Kakashi groaned at the banging that woke him. Turning his face into his pillow before looking up to his headboard.
"Guy!" He yelled swinging his legs off the bed and storming to his bedroom door. Pulling it open he was greeted with not Guy, but Naruto running around the living room with a pan banging it everywhere.
"Naruto?!" He yelled and the boy looked over to him grinning like a moron and fell over the couch. Kakashi groaned rubbing his face and took a deep breath. Not that he wasn't happy to see him, or that he had come to find him but he was worse than Guy. Then he saw a squirrel run across the floor and up the wall to the until it got lost behind the curtains.
"Why is there a squirrel in my house?" He asked
"It ran in when I climbed through the window" Naruto said and looking a little embarrassed
"Naruto. You are a ninja, why were you chasing it with a pan?" He asked stepping into the room closing his bedroom door. Walking to the window he moved the curtain and swiftly caught the jumping animal before throwing it out the window where it smoothly caught the tree and went on its way.
"Oh yeah" he laughed and Kakashi sometimes wondered how he managed to come so far.
"When did you get back?" He asked looking at the clock. It was early
"Early hours this morning. Came to bring you breakfast and catch up" Naruto grinned getting to his feet and pointing to the kitchen counter "Grandma said you had no missions today so I figured you'd be home"
"Training go well?"
He sulked and folded his arms
"I know he has his methods but I'm still not pleased about dancing around with that damn toad" he huffed and Kakashi chuckled nodding. He imagined Jiyraiya teased Naruto quite a bit. He isn't exactly the mature old man you'd expect, Kakashi didn't put it passed him to make the training somewhat... amusing. He got all riled up and he was off. Kakashi sat at the kitchen counter and let him ramble on. He seemed good, happier and more himself which made Kakashi happy. It was like his own moods wouldn't settle unless Naruto was being his usual tiring self.
After breakfast Naruto gulped down a glass of water and looked to Kakashi
"How was your mission? The one you went on with Kiba before I left?"
"It was a success, we actually returned not long after you had left"
"Knew I should have waited longer" he frowned "any word on the Akatsuki or Orochimaru?"
"Nothing lately, though we still have ninja assigned to find any of his hideouts. You likely won't be told though" Kakashi warned him
"I know" he nodded "it's probably for the best, I'm not entirely sure what I'd do" he admitted "I want to help him, but he's clearly dangerous and he's stronger than most of the Ninja we know so..."
"You're really growing up Naruto" Kakashi smiled "stop it" he flicked his head and Naruto smirked up at him
"Pretty sure that's what I'm supposed to do" he sneered and Kakashi smiling. He watched Naruto get up and take his glass to the sink, putting his rubbish in the bin before cleaning it. Is it okay now sensei? He thought I think it's time he knew.
"Naruto" Kakashi called and his tone was serious, enough that Naruto turned to face him with a concerned look "Come sit down"
Naruto nodded putting the glass of the drying wrack and using the towel to dry his hands before coming to sit opposite him. Kakashi reached over and picked up his old team photo and passed it to him. Naruto was clearly confused but he took it and looked at his self made family.
"You were cute as a kid Kakashi" he smiled "why are you showing me this?" He asked looking up he knew they'd all died for their village. Minato was obvious but he had asked about the photo in the past and Kakashi had told him.
"Well, you know I considered them my family, and you know I see you that way too"
Naruto nodded but was still confused "mostly because of your parents we ended up that way. Taking us in your Mum, mothering us"
Naruto's face fell and his chest heaved as he realised where Kakashi was going with it.
"Naruto, your Father was Minato Namikaze, Lord Fourth"
The photo fell from his hands landing on his lap as his eyes widened and he looked out the window to the monument. Tears fell and no doubt a lot of mixed emotions. He wiped his eyes and looked to Kakashi.
"I was born the day Kurama attacked. He-"
"Lord Third said it was a timing issue and unfortunately you were there" Kakashi nodded "your Mother survived long enough to tell Lord Third your name. Unfortunately nobody knows the details past your mother being taken"
He smiled ever so slightly and nodded his chin shaking from the emotions he was trying to hold in.
"I can't believe he's my Dad..." he looked at Kakashi sharply "the rasen-" he cut off his voice breaking
"Well who else should complete it but his son" Kakashi smiled. He'd surpassed his Father, even Kakashi. Minato would be proud.
"I remember learning about his role in the war... its why he had so many enemies" Naruto nodded looking a little dazed "I guess I get why you couldn't tell me. And my, m-my mum?" He asked
There weren't any pictures of her publicly with Minato, not for her protection but any future family they'd have. Kakashi never had her picture out to avoid questions. He smiled down at Naruto crossing the room to the sideboard and pulled out a photo album from the cupboard. He wasn't one for pictures but he had enough to fill half the album, making space for any he may take later. Opening it a few pages in he handed it to Naruto, there were mostly pictures of Kushina, Minato and his other team mates. The first was of Kushina and Minato with all of them. He handed the book to him and Naruto took it eagerly
"Her name was Kushina, she was a lot like you" he told him softly and Naruto smiled with more tears quickly wiping them away only for more to come.
"She was beutiful" she choked out Kakashi nodded and Naruto frowned "If his enemies were so dangerous... why didn't they stay apart?" He asked
"Well, she was a pretty tough shinobi herself, and they had trust in each other to be okay. Love is a pretty strong motivator to fight to be with together"
"I suppose so" he nodded
"I think that kindness you have, the ability to see the best in people is from her. She never once doubted me when I lost my way, then again I think they both helped me stay... focused on coming out of my guilt I should say. And she was always so encouraging of Obito's dream, even if it seemed foolish."
Naruto looked at him but didn't say anything
"They were perfect for each other and they were so excited for you" his own face fell because it was cruel, so unfair it was ripped from them.
"Thanks, Kakashi" he said
After a while he looked up and Kakashi didn't like the look
"What is it?" He asked
"Do you think... she'd be disappointed I gave up on him?"
Kakashi knew he shouldn't have mentioned her bot giving up on him. But honestly he knew she'd at least be upset that her friends son was lost. But she'd be more furious he tried to kill Naruto.
Kakashi didn't doubt that if she were here she'd be hunting him down.
"No. I was not even close to as lost as Sasuke, I never forgot the people important to me even if I avoided them. I focused on protecting and missions. Kushina would know when someone is past saving. And honestly, she'd have beaten Sasuke within an inch of his life after what he's done to you. Probably the way you would have if he landed that attack on Sakura I'd guess" Kakashi said tilting his head to look at him. A ghost of a smile came over his lips and he nodded
"That's true" he nodded "I may have even killed him" he admitted "it wasn't him but what if he is there?"
"He's been with Orichimaru for almost four years. You can't expect him to be the boy you knew. You changed a lot too remember" he pointed out and Naruto snorted and shook his head. The idea that Naruto was unaware of how much he had grown was a little baffling. He suddenly sat straight placing the album on the counter and stood up. He hugged Kakashi and held on tightly that he felt the pressure on his chest
"Thank you, Pops! You're the best Dad I could have ever asked for. I love you"
Kakashi felt his eyes water and slowly put his arms around Naruto
"I'll be there through it all" he promised and Naruto nodded his chin digging into Kakashi's shoulder slightly "love you too Naruto" Kakashi blinked rapidly pushing back the tears and pulled back, enough of the mushy stuff it was making him uncomfortable. But he couldn't deny it made him happy. Naruto sniffed and laughed nervously. No doubt a bit embarrassed.
"So I have to go meet Sakura, apparently she needs my help" he huffed and sat back down
"With what?"
"She's been asking Ino to go on a double date but Shikamaru is refusing. Apparently she's asked for the last two months" Naruto laughed nervously "not sure what I'm going to tell her"
"I imagine it'd be awkward" Kakashi agreed. Despite the talk they had it seemed Ino was yet to tell her Father she didn't want to marry Shikamaru and she had brushed off the date as Shikamaru's refusal. Naruto nodded and frowned
"If they get married before... The Akatsuki come, I mean it's over, shouldn't he at least be trying to make an effort?" Naruto asked
"Do you want him to?" Kakashi asked and he shook his head
"No I just... if it happened he's gonna have more trouble with her later if he doesn't..." he looked conflicted and Kakashi nodded understanding
"Probabaly best to talk to him" he advised and there was a knock on the door. Naruto closed the photo album and returned the picture and the album where they belonged. Kakashi went to his room to put on his mask as Naruto opened the door.
"Sai, hey" he sounded confused "hey, are you okay?" He now sounded concerned. Kakashi rushed out putting his mask in place and saw Sai looking, well, panicked.
"I couldn't find Sakura, Yamato is out of the village. I did not know Naruto had returned. I'm sorry to have disturbed you"
"It's okay" Kakashi nodded "has something happened?" He asked he wasn't a hundred percent sure on the boy but he did trust him more, clearly being around people had caused a lot of confusion for him.
"I feel sick. But I have no fever. My throat feels tight and I find it hard to speak, and my heart is racing" he said his voice breaking a few times.
"You're upset" Naruto told him "maybe worried. Did something happen? When did it start?"
"When I was speaking with Ino the other day" he nodded factually
"Okay, did you talk about anything triggering?" Kakashi asked
"No. Just the bouquet she was making, she seemed sad and asked what I thought about her engagement"
Ah, perhaps she wanted to know before she upset her family Kakashi thought.
"I told her it wasn't my place to have an opinion other than I hoped she'd be happy. She was upset and when I asked why she said that the wedding was being pushed forward. The elders were done waiting for Naruto and now they had grieved" he frowned "but it didn't seem like she was done" Sai said.
"What?" Naruto hissed his eyes widening colour draining from his face.
"Well she was crying... I do-"
"The wedding is being pushed forward?" Naruto asked "when?"
"They will give them a simple wedding at the end of the month" he stated
"And how do you feel about that Sai?" Kakashi asked him gently stepping forward to put his hand on Naruto's back.
"Should I feel something about it?" He asked
"Well you have certainly reacted to it. And you seem to have become close with Ino" he pointed out and Sai frowned and looked at the floor. Kakashi could practically see his brain pulling out references he had read in all of those books.
"I like being around her" he nodded his eyes shifting back and fourth as he put all the facts together "oh dear" he blinked looking up to them and Kakashi nodded "you knew?" He asked
"I suspected" Kakashi corrected
"She wanted me to tell her" he said
"I believe so"
"But what if I am wrong? I don't know for certain it is attraction" he frowned
"That's true. But you have about two weeks to figure it out"
"Wait, Sai and Ino?" Naruto asked surprised and the red blush that came over Sai's face was evident enough.
"Possibly" Kakashi shrugged
"Naruto! You've had both emotional and sexual feelings for Sakura can you explain them! I don't want to be wrong!" He said and Naruto spluttered and stumbled over his tongue trying to speak.
"I don't remember ever telling you I liked Sakura" Naruto finally yelled
"No. But others have said you have had a crush on her for years" Sai nodded and he looked to Kakashi for help. Had he ever said he liked her? Kakashi never recalled "so you don't know how it feels?" Sai asked tilting his head and Naruto went bright red. Shoving him out the door and muttering how he will pummel the other boy.
"I'll catch up later, Kakashi!" Naruto said cheerfully while giving him a look that screamed 'don't you dare follow for this'.