Raidou, being a polite person unlike some people, actually checked himself out. Raidou could see that the nurse was almost in tears. She was probably an unfortunate civilian who dealt with shinobi bullshit too much, with many, many patients sneaking out or their crazy antics.

As if fate itself decreed it, there was a loud CRASH and a lot of yelling. Raidou grimaced at the noise outside. From the screaming, it sounded like a shinobi tried to leap out of the window with two broken legs and a broken arm.

If you aren't Kakashi, don't even bother trying. It takes a certain brand of crazy to do that.

Raidou gave an awkward smile at the nurse, who actually seemed to want to burst into tears. He was NOT qualified to deal with tears and crying, especially of women. He often just made them cry even more.

Raidou really wished that Genma was here, because he could make anyone dance to his tune. There was a reason Genma specialized in infiltration and honeypots. Sadly, his friend was not with him and was actually doing work, unlike him.

So, he made a reasonable retreat before the waterworks appeared.

(A bit cowardly, but even with two lifetimes under his belt, he could never understand women very well)

Raidou considered immediately heading to his apartment, but the uncomfortable itch under his skin made him feel restless.

Raidou looked at the cloudless sky, painted colors of the setting sun. There was the quiet hum of home as civilians hurried around, while shinobi either laughed with their friends or jumped across the roofs to hurry home. It was quite peaceful.

Raidou watched it all with distant eyes. He thought he knew who he was and what he was doing. Now, he felt unsettled and felt like an outsider watching in.

His right hand felt a phantom burn and Raidou resisted the urge to check. He knew it wasn't glowing anymore, but the feeling couldn't quite leave him.

Everywhere Raidou looked, he could only see distant what-ifs. He could see the distant glistening red hair of Kushina laughing and smiling with the bright blond locks of Minato. He could picture both of them dotting on their son. Two lonely orphans finally able to have the family they so desperately wanted, but torn apart in a blaze of fire and hell.

Raidou felt as if the presence of Kushina watching him, knowing he had the ability to help the man she loved. Mintato was the leader Raidou swore loyalty to and failed to help, but the haunting, cryptic words of Death nipped at every thought. Raidou was able to help Minato, but he didn't know how.

Raidou looked blankly, longing for some answers as the phantoms vanished from sight.

When he blinked, Raidou could only see fiery red hair glistening in the distance and the sound of familiar joyful laughter. For a moment, Raidou could see her freckles and her teasing smile, before the illusion vanished.

Another what-if and failure, Raidou thought bitterly. Even though those months together were the best moments of his life, she deserved better than him. She was so strong and fiercely independent. She didn't cry when they broke up, but Raidou could clearly picture her teary face and cry of heartbroken anguish when Voldermort showed him off. It must have hurt worse for Ginny, being heartbroken then becoming hopeful, before that hope was crushed into pieces.

Death ripped that hopeful happy ending away from both of them. In the end, Harry was never destined for a happy ending.

(Maybe Raidou was destined the same. But even if he couldn't have a happy ending, he could at least assure the happy endings of the people around them. He wouldn't let anyone he loves die again for him… right?)

The bitter feelings of failure sagged in his stomach as he slowly started to walk away from the hospital. He felt lost. He wasn't good enough back then to protect the people he loved, so how can he say now was any different?

Raidou looked at the sky with a sigh, before looking around him. Perhaps he needed to get lost on the path of life for a bit. Maybe it'll give him the answers he so seeks.

~OoOo~

It was by accident that Raidou found himself at the Memorial Stone. Perhaps, he thought wryly, that if you adopt one habit of Kakashi's, you end up adopting all of them.

Raidou snorted at the thought. The Sandaime didn't have the same soft spot for everyone else about tardiness, but Raidou would love to see everyone's faces if he showed up to a meeting late with his nose deep in a familiar orange book. Even Kakashi would be shocked, while Genma would have an aneurysm.

Imagine that. One of the strictest captains about tardiness because he has "a katana stuck far up his ass," according to Genma, being late. Raidou rolled his eyes at the thought.

He looked around, but it seemed that he was the only one here.

Raidou may have not brought anything with him to offer the dead, but the least he could do was talk to them.

(Raidou didn't want to think about the fact that this was the first time in years that he visited the dead)

He traced the names of past comrades and classmates, particularly Uchiha Obito's, before pausing on his father's name. Namiashi Isamu. He died at the tail-end of the war during an ambush.

Raidou closed his eyes.

"Hey, Dad. I hope you're doing well with Mom. Sorry it took me so long so visit, but more than ever, I wish I could see you both right now. I feel like my whole life has been turned upside down," Raidou murmured. I don't know who to turn to right now.

His father would encourage him to face everything heads on, while his mother would help him keep a clear mind to think things through.

(Harry may have never been able to know his parents, but Raidou had a loving family. He missed them everyday)

When touching the subject of reincarnation, it was already a stretch. Some were firm believers, while others were skeptics or apathetic. If Raidou tried to bring up "I reincarnated and in my previous life, I was a wizard who could fly on broomsticks, use wands that could make boxes sprout legs and tap dance, while civilians who made huge advances in technology and created very dangerous weapons," he would be tossed into T&I before he could even finish his sentence. In essence, Raidou reincarnated into another fucking world. That sentence sounds so absurd, Inoichi would probably assume he was drunk, before the possibility of a nasty genjutsu. Hell, even a spy would not make a cover story so absurd.

Raidou sighed. No, he couldn't tell anyone just yet.

Longingly, more than ever, he wished he had Hermione and Ron with him. He once had two friends that followed him to the ends of the earth, who he was always able to confide in.

Genma's face flashed into his mind, and Raidou hesitated. Genma was his best friend and closest comrade. There was little neither didn't know about each other, especially considering the fact that they both lived together.

Raidou could tell when Genma had just done something stupid and/or embarassing from the moment Genma walked in through the doors, just like how Genma could tell whenever something was bothering or stressing him out whenever he came back from a mission.

It was a trust built on blood and sweat. It was the bond of teammates, which many other villages failed to understand. Some villages were always on guard or would actively encourage stabbing others in the back. The Leaf promoted teamwork and trust.

Genma trusted Raidou to watch his back, just like Raidou trusted him. It was a familiar, comforting feeling, but it left a bitter taste in his mouth. He felt like a coward for not immediately confiding in Genma.

Around each corner, Raidou could only see ghosts and the blurs of two lifetimes meeting together. The knowledge of Death having some bigger plans just made the stress even worse. The dangers of his magic and the possibilities of its reaction with chakra made it all the more of a liability.

He was fortunate enough to be given some light duty (as much as you can give an ANBU light duty) with Naruto Watching. Besides the occasional prank and resisting the urge to stab a stupid civillian, it was unlikely that he would be forced to fight…

But when he returned to his normal duties, that was a different story. He would be putting the people around him in danger.

Raidou knew he shouldn't make hasty conclusions, but his memory of his Aunt Marge made him wince. His accidental magic was very reactive at the moment. Unlike chakra, magic was something that you could not meticulously train. Magic was about willpower. You had to want something, and based on your willpower, you would get those results.

Shinobi techniques required skill and practice. However, they weren't encouraged to actively enjoy killing and desire to kill others. It was a duty. It was an obligation.

Most often, it would seem like everything would be all sunshine and roses as adults would promote the wonders of shinobi life, while young children were tossed into the frontlines of war and either crawled their way out of survival, or died.

(Many young orphans were subjected to this fate. There were only so many Academy Students that could be lucky enough to be on the Jounin Track)

Their village followed the Will of Fire, though if everyone actually believed that was debatable.

(There were always whispers of shadows lurking beyond ANBU)

At the very least, the Leaf made themselves out to care about others and did not desire endless war. Though some may not agree with this line of thinking, many shinobi did their work to protect the people they cared about and out of duty. The haunting first kill would always cause an adverse reaction, but it just showed that they did not desire to kill.

They learned to compartmentalize, as they learned it was either them or their opponent.

Magic wasn't like that. In order to kill, magic needed the hatred and desire to kill.

Maybe Raidou, just like Harry, would be too kind, too reluctant to kill. Even when he was so angry at-at that monster, he still didn't have enough hatred to kill her…

Maybe he was hesitant to tell anyone because he was afraid of what his magic could do. He was afraid of the person he had become and whether he would actually want to torture or kill someone. If ordered, he would try, but would he? Could he?

(Maybe he was just making excuses and running away from his fears. Fears that the people he cared about could turn their backs on him)

Raidou's nails dug into his hands. He was a potential liability, but if he told someone, would they take him off of ANBU and active duty?

The thought made his heart tighten. Raidou was an ANBU Captain and he liked having things under his control. Even on the most wayside mission, he learned quickly how to reel back in for control of the situation. The idea of letting the people he cared about to go on the field without him made him want to throw up.

(Remus was a new father after marrying the woman he loved. The kind smile of his face was replaced by the blank stare of death. He was side-by-side with his wife, laying on the floor. The young child that always used to follow Harry around was being carried in Neville and Oliver. Fred, one Harry thought of as family, died and George forever lost his other half. Itwashisfault. Itwashisfault. He caused their deaths. It. Was. His. Fault)

The deep anchor of paranoia told him the dangers of telling others. People could try and use him. Others may not believe him. He might lose control of his magic. His accidental magic could easily cause a devastating catastrophe if triggered…

A part of him remembered that little boy stuck in the cupboard, feeling so lonely.

A part of him remembered feeling utterly lost when Kyuubi took away his remaining family, along with Minato.

A part of him realized in either life, he continued to lose the people he cared about when he had the power to stop it.

(What if he died sooner? Maybe if he woke up his magic sooner, faster, that fateful day might have been different…)

Someone suddenly appeared behind him. He may not have the senses of an Inuzuka, but the heavy scene of blood made him want to gag. On instinct, Raidou immediately spun around to kick that person, but was immediately splashed with water instead.

He blinked in surprise when he heard a snort of amusement.

"Seriously?" Raidou said exasperatedly since he was now standing in front of a memorial soaking wet.

"Should've realized it was a clone," a familiar voice said flatly. Raidou wanted to roll his eyes since instead of a shadow clone, of course he used a water clone. That was just petty.

He turned around and his eyebrows rose.

Kakashi wearing the ANBU uniform appeared in front of him, though lacking his mask. His uniform was soaked in blood with rips and, frankly, stinked.

"Weren't you just assigned your mission only a week ago? I thought it was supposed to be indefinite?" Though Raidou wasn't privy to the details of Team Ro's mission, indefinite missions were expected to last from anywhere between a month to a year.

Kakashi shrugged and shoved his hands into his pockets.

Raidou sighed, before trying to shake off the water on his hands. He could take a hint to hurry on out of there.

He hesitated before leaving.

Kakashi's first choice after a suicidal mission was to go to the Memorial Stone. He didn't go to the hospital and see any medics. Even shinobi who avoided the hospitals at least went home to get their wounds tended. Kakashi, straight after a tiring mission, went to go visit the dead. He wasn't even taking care of himself.

But was Raidou in a position to speak up about that? It was well-known that the only people Kakashi interacted with were his fellow ANBU members (mostly on missions) and Gai, but Gai was an exception. He was a force of his own. Raidou was never really that close to Kakashi. The only reason why they talked to each other was because of Minato, but that common factor was also the reason why Kakashi severed all connections.

(Raidou clenched his right fist. There was a bitter taste in his mouth. He shouldn't think about it right now. So many regrets and apologies tinged his lips, but he just felt empty inside. He had to remember his deal with Death… Perhaps he could make things right in a way)

Raidou wiped those thoughts away and looked at a stoic Kakashi. His one eye felt like it was picking Raidou apart and his face was unreadable, despite his awful condition.

Raidou withheld a sigh. Maybe he could send a message to Gai, suggesting a relaxation or napping battle? Maybe he could even suggest going to a hot spring too…

"Hey, Raidou," Kakashi hesitantly said.

Raidou had to prevent his eyebrows from shooting up in surprise since he didn't expect the other to initiate a conversation.

Kakashi paused awkwardly as if he was contemplating all his life decisions that led him to this moment. He was probably wishing he had his beloved porn to read, before slowly asking, "Are you okay?"

Raidou blinked. Of all the things Kakashi could have said, it certainly wasn't that. Then again, the rumor mill always runs wild, even many rumors were intentional to hide intelligence. Raidou rubbed his arm absentmindedly. He was so used to the pains that he forgot about them.

Raidou shrugged it off and said, "Yeah, I'm fine. I am going to be stuck on some light duty, but at the very least, I'm not subject to Genma's bad cooking. So I haven't sunken to the bottom yet."

Kakashi's eye seemed to smile in response to the jab at Genma's cooking, but then the awkward silence returned. Raidou was expecting Kakashi to say something, while Kakashi just seemed content to relish in the awkwardness.

There was a pause that felt like an eternity, before Raidou coughed and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Well, I should get going. I need to be cooking dinner and it's getting late. See you!"

Raidou quickly left the scene before reappearing in his apartment with a sigh.

Kakashi would always be a difficult one to read. Part of Raidou missed the high strung kid. The current Kakashi seemed to be either burying himself in porn and finding amusement in driving everyone else up the wall or just seemed so distant and unreadable. At least when he was a kid, he was pretty easy to read.

Now, Raidou highly doubted that even Kakashi knew what was running around in his own head.

Raidou rolled his arms in a stretch. Well, he should get started on dinner. If Genma came back from his mission without dinner, Raidou wouldn't hear the end of it.

~OoOo~

Kakashi slipped into the apartment, before quickly dismantling the traps. There was quiet shuffling from the bedroom when a sleepy Tenzo emerged.

Tenzo stared at Kakashi rather disapprovingly and Kakashi wanted to huff. He didn't need to look so judgemental!

"Senpai, I am not using my Mokuton to make you dog houses, a training course, or a garden," Tenzo said quite flatly. "We just got back from a tiring mission and some people actually like getting rest. Just because you promised your ninken some fun doesn't mean you can drag me into this. Next time, just get them food."

Kakashi grinned as he pulled out his book and read the next fun chapter about the antics of Mira-chan. "Maa, do you really want to subject your highly esteemed Senpai to being broke? Plus, I made that offer since I know you wanted to experiment some more. It is a win-win for everyone!"

"Senpai, you're an ANBU Captain and already made enough to live comfortably years ago," Tenzo said flatly, looking very unamused. "If you aren't going to use the money on yourself, you might as well use it on your dogs." Someone was rather prickly. It probably didn't help that the mission was both stressful and a headache. Running a wild goose chase because of false intel is never fun.

Ignoring what Tenzo was saying since Kakashi could always trick him into building those doghouses later, Kakashi cheerfully clapped his hands together. "I was hoping we could have a talk!"

Tenzo stared at Kakashi blankly. He seemed to be contemplating all his life choices, but that wasn't Kakashi's business.

He needed some advice, in all honesty. Besides Gai, Tenzo was probably the next one that he could be a… close acquaintance and comrade. Not a friend, exactly, but that was mainly because Kakashi didn't do "friends" (at least, that is what he tells himself). Gai was an exception, but that's because they were rivals. He did NOT want to go to Gai. It would probably end up with many tears and attempts to drag Kakashi into group outings.

(It was perfectly healthy and fine to throw yourself into work and self-isolate yourself. The only thing you need in life is Icha Icha, Inoichi-sama!)

"Fine," Tenzo sighed. The younger stumbled his way onto a coach and motioned Kakashi to sit down as well. "What is it?"

Kakashi shook his head as he stood awkwardly. He didn't know how to phrase his question. Part of him wanted to backtrack and instead annoy his kouhai to change the subject.

It was quite sad that Kakashi had to ask the other for help. Tenzo wasn't much better at social interaction than him, but at least he did get along with the other ANBUs pretty well.

(Kakashi ignored the fact that ANBU was the only place where Tenzo socialized besides ROOT)

"Hypothetically, how would you approach someone when something is clearly bothering them, if it is someone you are not particularly close to?" Kakashi asked with an eye smile.

There was a pause of silence.

Tenzo was clearly judging him. How rude.

"Senpai, you're the one who has friends outside of ANBU. Gai-san is quite a well-known figure among many circles. You are better off asking him," Tenzo said flatly and Kakashi withheld the urge to shudder. That was what exactly he was trying to avoid here!

He should've asked his dogs instead after all. Even if they complain about having more belly rubs or treats.

Kakashi couldn't help but think about when he saw Raidou standing in front of the Memorial Stone. There was something clearly bothering him and also… something was different about him too. His earthly smell of a misty forest was the same though, so it wasn't an imposter.

Kakashi couldn't put a finger on what was wrong, but it wasn't a great feeling to be suspicious of a comrade either. Kakashi tried to ask him about it, but Raidou replied something about light duty?

Yeah, Kakashi had no idea what happened, but he could roll with it. Gai would probably tell him in their next competition.

Remind to self: Kakashi did need to wash his mask later though. He could still smell ashes from his earlier fight mixing in with Raidou's smell. The smell of a burning fire and ashes made him picture an entire forest burning.

~OoOo~

Sparrow frowned and signaled for Crow to patrol the town to gather information among civilians. The Hokage didn't want any rumors to get out of hand. Crow nodded, before vanishing in a blink.

Sparrow couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief. Crow definitely earned his moniker.

Sparrow quickly henged himself to have short brown hair with a plain face. He changed into civilian clothes, before taking off his mask. He stored his uniform into a scroll. He fiddled with his disguised senbon to finish the disguise.

The Hokage wants this to be as discreet as possible, so Sparrow relaxed his body and put on a cheerful smile as he strolled into the inn.

"Hey, Aika-san! Sorry I am late, but my dog ended up running off to chase some toads!" Sparrow said cheerfully. Some drinkers eyed him warily, before quickly brushing him off to resume in their drunkard chatter.

Sometimes the best disguise is to hide in plain sight.

Sparrow's eyes quickly darted around and made notes of the potential dangers to his client. For the most part, everyone was gathered around the bar with an employee managing the desk.

Waiting in a chair, a beautiful woman gave a strained smile at him. She gave a laugh with her voice slightly trembling. She looked tired and stressed. She was on the verge of falling apart, which was a surprise, considering she was one of Jiraiya's top informants. She has worked in a brothel for most of her life, but considering the situation, it was understandable that she was very stressed out.

Sparrow quickly moved to her side and gave her a charming smile of comfort, before discreetly signaling towards the other people in the inn. His smile became a lot more pointed to send the message across.

In a heartbeat, the woman's worried expression faded into a warm, welcoming smile.

"The toads must have escaped their fate," Aika replied with the code words.

Sparrow flared his signature to let Crow know that he made contact with the client, before sheepishly scratching his head.

"Sorry that I'm late! Should I go say hi to your son?" Sparrow asked and the woman folded her hands and nodded.

"Akio has been wanting to meet you for two weeks. The trip took a week though, so I'm sorry if you had to wait a while," Aika explained, before quickly leading him upstairs. Sparrow noted her words. Her son's… condition started two weeks ago and they only started their trip towards Konoha a week ago.

Sparrow's assignment was to safely escort the duo towards Konoha as discreetly as possible. The Hokage wanted to investigate the circumstances about Akio's condition since there were some rumors of similar cases. However, most have already been buried. Akio would be the first living subject.

Considering there were some rumors of Orochimaru being involved and Jiraiya trying to (and failing to) bring Tsunade back, things were probably going to get hectic from here.

Sparrow slipped into the room to see a pale young child. For a moment, Sparrow could picture a bright blond child instead, but he pushed such thoughts away.

Sparrow switched mindsets and said in a serious tone, "I need more information. From Jiraiya's report, your son is still alive. He's breathing and his body is still functioning. From reports from the medics, there is nothing wrong with his heart or his brain. Is that correct?"

The woman nodded worriedly. "They said if it was a coma, there would be something wrong with his brain. There was no excess chakra in his brain and there was nothing wrong with the rest of his pathways. His brain and body are still active and functioning. To be blunt, he seems perfectly healthy but… he isn't my son anymore. He won't respond to anything and just… stares blankly at everything. I don't know what happened. I just found him like that one day when he was exploring the forest. He was just laying on the ground and-" Aika choked up and her eyes watered, before she wiped her tears away. "I'm sorry. The medic from Jiraiya-san recommended that I come to Konoha."

Sparrow wordlessly nodded, but the truth sat bitterly on his tongue. It was unlikely that Konoha could do much to help her son even if they tried their best. At most, he would be stuck in the hospital forever on extended life support.

Then again, it was likely she knew that as well. Some things are better left unsaid.

Sparrow flared his chakra and Crow appeared by his side. The two of them had to escort the family to Konoha as soon as possible, especially if Orochimaru had his hands in this.

Are disclaimers something you still have to do? I legit don't know since I have not written on in so long. But obviously, I don't own anything since crossovers can only exist in my dreams.

Sorry for the wait, which was largely due to school and lack of inspiration. I had half of this written and took a break from Naruto for a month. I am actually contemplating going through the whole series (both HP and Naruto) since I am much too impulsive and lowkey I don't really know what I'm doing with too many fandoms are crammed in my brain. The writer in me wants to write something decent, while the impulsive daydreamer with all the ideas just wants to throw them all onto a page and call it a day haha. I am a mess, if you can't tell.

I am still kinda unsatisfied with this chapter since this was meant to be more of an introspective chapter since Raidou is processing a lot, but I also had to throw in little crumbs of plot so it can build up. Wish I could add more plot, but pacing sigh. I hope you still enjoyed though!

Thanks so much for the kind reviews and the follows/favorites. It means the world to me! I can't stop reading them!