Kakashi Hatake was a genius. Bright beyond his age, with a mind that could rival any adult's wit and a tongue so sharp he could crack the most twisted of jokes. Despite him being five years old, Sakumo realized he didn't resemble one in the slightest. The way he seemed to raise his chin over the sky itself, or how his yet to be scarred hands grabbed kunais and shurikens as if he were holding a stick of dango. He had yet to attend the Academy, but it was obvious his abilities were superior to any graduated gēnin.

A genius indeed.

But if there was one thing he couldn't master— or even fully understand, if truth be told— and it was the ability to talk to people and establish certain relationships with them. While it was a good thing for any ANBU applicant (especially Danzō's Root division), a kid needed to be around people as interact with them. But Kakashi had always thought of it as stupid and pointless, because he already had his father and two friends (who had actually forced their friendships on him for some unknown reason, according to Kakashi), why would he have the need to have more than that? People were noisy and liked to pry on private matters. They didn't know when to shut up and some of them were downright insufferable— like Obito Uchiha.

So when Sakumo noticed the way he acted around Orochimaru, alarms went off in his head. Because, for someone like his son, who was not a people person as already established, his behavior was so unbecoming of him Sakumo had been rendered speechless the first time he had actually witnessed it. Considering how often former Team 7 stopped by the compound, he had felt like the worst father in all the elemental nations for not having noticed before.

The Legendary Sannin and Konoha's White Fang hadn't always been friends. As a matter of fact, Sakumo and Jiraiya had been rivals right until the chūnnin exams (mostly because Jiraiya was a complete idiot, and Sakumo had little to no patience for a self-proclaimed hero who couldn't even master the Būnshin no Jutsu). Tsunade, while short-tempered and aggressive, had grown to be a very good friend of his. She even healed his team member in the middle of the chūnnin exams because the Hatake boy had been at the right moment and place to defend her from Amegakure shinobis. She was the group's mother, and even after all those years, her naivety was still endearing.

And Orochimaru... well. At times, Sakumo had the feeling their relationship was more logical and practical than anything else. Orochimaru had never let him into his twisted little world when they were younger, and he hadn't asked to be part of it either. He knew the orphan had a suffocating darkness in his heart, a thing Jiraiya and Tsunade had tried to battle most of their lives, but if they hadn't been successful after so many years, Sakumo knew it was best to leave some things just... be.

But, he had never been in his (quite extensive) black list, he was cordial and always indulged in the most interesting of conversations when invited to have a cup of tea and some dango (or in Orochimaru's case, hard-boiled eggs) at the Hatake residence. After Kakashi had been born, Orochimaru visited more often— willingly— because as much as he seemed to despise children, being so close to a new life had been simply too alluring to look the other way. Jiraiya voiced his concerns one day when Sakumo's wife Kariire had dragged both Tsunade and Orochimaru to buy something for dinner, leaving the two light haired men and a tiny baby for them to look after.

"I just don't want him to be here for... the wrong reasons," Jiraiya mumbled, his finger gently poking Kakashi's rosy cheek in what could be called an affectionate gesture. "I know he'd never hurt Kakashi intentionally— he's way too overprotective of your cub— but that's exactly what scares me the most."

Sakumo looked at his son sleep peacefully on top of a pillow two times his size and hummed softly. He knew Orochimaru had... cared for Nawaki not only because he was Tsunade's little brother, but because he had potential for greatness. He'd had this feeling that it was exactly that potential that Orochimaru had wanted for himself— and it showed, because he sometimes had looked at Nawaki in a way that seemed to scream «He is mine». And while he didn't have that particular expression on his face whenever he was around Kakashi, Sakumo knew Jiraiya's growing concern weren't exactly misplaced either.

But then Kariire passed away, and Sakumo's doubts had vanished because he needed someone to care for little Kakashi as much as he did. Despite their past differences, he knew Orochimaru was the only one who could fulfill that role.

It had all started one day when Sarutobi-sensei's disciples stopped by to play some shōgi. After the loss of his Kariire, the man had needed some company the golden-hearted Toad Sannin had been more than happy to offer, immediately tagging Tsunade and Orochimaru along. Raising Kakashi was sometimes a handful— and Orochimaru could testify to that, seeing that Kakashi was his protégée— especially since the kid thought he was old enough to be independent and do whatever he wanted. And in moments like those, he had never been more grateful to see Jiraiya's ugly (Tsunade's opinion, not his) face.

"Welcome," he greeted, allowing them to step into his home. Each of them brought snacks and even a discreet bottle of sake hidden in Tsunade's pocket. After exchanging pleasantries and making themselves at home, the shōgi board already in place with all the pieces. When asked about Kakashi, the older Hatake explained he was in his room reading about D-rank jutsus as part of his training with Orochimaru. The first round was played by the Snake Sannin and Sakumo.

"Kids his age should be outside playing, not reading that sorta stuff," Jiraiya grumbled while taking a bite of his onigiri, cheek resting on his propped hand. Tsunade nudged him.

"Better learn about useful stuff than gawk at women in their underwear, you pervert," she said while glaring at him, not having forgotten about the incident a month ago that had resulted in Jiraiya having his legs and arms broken rather thoroughly. The male Sannin only grinned shameslessly and shrugged his shoulders.

"Thirst for knowledge is only human," Orochimaru stated, looking at the board before making his move. Sakumo cursed softly under his breath and he smirked. "It is a good thing a child with a gift like his works hard to polish his abilities. I shudder to think what your offspring would be like with your... ah, intelligence and laziness, Jiraiya." Tsunade snorted at that.

"Shaddup, hebi!" The white-haired man managed through a mouthful of rice, looking at Sakumo as if expecting him to say something. Tsunade slapped him upside the head for his manners— or, lack there of.

Sakumo just blinked. Orochimaru's smirk widened.

"Why, you bas—"

"Tou-san." Four heads turned to look at the little boy standing by the shōji door, looking rather annoyed at the noise. Turning to look at Jiraiya, he sighed. "Oh, it's you."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Sakumo had to laugh at that, one eyebrow perfectly arched in amusement.

Kakashi: 1. Jiraiya: 0.

"Tsunade-hime," he continued, inclining his head in acknowledgment but freezing when a now slightly tipsy Tsunade pulled him in for a hug. Kakashi shifted a bit, the bridge of his nose turning pink.

"I told you already, Kakashi-kun," she admonished softly, running a hand through his hair. "Stop being so formal, you're just a child."

"But—"

She gave him a pointed look. He stifled a whine and offered a sigh instead.

"Fine." After Tsunade released him, Kakashi rubbed his nose and turned to look at Orochimaru almost shyly, his flush creeping all the way to his ears ever so slightly. "Orochimaru-sensei."

Sakumo couldn't believe his eyes. When was the last time Kakashi had acted so... bashful? Had he always been like this in the presence of the Sannin? His blood ran cold at the sight. Orochimaru didn't seem to think too much about it, however. Sakumo had the feeling Orochimaru had assumed it was only childish innocence (that, and the fact he was the only one who treated him like a grownup), but Sakumo's gut told him otherwise. Perhaps he always acted like that around him? Not that it made sense, because Kakashi never acted like that. He knew better.

Parents always did.

"Evening, hatchling," The raven-haired man greeted, raising one hand to ruffle Kakashi's hair like he had always done in the past, but now the jōnin on the other side of the shōgi table tensed at the sight. Kakashi's blush intensified and it was like he was fighting the urge to lean into the cool touch, hands clasped behind his back. "I trust your reading is being interesting."

"Hai," he said and nodded once, finally taking a step back to keep some distance between the older man and himself— did he realized the way Sakumo was looking at him? Or was he just trying to act normal? Perhaps it was childish admiration. "I already know the Kawarimi no Jutsu, and the Shūnsin no Jutsu seems interesting enough for me to try." Orochimaru looked pleased, and nodded.

"Off you go, then. I expect you to show me on our next training session." Kakashi nodded once more and left the room, missing the grimace on Sakumo's usually friendly face.

"What's wrong, huh?" Jiraiya asked, completely oblivious to the exchange and Sakumo turned to look at him, trying to come up with a good excuse.

"I'm losing," he stated simply and rubbed the back of his head in frustration, "and Chi-kun here wasn't even paying attention."

Orochimaru frowned at the nickname, glaring at his teammates when they laughed. Sakumo managed to crack a smile despite his inner turmoil. His opponent quickly moved another piece forward and Hatake's smile dropped.

He had lost.

Damn.

While he switched places with Tsunade, Sakumo finally plowed his mind to drift, absently drinking his sake.

What was the meaning behind Kakashi's behavior? Why Orochimaru? What the hell was going on?

This was a case for someone more reliable than the ANBU black ops, he thought.

Sakumo himself.

And not without a heavy drop of guilt, he remembered that particular conversation with Jiraiya all those years ago.

Had he truly seen things, or was his mind trying to suggest the fact he was seen that same glint of possessiveness in those golden eyes?