Chapter 11
Kakashi
There was nothing but chaos around me. The sound of shrieking and wailing the noise of destruction and the soft voice whispering my name, pleading and begging for me to stop. I tried to move my hand but to no avail, I couldn't budge. I couldn't stop whatever I was doing. I had no control over it.
My eyes were wide in horror and… something else I didn't know. I felt my chakra being drained from me. I knew very well what could happen if I continue, I was going to die…
But the angel voice kept on her plea. "Kakashi please stop. You're hurting yourself."
"Please Kakashi… Kakashi…" Her voice wavered a little. "Kakashi… Kakashi, hey wake up!"
I sat up immediately, my head almost bumping against Rin's. I opened my eyes, only to see her face so close to mine. She backed away quickly. "Sorry for startling you." She apologized, and then suddenly smiled as she added, "I was worried because whenever I wake up in the morning, you're usually up and about yourself, but nowadays I find you sleeping in."
I didn't say anything. I guess she knew I wouldn't be providing her any answer for my strange behavior because she didn't try to uncover one.
She stood up and walked toward the door and just before closing it she said, "The food will be ready by the time you come and one more thing," still smiling sweetly, "Don't forget, we'll all take our breakfast here and we'll leave right after eating so please pack everything you need if you haven't." She shut the door behind her.
I stared at the door. How could a person know me so well? It was just like her to remind me about something I had forgotten completely. Usually, these are things I hardly even notice. I sighed, remembering my dream. How could a person care so much?
Lately, I've been drowning myself in training. The secret jutsu I've been working on for a year now was still too unstable, too uncontrollable. It consumes my chakra so much that I end up exhausted every time I use it.
My arm was tingling a little but I didn't notice it as I set out to get ready for whatever our sensei had planned for us. Just as I ignored my arm, I ignored the faint sounds of commotion outside.
Just as Rin said, breakfast was already laid out on the table. I sat down, uncovered my face, and then eyed the spread of food. Thanks to our allowances, we manage to earn enough money to buy our daily needs and save for a few extravagances. There was ham, bacon and eggs and a large pile of buttered pancakes drizzled with fruit syrup. For drinks, a pitcher of milk was standing in the middle of the table. Sighing, I settled for a bowl of cereal.
I was just pouring milk into my bowl when Rin came out of the kitchen. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and the few strands left clung to her flushed face. The white apron she was wearing was stained, unusually, with batter and grease. What caught my attention was the fact that two of her fingers were bandaged. The milk almost spilled on my lap when I jerked up my seat.
"What happened? Are you hurt?" I demanded. She rolled her eyes and quickly explained. "It's nothing really. I just slipped and touched the stove by accident. See"- she held the two wrapped fingers up-"I'm fine." I wasn't convinced. But…
Clearing her voice. "So uh, good choice by the way." She looked at the pitcher in my hand and the bowl on the table. "Glad to see you took the healthier alternative." I raised my eyebrow at the comment, knowing too well what she was implying- I got burned making that damned breakfast and you, of all things, you decided to eat damned cereal!
"Obito can chow down anything you give him anyway, nothing's going to waste so don't change the subject. And besides…" Taking my fork I speared, a piece of ham, placed it in my mouth, chewed then swallowed. I raised my brows again. "Are you sure this ham is cured?" She looked at me thoughtfully and answered carefully, "Yes." Pouring myself a glass of milk I lied, "From its taste, I would say it's still sick."
I didn't know what came over me. It was more probably me trying to avert her attention from my cereal or, less probably, the thought of Obito's sure enthusiasm and pleasure in eating her very good cooking. Yeah right… But I waited for her reaction as I drank my milk.
She was taken aback. Her jaw dropped open. It took a little longer to recover, but when she did she whispered, "Um, I ah… excuse me, I forgot something." She went back to the kitchen. I heard her murmuring to herself in an astonished voice. " He just cracked a corny joke at me…" Ouch. Corny doesn't exactly suit me. She pinched herself, completely unaware that I was watching her. "No way… So I wasn't imagining things..." Her fingers twisted her ponytail. Then she went still.
She was silent in thought. Her eyes were glazed and unfocused, like she was remembering something.
I went back to my place just in time when she turned around and went back out. Her eyes were opened wide still showing surprise, disbelief and another thing, worry. "Hey Kakashi, can I ask you something?" I scooped a spoonful of cereal into my mouth, "Yeah. Sure." I said nonchalantly. "What happened? Are you okay?" I almost spat out the spoonful of cereal. She used the question against me now. That would have been a weird, coming from someone else but definitely not from Rin.
"Oh…" I tried to find words, "Well, I'm absolutely feeling fine." I went right back to my food, hoping that she would just let it slide but there was no mistaking about the sudden tension in the room. "Kakashi don't lie. You've been acting strange since a year-"
"Hey you guys open up, I'm hungry!" The loud voice of Obito interrupted her.
That was close. She was on to me. I kept my relief to myself because she gave me one last glance before taking her apron off. "Alright I'm coming!" I heard her footsteps as she padded to the door.
When Rin, along with Obito and Minato-sensei entered the room, I acted as if nothing had happened. With both of them here, Rin didn't have a chance to bring the topic up again.
"It's time to go guys." Minato-sensei cheerfully announced. "We wouldn't want to be wasting day here now don't we?" We all agreed. We took our bags and began the short journey (according to sensei) to whatever place we'd be spending our free weekend.
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I'm sorry if this chapter took so long to write. Reviews please! :D
