Naruto lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His thoughts were a whirl. He wasn't really sure what he was supposed to do. Closing his eyes, he calmed his breathing. Going into his shared mindscape with Kurama, he saw that Kurama was lying on his stomach, paws out, snoring. Chuckling, Naruto sat down near Kurama, leaning back against that soft fur. Trying to get his thoughts in order, the jinchurriki unconsciously started winding Kurama's fur around his finger.

Kid, if my fur starts getting curly, I am kicking your ass. Kurama scoffed at Naruto after a while.

"Huh?" Naruto looked up, startled out of his thoughts.

You're curling my hair around your finger. Kurama looked pointedly at Naruto's finger. Blushing, Naruto pulled the finger out and chuckled.

"Sorry. Didn't realize that I did that." Sighing softly, Naruto leaned back again against Kurama. "I just…I don't know what to do. I mean, I'm happy Kakashi is safe and alive. Of course. And, when I looked at that ring on his finger, I felt my heart just crush. I was so upset that he was taken. But, now I…I have a chance to be with him, but it feels wrong. Marriage is sacred. And I mean, Kakashi is married. So I can't cheat with him, right?"

Kid, I do not know much about humans. So I don't know. You really need to talk to someone else about this.

"Yea, but who can I talk to? We have to be discreet, which means that if I talk to anyone, I could be blowing the discreetness issue by talking to someone. Damnit!" Naruto flopped back onto Kurama. "I'd talk to my clones, but they'd be just as confused as I am."

You have to know someone smart. So, please…go find them. I'm tired. Kurama yawned as if to prove it

Naruto's eyes lit up. "Someone smart…yea, I do! Thanks!" Pulling himself out of the shared space, Naruto bolted up and headed out to find the only genius he knew besides Kakashi...

()()()

"I can tell by the way you are acting that this isn't a social call. What do you want, Naruto?" Shikamaru studied Naruto as the blond let out a big breath.

"That obvious, huh?" Naruto asked with a self-deprecating laugh.

Shikamaru just nodded. "You came to my home. You bought me lunch. You brought me lunch. You haven't even touched your food. Not that hard to figure out. Now, just tell me what you want to talk about." Picking up his chopsticks, the Nara started to eat.

"Well, okay, but, uh, I need you to keep this discreet. Why I came to your house. I just…I need some advice, and you are the smartest person I know. Okay?" Naruto started fiddling with his fingers.

"Alright. What's the problem?" Shikamaru sat his chopsticks down, staring intently at Naruto as he finished chewing his mouthful.

"Well, uhm, I'm in love with somebody. I didn't know they loved me until I had to admit my feelings during a conversation. So I admitted that, although they were married, I loved them. I told them that I wouldn't interfere with their marriage. They then told me that their spouse told them before they got married that if I ever returned their affections, that the spouse wouldn't stop us, just asked us to be discreet. The spouse confirmed that recently. I mean, of course I'd break it off with Hinata…but could I even see this person? I mean, marriage is sacred. But then, I have permission…but can they give permission? I just don't know what to do." Naruto put his head in his hands.

Shikamaru sat silently for a while. Finally, the brunette took a drink of water and cleared his throat. Naruto looked up. "I think you can see and date Kakashi,"…Shikamaru stopped as Naruto jumped up.

"I didn't say it was Kakashi! What makes you think it is Kakashi? I've never been with a guy and I never said it was Kakashi! He's the Hokage for Kami's sake!" Naruto spluttered, face red.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "Thank you for confirming it is Kakashi. Now, as I was saying…as long as you both stay discreet, you should be able to date Kakashi. Marriage is a contract between two people. If the two people agree to a contract with some…unusual terms…then that contract is just that…a contract between those two people with unusual terms."

"Really? But isn't it immoral?" Naruto looked up, eyes showing confusion.

Shikamaru shrugged. "It would be if Rin planned on being monogamous…but she put a condition about you to Kakashi when they got married. Then, she reaffirmed that condition when she talked to Kakashi. Therefore, you all are in agreement with the contract so it should be fine."

Naruto sighed and smiled slightly at Shikamaru. "Thanks!" Getting up, he started to leave. Suddenly, he stopped. Turning slowly, his eyebrows were scrunched together. "How did you figure out that it was Kakashi?"

Shikamaru picked up his food. "You don't have to answer to anyone but the Hokage. Therefore, since you "had" to answer the question, I knew it was Kakashi that asked. Kakashi is too possessive to let Rin see other people, and Kakashi is obviously in love with you." Naruto's eyes widened in fear. "Don't worry, Naruto, most, if not all, people wouldn't notice it, but that's what I do. I notice things. Moreover, working so closely with you two, I could tell. So go, be happy. Just be discreet." Shrugging, the Nara went back to finishing his food. As Naruto walked out the door, he heard the shadow user's final comments. "You aren't the same Naruto from a week ago, but you love Kakashi just as much as he loves you."

()()()

Naruto walked into the Hokage's office the next morning with two coffees. Kakashi looked up, the smile showing in his eyes. "Good morning, Naruto." Sitting down the coffee in front of Kakashi, Naruto smiled and yawned.

"Morning. Sorry, I didn't get much sleep last night." Sheepishly, Naruto went to the stack of papers he was working on last, grabbing some and sitting down on the floor, leaning back against the wall. His stomach was aflutter. What he said was true. He didn't get much sleep last night. He just kept thinking over what Shikamaru had stated. He kept weighing the options all night, so much so until Kurama threatened to come out and bite the jinchurriki's dick off if he didn't shut up. However, upon seeing Kakashi's face this morning, Naruto suddenly knew his answer. He was now trying to figure out how to let Kakashi know that. You know, with the discreetness requirement and all.

Finally, lunchtime rolled around. "Did you bring lunch, Naruto?" Kakashi's voice cut through Naruto's thoughts.

Looking up, Naruto shook his head. "No, I forgot. Wanna go get some lunch at Ichiraku's?"

Shaking his head with a smile, Kakashi stood. "Sure." As the two men walked out in silence, Naruto kept pondering what Shikamaru said. How could he let the Rokudaime know he wanted to date him discreetly? Because, being discrete means being quiet…and Naruto was never good at being quiet. Sighing as they sat down, Kakashi looked concerned at his assistant.

"Naruto? Are you okay?" Kakashi's voice was kind.

"Huh? Oh, yea, I just…"

About then a female voice interrupted. "Naruto? H…hi. I hadn't seen you in a while; I was worried you were working yourself too much. Are you okay?" The heiress stood there, smiling so sweetly at Naruto. Her sweet face made him feel sick to his stomach.

"Oh, yea…yea, I'm fine Hinata." Naruto smiled weakly at her.

"Naruto, I just remembered something I need to do before going back to the office. I will see you later. Good to see you Hinata." Kakashi stood and deposited some money on the table before exiting the ramen stand as Hinata waved goodbye.

"M…may I sit down?" Hinata asked.

"Oh, sure." Naruto said. As the two ate, Naruto was quiet. When they finished eating, Naruto knew what he had to do. "Let me walk you home. I want to discuss something with you." As Hinata's face lit up, Naruto felt horrible. As they walked home, Naruto tried to figure out the best way to gently let her down.

()()()

Naruto walked into the Hokage's office later in the day. Kakashi looked up, sad resignation in his eyes. "You didn't have to come back today." The undertone of despair in Kakashi's voice nearly broke Naruto's heart.

Naruto gave a small smile. "Yea, I did. I did some research on the perimeter issue we were having and I think I have a solution. I don't know if you will like it, but it is a solution. Can we go look at it so I can explain?"

Kakashi nodded and stood. As the two men left out of the window, Kakashi dispersed his ANBU. As the Hokage and his assistant traveled in silence, the sun beat down, birds happily flying through the air, a gentle breeze fluttering their hair. Once back at the tree house, Naruto motioned for Kakashi to go up, Naruto following close behind. After getting into the treehouse and forming the appropriate seals, Naruto stood opposite Kakashi. The ex-copy nin studied Naruto carefully, in his slouched, uncaring position. The only thing to belie that indifference was the slight edge to the otherwise indifferent eyes.

Naruto looked at Kakashi. "I want to be with you discreetly, if you'll have me."

Kakashi didn't move for a few minutes. Finally, he reached out with his left hand and Naruto noticed it was shaking. As Kakashi pulled down his mask, Naruto saw a relieved sigh escape those lips. "Naruto, I'll take you any way I can get you."

Smiling, Naruto stepped closer to his former sensei. Leaning up just slightly, he brushed his lips against Kakashi's. Feeling the shaky breath his Hokage released, Naruto smiled. "Were you nervous?"

Kakashi's face broke into a smile. Naruto thought the sight was one of the most beautiful he had ever seen. "Yea, I guess I was…I wasn't sure what you were going to say." Smoothing back Naruto's hair, he kissed the blond's forehead. Pulling back, he smirked. "Well, I guess I need to plan a proper date." As the two sat, talking, Naruto had never felt happier in his life.

()()()

Rin was good to her word. She never complained as long as the two men were discreet. Kakashi and Naruto kept their relationship very low key. When Rin got sick two days after her fiftieth birthday, Naruto stayed away so Kakashi could be with her. When she died one month later, Naruto snuck over to be with Kakashi as he wept. Holding him, Naruto wept as well; not only for his lover, but also for Rin. He couldn't have been as strong as Rin was. He could not have shared Kakashi.

()()()

Three years after Rin's death, Kakashi and Naruto moved into a new home together. The Hokage and his former sensei led a quiet life, spending many evenings at home or with friends. On Kakashi's fifty-fifth birthday, he asked Naruto to marry him. During Kakashi's fifty-sixth year, they were married. And for the next three decades, the men had their happily ever after, which led to the happily ever after life, as both men died within minutes of each other, in each other's arms.