Something clicked in my head after I read a few of nescione's fics. (so this fic can sort of be dedicated to her. Thankyou for writing To Carthage, Burning and Fair Play) Not really sure about the Naruto universe (I stopped reading after Kakashi Gaiden and only watched a few Naruto Shippuden episodes). Most of my current knowledge is based on Wikipedia (guffaws). This was purely written on impulse.
Anyway, it's fanfiction. Heh.
EDIT: thanks so much to Lupanari for pointing the mistake! shoot me please D:
Disclaimer: Naruto and all related characters belong to Kishimoto Masashi.
It scares Kakashi.
Before he goes for training with Team 7, he is filled with dread. Every single time.
Don't go.
Don't.
How long can you stand looking at them before you break?
Shut up.
He exhales, his visible right eye -his eye- half-closed with fatigue, frustration and (Rule 25 forbid) sadness.
A defeated smile forms under the protection of his mask. Kakashi never smiles like this, at least not in the presence of others. Others who are still living.
"You always understood, Sensei."
It pains him to say the word.
"Are you giving me a second chance?"
The grave before him only answers with silence.
A weary sigh.
His left eye, a foreign object, starts to ache. Kakashi resists the urge to look away from the Yondaime's grave. He would speak to the other two flanking the Fourth's some other time.
Somewhere in the distance, a bell chimes, signalling the time.
Kakashi didn't hear it. He doesn't want to hear.
He doesn't care if his... "students" will scream and chide him for being late again. Being late and making up excuses is the only way he can make up to Obito. If the Uchiha was no longer alive, then Kakashi would live for the both of them.
No, the four of them.
Maybe, even five of them.
A tiny part of his brain wonders if the White Fang would be proud of who he is now.
Another part constantly wonders if the Copy Ninja is proud of who the White Fang was.
Again, he sighs, the smile on his face disappears unknowingly.
It was time.
He turns to leave, yet Kakashi knows. He can never escape the past.
Not when everyday is a reminder of everything he's lost.
Sakura,
I will never forget you Rin, I'm sorry for my indifference,
Sasuke,
I can never repay the debt I owe you Obito, and I will never forgive myself,
and Naruto.
Thank you for everything Yondaime-sama. No, Minato-sensei.
The three wait impatiently, livid that their sensei is late.
Again.
Too many things I want to express in this fic. Which is expressed inadequately.
I laugh at my inability.
It's true. When you look at something again after a very long break, you always discover something new.
I discovered something new. I discovered Hatake Kakashi. Again.
(random musings)
Thanks for reading (smiley face)