Capítulo 17: Chapter 17: first leaf
Sakura doesn't have much stamina. That is just as concerning as her lack of knowledge about healthy shinobi living. She's slight, though taller than Naruto, and her limbs are pale and noodley. Figuring out what kind of routine works for her is a little difficult, because for all that Toshiro wants to help her — he's never taught anything but Medical Ninjutsu.
"How do you feel about medicine?" He asks her, when she's heaving on the ground, sweaty and red-faced. She's been coming over after class (not every day, she's still a child who wants to play with her friends, after all) to train in the Hatake's backyard, usually accompanied by the Hatake kids who have their own training schedules. It's a pretty loud affair, with the sounds of fighting, exertion and dogs all colliding.
She weakly pushes herself up, "I-I don't know...I don't want to be left behind."
"Learning medical ninjutsu is not a weakness." Itachi once said those words to him, or some variation. It still sticks with him.
Sakura flushes, afraid she's insulted him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean —"
"I know," he laughs, waving her off. "Relax, I'm not mad. It's not for everyone, I'll say that. But it's a useful skill to have, no matter the situation."
The girl frowns in contemplation, then nods. "You're right."
"Plus, you're one of the smartest kids in the academy right now. I have no doubt you'd excel at it."
She flushes a little, "...you really think so?"
Toshiro offers her a grin, "Of course I do." It's sad that she can't see it herself. He kind of understands what Fugaku meant about Sasuke being annoyed with her — not that Toshiro was annoyed, but it helped him see Sasuke's perspective for what it really was. The young Uchiha is observant, and smarter than most give him credit for. He can clearly see that Sakura is brilliant, which is why it bothers him so much when she acts like an airheaded fangirl.
It's funny, she wants Sasuke to notice her and he already has. Now it's up to her to meet his expectations.
Toshiro can say he also wants Sakura to meet them, because Sasuke's only expectation is that Sakura reaches her actual potential.
"Sakura."
They both glance over. Gin approaches carefully, hands in his pockets. His puppy trails behind him, snowy white and tail wagging. The dogs have grown quite a bit in the months they've been around. They aren't going to be especially huge dogs, but their size is drastically different from when they'd first appeared. Gin's companion is a female pup he named Tomoe.
From his pocket he pulls out a kunai, "I'll show you how to throw, come on."
And she goes.
Toshiro smiles fondly at the boy, watching as he directs Sakura's movements with the same patience he uses when teaching Takehiko. For all that Gin idolizes Kakashi — still wearing those masks — he's much more suited to teaching. Far more diligent, too. It wouldn't be a surprise if the silver eyed boy became an academy teacher down the line.
Kakashi still fears making a student turn out like him. It's unfounded, but Toshiro can understand the reasoning. Being responsible for impressionable kids is terrifying. Every day is a learning process — Toshiro just has to remind himself that he's making the right decisions.
Giving them everything he had missed out on.
Love. A listening ear. Comfort.
It's good for him too, because it lets him unlearn all the toxic, isolating traits he'd picked up while trying to survive in a child-killing world. Toshiro doesn't want to be that sad, lonely child anymore. He wants to be a man who makes the world a little brighter for years to come, long after he leaves his second life.
(And isn't that an interesting, if fleeting, thought? Would he get a third?)
"Rin~" Kojika coos, rolling around in the dirt with her sesame-colored puppy. The still growing pup nips at her fingers and falls over her own paws to get belly rubs from the lavender-haired girl.
Over five months, and it's the first time Kakashi doesn't flinch when he hears it.
She didn't choose the name out of spite. She didn't choose the name to hurt him. Kojika doesn't even know that Kakashi's teammate bore the same name, even if the kanji is different.
Deer, that's what the little puppy's name means. To go with Kojika's fawn name and obvious adoration of the Nara Clan. It's cute, and no one minds it. It was Shikamaru's presence that helped her come out of her shell when she'd still lived at the Yamanaka Compound, after all. The Clan will always hold a special place in her heart, as it will with the rest of the Hatake. Kakashi included.
Even if the little Heir makes him fear for his life.
Kojika places the puppy's paws against his knee and beams up at him. He smiles back, even if she can't see it. He's sure she can tell.
"Looks like Rin-chan is going to need a bath, Ko-chan." he comments, petting Rin's fluffy head. There's a smudge of dirt down Kojika's left cheek.
It doesn't feel like being stabbed, saying that name. If anything, it's accompanied by a sort of nostalgic feeling. Lingering sadness, maybe, but not soul-tearing pain and guilt. Not that he doesn't still feel guilty — he does. But. He knows exactly what Rin would have wanted, even if he refuses to acknowledge it.
For him to be happy.
(This must be what healing feels like.)
"What I'm presenting you with is the culmination of over a year's efforts in deciphering and organizing the wreck of paperwork left behind by Danzo." Itachi purposefully drops three storage scrolls on Toshiro's desk.
It's not often that Itachi comes to Toshiro, because the Hokage leaving his office instead of just summoning the other there is just...odd, in practice. But Itachi is not like any Hokage before him, and he plans to keep it that way with great intent.
"Three?" He asks, a little incredulous, "Wait — what does this have to do with me?"
"You're the hospital director, and currently one of our leading forces in the medical field. All three of these scrolls contain every piece of paperwork and research left behind relating to medical practices and experiments done by Danzo — or rather, under his orders." The teen pauses, his usually stoic demeanor tense. There's a brief flash of exhaustion in his eyes, one that Toshiro knows Itachi would never usually allow to show. It warms his heart a little that the teen trusts him enough to reveal a little emotional vulnerability now and again. Keeping that aloof facade up all day must really be tiring. "And there is information in here that I only trust you with, because I know you'd never try to recreate or act on it."
Toshiro doesn't smile, because this really isn't the situation, but he's sure the other sees the sappy look in his petal-pink eyes, if the way Itachi's cheeks flush is any indication. "That bad, huh?"
Itachi clears his throat, "It seems he had an...understanding of sorts with Orochimaru."
"...before or after Orochimaru's defection?"
"Yes." Is all Itachi says.
"Ah," Well that's great. "Wonderful. Why not just burn it all?"
At this, Itachi's eyes flash in vague annoyance. "I'd prefer to, actually, but the Council doesn't deny that Orochimaru is a genius. What's in these notes could give us certain advantages, whether or not we approve of how the information was gained. Frankly speaking, I still don't particularly care." Then he lets out a sigh, the annoyance fading away. "Unfortunately, there's a...situation."
"A situation." Toshiro repeats flatly.
Itachi does not grimace, but it sure looks like he wants to. "As you know, almost all Root agents were killed if they could not be rehabilitated, and we had to deal with agents that had infiltrated our ranks. There was one shinobi that Kakashi...requisitioned from Danzo some years before the whole debacle. He's been an active member of ANBU and was deemed loyal to Konoha. The issue, and the main reason I'm even allowing those papers to continue existing, is that he's the result of child experimentation by Orochimaru."
That — That is a very good reason. Toshiro runs a hand through his loose hair, tucking strands of pale gold behind one ear. Orochimaru is a genius, sure, but there was no telling the kind of repercussions child experimentation had, especially once hormones got involved. The body changes, there's no possible way to account for all the what-ifs…. That's why it's considered experimentation.
"I see." He finally says, now feeling just as tired as Itachi looks. Which is pretty bad, now that Toshiro thinks about it. "I'll look over it. But I'd like to see this ANBU sometime."
"Of course." Itachi nods, the bags under his eyes starkly visible.
"Have you been sleeping?"
The Godaime smiles a little, "I'm fine, Toshiro-sensei."
"I think I'll be the judge of that," he mutters, distinctly unimpressed. Shinobi really were the worst patients. There is no shame in keeping your health up.
Itachi hesitates, features pinching. He then sighs, likely finding it redundant to hide anything health related from Toshiro. "Well, I suppose...I've been feeling rather ill lately. I assumed it was the stress."
"You said assumed. Past tense." Toshiro stands and walks around his desk to approach Itachi. "So, what changed?"
A dark gaze meets his own, "Well, I suppose it was the cough."
Immediately, Toshiro presses a hand to Itachi's chest. Green chakra lights up around his palm and the teen doesn't even flinch at the suddenness of it all.
Itachi is both the Hokage and his friend, there is no way Toshiro is letting the teen walk out of here if he isn't in pristine health. The last thing Konoha needs right now is for another new Hokage to keel over shortly after taking office. And he does not want Hiruzen back in the seat. The old man is done, as far as Toshiro is concerned.
His diagnostic jutsu seeps into Itachi's flesh, all the way down to the Uchiha's lungs. He can't help but furrow his brow at what he finds there — because that is distinctly not healthy tissue. There's some deterioration of the more sensitive lung tissue, and a rattle in Itachi's chest when he breathes in and out.
"Are you in pain?"
Itachi blinks. "...It's not agonizing."
"Discomfort, then." Toshiro frowns, "Why didn't you come forward sooner?"
The teen glances away from Toshiro's disappointed eyes. "There's far too much to worry about."
"Well you can't worry much about all those problems if you're laid up with a debilitating illness, can you?" It's said a little snippily, but honestly — Itachi is smarter than this. Damn shinobi and their self-sacrificing natures.
The Uchiha dips his head to acknowledge the reprimand. "You're right. I'm sorry."
Toshiro huffs, "You should be. Really, did you learn nothing from those Medical Ninjutsu classes? I have half a mind to make you retake the course. You of all people should know—"
"A med-nin is useless if they cannot care for themselves." Itachi finishes quietly. "I suppose I needed to be reminded."
"Yeah, well, don't forget again. Now," Toshiro claps his hands gently. "Let's figure this out. Come with me and we'll get some blood drawn to run tests."
There are quite a few diseases that can destroy lung tissue, not to mention the amount of poisons. Toshiro is loath to consider the possibility that someone is poisoning the young Godaime, but it doesn't hurt to be thorough. He'd never forgive himself if Itachi grew sicker due to Toshiro's negligence. It's a little scary, actually. This is the kind of thing that ruins shinobi careers — especially if it isn't a mere illness Itachi caught out on a mission or from someone else. If it's genetic...it could be incurable.
Not that that would stop Toshiro from trying. He has a lab full of half-asleep Nara! There's no telling what they can come up with — the cure for cancer, maybe, if they were feeling snazzy or had a cup of coffee.
Itachi can't stay long, he's a busy man with Hokage duties to attend to. So Toshiro takes the scrolls (he's not letting them out of his sight until he's safely within the walls of the Hatake Compound) and leads the younger man to the labs. There, he takes blood, skin and spit samples, then sends his friend on his way. He'll have to do a more thorough body check at a later date. As much as Toshiro doesn't like it, the image Itachi upholds is important. The kid has to look unflappable and strong. For all his power, he's still sixteen and people will doubt him at every turn. So while Itachi goes off to pretend he isn't sick, Toshiro choses a few lab workers that he trusts to look over the samples with him. Patient confidentiality for shinobi makes it easy to keep the identity of the person a secret, so they can't put a name or face to the DNA they are examining. ….As long as no one has memorized the appearance of Uchiha DNA.
He side-eyes Nara Okushika, but she shows no expression other than vapid interest in what she's working on. Well, it's not like he doesn't trust her, so even if she does figure out that their patient is Itachi, he isn't worried about her going around telling people.
It sucks, but as hospital director, Toshiro can't spend so much time in the labs. He has to leave it to the workers there, requesting a full report on all their findings and to test for all known lung diseases or poisons with lung-damaging symptoms. A bit of a tall order, but doable.
All he can do now is go back to his office, finish some paperwork, do his rounds on the floor, then sit back and read those possibly (definitely) traumatizing scrolls containing the notes of a madman.
Toshiro feels exhausted when he returns home that night. The scrolls had been deplorable and disgusting, the contents describing numerous inhumane experiments that Orochimaru performed and Danzo was aware of — or even requested. Hundreds of orphans over the past twenty or so years — all either ended up in Root or on an operating table, sometimes both.
Like the ANBU, who is, in a little added note by Shikaku, the only survivor of a genetic manipulation experiment in which Orochimaru tried to graft Senju Hashirama's DNA into children. The kid was rescued from an abandoned base, only to be shunted right into Danzo's hands. From one prison to the next.
The sick, twisted things Orochimaru did to those children — Toshiro wants to beat every drop of blood from the man's body until he's a sack of unrecognizable meat. There are, however reluctantly Toshiro is to admit, some very detailed notes by the snake sannin that solve a few issues with poisons they've been struggling with. It sickens Toshiro to even consider taking that research and using it — but he can't exactly turn away a cure that will help people, now can he?
"Ugh." He groans into the near-empty living room. It's dark outside and the moon is high in the sky, telling of how late it really is. Today had been too long of a shift.
"Rough night?" Kakashi asks from the shadows, lounging carelessly on the couch like he's part of the decor. The kids have all long since gone to bed, so it's just the two of them down here.
Feeling strung out and vaguely nauseous, Toshiro stumbles a little and drops straight down on top of Kakashi. The man lets out a startled sound, body tensing and arms reflexively curling around Toshiro's back.
Toshiro lays against Kakashi's chest, pressing his ear to the man's shirt and sighing when he hears the heartbeat there, fast and quick. He snakes his arms around and under Kakashi's torso, even though the position is likely uncomfortable, and squeezes.
Kakashi lets out a careful breath, "That bad, huh?"
"Fucking Orochimaru." Is all Toshiro manages, boiling in disgust and exhaustion and rage. It's a tangle of too-intense emotions, far more than he's used to dealing with all at once. It's just sitting there, heavy and foreboding, in the delicate cavern of his chest. Bruising his heart. He's sworn more today than he has in the past year!
"Ah." The copy-nin hums, "That."
"I hope Itachi kills that slimy bastard, or at least puts out the order to do so." He mutters vehemently. "I'll skin him myself."
Kakashi exhales, his chest jerking in a silent laugh. "I'm sure if you asked, Itachi would be hard pressed to say no."
Every word rumbles pleasantly in Kakashi's chest and under Toshiro's ear, making his toes curl at how sauve and deep the older man's voice gets when he's whispering. Toshiro's pretty sure he could listen to Kakashi talk for hours. He wonders if the man is any good at singing —
"I just really hate him." He murmurs softly. "How cruel can a person be?"
Kakashi's hands seem to tighten for a brief moment. "We'll get him, Toshiro. He won't get away with it forever. In the meantime, maybe you should take a shower."
Toshiro pushes himself up, gaping, "Hatake Kakashi, are you saying I stink?"
(He knows very well that he reeks of the hospital, the sharp, sterile smell probably hurting Kakashi's nose.)
"Well, I'm not saying you smell like roses—"
He smacks Kakashi's chest and hops off the couch, turning away to hide his grin. "Fine, fine, I'm going, you little jerk."
"Between the two of us, the only little one is you." Kakashi drawls.
The audacity. He huffs sharply and makes his way out of the room. "You know, I think we'll have fried tempura for dinner tomorrow."
Immediately, Kakashi straightens from his sprawled position, "No, wait— Toshiro!"
"Maybe we'll even make mochi."
Kakashi lets out a wounded noise, "Now you're just being cruel!"
It takes a few days for Itachi's tests to come back.
Toshiro looks over the documents on his desk, frowning heavily. It's not — it's not terrible. But certainly not great. They're pretty lucky they caught it early, actually. A few more months or years and...well, best not to think about it.
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Deficiency. Genetic. Not surprising, but I'll have to ask Fugaku if anyone in their family tree experienced lung problems. It's certainly likely they never noticed, what with the age expectancy being so low back then, and this is usually an issue that presents itself when people start hitting their late forties. So of course Itachi would be one of the rare ones to develop it early on.
He sighs and rubs his forehead, trying in vain to release some of the tension building there. There's no cure, technically. It's a genetic disorder, so Itachi's body merely doesn't produce enough AAT proteins and it never will. The deterioration of his lungs can be fixed, but it's not permanent and he'll need continued treatments to fix whatever damage continually occurs over his lifetime. Based on the results, and the full body check-up he performed the other day, Toshiro has a good grasp on the symptoms Itachi is presenting and their severity.
Mucus build-up in his lungs, deterioration of the tissue, wheezing, coughing, chest pain — and his exhaustion is obvious. This kind of deficiency will wear down Itachi's stamina and put him at risk for full-on lung disease or cancer.
There is no cure-all end-all. Medical Ninjutsu can stimulate the creation of AAT proteins, but since Itachi can't make them on his own, he'll have to come in for regular treatment to keep up his health.
For the rest of his life.
Chakra really is amazing, though. If this was back in Toshiro's first life — well, it wouldn't be a death sentence, but the quality of life wouldn't come near what can be achieved here. The sheer amount of regeneration chakra can accomplish is incredible and Itachi will certainly live an easier life because of it.
Not to mention, Toshiro thinks, That Itachi is proficient in Medical Ninjutsu himself. He's not at the skill level required to target and produce the specific protein he needs, but that is something he can learn through practice. Then he'll be able to treat himself someday and the number of hospital visits will be greatly reduced.
The Hokage can't be seen as weak. Not that this made Itachi at all weak, the teen can still wipe the floor with the majority of Konoha's shinobi forces, but frequent sightings at the hospital won't be great for morale. The citizens can't help but gossip, Toshiro knows that much.
Well.
At least this is one thing out of the way. He feels a lot better now that he knows what's wrong with his friend. It's relatively good news in comparison to the shit he's had to deal with. Reading all these notes about Orochimaru and Danzo's sick experiments is just…a lot. A lot that he really doesn't want to deal with, even if he knows he has to.
Toshiro folds the medical report carefully, then seals it in a scroll. This is sensitive information — anything relating to the health of the Hokage is. All of Itachi's medical records have been, essentially, double-sealed. Shinobi already have carefully stored and protected documents, but the security is almost tripled for the Hokage. Anything and everything has the potential to be used against the man (or woman, one day) who wore the hat.
He bites his thumb and activates the blood-lock seal. It's a wonder more shinobi don't get into fuuinjutsu. It's such a versatile subject, with infinite applications. The Nara who taught themselves a little more thoroughly than others had outfitted the hospital exactly as Toshiro desired.
And Jiraiya looked everything over during his stay here.
While he still isn't the biggest fan of the man, Toshiro can't deny the fact that Jiraiya is a fuuinjutsu master. One of the few in the world. Every patient room is outfitted with barrier protection, blood-lock seals that are keyed in to the patient and attending professionals, and a defense in case of attempted break-ins.
(He very clearly remembers that they work very well. Back when those Root agents came for Shisui and Hoshika, one of the agents had been almost completely knocked out by the jolt of defensive lightning. Served them right.)
Actually, the entire hospital is outfitted with seals to protect against disaster-level events. Barrier seals would activate if the surrounding area was devastated, protecting those within even if the walls crumbled around them. The rooms storing all medical documents have some of the most intricate, barely legible fuuinjutsu Toshiro has ever seen. The full seal is massive, specifically made to document and log anyone who enters or exits the rooms — and they can only be entered if you have the clearance to get past the blood-lock seals. Every day at 12AM, a scroll is pressed against the seal's center-most point by the doors and the names of those who entered in the last twenty-four would appear, kanji spilling from the wall like wet ink to sprawl across the parchment.
It was expensive and complex, but worth it to protect information. One day, they might have a more technology-based approach. (Toshiro can only hope.) But that day isn't for a long while. Plus, how exactly would technology and fuuinjutsu interact? Is it even possible? Toshiro isn't a master by any stretch of the imagination, but fuuinjutsu does interest him quite a bit. He only knows enough to compliment his medical ninjutsu; so, storage scrolls, blood-seals, regenerative seals, chakra directors, chakra suppressors — but he doesn't know anything beyond what relates to his field of expertise. There simply isn't enough time in the day for him to pick up a complex subject like fuuinjutsu.
At least Naruto seems to like it.
Asuhi is far more patient than her cousin, but has less of a drive to craft seals beyond the basic ones. She doesn't want to get too involved with the shinobi lifestyle and Toshiro isn't keen to push her. As long as she's proficient in protective seals, like barriers, temperature regulators and storage scrolls, he doesn't see the need for her to be made to learn any more. Whether she develops an interest and wants to continue is entirely up to her.
Naruto struggles, but never puts half into anything. He's not great at reading or writing, but he's drastically improved since gaining all his friends. Crafting actual seals is still a long while off, first he'll have to perfect his calligraphy. Never let it be said Naruto would back down from a challenge.
Toshiro thinks the boy could grow to be a seal master one day — like his father was, like the legacy his mother carried.
Fuuinjutsu is in Naruto's blood.
Toshiro pulls himself from his wandering thoughts. He still has work to do today. Placing the sealed scroll in his lab coat, he makes his way out of his office. There's still a few more hours of clinic work in his shift. Afterwards, he'll head over to the Hokage Tower to see if he can catch Itachi and speak with him about the test results. Again — kind of a shitty situation for a new, young Hokage, but they'll get through it together. Itachi has allies who will protect and support him, more than just Toshiro.
A week before Kakashi's birthday, Uchiha Shisui has a mission. Toshiro somehow finds himself getting up at the crack of dawn to see his friend off at the gates of Konoha, the sun barely peeking over the horizon. The temperature is cool, but nowhere near as chilly as the mornings will be once fall sets in. Summer still clings to the coming day.
"I'll be gone for three weeks!" Shisui complains, his arms looped around both Hoshika and Toshiro. He's got his face squished against their cheeks, and Toshiro can only suffer in quiet silence. Hoshika doesn't even try to protest, far too accustomed to her boyfriend's antics.
"Good luck." Toshiro says into the man's shoulder. He gently returns the awkward three-way hug.
"Yeah, don't die." Hoshika chips in, sounding completely apathetic.
"Would it kill you guys to sound a little more torn?" The Uchiha mutters, "No 'I'll miss you, Shisui~!' or 'Come back in one dashingly handsome piece, Shisui~!', huh?"
A moment later, the man lets out a high-pitched yelp and releases them, Hoshika having jabbed her fingers into his ticklish side. Toshiro snorts out a laugh as Shisui dances away from her hand, her fingers wiggling threateningly.
"Come back soon," she says, lips curling into a fond, crooked smile. Hoshika keeps her expression relatively aloof, sporting the same lazy look in her eye that all Nara seem to carry like a genetic trait. "In one dumbass piece of whatever's left of you."
"Avoid wandering away with strange men," Toshiro smiles serenely, keeping his tone even. "Don't forget to eat and drink water."
Shisui narrows his eyes at them. "You're both awful and I hate you," he mutters flatly.
"You're a shinobi," Hoshika clicks her tongue, "Please learn to lie better."
Toshiro purses his lips tight to stop himself from laughing at the offended pout on Shisui's face. "It's only three weeks, Shisui. You'll be back before you know it."
"Yeah, yeah...tell Kakashi Happy Birthday for me!" The Uchiha waggles his one visible eyebrow at Toshiro, "Maybe give him a smooch, yeah?"
A crimson flush rises to Toshiro's cheeks. He shoves at the Uchiha's arm. "Hurry up and leave! I won't miss you at all!"
Hoshika coughs into her fist, poorly disguising a sound of amusement. When she speaks, however, her words are less taunting. "Just don't get lost. Come back soon."
Shisui smiles brightly and swoops forward to kiss her, quick and messy. He bounces away when she flicks his chest, laughter falling free and easy from his lips. "No problem! Just you wait, I bet I won't even take all three weeks!"
Hoshika and Toshiro stand at the gates until Shisui's figure has faded from view and the sun spills pink and gold across the partially cloudy sky.
She tilts her head up to gaze at the watercolor sunrise, her elbow brushing his. "Looks like a good day for cloud watching."
"Yeah," he replies, turning his eyes up as well, "It certainly does."
Shikamaru is eleven in a few weeks, but he still acts like he's smaller than he actually is. Er, well, at least whenever Toshiro is around.
"It's because you spoiled him so much." Yoshino sighs and shakes her head. Shikamaru is settled in Toshiro's lap and out cold — or at least very convincingly pretending to be. His dark hair brushes Toshiro's chin and while he's still small, he's a lot weightier than he was almost two years ago. It still doesn't mean Toshiro will be moving anytime soon.
Kakashi hadn't wanted a big birthday party, he just wasn't the type to bother with that kind of thing. Unfortunately, no one told the kids that, and Toshiro did absolutely nothing to stop them. So they organized a party at the Hatake Estate, inviting all their friends — and therefore their friends' relatives, because it was only polite when considering 'official' clan relations.
Yukimura-sensei, Akimichi Chouza and his wife, Chiharu, get along swimmingly — they're the ones dishing out the food right now, all while talking about swapping recipes. The kids are sitting in groups or running around playing ninja, and Toshiro is glad to see that Sakura is actually playing as well instead of joining the group on the grass. Her stamina has improved greatly over the past few weeks, and even after running around chasing Touma and Naruto she doesn't look winded.
She even manages to catch Haruki, who lets out a short scream when she tackles him to the ground with murder in her eyes. No longer is she afraid of getting a little dirt under her nails, or grass stains on her clothes. He'd taken her to the correct stores for clothes shopping almost immediately after she came to him for help, because they had to start with the basics. The clothes she wears now are far more durable, far more resistant to tearing and staining — and far more practical than the flimsy dress she'd worn before. Besides, she's a kid. She shouldn't worry about dirt and stains anyway.
"Nice job." Sasuke mutters, and holds out a hand to pull her off the ground. Sakura looks at him with wide eyes, a flush spreading across her cheeks. Her hand trembles a little when she reaches out, but her jaw is set firmly when she takes his offered one.
"Thanks," Haruki says from the ground, blowing a stand of golden blond hair out of his equally gold eyes with a huff. "I guess I'll just help myself. Not like I didn't just get tackled or anything."
Toshiro presses his grin against the crown of Shikamaru's head to hide it, the boy's thick, spiky ponytail pressing firmly against his freckled cheek in retaliation.
(Despite the Birthday Boy's aversion to sweets, there is a cake. A delightful, beautifully made dog-themed cake, thanks to Chouza and Chiharu. It's big enough to allow everyone attending the party a single slice — meaning it's absolutely gargantuan, and Toshiro has no idea how they managed to get it here without ruining it, nor does he want to think at all about how long it would have taken to make. Kakashi manages to swallow down three whole bites before he sneaks the rest of his slice onto Takehiko's plate, and the boy crashes from a sugar high about two hours later.)
(He does miss Shisui.)
It is far into the early hours of the morning by the time he and Kakashi turn in to sleep, the last friend finally leaving — Gai. It was Gai, who wouldn't stop weeping about Kakashi's great youth.
Their rooms are next to each other, so they traverse the hall together, silent and tired. Today was very high energy, especially for someone like Kakashi, who isn't very socially inclined on a good day. Toshiro puts his hand on the man's elbow before they part ways.
Kakashi pauses, dark eye blinking. "Hm?"
"Happy twenty-fifth birthday, Kakashi." Toshiro whispers, then leans up on his toes to press a soft kiss to Kakashi's masked cheek, on the side with the scar hidden underneath. "I'm glad you were born."
Then he turns and enters his room.
He sleeps until 1PM.
Estado de energía semanal
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