The human capacity for guilt is such that people can always find ways to blame themselves.
-Stephan Hawking
Hatake Kakashi was a patient man. He was a shinobi of great intelligence, and more often than not, his strategies had the main key of patience. He planned, waited for the opportune moment, and then attacked.
Even as Hokage, he had enough patience to deal with a suitable amount of paperwork, before reading the next chapter of Paradise--or so he claims.(Shizune disagrees.) Regardless, it all boiled down to the same thing.
Hatake Kakashi was a patient man.
But at the end, he was also a human, and had his limits.
Now, as he made his way to his office, he couldn't help but curse under his breath. He was supposed to be at home today, relaxing. Today was supposed to be his day off. But, earlier, he'd felt a flare of chakra, and now, instead he was making his way to his office.
The chakra he'd recognized as Sasuke's, and it didn't take him long to realize that Naruto and Sasuke were at it again.
Kakashi loved his students. They'd saved the world and made him so proud. But, it was times like these he wished he'd failed them all those years ago. After, all one could only bear the constant bickering and competition between Sasuke and Naruto, on too many times.
The young Hokage, once again, cursed under his breath, his eyes twitching as he vowed to give both his insolent students a piece of his mind.
But the moment he stepped into the office, he understood something was wrong.
The atmosphere was tense, heavy with unanswered questions. His eyes first fell on his advisor, Shikamaru. He looked as lazy as ever, but Kakashi knew better. A closer look, and He could tell Shikamaru's jaw was clenched, his arms crossed to hide their slight trembling. His gaze was fixated outside the window.
He took no notice is Kakashi's arrival.
Then, Kakashi's eyes fell on his raven-head student, taking in the busted lip and other minor scratches, his intense gaze directed at Naruto.
Naruto didn't go easy on him, did he?
The thought seemed ridiculous in itself.
And lastly, Kakashi turned to his blonde student, who was crouched in the middle of the room, Sai right next to him, blocking the view of the woman in the office.
Kakashi stepped inside, slowly closing the door behind him, his ears suddenly taking in the sound of distinctive sniffles that could be heard. His eyebrows furrowed, casting a questioning glance to no one in particular.
Naruto and Sai stepped away, revealing the indigo-haired beauty.
Kakashi stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening as he took a sharp inhale.
Hinata?!
Her forehead was wrapped in bandages. Beside her, Naruto was without a scratch. Kakashi glanced at Sasuke, connecting all the dots.
So, Sasuke found her.
Then, his eyes wandered to the child in her arms, who was clutching at her tightly. Hinata was running her hand through his hair, whispering soothing words to him.
Kakashi was no idiot. The way Hinata looked at him was the way Kurenai looked at Mirai.
He swallowed, his face turning slightly pale, as distant words made way to his mind. The words that had haunted him for a brief time.
"Thank you Kakashi-sensei, for telling me that it was always your loved ones that came first."
Is this what she'd meant?
"What's going on?"
All eyes turned to him.
Hinata quickly averted her eyes, clutching Kazue even tighter. She was suddenly reminded of how close he was to losing her son, and close to remain silent.
Sasuke, on the other hand, seemed to have different plans.
"This child," He spat, gesturing towards Kazue, who shrunk back as all eyes turned to him, "has the Sharingan."
"And she," Shikamaru continued, speaking for the first time, now pointing at Hinata, "refuses to tell who the father is."
Hinata glanced up through her lashes, taking in the disbelief on the Hokage's face, and turned to Kazue.
He'd stopped crying, the only sign he'd done so we're his puffy eyes, at which he scrubbed repeatedly. He cowered when a shadow fell on him, shrinking deeper into his mother.
Kakashi kneeled in front of Hinata, his eyes on the child on her lap, his hand extending towards him.
"Hello." He began, his hand an inch or two away from Kazue.
"What's your name?" He said, his eyes crinkling, an indication that he was smiling.
Kazue glanced at his mother, a barely noticeable smile on her face. It was a good sign. He looked back at the masked man in front of him.
"K-Kazue." He replied, hesitantly extending his hand towards him.
"Well, hello, Kazue." The Hokage began, trying to make the child comfortable, at the same time thinking how to start the conversation with Hinata.
"I'm Kakashi, and I, like everyone around here, know your mother."
Before he could stop himself, the words tumbled from his mouth.
"Do you hate her too?"
Kazue clamped his hands over his mouth, expecting to be scolded. Instead, he heard chuckle, as Kakashi's gloved hand ruffled his hair.
"Fiesty one, aren't you?"
Kazue only puffed up his cheeks, which were slightly red, and looked away, his arms crossed. Truth to be told, Kazue liked this guy, who only laughed louder at his behaviour.
Then, Kakashi turned to the woman.
"Hinata." He called out softly, remembering how fragile she used to be.
The girl in question stiffened, refusing to meet the eyes of the man infront of her. She flinched slightly, feeling a hand on her shoulder. It did not go unnoticed.
It was just like it had been all those years ago.
"We can help you."
Hinata took a deep, shuddering breath. Maybe it was time. She'd always feared this day would come. Maybe it was time to tell the truth. She bit her lip. She couldn't hide anymore.
"If I tell you," She began, her head bowed, her dark hair covering her face. At her voice, everyone straightened.
"If I tell you, do you think you can guarantee his protection from the Hyuga and the Uchiha?"
Behind her, Sasuke clenched his fists. So, he was a threat.
"I promise." Kakashi replied, his answer unhesitating.
For the past five years, Hinata's second greatest fear had been her recognition. The first had been the recognition of Kazue's father. The former had come to life, they might as well know the latter too.
Kazue, too, held his breath. His mother had never spoken much of his father; he knew bits and pieces, but no name.
"Uchiha," Everyone held their breath, the room so quiet that you could hear the sound of non-breathing, the vacuum created by the occupants inside, "Itachi."
BANG!! AND THE CROWD GOES WILD!!!!
*Frantically running around, with smoke coming out of my ears, and fire on my head*
SOMEONE PUT ME OUT, PLEASE, I'M TOO MUCH!!
Lol, anyway, sorry for the short chapter. It was originally a long chapter, but then I realized that it was too long, with too much happening at once, so I segregated it.
So, Hinata has finially been exposed. What are your thoughts? More importantly, what is that 'bad' thing that is going to happen? Any guesses?
Also, be sure to point out any mistakes that I might've missed. I'm always happy to read your comments, and I'm very happy that you like my book!
Peace up.
-Your overdramatic author.
