Chapter 6: Uncle Trouble

Kurenai awoke with a jolt as the knocking of a door came to her ears. Looking at her alarm clock she noticed that it wasn't even past 2:30 at night. This was strange to her as she didn't understand why anyone would come to her house at a time like this.

Getting out of bed she made sure not to wake the little boy who was currently fast asleep as he sucked his thumb. Kurenai went to her door and opened it only to find Anko there with a worried expression.

"Anko, what are you doing here in the middle of the night?" Kurenai asked as she rubbed some of the sleep out of her eyes.

"Something happened." The voice of Kakashi came from the darkness as he came into the light, Kurenai was very surprised to see him here as she didn't expect him to be with Anko.

"Kakashi, what's going on?" Kurenai asked.

"Kumo tried to kidnap a Hyuga earlier tonight so Lord Third wants all Chunin on guard until this all gets sorted out." He said with almost no emotion in his voice.

Kurenai took a moment to register what had happened as shock could be seen on her face. "What, no way I can't believe this. Wait all Chunin, but I'm watching Naruto for Rin. Who's gonna watch him?" She asked.

"Rin's already told me that if anything happens to you or Asuma then I'll watch him until either of you or she comes to get him. I've already got the all good from the Hokage as well." He said as Kurenai took in the information.

"So you know too then?" She asked.

"I was one of the first to know after you." He said. Anko was a little confused at first as she tried to figure out what they were saying. "Wait, are you two talking about him being the…"

"Yes." They said at the same time to quiet the girl.

"OK, give me a second to change and get him." The other two nodded as they waited for her. After fifteen minutes she came out in her shinobi gear with a still sleeping Naruto resting in her arms and a bag strapped on her shoulder. She handed the bag to Kakashi before handing the boy to the Jonin. "You know how to take care of him right?" She asked.

"Yeah, yeah. Rin told me. How hard can it be?" He waved off the question which only made Kurenai a little scared. However before she could say something Anko had gotten her attention.

"Come on, we should go. I got our station location already and they will be expecting us." Kurenai nodded as they waved to Kakashi who only nodded to them due to his hand being full. Once the two were out of sight the Jonin looked at the small boy who was now drooling on his flank jacket. "Aw come on."

XXX

Kakashi entered his apartment as quietly as he could as he laid Naruto on his living room couch and put a blanket over him to keep him warm before going to a lounge chair in the corner of the room, ready to begin his watch. Looking at the boy for a few minutes he closed his eyes as he began to feel the effects of exhaustion begin to take hold from the hours he hasn't had sleep.

"Damn, why did it have to be tonight of all nights?" He said as he rubbed his visible eye. Suddenly he noticed movement from the couch as he looked to see Naruto begin to stir from his sleep. "Hey, why are you awake?"

Naruto rubbed his eyes as he saw Kakashi in the corner of the room. "Unca Kashi? Were Anti Kurani?" He asked as he sat up.

"She had to go on a mission. She didn't want to but she had to so I'll be watching you until your mom comes back." Kakashi said in a bored tone. "Now what are you doing up, you should be asleep?"

Naruto blushed for a moment before looking at Kakashi. "I need to pee."

Kakashi took a moment to understand what he had just said as he sighed. "OK, come on." Kakashi held out his hand for Naruto to take. Naruto hesitated for a moment but took the hand as the two went to the bathroom so he could do his business.

Afterwards Kakashi took Naruto to his living room and brought the boy to the couch as he put the blanket over him. "OK I'm going to be in my room so if you need me just come get me ok." Kakashi said as he stood up.

"OK." Was all Naruto said as he watched the man go to his bedroom. After a moment Naruto heard the door close as he held onto his orange blanket tightly. Looking around the darkroom Naruto felt like he was being watched as he saw shadows creep around the walls. Quickly he hid under the covers as he whimpered. Small tears began to fall down his face as he thought about his mother and wished she could have just been back by now. After almost a week away

from her he was starting to really worry for her and being in a place he didn't normally stay the night at wasn't helping him at all.

Soon Naruto got off the couch as he ran to Kakashi's room with his Blanky dragging on the floor behind him as he knocked on the door. After a few hits Naruto realized that the door wasn't fully closed as the door opened for him. Entering the darkroom he noticed Kakashi seemingly asleep on his bed as he came up to the man and began to shake him. Soon Kakashi stirred from the little amount of sleep he had as he looked down at the little boy. "You ok?" He asked.

"It's dark and scary. And I want my mommy." Naruto began to tear up as Kakashi went to comfort him as best he could.

"H-hey it's ok. She should be back very soon so you don't have to worry, ok." Naruto only looked at the man with watery eyes as he looked about ready to cry. "Um, oh jeez. Uh. Hey, do you want to sleep with me? At least so you can feel safe." Kakashi asked as he tried to give the boy some form of comfort.

Naruto nodded as Kakashi picked him up and placed him on the bed. Tucking the boy in he noticed Naruto holding on to his orange blanket as if to stop it from disappearing. "Are you comfortable?" He asked. Naruto nodded as he began to feel a little safer. "Can you tell me a story?" He asked.

"About what?" Kakashi asked, not sure what to even do.

"I don't know. Ninja story." Naruto said as Kakashi was trying to think of something.

"Um, ok. Oh I got one. It's about a very brave ninja who saved the whole village." Naruto's eyes widened upon hearing that. "Really?"

"Yep. He had to fight this big fox with a lot of tails."

"How many?"

"Um, 18."

"Wow, that's a lot."

Kakashi chuckled at hearing that. "Yes it is. Well anyway, this man could control the forest and trees around him and protect him from the Fox's attacks."

"No way."

"Yes way. You see the man was able to use the trees to grab the fox and restrain it. And soon he was able to seal it away."

"Seal?" Naruto asked, never hearing that word before.

Kakashi was amazed that the kid had never heard about sealing before though he was only three and sealing is a very advanced skill. "It means he made it go away."

Naruto was amazed as he yawned a little and began to fall asleep. "Night night.

"Good night." Kakashi said as he watched the boy fall asleep. Before he let sleep do the same to him.

XXX

Kakashi awoke with a jolt as the nightmare left his memory. Looking outside he saw the sun was rising as he looked at his clock.

"5:50 huh? Better than usual. Damn dream." Getting out of bed he changed as he got ready to go to the memorial stone as he looked down at his bed and now remembered the 3 year old he was supposed to be watching. 'Oh shoot. Crap what do I do now? Should I take him? Would Rin be ok with that? I mean it couldn't hurt him right? Meh, why not, he should be fine.' Making up his mind Kakashi went to the boy as he picked him up and put his orange blanket over him. For a moment Naruto seemed like he was going to wake up but after a moment he settled as Kakashi heard his small snoring.

'Let's hope he doesn't wake up.' Kakashi thought as he left his apartment.

XXX

Kakashi walked up to the stone slab with the names of those who died in the service of Konoha as he stood still, looking at three names in particular. The first was a name he knew all too well as he thought about Obito. Thinking about the man who in many ways changed his life forever he then looked to the next two names, Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, before looking to the small boy in his arms.

Suddenly a cold breeze came past the two as Naruto began to stir. "Mmm. Unca Kashi, its cold."

"Sorry bud. I didn't notice." Kakashi apologized to the boy as he only now felt the cool fall breeze. "I just needed to do something. You just rest a little more ok, we'll leave in a minute." Kakashi felt Naruto's head rest on his shoulder as the boy slowly nodded. Taking in the sight of the stone one last time, Kakashi started to walk to his apartment.

On the way Kakashi smelt the aroma of restaurants making their first meals of the day as he felt Naruto shift. Looking down he saw the boy with his head held high as he started to sniff the air. After doing this both heard the growling of a hungry stomach as Naruto blushed.

"You hungry?" Kakashi asked. Naruto only nodded as Kakashi stopped. "What do you want then?"

Naruto thought for a moment before looking at a small shop to their right. "That."

Kakashi looked at the shop as he read the sign. 'Ramen shop huh. I know he can't read so how did he figure out what it even was. Maybe he could smell it, lord knows Kushina could.' "You want to have ramen. Isn't it a bit early for that?" Kakashi asked as he looked at the boy.

Naruto looked away from the man for a moment before looking back at him. "Mommy lets me."

Kakashi's visible eyebrow raised at that. "Does she now?"

"Yep." Naruto said with a smile, knowing fully well that he was lying.

"OK then." Kakashi shrugged as Naruto cheered.

Walking into the shop Kakashi ducked his head down so as to not bump it before he sat on one of the stulls, Naruto sitting on his lap.

Once they sat down the man at the other side of the counter looked at them with a pleasant smile. "Well hello there, welcome to Ichiraku Ramen, I'm Teuchi. I'm happy to see some new faces around here. What can I get for yah?"

Kakashi thought for a moment as he looked at the menu. "Um, can I have the miso ramen? He'll just have it with me." Kakashi added at the end while pointing to Naruto.

"Of course. Coming right up." Teuchi said as he started on making the ramen. Kakashi sat quietly as he waited for the food to be made, Naruto bouncing with excitement at the food.

Kakashi noticed movement to his right as he saw an 8 year old girl poking her head out from around the corner of the counter as she noticed she was spotted and hid again. Kakashi only chuckled as he looked down to Naruto again, the boy seemingly not even paying attention.

Soon the food was finished as Kakashi began to eat. Naruto seemed even more eager to try the ramen as Kakashi blew on a noodle before giving it to him. Naruto's eyes had stars in them as he reached for more, Kakashi only just stopping him from spilling the bowl.

"Hey, wow now. You have to be careful or you'll burn yourself." Kakashi reprimanded the boy as he got another noodle for him to eat.

After they were both done Kakashi paid for the meal as he thanked Teuchi for the food and left for his home.

XXX

Rin panted for a moment before catching her breath. Looking around the battlefield she saw the bodies before finally finding her teammates doing the same as her.

'Man, they were tough.' She thought as she met Asuma's eye. "Is he dead?"

Asuma looked at the body to his right with two large stab wounds though its chest as he looked back at her. "Yep, mission complete. Let's burn the bodies and move out!"

Everyone else nodded as they grabbed the bodies and began to leave no trace of the battle.

XXX

"I want to wear it!" Naruto yelled as he held out a fox costume.

"But why?" Kakashi asked as he tried to figure out why the boy would want to wear such a terrible outfit. "Don't you want to wear something more normal?"

"No! I wanna wear this!" Naruto pouted as Kakashi gave up.

"Uh, fine. Let's get changed." Naruto cheered as he went to the bathroom with Kakashi.

XXX

Kakashi sat on a bench as he watched Naruto play in a sandbox, reading his favorite book while he did so. Looking up from his book, Kakashi noticed someone walking towards them as he smiled from behind his mask.

"Hey Naruto." Kakashi called out to the boy.

Looking up from the sandbox, Naruto looked at the man. Kakashi only pointed to behind the boy. Looking in that direction Naruto gained a bright smile as he started running to the person.

"MOMMY!" Rin held out her arms as she grabbed Naruto in a tight hug.

"I missed you too. Were you good?" Naruto nodded as Kakashi walked up to the two. Rin gave a thankful nod to her friend as he did the same. Soon the three went their separate ways as Naruto began to tell Rin about his week.

XXX

He watched the man he hated the most looking at the stone. Why should he morn anyone? It's because of him that she's gone. But that wasn't the only thing he noticed. This very same man had that boy in his arms, sleeping on his shoulder. Why? Taking a moment he thought about what he should do. He could kill him now and take the Nine Tails. While he didn't need it just yet he could always keep it until the plan was ready.

Just as he thought about this he noticed him beginning to leave. Should he follow him, watch and see what he does with it. Maybe he should. Mind made up he used his greatest power as he disappeared in a swirl of space.

Watching the two throughout the day he saw them eat at a ramen shop, watched him fight with the boy over what to wear for the day, even watched him take the boy to the park. He watched him read a book while the boy played in a sandbox. What innocence. What foolishness. This world isn't perfect and won't be as long as his plan doesn't become complete. And what is he pointing at? What could possibly be so important to let that boy know is…?" He stopped his train of thought as he looked to the woman.

It couldn't be. She can't be here. She should be dead.

He watched as she hugged the boy and gave him the love only a mother could give her child. A single tear left his eye as he remembered the very name he thought he'd never get to say again.

"Rin."

END OF CHAPTER

Author's Note: Welp I've returned with one of my most popular stories. And after Father's Day too. Man I don't think I'll ever get one of these done on a holiday. :(

Nah I could care less. :-)

Anyway I hope you liked this one and I hoped you liked the ending. Been thinking about how I'd do this one for a bit and I think I figured it out in the best way I could. So yeah.

Been rewatching Naruto and just got done with the Land of Waves arc and man do I love this show. Then again if I didn't why would I be making any of these.

OK so let's see those reviews.

Ok Review Time:

STAG98: Thanks for the suggestion and I've fixed it in the last chapter and I'll do it for all chapters of stories I make from now on. Hope you like it. And thanks for enjoying the story.

Prewishjay13: Well look who's back. I'm happy you love it so much and thanks for the compliments. And for your other hope that is something I'm not sure about just yet. This story was one that I wasn't sure whether or not this would be it after I finished this one or if I'd keep it going. I do know for sure that once this one is over I'll be focusing on other stories for a while but I may continue with this world after finishing other stories. For now we'll just have to wait.

Alright so many of you have definitely noticed that my speed for making these stories has been getting slower as time has gone on and there's a very good explanation for it. You see I'm going back to school so my time will be more focused on that. I won't stop making these but don't expect 8 stories a week. Probably more like 1 or 2 every few weeks. Sorry for that but this is just how it will be for a bit.

Anyway I hope you liked this one and I'll be seeing you around.

By everyone.