A/N: Have you all listened to Inoue Kazuhiko's songs before? He's Kakashi's seiyuu. "Itoshisa wa hikari no sunadokei" seems to fit this chapter, I think, though I have no idea what the lyrics mean. I just love his heavenly voice...
"Is it true, Namikaze-san?" Fugaku asks on a sigh, his tired eyes landing on Minato. The Uchiha had just arrived back in the clan compound from a week-long battle and it showed in the lines creasing his young face.
Kakashi jerks as if struck and Minato tightens his hand on the boy's shoulder. "I was not there when the incident occurred, Fugaku-dono. However, I can vouch for the character of my students. They hold each other dearly."
A few steps behind their sensei, Rin lowers her head and hides her face behind the fall of her brown hair.
Fugaku nods solemnly but the four other Elders seated on either side of him continue to scowl with obvious disapproval. Further along the table, Obito's parents sit together. Obito's father stoically maintains a blank expression while his mother shakes silently behind the handkerchief pressed to her face.
"Fugaku-sama," a middle-aged woman says, suspicion written in the downturn of her mouth, "this is our clan's doujutsu."
Behind Fugaku, Sakumo glares at her. They had just confirmed the events leading to Obito's death and she was already rushing onto whether the eye should be kept? Obito was a person, a hero who had sacrificed his life to save another. He did not deserve to be treated like a mere vessel for a kekkei genkai.
From the way Fugaku stays silent and simply stares at her, he thinks much the same. Obito's father surreptitiously slips his broader hand around his wife's and she clutches back tightly, her eyes sharp and angry over the edge of her handkerchief.
"Of course, Yuuro-dono," Fugaku says blandly, "but there is no formal rule against this. Obito-kun obviously had his teammate's well-being in mind when he made this admirable decision. Personally, I am inclined to respect Obito-kun's wishes. In this climate of violence, Obito-kun's gift may well become crucial to saving Kakashi-kun's life."
"Then, after the war—" another elder begins.
"Shall we remove Kakashi-kun's eye then re-implant it every time he faces a foe?" Fugaku interrupts dryly. There is unhappy shuffling but no one raises any more objections. Turning to Obito's parents, the young Head of Clan inclines his head slightly. "My apologies, Miyoshi-san, Hanari-san. Of course, despite my reservations, this is completely your decision."
Glancing at her husband, Hanari rises slowly to her feet and approaches Kakashi. The boy looks up at the woman who had been his friend's mother, what's visible of his face frozen with guilt. Minato watches her carefully behind a deceptively relaxed expression, not moving a step from his position by Kakashi's side.
Lifting the slanted hitai-ate out of the way, she touches his closed eyelid softly, tracing the angry red scar with a trembling fingertip. Her face crumples with grief and Sakumo is suddenly afraid that she will do something terrible like claw the eye out. But she does none of that.
Instead she leans forward, cradling Kakashi's face with both hands as she brushes a gentle kiss onto the scarred skin. It is a last goodbye. Kakashi doesn't manage to suppress his sharp flinch at the tender gesture, a small, pained noise escaping him.
Lost, Sakumo realises ruefully. She didn't look angry, just longing and lost.
Her back is straight and her shoulders set when she turns to face the elders. Sakumo is filled with admiration at the way she pulls herself together with stately, dignified composure.
"I agree," she says, her voice soft but sure. Coming to stand beside her, Obito's father gives his permission as well. Her tightly pressed lips lift in a shaky smile as she regards Kakashi once more. "Use Obito's eye well." Her eyes are bright with tears but filled with sincerity. "And know that we do not blame you."
With bows to Fugaku and the elders, the couple slips out of the room. Kakashi stares after them wordlessly, almost as pale as his hair.
Forgiveness can be painful in its own way.
A/N: Obito's mother is a strong woman.