Kakashi parked near the hospital and slowly leaned his forehead against the stirring wheel.

He could not get the image of Naruto, bandaged and begging, out of his mind. His helpless sobbing and the way he tried to reach for him, despite the casts restraining his movement…

Kakashi breathed shakily as he ran his fingers through his hair. Not even once did the teen ask about himself. He inquired about his dog, his apartment, even school… but not himself.

He begged for him to stay by his side. He also begged to get him out once he realized where he was. So young and foolish and helpless –

I'm tired, he thought, cursing himself. I'm tired, and I don't think as I should.

He sighed and got out of the car, a metal box secured in his arm, and walked to Naruto's room. The box took quite a beating, yet it was not as charred as Kakashi had expected. Seemed like the explosion shot it away from the complex – and from the fire. It was, after all, hard to find.

Kakashi only hoped that it happened before the intense heat incinerated everything inside. There was nothing else to find; all of Naruto's other belongings were gone.

He hesitated, knowing how much the box's contents meant to Naruto, but decided not to check if they survived. The teen would be quite upset if he did, and lying to him was not an option anymore. Naturally, he'd also be upset if they did burn…

Kakashi turned to face Naruto's door and frowned. He could smell – and hear – others. He tensed, sniffing… rubber and sweat, so Gai was there; cherry - that must be Sakura; ancient blood, drumming with rage – Sasuke; and flowers, but that scent he could not quite place. He could hear Gai's booming declarations and Sakura's dismissal.

He could not smell Naruto.

Kakashi knocked and opened the door. "Yo," he said in greeting.

Sasuke, standing by the window and scoffing to hide his worry; Sakura, sitting next to Naruto and wiping his forehead, even though Naruto did not look feverish; Gai, taking over half the room with his broad shoulders and broader stance.

And Naruto, leaning against three pillows and almost sitting up, gazing at him with his eye wide and his lips parted. His eye flickered between him and the box he held in his arm, hope and fear clashing and tearing through the blue.

"My eternal rival!" cried Gai as he wrapped a muscled arm around his neck. "What's in the box? Is this a gift? Looks lame." He used his other arm to introduce him to a giant bouquet. "See? I outdid you yet again!"

Sakura rolled her eyes. "You know him, Mr. Hatake?" she asked curiously. Her eyebrow arched a tad too high for his liking.

Kakashi freed himself from Gai's grip. "Yes. Gai taught me martial arts a long time ago." He grabbed the last available chair and sat next to Sakura. "How are you feeling, Uzumaki?"

The bridge of Naruto's nose bloomed red, but no machine started beeping. Shizune took him off most of the life-saving equipment the teen was attached to just a day ago. He breathed deeply. Good.

"I'm fine," Naruto said with a sunny grin. "Shizune said I heal remarkably quickly! She said I just have first-degree burns everywhere, and I need to cover my eye, but I'll probably be able to see normally within a week. She said I can go back to school tomorrow!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "You're such a nerd, Naruto. Didn't you hate school, like, two months ago?"

Naruto's flush deepened. "S'boring, to be here all alone. I prefer school." He wrinkled his nose. "Also, it stinks."

Sakura scoffed. "Medicine and cleaning materials, Naruto. Essential to any hospital," she lectured, then turned to gaze at him. "What's in the box, Sensei?"

Kakashi offered it to Naruto. "That's for Uzumaki to say." He met his one visible eye. "I found the box, but there is still a chance the contents did not survive. Don't – "

Something rough ruffled his hair. He winced and glared at Gai's large hand. "Don't be so pessimistic, Kakashi! This box must have survived because of Naruto's youthful spirit! The contents must have been equally inspired!"

Sakura and Sasuke stared, one in confusion and the other in derision.

'This man taught you how to fight?' spit Sasuke, his voice full of venom.

'He has held the title of the best martial artist in the world since he was twenty-three. Hold your horses, brat.'

Sasuke scoffed audibly this time.

Naruto accepted the box with one trembling hand. He tried to open it, but his bandaged hand was still too clumsy for the task. He gritted his teeth and tried harder, his agitation increasing with every unsuccessful attempt –

"Give it here, kid." Gai grabbed the box and tried to force it open. "Maybe. It was. Welded. Shut," he muttered through locked teeth and pursed lips.

Kakashi sighed. "Unlikely. Probably different air pressure due to the extreme change in temperature."

Gai continued to struggle in vain. "No. Air. Pressure. Will. Defeat. Me!"

Kakashi returned his gaze to the teen, whose eye never left the box. His unbroken hand turned into a fist, trembling against the blanket.

His parents' pictures, Kakashi remembered. He got up and reached for one of the drawers, retrieved a scalpel, and walked back to Gai. "Hold it." He flickered the metal in two places and listened carefully, then jammed the knife into the metal.

He braced himself against Gai's shoulder. "Hold," he instructed, tensed, and prepared himself. Slowly, his body straining against the task, he pulled the knife out.

Air rushed into the box and the metal, unsurprisingly, popped back up.

Kakashi reached for the lid and removed it with ease, then placed it on top of the box to hide its contents. "Air pressure," he repeated quietly, then walked back to Naruto and offered him the box.

His desperate, pained eye and trembling chest will haunt him for the rest of his days.

Naruto grabbed the box and removed the lid, then stared at the contents. His eye flickered back and forth as his hand, clumsy and uncoordinated, reached for something inside.

Sasuke and Sakura immediately leaned closer, curious despite clearly being aware of the privacy the moment required.

Gai, however, glanced at him oddly and said nothing.

Kakashi hid his fists in his pockets and controlled his face. Still, he could not look away.

Tears ran down Naruto's face, but the teen – finally – managed a small smile. "They're fine," he mumbled and wiped his eye. "S'fine."

Sakura leaned against his shoulder. "Are those your parents, Naruto?" she asked softly.

Naruto's grin broadened. "Yeah." He sniffed. "And that's me."

"Wow, Naruto! Your mom was so pretty!" She poked his healthy cheek. "And your dad was good-looking too. No wonder you're handsome."

Sasuke edged closer, glaring from above. His eyebrow twitched. He looked up at him, his face stoic but his eyes sharp.

Kakashi kept his expression calm and his feelings contained. He could feel the kid sniffing the edge of his mind, trying to sense his emotions –

"You'll never guess who's that," Naruto added, his grin growing broader and broader.

Kakashi tapped Gai's shoulder and nodded.

Gai nodded back.

Kakashi escaped.

He leaned against the door and winced when he heard Sakura's response.

"Eh?! You mean – That's Mr. Hatake?! Sooo cute! Where – hey! Where did he go?"

"Fled with his tail between his legs," Sasuke mocked.

Another dog imagery. Kakashi ran his fingers through his hair, unnerved. What if Naruto –

"So his hair was white even as a boy?" Sakura hummed. "I thought it was a new-age fashion statement or something like that."

"I thought he was forty," Naruto confessed shyly. "He was really offended."

"Eh?! Of course, he was! There's no way he's more than thirty! You're such an idiot, Naruto!"

"I thought he had a good complexion!"

"Did you tell him that during your 'date'?" Sasuke teased snidely.

"It wasn't a date! Stop being a dick!"

"Wait, what date?" Sakura cried. "You're having an affair? And you didn't tell me?!"

"Oi, girl," that was Gai, who was bound to be the voice of reason – "you're choking him wrong. See, you need to wrap your hands –"

Ah. He had hoped in vain.

"I'm injured! Lemme go!"

"Or what." Smirked Sasuke, "You'll call 'Kakashi?'"

"No." Kakashi could hear Naruto's blush through his words. "I'll call Shizune. She's twice as scary."

"Sasuke, shut up," Sakura intervened. "I wanna hear the details, and you aren't helping."

"There are no details!" bristled Naruto. "It was just – he just showed me my parents' favorite restaurant and told me about them! S'not weird or-or-or date-ish!"

Kakashi clenched his jaw when he realized Naruto's childlike mannerism sped up his breathing. And his heart. He only spoke like that when he was agitated and…

He placed his hand on his chest. He was growing attached, wasn't he? A protective attachment, he told himself. Nothing more. He cries too easily.

"So he did not let you drive his car and buy you dinner?"

"That's only 'cause he's teaching me how to drive and 'cause I'm poor, asshole," Naruto snapped. "I'm not telling you anything anymore."

Sasuke scoffed.

"Tell me instead," offered Sakura. She giggled. "Don't look at me like that! I think it's cute." A beat of silence followed, and Sakura's voice broke. "I was in the car when you called, you know?" she whispered softly. Kakashi could almost hear her brushing Naruto's golden hair. "I was really scared, and I think Sensei was really scared, too," she added. "He drove two-fifty per hour and through a ton of red lights!"

Sasuke scoffed again. "There's no way that beat-up garbage can hit more than a hundred – "

"Are you calling me a liar? I was there!" Sakura shouted. "While you were busy searching for whoever set Naruto's house on fire, Sensei called an ambulance, called Gai, and called a different guy to get him to turn all the lights green and get the police off his tail so he could get to Naruto while driving two-fifty per hour!"

I'm fucked. Kakashi sighed and glanced up. I'm fucked.

He could almost imagine Naruto's reaction – calling him a liar and refusing his help, perhaps trying to escape the hospital –

"Really?" Naruto whispered, his voice… awed? "He did all of that… for me?"

A sharp scratching sound, like metal dragged against the floor – Sakura must have sat back down and moved closer to the wounded teen. "It was a terrifying call," she whispered. Kakashi could hear the tears staining her voice. "I'm so sorry about that, Naruto. He offered to help me get into the medical program I wanted, so we left for Konoha. If I knew this would happen, I'd never – "

"It's not your fault," Sasuke snapped. "It's his. They were clearly waiting for him to leave so they could act. He's a coward – "

"A coward who paid for Naruto's treatment and stayed with him all night!" shouted Sakura. "Don't play all high and mighty when you did jack shit, Sasuke! He's a schoolteacher! When have you ever seen a teacher doing anything to help us?! Help Naruto?"

Kakashi could feel Sasuke's anger spiking. 'Get out,' he ordered, his voice a snarl. 'Now.'

He could not have him sowing doubt and fear in Naruto's mind. Not again.

"Sasuke!" yelled Sakura.

Kakashi moved from the door and leaned against the wall so that he was hidden when the door opened.

The teen burst out, as dramatic as always, closed the door behind him, and glared. "You were listening," he accused.

"And it's a good thing I did," Kakashi said quietly. "You considered betraying me."

Sasuke said nothing. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked away.

Kakashi angled his head. 'Follow me.'

He walked to the balcony – if one could call it that – a small space where stressed personnel could destress with a short smoke. Kakashi, however, had no love for cigarettes.

He leaned against the railing and waited for the teen to join him. "I miscalculated," he admitted, his voice as stark as before. "I apologize for that."

"Like that's good enough," the kid snapped. "Naruto was almost burned alive – "

"I know. He called me." Kakashi ran his fingers through his hair, trying to still the trembling of his digits and the aching of his chest. "How heartless do you think I am, Sasuke?"

The teen shifted slightly. His breath was still labored and agitated. "I said coward," he muttered. His rage spiked again. "You aren't telling me anything, and I don't know what half-measures you took – "

"I did not take half measures," Kakashi cut him off, his voice curt and sharp. "But I am also not infallible. I thought the gang was motivated by sexual desires and acted accordingly. This is clearly something… different." His hands closed into fists. "I will not let Naruto – or any of you – come to harm ever again, Sasuke. Not if I can help it."

Sasuke's breaths slowly returned to normal. He moved to stand next to him, leaning his arms on the railing. "'Acted accordingly'…" he mumbled. "What does that mean?"

Kakashi did not move, nor did he meet the kid's searching eyes. "You know what this means," he said, his voice still quiet. "I would have done the same for you."

Sasuke paled. He gulped and looked down again.

Kakashi sighed. He turned slightly and ruffled the teen's hair. "I will die before I betray your secret, Sasuke. I am not asking you to do the same," he murmured, "but – "

"I won't tell," Sasuke grumbled. He still looked away. "I was…." He gulped. "I was scared," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I know. I'm sorry." Kakashi dropped his hand. "I was scared, too."

Sasuke turned to look at him. He hesitated, then muttered, "So you got Gai to watch over him when you're away," he assessed. "You'll be taking him to that spare unit of yours?"

Kakashi narrowed his eye and met his gaze. Did Naruto tell him? "Yes," he replied. "I do not make the same mistake twice."

Sasuke offered a curt nod. "I tracked them," he said suddenly. "I think."

Kakashi tensed. "You what?" he asked, his voice deceptively calm.

But Sasuke tensed as well, sensing his anger. He looked away. "One of the people in the complex said a truck came that afternoon to fix the electricity in the building. They might have waited for Naruto to turn on… something, and then…." Sasuke paled further. "I followed track tires into the forest, but I lost them. Couldn't see because of the trees."

Kakashi thought of Naruto's electrical trick. Either they did not know of it – and did not mean for the explosion to happen – or they did and used it to their advantage. If the second option was right… what else did they know?

He gazed at Sasuke. The boy was hiding something. "And?"

Sasuke met his gaze. "And either they followed you, or they have an enormous wolf," he said, his voice stark of emotions. "I saw paw prints."

Kakashi's heart beat faster. "Could be a dog," he muttered. "There are no wolves my size." His breath spiked.

That Uchiha must have been a canine. Should he… no. He could not tell Sasuke that. The boy would seek him out, either to confront him about his family or out of a sense of kinship, and place both himself and Naruto in danger.

That Uchiha was focused on Naruto. Perhaps he missed Sasuke. He offered a short prayer to whatever gods may be out there that he missed Sasuke. He could barely protect Naruto; and if he were forced to choose…

His head spun. Kakashi tightened his hold of the railing and took a deep breath.

He met the teen's sharp glare and matched it. "Don't approach them again."

Sasuke clenched his fists. "But – "

"Think, Sasuke. Why would they need a huge dog to start a fire?" Kakashi hissed. "We have to assume they know about me. They already know too much about Naruto. They cannot know about you." He grabbed his shoulders and stared into the black eyes that shifted between determination and fear. "I don't know why they target Naruto, but I can only guess what they'll do to you."

He closed his eye. He had to think. "I'll teach you how to use a gun," he decided. "In secret."

Sasuke stared. "You don't… shouldn't I learn to fight, like Naruto?" he managed.

Kakashi shook his head. "You're a bird. Your bones are weak, but your eyes are sharp. You can become the best sharpshooter the world has ever seen, but one good punch may break you." He tried to pour his conviction into the kid. "Play to your strengths."

Sasuke nodded. "I'm not moving in with you," he added, snappy.

Kakashi sighed. "I had a feeling you would say that," he admitted. "And perhaps it's the wiser move." He released the teen's shoulders. "If you feel unsafe – "

"The Uchiha don't rely on anyone," Sasuke replied sharply. He blushed when Kakashi blinked at him. "I read it in a book." He crossed his arms. "You're a wolf because you're loyal," he muttered.

Kakashi stared. Huh. Was Sasuke offering an olive branch? He cleared his throat and tried to play along. "Why not a dog, then?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Dogs are obedient," he bit. He seemed less tense, however. His eyes were not as wary as before.

Kakashi tilted his head. "And…? Why are you an eagle?" he asked quietly. This was a private question, and the kid may choose not to answer. He wanted to give him the option to do so.

Sasuke stuffed his hands in his pockets and turned around. "Because I prefer to work alone."

Kakashi followed him back to Naruto's room.

The blond was working on some English problem with Sakura, looking disgruntled and frustrated – which Sakura found to be very amusing. He turned bright red the moment he noticed him, and though he kept working with Sakura, his eye constantly shifted back to him.

Kakashi stood next to Gai.

The man smiled. "You have very interesting students, Kakashi." He handed him a pack of papers and a pen. "Shizune came in after the grumpy kid left. She said you can take him home." Gai leaned closer and whispered in his ear, "Kakashi – "

Kakashi signed the papers. He knew what Gai wanted to say. "I'm just scouting – until their man arrives."

Gai scowled. "Liar," he whispered still. "You are always plotting something."

"I can't let him get hurt," Kakashi said quietly. He met Gai's worried gaze with silent, unwavering resolve. "I cannot fail him again."

Gai stared, gave up, and hung his head. "Fine, but…." He gripped his shoulder. "Call me, all right? If anything happens… I want to be there."

Kakashi felt Naruto's eye on him. "I will," he replied. "I know I can count on you." He met Naruto's eye, but the teen, oddly enough, scowled and looked away.

Kakashi stifled a sigh. He wondered what he did wrong this time around.


Naruto stared at the road as Sensei drove him to his home, and risked short, flickering glances at him when he thought he wasn't looking.

His face looked ashen, and his cheekbones were more pronounced than usual. If what Sakura said was true… he must have stayed awake all night. With him.

Sensei glanced at him, and Naruto immediately looked away. "You're quiet," he muttered.

Naruto pretended he was curious about the road. "Trying to figure out where you live," he lied. "You skipped the rich neighborhoods, the family ones, the student ones… and this is a rental neighborhood, so…."

"I did say I came only for a year," he said. "I have no reason to buy a house." He parked the car next to a small complex. "Do you need help?"

Naruto shook his head and got out. The complex was… oddly similar to his own, except pretty and white and clean. He followed the man in silence, looking around and absorbing everything he could – the sound of an old melody, a TV muttering in the background, a woman singing to her kids. He could smell cooking – different kinds – from each door he passed.

He thought of where he grew up and how each door hid violence – screams, shouts, guns firing, and objects breaking. Everything looked and smelled like shit or weed or piss. Wherever he walked, he felt scared and cold.

He glanced up when he heard the rattle of keys and saw Sensei looking at him with a soft, opaque eye. He offered a reassuring smile. "Would you like to meet my dogs?"

Naruto nodded instinctively. He frowned. "I can't hear them."

Sensei hmmed. "They are well trained." He opened the door and whistled. Immediately, eight dogs ran to him and sat, waggling their tails against the floor and lolling their tongues. "Come." He waved his hand, and Naruto stepped closer. Sensei pointed at each dog. "Pakkun," a small pug barked. "Urushi," a medium dog with brown fur and sharp eyes barked as well. "Shiba," a gray dog with a mop of dark fur grumbled a bark. "Bisuke," a small dog with long, brown ears managed a soft bark. "Akino," a large dog with golden fur and a deep bark. "Ūhei," a large, long-legged, thin dog whose bark sounded more like a welp. "Guruko," another medium-sized dog with long ears and a silly expression barked. "And Bull," a giant dog resembling a Mastiff, released a deep, grumbling bark. "This is Uzumaki. Be nice."

Naruto crouched down – ignoring the pang of hurt that shot through him when Sensei used his last name – and offered his unbroken hand for them to sniff. "Hello."

The dogs approached cautiously, sniffing and licking. He huffed, smiling, and ruffled their fur, and the dogs – excited now – waggled their tails and jumped on him, licking and rubbing their bodies against him –

"Ow, hey," he laughed, despite the pain spasming from every limb. "Calm down. I'll pet all of you, but I've only got one hand."

Sensei tapped the counter twice, and the dogs – immediately – backed off. Some of them whined, but the man cocked his brow in response. "I told you to be nice," he reprimanded, then crouched down and ruffled Naruto's hair, still staring down his dogs.

Pakkun got up and barked, and the man dropped his hand. He turned to glance at him. "Need a hand?"

Naruto's cheeks burned red. He was… very close. "Um. No. 'M fine," he mumbled and cursed himself for his folly. Had he been less proud, he could have held the man's hand.

Sensei locked the door behind him, then walked to a cabinet and took out a set of keys. "Red one is for the spare unit; blue is for this one." Naruto must have stared because Sensei added, "For emergencies and to walk the dogs." He tilted his head, amused. "Did you change your mind?"

Naruto scowled. "Did not." He stood up and grabbed the keys, then glanced at the dogs – all of them stared back, still waggling and lolling and looking very happy. "Um, they aren't moving."

Sensei walked to the kitchen. "Because I told them not to. Do you like fish?"

Naruto followed, trying to memorize everything he could see. The front door led to a small hallway, which opened to a large living room area with one sofa, a TV, a Kotatsu that could seat four, and eight dog beds in various sizes. He could spot two doors, both closed, and a glass door leading to a small balcony. The kitchen was small but efficient looking, and Sensei's fridge, he noted, was stuffed to the brim.

No decorations, however, or any spare furniture. The apartment was white, clean, and devoid of life.

Naruto poked a small, dying plant that cowered pitifully in the back corner of the kitchen counter. "Um, yeah, I think," he managed. "Your plant's dying."

"Hmm? Does it need water again?" Sensei replied, distracted.

Naruto turned to gaze at him and looked away when he folded up his sleeves and started to clean two fish. Fuck. And he thought his fingers were pretty.

He covered his cheeks, trying to force the redness away, and shuffled closer. "And sunlight." He stared at Sensei's toned forearms, trying to memorize how they moved. "Why'd you get a plant if you aren't taking care of it?"

Sensei's eye flickered to glance at him, just for a moment, before he returned his gaze to the fish. "It was a gift. I wasn't certain what to do with it," he confessed. "Cups are in the cabinet," he added and pointed with his chin, "if you want to water it."

Naruto managed, with some effort, to tear his eye away from Sensei's arms. He found a nondescript cup and used it to water the plant, then placed it in the sink. He sat on the floor and patted one of the dogs – the one with the long ears and the goofy face – and chuckled when the dog immediately began to lick him. "Why do you have eight dogs?"

Sensei took his time. He chopped some vegetables with quick, expert movements. "It wasn't a conscious decision. I offered them food, and they chose to stay."

Naruto suddenly remembered their conversation – so long ago – about strays. He hugged the dog closer, who seemed happy to receive more attention. Another dog – the long-legged, thin one, sat next to him and licked his face. Naruto laughed. "Ew, I'm covered in dog drool again." Still, he rubbed his face against the dog's chest. "Are all dogs so… licky?"

Sensei, surprisingly, chuckled. "Some are. They are showing you affection."

Naruto winced when the long-legged dog licked his eye. "But we just met." He stopped to think. His eye lit up. "Do they think I'm their friend?"

"In a way."

Naruto frowned. "What way?"

Sensei turned around and cocked his brow. "They think you're a pup."

Naruto flushed. He glowered at Sensei's amused eye. "I am not," he protested. "I'm a grown-up." His face burned hotter when Sensei laughed. "Shouldn't I be… an alpha?" he asked quietly.

That was the first time he heard him laugh. The sound was softer and quieter than he expected. His blood drummed in his ears.

"Well, you can't," Sensei said, his voice still light and spiced with a hint of amusement, "because I am the alpha of my pack."

Naruto stared at the man's back. It was a very broad back; he could see the muscles shift and dance under the thin fabric of the ill-fitting shirt. That must have been the first time he saw him without his baggy jacket. His mouth dried. "Um," he tried to think of something – anything – "I wanna be an alpha too."

Sensei hmmed. "Well, you do have a dog." He opened the fridge and retrieved a bottle of sauce. "Though from your stories, it sounds like he's treating you like a pup, as well."

Naruto scowled. "He does not! He obeys me," he objected and buried his fingers in the dog's fur. "Well, sorta." He thought of his dog, always sitting behind him and licking and sniffing him. "Is he really okay?" he asked quietly.

Sensei turned on the gas. "I saw him prowling the forest yesterday," he said. His voice was muffled by the sizzling of the sauce and the fish. "Don't worry, he'll find you."

Naruto's heart raced again. "What – what if he thinks I'm dead? What if he's worried? What if he gave up – "

"He will find you," Sensei interrupted. "And if he does not, we will search for him together. Have a little faith, Uzumaki."

Naruto swallowed and leaned back. The scent was delicious, but that was not why he pulled up his legs against his chest.

One of the dogs whined and licked his jaw.

Sensei tensed. Naruto could see the muscles shifting and hardening under the shirt. "What's wrong, Uzumaki?" he asked softly.

Naruto scowled at the dog that gave him away, but the creature simply licked him some more. "You're using my last name again," he mumbled.

Sensei was still tense when he filled two plates with the food he prepared. "I am your teacher. Decorum –"

"We're alone."

The man gazed at him, then looked away. His eye was dark and indecipherable. "That changes nothing." He picked up the two plates. "Well, let's eat! Wash your hands first and join me at the table."

Naruto got up with a humph. Sensei's cheer sounded fake.

"First door to the right."

Naruto followed his instructions and entered the bathroom. The large space included a bath, toilet, and oval sink. Curious, he opened the cabinets – painkillers, dog medicine, and eyedrops. Everything else was scentless and cheap and lacking all personality.

Naruto washed his hand and frowned at his reflection.

Even Sensei's apartment revealed nothing.

He shuffled back to the living room and stumbled into a sitting position across from Sensei.

The man poured him a cup of tea and looked, Naruto thought, uncomfortable.

He offered him the TV controller. "You can watch if you want."

Naruto shook his head. "I don't know what's on." Shit. He ran his fingers through his hair and tried to remember how to hold a conversation. "It looks really good. Who taught you to cook?" He tore a small piece and chewed carefully. "It is really good!" He grinned.

Sensei put the controller back on the table. His one eye scrutinized him, as if distrusting his smile, but he smiled back when he caught his eye. "I'm glad you like it."

Naruto stuffed his mouth to stop himself from scowling. So he wasn't going to tell him about that, either. Still, he refused to give up. Finally, after a few minutes passed in silence, he came up with something. "Why do you have a spare unit?"

The man gave him an oddly tired, almost fond look. Did he notice his ploy? Naruto waited, but he was slow to answer. "Well, in case someone wanted to visit," he finally said.

Naruto stared. He remembered Shizune's tale, and Sensei's answer sounded so lonely… he did not want him to be lonely. "And… did someone come, to visit?" he asked quietly.

Sensei finished his food. "You're here, aren't you?" He got up. "I'll arrange it for you."

Naruto stared at him, his eye wide, and wolfed down the remains of his dinner. Then, he pushed himself up and ran after the man – and into his bedroom.

Naruto froze, fearing he had perhaps breached another boundary Sensei erected between them, but his curiosity got the better of him. The bed was made, and the room was white and sterile and clean. He frowned. The bed was covered in a thick layer of dust.

"You're blocking the way, Uzumaki."

Naruto glanced up – and found himself face to face with his Sensei, who carried various beddings and towels in one hand while the other was hidden deep in his pocket.

"Um, I don't…." He hesitantly stepped back. "You don't need to give me all that stuff. S'fine," he mumbled.

"You can return them after you acquire your own," Sensei said. His voice was dry, but his eye was kind.

Naruto followed him, helpless and discomfited, as he walked to the bathroom and added a toothbrush and toothpaste to the growing pile. "M' sorry," he whispered. "I'll get those back I promise –"

"You know, most people say 'thank you,'" Sensei said lightly, then added gently, "You don't need to apologize or make me any promises. You're not a burden, Uzumaki."

He ruffled his hair with his free hand so Naruto dared to look up. "Say my name, then."

Sensei's eye widened. He dropped his hand and looked away, clenching his jaw. Naruto could see his adam's apple shiver as he swallowed. "I'll show you the unit," he said instead.

Naruto frowned at his back. "What's the big deal? You said it before."

"You were in distress," he objected. "Key, Uzumaki."

Naruto handed him the key. "But I'm always in distress!" he huffed.

The man gave him an odd look, something between amusement and a deep ache and Naruto had grown tired of trying to figure out what the tiny shifts in the man's features meant. "Well, we'll work on that," he finally said and opened the door.

The space was identical, if a bit dustier, to Sensei's apartment.

Naruto stared. He had never lived in such a luxurious space in his life. Everything looked shiny and white and new and expensive – it even had a TV –

Sensei walked straight to the bedroom and started dressing his bed.

Naruto followed. "I can do that. You don't…."

"Last I checked, you have only one good hand." Sensei placed what looked like a rather large pajama set near the pillow. "Do you need help changing the bandages?"

Naruto's face burned red. "N-no! Changed them today. Shizune said once a day, after a shower… um. I can take care of myself," he finally managed to string a sentence together.

Sensei nodded. "And your clothes?"

His heart was working overtime. "I said I'm fine!" His entire body felt hot. Naruto scowled in a futile attempt to retain some dignity.

The man raised his hand, palm open and appeasing. "All right. Just call me if you need anything… what?"

Naruto realized he flinched. "Phone's dead," he admitted. "From the fall."

Sensei ran his fingers through his hair and winced. "Well, you know where I live," he said, almost as a joke. "Knock whenever you need something. Or… go to the balcony. I'll probably hear you."

Naruto stared. He had a balcony. He said the first thing that crossed his mind. "Do I need to yell?"

The man chuckled. "As long as you don't wake anyone else, you can do whatever you want." He sighed and gazed at him meaningfully, but Naruto just blinked back. "I'll leave you to it. Good night, Uzumaki."

Naruto watched him leave. He considered, almost dared to push, to say his name… his shoulders slumped. "Good night, Sensei," he muttered instead. He swallowed. "Thank you."

Sensei paused by the door. He turned, looked at him, and smiled. His real smile, tight-lipped and crooked.

He closed the door behind him.

Naruto waited until he heard the other door open and close, and only then did he walk to the door – his door – and lock it.

All right, he thought, torn between excitement and agitation. This is… He sighed. This is amazing.

He could not help himself – he ran from one end of the apartment to the other, opening and closing everything that could be opened and closed. He even turned on the TV, just to see if it worked, and stared as he changed the channels. He opened the balcony and tiptoed his way outside, taking in the view of the forest and the stars and the fresh air –

Cold. Naruto ran back inside, closed the door, and searched for something warm. No heaters, but he did find an AC controller that was easy to navigate. He climbed on the sofa and basked in the hot air, grinning to himself.

He was warm.

And tired. Naruto walked to the bedroom and touched the blanket Sensei left for him, thick and warm and puffy. He traced his fingers over the pajamas, blushing, and unfolded them.

His blush disappeared. It appeared Sensei owned ill-fitting clothes for every occasion, even for bed.

He rolled his eyes and managed, slowly, to take off his pants and wear the new ones. Easy, he thought as he struggled to tie them close to his waist. They constantly threatened to fall down to his ankles, but they were soft and warm and they smelled like laundry, so Naruto didn't complain.

Now, shirt. That part was trickier. He battled with one sleeve and then with the other. His hand and chest protested every movement, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to trudge on. Sensei's voice bloomed in his mind, offering help…

But Naruto caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and flinched, looking away. He couldn't let Sensei see that. He could not let anyone see how boney and thin he still was. He knew he looked sickly.

Naruto stood, half-naked and ashamed, before Sensei's oversized shirt. He took a deep breath, prepared himself for the oncoming pain, and attacked the article of clothing.

Finally, he was dressed.

The shirt covered his thighs, and the sleeves dangled past his hands. Naruto gave up and stomped to the bathroom. Stupid Sensei and his stupid clothes. There was no way the man was size extra-large, no matter how broad his back was.

So Naruto grumbled, brushed his teeth, hid under the covers, and curled as tightly as he could.

He missed his dog.

Fire. Everywhere he looked was on fire. He was on fire. He could smell his skin burning – cackling and breaking, splintering and hissing –

Jump, Naruto.

The water started to burn, turning into flames. He could not see. He could not breathe. Everything was smoke and hot and burning –

Jump. Jump now.

Naruto jumped.

He stared at the darkness, sweaty and aching and too fucking hot, and waved his arms helplessly against the constraints wrapped around his body. Finally, he managed to push an arm through and sit up, heaving and yet still dizzy and hurting.

His head felt like it was about to explode.

Naruto leaned against the wall and wiped his face from tears and sweat. He fell from the bed.

Fuck. His heart trembled in his chest. He was on the verge of panic again. He clawed at his neck, forcing himself to breathe, forcing himself to focus on the pain and not on how fast his heart was beating or how he was definitely dying

Sensei. I need him. I need him.

He couldn't breathe.

Naruto pushed himself up and stumbled to the front door, which he unlocked with unsteady and trembling fingers. He hugged himself against the cold, gasping and suffocating, and stepped on the long pants, reaching for the man's door –

Naruto panicked. His feet tangled in Sensei's pajama pants and fell –

Into Sensei's arms.

And Naruto immediately felt safe. He burrowed into his shoulder and wrapped his unbroken arm around his neck and shivered. He had to get closer. He had to get closer, grab hold of the sensation that he was not alone, and never let go –

He could feel Sensei's warm breaths shattering against his forehead, and he held on with everything he had. "Why… are your clothes… so… big…" he panted, trying to breathe in more of him – only him –

Sensei's arms held him close. He picked him up – one arm wrapped around his knees while the other supported his back and cradled his head against his neck. "Breathe, Naruto. Just breathe. Breathe." His fingers threaded in Naruto's hair and tried to soothe him with their touch.

Naruto tried, gasping, and pulled himself closer – closer –

The world began to spin.

"Focus on me, Naruto. On my hands. On my voice," mumbled a gentle voice, soft and soothing against his ears. "I've got you. I've got you, Naruto." He closed both doors and carried him to the sofa, whispering in his ear and caressing his hair.

He tried to hold on to that promise, bright and fragile among the chaos reigning over his scattered thoughts. He noticed, just barely, how warm Sensei was; how strong he was, carrying him effortlessly; how gentle were his fingers, cradling his head against his chest. It was almost a hug.

He held on to it, to the notion that someone might be willing to touch him, hold him, save him

Sensei tried to put him down, but Naruto resisted and tightened his hold on the man's neck. His body grew cold and hollow as his heart raced painfully, bruising his lungs – "No," he begged. "There's a fire – I didn't see it, but I felt it – There's a – "

He wanted more. He needed more.

"There is no fire, Naruto," Sensei whispered. He caressed his hair and held him close. "It was just a dream. Just a bad dream. I'll be right back," he promised, his voice low and raw and gentle. "I'm getting you a glass of water. Is that all right?"

Naruto managed a small nod and released his hold. He whimpered when Sensei lowered him to the sofa, curling as tightly as he could and shivering.

He knew better than to ask.

Sensei still caressed his hair. He whistled – and Naruto could feel paws climbing over him, soft, wet noses nuzzling at him, and hear gentle whines. He lifted his hand, almost subconsciously, and hugged the nearest dog close. He wasn't as big as his dog, but the creature licked and sniffed him all the same.

And he was warm and soft and covered in fur.

Another dog sat on his legs, kneading at his stomach, and Naruto suddenly found it easier to breathe.

"Naruto, can you sit up?" mumbled a voice, just as soft and warm. When he did not answer, a hand cradled his head, lifting him, and another held a cold glass of water against his lips. "Drink, Naruto."

And he did. He leaned into Sensei's touch and drank every drop.

Slowly, the world steadied. The dizziness stopped, though he still felt slow and aching. His heart stopped trying to burst out of his chest. He could breathe again.

Every muscle felt tired and pained as if he ran a marathon.

He could not hold himself up.

Sensei lowered his head back to the sofa. His hand pulled down the collar of his shirt. "What happened to your neck, Naruto?"

Naruto kept his eye closed. He exhaled shakily. "I couldn't breathe," he whispered, his voice barely heard. "Too much smoke."

There was a long moment of silence, and then he felt something cool and soothing easing the itching pain that ran down his throat. Something that smelled like copper and aloe vera. Something colder still touched his face, wet and fresh and clean.

Naruto slowly opened his eye.

He turned slightly – and saw Sensei kneeling next to him and wiping his forehead with a wet towel. He groaned and tried to move –something shifted, so he looked up. Three dogs sat on the sofa, cuddling around his body. He hugged one of them like a living puppet against his chest.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"Don't apologize," Sensei answered immediately.

Naruto buried his face in the dog's fur. "S'late," he mumbled, "and…."

"I was awake. You are not a burden, Naruto," Sensei murmured. "Do you want to stay the night?"

Naruto dared to look at him. The room was dark, and Sensei's face was covered in shadows, but his eye looked soft and worried. He nodded. "Can I sleep with the dogs?" His voice broke.

Sensei swallowed. "Wouldn't you rather have the bed…?" he suggested carefully.

Naruto shook his head. "I fell from the bed," he admitted. "I think I jumped."

Sensei, for a moment, said nothing. "I'll bring a mattress for you," he said quietly. "Some of the dogs prefer to sleep under the Kotatsu. Would you like to sleep there?"

Naruto stared at the table. It seemed like a silly notion, but… but he was cold. He nodded again.

Sensei got up. He returned with a mattress and a blanket, which he arranged under the heated table.

When he finished, he got up and left for his bedroom, and Naruto used that chance to crawl under the table and curl as tightly as he could, trying to fit as much of himself as possible under the table. He lifted the blanket for the dogs to join him and cuddle with him. The goofy-looking dog licked his nose, and Naruto managed a small chuckle.

A hand snaked underneath his head, lifting him up – Naruto gazed up, his eye wide – and then lowered him unto something soft. A pillow.

Sensei's hand lingered for just one moment more and brushed his hair. "Can I get you anything else, Naruto?" he asked quietly. "What do you need?" He removed his hand.

Naruto's hand shot out – away from the safety of the blanket and the heat of the table – and grabbed Sensei's hand. He closed his fist around his fingers and gripped them tightly. "You," he gasped. "Stay."

Sensei's hand remained lifeless in his palm. "Naruto," he said slowly, "I can't…."

"I can't sleep when I'm cold, and I have nightmares when I'm warm," Naruto confessed. He tightened his hold and met his gaze. He could not read his eye – all he saw was black and lost to the shadows – and he felt alone and desperate. "I bet I can name more Pi digits than you," he blurted.

Sensei did not move. "What?"

Naruto flushed, but he still had a grip on his hand, so he pushed. "Shizune said we had a game, a Pi game, that we used to play when I was two. If I name more Pi digits, you gotta stay." He curled closer to his hand. "Please," he whispered.

Sensei was still quiet, and then he muttered, "I'm quite sure the conditions were the exact opposite of what you mentioned."

Naruto hesitated, but Sensei's voice was dry, not dismissive, so he mumbled, "But you can always say nothing and leave. S'not fair."

Sensei sighed. His shoulders slumped. "Fine. Give me a moment." He got up – freeing his hand from Naruto's grasp – and pushed the sofa closer to the table. He grabbed a blanket, wrapped it around his body, and sat back down, leaning against the cushions.

He held Naruto's hand.

"Sleep, Naruto," he whispered. "I'm here. You're safe." His thumb brushed Naruto's knuckles.

And Naruto, finally, managed to close his eye and fall asleep.


Notes:


I know that the alpha thing is inaccurate, but as Kakashi's pack are highly trained fighting dogs (who are also therapy dogs), I figured it probably is applicable in this case.

Also, just in case it wasn't clear, Kakashi meant Naruto could have the bed while he'll sleep on the sofa hahaha while I'm all for 'there was only one bed,' I'm also a sucker for sleepy handholding, so… there you go haha

So… Sakura knows, Sasuke knows, Gai suspects, and only Kakashi thinks the kids were just teasing Naruto for no reason. But I also think it's well established that moronsexual characters are morons around their love interest, so I'm totally okay with that.

Finally, Naruto got a proper place to stay and a hot AF neighbor, so things will definitely get more interesting from here.

Soo… what did you guys think? Please let me know in the comments! They really, truly, make my day.

See ya next Friday!