Characters: Kakashi, Temari
Summary: Kakashi picks up a new habit.
Pairings: KakaTema
Author's Note: This takes place after Gaara has been revived and brought back to Suna. Teams Kakashi and Gai haven't left for Konoha yet. And yes, I know the crack is reaching critical velocity.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
In his life, Hatake Kakashi has had many habits. Tardiness is one, and reading Icha Icha when he should be focusing on battle is another. He also likes to lead people on wild goose chases when they start to wonder what's beneath his mask.
The activity he's engaging in right now consists of two habits. One is an old one—escaping from hospitals rather than submitting to a medic's treatment—and the other is a new habit—sitting on a Suna wall next to a Suna kunoichi.
"You're going to have trouble repairing that wall, aren't you?" Kakashi is, of course, referring to the gate Akasuna no Sasori was so courteous as to blow up. His single visible eye gazes wearily at the rubble, visible even from clear across the village.
"Yes," she answers heavily, eyes following the progress of water escaping from a damaged pipe. The loss of any water in the desert is devastating. "We're behind schedule, but that's to be expected, considering how short we are on manpower. The council's recalling all nin on missions outside of the city until we can figure out how to go about rebuilding."
"Ah."
Nothing more is said for a while. It's nearly morning, and Kakashi can feel the heat rising on his back already. Good grief; it's not even six o'clock yet. The yellow light is soft on the skin, though.
Then, she speaks.
"Listen, Kakashi-san…" Her low voice drags out the words reluctantly "…thank you, for helping to get Gaara back."
Kakashi winces. "Don't. Really, I only participated a little bit. You'll want to reserve your thanks for Naruto and Sakura. They did most of the work. I just ripped some guys arm off and passed out once or twice."
From her position with her head still lolled on his shoulder tiredly, Temari watches some of the workers struggle with the rubble. Her eyes are a little dull. "Oh. Okay."
This is comfortable, even if it is quiet. When Kankuro calls them down, it takes a great deal of effort for Kakashi and Temari both to move and rejoin the real world.