Night had fallen hours ago and that is when Shikaku found his son coming through the gates of the compound, with dried blood coming from the side of his head and a tired, defeated look. A small pout on his mouth told Shikaku he wasn't attacked by a ninja and he had hoped it was just a spar gone too far with Choji again. What had concerned him was the fact that Naruto wasn't with him, had he gone home? As his son got closer he startled at the clear signs he had been crying. That had him immediately crouched in front of his son, hands on his shoulders.
"What happened?" He asked gently only to be horrified as his usually composed and emotionally reserved son began crying again his lip shaking with the overwhelming upset he must have been feeling.
"Naru-" he choked out and shook his head. This had Shikaku stiffening, had someone attacked him and Shikamaru? He needed his son to explain, but he was so upset that Shikaku felt a little lost
"Is he okay? Did someone attack you both?" He asked and Shikamaru shook his head and to his credit tried to compose himself.
"He-he ran away!" He cried
Shikamaru had become attached to the blonde and if he had ran off on him after the news he'd be going home, Shikaku wasn't surprised. The reaction from his son was though. Did he lash out and hurt Shikamaru before running off.
"Did he do this?" Shikaku asked gently touching the wound. Shikamaru nodded taking deep breaths. Walking to the house to clean up his son as he waited for a response
"He... didn't want me to tell... you" he forced out and Shikaku froze mid step to frown down at his son. Why would he need to tell him he ran off ho- his brain stopped at the realisation. He could not mean he intended to leave the village? Looking down at Shikamaru who was crying against his chest, the reaction made more sense.
"Shikamaru, this is important" he said
"I know. Its why I came straight home when I woke up" he sniffed
"When you say he ran away?"
"He said... he was leaving for good" tears still fell but he had pulled himself together. Shikaku was proud, he understood the gravity of the situation and was trying to be logical about it.
"It was mid-morning when we got to our spot" he said
"Did you stay a while before he... left?"
"No. He just thanked me, said sorry he was leaving for good and then..." he touched his head. Shit. He had almost a whole day's headstart. They could only hope he hung about and Kakashi could follow.
"I have to report this" Shikaku said softly
"Please, Dad? Bring him home?" Shikamaru begged and his heart broke for him. Cursing the Nara affection that they were stuck with. Because if they failed, if something had happened to him it would haunt his son for the rest of his life. He ran home giving a brief explanation to Yoshina before he shinshuned to the Hokage tower. Knocking on the door urgently he waited
"Enter!" Came the aged voice of Lord Third
"Lord Hokage" Shikaku bowed and quickly approached his desk "I have some bad news"
"Did Naruto not take returning home well?"
"I'd say not. Shikamaru just returned home with a wound to the head and said that Naruto has ran away from the village. Around mid-morning"
The Hokage stood up hands flat on the desk
"ANBU!" He called and three appeared behind Shikaku "Wolf, I want Dog and Crow here immediately! Weasel! Go to the gates and check for any signs that Naruto Unzumaki left, then his home, Snake, get four teams out and searching the village for him, now"
They vanished without a sound
"I apologise Sir" Shikaku bowed "he was in my care and I was neglectful in keeping a closer eye on him"
"Nonsense. As of this morning he was out of your care, I should have had Kakashi and Itachi back on duty watching him, we knew your elders would not agree" he sighed and sat back down bringing his pipe to his mouth. We waited for the two guardian ANBU to arrive which took no less than Ten minutes.
"You may remove your masks" The Hokage said solemnly and the duo did so immediately.
"I'm sorry to inform you that it has come to light that Naruto has possibly run away" The Hokage said Shikaku watched at the two usually unresponsive ninja look at each other surprised.
"Teams are out searching but he has had quite the head start"
"He was around the Uchiha Compound this morning" Itachi said
"Why was he there?" Kakashi asked
"I don't know, I was saying hello to Sasuke and saw him in a tree near our gates"
Kakashi clenched his fists his only visible eye glaring at the Hokage
"If he is gone I am holding you responsible, sir" he snapped at the Hokage his voice wasn't harsh just... cold, and you could feel the anger in his smooth voice.
"Kakashi" Itachi said lifting his arm to land on his shoulder which he shook off. He didn't move, didn't throw his arms he just stood there glaring
"You deprived him of human contact with those willing, seeing that the people would not accept him. Then the first people who give him some sense of acceptance can't keep him, this was always going to happen" he said and it impressed Shikaku at how calm and collected he seemed. If an outsider were witnessing, someone who didnt know him as well as the three in the room. They would think he was only giving his opinion but Shikaku and Itachi knew, he was furious.
"You should have let Mikoto or I take him" he finished
"It was fo-"
"It was far from what was best for him. You. You broke your promise and you failed that boy, failed Minato and Kushina. And worse you made everyone else do it too" Kakashi said. Shikaku couldn't disagree, the way Lord Third had gone about Naruto's care, dismissing the offers of Mikoto -suspicions or not- and Kakashi made no sense. Anyone close to Lord Fourth and Kushina would know Mikoto would have made that offer regardless of Naruto being the Jinchurichi or not. Because the whole village knows that if the roles were reversed Kushina would have taken in both Itachi and Sasuke in a heartbeat. Before Lord Third could respond Weasel had returned
"Yes?"
"There were no signs at the gate and his apartment seems to be in order"
"I'll go check" Kakashi said "none of them would know if something was out of place" he said and before waiting for orders he and Itachi left.
"If he is gone I want teams lead by Inuzuka's out there to sniff him out" Lord Third ordered and Weasel nodded
"I'll see who is available" he bowed and dissapeared. The Hokage sat back looking tired and a little beat down. Shikaku imagined the hard truth he had just been told wore him down some.
Kakashi
He was furious and could barely contain it, so much so he just let out his frustration at the Third Hokage himself. Itachi remained silent as they traveled over the village.
"I think he is gone" Itachi finally spoke causing Kakashi to look to him "I may have... embellished what happened when I saw him"
"What happened?" Kakashi asked landing next to Naruto's window opening it and climbing in.
"I told him he wasn't where he should be, he recognised my voice... when I asked what he was doing there he said he was looking for my mother"
Kakashi whirled round to face Itachi as he entered the apartment.
"Why?"
"To ask her something"
"Did you take him?"
"Of course not. Orders" Itachi said simply
"But?"
"He may have seen me with Sasuke as he called me big brother before heading home"
Kakashi cursed and looked around. It seemed to be untouched, the same as it had been for the last few months. He hadn't come for anything, but he could smell him, he had been here. Moving to his small table where the scent was strongest he looked for signs. A second look told Kakashi the white square under the Ramen cup was paper, not a napkin. Pulling it out he turned it over to read and frowned. It was a note in writing of a toddler but it made sense. Then his chest constricted as his lungs failed him.
Thank yoo for dog.
Have to go
Luv yoo and crow
Naruto
Naruto couldn't read or write had someone done this to hide their tracks? Or perhaps he had been trying. But the thought he chose to willingly leave broke his heart, even if he couldn't blame him. But to push a Five year old so far...
"Do you think he is gone?" Itachi asked and Kakashi handed him the note
"Yes. Whether willingly or not is yet to be determined"
"The fact he went looking for my Mother, I think he has. I'll have to talk to her"
"Are you sure? They are suspicious of your family enough"
"They won't need to know" Itachi said and Kakashi nodded in agreement. Things may be tense with the Uchiha and the village at the moment but it had nothing to do with Naruto.
Kakashi summoned Pakun to take the note and report to Lord Third as they headed to Naruto's last known location, Itachi's House.
Learning that Naruto had somehow learnt of the connection between Mikoto and his Mother was concerning. But he had gone out of his way to assure her he would be fine. Telling her he had possibly ran away was a little heartbreaking. His scent was still there so Kakashi had followed it, out of the village where it had been lost at the next village half a day's travel away. It had been three days and the village seemed happier. It made Kakashi sick. Messages had be sent to the Two Sanin to tell them they needed to return home. Lord Third was stepping down and they were the next wanted to take the name Hokage. Jiyraiya, Kakashi knew was going to outright refuse so he could remain travelling and possibly find him. Kakashi had stepped down to be ANBU for Lord Third losing his faith and respect in the man. The elders and Fuedal Lord wanted an explanation as to why they had lost their Jinchurichi and was now left defenseless. That made Kakashi want to retire right there and just go looking for Naruto himself. He still considered it. Perhaps the new Hokage would allow it. But he wasn't hopeful with Danzo still in place and putting his ideas into the head of those who were in power.
Time Jump
Two Months later a new Hokage was named, Tsunade Senju, the Grandaughter of the First Hokage. She took the job as a favour to her old team mate Jiyraiya, Naruto's Godfather. He wanted the freedom to come and go as he pleased. Kakashi had reinstated as Tsunade's ANBU but she had given her world that any information or sightings would be told to him immediately and he had authorisation to go and investigate himself if he was not on mission. He agreed to the terms. It seemed as though it was a unspoken agreement they were on the same page about this. The people who knew Naruto to be Minato and Kushina's son and knew the two heroes personally were starting to feel guilty and wanted to put their efforts forward as well. They, unlike Kakashi hasn't been ordered to keep their distance, just the truth from Naruto. They realised they played a part in his treatment even if they hadn't kept their children from Naruto, they hadn't stopped them from bullying him either.
"Do you think he is okay?" Yamato, a ANBU subordinate that Kakashi had a interesting friendship with
"He didn't know any jutsu, he could barely read or write, and had little money" Kakashi sighed sitting on the edge of the Hokage Tower as his leg hung over the edge his other bent with his arm resting on his knee, he had learnt later that Naruto did write the note. Shikamaru had been teaching him "he knew how to fish and find food but he's just a boy... and now he is all alone" Kakashi sighed unsure of what to believe, logic said he would never make it but Kakashi believed the kid was tougher than even he knew.
Time Jump
Three years passed and Naruto was presumed dead. Ninja knew to look out for him and bring him home safely but it wasn't hopeful. Kakashi had lost himself to work again, the little headway Guy had made was lost considerably and then lost completely the day after Itachi had killed his family, the entire clan save for Sasuke. Kakashi couldn't understand why he had done it. He seemed off the day before but Kakashi assumed it was to do with the interrogation that Ibiki took too far with Izumi. If anything he'd be less surprised if he'd attacked Ibiki. Itachi cared for very few, his family of course but the love he had for Izumi and Naruto were not the same and the love for Sasuke was unmatched. Hearing what he had done to Sasuke didn't add up to the boy Kakashi knew. Tsunade was furious and had lashed out at the elders suspecting Danzo of doing something to Itachi as only weeks earlier she had loaned him to Danzo, and within that time Shisui had died and Itachi massacred an entire clan. Kakashi was more inclined to believe her suspicions over the reality. But he knew he could be biased.
"Kakashi" Tsunade said palms flat on the table two days after the nightmare, her face of stone "I trust you are aware of the strain between us and the Uchiha?"
"Yes, we had surveillance on them for years, we were never told why"
"Apparently, people suspected that they were behind the attack on the village Eight years ago" she scoffed Kakashi couldn't see that being the case, not back then. "There were talks of a coup, Itachi believed it was inevitable unless real change happened"
Kakashi braced himself for what he was sure to be top secret information that she was trusting him with "Danzo wanted us to attack, weeks ago and I refused, I wanted to speak with Fugaku, a meeting was set for three days from now. I don't like the timing and I believe he is behind this somehow. Itachi came to me before he left" she said and Kakashi widened his eye and she handed him a scroll. "This is for you"
It was still sealed, which lead Kakashi to believe whatever had been said between them she was satisfied with. He opened it.
Kakashi,
I am sorry to leave you so horrifically. But there truly was no choice if we were to prevent a civil war. I have already requested that Lady Hokage watch over Sasuke and whether she will follow through I am not sure. But if you get this I would suppose she believes me. Someone helped me, and he is a threat to the village. I plan to leave with him and follow to ensure the villages safety.
They're after the Bijuu. I will watch out for him and keep him safe, I will come across him eventually and I want you to know if your brother is alive I will do everything I can to keep it that way, the way I know you will for mine.
This seal is where I will store any Intel I find of note to the leaf. It is a dual seal, one only you and I can access, please tattoo this exactly and burn the paper. I will do the same once I activate it you will receive scrolls. Only I can store and you can retrieve. I will activate it one month after my departure.
I will see you again I am sure of it. Thank you for everything Kakashi.
Itachi Uchiha.
Kakashi stood both horrified and relieved. He hadn't lost his mind and killed everyone, but no doubt it was hard on him. He was still a child after all, he had gone through so much and most people his age had not long become genin. He would become a s-class rogue and entered into the bingo book. Yet he still wanted to protect the village.
"Well?" Tsunade demanded and Kakashi couldn't help the chuckle. He liked her, especially her trust in him.
"I expect its close to what he said to you, except I got a gift" he said holding the scroll to her. She read it over and nodded
"If it is specifically to you there can be no mistakes. I want the best sealing expert there is to get that on you tonight" she said tearing off the letter and handing it to Kakashi, who used a fire jutsu to burn it to nothing.
"You report to nobody else" She ordered and he nodded
"Yes my Lady" he bowed
"Shizune!!" She roared
Time Jump
Six years had past since the Unchiha massacre and almost a year since the chunin exams. Itachi had sent word that he had possibly seen Naruto after his visit. The Chunin exams were hectic and confusing the Sand had attacked, then the One Tail had appeared, the only thing saving the village was an unknown ninja and a giant toad, who then transformed into the Nine Tails. Kakashi had remembered the hope and horror that it could have been Naruto. But by time leaf ninja reached the site that had Gaara barely conscious the unknown ninja was gone. Jiyraiya had no answers to who else could have made a contract with the toads, but promised to go and imvestigate. And Gaara had claimed to black out so he had no description. Kakashi could only hope it was Naruto and for whatever reason he was protecting the village. Itachi claimed he believed he saw him in Shukuba Town and Tsunade had immediately sent Yamato in Kakashi's place despite the village barely back in shape after Orochimaru's attack. Kakashi had gained more respect for her when he thought he could have no more. Sadly there was no sign by time Yamato had made it to the small town. Kakashi couldn't help but believe it was Naruto at the chunin exams if he was so close afterwards. But obviously there was no proof and Itachi had wrote that he only suspected because he didn't get a chance to get close. But it was the first sign in nine years.
Reunion
Naruto had been gone for ten years, Itachi seven and Kakashi still held out hope they would both come home. Even if Itachi had tortured and incapacitated him after coming to the village when Lord Third died from his battle with Orochimaru. The Akatsuki were on the move and Intel from Itachi came often in the last seven years.
He had said that the Akatsuki had trouble finding the Nine Tails as they had no Intel on who to look for so that was a relief to Kakashi as well as a worry. Because it meant still nobody knew if he was alive. Itachi was smart, he never gave specifics, or Intel on the headquarters he knew it would blow his cover. But he gave enough. And Tsunade was proud of him.
Kakashi, Sakura and Sasuke were called to assist Asuma and his team, word had been sent they had encountered two Akatsuki and were having trouble. They weren't far from the village and were rushing to reach them hoping they wouldn't be too late. Landing on the roof to see Shikamaru barely holding a man in who looked like a skeleton with black skin and white marking in place with a weapon pointed at himself his Justsu about to break at any moment.
"No!" He cried and before his shadow released another wrapped around to the Akatsuki member and Shikamaru let out a shakey laugh "Naruto!?" He yelled whirling to look into the trees. Kakashi's heart leapt into his mouth, why would he think Naruto was the shadow user.
"What do you need?" Came a deep gravelly voice and Kakashi could not move. It couldn't be. Why would he have a shadow Jutsu? Why would he be here?
"Time. I need to figure out how to break the Jutsu he is casting"
"I've got time to give" the voice said and Shikamaru collapsed to the floor.
"What's happening?" Asked Ino moving to Asuma to start treatment "who is Naruto?"
Asuma looked to Kakashi
"Couldn't be, right?" He asked as Kakashi jumped down to land next to him. Looking into the trees to see a boy wearing cloud village uniform but the tattoo on his arm declared he was a Sand Village ANBU. His hair as long as his Father's, but as red as his Mother's, his scarred cheeks and fierce blue eyes the only proof Kakashi needed. Naruto was alive. And Shikamaru had lied.
So I haven't been able to let this go. So here I am writing more. I have a rough idea for another chapter but honestly that is about it. So I will continue to leave it as comeplete after