Alone No More

Regret

Two weeks have passed since that C ranked mission and things have gone from bad to worse, and all Minato can do was watch it all unfold. Since that day Kakashi hasn't said a single word or a made the slightest noise not to Minato, not to Obito, or Rin, and as far as he knew not to anyone. Kakashi would only answer with a single nod or a short shake of his head but even that didn't happen sometimes.

Kakashi would always space off, and the spark of life that was in the nine-year-old boy's eyes was gone replaced with a broken empty stare that sends chills down your spine. Minato, Rin, and Obito tried everything and anything to snap you boy out of his funk, they even asked Gai to tried challenging Kakashi but the little chunnin would stare for a few seconds then walked away. Kakashi wouldn't let anyone touch or barely be within a foot near him the team knew this because they tried. Obito and Rin couldn't get within a foot of Kakashi while Minato actually had to put in some effort to touch the boy only to result in Kakashi flinching harshly.

At first, Minato thought Kakashi was just being a little brat giving them the silent treatment. But when hours turned into days, and days turned into two weeks Minato knew he messed up. The blonde jonin knew his words to Kakashi at night were harsh, but he didn't want Kakashi to get the idea that the mission is worth more than his life. Yes, sometimes sacrifices must be made, but not for a mere C rank mission, but he didn't want to crush the boy's spirit.

Whenever they try to have team lunches Kakashi would just teleport away and return when their lunch break was over. When Minato spars with Kakashi the boy still fought somewhat same but seemed distracted and was starting to feel lighter again. It was that reason why Minato has been accepting only low D rank missions for his team because with the way Kakashi is now he's not sure Kakashi would even fight back.

Minato dismissed his students from training for the weekend and Kakashi immediately used a teleporting jutsu to make his exit. Minato couldn't help the frown that formed across his face. For the past few days, Rin wasn't as cheerful as usual and would become more irritated, and even Obito was not as boisterous as usual instead he would pout more often. Minato's students, no his team was falling apart all because he lost control of his temper at the worst possible time. Without Kakashi, there was a large hole missing in the team, and yet Kakashi was still here with them but now all they can see is Kakashi's pain.

'This is all my fault, I should have waited until we all got back to the village before calmly telling Kakashi what he did wrong,' Minato criticized himself as he made his way home with a heavy heart. His last few attempts to talk to Kakashi have not ended well. Since that night Kakashi is more on edge and defensive around Minato, and remains constantly on guard, and leaves as soon as possible. Minato was happy to feel Kushina chakra signature emanating from his house. Kushina was also concerned for the little Hatake too, Minato has been keeping her informed sense Obito and Rin told him Kakashi situation.

"I'm home," Minato informed as he closed the door behind him.

"Welcome back," Kushina greeted exiting the kitchen. But quickly noticed the poorly hidden miserable look on her boyfriend's face, and she latched her arms around him before asking, "any changes with Kakashi?"

Minato slowly shakes his head before burying his face in Kushina's crimson hair, as he tightens the embrace and softly states, "he's lost weight."

After a few moments for silence, an idea formed in Kushina's head as she beamed up at Minato. "Well, then there's only one way to fix that, ya know!" Kushina smiled with excitement as her boisterous personality kicking in.

"And what's that?" Minato questioned raising an eyebrow pulling away from the hug slightly.

"We are going to go to Kakashi's house and bring him here for dinner whether he wants to or not, ya know!" The redhead yelled strongly leaving a stunned Minato as she went to change into her jonin uniform.