Looking in the Nooks and Crannies

Kakashi made his way through the book, not really being able to concentrate on the words or plot. His mind was on Naruto and on his other two genin back at the old man's hut with the little girl. He wasn't worried about Sasuke or Sakura, he'd informed the mission room of where they were and he was confident that the area was safe, relatively that is. As for Naruto; he looked at the flushed face of the twelve year old. As Akifumi had said, there wasn't much he could do except make Naruto comfortable.

For the first few hours, Naruto's condition was the same. He still had the fever and was absolutely still, going in and out of sleep. Kakashi gave him water and helped him one time to the bathroom. It wasn't until it was going on nine that something changed. Naruto began tossing on the bed and he moaned in discomfort. Kakashi's book snapped shut and he set it back in his vest. He took the thermometer and placed it in Naruto's mouth but the boy jerked away, eyes blinking dazedly open while he let out a whimper.

"Hold still," Kakashi softly ordered.

Naruto didn't seem to even hear him, twisting away from where Kakashi had grasped his arm. Kakashi felt worry form in his stomach as he placed his fingertips against Naruto's forehead. If he was correct, it seemed as though Naruto's temperature had increased. He had pulled his fingerless gloves off sometime earlier and a rough, callused palm pressed against Naruto's forehead while Kakashi used his other hand to place the thermometer in Naruto's mouth again.

Frowning, Kakashi gazed at the reading, 103.4 fahrenheit/39.7 celsius. It was higher than before. He placed the thermometer on the nightstand and headed to the kitchen. He began filling the cup with water, wondering if he had any fever reducers such as tylenol. There was a small scream of pain and fear, and in an instant he was back in the room with a kunai in hand. Instead of finding an intruder all he found was Naruto, tucked into a corner of the room and so tightly curled around himself that he managed to take up hardly any space.

Kakashi put the kunai back and carefully approached Naruto. He crouched down so that he was level with the boy. Naruto had his face pressed into his knees and Kakashi could hear that he was mumbling.

"Naruto?"

Kakashi started to reach out and then Naruto pushed forward, scrambling past Kakashi and dashing toward the door with a scream. Kakashi cursed, following his student and catching up with him right as the child tried to wrench the front door open. He seized Naruto, pulling the boy to his chest, effectively pinning Naruto's arms down. Naruto was kicking and screaming for all he was worth and Kakashi was struggling to keep a hold of him.

Kakashi tried to speak to him, talk him out of whatever fever dream he was in. It didn't have any effect and finally Kakashi sunk to the floor, sitting with his back against the wall and legs splayed out, Naruto cocooned against his chest. Kakashi hooked his legs around Naruto's as they thrashed out, pinning them. He was going to have quite a few bruises as of tomorrow.

After several minutes, Naruto stopped struggling as much, shaking all over but body yielding.

"Naruto?" Kakashi whispered.

The boy just let out a frightened cry, blue eyes distant and unseeing, filled with terror.

People, people all around him, surrounding him in a suffocating room of heat and chill. Naruto knew what they were there for; everyone in the village coming to kill the monster.

He could hear his teammates' jeers, distant and discorded with bitter hate. Then his sensei, hand once kind, reaching out murderously. He tried to run, tried to hide from it.

Then hands were on him, hurting him, punishing him for something he had never chosen to be. He tried to escape, run, get away and save himself. He couldn't face the hate of his precious people, to look and see that it had all been a well fabricated lie to gain his trust so they could once and for all rid themselves of a monster. He wanted to tell them, convince them that he wasn't a monster, but the only thing he could do was cry out; struggling in vain against the burning hands. Why was it so hot?

The voices grew louder until something else broke through, a deep reassuring voice promising safety and protection. Slowly Naruto came back to himself, first feeling some warm wall he was pressed against which rose and fell with the comforting voice. He was so tired, his lids slid shut and he let out a soft sigh as he stopped struggling altogether.

The arms which had previously been like horrible constricting snakes loosened and a hand began gently rubbing his back. Naruto eased at the physically given solace and let his body give into the tender embrace of unconsciousness.

Kakashi wasn't sure why he started talking, mumbling to Naruto that everything would be alright, that he was safe and that Kakashi would protect him. He'd never been a fan of words, especially the ones whispered to children to comfort and calm. Ever since his father had abandoned him, stealing away his kindness and those gentle words, he'd avoided platitudes. Now, well now it felt like he was his father, reenacting the scene of Sakumo cradling his little boy through fever and illness. It hurt as much as it made him proud, he had hated the image of his father as closely as he looked up to it. To be like him was both painstakingly shameful while achieving the greatest achievement he'd ever set for himself. To feel like a father was a fragile thing of both strength in love and fear in upsetting the delicate balance of safety a child needed. To be firm enough to protect the body of the child and supple enough to prosper the mind. Holding the small body in his arms, Naruto vulnerable and trusting, he felt, for the first time, like he was good enough to protect the child that was now his.

When he felt Naruto fall asleep Kakashi stood, legs slightly numb from Naruto's weight and his tailbone protesting. The boy was fast asleep, sweaty head set against Kakashi's shoulder. Kakashi frowned, Naruto was still too hot. He moved to the bedroom, setting Naruto on the bed and moving to the kitchen where he packed ice in rags.

He placed the items under Naruto's armpits and around his head. The boy squirmed but he didn't wake up. The fever lingered at a high temperature for a while before finally breaking in time for the dawn to come. Kakashi was tired, brain floundering at the emotions he'd experienced the last twelve hours. All his long fought for calm had been torn away by Naruto; number one unpredictable ninja. Naruto definitely lived up to his name.

Kakashi sank back, letting his eyes rest while Naruto slept peacefully, finally free from fever.

Iruka had spent a good amount of time drinking after the strange and sudden adoption of Naruto. He kept trying to be happy about it all, and somewhere, deep down he was truly happy for Naruto. He wasn't as good as he wanted to be at expressing to Naruto that he mattered, instead saying his 'I love you's' in as many free bowls of ramen as possible and a quick hug rather than words. Rubbing at his forehead, Iruka set the cup of sake that was in his hand on the bar top and threw down some change.

It was early morning and Iruka had spent the entire night in the bar, hardly drinking but instead moping. Naruto was the closest thing to family he had, and despite all his rational thinking, he couldn't help but feel like the boy had been snatched away. That was the selfish perspective, logic however pointed to the fact that Iruka had little time and money to give to the boy, considering that last month he hadn't even seen or spoken to Naruto. Frustration rose and sorrow, he devoted his life to work, he had few friends. A sudden desire to see Naruto, to ensure that Kakashi was going to keep his promise, came to him, and he set off toward Hatake's house, slightly buzzed and without sleep.

It wasn't until he had pounded at the door that he realized exactly what he was doing. He cursed, realizing that he was harassing a jonin level ninja, someone who had quite a bit of respect throughout the village and could easily destroy Iruka. Before he could turn and run, the door opened and Kakashi appeared, completely ruffled looking. His mask was down, his gloves off, and shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He looked like he had just woken up after not having slept at all.

Immediately the man pulled his mask up, covering the entrancing red eye.

"What can I help you with, Umino-san?" Kakashi asked, looking exhausted and slightly undone, something Iruka had never seen.

"I want to see Naruto," he demanded, determined that since he was here, he might as well go through with it.

Kakashi looked annoyed but let out a sigh and shook his head, moving to let Iruka in. The door shut and Iruka followed Kakashi to Naruto's bedroom. Naruto was laid out on the bed, asleep but obviously sick. Iruka was immediately worried.

"What happened? Is he okay?" Iruka moved over to Naruto.

Iruka made a move to set a hand on Naruto's head but was stopped by Kakashi's hand tightly gripping his wrist, the hold painful. The man was leveling a steel grey eye at him, a gaze which was intensely serious and promised injury if Iruka disturbed the child.

"I just got him asleep," Kakashi said, letting go of Iruka and shifting to a more relaxed pose.

Iruka watched the silver haired ninja with a pondering look. Kakashi had acted like a dog, figurative hackles rising protectively when Iruka went near Naruto.

"I wouldn't hurt Naruto," Iruka stated.

There was a moment of silence as Kakashi stared impassively at Iruka.

"I know," he said, tone not very reassuring.

Iruka pursed his lips, trying to come up with a way to put the man at ease and make sure he got some rest. It was mainly from a sense of self-preservation, Iruka had no doubt that the jounin could possibly mistake him for an enemy nin and they would end up in a difficult situation of Kakashi trying to explain why there was a dead chuunin in his house.

"Go lay down, get some rest," Iruka ordered. He found that sleepy, worn out students responded better to commands. Hopefully Kakashi was no different.

He watched Kakashi stiffen, could see the unwillingness from the man as he fought over the idea of letting his senses rest and making himself vulnerable.

"He has medicine, and he hasn't eaten," Kakashi's tone indicated that he was going to argue.

"I am fully capable of administering medicine, and food shouldn't be a problem," Iruka reassured, moving already to the storage scroll on the table.

Kakashi hesitated, teeth clenched and standing inertly with pent tension as he let the argument roll through his mind.

"I promised him I would keep him safe," Kakashi settled on, still not letting go.

The man truly was like a dog. Iruka felt a pang at the intensity with which Kakashi spoke. He had thought once that he was the one to feel that way for Naruto, and the only one at that. Kakashi's was different though, much more intense and slightly frightening.

"I'll be with him," Iruka, holding a hand up as he saw Kakashi start to speak, most likely intending to claim that a chuunin was too low leveled.

"We're in Konoha, you'll be just in the other room, and I promise that I would die to protect Naruto."

Kakashi looked like he was going to protest but he finally conceded. Iruka watched him go, the man's shoulders slumped and looking exhausted.

Kakashi wasn't sure why he didn't really trust Iruka, it wasn't the man, it was Naruto. At this point he wouldn't trust Naruto with anybody. He was on edge and ready to sever the carotid artery of anyone who looked at Naruto cross eyed, then decapitate if necessary and maim the body just for good measure. Too little sleep, extraordinary emotional fatigue and a slew of other things which qualified Kakashi as a mentally insane person had him a little too close to the edge of a breakdown. So it was with great relief that he collapsed into his bed and all but passed out.

Iruka had never seen a resting Naruto, not like this at least. The boy was always bouncing off the literal walls and ceiling with energy. Right now he was completely still, breathing deep from sleep and with an unhealthy pallor which left a frown on Iruka's face. He roused the boy to take his medicines, dealing with lethargic movements and confusion as the boy mumbled out Kakashi's name, adorably shortened to 'Kashi', and promptly fell back asleep after swallowing some soup.

Iruka sat back in the chair, dozing lightly as time passed and Naruto slept. After a few hours the door clicked open and Iruka sat up, pulling himself from the nap he'd been in the middle of.

"Hatake-san?" He mumbled, blinking sleep from his eyes.

Kakashi was indeed there, still tired looking, but somehow decently rested from the few hours he'd slept. Kakashi inclined his head politely, but kept his gaze on Naruto.

"There's some inoshishi nabe on the stove, also some thin miso soup, but I made it for Naruto," Iruka stretched, watching as Kakashi didn't respond.

"You should eat something," Iruka prompted.

A moment passed and Kakashi nodded his head. Iruka stood up from the chair and moved to go out of the room, indicating for Kakashi to follow. Kakashi hesitated, glancing back at Naruto with worry.

"He'll be fine, Hatake-san, he just needs lots of rest."

They moved to the kitchen, where Iruka began loading up bowls before carrying them to the table. It smelled good, the warm aroma of broth wafting up from the bowls.

Iruka began eating and Kakashi started to eat as well.

"So, what happened?"

Kakashi looked up at Iruka, face blank. Iruka held back a sigh of annoyance.

"With Naruto, I've never seen him sick before."

Kakashi shrugged.

"It was bound to happen," he stated, without giving a real answer to what was going on.

Iruka took a bite of the soup. He knew that something different was going on here, he'd seen the instructions on the medical sheet, those medicines were all basic supplementaries, something you'd give to someone who was severely malnourished. Iruka had gotten the joy of helping out a few students in his working career who had needed some medical attention from forms of neglect. This indicated a severe case.

If the reticent jounin wasn't going to tell him though, he was going to have to find out another way.

They finished the meal and Kakashi immediately stood and headed back to the room. Iruka sighed and took care of the dishes, moving toward the sink and quickly washing them and setting them on a towel. Kakashi did not have a drying rack. Iruka wondered how the man survived, the kitchen was bare despite being decently large and having the luxury of an oven. Iruka just shook his head, dishing up a bowl of the miso soup and preparing the medicines that Naruto was going to have to take.

When he entered the room, Naruto was still asleep and Kakashi was sitting on the chair, that perverted book of his in hand. Iruka's lips dipped into a scowl at the orange covered menace but he didn't say anything.

Kakashi stood and made to take the dishes and medicine from Iruka.

"I'll do it," Kakashi stated.

Iruka complied and handed it all over. Kakashi set the bowl on the side table along with the medicine.

Iruka watched him kneel down and gently wake Naruto up. The boy stirred under Kakashi's palm as he stroked Naruto's forehead. Blue eyes blinked open and flitted around before settling on Kakashi. Kakashi murmured something which Iruka couldn't make out and Naruto gave a small nod.

Kakashi administered the medicine and then spoon fed Naruto half of the broth before the boy slumped back asleep. Iruka had never seen the boy so exhausted nor so still. Kakashi sat back down in the chair and flipped the book back out. Iruka stood there a few moments, awkwardly wondering about what he should do. He smelled bad, not having showered for over a day and having spent the night before at the bar. He was tired and it was going on nearly four in the evening.

"Well, Hatake-san, I should be on my way. It seems that Naruto is perfectly safe in your capable hands."

Kakashi looked over at him and Iruka felt the awkward at the blank stare. Was he supposed to say something? Or should he just go?

"I'll show myself out," Iruka said, turning to go.

"Umino-san," Kakashi called.

Iruka turned back around, looking expectantly at Kakashi.

"Could you," Kakashi hesitated as though he was unwilling to say whatever he planned on saying next, "come back tomorrow?"

Iruka blinked, surprised by the jounin asking for help. He nodded his head and gave a small polite smile.

"Anything for Naruto," he said.

Kakashi nodded and his eyes went back to the book. Iruka stood still for a moment before he then showed himself out.

The old man recovered surprisingly well, by the morning he was up and completely coherent. Whatever Kakashi-sensei had given the man had worked quickly and efficiently. Sakura was standing with Sasuke in front of the little hut, receiving profuse thanks from the elderly man and his granddaughter. Mume was quite taken with Sasuke but she was even more in love with Naruto. She had proclaimed him her future husband and was demanding to be taken to him immediately. Sakura was both pleased and amused to see that Sasuke had such patience for the child.

"I won't go anywhere until I know my Naru is okay!" Mume proclaimed, little feet spaced apart and hands on her hips.

Sasuke sweatdropped. The conversation had been going on for a while. Sakura was lucky, she was getting thanked right now by the old man, meanwhile Sasuke was being strong armed by a toddler.

"I need to go so that I can check on him, I'm sure once he is feeling better that he will come back and visit you," Sasuke said through gritted teeth.

He was this far from jutsuing the little girl's mouth shut. His curse mark wasn't helping.

"Sasuke-kun! We're going!"

Sasuke nearly melted in relief at Sakura's call and quickly patted the child on the head before jumping away. As they bound down the path, Sakura was snickering. Sasuke sent her a sideways glare. They set into a decent pace, one which would get them back to the village within ten to fifteen minutes. The mirth died and both of their minds wandered to the alarming event of yesterday where Naruto had collapsed.

Both were worried for their teammate. Sakura was focusing on the likelihood that whatever had happened was contagious while Sasuke pondered the peculiar behavior of late between both Naruto and Kakashi. Naruto had mentioned earlier that week that he had to meet Kakashi in the hospital. Maybe Naruto had some medical condition that was being kept from everyone else. Sakura seemed to follow in this line of thought because a few minutes later she glanced nervously at Sasuke before speaking.

"Do you think Naruto is going to be okay?"

Sasuke didn't answer and Sakura looked at the ground, brow furrowed in worry.

They made it in good time back to the village, reporting in just before three. They submitted a mission report and parted ways without speaking to each other.

Naruto had never felt so awful in his entire life, it was like his entire body had a weight put on it and was being dragged down. His mind was fuzzy and the most he could do was stay awake for a few minutes before exhaustion pulled him back into unconsciousness. He knew though that someone was there, someone who cared about him. A strong, steady presence which hadn't left. He vaguely recalled his sensei's voice and the warm taste of broth.

He opened his eyes, blinking them as he saw the vast caverns of the cage which housed the demon inside of him. Thick chains were drawn across the long, towering bars and Naruto could feel the fury of the demon on the other side. The fox was pacing agitatedly, tails flicking to and fro and teeth bared. Naruto still felt tired and strange, nothing seemed right.

The demon screamed and Naruto jerked back, terror filling him. He clenched his eyes shut and clasped his hands over his ears. He tried to run from it, the deafening roar seeming to shake him to his very core.

He woke to a gentle hand stroking his back and another wrapped around him to comfort him as he trembled from the experience. As the images left his mind Naruto burrowed into his sensei, curling up against his chest from where Kakashi had moved onto the bed. Naruto relaxed, fear leaving him as he was pulled close.

Iruka came back early the next morning, knocking at the door and then entering. He called out Kakashi's name but didn't get a reply. Frowning, he moved toward the bedroom. He stopped as he took in the sight of Naruto curled up in Kakashi's lap, fast asleep, one hand clutching the man's shirt while Kakashi had an arm around the boy and the other holding his book up.

Kakashi glanced up as Iruka stepped into the room.

"Umino-san," he said quietly in way of a greeting.

Iruka nodded his head instead of saying a greeting. He tip toed into the room and began taking on the role of a housemaid, cleaning up the dishes and taking out the old cloths. He took it all to the kitchen where he began washing again. He finished the dishes and then began to prepare another meal.

Iruka let out a sigh as he prepared the vegetables on the cutting board. He had no idea what he was doing. This was such a strange situation. He did not know Hatake well and he had had no idea that the man cared so deeply for Naruto. From the interactions he'd seen, the man was aloof and nearly irresponsible when it came to certain things and his students. This was a jump in behavior which had Iruka reeling. That and that damned book was bugging the hell out of him. If Kakashi was going to be Naruto's adopted father instead of himself like he'd planned then the man should at least read material which was uplifting and could pose a good example for Naruto.

Iruka began cutting the carrots with more fury.

And hey, Iruka wasn't some housemaid. Kakashi had been acting like this was all expected of Iruka, but this was a very gracious favor. That, and if Kakashi was going to be a parent the man had better know how to care for Naruto, that included cooking and cleaning. Iruka was not going to spend his entire life cleaning up after two lazy ninja.

Iruka finished preparing the dish and set the saibashi down. He went back to the room with a determined look on his face. A scowl permeated his features as Kakashi didn't even look up from the book as he entered.

"If you're going to be Naruto's father," Iruka started, a feeling of triumph coming over him as Kakashi looked up in surprise.

"You had better learn how to cook. I am not going to be here to do it all the time and I have my own life. I will not be a housemaid, I may not be a jounin but I am still a shinobi. So, you are going to come into the kitchen, I am going to show you how to cook and how to clean, and then I am going to leave and you will begin doing all of this by yourself."

Kakashi blinked, gaze, as always, unreadable. It didn't stop Iruka.

"I will check up on you and Naruto to see how you are doing and I will teach you more cooking techniques, but I will not be your housemaid."

There was a pause.

"Okay," Kakashi said.

Iruka gave a curt nod and moved back into the kitchen. Twenty minutes later, Kakashi came in and the cooking lesson began.

Sakura and Sasuke awkwardly stared at each other as they faced down in front of Kakashi's apartment. Each had a small get-well basket in hand.

Sakura had set out to the hospital first, but had found that Naruto wasn't actually there. She had been met by a tall, dark skinned doctor who had informed her cryptically to go to her sensei's house. So Sakura had set out that way, trying to understand why Naruto would be at Kakashi-sensei's house.

Sasuke had started his day with a similar thought, picking up some small get well package made up of mainly ramen and a few other things before he realized belatedly that he didn't even know where Naruto lived. He had set out for Kakashi's house.

They shifted in front of each other, finally moving. Sakura was the one who knocked on the door. A minute passed and they both looked up in surprise when it was Iruka-sensei who answered the door.

Their previous teacher looked irked, the kind of irked he got when he tried to motivate Shikamaru or when he futilely tried to make certain female shinobi practice defensive maneuvers that weren't doing so because they were ogling boys.

The two children shrank back. Iruka's ire wasn't the kind you wanted directed at you, the big head jutsu was quickly followed by much scarier methods of getting a class in line. Iruka's glower faded and a faint smile replaced it.

"Children, what are you doing here?"

Sasuke was silent and Sakura fumbled for words for a moment before holding up her basket. Iruka blinked, taking a moment to understand. When he did his smile broadened and he stepped to the side so they could enter.

Neither had been in Kakashi's apartment before and it was a strange thing, so brightly coloured and decorated in a sparse but homey way. Sasuke narrowed his eyes as he glanced around, disbelief filling him at the thought that his sensei would have such bright colors in his apartment, it made him wonder if they'd gotten the right address. It must have been, because Iruka showed them into the kitchen where Kakashi was cooking.

Sakura's nose scrunched up in disgust at the awful smell and the mess which was splayed everywhere. Iruka scowled at the scene before gesturing to the hallway.

"Naruto's in his room sleeping right now, if you'd like you could go in," Iruka said.

Sasuke didn't miss the phrasing and the curiosity he'd been entertaining since a week ago doubled. They were lead to a room which was nice and spacious, Naruto was laid out in the middle, fast asleep and looking poorly.

Both of the children entered hesitantly, awkwardly moving over to the bed. They both set their baskets to the side of the bed. Iruka left and the two were alone.

Sakura seated herself on the bed next to Naruto, worry niggling at her. She had younger siblings and she was familiar with the scent of illness. Naruto smelled sick and looked very ill. She had never seen him sick before. Sakura stared down at him, noting with alarm that he looked thinner than he had two days before when he'd collapsed. A sudden fear struck her, the thought that whatever he had was terminal and that was why Kakashi-sensei hadn't told them and why their sensei had taken Naruto into his apartment and not the hospital. All hope had been lost and Naruto had only a few days left. Sakura's imagination was running ahead of her and tears sprang to her eyes. She couldn't help it but she started crying.

Sasuke meanwhile was sitting stiffly in the chair, staring at the bed. Sakura started crying and he became extraordinarily uncomfortable. Was he supposed to do something? He didn't have to comfort her, right? He really hoped she want him to comfort her, he didn't do snot and saltwater.

Sasuke was saved by the door being opened. Kakashi stepped in and waved a hand at his two students, fingers splayed in the peace sign.

"Oh! Sensei!" Sakura sobbed, now in complete upheaval, "Why didn't you tell us!?"

Kakashi looked perplexed and Sasuke stared in disgust at his teammate. How exactly was the opposite sex attractive? Sakura had tears streaming down her face, eyes puffy and red.

"Why didn't you tell us Naruto was dying?!" Sakura sobbed again.

Her noises had disturbed Naruto and the boy blinked his eyes open. Sakura threw herself at him, sobbing as she pulled him into an uncomfortable hug. Naruto was dazed looking, and managed to weakly say Sakura's name which just made her sob harder. Naruto looked to Kakashi, confusion on his face. Kakashi finally stepped forward.

"He isn't dying, Sakura, calm down," he removed her from Naruto, pushing her into an upright position.

Sakura blinked, tears slowing, "He isn't?"

Kakashi shook his head.

"He is very sick, so it would be better if it was quiet and he was allowed to rest."

Sakura nodded her weepy head, rubbing at her eyes. She got up from the bed and mumbled an apology to Naruto.

"But sensei, if he isn't dying why is he at your apartment?" Sakura asked, confusion overcoming her.

"Because he lives here, Naruto is Kakashi's son," Iruka answered for Kakashi from where he was leaned up against the door frame.

Sakura's mouth dropped open along with Sasuke's. Her active imagination went wild again, the tearful story of a father watching over his son from the shadows in silence, some horrible event from the past keeping him from telling his son the truth and making it so they couldn't be a family. But some recent event had allowed them to meet again. However, the bad guys were somewhere and the two were not yet safe to be together as a family. Sakura's mind went through the dramatics with stars in her eyes.

Sasuke was just imagining how many illegitimate children Kakashi probably had from reading those perverted books, he really hoped they weren't all like Naruto, or worse, all like Kakashi.

Kakashi let out an annoyed sigh, Iruka just grinned. It was good payback for the last couple hours of hell Iruka had just spent in the kitchen teaching Kakashi how to cook.

Thank you lovelies! I appreciate all who have read, reviewed, followed, favorited and enjoyed my story!