Crystal Lightning || (Kakashi Hatake x OC)

The Cure - Wolves at the Gate

The memorial stone in the village glistened as the sun brings warmth to those who had fallen during the Third Shinobi War. Nonetheless, the devastation war had brought upon the people of the Leaf Village did not shake the Will of Fire that has always been entrenched in their hearts. It was barely a week after the war was declared over and all shinobis have retreated back to their respective villages, and the Leaf Village began to go back to normal. Despite the sunny weather, people were still mourning over the losses of those who were killed, especially innocent and severely inexperienced genins who were forced to join the fight. Minato held a burden that he shared with Kakashi; the death of their beloved comrade. He felt somehow responsible and regretted leaving his students to fend for themselves in times like war. It had nothing to do with Kakashi's skills as a ninja, but with the mental burden they are to carry. He wouldn't have left them if he had the choice. There were only the three of them, with Minato standing between the remainder of his team, each of his arms draped around his students' shoulders. There was no time for him to grieve as he is the pillar for his students. If he were to come crashing down, so will they. "Kakashi-boy... Rin..."

Kakashi stood with his head hung low, eye wide open, his skin numbs to the touch. He was still adjusting his other eye. It consumes so much of his chakra, he had to keep it closed all the time. Thus, the birth of his new look, where his forehead protector slants to cover his left eye. Images of Obito crushed by a large border were still fresh in his mind, the overpowering rumble of boulders falling down on them. The overbearing guilt about not being able to do anything to at least help him. Things came into perspective when he himself was involved in the same situation that cost his father's life, especially since he was clear from the battlefield and back in the safety of the village. Sadly though, he wasn't safe from his own mind. This is what his father must felt like when he was forced to choose between his mission and his team. He couldn't imagine if he and his father were to choose the mission and abandon his comrades until the war happened. It would be satisfying to accomplish the mission, but would they feel whole after leaving their friends to die? The losses of failing a mission only change the course of history, but losing your comrades takes a chunk of your heart forever. The guilt had woke him up and made him realise that his father wasn't a fool who couldn't take the consequences of his actions. He was a true hero that the village failed to acknowledge. It had hit him as if someone had punched him in the gut.

Everything had been a blur for him these few days. There was no telling if he had come home or not, or if he had checked in with Abi and Ari, and most importantly, Akira. He had to keep his head up high as captain, no tears allowed. He had switched himself off these past few days.

"I wish we could've saved him, sensei." Rin murmured, not taking her eyes off Obito's name engraved on the memorial stone.

"You three did great. I'm very proud of you. This was... This isn't supposed to be easy, so have each other's backs." He tightened his grip protectively. There was no way of telling who he was trying to convince. "Everyone did great."

The black slug slithered up to Kakashi's neck, wrapping its growing, slimy, disgusting body around his head. He could feel it choking him. The ice that wrapped around his heart chipped a bit, taking a piece of his heart. He shoved his hands in his pocket, forming fists in it. The trails of acidic slime left by the creature of his dark soul dripped and pooled around his feet, his hope dissolving in it. Akira, I hope you're home safe. Stay home, don't come looking for me. It's safer at home.

"Kakashi-boy, all I can say to you is to guard Obito's gift with your life. He gave you something exclusive to the Uchiha clan. With this gift, I truly believe that you are destined for greatness. When you have full control of it, you will surpass your father, Kakashi Hatake of the Sharingan." He pats the boy on the head and nodded to show respect, "You've grown so much, my boy. Sakumo-san must be proud of you."