May It Be

Author's Note - Well, another chapter is now underway. When I was working on chapter four last night, I got hit by inspiration for this one. If it hadn't been so late last night, I probably would've gotten started on it. Well, that's why I love Saturdays. No work, all clear, so I can wade through the process I have to do in order to get writing done!

What I love about AU is that you can be a bit more creative. I kind of pulled some ideas from some of the bonds I've seen mentioned in Naruto. I'm also relying on Kakashi's father's nickname for part of the concepts that will be mentioned in this chapter. I do hope all of you will enjoy this! As far as where a lot of the ideas behind the Hatake history, traditions, and abilities come from, some of it has been mentioned before in regards to heightened senses. The rest comes from my wonderful imagination!

Thank you for all the wonderful comments left behind in the reviews. I hope I continue to please as this tale unfolds!

Love to my heart sisters!

Disclaimer - I do not own Naruto. I think that sums it up.

Chapter Five - Moonlight Shadows

To say that Iruka had been relieved by Kakashi's report on the Council meeting was an understatement. He was very happy to know that certain problems he'd been worrying about had been dealt with. However, as the two teenagers began settling into their new home with the baby, the Genin began noticing something unusual about his house-mate.

Right after he'd moved in, Kakashi had been somewhat relaxed around Iruka and handled baby Naruto with gentle care. But now, it seemed as if there was an underlying tension coiled in the silver haired shinobi's body that didn't release as several days went by.

Outside of the tension, the Anbu seemed almost territorial. He kept both Iruka and Naruto inside the confines of the home, only going outside into the training yard for exercise. The dark haired teenager hadn't been allowed to leave the walled sanctuary that their house sat in the center of. Thankfully, they had enough food and other necessities to last for a while.

These thoughts went through Iruka's mind as he sat in the meditation garden that was on the side of house. Naruto was sleeping in a basket near him as he tried to reason out what could have Kakashi acting this way. It didn't seem to make sense to him at all.

Kakashi's voice pulled him from his thoughts and he went into the house, carrying the still sleeping baby. He was surprised to find the Hokage waiting for him.

"Hokage-sama, welcome. Is there anything you need, sir?"

The older man smiled and shook his head, pleased with the teenager’s courtesy and manners.

"You look well, Iruka. No, this old man is doing just fine. Although, I wouldn't turn down a chance to hold Naruto."

The Genin set the basket on a low table and Kakashi scooped him out of it, handing the baby to the village leader. Sandaime took the little one and held him with ease, fingers gently caressing the soft cheeks of the still sleeping Naruto.

"I forget how trusting these little ones can be. They can sleep through so much, never knowing the changes in the world around them."

Kakashi slipped out as the other two talked, and Iruka didn't notice. The young shinobi offered the Hokage some tea and chatted with him, learning a bit more about the elder man.

Time went by and soon, the Hatake came back in, clad in a simple robe.

"Are you two ready?"

Startled, Iruka looked at his house-mate but their guest answered before he could get his thoughts together.

"We are, Kakashi."

"Iruka, would you bring a spare diaper, cleaning cloths, and a warm blanket for Naruto please?"

He hurried to get the items Kakashi had requested, wondering what was going on. The atmosphere had just turned formal, and he was at a loss.

Once he'd put the things in a small bag, Iruka hurried out and then followed the group out to the training yard, then through a gate he hadn't noticed before. It'd been well concealed in the stone wall as an emergency escape, something he hoped they would never need to use.

Holding Naruto, Kakashi led them into the forest and then stopped. He knelt and gently stripped Naruto before wrapping him in what looked like a leather blanket. Afterwards, he stripped out of the robe, clad only in a leather loincloth.

Pale skin shone under the caressing light of the full moon, turning the shinobi's hair into molten silver. Muscles rippled as he moved towards where a small, carved wooden alter sat on the ground.

It was an eye catching effect and Iruka found himself hard pressed to look away, not quite understanding why he was noticing Kakashi like this.

Focused on his task, Kakashi didn't notice the chocolate eyes fastened on him. He carefully laid Naruto on the alter and knelt in front of it, picking up a knife and closing his eyes. Ancient words, known only to those of the Hatake Clan, were softly murmured as he dragged the sharp edge over the skin of his palm.

The two watchers waited, and both were awed by the sight of the animal that stepped through the trees and approached the alter. The wolf was large, with a thick black coat, and golden eyes peered down at the kneeling teenager.

"Why hast thou summoned me?"

Kakashi's voice was low but strong, carrying a respectful tone.

"I have come to bring one into the pack."

The wolf lapped at the injured hand, tasting the blood and healing the wound. It bowed the powerful head for a moment before meeting the mismatched gaze.

"Thou art Hatake and pack-brother. Who is this that thou seeks to bring into our covenant and pack?"

Kakashi gestured at the now awake Naruto. The baby was staring up at him, blue eyes unfocused.

"This cub was entrusted and bound to me by the ways of Man. I see to bind him to me and our pack using our covenant."

The old wolf sniffed at Naruto, and the little one made a small squeaking sound as a warm tongue lapped at his cheek.

"He smells of an ancient one. The nine-tails is within him, is she not?"

"Her kits were slaughtered, and an enemy of our den made it look as such so that she believed it was one of our own who did it. To save lives, she was sealed into this little one."

The wolf looked thoughtful for a moment as he stared down at Naruto.

"Kyuubi is known to our kind; her kits have run with our cubs over the millennia. This must meet with her approval as well before this cub can be brought into our pack."

Kakashi nodded and waited as the dark wolf nuzzled his muzzle against the still quiet baby. After a few moments, there was a flash of red chakra surrounding the tiny body. The aura had been muted so none could detect the flare, which all of them were grateful for.

"She has agreed to honor us. The cub will be brought into the pack. Which line wilt thine inheritance take?"

Given how close he'd been to Minato-sensei, the Anbu could answer that easily. Despite how much the Hokage had wanted a child, the woman he'd been wed to had not been overtly friendly to her husband and had threatened to abort Naruto several times before his birth.

"I would have my line take that of the bitch that whelped him."

Again, there was a nod.

"As thee wills it, Shadow Stalker."

Gold eyes flashed and then the wolf threw his head back and howled, a sound that was comforting to Kakashi as he waited for the summons to be answered. Moments later, the pack arrived. Wolves of various sizes and coloring approached their pack leader and were greeted by a soft sound.

"Our pack-brother wishes to bring in a cub, citing our covenant. The cub has been accepted by me. Lend us thy strength so that Shadow Stalker's cub may be brought into our pack."

The wolves seemed to almost vibrate with power as they bowed their heads, focusing on the baby on the alter. Dark blue auras surrounded each of them and Kakashi concentrated as well, white swelling around him.

"Sky Fire, stand with your bond brother."

An auburn wolf moved to stand beside Kakashi, nudging him affectionately before focusing his attention back on Naruto.

Within moments, dark blue, white, red, and almost cobalt blue auras danced around the little one. Kakashi held his left hand out to his bond brother, who bit into the hand deeply. The shinobi held the hand to Naruto's mouth, who opened it as if by some primal instinct. The blood dripped into his mouth and despite the face of disgust the baby made, he swallowed it. Once Kakashi knew enough had been taken and the auras were becoming brighter, he used the fingers of his free hand to draw symbols onto Naruto's forehead and chest with the blood.

The leader of the wolves murmured something and just as the auras swelled to the point where no one could stand to watch, a white wolf stepped forward and bit down on the small left hand. That's when the light exploded, both it and the burst of power being contained by the wolves in order to keep this ceremony secret.

When the light died, Iruka and the Sandaime could see the white wolf sitting near Naruto's head, electric blue eyes focused on the small one that was laying on the alter.

"We welcome Silver Fang, cub of our Shadow Stalker and bond brother of Ice Wind, to our pack."

The wolves gave a loud howl of welcome and Kakashi reached out, pulling the large fang out of Naruto's hand. Ice Wind licked the injured palm of his bond brother, healing it while the silver haired teenager used a leather cord to fashion a necklace that he placed around the baby's neck.

Sky Fire nudged his bond brother again, tail wagging happily, before loping off with his pack brother, both content to watch their brothers from afar until called.

Once the two were alone, Kakashi scooped up his now sleeping son and headed back to the other two. He diapered Naruto, wrapping him up warmly before handing him to Iruka and then slipping his robe on.

Iruka, who had been watching all this in silence, finally burst out. He'd nearly panicked a few times, especially when Kakashi had fed Naruto the blood. It was even worse when the wolf had bit the baby; that part had actually pushed him into a very foul mood.

"What the hell was that?"

Author's End Note - Okay, there's the ritual. I didn't expect it to take so long, honestly. The explanation will come up in the next chapter, and we'll gain more insight as to Kakashi's family history. For those who would like to hear about updates for this story and any of my others, hit my author's page. I have a link there now for my new yahoo group! I hope you enjoyed this installment. Please leave a review and let me know. In the meantime, I'll get to work on chapter six. Until next time! Laran