Chapter 1

"What do you think you are doing?"

Sakumo abruptly stopped in his movement, too shocked at his son's sudden appearance.

"Kakashi…? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be on a mission?"

"Stop diverting the topic! What were you thinking?", Kakashi almost shouted at the end, while making his way towards his father and taking the katana out of the latter's numb hands.

"Kakashi… I did not-"

"That's right, you didn't think!", interrupted Kakashi, "Damn it, father!"

Heedlessly he threw the katana into a corner and kneeled before his father, who had lowered his head in shame.

Kakashi sighed: "What am I to do with you, huh dad? How can I make you understand that you are not alone?"

Sakumo closed his hands into fists and his whole body tensed.

"You don't understand!"

"Then explain it to me."

"I'm scum in their eyes! Nothing more than the dirt below their soles. It's my fault that war I raging. I can't take it anymore, Kakashi. I just can't! The hate in their eyes, their insults and the venom in all their words. But that is not even the worst part. The worst part is the hate they direct at you, because of something I did. They blame you for my wrongdoings."

Sakumo broke down and the tears that had started to fall during his rambling, were increasing and accompanied by heartbroken sobs. Kakashi, who had been listening quietly during his father's outburst, had to swallow a thick lump in his throat, before he quoted what Obito once said to him:

"Those who don't follow the rules are regarded as scum.", Sakumo tensed even more, "But those who would abandon their comrades are even worse than scum."

Sakumo's head snapped up abruptly and two shocked eyes met a calm black one.

"I think you are a true hero. A hero, because you valued the life of a comrade over your mission; a hero, because you did what you think was right. I don't blame you for trying to escape those ungrateful people, nor do I think you are coward. No, I am proud of you, for your actions and for enduring and I'm proud to be called your son!"

"Kakashi…?", Sakumo asked, as if he wasn't sure I'd this was a dream of reality.

"I'm here. This isn't your imagination."

In the distant, Kakashi heard raindrops hitting the windows and thunder striking, but his focus was solemnly on his father, who had stretched out his arms and wrapped them around Kakashi. He immediately returned the embrace and Sakumo rested his head on his son's shoulder, letting his tears flow freely.

Kakashi eventually lost track of time and at some point, Sakumo stopped crying altogether, but kept a firm grip on his son.

Kakashi didn't remember falling asleep, but he eventually found himself on his father's futon and Sakumo's arms still wrapped around him. For a moment he gazed into Sakumo's peaceful face, before carefully taking off his mask and snuggling back into his father's chest and falling back asleep.