Disclaimer- I do not own Naruto
Eight-year-old Kakashi
sighed. "It's snowing." He decided right then and there
that he hated snow. He couldn't wait until spring came and the snow
would melt, uncovering the green grass and the little flowers. He
also decided that he hated Christmas. A few years before, he could
hardly wait until Christmas arrived. But now, he couldn't wait until
it left.
Kakashi scowled and pulled a blanket tightly around him.
It was cold.
There was no fire blazing anymore because he now
lived alone. His mother had died just two weeks ago from cancer. He
didn't know whether he should jump for joy or cry.
All he knew was
that he was alone. He figured that was how he would always
be.
Suddenly, the door burst open, letting in the chill of the
night air and some snow. Someone -or something, Kakashi thought- was
framed in the doorway. A big bundle obstructed the person, preventing
the young boy from determining who or what it was.
"Ho ho ho!
Merry Christmas, Kakashi!" A deep voice boomed.
Kakashi
blinked. "Oh, it's just you."
"Just me? How can you
say that, kid? I'm hurt." The person lowered the bundle and
Kakashi could now see blonde spikes and blue eyes peeking over the
top.
"What's so merry about it?" Kakashi asked
glumly.
The future Yondaime sighed and, after dropping his heavy
burden on his foot, limped over to his student. "Look, kiddo, I
know that this time of year is hard for you. I mean, you're
remembering your father and your mother." He didn't miss the way
Kakashi stiffened when he said the last sentence. "And you're
thinking that you're all alone when you aren't." He shrugged out
of his coat and jammed his hands, bound in white tape, into his
pockets.
Kakashi glared at him. "I am alone!"
The
older man paused. "You're only alone if there's no one with you.
I'm standing in front of you so there's no way you can be alone."
When the boy didn't answer, he blew out a frustrated breath. "Look,
kid, I came here to deliver this to you. I'm going to the kitchen to
make some hot chocolate for you. You look chilled to the bone. If you
want to open it, that's fine. If you decide not to, that's fine,
too."
Kakashi stared at the bulk underneath the blanket. "The
least he could have done is wrap it." He held his breath,
listening intently to the noises his sensei was making in the
kitchen. After he convinced himself that his sensei was busy, he
crept over to the present and studied it. It was long and
rectangular.
Kakashi cautiously reached a hand out and touched the
blanket, but then pulled his hand back quickly, jerking his gaze
towards the kitchen door. Then, before he could change his mind
again, he yanked the cover off. His eyes widened as a new, wooden
sled came into view.
He gently rubbed the smooth wood, admiring
the rich, deep color. "This is the best Christmas ever."
He thought in awe. "But how did he get the money for
this?"
Then his brain switched on. Jumping to his feet,
he dashed into the kitchen, skidding to a halt before his sensei.
The
yellow-haired man blinked. "Yes, Kakashi?"
Kakashi
wordlessly grabbed his sensei's hand and unbound the white tape. An
ache settled in his chest as he saw the blisters and cuts. "Why?"
He asked, his voice hollow.
The older man didn't speak for some
time. "Because I figured you would like it. I would have bought
you one from a store, but..." His voice trailed off.
A faint
flicker of a smile appeared on Kakashi's face. "Thanks,
sensei."
"It was nothing. What's a few injuries if it
gets you to smile again?" He shrugged.
"I don't have
anything for you." Kakashi hung his head, ashamed.
"You
don't have to get me anything, kid."
Kakashi's eyes lit up.
"Wait right here!" He took off running.
The future
Hokage cringed as he heard Kakashi slide across the floor and crash
into the wall.
"I'm okay!"
He chuckled and shook his
head, wondering what Kakashi could be so excited about.
His
question was answered when the silver-haired boy reappeared in the
kitchen, clutching something tightly in his right hand. "Here."
Kakashi shoved the item in the man's hand.
"A rock?" The
Jonin questioned, raising an eyebrow and waiting for an
explanation.
Kakashi shook his head vehemently. "Not just a
rock. It's a memory rock. You can take it with you wherever you go
and remember me whenever you see it."
His sensei was silent
for a few moments. "Thanks, Kakashi." He managed to say.
"Now, uh, let's build a fire in the fireplace and get this place
warmed up. You grab the cookies and I'll get the hot chocolate."
A
few minutes later, Kakashi sat happily in front of the fire, enjoying
the warmth of the flames.
