"Minato-Sensei, I really don't need a picture frame," complains Kakashi as he follows his teacher around the little store full of frames, other decorative bobbles, drapes, and bed sets. His teacher ignores him in favor of comparing two similar frames. One was a darker wood than another — and more expensive.

Kakashi huffs and crosses his arms. At this age, he really hadn't had much money. Spending it on frivolities like a frame had seemed a waste to him at seven and it did now at thirty. He needs to be careful with his money.

People are always charging him more for things in markets and shops alike because he is a Hatake. His father's reputation still looms heavy over him and it will for a time to come. Up until Kakashi makes some names for himself. He hops up on the balls of his feet to pull on the sleeve of his teacher. "Put them back, Sensei," he commands. "Tape will be fine. Or I can go to the estate and take a frame from there."

Minato looks down at him. "You've said that before," he comments. "But you haven't brought home any frames after your solo trips around the village."

Kakashi scowls at his toes. It isn't like he hasn't tried to go into the Hatake Estate since coming back, but this stupid body always goes into a panic attack whenever he tries to step past the gate. It isn't numb to trauma at this age and feels his dad's death freshly. "It's at my efficiency," he lies, looking up at his teacher, daring him to challenge him.

The blond has no problem doing just that. "What's it doing there?" he asks. "You and I live on the other side of the village."

"I won't always," argues Kakashi.

His sensei exhales and kneels down on one knee in front of him. Warily, Kakashi eyes his teacher and tenses when one of his larger hands enveloped his bony shoulder. "No, when you're older, like my age, you will have a place of your own," he agrees. "But that's years from now."

Kakashi frowns. "Sensei, I've lived alone since Dad died."

His teacher shakes his head. "Maybe that was true before," he says. "But it won't be now. We're going to live together. That efficiency… It's not the place a kid should be raising himself all alone in. If I had known it was like that, I would have never let you rent it in the first place."

"I—" Kakashi stammers, unsure what to say around the lump in the middle of his throat. How hadn't he seen his teacher cared about him this much before? Instead of trying to put the words together, Kakashi leans in and wraps his arms around Minato's neck a moment. He then lets go and turns his back on him. "I still don't need a frame," he declares.

Minato chuckles and ruffles Kakashi's hair. "I say you do," he replies. "Think of it as a gift for becoming a part of a team, 'Kashi."

He doesn't like the suggestion, but if Minato-Sensei is that set on this… "I want the light ash-colored frame," he declares, pointing at the slightly cheaper of the two.

His teacher agrees. "Okay," he says and they head to wait in line for the cashier. There is just a woman with drapes in her hand at the counter haggling for a discount due to some uneven stitching. She and the cashier seem to be not far from settling on a price, so Kakashi doesn't pay attention in favor of staring mindlessly at a cat sculpture on a shelf behind the counter. It's something maybe Sakura would like. It's too bad he can't buy it and take it home with him. He tilts his head. Maybe he's wrong. It would have to travel the long way around, but… It could still end up in her hands some 23 years from today.

As Kakashi further contemplates the statue, the door to the shop opens and a voice, one he's all too familiar with yells, "Ah, Kakashi! My rival!"

Minato, next to him, stiffens and sends him a nervous look. Kakashi doesn't care to reassure his teacher, however, instead, he turns to Gai. Kakashi actually feels happy to see his friend. Sure his exuberance can be a little much, but it's been far too long since he saw Gai — any version of him.

"Yo, Gai," he replies.

The older boy, who is with his father, Dai, takes well to his pleasant greeting and rushes over. "It is a beautiful day, isn't it?" he enthuses. Gesturing out to the store, he tells Kakashi, "What has brought you to this shop today, rival."

Kakashi points at the frame in Sensei's hand. "We're buying that," he answers. "I'm meeting the other members of my team tomorrow and Sensei thinks it's important I frame my copy of the team photo."

Gai's eyes sparkle. "That's why we're here too!" he nearly yells. "I will start my first day with my genin team tomorrow!"

Kakashi curves his eyes along with his mouth beneath his mask into a smile. He doesn't want to, but when he was truly a little kid, Kakashi had a lot less patience for Gai's blinding exuberance. He needs to make sure he isn't too friendly in case this Kakashi after he goes home doesn't remember anything from now or fails to fix his attitude. "Finally passed the exam, did you?" he says. "How many attempts did it take?"

"Kakashi!" hisses his teacher, but he ignores him because Gai only laughs.

"Three!" he answers. "Like a charm!" he adds, still smiling.

He nods, he's really not surprised Gai takes the question as well as he does. He usually takes all things in an optimistic light unless someone is being outright hostile. "Hm," he says. "I guess three tries to become a genin isn't the worst record to have."

Gai grins, but Kakashi's teacher seems to have had enough and picks him up. "Sorry," he says to Gai and Dai. "It's our turn to pay." He gives a little, awkward bow to Dai. "It was nice to speak with you," he says.

Dai nods, smiling beneath his mustache. "Likewise."

"Maybe our teams can spar soon!" suggests Gai, face flushed with excitement.

Kakashi nods. "Sensei can talk to your sensei in a couple of weeks."

"Yeah!" agree Gai.

Minato starts to walk up to the cashier and Kakashi waves at his friend. "Bye."

"See you soon, rival!" returns Gai before his father ushers him toward the display of different frames.

Minato is tense as he pays for the frame and exchanges pleasantries with the cashier. When done, he takes them outside and puts Kakashi down. "You were being kind of rude," comments his teacher after a couple of minutes of them walking in the direction of Minato, no, their apartment. "I know you don't care for Gai…"

"He's one of my best friends," corrects Kakashi, causing his teacher to blink.

He frowns down at him. "Then why…?"

He kicks at a pebble in the street. "I didn't understand when I was a kid how rare a person like Gai is, how valuable it is to have a friend like him," he explains. "I would be happy if I could be completely nice, but, well," he stops and sighs. "I have to work within the possibilities of what the future will look like after I return home. Seven-year-old me, even if he remembers the last month and a half, even if some of my memories or impressions of them are still here, will probably be a brat." He balls his hands into fists. "I can't be too friendly. It will only hurt Gai later when I don't stay that way."

"You're not a brat," his teacher lies, ignoring the rest of what he said.

He scoffs. "Sensei," he chides. "I might not remember my childhood with perfect clarity, but I know I was awful."

"Things have been tough," insists Minato. "I think you're allowed to be a little disagreeable."

He rolls his eyes. "Sure," he says. "But I didn't need to be so harsh with Obito or Gai as a kid. They just wanted to be my teammate and friend."

Minato looks aggrieved. "If giving understanding isn't enough to help you be a better person, what should I do?"

Kakashi sighs. "It took Obito almost dying before I really understood the worth of teammates…" he admits. "I don't think I can ask you to simulate something like that. But maybe…" he trails off, rubbing his chin in thought. "Maybe find a way to really force us to act as a team. Find a situation that calls for me to pick them over the mission and maybe I will get it without Obito having to nearly die and become an enemy."

His teacher dips his chin in understanding. "I will take that advice into consideration," he tells Kakashi. Crouching down, he smiles at him. "Thanks for being so helpful, 'Kashi." He pulls him in for a side-hug. "I know it can be hard to reflect on mistakes."

Kakashi can't help but press a little nearer to his teacher. Moments like these are precious. He'd refused them when he really was seven and, soon, they will be gone again. "I want the future to be better," he tells Minato. "For all of us."

Thanks for reading and let me know your thoughts!