Breaking Faith | Hatake Kakashi

Epilogue

Spoilers for Haven — But you know this by now.

Chapter 150

The crisp morning breeze swept through the streets of Konohagakure, bringing with it a shiver for any unprepared. The Winter weather was only now just beginning to show in mid October. Despite the chilled wind, many people bustled through the streets — readying themselves for the busy day ahead.

Hatake Kakashi couldn't help but think it was all too over the top, but when he saw the smiling faces of his future citizens; he didn't have the heart to tell them no. So he allowed them to throw a convoluted party for their war hero and soon-to-be leader. 

'Hokage huh..' Kakashi smiled a little at the thought. 'Seems I'm carrying on your legacy, Obito.'

He felt the wind tussle through his new robes and he struggled to keep his oversized hat on. So Kakashi instead kept the red thing clutched in his hand as he knelt down to run his fingers over the stone.

It was a grave. No name. No final words. Just a rock in the the middle of no where. 

It didn't sit with the other graves of Konohagakure, lest the people argue, he knew he should be angered by such a thought but he understood their pain. So he took the rock in the Nara forests, with Shikamaru's permission of course.

And he placed it by a lake that had long since dried up. Surrounded by tall blades of grass, he knew no one would find it here — it could overlook the village in peace. 

Three days had passed. Three days since they defeated Madara, Kaguya, Zetsu — the whole lot. The war was over. They won their war. But he couldn't help but frown at the thought that she lost won hers.

Sasuke was locked up beneath the village — waiting to be released. Naruto was studying to become a Chunin, and Sakura was quickly settling down in her position as Head of the Hospital, after Tsunade's complete retirement.  

In a way; everything was perfect. His students had far surpassed his expectations, and even Sasuke was at peace. But Kakashi couldn't shake the weight on his shoulders and he feared he never would.

As a reflex; Kakashi reached under his vest and tugged on the metal around his neck — the Akiyama clan necklace. He never took it off.

But the Akiyama clan was gone, the necklace no longer held meaning. With him it would soon turn to rust and fade from existence — one day; even the name Akiyama will be gone. 

The thought of the once legendary clan dawned another thought upon Kakashi — Fay. Akiyama Fay who left him a scroll to read when he was ready. He hadn't been, hauled up in either his room or his office, burying himself in his work.

He had been given the option to either read it — or burn it. Learn the Blood Shinobi's final piece of knowledge; or let it be lost to time. The answer was obvious.

Kakashi tugged at the seal; breaking it. The near hundred year old parchment uncoiled, opening to reveal neat cursive writing — a final message which he read with heavy eyes. 

Then, he looked up. The sun had risen fully by now and the celebrations would begin soon. He looked at the sky and felt flames lick his fingertips.

"Fire Release." He watched the scroll crumble to ash as he threw it to the ground; before the nameless grave.

Family legacy — she called the scroll, and Kakashi watched the paper crinkle as it burned.

He reached into his vest and ripped off the necklace, throwing down at the grave — it didn't touch the flames, and sat innocently. Staring up at him, as if it was asking him to retrieve it. But he didn't need it anymore.