Fallen Leaves (Formerly Kakashi: No Regrets)

KawaiiRogue: So sorry for how long it took to continue it!
Quiltedcat: I hope you enjoyed the twist. I am trying to finish up older stories while working on the newer stuff. I can only work on those stories I get inspiration for unfortunately. This one has at least one more chapter to it. Maybe more.
VampireDoll666: Occupational hazard. Kakashi would give his life to protect Sasuke.

Beta-ed by PhoenixInnocence

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Kaede knew he was in the Bingo Book and had a substantial bounty on his head for assassinating a rich man’s son during a different mission, therefore he wasn’t surprised to be targeted by a bounty hunter. But as a former Konoha shinobi, seeing the famous Copy-nin put more fear in him than any other man could manage.

Kakashi wore his pure black outfit and Itachi’s headband, but didn’t wear his Uchiha fan emblazoned cloak. Kaede let out a small smile; the pain of Sasuke’s death must have made him abandon it.

Kaede feared Kakashi, but was certain he could take the man.

It’d been about seven years since Naruto killed Sasuke. There were still whispers about the Copy-nin lurking around and taking down bounties. He was alone now and far less dangerous without a natural born Sharingan backing him up.

Kaede stopped running. He turned to face Kakashi. They fought for nearly ten minutes, using jutsu and kunai. Kakashi never raised his headband, never used his Sharingan. That was an insult and it pissed Kaede off. Kakashi was taking him lightly not using that damn eye.

Kakashi’s attack with his kunai rebound off Kaede’s sword. Kakashi bounced back and then just stood there when he landed.

“You’re late.”

“Huh?”

Kaede was totally thrown off. But then he felt it. Another presence behind him. He turned and saw the last thing he ever expected to see this side of hell.

“Uchiha Sasuke? But the Hokage said you were dead. He said he killed you, he broke your neck!”

Sasuke wore his Uchiha cloak over his own black shinobi gear. He looked a little older, his face had lines that spoke of illness and worries. But his hair was still the same.

In response to Kaede’s words, Sasuke lifted his chin and pulled down his high collar. Over the left side of Sasuke’s throat was a large scar. It was the last thing the man saw before he died.

-----

When he saw Sasuke laying on the ground after Naruto’s attack, Kakashi took him in his arms and used the ANBU teleportation technique. It was a short range technique, but he used it again and again in different directions in case they were being followed. He ran, holding Sasuke as carefully as possible, cradling his head against his chest, fearful of his neck injury.

“Breathe, Sasuke, just breathe.”

Kakashi didn’t need to closely examine the injury to know Sasuke’s windpipe was crushed. Sasuke was struggling for breath. His eyes were floating shut.

“Stay awake! You have to breathe, damn it!”

Kakashi made for the home of a doctor who was once a medical-nin. He’d given up being a shinobi because he couldn’t reconcile being a killer and a doctor. It took hours and the sun rose before he got to the house.

Kakashi slipped in through the window. “You have to help him,” he said to the man enjoying his morning.

The doctor got up and quickly took in their injuries. “Put him on that bed.”

Kakashi carefully put Sasuke down. “I know you don’t want outlaws here, but I’ll pay you anything if you can save him,” Kakashi begged.

“I may not like the fact you’re here, but I’ll help you no matter what.” The doctor was gathering instruments as Sasuke forced his chest to expand and suck in any air he could. Luckily, he was stoic by nature and kept from panicking, otherwise he would have never been able to breathe enough and would have passed out if not suffocated.

The doctor grabbed Sasuke’s hand. “Can you squeeze my hand?” Sasuke did.

“His neck is broken, but his spinal cord is still intact.” He moved around to Sasuke’s head. “You’re going to go to sleep. Don’t worry, you will wake up. I promise. If you don’t your friend here will kill me anyway.”

Sasuke blinked slowly to show he understood, afraid to move with a broken neck.

Kakashi came over to give Sasuke’s hand a squeeze and look in his eyes. Then he moved away and let the doctor work. He sat on another bed and watched.

Sasuke was put to sleep and the doctor slipped a tube down his throat to keep his airway open, then he got to work repairing the damage.

Kakashi didn’t move as the doctor worked. His own wounds were crusting and clinging to his clothes.

Finally, the doctor stopped and straightened. “His life is out of danger. He’ll sleep through tomorrow. Now let’s look to your wounds.”

“Don’t worry about me, save your strength for him.”

“Don’t be foolish. Take off your shirt.”

His clothes almost all a loss, Kakashi cut the fabric around his neck to keep his mask on—which made the doctor roll his eyes—and then removed his shirt and vest. The doctor had to help peel the cloth from his wounds. Kakashi kept his eyes on his sleeping lover, a tube still hanging out of his mouth. But his chest was moving. Kakashi didn’t even flinch when his wounds were reopened as the cloth was ripped out.

Weariness overcame Kakashi as the doctor numbed his skin and started stitching. Sasuke was alive, that’s all that mattered. He forced himself to stay awake until his wounds were wrapped, then he let the doctor ease him down to the bed. He wasn’t sure if the night was catching up to him or the doctor had drugged him. Either way, he fell into a deep sleep.

-----

It was night again. Kakashi sat up with a groan. He looked over at Sasuke and was glad to see he was still breathing.

The doctor brought him some food. “He’s going to have to settle for intravenous sustenance for a while.”

“How is he?”

The doctor checked Sasuke and he was awake, so he addressed Sasuke more than Kakashi. “I’ve set the bones in your neck and jump started the healing of your larynx. You must not get up or move for a few days while the vertebra in your neck mend. After that you’ll have to wear a brace for a few weeks. No fighting, running, or any of that nonsense until you’re fully healed. However, I’m not sure you’ll ever be able to talk again. Otherwise, you’ll make a full recovery.”

Kakashi came over and stroked Sasuke’s hair. “As long as you’re alive. I love you so much.”

Sasuke blinked slowly. Kakashi kissed his forehead.

-----

After collecting the bounty on Kaede, they traveled north. Sasuke’s hawk let the pair off a mile from the town; they both disliked showy entrances. They walked the mile to the town.

Usually when a pair of black robed, sword barring, outlaw shinobi enter a town, mothers grab their children off the streets or the children know enough to run off by themselves. Everyone normally clears the way, sees to their needs, and prays they leave as quickly as possible. But not this time.

A group of children saw the pair first. They froze, but then they ran to the pair rather than to their mothers. These two fearsome outlaws were mobbed by six children. Sasuke picked up a girl with dark hair and eyes while Kakashi ruffled the hair of a white haired boy.

The children told them they were happy to see them and tried to tell them what’d they done since they were last here. The pair continued on into the town with the herd of children around them. The adults greeted the austere pair warmly as well with respectful “Sasuke-sama” and “Kakashi-sama.” A few women used ‘kun’ rather than ‘sama.’ Mothers called their children off the outlaws and Sasuke let the one girl down. They approached the orphanage.

The pair were both orphans. They had no regrets or sympathy for the orphans of Konoha, but in general they did sympathize with orphans. The money they received from bounty hunting and mercenary work was far too much for them to ever spend since they only took the most dangerous adversaries. Neither were drinkers, wanted women or luxury, nor did they want to pollute their bodies with drugs. They had too much money. So they donated to the orphans they saw themselves in. And fathered a few children of their own.

They were still physically and mentally obsessed with each other, but Sasuke wanted to father a few children to ensure the continuance of his clan especially after the scare of his own near death and neither of them had anything against women. They paid their voluntary child support as well as supporting some of the regional orphanages.

They also tended to take care of the towns in this part of the world they called home. They drifted around, usually living in small bases abandoned by Orochimaru or Akatsuki, but they liked being able to live above ground too.

Inside the orphanage, Sasuke opened the briefcase and took out two stacks of money and gave the rest of the case to the woman who ran the place.

“Thank you so much, Sasuke-sama, Kakashi-sama.”

“As long as they’re raised better than we were,” Kakashi told her.

“Thank you,” she said again.

They went to the inn.

“We’re staying the winter,” Kakashi stated and put the two stacks of cash on the table. “That should cover our room and food.”

“No need, Kakashi-sama,” the innkeeper said. “You’ve saved us from bandits many times without our being able to repay you. You can stay here for free.”

Kakashi considered. He took up the money. “Thank you,” Kakashi said.

They crossed to the stairs to the room they were assigned. Kakashi looked at a man sitting at a table by himself whom he didn’t recognize. The man didn’t look at him as they passed. Sasuke hadn’t looked, but he’d noted the man; he felt the stranger’s attention.

Sasuke sighed and immediately started stripping his gear once they were in their room. He took off his shirt and stroked the scar left by Naruto’s Rasengan. He rolled his neck; it was constantly stiff after Naruto’s attack.

“I don’t think we’ll be disturbed for a few hours,” Kakashi said. “That one downstairs will wait until nightfall at least.” He also stripped his gear and pulled down his mask.

“Konoha.” Sasuke’s voice was a bit gravely.

“We should take a walk outside town to lure him into the woods and we’ll take care of him there.”

“Then we have some time. I should shower.”

“You’re going to have blood all over you in a few hours, so why bother.”

“Hn,” Sasuke agreed and then threw the last of his kit onto a chair near the window.

Kakashi’s eye roamed over Sasuke’s torso. Stripped down to his pants, Sasuke was utterly stunning. Kakashi came up to him and put his hand carefully and gently to Sasuke’s scarred neck. Sasuke tipped his head back and Kakashi kissed him, licking and nipping at his lips. Kakashi pulled away, worried about Sasuke’s neck.

“I’m not that fragile,” Sasuke argued. “It’s been years.”

“Don’t act like you like being treated like a delicate flower every once in a while. Sit.”

Sasuke sat on the bed with his legs spread so Kakashi could kneel before him and resume kissing him. It was a better angle. Kakashi rubbed Sasuke’s thighs and Sasuke threaded his fingers in Kakashi’s hair. Kakashi pressed his body closer and Sasuke moved forward as well. Kakashi’s hands migrated back around to Sasuke’s ass. Sasuke started rolling his hips to rub his cock against Kakashi’s body. Kakashi’s hands moved to Sasuke’s bare back.

Sasuke moaned and pulled away. “Stop. I’ll fuck you later tonight after we kill the spy. I need a nap.”

Kakashi mused Sasuke’s hair. “Get some sleep. I’ll keep watch in case our friend downstairs decides to attack here.”

Sasuke pulled himself up to pillows to lay down. Kakashi watched Sasuke fall asleep. Yeah, it had been several years since Sasuke was attacked, but he didn’t have the stamina he once did nor did he trust his neck. Speaking was an effort as well.

At least he wasn’t getting lost in his own mind like before, searching for Itachi. Seeing his brother brought back with Edo Tensei and being able to tell him that he had a nephew named after him had given Sasuke closure. Neither of them were actively grieving anymore.

He wanted to stoke Sasuke’s hair, but he preferred Sasuke sleep. Instead, he quietly cleaned up, unpacked, and sorted their gear for tonight.

-----

Kakashi woke Sasuke for dinner. At least Sasuke didn’t snarl at him.

They tried to lure their prey out to the woods once they were fed, but he didn’t follow.

“I don’t think he’s focused on us,” Kakashi said.

“Then what is he focusing on? We’re fucking S-class criminals.”

The pair concealed their chakra as much as possible and went back to the inn. The man wasn’t there.

“Maybe he just noticed us, but we weren’t his objective,” Kakashi said.

“I don’t think we’re anyone’s objective aside from bounty hunters. We might have to move on, but I want to stay until we have to leave.” Sasuke concentrated and searched for the man’s chakra. “He’s coming this way.”

“Aside from looking for us, why would he be walking around the town at this time of night?”

“There aren’t any brothels here,” Sasuke agreed. “Let’s go back up. He may try to catch us asleep.”

-----

Nothing happened. Sasuke was disappointed; Kakashi was worried. The man hadn’t left the area, he was there in the dining room of the inn for breakfast. He completely ignored the rouges’ entrance. That alone made Kakashi suspicious.

After the man left the room, Kakashi sat back and Sasuke leaned forward to rest his elbows on the table.

“Maybe we should off him before he can leave and inform Konoha where we are,” Sasuke suggested.

“And that you’re alive.” Kakashi shook his head. “If we kill him, Konoha will respond. And we don’t want to drag this town into it.”

“I don’t want to go underground again just yet.”

“Agreed. He probably knows too much anyway.”

“I can try wiping his memory or change it enough to send him off on the wrong path.”

“Let’s see if we can figure out his purpose and intent.”

Sasuke nodded. “I want to see my children.”

Kakashi smirked.

-----

Sasuke hardly smiled even while spending time with his own children. They were on the edge of the town, sitting on the grass. Sasuke sat across from one of his few daughters, Mikoto, who looked very much like Sasuke at five, going through hand signs faster and faster until she made a mistake. Two of three of his other children in this town and a handful of other children were watching and trying to keep up as well. Kakashi was showing his own kids, Sasuke’s eldest, and the remaining children some entertaining jutsu.

Even without awakening his Sharingan yet, young Itachi at seven years old was able to replicate Kakashi’s jutsu. He ran over to his father and showed him the small water dragon he copied from Kakashi. He never felt so good as when his father smiled at him, full of pride.

“You’re as talented as your namesake. Even I couldn’t do that at your age.” Itachi swelled with pride. “I’ll have to give you the test my father gave me a little early. Later today though. Make sure you’re rested, you’ll need a lot of chakra.”

Itachi nodded and went back to watch Kakashi, but he didn’t try the jutsu, just watched and mimicked the hand signs.

Sasuke felt the presence of the mystery shinobi, but he was certain the man would not attack while the rouges were surrounded by children, not all their own.

But Sasuke was wrong.

Sasuke sensed the attack with only seconds to spare. Sasuke leaped up to stand between the two groups of children and activated Susanoo. The spectral warrior enveloped them all, repelling the barrage of wind jutsu and weapons. The man made the mistake of glancing at Sasuke’s eyes. The man fell, trapped in a brutal genjutsu.

-----

Knowing that there were two Konoha shinobi who had betrayed their village at large, the protections around Konoha were changed after Naruto became the new Hokage. Naruto was alerted immediately when the perimeter was breached. He and a large number of ANBU gathered on the top of the rebuilt Hokage tower.

The thing that triggered the alert was a giant hawk. It came straight for the tower. It slowed and landed at the edge of the roof, careful not to look threatening. In its talon was the man who had attacked Sasuke. The hawk released the unconscious man and the man on the hawk’s back slid down. Sasuke.

“Hokage,” Sasuke said. Everyone tensed.

“You’re alive?” Naruto’s voice was trembling.

“Yes. You gravely injured me, but Kakashi got me to a doctor in time. Everyone is always shocked to see me. Adds an element of surprise that works for us.”

“What are you doing here, Sasuke?” Naruto asked, bravely looking Sasuke right in the eyes.

“Returning some trash.” Sasuke gestured to the conscious man. “One of yours, isn’t he? We don’t particularly want to go to war right now, so I didn’t just kill him.”

“Where’s Kakashi?”

“I’m just a shadow clone. We’re together, far from here. I wouldn’t bring or send him here unless I had to because of that.” Sasuke pointed to the carving of Minato. Sasuke’s expression darkened. “How low has Konoha sunk? First you send a child to murder his entire clan and now this? You would attack a group of innocent children to kill two criminals? I warned you, Naruto: do anything like that and we would attack the village and finish what we started seven years ago.”

“Wait,” Naruto said. “What children?”

“Our children. The children Kakashi and I fathered on some local women. This man attacked us while we were doing no more than spending time with our children! Not all of them were even ours! We gave him ample opportunities to attack when there would be no other causalities, but he chose then! If he had harmed even one of them, I would be here with Kakashi razing this fucking village!”

“He was not under any orders to do something like that,” Naruto argued. “There is an outstanding kill order, but no orders like that. He acted on his own.”

“You are fortunate that I believe that.” The shadow clone unsheathed his sword. Though a shadow clone, this sword was capable of killing. The sword point hovered over the unconscious man’s jugular. “What should I do, Hokage?”

Naruto swallowed. “Please, Sasuke, let us deal with him. He will be punished, I promise you.”

“We don’t raise the children, we’ve done nothing to influence the children against Konoha. They are not responsible for our sins. Tell me why I shouldn’t kill someone who attacks my family?”

“I agree, they’re innocent and shouldn’t be harmed on your account. I will decree that no harm is come to them or they answer to me. Just let him live. I will punish him personally.”

Sasuke stared into Naruto’s eyes. “You’ve not been actively hunting us. I will spare his life to ensure the status quo. If ANY harm befalls any of our children or the places they live, we will raze this village. We might even just slaughter the children here to make you feel our pain. Understand?”

Naruto nodded. “I will put out the order not to harm them.”

Sasuke’s clone sheathed his sword with a flourish and the man at his feet woke up. “You are free to try to kill us, but not endanger those around us. And I want him severally punished. Hokage.”

Sasuke and the hawk vanished. Naruto looked to the Hyuuga behind his ANBU mask. He nodded that Sasuke was indeed gone.

“I want every detail from that man. I want to know where they are and what they’re doing. We need to know everything. This is an opportunity to find them and end this once and for all.”

TBC