Third Person POV ~

Next Morning ~

The sleeping fellows were awakened by a voice, Sakura's voice. It was early morning and they had to start moving again. She had already prepared breakfast.

After breakfast, the squad consisting of four men and one woman were out and about with some occasional conversations.

Nothing interesting happened, well, according to the team at least, they were ambushed once but nothing the team couldn't handle. The 6 rogues were easily dealt by Naruto, Kakashi and Sakura just using taijutsu, Sai used his Chouju Giga to bind them and Yamato had restrained by his Mokuton and capture them. Yamato had done the killing later and put their heads in a scroll for bounty collection, ironically the ambushing group was out for a bounty hunt themselves but the plan backfired, they should've thought before attacking headfirst. The amount they would receive wouldn't be fat but fairly sharable.

Once again they were on their way, just one more day and they'll reach their destination. They were already ahead of schedule,because of no difficulties they had picked up their speed. By the next afternoon the team would be in Suna, they assumed. They were retiring for the night, had set their tents up, checked surroundings and were eating.

"Say Naruto, let's go for dinner after we complete out mission in Konoha." Sakura more like said than questioned.

"Aa. The team whole can go together tteba." Naruto replied with a bright grin.

"Hmm of course. Well I'm not being nosy or anything but Naruto, I was wondering what personal things you do with Hinata. Is she your girlfriend?" Sakura asked, raising one of her eyebrows suggestively, she was curious and also jealous. She knew, of course that Hinata had the greatest crush on Naruto. She knew but she can't help but feel jealous. Wasn't Naruto crushing on her?

In response Naruto's face turned red, seriously, the guy can blush alright. "Eh? Hinata-chan? No, no. She isn't my girlfriend or anything. She is helping me with stuff like ethics, etiquettes, manners, habits and all dattebayo." Naruto supplied scratching the back of his neck, really embarrassed.

"Huh?" Sakura asked surprised.

"Well, ttebayo Hyuga clan is one of the oldest clan in Konoha, Neji-kun and Hinata-chan are so well mannered and stuff. So they are teaching me things like that but we still have shortage of number of Jounin and Neji being a Jounin has a lot more missions than myself or Hinata-chan so she spends more time with me and I also have schedules with Hiashi-san so yeah.." Naruto trailed off.

"Hiashi-san? What business do you have with Hyuga clan head?" Yamato questioned surprised.

"Politics." Naruto supplied nodding sagely.

"Wow Naruto, it looks like you're taking becoming a Hokage seriously huh?" Yamato praised, really impressed with the boy.

Naruto blushed at that, he didn't know how to react to compliments.

"Etiquettes, manners and all, you did need that huh. You didn't even know how to eat properly. You were always alone after all." Sakura spoke snorting regaining her senses.

The team, even Sai who didn't really understand the depth of meaning of her words, eyed her for being rude but didn't say a word. They were all orphans and most of their lives they never had anyone. Her eyes widened in self realization and she looked at Naruto who didn't seem bothered by her words. Little did she know he was hurt. Really hurt. But he knew how to conceal that. He always knew how to conceal emotions when necessary. He also knew no matter how much Sakura had grown in strength, she was still ...well herself and it's alright because ...she's Sakura-chan. Yeah that's... perfectly reasonable.

Kurama growled deep within Naruto's mind, he didn't like her but she was a part of his host's leash so he didn't say anything.

"I'm so sorry Naruto! I didn't mean it like that! I'm so sorry I didn't mean to hurt you!" She apologized frantically.

He waved his hand dismissively and replied calmly with a reassuring smile, "Maa it's alright. Don't worry about it Sakura-chan."

She sighed in relief.

"I noticed you talk a little like Kakashi-senpai." Sai observed.

Kakashi and Naruto glanced at each chuckled simultaneously.

"Do I now?" Naruto responded smiling.

"Let's talk about something else." She said, taking the opportunity of changed subject.

"I've been thinking about this for a while and wanted to ask you for so long, tell me Naruto, who would you like to date? Is there someone you're interested in?" 'I know he's always had a crush on us and now that we know Hinata isn't his girlfriend and we have started liking him too because wow just look at him! He just has to confess and Shannaro! Ino-buta will be so jealous we caught the eye candy! Shannaro!' Inner Sakura thought cackling.

He blinked, in all honesty he didn't understand liking, loving, dating and stuff. What does dating mean, holding hands? Eating together? Spending time with the person? Touching them? Will dating someone give him a person who would willingly want to spend time with him? Would dating someone give him a moment of respect and acknowledgement from that said person? What does dating mean? What is the meaning of liking someone? What does love mean? Sure he had read books about such things and had his own theories down but assuming and knowing are two different things.

His mind showed a picture of Kakashi but he chose to ignore it because in all honesty he didn't know why would he think of the silver head in this situation but his train of thoughts didn't drift off from the man. He had always admired Kakashi, respected him, looked up to him even when indirectly directly the man ignored him for the most part of his Genin team time for the Uchiha survivor but that never broke his spirits, just gave him one more reason to work harder so he can receive some amount of acknowledgement from the man. Didn't he work extra hard just to make the man acknowledge him, for what, just once? He didn't know what to think of the older man, he just knew Kakashi was special. He was one of his precious people, yes, but most importantly he was his special person and he let his thoughts stay just like that not going in on any details. The man was sitting right in front of him, he didn't know why but he felt those things in his tummy like he feels when he is about to pull a prank or when Kakashi tousels his hair innocently. If he said his thoughts out loud who knows what will happen, what would the team say? What would Kakashi say? Naruto didn't understand feelings much to begin with, so what would Kakashi think of him? What would the team think of him? Because of his lack of knowledge in emotions, would they call him a demon? Would they think of him as a monster? Not to mention, if he said Kakashi's name out loud with his confusing thoughts and weird feelings, would he be disgusted? Would he avoid him? Or would he tease him to death?

He had never been one to stay silent over such trivial things but he knew, now, when to keep quiet. For now, that is what he needs to do, he has to stay silent.

On second thought really, did his mind actually picture Kakashi or was it Kurama messing with his head. Again.

"Who knows.."

Naruto eye rolled internally.

"Hmm. I don't think I'm interested in anyone." He didn't exactly lie, he just didn't understand these things.

"Oh come on!" Sakura prodded, determined to make him say her name. "There must be someone who you would like to hang out with."

His eyes went to Kakashi but he closed his eyes and stroked his cheek, as if stroking beard, in thought "If you put it like that, in that case, hmm.. Hinata-chan."

"Really?" Sakura interrupted inwardly deflating.

Naruto continued, not minding the interruption, "Neji-kun or Shikamaru-kun."

"Wait what? Shikamaru and Neji? You are bisexual? Not that I'm judging you or anything, just asking." She asked. 'Does he not like us anymore? And what is this about men? Cha!' Her inner self thrashed.

Naruto shrugged in reply because maybe, maybe not. After all she asked who would he like hanging out with and these three were the best choices.

"Weren't you interested in Sakura?" Yamato asked confused, Sakura paid more attention. 'That's right Yamato-Taichou Shannaro!'

"I guess I was." Naruto answered oblivious to the only present female's thoughts.

'Ouch!' a certain silver head thought to himself.

'If in all honesty, I don't think so because nobody wants to spend time with someone who would just shout and punch them for existing.' Naruto mused.

Sure Sakura is a nice girl and all and he could hang out with her but not like he could hang out with Hinata, Shikamaru or Neji. They had become really close. Not like he likes to spend time with Kakashi, no matter how much the period is short. But Sakura-chan, she had been a teammate since he got the right to wear his Hitai-ate but she never became as close as them. 'She never tried' He thought with slight bitterness. He had liked her because of her hair and also because she was the only female despite insulting him, would touch him willingly. Granted she would just touch to hit him, well, that was a different point completely for his younger self. When he was younger, he had been desperate for attention, physical touch or friends that he hadn't known what was good and what was not, but now her hits annoyed him and he grew past his infatuation for pink hair instead he had fallen in love with a different color of hair.

Red.

His mother's long beautiful red hair.

'I wish I had her hair color!' He pouted openly without realizing.

'Come to think of it, I like Kakashi's silver hair too and I like it way more than pink.' He continued musing to himself and Kurama chuckled, amused by his host's thoughts.

Sakura's mood dimmed at that answer.

"What changed?" Yamato questioned.

"I don't know. She isn't interested in spending time with me and once Sasuke comes back aren't they both going to make a dozen of Uchiha babies." He said cheekily, grinning.

Kakashi giggled perversely imagining, Yamato spluttered and Naruto chuckled hearing them and Sai gave one of his fake smiles. Sakura turned bright red. 'Shannaro! He is right too. What happens after Sasuke-kun returns? We have to think who we like more!'

"NARUTO!" She was about to punch him but Kakashi stopped her.

"Maa maa shoo in our tents, we will move out early so we can reach our destination before noon." he said making shooing motion with one hand.

Not that Kakashi would ever admit it but he was interested in this conversation and if not Sakura had started wanting to punch the blonde he would have let them talk and listened carefully, outwardly not showing any interest and inwardly absorbing all the information.

He didn't know why, well in honesty he was starting to get a certain idea why, he was interested in the topic but no, he wouldn't go in that lane. He reasoned with himself repeating internally that Naruto had been away for long and he had never opened up about such things but his brain knew better.

His mind was distracted by the new information he had gained, 'Bisexual? We have something common after all. Hinata, Neji and Shikamaru eh? What was it about them? Was he interested in Sasuke too? Would he have said his name, if not Sakura had been sitting here asking those questions? Who knows, if he had known of Sakura's new inklings of crush on Naruto himself, maybe he would have admitted about Sasuke being one of his choice. After all isn't he working so hard just to bring Sasuke back to the village?'

He didn't want to admit, even to himself why his heart hurt a little at that. No matter what his heart and mind were clashing over, he didn't want to entertain himself with the idea of Naruto in anyone's arms, it was not something he liked. A growl bubbled in his throat when he imagined one of those aforementioned people taking away his blonde from him forever but he willed himself not to let it out. Because... He wasn't 'his' blonde and he would never be.

Without any hesitation Kakashi accepted the fact, the cute little blonde deserved happiness and in all honesty, he could begrudgingly let Naruto date the aforementioned three names but not Sasuke, never Sasuke.

Sasuke had shoved his original technique, Chidori, in Naruto's chest, his student, his sensei's son, his blonde yes he was his and he wanted him to his, one day his boss and his future Hokage. Yes, he did believe in Naruto more than one could imagine. He regretted not believing in him earlier. After all he was the kid of Minato Namikaze. And when he had seen Naruto using taijutsu to fight those 6 rogues he proudly acknowledged the fact that he will, without any doubt, surpass the Yondaime.

Kami knew how guilty he had felt seeing Naruto on the verge of death at the Valley of End, partially or completely because of his mistake, had he paid Naruto more attention, had he not solely focused on the revenge obsessed Uchiha, Naruto wouldn't have had felt an arm coated with electricity through his chest. Granted he survived but he would never forget the state he found Naruto in.

The depths of darkness knew how he had felt when Naruto had left, yes he felt guilty that he couldn't come in time to stop Sasuke from leaving but he felt more guilty because just then Naruto had left him too. Naruto had chosen another Shisou because he had not paid the blonde any mind, because he had not given the blonde even a little amount of attention, because he had not taught the blonde anything useful, because he had not believed in his sensei's son and even now he couldn't help but blame himself that Naruto was not on the team, he chose to blind eye everytime Sakura berated Naruto and blame him for every mistake whether it was his fault or not, Sai not working in team dynamics and Sakura's sort of arrogant attitude but what could he do? The team wasn't his anymore. Wasn't his just because the guilt was eating every fiber of his being.

Team Kakashi? Silly, he wasn't taking his responsibilities, he wasn't there for his team, he still isn't there for his team. He stopped himself from going further into the darkness. Again.

'I will have to take out from my ANBU duties again. I will be there for what is remaining of my team not Tenzou, even without Sasuke they are my team, Naruto and Sakura are a part of Team Kakashi, they are not Team Yamato.' He thought with a determined spark. 'Of course my Tenzou is a part of team too. My team. I will be there for him as well as for Sai.' He promised himself.

'If Naruto was given a punishment for failing the missions, which were never fully his fault anyway, Naruto would be joining back soon. I will join back too and be the Jounin sensei they need, take the responsibility seriously. Now I just have to wait for Naruto to come back which I assume won't be long. Months have already passed, Tsunade wouldn't punish 'her gaki' any longer and after listening about all his solo and group mission success, there is no need for Tsunade to keep him away from the team anyway. Perhaps after this mission Naruto will be back? Or is he already? But she did called him a 'plus one'.' He evaluated.

His head was aching with these never ending thoughts he needed to stop thinking and sleep his ache in heart and head away.

"We'll continue the watch schedule just like we have been doing. Hmm, Sai and I had shared tent the previous night so tonight Naruto and I will share a tent, Tenzou and Sai in another and Sakura alone. Sleep well."

Kakashi stayed perched in his spot and other four left to their respected tents.

"Good night Kaka-sensei minna."

"Sweet dreams."

"Night!"

"Good night."

He stayed there, trying to read his Icha Icha Tactics and take his mind away from the thoughts of his, yes he admitted he did think of Naruto as his blonde, his mistakes, his failures, his never ending guilt but he couldn't.

He never could it seemed.

He just wanted to go the Memorial Stone and sit there with his old team. Minato-sensei would've been disappointed that he let his son down but would've smiled nonetheless, Obito would've patted his shoulder attempting to cheer him up even though he would've been upset about his cousin too. Rin would've been sad that he had bottling up his emotions.

Leaving aside his thoughts from his failures and his old team, what hurt the most was what would his father think of him?

His head ached with a new series of pain because he didn't know what his would father say.

He didn't remember much about his father, just tids and bits. His father was a well known and greatly feared man, 'Shiroi Kiba'. He used to stay out of the village most of time doing missions and completing his duties as a Shinobi of Konohagakure no Sato, away from his son. Until one day his duty came back to bite his ass. He had always wanted to be like his father, his father was his goal, he wanted to be acknowledged by the man, always did. But now? Does he still want to be like his father?

Yes.

He still idolizes his father. As Obito had said, "Shiroi Kiba was a hero." His father was a hero, just like Obito.

He didn't remember much about his father but he remembered how his father would always spend all the time he had in village with him. He would treat him like a kid, no matter how many times he would ask his dad to treat him like an adult because he was a Shinobi. Because when he became a Shinobi he became an adult. How much he hates himself for not enjoying his childhood, his time with his father, his father's loving and encouraging pats on head and ruffling of hair.

He sighed.

'I miss you Otou-san.' Kakashi thought with bitter sadness.

From what all he remembered of his father, what would have had his father said or done upon his situation?

Would he have smiled his favorite 'calm down I'm here' smile?

Would he have patted his shoulder saying 'it's alright' ?

Would he have ruffled his hair like he used to do when he was a kid, just because he secretly enjoyed that show of affection?

Would he have been disappointed?

Would he have been ashamed?

How would he have reacted to his life story?

His head was aching but he knew sleep wouldn't come to him any time soon now because these 'thoughts' ... These were not something that he could 'sleep the pain away' type. He sighed exasperatedly.

Otou-san/ Tou-chan/ Chichi-ue - Father

Taichou - Captain

Shiroi Kiba - White Fang

Biju - Tailed Beast

Hitai-ate - Forehead Protector