It had been a week since Kakashi spoke to Obito about his plans to raise Naruto. Said child was currently at Konoha Centre Hospital and Kakashi made sure that either he or Obito were able to visit Naruto at least once a day to ensure that he was being treated properly.

Though now that was the least of his problems. It had taken a day to move all of his belongings, which wasn't much, to Hatake Manor. Pakkun and Obito assisted in buying the necessary things involved in raising a child but of course that led to unnecessary complications, such as:

"Strawberry- Tastic taste better than that peachy crap you call baby food!"

"What do you know about what Naru-chan likes better?!"

"Clearly more than you, you mangy mutt! You're a freaking dog."

"And you being human makes you superior than me? I have supple paws!"

"The hell that gotta do with anything?!"

Even thinking about it gave him a headache. The only thing left for Kakashi to do was get his team involved and that was going to be tough. Naruto was going to be checked out in a day's time and he was yet to implement his rather well thought out plan, if he said so himself.

He was fond of Team Rou, considered them his nakama but while they were the infamous elite unit in ANBU, much was left to be desired in terms other than skill. Each member had their own problems and that's what made them strong; the fact that no one else could understand them and there was a place a for them in this world despite everyone else rejecting them.

It was also for this very reason that Team Rou was especially difficult to deal with. Put skill aside and you're left with a ragtag group of social rejects.

Kakashi thought about it long and hard, if was to have any luck with his team accepting the newest addition, he was going to have to convince the sanest member that this was a good idea and ironically, this happened to be youngest of them all: Itachi Uchiha.

Though he looked and acted calm and collected, Team Rou knew not to underestimate the Uchiha prodigy for it was for it was exactly how he acted when assassinating; not making any expression. He was, however, reasonable and sweet to those he cared about, especially his otouto, Sasuke, also known as his weakness. Kakashi had a plan and if that plan was to succeed then he would need to use Itachi's vulnerable spot.

Sure, it was wrong of him to use such a vulnerability on his young teammate who looked up to him, but it wasn't like he would lose anything in the end. This was just a ploy to reel him in and once he caught him the remaining Team Rou members could be tackled.

Luckily for him, Itachi was able to take missions again and they were scheduled to depart on a mission together. Though it didn't go unnoticed by the Hokage and Kakashi had to assure him that no he was not running away from Naruto, he was in hospital and yes, he had no ulterior motives to taking on this mission.

The last part may have been a lie but what Hokage-sama didn't know wouldn't hurt him. It was a simple mission, just guarding a team of Chunin on their way to deliver a scroll from the Hokage to Suna from potential rogue nin.

This mission was perfect as he would not only be distracted from the aching feeling of not seeing Naruto (the sap he was becoming), he could discuss things with Itachi. Smiling to himself at his ability to come up with a plan with little possibility of failing he made his way from the hospital and made his way to Konoha's gate to leave for the mission.


"Yo , Itachi," Kakashi greeted the young Uchiha in his usual laid-back manner.

"Taicho, please don't address me as that we are on a mission and please put on your mask," Itachi replied.

He was glad to finally be on missions again; it served as an escape from the pressure his family was putting on him since he had joined ANBU. He and Kakashi were perched in a tall tree watching over the Chunin.

"Right. So, Itachi," the boy inwardly groaned, "You have a brother,right?"

"Sasuke,"Itach curtly replied.

"And he's about three years old now?" Itachi raised an eyebrow under his mask mimicking a weasel.

"That is correct… Taicho why are you bringing this up?"

Kakashi close-eyed smiled at him, "Well, I was looking for advice since I recently adopted."

Itachi stared at his captain. No, he was joking. There was no way his captain had adopted it was impossible and if it was true, he couldn't imagine how the child was going to turn out.

"A-adopted? Surely you don't mean you adopted an actual child?"

"Yep."

If it wasn't for the fact that they were surrounded by nature and the Chunin they were guarding were having a hushed conversation, a pin would have been heard.

"Itachi? You still there?" Kakashi asked his young teammate currently staring at him like he had two heads.

"Taicho, please tell me you are joking," his voice was soft, still trying to get over the shock.

"Nope, I actually adopted the Yondaime's son. Obito agreed to co-parent with me."

Suddenly, Itachi had the urge to faint. This was worse than what he couldn't even imagine. Kakashi hadn't just adopted a child, no he had adopted the Yondaime's son, the container for the Kyuubi- the monster that had caused his clan to revolt but worse than all that, Obito Uchiha.

Obito Uchiha was infamous in his clan but it was not for that that Itachi was near collapse, it was the mere thought of the Yondaime's son being raised by both his captain and the man known for being a remarkably idiotic ninja despite his feats. Kami help Konoha.

"I think, Taicho - I think of all the things you have ever done; this is the worst."

"Now I wouldn't say that…" Kakashi chuckled slightly.

"You have adopted the Yondaime's son and you have Obito Uchiha helping you raise him. You two that can't go an hour without arguing have adopted a child that is more dangerous than most enemy nin."

"Well when you say it like that," Kakashi paused and looked way from Itachi, "Look, Itachi, I get why you think it's a bad idea. To be honest I wonder myself if what I'm doing is the right thing, but I just can't leave him alone. You know what it's like growing up with expectations and Naruto-his is just reversed. What would you do if Sasuke had to go through what his going through right now?"

Itachi knew what Kakashi was doing, using Sasuke against him. It didn't help that he knew what his captain was saying was right. He hated the path that he had to walk down and surely when Naruto grew up, he would hate the road that he had no part in choosing.

Sasuke was the same age as Naruto and Itachi refused to even imagine his beloved otouto in that position. He sighed.

"Taicho, you're sly, using Sasuke against me." Kakashi faced him again, this time with what seemed like smirk on his face.

"I take it that it worked," it wasn't even a question, Kakashi knew that he had won.

"I'll help you alright but just don't expect the rest of our team to take it as lightly as I did."

"Of course not. Arigatou, Ita-chan."

"I told you not to never call me that," Itachi said quietly and if he wasn't wearing his mask, a slight pout would have been seen.

Kakashi started calling him that after he overheard his mother refer to him as that, much to Itachi's embarrassment. His captain said he found it cute; how the Uchiha heir, treated like an unformidable force, was called Ita-chan by his mother no less. Itachi knew he only said it to make him feel at ease and it worked, but it still felt embarrassing.

Kakashi laughed, "And that's why you're my favourite kouhai. Just don't tell Tenzou."

"Taicho, please stop."

"Are, are, are. Itachi just don't forget that you don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders."

"I know, Taicho."

"Good. Now back to business- it seems like we got company." Kakashi pointed eastwards and put on his mask again. For what seemed liked the millionth time, though it had only been the second time, Itachi sighed.

"Hai."


Obito trudged his way back to his apartment. He was exhausted after helping an elderly woman with her groceries. Why anyone would need that much peaches, he would never know.

Thinking of peaches brought back memories of Kakashi's stupid dog. Who did he think he was, telling him that Just Peachy was better baby food than Strawberry-Tastic? He was a dog, albeit with extremely soft paws that no one could resist touching, but what did that have to with anything? Great, now he was thinking about that of all things.

On his way home, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was late for something. Something important. Granted he was always late for everything, but it just didn't feel right. Oh well, it'll come back to him and thus, he continued walking home. It wasn't until he reached the entrance of the Jonin/ANBU hostels that he remembered exactly what he was late for.

Oh Kami, Kakashi is going to kill me, he thought to himself as he began to run in the direction of Konoha Centre Hospital. Wait, Kakashi had that mission with Itachi yesterday, he shouldn't be back until noon. Wait, no, shit, it's already one. Fuck, I'm a dead man.

It was a race against the odds but nevertheless, he persisted. He ran as fast as he could, leaping from building to building. Many stared at him, both citizen and ninja alike, wondering exactly what Obito Uchiha was late for yet again. Their stares did not faze him, no, they pushed him forward. He heard the gossip as he leapt, resisted the urge to stop running entirely and confront those stupid Genin thinking they were better than him, he could always do that later.

Soon, his destination was in his sight. He jumped down from the building he was on, though not as graceful as he should have been as a ninja. He greeted the old woman he helped earlier on, still carrying those damn peaches.

He nearly tripped over a toddler, who was playing in the middle of the street while his mother chatted away with what seemed like her best friend. Women, they never have their priorities checked, he thought not realising what a hypocrite he was being.

He picked up his pace, the hospital now within an arm's reach and finally, after what seemed like a lifetime, he made it. He had defied fate and could claim his prize. With a smug grin plastered on his face, he walked up the hospital's entrance and that is when he knew he lost.

He had no chance of wining since the beginning. He was Obito Uchiha for Kami's sake! No amount of praying or hoping could save him now.

There he stood in front of Obito, the ninja who was listed as a Rank A wanted ninja in enemy villages' Bingo Book, his very name struck fear in the hearts of those who opposed him, Kakashi Hatake and cradled in his arms was none other than Naruto Uzumaki, the child he had to discharge from the hospital.

"Obito-nii, baka!" Naruto giggled happily as Kakashi glared at him. Obito gulped.

It was official: Obito Uchiha was a dead man.

"You imbecile! How could you forget to pick him up?!" Kakashi shouted at what many referred to as his best friend before decking him.

"It wasn't on purpose, I swear, I just got a little side-tracked," Obito said as he rubbed his head. Man, Kakashi could really pack a punch. He was definitely going to have a bruise.

They were at Hatake Manor, Obito sprawled out on the floor of the unfurnished living room and Kakashi towering above him.

Naruto was playing in the garden outside, oblivious to what was going on. The lucky little shit. Obito glanced around the room. It was actually surprising how quickly they were able to change the once isolated place to something more homely, he had expected the move to take more than a week but they had successfully moved all of Kakashi's belongings to the manor in less than two days.

It helped that Kakashi wasn't the materialistic type and preferred to rather have what was necessary. It was, however, questionable what the man deemed as a necessity, he had way too many of Jiraiya-sama's porn books in Obito's opinion.

No, bad Obito, focus, he told himself. It really wasn't the time to get distracted. Kakashi head bashing was more than enough for him to realise that

"A little side-tracked? Naruto was supposed to be discharged at ten. I got back at noon and you only got there passed one!"

"Wait, did you stay at the hospital longer, just to wait for me?" He knew Kakashi could be petty but wasn't that a little too much?

"That doesn't matter!" Kakashi sighed.

"Look, Baka, I've got better things to do and you forgetting to get Naruto isn't making anything easier."

"I said I was sorry alright. It was my fault for not picking him up but seriously, you already punched the hell out of me," Obito said, sitting up. The floor was actually comfy, in a weird wood kind of way, though Obito didn't understand it.

"How'd it go with Itachi?"

Kakashi glared at Obito for changing the subject, "He agreed to help."

"Well that's great, ain't it. What's got you so stressed?"

"Itachi's reasonable, the rest of Team Rou isn't. Itachi's gathering them for a meeting at the Third Training Ground and I need to work out a way to tell them about Pup."

"Pup?" Obito asked.

Kakashi shrugged, "I figured Naruto's going to have a new nickname since he's going to be the new addition to Team Rou."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Whoa. I get that I suggested that Naruto be trained by your team but as the new member? That's too much."

"Don't be stupid. It's unofficial of course and obviously Naruto part of Team Rou. I adopted him so he's just as much a part of the team as I am. Wait, don't tell me you're jealous," Kakashi was actually close to laughing, well maybe just a slight haha, but it was enough to keep him distracted from the prospect of meeting those dramatic bastards he called nakama.

"Jealous? Me, of Naruto? Please…" he pouted ("Only slightly!" he would later argue)

"But it's not fair! Why don't I get to be part of Team Rou?"

Kakashi rolled his eyes. He heard all of Obito's complaints of how he should be on Team Rou since he was "Just as batshit insane like the rest of them." Idiot.

"Baka, how many times must I explain that you're not cut out for ANBU? Especially not Team Rou. You're starting to sound like Gai now." Obito blanched.

Being compared to the so called 'Green Beast of Konoha' didn't sit right with him. He knew he could be annoying, but it didn't hold a candle to Maito Gai, Kakashi's so called eternal rival.Just thinking of the green jumpsuit-wearing freak made him shudder.

"Okay, I got it. Just don't compare me to him again."

"Whatever." Kakashi turned to call Naruto. "Naru-chan! We need to leave!"

"Hai, Kashi-nii!" Naruto came running in from the garden carrying a handful of clumsily picked flowers.

"Kashi-nii, I picked these for you," he said shyly as he handed them to Kakashi, who looked like it was a gift from the heavens.

"Ariagato, Naru-chan," Kakashi took the flowers and then picked Naruto up, careful not damage them. He nuzzled the child's neck while Naruto squirmed, giggling. It was cute, Obito had to admit. He never saw Kakashi this affectionate with anything before. He was definitely going to use this against him next time he got a chance.

Noticing Obito smirking at him, Kakashi cleared his throat and put Naruto down.

"Not a word about this, Obito." Obito nodded though he somehow got a feeling that this wouldn't be the only time Kakashi would act so lovingly to Naruto. Kushina-san was probably laughing wherever she was now at the once stoic-looking child, now nuzzling her baby boy.

"Right. Naru-chan say goodbye to Obito, we need to leave now."

Naruto waved at Obito, who felt his heart swell, "Bye-bye, Obito-nii."

"Bye Naru-chan."


Walking through the streets of Konoha with Naruto on your shoulders wasn't easy . For Kakashi, he had to resist the urge to throw the onlookers who stared at with disgust through the nearest building. For Naruto, he buried his head in Kakashi's silver mop known as hair to avoid the stares.

It was an awkward position so Kakashi, despite Naruto's protests, removed Naruto from his shoulders and put him next to him on the ground. The child hid behind Kakashi's legs, earning an exasperated sigh from the ninja.

Kakashi looked down at Naruto, "Naru-chan, please start walking, I don't want to be late." I already spend too much time with that Baka, I don't want to start picking up on that habit of his, he added as an afterthought.

"B-but Kashi-nii, they staring at me," Naruto said, his voice trembling. Suddenly, the urge to throw the villagers increased tenfold.

"I know, Naru-chan, but just ignore them. They won't do anything to you, I'm protecting you. You trust me, don't you Naru-chan?"

"Course, Kashi-nii."

"Good, now let's keep going," he bent down to ruffle Naruto's hair before grasping his hand and continuing to walk. Naruto seemed to calm down and the walk to Third Training Ground was somehow shorter. Along the way Naruto started to ask questions about where they were going.

"Well, Naru-chan, we're going to meet the rest of my team."

"Team? What's that?"

"It's kinda like of a group friends working together."

"Ne, ne, Kashi-nii can I be your friend then?" Naruto said with so much determination it made Kakashi laugh.

He pretended to think about it for a while, "Nah I don't we can friends." Naruto's face fell.

"Oh."

"That's cause we're already family. It means that you're more important than a friend."

Naruto beamed and nearly tackled Kakashi to the ground.

"Kashi-nii, if I love you. Will you love me too?" The question was so innocent, yet it had so much meaning to it. Kakashi thought of Sensei, Kushina-san, Rin, his father, all of them he cared for but he had lost them all and never got the chance to tell them how he felt.

He didn't, couldn't let the same thing happen to Naruto. Naruto was his precious person and by Kami, would he protect him with his life.

"I already do Naru-chan." This time, Naruto really did tackle Kakashi to the ground. It was a struggle to get the golden ball of fluff off him but in that moment, nothing felt better. Eventually they did get up and made their way to the meeting spot. All nervousness forgotten, if Naruto had this much of an effect on Kakashi of all people, Team Rou would surely welcome him.


A/N: So I was thinking that if you guys have any questions or concerns about this fic please don't hesitate to ask in a review or even pm. I really like this story so please give me your ideas, theories, criticism so I can make this more enjoyable to read :)

This week's reviewers:

TipsyKitsune - Yep, you'll definitely find out what happened at the bridge. Though it only happens in the later chapters. Also Obito's behaviour didn't change much because that's how I imagine he'll grieve. I imagine Obito to face challenges with a smile on his face hiding how he actually feels since, like Naruto, he doesn't like showing his weaknesses in tears but it'll also be explained in later chapters as well

TigrezzTail - That's what I was hoping for people to think when they read the interaction between Kakashi and Naruto ;)

Naruita14 - Merci pour les critiques. J'utilise google translate car je pense que cela signifierait plus si je reponds dans votre propre langue et que je ne parle pas francais. Je suis content que vous aimiez le chapitre et desole s'il a des erreurs dans cette reponse.

Guest - Thanks for that sweetie ^_^

TigrezzTail: Glad you thought so! The relationship between Obito and Itachi must still be decided and tbh i haven't really thought of it that much but there's definitely going to be some rough patches going on. I'm not sure how Naruto would tie in though so if you have any ideas about how you think Obito would act around Itachi please share especially with Naruto thrown into the mix.

Pat123: Thanks. I'm really glad you think so (^o^)

TipsyKitsune: I can assure you that Itachi will definitely have a lot to do in this fic...

Naruita14: Itachi will have a role in Naruto's upbringing and he will definitely advise Kakashi and Obito on how to to do it- I mean someone has to make sure that Naruto isn't going influenced too much by their antics ;)

A fun game I thought of; if anyone can guess at least one member of Team Rou (except Kakashi and Itachi, of course) I'll post next week's chapter and a bonus chapter as well so please comment (^v^)