-Naruto Age 4-
Kakashi was sleeping in his bed when his alarm went off. He groaned and slammed a hand onto the evil device as he pushed the covers away. He yawed and reached for his mask putting it on and getting up. He looked at the time and groaned, it was one of the things he hated about being an ANBU Captain, and that was getting up early for team meetings and reports. If he had known that he wouldn't have taken the promotion two years ago but it offered him more time with Naruto and better pay.
That was something he needed, having a kid was expensive that was for sure. Plus the fact that Naruto ate what seemed like his own body weight at times, where it all went he had no idea. After showing and changing into his ANBU uniform he looked in on Naruto's room. It had changed over the years, gone now was the crib and other baby things, now the room held a toy box, a bed and a night stand with a lamp and clock next to it. There was a small shelve of books that he used to teach Naruto to read but mainly for him to read to Naruto at night.
It was strange how in the past four years he felt less and less like a guardian and more like a father. He had few memories of his own father and the Fourth was the next best thing he had, so he had been playing it mostly by ear. He had asked a few others in ANBU for advice who had children, and thank god for that or else he would have been totally lost. But looking at the small boy who was sleeping soundly in his bed, holding the fox toy that he had as a baby he couldn't help but smile.
Unfortunately it was breakfast time and he knew that Naruto could be hard to wake up and the Hokage had a mission for him so he wanted to say goodbye before he left. He left for the kitchen and cooked up some ramen. It was odd how Naruto loved the stuff, he had the same love for it as Kakashi had for his Icha Icha (which he kept locked up so Naruto would never find them even if he was still learning to read).
After the ramen was finished he sat down and then took a breath. "Naruto, the ramen is ready!" He called out. He raised a hand and ticked off five seconds with each finger, as soon as he made a fist meaning zero, Naruto burst into the room and jumped onto the chair wide awake and still in his orange PJs.
"Cool! Thanks daddy!" He said smiling happily as he dug into his food.
Kakashi smiled behind his mask, Naruto had been calling him daddy since he could talk and in truth he liked it. Although daddy had been his second word, his first was ramen, which he said for an entire day none stop. So no wonder he loved that food, he watched as Naruto just inhaled his meal.
"Naruto I got to go to work today, you think you'll be okay for a bit? I have to arrange for someone to look after you before I leave." He told him.
"'Kay daddy, is it going to be Iruka again?" He asked.
"We'll see Naruto, now finish up and wash up okay?"
The young Genin named Iruka had taken care of Naruto a few times, but at the moment he wasn't sure. The Chunin exams were coming up and Iruka was going training since he was going to enter this year. It was nice but he was one of the few people he trusted with Naruto. Over the years he had been aware of certain things when Naruto was alone out on the streets.
Like potted plants would fall and he just managed to pull him out of the way of them, or a cart that just happened to lose control nearly crashing into him. One night he had known someone had snuck into his home and looking around he found a few black widow spiders in Naruto's crib. They were random and spaced out but he knew that someone or some ones were targeting Naruto. He told the Hokage of course but the only thing he could do without evidence was to increase ANBU patrols around Naruto just in case. This of course lessened the 'accidents' but still they would happen.
Some even Kakashi weren't sure if they were just accidents or if he was just getting paranoid.
After making sure Naruto would be okay for at least a few hours he realized that he was running a bit late, he guess he wouldn't be able to visit the memorial this morning again so he just would when he got back. It was the least he could do to honor the memory of those that he cared for after all. He put on his ANBU mask, that of a wolf and made his way to the Hokage's office.
He found the man at his desk trying to once more at battle with his arch nemesis, the dreaded paperwork.
He smirked behind his mask, both of them actually since he still had on his regular one under that. (well three if you counted the other mask under his usual one he sometimes wore). "Hey, sorry I'm late Hokage-sama an old lady needed help crossing the street," He said taking off the wolf mask.
The old man gave a grunt trying to hide his smirk, Hatake always seemed to have an excuse. "Well now that you're finally here I have a mission for you and your squad. Tell me you remember Anko right?"
"Oh yeah the girl Kai's team found," Kakashi said as he remembered her.
She had been taken by Orochimaru a few years ago and after about a year turned up alone on a beach. She had been starving and dehydrated, in fact if the ANBU team hadn't found her she might have died after a few more days. She had been taken care of but her memories had a lot of holes in them, she sometimes got flashes now and then of something but nothing much beyond that. He also knew of her mark, the dark seal that Orochimaru put on her.
Kakashi was learning about seals lately and all ANBU were told of the seals and to keep an eye out for anyone else that had them.
"How is she doing these days?" He asked him.
"Pretty good," He gave a small smile. "That first year back was really hard on her, but she's turning out to be a great Chunin. In fact don't be surprise if in a year or so she makes Jonin. But she's also remembered something lately, she had another of her flashes, and I've been trying to help her remember."
"She thinks she remembers an area where Orochimaru might be or is. So you'll be taking her along to see if you can find anything."
Kakashi nodded, "Got it but there is on other thing that I need help with. I need someone to look after Naruto and well I would like someone that can take care of himself, lately I've been worried that someone is getting a bit more bold in harming him."
The Hokage nodded his head, he heard everything Kakashi had told him and it was worrying the old man. That was why he had looked up someone special for looking after Naruto, he was a bit...unorthodox even by Konoha standards but he was still one of their best.
"I already have someone planned for that, Gai you can come in now," He called out.
The doors opened and in walked in a Jonin with the usual vest, but he wore bright green spandex suit and had the strangest haircut, it looked like a bowl cut of some kind as he had pure black hair. He grinned with unnatural white teeth. Kakashi thought he could actually see them shine when he smiled as he gave him a thumbs up.
"Ah so this is the mighty Kakashi, the famous Copy Ninja." The strange ninja said to him. "I'm Maito Gai sometimes referred to as the Green Beast, I'm sure you remember me after all we were on a couple of missions together."
Kakashi looked at him for a moment in silence in a thinking pose. "Nope never heard of you and as odd as it is I don't remember you either."
Gai nearly face planted at that as Kakashi turned to the Hokage, "Is he on any medication that I should be aware of?"
"Not that we know of," The third said under his breath.
Gai was right back up to his old self in a second clapping a hand to Kakashi's back. "Don't worry you're youthful child is in perfect hands, if anything happens I'll do a thousands laps around Konoha on my hands with weighs on my legs." He did the same flashing grin and thumbs up again.
Kakashi suddenly had a very strong sense of doom at the moment.
-Later-
Kakashi was with Naruto as he was watching a kids program on the TV happily. "Now Naruto be good to Gai okay?"
"Okay but can I get Iruka next time? I really like him daddy," He said over his shoulder.
"Yeah he's a good young man, but behave with Gai okay?" He said knowing how Naruto could get, especially if he got too much sugar. The times he managed to eat too much of that even made him more hyperactive. It was insane how such a little boy could get that hyper, he swore with all that energy he could run up and down the Hokage Monument several times before getting tired.
"Daddy how long will you be gone?" Naruto asked a little worried, he hated it when his dad had to leave. He knew it was his job and all but he didn't like it, his dad always knew what to do.
He remembered when he was scared of the monster in his closet, his dad had come in asking him what was wrong and he told him about the monster. The next thing Naruto knew his father threw several kunai into the closet in the blink of an eye.
"There now Naruto if the monster is still in there he's not happy and if he comes back just remember any monster that wants to harm you has to get through me first."
After that Naruto slept peacefully in his room not afraid of any monster because he knew his daddy would protect him. So he always worried that something might happen when his dad was gone, but then again his dad was strong and brave and he wanted to be just like him.
Kakashi thought about it, "I'm not sure, but I promise I'll hurry okay?"
"Okay daddy." He smiled broadly at his dad and Kakashi couldn't help but smile back.
The doorbell rang and Kakashi went to it, he opened it up to see Gai there giving one of those bright smiles. He pulled him in before he could start going on again about youth and stuff like that. "Now look I'll be gone for a few days so take good care of him, there's a list of things you should know on the fridge, and careful not to give him too much sugar and you do remember what you were told about Naruto and what to watch out for right?"
Gai nodded getting a bit more serious at that last part, he knew that certain people weren't too happy with Naruto and that anyone could be after him. He did honor the late Hokage's wishes and besides to him anyone that would harm a small boy was the more unyouthful people that deserved no respect from him.
"No worries Kakashi, I'll see to his safety and you can trust me." He flashed his grin and gave the thumbs up. Kakashi just sighed as he went to introduce Naruto to Gai.
Outside his apartment however two shadowy figures were loaming across the street, both wore cloaks that hide the ninja garb under their vestments. They were a couple of missing nin, outlaw ninjas that had turned from their village. They had been hired to sneak into this village to assassinate of all things a young boy. Even among missing nins some still had some standards but these two were not one of them.
"What do you think Ichigo?" His partner asked.
"I think we should wait until Kakashi leaves Renji," He said to him.
There was no way that they wanted to fight Sharingan Kakashi, when they were told who was protecting the boy they found out the reason why they were being paid so much. Although their employer whoever it was, had made sure there was a way in and out for them and that their mission was timed so that Kakashi was far enough away, it was still a little unsettling.
They heard the stories and they didn't want to fight the Jonin so they would wait until he was a long distance away, that way if they were found out at least they had a good head start in getting the hell out of there. Besides the one in the green didn't look like that much of a threat anyway.
"We wait and get ready, Ichigo I want you to shadow them and take the boy out from a distance with your poison. I'll set up a backup plan just in case." Renji told his partner.
After that Kakashi left his home and made his way to the gate hoping that he wasn't too late.
When he got in range of the massive gate he could see two of his fellow ANBU there with a girl a little younger then he was, with purple hair pulled up at the back of her head. She was pretty looking although the scowl on her face and how she looked a bit pissed sent him a few warning bells about her.
"Damn it where the hell is he? I thought ANBU were supposed to be the elite ninjas of this city and you'd think your Captain would be on time for once," Anko said taping her foot.
"Unfortunately he's kind of...has trouble with the time apparently," One of the ANBU said. He knew all too well that their Captain was always late, it was a running joke that Kakashi would be late for his own funeral one day.
She then noticed an ANBU walking up towards them, she guessed this was the one they were waiting for.
"Sorry about that, I got lost on the road to life," He simply said to them all.
Anko raised an eyebrow, 'Lost on the road of life? What the hell does that even mean!?'
"You got a lot of nerve buddy," She growled out getting into his face, "The least you could do is show up on damn time and I don't care if you are an ANBU I'd still kick your ass."
"Duly noted," Kakashi said in a bored tone although he could feel the killer intent from the young woman. He made a mental note not to piss her off any further or he'd have to see just how good she really was.
"Fine then let's go before I forget anything important," She said and Kakashi noticed the slightly more serious and darker look on her face. He had no idea what it had to be like living with giant holes in your memory although sometimes he wondered if he would be better forgetting certain things as well.
-Hatake residence-
Gai was one of the strongest ninjas there was, he had the patience of a mountain, strong like an oak tree, he had seen hundreds of battles, seen a lot in his young life but at the moment he was wondering if he could handle such a thing as a hyperactive four year old.
"Hey why do you where green? Why is your hair like that? What are those big things over your eyes? Do you know my daddy? He's the strongest and bestest there is, and I'm going to be just like him! Are you strong? Can you show me? Can you, can you, can you Mr...Uh...What was your name again mister?"
All of this within seconds came from young Naruto.
Gai had to admit the flames of youth in this boy was like a blazing inferno, he had never seen a child with so much potential energy. 'Oh Kakashi you have a find boy! The flames burn brightly in him! I hope to one day I too will find a boy with flames that match him, he would make the perfect student!'
He grinned at the boy and Naruto was surprise by how shinny the tall man's teeth were.
"I'm Maito Gai, little Naruto-kun, but you can call me Gai," He said to him.
"Okay," Naruto grinned at the tall man.
"So Naruto what do you want to do?"
"Play ninja!" Naruto suddenly ran off leaving Gai to search for him. For such a small child he was fast and Gai went into Naruto's room but couldn't see him anywhere. Gai was surprised that he could hide so fast but then again he knew the home better than he did.
Gai went around searching the room, he opened the closet but only saw a mess in there, nothing but what looked like a pile of laundry that hadn't been cleaned yet. Gai sighed at such a sight, he would have thought Kakashi would have taught young Naruto better than that. He shook his head and went searching for the young boy, he looked in a toy chest with no luck, then he knelt down to check under the bed.
That was when his sense of danger hit him, like all experienced ninjas they had learned to trust their gut when someone was watching or about to attack. He heard the feet running and turned just in time to catch the little blonde boy as he jumped at the man. He launched himself into Gai's chest as he caught the giggling boy.
"I got ya!" He shouted out and Gai looked across seeing the disturbed pile of clothing. He smirked knowing now that the boy had used that to hide himself.
Gai had to admit the boy showed some talent at least for surprises. He got up and placed Naruto on the ground as the young boy gave him a huge fox like smile. Gai couldn't help but like the kid, he was full of the fires of youth.
"Well my youthful young man, what happens now that you got me?" Gai asked.
"It's your turn to hide now."
"Then prepare yourself," Gai decided to show off a bit and threw down a smoke bomb.
Naruto looked with wide eyes as the smoke cleared and Gai was gone, then he grinned as he started running around looking for him. He ran out of the room and Gai who was on the ceiling smiled down at him, he was using his chakra to stick himself to the ceiling and when Naruto left simply and silently landed. He turned around going into a thinking pose, as he thought about Naruto.
He had heard how the great Kakashi had taken in the child and he had to admit he had been surprised, he never pictured Kakashi as the family type. But he seemed to be doing a good job although Naruto could be a bit more tidy, but maybe he was expecting a bit much from a four year old. He wondered what Naruto would be like when he started his training?
That was when he felt a small body wrap around his leg, "Got ya again!"
He looked down surprised at the boy had come back so quickly, "How did you..."
"Daddy uses that trick too mister," He smiled up at Gai and the older man just had to laugh.
They continued to play for a bit until Naruto got a little tired, while taking a nap Gai went over the list that Kakashi left. It was kind of simple, usually the dos and don'ts, although what was underlined in red was 'Don't feed him sugar!' in big bold letters. Gai was wondering if Kakashi was being a hen mother or just trying to warm him.
He heard the sounds of small footsteps and saw little Naruto rubbing his eye with a yawn. Then he heard the young boy's stomach growl.
"Hungry?" He asked him and Naruto nodded quickly.
"So what do you want for lunch?"
"Ramen!" He yelled out happily.
"Okay but it's a good day out, we shouldn't waste it inside all the time, how about we go outside? I've heard of a place that is supposed to have the best ramen in the city," Gai smiled seeing how huge Naruto's eyes were now.
The little boy loved ramen but if there was a place that served the best, he couldn't wait to go. He ran over to Gai, hooping up and down asking to go there. Gai smiled seeing how suddenly awake he was and gave a small laugh as he put on his vest. When they left the apartment the two ninjas that had been waiting finally saw their target. As the two walked on, they started to shadow their prey.