"It's your first day at the academy, Naruto-chan. Now, what did I tell you that you cannot forget?"

"Be respectful, don't sleep in class, always do my best, and don't kill the teachers?"

"Do not, kill, the teachers. Understand?"

"Haiiii, you're so boring, tou-chan." Naruto singsonged, eyes bright with playful charm. Kakashi swatted the top of his head, before kneeling down to be eye level with his son.

"I'll always be proud of you, kiddo. Now go kick some ass."

"Hey Naruto!! Wait up!" A shout came from down the road. Kakashi straightened, coming to his full height.

"Hatake-san, it's good to see you here." Kakashi flushed slightly at the beautiful Uchiha matriarch's words. The age-defying lady's posture was perfect, each step taken with measured poise and ingrained grace. The silver haired copy nin bowed, greeting Sasuke's mother.

"Thanks for waiting, Naruto! We gotta get going, Itachi-nii said that it's really rude to be late on our first day!" Sasuke crowed, excitement rife across his young face. The boy took more after his mother than his father's severe features. He would be a heartthrob for sure, Kakashi noted. He turned back to Naruto, who's barely concealed excitement warmed his heart.

"Run along. Go with Sasuke-kun. Remember, a Hatake never shows his face."

"Only to those he treasures." Naruto finished for him, before grabbing Sasuke's arm and running off into the academy.

Mikoto gazed wistfully after the pair, a peculiar sadness in her eyes.

"My Itachi stopped being a child the moment he left my side and stepped through those gates.. Fugaku insisted he enroll early, to push him to his limit. I only wished that Sasuke would have a normal childhood."

"I share your sentiments, Mikoto-san. Naruto wanted to enroll early as well, but I insisted that he enter only at the traditional age of 8."

"I understand. You wish to preserve his innocence.. as do I for my Sasuke. Children should be children, not trained killers and warriors."

"The village is at peace, and Hokage-sama only wishes for that peace to be prolonged." Kakashi ran a gloved hand through his hair.

"If only my husband... ah I overstep my bounds. My apologies. I should get going." Mikoto smiled warmly at Kakashi.

"I never shared my clan's antipathy for you, Hatake-san. Obito was a good, well loved son of the Uchiha. We miss him every day."

"As do I, Mikoto-san."

"You honor his legacy, each time you use his eye. I just wish that the elders would see it that way." She began to walk away, but not before casting a final look at the Copy-nin.

"I wish you well, Kakashi."

Kakashi bowed respectfully, but could not help but shake the feeling that something terribly significant had just occurred. Why did her farewell seem so... foreboding?

"Weasel talked?"

"Within the month. Things are moving too fast."

"Give the order, Hiruzen."

"He is no more than a boy, Danzo."

"He is an ANBU Captain, and a dedicated ninja of this village. He will follow orders."

"This isn't about orders and missions, Danzo!"

"What do you suggest then? To give in to their demands?"

"We have a little time yet.. if Itachi can convince his father.."

"You've been saying that for the past year, but each week that creeps by we move closer to civil war."

"You would have me order a child of fourteen years to slaughter his family? You have grown cruel in your twilight, Danzo."

"And you have grown soft in your dotage, Hiruzen. You would have made the hard decisions twenty years ago."

"Perhaps it is because I have grown to understand the value of life, of innocence."

"Very well then. I see that there is no winning this argument. Do as you see fit, Hokage-sama."

"He won't listen to me anymore, Shisui, and I can't push anymore without him growing suspicious."

"You talked to Hokage-sama?"

"Just last night. My father doesn't suspect that I have betrayed him, but I cannot bear to see this to its conclusion."

"If it comes to that, what will you do?"

"I... I don't know."

"I can do thisss for you... of courssse. But what payment can you offer me?"

"His eyes. Nothing more."

"Sssuch a prize... kukukuku."

A/N

Very short chapter, but things are heading at full speed now!

Trying out different writing forms, I find this way I can accelerate the pace and build tension much better.

Read and Review!