May It Be

Author's Note - Well, this story is unfolding quickly at the moment. I like that. Hopefully, the muses will do the same for my other stories. I have to admit, I think the writers I've spoken with might be on to something. I have a little over 1300 hits on this story and only twenty four reviews. Now, I'm not the type of person who will say "no new chapter unless I get XX amount of reviews" but I would like to point something out to the readers. The other writers and I craft these tales, not only for your enjoyment, but also to challenge ourselves. It does help and give us encouragement when we get the reviews from our readers. So please, when you read someone's story, give them a quick hello and let them know what your thoughts are, ok? Okay, off my soap box now.

In this chapter, I'm bringing out the importance of Kakashi's family name. I have seen references to the fact that the Hatake Clan is important to Konoha, but there's never been any explanation as to why. I know his father was a huge hero, but that doesn't really explain why the Hatake Clan holds honor in the village. There's really been no bloodline trait mentioned or anything. So, in this instance, I'm going to wing it and play on the importance of the clan. It's sort of needed to get things moving in the right direction.

I'm hoping everyone is enjoying this so far. I'm having a great time working on this! Love goes out to my heart sisters!

To Sneakyfox, I see what you're saying and agree completely with your explanation. Someone commented in a prior review that she was enjoying the story even thought it's not a Naruto/Sasuke story. That's why I responded in my notes in regards to that. I'm not sure that I'd ever attempt such a pairing simply because I don't quite see those two as lovers. Rivals and friends, maybe so, but not lovers. Of course, it's my ignorance of the characters as well that is preventing me from doing such a story. Maybe in time, I'll attempt one but not in the near future. I've got a few other pairings I'd like to try later. I do appreciate your words of encouragement and hope to hear from you again in future chapter reviews!

Disclaimer - I'm not of Japanese origin, not male, and my name is not Masashi Kishimoto. Ergo, I do not own Naruto.

Chapter Four – Power Play

Naruto had been put back into his crib and Iruka had been working on unpacking his belongings for nearly an hour by the time Kakashi returned to the house. The Genin heard the front door open and went out to greet his house-mate, ready to help unpack the groceries the Anbu had brought. He was somewhat surprised by the amount of bags the silver haired teenager had brought in and was quick to take some of them from him.

"I hadn't expected you to get so much."

Kakashi laid the bags on the table, starting to unload them and put them on the counter to get them organized.

"There was a lot we needed. I wasn't kidding when I said there were some dried goods. That was pretty much all there was in here."

Iruka started unloading the bags as well, eyes widening when he pulled out several cookbooks and three books on child rearing. The copy shinobi realized what he was looking at and gave a small shrug.

"Well, we both can cook basics. I figured we'd get tired of that pretty quickly. Those will come in handy."

The dark haired teenager set the books aside with a nod, knowing all of the books would be useful. There was quite a bit about children he didn't know, and any little bit of knowledge would be helpful.

"How's it looking out there?"

Kakashi gave a soft sigh from behind his mask.

"It's a mess, honestly. Things are starting to rebuild though. I think Hokage-sama is going to have a memorial ceremony for the fallen within a day or so, once things are better organized. It's a good thing he hadn't left Konoha after Minato-sensei had been sworn in. Otherwise, it'd be a full fledged disaster out there."

A thought came to Iruka and he turned to the other shinobi, concern in his voice.

"Outside of Hokage-sama, us, and the other Anbu, does anyone know about Naru-chan being chosen to contain the nine-tails?"

Strong hands never paused in their work as Kakashi considered Iruka's question. It sparked a great many questions in the genius's mind, and he knew he'd have to get these answered before long.

"I don't know. I don't think so. Anbu has always been one hundred percent loyal to the Hokage only. They don't answer to the Council, so I don't see any of them discussing Naruto or what happened last night with anyone. However, Hokage-sama will probably have to reveal some details of last night's events to at least the Council. The villagers will want some sort of explanation as well."

Iruka put the vegetables in their proper places in the refrigerator and then looked at Kakashi. That little revelation did not sit well with him at all.

"That could pose a lot of danger to Naru-chan if others were to know."

Kakashi paused, staring down at the spices he was sorting.

"I know, but that was expected. That's why Naruto was adopted out and why his adoption papers and birth certificates were signed in triplicate and placed in various areas. Minato-sensei and Hokage-sama planned for as many eventualities as they could."

"The Council could still try to find a loophole."

There was a note in Kakashi's voice that Iruka hadn't heard come from him in the short time he'd been in the other's presence.

"They can try but, despite my doubts and concerns, Minato-sensei placed Naruto in the right place. I may not know anything about children but giving him the Hatake name was the best course of action. Even though I am the last member, the Hatake Clan is extremely important to Konoha."

Iruka, who hadn't really paid that much attention to the clan systems before, didn't understand but decided to place his trust in the silver haired shinobi. Before he could comment, there was a knock on the door and he went to answer it, stunned when it opened to reveal a masked Anbu.

"Hatake-san, Hokage-sama wishes to speak with you before the two of you appear before the Council."

"Inform Hokage-sama that I will be there in a few moments."

Startled, Iruka spotted Kakashi standing not too far behind him. The Anbu bowed slightly and took off to deliver the message.

"This is happening sooner than I thought it would."

"I was expecting this to happen within the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours. In order for the village to move forward, things have to be revealed and handled. I should prepare for this. You will be all right with Naruto for a while?"

Iruka nodded, watching his house-mate.

"We'll be fine."

"Lock the doors. If anything happens, go out the back through the training yard with Naruto. Your instructor taught you the birdcall that signals distress?"

Again, the Genin nodded and Kakashi continued.

"Give the call, keep running. An Anbu will find you and take you to safety."

"I will, Kakashi-san."

The senior shinobi nodded and headed back towards his room, closing the door behind him. Iruka watched him go and went to finish putting up the groceries.

About ten minutes later, he was startled when he heard the soft footsteps and turned, eyes widening when he spotted Kakashi.

The Hatake was arrayed in black hakama and haori. The haori had his clan seal embroidered in silver over his heart and there was a silver wolf embroidered on the back as well. The cloth mask the Anbu usually wore was gone, replaced by a wooden mask that covered his lower face. The ebony had been carved to show a snarl, almost making its wearer appear as feral beast of some sort. The hitai-ate had been removed and the sharingan eye covered by a black eye patch.

Without saying a word, Kakashi left the house and made his way to Hokage Tower, taking the rooftops so as not to draw attention. It was incredibly rare for him to don his clan garments and knew people would comment if they saw him.

Sandaime said nothing as the figure in black slipped into his office and rested in a formal at-ease posture. He wasn't surprised to see Kakashi in this mode and in fact, was grateful to see him like this. It would make things a bit easier.

"The Council is demanding answers."

Kakashi's voice was clear, despite the wooden mask.

"You mean to tell them about what Minato-sensei did and Naruto's role in this?"

The older man leaned back in his chair, fingers playing with his pipe. This action told the younger man that his leader wasn't as pleased with the goings on either.

"I am going to do so. In truth, I will also announce it to the villagers and pass a law stating that no word of last night and Naruto's role will ever be spoken. The younger generation must be able to view Naruto with clear eyes."

"Naruto will be informed of the truth in a few years."

The Hokage sat up slightly, staring at the Hatake.

"I don't think it's wise, Kakashi."

A dark eye focused on the village's leader and the tone was firm, telling the listener that he would not take no for an answer.

"The children of this village will not see with clear eyes. They will follow their parents in regards as to how Naruto is treated as he grows up. I will not have Naruto wondering why he is hated by adults and children alike. This is my choice, Hokage-sama. He is my son, and I will not have his uniqueness hidden from him."

Knowing he couldn't argue, Sandaime agreed. Kakashi was right. Hiding the information could only be detrimental to the boy as he grew. It would be best that the child understood his burden and be taught how to handle it as he matured.

"Then a loophole will be made for you, Iruka, and Anbu in regards to speaking to Naruto about this."

The silver head nodded in acknowledgment and the old man continued.

"We should head to the Council Chambers. I anticipate a great deal of trouble in regards to this."

Kakashi followed the robe clad man into another area, slipping unnoticed into the Council Chambers. He chose a dark corner to stay in, not wanting to give away his presence just yet. If there was one thing he had learned during his time as a shinobi, it was the art of surprising one's enemy.

Sandaime quietly answered the Council's questions in regards to last night's events and recounted everything. The members of the Council looked at each other before one of the senior clan members spoke up.

"So the boy contains the Kyuubi?"

"Yondaime's seal holds strongly. Naruto contains him, and our village is safe."

Uchiha Fugaku broke his silence, voicing his beliefs on what should be done.

"Then it needs to be destroyed before the demon regains strength and tries to finish what it started."

The Hokage fastened stern eyes on the Uchiha clan leader, not liking what the man had said. His words only confirmed what the Yondaime has suspected. Very few would see the baby for who he was. Most would only see Kyuubi and hate him, despite the fact the kitsune had been mislead by what he considered his greatest failure.

"That will go against Yondaime's wishes, which I fully intend to honor. Naruto is not the demon; he is not an it. He has been placed in a home and will be taught how to ensure that the seal never breaks."

Kakashi decided to nip the power struggle in the bud. He steadied himself and stepped into the light, slipping into the role he hadn't thought he would ever have to play.

"My son will remain within his home as his sire wished."

The Council stared at the newcomer, some of them fighting back shivers at the sight of the dark figure. Power surrounded him so strongly that even those who were not trained in the shinobi arts could sense it.

"Your son, Hatake-sama?"

"Yes, Hyuuga-sama, my son. Hatake Naruto, my heir and the bearer of both Yondaime-sama's and my clan's legacies. I will not allow harm to come to him. He will be raised to become an honorable man and strong shinobi, and my son will serve this village loyally as my clan has for many generations."

Sandaime schooled his expression to stay neutral but inside, he was laughing at the power hungry fools. Kakashi had not only put a stop to the possible execution plans but had also managed to pave the way for Naruto to follow in his birth father's and his adopted father's footsteps. There was no way the Council could try to harm Naruto nor stop his education when the time came without insulting the powerful Hatake name.

"You are right, Hokage-sama. The village must know of the truth, and I believe we should also keep the child's parentage hidden as well."

Kakashi wasn't known as a genius for nothing and knew exactly what the Uchiha was hoping to achieve. If Naruto didn't know of his birth father, then the knowledge could be used against him and possibly his adopted clan in the future. Barring one individual, the Uchiha Clan tended to be too ambitious for their own good and thought nothing of stepping on others to gain the power they sought.

"The village should be told the truth of the night's events and ban speaking of it again, I agree. And for Naruto's safety, his parentage should be kept from the outside world. However, my son will know the truth about his ancestors and what he contains when I deem he is ready for it."

Again, the Hokage had to fight to keep from laughing. It was rather unusual to see the frustrated look on the Uchiha's face and it would be something that would remain in his mind's eye for a long time. Kakashi was playing his role perfectly, and the old man knew that Naruto would be safe for years to come.

Unable to do or say anything more in regards to the vessel's future, the Uchiha bit out his next words as graciously as possible.

"The Council agrees and congratulates the Hatake Clan on the arrival of its heir. May the clan flourish and grow under the blessings of the kami."

The words were echoed by the other and Kakashi regally bowed, accepting the congratulations silently. He remained by the Hokage's side as business was discussed and then left with the older man, thoughts and various scenarios weighing heavily on his mind.

There was another way to keep Naruto safe. The method was an ancient ritual, known only to his clan, and it would ensure that the baby would remain a chosen Hatake. If he'd thought of this before his former sensei had left to face the nine-tails, he would have mentioned it beforehand but inside his heart, the Anbu knew that Minato would have agreed.

"Hokage-sama, is your schedule clear for the night of the full moon?"

The powerful leader looked over at the slender form walking beside him. He had a feeling he knew what Kakashi was going to do and approved of it whole heartedly.

"I believe so and even if it were not, I would make sure to clear it. You will go through the formal adoption?"

Kakashi nodded once, eye focused on the hallway ahead of him.

"I will present him. If he's accepted, then the ritual will go forward. I do not believe Minato-sensei would have objected. His bloodline and legacy will be preserved."

"If memory serves, yours will as well."

The genius nodded again. He wasn't surprised that the Sandaime had some idea of what he was going to do, and it reassured him that he approved of it.

"I would like for you to stand as one of the witnesses. I trust you to remain silent and not share what you will see that night."

"I am honored, Kakashi. I will see you on the night of the full moon."

Kakashi turned his head towards his leader.

"I will see you then, Hokage-sama."

Sandaime was not surprised when the Hatake disappeared. He had a feeling he wanted to get back to his home as quickly as he could, and he couldn't blame him for that.

"You chose well, Minato. You chose well."

Author's End Note - Seems I left a bit of a cliffhanger in a way. What type of ritual will Kakashi be putting Naruto through? Have to wait and see! Okay, the mask that is part of the clan uniform was inspired by the masks worn in Mortal Kombat the Movie. Reptile had a beast style lower mask, and I thought something similar would work for Kakashi's clan uniform. I hope you enjoyed the story! Please leave a review and let me know what you think! Until next time! Laran