Work Text:
***
Kakashi hesitates outside the door. He can care for himself, he can! He’s been independent ever since he was born and yes, while he likes his father cooking for him or walking him to the Academy, it doesn’t mean that he has to. After all, Kakashi is a genin and he knows how to cook, he knows how to navigate the village. He can fish, he can scavenge, he can forage, and he knows how to tree walk and water walk.
Which is why he’s hesitating outside the door, silence filling the house and the only sounds coming from the rain and thunder outside.
Because he should be able to solve this problem but he just can’t.
He’s able to cook for himself but since being assigned to Minato, he hasn’t had the time or energy afterwards to fish or go hunting for food. He’s tried to buy from the villagers but they won’t sell to him and the very few that do, well, he’s run out of money anyway. He throws himself into training so Minato won’t suspect there’s anything wrong but three meals a day has dropped to two, then one, and now there’s nothing left and Kakashi’s exhausted. This is his sixth day without food and no matter how much he tells himself he’s not hungry, he’s just thirsty, the water isn’t helping anymore.
He’s cold, he’s hungry, and he’s shaking and he just wants his father to look at him long enough to spare him a few coins. Maybe he could buy an apple? Barter for a couple of vegetables? A cupful of rice?
His stomach twists in that uncomfortable way and Kakashi blinks back tears. His resolve is set and he slides open the door, stepping inside his father’s study.
“Dad? I’m hungry.”
***
Kakashi's voice has ice pouring through his veins and Sakumo drops the tanto in his hands, whirling around. Kakashi should be in bed, he should be asleep, he shouldn’t be here to see this. He shouldn’t-, but Kakashi’s voice cuts him off again and it’s full of guilt and shame.
“I know you don’t want to be disturbed and you’re busy but I…I haven’t had the time to fish - and I will soon, I promise! - and it’s winter so there’s less berries so could I-”
“Kakashi.”
His son’s mouth snaps shut, head bowing, but Sakumo waves him in. He cautiously steps towards him and, when a flash of lightning illuminates his face, Sakumo lurches forward. Kakashi flinches but he doesn’t care, scrambling for him and pulling him closer because gods, Kakashi almost looks emaciated. It’s hard to see with his loose clothes but Sakumo knows his son’s face and it does not look like this.
“Kakashi,” his voice is shaky this time, hand coming to cup his cheek. “What…You’re hungry, you said?”
Kakashi nods weakly, leaning into his touch and Sakumo suddenly realises he can’t remember the last time he spoke to his son, saw him, let alone left the house. Has…has Kakashi been starving to death this whole time, not knowing what else to do?
He’s on his feet so fast he stumbles, Kakashi jerking in his arms, but Sakumo just tightens his grip. Minutes later he’s crashing through the doors of Konoha hospital. A nurse rushes over and Sakumo transfers Kakashi into her arms as quickly as he can.
“Please,” he begs. “Please help my son.”
***
Sakumo doesn’t know who the nurse speaks to but it must be someone well acquainted with the shinobi system because he isn’t in the waiting room any more than an hour or two before one Namikaze Minato stumbles in, hair wild and still zipping up his flak jacket. His beeline to the receptionist is only put on hold because the Sandaime himself walks in. Minato’s attention goes there and, when the Sandaime’s eyes lock onto him, Sakumo suddenly knows what this is about.
“Sakumo.”
He lowers his head. “Hokage.”
He doesn’t dare lift it, not until they’re called through to a room. It isn’t long - someone must have informed the staff the Hokage is present. A nurse goes to bar Sakumo at the door but the Sandaime overrules her. Sakumo doesn’t even thank him, just staggers his way to Kakashi’s side. He’s asleep - or unconscious - and bundled under several blankets. A touch to the fabric reveals they’ve even been warmed. There’s an IV in each arm and so many monitoring wires Sakumo feels dizzy.
“What happened?” Sandaime asks.
The doctor glances at Sakumo before very much turning her back to him. “Hatake was presented to the hospital suffering from severe malnutrition, as well as muscle atrophy and exhaustion. It’s…All signs point to neglect.”
Sakumo wants to sob because it hurts to hear it said so bluntly but he can’t cry because he can’t be weak. Being weak is what’s led Kakashi to being in this state and he won’t hurt his son again.
“But he trains with me,” Minato protests, voice slightly detached, most likely because of disbelief. “He’s never seemed lacking or out of shape.”
“And do you see him after training? Does he eat with you? How many hours a day is he in your care?”
Minato has no reply by Sakumo knows them anyway; no, no, and not enough. Kakashi always manages a brave face, has always been able to mask his emotions, his struggles. It makes sense this would be no different.
“Sakumo,” the Hokage’s voice is softer this time but it really shouldn’t be. “Could you shed some light?”
There’s a long moment before he’s forced to admit, “I can’t. I…When he came to me, saying he was hungry, I didn’t know how long it had been since I last saw him.”
“But he lives with you,” Minato says, confusion clear.
Sakumo dares not look at him. “He’s very independent.”
It says enough, the room’s aura shifting and he tightens his grip on Kakashi’s hand, too pale and frail in his grip. Eventually though, it’s the doctor who breaks the silence.
“So what do you think brought about the change? Why do you think Kakashi came to you tonight when he’s been caring for himself otherwise?”
“I don’t know,” he admits, throwing his mind back and trying to recall anything Kakashi said to him. “He mentioned not being able to find food, I think. Perhaps he was too tired to hunt. There’s nothing to forage this time of year.”
“Hatake, he should be visiting a store,” she snaps, professional demeanour cracking some. “I don’t care what shinobi rank he holds. On paper, he is five. Expecting a five-year-old to source their own food is unacceptable.”
Sakumo bristles some there. “Well, the village won’t sell to me. I thought they’d be above treating a child the same way but perhaps I was wrong.”
He can sense Sandaime’s surprise there. “You’re being denied sales?”
He doesn’t bother to answer because he doesn’t see the point. It’s common knowledge at this point but even he shakes under the thought that Kakashi, his child, is being shunned out of stores and marketplaces. Another thought comes to him, dread pooling in his stomach once more, because when had he last withdrawn money? Did Kakashi even have funds with which to buy food? That he doesn’t know eats away at him.
There’s a heavy sigh and while Sakumo isn’t very well acquainted with the man, he recognises it as Minato’s; it’s too young to be anyone else’s. “What’s our next step from here? I imagine Kashi will be in a few days.”
Kashi. Oh, that’s quite cute. Sakumo wonders if Kakashi really lets Minato use such an adorable nickname. He’s painfully serious.
“With neglect this severe? Kakashi would need to be removed from Hatake’s care immediately.”
The other adults baulk but Sakumo doesn’t. He knew. He knew from the second he handed Kakashi over that this would possibly be the outcome. The nurse trying to bar him from the room only solidified that knowledge. The Hokage blusters before,
“That’s going too far. I’m sur-”
“Kakashi would have died of starvation by week’s end if he hadn’t been brought in. That’s more than enough grounds. You have every right to send on him whatever missions you deem appropriate but within this hospital, I am treating Kakashi as a child, not a shinobi. And as such, his homelife is unacceptable.”
Sakumo stands and everyone’s attention turns his way. “You’re right. And I knew what would happen upon bringing Kakashi here but at the time, it was irrelevant. Kakashi was hurt.”
Minato sends him a sad look and the doctor nods. “I’m not saying we can’t work to reconcile you, to have Kakashi put back in your care, but you would have to put in the effort and Kakashi would have to go elsewhere in the meantime.”
He doesn’t know if he has the right but he pleads, regardless, “Could I…Would I be permitted to see him?”
For the first time, she smiles. “Yes. I can see you need him as much as he needs you.” Her gaze then shifts to everyone in the room. “Details can be sorted at another time. Right now, I have other patients to deal with. Hatake, you’re permitted to stay as I believe you’re not a threat to Kakashi physically. Don’t change my mind.”
Sakumo nods and drops back into the chair at Kakashi’s side. He brings that limp hand back into his, lips pressing against the knuckles. Finally, he cries and Sakumo doesn’t care who sees.
***
Perhaps it’s luck, perhaps it’s insistence, but Kakashi - upon his discharge from the hospital four days later - is placed in the care of Minato. He looks terrified at first, wide eyes turning to Sakumo, but Minato brings him back, a gentle hand on his shoulder. His explanation is soft, kind, and everything Sakumo could hope for.
“Your father is injured Kakashi. The mind, just like any body part, can get hurt. He’s working on fixing his and while he does so, he can’t watch over you. So, even though you can look after yourself, you’ll be staying with me just in case something happens, okay?”
Kakashi’s agreement is reluctant but he goes. The room he gets at Minato’s is bright and warm, nothing like the cold, dark walls of the Hatake estate. His dislike is obvious but Sakumo urges him to try, assures him it won’t be forever.
(It could be. It’s a lie he and Minato are clinging to though.)
But perhaps what helps most of all is that Kakashi gets to see him everyday. Which, honestly, is more than Kakashi’s seen of him since before The Mission, maybe even more so because Sakumo no longer has missions to go on.
Every morning Sakumo collects Kakashi and walks him to training. Sometimes they grab breakfast, sometimes they stop at the river to feed the fish, and sometimes they arrive before Minato and just watch the clouds together. He then goes to his psychologist appointment before heading home and preparing Kakashi’s lunch for the next day. From there he’s been instructed to pick Kakashi up from training. Mondays he walks him straight back to Minato’s, Tuesdays they’re to spend together doing something that isn’t training, Wednesdays is back to Minato’s, Thursdays is training together, and Fridays is Kakashi’s mandated weekly doctor’s check in. Each day he’ll collect Kakashi’s laundry and while Kakashi complains he can do it all himself, Minato explains that Sakumo is re-learning how to do these things.
It’s not exactly true but it’s a better explanation than, your father is practising how to look after you so he doesn’t forget about your existence again.
It hurts but it’s very much what happened and Sakumo is struggling to move on from that. Even when he gets permission to see Kakashi on Saturdays and Sundays after two weeks. His Saturdays have to be supervised by Minato and can only be for three hours but Sundays he can take Kakashi anywhere, although the time limit still applies.
It’s during the third week that he cracks, buries his head in his hands and, through choking sobs, admits to his psychologist that he was going to end his life seconds before Kakashi walked through the door. He waits but there’s no outburst, not even a tiny spark of surprise, and, when he looks up, he sees her just smiling at him gently.
“You already knew, didn’t you?”
“I’d suspected, as had the hospital staff.”
“Then why?” he manages.
“Why what?” she looks genuinely confused.
“Why still allow me to see Kakashi? Isn’t that…” Sakumo trails off because he doesn’t know what he’s trying to say but he feels like he must have crossed some sort of line.
The doctor closes her clipboard. “The reason we’re having these sessions is, in part, to ensure Kakashi’s wellbeing but, mostly, they’re here for you, Sakumo.” He blinks. “My goal is for you to feel - not as you used to, with what’s happened that’s impossible - but to find a new normal and to work through these thoughts and feelings and find ways to deal with them when they do become overwhelming. I believe Kakashi is giving you a goal. You want to be reunited with him. You want to see him in good health. You want, I think, to see him happy.”
“I do.” Truer words he’s never said.
“And what does Kakashi think?”
“In regards to what?”
“We’ve spoken at length of your views of the village, their views of you. How does Kakashi view you?”
Sakumo pauses because he doesn’t know. “I…I haven’t had that conversation with him.”
An eyebrow quirks up. “But, from your wording, he hasn’t shown any outright hostility?”
“Never.”
“And, if I may, is he a child that might? Does he voice his opinions or does he manage to hide them?”
“A bit of both,” Sakumo admits, smiling wanly. “He keeps to himself but he never bothers to hide displeasure or disdain.”
She doesn’t speak there, just waves him on and Sakumo isn’t sure what he’s supposed to say until he realises, the pieces coming together. Kakashi never hesitates to say his piece, to scoff at weakness or cowardice, but he’s never once shown anything towards Sakumo that would even hint that he’s in agreement with the villagers. He did - until it stopped getting results - continue to ask Sakumo to train with him. He continued to tell him about his day, cook him meals, do his best to make him proud.
“Kakashi doesn’t blame me. His view of me is still the same,” he breathes, taken aback.
“You mentioned, once, him getting angry on behalf of another boy.” Sakumo remembers the story and the event, Kakashi taking out two chuunin when Maito Gai couldn’t, when Maito Dai had been slandered. “If he’s so quick to defend another boy’s father, I can’t imagine what he’d be willing to do for you.”
She laughs gently but Sakumo does so loudly, if not wetly, because he can see it. He wonders if even now this has been an issue. If Minato has had to keep him from crowded streets.
“I don’t deserve him.”
A hum. “That’s something to come back to but, for today, I’d like you to think about having that talk with Kakashi. Walking him through, in age appropriate detail, what happened on your mission. What choices you made and why you made them. He also might like some reminders from you; that you care for him, that you’re proud of him, simple things like that.”
Sakumo nods, the clock striking and marking the end of their session. He’s a little off-kilter when he goes to collect Kakashi that afternoon, doesn’t know how to start, but he doesn’t get a chance before Kakashi pulls them to a stop.
“Kakashi?”
Kakashi doesn’t answer, just toes the ground, head tucked tight to his chest and Sakumo frowns, crouching down. He goes to call his name again but then, suddenly, like a blur, Kakashi is throwing himself into his arms. Sakumo scrambles to catch him.
“Kakashi, what’s this?”
His son tightens his grip. He doesn’t seem willing to talk and Sakumo decides he’s just going to have to accept that. That is, of course, until Kakashi mumbles right into the collar of his vest.
“Dad, don’t leave me.”
That hurts, inexplicably so because gods, he almost did but it’s also worrying because, “Kakashi, I wouldn’t. Why would you think that?”
A listless shrug. “Just, don’t?”
Sakumo sighs. “I won’t, I promise.” He whisks to his feet and Kakashi pushes at his collar.
“Dad, I can walk!” He sounds affronted as only his five-year-old can.
“I know,” he admits. “But I can also carry you. Let me? It’s been awhile.”
“Because I’m a shinobi now,” Kakashi grumbles but he stops fighting him, burrowing into his collar.
They’re a little later than they should be arriving back at Minato’s apartment and the man is hovering outside on the balcony. He looks relieved to see them, holding his arms out for Kakashi expectantly. Which. Sakumo’s eyes narrowed.
“Something happened.”
Minato cringes and Kakashi flinches. “It did but I dealt with it. The Hokage has also been informed.”
It’s obvious from his face that that’s all Sakumo’s going to get, sighing and making to pass Kakashi over. That, it seems, is Kakashi’s line and he twists in his grip like a cat possessed, practically growling at Minato and firmly repeating that he can walk. Minato sends his eyes skyward like he expected it before opening the door and ushering Kakashi inside. He bows to Sakumo, exchanging lunch for laundry, before heading inside himself and Sakumo watches the door close with an aching chest.
Soon. He’ll have Kakashi back soon.
***
Minato tells him the next day, stops by the Hatake Estate after he’s sent Kakashi to the archives to do some reading on sealing. It had started with a shopkeeper, jeering down at Kakashi before some shinobi had stepped in. Only, instead of helping as Minato had thought they would have, they’d spat insults of their own, Minato just in time to see one yank Kakashi up by the arm and spit,
“Heard your father put you in hospital then tried to kill himself. Couldn’t even do a murder-suicide right, could he?”
Kakashi’s attack in response had been vicious and Minato’s only more so. The jounin rushes to assure him that Kakashi isn’t in trouble after spotting his pale face but Sakumo can’t even think about that because they thought he’d tried to kill Kakashi? Thought he’d be low enough to hurt his son? The one precious thing he has left in this world?
“I would never,” he snarls and it’s the most vehement he’s been since that damned mission.
Minato pauses before understanding, smiling warmly. “I know. Kakashi speaks highly of you. He wouldn’t if you didn’t deserve it.”
Sakumo sends him a look. “I’m glad Kakashi has you, Namikaze. When I…” he shakes his head. “I would have wanted Kakashi to go to you.”
That gets a confused frown before Minato stiffens. He is then quick to look away, hands bunching into fists. “Kashi’s a genin.” Sakumo blinks. “He wouldn’t have gone to anyone.”
Sakumo reels because it’s true and that never crossed his mind. Had he taken his life that night, Kakashi wouldn’t have been placed with anyone. He’s a genin; an adult in the eyes of Konoha. He would have been left alone, given full access to the Hatake estate, and made to raise himself. It tears at him and gods, he was so stupid. He really wasn’t thinking, was he?
“Hatake.” Minato’s voice is harder than he’s ever heard it and it chills him, right to the core. “If I see even the slightest hint that you’re regressing, I will keep Kakashi from you. I won’t let you hurt him like that.”
Sakumo sighs, stepping out onto the engawa and settling in to watch the garden until it’s time to bring the washing in. “You have my thanks.”
He can tell it’s not the answer Minato wants but the jounin leaves and Sakumo lets him.
***
“They’re not wrong.”
Minato whips around in alarm, kunai in hand. Behind him stands Kakashi, arms folded tightly but shoulders bunched up to his ears. Minato lowers the kunai, pressing a hand to his rabbiting heart.
“Kashi, it’s almost 2AM. What are you still doing awake?”
Kakashi shrugs, awkwardly scuffing a toe along the wood of the kitchen floor before Minato replays his words and crouches down.
“Who wasn’t wrong? And about what?”
“Dad,” Kakashi whispers. “He did try to kill himself.”
Minato’s very blood freezes.
“I saw, when he picked me up. The tanto. He dropped it when I walked in. The angle was wrong to attack an enemy.”
He says it so blasély but Minato can see the way his bottom lip is threatening to tremble, can see the water pricking at his eyes. He gently pulls Kakashi in and he resists until he’s fully engulfed in Minato’s embrace. One minute, then two, then Kakashi breaks - sobbing loudly.
“Oh Kashi,” Minato soothes, rocking him ever so slightly, a hand coming to run through his hair. “I’m sorry. Sorry you had to see that.”
“I don’t matter to him, do I?” Kakashi asks, tears a blend of distress, hurt, and anger. “It’s why he wouldn’t look at me! He wanted to leave me. He was gonna leave me just like Mom did! He thinks I’m worthless!”
That last sentence is a full on scream, pitch biting Minato’s ears and undoubtedly disturbing the neighbours. Minato shushes him quickly, frantically, but he doesn’t know what to do. He might be able to placate Kakashi but that’s all it’ll be: placations. They won’t mean anything.
He then sucks in a breath. He isn’t sure if this is allowed, if this will set everything backwards but he doesn’t care right now because he thinks, more than anything, what Kakashi needs right now is his father. Tightening his grip, he flash steps them across Konoha, Kakashi hiccoughing in surprise and scrambling in his arms, trying to see where he is. Minato knocks with no regard for the time even as Kakashi’s baulking, yelling and pleading for them to leave. It brings running footsteps and the front door is flung open so fast it almost topples off its tracks.
“Kakashi?” Sakumo says, panicked, trying to take him.
Kakashi dodges his arms and kicks at Minato, curses him and calls him every name under the sun, using words he should definitely not have at his age. Sakumo looks aghast but Minato ignores it. Pressing Kakashi tightly to his chest, effectively pinning him, he then repeats, word for word, what Kakashi said to him. Sakumo bites back a sob of his own before reaching out, placing a hand on Kakashi’s back. The boy arches away like he’s been scalded.
“Kakashi, please. Come, talk with me.”
The little boy shakes his head furiously, Minato sighing. “Kakashi,” he tries, “Remember what I told you, about your father’s mind being unwell. That’s what made him make that choice. But he’s working every day to get better. Can he tell you about that?”
Kakashi hunkers down in his arms, sullen. “Why should I? He hates me anyway.”
Sakumo reaches out again, this time managing to get his hands under Kakashi’s armpits. “I don’t and I never want you to think that again. Please, Kakashi, talk to me. I’ll tell you what I’ve been doing and you can give me some tips, okay? Tell me what else you need me to do.”
Kakashi hesitates before finally, finally, looking his way. His expression is absolute stone. “I need you to not kill yourself.”
Sakumo straightens his back. “Then, I won’t. Now come inside. There are things I need to tell you too.”
It’s with great reluctance that Kakashi lets Sakumo transfer him from Minato’s arms onto his hip. Sakumo whispers something too quiet for Minato to hear but Kakashi looks torn between punching his father and wailing so it must be something he needed to hear.
“I’ll meet you at the training grounds,” Minato says, despite not having permission to do so. A silent conversation passes between them.
“He’ll be there,” Sakumo promises. “He just may be behind on sleep.”
Minato nods, eyes lingering on Kakashi. “I’ll take that into account.”
“And Namikaze? Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
***
Kakashi’s late to training the next day and only has ninety minutes of sleep under his belt. Sakumo has been victim to shoving, stomping feet, and gratuitous punching of the floor, along with a fair share of tears and screaming, but he understands. Kakashi has been more affected than he let on and of course it was going to come to a head. The night had ended with dawn peeking over the horizon and Kakashi slumped in his arms, slowly drifting off as Sakumo whispered an old lullaby he’d used to sing when Kakashi was still an infant.
He lets Kakashi loose on training field and gives Minato a tired smile, as well as some tricks on how to get Kakashi to nap without alerting him to that’s exactly what’s happening. Minato thanks him profusely and Sakumo has to bite back a chuckle. He knows Kakashi fights daytime sleeps with a vengeance ever since he apparently grew out of naps at fifteen months.
He heads to his therapy appointment and discloses what’s happened. His psychologist’s lips purse but she admits they made the right choice.
It’s the start of Sakumo’s life seemingly turning around. He gets Kakashi a few nights a week and then, on his next trip to the market, when a shopkeeper rounds on him, a Nara he’s unfamiliar with steps in. The Nara acts like he doesn’t know what the problem is and eventually the shopkeeper caves. Next it’s a Yamanaka, then an Akimichi, then a few more. The shinobi are all young, part of Minato’s generation if Sakumo had to guess, and they never mention it, always wave off his thanks. Kakashi too, when they walk through the village, makes a point of holding his head high and goes as far as to slip his hand into Sakumo’s, something he hasn’t done since just gone two. He very much radiates his pride in his father and his posture makes it clear that he’ll challenge anyone who dares to disagree. Sakumo is even offered a new position from the Hokage; part time working in the archives and part time training chuunin and jounin who want to become proficient in katanas and tantos.
And, four months after That Night, he gets Kakashi put back into his custody. There are rules, of course - Kakashi has to attend training, Sakumo must continue to prepare his meals, care for him, and Minato has strict instructions to report anything he thinks is a concern - but he gets Kakashi back.
The first few nights end with Kakashi in his futon but, when he brings it up at his bi-weekly sessions, the psychologist waves a hand and says,
“He needs to assure himself that you’re there. And, he needs to remind you that he’s there.”
She says to bring it to her attention again if it’s still happening in a month or so but it peters off on its own and Kakashi is back to sleeping in his own room. They cook breakfast and dinner together and Sakumo spars with him in the evenings, walks him through clan legends and history before bed. Kakashi hangs off every word, soaks up the knowledge like a sponge and Sakumo never hesitates to remind him how proud he is of him. Kakashi always goes pink to the tips of his ears and he grumbles but he never complains.
Maito Gai is a surprise though.
Kakashi brings him around one afternoon and announces he’ll be staying for dinner. He doesn’t ask because when does Kakashi ever. Sakumo watches them spar together, notes how Kakashi outstrips Gai completely when it comes to ninjutsu but once they swap to taijutsu only, it’s Kakashi’s turn to fumble. Oh he doesn’t get destroyed, doesn’t even lose a match, but Sakumo can see how hard won his victories are.
They then swap to shogi and Sakumo bites back a laugh as Kakashi grows more and more frustrated as Gai moves the pieces however he sees fit. He always tacks on a “is that correct?” though, so clearly he’s trying.
(He never is and Kakashi had corrected him the first several times before just sighing and nodding. Of course, now he’s frustrated that Gai is beating him because Gai is, essentially, cheating but Kakashi dug his own hole. Sakumo will let him lie in it.)
Dinner is boisterous and Kakashi uses Gai’s enthusiastic story telling at Sakumo to hide his eating behind a hand and, when Kakashi wearily walks Gai to the door after dinner, Sakumo has to wonder why he even bothered bringing the other boy around. Yes, Sakumo encouraged them to be rivals but he didn’t mean this.
Kakashi groans and slumps down at the kotatsu, such a rare display of emotion that Sakumo laughs.
“Dad,” Kakashi whines and Sakumo ruffles his hair.
“He is loud, isn’t he? Still, you persisted. I’m very impressed, Kakashi.”
Kakashi stays there, head buried in the crook of his elbow for the longest time before muttering, “The doctor said it was my mission to make a friend before I saw her again.”
Ah. That makes more sense, although Sakumo has to stop his heart from melting at her calling it a 'mission' just so Kakashi would actually do it.
“And?”
Kakashi gives a full body sigh. “He’s loud and annoying and he isn’t good at anything at all that isn’t taijutsu but…I don’t hate him.”
From Kakashi, that’s practically a declaration of love. Sakumo stands and collects the dishes, pressing a kiss to the top of his son’s head as he does so. “That’s good. Now, come help me with this. Once we’re done, I think you’re ready to start using the chakra blade.”
Kakashi has never moved faster.
***
Three months later has Sakumo standing at the door of Kakashi’s room. The moonlight has his son’s hair practically glowing, his deep breaths echoing through the night as he sleeps. In his hands is a form given to him from the Sandaime. That irks him because it should have come from Minato and the fact that it hasn’t means Minato isn’t aware of the proposal. And why should he be? Kakashi turned six a mere four days ago. He shouldn’t be, a flick to the paper in his hands, applying to become a chuunin.
Kakashi grunts softly in his sleep, rolling onto his stomach, and Sakumo sends a burst of lightning infused chakra into the paper, engulfing it in flames.
He already tried to send himself to an early grave. He’ll be damned if he lets anyone do the same to Kakashi. No. Kakashi is going to live.
And, most importantly, Sakumo is going to stand right alongside him and see it.
***