Kakashi's Mini-me Chapter 1

AN: Here's the first chapter of my new fan fic. I'll update regularly after midterms and ANBU Mascot wraps up, but I figured since I finished the first chapter you all would want to read it! Anyway, I was going to combine it with the time travel idea but decided to save that one for another time…probably summer to be honest. On with the story and tell me how it goes!

Konoha, Ninja academy, after shinobi assignments…

Naruto was bored and mentally drained.

He had the nine tailed fox in him! The kyubi, the creature that destroyed his village, most likely killed his family (if they didn't abandon him because they thought him a 'demon'), and brought suffering on thousands. His two teammates, Sasuke and Sakura, ignored him like always as their sensei was three hours late.

I bet they hate me too. Naruto thought in sadness. The Hokage assured him that kids his age weren't aware of his 'burden' but they still hated him- not that his pranks helped. Our teacher is late, maybe a prank? He began mischievously but quickly squashed the thought. No reason to make him hate me more. I bet he'll be just like everyone else, maybe if I'm quiet he'll at least just ignore me. I can't take those eyes.

What the blonde Jinchuuriki didn't know was that simple twist in thoughts would alter the course of his shinobi career forever.

Kakashi Hatake slowly approached the door to the classroom holding the boy he abandoned as a baby. Sure he was just a kid at the time, but not a day goes by that Kakashi doesn't think,

What if? What if I took care of him? Would last night have happened or would he even be a genin now, instead of a chunin or jonin? Would he still secretly fear the villagers? The Hokage had filled Kakashi in on Naruto's mental state, and how the elders were worried that if something didn't change the Jinchuuriki would finally snap. They reasoned assigning him to a jonin that didn't hate him would help.

But putting him with him, Kakashi? It must be some sort of punishment. Kakashi could never hate Naruto. But, he also couldn't bear to look at the blonde as it reminded him too much of Minato-sensei, and teaching him would be just too much, especially as Kakashi was likely to get him killed. Plus, Naruto was likely to pull pranks, act out, and overall prove that he wasn't ready to be a shinobi.

Kakashi would just fail him, and let some one else take care of sensei's legacy, as everyone knew Kakashi was not the right person. Opening the door lazily he expected many things.

Indignant screeches from the blonde.

Traps and pranks too.

Even a scowl.

But what Kakashi didn't expect was the broken look in Naruto's deep blue eyes, ones that didn't belong on the son of Konoha's greatest heroes. Those eyes spoke to Kakashi, their tensed and readiness to bolt, the slight hope that Kakashi was different, and the mistrust that he would be just like everyone else. The jonin was caught in those orbs, breath hitched.

Then he took in the rest of the room. Naruto was crouched in his chair alone on one side, while Sasuke and Sakura were on the other, pointedly ignoring their teammate who was so obviously in need.

But they didn't care.

"…You three are interesting. Meet me on the roof." Kakashi managed and used a shunshin to leave. Sasuke and Sakura got up and left, not noticing they left behind a certain blonde.

Naruto scowled as he took off after his teammates followed their teacher. Sensing things would remain the same as always- probably his sensei would ignore him for the others- he plopped down to the far right of his squad mates.

"My name is Kakashi Hatake, your sensei. Let's start with introductions."

"Umm, sensei? What should we say?" Sakura asked.

"Oh, you know: likes, dislikes, hobbies, dreams. That sort of thing." Kakashi was hardly looking at the pink girl who would possibly be his student. Instead, his grey eye kept turning towards Naruto, who still sulked a bit, not even trying to hide it.

"Why don't you go first? To show us how its done?" Sakura suggested.

Seriously? "Alright. My name, as you know, is Kakashi. I have likes, some dislikes. I never really thought about a dream. As for hobbies? Well, I have lots of hobbies." He gave his trade mark eye smile and then watched in amusement as all three students had various degrees of annoyance. Messing with genin was fun. "You next, pinky."

Naruto tuned out his teammates after Kakashi-sensei's useless intro. When Sakura said

"And I hate NARUTO-Baka!" he flinched, but didn't say anything, turning away slightly.

"And you? What about you, blondie?" Kakashi asked. Naruto blinked, honestly surprised he asked after the impression of dislike he gave.

"Oh? Well, my name is Naruto Uzumaki. I like ramen" it's filling and cheap "the old man, the Ichirakus, and Iruka-sensei" Because they acknowledges me
"and my hobbies are gardening and trying new flavors of ramen." And training, but no one will believe that. "I hate…cold eyes, and the three minutes it takes for ramen to make. My dream is to be Hokage, so that everyone will have to acknowledge me and accept me for who I am!" Naruto added the last part with a grin, imagining what life will be like then. Kakashi kept a level gaze on Naruto, ignoring Sakura's slight snorts.

"Well then, tomorrow we'll see if you three are actually genin."

Next evening…

As his sensei and 'teammates' walked away while he was still tied to the post Naruto couldn't keep the frown off his face.

They left me. He realized in disbelief. His sensei, Naruto thought he'd be different. After all that talk about never abandoning comrades and they abandoned him. Hypocrites.

Tears start welling up. He had used his last kunai on Kakashi-sensei earlier and he wasn't able to use the rope escape jutsu- Mizuki taught that lesson and had sent him on an errand for two years in a row during that day in class.

With Kakashi…

Kakashi frowned as his two students continued walking with him, even when he mentioned Naruto still being tied up.

"That baka will figure something out" Sakura insisted and headed home. As Kakashi turned to head back to the training grounds two green blobs glomped him.

"YOSH! MY ETERNAL RIVAL!" Guy greeted.

"H-hello, Guy" Kakashi said weakly. "Who is this?" He looked in horror at the smaller version of his friend.

"YOSH! This is my most YOUTHFUL apprentice, Lee! He has become like me in every way, almost like a mini-me!"

"Mini-me?"
"Yes! Others treated him like nothing as he was the dead last last year, but under my tutelage he's grown to become one of the best genin in our most Youthful village!" Guy boasted.

"Oh? Well I just passed my own team" Kakashi said, not realizing he wanted to boast about his team, even if it was pointless with how dysfunctional they were.

"Yosh! Your flames of YOUTH shine brightly! Perhaps one will take after you as well! Come Lee, let us run around Konoha five hundred times to stroke our YOUTH!"

"Yes, Guy-sensei!"

"Lee!"

"Guy-sensei!"

"Lee!"

"Guy-sensei!"

Kakashi left as they started running towards eachother, not wanting to see whatever it is they were starting.

Hmm, someone to take after me? Well, if Guy can do it, so can I! But who…Sasuke? He scowled, remembering that though a genius, the boy abandoned his comrade. And Naruto's eyes…Naruto! In haste, Kakashi went towards his final student, intent on rescuing him.

Back with Naruto, minutes later…

"Naruto?" Kakashi's voice from behind him made Naruto whip around.

"K-kakashi-sensei?" Naruto couldn't believe it, his sensei didn't abandon him!

"…I'm sorry for leaving you. Want some help?" The blonde nodded, and seconds later the ropes were cut. Getting the circulation back in his hands Naruto wipes away his tears. "Why didn't you use the rope escape jutsu?" Kakashi asked, knowing full well why not- investigations had already led the Hokage to deduce that several key lessons were sabotaged or outright not taught to Naruto.

"Mizuki-sensei n-never taught me that." Naruto admitted.

"Well, why don't I show you how then, eh?" Kakashi offered with his famous eye smile.

"Really? YATTA!" Naruto screamed happily and Kakashi winced. He'd have to work on his sensei's legacy's volume…and attire. If Guy could take that Lee kid and get him into the monstrosity then Kakashi could certainly change Naruto's tastes.

Wait, Naruto was malleable. He was technically supposed to be Kakashi's little brother figure.

And to be honest, Kakashi had always wanted to pass on his 'coolness' as Guy called it to the next generation. With a hidden grin Kakashi patted Naruto on the head.

"Why don't we go do some shopping first?"

When Naruto gave him a puzzled look Kakashi took it as a yes.

Later, Hokage tower…

"Team seven…passes" Kakashi announced proudly. The other jonin- and Sarutobi- were shocked at the man's words and several tried to dispel a genjutsu.

"Very well, Kakashi. That makes three teams that passed. Train them well" Sarutobi ordered. Soon most of the office was empty save the Hokage, ANBU, and Kakashi. "Is something the matter, Kakashi?"

"Hmmm? No, I'd just like you to sign this sheet making one Naruto Uzumaki my apprentice until he reaches jonin, much like how Minato-sensei did with me."

"Very well- though I honestly thought you were planning to do this with Sasuke for his Sharingan. What changed your mind?" Kakashi took a deep breath.

"Let's just say I think I'm ready to face my past…and if Guy can make one, so can I." The cyclops chuckled evilly at the last part and used a shunshin. Tiger, one of the ANBU on duty appeared with Sarutobi's signal.

"Yes Hokage-sama?"

"Tenzo…I'm going to assign you to keep a watch on your old captain for a while. Just to make sure he hasn't finally snapped." Tenzo gave a grave nod as he too was a bit worried at Kakashi's last comment and headed out to observe the enigma of a jonin.

At Ichirakus…

"Thanks for the meal!" Naruto cheered as Kakashi let him have an all you can eat after a successful trip to the ninja store. His apprentice to be- it wouldn't be official until Naruto made chunin- dug in and Kakashi couldn't help but smile from behind his book. "Ne, Kakashi-sensei, what are we learning tomorrow?"
"Hmm, did you say something?" He asked in a bored tone. He had to keep appearances up after all.

End! So next chapter will be the first days of team seven, with more details. I just figured having the same bell test once more would be pointless.

Now, in regards to Naruto's slightly different personality: If you found out the reason everyone avoided you, gave dirty looks, and perhaps raised prices on common goods, would you be the same the very next day to week? No, you'd have a little life change. I figured Naruto at this point is questioning how he can possibly make life better, and not pulling a prank would be a good place to start. Kakashi I feel should have shown more signs of knowing Naruto, and this gives him the chance to properly train him, as why he preferred Sasuke I really won't ever be able to fathom. Anyway, see you guys soon, probably in a month on this fic!

Ps. This will be mostly light hearted, but there will be serious moments, and changes in the plot!