Okay all this is the next Chapter as promised. There is a flashback to this chapter, it is in italics so that it doesn't get super confusing. I want to send my thanks and love to everyone that has followed/favored this story, you guys keep this story going for sure. I may love to write but I would not be this excited to post the next chapter if it weren't for you all.

I don't expect the next chapter to be up until next weekend though. I only have a small bit written and this next one needs to be 100% perfect for many reasons. Between working full time and a Comic-Con coming up that I need to finish my cosplay for, I don't think I'll be able to write as much as I have been. I'll try to keep up as much as possible!

So here it goes: I don't own Naruto, and no money is being made.

Enjoy!

Where Loyalties Lie: Chapter 4

Naruto wanted to struggle harder, she wanted to fight him off but she wasn't stupid, at six years old she wasn't strong enough to take on a man that was easily 12 years older than her, and even if she could, it wasn't like she was able, there was no way out of the ninja wire she was wrapped in. The bond's eyes grew wider when Mizuki talked about the Kyuubi being locked away inside of her. For years she had wondered why everyone treated her the way they did, she asked herself over and over what she had done to deserve the village's hatred, but now she knew. Naruto almost wished he didn't tell her. There was bliss in her ignorance, it was easier to be unaware, because now that she knew the reason behind their hostility, she couldn't really blame them. When people looked at her in disgust is wasn't really her that they were seeing, it was the Nine Tailed Fox, the being that slaughtered their friends, family and comrades. Mizuki-Sensei was old enough to remember the destruction that the Kyuubi No Kitsune left in its wake, which meant that she couldn't really blame him for wanting to hurt her either. She hoped he only wanted to hurt her.

As she waited for him to make his next move Naruto thought of Jiji. The Hokage always treated her well, he saw the girl she was instead of the monster caged inside of her. All of her best memories were of Jiji, playing in his office, tormenting his assistant, shopping for new clothes, even the times that he took her to the hospital for check-ups were good days, because he always took her for ramen after. However, there was one day that would always stick with her. The day was October 10th and it was her fifth birthday:

Naruto was excited to turn five today, Jiji always gave her gifts and would let her sit on his lap while they ate cake in his office. Her birthday was the only day that she was allowed to eat in his office, having been reprimanded from his assistant many times before. The day before a package was delivered to her at the orphanage with a small note pinned to it. Inside was a dark blue Kimono, silver designs that almost looked like lightening covered the silk fabric. Wear this tomorrow, Sunshine. The note read. Naruto knew that the Kimono was from Jiji, the Hokage was the only one to give her presents, plus he was the only one that called her 'Sunshine'.

Naruto, normally a late sleeper, rose early that day, she donned her new Kimono and ran to the Hokage Tower before most even left their beds. She flung open the door to his office, startling both the Sandaime and his assistant and beamed at him. In seconds she was across the room launching herself at the old man, screaming her thanks the whole time. The object of the young girl's affections chuckled, returning the girl's hug.

"Happy Birthday" The Hokage said, voice full of warmth. "I have another surprise for you today but it will have to wait until later I'm afraid." The girl looked at him then, a slight pout to her lips.

Hiruzen laughed again, "I had to call an emergency council meeting today, but you can wait here until I'm done."

"Alone?" Naruto questioned.

"No, not alone." The Hokage caught the flicker of concern that crossed the young girl's face, he called to the man outside "You may enter, Hound."

As the door opened and the 19 year old man walked in Hiruzen felt the tiny girl stiffen in his lap at the sight of the ANBU Captain. Two years ago a rogue ANBU tried to harm her, he didn't get very far but the damage was done. The little girl would sooner run away from the ANBU than toward them for help.

"Look at me Naruto." Frightened eyes turned to him, "This man is Hound, he is an ANBU Captain, I trust him with my life, and more importantly I trust him with yours."

"Oh-Kay." She responded to his reassurances, but still looked apprehensive.

The Sandaime picked up the girl still seated in his lap and carried her to the center of the room, placing her in front of the Captain. "Have fun you two, I'll be back by noon." The Hokage spared one last look at the duo before he closed the door, shutting it softly.

Naruto blinked up at the man expectedly while rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet. Kakashi was at a loss for words, his social awkwardness kicking in despite the fact that he had been waiting for this meeting for her entire life. He crouched down low in order to be at her height and cleared his throat, "That's a nice Kimono you're wearing, was it a present?" he asked.

"Yep!" the vibrant girl exclaimed, popping the 'p', "It was a birthday present and I Love it!"

"Ah well that's…good…" the ANBU trailed off, beaming behind his masked, she loved the gift he got her, "So?" he asked, picking up where he left off, "So what do you want to do today?"

She stood there, still rocking, her face scrunched up in concentration.

"Can we go to the top of Hokage Mountain? Pretty please, Hound. Jiji says I can't go alone and he's always too busy!"

The ANBU nodded at her request, pivoting himself so that his back was now facing her. When she didn't do anything he turned to look at her, raising an un-seen eyebrow, "Well Naruto, what are you waiting for? Climb on." The blond haired, blue eyed girl scrambled onto his back, arms circling his neck tightly.

"Hold on." He said as he jumped out of the window, enjoying her playful squeals as he ran across the rooftops. The ANBU Captain was too caught up in the sound of the young girl's laughter to realize that he was laughing with her.

It was just past noon by the time that Hound jumped back through the window of the Tower, a five year old girl still latched onto his back. As soon as both of his feet were planted firmly on the floor she jumped off, and ran to the Hokage, describing the fun day she had with the ANBU, voice filled with excitement.

"…and then he took me to get ramen Jiji, ramen, that's my favorite!" the Sandaime couldn't help but laugh at the girl, she described to him their day in full detail, without taking a breath.

"So Naruto are you ready for your other surprise?"

"Yes, yes YES!" she skipped around his desk, "Wait…Is Hound staying?" She came to a full stop in front of him asking him hopefully.

"No, I'm sorry Naruto." She looked crestfallen, "Hound has a mission." He threw a scroll to his Captain.

Hound looked at the contents, "Aye Hokage-sama, I will gather my team and leave by nightfall." The white haired man bowed slightly, then turned to Naruto, "Oh, and Happy Birthday."

He didn't even make it to the window when a voice prompted him to stop.

"WAIT!" She screamed, already flying at him with extended arms, wanting a hug from the man that recently became her friend. At the last second before the impending collision Hound decided that he wanted to hear her giggling one last time, he picked her up in one dramatic swoop and spun her in circles, her hair fanning out behind her, she shrieked in delight. He drew the small girl close then, giving her the hug she (and admittedly him) wanted so desperately. Hound was setting her down when her grip tightened and she suddenly placed a kiss on the check of his ANBU mask, he swore he felt it.

It was later in the day when Naruto opened her last present, a little green wallet shaped like a toad. She promptly named the wallet Gama-Chan and hugged it to her chest screaming her thanks for the second time that day. The Sandaime wished that Jiraiya would have been there to witness the love she had for the gift he sent her. However the two agreed that it was too soon for them to be seen together, Kakashi was only able because of his ANBU uniform, and even that was risky.

As they walked towards his home where her birthday cake was waiting, Hiruzen watched the villager's reactions closely. It was roughly 15:00 and the market was busy, both Shinobi and Citizens alike flooded the area, but as more and more people noticed the Hokage walking with the Nine Tail's vessel the bustling of the market grew quieter and quieter. Naruto walked at his side, seemingly shrinking at the harsh gazes, she stared at her feet, not daring to look up.

The Hokage stopped in the middle of the road, taking a knee in front of Naruto, "Now now Sunshine, this just won't do." He said while gently lifting up her chin, blue eyes meeting brown. "I want you to do something for me Naruto, I want you to be proud of who you are, even if people tell you otherwise. Can you do this" She nodded at the words, "I want you to remember something, even if you forget everything else I've ever told you, remember that you are loved Naruto, even if you don't see it. Can you remember?" Another nod, "I want you to promise me something Naruto, even when it feels like the world is against you, you will not break." She promised him then, repeating his words over and over in her mind like a mantra. 'I am Proud. I am Loved. I will not Break.' Maybe if she kept telling herself it was true she'd one day believe him.

Mizuki was standing above her as he casually twirled a Kunai in his hand. Seeing the smile plastered on his face as he stood above her triggered something in the six year old. Fear became rage, and she swore she saw red for a second before thinking back to her fifth birthday, like the old man hoped, the words he spoke took root and today was the day that she finally believed them.

She was Proud. She was Loved. She will not break. More importantly she won't let him break her. Naruto stared up at her kidnapper then, eyes no longer watery, fear no longer present. Mizuki lowered himself onto her, breathing became difficult as his knee dug into her chest, she didn't let him see her discomfort though, not wanting him to win. The blond haired girl didn't even flinch as he roughly squeezed her chin, dipping the weapon into the jar beside her head. Naruto held his gaze as he slowly pressed the cold, wet kunai to her cheek. She waited for the pain to start, but surprisingly it didn't.

As the ANBU Captain grew closer and closer to the Leaf his body was on the verge of collapse. His chakra was almost completely drained, he hadn't slept for 2 days, he hadn't ate anything but Soldier pills in four and his mind was constantly thinking about the little blond girl that he needed to see. Kakashi was (mostly) a rational man, even in his current state he was intelligent enough to know that this slight mental breakdown that he was having was completely uncalled for. He had missions similar to this one in the past and he hadn't felt like this then, and Kakashi could not understand why this assignment had him racked with guilt. While he was awake the thought of a little blond girl invaded his mind, he saw her laying still in her bed, with his hand holding a kunai to her throat. It was worse while he sleep, then the blond girl from before morphed in to Naruto, her eyes dead and glassy, covered in blood, he didn't know what exactly killed her in his dreams but he knew without a doubt that it was his fault. His screams echoed through the forest as he bolted up from whatever spot he tried to sleep in.

As Kakashi passed the invisible barrier around the village he flared his chakra, this was standard for ANBU that had to re-enter the village. Any other person, Shinobi or not, had to sign in at the gates, which could take 20 minutes on a good day. Coming and going the ANBU method is something Hound would really miss after he finally turned in his mask. As soon as the ANBU Captain leapt the wall, landing on a civilian's roof, he noticed a difference in the village. The atmosphere changed, the normally tranquil village was anything but. He caught glimpses of other ANBU frantically searching the village, two man teams scanning the area, only to jump away a second later. If the tension in the air was any thicker his Sharingan would see it. Kakashi was not a stupid man, he knew that the only reason that the ANBU would be thoroughly searching specific zones was Naruto. He was about to Shunshin himself into the Hokage's office when he felt a familiar chakra drop to the roof beside him.

"What's going on, Tenzo?" the white haired ninja asked, hoping his Cat-Masked subordinate would contradict what he knew to be true.

"You're needed in the Hokage's office Senpai." This might as well have been an admission.

As two men shunshined in his office The Hokage almost sighed, taking in the last Hatake, he knew, without even seeing his face how fatigued the man was. He knew, having been sent a pigeon from Kakashi, that the mission was completed and that he would not be stopping until he reached the Village. And from the looks of it he really didn't stop. His hair was filthy, there were clumps of dirt visible throughout the white, as well as a few twigs sticking out, one twig having a bright green leaf still attached. The Captain's normally pristine uniform was anything but, it was almost completely soaked through with sweat, blotches of dirt littered the man's grey flak jacket and black pants, and if the Sandaime was guessing correctly, dried blood was splattered up the ANBU's right arm. Although the Hokage wanted to tell the man to go rest before he collapsed from exhaustion, he knew his words would fall on deaf ears, as long as Naruto was missing, Kakashi would search.

While Hiruzen expected The ANBU Captain's anger he didn't expect to be pinned to his office wall with a Kunai to his throat, "What the Hell happened?" the enraged man spit at him in fury, "Where the fuck is she?"

The Hokage was by no means a timid man, he couldn't be with his profession, but the old man couldn't bring himself to look Kakashi in the eyes. He knew that this situation was his fault, that any hate found in the white haired man's eyes was justified. And he also knew that if that man in front of him decided to kill him that he would thoroughly deserve it. He would deserve it for not being able to protect Naruto now, for not listening to him six years ago when the boy begged to be able to take care of her, for denying them both the family that he knew they desperately needed.

With eyes still down cast he answered the man that held the kunai to his throat, his voice barely above a whisper, "I don't know."

The kunai dropped to the floor, taking a chunk out of the wood while its owner screamed, a deep guttural sound passed the ANBU's lips while his hands fisted through his hair, finally dislodging the leafed twig.

"How long?" Kakashi asked, voice rough with emotion.

It was Iruka that answered him, still clearly shocked from the ANBU's behavior.

"I noticed her missing after lunch, ANBU-san."

Kakashi rounded on Naruto's Chunin-Sensei, pleased at the fear he saw in Iruka's eyes, "And?"

"And?" he asked, confusion evident.

"And, Sensei, what did you do about your missing student?" he asked while backing the scared man into a corner.

"Oh…I um…sent Mizuki…to find her."

Kakashi slammed his hand into the wall next to the instructors head, watching as the man flinched,

"And at what point did you finally realize that The Hokage should be informed."

The Hokage, who was still contemplating killing Iruka, was satisfied to see the anxiety that the Chunin was showing, Hiruzen was sure that every ANBU the man had seen before had been calm, collected, but still so very intimidating. However he recognized how terrifying it would be to see an elite ANBU Captain completely breaking down, Shinobi rule #25 "A Shinobi must not show weakness", thrown out of the window, and decided, against his better judgement, to show pity on the Sensei.

"Hound. Step back. Iruka, it is in your best interest to answer the man."

The ANBU stiffened but did what he was told, Iruka nodded, still eying the man warily.

"I left my students in the care of another instructor when I realized- well Nara Shikamaru realized that Mizuki had not returned with the girl."

"You mean to tell me, that a six year old boy, had to inform you that your assistant instructor had not found her yet?" Iruka gulped nervously, but nodded at the Hokage's words.

The Sandaime turned to a silent Tenzo, "Cat. Find Shikaku and his son. Bring them here at once."

The ANBU left in a swirl of leaves.

The three men waited in the office hoping that the man would return quickly, two remained still, but one agitated Captain started pacing. It was the Chunin that spoke first, "Why send for them Hokage-sama?"

"I have a theory Iruka…what else has the boy noticed?"

Being a council member, a clan head and the Jonin Commander Shikaku didn't have too many days to himself, there was usually something somewhere that needed his attention. Although Shikaku did inherit the Nara laziness he never let this character trait come between him and his responsibilities. So when the Hokage ordered him to take the day off he didn't complain. Instead Shikaku slept as late as his wife would let him, slowly ate his breakfast and then spent the rest of the day helping Yoshino tend to the deer and relaxing on the porch. By the time Shikaku was ready to pick Shikamaru up from the Academy he was asking himself why he didn't spend a lazy day at home more often. Shikaku planned to leave the Nara compound rather early, opting to pick a slow, leisurely pace, content with knowing that he didn't have to go back to his office directly after picking up his son, as was usual.

Shikaku didn't even need to take half a step out of the Nara compound to realize that something wasn't right. He caught flickers of chakra in the distance, guessing that the flickers were from ANBU since he didn't recognize any of the chakra signatures. As he drew closer to the center of the village the chakra flickers became closer and more frequent, they were communicating the Nara head realized, without hand signs, interesting. As he walked the strategist watched the rooftops, alleys and shadows very closely, scanning anywhere that the ANBU may be hiding. Shikaku had seen no less than six of the ANBU, which did not sit well with the Jonin Commander, not when they were supposed to completely conceal themselves and suppress their chakra. The ANBU were supposed to be Konoha's elite, never seen or heard but always watching. The fact that they were very obviously communicating amongst themselves wasn't right, they were either getting sloppy which is something that could be detrimental to village security, or they were searching for something, and whatever it was needed to be found quickly if the sporadic chakra flashes had anything to say about it. Shikaku sighed then, knowing that whatever the issue was would eventually interrupt his perfectly lazy day, what a drag.

When the Jonin Commander rounded the corner to the Academy he was met with the sight of a Cat-Masked ANBU looking towards him, after witnessing the odd behavior from the ANBU on his way there Shikaku expected to be summoned by an ANBU at some point today. It wasn't the presence of the ANBU that Shikaku found troubling, there were plenty of times that an ANBU was waiting outside of the Academy for Naruto. What Shikaku found troubling was the small boy standing next to him, whatever was going on today had something to do with his son. Shikaku examined his son carefully, he may not have been hurt but his eyes were dark, a frown distorting his normally calm features, in his hand was a book bag, an orange one. In less than a second everything clicked in Shikaku's mind, the ANBU's abnormal movements suddenly made sense as he looked at the orange bag that seemed to be bursting at the seams, Uzumaki Naruto was missing, and Shikamaru knew something.

The ANBU spoke first as the Nara head approached, "Nara-San you and your son are needed in the Hokage's office immediately."

Shikaku nodded then spoke to his son, "Let's go Shikamaru."

Shikaku was not prepared for what he walked into when he escorted Shikamaru through the large double doors to the Hokage's office. Two men were eyeing another ANBU closely, the Hokage looked annoyed at the man before him and Umino Iruka, his son's Academy Sensei, looked terrified. This man was the exact opposite of what an ANBU should be, instead of masking his emotions he was pushing out killing intent, his Uniform was filthy, it was caked in dirt and splattered with blood. Shikaku knew, without a doubt, that this man was Hatake Kakashi. Even if Kakashi's white hair wasn't unique enough to clue him in (and really it should clue everyone in, who else has gravity defying hair like the Copy-Ninja) Shikaku still would have known the masked man's identity. The Jonin Commander didn't know much about Kakashi, but he could conclude, based on what he was witnessing now, that the ANBU Captain cared about Uzumaki Naruto, which led Shikaku to belief that he knows, and probably always has, that Naruto was his late sensei's daughter. The Nara immediately wished he could take Shikamaru home, knowing full well that he couldn't.

"Ah you're here." The Hokage said, "Shikaku, we need to speak to Shikamaru about some events that happened today. Do you consent?"

"Yes Hokage-sama." Shikaku looked to his son then, "Shikamaru, you are to answer the Hokage's questions truthfully. Do you understand?"

The six year old nodded to his father then turned his attention to the Hokage.

"Okay son." The Hokage started, "Iruka mentioned that you realized that Naruto and Mizuki hadn't returned. Why is that?"

"Well somebody had to." Shikamaru answered tone both annoyed and sarcastic.

The Hokage chuckled as Shikaku held back a smirk, "You aren't wrong there Shikamaru, but what we were wondering is if you noticed anything else about Naruto."

Shikaku watched as his young son's face darkened, "I notice a lot of things about Naruto, Hokage-sama, but I know you want something specific, there is a man that watches her, like he was waiting for something and today she left with him."

"Who?" the Sandaime asked, his eyes narrowing at the boy's words.

Kakashi stopped pacing then and turned to face Shikamaru, anticipating his answer. And it was Kakashi that Shikamaru spoke to when answering the Hokage's question.

"It was Mizuki-sensei, he's been watching her for the past two weeks. Please, ANBU-san, please find her."

"I will." Kakashi answered while dropping to his knees in front of the young Nara, "Thank you, Shikamaru."

In a cloud of smoke Kakashi poofed out of existence, leaving an amused looking Hokage, an annoyed ANBU, a slack jawed Chunin and two bored looking Nara in the office to contemplate what just happened.

"Did he just-was that?" the Chunin stuttered, unable to formulate a complete sentence.

"A clone." Shikamaru gave the scarred man a peculiar look, "And you're supposed to be teaching us?" the Nara heir asked in disbelief.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Shikaku couldn't help but to laugh.

Well there it is! I'm sorry to say that you still don't know what Mizuki is doing. It WILL be in the next Chapter. If I added more in, it would have been terribly long, and while I am not opposed to reading/writing long chapters, I didn't want to keep you guys waiting for more!

So what do you guys think? How did you like the flashback, I like the thought that it was Jiraiya that bought her Gama-Chan. Plus I love reading/writing about a possessive, angry Kakashi. I feel that he is so nonchalant all the time and with all the emotions he hides, that one day his facade has to break.

Plus you just have to know that Shikaku would easily recognize Kakashi, even in uniform, he's too smart not to.

Hope you like, send love/hate, let me know how I'm doing! Thanks!

-UM