「 P r o m i s e 」
age au | 5 y.o. Tenzou & 24 y.o. Kakashi
Story © eskrimlalala

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"Are you leaving?"

Kakashi looked down at the source of the tiny voice who was looking back up at him, with a deep frown on his face. That was almost enough to deter him from actually going.

"I'm sorry, Tenzou. If I can stay here, I would," Kakashi said instead, kneeling to match their eye level.

Tenzou's frown turned into wobbly lips. The kid was trying his best not to cry in front of him. It was endearing and upsetting at the same time.

"Please don't cry, Tenzou, hm? I have no choice but to go, really," Kakashi said softly while cursing internally at the same time. If only Kakashi hadn't cared for the village and the hokage this much, he would've flipped off the mission messenger and ran away with Tenzou instead of leaving the kid, again.

"I'm ... trying," Tenzou sniffed. The older man cursed softly before pulling the kid to his embrace.

"You promise," Tenzou's little voice came through. "You said you wouldn't leave me."

"I know, Tenzou. I'm sorry."

It wasn't enough, as expected. Tenzou clung to him, little fingers gripping on his vest. Kakashi hugged him back tightly, hoping that time could pause for a moment.

He wanted to stay a little longer.

"Hey, Tenzou?" Kakashi murmured. The kid peeked up from their hug, looking at him curiously. "What do you think of moving to Konoha altogether? That way, I don't have to leave you."

"But!" Tenzou's sudden outburst surprised both of them. He deflated a bit before speaking up again, "Konoha is scary..."

"It won't be scary if I'm with you, will it?"

Tenzou took his time mulling over the question, looking at him skeptically.

"I want to be able to keep my promise to you, Tenzou," Kakashi pushed a little more. "This way, you can stick by my side and I can protect you from all the scary things."

"Even Danzou?" Tenzou's gaze at him was hopeful and it broke his heart knowing such a child could be this fearful of one person.

"Even Danzou," he confirmed, because he knew he would. Damn his position. Over his dead body, he swore mentally.

Tenzou perked up at his answer, lips pulling up to something akin to a smile. "Okay then."

"Okay? You will come with me?"

"Mhm!" Tenzou nodded. "Promise you will protect me from scary things?"

"Always, Tenzou," Kakashi kissed his temple, making the kid giggled quietly. "For you, always."