Well, I've finally come out of the woodwork with chapter two of Rewriting History. I do apologize for my exceedingly long absence; I've had the biggest case of writer's block I've ever experienced.

However I have, thankfully, been struck by ideas concerning Rewriting History, unfortunately though the same cannot be said for my other stories so I'll be focusing on this one for the foreseeable future and will hopefully update every two weeks.

I was actually supposed to upload this yesterday, but those kind folks at Energex needed to do maintenance so I had no power.

Regardless that is enough prattling, this chapter of Rewriting History is dedicated to Dombrefiel who gave me that last push to finish this chapter and be well on my way to completing the third, I hope you all enjoy.

Silver

~Chapter Two: The Bell Test – Begin~

The morning dawned just as bright and clear as he remembered; only this time he was actually awake enough to enjoy the gentle rays of sun that bathed Konoha in a soft glow. Standing upon the carved face of his father, Naruto stood and breathed in the morning air, just marvelling at the fact that he was in the past and Konoha was still whole.

It was just shy of four thirty the next morning and Naruto fondly remembered when he went to Training Ground Seven for the first time with the newly named Team 7. Well almost, they weren't officially Team 7 until after they had passed Kakashi's test.

Despite the wince worthy actions of his past self, younger self, former self? Damn. Time travel made things annoying to explain but back on track, his behaviour the first time was something he couldn't help but grimace at, just like that horrid orange jumpsuit.

Speaking of clothing, Naruto had succeeded in purchasing several new clothes for himself – under a henge, of course, a bad one but thankfully he didn't run into any Hyuga's; his Chakra hadn't regenerated enough to perform the particular henge he was fond of in the future…uh the former future, that was strong enough to fool even the eyes of a Hyuga and wouldn't be for quite some time.

Naruto currently wore a pair of light tan pants with a black long sleeved shirt and he switched his blue sandals out for a black pair. He had also replaced the cloth for his headband with a black cloth and to complete the outfit is all his customary ninja gear with a few other weapons here and there no one in this time would ever guess he was carrying.

He was looking forward to the coming test and this time it would be very different. Casting one last look down at the silent village Naruto gave a smile and made his way towards Training Ground Seven. The air was cool as he jumped from tree to tree, reflecting on the long conversation he'd had with Kurama the day before which had gone long into the night as well.

It was a very informative and curious conversation and most of it went over Naruto's head – particularly the parts pertaining to the construct of a demon's chakra which is apparently vastly different than any ninja's, not that that isn't blatantly obvious but realistically speaking it should not have been possible to seal the Tailed Beasts within the body of a human ninja as the chakra of the demons is vast and beyond anything the human body should be able to contain and so the theories come into play.

They spent most of the night thinking up theories for the phenomenon – after, of course, Naruto started an argument of just why Kurama did not see fit to tell him earlier after they had settled their differences as jailor and prisoner. Kurama's reply was that despite their newfound comradeship he was still a demon and subjected to the laws of demons, meaning he wasn't at liberty to discuss it with Naruto but now that Naruto was a part demon it now fell to Kurama under their laws to teach him.

Naruto had grudgingly accepted Kurama's reasoning and started thinking hard for those previously mentioned theories but most of them were too farfetched and not really possible and Kurama was in the same boat and so, frustrated, they had moved onto Naruto's new abilities, which, to Naruto's ire would not become accessible to him until he reached the physical age of when he had gained them, so eighteen.

Kurama, the bastard, had spent a good half hour teasing Naruto for it until Naruto had bit his ear. Never say it wasn't downright hilarious to watch the most feared and mighty Kurama, chibi sized, yelp and dart into the furthest corner from him and glare at Naruto – in his fox form – while he laughed at the sight of the now tiny red eyes floating in the darkness as they shot kunai at him.

Apparently Kurama had very sensitive ears.

Naruto spent the rest of their conversation snickering at random moments earning a glare for each snicker. It was when Naruto was about to return and actually get some sleep that Naruto apologised to the sulking chibi Nine-Tailed fox by butting his head against Kurama's shoulder and whining. Naruto did this until Kurama finally returned the canine gesture, making Naruto grin a large fox grin full of white teeth.

Naruto had decided to exercise the only demon ability he would have until he returned to the age of eighteen and so whenever he would visit Kurama he would do so as a fox. Naruto also planned to practice in reality.

It was as Naruto arrived at Training Ground Seven and spied his two young future friends, that he shook off thoughts of the conversation the previous night and smiled a sad yet joyful smile at their unaware forms.

Having collapsed in tears the previous day a couple of times and taking part of the time with Kurama to mourn the friends he lost he had finally made a shaky peace with his situation and now shouldn't suddenly breakdown on his friends.

Naruto came to a stop just behind the tree line of the grounds and observed his friends, a wry twist to his lips as he watched the ever persistent Sakura try and coax Sasuke into conversation…by typically complaining about Naruto.

Naruto had always found it funny that Sakura would try to start a conversation with her crush by complaining about Naruto, even more so when the Teme had revealed in a brief peace in the war, that Sasuke had always felt that Naruto understood him best despite their initial rivalry.

"Ohayo!" Naruto called cheerfully to his friends, emerging out of the trees, waving a lazy hand to his teammates.

"Naruto you're late!" There was something to be said about the way Sakura's green eyes flashed when she was irritated and even more was said when she was angry. Naruto had at one stage been terrified of that glint in her eyes but he had long since manned up but he still remained wary, ready for any form of physical retribution she may decide to meet out.

"Only by ten minutes." Naruto responded innocently, waving a nonchalant hand before promptly parking his posterior on the ground and smiled up at his teammates.

"It doesn't matter if it was only fifteen seconds!" Sakura ground out between her teeth. Earlier she had decided she would try and treat Naruto differently after Sasuke rebuffed her about her attitude towards the blonde but she was finding it rather difficult. "Kakashi-sensei said to be here at 5am!"

"You shouldn't worry so much Sakura, you'll get wrinkles." Say what you want about Sakura – she's immature, needs to focus more on her training, etc – but boy was she fun to rile!

Naruto spent the next half hour dodging an angry Sakura's fists and much to her ire she hadn't managed to land a hit once. Naruto smiled as he watched Sakura's frustration grow; she couldn't understand how she couldn't hit him, she had always been able to before but Naruto – while drastically weaker than his true power – was not a light weight anymore and hopefully this would provide her with the motivation to actually focus on become a Kunoichi for if Naruto, the Dead Last, can become powerful then she can to.

While Naruto was getting hunted by the pink haired girl Sasuke watched with an impassive expression but his dark eyes were sharp as they followed the blonde boy's movements. He couldn't figure it out. How had the blonde idiot, the Dead Last, become so competent without anyone noticing?

Later found a smirking – though wet from a dunk in the river – Naruto perched in a crouch on the centre post of Training Ground Seven and an aggravated but defeated Sakura glaring at the blonde from her spot next to Sasuke who continued to stare at the blonde boy.

Naruto was actually having quite a bit of fun. He had never dared to pull something like this the first time as he had been too busy trying to gain their respect and friendship but this time Naruto was by no means insecure. They would not be the same as the friends he had grown so close to and he would not – and wouldn't try – to have the same relationship as such he would build a different relationship with them.

Two hours passed in complete silence, Naruto now idly hoping from post to post, ignoring the glares sent his way by Sakura and the calculating and frustrated glances from Sasuke. Instead Naruto was focused on tracking their wayward Sensei by stretching his senses out once again. He had done this periodically since first arriving and had found that Kakashi had arrived only an hour after the designated time.

It was obvious to Naruto he had spent that hour or possibly more in front of the Memorial Stone in remembrance of his fallen teammates but the silver haired Jonin had arrived exactly at six o'clock. Having discovered Kakashi's tendency to spy on them – or at least spy on Naruto – Naruto had taken to searching the area around them every ten minutes.

Naruto was curious about what exactly Kakashi was doing because he had not remained in the same place for more than ten minutes. Honestly if Naruto didn't know any better he'd say the man knew he was searching for him, because he was in a different spot each time he reached his senses out.

…wait…

Naruto faltered ever so slightly in his hop as realisation hit.

Kakashi was by no means an idiot, his IQ higher than Shikamaru's and he was certainly no light weight either, even as powerful as he was before Kakashi still had him beat when Naruto wasn't relying on Kurama's help. So why oh why had he thought he could search the man out without him noticing?

There was a twitch in Naruto's left eyebrow as he internally gave himself a kick in the ass. Said tick was taken notice of by a certain silver haired Jonin who was watching as the blonde jumped from post to post.

Kakashi wasn't sure but by the scowl that wanted to overtake the boy's features he deduced he had finally taken notice of the fact Kakashi knew Naruto was searching him out. It was an advanced skill, to be able sense a person from the flow of their Chakra, especially someone able to hide his as well as Kakashi could and the fact that Naruto could perform it so flawlessly was rather…unexpected, to put it mildly.

In all honesty Kakashi wasn't sure what to make of it. This new found ability could be a result of Naruto becoming aware of the Kyubi being sealed within him. He could very well have figured out how to draw on the fox's power or it could just be a side affect of the Kyubi being sealed within him, heightening his senses.

A frown marred Kakashi's forehead as he thought of the previous day; Naruto had used the same technique and stumbled upon Kakashi's presence. While Naruto had done an admirable job of hiding it, Kakashi knew when he had scanned over his position that Naruto was specifically looking for him. That begs the question of why?

As far as Naruto should know they have never met before and yet when he had touched upon his presence he had searched him out visually, as if he knew who Kakashi was. It didn't make any sense to him, not to mention the apparent jump in his skills.

Naruto had always been talented he would never have been able to outmanoeuvre several of Konoha's Jonin and ANBU otherwise after playing a prank; what Naruto had always lacked was focus but now, judging by Kakashi's observations, Naruto now had the focus needed to become a great Shinobi.

Kakashi shifted his weight silently as he prepared to move to a new position. Kakashi jumped from tree to tree until he landed with a faint thump on the opposite side of Training Ground Seven. A small cloud of dust rose from the impact before settling once again.

It was at that moment that something odd happened. As Kakashi was preparing to stand a sudden noise caught his attention. Quick as a flash Kakashi had whirled around with weapons drawn in a low crouch, prepared for any attack to come his way; what he wasn't prepared for however was to find himself staring down at a wide eyed, bushy tailed fox.

Everything was still for a long moment as he stared at the little red fox that stood frozen with one paw in the midst of taking another step then Kakashi blinked. It was as if the world suddenly went from pause to fast forward.

The fox sprang back with an alarmed yip and bolted into the forest, leaving Kakashi staring after it, weapons forgotten.

"Well that was interesting." Kakashi murmured as he put his weapons away. It wasn't often one saw a fox around Konoha or anywhere really; they were exceedingly shy animals and usually avoided areas populated by humans but there were still the odd few that made their home near the Hidden Villages.

Kakashi found himself a comfortable patch of dirt with a perfect view of his maybe students and pulled out his Icha Icha Paradise but he found himself staring at the place the fox had disappeared. He would have to keep an eye on the young kit and make sure it doesn't venture too close to the village; ever since the Kyubi attacked the villagers had taken an illogical fear of foxes and any that were seen were soon hunted down and killed.

The hours had passed agonisingly slowly as they waited. Sasuke still stood in the same spot he had been since his arrival; Sakura had given up trying to emulate Sasuke and now sat on the ground, a finger tapping in impatience and frustration as she waited. Naruto had stopped jumping from post to post and now sat on the centre one cross legged with his eyes closed.

The way Naruto saw it he might as well have a chat with Kurama while they waited, though Naruto had nearly left his mind when Kurama had chewed him out for revealing to Kakashi that he knew such an advanced skill. Naruto had tried to argue that Kurama hadn't realised it either but was shot down when the little fox had bluntly stated he was an idiot and Kurama had been sleeping, trying to recover his strength as quickly as possible.

For a good hour after that chastening Naruto had sulked curled up in his fox form as far away from Kurama as he could get in the same room. The rest of the time was spent going over some 'battle plans' to prevent as many deaths as possible.

"Good morning everyone. Ready for your first day?" Kakashi's lazy voice interrupted the silence of Training Ground Seven at precisely ten past eleven.

"Hey you're late!" Sakura exclaimed, rudely pointing a finger at the unrepentant Jonin.

"Well a black cat crossed my path so I had to take the long way." Naruto had to forcefully hold back the urge to smack his palm to his face in exasperation. His Sensei was such an idiot sometimes, honestly as if a five year old civilian would believe that excuse let alone a twelve year old ninja in training.

As it was though Naruto just stared at the silver haired Jonin with an unimpressed look, his sky blue eyes flat while Sakura glared at the man with heat and Sasuke's cold eyes stared at him unblinkingly. Naruto was amused to see the subtle twitch of the man's covered lips at their reaction to his excuse; Naruto was now beginning to believe that Kakashi didn't just use those lame excuses as a way to remember Obito but also because he found other's reactions funny.

"Well, let's get started." The sense of déjà vu overtook Naruto as he watched Kakashi place the clock on the middle post. "It's set for noon." He was surprised the feeling hadn't hit him sooner but maybe that was because this day was one that he remembered with great clarity; it was after all the day he truly began to find his place within Konoha.

"You're assignment is very simple," Naruto couldn't help but shoot those bells a subtle glare, he was both fond of the bells and hated them; they represented some of the happiest and saddest moments in his life.

"You just have to get these bells from me. Those who can't get a bell before noon will go without lunch and be tied to those posts while I eat my lunch." Naruto felt his lips twitch at the expressions on Sasuke's and Sakura's faces, he himself merely raised an eyebrow.

"So how come there's only two bells Sensei? There is after all three of us." All eyes turned to Naruto as he posed the question before Sakura and Sasuke looked at the bells in realisation. A moment longer and Sakura would have noticed it.

"Well that way at least one of you will be tied to a post and ultimately disqualified for failing to complete the mission." Naruto made a show of frowning, after all he was already acting way out of character to what people knew of him, any more different and he'd look suspicious and that's not even counting the fact that Kakashi was already suspicious of him now. He could tell by the subtle focus the man showed him in particular when observing his reactions; honestly he was such an idiot, he knew Kakashi had a contract with dogs so obviously his sensing abilities were greater than normal and it transferred to Charka Sensing as well.

"That one goes back to the Academy." Naruto quickly pushed his thoughts aside and made himself look appropriately incensed and determined. "Then again all three of you could flunk out too. You can use any weapons including shuriken. If you're not prepared to kill me you won't get the bells."

"But those weapons are too dangerous Sensei!" Naruto had to fight hard to keep from rolling his eyes. Young Sakura was incredibly naïve and didn't understand the point of being a Shinobi; it had taken Sasuke's abandonment for her to truly grasp what it meant to be a Shinobi.

"Ne Sakura," Naruto said turning to the pink haired girl who glared at him in return. "I'm not sure but did you forget what I told you yesterday? Kakashi-sensei is a Jonin. Do you really think any one of us, even if we teamed up against him, could do him any serious damage let alone actually land a hit?"

Naruto wasn't looking at Kakashi – too busy dodging the angry Sakura who doesn't take well to being, even gently, rebuffed by Naruto – but Naruto could feel his gaze on his back. Naruto had just outright said what the test was about, though concealed as a logical statement, he knew he had just thrown a bit more suspicion onto himself but hopefully it would also give Sakura and Sasuke the hint to pair up.

"Alright children that's enough," Naruto grinned and winked cheekily at Sakura as he returned to his previous spot before Kakashi, Sakura glowering heatedly before turning back to Kakashi with an abashed expression.

"I'm sorry Sensei." Sakura apologised with a bow.

"Maa, never mind that, let's begin shall we." Kakashi waved a dismissive hand and Sakura straightened with a small smile of relief. "Now get ready and…start." Naruto discreetly took note of where his teammates hid but as with last time he jumped back but remained in the centre of the clearing, facing Kakashi.

Ninja must know how to conceal their movements and hide effectively. Kakashi thought as he eyed the forest to his right but saw no movement out of the ordinary. Well they understand that much, they've hidden well. His thoughts came to a halt when he looked ahead of him again and found that Naruto hadn't bothered to hide at all. He merely stood there with his arms crossed and examining the fingernails of his left hand.

"You know…" Kakashi began slowly, entirely unsure what to think of the blonde who glanced at him with a glint of mischievousness in his blue eyes. He was nothing like he'd been told to expect, the ability to remain still for long periods of time and knowing an advanced technique, completely unexpected.

"Compared to the others you're a little bit weird." Kakashi hadn't really meant for that to come out as it did but the boy did the oddest thing. He laughed. It was a sudden laugh of incredulous surprise but also delight. Very odd indeed.

"Well thank goodness for that, I'd hate to be normal." Kakashi really needed to have a talk with the Hokage about Naruto's sudden differing behaviour and personality. From what he'd been told and what he had observed during his time in ANBU the boy was hyperactive, loud, somewhat simple minded and while he was confident in a way the confidence he saw within the blonde child was entirely different. The boy in front of him was, for all appearances, completely aware of his own strengths and weaknesses, assured in his abilities.

"Perhaps." Kakashi pushed thoughts of the blonde's sudden character change out of his mind and focused on the test at hand. Naruto had already stated the true purpose of his test but was the boy actually aware of that? "But do you really think you can take me head on?"

"Don't be ridiculous Sensei," Kakashi raised an eyebrow at the boy; he hadn't had someone call him ridiculous before – some other, less polite words, were usually associated with him – let alone a maybe student. "There is no way I'd be able to land a hit on you without assistance. Really just don't mind me Sensei, I'm merely a distraction."

Kakashi's only reply was to blink at the blonde in confusion. Distraction? Sure it was a good idea to distract your opponent – though you're not supposed to tell your opponent about it – but what precisely was this blonde boy being a distraction for? He still felt Sasuke and Sakura in their various hiding places but they were making no effort to help their teammate so what…?

Kakashi didn't get to finish that thought because he was busy dodging the barrage of kunai that had shot out of the river behind him followed shortly by twelve Naruto's who promptly surrounded him.

Okay he'll admit that little trick actually caught him off guard. He hadn't seen Naruto make any hand seals. Still though, it was hardly enough to be any real challenge for him.

"Great technique," Kakashi complimented. "But let's see just how long you can maintain it." Kakashi's only reply to that was a roguish grin that was replicated on each clone's face and then they attacked as one, kunai in one hand and throwing a shuriken from the other.

It was child's play to jump over the projectiles but to his surprise the clones were already moving, jumping after him and therefore preventing any friendly fire. Clever, he'd give him that but it still wasn't enough.

Kakashi lashed out with smooth, efficient blows, expertly dodging any wayward limbs from his student's clones. As he was doing so Kakashi idly wondered why Naruto was still standing there with his hands held behind his head and a grin on his face but it didn't take too long for him to figure it out. Naruto's eyes were moving, following his every move with sharp, focused eyes.

Impressive…

Kakashi wasn't moving all that fast but it was rare to find a child of Naruto's age that was able to focus so completely on a superior ninja's movements and what's more it was completely out of character to what everyone knew of the blonde.

Kakashi was seriously considering just ignoring the profile that had been compiled over the years on his student because so far he wasn't matching anything written in it, except, perhaps, his penchant for mischief and also it was much more preferable than the idea that someone was impersonating the boy which would be impossible due to the Nine-Tail's Chakra that tainted Naruto's, no one could emulate that Chakra but still.

The last of Naruto's clones disappeared in a puff of smoke and Kakashi landed lightly on the ground again, facing Naruto who still hadn't moved from his position. The grin was still on the boy's face, stance relaxed and blue eyes expectant.

"Maa, I'll admit that was a good trick." Kakashi allowed; amused how the boy's eyes alit at the offered praise. "I am curious though, when exactly did you make the clones? You made no hand seals so that means you set this little trap up before I arrived." Kakashi was suddenly struck with a painful reminder of his Sensei as Naruto's grin turned into a mischievous smirk that had been a common expression on Minato's face when he had the time to be up to mischief.

"An excellent question Sensei." Naruto allowed, lowering his hands from his head to point behind the Jonin. "You remember how Sakura was chasing me earlier and I 'fell' into the river?"

Kakashi didn't even twitch at the mention of Naruto's knowledge of his presence earlier but it did confirm without a shadow of a doubt that Naruto had realised Kakashi knew he was searching for him and apparently he had no qualms with talking about it, if vaguely, so perhaps Kakashi could get an honest answer should he ask outright how Naruto knew that technique.

"I do." Kakashi was curious as to where this was going, though he had a good idea and was again impressed with his Sensei's son.

"Well as I'm sure you've guessed I did that on purpose and created shadow clones and kept them under water. While a shadow clone is designed to copy every little thing about the user it doesn't need to breathe." Naruto shrugged offhandedly and grinned again.

"An alright strategy but what would you have done if I hadn't been near the river?" In his mind Kakashi was gathering all the information he had observed so far about his Sensei's son and carefully stored it together so he could make his own profile later.

"Another good question Sensei." Naruto nodded and leant forward with a playful gleam in his eyes. "My answer to that question is this…" Naruto raised his right hand and then yanked it back towards himself.

Kakashi only just caught the glint of ninja wire before he was dodging the kunai and shuriken barrage that came from the trees on his left. Instinctively Kakashi dodged backwards, towards the river and he had to give the rookie props for that.

"You know, you're a lot different than your profile says." Kakashi probably shouldn't have let that slip because now the boy would ask how he was different.

"Hmm. How so Sensei?" Yep, he asked it and there was no conceivable way he could paint the picture delicately so he just went with flat out blunt which was his usual style anyway.

"It says you are childish, loud, brash, impatient, have trouble focusing on any one thing for long – aside from pranks – have a one track mind and are decidedly stupid." Kakashi nearly winced at the silence that followed.

Normally he wouldn't be bothered by similar situations but he had to admit he wasn't exactly impassive to the blonde boy, he was his Sensei's son and he had promised his Sensei he would look out for Naruto. Minato Namikaze had been like a father to Kakashi after his own had committed suicide and had helped him to stay above the darkness that had threatened to drown him when Obito and Rin died and now he'd gone and insulted his son.

Said son had his face in his hands and was muttering quietly to himself before he heaved a sigh and looked up with an exasperated expression.

"Well I guess I brought that on myself." Kakashi watched as Naruto let out a heavy sigh and removed the hands from his face and what Kakashi saw in his eyes sent a chill down his spine; Minato's son wasn't supposed to have that look in his eyes, the haunted look of someone who has seen too much.

"It is true I may have been like that once," Naruto's voice was soft and Kakashi could see that he was trapped in some very unpleasant memories before his blue eyes suddenly focused on him and the haunted look fell away to be replaced by a warmth Kakashi couldn't describe. "However I was never truly stupid. My actions were the result of the villager's hatred towards me. If I made myself out to not be a threat then maybe I would be able to fit in…but finding myself on death's door is a good motivator to change that."

Kakashi barely held back a wince.

It was true, the naïve villagers blamed Naruto unfairly for that attack and because the Sandaime refused to reveal Naruto's heritage in order to protect him from Minato's enemies Naruto had no support. What was more, Kakashi recalled the very night Naruto was referring to. It was the night Naruto had almost died in his own arms.

"I owe my life to Inu-san," Naruto's voice snapped Kakashi back into the present but the image of the small battered and bloody form hovered in the back of his mind until what Naruto said registered completely in his brain. "If it weren't for Inu-san I would have died that day, even with my advanced healing capabilities. I never got the chance to thank him though, he disappeared shortly after I left the Hospital."

Kakashi was frozen by that azure gaze that stared into his own eye steadily, not wavering as the words left his mouth and a half smile curled at one corner of his lips.

That look in his eyes…he knows…

Kakashi was currently at a loss as to what to do. Naruto somehow knew that he had been the ANBU Inu who had been one of his silent protectors for as long as he could remember and the one to intervene that night – and he cursed himself to this day for taking so long to get there.

It had been the anniversary of the Nine-Tails defeat and more importantly, Naruto's birthday. The ANBU unit that usually watched over him had to break up a brawl on the streets, being the closest. Unfortunately, someone must have seen Naruto at some point and took advantage while his guards were distracted.

Kakashi hadn't lingered on the street but that was just enough time for the villagers to do horrific damage to the child. Kakashi doesn't remember being so furious and ashamed with the people of his own village. Needless to say those particular villagers never bothered Naruto again after facing his Killing Intent and rather gruesome warning, as he gathered Naruto up and raced to the Hospital.

"If I do ever track him down I'll be sure to thank him." Naruto's voice broke Kakashi out of his memories and mild state of panic and into confusion. He knew it was Kakashi but he was remaining vague. It didn't take long for Kakashi to realise Naruto wasn't being more specific as a courtesy to Kakashi and he felt something warm spark in his chest before it disappeared again, too quick for him to understand what the feeling was.

"I'm sure Inu-san knows how thankful you are." Kakashi smiled, his visible eye curving as it closed and truly, he did know how thankful Naruto was, he could see it reflected in the warm blue eyes regarding him.

"Hmm, yeah I guess he does but still." Naruto shrugged and gave a knowing smile at Kakashi who was immediately on guard. Naruto was a notorious prankster as everyone in the village could account for, so the smile coupled with the mischief in his eyes was worrying.

"You know, out of all my ANBU," Kakashi raised an eyebrow at the 'my ANBU' to which Naruto again shrugged. "Hey they were my caretakers until I entered the Academy and I know for a fact I've still got a few checking in every few hours. Anyway as I was saying, out of all my ANBU Inu-san was my favourite."

Kakashi blinked at that revelation. He couldn't recall doing anything especially heartening for the child, so how had he managed to get on top of his favourite list?

"Maa, what was so great about him? From what I know of him he was a stick in the mud, by the rule book aho." Kakashi was amused by the snicker he got for that.

"Perhaps he was like that when he wasn't watching over me but whenever he was acting as my guard he'd conveniently look the other way when I was doing a prank." The blonde's grin was wide while Kakashi internally scolded himself for doing that but Naruto had always looked like his father and had the temper and love of ramen of his mother.

Kakashi had always had trouble watching Naruto back then but he could never bring himself to stop him when he was up to mischief. He may have been a painful reminder back then but he was all he had left of Kushina and Minato-sensei and he was even a reminder of Obito in certain actions.

"Although, he always had the nasty habit of making me eat vegetables." Kakashi nearly chuckled at the face Naruto made, his nose scrunched up and eyes narrowed in disgust.

"You know you have to eat the green stuff if you want to be strong enough to be Hokage one day." Kakashi smirked at the scowl that was sent his way.

"Maa, I know that, I just have to get used to the taste since I was only able to buy instant ramen on my own and on the rare occasion I did buy them on my own they were always nearly rotten and tasted foul." Naruto replied waving a hand in dismissal before grinning a wicked grin that had Kakashi's wince disappearing and his body tensing. "By the way Sensei, you have successfully let yourself be distracted."

Kakashi let out a swift curse as he suddenly found himself faced with more Naruto's than the eye could see, pouring out of the tree line from all sides. Impish brat, he let that cat out of the bag just to get me distracted Kakashi thought with amusement as he proceeded to flatten the many Naruto's as they came his way.

Thoughts?