Chapter Text
I hear the stag’s pathetic call
Far up the mountain side,
While tramping o’er the maple leaves
Wind-scattered far and wide
This sad, sad autumn tide.
― Poem 5 by Sarumaru no Dayū
Hatake Kakashi was born at Konohagakure General Hospital at noon. He opened his eyes to see white blurs that moved in a disorderly manner, accompanied by frantic screams, crying and after several seconds, a feeling of warmth.
For a moment, everything became silent and no one dared to breathe. With them the world had stopped, and everything looked like it too.
Unfortunately for him, the moment did not last long. He could feel the heat fading, as if it had never existed, and in its place, a terrifying cold came over him.
And then, the screams started again.
It wasn't just them who were writhing in sadness. In the corner of the room, where a single cradle was partially hidden by the shadows, was a boy. He didn't know why, but a small tear ran down his cheek.
His little brain did not understand the meaning of what had just happened, but inside his heart he could feel it. For the first time in his life he was lonely. Too bad it wasn't the last.
Minato didn't know. He did not understand that his first death was not that Iwa nīn from the border. Neither Rin nor Obito. None of them knew that the murder did not come out of the village walls.
His hands were already covered in blood long before that. None of them knew.
No one - everyone - knew that the cause of her death was her own son.
In the evening of the day, those who tried could hear the sound of a howl outside the Forest of Death with utmost clarity.
(The dog was always found beside her chair, her bed, and by her side. There was never a moment before her, without the comfort the other provided, without the red fangs marked on her face and the string on their hearts. So, it was only right that she was the first one to know about the puppy, noticing the change of her mistress scent and the sound of the second heartbeat - like a hummingbird.
“Tama, You silly old bitch! You knew all along didn’t you?" Her mistress’s laughter and shouts were plenty that day and the smug look never left the animal’s eyes. A memory full of happiness and expectations.
The future looked bright then.)
The sound penetrated the minds of the few who were witnesses. A long and deep cry from the depths of the soul.
(They were still young, fresh and unmarked by battle. Just the two of them, resting outside the compound, laying down on the grass and basking in the sun.
“You know, Tama. I don’t think I could live without you," The teen mused to herself and the dog's ears perked at that.
“You hear what they say about Inuzuka and ninken, right?” Her eyes were so full of life, so young.)
They knew what it was about: a farewell, an excuse.
“One’s heart is, and always will be for the other.”
At the end, only the cicadas were heard.