Kakashi grimaced as the last of his remaining chakra was sucked from his reserves. He could feel his systems shutting down. It was time to go and what a way to go. He just hoped that they had finally won. That Kaguya was gone for good.

"I just wish…I had a bit more time…with all of you…" His eyes shut as he laid on the battlefield.

The sound of a battle coming to a close rang through the air as a gust of wind ruffled the silver man's hair.

The day the Gojo clan was blessed with the Six Eyes is the day they were blessed with another cursed technique.

Two shrill cries of infants echoed through the clan compound.

One infant with blue irises that could captivate instantly.

The other with heterochromia. A plain gray iris and a crimson red one.

The twins both having a shock of pale white hair.

"Kakashi!" Satoru happily skipped over to his younger twin. His mop of white hair untamed as he gave his twin a crushing hug.

Kakashi let out a grunt of discomfort, before sighing and leaning into the embrace, "Maa what's got you in such happy spirits, Nii-san?" The more mild mannered Gojo requested with a raised brow.

Satoru puffed his cheeks at his little brother, "You said you'd make me sweets today."

Kakashi hummed in response as he looked at his casted line. "Okay, Nii-San, but after I catch another fish."

"Kakashiiiii!" Satoru whined burying his face into Kakashi's bony shoulder. Despite Satoru being the older of the two Kakashi was usually the more responsible one. Which was irritating to most of the clan.

"Didn't you have training today?" Kakashi asked with his usual drawl.

Satoru stiffened and refused to look up at his brother's knowing gaze. "It was boring…I prefer training with you…"

Kakashi let out a light chuckle and ruffled his brother's hair, "Go and finish your training. Then you can have some sweets and we'll train."

Satoru looked up with a glowing smile that made Kakashi's heart warm, "Really? Okay! I'll be baaaack!" Satoru was suddenly gone. Kakashi let out a sigh and looked back over the water as he shook his head.

Ever since he was 4 years old he could remember everything from when he was Kakashi Hatake.

He could remember all of it. His father's death. Obito's, Rin's, Sensei's…the war. Everything.

The reason he remembered everything? Well he had a bit of an accident.

Kakashi pouted as he watched Satoru training again. He was hanging upside down in a tree by his legs hooked around a branch. He didn't want to be jealous of his elder brother, but he was. The clan worshipped the ground Satoru walked on which was ludicrous!

Satoru was 4!

Kakashi had read enough of the clan texts to understand that the reason was because of the Six Eyes.

They claimed that Kakashi had received a twisted version in the form of his own red eye. This irked Kakashi that they claimed it was impure. What would they know? They never bothered to find out anyways. Kakashi huffed and swung back and forth on the tree in absentminded thought.

Kakashi was active and agile for his age. A natural talent for combat and strategy. A genius. And yet the only person willing to acknowledge that and him was Satoru.

Satoru always made what Kakashi could do seem amazing. He would train with Kakashi and get excited at Kakashi's fluid movements. Kakashi just knew how to move. He couldn't explain it.

He just could.

As he continued to swing back and forth in thought he was unaware of the gleeful smile on Satoru's face. It turned mischievous and suddenly Satoru was on the branch as well. His sudden appearance scared Kakashi.

"Ah!" Kakashi yelped and his grip loosened. Satoru could only watch as his twin went crashing into the ground.

Kakashi landed head first with a loud thud. Satoru immediately leapt down with concern. "Kakashi!"

Satoru's heart began to thud rapidly. He hoped he didn't just kill his little brother. Satoru loved Kakashi. Kakashi was the only person in the world that mattered.

Satoru had noticed the disgust that the clan regarded Kakashi with. It irritated and grated on his nerves. Kakashi was so strong and talented. He deserved all the praise that Satoru could give. After a while Satoru promised to himself that he'd be Kakashi's safeguard. That he'd protect his cute little brother.

His little brother that lit up when reading something interesting. His little brother that blushed at compliments and tried to deny them. His little brother, despite his envy, cheered Satoru on.

So it was with these thoughts in mind that he rushed Kakashi inside despite his trainer's shouts.

The flood of information was a shock to the young Gojo. Everything from his life as Hatake Kakashi almost causing more pain than the goose egg on his forehead.

He groaned and placed a hand tenderly to the aching area. He quickly withdrew the appendage wincing.

"Kakashi!" His eyes took in the sight of a beaming Satoru. "Thank goodness! I thought I killed you!"

Kakashi blinked once and then twice. Unbidden, his sharingan eye watered as a tear slipped down his face. Satoru's eyes widened and his own eyes watered. "I'm sorry! Please don't cry! I won't scare you ever again!"

Kakashi quickly rubbed away the tears, effectively shoving away the flood of emotions the memories brought to the surface. Kakashi reached out and ruffled his hair, "I'm sorry I worried you nii-san."

Satoru leaned into his palm and grabbed his wrist, securing the hand. "You better be!" Kakashi let out a jingle of a laugh which Satoru quickly followed suit.

It was a burden to have the memories, but he was grateful for them. Those memories made him stronger. His precious people made him who he was. He didn't want to forget them. And so far in this world he only had one precious person.

Satoru.

Kakashi hated the Gojo clan. They were hot headed fools with no regard for the children in their care. They gave no attention to Satoru except for misguided praise and fear. Due to this upbringing Satoru would often look down upon the weak. Kakashi tried his best to be a guide for his elder brother, but it was hard to go against what the clan had drilled into Satoru's mind. This made Satoru distant to others.

All except for his younger brother.

Kakashi himself was often disregarded by the clan. Despite having gained his memories and soon reaching his former prowess he had yet to earn their respect. He was powerful, yes, with a large reservoir of cursed energy born into his body that could become limitless and it helped with his sharingan, but he was not the Six Eyes wielder. He was not their prized possession.

This irked Satoru that Kakashi was often given the cold shoulder, "I don't understand why they don't train you as well!" Satoru was pacing back and forth with anger welling in his core. He swung at Kakashi as his twin had moved in to strike.

Kakashi blocked with his forearm and weaved around Satoru's unguarded side. Satoru saw this and pushed away to gain some distance.

Kakashi straightened a bit, "Maa they've been trying to get the Six Eyes for so long it's not a surprise that they're more interested in you."

Satoru huffed at the obvious ceasefire. Before Kakashi's tree accident Kakashi had been desperate for attention. He would try his best to do the same techniques as Satoru. To hone his skills to become great. He tried so hard to play a larger role in the clan.

But then he fell.

Now Kakashi was driven, but not to earn respect. He just wanted to help Satoru now.

"You don't care anymore?" Satoru tilted his head when they were younger.

Kakashi shrugged as he flipped a page in his book, "Nope. The old codgers can do what they want."

This surprised the older twin. Satoru looked at the ground, "Does that mean you don't want to become a jujutsu sorcerer with me anymore?" It was an irrational fear, but Satoru had been dreaming of team ups with his brother for forever.

Kakashi finally looked up and smiled, "I still want to be a sorcerer with you, nii-San. I just don't want to do it to impress anyone now. I just want to be your shadow and help you." Satoru looked at him with shock. Satoru felt warmth bubbling in his chest. Then he beamed.

"Kakashi! You're so cute! Be my shadow forever!" Satoru hugged him, making Kakashi yelp.

He closed his eyes at the memory and Kakashi saw the internal struggle. He walked over and ruffled Satoru's hair, "Don't worry so much about me, Nii-san. Come on. I made some rice balls earlier."

Satoru's eyes brightened and he let out a holler of excitement. However, Kakashi could see the tense set in his brother's shoulders. Kakashi's eyes fell to the ground with a sigh. This was something Satoru would have to figure out on his own.

Kakashi was frustrated, yes, but not for himself. He was used to being seen only as a tool. This was nothing new to him. However, he wished he could change how the clan treated Satoru.

He walked behind his twin and his gaze softened. And Satoru probably felt the same for him.

Years passed and once the twins were old enough they were able to go to Jujutsu Tech.

A loud crash reverberated through the neighborhood.

"You crying?" Satoru grinned as he leaned over the crater he had created.

"SHUT UP! Respect your elders!" Utahime pointed at the Gojo.

She and Mei were so busy looking at Gojo that they hadn't noticed the curse behind them. That is until Suguru's curse ate it.

Kakashi looked back at his brother, "Nii-San, my curtain isn't up yet." He quickly held up his fingers and a curtain was raised. Kakashi sighed and walked over with nonchalance. His uniform was unbuttoned revealing a black shirt underneath, the uniform pants, and black combat boots that the pants were tucked into. He still wore his black face mask. "Are you alright? Utahime-San? Mei-San?" Kakashi questioned.

"How are you two related?" Suguru raised an eyebrow.

"Don't you see the family resemblance?!" Satoru threw his arms around his brother. Kakashi rolled his eyes and sighed.

Utahime blushed and she looked away at Kakashi's concern, "We're fine." She would vehemently deny the fuzzy warm feeling that Kakashi's soft gaze incurred.

"I don't mind you worrying over me, Gojo-kun." Mei winked at Kakashi. Kakashi simply gave an eye smile in response.

"Why should we worry? You're strong. It's Utahime we're worried about." Satoru grinned, still attached to Kakashi's shoulders.

"Come on. Let's get you out of there." Shoko spoke with her usual subdued tone.

"Shoko! Don't change and be like them!" Utahime hugged the second year.

Kakashi sighed.

Yaga glared at the second years with anger thrumming in the air. "You couldn't have waited until after Kakashi had erected the barrier?" He huffed.

Kakashi scratched at the back of his head, "Maa, I got it up before anyone saw. All's well that ends well, right sensei?"

"WRONG!" Yaga shouted, making all four of them react with nervousness.

Kakashi winced as Yaga punched him over the head. Then he did the same to Satoru for destroying the place without a curtain. Both twins sucked in air through their teeth and rubbed at their heads.

After further scolding the second years all sat around the table. "Why do we have to use curtains anyways?" Satoru whined.

"It's better for the general populace Satoru-nii." Kakashi sighed, flipping a page in a book. "Mass hysteria is avoided with ignorance." Kakashi thought back to the treatment of Naruto and what could have been avoided if no one had known about his tenant.

"But why is that our problem?" Satoru whined as he leaned onto Kakashi. Kakashi didn't budge and continued to scan the page with his much heavier and taller twin dominating his side.

"The strong should protect the weak, Gojo." This time Kakashi did close his eyes as Satoru and Suguru glared at each other. Their difference of opinions clashing once more.

It was a wonder that they were best friends.

"Where is Shoko?" Yaga walked in.

"Dunno." Suguru answered.

"Maybe the bathroom?" Satoru smiled and Kakashi snorted.

Yaga then began to explain their assignment. "Kakashi!" Kakashi jolted upright at Yaga's tone. "You have an assignment of your own." Yaga held up a folder.

"There has been a member of the Zenin clan causing problems. He has become a curse user. We expect you to handle him." Kakashi nodded and got up from his desk ignoring Satoru's puppy eyes.

"Understood. I will head out immediately." Kakashi was about to leave the room when Satoru lurched over his desk and hooked arms around Kakashi's waist.

"Sensei! Please let me go with Kakashi instead of the mean Suguru!" Satoru begged. Kakashi began to count to ten for patience.

"No."

"Sensei! What if he's hit on by perverts?! I need to keep him safe! He's too cute to be eaten so young!" Satoru wailed and rubbed his face into Kakashi's side. Kakashi's ears were bright red despite the black mask that covered his face. He ducked his head and sighed.

"It'll be fine, Nii-San. We can go get some dango when we finish." Kakashi sighed and ruffled his older brother's hair.

"Who is the older one again?" Suguru snickered, making Satoru turn a glare to his best friend. With that distraction he didn't notice Kakashi pass right through his arms.

"Be good and have fun." Kakashi waved as he exited the classroom. Satoru cursed at seeing that Kakashi had escaped with his Kamui.

"Kakashi!"

Kakashi melded into the shadows. His hair falling over his left eye as he took in his surroundings. He was standing in the shadows of a building as he contemplated his next move.

Toji Zenin was a formidable opponent and a slippery guy. He hardly stayed in one place for long, but what was most concerning is the fact that he seems to be working under the Time Vessel Association. He was pretty sure that was Satoru's and Suguru's mission.

Kakashi sighed, "How troublesome."

He hoped that Satoru was faring better.

"He's doing what?" Kakashi drawled with annoyance. Kakashi loved his brother. He really did, but sometimes he wondered if Satoru had any brain cells.

"He wants to give her more time, Kakashi-senpai. You can't really blame him." Haibara tried to smooth over the tension.

After some shuffling and a whine from Haibara on the other end Kakashi heard Nanami speak, "He's being reckless. We're here, but that doesn't get rid of the fact that he is playing at being invincible." Nanami echoed Kakashi's concerns.

Kakashi sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Due to this debrief he knew where Toji would be. He just hoped that he was timing this right. "I got it. Thanks Nanami!" Kakashi chirped and hung up the phone. His half lidded gaze lighting up as the sharingan came to life.

They walked in and Satoru smiled, "We're finally here!" Satoru chimed happily.

Everyone let out a breath of relief and Satoru allowed himself to finally rest. He released infinite and he felt fatigued. "No more babysitting."

Riko turned a glare on him, but Satoru ignored it. That is when it went downhill.

Toji's blade was close. It had almost pierced the Gojo when there was suddenly an arm wrapped around his target. The other pulled Satoru forward into an embrace as electric blue armor came to life.

Toji's blade slammed into it before breaking. Toji let out a scoff in annoyance. "My, my. That was cutting it close." Kakashi's tone was easy going, but his blazing red eye was giving off a different emotion.

"Kakashi!" Satoru said in surprise.

Kakashi's gaze softened, "Seriously, Nii-San…you scared me there."

Satoru's eyes fell to the ground, "I guess…I'm a little tired."

"Yeah. I can see that. Go and take that girl. This guy is my mission after all." Kakashi made sure his twin was steady before releasing the hold.

"Gojo Kakashi. Wielder of the Sharingan and the skeleton shield, Susano'o." Toji grinned wickedly.

Kakashi tilted his head back, "Oh? So you know me?"

"Who doesn't?" But before anyone could react he made a move for the girl. Kakashi's sharingan read the movement and he was in the air kicking Toji away.

"Kakashi!" Satoru shouted.

"Get going!" Kakashi crossed his arms and blocked a punch. He went flying back and Satoru quickly caught him.

"Hurry Suguru! We'll handle this!" Satoru ordered.

Suguru didn't need further prodding and beckoned for the girl to follow.

Kakashi and Satoru stood across from Toji with glares. Then Toji moved forward again. Satoru tried to keep up, but he found he couldn't. "He's not using cursed energy. I can't follow his movements." Satoru said with frustration.

"Then watch mine and watch for openings." Kakashi pushed Satoru back as his sharingan blazed red and he stopped a knife from being plunged into his twin. Kakashi's kunai sparked violently as it clashed against Toji's deadly weapon. His arm blazed to life with blue as Susano'o the imperfect form went to grab Toji.

Toji leapt back right into Satoru. Satoru spun, kicking Toji down.

Toji hissed and landed roughly as he wiped the blood from his chin. "Let's keep things close and personal." Satoru activated his blue technique and brought Toji in for more close quarter combat.

Toji growled and reached into his back pocket and drew out a grenade. He should have known this wasn't going to be an easy fight. These were the strongest that the Gojo clan had to offer. Both with amazing techniques integrated into their beings from birth. So with this in mind he had to incapacitate their greatest strength. Their sight.

The grenade burst filling the place with light and both boys let out a cry of pain before looking away and rubbing at their eyes.

That's when Kakashi felt the knife lodging into his shoulder. Toji meant for it to go further, but then he fell forward past Kakashi. The knife clattered to the ground as Kakashi stumbled away holding the wound. Warm blood seeped through his fingers.

"Kakashi!" Satoru was cut off as a Toji cut through his throat and torso. Toji smelt iron as he continued his assault and stabbed him in the leg. He felt victorious as Satoru fell.

"Nii-San!" Then Toji was gone. Kakashi ran over as Satoru was bleeding out. "Don't you dare die on me!" Kakashi peeled his hand away from his own injury and his hands glowed green. He began to stitch the skin together. It was out of pure desperation. He couldn't lose Satoru!

He wouldn't!

He knew very little about medical ninjutsu, but he had learned enough in Anbu. If he could just stop the bleeding it would be enough. Satoru was strong. He could make it.

Satoru slowly gained consciousness to see Kakashi hovering over him. He could feel his brother's hurried, but efficient work. "Kakashi…" he spoke.

"I'm kind of busy." Kakashi snapped trying to keep his concentration as he was stitching the leg closed. Satoru felt blood dripping on his leg away from the wound.

"You're bleeding." Satoru pointed out. With every drop of blood Satoru could feel guilt eating at his insides. His cute little brother was struggling to help him when he himself was bleeding out from a deep gash in his shoulder.

"I'll be fine. Just sit still." Kakashi ordered sharply and Satoru could only sit as he watched the energy draining from Kakashi.

"Kakashi-"

"You're the best chance that girl has Satoru. Go…I'll be okay." Satoru's eyes widened at the statement. He was surprised that he wanted to do as his brother told him.

He wanted to protect the weak.

What had happened to him?

Kakashi swayed after finishing up. His eyelids slid closed and that was the only warning Satoru got. Satoru caught him as Kakashi passed out from blood loss and exhaustion. The warm blood of his little brother felt too slick and too hot.

Satoru tightened his grip on his prone brother as his Six eyes lit up dangerously. He was going to kill Toji. Anger rushed through his veins and he could hear the blood rushing in his ears. Kakashi's pale skin looked even paler. This made Satoru release a low and dangerous growl.

The air filled with his animosity and it was like the universe shook with anticipation. The atmosphere became thick with killing intent.

Toji had angered the Honored one.

Kakashi blinked awake and then jolted up in the bed. He winced as his shoulder protested and he grabbed his arm in pain. "You shouldn't be moving around…" Kakashi looked at Shoko who walked over.

"What happened?" Kakashi gripped his head as exhaustion gnawed at him.

"Satoru killed Toji…The Star Vessel died before that…" Kakashi stiffened at Shoko's words.

"Satoru should be coming to see you soon. Just get some rest." Shoko said in an uncharacteristic moment of kindness. Kakashi looked at his lap with sorrow.

Shoko left and a little bit later Satoru slammed the door open before shutting it with vigor. "Kakashi! You're awake!" Satoru skipped over.

Satoru was ecstatic that Kakashi was finally awake. He was plagued with nightmares. Riko's cold body in his arms and Kakashi's warm blood against his skin. Both stark and terrifying contrasts. He didn't like the idea of Kakashi's body ever becoming as cold as Riko's had been.

"How are you feeling? Did you want any flowers? Suguru doesn't but I think it could really-"

"Satoru-nii." Kakashi cut him off. "You don't have to be strong. Not in front of me." Hearing that it was like the dam burst open and Satoru slumped into the bed next to Kakashi. His head landed on his brother's good shoulder.

"I need to train." Satoru spoke with conviction. "You and I…we were too close to losing each other. I won't have that. Ever."

This surprised Kakashi. Satoru trained, sure, but not as much as he used to. Nowadays Kakashi had to egg him on to get training done. Satoru found more enjoyment in going out and killing curses in a display of power. At Satoru's admittance Kakashi's gaze softened.

His brother was growing up.

It was refreshing. Kakashi took in a breath, "Okay…I think I might have some ideas."

"Okay you two. Whenever you're ready." Kakashi sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He was in a white tank top, black joggers, black sneakers, and his regular black mask. It was hot weather and Kakashi could feel the sweat sheen on his body. But it wasn't like he wasn't used to this feeling. He had lived in a nation called the Land of Fire after all. In fact the heat was a welcome comfort. As the two reared back Kakashi's attention snapped back to the present.

Suguru and Shoko launched the pencil and eraser at Satoru without hesitation. As the items sailed in the air the pencil was stopped by infinity and the eraser was caught by Satoru.

"What the heck?" Shoko huffed and Suguru looked intrigued.

"We've been enhancing his abilities. Cranking it up in a sense. He can now automatically assess the danger of an incoming object depending on mass, speed, shape, and so on. We'll eventually get to poisons, but he is making pretty great strides." Kakashi said as he slouched and placed his hands in his pockets.

"Kakashi has been super helpful since his intangible state is pretty similar! Don't I have the best younger brother!" Satoru cheered as he glomped Kakashi without remorse. The younger let out a small yelp of protest, before just going with it.

"It's really more of Satoru. While I still have large reserves I don't have limitless. He can continually activate his reverse technique so he can keep infinite up. He is basically a self-sufficient battery." Kakashi flicked Satoru on the nose playfully, making Satoru whine and rub at the area. It got the desired effect though, because Satoru released him.

Satoru began to talk to Shoko to lend her a test subject and that allowed Kakashi to glance at Suguru. Suguru's gaze was downcast and it seemed empty. Kakashi's gaze narrowed with suspicion. He had seen gazes like that.

He had been ordered in his previous life to put an end to those traitorous gazes.

Permanently.

Kakashi was breathing heavily as he landed on the scene. His chest heaved as he saw Haibara and Nanami struggling for their lives. Haibara looked like a gust of wind could knock him down as blood pooled from open gashes. Nanami himself had blood dripping over his eye blinding his gaze and he looked just as beaten.

"Nanami! Haibara!" Kakashi shouted. He leapt into action stopping the curse from running Haibara through with a well placed lightning blade. The crackle of thunder hummed in the air as he landed gracefully in front of the two. He lifted his hands in a defensive stance as a wall in between the second years. "Status!"

Haibara swayed on his feet and Kakashi caught him before his body could crash into the ground. "Darn it…" Kakashi cursed himself for being so slow. He should have gone with his gut feeling when Haibara and Nanami had told him of this mission

"Nanami! Can you run!" Kakashi looked back sharply at Nanami. His sharingan eye blazing in the night sky.

"I can't see very well, but I can make it." Nanami sounded dog tired and he looked it too. Kakashi couldn't trust that. He hated to do this and cut his reserves, but he didn't have a choice. He wasn't losing anyone. Not if he could help it.

He created a shadow clone that placed Haibara on it's back. "Follow my clone and get to safety. Leave the rest to your senpai." Kakashi said reassuringly to Nanami. His voice was calm and soothing. Nanami's mouth wobbled with regret and relief. The two emotions clashing together, but as the clone took his wrist he turned his back to the Gojo.

"Don't die Gojo-senpai."

The field lit up an electric blue as Susano'o came to life. "Maa I can't die. I have to look after all of you, don't I?" Kakashi chuckled as he got into a battle stance.

The rain pelted on the ground and lightning crashed in the sky. "Kamui Raikiri!" Kakashi shot at the large curse in a blur as Susano'o took care of it's nasty appendages. As Kakashi created a new hole in its center the curse let out an ear piercing shriek and lashed out at the unguarded Kakashi. Kakashi watched as it landed on him before he walked right out from underneath with his sharingan lighting up and spinning dangerously.

The monstrosity howled and writhed in agony. However, it moved away as Kakashi turned with both coal and red eyes being dangerously cold. "I'll protect my comrades." His hand lit up with lightning as the clouds sent forth their own strike. The creature could only wail as it disappeared from existence.

Kakashi wobbled on his feet as his arm was singed from the overwhelming power of the storm he had held briefly in his control. Then he fell onto his back. He thought he could hear Nanami rushing to his side, but the world had become muddled in his exhausted state.

"Kakashi!" Satoru flicked the younger one on the forehead with a puff of his cheeks. "You always land yourself in here! I thought you were untouchable!"

Kakashi chuckled, "I am. It's all pretty self-inflicted." Satoru pouted even further and began to pull on Kakashi's ear.

"Not good enough!" Satoru glared dangerously and Kakashi paled. "We're going to train until your limitless is on par with me." Satoru's face was serious and it scared the younger Gojo.

"But Nii-san!" Shoko snorted and Haibara grinned. Nanami tsked and looked away with annoyance.

It didn't go unnoticed by Kakashi that Suguru stood up and left.

Satoru laughed as he exited the hospital room and shut the door. His brother's huff could be heard from the outside. Satoru grinned as he began walking down the hall. He paused in step when Yaga sensei came into view.

"Yo Sensei-" Satoru saw the grim expression and stopped in his greeting.

"We need to talk."

Kakashi was lying in the hospital bed with a book in hand. He was leaning back with an arm placed behind his head. He hadn't been visited by Satoru today, which was strange. He glanced up at the empty and silent room.

He tisked and sat up resting his forearms on his knees. Shoko had been awfully quiet in her last visit too. Usually she would take the chance to poke and prod. She was pretty persistent about looking at his sharingan. However, she just kept quiet.

Then there was Yaga sensei. He had come into the room quite sullen and he just looked at Kakashi with sorrow in his gaze.

"Yaga Sensei?" Kakashi tilted his head with confusion. "Are you okay?"

Yaga sensei grit his teeth and turned, "I'm sorry…I am failing as your sensei."

Kakashi's eyebrows pinched together, "What are you talking about?" Concern was laced in his tone. "What's happened?" Yaga simply squared his shoulders and walked out of the room.

Kakashi deflated and his gaze sharpened at the now closed door where his large teacher had stood only seconds ago. "What is going on here?"

Now he was sitting in bed still doing nothing. Worry was beginning to pool in his stomach and he eventually grew tired of waiting. Throwing the white sheets off of his person he quickly got dressed in his uniform. His bandaged arm itched as he pulled his uniform sleeve on top of it. He opened the window to see Satoru sitting on the window seal. Kakashi blinked in surprise. When did Satoru get here? And how had Kakashi not noticed.

He must really be more tired than he had originally believed. Satoru hadn't moved. He was just sitting and staring at the orange hues of the setting sun. "Nii-san. What are you doing just sitting around?" Kakashi leaned on the side of the window.

Satoru didn't answer and this made Kakashi even more concerned. "What aren't you telling me?" Kakashi folded his arms ignoring the way the burns on his arm made him wince.

"Suguru is gone." It felt like Satoru had dropped a metal ball into Kakashi's gut. His mind went to the day he found Naruto at Final Valley. The small weight of Naruto in his arms as rain poured over him. A cool blanket of harsh reality.

Kakashi let out a resigned sigh, "I should have known." He looked out the window and away from his twin. "He has been too quiet recently. Too reserved…I should have said something…"

"That isn't everything." Satoru curtly spoke, making Kakashi narrow his gaze.

"You're beating around the bush…don't coddle me, Satoru-nii." Kakashi drawled with barely hidden annoyance.

Satoru stepped into the air and whirled around, "I'm not coddling you!" Satoru hissed. Kakashi's expression didn't waver.

"Then stop hiding. You had the others stay quiet. I'm exhausted, but not incapacitated." Kakashi crouched on the windowsill. "What did Suguru do?"

Satoru grit his teeth and looked away. His fists tightened in anger. The air thrummed with frustration and grief. Kakashi's gaze softened. He sighed and stood up on the windowsill. Then with practiced ease he ruffled Satoru's hair. "Come on nii-San. I'm just your shadow, remember?"

Satoru released infinity and hugged Kakashi. "He killed a village! A whole village! And then…his parents! His parents, Kakashi!"

Kakashi closed his eyes as his brother's frame shook with grief. He remembered the grief at seeing Itachi's handiwork. The sorrow that plagued him for not reaching out to his kohai.

He remembered the helplessness that surged through him when he stopped Chidori from piercing Sakura. The regret at seeing Sasuke's revenge blinded gaze.

He knew there were no words he could say to make it better. He remembered the endless condolences that were thrown at him by well meaning friends. But it never meant much. With that in mind Kakashi hugged his brother back. All he could offer was his company on this downtrodden path.

"Kakashi…am I strong?"

Kakashi gripped his brother's uniform jacket, "The strongest."