Mending The Past To A Better Future

Ch. 13 About Feelings {Part-2}

Kakashi had a headache.

He didn't know whether or not it was from overusing the Sharingan during his and Obito's spar, or if he was just having a shitty day, but there was a constant throb in his temple that made him feel like blacking out.

Minato's blonde head served as a beacon for him to follow, trailing besides Naruto who was pointedly not making contact with either of them. Kakashi felt a surge of something swell in him, and he didn't know what, and it made him frustrated.

He didn't know what to think of Naruto.

He hadn't known when she had first come appeared in that crater in the ground, and he still didn't know now that she was on his team and riling up everyone who in her vicinity. Himself included.

Naruto was a knuckle headed ninja, but it felt like her whole being was an oxymoron of the wildest proportions. Naruto was bright and warm and golden and cheerful, and then she was secretive and sad, and dark and yelling profanities at him while she cried. Naruto was a fine Shinobi but she didn't think, didn't think about the consequences of her actions - and it was a painful reminder of his own father, so ready to abandon the rules for his comrades and yet unable to handle the outcome when it hit him at full force. Naruto made him mad, but then she filled his chest with a warm feeling, and he didn't know what to do about it.

He hated that feeling. He hated her for making him feel it.

And he hated Uchiha Shisui for reasons he couldn't even begin to name, he truly didn’t understand. When Naruto had first mentioned meeting Shisui, he hadn’t cared. He had even teased her about it just to raise her hackles a bit. But now... things were different and for the chakra in him, he couldn’t understand why.

He didn't understand why he did.

More than anything, he hated himself for letting his so careful consideration that helped him block off his emotions fly off the handle.

Ever since the blonde had entered their lives taking them aback, and constantly leading them through what felt like monsoon season, his whole state of mind had just been one big I don't know.

Even when he was trying to show he cared, it came out so blunt and horrendous. Words were malleable that way, he knew, but he couldn't stop himself from saying the wrong thing when she had instead needed comfort. And he wasn't good at consolation either.

Minato turned to face his students, noticing that they weren't facing each other, and leaned forwards into their spaces. “The Uchiha clan elders will be present, so I need you both on your best behavior, okay?"

Neither of them responded, choosing to stare up at their mentor on blank eyes. Minato sighed, and reached out to casually ruffle Kakashi's hair, the boy scowling and moving away. "This is important. Kakashi, you can't stay silent the entire time. Fugaku will want to hear what you have to say - you'll need to convince them of why they should train you. Getting them to train Obito should be easier because he's already an Uchiha, but you're a different case." He turned to face Naruto. "Naruto, you're here to back Kakashi up. Your friendship with Itachi and Shisui should help you convince Fugaku because he already knows you, and having you vouch for Kakashi should help."

He halted them outside of the gates, where two dark haired males stood guard, their gaze now focused on the three ninja hovering just by the pathway in. "Naruto, I'm trusting you to not fly off the rails, okay? They may say some stuff you won't like to hear, but you're going to need to grit your teeth. Don't talk back to them," he warned her.

Naruto pouted, but nodded all the same.

"Alright, let's go."

The man on the left had a distinguishing beard, and Minato turned to him first.