Title: Dream Child

Author: Celestial Seraphim

Warning: violence, mature themes, angst, , OOCness, mxm, dark themes, abuse, etc.

Pairing: KakashixNaruto, SasukexNaruto

Side Pairings: Undecided

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters or settings in the Naruto Franchise save what I create but if I did there wouldn't be so much tension between Naruto and Sasuke…if you know what I mean *wink, wink*

Summary: Kakashi never realized how much he could hurt the tiny heart he held to tightly within his hands until he realizes just how precariously Naruto's mental state balances on the edge. When one night proves just how dangerous Naruto's situation can become and a certain Raven stumbles upon their situation he'll need all the help he can get. But will he lose Naruto's heart in the process?

Author's Note: I've had this idea floating around my head for a while now. It was inspired by the two Doujinshi on animea . net called 'Himawari' and 'Feverish' so there will be similarities and certain things borrowed from them. However, plot is mine for the most part :3 The first three or four chapters will kind of be like introductions or fillers for the main character's feelings and how everything came about. Hope you guys like it and I definitely recommend reading both Doujinshis. Later on in the story I will be putting up a poll so keep an eye out in the Author's Notes for that to see when I put it up. Enjoy!

Dream Child

There is a corridor inside of us. It is deep and dark

with a single door at its end. Behind this door is the secret

of our souls and our thoughts that sometimes hide our demons…

-Unknown

The day his Sensei died and the village was massacred he'd been filled with so much anger. He could still remember going into a frenzy after giving Sarutobi Minato and Kushina's baby son. Could still remember all that anger and rage, the hurt and guilt that accompanied the knowledge that once again he'd been unable to protect someone he cared about. It was the first time he'd allowed himself to venture through the dark corridor within his mind and allow his demons to control him. He'd sworn to himself that day to never, ever stand by and allow someone he cared about to die. So the fact he'd somehow fallen so far after trying to stay a safe distance was…astounding.

He didn't know what possessed him to do it. Well no, that was a lie. If he was truly honest with himself he'd admit that there had always been something there. He had watched the boy since he was young, even after he had made ANBU. Popping in and making sure that he still lived even if he couldn't physically intervene save those moments the villagers ganged p on him in the dark. He'd seen how he'd smiled in the daylight but heard his heart breaking sobs in the silence of the night. Had felt the desire to tell the boy "it's okay, I'm here" but unable to do so. As time passed and the boy grew handsome, a miniature of both Minato and Kushina, something sparked deep inside of him. After becoming his team leader and constantly being shocked by his new developments he never thought he could be taken off guard anymore. However, he'd been wrong and he didn't know what the hell had possessed him to do it.

Sakura had gotten injured during a mission and had caught a fever because of it. Sasuke as expected had acted like it was a bother but Kakashi could see the crease lines made by worry between his brows. Vaguely, Kakashi had taken note that Naruto was much quieter than usual because of his concern as well. Worried about his student's he suggested they head to bed to get ready for their departure seeing as they would leave first thing in the morning. It had been later that night when the young blonde had come back, black under shirt hanging loosely around his frame, pants hanging past his feet and face far too serious.

"Naruto?"

The boys eyes had remained on Sakura but something about him had let Kakashi know he was listening. "What are you doing awake Naruto?"

The petite boy, far too small for his age with his hair still somewhat wet and framing his face a little, bit his lip before asking softly, "Sakura-chan is going to be okay…right?"

Warmth had filled him at the boy's concern that he was able to still show concern to those who treated him like crap was astounding sometimes. He'd replied without really thinking reassuring him that she would be okay once the fever broke and the wound began healing. Naruto had looked over at him then, big soulful blue eyes gazing at him as though begging him for something. Unthinkingly he'd reacted, pulling down his mask and leaning forward towards the boy. It was only for a second but suddenly his lips were against the boy's and he could feel how his breathe hitched at the contact before Kakashi pulled away. He had watched as Naruto had stared at him wide eyed, red painted over his cheeks and nose before he spoke softly to the boy.

"Everything will be okay, Naruto. I promise."

He watched as understanding flitted across the young boy's face and those deep blues watered up a bit as he suddenly leaned into Kakashi's shoulder. He'd grabbed a fist full of Kakashi's shirt and they'd stayed like that for a good portion of the night, him watching over Sakura as her fever slowly broke and Naruto leaning his forehead against his shoulder as though the weight of the world had lifted off of him suddenly. He didn't know how it happened. He'd went from observer, to guardian, to protector and now…now he'd fallen. His mind had raced, trying to figure out if he'd done the right thing. Gently, so very gently he detangled the boy's fingers from his shirt and softly ordered him to bed. Those blue eyes had locked on his and silently begged him once more so again, gently he told them they'd talk more when they were back home.

He could still remember the warmth of that small body leaning against his. Could feel the velvety soft lips of a child still too naïve to know just how broken he was. How had it happened? How had he fallen so far? It almost felt impossible that he'd fall for the one pure thing in his blood stained world. However, he had though, hadn't he…He'd fallen for those big soulful blue eyes that slanted slightly, those slight whisker-like birthmarks, that sunny blonde hair that only he knew framed a small face when wet. He fell for those bright but broken smiles and those gust wrenching sobs that no one but he knew about.

He wanted to protect that.

He wanted to hold that precious life in his hands and never let it out.

Was it safe?

Could he do it?

Would those demons he hid behind that door at the end of the corridor let him?

Please kami…for once let me not break this fragile heart…