Hidden Villages

I: Family Time

In the back of his mind Kakashi had the nagging feeling the Hokage might turn down his request to keep in reprisal regarding Naruto's education and care. He found himself heading to a spot near the academy and looking up at the sky while the clouds went by. Not thinking about anything proved the least stressful option.

"Yo!"

Kakashi didn't move upon hearing the familiar voice. Instead, he continued watching the clouds floating above him. He honestly didn't understand that person's personal obsession with him, yet Guy somehow managed to find Kakashi whenever the shinobi wasn't on Anbu duty or locked away in his apartment.

"Are you really going to ignore me Kakashi?"

The answer was yes, but Kakashi didn't say anything as he simply wanted to watch the clouds and forget about the fact he wasn't allowed to have a hand in Naruto's life, let alone the pain from six years ago which currently tried rearing its ugly head.

"Seriously! Why do you always have to rub me the wrong way?"

Guy stepped in front of Kakashi in that ugly sweatsuit get up of his thus blocking out the clouds, but also the sunlight. Kakashi simply looked up from where he started waiting for Guy to move as he really wasn't in the mood to deal with that particular shinobi.

A finger poked into his forehead as Guy's shadow covered Kakashi completely. "Are you awake Kakashi?"

"Ow." One of Kakashi's hands reached up wondering why the man decided to poke him at that time. "Why?"

"What do you mean why?"

"Why did you poke me?"

"Why were you ignoring me?"

"I'm not really in the mood today."

"Oh, so you look down on me, don't ya?"

Kakashi sighed. He stood up and brushed off the seat of his pants. His eyes traveled to the ground. "I don't want to deal with anybody today." Guy watched him carefully, but didn't say anything. "By the way, what time is it?"

"Time?" Guy frowned and glanced over at the academy. "I saw the students getting out, so I am going to assume it's some time in the afternoon. Why?"

"I was sitting there that long?"

Guy tilted his head as he still watched Kakashi carefully. "Okay, so what's bothering you?"

"Nothing."

"Yeah, no. You typically just get up and walk away from me when I start challenging you."

Kakashi took a deep breath. "I can't really say what's bothering me, though I do appreciate the fact you asked."

"Wait. Did you say you appreciate me."

"Why wouldn't I?" Kakashi's mouth twisted into a frown under his mask. "Why wouldn't I? The village wouldn't be as lively if you weren't around."

"That's the power of youth for you."

Kakashi attempted smiling under his mask and held up a thumb to say he agreed with Guy. A sigh escaped his mouth after he did so, but he found himself wishing he had even an ounce of Guy's energy. Guy frowned. "Are you okay?"

"I'm not sure. I think I'll head on home now. Thank you for talking to me. I do feel a little bit better than I did a few minutes ago."

"I'm glad." Guy gave Kakashi a thumbs up, but grinned from ear to ear.

Kakashi then moved away from the roof he'd located himself to mope. He slipped in through the window of his bedroom rather than going through the front door. He stepped into the kitchen when he heard a rather familiar voice. "Do you ever come into your own home normally?"