First off, the amazing reviewers! You know who you are: lioness78, Suifox, theo darkstar, Pance, Kuromizu no Ariana, Uzumaki Hannah, shadow lupus, Dragon Alchemist, CandyGirl999, Nara-chan25, Silver Phoenix7, cardcaptor eternity, ShadowChild Of Death, NanakaYatsushiro, I'm a naruard/avatard, narutard/avatard/kingdom heart (2), catgirl9696, Gabwr, Kay-chan of the Leaf, Uzumaki Naruko14, ninbunny alchemist. Sanctus Espiritus, xDeidara-Yaoi-Luvrrx, Shadow Kitsune67, and avatard.
ninbunny alchemist was the 50th reviewer and gets a heart-shaped cookie!
Naruto was shocked, to say the least. He had been waiting to see his sensei's true face ever since he had met him that magical day Team 7 was created, but he hadn't been expecting to see it so soon into the memory.
Kakashi was actually quite handsome, and Naruto knew that if he didn't wear the mask he would have a lot of girls trailing him. His features also gave off the impression that he was younger than the 15-year-old that he was. He wondered why he kept it on in the first place.
Naruto was snapped out of his daydream (could it be considered a daydream when he was technically in a dream—of sorts?) and was pulled back to the—present?—by the sharp outcry of his younger self. He chuckled as Kakashi shot up, half asleep and alert, holding a concealed kunai up to his face defensively, glancing around frantically for the sound. Kakashi blinked in confusion when he realized it was Naruto, wailing in the makeshift bed he had created out of an old box.
Kakashi threw his blanket off of himself and slowly got off his futon and crept towards Naruto, kunai held out just in case the cause of Naruto's outcry was still there. The child was wailing while sucking the air, as if he were searching for something. After a moment of reflection, Kakashi deduced that Naruto was hungry.
But I just fed him a full bottle (he checked the clock on his wall) three hours ago! However, the fact was undeniable now, so with a sigh Kakashi prepared a bottle as fast as possible. He had to make it while balancing Naruto in one hand to rock him slightly. The last thing he needed was for the neighbors to complain. Finally the bottle was warm enough and Kakashi stuffed it in the infant's mouth, the cries ceasing instantly as Naruto focused all his attention on the much needed meal.
Puzzled at the behavior of the offspring of his late sensei, Kakashi searched through the bag he had received from Sarutobi earlier and discovered a book entitled, Your Baby and You. It even had a cozy picture of a mother holding her sleeping child while the father had his arm around her as they stared at the child lovingly. While staring at the picture with disdain, Kakashi found himself thinking back to one of his earliest memories with his parents.
"Kashi? Where are you?" a gentle voice called out. The response was a shriek of delight from the two-year-old boy who was doing his best to blend in with the blue curtains next to the couch.
"Where are you?" his mother called out again, directly in front of the almost concealed boy, pretending to look for him through the pillows.
Deciding this was his chance to strike, Kakashi unveiled himself and pounced on his mother. They rolled around on the ground.
"My, my," Kasumi chuckled, pulling him into her lap and giving him a large hug. "You're getting better and better at hiding, my little shinobi." She had always called him that, ever since his father started teaching him the basics of shinobi training. She had agreed on the condition that he not handle any kunai until he was at least three. So Sakumo resorted to teaching his son how to control his chakra, such as performing simple jutsus to walking up trees and on water. Kakashi had proved to be a very advanced learner, so much that his father did his best to stall their lessons.
He and his wife were wary of their son's impressive intellect and skill, desiring that he not grow up too fast. Sakumo knew all too well the mental and emotional strain the life of a shinobi came with.
What they didn't know was that during the day Kakashi would spend hours at the library, researching all kinds of information about the village, surrounding villages, and other random bits of information. In fact, he was practicing his concealment jutsus so he could sneak into classes at the academy and learn along with the children three years older than him.
Suddenly the front door opened and a weary Sakumo entered, having returned from a week-long mission.
"Father!" Kakashi squealed with delight He abandoned his mother and clung to the jounin's leg. "How was your mission? Did you get hurt? Did you kill anyone?"
"Kakashi!" his mother scolded, shaking a finger at him. "Don't ask your father such things! Besides, he's very tired." Kakashi pouted and let go of his father's leg before stepping back.
"How are you sweetie?" Kasumi asked. She pulled down his mask and gave him a quick kiss while taking all the supplies from her exhausted husband.
Sakumo sighed. "Just the regular routine. We ran into some shinobi from the Rock Village, but they were simple scouts. Nothing we couldn't handle."
Kakashi frowned and crossed his arms angrily, looking away from his parents.
"What's wrong now, Kakashi?" his father asked with a tired sigh. The little boy just ignored the man and grunted. Not wanting to go through the trouble of dealing with his moody two-year-old, Sakumo glanced towards his wife and raised his eyebrows.
"He wouldn't go to sleep until you returned so he could hear how your mission went," his wife whispered. Sakumo glanced back at the toddler, and noticed it was true. The young boy was starting to sway where he stood, and Sakumo realized that it was way past his bedtime.
"All right," Sakumo sighed, unable to stop the grin from creeping onto his face. "Come here and I'll tell you about the mission." Kakashi's mood changed instantly and he jumped up and down with excitement. His father then collapsed on the couch only to be pounced on by his son.
He grunted from the pain but smiled at his son's exuberance, wrapping his arm around him and began to tell a dramatic story of how he and his squad began their escort/reconnaissance mission. They were later joined by Kasumi, who sat down so Kakashi was in between them. She wrapped her arms around Sakumo and rested her head on his shoulder, then started stroking Kakashi's hair. He was leaning against his father's chest and started to drowse off, despite the fact that he wanted to hear the rest of the story. Sakumo was beginning to fall asleep as well, and his voice became quieter and slower.
A few minutes later all three were asleep, content to be connected to each other in dreams and relish in the rare moments where they were all together. It would turn out to be one of the more happier moments of Kakashi's limited amount of time he spent with his parents.
Kakashi glanced at Naruto and saw that he was sound asleep with the remains of the baby formula sliding down his face. Kakashi shook his head, then gently wiped Naruto's face clean and laid him in his makeshift bed.
Stop thinking about that. It brings nothing but pain, the boy chided himself, wiping away the tears that had fallen down his face. He glanced back at the book and then at Naruto and in one swift, angry moment tore off the cover and threw it across the room. Satisfied, he sat down on his bed and started to read the entire book. He didn't want to be caught off guard by the apparently strange behavior of babies, or to unknowingly put Naruto's life in danger. He had to be prepared.
Naruto was amazed at what had just occurred. He figured that although these memories were simply ones he had from when he was younger (the ones that were sealed away by the cursed council at any rate), that perhaps because Kakashi had been the one to unseal his memories; in turn, Naruto gained access to a little bit of what Kakashi was experiencing at the time as well.
So that must have been the White Fang that Chiyo-basama was talking about, he reasoned. What could have happened that would cause Kakashi-sensei to cry? When he looked back on it, he didn't have a clue about what occurred in his sensei's past, only that he was a genius and became a chuunin and jounin at a really young age, as well as that he somehow received the sharingan eye. Naruto wondered if he would be able to find out more about the infamous copy ninja. He was eager to find out, yet at the same time he felt bad for intruding on personal memories. It wasn't like he was in control though, so there was no way he could refuse them.
Kakashi was in the middle of changing Naruto's diaper the next morning when there was a rambunctious knocking on his door. Making sure to first pull up his mask, a weary-eyed Kakashi finished up with Naruto and walked to the door with the child in his hands.
"MY ETERNAL—" Gai began, then noticing the child in his hands lowered his voice, "Rival! How glad I am to meet you on such a fine—" He paused when he noticed the fatigue evident in his friend's demeanor. "Are you all right?"
Kakashi shrugged. "It turns out that babies like to eat at very inconvenient times during the night."
"Really?" Gai was intrigued. "Very interesting. They must be so full of the power of youth that they need extra sustenance to make them big and strong!" He immediately struck a pose, causing Kakashi to roll an eye.
"Must be," he mumbled, not in the mood to disagree.
"Anyway, I have come over to assist you in your endeavor to take care of the child!" As if he understood, Naruto grinned and babbled at the strange man, causing tears of happiness to parade down the man's face.
"Sure." Kakashi found himself surprisingly grateful for Gai's offer. He was beginning to understand why Sarutobi had dismissed him from missions at the present time, because from what he had read, babies were a lot of work. Must be another reason why a husband and a wife are required to take care of children. He wondered briefly if his father took a little time off from missions to take care of him, or if his mother was forced to do most of the work alone while her husband was busy fulfilling his duty to the village.
Naruto chuckled at the sight of a young Kakashi and Gai trying their best to get his younger self ready for the day. He had a feeling that Gai would play into his past somehow, seeing as how he never let a person's background or abilities interfere with his relationship with them. The only thing that was bothering Naruto was, if Gai seemed to care about him, then where was he all those years that he was treated like nothing, where no one seemed to care about what happened to him? He knew he was feeling bitter, but he had to know! Naruto sighed and figured that the answer would most likely be answered sooner or later, so he would just have to watch patiently and let history unfold.
A while later, Kakashi and Gai were wandering around the village, looking for supplies that would be required for a happy upbringing for Naruto He was currently bundled up in a warm blanket, safely tucked away in Kakashi's arm. Gai had suggested that he get a carrier like the one they had seen in the book, but Kakashi adamantly said no, not wanting to look ridiculous with a baby strapped to his chest or back. (The book said those devices were reversible)
Gai was content to carrying the purchases they made, while Kakashi held the list in his other hand. Both of them ignored the stares and glares of some of the villagers, with Kakashi having to keep himself in check and resist the urge to hurt everyone who whispered, pointed, or scowled at him. If it weren't for the fact that he was carrying a baby that was a few days old in his arm, he would probably do just that.
Now, it wasn't that he wasn't used to this kind of attention, having received it the first couple years preceding his father's death, but he could tolerate it occurring to him and used that anger as motivation for him to work harder so that he could restore his father's name. What irked him was the fact that a helpless baby was receiving the same treatment, and there was nothing that could be done. It was even more infuriating that the same people who mourned and praised their deceased Hokage turned around and treated his own son like trash, the one who had saved all their pathetic lives by merging with the demon.
"What do you have there, Kakashi?" a quiet voice inquired. The jounin glanced to his left.
"Just little Naruto, Itachi," he answered. The solemn Uchiha bent forward to get a better glance at the boy then gave his old ANBU leader a small smile.
"He's about the same age as my brother, Sasuke," he said fondly.
Naruto was fuming. If only I could attack him up right now! That would stop the Uchiha massacre, and then maybe Sasuke would have a family and not leave to go to Orochimaru! However, he couldn't help but noticed how different Itachi looked. He was obviously younger, but his face was more relaxed, and he didn't appear to be the mass murderer that he was when he met him. What happened to make him who he is in my time?
"Maybe we can set up a play date," Kakashi suggested. "I'm sure they could become great friends."
Itachi scowled. "Chances are you wouldn't be able to get anywhere near the Uchiha compound with him. Our incompotent leaders seem to hate this child and don't want anything to do with him."
Well there's the Itachi I know. Naruto was slightly disappointed to see that even then he appeared to have the same contempt in his persona. Was this was the beginning of his hatred towards his own clan?
The younger Kakashi appeared to notice it as well, because he furrowed his brow at the harsh tone. "Is everything all right, Itachi? I know you don't necessarily approve of the way the Uchiha handle things—"
Itachi waved him off. "It doesn't matter. I'm just tired from the last mission I returned from. I hope you are able to rejoin us soon," he added as he walked off.
Gai frowned as he watched the retreating form of the young boy. "I would be careful around him if I were you, Kakashi. He may be a genius, but he appears to have changed from the innocent boy at the academy we used to know. It would be best to keep an eye out for him."
Kakashi shrugged. "He seems to be just frustrated with the way his clan deals with things. Now that he's old enough to understand politics, he most likely has conflicting ideas and is learning that he has to deal with it despite his own feelings. He should get over it soon." Truth be told, he was a little worried about his friend. Itachi was one of the few people he could relate to, being naturally gifted and all, and was the only one who stood up for him when the rest of the Uchiha clan was furious at him for receiving Obito's sharingan eye.
He could understand the rage and reasoning behind it, but like he kept trying to tell them, it was Obito's dying wish and there was no way he would betray it.
"But Obito wished it! He told Rin to specifically give it to me to replace my old one, as his present for me achieving jounin status!!" Kakashi pleaded. He was still weary from having to adjust to having his eye closed all the time and the chakra drains that resulted when he messed forgot.
The Uchiha would hear nothing of it. "Who cares what he said? From what you describe, he was half dead when he made the request! Who can say that he was in his right mind at that moment?"
Kakashi clenched his fists, fighting back the tears and tried to keep his voice steady. "It was his dying wish, and I will never betray my friends."
The main leader smirked spitefully. "Like father like son, eh? At least you didn't let your entire team die on this mission. It seems like you're not as much of a loser of a shinobi as your father as we thought."
Sarutobi grabbed Kakashi by the waist right before he was about to pounce on the Uchiha, a few tears trickling down his face that he was unable to stop. How dare they say that about his father! He didn't care if he were a lowly thirteen-year-old jounin and his opponent was a 40-year-old "precious" Uchiha. It was the perfect opportunity to practice his new jutsu on him.
"Now that's enough!" The Third Hokage ordered. If he knew that it would have progressed this far he wouldn't have allowed the Uchiha to speak. As he struggled with the squirming boy, something incredible happened.
A five-year-old Itachi stepped forward, glaring at the Uchiha officials and pointed a chastising finger at them.
"If any of you have a problem with Kakashi, then you'd better answer to me!" Despite his age, the anger in his voice and sheer authority that he demanded with it permeated the air. "If Obito, a great Uchiha who sacrificed his life for this village, deemed Kakashi worthy of receiving his newly awakened sharingan, then the least you could do is honor the wish of a fellow Uchiha and leave him alone!" He turned to his superior of eight years and gave him a slight smile and nod of the head, causing Kakashi to cease struggling and stare at him incredulously.
Itachi faced the elders again. "I will take it upon myself to teach Kakashi how to use the sharingan, since it is apparent that no one else will. I also take responsibility for what he will do with that knowledge, because I know that he would rather die than betray a fellow shinobi of this village."
Everyone present simply gaped at the young Uchiha, amazed with what had just transpired. Seeing that he made his point, Itachi began to walk away, calling for Kakashi to come follow him for his first day of training over his shoulder. The jounin hurried to obey.
Itachi was true to his word, as was Kakashi. He treated the knowledge that his newfound friend bestowed upon him with great care, and would never divulge with anyone. The two had developed a strong friendship after that, even serving in ANBU together; the two Konoha prodigies.
He just hoped his friend would get better and not go down the road he seemed to be headed for.
Phew! There we go! I hope you all are satisfied, and like the whole Itachi and family flashback. ninbunny alchemist had requested one, and I figured I might as well. I do feel as though he and Kakashi had some sort of friendship in their ANBU days.
Anyway, I am quite pleased with myself, this being my fifth update in ten days! I think that's an all new record for me, and I might be able to crank out another one next weekend. Hopefully this is a start to a new trend!