A/N: Sorry this took so long to update but I got hurt and haven't been able to type very well lately. Anyway, as promised here is a brief chapter where Naruto goes to Minato's old house. I'm not quite up to my usual standards but I hope you enjoy and I should be back on track soon! (I hope…) As always I only own my OC Reyna, everything you recognize is property of Masashi Kishimoto.
MINATO
Naruto strode out of the Leaf Village with the rest of the Leaf ninja, except for Reyna who was standing off to the side watching them leave. Kakashi was the only one to hesitate before leaving the village, the rest of the ninja, even those who knew Reyna fairly well, knew that it was the best choice for her to make. Despite the people around them, Kakashi kissed her quickly before joining the rest of the group and not looking back again. Naruto paced along in the middle of the group, muttering to himself about not getting the chance to finish the Exam…yet again.
Kakashi caught up to him that night when the group made camp, "Naruto, can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure, Kakashi-Sensei," he muttered in reply and followed his teacher away from the rest of the group.
"Look, Naruto, I know that you're upset about the results of this trip but whether or not you're officially a Chuunin, you have accomplished more than most other ninja. You've faced Akatsuki and put up one hell of a fight against them, you've aided in the recovery of the Kazekage and helped countless others along the way. You have mastered high level jutsu and trained with the legendary Sanin. All of that makes you an exceptional ninja, without equal and no rank can match any of that," Kakashi told him quietly.
Naruto sighed, "I know, I know. It's just that this time I would have made it. How am I supposed to be Hokage if I can't manage to get past being a Genin?"
Kakashi chuckled, "You will, Naruto. I promise. Right now though, we need to focus on finding out what the hell happened in the Sand Village."
Naruto nodded and Kakashi started back for the camp before Naruto stopped him briefly, "Hey, Kakashi-Sensei? Thanks and I'm sorry that you had to leave Reyna-Sensei in the Sand I know that couldn't have been an easy choice for either of you."
Kakashi shook his head with a smile under his mask and shrugged, "It was the right choice though. We'll just have to figure out a way to get through it all."
With that said, Kakashi headed back to the group, though even then he kept himself separated from them. Naruto followed him back, still thinking about what Kakashi had just told him. Neither one of them slept well that night, though it was for different reasons and the remainder of the trip back passed quietly for the entire group.
As soon as they reached the village, Kakashi disappeared presumably for his home and the rest of the group dispersed to random places. Naruto found himself walking alone through the streets and considering grabbing lunch at Ichiraku when he stuffed his hands in his pockets and his fingers brushed a random key. He stopped dead, suddenly realizing that with everything that had been going on the past while, he had completely forgotten to go and check out his father's house. He resumed walking, debating on whether or not he should go when he caught sight of Kakashi's unmistakable form and he jogged up to his teammate.
"Hey, Kakashi-Sensei can I ask a favor?" Naruto asked quietly as he slowed to walk beside Kakashi.
"Sure, I guess. What did you want, Naruto?" Kakashi asked, not bothering to look up from his book.
Naruto smirked, "You know, ever since you and Reyna got together I haven't noticed you reading those books as much…anyway, I was wondering if you'd go with me to the Fourth's house."
That caught Kakashi's attention and he nodded slowly, "Sure. When did you want to go?"
"Now?"
Again Kakashi nodded and the two headed through the village to the Fourth's Hokage's Estate. It didn't take long before the two were standing in front of the door and Naruto dug the key from his pocket before handing it to Kakashi who quirked a brow.
"Worried that the door's going to explode or something?" Kakashi asked with a smile.
"No, not really…"
Kakashi chuckled and unlocked the door before pushing it open. He and Naruto entered slowly, Kakashi a step ahead of his student as he glanced around the foyer of the house. Slowly the two toured through the rest of the place, Kakashi occasionally pointing out items that he remembered Minato having on missions or as training tools when he had been Kakashi's teacher. They took most of the afternoon sifting through the house; looking through boxes and closets until they felt confident that they had checked out the vast majority of the items that had been left in there.
"Do you think I should move in here?" Naruto asked quietly, glancing up at Kakashi as they headed back out of the house and he was locking the door.
"That's up to you, Naruto. You could move in now, or you can wait until you're older…maybe even wait until you're Hokage as well. If it doesn't feel right to be in there, then don't force it. Eventually you may be able to move here, but make sure you're comfortable with it."
"Is that why you don't live in the Hatake Estates?" Naruto asked cautiously.
Kakashi face fell blank and he was silent for a long minute before he spoke again, "I have my reasons for why I moved out and why I continue to avoid the place but eventually even I may find a reason to go back there and live again. Although if that happens, I may have to do some major renovations…maybe gut the entire house."
Naruto laughed and shook his head, "I guess you're right. When it feels right, then I can always move but right now at least I know there's someplace I can go that was my dad's."
"Come on, Naruto. I'll buy you ramen," Kakashi offered and Naruto's mouth fell open.
"You're offering to pay for something? Wow, Reyna-Sensei really has started to rub off on you," he finally laughed.
Kakashi chuckled even as he laid a hand on his students shoulder, heading for Ichiraku, "Careful, Naruto, she's not here to save your ass."
Naruto laughed and the two continued back towards Ichiraku where Kakashi did, in fact, buy Naruto dinner before heading for his own apartment; not that he expected to get much sleep that night or anything, but at least he could rest up before he resumed training Naruto the following day.
A/N: There you are peoples! As always please review and let me know what you think. Again I apologize for taking so long to post, but hand injuries are not conducive to typing! Hoping to have another chapter up tomorrow!