"You're different" Anko stated and Kakashi looked at Anko was giving him an inquisitive look that was far beyond his own comprehension of her character. She was standing infront of him eating dango and had an incredibly serious expression on her face, as if ready for a big confession.

"Well.. fess up. What happened?" She urged, eating her dango happily whilst her eyes looked at him curiously. Kakashi's first instinct was to deny, deny and deny, but considering he had somehow left, his icha cha paradise book in his apartment, Kakashi knew for it to be a worthless struggle. And he wondered why he was denying it in the first place, he trusted Anko, and considering his hesitance to show trust, that was saying a lot.

He observed the woman before him and smiled, "move in with me"

Anko choked.

"You want me to what?!" She demanded, her expression fixed in shock whilst she stared at him wondering when he had lost his mind. And Kakashi would have answered long ago but that was besides the point. Tenzo was right. About Naruto, about telling the kid nothing but the truth, and about her too.

They were only going around in circles, both of them and if no one did anything, the only thing they could do was part. Kakashi didn't want that. Maybe at some point he would have been fine with it. But not now. Talking to Naruto had been an eye opener. Sure it opened up some old wounds he would rather leave behind, but it also closed them in a way he never thought he needed. He was a man who had the shadow of death lingering behind him, and it was a burden to carry in its own right.

However, swallowing up and projecting by killing, it never did anything but leave him utterly alone. He didn't want that. Not anymore. Especially now that he was planning to officially take care of Naruto.

He was eighteen after all, with a stable source of income and a relation to Naruto's parents. Moreover, he was ANBU captain, and the...last of Hatake clan. There was power in those combined and even though with the council's clear opposition in Naruto being adopted by anyone, Kakashi wouldn't let that stop him.

He looked at Anko who was still frozen in shock, "I said move in with me, I'm going to be going through a whole battle with the council about adopting Naruto and I need the...relief" damn. That made him sound like an asshole, but he knew that with Anko he would have to use this method, otherwise she would run. She would run and she would never look back. And sure enough after that, Anko relaxed.

"You'll buy me dango every day?"

"Week"

"No labels or anything?"

"None"

Anko scrutinized him for a brief moment, then sighed, "okay" Kakashi nodded, "okay" and that was done. So easily and so smoothly, Kakashi wondered how hard it would be to finally adopt Naruto. Things for him would never be easy.

..

Naruto on the other hand was having a dilemma.

It had been weeks since he and Kakashi had their small little talk and they had gotten quite close. Naruto downright loved the man more than anyone he had ever know especially since he had confirmed that Kakashi was in fact dog. Not that he would tell the man, it was better and safer that way.

However that was that. Shikamaru and Choji continued to visit him, just as today. Their squad had progressed, to the point that they had Choji's hands on the paper.

The day had been going rather well until Choji spilled the beans, more like slipped the beans, that tomorrow was Shikamaru's birthday and the Nara had decided not to celebrate it since he knew that Naruto had stopped coming out of house. It was sweet, but it made Naruto feel bitter. He hadn't gone out of his apartment complex in a while, and he was doing well without. However, his friend. His friends were unlike him. They had their own lives as well.

"Choji!"

Shikamaru yelled and the said boy went behind Naruto, whilet Naruto sighed as Shikamaru looked away. "Troublesome" the Nara said and Naruto felt the silence linger in the room. And it was so so uncomfortable. He didn't want to come out, but he didn't want to miss Shikamaru's birthday. The Nara had been there for him, and Naruto wanted to be there for him too.

"Don't worry about it Naruto, it's just a celebration" Shikamaru assured and Naruto frowned, Choji had been clear from Naruto's insistence to speak, that a clan's heir's fifth birthday was important because some of the clans were invited to make future deals and what not with politics and in as much Naruto knew it didn't bother Shikamaru's family. It bothered Naruto. Shikamaru was more than his friend, he was also a clan heir and Naruto knew it was important for Shikamaru to adhere to some things.

"Okay"

The words were out before Naruto knew it. Only for them. Just for them. "What?" Choji asked and Naruto nodded his head and looked down feeling small. Feeling like his age. It was weird and it was strange. He wasn't a child.

"I'll come"

Naruto said as he exhaled and Shikamaru shook his head, "this is why I didn't want to tell you, it's fine you troublesome blonde. It's just a birthday, I'll have many of those and you'll attend when you attend" the Nara said and Naruto shook his head sharply, he couldn't let Shikamaru cater to him at his expense and even th-

Bonk

"..Ouch"

Naruto whined as Shikamaru hit him on the head, "stop, I said I'm not having a party and I was clear. It doesn't matter" Naruto smiled lightly and he realized that for Shikamaru it really didn't, but quite honestly, he wanted to, not because he didn't like his apartment, but because he wanted to see Shikamaru be celebrated.

He nodded lightly and gave a wink to Choji who's eyes widened, but nodded excitement clear in his eyes. Naruto would go and he would be protected. Just for Shikamaru and Choji. As well as just for himself.