The campfire burned bright in the dark and he was drawn to it like a moth.

He willed his body to move forward, but neither of his legs responded to his commands. The flame flickered, driving away the darkness that seemed to cling to him. Kakashi couldn't feel himself breathe. Couldn't make himself breathe. He only felt the cold and shadows approaching.

A white-haired man sat on a log in front of the crackling fire and cast his eyes on Kakashi. The young shinobi then felt something, his heart sink.

Father?

Sakumo Hatake seemed to acknowledge his thought with a smile. Kakashi tried again to will his body forward, yearning not only for the warmth of the fire and the light that radiated from it but for his father's voice and touch.

The White Fang shook his head and his voice drifted into Kakashi's ears like a whisper on the wind. "It is not your time yet, my son." He reached behind him and revealed a tanto that glittered off the fire. The blade appeared at Kakashi's side in an instant, broken in half. He remembered when he'd used it during the war, watching it shatter when the Iwa shinobi deflected his initial blow. After Obito had gifted him his Sharingan. Another word came to him, reverberating in his mind. His father's voice.

"Reforge."

When he woke, he heard heavy panting near his ear and felt a cold nose sniffing near his face. Pakkun's lazy eyes had a particular relief in them and instead of talking, he let out a high-pitched bark.

Anko entered the room and sat on the bed next to him. For the first time, Kakashi noticed that his face was only covered by a bed sheet because she lifted it immediately to expose his mouth and kiss him before she rubbed his face. The uncharacteristic softness made him blush. Her face mirrored his.

"How are you feeling?" she managed to get out.

"Fine," Kakashi replied. "How did I end up here?"

"We managed to track your chakra signature and reverse summon ourselves to you." He looked down and whimpered. "Those of us that made it anyway."

"What do you mean?" Kakashi asked.

"Some members of the pack went with Lady Kushina but that masked man, he…killed them and took her."

He almost lifted out of the bed. "What? Did Sensei…?"

Pakkun nodded. "Minato brought her back. Not sure he encountered the guy but if he did, I'd say he either killed him or came straight back here."

Probably the former… He was sure that his sensei would've been able to recognize the threat the man posed as well as the odd attire he wore. A scratched village insignia marked a missing-nin for death or capture wherever they went. Not aside from the fact that this man had tried to steal a nation's greatest war asset. And attempting to kidnap his wife would've marked this Kakuzu for death.

"So what happened to me?"

This time, Anko spoke. "I told you that the tetrodotoxin could affect you as soon as twenty minutes. I guess you lasted long enough to fight before you got away."

Naruto had managed to teleport himself back to Kakashi somehow. Perhaps the hilt of the kunai had been inscribed with a seal to and from their hideout from their home. The knucklehead… He'd have to get more insight from Yugao how he'd managed to escape her watch and take the blade from her. If he hadn't though, Kakashi would've died to that man.

"So you administered the antidote."

"Every day for the last few days and I'd suggest you keep doing it. Getting a resistance to paralytic respiratory toxins would do you good," Anko said. She stood and started tidying the room up.

Kakashi took in a deep breath and rolled out of the bed. He flexed his fingers and toes. Inhaled and exhaled again. Then tried to stand. His legs nearly buckled beneath him but he managed to catch himself before he fell to the floor. Anko watched him warily but he gave her a reassuring smile as he balanced himself.

He licked his lips and realized that his mask was off. The kunoichi, his caretaker, walked over and handed it to him. He nodded his gratitude.

"The Hokage returned too," Anko said, her voice suddenly solemn. "Apparently, his youngest son Sasuke had been taken during the attack as well. By Orochimaru." Kakashi froze as she continued. "Itachi…died saving him."

Itachi…? Fought Orochimaru…? While he'd been battling Kakuzu, Orochimaru had managed to escape and take a valuable hostage. And Itachi faced him alone. Would the outcome had been any different if it had been him instead, Kakashi wondered. Probably not.

He stood there quietly for a while, letting the shock and an unexpected amount of grief wash over him. He fought back his guilt and drew in a sharp breath again.

When he left Anko, he took with him a bag filled with a week's worth of antidote to take on his own. In front of his door, there were two baskets outside wrapped in plastic. Curious, he thought. He grabbed them and then pushed his front door open. The familiar musk in the air of his own home hit his nose through his mask. Before he settled down, Kakashi cleaned and freshened the air with candles and incense. Naturally as he was about to sit down with a cup of sake, he heard shuffling at his door.

"Captain!" Yugao gasped and nearly dropped the basket she had in her hand. "I didn't know you were home. I-I was just leaving a care package…in case you were still injured."

That explains it, Kakashi thought. "I appreciate the thought, Yugao." He had some questions for her. "Would you like to come in?"

She blushed. "Sure, Captain."

He lifted his cup of sake after offering Yugao some tea. "To a mission completed."

She lightly blew then sipped her tea. "How are you feeling?"

"Pretty good, considering the life-threatening amount of toxin I had in my system,' Kakashi said into his cup.

"I wish we'd suspected Sugaru sooner," Yugao said softly. She was looking away towards the kitchen with absent eyes.

"It was hard for either of us too. He went on missions to hunt down his fellow operatives to maintain his cover. And he did so without prejudice," Kakashi pointed out.

"I know," Yugao nodded. "But, he was still a traitor. When you got that confirmation, you immediately switched like you'd done it before." She paused then said, "I always wanted to ask you about that nickname that got put on you. 'Friend-Killer'…is that how you got it? You executed a traitor but protected their secret?"

The question sent a shiver down his spine and he heard rain. Before the memory played again, he shut it out with a cold if not sad, "Yes."

"I'm sorry," Yugao said. She was on her feet and walking toward him. Kakashi felt her caress his head against her stomach. He felt the warm streak of his tear on his cheek and the moist spot on his mask. She let him up slowly and he gathered himself.

"It's alright. Part of this life we live and fight to survive." He was desperate to change topics. "Was Lady Kushina injured at all?"

"Not as far as I know," Yugao answered.

Kakashi expected as much. Even if there was something with her, he doubted that that information would be given out freely, even to one of the ANBU that had been responsible for protecting her just days prior. He'd have to check with them himself.

Yugao stayed a while longer, enough to drink her tea and ask on pointers regarding ninjutsu. He'd noticed throughout their time together that she preferred getting in close with her blade more than ninjutsu in conjunction with her formidable swordsmanship. Perhaps she was like Gai, a specialist. He explained as best he could his approach to combining ninjutsu and kenjutsu since becoming an ANBU, although he admitted his experience was limited. Despite this, Yugao sat attentively listening to his every word and thanked him before she left.

"It was nice to talk to you, Captain," she said.

"You don't have to use my title on our downtime, you know?"

"I know," she said, smiling innocently. "It just suits you."

Hmm… Kakashi felt something as he watched her leave. A small flutter. He dismissed it and put on a few layers of clothes. The village was stirring with excitement only a few days past the attack. He suspected that since there was little impact outside of the Uchiha district where Orochimaru had been held and the Uzumaki residence, news of the attack may not have spread to the civilians. And with good reason. Panic serves no purpose and the pageantry of the Tsurara Festival would be a distraction. He suspected that even Itachi's funeral would be a private affair should one even be held.

Something more had happened though if Lord Fugaku and Minato had been on a supposed diplomatic meeting with the Raikage before his sensei had gone to rescue Kushina. What had been the outcome?

Approaching the Uzumaki home, his Sharingan brought back flashes of the battle that occurred on the grounds. He detected something else and exposed the eye fully. Traces of chakra surrounded the house. A barrier?

He walked forward and felt himself be let through. He gave a polite knock on the door and it opened soon after. Minato's smile was sad.

"Kakashi," he said. "It's good to see you."

"Sensei, is everything…?"

"Come inside," Minato replied.

Kakashi followed him into the house and felt the air of grief. His sensei led him into the living room where a large man with white hair frayed out like a lion's mane sat. The younger shinobi almost paused in his tracks as the man smirked.

"Long time no see, little Hatake."

"Lord Jiraiya," Kakashi replied with a respectful dip of his head.

"Still so formal?" The legendary Sannin and former sensei to Minato chuckled and beckoned him to sit with a head nod.

"Before we start get into it," Minato said as he got comfortable on the couch. "Kakashi, I wanted to thank you for protecting Kushina and Naruto as best you could. The opponent you were up against wouldn't have been easy for you to defeat on your first encounter but you did enough damage to offer me a chance to finish him."

"From the intel that Minato managed to give me from his battle, I was able to determine the exact identity of this 'Kakuzu'. His words and boasts were indeed true. He tried to assassinate the First Hokage when he was a bit older but failed. Wasn't a young man back then either. He was in the Bingo Book for some years before contact of him was lost in the west and he was assumed dead from old age." Jiraiya sat his hand beneath his chin. "Then he returns from the west and attacks Konoha, attempting to steal the Kyūbi and free Orochimaru from his cell."

"Things aren't adding up to you," Kakashi said.

"They're not adding up to anything good. Tell me, you've never seen the cloak that Kakuzu wore before in your duties as an ANBU?" Jiraiya asked.

Kakashi blinked. "I'm not sure I can just give out mission details."

"Forgot you lot are sworn to secrecy," Jiraiya grumbled. "Assuming you had seen the cloak, you would have recognized it?"

"It was pretty distinct."

"Too distinct. Whoever they are, they have missing-nin acting brazenly as if they want to be seen," Minato said.

"I've had my journeys in the west. The Second War destroyed what beauty the land had and uprooted entire families and communities. Out there, there was a faction that rose to attempt a coup on Hanzo the Salamander that called themselves 'Akatsuki'. And you said the man you fought mentioned what, exactly?"

"Nothing about who he worked for, just his name." Kakashi paused, wondering if he should give this next piece of information. "When I went to speak to Orochimaru, he implied that someone was coming to break him out."

"I see," Jiraiya said quietly. "Then our theory may be true, Minato. He might still be…" Sighing, the older man said, "Fugaku won't like my answer to his question."

"So…what now?" Kakashi asked.

"I suspect that this group of missing-nin is an official organization and terrorist group. They may have participated in wars in the past as mercenaries but up until recently, they all but disappeared. And for this Kakuzu to come back and immediately target the Kyūbi by kidnapping Kushina is a major move made with confidence in their operative's skills and the situation," Jiraiya said.

Right… "A situation they only had knowledge of due to spies on the inside. Spies that Danzo set up before he died and left it to Orochimaru." The question hit him hard. "You think this organization recruited him?"

"If I were a betting man, I'd stake my life on it," Jiraiya replied.

"Orochimaru's a dangerous man to be on the side of our enemy. But, rushing in to try to take him out would be an even more reckless move. Especially if they're recruiting other shinobi as strong as he is," Minato said.

"It's definitely filled with S-rank criminals, but just now, we don't know what their intentions are or who or what they're targeting. It seemed like the kidnapping of Kushina was all to draw Minato out in the open to collect on a bounty," Jiraiya said. But he shrugged. "Or they're actually going after jinchuriki."

"Either way, the Hokage was given a brief of the situation after he returned. And…the rest of the world will soon know as well," Minato said.

"Speaking of, I should be on my way. I'll let you know how Fugaku reacts and if that changes my mind." Jiraiya tapped Minato's shoulder and glanced back at Kakashi. "Take care of yourself, Hatake. You've got a legacy to live up to."

Reforge, Kakashi thought. The Sannin left the house and there was a loud thud outside soon after.

Minato waved his hand. "Just a toad."

'Just a toad?' Kakashi thought. "How is everyone?"

"Tired, mostly," his sensei replied. "Using the Kage Bushin and Hiraishin is still too much for him. The talent is there though." There was a tinge of pride there. "You'll need to make sure you help him maintain his fundamentals when the time comes."

Kakashi blinked. "Sure, sensei, but I don't know if I'll have any more time than I do now given my ANBU duties."

"You won't be an ANBU by the time Naruto's class graduates," Minato said. "Lord Fugaku has already predetermined that you'll be the jonin instructor for a special group of genin. Sasuke Uchiha, Hinata Hyūga, and Naruto."

"What? Why? How is that possible?"

"The Hokage always has say on team formations, but they're usually informed by grade and the potential compatibility of the team. And on the surface, it should work. Sasuke is an Uchiha and given his bloodline, should be among the blessed to activate his Sharingan. You'll be able to help him while out in the field. You're naturally close to Naruto and from what I hear, Hinata could use the confidence boost of having an experienced but young jonin instructor."

"There's a common denominator though," Kakashi said.

Minato nodded. "They're all valuable political assets to Konoha."

"Why me?"

"You may not believe it of yourself, but you are an excellent shinobi. I know you carry the weight of Obito and Rin with you but you are greater than those perceived failures and you've grown from them." Minato's voice was genuine, kind, and calm. Kakashi had already cried today so he refused to do so again.

Instead, he dipped his head and let the words fill his heart. Along with his father's and Jiraiya's.

"I guess I'll prepare myself for the transition, then," he said.

"They'll have at least three more years in the Academy so you'll have time. It doesn't begin anyway until the Hokage informs you himself. I just wanted to give you a head's up," Minato said with a warm smile.

"Thank you, sensei." Kakashi sighed as he stood. "Do you think he'll want a briefing of our mission soon?"

"Likely after Itachi's funeral proceedings and a mourning period should he decide to take one. He already knows about the existence of this organization from my report so you may not have to add anything significant," Minato said.

"Understood." Kakashi moved for the door before he stopped. "Is Kushina…?"

Minato shook his head. "I'll let her know you came by."

Kakashi returned home and drank another glass of sake. He walked around his home and entered the armory. His ANBU uniform hung on a wall next to the standard ninjato issued. Behind the glass display, the hilt to his father's broken tanto seemed to call to him. Curious, he lifted the glass and took the hilt in his hand. There was an inscription on it.

"Ōkuchi-no-Makami?" The hilt of the sword began to glow white, blinding him. When the light faded, his surroundings confused him. A temperate forest with trees that shot upward hundreds of feet from the pine-covered ground. As he began to gather himself, Kakashi heard a loud huff behind him.

Golden amber eyes stared at him and raven-black fur bristled. The wolf before him was enormous, nearly the size of a brown bear at the shoulder. It sniffed at him then growled.

"You are not Sakumo, but you have his smell. And the stench of serpents and mutts." The wolf licked its snout. "You stand before Ōkuchi-no-Makami, king of the Great Timbers. Why are you here, boy?"

A giant wolf? And it knew my father's scent… Kakashi bowed. "Greetings, your highness. My father, Sakumo passed and the White Light Chakra Sabre that he used as a shinobi was broken during a battle. He left me with instructions to reforge the blade, but all I saw was your name on the hilt."

"That Sabre was forged to honor me," the king said. "And to honor Sakumo's defeat of me in our duel." His ear twitched. "Let me see it." Kakashi set the hilt on the ground and the great black wolf sniffed it. "How was it broken?"

"Clashing against an opponent's blade," Kakashi replied.

King Ōkuchi's throat rumbled in a low growl. "A new blade will need to be constructed. More durable. With perhaps heightened capabilities." He yawned. "However, you are not one of my pack. You are the pup of Sakumo, but untested. Unproven."

"So, I need to prove myself an alpha?"

"There are no alphas, pup. You are either the blood of the wolf or not," the wolf king growled. "Do you carry the blood of the White Fang within you?"

Kakashi eyed the wolf and nodded. "Sure."

After their duel was finished a few moments later, Kakashi signed his name in blood next to his father's in a summoning contract scroll.