It was a rarity these days, but it was a thing that happened every so often. It was just one day he didn't look forward to. He always had to keep in mind that it could be the day that Naruto stopped coming over to see him. That was the part that he dread. Sighing, Kakashi sits down at the kitchen table, his hand resting underneath his cheek as he used his elbow on the table to keep his head up. The house was eerily quiet again and he wasn't really in the mood to clean up after dinner. Naruto came over for dinner, but tonight, said that he would try to give Kakashi a break from him so the man could get some proper rest. What if he didn't want to rest? He was perfectly fine with Naruto keeping him up all night. He would be more than willing, in many ways. Flushing at the thought, the jonin shakes his head and stands from his chair. Oh well, he could survive one or more nights without the child around. He did so for almost 3 years and many more before Naruto started staying over so much. Putting away the left overs and cleaning up the dishes, Kakashi tried to get over the dread he felt about going to bed. Who was going to be here to help him escape from his own nightmares? When the chores were done, and he was too tired to push back sleep any longer, Kakashi went over to his bedroom and started to pull out clothes to change into for sleeping, his body already throughly cleaned before they had partook in their meal. He never liked the smell of the antiseptic that hung to him from the hospital when he got back home. His clothes were changed and his mask was up to cover his face as he walked towards the window. As he reached a hand out to shut it and lock it, he paused, his gaze staring at the outside village. Some part of him stopped his hand, telling him that he should at least leave it unlocked in case Naruto came to him in his sleep. The other parts of him told him that locking the window was necessary to put an end to whatever illusion he was letting himself get caught up in. Sighing, he shuts the window, but with some hope leaves it open just in case. He would at least let himself keep the one illusion he has. Shutting off his lights next, Kakashi lets himself relax in his bed, his eyes shutting as his head hit the pillow. He wouldn't need to read today it seemed. He was still tired from him overdoing it before. As he was about to finally doze off in a peaceful slumber, he hears a thudding sound at his window and sits up slowly, his heart pounding against his chest when it opens. Swaying slightly from side to side with a glazed look in his eyes, was Naruto. He hadn't expected it to be so soon when Naruto only left an hour prior.

"Naruto?" He rests his hand onto the sill before pushing his body up so he could jump into the room, his other hand closing the window back up and locking it this time. He walks towards the bed, his hands prying at his shirt while his feet kicked off his shoes, leaving all articles of clothing other than his boxers on the floor in a trail leading from the window. Like usual, he moved onto the bed, waiting for Kakashi to move the covers aside before he scoots close and clutches onto the jonin.

"Better..." A whiskered face nuzzles into his chest, Naruto's hand stroking Kakashi's stomach as if to tell him to lie back down. Adding to his shame and pathetic lack of will when it came to the boy, Kakashi obediently laid back and wrapped his arm around the genin, encouraging him to move closer.

"Goodnight Naruto..."

════自来也════

2 days so far. He could be investigating something more important and life threatening, yet he was being forced to watch his student's son who was also his student, and his student's student. Sighing softly, Jiraiya twirled his pen around his fingers as he peered through his binoculars into Kakashi's home. So far, the two had just eaten dinner, talked and slept since Kakashi had gotten out of the hospital 2 days ago. The only time they didn't leave together was when Kakashi left to go to the market for food while Naruto slept and when Naruto went to his own apartment to get fresh clothing. Why the kid hasn't already moved in, he wasn't sure. Perhaps that was Kakashi's limit even though his limit should have been when Naruto cuddled against him at night. Although it is a little inappropriate, Jiraiya already knew the child had the habit of hugging whatever he had near him close in his sleep so he deemed it unimportant. But, Kakashi embraced the other as well and often when he woke up, he would sit up and watch Naruto silently as he stroked his hair. The legendary senin was beginning to think that it could be one of three reasons. One: Kakashi sees his own teacher in Naruto and shows affection for him which is really meant for Minato, his deceased sensei that was treasured by all. Two: Kakashi has one-sided feelings for Naruto but refuses to be open about them in front of Naruto and acts like a caring teacher as he believes he should. Or it is the third option, Kakashi simply treasures his student and takes care of him because he understands what it is like to be lonely. In his opinion...one and three seemed more likely because of how Kakashi is, but there was something about the way Kakashi looked at the boy that made him take number two into consideration. It was a look he had seen before, in a time that felt like so long ago.

════サスケ════

They weren't a couple yet they spent all of their time together, slept in the same bed, practically lived together, and ate together? It didn't make much sense. Wondering to himself, Sasuke ate his lunch in a tree away from Sakura's view somewhere in the village. Ever since his first encounter with the two sleeping together in the hospital, he had helped them out by making sure he was the first to visit to wake Naruto up so no one would see them since the sleeping teen kept inviting himself into Kakashi's bed at night. What Sasuke didn't get was why Kakashi allowed something that could risk him losing his title and put himself to shame. He didn't know what the jonin was thinking most of the time or how he managed to deal with Naruto's carelessness all this time, but he trusted him to take care of it himself without hurting Naruto. He didn't want to see the dobe moping around nor did he want to have to do damage control. Naruto was his closest friend, the only person who properly understood him. He didn't want to see him get hurt or lose his way. Especially since Naruto helped him find his own way when they were younger and he almost let his hatred and vengeance consume him. It was him who owed Naruto, so he wanted to repay this debt by helping hide whatever it was they were involved in. But, on top of all that, Sakura was becoming a real problem now that she noticed that he was hanging around the two more than usual. She insists he knows something and he just ignores her and tries to go about his daily business. She has been so persistent that even enjoying his lunch in peace has become a rarity these days.

════サクラ════

They were all hiding something, she was sure of it! Sitting down on a chair in the Yamanaka flower shop, Sakura sipped on her juice as she thought about what the other three of her team were up to. She wasn't able to talk to Sasuke all day and the other two haven't been seen around much so she couldn't bug them either. She remembered that Sasuke was just as excluded as she was and suddenly, he was in on it too. When was she going to be able to join?! She was a part of the team too!

"Are you still moping about Sasuke? We all knew he would avoid you eventually with all the nagging you were doing." Turning to Ino, Sakura frowned before turning around again with an audible 'hmph'.

"I wasn't nagging."

"You were nagging. I wasn't even the one being bothered and it annoyed me!" She glares at the blond before sticking her tongue out.

"You're just saying that because you still want Sasuke!" Sighing, Ino shook her head and returned her attention to the bouquet she was preparing for a customer.

"I already told you Sakura, I am over Sasuke now. Yes, he is hot and he is really cool as always, but now that we're older, I am also taking notice in other's accomplishments and I find that Sasuke isn't as all that as I thought. I have been spending some time with the newer addition that was replacing Sasuke since he is jonin now. We are pretty close and I find that all I can think about when it comes to boys is him. Why do you think Sasuke can actually stand talking to me now? I don't go all doe eyed around him anymore." Shrugging it off as if it were nothing, Ino smiled at her work and gave a satisfied nod as Sakura looked away with a sigh.

"I know, I just hate that they always leave me out. I just want to be included and treated as an equal of the team."

"You and I know that will not be possible. Naruto and Sasuke are already on a level of their own that not even Kakashi-sensei can reach now. We just have to do what we can for them as their friends and support them in any way we can without getting in the way." Nodding, Sakura rest her hand on her cheek and set her elbow on the counter, her green eyes turning to Ino who was still focused on her work.

"When did you get so mature?" A smile and a small giggle were all that the pink-haired kunoichi received before a customer entered the store and claimed Ino's attention.

════綱手════

"Any news from Jiraiya?" Tsunade turned to her assistant and frowned when she saw the woman timidly shake her head.

"How long is it going to take? It should not be hard to see them doing something that shows they are interested in each other. I really want to know what is happening!" She wasn't going to say it out loud, but she had a bet that was riding on the results. She could really feel the win in this one.

"You must be patient Tsunade-sama. If they really do have such feelings, then it will take time for them to come to terms with them, especially Kakashi-senpai. And besides...should you really be encouraging such a thing? Their age difference is kind of a bit much don't you think?" All she received was an annoyed grunt as the woman bit her thumbnail in anticipation.

════ナルト════

"You know, your cooking seems to be getting better and better each time I try it Kakashi-sensei." The boy said before taking another bite, earning himself a small chuckle from the man. He still had to wear the cover over his eyes, but he didn't mind. He had gotten used to it by now and could actually eat without seeing the plate in front of him.

"Well I am pleased to hear that. You're really the only person that has even tried my cooking now that I think about it." Somehow, the man's statement made him and smile happily. A few seconds later, he heard shuffling and felt fingers gently pull on his cheek.

"What is with that smug look on your face?" When Kakashi pulled his hand away, Naruto rubbed his cheek with the same smirk. He just couldn't seem to get rid of it.

"I dunno...I am just happy that I am the only one who has tried your cooking I guess. It makes me feel special somehow." He kind of wanted to see the man's expression in that moment, but the reminder of his face being exposed kept him from peeking.

"You...are special to me Naruto. I would have thought you knew that by now." The statement was certainly a surprise and he could already feel the slight heat on his cheeks spread like a wild-fire.

"O-Oh...I thought I was just being a bother..." Yet again, the man's fingers yanked on his cheeks before he heard a grumble.

"How many times do I have to tell you that you're not being a bother Naruto? I am sure I have said it many times." He would have argued but the tone the other had shut him up for some reason. It seemed to be a mixture of different emotions but also remained entirely firm.

"Being a bother isn't something you need to worry about with me Naruto." The tone he had heard before was gone and now replaced with a much gentler one that he didn't know Kakashi was capable of giving. He always had that calm, wise and strong voice that gave you a feeling of security and made one really believe that he was a teacher that could protect no matter what. These two tones of Kakashi's, were certainly new. All he could do was a nod and eat in a silent manner for the rest of the dinner. It seemed like they could return to their normal conversation again when they finished eating, but when Kakashi pulled off the blindfold and Naruto looked up at him he couldn't speak, couldn't utter a single word. Kakashi had finally revealed his face.