Chapter Text
“I’m going to the Sarutobis’ later, do you want to come?”
Neji barely misses a beat as he settles into the gentle fist’s sun form, but Kakashi can sense the surprised flicker in his chakra. “Why?”
“Figured you might have a few things to say to Hinata.” Kakashi’s own sun form doesn’t come to him as naturally, especially when he disrupts it with a shrug. The gentle fist style is supposed to double as a form of meditation, but he’s never been able to slip into it without feeling uneasy. Neji makes it look simple. “Or not.”
“Did Gai-sensei put you up to this?”
That’s a valid concern. Kakashi is slowly learning not to keep things from Gai. Something about healthy relationships yadda yadda, we should be plain about our feelings, Rival! He certainly decided to date a frustrating man. “Maa, whatever you’ve told Gai is between you and him.”
“That’s not an answer.”
Kakashi smiles. “No, Neji. He hasn’t put me up to anything. I’ve come up with this idea all on my own.”
Neji nods once and commences the lion step. Kakashi mirrors him, and together they start a clockwise circle walk around the field. Not too far away, Gai and Tenten are practising swordsmanship under the enthusiastic (if not slightly weary) watch of Lee, temporarily freed from the hospital. He has adapted to wheelchair-use with the same single-minded focus that he applies to everything, although it must pain him to sit apart from the training. With any luck, he’ll be back up on his feet once Tsunade arrives. And who knows, maybe he’ll second-guess opening the Eight Gates again.
Now that is definitely something Kakashi and Gai need to talk about. Kakashi would rather do almost anything else. The Eight Gates is a topic they’ve argued about for many years. The fact that Gai can blow himself up at any given moment is enough to make Kakashi queasy, but his real issue with the technique is the principle. As far as Gai’s concerned, opening the Gates is an act of love: that’s what his father taught him, and that’s no doubt what he’s taught Lee. Kakashi doesn’t see anything loving about it. He’s lost too many people to sacrifice. It’s just another word for suicide.
Neji switches direction and Kakashi follows him, half a step behind. His thoughts always wander during circle walking. His arguments with Gai are nothing but circles.
“You may strike me whenever,” Neji says, cutting through Kakashi’s thoughts.
Try to strike, he means. This is gentle fist training, after all. Kakashi could lay the kid flat on his back in three seconds flat if there weren’t rules to follow. A strike only counts if it disrupts the opponent’s chakra-points. Neji, being a Hyūga by blood, is naturally talented at expelling chakra through the non-conventional chakra-points in his body, and can hit Kakashi from almost any angle. Kakashi can’t. He’s been training with Neji for over a year now, and he’s yet to win any of their matches. Kakashi likes to think his skill with the gentle fist is improving, but he didn’t do himself any favours as a teenager by teaching himself a bastardised version of it. What Hyūga would have ever actually shown Kakashi any of their techniques - Orihime, Tokisada, the Branch House? He was entirely self-taught until Gai landed himself a genin team with a Hyūga in it. It's a good thing that Hyūga is Neji. If Neji had been a member of the Main House, then Kakashi wouldn’t be here learning forbidden techniques in secret. By himself.
He is fortunate that Neji is willing to teach him (after the initial shock of Kakashi’s byakugan which was, eh, bumpy). Kakashi has little to offer in return except a sympathetic ear - and occasionally acting as a buffer between Neji and the Main House. It's not much, but.
Children shouldn't have to bear the burden of their clan's crimes, after all.
At midday, the kids break for lunch. Kakashi has another shift that afternoon so he can't stick around. To the Sarutobi household, then. He steals Neji away with a promise to return him, and together they body-flicker to the front door. It must be Team Kurenai's day off because Kurenai answers the door, and she ushers them inside with a smile. Kakashi doesn't often come here during the day. It's lively. There are people cooking in the kitchen and the sound of laughter. Konohamaru whizzes past with a dog hot on his heels. A second, much larger dog scampers past and almost takes Neji out at the knees.
Hinata peeks around a doorway. Neji's face morphs through a complicated set of emotions before settling on neutrality. The two Hyūga children stare at each other at a loss for words.
Kakashi and Kurenai share a glance over their heads.
"Have you had lunch?" she asks. "I can make some tea."
They have tea. Kakashi has an hour or so to stick around and make sure nobody kills anyone, but he doesn't think that's likely to happen anyway. He gets the impression that Neji and Hinata hashed out most of their problems in the chūnin exam - which had been painful to watch, but ultimately good for both of them. Hinata's loss is probably at least part of the reason she's been exiled, and judging by Neji's discomfort, he knows it. Still, what's done is done. Kakashi, more than most, knows that wishing for the past to change won't amount to anything.
"Asuma shouldn't have badgered you about this, but thanks for coming," Kurenai says.
Kakashi shrugs. He can't kid himself into thinking he can ignore the Hyūga clan for much longer. The more he avoids them, the more frequently they seem to appear. Obito was just like that. "I don't know what advice you think I can give, but I can try."
"It's not about advice. I thought - Hinata needs to know she can have a life outside of the clan. I know your situations aren't the same, but Obito was in the Main House as well, wasn't he?"
"Ah," says Kakashi. "So Ori is my Hiashi?"
"Your words," Kurenai says, but her guilty wince suggests he's right on the money.
"Guess I get the best of both worlds then," Kakashi says, and he laughs to himself. She has no idea how accurate that is.
He does talk to Hinata before leaving. It's not much of a conversation since he hardly knows the girl, and neither of them want to discuss the similarities of their trauma. Kakashi's not convinced there are enough similarities to warrant any sort of bonding. But Kurenai is right about one thing - Hinata now has an opportunity to experience life beyond the privileges and restraints of the clan. She can finally step back and see the Hyūga clan with a fresh pair of eyes.
Figuratively.
Kakashi doubts she truly understands the caged bird seal and the division in the clan. Few in the Main House have ever questioned the mandatory servitude of their family. Especially not those of Hitachi’s descent, of which Hiashi and Hinata both are. And none have ever taken action to do anything about it. Kakashi may be some sort of pseudo-expert on all this shit, but he is not explaining it to her. She's literally twelve. And he's so fucking tired.
"And please," Kakashi says, after trying and failing not to make her cry. Kurenai had warned him that Hinata can be sensitive but yikes. She tears up just looking at Kakashi's face. He has his mask and headband on, right? "Drop the formalities. Kakashi is fine."
"He'll accept Kakashi-sensei," Neji offers at Hinata's conflicted expression. He looks a little embarrassed about it afterwards as though he hadn't meant to be nice. That's not so surprising given his entire conversation with Hinata so far has been both of them looking anywhere but at each other.
Hilarious. There are five byakugan in this room.
It's impossible to say if Neji and Hinata's relationship will ever mend, but this feels like a step up from the chūnin exams. He promises to update her on Lady Hanabi's training. And not to try and kill her. Or tell her that she's destined for failure (again). Hinata laughs a little at that one, her face wet.
Kakashi leaves them to it. And for once, there's nobody hanging around the hospital to nag him after his shift.
He's almost pleased about it.
But he knows better.
Not two days later, Kakashi is dozing lightly when Gai’s steady chakra-beat ignites with a wrathful wave. He’s up out of bed before the wave of chakra takes his breath, and he staggers through the doorway in a semi-awake daze. He slides the thunder kunai from the holster at his thigh without thinking - never without it, even in sleep - and crashes into the hall where Gai is - and Neji, and no one else.
They both whip around at his arrival. Neji's expression is tight; his chakra is unusually subdued. Gai’s is glowing like a furnace, red-hot and angry in his chest. It’s blinding. If it was a Gate, Kakashi wouldn’t be able to look at it at all, but that’s only a small consolation. Gai’s First Gate is on the verge of opening.
Kakashi could probably knock it shut with the gentle fist - but there might still be a threat. He searches further with his byakugan, scanning the apartment block and the street. Nothing jumps out at him. He pushes further, as far as he can - until a hand on his shoulder snaps him back to the flat.
Gai blocks the kunai before Kakashi decapitates him. “Forgive me, Rival, I was overzealous! I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Gai’s chakra has snuffed out, returning to its typical calm. Kakashi lets his byakugan fall shut. The colours of the apartment return to him in a blink: Gai’s yellow apron and stern face first; and then Neji’s unusually white face, and his white knuckles, and his purple arms.
“What happened?” Kakashi asks, although he thinks he can guess. Neji’s bruises are all over his chakra-points. That’s not so unusual for a Hyūga training session. But what is unusual is the sight of the bruises seeping up under Neji’s shirt to his shoulders, chest, and neck. Someone has deliberately tried to incapacitate him. So probably not a result of training, then. The neck injury alone is worrying. Hitting the wrong chakra-point near the spine could have killed him instantly. It feels deliberate. It feels like a threat. Kakashi’s been on the receiving end of that kind of threat many times before.
“That’s what I would like to know,” Gai says. He’s furious. No wonder he almost set the flat on fire.
Neji shifts awkwardly, avoiding Kakashi's gaze. He’s definitely in pain - but he seems more uncomfortable with Gai’s anger. He has the look of someone about to bolt.
“Let’s move this into the front room, hmm?” Kakashi tries, sheathing his kunai. He’s very much not dressed. Hopefully Neji picks up on his embarrassment and laughs about it. Unlikely, but anything to break the tension would be appreciated.
He blinks open his byakugan again, this time with intent. Most of the chakra-points in Neji's arms are closed. A couple of his fingers are broken. Kakashi sits the kid down on the couch and tells Gai to fetch painkillers and an ice-pack, and to see if they have any hoodies about Neji's size. Neji is definitely not a hoodie type of person but Tenten is always leaving her jumpers lying around. She likes them oversized - so probably about Neji's size.
Hopefully, it will take Gai more than thirty seconds to find something appropriate. Kakashi waves a diagnostic over Neji’s neck and motions for him to undo his shirt.
"How’s your head?"
Neji curls his unbroken fingers in his lap. He's still not looking directly at Kakashi. “It's fine.”
“You sure?” He doesn’t want to touch Neji’s cursed seal, but he gestures towards it carefully.
Neji goes to nod but Kakashi catches his chin. “He - didn’t. Lady Hanabi was angry this morning, that’s all.”
“That doesn’t give her a reason to hurt you,” Kakashi says, although he knows it falls on deaf ears. At least they’re not dealing with caged bird symptoms right now. “Give me your hand. Don’t move your head. You didn’t go to the Sarutobi’s in this state, did you?”
“No. I thought it best not to. I hoped you would help.”
“Hoped?” Kakashi echoes, lifting his voice. “I'm hurt. Haven’t I always patched us up after our training?”
Neji winces. Kakashi quickly tugs his fingers back into place, making him wince even harder.
“I’m teasing,” Kakashi says, gentling him. He pushes open the chakra-point in Neji’s neck. “I’m glad you knew you could come here.”
“Gai-sensei is here,” Neji says, with a little sigh of relief.
There's a crash and a triumphant shout from the bedroom. It's probably a fifty-fifty chance that whatever Gai has found is pink.
Kakashi smiles. "Yes he is, isn't he?"
Gai leaps back into the room, bearing a hoodie, med-kit, and ice-pack for Neji - plus a mask and headband. Kakashi's hand flies to his face, realising he's entirely uncovered. No wonder Neji won't look at him. Whoops. He loops the mask over his ears and then ties the headband under his fringe. He pulls it down over his eye. It doesn't make much difference to the drain on his chakra, but he feels less vulnerable with his face covered.
His hand freezes there, clutching the metal plate. It's not his mouth that Neji's avoiding - at least, not entirely. Kakashi forces his fingers to release the headband. They feel cold all of a sudden. He laughs weakly with the realisation.
It's his forehead. His seal.
Neji's eyes are the widest they've ever been. So are Gai's.
"You never told me," Neji says. He catches Kakashi's wince. "You weren't going to."
The sound Kakashi makes is more of a groan than a word. “Mm, you know, this is. Not. The conversation I expected to be having today."
It's hardly a conversation, though. He can see Neji's thoughts spinning a mile-a-minute behind his eyes. He'll be thinking back on everything Kakashi has ever said and done, reevaluating with a brand-new insight. Kakashi braces himself for the inevitable questions.
"The Branches think you’re part of the Main House,” Neji says. "They don't know. They hate you."
“To be fair, most of the House hates me too.”
"How is that fair?"
Kakashi glances at Gai for help. "Maa, I meant that as an expression -"
“You shouldn't be stuck with our ways," Neji interrupts, his face stern. It would be a snarl from anyone else, but he's too composed for that. Or well-trained. "That isn't fair."
“Is being born into the Branches fair?” Kakashi asks.
“It’s not the same.”
“You’re right. The cursed seal is the price I pay to keep my eye. That's a decision I made."
“Whose eye is it?” Neji asks, practically blurting it. “Who are you bound to?”
Kakashi glances at Gai again, more desperately. Digging up his issues with the Hyūga clan is one thing, but Obito and the bridge is a topic that Kakashi refuses to cross. Not now, not here, and not with Neji.
The plea seems to stir Gai from his shock. "Neji -”
“It’s not my uncle, is it?”
“No,” Kakashi cries, blanching at the idea. “No.”
“Then who?”
“Neji,” Gai says, firmer this time. He lays a hand on Neji's shoulder, and Neji finally tears his gaze away from Kakashi, at a loss for words.
“I thought -'' He tries, only to be hushed by Gai. The anger seeps from his body. He crosses his arms over his chest, reminding them all of his bruises. He doesn't seem to notice them now. "I thought it was strange that you didn’t know the gentle fist…"
“Part of my charm,” Kakashi says, slapping the ice pack onto Neji’s arm in the hope of distracting him. “Did you eat before training? I’m sure Gai’s made breakfast. Help yourself.”
Neji's frown deepens but he doesn't argue. He might not even be hungry, but he seems to recognise when he's being dismissed. It's not as though Kakashi's being subtle about it. He takes the ice pack and hoodie and shuffles into the kitchen, throwing a final, considering look behind him. This conversation isn't over, that's for sure.
Kakashi breathes a sigh of relief anyway. He's been awake for all of half an hour and been met with two unpleasant revelations. He scoots up onto the couch where Neji had been sitting. Gai is as silent and unmoving as a statue beside him, neither of which are very Gai-esque things to be.
"I can hear you thinking," Kakashi says. He sets Neji's abandoned shirt aside. "Spit it out."
Gai grumbles a little. “Maybe he should stay here."
“For breakfast?”
“Forever.”
Kakashi doesn’t mean to laugh. “Are you kidding? That’s a terrible idea.”
Gai scowls. It’s not one of his more common expressions. The set of his brow ages him about ten years. It’s awfully attractive - and immediately has Kakashi regretting his unthinking laughter. “I cannot send him back to the manor.”
Kakashi tilts his head, acknowledging. And then lets his quick mouth get the best of him: “You’ve never had a problem before.”
“That is not true,” Gai huffs, crossing his arms. Closing himself off. Anybody else would look smaller, shrink into themselves, but Gai only seems to grow larger. “I have always had a problem with it and you know it. He is being - hurt. And now we have proof. He is not safe there. Kakashi, we must be seeing the same thing. You know -”
“Of course I know,” Kakashi interrupts, a little insulted. “I know exactly what they’re like. And you don’t. Believe me, if we keep Neji here, they will come for him. You want Hiashi here? Or Suzua? Tokisada? Neji has the byakugan and the cursed seal, and that makes him the House’s property.”
“The House -”
“This isn’t like Hinata - she was told to leave. They don’t want her back so they don’t care about what she does or where she goes. She’s not their problem. But Neji?”
He lets that question hang in the air. Gai glares at it, jaw locked tight.
“I do not think Hiashi could pose me a threat.”
Kakashi sighs. “And what if he activates Neji’s seal? Or my seal? We would die - instantly. It's not as simple as being stronger than him. It's about the seal. There is no being stronger than that. That’s the reality, Gai. Neji knows that. Everyone in the Branches knows that. Any choice is better than risking the House’s wrath. Neji would rather be Hanabi’s punching bag.”
“You don’t know that,” Gai says, but he doesn’t sound convinced. “I can’t accept that. I can’t stand by and let him get hurt. There must be another answer!”
“What do you suggest then?”
But Gai suggests nothing. That one moment of outrage seems to be all he has. He shakes his head, sniffing loudly. His eyes are wet, filled with tears. The sight of them spilling down his face dulls the sharpness of Kakashi’s anger.
“Gai,” he says, softer now. They’re too far apart to hug, so he lays his hand against Gai’s thigh. It feels inadequate. The thought that he has brought Gai to tears is… uncomfortable. “We’ve been through this. It's not black-and-white. Sometimes, the only option is the lesser evil. That’s just how it is with -" Abuse. "- things like this. Why do you think I put up with Ori?”
Gai covers his face. “I want him to be safe. I want you to be safe.”
Helplessly, Kakashi curls his fingers around Gai’s wrist. It’s the asscrack of dawn and he’s not wearing gloves, and he’s in his boxers, and Neji’s seen his face, and he can’t get anymore embarrassed than this. So he says, “I want him to be safe too.”
Gai sniffs. “I know I could defeat Hiashi. I’m not happy about it, Rival, but I understand. I'm just - the caged bird seal is such an injustice and it makes my blood boil!"
"I know. You won't hear me saying it's not."
“Forgive me for shouting, love, I shouldn’t have.”
Kakashi shrugs. "Hardly. If you think that’s shouting, come by the hospital some time. Neji’s your student, of course you want to protect him. Make this a safe place for him instead. He trusts you, you know.”
“And you.”
“Well. I think my cursed seal may have shaken him. I hope it doesn’t cause any trouble.”
Gai wipes his face. Then he opens up for a hug, which Kakashi is more than willing to oblige. “It won’t. I was going to tell you the moment you awoke but - tomorrow, Tenten, Neji and I are to join Team Asuma on an assignment. It is only for two days - perhaps it will give him the time to sort out his thoughts.”
Kakashi noses guiltily into Gai’s neck. His headband must be ice against Gai’s jaw, but there are no complaints. Kakashi doesn’t have it in him to take it off, anyway. “He’s probably heard this entire conversation.”
“Most likely,” Gai agrees, kissing his ear. “If I remember rightly, you have time off next week - we should have a team dinner! It will be the perfect opportunity for further discussion. What do you say?”
Kakashi nods. He needs time to think about all this, too.
He ducks out of breakfast, wishing for a few more hours of sleep. Sakura is shadowing him again this afternoon. If he turns up to teach acting like a miserable bastard, she’ll want to know why. Kakashi’s already flayed himself open this morning under the scrutiny of one teenager: he doesn’t need to bare his neck to another one. Especially Sakura. If he tries to explain himself, the entirety of the Konoha Twelve will know the gorey details of Obito’s byakugan and all of the trouble it's caused within the hour, and then everyone in the village will know. Best not to bow to the whims of a prying teenage girl, then.
Kakashi learned that from Rin.
He should send a missive to her last known location. It won’t bring her home or solve any of Kakashi’s problems, but it at least might prepare her for the inevitable day that Gai clocks a Hyūga and ignites a political war.
It’s a day Kakashi feels growing closer by the minute, threatening him like too many hands pressing into his skin.
“It’s good news this time, I promise,” Kurenai says, handing Kakashi a gigantic cup of coffee.
The Emergency waiting room is unusually quiet for Sunday mid-afternoon, so they settle down into two of the metal seats in the corner. It’s hardly the nicest place for Kakashi to take his fifteen-minute break, but it’s the last place his colleagues will think to look for him. His friends, on the other hand, know him better. The kids haven’t figured out his shift pattern yet, but when they do, he knows he’ll never have another day’s peace. Especially once Naruto is back in the village.
“I’m going to ask Asuma to marry me,” Kurenai says, and Kakashi inhales his drink. “We’ve been talking about it. He’ll probably ask you to be his best man, and I know you don’t like surprises, so I thought I’d warn you.”
“His best man? Yikes. Why's he doing that to me? I mean, congrats.”
She smiles and offers a tissue. “I haven’t asked him yet.”
“He’s not going to say no,” Kakashi laughs, dabbing his mask. It’s going to stink of coffee for the rest of the day. Oh well, it’s better than sweat. “This has something to do with Hinata, doesn’t it?”
“We’re hoping to adopt her. The Yūhi clan doesn’t have anything to offer anymore, but she’ll be safe with the Sarutobi name.”
“Safe, huh?” Kakashi says, carefully sipping his drink. If only it were that simple for every child in the world. Is that what Minato-sensei had thought, once? “I can’t say my name’s good for anything these days, either.”
“I think it will be, one day,” Kurenai says, bumping shoulders with him. “You’ll see.”
Kakashi can’t remember when he last slept in his own apartment. He drops in a few times a week to grab clean clothes, shower, and dig out the next volume of some medical journal or textbook for Sakura to read, but that’s about it. The kitchen is half-empty. Laundry is overflowing. It’s a good thing he relocated Mr. Ukki to Gai’s flat because otherwise it would be dead. Kakashi shoves a handful of dirty clothes into the washing machine and hears Bisuke sneeze.
“Damn boss, are you sure you’re looking after yourself?”
“Yeah,” Shiba adds, slobbering over the heap of binders set aside to hand wash. “This place looks like a bunch of raccoons came charging in! Wait, did they? ‘Cause I totally would’ve helped you out if they had. I love raccoons! They walk so funny. I love chasing -”
“No raccoons,” Kakashi assures, giving him a pat. “Just me.”
Shiba licks his fingers. Let it be known that dirty laundry doesn’t put this dog off anything. “You this messy at Gai’s place? I love Gai’s place. He gives us dumplings! I love dumplings. When are we going to back?”
“Maa, soon. His team’s debriefing right now.”
“That’s why you’re cleaning,” Bisuke says. His panda-like eyes squint knowingly. His wide mouth gives him a permanent smirk. “Is he coming over? Can we help? I can sweep the floor. Shiba, knock open the windows. We gotta get some air into this place!”
Bisuke scampers into the kitchen. There’s a series of crashes as he dives into one of the cupboards in search of the dustpan-and-brush. Shiba is hot on his heels and skids into the front room, teeth gnashing as he leaps for the window-blinds. Kakashi shakes his head and commits himself to the laundry. His binders won’t clean themselves - which is a shame. At least he’s not on-duty for a few days. It’s been a while since he had more than two consecutive days off, especially with teaching Sakura on the side.
There’s another crash from the front room and a yelp of pain. It sounds like Shiba has tackled a window. Luckily, all of Kakashi’s pack have pretty hard heads. The following clunk! suggests the window has swung open and smacked something, and Kakashi winces, hoping it isn’t one of his neighbours. Maybe it’s Ori's husband, finally come to kill him.
“Hey, hey! There’s a bird!” Shiba shouts. “I think it’s a - whoa! Boss! It’s a summon!”
Uh-oh. Kakashi doesn’t know many summoners in the village, but that’s never a good sign. He whips around just in time to avoid the blackbird swooping past; it’s a small thing, and not entirely black, upon closer inspection. Its eyes are huge and round, like buttons, and its beak is slightly hooked. It settles on top of the washing machine with a grace that Kakashi’s summons never bother with. It's almost comical, given the speed at which the machine is rumbling, but the blackbird just tilts its little head. It’s not a blackbird at all, in fact. Its neck is too long, and its head too square. Kakashi’s heart leaps to his throat. It’s a pigeon. And he recognises it.
Shiba and Bisuke stumble back in, barking and wagging. Their collision with the washing machine doesn’t shake Nobiko’s summon at all.
“I have a message for you, Hatake Kakashi. May I relay it?” it asks in a distinctly feminine voice. It doesn’t sound like Nobiko at all - and why would it? - but Kakashi’s already bracing himself for the inevitable telling-off. It doesn’t happen very often with Nobiko, but whenever it does, he feels like the scum of the earth. There’s something about disappointing a grandmother that makes him feel like a worm.
“My summoner asks that you pop by the House if you have a moment to spare. She is concerned about an argument taking place between Lady Orihime and Neji of the Branch House. She extends her apologies if this is an incon - oh! Wait, please! I haven’t finished -”
Kakashi ignores the rest. The debrief must have finished early. Neji must have gone back to the manor. The away mission was supposed to cool his head, not heat it. What on earth has Gai been doing these last two days if not talking Neji down from a fistfight with the House?
“Get Gai,” he barks at the dogs, sending them scrambling. “Tell him - Just get him.”
He’s halfway across the village in a heartbeat. Nobiko’s rooms are on the south side of the manor. Kakashi has snuck in more times than he can count. It’s near-impossible to avoid detection from a Hyūga on the best of days, so his visits are usually unplanned, chaotic, and brief. Ori is paranoid enough to have her byakugan activated most of the time, meaning Kakashi has to assume she’s aware of his presence as soon as he hits the deck outside.
He’s certainly aware of her presence today. He can hear the shouting from the roof.
It’s only a matter of time before somebody else hears it, too. Kakashi shoves his headband up to scan the House as he drops in through the window. Another pigeon summon scatters from the ledge, blurring in the black-and-white world of the byakugan. His gaze follows it instinctively, catching sight of Ori’s husband upstairs and Noe’s kids in the yard. There’s someone in the next house but Kakashi blinks by them, only caring to confirm if they’re the Main House or Branch. As long as it isn’t Hiashi’s wonderful father, Tokisada, then Kakashi has a minute or two of relative safety - like the second it takes after being struck to register the pain.
Neji would rather it not be Hiashi, of course. But those are his demons; Kakashi has his own.
And they’re all called ‘Tokisada’.
He phases through the window. Ori’s temper has a fuse the size of a matchstick and nothing ignites it quite like Kakashi making an entrance. Whatever Neji has been saying to her is coming in a close second, although Kakashi can’t make out the words of the argument over the sheer volume of it. He’s never heard Neji raise his voice before - not above a mild irritation. He wasn’t sure Neji had it in him. But it hardly matters because Ori is drowning him out. She’s definitely who Obito inherited his strong lungs from; Kakashi’s ears are ringing long before he steps in and blocks the swipe of her hand.
The crack of her palm is as sharp as a burn. Neji goes absolutely rigid behind him. Kakashi shoves them both backwards out of Ori’s immediate reach, pumping chakra into his feet in case she strikes again.
It’s a real chance - and he almost can’t believe it. She’s never hit him before - or anyone, as far as he knows. Even when he was a little punk at Neji’s age, she would shout and stomp and throw him out into the hall, but never raise a hand. The small part of Kakashi still trapped as the nine-year-old at Kannabi Bridge has always known that she could, but fearing the slap is a far cry from feeling it.
Wisps of her chakra flutter from his arm and vanish. She does like her fire-style jutsu. Most Hyūga in the Main House do. He feels queasy. Is she really no different from them?
“Get out,” Orihime snaps, her expression beyond understanding. “And take the boy with you.”
That’s fine by Kakashi. He keeps Neji behind him but grabs his arm. He’s not stepping out from between them, not for anything. He's grown up antagonising Orihime and he's confident he can take anything she throws at him - even if it is her hand. But Neji?
Neji shouldn't even be here. He has enough to deal with from his own immediate family; Obito's family is Kakashi's pit of lions.
“Wait," Neji says, trying to pull free. Which - no way in hell. "Answer my question."
Orihime’s white eyes dart to him. She's breathing heavily, enraged. Until thirty seconds ago, Kakashi could guess what she would do next, but now he has no idea. It makes him feel small. And Neji antagonising her is not helping.
“I think you’ve assumed enough," she says. It’s not a shout. It might be worse than a shout.
Neji scoffs. “I haven’t assumed anything. I know.”
“You don’t know anything. My son died before you were born. Ask him. He’s the one they gave me as a replacement.”
“Pretty shit replacement, I think we can agree,” Kakashi hears himself say, trying to laugh it off. Is Neji here because of Obito? Because of him? What the fuck has Gai been telling him?
Unless - this is about the cursed seal. Of course it is. Neji’s had two days to overthink that entire conversation that he shouldn’t have heard. Kakashi must have mentioned Orihime or Nobiko, or maybe even Obito. He can’t remember; but he should have kept his mouth shut.
“Then he should belong to the House,” Neji reasons. “If he has to belong to anybody at all.”
“Belong?” Orihime cries. “He doesn’t belong anywhere - and it’s because of that damn seal!” She jabs a finger at Kakashi’s forehead. It’s not the hand-sign to activate it but every cell of his body tenses like they’re lightning-struck, bracing for pain. It doesn’t come. “You couldn’t just give my son back to me. You had to go and keep all I have left of him and get yourself branded with that fucking seal.”
“He gave it to me,” Kakashi says, his voice hard. He should leave, he knows it, but he’s compelled to defend Obito: he owes it to Obito. No-one but Kakashi and Rin understand what transpired that day and he won’t hear a word about it, not even from Orihime. “Keeping it was my choice.”
“Was it? You’re not his family. You weren’t even his friend. You’re just some kid with a death-wish loping around with a paper-bomb in his head. You think you’re indestructible. Do you have any idea how fragile that seal is?”
Kakashi has plenty of idea and not much self-control. “Am I about to find out?”
He’ll never know for sure what Orihime intended then, if she was attacking, or defending, or simply turning away. She seems to lunge - for him, or Neji, or the window where the dogs are barking and the doves are crying. Kakashi shoves Neji back with force this time; he knocks into a table and lands against Gai, dropping in through the window in a blaze of chakra. The light is blinding. A Gate this time, burning. It pours so much chakra into the room that Orihime and Neji both shout, and even Kakashi has to turn his face away from the flame. Crockery shatters over the floor, spilling tea. Orihime throws up her hands. Gai barges in. Kakashi feels pain rip across his face. He tries to block something - anyone - and at once Nobiko swoops in.
Three quick taps of her palms and Orihime hits the floor. The rush of air from Orihime’s abandoned strike brushes past Kakashi’s cheek. Gai’s hand is peeling in the heat of the Gate. It closes around Kakashi’s arm and yanks him back, but Orihime is already unconscious at their feet. Kakashi stumbles into Gai - and Neji, held protected behind him. Gai’s Gate snaps shut in a breath. Kakashi might gasp - but it’s impossible to hear over the pounding in his head.
It’s over at once - whatever it was. The dogs have fallen quiet outside. Nobiko immediately crouches down next to Orihime, and the sound of her old knees cracking narrows Kakashi’s vision to the spill of Orihime’s long black hair across the floor. She’s breathing. Threads of her hair quiver in front of her mouth. Nobiko brushes them away from Orihime’s face.
“Oh dear,” she says, looking upon her daughter sadly. “She might never forgive me for that.”
Kakashi’s legs refuse to hold him. He sinks down to the floor on Orihime’s other side. Behind him, either Neji or Gai makes a startled noise, but it’s impossible to tell which one of them is more afraid.
Nobiko’s byakugan flicks over to Kakashi. Where had she come from? How much had she heard? Her sad look remains as she takes him in. “And will you forgive me? I’ve been a terrible grandmother, haven’t I?” She doesn’t seem to need a response, turning her attention next to Neji and Gai. “Ah, you must be Mister Gai. It’s lovely to finally meet you.”
Gai’s voice is dangerous. “Is it? You couldn’t have stepped in sooner?”
A dove coos at the window. “I suppose I could have,” Nobiko says gently. She removes her cardigan and rolls it up under Orihime’s head.
Gai makes a baffled noise and steps into Kakashi’s periphery. Kakashi throws a hand out to stop him from approaching any further, lest he do something stupid like launch himself at Nobiko. It feels like he might. He’s as tense as a mongrel about to bite. He’s already one Gate down today, what’s one more?
God, if Gai punches her, Kakashi will never be able to face Obito.
“Let’s not, let’s just go,” he says, shaking his head. He casts his byakugan out into the House again, checking for other chakra signatures. Their main antagonists are far away. Noe’s kids are gone. There’s someone on the roof listening in. Orihime’s husband is steadily making his way down the stairs. “Let’s go now.”
Hands settle on Kakashi’s shoulder, smaller than Gai’s. Neji’s long ponytail swings into view. He doesn’t say anything as he helps Kakashi to his feet, but there’s nothing to be said. They share an understanding look, fear and frustration mirroring one another. Their hidden cursed marks feel like third eyes promising retribution. Kakashi’s mark is stinging. Is Neji’s?
Kakashi doesn’t care much for retribution. He’d rather put this all behind him and never think of it again. That’s what he’s been trying to do for the past thirteen years.
But he knows better - at least, he thought he did. Now, he’s not so sure. His tentative truce with Orihime has been ripped open, and he can’t bear to look at Nobiko right now. And that’s just two members of the Main House. The Hyūga clan has a firm grasp on him. Orihime is just one of his many foes.
From their many eyes and hands, there is no letting go.
Kakashi finds out that Tsunade has returned to the village during his shift at the hospital. It seems to be where he finds out everything, these days. His team has just accepted the handover from the morning crew and are already slotting into the ongoing chaos of the Emergency department when she appears without fanfare, escort, or any sort of announcement, and grabs Kakashi by the scruff of his collar. He is, unfortunately, accustomed to roughhousing from angry patients half out of their minds with pain. Despite this, he only barely refrains from shooting her full of lightning when she yanks his headband up to reveal his eye.
"Hot damn, I thought the kid was joking. You really do have a byakugan under there. Did you perform the transplant yourself?"
Kakashi jerks away. He realises who she is at once - and that he's only free from her grasp because she's decided to let him go. Her chakra-infused grip is legendary. As are her punches. He quickly waves off two of his colleagues who are seconds from rushing to his aid. It’s cute of them to think they stand a chance.
"Lady Tsunade." He dips his head, closing his left eye. His headband falls back into place. Luckily she hadn't lifted it too high. "Naruto's definitely a loudmouth but he's not a liar. My teammate performed the surgery. Nohara Rin. She's a field medic stationed in the Land of Tea."
Tsunade whistles. "You're damn well lucky your head didn't reject that eye, you know that?"
Lucky? No one has ever considered Kakashi lucky to have the byakugan before: not Gai, or Rin, or Minato-sensei, or anyone in the clan. Asuma and Kurenai don't understand why he keeps it. And Yamato wishes he would throw it away. The kids think he's weird and cool. And the kids who know better think he's crazy.
Kakashi smiles. Tsunade is watching him with a hawk-like expression. She was friends with his father; he wonders what she sees.
"Maa, I guess you could say that I'm lucky,” he says, and somehow he means it. Despite everything - “It was a gift."
Tsunade gives him a dubious look. He gets the feeling she'll be shooting him many of those looks in the near-future.
"Freaky sort of gift," she says, and Kakashi can't help but laugh.
Obito would definitely agree.