Crystal Lightning || (Kakashi Hatake x OC)

Opera House - CAS

Warning: Mature Content (Lemon chapter)

It has been a while since Kakashi stood in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi on top of the red Hokage building. The last he was there was with Minato, above the village where the people looked like ants. He was still lost at that time. He stood in his complete Anbu gear, the uniform he had been wearing for almost a decade. Even after fully recovering, he had a gnarly scar on his thigh from his stab wound. It had become a significant part of his identity, earning a few nicknames that he will be forever associated with no matter what he will become in the future. Kakashi knew it was coming, but he was still nervous about it as it is happening. Being relieved from something that takes a chunk of your time, energy, and mental and physical health is nerve-wracking. It feels like a part of your life is being taken away and shoved in the back of the storage room. Into the unknown, he faced the Third Hokage. Will he feel more burdened or will it be stripped off his shoulders?

"Kakashi Hatake..." Hiruzen took a drag on his pipe, his voice raspy and low as ever. He blew a cloud of smoke, which was immediately blown away by the wind. "You are a truly great shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village. The sacrifices you made for the village have made the names you earned well deserved. I regard you as a hero of this village and you will be dismissed from Anbu organisation with the highest honour. I thank you for your service. Please hand me your mask. I relieve you from your position as Team Ro captain."

Kakashi bowed and handed his mask with both hands, "It has been an honour, Lord Third."

"I'm certain Sakumo Hatake is very proud of you. He was a great shinobi, and there is a saying that goes; 'great fathers make even greater sons'. I entrust you with our future shinobis. You will resume missions as an elite jonin until you are called to lead a team of genins."

"Yes, Lord Third."

"And to realise Minato's last wish; you will be sent out on missions with Akira Haru. He has told me only good things about the two of you. It appears you two 'make a great duo'." The Third Hokage took another drag from his pipe and exhaled, "Will you accept?"

"Yes, I accept. Thank you." He lowered his head respectfully. He couldn't thank Minato enough and he wished he could ask his sensei what made him come to this decision.

"Please report for your mission with Akira first thing in the morning."

"Thank you again, Lord Third. I find assurance being placed with Akira."

"Why's that?"

"I promised her parents I'd protect her."

"Ah, yes. It seemed the Fourth Hokage had taken your promise into account as well." He chuckled, "Kakashi of the Sharingan, carry on the Will of Fire, defend the village, love and treasure the village and protect all those who believe in you. You are dismissed now."

"Understood." Kakashi gave Hiruzen a last bow and hovered as he waited to be alone. Then he looked up at Minato and gave his sensei a closed-eye smile, "Thank you, sensei." 

"Hey, dad..." Kakashi sat across his father with crossed legs, picking on the grass. "I feel like this place makes me think about the mistakes I've made in the past, and I've made a lot. A lot. And this is the consequence of my mistakes. Losing you, mum, Auntie Ari and Uncle Abi, Rin, Obito, Kushina, Minato-sensei. I was stupid and selfish. I realise I'm deeply flawed, and... I just... Sorry, dad... I'm sorry... I was a bad son, I was a bad person."

"You were. You were selfish and rude. And you also pushed people away."

He sighed and relaxed his eyelid, "I know."