#Kakashi : Is it just coincidence or why is everyone who speaks to me then throw their life for the sake of other people?

[huskymaine]

Recently I rewatched Kazekage rescue arc and I like this conversation of Kakashi and Chiyo, because of these some interesting things :

1. Chiyo “allergic to ninjas from other village” asks Kakashi about a trivial thing (I mean in their situation it’s hardly the time to have heart to heart) without hesitation, especially since their first meeting is not going well. Their first interaction is not going well at all, with Kakashi somehow getting mistaken as his father with only his one eye and hair visible.

Offf.. In here Chiyo used Shiroi Kiba me that is basically translated as White Fang (derogatory). Since me here is derivative of teme which is widely known as an insulting word.

2.  Although in here Kakashi became Naruto’s mouthpiece, at the same time he shows how close he watches Naruto and his behavior after 2.5 years being separated.

3.  Gaara’s status at that time is a Kazekage. Literally in the same high position as Tsunade. Temari and Kankuro called him “Gaara” is understandable because they’re his siblings, Sakura and Naruto called him “Gaara” is somewhat understandable because they are teenagers and don’t really care for formalities, Chiyo called him “Gaara” is also understandable because she’s one of Suna Elders and way on senior position than Gaara in Suna Council. But Kakashi, an outsider Jonin leader who know shinobi formality like a back of his hand called him “Gaara-kun” is baffling but also cute.

4. Chiyo suddenly opened herself and talking about her past mistakes, having some thought about maybe they way she supported Sunagakure all this time has been mistaken (isn’t it count as treasonous thoughts? She wasn’t afraid that Kakashi will tell anyone about it?), even uttering her envy for young people, a truly vulnerable  things to be admitted for an energetic grandma who just few chapter before said that she will not lose by the youngsters, while Kakashi patiently listened to her.

This is so jarring for me because it’s so weird that hardened shinobi like Chiyo let out her emotional vulnerability to a person whom moments before she thinks as her enemy. It’s as if Kakashi also has emotional power that is similar yet different with Naruto’s. Kakashi said that Naruto has mysterious power that made people instantly befriend him although he only exchanges few words. I think the reason is because Naruto wears his heart on his sleeve. People who met him can see his determination, his pure intention, and that’s why they trust him and open up to him. 

But Kakashi is like the most secretive shinobi in Naruto verse. He never said anything about himself, he has some disturbing monikers like Cold-Blooded and Friend-Killer, and he even never let other sees his face. Yet people like Chiyo and Zabuza, hardened veterans who know better than bare their weakness in front of enemy, shows their vulnerable side in front of Kakashi, somehow believes that Kakashi will not betray their trust and use that for his own gain. This Kakashi trait is mentioned in Kakashi Retsuden by Nanara’s P.O.V

Truthfully, he knew nothing about Kakashi. Even if he asks him, he is always deflecting from answering. Thinking about it now, it wouldn't be surprising if he really was a spy sent by the capital.

However, I don't know why, I want to trust him.

I want to follow his back. The so-called excellent leaders must be people like Kakashi.

 Yeah, thing is, people who met Kakashi, see his lanky form, unkept hair, covered face, massively secretive attitude, yet somehow feel like he’s a trustworthy and reliable person. Someone that can be depended upon. Like Chiyo, Zabuza, even the Raikage. Of course, his record as elite Jounin help him to get credence for other people, but it’s amazing that even for shinobis from other villages, Kakashi is someone who is least likely to betray them and make them feel safe enough to show vulnerability. Probably this special power also made people dump responsibility over responsibility for him despite his unwillingness XD

5. Kakashi cheered her up and uplifted her spirit, although just a day before he heard the same Chiyo scorned his father’s name with hate. I mean, forgiving is one thing, but no one ask him to be kind for someone who hates his own father, especially since his father is such a sore spot for him. But he did it anyway, made Chiyo laugh, and since that time determined to not give up, do something, and that something is to give her own life for Gaara. 

This is just after her fight with Sasori, she already thought to save Gaara.

Chiyo rememberes Kakashi’s words in her last moment, saw the proof in front of her eyes, and smiled. 

Then Kakashi, as a shinobi through and through, paid respect to Chiyo and complimented her last act as shinobi (although the whole talking about “fitting last moment for a shinobi” is too similar with teenage Kakashi’s favorite book “How a Shinobi should Die” for my comfort. Please tell me that is not your attachment for martyrdom speaking).

Bonus other Kakashi and Chiyo moments : 

Anime only :

Oh I can feel his awkwardness in this scene. Kakashi’s father is such a sore spot for him (next to Obito and Rin) so maybe it’s truly uncomfortable for him to admit himself as his father’s son in front of a person who was suffered by him. Not that I blame Sakumo, he’s shinobi which means that his situation is constant kill or to be killed in the war, but for me specifically it’s a hard reminder that behind all hero’s glory story there’s someone getting hurt from the other side.

Then when they finally met Team Gai...

For Konoha people, Kakashi being late and spew offhanded excuse is like running joke, but Chiyo from Suna being typical elderly self conscious and think that she “troubled” Kakashi. That’s so cute of her, almost hoping that Chiyo is my grandma. 

In the end, when Chiyo planned to revive Gaara...

Unlike those teenagers who was shocked when Chiyo intended to bring Gaara back, Gai and Kakashi instantly understand that Chiyo would sacrifice her own life for Gaara’s sake. In Kakashi’s case, probably he was having deep thought regarding that, with his solemn closed eye and speech bubble that means thinking.

#hatake kakashi #chiyo #uzumaki naruto #naruto meta #me : intended to make short post about that video #also me : keep typing anything that came in my mind #this is why I am suck at making my own meta post #my though will get jumbled and unorganized #ahhh I don't know #anyway I never appreciate it before but Chiyo is cute #like kind grandma cute #Kakashi bad luck strikes again #Kakashi told her that she was young and there are things that she can do #without knowing that she already has life-transfer jutsu in her arsenal #Kakashi : Is it just coincidence or why is everyone who speaks to me then throw their life for the sake of other people? #what did I do to invoke this martyrdom disease? #independent post

[tipsyraconteur]

Good Boy, Part 4

Annnd here is the last part of this fluffy dogstrosity. I managed to break 200 followers during the blogging of this story, so thanks to everyone that followed! I really enjoyed writing some pure fluff for tumblr, and I’m sure I’ll do it again in the future when I need a break from my longer stories. Thanks for reading, and enjoy!

Good Boy, Part 4

KakaSaku Coffee Shop AU

Rating: T

Word Count: ~2.5k

[ Part 1 ] [ Part 2 ] [ Part 3 ]

-

The next day, Sakura started her shift with a smile on her face and a song in her heart. Well, not really, but she definitely began the shift in a good mood. It was hard not to feel positive: she’d totally aced her make-up test with her professor and she was about to have two days off that she could spend catching up on schoolwork and sleep. Most importantly, however, was the company she was expecting during her shift that day.

Maybe it was stupid to feel so excited, but she was excited.

Four days ago, Kakashi had been a strange man with a pug who’d flirted with her before not paying for his drink. Now… well, she was starting to hope that he’d be more. Maybe a lot more. When Sakura had made the dubious decision to call Ino and ask her for advice, Ino had squealed “ASK HIM OUT” loud enough that Sakura had had to pull the phone away from her ear.

Sakura wasn’t sure she had the courage to do that. But maybe she could handle reminding him that she had the next two days off, in the hopes that he would ask her out himself. Sure, it was pretty cowardly, and that didn’t exactly sit well with Sakura, but neither did asking out a customer while she was at work. Somehow, she thought her boss would frown on that.

Sakura didn’t want to piss off Hana. Hana was the older sister of Sakura’s friend Kiba, and the last thing Sakura wanted to do was upset her boss, especially since it would also reflect badly on Kiba’s recommendation that she work there. And after the conversation she’d had to have with Hana earlier that week about a certain unpaid-for drink, Sakura was probably on thin ice already.

As if her very thoughts had summoned her, Sakura felt her stomach drop as she heard the sound of the back door opening and her boss’s voice ringing through the air.

“Hey Sakura,” Hana said easily as she locked the back door behind her. “I’ve had to rearrange my schedule this week, so I thought I’d come in and do inventory tonight,” she said, smiling brightly.

Sakura forced what she hoped was a believable smile in return. It was a few hours before the time when Kakashi came in, but who knew how long inventory would last? If Hana was still here when Kakashi arrived with four dogs, Sakura wasn’t sure how she would react.

And it had to be four dogs. He had to have run out by now, right?

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Sakura asked hopefully. Maybe she could hurry this along.

“No, I just need you to run the shop. I’ll try not to get in your way too much.” As Hana set down her bag and plucked her inventory clipboard from the wall, Sakura held back a sigh. All she could do now was hope that inventory was finished before Kakashi made his grand appearance.

For the next two hours, Sakura handled customers while Hana puttered around the shop counting things. She counted milk jugs, syrup bottles, and boxes of napkins and stir sticks. Sakura mostly tried to ignore her steadily growing anxiety and failed miserably every time she checked the time. However, a certain fatalistic mood began to settle over her as the clock hands crept closer to what she thought of as “Kakashi Time”. After all, he was just a customer who had some dogs, and they were a coffee shop that was dog-friendly. So, it wasn’t like either of them were doing anything wrong.

…Right?

“Sakura.” Hana’s voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts, and Sakura turned to take in the sight of Hana counting the various sizes of cups. “Do you know why we’re missing shot cups?”

Without thinking, Sakura answered, “No, I don’t know why we would be—” and then stopped, trailing off. Puppuccinos. Goddamn puppuccinos.

Hana’s eyes narrowed. “Sakura?”

Sakura gave a wincing smile. “Well, you see, we’ve had a customer lately who likes to bring in his dogs, and Starbucks does this thing where they give out little cups of whipped cream and call them puppuccinos…”

Hana folded her arms, looking unimpressed. “And you thought we needed to keep up with Starbucks, apparently. Did you not realize that would throw off inventory? It looks like theft, Sakura.”

Sakura swallowed. Why did she have to have so many conversations with her boss regarding Kakashi and thievery? “Well, I figured that we don’t charge for extra whipped cream, so it would be okay.” When Hana’s expression didn’t change, Sakura sighed. “I didn’t think about the cups. I’m sorry.”

Hana watched her narrow-eyed for a moment longer, and then a curious little smirk crept over her face. “So… who’s this new customer?”

Fuck. Sakura felt her face start to get hot, and her voice was a trifle squeaky when she answered, “What? Which customer?” Smooth, real smooth.

Hana casually inspected the nails of her right hand, although she was obviously still watching Sakura from the corner of her eye. “You never break the rules, and now you’ve broken them twice in one week.”

“I— Well, I mean, I just made a few mistakes. It’s a coincidence.”

“So, you’re telling me puppuccino customer isn’t also didn’t-pay-for-a-drink customer?” Hana’s smile had begun to take on a positively wolfish quality. “He must be cute.”

Sakura opened her mouth to make some sort of excuse—just what kind of excuse, she wasn’t sure—when she was saved by the tinkle of the bell over the door. At least, she thought she was saved, until she looked over and saw a certain lanky figure in the doorway.

Kakashi leaned casually in the door, holding it open, smiling lazily. Lifting one silver brow, he whistled—and then the dogs started walking in.

"Oh, no," Sakura whispered to herself in mounting horror. But there was no stopping it.

First was Pakkun. Out of the backpack for once, he was wearing the same blue halter that all of Kakashi's other dogs had worn, but it was so small and cute that Sakura had to repress the urge to make a very awkward high-pitched noise. Next came Shiba, and the Bisuke. All of them were holding their own leashes in their mouths. When Uhei came in the door, he paused briefly and wagged his tail before continuing forward.

That wasn't the end of Kakashi's dog parade, though.

Another smaller brown floppy-eared dog stepped through the door, followed by two other dogs of lanky, medium build. All three looked like mutts of indistinguishable breeds. But the last dog that came in caused both of Sakura's hands to fly up over her mouth. He was a dark dog whose breed wasn't immediately obvious—definitely some bulldog, maybe some bull mastiff—but he was easily the largest dog that Sakura had ever seen, the top of his head reaching higher than Kakashi's waist.

All eight dogs filed into a line before the counter, and each of them sat politely, still holding their leashes in their mouths. Completely ignoring her shocked expression, Kakashi let the door swing shut and approached the counter himself.

"Medium flat white and eight puppuccinos, please," he said pleasantly, like he hadn’t just released a canine horde upon her workplace.

“Kaka—” Sakura began, trying not to cringe, but she was cut off.

“Kakashi Hatake, why the hell are you standing in my coffee shop with every dog you have?” Hana’s voice boomed from behind her. Sakura turned to blink at her. “Let me guess… you’re the new customer I keep hearing about?”

“Oh, hi Hana. I didn’t know you worked here,” Kakashi replied in that same pleasant, unflappable voice. “It’s nice to see you outside the shelter.”

Confused, Sakura asked, “You know each other?”

Hana snorted, smirking at Kakashi. “You know I volunteer at the animal shelter. This guy,” she said, pointing at Kakashi, who looked admirably unphased by her ire, “is the guy they call when there’s a dog no one else will adopt.”

Sakura turned to look at him, briefly distracted from the tense situation. "Really? You take all the dogs that no one else wants?"

"No," Kakashi answered, looking offended, as if there was no way he would be that much of a sucker. After a long, pregnant pause, he added, "I only take the ones that Pakkun likes." Another pause. "Mostly. Pakkun didn't really like Shiba at first. I had to talk him into it." From the front of the line of dogs came a small, disgruntled 'boof'.

Sakura really wanted to ask how one went about talking a pug into something, but she decided it wasn’t the time. Especially when Hana glared from her to Kakashi and then said, “Neither of you have answered my question. Why are you here with all of your dogs?”

There was a moment when Sakura and Kakashi both looked at each other and then back at Hana, and then they both started speaking at the same time.

“Well, he saw the ‘Dogs Welcome’ sign in the window—"

“Oh, it’s really a simple explanation. I really like Sakura—”

“And when he asked what the limit was I didn’t know what to tell him because no one’s ever asked that—”

“And I thought I’d bring in a whole bunch of dogs to try and impress her.”

Sakura had trailed off, belatedly registering what he’d said about liking her, and was now struggling not to turn red again. Hana had her arms folded and was staring at him.

“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” Kakashi finished blithely, though the smile he gave was a little sheepish.

Hana was now pinching the bridge of her nose, her eyes squeezed shut. “Sakura,” she said slowly. “Make the man his drink.” Opening her eyes, she pointed at Kakashi again. “You. Take your dogs outside. There’s not enough room for them in here. And pay for your drink first!” she added as Kakashi started to move toward the door.

Kakashi chuckled awkwardly as he moved back toward the counter. “Right. Of course.”

In the awkward silence that followed, Sakura rang up Kakashi and made his change, both of them endeavoring to ignore the indistinct muttering coming from Hana, who had returned to her clipboard. Sakura quickly moved to make his flat white, very carefully not looking in Hana’s direction as she did so, and also avoiding looking at Kakashi.

“Medium flat white,” she said in a meek voice devoid of her usual cheer as she approached the counter and held out the drink.

Kakashi gave her an apologetic smile as he took it. “I’ll, uh, just take this to one of the tables outside,” he said, and within a few moments he’d herded his dogs back through the door, and Sakura was once more left alone with her boss.

Quickly busying herself by wiping down the hot bar, Sakura was startled when the silence was broken by Hana slamming down a whipped cream canister and a stack of shot cups beside her.

“When you give out whipped cream for dogs, you need to adjust the cup tally on the inventory sheet,” Hana scolded. “Don’t call them ‘puppuccinos’ again until I can verify that Starbucks doesn’t have that copyrighted.”

“Yes ma’am,” Sakura said, hope rising in her chest.

“Go take a break,” Hana finished gruffly.

Sakura blinked. She was always by herself in the shop on Wednesdays, so she never took a break. “But I don’t take breaks on—”

“Fuck’s sake, Haruno, know a good thing when you hear it!” Hana said in exasperation. “Take. A. Break.” And she shoved the whipped cream and cups toward her.

A silly grin threatened to break across Sakura’s features, and she quickly repressed it. “Of course, Hana. Thank you!” she said sincerely, albeit quickly, as she slid out from behind the register and beelined toward the door.

“Fifteen minutes!” Hana called after her, and she might have muttered something else, but Sakura was already out the door.

Letting the door shut behind her, still holding the cups and whipped cream canister in her hand, Sakura looked toward the table that Kakashi stood beside. And maybe it was the charmingly shamefaced grin he had, or all of the built-up tension of the last ten minutes—or maybe it was the pile of dogs who were crammed around his feet. But Sakura couldn’t hold it in anymore, and she burst into slightly hysterical laughter.

“I can’t—believe—you brought—eight dogs in here,” she gasped between giggles, and Kakashi’s grin grew as he watched her, his eyes warm. “I thought Hana was going to kill me. Or you.”

“Are you impressed yet? Because I’ve kind of run out of dogs and I promised Pakkun I wouldn’t adopt another one for at least a year.” Kakashi carefully stepped out of the pile of dogs and toward her, plucking the stack of cups and whipped cream from her hands and placing them on the table behind him. “Hey, do you think Hana can see us from inside the shop right now?”

Perplexed by the apparent change in topic, Sakura answered, “Well… no? She’s probably too far back to be able to see this table from—”

Sakura cut herself off as Kakashi dipped his head down close to hers, her breath catching in her throat. “Good,” he murmured, and with one hand raising to cup her face, he pressed his lips to hers.

She didn’t react at first, completely stunned by this turn of events. But when he went to pull away, her courage finally decided to show up, and she leaned toward him, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him back with an enthusiasm that Ino would’ve been proud of.

Kakashi hummed low in his throat in response, his free hand finding the small of her back. When she pulled back slightly to take a breath, he smiled at her, and she smiled back.

“You know, I probably shouldn’t show up here again… at least not for a while,” he said as she slowly moved back a little, her face warming as her actions caught up to her.

“At least not with so many dogs,” she quipped, biting her lip.

“You’re off tomorrow, right?” he asked, and when she nodded, he continued, “Let me take you to dinner. No dogs.”

“I don’t know…” Sakura hedged, trying not to grin. “I’m kind of only in it for the dogs.” The fact that Uhei chose that moment to come and sit on her foot made the grin break through.

Kakashi laughed, somewhat ruefully. “How about dinner and a dog park afterward?”

“Yeah… that sounds fun,” Sakura said, beaming.

Sakura didn’t miss Kakashi’s quiet, relieved sigh as she bent slightly to stroke Uhei’s head, much to the dog’s obvious tail-wagging pleasure.

“Now then,” she continued, reaching past Kakashi for the cups and whipped cream, directing her attention toward the dogs. “Who wants a generic equivalent, definitely-not-copyright-infringement cup of whipped cream?”

#kakasaku #my stories #coffee shop AU #good boy #JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF DOGS #the end #tipsyraconteur

[keepyourpantsongohan]

Standing on Ceremony

Isn’t the Hokage inauguration ceremony kinda like a wedding between you and Konohagakure? (Kakashi Hiden Ch. 2) | AO3 |

When Naruto arrives the training grounds, he feels a distinct sense of déjà vu.

Firstly, because Sasuke and Sakura are already there. Secondly, because Kakashi isn’t, in spite of the fact it was definitely him who’d sent the vague summons asking him here.  

“You guys too?” asks Naruto, holding up the note. It contains only three lines and a poorly-drawn depiction of one of his sensei’s dogs. 

Sakura and Sasuke nod, and fish notes out of their own pockets. “‘Training grounds. Morning. You’ll want to be there,’” reads Sakura in a drawling tone that must be an impression of their teacher. “Who sends this kind of message?”

“Kakashi,” says Sasuke, shaking his head. 

“What do you think he wants?” asks Naruto, sitting down beside them. “Not another bell test?”

Sakura laughs, and throws a skeptical look at the two boys. “I don’t think he wants to be responsible for the damages.”

Sasuke and Naruto meet eyes, and Naruto grins. Sasuke gives him what passes for a smile in Sasuke expressions, which mostly consists of his mouth twitching at the corners like his lips want to turn upward but they’ve forgotten how.

Though Sasuke isn’t residing in the village currently, Kakashi does ask that he make regular, if brief, in-person reports. Yesterday, he’d delivered one such report, and it appears that he has yet to leave. Naruto suspects that Sasuke is getting lonely in his travels, and that Kakashi has caught on. He doesn’t think Kakashi would go as far as staging an intervention, but perhaps this meeting is meant as a reminder that he has something waiting for him in Konoha.

Either way, it’s nice to have the three of them together like this, so Naruto can’t be too mad at Kakashi for being vague about when he’d arrive. He’s the Hokage now; he finally has a legitimate excuse.

“Could be a mission, you know,” muses Naruto aloud. Excitement flares up. The three of them haven’t been partnered together since the war.  

Sasuke raises an eyebrow. “He’d just call us into his office for that.”

“Maybe he just wants to spend time with his old team,” offers Sakura with a smile. “He’s kind of a sap, when it comes down to it.”

“If it was all about spending time together, you’d think he’d actually be here,” says Naruto, flopping down on the grass. His arms form a headrest beneath his chin.  

Sakura and Sasuke both let out long-suffering sighs. “Same old sensei,” says Sakura.

They sit there for like this for a while, chatting idly as they wait. Naruto tells them about his most recent date with Hinata and his shadowing of Kakashi as the Hokage, Sakura informs them about the progress of her children’s therapy centres and the vegetable garden she’s started with Yamato’s advice, and Sasuke tells them about the rumours he’s been following and, surprisingly, a tea shop visit with Jūgo, whom he’d run into while passing through Kusa. 

After an hour and a half has passed, Sasuke pulls out a pocket watch. “It’s afternoon now,” he says, not sounding surprised in the least. 

Naruto groans and stands. “I can’t sit still like this forever, you know. I’m going to go get him.”

“Get who?” asks a voice from beyond the trees. 

“Sai,” exclaims Naruto, upon looking at the new arrival. “Did Kakashi-sensei ask you to meet him here too?”

“Yamato-taichō did, actually,” Sai tells them as he approaches. “Though he stated that he would not arrive until shortly before two in the afternoon. I thought I’d come early to do some sketching.”

Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke all exchange looks. It cannot be a coincidence that Yamato and Kakashi would send messages for a meeting at the same spot on the same day. And since Yamato’s instruction tends to be much more precise than Kakashi’s... “We’ve been waiting here for hours for nothing,” concludes Sakura, exasperated. 

“Sensei,” says Naruto crossly, eyes in the direction of the Hokage tower as if to somehow project his annoyance on Kakashi from a distance. 

“Hn.” Sasuke folds his arm across his chest. 

Sai pulls a sketchbook out of his bag and sits down. “This is an unusual occurrence,” he comments idly, flipping to a blank page. “To have both versions of Team Kakashi come together. It is rare that all six of us are in the village at once, these days.”

Naruto’s sour expression is replaced by a smile. “That’s right! All of Team 7 will be in one place. That’s pretty exciting, you know!”

“Don’t forget Team 10,” pipes up Ino, bounding up towards them with Shikamaru and Chōji in tow. 

Sai smiles at her, setting down his sketchbook as she finds her place between him and Sakura. “Hello,” he says sociably. “Would you like to hold my hand? Sakura tells me it is common practice among new romantic partners.”

Ino laughs. “Only if you want to,” she says, and seems pleased when he grasps her fingers. 

“What are you doing here, Ino?” asks Sakura, prodding her friend. “Do you and Sai have a date after our meeting?” 

Shikamaru is the one who answers, coming to stand at Naruto’s side. “If you mean the meeting with Kakashi-sensei, we’re here for it too. Ino made us come early because she saw Sai headed this way. Troublesome,” he adds, sighing. Ino aims a stray kick at his ankle. 

Naruto’s brow creases in thought. “So it’s not a team meeting then,” he says. “What do you think they want?”

“They?” asks Chōji, confused. 

“Yamato-taichō will be here also,” explains Sai. 

Shikamaru’s eyes narrow. “Both of them? It’s strange that they’d call us all here on our days off.” 

“Speak for yourself,” says Ino. “Sakura and I just got back from a mission at dawn. Overseeing children’s therapy centres isn’t a simple task.”

Naruto and Sasuke stare at Sakura in surprise. “I slept for a few hours when I got back,” she says, shrugging. “And I’ve got the next week off, so I figured taking one meeting wouldn’t kill me.”

“Will you kill Kakashi, if he doesn’t show up?” asks Sasuke. His comment is for Sakura’s benefit, but it goes unmissed by the rest of the group.

They all turn to stare at him. It is, Naruto realizes, glancing at his expression, Sasuke’s attempt at humour. Involuntarily, Naruto lets out a snort. Sakura giggles. Ino and Chōji look conflicted, and Sai only shakes his head.  

“You’re not allowed to make treason jokes,” says Shikamaru, unamused. Sakura is the one who kicks Shikamaru this time, and her blow lands. Wisely, he offers no further admonitions. 

“The two of them have got to be up to something,” declares Naruto. “Why else would they gather so many of us here?”

Thoughtfully, Sakura asks, “Do we know if anyone else is coming?”

As if summoned by the question, three new figures approach the grounds. Four, if Naruto is being technical, but only three of which are likely to have received a message about this meeting. Naruto recognizes each of them in different ways. Hinata, by sight, since he’s learned to spot her across crowded rooms. Kiba, by sound, since sure enough, he is in the middle of saying something to Akamaru loudly enough to be heard even from this distance. Shino, by the presence of the other two, and the unsettling feeling of having bugs nearby. 

“Hinata-chan!” Naruto calls out to his girlfriend, waving. 

Hinata smiles and returns the greeting. When they are close enough for Shino’s calm voice to be heard, he tells Naruto, “It is common courtesy to greet all members of a group when they arrive. Why? The reason is because we are also your friends, Naruto.”

“Sorry,” says Naruto sheepishly. “Hey Shino, Kiba.”

Kiba laughs. “That sounded sincere. Why are all of you guys down here? Me and Akamaru could smell everyone gathering. You got the same note too?”

“Yeah. Actually, can we see yours?” Naruto asks eagerly. “We’re trying to figure out what this is all about.”

Kiba pulls out a crumpled note from his pocket. On it, the neat scrawl of their former captain states, ‘Please come to Training Ground 3 at two in the afternoon. There is an important matter to be discussed. Your presence would be much appreciated. Yamato.’

“‘Important,’ huh,” muses Naruto. “Wonder what it could be.”

Only more questions are raised as their party grows beyond just the rookies of their year whom Yamato and Kakashi have been teamed up with before. Tenten and Lee are next, the latter pushing Gai’s wheelchair at a pace which cannot be safe for either of them. Gai seems to know better than the teenagers about what’s going on, but when asked, simply says with shining eyes, “My rival has surpassed me once more!”

Kurenai joins them too, balancing a growing Mirai on her hip. A few more jōnin Naruto recognizes follow, like Shizune, Aoba, Genma, and Anko. And some he doesn’t, like a woman with long purple hair and a man with sleek brown hair, though Naruto must assume they know Kakashi or Yamato based on the way they keep referring to a ‘taichō.’ Iruka shows up a bit later among a handful of chūnin, and Naruto tries to bargain with him for answers only to find out he doesn’t know anything more than him. 

Finally, exactly ten minutes before the scheduled meeting time, Yamato himself shows up. He stands by the posts where Team 7 was first officially formed. Strangely, he is not wearing his jōnin uniform or face plate. In fact, he is in nicer clothes than Naruto has ever seen him, looking like he wouldn’t be out of place at one of the Daimyo’s fancy events that Naruto has started being invited to since the war. 

“Taichō!” Naruto says. “What’s with the outfit? Where’s Kakashi-sensei? Why’d you make all of us come here?”

“I think we’d better wait for Kakashi-senpai before we get into the details,” says Yamato.

Sakura groans. “We’ve been waiting, Yamato-taichō!”

Yamato smiles. “He’ll be here.”

The younger members of the group try to convince him to explain, but years of ANBU training have made him plenty able to withstand questioning. He starts by shooting down questions politely, but eventually turns to them with a ghoulish expression that silences the most vocal of his interrogators. 

As it happens, they don’t have to wait all that much longer, because fifteen minutes after the agreed upon time, Kakashi indeed arrives, dressed just as properly as Yamato. With him, he brings his predecessor, Tsunade, who is donning the hat she passed on not long ago with pursed lips as she hauls around a bag that makes a suspicious sloshing sound. 

“Sorry I’m late,” says Kakashi, sidling up next to Yamato. “I had to collect a very important guest.” He nods at Tsunade. 

“Guest for what?” Naruto demands. “What’s this about, sensei?”

Yamato turns to Kakashi. “Shall we start?” 

“Right. As you know, Tenzō and I have known each other a long time. I consider him to be a very important person in my life,” Kakashi says, nodding at the man beside him. “So, we wanted to announce it to you all.”

“Announce what?” asks Ino, folding her arms. “That you care about each other?”

Kakashi shrugs. “Sounds about right.” The group begins to sigh and exchange murmurs, until Yamato adds, “Legally.”

“That’s not a legal procedure I’m familiar with,” says Sai, pulling a notebook from his pocket. He skims it, and then frowns, looking to his peers for answers. “There isn’t any formal custom for simply declaring one’s importance to one another, is there?”

“Sure there is,” jokes Kiba, throwing his hands behind his head. “Marriage.”

Kakashi snaps his fingers. “That’s the word.”

A stillness falls over the crowd. For a moment, everyone just stares at the two men, who have remarkably calm faces for people who’ve just announced a lifelong commitment. They don’t seem inclined to elaborate, simply smiling (or in Kakashi’s case, hiding a smile) as they look out at the faces of their loved ones. The silence drags on, until Naruto shouts, “I knew they were dating!”

“Well, yeah,” says Sakura. “They were holding hands at the ramen stand last week. What did you think they were doing? Practicing hand signs?”

“Naruto was on a mission then,” Sai reminds her.

Naruto looks between Sai and Sakura, betrayed. “You went for ramen without me?”

“I think there are bigger questions here than about ramen,” interjects Sasuke, eyeing Kakashi and Yamato as if they’ve suddenly caused him to reevaluate his world view once again. 

“You’re getting married?” asks Hinata. “Have you decided on a date for the wedding?”

“Today,” says Kakashi affably. 

“We knew you’d all be free,” Yamato adds. 

Dozens of eyes turn to each other, looking for the same flabbergasted expression on their neighbours’ faces as there is on their own. By the looks of it, almost no one but the pair at the front had prior warning. Except...

“Did you know about this, Gai?” asks Aoba.

Gai beams, putting up a thumbs-up and a wink in the direction of the two men. “Kakashi knows that he cannot hide anything from me.”

Kakashi chuckles. “We needed witnesses for the legal filing. Gai is my best friend.”

The clearer it becomes that this is not some kind of joke, the more eyebrows go up. “But Kakashi-sama, as the Hokage, shouldn’t your wedding be an event for public celebration?” asks Shizune. 

Kakashi and Yamato share a look, as if they’ve been expecting this question all along. “Not if no one is aware of it,” says Kakashi. 

“I told him it was a nonsensical idea. But then, that’s never stopped us before,” says Yamato, doing a poor job of suppressing a smile.

“They have my blessing,” says Tsunade, shrugging. “Sarutobi-sensei’s wedding wasn’t a big event. I don’t see why Kakashi’s has to be. Besides, we’ve still got Naruto’s wedding to look forward to if we want something to bring the villages together.”

Hinata and Naruto catch each other’s eyes and then turn red. Luckily, Sakura saves them from having to address the comment by aiming a reproachful look at Kakashi. “You could’ve told your guests at least, Kakashi-sensei.”

“What would be the fun in that?” asks Kakashi with alarming sincerity. 

“We could have dressed appropriately,” says Sai, with a glance down at his bare midriff. He notes something down on his sketchpad, which Naruto is willing to bet is a question about wedding attire. A few more voices offer their assent to Sai’s words.  

Yamato waves them down. “What you’re all wearing is fine. We didn’t want to waste anyone’s time with having to prepare.”

Kakashi nods. “I know some of you have just returned from missions,” he says, a bit more seriously, “and some of you will be leaving in the morning. We didn’t want to take up more than an afternoon.”

“For your marriage,” says Sasuke, still sounding startled.

“Wedding,” corrects Kakashi easily. “Marriages usually last longer than an afternoon.”

Yamato nudges him, raising an eyebrow. “We’ll see.”

“Have a little more faith, Tenzō,” says Kakashi, grabbing hold of his hand. “Our marriage should survive at least until next week.”

“Next month, optimistically.”

“I bet we could even make it until the winter.”

Naruto gets the feeling their exchange could go on for some time, but a cleared throat brings their attention back to the crowd. 

“Where will the ceremony be?” asks the purple-haired woman. She is one of the few who doesn’t seem very caught off-guard by the antics of the two men. 

“Oh,” says Yamato, as if remembering himself. “Here.” He lets go of Kakashi’s hand in order to form the signs of the mokuton, and from the earth, several rows of benches rise up. With a few more gestures, an altar has formed, and several fruits have dropped down from nearby trees to adorn it. Tsunade pulls out a bottle of sake and three cups from her bag to join the display.

“Please sit,” says Kakashi, gesturing to the impromptu arrangement. “We’ll begin shortly.”

There is a general shuffle towards the seats. Naruto wonders if he should be sitting with Hinata, but he’s still a little bit sheepish about the wedding comment, mostly because it has been on his mind lately. Either way, his decision is made for him when he finds himself squished between the other members of Team 7 in the seats closest to the altar. 

“This is crazy, you know,” says Naruto, as his former team leaders begin to move into place. “Is the Hokage allowed to do this kind of thing?”

“He’s ranked higher than anyone else in the village,” says Sai, “so probably.”

“I still can’t believe he was late to his own wedding.” Sakura sighs, but then laughs. “I guess I can’t imagine him getting married in a normal way.”

“Marriage,” repeats Sasuke, shaking his head. “He never struck me as the type.”

“I don’t think you need to be any particular type,” says Sakura, with a gentle smile, “as long as you love the other person.” Sasuke stares at her for a moment, and then nods. When Sakura turns away, Naruto smirks and pokes Sasuke in the leg. He receives a slapped hand in return.

It seems as if they’ve tasked Tsunade with filling the role of master of ceremonies, if the way she stands in front of them is any indication. Naruto supposes it’s fitting. Kakashi isn’t much one for pomp and circumstance, and Yamato has always been a staid, if stalwart, presence. So they would’ve chosen a ceremony as simple as possible, without the numerous steps required with a priest. 

They exchange vows, which Naruto hears but understands very little. There are mentions of ANBU and a boy named Kinoe, whom Naruto has never met but of whom Kakashi seems to be very fond. He figures it can’t be another nickname, since Kakashi already calls Yamato ‘Tenzō.’ They reference locations that Naruto isn’t aware of Kakashi ever having gone, but he supposes they are old. Yamato even mentions the word ‘Tsukuyomi,’ which sets Sasuke on edge beside him. If Naruto didn’t know any better, he’d think they were speaking in code.

What Naruto does understand comes at the very end of their speeches. 

“Kakashi,” says Yamato. “I would be honoured to spend my life with you.”

“Good,” Kakashi replies warmly. Tsunade huffs and gestures at the scroll in front of her. Peering down at it, Kakashi adds, “I accept.”

As Kakashi and Yamato begin to offer each other sake, it dawns on Naruto that this is actually happening.

Kakashi, his sensei and Hokage, who has taught him almost every important lesson he knows, is marrying someone. Kakashi, who has spent more time at the memorial stone at this training ground than half the people present combined. Kakashi, who buys their team ramen, and pretends to like Sakura’s food experiments, and strong-arms Sasuke into displaying human affection, and accepted Sai into their team without a word. He has someone to hold him up, in the same way he holds their team and the village up.

It makes Naruto smile. He’ll have to thank Yamato later. 

Though Naruto hasn’t been to a wedding before, he knows enough to understand that the exchange of sake is among the last of the rites performed. He watches as Kakashi somehow manages to take a sip without lowering the fabric on his mouth, and then gives the cup to Yamato. When the motion has repeated itself, they shift beside one another and the movement sets off a thought like a light bulb in Naruto’s brain. 

Naruto suddenly leans forward in his seat, and elbows Sasuke in the side, jostling him into Sakura. “What was that for, dobe?” Sasuke complains, elbowing him back. 

“They’re going to kiss, you know,” whispers Naruto, staring forward intently. 

Beside him, Sakura and Sasuke frown at each other. “And why are you so excited about it?” asks Sakura, giving Naruto a concerned glance. 

“They’re going to kiss,” Naruto repeats, eyes trained on Kakashi and Yamato as Tsunade begins to conclude her ceremonial duties, “and Kakashi-sensei will have to take off his mask.”

Both Sasuke and Sakura immediately look at Kakashi and Yamato. As Naruto predicted, their sensei and captain are moving closer to one another, and each of them inclines their head as far as they can, hoping to get the best angle. Tsunade says the last of her speech, and all three are frozen in anticipation. 

And then Yamato takes a large step forward, placing himself in front of Kakashi with his back to the onlookers. He puts his hands on either side of Kakashi’s face, so even those sitting on the side can’t get a good look at him. Kakashi’s hand rises to pull down his mask, but all they can see is the back of Yamato’s head, leaning into the person he is marrying. 

“Come on,” says Naruto, at the same time Sasuke says, “What the hell?” and Sakura says, “Really?” 

And then they’re separating, and turning to the crowd with bright and pleased faces and the mask already back in place. Kakashi spots the dejected faces of his former students, and he winks. 

Sai seems confused by the behaviour of the rest of his team. “I don’t understand what the fuss is about,” he confesses. “Kakashi-senpai took his mask down when we had lunch last week, Sakura.”

“He did what?” ask Naruto and Sakura simultaneously. Sasuke narrows his eyes. 

When Kakashi and Yamato move away from the altar, hand in hand, to join the crowd, Naruto asks, “Did your really let Sai see your face before us, sensei? We’ve known you longer!”

Kakashi laughs, his dark eyes alight. “I believe the customary greeting is ‘Congratulations,’ Naruto.”

“Oh,” says Naruto, cheeks turning pink. “Congratulations.” His teammates repeat the sentiment. 

“Thank you,” says Yamato, with a broader grin on his face than Naruto has ever seen. Turning towards the rest of the guests, he tells them, “For those of you who are available, there will be food and drink at my home this evening. No ramen, I’m afraid,” he adds teasingly to Naruto. 

There are some cheers among the attendees. Gai and Lee decide to race to Yamato’s house on their hands, and a disconcerted Tenten is left behind to bring Gai’s wheelchair. “How do they think they’re going to get in without either of you to open the door?” she asks. Kakashi shrugs, and she sighs, going after her team. 

“Will you be taking time off from your duties?” Sai asks, as the crowd disperses. 

“A few days,” Kakashi affirms. “Tsunade-sama has agreed to look after the administrative affairs while I’m gone. Though I told her she could pass a few tasks on to Naruto.”

Naruto’s mouth drops open in surprise. “Really, sensei?”

Kakashi nods. “I trust you.” Then, his gaze turns to Sasuke as he pulls something out of his pocket. He places the object in Sasuke’s hand. “You’ll be minding my apartment at the Hokage’s residence,” he declares. 

Sasuke blinks at the key in his hand. “I didn’t agree to that.”

“Think of it like a wedding present,” says their teacher, patting him on the shoulder. “Besides, I can’t have you sleeping on the roof of the tower whenever you spend the night in the village.”

Naruto and Sakura look at Sasuke, alarmed. He shrugs. “I needed somewhere to camp out. Naruto was already asleep. It seemed as good a place as any,” he explains. 

“We’re getting you an apartment in Konoha,” mutters Naruto darkly. Sakura nods. 

Sasuke opens his mouth to refute them, but Yamato cuts across the protest. “We’ll talk about it later,” he says lightly. “For now, we celebrate.”

At that, the group can offer no further argument. They move along with the rest of the guests in the same direction as Team Gai. Sakura starts telling Sasuke sleeping on roofs is bad for his back, and Sai asks Sasuke if any respectable landlord will rent to him. Naruto lags behind his teammates, still looking at his sensei and captain. 

“Naruto?” prompts Yamato quietly.

“Congratulations,” Naruto says again, hoping they know what he means.

He thinks they do. Because they smile at each other, and then at him. Kakashi throws an arm around his shoulders as he replies, “Thank you.”

#kakayama #kakashi hatake #hatake kakashi #yamato tenzo #team 7 #i've wanted to do this for ages #it's post sakura hiden but pre konoha hiden #this is a bastardization of western and japanese concepts but so is naruto #i really can't believe 500 of you tolerate my nonsense on this blog thanks fam #ayesha talks anime #tenzashi #naruto series #mine