Three Kunai

Leilsel97: As a writer, I am a very, very evil person. Most writers are sadist; though usually not in real life. I love torturing characters. Makes the stories more interesting. Glad you like it though and thank you so much for reviewing!

Mostly business, but this chapter had the end of the crying and poor us (afraid that might be getting annoying). 2 lemons!!

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Itachi took to carrying Sasuke around everywhere. His muscles were still recovering, but he had developed the same separation anxiety as Sasuke. Kakashi wanted to tell him to let Sasuke walk, but Sasuke hung onto his brother’s neck tightly. This was going to be difficult when the time came for Itachi to leave. Kakashi decided to let it go; Sasuke would soon be too big for this and they might as well enjoy it while it lasts.

Itachi let Sasuke ride on his back up to the rooftops of the Sky District. The wind was strong up here, but Sasuke was wrapped in the largest cloak Grandma Cat had. Itachi sat near him and Kakashi couched waiting for his hounds and the murder of ravens. The summons returned to report they hadn’t found a place for them to live.

“I had to abandon the search because I came across a squad of ANBU,” Bisuke said.

Several of the others nodded in agreement.

“We might have to wait another day or so until they move along,” Kakashi said.

“They’re moving quickly,” the largest of Itachi’s ravens said. “They have sensors with them, so they don’t have to thoroughly search. They can sense we have chakra larger and more powerful than normal animals, otherwise, we ravens could continue despite them. It’s the Hyuuga we’re afraid of. But they should be out of the area soon.”

“They won’t find us here, will they?” Sasuke asked.

“If they come across these ruins, we’ll be underground,” Itachi assured him. “If they get suspicious, the cats will defend us and the tunnels are a labyrinth, they wouldn’t survive. We’re safe here, Sasuke.” Itachi rubbed Sasuke’s arm. “I won’t let them separate us.”

Kakashi could see in Itachi’s eyes that he still doubted that it was a good idea to bring Sasuke with him. He seriously wondered if he’d ever see light in Itachi’s dark eyes ever again.

The dogs and ravens were about to leave, but Kakashi stopped his hounds.

“We’re no longer Konoha shinobi,” Kakashi said, “you should stop wearing the headbands.”

The wind was the only thing making a sound.

“What about you?” Pakkun asked.

“I’ll find an eye patch or something. I’ll wear it until then.”

“We’ll stop wearing them,” Pakkun said, “but we’ll hold on to them. You may be Konoha shinobi again one day.”

“Maybe.”

Itachi said nothing. Sasuke didn’t fully understand, but he could feel the mood. Giving up wearing the headbands felt like cutting the last tie to the village. There was no going back, not even for Kakashi.

Kakashi nodded to his hounds who set back out to wait for the ANBU to move on. He looked back at Itachi. Itachi looked up into his eyes; he was holding back strong emotion. If Sasuke hadn’t been there, Kakashi was sure Itachi would be crying. This was too much to put on a thirteen year old’s shoulders. Itachi had done all this for the sake of the village and he was not only banished from it, but so was his brother and lover. And he was being stripped of a badge of honor, his headband. And so was Kakashi. Itachi had stopped wearing his headband as soon as he arrived in the Sky District. He would be taking it with him to join Akatsuki however.

“It’s fine, Itachi,” he said. “In the end, it’s just decoration.”

Sasuke couldn’t see his brother’s face, but he realized his brother was sad. He moved to put his arms around him. Itachi wanted to cry; his brother was trying to comfort him! He swallowed his tears.

“I’m alright, Sasuke.” He stood and picked his brother up. “Let’s go below.”

The truth was, Sasuke was beginning to feel guilty as well. He realized he was a burden, but now he also felt guilty about what he’d overheard last night. Their father was going to replace Itachi with him. He wondered if Itachi was right and their father was going to kill him. Sasuke was sure their austere father was capable of it. But what did that mean for him? Was his only interest in Sasuke as a replacement? And what had their mother meant, that their father only spoke of him? Was it as Itachi’s replacement? What did he say? He would never know. But maybe . . .

“Aniki, can I ask you something?” They were down in the sewers now.

“Anything, obouto.”

“I’ll go check on . . . something,” Kakashi said. He was in the process of turning when he remembered they were in a labyrinth.

“Hina!” Itachi called. The cat appeared. “Guide, Kakashi, please.”

“Sure.”

Hina lead Kakashi away. Itachi leaned against a wall, Sasuke still in his arms pressed against his chest.

“Did dad every say anything about me?” Sasuke asked.

“About you?”

“Mom said he would talk about me to her. I wondered what he said.”

“He never spoke to me about anything but my mission.”

“He ignored me,” Sasuke pouted.

“No, I don’t think he did. He was busy trying to restore our clan’s reputation or seize power. The accusations about the Kyuubi really hurt him. You were only like two months old when it attacked. I remember him dealing with it; he took the accusations personally. He was never very caring to me either after that. I think we’d have more siblings if it weren’t for those rumors that he had something to do with the Kyuubi. I think he loved us, but he was too distracted. He paid attention to me because he needed me; it wasn’t because he didn’t like you.

“I’m sorry I’ve taken everything away from you. You never even really got to know our parents. I wish I could make it up to you, but I can’t.”

Sasuke started to cry. “I always loved you the most.”

“Thank you, Sasuke. I loved you more than anyone.” Itachi struggled not to cry. “I was babysitting you the night the Kyuubi attacked. The Kyuubi’s chakra was evil and it made you cry. You know what I said to you that night?”

Sasuke shook his head.

“’Don’t cry, Sasuke. As you’re big brother, I’ll always protect you, no matter what.’ I promised you that when you were a baby and I will never break that promise.”

-----

Even if Itachi was carrying his brother around like a baby, he at least continued to force Sasuke to sleep by himself.

“Why do the two of you sleep together and I can’t?” Sasuke complained.

“You need to get used to sleeping alone,” Itachi said. “And Kakashi’s not an Uchiha, I think he’ll be safer with me; some of the cats may not realize he’s with us.” Itachi winked at his little brother.

Itachi shut his own door and leaned forward against it. “It’s not until you try to raise a kid you realize how much you have to lie to him.”

“I believe you’re doing the right thing,” Kakashi said.

“I hope so.”

Kakashi came up behind him and put his arms around him. “I’m here for you. For both of you. I never lied to you, Itachi; I will never abandon you.”

“Thank you.” Itachi relaxed back into his arms.

He pulled Itachi’s hair all over one shoulder, clearing a span of neck to kiss. “Why didn’t you say goodbye?”

Itachi froze at the sudden question. “How could I? No one was to know anything about it. If I said anything to you, you wouldn’t have let me go, would you? You’d try to find out what was wrong and you might have found out what I was planning. Maybe even been there that night. I wouldn’t have been able to kill you and you might have felt it necessary to kill me. That last night, it was killing me; I knew it was the last time.”

“I knew something was wrong. I was so worried about you that night.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I needed comfort, I needed you.”

“I could never hate you, Itachi. But I may not have been able to forgive you for leaving like that.”

“That’s part of what made it so hard.”

“I think you have to make it up to me.”

“I’ll do anything for you.”

“I only want one thing.” Kakashi’s hands moved under Itachi’s clothes to feel his warm skin.

“I really didn’t think you’d want me anymore.”

“Just because of what I said the other night?”

“No, because of what I did.”

“I don’t think there’s anything you could do to turn me away.” His hands found Itachi’s sensitive nipples.

“Kakashi,” he gasped. “What about Sasuke?”

“If he didn’t come last night, he won’t tonight. We’ll keep the covers close.”

Kakashi pulled Itachi to their makeshift bed, stripping Itachi’s clothes on the way. He was naked by the time Kakashi deposited him on the bed. He reclined on his back, but perched on his elbows to watch Kakashi. It wasn’t until then that Kakashi started on his own clothes. Itachi blushed just like every other time to be completely exposed to someone else.

Kakashi knelt in front of him. One thing Kakashi had noticed about the Uchiha, they were pretty hairless; even Itachi’s legs were nearly smooth. He caressed his leg and the underside of his knee as he kissed Itachi’s chest right over his heart. He dragged his lips over to one of the darkening buds. The hand not bracing him also slid to more promising places, fingering Itachi’s swelling sack.

He looked up to see Itachi still blushing with his head back and eyes shut, just feeling. After all Itachi had been through recently, he wanted to make his feel good. He may have found it embarrassing to be doted on—hence the blush—but he was enjoying it.

Kakashi shifted to the outside of Itachi’s body so he could continue on Itachi’s chest while fondling his growing length and stroke the small patch of strangely smooth, straight, jet black hair above it.

He was so gratified by the trust Itachi still had in him. Itachi relaxed completely to let Kakashi do whatever he wanted. Itachi had no more reason to trust them than his declarations of love. It just made him love him more.

Itachi’s chest was so sensitive Kakashi was sure he could cum just from sucking his nipples. He moved up to nip at Itachi’s neck. He could feel his throbbing pulse through his lips. His right hand felt up Itachi’s side feeling the smooth skin.

Kakashi finally drew up self up and sat back on his knees. “We have nothing for lube,” he said.

Itachi smirked and crawled over. “I thought you kept some on you at all times.” He took Kakashi’s erection into his mouth. Itachi didn’t often do this for him, but damn he was good at it. Kakashi petted Itachi’s hair and leaned back to get a good view of Itachi’s lips around his erection. Itachi opened his eyes and looked Kakashi straight in the eye. It amazed Kakashi how shy Itachi could be about being looked at when he was even partially naked and yet he could look his older lover right in the eye when he sucked him.

Itachi backed off, leaving a thick coating of saliva on Kakashi’s length.

“Turn around,” Kakashi said in a shaky voice. Itachi obeyed, still on his hands and knees.

Itachi prepared to be taken as Kakashi grabbed his hips. His eyes shot open when he felt Kakashi’s tongue teasing his entrance. Kakashi teased and gently probed him leaving as much salvia as possible. Itachi moaned at the rare sensation. His mouth slipped open and he sighed in pleasure. Kakashi loved hearing Itachi respond to him, it made him always do his utmost to please him.

Kakashi pulled away, repositioned, and entered Itachi slowly.

“Uhhh.” Itachi gripped the pillow and pressed his forehead down into it.

“Damn, no matter how often we do this, you’re always so tight. At least I know I’m the only one.”

Itachi struggled to control his vocal cords. “No one else. Ever.” The last came out as a sigh.

Kakashi bent over him and wrapped his arms around his chest. “I’ll never love anyone else, I swear.” Kakashi kissed and licked Itachi’s neck. He stayed still deep inside him. He put a hand over one of Itachi’s. Itachi raised his fingers and allowed Kakashi to lace his fingers with his own. Kakashi ran his other hand down Itachi’s ribs and abdominal muscles. He’d gotten thinner. Had he been eating in the days before he executed the order? “I want to spoil you; give you everything you want. Fatten you up on sweet dangos and honey.”

He started moving within him. Itachi started moaning. He tried to keep quiet—he wasn’t crying out at least—out of fear that Sasuke might hear him, but it—

“Feels so fucking good,” Itachi ground out as he rocked back into Kakashi’s thrusts.

“I love you,” Kakashi whispered right in his ear. It sent a shiver down Itachi’s back that added to his pleasure. Itachi lost the ability to speak as Kakashi hammered his prostate. He gave a small cry. Kakashi groaned as he got closer too. Itachi tightened up. Kakashi grabbed his erection, stopping him from cuming. He released into Itachi’s body.

“Sempai?”

“I’ll take care you, raven.”

Kakashi pulled out and tuned Itachi onto his back. He lapped at his length and ran his lips over the taut skin. Itachi let out a strangled cry.

Kakashi quickly took the head into his mouth, sucking at him while stroking the base. He swallowed Itachi’s load. Itachi sagged back.

“I realized we can’t really clean up in here,” Kakashi said refereeing to the fact there was no connecting bathroom. He took Itachi in his arms and settled down under the blanket. Itachi squirmed to turn toward Kakashi, tucking his head under his lover’s chin and put a hand on Kakashi’s waist.

They lay there getting their breath back for a few silent minutes.

“I’m sorry, sempai. You left everything behind. I’ll miss that house.”

“Stop apologizing. I have everything I want with me.”

“You should really stop it; I’ll start doubting your sincerity. It was your family home.”

“I’ve been thinking of moving out for a while. Bad memories. I took what was precious to me. I followed the other.”

Itachi pinched him. “I said stop it. You embarrass me. I already know how much you love me.”

“No, I don’t think you do. Go to sleep, Itachi-kun. I’ll flatter you more tomorrow.”

“Fuck you.”

“That too.”

-----

Sasuke snuck out into the corridor again and listened at his brother’s door. He heard Itachi’s moans and grew worried that he was hurt, but then he heard him say “Feels so fucking good.” Sasuke didn’t understand what was going on, but he went back to his room. He was beginning to feel a little jealous of Kakashi.

-----

At last, one of Itachi’s ravens returned with good news.

“I found the perfect spot. It’s secluded and there’s a stream with fresh water. It’s also a few miles from a town, so you can get anything you need; there’s no easy path through the forest, but it should be no problem for you shinobi. It’s perfect.”

“Except it’s bare land, right?” Itachi said. “How are we supposed to build a house? What do shinobi know about that kind of thing?”

“Too bad I can’t kidnap that Tenzou kid,” Kakashi said. “He could make a house in seconds.”

“I guess I could ‘hire’ a builder and his crew, use my Sharingan to make them forget where and who we are. Or just the builder. We can do the work, we just don’t know how.”

“True,” Kakashi agreed. “Might take a long time though. But if I could just get that kid.” Kakashi couldn’t let the thought go, it was too convenient. He summoned Shiba. “Feel like a possibly long mission?”

“Sure.”

“I need Tenzou, you know him by smell?”

“Yeah.”

“I need you to find him alone and tell him I need him. Tell him that I found Itachi. Tell him he needs to come right away without telling anyone. We’ll kidnap him and we’ll use genjutsu to make him create a house and take him back.” Itachi looked very uncomfortable. “If we can get him at a good time when he won’t be missed . . . maybe while he’s on a solo mission.”

“I’ll tail him and bring him to you,” Shiba said.

“Come with us to the place the raven found. We’ll make camp and wait there for you.”

-----

Shiba only had to wait three days for Tenzou to be sent out alone. When he was closest to the trio’s new home, Shiba approached him.

“Tenzou, Kakashi’s found Itachi and needs your help. Come now.”

“I should get backup from the village.”

“No, come now. Trust Kakashi.”

“Alright.”

Tenzou followed Shiba to Kakashi’s camp. One of Itachi’s ravens waited in the woods to warn them of Tenzou’s approach. The raven cawed. Itachi immediately took on the personae of a prisoner, on his knees, hands behind him as if tied, and his head down submissively. Sasuke just sat there looking as scared and unsure as he really was. Kakashi stood to meet his kohai.

“You really found him, sempai,” Tenzou said. Itachi flinched at someone else calling Kakashi ‘sempai.’

“It was a long chase.”

Itachi lifted his head and caught Tenzou’s eye.

“Sorry, Tenzou,” Kakashi said even though Tenzou couldn’t really hear him. Kakashi then described how he wanted the house to look and Tenzou created it.

“Itachi, make a clone to go back with him, wipe his memory, snap him out of it, and vanish.”

Itachi nodded and made a clone. The clone and Tenzou were led back to where Shiba found him.

“I feel bad using him like that,” the real Itachi said.

“So do I, but it was the fastest way. You should leave soon and this way you have more time with your brother and we now have a place to live.”

-----

Tenzou felt a presence and looked around. No one. Something felt wrong. He looked at the sky. He’d lost at least several hours. What had he been doing? He wondered about it as he rushed off to complete his mission. Something was wrong.

-----

Kakashi and Itachi decided they would pretend to be man and wife with a son if they had to deal with other people. Itachi was shorter, had long hair to begin with, was more graceful, and generally more feminine—except his voice—so he easily transformed into a young woman. Itachi huffed for a while, but he had to admit it was the better cover than anything with two guys and a kid; that wouldn’t fool anyone from Konoha. And Itachi had to admit he was the uke in the relationship. Kakashi transformed into a nondescript man while they taught Sasuke to transform into a boy who could be the pair’s son.

They made their way to the nearby village to buy supplies in their new disguises. Luckily Itachi had the foresight to take every cent he could from the Uchiha compound. They bought everything from bedding to cookery. They also planted their story.

Itachi put Sasuke to bed after a long day and joined Kakashi in their bedroom. Kakashi was sitting up and watched Itachi change. Itachi blushed as usual; it made him even more enduring to his older lover. At least Kakashi kept his Sharingan eye closed when he wore no headband to hide it.

“Why do you look like a hound watching a limping cat?” Itachi asked.

“Well, I was thinking about devouring you . . .”

Itachi’s eyes became the same slightly annoyed, slightly flirting ones Kakashi remembered. It seemed like months had passed and it had only been a few weeks since Itachi had begun acting so strange.

Itachi blew out the candle and crawled in beside Kakashi.

“Feel up to it?” Kakashi asked.

“Well, I am leaving soon. Perhaps we should get our fill before I leave; I don’t know when I’ll be able to come back.”

Kakashi stripped Itachi of the two pieces of clothing he was wearing and his own boxers, leaving them both nude. Itachi straddled his still sitting lover. Kakashi began licking and kissing his chest and started stroke his soft cock. Itachi ran his hands through Kakashi’s hair, making it stick out at various angles.

“I’ll suck you dry so you won’t even be tempted to look at another man for the first week and miss me immensely after that.”

Itachi chuckled softly. “Really? You’re confident, aren’t you?”

“Well, from the way you cry out in pleasure I deserve to preen a little.”

Kakashi knew every place on Itachi’s body that made him mew with pleasure and he used that knowledge to his own advantage. He kissed Itachi’s shoulder just above the crease, caressed his side feather-light to make Itachi squirm. He then moved down to suck at a nipple. He swirled his thumb around the head of Itachi’s cock, teasing the slit. Itachi’s hard length felt good and solid in his hand as it throbbed with Itachi’s need. He traced the edge of the flare causing Itachi to moan and buck his hips against his stomach.

Kakashi opened the lube with other hand, squeezed out a dollop and reached around Itachi to tease him. Itachi’s bucking was getting more forceful, more to get off rather than from instinct. Kakashi picked Itachi up to put him on his back. He attacked Itachi’s stomach as he inserted two fingers, reaching deep inside, just barely touching those bundles of nerves.

“Stop teasing, Kakashi,” Itachi snarled in a low voice. “Suck or fuck me already.” That made Kakashi smile; there was the often feisty young man he remembered.

Kakashi raised Itachi’s hips and pressed into his lithe body. Itachi put a hand over his mouth to repress a moan. Kakashi pulled his hand away. “Don’t worry, the walls are thick. I made sure.” But Itachi still kept his mouth shut, not wanting to cry out and alert Sasuke.

Itachi wrapped his arms around Kakashi’s neck and squeezed his knees against his sides, practically hanging from his body, trying to press up onto Kakashi’s cock. He pulled himself further up. “Harder,” he growled into Kakashi’s ear.

Kakashi sat back with Itachi still clasped to his body, grabbed Itachi’s hips, and tried to pull Itachi further down on him. Itachi helped by pressing down on and pulling up Kakashi body, rocking up and down his cock.

Frustrated, Itachi pulled away and got on his hands and knees. Kakashi got the message and took him hard from behind. He pulled at the ponytail to pull Itachi back onto him. He reached around and started stroking Itachi. Itachi let out a subdued cry as he came. Kakashi cam almost simultaneously. Itachi didn’t straighten out when he collapsed, but back on to his legs, almost curled up into a ball.

Kakashi was careful as he draped his body over Itachi’s. He took the tie from Itachi’s hair and nuzzled his nose in the cascade of black hair. The scent of his hair was so distinctively Itachi. He loved that smell. They remained like that for over a minute.

Itachi straightened to push Kakashi off and turned over onto his back. He grabbed Kakashi’s head and pulled it down to his hips. That was the Itachi he knew. Itachi recovered quickly from post orgasm sensitivity and was already coming back to life in Kakashi’s mouth.

Itachi’s hips rose up into Kakashi’s face a few times as Kakashi lavished attention on him. And he mewed in pleasure, his hand never leaving Kakashi’s hair. He used it to reluctantly pull Kakashi away.

“I want to take you.”

“My pleasure.”

They rolled over so that Kakashi was on his back.

“It’s been a while,” Itachi said as he felt around for the lube. Kakashi found it and handed it to him.

Itachi took his time preparing him as he kissed him. Eventually Kakashi broke away. “Itachi, if you don’t do it now, I’ll have to fuck you again.”

Itachi smiled and lubed himself up. He spread and pressed Kakashi’s thighs forward. Itachi pressed in. It had been long enough that Kakashi was almost painfully tight, but he adapted quickly and Itachi didn’t waste any time in getting up to a satisfying rhythm.

Kakashi managed to keep his eyes open to see Itachi’s loose hair fan and sway around his face. Itachi opened his eyes and they were red. Kakashi was no longer frightened by the Sharingan suddenly appearing, though the first few times it scared him . . . soft actually. Its appearance meant Itachi was giving in to instinct, which was potentially dangerous—as Kakashi had seen on missions—but as long as no one interrupted them or Kakashi didn’t start resisting, it only meant good things.

As good as it felt, Kakashi got almost more pleasure in seeing Itachi like this. He leaned over Kakashi, his normally bound hair cascading around his face, his eyes shut in pleasure, and expression completely uncontrolled. Kakashi cam before he did.

It took the younger man a little longer to cum the second time. He collapsed on top of Kakashi, completely boneless. Kakashi turned him and cuddled him, kissing his hair.

“I thought you were going to suck me dry?” Itachi teased as Kakashi settled in to sleep. “I’ve got a least one more load left. You always lie about that.”

“Give me a few minutes and I’ll continue.”

“We’re both too tired. I appreciate the sentiment.”

“It was easier to do when you were new to this. I had you coming two or three times before I cam once.”

Itachi snuggled back into Kakashi’s arms. “I just wish we could have stayed in Konoha.”

“Stop it; I had a choice. I had a choice to zealously chase you, to meet up with you, join you. I also chose to allow myself to fall in love with you despite everything. At least we’re no longer accountable to anyone.”

“My father would have killed you. Slowly.”

“I was very much aware of it. Don’t think I wasn’t frightened of him finding out. But I made my choice the moment I approached you. From then on, I only had one option. Don’t worry; I’ll stay here and train your brother. I promise I’ll train Sasuke to chunin level by the time you get back.”

Itachi was silent for a few seconds. “I don’t like being a shinobi. I saw the carnage in the last War. I don’t want to see that again, I don’t want that for Sasuke. But I know it’s the only way for us to survive. Akatsuki are mercenaries, but I’ll probably see far fewer battles with them than before. That’s something. But I hope Sasuke never has to fight. Spoil him. Don’t tell him too much about reality. Let him stay a kid longer than I did.”

“And longer than me. I’ll do my best.”

-----

Tenzou made his report, but did not mention his lost few hours. He thought about it as he tried to sleep his first night home. He had a troubled night. There was a memory struggling at the edge of his mind. Something about . . . a dog.

The next day, it was at the back of his mind. What had happened the other day?

All of ANBU were called into a meeting that afternoon.

“We still have no communication or sign of Hatake Kakashi. He’s officially MIA; it’s the opinion of many that he was killed by Uchiha Itachi while he was pursuing him.”

Tenzou’s hair stood on end. He felt lightheaded. That memory . . . it had something to do with Kakashi. Kakashi dead? He couldn’t believe that. It wasn’t just that he admired his sempai, but he knew Kakashi was alive. But how did he know?

-----

“I’ll try to come back for your birthday,” Itachi said to Sasuke as he knelt in front of him. He was dressed in full ANBU gear minus the mask which he’d left back in Konoha.

“Your birthday is closer,” Sasuke argued.

“I won’t be able to come back for a while. I’ll do everything I can to come to see you as often as possible.” Itachi kissed his forehead. “Kakashi will take care of you and train you. Make me proud. I know you won’t give him any trouble, right?”

Sasuke shook his head.

“He’s about as powerful as me, you can learn a lot from him.”

“No one’s as powerful as you.”

Itachi smiled at him. “You’re almost right. You’ll probably be more powerful than me one day though.” Itachi ruffled hair. He had to look away from the puppy dog eyes Sasuke was now giving him.

Itachi stood to face Kakashi.

“I’ll take good care of him, Itachi.”

“I trust you. But if anything goes wrong you should take him back to Konoha.”

“Nothing will go wrong.”

“I’ll try to send word to you.”

“Take care.” He wanted to tell Itachi how much he loved him, but didn’t think it was a good idea in front of Sasuke.

Itachi seemed to have the same feeling, but it was clear in his eyes. He looked at Sasuke again. “I love you.” Itachi ran off. Sasuke ran half the distance to the tree line and stopped.

Kakashi stared at the boy. Now he was stuck with him. He never thought about being a father, but always figured he’d take on a genin team one day. But an eight year old orphan Uchiha?

“Sasuke, come on, training will help keep your mind off things.” Sasuke didn’t move, he just kept staring into the trees that swallowed his brother. “You’ll have to train hard to impress your brother when he gets back. He’ll be fine. Your brother is amazing powerful, more than me.” Sasuke still didn’t move. Kakashi didn’t know how to deal with children. He’d never been a normal child and he could never relate to his teammates. Now he was stuck with an eight year old. An eight year old who was crying.

Kakashi came up to him and took him in his arms. Sasuke tried to pull away at first, but then he turned and cried into Kakashi’s chest.

“He’ll be back.”

Then Kakashi realized he wouldn’t be seeing his young lover for a long time either. He held back his own emotions for Sasuke’s sake.

-----

It was a silent evening. Sasuke had stopped crying at least. Sasuke poked at his food more than he ate it. Kakashi had to admit he wasn’t very hungry either. The boy hadn’t looked at him all day.

“I know you won’t believe me, but I know how you feel.”

That brought Sasuke’s eyes up to him.

“My entire family is dead. You probably feel a lot like I did when my father died. I was left completely alone until I was assigned a team and a sensei. I’ve left my home and friends too.”

“I didn’t have any friends,” Sasuke finally said. “Just my brother.”

“You just started the academy, didn’t you?”

Sasuke nodded.

“I know it’ll be lonely with just the two of us, but you’re become a stronger shinobi for it. You’ll be getting personal instruction, no layabouts or fools to hold you back.”

Sasuke nodded again. It wasn’t making him feel any better. Kakashi thought for a while, picking at his own meal. Sasuke was lonely . . . Kakashi had an idea.

“Try to eat up, you’ll need your strength.” Kakashi cleaned up his own dishes and went into his and Itachi’s room.

Kakashi sat on the bed and summoned Pakkun.

“Yo.”

“Anyone have puppies that wouldn’t mind making a visit.”

“Sure. Suki just had a litter. I’ll warn her.” Pakkun left.

Kakashi waited a few minutes then summoned Suki. She appeared with eight puppies.

“Been a while, Kakashi-kun.”

“A long while. Doing well I’m assuming.”

“Yeah. Just trying to keep up with these little mouths.”

“Mind if Itachi’s little brother plays with them?”

“I don’t mind.”

Kakashi went back to the dining room. There wasn’t much change to the state of Sasuke’s plate.

“Not hungry?”

Sasuke shook his head.

“Come on, I’ve got a surprise for you.” Sasuke’s eyes lit up.

Sasuke followed Kakashi his bedroom and he rushed over to the puppies. Sasuke smiled and Kakashi was relieved. Something made the kid smile. Sasuke petted the puppies. He was drawn to the runt and picked her up.

“Do they have names?” Sasuke asked.

“Not yet,” Suki said.

“Sasuke’s a bit lonely with his brother off on a mission.”

“He can keep the runt if he wants. I don’t think she’ll make a good Ninken.”

“How much longer until they can leave you?”

“Three weeks or so.”

“If you don’t mind, I’ll summon you and your pups here every few days and then we’ll keep the runt as a pet and maybe she can turn into a Ninken as well as companion for Sasuke.”

“Sounds good, as long as you can feed me.”

“From now on.”

“Agreed.”

“You better think of a name, Sasuke.”

Sasuke cuddled the puppy which sniffed at him curiously.

“Ban.”

----------

Named the dog after the one who survived the earthquake/tsunami out on the ocean.