Chapter 3
Kakashi was nervous. It was completely irrational to be nervous about meeting someone who potentially belonged to the clan of his sensei‘s wife. They probably didn‘t even know her, but he still couldn‘t stop it.
So when they arrived at the inn they were spotted at, Kakashi wasn‘t ready at all to face another connection to the people he failed to protect, but no one ever asked if he was ready and Genma already knocked on the door.
The Man who opened the door looked exactly like how Kushina-San described her older cousins and uncles. He wore a blueish gray Kimono shirt with black ANBU-pants. His hands and ankles were wrapped in white bandages. He wore dangling earrings and matching necklaces. His dark red hair is pulled into a high ponytail and a beautiful hairpiece decorates it.
“Yes? How can I help you?“
“We’re here on the Hokage‘s orders. I’m Hatake Kakashi and this is Shiranui Genma. Can we talk to you for a minute?“
The man eyed both of the visitors for a minute before answering.
“Uzumaki Yasu.“
He opened the door further to let both of them in.
The room was nothing special, just like every other room in an inn. Kakashi could however spot a few personal belongings, mainly scrolls and ink, laying around. Then he did a double take. The man who had opened the door for them was sitting in the corner of the room and was working on a scroll. How had he gotten there without Kakashi noticing?
“That‘s Uzumaki Hikaru. It would be better if you don’t disturb him. He nearly figured out how to draw his seal and gets annoyed if someone bothers him.“
Kakashi could only nod. There were two of them? How had nobody noticed?
“So what did the Hokage want from us?“ Yasu moved to sit, motioning for the others to do the same.
“He wanted to know more about the bounties you have collected. Your entry in the Bingo Book is very impressive.“
“Bingo Book, huh? I haven’t seen it. Would you mind showing me?“
Genma nodded and pulled out his copy. The Uzumaki took it and started searching for the entry. When he found it he snorted softly.
“Look at this.“
He showed the book to the working Uzumaki, who had ignored them until now.
“Yasu, I’m working.“
“Hikaru, please. It just takes a second.“
The man looked up, rolling his eyes but smiling fondly.
“And here I thought I was the annoying one.“ He took the book and snorted softly as he started reading.
“We don’t even look that similar.“
He was right. Now that Kakashi could see his face, he could easily tell them apart. Their face structure was different, Hikaru‘s was more feminin than Yasu‘s. It reminded Kakashi of Kushina. Their eyes were different too, Yasu‘s were a soft shade of green and Hikaru‘s a beautiful blue that reminded Kakashi of the ocean on sunny days. That thought made him pause. What was he thinking? Why was he comparing this random Nin‘s eyes to the ocean? Maybe he read too many romance novels? He should really focus on icha icha.
Genma looked at him weirdly and Kakshi realized he was staring. Even Yasu raised an eyebrow in his direction. Hikaru thankfully was completely oblivious.
“All of the bounties you’ve collected are rumored to have belonged to thesame organization.“ Kakashi cursed inwardly. He wasn’t good at human interaction and the Hokage knew that. Why did he send him on such a mission?!
Yasu cleared his throat.“Yes, the Akatsuki“
“Is there a reason why you’ve been going after them?“
“There‘s a rumor that they want to collect all of the bijuu. We want to stop that because we feel responsible. It was Uzushio‘s knowledge that made jinchuuriki in the first place. Most of them didn’t want to have a ijuu sealed inside of them. PEople hate them and villages treat them as weapons. The least we can do is take care of other people who target them because of what is sealed inside of them.“
It was a noble cause for sure and to think that they protect their cousin with out knowing him makes Kakashi nearly smile. He glanced at Genma who nodded.
“Would you like to join a village? The additional support couldn’t hurt, especially with how powerful those Nin are.“
“We haven’t really thought of that. I guess it wouldn’t be too bad to have a home again.“ Yasu looked at Hikaru, who had gone back to working. He looked up, smiled at the other and continued drawing his seal.
“Do you wanna join the ranks of Konoha?“
Both of them looked up, staring at him like they didn’t expect the question, even thought Kakashi already hinted at it.
“Really?!“ Hikaru blurted out, Looking excited and a little hopeful.
“The Hokage still has to approve, but he authorized us to offer you a place in Konoha should we deem you fit.“ Genma explained.
“We would love to.“ Yasu smiled softly and looked at Hikaru who grinned.