A/N: Updated as of 2020-08-16

Kakashi stares at me intently, an interested look on his face.

Okay, I'm lying.

His inu mask is still on.

I'd like to imagine, however, that he is interested in what I have to say as opposed to completely sceptical and unamused.

"You're making this up. Why would the Fourth keep you from the Third?"

"Danzou."

"How do you know about the Bijuu?"

"Mum was a Jinchuuriki."

"Where did the supposed prophecy come from?"

"Toads. Dad could summon them."

"Where have you been all this time?"

"Uh, I don't know, a house? I'm five, 'ttebayo."

"Why did they trust the Third this time, if last time they thought Danzou was going to be a problem?"

"I don't know! Obviously it was a mistake, since they were betrayed and ended up dead!"

"…"

Naruto begins to cry, and I join him. Curse this body and its childlike urges.

"Maa, maa, calm down," Kakashi mutters uncomfortably. His chakra is churning with unease, setting me on edge. Kabuto is now awake and looking around blearily. Still crying, I crawl over to my two boys and curl myself around them.

"We aren't safe. That – that – man! He hurt Kushi-mama and made the kyuubi come out and that didn't happen when I was born so it's because they told people and that means that someone sold us out to him. No one has anything to gain from that except for Danzou–" My blood runs cold.

'Danzou worked with Madara to take out the Uchiha. Danzou wanted to be Hokage. Why wouldn't he work with Madara to take out Minato and create a power vacuum so he could once again take advantage of Hiruzen?'

"Shimura-sama is an honourable elder and is one of the Hokage's counsellors. Be careful of what you say about him or accuse him of, Uzumaki-san." Kakashi's monotone voice sends alarm bells ringing in my mind, and I jerk my head around to look at him. He is standing stock-still in the corner of the room, his mask catching shadows ominously. The mildest of killing intent flickers around us, clearly directed at me. Pins and needles dance along my limbs, terror fills my soul and I think I might be hyperventilating.

'Kurama… Kakashi… wasn't he a part of root, like, now?'

"Inu-nii… please… I'm not – I don't know anything, I'm sorry, I'msorrypleasedon'thurtus–" Hot, I'm hot and there is red and where are they where are my babies?

I fill the room and it's dark and I've found them and they are scared, it's okay shhhh, mommy is here it's okay now, my hands are so small it's hard to hold them both but it's fine because I'm everywhere in the darkness and I can still hold them. There is another but they will not hunt and we are not prey.

Mine need warmth and comfort, where is den? No burrow, just blankets, grab those and oh there are little doors. Inside are little cups and disks and we don't need those in our nest. I pack the soft blankets into our den and then it is fine for now. In go the kits. I curl around them inside, hushing and squeaking at them. I close the door from outside and lay thickly across every surface. The Other is still there, watching. They feel unhappy and confused, but still not predator. They are heat and light and kin.

Confusion.

Kin? Why are they not in den?

Blankets get packed in around the young kit to support and I push big kit's body around the smaller.

I come out and push the door closed again.

Other makes a sound, and I whine in response. I clamber across the floor and grab at his legs. Small hands wrap in the fabric of his pants and pull. He doesn't move, just makes more sounds. This time my hands pull and my darkness pushes and he stumbles but I catch him softly and wrap around him as we pull towards the den.

'Den,' says my mind, and I know I must speak it.

"Den,"I say. My voice is a growl, but I know Other understands.

"Den?" He repeats.

'Safe.'

"Safe." Other makes a sound of confusion.

'Make. Safe. Inu.'

"Need, make, Inu, safe." More words come to mind, and I remember that this is what Other speaks. "Inu is kin, pack, you help, you–"

'Kakashi.' I tilt my head. That's right. Other is Inu and Inu is Kakashi and Nato-daddy trusts Kakashi.

"Kakashi?" Kakashi stiffens in my grasp, but remains still. We sit in front of the den door. I know it is too small for Kakashi, so we will stay–

"How?" I look, and face to mask I stare. I again hear the words I know I need to speak.

"Fox knows. Kushina knows. Fox trusts. Keep safe."

"Why would the fox trust me? It killed them, it attacked Konoha." Kakashi's voice is rough, angry.

"No."

"What do you mean, no?"

"Man… controlled. Uchiha, Sharingan. Took out fox, made him attack." I feel my body cooling off, the red tint to my vision fading. My thoughts clear, and I look back on the last few minutes with embarrassment. Kakashi sees I'm calming down, but doesn't stop his questions.

"The… Uchiha are behind it?" He asks quietly. I shake my head tiredly.

"No, just one. A Rogue. The rest of the Uchiha had no idea."

"Why… why should I believe this? What reason do I have to trust the word of the fox?" Anger floods through me at his words, both mine and Kurama's.

"The Bijuu want peace! For entire lifetimes now they have been used as weapons and tools, 'ttebayo, trapped in cages and abused. They know that this world is heading for a war to end all wars and they are tired of it."

"Prove it."

"Prove…?" I sputter, arms wrapping around myself and my shadows flopping to the floor before dissipating.

'Kit, we can prove it. You need to get him to swear to be on your side and protect you.'

"K- uh, the Kyuubi says they can prove it. But you need to swear to be on our side. We need you to protect us."

'And for crying out loud, get the other kits out of the cupboard.' My face goes as red as a tomato, and I carefully open the cupboard door to see the kids cuddled up in a nest of blankets, only Kabuto awake. His eyes pay sharp attention as the door opens, and he relaxes slightly when he sees my face.

"Kabuto I'm so sorry I probably scared you so bad!" I whisper as I reach in to help them get out. I take Naruto in my arms as Kabuto responds.

"I'm fine. Is everything okay, Mishina-sama?" The angel brushes off my concerns and focuses on me. Thank goodness he is so collected.

"Yes, Kabu-chan, I just got – um… startled." He looks at me stoically before directing an accusatory look at Kakashi.

"What did you do?!" He yells, putting himself in between us Uzumaki's and Kakashi. "She only gets scared like that when someone wants to hurt her." Kabuto's chakra swirls with anger, fear, and determination. Kakashi's chakra buzzes in agitation, but he steps back with his hands raised in surrender.

"Maa, I'm not going to hurt a kid. We were just talking, is all."

Right. Thanks, Kakashi. Helpful.

A gust of air escapes my mouth.

"Stand down, Kabuto-chan. I freaked out over nothing; you don't need to worry about it." I can see how reluctant the boy is to accept my explanation, and our eyes meet as he looks over his shoulder.

He hums.

Immediately a loud rumbling bursts involuntarily from my small body, startling me in its intensity. I'm echoed a moment later by Naruto, a quiet high-pitched purring. The baby's eyes are open, but glazed with sleep.

Kabuto smiles. A sweet, innocent, happy smile.

Two children successfully soothed.

A choked growling sound comes from the shinobi standing on the other side of the room – his chakra immediately jerks in shock and confusion.

I smile at the masked teen and can't help but giggle.

"You are such a puppy, Inu-nii!" I can taste his embarrassment. His stiff posture tells me he wants nothing more than to leave, but I know he won't until we finish our conversation.

'So, Kakashi is a part of root right now; but I know it doesn't last long. He transfers back into normal ANBU. But, why? I think it had something to do with Yamato AKA Tenzou AKA something that starts with a K… Kosei? No… wait, but if Kakashi has been watching us constantly, has he even met Yamato? Hold on – the only thing that would make Kakashi leave Root was if they betrayed the Hokage. Didn't Kakashi end up stopping… NO!'

"Inu-nii – have you been guarding the Hokage?" I ask, panic filling my body once more.

"That is classified." Is his clipped response.

"This is serious, Kakashi, I–" Fear makes my breathing ragged.

"He wanted proof. This is his proof. Tell him I told you."

"Kyuubi said that Danzou is going to assassinate the Hokage. You need to save him!" Kakashi scoffs in dismissal.

"Danzou is loyal to the Hokage!" I shake my head aggressively, my face tingling from my lack of oxygen intake.

"This is your proof – we don't want the Hokage dead. I don't want him dead! Please save him – I don't know when exactly it's going to happen, but you need to guard him and keep him safe. It will be Root's ANBU. Just trust us; we won't do anything until you confirm what we've said and come back. We need you to do this, Inu-nii! Please!"

A moment's silence.

A nod of acquiescence.

A breeze, and he is gone.

Life moves on, days pass, our ANBU guards change daily and never come in direct contact with us, but nothing crazy happens.

Three weeks go by, and I settle into my role as Big Sister/Mother.

On the 22nd night of November he returns, looking ragged and mask free.

He is ready to listen.