Chapter 6

'' Why are we doing this again?'' Pakkun asked, seating on Kakashi shoulder.

Two months passed since Kakashi meet Orochimaru and Pakkun couldn't be happier with the situation. Now there were even bigger chance for his Boss to leave Konoha. He eat healthy, even more than before, played with the pack more than trained with Namikaze and give no signs of wanting to meet Uchiha or Nohara, or in having a crying fit over the old Alpha shirts.

So image his .. surprise, when after hunting a mouse around Orochimaru house, guided by Pakkun himself, Kakashi says that he wanted to see the park. The park transformed in the Academy training ground, then in the actual Training grounds until both of them caught an all to familiar smell.

Freshly cut grass that in time will become a distinct smell of Vetiver.

Pakkun screamed inside. How was he suppose to make his Boss a missing-nin if he become friends with Gai of all people? Don't get him wrong he liked Gai, even more than he liked this Orochimaru, he was just so...loyal to Konoha and he really didn't add up in Pakkun plan.

Once he wake up Kakashi felt restless. And the first thing he though was 'should I find Gai?' and his second though was 'where is Gai?'. Because he wasn't friends with Gai now, he wouldn't be until he beats up some nameless Chunnin's for him and then they become rivals, but that was Gai equivalent with friends. So after eating a mouse, he took Pakkun with him to find Gai.

He wasn't sure if he begin to train on the Training Grounds at this age, he still has his father, Maito Dai, to train with so maybe they were together. He was at last two years older than him.

When he caught his scent that still made all his tension away and shiver at the same time Kakashi begin to jump from tree to tree until he found him. Training Ground 13, the all genin Training Ground in Konoha and the same place where Maito Dai though his son his techniques and kata.

He was small, still taller, always taller than him and by God he missed him so much. Gai was always there. He was there when Kannabi happened and wake up with his voice in a ear and a spare face-mask for him, when Rin killed herself using him and patted petted him back when he throw up or when he scrubbed his skin raw. When he entered ANBU and always made him remember he was still human. When Sensei and Kushina-san died and the world spiraled so much and always make sure to eat a meal per day. All the times when he cared for him and Kakashi in return so, so much.

He was his only constant living pack.

'' Why are we doing this again?'' Pakkun asked, seating on Kakashi shoulder.

'' I want to be friends with Gai. I don't make a habit in stalking people.'' Kakashi said staring at the small family finishing training and continued to follow them through the market

'' Sure-'' Pakkun scoffs ''- keep telling yourself that.''

'' Would he want to be friends with a six years old though..?'' Kakashi said making Pakkun growl

'' Who wouldn't want to be friend with you?...Gai was always nice to you, just make your puppy eyes at him.'' Pakkun said almost teasing. Kakashi grumbles but doesn't argue. And if he tries to make scenarios in his head to meet Gai again than just he knows.

Maybe Orochimaru has any ideas?? He did form a village and had dozen of children at his beak. After all he couldn't possible kidnapped them all.

'' I see.'' Oro says after Kakashi told him about Gai. On a lower level, he just told him he looks like a good and competent friend. Orochimaru takes another bite from his food. Today was rice with chicken. Fried, grilled and raw. With grilled eggplant on the side.

'' Would he feel weird? Having a friend two years younger than him?'' Kakashi ask stuffing his cheeks with grilled eggplant. Unsubtle Orochimaru puts a piece of meat on his plate

'' Of course not.'' Oro says quickly before continuing at a normal pace '' And if he did you can just beat him up and bring him here.'' he nods to himself

'' I don't want to beat him up. I want to train with him and, and do what friends do.'' after some time Kakashi said '' Why should I bring him here?''

'' ..oh, that's how I become friends with my teammates.'' for a moment he looks like he wants to continue but settles for a small smile. When he sees Kakashi dumbfound expression he says hesitantly '' Do you like Gai, Kakashi?''

'' That's why I want to be friends with him. That and he is well...Gai.''

Making sure that Kakashi fall asleep and after letting one of his snakes at the entrance, safety first, Orochimaru walks unhurried to Tsunade house. With any luck he can convince her to detoxified herself and actually have a conversation. The wards around the Senju Compound let him in and the flowers outside the wards are a clear sign of that fool, Jiraiya. He doesn't knock at the main house when enters and doesn't lingers at the family photo at the front.

Tsunade in all her glory was chugging a bottle of sake, around her multiple empty bottles. When he notices him she says bitterly

'' Ah..I forget about you.'' she laughs '' What did you come to drag me to work?'' she almost spits at him angrily, just the though of hospital making her retch

'' You know I didn't.'' his calm answer makes her even more angry

'' Then you come to gloat. Got yourself a nice date ne?''

'' Sakumo is dead, Tsunade. You would know that if you actually get out of here.'' when she doesn't say anything just looks at him with empty eyes he takes the bottle '' You holed yourself up in this place since the funeral, I don't want any pity from you. What I want is for you to get yourself together and concentrate on the living.'' Orochimaru takes a seat at the table '' Dan niece is in the orphanage now. Dan made you her sole guardian, she is surely waiting for you. If you can't devote yourself to you then devote yourself to her.''

He turns to leave but stops himself and sighs heavily.

'' Is a two year gap too much for a friendship between kids?'' he ask not turning around but knowing that Tsunade was still focused at him

'' Uh..no''

He leaves satisfied.

Next day while Kakashi was on his quest, a hawk appeared at his window. He enters without knocking and feels a small satisfaction seeing his sensei haggard look. He earned it.

'' What do you need Sensei?'' he ask ever the obedient student. If the hiss in his tone made one of the ANBU twitch it was their business

Sarutobi-sensei puts a cup of herbal tea in front of him and says ''Can't I talk with my student once in a while?''

'' Not if you have so much paperwork.'' Orochimaru says glancing at the mountain of papers. If the desk wasn't made from Shodaime trees it would surely break.

Sarutobi-sensei sighs and says warily '' I saw your interest in Hatake-kun. I though you don't take students anymore.''

'' He isn't my student. He is just.. there.'' Orochimaru said almost uncomfortable

'' I see.'' Sarutobi says lips twitching '' Would you be interest in another then? To be 'just there'?'' at his student skeptical look he continue '' Mitarashi Sanzu daughter. She has a hobby of collecting snakes and hiding them in other children pillow.''

Mitarashi Sanzu. He was the best honeypot Konoha ever had. He was an orphan, a civilian orphan made shinobi, until he took his first honeypot mission and remained in Seduction Division. The thing that made him famous was dancing, when he danced, his fans, loose clothes and hair left behind glitter or more like fine colored dust. His target liked it until they fall unconscious already dead. He disappeared, MIA, leaving behind his three year old daughter.

'' I should see if the snakes are fine then.'' He leaves, tea cup empty, stomach burning. He had something to check after all.