Chapter Text
Two weeks have been uneventful since that evening when Danzo visited Sayuri's house and clinic. Thankfully, the two weeks have been uneventful for the three students. However, their Sensei has been gone for the last few days on a mission, leaving the three students under the watchful eye of Asuma and his three students. As far as the students could tell, Asuma was not informed about the issue between Lord Danzo and Team Seven, or at least didn't mention anything.
The day before yesterday, Sayuri did come and visit Team Seven after training with Team Asuma and informed them she would be leaving for a mission as well. The Inuzuka doctor explained to the uneasy genin that she would be gone for about two to three weeks but informed them that Kakashi should be back in the village by tomorrow. Much to the relief of the three students.
"Alright, that's enough for today," Asuma announced loudly, getting the attention of all six genin.
The students quickly gathered at the Sarutobi, who then took the students to the local barbecue restaurant, much to Naruto and Chogi's excitement. At the restaurant, the Jonin-sensei knew something was wrong with his temporary Uchiha student. He kept an eye on Sasuke, who had been quiet all day and looked like he hadn't slept in three days. More withdrawn and irritable than usual, Asuma can tell something is wrong. Before he could question the young Uchiha, the Sarutobi-sensei suddenly remembered the date, and everything clicked.
After lunch, Sasuke quickly and politely excused himself before leaving the team. Asuma nodded but informed Team Seven that their sensei should be back sometime today and made a mental note to check on the boy later today, too. First, he will have checked in with the Hokage about the mission that he has been scheduled to do this afternoon.
Luckily, he already knew that Kakashi is scheduled to return sometime today and hopes that the lone Hatake will be able to return in time to check in on Sasuke. If he doesn't get the chance to see the kid before he leaves.
At times, Asuma wondered if his father assigned Kakashi to Team Seven due to the fact that the male Hatake has a great understanding of what some of the struggles the students of Team Seven are currently going through. He won't lie and say it's not disturbing how Sasuke's personality is so close to how Kakashi used to act when he was Sasuke's age, if not younger. Ever since his father passed away.
A part of Asuma still doesn't forgive his father for isolating Kakashi the way he did when the third shinobi war started. When the whole village outcasted a hero of their village and a six-year-old child. Sayuri and her mother were only spared the same fate because they always dye their signature silver hair brown and had the surname Inuzuka, instead of Hatake.
However, there is no time to reminisce about past choices and mistakes now. Nothing can change the past. Right now, he needs to get his mission from the Hokage so he can try to check in with the mourning Uchiha. Hopefully, Kakashi will return to the village soon.
Dark, heavy clouds loomed ominously over the village, making the afternoon look like late evening. Before a single drop of water collided with the dirt of the village main road. Then another, and another. Until rain poured down from the heavens, drenching everything in its path.
Sasuke continued walking back to the Uchiha compound after leaving the Yamanaka flower shop. It was his last errand for the day. He hasn't been feeling too well the past couple of days, but he thinks it has to do with today's date, or the change in the weather, or maybe from the lack of sleep. Not that it matters, but he is tired. However, there's one more thing he must do before ending the day.
After paying for the flowers, Inoichi Yamanaka offered to help the Uchiha take the many bags filled with the large bundles of flowers. Sasuke immediately denied the offer. He was certain the Yamanaka knew why he brought all the flowers, but thankfully, the blonde jonin didn't say anything and only gave a short understanding nod. Then Sasuke grabbed the bags and rushed out of the flower shop and ran back to the Uchiha compound.
The heavy rainstorm shows no signs of stopping as Sasuke placed the last bundle of flowers in front of the last empty tombstone. Then, he kneeled before his parents' graves, ignoring how the rain felt like daggers on his drenched skin. It hurt as the wind started to pick up a bit, but the physical pain didn't even come close to the pain within him.
Memories of a happy life flash before his eyes before everything is covered in blood. The kids that he would play ninja with when there was a clan meeting. The aunts and uncles who greeted him as he walked up and down the streets of the compound. The mother who'd always welcome him home from the academy. The father who would acknowledge his presence. The worst was the brother who always gently smiled and tapped his forehead.
That was when a choked sob escaped the mourning Uchiha boy. Only to increase as the rain mixed with the flowing tears that streaked down his face. In one night, his whole life was torn apart and swallowed in blood. He was alone. Alone, to sob in the freezing rain and howling winds, with no living soul to hear him breaking apart. Thankfully, the shaking in his body has died down as he ignores that his fingers and toes are numb.
It's been pouring down rain for about an hour now, much to Kakashi's dismay. Storms always tend to put him on edge, and unfortunately, he forgot to bring his travel cloak and poncho for this mission at home. The reason why he was currently soaked to the bone and wanted to get to his tiny studio apartment and into a hot shower. Thankfully, he kept his core body temperature up using an old chakra technique that his Sensei taught him as a young genin.
The Hatake continued to jump between the trees, making his way back home to the hidden leaf village. He estimated that he's about three hours from the village gate. He hoped that his students were doing alright, but knowing that he left them in the best of care, with Asuma and Team Ten.
'Someone is here.' An echoey voice from his mind remarked, making the Hatake stop on the next branch. A quick sniff of the chilled air told him who was coming before the cloaked figure jumped out of the brush of the trees, landing on the branch a few feet in front of him.
"Hey there, Kakashi. I knew you were coming back today, but I didn't expect to run into you." Asuma announced, loosening the hood on his travel cloak, so Kakashi could see his wide smirk on his face as he held an unlit cigarette between his teeth.
"Asuma," Kakashi greeted warmly with a small wave and an eye smile. Knowing that he must be quite a sight at the moment, covered in mud and grime from his mission and completely drenched from the rain. He probably looked like a soaked pup that rolled in mud after a bath. Then, in a neutral tone, he asked, "I didn't know you were leaving the village? I thought you told me you weren't going to be sent on missions for another week."
The Hatake wasn't trying to accuse or anything, but knowing that if Asuma was here, that meant that his students were no longer being protected. Especially already knowing that Sayuri is not in the village at this time as well. A jolt of fear filled him, knowing that his three students were in a vulnerable position if Danzo decided to make his move.
"Yeah, I wasn't supposed to be. However, a high-paying client asked for me specifically to escort them from their village to the capital." The Sarutobi informed before quickly adding, "I also informed your students that you were returning some time today, so they will meet you for training in the morning."
"Understood. Thanks again for watching over them while I was gone." Kakashi calmly spoke as he rubbed the back of his head and added. "Hopefully, they weren't causing too much trouble."
The Sarutobi laughed heartily before answering, "It was no problem at all. If anything, they gave my team some competition. Although I will admit that I'm glad that Chogi and Naruto aren't on the same team, they would probably eat their Sensei into bankruptcy."
Kakashi couldn't help but chuckle in agreement. "You're right about that," Kakashi spoke, smiling under his soaked mask.
"Oh, before I forget, when you get back to the village, make sure you talk to Sasuke." The Sarutobi added as he jumped into the same branch, not caring about the rain.
"Why did something happen?" Kakashi questioned as he brushed the soaked silver strands of hair out of his face.
"No, nothing happened. It's just... remember what day it is," the Sarutobi-sensei replied, as his joyful expression turned solemn. While he reached into his travel bag and grabbed a storage scroll.
The Hatake-sensei hesitated for a moment and then remembered what had happened five years ago. He couldn't believe that the day he was supposed to be coming back to the village was the day of the Uchiha massacre. Kakashi's dark gray eye slightly widened, now understanding what Asuma meant by checking on Sasuke.
Asuma could feel his expression soften as a small grin formed on his face. While he watched the younger man's face scrunch up in thought, he looked down at the empty space next to him. The Sarutobi wasn't even going to attempt to imagine what Kakashi was thinking at the moment. Then, unsealed another travel cloak from his storage scroll, and ignored the Hatake's flinch as he wrapped it around the younger man's shoulders.
The older Jonin's actions snapped Kakashi out of his thoughts and slightly cocked his head as he watched Asuma. He was silently tying the slightly oversized cloak drawstrings together, adjusting the travel garments to fit his more slender frame. Kakashi can already tell that the Sarutobi was going to be giving him a lecture about having to take better care of himself. Again.
Even though Kakashi was only two years younger than Asuma, the Sarutobi sometimes treated him like a little brother. Especially after his father's death. It is not as frequent as it used to be when they were kids, but it still irritated him. Like he was someone worth protecting.
"Why aren't you wearing a travel cloak or a poncho, Kakashi?" Asuma questioned, as if he were scolding a kid. While he finished tying the knot of the cloak's drawstrings, keeping the weather gear attached to the Hatake's shoulders.
"I forgot to pack one," Kakashi answered honestly, knowing from experience that lying to Asuma isn't worth the trouble.
"Hmph, figures. Lucky for you, I always pack a spare," Asuma huffed in amusement. Then, he pulls the cloak's hood over the Hatake's head. "Kakashi, you have to take better care of yourself," the Sarutobi added, tempted to ruffle the Hatake's silver hair like he used to when they were kids. However, they weren't kids anymore, so he settled for placing a firm, friendly hand on Kakashi's shoulder. Inwardly amused at how irritated Kakashi looked as he smiled widely at the Hatake. "After all, if you get sick, how are you going to pay me back for watching your brats?" He finished, causing Kakashi to roll his uncovered eye.
"I should have known there would be a catch. Alright, what do you want?" Kakashi drawled out but was relieved when Asuma stopped fretting over him. He never liked being treated like a child. 'You never were given the chance to be a child,' a voice rang out from the back of his mind.
Asuma chuckled and answered, "Don't worry. It's nothing terrible. Our classmates are planning on having a get-together soon, and you can come with me and stay for at least one hour to pay me back for watching over your kids. Deal?"
"Fine, deal." Kakashi drawled out with a huff, then the senseis' shook hands to seal the deal.
"Well, you better get back to the village so you can check on Sasuke." The Sarutobi drawled out as he looked down and rubbed the back of his head before noticing the Hatake's outstretched arm. Then, with a smile, he grabbed Kakashi's forearm with a firm grip.
"I will. Thanks for letting me know, and good luck on your mission. If you need help, you know how to contact me." Kakashi spoke with an eye smile.
The forearm grab was not only to thank Asuma for the cloak and watch his students but to secretly transfer a hidden chakra mark to Asuma. Kakashi is well aware that Asuma can protect himself and complete his mission successfully. However, the mission he came from was close to the capital, and he's been hearing some concerning news. That people have been disappearing, and it wasn't just civilians but well-trained shinobi as well. So, it never hurts to be too cautious.
"Pff, brat. You know, I can handle myself, but thanks. Keep an eye on Kurani and the others for me while I'm gone. Hopefully, I won't be gone too long. Maybe a week at most, and Kurani squads are looking after my students. So, you don't have to worry about my kids on top of yours." Asuma replied as he tightened his hood again.
"Great. See ya later, Asuma." Kakashi added, before making his way back to the village, to find his raven-haired student.
The rainstorm shows no signs of stopping any time soon. As the raven-haired boy stumbled into what used to be his home. Standing in the dark entryway, Sasuke sniffed as he watched the water drip from his bangs. The air was still as Sasuke walked further into the house but saw the glow of the kitchen light on. The Uchiha boy tensed and froze at the sight of the figures. One was washing dishes in the sink, and the other read the newspaper at the low dining table.
"Mom?" "Mom?" Sasuke whispered softly as she turned to face him. "Dad?" He added in the same tone, getting his usual grunt response before the older Uchiha folded the newspaper and left the room.
"Sasuke, you're soaked! You must be freezing! You shouldn't have been training today. Not in this weather," his mother fretted, kneeling before him as she pressed a towel to his cheek. However, the towel, as well as her hand, felt like ice on his pale skin.
"I'm sorry," Sasuke choked, as a sudden sob escaped him.
Only for cold arms to pull him to the gentle hug. As his mother's soothing voice shushed his shuddering breaths, "Shh, it's okay, Sasuke. You had another nightmare, didn't you? Why don't you tell me all about it?"
Sasuke could only sob louder as he buried his head into his loving mother's shoulder. His body was hurting, but his heart was shattering as he cried and clenched the cold fabric of his mother's shirt.
Upon reaching the village, Kakashi quickly checked in with the chunnin guards. After they confirmed his identity and finished their other protocols, Kakashi walked down the main road of Konoha at his usual pace. The Hatake stretched his senses out searching for his students. The enormous chakra of Naruto and the spirited chakra of Sakura were calm and gave off a slow, rhythmic pulse. Indicating that they were both sleeping at home, based on their chakra signature locations. While Sasuke's sharp chakra was not at his apartment's location.
Normally, the Uchiha boy's chakra burned like a steady flame. When angered, that flame can become a wildfire, ready to burn all in its path. However, there are times when the Uchiha's flame can be gentle and steady, too light to guide those who are seeking in the dark.
Sasuke's chakra was nothing more than a small flickering flame. That was located at the far end of the Uchiha compound, where he believed the graveyard was. Kakashi had a bad feeling about his Uchiha student being there in the middle of a storm like this.
"It's not like you should be surprised," the voice spoke in the back of his mind again.
"Your commentary is not helping," Kakashi countered as he had already started running the Uchiha compound.
"I never said I was trying to help," the voice added in an amused tone.
"Always so stubborn," Kakashi huffed, with a small smile under his mask.
Minutes later, Kakashi finally made it to the Uchiha graveyard and immediately spotted Sasuke. The boy's limp body lying in front of his parents' graves. Thankfully, the boy was still shivering, even if it was only a small tremble, while he was laid unconscious on the drenched grass. Kakashi quickly removed the cloak Asuma lent him. Then, he carefully picked up Sasuke and used a quick water jutsu to remove the water from Sasuke's drenched hair and clothes before wrapping the travel cloak securely around the young Uchiha teen.
"Sorry I'm late, Sasuke. Come on, let's get you out of here," the Hatake gently spoke. Before carrying the boy away from his clan's graveyard, Kakashi bowed his head respectfully to the tombstones of the strict Uchiha clan head and his caring wife.
Sasuke started waking up. He doesn't remember going home or changing into dry clothes. His head felt like lead and burned by a fire jutsu, and his body ached. Despite his discomfort, he must have rearranged his pillows on his bed to where he lay more elevated and not even bothered to crawl under the sheets, since he could feel his feet poking out from under the blankets covering him. Suddenly, the soft pillows he was lying against expanded, and shrunk was the sound of something taking a deep, relaxed breath. That was weird. Sasuke groaned as he started to rub the sleep from his exhausted eyes and began to try to sit up.
"Go back to sleep, pup. You're safe," an unknown voice spoke behind him when Sasuke suddenly sat up.
The young Uchiha's breath quickened as he was rapidly looking around and immediately noticed that he was not in his apartment. When he heard the male voice that made him jump, he quickly turned to see that he was lying against a large grayish-white wolf with blue eyes. They were lying on a bed covered by a green comforter next to a large window that was being pelted by the rain and a large bulletin board covered in photos on the wall near the edge of the foot of the bed. Across the bed was a large desk against the wall, while across the room was the front door; next to it was a small kitchenette and a low dining table near the middle of the room. On the other side of the kitchenette was another door that had light peering through the door's threshold and the sound of what sounded like a shower running.
"Easy, pup. You're in Kakashi's apartment. We found you passed out in the rain. Try to relax; you're safe," the wolf spoke again.
Sasuke calmed down at the explanation and took a minute to breathe. Then, he asked with a little bit of a slur, "What? How long have I been out?"
"It's been about a half hour since we found you," The wolf answered, as it pressed its unusually long tail against Sasuke's aching stomach and gently pulled the Uchiha boy back to his previous position of lying against the wolf's side.
The young Uchiha was shocked. He thought that he would have been out for at least an hour, considering that he was dry, or at least his clothes didn't feel wet. His hair felt damp, but that was probably due to his fever because Sasuke could definitely tell that he had a fever.
"Kakashi used a water jutsu to remove the water, which is why you're not a soaked pup right now. You have a fever, probably due to exposure. Kakashi used medical ninjutsu on your fever, so it should start going down soon," the wolf huffed as he explained.
That was when Sasuke realized he was thinking aloud as he lay against the wolf's side. He was still tired but wanted to make sure that Kakashi was here and this wasn't some sort of trick that Danzo made. It seemed like something that the creepy village elder would do.
"Sleep, pup. Kakashi will be out of the bathroom soon," the wolf reassured.
"Why should I trust you?" Sasuke argued, trying not to yawn as he glared at the light gray wolf.
"I only speak the truth. Whether you trust me or not, it is not my concern. You act the same as Kashi-pup when he was your age," the wolf growled in annoyance with a slight flick of its tail.
Sasuke gave no comment since his mind was still hazy from fever but was curious at what the gray wolf meant by Kakashi acting like him when he was a kid. Eventually, his exhaustion overcame the sick Uchiha. The next time he woke up, he could feel the touch of the fingers of a cold hand pressed gently against the burning forehead. He kept his eyes closed and stayed still as he noticed that he was curled up against the wolf's side as he heard voices quietly speaking.
"It's funny this pup acts just like you used to," the voice that belonged to the wolf spoke with a hint of amusement.
"You already knew that. Why are you telling me again?" Kakashi's voice asked. As Sasuke heard his sensei walk around the small apartment, he felt a cool, damp washcloth being laid on his forehead.
"Because it's funny," the wolf chuckled. Then there was a slight pause before the wolf softly asked, "Does it still hurt?"
"Just a bit sore; the bleeding has already stopped. Should be nothing more than a bad bruise by morning," Kakashi answered calmly, but Sasuke could faintly hear the wince in the Hatake's tone.
'Kakashi's injured?' The fake sleeping Uchiha thought in concern, but he was relieved to know that his sensei was there.
"You should eat something before your bratty pup wakes up," the wolf added with what sounded like a teasing tone.
'Does he know I'm awake?' Sasuke inwardly questions, making sure to keep breathing even and expression neutral.
"That would be a good idea," Kakashi quietly chuckled. then added in amusement in his tone, "What do you think, Sasuke? Are you hungry?"
'Dammit, they knew!' Sasuke mentally yelled to himself as he softly opened his eyes and let out a grunt in response.
"Well, let's see what I got," Kakashi replied to the nonverbal answer. As he stood up and made his way to the fridge and checked what ingredients he had. After a moment of consideration, he called out to his sick student, "Sasuke, would you rather have miso or tomato soup?"
Sasuke immediately replied with a grumble, "tomato soup."
"Use your manners, pup," the wolf scolded with a faint growl.
"Please," the young Uchiha grumbled again.
Kakashi only chuckled as he went to the kitchenette, as Sasuke started drifting back to sleep again. When the young Uchiha started waking up again, the first thing he noticed was the mouthwatering aroma filling the room. It smelled like home. It smelled just like the tomato soup recipe his mother used to make several times throughout the winter months. His head still felt like lead, and his body ached terribly, but he still remained in a half-sleep state. Despite the small amount of hunger, he could feel gnawing at him.
"Sasuke, come on, it's time to wake up," Kakashi spoke as he gently shook the boy's shoulder. Before placing his hand on his forehead, checking the boy's temperature that was thankfully returning to normal.
"I'm up," Sasuke grumbled as he slowly sat up and rubbed his eyes, trying to rid the sleep from them.
Soon, he got up and followed his Sensei to the low dining table, ignoring how Kakashi wrapped a blanket around his shoulders. Then, he placed a bowl of tomato soup before him, as well as a cup of steaming hot tea. Instead of sitting at the table with the young Uchiha. Sasuke watches as Kakashi calmly walks over and sits at the desk. Then the Jonin-sensei pulls out some paper and a pen and begins to write, leaving his student to eat his dinner in peace.
"What are you doing?" the young Uchiha questioned as he carefully picked up his cup and took small sips of tea to see if he could stomach anything.
"Nothing major, just writing my report," Kakashi answered honestly as he continued writing.
"Make sure not to add any Anbu code to it. Iruka-sensei will get mad again," Sasuke added with a smirk as he looked at his sensei.
Kakashi gives his Uchiha student a confused look before rereading his report. Then, he responded with an, "Ah, that's good to know. So that's why Iruka always gets mad at me when I turn in my reports." Then crumpled the piece of paper before throwing it in the wastebasket. Then he grabbed a new piece of paper, and he started rewriting his mission report again. Kakashi added, "Also, when you're done eating, you're going right back to bed. Or, if you want, I could take you back to your apartment."
Sasuke only replied with a grunt.
"You can spend the night here if you want. I'm just giving you the option. I know, sometimes during difficult times like these it's better not to be alone." Kakashi calmly added as he continued writing. While the wolf on the bed started dozing off to sleep.
Sasuke didn't have an answer yet if he wanted to return to his apartment, so instead, he decided to take a spoonful of his soup. After the first bite, he recognized the recipe immediately. It didn't just smell like his mom's recipe. It was his mom's recipe. A pain rolled up inside the Uchiha boy again, thinking of his dream where he saw his mom cooking in the kitchen. It was something Sasuke never really thought that he would lose those moments until it was gone.
"Sasuke, are you okay?" Kakashi asked cautiously, staring at the boy who didn't realize he had tears streaming down his face.
"It tastes just like my mom's recipe," the Uchiha boy replied, then quickly wiped his face to dry the tears.
"I would hope so. It is her recipe. She taught it to me," Kakashi answered quietly, still writing his report, knowing that Sasuke would be embarrassed if the Hatake saw him cry.
"You knew my mom?" Sasuke questioned with surprise. He had no idea.
"Yes, I did. When I got my Sharingan, I didn't know how to control it, and my body struggled against the constant drain of chakra. It was, in a way, slowly killing me. Mikoto volunteered to train me how to use it and increase my stamina and chakra storages. That way, I would be able to fight again without the risk of passing out every thirty minutes due to chakra exhaustion." Kakashi explained, still remembering Mikoto's training. She was kind but didn't let him slack off.
"I never knew. She never mentioned anything," Sasuke muttered, trailing off as he looked deep in thought.
Kakashi ran his hands through his silver hair, trying to think of the best way to explain. Before adding, "Well, she didn't really ask for permission. From the clan head or the Uchiha clan's elders. Mikoto only did it because the Uchiha boy, who was my teammate, gifted me his eye. After I lost my original eye. She knew him and watched over him like a guardian."
"And then my mom trained you?" The boy in-between bite bites, as he listened to his Sensei.
"Only after I was given the Sharingan. Many of the Uchiha did not care very much for the Hatake clan. Someone like me having the prized Uchiha clan's kekkei genkai was considered a shame on the Uchiha clan, one of the noble clans of Konoha." Kakashi spoke evenly as he crossed his arms and leaned back heavily into his wooden chair.
"Why? Why would training a Hatake be considered shameful?" Sasuke questioned, not understanding why the Hatake Clan had such a bad reputation. Ever since Sasuke was young, he knew every clan had its own dark secret, but he doesn't understand why the Hatake are seen as so much worse.
Kakashi must have noticed his frustrated confusion because the Jonin-sensei chuckled. Then lightly added, "My clan had a bad name with Uchiha before the village was ever founded. Not that we really cared. To be honest, we had our own problems to deal with at the time."
Kakashi answered in a tone that Sasuke knew meant his sensei was not going to elaborate further on that comment. So, instead, he ate in silence for a couple of minutes. He wondered about everything that's happened the past few weeks and everything he's learned about his Sensei, and there was only one thing he truly wanted to know about Kakashi.
"Kakashi?" Sasuke muttered softly as he looked at his sensei, who was writing on his mission report again.
"Yes?" Kakashi answered, his lone eye remaining on the paper in front of him.
"How do you... handle it? Losing everything?" Sasuke questioned in a hushed tone.
Kakashi stopped working on his report and turned towards the Uchiha boy. The twelve-year-old kid was looking at the empty bowl before him, with his hands in his lap. Kakashi knew how vulnerable the boy must have felt to ask such a question, and he was proud that Sasuke was taking the first steps to ask for help. Something he never did for himself.
Kakashi spoke calmly as he answered, "To be honest, Sasuke, I struggled a lot, and it took me a long time to find something worth fighting for. I had to accept that they were gone, and they couldn't come back." Kakashi paused for a moment, remembering the loneliness, and at times, he still does. Even though he has people in his life now, he can't help but miss the loved ones that he left behind. Then he solemnly adds, "Things seemed so painful that you just want it all to end. But you have to find something worth fighting for, worth living for... And sometimes when I finally thought I gained something. I lost something else in return. Nothing will ever really fill the pain of losing your whole family, and I know you understand that as well. As I do. However, in time, the pain becomes easier. As you let people in to help you, not immediately, but over time. You'll truly find your own family."
"Did you?" The raven-haired boy asked, shoulders slightly trembling.
"Yes, I have some of my classmates, I have some old friends from the Anbu, and I have my ninken, Sayuri, and Naruto, Sakura, and you." Kakashi answered, honestly, in a light tone. Then, when Sasuke's eyes shot up at him, he added, "It always takes me a while to warm up to people. My heart has hardened like that, but I don't even think for a second that I don't consider you all my family, my pack. And in my clan, the Hatake Clan. We will do anything to protect our pack."
"Do the nightmares ever go away?" Sasuke asked, trying to discreetly wipe away the tears dripping down his face.
"In time, they will become less frequent," Kakashi answered honestly, wishing he could talk Sasuke overwise, but he won't lie to Sasuke, not about this.
It took Sasuke a while to calm himself down, but once he did, his only response was an "okay." Before letting out a yawn.
"Alright, I think it's time for you to get some sleep," Kakashi spoke with a chuckle as he stood up and put Sasuke's dishes in the sink. Then, he added, "Do you want to stay here, or do you want me to escort you back to your apartment?"
Realizing how tired he was, Sasuke sleepily asks, "Can I stay here? I don't really want to go home alone."
"Of course you can. My home is always open to members of my pack," Kakashi replied, gently ruffling the Uchiha boy's raven hair.
Sasuke answered with a small nod and a muttered thank you. Soon, he was led back to bed, with his back leaning against the light gray wolf again. Who wraps his tail around him protectively. He hears the wolf make a sly comment that Kakashi has to make do sleeping on the floor since he and Sasuke are taking the bed, which got a chuckle out of his Sensei.
"That's fine with me. You're always a bed hog anyway. I finally got a whole bedroll to myself for once," Kakashi added, laying a bedroll on the floor close to the bed. Before going back to writing his report. He notices his student falling asleep and adds, "Good night, Sasuke." And the Uchiha boy did, falling asleep to the steady sound of rain tapping the window and the scribbling of a pen on paper.
Sasuke could feel a faint smile on his face. He is no longer alone. His family is still gone, but the burden felt a little lighter. His team is nothing like his old family, but maybe they could be part of a new one.