A/N: I just want to give a special thanks to my beta Slizzah. This would not be possible without him. He really helped me with the first two chapters of this story. I recommend checking out his work particularly Naruto the Scarecrow.
Anyway I hope you all enjoy! This is primarily a Kakashi centric fic. There are not many Kakashi centric crossovers so I've wanted to do this for sometime. I already have the next chapter ready and it will be released soon. I've been working on this fic for a very long time. I've re-read and polished this chapter many times. I have an established plot for where this story is going. This is truly a labor of passion and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
There was an ache in his head so sharp his skull felt like it was being crushed with an invisible pressure. He groaned before flitting an eye open hesitantly to find the sun hitting his face. The world felt like it was spinning so fast that getting up was an act of defiance against the world. Then it hit his aching body, the true reason for him being awoken so abruptly despite his wishes to remain dormant was his need to relieve his bladder. He stifled a few more groans as he gently lifted his own body off the spinning ground. The man looked into a stream coming out of the city walls and was greeted with the unpleasant sight of himself disheveled and almost foreign. The silverette leaned against the rough cold stone wall and relieved himself, he felt pure bliss for the few seconds.
Then it hit him like a brick against his already aching head, I really don't belong here. He took a few jagged breaths of the cold air and looked at the scenery around him.
It was morning and people were barely getting out of their homes to tend to their farms, chickens clucking noisily and cows mooing in the distance. Pastures of wheat were overshadowed by tall mountains. Cold air penetrated his bare pale skin and made his bones shiver. He allowed himself to unceremoniously collapse back to the ground where he laid on golden dying grass. He pulled a deer hide over himself and bottles came loose from underneath the hide making clanging noises. He tried to stifle the chattering of his teeth and began to channel chakra around his body to warm himself. A man he vaguely recognized from the village walked up to him, with something like pity in his eyes.
"Hey there stranger, I noticed you from last night at the tavern. The guards said you helped slay a dragon? You were gone for a few months after that. You know I think the Jarl never got to say his thanks before you left… Look I don't know you or the things you're trying to forget," The blonde than motioned to the empty bottles of mead surrounding the silverette. "But I wanted to say thank you, for protecting our home…I didn't get to say so last night."
There was something like a pregnant pause between the two. The blonde seemed to be hesitating with something while the silverette didn't much move but to glance around while making no attempt to get up. The silverette than cleared his throat that felt dry and horse before speaking up," Can I help you?"
The blonde sort of smirked and softly chuckled," I think that's the question I should be asking you."
The silverette rolled onto his back before sitting up slowly, the only thing clothing his torso the deer hide draped on his shoulders. "Can you please show me where I can get water?"
The blonde nodded and helped the stranger up insisting on helping him walk inside the village walls. "You know stranger I don't think I ever caught your name."
"Kakashi Hatake, this town it's Whiterun, right?"
"Kakashi Hatake, huh? Unusual name, pardon me for saying so. But yes, this is Whiterun. By the way I'm Jon Battle-Born," Jon replied. He led Kakashi over to the well and helped draw him a pail of water. Kakashi chugged a good amount down satisfying his parched throat. He wiped his mouth and looked over the town with Jon still hovering over him.
"Thanks Jon, I don't need anything else from here. You say the Jarl has been waiting for me?"
"Aye, that'd be correct. City guard won't stop talking about it, saying the man who killed that dragon months ago never claimed his reward. They want to make you a Thane you know? Offer you land to purchase. Figured you need it seeing the state I found you in this morning, not that it's any of my business."
Kakashi nodded slowly in response and tenderly picked himself off the stone ground with the help of the well he was leaning on. "Thanks Jon, but you're right it isn't any of your business. If you'd pardon me, I need to collect my things before speaking to the Jarl."
Jon just shrugged and went back to leaning in his spot in the shop court. Kakashi walked slowly back to his mess and gathered a few things he'd hidden in the tall grass. Kakashi felt exhaustion begging him to sleep another day off. He forced himself to gather his things but couldn't bring himself to pick up the empty bottles of mead littering the grass. He splashed his bare face with water before gently dressing himself in garb he'd picked up. Strapping leather to his arms and shoulders he finished his look by pulling up a mask over his nose and adjusting a leather eye patch.
Kakashi had been slow to dress and slow to move, how did he let himself fall into this sort of disarray? He wanted to be mad at himself but felt too hollow to really make it stick. His logic told him allowing himself to get here was something he should be ashamed about, but he just couldn't bring himself to care anymore. He sighed to himself looking down at the bottles and even kicked one. Here we are another day and nowhere closer to home, Kakashi thought to himself. Kakashi's heart panged when he thought back to how he got here. He'd do anything to get home.
Kakashi got himself together and made an attempt to walk into town. He felt sicker than he'd ever felt in his years in hospitals, but he still managed to walk up the tall steps leading to Dragonsreach keep.
It turned out that the Jarl had indeed been waiting eagerly for his return. It was as Jon spoke they made him a Thane, whatever that meant, and offered land for his purchase. Kakashi gave his thanks and made his way out of the hall. He needed to kill a few things before he had the coin to purchase the land they offered to him. That's when Kakashi was stopped by a woman hanging in the doorway.
"E-excuse me, the Jarl has appointed me to be your housecarl. It's an honor to serve you."
Kakashi noted the woman wasn't bad to look at. Something tomboyish came off about her, the way she carried herself reminded Kakashi of a certain pinkette back home. She seemed to be thrown off by the book he was reading, her reason for blushing and stammering. Kakashi snapped the book close and put it in a pouch on his belt. He honestly didn't feel like talking to anyone, but he couldn't bring himself to be rude enough to brush her off. Something about her grabbed his attention, as did her offer. "Hmmm… Housecarl, huh? What do you do exactly?"
The raventte cleared her throat as if to regain composure before speaking, "As my Thane, I'm sworn to your service. I'll guard you and all you own with my life."
Kakashi pondered this for a moment, "Okay I'll bite," he sighed," What is a Thane? Do I have to do stuff or have some sort of duty?"
"No, The Jarl has recognized you as a person of great importance in the hold, a hero. The title of Thane is an honor, a gift for your service. Guards will know to look the other way, if you let them know who you are," announced the housecarl with a positive hum.
"If I'm a hero why do I want guards to look the other way? Wouldn't that make me a common criminal?" Kakashi deadpanned.
"Well, I thought- well you see- "Kakashi put a hand up to halt the conversation and the housecarl quieted instantly.
"Okay housecarl, would you like to get a bite to eat? Personally I'm famished; maybe we can find a quiet place away from prying ears and loose lips." Kakashi then eyed an elderly maid who scoffed at what he was implying and stormed off. "It'll be my treat," he said with an eye crinkle he used in his famous smiles.
"Did you have a place in mind my Thane?"
"I'm not very familiar where we can go to such a place," Kakashi lied smoothly, he was actually very acutely aware of where they could go. "I'll leave it up to you."
The raven haired women quietly led Kakashi to the Drunken Huntsman and asked the owner for a more private place in the tavern. The jonin paid for the room and both were led to a small back room with two wooden chairs and a table. Kakashi got grilled salmon, leeks and a bottle of mead. It was a little early to start drinking again but it didn't seem like folks here cared when you drank mead. The housecarl got what was likely cheapest option of a mysterious meat pie and water. Kakashi noted it was very thoughtful for her to get something cheap on his dollar, he wondered if she did it on purpose. Naruto could have learned a thing or two from this woman.
"So, Lydia, then? I'm Kakashi, it's nice to meet you. The reason why I wanted a more private place is because I wanted to ask," Kakashi sat up mask still firmly in place and arms crossed. "You being my housecarl, does that make you my slave?"
"N-no! My Thane-" Kakashi flinched and interrupted her.
"Please don't call me your Thane. I'm not you're anything and the name is Kakashi. Also, please keep your voice down my head isn't feeling that well right now."
"Sorry, My Tha- Kakashi… I'm not you're slave, It's my highest honor to serve you and to protect you and all that you own."
"So do you get compensation for serving me?"
"Well, not monetary beyond what you allow me."
"Doesn't that make you a slave?"
"No sir, there are things that slaves do that I don't. It's also honorary to serve you in the way that I do especially since you are an important person known throughout the hold."
"Did you even choose to serve me? Do you even know who I am?"
"No sir, my greatest apologies for not yet being current on your accomplishments which I can assume are many. You have earned the trust and admiration of the Jarl; I trust his judgment in assigning me to you."
"Lydia did you choose this lifestyle? Or were you forced into it."
"We-Well I… This was the life my father wanted for me. It's an honorary life and it's the best one I could have hoped for."
"What if I don't want you to serve me? What happens to you?"
"I… go back to the hall, Dragonsreach and wait for you to call upon my service."
"What if I want to set you free?" There was a long tense pause between the two. Kakashi hadn't even touched his food yet as Lydia refused to look in his eyes. She seemed to be in deep thought. Finally she looked up into his eyes with eye brows knitting in what looked to be frustration.
"I'm sworn to serve you my Thane." Kakashi sighed looked away and began thinking to himself. This isn't what I asked for. How am I going to get home if I'm responsible for this woman's fate? She's not going to leave my side even if I abandon her. Are you so heartless you'd let her spend forever waiting at some glorified castle hall for you? What if they think I'm dead what happens to her then? She goes on being the servant of some other likely arrogant asshole. Should I just leave her then? She really isn't my problem, right? I could use some help to get home, someone who knows this world. He tapped his foot and looked back at her noting something of determination being formed in her eyes.
"Lydia, I'm not your Thane," Kakashi let out a deep sigh. "I don't even belong here… I tell you what, it doesn't seem like I get a say in our arrangement, so how's about we drop the honor bullshit and this whole serving thing and just agree we're companions for now. If you really have any hopes to 'protect me' then I have some teaching to give you that'll benefit us both. Any jobs I pick up for us to do we will split pay whether you like it or not. When the time finally comes and I make it home then it means you get to inherit all I own, whether you like it or not."
Kakashi observed the women look confused for a moment and looked as if she was thinking about something.
"Kakashi, my Thane, your compensation is not required for my service. Although if you truly insist I have to say I am truly honored at your charity." Kakashi felt like sighing but shrugged, this was good enough he supposed. Her determination was something to be admired, if not annoying. In some way her insistence to call him Thane made him think about Naruto and Sakura's insistence to call him sensei. It made him nostalgic a bit. His itch to find a way home began to surface again and he pushed it down.
The jonin had managed during their conversation to eat his food stealthily all without giving away his unmasked appearance. He could tell Lydia was perplexed when she looked up and noticed all the food was gone, mask still firmly in place. He loved playing this game with his dear old students and he was having some mild fun playing it with his newest forced companion. He pulled out his book and let Lydia finish her food silently. She made a face when he started reading the obviously suggestive book. Another game he used to love to play, alas he didn't quite enjoy this book like he did his Make Out Paradise books. This book was a smaller almost journal version of an apparently popular tome. It was about a handsome man and his maid, who was a lizard woman. Kakashi didn't know how to feel about that last detail but would pretend she wasn't a lizard as he read on. When Lydia finally finished her food, Kakashi snapped his book shut.
"Well Lydia this has been fun but I need to scratch a couple coins together to get us a decent house to stay at. Do you mind waiting here while I do some work?"
"I can help you now," Lydia insisted. Kakashi mulled over the thought of having her tag along untrained. Sure he could protect her from just about anything that was on the road, but the thought of babysitting a civilian gave him pause always. Although he was fairly certain ninja just didn't exist in this world, and it was possible that he was the most dangerous thing walking this world. Kakashi looked over the ravenette, he was sure that she was fairly capable at holding her own against mediocre bandits.
"I don't mean to offend but are there some merits that make you housecarl? I'm not from around here so I don't know your culture."
"I am a skilled shield maiden. I've been noted for my skills in sword handling since I was a teen and have even squared off my peers in arena matches. I am daughter of Fjoek the Raven; he was noted as a brave warrior in the Jarl's court. I've been trained to fight with the Jarl's men and he has personally branded me as worthy as a warrior as he helped my training to where it is now. He sees me fit to be housecarl to nobles he is friends with. Surely that's plenty of merit." Lydia said, her face somewhat stern.
"I guess that's good enough." Kakashi sighed and pushed his chair back. None of the merits Lydia gave to Kakashi really meant anything to him but something was better than nothing. He noticed something of an indignant expression being formed on the ravenette but ignored it as he went back to the counter. He ordered five more bottles of Honningbrew mead and a couple Black Briar reserves. He led the housecarl out of town and even began to drink one of the bottles he had acquired. Kakashi headed to a nearby bandit camp he was asked to clear out for some coin, a man in town also asked him to retrieve a sword here as well. It was a cave called Redoran's Retreat.
"Look a cave, I wonder what's inside." Lydia remarked.
"Well hopefully the sword a guy asked me to retrieve and some bandits. Be ready," Kakashi replied leading the way in. He drew a throwing dagger he had managed to keep on him from his world. Kakashi noted Lydia seemed fascinated with it and was trying to get a good view of it. "It's just a dagger."
"I've never seen one look so… shiny? Like polished but perfectly, most the ones I've seen are jagged; at least compared to that one. You make it? If so you must be a master craftsman."
"Nope, I didn't make it. It comes from my home. It's one of my last ones; I have five more of these. The rest of them I lost at Helgan. I guess I am going to have to learn how to make more eventually." Kakashi's attention snapped when he heard a dog bark. Kakashi got low to the ground and signaled Lydia to do the same. She complied hesitantly as stealth wasn't her first choice in combat. Kakashi motioned to the ravenette to stay still and he made quick work of the guy the dog was with. Kakashi was about to approach the dog but Lydia had already slain the poor creature. She drew her sword out of the animal and waited for motion from Kakashi to move on.
"I told you to stay still," Kakashi said with mild irritation. He was looking down at the dog and not anywhere at his companion.
"I did but it attacked me, I killed it."
"I can see that…" The silverette drew out a sigh as the silence between them became thick. He really wanted to spare the dog but it was no point any longer. "Shame… I guess it's no use crying over spilled milk."
Kakashi plunged his dagger in the poor dog and got its ribs. These people had an appetite for dog ribs and they fetched some coin. Why anyone would think a dog was a suitable meal was beyond him, dogs were companions not meals. He picked off the dead guy's armor and collected all his belonging. Kakashi haphazardly strapped the swords and armor to his back and made quick work of the chest in the cave. He collected anything of value, anything worth more than the dog ribs he collected.
Kakashi led Lydia further into the cave. 'Time to show her why I don't need protection.' He formed several hand signs and his Lightning Blade flared to life. Using his superior speed, Kakashi entered a dimly lit room. Two bandits looked up at the sudden entrance. Before they could do anything else, Kakashi had dealt with them. Turning back to the entrance, Kakashi saw Lydia. She looked surprised but didn't say anything. Shaking his hand to try and get rid of the blood, Kakashi walked back towards Lydia.
"Like my trick?"
"I don't think I've seen a spell like that but then again I don't know many magic spells."
"It's not really a spell." Kakashi quickly turned away from the housecarl and began stripping the room of its valuables. He could easily carry most of everything in the room but wanted to put his boundaries with his forced companion to the test. Kakashi held a heavy two handed sword out for her. "Could you carry this for me?"
"I'm sworn to carry your burdens," Lydia quipped.
"Really? What else are you sworn to? You know as far as services go."
"I already told you, protect you and all you own."
"So protecting includes as you put it," Kakashi got his quoting fingers ready, "Sworn to carry my burdens."
"Well yeah."
"What if my burdens are of a sexual nature, are you carrying those too?" Lydia fumed and dropped the sword she had just been handed. She kicked up her foot aimed at the crouching perv's masked face. Kakashi firmly caught the offending appendage and caught the housecarl off balance. He tugged on her ankle and made her fall. "Sloppy."
Lydia's anger didn't stifle at her ungraceful fall and instead she picked herself up with an air of frustration. She didn't let up the dirty look she was throwing at Kakashi and crossed her arms expecting a sort of apology.
"What? You're not going to take a second shot?" Lydia only huffed indigently. Kakashi lightly chuckled before speaking, "I'm only joking, relax. We've already established you do things in the name of honor, whatever that means to you, it obviously doesn't mean doing something you think to be demeaning."
Kakashi noted Lydia's displeasure hadn't dispelled as she picked up the sword she had thrown down moments ago. The jonin had gotten some small satisfaction at getting such a rise but went back to work on the room he was in. Kakashi had stripped the room of anything of value that wasn't bolted down; he handed a good amount over to his new pack mule. He led them out of the cave and started making his way back to Whiterun with an absurd amount of weapons and armor strapped to his back.
When Kakashi and Lydia made it in town it was already afternoon, by the time he finished bartering goods to the various shops in town it was getting close to evening. He returned some man named Amern his sword, but was compensated with sword lessons. Kakashi gently declined the offer and thanked Amern for it. Anything Lydia helped Kakashi carry he let her keep the amount it was worth. She tried to give it back to Kakashi but he refused and even split the pay for clearing out the cave. He intended to keep to his word; any job he would take with Lydia would be split pay.
After everything was sorted Kakashi had a fair bit of coin to get some food and enough for several stiff drinks but he was just shy a few of getting a house. Kakashi settled on the idea of picking up work in the morning but for now he just wanted another drink. He'd already finished all the mead he had picked up this morning from the Drunken Huntsman, as a result he felt lightly buzzed but longed for more. He enjoyed the culture a bit here; mid-day drinking wasn't frowned upon so much. As long as you proved a capable warrior no one batted an eye or asked him constantly if he was okay.
Before Kakashi knew it, both Lydia and he were both sat at the Drunken Huntsman drinking and lightly getting to know one another. He didn't reveal much to her aside that he enjoyed books of a kind of genre, Lydia did most of the talking. She talked about Nord culture and Kakashi feigned attention for the most part. It was getting late and it was time to put his new world guide to the test.
"Say, Lydia do you know a good place I can lay down and get some sleep? I've been sleeping outside the last couple of days and while I don't mind it, I'd really like to get some good rest."
"Well you can stay here at this tavern for the night or you can stay in the Bannered Mare for a night down the street. It's also a tavern like this but bigger."
"I'm not very picky." With that Kakashi was up and headed to the inn keeper of the tavern he was already in. The elfish man led Kakashi to the room with Lydia following silently behind. When Kakashi saw the bed he was mildly disappointed. It wasn't really what he had in mind when he meant a comfortable night's sleep. It wasn't the worst bed he'd slept in but he wished this world had more options aside from wood, hay, and itchy sheets or hides. He longed for his mattress, for his modern amenities. Kakashi was really getting tired of how primitive things where around here.
"Is something wrong my Thane?" Lydia noticed the exasperated expression as Kakashi stared at the bed saying nothing.
"Not your Thane- Lydia do you want to take the bed and I'll take the floor?"
"That's not necessary my Thane, I have a bed back at Dragonsreach still. Until you've acquired a house within this hold I'll be staying at Dragonsreach. Unless you wish for me to guard you and all you own while you rest?"
"I don't need a guard trust me Lydia. I'll come get you in the morning okay? Be ready at daybreak we have some training to do if you're going to be my tag along. I'm going to be selling some worthless junk I've picked up also so we'll have a house tomorrow."
Lydia nodded and took that as a queue that she was being dismissed. Kakashi watched her walk out of the room before getting comfortable on the bed. It was exactly as it looked, itchy. It was going to take some getting used to. How much longer am I going to be stuck here? Maybe Lydia knows how I can get back? I doubt it but it's worth asking, not like I haven't screamed it into the hillside yet. What if I never get home?
Kakashi got back up and got a few more drinks, he just couldn't rest with these thoughts on his mind.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Kakashi was many things, a shinobi, a teacher, an assassin but on time was never one of them. So, when the silverette casually walked into Dragonsreach and saw the irritation being formed on his supposed new companion he couldn't help the smile tugging at his features. "Sorry I'm late. I got lost on the way here and needed assistance from the guards, who gave me confusing directions."
Lydia huffed with her arms crossed." It is my honor to wait for you, my Thane," Lydia said laying on the sarcasm. Kakashi almost felt like patting her head, she was as adorable as his former genin team. If it had not been for the fact that they were both grown adults he probably would have already done so.
"Well, I've got enough to buy a house so I'm going to talk to the Jarl's aide or whoever about buying one. Hope I get some choice property. Then we'll start your training." Kakashi walked up the stairs Lydia following right behind him.
"You know my Thane I don't really need training. I know how to fight common bandits and other dangers and have done so many times on my own. I am a shield maiden and have received formal training most my life with the Jarl."
"Oh, I'm sure you have but if you want to be my tag along I can't have you falling behind. The last thing I need to do is save you from circumstances that are preventable. Besides I get the feeling you know how to sneak as well as a mammoth does."
Lydia scoffed, Kakashi heard it and knew she had something on her mind to share but he was already talking to the Jarl's aide about buying a home.
"So you only have one house available?"
"Yes it's a cozy cottage next to the blacksmith's shop. The former owner has passed away and he had no heir to his property so it was forfeited to the city."
"I guess I'll take it."
"Excellent! Here are the keys to your new home. I'll make the arrangements to have Lydia's personal belongings moved to the spare room. Here is a guide of what we offer if you'd like to decorate your dwelling." Kakashi took the book and keys and gave a spare to Lydia. He wasn't really sure how to feel about sharing his personal space with his new forced companion. It was temporary until he got home but he hadn't lived with another person since he was a young child. Even then his father wasn't home often enough to really count. He guessed this really was no different to sharing his space with the anbu, back when he occasionally slept in the barracks. The more he thought about it he never really had a space. He had a place he went home to, his apartment, but he wasn't home often enough to call it a home. It was just a place he kept some belongings, occasionally ate at, slept at, and showered at.
Kakashi and Lydia made their way to look at the house he just purchased. It was primitive like everything in this forlorn world but it would do. Kakashi thought it was funny the house had a name, Breeze home. It was a cute looking house and he felt the name was appropriate. When he entered he was partially surprised how barren the home was and how dimly lit it was. The only light source was the opaque windows. Kakashi was mildly surprised it came with a bed, but nothing to sit on. He thumbed through the decoration book Proventus gave him and threw it over his shoulder and let it hit the corner of the room with a thud. The jonin then looked over to Lydia to gauge her puzzled expression. He liked how expressive she was, he was going to at least have fun toying with her.
"Well then Lydia, how about we talk about what kinds of things I'll be teaching you," Kakashi sat on the stone floor and motioned for Lydia to do the same. Lydia made a huff and slowly sat on the ground, her armor plates clanking unceremoniously as she did. Kakashi got a piece of charcoal out and began drawing a person on the ground that was sitting like them with a weird looking diagram inside that person.
"Really my thane, this isn't necessary, I am a lethal warrior and proud of what I have to offer."
"I don't doubt that, sure you're a warrior but I'm willing to bet you're no assassin. I'm willing to bet you think there is no honor sneaking in the shadows and that people like me are no better than common criminals. If I'm going to have you tagging along with me, I can't have you running in head long in a charge getting in way over your head because of some preconceived notion of honor." Kakashi looked up from his art to a particularly unhappy nord. Lydia looked ready to bust in anger, Kakashi almost felt like rolling his eyes but kept his aloof glance.
"Lydia, honor is for the dead... All is fair in war, there is no such thing as playing dirty when you use everything to your advantage when your life is on the line."
Lydia just scoffed and pouted in response. Kakashi could tell this wasn't going to be easy; she was stubborn like most of the people here. "You know what I think I have an idea. How's about you and me have a little spar? You can show me what honor has done for you; I can show you what being filthy assassin like me has done for me."
Lydia uncrossed her arms and seemed to think this over before forming a response, "I don't want to hurt you my thane."
"Trust me Lydia there isn't a single thing you could do that would ever hurt me." Kakashi could see she was taking the bait and took it as a challenge to her status as a warrior.
"Fine, but if you get seriously injured it's your own doing," Lydia replied while getting off the floor and following the jonin out the door.
Kakashi took them just outside the city walls out on the planes. There wasn't a soul in sight but Kakashi knew just over the hill the city guard where just there along with the entrance of the town. They could both still see Dragonsreach keep in the distance. Kakashi got his new book out and began reading much to the irritation of his nord follower.
"Well then Lydia I think this is a great spot to show me what you've got."
"Aren't you going to put your book away and draw your weapon?"
"I'm getting to the good part and you won't be able to land a single meaningful blow on me anyway," Kakashi responded nonchalantly. He could see Lydia's nerves were being riled up and he just couldn't help but to think how cute it was. She was like Naruto and Sakura combined in all the best ways and it made him want mess with her. "How's about we make this interesting? If you can take my money pouch off of me I'll let you keep whatever I have. It's right here on my side."
"You're going to be sorry you offered this challenge my thane." With that Lydia lifted her sword and made a charge for the silverette.
Without taking his eyes off his book Kakashi side stepped left from the heavy sword swing coming from above. Lydia seemed surprised, likely at his speed but quickly composed herself. Kakashi had given her the opportunity to shield bash immediately after Lydia's sword swing and she took it. The jonin held out one hand and absorbed the blow without it throwing him off center. Lydia made another attempt at swiping from right to left immediately aimed at Kakashi's upper torso but he ducked the attack swiftly. Now crouched he reached out above him with his free hand grabbing Lydia's over extended sword arm and pulled Lydia over his body tripping her up. Lydia fell unceremoniously on her face as a result. Rolling over quickly, Lydia got to her feet and resumed the fight.
Kakashi only spared minor attention to his opponent. Then he felt something, a spike of energy. Kakashi glanced up narrowing his eye at Lydia who caused the sudden spike.
"RAAAAAAA~!" Lydia let out a guttural scream. It was her Battle Cry. Kakashi felt rudimentary chakra waft over him. Kakashi was mildly surprised, the way Lydia used chakra was much like an untrained child. He wondered if magic was similar. Kakashi wasn't sure what the intended effect was of the chakra shout but it seemed it didn't work on him. Lydia made another charge at the jonin.
Lydia made a few more fruitless swipes of her sword and a few attempts at shield bashing but found it all for naught. Kakashi was able to redirect all her blows and have her trip up on herself. The silverette even caught the blade in one hand a few times as if it had been nothing but a child's toy coming at him. Every time he caught the blade bare handed he was able to pull it out of Lydia's hands and throw it away. Lydia was forced to run after it and pick her sword back up. It was an embarrassing display for her and she was getting so mad.
"Fight me you coward!" yelled Lydia. Kakashi looked up from his book in all his aloofness and slowly glanced up to the now raging nord.
"That's what I'm doing."
"No you're not! You're just dancing around and avoiding all my attacks! I want you to fight me! Throw something back!"
"I don't want to hurt you, besides isn't this fun?"
"Fight me or else I'll call you my Thane to the end of time," Lydia announced in a slight mocking tone. Kakashi hummed, her offer is meant to obviously bait him but he couldn't pass it up so easily.
"You're saying you'll start calling by my name from now on?"
"Yes! Show me what you got!"
"Well, Lydia, I'm going to warn you now this is going to hurt a bit but if it's going to get you to stop calling me some title I could care less about from now on; then brace yourself." Kakashi put the book away.
Kakashi swiftly closed the gap at inhumane speed and kicked her in the stomach. It was so fast Lydia didn't have time to lift her shield and Kakashi could see the surprise on her face as she went flying into grass and dirt only coming to a halt at a boulder. Before Lydia could even think Kakashi was in front of her with his right fist raised to strike. Lydia flinched but slowly realized she wasn't hit. She looked up and saw he'd punched a boulder just above her head. Lydia's eyes had widened in shock when she saw that the boulder had been split into two.
"I'm willing to bet you felt that kick through your armor. I could do so much more damage than I did to this rock."
"H-how? Are you even mortal?" Kakashi could feel a smile tugging at his features again. It was such a silly question but it was such a grand opportunity to toy with her some more.
"I don't know, Lydia, am I?" Kakashi watched as her shock turned to something like horror and he softly chuckled. Lydia was just too easy to mess with. "I'm messing with you, of course I'm mortal. Or I was the last time I checked."
Kakashi helped Lydia stand back up and handed her over the sword she dropped when she was kicked. It seemed her fire to fight him had finally been put to rest. Kakashi made sure she wasn't seriously injured; he wasn't sure just how much of his blow had been absorbed by her armor.
"Well Lydia this has been very fun, but maybe you're more open to me training you?"
"I guess knowing how to split a boulder in half would be a nice thing to know."
"You know just because I want to train you better at stealth doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your beliefs. I know you're proud of being a warrior and that doesn't go away just because what I have to show you. It's not like I'm going to corrupt your mind or something."
"Fine, I just have to ask, why do you want to train me so bad?"
"Well the alternative is I leave you here while I'm out trying to find a way back home and while that's an appealing idea, I need someone who can show me the ins and outs of your society. Lydia I'm not from here and I could really use someone to help me understand things. Someone I feel like I can trust."
Lydia paused and seemed to be thinking about the offer. "You keep saying you're not from around here, so where are you from then?"
Kakashi sighed before replying, "That's a really long story. Let's just say for now, not your dimension from what I've understood."
"Dimension? Are you from oblivion or something?" Lydia asked with mild concern.
"Nope, no where you could possibly comprehend," Kakashi hadn't meant to be so cryptic but it was a hard question to answer properly. Getting back would be painfully difficult if not impossible and the daunting of impossibility haunted him. "Let's just say it's pretty impossible for me to get home."
"So then how did you get here anyway?"
"Long story, for now how's about we agree you're my world guide. With your cultural knowledge I might have hope to returning where I belong."
"You're the man who slayed that dragon, months ago, how long have you been here?"
Kakashi paused at the question; he'd really been here for longer than he liked to admit. Just thinking about it made his palms sweat. He looked back into Lydia's curious eyes and cleared his throat, "Let's just say it's been awhile. Do you want to get to training or are we going to hover around out here and play 20 questions?"
Lydia seemed somewhat disappointed at his response, but made no attempt to press the now agitated jonin. She shrugged and motioned for him to lead the way. Kakashi was grateful the subject was being changed and led Lydia back to Breeze home. The jonin sat back down on the cold stone floor and Lydia hesitantly did the same. Kakashi finished his drawing of a man sitting just like them with his diagram.
"There is a chance you might not be able to absorb what I have to teach due to being born without functioning chakra networks. It seems however the people of this land are very apt at throwing out chakra on a whim. You yourself threw out a very rudimentary chakra spike."
"I did?" Lydia asked brows knitting in confusion.
"Yes, your shout or scream or whatever. It's a very basic use of chakra that you seem to know how to use. You have an energy force within you that you can use to form the magic thing you saw me do in the cave, it's called jutsu. It's made by channeling a spiritual force within you balanced by mind and body." Kakashi then sat in a meditative position just like his drawing motioning Lydia to do the same. She struggled a bit likely due to the heavy armor; Kakashi threw an exasperated glance at her struggle.
"Do you always need to wear heavy armor?"
"Well no- but-"
"Then take it off," Kakashi interrupted.
"And what, sit around nude while you gawk at me, perv."
Kakashi face palmed, there was an obvious solution and she wasn't seeing it. "No just strip down to some normal clothes or something. You're wearing normal clothes under that aren't you?"
"You've never put on this armor plate have you? No I'm not wearing underclothes aside from my, well unmentionables."
"Unmentionables? You mean panties right?" Lydia punched Kakashi's shoulder as hard as she could. He took it like a champ and even pushed her back. "Grow up Lydia we're adults, I have a dick and I wear boxers. Jokes all aside just go change into some clothes I'll wait down here while you change upstairs."
Lydia scoffed her face red; Kakashi couldn't tell if it was from frustration or embarrassment, she stomped up the stairs and dramatically threw what sounded like a drawer open. Kakashi waited patiently as she loudly changed, sounds of steel plate dropping on the ground and some furious ruffling of clothing. Kakashi looked to the stairs when he heard some stomping, creaking the wood panels in protest. Lydia was wearing a basic white long sleeve tunic and some unremarkable pants he'd often seen miner's wear. Although the clothing was loose, he could make out her shape better than her armor and noted she was fit, sturdy, generally a nice physique you'd want out of a kunoichi.
"Better?" Lydia retorted plopping onto the ground besides Kakashi.
"Much. Now then follow my example," Kakashi got back into the meditative position and Lydia followed suit struggling much less in her new attire. Kakashi held out his hand and looked at Lydia expectantly; she hesitantly placed her hand in his. "Now I want you to close your eyes, focus on the world moving underneath you. Take slow deep breaths in and gently exhale. The only energy you need to focus on is the energy I'm feeding you."
There was a long pause between the two. Kakashi eventually got bored and started looking around his barren house. There wasn't anything that stood out and grabbed his attention so he began counting his stone tile flooring.
"Can you stop moving around it's hard to focus on the world moving beneath me. This is ridiculous, what am I looking for exactly?" Lydia asked. Kakashi drew a long sigh.
"It's easy really. Clear your mind, think of the world moving beneath you. We're on a rotating planet, take deep controlled breaths. You're looking for my life force. It should feel like a tickling sensation. I'll send you some more chakra but you need to focus."
The room fell quiet and Kakashi tried staying as still as he could. He began counting backwards from a hundred dipping into the negatives.
"…I- I think I'm feeling it? It's like a warm buzzing sensation."
"That is my chakra. Think of it like thick water, or plasma. I want you to channel it back to me." Kakashi waited patiently. A long silence passed between them before he finally felt familiar energy tickling its way back into him. "You now know what chakra feels like; I want you to find your own now. Send me your energy."
It was quiet between them for a long moment. Kakashi could feel his foot falling asleep and could feel Lydia's hand getting warm in his. He really wanted to get up and get a drink but he wasn't going to throw in the towel so early. He began to recite some of his favorite Icha Icha book in the back of his mind. When he reached chapter 5 in the back of his mind, he felt it. At first it was just a trickle a few tickles of a buzzing sensation between their palms, then a strong buzzing sensation hit him like a large body of water. Kakashi broke their connection and channeled the excessive amounts of chakra into a dagger he had on him and threw it into a wooden beam in the house. Electricity buzzed around the dagger and Kakashi took a deep breath.
"Huh, you sure do have a lot of energy don't you?"
"Is- was that? Not normal?"
"Well, your reserves are more than what I would have expected from someone untrained. So I wasn't really prepared to intake such a volume of chakra so fast."
"That's good right?"
"It's great. Aside from that it seems you and I share an elemental affinity, we both have a strong affinity for lighting. You have a second affinity but I can't really figure it out. I'm not really a sensory type so finding out your second nature may take some time, especially since I have no way of manufacturing chakra papers."
"So what's next? What do I do with this energy?"
"What a fantastic question Lydia, you need to learn control. Let's go for a walk."
"Um, okay let me just go put my armor back on."
"No time it'll slow you down, come on let's go." Kakashi shoved Lydia out the house and guided her to a particularly tall tree just outside the city walls. "If I can teach you control before I teach you jutsus, there's a chance you might learn faster. Being that I don't have the books to teach you like I would academy students we're just going to have to learn everything hands on and visually."
Lydia had no time to respond and appeared confused but that grew into shock when Kakashi walked out vertically onto the tree defying gravity itself.
"Lydia, all you need to do is channel that chakra into the soles of your feet. You do just the right amount and you'll be walking on this tree with me. Too little chakra you'll fall off the tree, too much chakra and it'll crush the bark and propel you backwards and you'll fall off the tree." Lydia made one attempt and instantly fell onto her back. As she was on her back she looked face to face with Kakashi and gave him a frustrated glance.
"This is ridiculous, are you doing this just to see me look dumb?"
Kakashi chuckled softly before deadpanning a, "No." He jumped off the tree and landed beside the housecarl and gave her a hand up. "You can do it too, it just takes practice. Lots and lots of practice; keep at it and climbing up trees, and walls, and so on will just be second nature to you. You keep working on this exercise and I'll be sitting over here reading. We'll take lunch at noon, it's on me."
Lydia drew a long sigh and got to work on the tree. Kakashi got his new book out and sat in the grass leaning under a nearby tree keeping his eye on his latest apprentice. She pulled a face at the sight of the book but quickly refocused her efforts on the tree. Kakashi almost felt renewed sense of determination well up in himself as he watched Lydia fall down and pick herself back up. Almost.
Thank you for reading! Please leave a review, I enjoy all forms of criticism creative or otherwise. If you have any questions I will try to answer as promptly as possible.