Some of the chapter lengths from this point on my be erratic... not that I don't do that already but some may be longer than usual because it's hard to break up a thought. so please endure.

Naruto for a second felt like he couldn't breath not with the way that the man on top of him was squeezing. But struggle as he may the guy just wouldn't let go; and he had some idea why.

"I can do this."

When he had become genin his father had been furious. One, that he had gotten in such an incident with a village traitor and two, because the hokage, Obito, had allowed it. In fact he had never seen his father so angry in his life and it had started a war in the house where mom… well that was another story.

The fact was his father had been somewhat appeased it seemed after Kakashi was elected as the team leader and he promised that he would protect him.

Though that thought had pissed Naruto off for awhile too.

Kakashi squeezed him tighter,

"Oi! I can't breathe!"

Naruto yelled as he struggled to push the man off, But the man wouldn't budge. After a turbulent moment of the best announcement in the world (in Naruto's humble opinion) Kakashi let them go for the day. Sakura asked Sasuke fore advice and Sasuke though a bit reluctant agreed to give her some pointers. Next thing Naruto knew a hand had grabbed his arm and he had reappeared in a dark room with Kakashi squeezing the life out of him.

He remembered the room though.

Plain with not much things in fact the only thing noticeable was the bookshelf stacked with books and the printed bed covers he had. It was not the first time that naruto had been there in fact he had visited quite a few times.

And every time he came he had a strong feeling of nostalgia, like he had been here before; not just as a visit but like he had lived there. He already knew Kakashi schedule and how he looked sleeping. How the man once he opened his eyes wouldn't be able to close them. Naruto didn't know how he knew these things but it was as if they were imprinted in his memory and he didn't so much mind.

But back to the problem; Kakashi needed to let go.

"Oi if you let go i'll give you a kiss"

He felt the older man twitch and knew he got him. Slowly Kakashi eased up and leaned back eye solely on Naruto.

And Naruto saw it all. The insecurity, the fear, the desperation. He didn't know where it stemmed from but Kakashi was always it seemed scared to lose him. Rin had mentioned that she thinks someone had hurt Kakashi because he went through a dark period in his life. But Naruto really wondered if that was it because like now when Kakashi looked at him. It was as if the man would fall to pieces if Naruto so much as left the room.

"You said you'd give me a kiss.."

Naruto blinked having gotten lost in thought,

"Ah...yea"

He snaked his hand around Kakashi's head so that he could untie the man's headband; Naruto loved the way Kakashi looked without his headband.

"You know i can't stay a genin forever"

The headband fell and Kakashi's eye followed it,

"I know"

Naruto smiled,

"Plus i think i'm pretty decently strong ya know"

Kakashi didn't look up, as Naruto ran his small hands through silver bangs,

"With Sasuke and Sakura with me we'll get through this."

Kakashi's grip tightened where they lay on his arms.

"I just… I know but…"

Naruto sighed. He wondered if what they had was what Kakashi so often called it,

Was this love?

He couldn't tell but sometimes it all just seemed taxing; sometimes he just wanted to be…. Alone…

"I just want to protect you"

Naruto was grateful that Kakashi was still looking down so that he couldn't see Naruto's jaw set or the hardness that passed over blue eyes,

Because Naruto didn't want to be protected, he didn't need to! He was the one… he was the one…

"I know…"

Naruto said as he brushed his lips ever so gently across Kakashi's forehead,

He was the one they needed to protect themselves from.

Naruto after finally escaping the leech of a man that was Kakashi but that was neither here nor there. Because no matter how much of a debbie downer the cyclops was he was happy.

HE WAS GOING TO TAKE THE CHUNIN EXAMS!

It was a well known fact that once you were a genin you became a soldier in training. You took orders from your superior and the hokage. But still even in the world of ninja you were considered a child.

But chunin!

No once you were a chuni no matter how old you were considered an adult because you could take missions that supported the cost of living. You no longer were under your parents rule if you wanted to move out as long as you had the money you could!

Naruto was finally getting out! And though Kakashi knew this fact he probably didn't know that Naruto was planning to move out once he became chunin.

And Naruto hadn't said anything because he was sure that Kakashi would try to persuade him to live with him….

But Naruto just…. He didn't want that.

Naruto sighed, then shook his head.

There was no way he was going to let Kakashi's mood affect him! He was happy!

He opened the front door having decided to go back home and grab some more supplies before he started training again.

His mom would be thrilled that was for sure. And maybe that was the reason that he was going home.

There was something about mothers that just… She didn't always understand him but she respected his decisions. She believed in him and supported him. And when he had seemed all alone…. She was the one who whispered sweet nothings and told him it was okay.

And sure she wouldn't be as stoked about him wanting to move out but let's face it with the relationship between him and dad she would understand.

Naruto walked in the house a smile on his face.

After he moved out he would start his life for real. He would finally be his own person. People would have to acknowledge his ability once and for all and realize…

Naruto's smile fell first and then his heart stopped and for a second he thought surely there was no oxygen in the room….

"Mom?"