AN: I'm back yay! Thank you to the reviewers and to patient readers. I also just want to remind you about that this is an M rated story and Kakashi isn't likely to be safe forever… so if you don't like dark themes proceed with caution! But this chapter is tame so don't worry, nothing to worry about in this one.

My Soul is Sparton: Your words mean a lot thank you. I am glad you think my work is consistently good. Not all my fics are for everyone, but I am happy to find someone who likes all my stories.

Guest: Thank you, I shall! Hope you also had a great new year.

Tibbet63: Thank you I shall continue writing! I am really happy that you like my take on Minato… he isn't heartless, but his heart is beating a bit too strongly for someone that doesn't return his feelings. He is a bit deluded… not that it condones when he crazy a few chapters previously! I am hoping to bring Minato back in at some point I haven't thought about Gai, but use him in most of my other stories… I did bring Tenzo in as that sort of character though.

Makigu: Thank you, the development between Kakashi and Obito, and Kakashi and Itachi is actually the thing I am enjoying most about writing at the moment. Yes, you are correct, he did smell him! But so slyly only Kakashi and Obito noticed… creepy Uchiha fun!

Ohmygodwhat: Thank you so much for your comments. I completely agree that they got the short stick. That is why in my stories they get a bit of limelight and I try to give them some development. Sakura is a very strong character in my other fic, The New World. That was so interesting your comments about gay relationships in ancient societies. It is partly what inspired me to write this. Because yes, in some cultures they thought men so above women that men should want men too, just for the pleasure while women were taken partly for child bearing. It is so interesting. If you have any suggested online reading about that would help with my writing please let me know

Chapter 11

For the rest of the day, as Kakashi was worked to the bone on menial chores he felt beneath him, Kakashi couldn't stop thinking about Obito's story that Sakura told him. Was he really so lonely? He hardly ever gave away his own sadness if so, and generally acted cheery, clumsy and playful. Kakashi wished he could be the same, and really admired Obito's spirit.

He also kept wondering what Rin was like. Kakashi knew who she was as he had been an ally of the Senju clan, but he couldn't recall ever meeting her. Surely she couldn't have been well-known for her beauty or Kakashi would know of it. A beautiful heir always became famous in their world, with warriors competing for her hand. That is also why Kakashi feared Fugaku offering his virginity out to the highest bidder; he wasn't a girl so he found it humiliating. Maybe that was why Fugaku was doing this to him. Once again Kakashi found himself resenting his own appearance. He wished he looked more gruff and masculine like others. Then maybe people would leave him alone.

Yet he couldn't deny that brief moment of disappointment when he thought Obito hadn't been raptured with his face. But why? Why should he care what Obito thinks, he didn't give a shit about anyone else? It's not like he had even known him that long. Kakashi groaned. The hard work didn't seem to be preventing him from becoming absorbed in his thoughts.

Huh. Then another thought occurred to him: was he thinking about Obito a bit too much recently? Well it was only because Obito was the only Uchiha who was kind to him, nothing more than that… and he just wanted to ensure that his only ally stayed fond of him. But he couldn't deny that whenever he was around the older man he felt warm and safe. And he enjoyed talking to him. Which was a big deal for Kakashi who rarely enjoyed the company of others. He had often locked himself away from others training and studying. And for what? The bitter voice nagged him in his head. So you could dedicate your life to being a mere servant? A whore? And to your father's enemies no less. You should be planning an escape, not playing the good little errand boy. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Kakashi had been running back and forth been the stores and the kitchen all day. He was tired- really tired. Clearly he had underestimated the labours of a servant, and he felt a pang of guilt for how indifferently he had always treated his own back home… his servants who were now working for Minato. Thinking of the blond living in his home, eating his food, commanding his men still made his blood boil. The fact he was in his father's rooms and using his father's possessions made it all the worse.

Before his mood could turn too sour though, Sakura found him and asked for his help tending some herbs in the gardens. They fell into a comfortable rhythm together, watering, checking and snipping. The girl explained what each one was and its uses. She really was quite knowledgeable.

"And it isn't just herbs we plant," the girl enthused, lecturing the older teen. "Even everyday trees have their use. Take this bark over here, it is the bark of a mallotus tree, which can sooth upset stomachs. And over here-" Halfway through an explanation she gasped and dropped to her knees with a furious blush on her cheeks. "Uchiha-sama."

Kakashi wasn't quite sure if he had misread her, but it seemed like the girl was almost giddy with a sudden happiness as she dropped to the floor. Kakashi felt the presence behind him and followed Sakura's example after spinning to face whatever master had appeared. Kakashi wished it would be Obito.

"I really don't see what all the fuss is about," came the snide comment of the youngest of Fugaku's heirs. He had the same raven hair and pale skin as his family, but strands fell around his face and the back spiked. He was rather handsome and seemed like he knew it as he paid Sakura no heed. He also had a scowl fixed in place, as if it belonged there. "You're just another pretty face. There are plenty more out there."

Kakashi said nothing. He wouldn't rise to the bait. After this morning he wanted to avoid trouble with this family. His bruises from Zabuza served a painful reminder of what could happen if he disobeyed. Besides, once they got used to him here and weren't always watching him, maybe he could escape. It would be foolish to try right now but once things calmed down…

"And you're obviously not as smart as they say or you wouldn't have been tricked by Namakaze so easily," the boy continued. Kakashi tried to shut it out.

Arrogant brat, Kakashi thought. He knew people had said the same about him, but surely Sasuke was on a whole other level? But what was the point to the young heir seeking him out just to insult him- not that he needed an ulterior motive to treating his prisoner like dirt- but it seemed so unprecedented.

"Well?" Sasuke demanded. "Don't have anything to say in your defence?"

Kakashi managed stop his impatient sigh. "No."

"Huh. A coward too. I really don't see what it is about you that has people's attention. You're really nothing special after all."

"Duly noted," Kakashi said sarcastically, unable to contain it any longer.

The young Uchiha of fifteen merely smirked. "Good. You know your place then."

"Your father made that perfectly clear."

"Not clear enough it seems," Sasuke narrowed his eyes and knelt to lean in close to Kakashi's ear. He whispered, "If you do anything, anything, to hurt my brother, I will make you regret it."

Kakashi was genuinely in shock. Where the fuck had this come from? "What?"

"You heard me." And with that he turned his back to them. "Sakura- I will see you later."

Kakashi was momentarily distracted from his own threat. Oh my gosh- she is actually smiling! Kakashi realised in shock. If he had been told that by Sasuke he would be having another reaction entirely. That snide brat had the opposite effect on him.

Yet that he clearly had been seeking him out originally, not Sakura… just what on earth was all that about? Had he really tracked him down to insult him and give him that vague warning? And why would he make such a threat? Kakashi hadn't done anything to hurt Itachi! In fact, Itachi and his twisted family were hurting him, not the other way around! All that business this morning making Kakashi pour for him with injured hands. Itachi knew he had been in pain and was treating him badly if anything. He was the one in a position of power, Kakashi was the vulnerable one. How was Sasuke blind to this?

Kakashi vowed to keep away from the two heirs as much as possible from now on. Not that he had been enjoying their company up until now. Obito really was the rare exception when it came to Uchihas.

Sakura rose and continued collecting strips of bark, only now she had a silly grin on her face.

Kakashi couldn't hold in a sigh looking at her. How could such a smart girl be so head over heels for this sullen teen? Although admittedly he was an attractive, rich youngest son of a great clan. He had that whole brooding prince thing going on. Sakura was still a teenage girl herself after all, and it isn't like young serving girls had much else to occupy their minds than fawning over a handsome master. He had seen it before. Minato had always been extremely popular with the girls. Not that he had really indulged much himself. And his father Sakumo had always refused other women after his mother's death, which all the other men had criticised him for.

Sakura finally calmed and looked at Kakashi who was once again lost in thought. "Don't worry about Sasuke, he is just looking out for his brother. He is very caring and protective of him, you see."

"You don't say…"

"Oh don't be like that. It is quite sweet really, isn't it? He is so cool and stern most of the time, but he has a big heart when it comes to his big brother. He really looks up to Itachi-sama."

"And you seem to really look up to Sasuke-sama."

"Oh, I don't know what you mean…" she giggled and then pouted. "Oh, OK I have a erm, soft spot for Sasuke-sama. He is the most handsome Uchiha though, isn't he?"

"I wouldn't say that…" Kakashi couldn't help but think of Obito- again! What was wrong with him?!

"He is!"

"He really isn't my type."

"Well, you're a man so you wouldn't understand these things."

"If you say so." But Kakashi wasn't so sure.