Chapter 4

"Hokage-sama!" The Third knew who was behind him without turning around. He had been waiting for him on the roof of his office. "Long time no see!"

"So Kakashi's completed his mission," the old man acknowledged.

"Wha-? He didn't bring me here. I came on my own. Wait," Jiraya said as he furrowed his eyebrows. "You knew it was me?"

Hokage turned around with a who-else-could-it-be look on his face. "Why else did I not send a team of Chuunins but a lone Kakashi on the mission?"

The Sennin waved a hand at his former sensei, "Geez, Hokage-sama. Your old brain's not rotten yet!" Hokage shook his head at him. He knew if he had sent a team of Chuunins, there would've been only be one possible result. The ninjas would've been beaten up and Jiraya would not have come to him willingly. Thus, the mission would've failed. Sending Kakashi, someone who knew the strength of the pervert, would make the job a lot easier.

"You must return all you've stolen immediately, Jiraya," The Third commanded.

"Bu-but," Jiraya gave a sad puppy face.

"No buts," the other man cut him off and turned away. It was his final decision ...not.

"But it's for my new adult manga!" he protested, and Hokage twitched. Jiraya added as he appeared next to the old man and nudged, "How about I give you a copy for free when I'm done with it? Whaddaya say?"

The ruler of the village cleared his throat seriously, "I'm not the kind that take bribes, Jiraya. I thought you knew me well. But you must return everything."

The pervert noticed how he didn't specify 'when' he had to return this time. "Thank you, Hokage-sama! I'll return them, don't worry!" He then disappeared in a puff of smoke. The old man shook his head again, this time at himself.

"Jiraya-sama!" Someone called as he was about the leave the building. He turned around and saw Kakashi approaching. "Hey, Kakashi. I talked to Hokage-sama already."

"Oh, Good," the boy had known the man would meet with the Hokage. "Hey, you know my friend from last night?"

"The hot babe? Ya, what about her? She wants to date me?" The older man almost drooled hungrily.

The teen frowned and explained, "You stole something from her last night. She wants it back."

"Really? Which one is it?" The man started to search inside his pockets and clothes as he pulled out some lingerie.

"The black translucent thong with lace," The words alone made Kakashi blush. It was an exotic thought.

"Ooh, that one. That was one of the best ones, boy. It's the 1990 limited edition. There's only 1990 pieces around the world!" Jiraya nodded satisfyingly, eyes closed.

"So..." Kakashi did not understand the meanings of those words.

"Don't worry, I promised Hokage-sama to return everything once I'm done with it," the author waved a hand and started to leave. Kakashi could not imagine what the pervert would be doing with the undergarments, but at least he knew that Yukiko would have her piece back eventually.

Ding-Dong. Kakashi waited outside Yukiko's apartment door, hands in his pockets. No answer. He rang the doorbell again. Still no answer. 'I knew I shouldn't use the door like a normal person.' he thought, but figured that breaking in would be a crime.

He left the building, wondering where he should go next. Suddenly, he felt something pulling his pants. He looked down and saw a three-year-old boy with dark hair staring at him with a smile. "Nan-ja," the kid tugged his pants lightly. The Jounin smiled at the adorable boy and kneeled down, "Hello, where's your mommy?"

"Nan-ja," the child poked the metal plate on Kakashi's forehead protector with his tiny finger.

"That's right. I'm a ninja. Do you want to be a ninja too?" he asked the boy. He nodded several times enthusiastically, looking at Kakashi with his large innocent eyes.

"Then you gotta work hard. It's not easy to be a ninja, you know?" Kakashi stood up and attempted to find the boy's guardian, but failed. "You want some candy?" The boy nodded again and wrapped his small hand around the Jounin's index finger.

"Sasuke-chan!" a female voice called from behind. The boy, holding a huge lollipop in his hand, ran toward who Kakashi thought would be his mother. He turned around and saw Yukiko. "Where did you run off to? Didn't I tell you to stay close to me?" She scolded at the boy motherly. "What if you got kidnapped? What's this lollipop in your hand? Who gave this to you?"

Kakashi's heart sank. He wasn't sure why or what he was feeling. It wasn't a pleasant feeling. It was as if he was disappointed. 'Of what?' he wondered. 'What does it have to do with me if she is a mother?' He tried to get rid of the unpleasant feeling. 'But she's only seventeen! Girls these days...'

Sasuke pointed at him, indicating whom he obtained the treat from. "Kakashi?"

The Jounin turned around to leave. 'Why am I running away?'

"Hey, Kakashi!" Yukiko hurried after him, with Sasuke in her arms. The teen finally spun around and faced her with a cold face.

"Umm, did you ask Jiraya-sama about my..." she started to asked quietly as the kid licked his lollipop happily.

"NO," he snapped and looked away. 'What am I doing? Why do I sound mad?'

Startled, Yukiko wasn't sure what to say. "Oh, ok. Umm...you alright?"

"Why do you care so much about that piece of lingerie anyway? So that you can wear it for your man?" Kakashi said bitterly. He couldn't bring himself to imagine Yukiko wearing that piece for another man.

"Excuse me? What's wrong with you?" The Chuunin was offended. Sasuke held out his lollipop to Kakashi, "Nan-ja, lolli."

He gently brushed the boy's arm away and stared at the ground. He didn't know the answer to her question. He was jealous, pissed, and disappointed because she had a family already. Perhaps he did know the answer well, but did not want to admit it. Kakashi only waved a hand to tell them to forget about it and left. Yukiko and Sasuke could only stare at his back in confusion.

A seven-year-old version of Sasuke walked toward them with hands in his pocket. The girl looked down at the expressionless boy, "Itachi, you are back!"

Itachi nodded at the gray-haired teenager that was walking away. "Who's that?"

"Hatake Kakashi, you know, the famous genius. That guy got some serious problem." Yukiko eyed the Jounin one more time.

Without another word, the boy disappeared. "Eh?" Yukiko looked around and sighed. "There he goes again. Sasuke-chan, let's go finish up our shopping."

"Whoa, you sure grow fast, boy." The Jounin looked at the older version of Sasuke, who had just appeared in front of him.

"That was my brother," Itachi replied coldly. He stared at the kid in awe. 'This kid looks about seven. No way Yukiko could have given birth to a kid at ten.'

"What about ... Yukiko?" he asked cautiously.

"She's my cousin," Kakashi felt so stupid. He almost felt more idiotic than Gai. 'She was just babysitting her little cousins, of course!' The feeling that was bothering him disappeared in an instant and was replaced by a happy relief. He couldn't help smiling. At that moment, he knew he had feelings for that girl.

"Wanna spar?"

"What?" The Jounin looked at the boy, a little surprised.

"My name is Uchiha Itachi." Kakashi tired to recall where he had heard that name from. Then he remembered. This boy was the youngest graduate from the Academy last year, who was planning to take the Chuunin exam this year. He was quite interested to see what this young genius was capable of.

"Bring it on, Itachi. You are lucky that I'm in a good mood," he gave a big grin, unaware of the Sharingan the little boy possessed.

A/N: I'm sure Sasuke used to be a cute and bright child before the tragedy. Umm...finally a touch of romance. You know what to do...review! I've decided to get Iruka to appear too for a chapter or so . Hehehee.