AN: Thanks to all those reading this :) I hope you like this chapter it building up to some trialling times for poor Kakashi.

Rosebunse: hmm I hadn't considered using Yamato in this story... but maybe I should do a scene in the sand village

Hatake Kazumi: ahaha I totally didn't realise it was Kashi's birthday! :) hehe I think I enjoyed it too much too! If us fangirl perverts unite that makes it OK right...?

Chapter 4

Kakashi spent his final evening of freedom helping Gai out of the hospital and to his home. Sakura, Sai, Lee and Ten Ten also came and they had a sought of mini celebration at Kakashi's recovery and Gai being in his old home again. Having almost destroyed his body beyond repair, Gai was still too weak to do much, but he was at least well enough to rest at home now.

Ten Ten had brought some beers and they all raised their bottle to "youth". Kakashi vaguely thought that there was no point drinking to anyone's good health anymore, not when their new roles and lives were so uncertain and depended on the whim their new ruler.

The missing presence of Neji and Naruto also hung over the group as they forced themselves to smile at one another. Kakashi was grateful for his mask.

Kakashi continued to dress in his jonin uniform as he always had. This was the morning he had dreaded. At least the familiar formal comfort of his uniform was another psychological barrier he could use to distance himself from Sasuke.

As he entered Hokage's office he saw Sasuke sat lazily with his feet on the desk. He had a smug look on his face that Kakashi would have loved to punch right off. But he didn't think his new work would be off to a good start if he allowed his emotions to get the better of him.

Kakashi stood in front of the desk, as he done so many times before, with his arms folded and eyebrows raised impatiently. Yet before he had always at least liked and respected the person on the other side of it; something he could no longer say about his ex-student.

Kakashi said nothing, didn't even clear his throat. He just waited for the boy to bark his orders. There is no way Kakashi would give him the pleasure of bowing or addressing him as a superior. Sasuke smirked from behind the desk, enjoying how "cool" Kakashi was trying to be. Sasuke knew the man was dying to put him out of his misery, but wasn't stupid enough to start a fight he could not win.

"Kakashi," Sasuke eventually acknowledged.

Kakashi said nothing, just watched him with a stone face, giving nothing away.

"I see you have recovered nicely."

Again he was greeted with that stoney silence.

"I'm glad. I suppose I had better find something for you to do then."

Kakashi frowned a little; Sasuke didn't actually have something in mind already? Why the hell was he here then? What was his "job"? Kakashi had assumed he would be Sasuke's body guard (not that a man who wanted you dead would make a good one) or his assistant at least.

Sasuke laughed at Kakashi's confusion.

"Let me give you a run through of my team: Jugo and Suigetsu are my Advisors, not that I really need any, and Karin is my Assistant; though admittedly an annoying one. I have Overseers in each of the other main villages and some over areas of smaller ones. They are all loyal to me- except maybe Orochimaru and Kabuto, but I know how to handle them.

You are not trusted to be a member of my staff. You are too loyal to those other idiots before me-"

"Do not speak ill of the dead."

It was the first time Kakashi had spoken since entering the office and it was a cold warning. Kakashi accepted that Sasuke was in charge now, but he would not let the boy spit on the graves of his friend, of good men and women who had given their lives to protect the village.

"Hmm, touchy aren't you? It seems I will need to tame you."

The retort "for what?" almost came out of Kakashi's lips. Almost. He really didn't want to know in all honesty and he certainly wouldn't give Sasuke an excuse to continue showing his old sensei what a bastard he could be. Kakashi kept his face unresponsive so Sasuke wouldn't have satisfaction from this conversation. He could fuck with the minds of other shinobi, but not Kakashi.

Sasuke watched him, waiting for something. Whatever it was he didn't get it so Sasuke stood and set him to work.

"Clean out the shit from this office. I want all traces of her gone. This is a new era, and nothing from the old one must remain here." He threw Kakashi a bin bag and wandered out. He didn't say where he was going but he could hear him saying something to Karin outside. Kakashi was relieved he could relax a little out of the Uchiha's presence. He got to work.

Kakashi spent a good hour clearing away anything that had belonged to Tsunade. Most of it was just paperwork, stationery she favoured. Some trinkets and cards from the years she had sat here. But Kakashi soon found something hidden that made his heart wrench.

A secret sake set and pack of cards were hidden behind some dusty volumes of books on a shelf. The very cups and cards he had used for one of the "urgent meetings" Tsunade had called him for, when she had given Shizune specific instructions not to interrupt them. Jiraiya had also attended many of these meeting with them. Some of Kakashi's fondest memories lay with this sake set and cards...

Kakashi felt a pain in his chest and screwed his eyes shut. He wouldn't cry here of all places, not with Sasuke and his minions nearby. He wouldn't ever let Sasuke see him cry.

"Oh no, sensei," a mocking voice came from behind him. "Are you upset?" Kakashi whipped around caught Sasuke watching him. He could have slapped himself for not hearing the Uchiha approach. He had been so caught up in the past. He wondered how long he had been stood staring at the treasured items. Damn. He had really wanted to sneak them out and keep them. Something to remember the old coots by.

Kakashi narrowed his eyes at Sasuke, full of hate. Hate for the boy who had done this, who had killed their Hokage, his friend. He would never hear that drunken slur again, never hear the fond call of "Oi brat."

"Hmm, you're looking tense there Kakashi," Sasuke continued as he took a step closer. "Maybe I can make it better?"

Kakashi had finally seen it- he wasn't imagining things. There was a definite leer on Sasuke's face. Kakashi mustered up the hardest glare he could and took a step back. He wanted nothing more than to spit on the young ruler. What kind of sick enjoyment was he getting from Kakashi's pain? It was bad enough he had murdered his friends and loved ones. Yet he wanted to gloat, to rub his power in their faces.

Sasuke took another step toward him. "I think that's far enough. Let me get back to my so-called work. Don't you have anything better to do? I had expected Hokages to actually be busy."

"For you I always have time," his voice was like silk. He had certainly spent enough time around Orochimaru. Sasuke's eyes were intense as they looked- well, everywhere. Sasuke looked Kakashi up and down. It unnerved the older man, but he wouldn't let Sasuke know that. "Seeing you here brings back memories from long ago." He reached out and trailed one finger up Kakashi's arm. "Remember when we schemed to see what was behind your mask? Maybe it is time I found out."

As Sasuke's finger ran up Kakashi's face the older jonin grabbed the wrist to stop it.

"That's far enough. I am not your pet."

"Oh but you are; and so much more."

The two stood staring at each other, a battle of wills. There was no way in hell Kakashi would let this teenager play with him. He had dealt with enough shit from him already. No one touched Kakashi's mask. No one.

Just as Sasuke's finger twitched again, Karin came bursting through the door screaming "Saaaauske!" She froze at the scene before her and her eyes narrowed vehemently on Kakashi. Sasuke took his hand back.

"Well? What is it?"

"It's ah-" her eyes flicked back to Kakashi, quite obviously not wanting him to hear whatever it was. "It's erm you-know-who. He wants you to send her now."

Kakashi's ears perked. Just what were they up to this time? What misery were they about to cause the unknown "her"? If it was Sakura, Kakashi had already made up his mind; he would try to kill Sasuke.

Sasuke huffed. "Not this again. Tell him, I'll think about it later. We have no need for her skills now the chunin exams have been disbanded. No more kids being forced to kill now I'm in charge. Yet I am loathe to give him what he wants so easily."

Kakashi tensed. Anko. He was considering sending Anko away. The blood left Kakashi's face. He would bet money where she was being sent and he didn't want his friend to have to face her past demons again.

"Now that's settled get out." Sasuke turned back to Kakashi.

"Erm..."

"What?" Sasuke was exasperated. Kakashi was actually glad he wasn't his assistant. He would not have been patient enough to deal with the boy's mood swings.

"It's just that... there are some other additional demands from before. Oroch-"

So it was Orochimaru who was requesting Anko's presence. Kakashi almost shuddered. A bang on the Hokage desk as Sasuke slammed his hand down made the red haired girl jump.

"Do I have to do everything around here?"

The girl almost whimpered and Kakashi had to stop himself from laughing. Sasuke may have been able to beat him to a pulp but at least he didn't look that pathetic.

Sasuke seemed to be able to read his thoughts. He gave Kakashi a look that seemed to say "just you wait..."

The Uchiha Hokage sighed. "Fine. I will come. Kakashi, you're dismissed for now. Throw that crap away and get out."

Kakashi didn't need telling twice. He was more than happy to leave this place. He grabbed the bin bag and jumped through the window of the Hokage's office. When he was out of sight he took the sake set and cards out the bag, unable to bring himself to throw them away, and headed home.