HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I really appreciate all your reviews and questions - thank you so much for reading and following my stories! This chapter is short, but I wanted to get back on track - plus it will lead to more interesting things.

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Thinking

Biju, etc. speaking

Biju, etc. thinking

Emphasis

Naru-hime made one of those way-too-adult faces she'd shown time and time again. She kept hold of Jiraiya's ponytail while reaching out for Kakashi. Finally, she smiled, now understanding everything perfectly! They heard her sweet voice addressed to them for the first time…

"Me," the little girl pointed at herself. "Daddy," she addressed Kakashi who stood in shock. She pulled down Jiraiya's ponytail, "And Grandpa!"

Yes, indeed: they're completely freaking out.

The Sandaime thought that luck must be on his side today. Maybe I'll stop by and pick up a lottery ticket today. Not only had he walked in on what was one of the cutest things he'd seen but as a bonus, his elite Jonin were silenced into near-oblivion at the innocent words of a toddler. "Hello, hime-chan. Remember me?"

"JiJi!" Naruto squealed before ducking her head into Kakashi's neck. She peeked over it and looked at the old man's face. Oh no! What did I do?! It was never a good idea to speak out, and a terrifying idea to do it so loudly. She knew that from living with the snakes.

The Sandaime was incredibly pleased: she called me JiJi. Sure, it could mean "Old Man," but it could also mean "Grandpa!" He chuckled at the thought - it was basically the same thing she called Jiraiya-kun. Can life get any better? Not only could he hold this over Jiraiya-kun's big head; he could also better prepare or practice on the girl in preparation for his own grandchild as she grew; well, his other grandchild by blood.

He looked at Kakashi-kun's frozen form, and then at his incredibly perverted student. The white-haired older man was on his back now, gawking at his goddaughter and pointing at her, an outraged look on his face. Idiot.

"You! You brat! I'll let you know that I'm in my prime!" Jiraiya began a series of utterly ridiculous poses, finally ending after he took off his haori to supposedly prove to his goddaughter that he was far too muscular and "studly" - yes, he actually said "studly" to an innocent little girl - to be anything other than his God-awful catchphrase. He summoned a toad, doing his little dance in all its lack of splendor. "I am the Great Toad Sage of Mt. Myoboku! Men respect me, women adore me! I am a connoisseur of wom-" He was cut off by an extremely irritated Hokage who pointed at the little blonde.

Kakashi continued to be what one could only describe as still as a stone. The little girl in his arms was no longer smiling or in any way happy. Her big blue eyes had welled up with tears that she was trying to keep at bay as her lower lip stuck out and quivered.

Tsunade walked into the little girl's room after hearing a large summoning and the shouts of her perverted teammate. Seeing the pitiful look on the little girl's face she angrily cursed the men out in the room before taking little Naru-chan away.

Hiruzen sighed as his most exuberant student scratched his head awkwardly and looked slightly ashamed. Kakashi had not moved - his arm was still in the position it had been when he was holding the princess. "Gentlemen, let's talk." Jiraiya went to sit on the couch in the little blonde's room, stopping when he noticed the Hatake who looked catatonic. He slapped the back of his silver head and dragged him to the couch with him. Kakashi started shaking his head. "Stop, Kakashi-kun, look at me," the Hokage said, before becoming more strict and repeating himself. Finally, the teen looked up.

"You two do realize that at least to my knowledge, that is the first time she's spoken to one of us, ne? Or am I wrong?" Both men shifted awkwardly and Jiraiya acknowledged that the Hokage was right. "I would say that her words speak of the trust that she's beginning to develop in you both." Jiraiya smiled up at him grimly, while the silver-haired teen slumped his shoulders. "We are fortunate, considering what she's been through that this is taking place so soon. I will leave it up to you, but I would like each of you to consider allowing her to call you by the names, or titles, she has given you." Seeing Kakashi about to bolt, the Sandaime placed his hand on his shoulder. "Kakashi-kun, you wish to adopt Naruto-chan, ne?" The teen reluctantly nodded.

Kakashi did want to adopt the girl, but it was wrong for Naru to call him that! "Aniki" or "Nii-san?" Those would be fine. He was positive he'd mentioned that to her before, hadn't he? He shook his head. It just wasn't right! She was sensei's daughter - not his! It would be a betrayal to Sensei and Kushina-nee! The older men saw right through him, and Jiraiya finally admitted something.

"You know, brat - I've stayed just about as long as I can. Probably as long as I'll ever be in the village at one time... I'll come back!" He looked scornfully at the others, how dare they look at me as if I'd leave my goddaughter! Minato's child… the young man who he really did think of as a son...

"Alright, sensei, the tadpole can call me... that insulting…" He groaned - his pride was on the line here! "But I don't want her saying it in front of anyone!" Jiraiya pouted childishly, arms crossed over his broad chest.

"If you think that name is insulting, Jiraiya-kun, you should know that Shizune-chan told me that your goddaughter has been referring to you when speaking to our summons as "Pervert." Jiraiya wasn't sure that was actually insulting. Sure, such a young girl shouldn't say such a word, or Kami-forbid know what it means, but he was a Super Pervert, dammit! So yes, that meant the name was insulting! Not as insulting as being called "Grandpa." He sunk down in his seat, telling himself he would just be sure to not allow anyone to be around him when he was with the little girl. I'll deal with it. After all, I am the Great Toad Sage..! He nearly summoned another toad, but suddenly realized the girl's bedroom wasn't large enough to support two summons who could each support him.

"And you, Kakashi-kun. Enma has told me that Naru-chan has previously referred to you as 'Masked Guy,' so I'd say you've moved your way up substantially." Kakashi pouted behind his mask. That name wasn't fair at all! Sure, he'd been called that and so much worse many times before, but the little blonde had actually seen his face! He'd showed it to her, just like he would -er, he might, with family. He contemplated the whole thing, head back and staring at the ceiling. He hadn't even let sensei or Kushina-nee see him without his mask. He'd been wearing the thing ever since he could remember. His father had even wanted him to stop wearing it in the years before his suicide. She's family...

"At least think about this, you two. All I ask is that you don't destroy the trust and, might I say, love that she just may have in you. Especially when it seems we've just reached her." The Sandaime sighed and looked at the two, a grave but hopeful expression on his weathered face.

Tsunade stood outside the girl's bedroom listening to the idiots talk about what Naru had said - had actually voiced! Not that she'd ever want to be called an old woman or Kami-forbid baa-chan by ANYONE, but she felt they were being ridiculous. And neither of those losers better upset Naru-chan about this or anything else! She returned to the room she'd left the tiny girl in, where Shizune-chan was reading a story to the little one about one of her grandfather's adventures. The slug-summoner stopped just outside the room when she heard the little princess speak for the first time, inhaling a deep breath.

"Shizuneechan? Did I do bad with Daddy and Grandpa?" Shizune's eyes bugged out of her head, but fortunately, she saw Tsunade standing at the door shaking her head furiously. The tiny blonde was facing away from her mentor, so she was shocked when the girl looked up and spoke without turning around. "Drunk Lady are you coming in?" Shizune wondered if this was the kid's last day to live.

"Drunk Lady?" The pervert gets Grandpa; the brat gets Daddy, but I get DRUNK LADY?!

Shizune disappeared in a swirl of leaves, trying to save her little charge from the fury that is Tsunade.