Chapter Text
When a month came and went without a similar occurrence, Asuma began thinking it was just a fluke. The event had become widespread throughout the class and half of his friends didn’t believe them and thought they must have imagined the whole thing and the other half were moderately terrified by the story and didn’t want to accept it. It just seemed so far-fetched. After a while they came to the general consensus on whether it happened or not, it was clearly a one time thing. Kakashi had just been in a good mood and decided to have mercy on Genma. That’s all. That is until one particular Friday evening in the school library.
They had all been assigned a book report on one important Konoha figure. They had been given a bunch of rules about the restrictions on who they could choose to prevent everyone from just picking a popular jonin or the Hokage to avoid doing research. Pretty much the whole class was in the library looking for references. Asuma was looking through the ‘historical heroes’ section with Genma and Raidou when they saw Kakashi staring straight up a few shelves down. He wasn’t moving, he was just…staring.
“Hey, what’s he doing?” Asuma asked, nudging Raidou in the arm. Raidou looked over somewhat annoyed at where Asuma was gesturing. He looked just as confused at the scene as Asuma felt. After a minute Raidou just shrugged, going back to examining the two books in his hands.
“How should I know? He’s probably just trying to read the titles or something.” Asuma frowned as he squinted at the smaller boy. It didn’t look like that’s what he was doing, his eyes were more or less focused in one place. It was then he remembered the event that happened with Genma a few weeks prior. Asuma gave a smirk as a simply wonderful idea was born and he carefully sauntered over to Genma’s side of the self where he had his head buried in a book called ‘The heroes of the 2nd Great Shinobi war’. “Hey, Genma” Asuma whispered, tapping him on the shoulder. Genma looked up with a raised eyebrow and a very clear ‘What do you want?’ face. Asuma was more than happy to elaborate. “You should go see if Kakashi needs something.” He suggested and Genma blinked at him unimpressed.
“Why don’t you?” Genma countered, completely missing the point and Asuma rolled his eyes. How can he test this clear supernatural phenomenon if Genma didn’t cooperate? (Also he’s bored)
“Because I value my life?” Asuma offered in explanation and Genma was unmoved. “Besides, he likes you better. Look,” He redirected, wrapping an arm around Genma’s shoulders to turn him towards the other side of the room where the young Hatake was still standing stock still, staring straight up. “He's been like that awhile.” He tacked on knowing Genma would be interested if he made it seem concerning. Sure enough, it worked as Genma frowned deeply, closing his book. Genma only stood still for a minute before gently shoving his book into Asuma’s hands.
“Hold this for me.” Genma ‘asked’ already moving towards Kakashi, determined. Well this should be entertaining. Asuma thought excitedly, shamelessly watching with apt attention. If the strange phenomenon happened again he’d now have Raidou to act as another witness that Genma was in fact a ‘Kakashi whisper’ and clearly had some secret kekkei genkai that allowed him to act that way towards him without receiving immediate repercussions. If it didn’t and Genma got taken out by righteous 4-year-old fury then that would be funny too. Anything was better than book searching. “Yo, Kakashi-Kun” Genma greeted, causing Kakashi to finally break his gaze with the shelf to look at the older boy. The greeting also caught Raidou’s attention as he too looked towards the interaction. Good. Wouldn’t want him to miss it.
“What?” Kakashi demanded annoyed rather than returning the greeting. Genma wasn’t offended and just kept going. As though he didn’t know what true fear was.
“What’re you staring at?” Genma questioned point blank, tilting his head back to try and see what could have been holding Kakashi’s attention so intently. Kakashi in turn bristled, crossing his arms over his chest in what was supposed to be an air of defiance but came off more self-conscious.
“Nothing. Just deciding on a book.” Kakashi answered lamely, looking back up as well at the book wall. Genma didn’t seem satisfied with the answer though as he cocked a brow at the prodigy. Probably because it was a total dodge. Asuma thought, taking a subtle step closer so he could better hear the conversation. Raidou saw this and sent him a scolding look for eavesdropping but apparently hadn’t noticed he’d done the exact same thing.
“Usually doesn’t take you this long.” Genma pointed out which was true. Usually Kakashi somehow had his assignments figured out before school even let out. Or before the teacher even finished talking. “You sure you don’t need anything?” Despite having seen it happen before, Asuma was still thrown by Genma’s blatant audacity in addressing the situation. A quick glance at Raidou showed he was now fully enthralled. Rather than scream that he wasn’t a child who didn’t need help or attempt to inflict bodily harm onto him should he dare to suggest such a thing again, Kakashi just puffed his cheek, a light blush coming to his ears before he pointed up.
“I can’t reach it.” Kakashi stated simply, huffing in clear frustration. Genma suddenly nodded in understanding as he gestured towards the higher selection of novels.
“You mean the books?” Genma clarified and while Kakashi looked embarrassed he still gave a tiny nod as he continued. Asuma glanced at his friend again when he heard him make a choking cat kind of sound and saw him openly gapping as Kakashi continued not to get upset. Asuma couldn’t help the smug smirk that came over his face. That’s what you get for not believing me. He’d like to see him try to doubt him again after this.
“I could get it myself but last time I used wall walking on the shelves Ayumi-San yelled at me.” Kakashi complained with a mumble and Genma huffed a laugh. Ayumi-San was the school librarian and also a total witch. It was very obvious she didn’t particularly like children and was always yelling about them all being too loud or messing up the system of the books. She’s probably especially hard on Kakashi since he’s so young. ‘Libraries are not a place for child play.’ Was one of her favorite sayings.
“I’ll bet.” Genma said with a small smile towards the younger. “Want me to grab it for ya?” Genma offered easily and Asuma nearly blew his cover at Raidou’s expression. It was hilarious. Is that what we looked like? Asuma briefly wondered, considering how he and Kurenai would’ve probably looked to passers-by. Kakashi hesitated and Asuma stiffened, thinking this might be it. His weird patience has run out and he’s going to snap and go feral, but that didn’t happen. Kakashi just looked away before giving another very small nod.
“‘Konoha’s Greatest Battles’” Kakashi recited the title and Genma nodded as he got up on his tiptoes to search the upper self for the requested item. No wonder he couldn’t get it. Asuma thought as he saw how Genma just barely managed to snag it by his fingertips. Plus Kakashi was kinda short even for his age. Not that Asuma would ever dare say that. At least not where he could hear. He’s not as brave(Stupid) as Genma. The brown book was thick and heavy as Genma carefully handed it to Kakashi who had to hold it with two hands.
“You got it?” Genma checked as Kakashi shifted it around so he had a better grip. The comically large book somehow made Kakashi look even smaller and even Asuma had to admit it was kinda adorable.
“Yes.” Kakashi stated firmly once he had it situated. He turned to leave towards the check out as he now had what he needed but paused to give a very small, very quick bow of thanks towards Genma. “Thanks” The word was more or less blurted before Kakashi quickly left, probably to start and finish their latest assignment in record time. Genma didn’t stare in awe or really react at all and merely shrugged before walking back to pluck his book back out of Asuma’s hands.
It went easily sense his grip had all but gone slack. Raidou still hadn’t closed his mouth either. Still scary. Asuma decided as he tried to figure out whatever the secret to Genma’s invincibility was. Apparently the amazement didn’t fade seeing it a second time. After a full minute of their silent gawking Genma looked up from his book annoyed.
“What’s wrong with you two?” He drawled bored . How anyone could be bored after that anxiety inducing show he has no idea. This seemed to be all Raidou needed as he finally sputtered back to life.
“You just- How’d you- What?” Raidou rapidly started and broke off completely lost and Genma scrunched his face up in confusion. Raidou didn’t elaborate but did seem to have some kind of epiphany as he abruptly grabbed Asuma’s shoulders to yank him to face him. “Sweet Kami, you were telling the truth?!” He shouted, realizing his and Kurenai’s tale hadn’t been as exaggerated as he assumed. His raised voice of course summoned Ayumi-San from the depths as she quickly popped around the corner with a glare.
“Shh!” She hissed warningly, a finger raised to her lips and Raidou flinched as he released Asuma to give a quick apologetic bow. Ayumi still had a sour expression but returned back to wherever she was before. Once she was gone Raidou jumped right back to the subject at hand.
“I don’t get it, how’d you do that?” He whispered to Genma, now mindful of volume, and he merely shrugged.
“It’s really not that big a deal.” Genma dismissed, deciding this was indeed the book he needed as he tucked it under his arm and grabbed his discarded school bag from the floor. I disagree. Asuma thought bitterly.
“But when we ask him stuff like that he just gets mad and we’re doing the exact same thing!” Raidou whisper-shouted, clearly having trouble processing. Genma just shrugged loosely, swinging his bag over his shoulder and walking away. Shattering their entire world view. “But- He-?” Raidou continued turning to Asuma for answers that he didn’t have. The first time’s always the hardest. Asuma mused, laying a comforting hand on Raidou’s shoulder.
“I know buddy.” Asuma sympathized and Raidou finally stopped muttering incoherently trying to make sense of the situation. An impossible feat as it couldn’t make sense. For some unknown reason, only Genma was allowed to help their youngest classmate safely. “It’s not fair.”