Naruto stared at the mess that was his home and crumbled slowly to the floor.

He pulled his knees against his chest, hid his face between his arms, and tried to breathe.

Nothing made sense. Nothing made sense anymore.

Sensei did not make sense.

He tried to think back to their first meeting… Sensei had prepared a table full of food and made him a sandwich. He defended him and insisted he would finish the quiz. He convinced him to stay by threatening to call his parents.

He knew. He knew everything before they even met.

Something sniffed him, licking his arms.

Naruto did not move, not even when the dog whined and curled around him, licking and sniffing and rubbing his large head against his body.

Why would he do it? Why would he kill others to save him? Why did he get involved with the gang? What did he want?

Why did he hug him?

Naruto curled tighter into himself. He must have been held at some point, probably when he was younger, but he had no memory of that. In a way, that was his first hug.

The first time anyone bothered to hug him, to see him…

And I cried in his arms like a fucking idiot. Naruto scoffed, pushed away the dog's long nose, and got up. He walked to the table – what remained of it after Sensei smashed a man into it – and picked up the last burger. He unwrapped it and offered it to the dog. "I know I'm not supposed to give you human food, but that's the only thing I've ever seen you eat."

The dog rumbled. He shoved Naruto's hand away and nosed at his stomach.

Naruto winced and pushed him away. "Don't bother. I'm not gonna eat that. I'm not gonna eat anything he gave me."

His anger was cold and aching. It was better than stopping to think. Naruto marched to one of the cabinets and took out a trash bag. He started tossing things in – fries, dog treats, chair parts. He threw in the coke bottle, the ketchup packets, and the last burger. He ignored the dog's evident agitation.

The beast paced around him, growling and whining and nuzzling at him, trying and failing to get his attention.

Naruto kept cleaning up. It meant he was doing something instead of thinking. He did not want to think.

He could not figure him out. That part scared him the most – that someone would do all the things the man did, and he did not know what he wanted.

The dog nudged him, and Naruto noticed he froze, a chair leg in hand. He scoffed, dropped the piece into the trash bag, and took the piece the dog held in his mouth. "It wouldn't have happened if you stayed," he muttered quietly. "I asked you to stay."

The dog bumped his head against Naruto's shoulder.

"You could've scared them away. You could've scared him away, too. Could've warned me he was bad. I heard dogs can do that."

He took out a broom and kept cleaning.

The dog sat in the corner of the room. His eyes followed him. He looked hurt.

Naruto didn't care. He tied the bag and walked out of the apartment. It was cold, but the sharp wind felt right. The pain felt right.

It washed the warmth of Sensei's hug from his body.

Naruto gritted his teeth and tossed the trash bag into the communal pile of other trash bags. He hated how safe he felt in his arms. Safe and warm and wanted – Sensei started the hug. He pulled him into his arms. He guided him how – by cradling his head and caressing his back and –

Naruto slapped himself, roaring against the thoughts swarming in his mind.

It felt good and it shouldn't have. Bad men should not be able to offer comfort – not like that. They should not have gentle fingers and careful hands and strong arms and feral, intelligent eyes.

His touch did not release him. Sensei's hug followed him like a ghost, blazing trails his skin refused to forget.

Naruto opened the door with a thrust and shut it behind him, growling again in frustration.

The dog jumped up when he saw him, rumbling again, but Naruto still ignored him. He closed the door, retrieved his toolbox – Gai's gift to celebrate the first time he fixed a bike – and scrutinized the door Sensei managed to rip off its hinges with his shoulder.

He refused to think about how strong he was – how strong were his arms and how ironlike was his hold, how his chest was hard and defined and firm, unbending beneath his fingers despite their desperate attempt to find any crevice to sink into and hold on –

Naruto punched the door and screamed.

The dog approached cautiously, sniffing him –

"Fuck off! Don't touch me!" Naruto shoved him away, panting. He pulled on his hair, gritting his teeth and tearing –

The dog leaned his paw on Naruto's shoulder and closed his jaws on his wrist. He growled and pulled the hand away, teeth bared –

Naruto freed his hand, frightened, but his skin was unharmed. Despite his strength, the dog did not leave a mark. His eyes were worried and gentle.

Naruto looked away.

He unscrewed the hinges from the wall and drilled new holes in the cheap wood. Finally, he reattached the door, and though it swung unsteadily, it was functional again.

He grabbed a sturdy piece of wood – one of the few he did not throw away – and used it to craft a makeshift lock which he drilled onto the main door. It wouldn't work from the outside, but he didn't have anything worth stealing. At least when he was inside, the door would provide some resistance against strangers.

Of course, that piece of shit had to shoot the lock.

Finally, he retrieved a bottle of bleach and scrubbed the walls and the floor, removing the blood stains.

The dog walked to the other end of the room and buried his nose in Naruto's blanket.

"Sensei's lucky the police don't care about this neighborhood," he muttered suddenly. "I'm such an idiot." He huffed and scrubbed harder. "Sasuke was right to suspect him. He was right about me, too. That I have no sense of self-preservation."

The dog's ears shot up.

The giant beast looked as miserable as Naruto felt. "He asked me if he tried anything weird. And I was an idiot. I thought that he was nice, y'know? So he can't be like the boss – he can't – be thinking that stuff. He – " Naruto poured more bleach. He cleaned stain after stain after stain. "I can't figure him out. I can't figure out what he wants from me. Every word that comes out of his mouth is a fucking lie."

Naruto finished cleaning. He washed the sponge and his hands.

He was still angry. He marched to the dog and began combing his fur, digging deep and searching –

The dog growled at him when he touched his stomach, but Naruto kept searching, his fingers frantic in their desperation. He brushed through his tail and spread his paws and peeked into his ears.

The dog grumbled, annoyed, but licked his cheek. His eyes were soft and patient.

"I thought you're a spy or something," he mumbled. His shoulders slumped. "He knew everything about me before we even met. I don't understand." His body ached, heaving and straining, but he had no tears left. "Why…." The rest of what he wanted to say melted into a weak exhale.

Naruto fell silent. He crawled under the blanket, shivering from the cold, and allowed the dog to wrap his large body around his. He buried his face in the thick folds of the dog's fur.

He was not going to wait anymore. He tried to wait – he tried to seek help – he tried to trust.

But Hatake and the boss were the same. Liars who used kindness to mask cruelty and manipulate his every action. And if Hatake thought, even for a moment, that he could hold his dream captive so he could get him to submit…

Naruto gritted his teeth but kept his body weak and soft, hidden within the dog's embrace.

The dog kept licking him. But the dog was also a liar.

He never stayed.

He could not be trusted – neither to save him from the boss, nor to rescue him from Hatake.

Naruto stayed awake and formed a plan.

Once, when he was thirteen, he tried to run away. This time, he will succeed.

Kakashi observed the teen as he got dressed, his face pale and his eyes clouded and detached. "I'm going to school," he said quietly. "See ya."

Not early enough for the tutoring lesson, though it did not surprise him. Naruto was mad, hurt and betrayed, and far too clever. He saw through Kakashi's carefully laid plan the moment he was given the motivation to do so. Hell, he almost figured out the relationship between him and his wolf form.

He would have to speak with him after school; he would also have to talk to Sasuke.

Kakashi gritted his teeth and jumped through the window, rushing to his car. Whatever the brat told him caused Naruto to suspect his every action. Did he warn him before or after he started to transform?

Before or after he realized Kakashi was masquerading as the teen's dog?

Kakashi entered his classroom and leaned against the window; he could not see Naruto. Did he miss him? Still, as long as Naruto was at school, he could protect him. He had no doubt the gang leader would try to act again. He had to think of a plan on how to deal with him, as well.

His first attempt to scare the man backfired. He hired more security with better systems and stronger weapons and went into hiding.

At this point, Kakashi had to assume there was someone bigger hiding behind the scenes and pulling strings. However, he could not figure out what made them target Naruto.

First period passed, unfelt. Kakashi could not remember a moment of it. Second period passed just as quickly. And now he had to create a chance – to talk –

His phone blinked, coming to life for less than a second then fading back to black.

Kakashi looked up, but the students were on their lunch break, so the classroom stood empty. He picked up his phone and unlocked it, and then the message Jirayia texted him. Moments later, his computer beeped and a single message appeared. A letter and a number. The key.

Kakashi took out his book and used the key to decipher the message. The message was short, so it didn't take long.

It's him.

For a moment, he stopped breathing. He closed his eye, the world spinning, and stilled himself.

He had to make sure.

He opened his eye. Read the message again. Breathed.

Granted, he was not as shocked as he expected. The more time he spent with him, he had less and less doubt that this Naruto was the child who was reported dead fourteen years ago. He had his mother's eyes and his father's hair. His eyes were the same shade as Minato's, and his grin had the same brightness of his mother's. He thought like his father and acted like his mother. He was…

Missing.

Kakashi only had to take one look at Sasuke's eyes to realize the kid did not see Naruto that day. So the teen lied to him – in wolf form. Did he know? Did he suspect? Did he –

'What'd you do.'

Kakashi kept his face clear of emotions as he continued to teach. 'I should be asking you that.' He glared at the kid – and felt no satisfaction when he flinched in response. He could sense Kakashi's repressed anger leaking through his thoughts. 'You told him something. He does not trust me.'

Sasuke pursed his lips and crossed his arms. 'You are really protective of him,' he confessed. 'And Naruto's beautiful. I thought – '

'That I was marking my territory?' Kakashi snarled.

'Sure, be a wolf about it,' Sasuke sneered. His eyes, however, were guilty. 'That was before….' He ran his fingers through his hair. 'I didn't know if you could be trusted, and Naruto has a history of believing people he shouldn't.'

That did not appease him. It wasn't something he did not already know. Still, he could not fault Sasuke for worrying about his friend. He subdued his anger – which Sasuke could instinctively feel –

And tensed. Something screamed in his mind – an overpowering instinct to run to find to protect to kill –

Sasuke stared at him, eyes wide and frightened.

Kakashi's hand instinctively covered his red eye. The bloodlust and rage pouring from the back of his mind was feral and foreign and – Naruto. Suddenly, his entire awareness was Naruto. His mind was flooded with the teen's scent.

He smelled of adrenalin and fear.

"Sensei?" Haruo asked quietly. "Are you all right?"

The entire class was silent, watching him cautiously. Their faces blended into a blur. All he saw was red.

Kakashi closed his book with a snap. "Excuse me," he muttered and exited the classroom, still covering his eye. His body pulsed with a ferocity he had not felt in years.

Kakashi opened the window and jumped.

He rolled once, twice, and landed on his feet. He ran to his car, trying to silence the rage of the beast burning within. I'm coming, Naruto. I'm coming.

He entered his car and drove. The scent burned through his throat and filled his lungs. He pushed the gas paddle down – the car roared – and tightened his hold on the stirring wheel.

He was getting closer.

The road turned and curved farther and farther away from the town, snaking through the forest. Kakashi zoomed through it. The speed meant nothing to him. He had to get to him. He had to find him. He had to –

Where did you go, Naruto? Why did you run so far from me? What were you hoping to find? His thoughts were aching and dizzy. Did I scare you that much?

And there he was.

Kakashi sped and kept his eye trained on the road next to him. Naruto was running – pants torn around the knees and bloody – eyes wide – from a group of men on bikes. They closed in on him. They –

Kakashi turned his car sharply and stopped it, creating a barrier between the men and their prey. He opened the car door, took out his gun, and fired four times. He did not miss.

He got out of the car.

Naruto collapsed on the ground, panting with his entire body. He leaned on his forearms and looked up at him, sweaty and bloody and breathless.

The gun he picked up yesterday was sticking out of his pants.

Kakashi opened the trunk and took out a first aid kit.

He did not know what to say.

The pain in his eye, however, subsided. Somehow, he knew Naruto was in danger and where to find him. That was new.

He approached him slowly and kneeled in front of him and kept his silence. He did not know what to say, so he let his actions speak for him. He opened the kit and took out a cotton ball and a bottle of disinfectant, then poured some of the liquid onto the cotton and tapped the bloody knee as gently as he could, cleaning it from blood and mud and leaves. When he finished, he smeared antiseptic cream on a gauze pad which he placed on the wound, then wrapped a bandage around the knee and taped it, ripping the tape with his teeth.

When he finished, he treated the other knee.

Naruto's breaths calmed down slowly. Adrenalin still pulsed through his body, and small tremors shot through him. He did not move; did not talk; did not look away.

Kakashi finished bandaging the other knee.

Naruto pulled his legs away from him. "How'd you know?" he rasped. "How'd you find me?"

Kakashi looked up. The eyes that gazed back were wide and hurt, but they no longer looked betrayed. Perhaps…

"I did not know," he answered slowly. He had to be honest. "I do not know how I found you, but all that matters is that I did."

Naruto swallowed, seeking him with his eyes, searching for something Kakashi hoped he possessed.

"You're scared of me," he whispered.

He did not mean to say it and hated himself when the teen flinched in response. And yet, though his eyes faltered, they found his again. "You're a gangster."

"That's quite an accusation."

Naruto tensed, but his response must have loosened something within him because he leaned closer. "You're kidding, right? You just killed four more people!" he insisted. His eyes, however, were confused. His breath quickened.

"Because they wanted to hurt you." Kakashi's voice was stark. There was still anger that was not his own, staining his thoughts and words.

Naruto stared. He leaned closer still while Kakashi did not move. "But…."

Kakashi tilted his head. "Surely, gangsters do not hold a monopoly over guns and violence?" He sighed when Naruto blinked. "I am not a gangster, Uzumaki, and I don't mean you harm." He did not know what else to say. "I'm trying to help you."

"That's what I don't get," Naruto said, frustrated. He still looked at him. "I don't get you. I don't get why… why you want to help me."

Because you're beautiful. Kakashi stirred and looked away as his heart suffered a nasty stumble, almost leaving him breathless. He had to stay calm. Damn Sasuke and his words. "Can you get up?"

Naruto scowled. "You didn't answer."

Kakashi forced his heart to slow down. "I'm not good with…" he started, too absentminded to manage a convincing lie. "It will be easier to show you," he admitted.

The bridge of Naruto's nose bloomed pink. He scratched his cheek and looked away. "Um. They totaled my bike," he mumbled.

"Well, luckily, my car has room for more than one person," Kakashi deadpanned. "Give me your hand."

And Naruto did. Kakashi could feel his pulse racing against his fingers. The teen allowed him to pull him up and stumbled, wincing, but pushed Kakashi's hands away. "M' fine."

Kakashi nodded and took a small step back. He walked to the car and opened the door for Naruto.

The teen scowled at him, cheeks burning, limped toward the car, and sat with a wince. His eyes kept following Kakashi, nervousness, and agitation marring in the bright blue.

Kakashi closed the door, returned the kit to the trunk, and entered the car. He turned it around and began to drive – but not toward the town.

Naruto's nervousness spiked. "Where are we going?" he breathed, his lungs collapsing.

"To a small restaurant near the town." He gazed at the teen and looked away when he curled away from him. "I'm taking a different route because this road is blocked." By four bodies, but that he did not say.

Naruto still breathed too quickly. "O-oh."

They rode in silence. Naruto watched him closely, eyeing every twitch of his finger and movement of his arm. Slowly, his agitation subsided. He seemed… curious.

The teen glanced around and leaned back. "This car is like you," he declared. "It looks beat up, but it's actually a sports car, isn't it?"

Kakashi winced at the comparison, then dared a glance at the blond. "So it is. How did you know?"

Naruto scoffed to mask his grin. "Not telling you. I can keep secrets too, you know." He ran his finger over the dashboard. "It's a nice car."

Kakashi chuckled.

Naruto's reaction was immediate. He leaned closer, staring at him and blinking his surprise.

"What is it?" he asked. "You're staring."

Naruto leaned back, crossed his arms, and pointedly looked away. "Am not."

Hmm. Kakashi pressed the gas pedal. The road before him was straight, unchallenging, and beautiful, crowned by trees and golden sunlight. "Uzumaki, do you know how to drive?"

The kid blinked. "Um. No."

Kakashi glanced at him. "Do you want to learn?"

Naruto stared, mouth open wide, so Kakashi parked the car and got out. The teen followed suit, baffled and curious, and sat awkwardly in the driver's seat.

Kakashi sat in the passenger's. "Can you reach both pedals?"

Naruto nodded.

"Good. Now, get out of parking – "

Naruto did and pressed down on the gas pedal – and the car jumped, purring into life – he panicked and slammed the brakes.

And Kakashi into the window shield. He braced his hand on the dashboard in a somewhat futile attempt to save his dignity, then turned to gaze at the blushing teen. "Well, at least you know what is what," he deadpanned.

Naruto managed a mischievous grin. "I knew it! This car's insane! It's custom, isn't it?"

Kakashi replied with a small smile. "Hmm. Now, try doing what you did before, but slowly. And keep your eyes on the road, not on me."

Naruto flushed but did as he was told.

First, they sputtered, then they crawled. Kakashi explained, and Naruto listened. He learned quickly.

His eyes, once again, were trusting.

"Is this legal?"

"Not at all. Turn left. Don't forget to signal."

"I know that," Naruto scowled, though he clearly forgot. "Where to now, Sensei?"

Kakashi's breath faltered. He cleared his throat. "Keep straight. I'll tell you when you need to turn."

Naruto nodded, brow furrowed in concentration, as Kakashi managed a small sigh of relief.

He called him 'sensei' again.

Notes:

This chapter turned out to be surprisingly nostalgic for me. I… might have used elements from my first driving lesson with my dad (I bet you can guess which element haha) and from bandaging the knees of so. many. cousins (I have like, 13 of them? IDK I don't bother counting anymore)

Can it even be nostalgic if I wrote it? Anyways.

Kakashi discovers the Sharingan has a new power! I will explain it later, but I'm really curious to know what you guys think about it! Reviews are super appreciated 3

Next chapter – ramen and revelations! See ya next Friday!