Metallic Wings (Kakanaru)

Chapter 7: I never want to be a parent...

Looking after someone was hard. Really hard. The abundance of energy and extra caution you need to take before even breathing was shocking to Kakashi. But he should have known. Naruto thinks everything logically, no emotions involved, shaking him would logically make him think Kakashi or Inu, as he sees me, is angry. Maybe even furious? Kakashi deduced systematically. Honestly he sometimes felt like disappearing as Naruto's personality should be imprinted into his mind, but no, he always got flustered and overly protective of the boy, to even notice he was hurting him. His heart willed him to outrun the boy and stop him from closing the door, the distance Inu had closed seemed to have just doubled in size, unfortunately when having a poor background he just was not equipped to address his feeling- or others feeling for him.

His legs having fallen asleep in the gap of time, while his mind processed the happenings at snail pace, he forced himself to stand and soundlessly walk to the door Naruto retreated through. One didn't need sensitive ears to hear the hushed sniffs and rustle of clothing as they wiped away the tears. I will fix this..., Kakashi thought with determination and resolve but immediately froze, walking in on him crying...no. This would merely hinder their slowly flourishing relationship. Kakashi would be oblivious and this would retain Naruto's image as an indifferent person, instead of turning the territory around them into thin ice with awkwardness.

Inu straightened his back and promised mentally to return back home in maximum two hours. Transporting himself in front of the familiar mahogany doors, leading to the Hokage's office, Inu rapped on the door to hear a joyous cry of 'enter'. Making his grand entrance the old man, being addressed this way respectfully, smiled all too brightly at the sight of Inu, with no knowledge of the purpose of the man's presence, invited him in. Kakashi nodded in the Hokage's direction after announcing his fidelity with a casual two-finger salute out of habit, which was expected of all ANBU but with more formality.

"I wanted to inform you about incident at the library..." Kakashi explained with bitter tone but restrained himself from straying away from the purpose of his visit. The old man waved him hand with a nod, as if to mentally prepare himself of the worst update, he leaned forward with seriousness. Not what he was expecting, after all as much as he liked a distraction for the wretched paperwork, hearing bad news was always unwelcomed.

"Uzumaki-san and I had left the ANBU's canteen, after having a fitting meal, to the central library. We were immediately made known that our presence was undesirable by the civilians but no one dared to become physically violent due to my presence. Many scowled at my purpose and glared at Uzumaki-san, giving me a perfect example as to how he reacts to hostile atmosphere. To my surprise he was detached with his surroundings if not stubborn with complying with orders. I left him to his own devices seeing he was very absorbed with his book only to return after hearing a quite feminine scream from a grown man. The unknown man suffered damage to both of his arms but I did not survey the scene as withdrawing Uzumaki-san from the crime scene was my top priority. Once again the boy was not moved or squeamish of the injury that he went to the extent of surveying the wounds with impassiveness." Kakashi ended his monologue with a pause as if wanting to say something but was rethinking his decision.

"He's quite different from what I imagined him to be. When he received my gifts he had a lot more emotion. When he was vulnerable and first met me he was better at showing his emotion. He is very different..." Kakashi stopped to release an understandable sign as the Hokage closed his eyes and puffed his pipe, collecting his thoughts on the situation.

"Just take it slow, Naruto himself is trying to not address the situation directly, but with time you will bond. But you don't have time. If you bond with Naruto as Inu the boy might entirely give up bonding with Kakashi. Tread carefully. But be as honest as possible." Kakashi nodded mournfully while letting his lips tighten into a thin line. Interacting with Naruto was harder than surviving a minefield. Setting one off near Naruto will explode all of them and all links to Naruto will be broken. Kakashi wondered helplessly.