Chapter Text
Kakashi just had the worst day ever.
Even the teacher didn't like him anymore. Why not? He was a prodigy! Everyone praised him. Now people whispered as he passed the streets. Maybe it was because the Hatake clan scrolls somehow were 'leaked' from the secretive section of the library? So what if the Hatake clan had an affinity to wolves and canines? Many clans did!
Maybe it was because of his Father's most recent mission...? He saved his teammates on that one, he did what was right!
During break he snuck home, avoiding as many people he could and sticking to the shadows. Once he made it back, tears already bubbling up in his eyes, he went to look for his Father. First he checked his bedroom, then went to his study. His Father was standing with his back to the door, his arms concealing something. Kakashi stubbornly grabbed onto his leg from behind. It hadn't been too long ago that his mother had left too, back to her original clan and village. She wouldn't come back, his Father had said so.
"Tou-san?" He asked when his Father didn't respond immediately, then the man looked down and picked him up. Kakashi noted that the man's tanto was out of its sheath and on the table. It didn't matter right now, for now he had to tell his Father about how mean the other children were! Even the adults!
--
Sakumo hadn't expected his son to be home early today. He froze as soon as he heard the door of the Hatake compound open. Kakashi appeared a few minutes later in his study, attaching himself to Sakumo's leg. He heard the boy's small sniffles and his little grabby hands grasping at Sakumo's vest.
"Tou-san?" The boy was on the verge of tears, he seemed confused and hurt. Even his father wasn't responding to him. Sakumo could already assume he'd come home because of the rumours floating around the Hidden Leaf village...
"What are you doing here so early, Kashi?" He asked tentatively, trying to maintain an even tone. He didn't want Kakashi to know about what he was trying to do. Suicide was not something 4 year olds should know about. But... If he were to try then Kakashi would probably have found him... He couldn't do that to such a small boy. Not his little pup. Maybe suicide wasn't the best way out... He could try something else- Hiding his face? Creating a new person, some sort of henge? Maybe Tsunade could help, she was always helpful. She didn't hate him yet, right?
"The other kids were being mean... Even the teacher! I'm almost graduated, once I turn 5 I'll be a chunnin. Then they won't be so mean!" Kakashi was a lot like his mother... Very blunt and direct.
"I'm sure, Kashi... Let's grab some salt-broiled saury and miso soup with eggplant, isn't that your favourite? Then, if you want, we can train so you can really show everyone that you're not to be messed with!" Starting now... Sakumo could try. Even when it's hard. He can't leave Kakashi like the boy's mother had. Not in such a cowardly way either... Surely he could try harder. The village would have to try harder to get rid of him!
"Really? Yeah! I want to! You haven't trained with me since your last mission, Tou-san. I want to train again!" Kakashi had missed him. And he had missed himself too.