viii. Wicked Game

With Kakashi's final strand of his resolve, he yanked his arm away, meaning to turn and run away from this madness he was almost willing to fall into.

Yet, he wasn't so surprise as well to realize that Naruto is stronger now, his grip is tighter that it wasn't easy to just do what is best to do –to escape this.

"Kakashi…"

Kakashi let his eyes fall onto the young man's blue eyes. These were the eyes Kakashi hasn't seen before, those eyes that were trying to pierce right through him but at the same time were lost. "Naruto… are you alright?" He asked, couldn't quite figure out what is making Naruto looking so upset, or something along the line.

Naruto's hand feel for his own chest, a loud thumping was resonating something strong in his mind and he wanted to ignore it but it was quite hard to resist it.

Kakashi worriedly placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, "Naruto, are you okay? Maybe you had too much of the hot spring…"

Naruto shook his head and looked back up directly to the jonin's eyes. A step forward, he tiptoed just ever so slightly and successfully implanted his lips against the jonin's.

Kakashi felt everything went slowly hazy, as if he is being pulled into another dimension the same as how he felt using his kamui. His head felt light but his senses heightened that he could hear clearly now how two hearts beat crazily and how the soft gushing of water on the spring seemed to compliment the beating.

He could feel the soft warm lips against him, pressed firmly and unmoving. There was a hint of reluctance and the weak fingers on his neck only proved that.

Naruto is nervous, uncertain even.

Though despite everything else, Kakashi wanted to laugh at the situation. Here he is, having imagined every possible scenario of their first kiss if Kami wanted to be nice one more time to him, find this one admirably awkward.

Naruto is kissing him and it looks like the blond isn't fully prepared to take responsibility of his own action. It went even more ridiculous when he felt the blond hummed impatiently, awkwardly, against his lips.

Kakashi supressed a laugh, feeling elevated more than rational, as he pulled Naruto closer to him, moving his lips finally.

He felt Naruto making a soft sigh and he took it as a cue to invite his tongue into Naruto's mouth. Warm soft tongue of the blond's welcomed his.

Kakashi gave Naruto a kiss of throbbing sweetness, unhurried and soul-seeking as he gave in. The last straw of his resolve has been ruled out with this kiss that mirrors his long desire over this former student.

And true to his thoughts earlier, he found himself aiming for the rock behind Naruto, pinning the latter there gently as he freely explored the man's sweet mouth.

The first moan Naruto let out made Kakashi's grip tightened on his nape, bringing their lips almost painfully smashing as their kiss deepened, already too far gone to think of pulling back.

Naruto's weak hand fell on his side and finally gripped on the jonin's broad back, desperately bringing their bodies closer and that's when he felt how their bodies responded all too quickly to the kiss as well.

Only after noticing, Naruto could feel just how responsive Kakashi is. Kakashi…his sensei is as aroused as he is.

Panic came through him as if a cold bucket of ice has been poured straight on his head. Kakashi's kiss has been so soft, sweet and exactly what Naruto would want his first real kiss to be (Sasuke's accidental kiss still doesn't count). Though he didn't think that he would share it with Kakashi (all the time it would be between him and Sakura back in the days), the jonin's kiss had effectively made him breathless, making him wish this doesn't stop.

Kakashi is a sweet kisser, that he realized.

Yet the kiss alone was already something that Naruto only realized was a big mistake. No not a mistake, he mentally screamed, it's just unexpected. And he can't believe he initiated this. What a huge idiot you truly are, Uzumaki Naruto.

Slowly, though he swears he doesn't want to, he stopped responding to the kiss, pressing firmly on the soft thin lips of the jonin's before he lets his head fell on the latter's prominent shoulder. He breathes slowly, weak beyond words, "Sensei…" He started.

"Na…na…ruto?" There was soft confusion in the jonin's voice, very uncharacteristically himself because the Kakashi everybody knows is never confused.

"I'm sorry…" Naruto mumbled, "I don't know what came…over me…"

"It's alright…" Kakashi said.

"I don't know what's…wrong with me…"

"I told you it's alright." Kakashi repeated, clearly doesn't like where this is going. He doesn't kiss and be sorry the next.

Naruto slipped away from Kakashi and was glad that the jonin didn't try repressing him. He slowly turned away towards the side of the spring and picked his own clothing and walked back towards their camp leaving the jonin still rooted to his feet.

Bakashi… Kakashi groaned, looking up at the starry night, the moon seemingly mirroring Obito's sharingan judging him. Indeed, he should have tried his hardest to resist the temptation. Look where it took him now.

Looks like the Tsuchikage won't hear anything of this man once they get back to Iwagakure. Kakashi realized that while he felt Naruto's smouldering chara mixed with his enraged emotions.

Kakashi watched Naruto drew out his Rasen Shuriken, it was the tenth one the young man had made. His Sage Mode hasn't deteriorate even slightly at all. The blonde has gotten even stronger after the 4th Shinobi War. He knew Naruto is almost going all out with the Kekkei Tota and it has been a long while since the blond has been up against this high levelled opponent.

Kakashi wanted to grab on Naruto, reminding him to take it easy and if the blond would at least stop and calm down, he could easily take on the opponent without wasting too much chakra. Yet, Kakashi also understood how this battle seemed a way to release his stress.

The Kekkei Tota proved to be a complete psycho a good few hours ago. The moment he and Naruto arrived to the specified whereabouts of the Kekkei Tota, they were welcomed by a horrifying state of the surrounding.

The shinobis that the Iwagakure have sent to contain the man were murdered with perfect holes on their chest and were sued by vines through it. This was made as a makeshift of a fence surrounding the man's cabin, the smell of rotten flesh and manslaughter came strong in their first swift.

Nothing could explain this sight at all. No innocent person would ever think of a deed like this.

Naruto even proved how his initial mission of proving that the kekkei tota is an innocent person and should be left alone has been ruled out. He was led to jump on his second option, kill the man before he pose more threats in the future.

Kakashi has been assessing the battle and tried to understand the Kekkei Tota's motive but just like bent beliefs of those he had fought before, this man in front of them is not somebody who deserves a second chance.

Kakashi lets Naruto handle the man, knowing well that Naruto couldn't be stopped now with that intent of murder on his eyes.

Furthermore, even if Kakashi tried to stop him, Naruto has been ignoring him for the past few days after their kiss in the pond. He won't entirely say that the blond has been ignoring him. They chatted, make plans but the jinchuriki never lets the conversation linger on what ever happened in the pond.

Naruto had made sure Kakashi knew that it was his fault and that he understands how Kakashi was easily tempted to act like the way he did. He promised to the jonin that it would never happen and that Kakashi can put his trust on this.

Fuck damn it. Kakashi only groaned. This isn't how he'd like it to happen.

Kakashi sighs as he stared at Naruto's Truth-Seeking Ball surrounding the man. Kakashi couldn't believer that Naruto was even trying to go this far as to use his Six Path Sage Mode.

Naruto is purely harsh at this point, no hint of hesitation. If something a little off, Kakashi could tell that Naruto is distracted –not by the battle but by something else.

Truthfully, Naruto is not even fully in the battle. If it was someone else watching Naruto now, they would easily assume that Naruto is so into the battle but it's because he's Kakashi, he can vouch it wasn't the case. Naruto's mind is barely in the battle. And what Naruto is simply doing now is to vent out his frustrations on the opponent.

So, when Kakashi noticed that Naruto had the Kekkei Tota on the ground completely beaten or likely dead, he jumped towards them and held on Naruto's wrist which is holding a mini rasen shuriken on his pointing finger. "Naruto, stop."

Naruto didn't respond, he just kept his eyes towards the already dead person in front of him.

"He's already dead." Kakashi reminded him, "It's not like you to do this."

"He's a complete twisted, devious person. He doesn't deserve mercy."

"And it's not like you at all to decide if somebody needs mercy or not. Quit it, Naruto."

"It's not about me, Kakashi. Why is it about me now? This guy is—"

"Stop," Kakashi pulled Naruto to him, embracing him tightly and felt for the man's chakra starting to neutralize. "If you're like this because of us… Naruto, we can talk about it…"

Naruto's eyes widened as he took in what he had done. He let go of the Kekkei Tota as he trembled back to his senses. Shameful, how horrible he became having to do this merciless battle. True, the Kekkei Tota he didn't bother knowing the name deserved this but like Kakashi had said, this is not so him to kill without remorse.

He wasn't even thinking that fully throughout the battle. He just rode to the flow of his killing intent.

Distracted. Yes, he's very much distracted. He was thinking of how his actions had drew a line of awkwardness, a line of definite end of whatever magic of friendship he had with Kakashi. Oh how he ruined that.

And here's the psychotic Kekkei Tota presenting himself to be a release of Naruto's built up frustrations. Yet, he shouldn't have delve into the act at all. That isn't such an excuse to be equally brutal. He just levelled himself down to this mass murderer. Such a shame.

"I'm sorry." Naruto muttered as he shook Kakashi off him, walking back to where it leads the village of Stone.

Iwagakure

"So that's what happened…." The Tsuchikage muttered after Kakashi reported. "And the body?"

"Sealed." Kakashi replied, knowing well what the question is for.

Reanimation jutsu is one of the most feared jutsus for the past few years due to when it played a big part during the 4th Shinobi War. Due to this, sealing high levelled enemies is highly encouraged –it's the only way to prevent Reanimation jutsu.

They certainly don't need another war where they have to go against dead ones who are either on Kage level or even stronger, Madara and Hashirama for example.

Tsuchikage nodded and fell on his deep thoughts that Kakashi almost thought that the old kage had fallen asleep. A moment after, he asked, "Where's Naruto?"

"He isn't somebody to make reports. I'd say, he's a doer not a talker." Kakashi simply said, "Am I dismissed?"

Despite the polite question, the tsuchikage felt like it was the opposite. It seems like he was the one being dismissed. He could no longer argue though because these men are only here because the alliance exists and they're just doing their other end of the alliance. As long as the job is done, he doesn't have any rights over them.

Especially that he is also aware that both Hatake Kakashi and Uzumaki Naruto are candidates for the next Hokage.

Sooner or later, he will be dealing equally with this much, much younger Kages. It looks like he has to pass down his title as well, save him from having to listen to these brats in the future. Having to sometimes answer to the young Kazekage, Gaara, is already enough for him to handle.

Nevertheless, he grumpily waved the used to be copy-nin. "Yes, you are dismissed."

"Then, we will leave to Konohagakure as soon as the dawn breaks." Kakashi informed as he went to the door.

When Kakashi arrived to the room him and Naruto shared, the man is asleep –or faked to be asleep. He knew that Naruto didn't get so much sleep since the night at the spring so it's also not surprising to find the boy having troubles falling asleep now that they're back in a room together.

Kakashi laid on his own bed, sighing. This clearly not what he wanted to happen.

Konohagakure

It was already midnight when they arrived at the gate of the Konoha. A few other teams arriving one after another, sending them a look of adoration as they noticed their way. They bowed or waved as they hurried back to the inner side of the village.

Among them returning teams from their own respective missions was Sai's team. Apart from Sai himself, his three genins looked beaten up. The genins bowed to Naruto and Kakashi forcedly even though their lithe bodies look like they're about to pass out.

Finding this nostalgic but at the same time, very cute, Naruto smiled and chatted to Sai wanting to listen to what his team has been up to (obviously mostly D or C-rank missions).

Meanwhile, Kakashi's attention focused on the Gate Guards, Hagane and a new chunin guard talking to Morino Ibiki. It was so rare to see the tokubetsu jonin (elite jonin) being out of his Interrogation Office when not in a mission. The elite jonin is holding a bundle of files and his focus was entirely on the papers.

Another younger elite jonin, Ebisu, joined and whispered something to Ibiki who looked towards the Hokage tower from the distance. Kakashi then saw another elite jonin, Genma, nodding to the others. With this, Ibiki and Ebisu walked towards Genma and the three vanished on their chakra smoke.

Looks like they're in a hurry. Kakashi thought.

Kakashi looked back to Naruto who is still happily chatting to Sai, the three genins were already sitting almost passed out around their sensei's feet who seemed unaware of this all.

Kakashi waited there but when he caught Naruto's eyes darting on him and quickly diverted his eyes away, he knew that Naruto intends to be alone for now. Being around too much with Kakashi makes everything complicated, it seems.

Kakashi heaved a sigh as he took his leave. Looks like sleeping it off will help, besides three days of nonstop travelling from Iwa to Konoha is taking its toll on him.

Naruto found himself forming a fist, tightening each second as his heart tightened the same way. How it pains so much seeing Kakashi turned his back, leaving, farther and farther away. He couldn't exactly point out what that made him feeling like this. Does he feel something towards his sensei in a different sense than what he is prepared to have?

Maybe not, maybe he's just confused.

"Sensei…can we go now…?" One of the genins on Sai's team said.

Naruto laughs at this. "Alright, Sai… I bet they're completely knackered. Time to go. Good job, young ones." Naruto equally gave the genins a path on their heads in which the genins felt very proud of.

"Thank you, Naruto-sama!" The three chorused and as if fully recharged now, they ran happily towards the Academy. Sai followed proudly, giving Naruto the Good Guy Pose.

Naruto chuckled. Oh boy, Sai hangs too much with Lee-kun.

An hour later of mindless walking in Konoha (it has been a month since he left for his multiple missions), Naruto found himself in Yamanaka Residence. When he saw the place still opened, he stepped in and found Ino arranging some flowers. Before he could change his mind, the kunoichi had already noticed him.

"Naruto-kun, you're back." The yellow haired woman smiled at him.

"An hour ago." Naruto honestly said. Before the woman could start a conversation, he mumbled, "Is there that daffodils or something…lilies available?"

"Yellow ones?" Ino knowingly asked. A warm smile graced on her face.

Naruto nodded.

"A huge bundle of them?"

Naruto once again nodded. The woman turned and prepared what the jinchuriki usually gets. Quickly, the woman returned with a huge bouquet of mixed yellow daffodils and lilies.

Naruto expects Ino to grill him where he takes the flowers or specifically who's the lucky one that gets all the beautiful flowers. If it's the case, then Naruto doesn't know how to react. For once, if Ino would ask him, for sure Kakashi's name would cross his mind. And it shouldn't be.

His fear subsided though because instead, he was surprised that Ino only smiled at him even warmer now.

This time, Naruto isn't that much of a child not to realize what this all meant. "You knew…" He muttered as he realized that Ino had found it out where he takes all the flowers every time.

Ino nodded, "How long have you been doing this, Naruto?"

Naruto looked at the huge sky-blue eyes of the woman. Looking at her, Naruto could almost see the tears forming on her eyes. "I'm sorry." Naruto said, "Don't be upset."

Ino shook her head, fighting the urge to cry as her heart weighed with the amount of adoration towards this once idiot classmate. "No, Naruto… I'm glad, very glad."

Naruto is quiet as he listens.

"I went to visit father's memorial stone one time, I sure did notice the flowers on his spot…and not only his ones but to each one of those who died in the 4th Shinobi War. I always wondered who wastes too much time going around giving flowers."

"Not a bother, I use Kage Bushin."

"That's exactly how I was led to assume it was you." Ino smiled. "I mean, who else is so dumb to waste too much time, too much effort, without using Kage Bushin, with the biggest heart apart from you, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto smiled at this. Biggest heart.

"Do you want to go the Memorial Stone together?" Ino asked.

Naruto could not be happier to have someone else to be around with other than Kakashi and the increasing thick awkwardness between them. Naruto nodded, "I don't mind."

Naruto and Ino turned towards the door but was surprised to see Hinata on the way in Ino's house.

Hinata shrieked, surprised to almost having to bump with Ino and Naruto. She bowed right away, apologizing. "I'm sorry, Ino-chan, Naruto-kun…"

Ino smiled, "Is Hinata-chan going to Neji's memorial stone as well?" Ino guessed. When she saw Hinata quietly nodding, she grabbed her by the hand and out to the door, "Where going there as well. Let's go together."

Hinata shyly nodded.

Halfway to the Memorial Stone, they met Sakura and Shikamaru with baby girl, Mirai, running after Choji in front of them. The living legacy of Asuma-sensei was made as Shikamaru's own King to protect as promised.

When Mirai noticed Naruto, the little girl happily ran after the jinchuriki who handed the flowers to Ino and assumed to eager arms of Naruto. She giggled, "Ho…kage-thama." Mirai muttered, trying to speak through her babyish lisp.

"Idiot." Sakura mumbled but at the same time was glad to see her former teammate back from his mission and that could also mean that Kakashi is safely back as well.

Naruto chuckled, ignoring Sakura because he is loving how he effortlessly had Mirai call him Hokage the moment she could talk his first few words nearly a year ago.

Of course, he did get a scolding from Shikamaru himself but the latter then relented muttering that it won't matter much since by the time Mirai grows up, Naruto would be the Hokage anyway.

They'll just let Naruto get whatever happiness he grabs off it.

"Where are you guy's going?" Hinata asked.

"Off to see Asuma-sensei." Shikamaru's quick reply, walking leisurely towards the woods.

"Great. We are coming there too." Ino cheered.

"Oi!" Along that is a chain of barking coming closer and closer.

They all looked back and saw two men and a dog running after them. Kiba riding Akamaru and Shino on tow. The boys caught up with them and asked, "Hinata didn't tell me you guys are going too…" Shino said.

"Nah…just coincidence." Ino replied, a huge swelling on heart making her flustered. This has never happened before, visiting the memorial stone all the same time with the rest of the genin team classmates. This surely is an odd day. All because Naruto visited her house to get flowers. Naruto is indeed a living embodiment of miracles.

All nine of them plus Akamaru walked towards the memorial stone now, chatting at each other while Naruto plays with Mirai on the way, completely absorbed in playing with mini rasengan to keep the baby girl entertained. Quite dangerous but Mirai is a smart girl to know she shouldn't touch the rasengan.

Ah Rin, what should I do? Kakashi sighs dejectedly, and yes, Obito, I'm a complete failure of a dumbass when it comes to this. He groaned as he stared at the darkening sky.

How he found himself confiding to his dead friends again instead of what he planned to fall asleep early tonight is beyond him. Maybe because talking to these guys have always been something that calmed him down without fail. It's just a matter of habit and sentiments.

Sighing gloomily for the umpteenth times now, he was slowly distracted by the happy chatting sounds behind him. He looked over his shoulder to see the crowd regardless him already know them due to their chakra signatures cloaking the place.

All seven of the kids noticed him apart from the certain one blonde carrying another clueless little girl but she's excused. He watches as how Naruto is completely absorbed giggling with the little girl, completely unaware of what's coming for him.

"Kakashi sensei!" Sakura waved and happily skipped to him. "I should have known you'll be here."

Kakashi's eyes quickly grace over Naruto's who only noticed him and has his blue eyes widened in shock. Seeing this, Kakashi diverted his own eyes to the pink haired kunoichi, his infamous irresistible eye smile in display. "Ah, just came to talk to Rin and Obito." He simply said, knowing that everybody knows his habit and the story of his life after the recent war.

Sakura nodded and did not say anything. After all, no matter how much she hated Obito, Obito did try his best to solidify his resolves before dying. He did quite a huge part in dealing against Kaguya. Sakura was a witness to that.

Naruto on the other hand, place Mirai to the ground and a tiny pair of feet made a bee line towards her father's grave. The little girl kneeled there and closed her red-ringed eyes she inherited from her mother, Kurenai.

Seeing this, Hinata went towards Neji's and Ino to her father's. Shikamaru went to his own father, Shikaku's grave. Choji joined Mirai in front of Asuma's grave.

Kiba and Shino went with Hinata while Sakura went towards the now acknowledged shinobi, though dead, Itachi. Sakura promised to Sasuke she would pay Itachi a regular visit in his stead who said it was unnecessary. But Sakura insisted anyway.

Naruto's eyes caught Kakashi's as he looks at the man, a thug was so strong on his chest that made him growled to himself, not liking how this hurts him but God, what should he do? He's sure lost and he doesn't know where to start understanding what he's feeling. He's so new to this.

Not liking how his mind is easily overturned just by staring at Kakashi, he quickly made his hand seals and distracted himself in doing his Kage Bushins, visiting the grave all at once. Right, this is a way to keep him from thinking about Kakashi.

Which is really ridiculous after realizing himself mentally talking to his mother and father. I don't know what to do… I know it's wrong, dad. If you would have been here, I wouldn't have to go through this. I depended myself too much with Kakashi sensei that I'm confusing myself… Urgh, I kissed him for effin' sake and now he resents me! Mama, I tried to watch out from the three taboos of a shinobi…but why am I feeling likes this to Kakashi sensei…

This is not fair…I don't want him to hate me. Dad…mama… tell me what to do.

Only that he doesn't really resent you, brat.

Naruto noticed Kurama interjecting him. The kyuubi has not been a good help at all, all that he said was to go grow some balls and straight up talk to the copy-nin of a brat and everything should be find.

But the nine-tailed doesn't understand how hard it actually is. It's not easy to just come out and say, hey, Kakashi sensei….that kiss is mind-blowing and I would like to do this again but hey this doesn't change anything and you shouldn't hate me. That is clearly not something easy to do. He rather go to s-rank mission, at least that is a very easy feat.

Shhh…Kurama. I'm talking to my parents. I'm sure they'll be of much better help than you. Tch. He said and completely shut the nine tailed who echoed 'idiot brat' on Naruto's mind.

Dad…mom…what should I do?