status ongoing
background the two years between Naruto and Naruto Shippuden
notice I spent the past few days catching up on Naruto after a very long time, and I felt that it was time to get back on the horse and write something. I think it's fair to assume that Kakashi could have suffered from depression during the timeskip. After all, Team 7 was disbanded, Sasuke betrayed them, and the other two left him in favor of training with the Sannin. We don't see Kakashi as an overly social being in general, so this is my guess on what may have happened back then. Enjoy!

i. it's called intervention

Four months after Naruto's departure from Konoha with Jiraiya, Tsunade decided that Kakashi was suffering from depression.

Of course, she didn't specialize in the inner workings of the human mind and psyche (she left that to specialists like the Yamanakas), but her career as the best medic in the Five Great Shinobi Nations and as a kunoichi had taught her a thing or two about the imprint of the shinobi life on those in direct contact with it. Depression, panic attacks and post-traumatic stress were only few of the mental diseases that threatened shinobi all over the five nations.

It was normal, it was understandable, and it was very very inconvenient.

Kakashi Hatake was usually one of the shinobi that caused no trouble to her. Certainly, he was a sassy unpunctual pervert, but he was loyal, strong and precise. His ninja skills could not be doubted and he was a great squad leader, for the sole reason that he seemed to inspire respect in his team members, who followed his orders to a T. She supposed that ten years in ANBU could do that to a man. Kakashi had his own reputation to uphold, and it was not one to be taken lightly by allies or adversaries alike.

However, every shinobi had their breaking point, and it seemed this was Kakashi's.

And, of course, the fool was buried head-deep in denial concerning the matter.

"With all due respect, Hokage-sama, I am not depressed."

Tsunade peered at him over her joined hands, while he stood in front of her desk, hands in his pockets and jaw clenched.

"Then why do you insist on taking on mission after mission after mission, Kakashi? According to our data, in the past four months, you have undertaken four S-ranked, seven A-ranked and six B-ranked missions."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow in confusion. He clearly didn't see where the problem was.

Tsunade sighed, putting down the file. "Each and every one of those missions were solo. And while you are an excellent shinobi, Kakashi, I cannot afford to have you being reckless on the field."

"I have not—"

"No, you listen to me, Kakashi. Your last mission was to escort the ambassador from Ishi back to their village. It was an A-rank. And while he was pleased with your performance as an escort, it was heavily implied that your mind was not it in."

Kakashi's eyes narrowed.

"In fact, he casually mentioned that you deliberately let him deal with three of the missing-nins that attacked you, while they were six in total."

She could see a vein pop on his forehead.

"Hokage-sama, let me explain. The ambassador was a high-level ninja like myself, while the ambushers were mere chuunin. He could hold his own just fi—"

Tsunade's fist slammed forcefully against her desk, effectively making a sizeable dent. "I don't care if he could fend off with no escort at all, Kakashi! He was paying us so he wouldn't have to. And you went and disobeyed my orders while escorting a high-ranking official. And, believe me, I would be willing to give you the benefit of the doubt if I hadn't gotten three more reports referring to similar behavior on three of your previous missions. Damn it, what kind of image do you think we present to the other nations when our jounin behave like that?"

"I—" he tried a third time, only to be interrupted again.

"Can it, Hatake. I don't care if you are one of my best shinobi. I will not tolerate such insolent behavior. I understand that the disbandment of your team has been hard on you, but this is not a laughing matter. I need you at your full potential. So you either get your shit together and learn how to operate within a team or there will be no more missions for you for a long time. Understood?"

For all intents and purposes, Kakashi didn't. "Hokage-sama—"

Tsunade waved a warning finger at him. "Do not make me assign you a psychiatrist, Kakashi. You know I can."

Kakashi closed his mouth and nodded in defeat. There was nothing more to be done and he knew it. She would not change her mind on the subject.

"Good call. You are dismissed until further notice."

With a sharp bow, Kakashi turned on his heel and walked out of the Hokage's office.

Tsunade brought her hands to her face and massaged her temples. Damn those shinobi who thought they knew better than anybody. Damn this village and the thousands of responsibilities it came with. Damn that pervert Jiraiya for passing her this job and then skipping away. Basically, damn everything.

This was too much to be dealing with sober.