hey guys, hope you liked the last little extra thing i wrote for you. here's the new chapter! please enjoy :)

another age update:
Minato & Kushina: 24 (and married! yaaayyy!)
Ayame: 55
Ryuu: …. 8/9/10?
Tsunade/Jiraiya/Orochimaru: 42
Nawaki: 37
Hiruzen Sarutobi: 68
Danzo: 71
Ino-Shika-Cho: 27ish
Shisui: 9
Itachi: 4
Sakiko Uchiha: 61

PART THREE: KANNABI BRIDGE

Chapter 12

"Should we…I mean, do we tell the Hokage?" Rin asked nervously as they were approaching Konoha's gates.

The boys stopped and turned to her, their faces all different mixtures of serious. Kakashi's expression was sorrowful, and it made her heart tighten. She could only imagine how he felt. Meeting Sakura's daughter was an interesting experience, and she was not what Kakashi had expected, but she was still an ally and parts of her were very much like his old student. But now he was faced with the revelation that her son was the one who threatened them all, and she could see it was tearing him up inside. From the little Rin knew of Sakura, she understood that this was something that would have broken her heart.

Obito had been in deep thought for the entire trip home, and Rin was worried about him. The meeting with Ryuu was only half of her concern, however. There was something more, a sense that he was beginning to drift away from them. She'd seen the stark, emotionless and cold way he had looked at the Iwa-nin, and the expressionless eyes. Rin knew that this mission was going to be hard for him, for all of them, but she hadn't expected to feel like she was losing part of him afterward.

Minato-sensei had cold anger and sharp focus around him that frightened her, though she'd never admit it. He was so kind and considerate that sometimes she forgot that he was one of the most lethal shinobi in the world. They hadn't needed to face too much of his criticism or admonishments this time around, and so she felt more sensitive to his darker moods more than ever before, especially since they were so rare.

"Yes."

Minato's response was short and left no room for argument. Kakashi and Obito exchanged uneasy glances and remained quiet. Rin gnawed on her lip.

"This is… it's not what I expected," she said to them. She glanced at Obito. "Do you know anything about him… about Ryuu?"

He shook his head.

"I'll bet my eye that his existence has been part of a cover-up," Obito answered, shaking his head.

"Please don't bet your eyes on anything," Rin said in a strained voice.

Obito gave her a half-smile. She glanced at Kakashi, who was staring at nothing and lost in his thoughts.

"Kakashi?" Rin reached out a hand to him, but let it fall before it touched him.

She saw him refocus and give a fake smile.

"Let's just debrief the Hokage on what happened," he said. "Our missions were important."

She nodded slowly, and Minato led them towards the village. She walked beside Obito, behind Kakashi and Minato, and slipped her hand into his, squeezing it. He looked at her in surprise, and she gave a teary smile.

"You're here," she whispered.

His face softened and he squeezed her hand back.

"Always."

They didn't let go until they reached the village gates.

Word of their successful missions had already reached Konoha and quickly spread throughout the village, evidenced by the stares of appreciation, admiration, and awe that Team Minato received as they made their way through the village towards Hokage Tower. Kakashi ignored them, unable to focus on anything but the pit of emotion in his stomach. Sakura's son…

Save him, or save everyone else.

His mind went over that foreboding sentence that had been in the last of the journals Ayame had presented to him. He knew that whoever she'd been writing about was important and close to her, but he never imagined it to be her own son. He felt a pang of pain and anger that he wasn't there for her, that he couldn't have been sent back in time to aid her, to stop whatever happened that made her son turn. Kakashi's mind flittered between Sakura and Ayame. The longer they had been in this new past and the more he got to know Sakura's daughter, the more intriguing she became. There were parts of Sakura he saw in her, but Ayame was not like her. In fact, Kakashi saw more of Madara in her. There was a coldness in Ayame that Sakura didn't possess, and Kakashi couldn't blame her for it.

The world Sakura grew up in was vastly different from what Ayame did. Sakura's generation was special. They grew up in a time of peace and became a force for change in the world based on their idyllic childhood ideals of what the world was and should be. Ayame grew up in war, just like he had. On that level, he understood her. But there was a lot more to Ayame and Sakura's past than he knew, including what happened to both of her brothers. There was only one passage in Sakura's journals that pertained to her eldest son. He had read it so many times he could recall it with perfect clarity even though the writing was smudged and the page was stained with tears.

I think you might be the only person in the world who understands what it's like to feel as though everything you are is a failure. I'm sorry to say that, but I can't… Kakashi, I feel as though the end of the world has come and I couldn't do anything to stop it….Kakashi…It's Izara…my Izara…my sweet, beautiful boy….he's gone. Dead. We're in the midst of a war and I can't even think about anyone else. My son has died….If I was a better medic… If only I was someone like Naruto who can overcome anything… I've always been lacking, lacking as a shinobi, as a medic, a lover. I couldn't save Itachi, and now I've failed again as a mother….

It was the only passage in which she mentioned any of her children by name. She rarely wrote about them, protecting them, Kakashi guessed. Reading it broke his heart, and after that, the entries became lesser and more evasive. Like she couldn't or wouldn't record some things. He desperately wanted to ask Ayame about her, or anyone that was her friend, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't find someone willing to speak about her more than the basic 'she was a great medic and leader in the village, kind and compassionate, beautiful and intelligent, strong and terrifying. Someone to admire.' There was no denying that there was some kind of damn gag order on Sakura, Madara and her family and it frustrated him to no end.

They reached Hokage Tower and seeing the look on Minato's face made many open mouths close and everyone moved out of their way. This was a side of Minato rarely seen, maybe a side that had never been seen before. Even Kakashi couldn't remember a time where he'd seen his sensei in a cold rage like this, and he didn't know exactly what it was he was so furious about.

The Hokage called them into his office and his greeting was cut short when he saw the look on Minato's face. Rin glanced at their sensei nervously and edged closer to Obito. The Hokage signaled for everyone, including ANBU to leave the room and when they were alone, he activated the privacy seals.

"What happened?" He asked seriously.

"Both missions were successful," Obito reported quickly.

There was visible relief on the Hokage's face but his eyes didn't leave Minato.

"I expect you received a report from Hamaki," Minato said tightly.

"Not yet," the Hokage replied.

Minato swallowed.

"The threat was removed."

Kakashi glanced at Minato, curious that he didn't report exactly what had happened. It wasn't as if they didn't know what his mission had been.

"So what is it that you need to discuss?"

"Ryuu Uchiha."

Minato said his name quietly and the Hokage stilled for a moment and then closed his eyes, looking tired.

"I expect he revealed himself to you then?"

The Hokage leaned back in his chair slightly and gave a small sigh.

"How unexpected and troublesome," he murmured.

Minato's anger was rolling off him in waves.

"Calm yourself, Minato," the Hokage ordered sharply, opening his eyes and giving him a hard look. "Tell me what happened."

Obito stepped forward.

"I thought I felt something watching us when we rescued Rin," he started.

Kakashi looked at him in surprise, as did Rin. Minato seemed to be listening, but attempting to reign in his emotions at the same time.

"Rescued Rin?" The Hokage glanced at her.

She flushed.

"After we parted with Minato-sensei on the way to the bridge I was captured by Iwa-nin and placed under a genjutsu. They attempted to extract the mission details from me. I didn't give them anything," she said in a strong voice.

"They're all dead now anyway," Kakashi added.

The Hokage took a deep breath.

"I expect this will all be in the report," he said. "And you will have your mind cleared by the Yamanaka," he said pointedly at Rin.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

She bowed her head, acquiescing to his demand and he turned his gaze back to Obito.

"Continue, Obito."

Obito glanced at Minato, who was kept quiet, staring at the Hokage with a blank face.

"I felt something, but I didn't know what it was. It was just fleeting feeling, and I dismissed it. But then after we fought the squad of Iwa-nin I felt it again, and it was him."

"What did he look like?"

"He looked like Madara," Kakashi replied, clenching his jaw. "And like Ayame."

The Hokage didn't react to that.

"How old was he?"

Kakashi narrowed his eyes. The Hokage obviously knew a lot more about this than he was letting on, by the small twitch in Minato's hand, Kakashi assumed Minato was thinking the same thing as him.

"He looked about nine," Rin replied quietly.

"What did he say?"

"He told us that he was Ayame's brother. He seems to have some kind of plan he wanted to carry out, but said doesn't have a grudge against the Leaf itself," Obito said.

"We asked him what he wanted and why he was talking to us, and he said that it was self-satisfaction and making sure Ayame didn't have secrets," Rin added.

The Hokage looked back to Minato and then closed his eyes thoughtfully.

"Lord Hokage," Minato's voice was tight and controlled. "It's time to explain what you know about Ryuu and Ayame Uchiha. We are all aware that for whatever reason, we are also involved in whatever is happening."

The Hokage was silent for a moment and then he stood and walked the short distance to his window, looking out at the Hokage Monument with his hands behind his back.

"You may be surprised, but even I am not aware of the full circumstances behind Ryuu and Ayame Uchiha. The only person who knows the full truth is Ayame herself, and she does not seem inclined to share."

His shoulders rose and fell with his breath.

"Ryuu Uchiha is the youngest child of Madara Uchiha and Sakura Nara, and the twin brother of Ayame. They have always been exceptional shinobi. I recall Lord Second complaining about Madara and Sakura, fondly mind you, that of course, two monsters like them would have children who were prodigies before they could walk."

Kakashi, Obito, and Rin all shared wide-eyed glances at each other.

"The two of them were inseparable. Perhaps you can't see it now, but Ayame used to be just like her mother when she was young, as did Ryuu. They were incredibly intelligent and seemed aloof to strangers, but when you spoke to them, they proved to be warm, happy and kind children. Likely due to their brother's influence."

"What happened to him?" Kakashi asked quietly and desperately curious.

The Hokage turned back to them.

"He was born with underdeveloped organs and was therefore ill his entire life, unable to be cured due to various complications. Lady Sakura almost killed herself looking for an answer. He was very smart and the three of them adored each other." He let out a heavy sigh. "I couldn't say for sure, but I think things started to go wrong from when Izara died. Neither Ryuu or Ayame was the same after he was gone, but no one noticed for a long time since Lord First had died only a few months earlier and we were a village at war."

The Hokage sat back in his chair.

"Before his untimely death, Lord Second and Lady Sakura passed on a mission to Ayame that she has carried for more than three-quarters of her life. I do not know the exact details, and since it is a mission from the Second Hokage, I cannot overrule it. But I expect that it is to put an end to her brother."

"Why is she so secretive?" Minato asked with frustration, running his hand through his hair.

The Hokage rested his gaze on Minato for a time before he took his pipe from its holder on his desk and lit it.

"That is simple," the Hokage replied. "Ayame Uchiha does not want to burden anyone else with what she believes is her own duty and fault. She may be a difficult person to handle, however, everything she does is in an effort to protect the Leaf. But do not mistake me, Ayame's priority is the Leaf and not to serve the Hokage."

"What do you mean?" Minato asked.

He gave a tight smile.

"She is the most insubordinate of all my shinobi, she carries out her own will more times than not, and if she believed that I was corrupt, undeserving, or doing wrong by the village, she would not hesitate to kill me."

Kakashi swallowed.

"Then how can you trust her?" Minato questioned. "She withholds intel, she is combative and you have just admitted that she would kill you without a second thought."

The Hokage gave a tight smile.

"One day, perhaps, you might understand why that is the very reason I do trust her."

Minato looked exasperated and angry.

"What about Ryuu," Obito interrupted. "He said this, just before he turned to ash, 'when one war ends, another begins.'"

The Hokage seemed to recognise the words.

"Two years ago, on the final day of the chunin exams, Ryuu Uchiha infiltrated the Leaf and posed as an Uchiha orphan, spending time playing with Itachi Uchiha."

Everyone flinched in surprise.

"At that time, Ayame, Tsunade, and Nawaki were investigating a possible partner of Ryuu's. They confirmed it that same day. Whether it was a coincidence or not, I couldn't say. But Ayame met with the shadow clone of Ryuu, and he spoke those same words to her."

"You believe he is waiting for the end of this shinobi war before he makes his move against the Leaf?" Minato questioned.

"I do." The Hokage nodded. "I also think that his target is less the village and more specific people, although that is mere speculation on my part."

Kakashi knew the look in the old man's eye was one of careful consideration, and he definitely suspected that they were all somehow involved in all of this.

"For now, I will thank you for your efforts in the war and await your reports. Do not speak of this to anyone, are we clear?"

There was a tense silence.

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Minato nodded eventually, though it was clear he didn't want to agree.

The Hokage sighed.

"I don't know what she intends to do, but I do trust she'll inform me of this in time. I'm old and tired, and I expect that she feels the same, even though she doesn't look it. If Ryuu has somehow managed to find a way to clone himself into a younger body, I don't know if Ayame will be able to handle this alone."

His words sounded like the musings of a man in thought, but Kakashi knew they were something of a forewarning. Ayame was getting old. Ryuu, apparently, was not.

"Dismissed."

They all gave a bow and went to leave.

"Kakashi, remain her a moment longer if you would."

Kakashi glanced back at the Hokage and Obito and Rin gave little nods to him. Minato was already gone. Kakashi closed the door behind him and turned back to the Hokage.

"I believe you were interested in Sakura Uchiha for a time," the Hokage said.

Kakashi nodded.

"Are you still?"

Kakashi nodded again.

"Then perhaps the greenhouses at the hospital will provide you with some answers."

Kakashi frowned, but the Hokage didn't elaborate.

"I expect a thorough report of your mission on my desk by the evening, Kakashi. Do not be late, this mission could change the trajectory of this war," the Hokage said seriously.

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Kakashi replied, knowing he was being dismissed.

Rin and Obito had waited for him outside the office. They all fell into step together as they walked down to the village.

"So what did the Hokage want?" Obito asked him.

"Nothing, really," Kakashi answered. "Just warning me not to be late with my report."

Rin raised an eyebrow.

"You won't be, will you?"

Kakashi grinned.

"Who, me?"

She rolled her eyes.

"Are you hungry?" She asked them.

"Where's sensei?" Kakashi questioned.

Rin and Obito shared a glance.

"Off to see Ayame no doubt," Obito murmured. "I think I'll avoid the compound for a while. So how about we get some food?"

Kakashi thought about what the Hokage had said and declined the offer. He had some snooping around to do instead.

Ayame paused on the step of her house, her foot hovering over the stair before she pulled her leg back and stood on the verandah, looking at a very serious, very angry Minato Namikaze. It was incredible how much blue eyes managed to blaze when ignited. Surprisingly, she did feel a sliver of fear at seeing him there, and at the way he looked at her.

"You're very intimidating when you want to be," she commented dryly.

Minato's lips twitched, but not in amusement, more like he was holding back a snarl. She waited for him to speak, knowing it was likely going to be important and worth listening too. Minato was rarely mad.

"Ryuu Uchiha."

Ayame flinched, completely taken aback by the suddenness of hearing her brothers name on Minato's lips.

"Your brother introduced himself to us during our mission."

His voice was reverberating with restrained anger. Ayame controlled herself, standing lackadaisical as she listened. He must have just returned from the mission, considered his slightly disheveled appearance.

"And?" She questioned.

Minato looked enraged.

"And?" He growled. "That's enough, Ayame. It's time you start to tell the damn truth."

Ayame took a breath and raised an eyebrow.

"You're so attractive when you're mad," she said flatly.

She rolled her eyes when his expression turned from rage to cold anger.

"What do you want me to say?" She asked. "The details of my mission are above the level of the Hokage. You are not the Hokage, and despite your involvement in this entire twisted reality, I don't have to tell you anything I don't want to."

"He called you predictable."

Ayame stiffened.

"He said that you wouldn't tell us the real truth."

She narrowed her eyes.

"So what is it you want to know?" She asked, annoyed. "My brother is alive. He's crazy. He's somehow become a child again. He wants to destroy the world. He hates Kakashi, he's going to kill you and everyone else if I don't stop him."

Minato was standing in front of her quicker than she could blink. He leaned over her.

"If you do anything that threatens their safety, I will not hesitate to put a stop to you," he said in a low voice. "No matter who you are."

A slow smile spread over Ayame's face.

"My, my, Minato. How very convincing of you."

She pressed the blade of her kunai deeper into his stomach.

"But never forget that your speed means nothing against me, and I will never allow my brother to touch a hair on their heads. Or yours."

Minato narrowed his eyes, searching hers for a lie, but she knew he wouldn't find it. She was being entirely truthful. He stepped back, and she put her kunai away. He let out a tired sigh.

"Why hide it?" He asked her. "Why not just tell the truth from the beginning?"

"Because there was nothing to be done," she answered. "They're just children to the world. How could the knowledge have helped them? Not to mention that you'd have been distracted from the war, and the Leaf needs you - something even someone as modest as you are more than aware of."

Minato looked at her wryly.

"You have a twisted sense of kindness."

Ayame snorted.

"Kindness is not what I'd call it."

"Will you tell me about him so I can prepare?" He asked.

She shook her head.

"Not yet, but within the year, I believe, the day will come when I tell you everything."

Minato looked irritated by her response but nodded. He turned to leave but then he stopped and looked back at her. She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Is there substance to the rumours that Hanzo the Salamander is no more?"

"Why are you asking me?"

He gave her a searching look and then shook his head. Before he could say anything else, she decided to give him something to think about, something that he could consider when he eventually took the title he was destined for.

"I am not the only shinobi in our village who acts without the Hokage's knowledge and approval, but the difference between me and that person is that I don't have a gaggle of mindless followers and do things that benefit me personally."

Minato's eyes narrowed. Ayame walked down the stairs and fell into step beside Minato and they walked slowly from the courtyard to the front gate.

"I'm not the only one who has traveled to Ame."

"Then who else was there?" Minato asked.

Ayame bit the inside of her cheek. It was too early for Minato to know that specific detail yet. He sighed with annoyance.

"Good-bye then, Ayame."

He turned and stalked away. Ayame watched him go with a heavy heart and frowned. Ryuu was always making things so damn complicated.

Kakashi wandered around the first greenhouse absently. He'd never been inside them before, he'd never had the need to. He wasn't a medic-nin, first of all, so he technically wasn't even supposed to be in them to begin with. But nonetheless, breaking into a greenhouse to search for clues about Sakura wasn't the worst or hardest thing he'd ever done. He walked along the narrow corridor to the end of the greenhouse and rounded the corner to see an old man hunched over a desk, scribbling something down on a sheet of paper. Kakashi paused, wondering if he should quietly back away, or say something.

"Sit down."

The old man spoke suddenly without looking up from his paper and continued writing. Kakashi wondered if he was talking to him or not. He looked around.

"You're the only one here, kid. Take a seat."

The old man sounded grumpy, and Kakashi immediately sat on the chair opposite the man.

"How'd you know I was there?" He asked curiously.

The man looked somewhat familiar. Grey hair that, by the looks of it, used to be black. Wrinkled skin, dark eyes, and Kakashi noted that his hands and wrists seemed to have old scars on them that looked like burns.

"Pah," the man let out a derisive laugh. "You young folk are all the same, think you're the bee's knees. I might be an old man, but I'm a shinobi and I was trained by Lady Sakura and Lord Madara."

Kakashi blinked in surprise.

"You were trained by Sakura and Madara?" He asked.

The man finally looked up from his paper and peered at Kakashi.

"What's it to you?"

Kakashi glanced around the greenhouse.

"Have you…always been in the greenhouse?"

The man narrowed his eyes.

"Hn. You think it's an inferior place for a shinobi, do you?" Shouta questioned, his tone irate. "I'll have you know Lady Sakura commissioned these greenhouses and we put them together ourselves. If Lady Sakura is inferior in your eyes, you've got some issues, boy."

He turned back to his papers and began writing again. Kakashi felt like he'd done something wrong. He was sure that this man was the reason the Hokage told him to come here.

"I don't think Sakura is inferior," Kakashi quickly tried to correct himself. "I was just curious about you. The greenhouses are very well kept."

The old man took a breath and muttered something that Kakashi didn't understand.

"Uh. I'm looking for something," Kakashi said. "Can you help me?"

The man's pen paused and he looked up at Kakashi with impatience.

"Be more specific and stop wasting my time, Kakashi Hatake."

Kakashi frowned.

"How did you know my name?"

The man gave a sly smile.

"I don't think that's the question you want to ask."

"Who are you?"

"Try again."

Kakashi leaned back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest, staring at the man. He did look somewhat familiar, and then realised where he'd seen the man before. He'd seen him in the hospital with Obito and Rin when Itachi was born. His name was….Shouta Uchiha. Kakashi took a deep breath and closed his eyes, considering.

"Was she happy?"

He cracked them opened them and saw Shouta smiling.

"I've been waiting for you, kid," he said. "What the heck took you so long?"

Kakashi gave a startled laugh.

"I don't know," he replied honestly, lowering his arms.

Shouta shook his head.

"Lady Sakura did say you were always late."

Kakashi swallowed thickly at the words.

"So you did know her then? You really were her student, and you…you know everything?" He asked nervously.

Shouta gave him a look.

"I thought you were supposed to be smart."

He picked up his pen and began writing again. Kakashi waited for him to speak, but the longer the silence dragged on, he realised that Shouta wasn't going to talk.

"Just, please, can you tell me about Sakura?" Kakashi begged.

Shouta let out a long sigh and put his pen down.

"Be specific. I'm busy with the greenhouses."

"When - when did you meet her?" Kakashi rushed.

Finally, finally, he was getting someone to talk to him. He could barely contain himself.

"It'd be about… maybe a year and a half after the village was established," Shouta answered thoughtfully. He looked at Kakashi with a frown. "You know what happened to her?"

"The…coma?"

Shouta nodded briefly.

"She was in a bad way that first year after she woke up," Shouta said. "Hika and I were worried about her all the time."

"Hika?"

"My wife. She was Lady Sakura's first student, practically begged Sakura to be her sensei," Shouta had a wistful smile on his face. "We were both lucky she was there, you see. Hika and I both had our own reasons why we were outcasts in our clans."

"Sakura was always a welcoming person," Kakashi said quietly.

"She was happy," Shouta said. "She told me stories about you before she told me the truth. It was a bit confusing, but when she eventually told me the truth about herself she looked so relieved."

Kakashi smiled a little under his mask, his throat constricting slightly. Shouta cleared his throat.

"She was happy with Lord Madara as well," he said. "The two of them were very well suited."

Kakashi nodded, though he found it hard the relationship hard to imagine.

"You're not just here about Lady Sakura though, are you?" Shouta's voice was meaningful. "You've met her daughter, and now you want to know about her sons."

Kakashi looked at him.

"Well, yes, but - "

Shouta shook his head.

"You're going to need to be prepared to face him, Kakashi. He's not someone that you can save, no matter what Lady Sakura hoped for. Ryuu is long past saving."

"What did he do?"

Shouta shook his head again, and Kakashi knew he wasn't going to tell him. Whatever had happened was enough that people didn't want to talk about it.

"He was never the same after Izara died." Shouta sighed. "He was a good kid, considerate and pleasing but… The Uchiha clan has a tendency to extremes, and extreme is where he went. When that sensei of yours is the Hokage, she'll tell you."

Kakashi sat up in surprise.

"What?"

Shouta nodded.

"You heard me, kid. Not much longer to wait is there? The war is going to end and the Fourth will be named and then she'll tell you everything, so just be patient a little longer and get ready because Hashirama and Madara were Gods of Shinobi, but Ryuu…"

"He's strong?"

Shouta gave him a pitying look and Kakashi swallowed.

"I hope you never have to find out just how much of a monster he can be."

Kakashi, Rin, and Obito met at Obito's house and walked quietly through the Uchiha District to Ayame's. They had seen Minato earlier in the day, who told them not to bother talking to her. He'd seen her after the mission and gotten what he could out of her. But Obito was sure there were things she'd tell them but not Minato, so they went to find and talk to her anyway. She'd been expecting them and was waiting for them at the gate. She led them quietly through her house into a room where Obito sensed numerous, various seals activate when the entered. She lounged on the couch across from them, while Rin and Kakashi sat on the smaller couch and Obito stood beside them. Obito didn't like the atmosphere around her, she looked ready to snap.

"You should have told us about your brother."

Kakashi folded his arms over his chest and glared at Ayame, who narrowed her eyes back at him.

"Should I have?" She replied, her voice emotionless.

"Yes," Rin answered firmly. "You should have. You didn't consider how this would affect Kakashi, did you?"

"Rin, that's not - " Kakashi looked at Rin slightly panicked.

Ayame's eyes narrowed further.

"It must have been so hard on Sakura to come back in time and make a life of her own, but it hasn't been easy for Kakashi either! Sakura was his student, he loved her and he knew her. If it was her son that caused so much hurt, he should have been told about it!"

Obito swallowed, knowing that Rin was only trying to protect Kakashi, but that everything she just said was going to be blown back into her face by Ayame.

"Oh, I know all about Kakashi and his troubles," Ayame spat.

Rin flinched at her tone and Kakashi leaned away slightly.

"Oh, poor, poor Kakashi whose daddy did something right and wrong and killed himself because of it. Poor, poor Kakashi whose head was so far up his ass that he caused the death of the three people most important to him."

They all flinched, but Ayame wasn't finished.

"Poor, genius Kakashi who was always the best at everything and blamed himself for everything that went wrong," she sneered. "Poor, poor Kakashi who was never far enough from my mother's mind not to compare her own children too. Who is the reason my mother is dead. Forgive me if I didn't consider your poor Kakashi's feelings enough for you."

Obito put his hand on Rin's shoulder, feeling it tremble slightly.

"Is that why he hates me?" Kakashi asked quietly.

Ayame leaned back, her lips twisted with distaste.

"Partly, I suppose," she replied. "I couldn't say exactly. Ryuu's always been a little selfish, and despite how much our mother loved us, she still considered you in all her actions as much as she did us."

Ayame looked away and Obito glanced at Kakashi, who looked lost and uncertain.

"I don't share his feelings, in case you're wondering," Ayame said, turning back to look at Kakashi. "But I do understand them."

Kakashi breathed deeply and Obito saw his friend's jaw tighten as he nodded.

Ayame turned to Rin, who flinched under her hard gaze.

"Don't speak of things you're ignorant about," she snapped. "You attack me for not considering Kakashi's feelings, but you think it's been so easy for me? He's my brother, my twin, my blood."

"I - I'm sorry," Rin squeaked out.

Ayame scoffed with disgust.

"Ayame, leave her alone," Obito said with a frown. "Just tell us what you didn't tell Minato."

She raised an eyebrow.

"What makes you think I didn't tell him everything?"

Obito rolled his eyes.

"Because Ryuu was right about one thing, you keep secrets," he answered.

Her lips curled in a mean smile.

"I told him that you're children who didn't need to know anything, and I'll tell you the same thing. What do you think you can do now, or back when we met? Ryuu is more powerful than you know, and now that he's body-swapping he's going to be close to unbeatable. What are three brats like you going to do when you're under the Hokage's thumb? Do you want to abandon your village in the middle of a war?"

When they kept silent, she shook her head.

"I didn't think so. By the Sage, you're irritating me. So many damn questions," she muttered. "What do you want?" She demanded of them. "You want to hunt down Ryuu? I've been trying to do that for thirty years. You want to know what he did, why he turned against our family, why he left the village?"

"Yes!" Obito burst out angrily. "We want to know what the hell happened to you, to Sakura, to Madara, to the village. What happened?"

Ayame took a deep breath and looked at him.

"The same thing that happened to you," she answered. "Someone he loved died and he never recovered from it."

Obito slipped his hand off Rin's shoulder and swallowed, shaking his head. Kakashi stood.

"Let's go." He pulled Rin to her feet. "She's not going to tell us anything."

Obito stared Ayame, who watched them make their way to the door silently.

"The Fourth Hokage," she said suddenly. They all paused and looked back. "When he's the Fourth and when Jiraiya's back... Just… wait a little longer."

Obito and Kakashi glanced at each other, and Rin tugged on Obito's sleeve. He looked back at Ayame, who was sitting with one leg tucked under her and her chin resting on her other knee, looking away from them.

"The day he takes office, whether or not Jiraiya is there."

He could just see her cheek twitch from the smile.

"Of course," she murmured. "If you all survive the war, that is."

Mikoto gave Obito and Kakashi grateful smiles when she opened the door to her house.

"Come in, boys," she said, stepping aside to let them in. "Itachi has been a little restless today, so I'm glad you're here."

"No problems, Mikoto," Obito grinned. "We're here to serve."

Kakashi snorted.

"You're only here for the free food," he muttered.

Mikoto giggled.

"Well, there's plenty of that. I've just prepared some snacks for you both."

"You're the best, Mikoto!"

Obito gave her a tight hug, which Mikoto seemed happy and surprised by. He released her and went straight for the kitchen and Kakashi sighed.

"Thank you both for coming over," Mikoto said to him. "It's been quite a while since I last had lunch with Kushina."

Kakashi shrugged.

"No problems. The Hokage has given us a little break after our last mission, but Minato-sensei has been sent out again already, so Kushina's a bit worried," Kakashi said.

Mikoto gave a tight smile.

"I understand how she feels," she murmured.

Fugaku was also out in the field, sent as one of the commanders of the front lines against Kumo, who was trying to infiltrate the Land of Fire since Iwa had retreated. Mikoto turned her smile brighter after her moment of worry.

"Itachi's been looking forward to seeing you two all day, even if he doesn't admit it," she laughed. "He's always in such a good mood after you've spent time with him." She hesitated a moment. "Itachi's a little… well, you know what he's like, so thank you for taking him out into the world a little with people more often. I worry he's alone too much."

Kakashi nodded, understanding what she was saying. Mikoto, aware of how to deal with those who spoke less than others, simply smiled at Kakashi and ushered him inside instead of pressing for more of a response like Kushina would. She left them minutes later after she'd collected her things, and Obito and Kakashi were alone with Itachi staring at them both.

At four years old, Itachi was a quiet little boy. His dark hair was down to his jaw, his eyes were wide and dark, his expression inquisitive and serious. Kakashi had seen him alone a lot, lost in his thoughts. When Itachi wasn't around Obito, who had been a regular caretaker of him since he was a baby, Itachi was a lot more withdrawn from society. It was no wonder that Danzo had been able to get his claws into Itachi's head, the kid was constantly thinking and considering and being pulled and drawn in all different directions.

"What's with that look, little Uchiha?" Obito jutted out his jaw and folded his arms over his chest. "You got a problem with me?"

Itachi wrinkled his nose slightly.

"You're weird," he stated.

Kakashi stifled his laugh unsuccessfully. Obito put his hands on his hips and gave Itachi a playful glare.

"You're the weird one," he said, sticking out his tongue.

Itachi tilted his head to the side.

"Why didn't you become a jonin like Kakashi?" Itachi asked.

Obito blinked and straightened, surprised by the question. He looked at Kakashi.

"Why do you ask?" Kakashi asked Itachi.

"I heard father talking about it with mother. He was confused," Itachi replied. "Did you do something stupid again?"

Obito spluttered at that.

"Excuse me, baby Uchiha - " Itachi frowned at the term, " - I am definitely jonin level, I just didn't get promoted because of other reasons."

"What reasons?" Itachi asked.

"You're super curious about me! You do care!"

Itachi ducked his head.

"Don't get all shy, Ita!" Obito ruffled Itachi's hair playfully, and Itachi sidestepped out of his touch and smoothed out his hair with a scowl. "I'll let you in on a secret, okay?"

Itachi looked dubious but nodded.

"I was going to be promoted, but my sensei decided to hold me back because there are some bad people - " Kakashi cleared his throat and frowned, Obito ignored him, " - who might pay a little too much attention to me if I was promoted so young. Understand?"

Itachi glanced between the two of them for a moment before he nodded.

"So what do you want to do today?" Obito asked Itachi, satisfied.

"Train."

Kakashi raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"Is that what you really want to do?" He asked pointedly.

Itachi swallowed and looked away. Obito grinned at Kakashi, who smiled back. Kakashi supposed they'd have to wait until he grew up to find out how much of Itachi was different and the same as before but for now, Itachi was, in a word, adorable. Kakashi planned to enjoy every minute of his adorable youth before he was inevitably forced into growing up too quickly.

"Come on, let's go steal Shisui from the academy and get some dango," he declared.

Itachi frowned.

"You shouldn't interrupt the academy students. You're a bad influence."

But he had a sparkle in his eyes and when Obito offered to carry him on his back, Itachi climbed up without a fuss.

"Come on, let's go break out our cousin, eh?"

"If we must," Itachi mumbled happily, ducking his head into the mess of Obito's hair to hide his face.

On the way to the academy and at the request of Itachi, Obito regaled him with glossed over details of their recent Kannabi Bridge mission. Itachi questioned what it was like fighting with the Sharingan, a look of longing on his face.

"Look like someone's a little jealous," Kakashi teased him.

Itachi looked away, and Kakashi saw a look of pain cross Obito's features for a second before it passed and wondered if Itachi's Sharingan was one of the things Obito hadn't spoken about yet.

"Don't be in such a rush to grow up," Obito said with a smile. "You know, if you're awesome without your Sharingan, how much more awesome will you be once you get it? Ever think about it like that?"

"I guess," Itachi mumbled, disappointed.

"We're here," Obito announced.

"I think you two ought to stay hidden for a moment," Kakashi said. "Don't want Fugaku to kill us when he comes back if Itachi gets caught."

"Good plan," Obito nodded.

Itachi climbed down from Obito's back and stood beside him whilst Kakashi entered the academy and thought of how to get Shisui out. He knew where the kid's classroom was, and he hoped that as soon as he created his distraction, Shisui would understand what was happening. Kakashi walked into the front door of the academy without any trouble since the classes were in session and no one was walking the halls. He considered how best to break Shisui out and ducked into a darkened corner of the hallway to transform into his chosen henge. Probably he would end up in a whole lot of trouble for this, but he knew it would be worth it. Kakashi burst the door to Shisui's classroom open. The sensei looked irritated and annoyed until he saw the person Kakashi had transformed into and spluttered in shock.

"L-lord Hokage! What - What are you doing here?"

Kakashi almost felt bad, but he was enjoying himself too much.

"Shisui Uchiha," Kakashi thundered.

He saw Shisui freeze, terrified.

"Come with me."

Everyone in the class looked like they had been turned to stone, and gave the petrified Shisui pitying looks.

"Shisui, you heard the Hokage."

The sensei looked like he wanted to protect Shisui, but was torn. Shisui hastily got to his feet and followed Kakashi out of the classroom. Kakashi slammed the door behind him, causing everyone to flinch, including Shisui.

"Lord Hokage, am I in trouble?" Shisui's voice trembled.

Kakashi glanced down the hall both ways and then gave him a grin and undid the transformation. Shisui's eyes almost bugged out of his head until he burst out laughing with shock and delight, and Kakashi grinned beneath his mask.

"Oh you're in trouble all right," Kakashi replied. "Let's get out of here. Itachi and Obito are waiting."

Just as they were walking out towards the door, Shisui's sensei poked his head out the classroom and saw Kakashi with Shisui, and shouted something before the pair ran off.

"You're going to be in so much trouble!" Shisui giggled and whispered.

Kakashi shrugged.

"Ah, well. Lord Third loves me."

"Really?"

"I hope so."

Kakashi found Might Guy alone on a training field, fighting ferociously against a wooden post. He didn't say anything. He sat some distance behind Guy and waited for him to exhaust himself. Knowing it was going to take a while, he pulled out his book and made himself comfortable. The sun had set, the stars were shining brightly and midnight had come and gone before Guy finally collapsed. Kakashi had abandoned his book some hours before when he noticed Guy's movements were becoming slower and less controlled. His endurance was certainly something to envy, but in this situation, Kakashi couldn't feel anything other than concern for his friend. Guy had passed out, and Kakashi stood over him with a small grimace and hands on his hips. He wasn't going to allow Guy to get sick out in the cold night air. He summoned all his strength and pulled Guy onto his back. Kakashi hadn't walked far before Guy stirred.

"How did you do it?" He murmured, his voice hoarse.

Kakashi knew what Guy was talking about without him having to say anything. He stayed quiet for a moment before he answered.

"You're not like me, Guy," he answered quietly. "So I can't answer that question in a way that will help you."

Guy remained uncharacteristically subdued and stayed on Kakashi's back.

"But," Kakashi said hesitantly. "Father's are…irreplaceable," he said with sadness in his voice. "My father was vilified for following his heart. Your father sacrificed himself for you and your teammates. Both of them were incredible, don't you think? The only way to move forward is to live the best we can and follow their examples."

Guy settled comfortably on Kakashi, who felt his friend's body relax slightly and then heard the sniffles from Guy.

"How… youthful," he sniffed.

Kakashi gave a small smile under his mask.

"Thanks, Kakashi."

Kakashi continued carrying Guy back to his apartment - not Guy's empty house. He knew all too well what it was like to go home to a house with death following you. Guy's father might not have committed suicide in their home like Sakumo, but Guy had been forced to abandon him on the field of battle and that would forever follow Guy. At least for tonight, he wouldn't be alone. Kakashi hummed, thinking of a way to give Guy a little boost.

"Say, just because you're suffering, don't think I'll go easy on you for our next challenge," Kakashi said.

Guy was quiet for a moment and then he chuckled.

"I'll challenge you…to a battle of who can fall asleep the fastest."

Kakashi lost the challenge before he even reached his front door, and it was the only challenge he'd ever be glad to lose.