The rush of hot water gushed over Kakashi's face, dripping down his hardened body. He could feel the tension in his muscles release as a feeling of relief overwhelming him. Temari's ambiguous words had left the room under a deep silence, everyone wondering the meaning behind them. However, the exhaustion and tiredness of the day got the better of the group, resulting in Kakashi convening the meeting.
Finally alone, Kakashi allowed his thoughts to overtake his mind.
My own team... It's been awhile. Since the Team 7 days.
Kakashi ran his fingers through the ends of his wet hair as the memories of Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto ran through his head. Despite all the teams that he had been assigned to previously, they were the most memorable by far. It was pure joy merely to observe their growth not only as a team, but as individuals as well. Also, it helped that his team basically saved not only Konoha, but the world.
Who knew that the Sasuke obsessed Sakura would now be one of the most respected medical kunoichi in the land? Naruto as well... The biggest surprise. Class clown to the next Hokage. I don't think that anyone expected this outcome.
Kakashi stopped his shower before he could let his mind move to Sasuke. Despite his crimes being pardoned and him becoming a Leaf ninja again, it never reduced the amount of guilt Kakashi placed on himself. Was there more he could have done to save him from his own despair... The team's despair. It haunted him day and night, wondering what could have changed if he had tried harder to help him... What could have been. It was his duty as a leader, and he hadn't fulfilled it.
Finger-combing the silver locks into place, he slid his eyepatch over the Sharingan, and let his thoughts drift back to Reina; the woman shrouded in mystery.
I know what I saw in that field. Golden eyes. I don't know her purpose of concealing them yet though... Best to keep quiet and observe for now. If worse comes to worst, I will confront her about it later.
Kakashi knew that she posed an issue amongst the members. Her wish to be independent from the team was clear as crystal to the others, driving a gap in between her and everyone else, and making him unsure of how to bring everyone together.
This may be the difference between success and failure.
His hair and body now dry, he donned his innerwear and exited the bathroom, only to meet Gai standing a metre in front of him, a stopwatch in his hand.
"Kakashi you devil! You beat my shower time by 0.37 seconds! The score stands at 61 - 60 now, but not to worry! I will surely catch up in due time!"
A look between disbelief and disregard showed on Kakashi's face, not sure whether Gai could get any more oblivious than he already was. He banished the thought instantly from his mind though, afraid that karma would deliver his just desserts. Side stepping around Gai, Kakashi flopped onto the bed, mentally defeated.
"Sure Gai, whatever you say. By the way, the walls are pretty thin here. Best to keep it down."
Gai stood facing Kakashi triumphantly, his iconic toothy smile beaming brightly.
"Nonsense Kakashi! I have no secrets to hide from our Kirigakure and Sunagakure comrades!"
The last part caught Kakashi's attention.
Kirigakure? Reina and Naru?
"Gai, what is the room layout?"
"Funny you should ask! Starting from the room nearest to the staircase, it goes as Kirigakure, ourselves, Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure."
Nodding in acknowledgement, Kakashi turned in his bed to face the wall.
Soon after, he heard the water running from the bathroom, leaving him to his own thoughts again.
2 floors, 6 rooms, and 5 sleeping chambers. It's probably for the best that Reina is next to us. Further hostility may develop if she rooms next to the other members.
Kakashi wanted to continue developing solutions to increase the synergy between his members. However, the softness of the mattress was becoming increasingly tempting. Sleep was becoming more and more attractive by the minute, and despite his attempts to stay awake, soft snores filled the air in minutes.
A cold and unforgiving mist surrounded Kakashi and Reina, the rest of the Kibo nin injured and unconscious. Reina had sustained a deep gash on her right arm, and Kakashi likewise on his left leg. The Mangekyo Sharingan had already been activated, and the after effects were taking a toll on his mind. He could sense the enemy was near, but the direction was indiscernible. Kakashi could feel his breath steadily growing heavier, the blood loss no doubt being the cause. He looked over to Reina, only to observe that she was in a similar state.
A soft rustle from behind reached Kakashi's ears, enabling him to make a last minute escape from the flurry of kunai. Exiting out of his roll, Kakashi looked up towards Reina... Only to see her impaled by a blood soiled sword from behind.