CHAPTER ELEVEN
The closer they got to the village the clearer his mind became, it was a relief to say the least.
The road was paved in sunlight, there were no enemies lying in wait, and they were even moving at a more normal pace. That being said Kakashi would only start to feel relaxed once they were safely inside the gates. More in keeping with his usual self, he'd spent the rest of the night before going through various scenarios and strategies in his own mind.
As soon as Asuna had fallen asleep he'd gotten to work, going so far as to re-summon Pakkun to scope out the various trails back to the Leaf Village.
Once the plan was set firmly in his own mind he then discussed it further with Yamato who agreed. In the early hours the two man squad (three if you counted Pakkun) of Sai and Yamato went on ahead to give word to Lady Tsunade. And also to make sure the road was safe.
When they had all woken and prepared at sunrise they had immediately set out. By early afternoon they had actually reached the outskirts of the village. Asuna seemed to be moving much easier than the previous day, though Sakura would occasionally insist on taking short breaks.
The surreal feeling Kakashi had registered yesterday had disappeared, instead it felt completely normal to have Asuna walking beside him again. Almost like she'd never been gone, almost. And any moment they did end up treading side by side was short lived so he hadn't actually spoken to her at all since leaving the inn. Leave it to Naruto, and even Guy, to get in his way. But in all honesty he didn't really mind, they were so close to home now.
When they finally came to be standing at the entrance to the village itself he stole a look at her face. Not sure what he had been expecting he was sure she might've smiled in that bright way that she used to, but instead she appeared melancholy to him.
"Right, we're to report straight to Lady Tsunade before we're done."
His words almost fell on deaf ears as Guy was loudly pointed out various things to Asuna that she 'needed' to see. Though she wasn't even paying Guy any attention at this point. Kakashi wondered at the look in her eye, it was one she used to adopt whenever she was somewhere she didn't want to be, but that couldn't be it. His musings were interrupted by Sakura.
"I really should take Lady Asuna straight to the hospital…"
The mention of hospitals caught Asuna's attention, Guy seemed a little forlorn as she blatantly ignored him.
"No, no I'm not so out of shape. I'm fine heading straight to the Hokage."
Now she smiled in that way that was meant to put everyone at ease, but it didn't work so well on Kakashi. Even as they all filed into Lady Tsunade's office her face had returned to that stoic sadness from before. Now even Naruto was beginning to grow cautious.
"Welcome home, avatar Asuna."
"Thank you m'aam."
Tsunade sat with her arms folded and a smile on her face which suggested she'd been able to steal a few swigs of sake while Shizune wasn't looking.
"Good work teams. I must admit, I was expecting at least some kind of trouble on the way, but you all did excellent work…" She paused before talking to Asuna directly. "Now, Asuna, first of all I congratulate you on your successful mission, it can't have been easy. Even for someone as skilled as you... Our next course of action is to have you treated properly at the Leaf hospital, we'll look at filing your report for the mission later, I imagine it will take some time to compile it in any case…"
"Pardon the interruption Lady Tsunade, but I've already prepared my findings…"
As she spoke she began the hand signs for a summoning jutsu.
Placing her palm flat on the desk, in a cloud of smoke a very small cat like creature appeared, sitting on top of a not so small folder. The black and white creature pounced from it before disappearing into smoke, leaving the folder sitting on the desk.
Kakashi stared at it with a raised eyebrow, it was probably as thick as one of the heftier text books he'd read back in the day. Leave it to Asuna, thorough as always. Between Naruto and Lee's exclamations of 'how awesome', Kakashi wondered at her being so prepared, it really did appear as if she were trying to hurry things along. There was still a look about her he couldn't fathom. His eye went back to the dossier on the desk, what he wouldn't give to get a read of it...
"Well well, diligent as always I see. Very well then, everyone else is dismissed. Sakura and I will see to your treatment personally, Asuna."
The others, save Naruto, Kakashi and Sakura all made their way out the door. Asuna didn't waste any time.
"With all due respect, Lady Tsunade, it really isn't necessary. Please don't concern yourself with me…"
"Nonsense! Your stubbornness about hospitals hasn't changed I see, but I've read Sakura's preliminary report, and there is no way this can be avoided. Also, this is a direct order from your Hokage, you will be treated. Got it?"
A vein in Tsunade's forehead began to bulge and there was no possible way to argue back with the tone she'd used. Asuna bowed her head a little in defeat.
"As you wish."
"What's the deal Aunty Asuna? You don't like hospitals or something?"
"Don't pester her Naruto! It's none of your business! Don't worry m'Lady, I'll escort Lady Asuna to the hospital personally."
Asuna regarded the exchange with a forced smile, though probably only Kakashi knew that it was forced. The change in her face when the smile was genuine meant that anything less was a dead giveaway. Tsunade sighed and spoke more quietly.
"I can understand you wanting to get home after so long, and my hope is to have you there by the end of the day. But this really is for your own good. Now Sakura, I will meet you both at the hospital directly to start treatment. Naruto, you are to resume training as of tomorrow, so rest up while you can. Dismissed."
There was a general grumble before the Hokage's raised fist made them all move faster. Kakashi turned to leave himself before he was called back.
"Kakashi, a word quickly."
Without realizing it was happening his eye immediately went to Asuna, she gave him a very brief smile which he returned.
"I'll catch you later…"
She nodded back, then she was gone. Kakashi found himself bothered that he was no longer with her, but knowing she was actually here and safe in the village made up for it even if it was only a little.
Tsunade was staring at the file on the desk.
"Do you need something else, Lady Tsunade?"
Her eyes flickered to him for a second before resting back at the thing on the desk.
"I wanted you to know, I've come to a decision regarding the use of Asuna to gain intel on the akatsuki…" His own eye narrowed a fraction. Tsunade continued. "It was never my intention to ship her out as soon as she got back, and even I must admit, she's already done more for this village than any previous avatar…"
She stood up and watched the others meandering their way to the hospital through the window, Naruto visible in the distance walking beside his Aunt.
"So I decided against it. We have plenty of excellent shinobi who are up for the job. Yourself included I might add."
She smiled while Kakashi stood there perplexed.
"That's good to hear, but why are you telling me all of this?"
The smile faded and she turned suddenly serious.
"While I know for a fact that you were against it, there is another more serious reason that under no circumstance can we let Asuna face the Akatsuki. You read Sakura's report I take it?"
He had, it was no different from what she'd spoken to him about, though he might've skimmed it a little. He nodded yes.
"Reading between the lines, from Sakura's early findings, it's going to take a long time for Asuna to recover mentally and physically, but honestly. I don't think she'll ever be a shinobi again."
The words cut deep but another part of him had a dark thought. Good. She would never leave again.
"I guess the reason I'm telling you is that, should the Akatsuki somehow get their hands on Naruto, there may be no stopping her. And Kakashi, if she overdoes it, even a little, she'll die." HIs eyes widened. "We can't let either of those things transpire now, can we?"
"No. Of course not, don't worry, I'll keep my eye on Asuna. As always."
This time he offered a kind of half smile, though it was joyless.
"Good. And it's important we keep at it with Naruto's training at full speed so I want you back into it first thing tomorrow, think you can handle that?"
Lady Tsunade tapped him on the shoulder as she made her way out the door. He sighed. There was no foreseeable rest in his future.
"Sure."
Asuna sat quietly.
The people around her rushed and hurried, they spoke noisily to each other but didn't pay her any attention. So she waited. Sitting on the bench in the hallway watching everyone go about their business. Waiting.
She was good at waiting. She'd been patient all the while, through the walk to the hospital, the transfusion of more blood into her body and the endless talk of what treatment was to come in the days ahead. All the while Asuna had been biding her time. She'd waited fifteen years, she could wait a little longer. Or so she told herself.
After what seemed an eternity she was called into another room which Sakura had prepared for her. It was something to do with the poison that had entered through her wounds. But Asuna uncharacteristically was not listening completely when Tsunade had been speaking, hell she hadn't even noticed when the Hokage had left.
Everything had slowed for her in a queer way, she was almost at a stand still, paused in time while everyone else carried on around her. It was all she could do not to rush from the room, the hospital, and get to where she needed to go.
Patience.
It had been dogging her since entering the gates to the village, this feeling, something she anticipated might happen but hadn't expected to be so forcible. And yet hours earlier she'd been genuinely at ease. It felt as if she were truly losing her mind.
Sakura's procedure was supposed to be painful but she didn't feel a thing throughout. Perhaps she really was going insane. No, she just needed to get out of here, get to where she needed to be. Then it would be fine. Then she could finally, finally rest.
"You alright Lady Asuna? I know you don't like to talk much but…"
"Oh, I'm fine Sakura, really. Thank you for all your trouble. Perhaps I'm just a bit eager to get home."
Asuna attempted to put the girl at ease with a half smile. Sakura returned a genuine one.
"Of course you will be. Well, I'm all finished up for today, you'll need to come back tomorrow though."
"Yes."
The feeling coursing through Asuna at that second was something akin to excitement, if she was capable of ever feeling that emotion again fully, she wasn't sure. Maybe it was just the last of her patience ebbing away. Sakura stood and undid the hair she'd tied up. Asuna saw that as a safe signal for her to start making her way to the door as well. Grabbing her resting katana and returning it to the spot on her back.
The young medic followed her out the door with a smile and walked with her down the corridors. Asuna watched the floor. Not wanting to be recognized just yet, not before she was able to get there….
She almost failed to notice when they had actually left the hospital gate. This feeling was dangerous. Usually she captured every detail, but it seemed she'd hung up that habit as she finished her mission.
It was finished. That's right. She almost smiled.
"Your house is next door to Kakashi sensei's right? I'll walk you there…"
Asuna felt a fleeting pang of panic.
"Oh no dear, there's no need for that."
"It's no trouble, you are my patient after all."
Asuna considered what she should say at that moment. Words were never her speciality. Then she decided against it, instead she would do as Sakura herself had said the night previous, and take a leaf out of Naruto's book.
"Actually, there is something important I need to take care of first, so I won't be heading home just yet. But I'll be just fine, you've done a great job, Sakura."
This time Asuna freely gave her a smile. There was something about the young girl that she liked implicitly, perhaps she'd known her in a past life or something. Truthfully she could only feel good intentions coming from her, and that was a rare thing.
"Oh, okay then. Just try not to overdo it, the sun will be going down soon too. I'll swing by tomorrow to collect you for your treatment, alright?"
Sakura seemed to gauge the situation well, Asuna wanted to be alone while she did this.
"Thank you, I'll see you then."
The girl blushed as she waved and ran off into the distance with a grin. Asuna tried to return it but for a second there had been a sting of jealousy or nostalgia of her youth. She shook her head. It was finally time.
She turned into the breeze and felt its coolness refresh her. It had been a very long time since she'd spent that many hours indoors altogether. And in one of her most hated places to boot. Now she could finally finish this properly.
Asuna thanked her lucky stars that at least her feet knew where to go because the rest of her was flummoxed. It would've taken a second for her to earth map the village again but she wasn't entirely sure she had the energy right now. It was taking every ounce of what she had left just to keep walking. Just a little further.
So far so good. No one had approached her so far, with the sun setting fast everyone seemed to be heading indoors, thankfully.
Asuna's eyes drifted up as she reached the steps to the gate. Each step she took hurt just a little bit, but it was nothing she couldn't endure for a moment, she was so close. With a great exhale she pushed her tired body through the gate at the top of the stair.
She walked past the rows upon rows of neat and tidy headstones. Knowing exactly where she was going now. Her eye flickered to one headstone that was more well kept than the others, with fresh flowers upon it.
Kakashi has been here already.
The thought made her smile for a bit. Old habits die hard it seemed. He was still such a strange boy. No that wasn't right, he was a strange man now.
One that kissed you in the rain long ago and held your hand last night.
She shook the thought out of her head, still smiling until she reached where she needed to be. The biggest grave marker. The one that held the masses of casualties from the Nine Tails incident. Oh how she wished she could reverse time so she could've been there. For all the years of wishing the clock would not go back for her.
Asuna sunk to her knees.
In her youth whenever she'd returned home from a mission Kushina had been there to greet her. At least when she could. And if she hadn't been able to then Minato sensei always tried his best to fill in, even if she'd actively despised him for a while.
How stupid she'd been.
The both of them had been so good to her in every way. Both of them helping her from day one without question, and not once could she ever remember thanking them for it. On top of that, she'd left their only son to fend for himself for fifteen years. The guilt was palpable within her. Despite feeling briefly vindicated by Naruto himself, the feeling of guilt would probably always be there on some level.
The words Naruto had rebuked her with for even daring to apologize would stick with her a while. Ironically saying the same thing as his sensei, you never need to apologize to me. And then he'd gone so far as to thank her. The boy was certainly something alright.
That thought alone brought the first tear.
"Sis, sensei. I'm sorry it took so long… but I'm home now. Mission accomplished."
What came next was a free fall of tears, like they had been released from a dam. Asuna's mind flashed back to the day she'd returned to the village from a mission to find them both dead. It had been the same desperate urge to find them both, not that they were able to welcome her home anymore. Each subsequent mission had been the same.
Like something was missing and not quite right.
So each time she'd returned to this spot, only to cry her eyes out in front of the grave until there was nothing left. Asuna imagined fifteen years worth was going to take some time.
So she sat. Trying not to think of anything in particular. She eventually tried to imagine what Kushina might have said in this situation but her mind came up blank, it'd been so long since she'd heard her voice that it was getting harder to even just imagine her anymore. That thought alone was depressing enough.
Asuna still couldn't quite get a grip on the fact that she was sitting in the middle of the Leaf village. Perhaps it was because the Third was also gone. It could be that fifteen years was just long enough to warp her brain into madness. The constant running and fighting, the fear...it was hard to believe that it was all over for good. What little time of freedom she'd had travelling home was such a blur of pain so she was still very much unused to the idea.
Kushina would've known exactly what to say to her to make it all better.
"Hey, Aunty Asuna, what're you doing here?"
The voice startled her, standing a little too quickly and jolting one of the old injuries.
"Naruto?"
"Yeah, it's me. You okay? You really shouldn't be out so late in your condition."
Asuna hadn't noticed that the sun was almost completely set, an amber hue on the horizon all that remained. There was a smile on his face that put her at ease.
"I'm just fine. Thought I'd report to Lord Fourth that the job was finally done."
It was true, that was one of her intentions, but Naruto didn't need to hear her other reasons for being there. She wanted him to keep smiling for now.
"The Fourth Hokage huh? That's right, he was the one helping you beat those bastards in the beginning. That's so cool…"
His voice trailed off as he looked toward the monument, she found she couldn't lie to her own nephew.
"Also I felt I had to tell your mom that I was home too. She'd have never forgiven me if I'd gone home first before telling her."
Naruto bore an expression she couldn't fathom.
"You haven't been home yet?"
"Well, it took a little longer with Lady Tsunade that I would have liked, then I came straight here. I wanted to come here first actually."
Asuna had to admit she was still unsure of herself when it came to Naruto, though he'd accepted her readily. Just like the others. It was a foreign feeling for her, she'd always been on her own after all. It was hard to see the baby she'd once cared for all grown up as well.
"Sorry for bringing your mom up without warning, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
Naruto crossed his arms behind his head and grinned. It surprised her, but he seemed to be pretty good at doing that.
"No, no it's not that at all. I really like hearing about her, no one has ever told me anything about her before so I'm just not used to it. I've still got about a hundred more things I want to talk to you about, but Sakura has made me promise not to ask you too much at once. I guess I'm a little excited about it y'know."
He grinned. And just like that it was all better.
"Well, Naruto you have my permission to ask me anything you like, whenever you like, and I'll always give you the truth. You have my word, avatar's promise."
Asuna offered him the best smile she could muster. He certainly looked pretty darned pleased, it was about all she could do to make it up to him.
"What are you doing here anyway?"
Suddenly she wondered out loud what he was up to.
"Oh yeah, I was looking for Kakashi sensei. Bushy Brows told me he might be here but it's another dead end…"
She ignored the unintentional pun.
"You haven't seen him have you? He's supposed to be training me tomorrow and I don't want him to be late again."
Asuna shook her head no.
"No I haven't sorry. Though he was definitely here."
She cast her eye to the lilies adorning Rin's grave, they were fresh. Naruto followed her eye with a quizzical expression.
"Darnit. He's harder to catch than a fart these days."
Asuna suppressed a laugh, but grinned all the same.
"Hold on a minute, your house is next door to his! Why don't I walk you home? I've got to head that way anyway." Naruto offered her his arm to take. "You must be tired. C'mon let me look after you for a change."
Asuna took it without further argument and together they walked from the cemetery. It wasn't so far to the apartment she used to call home. All the way there Naruto talked about the new jutsu that he was training for.
"Wind change of chakra nature huh."
"Yeah, I've got the first step down now, and I'm really excited for the next one. But stingy Kakashi sensei won't tell me a thing. Not to worry, I'll have it mastered easy as pie!"
"You sure about that? It might not be as simple as the first…"
She spoke from experience. Lots of experience. Naruto sighed.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence Aunty….geez."
She giggled.
"I'm kidding, in a way. I'm sure you will master it, but remember I am still the avatar. So I know a thing or two when it comes to elements."
"Oh yeah, that's right I forgot about that. Do you think you could help me with my training?"
"How could I say no to my own nephew? I'll swing by after Sakura's finished sticking me with needles again…"
She almost shuddered at the thought.
"Oh yeah that's right, Sakura is the one treating you. Thanks Aunty! You're the best!"
"Don't mention it, I'd help you all day if I could."
She really was dreading going back to that hospital.
"That bad huh?"
She nodded a little before she spoke.
"It could be worse I guess. We're here by the way, thanks for that Naruto."
Her grin was received with one of his own.
"Anytime! Looks like the lights are out next door though…"
He peered a little through the window to Kakashi's place, it was all she could do not to laugh. Knowing the copy ninja, or at least how he used to be, if he'd found a suitable hiding place he was not going to let on. She half expected him to be hiding inside with the lights off.
"Why don't you try some of the restaurants on the main street Naruto? It's dinnertime after all. You should be having something yourself soon."
"Now that you mention it, I am starving. Hay, why don't you come with me! My treat! Oh wait, I guess you will be wanting to stay home after all this time huh."
He had a point.
"You're right, but how about I cook for you another night? After your training?"
At this he looked excited.
"Awesome, I can't wait! Home cooking is the best. Well, almost, after ichiraku."
Asuna caught herself chuckling, it ceased as she dug out the key to her apartment. The place was likely to be a mess.
"Well, I'll be looking forward to it. You'll let me know what your favourite things are now and I'll make them specially…. The last time I cooked for you it was scrambled eggs and you threw them on the ground…"
She was cut off as Naruto gave her a chaste hug.
"Sounds great, I can't wait. I better go find that old bastard so I can get this training out of the way! I don't want to keep you waiting too long after all."
His words had a way of surprising her utterly. Just like Kushina. He turned to walk away, holding an arm up as goodbye. She called out to his retreating form;
"You sure you just don't want to help me clean up the place?"
His head turned giving her full view of his signature grin.
"Oh, I don't think you'll need to worry about that!"
And he was gone. Whatever he meant was lost on her. But it didn't matter.
Quietly she took the steps up the veranda, looking briefly to the door of the apartment directly across from hers. That was another thing she'd been trying not to think about today truth be known. Only because she feared it would all be too much at once, her mind was not as strong as it once was. Even if she desperately wanted him to hold her again, and repeat the words he'd once said that night in the rain. Unless that had just been a heat of the moment thing about her leaving… but then…
Call me selfish, but I don't want to have to let you go again.
He'd said that to her last night. A small smile crossed her face, the feelings were still there after all this time. It was just a matter of getting to know the man he'd become.
Pleased that her mind had actually spun her onto a more positive train of thought for a change she unlocked the door and prepared herself for the mess of dust that lay within. One thing at a time. That would be the only way to bring herself back from that hell of a mission. Naruto was dealt with, she'd visited Kushina, all that remained was this mess and to heal herself.
And Kakashi.
She shook that sudden thought away.
Opening the door, darkness greeted her. The sun now gone she flicked the lights and took a deep breath. Expecting to be up another few hours cleaning her muscles were already sore just thinking about it.
What she saw in the light astonished her.
The place was immaculate. As if she'd never left. Down to the correct time on the clock on the wall. She stepped further into the kitchen slowly, stunned. Sitting on the kitchen counter was even a vase of fresh sunflowers. Asuna examined them a little closer, they must have been picked today, or maybe even a couple days ago… How strange…
The door went click as it shut behind her and instantly she felt goosebumps, but not out of fear. The voice instantly answered all questions.
"It was sunflowers that were your favourites, right?"
Patience.
The word had run through his mind so many times it had lost all meaning. Thankfully the afternoon had passed easily enough, there were still a few things needing taking care of. His eye would look toward the direction of the hospital every so often, he'd even walked past it once deliberately on his way to the usual spots.
Kakashi wondered how long it was going to take. It didn't matter, time for once was on their side, there was no need to rush, she wasn't going anywhere. It was something he had to keep reminding himself, not believing it was actually the truth half the time.
The usual spots, being Rin's resting place and the monument inscribed with Obito's name, were just as he'd left them. Placing fresh flowers by Rin he told her briefly of the last mission before making his way home again. Stopping only to pick up supplies, still it was only mid afternoon by the time he reached his apartment.
Quickly he opened up Asuna's place to deliver the groceries he'd picked up, placing the flowers in a vase of water.
With a sigh he stood in that kitchen for a while. Listening to the crickets through the window he'd opened and the ticking of the clock on the wall. How many times had that ticking lulled him to sleep in this room.
He crossed the veranda back to his own home, smaller than hers, and far more sparse. To pass the time he showered, changed, lay on his bed as the sun went down. Staring at the ceiling, needing rest but his mind would not allow it. It had been a very long week. He closed his eyes.
Patience.
Almost believing he was having some kind of pleasant dream, he heard it, Asuna's laugh. But then there was the definite sound of Naruto's voice, and she was laughing again. He enjoyed the sound so much it made him smile, her laugh was a rare commodity.
It was dark now, but Naruto was probably still looking for him.
Suddenly he was pleased in himself that he'd kept moving for most of the day and chosen not to turn any of the lights on. But then his voice faded away.
Slowly Kakashi made his way downstairs and quietly opened his own door in time to see her turn the key in the lock of hers. He'd seen her do this probably a hundred times in the past, but today it was the most pleasing thing he'd caught sight of in a while.
His feet were moving of their own accord, following her, watching her every move. Asuna flicked the lights on and examined the flowers he'd left on the counter. Just as he thought she would.
How easy it would be, to slide up and hold her in his arms.
Patience.
With a kind of smooth skill he thought might've abandoned him in this situation he clicked the front door shut behind him. His eyes never leaving her small frame.
"It was sunflowers that were your favourites, right?"
Asuna wasn't facing him but he could hear the smile in her voice.
"Yes, they still are. You have a very good memory, I don't ever remember telling you that…"
She turned as he stepped closer toward her.
"Call it an educated guess."
Guess work had nothing to do with it. Kakashi had once overheard her tell Kushina that detail while he had been placed on her guard duty. Standing close to each other and in the light now he could see the deep set blue of her eyes as they met his, just like they used to.
"You did all this too?"
Asuna looked around the room before meeting his eye again. He gave a little thought to his answer.
"Yup, you did give me a key after all. Didn't want you coming back to mountains of dust, and I figured you'd be pretty tired when you got in. It wasn't any trouble..."
Kakashi was caught completely off guard as she suddenly stepped closer and wrapped her arms tightly around his middle. The embrace had surprised him but thankfully his body responded to her touch. Lightly holding her back, terrified of hurting any of her injuries, he attempted to touch her no further.
"Thank you…"
She sighed deeply after she spoke. His mind was racing, feeling the warmth of her body slowly calmed him. Part of him glad he'd changed out of his flak jacket so he could feel that warmth a little better.
"You're most welcome."
For a small measure of time they both stood there just holding onto each other, he drank in every second, her head resting on his collarbone. For a moment he closed his eyes after savouring the look of contentment on her face. When she unlocked her arms he opened them and relinquished his hold of her.
She stepped back and he smiled.
Asuna reached behind her back and unhooked the heavy katana that was still strapped to it. Out of some reflex he didn't quite understand yet, Kakashi relieved her of the weapon and put it on it's waiting stand.
She eyed him queerly but smiled.
"You know Naruto is looking for you…"
She undid the bulky cloak as she spoke, taking more care with her left side.
"Is that so, such a shame I must have just missed him."
Asuna raised an eyebrow at him as he stepped closer, holding out an arm to take the cloak from her. He couldn't help his open eye from darting down to what she was wearing. If he'd opened his left sharingan eye he might've noted the way she was almost holding her breath as he regarded her. Kakashi turned and hung the cloak on one of the hooks by the door.
Asuna was wearing one of the night shirts from the hospital and the tight black pants she'd worn when they'd stumbled into her. Suddenly something struck him as odd.
"You travel awfully light these days…"
The more he thought of it he realized she'd had nothing with her when they'd found her as well.
"Everything I had on me was destroyed in that last fight, it was just dumb luck that I'd given my reported findings to Kyros at the last minute… There's hopefully something in the wardrobe that still fits."
She looked a tad downcast when he spun round, he scratched his head. The way she held herself and the look in her eye lead him to believe that she was beyond exhausted. Probably both physically and mentally. There was something that Lady Tsunade had said that played on him a bit at that moment.
I'm also concerned about her state of mind...
From the direction she'd come home, and having Naruto with her, Kakashi took another educated guess that she'd first visited the cemetery. Any confessions he made to her now would be in poor taste, in no way did he wish to overtax her already weary mind.
"Well, I picked up a few things you would need, but I can't say I thought of that."
He attempted a smile to put her at ease, she smirked back.
"You must be slipping, Kashi, you used to think of everything right?"
He scoffed at the suggestion. For a moment he caught himself ogling her from where he stood, it almost made him shake his head. Stepping closer to her he instinctively reached a hand out and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. When he made to withdraw she grabbed his hand and held it lightly.
"Not everything I assure you…"
Their eyes were locked, what he wouldn't give to bridge the gap between them… at least his patience was holding out. Being able to see her again, touch her like this, was enough. Especially when he considered that for a time he didn't believe he'd have another opportunity. The deep bruises he had seen around her wrists reminded him of that fact.
Kakashi was mindful that he'd been granted another chance, there was no way he was going to mess it up this time. Asuna smiled.
"Why don't you take a seat? I'll go… assess the damage as it were, then I'll make us some tea?"
She said the last part like a question. It was a quirk that she'd always spoken with, largely in part due to Kushina's influence. He nodded and she wandered into the bedroom, only letting go of his hand at the last moment, lingering.
Taking a seat in the usual spot on the sofa it made the same squeak that it had done in his youth. How many hours had he sat in this exact spot waiting on her, he couldn't count them if he tried. It was usually him waiting for her to cook something, or show him something she'd made. In later years, particularly after she'd been injured, he'd sat here just waiting for her to wake up, making sure she was still breathing...
Kakashi sighed. Old habits really were hard to shake. At least this time he wasn't going to make her wait for him to realize the truth.
A noise and a mumble of a cuss word coming from the bedroom distracted him from his thoughts.
"You alright in there?"
There was another loud banging noise before the door slid open just a little to reveal her embarrassed face.
"I'm fine. Just working out the logistics…"
He raised an eyebrow at her while she laughed nervously and disappeared back into the room. Whether it was on purpose or not he couldn't tell, but she'd left the door slightly ajar. Curiosity was a terrible thing. Not that he could see inside, just the shadows of her movements.
"I'm having some serious deja vu here…"
He heard her snigger as she finally opened the door. Wearing a snug looking long sleeved black shirt and pants she at least looked a little more like herself, or at least the version he remembered. Though she didn't appear entirely comfortable.
"Well at least the bottom half hasn't changed too dramatically…"
She'd said it pretty quietly but Kakashi might've turned a shade of red.
"Any luck then?"
"Sort of. I'll have to go clothes shopping it seems…"
Seeing her up close and in the light it was certainly obvious to him now that she was more developed in certain areas, more womanlike. He forgot sometimes just how young she had been when she left. With a light blush on her cheeks she pulled her sleeves down and went into the kitchen.
Kakashi didn't hide that he was watching her every move.
It still felt remotely dreamlike, seeing her in this house again. Asuna held herself carefully as if trying to hide her injuries from him, but there was a falter in her step he recognized. Her eyes were drooping, it made him wonder just how long she could keep this up before she dropped.
Asuna didn't even notice him stand as she filled the kettle, Kakashi stepped into the kitchen standing behind her. She was almost swaying now, the concern showing on his face as he moved directly flush behind her. His hand taking the handle of the kettle overtop of hers. She flinched a little before looking up at his face. Had she always been this short? He studied her tired eyes as he looked down seeing a flicker of something else in them. Something darker. His insides churned with wanting.
Without watching what he was doing he guided her hand and the kettle back to it's spot on the stove top and switched it on before taking her hand back in his and slowly turning her into him.
Asuna blinked slowly but still met his gaze, her eyes half lidded. With a small sigh she ran her other hand up the side of his cheek and lightly traced the scar over his left eye with her thumb. The action, however brief, sending a surge like an electrical current through his blood. When her hand dropped it rested on his chest. Kakashi not noticing he'd been physically keeping her in place between himself and the kitchen counter, boxing her in with his body and one hand resting on the benchtop by her waist.
But his mind wasn't exactly working on any logical train of thought the way she was pinned against him. The part of his brain that cared for her wellbeing more than his own needs made sure to avoid any of the obvious injuries. Everything became kind of hazy as his other hand made its way into her hair.
With a kind of mitigating sigh he rested his forehead against hers. Admitting defeat to himself in a way. Suddenly he was acutely aware of the way her body was leaning into his, using him as support. Drinking in every second, watching her eyes grow heavier as she tried to maintain eye contact with him. The way the bridge of her nose casually brushed against his in a way that made him want to tear the mask from his own face. Even through the cloth he could feel her breath against his lips.
Her eyes flickered shut.
All concept of time was lost to Kakashi at that point. It was as if her tiredness was seeping into his own body as she melted into him. But he damn well didn't want to move. There was a kind of white noise rushing in his ears combined with the ticking of the clock on the wall and the crickets outside it was like some strange form of lullaby.
Maybe they were just both tired.
The sound of the kettle's whistle forced his eye open, though he wasn't aware of closing them.
"Go sit, I'll bring it over."
His voice sounded huskier than usual, wrenching his body away from hers reluctantly. When there was no argument from her, and she ran her hand up his bicep on her way out of the kitchen, Kakashi was sure...
She had reached her limit.
He heard the squeak of the couch again as he rifled through the kitchen cupboard and brewed the tea.
"You should really eat something too…"
Vaguely he discerned a grumble from Asuna's direction and he smiled. This conversation had happened in reverse about a hundred times, and she'd always forced him to eat something in the end.
Slowly he brought both cups over to the coffee table and set them down. Watching her all the while, her head lolled to one side resting against the back of the couch. Sound asleep.
He figured as much. She had to have been running on fumes alone.
There was no way to know for sure, but he guessed she'd purposely sat in the middle of the sofa. Knowing he would take his usual spot. With a sigh he withdrew the blanket he knew lived underneath the couch, shaking off some of the dust. Internally he debated whether he should move her to the bedroom, wanting her to be comfortable but also unwilling to let her out of his sight. And he was worried about hurting her also, that was a good enough excuse to keep her here.
With great care he draped the blanket around her, savouring the look of peace on her face. The feeling of weariness within him was growing as well, rubbing his eye as if to push the tiredness out, Kakashi sat carefully next to her. Resting his own head back on the couch and looking up at the ceiling. There was a gentle warmth radiating from Asuna, along with the ticking of the clock and the usual dull ache of his muscles after a mission, it was all he could do to keep his eye open.
When Asuna sighed in her sleep he turned slightly to get a look at her. Pleased he could now gaze at her with entire impunity, Kakashi gingerly tucked the golden red hair behind her ear before slowly pulling her so she leant against his shoulder. It looked mildly more comfortable with no risk to damaging that shoulder of hers, luckily it didn't wake her either. She instinctively nuzzled into him further, he wore a tired smile and breathed in the scent of her deeply. The warmth of her breath through his shirt, against his collarbone sent surges through his whole body.
It had been a very long time since he had been this comfortable.
Part of him knew he should get up and turn the lights off, but sleep came swiftly for a change, it was not something that usually happened when he was off duty. Lulled by the steady breathing of the woman in his arms.