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The Uchiha compound was sprawling. Single story buildings sat clustered together along dozens of roads that wound through the old land, having expanded over the years into a winding maze to confuse any enemies that tried to invade. It was a village all on its own, nestled nicely on the outskirts of the city of Konoha. The residential area was complete with marketplaces, stores, clinics, and restaurants.
And as such, it was not strange for locals who were not clansmen to frequent the area. Kakashi, in particular, was fond of a bookstore located at the compound’s furthermost edge by bars and shops that catered solely to shinobi looking to blow off some steam. And though he did currently have his face in a brightly colored book he was not there for anything of the sort tonight.
No, today was a special occasion.
Tonight he was going to visit his old teammates, Obito and Rin, in the residential area.
Tonight was Uchiha family game night.
The venue chosen was Obito’s house. Kakashi knew the way there like the back of his hand, but it didn’t stop him from wandering the streets in hope of missing just enough of the games so that his lack of participation wouldn’t matter. As much as he did not want to go, Kakashi had long since learned that not attending wasn’t an option. The consequences of which were very creative and on several occasions involved Gai and brass instruments.
Kakashi shuddered at the memory as he walked up the few steps to the front door and through the wards. He knocked gently on the door frame before opening it and stepping through.
Inside was warm and dimly lit with hooded lanterns. He could hear people talking in the sitting room as he unwound his scarf from his neck and made sure his mask was still in place.
“Bakashi, that better be you!”
Kakashi did his best fake smile as he stepped around the corner dragging his gaze from one corner of the room where some other relatives of Obito’s sat. over to the other table where his teammates sat side by side across from… a homeless man.
“I didn’t know you were taking in strays again Obito.”
“Hey!” Obito nearly stood up but Rin put a hand on him to stop him. She had a look on her face like she was watching something both horrifying and yet fascinating as she stared at the man across from her.
“He’s… This is…. Obito’s… His mother’s… estranged uncle.” Rin frowned slightly as if the man’s presence confused her more than bothered her.
“Really? Where’d you find him? Under a bridge?”
“I’ve been in solitary you brat.” The man spat out at Kakashi causing Rin to jump slightly, but only caused her to stare more intently at him. Kakashi had only ever seen that look on her face when she encountered something foreign and new in the field or a particularly gruesome injury. She was enthralled.
“Oh for what? Did you steal someone’s intimates from off their clothesline?” Kakashi asked as he sat down at the end of the table helping himself to some tea that had been set off to the side on a tray.. The man spluttered like a hissing cat but before he could continue Kakashi looked expectantly at the table and gestured at its lack of game.
“I thought it was game night. No game?”
“We were waiting for you,” Obito said as he pulled a box out from underneath the table. “Can’t believe we have to have game night here so I’m not late, but Bakashi gets to be late with a slap on his wrist. Every. Damn. Week.” Obito muttered under his breath as he took the lid off and started to set up the pieces.
“I learned from the best,” Kakashi said as he placed his head in his hand, already bored, and shrugged.
Once he was done Kakashi looked at the game with a tilt to his head.
“What’s this one called?”
“Catan,” Obito read off the box,
“It’s a teamwork-building game,” Rin said as she started to deal out cards.
“Huh,” Kakashi said as he accepted them.
“Is Uncle not playing?”
“I’m not playing some dumb kids game.” The man crossed his arms with a scoff.
“It’s game night. Why else are you here if not to participate?” Kakashi asked as he looked at his cards, taking the instructions from the box and looking at them quickly. It took him only a few moments to get the gist of the game.
“He’s on house arrest,” Obito said as he placed his marker on the board, “and as acting clan head it’s up to me to make sure he doesn’t get up to anything.”
“House arrest?” Kakashi placed his marker with a raised eyebrow, “Uncle-chan must’ve done something horrible then.”
“Will you stop that?” The man snapped.
“Stop what?”
“I have a name.”
Rin placed her marker down as she watched the interaction intently, leaning over to whisper to Obito.
“Oh, and what is it Uncle-chan.”
“Madara.”
“Madara?” Kakashi rolled the dice, selecting the appropriate dice, “Like founding father Madara?”
“Yes. Like him.”
“Weird. Must be a family name.”
Rin giggled slightly and when Kakashi looked up, he met Obitos eyes which looked at him like he was dumb.
“Wait. you’re telling me this is the same guy?” Kakashi turned to Madara,
“Surprised?” The man said cockily
“Shouldn’t you be like a hundred?”
“He is.” Obito said as he took his turn, “He’s just… weird.”
Madara scoffed, “Immortal. I’m immortal… ish.”
“So cool,” Rin said as she leaned in as if barely restraining herself and wanting a closer look.
That explains that.
“Knock it off girlie,” Madara spat through his teeth, “Or you’ll regret it.”
“Hey, you can’t talk to my girlfriend like that under my roof. Show some respect!” Obito pointed at Madara with his hand of cards before gesturing to Rin.
Madara looked between the two of them and raised an eyebrow. “You’re dating him?”
Rin flushed lightly, “yeah.”
“Why?”
Obito spluttered. Kakashi grinned as he rolled the dice and moved his pieces.
“What do you mean why?”
“Well,” Madara seemed to consider what he was going to say, “you look like a groundhog that was hit by a jutsu gone wrong.”
Kakashi broke out into a fit of laughter. Madara smirked as he continued, “I don’t understand why you would want to date my nephew when you could’ve dated him” he gestured at Kakashi.
“You think Bakashi is better than me?” Obito said, offended, as he took his turn
“He's definitely better looking,” Madara said from where he sat with his arms crossed. Rin took her turn.
“You think I am good-looking? I’m flattered Uncle.”
“I’m not your uncle.”
“You avoided the question.”
“I did not.”
“You did. And I dare say you’re blushing now.” Kakashi put a few more pieces on the board before nodding and declaring, “I win.” Grinning with a look of innocence on his face.
“Wait, how?” Obito asked as he looked over, “We didn’t even get to work together!”
“Rin and I have been exchanging cards this whole time.” Kakashi shrugged as he started to pack up the game.
“Traitors!”
Rin leaned on her boyfriend and giggled, “That was fun. We should play a card game next.”
“Only if Uncle plays,” Kakashi said
“I’m not playing.”
“Why are you scared?” Kakashi asked, leaning on the table with his head in his hands, “Just one game. It’ll be fun. We can even bet on it if you want.”
Rin started shuffling a deck of cards with expert precision, “It’s alright. No one ever beats Kakashi anyway.” She said as she started dealing.
“Cheating bastard,” Obito muttered.
“Fine.”
Rin stopped while Obito looked up quickly from his hand.
“What? Just give me some damn cards already.” Rin quickly dealt him into the game.
“So you never answered the question, why were you in solitary?”
“Mind your own business brat,” Madara said as he took his turn.
“He tried to kill the Hokage.”
Rin sat up straighter while Kakashi whistled,
“Tried?” Madara sounded like he couldn’t believe his ears, and scoffed.
“You succeeded?”
“Depends on what you consider trying and which Hokage you’re talking about,” Obito said bitterly.
“And they just let you walk around now?” Rin said as she put down some cards.
“Immortal.” Madara frowned as he picked up a card.
“He has chakra seals tattooed on him. As well as tracking seals, and one that will explode if he even tries to step foot out of this house. He can’t do anything anymore.”
“Ahh, they’ve got you covered on all fronts then. I’ve been there.” Kakashi said as he put down his hand, “I win.”
“We literally just started,” Obito said.
Kakashi shrugged. “Be better.”
“Another round!” Rin cried and she started dealing before anyone could answer.
As the night went on Kakashi and Madara got more and more competitive with each other. Madara won every other round in every game they played. They were both completely oblivious to the other two at the table, who kept leaning in to whisper to each other. After about six more rounds of various card games, Rin and Obito excused themselves, not that anyone noticed, and left for the night.
Everyone else in the room left and soon it was just Kakashi and Madara locked in a battle of wits.
“If you win this round I’ll bring you breakfast. And I know how Obito cooks so you’re probably getting pretty desperate for some decent food.”
“And if you win?” Madara asked as he dealt.
“If I win you have to tell me your story.”
Madara took a moment to consider it, “Deal.” he picked up his cards.
The game went by slow. Each one calculated their moves based on how they’d seen each other play the other rounds and games that night. And when Madara cheated, Kakashi kept his mouth shut, merely looking at the sunrise instead. The truth was Kakashi wanted to get to know the man more but didn’t think he’d get much information from him if he forced it out of him.
And Madara knew he let him cheat but he was too lonely curious to feel bad about it.
“I win,” Madara said quietly. Kakashi turned away from the window.
“I guess I should go get started on breakfast then.”