#gosh it's almost like sasuke. doesn't want to kill naruto or something

[evilkitten3]

naruto: b4 u kill anyone else in konoha kill me first

sasuke: *literally right in front of him; definitely within chidori stream range* k *leaves*

Why did sasuke kiss him so hard late last friday night and keep on letting him change all his plans

[dreamersscape]

Maybe it’s not my place to say this, but...it MUST be said.  We’ve lost too many friends already.  The fact that we see this group of childhood war veterans, who lost so many friends growing up, banding together to be like “NOT ONE MORE” - in a complete departure from the behavior their forebears, who, instead of chasing a comrade in order to save him from an early death, chased him right into the grave - that’s HUGELY powerful.  Kakashi has people who fight for his survival even when he can’t see the value in his own life, which is a gift his father wasn’t lucky enough to receive.

Oh gosh, everything you wrote in this section, Pan - it resonates so strongly with me! I love Kakashi's generation so much. I don't have the words to add anything more to what you've already said, but I am a big ol' puddle of feelings over this and when I remember that Kakashi is supposed to be the youngest of them all I short-circuit even further.

it was so interesting watching this episode, because honestly, in the moments where we saw his face, I felt almost - intrusive!  Like - I had the urge to look away.  And I felt more comfortable once it was back on.  Even though it is lovely to see his smile in full...I felt like I was spying on him!  I might have felt differently if we were seeing him willingly take the mask off in front of someone else, but as it was, we were just kind of peeping in through the tv while he thought he was by himself - I felt like I was invading his privacy.

Oh, I felt the same way! Like, RIP to the kids and the lengths they'll go to to settle their insatiable curiosity, but we're different! The only "satisfaction" I got from seeing him without the mask was how much he does resemble his dad, so I can't not love the bottom gif, but I'm also deeply relieved that he doesn't know what any of us saw. X)

Honestly, I got the same vibe later, when Kakashi produces the Susano’o (ON HIS FIRST TRY AND WITHOUT EVER LEARNING HOW) and Sasuke’s like “that’s impossible” and Naruto says something like “no it’s not!  It’s Kakashi Sensei; they don’t call him the Copy Ninja for nothing!”  And also - “It’s even more awesome than yours, Sasuke” lmaooo like I just adore Naruto admiring his other teammates and scolding Sasuke to appreciate them better XD XD XD

Haha, yes! And not just a Susano'o, a fully-formed one! He was a prodigy after all. :D

And yeah, I also adored Naruto's immediate impassioned defense of Obito. <3 I think this must be part of the reason why Naruto's and Kakashi's relationship tugs on my heartstrings so keenly, despite it not being given as much focus or even poignancy as Kakashi & Sasuke (and I don't want to downplay what Sasuke and Kakashi mean to each other, 'cause it's intensely meaningful as you're so skilled at illuminating), but selfishly, I love how freely he proclaims his fondness for the people he cares about, and if ever someone was in need of an overabundance of unreserved displays of love, it was Kakashi. And obviously Kakashi also receives that from Gai, but Naruto also is open about the aspects of his sensei he finds annoying too. And Naruto just immediately loves Kakashi (well, I mean, after the bell test I suppose) without really knowing him! Bah, I am very ineloquent today, but anyway, now Kakashi can comfortably tell Naruto he loves him back and that will send Naruto over the moon. <3

(I also want to ramble about Sakura & Kakashi, but to do that optimally, I ought to hold off just a tiny bit longer. ;)) *is attempting to be a tease without actually saying anything*

Kakashi.  Sir.  Go at your own pace, but also please know that you’re killing us.

And I guess...there’s also something...oddly in-character about Kakashi allowing, or even...expecting this very personal moment to end up being about someone who isn’t him, even though this is his friend and his crucible and the conclusion of almost twenty long years of his life.  The grief is his.  But he is so devoid of ego or expectations...he doesn’t make things about him, even when they ARE about him.  Even when the pain of it all literally sends him to his knees.

Oh, for sure. My ire was more directed at Obito in a, "Really? It's great you want to encourage Naruto to keep persevering because he reminded you of your younger self, but don't you have ANYTHING to say to your lifelong friend who is watching you die for the second time when he thinks he was the one who should be dying? Really, nothing at all???" way. 😄

(^^^ do NOT talk to me about that detail.  when i saw kakashi drop to his knees like that...that was.  too much.  that was a fantastic, brilliant choice in terms of characterization, but wow.  This is the only time I can think of that Kakashi has reacted to something by being so utterly overcome like that, in a situation where a) they’re in the middle of a crisis that needs management, and b) he’s in front of the kids.  Never in his life have we ever seen him so exposed.)

Fine, I won't say anything about it then. But I'm thinking very loudly about... something. :P (I meant to mention it before because it was an ache that's stuck with me as well, but even then most of what I could say on the matter would be: *incoherent sobbing*)

as if i need to be prompted.  as if i do not think about this every blessed day of my Life

Yeah, yeah, I know; redundant to even ask if you'd thought about it. :) But good to know we're still occupying each other's brains! But honestly - it delights me so that Yamato & Kakashi have entranced you as much as they have for me. Obviously we were both very fond of them before 426, and we had already drawn the general connotations that were spotlighted in that episode beforehand, but I still remember how dramatically watching it broke my brain (and my heart) and right after hoping but not wanting to assume it would have a similar affect on you. And then it did! I'm sorry to have wished psychic pain on you, but I needed you to succumb to the same agonizing, exquisite magic that was 426. It didn't make me love Kakashi & Tenzo more, but it... that episode changed me. XD

But I can’t help it.  I want to see the After.  Or, I mean, I don’t actually expect to “see” much of it; the show’s too close to being over; I just want the story to end with the characters in a position where I can think about it or wonder about it on my own and have my thoughts be the slightest bit plausible.

ME TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Neither confirming nor denying anything, but it is also constantly on my mind! I've kinda already mentioned it to you, but imagining Kakashi and Yamato reuniting after all this, when it was entirely possible Yamato was dead, when he was tortured by Obito and (a now-reformed?) Kabuto and was used as a tool instead of a person and a ton of people died because of his usefulness, when everything Kakashi thought about the world was upended, he lost his left eye again, thought he was going to lose Gai, lost Obito again, but has become so much less conflicted about being close to people he loves, and Yamato knows what would make him most happy even if he doesn't believe its his to have and be a part of... Not to parrot you but MOST COMPELLING THING EVER.

I. need. them. to. HUG.

Of course it will take much more than that for them to heal from everything, but it's a pretty darn good starting point!!!

But now we MUST talk about your list of good things for Yamato!!!

#i want to see him working with former foundation kids (sAI) and feeling like he actually has something to offer them#not right away because honestly this man has the right to work through his own experiences first and he hasn't fully done that yet#but eventually#i want him to leave the anbu and be part of the Jonin Assembly and vote yes when it comes time for kakashi's nomination to be confirmed#i want him to walk around the village without a mask#i want everybody to know him by name (whichever one he'd rather they use)#i want everybody to know that half of the village's post-pain construction is his doing#i want tsunade to realize just who it was singlehandedly holding off multiple kage AND the entire shinobi army during the final battle#and tell him that she hasn't seen wood style like that since her grandfather's time#i want him to never ever say 'i'm just a pale imitation' ever again#i want him to get invited to the dumpling shop#i want naruto to pull more stupid pranks on him#i want sasuke to meet him and be uncomfortable and unpleasant and uncertain until eventually he's not#i want kakashi to release every confidential document from the hokage's private library and help yamato find the family he was stolen from#i want yamato to try every new thing under the sun#anything he thinks is intriguing or curious or exciting#anything he thinks he wants; anything he thinks will make him happy#even things that won't; just as long as they're Experiences he can have#i want him to chase feelings and savor tastes and do anything that makes him feel like more of a human being#and i realize this is a lot of 'wants' but#i don't think it's too much to ask#it's what he deserves

This is the best thing I've ever read. 😭

And not to cherry pick, but this part--

#i want everybody to know him by name (whichever one he'd rather they use)

--I have a whole host of emotions about this and how it could tie into him and Kakashi working through how they see each other vs. how they see themselves and like even though he would very much prefer Kakashi use his correct codename (:D), Kakashi calling him Tenzo means something very special to them, but Yamato is sorta the person he is now, who he's become with team seven... So while there'd be nothing wrong with him going by both, I have been wondering if one would start to feel like a better fit, and how that would factor into how their relationship is evolving or will evolve. If Yamato was picked, for example, I'm sure Kakashi would have absolutely no problem changing his habit, that wouldn't be an issue, but maybe Yamato might feel a little turmoil about requesting that of Kakashi? I dunno... Anyway I think it could be a symbolic part of their new dynamic!

in-progress (and incoherent) naruto thoughts: waterfall of tears no jutsu edition

kakashi spending an entire day and expending a ridiculous amount of effort and chakra just so his kids can HAVE FUN.  him secretly playing with his kiddos and all their little twelve year-old friends just so they can enjoy themselves, with them none the wiser that he’s doing any of it - him spending the day entertaining children and letting kids be kids Just Because.  just because he wants to.  just because it makes him happy to make them happy.

obito ripping multiple universes open searching for the last surviving member of the family he destroyed, the last surviving member of his own family.

sakura and sasuke seeing each other through that portal.  sakura calling for him, him running to her, the portal shrinking, him catching her before she falls down.

sasuke looking up to see kakashi leaping in front of him to take a projectile meant for him, to die shielding him, just like kakashi promised him he would, all those years ago [i’ll protect you with my life]

i was so stubborn.  and so often…ill at ease.  but you always came to my rescue.

obito sparing kakashi while sacrificing himself.  you stay here a little while longer.  it’s too soon for you to die.  don’t be so quick to follow us.

who do you want to save this time?  kakashi.

I REALLY LOVE YOU GUYS