Kakashi and his Raven

Sorry, no lemon this time 'round. I hate Sakura, but I'll be nice to her . . . for now . . .

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Kakashi resumed his long walk through the forest. He had taken Sasuke on as a student, even let that class clown and fangirl pass with him; he really was too lenient on them. But he had to train Sasuke. He promised Itachi. No matter what Itachi really was or had become, he would never break faith with his raven lover.

And then he lost him.

Itachi. Kakashi didn’t even dare to whisper his name out loud. No one knew about their relationship, they made sure. They would have both been kicked out of ANBU for breach of protocol, maybe even arrested. If anyone knew, Kakashi would have been grilled after the massacre.

Kakashi was jolted out of his retrieve by a sound. He sensed someone nearby. He pulled his headband up and scanned the area with his Sharingan. A small rock outcropping, ten meters away. The chakra itself was powerful, but looked depleted. And it was familiar.

Kakashi pulled out his kunai and ran toward that chakra.

There he was, lying in a pool of blood, his raven hair fanned over the grass, his black and red cloak torn, his skin paler than it had a right to be without the stillness of death.

Kakashi’s first impulse was run to his lover, but he stopped himself and scanned the area more carefully. There was no one around.

“Itachi?”

The body did not move. His chakra did not shift. Kakashi took the chance and knelt beside Itachi, pulling his nearly lifeless body to him.

“Itachi.”

Those coal colored eyes opened slowly.

“Senpai?” he whispered.

“I’m here, love.”

“Senpai.” Itachi nuzzled closer and lost consciousness.

Kakashi could see Itachi was badly injured, but his life was not in immediate danger, but it would be if he wasn’t treated quickly.

But he was no medical-nin. And there was no one he could trust to help Itachi without turning him over to the Hokage.

But he had to try.

Kakashi wrapped Itachi in his Akatsuki cloak and raced to Konoha.

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Leaving Itachi dense and dark part of the forest, Kakashi snuck into the village and made for Sakura’s home. She answered the door unhappily; it was rather late at night.

“Sakura, I need your help, but I must have your trust.”

“Whatever I can do sensei.”

“There is someone who needs your medical talents, but he cannot come into the village. I need you to go with me and, am sorry, but I must blindfold you.”

She was about to ask why, but Kakashi had asked for her trust. She would trust him. “Alright.”

“And no one can know about this, at all.”

Sakura nodded, dressed, and gathered her things. Once outside the village, Kakashi asked Sakura to forgive him as he blindfolded her. He lead her the rest of the way.

“He’s badly wounded,” Kakashi told her. “Please save him.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Sakura had to feel her way around, but most of her art was done blindly under the skin so it did not hinder her much.

Her patient gave a little groan as he began waking up. Kakashi positioned himself at Itachi’s head to quiet him if he spoke. Sakura had only heard Itachi’s voice once when he delayed them in retrieving the Kazakage, but she might recognize a little of Sasuke in his voice.

Itachi woke up seeing Kakashi’s masked face.

“Ka—”

“Shush.” Kakashi pulled his mask down to show Itachi his face, a face only Itachi has ever seen. “I’m here as a friend. I have someone here tending to your wounds, don’t speak.”

Itachi glanced over to see the blindfolded girl. He recognized her.

“It’s alright. It’s my turn to protect you.”

Sakura was puzzled by Kakashi’s words and they incited her curiosity, but she resolved not to betray Kakashi’s trust.

“His life is no longer in danger; I’ve stopped the bleeding.”

“Thank you, Sakura.”

She had never heard so much sincerity and relief in Kakashi’s voice before.

“Is there anymore you can do for him?”

“I’ll try to repair as much as I can, but he must not use his chakra, it’s nearly gone.”

“Which means you can’t slip away on me.”

Such affection in his voice.

“I have to get him somewhere safe. I don’t think I can safely sneak into Konoha with him.”

“The Fire Temple?”

“No, he can’t go there either.”

Itachi pulled at Kakashi’s sleeve, realizing he dare not speak, but he knew how to get into Konoha.

“Sakura, this is my responsibility. I’ll take you back to the village perimeter, then you must promise me not to track me back here. Please. Swear it.”

“I swear.”

“Thank you.” To Itachi. “I’ll get you to safety soon. Wait for me.”

Itachi nodded and Kakashi took Sakura back.