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Chapter Text

6yrs before Naruto is born June 8th

Kakashi sat up rapidly, blinking his eyes as he focused on his room. His mind was a bit fuzzy, but the dream he had was still very clear. The dream itself felt so real and left a nasty taste in his mouth as he threw his legs over the edge of his bed. Kakashi tried to rationalize what he had dreamed about as he lifted his hands so they were eye level and stared at them. 

Even now, he could still feel the warmth of the small hands that had grasped his as clear, blue eyes had bored into his own dark ones and pleaded silently to listen to what had been said to him. What was this? Some new type of Genjutsu? He was sure that wasn't it; he was sure about that. Sighing as he stood up and shuffled to the bathroom to get ready for the day. He still had to report for a mission with his fellow Chunins.  

The moment he opened the door to his bedroom, he heard the soft, depressed groan from his father, indicating he was already drinking. Feeling a sharp pang in his heart, Kakashi quickly made it into the bathroom, shut the door, and turned on the water. Worry gnawed at him how much his father had been drinking after the incident that had disgraced his father's name, Sakumo "White Fang of Konoha" Hatake. Kakashi feared that something bad would happen, but he had no clue what it could be. Soon steam filled the room and fogged the small mirror above the sink as he looked at himself. Only to feel a bit of a disconnect with reality as his mind slipped back into the dream.

000

The soft sound of muffled sobs reached his ears, making him look around the strange place he now stood. It looked like it was some shrine? The normal place of worship was to his immediate left with the standard bell and red hanging braided cord, with the traditional offering box. A very large tree was roped off with traditional Shimenawa, indicating Shinto beliefs to his right. What was off was the fact there was a two-story off white house that seemed out of place. 

Narrowing his eyes, he began to walk towards the sounds that had drawn his attention. It felt odd because he realized he was walking on a well-maintained paved path that looked to have been recently swept as he looked down. And the cracks in between each brick that was laid could be felt by the soles of his feet. How it was possible, he didn't know because he should be asleep in his bed. In fact, he was sure he was, and this was some weird dream? 

Giving a small shake of his head, he began to walk towards the area behind the shrine. Each step was soft, quiet as he had been trained to do. Masking his chakra just in case this was actually not a dream. When he reached the corner, pausing to press his body against the rough, aged, and slightly damp wood of the shrine, he looked around the corner to see if he could spot who was crying. 

What met his gaze had him staring in shock. A small girl was sitting at the edge of what appeared to be a fresh grave, like only a day or two old? She looked so tiny and pale as she kept her face pressed into knees as wavy raven locks fell around her shoulders. It felt as if he was intruding and left him feeling a bit awkward and seriously uncomfortable. Realizing that he shouldn't be there, wherever he was, he shifted a little to move away, only having his nightshirt catch on the wood, causing it to creak faintly at the pull. 

"Who is there?" 

Flinching, he stilled as his mind ran through various scenarios, and the girl sniffed loudly. Realizing he had been found out by rather idiotic means, he freed his nightshirt, only to see a smooth wall with nothing to catch it on, this wasn't normal but instead moved forward towards the girl, who was now facing him. Not pausing until he was standing beside her as she looked up at him in confusion. Easily, he observed that her face was red and puffy from crying. Though her eyes were bloodshot, the deep, almost hypnotic blue of her eyes was clear in an oval face framed by her dark hair. She was wearing a matching pink t-shirt and shorts pajama set with a deformed white cat with a huge red bow behind what he was sure was its ear? 

"W-who are you?" 

Kakashi processed what she was asking before deciding to answer her in a minimalist manner. Having had it beaten (literally) into him that a good ninja never gave out information, even if it meant death. 

"Hata-chan." 

It wasn't exactly a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth. The way the girl sniffled as she stared rather pointedly at him for a few long, pregnant seconds had him wondering if she was going to call him on it? Though that thought was gone the moment, she smiled sadly up at him. 

"N-nice to meet you, H-hata-chan. I am Kagome." 

He wasn't sure how to take that open honesty that she displayed. It was given without a second thought, leaving him wondering if she had any common sense? Then again, there was no like or duplicity that even a normal civilian in a Ninja village would even display. Once more, he was struck at how odd this was and if it was reality or a dream? 

Deciding that getting more information, especially if she was more than willing to offer it up so freely, "Why are you crying, Kagome?" 

The sight of her bottom lip began to tremble as her eyes became glassy at his question; he knew he stepped on a landmine. Silently he told himself that he wasn't tactful. 

"My dad died a few days ago. I miss him," Kagome whimpered at him as he watched her look back at the fresh grave. "He was k-killed in an accident. S-someone h-hit him and r-ran. T-that's what m-mom told me." 

Feeling even more uncomfortable, he said nothing as he shifted a little before squatting down beside her. Death was a fact of life. It was never pleasant, and those left behind had to deal with the loss and grief. But he could understand that she was young, confused, and feeling lost. All her emotions were clear on her face. Before he could say that it was a fact of life, no matter how it happened, he found himself staying his words when Kagome looked back up at him. 

"Do you have a d-daddy, Hata-chan?" 

It was a truly innocent and seemingly innocuous question. Yet it made him pause before he sat down beside her. His eyes never leaving her as he took it apart before figuring out how to answer her. Though he knew being honest here was the best policy. 

"Yes, I do. Why?" 

"Then you s-should c-cherish the t-time you have with him," Kagome whispered as he watched fresh tears roll down her face. Her body shifted as she reached out quicker than he thought she was capable of and grabbed his hands on her own. "B-because when they're gone... y-you c-can't get it back. T-the g-good or b-bad. Be th-thankful for having them with you, okay?" 

He was at a loss for anything to say. His home life was not good right now. And he was catching hell from his fellow shinobi because his father chose to save the life of his comrades over the mission. His father had told him that his teammates were his lifeline on a mission. That friends were to be trusted and precious. He didn't quite understand that they were in and out of his life, whether they were on a team or not? Yet, he stood by that fact; he may not be happy with the situation and that his father was paying for it by the criticism he was getting right now about how it was spiraling downward fastly with his drinking and depression.

Sighing, he looked down into Kagome's eyes, seeing the silent plea there, and realized she was serious about what she said. And that she was right. Leaving him to wonder when the last time he had gone to talk to his father was? It had been almost two years since he had entered the Academy, and his father had personally taken the day off to walk him there and tell him how proud he was when he'd made it into the Academy. That realization struck him hard, as all he had for a family in the world was his father, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. 

"Kagome, I promise you I will cherish my dad. In fact, I will sit down and talk with him since it has been a little while since our last one." 

The tumultuous, watery smile Kagomke gave as her hands squeezed his. The gentle warmth he felt from them was immediately missed when Kagome let his hands go and stood up. 

"Thank you, Hata-chan," Kagome said, her smile a bit brighter as she lifted an arm and dragged it across her eyes. "I best get back inside, or mama will be mad at me for being out before sunrise, again." 

He knew there was nothing he could say, so he nodded his head and watched as she walked back towards the house. Closing his eyes as he steeled himself to talk to his dad later.

000

Sighing, Kakashi finished rubbing the towel over his head to get the excess water; he thought about what to say to his father. There was one thing that he knew; he had to say no matter what. As well as explain, since he had been asked recently. Tossing the towel onto the edge of the tub and grabbing his undershirt, and pulling it on. Kakashi steeled his nerves, left the bathroom, and made his way to the kitchen, where he heard the soft hiss of a beer can be opened. Kakashi stopped in the doorway and waited patiently for his father to turn around, hating the sight before him. 

"Kakashi? Where is your mask?" 

Curling his hands into fists as he left them hanging at his side, Kakashi took a step into the kitchen. His gaze locked on his father as he made his way to the table and sat down, giving a small nod of his head to indicate he wanted his father to sit with him. A part of him was glad that his half-drunk father did so quickly. 

"We need to. No, I need to talk to you, Dad," he said softly. The look of shock and suspicion on his father's face hurt him, but when no words were forthcoming, Kakashi knew he needed to continue. "I know that as a shinobi, we are not supposed to have emotions. In the field on a mission, I agree with that. But here, in the village and the privacy of our homes, I don't think that should apply." 

He watched, gauging his father's reaction; Kakashi wondered if his words would even seep into his father's alcohol-addled brain. The emotions that openly flickered across his face were worth it as Kakashi recalled the many times he'd seen them growing up. 

"What are you getting at, Kakashi?" 

Letting out a breath that he hadn't been aware he was holding, Kakashi shook his head. 

"I... this is harder than I thought, dammit," He cursed. 

"Language, young man." 

Blinking his eyes as he stared almost owlishly at his father, Kakashi couldn't help but smile. He knew that his mother hadn't been a huge fan of foul language or putting down others. 

"Sorry, dad," he said, letting the smile get wider on his face. "I, dad, I don't agree with the rest of the village. I believe you did the right thing in saving your comrades and friends. Yes, the mission is to take priority. But you saved his life, knowing that he had a wife ready to give birth. I recall what it was like when mom died." 

"Kakashi, don't."

Narrowing his eyes, Kakashi brought his hands up and slammed them on the table. "No, dad, I believe you are right. And I don't care what they all think. You are my dad, my only family left in this world. You taught me right from wrong. And both you and mom taught me to value life, so did my sensei, Minato. Are you going to say that our Hokage is wrong?" 

Kakashi knew his words were harsh, but he made a point and felt out of his element. These were his feelings, feelings that he had shoved deep down when he accepted his Hitai-ate and became a genin that was required. And right now, Kakashi would be damned if he'd let his dad, who was in a bad place, derail him. When his father stayed silent, Kakashi was silently elated. 

"I haven't said this in a long time, dad," he said, doing his best not to shift nervously in his seat. "I love you. And I am worried about you right now." 

The moment the words left his mouth, Kakashi felt his face heat up as his father's mouth dropped open in blatant shock. It would be comical if he weren't feeling so embarrassed. 

"I.. Kakashi, I don't," his father stammered out. "What do you want me to say? or do?" 

Not having thought past telling his father how he felt, Kakashi floundered. Only to stiffen when his father stood up and walked around the table and kneeling before him. When he was wrapped in his father's arms, Kakashi relaxed and hesitantly hugged his father back. The physical, human-to-human contact was odd after going so long without it. 

"You could tell me how you feel?" 

When his dad's body began to shake, Kakashi thought his father laughed at his honest question. Only to hear a choked sob, letting him know that his dad was crying. This triggered a similar response in him, though Kakashi would be damned if he started crying like a baby. 

"Well, then, now I will always love you, Kakashi," His dad said, his words slurring a little bit. "Never forget this, Kakashi. Your mom loved you to the day she died as well." 

The words his father spoke had Kakashi feeling a bit cold. The wording was off. 

"Dad, I want to give you an answer to something you asked me a while ago," he said, shifting his body and pushing his dad away lightly. When he was able to look at his dad in the face, Kakashi took a deep breath. "You asked why I started wearing the mask. It has nothing to do with feeling shame about you being my dad or that I look like you. No, it is because I wanted everyone to acknowledge my skills and victories as mine. Not because I am your son. Though I am proud of it, I wanted to make you proud, not emulate you like a shadow." 

Again, his father's mouth dropped open, comically in shock. This time though, Kakashi just burst out laughing at how ridiculous his dad looked. 

"What am I going to do with you, Kakashi?" 

Ceasing his laughter, Kakashi looked his dad dead in the eyes and spoke seriously, "Stay with me. I am not ready to lose you." 

TBC!

Chapter Text

 He had felt restless when he had gone to bed. Today his dad, head of their Uchiha Clan, had taken him to one of the many battlefields. It left a deep impression on him.

The site of blood-stained ground littered with dead bodies(both friend and foe) as the smell of death seemed to fill his nose. Itachi had felt nauseated as he listened to his father. He did not like fighting, and that site only reinforced his dislike of battle. After listening, he knew that to defend what was precious, he would have to fight to protect what he held dear.

Closing his eyes, Itachi tossed and turned until sleep finally claimed him.

******

The soft sound of crying filled his ear, making Itachi tense as he opened his eyes. It had taken him a long time to get to sleep. 

The site that met him when his eyes opened was not the dimness of his bedroom. No, it was early evening, and the sky was that blend of fading blue, orange, and red over the trees. While before him was a small offertory shrine where a girl who looked his age was kneeling. 

The soft crying was coming from her as she knelt with her back to him. Shoulder-length black hair with a slight wave and curl bounced as pale shoulders shook.

Itachi had yet to learn how he got there. Or even where there was. But he could easily tell that this girl was really sad. 

"Kami-sama, I ask you to take my grandmother's soul and keep it well until it is ready for reincarnation. And you won't call for any more of my small family to join you in the heavens."

Her words caused him to frown. It made Itachi wonder if the war had taken her family. It was clear she was a civilian by her clothes alone. 

Being alert, Itachi watched as the girl clapped three times and stood. His eyes darted around, but there was no real place for him to hide as the girl turned and spotted him. 

"Oh! I did not know we had a patron," The girl said, talking as she used the back of her hands to wipe the tears from her eyes and smiled brightly. 

Itachi knew it was a forced smile. And it made his heart thump sadly in his chest. 

"Where are your parents? Did you get separated? Is this where you were told to meet them in such a case?" 

At the quick questions, Itachi realized his predicament. So he gave a nod earning an understanding look from the girl. 

When she held her hand out to him, Itachi hesitated. Yet when her fingers curled, and her hand started to drop, he instinctively grabbed it. There was no malicious intent from her, and with how clear her blue eyes were, Itachi felt a sense of calm and trust towards her.

Soon, he was led to a three-person bench under a large tree sectioned off by ropes and prayer talismans.

"I'll sit with you until your parents come so you don't feel lonely or scared."

He felt a bit affronted that she thought he'd be scared by being alone. But again, he knew(somehow) this girl meant no insult. 

"My name is Kagome," she spoke softly. "Are you willing to tell me your name?"

Tilting his head and looking at her side profile, Itachi said, "Itachi."

The soft snort of amusement came from her, making him frown.

"You don't look sneaky or evil like a weasel," Kagome said. "Rather, your adorable and cute like my little brother."

He felt a bit dissatisfied with what Kagome said. Itachi stopped himself from retorting when he felt Kagome loosening her grip on his hand. 

He squeezed her hand, not wanting to lose the warmth and calm feeling it gave him.

"I heard you praying. Did war take your family?"

His words elicited a slew of physical responses from Kagome. Her body stiffened as her hand suddenly gripped his to the point of pain. He heard her breath hitch, then her body shudder with raw emotion. 

"No, it wasn't war. My grandmother died of age and sickness," Kagome explained. Her voice trembled as if she was trying not to cry again. "My dad was in an accident called a hit and run. The other person hasn't been found, and it's been two years, so there is little to no hope."

Itachi immediately felt as if he shouldn't have said anything. 

"It's okay, Itachi. Loss and death are a natural part of life, or so says my grandfather when he read the Buddhist and Shinto scriptures at my grandmother's funeral yesterday."

Itachi nodded to show he understood, and he did. A part of him was glad it was not a war that took Kagome's family. However, he wondered how her Clan couldn't find her father's killer after so long. Was it an assassination? Did another Clan do it? Or was it ordered by someone from another nation?

Opening his mouth to probe, Itachi went still as an elderly man's voice called for Kagome. 

"Oh, that's my grandfather. Please stay here, okay? I'll be right back," Kagome said as she slid from the bench.

He nodded his head once before she ran off toward where her grandfather's voice had come from. A sudden wave of exhaustion had Itachi closing his eyes.

******

"Itachi? Are you awake? Do you feel okay?"

Frowning at being called, Itachi opened his eyes and saw his mother's worried face. Beyond her was his bedroom ceiling. There was no sunset-tinted sky or trees. The bench he had been sitting on was the bed he'd gone to sleep in.

"Itachi, answer your mother."

At the court order from his father, Itachi blinked and nodded his head as he sat up. He felt as if that girl and that place were a dream. Yet his hand, which still felt warm from holding her hand, told them it wasn't. 

"Good. No matter who I called or shook you, you would not wake up."

Hearing the genuine worry and concern in his mother's voice, Itachi reached out and held her hands. His mind is trying to figure out if he could remain as strong as Kagome if he lost her.

The obvious answer in his four-year-old mind was no. His mother was his world. As for his dad, Itachi guessed it depended on the situation.

TBC!