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Kakashi – Friends

How can I make sure no one notices me
I don't wanna conversation with nobody
And it hurts too much to say how I feel
What you don't know, is all I know
How can I make sure that I fool everyone
Gonna wear a suit and tie and put my bravest face on (Gary Barlow – Dying inside)

He walked through Konoha's streets, his nose buried in the book he hoped he would get some answers from.

"Heyo what are you reading?" a cheerful - too cheerful - voice asked. He lowered the book to glance at the very familiar blonde haired girl in the white dress standing in front of him, bouncing up and down on her heels, grinning widely. His face behind the mask remained stoic and he just held the cover out to her for her to read the title.

"What to do after your friend died…" she read it out loud and then frowned.

"And what does the book say? What should one do?"

He didn't answer her but stuck his nose back in the book, walked around her and continued his way. He wasn't in the mood for talking but of course she didn't care and instead followed him.

"How have you been since last time? Did you do any special exciting mission?"

He continued ignoring her and kept reading – well at least he tried but failed as he had to read the same sentence for the tenth time, still not getting it. The girl called Hope abstracted his attention as she babbled and babbled about random annoying things without taking a break.

"It's so sunny and warm today; the best weather to just lie in the sun and get tanner. You should try it once in a while Kakashi. Why are most of you ninjas so pale anyway? You definitely spend too much time inside."

"How are your ninja doggies doing? I haven't seen them in a while… By the way what are ninja animals doing in the time they aren't summoned? Are they in a different universe or so or just strolling around the world having fun?"

"I'm surprised that you for once don't read these naughty books. I hope you don't stop reading them though because I found them very interesting." She giggled. "Speaking of which, do you still not have a girlfriend? You should go out some times, flirt with a girl, and go on a date and stuff. You're attractive after all and I bet you'd be even more attractive if you put down that mask of yours once in a while. Why are you wearing it anyway? You even sleep with that damn thing on! Or is your face ugly underneath it? Someday I will make you show me your face just you wait…"

"Hey Kakashi!" He stopped and looked up since this voice didn't belong to the girl. He turned just to see Guy in his usual weird green spandex attire, the wide grin on his face and the terrible haircut running toward him. "How are you doing my friend? Do you by any chance have some free time to spare right now? I, Anko, Asuma and Kurenai are currently enjoying some sweet dangos and tea right over there." Guy pointed at a tea house and he could see Anko looking at them from under the sheets with a dango sticking out of her mouth.

"It would be cool if you could join us, you know… to enjoy the day, exchange some gossip-"

"I don't have time" he interrupted his talkative rival quickly. Actually he had time as today was his free day but he didn't have the urge to spend time with those guys or any persons whatsoever.

"Oh okay…" Disappointment and sadness flashed over Guy's face but he only rolled his eyes inwardly. It wasn't the first time Guy had asked him to join their stupid activities and he always had declined, thinking of some random excuses and lies he then told them. They probably knew that he was lying the whole time but neither of them said anything.

"Well in that case… Have a nice day Kakashi!" Guy laughed but it was clearly a faked laugh.

He just nodded, opened the book back up where he stopped reading and proceeded to continue his path.

"KAKASHI HATAKE!" He winced at the loud angry voice and stared at Hope with one wide eye. She stood in the middle of the street, right in his path, her hands on her hips, her knees slightly bend like in a battle stance and she looked at him angrily and furiously, her aura no longer warm and calming but ice cold.

"I had it with you, you unsocial lying ass! Look at them: They are your friends. They care for you. They want you to feel better but you… you only chase them away and stay in your dark gloomy corner. For how long do you want to continue like this? You have to stop it and start to move forward! This book in your hands won't help you if you continue to shut everything and everyone else out of your life!" He only stared at her throughout her rant and didn't move a single muscle. When she was finished she stared back at him through narrowed eyes.

Raising an eyebrow as to say is this all?, he made a step forward and moved the book closer to his face.

"Oh forget it!" Hope hissed and before he knew it he suddenly felt her icy power grabbing his arm, turning him around and dragging him toward the tea shop. He tried his best to withstand her but she didn't let go. Guy only watched him pass by with wide eyes, open mouth and a dumb expression on his face.

Anko who had viewed the whole scene withdrew her head just in time as Hope almost threw him through the sheets and into the shop.

"Hey Kakashi, so you decided to join huh?" Asuma greeted him with a smirk and Kurenai who sat next to him smiled warmly.

"It's nice to see you Kakashi. It's been a while."

"That is truly a surprise. I wouldn't have thought weirdo being able to convince you joining us" Anko said with a laugh and hit him on the arm as a greeting.

He gazed over his shoulder but Hope was standing at the entrance of the shop, her arms crossed in front of her chest, glaring at him and daring him to even try get past her. With a sigh he gave into his faith and sat down on the bench opposite to Asuma and Kurenai.

Guy who seemed to have recovered from the odd scene appeared behind him with his usual big grin, slinging his arm around his neck.

"See I told you Kakashi would join us!" Yeah although this is not your doing, he thought throwing yet another glance at his bodyguard.

"Hello guys, can I bring you something else?" a young waitress asked as she appeared at their table. She was a few centimeters smaller than him, had her brown hair bound in a ponytail, wore glasses, and the usual waitress uniform. She must be in their age.

"Yes for my friend here one dumpling and a cup of tea!" Guy ordered for him, winking at the girl who started to giggle. He felt her gaze on him and as he looked up she quickly averted her hazelnut-colored eyes, blushing.

"She is cute" Hope commented. "Remember how I told you that you need a girlfriend? Ask her out for a date. I'm sure she will agree." He ignored her and instead freed himself from Guy's grip. Anko slumped down on his right.

"For me another dango."

"You already had eight" Kurenai said sweat dropping but Anko just shrugged.

"One can never have enough of these sweet little things."

"So how is the ANBU going?" Asuma asked after the waitress had disappeared.

He shrugged. "Fine" was his sole reply.

"Are you coming to the festival in three days?" Guy asked, sitting down on his left side.

"No I probably will be on a mission."

"That's mean, giving you missions on the day of the almighty youthful festival!" Guy exclaimed.

"Hn."

"You don't even have a mission then do you?" Hope asked and he resisted the urge to scratch his neck where he felt her glare like the tip of a kunai.

She was right; he didn't have a mission yet but even if he'd have his day off he surely wouldn't go on a stupid festival.

"Why not? This is exactly what you need now: An opportunity to get some other thoughts in your square head!" He ignored her.

The waitress came back, gave Anko her dumpling and placed his own plate and cup in front of him, all the time with a blush on her cheeks and a shy look in her eyes.

"Ask her out ask her out ask her out ask her out!" Hope repeated from behind him like a broken recorder. He did his best to ignore her irritating voice.

"Eh by the way… my name is… I mean… I'm Mei."

"Ask her out ask her out ask her out ask her out!"

"It's nice to meet you Mei! I'm Might Guy the blue beast of Konoha!"

"Yeah I don't think she told you her name" Kurenai said.

Anko boxed him in the side hard. "Come on don't be so shy… Introduce yourself" she joked.

He gazed at the girl. "Kakashi Hatake." If possible she became even redder.

"That's a nice name."

"Ask her out ask her out ask her out ask her out!"

"Are you going to the festival, Kakashi?"

"Of course he's coming!" Anko yelled before he could even open his mouth.

"That's cool… Eh would you mind coming with me? I mean I know it's a little bit rushed, we don't even know each other and I'm sorry but I don't have a partner yet… Or do you already have someone with whom you will go there?" she added and he could see it in her eyes that she feared the answer.

"Nah he is single" Anko once again answered for him and the girl smiled in relief.

"I won't come" he stated coldly. The relief, joy and happiness immediately changed into sadness and hurt. She let her head hung, but nodded and smiled a horrible faked smile.

"O-Of course" she mumbled and turned to hurry back into the kitchen. When he looked around he saw the others stare at him angrily and accusingly. Even Hope was silent. What? It was them who gave the poor girl hope instead of letting him reject the offer right away.

"Mei wait!" the words left his lips before he could gulp them down. The girl stopped but didn't turn.

"She probably doesn't want you to see her tears" Hope's words were completely emotionless but for some reason they jabbed directly into his heart.

"I…" He struggled with the right words to say. Everything was dead silent in the shop; no one even dared to breath and he was strangely nervous. "I'm sorry I was so rude. Can I make it up to you in leading you to the festival?"

She whirled around, staring at him with big eyes. "Really?" she whispered. She didn't cry; her cheeks were dry though her brown eyes glistered from held back tears.

"Meet you at six pm in front of the festival gates in three days." He smiled and surprisingly it wasn't even faked.

To be continued...