Setting a good example for your children takes all the fun out of middle age.

~William Feather

Chapter 21

Naruto was happily playing with Ibiki when Kakashi found the two of them. Kakashi collected his energetic charge, allowing Ibiki to switch back to guard mode as the two headed home.

After a quick stop at Ichiraku's for lunch Kakashi took Naruto home. The first new team on babysitting/ guarding duty were already there waiting and Kakashi discreetly acknowledged them. He guided Naruto into the living room and sat him down.

"Naruto-kun, we need to talk about a few things ok," Kakashi started, trying to find the best way to approach the next thing on his list. However his hesitant tone and wording were obviously the wrong choice as Naruto immediately stilled and he hastened to add, "You aren't in trouble Naruto. Things are going to be different though, and I wanted to let you know now so it doesn't bother you as much. I told you before you're going to have to memorize all of the masks so you know who is who. The ANBU are also going to help me train you, since sometimes I get very busy with work. When they train you, you have to be very serious with it. No playing around unless they say it is ok."

"They're really going to train me?" Naruto asked, excitement dancing in his eyes.

"Yes they are really going to train you. And take you to school, pick you up, help with your homework, and keep an overall eye on you when I am too busy to. Which is going to happen a lot for the next week or two," Kakashi told him, ruffling his hair. "Some nights I might not be home until after you go to bed either, so I just wanted you to know now."

"What about dinner?" Naruto wondered, eyeing Kakashi suspiciously.

"Most of them can cook, brat and if not they'll order out," Kakashi said as he poked Naruto in the stomach. "Now, rules for when I'm gone or busy. One: someone must always be with you when you leave the house. An ANBU will walk you to school and pick you up when you are finished. If you want to play outside always ask whichever one is watching you."

Naruto nodded, familiar with that rule as Kakashi enforced it himself normally. Kakashi grinned and then continued.

"Two: no playing until homework is done and has been looked over and corrected by the ANBU watching you."

"Awwww Kakashiii-"

"Don't you Kakashiii me. Do you homework right away, and then you can play. Now rule three: If they tell you to run away, get down or do anything else, I expect you to listen. You've already seen how cruel people can be, and they will protect you if someone tries anything. That means you have to listen or it will be much harder to keep you safe. Understand?"

"Yes Nii-san."

"Good. So let's meet the first group and you can start training."

"Haiii!"

Kakashi quickly introduced Boar and his team to Naruto, then sat Naruto down with his homework and retreated to his office to finalize the plans for the new ANBU complex.

As he read through his reports Kakashi cringed when he heard a crash followed by a loud thump nearly an hour later. With a sigh he set the scroll down and calmly walked down the stairs. When he reached the bottom he could only blink in shock.

A small bundle of blonde energy was ducking around the kitchen table and diving through the legs of an unprepared ANBU as Boar chased after said bundle.

"Naruto-kun, Kakashi-san said you needed to finish your homework before you can play, so sit back down and get to work," Boar said, obviously forcing himself to keep a calm tone.

"No! I'm already done, so you can check it while I play," Naruto told his new babysitter, sticking out his tongue to emphasize the order.

The nearly five year old managed to slip through the ANBU's hands again and again, until Boar finally ordered his team to assist. Fox practically sat on Naruto as Boar looked over the homework, making small marks here and there to be corrected by Naruto. The boy grumbled as he fixed the errors under Swan's watchful eye as Monkey began preparing to train Naruto once he finished.

All in all, Kakashi couldn't help but be reminded of the D-rank missions he had done with his genin team. In fact, a specific irritating cat came to mind. Such missions taught team work in a safe setting to new ninja.

I think I just figured out how to ensure our new team assignments will work out, Kakashi thought with a devious grin. And if I have a little talk with Naruto about changing one of our rules, then our teams may find it challenging to more than just their sanity.

Stifling a chuckle, he returned to his office and wrote up the orders for the mission. If he timed it right, he could do three teams a day on the weekend, and two on days Naruto had school. He could have the ANBU back up to full strength as far as operating teams went within a month or so, which was better than he could have hoped originally.

Assuming they all band together. If not then I'll have to watch which assignments go where. I refuse to send them out just to die, and we have to get everyone up to speed as well.

After dinner, Kakashi informed Naruto of the slight change in plan for the ANBU. Naruto quickly agreed to help Kakashi test his men, though homework still had to be done much to Naruto's chagrin.

The next morning Naruto practically bounced out of bed when Lynx came to wake him up.

"Morning ANBU-san!" Naruto said as he jumped off of his bed. He darted into the bathroom and locked the door behind him. After he had relieved himself, he decided to play in the water as he waited for the ANBU to try and come get him. Lynx gave him ten minutes before she politely knocked on the door. When he didn't answer she knocked again.

"Naruto-san, we need to get ready for breakfast."

"Nope. I don't know you so not coming out," Naruto sing songed at her through the door.

Naruto listened as Lynx thought it over and then walked away. Moment later he heard a few sets of footsteps come back.

"Naruto-kun, can you come out so I can introduce you to today's ANBU?" Kakashi's voice asked through the door.

"Ok." Naruto opened the door and grinned as Kakashi ruffled his hair in approval.

"Good job brat, now this is Lynx and her team. I have to go with Cat after breakfast so come eat with me and I'll try to be back in time for dinner ok," Kakashi told him. Naruto was out of his pajamas and dressed for the day in record time at the news and soon had his hand in Kakashi's as they walked downstairs.

Breakfast went by too quickly in Naruto's mind, and soon he had put the last dish in the drying rack.

"Alright brat, be good," Kakashi told him with a wink. Naruto returned it with a cheeky grin. "And remember, take your training seriously."

"Hai!"

Naruto tailed behind Kakashi as he walked towards the door and before he could stop himself he threw himself at Kakashi. Kakashi seemed to freeze for a moment but then he returned the impromptu hug and ruffled the boy's hair gently. As Naruto pulled away Kakashi squatted down, balancing on the balls of his feet.

"I'll be back for dinner, promise. So be good and have fun while I go do boring work. Ok, brat?" Kakashi said.

Naruto nodded though he felt his eyes watering and tried to blink the tears away. When that didn't work, he looked down at his feet so Kakashi wouldn't see. Kakashi did notice though, and this time it was Naruto who was surprised by a hug. His small hands balled into Kakashi's flak jacket and didn't let go as Kakashi ran a hand up and down his back soothingly. Naruto wasn't sure how long he and Kakashi stood there in the entryway, but Kakashi only pulled away after Naruto let go of his jacket and wiped his eyes.

"All better now?" Kakashi asked softly as he helped wipe away the tear streaks. This time Naruto nodded confidently and stepped back from the older ninja.

"Have a good day at work," Naruto said shyly. Kakashi just nodded and stood, double checking that he had all of his pouches one last time. Then he gave Naruto one last nod and walked out. This time Naruto let him before turning to his new baby sitters with a wide grin on his face.

"My homework is already done so can we play outside?" he asked sweetly.

"We should train first," Lynx said and Naruto lit up at the offer but persisted.

"Ok, but then we'll play right?"

"Sure kid, then we'll play."

Naruto's grin grew wider, and many a ninja would come to associate that grin with trouble for all of them.

"He's all yours," Lynx said tersely as Crane showed up to relieve her team. "We'll do the introductions and then we're out of here. You have to feed him lunch in an hour or so, then do some light afternoon training, and then watch him until your replacements come."

"Understood," the bird ANBU said and Lynx quickly did the introductions. As soon as they were finished she disappeared in a puff of smoke with her team right behind her.

"She didn't even let me say goodbye," Naruto pouted before turning to his newest targets. Kakashi would be happy with the reports, of this Naruto was sure. He had kept the team busy, doing his best to slip away into the woods, get lost, or cause any sort of trouble he could. The trap had been the best though. Naruto snickered as he remembered Lynx getting doused in water from the trap he had set off.

"There is about an hour until lunch Naruto-san. What would you like to do until then?" Crane asked as his team took up positions about the house.

"Wanna play hide and seek Crane-san?" Naruto asked, making puppy dog eyes at the stoic ANBU.

"Very well Naruto-san. How long should I give you to hide?"

"Two minutes," Naruto replied, taking off instantly. He started with his favorite spots to hide and set traps in them. Then he trapped the entrance to the bathroom and the area around the tub. Once that was done he slipped into the closet and burrowed under the towels just in time to hear his first trap go off.

"Gotcha."

Kakashi had to stifle a laugh when he saw his team minus Bear waiting impatiently for him.

"Maa, sorry for the wait. I had a barnacle stuck to me."

"Yeah yeah, whatever you say," Snake said with a sigh. "Mind telling us why we're meeting in your backyard?"

"We're building the new ANBU buildings here, courtesy of our resident wood specialist and technically it isn't my backyard. Just the forest behind my house," Kakashi said with a grin as Tenzo groaned. "Ah, but don't worry Cat, you have all week to get the framework up."

"Are you trying to insult me commander?" Cat asked, slightly miffed that his senpai would think it would take him that long.

"Hmm? Alright well if you think you can do it all sooner, please do. I have to be home in time for dinner though, so we're stopping before then."

Tenzo nodded and walked over as Kakashi held out a scroll.

"Here are the floor plans we'll need for the buildings, though if you think something wouldn't work out structurally feel free to modify it a little."

As Tenzo began looking over the plans he couldn't help but swallow at the enormity of the task. In reality he probably should have done it over the week, but he had already said it wouldn't take that long and he wouldn't back down now. With a huge sigh he started mentally mapping out the spacing in the clearing before giving a nod.

"Commander, it would be helpful if all of you would move out of the area we are using."

"Of course of course. We'll be nearby if you need us," Kakashi said with a friendly grin. The rest of his captains followed him away leaving Cat alone in the clearing.

Once they were far enough away Tenzo pulled out a soldier pill and popped it into his mouth. As he felt his chakra spike his hands flashed through a series of signs and then slammed into the ground. Instantly the ground churned and within minutes the empty clearing held a four story barracks that had numerous escape routes built in, minus the tunnels that would need to be dug, and was partially underground. Another soldier pill and both administrative buildings were up as well followed shortly by a communal meeting building.

"Impressive," Rabbit couldn't help but comment as Kakashi rejoined Tenzo.

"A bit over the top though. I was serious about taking your time you know," Kakashi told the man dryly as Tenzo let himself fall to the ground. "Weasel, take him to my place and set up a spare futon in the office will you. We can't have him dying of chakra exhaustion over stupidity."

"Should I let Naruto-kun and his caretakers know that he is there?" Weasel asked as he picked Cat up.

"Nah, just put up a silence barrier if you can, otherwise he won't get any rest. The brat is putting the new teams through their paces."

Behind his mask Weasel couldn't help it as his eyebrow rose in question. Kakashi seemed to sense it and just chuckled.

"It should be about lunch time but feel free to watch for awhile and tell me what you think. We'll be furnishing this place all week."

Weasel just nodded and disappeared with the exhausted ANBU over his shoulder.

"Now shall we children. We need beds for the rooms, side tables, bathroom fixtures, ect," Kakashi said waving his hand for effect.

"Would it be best to allow people to bring their own if they already have it, and then provide a communal supply to draw from if you do no?" Rabbit asked, thinking over the sheer cost.

"We can also salvage things from the old safe house and headquarters," Snake added. "Otherwise it will look suspicious to suddenly be buying up enough futons and furniture for that many rooms."

"Then let's begin our salvaging. The meeting room also has a second story for storage, so we'll put everything there and people can furnish their rooms from their personal supplies and then draw what they need from there. We'll keep a request list as well. As long as it isn't completely unreasonable I have no problem using our funding to provide for our members needs."

"Is that assigned to all of our teams?" Snake asked, grinning.

"If you mean all of your old team mates' new teams, yes you can make them help this one last time. However each of you will have new positions after this is finished. We'll talk about that later though. For now this is our priority."

Each former captain nodded and then disappeared. Kakashi decided to start with the archives and summoned his ninken to help as he began the task of relocating all of the ANBU's highly classified documents. They were supposed to be moved every so often anyway.

AN: Ok so I know you probably wanted to see more from Naruto's perspective, but what I intend to do with it is much more amusing. I also love how Naruto is already fond of Ibiki. I've nearly got things settled with the plot, so more fluffy scenes to come as it settles down.

As for reviews, yeay you guys love me, you really love me. I got a lot of really nice reviews this last chapter, so I hope you really enjoy this chapter too!

Ramen- Yeah. I mean we all know that they had to have been useful on some stuff, but you only hear about them when they're getting their butts kicked.

Hentai- Mwahahahaha. *ah hem* Let's just say Naruto's prankster habits begin developing here with a vengeance.

Giselle- technically it's not his backyard, it's just a conveniently placed forest ;p I'll share with everyone that Kakashi will be staying with ANBU for awhile as commander though.

Max- thanks! Enjoy This chapter makes me smile a lot.

Prescripto- Yeah, he's very straightforward and he knows he's not smart but he's definitely persistent. I'm really excited after this week's chapter. Can't wait to see the next one.

Melancholy- Naruto will and won't be stronger. He'll start on control training sooner of course, but as you said his huge reserves are going to make life difficult. You'll see as we go on though.

Silver- I don't know that Sasuke is an uke ;p However yes they are super cute.

Beth- thanks, they're getting cuter and cuter.

Kirallie- better them than us XP They'll live though.

Spike- Awwww, that makes me feel so special.

Darkhuntress- Well Naruto will be having fun at least ;p

Lady Mimi- Hey no worries. Life has a way of doing that. And wait no longer. Also, just so you know I should be switching back to weekly updates, though I haven't decided which day I'll be choosing yet.

Yaoihoney- I'll take that as a very big compliment then.

Izaranna- Normally the ANBU would be, but Naruto isn't even 5 yet. No little kid is going to feel safe being left alone so Kakashi's way of handling this is to have one stay visible for the kid while the others hide.

LadyUzu- I really did love that last chapter…and this one too. There's just so much potential for fun cuteness and Dawwwww moments.

Kuro- I'm hoping it comes off well that's for sure. These first ones you won't get to see as much from Naruto's perspective, but in time XD

Copeland- Such a nice and long review definitely makes up for the lurking, though I'll never say no to more. I'm glad you like the new timeline. I really wasn't happy with some of the old stuff, so I fully intend to change it. Now I will give you fair warning that not all bad things will be changed, at least not beyond what has already been altered. Itachi is one of the most amazing characters ever. And yet the truth depth of his personality is always just tossed to the side. I fully intend to allow him to enjoy his life wayyy more.

Redgirl- yeah my Ibiki is a little younger and has a soft spot for Naruto, but tech Ibiki had a younger brother he cared for a lot and he's always had a weird sense of humor lol.

Mysterious- I also enjoy stories like this and am always on the lookout for new ones. I tried to find a legitimate way to keep everyone alive but well…you'll see soon enough. Anyway still good times to come, I promise XD