Italics=dream/flashback

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Kakashi limped into the living room of his apartment, still a wolf. Could you blame him though? He was lazy, and it was his home. He could do what he wanted. Besides, it still kind of hurt when he shifted.

Iruka was in the kitchen with Itachi, patiently trying to explain why it was not okay to eat Hikaru's food.

Honestly, Itachi should know better. Kakashi didn't know how he had been convinced to let the kid keep the dog in the first place.

It had taken hours of explaining to Itachi why he was a wolf, and he still didn't fully understand. Iruka had been absent the entire conversation, conveniently choosing to stay with Sasuke instead.

Kakashi was not happy with Iruka's decision.

Because he was sure any minute now, the brunette was going to come out of the kitchen and ask the same questions Itachi had. And Kakashi would have no choice but to answer them.

Kakashi settled himself on the couch, paws draped over his muzzle as he tried to nap a little before the interrogation came.

Kakashi howled as Minato-sensei laughed a little sadly.

"Congratulations, Kakashi. You have officially unlocked your bloodline," he said.

Kakashi cocked his head to the side, staring at the blonde with dark eyes. Huh? he thought, only to recoil as Minato chuckled.

"I should probably explain, shouldn't I?"

Minato sat down in front of his student, so that they were at eye level.

"Kakashi, your family is…special? How do I say it…?" Minato thought for a moment.

"Let's start over. You know the story of how your parents met, right?"

Kakashi shook his head.

"Well, basically it was two years before you were born. Your dad met your mom, and it was love at first sight. He came home that night all starry-eyed, babbling about how she was perfect. And really, she was.

"They got married, and a year later, you were born. Sakumo's life was literally as perfect as a ninja's could be, but then your mom became an ANBU. Her first mission was a disaster, and she didn't make it. Sakumo was heartbroken, and he's probably happier being with your mom now." Minato sighed, turning his face away.

"Before she died, Kina, your mom, told us that she loved us, and that we should succeed in our dreams. She told Sakumo to get remarried so that you would have a mother, but he never did. Now you don't have any parents, just me, and Kushina."

He stopped suddenly, smiling. "Did we ever tell you that we're your godparents?"

Kakashi whined, still not understanding how to talk while being a wolf.

"Anyways, your mother was a part of the Yazuma clan. They're kind of like the Uchiha's; they have the Sharingan, whereas the Yazuma's turn into wolves. You know about the Yazuma's, right?"

Of course I know about them, Kakashi thought. I knew they were related to me. I'm not stupid.

He didn't realize that he had sent that thought to Minato until he laughed.

"I know you're not stupid. I've known you your entire life. But, yeah, they were wiped out a couple years ago by one of the other villages. Your father killed the people who did it, I think. Anyways, you're the last one."

Wait, so… Kakashi was getting the hang of this talking thing. How do I change back? And why are we wolves anyways? Why not birds or something?

Minato tilted his head back to stare at the sky, the exact same shade as his eyes.

"Well, I think the first time you change you have to wait until your body does it for you. Then you just have to practice, I guess. As for why you're wolves, Kina didn't tell me that. But, she did tell me the basic story of how they acquired the ability. A long time ago, the Yazuma clan was given a gift by the goddess Amaterasu. When she separated from her brother, she had a slight fear that he would attack her out of hatred. She created the Yazuma clan to protect her, and later, they joined the Leaf Village. "

Oh. Kakashi finally sat down. But, what about after I change back to a human? How do I change back into a wolf?

Minato chuckled. "That is for me to know and for you to find out."

Kakashi jerked awake with a yelp, the memory digging into his heart. That was the time he had learned about his mother, who Sakumo had never shared information about.

That was also the first time that he had heard anything about the Yazuma clan's ability.

Iruka was standing above him with a frown. "What are you doing on the couch? You're not setting a very good example of why Hikaru should not be on it."

It's my couch, though, Kakashi argued. Why shouldn't I sleep on it?

"Because Itachi might see and not understand why Hikaru can't be on it."

Kakashi didn't get off the couch.

Iruka sighed and made himself comfortable on the floor—Kakashi was taking up the entire couch, what else was he suppose to do?

"So," he started. "Why are you a wolf?"

Because, Kakashi sighed. My mother was a Yazuma, and her clan had the ability to change into wolves.

"Okay…" Iruka said. "What about that Keiko girl?"

She's a Yazuma too, just from a different branch. She's a panther, the last of the feline branch. I killed her husband, son, and twin sister.

"Why?"

Why else? Kakashi muttered dejectedly. It was a mission.

"Oh." Iruka thought a moment. "But, why is she in Konoha?"

We met her on my mission, and I had a talk with her. She finally listened to what I had to say, and we 'made up', I guess you could say.

"So she doesn't hate you?"

I don't think so.

"Okay," Iruka said. They sat in silence for a long time.

Thank you, Kakashi finally said.

"For what?"

For taking care of my kids when I couldn't.

A/N: So, there's the background of the Yazuma's, for those of you who haven't read the actual story with Kina in it. So, we need 13 more reviews before you can get your dedicated story, so review!