Kakashi felt his heart beat in his chest. The exhaustion rolled over him like a tornado and he climbed the stairs to his apartment. He stopped at his door and was briefly stunned to see three containers and an envelope...the same he'd sent to Naruto.

He took it with his trembling hands and opened his door and put it on the table.

His hands held the envelope in his hands and Kakashi took a shaky breath. It was probably a simple thanks from the blonde, but for Kakashi it was more than that. Ruffling Naruto's hands had been more than that. And it had hurt, at the same time it ha-

". You're okay?" A voice muttered carefully interrupting his thoughts and he was surprised to see Anko standing there with her hair waved in a ponytail and in her ninja wear. Clearly she was going on a mission, and yet had come to see him before she left.

If it were any other day, Kakashi would have teased her endlessly, but he was too exhausted to muster up the strength.

"Yeah. Yeah I'm oka-" and he collapsed.

..

A morning later Kakashi woke up to hear someone chewing. "Cut it out Anko" he whispered subconsciously and he heard a familiar chuckle.

"You two getting that serious?" Kakashi's eyes cracked open to see Tenzo sitting casually on his chair, whilst eating the food on the container with a more than pleased smile. "Naruto sure can cook" the current ROOT ANBU said and Kakashi stood up sluggishly. He removed the blanket off him, which he knew Anko put on him and smiled lightly.

She was definitely made with more soft than she'd like to to admit.

He groaned, as tiredness rolled of his posture. These missions were getting to him, and the need to come back right at night was also getting to him. However, he didn't trust anyone, but Tenzo and Anko, to watch Naruto, and be discrete and invisible. If only Gai was quieter ninja, that would be incredibly helpful.

Brushing those thoughts away, Kakashi went to the table and looked at the other container which was still closed and rose and eyebrow. He then looked at the envelope that had been placed neatly and unopened and he took a breath. The white haired teen opened the envelope, and his hands trembled for a brief moment.

Here is some food Neighbor-san and Masked-san. Thank you very much for keeping me safe and keeping me away from those nasty bees.

-Naruto (Your Neighbor and Charge)

Kakashi chuckled hoarsely, Kushina's kid alright.

He then looked at Tenzo who was still eating and frowned, technically he was both Naruto's neighbor and he had also been Naruto's longest protector, unlike Tenzo who had just gotten the job so all the food should be his. The said ANBU as if reading what was on Kakashi's mind immediately gobbled up his food.

Kakashi.

".."

Tenzo, "senpai, I've eaten it, you can't have it back unless it's a box full of shit"

Kakashi sighed helplessly amused and rubbed his temples. He opened the container and was pleasantly surprised to see the food neatly and quite cutely arranged. His stomach grumbled, and Kakashi took a small bite. Then another. And another. And another.

And Okay. Naruto was an extremely good cook, that Kakashi felt ashamed for doubting him. Then again the kid was four, and Kakashi's food had never tasted that good at that age, but people were different, and talent didn't discriminate.

He hummed lightly as he opened the third container to see a bunch of cookies and muffins and he heard Tenzo swallow. He looked at the ANBU who's eyes were bright in joy and full of stars, and he gave the man One of each and brought the container to his chest.

"Senpaiiii"

Said man whined, but Kakashi didn't pay him mind. He ate his food in peace humming lightly at how good these actually were. If Naruto would have chosen to be a civilian, he would certainly need to open a business to get extra cash. This was really good, and so were the thoughts behind the gesture too...

After a few more minutes, Kakashi exhaled and he looked at Tenzo who gave him a worried look, and he knew it wasn't any good "you need to talk to the kid, Kakashi" and Tenzo was right. Kakashi knew he would, and he really was going to, it was just that in-between missions and...excuses.

Those were excuses. He had a week off and he knew this would be an opportunity to talk to Naruto, but Kakashi was scared. He had failed the kid. So many times. And if it weren't for this incident, Kakashi wasn't sure he would have woken up and done the right thing. He still didn't, but he was going to try this time. He looked at Tenzo who gave him a small sympathetic smile, "listen, from what I've seen, Naruto's become a really mature kid, so tell him the truth. Don't lie to him. Don't hide anything. Because if you lie he'll know. And he'll cut you off as if you've never existed"

Kakashi looked down, and Tenzo squeezed his shoulder, "I'll be on guard duty for the kid for this next months, use this opportunity. You know I trust you more than anyone and I won't speak of this to the third Hokage or Danzo, use that, whilst you still have time"

Kakashi nodded and Tenzo gave a small smile then grinned, "and ask Anko to be your girlfriend or at least slowly make her move in with you, otherwise you'll lose to the two Uchihas and they're still not even 18"

And Tenzo put back his ANBU mask and disappeared whilst Kakashi looked at his own mask and sighed.