Aftermath, a naruto fanfic

Title: Aftermath
Author: Seoinage
Series: Naruto
Word Count: 378

Rating: K
Spoilers: Up through manga chapter 252 and anime episode 126. (Probably not that high; I'm just too lazy to get the exact numbers.)

Written for: Penguinsensei on LiveJournal, who wrote me a Neji x Strawberry Short Cake x Gin OMG OT3 fic. heart! Since I promised her that if she wrote it, I'd write a Yondaime/Kakashi fic for her in return, matching the length of hers (359 words). I went a little over, but she didn't mind.

Author's Note: This is sort of a sequel to "Seal".
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If sealing the Kyuubi seemed impossible, the aftermath almost destroyed his control. Not that he had much of it left, especially when faced with this.

The bowl of ramen sat on the tabletop, long forgotten, abandoned, and cold. Picking up the chopsticks where they lay scattered on the floor, he set them to rights, a small motion he could do when he could do nothing before.

"I'll volunteer," replied the young jounin gravely. The other survivors, of similar rank yet older in age, stared at him, some in consternation and some sympathetically. He did not notice as his gaze tunneled in on the Third.

Of his own free will he stood here, the earthly belongings of his teacher silent and somehow mocking. Mocking the fact that he lived while the other died. Mocking, mocking, mocking.

Kakashi drew a breath, the mask concealing the slight hitch and quiver. His eyes closed, face tilted up towards the ceiling as if seeking benediction.

Then he started.

Grabbing the garbage bags, he threw away the perishables, trash, and miscellaneous items quickly and efficiently. After that, he packed all the clothing and usable goods that could be given away to other families.

But when he got to the photographs and books, Kakashi paused, his hands gripping a wooden frame as his entire body bowed over it. Breaking, he was breaking.

When the storm could be wound tight again, he stuffed it back into his soul. The youth carefully packed away the pictures into a separate box, one he would take home with him. Grabbing another box, he worked on the row of books, a familiar orange cover nudging his memory.

Flipping Come Come Paradise open, Kakashi stared at the black scribble covering half of the main title page inside.

You should be honored in receiving this personally signed edition of my first book, boy. Keep this to guide your way since my reputation will suffer if you can't deliver!

Jiraiya

Gloved fingers traced over the text as if to soak it in.

"Kakashi, we are Konoha shinobi. We are Konoha. That truth is mine." Blue eyes pierced him. "Will it be yours as well?"

Closing the novel, he placed it in his hip pack. "Sensei, that is my truth as well."

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Constructive comments and critiques are welcomed and adored.