Naruto x Digimon

Alive - Team Minato's Digidestined

Chapter 036

Originally Written: Monday, March 27, 2023 745AM to 904AM

. . . . .

Kakashi returned from a mission early in the morning, far before the sun rose. Despite being injured, and Matadormon and his team's protests, he walked into the village on his own two feet. A straight back, mask hiding his face, dressed in uniform just like the others. He leaped from rooftop to rooftop. His teammates for this particular mission were unharmed, as usual. They surrounded him, protecting, and keeping watch.

He wasn't sure when they started doing it, but he certainly noticed after Grandma Masumi passed. It ate at him, because what was wrong with him was apparently so strong that his own team picked up on it without him saying or doing anything. And if they caught on it, certainly his enemies did.

On top of that, they were making sure that if anything did go down, they'd be the ones taken down first. Not him. Obito was the first and would be the last person who would risk dying for him. He wouldn't accept anything less.

His team entered the Hokage's office, to give their mission report like they always did. Two members went to clean up so they could bring the others proper, decent food. The third went to clean up and restock their supplies. Matadormon picked up Kakashi and whisked him away in a swirl of pink. The act was so flamboyant and such a display so unlike Kakashi that even Jiraiya would have enjoyed it.

He ate his food, rested as his team forced him to. Someone went to let Gai know he had returned, because his friend came to visit the first chance he got. Hanku's scarf was still around his neck. If he looked closely, it almost seemed like there were more seals on it than before. He was thankful for the company. His home became far too quiet since Grandma's passing.

"You both have done it, my eternal rival." Gai beamed. "I do not know what or how you have done, but Obito asked me to keep watch shortly after you left for your mission. He said he was going into surgery, and to not tell anyone just yet."

Kakashi smiled a small smile underneath his mask. "I was wondering where Firamon went."

Gai continued smiling and chatting, pushing Kakashi's racing thoughts to the back of his stressed mind. Kakashi pushed his cup of spiked juice back and forth between his hands on the table.

"Kakashi."

Kakashi looked at Gai's hand. It was pressed flat against the table, just a few inches away from his own. He looked up. He wasn't sure when Gai had cut his hair into a bowl cut, but it suited his face better. He dropped his head.

"If…if this works, will you still need to?"

Kakashi never saw him glance at the cup he was holding. He wasn't looking. "To do what?"

"Anbu." Gai whispered. He wasn't supposed to know that, but Kakashi openly wore his uniform without hiding his extremely noticeable hair in protest. If anyone asked him, that's all he needed to answer, without the protest part.

Kakashi stared at his drink. He downed the whole thing in a few gulps. Gai stared at him, but he ignored the look. Gai never asked him that often, but everyone close to him made it clear that they didn't want him to go out on a S Rank mission. They understood he could do it as his duty, but it wasn't his calling. He never really had a chance to learn what that was either.

"I can't place further burdens on Obito or Rin, even if it does work." He eventually replied. He swallowed thickly, feeling the drink and food try to rise back up his throat. He forced it back down. He looked at Gai, smiled what would eventually be known as his one-eyed smile. For now, it was a strained mish mash of emotions only those dearest to him would know or recognize. "I can take it."

Gai avoided looking at the cup Kakashi just drank from. His hands clenched against his fists, pressed against the table. "I, Gai Maito, formally declare myself an ally of the Hatake Clan."

Kakashi stared at him. Gai's eyes looked at him with determination and something else Kakashi couldn't recognize.

"I-is that enough?" His voice dropped even lower, further into a whisper unlike the Maito family. "Just ask, and I will file the paperwork."

Kakashi could barely hear him. Kakashi pushed his food away from the table. He stood up and turned away, his head bowed. His mind raced. "Is this why you brought him?"

From the shadows Matadormon looked at him. "Your team never knows where to find him. He's always in the most unexpected places." There was an amused lilt to his voice. It reminded Kakashi of a father watching the actions of his child for entertainment in the lull of quiet before nap time.

Kakashi stepped away. He ignored Gai banging his fists against the table. He shut his bedroom door behind him. He wished Matadormon wouldn't take his orders too seriously. If he had said what he wanted, Matadormon would misconstrue his words and he'd never see his eternal rival Gai again. He'd need to find another way.