Father Figure

Sub- conscious: And the winner is… No one.
Me: -lying on ground with leg bent at a weird angle, and missing a patch of hair on head-
Conscious: -has no teeth left, two black eyes, and is missing an ear-
Sub-conscious: Well… until one of them wake up I guess it’s up to me to update. So… here’s my first chance at writing. FINALLY! YAY!
Me: -Shakily raise hand from ground- Nuuuuu… I can’t let you do that to the readers, they can’t have you-
Sub-conscious: -Kicks hand to the ground- Quiet YOU! Now how about that new chapter.

Sometimes I Think That You’ll Never Understand Me
Chapter 9

Naruto had spent the rest of his night staring out into the rain, hoping to see a glimpse of Kakashi, a sign, anything that the man would return. All he heard was the light patter of raindrops falling against the trees, battering the roofs, and slowly flooding Konoha’s ground, while the chirp of forest creatures came to life in the storm. The distant sound of thunder reached the teen’s ears while the fresh scent of rain was all he could smell. The light misting of rain in the valley blocked his view, almost as if a heavy fog had rolled into the village. Had it not been for the turmoil in his heart he would have found the scene peaceful. Stepping out onto his balcony and climbing up the roof the teen sat there watching the storm, and waiting while everything was washed away until nothing remained, nothing but the rain and Naruto.

Kakashi’s soaked form finally entered into his house having grabbed his spare key from underneath a roof tile. He entered into the living room, water dripping down his unmasked face. He realized that he had left everything behind at Naruto’s, his clothing, his keys, his mask, and his heart. Sighing the man placed his face in his hands, wiping away the water droplet’s before finally stripping off the water laden clothing. He held the items in his hands, carrying them with him to the bedroom. Without even bothering to dress or dry himself, Kakashi laid down on the bed, the water from his hair soaking into his pillow while his body dampened the sheets. He fell into a restless sleep, Naruto’s wet clothing clutched tightly in his hand.

A new day dawned, and with it came a new hope for the teen. Naruto watched the sun arise spreading light across the land smiling as it passed the moon on its journey to dominance over the sky. Naruto had decided that if Kakashi wasn’t going to come to him, that he would go to Kakashi. With that thought propelling him he left his perch on the roof to go off in search of his sensei. But his sensei was in a place that Naruto hadn’t expected to find him.

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Kakashi sighed looking at the grave of his best friend, his fingers grazed over the engraved surface of the marble. Obito. One name among thousands, a drop in the pond...but to Kakashi he was one in a million.

“You have no idea how much I wish you were here right now. You’d know exactly what to say, and what to do.” Kakashi ran a shaky hand through his hair and closed his eyes. “I feel so lost right now Obito. I just need something solid to hold on to... I need you.”

Naruto held his breath as he stepped back from his position in the tree’s and leaned against the oak. After leaving his home he had followed Kakashi’s chakra source to the Konoha memorial sight. He had thought that the man would only be walking past, perhaps paying his respect to the fallen Konoha ninja. Not that he would be speaking to the one student his father had lost while he was a jounin teacher. It pained the blond to see the gravesite, where the names of so many lives lost were carved. Those that died protecting their village, and most who had died protecting the village from the Kyuubi. He looked down at the ground, he knew that there would be difficulties between them. There was the fact that student teacher relationships would never be allowed, that they were both men, that Naruto was half his age and not quite legal yet, not to mention the fact that Naruto was a container of a vicious beast that had killed so many people... But he had never expected to have to compete with a dead man. There was no way he could win, no way that the demon child could ever hope to win the heart of a man who had already lost it to a ghost.

Without a word Naruto turned and walked away from the site, unbeknownst that Kakashi had seen a glimpse of blonde hair through the trees. ‘Naruto.’ Kakashi thought. He felt his heart clench.

Kakashi turned back to the grave a look of deep contemplation on his face. “Obito... There’s something I have to tell you.”

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“Ok. I understand Kakashi being late... but Naruto too?” Sakura said, crossing her arms and looking at her watch.

“Maybe their together.” Sasuke stated simply.

Sakura raised an eyebrow before a slightly glazed look came over her eyes. Sasuke glanced over towards his teammate, his brow furrowing in confusion before his mouth opened slightly, and his eyes narrowed.

“Not in that way you pervert.”

Sakura broke from her reverie, to scowl at Sasuke before giving a pout. “It’s not as if it couldn’t happen. I mean Naruto’s as cute as a button.”

“And Kakashi is as straight as an arrow. What’s your point?”

“I’m just saying that it could happen.” Sakura said with a shrug.

Sasuke sighed. “I’m not sure about Naruto, but you have to be sure about Kakashi. He walks around all day with that stupid hentai book of his, and let me tell you... there is no man love in there.”

“You say it as if you’ve read them, Sasuke.” Sakura said a devious look crossing her face.

A blush flew across Sasuke’s face as he turned away. Sakura’s face lit up in a huge smile before she began to dance around Sasuke singing.

“Sasuke’s a hentai! Sasuke’s a hentai pervert! Sasuke’s a pervert!”

“Who’s a pervert?” Naruto asked coming up to the pair.

Sasuke took refuge in the appearance of the blonde. Finally there was someone else there that Sakura could annoy. Even if the damn woman wasn’t after his body any more she still managed to make herself a nuisance.

“Sasuke is.” Sakura replied.

Naruto looked between Sakura and Sasuke, giving the boy a once over before looking back to Sakura with his eyebrow scrunched in questioning. “Are we talking about the same Sasuke here? Because the one I know hates all other life forms, tends to lean towards the emo side, and looks upon human contact as disgusting.”

Sakura allowed a small snort. Meanwhile Sasuke was considering just killing his entire team. He figured no one would miss them, and no one would even know Kakashi was missing due to his habitual lateness.

“You both suck.” Sasuke finally said turning away from the pair.

“Who’s sucking what?” Kakashi asked, finally making his appearance on the bridge.

Sakura allowed her mind to drift at that, Sasuke rolled his eyes, muttering something about a true pervert, while Naruto stiffened. The blonde closed his eyes, unable to turn around. He wasn’t ready to face him yet. Taking a deep breath he prepared himself, slowly turning around. He took his time in opening his baby blues, his heart beating against his chest.

Kakashi felt a pang when he saw Naruto stiffen at his voice. He knew he had made a mistake, and he didn’t want the boy scared of him. ‘I’ve really fucked it up this time. I took advantage of him, in his home, just when he was at his most vulnerable. God. I feel like shit.’

When Naruto finally looked towards the man all he could see was the shame and regret filling his eyes. Naruto felt a terrible pressure in his chest as if someone had taken his heart and squeezed it. ‘I knew no one could love a demon holder.’

While Sakura was lost in her own little dream world Sasuke could see something going on between the two. It seemed so obvious... there’s something up with them. Sasuke could feel it from across the bridge.

It took Kakashi a moment to regain his composure. “Sorry for being late. I had to go see a wise man about a little birdie that’s fallen out of its nest.”

Sakura groaned at the absurdity of the excuse, while Sasuke rolled his eyes. Naruto paused for a moment, narrowing his eyes at Kakashi. He couldn’t help but feel that the man was talking about him in some way.

“Anyways. Let’s get one with our training today. We’ll be working on your chakra control, and have a little fight amongst ourselves switching from offense to defence. Sakura you’re with Naruto, Sasuke you’re with me.”

Sasuke nodded and stepped forward until two figures landed before him. Team seven immediately moved into attack mode until they realized that it was merely Haku and Zabuza.

“I heard you were having a training session. Thought we’d drop by and help you train the brats. They’ll get better faster if they have one-on-one teacher experience.” Zabuza said with a grin towards Sasuke.

The raven couldn’t help but give Kakashi a pleading look, begging him to refuse for his sake. Kakashi saw the look that Sasuke had given him, and although it would be troublesome to have the brat pissed at him later. It was still worth it to not only put him in his place, but also to avoid his Uchiha arrogance for a day.

“Agreed.”

“Excellent.” Haku said stepping forward. “I’ll continue on with Sakura’s training. I want to start her into needle work, and perhaps later we can work on creating chakra blades. They both work in medical situations as well as for offensive attack.”

Sakura’s whole face lit up as she nodded and followed after Haku. Zabuza couldn’t help but allow a large grin to fill his face when he saw the terrified look that the Uchiha brat gave him. He could tell the teen was trying to put on a brave front, his face plastered with a cocky expression. However it was the eyes that gave him away, and the bottom lip quivering ever so slightly.

“I’ll take the Uchiha brat.” He said with a smirk.

Sasuke gulped, looking towards Naruto who gave him a sympathetic look. Even if the man loved to pick on Sasuke personally, and made his training sessions hell... he was also an excellent teacher. Sasuke had already started on swordsmanship, and was improving by leaps and bounds. Many considered it the mark of a good teacher, when in fact it was due to the fact that if Sasuke couldn’t keep up, he would be sliced in half by Zabuza’s giant sword. In Sasuke opinion, the man really was a demon.

There was an awkward silence upon the realization that Kakashi would be the one training Naruto for the day. The teen’s face was already flushed red, and he appeared unable to make any sort of eye contact. Meanwhile Kakashi felt a large lump settling into his stomach. Eventually his inner teacher kicked in telling him to just get things over with and start training him.

“Alright. Let’s train over the stream, that way you can practice your chakra control while fighting.” Kakashi said stepping towards Naruto.

Finally the teen looked up, something inexplicable emotion crossing his face. He opened his mouth to say something. Within a split second Kakashi knew that whatever was going to come out of Naruto mouth was going to be something that he couldn’t handle at the moment. Not when he emotions were still so raw. So he did the only thing he knew how to do in this kind of situation. He turned around and began walking towards the site. Avoiding Naruto and cutting him off from whatever he would have said.

Naruto’s mouth remained slightly open. No. He wasn’t going to let him get away. He took off after his teacher, becoming more and more frustrated as the man remained just out of reach.

“Sensei. ” Naruto called out, while Kakashi continued to walk. “Sensei!” He tried a little louder. Kakashi continued to walk attempting to ignore the way the blonde called for him.

“Kakashi!” Naruto finally called out, causing the man to hesitate for just a moment, giving the teen time to grab his wrist and stop him.

“What do you want Naruto?” Kakashi asked, his voice slightly cold.

“Why do you keep running from me? I have to talk to you.”

“About what?”

Naruto gave him a slightly hurt look. “About last night.”

“Nothing happened. It was just two people who were feeling a little vulnerable at the time who weren’t thinking straight. I’m sorry for taking advantage of you. I just got caught up in the moment.”

Naruto closed his eyes and looked over to the side. “So that’s all it was, a mistake. Was I just a vulnerable moment to you?”

“No Naruto. You’re more than that, it’s just... you’re a student. You’re not even 13, and you have no idea the number of rules we broke simply by being alone together that night.”

“Since when have you followed the rules?!” Kakashi gave the teen a hurt look while Naruto realized what he had said, guilt filling his face. “I know you think I’m too young, and that I’m just a bratty little kid, a demon holder... but please. Please don’t reject me, I don’t want to be rejected anymore.”

Kakashi felt like pulling out his hair strand by strand, while the compulsion was mixed with the feeling of wanting to grab onto the boy hold on tight and never let go. “I don’t consider you the demon holder. To me you are just Naruto. A bumbling smiling ball of energy that lives off making my life more difficult, like this moment right here, right now. I don’t know what to say to you. I don’t know what you want to hear.”

“I want to hear what you feel... do you even want me?” Naruto said turning his head downwards, his voice cracking slightly.

Kakashi stiffened, his face contorting in anger before turning and grabbing Naruto by the shoulders. “It isn’t a question of want. Of course I want you! God. What man wouldn’t want you Naruto?! You’re amazing. You understand so much of what other’s feel, what I feel, you make friends by just talking to someone once. You melt hearts wherever you turn, and your smile makes me feel as if I’m alive again! How could I never want to keep that as my own? How could I ever say no to the first person I’ve cared for in over 15 years... how could I not fall for you?”

Naruto felt his knees weaken, he couldn’t look away from Kakashi’s deep gaze. His heart was once again beating wildly in his chest, and the feeling of pressure clenched around his heart. Kakashi was experiencing a similar problem, his hands were shaking from his outburst, but it was the look on Naruto face that made him reach up to lower his mask. Again a force of nature beyond the two called to gravity to bring them together.

Kakashi gently cupped the teen’s cheek before tilting his head and closing his eyes. Naruto’s remained opened and watched as his sensei descended on his lips. The two met and a tingle shot through Naruto’s spine, causing him to finally close his two eyes. His whole body was shaking as their lips moved against the other.

Kakashi felt himself melting against the soft lips. His hand moving behind Naruto’s waist to pull him closer. It was at the moment their two bodies touched that Kakashi realized exactly what he was doing. He pulled away as if burned while Naruto gave him a look of confusion. \


“I’m sorry. I can’t. I should have never touched you. It isn’t fair to him, or to you.” Kakashi said, stepping away from the blonde and escaping into the forest, Naruto unable to follow.

The teen felt the beginning of tears fill his eyes. He had known that Kakashi’s heart wasn’t his for the taking, but after that speech he had given him, he couldn’t help but hope. Obito obviously still weighed on the man’s mind. What Naruto failed to realize is that Kakashi was not talking about his former teammate, but in fact his former teacher. The jounin felt as if he would not only be taking advantage of a confused boy, but also betraying Minato’s trust. That was something he could not bear to do.

Kakashi left with a flash of leaves, the training session over for the day, despite having failed to even begin. Thus Naruto stood once again, alone, left waiting by the man who had very nearly confessed his love to him. It tore the blonde up inside, one moment he was surrounded by the man’s arms and the next left cold and wanting, but he wouldn’t give up that easily. Kakashi didn’t reject him. If anything he had confessed his interest. Now all the blonde had to do now was win him over, it would be difficult, but he was determined. He just needed a little advice. He needed someone who knew him better than anyone else... someone who wouldn’t judge him. He needed Raven.

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Raven sighed, running his hands through his hair. He had been called by Naruto, given a message that he was needed desperately, and it was something that only he could help him with, something that no one else could know about. Of course that led the man to believe that the teen was in big trouble... again. He could only hope that it wasn’t anything like last time. He wasn’t sure if he could handle something like that again.

This led to Raven standing before a sheepish Naruto. The blonde was twisting his hands around his shirt in a cute manner. However the ANBU had no patience at the moment and wanted to get down to the crux of the problem, after all he was a busy man, and had other things to take care of.

“I have an important question for you, something I really need help with. Something no one else can find out about.” Naruto said with a whisper.

The figure nodded and motioned for the teen to follow. Upon entering into the forest, the figure scanned the area, only to come back down after a few moments to sit beside the teen. The figure looked stonily towards the boy, seriousness engraved into every feature.

“What is it that you had to ask me? Are you in any trouble? Is there someone I need to deal with?” The figure asked, placing a hand on the blonde’s shoulder.

“Not quite... I need to know how to seduce someone.”

At that the figure nearly doubled over in shock, pink lightly etching pale cheeks. Coughing the figure looked hard at Naruto, contemplating for a second before realizing that this was no joke. “You’re serious then? Why come to me? I know as little of these matters as you do.”

Naruto’s head lowered. “Because you’re the only one I can trust.” He whispered.

At that the figure placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder, bringing him in for a brief hug. “I understand. Might I assume that it’s not the kind of relationship that would be well looked upon by society?”

“Not unless student –teacher relationships have suddenly become welcome in Konoha.” Naruto mumbled.

“Ahhh... So it’s Kakashi then.”

“Yes.”

“Why him?” The figure asked.

Naruto pause, taking a deep breathe before looking the figure in the eyes. “Because when we kissed I moved as if forced by a second nature, something bigger than this world. The moment our lips touched I felt like my heart was going to burst from my chest, like I was moving past stars and moons, settling into a warm blanket of safety in the sky. My whole body was on fire and every single touch sent a tingle to my spine, electrifying me from the inside until I was melting into him. I felt alive.”

The figure couldn’t help but smile at the teen. “So you’ve kissed then?”

A light flush covered the teen’s face. “Yes.” He mumbled.

“I’m happy for you, for the both of you. Kakashi needs someone, and you need someone just as badly. So what’s the problem?”

“He can’t love me.” Naruto stated simply.

Raven looked towards the teen. “Why not?”

“Because he’s already given his heart to someone else. I can’t fill that void. I can’t take the place of a dead man.”

Raven nodded. “You mean Obito.”

At that Naruto turned and looked in surprise at his former sensei. “You know?”

At that Raven smiled. “I know many secret things, one of them happens to be about how Kakashi became the copycat ninja. Not to mention that his habitual lateness revolves around him visiting the monument every day.”

“Then you know why I can’t even bother to pursue him.” The teen said with a sigh.

At that Raven let out a small chuckle. Naruto frowned and looked over at his companion. “What’s so funny?”

“I just find it entertaining that it’s you who wishes to pursue a relationship with him, and not the other way around.”

“What’s so funny about that? I mean, he may be older, but hell... he was the one who ran out on me, and not the other way around. I should be the one chasing if he’s the one running.” The blonde stated firmly crossing his arms.

Raven ruffled the teen’s hair, and gave him a smile. “You really are the number one ninja at surprising people.

Naruto let out a huff and swiped his hand away. “Surprising or not I still don’t see us ever coming together. He stops anything from happening between us at every turn. Just when I think I’ve got him figured out, he changes again. Sometimes I think that I’ll never understand him.”

“Don’t give up.”

“But everything seems to be against us ever happening.”

Raven gave the teen a serious look. “Since when haven’t you gone against the odds and come out on top?”

Naruto gave a small smile at that. He was absolutely right. “But what about Obito?”

“Obito may have been a very special part of Kakashi’s life, but now you are too. Also you have something going for you that he doesn’t. You’re alive. You can give Kakashi comfort, you can be there to hold him when he’s feeling down, and you can actually respond when he comes to you for advice.” Raven paused before pulling Naruto into a hug, putting his mouth beside the blonde’s ear. “You’re truly amazing. You’ve got more spirit and heart then anyone I know. If he can’t see that within you, then it’s his loss. Either way I’m proud to call you a friend, and a brother.”

Naruto could feel the beginning of tears form in his eyes, instead he buried his head in Raven’s shoulder and gave him a large squeeze. Raven smiled and rubbed the teens back before a sly little smile crossed his mouth.

“Not to mention the fact you got a little irresistible ass.” He said giving it a pinch.

Naruto squeaked before allowing his tears to slowly turn into a laugh. “But I thought I was your brother Raven... I guess you’re into the whole brother thing.”

“And you’re going after Daddy Wolf... perhaps you’re into the whole ‘daddy’ thing.”

Naruto allowed a pout to form before smacking Raven in the arm. “Now that’s uncalled for! Get back here and fight me like a man!” Naruto yelled at the laughing form.

Naruto took few loose swings at the ANBU, smiling as the man took each hit without flinching, grabbing his hand just as he was about to swing for a final time. He pulled the teen by the hand into his taunt chest, Naruto falling against him with a ‘Omph,’ as the wind was knocked out of him.

He felt a pair of strong arms encircle his form, holding him close before ruffling his hair. He smiled into the man’s chest, wrapping his arms around him and holding him close. Raven was one of the first people he had truly opened up to. He had never even felt that close to Kakashi when he was Wolf. He truly considered Raven family. He was the big brother he wished he could be for Yoshi.

Naruto sighed. It had been a long time since he had seen his little brother. That night at the ramen stand had been the first time he had seen him in over two months. Even then he had kept his distance. At times he would visit the academy, to watch and see how his little brother was progressing. It made him smile to see that he was still spirited, a spit fire if you will. It hurt to know he could never get close to him. It was the price he had paid for protecting his brother, and if push came to shove he would do it again. He would have taken the kunai to the chest himself if it meant protecting him.

‘There’s so many thing I wish I could do. Perhaps... perhaps I should just do them.’ Naruto thought while protected within the safety of Raven’s arms. ‘I need to win Kakashi over, heart and all, get back my little brother and become strong enough to protect my loved ones. I can do this.’ There within Raven’s arms he had found the confidence and strength to go after what he wanted for a change, and not just what was needed.

“Thank you.” Naruto said.

“There’s no need to thank me. I’ll always be here for you Naruto. Whenever you need me I’ll come running. You know that I’d kill for you.”

“You already have.” Naruto said, pulling back from the hug to look the ANBU in the eyes.

“Is there something else bothering you?” Raven asked, suspicious of the look the teen had given him.

Naruto bit his lip. There was no way he could tell him what had happened with the council. He couldn’t risk his reaction, and what he would do to them when he found out. He had already risked so much for him that he couldn’t take a chance with his friend like that. He was worth too much to him.

“No. Nothing.”

Raven appeared to be suspicious, but allowed the teen off. If Naruto had something to tell him it would come out eventually. The blonde had never hidden anything from him, even when he was just a child. There was something that connected him to the teen, something that brought them together like kindred spirits.

He gave the boy’s hair one last ruffle before jumping off into the trees. “One last word of advice Naruto.” The teen turned up his head and watched the figure. “Be honest with your feeling for Kakashi. Tell him what you want, tell him how you feel and confront his bullshit. He’s afraid of being burned again, so show him that you have no intentions of hurting him. For a big strong jounin, he’s fragile. Don’t break him, or his heart.”

Naruto couldn’t help but smile at the smirk Raven gave him. He had always been closer to Wolf than the other ANBU. Only now did Naruto know why, but it was nice to know that there was more than one person out there looking out for Kakashi’s welfare. Whether it was needed or not only time would tell.

The ANBU had disappeared, leaving Naruto to his own thought’s a devious plans. ‘Now how can I go about catching myself a wolf?’


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I’m sorry for the long time to update and the pitiful size and efforts put into this chapter. I know the others were better. But right now my life is getting a little insane. My CPR course has just ended. -_- And I’m also working on two other one shots at the same time as this for a club. I’ll give the link in my profile when the stories are done. Plus school is starting in less than a week. So I have all that crap to get ready. Not to mention the fact that my grandmother is coming down for holidays on Friday. So I’ll be busy all weekend and Mon... and I leave for school on Tuesday.


To keep it simple I’m just going to say that updates are going to become few and far between. I’m really busy, and despite the fact I will get back to this you have to know that school comes first.

I realize that this chapter probably seems a bit like a filler chapter, but may I remind you that it was my subconscious that wrote it, and not me… So there.