"Kakashi, I need your help." Sasuke teleported right above the son of the white fang. The Uchiha knelt at the mountain top fingerless gloved hand out stretched to the man to take. His cloak billowing not even having fluttered to the ground yet. Sasuke fully prepared to pull his sensei's ass up to level ground in one grab of his hand. "I can't do this alone. Right now. Let's go."
Even in his anbu days the man still had his morning rituals. Ever since Sasuke was placed on team 7 he always knew exactly where to find his Sensei at any given time of day. All those attempts at tailing him for a peak at his mask were paying off. Currently Kakashi was one handed rock climbing. Sweat dripped from his sensei's brow. Kakashi stared at him boredly. He didn't move a muscle.
"Screw the climb. Let's go." Sasuke truly frustrated with Kakashi's lack of movement. Impatient. His hand shook a bit. "What are you waiting for? It's an emergency."
"This is weird even for you Gai, but an A plus disguise like that won't win you the challenge. That said, Love the gloves. Though that black nail polish is a bit much. Left hands chipping." Kakashi drawled, still eyeing him with that same detached look.
Sasuke reeled back like he was burned. Gai? His Sensei thought he was his henged rival? Why in the fuck-? Just his luck. He must have caught him in the middle of a damned rival challenge. Sasuke groaned. Fuck every part of his life. This was a whole new low. Thank god he left Naruto in the woods. He'd never live this down. Kakashi better not remember this.
As for the nail polish, well, his freshly blackened nails were his husbands handiwork. Idiot loved painting. Naruto would paint anything he could get his hands on. When Naruto asked him last night if he could do his nails, Sasuke let him, zero fucks given. He didn't care what prompted the sudden urge. The blonde was still restless and needed something to do. Well, one fuck had been given, but apparently that one hadn't been enough to get out all of Naruto's energy.
"I don't have time for your rivalry with broccoli senior, Kakashi." Sasuke glared down at him. He grabbed the front of his shirt and hauled him off the cliff side up onto the ledge. "And there's nothing wrong with my nails! I'd like to see you try to do a chidori without chipping polish."
Kakashi raised a brow. "Proposing another challenge already? It's not like you to accept defeat so quickly. But I suppose I could humor you. Kurenai's bound to have some on hand."
"I'm not here to challenge you! I'm not Gai!" Sasuke didn't expect it to be so hard to convince Kakashi. Never had he thought he would be mistaken for Gai of all people. The past was truly hell. Sasuke should have known better than to appear out of nowhere. That had to be how Kakashi was making that connection.
Of course even his Sensei would need convincing. He shouldn't have expected Kakashi to just summon his hounds and then they'd be on the move. Sasuke couldn't convince him alone. But he couldn't bring his husband into it. Sasuke would never live it down. He needed someone who would keep their trap shut. Someone who'd want to forget the experience all together. He left and reappeared with his brother in seconds.
Though Itachi didn't prove helpful right away.
Itachi was leaning over the side of the cliff dry heaving in seconds. Teleporting was too fast for him. It made Itachi's stomach lurch. Him and Sasuke were built very differently. It was such a rush. Itachi couldn't stand it. He wiped at his mouth with his wrist glaring at his little elder brother over his shoulder.
"No time for puking big brother." Sasuke hauled him upright. "Tell him I'm me and not Gai."
"If I do will you leave me alone? You're going to be the death of me."
"Yeah, it wouldn't be the first time." Sasuke patted his arm and snapped his fingers. "Get talkin' 'tachi. Time's wasting. Child's bleeding."
Itachi looked at him with dawning dread. Itachi felt his head pound again. Sasuke looked dead serious. He really was the worst brother.
"Dragging my subordinates into this challenge now, Gai? You know it's not nice to have people lie." Kakashi crossed his arms.
"Actually Kakashi," Itachi started as Sasuke's arm squeeze got a little tight. "This my pest of a little brother Sasuke as an adult from the future."
"Are you getting paid for this?" Kakashi wondered. "It's really commendable you kept a straight face saying something that absurd. What was that about a bleeding child?"
"He said it because it's true. I'm not-fuck this. Whatever. Think I'm that spandex covered fashion abomination I don't care." Sasuke swallowed his feelings. He swallowed every ounce of pride that he had. He did care. He cared more than he could ever express because Might Gai was just...so damned weird and Sasuke was nothing like that guy. Apart from maybe his taijutsu work ethic. He didn't want to be mistaken for the bowl cut disaster. Yet, Sasuke would stomach the confusion. Forget convincing Kakashi. Because Mini Naru didn't have time for it wherever he was. He'd wasted enough time, effort, energy, and chakra on this ludicrous case of mistaken identity. Naruto needed him. His kid self. Sasuke wouldn't fail him.
"What I said before hasn't changed. I wasn't joking. You have to understand. It's life or death. I don't know what state he's in. We have to find a kid. Blonde. Blue eyed. Nine tails container." Sasuke showed Kakashi the bloody shoe. "Short version, Naruto ran away into the forest behind the Uchiha compound last night and all we found is this. The trails non existent, you're the only person I could think of who might care enough to look for him with me. When I was thirteen, when I became a genin, very first c rank mission to hell you made me a promise that you'd protect Naruto, Sakura, and me with your life. I've got that part covered for you now. You don't have to go that far for us these days." Sasuke didn't know if this explanation would be enough. Kakashi didn't look convinced. The shadow kage lowered himself to his knees.
"Sasuke-"
"Shut up, Itachi. I'll almighty push you off the cliff."
Itachi shut his mouth. He stared at his brother. What more could he do but watch?
Sasuke couldn't believe he was doing this. Lowering himself like this. Naruto really was the only man No the only person in existence past or future he would ever get on his knees for. He was a kage, Kakashi was a future one, there was some level of respect here that should deem this unnecessary but Sasuke was truly desperate. There wasn't anyone else he could go to. His Sensei was his only chance. Naruto's only chance. He looked up at Kakashi. He found some twisted comfort in suddenly having to look up to him. "I need you to track the little fox down. I'll handle the rest. I'll beg you if I have to, Kakashi, but time..." Sasuke sighed. "...I don't think it's something Naru has. Believe my story or not, call me whatever you want, it doesn't matter. Just help me, Sensei. Please help me, I-I don't know what else to do."
It was probably the second time in his life that he'd ever called Kakashi his Sensei seriously. He didn't have time to dwell or reminisce on the previous time because Kakashi was already summoning his hounds.
"Sasuke."
The Uchiha lifted his head. Kakashi held out his hand. He believed him. Sasuke would deny ever shedding a tear at the sight.
"Give me the shoe."
Just like that the search for Mini Naru resumed post haste.
Woohoo! Another chapter! Yay! Is it bad I'm obsessed with my own story? Probably but oh well what else is there to do when you have covid and feel like absolute shit am I right?
Anywho, question time again! I only have a couple, they're a bit long cause I ramble, but it would mean a lot if you took the time to answer them. I find the feedback helpful. As readers, you notice things or have different feelings than me. I value your opinions and want to make this story as enjoyable as possible for your guys.
1. How's the characterization for everybody? Am I characterizing the characters okay? Is anything off? Should I adjust anything? Mannerisms, word choice, description whatever. Like is there anything in how I'm portraying the characters that makes you cringe or on the flip side am I doing anything that you really want to see more of? Like more of x character doing this or stop x character doing x thing. Be honest with me. It's not too late for me to go back and edit. I want to know what you readers think.
2. Is there anything about Sasuke and Naruto's future life that you want to know more about? If so what? I'm gearing up for this around the campfire, bedtime story esq. type chapter soon. It'll be a good spot to talk about their lives back in their future. So let me know if there's anything about the co-kage's lives that your curious about! Whether it be things in their present lives or leading up to them becoming the badass co-kage husbands they are.
