Seasons shifted quietly in Konoha.
The sharp green of early spring softened into summer's gold, then cooled into autumn's amber. Meanwhile, Kakashi Hatake continued to be a recurring presence at the Namikaze residence.
At first, only in the mornings to meet her father for training and missions. Then, for post-mission discussions. Eventually, he was convinced to come for dinners disguised as sparring practice.
At first, Kazane watched from a distance, behind engawa pillars, from the shadow of sliding doors left open just a hand's width.
He was rigid, she observed, distant. Every motion, every step measured. His chakra hummed differently than others she had felt.
Sharp. Cold.
Kazane chose not to approach the first week or the second.
Instead, she continued watching. Studying.
The rhythm of his breath.
The way his shoulders tightened when her father corrected him.
The flicker of something unreadable in his eyes whenever laughter broke out around him.
—
One evening outside along the engawa, Kakashi had stayed late. Dusk painted the courtyard in muted violet. Minato stepped inside to retrieve a scroll, leaving him alone beneath the lantern light.
Kazane was already there, barefoot behind the lone tree, silently sitting with a small pebble stuck to her forehead. When she sensed her father move away, she stopped training and poked her head around and saw Kakashi adjust his hand wrappings.
He sensed her. Watching. Staring.
His head tilted slightly.
"You're staring," he said without looking directly at her.
"You're hurt," she replied.
That got his attention, gaze now fully locked on her.
"Am not."
Standing now, she moved towards him. Stopping just outside arm's reach.
"Not outside," she clarified. "Inside."
A faint crease formed between his brows.
She lifted her hand slowly, "I hurt too."
Carefully, like approaching a wary animal, her small fingers pressed against his wrist. Settling lightly against his pulse.
Her chakra brushed his.
Kakashi went utterly still, his chakra reacting instinctively; tightening, sharpening further, but never lashing out.
"…You're holding it tight," she murmured, more to herself than to him.
His throat worked once.
"You shouldn't touch shinobi without permission."
She blinked up at him.
"You never said not to."
For a moment, something almost like confusion crossed his face.
Then, quieter: "You're strange."
"Kazane," she corrected.
A pause.
"…Kakashi."
She already knew that, too.
Minato's footsteps approached from inside.
Kakashi stepped back immediately, distance reestablished.
Kazane remained where she was.
Minato emerged, eyes moving between the pair, warming at what he saw.
Neither spoke, but something between had shifted.
The next morning, when Kakashi arrived, he paused at the courtyard entrance.
Kazane stood openly this time.
Waiting.
He held her gaze and offered the barest of a nod.
Her gaze brightened, recognising it for what it was.
A Tentative offering.
-
By the time winter brushed frost along the eaves of the Namikaze home, Kazane had turned three.
She grew faster than average, just as her Auntie Tsunade had projected.
Even at three, her reserves pressed at the edges of what lesser jōnin could wield.
Like a flood held back by a glass cage.
Kazane, supervised by Tsunade, still practised chakra sticking, only now she did so with water instead of solid objects.
The idea was simple; the execution of said idea was less so. While sitting, she had to place her hands in a basin of water, then spread her chakra through it and lift it all at once.
When frustration rose, the seal arrays around the property shimmered less often than they once had.
The rebound inside her still hurt, but not as sharply.
Her body was catching up... Slowly.
-
On a warm afternoon at the end of winter, Kushina visited her dear friend, Mikoto Uchiha.
As Kushina walked through the Uchiha district, she couldn't help but note how it always felt... Alive, with a deep sense of pride rooted and woven from the clan's history and all it helped build.
Eventually, she arrived at the residence of the Uchiha clan's patriarch. Mikoto was waiting by the door to greet her with a knowing smile.
"And how is your little tempest?"
"Better," Kushina replied dryly. "And showing it."
Inside, a small boy sat upright with startling composure.
Itachi Uchiha looked up when they entered; his gaze was deep. Far too deep for someone so young.
She knelt in front of him. "Hello again, Itachi. Remember me?"
He bowed his head politely.
Behind her smile, lingered a painful recognition.
Children. Prodigies. Born into a life that would demand too much from them.
Kushina Uzumaki looked to Mikoto, her long red hair catching the light. "You know, Mikoto, I still can't believe how quiet your house is."
Mikoto Uchiha smiled softly. "That's because you're used to your own voice filling the air."
"Hey!" Kushina puffed her cheeks. "I am not that loud."
Mikoto tilted her head. "You shouted at Minato from three streets away this morning."
"That was important! He forgot the groceries again." Kushina protested. "The future Fourth Hokage can remember battle strategies but not the ingredients to cook ramen?"
Mikoto simply laughed, her hand gently placed over her mouth to hide her smile.
When Kazane's name surfaced in conversation, Itachi listened quietly without interrupting.
"Does she know?" Mikoto asked quietly.
"Not yet," Kushina answered.
Kushina's fingers tightened slightly around her teacup.
"How do you think she will take the news?"
"The same way any child would when learning they won't see a member of their family again." Replied Kushina, her thoughts drifting to Lady Tsunade.
--
One evening, Tsunade stood at the foot of Kazane's bed while the child slept curled between her parents.
Her hands glowed faintly with diagnostic chakra.
Silence filled the room.
Minato and Kushina waited.
After a long moment, Tsunade's chakra faded.
"She doesn't need me anymore."
Kushina's relief hurt more than she expected.
Tsunade did not look at them when she said it
Kushina exhaled, tension easing from her shoulders, "Will she be able to live normally now?"
Tsunade's gaze lingered on the small rise and fall of Kazane's chest.
"She will never live normally, Kushina..."
"However, she will need less monitoring." Tsunade continued. "Keep up with the training, or her chakra will outgrow her again. Push her physically, too, and I mean really push her."
Hearing this, both Minato and Kushina looked pained.
"We're grateful," they both said.
Tsunade waved it off, but her eyes were distant.
For the first time in years, her presence here felt less critical.
She masked it with a scoff. "Try not to let her level a building."
Kushina smiled faintly. "She's only three."
"Mm," was Tsunade's reply.
As if that meant anything, she thought.
"At least stay until she can see you and Shizune off personally," begged Minato.
"No, I leave tonight," she responded firmly. "No more delays."
That night, Kazane shifted restlessly in her sleep.