So we've reached the end... And since I don't want to do the mother of all time skips, be prepared for a lot of fillers involving Naruto and/or Iruka and/or Kakashi before the conclusion.

Anyway, hope you all enjoy!

And I still don't own Naruto.

"Talking" 'Thoughts' Written Material

Chapter 4: Repairing Damaged Roots

'Maa, it's amazing how time flies. It feels like only yesterday that Naruto was a baby.'

"Naruto's registering for the academy today."

Iruka looked up from the mission report he was finishing as Kakashi placed the tea tray he was carrying down on the kotatsu.

"Already?"

Kakashi poured out a cup of tea and held it out to Iruka.

"Maa, he turned seven four months ago and the next academy year starts in another two months. He was bouncing around like Kushina-nee did when he told me that Sandaime-sama said he could register."

Iruka put his pencil down and took the cup.

"Done. Has it really been that long?"

Kakashi nodded and poured another cup for himself.

"It seems like only yesterday that I was guarding his okaa-san while she was pregnant with him."

'Has it really been that long since Kushina-nee, Minato-sensei, Kohari-oba, Ikkaku-oji died?'

Iruka took a sip from his cup.

"I remember when his tou-san came here to tell okaa-san and tou-san the news. He was so excited and happy, until he realized that Kushina-san probably wanted to tell them together. Then Minato-san ran out like an oni was on his tail."

Kakashi laughed at the mental image he came up with.

"Sounds like sensei. Naruto's okaa-san was one of the nicest people until you could know until you did something to piss her off. There's a reason why she was known as Konoha's Red Hot Habanero as well as Konoha's unofficial prankster queen."

Iruka grinned at the memories being induced.

"Minato-san and Kushina-san were some of the best people I've ever known."

Kakashi gave a small smile of his own as downed his cup of tea.

'Iruka's grin always seems to make me smile...'

"Maa. Naruto's parents were something alright."

"You knew my parents?"

Kakashi and Iruka both turned to the doorway of the living room to see a shivering Naruto. They both then looked at each other before turning back to Naruto.

'I knew his stealth was getting better and better, but for us not to hear him coming... Sandaima-sama is going to kill us, well that's if Naruto doesn't kill us first.'

Iruka put his cup down.

"Naruto, we can explain."

Naruto clenched his hands into fists, tears beginning to form in his eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me Iruka-nii? Kakashi-nii?"

Sensing that Naruto was about to run, Kakashi quickly moved to block his path. He then knelt down and pulled Naruto into a hug.

"We wanted to tell you. Inari knows just how much. We just weren't allowed to."

Tear began to stain Kakashi's ANBU vest as Naruto cried.

"I've always wanted to know who my parents were, what they were like, but I didn't think anyone knew... Turns out you two did."

Kakashi gave Naruto a sad smile as Iruka came and knelt beside the two.

'Well we can't leave him completely answer-less now.'

"Your parents... Your parents were some of the best people I knew. Some of the best people Iruka knew. They were strong shinobi and fought hard when the Kyubi attacked seven years ago. Your okaa-san had just given birth to you, but she still fought to protect you. According to Sandaime-sama, your parents jumped in front of one of the Kyubi's claws to stop it from killing you. They gave up their lives so you would live. That's how much they loved you."

Naruto choked on a sob.

"They cared about me? They loved me?"

'Crying child with questions... I am not dealing with it. It's Iruka's job now. I'll just exist here.'

Iruka placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder.

"Of course they did. They were so happy when they found out they were going to have you. They went around telling everyone they knew."

Naruto sniffled a bit, lifting a hand to wipe his face.

"Why didn't anyone ever tell me? If they went around telling everyone, shouldn't they have had a bunch of friends that know?"

'Still just existing.'

Iruka turned Naruto a bit so Naruto was facing him.

"Your parents were strong shinobi remember? They were so strong that they made a lot of strong enemies. If those enemies found you, they wouldn't hesitate to kill you. Because of that, Sandaime-sama ordered it so your parent's friends wouldn't be able to interact with you openly. I'm sure you've had people that randomly helped you? Those people were probably your parents friends."

'That's actually a reasonable explanation... It didn't even have many lies if any.'

Naruto nodded and pulled out of Kakashi's hug.

"Yeah I have. This lady with dark hair and her son once stopped people from saying mean things to me. Why do people even do that?"

Kakashi and Iruka looked at each other uneasily.

'We can't mentioned the Kyubi. We don't need to break anymore laws today.'

Kakashi lifted up a hand and poked one of Naruto's whiskers.

"It's the whiskers. Since you were born the day the Kyubi attacked with the marking of a fox and your parents were killed by one of it's claws, people think you were a curse and treat you like one. Some even blame you for you parents deaths."

Naruto crossed his arms, a pout forming on his face.

"That's just stupid. The Kyubi killed my parents not me. I don't have anything to do with the damned fox."

Kakashi and Iruka laughed nervously.

'Crisis averted.'

Naruto looked back and forth between Kakashi and Iruka.

"Can you tell me my parents names? You haven't mentioned them yet."

Kakashi sighed, his hand moving to the back of his head.

"We can't tell you their names, it's supposed to be a secret and if anyone finds out we told you then we'll get in trouble."

'If we aren't in trouble already.'

Naruto's face fell at Kakashi's answer, but Iruka came to the rescue.

"But we can tell you how they chose your name."

Naruto's eyes lit up.

"How?"

Iruka made hand signs to Kakashi, out of Naruto's view, as he got up.

'Should we mention Jiraiya-sama and the fact that he's Naruto godfather?'

Kakashi replied in back, again using hand signs.

'We're already going to be in trouble, no reason to add to it.'

'Not yet, we don't need Sandaime-sama to have more reason to murder us, but if Naruto ever meets Jiraiya-sama then I am mentioning the relation even if it's one of the last things I do.'

Iruka nodded and grabbed Naruto's hand.

"They picked it from one of their favorite books, Tales of a Gutsy Ninja. I think I have a copy in my bedroom."

A wide grin formed on Naruto's face and he began dragging Iruka towards his bedroom.

"Come on Iruka-nii! I want to see the book! Dattebayo!"

A hint of a smile played at Kakashi's lips as he watched Naruto pull Iruka along.

'Iruka's good with children. He would do well in a something related to them. Maybe I should suggest it to him, he doesn't really like field missions... After I tell Sandaime-sama what happened... And turn in Iruka's mission report.'

Kakashi moved back into the living room and grabbed Iruka's report, stuffing it in his pocket. Kakashi then walked to the entrance of the Umino Residence.

"Iruka, I'm handing in your report since I need to talk to Sandaime-sama!"

"Okay! Just don't mysteriously forget and hand it in late like you do with your own!"

'I'm not that bad am I?'

Kakashi leaned down and slipped his sandals on, noticing that Naruto's jacket was thrown on the floor next to his sandals.

'He can't clean up after himself can he?'

Kakashi picked up the jacket and hung it up in the closet.

'Wasn't Naruto wearing scarf when I saw him this morning? Did he lose it already?'

Kakashi shook his head at Naruto's forgetfulness and opened the front door of the Umino Residence before stepping out into the snow.

'Maa time to go face the music. Hopefully Sandaime-sama won't be too mad. After all, it wasn't intentional.'

Kakashi closed the door behind him, careful not to let any slow blow in. With that he quickly formed the seals for Shushin no Jutsu and disappeared.

'Today is my first day as a full-fledged academy teacher... If only Kakashi was here instead of out on a mission so we could celebrate together... At least he's not in ANBU anymore though...'

It was very early morning in Konohagakure no Sato on the first day of the new school semester. The academy wouldn't start for another half an hour, so children were running around, trying to enjoy the last of their break. Iruka walked into the Academy and made his way to the faculty office.

'I can't wait to see Naruto's face when he finds out I'm his new academy sensei. He's been moping around thinking he's going to get another sensei that only sees the fox, that's probably why he requested to take an early graduation exam last week. I don't think he's ready, but I won't stop him if he still decides to take a crack at the exam.'

Iruka stepped into the faculty office and made his way over to his desk. He picked up the books he was going to use as well as the class roster, smiling when he caught sight of Naruto's name.

'I can't believe it, he's really my student. I finally get to have a hand in Naruto's ninja education... And I can even drag Kakashi into teaching him something every once in a while. No one's going to say anything if I invite my boyfriend to be a guest lecturer from time to time. If Naruto just so happens to pick up something from Kakashi, well didn't Kakashi try to teach it to everyone? Loopholes are fun to exploit... Maybe I can even drag some of the other jonin and chunin into helping, Naruto's gotten close to some of them, mainly the ones Kakashi and I are good friends with... Though I suppose in the end, Naruto will only pick up what he wants to... That doesn't mean that I shouldn't try to give him and his class the best education I can.'

"Iruka? I heard you're the one that got assigned Uzumaki Naruto's class."

Iruka snapped out of his thoughts and turned around, class roster in hand.

"Daikoku-sensei! Yes, I was. Sandaime-sama pushed for it."

Daikoku laughed at Iruka's lost expression.

"I suppose it's an unlucky draw with your parents and all."

Iruka grimaced at Daikoku's comment.

'I hadn't pinned Daikoku-sensei as one that only saw the Kyuubi.'

"I'm not sure if unlucky is the right word."

Daikoku moved over to his desk and picked up a few books.

"A word of advice Iruka. Deal with Naruto however you see fit, just don't make a big fuss over it. And ignore his pranks. If you ignore it, he'll eventually grow out of it."

With that Daikoku walked away leaving Iruka to his thought.

'So no one cares what I do with Naruto? No wonder he wants to get out of here quickly. Teachers probably went overboard when it came to him and he knew it... And his pranks... His pranks! Knowing Naruto he's going to prank the new teacher to see how he or she reacts. I suppose I'll just punish him the same way I will punish the other students. A bit of detention never killed anyone.'

Iruka gathered his supplies and began to walk to the class room. Once he reached the door, he noticed that it was slightly open. Iruka looked up and saw the chalkboard eraser stuck in the doorway.

'That isn't really a complicated prank, Naruto. Are you loosing your touch or do you not want the new sensei to be too mad at you?'

Iruka pushed open the door allowing the eraser to fall on the floor before stepping into the room. As soon as his foot hit the floor of the classroom, it skid on a slippery surface and he fell.

'Okay, so there was more to it. I guess Naruto's taking Kakashi's underneath the underneath thing to heart.'

Iruka heard Naruto's giggling from the back of the classroom.

"You fell for it sensei! You fell for it! Dattebayo!"

'I don't think he's realized it's me yet. This will be a shock.'

Iruka stood up, taking mental glee at the widening of Naruto's eyes.

"You shouldn't be pranking your sensei, especially when they haven't done anything to you. Now is there anything else you might have pranked that I should be aware of?"

'It's too bad that I can't openly mention the fact that I know Naruto, I'd congratulate him a bit for getting one on me.'

The rest of the class glanced between Naruto and Iruka in surprised confusion, wondering why Iruka wasn't doing anything more to Naruto. Naruto on the other hand snapped out of his shock and pouted.

"The clock. I set it ten minutes ahead."

Iruka glanced at the clock and noticed that the time on it was indeed off.

"You can fix that after class when you stay for detention. I'll speak with you then."

'I'm only going to keep him long enough to fix the clock and answer some of his other questions. It's not like he did anything crazy that would disrupt or hurt the rest of the class. The bruised ego is all mine.'

Iruka walked to the podium and placed his things down on it. He glanced around the classroom noting the reactions of each student.

'Most seem to be confused while Naruto is just annoyed. He probably hoped that someone would get caught in his pranks or he's annoyed at me for not telling him.'

"Good morning class. I'm Umino Iruka and I'll be your instructor starting from today. Any questions before I start?"

Iruka scanned the classroom, noticing that only Naruto raised his hand. Iruka pointed at him so he would speak.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

'I guess it is annoyance at me.'

"What do you suppose the detention is for? I wouldn't want to lose out on the surprise."

Naruto nodded and slumped into his seat, a smile beginning to form on his lip.

'Looks like he's happy that I'm the one teaching him this year.'

Iruka looked around again.

"Any other questions? Not related to his detention?"

No one raised their hands and fewer seemed to be confused.

'I suppose they've pegged me as someone that is going to mistreat Naruto like the norm. They'll learn soon enough that I'm going to be fair all around. It'll be fun teaching these cute little pre-genin that... And Kakashi's rubbing off on me, great.'

Iruka smiled slightly evilly at the unknowing class, unnerving Naruto who had seen the smile before. Iruka pulled out his class roster and got ready to call out the first name.

Akimichi Chouki

"First things first attendance. Akimichi Chouji?"

A slightly chubby boy raised his hand.

"Here!"

Iruka smiled and got ready to read the next name.

'Being a teacher isn't going to be so bad.'

'Why didn't I just drag Naruto out of the way? Why did I think it was a good idea to jump in front of a giant shuriken? And why can't the nurses use the strong stuff so it doesn't feel like my back is being ripped apart each time I move?'

Iruka was lying on his stomach in a room in the Konoha Hospital recovering from the injury he gained from battling Mizuki.

"I need some more morphine."

"Maa, I don't think they'll let you take any more. They had you drugged up fro most of the night and morning."

Iruka lifted up his head to glare at his boyfriend, who was crouching in the window sill.

"You aren't a iryo-nin Kakashi, so instead of pretending you are go get one."

Kakashi closed the copy of icha icha he was reading.

"Does this mean we can't play nurse and patient?"

Iruka's glared deepened and he reached out to snatch Kakashi's book.

'Why do I even put up with him?'

"We are not acting out any scenes from the icha icha series. I am still upset at you for letting Naruto read them."

Kakashi hugged the book, keeping it well out of Iruka's reach.

"He was the one that asked about Jiraiya-sama's other literature. It's sad he doesn't appreciate it's greatness."

Iruka banged his against the hospital bed.

'He's a five year old. I swear!'

"Naruto's twelve! Are you honestly expecting him to appreciate that smut?!"

"He should learn to appreciate fine literature."

"It's not fine literature. It's pure unadulterated smut!"

"Jiraya-sama's works are not smut. They're perfect examples of riveting stories with great characters, amazing plots, and high level writing!"

"Th-"

"As amusing as this conversation about Jiraiya is. I have something for the two of you to do."

Kakashi and Iruka stopped their argument and turned towards the new figure in the room. Standing at the doorway was the Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

'Did Kakashi and I just have an argument over icha icha in front of the Hokage?!'

Iruka groaned and buried his head into his pillow. Kakashi jumped down into the room and moved to lean against the wall opposite Iruka's hospital bed.

"Maa, what do you need us for, Hokage-sama."

The Hokage stepped aside to show that a nervous Naruto was standing behind him.

"He already knows about the Kyuubi, but I want you two to tell him about his parents."

Iruka and Kakashi stared at the Hokage, their eyes widening slightly.

"Hokage-sama?!"

'He wants us to tell Naruto?! Now of all times?!'

The Hokage just smiled and pushed Naruto into the room. Once Naruto had crossed he threshold of the room, the Hokage stepped out of the room and closed the door, letting silence take the room.

'And he abandons us to it... He didn't even say if we should mention Jiraiya-sama. I suppose we'll leave that until Jiraiya-sama's back in the village again.'

Iruka sighed and moved so he was on his side, able to face Naruto and Kakashi.

"Naruto... What do you want us to explain first? We've already told you most of what they were like."

Naruto stared at his feet.

"Can you tell me my parent's names, Iruka-nii?"

Iruka smiled at Naruto's request.

'I can finally tell him.'

"Your okaa-san's name was Uzumaki Kushina. We've told you before how much you're like her, but what we didn't tell you was that she was the Jinchuriki of the Kyubi before you."

Naruto looked up with wide eyes.

"Okaa-san had the Kyubi sealed in her?! Then how did the Kyubi attack the village? Did the seal break?"

Iruka motioned to Kakashi to speak.

"When a female Jinchuriki is pregnant the chakra that is supposed to fuel the seal ends up being diverted to the baby. This weakens the seal steadily, the weakest point is when the baby was born. I was Kushina-nee's guard so she wouldn't be attacked and the seal broken. However, the night of your birth, after you were born, someone broke the seal. No one knows who that someone is though. They set the Kyubi on the village and Yondaime-sama was forced to give up his life to seal it."

"But why me? Why did Yondaime-sama choose me? Did he hate me or okaa-san or tou-san or something?"

Iruka and Kakashi both winced at the outburst. Iruka lifted up a hand and motioned Naruto to come closer.

'He shouldn't be standing for what we're going to tell him.'

"Naruto do you know the name of the Yondaime or what he looks like?"

Naruto sat at the edge of Iruka's hospital bed.

"Umm... No. I didn't really pay attention when you were teaching in class. I'm sorry Iruka-nii, but you're boring! Why do you think I ditched so often? And doesn't he look like the monument?"

After shooting a glare at Kakashi for nearly laughing, Iruka answered.

"I'll ignore the boring comment. And yes he does look like the monument, but the monument isn't colored is it?"

Naruto shook his head.

"No it isn't... I should have colored it as my last great prank instead of writing insults! Dattebayo!"

Iruka felt like smacking his head against something, but his back wouldn't allow him the mobility to.

'At least he promised to stop pranking once he became a nin. I think the village ANBU are grateful...At the fact that Kakashi won't have a reason to laugh at them any longer.'

"Naruto...Yondaime-sama had blonde hair and blue eyes... Sunny blond and bright blue... Just like someone else I know."

Naruto began shaking his head slightly in denial.

"No..."

Kakashi sighed and slumped a bit more into the wall.

"My sensei, Namikaze Minato, the Yondaime Hokage, was also your tou-san, Naruto."

Naruto whipped his head around to stare at Kakashi.

"That can't be true."

Iruka lifted up his hand to place it on Naruto's shoulder.

"Naruto?"

'Please don't be too mad.'

Naruto moved away from Iruka's hand.

"Why?! Why his own son?!"

Kakashi sighed and stared at the ceiling for a few seconds.

"If I know my sensei, and I like to think I did. He chose you because he didn't trust anyone else with the burden. He knew you would be strong enough to withstand everything life would throw at you. He loved you Naruto, just like how your okaa-san loved you. That's why they chose to protect you Naruto, that's why they jumped in front of that claw to save you."

Naruto stared at the floor in silence.

"They loved me?"

Kakashi and Iruka smiled, both moving to hug Naruto as best as they could.

"Of course they loved you, how many times do we need to tell you before it sinks in?"

Tears slipped down Naruto's face as he began to come to terms with all that Kakashi and Iruka told him.

"They loved me. My parents loved me."

'And don't forget that we love you as well, otouto.'

''What is taking our sensei so long? Iruka-nii left a while ago. And it's not only our sensei that's late, Team Eight's sensei and Team Ten's sensei are also late. Otherwise I would think that Kakashi-nii somehow was able to become our sensei.'

Naruto was sitting at a table next to his teammates in the same room as Team Eight and Team Ten. All three teams were waiting for their jonin sensei to arrive. After a few minutes of the door opened and in stepped a man with a cigarette in his mouth.

'Asuma-san?'

Naruto jumped off the desk.

"Asuma-san are you our jonin-sensei?"

Asuma winced before taking the cigarette out of his mouth.

"Sorry, Naruto. Akimichi Chouji, Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino. I'm Sarutobi Asuma your jonin-sensei. Follow me."

With that Asuma started walking away. Team Ten quickly got up and chased after him, waving at their fellow classmates as they left.

"See you soon, Sasuke-kun!"

'What do Ino and Sakura-chan even see in the teme?'

Naruto deflated as he moved back to his former seat.

"I guess Asuma-san wasn't our sensei. The next one will be ours for sure! Dattebayo!"

'Unless Kakashi-nii is our sensei, but I don't think jiji will allow it. Besides wouldn't Kakashi-nii or Iruka-nii have mentioned it?'

Kiba turned to Naruto.

"No the next one will be ours. Right Akamaru?"

Akamaru barked back in agreement.

"Besides, how did you even know Team Ten's sensei?"

Naruto shrugged at the question.

"I know a bunch of nin that are between 10 to 20 years older than us."

Kiba opened his mouth to ask another question, but before he could ask the door opened again. This time a female with red eyes, curly hair, and a white and red dress stepped into the room.

'Kurenai-san? And so soon after Asuma-san...'

"Are you our jonin-sensei, Kurenai-san?"

Kurenai gave Naruto a sad smile before turning towards Team Eight.

"Aburame Shino, Hyuuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba. I'm Yuhi Kurenai and I'll be your jonin-sensei. Nice to meet you all."

Naruto stared with surprised disbelief as Team Eight left.

'Are we really going to be the last ones out of here? If our jonin-sensei doesn't appear soon, then Kakashi-nii somehow pulled off a miracle and will be our jonin-sensei.'

An hour passed in mostly silence, four Naruto asking Sakura out arguments filling the time.

"They're late."

Naruto and Sakura turned to Sasuke, Sakura with hearts in her eyes.

"The teme speaks!"

'He's right... I guess Kakashi-nii did manage to pull of a miracle... Yes, Kakashi-nii is going to be our jonin-sensei!'

Sasuke ignored Naruto's comment.

"If they're so pathetic that they're late to this meeting. They'll probably be late to other things. This whole team thing is going to be a waste of my time."

Naruto opened his mouth to defend his unofficial brother, but then closed it.

'The teme's right. Kakashi-nii is never on time unless something is really important... He's going to be late. Every. Single. Day. And he's going to come up with his lame excuses. Every. Single. Time.'

Naruto dropped to the floor and curled into a ball, getting ready to wait there for another two hours at the very least.

'Why did I think it would be a good idea to have Kakashi-nii as a jonin-sensei?'

'Where is Kakashi? He said he would be here with Naruto and Jiraiya by noon and there's less than five minutes until then. I guess it was a bit much hoping that he wouldn't be late.'

"Is there are reason why you are standing in the center of my office, Iruka?"

Iruka turned towards the Sandaime Hokage, a small smile on his face.

"Yes. I'm just waiting on Kakashi."

The Hokage motioned to the couch against the side wall.

"If we are waiting for Kakashi, then you might want to sit down. I doubt Kakashi will be here soon."

Iruka shook his head at the suggestion.

"It's important so he won't be that late. He said by noon, so he'll be here by noon."

'He'd better not be late or else it's the couch for him.'

The Hokage sighed and went back to his paperwork.

"If you believe he will not be late, then I will leave you to it."

Exactly twenty-two seconds before noon, the door opened and in walked Kakashi with Naruto, Jiraiya, and Tenzo behind him.

'He dragged Tenzo along? Why? We only needed two. And it doesn't seem like he's told any of them why since all three look confused.'

The Hokage stared at Kakashi, blinking a few times as if trying to assert Kakashi's presence in his mind. The Hokage put down his pencil and pushed aside the papers.

"If Kakashi is on time, correction early, then I suppose this must be important."

Naruto both began choking on air, Tenzo coughed a few times, and Jiraiya raised an eyebrow.

"So why did you drag us here Kakashi. You even dragged poor Tenzo out of his hiding spot in the hall."

'So Tenzo just so happened to be on guard duty... There have been stranger coincidences.'

Kakashi motioned to Iruka who walked forwards to the Sandaime's desk, placing the papers he had been carrying down on the desk.

"We want to file these."

The Sandaime picked up the papers and skimmed through them, a smile forming on his face.

"The standard marriage license application. I should have guessed when Kakashi was early... Is there a reason why this was suddenly brought on? And why the secrecy?"

Naruto, who had managed to calm down, began to choke again, Tenzo joining him. Jiraiya only coughed a few times.

'They're actually taking it better than I though they would, but they really shouldn't be that surprised.'

Kakashi gave the Hokage his signature eye smile.

"Maa. Ruka and I already been living together for a while and we've been unofficially raising a kid for longer than that. Might as well make the whole married couple thing our friends joke about, official. And it'll be fun to see their faces when they find out they weren't invited. Anko will have the best reaction."

The Hokage turned towards Iruka for an answer.

'Kakashi's answer would have worked on anyone, but the Hokage.'

"We were both at Hayate's funeral this morning.. Yugao can't have anything of his, nothing that can bring her some closure because they weren't married. We don't want the same thing to happen to either of us should one of us not return from a mission. We're not making a big deal of this either because we're shinobi. We don't need additional targets painted on our backs because of what we are to each other. We'll tell our other friends later, but for now, the most important people are here."

The Sandaime nodded and filled out his part of the papers.

"Well as soon as the three have all calmed down. We can have this completed. Congratulations you two."

Kakashi walked over to Iruka, grabbing Iruka's hand once they were next to each other. Iruka smiled at the semi-public gesture, a smile mirrored by Kakashi.

"Thank you. Sandaime-sama."

'Having you and the other three here is more than enough to make this moment perfect.'

'I can't wait to get out of this hospital. Why does Tsunade-sama even have to keep me here? She knows I won't be at home alone since Ruka will be there when he doesn't have classes. I think she's only keeping me here since she enjoys seeing me suffer.'

Kakashi was lying in the hospital bed, annoyed at the fact that he was still being kept there.

'It's been two weeks since I overused my Mangekyo Sharingan to defeat Deidara. I'm pretty much recovered. I don't need to stay here. I'm going to go stir crazy at this rate. If it wasn't for Jiraiya-sama's books and Ruka's visits I would have gone crazy already.'

Kakashi slowly sat up trying to get better light for his book, though it wasn't doing much to alleviate the situation.

'I wish I had my copy of Icha Icha Tactics with me. I've read all the volumes of Icha Icha Paradise multiple times, but I've barely even finished Tactics once.'

"Come on guys, Kakashi-sensei's room is this way."

'Naruto. He's probably bringing Sakura and the new member Sai with him. Something to dull this boredom.'

Kakashi returned his gaze to his book as the door opened. Three figures stopped in front of him. Kakashi looked up over the top of his book.

'Guess I was right. Naruto who apparently got into fight judging by the bruise, Sakura, and ... Sai.'

Kakashi's eyes widened slightly as he registered Sai's appearance.

'He looks like an older version of the little black haired, pale skinned boy I saw at the orphanage all those years ago... Tenzo said Sai was a part of Root, how? His okaa-san would have never allowed him to join Danzo. What happened?'

Kakashi carefully blanked his face.

"Maa, so you're the new team member, Sai right?"

Sai didn't show any visible reaction, only rubbing a bruise that mirrored Naruto's.

"Yes, sir."

'He's completely devoid of emotions. It would take years of being in Root to do that. He would have had to be raised in Root...His okaa-san wouldn't have let that- No... Both he and his okaa-san went missing after she helped me smuggle Naruto out. What if Danzo... Why didn't I tell her to leave after she helped me?'

Kakashi gave Sai his eye smile.

"Nice to meet you."

'I pray your okaa-san forgives me for causing you to become this shadow of a person. But by Inari, I will find a way to fix this, even if I have to bribe Naruto with ramen to help me along the way.'

'Well.. It looks like this is as far as I go..I'm sorry Iruka, I guess I won't be able to come home after all.. Obito...It looks like this is where the future you wanted to see comes to an end. Rin...I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. All I've ever done is break my promises to you and Obito...Forgive me... Sensei...Kushina-nee... I tried my best to look after Naruto... I'm sure he's going to become Hokage someday... Even if none of us will be there to see it... Kohari-oba... Ikkaku-oji...Iruka and I got married... It was the best day of my life...There's not doubt there... Everyone...I'm going there now as well...'

Kakashi opened his eyes and looked around. Surrounding him was pure darkness.

'Is this what the afterlife is like?'

Kakashi began walking forwards, eventually spotting a light in the distance. He made his way to the light and realized that it was coming from a fire, a figure sitting next to it.

"Is that you Kakashi?"

'Tou-san?!'

Kakashi walked forwards and sat next to his father.

"So this is where you've been."

Sakumo smiled at his son.

"Why don't you tell me your story?"

Kakashi turned towards his father.

"Maa... It's really long, so it's going to take a while."

'You really want to hear i?.'

Sakumo's smile widened.

"That's fine."

Kakashi smiled at the fact that his father wanted to hear of his life.

"Well you see tou-san..."

With that Kakashi began to tell his father of what had happened to him over the years. Skipping over some details such as his knowledge of his father's involvement in Root and his immense hatred of his father between the years of Sakumo's 'suicide' and Obito's death. Once he was done, silence settled between the two.

"I never imagine both of us would die so young, not as young as your okaa-san though. Both of us left so many things behind. I left you and you left Iruka... Kohari and I had a bet over how your relationship would end. I said as close friends, she said as lovers. I should have known that she would be right."

Kakashi chuckled at the admission.

'I can almost imagine Kohari-oba making that bet. Iruka...'

"I think she knew from how close Iruka and I were when we were younger."

"Maybe. Kohari was perceptive like that..."

After another bout of silence, Kakashi decided to speak.

"Tou-san I've always wanted to ask you something."

Sakumo turned towards Kakashi, compelling Kakashi to continued.

"Why did you, Konoha's White Fang, break the rules by abandoning the mission to save your comrades? Kohari-oba always said it was out of your hands, but how? If you hadn't the villagers wouldn't have condemned you. You wouldn't have become an outcast with only a handful of people at your side. It's always frustrated me not knowing."

Sakumo stared into the fire.

"Kohari mentioned how the villagers were making it tough for you. I suppose part of the toughness didn't leave, even after I died... I guess seppuku can't fix everything..."

Kakashi sighed and began to think of what he should say.

'Should I mention Root? Tou-san hasn't mentioned it... Maybe I was overthinking things when I saw that file all those years ago, but making a reference to it won't hurt.'

"Yeah... But tou-san, no matter how it all happened, I know you gave it your all. I understand that. Today, I'm proud of my tou-san, who broke the rules to save his teammates... No matter what Danzo has to say about it."

Sakumo's eyes widened at the mention of Danzo.

"So you know about Danzo...Kakashi I- Thank you for believing in me. And as for Danzo, whatever role he-"

Suddenly a bright light appeared out of nowhere covering Kakashi. Kakashi stood up staring at the light around him.

'It feels like chakra, like life energy.'

"This is..."

Sakumo chuckled and gave Kakashi a smile.

"It looks like it's not your time just yet. You must still have things to take care of, Iruka is probably one of them."

Kakashi looked at his father with wide eyes.

"Tou-san..."

'You never told me what Danzo did.'

"What Danzo did, it doesn't matter, not anymore. There's nothing that will change it, but I suppose seeing you again has settled the unrest it caused. I'm glad I got to speak with you. Thank you for forgiving me, even if you don't know everything. I can move on now, finally get to see your okaa-san again."

Kakashi reached for his father.

'Wait. Not yet.'

Before he could say anything, the light engulfed him. Kakashi closed his eyes so the light wouldn't harm them. When he opened his eyes again, it was to Chouji's face and sunlight.

'I didn't get to say goodbye, again.'

Kakashi heard Chouji call for Chouza and saw the tears streaking down the boy's face.

'I need to focus on the present. I can ponder on my meeting with my tou-san later.'

Kakashi looked around seeing the ruins of what he knew was once the strongest of the five villages.

"What's going on?"

'Is Iruka okay? I don't think the house is judging by this damage.'

Katsuya moved closer to Kakashi to heal his injuries.

"I can explain everything."

Kakashi listened to what had happened in amazement.

'You really have grown haven't you Naruto?'

'How was I talked into this again?'

Kakashi was in the Hokage's office, sitting at the desk doing paperwork.

'I prefer being a field nin. Iruka and possibly Naruto, are the only reasons why I would stay in the village for long periods of time. And neither were on the list of incentives Tsunade managed to blackmail me with to take the hat.'

Kakashi sighed as he marked a missive asking for Naruto to be allowed on a specific mission as rejected.

'I can't allow Naruto or Sasuke to go out on missions with only one arm each. It's a large handicap, especially since neither know how to use one handed seals... If only they hadn't been stupid enough to destroy their other arms in an idiotic battle. Then again, if they hadn't, they probably wouldn't have worked all that anger and resentment out of their systems. Still, why are my cute little genin such brainless little genin?'

Kakashi signed off a document allowing the Inuzuka to build more dog kennels on their land when a knock was heard on his door.

'Please don't let it be someone with another pile of paperwork. If it is, I will find some way to give Naruto the hat, one-armed seventeen year old genin he may be.'

"Enter."

The door opened allowing Sai and an ANBU with an orange pattern on his mask to step in.

'His mask is familiar, but not standard Konoha ANBU design. He must be Root.'

The two walked forward and stopped a few feet from the desk.

"Rokudaime-sama."

Kakashi groaned once the words left the two Root nins' mouths.

"Maa. I'm never going to get used to that title... Is there a reason for why two Root ANBU decided to come to my office?"

Sai's eyes widened slightly, his Root training preventing it from being too noticeable.

"How did you know he was Root, senpai?"

Kakashi laughed at the surprise in Sai's tone.

'It seems that Sai's becoming better and better and showing emotion.'

"I recognized the mask from my Root day."

Sai tilted his head slightly in confusion.

"Root day?"

Kakashi smiled and was about to answer, but the Root ANBU replied first.

"Rokudaime-sama was part of Root for approximately 31 hours before defecting back to Sandaime-sama's ANBU."

Kakashi stared at the Root ANBU, trying to determine how he knew such information.

'Not many people know I was once part of Root, let alone the time period. I doubt someone would randomly search my files, so he's been in Root since my days in Root. That must be why the mask is so familiar. Now who had the mask?... I think the name was similar to Tenzo's old name Kinoe...'

"What is your name? I recall it being similar to Kinoe."

"Kinoto, Hokage-sama."

"How did you know who he was Kakashi-senpai?"

Kakashi turned towards Sai and gave him his typical eye smile.

"Like he said, I was once part of Root."

Kakashi smiled slightly at Sai's disgruntled expression before his face turned serious.

"What occurred to make the two of you come here. Specifically you, Kinoto?"

"We want to know what you want to do with Root. Danzo-sama is dead, so we have no real leader. I have taken charge for many aspects due to my long tenure, but I am not a leader."

Kakashi sighed and started rubbing his temples.

'This is turning out to be worse than the paperwork. Then again, this will end up needing paperwork, so it is worse.'

"How difficult would it be to integrate Root with the rest of ANBU?"

"It wouldn't be too difficult. However, it would take time... What will be done about the Root base? It was not damaged in the attack on the village."

Kakashi leaned back in his chair, trying to figure out what to do.

'Should I have the base abandoned? That would be a waste of resources and space, especially since we're working hard to rebuild. We still haven't rebuilt a new ANBU headquarters either... They're working out of the basement of this building... Could the Root base be re-purposed as the headquarters for all of ANBU?'

"Is the base large enough to accommodate all of Konoha's ANBU?"

"Since the war has reduced the number of ANBU alive, Root and Standard, it is plausible."

Kakashi took out a piece of paper and began to write a missive to the Standard Konoha ANBU Commander.

'This might just work. It would save the effort of building a new ANBU headquarters and allow that same effort to be diverted elsewhere.'

"Good. I want a list of every room in the base, a list of what is in those rooms, and a summary of what information is in the base on my desk by the end of the week. The rooms that no longer have a use will be converted to allow more ANBU to be able to use it and the information will be added to Konoha's archives. Once that is complete, the transition can be completed."

"It shall be done."

Kakashi finished writing the missive, signing and stamping it before holding it out to Kinoto.

"This missive will allow you to acquire any aid you need from the Standard Konoha ANBU Commander."

Kinoto grabbed the missive and placed it in a safe location on his person. Once the missive was hidden, Kakashi turned towards Sai, who had been silent the entire time.

'Now to get them some other help and get rid of two thorns in my side at the same time.'

"I want you to grab Naruto and Sasuke. Since neither can go on field missions until Tsunade-sama finishes their synthetic arms, they will help you with all of this. If either of them start complaining, tell them it's an order from me."

A hint of a smile began to form on Sai's face.

"Is this supposed to be a punishment for them, Kakashi-senpai?"

Kakashi gave Sai a blank look.

'Am I really that obvious?'

"What do you mean? I would never do anything to harm my cute little genin. Sasuke would be happy to get his hands on Root intel and Naruto is going stir crazy. A mission, even if it is in the village and primarily paperwork would do the two of them some good."

Sai nodded and just stood there next to Kinoto. Kakashi glanced back and forth between them trying to figure out why they hadn't left.

'Why aren't they leaving? I finished telling them what they should do, so they're dismissed... Don't tell me Danzo didn't allow them to leave unless he formally dismissed them?'

"You are both dismissed. Next time, just leave if I've finished briefing you. Don't stay, I have work to finish."

With that, the two Root nin left, both intent on accomplishing their missions. After the two had left Kakashi slouched down in his chair.

'I hate being Hokage.'

Kakashi looked at the paperwork he had left to do.

'It feels like it's managed to reproduce while I wasn't paying attention to it.'

Kakashi picked up a pencil intent on finishing the paperwork when he noticed the change in light on his desk. Kakashi turned to look out the window only to noticed that the sun was beginning to set.

'Have I really spent that much time talking to Sai and Kinoto?'

Kakashi glanced back and forth between the paperwork and the setting sun.

'Work or home? Work or home? Work or home?'

Sighing, Kakashi placed his pencil down.

"Maa. The work can wait until tomorrow. I finished the urgent stuff earlier."

Kakashi quickly cleared up his desk and put away everything that needed to be put away. He then got up and turned off the lights before walking towards the window to leave.

'I wonder what Ruka-chan's made for dinner.'

"Why did Kakashi-sensei make us do this again?"

'If Naruto complains one more time...'

Sasuke, Naruto, and Sai were in the Root Records Room removing files off the shelves and placing them into sealing scrolls which would then be taken to the Konoha Archives. Due to their lack of an arm each and inability to make clones without both hands for handseals, Sasuke and Naruto had developed a system for moving the files. They were taking them off the shelves one by one and creating a small stack on the floor. They would then lift the stacks and carrying them to the sealing scrolls. Once the stack on the sealing scrolls was big enough, the files would be sealed.

'Then again he is right. This is difficult and tedious for the two of us to do. It's almost like Kakashi is punishing us for losing our arms... I wouldn't be surprised if he is.'

Sasuke used his right arm to lift the small stack of files he had placed on the floor, glancing at a few of the names on them.

Uchiha Yashiro

Uchiha Yakumi

Uchiha Tekka

'I wonder how many of the Uchiha here were actually part of Root. Sai said not all the files belong to Root members, anyone that had any type of affiliation with Root has a file here. How many were people Danzo saw fit to silence? How many of the files are here because Danzo stole their Sharingan? How many of the files belong to members of my clan were betrayed by Danzo? The bastard should have suffered more when I was killing him. I shouldn't have let things end so quickly.'

Sasuke was pulled away from his dark thoughts when he heard a reply to Naruto's rhetorical question.

"Are you telling me you're incapable of completing menial work, armless?"

'If Sai antagonizes Naruto one more time...'

"Just because I don't have a right arm doesn't mean I can't do this! I'm going to finish more than Sasuke. Dattebayo!"

'As if. I've had more training to be ambidextrous than you've had dobe.'

Sasuke moved over to one of the sealing scrolls placed on the floor, careful not to let the files fall due to his lack of a left arm. Right as he placed his files down, he heard the sound of other files hitting the ground.

'Probably Naruto overestimating what he can do.'

"Damn it. It's harder to do this with one arm than I thought."

'Guess I was right.'

Sasuke moved back to the shelf to grab another stack of files.

"So you really can't do menial work, arm-less?"

'Not again.'

"I can totally do this, Sai! Dattebayo. I just need to make sure I don't try to carry too high of a pile. I didn't think there would be so many files belonging to the Hyuuga clan."

'They're a clan dobe, obviously there would be a lot of files. And if Sai dares to comment back...'

"So you're admi-"

'That's it.'

"Shut up you two! Kakashi ordered us to help transfer the documents here to the Konoha Archives, while the ANBU rearrange the rest of the base. I want to finish doing this sometime in the next few days if not hours and that won't happen if you two keep acting like idiots!"

"Technically Hokage-sama only ordered you two to help. I don't need to be here, left-less"

Sasuke's eyebrow twitched as he picked up another stack of files.

'Really?'

"If you aren't going to help, just leave Sai."

"Why wou-"

"Saskue, Sai! You'll never believe what I found?"

'Another Hyuuga file?'

"Hyuuga Hiashi's file?"

"Hinata's tou-san has a file here? I wouldn't be surprised since there's so many Hyuuga files... And no, Sai."

'It would make sense for Root to have files on the clan heads. Now who else was part of the Hyuuga clan?'

Sasuke placed the stack of files down on the sealing scroll.

"Neji's tou-san's file?"

"No, Sasuke. It's not a Hyuuga file."

'Then whose file is it? There are plenty of ninja in the village who have names that could fall near the Hyuuga alphabetically. Might as well go see what's gotten Naruto so excited.'

Sasuke left the sealing scroll and began to walk towards the section of the room that Naruto was in. After he started walking towards Naruto, Sai did as well.

"Seriously? You guys couldn't guess?"

Sasuke and Sai reached Naruto and stared at him expectantly. Naruto pouted and held out the file allowing it to be read.

"It wasn't that hard."

Hatake Kakashi

'Kakashi has a file?! That's not actually as surprising as I thought it would be. He's been one of the village's top nin since before we were born.'

"It's not surprising. Kakashi-senpai was once part of Root."

Naruto and Sasuke both turned towards Sai, disbelief etched on their faces.

"What?! Kakashi-nii would never join Root!"

'Kakashi wouldn't join an organization like Root. He's too good.'

Sai just tilted his head at Naruto's outburst.

"The unofficial Root Commander claimed that Kakashi-senpai was part of Root for a little more than day during Sandaime-sama's reign. Kakashi-senpai said it was true."

Naruto nodded and attempted to cross his arms, which didn't work out well with only one arm and a file.

"That explains it. Sensei was probably spending the day getting info on Danzo for Jiji. Dattebayo!"

Sasuke stayed silent, but inclined his head to show that he agreed with Naruto.

'That reason is far more plausible than Kakashi believing in Root's ideals.'

Naruto lifted up the file.

"Do you think we should give it directly to him instead of packing it for the archives?"

Sai gave a half nod before lifting his hand to point at the shelf.

"We should also give him that one."

Naruto and Sasuke turned towards the shelf to see what file Sai was speaking about.

Hatake Sakumo

'Kakashi's tou-san if what Orochimari once told me can be believed.'

Naruto made a humming sound before placing Kakashi's file on the floor and reaching for Sakumo's file.

"I think sensei will be happy to get his tou-san's file as well. If anything it'll be good for a laugh. Inari knows what Danzo keeps in these things."

"Primarily mission information. However intel on the subjects abilities and reasons why they would be or are an asset to Root can also be kept in them."

Naruto placed Sakumo's file on top of Kakashi's file before picking the two up.

"I didn't really want an answer Sai. Anyway, I'm going to go give these to Kakashi-sensei."

With that Naruto ran out of the room, leaving Sasuke and Sai staring at the spot he once stood.

'That idiot managed to get out of this after all.'

"Arm-less managed to pull off that escape perfectly."

Sasuke sighed and started walking back to the Uchiha shelves.

"And now we have to pick up the dobe's slack. Get back to work."

"I don't need to be here."

Sasuke reached the shelf and picked up a file to stack.

"Well you volunteered, so get to it."

Sasuke could hear Sai grumbling, but he also heard the sound of files being moved.

'Even with Sai helping we're still not going to finish today. Couldn't the dobe have waited until later to give the files to Kakashi? Then again, I would love to see the look on Kakashi's face when Naruto hands him the files.'

"I hate being Hokage."

Kakashi and Iruka were at the Hatake Compound, now Hatake-Umino Compound, both relaxing after a long day of work. Kakashi's day had been much longer than Iruka's, leading to the current situation. Kakashi collapsed on the couch and Iruka was mentally laughing at his husband's misery.

'I wonder how the rest of Konoha would react to finding out their Hokage is more petulant than my academy students. Then again, I doubt my students flop onto couches nearly fully dressed. At least he took sandals, his flak jacket, and weapons pouch first. I would have yelled at him already if they were still on.'

"It's your own fault. You decided to come home yesterday without completing all your work, so you had to finish it all today along with what came in today. Although you did come home with some files, so I suppose you didn't finish."

Kakashi looked up, giving Iruka a glare.

"I know you're laughing and it's not funny. And those files are not extra work. Naruto dropped them off earlier saying that I might find their contents amusing. I haven't opened them up yet since I'm not sure if they're pranked or not. He might be trying to get back at me for making him and Sasuke do some Archive work."

Iruka moved over to the files Kakashi had thrown onto the kotatsu and picked them up, reading the labels.

Hatake Kakashi

Hatake Sakumo

'Why would Naruto pull out Kakashi and Sakumo-oji's files from the Archives? And not even the complete ones at that. Kakashi's file is much thicker than this.'

"What kind of archive work were Naruto and Sasuke doing?"

Kakashi turned his face slightly from the cushion it was digging into to look at Iruka.

"Maa. Nothing much. They were helping transfer the Root Records to the Konoha Archives."

Iruka looked at the files again, noting the Root symbol on their side that he hadn't noticed before.

'So these are the Root Records on Kakashi and Sakumo-oji... Why would Sakumo-oji even have records in Root? He was never part of it nor had dealings with it unlike Kakashi... At least I don't think he did. Kakashi would know better.'

"Did Sakumo-oji have dealings with Root?"

Kakashi didn't answer, instead he slowly lifted his head to stare at the files, eyes wide.

"Those are the Root files on me and tou-san aren't they?"

Iruka nodded and held the two files out to Kakashi.

'He seems so surprised to hear what they are.'

"I don't think they're pranked."

Kakashi at up straight and grabbed the files, trepidation filling his face.

"No I don't think they are."

Iruka frowned at Kakashi's reaction to the files.

'What's so wrong about the files?'

"Kakashi?"

"Can you go make some tea or something? I want to read these alone, I'm not sure how I'll react to them."

Iruka gave Kakashi a concerned look before listening to his request and leaving the room to go to the kitchen.

'Should I add some calming herbs to the tea? Kakashi looked like something bad was written in the files. His chakra is fluctuating already.'

Iruka pulled out the tea kettle and filled it with water before placing it on the stove to boil. He then went to the cabinet pulling out the chamomile tea leaves as well as some lemon balm leaves. As soon as Iruka placed the leaves on the counter, he felt Kakashi's chakra spike with anger.

'Kakashi!'

Iruka ran back to the living room only to find the door closed.

'He doesn't want me in there... That idiot! He should know by now, he isn't alone. I'll wait a bit and get his damned tea, but once it's done I'm marching in there. He should know that he doesn't need to hide behind a figurative mask when he's around me.'

Iruka returned to the kitchen, keeping his mind partially on Kakashi's fluctuating chakra. Once the water began to boil, Iruka removed it from the kettle from the heat and added the leaves, letting the tea steep. After the tea had steeped, Iruka removed the leaves and poured the tea into a teapot. He then placed the teapot and two tea cups onto a tray before picking up the tray and going back to the living room.

'I wonder if he's finished reading the files yet.'

Iruka rested the tray on one hand and opened the door, walking into the room. Papers from the files were scattered in the space between the couch and the kotatsu. Kakashi was holding one last paper in his hand, eyes blankly staring at it and tears rolling down his cheeks. The mask pooled around his neck was already partially soaked.

'What was in those files?'

Iruka stared at Kakashi from the door for a few more seconds, horrified at what had happened while he was brewing a pot of tea. He then snapped out of it and walked forward, placing the tray down on the kotatsu. Once the tray was on a solid surface, Iruka turned towards Kakashi and gently pulled the paper out of his husband's hands placing it next to the tea tray. He then moved to sit next to Kakashi on the couch, wrapping his arms around the silver haired man.

"Kakashi?"

Kakashi choked on a sob.

"He said to forget what Danzo did, but why? Danzo did everything. It wasn't his fault, for anything, it was Danzo's. I hated him for years and it wasn't his fault. It wasn't..."

Iruka tightened his grip around Kakashi when his voice became too overcome with emotion to continue.

'Just what did the files say to destroy Kakashi like this?'

Iruka rocked Kakashi lightly while making calming sounds, eventually Kakashi began to doze off, a choked up sound still coming out every once in a while. Once Kakashi was settled Iruka reached out and picked up the paper he had placed on the kotatsu.

'How horrible are the contents of this paper?'

Iruka glanced at the paper noting the style of the writing and the arrangement of the sections.

'It's a mission report.'

Iruka glanced at Kakashi's face before looking back to the paper and beginning to read, skimming through to the important details.

Mission Number: XXXXXXX

Mission Rank: S

Mission Members: Nara Tadao, Kimura Michio

Mission Objectives: Assasination of Hatake Sakumo

Mission Parameters: Remove All Connections to Root, Cover-up is Suicide (Preferred)

Mission Status: Complete

'No. It can't be. No. No! Sakumo-oji...'

The paper slipped out of Iruka's hand as his grip slackened, his mind trying to process what he had just read.

'Root killed Sakumo-oji. Why? What reason did it serve? What did Sakumo-oji do? It has to be here. Maybe in some of the other papers.'

Iruka began to reach down for another paper, but stopped himself before he touched one.

'No. Kakashi read all of them and it nearly destroyed him. I can't do the same to myself. I need to stay strong for Kakashi. I have to stay ignorant. I shouldn't read any more of the papers.'

Iruka looked at Kakashi seeing that he was half asleep.

'We can't stay here. If the papers are the first thing Kakashi sees when he wakes up, it'll only hurt him more.'

Iruka wrapped one of his arms around Kakashi's waist and placed one of Kakashi's arms around his shoulders. Kakashi woke slightly from the movement.

"Ruka?"

Iruka smiled as best as he could, but it was still slightly flat.

'Your mind isn't remembering yet.'

"It's okay Kakashi, go back to sleep. You dozed off on the couch. I'm just taking you to the bedroom."

Kakashi nodded and let Iruka pull him to the bedroom. Once the duo were in the bedroom, Iruka laid Kakashi on the futon and began to move away. Kakashi grabbed onto Iruka's arm.

"Stay?"

Iruka shook his head at the question.

"I'll be back soon. I need to clean up some stuff first."

Kakashi nodded and began to go back to sleep, allowing Iruka to escape his grip and leave the room. Iruka went back to the living room, stopping to stare at all the spilled papers.

'I would love nothing more than to burn them, but I can't.'

Iruka sighed sadly before leaning down to pick up the papers, not reading any of them.

'I don't know which papers were in which file so I'm going to just leave them in a pile.'

Once all the papers were stacked and placed on the kotatsu next to the files they were originally in, Iruka grabbed the tea tray and left the room. He walked to the kitchen and placed the tray on the counter.

'I'll reheat it tomorrow. We're going to need it.'

With the house nearly back to the state it had been in before the wretched files were opened, Iruka walked back to the bedroom, turning off lights as he went.

'Tomorrow will be anything but pleasant.'

Iruka reached the bedroom and smiled sadly at the sleeping figure already in the futon. He turned off the light and walked in the darkness to the futon. Iruka quietly slipped in next to Kakashi, grabbing Kakashi's hand as he settled down. Kakashi only shifted in his sleep, moving closer to Iruka. Iruka smiled softened and he closed his eyes, beckoning for sleep to consume him.

'I'm not going to let what Root did break you, Kakashi. Whatever involvement Root has had with you and Sakumo-oji, we'll some to terms with together. I'm not letting you face this on your own, Kakashi. I'll be here for you through thick and thin, never forget that. And together we'll tame the nightmare induced by Root in the field. (1)'

The End

(1) It should technically say Hatake, but I felt like putting Hatake would kill the flow, so field it is.

In the end, this story was way longer than I expected... (My original intention was to only have Sakumo's mission, Sakumo's death, and Kakashi finding out the truth. That all happened, just the long way.)

Either way, hope you all enjoyed this crazy ride, it was fun writing it (and wondering how most of it appeared on the word doc).

Thanks for spending your time reading. :)