Archive of Our Own

People had the most unfortunate habit of forgetting. Kakashi, perhaps, knew that
better than most. Knew because he had seen it, across months and years. Had seen
the slow murder of his clan, and the other wild type clans.

Villages, with their high concentrations of ninja and their civilians both, were a slow noose tightening around their necks, dragging them down. Muzzles and chains, restricting and heavy, claws dulled and fangs removed.

Even the Inuzuka, Aburame, were being tamed. And they were already considered domestic, already taken from their roots and chained to a hierarchy that barely deserved to be called by that name. A clan wild as the wolves, as the forests surrounding Konoha? Their fate was a slow strangulation.

Removed from densely forested glens, from the small rocky dens their partners preferred, sacred rituals denied… Fewer Hatake were born each generation, fewer pups taken and fostered, fewer grown ninja to protect their pack. They were never large, but the Hatake was a proud clan, and now…?

Kakashi was the last. The last remaining in Konoha, at least. He'd heard of some, deep in the wilderness, who split from the main clan when the silver haired nin first came into Konoha, and who were still thriving as their ancestors did. Maybe a few in other clans too, married off and given to their other clans. None as wild, as free, as would benefit the Hatake name. But besides a few scattering that barely smelled like pack anymore, Kakashi was the last. The apartment block originally set aside for the clan stood empty and cold, silent without heavy paws and deep breathing, sterile without fur or fire in the air.

It was… lonely. Kakashi was willing to admit that, in the darkest corners of his mind, where instinct still lived and his inner canine self whimpered with barely suppressed want. Course, there were ways to help that, to grow his clan --pack, pack, Pack!-- his instincts crowed, but both were… unpleasant at best.

Finding a woman, willing to bear his kids --pups-- and then leave their rearing to his hands? Because there was no woman, not even an Inuzuka, was wild enough to tolerate some of his more… base instincts. Even if Kakashi was… so inclined for a feminine form, which. Eh.

Or, adoption.

Taking a kid --pup!-- in, training them to the Hatake clan. They have to be young, moldable, and from a family--pack!-- that either wouldn't cherish them or wouldn't even notice that they were gone. Not like there were many such kids in Konoha, and less that Kakashi was ever exposed to. An official edict, from before the founding of the village itself, a statement and a warning both about the Hatake clan. Child snatchers, they were called. Forbidden from even babysitting.

Kakashi had been yelled at for that little nugget since his genin team, where he was allowed to laze in a tree while they ran after one larval stage human or another. He hadn't minded, not back then. The kids were, while almost tempting, loud and obnoxious. And even if his pack was small, just himself, his father and old auntie Kuri now, it was a good one. One he didn't feel the need to expand.

Then old auntie Kuri died. And the.. then his father. And Kakashi was alone.

--Alone! Lost! Scared! Pack? Where pack? Where fur and fire and food? Lost! Scared! Pack?!--

He was alone. And he could handle it.

There were stories, of course, about Hatake clansmen going… insane. Feral, without the steadying presence of a pack, they could.. fall victim to the worst. His father… Kakashi wasn't enough. He had failed, failed to keep his father grounded, hadn't noticed the pack bonds that should have bound Sakumo to life, to Kakashi and the village, were too weak. Instead, the man called whatever squad he was on 'pack'. It was a desperate, needy thing, and the exact thing that ended his life. If indirectly.

Sakumo took care of his pack, as he should, and was ostracized. The hatred of the entire village, the hatred of the one he saved, and his father had…

Kakashi doesn't allow himself to think of it. Not often, not if he could help it. His mind screams, sometimes, late at night and so achingly lonely… but he's stronger than that, knows his limits and his goals. He would not place anyone, or anything, above the village. The village was his pack. The Hokage his Alpha. It was enough, it had to be enough.

And, if, when he was weakest, he nearly gave in to the call? When his throat tightened to barely allow breath, and his chest ached with the suppression of his desperate howls? What use was it? He knew the cry, the scream.

A baseless howl of agony, of loss. A scream inside his blood, a soul deep ache more tender than a fresh bruise, constricting his throat, thrashing in his chest, against his lungs, a pain so deeply embedded in his mind it turned physical. More than a want, he needed. Needed to tilt his head back, to pull the muzzle that was his mask down, to cry out to the uncaring sky, the empty moon. To appeal to the stars lining the sky, to beg every ear in miles to hear him. He knows exactly what the mournful cry would say, what those howls would scream.

--Notice me! I'm here! Tell me I'm not alone! Say my hunt isn't in vain! I'm here! I'm here! Tell me I am not the last! I am not packless! Call back! I'm here! Where are you? Anyone!--

There would be no response.

The only thing his cries would bring, puppy soft and loner desperate, was the redoubling of the pain inside. There was no one to answer, no call to bring his mind from the brink of madness, no body to press against his own, no teeth on his shoulder, no welcoming breath on his neck. Kakashi was a lone wolf.

A wolf without a pack, a man without a clan. His own hands fisted in silver hair too often, he danced on the edge of madness too often. Soon, the madness would rise up. Would consume him. Without Pack, without his family, it was only a matter of time. The best he was able to offer was taking as many of Konoha's enemies as he was able before the afterlife claimed his soul.

So Kakashi threw himself headfirst into training, into near suicide missions, into every deadly situation. His body gained scars, his mind wisdom. He took his instincts and buried them, under Anbu's hound, and Konoha's copy ninja. Mask after mask, holding on by teeth and claw, death a friend he calls by name.

It should be clear to anyone Kakashi was in no state to be training --raising!-- kids --pups! Yes! Pups!-- so…

What were they doing?

Seeing three small bodies, --tiny! Babies! Pups! Protect, guide, pack!-- in the room in front of him. They even smelled like they were in dire need of someone, anyone --me! They're mine!-- to take care of them. The black haired, the last Uchiha, smelled of gut-rotting anger, fear all over a core of fire, of loneliness. The pink haired girl, clan markings unknown to Kakashi, was… too thin. She smelled… weak. Who was watching her, she clearly wasn't getting enough to eat. The blonde… his Sensei's son, smelling of loneliness just as strongly, if a different breed than the Uchiha, was bitter-bright determination, false cheer, unacceptable.

They… were too old. Hatake law demanded fosterlings, pups taken and raised alongside pack children, be no older than four years old. Young, to be better integrated with the larger pack, to learn their ways. But…

Kakashi takes another breath, drawing it slowly across the roof of his mouth. The particular mix of scent-taste only slightly deadened by the mask he wore, and telling him so much more.

The kids --pups!-- were weak. Uncared for. Their chakra was barely tapped. Barely old enough to be allowed out of their dam's sight. If he went by that, by power, instead of their physical ages…

--Pack. Pups! Growth! No alone!-- His instincts insist. Well…

He takes another hour or so, the rest of the kids, --healthy pups, not pack, leave alone-- leaving with their jonin senseis. Long enough the scents from under him, mischief-annoyance-blind adoration to sour further, sparking into true anger.

The eraser on his head isn't a surprise, he did see the genin put it up there after all. But… It was… pleasant. --Pups don't treat strange wolves like this, pups prank pack! They see us as Pack!--

It's hard to resist the urge to physically shake the thoughts away. His instincts have been flaring up recently, barely controlled with all the willpower he contains. It's… an annoyance. Kakashi is going to have to get rid of the kids soon, unless he really does start to bond with them.

Missions.

Zabuza and his pup Haku.

Gato.

Blood and death and exhaustion.

Senbon, unknown drug. Instincts rising like a tide, an unstoppable force inside his skull.

Kakashi is… less than at his full strength. Chakra exhaustion, a physical beating, watching his pups nearly be put to death… There was nothing left, nothing to keep in reserve. Kakashi is forced to allow his instincts free, letting them slip from the darkness of his mind to take center stage.

And they…? Were dead set on protecting the pups in his care. His little pack. His. The thought is a warm one, a comfort. Now his chest doesn't ache in suppression of a mourning howl, the last call before death, but one of joy. He had pups, and his pack wasn't gone, wasn't erased.

They still weren't in his territory though, still in danger. The sound would bring danger to his pack, it had to wait.

Not for long, he decides, face lifted to catch the scent on the breeze. The mask is a hindrance, but he leaves it alone for now. The covering has been in place as long as the Hatake can remember, so taking it off now isn't right. It… it was a thing that kept him sane once, wasn't it? That kept him from going feral?

He snorts, head shaking. All he needed was pack, and look! The very beginnings of a pack right here. Three sleeping pups, exhausted just as he was. They didn't know how to keep on their toes, lounging on their bedrolls with every faith he'd protect them. He would, of course he would, they're his precious little pups, black and pink and blonde.

They're coming along so well, so trusting of himself and the other two. Coming along well enough he can push aside the unease. He's young, after all, barely pushing 20 years old. He could bring pups home, any wolf who brought food for the pack could also grow the pack, but they'd be cared for by the whole pack. Watching over three? By himself? What if he was doing it wrong?

Below, the Uchiha pup growls in his sleep, somewhere between anger and terror. Poor thing. Half drowned in his old horror, pack destroyed before his eyes, the pup was still wrapped deeply in his self hatred. Kakashi was working on it though, and the furrows between dark brows ease slightly when he presses a thumb to them, relaxing into the touch. Good, good pup, trust in your pack, you aren't alone now, young one. You're safe, sleep deeply now, shush.

The blonde, apparently unable to resist one upping his littermates even in sleep, grumbles something, striking out with a half curled fist. It's an easy thing to catch, and tuck under the blonde's cheek before he actually strikes the lone girl. Who, as usual, is the best behaved. She's a sweetheart, until one of the others trod too hard on her tail, then she whirls and snaps. A strong pup, all of them. Fierce and fiery and needing so much care.

Under the mask, Kakashi allows his lips to part, eye crinkling. A wolfish smile, or as much of one as the human face would allow.

He was doing what he was made for, what was his entire life's meaning. Protect. Provide. Grow. The best brother-father-packmate the pups could ask for. Not even the hours, low and slow, that turned night to day were a bother, nothing more than a comfort as colors spilled across the sky, blossoming with its pinks and oranges.

"Kakashi-sensei?" The voice is nearly silent, a whisper of sound, the leaves rustle almost fully covering the murmur. His only female pup, just as tired as the others, but awake. Alert and looking to the trees, the most likely place to find him. Good.

"Sakura?" And it's not a growl. Kakashi is slightly proud of that, the pups probably wouldn't know how to tell the happy rumbling growl from an angry threatening one. He jumps down, glancing over at the pink haired pup with a curious tilt to his head.

"Have… have you slept yet, Sensei? You didn't wake me up to take watch…" There's an unspoken demand that if she hadn't been woken, the other two better have not been woken either. Such a brave little pup, quietly threatening him. Not that it'd do her any good, but the attempt made him smile, teeth carefully hidden behind his lips.

"Maaa, Sakura-chan. I've gone longer on less rest. You three are barely half grown, you need the rest after such an exciting mission." Such skepticism, at such a young age. Kakashi smiles a little wider, the very tip of his tongue slipping between his lips, every gesture, every movement advertising his contentment, his simple joy. His pups are bright, clearly intelligent. An honor to claim them.

"You need to rest, Sensei." And trying to protect him. It's adorable. He just laughs, softly and without rancor, squatting by the coals that were the remains of the fire. Still hot, perfect.

"Would you get the fish from the stream then? If you're so worried about your sensei?" Another crinkly smile, and she still is frowning. Still has the sour sharp scent of worry, of nervous and dulled exhaustion.

Is he… did he.

Do something wrong? He pauses, single eye roving over her form more closely, looking for what he missed. Nothing… nothing?

"Sensei? You're acting… strange. Stranger than usual, I mean." Oh. She was… concerned. He chuckles, low and rough, and nods once. "You haven't even glanced at your… book."

"It's alright, Sakura-chan. It's merely been awhile since I was so exhausted that Icha Icha holds no appeal to me, okay?" She's still not convinced, clearly, but the girl does end up leaving to the stream, gathering the few fish he had caught throughout the night, in between his patrols.

His last two pups take longer, but eventually they, too, wake up. Mostly only after Sakura has the fish spitted and happily crackling over the fire, their scent creeping across the camp, promising strength should the two actually wake up and consume them.

The camp is quickly broken, the pups well used to traveling by now, bedrolls on their back and every trace of their presence carefully erased by a small doton jutsu. Not Kakashi's best effort, the chakra exhaustion makes everything damnably difficult, but it would work in a pinch.

Another long day of travel, the pups not quite able to travel through the trees like he was used to and every step weighed down by their own protesting bodies, but they were still making decent time. Another night in the forest, and they should be coming into Konoha at midday. Then, of course, all of Kakashi's instincts would be pushed back again. An annoyance, to be certain. Especially when the pups were so fragile, delicate little things that required far more care than Kakashi allowed himself to give. They all still lived outside the clan apartment's walls. Sakura did, it seemed, have a mother. But she was civilian, and didn't care to ensure the pup was doing what was healthy for a kunoichi. They needed to be moved, as soon as possible, but the man refused to listen to reason, and allowed the pups to remain outside of his careful watch.

"Sensei?" This time it's the blonde brat, whiskered face twisted with clear concern he doesn't even try to mask. The other two are further along, well within sight and his hearing, but having pulled ahead just enough to give the illusion of privacy. Smart pups. It was almost natural enough for Kakashi to believe the entire thing was accidental.

Almost.

"Pup?" And, were he 'normal', suppressing everything that made him whole, he'd be regretting that word, the easy question in it. Naruto was clearly thrown, sky blue eyes blinking rapidly.

"Huh? What's going on?" His face is wrinkled, scrunched like he was imitating a pug, flat featured and stare unimpressed. "You're not acting like Kakashi-sensei!"

"If I wasn't acting like Kakashi-sensei, then a good ninja would stay quiet and observe the differences in how I act. Allowing me to stay in place and gather as much information about my motives as you could, Naruto. Think it through." One hand lazily gestures ahead of them, where Sakura was already looking back, annoyance on her face as Naruto squawks in offence. "Sakura sent you back here to gather more information, didn't she? If I wasn't your sensei, you would have just placed the lives of your teammates in grave danger."

She's a smart one. She'd be a good support, knowledge base large and flexible, if her physical form was lacking. It wasn't even like that was a deal breaker, if she truly wanted to be a front line fighter, she'd just need to train a little harder…

The blonde pop's face swims, just a little, Kakashi's gaze wavering uncertainly. It steadies in the next heartbeat, but whatever drug Zabuza's pup coated his needles with is still running rampant in his system, and his body was rebelling far harder than it should. As Anbu's hound, wolf was a little too obvious, even for him, he had gone on week long missions where sleep was only a pleasant memory, and where he had half bled out before his squad could come for him, and he hadn't been left this weak, this out of control.

"Sensei!" Or. Perhaps his gaze wavered for more than a heartbeat. Long enough for his black haired pup to have his hand hovering over his weapon pouch, face set in a deep scowl. He's silent, as is his custom, though. The one who called was Naruto, blue eyes shining with clear concern, hovering close.

"Maa, Naruto. It's alright, it's alright." It's not. Being unaware enough Naruto noticed? His pup was adorable, and perceptive on the rare moments he cared to look underneath the obvious, but it took time. If he was so obvious… Kakashi has to suppress a growl, a threat this time, letting his fingers flit over his weapons, checking their reach and readiness. "I seem to be still recovering from what Zabuza's pup put on his senbon, it's not a big deal."

So much confusion. It takes effort, but Kakashi manages to avoid the urge to ruffle the blonde's hair, or to bare his teeth at how the formerly Uchiha pup, they're his now. His., only grips his weapons a little more firmly. Brat! If Kakashi had been doing as he should, the pup would know he'd rather rip out his own tongue than hurt a hair on their collective heads. They were safer with him than they had ever been on their own. They were pack and, more importantly, they were his. But Failure on Kakashi's part wasn't a punishment for his pups to bear, and the pup had been ill treated before coming into Hatake care.

"Sasuke!" And, maybe his voice has a little too much bark, too much volume. But… the jonin is tired, and hurt, and having to face both a threat to his pups and an indication that those pups don't trust him? He's only twenty, he could be forgiven if his handling of the pups is less than ideal. If his father didn't come back from the grave to kick his tail between his shoulder blades, that is. Sakumo had little patience for poor treatment of pups, and even less when the one mistreating them knew better. "If your hand gets any closer to that weapon's pouch, you are going to be carried over my shoulder until we stop for lunch."

The pale hand hesitates, the boy's head still turned very clearly away, as he weighs Kakashi's words. There's another moment, and then his hand is tucked up and away into his pocket. He scoffs, unconcerned and utterly annoyed with what he surely thinks is an idle threat, before half turning.

"Dead last, if you're going to be useless as always, get back up here. We're going to scout for a place to rest. Sakura, guard Kakashi-sensei." Well. Kakashi blinks, eyebrow raising in clear question. That… was unexpected. On one hand, the very idea of the pups being outside his direct field of vision is abhorrent, but this fledgling teamwork is something to be encouraged. Sasuke grunts, one shoulder lifting and falling easily.

"Hn." He raises an eyebrow, glancing at his female littermate expectantly. And she, of course, brightens like there was a trapped star under her skin. Lovestruck puppy.

"When there's wounded, half the squad finds and secures a place to treat them, while the others keep guard. Its basic academy teaching, Sensei. That way, no shinobi is left in a dangerous situation on their own!" There may have been something to that effect, but Kakashi had been in and out of the academy far faster than average, and it had been long enough even those memories are hazy with unimportance. He hums, crinkling his visible eye in a facsimile of an easy going grin.

"Maa, Sakura-chan. Are you sure? It's been some time but I'm pretty sure that the Jonin sensei was meant to ensure their genin don't end up in danger while he sits and rests." Mild, as he tried to be outside battle, there's still no denying the edge of a bark in tone, a warning the pup better not ignore.

The girl, stubborn which can only be a good thing, only falters for a moment, brow creasing.

"Sensei…" She starts, then checks for the other two, already past her sight. Not his nose, though, and they were far enough into Fire Country any opposition would be nearly suicidal. Not… ideal, the pups being out of his sight was like a sharp tipped burr on the sensitive arch of an uncovered foot, but tolerable. Even more so with the third of his pups is so clearly worried about him, flitting around like she wants to touch, but is too nervous.

"It's fine, Sakura-chan, I'll stay right here until you tell me otherwise." He smiles, all eye crinkles and insincerity. He could smell it, a cloud around him, but she looks reassured, stepping away to start gathering some firewood, a sharp eyed glare at when he attempts to help. If he had more energy, he'd protest the treatment, but as it was… Pack protected its own, took care when one was hurting or weakened. It'd been so long since someone treated him like Pack, like he belonged instead of merely tolerated. And when they did? Was often accidental, a byproduct instead of the gift he felt it as.

They were silent, content, or at least not actively distressed. It'd been so long since Kakashi had actually felt content that he knew this wasn't it. Not exactly, not with the bitter-sharp taste of wariness and anxiety on his tongue, not with two thirds of his puppies gone out of his sight, but closer than he had in years. Closer, even, than the few nights he caved to the yawning loneliness in his chest, summoned his dogs and slept in their midst. That always left him drained, chakra and emotionally both, but was a bandage over the ever bleeding wound where his Pack should thrive in his chest. So, mindful and wary of his surroundings, he sat, watched the pink haired girl with one eye, and allowed some tension to leave his shoulders. They ache, but no worse than normal, and so safely ignorable.

Surprisingly, it isn't much longer before the other pups are back, all but vibrating with excitement.

"Sensei! We found a really cool place! It's a clearing, about a half mile that way!" He points into the forest, east. "And! A little further, there's some really really old buildings! Sasuke wouldn't let me explore 'em, cuz the wood's all rotten, but they're cool!"

He's all vibrate, colorful excitement. Kakashi has to smile, spotting Sasuke's own quiet interest with how his gaze keeps skittering in the direction, the subtle flex and clench of his fingers, how his weight is already settled to turn, leaning towards the mystery. He even deigns to speak, cool and quiet over a sparking, snapping energy.

"There was cloth, and maybe a scroll. I drug the Dobe out so we could report." Is all he will say, though Sakura looks up with barely concealed glee.

Yeah. There's not going to be any escaping this, is there? Though what ruins could they be talking about? They're getting into old Senju territory, and the main compound was thoroughly protected by multiple jutsu, preventing anyone not welcomed by the Senju or with malice in their mind. The last Senju, Lady Tsunade, had been gone for almost ten years by this point, longer than the brats had been alive.

Kakashi knew the forest around Konoha, had been driven to explore even the Clan grounds that he would have been better off avoiding. Any ruins he should know of…

It's a curiosity, one he's not all that interested in denying himself.

Still.

"After we eat, you mentioned a clearing?" At the same instant Naruto deflates, Sasuke and Sakura seem to get more hopeful, looking at him in utter surprise. And… the blonde pup just looks so utterly rejected. He can't help it, does not try, one hand reaching out and ruffling sunshine bright hair, an answering smile lifting his own lips. They're good pups, really. It's a split second decision, one that he doesn't bother to regret as he hooks one arm around each of the boy's necks, jerking his head to Sakura until she tucks herself between them, all covered by his bulk.

Protective, possessive.

The sensation is both freeing and binding, three heads pressed against his neck, and a whisper passed mouth to ear.

"Teme, I think… if his imposter is like this, I wouldn't mind if Sensei stayed gone."

Both the others' silence was damning confirmation.

Kakashi thinks he may not mind as wholly as he'll pretend when he's back in the village, back to his lonely existence.

The clearing is… odd.

Kakashi's never been there. Which is slightly concerning. He knows every part of the forest around Konoha.

But there's nothing off about the small open area. Nothing to even his keen instincts that makes him wary. It is, for all intents and purposes, exactly what it looks like: an irregular circular break in the trees, grass and small flowers dotting what ground isn't full of lush moss and rocks.

No one has been by in ages. Kakashi can't even smell the faintest hint of humanity in the air around them. No old campfires, no chakra signatures, nothing. It's… eerie, but not bad, he finally decides, leaning against a wide old oak. It's… warm, despite being further away from the sun. Warm, and welcoming, taking his weight easily, dappled shadows dancing over his face.

He doesn't sleep, not really, but a panicked scream catches his attention first, jerking him from the light doze he managed just in time to see Naruto flailing, arms wildly pinwheeling.

He lands. Hard.

A scent of blood, a flash of light, something tugging just behind his navel, the stones around them blindingly bright and…

Kakashi knows nothing more, darkness ringing with the terrified scream of his pups, a desperate howl echoing in his ears as he falls unconscious.

They're not alone. They're not alone.

Kakashi is on his feet before he truly knows it, hands rough as they grab at his pups, movement a blur even to him. Or that may be the slight concussion, or not so slight, as his vision wavers again. He has three small, breathing bodies, all pressed tightly to his sides, sour fear still the most prominent from the still, lifeless bodies.

Despite the soft exhales, the movement, or lack thereof, is only throwing his instincts into an even higher gear. He growls, low and threatening, mask doing nothing to halt the sound, or the malice that drips from every inch of his coiled, deadly frame as it crouches over his pups.

"You aren't me." The voice, single, alone, he can take it, says, calmly. But his scent is anything but. Triumph, surprise, joy so bright it hurts, confusion. The man doesn't seem to notice Kakashi's distress, actually walking closer before he freezes, Kakashi gathering chakra automatically.

"You don't want to do that, Hatake." It's a warning, as much as Kakashi's own snarl. It promises pain, death, if it wasn't heeded. But he doesn't gather his own chakra, does not step away, does not advance. Kakashi just growls, pulling Sakura closer as she stirs, panic sharper in his nose. Hands come up, clutching at his flak jacket, and he can't find the words, can't reassure her he'll protect them all. Just, growls, let's one hand offer a bracing squeeze to her shoulder, takes heart when the other two start to stir as well, tiny changes in their breathing. "Hatake!"

"Who… who're you…?" Voice soft, Sakura doesn't release her hold on Kakashi's jacket, looking past where Kakashi's arms have coiled around them all, head tucked low to further cover their tiny, fragile bodies. It leaves him, his neck, exposed, in danger. But… it protects his pups better. And that's worth it, isn't it?

"Girl. Your packmate is losing it. Calm him." The voice is. Cold, impersonal, almost harsh.

"Leave her be!" Kakashi snaps, quite literally. His head whips up quickly enough to leave him a little dizzy, off balance, teeth bared fully behind his mask. The unknown doesn't get the full force of the threat, the damned mask-muzzle in the way, but enough gets through he steps away sharply, both hands raising.

Good.

Much further, and Kakashi would have lunged for his throat, ninja weapons be damned, logic be damned. He would have ripped this strange, non-pack, non-Konoha ninja's throat out with his bare teeth.

"Ne… Sensei?" Naruto. Kakashi glances down, seeing three wide, frightened sets of eyes gaze back. Good, they're all awake. He can--

The breeze shifts. With it brings painful familiarity. The man has a wolf pelt. A Hatake wolf pelt. Somewhere between an Inuzuka ninken and an animal summons, Hatake wolves were life-bonded to a Hatake as a pup. They lived together, grew together. Hatakes could contract with other summons, could take other wolves or dogs into their pack, but the wolves were taken from the wild, pups bonded with pups. The practice had fallen out of favor by the time Kakashi was born, but he still knew it. He knew how human chakra, carefully built and mixed with the animals, could change the scent of the wolves. That it could change everything. The man was not a Hatake. And he had the pelt of one of their life-partners.

Fury is a white hot fire. Burning away what little sense remains, what logic he managed to cling desperately to. He is nothing but instinct, with confusion in his nose, pack-pup-protect-enemy-destroy-Hatake-pack?

He snarls again, back trembling with the force of his restraint, and clearly hears the man swear.

"Children! Your packmate is on the verge of going feral. Calm him!" His panic smells good. It's right that those who threaten that which is his be afraid. He takes one step, then another, ensuring no one else is close, is a threat to the pups he leaves safely behind his back. He's moving like a Hatake should, now. No more awkward two legs, off balance more than on. His fingertips gouge into the earth, all barely leashed kinetic energy, ready to spring, rip, tear at the slightest provocation.

"It's not what you think, Hatake-san." The wolf-killer says, hands raised. "I did not harm any pack. I'm…"

He hesitates, and Kakashi stalks forward, slowly. For now. He's… reeling. Unsteady. His mind is awash with red, anger, confusion. The poison on the senbon isn't helping, is forcing the instincts higher, sharper, until his logical, human mind is silenced under the rush of his own blood in his ears, the scent of panic and his own fury blocking everything else out. But the unknown-pack-killer-pelt-stealer is talking, low with leashed aggression, meeting Kakashi's own but very carefully never exceeding it. He… he can respect that, Kakashi supposes. The restraint to face a threat, keep on an even keel, but not be the push that would tumble everything over the knife's edge into raw, bloody violence.

"I'm pack. Larger pack, my mother was a Hatake. When she and her life partner died, they bid me to take his pelt, so I'd be recognized as pack." He's not lying. That much Kakashi can tell, his heart beat steady, no fluctuations and no color on his cheeks, scent free of the snake oil that meant an untruth but…

It doesn't make sense.

He was the last, wasn't he? He… he thought. He thought he was the last, with wolfsong in his ears and wild in his blood. He couldn't not be the last, right? There were no other Hatake, no one to take his place should he fall, no one to raise his soul with their mourning howls. In his confusion, wary hope, the low, furious growl is tapering off, slowing. In its place, and he really should be ashamed of himself at this point, really, he whines.

High, unsteady, and so damn needy. The man, clothes oddly old fashioned and the Hatake pelt lovingly maintained across his shoulders, softens. Posture going loose, easy now that Kakashi has stopped actively threatening him.

"Not sure where in the future I've pulled you from, Hatake, but…" He hesitates, looks at Kakashi's pups. "You're, packless aren't you?"

Normally, Kakashi would restrain, would choke on, choke down, the keen that breaks his lips. Even now, on the edge of utter insanity, he's ashamed of it. But it makes the man smell sad, as sad as Kakashi felt most of the time. Achingly lonely, terrified and alone. He, silver-white hair and red eyes, nods like that's all the answer he needs, stepping a little closer and holding his arms slightly away from his body, palm forward towards Kakashi and avoiding his eyes. But his right hand, his less dominant Kakashi can see that, curls. In the air, like he's gripping a ruff that should be there. Like he's digging his fingers into the animal strength that should always be defending his weakness.

Pack! He was… he was talking. Through the body language Kakashi remembered entire conversations happening in. Subtle flexes of muscle and deliberate twists to hide or expose skin. He breathes it in, sees the offer, and…

He's gone, flashed forward with all the graceless force of a landslide, hands pulling, gripping, bruising. But it's okay. Because there's hands on his back, a solid rock steady palm on the base of his neck, guiding and gently controlling, another low on his back, pressing their chest together, and his face is in soft white fur, and they're on the ground, tangled but his landing is soft and…

And.

And.

He's howling. Muffled as it is. Wet as it is. A song of hurt and healing and loneliness that no longer cuts to the bone. A great, heaving call, broken and rejoicing in the same movement. And it's okay. Because another voice is lifting to join his, right next to his ear, armor plating moving in time with his own, the thrum resounding from another chest.

Far, far away, more voices call.

Confused, edged with wariness, but more join. More. And more. And more.

Canine, human, both. Rising out from the forest around them. Enough Pack to fill an entire village, to keep their bloodline strong. To make Kakashi never, ever, alone again.

'Little-one?' They call, answering. They're Answering! Kakashi can't quite help how his breath catches, thick in his throat. 'Son-of-Alpha-mated-of-life-tree? Unknown call, Safe? New-Pack?'

He holds his own response, suddenly terrified despite the hands gripping him to the unknown man. But, he's not really unknown, he's Pack. He's Hatake, even if the relation isn't the one he claims. His hands are cool and firm, but kind as they squeeze, forcing the tension from his shoulders in an unyielding kind of gentleness. There's no question he's higher in the pack hierarchy, the feel of his chakra makes Kakashi's feel like a river compared to a sea. Calm, for now, but writhing deep under the surface. Unfathomable, but… non threatening. Kakashi let's himself sink into it, …

"Shhhh, packmate." The white haired man murmurs, the words just slightly uncomfortable, hesitant. "Shh, it's fine."

It should be, the man is strong, and pack and… talking again. Over Kakashi's muffled crying, over the howls promising to come close.

"Children. I can explain, however this man is clearly protective of you, and he's in a great deal of distress. It will largely be alleviated by your presence near him. Come closer, and we can discuss this mess once he's in a better frame of mind."

His pups don't… dont believe the man. Kakashi slits his one good eye open, staring at the three heads across the clearing. He… this isn't right. He. He's not a wolf. Not… not like this. He is a jonin of Konoha. He's been Anbu, been Root, been… everything. Sane and human and not a slave to the instincts like he'd been acting.

His steps are more like a stagger, but Kakashi makes it, pushing away from the man who was just… just hugging him. And Kakashi had allowed him, had curled closer and cried on his shoulder.

Shame flashes hot across his face, burning. He forces it back, back and down with the instincts still crying out, forces it down with the taste of his own blood, his lip nearly bitten clear through. And, when he speaks, it's… more or less himself.

"Sakura, Sasuke, Naruto. Stand down. He didn't do anything. That… that was a clan thing." He admits, carefully patting down his jacket, a well worn book in his hand the next moment, a comfortable weight. "Gomen, Hatake-San, that was… embarrassing."

The man just inclines his head, gaze skeptical as he glances over Kakashi's form, a brisk check for injuries.

"How long have you been packless?" He asks, folding himself down to kneeling, hands placed on his upper thighs. The question isn't biting, isn't cruel, but Kakashi suppresses a flinch anyway.

"My father, and Alpha, died when I was five." He finally says, breaking the awkward silence that persisted until that point. "I'm twenty."

There's a sound, not quite a gasp, but more than a breath. It spoke of surprise, of sympathetic agony, of knowledge. The man knew loneliness, Kakashi can see that.

"Had human-pack, more or less, until twelve years ago. Then it's. Been me." He shrugs. A little helplessly, because what else was there to say? After Minato-Sensei, after Obito and Rin… What was the use of even trying to have a pack? There wasn't any substitute for what he lost, and he was going to die eventually, what was a little pain?

"Twelve years? And you didn't go feral?" There's respect in his voice, a line of it, mixed with the concern Kakashi could clearly hear.

"Maa, some would suggest a shinobi is already feral, no 'going' needed." He tries a smile, wan and a little weak, but… it should be enough.

"Some would also call Hatake savages. And I know how accurate that is. How did you manage it?" For an honest question, Kakashi hates it, closing his eye and adjusting his mask. It's clear enough he's not about to answer. The unknown man doesn't push, sighs long and low, but let's the silence stretch.

"Sensei?" His genin, not… not his pups. It hurts, deep in his chest, but Kakashi has to acknowledge it, waving one hand towards the three.

"Sasuke, Sakura, Naruto. My genin team, Team 7. I'm their Jonin Sensei, Hatake Kakashi."

"Sensei, so they aren't your…?"

"No, no they're not my pups. We adopt them young, 'if the pup is over four, taking them makes the choice poor.'" It's an often quoted saying, a guideline for acceptable adoptions. The man should know it, if he was Hatake-raised.

The man nods, still curious but bowing a little, respectful.

"Senju Tobirama. It's… partly my fault you were summoned here. The jutsu isn't experimental, not entirely, I've only used it to go back three or four hours. But--" He notices the stiffening of Kakashi's form, intelligent sharp eyes narrowing. "You know my name."

When the three don't say anything, and it requires a glare to keep Sakura silent, Tobirama frowns, the lines around his lips deepening.

"You're not going to say anything." It's not a question, but Kakashi nods anyway, dipping his head. "I respect your decision, but know it wouldn't change that future. Time travel makes a new path through time. It creates an alternate pocket of reality, the further back you go the larger the changes."

"... Chances of return?"

Tobirama's face says it all.

There was none.

It… takes a while. A long while, Kakashi is aware of the time passing but only absently. Like a rock, in the middle of a river, time parts and flows around him. Sure. He sits, talks and comforts the kids, but… doesn't really notice the time passing, until the sun goes down and Tobirama is standing. His eyes are too knowing, offering no smile or empty kindness. It's… cold. But a merciful kind of cold. One Kakashi knows all too well, staying sitting as the other stands.

"Your… students… are far too conspicuous. I could tell the Uchiha from a mile away, and the other won't exactly blend into this time. The best you can expect, on your own, is to be accused of bloodline stealing. The worst…?"

The worst, Kakashi knows, is that his clan, the current Hatake, would be the ones accused of stealing clan children, and drag them into the bloody clan wars.

"I know." He sighs, pulling up his forehead protector, showing Tobirama his gifted Sharingan. "This, a gift from my packmate, would be another complication."

The Senju is only slightly surprised, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly.

"I knew you were hiding something. But this…?" He shakes his head, eyes far away. "You just made things even more difficult, Hatake."

Kakashi sighs. Doesn't he know it? Feeling far older than he is, old and aching, he finally stands. There's no more time to ignore it, the kids long since passed out around the tree he claimed, too afraid and exhausted for their bodies to handle it anymore. Not to mention the chakra exhaustion they were all facing before the massive fuck up.

"How long are you going to let the Hatake clan sit outside this barrier?" He had, of course, noticed the chakra of human and wolf about half a mile from their location. But it had seemed less important then.

Tobirama doesn't smile. It's… a little strange, how his scent reflects traces of amusement while his expression gives nothing away. Kakashi can't quite reconcile the man that held him so gently, let an unknown, threatening ninja scent him so familiarly, with the stoic one in front of him. Though… he supposed he wasn't acting like the instinct driven mess he started as either.

"The last time my mother visited her pack, it took four days for my father to bribe the wolves into giving her back." The amusement deepens, matures. "And they only agreed after she started snapping, running half across the forest to get back to my brothers and myself."

Unmistakable fondness, over a mischievous spirit. Kakashi smiles back, just a little.

"Are they going to mob us, when I leave?" He asks, wryly.

"You really have been packless if you don't know the answer to that. And in all the more peril for it. I'll light incense for your travels to the pure land, Hatake-san."

Without his nose, still uncomfortably aware after that brief trip to utter insanity, Kakashi would think the man serious. His poker face was a thing of beauty. He barks a laugh, easily picking up the three sleeping kids, knowing it'll make him more of a target instead of less, but unwilling to abandon them even so.

It only takes a touch of chakra to stick the brats in place, Naruto drooling on his shoulder, Sakura and Sasuke on each of his hips. They stir, just slightly, but all it takes is one quiet, whisper assurance, and they go lax again. The trust it implies doesn't warm his heart. It doesn't.

At the barriers edge, shinobi stand, most leaning up against the clear barrier, wanting to but unable to get any closer. They're… all smiling. Touching each other, leaning close and happily nudging with hands and shoulder and heads, when others get close enough. All of the body language screams the same thing. Welcome, and greetings, and non-threat, and concern, and joy. Joy so strong and bright it's blinding.

It's… a lot of emotion. A lot of scent, shoved under his nose and trying to give strength to the repressed instincts lurking under his mind. Kakashi executes a rather undignified stop as the trees stop blocking their view. They're closer than he anticipated, and looking at a nearby tree trunk, the seals maintaining the barrier has components for 'suppress' as well, though less emphasized than the 'keep out' that was blatantly repeated multiple times even in the limited line of sight he had, trees obscuring more than they revealed.

"Pup!" Came the call, and they aren't looking at the kids draped over his form, they're looking at him. "Pup!"

One word, repeated by nearly a hundred voices, called over and over until it reverberated in his chest, carving a space between his ribs. Kakashi blinks, backs up a little more, and looks pleadingly back at Tobirama. The man was reasonable, surely he would help Kakashi avoid the mess of emotions he already felt tugging at the achingly empty hole inside his chest.

"Maa, Tobirama-San, maybe I should…" But the white haired ninja is already holding up a single hand sign, and a water dragon larger than Kakashi has ever seen is advancing with startling speed.

He leaps back, away from the sentient water…

And straight into the first set of grasping, wanting hands.

Betrayal has been a constant companion in a ninja's life, but this… this one might sting the most, a low warm laugh from the traitor standing safely inside the barrier as Kakashi is swarmed, his team waking up with various protesting yelps, limbs wrapping around them and affection-soft teeth nipping gently at their forms, crashing into a tangle of bodies and fur and emotions.

"Hey." Its a young man, a wolf-smile, the very tip of his tongue peeking from between his lips and eyes half closed, on his face under the shock of grey hair. "Kakashi, isn't it?"

"Yeah." He's… more or less given into the pack surrounding him, tolerating the hands that still gently caress his limbs, exploring his bared feet and taunt calves. He even managed to get to the outer edges of the massive sprawling limbs, though he had to sacrifice the majority of his clothing to do so. The Hatake, most of the truly wild clans in fact, aren't known to be body conscious, and besides his mask, forehead protector, and tight form fitting shorts, he'd been quite thoroughly stripped. From the sounds of it, his students had been as well, though a few thumps made sure that Sakura was enforcing her own limits at least. Naruto and Sasuke had been… louder, but had also settled now, quietly seething. "I am. You?"

"Akemi." He greets, warm and cheerful, pressing the sharp plane of his jaw alongside Kakashi's clothed one, dragging the smooth skin to share their scent, to welcome him to the pack. "And my life partner over there--" he tilts his head to indicate a truly massive she-wolf, golden tawny and sprawled happily over a few younger wolves. "Is Azumi."

"Beauty of dawn and a safe residence?" Kakashi asks, refusing to acknowledge how his body wants to press back, wants to squirm further into the mass of bodies. It's… a complication. One unlooked for, and he doesn't like it. "They fit."

Akemi hums, warm and content, and stretches. Just a little. But it's enough of a signal, apparently, because the rest of the pack starts to part. The shapeless mass turns to distinct limbs, bodies. He's cold, without the near stifling heat of the pack and…

He doesn't mean to. Truly. He just… he was cold, and despite physically seeing the entire pack so close they were not touching anymore. And he may have, possibly, whined. Quietly, and cut off before the sound is fully realized, but… it's enough. Enough that every head in the forest snaps to his form, besides three, and their hair looks more like Sasuke's than they'd prefer, and he's swarmed.

This time takes even longer, but the pack eventually separates again. Kakashi strangles any sound he might make, content or otherwise. He'd been near the middle this time, hair played with and bodies writhing against his own on every side. It should have made him edgy. Pissed off. K

Instead…

He's happy. Languid. Thoroughly deboned. Little more than a pile of loose limbed goo, oozing across the forest floor once the support of a hundred other bodies are removed.

It takes more effort than it really should, but he forces himself to sit up. He really can't do anything about how his eye is half lidded, lazily content and so non aggressive Zabuza could come leaking the same killing intent that scared his genin so badly, and he wouldn't be able to muster so much as a 'oh, no'.

"Sensei…. What's going on?" Kakashi had, in an absent far away kind of wonder, wondered when his genin would work up the ability to question the situation. They lasted longer than he thought, though that could easily be excised as their utter confusion over having so many people touching them. All of their hair was stuck up, ruffled and played with until it was equal parts braids and tangled knots. The pack had scattered, night encompassing the forest in velvet darkness, but close. They're bedding down for the night, little pockets of fur and skin mostly brighter than the gloom around them. The kids are, more or less, just as undressed as the packmates around them, an excess of skin broken by underthings and little else. They seem almost unaware of it, save for the blush and scent of mingled embarrassment-and-puberty-strong-lust.

"Remember the thing I mentioned earlier? About it being a clan thing when I was… by Senju Tobirama?" He asks, usual ability to gloss over uncomfortable subjects abandoning him. The memory feels too strong, desperate and pack and finally thick enough to block his throat still, and the genin are silent as he clears it. "This… this was also a clan thing. A Hatake clan thing."

Pride practically gleams around the edges, because, yes. This is his clan, his pack, and he should be proud of them. Proud of the rainbow of fur and bright silver of their hair, adopted pups sprinkling the ground the only anomalies.

A body drapes itself across his back, feminine and soft even though it's aged. He knows the scent, had it up against his nose for a large portion of the puppy pile that was his evening, but her name was never given. Still, how the others acted was more than cue enough, and he dips his head, masked chin against bared and scarred sternum.

"Alpha." He greets, placidly letting his head tilt, to show the vulnerable curve of his throat under the mask, surrender and trust and yielding under the Alpha's power. It's easier, this, for all he's unpracticed at it. Far easier than bowing, or 'Hokage-sama', instinctive. Another moment, soft lips hiding sharp teeth against his jugular, and she pulls away, eyes softened intonation wolf smile: all body posture and crinkled eyes, and less of the white teeth that could too easily read as 'threat'.

"Kakashi." She thrums, low in her throat and utterly content. "These your pups?"

Not really a question, but Kakashi nods anyway. She knows the details, Tobirama had stood on the other side of the barrier, but only just, talking in low tones to the Alpha and her life partner, gesturing at the squad several times.

"They're a bit old." She muses, glances slowly over the three. "And the Uchiha…"

The wolf by her side growls, just a little, lips curling back on one side to reveal a sharp white fang.

"We will accept the Uchiha, as we accept any pup rightfully claimed." They grumble, clearly displeased but not actively arguing. "Even though a squad of them came by and killed four of the Pack, and an entire pack of our wild cousins. Kakashi, where is your life partner?"

Even the Human Alpha winces slightly at the brisk callousness of the canine's question, but doesnt bother correcting them, instead burying a hand in the plush silver of their ruff, grounding herself in the feel of the familiar soul beside her. Here, away from the main mass of the pack where wolf and canine tolerated separation, so long as the other stayed well within the confines of the pile, the absence of fur and flesh under his left hand is painfully obvious. It clenches, familiar and lonely in equal measure. The human Alpha makes a face, sympathetic and tilts her head a little, encouraging over a solid core of expectation.

No matter how soft or easy her features are currently, Kakashi knows the power of an Alpha, especially in a Pack this large, and yields. His head turns, baring his throat as much as he can in the motion and looking towards the three kids, watching their conversation with sharp eyes.

"By the time I was born," Born. Not whelped. Aged eyes, dark grey and familiar as his own, narrow at that, a frown pulling down at her lips. "The Hatake was… reduced. There were a few wild families, out in the forest, but they no longer answered our calls. There were no dens to find a life partner, and my father had no will to find one, after my mother passed attempting to give life to my twin sister."

The Alpha is… stunned. Not by the possibility of Kakashi having a twin-- Multiple births were fairly common in the Hatake, roughly half of each pregnancy would include more than one, though the survival rates dropped with each additional child-- but that he never had a life-partner. The look on her face, horror at the very least, and the wolf at her side doesn't bother to hide their flinch, lips writhing back to expose their fangs. Disgust, fear, sorrow. For his sake. Kakashi doesn't quite understand it, doesn't understand how his heart skips a beat, twisting in his chest.

"And your sire?" The Alpha asks, demands. "What of his life partner? Did he not understand what he was depriving you of?"

Kakashi shrugs, though the memory of lack still makes him long to cry out. Bodies stir, around them, noses flaring on both human and canine, and while no one steps forward, they clearly want to.

"He didn't have one either. He had a wolf, but… it was more the partnership of an Inuzuka and their ninken, instead of…" words fail him, unable to put the difference into words.

"Instead of a proper soul bond." Just a moment, just an instant of sympathy, before the Alpha is shaking her head. "No. That won't do. We're going to fix that. Hatake, pup, are half a whole. We are not meant to walk the world alone, child, and the fact you've survived for as long as you have is… staggering."

"And three for your pups, of course." Her life partner snorts, shaking out silver fur, equal parts age and natural Kakashi would guess, though they move as easily as any of the more solid wolves dotting the clearing.

"Maa, Okami-sama, I…"

"Fujita." They interrupt, golden eyes blinking slowly.

"Fujita-sama, gomen, but… isn't it customary to choose a life partner just after a pup is born?" It's an honest question, except the wolf laughs, long and low. It'd be all too easy to mistake it for a growl, how Naruto seems to, eyes confused when Kakashi doesn't react beyond a patient eyebrow lifting.

"Only when they're born to us, Kakashi. Technically anyone could become Hatake, should their soul be willing to meld with a canine's. Truly become one in two bodies."

There's that unpleasant, twisting want in his chest. Kakashi wants that, wants more than he could really say. But…

No, no buts apparently. The Alpha is grinning, glancing around at the clearing and then up at the moon.

"Besides, unless you have a better way to convince the world you four belong here, belong in the Pack, this is the quickest, easiest way. Even if the Uchiha make a fuss at one of their pups being adopted, by the time he's got a wolf, there's no use protesting, he's Hatake." She's clearly satisfied. "Rest for now. There are many wolves in our territory, it will take time to find four that will fit you and your pups, Kakashi."

Another smile covered order. But… Kakashi doesn't bother protesting. It's been… it's been a long few weeks. And while he doesnt think he's ever felt this good, maybe with a bit of rest he could manage to make sense of the mess he found himself in.

Unlikely, but there's a chance.

So he lies down, a small doton jutsu and the ground curls, opens, a small den cool and dark, like the others rising in small groups. It's nice, comfortable for all it's the first time he's actually used this jutsu, and when his space is invaded? When three small bodies crawl in, trying to be silent when they see his eye closed and face slack, he can't say he minds. It feels right, the hollow just large enough to be comfortable with four hearts beating in time.

Yeah.

This… this is good. He'll take it, until he can figure out how to get home. He can act like a Hatake in this time, and go back to Konoha, survive how he had been.

In the darkness, warmed by their bodies, the thought feels less sharp than it should, a quiet grumble as Naruto's knee hits his kidney, one hand lightly smacking at Kakashi's shoulder.

"Ne, sensei, sleep already!" And? Comfortable, safe and in the presence of Pack? Kakashi does, laughter still lifting his lips as he allows the darkness to overwhelm his mind.

Morning comes with an easy kind of waking, slow as syrup dripping down fresh dango, sticky sweet and stretching. His genin are still resting, sleep slack and safe, in their little hollow of dirt and darkness. They stir, when he crawls out, but dont wake, snoring and curling closer to the remaining bodies.

"Kakashi!" He's attacked, a heavy body leaping at him, attaching itself to his arm and a nose shoved roughly into his neck, breath hot against his mask. It only lasts the space of a few heartbeats, Kakashi's arms wrapping around the other in turn, instinct and affection and an easy knowledge that this wasn't an attack, this was Pack, before he settles the other on their feet. A pretty young girl, eyes burnished silver and intricate tattoos curling around her cheeks, brown hair marking her as an adopted member.

"Hey." He greets, allowing himself to bend, to push his jawline against her skull, getting his own scent back on her. "That's quite an energetic greeting for this early, what's got you up?"

Her life partner, a slender wolf for all that they're full grown into their ears and paws, growls. It's all annoyed fondness, though, and his reddish gold fur doesnt bristle, dark spots making it look almost dappled in the early morning light. Not a morning person, then, despite how energetic his life partner is, bounding around with all the bright-eyed curiosity of a pup half her age.

"The grumpy old man over there and I were looking for your life partner, and those of your pups!" She enthuses, pausing by a den as an older Hatake peeks put, bleary eyed and displeased at the volume.

"Amaya." The older man growls, lips lifted in an unfriendly snarl. "Where's Hisoka? He's supposed to be the only one saddled with your noise this early."

The young woman, Amaya apparently, isn't phased, darting close to press her side against the older man's cheerful and joy infectious.

"The old man's over there, sleeping! We were up all night, finding Kakashi-kun's life partner! We had to trek all across the territory, but we found them! Even for the blonde pup, and he already has a soul sharing his." She grins, wide and bright, and… huh. Kakashi scans his surroundings, and he can't quite see if there are more furry bodies, or if it's just his imagination but…

He can feel it, a twisting longing somewhere below his skin and bone, a reaching need. Like. Well, like his soul is trying to connect to another part of itself, an aching hole he almost forgot about, yawning and black inside himself.

It takes his breath, reaches in and scoops the oxygen from his lungs when his eye lands on his life partner, knows it's him without having to ask, staggering a step forward as the wolf looks up. He's… he's gorgeous. Black, mainly, midnight dark. A void, in the early morning light. But not just black, it's like starlight itself got caught in the canine's fur, silver glinting among the black, breaking up the void. Softening it, gentling the inky darkness to a comfortable twilight. He's shadows and comfort, fur long and silky and everything Kakashi didn't know he was missing. But…

But he can't have him. He killed his pack, he murdered Rin, and may have as well done the same for Obito, was too weak to save Minato-Sensei. No matter how his soul aches, he can't. He…

"I--" His voice is wrecked, broken and hoarse. His partner is right there, and Kakashi will not allow himself to reach out, to bury his hands in the brindled coat, press his face to the wolf's, to reunite his broken, separated soul. He knows he can. The wolf would allow him, pushing himself up to massive paws, not done growing yet. Like himself, like his pups. "I… I can't."

"Can't?" Amaya frowns, concern darkening her eyes, thin lines deepening as she repeats his words, staring between man and canine. "Why? He's yours, I've never made a mistake, and his soul feels just like yours too, bright. Like the taste you get when lightning strikes too closely, and your hair stands up. You both feel like that, and he said yes right away when I asked if he wanted to meet you, nearly knocked Hisoka over."

"I… my…" Kakashi starts, stops. Because… that head was coming closer, pawsteps carefully placed to allow no sound of his movement. Stealthy. Aware of his body and all possible enemies. It hurts, being so close and refusing to touch, to hold and allow himself to be whole. Itd hurt a whole lot worse, though, to see another body fall because he wasn't good enough. Especially one already so dear to him. The pups are bad enough, and he can't accept another responsibility. He won't.

"My last pack, the last humans I was even kind of pack bonded to, they. They died." It's an aching chasm inside him, an avalanche of agony he never gets used to, obidision sharp and tearing. "They died because I wasn't strong enough and I can't.--"

He can't.

But the wolf has no such reservation. Too close, suddenly, though his slow even pawsteps had never altered from the speed he set, and Kakashi is leaning back, scrambling to get away before…

It's too late.

A flash of white, a prick of pain in his forearm, teeth digging deeply enough to draw blood, another flash of white, blood and an annoyed growl, and…

Pale and dark, smooth skin and fur, red on red, their blood mixing, pooling.

And.

He's Whole.

Kakashi's legs refuse to hold him, buckling under his weight. But it's okay. It's okay, because there's a strong shoulder under his arm, a muzzle under his chin, ears blocking his vision.

And a soul, his soul, except for it's not. A piece of him, and a piece of his life partner, together. Both of theirs, and yet neither. Two, but one.

His hands dig, hauling the wolf off his feet, pulling him close, the bare foot of space between them physically painful. He's been half a person for so long, half a Hatake, and never even knew it. Never knew what he lost until it was returned, never fathomed how empty his chest was until this presence bloomed along his ribs.

"Kakashi. Kakashi!" His voice, gained when they joined, is smooth. Deeper than Kakashi's own, but not gravelly. Perfect. It's perfect. He's perfect.

"Tsukikage." Moon's shadow, moonbeams. And it fits, it fits! Silver and black, lines too thin to even truly notice, brindled coat transforming from dark to sparkling silver, so smoothly it's impossible to pick out the start, or the end. Moonlight through trees, shadows and light and everything. Everything Kakashi didn't know he was, reflected and amplified and perfected. His life partner's teeth are digging into his flak jacket, but the Jonin can't force himself to care, too busy memorizing it all, putting down this moment in his mind. How breathing has never been this easy, and how he knows the wolf is about to move before he does so. A soul, split in half and grown into separate wholes on their own but… lonely, missing, wanting.

"No wolf is made with bloodless fangs, Kakashi-cub." Tsukikage rumbles, deep in the barrel of his chest. "You smell, you're so broken."

And he was as well, Kakashi knew it. Could feel it, the splintered places in his partner's mind that meshed with his own, that the pieces dug into each other, softened the knife's edge of them.

"Not anymore." Is almost more than he can say, not quite a lie. But not the truth either. Tsukikage huffs, breathes deliberately over Kakashi's scarred eye, but doesnt say anything further, body tense, alert, and.

Oh.

That's… new.

That's.

Oh.

Kakashi had always been above average, senses sharper than any ninja had a right to expect, but this. This was on a whole new level. Scent, of course, was the sharpest, strong enough he wants to turn away, turn his nose back into Tsukikage's fur and breathe in the wild musk of forest, living animal, and fur. But his eyesight has sharpened as well, and he can see his hollow, can focus on the grass stirring unnaturally at the entrance, movement further in disturbing the green growth.

"Tsukikage, this is…"

"Expected." Kakashi's Alpha says, amused and warm and powerful. He can feel it, in more than her muscles when she leans down against him, chin in his spiking hair. "There's a reason we typically bond young, Kakashi. It makes the adjustment easier for all those involved."

"I can see why." He laughs, trying not to startle as he can smell the amusement coming off him. Strange. It used to be his senses only heightened this badly when he was scared, or angry, enough to release his long buried instincts. If they're this strong forever…?

He winces, makes a face under his mask and watches as a burst of pink hair cautiously peeks out of the hole he created last night, looking around and finding Kakashi with only a little hesitation.

"Your pup?" Tsukikage asks, pressing his nose to Kakashi's side, where Sakura slept, one arm flung around Kakashi's stomach, hand pressing right where Tsukikage's nose is now.

"Sakura." He confirms, letting his eye crinkle warmly over towards where the girl is coming closer, two more bodies following with only a moment of doubt, black and blonde. "Hey, pups."

"Hey, Sensei." They're all still mostly naked, boxers and breast bindings, but in the forest, surrounded by others? They fit, look comfortable and right in with the Pack, even if Naruto is frowning, rubbing the back of his neck. Sakura is first to his side, and Kakashi doesn't bother to ignore his instincts, pulling her flush against his side and pushing his nose into her soft hair. It's too tempting, too natural a motion, to do the same with both Sasuke and Naruto, humming low in his throat.

"Sasuke, Sakura, Naruto. This is…" Tsukikage had taken a step back, just one, avoiding the crush of the pups for now. But how can Kakashi explain the wolf? He knows, logically, just how… odd the Hatake were, as seen through the lens of a regular shinobi. Even himself, an hour ago, wouldn't understand, would look twice at being introduced as a wolf's soul bonded partner. But now? It's unthinkable to deny the wolf, and to deny his pups knowing the canine. And, if what Amaye said was true, they all had life partners here already, even Naruto and the Kyuubi inside of him. "This is my life partner, Tsukikage."

"Hello, pups." He smiles, ears perked forward and tongue lolling between dangerously sharp fangs, but his amber eyes are kind. His nose flares, taking in their scents a little more and… yeah, there's fury in that gaze, scenting the old pain and neglect, loneliness and abandoned childhoods. Kakashi knows that if any of Konoha were around right now… they'd quickly regret treating one of his three pups the way they had. From Sakura's bullying as a child, to Naruto more overt abuse and even Sasuke's gilded fawning. All three were held separate, apart from the rest of the village. A casual kind of cruelty the Pack wouldn't tolerate. Slowly, Kakashi digs his fingers into the silver fur, grounding himself in the stands of midnight black, as Sakura blinks verdant green eyes in surprise.

"Your life partner, Kakashi-sensei?" She questions, head tilting in an expression of pure curiosity. "But, you haven't had him until now…? Or is he like a summons?"

It's a good question, and she doesn't attempt to pet him, instead carefully extending her hand, hovering it just far away he could reject her offer if he wanted. It was unnecessary, Kakashi knows how strong their nose is, but… it's cute, and polite.

"I'm not a summons, pup. Kakashi-cub's soul has been like all Hatake's since birth, waiting for a partner, like me. There are several compatible souls born each generation, and our Pack finds the best matches, and brings them together. Blood binds us, and we never separate." He explains, tilting his head to swipe his tongue over the deep mark's his fangs left in Kakashi's arm. Sakura jumps a little, glancing at the wolf and then back to Kakashi, clearly thrown by being answered by the wolf. Most summons, after all, prefer to allow their summoners to answer any questions. She recovers nicely, though, removing her hand and looking back to the black wolf.

"Thank you, Tsukikage-San. It's very nice to meet you, my name is Sakura Haruno." She bows, respectfully low, and not-so-subtlely kicking her teammates as she does so.

"Sakura!" Naruto protests, rubbing at his stinging ankle before he catches on. "Oh! Gomen, Tsukikage-San, I'm Naruto Uzumaki."

"Hn, dobe." Sasuke doesn't allow himself to wince at the sudden pain in his own ankle, inclining his head at the wolf. "Sasuke Uchiha."

Taciturn little brat. Kakashi snorts, allowing his eye to travel past the little group, to a flash of fur. Three, moving closer, quickly. All young, rounded ear tips and paws far too large for their bodies.

"Nice to meet you all," He responds, and Kakashi sees his own expression, the crinkly eyed smile reflected in black fur and amber eyes. "But, you are all Kakashi-cub's, right?"

The three look at each other, confusion on their faces but, slowly nod.

"Then you are now Hatake." The wolf says, sitting down and licking his injured forepaw, having timed his sentence just as the three canines make it to their little group. So, while all three open their mouths on a violent protest, cold noses press into their palms.

Naruto yelps, jumping into the air as the canine chatters, amused. That's… that's not a wolf. Kakashi shouldn't be surprised, with Naruto hosting the Kyuubi no Kitsune, at the brilliant black and orange creature standing in right behind the boy, a cross fox, black mask over their face, and almost entirely black. Orange shines through, on their sides and flanks, like a bonfire at night, and bright orange eyes breathtaking. It pants, eyes narrowing and bottle brush tail swishing in the dirt behind it. It gekkers, loud and sharp, before pressing forward again, nose against the boy's hand.

"Ne, Sensei…?" He starts, taking a sharp step back, and looking up, blue eyes nervous and looking like he's about to run in the opposite direction. His scent, bright with anxiety and souring further when he looks to his teammates, doesn't calm at Kakashi's touch; though he does lean closer into the touch.

"Easy, pup." Kakashi murmurs, Tsukikage huffing in agreement. "That's your life partner, their soul matches your own, both of yours."

If Kakashi had hoped to calm Naruto down, he failed. The pup's scent spikes in his anxiety, and he scowls, crossing his arms over his bare chest.

"I'm not the demon fox!" He snaps, defensive, fingers tightening over the tanned expanse of his pectorals. "His soul isn't mine and--"

Tsukikage interrupts, a short growl, and fangs carefully closing over Naruto's nape, only digging in enough to stop the flow of fear-sharp words. Which, given the fact that there's an animal easily twice his size gripping at such a vulnerable joint, was barely any pressure at all. He waits, a long moment, before dropping the boy, licking his chops.

"No one's saying you are, pup. Calm down." He rumbles, staring into Naruto's eyes, and lifting his lip in just the start of a growl. "But, even if they were, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. All creatures follow their instincts, and follow what they've been taught to expect. That fox over there? She wants nothing more than to be a part of you, Naruto. She wants to ensure you're never left alone, that she's never left alone."

The fox nods, orange eyes bright as she steps closer again, delicate paws barely seeming to move.

"She's been alone for far too long, waiting to gain enough power for her second tail. I can smell it, pup, she's a good partner. One that will fit with you like no one else ever can, and you should consider that before you turn her down." Tsukikage continues. "Kitsune are intelligent, tricksters. She wants to tell you all the pranks she's pulled already, and the ones you two can play together, how she can pull your tail from danger, and watch your back if separated from your pack."

Temptation is clear on the small face, face twisted into a frown and he pushes at his forehead protector, leaning closer to peer into the video's face.

"She's a girl." He mutters flatly, a long moment of staring later, turning back to Tsukikage. "Why does Kakashi-sensei get a boy and I'm stuck with a girl?"

The fox, bored already of his hesitation apparently, snorts, flicking her tail as she turns. Kakashi only catches the movement because he's watching the fox more than the boy, nose lifted to delicately scent the air, and stilling. She moves again, then, so quickly Kakashi almost misses it, darting behind the last loyal Uchiha, sharp fangs reaching, catching, pulling.

Sasuke has a moment, the barest moment, to tear his eyes off Naruto and Kakashi's life partner, to try and grab his falling boxers.

He doesn't make it, pale skin suddenly on display, and an entirely undignified yelp falling from his lips as the fox darts back in, teeth flashing and nipping the exposed backside.

"Naruto!" The Uchiha growls, embarrassment so strong Kakashi has to turn back to Tsukikage, glad he hasn't risen from the crouch he settled in quite yet. He's angry too, scent and voice both, but it's blocked out, covered by Naruto's bright, booming laugh. He laughs, so hard he knocks himself over, lays on the ground, mirth bubbling over his lips and dancing in the quiet morning air. He's… happy. Kakashi can smell it, and…

He never realized it. Not really, not like he should have. Naruto always seemed happy. Was always smiling, always laughing. But it was always superficial, always a membrane over an aching well, a bandage over a gaping wound. That was still there, of course, but sunshine warmth eclipses it, drowns it out. His scent is practically drowning the eight of them, four human and four canine, in his sheer joy.

Of course, that's not enough to stop one of the wolves from snapping at the fox's retreating tail, brown-grey with large black patches over the body, patches continuing on all four legs. The wolf misses, of course, but the threat of it is enough to have Naruto rolling to his knees, opening his arms and scooping up the fox in his arms.

"That," He starts, pressing his nose to the vixen's, "was glorious! Tsukikage-San, Kakashi-sensei, how… how do I bond with her?"

Traces of fear are still in his voice, but he's too determined to allow that to deter him. He's serious about it, staring down into the fox's orange eyes, one hand gently stroking over her skull.

"You want to, pup?" Tsukikage asks, a relief. Because Kakashi isn't sure his own voice would hold, and the question is… important, to say the least. "You can't change your mind, if you end up wanting to go back to being just yourselves. There isn't a way to undo your bonding, unless one of you die."

If his words affect Naruto's drive, he doesn't show it, looking back down at the fox in his arms.

"I never go back on my word, that's my ninja way, and if she-- if you are willing to do that too…?" He asks, head tilting, correcting himself mid sentence to address the fox. She tips, bright and affirmative, and he beams, looking up at his teammates and the two wolves standing by their sides. "You guys too?"

Sasuke doesn't hesitate, only looking down once at the wolf by his side and back up.

"Yes." He confirms, digging his hand into his partner's fur with one hand that shakes.

"I… Sensei, what about my parents?" Sakura questions, though her fingers are wrapped tightly in cream and black fur, and she doesn't look away from the frankly massive wolf. He's already as big as an adult, and a muscle definition most shinobi train mercilessly for. Built for strength, clearly, strength he uses to support his student, leaning against her side and letting her play with his ruff.

"Sakura, you heard what Tobirama said yesterday. There's… we aren't going back to Konoha. We have to make ourselves a life here, and if you want to try and find the Haruno that are here, we can…" They can what? Kakashi can't find the words, can't make himself promise to put her in another clan's care, to relinquish her from his care. He would try, if she wanted, but… he'd probably sneak back on the first night, carry her back to the Hatake, and back to the Pack.

Thankfully, he doesn't have to even try.

Sakura bites her lip, looking at Sasuke, at Naruto, and then back to the canine under her hand. When she speaks, a minute that lasts stronger than it should according to his nerves, it's barely audible, even to wolf-sharp hearing.

"I… No. I want to."

The boys look, curious and wary both, but neither dare question her. Kakashi doesn't either, respecting the pups enough to let them make up their own mind, and smiling a little. The mask hides it, but they know anyway, if he's to trust the smiles he gets in return.

"Then it's simple. All you have to do is share blood. Tsukikage bit me, and himself, and when your blood mixes, your souls bond. It's fairly simple." He says, extending the arm Tsukikage bit, the drying blood like rust on his exposed skin. The coppery iron tang to it was unsettling, but light, and already old enough to be no more than a warning, a wariness. "Any amount of blood will do, Tsukikage was a bit… enthusiastic."

"And I wouldn't have had to be, if you were being sensible." The wolf retorts, pushing against Kakashi's chest with his broad, triangular head. He's… teasing, Kakashi realizes, pink tongue dropping out between his fangs in a smile. Teasing, soft and kind but with the hint of teeth that matches his own often biting humor. He doesn't respond, doesn't want to, and is unsure if he even could, with the sudden swell of emotion clogging his throat, but apparently his scent says enough, because Tsukikage just snorts, pressing closer for a moment before stepping away.

Sakura's partner makes the first move, slowly. Deliberately. His fangs break skin, dig deep, and rise, blood rushing to the surface jewel bright against his cream foreleg. Amber, intelligent eyes stare up at Sakura, waiting.

He doesn't need to wait long.

A kunai's flash, and the iron tang of more blood fills the air, Sakura's arm streaming the crimson liquid like water over river rock. It's… unpleasant, and Kakashi has to smother the urge to go over to his pup and heal her. Because. No. That's supposed to stay inside her body.

He can smell it, though, when their souls become one. She had been pack-of-pack through Kakashi and had been thoroughly scented the night before. But that was… that was different. She smelled like pack, but only on the surface. A good wash would have erased the wild fur scent that clung to her but now… now she was just as wild as any of them, clutching the darker stripe down his back and burying her face in his fur.

"Hiroki. Hiroki!" She gasps, throaty desperate sounds, muffled by both emotion and the fur her face was pressed deep into. "Hiroki, my Hiroki!"

She gets a growl in reply, low, rumbling and utterly comforting.

"Sakura, my Sakura." And, wow. Despite his size, Kakashi wasn't quite ready for his voice, how deep its bass would become nearly subvocal. And his tongue, pink and bright, swiping over her bloodied arm. "I'm here now. We will never be alone again."

It's a promise, ironclad and unshakable. There is no room for doubt in his voice, or the possibility of failure. It was solid, steady as a mountain's face, for all the thread of blinding joy nearly made Kakashi's head spin. His name, abundant strength and joy, makes sense, then. Clearly.

Jealous desire is a sour note, marring the moment, and Kakashi glances over. Naruto is… still wary. But the words just spoken clearly makes him less so, clutching his life partner closer to his chest. He seems to be debating where to draw blood, and the black and orange fur in his arms isn't helping, pressing her nose to various places every time he starts to make a small cut.

Sasuke, however…

Sasuke is staring at Sakura, lips turned down to sword sharp points, and he's taken several steps back away from his wolf, arms crossed petulantly across his chest.

"I don't need anyone." He grumbles, when Kakashi raises an eyebrow. "Especially not a dog that I could snap like a twig."

Everything about his voice says anger or disdain at the very least but Kakashi… Kakashi can smell the fear drenching the small body. Fear and longing and jealous denial. Even here, years in the past, he's clearly afraid of losing everything again, losing what Sakura just found, even as he clearly wants to reach out and grab it tightly to him.

Tsukikage scents it too, but remains silent, leaning his weight more firmly against Kakashi's side. It's encouragement, wordless. Maybe he should be more understanding, given his own misgivings just a few short minutes ago, but now? With his soul finally whole and the warmly scented grass under his body? Kakashi can't find it in himself to be anything other than candid.

"You're allowing your fear to turn you into an idiot, Sasuke." He says, simply, gripping Tsukikage a little more firmly with his hand. "I know you can see it, how each member of this pack is as strong as any Konoha jonin, even the ones still considered puppies. Having a life partner doesn't give you a weakness, it gives you strength."

He doesn't bother looking at the pup again, leaning back to stare at the morning-bright sky, grass cool and welcoming against the bare expanse of his back. It let's his scars show, unashamed in the multitude of raised skin, some still bright and angry, others faded by time; but he doesn't mind. Not here, not with the pack. Civilians may be taken aback with the sheer amount, but the pack will only see the stories behind it, every time he proved to be stronger. Pack doesn't tolerate one of their own hiding, or being ashamed of their skin, part of the reason clothes were a nicety they mostly ignored.

"Stronger…?" The boy finally asks, a rustle as he sits near, his partner a step or two further, standing tall and waiting with a patience Kakashi is honestly surprised by. She wants to bond with Sasuke, every scent and body language points to that clearly, but isn't pressing the issue. Waiting, tail twisting behind her back everytime Sasuke glanced in her direction. "She can make me stronger?"

Of course that's the only logic he listens to. Kakashi snorts, Tsukikage's nose cold against his ribcage, though his breath was hot where it brushes against skin. It's the act of instinct that has Kakashi rolling, moments before Tsukikage lunges, jumping at Sasuke's throat. He's not going to hurt Sasuke, not really, but the boy doesn't seem to realize that, not like Kakashi can.

Fear spices the air, sharp and metalli(c, but before Tsukikage can even bring his fangs close to Uchiha pale skin, he's shoved away. For all Sasuke's partner is slender, built for speed and agility, she slams into the older wolf, a furious snarl contorting her muzzle as she strikes.

Once, twice, three times.

Each lightning swift strike hits truly, hard enough to be punishing but not quite drawing blood. She stands in front of Sasuke, clearly protective and willing to fight despite her smaller stature. Well, smaller in comparison.

She still comes up to Sasuke's chest, head roughly even with his pectoral. If their growth stayed comparable, they'd stay about the same proportion. Though she couldn't speak yet, not in a way Sasuke would understand, Kakashi sees her defensive stance, her rippling growl, how she daringly held eye contact with the wolf that will out rank her.

'I know what you're doing.' It all said, directed at Tsukikage. 'I know what you're doing. But it's enough. He doesn't need this.'

Tsukikage growls back, lips peeling back from his teeth in honest, startled offense. To defend her life partner was one thing, but to order him to stand down?

"No!" Sasuke's voice, this time, startled out of him, sharp and angry. "No! Tsukikage, knock it off!"

And he's on his knees, heedless of the fact it puts his partner's head dangerously close to his neck, and his arms are around her, under her belly. It's a struggle, because it's not in a wolf's nature to go easily when a human was attempting to lift as ungraciously as Sasuke was, but he gets his feet under him, sharingan eyes spinning wildly as he takes a few steps back.

"You don't touch her. Ever." He snaps, voice firm but… lost. His posture screams it, both trying to lean away from the wolf as he keeps her close with arms that shake. "You don't… Kakashi!"

"Yes, Sasuke-kun?" He drawls, mostly upright now. Because there is no physical way to remain languid when one's life partner was in danger, even if that danger consisted of a half broken puppy.

There's no answer. Kakashi isn't surprised, with how firmly Sasuke was grinding his teeth, fade pulled into stubborn defiance, though who he's defying is anyone's guess. The moment stretches, long past its natural death, before the young Uchiha swears quietly, folding back in on himself to kneel in the dirt and jerking at his arm coverings. He must have found them before curling up in the den last night-- or more likely Sakura and Naruto prevented him from finding the rest of his clothes--, because Kakashi distinctly remembers the amount of skin his pups showed, and none of their arms had been hidden. Too rough, and there's a moment of visible frustration before the fabric tears free, baring his arm as he extends it to the blue-grey wolf in front of him.

"I'm…" another moment of gritted teeth, silent arguments and the thread of heartbreaking need strung underneath. "I'm yours… and you're mine, right? So. So we should…"

He doesn't need to struggle any longer, his partner giving a low growling laugh and biting down hard on the offered skin. It breaks easily, human skin is no match for even the youngest of wolf fangs, and as the blood wells to the surface, she's offering her own limb, calm and expectant as she stares up. Sasuke doesn't even flinch at the kunai landing between his feet, Sakura apparently surfacing from her partner's fur long enough to assist. His wolf stays still, warm and trusting, burnt amber eyes utterly content to allow Sasuke's weapon near her. A moment, the press of blood to blood, and Sasuke gasps.

His scent flickers, emotions darting in and out of focus quickly enough to make Kakashi's head spin. Joy, shock, relief, whole, trust, astonishment. Each no more than the briefest moment before shifting to the next, a myriad too complex for Kakashi to follow, cummulating in their scents mixing, solidifying into wolf-and-boy, a Hatake's wild fur and fang under the ash and fire of the Uchiha.

"Satoshi." His partner's name sounded like it was punched from his lungs, a hard gasp with nothing left for him to draw in. Clear headed, huh? Kakashi has to snort, clear headed Sasuke was not. If Satoshi lived up to her name, it could only be a good thing, calming the volatile boy. "Satoshi. You're…"

"Yours. Sasuke. My Sasuke." Her voice is higher than Kakashi expected, clear and almost bell-like in its tone. "You've been hurting. I won't let that happen again. You're mine, mine. And you won't be lonely again. I promise, I promise you Sasuke. I'm here now, you're pack, you're mine as I'm yours."

She continues, but quieter. Softer. A murmur of sound, possessive and reassuring and meant for Sasuke's ear alone, as he over balances, falling hard on his rear and barely able to keep his face pressed into Satoshi's fur. He's hiding, but Kakashi doesn't even need to question why. Tears, after all, have their own scent, unmistakable even over the shuddering joy of their completed bond.

So involved with watching the former Uchiha, Kakashi almost misses the third of his pup's bond, a sharp sound of shock, nearly a yelp catching his attention. He turns, aware logically that within the pack as they are there was no chance of attack, but unable to keep the motion anything but sharp, predatory.

He really shouldn't have worried. The fox vixen, black and vibrant orange, had merely used her needle sharp fangs, piercing a hole through Naruto's ear. The sound had come from his student, startled but not actually in danger, hands coming to instinctively push at the fox as the pain registers. Instead of shoving her away, however, Naruto hauls her closer, holds her against his body as his own canines; sharper than an Inuzuka's but not nearly as sharp as a Hatake's, clamp around her ear, drive deep. Draw blood.

She yelps too, gekkering in a burst of joy that floods the field. She doesn't need to wait any longer, Naruto presses their ears together, the holes nearly identical and large enough Kakashi can see through them, and… and they're one. All of them are one. Even the Kyuubi's chakra, normally a simmer down low in Naruto's stomach, spikes in sudden interest. It rises in a bloody tide, burning in its intensity, but does not overwhelm, doesn't fight. Just… rises. Enough to turn Naruto's eyes red, thicken the whisker marks on his cheeks.

"R-Rai!" They, Naruto-and-Kyuubi, separate and whole, cry. Deeper than Naruto's voice, a growl under the words. Not aggressive. Shocked maybe? Kakashi doesn't know, and he frankly doesn't care. The demon fox killed Minato Sensei, destroyed half the village. Kakashi wasn't Kushina, he couldn't command his chakra to be chains and force the beast down. But it was still Naruto's body, it was still small and weak, the seal holding that much back at least. If he was able to knock Naruto out, if he was--

A hand. On the back of his neck, hard and nearly painful as it grips. Harsh. The strength flees his body, an instant rush of powerlessness, and while he knows the hand gripping his neck, knows the cool water scent, but it's still… unsettling.

"Tobirama!" He protests, as much as he's able, with the hand convincing his instincts that everything was fine, that he was safe, to go lax and trusting. "That's--"

"Shush, Kakashi-san." The Senju scolds, refusing to ease the hold. He's stronger than Kakashi, possibly older, and Kakashi knows it, would know it even without the instinctive ease in his muscles, how his head tilts to allow better access to his throat. "I know very well who that chakra belongs to."

Who.

Not what.

It's enough to make Kakashi pause, looking away from Naruto, still covered in the red, hateful chakra, and up to the man scruffing him like a naughty puppy.

"You know…?"

"Yes." His answer is short, simple, and hides the wistfulness his scent surges with. "My sister, Mito, has sealed the current time's Kyuubi no Kitsune within herself. However… yours is… angrier. Lonelier."

Here, he stops, mouth settled into the same flat line it has held ever since Kakashi pulled himself away the previous day. His eyes, red as the sharingan and just as cuttingly intelligent, stay focused on the trio, all lost in their own bonding.

"In fact. It reminds me of a Hatake's energy, if they were cut off, held alone and reviled for… however far in the future you come from." There's no censure in his voice, no blame or quiet anger. But… sorrow? Kakashi thinks that might be it, a soft sort of sadness, as his eyes stay on the fox and Kakashi's pup. "Lonely… out of his mind with it, and reacting poorly."

Poorly? An understatement. Kakashi snorts, but allows the matter to drop, because the fox's chakra is receding, and Tobirama is releasing his neck.

"Not sure if I like being Pack, if it means people can just do that." He mentions mildly, rubbing at the spot the other gripped. It… tingles, lightly, and even the familiar pressure of his mask doesn't make it abate, awareness sparking in every divot where fingers pressed down. Not… not hard, not painfully, just. Strong. Safe.

Besides, his scent gives away the lie, still brightly shouting his joy, his contentment, his declaration of home.

"You'll get used to it, pup." Tobirama doesn't laugh, but his scent sparkles with renewed amusement, curiosity bright in his vulpine features. "The Kyuubi is pack, always has been, that's likely why your pups were able to find the transport seal that brought you here, they've always been welcomed past all but my most strenuous wards."

"Or time has corrupted the seal, trees removed enough to weaken them?"

Surprise, in the minute widening in the man's red eyes. Pleasure on the soft breeze.

"A seal master?" He asks, turning Kakashi to face him fully, only the lightest pressure against his shoulder encouraging Kakashi's cooperation. It's better than the neck grip, at least, and Kakashi turns with the pressure, shrugging lightly as Tobirama's eyes glance over his exposed skin, empty of the ink most seal Masters place on their bodies.

"A student of one." He replies, trying to ignore how the light in Tobirama's gaze dims, disappointment though it's only reflected in his eyes, the rest of his face impassive as before.

"Would you be willing to discuss--"

"Uchiha! Protect the pups!" The voice, an unknown Hatake, is more like furious thunder, a growl released into the air. Not repressed, not silenced and controlled for human comfort, but… Strong. Furious. Unrestrained. Before he knows it, before he thinks, Kakashi is on his feet, lips writhing back from his teeth. The growl is rumbling inside his own throat, in Tsukikage's throat.

There are enemies. Enemies on Pack territory, threatening the pups, threatening…

The hum of instinct is irrepressible. Or… maybe Kakashi doesn't want to, doesn't want to pull himself from the pack mind he finally found, the feeling of utter right nestled in his chest, how he's part of something. Not the machine, for all he adores the machine, but…

"Get down!" It's one of the younger Hatake, younger than Kakashi, but apparently considered an adult, more so than Kakashi, because the younger was him back, throwing him to the center of the pack. The others, the adults, are a ring of teeth and fur, every humanoid form crouching to dig sharpened nails into the dirt, and every wolf bristling with righteous indignation.

"Hey! I can figh--"

"They will not listen." It's… Tobirama? Tobirama. The second Hokage, younger brother to the God of Shinobi and nearly his equal… regulated to the same level as the puppies, as Kakashi.

"Senju-San, why?" The man makes a face, a subtle twist to his lips. He clearly doesn't like it either, for all he tolerates the young Hatake edging closer with wide curious eyes.

"You're newly pack, if you tried to fight with Tsukikage-San, it's entirely too likely that both of you would end up injured." Comes out on a disgruntled sigh, as he crosses his arms over his chest. "As for me… I'm wolfless. Little more than a newborn in their eyes, to walk around as half a soul. Besides. I know the Uchiha that's coming, he's coming alone and is no threat.'

"But they're not going to listen."

"They're not going to listen." Tobirama agrees, the frown easing from his lips on a sigh. "At least they won't until after they posture a bit."

"Senju!"

Silence.

The absence of growls is almost more unsettling than the growls themselves. Kakashi looks around, peering over his watch.

"Get your damn dogs back, Senju! I know you're there, and I know that you have one of my clan in the middle there! Keep your damn child snatching mitts to yourself, and let me in this barrier!"

"He's… loud." While accurate, Sasuke's voice was off. Quiet, and his fingers were digging hard into Satoshi's ruff, knuckles pale. Afraid? Of what…?

"He's not here to take you away, Sasuke-kun."

Would Tobirama still have said that? Knowing the reaction he would cause? Kakashi would like to think he wouldn't but…

"Take Sasuke away?" Sakura's and Naruto's protests were instantaneous, and furious, each reaching a hand out and digging into Sasuke's arms. Their life partners, too, were furious at the suggestion, lips writhing back from sharp white teeth and their own rumbling growls filling the air to mix with those of the larger pack.

"No. We won't let them." Rai, Naruto's fox, denies, eyes sharp and flinty, daring anyone to deny that.

"Tobirama-san did not say that the Uchiha was here to do so." Satoshi, head tilted back to look at her partner says, though the words are clearly directed at them all. "In fact, he said that the Uchiha was not here to take us away."

Us, she had said us. Sasuke makes his fingers relent in their grip, though he can't make himself fully release her yet. Not. Not yet. It's too soon, and while he doesn't distrust the second Hokage… he doesn't exactly trust him either.

"You'd come with me?" He whispers, quietly enough that the words shouldnt reach anyone else's ears, though they do glance at him, a third of their triangle.

"With my last breath." She confirms, long pink tongue darting out to flash across his knuckles, a brief sensation of hot and wet before she's talking again. "We are both one half a whole, Sasuke. I know you, and you know me, our souls cannot be separated now, even if we wished to. I'll find you anywhere, and you'll do the same for me. Do not worry, there is no force in the world that will prevent me from remaining at your side."

She means it. She does. Sasuke can feel it, resonating in his chest, warm and solid and already dearer than anything he can think of. It's an anchor, a safe port. So, he takes a breath and shifts his hold a little, looking up at the red eyes so dissimilar to his own.

"Let. Let him in?" Because Tobirama must have known the man was coming, utterly unsurprised at the screech, and he had to have come to them for a reason, before team 7 bonded with their life partners.

"You're very brave." Oh. Oh. That's… that's new.

It's like something inside him is twisting, or… relaxing from being twisted? Something held tight for all its sharp enough to slice his very soul on. And now… being released to almost float. He can't help making a face, rubbing hard at his bare chest, fighting the urge to straighten his spine, square his shoulders, stand tall with unexpected joy.

"What… what is that?" The second Hokage, and he probably shouldn't call him that, not in this time where Konoha is nothing more than a possible future, is busy doing a string of handseals, concentration sharpening the already deadly lines of his face, so he asks one of the others around him. A young girl, about two years older than them, with the long blonde hair of a Yamanaka, who laughs at his question, pupilless eyes crinkling shut in the same kind of smile Kakashi-sensei always used.

"It's cuz Tobirama-nii has a higher ranking than us. It's a wolf thing, wanting to make the pack happy with us. Feels good, but I remember it being weird too." She shrugs, tugging lightly on the ear of the wolf sitting by her feet, despite the quiet grumble it earns her.

"Does it… always happen?" Naruto's voice is… quiet. Too quiet for the normally boisterous blonde, and when Sasuke takes a deeper breath it's… weird. Everything is sharper, clearer, like he has the Sharingan on but with all his senses instead of just his vision. Naruto smells like gut-clenching iron, of blood, but under that-- or over? It's hard to tell-- sour. Something that could be anything, hiding under the wealth of fur and the green growth of the grass under their feet, and… Sasuke wants. He wants to press closer, press his nose to pale skin, get close enough to bypass the other scents and find out what's wrong with Naruto's.

He doesn't.

Because that would be weird. And wrong. He is the last surviving Uchiha, he bears the brunt of their reputation. They were, are?, a noble clan. And noble clans do not go around sniffing each other.

Even if they want to. And if their teammate's reacting in a way that drives them crazy, no matter how weak the descriptor of 'teammate's felt in his mind.

The Yanamake girl hums, eyes closing as she considers it, finger tapping her lips, though her head doesn't tilt. She should, Sasuke saw the thoughtful expression enough to know the head tilt was just a part of it, but also… also it was right that she didn't. That would be an admission of submission, when none of them earned or requested it.

The new instincts are… confusing. Sasuke stubbornly refuses to allow the discomfort show on his face, refocusing as the girl finally shrugs, hands held at her sides and palms showing. A silent apology, but offhand. Casual.

"I'm not sure, sorry. What's got you worried about it?" Was that the smell that still clung to Naruto? The metallic underlay meant some form of distress?

It's getting harder to stay content hanging back, to refrain from pressing against both Naruto and Sakura, to stop himself from dragging Kakashi into the pile as well.

Caught in his thoughts as he is, Sasuke isn't able to quite hear what Naruto mutters, uncertainty in the line of his shoulders, how they hunch like he expects a hard rebuke. Even the low chattering of the fox in his arms doesn't seem to help, though he pulls her closer. Why are his eyes so distant? Like he's not even aware of his surroundings anymore, lost in some memory.

"Mizuki?" Sakura asks, and when did she get so close to their teammate? Pressing the bare paleness of her side against his own, offering heat and support. Not that it does much, Naruto's frown deepening, though he looks up quickly and has a hand behind his head in the next second. The smile, the bluster he offers is completely fake. Sasuke knew that, had seen Naruto's show often enough, and it was always a little grating. Just this side of completely annoying, but now…

Now, with memories of the rumors. Iruka-sensei in the hospital, badly injured, Mizuki the traitor taking advantage of a lonely child… Sasuke wants to bare his teeth and rip the man apart. Because, he knows what betrayal from the person you trusted feels like, and Mizuki may have been little more than a friend to Naruto, not like Itachi's brother-father hybrid was to Sasuke, but it was… was similar.

"The traitor." Sasuke supplies, when Naruto doesn't say anything further, blue eyes shadowed.

Sakura seems to understand, connecting the dots quickly and leaving against Naruto a little bit more. Supporting him, silently and completely. He leans back, just a little, and doesn't try to hide the small, wan smile when Rai darts her tongue over Sakura's cheek.

"Don't be sad, Naru-chan, Saku." Sasuke almost startles, blinking down at the black and orange body. She's smaller than the wolves Sakura and himself have, but far larger than a wild fox had any right to be, and her voice echoed strangely, both too light and too deep for her frame, playing across the air and sounding like she was behind Sasuke, though he saw her quite clearly. "They aren't here, not even close. And, if they were, they'd regret it! I'll defend both Naru-chan and Kyuubi-sama!"

She's smiling, bright eyes and perky ears, but… it's a threat. A danger. One that nearly makes Sasuke search for a kunai to defend himself, despite not being the target of the concentrated menace she's exuding.

Whoever named a kitsune 'trust's, especially one who was able to be so casually murderous while appearing so bright and happy was clearly out of their mind.

"Thank you… Rai." He says, very softly, before looking away, over to the outer edges of the pack, where the growls have finally stopped being quite as loud and Tobirama was talking with a man Sasuke only ever seen in history books. And not as the hero.

"That Madara!" He hisses, because that man was Konoha's first and most notorious missing nin. He had an S-class status before S-class was officially a thing. He was the Uchiha clan head, rumored to be the strongest Uchiha… as well as the most insane.

If he was here, now? They had to be anywhere else. Quickly. Before the man sees them, before he decides to attack. Sasuke writhes, scrambling to his feet, baring his teeth at the man in panic he doesn't even try to hide, growling low and threatening.

Madara was the first missing ninja from Konoha. He was an enemy, to be fought and brought home and--

"Shhhh. Shhhh, Sasuke." It's Kakashi, familiar and strong and one bare band over Sasuke's arm. He's not growling, nor is Tsukikage, and smells… smells safe. Good. Sasuke drops his lips over his teeth, covering them again and blinking rapidly. This… this was all… all too fast. Too many new, confusing urges, conflicting with everything he knew.

Sasuke knew not to trust. To meet every authority with aggression. But now… now he wanted to. To let Kakashi guide him, knew that Kakashi would never hurt him, never.

Sasuke knew that everyone left. That even his family was torn away from him. But… Now he had Satoshi, who's words he couldn't doubt even though he knew better. And… maybe the other six as well, his team and their partners.

Sasuke knew that a ninja must restrain all emotion, unless it furthered their mission. But… he couldn't turn off the wild surges in his chest, or how the air around him spiced with each minute change.

He knew.

But he didn't.

The juxtaposition was… alarming. Alarming and inescapable. A flood of new sensation, of new instincts and urges and… and…

And fur, pressed to the bare skin across his ribs, flesh and skin covering him, hiding him. Darkness over his head, arms around his shoulders.

"Its okay. He's alright, Naruto, Sakura. Some… some have a harder time adjusting to the new instincts, especially if their life has been difficult." Tobirama again, outside the small space, outside Sasuke's ability to care. It's all too much. Less now, wrapped in the combined scents of Naruto-Sakura-Kakashi-wolf-fox-home-safe, but still overwhelming, still a cacophony hammering against his skull.

"And that's the reason the Hatake adopt pups, younger than four. Or that's why they're supposed to." Acerbic. An unknown. Sasuke flattens himself against his pack, away from the strange hand suddenly in front of his face, away from the too sudden desire to bite. "Calm down. Go on, take a sniff. Mine scent will be close enough to yours that it should help the instincts."

And… it does. More or less.

Smoke and flame, metal. It smells like Uchiha, like his compound and father had. It's… both painful, and soothing. Not… not as painful as it used to be, and that is strange, but still like pushing against a bone deep bruise. Like how even his nose before, suddenly so weak and pale in comparison, had been able to find that when Itachi carried him home after training.

"You said you had an explanation, Senju." Madara Uchiha, his relative by one extent or another, practically snarls at Tobirama, straightening from his crouch. Taller now, but still carefully non aggressive, cautiously ensuring he didn't scare Sasuke. Who, slowly, is standing, one hand on Satoshi and the other digging near painfully into Naruto's arm. "I'd like to hear it, before I come to any kind of conclusion."

"Perhaps I could help with that." Madara doesn't look away from Tobirama, but even with the lack of eye contact, Sasuke has a feeling his ancestor hasn't dismissed Kakashi's low voice, deceptively lazy. Or… Sasuke had thought his voice was deceptively lazy, ever since he was assigned as the Jonin's student. But… there's a stillness to it, a tension that twinges Sasuke's own. The easy set to his shoulders isn't because he's relaxed… There's a hidden threat, a silent warning that he can and will fight Madara if he makes a move too close to the three pups.

"Can you?" The Uchiha asks, just as low. "And what might that be, Hatake?"

Kakashi just offers a low, growling kind of grumble, one Sasuke may have mistaken for a laugh before… before the Zabuza mission, before Haku's poison drew out Kakashi's wolfish instincts and Naruto stumbled on an old seal, sending them so far into the past. Now though… now it sounds just as threatening as his loosely coiled body, nudging his shoulders against the small ring of young Hatake members, just enough to push them out of his way, pale skin pricked with silver-white scars declaring his long, violent history, and though his face is still masked, there's no mistaking the faintly hungry look as he stalks closer to the Uchiha, Tsukikage a lithe dark shadow at his hip.

"Sasuke Hatake, formerly Uchiha. Sakura Hatake, formerly Haruno. Naruto Hatake, formerly Uzumaki." It's… Kakashi can barely stop the satisfied growl that wants to bubble up from somewhere deep inside him. Claiming the children, the puppies, his puppies, was good. So incredibly good, rewriting their alliance, their painful histories, with a few simple words and the soul deep, blooded bond they all share with their canine counterparts. "We're from the future, a seal mishap sent us back."

Nothing but the truth, but the shock on the other nin's face was sweet, and it went a long way to calm the tight angry knot of emotions that had formed the moment his quietest pup started to get scared, started to panic at the sight of the Uchiha.

"That enough of a reason to claim a pup older than four?" Mocking, now, teeth bared in what was clearly not a smile, more threats without words. Madara backs off, just a little, hands rising slowly to hover at either side of his hips, palms empty and facing Kakashi, exposing the soft vulnerability in the pale blue veins, the skin there easily pierced. Shouldn't be surprising, that so many know how to speak without words, not with how prevalent the Hatake are, but. But it still is. Still is a shock, and a relief, each and every time someone saw and understood, took the first step to bridge the gap…

It was like coming home. Like the first press of teeth breaking skin, the bond blooming and healing wounds he didn't know he had, reshaping the battered edges of his soul to something stronger, less damaged. Like the wolf song in his veins, wild and silver bright.

He relaxes, softening his own posture and allowing his lips to cover his fangs again, blinking slowly. Acceptance of the truce Madara offered, calm slipping alongo his scent and brushing his fingers over Tsukikage's ruff, the fur stiff under his finger but softening with every moment of calm, of peace Kakashi felt.

"That might be, yeah." Madara drawls, stepping away from where the pack is still loosely circled, most wolves calm and collect by their partner's side, but a few teeth still gleam wetly in the bright afternoon light, growls too quiet to be pinpointed from a single throat, but just enough that Madara's standard shinobi ears can still pick it up, if the uneasy way he glances around is any indication. "Should we… take this somewhere more private?"

Instantly, the growls rise sharply in pitch, more wolves and their life partners jumping in. Leaving the protective pack was not allowed, apparently.

So, that was their start.

A small pack, three out of time ninja and their wolves-- or fox,-- and two of the greatest shinobi Konoha ever knew. All sitting calmly in the grass, exchanging the smallest bits of information and advice, suggestions and condolences. 8t was strange, and awkward, this close to the mad Uchiha clan head, now not mad at all, his last brother still strong and healthy.

He smells… good. Like this, warm and spiced, but subtly of metal and smoke and something sweet and yeasty, something else wild and animal.

For a start, quiet words exchanged and accepted, Kakashi could do a lot worse. Has done a lot worse, with the aching broken pieces of him. Now, whole and strong, working with instead of against his instincts…

Yeah.

A good start.