Title: Return Home
Warning: Male X Male
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Prelude
Ancient Japan 1867
He leaned against the open shoji doors, legs stretched languidly halfway out of the ima (living space) onto the elevated veranda, aged eyes staring thoughtfully at the season change taking over the small garden. A breeze breathed through the entrance, the sigh of a peaceful afternoon playing gently with his thick crown of gravity defying hair and cooling his skin.
High above a naked coral-red branch of the almost bare Japanese Maple before him, a little bird sung its last song for the flitting fall regardless of the fast approaching cold. It seemed least bothered when the tube of the bamboo fountain tipped over and hit the hard rock beneath it with a resounding echo, water spilling forth into a pond.
thunk
Emptied, the wooden arm swung back to its previous position as water begins to trickle from the fountain into it anew. He blinked, coming out of his trance, and went back inside. After sinking comfortably into the zabuton (Japanese cushion), a wrinkled hand shakily lift the tetsubin (cast iron kettle) from the hearth and poured freshly brewed tea into two small cups, the sweet refreshing aroma of sencha permeating the air. The man then carefully replaced the heavy pot on the roasting furnace and looked up expectantly as the fusuma doors slid open, admitting a blond decked in full ANBU outfit.
"Hi." The newcomer greeted quietly, voice near a mere whisper. "Tadaima. (I'm home)" Removing his wooden mask, Naruto smiled softly, the small expression lighting up his handsome young face.
"Okaeri. (Welcome home)" the other replied in a gruff voice roughened by age and returned the smile with a crooked grin. Gesturing to the second cup of hot tea, he invited the blond to join him at the zabuton.
thunk
"I've got you a gift on the trip back." Naruto continued stealthily as he went to sit himself beside his silver-haired companion. For a few moments, he rummaged through his pockets in silence then retrieved a small frog charm. "Kaeru. (frog/to return)" the kitsune bearer gazed at the gift with unreadable emotions before pressing it into the old man's palm. "Kaeru. Wherever you may go, remember to come back home…to me."
"Ah…" the older male acknowledged without hesitation. "Definitely."
thunk
Naruto nodded with satisfaction, then leant his head on the other's shoulders and hugged the dependable frame. Gently breathing the familiar musky scent he had came to love so much, he relaxed his body as his companion answered with an arm draped over his back. The blond could hear the rhythmic beating of his lover's heart and it lulled him into a trance, and slowly he felt his eyelids grew heavy.
"Though I would rather you've gotten me the last volume of Jiraiya-sensei's Icha Icha Series." the man started, mumbling in mock seriousness. "I never did find out how the series ended after you burnt my whole collection…"
"Oh shut up you Perv." The jinchuuriki snorted in amusement at the ex-nin's cheekiness, too lazy to do anything else while being enclosed in his warm embrace, and simply let his eyes slid close.
thunk
"Naruto…I need you to promise me something..."
"Hmm…What is it?" the younger male hummed contentedly into the warm chest he laid upon.
"I'm going to have to be gone for a while." The man whispered, his voice faltering, "Until I come back, promise me you will stay strong."
The jinchuuriki stilled then shook his head hard in denial. "N...No. NO!"
"Stop! Naruto stop this! You've to look at me..." That beautiful baritone hardened with a desperate plea as relentless hands forced his head up. "Look at me and promise you will stay strong."
thunk
Long eyelashes fluttered open to reveal cobalt blues drowning in sorrow and anguish. The older male stared back determinedly, gaze never wavering. Knowing that it was unavoidable, he twisted his lover's shirt into his fists and choked out. "I promise."
Upon hearing the words he wanted, the ex-nin slumped forward in relief and exhaustion, hands going back to hug the blond once again. "I am sorry...and I love you so much Naruto." The soft whisper was breathed into his ears.
Naruto tightened his arms around the man and snuggled closer, refusing to be apart for another minute longer. He could feel the bitter sadness ravaging inside his chest as he whispered back weakly. "Me too Kakashi."
The silver-haired male smiled serenely and lifts his eyes to the azure sky. He watched the clouds drift passed slowly before his attention was distracted as the bird finally took flight, little wings lifting it far into the horizon.
It would be winter soon.
Naruto. Kakashi thought as he felt himself fading away, his heart beating slower and slower. Naruto, I will miss you. His head dipped forward as he took the final breath. The blond who stayed in his embrace did not move. A single tear rolled down from his tan cheeks.
thunk
He was alone now.
TBC Maybe