Yes Hokage
A Naruto fanfic
by Nelarun
Naruto (c) Kishimoto

He stared at the little boy in the hospital.

"You can't see him."

He had a shock of yellow hair, and dark blue eyes.

"Not until he's older at least."

The midwife believed that the eyes would lighten to a blue reminiscent of Minato's soon enough.

"No one can know who his father is –"

He looked so lonely.

"- and if you suddenly took on a child –"

He looked so cold.

"- people would put the two together soon enough."

How would he survive on his own?

"Of course we'll have to change his name."

Why shouldn't he come with him?

"Namikaze is not exactly subtle."

He was sensei's last student after all.

"Uzumaki it is then."

He reached into the crib and stroked the quiet baby's cheek.

"Kakashi, are you listening?"

The orphanage was no place for him.

"Yes, Hokage."

He slipped his mask down and pressed a kiss to the boys forehead.

"Perhaps you should leave now."

Leave?

"Before you become too attached."

He nodded and walked away, not looking back.

"Kakashi, the boy is no longer your concern."

The boy would always be his concern...

"Yes, Hokage."

...even if the boy wasn't his charge.

"And Kakashi."

He paused, adjusting his mask.

"Don't come back."

He walked out the door...

"...Sarutobi?"

...ignoring the cry of the baby who wanted the nice man back...

"Yes?"

… silently swearing that one day...

"Have we done the right thing?"

...he would make this right.