Chapter 5

The Leaf Ninja Academy wasn't quite what Kakashi had expected. He had been anticipating learning all sorts of new and exciting jutsu. He'd figured he'd learn new techniques and ways to hone his skills, advanced chakra control, and genjutsu. He had been looking forward to honing his weapons techniques and taijutsu skills. He had great aim with shuriken and kunai, but his kenjutsu could use some work. His father was a master at kenjutsu and Kakashi was convinced his instructors at the Academy could help him to become just as proficient.

He had not anticipated being bored out of his mind.

His classes consisted of the most basic of shinobi skills; chakra control, low level ninjutsu, and beginning taijutsu sparring. It was nothing he didn't already know and he was somewhat put out by the simplicity of the curriculum. Even more so by the fact that most of his classmates seemed not to know any of what they were being taught already. He had always known his father was an exceptional shinobi, knew that he was hailed as a genius. He had overheard the adults talking about him, saying that he was a prodigy like his father. It had never occurred to him that his own natural abilities nurtured by his father's training would place him so far ahead of his peers.

Weapons and taijutsu classes were just as bad if not worse. None of his classmates could touch him during their sparring sessions. If anything, Kakashi was scolded to go easier on the others. He hated being told to hold back; he thought the Academy would be encouraging him to do his best. He threw countless shuriken and kunai, each and every one hitting dead center of their targets. While his classmates were lucky to hit the targets at all. Many a thrown weapon was imbedded in the fence behind the target area or scattered on the ground. They didn't even touch swords, much to his dismay.

He had tried reading during class to keep his mind occupied but had gotten scolded when caught. He scowled at the memory of being chewed out by his instructor in front of everyone. He was being quiet and not disrupting anything. He already knew the jutsu being demonstrated and could perform it flawlessly. Why did he have to sit and pretend to be interested in something he already knew? How was he supposed to learn anything at this rate?

That incident had also led to confrontation with some of his classmates. They had accused him of being arrogant and thinking he was better than them. He was better than them, at least as far as his ninja skills. Pointing that out hadn't gone over well. They had jumped him as a group, figuring they could take him down with numbers on their side. He had left them all sitting in the dirt, walking away with a few scrapes and bruises and burning anger.

He had gotten quite the lecture from his father about fighting that night. It was one of the few times Kakashi had ever cried himself to sleep. He was frustrated that no one seemed to care about his point of view and upset at having disappointed his father because of it. After that he had swallowed his pride and resigned himself to pretending to care about relearning the very basics. Kakashi was a bright and curious child who was able to grasp new concepts quickly and easily. As a result he was easily bored. But he was determined not let his father down again.

As the first few weeks passed and the students and teachers fell into a routine, Kakashi began to realize that his own skills in the shinobi arts were not the norm. And that they far outclassed his classmates. He didn't know what to do about it other than continue to do his best, earning him admiration from most of his classmates and bitter envy from a small minority. He ignored both. He had no use for flattery. He knew what his skills were and didn't like others fawning over him. He also paid no mind to those who were jealous. It wasn't his fault he was more skilled than they were. Yes, he had inherited a certain amount of skill but that didn't mean he didn't work very hard and spend countless hours training, working to improve each day. His father didn't allow him to slack off in his training either, pushing him to his limits each and every time they trained together.

Kakashi had watched his father train his entire life. Even a shinobi with as much natural skill and genius as the White Fang had to continue training in order to keep his skills at their peak. Talent would only take one so far on its own. That talent needed to be nurtured and exercised and challenged in order to truly flourish. Kakashi idolized his father. If a great shinobi like his dad trained hard every day, so would he. The boy resented the implications from some of his classmates that he didn't work as hard as they did. He probably worked harder.

Kakashi had been surprised to find that Might Guy had indeed been accepted into the Academy as an alternate. In retrospect, he knew he shouldn't be. His father had been right once again, as usual. The other boy seemed to be having a hard time of it, though. It seemed he could perform some rudimentary ninjutsu but nothing near the level that would be needed as a shinobi. Kakashi observed that Guy spent every free moment training – doing countless push-ups, running laps, even walking around the playground on his hands. He had to give Guy credit – he was stubborn and determined if nothing else. Many of their classmates mocked Guy but inwardly Kakashi applauded his dedication to his training. Maybe his father had been onto something after all.

They should spend less time running their mouths and more time training themselves, Kakashi thought bitterly one particular afternoon. As usual, he had his nose stuck in a book as he walked across the Academy grounds, heading home. Not only did reading keep his mind occupied, Kakashi had found that fewer people bothered him if they thought he was busy. They also tended to forget that he had ears as well as eyes and could hear them just fine despite the book he held. Though at times he wished he didn't overhear some of what they said. It was the same as always. Variations of how he either didn't have to work hard because he had inherited all of his skills or some such nonsense. Kakashi walked past as if he hadn't heard. He refused to let the other students see that their words bothered him at all.

By the time he reached home, he was in a foul mood. He went into the kitchen and found a note from his father on the table. He had been called out for a mission and wouldn't be home until the following day. Kakashi was disappointed. He had wanted to ask his father to train with him to get his mind off his boredom at the Academy and his classmates' insulting words. With any luck, he could have talked his father into teaching him a new ninjutsu or a cool new taijutsu move. Swallowing his disappointment, Kakashi headed out to the back yard.

He spent the next several hours hurling weapons at targets, practicing chakra control by walking up trees, and practicing some ninjutsu. The sun was setting when he finally went back inside, tired and still in a bad mood. Opening the refrigerator, he found that his father had left a meal prepared for him; it just needed to be warmed up. He ate slowly, not really hungry but knowing he'd feel even worse if he didn't eat. Not to mention he'd earn himself another lecture from his father about it if he found out.

Kakashi had convinced his father that he didn't need a babysitter while he was away on missions. Sakumo had agreed that Kakashi could stay by himself when he was away for short periods - no more than a night or two for the time being. Part of their agreement was that Kakashi would take proper care of himself while Sakumo was gone. Kakashi was capable of preparing simple meals, cleaning up after himself, putting himself to bed at a reasonable hour, and getting to his classes on time. If Sakumo found out he'd skipped meals he wouldn't hesitate to find a sitter. Kakashi had no desire to have anyone fussing over him like he was a toddler.

Clearing his dishes, he washed them in the sink and set them in the rack to dry. He wiped down the table and counter before drawing himself a bath. He was sweaty and dirty from his earlier training. The hot water relaxed stiff muscles and helped ease some of his tension. While he was still disappointed that his father wasn't home, Kakashi was feeling better once he dried himself and pulled on clean pajamas. He checked that the front door was secured and turned the lights out in the rest of the house as he made his way to his bedroom. He left his bedside lamp on as he picked up his book, fully intending on reading a few more chapters before going to sleep.

Five minutes later his book was dangling from limp fingers as sleep claimed him.


Over the following weeks, Kakashi noticed Guy intensifying his training routine. The other boy was pushing himself to extreme limits. Yet he never gave up, even when he was on the verge of collapse. Kakashi was silently impressed. Maybe his father had been onto something after all when he had predicted that Guy would become stronger than him.

It didn't much longer for Kakashi to learn what Guy was up to by increasing his training regimen.

"I challenge you, Kakashi!" Guy cried one afternoon. Kakashi sat on a bench in a park after class, reading as usual.

Kakashi looked up over his book and started involuntarily. Guy's face was only centimeters from his own.

"No."

"Why not?"

"I'm busy. Go away." He turned back to his book, attempting to block out the other boy's presence. It was difficult with him still practically in his face.

Guy took a half-step back, folding his arms across his chest. He was well aware he might get hit for this, but it would be worth it if it got Kakashi to fight him. "I never thought that the son of the White Fang would be a coward."

Kakashi looked up from his book, eyes burning. "What did you say?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

"Nothing," Guy tried to appear nonchalant. "Just that I didn't think you of all people would be afraid of a challenge."

Kakashi's eye twitched. He snapped his book closed as he got to his feet. "Fine."

Guy beamed, seemingly oblivious to the danger he had just put himself in. "Excellent! We'll pit our skills against one another in hot blooded battle, putting our youth on the line!"

"We'll what?" Kakashi simply stared at Guy, bemused, as he followed the other to an empty training field.

"What should we start with?" Guy asked.

"I don't care. Let's just get this over with."

Guy didn't let Kakashi's lack of enthusiasm get to him. If anything, it made him all the more determined. He had long been fascinated by the quiet and aloof silver-haired boy. He had heard tales about the White Fang, of his genius and skill. To pit himself against his son would be a true test of his own abilities. Kakashi offered a challenge like no other and Guy was giddy with excitement at the prospect of going head to head with him.

Guy's enthusiasm never waned, even as Kakashi soundly defeated him at each challenge. Even taijutsu. "You really are a prodigy," Guy gasped, taking several gulps of water.

"Are we through?" Kakashi asked crossly.

"No! I'm not finished challenging you! You're my eternal rival!"

Kakashi sighed and rolled his eyes. "I've beaten you in every challenge. You can barely stand. What more do you want?" he asked, exasperated. He didn't admit out loud that their taijutsu match had been a near thing. Guy was very, very good at taijutsu. Kakashi had barely been able to hold his own and had only won because of his ability to use ninjutsu in conjunction with his taijutsu. A substitution jutsu had been the only thing that had saved him from a broken nose and had given him the precious seconds needed to get the drop on Guy.

Guy got to his feet and issued his next challenge.

"You're insane," Kakashi muttered. And so am I for going along with this! Guy simply grinned at him as he brought a hand back, fist clenched. Kakashi shook his head as he did the same.

"Rock, paper, scissors!" they chorused.


Kakashi sat scowling down at his toes. He sucked on his split lip absently. He ignored the handful of other students who shared the room with him. Classes had ended for the day and everyone else had left the Academy except for the handful of students who now sat in detention. A group of older students had caught Kakashi at the end of the day, taunting him. He had ignored them until one had pushed him. Then he'd fought back. Because they were still on school grounds and classes had barely been dismissed, the entire group had been hauled into detention. Kakashi hadn't even been given a chance to defend his actions.

"This is your fault, Hatake!" one of the students hissed.

"That your taijutsu skills are pathetic and your ninjutsu's not much better? Hardly," Kakashi replied.

"Little brat! I'll pound you -"

Kakashi glanced at the speaker out of the corner of his eye, not deigning to give him his full attention. "Not unless you've improved significantly in the past hour," he replied coldly.

"That's enough!" the upper-classmen instructor - already put out at having to stay late to chaperone detention - snapped. "You all have work to do." He scowled at the youngest boy who was simply sitting at his desk, not writing or even holding a pencil. "That includes you."

"I'm finished," Kakashi said.

Frowning, the instructor picked up his paper and scanned it. What the boy said was true, he had completed the work. Correctly, too, from the looks of it. He had given the younger boy the same assignment as the older ones. If the boy was old enough to throw the first punch, he was old enough to struggle through the more difficult work. Maybe it would teach him he still had a lot to learn about being a shinobi. Yet here he was, the first one finished.

He eyed Kakashi for a moment. He'd heard that the son of the legendary White Fang had started the Academy this year. He was the only one who had finished the assignment, despite its difficulty. There was no way he could have cheated. Other than a split lip, a few bruises, and being covered in dirt, he'd managed to hold his own against a group of much larger opponents.

This is the White Fang's kid, is it? He's got his father's talent and brains. He needs to learn when to use the latter more, though.

"Fine, off you go, then," he said, dismissing Kakashi. He glanced at the clock on the wall as Kakashi closed the door on his way out of the classroom. He'd give it another half-hour before letting the rest of them go.


Sakumo was in an unusually somber mood as he walked through the streets. He had just come from a meeting with the Hokage regarding his next assignment. He was to lead a team deep into enemy territory. The mission looked to be one of the most dangerous and difficult he'd ever gone on. He had a feeling of foreboding about the entire thing.

He shook his head, annoyed with himself, sending his pony-tail swinging from side to side. He was acting like a rank genin, worried about his first mission. He had carried out dozens of difficult assignments over the years. There were few jonin of his level and he had more than his share of "S" and higher ranked missions under his belt. This would simply be one more. Yet the feeling that something was wrong persisted, sending him into a deeper funk. Sakumo was not normally one to brood, but he was having a hard time shaking his unease. He trusted his gut and it was telling him something was about to go horribly wrong, despite no evidence of such a thing about to occur.

He cast a glance up at the rapidly darkening sky. A storm was rolling in. Just what I need right now, he thought. Hopefully at least the worst of it'll pass before morning.

His thoughts were interrupted as a man appeared at his elbow. "Excuse me," he said. "You're Sakumo Hatake?"

Sakumo stopped walking and turned to fully face the other. "I am," he replied.

"I'm one of the upper-classmen instructors at the Academy." That explained why Sakumo didn't recognize him – he wasn't Kakashi's instructor. He continued. "There was an… incident… today that you should be aware of. Kakashi was involved in a fight with several older students."

Sakumo frowned. Kakashi had some trouble at the Academy during his first few weeks, but after he'd spoken to him, it seemed to have stopped. He was displeased to hear Kakashi was involved in fighting again. "Was anyone hurt?" he asked. He doubted Kakashi was seriously injured but he couldn't vouch for the condition of the others.

"Nothing too serious. Though I'm certain you understand the seriousness of brawling on school grounds outside of authorized matches."

Sakumo nodded grimly. "I am. I'll speak with Kakashi about his behavior. If you'll excuse me, I'm afraid I have a mission to prepare for this evening as well."

"Of course."

Sakumo continued towards home, wondering what had gotten into Kakashi. His son had said he wanted to be a shinobi since he could talk. Yet his actions didn't fit with his stated desire. Sakumo wondered if attending the Academy was really what Kakashi wanted. Maybe his son had only said that because he thought Sakumo wanted him to become a ninja. Or because he didn't know he had other options. He sighed and pressed his thumb and forefinger against the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes briefly. This was the worst possible time for Kakashi to be in trouble at school. Sakumo had to get an early start tomorrow and he had a lot to do before then. But this needed to be addressed sooner rather than later and who knew how long he'd be away from the village this time. He wondered if he shouldn't arrange for someone to stay with Kakashi while he was away though he'd been letting him stay home alone until now. It was just one more thing he'd have to do but if his son was getting onto trouble perhaps it would be for the best.

Letting out his breath in a frustrated huff, Sakumo turned down the path that led to his home. One thing at a time, he reminded himself. I'll see what Kakashi has to say for himself, then I'll decide what to do.