Kakashi usually had pretty good control over his expression; he was good at reading the flow of conversation, and picking up things about people. Between those two talents, he could usually see where things were going before they got there. But what Artemis said was totally unexpected, and for a moment, even Kakashi was caught off guard. His eyes showed it, widening a fraction before he could quite stop himself from looking at Artemis over his book. He'd kick himself for it later, since that moment's worth of hesitation could cost him his life in a battle. He really could be stupid sometimes.

Right now though, he had to give an answer, and figure out why, out of all the things to ask about, had Artemis picked that. The immediate scene that came to mind was one Kakashi never really forgot, or even stopped thinking about. How he had gained the sharingan at the cost of his best friend--the price of being lower than trash.

It was also the truth that he wasn't about to tell.

"I've been a ninja since I was young." Kakashi relaxed into a practiced smile, though he still wasn't quite able to resume his reading. "And one of the major elements ninjas can use is Earth. I can manipulate that particular element myself, in fact. So I've been in quite a few battles involving falling rocks, or rushing water, or even lightening."

Hopefully, that would be satisfactory. And if not--well, Kakashi was good at avoiding talks about his past. The only person who knew of it in Landel's wasn't one who'd go talking about it carelessly.