Don't Own Naruto… sadly… but in this fic, I own Kakashi…
I kinda started to write this as a oneshot fic, but then it morphed into a second part for Meeting Him. But it's more of a prequel... so yeah...
Meeting Him, Part 2
Won't Come Back
The day the Yondaime died, the great evil Kyuubi had been sealed inside a blonde haired babe. Young Kakashi didn't cry – even when he had quietly laid the white flower down, before the laughing photo of his sensei.
Sensei.
Kakashi – remember, it's all about teamwork.
Sensei.
His sensei had always been there for him – from the first day he had graduated from the Academy at the young age of five. They had been alone together for several years before Obito and Rin had joined their team.
It was his sensei who had supported him through the entire Chuunin Exam preparations.
And when Father – when… when that incident in the study happened, when the Hatake name fell into dishonor, it had been Sensei who had kept Kakashi sane.
Sensei, who had saved the day, two years ago during the war with Rock.
True, Sensei hadn't been perfect, but to Kakashi, he was his hero.
Standing now, before the training posts, he could still see his sensei's blonde hair, waving in the wind, eyes serious and proud and cheery, all at once, as he gave young Kakashi a special kunai throwing knife.
Only later on, after the blood, the death, the gift, the fight and the black unconsciousness, did Kakashi find out, sitting on a rock, how special that kunai was – how this gift had saved his life.
The med pack, the kunai, the Sharingan.
Standing now, before the training posts, he gripped the kunai knife (still wrapped with the old talisman) and raising his arms threw it at the post – again and again.
"He won't come back you know," the Sandaime said, one day, approaching the young Jounin, who stood there shivering. "No talisman like that can bring a man back from the dead."
Kakashi flinched.
"I'm just training," he said loftily, trying to act nonchalant, as he went over to the post to pull out his kunai.
"Hmmmm…. So you say… Come to the mission room, we'll get you a mission."
"I don't want a D-rank. Or a C-rank. And that's all that they'll give me, because nobody wants to hire a fourteen year old for a B or an A rank mission. You know that."
Kakashi fought back the lump in his throat.
"Everything's changed now."
Sondaime sighed.
"I had thought you'd want to rest…."
"I'm fine."
"We could always take him in," said a cold voice.
Kakashi turned around glaring.
"About time you introduced yourself!"
His eyes widened at the white mask and the odd laughter.
"Such fire in a young one! And such skills to know I was there! But then, he is the protégé of the Yondaime, bearing a Sharingan – with the white chakra of the Hatake… Impressive really. Too bad youth blocks his path."
"I don't think that it is wise to-"
Kakashi glared at the old man.
"If you had your way, I'd probably still be in diapers right now! I can do it! Tell me what to do! I can learn!"
"Hmmm… I'm sure you could." The white mask tilted approvingly in response.
Sandaime looked old, sad, cross and thoughtful all at the same time.
"I wouldn't like you to take this road, Kakashi. I'm sure your sensei-"
"Sensei isn't here now. But I AM!" Kakashi threw the kunai at the post viciously.
It hit dead center with a THUD of great force. The talisman fell off and blew into the wind.
Nobody moved as it blew sideways and into the bush.
The kage stood there and sighed an acceptance of a sort. The ANBU bowed.
"We'll be contacting you further, Kakashi-san. Until then."
He darted away into the bush and turned to see the kage walking away with the young boy, kunai in hand.
Below his sandals, fluttered white – the torn talisman was caught in the underbrush. Lifting it up, the white mask wondered.
What has he lost – what will he lose? He will learn – death takes us all.
The Kage stroked his graying goatee in thought as he watched the strong, straight soldiers of the teen beside him, walk in respectful, dead silence.
Sakumo. I am sorry. He's chosen – but he is strong. He has lost and he will lose. But then, it is something to be learnt – death takes us all.
That night, Kakashi placed within the box, beside the goggles, a med pack and a dried white flower, the kunai.
It could never bring you back, sensei. But then – that's life – it takes and takes – and rarely gives. Death waits for us all – a point of no return, huh.
The day Kakashi left the ANBU was the day that the Sondaime rejoiced. Finally he had managed to get the young man out. Six years later, albeit kicking and screaming – but the young Hatake was out.
"A place will always be ready for you," said his ANBU superior. "On the other hand, this is a great chance to enjoy life – it's good to see the sun every now and then."
"Hmph… what is there to look forward to? Nobody's coming back."
His superior doesn't reply – he is wise, even if Hatake had entered into ANBU before his time.
"Regardless. Enjoy yourself. Here."
And he hands over an old letter from the previous ANBU recruiter.
Kakashi opens it up as he leaves the ANBU building – taking his time – dragging his feet – as he goes to find the new Jounin rooms above the Academy.
All it says is:
"It is easy to fight for them, much harder to live."
It is the talisman.
They weren't coming back. Father. Mother. Obito. Sensei. Rin. His teammates from ANBU and the Chuunin and Jounin ranks.
It is easy to fight for them, much harder to live.
"He won't come back."
It's the Hokage on his way to the Academy as well.
"I know that," Kakashi says.
"Which makes you think that fighting for them will make them live on in your heart."
Kakashi tips his head.
"What if you lose that heart? It is important, then to live for them as well."
"Komina said that, too. I know he's right."
"Good. With that in mind, we'll set you up with a Genin team in the next week. Until then, take a vacation."
"I didn't say I agreed…" Kakashi mumbles and glares.
The Kage ignores him and hurries into the Academy.
Kakashi dwaddles behind.
I always hated the first day of school, when you go in and everybody stares at you.
He saunters into the room, frowning at everything.
The Kage sits down, and Kakashi watches as a green-clad man with a ugly bowl-cut hairstyle takes a B-rank mission.
"I'LL DO IT, HOKAGE-SAMA! IT'S THE SPRINGTIME OF YOUTH!"
There are several others. Young Chuunins whispering.
There are some he knows by name.
Ibiki, the ANBU interrogator – he's met him before.
Anko – Orochimaru's student.
Asuma – another Sarutobi.
And others he doesn't recognize.
A coughing dark-haired young man, with a katana strapped to his back.
Another honey-haired young adult, who flicks a senbon around in his mouth.
Kakashi moves into the room.
Senbon twitches an eye and greets him in a husky voice.
"YO!"
"AAAAHHH! WHO'S THIS?"
"Gai… stop frightening him!"
Kakashi moves out to his desk and apathetically holds out his hand with his ID papers.
"Thank you very much!" A brown-haired man with a ponytail says beaming a smile which takes Kakashi aback.
The kage is smiling approvingly. Damn him.
"No missions for Kakashi, right now."
"Right."
The Ponytail freezes at the dossier's label.
"Hatake Kakashi."
Suddenly Kakashi finds himself dragged off to the inn.
Watching his mates – his new teammates, what he supposed would become friends – Kakashi wonders if things will turn out all right. He wishes more than ever that sensei could be here.
It is easy to fight for them, much harder to live.
At the thought, his shoulders straighten and he turns to talk to – Genma-san(?).
It is true that Sensei isn't here – but that only means, I have to live for him. If I am to carry his legacy, his hopes, his loves, his dreams – then there is no choice. There is no turning back for me.
I don't know where to go... any suggestions? Normally I do my own thing, so take this chance!