SnapDragon
Minato held his head against his palm, blearily watching the black liquid brew. Naturally a morning person, he didn't really need the caffeine to wake up, it was just a developed habit. Something he'd picked up from having to get Jiraiya-sensei sober after a drinking match with Tsunade-san, and the sleep deprivation that came along with being on dangerous, high classed missions. Right now he needed it after the previous night. After Kakashi-kun had gone to bed, he'd resumed reading the contract Ouyaji had given to him. The living together thing just wasn't going to work out.
Sitting down at dinner last evening, he'd started eating at his normal pace. Kakashi-kun on the other hand, had stared at him for a moment before lowering his head and breaking his chopsticks. Minato had resumed focusing his attention on his ramen, while considering what his friend's reactions would be when he saw them next. Finishing his bowl, he'd looked up remembering his new roommate. Noodles were still in the bowl, but all the vegetables and broth were gone leaving the bowl a little more than half empty, Kakashi-kun observed him mask in place. What was the boy's obsession with his mask?
"Kakashi-kun, you can take off your mask if you want…"
The gaze didn't waver.
"I prefer it on."
Sweatdropping, Minato wondered if he had some embarrassing feature he didn't want people to see, like buckteeth.
"Alright…Finished with your supper already?"
Glancing briefly at his leftover noodles, Kakashi-kun nodded.
"Hai…it is more than I usually eat for a meal…and I am not that fond of…junk food."
Kakashi-kun had called ramen junk food. And as good as said he dislikes it. One of the few edible cooked meals Minato could make safely. There was no way he and the kid were going to survive together.
It had been well after midnight before he'd given up reading the contract and gone to bed. Unfortunately for him, his mind wouldn't let him sleep after the sun had begun to rise, so he'd had to crawl out of bed and get dressed. Now he needed his dark nectar to get his mind running at full speed again. Staring blankly at the book in front of him, he could feel Kakashi-kun's alert chakra in the other room. The boy had already been awake when Minato was stirring. Grimacing, Minato took the pitcher and poured himself a cup, quickly gulping the searing liquid. There was no need for the boy to be so nervous about the evaluation Minato was going to give him that morning.
As he was finishing off his cup, ignoring his screaming tongue, the bedroom door hesitantly opened. A silver head peaked out, eyes searching the room before they settled on him in the kitchen. Meeting the kid's gaze, Minato leaned against his counters, unsure of his housemate's skittishness. After a moment of this, the boy came out of the room already crisply dressed for the day. Minato glanced down at his own wrinkly outfit, making a mental note to do laundry. His uniform from his last mission was smelling up the floor in his room.
"Good morning Sensei."
Kakashi said lightly bowing his head before taking a chair uncertainly at the counter. Minato bit back a groan. He needed more coffee if he was going to survive the day. As he went to pour himself another cup, he grabbed an apple tossing it to the boy. Watching him fidget was going to drive him crazy. At least eating should keep him occupied. The boy caught it offhandedly.
"Morning Kakashi-kun. Get a good night's rest?"
Caught looking between the apple and him, the boy nodded cautiously.
"Hai, Sensei."
Deciding to let this cup cool, before he scalded his tongue anymore, Minato observed the boy. All the while blowing on his cup. Kakashi-kun moved the apple between his hands, somewhat examining it, but mostly using it to give his hands something to do.
"Are you nervous about the skills examination we're going to do?"
Gripping the apple tightly in one hand, while tapping it lightly with the other, Kakashi-kun looked at him. The mask made it difficult to read the boy's expression, but his body language and eyes tended to reveal his thoughts.
"No Sensei."
Minato took that to be a hai, because he kept moving his hands. His gaze had been quick to look away.
"When did you get up this morning? It's always important to get a good night's sleep before a mission."
Glancing up at him again briefly, Kakashi-kun shrugged his shoulders.
"Not too long…"
Frowning, Minato watched as Kakashi-kun split his apple in half. Yesterday, his impression had been that the boy wasn't the type to lie; now he just hoped Kakashi-kun was nervous and not prone to averting the truth. This time he sipped slowly at the coffee.
"How about you tell me where you think your skill set is at?"
"How so…?"
Interested eyes met his. Good, finally something they could hold a non one-sided conversation about.
"What do you think your best skill is? Your worst? For me, I excel at ninjutsu, but am interested in expanding my knowledge to seals. Genjutsu is the hardest for me to work with. My taijutsu is above average in my opinion, with my speed being my best asset."
Kakashi-kun nodded at his example. Minato smiled.
"Good. Now go into more detail about how you would describe your skills."
He could swear Kakashi-kun narrowed his eyes at that statement.
"I think…Genjutsu is my best skill right now, because it doesn't require a lot of chakra, just control. It's not necessarily that I have small chakra reserves; so much as I am too young for my chakra to have completely adapted to me. My previous… sensei have told me I have excellent chakra control for my age. But I have no interest in specializing in it when I'm older. On the other hand, because of my age I would say taijutsu is my worst skill. I am familiar with all the types offered at the academy, but because of my height, they don't work out to well for me. To make up for that, I use very basic moves that work to my advantage, but as I grow I'll probably pick a style that fits me."
Kakashi-kun stopped speaking to look at him. Narrowing his eyes, Minato noticed a small bite mark in the apple. When had he…?
"With ninjutsu, I know a range of D and C class. Those are the only ones I can perform at the moment with my chakra capacity. All three of the academy techniques I can perform effortlessly, even with my chakra. Throwing kunai I do well at. Dodging kunai is not up to average, but most miss me because the throwers misjudge my height. My speed could use a lot of work as a result. Normally, I use my agility and flexibility to get by, and in comparison to others my age, my movements are a lot more controlled. Stealth and tracking are two areas I am very proficient in. But I think my knowledge of history, battles, strategies, and such; at least, book wise is better than most chunin."
With wide eyes, Minato just stared unblinking at Kakashi-kun for a moment. That was definitely a detailed analysis of his skills. Maybe he should just stick to testing the boy. Straightening himself out, he did his best to look down imposingly at Kakashi-kun.
"Alright. What are the five immediate causes of the First Great Shinobi war? Followed by two minor causes stemming from each of the great elemental nations."
Minato asked, deciding if he was going to test the boy's knowledge, he might as well do it thoroughly. Kakashi-kun sat straight, a challenging flare in his eyes.
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Jumping into a tree, Kakashi surveyed the forest, before dashing out of the tree to a lower hiding spot, careful to make very little noise. Landing on a tree trunk to avoid footprints, she carefully moved her way through the branches and leaves on the ground, sticking close to the base of the trees in an attempt to blend in. Finding a particularly gnarled group of tree roots, she climbed in between them crouching low beside the trunk of the tree. Sniffing, she could smell Minato-sensei coming towards her. Her senses otherwise couldn't detect him, and he was suppressing his chakra much like she was to avoid being noticed. Most likely, he hadn't taken into consideration her sensitive nose.
Gradually she moved her right hand close to her shuriken pouch around her knee. Her left hand was already clenching a kunai tightly. A few of the birds that had been chirping in the forest when they had thought she left silenced themselves again. He'd caught up to her then. Tilting her head up slowly, she made her breaths shallower. After a few moments of this, a familiar pair of pants was visible through the roots. She waited until the boots had turned opposite of her, before the she cautiously stepped away from the trunk, and threw the shuriken with her right using the distraction to get out of the roots. However, she had not expected her sensei to go poof with a cheeky smile at her. Realizing that was one of the clones he had used earlier, she jumped backward towards the trunk of a tree again. Her eyes flickered around the clearing but she failed to see anything, until the wind shifted and her nose caught a scent from behind her.
Twirling around, she raised her kunai in time to deflect the one that was being thrown at her. The kick being sent her way managed to graze her side as she tried to move out of the way. Tightening her lips, her hand grabbed another shuriken and threw it at the clone behind her, while she managed to dodge another kick. Grinning faintly, Minato-sensei began to throw more kicks and shuriken her way, causing her to retreat. Soon he had pushed her out of the forest clearing into a flat grassy area complete with stream. It was the stream that grabbed her attention the most, since she was two steps away from falling in. Glad her mask hid her expression she ground her teeth at her sensei. He was trying to get her to use chakra.
Forced by a glancing kunai, she jumped backwards onto the surface of the running water. It only gave a little at her initial landing, but was completely steady otherwise under her feet. Which was a good thing as she was once again charged by her sensei. As a kunai headed for her feet, she jumped flipping over to land on her hands before getting back on her feet. Giving her just enough time to see one of her sensei's annoying clones staring up at her from below the water's surface. She responded by throwing a kunai at the clone below the surface, and a shuriken at the man in front of her. Except that the man in front of her turned out to be a clone, and the one under the water was headed straight for her. Preparing to run and meet the figure she reached for another shuriken, only to have a hand reach out and firmly encircle her hand throwing her smashing into the water. Where she was grabbed by the clone underneath that was quick to set a kunai to her throat, and drag them to the surface of the water.
"Do you surrender?"
Grinding her teeth, she nodded.
"I surrender."
"Good. Though in a real battle I hope you understand the enemy would either kill you or interrogate you now."
Kakashi stared him in the eyes, before nodding.
"Hai, Sensei."
He just grinned brightly at her, making the hand signs to expel his clone. Resulting in her starting to fall in the water before she used her chakra to hold herself up. Firmly glaring at her sensei this time, he just smiled more laughing a little.
"Why don't you go back to the apartment? I got the seal working, so it should let you in. In the meantime I suggest changing, while I go report your results to Hokage-sama."
Still glowering, she nodded, shaking her head out wildly, much like her family summons. Not being able to hold it back anymore, he chuckled heartily. Disappearing before he could be hit by the shuriken she threw at him.
…………………………………………..
Minato struggled to get his face straight. Kakashi-kun had been too amusing though. He could tell the boy had a lot of pride, and the water might have been a bit much in denting it. If not for his appearance and name, Minato might have thought him an Inuzuka clan member the way he shook himself out like that. Sobering, he ran a hand through his hair. The boy had been good. Better than a genin.
"Namikaze-san. Hokage-sama will see you now."
Coming out of his thoughts, Minato frowned at the chunnin secretary for the Hokage. Why didn't younglings these days realize he wasn't old enough to be a san yet? Still frowning, he entered Sandaime's office, quickly coming to a halt in front of the desk.
"Minato-kun, don't glare at my secretaries just because you're upset I gave you a teaching assignment."
Grinding his teeth, Minato regarded Sandaime-sama coolly.
"If you don't want me to frown at them, you should never have given me a six year old roommate. Ouyaji."
Slumping back in his chair, Sandaime-sama just puffed his pipe at Minato.
"I am not reversing my orders. You had better be disturbing my time with something more important Minato-kun. "
Holding his ground, Minato kept his blank expression.
"That happens to be a matter of opinion Sandaime-sama. I think it very important that I don't have a six year old roommate; however that is not what I came to discuss. I just gave Kakashi-kun a skills evaluation."
Sandaime-sama observed him with interest.
"How did it go?"'
Minato regarded the ground with a sigh.
"Kakashi-kun has definitely shown me he earned his status as a chunnin. His technical knowledge is amazing, but I suppose Sakumo-san was responsible for teaching him much of that. The way he keeps his head in combat is much like that of someone with a lot of experience in the battlefield. Beforehand, he told me he had solid chakra control and detailed knowledge of stealth, but I was still amazed when I saw it for myself. I wasn't able to test his genjutsu, but he assured me it was his best skill at the moment. From what I gathered Kakashi-kun just needs to get older and he'll be a solid shinobi. This is where his taijutsu and ninjutsu come into play. One he doesn't have the chakra to learn yet and the other he needs height and muscle to work with."
Steeping his hands, Sandaime-sama stared blankly past Minato at the door.
"Hai…He is very exceptional for his age. The examiners had little choice but to promote him to chunnin. Everyone had thought we were crazy for letting a six year old take the test, there was no way a child could do damage on the field. My fellow Kages sneered at the 'bluff' Konoha was attempting to pull. No one was laughing when the tests were over."
Observing Sandaime-sama's eyes Minato thought he could glimpse the memory dancing there.
"In the exams he fought opponents over twice his age and three times his physical strength, and every time he managed to pull a win. Each time he would distract them long enough to determine their weak points, and then exploit them to his advantage. Kakashi-kun has the potential to be a very great strategist if his strengths are channeled in the correct manner. However, the present is our greatest worry, and the fact remains that Kakashi-kun is only six, and incapable of doing a great many things older chunnin can. Yet he is also capable of actions that cannot be performed by the older shinobi of Konoha."
Intently, Minato observed Sandaime-sama's gaze flicker into consciousness. Squaring his shoulders, Minato straightened out his relaxed stance. Something in Sandaime-sama's voice told him he was going to hear something he didn't want to. Inhaling deeply, his eyes met Sandaime-sama's resolute stare.
"And what exactly can Kakashi-kun do that others cannot?"
Silence met Minato's question, as Sandaime-sama puffed at his pipe. His eyes alert to Minato's slightest movement.
"You've only had a night to get to know your apprentice…Is that enough time for you to form any opinions of him yet? Besides not wanting to have him as roommate, that is."
Tightening his lips in a thin line, Minato scowled lightly with his eyes.
"Kakashi-kun, from what I've observed of his behavior so far, appears to be bright, 'determined', traditional and very proud. Of those four qualities…I only care for one of those traits, as I'm sure you are aware Sandaime-sama. However those are all behaviors possessed by children to some degree or other. There is one quality Kakashi-kun seems to possess that most his age do not…he is exceedingly independent. Not once has he asked for my help, and at times he has shown minimal irritation through fidgeting when he felt he had to wait for my reaction before acting. The fact that he stopped and waited for my insight, is not because of natural politeness, I think, but because of a deeply ingrained traditionalism that demands he receive his superior's approval before acting."
Sandaime-sama's lips thinned into a grimace.
"Hai, that is hardly surprising. Sakumo was very traditional himself, and I think he expected Kakashi-kun to follow the example he set. Kakashi-kun, in the times I've observed him, revered his Otou-san, and consequently feared doing anything that would make Sakumo think less of him. Hence his 'independence' as you named it."
"And you think it might be something else?"
Sandaime-sama exchanged an assessing stare with him.
"I did not ask for my opinion of Kakashi-kun, Minato-kun. I happen to already know it. What I did ask was for your assessment of Kakashi-kun, which you have not finished reporting to me. Hai, you've already said you think he is proud, obstinate, traditional and 'independent', but anyone could come to that conclusion from observing him for five minutes. After one day, I'd expect your jounin level observation skills to give you a better evaluation."
Minato watched Sandaime-sama smoke his pipe, following the trails of smoke waft through the air with his eyes.
"Personally I think Kakashi-kun is a precocious child, mentally years ahead his peers, almost an adult. Physically, he is on par with a nine year old, a very graceful nine year old. Emotionally, emotionally I cannot tell you where he is. He tries hard to keep his thoughts under wrap, but his actions tend to give away his feelings. Mostly he follows what his mind tells him, and he tries to push away any feelings he harbors. In that regard, I would guess Kakashi-kun's emotional level is on par with a fourteen year old, if he weren't six. The way the villagers treat him is not helping him deal with his emotions any better, and is only isolating him from learning to interact with others."
Sandaime-sama had gotten up during his report and walked over to the window watching the people below.
"Minato-kun…I am old, and tired. In order to be the Hokage, I've had to make sacrifices. Many, many sacrifices. My wife is much to forgiving for her own good. She always accepts my being away for Konoha, and understands the love I have for the people of Konoha. I wish I could say the same for my sons. Asuma is eight and Ichiro eleven. They barely know me at all, and the only insight I have on their lives is through my wife. That's why in a few years, I am hoping to train a new successor, so maybe I can salvage some bond with them."
"Hokage-sama-"
With his back still turned, Sandaime-sama raised a hand to quiet him.
"An analogy Minato-kun. My sons are important to me even if I barely know them, and I hope to get a chance to know them in the future. If it's not too late, and they can still accept me. Sadly, not all parents think the same as I do. Konoha's White Fang was one of those parents. Four days ago I talked with Kakashi-kun about his plans for Sakumo's funeral. I…I was worried if anyone would attend, and if they did how they would act, and how Kakashi-kun would take it if someone were to spit at Sakumo. When he told me had no plans to hold a funeral, and had already cremated Sakumo's remains I was relieved. It wasn't right, but I was so relieved to avoid any of the problem's that would have arisen.
I should have been more alarmed by Kakashi-kun's reaction. He was cold and apathetic about the whole affair. None of his actions were that of a child that lost his hero. Let alone his only parent. There weren't tears, glares or shouts about how unfair the world is. Just a small child staring at me with hardened eyes. My greatest fear is that Asuma and Ichiro will have the same reaction when I die if I continue to pay more attention to Konoha than to them. You called Kakashi-kun independent, I call him disconnected. He doesn't know how to interact with people. Especially those his own age. Sakumo always stressed seclusion from society rather than immersion. And now his son is completely lost of the ability to interact with others outside of the battlefield."
Sandaime-sama turned around to look at him. His shoulders slag and his eyes weary. Minato internally smacked himself for being such a nuisance to the Old Man, and causing him more problems than he already had. But a small part of Minato was yelling at him about the unfairness of the situation. He didn't want to be raising a kid at his age, especially one with emotional problems. For Kami's sake he had his own ambitions and problems that he had to focus on first. Why did he have to put them to the side for a kid? Fortunately, Minato's sense of responsibility outweighed his selfish thoughts.
"Ouyaji-Please tell me. What do you want me to do with Kakashi-kun? Why did you make him my student?"
Tilting his head off to the side, Sandaime-sama sighed regretfully.
"Minato-kun, for someone hailed as a genius, I don't understand why you can't grasp my reasoning. It really isn't that complicated."
Frowning, Minato tried to think of why Sandaime-sama wanted him to teach Kakashi-kun. He thought back to his conversation with Shikaku, and the merchant at the market.
"Is…is it because I am called a genius? You've always known how I felt about that word, Ouyaji. Genius is nothing but a label meant to separate people. Because of some baka sensei, I've had to spend years working even harder to win the respect of others. Especially people who have worked hard to earn their positions, and think I'm some cocky brat sidling to take their position without a sweat. We both know how hard I trained and sweated and bled to be where I am. You say Kakashi-kun is detached from others, but how old was he when he was first called a genius. How old was he when was first alienated by his peers?"
Really, why hadn't he thought that over more yesterday when Kakashi told him how others reacted around him? Because he had been too worried about how the villagers of Konoha treated him for Sakumo's action. Minato groaned internally. Hadn't he gone through the same shunning because he could think a little bit faster and deeper than his classmates? Because they had miss took his ability to accurately throw a kunai as natural genius, rather than hard work. When had Kakashi's classmates began to lock him out from their groups? He was only six!
"I am afraid I cannot quite answer that question Minato-kun. Kakashi-kun and I haven't had much chance to talk over the years. At least outside of a public setting. As his sensei, I think that's a question you're very much entitled to ask him. It will give you a way to bond with one another. My whole intention for making you Kakashi-kun's sensei is to get you to bond with him. Hai, you're right about you both receiving similar treatments for being dubbed geniuses being a part of my motive, but that is not the sole reason I made him your student. Jiraiya and I have been awed by your determination and your personality Minato-kun. You don't let people get you down because they're jealous or scared of you. You make friends with them. You let them become your precious people.
Kakashi-kun is not like you. He is very reserved and shy. Keeping him from easily making friends. With Sakumo dead, I don't think Kakashi-kun has a single precious person. You can't tell me in speaking with him, Minato-kun, that you didn't notice his attachment to following rules, traditions. If Kakashi-kun is allowed to keep on this path, he will literally become a tool in being, not just in philosophy. An efficient unfeeling killing tool. Which is why I put him under your tutelage. I want you to become a precious person to him, and I want you to teach him how to make friends. Give him a chance at a life."
Regarding Sandaime-sama in slight surprise, Minato blinked. That was not what he was expecting to hear. Minato recalled being sad after his parents died, but he had never felt truly alone. Mostly because he had had the children from his neighborhood to cheer him up, and many of the mothers were sympathetic to his situation. Even at the academy he had pestered people like Shi-chan until they became friends. Kakashi had been raised outside the immediate village grounds, away from any people. And from his behavior the other day, Minato saw where Sandaime-sama thought he was shy. The moment a person came into view Kakashi tried to make himself invisible. Talking only when talked to first.
Grimacing openly, Minato nodded at Sandaime-sama. He might not have known Kakashi that long, but there was no way he was letting the boy go by in life without a precious person. The bond between the shinobi and the villagers of Konoha is what made the village so different from other the other hidden villages. Minato knew a lot of shinobi in the other villages didn't believe in caring for one another, and that had always been his firm belief as to why they couldn't win the last two Great Shinobi Wars. Having someone to protect is what gave you the determination to never give up. Kakashi couldn't be allowed to miss out on that experience. The special quirk that defined a Konoha shinobi.
"Hai. You know I'll do what you ask Ouyaji."
A glimmer of a smile lifted Sandaime-sama's lips.
"I knew you would Minato-kun. Now for that mission you asked about."
Following Sandaime-sama to his desk, Minato schooled his features. His mind was buzzing as he considered how he was going to get Kakashi to open up. In a smaller portion of his mind, he wondered about what Sandaime-sama had failed to tell him. Minato recognized the signs of hesitation that indicated he wasn't being told the whole truth. What exactly was he not being told?
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
Walking at sedate pace, Kakashi took her time getting to the Western half of the village. The crowds were not to big yet, and the Western half of the village always tended to be less teeming with people. She was still disgruntled with Minato-sensei for getting her wet earlier that morning. Moving in wet clothes was irritating. It occurred to her when she got back to the apartment that she should have packed more clothes than she had. If today was any indication, she was going to be going through two sets a day. Mentally she noted to grab two more sets and a sewing kit if she went after her other weapons.
A light breeze drafted through the buildings making the air comfortably chill as the sun began to beat down. Her hair was drying quickly, trying to shed remnants of dampness. Scrunching her nose under her mask, she realized she was going to have to trim it again. Soon. For some annoyingly unfathomable reason, her hair grew rapidly. Some days she was fortunate, and only had to cut every other morning. Usually she trimmed it every day. Long hair irked her beyond sanity. Occasionally during missions, she was forced to let it get to shoulder length. It was promptly cut upon returning to the village. Personally, she never understood people with long hair.
Glancing around she noticed the buildings were beginning to lessen. Her shoulders relaxed some. Crowds made her tense, and she never felt she could relax in the city. The Western part of the village was as close to being in the forests outside of Konoha, as you could get within the gates that surrounded the village. A good few of the clans choose that reason to make their grounds there. The Naras most notably. Ironically observing the shadows on the ground, she estimated the time to be a half hour before midday. Minato-sensei had been gone for two hours. His meeting with Sandaime-sama couldn't be taking that long could it? Shrugging to herself, she decided to let it go. Musing, she wondered if maybe she should have left him a note though.
A whiney brought her attention a head of her to the sight of a horse lazily munching hay. His owner not far away, haggling his wares with another farmer. Getting nearer to them, she sidled off to the right and patted Chiri on the nose before continuing on her way. Both men eyed her, but otherwise ignored her and continued with their conversation. Looking intently at the ground, she walked past them without nodding a greeting. Her cheeks were warm, and she bit her tongue hoping it would stop sooner. She hated blushing and was thankful she always had her mask on so no one else could notice. People tended to make her blush, particularly if they paid a lot attention to her.
Waiting for the paved street to turn to dirt and gravel before she looked up, she listened to the chatter. Most people were well acquainted with one another here and were generally eager to share gossip. But unless you were a cheater, a thief or a liar they wouldn't shun you or treat you too badly. Reaching her destination, she looked up glancing around seeing Dinae-san's stand. The elderly man had his back turned to her, but his daughter caught sight of her and grinned. Walking over to them, Dinae-san turned around and gave her an evaluating stare. Kakashi hadn't been to the stand for over a week. Halting in front of the stand, she took a deep breath.
"Morning Dinae-san."
Chewing on his tobacco, he nodded at her gruffly.
"Seems closer to afternoon to me, Kakashi-chan. How you doing?"
Glancing from his stern gaze to the sky, she nodded.
"Then afternoon Dinae-san. I hope it's a good one for you. Do you have any dried fruit or meat?"
Behind Dinae-san, his daughter rolled her eyes. He snorted while grinning wryly.
"I suppose I might if my favorite little lad-"
"There you are!"
A huffing voice said behind her, gaining the attention of the three of them. Minato-sensei appeared to be annoyed. With her she supposed. Guess I should have written that note. She jerked her head in surprise when Dinae-san's hand rested on her left shoulder.
"Is something wrong, shinobi-san?"
Minato-sensei started in surprise at Dinae-san speaking. He stared confusedly at Dinae-san for a few moments. Kakashi couldn't see Dinae-san, but she supposed he was worried. Dinae-san never took well to strangers. Especially if they were shinobi. She didn't quite know why though.
"Minato-sensei, I forgot to write you a note. I'm sorry. You weren't back from talking to Hokage-sama."
Glancing down at her quickly, his hand went to rub his head.
"Sorry. I hadn't thought the meeting would go that long. When I got back to the apartment you weren't there, and…well, I wondered where you were and went to look for you. So, um, what are you doing?"
Tilting her head to the side, Kakashi stared at her sensei in bewilderment. Couldn't he have just looked for her chakra and shushined over to her? Kakashi felt Dinae-san pull his hand from her shoulder.
"Inquiring about dried fruit and meat. Do you want the same as usual or something different this time?"
Turning around, she looked up at Dinae-san. His eyes moved from Minato-sensei to his stores.
"Oh. Is that what you're doing? Guess you were reading my mind."
Frowning in puzzlement, Kakashi turned her head to Minato-sensei. He was wearing a cheesy grin.
"Sensei?"
"Hokage-sama gave us a mission. Outside the village."
Straightening her back and squaring her shoulders, she nodded. Finally a mission. A thud to her right brought her attention back to Dinae-san who had laid out three small pouches of rations.
"Will you be wanting double then?"
Dinae-san said with a frown at the pouches, before his eyes roamed over to her and then sensei. She glanced questioningly at Minato-sensei. His gaze was focused on Dinae-san.
"Afternoon…?"
"Dinae Ihare, Minato-san?"
"Sorry. Namikaze Minato. But Minato-san is fine."
Dinae-san's eyes widened a bit and he appeared to evaluate Minato-sensei again. His daughter gasped turning slightly pink before she turned to measure out some more fruit.
"Oh, and you're Kakashi's sensei? I wasn't aware Kakashi had been assigned to a new team."
Staring at Dinae-san, Kakashi blinked a few times. Why was he leaving off her honorific? But she supposed she was glad. Minato-sensei still didn't know she was a girl.
"No Dinae-san. Namikaze-san is my new sensei, but Hokage-sama assigned me as his apprentice, so I don't have any team members."
Rough, amused eyed twinkled down at her.
"Ah, is that so. That's really well done, getting an apprenticeship when you haven't been a chunnin for more than a year yet."
Nodding at his words, Kakashi could feel her cheeks burning a horrible shade of pink. She hated when this happened. Thankfully, Minato-sensei distracted Dinae-san from staring at her any longer.
"So what is the 'usual'?"
"Two pouches with a mixture of dried berries, dried vegetables and some hardened breads. The second pouch is full of dried venison and pork."
Minato-sensei glanced briefly at her, before turning his attention to Dinae-san.
"I think three times the usual, plus an extra pouch of fruit will last the mission."
Her fingers twitched a bit itching to find out their mission. It had been to long since she last left the village, and the last had been even more stifling than usual. As Dinae-san added seven more pouches to the stack, Kakashi reached for her wallet. Minato-sensei, however, laid a hand over her arm, stopping her.
"How much Dinae-san?"
Looking between them, Dinae-san grunted satisfied after a moment.
"Twenty-seven ryo."
Minato-sensei grabbed his wallet and pulled out several ryo notes which he handed over to Dinae-san. Dinae-san frowned looking at the notes as Minato-sensei tossed her a few pouches to carry, taking the rest himself. With a wave he turned to leave, motioning her to follow.
"Pleasure to meet you, Dinae-san. Hope to do business with you again soon! Let's go Kakashi-kun, I want to grab some lunch."
Kakashi watched her cheery sensei walk a few steps, before turning to bow lightly to a perplexed Dinae-san and his daughter. She shrugged a tiny bit when his daughter was about to say something.
"Thank you Dinae-san."
An amused grunt followed her quick departure, and she thought she could hear him arguing with his daughter. Sensei was waiting for her a little up the road. Kakashi ran to catch up with him. They walked a few steps before Minato-sensei began to talk to her again.
"They were pleasant. I can see why you prefer to come here instead of the other markets. Dinae-san even offered a really good deal on the dried provisions."
Eying him skeptically, Kakashi shook her head.
"Dinae-san is always nice. But, Minato-sensei, you know you got taken right?"
He returned her doubtful gaze with a disbelieving expression.
"What? I don't think so. Normally it is a lot more for this number of provisions."
Sighing disappointedly at him, she watched the buildings get nearer.
"Dinae-san never charges me more than two ryo a pouch."
Walking another five steps, Kakashi realized she didn't hear Minato-sensei following her any longer. Turning around, she saw him standing dead in his tracks with a horrified expression. After several moments, he seemed to shake off whatever had him in a trance.
"Sensei…?"
He stared down at her stonily.
"You are doing all the bargaining from now on."
Omake
Petition to Cancel Living Arrangements #1
Ouyaji, I tried, but I cannot live with anyone who does not like ramen. It happens to be the only thing I know how to cook. Kakashi-kun will starve to death unless you move him elsewhere.
P.S. - Ramen will not make me fat.
Petition to Cancel Living Arrangements #2
Dear Sandaime-sama,
I do not think I can continue to live with Namikaze-san. He seems to like this dish called ramen, and did not take it well when I told him I do not care for junk food. I am sorry, but I do not think it in my best interests to live with someone who risks their physical conditioning because of junk food. Namikaze-san is fully informed of my doubts on the benefits of eating ramen.
Author's Note:
Day two of living together and already being assigned a mission. Wonder what it is… And somebody knows that Kakashi is a girl! And what is Sandaime hiding from Minato?
After this chapter, I'll begin having time skips to move things along. These first chapters were just to set things up.
In answer to BlackPANDA, I'm sorry if it gets confusing when I switch between referring to Kakashi as a 'she' and 'he'. I don't think it will make it any easier if I just use 'she/he', so the only thing I can say is for the moment when 'she' is being used its Kakashi's POV. When 'he' is being used it is someone else's' POV or some else is talking. It will continue to be this way until more people learn about Kakashi's gender. Sorry for the confusion though.
Thanks for Reading,
False Sourires