xvii. - Ichiraku Ramen
Young Kakashi quietly walks behind his future self and the blond shinobi, the two older ones are immersed in their own discussion. It seemed like they were talking about Sasuke and Sakura, and the young Kakashi preferred not to trouble himself listening to this.
Instead, the young Kakashi busied himself into looking at the massive transformation of Konohagakure. It is nothing similar to the village from his own time. Even the Hokage Rock now has six faces instead of three, adding his sensei Minato as the fourth, Tsunade-sama as the fifth, and his future self as the sixth. Kakashi shivered at this fact, who would have thought that he would become the sixth. Just what did his future self turn into for the whole village to accept him fit for a Hokage title.
"Lil' Kakashi," Naruto stopped in his tracks, noticing that the young Kakashi had fallen behind a good bit while he was distracted with his conversation with the older Kakashi. "Come here, walk with us." He waved as he gave him a huge smile.
The little Kakashi, was indeed blinded with the blond's smile that he instinctively walked up to him, and ended up in the middle of the two. Before he could snap out of it, the young Uzumaki had already secured him by putting his arm along his shoulders. This made the young Kakashi flustered.
Meanwhile, the Rokudaime is just genuinely surprised, or not, that Naruto easily got his younger self wrapped around his fingers. Maybe Naruto was really his type even for his younger self to respond to him even after just meeting. Hm, do I have a competition?
"Lil' Kakashi, the village looks different, huh?" Naruto asked a little later.
The young Kakashi looked around, noting once again the change of the village. Rather than just proof of modernization, the more glaring difference is the landscape altogether. Despite the new, taller and bigger establishments adorning the village, beneath that is an uneven landscape. No, rather, the whole village looks like it sits inside a crater.
"A little over four years ago," Naruto started, seeing the apparent trouble in little Kakashi's face as the boy looked around and realized the change of the whole terrain rather than just the buildings. "An incredible shinobi attacked Konohagakure. One of his jutsu uprooted the whole village in one sweep."
The young Kakashi's eyes widened. How powerful is that shinobi to create a jutsu that can destroy a whole village? What were the shinobis doing? Were they just watching while this person attacked?
The older Kakashi sees the immense interest in his younger self's face, and seeing as how Naruto does not continue with his story, he can also spy impatience in young Kakashi's face. He sniggered, "I am afraid the rest of the story is classified."
The young Kakashi's eyes widened, looking extremely displeased.
Naruto laughed, "Stop teasing lil' Kashi." He glared at his lover.
"Lil' Kashi?" Older Kakashi gasped, "This brat gets a nickname?" He pointed at the younger him, who is as surprised as himself under the obvious red on his ears.
"Why not? And stop being childish for a Rokudaime," He rolled his eyes before continuing, facing the young Kakashi, "Although, I cannot tell you much about the actual time that person deracinated the whole Konohagakure, you see, Lil' Kashi, I was away from the village when that person attacked."
"Haaa? Where were you?"
"Mount Myoboku, the Land of the Toads." Naruto responded, "I was summoned to train my senjutsu."
Ah, so even this dumbhead has mastered senjutsu, just like Jiraiya-sama and Minato-sensei. The little Kakashi looked at his older self, "How about you? Were you away too?"
The Rokudaime hesitated for a split second before he responded, "No, I was in the village." His voice falters a tiny bit, but he soon cleared it with a soft chuckle, "I already died just before that person used that jutsu. So, I can't tell you much what happened after-"
"Y-you died?" The little Kakashi's eyes widened in horror and confusion at the same time. And he cannot understand how his older self laughs about this matter.
"Ka-ka-shi," Naruto carefully called out his lover's name, shooting him a displeased look, "You find your death funny? Do you know how I felt when I arrived back and I couldn't sense your chakra?"
"Uhh," Kakashi stepped back, looking like his young lover still finds this subject sensitive. He was foolish to think he can now brush it off. "Naru...to, you see-"
"I was so afrai-"
"HAAAANG ON!" The young Kakashi could not give a damn about these two's dramatic bouts because there is a far more pressing matter he needed to ask. When the two older men stopped to look at him, he asked them immediately, "How are you still alive when you died then?"
The older two stopped on their track, looked at young Kakashi's stunned face. They both forgot there for a moment that towards someone who did not personally witness the Rinne Rebirth Jutsu before, this could sound confusing, rather, shocking.
"Kakashi," It was the older Kakashi that said this time, "That same person also had a special jutsu that allowed all those who died that day to return to the living. It was a very special jutsu that cost him his own life in return for many others."
The young Kakashi stopped, his eyes widened as thousands of thoughts and analyzation flooded in his mind. One, realizing that his future self had indeed died that particular day. Two, such a powerful shinobi is out there still living from the era young Kakashi is originally from and will attack Konoha in the far future. Three, his older self just told him that this person attacked Konoha, killed a lot of people including the future Kakashi, and just decided to resurrect everyone after that? "A-are you taking me for a fool?"
"Hmmm, I won't dare," Older Kakashi responded to his younger self.
"But how is this all possible?"
Older Kakashi sniggered, patting his younger self gently on the top of his head, finding it easy to actually give him an answer. Older Kakashi pointed at Naruto, who is walking silently beside them both. "That resurrection jutsu is a miracle on its own, but it was not possible if it wasn't for the tenacity of our very own Naruto-kun."
Naruto gasped, side-eyeing Kakashi. He called me Naruto-kun, he is definitely sulking over the nickname I gave his younger self.
"He is special. You know he is very special to me too. And I'd appreciate it that you would treat him fondly when you meet him in your own time."
Naruto's thoughts stopped when he heard his lover's continuous dialogue with his younger version. He watches the two of them converse and his face heated up as if he is getting a glimpse of the most intimate thoughts of his lover about him.
"Special? H-how special?" Little Kakashi's voice is low, almost as tiny as if it is too overwhelming to ask this question.
"He is my person." The Hokage said this with a face held high, a tiny smile tugged on his mouth underneath his mask. "You understand that, don't you, Kakashi?"
"Ka- sen...sei," Naruto immediately turned to his lover, his eyes watering with emotions soaring high and he doesn't know how to contain it -or whether he would want to contain it. He also had the urge to throw himself at his lover right now because those simple words meant something much more significant.
Whereas, the young Kakashi took a little more time to process what his older self had said. Yes, he did understand what the other said -so much that he was flustered. Logically, this sounds ridiculous knowing himself but upon his observation over those two since earlier - it was all clear. This golden-haired boy is his future's most important person. He'll be stupid to deny that.
But man, isn't his older self a little shameless to bluntly shove it to his face? Does he not know how to beat around the bush, haha, that's the funnier part actually. Because even his young self now does not know how to do that, why does he expect his older self to do that?
Sighing, he turned around, "Maaa, do I?" He finally responded to his future self with his hand up in the air stretching - or brushing off the subject. But he knows, his future self knew exactly what he really meant.
"Brat." The Rokudaime muttered to him.
"Kakashi," Naruto walked closer to his lover as the two of them followed the young Kakashi, who is still wearing the disguise of a younger version of Sukea, "Exposing yourself to your younger self, do you think it is a good idea?"
"I simply clarified his thoughts," Kakashi replied to him. "Your Lil' Kashi is not that stupid."
"S-stop that," Naruto glared at the silliness on Kakashi's voice. "Saying that, you should be careful how you act then. If little Kakashi noticed right away, it'll be troublesome if the others do."
"That's true," The Hokage nodded, "But you can't blame me. I haven't seen you many nights now."
Naruto's face immediately turned red, "That-"
"This will not do," Kakashi grabbed Naruto's hand, "I want to give you a kiss- SHITTT WHAT THE HELL!"
The next thing the old Kakashi realized is a kunai missing him by a hair-breathe. Naruto stunned on his feet too.
"I CAN HEAR YOU, YOU KNOW. SHAMELESS!" Little Kakashi screamed at the audacity of his older self to pull this stunt in front of him, in public too. And the little brat will not be sorry for throwing a kunai at the rokudaime.
"Man, he's no fun." The Rokudaime hissed under his breath as the Little Kakashi continued seething and giving him murderous glares.
Naruto thought that thank God, Ichiraku Ramen is just around the corner.
ICHIRAKU RAMEN
Ichiraku Ramen had changed. The once used to be a humble stall now had its own huge space, two-story to be exact. It definitely showed the young Kakashi how much time had passed from where he came from. Ichiraku Ramen still gave the same scent, mostly because the people that dine there still order the infamous ramen but Kakashi can see that there is an abundance of other new dishes on the menu. He saw some of them on other people's tables as they took an empty table for themselves - not without having every single one inside that diner welcomed the Hokage and even more so enthusiastic to see the yellow-haired, Naruto.
Is he really that great? Little Kakashi thought as he read through the menu Naruto excitedly handed him.
"They have miso ramen here too," Naruto suggested, "Ayame-san also added seafood menu if you want broiled saury."
The young Kakashi immediately raised his head from the menu and eyed the Hokage, thinking how much the Uzumaki knew of him well down to his favorite food. He couldn't help but grimaced at his older self, feeling exposed and betrayed for revealing this much about himself to another person. Do we even have secrets anymore? He wanted to ask, grudgingly.
Meanwhile, the Hokage only hummed at his younger self's sentiments, enjoying the look on his face.
After the lavish meal at Ichiraku Ramen, little Kakashi could not hide the satisfaction on his face. He did not know miso ramen can be prepared that way, he especially enjoyed the new toppings served with it. Of course, young Kakashi did not shy away from ordering the broiled saury, much to his older self's delight because the latter ended up eating most of it.
Naruto also ended up getting loads of free side dishes from both the founder, Teuchi-san, and the patrons. Once one of the patrons insisted to buy the golden-haired side dishes, the food never stopped coming. It was a feast. Little Kakashi never saw so many luxurious foods in his life that he wished Rin and Obito are sharing this meal with him. Perhaps with Minato-sensei too.
Continuously running for their lives, only surviving off grilled fresh water fish and small hunt, the past few months, the meal at Ichiraku Ramen felt like a dream.
Now, the three left the ramen place just in time before the whole of Konohagakure get a word of Naruto and the Hokage dining in Ichiraku Ramen and young Kakashi quickly realized that it seemed to be what the people thought was the only way for them to repay Naruto for all the great things he has done for them. Treat him meals. Only that, the young Kakashi still does not fully know what made him so great? He looks pretty ordinary, presence-wise, little Kakashi thought. But then, a strong shinobi knows how to neutralize their own chakra. Wasn't Naruto meant to be the kyuubi's jinchuriki? Perhaps, the yellow-haired boy managed to control the nine-tail's chakra? If that's the case, then everything is possible.
He might as well be the strongest shinobi alive right now.
"I ate a lot," Naruto was heard muttering as he massaged his stomach, "I don't think I can even breathe right now."
"Tell me about it," The rokudaime also agreed.
"How about you, 'lil Kashi?" Naruto asked, peeking to his side. "Did you enjoy the meal?"
At first, Kakashi was reluctant to answer, did not want to acknowledge the way Naruto had decided to call him. But the two older males are watching him and he did not want to sound ungrateful after such a generous treat. "Hm."
"That's great. We should go again next time." Naruto chimed.
We. Next time. The young Kakashi repeated that many times in his head. Admittedly, he found himself leaning towards believing those words. In this future era, everything seemed to be possible - and that's the scariest part. Is he ever going to wake up one day and realize this is all not real?
"Naruto! Sensei!"
"Sakura-chan!" Replying back was Naruto, waving his hand to the said pink-haired medic-nin. The older Uchiha, Sasuke, walking right behind her.
"Naruto. Kakashi-sens - ah, Hokage-sama," Sakura stopped in front of them with a loud thump of her feet. She does not look happy to see them, or that, she was not happy to only find them just now. "We were so anxious to realize little Kakashi had gone and left with Naruto. Naruto, where did you bring little Kakashi? Where is he right now?"
"Uhh, that," Naruto looked away. He knows that look Sakura is sporting right now. That's the look that would put a dent on his sides if he ever dares lie.
"I am here." Instead, it was little Kakashi himself who answered.
Sakura slowly and carefully looked away from Naruto. True enough, there is indeed a young kid standing beside Naruto. A young kid with dark brown hair, and strangely familiar vertical lines painted with purple on his face - "This….!" Sakura's eyes widened.
Behind her is Sasuke, who leaned in closer, his mismatched eyes scanned little Kakashi's choice of disguise - and he too widened his eyes, red quickly coloring his usually emotionless face. "T-this…"
Sakura and Sasuke immediately looked at their former sensei, their eyes full of questions. However, both of them could not bring themselves to open their mouths. Instead, the two looked away, sighs loudly while dropping their shoulders.
"We've been had." Sakura muttered to herself. Her voice quivering in shock.
"All these years…" Added Sasuke.
Seeing the reaction of his former teammate, Naruto was reminded of this too, so he also chimed in, "Right, the treachery. And he calls himself our sensei."
Looking at the three's reaction right now, the little Kakashi quickly looked at his older self, brow pointing up, "Care to explain why your students are acting as if you betrayed them?"
"Hmmmm," Kakashi caressed his nape chuckled, "There was a time when they were still genin, the three of them went on a mission to find out how I looked like under the mask. Of course, as a sensei, I thought I should respond to their dedication with the same vigor. I disguise myself into this persona, Sukea, the same disguise that you have now. I joined in their mission as Sukea, but it was only to sabotage all their plans. I'd say it was a fun day."
"NO, IT WAS NOT." The three strongly disagreed in unison.
It took Kakashi a few seconds to get past his shock from finding the three reacting the way they would back in the old days when they were still cute and honest to their emotions. Such a kick of nostalgia.
"Why would they so desperate to find out how you look under the mask?" The young Kakashi asked, confusedly.
"Ae? Don't you know? Kakashi-sensei has never shown anyone at all his face without a mask. No one had seen his face." Sakura said, stating a fact known not only in Konohakagure but the whole five great nation.
Little Kakashi raised a brow at this, finding this hard to believe. He eyed his older version, "Why go all the trouble of hiding your face?"
"Yeah, why?" Sakura asked too.
Older Kakashi shrugged his shoulder, "There was no reason."
"It was not as if you have ridiculously large lips," Sakura mumbled.
"Or bucked-teeth," Sasuke said.
"Or razor-sharp teeth." Naruto too added.
Little Kakashi's brows furrowed. "Just what do you think I look like? You guys only thought the ugliest features. No wonder my future self thought it was fun tricking you three!"
The older Kakashi found himself eagerly nodding at this.
"Can't blame us, sensei never really did a face reveal." Sakura snapped. "Looking at you," She then turned her face to look at the Hokage with this despicable mask on, "His face should not look bad."
"Of course, it shouldn't." Little Kakashi immediately responded.
Naruto nodded to agree, "Sensei looks handsome." He unconsciously said, smiling as he did so.
Everyone around him quieted, eyes darting towards him, including both the young and older Kakashi -who slowly turned red on their ears.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Sakura fought off the blush on her face as she waved her hands, "You could say that. You're probably the only person so lucky to see Kakashi-sensei's oh-so-handsome face. Could you be more obvious?"
"Sa-sakura-chan!" Naruto finally realized what his words implied. Now, his face instantly turned red, redder than his mother's hair.
"What? You could at least told us how Kakashi-sensei looked like after you found out. It was the least you could do after all our effort back in the day. But instead, you kept it all to yourself." Sakura huffed, looking away. It is not as if she meant what she says, she just enjoys teasing Naruto right now. When it comes to his new lover, Naruto becomes a whole level of dumb and cute at the same time. How could Sakura let this pass? "Didn't know Naruto-kun is the possessive type." She also added.
Naruto is beyond flustered, feeling his knees weakening, like he was about to melt into his own goo. His heart is thumping so loudly - but all of these overwhelming emotions do not feel at all bad. Just, he doesn't know how to handle it.
If that isn't enough, Kurama also snickered at his sentiment. The damn fox just doesn't let anything pass him especially if it will make his jinchuriki flustered.
"Naruto," Kakashi carefully inched closer to his flustered lover, held him by his shoulder as he looked at Sasuke, "Sasuke-kun, Sakura-chan, I will leave you young Kakashi. Naruto, let's go home for now."
Naruto didn't look up or say a word as he performed the hand seals. The two disappeared right away, leaving the disappearing charka signature of the two of them mixed in with the kyuubi's.
"Ah, I overdid it." Sakura immediately felt bad.
But as she said that, she did not expect Sasuke to let out such a peal of loud, hearty laughter as if he just witnessed the most hilarious scene ever. Sakura pulled away, grabbing little Kakashi with her, uncertain what goes on the Uchiha's unpredictable humor.
"Ah, that idiot." Sasuke mumbled under his breath, trying to calm himself down. That idiot got himself so deep, so deeply in love with their former sensei. This is also true towards the other. Their former sensei is just as the same towards Naruto.
Authors Note:
Hi, thank you for reading. yay for another update. Sorry it took longer than expected. I hope you would drop some comments/thoughts. Thank you for those who did and I'm glad some of you still anticipate this update. Hoping for more updates in the future. This chap is so lil Kashi indulgence. We need Naruto-Minato moment soon.
Also, do I smell smut next chapter? XD. See u next update.
I have also added a 2-page fanart for this chapter along with the new banner. Unfortunately I cannot upload in this . So if you get a chance, this story is also in ao3 under the same pen name and title. Current fanarts and future ones will be uploaded there with the update. Thank you.