Kakashi had officially been a jounin sensei for a full month. The calendar on his wall was a steady countdown until the Land of Waves mission, where Tazuna would lie his way into a C-rank and subject Kakashi's genin to an S-rank ninja and his ice-wielding partner. He had, maybe, a week, if not less, before that mission. Were his kids ready? Yes. He'd trained them well, and gave them tools they didn't have before.

With a stack of fuuinjutsu books, Naruto had the beginnings of his clan's power. He was already a menace, making paper smoke bombs strong enough to cause an entire street to evacuate. One particular tea shop was out of business for over a week, the smoke tainting all of their jasmine tea leaves. It was the weirdest thing how the smoke wafted down the street and specifically concentrated onto this one particular building. The Sandaime asked around, the shop owner had complained directly to him, but no one seemed to know anything. There were, however, three genin who hid smirks every time they passed that street. That's not even to mention the hole in the forest outside of the village, courtesy of a paper firebomb so dense it shook the ground and leveled the trees in a 200-foot circle. On the training field, Naruto took to wind nature like a bird to the sky. That is, it took him falling on his face a few times before he took off. Kakashi had held firm on his chakra control training, not allowing the kid to go a day without at least an hour of work. All that hard work paid off when Naruto created a wind vortex that ripped a cement post out of the ground and impaled it clean through a giant oak tree. Sakura squealed and clapped, bouncing in place as the four of them took in the tree. Kakashi drew a face on the end of the pole and left it there.

As Kakashi thought, Sakura was an earth element. Her secondary, however, was water. The girl worked hard, daily shifts at the hospital with Ino after missions and training. Sometimes the girl looked so tired in the mornings, Kakashi would let her do meditation for chakra reserves just to give her a break. If she happened to fall asleep, Kakashi said nothing. All the training with Sasuke had paid off, he really was an excellent teacher. Sakura's self-confidence skyrocketed, whether that was from being away from her parents, Ino's influence, or her newly developed skills in taijutsu, he didn't know. But she was faster, more sure of herself. She hit with a force a girl her size shouldn't have. The day she got a hit on Sasuke, knocking him across the training field and into a tree, Kakashi was immensely proud of her. So was Sasuke, who stood up and shook off the bark clinging to his clothes. He praised her, in his stunted way, and patted her on the shoulder. Sakura beamed as though Sasuke had given her a trophy. Her chakra control aided her in learning every earth and water jutsu she came in contact with. Her earth wall was a force to be reckoned with. Even Kakashi's Raikiri couldn't penetrate the entire way through it. The medics promised Sakura and Ino training, and they did provide. The day she healed a cut on Sasuke's hand was the day the boys saw her sad excuse for a victory dance. Naruto laughed so hard he was clutching his stomach and rolling on the ground. Sasuke smirked, rolling his eyes, and waved her off. Kakashi stood off to the side, smiling under his mask. The girl was well on her way to becoming the next Tsunade. He couldn't wait for the day she punched an earthquake into existence. Just a little longer.

Sasuke was a force all his own. Obviously, the boy tested for fire, but lightning came as a surprise to Sasuke. Eager to learn, Kakashi handed him fire and lightning scrolls. His fireball and phoenix flower became stronger, hotter. It burned through the trees like kindling. Lightning from his hands charged the air around them, sending hair standing on end. Sasuke had a knack for changing his chakra affinity easily. It came from learning the fireball at such a young age, learning how to mold his chakra from the inside. No jutsu confounded the kid. Something Kakashi had never done in the previous timeline, he told all of his kids how proud he was. He lavished it on Sasuke a little more. Shoulder squeeze, hair ruffles, pats on the back, and, more importantly, with words. The kid would actually blush and look away when Kakashi would tell him he was proud. He wondered, not for the first time if Sasuke's father had ever said those words to him. Since the spar with Team 10, Sasuke had been working with Choji in the evenings. Just as he did with Sakura, he slowly built up the boy's confidence. What was once a shy, timid boy was slowly coming into his own. He wasn't there yet, but after a few more weeks of just him and Sasuke, the boy would be a fierce competitor. Sasuke wanted to unlock his Sharingan, asking Kakashi a million questions regarding what he knew about it. Sadly, there wasn't much in writing anymore, a lot of it was either stolen or purged. There was the Naka shrine, and the texts that are hidden within, but Sasuke couldn't go there. He wasn't ready to try to enter the district again. Kakashi wasn't pushing him, he knew all too well what entering a place full of ghosts could do to a person. The boy had enough nightmares, he didn't need more. Kakashi had told him not to rush it. That intense emotion unlocks the doujutsu. It's not something to be rushed. Instead, Kakashi satiated Sasuke by slowly teaching him the techniques for the Raikiri. He knew what Sasuke was capable of, what he evolved the Raikiri to be under his rigorous training. If he started earlier, and trained younger, how much more could he do?

'

Kakashi had left Sasuke and Naruto home alone. They had strict instructions; don't burn the apartment down, no trying paper bombs indoors, eat something healthy for dinner, and practice their chakra control exercises. He sent out a silent prayer that the two would at least listen to the first couple of rules.

This trip was for Naruto. Being the previous commander of the Anbu, Kakashi had perks. Many of the Anbu were still loyal to him, still called him senpai. It used to make him uncomfortable. He was younger than some of the ninja he commanded. It made him feel strange having someone ten years his senior call him senpai. However, after living one full lifetime of guilt and pain, Kakashi decided to abuse his power today. Although, if it was for a good cause, is it still considered abusing his power?

The hidden archive was held underground, under the Hokage Tower. Guarded by Anbu, the only way to get in was with express permission from the Hokage himself. However, if you had worked as commander of the Anbu, then you knew the guard rotations. You also knew that the night guards weren't nearly as alert as the daytime guards. And, Kakashi was confident enough to pat himself on the back, he was damn good at stealth. Cloaking his chakra as best he could, Kakashi hid in a dark corner, behind a pile of papers. He'd roamed these halls before, he knew the layout better than most. There was an air vent. It led directly into the archive, hidden low in the wall about fifty feet ahead of him. Shift change would be soon. He would have exactly thirty seconds to open the vent, enter, and close it behind him. Only one shot or he'd have to wait another day. He watched as the Anbu pressed two fingers against his neck, the communicator hidden under his head wrap. The man began walking toward the other end of the hall and Kakashi acted.

A flicker landed Kakashi in front of the vent. A flat knife pressed against the edges pried the cover loose from the wall. The fit was tight, but Kakashi had stripped down, only in his black undershirt and tight black pants. This was his go-to outfit for stealth assignments. It took him only fifteen seconds to get in the vent and replace the cover. As silent as he could, Kakashi shimmied through the vent. One tight corner and he was facing the archive. Activating the Sharingan, he looked around the room, not seeing anyone in there. He had a very specific list of things to grab. First and foremost, Kushina and Minato's things. Naruto deserved to have something of his parents. Second, all of the paperwork he could find on the Uchiha massacre, Itachi and Danzo. The only physical item he brought with him was a storage scroll. Inside were folders that would mimic the ones he'd take with him. It would help him take everything out without slowing him down.

Naruto's parents didn't have a lot. Much of their items were personal; pictures, scrolls, and books. When Kakashi found the two boxes of their belongings, he immediately opened them, seeing what was left. To his surprise, one of the items in the box was a photo album. On the cover, slid into the plastic wrapping, was a picture of Minato and Kushina, Naruto hiding in the prominent bump on her stomach. It was the closest thing Naruto would have to a family picture. Some of the books and scrolls had Uzushio seals marking them. Kakashi sealed the two boxes away and moved on to the files. The memories were rising quickly, and Kakashi couldn't afford to waste time.

The files were, for the most part, in alphabetical order. It was a sheer coincidence that his two male students had surnames beginning with the same letter. He gently ran a finger over the shelves, finding Uchiha first. The file on the massacre was thick, full of autopsy reports and horrifying pictures. The reports here won't be redacted or altered. Sasuke should get the full picture of what happened. There were files on each Uchiha, including Sasuke's parents. He wasn't sure what all the boy would want but grabbed their files along with Itachi's. Next, he dropped down to Uzumaki, grabbing Kushina and Naruto's files. A thick file with Uzushio written on it caught his eye. He grabbed that, also.

Heading over to the 'S' section, he began searching for Shimura Danzo. He was through the section three times. The file wasn't there. Running a hand through his gray hair, Kakashi fought back a growl. The biggest break in the case, the best bet to expose Danzo and have him removed from power, and he couldn't find the file. It just wasn't there. The only other place it could be is in the Hokage's office. Or Danzo himself has it. Either way, Kakashi couldn't reach it, now.

With the things he was taking safely sealed away and the mimic folders in place, Kakashi was ready to get out of the room. He was nearly at the vent when he heard talking. The doorknob turned and Kakashi threw himself in the vent. The cover slid into place as the door opened. In the opening stood Danzo, one arm and half his face covered. His good eye scanned the room. Taking quick steps, he made his way over to the files, flipping through the 'J' section. Pulling out a folder, he opened it, skimming what was written inside quickly. He set it down and pulled a paper from inside his robe, slipping it into the folder.

Kakashi watched as Danzo put the folder back, took another look around, and left the archive. Knowing it was dangerous, knowing he was pushing his luck as it was, Kakashi should have left. But he couldn't. He had to know what folder Danzo was adding papers to. Slipping back out of the vent, he padded over to the shelf Danzo was standing in front of. It took four folders before Kakashi found the one. What was inside shocked him.

Hidden messages between Danzo and someone who signed his name as X. He had no more mimic folders, but he wanted this information badly. The chance of him ever getting back into the archive using this method was less than ideal. No, he couldn't take the chance. If Danzo knew Kakashi had touched it in any way...but what other choice did he have? Who did he know and trust that could enter and leave the archive at will?

...Inoichi.

He replaced the document and crawled back out with his prizes. He had some work to do before including any other person in his scheme.

It was late when he got back to the apartment. The boys were still awake, Naruto sitting without a shirt on while carefully drawing a seal on his arm. Sasuke was leaning against the couch, reading a book. They both looked up when he opened the door. They took in his attire and looked at each other.

'Sensei, what were you doing? ' Naruto put the brush down and stood up, the seal was half done on his arm. 'Were you...I mean, you're dressed for, like, stealth or something. '

Sasuke put his book down and leaned forward. 'You retired from the Anbu, so it's not a mission for them. '

Kakashi laughed and kicked off his sandals. The scroll burned a hole in his pocket, begging to be taken out and its contents freed. 'Let me change, then I'll explain. I need to get the dust out of my hair. '

By the time Kakashi was done showering and changing, Naruto had finished his seal. Sasuke was looking it over, turning Naruto's arm this way and that. 'Your handwriting is sloppy. '

Naruto pulled his arm back. 'Yeah, well yours looks like a girl's handwriting. '

'Does not. '

'Does so. '

There was a shove, a retaliation shove, and then two boys began wrestling on the floor. Kakashi caught the inkpot before it got knocked over, but otherwise left them to it. He set to freeing the items in the scroll, setting them out on the counter of the kitchen. There was a thud, some cursing, and the sound of his chair being knocked over. Kakashi ignored it, instead opening up Minato's box and laying the contents on the counter. His three-pronged kunai, some sealing paper, a fuuinjutsu book with notes in the margin, a bracelet Kushina had braided for him when they were younger, his headband, and an infant's toy. Kakashi held that for a long time. He was with Minato when the man had bought it, claiming Naruto would love it. He could still see the smile, feel the elation and hope. Setting it down on the counter, he found the box empty.

Moving on to Kushina's, this one was heavier. The first thing he brought out was the photo album. Of anything, Naruto would be most excited about this. There were books for fuuinjutsu, written by the masters in Uzushio. Books on Uzumaki clan secrets, how to control their large chakra reserves, and the village's history. He pulled out several scrolls with flowing handwriting noting what was held inside. Underneath those was her headband. A quick glance up showed the boys rolling on the floor, Sasuke taking a knee to the stomach and having the wind knocked out of him.

Kakashi took a chance to open the Uchiha massacre folder. It was filled with information, hidden secrets Kakashi never knew. It elaborated on things he did know, like Itachi being a double agent. The fact that his first report went to Danzo, Kakashi didn't know. Another thud sounded, followed by more cursing. Sasuke had Naruto on his stomach, one hand pulled painfully behind his back.

'Sasuke, let Naruto go. Clean up the living room and then come here. I want to show you where I've been. ' The boys listened, setting the chair upright and straightening up their futons. Still shirtless, Naruto took a seat at the kitchen island, elbows on the granite cradling his head in his hands.

'Sasuke's a dick, ' Naruto whined. 'He doesn't fight fair. '

Said boy took a seat next to the blonde, glaring at him. 'It's not my fault you suck. '

'Boys, ' Kakashi warned, making both of them sit up. 'First, let me tell you where I've been. This, however, is a secret. It doesn't leave your lips, understood? ' Both boys nodded. 'I sneaked my way into the archive. There were things in there you boys deserve to see. Naruto, all of this lying here on the table belonged to your parents. ' The boy's eyes went wide. 'This toy here, your father bought for you. He was convinced that, once you were born, you would love it. ' With a shaking hand, Naruto picked it up. Spinning it back and forth to make the drumming sound. 'This bracelet was made by your mother, given to your father when they were younger. Probably still genin. I think, but I'm not certain, that the red color weaved into it is actually her hair. ' He let Naruto look closely at the bracelet, tilting it in the light to watch it glint off his mother's hair. 'This is her photo album. That picture on the front...she's pregnant with you. '

Naruto's hands were still shaking as he slid the photo album toward himself. Sasuke leaned over, looking through the pictures with the blond. Slowly turning the pages, he lingered over each photo, taking in every centimeter, every tiny detail. 'Mom's really pretty. Her hair is so long and straight. '

'You look like her. ' Sasuke looked from Naruto's face to Kushina's. 'Like your face shape. ' Naruto put his hands on his cheeks and looked at Sasuke. 'All you got from your dad was your hair and eyes. ' He looked at Kakashi for agreement.

Kakashi nodded. 'Sasuke's right, Naruto. You even laugh like her. It's...it's almost like she's still here when I look at you. ' They let Naruto get lost in his photos, let him learn about his parents through pictures. Instead, he pulled out Itachi's file and handed it over to Sasuke. 'You don't have to look at it now, Sasuke. When you're ready. I have the ones on your parents...and the one about what happened. ' Sasuke's eyes snapped to his. 'Make sure you're ready. No matter what, it's going to hurt. Prepare yourself. '

Sasuke nodded but didn't open the file. He just stared at the picture paper clipped to the front. Itachi in his Anbu uniform, flat expression and mask positioned to the side of his face but looking so young. Sasuke realized that age changes your perception. He was only seven when Itachi was thirteen. To him, his brother was older and more mature, he knew

everything

and was what Sasuke strived to be. Now, at twelve, all he could see was a young boy, only a year older than he is now. With shaking hands, Sasuke opened the folder. His Anbu information form greeted him, listing out his stats, skills, abilities, and rank. At the bottom was his team information, listing Kakashi and Tenzo along with their aliases.

He never knew which mask his brother had. As a child, he'd never seen it. Itachi was Weasel. The tan uniform in the picture was a stark difference from the clothes he'd normally worn, all black.

The next paper began chronicling his missions, both classified and not. His eyes took in all he read, learning how his brother handled unfavorable variables. He was so loyal to Konoha, so by the book, but cared for his teammates. There were multiple times Itachi had saved them while simultaneously finishing the mission. He looked up at Kakashi, a million questions fighting for dominance in his head. Opening and closing his mouth several times, Sasuke couldn't figure out how to word what he wanted to know, how to get the plethora of questions out.

Practically reading his mind, Kakashi leaned over the counter and pointed at one of the missions. 'We teamed up with Shisui on this one. Your brother was usually so serious, so stoic. But, when Shisui was around, he loosened up. Shisui would pick on him, tease him. Usually about you and how soft your brother was for you. He loved to call him 'nii-san' when Itachi would give him orders. ' Kakashi softly laughed. 'Itachi had this frown. Remember, Tenzo and I were older than him, we called him a kid. He looked so young to us. Powerful, but young. Naive. And when he'd frown at us, we couldn't help but laugh. He just looked so comic. ' Kakashi flipped a couple more pages. 'This one. Tenzo got stabbed. He still has the scar from it. Your brother kept him alive until I got there. Kept him talking. Tenzo might not be here today if it weren't for Itachi. '

'Then...why? If...if he was..., why would he...? '

'I don't know, Sasuke. But, ' Kakashi tapped the thick folder, 'maybe we can figure it out. '

The young boy nodded, flipping back to the info form and just staring at the picture. It was how he remembered last seeing Itachi, in his Anbu uniform. Although in his memory, that uniform was covered in his family's blood. 'I just want to understand. '

Kakashi squeezed his shoulder. It was the only solace he could give at the moment.

'

On the table was a scroll, the message encrypted inside was too difficult for Inoichi's analysts to crack. Deciding he needed a shower to calm down before he took a try, Inoichi shut the door to the bathroom and hoped the girls didn't knock on the door.

Ino bounced downstairs to grab snacks and saw the scroll lying there. Her father was late getting home today, and when he did get home, he was stressed. She could read her father's body language, and the man was tense. As she threw a bag of popcorn into the microwave, Ino tapped her fingers on the counter, staring down the scroll. If it was stressing her father out, then it must have been difficult. The bag in the microwave began popping. Ino's curiosity won out. She snatched the scroll and unrolled it. It wasn't like any code she'd ever seen before. There didn't seem to be a rhyme or reason for the order. The popping quieted down and the microwave beeped. Ino grabbed a pen and paper, copying the code. If this was a confidential encrypted scroll she wasn't supposed to see, then she'd leave it there. But that didn't mean she wouldn't crack it.

Sakura shared the popcorn with her as Ino sat at her desk. At some point Sakura fell asleep, Ino's desk light still on. Ino was hunched over the paper, two letters and their corresponding symbols figured out. She glanced over at Sakura, who was lying on her side, the blanket pulled up to her chin, her hair hanging over her face, moving with each breath. Fondly smiling, Ino stood up and walked over to the bed, brushing the hair back and tucking it behind her ear. For all the name-calling in the academy, Ino didn't actually think there was anything wrong with Sakura. Her light pink hair made her green eyes pop. She had a sweet smile and such a girlish laugh. Her hair was so soft, like silk in your hands.

Whatever Sakura was dreaming about put a crease between her eyes. Ino smoothed it out with her pointer finger before returning to the desk. The code pulled her back in, but Sakura's light breathing was a comforting background ambiance.

It wasn't until the clock read four in the morning that Ino jumped out of her chair, scroll decoded. Oh, was it a good one, too. Definitely not a scroll her father would have given her. No, this one was classified. Exhausted mentally, Ino practically fell in bed. She'd show her father in the morning, right now she just wanted to sleep. Her body migrated to the warmth Sakura emitted, cuddling up to her back. It wasn't until their feet were tangled together that Ino drifted off, happily comfortable.

'

Inoichi was late for work the next morning. Laying on the table, next to the scroll no one could decode, laid a piece of notebook paper. His daughter's large and curly handwriting covered the sheet, all the notes she made in cracking the code decorating the page. In the center, underneath the randomly placed symbols, was the answer.

22-65-18 safe under desk all info there left mountain left left right red door

He grabbed the paper and the scroll and ran to the Hokage tower. He had to find Shikaku

now

.