Hey, hey hey!! So, here’s the latest instalment of the picking up! verse! You can read the other “chapters” here. Very rough, but I missed this universe!
In which Kakashi meets goes back to the Hatake estate.
part i - part ii - part iii - part iv - part v - part vi
The Hatake estate resides up on the hills at the outskirts of Konoha. Some say it’s an ode to their family guardian, the Great Wolf, to be settled in the very hills and forests they’ve sworn to guard a long time ago.
Kakashi isn’t sure if he believes in the legends. He used to, maybe, back when he was younger when the very path he walks now is full of green leaves and not dry earth - back when the estate was brimming with life.
Tucking his hands into his pockets, Kakashi surveys his old home. Jiraiya’s given him a heads up on the state of the property, tacitly reminding him that it was he himself who ordered the cease of upkeep years back.
He supposes it makes sense. The old grand estate has been ran over by the very forest its occupants used to guard. The stones paving the path to the main house has sunk back into the earth. The once-immaculate and manicured gardens are overgrown with grass and dead leaves.
Kakashi doesn’t dare to step into the house, but still, from the gates, he could see the collapsed tiles of the roof, the missing planks from the veranda, and the decaying shoji doors of the rooms.
He sighs, ah, so much work to confront the past for his future. But, he remembers Sakura’s shy smile and the pink of her hair, and he smiles exasperatedly to himself.
Up above his head, the sky is blue, and he has a month or two. Kakashi fishes his phone from his pockets and dials a memorized number, “Hey, Tenzou. You still love plants?”
“When you asked me if I liked plants, I thought you were going to give me one.” Yamato groans, carrying a pot of a heavy baby bonsai. He sidesteps Anko and Genma, who were in the middle of bickering about the color of the estate walls.
Personally, he thinks yellow would be great.
Kakashi snickers, elbow deep into the earth where he’s contemplating on planting eggplants, “Instead, I gift you my company. Isn’t this a lot better?”
Yamato stares at his senpai, resignation and fondness on his face.
From the distance, he could hear Aoba and Asuma chatting as they carry wood into the house, Kurenai ordering them around. Hayate and Kotetsu are up on the roof, working on the new tiles.
It’s kind of refreshing, being around everyone again. And not be in the middle of a war zone.
Pretty nice.
“Sure, senpai.”
It’s been a few weeks since the former team flew in from different parts of Japan. And it’s been a few weeks since nobody’s questioned the lightness in Kakashi’s shoulders, or the ease in his laughter.
Together, they’ve pulled out every weed from the estate’s garden, cleaned out the pond, and have slowly repaired the house to be livable again. Every room has been aired out, floors and shoji doors replaced with new ones - all, except one.
“Hey, Kakashi,” Kurenai calls, leaning against the newly reinforced post, her belly heavy with child. Kakashi looks up from his saplings. “There’s one room left.”
“Ah. I’ll take care of it, thanks, Kurenai.”
Yamato asks, “You sure, senpai?”
To which Kakashi shrugs, “Yeah. Maybe call your protege, Sai, was it? The walls are looking a bit bare.”
His old team has known him for so long that they didn’t question his decisions, knowing that this is something he has to do alone.
Inwardly, Kakashi’s thankful that it’s still light out but at the same time, the sun bares everything - from the decades old dust, the long untouched garments, and dried out bloodstain on the floor.
It becomes a ceremony. Kakashi takes out the furniture one by one, suppressing the urge to touch more than necessary. His fingers hardly leaving every marks.
Here, his father’s closet. There, his mother’s dresser. Slowly, the hallway fills with mementos of the dead.
Once the room is empty, Kakashi kneels and starts to measure. The room is a simple rectangle, the floor made of decades’ old tatami mats, indentations all over the place.
Slowly, he peels each one, leaving the three mats in the middle of the room for last. When he gets to it, it is an island and he faces what he has left of his father.
(Though, that isn’t quite true. The mirrors remind him of that.)
It’s impossible, but Kakashi thinks he could still see the shadow of his father’s curled body on the floor. But with determination and trembling hands, he pulls off the last three tatami mats, fully prepared to replace the base as well. Surely, blood runs through and through?
But underneath the old omote, the base is pristine - and Kakashi cries.
Notes: Life’s been busy (good busy!), so I haven’t had the chance to work on the series and on infinite universes. I do miss the fandom, Kakashi, and Sakura so I figured I’d try to write this one out. Hope you like it!
“So, I heard the honeymoon’s cut short. What happened?”
Sakura sits across her husband, hair loose and curling just above her shoulders. It’s one of the rare times that there isn’t a white coat hanging behind her chair, and her feet aren’t slipped into those horrible squeaky white shoes.
It’s been a while, but Sasuke still thinks his first love is beautiful.
They’re sat in one of the cafe they used to frequent, a stone throw away from the hospital and a 30 minute drive from the law firm.
It’s where they had their first date as a mother and a father and it’s where Sakura served him their divorce papers.
It’s also a place that serves really good black coffee.
“Father needed someone to take over the Kumo assets project,” Sasuke answers, looking away from what sure to be Sakura’s disappointed eyes.
Clucking her tongue, Sakura leans back and waves a waiter over. “One slice of strawberry cheesecake for me, and one lemon yogurt cake for him. Thank you.”
The waiter leaves quietly and Sakura holds the silence, far used to Sasuke’s. But still, she is who she is and she asks, “How did Hanabi take it?”
Sasuke thinks about Hanabi’s clenched jaw and narrowed eyes, and the determined set in her shoulders. “Not well, as expected.”
Sakura sighs, “Sasuke, seriously…”
Their jobs and the time they devoted to it are one of the reasons why they divorced. Sasuke knows that Sakura’s worried that his bad habits carried over to his new marriage, but it hasn’t.
He’s learned.
“That’s why I’m taking a leave next week for a month.” Sasuke smirks, “Hanabi brought war to father’s door.”
Sakura laughs at the image of Hanabi facing against Fugaku and feels relief at the thought. “I would pay for front row seats to that.”
It’s a relief that Hanabi’s unflappable to pressure the Uchiha is putting on her new husband. Probably because she’s way too familiar of how it feels, having grown up in a similar environment with the Hyuuga.
The girl’s got a back of steel, something Sakura didn’t have when she first married into the family.
Turning away to watch the people outside the cafe window walk under the afternoon sun, Sakura remembers how cowed and scared she was entering the family.
They were young, just straight out of high school. In love with each other and with the idea of love. It was no secret that outside the main family, the Uchiha didn’t like Sakura.
And Sakura felt small, those first few years, but then, Sarada came, and everything changed. She had to be strong, better.
“Enough about me,” Sasuke grins, pulling Sakura away from her thoughts, “So… Kakashi?”
Sakura rolls her eyes, the question so familiar and with Sasuke grinning, she’s reminded of just where Sarada gets her brand of cheek.
Still, her lips curve into a sweet smile at the thought of silver-haired male. He’s been up in the mountains for a “hike” with his “old officemates” for weeks now.
He was without any camping gear but Sakura didn’t ask. Kakashi will tell her when he’s ready.
“What about him?”
Sasuke regards his ex-wife with a softness in his gaze. It’s great to be able to talk this way. Light, teasing, just like when they were younger. It’s easy now, now that they’re older.
(But Sasuke still remembers the stares across the hallway. The new teacher, and the way Sakura’s eyes gravitate to him outside classes. The tutoring, the tension.
((And that one conversation he and Kakashi had.))
He loved Sakura then. The same way an Uchiha can love anything or anyone - truthfully, consumingly - obsessively.
It was true, it still is. That’s why they got married so young - because of love. And if their marriage kept Kakashi away for a decade, then that’s that.)
Sasuke shrugs slicing into his yogurt cake. It’s still his favorite, not too sweet. “You brought him to my wedding.”
“It’s almost as if I didn’t,” Sakura groused, remembering the whole night. She didn’t even get to dance a full song with the man! Lady after lady stole him away from her in the dance floor, sent by…
Eyes hardening, Sakura sips her coffee and asks, “Should I be concerned?”
“About what?”
The doctor pauses and surveys her ex-husband. He’s hedging, that’s never a good sign, but she wasn’t married to him for nearly a decade to not know how to navigate the storms that are in his head.
“You know what I mean - your brother, god, even your cousin.”
Sasuke thinks back to his own conversation with Itachi and Shisui and shakes his head, “I’ll make sure you don’t.”
End Notes: I wasn’t sure how I wanted to write Sakura and Sasuke’s conversation - funny, serious, longing, scary. I wanted to give credit to their past sooo. I hope that came out well.
Plus, a bit of background on their past. Obsessive love runs in the Uchiha blood.
Hi guys! Not sure if people will see this but I hope it comes across your dash.
As people might’ve already known, I live in the Philippines. (Yes, a tragedy and a half lmao) Since March, we’ve had the longest lockdown in the world resulting to job losses, LOTS of human rights violation, hunger and extreme poverty.
The fact that I’m able to write this means I’m still lucky. However, just a week ago, and two nights ago, we were hit by the largest and strongest storms in the world. See here: https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/philippines-super-typhoon-goni-rolly-and-typhoon-vamco-ulysses-flash-update-no-4
I live just outside Metro Manila and near a river, so yes, we were flooded. Just finished cleaning a while ago. But again, I’m writing this, so I’m still fine.
I’m opening commissions for my fellow countrymen living in Cagayan and Tuguegarao. Whole towns are underwater, people have drowned, and many people are homeless. They need supplies - food, clothes, clean water, and financial resources to start again.
Donor fatigue is setting in in my country. We’ve been pulling our government’s damn weight for too long. So here I am.
I’m opening commissions for Naruto (Sakura-centric/ Sakura ships) fics! Please let me know if y’all interested, if not, a reblog will be greatly appreciated!
My main works are here: infinite universes, and picking up series. More details under the cut!
COMMISSION DETAILS!
I am open to writing ANY Sakura ships, but my main ships are KakaSaku and TobiSaku. You may request:
1. A continuation of any chapter from infinite universes!
2. A Oneshot
How long will the stories be? It’s up to you!
1. A Snacc (300-500 words) - $10 - $15
- 3 slots open
2. A Pre-Meal (600-800 words) - $18 - $30
- 3 slots open
3. A Filling Meal (900-1000 words) - $35 - $50
- 2 slots open
4. Restaurant Meals (1100 - 3000 words) - $55 - $80
- 1 slot open
What will this buy?
To help you visualize how big any of these commissions will be, $1 is equal to roughly PHP50. PHP50 can buy 1kg of rice, 2 canned goods. Which means, A Snacc ($15 = PHP750) can buy at least 10kgs of rice, 10 canned goods, fresh vegetable packs, hygiene kit for a family of 5, 24 500ml bottles of water.
Who will these go to?
Frankly, I don’t trust most gov’t associations. When I donate, I usually buy the products myself, repackage it and drop it off to a trusted non-profit organization.
For this, they’ll be going to the victims in Cagayan, Tuguegarao, and Marikina. Given the distance of Cagayan and Tuguegarao (they’re in a completely different group of islands) the donations will be wired via mobile apps while the donation for Marikina will be in-kind.
Until when can I commission? How?
Until the slots run out! We’ll be discussing your desired content via chat/email after the fee’s been wired. The timeline will also be discussed but for Snaccs and Pre-Meals, they can be expected to be given within a week.
How can I make sure you’re legit?
I’ll be using my personal PayPal account. I can also send a picture of me/ my school ID. Whatever will keep your mind at peace (I’ll even do the shoe on my head pic if you want.)
If you’ve reached this point, thank you! Just send me an ask/ message on any questions or concerns or ideas you might have. Thank you so much! A reblog will be much appreciated!
Author’s Notes: This fic is completely self-indulgent and I honestly just go where Kakashi wants to go. If you want to know his plans, hit me up in the ask box to ask the Picking Up characters your questions!
part i - part ii - part iii - part iv - part v
in which Kakashi visits some old friends
“All this, for a woman? Why, Kakashi, you’re much more of a romantic than I thought!”
Kakashi fought not to sigh heavily at the face of Jiraiya’s heavy laughter, inwardly glad at his choice of place to meet. At least, here, in the private rooms of a traditional restaurant, nobody is else is disturbed by his lawyer’s bellows.
When Jiraiya’s laughter tapers off, he leans forward and opens the folders Kakashi tossed him earlier. Quickly scanning it, he whistles at the amount of wealth Sakumo left his wayward son. He’s known of it, given his position as Kakashi’s lawyer but facing it on paper is an entirely different thing. The Hatake may not be as known as the Uchiha and Senju, but that’s where exactly their strength lies.
Sure, the family has long since scattered to the winds, taking on different names, marrying into different families, proliferating in different industries. And yet, still, the Hatake blood runs true and loyalty is given when it’s deserved.
And Kakashi’s more than deserving.
All things look good, until a particular property catches his eye. The Hatake Manor. “Are you sure about this one, Kakashi?”
Knowing what exactly Jiraiya’s referring to, Kakashi buys time and pours them both two cups of tea. Its smell calming the slight tremor in his hands. “Which one are you referring to?”
Jiraiya clucks his tongue and picks up his cup, the sleeves of his haori brushing against the low table. “The Hatake Manor, you brat. You want to renovate it? Are you planning on selling it?”
Whether or not he is, is not Jiraiya’s business. He could already think of so many people foaming at their mouths at the thought of acquiring the mountain property, regardless of the dark history that shadows it.
Behind his own cup of tea, Kakashi shakes his head, thinking back to the velvet box in his mother’s safe. “No, I’m not selling it.”
Jiraiya raises a white eyebrow, oh? “Planning on going back home, kid?”
Kakashi shrugs, “Maybe.”
The face of the elder man across him shifts for quick second into something so soft, it would’ve made Kakashi uncomfortable, and yet, it’s much appreciated.
“That’s good, kid.”
Kakashi nods, shrugging. “So... when’s the next Icha Icha coming out?”
Here’s the thing, long before Sakura came back to his life, Kakashi has already resigned himself to perpetual bachelorhood. Partly due to his sort-of former job, which, in hindsight, he couldn’t entirely leave behind due to its very nature.
The plan was to grow old (if he could), retire from teaching, adopt more senior dogs and quietly retire in one of his hideouts - ehem- getaways.
But well, life and love get in the way. So here he is, in front of an old friend, trying hard not to flinch under her glare.
“Well, well, well. Look what the dogs dragged in - another dog. What brings you to our neighborhood, Scarecrow?” Anko crosses her arms over her chest as she leans forward from behind the counter of the unsuspecting yami-kawaii store.
Not minding the eyes from the shadows trained on his head Kakashi pulls out an envelope from his coat and slides it forward to Anko.
Anko takes it, the safety pins of her bracelet quietly tinkling in the empty store. “You getting married? Who did you kidnap?” she jibes, disbelief in her tone. Anko and her obsession with bride kidnappings, sheesh.
From out of the shadows, Genma steps out and leans over Anko’s shoulder. His eyebrows furrowed at the writing before smoothing out in understanding. He looks up to his old friend and raises an eyebrow, “Seriously? An Uchiha’s ex? Of all people?”
Kakashi shrugs, “Love is blind.” he says, pointedly looking at Genma. Anko sneers at him, humor alight in her dark eyes. Well, that’s a good sign. “And I’m not getting married” yet, “I’m just getting things settled.”
“For marriage.” Genma laughs, “I never thought I’d see the day. Where are you heading next?”
“Aoba, probably. I need help with the accounts.”
Anko tosses him a card, “The darks or the whites?”
Honestly? “Both.” Grey eyes glance at the card before dunking it into Anko’s waiting glass of iced tea. The card disintegrates into ashes in less than a second.
Anko hums and as if hearing her speak, Genma nods. Kakashi wonders if one day he and Sakura would be able to communicate like that too. Ah, he’s so deep, it’s comical.
“You carrying?” Genma asks, ask he walks back into the storage room. Without waiting for his friend’s answer, he emerges back with a suitcase. “Got your favorites in there, Kami knows Aoba’s gonna shoot you because of that incident in ‘06.”
Kakashi grimaces at the thought, phantom pains on his shoulder blooming. He takes the suitcase and offers the two a salute, oh well, can’t afford to be picky - he’s gonna need all the help he could get for the proposal.
A bit lighthearted fluff following picking up I! Hope you enjoy!
“So, you’re dating my mom.”
Kakashi looked up from his book - hidden behind a newspaper, of course, sensitive sensibilities and all that - to meet the curious eyes of Uchiha Sarada.
They were out in the park in Sakura’s hometown where the mother-daughter duo decided to spend their summer. It’s a bit aways from Konoha, just a boat ride away from Mizu but the weather in Uzushio’s the best of both worlds.
And if Kakashi happened to take a long-overdue vacation in one of its many beaches, who could blame him?
“Well, that depends. What did she tell you?” Kakashi asked. Sakura and he have been sort-of dating - what were they? 15?- for months now but he hadn’t gotten around to asking about Sarada’s reaction. He didn’t want to overstep.
Sarada blinked, looking uncannily like her father. “Can you make it official after a month?”
Kakashi patted the space beside him. The bench was worn down, its paint flaking from the sea air. Sarada sat gracefully and turned to him.
“Why a month?”
Sarada fiddled with the hem of her orange shirt - must be a gift from Naruto, although the design screams Hinata. “I’ll be graduating then. I know I’m the best but…”
“Ah, of course.” Kakashi nodded.
Part of the reason Sakura and Kakashi hadn’t made it public yet was to avoid people from thinking that he’d given Konoha Gakuen’s top graduating student advantage because he was dating her mom.
Nevermind that he and Sakura started ~dating~ after Sarada moved up a grade and started learning under Tenzou. Or, that Kakashi had filed his resignation letter a month prior.
Sarada nodded, satisfied, before jumping off the bench, her slippers creating a tiny crater of sand. She shot him a cheeky grin.
“Are you escorting my mom to my dad’s wedding? Can I have a little brother?”
