Chapter 29: Caretaker


Kakashi had always considered himself a lucky man. Despite his what-seemed-like never ending losses of family and friends, he'd survived much longer than the average shinobi life-expectancy and he'd taught a genin team who'd been effectively becoming legendary in their own ways in the impending Fourth Shinobi War. Luck had always been a relative thing, anyways. Kakashi was sure somewhere in the world his losses weren't half as bad or distressing as other shinobi. Besides, despite everything, Kakashi, through an unimaginable miracle, had been given a second chance to save his loved ones.

Admittedly, saving his father hadn't gone as well as he thought it would, but that only gave him more incentive to make sure Obito, Rin, Minato, and all those who could be saved would be saved. He wouldn't fail a second time, Kakashi vowed determinately, because this time he would try even harder in order to make sure his father's death wasn't in vain – he owed his father's sacrifice that much.

And if Kakashi was being honest with himself, maybe it was true that he was still hurting inside, but he knew moping about it would get him nowhere. Even if he felt like lately he had to get through the days by desperately pushing happy yet hollow thoughts, words, and expressions to cover up his anguish, it was an honest start and Kakashi had to start somewhere, right?

Kakashi was half-certain some all-powerful being up there in the beyond decided to take pity on his current dreary situation when the next day Kakashi's luck struck once more early that morning.

Kakashi couldn't believe his eyes, his body freezing for a mere second, when a bright smiling sunshine blond woke him up with a sharp knock on his Compound doors. Kakashi never expected Minato-sensei was going to be part of his life already, especially considering the man had no reason to visit him since he was no longer his mentor. Kakashi had been harbouring thoughts on initiating his introduction to the cheery blond himself as soon as he managed to conjure up a good excuse, but it seemed like fate had other plans. This was truly a surprising turn of events. Of course, Minato took Kakashi's woozy stare as a sign of mistrust and fear.

"H-hello," the blond said softly, "Are you Kakashi?"

Kakashi nodded, snapping out of his stupor. He opened the door wider to let the man in, eyes refusing to leave the oh-so familiar sight of his beloved sensei.

Whether or not Minato noticed his invitation into the Compound, Kakashi couldn't be sure, but the man continued talking, seemingly in a daze of his own. "Do you remember me? I'm friends with your dad. We've met when you were this small," he said, holding his hands apart to a size of what could only be an infant.

Kakashi offered the man a soft smile. "Really? I think my dad mentioned it once," Kakashi responded. Minato was speaking so slowly and gently, like he was afraid Kakashi was going to break down if he raised his voice. Minato had never been like this the first time around. Kakashi couldn't stand it; he was not that fragile. Kakashi wanted a deep bond with his sensei, something akin to the one they'd had in the future when Kakashi finally opened up to Minato. But they would never get anywhere if Minato kept acting like Kakashi would fall apart in a gust of wind.

The blond seemed to be considering something to himself as he said, "Is that so?" in a voice that made Kakashi slightly apprehensive. The silver-haired boy had noticed what seemed like confidence slowing building up behind Minato's nervous cerulean blue eyes as their conversation proceeded, but it appeared the blond wasn't quite comfortable standing before him after all.

For a second, Kakashi wondered what he should be doing. Another half of his mind wondered if Minato-sensei – no, Minato-san – was going to bolt if he let the silence hang for any longer. It was a bit impulsive on his part, but Kakashi sudden reached up with both his hands, pulling Minato into the compound before the blond did decided to change his mind an leave. "Do you want something to drink?" he asked, already leading the way without letting the man decide.

Kakashi could feel Minato dutifully following after him, and the masked boy had to suppress a childish giggle (he wasn't sure if he was really amused or perhaps the stress was getting to him) that seemed to build up seeing the stupor the man was in. It was a struggle to keep in his inane need to giggle, and Kakashi was certain he'd look more insane than anything else if he'd let his laughter come free. But something deep inside Kakashi was swelling like a balloon in his chest, making him restless and feeling like he had to do something, because he couldn't just walk carefreely like everything was fine in his life. And yet another part of him wondered why he was so fidgety because he'd never had this little control over his emotions except when he'd actually been a kid, and despite how he looked at the moment he wasn't truly one anymore.

Nevertheless, Kakashi eventually managed to push away his urge the whole journey through the Compound. The moment they reached the kitchen, Kakashi guided the blond over to a chair before kicking a stool over to the cabinets to reach into the overhead shelves for his guest cups.

Minato seemed to snap out of his stupor as he watched Kakashi clamber up the stool and table for them. "Let me," the blond insisted, heading over, words tumbling out in a bit of an uncertain rush.

"I've got it," Kakashi said, but the blond merely reached over him, getting the cups before Kakashi could even touch them. "Oh," the boy paused. "Thanks."

Minato grinned. "I'm here to help."

Kakashi felt a small smile tug at the corners of his lips at the man's familiar tone as Minato's tense voice from before melted back into his naturally relaxed timbres. He fixed a curious look on his face. "Oh, are you?" Kakashi inquired interestedly, already gathering the kettle to pour their tea.

Minato seemed to pause, running the question over in is mind. "Well, yes, actually," he finally said, "In a way." The man sat down by the dining room table, following Kakashi's lead. He scratched his cheek nervously, fingers spinning the full cup of tea in his hands in an anxious twitch. "Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about," Minato continued in the same cautious tone.

"Yes?"

Kakashi waited patiently as Minato gathered his nerves. The older man took a deep breath. "Yes. Because you're a minor living alone now that-" The blond started before shaking his head and starting over. "Because you're still a child and living alone, the Hokage thought it would be best if someone could come and check up on you. In case you have any concerns."

Kakashi nodded, wrapping his hand around his warm teacup. "The Hokage mentioned about it yesterday," the boy recalled. He just never realised Hokage-sama would get Minato to do it.

"Ah!" The blond suddenly cried out, drawing Kakashi's eyes upon him. Minato stared into Kakashi's eyes, his own glowing with sincerity he tried to convey to the boy as he spoke. "I want you to understand that I'm not only doing this because I was ordered to. I chose to look after you, so don't think you'll be a burden. If there's anything, just let me know, okay?"

Kakashi couldn't help the small amused grin rising on his face at his sensei's frantic words. Minato didn't need to tell him that; Kakashi knew better than anyone how kind-hearted the Jounin was. "Okay," he said out loud nevertheless, hoping to calm Minato down, "I'll let you know."

Minato grinned at him with something akin to relief hiding behind his stretching lips. For another few minutes, silence enveloped the two. Minato anxiously tapped his finger on the side of his cup, starting to look a bit apprehensive when Kakashi didn't say anything more because, Kakashi supposed, Minato likely was under the impression that all six-year-olds were known for being unrestrained and chatty. Kakashi took pity on the man. "I'm Kakashi," the silver-haired boy said, opening up a conversation, "I'm six, and I like … reading."

"Ah," Minato sounded, probably only realising he'd failed to make any proper introduction of himself. "I'm Minato Namikaze. Call me Minato." The man rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "As I'm sure you can tell from my flak jacket, I'm a shinobi - Jounin, to be exact. My teacher, Jiraiya-sensei, and your dad were great friends." Minato pursed his lips in thought before his eyes lit up at another topic to share, an amused grin on his face. "Jiraiya-sensei was always complaining how it was my fault I lost him the claim of having cutest protégé once you were born," Minato confided playfully.

The boy rolled his eyes. "That sounds like them," Kakashi snorted, thinking back on all the childish bragging competitions the two indulged themselves in. A second later, Kakashi struggled to hold his grin steady, trying to swallow back down the twisting ball in his chest that was trying to force its way out when he was reminded once again of what he'd lost.

They'd lapsed into another silence afterwards as Kakashi was content to study the young form of his sensei before him, trying to keep himself in the present, while Minato had absolutely no idea what more to say to the six-year-old. Then man continuously ran his hand through his messy blond hair with increasing frequency, as though the action itself was trying to make up for the lack of words being spoken between them. Finally the blond took a sip of his tea, offering Kakashi a solemn smile. "Do you need to talk about it?" he asked hesitantly.

Kakashi glanced up at the man's terrible attempt to play therapist. It was nice that Minato was trying so hard; after all, this must've been awkward for the man, considering how nervous he'd been hardly half-an-hour ago. But no, Kakashi was fine. He wasn't traumatised no matter what Minato may have thought, and in fact, Kakashi just really didn't want to think about it at all.

Some of the pain must've leaked though as the Jounin leaned forward across the table closer to Kakashi, as if physical contact would help ease the burden; as if the closer he was, it would help transfer some of the pain over to Minato. "Are you sure you're fine?" Minato insisted, concern stitched into each of his words.

Kakashi shook his head. "Don't worry so much about me, Minato-san." The boy's lip quirked upwards for a second, "Adults make too much of a fuss."

Minato looked confused at Kakashi's sudden amusement, and he looked like he wanted to complain at the idle way the silver-haired boy brushed off his honest concern. In the end, Minato clenched his teacup tighter as his muscles twitched like he was suppressing his desire to get up to move closer to Kakashi. "Are you sure there's nothing I can do?" he asked for a final time.

Minato's worried persistence was endearing, Kakashi decided; that was why even as a bitter child in the past he'd never been able to fully despise the blond. Minato was someone who's care for another's wellbeing was so pure and genuine that Kakashi would sometimes find himself confiding to the blond just to stop Minato from over-worrying for his sake. And even if the blond was stumbling his way around Kakashi right now, and holding himself back in fear of startling the six-year-old, Kakashi could tell that Minato truly could worry himself into a frenzy over imaginary issues the a man would assume could be bothering Kakashi.

The silver-haired boy looked up, letting his solemn grey-blue eyes bore into Minato's. "Actually," the silver-haired boy began softly, honestly, "There is one thing I need help organising …" And if letting Minato past the surface of his forced optimistic behaviour helped form a stronger bond between them so much sooner, then all the better, because sometimes Kakashi couldn't help feeling the spark of longing inside for the rekindling of the relationship they'd once had so long ago. Besides, Kakashi did need help with organising a certain project he had in mind, and Minato was more than happy to help.


A/N: You'll probably be not as eager to know that the next chapter is one of angst, but on the bright side, there are two updates scheduled for next week, so hopefully the one after makes up for it. :D