Kakashi decided that he didn't like this feeling. Or, more aptly, he utterly hated this feeling. The white, sterile walls of the hospital did little to assuage the turmoil that threatened to overwhelm him. Kakashi had stormed into the Shinobi Wing of the Konoha General Hospital, carrying his blood-soaked, unconscious son and had demanded treatment for him. No one had dared stand in the way of the wrath-filled father.
Nurses had taken his son from him immediately, cutting away his crimson stained clothes and sedating the poor boy, before wheeling him off to the Shock Trauma Unit. Kakashi, robbed of the source of his impetus, had been left to wander aimlessly about the halls of the hospital, before winding up at his current position, sitting opposite the ward that contained his son, head in his hands, helplessly waiting for news.
"Good evening, Hatake-san." A immaculate, dignified voice greeted him, jolting him back to consciousness.
"Same to you, Uchiha-dono." He inclined his head respectfully, taking in the appearance of the Uchiha patriarch. Uchiha Fugaku was as pristinely dressed as ever, posture as refined and controlled as the finest of Uchihas. Kakashi could see the lines around his eyes however, and it was clear that he hadn't slept for as long as Kakashi had.
"How is your son?" Kakashi beat Fugaku to the punch.
"He is fine, with only some minor injuries. He performed adequately, considering the skill of his opponent." Fugaku's tone was even, betraying nothing of his true feelings. Kakashi decided to tread lightly.
"Your son and heir acted in a manner worthy of honor, Uchiha-dono. Had he not delayed the kidnapper I would not have been able to intercept them. Because of his bravery my son is safe." Kakashi bowed respectfully again.
Again, the flawess Uchiha facade gave nothing away, Fugaku merely inclining his head in acknowledgment of Kakashi's gratitude.
"I wish your son a speedy recovery, Hatake-san." He intoned, before turning to leave.
"Hokage-sama." Fugaku greeted, bowing slightly in the manner of the aristocracy, before taking his leave. Sarutobi nodded to him, greeting him in kind, before taking a seat next to Kakashi. It cut a very strange image, two of the most powerful men in the village sitting side by side on a bench in the hospital.
"How could this happen, Hokage-sama? A bunch of Iwa Jōnin waltz into our village, kidnap my son, devastate an entire district? That's unheard of!" Kakashi's voice never rose in volume, but his agitation was boiling over.
"I've spoken to Koza. It was a deep insertion mission of the highest level of planning and execution, involving Iwa's best and most dangerouus. ANBU investigated the scene, one of the Iwa nin was masquerading as the former Jōnin. His body was found in the sewers, cold. They must have assasinated him days ago. The daycare lady was killed as well." Sarutobi's voice was harsh, but spoke of a terrible weariness.
"They infiltrated the village over the course of several months, close to a year. They've been masquerading as civilians. With how stretched both the ANBU and the Police Force are, we did not screen incoming traffic thoroughly. I will admit that we have grown lax, complacent in our prosperity." Sarutobi did not need to mention that throughout his reign as Hokage, close to forty long years now, there had never been a successful direct attack on Konoha.
Kakashi was silent, unable to speak for the turmoil that had gripped him.
"We will review all our security measures. Jiraiya-kun is on his way back to the village. He will be upgrading our Fūin arrays around the village. Koza has every ANBU squad working double shift to root out any other threats. And do not fret, Konoha does not forgive, or forget easily." Sarutobi sighed, the weight of his age almost unbearable now.
It was at that moment that the door to the ward opened. A medic-nin, accompanied by a young assistant made a beeline straight to them.
"Hokage-sama, Hatake-san. I'll get straight to the point, I'm sure you are anxious for news. Your son is fine, he will make a full recovery. The stab injury had already begun to heal by the time we cleaned him up, we only needed to disinfect the wound and treat the blunt trauma to the head."
He turned, gesturing to the young medic apprentice beside him.
"Young Yakushi here did much of the heavy lifting in healing your son, Hatake-san. He's quite the promising medic-nin, one of the finest I've seen in a long time." The silver-haired apprentice flushed at the praise, clearly intimidated in the presence of the Copy-Nin and the Hokage.
Kakashi shook the medic-Nin's hand, face awash with relief.
"Thank you, Medic-san. When can I take him home?"
"Actually, tomorrow morning. He's healing at an abnormally fast pace. With your permission, I could run some diagnostics and tests. Could be some sort of unknown bloodline limit."
"That won't be necessary, Medic-san. Kakashi here is worried sick for his son, and would like to have him home as soon as possible." Sarutobi cut across the conversation.
"If you insist." The medic shrugged.
"Kabuto, you're on patient duty for the night. Keep him sedated till the morning, he needs the rest. First thing in the morning please call Doctor Yamanaka to check up on him? Afterwards you can release him to his father."
The quiet apprentice nodded jerkily, pushing his glasses up his nose, before fleeing from the vincinity.
Kakashi spoke to the medic-nin a little while longer, he found that conversing with the professional did much for his frayed nerves. It was past midnight when he found himself sitting in the same chair opposite Hiruzen in the Hokage's office.
"You know I've been to the hospital more times than I could count, but this is the first time I've felt so terrible. It felt like that damn bridge all over again." Kakashi muttered.
"It is the first time your son has been threatened. To feel such strong emotions is normal for a parent, Kakashi-kun."
"I'm not letting him out of my sight again, Hokage-sama. Not until he can take care of himself."
"You can't coddle him like an infant, Kakashi-kun. I assure you, with the heightened security, nothing like this will ever happen again."
"I should have been there sooner, Shikaku be damned, my family comes first." Kakashi lamented his delay, having been caught up in debriefing the Jōnin Commander about the details of a particularly sensitive hostage rescue mission that had resulted in the destruction of a Fire Noble's summer home.
"You were doing your duty as a Shinobi of the Village, Kakashi-kun. You responded the fastest you could when you heard. You did your best, and your son is safe." Hiruzen's voice rang with authority, speaking as a Kage now.
"Heard you slaughtered Bakuton No Gari, that's pretty damn impressive, kid." Neither Sarutobi nor Kakashi were particularly surprised at the sudden entrance of Jiraiya into the conversation. He had snuck into every one of the Hidden Villages before, let alone his own home.
"Jiraiya-sama." Kakashi greeted the Toad Sage respectfully.
"Got your call, old man. Figured it was urgent so I pulled an all-nighter to get back." The large Sannin stepped off the window sill gracefully, before leaning against the wall behind the Hokage.
"I'll check the Seal Array first thing in the morning. Gotta figure out how those damn Iwa-nin slipped through. Might want to pay Oro-teme a visit, too."
"You suspect him?"
"Wouldn't put it past the slippery bastard. He's had it out for Hatake since Minato stole the hat from him."
"That's an incredible reach, Jiraiya. Orochimaru personally apprehended one of the culprits."
"You think he's squeamish in backstabbing his pawns?"
Kakashi coughed, drawing the attention of the two arguing legendary ninja.
"Jiraiya-sama, I was told you are familiar with the Shiki Fūijin?"
"More or less. I grabbed the schematics after the attack. Been taking a hard look at it since Sensei contacted me about what was going on."
"Do you know why the Kyūbi's chakra has been leaking into Naruto's system?" Kakashi could not keep his agitation from his voice, it was too late in the night for that.
"I'll be honest, kid. That thing is probably the most advanced seal ever applied to a human being. The Nidaime's seal work was ridiculous, and this has Uzumaki handiwork in it too, Minato modified it with reference to Kushina's own seal. Throw in the blonde brat's own genius, and this seal could probably bring him and Kushina back from the dead if you pushed the right Fūin." Jiraiya chuckled at his own humor.
"What are you telling me, Jiraiya-sama?"
"I don't know much. It'll help if I could take a look at the seal in the flesh, and I have some ideas to tweak it, but as far as I can understand, the seal's meant to filter the demon's chakra and allow Naruto's own chakra network to siphon off some."
"I can't have him reeking of Fox chakra, Jiraiya-sama."
"I'm aware of that. I have an idea on some modifications, but I don't exactly know if it would cause side effects. Not exactly many Shiki Fūijins lying around to experiment on." Jiraiya leaned forward, reading Kakashi intently.
"How bad do you think it could be?"
"All I'm doing is increasing the strength of the filter. If it works according to my calculations, he'll still receive chakra from the Kyūbi, just at a greater purity, and at a lower rate. I don't think Minato intended for his status as Jinchūriki to be an S-class secret. Side effects could be anything, worst case being that I blow out his chakra network." Jiraiya was blunt.
Kakashi took the moment to ponder. Was it worth the risk?
"It's your decision, Kakashi-kun." Hiruzen's voice was gentle.
"Do it, then. Tomorrow night, when he's asleep back from the hospital." Kakashi looked up, locking eyes with Jiraiya. He couldn't read the Toad Sage's expression.
"Minato was right, asking you to raise him. You're a good father." Kakashi saw... approval? Was he being tested by the Sannin?
Jiraiya nodded to him, waving at the old man and took his leave, exiting through the window.
"Go to sleep, Kakashi-kun. You need the rest."
"This is an outrage, Fugaku!" The elder spat, anger burning in his aged eyes.
"You speak to the clan head, elder! Watch your tone!" Another aging Uchiha fired back.
"Your son, our heir, risked his life for that damned Hatake brat! Son of the Sharingan no Kakashi." The elder hissed, speaking the Hatake's name with venom.
"And for that service what does the Hokage grant us? Not even a public acknowledgment of Itachi's actions! The Village only cares for their precious Hatakes, and the Hyūga rise in stature every day! That arrogant scoundrel Hiashi dares to challenge us in the Village Council!"
"Elder Taro speaks harsh words, Fugaku, but he is right. The Village continues to marginalize us, and our Police Force has become an institution that is reviled and despised. Shimura, that bastard, dared to cast suspicion on us for our failure to detect the infiltration! They would lay the blame for this at our feet!" Another elder added even more fuel to the fire.
Uchiha Fugaku remained composed, controlled. He listened and processed the railings and rantings of the hardline elders, knowing that their age and experience warranted his respect.
"My heir performed his duty as a Shinobi of the village, Elders. I would remind you that his loyalty and behavior is beyond reproach."
"Loyalty to the Hokage! What of his loyalty to the clan?"
"Our clan is part of this village, Taro-dono. Tread lightly with your words."
"Our bloodline stolen, our people discriminated! You would see the Uchiha ruined, Fugaku!"
This, Itachi could bear no longer. The nine year old rose to his feet, anger lending him strength to ignore his sore ribs.
"Elders." His voice, pre-pubescent yet carrying a gravitas that surprised all present, commanded attention immediately.
"I do not presume to challenge your wisdom. However, my actions were not for personal glory, but because I serve the village, and the Hokage. Your words stray close to treason." Itachi's accusation was met with silence.
Fugaku spoke, cutting through the tension.
"I do not deny that our clan's prestige and power has declined in the years following the Kyūbi's attack. We have yet to shake off the suspicion that it was a Sharingan wielded that brought that calamity upon the Village. However, my son is right. The words and actions that you are advocating are dangerously close to treason and sedition. If we are to restore our clan's rightful glory, it will be done with honor."
"Empty words, Fugaku." Taro spat, before turning his back on the Uchiha Patriarch. His almost blasphemous act was met with shock and audible gasps. For the senior elders to challenge the Clan head in such an audacious manner was unheard of, and bode ill. Fugaku was undisputedly the head of the Uchiha Clan to all others, but within the walls of the compound, the elders commanded the most authority by dint of their age and wisdom.
Itachi stole a glance at his father, and for a moment he saw something that shook him to the core. His father, the perfect Uchiha, had doubt in his eyes.
Deep in a laboratory under Konoha, two men, almost mythic in their legendary reputations, engaged in the most strained of conversations.
"Ssstrange that you would ssseek me out, Jiraiya-kun. Did you missss me?" Orochimaru rasped, a single pale snake perched on his neck
"Don't flatter yourself, Teme. Did you do it?"
"I've done many, many things. Be more... sssspecific..."Orochimaru's cadence was slow, deliberate, always hovering on the edge of malice.
"Don't play your word games with me, you snake. You know those Iwa nin couldn't have remained hidden for so long without help."
"And you think I helped them? How adorable, Jiraiya." Orochimaru hissed, turning away from Jiraiya and back to the report on his desk.
"Someone has to have done it. There aren't many Shinobi in the village that Sensei gives free reign to act to." Jiraiya spat.
"Oh my.. you poor boy... sssstill hurting that the old man trusssted me more? After all thesssse yearsss?"
"Stop talking like that you pretentious bastard. It only works on people who don't know you for what you really are."
"If I did do it, help those imbecilic dirt eaters, why would I tell you?" Orochimaru's voice turned playful, mocking.
"This is a waste of my time. Sensei still trusts you, for whatever Kami-forsaken reason. You've hurt him enough. Betray him and I swear I'll skin you alive." Jiraiya turned and strode from the dimly lit room, leaving the Snake Sannin alone in his lair.
Orochimaru ignored the exit of his estranged teammate, instead giggling as he continued to read the single scroll that lay on the table, a positively horrifying sound.
"Now what do we have here... oh my.. such tasty secrets you have.. Hatake..."
"I've modified the seal, Kakashi. When he wakes tomorrow, he shouldn't feel anything. Let me know if anything out of the ordinary happens." Jiraiya spoke softly as he entered the living room of Kakashi's bachelor pad.
Kakashi took another sip of his tea, before standing to shake the Sage's hand.
"Thank you, Jiraiya-sama. It means a lot."
"You ever gonna tell him?" Jiraiya's sudden question caught Kakashi off guard.
"About the Kyūbi? Not if I can help it. If I had my way, he'll live his entire life without ever knowing that there's a world-ending demon in his stomach."
"I meant about Minato." Jiraiya crossed his arms, leaning against the wall. Kakashi sank back into his chair, staring at some unseen point on the table. They were quiet, for awhile, Kakashi lost in thought, and Jiraiya unwilling to break the comfortable silence.
"If it ever comes up, then I will." Kakashi decided finally, looking up at Jiraiya.
"You would lie to him?"
"If I don't tell him anything, that's not lying."
Jiraiya unfolded his arms, sticking them into his pockets.
"That's the same thing, Kakashi. Lying by omission, look it up."
"Jiraiya-sama.."
"Look kid. I get it. You have massive Daddy issues, and you're afraid that if you tell Naruto he's adopted he'll hate you and push you away." Jiraiya didn't pull any punches.
"But if you don't tell him the truth, and he finds out on his own, he's going to hate you even more for not telling him." Jiraiya turned to leave.
"You've been a good dad so far, so it's your call. Do the right thing." Jiraiya left through the window, just as he came.
Kakashi wordlessly moved to the thin wall that separated his living area from his bedroom, and peeked through the slightly ajar divider. Naruto slept peacefully, a content look on his young face. He had almost flown into Kakashi's arms when he had picked him up from the hospital that morning, and had chattered non stop, asking all about how Kakashi had driven off the "baddies."
Could he bring himself to tell Naruto the truth? Could he risk losing his son? Kakashi honestly didn't know.
A/N
The plot thickens! Orochimaru will be the main antagonist throughout this fic, so expect to see a lot more of the creepy snake bastard. The story's going to start moving on a little faster, now that things are being set in motion.
@the-funeral-pyre
Thanks for taking the time to review, I appreciate the feedback. Now that you've pointed it out I suppose it is a little strange that the Iwa nin were able to infiltrate Konoha, but I hope I was able to explain it in a way that isn't too immersion breaking. I'm still working on the world building, hopefully as we go along there'll be less questionable occurrences.
@storyteller73
Thanks for leaving a review! If I'm not wrong the reason for Kakashi wearing the mask is never given in the cannon manga, Kishimoto just explains it as he thought it looked cool and mysterious. He only wears it after his Dad dies though, so it probably has something to do with that. I chose to link it with the shame and loneliness he felt because of his father's death because I think it makes it a little more emotionally significant.
@Calzohh
I have loads of time in camp right now lol, that's why I can write and update so often. Thanks for keeping up with the story!
Read and review!