Magical Shinobi

by Lightningscar

Remus didn't die in the final battle. But perhaps that would have been better compared to ending up and getting into trouble in the shinobi world. He makes new friends and enemies, but also gets to deal with an old one foe who shouldn't be underestimated. NOT A SLASH/ YAOI / MALExMALE story!

21. Chapter 21

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Chapter 21: A Few Truths Comes Out

"I, Kakashi Hatake, born on September 15, with Ninja Registration 009720, hereby resign from active shinobi duty to claim my title as Clan Head of the Hatake Clan and to take my seat in the High Council, as is my birthright. The Legendary Sannin Jiraiya is my witness on this. And my first action as Clan Lord shall be to enroll Naruto Uzumaki into the Hatake Clan. My second action shall be to demand that you release the Hatake Clan's scroll on Blood-Ninjutsu from your vault and hand it over to me."

Their reactions came instantaneously. All of the Clan Heads and Tsunade and Jiraiya spluttered, causing cascades of water everywhere, while the eyes of the Village Elders widened comically. Naruto looked from his two teachers to the High Council, his mouth slightly open from shock and surprise. "What? What does that mean?"

Tsunade's mind was reeling, and Jiraiya didn't seem to be faring much better. For seventeen years Kakashi had declined from taking his seat on the Clan Council as Clan Head. Not since Sakumo Hatake had the seat been occupied by a Hatake; Danzou was only occupying that seat because, before the Uchiha Massacre, he needed a place to sit when the High Council conferred. Tsunade shook her head. If Kakashi was anything like his father, as he seemed to be if this trial had been any indication, the High Council was about to change dramatically. It had almost been a hobby of Sakumo's to play with their heads, annoying them to no end. Especially Hiashi Hyuuga and Fugaku Uchiha were frequent victims of Sakumo's mind games and sarcasm.

"OI! What has Kakashi-sensei speech to do with me?"

Shaking her head again, Tsunade fixed Naruto with a stern gaze. He really needed to learn some manners. "It means that for all intent and purposes, Kakashi… no, Lord Hatake… will be your guardian till you turn eighteen. You will be under his protection and you will answer to him when you get into mischief. So if you decide to paint the Hokage Monument, Lord Hatake will decide your punishment. Be it from removing the paint to clear the toilets at the Academy."

Naruto was dumbfounded. All of his life, he pretty much had to fight for himself, and the only one who really punished him for his pranks was Iruka. His antics never had any consequences from a grown-up, but it appeared that would change. But for some reason, it made him happy. At the orphanage, he dreamed of getting adopted, of having a parent.

"So… Kakashi-sensei is adopting me?"

Tsunade shook her head. "No, he is not." Naruto's face fell and Tsunade hurried to continue, ignoring the still coughing and spluttering Clan Heads. "There is a difference between adoption and enrolment into a clan. If he adopted you, you would have to change your name to Naruto Hatake. Furthermore, you wouldn't get any inheritance left by your parents. Instead, you would have to learn the secret jutsu of the clan and would inherit from the adopting clan if you were named Clan Heir." She paused to make sure Naruto was still following. He looked slightly confused, but nodded nonetheless. "With enrolment into clan, the Clan Head has no obligation to teach you any of the clan's jutsu, nor will you inherit anything should the Clan Head die. However, you get to keep your own name and any inheritance will be handed over when you come of age. "

She successfully held back 'or when you achieve the rank of chuunin'. There was no reason to remind the kid that his career as a shinobi was most likely over. Sighing, and steeling herself, the Hokage turned towards one of her most trusted shinobi. "Kakashi… no," She cut herself off. Damn, it was going to take some time to get used to addressing him like this. "Lord Hatake, where do you intend to move in with Naruto Uzumaki?"

Kakashi straightened up. "I will move in in the Hatake Compound with Naruto Uzumaki and Remus Lupin. You can also deliver the scroll on Blood-Ninjutsu there."

Tsunade nodded. "Izumo! Kotetsu!"

The two chuunin appeared, kneeling on the floor. "Yes ma'am!"

The Hokage looked at them, her voice businesslike. "Go the High Council's vault and demand them to hand over item xxxx0915. You will take said item to the Hatake Compound and deliver it the mansion there. ANBU Captain Dragon and his squad will be your escort. You will stay there till Lord Hatake arrives." She reached into her robes and withdrew a ring with the Hokage seal on it. "This will prove your request is authorized by me."

The two chuunins nodded and took off with a quick, "Yes ma'am!" leaving the High Council and three other people in the room. Tsunade turned her gaze towards the Hatake Clan Lord, resisting the urge to sigh. "Lord Hatake, why are you still here with your charge?"

Kakashi simply inclined his head before looking at Naruto. He had one last matter to deal with before he spoke with Remus. A matter that couldn't wait and, if Kakashi knew the Clan Heads and Hokage well, was sure to get a more than one temper going.

"Jiraiya, could you please escort Naruto to the Hatake Compound? Hokage-sama can fill you in on the details later."

Jiraiya frowned, but nodded. Taking Naruto by the shoulder, he lowered his voice and murmured into the boy's ear. "Come with me Naruto. You don't want to witness this. A bomb will blow up in a few minutes. What do you say? We go collect Remus-san and get a bowel of ramen at Ichiraku? My treat."

Naruto frowned, clearly not completely convinced, but he nodded anyway. Sighing, the Toad Sannin turned towards his best friend's brat of a son and whispered.

"Are you sure this is a good idea Kakashi?" He absolutely refused to call him Lord Hatake. He never called Sarutobi-sensei for Hokage-sama, he never addressed Minato or Tsunade as such, nor did he ever call Sakumo for Lord Hatake and he would be damned if he was going to start doing so with Kakashi. "That house is bound to host a lot of memories for you. Are you sure you want to return?"

Kakashi nodded. "I will be fine Jiraiya. Memories or not, it's only house big enough to provide a home for Naruto and Remus-san while also providing me with what I need."

Jiraiya's frown deepened but he shrugged it off. Like Sakumo, his brat talked in riddles and whatnot. And going on the narrowing of Tsunade's eyes and slight tensing of Kakashi's body, Jiraiya got the feeling that two of the most infamous tempers in Konoha's history was about to clash, and as he walked Naruto out of the courtroom and closed the door, he made a comparison of the tempers.

Tsunade was quickly enraged and tended to express herself both verbally and with her fists. Kakashi had a self-control like few and rarely let his anger get to him, but once his boiling point was reached, his rage was just as explosive as the one of Tsunade's. Not counting the night of the Kyuubi attack, where Kakashi hit Minato, Jiraiya could only count one time he had witnessed Sakumo's brat given in to his anger. It had been shortly after the death of Obito Uchiha and the end of Third Shinobi World War. Some poor fool had suggested using Edo Tensei to avenge their fallen comrades. Kakashi had been far from impressed with that idea, especially after Jiraiya explained what it essentially did.

Tsunade first spoke when she heard the door close. "Lord Hatake, I assume you have a good reason for wanting this confidential meeting?"

Kakashi bowed his head in acknowledgement. "Yes Hokage-sama. During our captive, Naruto and I learned that Orochimaru has created an army of werewolf-like creatures."

And there it was. Her face darkening in anger, Tsunade stood up and slammed her hand onto the table, almost breaking it in two. "Kakashi Hatake! Why didn't you mention this the moment you woke up!"

Kakashi met the glares from the High Council seated with a glare of his own, and even caused Tsume Inuzuka and Chouza Akimichi lower their gazes. "Because I knew you would execute Remus-san on the spot should he mention his, in lack of better words, condition."

This time, the table did break. "AND WITH DAMN GOOD REASON! KAKASHI, YOU HAVE PRACTICALLY LET THE WOLF IN WITH THE SHEEP!"

Kakashi had to stop a snort from escaping. Shinobi could be compared with many things, but they weren't sheep. "No, I have not. Remus-san might be the source of this new threat, but…"

"BUT NOTHING! KAKASHI, I HAVE HALF A MIND TO DISPATCH AN ANBU SQUAD TO TAKE HIM DOWN!"

Danzou nodded, agreeing with Tsunade… for once. "Indeed, Tsunade-hime. This new information changes everything."

The other Elders also nodded and even a few of the Clan Heads as well. That did it. Kakashi's patience had run out, and he only hoped that Jiraiya had taken Naruto far away from this place by now.

"IT CHANGES NOTHING! HE MIGHT HAVE MADE A MISTAKE IN NOT TELLING US SOONER, BUT FACT STILL REMAINS THAT THE VILLAGE OWES HIM THE LIVES OF TWO OF ITS SHINOBI! AND EVEN IF IT DIDN'T, WE CANNONT KILL HIM!"

Tsunade took a few calming breaths, reigning in her anger, but her voice told everyone in the room she was close to erupting again. "Oh? Please enlighten us, Lord Hatake."

Kakashi inhaled and exhaled slowly. It had been quite some time since he had lost control like that. "Information, Lady Hokage. If he dies, the information he holds dies with him." He continued before they could even open their mouth. "And even if you dispatched an ANBU squad, I bet you that they would fail. This guy fought and wounded Orochimaru; with his own sword no less. He is more than a match for them."

Shikaku thought that now would be a good time to interrupt, and a glance at his former teammates told him he was right. Like himself, they too had had a flashback of Sakumo Hatake, their former sensei, having a heated row with the High Council. And it seemed Sakumo-sensei's temper had been passed on to his son. "Lord Hatake, I take it is information on the enemy?"

Kakashi, willing himself to calm down, turned his attention to the Head of the Nara Clan. "Yes, Lord Nara. While we were held captive, we discovered that Orochimaru had allied himself with a woman that wielded power similar to Remus-san. Remus-san and that woman, Bellatrix Lestrange I think her name was, clearly knew each other and were far from happy of seeing each other. How she came to be here is not important, but Remus-san might know. What is important, however, is something Orochimaru said: He said that should he be killed, the control of those pseudo-werewolves would be transferred to Bellatrix."

Shikaku gave a slight frown. "What did this Bellatrix look like?"

Kakashi frowned a bit, recalling the image of Bellatrix Lestrange. "She has long black hair and eyes. Tall and her face are gaunt and skull like."

Shikaku looked down at Tsume and saw his thoughts mirrored in the Inuzuka Clan Head's eyes. She too remembered that woman. He turned his gaze towards Kakashi again. "We have already met her. We fought her during the retrieval mission. She trapped us with those pseudo-werewolves you speak of." He looked at Tsunade who looked ready to explode, this time at him. Time for deflecting that anger. "Hokage-sama, in our reports we mentioned some strange wolf-like beasts. We thought they were failed experiments but it would appear we were wrong." His gaze shifted to the hospital garb wearing Clan Head. "Lord Hatake, how many of those pseudo-werewolves do you suspect Orochimaru managed to create?"

Kakashi closed his eye. "Five hundred strong… at least." He opened his eye again and met the gazes of the High Council. "Remus-san might have taken some of them out, but if just some of them managed to survive the flood created by Kisame, we must be on our guard. For unlike Remus-san, who cannot control his transformation, some of those pseudo-werewolves can. And while smaller than Remus-san's beast form, they are of equal threat. We need a new defense strategy."

Shikaku's brow furrowed but it was Hiashi Hyuuga spoke up. "Our defense strategy has been tested against many different enemies through the years; no invader has been able to best it since the founding."

Kakashi turned his head in Hiashi's direction, giving a slight nod of acknowledgement. "Lord Hyuuga, what you say is true. However, this is an enemy unlike any we have ever encountered before. Unlike an assault like the one Suna and Oto launched almost three years ago, we cannot delay this enemy while we evacuate civilians and those not ready for battle. And unlike with the Kyuubi, we cannot attack this foe in waves to push them out."

Hiashi simply cocked an eyebrow, although a slight frown creased his brow. "And why is that?"

Kakashi took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as he met the gazes of the High Council. "Because this enemy will increase its numbers by turning defenders into attackers by biting. One bites you, and you will become one of them. And that is why we need Remus-san alive: Who would know the weaknesses of a werewolf better than a werewolf? I doubt he will be unwilling to share that sort of information considering he has already killed some of them."

Tsunade closed her eyes, pondering what to do next. Coming to a decision, she opened her eyes and met Kakashi's gaze. "Very well Lord Hatake, you have made your point. However, I cannot let Remus-san run on a rampage once the full moon rise. Therefore, he will be confined in one of the ANBU holding cells. Moreover, we will have special trained guards monitoring him during that time to see if they can spot any weakness he may not mention or is unaware of."

Kakashi simply nodded. He had seen the look in Tsunade's eyes and he knew she was not going to budge. "That is acceptable Hokage-sama."

Tsunade nodded her head, glad that she at least had managed win that argument. Surprised that Kakashi hadn't tried to argue it but pleased. "Good. Lord Hatake, I have booked a time for Naruto Uzumaki's check-up: Tomorrow at noon, room 262 where we will remove the chakra suppression collar… if that is acceptable to you?"

Kakashi nodded again. "It is, Hokage-sama. I have nothing else to add, but perhaps the rest of the High Council have?" A cursory scan showed that many of them wanted to say something, but decided to hold their tongue behind their teeth. Inwardly smirking, Kakashi bowed. "Good day to you all, High Council."

With that he turned around and walked out of the room, smiling as a few chuunins, who most likely had heard the discussion between Lady Tsunade and himself while attempting to eavesdrop, gave him a wide berth as he strolled down the street in hospital garbs.

00000

Remus didn't know whether to laugh at or help out the two unfortunate shinobi making their way toward, him carrying a human-sized red and white scroll on their shoulders. One of them had brown hair and what looked like a bandanna while the other had dark hair and a bandage covering his nose. From the sounds of it, the bandanna wearing guy was admonishing the one with bandage for lack of pride in his work to which the latter responded something about Fifth Hokage and gophers. But just as he was about to call out to them, he took a few sniffs and his eye darted towards the trees on either side of the two shinobi.

'Four of them eh? Most be something important. And…' He took a few sniffs of the air again and a somewhat nervous smile appeared on his face as he spotted Jiraiya, Naruto and Kakashi walking behind the two carrying the scroll. Jiraiya and Naruto had arrived at Kakashi's apartment about one hour ago and told him to come with them. Jiraiya with a dark look and voice while the teenager refused to make eye contact. 'Here they come. Naruto, Kakashi and eight Jiraiyas… wait, what?'

Remus blinked, rubbed his eye and did a double and triple check. Sure enough, trailing behind the two men and blonde were seven Jiraiyas, all of them carrying some heavy looking boxes and looking more than just a bit disgruntled. Pushing himself up from the steps, he walked towards the three in the middle, trying to ignore the small flinch and narrowing of eyes of the two carrying the scroll.

"Need some help with those boxes?"

The Jiraiya with a box closest to him grunted. "Only if you can get those boxes up on the first floor without breaking anything."

Remus simply tilted his head to the right, giving the larger man... no men, a look of indulgence. "But of course." He pulled out his wand, rejoicing the feeling of the wood. "First floor you say? No problem. Wingardium Leviosa!"

Jiraiya cocked an eyebrow at the weird words and swish and flick Lupin made, but he was sure his mouth dropped a bit when he saw all the boxes with Kakashi's and Naruto's belongings slowly rose into air and moved towards the house, Lupin directing them with his wand as he hummed a little tune to himself. Kakashi was giving the wand curious glances while Naruto eyed it with a mix of wariness and curiosity. The Toad Sannin almost laughed at the longing and gobsmacked looks Izumo and Kotetsu were giving the wand. Looking from the wand to the boxes sailing over the banister on the first floor before landing with a dull thud.

Eyeing the house brought back a lot of memories for the Toad Sannin, some good, some bad, and Konoha's greatest pervert barely registered Kakashi saying that Lupin couldn't levitate the scroll for Izumo and Kotetsu as the study was on the ground floor. Jiraiya shook his head to clear his thoughts from the images of a masked little boy sitting on top of Sakumo's shoulders or on one of Orochimaru's snakes or his toads. That time was long gone and wasn't coming back, no matter how hard Jiraiya wanted it to.

The Hatake Compound was located near the northern border of the village and had once been a center of joy and friendship. But now it was as deserted as the Uchiha district, giving off a cold and haunted air to anyone who dares to set foot there.

The Hatake Mansion, the Hatake Clan Head's residence, had stood unoccupied for twenty-two years, so Jiraiya was more than a bit surprised to see that it looked like time hadn't passed at all.

Its white painting had barely fainted at all, and its roof was still a beautiful green. And on every corner of the roof perched a silver wolf, their eyes every bit as menacing as the Toad Sannin remembered them to be. The house itself stood in two floor, ground and first floor, with a sliding door as the entry and a veranda in front. Around the first floor ran an outdoor walking areal, like an all-round terrace. All in all, it was more like an over-sized house than an estate. Jiraiya dispelled his Shadow Clones as they reached the front door and felt a small rush of astonishment and satisfaction when Remus made a jump and stared with a wide eye and mouth open.

"What's wrong? Have you never seen a Shadow Clone before?"

Lupin simply shook his head, mouth still slightly ajar. "Eh… only once. Naruto created some during that fight in the woods. Still, where I'm from, it take years to clone anything. And last I checked the biggest thing someone has managed to clone is a sheep."

All the shinobi stared at him. How the heck does anyone survive for so long without being able to create a clone, even the ones people learn in the Academy? Clones were crucial for a ninja's survival, be it from taking a hit meant for you, to create a diversion or gather intelligence on the enemy. Kakashi shook his head, wondering if Remus would ever stop surprising him.

When he opened the sliding door, it was clear that time indeed had passed. The entrance hall was covered in dust with cobwebs in every corner. Jiraiya frowned. "Sorry Kakashi, but I absolutely refuse to walk barefooted in here."

Kakashi simply nodded, but Remus took out his wand again and gave a few waves with it, and the shinobi watched how the dust and cobwebs removed itself. Smiling, the wizard turned to the shinobi.

"I hope you have some brooms and mops." Perplexed looks. "I can't clean a whole house this way. The larger the area, the harder it is to focus the spell, the more taxing it is. But I can clean a path for us."

Kakashi looked from the spotless hall to the dusty kitchen through a door on their left. He was not looking forward to the cleaning that would be needed to be done, but he supposed there was no helping it. He couldn't even call Remus a liar for he didn't know enough of his jutsu to call him out on it. Smiling under his mask, he turned to Lupin.

"Please do."

Remus gave a slight nod and started waving it from side to side and they walked into the kitchen. To their immediate right stood a table with two chairs and a bench fastened to the wall. In the southwest corner was the oven and stove while small cabinets and shelves lined the south wall. The east wall held a table with a sink and in the north was a sliding door leading on to the living room.

Naruto looked around the living room, eyes wide. To his immediate left, directly to the west was a staircase leading up and down. In the northwestern corner stood a long table of mahogany with eight matching chairs. Looking northeast stood a maroon couch, or at least, Naruto assumed it was maroon under the layers of dust, an oak table and two armchairs matching the couch. On the south wall hang a telly and by the door in the east wall leading further into the house stood a bookcase filled with books. Turning his head, the wizard among the ninja directed his question to the Hatake Clan Head.

"Where next Kakashi?"

The Copy-Ninja nodded towards east, further into the house. "In there. I think Izumo-san and Kotetsu-san are getting tired of carrying that scroll, so we should let them drop it off in the library."

Remus nodded his consent and cleared a path for them. Before long they reached a place where they had another short corridor on their left and a door on their right, while by the end of the corridor stood a closet.

"The library takes up the ground floor's southeastern corner. Now, if I remember correctly…" Kakashi trailed off, examining the heavy oak door in front of him. A door without a handle. "This door has a special lock. If I'm not mistaken…" He brushed some dust and a few cobwebs from the door, revealing a wolf with its mouth open carved into the door. "And there is the lock." He frowned, trying to recall his father words. "When finding the lock, all you need is your silver hand."

Staring at the wolf head for a moment before, much to the surprise of the gathered, bit his palm.

"Kakashi-sensei, what the…" Kakashi answered Naruto's unfinished question by placing his palm against the door, right in the wolf's mouth. For a few seconds, nothing happened, but then the carvings glowed red and the door slid away, leaving Naruto and the two chuunins gaping. Lupin cocked an eyebrow in surprise while Kakashi looked tense. Jiraiya spoke up, frowning deeply.

"Kakashi… was that what I think it was?"

The silver-haired shinobi nodded and motioned for Izumo and Kotetsu to put the scroll inside. "Blood Barrier Jutsu: Guarding Wolf Lock. It is one of the most powerful barriers in the Hatake Clan's arsenal. Only fresh Hatake blood can open the lock. It is considered a forbidden jutsu now, but it wasn't during the First's time."

Jiraiya nodded, but didn't say anything. He didn't think it was wise to reveal such sensitive information in front of Remus Lupin, but the younger man's surprise seemed to have faded to understanding and acknowledgment. "You don't seem to be surprised by this, Lupin-san. You are perhaps familiar with this sort of jutsu?"

Remus turned his gaze toward the Toad Sannin, a tired look crossing his face. "In a way, I'm." The looks from the others told the wizard they were waiting for an explanation. "Where I'm from, Blood Wards are perhaps the most powerful wards in existence. No matter how much brute force you have or powerful spells, a Blood Ward will not budge an inch."

Kakashi nodded, listening with somewhat rapt attention. It sounded to him that Remus knew a lot more about Blood Ninjutsu than he let on, meaning when they talked, it would be most interesting indeed. "Izumo-san, Kotetsu-san, you may go. Remus-san, if you would clean a path to the rooms upstairs?"

While Izumo and Kotetsu bowed gratefully before disappearing, Jiraiya and Kakashi didn't miss the flash of amber in Remus eye as he left. As they watched him ascend the stairs, the trio walked down the corridor, towards north. The short corridor ended with another closet, and like before, they had a door on either side. Kakashi opened the door on the left and Naruto's jaw almost hit the floor.

The large room was a combination of a smithy and an armoury. Nearest to the north wall stood two forges with several buckets and other necessaries. The southern wall was lined with shelves with kunai, shuriken of different shape and sizes, and much to Naruto's confusion, a few throwing axes. In the corners stood a few spears, but there were two things hanging on the western wall that really caught the attention of the blond Jinchuuriki.

One was a large longbow decorated with green and blue cords wrapped around it with a matching quiver filled with arrows. The other object was a sword in red and silver sheath with a silver and green handle. He was so focused on the sword he didn't hear his two mentors talking in hushed voices. Glancing from them to the sword, Naruto stepped closer to the sword.

"… Jiraiya-sama, what do you know about that sword? I… Naruto, don't touch that!"

Naruto yanked his hand back to him, his fingertips one inch from the sheath. "Kakashi-sensei, what…?"

Kakashi stepped closer, a frown on his face. "I don't remember this sword at all." His frown deepened. "I haven't set foot in this house for over two decades, but I remember what was here all those years ago; and that sword wasn't. I never looked into the armoury after that night, but I have never seen my father carry it. If my father was the one to place this sword… well, better be careful."

The Copy-Ninja leaned so close that his masked nose was almost touching the sheath. "The scent is old, so I can't identify it. I suppose I don't have a choice…"

Kakashi, ignoring the spluttering of Jiraiya and Naruto, uncovered his Sharingan for a few seconds to scan the sword for any traps. He would have given it a longer look, but the moment he uncovered Obito's gift, the collar around him flared to life and Kakashi felt it draining his chakra, so he quickly closed his Sharingan, but he still felt a thundering headache coming his way. Groaning, he massaged his temples, cursing Orochimaru in his mind. But his frustration was quite clear in his voice.

"Damn it all. I can't wait to get rid of this thing."

"Kakashi? Are you alright?"

Kakashi nodded. "I'm fine Jiraiya-sama, really." Jiraiya snorted, showing him he didn't believe the younger man one bit. "In any case, I found out I was right to stop Naruto. There is an invisible Fire Barrier placed upon that sword. For some reason… it faded when I revealed my Sharingan." He looked at Jiraiya who was smiling innocently, making it obvious he knew something. "Out with it, Old Man."

Jiraiya scowled at being called old, but then he smirked. "No. Find out by yourself, Brat."

Now it was Kakashi's turn to scowl, but as Naruto tried to stifle his snickers, the scowl morphed into a frown as he took down the sword and grabbed the hilt. A warm and tingling sensation ran up his arm. His voice was low, but it carried the same sentiment as his frown: Confusion.

"This can't be right. I have never seen, or hold, this sword before. Yet, it feels strangely familiar. But why?"

He looked at Jiraiya who was still smirking. "Go on."

Rolling his eye in slight annoyance, knowing that the Toad Sannin wouldn't say what was going on, Kakashi unsheathed the sword. And almost dropped it from sheer shock. The sword was a mix of scimitar and ninjato, but longer than a katana. But that wasn't what surprised Kakashi. It was the fact that it was glowing bright white and the sound of thousands of birds filled the room, lightning running up and down the blade.

"No… it can't be."

Jiraiya's smirk grew. "You thought Minato was going to let an enemy get their hands on the shards of your father's tanto for research and boasting? No Brat, he brought the shards back to Konoha. That, "he gestured at the sword in Kakashi's hand, "is the tip and handle, with additional length, of your father's tanto, re-forged with the same chakra metal as Asuma Sarutobi's trench knives. He, if I remember correctly, made it so the protective barrier would only go away if you looked at it with your Sharingan."

Kakashi nodded, no longer that surprised after hearing Jiraiya's little tale, as he sheathed the sword, the light and chirping instantly ceasing. Shouldering the blade, he used his free hand to take down the longbow and quiver. Looking at it with a sad smile on his face, he handed it to Naruto. The boy's jaw dropped.

"What? For me? Kakashi-sensei, you don't have to…"

Kakashi wasn't going to take no for an answer, however. "It isn't up for debate Naruto. We will begin training tomorrow, after we return from your medical check-up."

Naruto just stared before nodding and leaving. As Jiraiya and Kakashi left the room, ignoring the storeroom for food next to the armoury, Jiraiya leaned down to whisper in Kakashi's ear.

"Are you sure it is wise to give Naruto that longbow? It has killed many an Uzumaki back in the day."

Kakashi shifted his gaze slightly, meeting Jiraiya's. "And many a Hyuuga, Aburame, Yamanaka, Inuzuka, Uchiha and Senju. It has served my clan well, and will serve Naruto just as well."

Jiraiya looked unconvinced, but didn't say anything. But as they ascended the stairs, they did a double-check. It was completely clean. Looking around, Kakashi noticed that Remus was leaning against the door furthest from them, exhaustion visible on his face.

Remus raised his eyebrows upon seeing Naruto carrying a longbow and Kakashi carrying a sword, but didn't comment on it. He was too tired. Besides, he had a feeling Kakashi must have had a good feeling for giving Naruto the bow. Ignoring the throbbing of his damaged eye, Remus gave the shinobi a weak smile.

"I have cleaned all of this floor and the rooms, so I'm a bit tired. If you will have me excused, but I must rest. I have taken the room here… if that is okay with you?"

Kakashi simply nodded. It was clear to him that Remus was trying to earn their trust. Good, it would give him something to work with. "Thank you, Remus-san. And no worries, the room you have chosen are the guest room."

Remus nodded and disappeared inside his room and they heard the dull sound of him collapsing on his bed. Turning to Naruto, Kakashi spoke again. "I figured you can take my old room. The first door on your left is an extra toilet while the one in the middle is the bathroom. I will sleep in the master room. "He nodded towards the east, and Jiraiya could hear the exhaustion in his voice. "Jiraiya-sama, I must apologize. It seems the day's events have tired me more than I thought. I trust you can find the way out?"

Jiraiya nodded, concerned for his friend's brat of a son. It was like someone had brought back some of Kakashi's old personality from before Obito's death, and it didn't set well with the Sannin. But he nodded nonetheless, gave Naruto a quick one-armed hug and hair ruffle and left.

As he went to bed that night, Naruto looked around in Kakashi's… no; his room, and wondered if he would have lived here had he been adopted or enrolled by Kakashi sixteen years ago. The room itself wasn't that special: It had a desk, bed, drawer and wardrobe, but still, it meant the world to Naruto. He felt like a normal teenager for once.

Kakashi closed his eye as he lay on his parent's bed. It had been twenty-two years since he had found his father dead in this very house, yet it felt like it was only yesterday. He had never thought he would ever set foot in this house again, but here he was, now as the guardian of his deceased sensei's son. People he fought often asked if he could see the future, and he automatically said yes, but he sure as hell didn't see recent events occur. A laughing face popped up in his mind, those hideous orange goggles firmly over his eyes.

"Bet you are laughing your ass off, aren't you, Obito?" The image shifted to one of a blonde man and redhead. "Minato-sensei, Kushina-san. I have failed you. I didn't become his guardian after that night. But no more. I know I can never make it right again, but I can try to repair some of the damage done."

Then the image changed to the one of his one-eyed charge... guest... senpai. He no longer knew exactly what to call him. One thing was certain, however: He needed to talk with, preferably tomorrow. He needed to speak with Hyuuga he could trust. And he knew just what Hyuuga. And he needed to speak with Tenzou. He needed him to create something that could hold if, or rather, when, he transformed. That was the problem with most barrier jutsu: Quite effective at keeping objectives out, but not keeping in. And those jutsu that was designed to keep people in, was in most cases, too large and complicated for your standard ninja to erect. Not to mention they required 100% focus at all times to keep up. 100% focus for seventy-two hours? Impossible, even if they took shifts. Not even his clan's had barriers that kept people in. He remembered a time when he was six or seven. Minato and Kushina had been visiting, but Kakashi had been in the library with his father and as such, none of the Hatake had heard the knock on their door. It was only when they heard approaching voices Kakashi had went to check who was coming unannounced like that. Back then, he had not known of the Blood Barrier Jutsu: Guarding Wolf Lock and its peculiarities: It would reapply itself after an hour, and even if the door was open, you could only see it from the inside. If you came from the hall, and wasn't of Hatake blood, it would look closed. Some sort of genjutsu working in conjunction with the barrier. So when young Kakashi had walked out from the library, to Kushina and Minato, it had looked like he had come out of the wall.

The effect had been hilarious, to say the least. The pair had countless pearls of sweat running down their faces, their eyes had bulged out and widened to a comical size and then the couple had let out shrieks that could be heard over quite a bit of the village. When Sakumo had walked out to see what the commotion was all about, they had screamed some more and then fainted. Turned out the couple had a great fear of ghosts and believed the two Hatake's to be such after their unusual appearance.

Kakashi could not remember any time where he had laughed that much. Well, a close runner-up would be on that ANBU mission where some fourteen-year-old boy had asked Itachi if he was available and wanted to dance, apparently mistaken him for a girl due to his hairstyle. Itachi had never heard the end of it.

With a smile on his face, albeit a sad one, Kakashi fell asleep, remembering less complicated times.

00000

Naruto blinked three times, not believing his ears. She couldn't possibly have said what he had heard, could she? Looking around at the other occupants in the room, hoping someone would shout "You fell for it!" They didn't. Sakura-chan was trying to keep a straight face, but the pink in her cheeks betrayed her. Neji looked indifferent, although his lips seemed to be fighting against a smirk. All of the teens were wearing their usual outfit, and Naruto felt at least a little better being in his own clothes than the hospital garb. The bandages, however, were still on. The blonde Jinchuuriki turned his head towards Remus Lupin. He was not sure to think of the man. He might be more similar to him than he thought, but that one-eyed gaze unnerved him, even scared him a little. Especially now that he knew what lurked behind, his last encounter with that monster far from being forgotten.

However, Remus' put him at edge. This morning, the teenager almost had a seizure. He had come down and found a man wearing a fitting black cloak sitting at the table eating breakfast. At first Naruto had thought it was some Akatsuki who had managed to sneak in, but upon closer inspection, the difference was so clear that Naruto couldn't believe he didn't see the first time around. Where there used to be red skies were Konoha insignias in a leaf colour instead, and the usual red interior had been turned a dark forest green. Better yet, the blood had been cleaned from it and the tears repaired. Imagine his surprise when it turned out to be Remus.

Naruto studied the man. Aside from his Akatsuki turned Leaf cloak, which also had been shrunk to fit him, he wore the usual jounin shirt and pants, the Sword of Kusanagi on his back. The man was currently glaring at something in the nearby corner, a frown of annoyance plain on his face. Naruto thought he heard him muttering something about "those people hardly need your protection. Mad about me dumping all of that dust on you, is that it?"

Naruto's blue gaze shifted to his guardian. Kakashi was wearing his usual uniform again, but with a few additions. A silver and green cloak covered his left arm, its fastening across his right shoulder, the Hatake Clan crest standing out like a campfire in the night due to its red colour. He looked a little tense, but was giving Tsunade his full attention. The Slug Sannin looked a bit tense too, and a bit impatient, so Naruto hurried up to ask, just to make sure he didn't do anything embarrassing.

"Eh, Granny, could you please repeat that? I must have heard you wrong or something, hehehe."

Tsunade sighed. "Strip, Naruto. I need you to strip, meaning you have to take off your clothes."

Sakura was growing pinker by the seconds, but it was nothing compared to Naruto. And his voice was getting pretty squeaky. "Do… do I have to? Really? Can't you…"

Tsunade simply cocked an eyebrow. "Do you want me to do it for you?"

Sakura coughed while the hue in Naruto's cheeks was comparing with the colour of said girl's hair. "But it is embarrassing!" He was whining by now

Having had enough of the staring contest with the guard in the corner, Remus spoke up. "Lady Hokage, Kakashi, I don't think I need to be here. So I will take my leave." He shot a glare in the direction of the corner, the approaching full moon making him quite irritable. "And I suppose you will just tail me, am I right?"

He didn't wait for a response from the corner, but once the two addressed to begin with nodded, he was out of there, and the ANBU dropped his disguise and followed him, just as Shizune entered. Tsunade smiled before turning to Naruto.

"Now get a move on kid. I don't have all day." Naruto still hesitated. "You don't have anything I haven't seen before, so move it."

Naruto, grumbling under his breath, disrobed until he was only in his boxers and bandages. He muttered as Tsunade pointed towards the hospital bed, quite iffy about the situation. "I just don't understand why it has to be you, Granny? Why can't Sakura-chan do it?"

The blonde Jinchuuriki knew he was likely to get smacked from Konoha to Suna by either woman, but much to his surprise, Tsunade answered the question. "Because you are the student of one Kakashi Hatake. I'm not taking any chances with you. I will not have you causing the same problems he did when he was your age."

Sakura and Naruto instantly rounded on their teacher and asked on the same time. "What did you do, Kakashi-sensei?"

Kakashi, suddenly looking a tad nervous, rubbed his neck. "Eh… well… you see…"

Tsunade snorted, drawing their attention to her. "It would be easier to ask what he didn't do. All that trouble for the mandatory routine check of his body."

That confused Naruto. "Mandatory routine check? Huh?"

Tsunade sighed. "In Konoha, when a ninja, regardless of gender, reach the age of fifteen-sixteen, they are required to submit themselves to mandatory check of their body. It's done to confirm they are healthy and fit enough to carry on with their duties, and that their bodies are developing like they should. Shizune was the one to perform the check on all of your peers. The only reason you haven't been checked yet was because you were travelling with the Pervert."

Sakura tilted her head. She remembered that check-up and the embarrassment having to stand only in her underwear in front of Shizune, but it didn't explain why Kakashi was beginning to fidget on his feet. Still, like a true student of Kakashi, curiosity won over caution.

"Ehm… Tsunade-sama, what did Kakashi-sensei do that caused so much trouble?"

"Ehh… I didn't… I didn't cause any trouble at all… my behaviour was exemplary."

Tsunade turned her head in Kakashi's direction. "What? Brat, I have never had a patient as, to put it the same way as the Nara do, troublesome, as you."

"But what did he do?" Two voices asked.

Tsunade scowled at Kakashi who looked somewhat sheepish. "Sharingan'ed the first medic until he was a quivering mess. The man didn't talk for a week and then had to take a few weeks off. Seduced the next two female medics into activities that a bed at home is more suited for. I had to threaten with burning those damned books of his to get him to cooperate."

Sakura and Naruto were blushing madly at that short story, and even Kakashi had a pink colour to his cheeks. He did not enjoy having part of his sex-life revealed to his students. Tsunade was going to pay for that one. Tsunade's scowl turned into a smirk, ignoring the tomato-red face of Shizune. Vengeance was sweet. Turning her gaze, Tsunade gestured for Neji, whom was looking just slightly uncomfortable as she began unwrapping Naruto's bandages.

"Sakura, this might be a bit more extreme than what you are used to. You may leave if it becomes too much." Sakura nodded as she took up position next to the Hokage. "Neji-san, are you ready?"

"Hai, Hokage-sama."

Removing the bandages, and ignoring Sakura's horrified gasp, Tsunade lowered Naruto to a lying position, and moments later, her hands became alit with green light at the same time the Hyuuga prodigy activated his Bloodline Limit, focusing on the blonde's right arm and shoulder, a concentrated frown of contemplation on his face while placing the tips of his right index and middle finger on Naruto's right shoulder. Inch by inch, starting from top, Tsunade worked moved her hands down Naruto's body only a fraction of air between her palms and Naruto's bared skin.

The next two hours were perhaps some of the most gruelling hours Tsunade had ever experienced. Naruto had tried putting on a brave front, but whatever Orochimaru had used, made the scan and slight healing process all the more painful for him, and soon he was clutching Sakura's hand like it was lifeline, face scrunched up in pain. But after those two gruelling hours, all of the small puncture wounds had been healed up, leaving only four major problems. The seals branded into his skin on his forehead and stomach, the suppression collar and the Chakra Cancer. The suppression collar would, in accordance with Kakashi's wishes, be gone in a few moments, and for now, the only thing they could do about the Chakra Cancer was stopping it from spreading further. That left only the brandings. But first…

Tsunade looked at Neji, addressing him first, dreading the answer to her question. "What is the status of the Chakra Cancer? Are our measures against the Chakra Cancer working?"

Neji nodded, a tired smile on his face. "Yes Lady Hokage. The cancer hasn't spread. " All the other occupants in room sighed with relief. "However," all tensed up, not liking that part at all. "We will have to make new artificial pathways in a week's time, less we risk the infected chakra to form pathways on its own. During my scan, I noticed several small fissures in the artificial pathways' inner walls. I can only conclude that those are created by the pressure of the infected chakra running in them and, given enough time, those fissures will widen and the cancer will spread. I mended those fissures, but a repair can only hold so long."

Tsunade let out a tired and sad sigh. "Thank you Neji. That will be all."

Neji bowed to each person in the room and made for the door. But as he passed Kakashi, the man spoke so lowly that Neji almost missed it. "Meet me at the Hatake Mansion at nine o'clock. I need to speak with you."

Neji quirked an eyebrow, curious despite himself, wondering what could be so important that the Clan Lord wanted to have a private conversation with him.

As Neji closed the door behind him, Tsunade was examining the seal Orochimaru had branded into Naruto's skin, her fingers tracing the seals placed by Orochimaru and Minato. The Fourth Hokage's seal was only visible because she poured a small amount of chakra into it, but the contrast was clear. The Fourth's was smooth while Orochimaru's horrendous branding was rough, and caused a hiss of pain from Naruto every time the Hokage's fingertips ran over them. After five minutes of examining him, Tsunade stood up, biting her thumb while frowning deeply.

"Granny Tsunade? You can fix those… those… things, can't you?"

Tsunade's frown deepened and her voice was quite tight as she spoke up, glancing at Kakashi. "The Five Elements Seal was originally developed by Jiraiya, Orochimaru and I when we were in our late teens and early twenties as a counter against hostile Jinchuuriki. Yes, I can heal it, but Naruto, it will take time and be extremely painful. And it is not just one healing session either."

Kakashi frowned, not liking that wording at all. And one glance at Naruto told him that his student and ward was too afraid to ask. After all, it was his dreams on the line here. "How long, Lady Hokage?"

Tsunade closed her eyes, steeling herself. "If my estimation is correct, he will need a session of two-four hours every second week… for one year or longer. We need to draw out the poison in the seals and heal it in equally amounts, or the results will be disastrous."

Kakashi internally winced. He knew too well how much it hurt having brandings healed up. But even he had never been subjected to a treatment of that duration, and he doubted Naruto could endure that.

"I am ready Granny Tsunade." Several heads turned to face the blond on the hospital bed, doubt on their faces. Shrinking a little under the piercing gazes of Tsunade and Kakashi, Naruto firmed his resolve and spoke up in a loud and clear voice. "I am going to be the Hokage one day, and I'm not going to let this stop me."

They all smiled fondly as Naruto gave his trademark grin. Some things never changed, and Kakashi resolved to research his clan's scroll on Blood-Ninjutsu. And, if time allowed it, take up a project he had been working on for the last decade or so, pushing thoughts of Remus Lupin to the back of his mind for the time being. He was so caught up in his musing that he almost missed Tsunade telling Naruto that aside from what they had talked about so far, the blond teenager would have to change his food habits quite drastically unless he wanted to stand 1,66 for the rest of his life. Not to mention the little comment about him not having Kakashi's luck and skills with the ladies, much to Naruto's mortification.

00000

The days had gone by quickly, and Remus Lupin found himself seated on a couch in the Hatake Mansion, sitting in a circle with Tsunade and Kakashi. The last twelve days had been tiring, in more than one way for the werewolf. Tiring in a good way seeing how he had gotten to spar with one of Kakashi's friends and some of his students. If Remus remembered correctly, the name of Kakashi's friend was Gai while the students were called Lee and Neji, while Kakashi supervised Naruto's archery training and doing some kenjutsu exercises himself. Remus remembered having to stifle a laughter once the shock of the green spandexes had worn off and had asked Kakashi if Gai and Lee was father and son. He also remembered Neji's eyes making him slightly uneasy. It wasn't as much that Remus was reminded of a blind man, but rather the calculating look he was giving him… as if he knew something about Remus that he himself didn't.

Some other good things that had happened were that people seemed to have accepted his outfit. Even better: Kakashi had said that, after the full moon, he would start training with him again. Of course, Remus knew the training would have some sort of cost on his account, but he was willing to pay that expense.

Tiring in a negative way by having one of those masked ninja Kakashi had identified as ANBU members, trailing him everywhere watching him twenty-four-seven. Combine that with his aching bones due to the full moon tomorrow, Remus' patience was wearing dangerously thin, and he had to remind himself that it would not be in his best interests to blast the ANBU guard through the wall. At least the ANBU operative wasn't trying to hide this time around. Turning his gaze towards the two opposite him, he gave a polite nod.

"Milady, Kakashi. What can I do for you?"

Tsunade decided to lead the 'negotiation' for now. "Remus-san, Lord Hatake wanted to teach you ninjutsu. I agreed, but on the condition that you share some vital information with us. Do you accept those terms?"

Remus nodded, suppressing the urge to give a small smirk. He had expected as much. "Of course milady. I wouldn't expect anything else."

Tsunade nodded. Perhaps this wouldn't as difficult as she expected. "Tell us all you know about this Bellatrix Lestrange."

Remus cocked an eyebrow at that one. It wasn't what he expected would be the first thing they would want information on. "What do you want to know about her? And why? Not because I won't tell you, but because I'm curious."

Tsunade leaned forward in her seat, her fingers in front of her and brow furrowing. "Everything you know about her. Her past, her habits, her powers. As to why: I have had two platoons of ANBU search the ruins and area around Orochimaru's latest base of operation. I even had to request a mission under an alias to have one of my spies in the Hidden Mist Village leave and investigate with his submarine summons. They never found her body, making us believe she might still be alive and taking precautions accordingly."

Remus frowned. He did not like the sound of that at all. But he could easily understand their concern. If there were doubts about whether Bellatrix indeed was killed, it was a threat they should not let go unheeded. He shook his head slightly, trying to clear his thoughts. He was indeed thinking like a shinobi now.

"Bellatrix Lestrange, née Black, is a forty-seven year old pureblood."

Kakashi frowned. "Pureblood? Like in a clan?"

Lupin shook his head in the negative. "Yes and no. Our families, or clans as you call them, differ greatly from yours. Our pureblood families don't have unique powers like your clans have. Pureblood refers to them being born to two magical parents." Two confused shinobi were looking back at him. "Magical refer to them being able to harness chakra." Now that got looks of understanding and Remus decided to make an example, not completely sure if what he said was right. "We have the purebloods, half-bloods and muggle-born. In your terms, half-bloods would be shinobi with one shinobi parent and one civilian while muggle-born would a shinobi born to two civilian parents. However, being muggle-born doesn't mean they are inferior to purebloods when it comes to power and skills."

Tsunade and Kakashi nodded, understanding it perfectly. Gai was born to two civilians, yet there were few pureblood clan members that could match him in a fight. Minato was another good example on what Remus described as being a half-blood. Seeing they were following him this far, Lupin continued.

"Bellatrix joined an organization called the Death Eaters. The Death Eaters were led by a man that called himself Lord Voldemort." Lupin noticed recognition of the name in Kakashi's eye. "I see you have heard the name Kakashi?" A quick nod was all he needed, but Tsunade wasn't following, so he hurried up to explain. "Voldemort has a lot in common with Orochimaru. As a matter of fact, one could call him my people's equivalent to yours Orochimaru. In any case, at some time in the past, Voldemort and Orochimaru were partners. Orochimaru managed to create cloaks that mask your presence, scent and any sound you might make. I think he called them Ghost Cloaks or something like that."

Tsunade frowned. She was indeed getting vital information, but… "I'm sorry, but I fail to see what her being a pureblood has to do with anything."

Lupin sighed. "As I said, being muggle-born doesn't mean you are inferior to purebloods in magical power or skill. Well, the Death Eaters and Voldemort believe otherwise. Two times they have tried to, in their own words, purge our society for every muggle-born. Of course, some resisted. I was part of a secret organization, the Order of the Phoenix, with no ties to our government, and we fought the advances and thwart the plans of the Death Eaters to the best of our abilities. Needless to say, the Death Eaters did not take that too well. They killed everyone who resisted them, even some who didn't, without regard of them being purebloods." He took a deep breath, wishing for some water to soothe his dry throat. "Bellatrix Lestrange was, and still is, the most loyal of Voldemort's servants and the most vicious of them. She enjoys torturing her prisoners and has, even when Voldemort seemed to be defeated, tortured people to the point they are just shadows of their former selves… they don't even recognize their own son… all in her devotion to Voldemort."

Kakashi frowned. That description pretty much fit the picture he had made of her, only much worse. Still, he was getting a bad feeling about this. "So in short: She is a fanatic, sadistic sociopath with insane ideals and beliefs?"

Remus suppressed a snort of laughter. "She would torture you into the next century if she heard you say that… but it sounds like her."

Kakashi mentally groaned. He had dealt with a fair share of sociopaths and fanatics in the past, and he had learnt they were often some of the most dangerous and unpredictable foes he had encountered. He would rather fight Hidan. His jutsu was devastating and gruesome, but at least he was predictable and dumb like few. He shook his head, just in time to hear Tsunade's next question.

"Remus-san, do you know anything about her plans?"

Remus frowned in thought, but Kakashi answered that question for him. "She wants to bring this Voldemort back." Two heads turned sharply in his direction, Remus cursing under his breath, and Kakashi answered the unasked questions before Tsunade could open her mouth. "I overheard Orochimaru and Bellatrix talking about it. It seems Bellatrix had a deal with Orochimaru: His aid in bringing back Voldemort for her skills. But unfortunately, I have no idea on how she plans on doing that."

Tsunade bit her lip, her worry mirrored by Remus, though for two different reasons. Remus was probably most worried that this Voldemort should return while Tsunade worried about having a second Orochimaru running around. Learning he was alive after the rumours of his demise by the hands of Sasuke Uchiha was disturbing enough, not to mention the constant threat from the Akatsuki. And Kabuto was still on the loose. The search team had encountered him, but he had escaped them, leaving only a book with intelligence on various Akatsuki members behind. This Bellatrix was turning to make things quite bothersome.

"Very well. We will take this into account. Now… what can you tell about her powers?"

Remus sighed. "As Voldemort's most devoted soldier, she is a quite skilled fighter and she have deep knowledge of the Dark Arts."

Tsunade frowned. "Dark Arts?"

Remus sighed again, silently reprimanding himself for not speaking in terms understandable for the shinobi. "The Dark Arts and dark magic are labelled as such because of their nature and power. I know this sound hard to believe for a society such as yours, but the three worst things one can do where I'm from is taking away one's free will, inflict pain on another or kill someone. There are three curses that do that, and each of them earns you a one-way ticket to Azkaban, the prison I spend one year in. The curses are the Imperious Curse with the incantation 'Imperio' that puts you under the caster's complete control unless you can cast it off you; The Cruciatus Curse, or Torture Curse, the spell for it is 'Crucio' and lastly the Killing Curse 'Avada Kedavra'."

Tsunade's frown deepened and the same did Kakashi's. "That is fine and all, but how do we distinguish them from each other?"

Remus closed his eye. "The Killing Curse comes in the form of a green jet. But as for the rest of her spells, or jutsu performed with her wand, better stay clear of their path. Several spells and curses have the same colour, but the effects are way different."

Kakashi nodded his understanding. He was already more than familiar with the Cruciatus Curse, courtesy of Orochimaru. Still, they needed to know more about her. "Please continue."

Remus nodded. "As I said the Dark Arts or dark magic are labelled as such because of their nature and power. But of course, some of them are just very powerful combined with people's lack of knowledge and irrational fear." He took a deep breath. "Bellatrix performed a dark ritual called Dark Blood Rebirth and Recreation." Two very confused shinobi. "Blood magic. Very powerful, very dark. I don't know all of the details for the ritual, but it essentially divides your life force into two: One resides in your real body, the other in an artificial. Should the life force residing in your real body get destroyed, the one in the artificial body will bring the artificial body to life. The ritual has to be repeated every fifty years or so."

Tsunade did not like the sound of that. "So… she is immortal?"

Remus shook his head. "Not if I remember correctly. Kill her now, and she is dead for good. And even if I'm wrong, you will know it soon after. Bellatrix isn't the type that keeps quiet for long. She will be out for revenge."

Tsunade nodded and leaned forward. "I see. And you don't think there is any chance she will try to bring back Orochimaru?"

Both men shook their heads. Kakashi spoke first. "I doubt it. Despite some shows of affections, they had no fond feelings for each other."

Remus shuddered at the mental image of Orochimaru and Bellatrix showing each other affections before giving his reply. "Bellatrix has showed more devotion and affection towards Voldemort than her own husband. Despite their similarities, Orochimaru and Voldemort are two different men… if you can call them that. I doubt that is going to change."

Tsunade sighed and leaned back, processing what she had heard so far. Turning her gaze towards the ANBU operative, she came to decision. "I want you to write down everything Remus-san has told us about Bellatrix Lestrange, no matter if what he has said makes sense to you or not. Make a profile on her in our Bingo Book. She is to be considered as S-rank and you will have a standing order to destroy her on sight." The ANBU gave nod to show his understanding. "You may leave. I have something I want to discuss with Lord Hatake and Remus-san in private."

"Yes ma'am."

With that he left, and Tsunade turned to the two men, levelling them both with a sharp stare. Rarely beating around the bush, the Hokage went straight to it. "Remus-san, we need you to tell us everything about werewolves. Their strengths and weaknesses. We need to know if we are to come up with a counter against the threat of those werewolves Orochimaru created… and you, should it come to it."

Remus shifted in his seat, suddenly quite nervous. He had expected that topic coming up, but it didn't mean he was looking forward or comfortable with it. But he knew it was necessary, for those very reasons she had given him. He remembered having a similar talk with Sirius and James before they began their full moon romps, making them promise they would knock him out or, if necessary, kill him, should he get too close to another human or out of control. Taking a deep breath, he began.

"Werewolves, while transformed, are hard to kill. The fur protects them from most spells and curses and most projectiles. And even if a knife or arrow should get through the fur, it has to travel through compact layers of muscle and tissues before reaching any vital organs." He paused, ignoring Moony's warning growls. "I suppose their only weak spots are around the eyes and snout." He eyed Tsunade carefully, a frown marring his face. "Lady Hokage, I implore you that your men only gets in my wolf-form's path should I become a threat. I'm an Alpha werewolf, meaning I belong in the strongest and most dangerous class of werewolves. An Alpha werewolf's senses, strength, stamina and speed are rivalled by very few creatures where I'm from. And my wolf is extremely smart for his kind, even when controlled by his blood lust and rage."

Tsunade stared with a frown creasing her brow. "So you are basically saying our weapons won't have too much effect on you once transformed? Even silver ones?"

At this Remus laughed outright. To think he would have to deal with that superstition even here. "Silver? That is a pure myth. Silver will only kill a werewolf if you can pump his blood full with it, the poisoning killing it. But slicing it over and over again with a silver dagger will just annoy and enrage it. And you do not want that to happen."

If possible, Tsunade's frown deepened. "I see. What about bites?"

Remus noticed how Kakashi seemed to tense up and he himself couldn't deny this change in direction unsettled him quite a bit. But one look at Tsunade's face told him he was going to answer to the question no matter what. A face he remembered seeing on Minerva McGonagall's face more than once. Summoning all his strength, he forced his voice to stay calm.

"A werewolf bite transfers the virus to whoever bitten. There is no cure. As for wounds inflicted by its claws: They will heal, but even with spells, potions and herbs, they will be visible for months."

Tsunade nodded. "I see." She eyed Kakashi and gave him a look that clearly said to tell him or she would. He gave a grim short nod in response to her look and Tsunade spoke up again. "Remus-san, Kakashi has something to tell you."

Lupin didn't know why, but the wording unsettled him. Turning his head, his one eyed gaze met the other man's. Steeling himself for whatever was to come, Remus placed a small friendly smile on his face.

Kakashi sighed. The smile was not completely sincere, and truth be told, he wasn't sure he wanted to have this conversation now. Then again, not having it would mean he would have to meet the full moon unprepared. And that, ladies and gentlemen, was not something that sat well with Kakashi. Knowing there was no easy way to break it, Kakashi steeled himself for whatever response he would get.

"During our capture by Orochimaru, he decided it would be funny to have a little game of cat-and-mouse game… or rather… werewolf-and-shinobi game." The smile had vanished from Remus' face and he was going paler by the second. Kakashi moved on, knowing Remus wouldn't like the rest. "In your werewolf form, you chased Naruto and me. You wounded Naruto with your claws before I got him away. You proceeded to fight Kisame and me on equal ground… or rather, you forced us on the run. The fight ended with Kisame taking you on trip through the roof… but not before you managed to bite me."

Kakashi couldn't remember anytime he had seen anybody as pale as Remus was at the moment. Not even Orochimaru or Sai. Then his face became a mask of horror and devastation, and both shinobi noticed how Lupin's breath was coming in pained gasps. It only got worse when he raised his hand to his heart, clutching his robe.

"Remus, breathe! Remus, calm down. Deep breaths!"

"Remus-san, listen to our voices! Take deep breaths! Remus-san! Damnit, he is hyperventilating!"

That was the last Remus Lupin heard before he blacked out.

00000

"I don' think that was acting on his part, Tsunade-sama."

"I agree Kakashi. I never enunciated otherwise."

Voice croaking, Remus spoke up. "Water… please." Tsunade nodded and handed him a glass of water. "Thank you. " Looking around, he noticed he was in the same room he first woke up in when arriving. "What happened?"

Kakashi leaned against the window and let out a sigh. "You hyperventilated and had a seizure. You have been out for seven hours… although that could be because of the sedatives." He chuckled humourlessly. "The amount of sedatives used to keep you calm could have knocked out a Bijuu."

Tsunade rolled her eyes, saving Remus from replying. "Don't exaggerate Kakashi." She turned to Remus with a slight frown. "Although I have to admit you should have been unconscious for at least another two hours."

Remus nodded his head and instantly regretted it. His head felt like a horde of Hagrid's hippogriffs were tap-dancing or something. Leaning back against the pillows, he allowed his eye to wander in the familiar hospital room. The only difference was the IV and heart monitor. Closing his eye, he tried recalling the events before hyperventilating. He remembered them talking about Bellatrix, but not the following conversation.

"Ehm… sorry, but I can't remember what we were discussing. I remember talking about Bellatrix but not so much after that."

Tsunade and Kakashi looked at each, clearly having a silent debate on who should be the one to tell him why he blacked out in the first place. In the end, Tsunade lost. "We were talking about your capture by Orochimaru and how you fought Kisame Hoshigaki and Kakashi in your wolf-form and how the fight ended. Remus-san, you bit Kakashi despite the suppression collar around his throat."

Remus' eye widened and he felt bile rising in his throat as he started to panic. It was his worst fear coming true. People often who knew of his lycanthropy assumed his boggart took the form of the full moon because he feared it would be his last. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Remus wasn't afraid of dying. He never was, nor would he ever be. No, he feared the full moon because there was always a risk he would bite an innocent or pass on the curse of lycanthropy. He remembered having the same feeling with the twins and later on Teddy. Before him, there were only two werewolves who had children, and only one each. One child got off free, the other was not so lucky. And the one who became a werewolf didn't start showing symptoms before his teens before turning when he came of age. In short, there had been no telling if his children would bear the same burden as him.

And now he had, despite everything he had done, bitten someone. And one he had started to consider a friend no less! Had he been back home, he would have been shipped off to Azkaban to serve twenty-five years… if he was really lucky.

"No, no, NO! God, what have I done! I have…!"

He was cut off by Tsunade who placed a hand on his forehead, her hand pulsing with green energy. Looking directly into his eye, she spoke to Remus with a stern but not unfriendly voice.

"What is done is done, Remus-san. You can't change the past, and self-reproach won't change it either. Kakashi doesn't blame you for what happened, and neither do I." She paused, glancing at the heart monitor. When she had told him what their latest topic had been, his blood pressure and pulse had gone through the roof. Not only that, but some black chakra had started flaring, and although it didn't do any damage, Tsunade wasn't taking any risks. So it was with quite a bit of relief and satisfaction when her calming chakra stopped the black chakra and Lupin's pulse and blood pressure started going down to more normal levels. She met Remus' gaze again.

"During your trial, you said this to me: 'Tell me, Hokage, right now, what makes you any different from the ones hating werewolves back where I'm from? How would you have reacted to me being a werewolf had I told you earlier? Would you act on ignorance and prejudice and scream for my blood to be spilled or would you bother to try to understand?' Those were your exact words I have been thinking long and hard about that question and here is my answer: For far too long ignorance and prejudice have festered in the world of shinobi, blinding us to what should really matter, giving ground to hatred and suffering to grow in in turn. While you are not a Jinchuuriki in the traditional sense of the word, you are close enough to being one. Jinchuuriki are more often than not treated the same, no matter the village. They are met with ignorance and prejudice. It would seem that goes for your home as well."

She took a deep breath, noticing how she had Remus' full attention and a quick glance at the heart monitor showed her he had calmed down considerably. "I cannot promise you that you will see your home again, so I won't. Nor can I promise you that you will be accepted by all in this village or by those where you are from. But like with rings in the water, someone has to start them. And eventually, those rings will spread over the entire lake. I would like to be the one who starts those rings."

She paused again and noticed how Remus' had attained an almost normal heart rate. "As I said, what's done is done. You can't change the past by actions, and blaming yourself for what happened won't change it either. What you can do, however, is to strive to make a better future."

Remus looked long and hard into Tsunade's eyes, not truly believing his ears. They were essentially forgiving him, when he himself could not. He supposed it had something to do with their culture, but Tsunade spoke with wisdom that few back home in the Wizarding world possessed, despite them being older than the Hokage. And it wasn't the first time he had heard that little speech about past, blame and future. Dumbledore said something along the same lines to him on several occasions. Although he doubted Tsunade would like being compared to one twice her age. Still meeting the Hokage's gaze, Remus spoke softly, hoping she could hear his sincerity.

"Thank you, Lady Hokage. You have showed kindness and wisdom that few I have met possess. I cannot lie and say I forgive myself, but I will do my best to help." Nodding Tsunade removed her hand, and almost instantly, Lupin found his pulse and blood pressure rise to unhealthy levels. Taking a deep breath, knowing he would have to be calm for the following, he began meditating and sorting through his memories and thoughts, calming his body and mind. When he opened his eye again, he was slightly surprised to see his pulse had lowered to a level that could pass for him just waking up. Turning his head, he looked at Kakashi.

"I can guess you have a lot of questions. But I would like to ask you one first: Have you had a high fever recently?" Kakashi nodded. "I see. That fever was caused by the werewolf virus, a virus called Lycan, rewriting your DNA. Can I get my wand?" Another nod and Remus was holding the powerful piece of wood. Giving a nonchalant wave and a 3D picture of a DNA cord (like one finds in biology books) appeared. "This is normal DNA string. The Lycan virus goes in and rips it apart," a dark cloud appeared and tore the bindings from each other, "and forces the DNA string to accept it in order for it to mend." The dark cloud became a link between the pieces. "Once there, it is, so far at least, impossible to remove."

Kakashi nodded as Remus erased the 3D picture. "I keep having images… hallucinations... invade my mind, day and night. I first had one during our escape from Orochimaru's stronghold, but lately, they have been more intense and harder to ignore. They show you fighting, a burning house, to name a few."

Remus' breath hitched in his throat and it took all of his willpower to stop the tears from flowing. It had been eighteen years, but it still hurt like it was yesterday. Taking a few calming breaths, Remus steeled himself. "They are not hallucinations… they are memories. My memories, to be exact. They were transferred via the Lycan virus." Two confused looks and Remus sighed. "In most cases, the only memories that will be transferred are memories where the wolf and human part experienced strong emotions together. Emotions like rage and sorrow. Especially rage."

Tsunade frowned. "Earlier you mentioned something about you being in the Alpha category? Will that make Kakashi an Alpha as well?"

Now it was Remus turn to frown, and he noticed how Kakashi tensed up in anticipation as he scrutinized him. When he spoke, his voice was slow, as if he was not sure of his words himself.

"I'm not sure. There are two factors that play an essential part. One is the category of the werewolf who bit you. The other is your age." He paused, contemplating his words. "The wolf will grow as you grow… physically that is. The younger you are, the more you grow." He paused again, frown deepening. "You were bitten by an Alpha and are in your thirties. My guess would be you would be a Beta-minus or Beta-plus." He sighed. "Not that it makes it any better."

Tsunade's frown deepened and Kakashi followed suit. Kakashi spoke up, having an idea. "I have a guess on why it doesn't make it any better. In the realms of animals, two males will fight for a female or territory. If the gap between them in strength and size are too great, the smaller and weaker one will retreat. However, if the two rivals are equal in size and strength, they will continue to fight till one backs down, sometimes, although rarely, ending in the death of one of them." Remus nodded. "Remus-san, assuming your estimation is correct, how big is the gap between us?"

Remus sighed, a rueful look on his face. "Not big enough I'm afraid. If we go from strongest to weakest, we have Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. All categories but Alpha have minus and plus."

Kakashi sighed, a somewhat grim look in his eye. "So it might end in a death match?"

'I'm looking forward to it. After all, turning him was my plan since I failed to kill him back then.'

Lupin refrained from cursing Moony out loud. He should have known Moony would have a back-up plan. Instead, he nodded to Kakashi's question. "Sadly, yes."

Kakashi nodded, being happy he had already made his precautions for tomorrow night. "Alright. Is there anything else I can expect or should know about? Aside from my body transforming?"

Remus' brow furrowed, and for a minute the two ninja thought he wasn't going to answer. "I don't know if it will make a big difference for you, but usually, your five senses will increase gradually; so will your strength, speed and stamina. Also, back where I'm from, you will get some resistance to jutsu, not to mention more power behind those you cast. But seeing how different our jutsu aren't from yours, I can't be sure. Lastly, you must exercise inhuman control over your emotions. Especially rage. Something that will be much harder near full moon."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. That didn't sound too bad in his ears. And considering his past with the ANBU, he doubted control of his emotions would be problem. Still, he was curious. It would definitely explain his outburst during his little discussion and why he had seemed so irritated the past week. "What happens if I should lose control of my rage?"

Remus refrained from sighing. He had done that too much for his liking. "What I'm about to is controlled. It can get much worse." He looked at the telly in the corner and focused. Both Tsunade and Kakashi followed his gaze, but they couldn't hide their surprise completely when the TV exploded. Almost lazily, Remus waved the wand and TV repaired itself. Good thing too, for Tsunade looked she was about to complain having to replace it. "That was controlled. Had I lost control, I could have set the entire room on fire."

Kakashi nodded. That explained much. However, one thing was puzzling him. "Remus-san, if being a werewolf improves your senses, strength, speed and stamina, and gives you a resistance to your jutsu, then how come werewolves are so hated? One would think people would want to become werewolves.

Remus laughed, but it was filled with bitterness and without humour. "Another difference between our cultures I suppose. I can easily see your logic and even understand it. But my people have a completely different relationship to death compared to yours. While you accept death as something inevitable and as something as natural as falling asleep, my people consider it as something unnatural and even fear it. Of course there are exceptions, but that is the general picture."

Tsunade cocked an eyebrow. The fact that there were people out there that considered death unnatural was mindboggling. But as Remus said, there were exceptions. "I'm sorry Remus-san, but I fail to see the relevance."

Remus nodded. "Figured as much. Where I come from, it isn't unnatural for people to, unless something happens of course, to live past hundred or hundred-fifty years. I think the record, without use of any life prolonging materials, were 177 years." He sighed. "After being bitten, a lycanthrope should not expect to live more than forty years, fifty at best. The stress the monthly transformations put on the body is too great, not to mention the unfair trade of damage. You wound the wolf, you wound the man too. Wound the man, and the wolf goes free. In short, once I transform, my wolf-form will both eyes working perfectly while when I transform back, I will only have one eye." He closed his eye for half a minute before speaking again. "Another reason werewolves are despised is because when transformed, the werewolf will attack any human, even your best friend. Lastly, many believe they will become lycanthrope like one gets a cold. Years of propaganda and lack of common sense are to blame for that one." He met the two ninjas' gazes. "I don't mean to be rude, but do you have anything else you want to ask me?" They shook their heads. "Very well. If you will excuse me but I would like to rest. Kakashi, I will advise you to do the same. The first full moons are always the worst."

"Goodbye, Remus-san." Kakashi said, ignoring Tsunade's comment about the teamwork between him and advised rest before she bid Remus goodbye. As they were walking down the silent halls of the corridor, Kakashi shifted his gaze to glance at Tsunade. "How long have you known?"

His voice was so low that Tsunade would have missed it had there been more people milling around. But seeing how they were only people there, she heard him perfectly. "Known what?"

Flicking a page in his Icha-Icha book, Kakashi checked if someone were hiding in the corridor. He didn't detect any so he found it safe to continue. "That I'm werewolf now."

Tsunade sighed. Both out of annoyance that Kakashi was reading that book in front of her but also of tiredness. And a bit of amusement as well. Jiraiya's stupid books were the closest thing that made Kakashi truly relax. Knowing that Kakashi had already checked if they were alone, Tsunade glanced at him before answering his question in a lowered voice.

"Since the trial, though I suspected it before. While you were unconsciousness, I had the medics take various blood samples and had several Hyuuga clan members performing scans of your chakra network. Both told me something strange. You were developing a secondary chakra system like Remus-san. Not only that, but there was something in your blood that weren't there when compared to previous samples. Something they also found in Remus-san's blood. It was too much of a coincidence. Then there was your strange silence and all of your efforts in that trial."

Kakashi turned another page in his book. "If you knew all along, why didn't you call me out on it earlier?"

At that question Tsunade snorted. To her, it was obvious why she hadn't. "Kakashi, I have known you since you were in diapers. If I had pressed the matter, you would just have become even more tight-lipped. So why bother? Although after this little chat, perhaps I should have." They reached the entrance to the hospital. "Kakashi."

Looking up from his book briefly, Kakashi noticed how the rain clouds played with the colours of the sunset. "Yes, Hokage-sama?"

Tsunade glanced around before looking at Kakashi. "Remember what I told Remus-san about past, blaming yourself and making a better future?" Kakashi looked up from his book and nodded, although tentatively. "It goes for you as well."

Kakashi lowered his book, looking at Tsunade as if she were stupid. "I'm trying to make a better future. Naruto…"

Tsunade held up a hand, silencing him. "That is not what I meant Kakashi, and you know it. I meant that you should try making a better future for yourself as well." Her eyes and voice softened. "It has been many years since they died, Kakashi. None of them would want you to beat yourself up over things you had no control over. Not Obito, not Rin, not Minato. Kakashi, I know you don't want to hear this, and will disagree with me, but: It's time to let them go… time for you to start healing without constantly ripping up the old wounds."

"But Naruto…"

"Naruto will need you to recover from this, Kakashi… and you will need him. You are good for each other; one would have to be blind or daft to say otherwise." She paused before speaking again. "Let them go, Kakashi. The dead have no use of your regret, only the knowledge that you are happy. There is however a teenage boy who needs you. Your experience and wisdom for advice, your protection and the comfort you can give him. Naruto needs those things Kakashi, but you need someone to remind you of the hope of a better future."

With that she walked away, leaving a somewhat baffled and disturbed Kakashi behind. Closing his book with a sigh, the great Copy-Ninja looked into the sky as a small drizzle started, pondering Tsunade's words. Perhaps it was time for him to let go and move on.

00000

Kakashi might be calm on the outside, but on the inside, as much as he hated to admit it, he was nervous. His bones had been aching for the last couple of days, and he was still mulling over Tsunade words. Even now, as he was sitting with only a couple of charmed boxers that would appear on him when he transformed back to human, courtesy of Remus, that little voice of his Hokage kept repeating the words she had said the day before.

Glancing around the cage he had Tenzou make for him in the woods behind the Hatake Mansion, he couldn't help but wondering if it would be enough. He had seen what Remus was capable of in wolf-form and he feared that he, despite the cage's design, would be able to smash it and escape. And the fact that Naruto was on a date with Sakura only managed to soothe his worries a little. Looking at the young man at the treeline, he started second-guessing how smart it was having him here. But his line of thought was cut short when his entire body tensed up and an extreme wave of nausea washed over him. Unable to hold it back, Kakashi emptied his stomach.

"Kakashi-san, you alright?"

Kakashi heaved a few times. He didn't think he had ever felt so sick. His bones hurt and he felt as if his blood was boiling. "I have been better, but Neji, stay back." He had barely spoken the last words before he was bathed in silver light. Looking up, he found the source: The full moon. "So it begins."

Then, his entire body exploded in pain and he couldn't stop the screams of agony as his first transformation into a werewolf began.

End chapter 21.

AN: Yeah, I know I promised this chapter would be Kakashi's transformation, but then I realized I needed to explain a lot of things such as the difference between adoption and enrollment into a clan, Hatake Mansion, Naruto's condition (which will be addressed a bit more in chapter 22) and perhaps most important: Give Kakahsi some information about werewolves. I simply cannot see him enter his transformation without having some information. Besides, I thought we needed some comic relief.

I originally planned to give you chapter 21 and 22 in one go, or with one week in between, but then I probably wouldn't be able to update this story before October.

Hope you enjoyed.