POV Kakashi Hatake
It was around seven o'clock and the sun was shining bright. Almost a perfect day… I thought vaguely as I looked out from the Hokage's office window at the village below, people moving through the streets.
The warm cup in my hands pulled me back to reality. I lowered my mask just for a second to take a sip of coffee, then put it right back on. I turned around lazily, letting my eyes wander around the room.
The important documents were already sorted out and ready to be signed. The less urgent ones sat on another desk, neatly divided by priority. Always two steps ahead, huh? I mused, chuckling softly.
Then I heard fast footsteps coming toward the office. Not hard to guess who it was, considering the day. He knocked quickly and walked in without waiting.
— Morning, Kakashi-sensei!
— Naruto! — I heard Shikamaru's voice behind him, and then the kid showed up at the door — Sorry, Sixth.
— It's fine… — I waved it off — I'm used to it.
— Need any help? — Shikamaru asked, glancing at the papers.
— Not today, it's all under control — I looked at him for a second — Just need to sign a few things and we'll be on our way.
— Got it — Shikamaru sighed, turning to Naruto — What a drag… At least learn to wait after you knock, okay? — He shut the door behind him, leaving me and Naruto alone.
— So, Naruto… — I started, making him look straight at me — What brings you here? Or better, what made you wake up this early?
— Today's the day, Kakashi-sensei! — he said, grinning — I'm sticking with you all day to make sure you don't back out.
I let out a tiny laugh.
— To make sure I don't back out, huh? — He nodded fast — Yeah… definitely your idea. Sounds just like you. — I sat down — Alright, do as you like.
I picked up some papers and started signing. The faster I finish these, the sooner I can leave, I thought.
Most of the documents were about agreements with other villages. Honestly, I didn't get why they needed my signature — the treaties were already settled in meetings. Just paperwork for the sake of paperwork.
— So, Kakashi-sensei… — Naruto spoke again, clearly restless.
— Yeah…? — I muttered without looking up.
— What was nee-chan like? — I stopped, finally looking at him properly.
— What do you mean?
— I mean… what was she like as a kid? When I was younger, she barely told me anything about herself.
— Actually, she couldn't have told you anything — I said, and he looked even more confused.
— Why not?
— Same reason we couldn't tell you that you were the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, or that the Fourth Hokage was your dad. Talking about your sister wasn't allowed either.
— But now it's fine, right?
— I think so… — I said casually. At this point, everyone already knew who she was anyway.
— Then tell me about her! — he said with a big grin. I could only stare at him, thrown off, for a few seconds.
— What?
— How'd you meet her? Did you guys always get along? What was she like with Dad and Mom? Was she always that strong? Did she—
— Okay, slow down, Naruto! — I cut him off. He stared at me, itching to ask more — I need to finish this paperwork before noon, since we're leaving the village today. I'll tell you later, alright?
— Aw, come on, Kakashi-sensei… — He pouted, then brightened up suddenly — What if I help you?
— You? — I asked, skeptical — Help me? — He grinned proudly.
— Yeah! Just tell me what to do and you can tell me about nee-chan while we work! — I sighed.
— You won't drop it until I talk, huh? — He shook his head with a huge smile — Fine…
I looked over at the desk on the right, where a pile of scrolls sat.
— Grab those scrolls — I pointed, and Naruto hurried over — Sort them by their markings.
— Markings? — he asked, picking one up.
— They've got colored ribbons at the bottom — I explained — Don't mix them with the others, those are going out first thing tomorrow.
Naruto glanced at one scroll, then set it aside from another on the desk.
— So, what exactly do you wanna know about your sister? — I asked, going back to the papers.
— What was she like when she was little? — he asked after a short pause.
— She reminded me a lot of Kushina — I said, making him look at me, puzzled.
— You mean in looks and personality? — I chuckled.
— Thank Kami, only in looks. She had her mother's features, but her personality was just like your dad's. Always sharp, always ahead of everyone — I smiled under the mask — Honestly, even smarter than Shikamaru.
— No way?! — he said, excited. I nodded without hesitation.
— So you two working together must've been the best team ever, right?
— Actually, no. — He blinked, confused again.
— How not? Weren't you always this smart? Strategic? Strong?
— Deep down, sure. But for a long time, I was blind to what really mattered — I said slowly, dropping the signed paper onto the pile — Took me a while to become "sociable." — I made air quotes with my tone — Your sister always said I was a total idiot.
— What?! — Naruto yelled, completely shocked.
I chuckled at his expression. You have no idea how much I changed because of your sister, Naruto, I thought to myself with a nostalgic smile. She changed my life, and everyone else's around her too.
— Guess I should just start from the beginning — I said calmly, leaning back in my chair as I thought of where to begin — I met your sister when we were four. But her story started almost a month before that, with my father, Sakumo Hatake… and your father, Minato Namikaze.