Naruto was sitting on top of a tree, looking down at the grass below him. The team had long ago been dismissed and he stayed behind to do some thinking. He was confused and lost. He did not know what to think since what he saw almost a week ago plagued his mind. His performance during practice was horrible and he got scolded several times by both teammates and teacher. But he just couldn't help it!
A figure stopped under him and he noticed that it was his instructor. "Oi, come down here for a moment."
Naruto obeyed without complaining. He looked up at Kakashi and tilted his head to one side. "What is it, Kakashi-sensei?"
"I believe I should be asking you that question, Naruto." He answered crossing his arms across his chest. "Your performances have been horrible! Worst than ever in fact. And you've been quiet. Is there something bothering you?"
"No." He lied.
"Stop lying." Kakashi sighed.
"I'm not lying." Naruto lied again, avoiding gaze with his sensei. Somehow he suddenly felt uncomfortable.
"Did you fight with Sasuke again?" Kakashi asked, eyes falling in to a lazy droop. Naruto let out a sudden squeak at the back of his throat at the mention of his teammate's name. Kakashi's visible eye became interested. "Did you?"
"No." He said, shaking his head. "I swear I didn't fight with him, Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi found his charge adorable. Naruto always looked cute when he was caught. "Then it has something to do with Sasuke." Naruto merely swallowed and shrugged. "All right." Kakashi sat down in the grass and motioned for Naruto to sit as well. "What is it about Sasuke that made you go silent and distant all of a sudden?"
"I don't think I should say it." Naruto said, his fingers playing with each other and him looking away.
"Oh? Why is that?" Kakashi was finding this predicament really amusing.
"Because!" Naruto said and then remained silent. "Because it's private!"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Did he do something to you?"
"No." Naruto mumbled. Silence lapsed between the two. "Anou – sensei, can I ask you a question?" Kakashi nodded. "Is it right for a guy to kiss a guy?"
Kakashi felt his insides squirm with laughter that he tried to swallow. "I'm not the one who you should be asking that. But I have no grudges against a guy kissing a guy or having a relationship with each other. If they really love and care for each other, then I guess it's okay."
"But shouldn't a guy and girl be together?" Naruto asked, curiosity gleaming in clear blue eyes.
"Technically yes, but some guys don't like girls. They like guys. You get me?" Naruto nodded.
"Hmm! Hmm!" Naruto nodded. "So will it be wrong to kiss Iruka-sensei? I love him too!"
Kakashi flinched visibly. "Uh, no, that would not be all right. You see, you love Iruka-sensei as a father figure or maybe as a brother. But kissing is normally saved for a very, very special someone." Naruto nodded again in understanding. Kakashi then voiced out his question. "Did Sasuke kiss you?"
"WHAT?" Naruto said, jumping up and pointing at him. "How dare you think that, pervert-Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi shrugged. "Well, did he?"
"NO!" Naruto yelled and then turned his head away. "He did not kiss me! Yuck!"
"Then if that's not it, what is your problem?" Kakashi asked, sighing. He did not want one of his students slacking back in performance due to a personal problem. It might affect them in missions.
Naruto became silent. "I saw Sasuke kissing Kiba."
Kakashi's eyes nearly popped out. Kiba? Sasuke and Kiba? He then smirked. "I see. So? What's wrong with that?"
"Well, I just found it a bit strange. I – I guess it was silly of me to get distracted." Naruto then looked troubled again. "Ne sensei? Have you ever kissed a guy before?"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
"I don't know." Naruto said, kicking a rock on the ground. "Sasuke seemed really happy when he was kissing Kiba. I've never seen him that happy." Kakashi smiled under his mask. The simple things a kiss can do to a person were miraculous. "I guess I felt a little jealous." A sad expression came to the boy's face and for the first time, Kakashi could see clearly the loneliness Naruto faced of being shunned and being alone. "Sasuke is alone too, like me. But everyone in the village doesn't hate him. But me-" His voice trailed off, and he stared at the grass below him.
Kakashi stood up and rubbed Naruto's head, ruffling his hair. "Come. Maybe some ramen will cheer you up."
As Kakashi expected Naruto's eyes widened with glee as he began to jump up and down beside him all the way to the Ichiraku.
TBC
Hmmm … KakaNaru is not very popular. I like the both of them together. I think they look cute!
See you next chapter!