Taisetsuna "Precious" - Version Two

by Aoikami Sarah

Chapter Eleven

A few months later…

Three Jounin chatted idly amongst themselves in front of the Sandaime's office. One of them leaned against a wall and rolled a toothpick against his teeth with his tongue. "Here comes our team leader now," he muttered.

"Oh, man, anyone but him…" another commented quietly. Finally the doors opened and they were allowed in.

"Ah, good, you're all here," Sandaime began. "This mission is one of extreme delicacy and I know I have selected the best men for the job." They nodded appreciatively. "You are to go into the Hidden Sand, present this agreement to Kazekage-dono and once he has signed it (which he has assured us he will) escort our people back out."

"Consider this mission successfully completed!" the enthusiastic team leader grinned widely. Everyone was suddenly distracted from the brilliant shine of his large, white teeth as the door opened.

"Sorry I'm late," Kakashi bowed apologetically to the village leader who waved his hand. "Oh, so you're leading this mission, eh Gai?"

"You better believe it, Kakashi!" he grinned even wider. "Don't you worry, we'll see that Oururi and her children make it back safe to Konoha!"

Kakashi sighed quietly. 'They must not have told him they're my kids yet,' he thought.

Sandaime cleared his throat and handed the official scroll to Gai. "Kakashi will be traveling ahead of you. He is to protect Oururi and the children until you settle things with Kazekage-dono. You know nothing about this, is that understood?"

"Of course, Hokage-sama!" Gai agreed enthusiastically, but his rival could tell that underneath the glossy exterior, Gai was fuming at being one-upped once again.

They were excused. Outside the door to the office, Kakashi picked up his pack and headed down the hall.

"Kakashi!" Gai called after him. "Don't do anything foolish, now. Heroics will only put the sweet children in danger!"

A large sweat drop formed over Kakashi's head. 'Does he even know they're Chuunin?' he wondered. "Ok, Gai. See you later." He sighed as he left the building and started his journey. In a perfect world, he would reach the Hidden Sand a day ahead of Gai's team, sneak in and hang out with Oururi and the kids for a while and wait for Gai to pick them up with the clearance papers. "Why do I get the feeling this isn't going to be so easy," he muttered. "Maa, ne. Can't be helped."

.X.

Before reaching the gates, he found his path blocked by a belligerent 12 year old.

"Oh, good morning, Naruto."

"Kaka'i-sensei!" Naruto shouted, his arms folded, wearing a heavy pout. "When's our next mission! I'm getting' bored hangin' around waitin' all the time!"

Kakashi put a hand behind his head. "Ah, sorry about that. You see, something has come up…"

"Dame datte ba yo! That's no good! You're supposed to be our sensei, but we're not learnin' much if you leave!" Naruto's voice became more pitiful.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry, but do you remember those cute girls of mine?"

Naruto blanched. One of the Sand Triplets (he couldn't remember which because they all looked the same) had beaten him soundly. But she had also said that he was cute. That much he would never forget. "Yeah," he replied.

"Well, I want them to come home to live here in Konoha, but I have to go make sure that nothing happens to them on the way." Kakashi bent slightly at the waist. "They're very important to me. You understand, don't you Naruto?"

"Yeah…" Naruto agreed sullenly. His face suddenly lit up. "Can I come too? I would be a super help with my awesome ninja skills! Can I come? Can I? Can I?"

Kakashi sweat a little. "Uh, no. But I'm sure you'll see them as soon as we get back."

"Oh, ok…" Naruto scuffed the dirt with his foot.

'Naruto is 12,' Kakashi thought. 'The girls are nine-ish, that means they'll still be cute like that for a few more years.' A grin formed under his facemask. It fell just as quickly. 'Unless they become like Sakura.' He imagined them all chasing after Sasuke shouting 'Sasuke-kun!'. He shuddered.

"Kakashi-sensei…?" Naruto waved a hand in front of his eye.

"Oh, sorry. Got lost there for a moment." Kakashi straightened back up. "I'll see you soon, Naruto. Try to meet up with Sakura and Sasuke and train on your own, ok?"

"Ok…" he moped and watched his sensei go through the huge gates and out of town.