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Chapter Text

Family. Kakashi knows family.

It’s big, calloused hands giving him his first blade. It’s taking his mask off at the dinner table, a hand running through his hair, a calm voice gently correcting his footwork.

Even though it’s been years since he’s had one, he still remembers it well. In Konoha, clan, family, is everything. The Konoha branch of the Hatake clan was the very last of their people. Kakashi and his father… they were the only ones that remained. Mentor and student, father and son. That’s what they were. Kakashi’s father had been everything to him.

Family. It’s…

A shining blade, tears, a promise. Hateful words, blood painting the floor.

Afterwards, he had Minato-sensei. There was his team, darting in and out of the darkness of his life, like little slivers of light. So bright, yet so quickly extinguished. There was Gai, and Tenzou, his precious kouhai. And his adorable genin, his fierce and shining students. He loved them all, of course, even if he never would have admitted it out loud. He loved them.

But. Family.

Naruto called Sasuke his brother. Minato and Kushina told him they viewed him as a son. Family, though. It’s something else. Something so powerful, so intrinsic to his very being. Impossible to describe, but there was a difference.

Kakashi had idolised his father. Back in the early days of his youth, he’d practically seen him as a god of a man, a perfect shinobi who could do no wrong. The illusion was later broken, but during those days? He’d have done anything, believed anything.

In his darkest moments, Kakashi hated his father. With Obito’s words ringing in his ears, he had finally understood why his father had done what he’d done, going back and saving his teammates, even if it resulted in the start of a war. But what about the rest of it? Even with the things he’d said, family was family. How could Sakumo abandon him?

Hateful words, a promise.

If family is anything, it’s duty. It’s unconditional love and support; it’s sacrifice. It’s a vow to do anything for them, to protect them, to keep their dreams alive. Family comes before anything, family comes before yourself.

Ah, family. Kakashi knows it well.

–

Kakashi is born as Shinsou Shiro, son to Kasumi and Yoichi and elder twin to Hitoshi. He’s never been a brother before, and he’s initially highly alarmed at the thought. Him? Caring for a child? A small, breakable, puffy-cheeked child, who was only capable of stumbling around and shaking his fists?

He’d taken on babysitting missions, of course, but he’d always been in the guard position, looking for threats from the window, or leaving his genin to do the work while he read Icha Icha on the rooftop. And while he’d often taken shifts on Naruto guard duty, there had been no interaction.

And now he’s a brother?

Kakashi quickly realizes that he has to step up. Kasumi and Yoichi may be his new blood-related relatives, but they’re certainly not family. They were barely fit for existing in society, never mind raising two children. His nights are spent huddled in the corner of the tiny bedroom, blanket tucked around Hitoshi’s small form as their parents screamed and smashed bottles in the next room over.

He spends a lot of time with his brother this way. Hitoshi has wide, round eyes, and fluffy, purple hair. His cheeks are pink and rosy, and his tiny hand automatically goes to grasp Kakashi’s whenever he’s scared. Whenever he does it, Kakashi feels like a bolt of lightning has just swept through his body. A familiar feeling, but something about this is different. It’s not ozone and pain, a Chidori grasped in his palm, ripping through his skin. Instead, it’s the soft crackle and spark of lightning chakra, a warm glow in his core and in his heart.

There’s no chakra in this world, but he feels it nonetheless.

Kasumi and Yoichi are neglectful, so Kakashi does his best. He listens to the radio; he searches for books to read. Kakashi makes sure to talk to Hitoshi often, recounting lighter stories of Konoha and some of Team Seven’s more fun adventures. Hitoshi’s not very good at talking yet, but he does listen, drifting along to Kakashi’s soft-spoken words, and patting his face when he gets excited.

“They’re my team and I love them,” he says one night. It’s easy to talk about it somehow, here in the warmth with Hitoshi nuzzled up at his side. “They’re my team and I left them.”

Hitoshi looks up at him with big, liquid eyes and gently curls his pudgy fingers around Kakashi’s wrist.

“Kashi-nii,” he squeaks out.

And there’s the lightning again, fuzzy and insistent. It’s a strange feeling. It brings with it a certain pang, a desire for action, the taste of salty warmth and desperation in his mouth.

He breathes in, and he lets go.

“That’s right,” Kakashi says. “I’m your brother. I’m family. It’s me, Kakashi. Shinsou Kakashi.”

Hitoshi’s hands. They’re so soft.

Kakashi gets on his knees. He takes Hitoshi’s hands in his own, holds them in a tight grip. “Hitoshi,” he says. “Hitoshi.”

Kakashi makes a promise.

–

This new world is a very strange one with no shinobi and no chakra. Instead of chakra, there is instead quirks, some form of strange kekkei-genkai. Status in society seems to be highly determined by quirk type, and it’s often passed down through families.

Shinsou Kasumi’s quirk is able to disrupt thought. Not highly dangerous, but still very disturbing. Kakashi doesn’t enjoy being on the receiving end of it. Yoichi’s quirk though… it’s a form of emotion manipulation. Toggling their hormones, a sudden chill of fear and breathlessness. Kakashi makes sure to keep Hitoshi well out of the way.

As for Kakashi’s quirk? He’s seen himself in the mirror. While his one eye is purple, and his face is different, smoothed and chubby compared to the leaner appearance of his former body, he still has his bright silver hair. He also still has Obito’s Sharingan, blood red and spinning in his left eye socket. He’s not quite sure how it made the trip, but it’s here, and Kakashi’s reluctantly relieved. Even though he’s accepted this new world as his own, he’s not fully ready to give up his past just yet. There’s a reason he’s still calling himself Kakashi, after all.

Even if his quirk is most likely the Sharingan, he doesn’t intend on using it just yet. Kasumi and Yoichi are already cautious around him. He doesn’t act like a normal child, he knows that, but there’s nothing he can do about it. He’s too busy studying and learning about his new environment. That, and trying to teach Hitoshi. He has a brother now, and he’s going to do everything in his power to protect him. This involves training, both mental and physical. Kakashi makes sure to keep his mind stimulated, encouraging early reading and more advanced trains of thought. He also runs through the easier katas, gently pushing Hitoshi to stretch and keep himself healthy.

On his own time, Kakashi works on his own fitness. He makes sure to do it out of Hitoshi’s line of sight, lest his brother ends up copying him and overworking himself. Even then, Hitoshi seems to have imprinted on him, constantly following him around and vying for his attention. It isn’t irritating, but it is concerning.

Hitoshi looks at him like he’s hung the moon. And Kakashi, well. When has Kakashi ever been any form of a reliable role model?

Tenzou had admired him. Kakashi had never treated him like a proper kohai. He’d gotten him out of Root only to stick him in ANBU. He’d ignored him; he’d brushed aside all Tenzou’s concerns and turned on him when he was only trying to help.

Still, Tenzou’s dedication had never waned. Irritated and desperate sometimes, but the loyalty and resolve was in his eyes. Kakashi could see it.

“You might want to find a new senpai,” Kakashi had said one day, while Tenzou was complaining about paying for dinner. He made sure to keep his tone light and teasing. “I’m sure you can go and catch a better one out there.”

However well disguised, Tenzou still caught the edge to his words. “You’re my senpai,” he said, turning towards him and locking eye contact. “I would never want someone else.”

The words dripped with heartfelt emotion. Kakashi barely avoided shuddering. He pulled out his well-worn copy of Icha Icha in an attempt at hiding his discomfort. “Ah. Really.”

“Really,” Tenzou repeated earnestly. “I mean it, Kakashi-senpai.”

Yes, Tenzou was like that. Earnest and loyal, believing in him despite his many flaws. It’s different with Hitoshi though. Hitoshi isn’t even able to see his flaws. He loves him without reservation, and in Kakashi’s opinion, it’s downright worrisome.

He accepts it anyways, though. Receiving unconditional love from someone who doesn’t know any better makes him feel slightly guilty, but he still takes it. It’s far from the worst thing he’s ever done.

Kakashi’s not a good person, and he’s certainly not a good role model. He does his best though. It’s his brother. Of course he does his best.

He can only hope it will be enough.

–

Kakashi’s new face disturbs him. He copes by getting his hands on a box of medical masks. Apparently, this is the last straw. His parents are fed up with his strange silences, his old eyes and adult behaviour. It’s not a surprise to him when they finally snap.

It is to Hitoshi though. His little brother stumbles into the room, panic and anger on his face. “Stop it!” He demands. His hands are balled up into tight fists, and his knees quiver, but he stands tall in defense of Kakashi. “Why are you saying stuff like that about my brother?”

Kakashi moves to reassure him, but Yoichi stomps in close, sending the pressure in the room skyrocketing.

“You little brat,” he growls. “Don’t tell me what to–”

His eyes glaze over.

Hitoshi’s still flinching back, eyes closed. “G-get away,” he whispers weakly.

Mutely, Yoichi does as ordered, shambling slowly towards the other side of the room.

Hitoshi opens his eyes a crack, and gapes. “I- I-” He turns towards Kakashi, in panic. “I don’t know what’s happening!”

“It’s your quirk,” Kakashi says. Some form of genjutusu? Mind control. He places a steady hand on Hitoshi’s shoulder. “Stay calm, okay? Everything’s going to be fine. Just breathe.”

Hitoshi takes a shuddering breath in.

“That’s right,” Kakashi encourages. “Just like that.”

The next breath comes out as a shaky hiss, and with that, the control snaps. Yoichi whirls around, teeth bared, and the heavy feeling immediately pushes back down over all of them. Kakashi pushes Hitoshi behind him, settling lightly on his feet. He’s been training, sure, but his body is weak and he has no chakra. If they get into a physical fight here, he is definitely at a disadvantage.

“What the hell, you–”

Kakashi exhales and lets his Sharingan spin.

When Yoichi continues to move forward, it’s only to quietly take his place on the couch. He doesn’t grab or shout, simply takes the remote and sedately begins flipping through the channels. He eventually lands on a sports channel, settling in to watch it intently with the volume turned down low.

“...Kakashi?” Hitoshi asks, voice small.

Kakashi presses his eye closed, and grants Hitoshi a pat on the head. “See?” He says calmly. “Everything’s just fine.”

From the corner of the room, Kasumi lets out a short burst of hysterical laughter, before cutting it off abruptly. “I can’t believe it,” she spits. “Both of you. I can’t have anything normal, no, you’re both villains–”

She turns and stalks out of the room, slamming the bathroom door closed behind her.

Hitoshi tugs on his shirt. “Nii-chan, did I do something wrong?” His lip wobbles, and he looks like he’s about to cry.

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Kakashi says firmly. “We’re going to figure this out. I’ll figure this out.”

And magically, that’s enough to wipe the tears from his eyes. He looks up at Kakashi with nothing but trust, and believes him completely. “Okay, nii-chan,” he whispers, and smiles a small, gap-toothed grin.

He trusts Kakashi. He believes in Kakashi.

Kakashi is trying his best. Please, please, let it be enough.

–

They visit the quirk specialist later that day. Kasumi takes them both, and they spend the entire drive there in tense, frigid silence. Even Hitoshi can tell something is wrong. As much as Kakashi would like to keep him oblivious, it’s impossible to hide Kasumi’s fear and disgust.

The staff at the specialist’s office are much of the same. Once they determine that Hitoshi’s quirk works through asking questions, all of them refuse to answer his brother at all. Kakashi does his best to keep his spirits up, ruffling his hair and pointing out the colourful cat posters on the walls. It works, but only slightly. Hitoshi is sufficiently distracted, but when Kakashi’s own quirk comes up, things quickly get worse.

If Hitoshi’s quirk made them distrustful, Kakashi’s quirk causes them outright terror. None of them can figure out exactly how it works. Kakashi tries to sell them on a story of illusions and a type of distraction field produced with prolonged eye contact, but he’s not sure if they fully buy it. Genjutsu encompasses so many things. It’s a complete manipulation of the mind, an extremely powerful ability in this world. It’s not flashy or strong, but it is terrifying.

Best to keep things quiet, then. It’s always good to have an extra kunai in the holster. All he knows is that if they discover his full capabilities, it would end in disaster.

Either way, they treat both him and Hitoshi with suspicion. The secretary calls out to them as they pass by. “Aren’t you two just a perfect pair of little villains?” Hitoshi’s head droops, even as Kakashi pins her with a sharp glare. She stiffens, but keeps her fake, plastic smile glued to her lips.

“I don’t want to be a villain,” Hitoshi confides to him once they get home, nestled in their blanket fort once more. “I’m not going to be one, right?”

“You won’t,” Kakashi assures him.

Hitoshi believes him. Without reservation, Hitoshi believes him. This absolute trust, this limitless love. This boy. His brother.

It’s something Kakashi needs to protect.

“I love you, nii-chan,” Hitoshi mumbles, and drifts off to sleep.

Something to protect indeed.