Chapter One
Hiraeth(n.) a homesickness for a home you can't return to, or never was.
The blade gleams under the lights of the locker room as Kakashi runs a towel over his katana. The outline of blood has disappeared but the faint scent remains even as he sheaths it. The room is quiet apart from the clank of gear, the shutting of lockers, and the quiet breaths of those around him. He doesn't look up from his work, staying silent as the operative next to him wraps her legs.
He rolls out his shoulders before strapping on his armor. His arms first, steel protecting the vulnerable bones underneath. They will be of little use against jutsus, but they will hold up against most blades. Next, his chest. It's heavier than he'd like- he's sure that he will move better without it but his higher ups insist on it.
Kakashi turns his head, glancing at the entrance. By now, shinobi have begun to line up in their groups. Those who will take the front, those who will create the core of the unit and those who will flank them. Voices have now joined the environment, with captains calling names off their rosters, followed by a crisp, 'Present, sir'.
There is tension in the atmosphere, the Hatake can feel it. Despite the ANBU being the most heartless of all, he finds it rather interesting that they are still plenty human. One needs to be human to feel fear. Even those who have served under the Hokage for an extended amount of time seem to feel the difference in tone.
He rises from the bench as his name is called, giving a nod to his commanding officer. He will join their ranks in a minute. He turns to look at his locker, his name written in fine kanji. Hatake Kakashi. Without another thought, he peels it off. He knows, they know, that if the situation is as serious as it seems to be, they will not be coming back.
He rolls the paper into a ball, shoving it in his weapon's pouch before joining the ranks of those who have been rallied. Too many soldiers, all faceless and without identity. Slipping his mask over his face, he too becomes one of them.
They've gone over this a million times now, the plan, yet the Hatake still replays it in his head as they march. The village is asleep, the ANBU slipping through the shadows silently. The plan, yet he knows that it will not work.
They're going in blind, with limited information. Any positional tactic will be thrown off despite all their efforts if they don't know what they're up against. Yet it is believed that the ANBU possess a superiority in combat skill though Kakashi would not count on it. Iwagakure shinobi are strong, he has experienced it first hand.
With the Third Shinobi War ending just a few years prior, another one has started. It's among the shadows, quiet, unknown. The village shall not know, nor should those of any lower ranking than chuunin. With the Kyuubi attack happening just a number of years ago, the village is still recovering. No need to alarm the citizens when the matter had the possibility of being taken care of in the shadows.
That isn't what they really intend, Kakashi thinks silently as they approach the entrance of Konohagakure. An exit for them, perhaps the last memeory of Konoha most of them will ever have. He knows the sacrifice that is intended to take place- if you cannot beat the enemy, take them down with you.
"Hokage-sama." Kakashi breaks out of his group for a moment, gesturing that he intends to catch up. The old man looks upon him with his knowing eyes, filled with wisdom of a thousand lives. They meet the Hatake's singular one as the Copy Ninja reaches into his weapon's pouch. What he takes out sends a flash of surprise and recognition in the Third's gaze. It's a kunai, the one that Minato had given him for becoming a jounin. He holds it out to the Kage.
"For Naruto. When the time comes, will you make sure he receives it?" The Sandaime pauses, searching the silver haired shinobi's face. A nod is given.
"May Kami be with you." He says as Kakashi dips his head in a respectful bow before rejoining the soldiers. Dressed in black, they stream out the village gates as swiftly as a passing shadow. The Sandaime looks on with a heavy heart before glancing down at the kunai. He rolls it in his hands- it has been carefully taken care of over the years. For Naruto- the Kage hadn't seen the pair interact; the little blonde did not even know of the Copy Ninja's existence. Yet he has a feeling that Kakashi has been watching over the boy from afar- deep down, Hatake Kakashi possesses a heart of his own despite popular belief.
There is hope for him yet, Hiruzen thinks as the last of the ANBU depart. Now all he can do is pray to Kami that he comes back.