbidden by the Hokage to tell anyone. I wanted to tell you when you were older so it wouldn't be so terrifying." I admitted, trying to look upset and not scary.

"C-Can I feel your scales?" I blinked in confusion to find Naruto had moved to arms reach away.

I smiled, careful not to bare my fangs and happily told Naruto that "You can feel more than my scales. If you want you can touch my tail, wings, and horns too."

The next few minutes found me trying not laugh as Naruto took my word and found several ticklish places in the process. My chin was the worst, the base of my tail second and the base of my horns third. Content that I was real, Naruto hopped onto my back and snuggled into me.

"Are you angry with me Naruto-kun?" I felt compelled to ask despite the evidence atop me. I received a bop to my head mixed with laughter as an answer. "I guess not. But you need to know that I will return to my 'human' form when we wake up. Please don't mention to anyone. It's a super secret!"

"Okay, Tatsu-nii. Um… we should probably talk to Mr. Fox now..." Naruto trailed off as he climbed down back to the ground.

Placing a hand on his shoulder protectively, I turned back the Kyuubi, who was looking incredibly amused. "Apologies about that Kyuubi-dono."

"1, 2, 3-, 7, 8, 9. 9 bushy fluffy orange tails!" Naruto cheered as he tried to move toward the fox "I love orange! You're so cool having orange fur!"

The Kyuubi burst out laughing at this. I cracked a smile. "You're a weird one kit," Kyuubi admitted as his laughter died down. "You're not afraid of me, despite the village hating you for things I did?"

Naruto looked to be in deep thought. "Nah! If the village hates me because of you, then their all stupid poopy-heads! I've got a family that cares about me!" His hand gripped my own with a tight squeeze.

"And one of my family is right here! And a King to boot!" Naruto continued as the Kyuubi glanced between us. "I don't feel that your evil Mr. Kyu-... Mr. Fox! And Tatsu-nii always told me to trust my senses! Wanna be friends?"

I blinked at Naruto's admission of sensing emotions. The Kyuubi raised an eyebrow at this as well.

"Huh. Normally you'd need complete control of my chakra to sense emotions… hmm ok. You've gone from weird to interesting in my book kit. My names Kurama kit. Remember it! Friends? Why not. Better than doing nothing. We'll talk later. I wanna chat with your Nii-san now."

Naruto pouted at the dismissal before scratching his head in confusion. "How do I get out of here? I don't know how I got here anyway..."

"Just focus on waking up Naruto-kun. I'll probably be sleeping still when you wake so don't panic."

"Okay! Um… Kurama-san? Can you feel the world through me? Or are you alone and lonely here?"

Kurama looked annoyed at 'lonely' but told Naruto to remove a part of the seal to let him share senses. At the same time, I was shifting a bit of my soul to link Kurama and me together. This way even when Naruto woke up, we could still talk.

Naruto quickly faded away after that. Kurama rounded on me with a snarl. "What did you do to my container?!"

I shrugged. "I have no idea what you're talking about Kurama-dono."

Still pissed, Kurama glared at me before a slow realization seemed to dawn. His red slitted pupils stared intently at me. Finally, the fox sat back on his haunches and face palmed.

"You… were chosen. Of all the people in the universe. You, a mythical dragon, and controller of souls… were chosen. And it's already bled into my container."

"Correct. I hold the Gamer Ability. Bled? How-"

Kurama groaned aloud. "And if it wasn't bad enough… you're the lost brother of my previous and super annoying container Uzumaki Kushina! Why are you hiding that from Naruto huh? Uzumaki Renji!"

I felt my jaw hit the make-shift floor at that. "Wait… what?" I mumbled as my brain, for all my intelligence, shut down.

Kurama gained a facial twitch at my response. "Grrr… stupid dragon, stupid stupid Uzumaki… GET OUT!" Kurama roared with a sudden ferocity that severed the already weak connection. The last thing I heard was "Take a good look at your own soul idiot Prince!"

[Reality; 5 minutes later]

I shot up gasping for breathe only to find Naruto staring worriedly into my eyes. "Tatsu-nii? Are you okay?"

I looked at my now human hands, though shaking, and attempted to reassure Naruto that I was fine. A sudden seal triggered letting us know that someone was at the door. "Dungeon Exit" I whispered as the training room faded out and back into our living room. I cast a quick soul seal and informed Naruto that he was NOT to tell ANYONE about meeting the Kyuubi or to give ANY indication that he knew about it. It really hit home when I forbid him from telling the Hokage. Naruto finally understood that I meant NO ONE was to know.

[20th Entry Written; Date: December 6th]

With Naruto in tow, we headed toward the Hyuuga Compound. Today was the day that the Hyuuga Matriarch, Hyuuga Hitomi, was to give birth. With Sarutobi's help, I was arranged to go over as an iryo-nin and ensure the birth went well. Naruto was coming to help Hinata deal with the down time.

Hinata, bless her soul, had confided in Naruto that things were odd in the main house despite her mother being pregnant. Naruto, understanding that Hinata just needed to talk, listened and nodded while filing everything away for later.

"So Hinata-chan gets creepy vibes from some of the elders in her clan. They seem a bit too invested in her mom's pregnancy. They've been loud about her being too nice or something." Naruto rattled off some names that he remembered and I hid my frown. A week earlier, I'd confided in Sarutobi that the traitors would be acting amid the chaos of the home birth.

Hiashi was extremely reluctant to let us come over, as they were highly over-protective of their eyes, so Sarutobi assigned it to me as a mission. Hiashi couldn't refuse us that way. So amid the sea of white pupil-less eyes, we made our way to the main house. The light pace we moved at turned into a fast jog as Naruto and I both smelt something troublesome.

"Don't say anything Naruto, just get Hinata out of the room and let me handle the rest." Getting an understanding nod, I knocked with a bit of force and the smell suddenly expanded. A haggard looking branch member opened the door, a broken syringe on the floor behind her. Plastering a smile on my face I held up the mission orders and we were given entry. I deliberately stepped in the small puddle, making it seem an accident as I warned Naruto to be careful of the glass.

A seal on my shoe absorbed a small amount the liquid for examination later. Entering the main guest area, we were greeting by Hiashi, Hizashi, Hinata and Neji.

"I am not pleased you are here. But Hokage-sama must have a good reason to send you here." Hiashi stated bluntly. I merely nodded and placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder.

"I thought perhaps the kids could interact in the back yard, away from the noise." I remarked as Hiashi growled that "You're a 'kid' as well boy."

I raised an eyebrow at that but pulled out the mission orders. "I am here as a full-fledged iryo-nin under Sandaime-sama's command. Technically due to this, I am in the eyes of the village, an adult regardless of my age."

Hiashi had no rebuttal and sent Hinata and Neji away with Naruto and some branch members. I created four G-Clones and sent them as well. We entered the 'birthing' room. Already I could see problems. "Hyuuga Hitomi-sama, I am Tatsuo, here as an iryo-nin to help you."

The black haired woman managed a weak smile. Before another wave of contractions hit. With a glance to the two men, I commanded that they stay out of my way. This was my patient now and they would do as I say. Hiashi bristled once more but said nothing.

[Six Hours Later]

The newest Hyuuga, Hanabi, was resting in her mother's arms. A sheen of sweat covered my face. Almost anything and everything that could go wrong did. Hiashi was staring at me with a new perspective and subtle gratitude. Hizashi had begun to guard the door only an hour in when things began to go unnaturally strange.

Several times, the door attempted to open as an Elder or branch mid-wife tried to enter. With Hiashi's approval, Hizashi kept the door shut through force. It finally took Hiashi flinging the door open in the face of wrinkled Elder and snarling that NO ONE was permitted entry into the room under pain of death, to get them to go away.

Despite my crazy chakra regen rate, I still felt the effects of my work for the time being. I flashed an ANBU code and Neko soon appeared with another scroll. She handed this one to Hiashi before nodding at Hitomi and I. Hiashi opened and read the scroll. His normally stoic expression wavered.

Glancing at me, Hiashi chewed on his words for several moments. "The Hokage wishes Hitomi and Hanabi to be taken to the 'restricted' ward of the hospital. With as few knowing as possible. I'm at a loss as to how."

Finally getting a small chance to relax, I felt the aches and pains disappear. I pondered for a moment. "If Hizashi-san would remain with the children to reassure them, I could get the four of us there in secret."

Having no choice in the matter, the plan was set. I quickly set about writing three seals and gave them to Hiashi and Hitomi. "Place the seals on your chest, hmm and on Hanabi's forehead. They'll trigger once I've started."

With the seals in place, amid confusion, I focused on the shadows. Hitomi held Hanabi and Hiashi's left hand, while Hiashi used his right to grip my shoulder. The three Hyuuga had only a moment of feeling like they were sinking before the scent of the Hokage's tobacco greeted them. Hitomi and Hanabi were quickly rushed into a room where more tests and some blood transfusions would occur.

Hiashi looked around in confusion at the change of location, the three seals dissolved away. "How?"

I grinned at him. "Secret." Before recalling what I really did.

I began the process of becoming one with the shadows rather slowly. Making sure the seals activated, I dragged the now in stasis family through the shadows to the hospital. Flashing another set of codes I alerted the Hokage that we had arrived. Waiting till he arrived, I steadily reversed the process and pulled the three back to the solid world. A subtle charge of chakra caused the seals to shut off and awaken the family.

Traveling through the shadows was incredibly disorienting. It was far too easy to never find your way back to the light. But I'd had training with Skiadrum and gained the ability to always orient myself in the darkness.

The Hokage took Hiashi and me to a private room to chat. Roughly an hour later we'd finished. Needless to say, Hiashi was pissed when we parted. I'd explained almost everything. Leaving out the Yami Bunshin's of course.

After checking in on his wife and new daughter, Hiashi left with a stoic expression. The Hokage sighed at that. "Heads will roll in the Hyuuga Compound. I thank you for your effort in successfully delivering the newest Hyuuga and ensuring those girls have a mother to grow up with. Originally I wrote this a C-Rank mission, but it's been upgraded to a B. I'll have the missions desk notified of the change by tomorrow."

I bowed in gratitude. Sarutobi gave a small smile. "I would be shocked if you didn't get a reward from the Hyuuga as well."

I tried to refuse but the Hokage's smile widened. "It'd be unbecoming of such a clan to grant some type of reward for extreme services rendered."

I hid my frown behind a smile. "I appreciate the advice Hokage-sama. I'd like to check in with Hitomi-sama and then I'll go pick up Naruto."

With a nod of permission to the guards, I stepped through the opening doors and made my way to where Hitomi was. Peering in, I discovered the new mother and daughter sleeping. I exited the hospital and headed toward the Hyuuga Compound.

Or so it appeared.

I reality I created a smokeless clone and headed off to the forest. Once out of sight, I began to draw on the life in the trees. Coaxing it to me with Mokuton, I created a small 'wellness' basket and filled it with various item's I knew would help in the coming days. Returning to the room via the shadows, I carefully left the basket along with a small note:

To: Hyuuga Hitomi-sama, and Hanabi-chan

A little birdie told me that you came into the world today. May you recover quickly and grow embraced by love.

That same birdie came around again to tell me that your daughter had quite a time coming to you. I'm sorry to hear that. In this basket are various items to help you and Hanabi-chan during recovery.

From: A concerned fellow shinobi

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I arrived home to find Naruto playing with Kakashi in the living room. He was happy that his friend's mom was safe and had quite a bit of fun on the playdate. Thought it took a lot longer than expected. Kakashi shot me a 'sorry I crashed here' look. I just chuckled.

Remembering our last trip into the village market, I slipped away and entered my bedroom. Pulling out a wrapped package from a hidden cubbyhole. I called Naruto into the room and handed him the package with a grin. We returned to the living room and I headed off to make dinner for three.

Naruto shyly tugged on Kakashi's hand causing the 23-year-old to look down. "Present for Kashi!" Naruto cheered, handing Kakashi the doggie-wrapped gift. Kakashi looked confused. It wasn't his birthday…

Taking it, Kakashi carefully unwrapped it to find a journal inside. The journal was obvious custom made, as it had the silhouettes of all his nin-ken pack on the front and back. Gently setting it down, Kakashi scooped up Naruto in a hug.

"I love it. Thanks! But… what's the occasion?" Naruto didn't answer as I entered with dinner.

"It's an anniversary present," I explained as we all sat down. Kakashi looked at me. "Today's the day we met at the orphanage, Kakashi-Senpai." I grinned at Kakashi's shocked expression.

[Flashback; Tatsuo: Age 2; Naruto: Age 3 Months]

Inu, Captain in ANBU, was seething. He's Sensei's son had been dumped into a shitty orphanage. By the Hokage's order no less! Sensei had assured Kakashi that he'd be a brother to the babe. But then the Kyuubi came and Sensei died. Kushina died from having the Kyuubi ripped from her during childbirth.

ANBU was the place that you showed no fear because that would get you and the team killed. But back in the safety of Konoha, the ANBU were afraid. Afraid of the young captain. Formerly nicknamed "Friend-Killer Kakashi", some of the ANBU that went on missions with him after the Kyuubi attack, started hushed nickname's of "Rabid Inu" or "Maniacal Kakashi".

Known before for his unbending 'follow the rules' protocol, Kakashi had all but abandoned that. Oh, he still completed the mission perfectly, but Inu always returned covered with the most blood. To the point that the rest of the team looked spotless. Not that other ANBU refused to kill, oh no. After the Kyuubi attack, and learning something about the 'Kyuubi Brat', Kakashi seemed to snap.

Redirecting his anger to threats outside the village, Inu would have been called 'Bloodthirsty' but he gave no sign of enjoying the kill. Instead, Inu honed his rage to a razor's edge and any person deemed a threat under any label: 'enemy', 'disposable', or 'traitor'; was swiftly executed. Which would have been 'normal' except for one thing, they didn't die by Chidori, they died to the plain but deadly Tanto that all ANBU carried.

And the fact that Kakashi wasn't using his signature jutsu, Chidori, to kill was what alarmed his fellow ANBU. Several slipped a word to the Hokage about the change, but the Hokage merely stated that "as long as Inu fulfills the mission, the execution is irrelevant." And ordered that the ANBU stop being concerned with Kakashi and focus on helping the village recover.

Arriving atop a tree that looked into Naruto's room from the correct angle, Inu slowly slipped back to Kakashi. Despite not being allowed to interact with his surrogate brother, Inu always tried to keep an eye on him. When he was in the village. Which wasn't often lately. The Hokage claimed it was due to the growing number of missions, rebuilding and keeping appearances, but Kakashi knew the truth.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, who lost his wife in the attack, wanted to forget completely about the boy. Though preaching that Naruto was the container and not the beast, The Sandaime Hokage was the biggest hypocrite, hating the boy for a loss, that's not his fault and shoving the problem into the shadows. And having eyes everywhere, thanks to that damn crystal ball, Kakashi knew that as long as he kept visiting, the old monkey would keep trying to send him away.

Kakashi wondered why the old fool didn't just give Naruto to his 'antagonist' rival Danzo. Oh, that's right. The fool did have part of a brain. Both he and Danzo, for all his demanding, knew what would happen if Naruto vanished into ROOT. Kakashi would slaughter his way through anyone trying to stop him, gladly turning missing-nin, and remove Naruto from Konoha. And having a borderline S-Rank shinobi and the bijuu container go rogue together would cause the circling sharks at their borders to strike.

Konoha, for all it's boasting as 'the strongest', would be easily crushed in the ensuing chaos. The Hatake, though a small clan, were fiercely loyal rivaling the legendary Uzumaki. Unlike the Uzumaki, the Hatake frequently 'bonded' with a single person and their 'pack'. Unfortunately for the current Hokage, the only living Hatake wasn't actually loyal to him. Hatake Kakashi had 'bonded' with his predecessor after the man not only led his 'pack' but proved his intelligence and strength. And the only living link and remaining 'bond' was the bijuu container and last Uzumaki, Naruto.

Unlike the Inuzuka, the Hatake didn't follow purely 'the pack' in loyalty. With the Inuzuka, strength was proof of power and loyalty remained with the strongest. Which meant the Hokage. The Hatake, on the other hand, valued intelligence and wisdom before strength. You could force a Hatake to acknowledge you though strength, but you wouldn't have earned their loyalty. Hatake's would never follow someone who was all brawn and no brain.

They wouldn't be cowed by that. To truly gain a Hatake's loyalty, you had to show a keen mind in battle and the understanding to know when to retreat, to protect the 'heart' of the Hatake Clan, the 'pack'. Namikaze Minato had proved that worth. His desire to end the war was not born from a desire for fame, but to protect fellow shinobi and save lives.

That desire, despite the losses suffered to Kakashi personally, earned the final push needed to full loyalty. Similarly to the Inuzuka, who are highly protective of the 'pack' and it's members, Hatake's are almost religiously zealous in their protection of 'the pack'. You could find remains of someone who 'wronged' or 'betrayed' the Inuzuka. You would have better luck hunting for a fork amid an ocean of spoons to find a Hakate's target.

Sakumo, Kakashi's father, was 'bonded' to the Sandaime Hokage for his mental and physical ability in the second war. But when Sakumo failed a mission and was scorned, he was fine with it. Until he overheard the Sandaime cursing the (his) failure and it's (minor) repercussions. Among other things that the Sandaime (was confused) hated about his clan. That was the blow that broke Sakumo completely. He tried to remain strong for his son, but the knowledge that the Sandaime personally hated his action, was too much.

In his mind, the world shattered and death the only way to redeem himself. Unknown to Kakashi, his father sent a letter of apology to the Sandaime before his death. Explaining exactly what he was planning to redeem himself. Begging the Sandaime to come and…

But the Sandaime was 'busy' with paperwork and didn't find the letter until 30 minutes before he was informed of Sakumo's suicide. Unable to accept blame, Sarutobi burned the letter and disgraced the Hatake Clan instead.

But Kakashi didn't know the truth. Sarutobi used the boy's confusion to hone his killing ability and attempted to earn his loyalty much like the fathers. But it didn't work as Sarutobi hoped. Yes, Kakashi became a 'monster' in ANBU… but Sarutobi forgot the most important thing. Kakashi could see his 'publicly' acknowledged intellect, but not his strength. For the Hokage didn't fight on the front, but in the safety of command. The Hokage's main enemy wasn't another hostile shinobi, but simple paperwork.

And Kakashi didn't acknowledge the Hokage as the man hoped. Due to this, and the growing suspicious that his 'bond' had transferred, Sarutobi was petty and did his best to keep the lone Hatake out of Konohagakure entirely.

But that was neither here or there. Kakashi settled into his tree and watched the sleeping form of Naruto. His gut said something was wrong and focusing in revealed that the ANBU team supposed to watch the boy were missing. His nose didn't detect any combat so where were they?

Growing worried, Kakashi left his tree and attempted to enter in through the window. But upon getting his upper body in the window, Kakashi felt something wrap around his neck and tighten. Oddly a kunai couldn't cut it. That seemed to cause the wrap to tighten further. Looking slowly around, Kakashi spotted a pair of eyes in the rafters above Naruto.

A small boy stepped out and gave a sharp tug on the chakra strings? Kakashi was ungracefully dragged into the room but the string around his neck was removed. After regaining his bearings, Kakashi found himself face to face with the boy. Who was glaring at him as though he should be dead? Oddly the racket hadn't woken Naruto, and when Kakashi looked a bit closer he could make out a strange seal on the crib.

"You are one… but not hostile to him." The boy spoke suddenly, regaining Kakashi's full attention. His mind quickly deciphered the message. The smoldering rage returned in full force.

"Where are the hostile ones?" Kakashi growled as the boy raised an eyebrow. "Did they harm Naruto?!"

A ghost of a smile crossed the boy's face. "Tried to, but failed" Came the admission along with "The white-robed man was badly hiding his hate when he came today. Placed a strange seal on the door."

Kakashi knew instantly that Sarutobi had gone too fucking far this time. But he needed to calm down and get the whole story first. "What's your name? I'm Inu."

"Velius Tatsuo." A skinny arm pointed to a corner. Kakashi turned to find four ANBU bound up in strings. Each had an item gripped in their hands. Kakashi made his way over and examined them. Four poisons and two paralytics along with.. two concentrated pain enhancers? The ones used on torture victims?

Kakashi turned to the door and examined it. The seal was a type that only the Hokage's personal guard, and the Hokage himself, had access to. It was a silencing, soundproofing, and self-cleaning seal. It also was self-destructing. The fact that this boy, Tatsuo, had managed to 'break' the seal but not trigger the self-destruct was beyond impressive.

Turning to the bodies in the corner, Kakashi was shocked to see that they had Danzo's seal on the tongues. He looked questioningly at Tatsuo who tossed four masks to the floor. Each was a valid ANBU designation but was currently 'out of circulation' at the moment. Kakashi's rage was rapidly cooling to dangerous levels.

Sarutobi and Danzo working together to harm Naruto? What the fuck was going on here? Kakashi knew that Danzo's spies couldn't have gained access to the seal, the Hokage was needed to open the damn space it was stored in. And his blood was the activator!

Thank heavens this boy was here… Kakashi didn't want to think of the alternative. Kakashi made a snap decision. He waved the boy over and removed his mask while whispering "Inu is my ANBU name. My real names Hatake Kakashi. Thank you for watching over and protecting my surrogate little brother Tatsuo-kun. I hate to ask this but I'm probably not going to be able to watch Naruto myself..."

But a small hand gripped his tightly. "I understand. You don't have to explain. I'll protect Naruto with my life. Just make sure you come back alive for Naruto's sake. Okay?" The boy whispered back with a tone that promised beyond what Kakashi was asking.

A small pinky was presented as the boy smiled. Tears threatened to fall as Kakashi completed the pinky swear and gained a new friend in his formerly lonesome fight. His instincts told him that Naruto would be safe with this Velius Tatsuo watching over him. He then put his mask back on and gathered up the traitors, along with the seal, which he gave to Tatsuo.

Danzo awoke to find four of best operatives dead due to Chidori, but clearly having suffered before death. Sarutobi awoke to find the four 'out of circulation' masks lined up neatly on his desk. Each mask had a drawing of Danzo's loyalty seal on it. Both men received the message.

For a time at least…