#a brief mention of kakayama

[shalala-sayonara]

Dear Naruto Fandom

I’m tired of this shit. I tell myself to not create a lot of drama on my blog, but I am an impatient bitch and I had reached my limit. I don’t care if I lose followers. It’s either you like it or you don’t. If my mutuals truly think of me as a friend, then I hoped they would understand my point of view.

There is something that I saw going on after Naruto ended, and it’s not FUCKING OKAY.

There’s a difference between saying “I don’t really like it when the author wrote this character like this. He should have writes this character better” 

VS 

“The author is a pig for doing this!!! SCUMM!! Homophobic!! Sexist!”

Does any of you actually know the author personally in real life for you to throw every single insult to make him looks bad? 

DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CRITICISM VS INSULTS?

I am not a mangaka, and I won’t dare to compare myself to one. But in the artistic world, they are fellow artists. Judging them by throwing personal attack because they didn’t write the characters that you like in the way you wanted is the same thing as insulting an artist/writers because you didn’t like their styles.

You don’t like it when people insult you personally because of your fanfics and your imaginations, right? You sure as hell won’t like it if people insult you for going against canon storyline and create an AU that your imagination created, right? After all, you are a writer/artists, and you demand criticism, not insults about you personally since people don’t even know who you are. So what gave you the rights to curse on an artist that created your fandom? When did you forget that the author is a human, a working man, who tried his best to bring you entertainment and breathing just like you?

Whether they are doing it for money or not, they are still doing it as a career for their income and living, and they are creating the series that you fandom loved so much. They are human, just like you. Yet, I don’t see a single ounce of respect for the author from the fandom.

Kishimoto had spent 15 restless years of his life creating a series for millions of fan to enjoy. The man can’t please everyone. He wrote some good things and some bad things. He made good and bad choices sometimes. But that’s how being an artist is. Kishimoto came from a different culture and he probably doesn’t even have a clue that this was going to be famous worldwide. He could have failed the series, but he didn’t. Audiences in Japan will no doubt have different opinions than the US. So if you think your opinions about his work is the absolute best way and proceed to insult him, you are no better than any hateful people out there who had free time to shit on people’s artworks and fanfics.

Calling Kishimoto a sexist or homophobic because your favorite female character was badly written or SNS didn’t come true is no different than calling an artist a rapist for drawing nude arts. I’m sorry if the author didn’t do what you would want him to do, but why the insults? You could have totally ditched the insult and created fanfiction...just like KakaYama fandom and KakaObi fandom. I don’t see they give a shit much, they just write what they love.

I don’t like Ikemoto’s art style or the Boruto series that he is planning. And I had criticized his series, but never once I opened my mouth to say shit about the man personally.  

Oh, don’t even try to argue with me “Fanfic writers aren’t doing it for money and they are doing better” bullshit. All writers/artist had to spend time on their works. Do you think some artists on Tumblr are doing it for free? Do you insult them too if they don’t draw your fanart like the way you wanted? 

A fandom is a place where you express your support for the series, shared your imaginative works, fanart, theories and discuss what you love. It’s not a place for you to pour your bitterness by insulting the author. It’s not doing you anything, and it’s not going to change the series for you. Reality rests its case. Opinion about the series is bias, but I am not going to stop you from doing it. But a hateful remark on the author is just simply hating another human being. If you do that, you are just ugly to me.

This fandom is a disappointment. You know why some people are boring? Because they stopped enjoy things, they condemned things. And this is ANIME we are talking about. It’s not supposed to be controversial. It’s supposed to be for fun, a source of entertainment. It’s a form of luxury that some people don’t have. So instead of being grateful and showed a bit respect for the author, people continued to shit on it because they didn’t get what they wanted, occasionally ruined it for others to enjoy the fandom.

I missed the fandom back in 2015 and before that (before Naruto ended). Less toxic shit going on, and people were actually discussing theories about the series, rather than shitting on the author because the series ended with remarks that they didn’t like. 

The amount of blacklist and unfollow no longer work for me. The posts will appear in different tags, sometimes they don’t even tag it. Tumblr, the place that I once love, became a hell hole where people just...stop enjoy things. There is nothing positive anymore. Everything is hateful, even a simple fucking anime. Here I am, stressing out af about my future, some people waste their breaths insulting an artist they don’t even know personally (just how I waste my breath making this post). I just want to come home, be on the damn website and enjoy some posts. And it’s not even fucking happening anymore. Oh, on mobile, there is no blacklist. 

I am so fucking glad still that I decided to stay focus solely on Kakashi fandom and his character, rather than the entire fucking fandom. It’s toxic.

Don’t even come to me with the damn sentence “If you don’t like Tumblr then just quit”. People said this shit to me before. I have plans with people on here and I like to post my arts on here. So besides the fandom, I have other purposes on here.

Same goes to you. If you hated Naruto for the way it is and hated the author, then quit the damn fandom. Leave spaces for people who actually enjoy the series and able to bring some positivity and proper criticism.

This, of course, can also be applied to various of fandom, not just Naruto. Consider they called the author of Tokyo Ghoul “homophobic” for putting the main male and female character together and Attack on Titan is a “Nazi Propaganda”?????

Like wtf? When is anime some politic shit?

[keepyourpantsongohan]

Borrowed, With Interest

My dreams for the future… never really thought about it. (Ep. 4) | Kakayama Week 2019 Day 1: Soulmates | AO3 |

The first time Kakashi meets Yamato, he greets him by doubling over and vomiting just to the left of his sandals. Well, not quite the first time. Kakashi has spent a number of hours in the other man’s company. More than he can count, really. Though it’s been some years since then, his memory of it remains strong, sharingan or no. But that had been with Tenzō, ANBU of Konohagakure. Not Yamato, Captain of Team Kakashi. Not much of this occurs to Kakashi as Jiraiya is thumping his back, Tsunade is examining him, and Yamato is looking on with every sign of concern. “What have you been doing now?” Tsunade complains, jabbing him between his eyebrows. “Don’t tell me you’ve been using the sharingan while in a hospital bed. I won’t be held responsible if you can’t move for three more weeks.” “I didn’t,” Kakashi says tiredly, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. “I don’t know what it was. The room suddenly took a turn.”

Yamato, as they are calling him, gives him a small smile as he hands him a glass of water. “I didn’t realize my presence would be so upsetting to you,” he says, with a raised brow. Kakashi replies with a weak chuckle. “Maybe it was sympathy pains. My team is... energetic,” he says, sharing a knowing glance with Jiraiya. Yamato’s stance shifts from teasing to purposeful. “I’m sure I’ll learn to cope.” 

They don’t speak much more directly, as Yamato is briefed on the mission. Though Kakashi’s eyes do drift to Yamato’s at the mention of Orochimaru, the only hint of disturbance in his face is the tightening around his eyes. He doesn’t have to wait to ask. His substitute lingers by his bedside after both Tsunade and Jiraiya have left. “You haven’t gotten any better at regulating your chakra usage on missions, I see,” Yamato reproaches, sitting down on the edge of Kakashi’s bed. “You should be nice to people when you visit them in the hospital, Tenzō,” Kakashi counters, finally letting himself lay back down. “You should be in the hospital less, senpai,” is Yamato’s familiar retort. Kakashi would shrug if he were upright, but instead lets his head shift half an inch and decides it conveys the same meaning. “Is that why you have that look on your face? You’re concerned for my well-being?” “I have a headache,” Yamato says, rubbing at his temples. “Already? That doesn’t bode well.” “Not from the briefing.” Yamato’s face scrunches up. His left eye winces, as if he's trying to clear it of some irritant. “My eyes have been aching since I entered the room. Maybe it’s the antiseptic in the air.” With a sympathetic wrinkle of his nose, Kakashi says, “Or the vomit. Sorry about that, by the way.” Laughing, Yamato tells him, “It’s not the first time I’ve seen you get sick. If I thought it was because of me, I really would be offended.” After a moment, he asks, “But you’re alright, then?” “Yes,” Kakashi responds truthfully. Despite the initial shakiness, his body feels quite a bit stronger now than it had just this morning. It's a confusing juxtaposition, but he is too thankful to question it much. “With enough luck, I’ll be up and walking around by the time you get back.” “I’ll hold you to that,” Yamato tells him.

---

A week later, Kakashi dreams of Orochimaru. First, he sees the man standing over Sasuke, holding a kunai against his throat. Then it is Tenzō, or Yamato, or any of the other names Kakashi has called him over the years, being pushed underwater by pale hands. Then it’s Kakashi himself being carried by a tide, hands struggling to find purchase in the water that surrounds him. His hands finally brush something. A vine, he thinks, grasping it tightly. And he wakes. For a moment, he supposes he must still be dreaming, because there could be no other reason why his hospital room is covered in wooden tendrils, snaking around his arms and across his bed, onto the floor. There is only one mokuton user in Konoha, and he isn’t in the village right now. Kakashi tries to shake his hand free of the vines and realizes, with some alarm, that they are attached to his body. When his heartbeat hastens, the vines move and grow, which only serves to increase its pace. He shuts his eye. If this is his own jutsu, it is something he can control. If it is a genjutsu of someone else’s making, it is something he can break. Taking a deep breath, Kakashi folds his hands into the serpent seal he’s seen Tenzō perform hundreds of times, and experimentally, lets his chakra flow. The response is immediate. The vines sprout buds, and with not much prodding on Kakashi’s part, begin to bloom. The scent of jasmine fills the air. One flower creeps its way up the bed to brush against Kakashi’s neck. It’d be breathtaking if it weren’t so terrifying. Kakashi is so spellbound by the shifting plants that it barely phases him when a figure lands at his hospital window. It is only when he registers who it is that he turns sharply. Tenzō. Yamato. Yamato stares at him, one eye black, and the other vivid red. “We need to talk,” he says, and collapses.

---

Kakashi really tries not to laugh. He fails, but he would submit that it’s important that he tries. It’s Yamato’s fault, really, for the awfully amusing expression on his face. “Not a word,” Yamato grumbles, adjusting the straps of his eye-patch. “You know, if you gave up on the happuri, you could just cover it the way I cover mine.” Kakashi taps his forehead protector, where Obito’s eye, now black, is still hidden. Tsunade had advised them not to give too much away while the details of their conditions were still unknown. Yamato folds his arms stubbornly. “No.” Sighing, Kakashi nudges him. “Fine. If you won’t let me help you, then you help me. The Kyūbi’s chakra needs to be suppressed if we’re going to train Naruto as intensely as I’ve planned. I was going to ask you, but since that’s out of the question...” “I’ll still attend his training,” Yamato interjects firmly. “The jutsu to suppress bijū chakra isn’t easy. You’ll need guidance, Kakashi.” Kakashi begins to offer a reply that he’s sure will annoy his companion, but he lets his amusement be quelled by Yamato’s warning look. “Alright, Mokuton no Tenzō,” he says, extending his hands, palms up. “Teach me.” Gently, Yamato’s hands wrap around Kakashi’s, and guide him through a series of signs. “We’ll start off simple. If you try to use up too much chakra right away, you’ll just end up exhausting yourself again.” These are the hand seals he uses when he’s growing trees, Kakashi notes. He’s never tried to copy any of them for obvious reasons, but they’re burned into his memory from both battle and respite. “Use as much chakra as you would for a shadow clone,” Yamato instructs. Kakashi looks at him askance. “That much?” “Mokuton users are able to replenish their chakra quickly. In theory, that should apply to you, too.” “In theory,” Kakashi repeats, snorting. Kakashi moves to repeat the signs that he’s been shown, and Yamato’s hands hover near his, as if to intervene if necessary. When Kakashi’s hands clasp in the last motion, he feels heat in the pit of his stomach, and then the earth cracks, the beginnings of a small tree emerging beside them. While Kakashi pours chakra into it, the tree grows taller and wider, until Yamato’s fingers touch his wrist. “That’s enough for this one,” Yamato says hoarsely. Kakashi lets out a breathless laugh. “That was... different. I’ve never felt a jutsu like that before.” “I’ve never seen anyone else use mokuton before,” Yamato replies, looking thoroughly discomposed. His hand hasn’t left Kakashi’s wrist. Right. As strange as it is for him, it must be much stranger for his friend. “Are you okay?” Yamato’s face splits into an exhilarated smile, and his fingers slide over Kakashi’s. “Yes,” he says, in a tone which leaves no room for doubt. “Good,” says Kakashi, finding it difficult to look away. If he were a more foolish man, he might think the tree branches were growing longer without his doing. To break the tension, he pulls on Yamato’s eye-patch, letting it snap back into place. “Hey!” Kakashi squeezes Yamato’s fingers with his other hand, and then lets go. “Let’s keep going.”

--

Training is a new set of challenges. Though Naruto’s knowledge of jutsu is woefully incomplete enough that he doesn’t know that wood release isn’t a normal chakra nature (whether Kakashi should blame himself or Jiraiya for that, he’s not sure) Naruto is astute enough to recognize that bijū suppression is not a skill Kakashi has ever displayed, but it is one that Yamato had been using on their mission together. “There was a bit of a mix-up,” Yamato is explaining. “So Kakashi-san will be performing the Mokuton while I supervise both of you.” Naruto frowns. “But you said it was a kekkei genkai.”

“Yes,” Yamato says patiently.

“So are you from the same clan?” Yamato sighs. “No. You have to remember, I wasn’t born with this ability either. It happened through Orochimaru’s experiments. Think of this change like another experiment.” Naruto nods seriously, and Kakashi can see Yamato is relieved. But Kakashi knows Naruto well enough to anticipate the ‘hm’ and words that follow. “I still don’t get it.” Deciding it’s time to intervene, Kakashi stands up and says, “How I got these powers isn’t important. What is important is that I can use them to help you train.” At the last word, Naruto’s face lights up, and Kakashi takes that as encouragement. “The stronger you get, the closer you can get to the Akatsuki, and to Sasuke. You understand that, right?” Naruto claps his hands together. “Then what are we waiting for, y’know?” he says, grinning. “Let’s start, Kakashi-sensei!” Kakashi isn’t as at ease with mokuton as he would like. Plants seem to take to chakra eagerly, so he has a hard time gauging how to grow intentionally and carefully as Yamato does. And in the case of chakra suppression, he finds it hard to maintain a jutsu like this for hours on end, when his most powerful techniques are built for strength rather than stamina. Even with his chakra being replenished, it feels terribly unnatural. He’s not sure if having Yamato standing behind him is helping or breaking his concentration. “Steady,” Yamato murmurs, with a hand on Kakashi’s shoulder. “Stop looking at his progress and think about your own jutsu.” “It would be easier if this were my jutsu,” Kakashi reminds him, a little ruefully. Pressing his knee against Kakashi’s back so he has to correct his posture, Yamato says, “It’s yours for now. And you have to learn to use it, just as I’ll have to learn to use the sharingan.” Kakashi stiffens at that. “Right,” he says quietly. By some miracle, they manage not to incur any major disaster in the course of the day. Once, Kyūbi’s chakra surges, and Kakashi calls out a hasty, “Tenzō,” while his companion fires out rapid commands. It is an exhausting jutsu, and Kakashi almost feels guilty for asking his friend to do this when he can barely manage to do it himself. When night has fallen, and Naruto has settled himself some distance away so he can sneak off to train too early for his own sake, Kakashi turns and says, “I don’t think I’ve given you enough credit for your skill with mokuton.” Shifting onto his side in his sleeping bag, Yamato replies, “And I don’t think I’ve given you enough credit for how draining it is to have a sharingan taking your chakra every hour of the day. You bear it well.” Kakashi looks away, directing his gaze at the night sky. “I’ve had some time to get used to it.” Yamato pauses. “Does it upset you?” he asks, after a prolonged beat of silence. “That I seem to have the sharingan which was given to you as a keepsake?” “I don’t know. It’s a strange feeling. But you didn’t exactly choose to have it,” Kakashi reasons, catching his eye again. “And if there’s anyone I trust to know what this kind of gift means, it’s you.” Yamato has discarded both eye-patch and happuri for the night, so when he opens his other eye, Kakashi gets a clear view of the red iris and its three tomoe. Kakashi reaches out, and then hesitates, letting his hand fall back down onto the grass between them. Yamato tugs on Kakashi’s wrist, leading the other man’s fingers to his cheek, just beneath the sharingan. “I haven’t seen a sharingan in a few years,” Kakashi says lightly, despite the loud thumping in his chest. “Me either,” Yamato retorts glibly. Kakashi laughs, his fingertips grazing Yamato’s cheek as he does. “Is that a reprimand, or you telling me you miss me?” “Both,” says Yamato with an earnest smile. Kakashi finally pulls away, and says, “Well, I’ll be around.” Yamato closes both of his eyes. “Good.”

---

“Is it always like this?” Kakashi asks, during another break in training when Naruto is taking a well-earned nap. Kakashi’s combs his fingers through the grass, pensive. “Can you always feel the life coursing through your surroundings?”

“In Konoha, more than most,” Yamato explains, leaning against the tree at his back. “The plants aren’t quite so loud anywhere else. I suspect that’s Hashirama-sama’s influence.”

Kakashi takes this in, nodding. He glances at Naruto, checking that he is still asleep, and then admits, “It’s overwhelming.”

Yamato looks at him with a partiality that ought to make him wary, but doesn’t. “You spend your days teaching chakra control to a jinchūriki, and this is what overwhelms you?”

He shakes his head. “It’s not the same. This is more than hyper-awareness. It’s like being in a crowd at all times. I don’t know how to tune it out.” Kakashi is used to mitigating his sensory input, but this isn’t as simple as closing his eyes. Whether or not he is trying to infuse chakra, the flora seem to be making themselves known to him. Closing his eyes only makes them clearer. Yamato is right. The plants are loud.

“I find it helps to narrow your focus,” Yamato advises kindly. He plucks a single blue flower from the ground, and holds it in front of Kakashi. “It’s similar to dōjutsu. You receive a lot of information, but only so much of it is important for you to take in.”

Absorbing this, Kakashi swipes the plant from his companion, rolling its stem across the pad of his thumb. “Have you tried to use the sharingan?”

“I had a look around the field this morning.” Glancing at Kakashi archly, Yamato adds, “Are you aware that your facial anatomy is very symmetrical?”

Kakashi grins. “Are you making a pass at me in front of my student, Yamato?”

“He’s asleep,” Yamato points out.

“Even worse,” Kakashi says, twirling the flower at him like it’s a teacher’s measuring stick.

Yamato tries stoutly to knock Kakashi onto the grass as he smirks.

---

Akatsuki makes no allowances for their ever-changing lives, and so Kakashi finds himself readying to leave the village with little preparation, jutsu or otherwise. As he heads out of his door, he isn’t surprised to see Yamato waiting at his entryway with a perturbed look. Just like the plants, Yamato's chakra makes itself heard. He could sense the man standing patiently near while he packed his weapons pouch.

“You’re going to let those kids do something stupid.” Kakashi debates asking, ‘Which kids?’ But no matter who, an answer other than ‘yes’ would be a lie. “They’re going to do something stupid anyway. I’m going to offer them adult supervision.” Yamato steps towards him. He hasn’t quite learned to compensate for the issues in his depth perception yet, so he stumbles into Kakashi as he does. “Are you sure you’re doing the right thing? Asuma was your friend, I get that. But going as you are... it’s dangerous.”

“When Sasuke left the village, I didn’t chase after him. He didn’t come back.” Kakashi says sombrely. His hands, outstretched to catch Yamato from his stagger, rest on his friend’s elbows. “I won’t let the same thing happen to Team 10.”

“It isn’t the same,” Yamato replies.

“Isn’t it?” Kakashi lets out a deep breath. “Listen, I understand why you’re concerned. But this is something I have to do. If not for my sake, then for Asuma’s.”

The words seem to strike Yamato. Kakashi is not the only one worried for the scattered rookie teams. It is already clear how much Team 7 has softened him in such a short time. “They do need help. Though I'm not sure you're in the best position to offer it," he adds, perhaps purely on principle.

“If I thought I could buy more time, I would. But we have to improvise,” Kakashi says, knowing how much Yamato hates the word. "I'll be fine. I’ve survived this long, haven’t I?”

The tension in Yamato’s chest drops, but it seems to signify resignation rather than relief. “With your own jutsu. This kind of mission requires back-up.”

“We’re pretty good at sharing,” Kakashi reassures him. “And you’ve got Naruto to look after while I’m gone. I’m sure you’ll be along, if I need it.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Yamato gives him a wry glance. “Doesn’t stop me wishing I could be there to help.”

The hands slide down from Yamato’s elbows so that he can feel the pulse of mokuton in Kakashi’s palm. “You will be,” he says, meaning it.

A static shock passes between them as Yamato presses his fingers against Kakashi's. It is an unfamiliar kind of comfort that settles over him quietly before his journey, but a welcome one. Good, he thinks foolishly, lingering on the doorstep for a moment too long.

[hedgehoggery]

An Unexpected Reunion

So I woke up from my alcohol-aided slumber on Friday night to produce a very typo heavy note telling myself to write a particular kakayama AU that I guess I had dreamed about lol. Anyways here’s the first chapter from that. It takes place in the late 80′s/early 90′s in a questionable neighborhood in New York City. Everyone’s favorite Plant Boy has grown into a full-fledged Plant Man, and our silver-haired hero is a tutor for an after-school gifted and talented education program designed to keep kids off the streets of their bad neighborhood. 

Word Count: 1161

Chapter 1

Yamato looked around his shop and smiled. All the saplings were lined up in neat rows by type: fruit trees, flowering trees, shade trees, and more, and the mingling scents created an immense sense of calm that Yamato felt he’d never before experienced.

He sighed, content. The smell of the trees was the only real home he’d ever known. Growing up in the foster system had been tough on little Yamato, but the brief escapes he had to the city parks and, once, the forest a few hours outside the city, had held his fracturing psyche together. Now, finally an adult, Yamato was free from the legal bounds of the foster system and had poured every last penny of his life savings into opening this, his very own Tree Nursery.

Everyone who knew him had said it was a stupid move - an 18-year-old couldn’t possibly hope to build a successful business for the ground up, not to mention a tree nursery in the middle of the city! But with each passing month that Yamato didn’t fail, his doubters became quieter and quieter until they had finally stopped altogether. They hadn’t quite reached the point yet where they changed their tune into one of support, but Yamato figured the silence was the only acceptance he needed.

Jingle jingle.

The door to the shop opened and an elderly couple walked in. Yamato walked around the counter to greet them.

“Good morning!” He smiled warmly at them. “How can I help you?”

“Good morning, young man,” the wife began. “Our neighbors recently decorated their balcony with fruit trees and it looks stunning! I never knew trees could thrive in a potted environment, and I’m quite envious of the aesthetic the live plants bring to their apartment. They told us they bought their trees here.” Yamato could hardly believe his ears. A recommendation from a satisfied customer!! He felt the urge to jump around the shop and dance wildly, but forced it down.  

“Yes, ma’am, I have several options for your potted fruit trees. Come with me and I’ll show you.” He guided the couple towards the lime trees he had sold the previous customer and, after very minimal convincing, sold them three trees.

“Thank you for your business!” He called out to them as they left. He heard the wife murmur something about a “nice young man” to her husband as the door shut behind them and smiled. Success felt closer with every happy customer.

____

“Hey, pay attention when I’m talking to you, Naruto!”

The orange jumpsuit-clad teen jumped, dropping the pencil he had been attempting to balance on his upper lip. Kakashi stared at him with his most menacing expression.

“Ehh, sorry Mr. Kakashi,” Naruto said. Kakashi sighed and shook his head before addressing all three of the teens sitting in front of him.

“As I was saying, a friend of mine has set up a basketball league for kids in Shinobi GATE like yourselves, and I think it would be a good idea for the three of you to sign up. Lord knows you need something to waste your energy on.” Kakashi had directed the last sentence directly at Naruto and, as if taking it as a personal challenge, the teen jumped up to stand on his chair and thrust his fist into the air.

“Alright, basketball! Sakura, Sasuke, let’s join the team and show everyone else in GATE who’s boss!” The other two teens sighed.

“No thanks, I’m not interested in stupid things,” Sasuke said.

“Yeah, I’m not sure my mom will let me join,” Sakura echoed. “She already says I spend too much time away from home.”

“I’d really like all three of you to join,” Kakashi repeated. “You need to exercise more than just your mind. You may be GATE students, but you’re all really lazy. At least think about it.” He checked his watch. “Anyway, it’s five o’clock so you all need to get going. Be safe on the way home and I’ll see you tomorrow right after school.” Sakura and Sasuke pushed out of their chairs as Naruto leapt down from his.

“Hey guys, let’s stop on the way home and get dinner or something!” Naruto said.

“I wish I could, but my mom will kill me if I eat before I go home,” Sakura said, dodging the arm Naruto was trying to throw over her shoulder. Kakashi didn’t miss the expression of dejection that shot across Naruto’s face, but it was only a second before he lit up again.

“How about you, Sasuke? Come on, let’s go eat!” Sasuke sighed.

“With you?” Naruto nodded enthusiastically, seemingly oblivious to the insult in Sasuke’s tone. He sighed. “Fine. I don’t have anything to eat at home anyway.”

“Hey, Naruto, do you even have money for dinner?” Kakashi asked skeptically. Naruto pulled out his wallet.

“Ehh… not really,” he admitted, pulling out three one dollar bills. Kakashi sighed and pulled out his own wallet, producing two tens and handing one to each teen.

“There, make sure you eat something with vegetables in it,” he said.

“Thanks, Mr. Kakashi!” Naruto yelled, running out of the room.

“You know he’s just going to buy ramen, right?” Sasuke said. Kakashi shrugged. Sasuke sighed and followed after Naruto.

“See you tomorrow, Mr. Kakashi!” Sakura waved as she followed behind the two boys. Kakashi shook his head affectionately as he watched them leave. It had never been in his plans to be a mentor in the Shinobi GATE program, but plans hardly ever went as expected and - he hated to admit - he was actually somewhat enjoying helping the kids. He had grown up in this neighborhood himself and he knew how tough it could be.

He gathered up his belongings and started walking towards his apartment. The air was cool - winter was just turning to spring - and he pulled his ever-present scarf up to shelter his face from the wind. A faint odor on the breeze caught his attention - a familiar scent, but one he hadn’t smelled in so many years. It smelled almost… woodsy. Kakashi sniffed the air and found the source of the mysterious odor, a shop across the street. The sign above the door offered him no clues as to why it would provide the familiar scent - “Yamato’s Nursery” meant nothing to him. Before he could realize what he was doing, he found himself jaywalking across the street to find the source of the scent.

Jingle jingle.

The door played a cheery tune as he pulled it open and stepped inside. He looked around, confused. A… tree shop? He chuckled. That would certainly provide a woodsy odor. A surprising pang of disappointment flooded Kakashi’s stomach. It was just trees, but it had seemed so much more… familiar…

“Kakashi?” His head shot up. That voice, that voice which so unmistakably matched the familiar scent, it could only belong to…

“Tenzo. It’s certainly been a while since I’ve seen you.”