Okay! So I am so so sorry this both took so long and probably isn't that great of a chapter. I got busy, stuck and lost motivation to do this. Mostly because having Sasuke turn up and Naruto helping him was completely unplanned. (Not that much of this story is planned) but here I am and I am gonna keep going. I'm not sure I have much left to add really but I do know there will be one POV change for one singular chapter. I just need to decide on who it will be. (Because why be easy?)
I hope I don't take such a bigger break as I have again.
Thanks for all the follows, favourites and reviews. they really do make my day!
Okay, I'll stop rambling and let you get on with it.
Kakashi was furious, and he was barely keeping it together when the blonde stood there and didn't answer his question.
"Naruto" his voice was full of warning and barely contained anger
"Okay" he blurted "just... he knows what he's doing, and... it's best to just let him. And really it will benefit the leaf once he is done so he isn't doing any-"
"He tried to kill you!" Kakashi snapped
"No, we knew I'd be okay, well we hoped, and I had my team he had-"
"Sakura?" Kakashi asked and Naruto scoffed
"Come on, like we all don't know I'd stop anyone from hurting her"
Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose
"So... you both planned it?" He asked
"Well... not planned but, we had a rough idea on how to go about it. The valley... that we planned, well he did, when I got there, and agreed" Naruto pouted sounding more and more defeated.
"Naruto?" Kakashi grit out and he sighed, so he really just went along with it?
"I really tried, and he hesitated, before I passed out I promised I'd help him, fight to keep him from being named a rogue. He was never going to be a danger to us" Naruto admitted looking sad
Kakashi smacked him across his head as he glared at him
"That is not your call to make!" He snapped and Naruto only pouted
"No, but Orochimaru will be dead soon, and we have all the hideouts Sasuke had information on now" he said holding up the scroll "we just need to trust him" his eyes were pleading and Kakashi had to try to hold his ground against it. Against Naruto's ability to talk anyone to his side bacuse he was so pure and gave so much hope in his dedication. And it seemed even Sasuke wasn't immune.
"And Sakura?"
"She can't know. She will inadvertently give it away. And she is happier now, we want to keep it that way" he didn't look particularly happy about it, Kakashi thought. Others turned up and Kakashi stepped up to wrap a bandage around Naruto's wound, while Naruto stowed the scroll into his pocket.
Kakashi barked orders to follow the trail while they went to report to Tsunade. Naruto glared at him but she needed to be told. Kakashi would not budge on it and Naruto knew it. They entered the Hokage tower in silence and saw Lee and Sakura already there. Sakura ran over to Naruto, her healing Chakra already over his wound
"It's nothing serious" Naruto reassured her "It'll be gone tomorrow"
"I felt-" she cut off her eyes burning with her anger simmering beneath and Kakashi could understand what Naruto had meant. Them giving up on Sasuke was the nail in the coffin for Sasuke's innocence. And for whatever reason Sasuke wanted it gone now.
"He's gone" Naruto assured her putting his hand over hers "kicked his ass out" he smirked and she leant forward slightly looking relieved.
"Thank you" she breathed and looked to Kakashi "are you hurt?"
"No, I'm fine" he raised his hands putting on a smile under his mask and she seemed to believe all was well.
"Okay, I need a report" Tsunade demanded and Kakashi nodded
"Kabuto and an unidentified woman were on the forest of death and retrieved something. I sent Pakkun to follow in hopes of a lead to Orochimaru. I met up with Naruto who was engaged with Sasuke until Kabuto appeared and helped Sasuke get away. I allowed them to go with Pakkun on the trail. I sent a team after them before coming to report to you" he nodded
"What was Sasuke doing?" She asked
"He was at his house. I didn't see what he was after. And we weren't in the chatty mood" Naruto shrugged.
"I need to speak with you and Naruto" Kakashi said and Tsunade nodded. To make sure Sakura didn't feel left out he looked to her holding her eyes and then looking to Lee. She nodded and excused them both smoothly, as Kakashi set up a jutsu to seal the room from any unwanted ears.
To say Tsunade was pissed was an understatement. Both her desk and the wall adjoining to Shikaku's office had been obliterated in her attempt to not punch Naruto. He didn't let up his pout directed at his feet not even attempting to apologise. He overstepped and he knew it but refused to regret it. And that didn't surprise anyone. He was helping someone he loved. Kakashi couldn't help but wonder if Shikamaru knew about this. Kakashi was only relieved the jutsu remained in place. She berated him for another five minutes before sitting back in her chair and folding her arms.
"Alright brat, so what is the plan?" She asked
"Well... I don't know really. I'm trusting him. I know the goal is to kill Itachi, Orochimaru is just a stepping stone. Him coming now means it's almost time. Either Orichimaru will take over his body or Sasuke will kill him. We will know within the next month I'd guess. But either way we have this, Orochimaru's hideouts" he said handing her the scroll.
"What were you going to do with this?" She asked raising a brow
"Give it to you" he shrugged
"Tell me everything" she ordered and he explained how he had originally gone to get him, fully intending to drag his ass home. But when he was lay on the water, Sasuke barely standing he decided he'd help him the only way he could, that he'd give him time to kill Itachi, and then he'd come bring him home. Promised to try and keep him from being made a rogue. When they went to get him the day he tried to kill Sakura and Naruto he had planted a note on Naruto. Informing him it was time to drop the protection, that he wanted Sakura to move on and he had to let her. Kakashi felt like their was more to that but he didn't push it.
"So this is it? He thinks he is ready?" Tsunade asked
"That or he has run out of time with Orochimaru. I'm not sure" Naruto admitted
"Do you think he can do it? Kill them both?"
"Well, he wouldn't make a move if he didn't trust his own strength. Unlike me he plans things through" he shrugged and Kakashi was inclined to agree with that. Tsunade put her head in her hands and sighed heavily.
"You should have told us" she said calmly "trusted us"
He looked guilty then and nervously scratched his elbow
"I just... I was just a kid, and it's not like people made a habit of listening to what I had to say. And I just..." he trailed off losing any argument he had. "And he was trying to leave with Orichimaru. I didn't see you agreeing to let that happen either"
"You have a point" Tsunade conceded "so I imagine you were gonna hand this over when word reached us about the outcome?" Naruto nodded and she looked to Kakashi, wanting his input.
"We have wanted Orochimaru dealt with since Lord Thirds death" Kakashi conceded. "We have the locations so I don't see any harm in waiting"
"Agreed" she said as Naruto looked between them his mouth hanging open.
"Wait! So... you're following Sasuke's plan?" He asked
"Yes. Orochimaru won't expect it either way. And if he is able to eliminate not only one S-Class rogue but two and an Akatsuki member too it'll help us all the more. You say he is no threat to the village. I am inclined to believe you" Tsunade said calmly.
"Thank you" he breathed
-
They walked in silence while Kakashi had stewed in the knowledge
"I want to know exactly" he said firmly
"We talked a lot while we fought... and I guess I just" he sighed and waved his hand "he had me beat and there was fear he really thought he'd killed me and sure it was close. He'd gone so far and I understood there was no way he'd be able to let it go. So I decided I'd help. The only way I could. So I told him I'd do what everyone would expect. I'd defend and fight and bring him home. Though neither of us seemed to believe I would live" he chuckled nervously and Kakashi had to clench his fists in his pockets. He hated thinking about that day. About the fear he had that he hadn't felt in years. It had actually taken him a moment to realise what it was sat in the hospital waiting room, hoping Tsunade could work her magic. Because that's what it was, her skill was like none other and people often questioned it. Kakashi had to remember who her grandfather was. Another anomaly in the shinobi world.
"You could have told me" Kakashi stated trying not to feel hurt about it. He had thought Naruto trusted him. Which he knew he did. Letting him know his feelings for Shikamaru was proof enough
"I know" Naruto admitted quietly, frowning at the floor "and I wanted to but... Sakura was always there... and I was in and out of the village and then I had to leave. The last night was emotional enough... and I was being selfish"
"Selfish?" Kakashi asked confused
"I didn't want to move the talk from me... and we had been really open. About Kurama and me and us"
Kakashi couldn't blame him, he couldn't even be mad. After all of his life it made sense he'd want that focus, especially having to leave the two people he loved most.
"That's fair" Kakashi conceded and he understood why he didn't when they returned. Gaara, Kakashi in the hospital, and then Sasuke had asked for the protection to be lifted. There'd be no point after that.
"Sakura is going to kill you both" Kakashi warned and Naruto nodded
"She will likely have to get in line behind Shikamaru"
"You never told him either?" He asked but he wasn't surprised.
"We had our own problems" he shrugged
-
Sakura sat opposite him looking distracted. He didn't doubt her mind was filled with Sasuke. They were on a simple guard mission and they were in a cafe next door to the Inn they were staying in. Naruto watching over the client.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Kakashi asked and she practically jumped blinking up to him as if she had forgotten he was there.
"What? Sorry sensei did you say something?" She asked
"I asked if you wanted to talk about it?"
"Oh. Uh well actually... I-" she cut off
"It's natural to worry about it since he turned up" he assured her but her frown only deepened.
"What?" She asked and then her brows rose up in realisation "oh you mean Sasuke. No that's not it. I just I don't know what to do about some information I got"
He leant forward to put his arms on the table ready to listen.
"You and Gai are close, right? Like brothers?" She asked and the topic threw Kakashi for a loop.
"Yes?" He didn't mean to sound like he was questioning it but he wasn't expecting Gai to be the topic.
"So... he doesn't have a wife? Right?" She asked hesitantly
"If this is about him and me" he said in warning and she shook her head
"No. No you made your point on that" she laughed nervously "I just... I'm curious"
"No. Gai isn't married" he answered her question
"And he isn't... very promiscuous, right? Ninjas gossip a lot. And he's never-" she cut off scrunching up her face in frustration
"What is this about Sakura?" He asked patiently
"Just... if he had a one night stand and... say he ended up with a kid" she said trying to seem like she was broaching something hypothetical but she was too tense for that.
Kakashi had to school his face thankful only his eye was visible. But Sakura had learnt to read him and he had to force his muscles to not react.
"Possible I suppose. He isn't exactly celibate either, you know" he shrugged "Why are you asking?"
He watched her look him over, trying to see signs he would have some information.
"Well... would he... be mad about it?" She asked and Kakashi sighed, almost certain she knew.
"What do you know?" Kakashi asked her outright, she sagged and sighed heavily.
"I wanted to do something for Lee. And he mentioned he didn't know his family and was beginning to get curious... so I- I may have secretly done a DNA test"
"So you know" he deadpanned and her surprise was evident
"Should have known you knew" she muttered looking a little annoyed and Kakashi nodded.
"It's not my place to talk about it. Or yours"
"Why hasn't he said anything? They're already like father and son"
"He doesn't want to force it on Lee. It is complicated and Lee has never shown any interest in his parents"
"But-"
"Don't push this Sakura. It isn't our place and you've overstepped your bounds with your job"
"But it is! He wants to know! And he's my boyfriend I can't just sit here with this knowledge and not tell him"
Well she had a point, Kakashi thought and rubbed his temple.
"I'll talk to Gai" he conceded
"But what do I do? I don't want to go behind his back"
"I'll deal with it. Just leave it alone. I'll make sure this doesn't affect your relationship okay?"
"How?" She asked her eyes bright with unshed tears and then nodded accepting and trusting he wouldn't let her down. Though how he was going to deal with it he wasn't sure.
"Other than this, how're you doing?" He asked and she shrugged
"I wasn't too upset he was in the village. I waited for it but... I was just angry. Then when Naruto said he'd sent him off..." she shrugged "I was relieved. And then I didn't care"
"You've really lost feelings for him?" He asked and she nodded smiling softly
"Yeah... I moved on. Lee is... he's amazing and nothing like what I'm used to. But he's really gotten under my skin" she was turning red as she brushed hair behind her ear "I think I love him"
"I'm glad. You have seemed much happier since dating him"
"I just hope I'm not..." she frowned pressing her lips together
"What?"
"Well... Shino had made a comment. He wasn't trying to be mean I think it was just a thought, I don't know."
"What did he say?"
"That I was using Lee as a rebound. To distract from Sasuke"
Kakashi nodded and understood the thought. And maybe it had been at first he didn't know.
"If Sasuke came back, and he had explained his choices and apologised, would you leave Lee?" Kakashi asked and the glare she gave him was deadly
"Of course not" she hissed and Kakashi nodded
"Then imagine he came home and it was declared he was on a secret mission?" He was basically telling her what the story would be if he succeeded but, she should consider it now. "Imagine he really left to protect you, or that he was blackmailed, any way that would make way for you to forgive him. Would you choose him over Lee?" He asked adding it so not to be too on point to the truth. He saw her panic, he saw her think it over. He didn't interrupt her and when he saw her relax and smile brightly
"No" she breathed out and he lightly waved his hand in her direction.
"There you go" he smiled happy to see her seem less burdened.
"Thank you Kakashi, you have really helped"
He nodded and waited for her to finish her meal before heading back to the Inn, bringing Naruto his cup Ramen of course. They'd be home in two days and he couldn't wait to get away from Naruto's pouting about being away from Shikamaru before they even had a chance to do anything. He was going to avoid shadowing the blonde for a while.
-
It was Two weeks after they returned they heard the news Orochimaru was dead. Naruto played his part while Sakura was only stunned by the news. Tears in her eyes as she looked to Naruto.
"A mission?" She asked weakly.
"Why the hell didn't anyone tell us?" Naruto blurted playing his roll as ordered. He wasn't happy about it. He wanted her to know the truth but Tsunade had forbade it until Sasuke had been returned home.
"It is not your place to know the ongoings of s-class missions!" Tsunade had snapped and it was real, more because she was still angry he had gone off and done this behind everyone's back.
"We spe-"
"Enough!" She snapped the table cracking under her fist. "We have preparations to make, go and tell your friends. We will make a formal announcement soon. This is NOT to become public knowledge, yet" she waved them off while Naruto had guided Sakura from the room.
After their departure Tsuanade had declared she would send teams to the hide outs. Her and Kakashi discussed plans about Sasuke while Naruto and Sakura left to tell the others. It wasn't going to be pleasant. Naruto had at least taken Kakashi's advice and told Shikamaru the truth. It was going to be a hectic few weeks no doubt but Sasuke was hopefully on his way home... or hunting Itachi. Which was another thing he was sure Naruto was anxious about. It was going to be hard to keep him from trying to go help Sasuke, but he seemed to be willing to let Sasuke do what he needed. And clearly he needed it.
Kakashi still wasn't entirely sure how he was going to react, being face to face with Sasuke, he still had very negative feelings toward the Uchiha on the account of hurting his students so badly, both physically and emotionally, but he was sure he didn't have long to figure it out, if Sasuke survived Itachi that was.
-
Gai caught him outside the Hokage tower finally back from his own mission.
"Hello, Kakashi!"
"Gai!" Kakashi looked to the man he had been waiting to see for a while "have you just got back?"
"This morning. I was about to go and train" he declared proudly
"Actually, we need to talk. About Lee" he said casually but holding his eyes and he saw the man pale slightly.
"My youthful proto-" he cut off not even able to continue in the onslaught of his panic. Nothing panicked Gai often. But when it came to Lee you'd see a whole new side to the confident man. "Shall we go for a drink then?" He asked slapping Kakashi on the back.
"Definitely" Kakashi sighed. After the day he was having, which apparently was only going to get harder he decided a drink would be perfect. A strong one. Preferably a few. Telling Gai it was time to tell Lee or that Sakura knew and was ready to tell Lee was not something Kakashi wanted to witness. It was really going to affect his best friend, and hurt him. No matter how well or bad Lee may take the news.
Okay so I was just super eager to get this up! so if there is any mistakes I'm sorry! I've already started the next chapter so hopefully I can get through it and not have it sit in my folder for months.
Thanks for the patients guys!
