One of the questions that still remains a mystery in Naruto is why Kakashi actually left ANBU. So, I wrote this one shot with that question in mind. It is also my first one shot.

As always thanks for reading and please review, stay tuned...

Sharingan Illusion x

I DO NOT OWN NARUTO

BONDING

Kakashi shook slightly as he held the small bundle in his arms. He had never seen such a small thing. He was struck with an odd sort of kinship as he looked into the crystal blue eyes of his sensei's son.

Naruto Uzamaki.

At fourteen Kakashi wished he could do for him. The Third had explained that Naruto had to grow up without his influence. He couldn't know about his parents or their sacrifice. And, it wouldn't take a genius to connect the dots if he spent too much time with the young Kakashi.

The baby gripped Kakashi's mask pulling it down. Kakashi blushed, no had ever seen his face since his father had died, not from lack of trying. Yet, here he was bashfully exposed to the infant in his arms. The whiskered face giggled with delight seemingly oblivious to the older boy's discomfort. Kakashi refitted the mask, "Did you get a good look? Because, I won't allow you to see it so easily next time…" a small quirk of a smile hinted underneath the mask.

Kakashi thought about Minato, his sensei would be pretty proud of the bundle in his arms. Kakashi liked to think of the baby as the 'little brother' he never had. Especially, since it was his sensei that had taken in him when his father had died, Kakashi put the nipple of the bottle into the baby's mouth slightly amused at how the baby guzzled the goat milk with delight.

The Third watched from the door observing the two bonding boys. It disheartened him to have to take the boy away from Kakashi, knowing that he would inevitably be leading both onto an early life of loneliness. It's why he gave Kakashi these moments in the office of the Hokage Tower. Every day since the attack Kakashi had ambled into the office to nurse and feed his sensei's infant son. But, it was time for the Third to stop this, "It's time, Kakashi." The Third murmured, the boy didn't acknowledge him immediately placing the infant back into the crib that had been set up in the Third's office.

Kakashi placed the ANBU mask on his head to cover his face, his first mission with the covert ops was about to begin. With no team left the lone Wolf skills would be honed to utter perfection.

"Next time, I have a team of my own, I will protect them with my life." He swore to the Third, "Keep your promises, Hokage-sama." The boy stated quietly. The Third nodded, "I will indeed remove you from ANBU when the boy reaches Genin. It is only fitting that you be his sensei."

And, with that the son of the White Fang, left the Hokage's office without a glance back. And, the small jinchuriki in the crib began to cry.