Chapter Text
Kakashi spends more time around the Uchiha compound these days than he ever thought he would.
It’s taking some getting used to.
He can’t help but feel awkward around most of the Uchiha. It doesn’t show, but Kakashi feels it pretty acutely. He obviously has the Uchiha’s bloodline sitting in his eye socket. Like many clans, their bloodline is ingrained in their culture.
It’s precious to them.
To everyone else, the sharingan is infamous, not only for its power, but for the difficulty of stealing and transplanting the Uchiha’s eyes.
More often than Kakashi wants to admit, he considers what Obito would want. He doesn't feel indebted to the Uchiha clan per say, but he does think he owes them a little bit of effort.
Aside from the obvious issue of his eye, Kakashi hasn't had any prior issues with the clan. The head family kids are fine. Itachi makes more sense than most people do. Sasuke is sweet, and unassuming like most toddlers. It’s the adults that Kakashi doesn’t know how to deal with. Many are understandably suspicious, but some clan members are kind for no reason—just because they consider him Ichigo’s friend.
Ichigo and his freaky spirit mask.
The Hatake have their own clan techniques that Kakashi knows he’ll probably never know much about.
He has no interest in learning the depth of the Uchiha clan’s dark secrets.
But even so Ichigo is a friend of sorts, ten years old, and with old stubborn eyes that Kakashi doesn’t quite understand. He’s like his father, Fugaku, in that sense.
The Uchiha clan head is often unreadable. He’s predictably stern, but still oddly comforting in a way that leaves Kakashi fidgeting. They’re only familiar in passing, but Fugaku still treats him with an unfamiliar warmth.
And then there’s Uchiha Mikoto.
Merciless Mikoto has earned her name.
His lip unconsciously curls as he remembers her brutal words. He’s not a pup. Too many Uchiha take the liberty of calling him that, Kakashi doesn’t like lingering on what he might be missing. Ichigo told him a few stories of the Hatake when they ran with wolves, but there’s no use dwelling on it.
They’re just stories, nothing more.
If Kakashi lets his regrets weigh him down, he doubts that he would have the strength to move. It’s not like he doesn’t care. Of course, he thinks about it. He just tries not to. Everyone knows he’s the only Hatake in Konoha, even if they never mention why.
Sometimes, it’s better for everyone not to discuss the bad things.
Being away from the village makes it easier. Maybe that’s why so many people take long term missions to faraway lands. Kakashi doesn’t think it makes him any less of a man.
Mikoto can take him for a fool. It’s not like her opinion matters anyway.
Kakashi is going to do his job to the best of his ability, until he can’t anymore.
That is the life of a shinobi.
He’s not blind, or ignorant to that fact. Something isn’t right in the village. He knows that. Does he know what to do about it? No, but Kakashi figures he’ll know what to do when the time comes.
Konoha does bad things.
It doesn't matter.
After all, Kakashi is the man asked to do those bad things all for the sake of peace.
That’s just how the world works.
For now, he goes on missions as usual. It’s really the only thing he knows how to do. There are his contests with Gai, reading, missions, and more recently badgering Ichigo and his band of merry men.
Kakashi likes a routine. It’s simple to keep to what he knows, and he knows his role.
Things have been changing way too fast
The clan heads are meeting, and publicly disagreeing with Hokage. In his memory, Kakashi can’t recall the last time that happened. Kakashi hasn’t seen so many of them show such initiative before. Hiruzen is not as beloved as Minato, but Konoha has faith in him. That’s the reason he took the hat again in the first place.
They call Sarutobi, the professor, because there’s never been any reason to doubt his word.
The Uchiha are being ignored, and the other clans are noticing this too.
Kakashi’s own subtle inquiries are harshly rebuffed. There was a time where he would’ve considered himself the Hokage’s most trusted ANBU. Kakashi is quite used to being a silent sentinel without any opinions to share, but the signs are all there. And for whatever reason, this whole situation has Hiruzen sweating.
Kakashi doesn’t really know what to do.
He knows he should’ve gone straight to the Hokage when these whispers started, but he didn’t. There's no reason to cause unnecessary chaos for now. He can gather information, see where things stand, and then take action.
So when Ichigo asks for a favor, Kakashi complies.
Now he’s here, crawling through decades of ancient cobwebs and wet leaves through a narrow stone corridor. If the maps are correct, he should come out into an unmapped atrium. The historical archives think it once belonged to an ancient civilization that once lived in the Land of Fire. They were said to be buried in a mudslide long before the daimyo gained land and power here. Some of the buried structures still precariously stand beneath the earth. Konoha has quite a few cave systems beneath it that connect to these ancient corridors.
There shouldn’t be anything there.
Kakashi is even questioning the structural integrity as he wiggles and slides down the tight tunnel. It has to be some sort of aqueduct. Kakashi’s glad not to be a wider man or it would’ve been a tight squeeze. He crawls on his belly, pulling himself by his hands.
There’s an opening ahead. Slipping roughly down, he tucks in his arms and legs until he reaches the end. Kakashi catches himself as he falls into a crouch. Standing to observe the room he’s found himself in, Kakashi’s flashlight turns on with a click.
There are odd pillars made of shiny black stone. The walls are heavy old masonry with symbols Kakashi doesn’t even recognize. His flashlight beam shines on what looks like a dragon carving nearly worn away and covered in vines. The room smells old, but it doesn’t smell as musty as it should.
But that’s not all.
Instead of an empty and desolated atrium from years past, as Kakashi expected, there are clear signs this place was in use not too long ago. Whoever was here must’ve moved out pretty quickly. There’s not enough dust in this particular room for it to have been empty for long, but there are other hints left behind. Anything left is dirty, broken, or scattered: trash for the most part. Bits of paper, suspicious spots, and other signs of life: this was a rush job.
Well, it looks like he owes Ichigo a bowl of ramen. He was right about one thing.
There was something hiding here, right where no one would think to look.
It’s weird how intuitive that boy can be. Ichigo trusts nothing unless proven otherwise.
Someone else has certainly been here. The air is still stale and damp with a hit of rot in the air. There’s a lack of any proper equipment to give away the room’s purpose, but Kakashi can guess what it was.
Blood has been cleaned, hastily and not as deeply as the perpetrators hoped. Kakashi can still smell it on the walls.
He scrapes a kunai against a hardened brown spot, flashlight tucked under his chin. The chips easily slide off the knife into a vial, and he tucks it safety away.
But he’s not alone.
The Uchiha taught him a fun little fire trick, not a clan technique per say, but a jutsu that sends five small quick bursts of flame forward. They often use it for carnival games. It’s useful for lighting torches too, another thing that wasn’t cleared away in the clean-up.
Kakashi secures his pouch straps, and he’s ready. Raising a hand at just the right moment to block a kick directed at his head, his opponent is young. Grabbing the offending leg, he swings the small body away. The flashlight drops, but it doesn’t matter anymore as the wall torches send off a warm orange glow.
His attacker recovers, almost too quickly. Kakashi raises his kunai and gets ready for a fight once again.
It is just a kid. He has brown hair, worn awkwardly long in the back. It makes the front look weird. ANBU uniform, ANBU mask, with a flame tattoo visible on his arm and yet Kakashi doesn’t recognize him at all. The faceplate is an interesting choice.
Kakashi says,“ANBU? Can’t say I recognise you.”
The boy replies softly,“You aren’t supposed to be here.”
“Is that so?”
Kakashi hopes he could distract the kid long enough with conversation, but this kid is garbed as an ANBU for a reason. The kid strikes again, wielding a tanto. He’s fast, strong, but he’s also smaller than Kakashi. If Kakashi can keep a distance, he’ll be fine.
That’s what he thought at first.
Until the kid claps his hands together and wood erupts through ancient stone.
“Wood Style Jutsu!”
Kakashi dodges the tree branches attempting to skewer him as he tries to dampen down his shock.
Mokuton.
The extremely rare, and highly sought after Mokuton.
Shit.
Kakashi sighs and pushes up his headband. Obito’s eye swirls as Kakashi gathers lightning chakra in his palm. The crackling cry of birds echoes through the stone halls.
“Chidori!”
His substitution is faster than the kid can keep up with. Kakashi moves and keeps moving even with his chidori blaring. The kid falls with a quick sweep, and Kakashi holds his hand to the boy’s face. Kakashi can’t read his face under that mask, but the boy is more still and calm than most would be in his position.
Kakashi says,“If you report to the Hokage, I’m just exploring. Have you ever heard of scavenger hunts? I’m off-duty, just getting my steps in. Where did a kid like you learn wood style?”
That will probably come in handy.
The boy doesn’t answer, but Kakashi doesn’t expect him to. From his size, Kakashi would guess he’s about Ichigo’s age.
“So what are you like ten? I’m not really in the mood to kill a kid today.”
That gets a reaction out of him,
“I’m thirteen! Aren’t you like…old?”
“I’m seventeen!” Kakashi retorts. “How about a deal? In exchange for letting you live, neither of us mention this meeting, how does that sound? I won’t peek around…for now.”
He lets his chidori fade.
The boy collects himself admirably. He says, “Go back the way you came.”
Leaping away from Kakashi, he disappears into the shadows.
This wasn’t what Kakashi expected to find.
It feels weird to be reporting to Ichigo, but Kakashi’s actively trying not to think about it like that.
This is just a favor.
Nothing more.
Winter will arrive soon as quickly and unassumingly as summer has faded away. The cooler weather will be a welcome reprieve. Kakashi likes seeing the leaves change, and not sweating under his mask will be nice. It’s a pleasant day today, if a bit chilly. Ichigo walks along the porch as Kakashi dries out his hair in the sun. The family had been kind enough to offer him a bath and change of clothes after he came trudging into their kitchen smelling like a swamp.
Ichigo says, “I really appreciate you helping out, Kakashi.”
He never feels ashamed of his words, even when they’re weird. He gives compliments too easily and freely just as he does critiques.
Shisui is usually so agreeable and pleasant. It’s hilarious how much his cousin brings out a short tempered and sassy side of him. All these new child prodigies are too uptight.
Kakashi replies, “It’s my day-off. It’s not like I had anything better to do.”
His usual day-off schedule consists of rotting in bed, visiting the memorial, and training. There isn’t much else to do outside of the occasional challenge with Gai.
“What are you even looking for?” he asks.
Ichigo replies with a shrug,“I feel like the missing children are closer than we know, just a gut feeling.”
He looks out into the forests surrounding the compound. These high trees were here before the village began, and they’ll be here long after. Kakashi doesn’t know why Ichigo inserts himself in things that aren’t his business, but then again it’s not like he cares enough to stop it.
Kakashi says, “That’s all these things ever are with you.”
He thinks that’s the end of it, until Ichigo rattles him with one last comment.
“You’re a better guy than you act like you are. I mean it—thanks.”
Uchiha Ichigo seems to like surprising people. Shisui thinks he gets a thrill out of it. Asuma argues differently. He thinks Ichigo is genuinely unaware he disconcerns people as much as he does.
“Hello, Kakashi, do you have a moment?”
Kakashi considers running away the moment Fugaku pokes his head into the courtyard.
There’s a split second when Kakashi figures he could just shunshin away, but some other Uchiha clan member will catch up to him sooner or later. There’s work to be done, important work, and he can’t always avoid it even if it makes him uncomfortable.
Shisui actually told Kakashi that.
So, he doesn’t run.
Instead, Kakashi reluctantly follows behind the clan head to his office. It’s pristinely clean and organized. There are barely noticeable seals carved into the doorframe. Some look like they're from Uzushio, and others Kakashi doesn’t recognize.
Fugaku doesn’t sit down, he leans against his desk, directly facing Kakashi.
“How familiar are you with Shimura Danzo?”
Right down to business then.
“Not very, Captain,” Kakashi replies honestly.
“I have reasons to believe Councilman Danzo has not been completely honest with our investigation. I…do want to ask too much of you. All I ask is that if you hear anything related to this, that you keep an open mind.”
Kakashi doesn’t know what to say, so he just nods.
Fugaku asks, “Could I ask you to keep this discussion between us for now?”
This is to find the missing children. This is for the case.
Kakashi repeats that to himself to ease the tension coiling in his stomach.
“There is a theory that has been rolling in my mind lately. Understand, I do not make any accusations. I simply wish to hear insight from someone I feel I can trust. You must know that I do not wish to—be disloyal. I thought you of all people would understand what it means to question if orders or protecting one’s friends comes first.”
Fugaku trusts him inexplicably.
It feels heavy, knowing that, and not even really knowing why he does.
Kakashi doesn’t know what to do with this information either.
It’s not like he hates the man. He has no reason to.
Fugaku is a good commander, and an honest man. He is the image of a proper Uchiha man, always stoic and solid, it makes it hard to tell what he’s thinking.
Obito always thought Uchiha treasured that ideal too much. They don’t show much in front of strangers. When Kakashi asked him if Uchiha are like that with their close family, Obito just laughed. He thought it was a dumb question to ask.
“I will heed your words, you have my word. I simply ask you to rein in your wife. She insists on calling me a misbehaved pup when I was only fulfilling my duties.”
Fugaku chuckles, “she takes amusement in doing that to all of us. You shouldn’t take offense. Was it about Naruto?”
Kakashi replies, “Yes.”
“That is one point I think you and I will never agree with her on. You haven't wet those teeth with blood. I know you hide them, but in the eyes of the Hatake you're still a pup without a wolf.”
Kakashi feels it in his chest, he wants to growl in offense, but he’s grown out of that now. His skin feels too tight hearing all this. Teeth, blood, and wolves: all stories he would’ve said.
There’s no reason to dwell on thoughts like that.
Kakashi retorts,“you thought Gai was my boyfriend, nosy geezer.”
Fugaku’s hand falls heavily on his head, ruffling Kakashi’s grey hair.
“I appreciate you being a good friend to Ichigo.”
Those two are more like each other than they think.
As they walk back out of his office into the hall, a crinkly package is placed into Kakashi’s hand.
“Curry bread?”
Fugaku turns away. “You should eat more before you leave on a mission. You’ll lose muscle definition otherwise.”
Kakashi only vaguely remembers being ravenously hungry and trapped under a clay bomb barrage.
He isn’t really a friend of the Uchiha clan. All shinobi have served together in some capacity or another. There’s no reason to think too deeply about it. Kakashi has no particular loyalty to the Uchiha clan, just like he has no strong feelings about his own.
He waits until Fugaku is gone before he opens the plastic wrapper and he takes a bite.