#so when the summoner was Sakumo pack leader was akino

[lemony-snickers]

Pakkun knows it's time. Has felt it coming for a long while, now.

His muzzle is grey, his joints ache when he tries to climb the stairs outside, so he uses Gai's ramp instead. He can't jump up onto the couch anymore, but that's all right because there are always plenty of cushions for him on the floor.

It's one of the nice things about being back at the Hatake Estate, ever since Kakashi returned with his partner and his Rival shortly before welcoming the little one that totters around, now, knocking into low tables and screaming for his parents.

Pakkun is grateful to have witnessed all of it, grateful that Kakashi senses their time running short, too, and no longer dismisses him unless Pakkun asks.

He doesn't know how to tell Kakashi that it's time. Doesn't know how to grumble the words I love you, but I have to go.

It was never supposed to be like this. Pakkun is a ninja hound, a tracker with an analytical mind and a skill for violence. He and Kakashi made a pact when the latter was still a boy. Pakkun remembers how he didn't flinch as he sliced his thumb open to sign the contract, remembers the strange aloofness he exuded, so unexpected for a pup so young.

Had Sakumo not died, Pakkun imagines he and Kakashi might have maintained a purely professional relationship.

But watching that stoic child crumble into a broken version of the pup he should have been allowed to be tugged at something within Pakkun with a ferocity he typically reserved for missions.

He slept beside Kakashi that night, the way he had once watched over the boy's mother on the eve of his birth. Perhaps it was not exactly a mission, but to protect Sakumo's progeny seemed well within the parameters of his duties at the time.

The thing which blossomed soon after that--affection or respect or whatever it might be--had been unintentional. Without a pup of his own, Pakkun found himself drawn to Kakashi's side increasingly often beyond the scope of missions. Found himself grateful when Kakashi summoned him on his days off, so they could spend time quietly within one another's presence as Kakashi read and Pakkun napped in a sun spot at his feet.

Now, as Pakkun rests on a cushion, watching Kakashi smile with his family as the little boy in his lap unsuccessfully fights off sleep, the creases at the edges of his eyes tell a story of both tragedy and triumph; one Pakkun is proud to have witnessed. To have played an important role in.

He knows he should do something. Make it obvious. That he should lift his grizzled muzzle and say, Boss, to gather the room's attention. Pakkun knows Kakashi would hand his son to Gai or his partner and direct his attention to the little pug he's known all his life, even before his life began.

He's become keenly aware of Pakkun's age in recent months, especially, taking care to spend extra time with him whenever possible.

But Pakkun doesn't want to interrupt the happy moment before him, so he simply huffs a low sigh as he settles his chin on his crossed paws. His eyelids feel heavy, his breath moves slowly in and out, unhurried. He almost laughs because why would his lungs hurry when there is nowhere else he'd rather be?

Bull and Uhei and Shiba and Akino will understand. Bisuke and Guruko and Urushi will not, but that's okay. They will still have one another. Still have Kakashi.

Even without their diminutive leader, Pakkun knows the pack will fight on. Welcome new ninken into their ranks. He knows one day, Kakashi's pup will sign a contract of his own, though he isn't sure the boy will be as composed as his father when he does.

He's inherited all the best parts of both parents, and Pakkun thinks the fact that he's more emotive than Kakashi was at the same age is probably a good thing.

A soft chuckle fills Pakkun's ears and he looks up at Kakashi one last time, notes the twinkling joy in his dark eyes as he listens to Gai tell a raucous story, rocking softly as his son sleeps, face tucked against his chest. Peaceful despite Gai's booming voice.

Pakkun knows it's time. Has felt it coming for a long while, now. He doesn't know if he will stay here, or if his death will act as a dismissal, sending him back to the place where his packmates are.

Whatever happens, he only hopes Kakashi will forgive him for not interrupting the moment to say goodbye. It's too good a moment to shatter with sadness, even if he does wish he could say one more time that he is proud of the man Kakashi has become, of the life he has built.

But Kakashi knows already; words have never been necessary between them to be fully understood. A gift of their pact so many are never lucky enough to experience.

As his eyes slide closed, Pakkun knows Kakashi will understand. Even if he's hurt or angry at first, he's never been one for emotional farewells, either. It is gift enough to know you have been truly cared for. An even greater gift for Pakkun to know Kakashi will be well loved even after he is gone.

I love you, but I have to go. And now I know you'll be okay without me.

#tw animal death #kakashi hatake #pakkun #kakashi fanfiction #dog dad supremacy #lemony scribbles

[depressedhatakekakashi]

And then all Ninkens arguing which one Kakashi loves more? xD

XD it’s a huge fighting that happens and they’re all scrapping until finally Pakkun clears his throat

He doesn’t say anything, he just looks down to where Kakashi’s holding onto him. Clutching him close to his chest

Sure, Kakashi loves them all and will always take care of them

But the winner is clear XD just like Sakumo bonded with Akino and was closest with him, Pakkun is the closest to Kakashi

#I have this headcannon #that the one the summoner is bonded to is the pack leader with that summoner #so when the summoner was Sakumo pack leader was akino #but with little Kakashi Sakumo brought them all out to see who he’s bond with #and it took five seconds #he toddled straight to Pakkun and picked him up for a big hug and it was done #this was his favorite and he wouldn’t hear otherwise #it’s largely a personality thing #where kkashi and Pakkun are both very chill personalities with a goofy side #so of course they’re connected in a deeper way than the other hounds #and the hounds arn’t helouse at all #it means Pakkun gets summoned more for work XD

[depressedkakashihatake]

If summons have official headbands... then do they have ranks? Like, is Pakkun a jonin? Do they have to take chunin exams too?

I like to Imagin that leaders of the pack is less rank based and more of 'who fits with the summoner.'

If Akino had fit with Kakashi's personality and style more he would have been the leader, or bull. But because Pakkun is closest to Kakashi and the one Kakashi summons the most he's viewed as the leader because he has a bit of a diffrent bond. I imagin Akino or Akino's parent would be the one who connected with sakumo when he was the summoner, making then the leader.

Pakkun took over when Kakashi became the summoner.

As for the tortisis, i feel like it would be difficult to have ranks considering how long they probably live. They cound definitly have elders (like how the frogs have grandpa and grandma) but i don't see human ranks. Also because their purpose is so diffrent (sos turtle has a strict purpose and wouldn't need to be under anyone, where as Ningame seems to be Gai's personal favorite and friend.)

#kakashi hatake #might gai

[depressedhatakekakashi]

Third possibility: the hounds are all older than Kakashi except Pakkun, who was just a pup when Kakashi first summoned him and grew older with him so is technically younger than Kakashi

Pakkun is a grandpa in a pugs body, he’s older than Kakashi in spirit XD but I also like to think Pakkun was born at the same time as Kakashi and is actually the same age

Sort of like a ‘the pack leader/a new pack addition is born when a new summoner is born’ kind of thing

Akino is the age Sakumo would have been if he survived, as he was The one born with Sakumo. Some of the others were born between and didn’t get a human because the Hatake clan was no long around to have multipul summoners for them

[depressedhatakekakashi]

Cute fluffy

The pack needs a bath say his summons are dirty.

Also unrelated but I have a personal hc that Kakashi’s dog pack aren’t actually 8 dogs but wolves but like the clan they serve they also pretend to less then what they are?? Pakkun would be the alpha wolf that can command the others hence why they listen to him caused he’s earned that?? It’s like a henge that only the dogs can dispel???

Kakashi doesn't like giving the pack a bath. It's no fun for everyone, and he's likely to get dirty himself in the whole process. But damn he wants to walk around the village once in a while with them and he can't do that if people are giving him the stink eye and complaining about 'the smell'

So bath time it is.

Thankfully, the pack likes it when Kakashi suffers with them so at least they get that win out of the entire scenario. Plus the fact that at some point Kakashi is just going to collapse on the ground and hold the hose over his head ot spray soup at them with no care.

Headcannon: Pakkun is the pack leader because the pack leader changes depending on the summoner. Whoever bonds with the summoner most, ends up being pack leader with that summoner. For Sakumo it was Akino, and for his father it was Bull.

Pakkun is actually rare to be pack leader, because he often only bonds with someone extremely intelligent who thinks things through before acting. So when Five year old Kakashi summoned the hounds the first time and found Pakkun sitting there in front of him (since he only had enough skill/chakra to summon the hound he connected to the deepest) it was a surprise to everyone.

#Hatake Kakashi