DISCLAIMER: I own nothing from the Naruto universe but I do have an imagination of my own. I got inspiration from the story ARVUM, but have changed some things and expanded on it a lot. I desperately tried to get permission to continue that story, etc., but received no responses to my inquiries, sadly. Just want to give credit where credit is due!

Thinking

Emphasis

Biju, etc. speaking

Kakashi arrived at the Jonin Commander's home right on time to pick up his wife to go shopping. He wasn't sure quite what the hell was wrong with him, showing up on time for her - twice. He knocked on the door apprehensively, not quite sure of what to say if Naruto didn't answer. There really had to be something wrong with him. Why was it a big deal? It wasn't! Still, he had to admit to himself that he had never been to someone's house to pick up a girl before - aside from picking up a team member or something. Realizing this, his nervousness heightened. He cleared his throat and looked up as the door was answered by a shorter clone of Shikaku-san minus the scars. Kami-sama! What are the Naras feeding them? The kid was nearly as tall as him!

"Maa… Yo!" Kakashi inwardly groaned at what he'd just said.

Shikamaru smirked and leaned against the doorway. It seemed Awkward-san was reaching new heights as he came to pick up his imouto. He decided to be an ass - he was the big brother after all - and simply stood in front of the pervert his sister had married against her will. Well, sorta: she definitely wanted this guy for some reason.

Seeing that the kid wasn't allowing him entrance, Kakashi realized he was going to have to ask for his wife. "Wife" - he shivered. "Maa, I'm here to pick up Naruto-chan for some shopping?"

"Is that a question?" the kid asked.

Brat needs a smack. "Ah, ha ha… No. I'm here to pick her up to get some things for the new place." Kakashi said, rubbing his neck in what Shikamaru guessed was embarrassment or further bumbling.

"Hai, hai. Come on in… Troublesome," the kid muttered.

Definitely a Nara, Kakashi thought as the kid lazily walked into his home. The Hatake realized he was walking and standing up straight - unlike the kid in front of him. He relaxed his shoulders and tried to feign indifference at what was going on.

"Oh, hi! I didn't expect you so soon! I'll be right out, okay?" Naruto said with a big bright smile.

"Naruto-chan, what are you wearing?" Shikamaru asked, folding his arms across his chest and looking displeased.

"Uhh, clothes?" She said, looking down at her white dress that was covered in orange flowers. Shikamaru rolled his eyes. She didn't really understand what his problem was: it was just a dress. She looked up at Kakashi, wondering if it was okay. The man stood staring at her silently for a good long time, then did his eye-smile thing and gave her a thumbs up. "Be right out!"

Crap, the brat noticed. Kakashi thought he had made sure not to let his eyes linger over his wife's figure-fitting dress, or the cleavage he could clearly see… or her tanned skin. Fuck. He was in trouble here. The Nara kid was giving him a lazy, unimpressed glare, but fortunately left to follow his wife as his father came in.

"What's with that look?" The clan head asked his son as he passed him, entering the room. Shikaku only heard the word "troublesome" replied to him, which was obvious. Nearly everything was troublesome, after all. "Ah, Kakashi-kun. Here to pick up Blondie, hmm? Can I get you some tea? Please say no."

"Maa, that's fine, Shikaku-san: I'm good," Kakashi said awkwardly. Great: now the Commander is smirking at me. Kakashi watched as said man let himself fall backward limply into what had to be the most cushioned and reclining seat he had ever seen. It was practically a bed! He then noticed that there were more around the room behind it that were matching.

"Get your lazy ass up, Shikaku! We have a guest for Kami's sake!" Yoshino ordered. "Kakashi-kun! So good to see you again. I'll make tea... since this lazy ass won't." She scowled at her husband, leaving the room.

"Troublesome," her husband muttered, sitting up slowly but dutifully.

"I HEARD THAT!" came a shriek from what Kakashi could only imagine was their kitchen.

Dear gods, the woman must have enhanced hearing! He looked at his commander's face that had worked it's way into a scowl. The clan head gestured for Kakashi to sit down at his Shogi table and got up as if he was the most unfit man in the Elemental Nations. Kakashi knew everything he was seeing were known Nara traits, but damn if the whole scene wasn't amusing.

Shikaku placed the shogi pieces back into starting position, (ignoring his son's yelp of, "Oi! I had you in that game!") Looking at his son from under hooded eyes he only said, "you wish." He looked up at his new opponent and allowed him to move first. Kakashi began his move as Shikaku spoke. "So. How are you handling things?"

Oh, how to answer that loaded question? "Maa, as well as I can, I guess?" Shikaku moved a piece forward and continued to stare at Kakashi. The Hatake gulped and finally asked, "How's Naruto-chan doing with all of this?" Kakashi moved his next piece.

"Naru-chan's a good girl: troublesome, but a good girl," he replied. "Actually she's probably the most troublesome girl in the village, but what can you expect, considering her heritage?" Seeing Kakashi stiffen, he blew out a sigh. "Gomennasai, son, but you've got to get over that, ne? You've done an honorable thing, after all. Know that." Shikaku moved another piece, hearing Kakashi softly snort.

"Feels like I'm taking advantage," Kakashi said quietly.

"Well, see that you don't do that. Not that I could imagine it anyway." He watched Kakashi's move: it was off. The silver-haired man was obviously not paying attention, so Shikaku moved all of their pieces back into the starting position. Kakashi looked up at him questioningly.

"Shogi's serious business, brat. Keep your head in the game. You know that!" Shikaku tsked.

"Hai, Commander."

"Don't call me that shit in my house!" Shikaku said, making his move. "As if I don't have enough to deal with… What a drag. I mean," the dark-haired man paused, looking to his left, "you've seen my wife!" he whispered. Kakashi nodded his head and tried not to laugh out loud, but failed. At least he was quiet about it.

At that moment, Yoshino entered with a tea tray, scowling at her husband's use of his favored word at her appearance. "You watch yourself, Shika! Don't give Kakashi-kun the wrong ideas about our family!" Shikaku rolled his eyes and was awarded a slap to his shoulder by his wife. Turning her head towards the Hatake, she smiled gently. "It's so good to have you here; you're always welcome you know? You're family now." Off Yoshino went, leaving behind a stunned Hatake.

"Make your move, brat!" His commander ordered, forcing himself to sound imposing to get the kid's mind off what his wife just said. Kakashi was just too obvious to those that were around him for any good deal of time - even if most of his face was masked. Not to mention the fact that the kid was still so emotionally scarred. He watched the brat make an obvious move on the board and sighed. If only Yoshino didn't say that last thing. On the other hand… "You know, brat, my troublesome wife is right. Like it or not, you're family now," Shikaku ignored the emotions coming in waves off the dog summoner. "Well, Shikamaru might not think so; you'll have to deal with that."

Kakashi looked at him in confusion, eventually muttering something about being called a brat so many times in one day. Shikaku snorted.

"The kid's protective. She's his little sister, after all. Started calling her that the first day."

"She was supposed to be my little sister," Kakashi grunted.

"Well, hell - isn't that a load of guilt you've piled on yourself, ne? And cut it out with those shit moves," Shikaku grumbled, looking down at the Shogi board. "I've got a damn genius here to play with me and I won't let you get away with that crap." Kakashi sat up a little straighter and stared at the board. Good. A few moves were made by both shinobi and the older man decided to speak again. "Seriously, Kakashi. You need to get past this stuff, these feelings." Seeing the furious look in the Hatake's eye, Shikaku held up his hands in surrender. "I'm not saying you forget them - I would NEVER say that, and I certainly won't forget them either. But you have a life to begin, son! A life to begin LIVING. I'll fucking order you if I have to!"

Kakashi's shoulders slumped as he sat staring. Was it fair for him to begin a life without those so precious to him? When he came here this morning, he never expected these doubts to appear in his mind - never expected to have such a philosophical conversation with his commander. They'd known each other well for years, but he'd never talked about this kind of thing with anyone, really.

"Damn troublesome is what you are, making me out myself as a guy who cares! I oughta kick your ass," he said without heat as he made another move.

Kakashi snorted. Family, huh?

Hearing a squeal come from the back of the house, Kakashi turned away from the game. "Look who I found looking so lovely, Shikaku-kun!" Yoshino was pushing Naruto - whose hands were covering her eyes in embarrassment - into the room. "Shikaku! I said look at her!" Yoshino growled.

"Yes, dear: she's lovely," Shikaku said sulkily, not even looking up, nor listening to his wife's further complaints. "Yo, brat, tell your troublesome wife she's pretty."

"Maa, you look very pretty, Naruto-chan." The young woman broke down in laughter, while the Shikamaru kid glared at Kakashi. Probably didn't sound very sincere, considering I was ordered to say it. He meant it, though: she did look beautiful. Kakashi made himself smile at her and she blushed, making her even prettier if that were possible. He felt his own face heat up and looked up as his commander chuckled at him. So embarrassing.

"Should I henge?" Naruto asked shyly as they approached the Nara compound's gates as they were headed into the village to shop for the house.

"What?" Kakashi asked. "Why?" She looked fantastic - what was the problem? Any other woman he could think of would be thrilled to look as naturally beautiful as she was right now. He watched her face twist into a grimace and turn pink again; she looked terribly uncomfortable.

"Ano, as embarrassing as this is to say, I haven't been out in the village in years, looking like myself, you know?" Naruto admitted, staring at the ground. "I know it makes me a wuss - and part of it, in my defense is that JiJi didn't want me going out and people seeing me - but Shika's been after me to… never mind." She stopped in her tracks, unable to look at her husband but turned toward him. "It's more important that I don't in any way put you in a spot," she turned again and henged herself into a very boring looking woman.

"Whoa there. Why would I want you to look like that, or like anyone else?" Kakashi asked genuinely.

Naruto slumped and looked around. Seeing no one there she took off her henge. "Well, I might as well prepare you, I suppose. I mean, I'm sure you're aware that I'm not exactly 'well-liked' in the village. I think the Sandaime was hoping that people would forget me, but let's face it: it's not likely."

"NO," Kakashi responded rather heatedly. How did he not realize that she needed him for more than just to stop the council and it's totally disgusting plans for her? He was pissed! At them… at himself! He was pissed for her! This was bullshit. "No, Naruto. When you're with me, YOU are with me, understand?" He watched as her eyes widened and she nodded. "Good." He grabbed her hand and pulled her with him, only to notice what he had done plus how she stiffened. "Gomen."

"No! I mean," Naruto groaned loudly, "I mean, that was… nice." She stopped, trying to will away her blush. Kakashi stood looking baffled but wasn't looking directly at her. "Forgive me, Kakashi-san. Let's just maybe see how things go as we get into the village proper. I just can't risk anything bad happening to you." Kakashi looked at her then, staring at her as if he'd never seen her before. "Please - I mean, I know you're super strong and everything: it's not that! Well, whether it's someone trying to hurt you because of me or not is one thing I'm worried about, but there's also another serious issue: I don't want to hurt your reputation," she apologized.

Kakashi continued standing there not knowing quite what to think. He didn't give a damn about his reputation really, but that probably would be the wrong thing to tell her as reassurance. And she was being honest with him, so he should be honest with her. If only he could make himself speak! Since it seemed his mouth wouldn't move despite his best efforts, he grabbed her hand tightly and began pulling her.

He's holding my hand! Naruto's heart was beating loudly in her chest: this was wonderful. Wait! He's making a mistake! She gulped down the feeling of a cry in her throat. Would they get attacked? Would people start talking and going on about the demon or monster somehow "entrancing" the tall, fine-assed silver-haired elite that was holding her hand? She only realized how much she was dragging behind him when he sent lightning chakra through her hand, shocking her. Naruto jumped: her immediate reaction was to curse at him, before realizing that she was now walking next to him, and that he was smiling - or at least his eye looked like it was smiling genuinely.

They were headed to the furniture store first. Hopefully, Naruto knew what to do because his apartment was still furnished with the same stuff it came with a decade or so ago. I did buy a mattress, I think. Kakashi wasn't a shopper, but Naruto had worn attractive clothing, so he assumed that like most women she knew what she was doing in that area. Bleh. He chastised himself. Just because he preferred his uniforms and saw no need to buy other stuff didn't mean he didn't appreciate a good looking woman in nice-fitting clothes…

The trouble was that as they walked down the street, he realized that nearly every other man they were passing was appreciating HIS wife in HER fitted clothing. In fact, they were appreciating her much too much! So bothered by it was Kakashi that he finally pulled his hand out of hers, and brought out his favorite book and held it in front of his face.

Naruto didn't know what was going on. She expected taunts and sneers but was getting weird stares and hollers that she didn't understand. Something odd was definitely happening and even Kakashi pulled his hand away from her. Naruto thought about how she was reacting, suddenly feeling disgusted with herself. She was Naruto Uzumaki, damnit… well, Naruto Hatake now. She was tougher than nails, had a drive harder than steel! Why had she been acting like such a wimp? No wonder Shikamaru was fed up with her for hiding like this!

She determinately brought her face up from looking at the ground in front of her. She held her head high and planted a small grin on her face. Screw the oddities surrounding her! She had prepared Kakashi for the taunts she might receive, so maybe he was mad or a little disgusted with her being such a chicken in the face of adversity. She looked over to the man and relaxed upon seeing him staring at Icha Icha. Thank Kami that sensei or not, Kakashi will always be Kakashi. She couldn't help but smile genuinely at the man she was so fond of, who continued to read his smut.

The elite Jonin couldn't read or even turn a page. He was just about to knock the shit out of the next male who leered at his little wife. She was getting whistles, stares, and cat-calls, even from a couple of guys on the roofs. And not just from civilians! Stupid Kotetsu had just run into a pole while looking at his Naruto! Finally, they reached the first furniture store they'd seen and he pulled her inside.

A little bald man approached the couple excitedly. "Welcome, welcome! You're my first customers! As you've no doubt read about, I'm giving 10% off to customers who buy today, and we can provide immediate delivery!" The short store owner went on to discuss how he had just been allowed to import into and finally move to Fire Country. Somehow the Hatakes seemed to have lucked out on finding a store that might not discriminate against the blonde, perhaps even after learning her name. The man, Izana-san, proudly described his guarantees of satisfaction in detail while moving deeper into his store. Finally, he asked the couple what they needed. Both Hatakes looked at each other blankly. "Newlyweds?" Izana-san asked.

Are we that obvious? Kakashi wondered as he nodded his head, seeing Naruto do the same. Her eyes were wide, looking around the store. Perhaps he was wrong about her shopping habits. She did say that she had stayed out of the village after all. Well, she said that it was when she looked like herself, so maybe not. He'd figure her out. "Forgive my manners. I'm Kakashi Hatake and this is my wife, Naruto Hatake."

Funny how that seemed to flow from his mouth so easily. He didn't even feel awkward about it. Well, now that he reconsidered it, he did feel a little weird. He looked at his wife - and that was getting easier to say even if it was just to himself. She was blushing and he wondered what her thoughts were.

Naruto Hatake: she had said the name to herself before over the past few days, of course. It had seemed so odd. Now, though, hearing it come out of Kakashi's mouth so readily made her heart race. There hadn't been other Uzumakis alive - or at least alive for very long in her first lifetime. Now she was sharing a name with someone, and not just someone - it was Kakashi...

Kakashi went into details about the house - how many bedrooms, baths, living areas, and such that they needed to furnish at this time. Izana-san's eyes were nearly glowing by the time he finished explaining. The man said that he would have no problem supplying them all that they needed, and went to the back room to pick up prices, plus color and fabric patterns. Naruto was pretty sure he was wiping blood from his nose as he ran off.

"Everyone has their perversions, ne?" Naruto giggled softly to her husband.

"Say what?" Kakashi asked, trying to keep the surprise out of his voice at his young wife mentioning perversions. The little man came running back with books of some type and they were led to his desk in the center of the store.

FOUR HOURS LATER they were ready to pay and leave. The store owner had been incredibly helpful and kinder than Naruto could have imagined, and she even changed her thoughts about what a greedy little bastard he probably was. Before they left Kakashi threatened the man about not revealing their names, the temperature dropping in the room at least 10 degrees as he did so. Izana-san agreed and bowed deeply to the couple, who returned the gesture.

Just as the Hatakes turned to leave, Izana-san spoke once more. "Congratulations again you two! You certainly make a beautiful young couple. I only look forward to the beautiful children you'll have someday soon!" Kakashi grabbed Naruto's arm as she tripped forward into the door. "One thing I'm sure of, between the two of you: your kids won't grow to be bald like me!" He said cheekily, not realizing that the couple in front of him drastically paled and struggled to walk steadily out onto the street.