Author'Author's Note: Sorry for the huge delay. While my family and I never got sick (thank God), Corona nevertheless has affected me financially, as I haven't had an income since mid-March. Due to my unique circumstances, I couldn't apply for unemployment and I don't start my new job until July. So, financial stressors effectively blocked any font of creativity I had. Now things are getting better and my creativity is returning. I will continue this and finish the arcs given and any new ones I get. I'm starting a new story, the teaser of which I just put up. It's called "Once in a Lifetime?"

"Mate?" Naruto asked dumbly, staring at Kakashi.

Kakashi stared at Naruto with concern and started to speak, but before more than a word could come out, Shikamaru led five women in, all with different clan symbols on their clothing. Turning, Naruto looked at the women and moved to stand by Kakashi's right side. Shikamaru nodded at the two and bowed. "Lord Hokage, may I present the nominees from the following clans…" Naruto did not really hear what Shikamaru stated or what clans the women were from. He saw the women, all of varying heights and body shapes, all very beautiful. As Kakashi politely asked questions of the women, Naruto stood there, in shock, trying to figure out how this happened.

Finally, the women left as did Shikamaru. Feeling a tug on his elbow, Naruto looked at said elbow and saw Kakashi's hand on his elbow. Looking at Kakashi, Naruto's mouth opened, but nothing came out. Suddenly, he realized that Kakashi had been talking. "…Sakura, Naruto?"

"Huh? Wha'?" Naruto looked at Kakashi dumbly.

"Let's go, Naruto. Can you walk?" Kakashi stood. Naruto looked at Kakashi, still confused. Sighing, Kakashi nodded. "Alright." Coming over, he picked Naruto up bridal style. "We'll be at the hospital soon." Feeling the air pass by him, Naruto shook his head.

"Hey, wait…Kakashi-sensei stop." Naruto wiggled enough to where Kakashi had to stop. Holding onto Naruto, Kakashi's concerned eyes stared into the blue eyes.

"Naruto, we need to get you to the hospital. You are acting very odd and talking nonsense." Adjusting Naruto again, Kakashi headed on towards the hospital.

"Stop!" Naruto jerked out of Kakashi's arms. Standing down on his feet, he looked at Kakashi. "Look, I'm sorry Kakashi…I just…I got some stuff going on." Turning around, he fled towards where he his apartment was. Stepping to the door, he put his key in the lock…but it didn't budge. "Damnit." Naruto grumbled. Shuffling dejectedly, he slipped his keys into his pockets. Trudging down onto the street, he let out a huff. He guessed Kurama was right. History changed a lot in this time line, and Kakashi did not seem to know him at all. Walking as the sun's rays filtered over the hill, he bumped into someone. Looking up, he saw the silver-headed man invading his thoughts.

"Naruto? You rushed off." Kakashi stated, staring at Naruto.

"Oh, yea. Sorry. I'll make up the time tomorrow." Naruto looked up; light surrounding Kakashi's head as he blocked the sun.

"Is there something wrong? You seem…different. Off. Ever since the meeting about the mates." Kakashi stared at Naruto, his face, what was visible of it, was unreadable.

Naruto looked up at Kakashi. It didn't matter. This was a different timeline, Kakashi wasn't his Kakashi, and he'd never been. Nevertheless, he seemed so much like his Kakashi. Frowning, Naruto slumped his shoulders. "I just…I love you...like, boyfriend love or husband love. That is all. But I know this is just stupid talk. You're going to get married and all." Naruto kept looking down. Having said it, he didn't know what Kakashi would do. He might run away in disgust. Staring at Kakashi's feet, Naruto noticed that the feet hadn't moved, even after several minutes. Looking up at Kakashi, he saw something worse than disgust in Kakashi's eye. He saw pity.

"Oh…Naruto. I…I'm flattered, but I…I raised you after your father died. You are like a son to me." Kakashi was definitely uncomfortable. Studying the younger man, Kakashi frowned. "But you don't know that, do you? Naruto, what happened? You are not the Naruto I raised."

Naruto felt sick to his stomach. Trudging over to a bench, Naruto sat down, Kakashi sitting down next to the blond. Shrugging, Naruto told Kakashi the whole story of his timeline, including how he grew to love Kakashi but didn't say anything. He ended the story with waking up that morning.

Kakashi sighed, putting a comforting hand on Naruto's knee. "Naruto, I am sorry. But...there was no Fourth Great Ninja War. Since Kurama mysteriously left the night your mother died, the Leaf Village has kept to itself. I watched over you since you were my sensei's son. You went to the academy, got average marks, and became a shinobi. You aren't a hero, you've never even met Gaara. Moreover, up to this moment, you have been very happy with Hinata. In fact, I was waiting for you to ask me to help pick out a wedding ring for her." Kakashi's voice was kind and sympathetic.

Naruto nodded, feeling the prick of tears in his eyes. Blinking fast, he cleared his throat. "Okay, yea…thanks. I told Kurama that I would be okay as long as you are alive, even if you weren't with me. And that's true…I will be okay. And I'll marry Hinata. I…I just need some time, ya know? So, I think I'm going to go away for the weekend; try to wrap my head around what all has changed and what hasn't." Standing, Naruto stretched his eyes sad.

Kakashi stood as well. Sliding his hands into his pockets, he nodded. "That would probably be a good idea, Naruto. Come home tonight, and I will fill you in on everything I can. Then you can go, so you'll know what you need to mull over. I'll make ramen, okay? Um, do you still like ramen?" Kakashi's eye twitched slightly.

Naruto grinned at that. "Oh yea, I love ramen! Sounds good." Turning to leave, Naruto realized his problem. "Um…where do I live?"

Kakashi chuckled. "Let's go home."

()()()

Naruto leaned back. Kakashi had taken him home, shown him his room (which didn't look much different from the previous time line), and then made homemade ramen. As Naruto ate, Kakashi slipped off his mask and told Naruto his history. Naruto had kept staring at Kakashi's face, which was gorgeous, and making Naruto fairly glum. However, the stories warmed Naruto's heart a bit.

Kakashi had acted like the dad to Naruto that Naruto hadn't had. He looked at pictures of birthdays, Academy graduation, first mission leaving with his Team (Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto were on a team led by Yamato) and becoming a chunin.

Heading to the living room, Naruto sat on the couch with Kakashi as he continued, filling Naruto in until late in the night. Finally, yawning, Naruto smiled. "Thanks 'Kashi, Ima go to sleep." Getting up and stretching, Naruto went to his bedroom and laid in his bed, thoughts whirling.

()()()

Naruto settled into his new life. He worked with Kakashi, learning about being a Hokage. Kakashi chose to marry a woman from the Inuzuka clan. She was a kind woman. She gave Kakashi a good home, and was devoted and kind. Kakashi never fell in love with her, but he loved her; he cared for her and respected her. Naruto dated Hinata, who was very similar to the Hinata he grew up with. She was sweet, nice and courageous. Finally, he asked her to marry him. She said yes. On the wedding day, Kakashi stood with Naruto in the groom's father's place. The next morning, no present of Kakashi's head showed up.

Life went on. Naruto and Hinata had two children, Naruto became Hokage, and Kakashi became a very good grandfather. Kakashi's wife died when they were in their fifties, and Kakashi never remarried.

One morning, when Naruto was in his fifties, he got the message he dreaded. Heading over to Kakashi's, he sat with Hinata and their children around Kakashi's bed, the thin, emaciated man laying quietly, breathing labored. Finally, Hinata ushered everyone out, leaving Naruto and Kakashi alone. Naruto sat with Kakashi, holding his hand. As they reminisced on old times, Naruto tried to keep Kakashi's spirits up. Holding Kakashi's hand as the night went on, Naruto did more of the talking.

As Kakashi's breathing got slower and slower, Naruto knew their time was almost done. Kakashi looked at Naruto. "Naruto…I…" Coughing, Kakashi drew in a ragged breath.

"Don't, Kakashi. It's okay." Smoothing back Kakashi's hair, Naruto got some water and held Kakashi's head, helping him drink.

"Naruto…thank you…for…everything." Smiling, Naruto held Kakashi's hand and nodded.

"No problem, ya know? You gave me a great life. You are my most precious person. Always. I don't regret anything." As Naruto sensed Kakashi's soul leave his body, the tears spilled. Pulling Kakashi's lifeless body to him in a hug, Naruto whispered into the gray hair. "I never stopped loving you, Kakashi." Laying the body back down, Naruto put his forehead on his dead precious person's hand, and wept.