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Maybe Again
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Chapter 2
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Hatake Kakashi is sitting in his office and sipping from a morning cup of tea when a summon descends. His ANBU move closer. He holds up a single hand. They still.
The bird's eyes hold an unsettling amount of intelligence. But Kakashi's focus is drawn past that to the pendant that hangs from its neck: red and white. A fan. Now… what could the Uchiha want with Konoha? Kakashi remembers them once. Proud. Distant. Subjects of envy and desire. (But he also remembers another who was known more for their smiles and boasts. And he sighs; forever wistful for something that should have happened.) He remembers the morning the Uchiha left. He remembers the way the sky had hung heavy, blackened with ash.
Today he is the last of Konoha's Sharingan because he'd been given a choice. Fugaku had been kind the night he'd come to Kakashi (the night before they left.) Fugaku had shown mercy. Last Kakashi had heard Itachi had taken the mantle. But still he owes Fugaku and the Uchiha a debt. He will honor his word. When he dies, his eyes will burn. "Thank you," he tells the summon as he takes the scroll wrapped around its leg.
It is coded. Of course it is coded. (They are nin. They do not trust.) But it is a code he knows, a code he taught Itachi in the quiet after ANBU missions. They no longer use it. ROOT knew it (knows it). Kakashi does not know if he has removed every trace of its rot from his Konoha and so ANBU has been restructured and reordered from the ground up. He can only hope it is enough.
The scroll itself is not too important. Not something to worry about if it falls into enemy hands. When he is done, he turns it to ashes and picks up his brush to write a reply and a letter. The summon huffs, settles on his desk, pokes at his papers and drinks from his teacup. He finds it amusing. When he is finished, he ties a new scroll to the summon's leg, thanks it for its service. When it is gone he call's out, "Crow." Crow comes forward. "Get me border patrol and housing. We'll be having guests."
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Sasuke dances out of his mother's reach as she huffs and raises the comb threateningly. "Sasuke Uchiha the Second, if you do not come here this instant," she threatens.
In his corner, his father chuckles at their antics as he seals another envelope. "Darling…"
His mother turned to his father, "Do not darling me. I will not have our son looking like a monkey when he steps into his homeland. And you-" She points at Sasuke, "If you don't come here, I will have Hikaku shadow you the entire time you're in Konoha. I don't care that you're twelve years old. You are still old enough to ground."
"Moooom," Sasuke whines but relents, standing still as she runs the comb through his hair. Trying not to hiss too much. If only he could have gotten his mother's hair instead of his father's. It knots too easily and never holds its shape.
And Yuto said it made him look like a girl.
She finishes his hair off in a tight braid. "Aren't you excited?"
He grins, "Of course! Do you think the dango stand Papa always talks about is still there? Or what about the lake? The weapon's shop? Do you think I can attend the academy? Yuma says I must bring her back something only made in Konoha"
His mother shares a fond smile with his father. Sasuke scowls. Do they still think he has a crush on Yuma?
"I hope so," Father says, finally. Outside their caravan, men are yelling. The horses neigh. Their caravan comes to a stop. "I don't imagine Konoha has changed too much."
"It was always a city governed by its own time," his mother agrees.
His father stands, folding the last of his letters and sliding them into the long sleeves of his haori. He kisses her. Sasuke pretends not to see. He might be old enough to understand why one would like to kiss a girl. But that doesn't mean he has to stare.
"Itachi," Uncle Shisui calls through the tarp, "We're here."
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Naruto does his best to stop fidgeting. "Are they here yet?" he hisses to Kaka-sensei.
Kaka-sensei chuckles and ruffles his hair. Mama scowls. Naruto does his best to smooth it out. "Oh come here," Mama snaps, handing to clipboard she'd been holding to Kaka-sensei. Someone in the crowd behind Mama throws them a dirty look. Naruto pretends not to see.
He refuses to let anyone ruin his mood. Not today. Because today he'd see his first Uchiha. They'd learnt about Uchiha that week at the Academy, about how they were a fierce clan of elite warriors and tacticians, how they had founded the village with the now-deceased Senju. When he told his mother this, she'd said they were Senju through alliance and marriage. The Shodiame had married their princess before their home burned to the ground. That is why they are welcome here in Konoha. One day he will visit his homeland's ashes and ruins. Maybe one day he will rebuild it.
"There they are," someone whispers and his mother stands straight, takes back the clipboard. Kaka-sensei straightens and adjusts his Hokage hat. Naruto tries to copy his stance. On top of the hill Naruto can see a group of brightly dressed people walking forward. Behind them is a train of caravans pulled by the biggest horses he'd ever seen, each one larger than the last.
The crowd start to murmur. Kaka-sensei hold up a hand. They settle.
Finally the caravan reaches the bottom of the hill. The group of brightly dressed people comes closer. There is a boy amongst them. The only child. Dressed in silks of green and gold, Naruto almost mistakes him for a girl before he catches his eyes. And oh…
Have we met before?
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Itachi smiles when he sees Kakashi standing head of the welcome committee. When he'd heard his old mentor had taken the hat, he thought the position would suit him. Seeing him now in full Hokage garb, he had been correct, "Senpai," Itachi greets. Besides him Sosuke sighs at his informality.
Kakashi takes it in pride, "Itachi, my little kohai!" The woman besides Kakashi mimics Sosuke. "How are you?"
"I am well," Itachi says. "Thank you for allowing us passage."
Kakashi waves his hand as if to wipe away his words, "Of course. This is still your homeland, Itachi. I would never seal it from you or your people."
Itachi nods. In his travels, he has seen what people will do from pettiness and greed. He has seen people run out of their homes and has healed the victims of such crimes, grown back limbs and healed scars. Perhaps Kakashi, settled within the walls of Konoha, does not know such cruelty? Or perhaps he simply will not allow himself to stomach such notions even if Konoha will. Kakashi, he reflects, has always been kinder than people give him credit for. It is nice to know some things have not changed.
He will bring Konoha forward. (And hasn't he? Itachi knows how he took the hat with sword and lightning. No one was less surprised than the Uchiha to hear of Danzo's fall.)
"The grounds by the shrine are maintained," Kakashi added as if a side, as if it did not mean anything even though it does. Behind him, his brothers murmur amongst themselves and two break from the group-leaving only Shisui, his ever faithful shadow, and his son-to tell the rest. "I hope it can be used as a camp site."
"Yes that will be perfect," Itachi grins, "And as for the celebration…"
Behind Kakashi the group of Konoha clan members murmurs to each other. Kakashi shifts and with his presence alone calls their attention back into order. "Ready when you are," he says simply.
"Thank you, Sempai," Itachi stresses, meaning every word. Besides him, Sasuke fidgets, tugs at his hand suddenly. Drawing both leader's attention
Kakashi kind smile turns to a grin. He tilts his head to the side and Itachi follows to see a young red-head boy starring with unabashed awe. Kakashi's son? He follows the line of sight from the boy to his own son who is staring back in equal admiration, cheeks slightly flushed. Itachi chuckles. Hikari will adore this.
"My son," Itachi introduces, "Sasuke Uchiha, after my late brother."
Kakashi's face becomes somber for a moment. It had never been much of a secret how Itachi adored his little brother. "I apologize for your loss."
Itachi accepts with grace. "It is an old wound."
"Naruto Uzumaki," Kakashi turns to his own child, "My apprentice and son of my assistant, Karin Uzumaki," Kakashi introduces.
Itachi bows his head slightly in greeting. He knew of the Uzumaki and their strength. He had not known survivors lived in Konoha but had met an elderly woman along the border of Iron. She'd been fierce, had taught his people a great deal in sealing they used to increase the effectiveness of blood binding scrolls. He is indebted to her. It is a good surprise to meet a relative.
"Itachi-sama," Karin replies with her own bow.
She gently nudges her son and Naruto finally brings himself to say something though his eyes do not stray. "Hello."
Sasuke blushes harder, "Hi…"
Itachi's smile broadens. He is certain Kakashi is smiling under his own mask.
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(So Asura and Indra meet.)
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