Alone No More

Mission Gone Wrong

Warning: mention the suicide, minor swearing, violence

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Kakashi inspected his gear again to make sure he has everything for their overnight mission. Feeling that everything was in order, Kakashi got out three small blank scrolls and marked them as Equipment, Food, and Weapons. Before separating his gear into three piles one for each scroll before sealing his equipment into their designated scroll and packed them into his kunai pouch along with his ninken summoning scroll and an extra blank sealing scroll just to be safe.

"You know Pup you don't need to carry our scroll to summon us, right?" Pakkun mentioned sitting on the couch watching Kakashi getting everything in order as the other ninken were sprawled out around the living room as well.

"I know, but it more of a reminder that you're all there watching my back," Kakashi answered giving the pug a visible small smile since he was home his mask hanged around his neck. Which resulted in several tails wagging and thumping and the floor.

Ūhie got up and walked over to Kakashi and leaned against him as she curls herself around Kakashi like she usually does to comfort the boy. "Of course, we got your back, pup," she spoke gently before the greyhound licked the boy's cheek and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Thanks," Kakashi answered softly head lowered busying himself with packing but was unable to hide his warm smile from his dogs before slipping his mask into place.

"Okay, I got to get going, are all of you going back or staying here?" Kakashi questioned knowing it would be safer for the pack to not be here while he's gone.

"We're going to set some more traps around the house then head back, but make sure to summon us as soon you get back," Pakkun informed following Kakashi to the door with the other ninken.

"I will," Kakashi promised while getting his shoes and gear on.

"Wait, Kashi who's the blondie that's been following you is he one of them!" Urushi growl baring his sharp fangs.

"That 'blondie' is my Sensei, Minato Namikaze," Kakashi corrected patting Urushi's head, while adding, "and no, Minato-sensei is actually really nice."

"Do you trust him?" Biscuit asked with a head tilting to the side.

"Yes, well at least I think so," Kakashi answered shift his weight from one leg to the other.

"Maybe you should tell him about the villagers," Akino suggested gazing at their pack leader.

"No," Kakashi quickly answered firmly.

"Why not?" Guruko asked with disappointment.

"Because..." Kakashi quietly muttered before his explanation became inaudible.

"Pup?" Ūhie questioned worriedly but gave Kakashi the look of 'keep going.'

"I just," Kakashi mumbled gazing at the ground as his body started to tense up.

"It's okay you can tell us what's said between the pack, stays within the pack," Shiba reassured pressing his head into their boss's hand.

Kakashi took a deep breath as his fingers threaded themselves into Shiba's long patch of fur on top of the dog's head as he spoke, "I just don't want to find out that Minato-sensei's kindness is just a cover-up, and that he's just like the rest of them."

"But you won't know until you tell him, maybe he'll help," Pakkun insisted after a moment of silence.

"I can't take that chance," Kakashi spoke in a soft pained voice his frowning eyes refused to look at the pack.