It was odd to come back to his appartment and know someone else was inside- especially as that had never been the case in his life, not since his father's death as it were. Knocking upon the front door before entering was equally, if not more, peculiar, but if Iruka was still there he didn't want to unintentionally disturb their conversation. Naruto needed as much positive energy he could soak up at the moment, and Iruka was a warm person, Kakashi was almost certain the young genin thought of him as something of a father figure. Once more the jounin thought of his interaction with Jiraiya, his presence would help Naruto as well, although convincing to get his senior to come around would be arduous indeed. Sad though it was, Kakashi was more then aware of just how the sanin's mind was working at the moment, perhaps in a week or two he would be able to face his godson.

He clicked open the door, to be met with a surprise. A thunk on his head, loud onto his skull, but soft enough not to hurt, a cloud of white poofing infront of his vision momentarily. An innocent chalkboard easer clattering down to the flower with a wooden clunk, he stared at it with a mild, but nonetheless present surprise. Loud laughter following, heaving and breaking around the edges, weezing after a few seconds. Joyous however, welcome and though it sounding so broken and Naruto fought to keep his breath as he finished, Kakashi found himself smiling at the display. Iruka had been laughing too, though his sounded more of a giggle with his wide smile. It changed as the blond lost his breath and then the young teacher was rubbing at his former student's back with a shaking hand, a near panic showing in his expression.

As peering oceanic eyes looked up at him from his bent over position, Kakashi allowed himself to smile once more- another ten-times as powerful greeted him for it. Though the former genin winced as the skin from the burnt side of his face pulled at the action, so it didn't last long. "Ma, do you usually keep blackboard easers on your person Iruka-san? You're more of a desiccated teacher then I thought." He quipped, the carmel toned man flushing slightly at it, smiling with nerves but he didn't respond. Kakashi figured he had in fact gone to pick up the piece after he had gone to get Naruto's plants -which sat comfortably on one of his window sills now. Merely for Naruto's benefit.

"Welp, sorry Naruto but I better get going! I have a long day of lessons tomorrow." Kakashi could give the man credit, he hid his worry well enough behind his rather chipper tone. The man rested a hand on Naruto's undamaged shoulder, a tender, flickering smile on his face before he made his way to the door. But Naruto yelled out to him before he could go, seemingly puzzled.

"Ne, Iruka-sensei! You forgot your book!" From beside Kakashi now, Iruka turned to look at the blond, kindly smile in place.

"You keep it Naruto, who knows maybe you'll even learn something! If nothing else it'll keep you busy while you recover." Skillfully the chunin avoided mentioning just how much of a recovery that would be, even as a melancholy came over him when his back turned to the blond once more, sad eyes staring looking to Kakashi, not to far appart as it were the blooming tears in the man's eyes became obvious. He whispered, the rather blank faced man doubted the young man sitting and staring at a book in his lap could hear. "Kakashi-san..." Then with a nod and quiet footsteps the academy teacher picked up the fallen easer, put his shoes on and left with the tiniest click of the door.

Kakashi took off his own shoes and made his way back in, and though the meeting had been short, being presently nine, he was surprised Naruto was still awake as it were. His body needed rest and one would think sleep would come fast with such injuries, his former student resiliant in all sorts of things it seemed- despite him always being a constant ball of energy when team seven had formed, Kakashi had always assumed that to be part of Kyuubi's influence- that is his bountiful chakra. Kakashi was wary as to if that would be a good or bad thing these days. As it were however it seemed that energy was beginning to run thin, as Naruto leant down on the mattress himself, eyelids beginning to droop in weight.

Kakashi walked to his room, grabbed one of the spare blankets he kept under his bed, rather thick and fluffed- a bit much for the season and returned. Naruto's eyes fully closed and breathing beginning to even out as the green blanket was draped over him with a flourish. The jounin reach underneath the covering to grab the book clutched underneath his arm, out of curiosity glancing at the cover. 'Medical and Pretty, 150 Flowers and Their Uses, by Senjurama Hashi.' His brows rose at that, of all books he had expected, from fairytyles to historical fiction, Kakashi hadn't expected a textbook, though, he glanced to the three plants -one being his own- sitting innocently on the window sill, perhaps Iruka had been acting on a facit of Naruto which Kakashi did not know of.

He put the book down on the side of the couch and looked to the clock, it was a bit late to be eating, he figured. Deciding to wake early to prepare both his own and Naruto's breakfast.

.o0o.

"Morning Kakashi-sensei!" Was what greeted him as he entered the living room, one eager blond sitting up on his mattress, a smile in place and a surprisingly quiet voice. Of all things, he was reading, rather contently by the look of it, even when he turned back to the pages a tepid smile remained. A warmth in his eyes which Kakashi scarcely saw, even during training, it was peaceful.

"I didn't expect you to be a morning person Naruto." He turned to his kitchen, the frying pan already on the ready. Eggs, he thought would be a simple breakfast. That is until he glanced at his student, and remembered that the young man may not be capable of eating such a messy dish- hard boiled? He considered, but the back of his mind rejected that, figuring the man would not enjoy such a plain tasting meal. He still had some bacon at the back which was likely still pretty fresh, that'd do, easy to pick up, tasty and not too complicated. Mealtime he could focus on, but otherwise, he knew nothing of what he should do with his time- indeed he had to aid Naruto with his mental reckoning and basic needs. Nonetheless, there was more to it- Kakashi could not recal the last time in his life he had been presented with a break from duty- except perhaps when extensively injured.

Back, way back, when he had first been appointed into the ANBU, he would schedule his every waking moment in devotion to his job. Personal needs weren't a concern, fourteen or not his relationship with himself was that of bodily tether's and little care unto that fact. He hadn't a need for much more. With a break, of his own request or not, he would need to reorientate. Currently, around his former student, again, an abstracted idea, he did not know how to take care of another outside of mission teamwork

A challenge, a learned experience, he hadn't taken on many of those lately either.

"Iruka-sensei bought me something interesting to read, its a textbook, but its not completely boring." He smiled at the fake irritation in the happy voice, especially as blue eyes drifted back to the paper and gained the same fervent intense look of focus that appeared during training so often. It was gratifying to see at least, as he brushed the bacon onto his and Naruto's plate. Almost regretfully as attention snapped to the food rather then the book.

Naruto looked to him then, though something had shifted heavily in his disposition, as he put the book down, his hand went to lay on his abdomen- hunger no doubt. "Thank you for the meal." Yet, hunger explained not failing of the somber smile on his face. Kakashi watched, rather then took action, as tanned fingers plucked the meat from the plate, rose it to pinkened lips and bit into not even a quarter of it.

A black eye watched, the sight obscure unto his trained mentality- this was his student. One whom could delve into ichiraku ramen and devour five bowls without a sweat made. Yet, that same man was nibbling on his food as if it were unpalatable- though his expression didn't show any signs of disgust, Kakashi was not oblivious to an acknowledged symptom. One which had faced enough in his life, multiple times over a multitude of reasons, both freshly made and relapse built. Thus he saiud nothing, rather, acknowledged itd be best to wait. With his experience of loss and grief, though different in many respects from his former student, he did know that at least for a few days it was actually best to allow for the denial phase to proceed.

As it were, Naruto probably hadn't realized he was barely eating, or aware of the sudden difference in his appetite. However, what Kakashi hadn't expected was the shift that occurred within moments. From a somber to joyous, Naruto's expression changed, smiling as wide as he could -seemingly having found his limit.- He grinned in the jounin's direction after taking a rather large bite of his food. Gladdened, and it had Kakashi staring in confusion, though his visible face did not display this.

"Nee, nee, Kakashi-sensei! Can we spend more mealtimes together?!" Exuberance, excitement, shone in both eyes and voice as if it were an astonishing prospect instead of a common expectation. For, how else would they have proceeded? Certainly they could not have simply ignored meals, and Naruto was not oblivious enough to assume he could cook in his state. Yet... Staring somewhat sharply at the blond's visage, with a more evaluating stance rather then relaxed disposition- Kakashi knew that this happiness presented was not simplistic.

"That is the general plan, yes." He affirmed because more then anything else to be said, the jounin had the feeling it needed to be completely confirmed. Not simply brushed by with a suggestive 'maybe,' or a calm dismissal. It gained a response, a dramatic one.

"Really! Yes! I mean, I've never shared a meal with anyone inside my apartment before! Is it different? Is it supposed to be different? Are their stupid rules or something to follow? I mean me and Ero-sannin would usually just set up camp and eat there or go to some eating place! But-" He started wheezing as his sentences became faster and faster with his enthusiasm, he coughed a little but kept going. Strange and oddly formal questions falling out of his lips at running speeds. With black eye widely opened, Kakashi put his hand rather gently on Naruto's working one- which was pressing rather harshly on the table. His words stopped then, but he was still wheezing and an almost whistling sound could clearly be heard. A little coughing spree of small coughs followed fastly, while the blond winced and withdrew his hand from underneath Kakashi's to meakly grasp onto his shirt above his chest.

Once Naruto had calmed down -while his caretaker watched with a careful eye. The jounin allowed his eyebrows to raise for his surprise. "You've never had guests Naruto?" Timidly, either worried about stretching himself again, or through genuine embarrassment Naruto scratched at the back of his neck, a very laugh laugh echoing in his words.

"Well I would, but I never have anything in to feed people with, and I uh... don't really know how to cook." A blush came to one cheek, and tried valiantly to reach the other. That admission was rather strange to Kakashi. Naruto had lived alone nearly his whole life, certainly he would have needed to adapt such a skill. How had he managed not doing so all this time? He questioned as much out loud, only for Naruto to skirm in discomfort, bashfulness replaced by a defensive posture. "Well I only ever had a little bit of money for allowance for shopping. I could never afford fruit and the only time I had vegetables was when you sometimes showed up with them. But once we learnt in the academy how to aim with out kunai I would go out into the surrounding forest and get some rabbits or something. I can't cook anything fancy, I'd just put it on my stove and ate it when it was brownish. None of the sellers really wanted to sell me anything except rice and cup ramen after all." It explained a lot. It did and Kakashi felt genuinely foolish, a slight gratified that he had done well to get the blond vegetables on occasion, that there was something significantly healthy in his diet, but otherwise there was reason to worry. A lifetime of cup ramen and rice was far from healthy, Kakashi could only imagine the only reason the blond hadn't keeled over from lack of nutrition was because of Kyuubi. Which was also vastly concerning in its own right, that could have significantly shortened his life-span. Now Naruto no longer had such a crutch to rest on there would have to be a drastic change.

"Well, how about I teach you to cook." He smiled best he might, worry hidden well by his mask and experience, Naruto stared for a moment, curious, that same expression he used to get when he didn't particularly understand something during training coming over him. Almost fox-like in all truth, but it was not annoyed as he tilted his head and opened his eyes again fastly.

"You really would?" It was perplextion, as if the concept itself was foreign, which Kakashi found a little depressing to see on someone with such a kind personality.

"Ma, shouldn't be too difficult once we go over the basics. You clearly already know how to boil water." Naruto giggled at the small tease.

"The best ya know!" And then he laughed to himself.

In a strange event Kakashi had not experienced since childhood- his home did not feel repressive.

It would be good, he decided as he grabbed the cleaned off plates, to find some new activities Naruto would be willing to put his all into. That was often what spurred him on when becoming a shinobi, if there was a craft or a skill which would hook his attention enough that he would attempt to become proficient within it would lesson the blow of his inevitable realization. Multiple hobbies or activities would be better.

There was a group within the village which Kakashi knew of- though never looked into because of lacking inclination, slash, need. A group which aided shinobi or former shinobi with severe mutilations find new aspects which to indulge themselves, new focuses. Shinobi were often adrenaline fueled -save for rare cases such as Shikamaru- who were adapted to living in constraint perception and action, to find another form of entertainment just as invigorating was a challenge for many reasons. Kakashi was uncertain as to whether or not Naruto should go to their meetings personally or if he, himself, should ask for advice. Were Naruto to go, it would be too close to admitting his circumstances, and he wasn't ready for that.

He considered it as he scrubbed the dishes, as he always did- until they shone back with his reflection before drying and putting them away in the exact same place.

Kakashi looked back at Naruto and sighed once again, deciding it would be a good idea for him to go outside for a bit, if nothing else then to get used to his wheelchair. Perhaps visit a few of his friends, though Kakashi did wonder how tactile they would be, teenage boys had a penchant for saying taunts as a form of comfort- he wasn't certain if Naruto would respond well to that presently. A visit to his female comrades would likely be more beneficial- far as he could recall he hadn't been particularly close with any of them save Sakura. Yet, company would help, a factor which kakashi would readily admit to being bad at, he and Naruto were much the opposite in that regard, and his own quiet nature would likely be fractionately detrimental to the blond's mentality.

Before that however... "Naruto why don't we get you changed and visit Sakura?" He refrained from mentioning he would probably need to aid.

.o0o.

In a way, he almost wasn't prepared for the amount of stubbornness getting Naruto dressed had caused. He kept insisting on doing everything on his own which solved nothing and was more then a hindrance. Kakashi marvelled at his own patience during the whole ordeal. Luckily when Iruka had gone to collect Naruto's plants and wallet he had also had the foresight to grab the blond's clothes as well- a factor which in the dramatics of the situation Kakashi had neglected to consider. In result however, the silver haired man had been forced to twist and bind the majority of Naruto's left pant-leg and getting his limp arm into the sleeve of his T-shirt had been a task in itself. Predominantly because Naruto kept insisting he could move the limp ligament. As it were, Kakashi allowed him to try, it was ten minutes before his former student admitted defeat with a irritated expression and protest- despite having asked for help.

Still Kakashi's patience held true and he felt no resentment nor exasperation at the hard-headness presented unto him. Honestly, he was rather unbothered by Naruto's obdurate nature, far preferable then the inevitable depression soon to develop.

Of course the blond blushed rather fiercely as he was placed inside is wheelchair pouting the entire time he was carried down stairs. It was sunny out however with skies sprinkled with gentle white clouds and a warmer then normal, but not unpleasant, temperature. The air was fresh, and the smell of the leaves surrounding- despite autumn crawling its way forward fastly. Kakashi watched as Naruto took a deep breath, though he struggled to do so as his lungs struggled too fill and his chest wounds -if his wince was any indication- began to sting with the stretch. Neither of them spoke of it as Kakashi began to push the chair forward.

It became rather difficult to ignore the stares of the passersby as they continued along. Many civilains taking a particular interest, whispering with lips barely moving and often enough, oddly blanketed expressions. Kakashi evaluated them mutely, both intrigued and slightly irked by the nearly shameless manner they conducted themselves, no bid made to camouflage their staring. Taking a look at his passenger was to see the blond smiling carelessly, not gleeful or grinning but by no means disturbed, a calm type of happiness indicative to the simplicity of someone enjoying the mediocrities of life. Unconcerned, but not unaware. On his right side Kakashi watched the visage of an outdoor marketman sneer momentarily as Naruto entered his vision before turning quickly to regard his wares. Nearby a woman with a small trinket shop gazed for a second the ticklings of a frown born of discomfort decorating her features before she too turned away.

Observing this phenomena, Kakashi watched a slight more closely, the shop keepers and civilians whom they passed. Not everyone did so, by no means, but a significant majority expressed at least a level of discomfort when he and the crippled shinobi walked by. An itch formed under his skin, he was completely adapt to the sensation of being observed, regarded, cataloged, yet that was by enemies with adrinelne pumping through his veins and the understanding that the enemy's opinions of him, personally, were hardly important- save if it gave them an advantage in combat. These were people, common folk with no training and no significant chakra- not a threat of life and death, of his own village nonetheless. Watching a kid being shuffled away from the blond her smile turning into a confused frown as her mother pulled her gently away with a fixated stare of apparencion -nigh fear on her face, watching as a predator with her cub a possible threat.

Yet, Naruto smiled at the little girl, entirely ignoring her mother and even gave the smallest of waves, which was returned kindly with a smile of her own. Her mother pulled on the little girl's arm harshly as she stered them away, eyes hardening at the display of kindness. It was minor but a trickling of annoyance burned in the back of the jounin's thoat with the blatant fear and prejudice exhibited by the villagers. Kakashi was an experienced man, a true prodigy and he was in no way ignorant to the root of their fright, and the rational side of himself- the strategist; knew that it could be explained by simple misunderstanding and human nature to fear what they do not comprehend. The personable side of him, not lacking in rationality; found it ridiculous and condemned Danzo for making the information of Naruto's circumstance as a Jinjuriki public information when it could have easily been hidden.

Yet, Naruto kept smiling- not oblivious Kakashi knew, but too adapt to allow himself the misery of considering it.

Soon and without a fuss, they arrived at the hospital wherein Sakura spent some of her free time volunteering. Kakashi knew for a fact she only worked evening shifts on Thursdays and was hopeful she would be willing to spend time with her teammate. It was luck that they caught her as she was leaving after having submitted her intention to serve in the evening -a necessity for shinobi volunteers simply because of their often busy schedules.- Her pink hair obvious as she walked out the fence, Kakashi felt no need to call out as he knew she would spot them from her peripheral, and she did not a moment later. It took a moment for the smile to come fully onto her face, it faltered but it did come and she waved enthusiastically as they approached.

"Naruto!" She sprinted forward a genuine and strong smile on her features.

"Hey Sakura-chan!" She didn't stop and kneeled down to hug her comrade, it had Naruto stuttering and that in turn made Kakashi smile himself. It wasn't often Sakura showed affection recently. With his good arm he returned it, his stuttering quieting as it tightened around her shoulders, confusion seeping away and he closed his eyes. Comforted.

Whence she pulled back it was obvious that tears had been falling down her cheeks, the entire situation had taken its toll on her, Kakashi was a margin worried for her mentality: The man whom she had loved previously turned into a dark figure whom had nearly killed the man she sort-of-not-completely loved now, both being precious to her, or in Sasuke's case, had been. Betrayal was a powerful emotion to overcome, Sasuke had succumbed to its call for revenge with a screaming plummet. Naruto had developed a new determination which burned brighter then the sun. Kakashi didn't know how his one female student would handle its strong tug on her mentality.

"Don't cry Sakura-chan, you'll see once I fully recover I'll be good as new!" This did not console her, her expression fell and a mixture of pity and consternation solidified itself on her face. Briefly her mint eyes flickered to Kakashi's overseeing black eye, with a tiny shake of his head he signialled her not to say anything. Naruto simply wasn't ready to hear a contradiction of his denial yet. Perhaps in a week, perhaps a slight bit sooner, but as it were Sakura being candid would only make him anxious.

"Mhmm," it was non-commical but it was suitable enough to pacify the happy blond.