"Rin."

Kakashi called out for the kunoichi with his eyes closed. He took a deep breath, letting the air fill his needy lungs.

"Rin is not here."

What he heard wasn't Rin's voice. Kakashi opened his eyes and looked sideways where Minato sat at the foot of his bed.

"You should get up, Kakashi." said Minato. "We're leaving soon."

Kakashi tried to block out the things that happened before he fell asleep. By the way Minato was not looking at him, it seems that his sensei was doing the same thing.

He felt ashamed. He felt dirty, guilty. Kakashi sat up, took his mask from the bedside table and heaved a silent sigh.

The young shinobi felt a tiny sting on his back.

"Does it hurt?" said Minato, taking Kakashi by surprise. Still, the blonde won't look at Kakashi.

"What?" said Kakashi, caught unaware by the sudden question. "You mean the senbon?"

"Of course he means the senbon." said Kakashi to himself.

"Uh-huh."

Minato stood up and went by the window. He drew the curtains to let sunlight enter the room.

"A bit."

For a second, Minato was illuminated by the morning sunlight. Kakashi couldn't help but stare, but he looked away before Minato turned around to look at him.

"Are you still bothered by what happened last night, Kakashi?" said Minato, finally looking at the younger ninja.

Kakashi bit his lip. There is no way that he can wriggle out of this one now, he had to confess that--...

"Rin told me that she spilled some of her potions on you by accident. So don't be bothered anymore." said Minato, finally cracking a smile. "It isn't your fault. It's no one's fault.

Kakashi still couldn't look at the man in front of him. He felt a lump rise in his throat that has nothing to do with being bothered.

"Why though?" said Minato. "It was truth potion, she told me."

Kakashi looked up abruptly.

"So.. is it true?" asked Minato, sitting down in front of Kakashi. "Do you, uhmm, like me that way?"

Why and how, Kakashi didn't know. But those simple words seemed to pierce his heart, his being. It hurt him, not even knowing the reason why it felt that way.

He felt cold. He felt shivers crawling around his entire body.

It made him sick.

"Yes." said Kakashi, spitting the word out as fast as he can.

If Minato was surprised with his answer, Kakashi didn't notice. He didn't even raise a brow or widen his eyes.

He just sat there, close to Kakashi (maybe too close), breathing slowly. Minato seemed to be considering his thoughts as he stared blankly down at the floor.

The seconds seemed to stretch into ages as the two of them sat there, waiting for the other to speak. The silence which hung over them was the kind that makes you want to scream out. The kind which makes you feel so alone so much that you just want to shout and see if anyone is still with you.

"Why?" whispered Minato, looking at Kakashi directly in the eye.

How did the man dare to ask him why? Shouldn't he have known it himself? It's all about him, after all.

"Why?" repeated Kakashi.

Well, he better give a straight answer.

The silver-haired jounin reached for the golden-haired man's face. Lucky, the older shinobi didn't resist.

Kakashi didn't plan this, but what the heck.

He kissed him, because he loved him for all he is. For all he was, and for all that he'll ever be.

That's why.

A/N: Summer's here and I want to go swimming. :) THERE! done and done. wait for the next chapter, would ya?RR, 3.