A Grain of Sand Among the Leaves (Naruto Fanfic)

Babies Are the Power of Youth

Two dark eyes stared at the thing which turned his world upside down. The fourteen-year-old leaned forward, watching the thing blink at him, the seafoam green eyes staring at him, the dark rings bringing out the paleness of the things eyes and skin. The auburn locks also stood out in a stark contrast.

Kakashi reached a small finger out to touch the thing on the cheek, inching closer to the so far offending object. A small hand, however, had another idea, reaching out to clutch his finger. The young shinobi's eyes widened, a gasp escaping his mouth as he pulled his finger away from the soft fingers. "Ahh..."

The thing let out a squeal, letting him now how disappointed it was at losing the finger.

"Oh." Kakashi pulled his pointer finger back and offered the thing his pinky instead. "Weird."

"You were like that once, you know."

Kakashi jolted, pulling his finger away, pulling himself up into the kitchen chair so his legs were pulled up to his chest, and one arm looping back. His dark eyes widened to see Kushina hauling in the laundry from their trip, setting it onto the kitchen table. Their laundry, as his bags were back at his place, the place his father left him. "Kushina!"

The red-haired female looked out at the night sky. The color was a nice purple, dotted still with a few stars, and the sun rising up. She turned back, tossing some of the clothes at him to fold. "It's good to see you opening up to Gaara."

The fourteen-year-old swallowed, looking down at Minato's boxers, but also not wanting to get on Kushina's bad side by not helping out. "I think this is a bad idea."

The smile left Kushina's face. "You didn't say anything while we were in Suna.

Kakashi shook his head, folding the pair of boxers and setting it on the table. The young shinobi prided himself at not being easily shocked at things but found himself unable to say anything when Minato and Kushina brought out the Kazekage's youngest. Negotiations hadn't even occurred, and they were already leaving. Yashamaru came with them, helping them to gather the supplies they would need to take care of the infant.

Yashamaru also made sure their departure wasn't noticed, and then there hadn't been time to ask why the Hokage and his wife were taking care of the small infant. Instead, Kakashi found himself sitting on rocks in the desert, watching from above as if he were some kind of wild animal in need of training. Nobody offered to explain things to him, and they made sure to come into Konoha at night so that they could have time to settle Gaara into his new home.

"I don't think Minato would appreciate you twisting his favorite shirt to pieces, Kakashi."

The teen looked up, a sound of choking resounding from his mouth. Kakashi licked his lips, just as a yawn made his white head of hair turn so he was looking at Minato. The Hokage wasn't fully awake, and yet stepped forward to sit at the table, tickling Gaara's foot so that the infant kicked, and let out a content sound. The man had a smile on his face, something he'd not seen since they got news Kushina couldn't have children.

"Kakashi thinks this is a bad idea."

Minato frowned, his fingers tapping the table. "It is, but it's also the best option."

"How so?"

"How to explain this?" The Hokage looked up at the ceiling. "See, do you remember when I asked you to step away? It wasn't because I didn't want you to hear our conversation, but because we didn't want Gaara's older siblings to know."

Kakashi swallowed, sitting down at the table, leaving the laundry to Kushina as he stuck out his pinky finger for Gaara to take. "What of this conversation?"