As a boy, Sakumo dreamed of becoming a great shinobi like the Hatakes of his grandfather's generation, who had left Kiri no Kuni to ally with the founders of Konoha. Even then, their clan had been small, barely a handful of men with even fewer women and children. They had been dissidents, a mere branch house that had dared to defy the main house to pursue the new hope that was springing up. Having been cut off like a gangrenous limb, they bet their lives on their new village, their new people.
As a young man, Sakumo dreamed of reviving their clan. The Second Shinobi World War had left Sakumo the only male heir of a dying clan. The honourable name of Hatake, built on his elders' blood spilled, was difficult to shoulder. But hope eased his burden, as did his betrothed, Yoriko.
As a father, Sakumo's dreamed of Kakashi's happiness. This was Yoriko's precious dream and the only shining piece left of her that he could hide close to his heart.
Sakumo had always imagined a turning point in his future, a something that he could grasp with both hands to pull his clan out of the pit it had slipped into. He would lift Kakashi up and out, set him somewhere safe.
But now that his misty dream had dissipated into the wind, he finally sees the road beneath his feet for what it is: a future that loops unerringly into the past. That something he had been chasing... had that perfect solution even existed?
It frightens Sakumo like nothing else to glimpse of himself in Kakashi. There are different faces, different circumstances, but still that same silvered hair and that same, same hope slowly fraying at the edges.
Mission or comrade?
Mission or comrade?
It must be a curse.
The glassy lake is calm beneath Sakumo, the lingering pungence of Obito's Katon the only trace of the brief battle that had taken place. The deceptive stillness belies the antagonism sparking in the air. Beneath the giant bamboo, the two boys clash over the fate of their kidnapped teammate, their voices muted with fear but no less capable of tearing into each other.
His son chooses the "law". The painful memories submerged in his gaze are sharpened quickly into determination. "The most important thing to a shinobi is to be a tool in order to complete the mission. Emotions are unnecessary things." Yet Kakashi's affected calm remains riddled with hairline cracks as he demands Obito's acquiescence.
If Sakumo had not known Kakashi all his life, he would have missed the subtext beneath Kakashi's declaration. The only reason why Kakashi has to go so far as to deem emotions unnecessary is because he has always been emotional. If the "law" isn't everything and the mission near divine… nothing in this world will stop him from flying after Rin.
Whichever choice Kakashi makes, Sakumo knows Kakashi loves her regardless. For all the words and justifications that are pouring off Kakashi's tongue, every rejoinder Obito hurls visibly unsteadies him a little more.
"I believe that White Fang is a true hero."
The older Hatake inhales sharply at the simple words. He is sure the devastated surprise flooding Kakashi's face is mirrored on his own. No-one… no-one had said that before. Put it in such unequivocal terms. Pronounced it with such single-minded conviction.
Obito really believes it and that is... inconceivable.
Shaken to the core, Sakumo swallows hard, his throat clicking loudly in the silence.
The moment is broken when the boys both turn their backs on each other and disappear with twin bursts of shunshin, shattering Team Minato so easily and carelessly. Rooted to the spot, Sakumo stands frozen, caught in the inertia that is the breaking point of three young lives.
He doesn't want to know how this ends.
He doesn't want to witness what the enemy will do to Obito and Rin before they die, because truly, their chances are as good as nil. He doesn't want to see the inevitable guilt that will torture Kakashi because right or wrong, he will never forgive himself either way if any of them die.
It is too cruel. If Sakumo's hands are so utterly tied, surely he has the right to close his eyes? To taste, just this once, the bliss of ignorance? He clenches his jaw so tightly his teeth creak. Hanging his head, Sakumo peers through blurry eyes into the limpid waters of the lake. How can nature be so peaceful in the face of such human misery?
The faint ripple of water in the light breeze is his only answer.
He almost misses the whisper of his son's suppressed chakra when it flits by several minutes later, flashing towards the direction Obito had taken. Heart leaping painfully to his throat, Sakumo's head whips up, eyes wide and searching.
The future loops unerringly once more into the past — but Sakumo will take this chance and hope for something better.
A/N: An extra long chapter because I can't help myself. Poor Sakumo is having a mid-life/after-life crisis. Life isn't actually so hopeless, dear readers!