Crystal Lightning || (Kakashi Hatake x OC)

Chloroform - Phoenix

"Come in, Kakashi-boy!" Minato eagerly greeted, "My goodness! I didn't realise you've grown so much!"

"Lord Fourth." The boy greeted by bowing his head, "You summoned me?"

"Enough with the formalities already!" He approached Kakashi and scanned his body from head to toe for any injuries, "Have you been hurt?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Good, good!"

"Is everything alright, sensei?"

"Yes, don't worry." He stepped back to lean on the table and crossed his arms, "You've been on many long missions. I'm assigning you to a mission I only trust you with. It'll be long-term as well, but you'll be alone. Top secret. Confidential."

"Understood, sensei."

"You're going to be a big brother, my boy."

"What do you mean?"

"Kushina's pregnant." He grinned widely,

Kakashi smiled, which felt weird because he doesn't recall having smiled these past few years. His limbs were still cold, but there was some warmth in his chest. His inner child felt like he was being abandoned, because the closest thing he had to a father is starting a new family, probably without him. He was abandoned by his father, now he was being abandoned again. He didn't expect to feel like this and didn't know what to say next. Was he going to be all alone? Minato deserves a family, and all he had been was a burden. He was selfish with Akira, he can't be selfish again.

"I'm telling you because you're part of the family. If that's what you're worried about. You will always be part of the family, Kakashi-boy."

His smile widened, stretching every facial muscle he rarely uses.

"Kushina's a jinchuriki. Her seal will weaken throughout the pregnancy and during birth. So I want you to guard her in case anything happens. Can I trust you with her?" His tone grew severe,

"Of course, sensei."

"I'm glad I can trust you." He raised his fist to offer a fist bump, "Please do your best."

"Yes, sir!" Kakashi accepted his sensei's fist bump.  

I will protect you with all my life, Kushina. I won't let anything happen to you. He chanted as his wounded self tried to desperately convince himself. His new mission brought a new light. He was slowly stepping out from the shadows. Finally, something to be excited about. He won't be 'Cold-blooded Kakashi' anymore. However, learning from past experiences, he became anxious and paranoid as well. He became obsessed with making sure that nothing happens to her, which led him to overthink everything. His heightened senses forced him to be on his feet at all times. Rain, heat, snow, wind, through various weather anomalies, he stood by her side behind the shadows. He would imagine it was his parents excited for the baby – him. Would his parents be this happy and excited? Does he bring them joy? Or would he just be a burden? Does he deserve this life?

Kakashi was on his way to catch up with Kushina after her doctor's appointment. He hurried through the streets, afraid that something might happen. There was a minor hiccup when he wasn't on guard, and it haunted him in his sleep. It was probably the sudden major changes in her body that made her feel lightheaded. He found her leaning against the kitchen counter on the floor when he peeked through her window, and he thankfully caught her in time.

Out of the blue, a hand grabs him by his shoulder. "Kakashi-"

He reflexively grabbed the stranger's wrist and flipped him over so he could lock the stranger from behind. He pulled out his kunai and pressed the sharp tip on the stranger's neck.