Chapter 5
Convincing Sasuke to let go of Itachi's hand and come back home was both harder and easier than Kakashi had expected.
He really hadn't wanted to leave, but in the end, it seemed he was so drained, that he just didn't have the energy to argue anymore.
"Tsunade said he should wake up some time tomorrow, she'll call us as soon as he shows any signs of waking. I'll still let you stay home tomorrow, so we can leave to visit once he does wake up. I imagine it'll be good for him to know you're there. Once he's out of the hospital, he'll also come home to us. Before we go home we need to drive by the anbu headquaters, is that ok with you?"
"Sure, but why?" Sasuke didn't even ask about the previous statements, just simply answered.
"I need to get my things and speak to our squads manager."
For a second Sasuke seemed confused, then he asked
"Why?"
"I'm quitting my job."
"You're what?"
"I'm quitting the anbu."
"Why?"
"I just can't do it anymore. Not with a clear conscience, at least. I know the three of you don't like it. I haven't liked it for a long time. It's too dangerous for someone who is singlehandedly responsible for three kids. What if one day I get shot in the field and die out there? What will happen to you then? You'll all lose everything all over again, you might get ripped apart and put in the foster system, where you'll be tossed around like objects. I don't want that to happen.
I've been thinking about quitting for a while, I just wasn't sure, if I would be fine with leaving my comrades behind.
But now, not only do all of you rely on it, but so will Itachi.
I already hated the risk, when it was only Naruto, but with Neji and then you it got gradually worse and Itachi. I don't think Tsunade told you, but Itachi'll never completely heal from this. Someone tried to rip his eyes out, but was luckily stopped by Madara, they're damaged, just like his left arm, lungs and stomach are. Those things will take years to heal or simply will never heal.
I can't do it anymore, not with the knowledge, that I'd be leaving You, Itachi, Naruto and Neji all alone to fend for yourselves. I can't reconsile that with my conscience."
"Ah, ... and what now? I mean Itachi needs to be taken care of yes, but someone needs to pay for that, Naruto and I aren't aed to work at all and Neji can only do the bare minimum. How are we gonna do that?" Sasuke asked, as if he hadn't just been told the entire medical report of the only family member he had left.
"That's why we're going to the manager, I'll become an instructor, I've had enough field experience for that kind of qualification, I just need to get it signed."
Kakashi was surprised Sasuke hadn't reacted to the information he'd given about Itachi, just another sign of how drained he was.
Once they arrived at the headquaters, they both got out and Kakashi brought Sasuke to his locker. It was weirdly unsettling to bring a Uchiha child in there, especially with all the police walking around. The amount of people staring at him and especially at Sasuke in so many different wayds was unnerving.
Some lockers had been opened by force for evidence. Kakashi hoped his was still intact.
And luckily it was. Whatever miracle had caused them to skip his locker, despite being connected to this case in a way, he was grateful for it.
He cleared out everything and put it in a box, luckily no one asked what he was doing or why, he really didn't have it in him explain this entire story once again.
Then they had to go to their manager, which was another weird conversation, luckily in the end, maybe also because Sasuke was with him and the man did feel some pitty for him, he agreed to let him transfer, saying it was unfortunate but he understands the decision.
Then they went home. At home, Sasuke sat down on the sofa and started reading something, Kakashi guessed, simply trying to distract himself. While Kakashi started to put his things away.
In any other situation this would have made him feel nostalgic and melancolic, but now, it was weirdly easy to put all those deadly weappons in a box and put it in the last corner of the furthest away drawer he could find.
Then he sat down next to Sasuke without saying anything. He could sense Sasuke had an urge to talk about everything that happened today, but wasn't quite ready for it, so Kakashi simply started the conversation.
Since though not the best at it himself, he knew from experience with his three boys, it was better to immediantly start talking about ones feelings instead of bottling them up even the slightest bit.
"So, since I don't see you starting this conversation, I guess I'll have to do it. I get it that what you saw today was scary. I totally get it, but you know, he'll get better and most of those tubes today, were for nutrition and water, which he desperately needs. His eyes are also still there, I saw that look in your face when you saw those bandages, but like I said in the car, although they're still there, they're damaged. We don't really know to what extend but one far worse than the other"
"That's why they kidnapped him instead of killing him you know." Sasuke said bitterly, "They wanted his Magekyo Sharingan and the intel from team Ro, since your team has some kind of international security and have to keep confidentiality even towards your old boss. That's why they tortured him. For his eyes and information. But I'm guessing since he's still alive he didn't talk. ... I may be young but I'm not a fool. I understand what you told me in the car earlier, I just..."
"I'm glad that you understand, but it's still ok to be scared, sad and maybe angry about what happened, that's ok, that's normal"