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When Kakashi awoke, he was lying in bed with IVs injected into his skin, and a really large headache. Groaning, he sat himself up with difficulty and noticed the medical ninja in his room.
"Hatake Kakashi?" he asked a little fearfully. The copy ninja grunted. "We were able to heal all your wounds, but you lost a lot of blood so you'll have to stay here for a while until you recover." He said the last part rather forcefully, and Kakashi couldn't blame him, for he had gotten a reputation to not stay long in hospitals, despite what he was instructed.
However, this time he didn't feel a need to disobey. He needed some time alone, to not be on a mission to deal with his grief. After years of practice he had found he could easily hide and conceal his pain, but it took some time.
"I don't know if you've heard, but the Fourth Hokage saved us all!" the medical ninja said proudly. "He died in the effort, but somehow he got rid of the Nine-Tailed Fox! Just what we'd expect from our Hokage! However," he added on a more solemn note, "his wife passed away. We were unable to determine the reason, because the guards who were watching over her joined the fight after her death and died themselves; we could find no one with her in the room. At least they are together now."
There was silence in the room as both paid their respects to the two great shinobi. Kakashi was puzzled for a moment, but then remembered that the Fourth Hokage had confided in him that his wife's pregnancy was to be kept a secret until his son was born, so that no attack was attempted on her from neighboring countries.
"By the way, who was that child you saved? We checked for injuries and he had none. He's a pretty healthy baby, so we moved him to the child's ward."
Kakashi took a few minutes before he answered. "His name is Naruto, and he is the child that the Fourth Hokage sealed the Nine-Tailed Fox into."
The medical ninja just stared at Kakashi, unable to comprehend what he just said.
"So, the demon wasn't killed at all? The child had the demon inside of him?!" The man's eyes were wide and he began shaking in fear. Kakashi didn't know what the problem was; because of that, everyone was saved. It's not like the child itself were the monster. It was inside of him.
Before Kakashi could say another word the man burst out the door. Too tired to care, he ignored the man's actions and went back to sleep.
He was awakened hours later by a screaming baby. Kakashi opened his visible eye and scanned the room. Next to his bed was a crib, and when he sat up to take a better look, he realized that it was Naruto.
Why is he in my room? Do they not have room anywhere else? Kakashi wondered to himself.
He waited for someone to come by and take care of him, but no one ever did. Grunting, Kakashi got out of bed, glad that the IVs were taken out while he was sleeping, and limped over to the crib, puzzled as to why the baby was crying. Trying to see if he felt sick, Kakashi reached one hand down and felt the boy's forehead. The instant he touched his skin Naruto grabbed Kakashi's fingers and began sucking them like his life depended on it. After a few seconds he tossed the fingers from his mouth and began wailing again.
On his part, Kakashi was completely stunned and a little frightened. Why was he sucking his fingers? Using what limited knowledge he had, he deduced that the baby was hungry.
"I'll be right back." Why was he talking to the kid? It's not like he would be able to understand him or anything.
Figuring he had nothing better to do, Kakashi stumbled into the hall with his bloody ANBU clothes still on. He finally approached a startled nurse at the child ward.
"There is a baby in my room and I think he's hungry," he stated simply.
The girl frowned slightly, and Kakashi soon learned the reason. The child ward had more than enough space for Naruto. Why was he in his room?
"Do you know the child's name?"
"Naruto."
The nurse paused for a moment, as if to see if that name rang a bell. Kakashi watched in awe as her expression changed from confusion to complete horror in a matter of seconds.
"Th-the demon child?" She looked so terrified she was starting to make Kakashi scared.
Instead he scowled. "The demon is inside of him. That doesn't mean that he's a monster."
She didn't appear to have heard him. "I'm sorry, but he'll have to stay in your room. We can't let that monster stay in the same room as the other children!" She started to stumble away from Kakashi, muttering to herself as she left, "He shouldn't even be in this hospital! He should be surrounded by ANBU just in case he tries something . . . "
Kakashi couldn't believe his ears. Here was this woman he didn't even know, acting like Naruto was the most dangerous thing in the universe! Underneath his calm expression he was infuriated. Did everyone else feel the same?
"Wait! I need some . . . never mind." The nurse was out of sight, and most likely wouldn't help him. Realizing that he wouldn't get any sleep with that baby crying, Kakashi entered the child's ward to see if there was any food for him there.
To his relief he saw a baby's bottle that was evidently prepared for the sleeping baby next to it, yet he figured the bawling baby in his room needed it more. Besides, he thought bitterly, there was more chance of this baby getting another bottle than Naruto, considering how that ninja treated him.
Scowling, Kakashi entered his room where Naruto was still wailing, but it was obvious everyone paid him no heed. He walked up the crib and stuffed the bottle inside the baby's mouth, who instantly ceased crying and vigorously sucked on the bottle. However, despite his efforts, the tiny Naruto drank slowly, considering he was just barely born, and the bottle Kakashi had "taken" was for a child a couple months old. So, the copy ninja's arms began to ache for being in one position for too long. Naruto obviously couldn't hold the large bottle by himself, so Kakashi had to do it.
He frowned, and then recalled something he had seen mothers do when feeding a child a bottle. Kakashi quickly pulled the bottle out of the hungry mouth, at which point he began crying again, yet Kakashi picked up the infant, sat on his own bed, cradled him in his left arm, and began feeding the bottle to him.
That felt better, he noted. Looking down into the child's content face, a strange feeling overcame Kakashi, one he had never felt before. The reserved copy ninja began to feel protective of the fragile baby, and enjoyed holding him close. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips and he forgot all about his troubles.
Instead, he was satisfied to observe the infant, fascinated by how small his tiny fingers were, his adorable face even with the whisker-marks, and the cute expression he made while devouring the powdery liquid.
Once the bottle was depleted, Naruto opened his bright blue eyes and gazed at Kakashi, cocking his head as he did so. Then he let out a babyish giggle, extending his chubby little fingers towards the silver-haired ninja. Kakashi put out his index finger towards the child who immediately grasped it firmly.
Naruto seemed to examine the finger with curious eyes, then he tugged on it, bringing the whole hand closer so he could examine it. His fingers seemed even smaller when compared to Kakashi's.
Continuing to feel extremely attached to the tiny life in front of him, Kakashi put his right arm underneath the one already holding the child and lovingly brought him closer. Who knew that a baby could be so cute?
Once Naruto was close enough to Kakashi's face however, the mischievous boy yanked on his mask, exposing his jaw. In extreme alarm Kakashi put the boy out of range and fixed his mask with his right hand.
"You do not do that," he warned. In response Naruto laughed hysterically, as if angering Kakashi was the most amusing thing in the world.
Suddenly the door burst open, disturbing Kakashi in his blissful happiness. It was Sarutobi, the Hokage before his sensei. The old man appeared extremely worried, and his eyes widened in surprise at the sight of one of the most prestigious ninja of their village holding the demon fox child in his arms as if he were his.
Finding himself in the presence of a very respected and powerful ninja while cuddling a baby in his arms that wasn't even his made Kakashi's face extremely red. Sarutobi noticed this and motioned for the fellow ANBU members that accompanied him to wait outside, which they were all too eager to obey, considering the fact that, were the rumors true, a demon child was in that room.
Sarutobi said nothing as he walked over to the left side of Kakashi's bedside, while Kakashi wallowed in embarrassment and racked his brain of what to say. When the old man approached Naruto he bent down and examined the child.
Naruto gazed back at the man, studying his features, and then let out a loud giggle, clapping his hands happily. Sarutobi grinned warmly and straightened out.
"He looks just like his father," he stated simply.
Kakashi's mouth just hung open. He was secretly glad his mask prevented him from looking so silly.
"How—"
The old man chuckled. "I know it was a secret, and I'm probably the only other one who knows. Besides, who else would Minato choose to seal the demon within?" He smiled at Kakashi. "So, do you blame the boy for Minato's death? Do you believe him to be a monster?"
Kakashi was puzzled as to why he was being asked this, but ignored his surprise and shook his head.
Sarutobi gave a satisfied nod. "Perhaps you're one of the few." He fell silent and dangled his finger in front of the boy, breaking into a wide smile as it was eagerly accepted. The two sat/stood there in silence until Naruto was bored with the finger, both in a sort of admiring trance.
Finally Sarutobi spoke, "I have been asked to take upon my title of Hokage again in light of Yondaime's death." Kakashi quickly looked up.
That was fast, he noted. Usually the council would sit for hours to debate until they reached a final decision.
"From what I have seen, the word about Naruto harboring the Nine-Tailed Fox has spread like a disease throughout this village. Everyone I have seen already views him as a monster, their eyes turning a hideous cold stare when he is mentioned; especially those who lost beloved ones during the attack."
"But that's ridiculous! Naruto didn't do anything—"
"Exactly," the Third Hokage finished. "Right now they just need an outlet for their anger, yet I fear that that anger will remain long into the future." He turned to Kakashi, a sad smile on his face. "It looks like you and I are the only ones who consider this young life a normal human being. I will do everything I can to try and make his life easier, but he will not lead a pleasant life." He sighed exhaustedly, rubbing his temples.
"I have made the decision to make it forbidden to talk about the fact that the demon is sealed within him, in hopes that his generation will be able to accept him as who he is, not what he carries. I don't want their minds clouded, because that is the only way he might have a chance for happiness."
Sarutobi considered Kakashi for a moment. "Will you take on the responsibilities of caring for him, at least until he reaches the age of where he can take care of himself?"
Kakashi's eyes widened. Take care of him? Of a baby? He had absolutely no area of experience in that field. Besides that, he was barely 15 years old himself.
Sensing the fear and objection in his countenance, the Third Hokage remarked, "I know you feel unfit for the job, but you seem to have done good so far. Fetched him some food, fed him properly, and you seem to have grown a fondness for him. Don't worry," he added in a whisper, "I won't tell anyone."
Kakashi couldn't help but give a small smirk. "What about my duties as a shinobi? As a member of ANBU?"
"I think it's best that you take a little break from missions. Think of it as an extended vacation, just until he's old enough to be left alone." When Kakashi cocked an eyebrow Sarutobi quickly hurried on.
"I regret having to drop this into your lap, but there is no way I can look after a child, because I need to be ready to fight for the village at a moments notice. If I could find a babysitter to watch him when I was too busy, I would. However," he said, his voice laced with bitterness, "as you can tell, there is probably no one else in this entire village who would be willing to be with him more than they have to.
"You are the only person in this world whom this child has."
Kakashi mentally groaned. Going a while without his missions? To stay at home to baby-sit all day? He frowned at the child in his arms, but felt his resistance crumble as the baby cooed and giggled up at him.
How was this happening? Kakashi had stared down countless opponents, many of whom had the power to wipe his existence off the face of the earth, yet now he was succumbing to the charms of a young baby who was barely a day old?
He sighed in surrender. "Fine." Sarutobi nodded in agreement and left the room.
"Once you've rested, come to my office with the boy and we'll discuss arrangements."
"Wait, you're telling me that you took care of me?!" Naruto screamed in amazement. "And you were only fifteen?"
Kakashi nodded. "The arrangements were made for your own apartment, and I took care of you for three years straight. After four years, I began to be sent on missions again, although they were small. You were very understanding for being so young, and found ways to entertain yourself. However, a little while before you entered the academy, the council intentionally put me on numerous extensive missions, just to keep us apart," he said angrily.
"They used the excuse that I was 'becoming too soft' for a shinobi, and that being away from you would do me some good." Kakashi swore. "What they were really doing was trying to alienate you, and make sure you were all alone, because they didn't want a monster to have any ties to the village."
"After I had been gone for a long time, you ran all by yourself to the Hokage mansion and demanded to know where I was. The council realized that we were very close, and so, they tricked you into thinking I was in a certain room, and then they had someone use a powerful genjutsu to make you forget all about me." Kakashi clenched his fists in anger.
"They did this without telling me. And so, when I returned after my mission, it was announced to me that I was unable to come near you or make myself known to you. If I broke that rule, they would have thrown me into prison." He sighed and gazed at Naruto with sorrowful eyes.
"I did what they told me, but I snuck around it. When I wasn't busy, I would follow you everywhere, making sure you were okay. I made sure you had enough to eat and that your apartment was somewhat clean," Kakashi smiled. "Then, somehow the Third was able to work it out that I was your sensei. He argued that you wouldn't recognize me, so they let it pass. However, for the first couple months we were being watched by different ANBU guards to make sure I didn't try to get too close to you." His eyes grew sad again.
"That's why I would ignore you guys sometimes, sticking my face into my book so that it would appear that I wasn't interested. I also tried to favor Sasuke, which worked after a while, because they stopped keeping us under surveillance." He locked eyes with Naruto.
"I know that it hurt you, me favoring Sasuke, but it seemed like the only way I could get the council off our backs. I deeply apologize for all the pain I caused you."
Naruto was amazed. Now everything made sense! He had always wondered who took care of him when he was young, but it was always so foggy he guess it was because he was too little to remember, and he had always wondered how his apartment would seem cleaner when he woke up and how he always seemed to have enough money for ramen (at least a few bowls).
Anger boiled up inside of him. The council had always been against him, always wanting to make his life a living hell!
"When I'm Hokage," he said through gritted teeth. "I will pick new council members, ones that I can trust."
Kakashi smiled at him. "You do that. Even at two years old, you would talk my ear off about becoming Hokage." He chuckled. "I guess it's just in your blood."
Naruto gave him a wide grin then enveloped him in a large hug, startling his sensei.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Kakashi just sat there stunned, but then he returned the hug in full, remembering all the times that Naruto would jump into his arms when he was younger. A single tear fell down his face.
When they were done, Naruto wiped his misty eyes before grinning. "So, did you ever take your mask off when I was little?"
Kakashi appeared thoughtful as he stood up. "Actually, I almost never wore my mask around you." Then he started to walk back towards the village, hands resting lazily in his pockets.
"WHAT?!" Naruto couldn't believe his ears. "You mean I used to know what you looked like under there?" He tore after Kakashi. "Come back! SHOW ME!"
Well, there you go. I had originally planned this to be a oneshot, but I guess I had a little more to say! I had a little trouble figuring out how to end it, so I hope it's okay! Thanks to all my reviewers!
QUICK NOTE: For anyone who cares, I've decided to write a companion story to this one, where I describe how Kakashi took care of him, and how the council slowly took his custody of Naruto away from him. I don't know what I'll call it as of right now, but I am going to write a companion to this story. Make sure to check it out!