Chapter 3: Masks and Scars

Pancakes had been a mistake.

Sakumo swore under his breath as he attempted to slide his spatula under the crisp edge to flip the wobbling tower of fluffy batter. How had his mother managed to do this with such finesse every Tuesday? Maybe he should use two spatulas to gain better support. Except he only owned one spatula. Could he use a kunai? He swore again, keeping it at an appropriate volume so he wouldn't wake his guest.

Hatake Kakashi... he wasn't quite sure what to make of him. But it was obvious that though his mind couldn't recall any memories, his body remembered much more. Every flinch and near-constant tension, as if expecting danger at any moment. Sakumo had always considered himself a quiet man, but Kakashi's near-unwillingness to even open his mouth had proven how wrong he was.

Hatake Kakashi had lived a hard life, of that he was certain.

Sakumo tensed, silently counted to three, then flipped the pancake. He watched in dismay as it landed rather lopsidedly in the pan—but it was on the other side, so he would count it as a success. His mother's pancakes had always been his comfort food, which was why he'd decided to make them for Kakashi.

Though he could admit he also had an ulterior motive. After Tsunade had discovered Kakashi's Sharingan, she'd quietly mentioned that he seemed to be on the verge of malnourishment. Sakumo had stared at her blankly. Hatake Kakashi looked to be in excellent shape to him.

"He's in peak condition, yes," Tsunade had corrected. "But he is thinner than he should be. I would guess he's been eating just enough to survive." She frowned. "Why, I have no idea."

Sakumo deposited the steaming pancake to a plate and spooned more fluffy batter into the sizzling pan. He sighed. Pancakes weren't perhaps the most nutritious, but they would certainly contribute to fattening Kakashi up.

Once he had a decent stack of rather deformed pancakes loaded on the plate, Sakumo turned off the stove and picked up the plate to take it to the table. He turned and froze. Kakashi stood feet away in the entrance to the small kitchen, wearing the short-sleeved green shirt and loose beige pants Sakumo had given him yesterday. He shut his gaping mouth. How long had he been there? Approaching a jōnin without being sensed was nearly impossible for most shinobi. Just what kind of ninja was Hatake Kakashi?

Kakashi stared at him for a long moment, then his shoulders slumped as if a weight had been lifted. "You're still here."

"Of course." Sakumo arched a brow. Odd comment. "Did you think I would leave?"

Kakashi slid his hands into his pockets. "I... no."

Sakumo eyed the silver-haired shinobi. How had such a quiet and passive man been in Uzushio's ANBU? Or perhaps… the duties of said ANBU had turned him into this shell of a man. He cleared his throat. "I made some breakfast."

Kakashi's single eye fixed on the plate in Sakumo's hand. "Pancakes?" A ragged strip of cloth had been tied around his head to cover his Sharingan, resulting in his short hair spiking up and to the left.

"Ah, yes." Sakumo, too, dropped his gaze to the stack of pancakes. Maybe he shouldn't have made such a… childish breakfast. He managed an awkward laugh. "My mother used to make these for me, and I want to make them for my future children. So... I figured I would practice on you."

"My father used to make pancakes for me." Kakashi stepped back to let him through, gaze unreadable. "A long time ago."

That was a relief. Sakumo clapped Kakashi's shoulder as he walked past. "Good! Then allow me to welcome you to my family, until you are able to remember your own." He sat at the table, and Kakashi's words finally caught up to him. "Are your memories returning?"

Kakashi sat in the other chair stiffly. "No. They are... just fragments."

Sakumo leaned over and shoveled half of the pancakes onto Kakashi's plate. "Better eat while they're still hot." He offered a smile. "I'm sure your memory will come back eventually. Do you remember your parents' names?"

"No." Kakashi stared at his pancakes as if he hadn't seen one in years.

"Ah." Sakumo poured a liberal amount of syrup over his pancakes and offered it to Kakashi. Perhaps if he kept the atmosphere casual, it would help Kakashi do the same. "Help yourself. As you can see, I prefer to drown my pancakes."

Kakashi's visible eye crinkled, to Sakumo's utter shock. "Only butter, please. You know tha—" He stiffened. "I-I mean, do you have any butter?"

"Uh, sure." Sakumo got up and fetched the small crock of butter from the refrigerator. What was that? He hadn't imagined a smile, had he? And that strange comment... He shook his head and returned to the table. "Butter it is."

Kakashi took it with a quiet, "Thank you." He slathered his pancakes, then pulled his mask down before taking the first bite.

As before, the sight of Kakashi's features hit Sakumo like a slap to the face. Yes, he did resemble his mother, but Sakumo hadn't been able to admit the entire truth last night. Even more than his mother, Hatake Kakashi looked like him. Sure, there were differences, like the beauty mark below Kakashi's mouth and his narrow jaw, but… the similarities were uncanny. And it bothered him more than he cared to admit. Kakashi's sharp canines flashed as he took another bite, and though they weren't as prominent as an Inuzuka, he guessed Kakashi had more than Hatake blood in him.

Perhaps... that meant the curse wouldn't affect him.

They ate in silence, but with each bite Kakashi seemed to be relaxing. The stiffness in his shoulders eased and the lines in his forehead disappeared. Sakumo smiled, and returned his attention to his own plate. He'd been right. Who wouldn't find comfort in eating pancakes?

"Sakumo-san, do you think you'll ever have a family?" Kakashi glanced at him, then returned to prodding his last bite of pancake. "You said you wanted children someday."

Sakumo blinked. Not a question he would have expected, but Kakashi was talking, so he jumped on the opportunity. "I hope so." He chuckled wryly. "As do the Konoha elders. They have been pressuring me to take the necessary steps to further the Hatake line. But... the time isn't quite right."

"Why not?" Kakashi's intense stare was almost intimidating as he chewed his last bite.

"Er, well..." Sakumo winced. How had the conversation taken this uncomfortable turn? "I don't have anyone I would like to share my life with. Once, I thought I met someone on mission a year or so ago, but she has been avoiding me since—since she discovered I was the White Fang." He couldn't keep his contempt for the name out of his voice. He hated the title; hated the reason he'd gained it. So much so that it had taken all of his willpower to use it yesterday to gain the Sandaime's approval. Why was he telling Kakashi all of this? Conversation was one thing, spilling his life story another entirely.

Kakashi considered him, gaze unreadable. "You should try to talk to her again."

Sakumo sighed. It wasn't as if he never saw her; he'd seen her walking around the village in the few times she'd left the Inuzuka district. But he kept his distance, and she kept hers, though he was certain she also saw him, or at least smelled him. "It's not like I haven't tried." But the interactions they did have were polite and brief. Very brief. He shook himself. "What about you? Do you want a family?"

Kakashi's focus returned to the tabletop instead of Sakumo. "I never thought I would live long enough for... that."

Sakumo could recognize when a conversation had run its course. "I understand. The life of a shinobi is uncertain." He stood, and gathered the plates. "Here we are, sitting around gossiping like a couple of old men. We'd better make our way to the training areas. The Sandaime wants me to show you the ropes today."

"Sakumo-san." Kakashi pushed to his feet, and his hands slid back into his pockets. "I appreciate the pancakes."

Sakumo smiled. Maybe they were getting somewhere. "It's my pleasure."

.

.

"Welcome to the first training ground!" The brown-skinned man's grin was blinding, and he extended his hand to Kakashi. "I'm Maito Dai, and it's an honor to meet another member of the Hatake clan."

Kakashi stared. He didn't remember much about the Eternal Genin, but he may as well be meeting Gai's clone in the past. Only with facial hair.

"Hello, Dai-san. I'm Hatake Sakumo." Sakumo reached past Kakashi and shook Dai's hand when Kakashi didn't move. "This is Hatake Kakashi. I promise we won't get in the way of your training. I'm merely showing Kakashi around. He's going to be working here for the next few days."

"Not to worry, White Fang. As a matter of fact, I am here to give Kakashi-san the tour. I work here myself, as I don't get many missions—being a genin and all—so the hokage thought my expertise would be most helpful." Dai ended his sentence by flashing a thumbs-up in Kakashi's face.

Kakashi blinked, slightly unsettled by the too-familiar gesture. Wasn't his father supposed to show him around?

Sakumo frowned. "I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding. The Sandaime told me—"

"Ah! I apologize, I forgot to give you this." Dai held out a small scroll. "Instructions from the hokage, I believe."

Sakumo accepted the scroll, and his mouth tightened as he read the contents. "I see." He glanced at Kakashi apologetically. "It seems I have been summoned by the Sandaime. I will return as soon as possible, but in the meantime, I will leave you in Dai's capable hands."

"Of course! Leave it to me, White Fang!"

Kakashi fisted his hands in his pockets. Leaving his father's side after just getting him back left an uncomfortable knot in his stomach. But right now, it was imperative that he blend in and gain their trust, so he nodded.

"This way, Kakashi-san!" Dai marched off into the first training ground. "We have much to do before lunch!"

Sakumo offered a crooked grin and patted Kakashi's shoulder. "Good luck."

Kakashi watched Sakumo amble away, then reluctantly started after Dai—who had already gained a considerable distance between them—and had paused to let Kakashi catch up.

A flicker of movement—or, rather, a shadow among the trees that hadn't moved with the breeze—caught the corner of his eye.

ANBU. Unsurprising. So, the Sandaime was taking precautions after all.

Dai's smile showing no sign of faltering when Kakashi finally reached him. "I apologize for running ahead! I will endeavor to be more observant in the future."

Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck, acutely reminded of Gai's persistent friendliness, no matter how much he had ignored him. But... he should make an effort with Dai, for Gai's sake. "Maa, it's fine. Where do we start?"

"Come! The supply sheds are over here."

Once Dai had showed him where the spare wooden target posts, practice dummies and tools were kept, he announced they were ready to 'get their hands dirty.' He loaded Kakashi up with two shovels and several bags for debris or any lost shuriken, senbon, or kunai. He himself hefted a load of wooden posts. They headed for the second training ground, where Kakashi spend the next hour picking up the projectile weapons lost in the bushes or treetops. Dai hauled off what remained of a splintered target post.

Kakashi dropped the second sack he'd filled next to the first, weapons clanking. He rolled his shoulders. That Senju Tsunade had a sadistic side. He glanced at Dai, who propped both shovels on his shoulder, humming cheerfully. Yet, Maito Dai was out here every day, cleaning up after other shinobi because he didn't get enough missions for suitable income. Nor did he seem bitter about it.

An hour later, Kakashi stood next to Dai as they surveyed the smooth ground of the second training area. He wiped sweat from his forehead, likely leaving behind a smear of dirt, but strangely, he felt better than he had in weeks.

Dai grinned and slapped his shoulder with a grime-caked hand. They had both long ago stripped to their sleeveless undershirts, Kakashi's also serving as his mask. "Now, on to the third training ground!"

Kakashi stared as Dai walked away, whistling. "Third?"

"Indeed, my comrade! We are in charge of the first seven training grounds, after all."

Seven? Kakashi grabbed the dark green shirt Sakumo had given him and trudged after Dai. "Dai-san... Why do you have this job? Surely it takes up most of your time. If you want to rise higher than genin—"

"Fear not! I rise at four in the morning every day to get in a few hours of training before I start my duties." Dai said cheerfully. "Besides, this job is an excellent opportunity. I am able to observe many shinobi while they train, and learn from them."

Kakashi's gaze fixed on Dai's back. "Have you... ever seen the White Fang training?"

"Once." Dai's voice lowered. "He always trains alone and usually waits until the training grounds are deserted. This is only a theory, of course, but I think he is afraid it might happen again. You know, the incident when he was a genin."

Kakashi grabbed Dai's arm, halting him under a large branch. "What incident?"

Dai blinked. "Oh. I suppose you wouldn't know." He scratched his chin. "I don't remember many of the details, but something happened on his last mission as a genin with his teammates and sensei. They were attacked, and his teammates were killed. Sakumo returned to Konoha carrying his mortally-wounded sensei, but he himself was unharmed. Some say his curse was the only reason he survived."

"What curse?" His father had never mentioned any of this. But, in a way, he understood. He couldn't speak of the missions where he lost Obito, Rin, and later Minato-sensei, nor did he want to. Some things were better to be left buried. Not that it had stopped the memories from haunting his thoughts and dreams.

"I'm not entirely sure. It seems to be some kind of curse that affects the Hatake clan, but the White Fang never mentions it." Dai tilted his head thoughtfully. "Could be why he always requests solo missions."

But his father's last mission hadn't been solo. He had chosen his comrades over the welfare of Konoha. Could that be why...?

Kakashi sensed a shift in the air moments before the crash of splintering wood reached his ears. He grabbed Dai and leaped backward—an entire tree blasted past them, smashing everything in its wake. A branch whipped inches past Kakashi's nose as he and Dai landed just out of reach.

Kakashi stared down the path of destruction through a haze of dust and floating leaves. The tree had disappeared, but the crashing had finally stopped. What the hell was that?

Dai patted his torso, as if to make sure he was still in one piece. "You saved me, Kakashi-san!" Kakashi shrugged, but Dai peered in the direction the tree had come from. "That was at the third training ground! Come, we must go observe! This is a great learning opportunity!"

Before Kakashi could object, Dai had grabbed his wrist and dragged him through the destruction. He eyed the razed trees and broken branches as they passed by. Taijutsu? No, impossible. Even Gai, with his constant, intense training, didn't have that kind of strength. Besides, Gai wasn't born yet.

They emerged into the clearing of the third training ground, and Kakashi blinked in the sunlight. Dai was practically vibrating with excitement.

"You could have killed someone!" a familiar male voice bellowed.

Kakashi sighed. He'd have preferred to avoid this particular group as long as possible. Jiraiya and Orochimaru, both wearing jōnin uniforms, stood a few feet away next to a few training posts, observing their blonde teammate's spar with three other shinobi in the middle of the training ground.

Tsunade side-stepped a flurry of shuriken from a male shinobi's aerial attack. The shinobi descended with a punch, but she grabbed his wrist a moment before he landed the blow, stopping him cold. She spun and slung him into the two other shinobi who was rushing in from behind. They collided, and all three tumbled in a heap.

Dai sucked in a sharp breath, eyes shining. "Excellent footwork and weight distribution."

Tsunade planted her gloved fists on her hips and turned to glare at Jiraiya, ignoring her opponents. "It was an accident! And aren't you supposed to be doing damage control or something, since this was your idea?"

Kakashi's eyebrow crept higher. She had sent the tree blasting through the forest? Rin had proudly spoken of Senju Tsunade's incredible strength, but he hadn't imagined it was quite... this much.

"Oi! At least I brought you sparring partners." Jiraiya jutted his chin at Orochimaru and grumbled, "I'm gonna lose."

Orochimaru didn't take his eyes from the fight, but a thin smile curled his pale lips. "Of course you are. You should never have bet against Tsuna, and you will never find a shinobi who can defeat her in a taijutsu spar. That's why I will win. Because I know her better."

Jiraiya scoffed. "That's low, Oro. And I'm not giving up. I'll find someone who can win, someday."

Two of the shinobi finally caught Tsunade between them, and both launched forward on either side with spinning kicks. She twisted and caught each ankle with ease and yanked, smashing them down to create twin craters on either side of her feet. Both shinobi groaned, neither attempting to get up. Tsunade struck the ground with her heel, and spun to kick the chunk of erupting earth at the last shinobi. It caught him in the chest, and he flew to the other side of the clearing with a cry.

Jiraiya winced. "Ouch."

Tsunade walked toward her teammates, stripping off her gloves. She too, wore a Konoha hitai-ate and typical jōnin uniform, with the dark blue sleeves rolled up to her forearms. "Hey, Jiraiya!" she called, a glint in her eyes. "I was hoping for at least a challenge. It that all you've got?"

Jiraiya sputtered, and Orochimaru only laughed, a strange rasping sound Kakashi had never heard from the snake.

None of the future Sannin had noticed Kakashi and Dai at the edge of the clearing yet, so Kakashi took the opportunity to lean in and whisper in Dai's ear. "We should leav—"

Dai marched toward the group. "That was inspiring! If you are in need of another sparring partner for Tsunade-hime, I would consider it a great honor to accept and learn from this experience!"

All three shinobi turned. Kakashi sighed inwardly and followed Dai. The Sandaime's ANBU were watching. If he wanted to stay close to his father, he had to act the part.

Jiraiya grinned. "If it isn't the Scarecrow and the Eternal Genin! What brings you two here? I assume near-death by the hime?" His gaze settled on Kakashi, and his grin widened. "Come to see your goddess in action, Hatake-san?"

Kakashi returned Jiraiya's stare with his own. Jiraiya blinked, and looked away.

"Enough with that already, Jiraiya." Tsunade's eyes narrowed at Kakashi. "Where is Sakumo-san? Isn't he supposed to be watching you?"

Dai bowed deeply, saving Kakashi from having to speak. "I was entrusted with his care, Tsunade-hime! We were maintaining the training fields while the White Fang had a meeting with the Sandaime."

"Is that so?" The suspicion didn't leave Tsunade's gaze, but she nodded. "I suppose if it was on the Sandaime's orders..."

"I assure you, my orders came straight from him." Dai cleared his throat. "And my offer to spar with you, Tsunade-hime, still stands. I would be honored if—"

"Slow down there, pal," Jiraiya interrupted. "I like your enthusiasm, but shinobi have ranks for a reason. The last thing we want is for a genin to get hurt for taking on one of Konoha's top jōnin. Frankly, there are very few shinobi worthy of sparring with the hime, and you're not one of them."

Dai held Jiraiya's gaze without speaking. But his shoulders were squared and stiff.

Kakashi regarded Jiraiya through a half-lidded eye. It was true, a genin wouldn't stand a chance against a jōnin, but why would Jiraiya get so involved in something that didn't concern him? Unless... he was protective of Tsunade for another reason. He shrugged off his musings. Regardless, it was none of his business.

"What the hell is your problem, Jiraiya?" Tsunade interjected sharply. "I will spar with whom I please, when I please."

"I'm only looking out for your best interests, Hime!" Jiraiya exclaimed. "Or have you forgotten who you are? Because all of Konoha knows. You can't just go around doing—"

"No!" Tsunade stabbed a finger in her teammate's face. "If you finish that sentence, I will smash your face into the ground."

Kakashi added hot tempered and violent to Tsunade's profile as the two future Sannin glared at each other.

"It was an honor to spar with you, Tsunade-hime!"

The three shinobi who had been beaten into a pulp minutes before stood a few feet away. Kakashi took in their ripped uniforms and bruises, yet they still gazed at Tsunade with stars in their eyes. Clearly, the other shinobi in Konoha idolized her as Rin had.

Tsunade reluctantly faced the shinobi. She raised her hand and rippled her fingers in a wave. "Thank you for the spar."

The three shinobi nearly fell over each other as they bowed several times, more than one face tightening with pain. Probably from cracked ribs. "Your skills and beauty are truly unsurpassed among shinobi! We graciously accept our loss to the Hime of Konoha, of whom there is no equal!"

All three took off at a run back toward Konoha, though it ended up turning into more of a hobbling jog. Kakashi didn't blame them. He would flee too after saying such ridiculous things.

"Jiraiya!" Tsunade spun on her teammate, eyes flashing. "Did you tell them to say that?!"

Jiraiya's smirk was more than a touch self-satisfied. "Only if they lost. But believe me, they meant every word."

Tsunade groaned and buried her face in her hands. "I hate you."

"C'mon, Hime. You know what the village thinks of you." Jiraiya nudged Tsunade, but she only glared at him and stepped away. Jiraiya sighed. "I swear, is it so wrong to admire you?"

"Respect is one thing, admiration is another." Tsunade folded her arms and huffed. "I don't want to be admired merely for my face or who my clan is, you know this! I want to accomplish something worthy of admiration."

"Kami." Jiraiya massaged the bridge of his large nose. "Is this about your iryō-jutsu stuff again? When are you going to give that up? Any shinobi would kill for the skills you already have. Do they mean nothing to you? Does all the training you went through with us mean nothing to you?"

"Jiraiya..." Orochimaru hissed warningly.

"I value saving lives." Tsunade's honey-hued eyes blazed. "Think of everyone who would still be alive if there had been someone able to save them. Do they mean nothing to you?"

Jiraiya's mouth tightened. "I knew it. This obsession is all because of Da—"

"Enough, Jiraiya." Orochimaru clamped a hand on Jiraiya's shoulder and squeezed, knuckles whitening.

Jiraiya fell silent, guilt flickering across his face.

Tsunade paled, though her cheeks were still flushed with anger, and her hands curled into fists. "I knew this spar was a waste of time. I don't know why you were so insistent about it in the first place."

"Because Oro and I are worried about you!" Jiraiya shot back. "It's been two years, Tsuna. You—you've become obsessed and isolated. I want my old teammate back, and this is the only way I can think of to do that! Is that too much to ask?"

Tsunade's fist struck one of the ten-foot practice posts, shattering it into a million wooden splinters. "I'm trying to prevent that from happening to anyone else! Do you ever think about anything other than your—"

"Enough." Orochimaru's quiet voice silenced both of them. "This is hardly the place for such a… discussion."

Tsunade huffed, and Jiraiya turned away sullenly, arms folded. Neither spoke.

Dai stepped forward, a determined set to his jaw. "I agree with Tsunade-hime. My father taught me that true strength isn't in defeating powerful opponents, but protecting those you care about. That is my goal as well."

Protect those you love. Once, he, too, had held such a nindō. Before he had failed everyone precious to him.

"That's right." Tsunade stared at Dai, and a slight smile crossed her face. "In that case, I would be happy to spar with you, Dai-san."

Dai gasped, his spine ramrod straight. "Truly?"

"Hold up." Jiraiya held up his broad hands. "That's nice, but do you really want to send your new buddy to the hospital, Tsuna? I know you don't hold back."

Kakashi tuned out the squabble. Their sentiments were naïve, but they hadn't yet experienced war and the devastation it brought. He wasn't foolish enough to think he could protect his father, not when he had failed to protect everyone else he cared about. But he could shed blood. He was ANBU. And if he could change fate, even a little, maybe his father would follow another path. Perhaps... he could save his father in the only way he knew how.

In four years, when the Kakashi of this timeline was born, he would have a different life. An unbroken life. Maybe... the kind of life where he could save Rin, Obito, and Minato-sensei.

Even if that cost his life, it would be worth it. More than worth it. That would be a worthy death he'd gladly accept. For the first time since he'd woken up in this world where he didn't belong, he knew what he wanted. He had a mission.

He would save his father. And he would do whatever it took.

What had Dai said about a Hatake curse? Since the war had yet to begin, he would start there. Perhaps it would hold the answers he needed.

Tsunade scoffed. "How will I or my opponents improve if I hold back? Dai wants to become stronger. Why should I say no?"

"It would be a good learning experience." Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed. "I see nothing wrong with this."

"You wouldn't," Jiraiya shot back. "You're both crazy!"

"I don't see you offering to spar with him," Tsunade pointed out, locking eyes with Jiraiya, and apparently unbothered by the accusations of putting her opponents in the hospital.

"Pardon, everyone. I'm sorry to interrupt, but I'm here for Kakashi." Sakumo's slow drawl flowed over Kakashi. His father strolled toward the group, hands in his pockets and a slight smile on his face. "Tsunade-hime, Jiraiya-san, Orochimaru-san. I didn't expect to see you here. Did I miss anything?"

"White Fang!" Jiraiya exclaimed. He stepped forward and slapped Sakumo on the back. "You're just in time. What do you say to a little friendly spar with the Hime? I'll bet you could give her a run for her ryō."

"Uh..." Sakumo seemed bewildered at the gesture of friendliness. He cleared his throat. "I don't know that I..."

"Enough, Jiraiya!" Tsunade snapped. She shot an apologetic glance at Sakumo. "Ignore him. We were finishing up, anyway."

Sakumo chuckled, much to Kakashi's chagrin. "From what I've heard, I'm afraid I wouldn't stand a chance in a taijutsu spar with you, anyway, Tsunade-hime." A gleam entered his charcoal eyes. "Kenjutsu would be a different story."

"Tsuna sucks at kenjutsu," Jiraiya said smugly.

Tsunade punched her teammate in the arm, ignoring his yelp. "Shut up, fool. As if you're any better."

Orochimaru lifted his head, long black hair falling away from his face. "Interesting. I happen to study a bit of kenjutsu myself. Would you be available for a spar in the future, Sakumo-san?"

Sakumo brightened. "Of—of course! I would be honored, Orochimaru-san. I haven't had the opportunity to spar with a fellow shinobi in a long time."

Kakashi eyed the future snake Sannin. If anyone could keep up with Sakumo, it would be Orochimaru, which was likely why his father was eager to accept. While Orochimaru didn't yet seem to be delving into the darkness that had led to his experiments and banishment, he had no intention of trusting him, and certainly not with his father.

He sighed. Keeping an eye on his father was going to be harder than he thought.

"Kakashi and I have a few errands to run before evening, so we must be going," Sakumo announced. "It was a pleasure to see all of you again."

"And you, White Fang." Jiraiya turned to his teammates. "Let's go get something to eat. I'm buying!"

Tsunade glanced at the sun and cursed. "I promised Nawaki I would help him study before dinner, and I'm already late. Sorry." She started away at a jog, blonde ponytail bouncing. "Dai-san, another time!"

Dai waved at her retreating form. "Of course! I will be ready!"

"Kami. And she promised she would spend today with us as a team." Jiraiya kicked at a clump of earth. "Why did she agree to spar with the Eternal Genin? I had to beg for months to get her to spend a few hours with her own teammates!"

"I believe Tsuna can spar with whoever she pleases," Orochimaru said flatly. "Perhaps it took her so long to agree because of the things that come out of your big mouth. However… she does seem better."

"You always do take her side." Jiraiya scowled, and stomped off to the forest. "I'm the one trying to bring us back together!"

Sakumo tipped his head at Kakashi, and he followed his father out of the third training ground, shaking off an uncomfortable pressure in his chest. The interactions of the Sannin reminded him of his time with Obito and Rin. Would it have been the same, if they had survived to adulthood?

"How was your first day on the job?" Sakumo's voice interrupted his thoughts as they broke through the forest.

Kakashi grunted. One he'd rather not repeat. "Fine."

"Ah. Good." Sakumo rubbed the back of his neck, gaze falling to the ground.

Kakashi frowned at his own absentmindedness. His father had been trying to start a conversation, hadn't he? He'd never been good at talking, and what little ability he'd possessed had all but disappeared after Minato-sensei's death. Now, it seemed, he would have to relearn how. "Your meeting with the Sandaime?"

Sakumo's head snapped up, his eyes widening. "It was fine. Good. That is, he merely wanted a report on you. I informed him it is too soon to give much of a report, but so far you have shown no sign of a threat."

Kakashi stared at his father. If he'd ever mentioned one word of his confidential meetings with the hokage, he would have been disciplined severely. "Should you give me that information?"

"Why not?" The corner of Sakumo's mouth lifted. "You won't be telling anyone."

The confidence in those words silenced him. This man was nothing like the father he remembered. Most of his memories of Sakumo were after that mission, when his father had crumbled under the hate of his village and turned away from the love of his son, losing himself until nothing but a shell remained.

Sakumo cleared his throat. "I decided to take your advice. So, I'm delivering a message to the Inuzuka from the Sandaime."

His advice? The Inuzuka? Wait... Kakashi slowed as the implications gradually dawned on him. His mother was Inuzuka.

The musk of dog and a chorus of barking reached him before the entrance gate to the Inuzuka district became visible. Kakashi's steps stuttered. He never would have thought Sakumo would take his advice with him present.

Was he truly about to see his mother? He had only ever seen one picture of her, before his father had hidden it away.

Sakumo stopped abruptly, staring at the entrance gate fifty yards ahead of them. "This is a bad idea. We should go."

Kakashi followed his father's gaze. A single young woman stood at the entrance gate, a fluffy, medium-sized dog at her feet. A familiar green scarf with darker green circles woven along its length was wrapped around her neck and lower face. Her long, dark brown hair was pulled back into a side ponytail and draped over her right shoulder. His throat closed.

Inuzuka Ehana. His mother.

Ehana hadn't noticed them, but she straightened when two men approached from the opposite direction of Kakashi and Sakumo. They wore civilian clothes, but the way they carried themselves marked them as shinobi. They stopped to speak to his mother, but she turned away, her shoulders stiff.

Kakashi's eye narrowed. "What are they doing?"

"I don't know." A muscle in Sakumo's forehead twitched and his jaw worked, as if fighting an impulse.

The taller shinobi leaned in aggressively. His companion laughed, and shoved Ehana back into the wooden post of the entrance gate. The fluffy dog at her feet leaped up, fur bristling.

Kakashi moved at the same moment as Sakumo. One of the shinobi glanced back, as if sensing the movement, and his eyes widened. He spoke to the taller shinobi, and they both hurried off without looking back.

Sakumo growled, deep and feral. He broke into a jog, and stopped a few feet in front of Ehana. "Ehana, what was that?" His voice was tight, but controlled. "Are you all right?"

Kakashi reached his father's side and tracked the movements of the two shinobi. They had nearly disappeared from view, but he caught the last traces of their scent hanging in the air. He inhaled slowly. That was all he needed.

"I'm fine. W-What are you doing here?"

His mother's voice.

Kakashi's gaze flashed to the young woman in front of them. Her narrow brown eyes had widened; the green scarf concealing the rest of her face below her nose. He shoved his hands in his pockets and squeezed his fingers into fists. Her scent... the warm, milky smell of newborn puppies and sharpness of pine... he remembered it.

Sakumo took a half step forward. "Who were those shinobi?"

"It's nothing. I've gotten used to the harassment. Comes with failing an important mission, you know." Ehana shrugged and tugged her scarf more tightly around her nose and mouth, but not before Kakashi caught a glimpse of a thick, jagged scar down her right cheek.

"That was a year ago!" Sakumo ran a hand through his silver hair in frustration. "They shouldn't treat you like—"

"I said it's fine!" Ehana's voice cracked. She glanced at Kakashi, as if unable to look Sakumo in the face, and quirked an eyebrow. "Who are you?"

Kakashi stared at her mutely. She had died when he was born, and he had never had the chance to talk to her. But here... now... he couldn't get words to form. What would he say?

Sakumo cleared his throat. "This is Hatake Kakashi. He is a shinobi of Uzushio, but he arrived here with amnesia. He's staying with me for now."

"Another Hatake?" Ehana's eyes crinkled at Kakashi in a smile that hit him harder than one of Gai's punches. "Kami knows we need another one of those. Sakumo is no better than an old man. Get him to loosen up, would you?"

"I—I am not!" Sakumo stammered.

Kakashi's shoulders hunched. He needed to escape before she sensed his emotions. As far as she knew, they had never met before. "May I pet your ninken?"

Ehana blinked. "Oh... um, sure."

Kakashi crouched, taking the moment to exhale and slow his pulse, pulling in his ANBU training to regain control. Both of his parents' eyes were on him, so he held out his hand to the dog. His mother's ninken resembled an extremely fluffy, half-sized wolf with stubby legs and a white face. The dog stared at him for a moment, then pushed to her feet and padded to him. Her wet nose brushed his hand as she sniffed, and finding him satisfactory, plopped down. Kakashi scratched behind her fuzzy pointed ears, his fingers sinking deep into the thick, soft grayish-brown fur.

Wait... He knew this dog. Vague memories of his tiny hands buried a thick coat and a small pink tongue cleaning his face surfaced. His mother's ninken had watched over him when he was a toddler, until she must have passed away of old age.

A name entered his memory. "Suku," he murmured, breathing the dog's familiar, comforting scent. "Suku."

At her name, Suku wriggled under his touch and turned to lick his face. Kakashi didn't pull away. No matter what, he would save his mother too. His birth had taken her, so... Senju Tsunade. She would become the greatest iryō-nin in the world. She would be able to save his mother.

"Er, how have you been?" Sakumo shifted awkwardly above him. So much for the confidence his father had displayed earlier.

"Fine. You?" Ehana's tone was neutral. Too neutral.

"I am well." Sakumo rushed on, as if afraid he'd be stopped. "It's good to see you. I've been meaning to speak to you about—"

"Sakumo, we decided it would be better if we didn't associate any longer."

"You decided that! I never wanted—"

"You never told me why you are here." Ehana's words were stiff, but the slight tremor in her voice gave her emotions away.

Sakumo was silent for a long moment, then paper rustled. "A message from the Sandaime for your clan leader." He sounded flat, defeated. "Come, Kakashi. We're finished here."

Kakashi lurched to his feet, but Sakumo was already walking away, hands jammed in his pockets and head bowed. He glanced at his mother. He should leave, but he... didn't want to.

Ehana met his gaze, her eyes tinged red. "It was nice to meet you, Kakashi-san. Take care of him, would you?"

Kakashi gave her a jerky nod, then hurried after his father. This tension between his parents had existed before he had arrived, which meant they had worked it out themselves. His mouth twitched in spite of himself. At least, he assumed they did, considering he would be born in four years. The faces of the two shinobi who had laid hands on his mother entered his mind, and ice flowed through his veins. That, however, was something he had every intention of interfering with.

Kakashi caught up to his father, and they walked several blocks in silence. He eyed Sakumo. "Who is she?"

"Inuzuka Ehana, a chūnin of the Inuzuka clan." Sakumo sighed, as if saying her name had released something inside of him. "One year ago, she was on a high-profile mission. The mission was a failure. Her fellow chūnin on the mission was killed, and she nearly was." He absently brushed a fingertip down his cheek. "That's when she got her scar... and how I met her. She hadn't received any missions higher than a C-rank since that day. But I don't—I've never cared about that."

Kakashi touched his own scar. They had both received their scars with the death of a teammate, then. A permanent reminder of failure. "Maybe she does."

Sakumo faced him. "What do you mean?"

"I heard you've never failed a mission." Kakashi shrugged. "And all she is known for is failing a mission. That's all."

"Kakashi-san..." Sakumo stared at him. Then he shook his head and clapped Kakashi on the shoulder with a rueful chuckle. "Thank you. You're a wise man."

Kakashi blinked as his father's back entered their front door. His observation had seemed rather obvious, but then, his father clearly wasn't thinking rationally when it came to his mother. "Sakumo-san?"

His father glanced back, silhouette filling the doorway. "Yes?"

"Would you mind if I go for a walk? It won't be long."

"Of course, go ahead." Sakumo groaned and rubbed the back of his neck. "You've given me a lot to think about, anyway."

Kakashi grunted, and waited until the door clicked shut to turn back toward Konoha. The Sandaime's ANBU hadn't followed him since he and Sakumo reached the outskirts of the village. Obviously, they assumed the White Fang could watch him in his own home.

He moved swiftly, blending with the growing shadows as his blood thrummed with the thrill of the hunt. He hadn't lied to his father. It wouldn't take long to deliver a warning two certain shinobi wouldn't forget.

Washing away the blood might take a bit longer.

Since I can't reply to guest reviews personally, I'll reply to them down here.

Guest: Thank you so much! I'm so happy you're enjoying it so much :) Hope you enjoy the chapter!