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A few days before the final exam.
»But you promised, Shika.«, complains Kakashi for the third time as he walks next to Nara Shikaku and follows him into the Jōnin standby station. He doesn't seem to care at all that every Jōnin turns to the young white-haired child and looks at him with suspicious eyes. It’s not often that a Genin walks into the Jōnin standby station without a care in the world.
Shikaku doesn't know whether he should count himself blessed or doomed that it's only a few days before Kakashi takes the academy's final exam and will pass without any difficulty. After all, there is currently no Genin team that can match his personality. Sakumo must be a saint. He teaches his son everything he wants and can't say no to him. And that's exactly why Shikaku is in this dilemma.
»Troublesome, but not now.«, replies Shikaku with a sigh as he continues into the building and stops at the information board. There’s no added information since the last time he looked, nothing of interest. »Don't you have to study for the final exam?«
»Have you studied for your final exam?«
»No.«, grumbles Shikaku, letting his shoulders drop, knowing that he can't get rid of the white-haired kid. Sometimes he hates that their lands are next to each other and that their fathers have a kind of friendship. His mother has been dead for a few months and on top of that, the Hokage wants to appoint him to deputy Jōnin commander soon. Followed by the misery that his clan eldest want him to find a bride and father the next generation. Not that they're interested in that so far; if it were up to him, it would take years. Although he can count himself lucky that his father is still on his side and isn't putting pressure on him. He didn’t even talk about retirement even though he Hokage has.
»Then why do I have to study?«, asks Kakashi, tilting his head questioningly.
»Don't you want to pass as the best of your year?«
»I will do that too, without studying. Father only sent me to the academy because he had no other choice. Without graduating from the academy, you cannot become a Shinobi of Konoha.«, informs Kakashi the darkhaired teenager, trying to get Shikaku's attention again. The Jōnin Standby station is always full of Jōnin playing cards, filling out mission reports or just chatting. In his opinion, nothing interesting; when he's older, he won't waste his time like that. He will fill every free minute with training and abide by the Shinobi rules.
»Then play with kids your age.«, growls Shikaku harshly when he finds a piece of paper with his name on it. It seems he's going on a mission the four days from now and he's already not in the mood for it. At least Inoichi and Chōza are listed as teammates.
»You promised to teach me the Shadow Clone Jutsu if I passed the final exam.«
»But you haven't passed yet, so I'm not going to break my word.«, counters Shikaku, noticing out of the corner of his eye that several shinobi are eavesdropping on the conversation, but that is nothing new. A shinobi is always eavesdropping. »Aren't you supposed to be at school?«
»I'm skipping school, Dad let me.«, murmurs Kakashi, shrugging his shoulders and following Shikaku to one of the benches. Now he knows why Kakashi gets on his nerves so much. The little white-haired boy is bored, and the White Fang is on a mission. It's true that Kakashi is allowed to skip school with his father's permission, but only if the White Fang allows it and is also in the village or only has a day mission.
»Troublesome, Kashi, he didn't, maybe in the afternoon but not in the morning. Since you have to have a certain number of hours to be allowed to take the exam.«, replies Shikaku as he sits down and forces Kakashi to look him in the eyes, skillfully ignoring the other Jōnin. »Where did you leave the Genin team?«
»No idea.«
»Did they at least show up?«, demands Shikaku to know, but judging by the look on Kakashi's face, they didn’t. Shikaku hated the babysitting mission with Kakashi, but he also has to admit that he learned skills that normally only come later in their career, which are important. After all, young Hatake is far too good at playing hide and seek.
»Nobody came, alright.«, admits Kakashi shyly, trying to avoid Shikaku's piercing gaze. His father has been on a mission for over two weeks and Kakashi is praying fervently that he will be back in the village before the final exams. The only thing Kakashi wishes for is that his father is there for the graduation. Otherwise, he doesn't need any presents, unlike the other academy students who are already raving about the presents they’ll get.
»Troublesome. Yūhi , do me a favor and don't let Kakashi out of your sight.«, asks Shikaku loudly from one of the older Jōnin who is playing cards against a Hyūga. »I have to clear something up. Kakashi, stay here and listen to Kaito.«
»What? Why? You have-«
»I have to look something up and clarify something with the Hokage while Yūhi teaches you the card game. If you can beat me afterwards, I'll teach you another jutsu.«, promises Shikaku as he leaves the Jōnin standby station in a hurry. His first stop is the mission desk . There are a few Nara who work there and one of them will probably be able to tell him which team has taken on the babysitting mission. Before he informs the Hokage that they have not fulfilled their duty and that their Jōnin sensei is not interested in his students, doing other things to do with their time instead of their mission.
»Well then,« sighs Kaito and waves the boy over. His daughter has complained about the youngest Hatake several times and there are enough rumors about how bad he is as a babysitter mission. However, the heir of the Nara clan doesn't seem to have a problem with the boy, but neither does Shikaku's father. Although little Hatake certainly has a lot of respect for the current Jōnin commander and his heir. »Come on, little one, do you know the rules of 32 swimming?«
»I just have to collect 31 points and that from one color.«, explains Kakashi simply as he approaches the two Jōnin and stops next to the table. The Hyūga looks at him annoyed and he can also feel Yūhi's chakra flowing restlessly through his chakra coils.
»Ah, you know-«
»What are you doing here, Kashi? This is not a playground.«, interrupts Shikaru's deep voice the dark-haired Jōnin. Shikaru stands in the doorway with Inoku , arms crossed. »Don't bother the Jōnin, that's what the Genin teams are for.«
»But Shika said I should stay here, and if I do, he'll teach me a jutsu.«, Kakashi replies defiantly, leaving out the part of winning a game of thirty-two swimming. »Do you think I can negotiate for a B-rank jutsu? Shika didn't say which one he wanted to teach me. But definitely not one of your clans jutsus. Really mean. I want to be able to do that too.«
»It's blood-bound, so you'll never be able to learn it.«, growls Shikaru in response, skillfully ignoring the fact that the pre -Genin actually wants to commit treason. After all, clan jutsus are protected by law and the mere suggestion of stealing can get you killed. But the kid isn’t thinking about treason, never has and never will. »Why do you have to stay here?«
»Because the Genin team didn't show up and I'm skipping school.«, admits Kakashi quietly, tapping nervously with his toes. Shikaru is like a strange uncle who doesn't always let him get away with everything and often gives him a piece of his mind when he feels like it. »But I just wanted him to teach me the Shadow Clone Jutsu like he promised.«
»When and why did he promise you that?«
»When I pass the final exam of the academy and a few weeks ago, when I stayed at your place.«, Kakashi says sincerely, but still doesn't look up at Shikaru. The dark-haired male sounds annoyed, just like Shika did.
»Troublesome, aren't the final exams not until the day after tomorrow?«, asks Shikaru Inoku , raising an eyebrow. He knows that a cousin of Inoku is trying to pass the exam this year.
»Yes, but do you really think I won't pass?«
»They’re. You have a big ego for such a small body.«, grumbles Inoku, annoyed. The white-haired boy always talks his way out of problems, and it just annoys Inoku. If Sakumo were a stricter father, the brat wouldn't cause nearly as many problems. »We'll talk about it later, Shikaru, I think you should take care of young Hatake before he burns down the village out of boredom.«
»What, I would never do that!«, Kakashi counters and is promptly ignored.
»I'll have time after lunch.«, agrees Shikaru with his long-time friend and turns to Kakashi with a raised eyebrow. »Come on, Kashi, you can wait in my study and then maybe the whole village won't hear how much you'd like to commit treason.«
»It is not treason but-«
»The mere suggestion is already treason, but I don't take it seriously. After all, you're far too eager to learn.«, grumbles Shikaru as he takes Kakashi by the hand and forces the young man to follow him. He can imagine extremely well what his son is doing right now and it's better to relieve Yūhi and Hyūga of the burden before they want to be transferred to the reserves. After all, he knows only too well that Kakashi can be a pain in the ass if things don't go his way, little spoiled brat that he is.
»And yet I still think it's stupid that it's blood-bound! Do you think there's a similar jutsu for my chakra element?«, asks Kakashi as he swings their hands back and forth and pulls the Jōnin commander towards his study. »Although there aren't many around the village who can control my element, are there?«
»There is definitely a similar jutsu, but I don't know it and in the worst-case scenario you will develop one.«, states Shikaru diplomatically, knowing full well that he has aroused Kakashi's curiosity. The kid always gets what he wants and if the village doesn’t have one, then Sakumo will find one for his kid. A hardened shinobi afraid to tell his kid no. »Your father is an expert and some Uchiha have it as a secondary element. However, not many have mastered it like your father. In the worst-case scenario, you will have to kidnap a high-ranking shinobi from another village and force him to teach you your element. Your father would probably help you.«
»Which shinobi would you recommend? A Nuke-Nin or one allied with a village?«
»Troublesome, that was a joke.«, grumbles Shikaru as he opens the door to his study and lets Kakashi go in first. He lets go of the boy's hand and carefully closes the door behind him. Seconds later, Kakashi is already climbing onto one of the guests' chairs and his clumsy little hands are reaching for the first scroll that is lying open on his desk. »Hands off, this isn't meant for you.«
»But-«
»No buts.«, interrupts Shikaru the white-haired kid as he opens one of the cabinets and pulls out an empty scroll and writing utensils. He roughly places them on the table in front of Kakashi and moves the chair closer to the desk. »Practice your handwriting, it's abnormally bad. Didn’t they teach you penmanship at the academy?«
»I've been at the academy for almost a year and the teacher says it's good enough.«, argues Kakashi, sulking. He opens the scroll and picks up the pencil. Knowing that Shikaru otherwise will make him stand in the corner with his nose touching the wall.
»Troublesome, if a mission report with such handwriting lands on my desk, I'll demote you.«, grumbles Shikaru. Hopefully, that will encourage Kakashi to try harder. He may still be a child, but if the political situation doesn't improve, he'll go to war just like his own son. Something Shikaru doesn't want to experience. He's seen enough suffering and ruin.
»That's no reason to demote someone.«, sulks Kakashi, but writes down the first kanji, making sure his lines are straight. Hoping it will be good enough for Shikaru.
»Yes it is.«, snarls Shikaru as he starts to work on the first scroll. Kakashi's scribbles look just as bad upside down as they do at any other time. It's a shame that the kids can hold a kunai but can't even write their names legibly. Maybe he should tell Sakumo to spend a little more time on Kakashi’s penmanship than on the katas.
A few days before the final exam.
There is a knock that breaks the silence in the room and the door opens before Shikaru can invite his guest in.
»Shikaku.«, his father grumbles in greeting, and Shikaku tilts his head slightly before patting Kakashi's head, who is straining to bend over the now full scroll. Shikaku is always amazed at how badly Kakashi can write. »Did you find out who got the mission?«
»Yes, it was team nine and I submitted a written complaint since their Jōnin Sensei is not in the village.«, reports Shikaku to his father, skillfully ignoring how Kakashi slaps his hand away. »Plus, Sakumo's mission will be delayed by a few weeks. It-«
»What?« Kakashi interrupts the dark-haired teenager angrily. He stands with both feet on the chair so that he looks taller, his hands on his hips. »Why? He promised! He promised to be there! That's unfair!«
»- there were complications that delayed the mission. T&I did not take the political situation in the country into account when they sent the team, so they cannot complete the mission immediately.«, continues Shikaku, careful not to give too much away. Kakashi is smarter than other children and it would be a problem if he knew where his father was. Seeing as he is throwing a tantrum.
»How long?«, demands Kakashi harshly as he stamps his foot. It's unfair! He just wants his father to be in the village once. »Tell me, Shika! When will he be back in the village?«
»I can't tell you.«, states Shikaku as he squeezes Kakashi's shoulder and forces the boy to sit down. His father leans back with his arms crossed.
»You'll stay with us tonight and Shikaku will teach you the shadow clone jutsu. Now get out of my study. Don't mess around, otherwise I'll reconsider.«, threatens Shikaru loudly, while Kakashi has already thrown open the door and is standing with one foot on the threshold. »Be on time for dinner.«
»Mah, sure!«, Kakashi calls over his shoulder, but he doesn't close the study door, and the two dark-haired male can hear someone in the hallway shouting for Kakashi not to run. Without a word, Shikaku closes the door and looks at his father, waiting.
»Just show him the hand signs, since his chakra coils are not developed enough for the jutsu, and he will ask for a B-rank at dinner. After all, you promised him earlier.«, Shikaku tells his son. »Do you have a mission for the day after tomorrow?«
»I promised him a jutsu only after he won a game of thirty-two swimming, and the next mission is in four days time. I’m currently stationed in the decryption department.«
»Good, keep an eye on the little one. He seems pretty depressed.«, demands Shikaru, looking at his son. »And don't let him boss you around all the time. You are the heir of the Nara clan!«
»And he is the heir to the Hatake clan.«, Shikaku replies dryly, knowing full well what his father is after. For his father it isn’t a problem, that Kakashi is a demanding little shit most times.
»You need an heir, which can't be changed, just like Kakashi will need one at some point, but at least don't let the boy boss you around.«, demands Shikaru again. »I don't want you to become his Jōnin Sensei. You will become a Jōnin Commander after me, just as your child will after you.«
»I didn't plan to do that either, and I know my fate. Is it because mother is dead and you want to retire?«, asks Shikaku his father, but doesn't give him the time to answer. »I don't plan to ever teach a Genin team. But I know how to deal with Kakashi, and the best way is to manipulate him and to make Kakashi believe he has the upper hand. Besides, he already has his team.«
»Yes, the teams have already been decided and none of the chosen Jōnin are a match for Kakashi, not even the pre -Genin or Genin.«, replies Shikaru, going through the list again in his head. »He needs the attention of a sensei without teammates because he learns faster than others and at the moment there is no one who can match him. That's why I want you to only teach him on clan land if you have to.«
»Understood.«, says Shikaku with a nod. He is well aware of what his father is trying to explain to him in a roundabout way. The political situation will escalate and one of the countries will declare war. Shikaku should just keep a low profile so that he doesn't have any Genin on his conscience. And if he gets one Genin to teach it doesn’t take long for the second and third to follow. »See you this evening.«
»Yes, see you tonight.«, says Shikaru absentmindedly, watching his son leave his study. Hoping that he’ll never get a Genin team.
A few days before the final exam.
His father isn't here. Kakashi should have known, after all, his father wasn't there for the first day of school either. His father was also on a mission for his birthday. They celebrated his birthday together, six weeks later, one day after his father was back in the village and one day before he disappeared on his next mission. Since he entered the academy his father has been on more missions, longer missions.
In return, he has his headband and the name of his Jōnin Sensei and the two classmates he is supposed to team up with. Both are bad and can't stand him, but that's supposed to be the least of his problems.
Unlike his classmates, he doesn't run out of the school building because he can't show anyone his headband. Shikaru has told him that his father's mission will be extended by a month at best and by half a year at worst. However, they cannot recall the team because they have had to improvise the plan due to the changed political situation.
»Most people are happy when they graduate from the academy.«, states Shikaku dryly, catching Kakashi with his shadows and forcing the white-haired kid to stand still. He bends his knees in front of the white-haired brat, giving him a small smile.
»Shika, what are you doing here? And let me go.«, Kakashi complains, sulking as he can no longer move. The shadows are crawling up his legs.
»Congratulate, what else?«, laughs Shikaku, puts both hands on Kakashi's shoulders and looks into his dark eyes. »Congratulations, I heard you're the best in your year. Let's celebrate, okay?«
»Thank you!«, smiles Kakashi, happy that Shikaku at least congratulates him, even though he wishes his father were here. But at least some one that isn’t Gai is granulating him. »Now you owe me another jutsu. After all, you already showed me hand signs of the shadow clone jutsu.«
»Yes, because father didn't want to hear you moping. And I only showed you the hand signs that you are not allowed to combine with chakra. Not until you have more reserves and are older.«, explains Shikaku with a grin. »Your father will be proud when he hears that you passed. That's why today we're having miso with eggplant and fish as a reward. Father even went through the trouble of buying that disgusting lemon ice cream.«
»What, really? Thanks!«, shouts Kakashi says happily as he hugs Shika. The shadows let go of him. »The ice cream isn't gross! Better than your boring vanilla ice cream, way too sweet.«
»Troublesome.«, says Shikaku as he stands up. »Be glad that father bought it for you.«
»I am. After all, he had to buy a whole can, which means you and Shikaru have to eat with me. That's much better than you showing up for the graduation ceremony.«, smiles Kakashi. He had already resigned himself to going home alone. After all, he's used to it.
»I hope you appreciate it, after all we are suffering for you.«, smiles Shikaku with a deep sigh and knows that Kakashi is right. They will all have to suffer tonight except for Kakashi himself. After all, the ice cream is far too bitter.
»I am, thanks.«, mumbles Kakashi softly. Still hoping that his father will be back in a few weeks time. Maybe he can stay a few days more with Shika and Shikaru.