Gai had agreed to tell Lee, he seemed much more eager to now he knew Lee was even interested in knowing. So Kakashi wasn't surprised to be shadowing Naruto the next day to see the group together discussing it.

"Gai is what?" Kiba yelled and Kakashi was surprised it wasn't Naruto. Though, his mouth was open so perhaps Kiba just beat him to it. Lee stood there a face splitting grin on his mouth, fists on his hips looking very proud.

"That is right! Gai Sensei is my biological Father"

"We didn't believe him either" Tenten supplied and looked at Sakura who was next to Lee looking a little teary with a smile on her face "But Sakura said it was true. She did a DNA test"

The group all looked to her and she began to stammer and look a little embarrassed.

"It was for Lee. I was expecting to get a match to people who were passed. I never-" she still looked a little guilty.

"I am very greatful, Sakura. It was a very thoughtful act for me. I am not upset at all" Lee reassured her as he pulled her into his arms. But she didn't seem convinced. Kakashi was happy to know the talk had gone over well, but not the least bit surprised Lee was happy about the news. Even if a little confused as to why Gai hadn't brought it up sooner, but it wasn't his place to push it.

"So you two really are related?" Naruto asked dumbfounded before laughing at Lee's nod "I knew it! It was just too weird how you two looked so alike. People kept telling me I was looking for things that weren't there!"

"Because he changed his look after he met the man! He was infatuated" Tenten explained as if that was answer enough. Lee told them everything, about his Mother finding out on mission she was pregnant, returning home early but having him on the road back. How he was separated from Gai after the attack, he told them it all.

"I'm very happy for you Lee" Ino smiled softly starting off them all giving him a congratulations.

"Bushy Brow Sensei makes perfect sense to be your Dad. Did he show you pictures of your Mum?" Naruto asked and they all looked at him, measuring it up to see if he would be okay talking about this subject. Even Lee hesitated before shaking his head.

"Not yet. We talked about this at my house, then he got called away. He's going to show me when we next see each other. Her name was Kaori though"

"That's awesome!" Naruto grinned and leant back into Shikamaru "so cool to know such a strong guy is your Dad too. Not to mention the person you've looked up to most of your life"

Shikamaru smirked down to Naruto looking amused.

"Oh yeah, can't imagine your idol turning out to be your Father" he said blankly. It was a good topic change to the news about Sasuke. Kakashi didn't think any of them wanted to focus on it too much. He imagined some had guilt, except Kiba, he still seemed pretty angry about it, whether it was a 'mission' or not.

After everyone had left Naruto had waited, until it was only him, Sakura and Lee, while Shikamaru waited in the shadows a little ways away. He seemed to be nervous as he scratched the back of his head.

"Are you alright, Naruto?" Lee asked and Naruto nodded a little too stiffly and Kakashi couldn't really figure out what was going through the blondes head.

"I'm really happy you found who your family is... I just... I understand if you need to distance yourself from me. Kakashi felt his heart clench as he realised Naruto was feeling guilty. It wasn't talked about and Naruto had never confirmed it, the same way the Konoha eleven never asked. But they all knew. They were aware of what was inside Naruto.

"Why would I want to do that?" Lee asked and someone should bless that boy because he meant it.

"I know... I've met plenty of adults personally affected by that night. But... ya know only I was really... um the only one who lost something. None of our friends really..." he was struggling to speak.

"It did not even cross my mind you were at fault" Lee almost yelled in Naruto's face and the surprise was clear "you lost more than anyone if you ask me"

Naruto scowled scratching the back of his head again.

"How'd ya figure?" Naruto snorted.

"You lost your family before you could even have a name. Then... any chance at a normal life was stolen from you to save us all" Lee was so sincere, his usual obnoxious bravado absent and it held a power to it. Sakura was looking up to him as if she was falling in love with him right there, before her face fell in guilt as she bit her lip. "So no, I do not need any distance from you, my friend"

Naruto's eyes brightened as tears filled his eyes, tears he quickly blinked away and gave a shaky laugh.

"Thanks Bushy brows" he stammered out before giving a flustered goodbye and leaving the couple alone.

"You're amazing, Lee" Sakura smiled lifting up on her toes to plant a kiss on his lips. Kakashi smirked under his mask as he left them to it. Just like his Father, he thought proudly.

- -

Jiyriaya was dead. The news shook Kakashi and it felt as if his world had been knocked off kilter. He looked to Naruto, knowing this would be a loss that would be hard for him to brush off with his usual optimism. Partly because he'd never lost someone close to him to death before. Not really. And this was his Godfather, did Jiyraiya ever tell him that? Did I? He thought horrified.

Naruto had exploded at Tsunade and she took it, Kakashi couldn't really speak to remind Naruto she probably loved him more than anyone else. That this loss was second to his own. He let Shikamaru help Naruto out of the darkness of the grief that had consumed him.

"He's right" Tsunade said voice cracking as the room became empty. Kakashi felt his heart break for the woman.

"He doesn't mean it" Kakashi reassured her "and you know Jiyraiya would have gone through with it anyway. It was for Naruto, we all would have done it" they both knew it was true. They both knew it was the truth, didn't make it any less painful. He had found that logic didn't help against grief, even if you knew there was nothing you could do, you'd still feel somewhat responsible. "We have to figure out the message so it wasn't in vain"

She wiped at her eyes, nodding furiously. He wasn't sure he was the best person to comfort her, and she probably wouldn't want him to.

"You are right. And without Jiyraiya they may think its time to come for Naruto. We need to be prepared" she nodded "and we must find put what happened to Sasuke. He won but was nowhere to be found. He should have reached out by now"

He nodded, agreeing whole heartedly. The battle was catastrophic, the entire area demolished from the two brothers battle. Itachi's body was there, his eyes missing. Kakashi only hoped Sasuke had taken them and left of his own volition. That weird guy Tobi was close to the fight too, saying how he knew it was over but... the idea that the Akatsuki had taken Sasuke so close to getting him back was... hard to accept. Not so much for himself, but Naruto. He had told Kakashi how excited he was to finally have Sasuke within reach. To fulfil his promise to both Sakura and Sasuke.

"I don't know what happened. He was definitely there though" Kakashi reported to her.

"Do you think he was taken too?" She asked looking much to tired for the age she had herself look.

"It is possible. Naruto said he would come home and explain afterwards. He was fairly worried not to find him there"

"I have teams out looking. In the mean time, keep an eye on Naruto, when he is up to it... Master Fukasaku wishes to take him for Sage training. Honestly it may even have to be before he is ready"

Kakashi felt his insides twist. Again? Naruto was being taken away again? Now? He kept his face neutral, he was very good at it but he wasn't happy about it. But he nodded and left the office.

After a few hours he decided it was probably best he do as ordered and go check on Naruto. He found the couple on the Nara compound hidden in the safety of Shikamaru's back garden with high walls and a forest surrounding them. Seeing Naruto lay on Shikamaru's legs, arms wrapped around his waist would have been something Kakashi was glad to finally see. But the puffy red eyes only made it a sad sight.

"Come in Kakashi" Shikamaru called running his hands through Naruto's hair. Kakashi felt his brows shoot up because Naruto hadn't made a sign that he'd sensed him, did Shikamaru know him so well it was obvious to him?

"Sorry to intrude" he said softly feeling a little worried Naruto didn't even respond.

"It's okay. You're always welcome" Shikamaru smiled sadly as he looked up to him eyes showing his loss. At how to help him, of what to say or do. He'd seen the same look many times, aimed at himself. But he didn't doubt just being there was enough for Naruto, at least for right now.

"You will be called to work soon" Kakashi warned Shikamaru before sitting down and bending his head to look at Naruto, glad he responded by looking up to him "and you'll probably have to leave again" he spoke softly carefully so not to spook him.

"I'm not hiding" he mumbled holding Shikamaru tighter

"Not to hide..." Kakashi trailed off "without Jiyraiya... without a sage in your corner we may not be enough"

Naruto snorted and looked at him without his usual fire.

"I don't think Sages are easy to come by"

"No. Even harder to make, but not impossible if they've trained for it already" He looked at him pointedly and Naruto scowled

"I haven't... and if they beat Jiyraiya why wou-"

"He hadn't perfected it. If you do... you'll surpass even him. I have no doubt you can do it Naruto" Kakashi was certain of it in fact.

"You promised me, remember?" Shikamaru said "do everything you can to come back home alive"

Naruto lifted his head, looking so tired but he nodded after a minute and it was like Shikamaru and Kakashi simultaneously took a breath of relief.

Again very short sorry! I'm already working on the next Chapter. I am struggling with who to use so I am writing two versions. So we will see!

Thanks guys!

-TigrezzTail - No, Lee was unplanned but not unwanted. It was just a very big surprise for his Mum when she was already on mission to realise. :)