When Kakashi wasn't late to the gates that morning I knew shit was officially hitting the fan and rolling downhill to the next country over. He led the way a fair distance out from the village, setting up a camp for a long-ish term stay. It was as I was setting up a tent that it occurred to me to ask,

"If this is Sharingan practice why didn't we bring Sasuke?"

He didn't look up from the firepit he was jutsu-ing into being, "Because he's already had lessons on the basics, and he isn't cleared to learn the Anbu-specific knowledge I'll be imparting."

That made sense so I nodded and focused on battling the tent poles. I got it in the end, and the camp was completed, Kakashi then led me to a different clearing nearby. I finally recognized the same area we'd used during the Chuunin exams, looking different this time of year, more overgrown in our absence.

Training with the Sharingan was at first frustrating until Kakashi realized I didn't have the background knowledge that Sasuke'd had when he started learning. "Ah. You're…going to need to learn this how I did…though thankfully without a good deal of trial and error."

I frowned, "Didn't someone from the clan teach you? Like Mikoto-sama?"

He shook his head, "The clan head, Fugaku-sama, was forced to forbid it because of tensions with the village and clan elders. I'm not even allowed in the compound."

That was…absolute bullshit. Obito's physical grave was in the compound cemetery, even though it was an empty one. No wonder he spent so much time at the memorial stone. Though now that I thought about it, he seemed to have dialed back recently. Probably the back-to-back missions. I'd have to mention it to Sasuke to casually let him know that he could pop in if he liked, I didn't see Sasuke disagreeing with me about this, after all. Another thought hit me and the look I shot him was disbelieving,

"You're telling me Shisui actually followed that order?"

He barked a laugh, surprising me. "Oh, no, he didn't. By the time I knew him and he realized what had happened I had already taught myself most of it. He did impart a few secrets that I'll be sharing with you. But when I was starting out I had about as much knowledge as you do. Probably less, since you've had the run of Uchiha documents for a long time."

I tilted my hand so-so, "I only ever stuck to information on sealing, it didn't feel like my place, otherwise. Though there were some interesting seals related to the Sharingan that I took note of." I brightened, realizing, "Actually, now I can do something with those! I always thought it would be possible for you to turn the eye on and off, but I figured actually examining your eye would be too personal, but I have my own eyeballs to poke around at!"

Humming, pleased, I drew up the mental notes I'd taken about the seal but was broken out of my thoughts when Kakashi spoke, "...I likely would have let you look at the eye. You'll probably still have to look at it, to create a seal like that…You think you can?"

He looked guarded, and I could guess why. He didn't dare get his hopes up about this. That damn eye was a parasite to him, constantly draining his chakra, even when closed, or he was sleeping. I'd never once known him at full chakra capacity. I could only imagine the powerhouse he could be, if he could actually rest and let his reserves fill, and then unleash the library of jutsu he knew.

Tentative now, I nodded, "Nothing is impossible, only improbable. There are seals for similar things, keeping the Sharingan from activating instinctively during specific surgeries, or instinctively when it's overstrained or injured and needs to rest or risk permanent damage. We would just need to factor in a switch mechanism to turn the seal on, the eye off, and then the seal off, and the eye on again, as well as to make it so that you controlled it. The seals I found specifically kept the one sealed from removing it for their own good, that would need to be changed." As well as kept very very quiet, that it was possible to seal a Sharingan like that.

The sun rose and reached its zenith while we sketched out theories, Kakashi finally shaking himself. "We aren't here for this. We're on a timeline, we can mess around with seals later."

I frowned, concerned, "This is really important for you, though."

He shook his head, "And surviving Anbu indoc is 'really important' for you, and preparing for that has a deadline. After indoc you'll be able to reference the source material, as well, rather than trying to recreate it from memory. We can work on that later."

He stood, gesturing to a different clearing, "Get going."

I sagged, "Aw, not the one-hand wall of pain."

He rolled his singular eye, "Don't start adopting those ridiculous names Naruto uses, now go."

I thought I heard a vague mutter of 'worse than his father', but couldn't be entirely sure. Naruto had indeed been the one to name the giant cliff face, a portion of rock tangentially related to the Hokage mountain where the faces resided. Kakashi had sent us up it, using a singular hand, alternating dominant and non-dominant, with no chakra usage allowed. We were of course allowed to use chakra to catch ourselves before we fell to our deaths, but it usually meant starting over. It was a strength exercise that was particularly brutal under the noon sun of Fire Country, and I swore under my breath the entire time.

I wondered at the difference between his training methods from the show and manga I'd seen, and the reality I was faced with. Was it the dedicated, more unified, team? Was it the fact that I'd started training Naruto and Sasuke in things they had no right to know early on? Maybe them knowing the basics prior to them being dropped on him helped in some way. He'd trained Anbu before, after all, the prime example being the absolute frightfest that was Itachi. I wasn't likely to ever find out, it wasn't like I could just ask him his reasoning behind actions he'd taken in some alternate timeline/dimension. He eventually moved us on to other things, a short break for food before on to the tanto.

He evaluated what I knew of the short blade, brow furrowing at the end. "Who did you learn from? Genma?"

"No, he's been out on missions constantly, like you have. Sai has been teaching me a bit before letting me loose on poor Ichiyo for practical applications."

Now he was visibly amused. "Aa, that makes sense. Though I'm sure poor Ichiyo-kun was fine at the end of it."

I shot him a faux offended look, "Of course he was!"

"Well, it's a good foundation, but we need you a bit more advanced if you're going to make up for…well, you're very short, Asuka. I'm sure you're aware."

He blithely ignored my scowl, "Yeah…yeah I had noticed that."

I didn't go into how both Naruto and I were likely to always be short because of shit orphanage funding combined with the staff's hatred of him and everyone associated with him. Kakashi would no doubt feel guilty, and I didn't want to do that to him. He continued, "You'll benefit from the reach in normal combat, though it's an Anbu requirement to at least not be useless with it."

"I figured when they gave me one for the fight with Itachi…I threw it at Hoshigaki, I hope they don't want it back."

He paused, "What?"

"The guy was trying to kill one of the Anbu still in Itachi's genjutsu, I wasn't close, wasn't going to get close in time, but I figured he valued his throat more than killing Otter-san. I didn't exactly have any kunai with me."

Now he was even more confused, "Why didn't you have any kunai?"

I shuffled, embarrassed still, "Because I was asleep when Itachi got close, so it woke me fairly late and I panicked and found the Commander immediately, but that just meant I ran into Anbu headquarters in my pajamas. I was given gear, which weirdly enough fit, and it didn't include kunai or shuriken."

There was a moment of silence as he processed all of that nonsense, "Did they let you in, or did you break in?"

"...I collapsed my chakra down to nothing right until I was in front of the Commander, so who knows."

"Huh. No wonder he was willing to fight the Hokage about it. That technique of yours is…something else. But please don't throw a tanto again."

"Yes, sensei."

For some reason that stopped him short, hesitating. "Mah, you were never my student, and you're no longer a Genin. I think Senpai will do, now."

My brain threw up all kinds of 404-related error messages trying to comprehend that and I was silent for a long moment, "I will…do my best."

He huffed a laugh, "I expect habit will crop up, but just imagine Naruto's face when he hears it the first time?"

I couldn't quite help the evil cackle, "He'll whine at you for days, after, you know that, right?"

Kakashi shrugged, "Of course he will, but I am actually his sensei so he'll still be calling me that when he's Hokage."

The fond look couldn't be stopped, no matter how hard I tried, so I gave up. "If you phrase it like that to him he'll never complain about it again."

"Good, that's the point. Now, go through that last kata one more time, I'm not fond of how your wrist articulates in the last half of it."

I complied and things moved on, focusing on training. I had to learn a new sign language, though luckily Kakashi compiled it in with learning how to handle the Sharingan's memorization abilities, though it didn't feel lucky at the end of the day when I had the migraine to end all migraines and just wanted to lay down and die. It was worth being stoic about it, though because he nodded approvingly to me over a dinner of protein bars, "You're handling this well, getting used to the information retention isn't a fun time. The first bout of information like this is what stretches the memory, prepares your mind to comprehend the rest of it that follows after."

There was no response to give to that other than to take a sip of the shitty field brew tea, and calmly say, "Oh? Is that why I desperately want to donate these cursed demon eyes to science?"

He laughed, loudly and genuinely, something rare enough that it would make me memorize it with said demon eyes if he wouldn't have immediately noticed or said eyes hadn't felt primed to liquefy and vacate my skull at any moment. "Just think, this is a natural Kekkei Genkai for you, your brain is genetically predisposed to handle it."

I immediately grimaced, because holy fuck the implications of that were not great, "You deserve an award. Multiple. A statue, maybe. All I can offer is to make mochi or something."

He hummed, breaking off a piece of protein bar that promptly vanished, "Mochi would be nice. I generally prefer savory foods, like Miso."

That was good news, and I couldn't help perking up a bit, if only because he was actually sharing something about himself, "Me too, though Sakura tells me it's because I'm iron deficient, and I'm inclined to take her word on it."

His brow furrowed, "You were constantly making sweets," He paused abruptly, shoulders tensing just slightly, "Ah, when…"

I waved him off, "Yeah, when you were on Anbu watch duty for Naruto back in the day, I remember, we've been over this. You don't need to just not mention things you saw or heard then, it's not intrusive spying if I knew you were there or whatever."

That caused him to shake his head in a way that seemed almost fond, "Six years old and routing out Anbu, the more I remember and actually think about it the less surprised I am that you're being recruited now. When we handed those reports in you were the bane of the Commander's existence, of course he remembered you." He paused, expression furrowing in some way under the mask, "Actually I'm surprised that he waited for you to make Chuunin to make contact."

Oh, I couldn't see this going well, but I wasn't going to lie to Kakashi. At the very least it was convenient to have a gender confirmation for them, rather than assuming neutrality, "I mean, I knew him before he threw the mask at me."

There was no discernable reaction, "Oh?"

That was much more dangerous than him showing actual surprise, I was well aware, but it's not like I was just going to stop explaining. As much as I liked the Commander, Kakashi definitely came first. "During the incident with Hokage-sama and Orochimaru, he was there with Nara-sama. Then during clean-up he found me and had me running messages, using my sensing abilities. I was working under his command doing that for around two and a half months, I guess. Once he knew I could track Itachi when he was close I was instructed to keep an eye on the situation and that led to…all of this."

"Interesting. Get some some sleep, we'll be up early."

I wasn't sure what to do with that, so I just took it at face value, slipping into my tent and going to sleep as I'd been instructed. It was strangely easy to sleep, security seals in place, close enough to the village that Sasuke was a gentle light in the distance but Kakashi blazed comfortably close. There was still a pseudo-watch in place, where one or the other of us would be 'asleep' but in a way that was more akin to 'rest' than actual sleep. It served us well, nothing happening and we were left to continue training the next morning.

Training went at an intense pace, being pushed forward rapidly in all aspects. It was strange, being the sole recipient of Kakashi's teachings, his complete attention. It had me realizing that we'd never so much as been on the same mission, never mind trained together in an individual setting without a crowd or at least Sasuke. It was reassuring in some way that it wasn't uncomfortable, before or after it was noticed. Training was intense and focused until one of my more benign intrusive thoughts won.

We were in the middle of a sparring match with the tanto, with me blocking while in an unfortunately inverted position, when I blurted out, "Do you think the Takara Paradigm could be solved by reversing the third layer?"

The pause he did was for my benefit only, I was certain, but then he responded and we were off. It was the start of a new era, continuing our traditional discourse about seal theory while also training physically. At the end of it Kakashi sighed, sheathing his tanto and looking up at the sky, "Normally I wouldn't approve of that. But you're adept at accepting nonverbal correction and the multitasking is probably good for you in the long run." He then looked down at the ground, shoulders slumping as he sighed even deeper, "Though Genma will bully the both of us for it mercilessly."

"Only if we tell him."

"...good point. Alright, sticking to the third kata, again."

I went with it, and it was… admittedly more difficult. Keeping track of limbs, jutsu, weapons, the terrain, and then talking seal theory that was probably equivalent to the quantum physics of this world…It was ridiculously difficult shit, but I didn't regret instigating it for a second. At one point even Kakashi called a halt for 'meditation practice', which I knew meant he really needed to think one of those theories over for himself. I tried not to be too smug over it, but the way he nudged one of my shoulders with his own told me I didn't quite succeed in that.

Throughout our two weeks of isolated training I kept Kakashi up to date on the movement of bandits and the like in our general area. Most of the time they were on course to meet teams well qualified to repel them, so there was no need to act on our parts. Right up until the very last night before I needed to be back in the village.

"That group of thirteen is scouting the Hirokawa caravan."

He hummed mildly, "And they refused an escort again?"

"Of course."

It was a merchant group that was just a little bit infamous, among Konoha shinobi at least, for ignoring security recommendations and then claiming insurance bullshit when they were menaced along common bandit routes.

Kakashi made a neutral noise that immediately had the hair on my arms standing on end for no reason at all, "It would be ever so convenient if such a loyal Konoha ally were to have good luck on their route."

"...I mean…so very very convenient, good for them."

Both of us snorted, Kakashi apparently giving up on the deniability I didn't really need or want, "Put on the armor, we'll do this as a stealth live-fire with very little risk."

I removed my usual beanie, instead braiding back my hair. All of the purple dye had washed out while we were away from the village, leaving it night dark in contrast with Kakashi's bright white. Once I complied with putting on the armor he tugged at a few straps, just to check, which was strangely reassuring, before handing me black fabric. "Off with the headband, for all that we're doing a good thing, Kazuko-sama would no doubt disagree with us for tax reasons. A true test of your stealth skills, don't get us in trouble, Asuka."

I nodded gamely, then realized what the fabric was and nodded more enthusiastically. It was a familiar face mask, precisely like his own. I put it on immediately, even as I hesitated just slightly to set my headband down beside his. He nudged me gently, "We'll be right back for them, it isn't forever. You'll need to get used to working without it once you're behind the mask, anyway."

He wasn't wrong. I set the headband down very precisely next to his. I was struck with a very sudden revelation. If he were 'tricking' me away from the village, then I wouldn't care. I had raised Sasuke and Naruto, they wouldn't be hard to convince away and they were my foremost concerns in life. It would be quite the coup. It was very, very, lucky that Kakashi was as loyal to the Leaf as he was, and to then have earned our loyalty to him. It wasn't like the village had been all that kind to the three of us, after all.

I was the one to lead the way, using Anbu sign to direct him as a form of practice, I was sure. A good way out from them I gave him the clearest and most accurate rundown of our 'enemy' that I could, then waited for his direction. There was a long pause before he signed back, assigning me targets and claiming his own, though he sent a clone after them, shadowing me instead. We ghosted through the trees, picking off the bandits neatly and one by one. After each one, I was signed small corrections or tips for later use. The only true admonishment I got was for signing a particularly awful pun, though his chakra shivered in amusement at it anyway. I did feel a bit guilty for having fun while committing multiple homicides, but ninja were weird, and I was part of the madhouse, now.

Kakashi borrowed some of my sealing supplies to make things go quicker, helping me create several body scrolls for the bandits who no doubt had a bounty on their heads somewhere. Then it was back to camp to grab our bags, everything already packed up. I paused just outside of it, taking in the sight and snorting, "From this outside perspective…that doesn't look great."

He stopped beside me, head tilted as he observed the scene. He winced, closing his Sharingan eye, "No, no it does not. It's probably lucky you set up a seal perimeter."

It was a clearing empty of anything except for travel bags, two lone hite-ate lined up side by side. It for sure looked like we'd set them down and walked away from the village. I hummed,

"Maybe next time we seal everything up and take it with us."

"...agreed. Though not on actual missions, no Konoha-related markings on Anbu missions."

"I know, I remember."

I absently checked the time, blanching and checking again. "We're late!"

He blinked slowly, "Maa, I didn't do it on purpose this time."

Then he leapt out of the clearing, leaving me scrambling to follow him. He led the way back to the village, taking us through some hidden entrance rather than the main gate, signing some sort of passcode to an Anbu as we passed through. We reached the Anbu headquarters in record time, and I did my best to actually take in what the outside of it looked like this time. He slowed slightly, slouching and ambling into a large room, filled with people in masks standing in formation. I adamantly did not shrink away from the attention as Kakashi waved lazily at the Commander.

"Yo."

I very carefully pushed away the urge to strangle him even as the Commander sighed, "I should have known it was you, passing on all of your bad habits."

He threw something, lightning-fast, and I caught it a few inches from my face. The mask from before. "Get in formation, Itachi."

Kakashi took my bag, shouldering it, and then deftly swiped the headband I'd still been holding. "You won't be needing these here, I'll take them home for you. Have fun!"

He vanished, out of sight but not actually gone yet, though I doubted many others could tell. I put on the mask, belatedly realizing that I'd never taken off the borrowed cloth one. No wonder the Commander had been so exasperated with us. I fell in line, and indoc began.

\\\

[Did anyone notice that the last chapter was posted on the eighth-year anniversary of this fic? Because I didn't until I went to post this one, lol]
I'm sorry for the delay, finals kicked my shit in.
That said, now that the holiday break is here I may have drafted roughly twenty more chapters (3-5k words each), we'll see if I decide to keep that plotline, though because I'm doing this like Hemingway said not to [namely writing it plastered and editing it sober].
As always, comments give me life. Even just telling me a chapter was 'meh' is feedback I can work with.
Also, I get that not much happened in this chapter, but it doesn't all have to be plot, go-go-go. Also, there's something here that's going to eventually make you cry when I get around to publishing the side-story thing.
~TimeLordOfPie