Author's notes/Please read:
Before you read this chapter I would like to take the time to explain a few things that some people have been asking about and I would also love to thank you for reading this. I am loving the great reviews and I am so glad you guys are loving the story. Now I have a few things I would like to clear up.
1. Yes I know the timeline is all out of whack. I originally planned to have this story happen after the death of Jiryah and before the attack on Konoha by Pain. But some ideas flourished and words were written with inspiration. So I'm going to officially write this as an non canon story. Naruto knows Kurama and Neji is still alive. that is about the only differences in this story. (As of right now.)
2. This is not going to become a yaoi fanfiction, nor was it ever intended to. I'm looking more toward the Fatherly!Kakashi/Protective!Kakashi with Naruto. We will see how things turn out, but don't worry. It is not yaoi.
3. I'm sorry Kakashi is a bit out of character. I know. But you all will understand as the story progresses. Like I said before, this story isn't exactly canon. A few things will be different. Kakashi is going to be softer toward Naruto, more caring and more emotionally aware of his troubled past. Please be patient. Kakashi is my favorite character so I'm doing the best I can to write him the way he should be in this story.
Once again, thank you! Please enjoy and continue to rate. I love the positive feedback and it motivates me to finish upcomming chapters a lot faster.
Enjoy your read!
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! The trail reeks of their chakra, you were right Shino, they headed straight for the village and passed right by us!" Kiba was leading the group of three straight back to Konoha after they abandoned their mission half the way. Shino's insects detected unfamiliar and mass amounts of chakra on the second night of their travels when they had stopped to rest. Shikamaru felt uneasy about the direction they were headed so the trio decided to follow, knowing full well the consequences and risks of failing a mission directly ordered by the Hokage herself. The usually uninterested man felt particularly unnerved about the whole situation. He obviously wasn't going to take any chances and the others ultimately agreed with him.
With Kiba and Akamaru's sense of smell and the tracking abilities of Shino's bugs, they were able to stay far enough back to not get noticed but also be able to keep up. The feeling in his stomach grew tighter and tighter the more he realized that what he feared was true. The worst was knowing deep down that even with Shino, Kiba and Akamaru, they couldn't do anything but stay a distance away. Shikamaru clenched his fists in frustration.
Kiba's instincts were right as the group they were trailing headed straight for Konoha. As many as there were, the three of them couldn't possibly take them on alone so Shikamaru had to come up with a strategy. They'd ultimately have to wait until they reached the village to plan accordingly.
"Of course I was right Kiba. That's because my insects cannot lie. They are incapable-"
Kiba growled. "Okay Shino I get it. Let's just hurry up and get there, okay?" He sniffed the air and narrowed his eyes. "They should be reaching the village right about now. Let's go!" He yelled as they all rushed forward at full speed.
The first explosion came when they were just miles away from the city, and it took them all by surprise. Shino said out loud what they were all thinking, "They've gotten past the gate patrol, they're in the village and they've attacked."
"They're after Naruto." Shikamaru said, stating matter of fact. Both Kiba and Shino glanced at him. Kiba gaped.
"Naruto was injured in his last mission, right?" He asked.
Shikamaru nodded. "Which is why we need to pick up the pace and hurry."
The sight that met them at the gate a few minutes later was horrible. Bodies littered the ground, blood everywhere. They landed near the sight and looked around for any sign of the intruders. Shino was right, they managed to get past patrol and enter the village, to Shikamaru's dismay. The Hokage was ignorant to have sent him on this mission instead of staying back to track and manage security.
Kiba and Akamaru sniffed around, the dog whining his displeasure. Kiba nodded in agreement. "There's no survivors here," He said solemnly. "The enemy is heading to the east end of Konoha." Akamaru barked. "They haven't gotten very far." He sniffed the air and grimaced at the smell of blood and smoke.
Shikamaru turned and looked at him. "Did you say they were headed east?"
Akamaru barked in agreement and Kiba cocked his head. "Yeah. Why Shikamaru, what's wrong?" He examined the worried and slightly annoyed look on his face.
"They're not wasting any time. Come on, Kiba, Shino!" He said before hurrying off, leaving the others in his dust. The two looked at each other and Akamaru whimpered. After a brief pause, they both nodded and went after Shikamaru.
"L-Lady Hokage!" Shizune flustered while following Tsunade close on her heels. "They're inside the city. What are we gonna do!?"
The moment the first call came in, Tsunade was up in arms with frustration and a desire to drown herself in a field of sake. The Anbu had sent word that despite all of her efforts, Konoha was infiltrated and under siege. She immediately sent out two teams to counterattack and a third to help evacuate the villagers. Hinata, Neji, Choji and Ino were among the two main teams. Without Kakashi and Naruto, they were at a great disadvantage but that didn't show down their step.
Guy, Tenten and Lee were all in charge of the younger shinobi in helping escort any endangered villagers to safety. Konohamaru and his team would also help and locate any children separated from their families. Lady Tsunade's upkeep seemed to have been going well until reports of the first explosion came in. There were casualties. The enemy wasn't biding their time.
She fumed. "I know Shizune! I've sent every available shinobi out into the field." Her pace quickened and she turned to the Jounin who was on his knees before her. "What do we know?"
"There is about twenty of them, Lady Hokage. They're well armed and there's a jutsu they equip that we are unfamiliar with and it's bringing us down by the numbers, and they are even able to gain control of our comrades and turn them against us. We don't know what to make of it." He bowed his head lower. "Neji and Lady Hinata seem to be the only ones who can counter their attacks by blocking the chakra but even that is only temporary!"
Tsunade grunted. "I was afraid of that." She turned and looked out the window. "The research we've conducted over the past few days has been inconclusive despite my teams efforts. I've yet to formulate a countermeasure to the chakra control jutsu and I fear it's now being used against us." She turned around. "Tell me, what land are these shinobi from?"
"We've gotten reports that there are a few from the Amagakure, Sunagakure, and a predominant amount of them identify from Kumogakure, the village hidden by Clouds." He hesitated. "Some are recognized by their photos in each village's bingo book."
Tsunade turned and looked at him quizzically. "Some? Why Do you hesitate?"
He closed his eyes. "Others are only children, some as young as twelve."
Lady Tsunade and Shizune gasped. The Hokage slammed her fists on the table and the others winced. "Do they appear to be under the influence of another chakra?" She demanded.
"I can't be sure," He winced. "Their Intent to Kill is just as prominent as the others. If they are under any control, then they are otherwise unconscious and unable to control their own bodies at all."
Lady Tsunade spun around. "Alert the Hyuga Clan, we need all of their able-bodied men out on the field to suppress the enemy's chakra. Send out the order, do not kill any of the children no matter what. You may incapacitate them so they may cause no further harm to themselves and others. Go now!" She shouted, and the Jounin was gone.
"I knew it!" She ran her hand through her hair and walked past a disgruntled Shizune "I absolutely knew the Raikage had nothing to do with this. He'd never work together with the other lands. He is the last of the Kage who would do anything like that." She took a deep breath and turned around when a voice sounded at the door.
"You're right" Homura spoke, walking into the chamber, Koharu following close. Behind them emerged two members of the Anbu black ops. Owl and Cat. Tsunade groaned and rubbed her eyes.
"You did this without my permission?" She asked, well aware of what they were about to say.
"We thought it for the best, but we confirmed your suspicions, the Raikage nor none of the Kage know of any activity by this unnamed group of rogue shinobi." The Elder spoke.
"I sent out my own team," The Hokage simply stated, ignoring Koharu and throwing a glare at a well knowing Shizune. She shuffled her feet and squeezed an unhappy Tonton.
Homura crossed his arms. "Your team of three barely made it halfway before abandoning their mission and turning back. We had these two sent out before we even spoke with you the other day."
Lady Tsunade was in no mood to start an argument with the two elders. She stood and walked around the desk, facing them and the anbu. "You two, get out there and defend the lines. I want a full debrief when we're through here."
They both glanced at each other and then the elders. They were gone in an instant. Tsunade looked at them. "We'll speak about this another time. Right now my priority is Konoha. Do you know where my team is?"
"Shikamaru and the others turned and followed the enemy when they caught wind of what was going on. Our Anbu said they completely abandoned their mission to follow them." Homura stated.
Koharu shook her head. "This doesn't matter. We've retained the info we needed. It is by sheer luck that your boy decided to turn tail. They should be in the village by now-"
As she spoke a voice came from behind, startling Shizune out of her shoes. "Sorry, Lady Tsunade." Shikamaru smiled. "I wasn't too thrilled about going out anyway. It was a real drag." He rolled his eyes and crawled into the room. "What'd I miss?" He asked, sarcastically.
Tsunade glared at him and his eyes widened. "I uh.."
"Nevermind that, Shikamaru, where are the other two?" Lady Tsunade questioned.
"Kiba and Shino are helping with the efforts up front. I ducked out and came here as soon as I could. I thought maybe you could use a little help."
The Hokage stammered. "W-Well yes of course Shikamaru." She turned around and walked to the window and stood next to him, looking outside. She watched the smoke rise from the buildings below. A scream could be heard from a child not far in the distance. She grimaced, and Shikamaru spoke.
"They know where Naruto is." He said simply, causing Tsunade to turn on her heel, looking down on him.
"How do you know that Shikamaru." She asked.
"They're headed east over toward the hospital." He paused for a moment and everyone looked at him. "I believe that is just a diversion though."
"A diversion that large?" Homura asked. "I don't think so. They are attacking this village with intent, there is no doubt about that."
"It is!" Shikamaru stressed, turning to look at the elders. "Think about it. If they were to get Naruto while he was injured and unable to defend himself, why bother with us now? Later on they would have control over the… over Kurama and this group could wipe out Konoha or any other village with just a single thought!" He waved his hands for emphasis. "Elders, I was out there. I saw what they were doing to our very own. It was like they weren't in their own bodies anymore!"
Shizune shivered and the elders said nothing. "Imagine if they could get their hands on Naruto. I hate to say it but even he would be no match for this damn jutsu." He narrowed his eyes and sighed. "Kakashi sure wasn't. It tore him apart…" They all paused for a moment and looked at each other.
Koharu finally nodded and sighed. "Perhaps we were wrong about you young shinobi. The old and feeble shall always be surpassed, just as was foretold."
Homura nodded in reluctant agreement. "If this is the case, then you must get to Naruto immediately. He could be in serious danger."
Shikamaru nodded. "I trust Kakashi to protect him but even he is injured. I'll head out right away." As he spoke a second wave erupted from an explosion too close for comfort. A black plume of smoke rose quickly into the air and by now the entire village was in a panic. Shikamaru looked at Tsunade and she nodded.
"Sakura should be there already, she's helping tend to the wounded but she hasn't reported in. Hurry, I have a bad feeling." She instructed as she turned away.
"You too, huh?" He said as he jumped out of the window.
The Iruka imposter smiled wickedly and twisted the blade, causing Kakashi to lurch involuntarily and gasp. He fell to his knees as the blade was ripped from his chest. The Jounin's grip held fast on Naruto who looked on in a speechless shock as they both fell to the ground. The boy's eyes grew small and he held onto Kakashi, pulling him back away from the man. He managed to scramble back a few feet and up against the wall while still gripping Kakashi by the waist.
Naruto was too weak to fight, let alone stand for a long period of time. His sensei was just ruthlessly stabbed by, Iruka? Nothing made sense. It looked like Iruka, even his chakra was him. Naruto was in shock and he didn't know what to do. He held onto Kakashi and just sat there, glaring furiously at the man that stood before them, laughing maniacally.
"Naruto, listen to your sensei and come with me, boy. Will you do that? I don't wish for anymore harm to come to you or your friends." He hummed and licked the blood off of the weapon he used against Kakashi.
"Liar!" Naruto growled lowly, not taking his eyes off the man even to look at Kakashi. His gaze held fast, as if he were attempting to kill the man with his eyes. "I will destroy you… you…" His voice broke and he closed his eyes, looking down.
The man with Iruka's name chortled. "And how exactly do you plan on doing that?" He asked. "You know, I really am your precious Iruka, after all. I just happened to be under the control of someone else." He laughed as if he had just heard a seriously funny joke. "It's all me, Naruto."
"I don't- no I don't believe you. This is a trick." Naruto shook his head. He didn't want to believe it.
"Look for yourself, kid. I am who I say I am. That's just how it is." He smiled and flipped the blade in his hand before pointing it at Kakashi. "I have a question for you, Kakashi."
Naruto stiffened and glanced at his sensei. The man was barely conscious and had already lost a decent amount of blood from his chest wound. The cut was not deep enough to pierce the heart but it still managed to be an effective wound. The Jounin would eventually die if Naruto couldn't get any help in time. He was already shaking and the color began to leave his face as he looked at Naruto.
Naruto took the sleeve of his shirt by his teeth and ripped it off haphazardly. He balled it up into a wad and pressed it tightly against the wound in his sensei's chest. The man whimpered in protest to the pain and his hand moved to grab Naruto's arm. The boy froze up at the touch for a few second but then he smiled slightly. "You'll be okay, Sensei. Just hang on." He lied to himself. Kakashi nodded.
"Why did you do it?" Iruka asked. "Why did you let yourself take my blade? I sensed that you knew what was up the moment I said something I shouldn't have said. I saw it in your eyes."
Kakashi closed his eyes, his voice strained. "Yeah, I knew. Iruka I knew from the moment you walked into that door." Is was too painful for him to speak, sharp knife-like pains stabbed him in the chest. He grew quiet, breathing heavily.
Iruka and Naruto's eyes widened. The man looked on, puzzled. "Why do nothing about it then? Why leave yourself to be killed like that. He made to take a step forward but the boy holding the dying man in his arms growled viciously. Kakashi flinched and opened his eyes to something familiar.
"If you take one more step forward, I'll annihilate you!" He roared. His eyes narrowed, a faint red glow accompanied them, and he bared his teeth. He held Kakashi to his chest, the man barely responding to the movement or the pressure that was being put on his chest.
Naruto's grip on the man loosened. He was wasting too much of his strength just yelling at this man. There was no way… There was no way Naruto could do anything. He felt helpless, powerless. He held a life in his hands and he couldn't protect it. Kakashi was going to die.
Iruka smiled and mockingly took two steps forward, becoming just over an arm's length away from the boy and his sensei. Naruto glared but didn't move. "You really want to kill me Naruto, your very own Academy teacher?" He shook his finger sarcastically. "Tsk tsk, Kakashi taught you better than that, boy." Naruto clenched his fists and blinked away a tear. "Now, Kakashi I know you're still with us. Do tell me why the world's renowned Copy Ninja managed to screw himself over like this, I'd love to know." He put his hands on his hips and leaned forward, eyeing the man curiously.
Kakashi turned to look at him, his eyes were unfocused and he swallowed. "It's because you're Iruka." He simply said. "I don't want to lose anyone." He sighed heavily and shivered, sending a tingling sensation down the back of Naruto's neck. Kakashi closed his eyes and weakly laid his head on Naruto's chest. "I'm sorry Naruto." He coughed violently, soaking his mask with blood. He still had a tight grip on Naruto's arm, which had found it's way to Kakashi's lap. The boy squeezed his eyes shut tightly.
"Please, Kakashi-sensei, just hold on a little longer. Please." Naruto prayed his strength to return to him. If he had no other choice, he would have to kill Iruka. He would want it that way anyway. There's no way Iruka would want to live like that the rest of his life. He'd rather die. Naruto knew that. But there was no strength. Naruto sat there, helpless. The cloth he was using to try and slow the bleeding was completely soaked in blood, useless. Just like him.
Iruka laughed. "So pathetic. You are so pathetic!" His laugh grew into an angry rage. "Leaf Shinobi Kakashi Hatake of the Sharingan killed by one of his own. Pathetic!" He yelled angrily. "There is more to this," He looked around the room as if he suddenly suspected another presence. "There's no way in hell it's this easy."
Suddenly he charged forward, blade extended. He took Naruto by surprise, having no time to react and move. He closed his eyes and screamed as the blade aimed for Kakashi's life. "No!"
Clang!
Snap!
"What the…"
Naruto's heart was on steroids as he opened his eyes to find two more figures in his vision. Kakashi shuddered and curled into himself and for a tense moment, Naruto thought that his sensei had been stabbed again, but when he looked up and at the figures, his heart skipped a beat.
The blade, that aimed for Kakashi's throat had been blocked, mere inches from its target. A man familiar to Naruto stood before the two, arm extended with its own blade, blocking the attack. He breathed heavily, his eyes narrowed. He was trembling with anger and annoyance.
"Shikamaru!" Naruto stammered, he was shaking. "Shikamaru, please." He glanced toward Kakashi and choked back tears. Kakashi laid barely conscious in his arms, he was hardly able to keep his grip on Naruto's arm. His breaths were short and tiring, it was taking too much effort for him to even breathe. His eyes were unfocused, glazed over, staring right through Naruto.
The relief was short lived as Shikamaru shoved the blade and the man with it, backwards into the wall farthest from the door with such angered force that it took Iruka by surprise. He slammed into the wall with a loud 'oomph'! and fell to the floor. Shikamaru's fist clenched his blade tightly as he aimed to throw it at Iruka but Naruto stopped him.
"Shikamaru! Stop, that's Iruka-sensei. For real." His voice shook but he spoke loud enough for him to hear. "Don't kill him if you don't have to."
Shikamaru looked at Naruto from the corner of his eye. "He attacked you, Naruto. That's not Iruka."
"Yes it is!" He argued.
"How are you sure, Naruto?" He lowered his arm a little.
"Because Kakashi-sensei... he..." Naruto swallowed his own words.
Shikamaru stiffened and turned around, a pained look of horror on his face as he realized what was before his eyes. He gritted his teeth and knelt down next to the two of them, grabbing Kakashi's wrist. "Oh God, Naruto." He said heavily. He shook his head and closed his eyes. "Sakura, please. Please come help us!" He said harshly, causing Naruto to look up at him. His friend swallowed and took a deep breath. "Hang on Kakashi, can you hear me?"
Kakashi didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the boy holding him. So many things were going through his mind. So many feelings, all surprisingly except pain. Didn't he just get stabbed? Why? Oh yeah… he did get stabbed. He was going numb and the pain was starting to go away. Even the nagging pain in his stomach was mostly non-existent now. He wondered why? His vision was starting to go but he could still see Naruto. The boy was talking to someone but no sound came from his mouth. This confused Kakashi but at the same time he didn't really care. Blackness surrounded him and engulfed him comfortingly and he counted a few familiar feelings. Love, comfort… peace. "As long as Naruto is safe…"
Sakura, catching the attention of Naruto, was over standing next to an unconscious Iruka, examining him before she hastily made her way to where the others were. A quick realization of what was going on and her eyes grew wide with panic. She rushed over to the Jounin's side and wasted no time applying medical ninjutsu in the wound. She also shook her head, and tears began to stream down her face.
"Oh God..." Shikamaru's voice was rough with familiarity of the scene and his stomach turned in knots as he remembered Asuma's death. He bit back a wave of nausea and dared not glance up to Naruto. The horror of witnessing another of his friends losing a sensei would be enough to bring Shikamaru to his knees. "Kakashi no... How could this happen?" Rage overpowered the sickening feeling in his stomach and he pounded his fist on the ground. "This isn't supposed to happen. It's not supposed to be like this!"
"No, no please." Naruto whispered, unable to find his voice. He knew it from the beginning. He knew that he couldn't... but he still denied it. "Don't tell me…"
Shikamaru placed Kakashi's arm down to his side and stood back, his eyes closed. He bit his lip. The Jounin's breaths grew short and painful with each passing second and Naruto clutched him against his chest with all of his remaining strength. "Kakashi-sensei please don't die. Please." There was nothing that could be done. Sakura's chakra couldn't heal a fatal wound, even as she pushed herself beyond her own limits, Shikamaru pulled her back and into a hug as she went into a speechless shock.
"Don't stop Sakura!" Naruto shouted. "Save him, please!" Tears clouded his vision and he shook his head. "No…" Why did Kakashi do it? Why did he let himself take it like this? There had to be more... something Naruto was missing. No. It was clear as day. All of this was Naruto's fault. Kakashi wanted to protect him, Kakashi would give his life to protect him, but what could he do? Nothing. He was useless! He was powerless and he let this happen. He let Kakahsi...
Kakashi grew limp in Naruto's arms, the hand that had held on to the boy for so long fell to his side with a deafening thud. His breaths grew short and raspy, slower and slower as the young boy gathered him up in his arms. The shaking ceased, and his eyes began to slowly cloud over. Naruto's hand shook as he placed it on Kakashi's chest, feeling it slow to a crawl with the rest of the world. The ragged breaths that escaped the man's throat ceased, and very soon after, his heart gave up. Shikamaru and Sakura could only look on as Kakashi could no longer fight, relaxing completely in Naruto's arms, as if he were simply sleeping. The only sound in the room was Naruto's silent sobs as he clutched the man to his chest and Sakura's faint weeping in Shikamaru's arms.
Kakashi was dead.
Someone was laughing.