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“Senpaaaaaai, I’m bored,” the new guy whines, draping himself all over him. No matter what Itachi says, he never learns. Not even his sharingan, which makes people flinch left and right, scares the menace off.
And worse, Cat and Hound seem to be more amused than annoyed by the highly inappropriate display. It's humiliating.
“It’s Captain, Wolf,” Itachi grunts, trying to subtly shove the idiot off. However he’s not only older and taller but apparently heavier and bigger as well. Asshole.
“Ay ay, Captain~”
"Get off me, now. "
"Uwaaaa! Cap' so scawwy~"
Itachi barely restrains from screaming in frustration, only his apprehension of father hearing about it holds him back.
-
"You're late again, Wolf," Itachi deadpans, sharingan with three tomoe spinning (not to intimidate but because Wolf makes him forget all about keeping his emotions in check as if he's four again).
Wolf might make a sheepish expression, Itachi wouldn't know. "Sorry Captain, helped some grannies with their groceries~" It's not like Itachi trusts him not to lie to him, it's more like he actually saw him help said grannies on his way to their meeting point. Usually civilians are wary of ANBU since they’re obviously on duty while wearing their masks but for whatever reason they flock to Wolf like a moth to a flame. Bad judgment.
"Hn."
And no, Itachi doesn't think Wolf is pouting because he likes to stay sane. "Please believe me~," he whines cutely and Itachi's eye twitches. Maybe he should've taken Shisui up on that offer.
"You're on double guard duty."
"Captain is so so mean, my poor heart really can't take it no more!" Cat's shoulders are shaking while Hound reads his stupid book.
-
In retrospect, Hound and Wolf are especially close. When he’s not annoying Itachi or doing his job perfectly (Itachi grits his teeth), he’s awfully clingy to Hound who indulges him which is weird and obviously the only reason he cares.
While in ANBU their identity doesn’t matter, they’re only here to fulfill the mission after all, even without the mask, Kakashi isn’t like this and Itachi would know, he served with him before and his father made sure he knew about all powerful people, obviously including the legendary White Fang's son. So it’s a big surprise when Hound lets Wolf lay his head in his lap while he reads and even plays with his short, black hair. Itachi might not see his expression but he knows enough from playing with Sasuke that he's enjoying this as well. A lot with the way Hound never pushes Wolf away and he can see his eyes soften even behind the mask.
Hn.
“Is everything alright, Captain?” Cat nearly scares the shit out of him but Itachi just glances at him apathetically. Always keep your cool.
“Hn.” Cat nods and goes back to the other two, sitting at a distance but Itachi can practically smell the happy smile on his face when Wolf kicks him lazily and starts a conversation.
While Wolf and Hound are chummy, they always welcome Cat any time. Itachi doesn't know much about Tenzou, so he can't judge him. Much. However he always seemed rational and more clinical, different from when he saw him get thrown into the lake last month by a laughing Wolf, holding his belly. "Hound look look look, just like a wet kitty!"
Weird.
Wolf makes them all act weird, Itachi doesn't like this.
-
“Sasuke,” Itachi calls out softly to his brother who is running after a butterfly. He’s so cute, Itachi could eat him up.
“Nii-san,” he screams in delight and flings himself at him without care. Itachi gives him one of his rare smiles and hugs him close, leaving a gentle kiss on his hair. Precious angel, his most precious. Itachi would burn down everything for him.
Itachi blinks, Sasuke is talking a mile an hour before excitedly showing a kunai with glowing cheeks. He's trying a trick (badly) but doesn't care much about it as he continues to babble. “-and then he showed me how to throw it, he’s so cool nii-san, why doesn’t he come to eat with us? I asked him and he started laughing, saying you wouldn’t like that...Why won’t you like it? Don’t you like him? But he's soooo cool, just like you!” Big black eyes stare at him curiously and Itachi scratches his cheek awkwardly.
“I’m sorry Sasuke, who did you play with?” Something dark unfurls in his chest, usually paired with thoughts about his little brother being in danger, furious some stranger came close enough, even though he knows it’s stupid. Sasuke is obviously in front of him and fine, happy even.
“Wolf-san,” he says slowly as if talking to a child and Itachi grimaces. Figures. “He says he works with you and hahaue was fine with me playing with him. Naruto, the dobe, was with us as well.”
Ah, this makes sense.
Not really but it isn’t worth the headache.
“Wolf-san,” Itachi grits his teeth but he can’t be impolite right now. He needs to remember to act the position given to him by the esteemed Hokage. “-is a subordinate of mine, it would be inappropriate to have him at our home,” he bullshits and it doesn’t work, not with the scrunched nose and skeptical expression Sasuke gives him. He's too smart for his own good, Itachi is very proud.
“Oh,” Sasuke deflates, making Itachi hurt at the way his mood drops and he drags his feet, something he always does when he’s sad but doesn’t want others to know. “I thought it’s fine since he visits Naruto’s home too and his father is the Hokage...”
He does what ?
Itachi feels as if he bit on both an incredibly sour and bitter lemon. He knew Wolf has the support of the Hokage, how couldn’t he when he’s the only member who’s identity isn’t completely known while working in the ANBU black ops but vouched for by Yondaime-sama himself, much to the chagrin of the elders, especially Danzo. The old guy always gave Itachi the creeps and he's glad to see him around much less than before.
Nonetheless Itachi wasn’t aware how intimate their relationship is? He can count on one hand how many people have been over at the Hokage compound and not because Minato isn’t loved but rather Kushina’s overprotectiveness won’t allow anyone who didn’t pass her judgment. He knows because his mother is one of the people who can come and go as she pleases.
And apparently Wolf.
A random leaf shinobi who's trusted by Lord Fourth and Kushina, enough to have him close to their precious child without a chaperone.
“Nii-san,” Sasuke’s hesitant voice calls him back and Itachi breathes deeply in, humming gently to let him know he heard him. “Don’t you like him?”
No, I don’t.
“He’s a great ANBU agent,” he says instead and Sasuke understands, of course he does. The mood turns even more sour afterwards with Sasuke turning down his offer for a treat, playing with the kunai in his hand instead and Itachi finds another reason to dislike the newest addition to his team with a passion.
No one comes between Sasuke's and his playtime, no one.
This is getting ridiculous.
-
Itachi can’t help the way his mouth falls open slightly. “E-Excuse me, Hokage-sama?”
Minato purses his lips as he reads a file, acting as if he’s actually reading it. He's not. Itachi knows. Minato knows. And the two ANBU concealing their presences probably know it too.
“I said, I only trust Wolf to be on your squad, so no I can’t assign him to another one, Itachi-kun,” Minato patiently repeats when it seems Itachi won’t add anything else.
Itachi gulps, he thought he did everything right. He carefully offered a list with points and reasons why Wolf is better off far, far away from him and thought his best point, namely him being above captain level (which might’ve been stupid since Kakashi is on his team and he has been his captain before. Hierarchy in ANBU isn’t really a thing, at the end of the day they’re all special jonin level) was great and honestly he mostly counted on Minato being reasonable.
Yeah, that one is on him.
And he kinda knows now this was extremely stupid considering Wolf never criticized being on his squad, does his job perfectly, follows orders without complaints and has everyone wrapped around his stupid thick fingers. Especially the Hokage, whom he apparently has family dinner parties with.
“I understand.” Itachi doesn’t, not at all. “If you’ll excuse me, Hokage-sama.” He’s beyond embarrassed and rushes out so hopefully no one sees his red cheeks before he presses the mask over his face, glad to have something to shield him.
“I won,” a voice drawls and Hound appears on the windowsill. “Six missions.” He gives his signature eye smile and peace sign. Wolf growls when Hound starts to giggle.
Minato pouts, furrowing his eyebrows. “I had more faith in him,” he tuts and finally throws the file away. It’s only a boring proposal the elders want him to read anyway. “Urgh, Kushina will nag so much, she did say I should lower my expectations but Itachi-kun has always been extraordinary,” he whines and leans back in the chair.
“To be fair, Obito is annoying. Especially with Itachi,” Kakashi grins after taking his mask off while Obito moves to strangle him. Minato watches them with such a sappy expression only a father can have.
“Shut up, Bakashi! It’s not my fault the little brat can’t take a bit of love,” he scowls. They both know how deeply insulted he actually is. Obito has always been more sensible than he shows. “I’m sure it’s his old man’s fault. Doesn't have a loving bone in his body." He stops in his quest to kill Kakashi and instead leans heavily against him, wiping fake tears away and Kakashi pats his thigh, maybe for longer than strictly necessary. “There, there.”
Minato tilts his head, face turning more somber and thoughtful. “Hmmm, I think he’s a tsundere,” he decides and his students watch him with confused expressions before looking at each other as if he told them they can walk on trees with a bit of chakra training. They’re so adorable, Minato can’t wait for Naruto to be old enough for a genin team (hopefully with Wolf -and where Wolf goes, loyal Hound follows dutifully- as his sensei, his influence as Hokage must be good for something). Naruto would be delighted. And it’s not like he isn’t already singing their praises, especially Obito who reads every wish from his big, blue eyes.
“That makes so much sense,” Obito says before grinning widely, scars pulling at the motion and Kakashi nods, thoughtful but apparently on board with whatever Obito is scheming. Of course he is. It's really a miracle how much Kakashi changed (in private) after he got his teammate back. It shows what a big impact Obito has in their lives, even if he doesn't seem to be aware of it. It's fine, they got enough time now to show him.
Minato is just happy to be there, eyes sparkling in delight. The heavy weight of the hat is always a bit less burdensome with his cute students around.
-
Something weird is going on.
There's a hand on his shoulder and Itachi shrugs it off with furrowed brows, a scowl on his face. “Don't touch me, Wo-,” he stops abruptly upon realizing it’s Shisui who’s watching him with concerned eyes. Oh, he’s not on a mission. He’s walking through the Uchiha district with Shisui after he asked him to accompany him to pick up his sword.
“Are you alright, Tachi?” Shisui looks around before leaning in. “Is this Wolf guy still getting on your nerves?” There’s a dangerous glint in his red eyes and Itachi can’t help but remember the dark promise his best friend made when he told him he can help him out with his problem easily, flexing his mangekyo as if it's candy. Itachi might dislike Wolf but he doesn’t want him dead , probably. It's the right thing, not wanting him dead and all.
“No, he’s-” Itachi stops, trying to remember their last interaction and coming up empty. “Not doing anything?” It comes out more like a question and he wonders why he never realized how little attention Wolf has been giving him lately.
But he has, hasn’t he? Subconsciously he’s been wondering what has been weird about these past missions, even if everything worked out perfectly and he doesn't go home with headaches anymore. Maybe the Hokage told him how he wanted to kick him out of the team? The thought makes him feel surprisingly guilty.
“That’s great,” Shisui says with an easy grin and throws an arm around his shoulder. Itachi tries to smile back but it comes out more like an awkward grimace, so he leaves it be. “It’s exactly what you wanted, Itachi~!”
Itachi hums, ignoring his heavy heart.
It’s what he wanted after all.
-
Itachi is annoyed.
At Wolf, obviously.
Usually it’s pretty easy to find the idiot for a new mission because he seems to know about it beforehand and comes to him without prompting. Considering how chummy he is with their Hokage, he probably does. But not this time.
So Itachi knocks at Kakashi’s door more forcefully than usual and his coworker blinks his mismatched eyes surprised before yawning. Yeah it’s three am but it’s an urgent mission, duty calls. “Ten Minutes,” Itachi orders. Kakashi nods and he hesitates before opening his mouth again. “Do you know where Wolf is?” Great, he definitely didn't mean to blurt that out.
Kakashi raises an eyebrow, for whatever reason he seems to be highly amused.
“I can’t find him,” Itachi admits flatly and watches his nails as if he couldn’t care less.
“Don’t worry, Cap,” a deep, still rough with sleep, voice says and Itachi meets Wolf's half lidded eyes behind Kakashi’s body. He’s not wearing a mask but one of Kakashi’s too small shirts which means he’s practically covered anyway, especially in the dark but Itachi sees even without an activated sharingan, the slight scarring and wonders if that’s the reason he refuses to ever put his mask down. Or rather it's just him trying to be mysterious, he's obnoxious like that.
Wait-
He’s wearing Kakashi’s clothes in Kakashi’s apartment at three am?
Itachi flushes deeply and he hopes it’s dark enough for the others to not see since he's not here as Weasel yet.
“Eight minutes,” he snaps and leaves, not able to stand being there a second longer.
-
To be perfectly clear, Itachi isn’t spying. Yes, he is currently ten feet above ground in a tree and cloaks his chakra to watch his little brother but there’s a reason!
Because right there with Sasuke and Naruto is Wolf.
The Wolf.
The bane of his existence.
They’re sitting on the grass and the little menaces, Sasuke is an angel but Itachi is aware he’s bratty, listen patiently to Wolf’s (begrudgingly) easy to follow explanations about chakra flow and how it helps them to walk on trees or stand on water. It’s nothing new to the kids but the way he’s telling them with funny stories about his own mishaps makes it exciting enough. (In no way, shape or form did Itachi giggle to himself.)
It says enough that they haven’t been fighting each other for the past half an hour.
And then Wolf shows them how it’s done, jumping down and landing in a super embarrassing pose like some wannabe superhero (idiot) to the absolute delight of the kids who clap and gush over him, jumping up and down, begging to learn as well. Wolf laughs and it’s deep and hearty and Itachi hates the sound because he likes quiet and ignores the slight curve of his lips as he watches the kids fail and get more impatient with every try.
“You’re doing so well, kiddos~,” Wolf praises, always making sure they don’t injure themselves too much and pats their head affectionately when they stand huffing and puffing before him. “Do you want to know a secret?” Both boys nod eagerly. “Usually you learn this when you’re a genin so if you can complete it before-”
“We will be better than anyone in the academy, dattebayo,” Naruto screams, pumping his fist and while Sasuke rolls his eyes, rosy cheeks and twinkling eyes easily betray him. "Hn."
For a second Itachi chokes because Wolf turns towards him, to his hiding spot and he shunshins away. He felt mother’s chakra nearby anyway, it's not like he's needed.
Itachi clenches his jaw when he sees the extra spot at their table and the friendly wave of Wolf towards him. Sasuke is sitting way too close to him with a big, satisfied grin.
Working with Kakashi has him know he won’t be able to see under the mask, not that he wants to!
-
“Senpaaaaaaaai,” Wolf whines loudly.
“What?”
“What.”
Itachi realizes his mistake the same moment the others do. He actually looks up baffled while Cat and Wolf stare at him in surprise. Obviously Wolf meant Cat, the way he’s hanging off of him (something Itachi always hated and is very glad Wolf doesn't do to him anymore) and poking his cheek. Cat is both trying to push him away and keeping a protective hand on Wolf's waist to keep him from falling. Somehow it irritates Itachi for reasons unknown.
To mask his shame Itachi rolls out their mission scroll and acts as if he’s doing some important thinking. He carefully ignores the snort suspiciously coming from Hound reading above in the trees. Someone who reads Jiraiya’s books like the bible can die for all he cares.
He’s still having nightmares from the dare a year ago where Shisui read him a whole chapter. There’s no way he can ever look the Sannin in the eyes again (never mind he lost all his respect). Shisui says it's puberty (he's seventeen!), Itachi says it's common sense.
-
Itachi really doesn’t know what he’s doing. Only that he overheard some teenagers planning to attack Naruto for shits and giggles. Naruto can be annoying at times with how loud he is but he’s also a gentle child and a good friend of his otouto. Itachi cares about him, so he’s been shadowing him since he's eaten at Ichiraku (is he honest to god living there?) and is currently whistling, without a care in this world, on his way home.
“Heard the same rumors,” a familiar voice whispers in his ear, way too close for comfort. Itachi barely stops from ramming his kunai in Wolf's stomach and blinks away his sharingan, annoyed. “Uwa scary~”
“Wolf,” Itachi somehow spits out. “Are you suicidal? Don’t answer that. ” He can practically envision the manic grin on his face, it strangely suits him.
“Thank you, Captain,” he says sincerely, blindsiding him and before Itachi can ask for what, he materializes next to Naruto who jumps before throwing himself at Wolf with a big laugh, so delighted it brings a smile on Itachi's face. A child's laugh can really heal you. Itachi just wishes he can preserve this type of innocence for a long time. Sometimes he wonders if Wolf isn’t the secret uncle of the child and that’s why Minato has him in such high regards. However he misses the signature blonde hair of a Namikaze or the fiery one of an Uzumaki.
Itachi is about to excuse himself when Wolf points to a dark alleyway before giving him a lazy peace sign. And really, the picture of the unconscious teenagers shouldn't make him this satisfied, nor giddy.
“Which grownass man beats up teenagers,” he scoffs quietly, ignoring the grin on his own face before he leaves to give Sasuke an extra tight hug who’s adorably confused but indulgent as always.
-
“Wolf,” Itachi calls quietly, growling when Wolf points at himself in mock surprise.
This little shit-
Deep breaths. Wolf untangles himself from Hound who sighs in fake relief but Itachi sees the careful way he watches him. There’s no need to ask where his loyalty lies.
A few steps away from him, Wolf stops, standing with a straight back calmly. A polite distance. Itachi purses his lips (he's not pouting, Shisui!) before he can stop it. “Can you please step closer, I have a strategy I want to run through after receiving additional information for our current mission.” If Wolf is surprised he doesn’t show it, just follows his gentle order and listens attentively while Itachi explains it would be better to go through with a three on one formation instead of two and two.
Even when Wolf is his annoying self, his comments on missions have always shown incredible insight and a creative way of thinking. Out of the box, something he can never achieve. People call him genius but sometimes it’s more a curse than a blessing. So Itachi started to look more and more forward to Wolf’s refreshing ideas, no matter how crazy and downright stupid they were sometimes.
“We could put Hound into women's clothes, he’s pretty enough rawr~” Wolf teases, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively while Hound sends him a flying kiss with dead eyes. Cat tries to tone down his shaking shoulders and Itachi just kicks Wolf for his cheeky comment.
“Hmmmm, sounds good. I would suggest for me to keep the distance. I can easily follow up if there’s a problem.” Itachi inclines his head, aware of Wolf’s abilities even if he’s sure the older never showed all of his cards. He's not worried, he has a hunch he would never endanger his team and they all have their secrets.
“Remember? Those who break the rules are trash,” Hound starts, trailing off carefully and Wolf leans his head on his shoulder. “Of course~ But those who abandon their friends are worse than trash,” he laughs, a light hearted sound and Hound leans his head against the other with a happy sigh. They fit so well together, like missing puzzle pieces.
Itachi gulps with a rapidly reddening face, not sure how he feels about stumbling into such an intimate scene when he just wanted to make sure their surroundings are safe.
“-all, Captain?” Itachi blinks with a confused expression. Somehow Wolf understands him wordlessly. “Is that all, Captain,” he repeats patiently, already leaning away and Itachi bites on his lips before shaking his head. Wolf stops, posture perfect again when he was leaning down before to accommodate his height. It's the little things he does that Itachi secretly appreciates. And he does that a lot, doing everything to make Itachi's job easier.
Naturally, Itachi gives in.
“You don’t cling to me anymore,” Itachi whispers, oddly feeling as if he’s confessing a sin, sounding more like a child than he ever did as one before, praying Wolf doesn’t actually hear him so he can wave the comment off dismissively. He's already feeling horrified for admitting this weakness.
“What?” See . “Just kidding~” The voice sounds way too close for comfort and Itachi can’t even react when Wolf pulls him down, caging him with his big body like a leech. It’s stuffy and uncomfortable and hot and Itachi is readying a katon when he hears quiet laughter right next to his ear.
“Ita-chan is so cute,” Wolf purrs and Itachi dies. If he had known this would happen, he would've rather…”Who knew~ But don’t worry, Wolf will give his favorite more attention!”
“F-Favorite,” Itachi stutters, sure he heard wrong but before he can get an answer, Wolf is kicked none too gently off of him.
“Stop annoying, Captain,” Hound says, book in hand while Cat is poking Wolf who wails overdramatically. Some things never change.
“He can get you for sexual harassment,” Cat adds matter of factly.
“HEY,” Wolf shouts indignantly. “Ita-chan asked for it!”
Everyone stares towards Itachi who brushes over his uniform with shaking hands and a red face (thankfully hidden, even if his burning ears are on display for everyone to see). Instead of answering he shunshins a safe distance away.
“See?”
“Delusional.”
“ITA-CHAN YOU MEANY!!!”
Itachi snorts, something no one can ever hold against him. For now he has to calm his heart first before he can confront the circus. Someone has to be the adult here.
-
“You know, it would help a lot if you just told him who you are, Obito,” Shisui says casually, bumping his shoulder with an easy grin.
Obito sighs, continuing to watch Itachi walk hand in hand with Sasuke through the stalls, doing everything his little brother wants like the brocon he is. He really has no shame.
“I don’t want him to look at me differently,” Obito confesses, pointing needlessly towards the scars all over his face. Shisui raises his eyebrows.
“You think Itachi is shallow like that?”
“No,” Obito agrees instantly. It was a bullshit excuse to begin with. “It just makes me sooooo angry! Itachi shouldn’t be in ANBU. I remember the kind hearted kid who couldn’t hurt a fly, Kashi basically confirmed it for me. So what's he doing here? In the team I can reduce his kills and until now he isn’t aware yet…”
“You’re scared he will figure out you’re protecting him and would hate you for it?” Of course Shisui understands, little fucker is too insightful for his own good. No Uchiha can have a secret without Shunshin no Shisui's big nose right in their business.
Obito nods after contemplating. "Sadly I can't do more. It was already hard enough not to kill Danzo and the dumb Uchiha elders for being so stupid." They both know this only didn't happen because he had the unconditional support of the Hokage and Kakashi. Unsurprisingly, Obito is very good at killing.
"And I thought now that the clan is better, Fugaku would listen but nope, old fart still thinks Itachi is doing well in ANBU of all places. An honor for the family!" Obito snorts and Shisui grimaces, also not a big fan of his best friend doing their job. Shisui and Obito can handle it, Itachi is...good. It’s not the right place for a nice kid like him.
"As long as you got his back," Shisui tries to cheer him up with twinkling eyes and Obito smiles gratefully before watching the siblings again, grinning brightly when Sasuke triumphantly holds up a snake plush and Itachi grumbles at it because he hates snakes with a passion. Obito would know, he always shoves one at him whenever he finds one in their missions. It's the hightlight of his day to hear Itachi's shrieks and totally worth the punishment.
“It's so creepy how much you adore them,” Shisui coos mockingly, changing tactics. And that’s why he’s his second favorite. “Not gonna lie, hearing Itachi complain about you always sweetened my boring day.”
“Past tense?”
Shisui gives him a mischievous grin and doesn’t elaborate. Obito puts his mask back on and joins the Uchiha siblings instead- Sasuke immediately climbs up on his shoulders with a cheer, waving his snake like a trophy and Itachi rolls his eyes, looking for all intent and purposes as if he hates Wolf's presence. Shisui notices his tell easily. Itachi subconsciously leans towards those he likes, nearly stumbling into Wolf in the process who steadies him and promptly teases him for it. Itachi pouts cutely, for once looking his age.
Shisui grins before joining them. There’s truly nothing better in this world than to gang up with Obito against Itachi!