Chapter Text
Chapter 29
Letters and Negotiations
It should have taken Mebae a day and a half to reach Kumo from their secluded hot spring. When there was no sign of either her or the Raikage on the fifth day, Kakashi began to worry. Her brother, naturally more familiar with the formidable Raikage and the workings of his village, was less concerned.
She finally appeared at the end of a week, slipping into their private onsen and dropping her henge. Thankfully, Kakashi was fully submerged on the far side. Raiu screeched when he saw her, having just climbed out, giving her a full view. Unfazed, she rolled her eyes, muttered something about having seen it all before and that she was sure it wasn't that impressive anyway, before pushing him back into the water. It sloshed over the edge and splashed Kakashi in the face.
“Hello cousin. I apologize for my delay. There was a battle against Kiri; the Raikage was involved. He has agreed to meet with you. He will be here tomorrow, under a henge. This is a top secret meeting—not even the council was told.”
Kakashi smoothed his palm across the top of the water. “What did you end up having to tell him to get him to agree?”
She shucked off her slippers and sat on the rocky edge, dipping her toes in. “That the White Fang had uncovered evidence that his Hokage tricked his people into this war, and that he’d sent our cousin to discuss how we might end things sooner.” She sighed, offering him a sardonic half smile. “He is not expecting much, but is willing to hear you out, at least.”
Kakashi nodded, glancing around for his towel. “Thank you for your help, Mebae-san.”
She pursed her lips, eyeing the thin towel he had tied around his face. “You're really committed to the bit, huh?” When he didn't respond right away, not wanting to discuss the ‘bit’ or really anything at all related to his traumatic youth, she carried on by herself. “I thought maybe it was to hide your teeth or lessen your sense of smell when you're not using it. But you wouldn't need to hide from us.” She grinned wide, proudly showing off her fangs. “We have them too. And it smells nice here.”
He hummed in agreement, sliding along the edge nearer his towel and the exit. “I'm just more comfortable this way. Would you mind?”
She frowned in confusion before her eyes went wide and she whipped her head around in the other direction, holding her hands up for good measure. “Oh gods. Sorry.”
He laughed to himself at her overly dramatic reaction. Her brother's nakedness had not bothered her in the slightest, yet she seemed extremely embarrassed at the prospect of accidentally seeing Kakashi—not that he wanted her to. Hadn't she been on missions with men? Sakura had once joked that she'd seen enough of Naruto's ass that she could pick it out of a line up.
“Why don't I get such a concession?”
She kicked water at her brother. “He belongs to his mate , idiot. I want her to like me.” Kakashi felt his ears burn at her acknowledgment of his relationship status. The way she said it made it seem like something she considered sacred, which, he guessed, it was. “I changed your diapers, and you don't seem interested in giving me a sister, so who cares about you and your unimpressive little—”
“ Hey! It is above average!”
Kakashi shook his head, still chuckling to himself as he wrapped the towel around his waist. If he had had a brother or sister, would they have been like that? It was hard to imagine.
“Hey Karasu-san—” He made the mistake of glancing back in Raiu's direction. “Tell her, it's definitely above average.”
Kakashi winced, turning away and heading inside. “No.”
Mebae was howling with laughter behind him as he slid open the door to their room. It was Saturday. Bull would be going home the next morning, and he had a letter to finish.
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Dear Kakashi,
I'm glad you found your cousins, and that they are willing to work with you. You have so much family now Kakashi, I am so happy for you. I wish you could have known them before. I wish you hadn't been so alone, and I'm thankful that you aren't anymore.
It is comforting to me to know you have allies with you now. I didn't say anything before, and I know I'm being ridiculous because I know what you're capable of, but thinking of you running through enemy territory alone kept me up at night. I miss you so much, Kakashi. I wish you were home, I want so badly to just… Well, I can't wait to see you again.
Kakashi-kun is doing so well with his healing training. It is amazing actually, how well he's taken to it. It shouldn't be surprising, considering who your mother is. It makes me wonder exactly how much Obito's Sharingan inhibited you. His control shows every sign of far outpacing yours. And you are a brilliant shinobi with excellent control and a frustrating knack for almost anything you try. I wonder if it held you back as much as it helped you. At least I don't have to worry about you passing out from chakra exhaustion out there.
He has even been sharing nearly everything I teach him with Rin, though she will need another year or two to really be able to use much of it. As you might expect, little Obito has been beside himself knowing how much time they're spending together. He was here three times this week, joining their sparring and even sitting beside Rin while Kakashi-kun explained about the most disgusting topics he could think of.
Tenzō-chan misses you terribly. You're probably tired of hearing it. He is working hard on his first kata to show daddy when he finally comes home. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure he really understands what he's doing or why Kakashi-kun insists it's so important, but, “daddy will be so happy to watch,” seems to click. Last night, before he fell asleep, he insisted on cuddling with your pillow. (Kakashi-kun has been sleeping with us since you left, but wasn't too bothered to retrieve his own pillow) I had to hum that tune like you always do to get him to sleep. (This has been an almost nightly occurrence. I don't know why I haven't told you before now.) Either way, it was sweet, if kind of sad.
A bit less depressing: he is using full sentences now! Well, mostly. There are a few missing words here and there, but he gets the point across. It turns out that Tenzō is quite stubborn. Was he like that as an adult? Some days I know I would never survive without Kusa and Kakashi-kun. Rin's mother has experience with obstinate toddlers and has been quite helpful too.
The hospital has been hectic. So many injured return every day. It boggles my mind how many shinobi I have already saved that otherwise would have died with Tsunade gone. I get more and more angry with her every time I lose someone. We have changed so much being here, Kakashi. These men and women will go on to fight another day, killing enemies that otherwise might have lived. They might have families, children that did not exist before. It's amazing and terrifying.
I could fill countless scrolls telling you how much I love you, how much I miss you. I've already repeated it twice in this one letter. I guess I should end this now before I start spiraling. I'm so tired these days, Kakashi. Exhausted and emotional and I just want you home. Your scent lingers on your letters for days. My sense of smell seems to have gotten stronger lately too, so I always keep them close. A poor substitute for the real thing, but…
Oh, I'm being interrupted. Tenzō wants lunch. He's demanding my pencil so I'll let him scribble a picture for you.
I love you.
Be safe.
Your Sakura
Kakashi traced her salutations with his fingers, imagining he could hear her voice speak the words aloud. Unrolling the scroll further, he could not stop the pleased smile and warm swell in his chest at the sight of the promised scribble. She must have given him crayons too. Blue and red and green swirls and lines covered the gray pencil. He held it closer to his nose. Tenzō. He could smell his son beneath the wax and lead and it made him want to run home right then. Forget the Raikage, they needed him more.
He sighed, breathed them both in again, and rolled it back up. Maybe he should send Bull back with one of his shirts for her. What had caused her sense of smell to change? She had made a contract with Senbei, Bull, and Kusa before he had left. Could that be it?
“Bull…”
He raised his head from where he'd been laying. “Yeah, boss?”
He tugged off his shirt, giving it a quick sniff to make sure it smelled like him and not just BO. “I want you to go home again. Take this to Ma. Tell her… well…” Now that he was doing it, he felt a little silly.
Bull huffed. “Good idea, boss. Should have thought of this sooner. Should I bring you back something of hers?”
“Uh… no.” Something that felt like regret twisted his gut and he caved. “Well… maybe if she offers.”
Bull rolled his eyes and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
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The Raikage appeared shortly before dinner. He came with suppressed chakra and under a henge. Once the room was secure, he dropped the disguise. Mebae and Raiu welcomed him with low bows and quiet thank-you's for coming. He mostly ignored them in favor of glaring down at Kakashi.
“Hm. Another Konoha Hatake. I did not know the White Fang had living kin, besides his son.”
Kakashi bowed appropriately, tucking his hands in the sleeves of his blue striped yukata. “I retired from the shinobi life after the last war in favor of something simpler. Unfortunately the war brought the Hokage to my door.”
“Hm.” His dark eyes slid from Kakashi and further into the room where a meal was laid out at the low table. “I have traveled a day and night to get here. I will hear what you have to say, Hatake, but not until I've eaten.”
They ate in tense silence. Well, Kakashi was tense. The Raikage seemed in a good mood. Apparently the fight with Kiri had gone well, and the Raikage was well known to relish a lively battle.
“I have visited this onsen before. Their food is fabulous, and the private springs have stunning views of my mountains. Excellent choice, Mebae-san. After we talk, I think I will enjoy your spring if you don't mind. Just what I need before getting back to the front.” He cracked his neck and sipped at his sake before sitting back in his zaisu.
“So, new Hatake, tell me, what has the illustrious White Fang uncovered that could be so bad he would betray his Kage?”
Kakashi sat back as well, folding his arms across his chest. If the Raikage was feeling vindictive, he could easily get word to Hiruzen that Sakumo wanted to betray him. This was a precarious thing they were doing. Hopefully A would be more interested in ending the war than causing more internal turmoil in Konoha.
“We have good reason to suspect that a deep cover black ops organization under the authority of the Hokage and the council are responsible for the violent raiding parties throughout the land of Fire this last year and a half. The official line has been that they were either from Iwa or Kumo, sometimes Suna.”
The Raikage brought one massive fist down on the table. “Disgusting lies! While we had no love for Konoha, we were still recovering from the last war. This one will cost us far too much in coin and blood. I would not have sanctioned any such antagonism. I told Hiruzen this, but he would not hear it.”
Kakashi held up his hands placatingly in the face of the dangerous lightning master's fury. “I believe you, Raikage-sama.” When the bluster and angry chakra settled, Kakashi tried again. “Recently, Sakumo, the White Fang, acting as commander in Iwa, had a suspicious prisoner confiscation. Their supplies were attacked by a three-man team dressed in Iwa uniforms. Two managed to kill themselves, the third was only barely captured alive. They were unable to get any information out of him even with one of our top level interrogators. He was not in their custody twenty-four hours before a contingent of our regular black ops showed up to take him back to the village. This is against protocol, and what's more, there is no way they could have known about this prisoner so fast. He was one of five held at the time, and yet only he was taken. Sakumo sent me east. I spoke with our commanding officer in Kumo, and he confirmed that he has had two such similar incidents.”
“Uchiha Fugaku?”
“Yes.”
“So…” The Raikage took another sip of his sake. “It is your theory that Hiruzen orchestrated the violence that pushed his nation to declare war?”
Kakashi shrugged. “We have no evidence that Hiruzen is directly involved or even aware—though it seems unlikely that he isn't. This secret black ops organization is primarily under the authority of one of his councilors. Whomever is to blame, that there was a conspiracy seems clear.”
The Raikage's eyes narrowed. “If this is true, our war efforts are even more justified. Surely you can not expect me to sue for peace when Konoha is willing to murder their own civilians to pursue this fight.”
Kakashi inclined his head slightly, looking the other man square in the eyes. “I'm not asking you to sue for peace.”
The corner of the Raikage's mouth twisted. “If this theory of yours proves true and were to be revealed, acted upon, peace would be in every nation's best interest.” He stared hard at Kakashi for several long seconds before jerking his head in a tight nod. “Kumo would be willing to come back to the table to negotiate with a new regime.”
A small, relieved sigh escaped Kakashi. This had been easier than he had expected. Almost too easy.
“After all, I have no interest in another drawn out, years-long conflict. I'm sure you can agree that this war would be bloody and devastating for all involved?”
Narrowing his eyes, Kakashi glanced at Mebae. She was making a careful study of her cuticles. She told him about the time travel. He looked back to the Raikage. Unbothered and interested in his sake. He believed her?
“Yes. Extremely so.”
Raiu leaned back, stretching his arms over his head. “I think I would like to accompany our new cousin to Iwa, if it's alright with you, Raikage-sama.”
The older man pursed his lips. “Yes. I'll write up something for the Tsuchikage to send with you. Now…” He finished his sake and stood. “I am going to relax in your onsen before I head back to Kumo. It was nice to meet you, Hatake-san.”
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Dear Kakashi,
I burned the second half of your last letter as directed. I agree, I'm also a little surprised at how easily the Raikage acquiesced. I admit, the idea of a coup in Konoha is... I can see how the prospect of being on such friendly terms with a potential new regime would be appealing to him.
This whole thing is growing fast and not in any direction I would have considered. It is getting dangerous, Kakashi. Please be careful. If your suspicions about Danzō are true, he likely has spies everywhere. Of course you already know this. It is so frustrating being here and not with you. I want to help you, to fight this fight alongside you. Being here and unable to do anything but worry is driving me insane.
But, I do understand that I am needed here. I graduated my first batch of field medics this week. It is extra work, but if it saves lives, it will have been worth it.
I have been so busy this week finishing with my first class of medics, Kushina-chan has been coming over daily to help Kakashi-kun with fūinjutsu. It's honestly kind of scary how smart he is. You are scary smart too, (duh) but he's six. I wonder what he will choose to do with all that genius. Not ANBU. Definitely no ANBU for this Kakashi. I know I don't have any direct experience, but I've heard enough to know I don't want that for him.
Not that it's up to me.
Maybe I'm just being sentimental. He is so… So precious, so innocent in a way you were never allowed to be. I know he's going to grow up and be a shinobi too and everything that means. But… but .
I feel the same way about Tenzō-chan. When I think about the things Hiruzen wants for him, the way he would use him… The way he did before. He's just a baby. Oh, I hate this. Dammit.
I'm sorry. I'm being stupid.
I know what we are. I know what we were trained for. I only hope that in this new, different future, our children will not have to know war the way you did.
Please be careful.
I miss you, your son misses you. I let him scribble again.
All of my love,
Sakura
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They made it back to their camp near Iwa in the middle of the night, five days after meeting with the Raikage. With his cousins disguised as unremarkable Konoha Chunin, he led them to Sakumo's tent. A kunai whistled past Kakashi's head, lodging in the thick canvas.
Sakumo was sitting up on his bedroll, one hand paused on the way for another kunai. “Kakashi. Sorry. I didn't recognize the other two chakra signatures with you.” He squinted through the dark. “Are these the cousins you found?”
Kakashi nodded, looking for a lantern as they dropped their henges. “Yes.”
“Ah!” Sakumo stood, clapping Raiu on the shoulder. “Look at you, Raiu. I remember you when you came to Konoha. You grew up well. And Mebae,” She smiled, clearly glad he remembered them. “I'm so relieved you survived. I am happy to see you both. I'm sorry I never looked for any of our family in Kumo. I should have.”
Mebae shook her head, putting a hand on his arm. “ We could have looked for you. We heard that the White Fang had survived, but I was afraid to come to Konoha with my little brother after everything. But we should have found you, we should have stuck together. Then maybe your son wouldn't have had to grow up alone.”
Sakumo whipped his head around to look at Kakashi. “You told them everything, then?”
He nodded. “Yes.” He arched a bemused brow and shot Mebae a look. “ She also told the Raikage.”
“What?”
Mebae blew a harsh breath out of the side of her mouth. “He needed more. He was ready to arrest me for working with the enemy and putting clan first.” Kakashi had not known that. “You don't need to worry about him sharing it around. He isn't an idiot, no one would believe him anyways.”
“Well… the more people that know, the more dangerous it becomes. I don't want to imagine what Hiruzen would do if he found out.”
Raiu scoffed. “You're plotting treason with the backing of foreign governments. I kinda think that would be worse.”
Sakumo conceded his point and turned, urging them to make themselves comfortable. “You've come a long way. Let's leave the politics and war for the morning. I'm sending you into Iwa first thing. For now, let me get you something to eat, and then you can get a few hours of sleep.” He stood back with his hands on his hips. “I wish we were meeting again under better circumstances. I'd rather visit than plan war.”
Mebae smiled again but it looked tired. “When this is all over, we will visit Konoha. I want to meet Karasu's mate and spend time with pack again.”
Sakumo met Kakashi's eyes over her head. “How do you feel about beaches?”