Have some fluff! The time line in relation to canon is completely different for my fic, just a friendly reminder ❤️ Thanks to my beta reader katydid001, I couldn't do it without you.
It was early in the morning when Katsumi made her way into the kitchen. A while had passed since she had returned to her regular routine, silver ringlets now reached just above her shoulders. She combed her curls into short pigtails, which made her curls look like pom-poms high on her head. When her elastics were firmly in place, she pulled her mask up to cover her mouth, ready to head out for the day. It had been three months since she had returned to real missions. In fact, both twins were inducted into the elite ANBU black-ops almost immediately after her punishment had ended. And today was the twins' first day off since beginning their brutal new positions.
The bathroom door opened to reveal a sleepy Kakashi with a fist-covering a yawn; his ANBU tattoo flexing with his bicep. "You're awfully cheery this morning. Let me guess… training with Obito-kun?" His tired voice dripped with sarcasm.
With a mischievous grin she nodded, relishing in her brother's obvious chagrin. The female twin patted her body down, making sure she had everything she needed. She wasn't going out on a mission today, so she had only one pouch strapped to her leg, her Leaf hitai-ate sat in its regular spot on her other thigh. It was warm out so her legs were clad in knee-length tights. A blue vest-shirt stretched tightly over her firm torso leaving her scarred arms exposed, her bicep also sported new dark ink. Much to her dismay, her body had recently started to develop a feminine shape, especially in the thighs and chest. As a result, the girl had taken to binding her chest to keep it deceptively flat. The outfit was finished off with thick brown straps across her chest which held a blade firmly to her back. Finally she checked everything off of her list before slipping on her sandals and standing at the front door.
'See you at lunch, nii-san. I love you.' Katsumi signed to her brother before opening the door and pausing for his reply.
"Mah mah, I love you too, nee-chan. Kick that Uchiha's butt for me." Kakashi called out to her as she shut the door behind her, his voice still exasperated. The closeness between his rival and his baby sister was seriously giving him a headache. Even if the Uchiha boy had been slowly growing on him, he still wasn't impressed with his obsession with Katsumi. Though Kakashi had to admit, things had significantly improved for both of the twins since their friend had returned. The light in Katsumi's soul had been snuffed out the day of the tragedy. But Obito's dramatic return reignited her fire with a roar. Kakashi was incredibly thankful to have his little sister back, even if it was Obito who brought her fire back to life.
A quick rooftop journey later and Katsumi made it to her destination. She landed outside the Uchiha village with a smile, quickly making her way to Obito's home. Before she could make it to the door, a body appeared in her path, blocking the way.
"Long time no see, Katsumi-senpai." Shisui grinned at the kunoichi's slack jaw.
'Oh Shisui-kun! It's so good to see you!' She signed excitedly before her shoulders slumped as she was flooded with a mixture of embarrassment and guilt. 'I must apologise for not coming to see you earlier. My actions that day where dis-' the girl felt two firm hands grip hers, halting her motions.
"I only hope someone cries for me like that at my memorial. Your pain was real, I respect that. Most of my peers would sneer at such outbursts. But I think the connections we make to our comrades is what makes us strong as shinobi." The usually goofy Uchiha spoke with wisdom beyond his years.
Katsumi's heart stuttered in her chest at the sincerity in her friend's tone. Her cheeks flushed as her hands warmed in Shisui's grasp. "Thank you, Shisui-kun." She whispered, her quiet voice trembling with emotion.
He gasped in surprise at her voice, her melodic tone catching him off-guard. With a heated blush, the Uchiha pulled his hands back, placing one of them on his hip and one on the back of his neck. "Besides," he chuckled. "I have been dying for a rematch. I've gotten a lot better since I last saw you. You never know, I might even beat you, senpai."
'Would you like to eat dirt today, Shisui-kun?' She raised her silver eyebrows at his cheeky remark. A beat of silence passed before they both burst into laughter.
"Hey guys, having fun without me?" Obito's cheery voice interrupted them. They both turned to their friend, smiles plastered on their faces.
Katsumi's smile widened as Obito closed his door and strolled down the stairs towards them. Everyday the raven-haired boy's condition improved drastically, his determination truly knew no bounds. Today his easy, confident strides reminded Katsumi that nothing was impossible. Especially where Obito was concerned.
'You're on time today!' Katsumi clapped her hands enthusiastically at Obito.
"On time? Are you sure you're not sick Obito-kun?" Shisui pretended to take his cousin's temperature with the back of a hand, a cheeky grin on his face.
Obito slapped the boy's hand away with a growl. "Actually, smartass, I try my best not to keep Katsumi waiting." The taller Uchiha boy crossed his arms in front of his chest.
Obito's statement was true but it wasn't the real reason he was on time. It was actually the fact that Katsumi attacked the issue at its root by insisting on meeting him at his front door. If Obito had no path to walk to get to their meeting place then he would have no one to help on the way. Of course, it didn't stop Obito from detouring to help others like he always did, but at least he did it while Katsumi was there to give him a helping hand.
'Shall we start with cardio today?' Katsumi broke up the Uchihas' playful banter, catching their attention with her quick hands.
"Do you mind if I join you?" Shisui asked the older pair. He received an enthusiastic nod from the silver-haired kunoichi and a sarcastic eye-roll from his less than impressed cousin.
"Fine. But you better keep up." Obito punched Shisui in the shoulder playfully before taking off at a jog. Katsumi glowed with happiness as she kept up with the boys' competitive pace.
The smell of food wafted into the twins' sensitive nostrils as they landed on the rooftop of Minato and Kushina's home. Kakashi was the first to drop to the porch, knocking on the door as his sister followed suit.
"It's open!" Kushina's familiar voice invited them in.
Kakashi walked through the door and slipped off his sandals. Katsumi did the same, walking beside him as they both made their way into the living room. Minato sat at the table sipping on a cup of hot green tea, sweetened with honey to give his tired body energy.
"Hey kids, dinner will be ready soon." The red-haired kunoichi smiled as she waved her wooden spoon in their direction. Without prompting, Katsumi immediately moved to help her sensei with the meal preparation, splitting off from her twin as he made his way to take a seat next to Minato. Kushina was chopping various herbs and vegetables before adding them to the pot on the stove. Katsumi gripped the wooden spoon and began to stir the broth for her sensei, so that she could focus all her energy on dicing. The swell of Kushina's stomach served as a reminder of how much time had passed since she announced her pregnancy.
"So, my cute little student; have you enjoyed your first day off-duty?" Kushina dropped a pile of chopped parsley into the simmering brew before pulling out a teaspoon and tasting her creation.
'It was nice to not have to wear that awful uniform.' Katsumi signed with an eye-roll before continuing her dedicated stirring.
The red-head's chiming laughter warmed the room. Katsumi basked in her sensei's good mood, soaking it all in with a smile. A knock sounded from the front door.
"Come in!" Minato called out this time, his head turning towards the sound. Rin came strolling through the door with a smile and cheery greeting. Katsumi waved at her friend, still stirring the soup slowly with the other hand.
"Rin-chan! How is our medical genius today?" The motherly kunoichi made her way over to the teen, enveloping her in a bear hug.
"Kushina-san! You look so well!" Rin returned the hug with a happy giggle.
"Let me guess, we are waiting for Obito." The only sign of emotion on Kakashi's face was his raised eyebrow.
Katsumi picked up an orange from the fruit bowl on the kitchen bench and lobbed it at her brother's head. Kakashi caught the projectile with a smirk.
'Shouldn't you be used to waiting by now? Enjoy the moment lemon-face!' She made a stupid face to mock her brother's sour mood. Which earned a laugh from Minato who was watching the twins' interactions with a fond smile.
Kushina had the kids set the table. Katsumi made sure to serve Kushina first as she portioned out the food. As the silver-haired kunoichi placed a serving in the spot reserved for the currently absent Uchiha, he came bursting through the door.
"Sorry I'm late, guys!" Obito stumbled as he took off his sandals and slipped the door closed behind him.
"Actually I would say you are just in time. We are about to eat." Minato chuckled at his student's shenanigans, just grateful for the Uchiha teen to walk through the door.
"Obito-kun! You are moving so well now!" Rin reached out to pat his shoulder in a familiar gesture as the boy slipped into place at the end of the table.
"Thanks Rin-chan! I've had a lot of help." Obito returned her excitement with a grin.
They all thanked Kushina for the meal before tucking into their food.
"So I actually called you all here for an announcement." The blonde shinobi addressed his guests as they filled their stomachs.
"Oh oh tell us, sensei!" Obito piped up, causing the rest of the teens to nod enthusiastically in response.
"Well, I have been working behind the scenes on something very important." Minato's blue eyes locked with Kushina's, both smirking at each other, enjoying the discomfort of their impatient guests.
"Sensei, please tell us." Even Kakashi was begging to be put out of his misery.
"I am being promoted to the position of Yondaime Hokage." Finally, Minato let the cat out of the bag.
"That's amazing!" Katsumi squealed in excitement, beaming at the blond shinobi.
"Congratulations, Sensei!" Obito and Rin cheered in unison.
Kakashi on the other hand, couldn't take his eyes off of his sensei, his jaw slack in awe. "Hokage?"
"Yeah, Kakashi-kun, I'm going to be Hokage." Minato replied while placing a warm hand on the male twin's head.
The group celebrated Minato's success well into the night. They relished in the comfort of delicious food and the overwhelming feeling of home.
Katsumi walked into the female locker room, followed by the ANBU kunoichi she had been teamed with on the last mission.
"I owe you for that save back there, Hatake-san." A dark-haired shinobi spoke up as they all began to strip from their thoroughly soiled uniforms.
The silver girl waved off her comrade with a shrug. 'You have my back. I have yours. Simple.' The silent teen pulled her regular clothes on before stuffing her dirty clothes in a rucksack.
"Very true. Hey, do you ladies want to hit the bath house together? I'm dying for a soak." Most of the females nodded in response to the dark-haired girl. While the other girls began to talk amongst themselves; Katsumi made her way to the door, eager to get home.
"Hey! Don't you want to join us?" One of the kunoichi called out to her as she paused in the entrance. The wolf-nin turned back to the group and smiled kindly.
As she was debating her option a red-haired shinobi spoke up. "Your brother is Kakashi Hatake right? He's so cute!"
"Yeah! You should introduce us to him!" A blue-haired kunoichi chimed in, starting a chain reaction within the group. Katsumi immediately turned on her heels and escaped the room, in spite of the desperate cries from the women behind her.
Swiftly, the young teen made her way outside into the afternoon sun, still uncomfortable with the awkward encounter in the dressing room. She knew Kakashi was stunning; the Hatake bloodline was infamous for their beauty. Yet, she had no idea that her brother had fangirls. The thought made her shudder.
"Hey, Katsumi!" A voice called out to her before she could leap up onto the rooftop.
She spun around with a smile on her face, recognising it as Obito's immediately.
The raven-haired boy strolled up to her, all the while adjusting the orange goggles atop his head. "I was wondering if you were off-duty?" He tried to appear nonchalant, in an attempt to hide the fact that he had been waiting for her for a while.
Katsumi let go of the strap of her pack to sign in response. 'Yes, I'm free 'till tomorrow. I was going to cool off in the stream, sound like fun?'
Obito grinned at the beautiful girl in front of him. "Yeah! Sounds good." They fell into stride beside one another, both taking their sweet time to get to their destination.
I ship Katsumi and Obito so much! I really enjoy writing about their chemistry.
Each little part of this chapter moves us closer to the action I have planned. Let me know what you think!