Chapter 46: Invitation
By now it was routine for Minato to find Kakashi reposing on the couch in the afternoon, lounging idly without a care in the world. With that same routine, Minato would wander over to Kakashi and ruffle his adopted son's unruly silver hair in goodbye as he left to train - but not before trying to drag the boy along as well. It was obvious the man didn't like leaving Kakashi by his lonely self.
"I'm going off training, Kakashi!" Minato said one morning, much like every other day "I'll be home soon."
Kakashi hardly moved from his spot, only turning towards the blond and lifting up a hand. "Yes'sir," the silver-haired boy murmured, giving a mock salute.
The blond shook his head with a laugh on his lips. "And one of these days you're going to come with me before you end up fat and lazy, lying around all day, with only your semi-monthly self-training," Minato teased. The boy grumbled as Minato mussed his hair playfully and pulled him up into a quick one armed hug. "Alright, see you soon," the man said, grabbing his green flake jacket on the way out.
"See you," Kakashi called out after him. The silver-haired boy watched as his former sensei shut and lock the door before allowing a mischievous pull tug around the corners of his lips. "Fat and lazy, huh?" Well, at least Minato got one right. But then again, purposely acting lazy didn't exactly count as being actually lazy, did it? And were he fat, would it have really been Kakashi's fault, considering how Minato had been actively trying to stuff him with candy and other sweets over the last few months?
With a small chuckle, Kakashi turn on the couch from the twisted form he was in, facing away from the door and settling back properly on the cushions.
Despite what Minato thought (although, to be honest, Kakashi didn't know what Minato actually thought Kakashi did when the blond went out training), Kakashi didn't laze on the couch all day long. Kakashi was a warrior, and he took pride in his strength and physique, no matter the tiny little fact that he was technically a civilian nowadays. Even if he wanted to, Kakashi wouldn't have been able to help himself and his itching need to train.
Instead of training with his former sensei, however, Kakashi preferred working out on his own – which was why the boy declined the blond's offer every day. … well, no, that was half a lie. To be honest, Kakashi missed sparring with Minato. Every now and then, Kakashi craved exchanging blows with the man who'd been his greatest mentor, if anything, just to feel the sweet nostalgia of the good days that littered so sparingly in years that seems much too long ago.
But Kakashi couldn't, because he wouldn't be able to explain to Minato where and how he learned all the techniques and skills he would surely show. Kakashi could try not to use advanced arts, but Kakashi knew he would eventually get pulled into the battle because this was Minato, his sensei, his mentor, his future Hokage, he was sparring, and just thinking about it was enough to make him fervent and giddy.
But then again, Minato wouldn't go full out on him – not the same way they had when Kakashi was Jounin all those years back. Even though that was how a reasonable adult should act, there was a feeling akin to humiliation squirming in Kakashi at the idea of Minato holding back on him; a strong shinobi like Kakashi had his pride. Kakashi hated being taken lightly unless he was purposely trying to get others to underestimate him.
Kakashi's training regimen was taken care of by sneaking out whenever Minato wouldn't miss him. If Kakashi wasn't sure he would get away with being missing for a few hours, he would send out a henged clone to head out in his stead. He would pull up a nondescript henge and head out to the unused training grounds littered around the village - they were those old, worn-out grounds that had seen their fair share of jounins and now left mostly alone to be given the chance for green to sprout and fill out the cracked, charred grounds once more. Most shinobi never wandered around those grounds other than, perhaps, an occasional drop in a year or two to make sure the land was recovering well. Not one had yet to walk into the henged Kakashi's training just quite yet, though the jounin-turned-boy was certain he would be able to talk his way out of it should anyone see him and question his actions.
In the training grounds, Kakashi normally worked on his strength and agility. Although Kakashi knew physical prowess was important, especially seeing the muscle mass he'd built up over the years reduced back to baby fat, Kakashi never skirted his meditations either. It was more of a chakra exercise than actual meditation, but very much the same and especially advantageous because both Kakashi needed to work on. Kakashi had to pay close attention to the flow of his chakra as it cycled his body, making sure to keep the hold on his reserves tight and cloaked to avoid suspicion. The mediation allowed Kakashi to turn his mind inwards and focus on that. It also calmed his tense mind, keeping his emotions balanced – something Kakashi needed desperately after realising the capricious effects his kid-self seemed to increasingly have on his mental state.
Hopping off Minato's couch, Kakashi made his way into the comfort of his own room. With a small bounce off the soles of his feet to push himself up onto the bed, Kakashi crawled to the center of the mattress, sliding into a crossed legged form. With Minato away and the house to himself, Kakashi had more than enough time to slip into meditation and emerge before the blond returned home. Kakashi wriggled on the lumpy mattress, settling himself down comfortably, and then he closed his eyes and let his steady breath slowly inhale and exhale in gentle intervals. The hum of the wind, the birds, and the echoing barking of dogs off in the distance washed over Kakashi in a soothing tide. The sounds where catalogued in the back of Kakashi's mind, but he didn't pay it any more heed than that, preferring to empty out extraneous thoughts.
In, out. In, out …
Eventually the sounds quieted. Kakashi didn't know how long he had been sitting there for, but he wasn't lost enough in his own mind to not hear the abrupt, almost inaudiable creak of old floorboards stepped upon. It was only once, and it cut off just as abruptly without even full weight placed on it, but the sharp foreign sound made Kakashi's eyes snap open without a second thought.
Kakashi was greeted to the sight of his darkened bedroom.
The Hatake rolled silently off the bed, hand immediately snaking towards the kunai he'd hid between the mattresses long ago. Unconsciously he noted the time, realising he's been meditating much longer than he'd expected. Lowering himself nearer to the ground, Kakashi could feel the absence of vibrating footsteps, even though he knew there was someone wandering about. Kakashi was certain that creak on the floorboards he'd heard just a few seconds prior came from within their unit, despite the absence of any other sounds to confirm his suspicion. Kakashi kept his breathing low and his ears open, closing his eyes to focus of sensing the energy around him. Whoever was in the building, it was not Minato; the man had no reason to sneak around in his own home of all places, and the tendrils of chakra that Kakashi could just scarcely detect, invasively curling through the otherwise familiar house, wasn't as warm and gentle as Minato's own.
Suddenly, Kakashi whipped around, his arm snapping out with the kunai in hand, tip aimed to drive sharply into the unknown figure who'd crept behind him. The air shifted without a pause as the figure spun sharply to evade. The shine of weapons filled the other man's hands in the next second's breath, their legs bent ready to leap out at him.
Kakashi shot forwards at the man in pure instinct to protect himself in what was supposed to be the safety of his own home. With a quick push, Kakashi launched himself at the opponent. He slashed down with his kunai, barely drawing blood as the man slipped backwards once more.
The moment the other man flawlessly retaliated, Kakashi could tell from his seamless movements he was an experience, talented shinobi. Not a single maneuver was excessive and unnecessary towards his goal. Rushing towards Kakashi, the enemy shot out two kunai on either side of the boy, restraining him from escaping in either direction. With the wall at his back, it left only a straight path forward towards the enemy ninja where the other man was ready for him.
Of course, that was assuming Kakashi had been a normal boy. Kakashi huffed, knowing he'd been underestimated. Channeling chakra into his legs, Kakashi pushed off from the ground, using the wall behind him to propel himself on the ceiling and flip behind the enemy in one smooth leap.
Without even a break in the timing, Kakashi ascended on the man, one hand open to grasp onto him, kunai in the other, and a leg shooting forwards to unbuckle the man's knees and drop the enemy to the ground.
It was a pity Kakashi momentarily forgot he was in a smaller body, too caught up in the action of the fight. The Jounin-turned-boy was too used to engaging in battle (and training) in a taller henged form lately, rather than in his seven-year-old body. As a result, while his hand had successfully clasped onto the other man's wrist, Kakashi's leg only barely reached, giving the lack of strength necessary to collapse the man's stance. With a wave of his arm, the man broke Kakashi from his off-balanced hold, sweeping him backwards into a toppling chair, letting hard wooden edges dig into his spine. The silver-haired boy struggled under the man's grips as he was held down under weight of the other man's body, but his younger, weaker build was no match.
Kakashi worked on his breathing as he tried to make out the outline of the man holding him bound, "W-who are you?" he asked with a frighten child's wobbling tremor deliberately carried in each word.
"I mean you no harm," the other said, his appearance still cloaked under the shadows of the room.
Kakashi glanced down at the weapons the figure held in his hands as best as he could, still locked in the man's tight hold, "Is that so?" he countered disbelievingly, dropping the act when it was clear the man had no sympathy for terrified children.
The moment the words were spoken the weapons vanished, but Kakashi was still held hostage. "I merely retaliated to counter an attack. I had not initiated it."
"Then let me go. I've finished my attack."
The man shifted his hold on Kakashi, perhaps to help him feel more comfortable, and yet he still refused to relinquish his hold. From the corner of Kakashi's eyes, something on the man's arm glinted under the harsh illuminating light of dawning sunrays piercing through Kakashi's room window. Kakashi squinted when the man shifted suddenly, unintentionally giving Kakashi a view that caused him to stiffen in the man's hold. It was a hitai-ate – a Konoha hitai-ate - tied around the arm.
What was this? Attacking fellow villagers? An act of betrayal to the village? Kakashi narrowed his eyes as his mind threw an array of possibilities for him to consider.
"You still haven't told me who you are," Kakashi growled out, not bothering to keep his displeasure out of his voice.
"No one of consequence. I am only here to escort you to an invitation."
"This is not how you invite others out," Kakashi riposted, "no matter how socially awkward you are."
The man shifted side to side with Kakashi in his arms, as if considering a better way of hold him would make Kakashi more agreeable, before finally deciding against it. "I am here to escort you to an invitation, please," the man said instead, as though it made a difference.
Kakashi frowned thoughtfully. "From whom?"
The man leaned forwards, suddenly giving Kakashi a full face view of the tell-tale white ceramic mask that covered his face. The mask was swirled with an inked designed, etching an animal's face neatly on it. "A very important person wishes to talk to you," the Anbu said with a voice that seemed like he was trying to excite Kakashi, but the tone sounded much too hollow and well practiced for Kakashi's liking. "He has a problem only you can resolve." Kakashi had a feeling the wording was supposed to make him feel honoured enough to accept the invitation without another thought, but were kids really that gullible?
"No," Kakashi said candidly, and he had good reason to refuse. Kakashi had once been in Anbu, and he knew all about his fellow Anbu's masks to easily identify majority of the designs used by the Special Assassination and Tactical Division. This mask, however, was not one of the regulars. The lack of the Anbu tattoo on the man's left shoulder was also more than telling. Sometimes, Kakashi really wished Danzou's Root never existed.
The man moved anxiously with Kakashi in his arms, as if uncertain how to react to Kakashi's blunt refusal. "My orders are to escort you."
"I'm not going."
"It is to meet an important person," the man repeated, stuck on replay – likely because he hadn't been given orders on how to proceed should Kakashi refuse so adamantly, and he didn't know how else to convince a seven-year-old child other than repeating the tempting offer he was ordered to relay.
Kakashi wriggled in the man's arm, trying to dislodge himself free, "I said no. Let me go." Kakashi's hands were locked in a ram seal, ready to force his way out, when the Anbu suddenly stiffened. The man's head inclined ever so slightly, as if sensing something beyond Kakashi's room, before looking muddled and uncertain of what to do next.
Kakashi took the opportunity to leap from the Anbu's arm. He wasn't even halfway down when the Anbu spurred into sudden action, hastily snatching Kakashi from midair and pulling him tight. "I won't l–"
The last thing Kakashi saw was the sight of a glistening senbon in the man's hand, curving inwards and heading towards the back of his neck. He never even managed to finished his sentence, and only just vaguely began recalling an acupoint around there that had the ability to render him unconscious, before the world disappeared before his very eyes.
Kakashi was gone before the door of his room slammed open once more, allowing one frantic Minato Namikaze in. Frantic became enraged when he realised not only was there an unknown ninja in his home, but also that Kakashi was, in fact, missing.
