Laughter caught Kakashi's ear: Genma’s, unselfconscious. “This was fun, Raidou. Next time you can pick the club.”

Ryouma said hopefully, “Are we using personal names now?”

“Nice try,” Raidou said. “It’s 3AM and everyone’s drunk. I’m not setting policy.”

The Akita rolled onto her back, baring a soft white belly. Kakashi hinged his hips over the window frame and stretched down to rub his hands through velvety fur. Her fringed tail thumped the floor.

A light flicked abruptly on.

“What,” said a startled voice, “the hell?”

The Akita flipped over and bounded to her feet. Kakashi looked up to a soft face, unguarded hands, and a blurred chakra signature. Civilian.

“I like your dog,” Kakashi said. “You should take her for longer walks.”

Broad hands grabbed him by the hips and yanked him backwards out of the window. Kakashi made an outraged sound. Raidou said, “Sorry, he’s— bad-mannered. Maybe think about locking your window, though.”

“Taichou,” Kakashi said.

“Zip it,” Raidou said, and tossed Kakashi over one shoulder like a flour sack. The world flipped upside down. Kakashi made a second outraged sound, somewhat drowned by Ryouma’s laughter and Genma’s disappointed groan. Raidou said, “Drink a lot of water, lieutenant. We’ll see you in the morning.”

“You too, captain. And rookies,” Genma said, with just the faintest twist in his voice. Something almost wistful. He cleared his throat and added, “Don’t assault any more stranger’s dogs.”

“She asked for pettings,” Kakashi said, ratcheted to a new platform of outrage.

Raidou swung down the staircase before Genma — or the neighbor — could respond. Since it was more trouble than it was worth to kick his captain in the face, Kakashi tolerated the ride with as much dignity as he could manage. At least Raidou’s shoulder was padded with muscle. Ryouma loped after them, head tilted sideways as he tried to see Kakashi’s face.

“You look like an owl,” Kakashi informed him.

“A handsome owl,” Ryouma said. He turned his head the other way. “When you look like this your hair almost makes sense.”

“I’m starting to think you’re jealous of my hair,” Kakashi said. “You talk about it so much. Do you like it better than your hair?”

Ryouma folded his arms thoughtfully. “It’s more fun to pet.”

The blood was starting to go to Kakashi’s head. He was strongly considering revisiting that don’t-kick-the-captain policy, when Raidou stopped, hauled Kakashi off his shoulder and set him back on his feet. Kakashi blinked. His hair, for once obeying the call of gravity, drifted down over his eye. Kakashi raked it back.

“You do like my hair,” he decided, pleased. “You’re just undersocialized and mean.”

Raidou rubbed a hand over his face. “Children,” he said, “your captain has had a long day and would like to sleep. Preferably before he loses the will to live. Can we direct this conversation towards home?”

Ryouma bounced from foot to foot, grinned with bright, intoxicated happiness, said, “Race you.”

And took off.

“CHEAT!” Kakashi yelled, and bolted after him.

Behind them, Raidou’s “oh my god” was lost on the wind.

The rush up to the rookie barracks was a blur of motion, chakra-running, and the Sandaime’s giant stone face. Kakashi overtook Ryouma at the cliff edge. Ryouma caught up again at the training fields. Kakashi tripped Ryouma, because Kakashi was a masterful tactician, and Ryouma shoved Kakashi into a bush because Ryouma was a dirty sneak. They made it to the barracks neck-and-neck — to find Raidou already there, pristine and sardonic, because he’d translocated.

He eyed them both. Ryouma was still grinning. Kakashi shook leaves out of his hair.

Raidou snorted, but the corner of his mouth lifted. “Have fun tonight?”

Ryouma took a breath like it was his first, ribs expanding, and let it out. “Yeah.”

Kakashi looked at Raidou. “Did you?”