I know the previous chapter was short, and – GOMEN! I'm not even supposed to be typing fics now, but I just HAD to get this part written. I am actually supposed to be reading my book on "The Satanic Verses" which is going to raise debatable questions in my Media Ethics exam paper tomorrow! GAH!

But don't we all think Naruto is sexy? And that Kakashi is sexy too? And that both of them can just - ~nosebleed~

Uh, well. I'll shut up now. On with the story!

WHY NOT 11

Kakashi entered Naruto's apartment easily, his skills as a Jounin coming in handy. The apartment was clean but there were new things in it. For example, there was a pair of black sandals by the doorway that was a size too big for the thirteen-year-old Naruto. As Kakashi moved inside the apartment, he noticed several packets of empty cup ramen, crumpled wrappers of energy bars, empty boxes of juice and milk packs and some toffee wrappers.

"He really is back." He said and peeked in to the bedroom. He found a white towel flung on the bed, which was a bit damp. He also noticed that the closet was filled with new clothes. Clothes that were in bigger sizes. A smile tugged at Kakashi's lips for the first time. It was true smile, not a fake forced one.

Without even wasting another minute, he went out to look around for his student. Maybe he'd find him walking around town or training or with the other students.

*

Much to Kakashi's dismay, he found Naruto nowhere. None of the former rookie nine knew he was back. Word, though, was spreading like wildfire. Naruto was the topic of girls because of his said 'good looks', while towards the older generation it was because of the demon within him. Some of the boys were talking about how silly he had been and what a trouble maker he was while those that did see him were talking about how he had grown taller and how he had gained admirable looks. Along that was some implied jealousy.

Kakashi could not wait. He had hoped that Naruto would come to visit him once he was back, but he was sadly mistaken. Naruto had gone to Iruka, since Kakashi had asked him and he noted Iruka's cheery behavior, even though he had just finished filing a mountain height of reports, since he chose to not do missions that day.

Kakashi found Naruto nowhere and was getting tired from his search. He then remembered his book and made his way to the Hokage mountain carvings to enjoy the cool night air and peace while he read his book. Upon reaching the mountain, he noticed a figure sitting on top of the fourth's head, staring ahead. Only then did he notice that it was an ANBU member, because of the uniform. Kakashi also figured that he had just returned from a mission, because his arm protectors were not clean and shiny, but smeared with blotches of red. But ANBU were never supposed to reveal themselves – unless they wanted to be seen.

It was the sight of the golden hair that made him think second thoughts of leaving the place at that moment. He did not know anyone with that kind of golden hair except Yondaime himself. The only other person who had golden hair like that would be – Kakashi felt his knees go weak. The ANBU before him was – was standing up! The ANBU before him was now facing him, the white mask resembling that of a fox, with a somewhat smiling expression painted as mouth.

Kakashi took in the sigh before him. A lean body, which radiated confidence, beauty and burning energy. Every curve and line was perfect. Kakashi found himself, for the first time, he was unsure of what to do. He felt nervous, confused and his tongue had gone limp in his mouth. The gloved hand lifted from his side and pulled the white mask off slowly. Soon, Kakashi was looking in to a pair of sky blue eyes, which were now perfectly shaped almond ones. The scars on his cheeks were still there, but his hair had grown longer. Kakashi now understood why those girls in the bookstore were excited. Naruto looked handsome that he could even rival Sasuke or Neji. He had an innocent and deadly look about him, and the way his lips were slightly parted made him look all the more exotic.

Kakashi felt his face suddenly flush.

A smile came to the young man's face. "Hey, Kakashi-sensei. How are you?"

He could not believe it. He was talking as if he had not left the village and as if they had been seeing each other everyday. But Kakashi merely smiled back. "I'm all right." His expression suddenly fell a bit. How he had missed Naruto. The ache had been there and haunted him everyday. He did not know how attached he had been to the boy that was the number one trouble ninja. And now, that ninja was before him, so close and yet so far and was now an ANBU. An ANBU for heaven's sakes. Even Sasuke and Neji who were a lot stronger than him - in both jutsu-wise and brain-wise - were mere chuunins and couldn't even pass the Jounin exams. Yet Naruto had the mark of the ANBU on his arm, much like to the one he had hidden under his blue top. "Naruto, you're an ANBU."

"Yeah. Surprised?" He asked, a strange glint coming to his eyes. "Bet you weren't expecting me to become an ANBU eh? Before Sasuke I mean."

Kakashi swallowed. "It's not like that." Naruto said nothing. He just shrugged and then yawned, placing his mask on. "Naruto? Why did you leave?"

Naruto tilted his masked face to one side. "Because I wanted to travel."

"Don't lie."

"I'm not lying." Naruto replied.

De ja vu washed over Kakashi. Silence reigned once more, and then Kakashi just had to know. He had to know if Naruto was – "Did you find someone who you can love Naruto?" The young man before him turned and gave his back to Kakashi. "Did you find someone who can love you?" He asked, knowing that he was crossing limits here. But he just had to know.

"No." Naruto said, with a quiet and emotionless voice. "Not really." Silence once more. Kakashi could swear that his wildly beating heart had calmed down quickly at Naruto's reply. "Good night, Kakashi-sensei. We'll talk next time when I'm not on duty."

With that said, Naruto vanished. Kakashi turned his visible eye to the starry skies and a cool breeze blew past him. "There was no need to leave, Naruto." He whispered. "There is someone who loves you right here."

TBC