A/N: I changed the format from this chapter on...identifying the POV of the characters. I'm a little behind updating on FFN, I have predominantly shifted to AO3 these days. Apologies for the delay, but you're about to get four chapters at once - enjoy!
Bonds Through Time
Chapter Twenty-Four: July 23rd
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Sasuke
The sheets were wrong. Instead of familiar, soft navy blue they were plane gray and overly starchy. The familiar, quiet sleep of his big brother Itachi was absent and he was subjected to the irritating snores of Naruto. Sasuke wasn't home. He was spending his seventh birthday in the guest bedroom of his teacher, Iruka.
When his mother had informed him that he'd be staying with his teacher and Naruto for the next few days, he'd not realized it meant he'd be spending his birthday away from his family. His mother had a mission — which was weird because she'd retired from active shinobi life as far as he knew. Itachi naturally was busy with Anbu. And his father would be busy as usual with his role as Police Chief.
Sasuke stared up at the ceiling and counted the chakra signatures of the Anbu guards stationed outside — there were two. He'd noticed that there was generally two Anbu nearby Naruto's apartment — apparently they had followed him to Iruka's. He recognized one of the Anbu as the woman with the purple hair and the other as the man with dark hair who favorited kenjutsu. Itachi probably would know who they were, but he took his role in Anbu seriously and wouldn't tell Sasuke even if he asked.
The last two days, Iruka had made breakfast for Sasuke and Naruto. It had been pleasant, but not as good as his mother's food. She teased that her magic ingredient was love. While Sasuke knew that was ridiculous, there was something about making food for someone special that made it taste better.
Sasuke threw his pillow at Naruto from where he laid on a pallet on the floor. "Hey, Idiot, wake up."
"Mrph," Naruto grunted into the pillow covering his face before he knocked it aside and glared at Sasuke with irritated bright, blue eyes. "What do you want, Jerk?"
"It's time to wake up. Let's get going." Sasuke rolled out of bed and made it up behind him. He wouldn't admit it, but he'd really started to appreciate Naruto's presence in his life. He wasn't quite as stupid as he'd originally thought. Naruto learned differently, but he did learn things. And while Sasuke didn't have the patience to explain things to the blond, their friend Sakura did. She didn't have patience for when Naruto tried to flirt with her, but she had it for miles when it came to helping him understand a concept from class.
For the last two weeks, the three of them had been scoring in the top three consistently on their written tests. And while Sasuke remained number one on their skill evaluations, Naruto was slowly improving. Sakura was too, but she was still behind most of the kids from shinobi families. And while Fugaku Uchiha was ever stingy with any praises, Sasuke had started to take pride in seeing the success of his two classmates as they both improved under his tutelage. He felt he understood his cousin Shisui better and why the older boy enjoyed helping to train both Itachi and Sasuke over the years whenever he was between missions.
And with Naruto almost always at Sasuke's side now, the countless love confessions from the girls at the Academy had slowed down. That awful girl Ami hadn't even approached him once! Their dislike of Naruto outweighed their crush on Sasuke. Perhaps nothing would serve as a better birthday present than that!
"Oye! Happy birthday, Sasuke!" Naruto cheered, rubbing his eyes and smiling brightly at him. "It's going to be a great day! Believe it!"
Moments later, the two young boys— one six and one newly turned seven— were engaged in a territorial battle for the bathroom sink in their teacher's home, jamming their elbows into each other's ribs while simultaneously brushing their teeth.
"Let me brush my teeth in peace, Naruto! It's my birthday, you shouldn't be giving me grief." Sasuke spat into the sink.
Naruto spat immediately afterwards, ran the back of his hand over his mouth. "It being your birthday is exactly why I couldn't wait for the sink! Master Iruka is taking us to breakfast before school and we have to hurry!"
Sasuke's irritation melted away.
"Let's go!" Naruto grabbed hold of Sasuke's elbow and dragged him out of the bathroom. Sasuke barely had time to put away his tooth brush before being forced into the hallway. "Sakura-chan and Shikamaru are going to be there too!"
Ten minutes later, Sasuke found himself seated in one of the private rooms at a popular brunch restaurant. Iruka said that his mother had arranged for the small celebration. Naruto was right that Sakura and Shikamaru Nara were already there, which he wasn't friends with Shikamaru, but they didn't dislike each other. However, on the other side of Shikamaru were Choji Akimichi and Ino Yamanaka. Sasuke had no particular feelings for the other two, other than a mild contempt that he felt for most people.
Sasuke chose the seat next to Sakura and smirked faintly at the slight pink of her cheeks at his decision. Naruto plopped himself on his other side. Sasuke didn't miss the thinly veiled sneer Ino shot Sakura from across the table.
"Thank you, kids for waking up early so we could do this before classes," Iruka started. "Today is Sasuke's birthday and his mother made this reservation for us." He glanced towards the door to their room. "We're just missing a few more, but go ahead and look at the menu so we can order."
"Here you go, Sasuke-kun," Sakura whispered, sliding a menu towards him. "You'll probably like the evening sunshine omelette."
Sasuke took the menu and for a moment, his and Sakura's fingers brushed and he felt his ears burn and was grateful his hair was long enough to hide them. He said nothing as he scanned the menu until he found the one she recommended. It was loaded with tomatoes! The door of their room opened and in walked three more of their classmates — Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Abarame. He would have preferred if it had been his mother, brother, and cousin, but of his classmates — these other eight did seem to be the ones most likely to graduate the Ninja Academy and the ones he most tolerated.
"Happy birthday, Sasuke," Naruto whispered at this side.
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Itachi
The Uchiha district was in a state of confusion. The Police were clueless in finding their missing clans members. It was as if a third of their family had vanished over night. The Police Chief's own wife was amongst the missing! Fugaku's youngest son, the only Uchiha attending the Academy at present, was staying the week with the school master Iruka along with the jinjuriki — apparently Mikoto had made these arrangements before her disappearance.
Itachi only half listened to the chaos going on around him. He knew his father was looking for him, but he'd been staying in Shisui's empty house— both Shisui and his father were amongst the missing Uchiha.
But, his father wasn't Police Chief because he worse a sour expression better than anyone else. Itachi wasn't too surprised when his father threw open the front door of Shisui's home and stormed inside with a purpose, not even bothering to remove his work boots. Itachi could have shunshined away, but he decided to face his father — it might be their last interaction before he fulfilled his duty of assassinating the clan before joining the terrorist group as a spy.
"Itachi!" Fugaku called out. "Stop hiding and speak to me."
Resisting the urge to run off to Anbu headquarters where his father couldn't enter, Itachi swung his legs off the side of Shisui's made-up bed. He hadn't been able to sleep and had rested staring at the ceiling, arms folded over his chest. Carved into the ceiling directly over Shisu's bed was a map of the constellations. He'd been reciting their names for the past several hours.
He met his father in the den. Fugaku's eyes were brighter than usual. The somber, defeated look that has began to etch itself in his face was softened into one of determination. As soon as Itachi came into view, Fugaku stood with a four inch white slug summons resting in the front pocket of his uniform shirt peeking out. "Itachi."
"Father," Itachi intoned.
"Your mother, Shisui, Taki, and your friend Izumi are amongst the missing," Fugaku explained. "Don't worry, Sasuke is safe. Your mother sent me a hawk to inform me that Sasuke would be staying with the school master the next few nights— along with Minato's boy, so there would be Anbu watching over them." He took a tentative step towards Itachi. "What is going on?"
"I cannot say." Itachi truly couldn't say. He'd purposely been left out of the loop on this tactic. But would it be enough? Danzo would surely not be satisfied if a third of the clan casually strolled home a few days after Itachi's mission. He'd just send in his Root to finish the job. Or would he? There were too many unknowns.
Fugaku stepped towards Itachi and grabbed his thin shoulders. "Look, I know, I don't understand you. Just as you don't understand me. But you are my son and I love you, Itachi. I can see the haunted look in your eyes— no child of thirteen should have such sad eyes. And, I have reconsidered — I wish to discuss strategy with you and your brother."
"My brother is seven years old," Itachi murmured. It was July twenty-third. "How will that help?"
Fugaku cocked his head to the side, a faint smirk in spite of the dire situation. "The grown version — the one with the legendary eyes and missing arm."
"How?" Itachi asked. He'd wiped his father's memory of that meeting.
Fugaku held up the little slug. "The girl used one of these on your uncle." He tapped his temple with his index finger while holding the slug in his other palm gently. "It is difficult to change the memories of someone whom also has Mangekyou Sharingan. Even more difficult to make those altered memories stick."
"I don't know how to get in touch with them," Itachi answered truthfully.
"Then who might?" Fugaku insisted.
"Kakashi."
"Ah, Sakumo's son. Obito's friend," Fugaku recalled.
"He is my friend too," Itachi said quietly.
"I will call it off. There will still be some stirred to act on their own and I'm not sure our police force can stop them completely — the resources have been reduced so much and most of the angry faction with the capability to be dangerous are amongst my officers," Fugaku explained. He ran his fingers through his dark brown hair and sighed. "I do not want my sons to live in the ruins of my mistakes. I will request a meeting of the clan council. It hasn't been called in over eight years, but I will express our clan's grievances in the official capacity." He tried to smile at Itachi, but it was a poor attempt. Fugaku was not good at feelings.
Itachi felt his resolve weakening. Here was his father — his true father — the great detective with a spine of steel, courage, and intelligence. He wanted to be a little boy for his father again, not the youngest Anbu captain in history with the weight of a hundred year old grudge. Fugaku wanted Itachi in Anbu to spy for the Uchiha, and Anbu wanted Itachi to spy on the Uchiha. He'd only been serving Anbu. It was time he served his family too. For the Uchiha were part of Konoha, not a threat that was beyond reason. "Father, it is not entirely your fault. There is another, he wears a mask, and he's been lurking about the district inciting these feelings of anger, hatred, and inadequacy. And you're not imagining the grievances. They are being stoked by Danzo. He had Shisui poisoned and stole one of his eyes— with the power to force others to do his will. Danzo has been spying on the clan ever since he's been in power."
Fugaku pursed his lips into a thin, hard line. "Then I will call the meeting for today."
"Tonight you are all slated to die," Itachi whispered.
Fugaku met Itachi's somber gaze. "I do not care if I live or die. But I do care that an unfair burden has been placed upon your shoulders. If you must kill me, I will not resist. I will not make it harder on you." He held up his empty hands and smiled at Itachi in such a sad manner that the unfamiliar warmth of tears prickled the younger man's eyes. "I care that my nephew was attacked by our own village. I care that my officers work long, hard hours and can barely afford to put food on the table for their families. I care that our clan has been slandered and ostracized. I care that Minato Namikaze sacrificed his life to protect the village from the Fox demon and yet his son was denied the chance to be adopted and forced to live as an orphan when your mother requested to adopt him — repeatedly." He reached for Itachi's shoulders again. "I care that you no longer laugh and have deeper creases on your face than I do, when you should be more concerned with holding hands with that girl Izumi that follows after you with soft, love in her dark eyes."
"I will speak to Kakashi. You arrange the meeting." Itachi was gone with a brief ember of hope blossoming in his heart.
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Shisui
It was fortuitous that Lord Third's security detail that morning included Shisui's friend Genma Shiranui as well as Sarutobi's eldest son, the Anbu member Biwi. The latter whom Shisui had served on a mission with back during the last war. Normally, Biwi Sarutobi was stationed with the Daimyo, far away from the village proper. It was odd that he was here.
He recognized the other two as Raido Namiashi and Iwashi Tatami — all capable of Lord Fourth's Flying Raijin technique. It was a formidable guard — as if Hiruzen knew it was a dangerous time for him. Those four shinobi were amongst the most loyal to the Hokage and Konoha itself. And more importantly, none of them cared for Danzo.
"It's been a long time," Biwi greeted when Shisui and his father alighted to the roof of the Hokage tower. His mask was that of an eagle.
"What's wrong with your eye?" Genma asked, his Lion mask settled over his face.
"Recently had surgery to put it back in place after it was stolen," Shisui answered. His father stiffened in anger beside him. "My father and I request an audience with Lord Third."
"There is a proper way to arrange a meeting," Biwi pointed out.
"And this is an emergency," Shisui explained, shifting his weight between his feet, eager to do something. "Shit is about to hit the fan in a matter of hours."
"My mother, Biwako is at a cafe having brunch with Asuma and my wife. Lion and I will allow you to visit the Hokage — with our presence," Biwi explained. "You'll have five minutes."
Shisui appreciated that the Third's son didn't hide behind his mask and pretend anonymity. He knew Shisui knew his identity and spoke frankly. "That's all we need," Shisui agreed. The tension in his chest eased up a little with the faintest relief. A minute later, Shisui and his father sat at the table in the Hokage's kitchen with Biwi and Genma flanking the village leader.
"It's been a few days, Shisui. I expected a report sooner than this," Hiruzen said tiredly, rubbing at his eyes. The wrinkles in his face were more pronounced and his skin had am unhealthy gray-tinge to it.
"Danzo tried to kill my son," Taki stated. "Poisoned him, stole his eye, tried to steal the other. It was only by a miracle that strange medic was able to keep him alive."
"Namikaze's niece," Hiruzen stated. "The same one that healed your broken back?"
"Danzo has ordered Itachi to murder the entire Uchiha clan." Shisui laid his empty hands palms down on top of the table and leaned forward. "Otherwise, he will murder Sasuke."
"Is your clan still planning a coup?" Hiruzen asked, his tone unmoved by the revelation.
"At least a third of the clan is solidly against it. Another third is neutral, they are so listless and defeated by the constant abuses the village leadership has lodged against the clan that they have lost all heart. And the last third are so angered and betrayed, but we still hope to reason with them for they have done nothing in the past but protect this village," Taki explained. "Danzo's attack on my son isn't the first time he's assaulted an Uchiha. He killed my father, Kagami. He must be removed from his position of leadership. You asked me to help with Anbu. I'm here. Name me Commander."
"Rumors," Hiruzen said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "No need to slander Lord Danzo."
"Father," Biwi interrupted. "These men speak truth. Or at least what they believe to be true. Do not be blinded by your misguided fondness for a childhood teammate."
"Bah, you've never liked Lord Danzo," Hiruzen scoffed.
"Why does he wear a patch over his eye? Fortuitous timing that the mission Kagami failed to return on, Danzo came back with a patch over his eye and a position of power on the council," Biwi said. "Was it not his idea that my wife and I be sent to watch over the Daimyo full time? To keep me away from you? I've never been one to take kindly to any of his suggestions. The only reason you allowed me to return home now is so my wife can give birth to your first grandchild under the security of the village."
There was a tap on the kitchen window, a hawk with a message tied to its leg stood on the window seal. Biwi opened the window and allowed the bird to land on the counter before he rubbed its neck and removed the scroll. He opened it to make sure there were no hidden explosives and then tossed it to his father.
Shisui watched the exchanged with bated breath.
"Lord Fugaku has requested an emergency meeting," Hiruzen said after reading over the scroll. "With all the clan heads."
"He's requesting you as the Head of the Sarutobi, not as the Hokage?" Shisui asked, surprised. His uncle was reaching out through official channels? Had Sasuke been able to get through to him after all?
"I do not have time for this," Hiruzen murmured under his breath.
"Father, you will not use my child's impending birth as an excuse," Biwi warned. "This is the time to make sure your own citizens aren't victims of genocide. You cannot bury your head in the sand and let Danzo get his way."
Lord third looked across the table directly at Shisui's father. "Taki Uchiha, I hereby promote you to Anbu Commander."
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Kakashi
It had been nearly three weeks since Kakashi had visited the memorials for Obito and Rin. He'd become part of another team — knowing these people would be his team in the future was both awesome and depressing at the same time. They'd be back in their time in two days and he'd be left with another gaping hole in his heart. He'd still have Genma, Tenzo, Shisui, Asuma, Gai, and Yugao — though he rarely hung out with the latter three. Maybe he needed to change that. He would also be losing his friend Itachi though and that hurt the most before that loss tasted like failure. Like the failure of Obito being crushed under a pile of rocks meant for him or of Rin dying in his arms, her blood and heart matter dripping from his murderous hand.
As if his bitter thoughts had summoned Itachi right to him, Kakashi kept his posture loose when Itachi's familiar chakra approached him cautiously from behind.
"Today is my brother's birthday," Itachi said quietly, by way of greeting.
"That's nice." Kakashi stared at Obito's name engraved deep within the dark stone memorial. He'd stared at this stone so many more times that he'd ever actually looked at his lost teammate. If he'd paid better attention to the dark-haired member of Team Minato, maybe they'd have understood each other better then finally solidifying their friendship as one laid dying.
"Father wants to speak to him," Itachi continued.
"Okay, well, he is probably at the Academy, but surely you know that," Kakashi answered. What a strange conversation! He and itachi hadn't spoken in a few days and he's found him to talk about Sasuke's birthday?
"Not the seven year old, the twenty year old," Itachi explained.
Kakashi turned towards him then. Itachi's eyes were bloodshot from sleepless nights, the lines under his eyes deeper, his mouth paler. His normally immaculate hair looked oily tied back at his nape. "He's not here." He gestured around the empty graveyard. "Obviously."
Itachi closed his eyes and he breathed out loudly from his nose, an indication of his impatience. "But they haven't gone back? They're still around?"
Before Kakashi could answer, both he and Itachi stiffened as a third person joined them. Shisui stood before them, both eyes wide open and a cheeky grin on his face. "Hello best friends of mine!"
Itachi's face paled. The last time he'd seen Shisui — he'd been dying.
Kakashi felt his lips twitch into a faint smile at the sight of the younger man hugging Shisui as if he might disappear on him. Kakashi would do the same if he'd seen Rin or Obito just show up.
"I'm really here, no genjutsu," Shisui assured him, patting Itachi on the back and lifting the smaller teen into the air in a bear hug before setting him back down. "We've outed Danzo and your dad has called a meeting of clan heads to discuss the grievances against the Uchiha clan."
"All the clan heads?" Kakashi asked. As the only living Hatake, that would include him. He'd only been to one such meeting before when Minato Namikaze had been named as successor to the role of Hokage.
"Yep!" Shisui smiled at him, slinging his arm around Itachi's neck. "And you, Itachi, are not leaving my side all day. And you've been reassigned in Anbu." He looked over between Itachi and Kakashi. "You're both been assigned to my Anbu team."
"There can't be three captains on a team," Kakashi argued.
Shisui's grin spread wider. "There can when nepotism is involved. Guess who Lord Third named Commander of Anbu?"
"You?" Itachi asked in disbelief.
"I wish!" Shisui chuckled. "Maybe one day. No. My dad. Once upon a time, he served in Anbu— all secret-secret like me, so there was no public acknowledgement of it." His eyes twinkled in excitement as he looked back at Kakashi. "And you'll need to get your girlfriend. She's on my team too."
"They're leaving soon," Kakashi pointed out.
"They're not gone yet, are they?" Shisui asked. "I need the loud-mouthed blond and my cranky cousin too. The others can manage the other part." He released his arm from around Itachi and was practically bouncing on the balls of his feet in excitement. "I already sent them a hawk with a location and time to meet us."
"Well then, I better get ready for the clan head meeting," Kakashi said, feeling his heart race with the familiar thrill of a challenge.
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Sakura
It had been a restless night with very little sleep. Her mind raced and wandered down so many different paths of possibilities it was impossible to not worry. In two days, she'd be back in her own time, living with whatever repercussions happened from her little foray into this time, a decade and a half removed. She had tried to interact with the refugee Uchiha as little as possible, but yesterday, a small three year old had fallen while climbing the boulders and shattered his shin bone.
As Sakura mended the leg of this little boy, she wondered who he would become. He'd been murdered — as a three year old! Now, he would live. Would he be friends with Hanabi Hyuga? They would be roughly the same age and would start the Academy in a year. There were a multitude of shards throughout the tibia and the fibula had snapped cleanly in half. Sakura could feel a bead of sweat dealing with the greenstick fracture. Repairing the soft bones of a young child had to be done just right and with absolute focus. This child couldn't afford for her mind to wander.
So it wasn't until after she'd finished, that she realized the young woman that had ran a damp cloth over her forehead, collecting her beads of perspiration had been Izumi Uchiha. They'd met before, helping to find her wayward family cat. Hopefully, they'd continue to know each other for she would live now. Hopefully.
As Sakura started to rise to her feet, someone had offered a hand to help her stand. It wasn't necessary, but Sakura took it anyway. It had been the strong, well manicured hand of Mikoto Uchiha with familiar eyes and hair the exact same mid-night black as Sasuke. Sakura absolutely prayed that this woman would live — this kind, loving, fierce mother. A woman she wished her own mother could be like.
Naturally, Sakura ran away, not wanting to be too attached to either of them. Or less that she ran away, and more that she ran to Kakashi. He said nothing, but welcomed her into his embrace, letting her bury her face against his throat as his strong arms banded around her. She needed to tell him about her lost IUD, but she told his younger self— that counted right? What if she ended up pregnant from their time together in this era? Shouldn't he know? Or would he know once they returned and their new memories melded with their old memories?
That night, she set her bedroll next to his, facing each other, but keeping separate. For her, they'd just been intimate over the past few days. For him, it had been fourteen years since they'd been together — it was so strange. But, it felt wrong too — like it would be cheating — if she were to be with him like that to his older body when she was only just with his younger body. And frankly, she wasn't a succubus, so she could wait until they were back home to try and figure out where they stood.
"You know, I can feel your eyes staring into me," Kakashi whispered, his breath warm as it tickled her nose. His eyes were closed and his visible face was relaxed, his silver hair a mess sticking in so many directions from his position on his side facing her. He stretched out his hand and grabbed hers, twining their fingers together. "We've done all we can. It's time to sit back and observe."
"We don't have to go back tomorrow. It takes the artifact two weeks to charge, but we don't have to leave two weeks later. We go go back two weeks and two days later. We should make sure everything is stable before we leave," Sakura worried.
"Things will not be stable for some time. Not until after Danzo loses power and the Akatsuki is stopped," Kakashi reasoned. "We need to go back to our own time." He opened his eyes, twin stormy clouds peered back. "I know you want to fix everything. But not every problem is yours to fix." He brought their joined hands close to his mouth and kissed her knuckles softly. "Once we're back home, we need to destroy the artifact, or at least convince it to leave Earth. It's risky altering the timeline this one time, but if we keep changing things, will it re-write history or will it cause a parallel universe."
"It will rewrite history," Sakura assured him. She'd read the theories.
"That's one theory. We'll find out soon enough," Kakashi pointed out. He released her hand and carded his fingers through her hair. "I miss your normal pink locks." He smiled faintly as he closed his eyes again. "I dreamed we had a son with your hair and my eyes."
"I hope not," Sakura scoffed. "I don't want my kid to be bullied for his hair. Dad had a hard time of it."
"Kids bully each other. We just have to make sure any children we have are confident enough to not let it bother them," Kakashi murmured. "Adults bully each other too. That's why my father killed himself." His fingers slipped out of her hair and Sakura caught his hand again.
She pulled his hand to lay palm flat over the swell of her breast to feel her beating heart. "I would love to have children with you, Kakashi. Though, I'm hoping for silver-haired little ones. And any children I have will know they are loved. It was Ino that gave me that love when I was a bullied child when my own parents ignored my pain. And Naruto, Sasuke, you, Master Tsunade later helped me. I am so sorry about your father and for all the pain you've been through."
"You shouldn't apologize for things that aren't your fault," Kakashi said quietly, but he didn't move his hand.
"That's just how I am, Kakashi. I'm a fixer and when I can't fix something, I feel very sorry," Sakura said, a sad smile lifting her lips
He leaned towards her, yanking his mask down in the process and pressed his lips against hers, Sakura let herself sink into his soft, insistent lips. She was just thinking about slipping inside his sleeping bag anyway, ignoring the war in her heart for this Kakashi and that Kakashi.
A familiar throat cleared above them. Kakashi had his mask in place and was back on his side of the bedrolls before she could stare up into Naruto's cheeky grin. "Sorry to interrupt, but Sakura-chan, we've been summoned."
Kakashi sat up, bringing his knee up and resting his forearm on top of it lazily. "By whom?"
Naruto rubbed the back of his neck. "By Shisui and you." He tossed the tiny scroll to Kakashi. He was still their Hokage and de-facto team leader.
"What does it say?" Sakura asked, sitting up and finger-combing her hair. Gone were the days she would spend an hour blow-drying her hair to perfection.
"Lord Third has named Shisui's father as Anbu Commander." Kakashi's eyes scanned the scroll before he continued. "And Shisui is running an Anbu team to stop Danzo. Itachi's orders to assassinate his clan have been cancelled. He's created a team called The Will of Fire and requests you, Naruto, and Sasuke to help young me, him, and Itachi. The three of you are to meet younger me at Shisui's house within an hour of receiving this letter."
"What is going on?" Sakura asked.
"Apparently, Fugaku has called a meeting of the clan heads. Which, I am one technically, so that's probably why." Kakashi looked between the two of them. "This is a significant change. I have no idea what we'll be returning home to."
"Hopefully, something better," Sakura said, reaching for Kakashi's hand and offering him a hopeful smile.
Kakashi flashed them both his eye-crinkle smile. "We will find out."