Naruto x Digimon

Alive - Team Minato's Digidestined

Chapter 042

Song: Porter Robinson - Something Comforting; Zeds Dead & DNMO - Save My Grave (feat. GG Magree)

Originally Written: Tuesday, March 28, 2023 212PM to 248PM

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A/N: Potential trigger warning for this chapter, continuing from the previous chapter.

Kakashi ignored the scene he was making as he walked through the Uchiha district. The looks he got on the way here were bad enough. There was no way to avoid them due to where the Uchiha district was and how he was carrying Rin. He hadn't realized that in their struggle so much of her clothes had been ruined. He couldn't directly put her in his clothes, but he could cover her up as best he could.

An Uchiha he didn't know escorted him. Since Kabuto's incident, the clan had been heavily subdued and protective. After Obito's operation they acted even moreso. Obito's current lodging was close to Fugaku's house, but not quite. Since it was late in the evening, he hoped Obito was sleeping, then he could just drop Rin off and avoid Obito chewing him out.

It wasn't to be, unfortunately. Obito opened the door. He was seated in his wheelchair, in an odd kneeling pose that was certainly uncomfortable for long periods of time. A blanket was laid over his lap. Obito looked Kakashi up and down while rubbing sleep out of his eye.

"Our apologies for the late night disturbance, deputy." The Uchiha standing next to Kakashi greeted him.

"What the hell did you do, Bakakashi?" Obito growled, nearly shouted. "How come you're always making Rin cry!?"

Kakashi stared for a moment, because no, he did not know he was always making her cry. Worry yes, crying no. Just another notch on the Rin-was-no-good-for-him totem pole.

"Yea…" He shook his head, and leveled Obito with a watery gaze. "That's all I'm good for." He bit his lip underneath his mask. He closed his eyes and shook his head again. He laid Rin over his legs, not realizing Obito instinctively shifted so his legs were now hanging down the wheelchair like normal. "She's…tell her we're not going to die when she wakes up."

He turned around. He ignored both Obito and the escort staring at him as he clenched his fists.

"Baka?"

"Just…tell her. Please." He ignored other Uchiha looking at him while pretending they weren't in the most pretentious, dignified manner he had ever seen. Everyone would already know that The Fourth Hokage's most trusted and skilled protege walked to and into the Uchiha district late at night with his female teammate in a compromising position by tomorrow afternoon at the latest.

"Okay." Obito replied, sounding solemn. "I'll let her know. Get in here, Madam Lunamon. What the hell did you do to your ears?"

Lunamon floated, partially shuffled into the house.

"Thanks for bringing him by, Kuniji." Obito spoke.

"Of course, deputy. Have a good night." Kuniji turned around. "You are welcome to stay the night as well, Kakashi Hatake."

Hatake lowered his head. That was either the worst suggestion or the best suggestion he'd heard this entire day. Due to how uppity Uchiha standards were, and his connections to them, Kakashi leaving the compound wasn't even an option tonight. 'What a mess.'

He stared at his hands. He could still feel Rin's wrists in his grasp. "I'll stay." He murmured.

"Then, do you require medical attention?" Fugaku Uchiha asked.

Kakashi looked up, wondering when he had arrived. Fugaku stood off to the side, not enough to block his view, but enough to get him to focus on something other than all the other Uchiha looking at him. He pressed a hand to his cheek where a bandage covered a scratch Rin gave him. "No sir." He lowered his gaze again. "May I ask you something, sir?"

"Walk with me, if you would." Fugaku motioned for him to come closer. Kuniji guided him. Both fell in line with him. "What is it?"

"How do you come to terms with one foot already being in the grave?" He wished he was drunk. He was thinking too much. He pressed on his cheek in an effort to distract himself.

Kuniji shook his head, and chuckled. Kakashi ignored him.

"You don't." Fugaku replied. "Not unless you are content with how you lived. You can head back now, Kuniji. I'll take it from here. Thank you."

"Commander." Kuniji disappeared with the slightest burst of chakra. He had a post to return to.

"Come with me, Kakashi." Fugaku requested.

Kakashi took it like the order it was. Fugaku brought him inside his house, and anyone who opposed the action already knew to keep their mouths shut. The clan had more important issues to contend with.

The kotatsu Fugaku set Kakashi next to was very calming. However, he wasn't Obito. Warmth wasn't his vice. He leaned on it, and stared at his hands as he waited, lost in thought. Someone sat next to him. Something was set in his lap. The person who set it there carefully removed the bandage from his cheek. "Sir…How do you know you are content with how you lived?"

A baby's hand grabbed his shirt and tugged. Kakashi looked at it, and then at a little Sasuke. Sasuke Uchiha looked at his shirt with curious eyes, not even realizing he was being watched. Kakashi blinked. His hands instinctively curled around Sasuke's tiny body, making sure he didn't fall out of his lap. Sasuke babbled, drool bubbling from between his lips.

"You will know," Mikoto answered while applying antiseptic to his wounds, "because you won't have to ask yourself or anyone else 'How do you come to terms with your own death'. You will greet it like you would an old friend you haven't seen in a long time." She wiped the tears that streamed down his face. Just like Grandma Masumi and his father used to do.

He wondered if he or Rin would accept that as an answer to the questions they were asking.