Dark Nights
Putting the ANBU gear on made Kakashi feel like he was betraying his team. He had left the infant with Sarutobi's daughterReiko. She was still on leave from missions as Tori, and Kakashi knew she wouldn't be returning to active duty. She, like many other higher ranked young shinobi retired after the nine-tails attack. Most had children, or took less risky missions, some even took over their clans if the predecessors died during the attack. It made Kakashi feel off to be standing in front of Danzo, decked out in ANBU gear after he had spent so much time at home with Naruto.
"Welcome."
Just hearing Danzo's voice made Kakashi's skin crawl. He was starting to doubt his decision to go through with this plan. It wasn't hard to convince the Hokage of the potential threat in ROOT.
He had talked to the man a week before about being assigned this mission.
"What is it you wanted to speak to me about Kakashi?"
Kakashi was in civilian clothes, with Naruto. It had been three weeks since he took the baby in. Kakashi had gathered most of the things he needed slowly over the three weeks. One of which was a sling like the one Mikoto had for Sasuke. He had taken up using it as a means of keeping an eye on the unsurprisingly active Naruto. At only two weeks old the baby was already kicking and turning over. By week three Naruto had rolled for the first time and nearly gave Kakashi a heart-attack. It was scary how much he could do so early yet how easy it would be for Naruto to injure himself doing these things. It was hard thinking of Naruto as fragile, he had always seen his youngest student as an unmovable force of nature with a smile.
"Yes. I saw something the night of the attack Lord Hokage."
The older man tilted his head, indicating he was listening and for Kakashi to go on.
"There was a young boy in ANBU gear, he was using Wood style jutsu."
Sarutobi stood up and slammed his hands into the table.
"Everybody out! Anything you have heard has been classified as S-Class and doesn't leave this room with you."
The room quickly cleared of attendant's, assistants, and various ranks of shinobi.
"ANBU too, anyone found eavesdropping will be charged with treason."
The shadows shifted as ANBU left.
"Why would you say such things with so many people around, Kakashi?"
The younger man shrugged his shoulders and tried to calm Naruto, who had been startled by Sarutobi's outburst.
"I thought it would get your attention."
The Hokage sat down once more and motioned for Kakashi to go on.
"He wore an ANBU mask of a cat, but I have never seen anyone fitting this description in ANBU before."
"What was he doing?"
Kakashi hadn't really thought that far and hoped his on the spot lie wouldn't be detected.
"He ran past me in the opposite direction when I went to pursue Minato-sensei. I attempted to stop him when Danzo showed up and intervened."
With the grave expression on the older man's face, Kakashi knew his lie had been believed. With that it was easy to sit in the office of the Hokage and go over how he would infiltrate ROOT.
That's how a week later Kakashi was standing in the base of ANBU ROOT, dog mask and ANBU gear on. Danzo was standing in front of him with a smug look on his face.
"You will be an excellent addition to our division here."
It took longer for Danzo to risk his attack on Sarutobi, but while the timeline was different like Jiraiya had mentioned somethings will happen no matter what. The missions in ROOT were exactly like he remembered them, hard, and soul crushing. Nothing could make Kakashi say what he was doing was worth it, this was simply a part of the past he knew must happen. The fact that he was sent out on a two week-long mission with ROOT and had to leave Naruto with Reiko Sarutobi the whole time was proof of that. He hated when the infant was out of his sight for a few hours out of the day, after a few days he was on the verge of leveling ROOT and going home.
A tiny voice that sounded vaguely like Sakura reminded him doing so would make him a rouge nin and then Naruto would technically be repossessed by the village elders.
Not that he expected anything to happen to Naruto while Reiko watched him. Kakashi knew Reiko took care of Naruto for the first three or so years of his life. Then she watched him on and off with other appointed personnel when she was trying to get pregnant with her husband. After a miscarriage the medics told her to lay off stressful situations, and the Hokage deemed Naruto better cared for by someone else. Sarutobi had been wrong but at the time he had no way of knowing that the people, the ninja he ordered to care for the toddler would disobey due to their own hatred for the boy. It wasn't until Naruto couldn't be found by his caretaker one day that Sarutobi got involved in the young child's life. Kakashi was hoping things like this would be different, he was hoping his student could grow up happier than the life he spent alone and confused about the hatred he received.
Kakashi had just walked through the gates of Konoha, it was late which tended to be the case with these ROOT missions when they ended. He had already reported to Danzo via Pakkun and was headed to see the Hokage for their meeting. He was going to report the soon to be assassination attempt on the older shinobi's life. This is where he will officially meet Tenzo if all goes well so even with the mission draining him Kakashi felt a surge of excitement. While it would still be a few years till the younger man was able to leave ROOT, Kakashi knew he was one of the key factors in Tenzo's decision to rebel against Danzo in the first place. He just had to plant the seed and Tenzo would do the rest. They would be a team in no time after that, and shortly after Tenzo leaves ROOT is when Itachi joins ANBU as well. So while it might be a few more years till any of that actually happened he would still be able to set some of his history changing plans into motion. The Hokage's tower came into view as he shook himself from his musings. He quickly flash stepped to the window where the Hokage sat, still signing documents as he opened the glass for Kakashi to enter.
"How was the mission Inu?"
Kakashi wanted to rip the damn mask right off his face but knew doing so wasn't allowed. The mask still felt heavy with regret and when he took on Team 7 he hadn't planned on wearing it ever again.
"A success sir. I have news that you must hear that doesn't have to do with the mission Lord Hokage."
The man sighed as he rested his elbows on the desk in front of himself, he entwined his fingers and rested chin on them before motioning for Kakashi to continue.
"There has been an order by Danzo for a team to kill you. I haven't seen which team it is, but I am certain the Wood style nin will be involved."
Kakashi saw the anger flash in the old man's eyes before he hummed thoughtfully.
"I see. So Danzo would take it that far. I supposed we should come up with a counter to this attack then."
It was a few hours more of discussion with the Hokage but finally Kakashi headed home.
It was odd for him to think of his apartment as such. No where had really felt like home after Minato and Kushina died, his apartment was simply a place he slept in-between missions. Now Kakashi couldn't wait to return to his apartment, where he could be with Naruto.
It had been two months since Kakashi took Naruto in, and he had fallen into habits with the baby. Contrary to his concerns Naruto was a quiet baby, he only fussed when he was hungry or needed to be changed. Kakashi often read to the infant while he cleaned, or cooked, and before Kakashi went to sleep. He would read ninja scrolls, books he deemed appropriate for the infant, and sometimes mission reports he was working on. It wasn't like Naruto could divulge village intel, so he saw no harm in doing so. His summons turned out to be a big source of entertainment for the infant. They were excited when he introduced them to the baby Naruto and begged him for permission to play with Naruto. The baby seemed to enjoy them as well and whatever made Naruto laugh, even if he was an infant, made Kakashi happy.
Kakashi understood what it meant to have a home, he had found one after his father died with Minato-sensei. Now it seemed that feeling of home was wherever Naruto was waiting for him.
As he got closer to home he realized the only chakra signature coming from his apartment was Naruto's. He instantly rushed to his apartment, fearing the worst had happened to Reiko. The front door was still locked and as he unlocked it he listened for any sign Naruto was in distress. There was none. Kakashi threw the door open, Sharingan activated in both his eyes, kunai in hand, and chakra spiked to the ceiling with his anger.
Genma Shiranui sat in full ANBU tactical gear, sitting on the edge of Kakashi's bed with Naruto sleeping in his arms. The man was covered in dirt and grime, splatters Kakashi would bet was blood on his uniform.
He didn't lift his head when Kakashi burst through the door, but he did tighten his grip on the infant. Kakashi was shocked, he's sure his brain had stopped working for a few minutes as he took in the sight of the seventeen-year-old Special Jounin cradling Naruto. He couldn't see Genma's face due to his mask, but he knew the older teen's eyes were on Naruto. With a sigh of relief Kakashi dropped his attack ready mindset and closed his door.
"Tanuki."
Kakashi greeted. Genma nodded in acknowledgment but had yet to lift his gaze from Naruto.
"I know Naruto can be overwhelming, but I need to know why you're here Tanuki?"
This had Genma lifting his head. He quickly signed 'blindspot' and Kakashi nodded. Some places, usually meeting rooms, or the homes of ANBU members were sealed so no one could see them when their mask was removed.
Genma removed his ANBU mask to meet Kakashi's eyes.
"Reiko's husband was injured, I passed his squad entering the village and rushed to relieve her since I knew she would be watching him today. I didn't know you were coming back today."
It was as close to an apology as Genma got so Kakashi accepted it.
"You haven't attempted to visit him since he was born Genma. I feared you might resent Naruto due to what happened."
It was a half lie, Kakashi knew Genma cared for the boy. He was one of the few that had helped Naruto growing up from the shadows.
"I have orders from Lord Hokage to not get close in fear of other villages or civilians figuring out his importance. He thinks you caring for him is risk enough."
That made Kakashi feel like shit.
He didn't know Sarutobi had given that kind of order. It made him wonder who else would have wanted to see Naruto but was unable to due to this order. Had it been in place during the last timeline? It was a possibility. Kakashi had been so busy with missions and grief that time around he hadn't noticed. His head spun a little with the possibility that even in his original time line had he attempted to go to Naruto as an infant he would be forbidden from doing so. He didn't want to imagine the type of pain that must have caused for others who wished to see Naruto after Minato-sensei and Kushina died. Genma, Raido, Hayate, Choza Amikichi, Shikaku Nara, possibly even Mikoto and Fugaku had been given this order originally in his timeline. All friends of the infants parents, people who grieved for their loss and knew who Naruto was.
What he was.
Kakashi's chest tightened with emotions he had been trying to beat down since he was thrown back in time.
"You think we can keep this between us? Reiko said she wouldn't tell Lord Hokage it was me who was watching him while she was at the hospital."
Kakashi turned his attention back to his current situation.
Genma was looking down at Naruto who slept peacefully in his arms. His face a mask of pain, longing, and loneliness, with awe and affection thrown in. Kakashi wanted to tell Genma to fuck all and come see Naruto whenever he got the chance. He wanted to reassure him that Naruto would grow up to care about Genma just as fiercely as Genma cared for him. But none of these words left his mouth.
Instead Kakashi sighed, sitting down heavily next to Genma and ran his fingers through Naruto's fluffy blonde hair.
"Who is supposedly watching my little Naruto then?"
Genma looked over to Kakashi and smiled mockingly.
"You sound like a dad Kakashi."
Kakashi scoffed, falsely offended at the comment. Even as his mind hissed cruelly that he'd never be as good as Minato-sensei.
Genma laughed and ended up jostling Naruto just enough to wake the infant up.
Naruto's scarred face scrunched up in discomfort, his eyes blinking open a few times before he settled on looking quizzically up at Genma. Kakashi would have laughed at Naruto for forgetting to cry at being woken up suddenly when he got distracted by the stranger holding him. Genma looked like he wasn't breathing as he looked into Naruto's curious eyes. For a second Kakashi was afraid Naruto would start crying and scare the poor ANBU holding him. What ended up happening was Naruto yawned lazily, squirmed to, Kakashi guessed get comfortable and fell right back to sleep. Genma let out the breath Kakashi knew he had held throughout the short interaction.
"Not that this isn't amusing to watch but I'm exhausted. So, what's our lie on who watched Naruto, and how long are you planning on being here?"
Genma pulled Naruto closer to his chest as if the idea of letting go of the infant was too much for him.
"Ah right. That kid Iruka Umino from a few floors down said he'd cover for Reiko if he was asked by anyone. Though honestly we had planned it to be a lie for you and the Hokage."
Kakashi flopped onto his back with his arms spread out on either side of him.
"Great, Iruka's already learning to lie to me about Naruto."
Genma smiled down at Kakashi.
"He thinks I'm some kind of nine-tails secret bodyguard."
It was Kakashi's turn to laugh quietly at that.
"Technically you're a self-appointed secret nine-tails bodyguard Genma."
Kakashi could feel his body growing heavy. The short adrenaline rush draining him more than he already was from his mission. The selfish part of himself wanted to take Naruto out of Genma's arms and fall asleep with the infant for a few blissful hours. Even with the crib he had set up not too far from his own bed Kakashi still preferred to sleep with Naruto next to him. Within arms reach at all times. His only reassurance that this was all real.
"Genma."
He sighed when he realized minutes had passed as he fought to not fall asleep. Genma had gone back to staring at the infant.
"Just a few more hours."
Kakashi held back another defeated sigh as he dragged himself from his mattress.
"Fine. I'm going to change and sleep. If you leave while I'm out…"
He trailed off when he glanced over his shoulder to see Genma wasn't paying attention to what he was saying. The young man had slid to the floor with Naruto, where he sat cross legged with his head down. Kakashi went back to gathering something to sleep in. He didn't want to see what he knew he would if he turned back to Genma. So instead he closed the door to his small bathroom.
Kakashi didn't have the energy to throw himself in the shower so he rinsed off as much filth and blood from his arms, neck and face. Putting his mask securely back in place, with a grey shirt and sweatpants since the weather had been turning cold. The chill of fall fast approaching. He walked back into his room where Genma hadn't moved from his position on the floor. His back leaned against the foot of Kakashi's bed, his face still down turned and hidden.
Kakashi didn't sleep that night.