-ooooooooooooo-
"What?"
Came the quiet, confused exasperation of a silver-haired teenager. Staring at his sensei with one eye, wide and dilated, Kakashi Hatake, the usually stoic and quiet shinobi, and example among examples, for once appeared completely taken aback. His black eye stared directly into the blonde in front of him, as if questioning his elder.
Whilst Kakashi stood gormlessly in front of him, Minato allowed a devilish smirk to emerge over his features. Oh yes, this is fun.
Minato sits at his desk, his chin resting against the back of his hands, as he looks at his student. Leaning on his desk and completely disregarding the important paperwork he know he needs to complete, the young Hokage just decides to saver this moment, and lock it into memory. Behind him, slightly on his left, is Sarutobi who appears just as amused as himself.
Earlier in the day, Sarutobi had come to him for advice on how to take care of Naruto. At first Minato was insulted, and was extremely close to banishing the older man from his office, until Sarutobi's expression turned to a cruel grin, and he merely said: "Kakashi"
Whilst it made little sense at the time, the name had caught Minato off guard, and thus, allowed the old-hokage to explain his idea in depth and Minato, ultimately, agreed to the devilish plan.
Now, Minato was a kind man. He enjoyed pleasing people and helping them achieve their goals. However, Minato was also an oddly sadistic individual, specifically in regards to tormenting his only student. That student just so happened to be Kakashi. It also just happened that Kakashi had very little life-skills, as he never needed them, and now, Minato was going to 'help' his student.
This is why at this moment in time, Minato sits at his desk with a smile, whilst Kakashi stares at him with complete disbelief. No.
"Um, sensei? I believe you're forgetting who I am-"
"Now, now Kakashi. Everyone has to hold a baby eventually" Minato's grin widens, whilst Sarutobi smiles at the horror on the other shinobi's face.
"I-I don't want kids!" Kakashi exclaimed, sweat dripping down his face and mask.
"Your friends will." Minato responds quickly, marvelling in his student's pain.
"I-What does that have to do with me?!"
"What? Would Uncle Kakashi never pick up his nephew?" Minato hears an amused snort sound from behind him.
"No! I don't- What makes you think I want to baby-sit your kid?!" Minato dropped his hands down to the desk, allowing the silver-haired youth to see his cruel smirk.
"Why, I know you don't want to baby-sit anyone's child. However, I'm your Hokage, and this, my dear student, is your new mission" Minato watches desperation sliver over the other's features.
"You-you can't make me do a mission I have no experience in! Make someone else do it! Hell, even Gai would be a better option!"
"I know. That's why I'm picking you" Minato states bluntly.
Kakashi visibly wilts in front of him, making the Hokage laugh heartily. Sarutobi himself lets out a few quiet chuckles, before lifting his vision back up to the youngster.
"Kakashi. Minato wants you to do this mission, because he trusts you to take care of Naruto. It's an important mission: Guarding and protecting the son of a Hokage. Many would jump at the chance"
Ah, there goes the 3rd Hokage; well aware of Kakashi's odd need to complete difficult and highly trusting missions. Kakashi had always adored being praised, but only truly believed he deserved it when it was regarded as a highly sought after job. Minato could see the resistance fade from those black eyes.
Releasing a pained sigh, Kakashi shakes his head and shoves his hands back into his pockets, trying to appear aloof again. After a few moments of amused silence, one of those hands reaches up and scratches the back of his neck.
"Um, sensei?" Amused, Minato replies sweetly:
"Yes, Kakashi?" Letting out a visible shiver, Kakashi gulps and blushes slightly, whilst giving a pouty expression.
"I'll do it. But, only if Sarutobi-sensei, um, helps me adjust to this new schedule…"
A few moments pass in silence as Minato feels a laughing fit about to spill over his carefully maintained control. Not able to handle it anymore Minato bursts out laughing, dropping his head on the desk and holding on tightly to the strong wood. Kakashi's face turns redder, and his pout sours even more so than before.
-ooooooooooooo-
"So, Kakashi?"
"Yes, Sensei?"
"How much exactly do you know about children?"
-ooooooooooooo-
It was with that short, awkward conversation that Sarutobi was beginning to question this idea. Though perfect in theory, in all his years he had never seen anyone so inept to take care of children. The 3rd Hokage had learned two specific things today: 1, Kakashi knew nothing about taking care of children, of any age for that matter, AND 2, Kakashi had no common sense.
For a student highly praised for his skills and strengths on the battle field and his strategies when off the front, Kakashi was one of the most unsocial, difficult person to work with that Sarutobi ever met. Even Orochimaru, his old student, had not been this difficult to work with.
He started with the basics this morning, and those basics entailed 'How-to-hold-a-baby-properly', 'How-to-rock-a-baby', and the most controversial, 'How-to-lay-a-baby-down-again'. At this moment, Kakashi was 'practicing' rocking Naruto on the other side of the small nursery, whilst Sarutobi sat in an armchair, with his face leaning against his hand, trying to soothe a building headache. Even now, Sarutobi was on high alert thanks to Kakashi almost dropping the babe several times earlier in the day.
Sarutobi was regretting this idea.
Though thankfully, Naruto was being extremely patient with the idiotic youth constantly picking him up and rocking him for no reason. Looking up at the teen with big, blue eyes, Naruto's gaze seemed to pierce straight through his calm mask, it truly felt like this baby could see how scared he was at possibly dropping him.
Kakashi had tried to play cool and calm all morning, but inside, he was shaking and terrified he'd hurt this child. Now, his mask was starting to fail with the longer he spent with this baby. Why was he even doing this?!
"Sensei. Please-"
"Just put him down."
"But, Sensei-"
"Kakashi! Put Naruto down you twit!" The elder rose out of his seat, rushing over to the youth's side and taking the baby from his arms. Looking the child over for any distress, and seeing none, Sarutobi placed the blonde baby down into his crib.
Sighing, Sarutobi turned to the silver-haired teen, and said in an eerily quiet tone:
"Kakashi, could you go downstairs for a couple of minutes please?"
Not having to be told twice, Kakashi nearly ran out of the room, fearing for his own life. Dragging his hand down his face in a tired, aching motion, Sarutobi took another look at the baby. Naruto's big eyes stared back, as if pleading for attention. Giving a soft smile, Sarutobi gently rubs Naruto's cheek affectionately, before heading down to speak with his 'student'.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Sarutobi sends a displeased look over at Kakashi, who is currently sitting on the sofa uncomfortably. Sighing to himself, the elder walks into the room to sit opposite the youth, who glances at him silently in slight fear.
"Um, Sensei, shouldn't-"
"Naruto will be fine on his own for two minutes. Now, Kakashi, explain to me why this is such a problem?"
Kakashi's gaze shifts a few times, looking clearly distressed, before releasing a breath quietly and calming himself.
"I-I'm not good with children. You know this, and so does Minato-sensei. I don't know why this is so difficult. I just-"
"Kakashi, be honest" Sarutobi interrupts, not allowing the younger to dance around the problem.
"I- Look, I'm worried I'll mess up! Okay?! This is new to me!"
Sarutobi smiles slightly at the sudden outburst, knowing this is the best way to deal with the problem. At least until Minato's is finished at the office.
"I'm aware this is new to you, but usually you don't concerned yourself with making mistakes-"
"I've already made enough mistakes! I promised Sensei I'd never make one again! And accidently hurting Minato's son is not going to be one of them!"
Sarutobi's eyes were widen in momentary shock, before softening just like his entire expression and saddening slightly. Kakashi, though he was loathe to admit, had not had the best luck as a young shinobi. With his teammates dead, and just him and his sensei left, Kakashi was very much out-casted. In fact, despite Minato and his own attempts, Kakashi had only really grown one true friend since his teammate's deaths, and that person was Gai.
Unlikely though it may seem, Gai was very different to Kakashi, yet loved to please and show is strength. He was also surprisingly good with people, despite his odd habits, though most would look past them over time. Gai, in a sense, was the one consistent thing to Kakashi. Gai was constantly fighting him, always loud and undoubtedly loyal, despite Kakashi's attempts to prove that fact wrong.
It amused Sarutobi and Minato to no end that Kakashi found salvation in, what most would describe as, an idiot.
Sarutobi then got a brilliant idea, realising how he could get this plan to work!
"Kakashi, what mission does Gai currently have?"
"What? Oh, um… I think he has a basic mission at the moment. Helping move materials I believe-"
"Go get him"
"Huh?"
"Kakashi. Go get Gai. He's excused from that mission, he now has a more important one"
"You can't just-"
After dragging Kakashi with one hand holding his arm out the front door, Sarutobi shoved the youth outside, and repeated quietly.
"Kakashi. Go get Gai. NOW"
With that, Kakashi was gone. Returning to Naruto and lifting the baby gently into his arms, exciting a happy gurgle, Sarutobi quickly went to Minato to tell him his new idea.
-ooooooooooooo-
"Hello, 3rd Hokage!" Gai greeted cheerfully, looking extremely happy though clearly unaware of the situation he was now dropped into. Especially as right behind him, Kakashi stood sulking and sagging; slowing become uncomfortable. Sarutobi smiled back at the black-haired teen, glad to see him.
"Hello, Gai. I see Kakashi got you here fast?"
"Ah, yes. Kakashi! You said I have a new mission? I can't wait!" Gai gave a dramatic fist-pump, which caused Kakashi to wilt even further into the background. Sarutobi let out a hearty laugh, before shaking his head with amusement.
"Yes, as a matter of fact. And don't worry yourself, I've spoken to the Hokage and you're free from your old mission, though you'll still get you pay check for that one-"
"Of course! I expect nothing less from the 3rd Hokage!" Gai interrupts happily, brimming with pride.
"Gai, please-"
"Ah, no, Kakashi! None of your gloom! Now, what's my mission?"
Shaking his head again, Sarutobi replies:
"Gai. This mission is extremely important, and I am hoping you can assist Kakashi with it, if only temporary"
"I shall do my best!"
"Idiot. You don't know what the mission is yet-"
"Well, it must be good if you need my help" Sarutobi could feel his own smile growing at the dispassionate expression Kakashi was now wearing.
"Now, Gai. I know this might seem like an odd question, but how good are you with children?"
Gai looked slightly taken aback by this question, though he quickly smiled assuringly.
"Sir, I am brilliant with children!"
"He scares them" Kakashi mutters from the background, though no one is listening to him anymore.
"Excellent. Then I presume you know how to take care of children?" Sarutobi queries.
"Um, of what age range sir?"
"Baby. Under a year old"
A moment of silence passes, the air thick with unspoken tension. Kakashi feels like he's about to crack and just leave, but before he can act, Gai responds:
"Oh, that's fine! I'm great with babies! Wait. Do you not know how to watch children Kakashi?"
Gai's question, and blank expression jab straight into his friend's discomfort. Kakashi, with sweat slowly running down his face, tries to muster up his confidence and respond with a witty insult, or just a response of some kind. However, Kakashi can't quite find any words to say, or his voice to speak with, so he just stands quietly for a few moments before turning away from Gai completely. Gai looks taken-aback by the sudden movement, but despite this, turns his attention back to Sarutobi.
"So, you need me and Kakashi to watch a baby?"
"Yes. But more specifically, I knew you to help teach Kakashi how to take care of said child"
"Doesn't sound too difficult-"
"This child is the 4th Hokage's son" Kakashi bites at the jump-suit wearing teen, who turns his head to him quickly in disbelief.
"Um, is there anything special I need to-?"
"Oh, no! Kakashi is going to be watching Naruto for the next few months or so, as the 4th is busy during the day, but he just needs some help learning how to handle him. I was hoping, knowing your character, that'd you'd be the person to advise him. So, Gai, how do you feel about a few weeks helping Kakashi here and there?"
"Of course, sir! I'm more than happy to! So, where is the boy- Naruto right? Might as well start now!" Gai leaves for the stairs, dragging Kakashi by the arm who makes a few muttered, half-hearted insults before eventually giving in. Yes, this was a good decision.
-ooooooooooooo-
A few weeks after Kakashi was put in charge of Naruto, and Gai had been called in to help his friend, Minato was sitting comfortably in his office, checking all his paperwork and his schedule several times before satisfying himself that everything that was planned had been done, and sorted. Looking out the window, Minato saw the skies slightly pink glow and sat quietly admiring the scene before him.
After giving himself a few minutes to gaze at the sky longingly, and day-dream about his wife, Minato rose from his chair and tidied away his documents and scrolls. Taking one last look at everything and making sure everything was in place, Minato called one of the Anbu down and reported that he was off for today, and happily ran home from roof to roof.
Once home, Minato entered the usually silent house and was surprised to hear a radio quietly playing in the background. Moving into the main living-room, Minato stopped for a moment and smiled warming at the sight laid before him.
On the floor, in front of one of the sofas was Kakashi, curled up and sleeping like a child, whilst Naruto leaned against his side, chewing his thumb happily. On the sofa sat Gai, looking tired but extremely pleased with himself as always. Giving a good-hearted wave, Gai stood up and lifted the small baby from his position and walked over to his father. Minato thanked Gai and took his son, smiling at the blonde's happy gurgle as he looked at his father.
Silently, Gai shook his silver-haired friend awake, and though still half-asleep, dragged him from the building with a guilty smile on his face. Giving one last wave to the adult, Gai left with his friend and attempted to get him home, to sleep, fast.
Well, that plan certainly worked.
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Author's Note:
Yay, next chapter! Sorry for the wait! 3
Yep, Kakashi torture over. Well, for now :D
I only have on more chapter with baby Naruto planned, and that involves some cute daddy-baby time. But soon, so we can get to the story. Though trust me, this fanfiction is going to be long, as I need to introduce various elements before he even becomes a genin!
I'll say now, if you're looking for a short fanfic with a quick hook-up between Naruto and Gaara, you're not going to find it here. Seriously, this thing is long, and I can't shorten it!
Anyway, thanks for all you peeps supporting me, and I hope you liked this chapter. Extra-long for a change!