title: Would Have Been
author: iniq
characters: Kakashi and Naruto (Kakashi POV)
rating: PG
category: gen, drama
challenge: naruto500 #12 (reflection)
warnings: unhappiness, read death of character into it if you want
disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Masashi Kishimoto. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
summary: 370 unbeta'd, quiet words about reminiscing, c'est tout
Would Have Been
--
"It would have been great, you know? The four of us, together, fighting."
Kakashi looked across the lake, ignoring Naruto's futile attempt at making the past look rosier than it was. The boy's legs were dangling heavily from the bridge, unusually still. He had never known Naruto to come here before. Maybe it was a good spot to think.
Looking down at the glistening surface of the water, he admitted to his own wishes. With a hand gesture, he offered, "Sakura could've taught us compassion."
"She would have, yeah."
The eager bobbing of the blond head beside him, told him he'd said something right. He hadn't known Naruto to be so wise before, either. Wise with the kind of understanding that came from thinking too much. And he'd been such a boisterous child.
They sat in silence for a bit. Kakashi watched the reeds at the far side of the water. The sun set slowly behind the woods, shrouding the sky in pink and violet colors.
"Think he would've taught us some of his family's jutsu?"
There it came, the inevitable mention of him that made Kakashi want to scream out loud. What did Naruto want him to say? What was it that he needed to hear? The same thing, over and over again, and Kakashi couldn't help but fail every single time Naruto needed him to say the right thing.
"He would have."
The answer was enough for a bit. Naruto hung his head, watching the wind ripple the surface. It was getting cooler already; too soon.
A heavy bird swung its wings, flying home before nightfall.
"Think he would've been happy? With us?"
No, Sasuke would have never been happy. That kid had been damaged to the point of no return by the age of six. Nobody could have done anything that would have changed that destiny. Sakura's love hadn't been able to stop him, Naruto's love had only made him stumble...
"I'm sure."
He wasn't there to tell Naruto the truth, because Naruto knew the truth himself.
"Yeah."
Kakashi closed his eyes.
It would have been great, you know? The four of us, together, fighting.
It could have been.
But it wasn't.
--