Chapter 19
Kakashi woke up to the smell of burnt toast.
He could also hear muttered curses and grumbles. Reluctantly Kakashi raised his head from his pillow. Mr. Kidnapper was cursing at his frying pan, shaking it like he was trying to murder it.
"Why won't you toast this bread properly?" Mr. Kidnapper scowled. "I swear it's not supposed to be this difficult."
Kakashi stared at him blankly. "I have a toaster."
Mr. Kidnapper blinked at him. "Huh?"
"The square metal thing sitting at the corner of my kitchen counter is a toaster," Kakashi pointed out.
"Oh. I tried to make pancakes with it, but the mix just made it spark electricity at me?"
"It's a good thing you don't need to eat, otherwise you'd starve to death." Kakashi rolled his eyes, slipping out of bed, grabbing his dressing gown on the way.
"I'm not that bad."
"You put pancake mix in my toaster and broke it." Kakashi shooed Mr. Kidnapper away. "I'm worried that any food you try to make me will be poisoned."
"I wouldn't put poison in it." Mr. Kidnapper sounded offended, and Kakashi swore he just lost braincells.
"Food poisoning."
Mr. Kidnapper sounded puzzled. "Yeah? I wouldn't put poison in your food."
Kakashi twitched. "You're hurting me. Just give me back my kitchen and sit down before you melt my brain."
"It wasn't my fault there was no instructions." Mr. Kidnapper sulked, sitting down at the table.
"There shouldn't need to be." Kakashi shook his head, and quickly got to work. "You want anything?"
"Your cooking is good, so please, I would love something from you."
Kakashi's Omega preened, basking in the praise, but Kakashi merely scowled.
"How do you know-" Kakashi startled, but cut himself off with a sigh. "No, I won't even ask. You're a creepy stalker and I should expect anything by now."
"It's probably for the best not to question me," Mr. Kidnapper said, almost cheerfully, while Kakashi worked on pancakes, cutting up a selection of fruit to munch on with them.
"Right, well it's something simple," Kakashi said, sitting down the plates. "But hope you enjoy."
"Thank you," Mr. Kidnapper said.
They ate in silence, polishing off the food easily, or at least it was for Kakashi. He was quite happy devouring fruit and dangos these days, much to his surprise. He didn't normally enjoy sweet things, but right now they were delicious.
Obviously the baby had a sweet tooth already then.
"What would you say if I offered to take you somewhere safe?" Mr. Kidnapper suddenly asked. "For both you and the baby."
"No. I don't want to leave Konoha."
Mr. Kidnapper tilted his head. "Really? You don't want to leave this hell? How many friends have you lost to your so-called home?"
"It's why I can't leave. So many people I loved died to protect Konoha and its people," Kakashi insisted. "I won't let their sacrifices be in vein."
Mr. Kidnapper scoffed. "Ah yes, the honourable 'sacrifices'. They like to talk about that a lot at schools. They sing praises of those who sacrificed their lives, they build pretty graves and tributes, but none of them ever say how horrifying it was for the person whose life was taken in the first place, especially for the people left behind."
Kakashi automatically touched Obito's eye. Mr. Kidnapper softened, and reached out, brushing the back of his hand against Kakashi's cheek.
"Exactly," Mr. Kidnapper murmured softly.
Kakashi closed his eye and leaned against the hand. It was gentle against his skin, rather soothing even. His Omega purred softly, but Kakashi reached up and took the hand into his own, lowering it.
"I still won't leave." Kakashi shook his head, and grimaced at the hand he held. "Unless you're going to force me?"
Mr. Kidnapper grew silent for a time, before shaking his head. "I will trust you to keep yourself safe, even if it is only for the sake of the baby. However, if you are in trouble, and need help, I will protect you, even if it means doing something you wouldn't appreciate."
Normally that would have made Kakashi bristle, because by all rights he could protect himself. He wasn't a helpless genin for the love of- But Mr. Kidnapper was only saying this because of the baby. Their baby. The thought eased him, even if it was just a little.
Kakashi felt a tension he didn't even know was building up in his shoulders ease out. He even smiled. "Thanks," he said softly.
Because despite the fact he wasn't a helpless genin he knew Mr. Kidnapper was stronger than him. He knew Mr. Kidnapper could overpower him and take him away somewhere unknown, and Kakashi's Omega would let him. Kakashi would fight, but his Omega clearly enjoyed their bonded Alpha's attention. Fighting both Mr. Kidnapper and his Omega off would be way too much, especially when he was so hormonal from the pregnancy. Kakashi reacted far more easier than he was used to, and it was rather disorientating.
"I wouldn't thank me too earnestly," Mr. Kidnapper admitted. "I really am considering it."
Kakashi couldn't help but pause. "How is your Alpha feeling anyway?"
"What do you mean?" Mr. Kidnapper asked, tilting his head.
"Well you came here expecting me to be in my heat, or at least close. That must have been affecting your Alpha, right?"
"Ah, yes, but after last night we're both satisfied," Mr. Kidnapper said. "I wasn't in a proper rut to say, just a bit more reactive, since we thought you would be."
Kakashi smiled. "It was a good night."
Mr. Kidnapper chuckled warmly. "Indeed. If I could I'd spend my days with you."
He almost shivered at the thought. His Omega cooed happily, and Kakashi flushed at the sound. He didn't make noises like that, and dammit was Mr. Kidnapper dragging all sorts of sounds out of him lately. Mr. Kidnapper leaned forward, tilting his mask to pull Kakashi into a kiss. The kiss was sweet, but all too brief.
"I-" Mr. Kidnapper murmured.
"KAKASHI SENSEI!" A very familiar voice screeched from down the hallway.
Kakashi twitched and automatically grabbed a shirt with the mask attached and dragged it on. Naruto. Seriously? What was Naruto doing here on the team's day off? Mr. Kidnapper pressed another quick kiss to his lips then disappeared off into a swirl. Naruto bombarded his door, slamming it open with a big eager grin just as Kakashi covered his face.
"Let's do some training!" Naruto yelled eagerly, rushing to his side. "C'mon, Kakashi Sensei, get dressed and we can train."
"Naruto!" Sakura scowled from the doorway. "At least knock first. You've caught him in his pyjamas."
Kakashi grimaced. No, he was only in his dressing down (apart from his shirt now), but the kids didn't need to know that. Sasuke sighed, leaning against the door frame.
"He's been screeching at us all morning to come bug you, Kakashi Sensei," Sasuke said. "We might need your help."
It only took Kakashi a second to come up with a 'mission' for the kids. "I have an idea," Kakashi said. "It would be a dangerous mission that would require your full concentration."
"Yes!" Naruto beamed. "What is it? Are we assassinating someone? Rescuing a village? Defeating an evil Lord?"
Kakashi summoned his hounds. "Meet my hounds."
"Ah, an Alpha pup," Pakkun mused, sniffing. "Oh, two Alpha pups."
"He talks?!" Sakura screeched.
"Most summons do," Sasuke said. "I didn't realise you had summons yourself, Kakashi Sensei."
"I'm actually quite well known for being one of the best trackers within Konoha," Kakashi revealed, and couldn't help but smile. He loved tracking, racing through the forest, his pack all around him. It was thrilling and fulfilling. "But yes, guys, meet my students, Naruto is the screeching goblin, Sasuke is some kind of emo duck, and Sakura has pink hair."
"Why is the most interesting thing about me my pink hair?" Sakura complained.
"It's better than being an 'emo duck'," Sasuke sighed.
"How am I a screeching goblin?!" Naruto yelled.
"I think you just answered that yourself, dobe." Sasuke smirked.
"Anyway." Kakashi clapped his hands. "They'll be taking you for a walk."
Sakura eyed him nervously. "Don't you mean we'll be taking them for a walk?"
Kakashi smiled. "You heard me."
Sakura caught on first, tapped Sasuke's hand and bolted. Sasuke was not a step behind her. Naruto looked puzzled, blinking at the doorway.
"Where are they going?" He whirled round to face him. "And how is this a dangerous mission? I thought you said this would require my full concentration!"
"If you want to escape, then yeah," Kakashi said cheerfully. "Have fun."
He clicked his fingers.
And the hunt began. His hounds chased Naruto out the apartment, nipping at his heels, the pup screeching and running like a bat out of hell. Pakkun was the only one to remain behind, and he chuckled as he shut the door.
"Having fun tormenting your pups?"
"Just a little bit," Kakashi said, quickly getting dressed.
Pakkun narrowed his eyes as he approached. "Oh no, that Alpha was here, wasn't he? You smell different."
"If anybody asks, it's because of the baby," Kakashi insisted.
"Dammit, Kakashi."
Kakashi scoffed. "He ambushed me."
"Why didn't you scream for help?"
"I..." Kakashi shifted. "We had a good talk..."
"A talk?"
"Yeah, it helped kinda ease me, even if it was just a little bit? I don't know... I'm still nervous and scared, but having him here..."
"He's your bonded," Pakkun sighed, nuzzling Kakashi's leg. "Of course you feel comfortable around him. He's not tried to hurt you, even if he's a shitty Alpha."
"All Alphas are 'shitty' in your mind."
"Sakumo wasn't. He was a good boy. Good boys are the best boys!"
Kakashi smiled warmly and ruffled Pakkun's fur. "You're a good boy."
"Yes!"
"Good boys get belly rubs," Kakashi cooed, and Pakkun flopped over, so Kakashi gave him all the belly rubs he could handle.
.::.
Guy saw a pink haired girl rushing down the street, the Uchiha boy right by her side. He didn't pay them much mind, no matter how frantic they looked. No, it only caught his attention when an orange clad boy ran past, screaming, as Kakashi's pack chased him.
"Ah!" Guy beamed, throwing them a thumbs up. "Yes! That is a very youthful training routine. Kakashi's hounds will strengthen your legs and your heart."
Lee beamed. "Is that true?"
"Oh yes. I'm chased by them all the time." Guy smiled fondly at the memories. "It's been that way since I was a boy in my early youth, only beginning my rivalry with Kakashi. It was fantastic practise!"
Neji shook his head, and Tenten sighed heavily, but Guy merely grinned at the pair. "We should join in."
"We're joining in?" Lee beamed.
"Yes, except we are going to chase after Kakashi's hounds! Come, my students, let's see if we can distract them from their goal!"
"Can't we go do some proper training?" Tenten sighed.
"And what about Kakashi Sensei? Is he not joining in?" Lee asked.
"My rival is probably busy doing something extremely dangerous and important. We best not disturb him now. Come! We must catch up and quickly."
"Yes!" Lee cheered and raced down the road with him.
