CHAPTER ONE
Kakashi brushed off a few stray bangs off Sasuke's delicate forehead. The Uchiha child was asleep and exhausted by tears in his newly-appointed guardian's arms. The recent massacre of the Uchiha Clan had left him internally scarred. And to think, Sasuke was only seven years old. Kakashi placed Sasuke on the bed gently and sat on the bedside, lacing his fingers to Sasuke's. His heart extended for the pained little child who had been through horrifying nightmares that no other individual should have ever been subjected to. He bent towards the unconscious boy, planting a kiss on his soft, red cheeks. Kakashi then blew out the candle. He closed the door and headed out of the room towards the kitchen, the whistling kettle indicating that the water had come to a boil. Releasing a sigh, he made a pot of coffee and poured some into a cup.
He pulled a chair and sat on it, sipping the coffee peacefully. As he gulped it down halfway down his throat, he heard a rustling noise. It somehow seemed to be emanating from the living room. He ignored it, thinking it be the neighbour's mischievous cat. Suddenly, a tearful Sasuke emerged from the shadows, rubbing his eyes continuously. He was evidently in that state for quite a long time, judging by his drenched T-shirt. Sasuke was lonely. And afraid. He apparently disliked that sensation. Kakashi approached Sasuke, gently placing his right hand on Sasuke's cheek. Sasuke wrapped his hands around Kakashi's waist and pressed his face against Kakashi's shirt, soaking it with his miserable tears. They stood frozen at that position for a few minutes until, Kakashi lifted Sasuke on his arms bridal-style, making his way up the stairs and back to the bedroom.
He gently lay Sasuke's fragile body flat on the bed, as though his life had depended on it. "Don't be afraid. I'm here. I will always be, no matter the consequences," reassured Kakashi, who joined Sasuke on the bed as well. "I will protect you. With my life." He combed Sasuke's lengthy, smooth boy bangs aside with his fingers and much to his astonishment, Sasuke was already sound asleep, and anyone who didn't know any better would easily mistake him for a newborn baby. Sasuke looked so adorable. Kakashi felt that maybe that was what it felt like, to be a father. He closed his eyes and eventually fell asleep as well.
IN THE MORNING..
Sasuke blinked repeatedly as he arose from sleep, the predawn sun filtering faintly into the largely secluded room. He glanced towards every direction, but he noticed that Kakashi was no longer at his bedside. But he detected a pleasant fragrance. He was somehow drawn to this captivating scent. Following it, he climbed down the stairs slowly and at that very moment, his eyes were fixed on the back view of Kakashi who was whistling as he prepared breakfast. Presumably, Kakashi had already hear the echoing of footsteps since Sasuke had stepped out of the room. He turned right around and laid eyes on a bedheaded Sasuke, frowning and scratching his head in total confusion. It was deemed obvious that any remnants of the broken child from the previous night had dissipated… At least for that very moment.
"Good morning, Sasuke-kun. We'll have waffles for breakfast today. Come, have a seat and enjoy some," said Kakashi in a somewhat cheery tone of speech. "Mmm.." replied Sasuke. He was completely oblivious to Kakashi's true intentions. Placing three steaming-hot plates on the coffee table, Kakashi pulled a chair for Sasuke as well, patting the seat in invitation. He then continued in a somewhat hopeful voice, "Oh, and Naruto will be coming over in awhile to accompany you." Kakashi smirked and bit his lip, anticipating Sasuke's presumably awkward reaction.
Sasuke's eyes widened as he caught that name. Naruto. Oh, how he enjoyed observing Naruto's eyes darken from sky blue to velvet purple when he made a vitriolic comment. The tiny blotches of red that would instantaneously appear on his cheeks within a matter of seconds, accenting his already pale skin. He would give Sasuke a blazing stare from under his silky smooth, pale lashes. THAT was the expression in which Naruto would display when angered, in fits of rage. But despite that, beyond Sasuke's carefully-constructed façade, lay his deeply-buried emotions. His TRUE emotions. And the only person who could pierce right through it was none other than his own sensei, Kakashi Hatake. Sasuke smirked at the thought, with Kakashi sighing in relief. He had thought that Sasuke would grumble in annoyance at the mention of Naruto's name. But above all that, he, in actual fact, knew the absolute truth.
As Sasuke sat next to Kakashi, the peculiar look that Kakashi gave him made him feel very uncomfortable. The look that flashed the 'I-know-how-you-REALLY-feel-and-you-can't-hide-it' factor. Sasuke's face etched in desperation. He gave a silent yelp and his heart thumped hard as though it was popping out of his chest. Sasuke was afraid that Kakashi would tell Naruto. He certainly objected that thought, he just… Wasn't ready. He needed more time. Sasuke made a futile attempt to conceal his emotions, the tiniest bit of humility creeped out of his features – That was already enough evidence for Kakashi to guess the bitter truth, even if he hadn't known already. It was extremely obvious. "It's okay Sasuke… I'll be quiet about it."