Chapter 1: New Beginnings
*Beep* *Beep* *Beep* went the alarm as it signaled the 5am hour. A groaning Kakashi reached for the alarm to quiet the loud intruder to his dreams. Despite all his training, and early morning missions, waking up never became easier. With a final sigh, and many protests from his stiff joints, he managed to pull himself out of bed, and prepare for the coming mission.
With the Fourth Great Shinobi War a thing of the past, and the slain shinobi revived through Edo-Pain's Heavenly Life technique, the different villages were back to their normal routines, which meant missions started again. With Madara defeated and the tailed beasts now working as allies to the shinobi (more specifically with Naruto), the greatest threat to the peace now came at the hands of the revived Orochimaru, who was up to his normal diabolical schemes.
One fortunate outcome from the Great War was the improved bonds between the Five Great Nations. Due to the improved relationships, Lady Tsunade was miraculously able to gain leniency for the returned Sasuke, under the condition that a retainer accompany him at all times. This job fell into Kakashi's hands, as this was easiest since Sasuke himself was not thrilled to have a permanent escort. To further ease the situation Lady Tsunade had ordered Sasuke, Team Kakashi, and Team Guy to investigate all of Orochimaru's hideouts. Sasuke's first-hand knowledge would be beneficial in their investigations of Orochimaru.
With a final check through his supplies, and glance around his apartment, Kakashi turned off the lights and locked the door, knowing that he wouldn't be back home for a long time. He still had two hours before the meeting time, which gave him just enough time to visit the graves of his dear friends Obito and Rin, and one other place, that he held just as sacred as the graves.
For all his hatred of waking up early, walking through the empty streets in the morning was his favorite part of the day. It gave him time to think, and feel peace, which is so hard to come by when one is employed as a shinobi. The new mission he was assigned would hardly leave him with any peaceful moments. Despite his unwavering trust in Guy, missions with him meant daily harassments for challenges, and loud declarations of burning youth. On top of that, Naruto and Sasuke would be constantly bickering, while Sakura, and her violent tendencies towards Naruto would cause havoc. Even the resurrected Neji would offer him little solace as his revival came at the increased fussiness of Tenten, and their newfound romantic relationship. No, he would have to seek solace in the socially awkward, yet capable Sai's presence.
With an exasperated sigh, Kakashi continued on his morning stroll towards a small house tucked back in a quiet corner of the village. The small house had stood empty for ten long years, but that didn't stop him from visiting at least once a month to clean, and air it out. He knew it would be better to sell the place to someone who would actually use it, but deep down inside he couldn't let go of the hope that one day he would go there and the person he longed for most would be there to welcome him inside.
A deep wave of sadness and regret clung to his heart every time he came here. If only I had gone with her. If only I had been there to protect her, then she would still be here with me. His hand came to rest on the fireplace where a small K and Y surrounded by a heart had been carved nearly ten years ago, on the night before his one true love went missing. He smiled to himself remembering how she had teased him for being so cliché. How he wished he could return to those days he shared with her, she who made him into the man he is today.
To Be Continued…