Chapter 25 - Depression

(Yue's POV)

Once Kakashi is able to walk, we are called to Tsunade's office.

Geez, how many times do we need to be called on?

She throws down files, and walks around her desk slowly, standing directly in front of us.

"You have a lot of explaining to do, Kakashi." She says, voice tired, and I notice a hint of amusement in her voice.

Surprisingly, he says, "I know."

"Starting a fight in a bar, harassing an Earth nin, stealing one of the Inuzuka's dogs and leaving Konoha without permission." She says, "What has gotten in to you?"

I gap at him in astonishment.

He did all of that

"Did the dog make it back?" he questions, ignoring Tsunade's own.

She nods, "Yes, a half hour before we arrived. He gave a scroll, your handwriting, to Shizune. She gathered all of the best nin beforehand. It's a good thing, too. If not, we all would have suffered greatly. Now, answer my question."

He lowers his gaze, and replies, "The fight and harassment was to get Yue's location and information. I stole the Inuzuka's dog to track down the exact location. That's why I left Konoha without your consent. If I had told you, it would have been too late to save Yue. I accept all consequences."

She nods quietly for a moment, "Is that the truth and all the information?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

She nods again, "Alright, you're free to go."

Our heads snap up in surprise, "What?"

"You're free to go." She repeats, "Just do me one thing, and never do it again, its all too troublesome, eh?"

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Tsunade-sama."

Slightly stunned, we find our way out in the street.

"Wow." I sigh, "She went way easy on you."

"Yeah." He sighs.

After a few minutes of walking in silence, I finally break the ice, "…Kakashi?"

"Mm?"

I feel myself blushing slightly, and whispering, "You did all of that…for me?"

"Of course." He says after a moment.

My heart races, "Really?"

"Its my job to protect you."

My heart just suddenly sinks to the lowest pits of my stomach. "Oh," I mumble lightly, "yeah."

…..

"Of course." I say after a moment of thinking.

"Really?" I hear her say hopefully.

Her voice tugs at my heart, and it sinks at the reminder.

She's my mission. She's only eighteen. And nothing could ever happen between us. Who could ever like someone like me? …Nobody…

"Its my job to protect you." I say, masking my emotions, even though I want to say otherwise.

Its not only my job to protect her, its of my own free will.

My mouth goes dry as cotton and it tastes extremely bitter.

"Oh." I hear her mumble.

After a few more minutes of silence, I spot Sakura and her girlfriends.

I clear my throat, and say, "I'll leave you to your friends now. I have something important to attend to."

Lies.

I don't wait for an answer, I leap on to the closest roof and dash away.

I'm sorry, Yue, but its for the better good.

…..

My eyes are still downcast when I near my friends.

"Hey, Yue-chan…what's wrong?" Kiba asks, stepping in front of me.

I shake my head, and mumble, "I'm not in much of a mood to hang out today, guys. Sorry. I'm going home."

"Let us help you, then." Says Lee, reaching out for my arm.

I walk past him and Kiba, and say, "No, thanks. I want to go by myself."

I feel their eyes on my back as I slowly shuffle around the street. The village is almost as busy as it was, villagers hobbling around on crutches, white bandages light up all of Konoha.

Soon enough, I find myself at the apartment door. Almost mechanically, I pull out my key and open the lock, pushing the door open.

Once the door is closed behind me, I slowly shuffle to my room.

The door creaks and snaps shut behind me. I glance around the room. Everything is nice and tidy.

Then, I spot the blanket on the floor. The one Kakashi and I used when he had slept in here about three weeks ago.

My eyes water, and I begin uncontrollably shaking.

I turn around and lay my head against the door, the tears break and flow freely.

I think I know why Kakashi's like that. He probably thinks that I'm only a mission and he can't get attached to me, and because I'm only eighteen. Eighteen doesn't matter! I'm an adult! And, my worst fear, he doesn't feel that way about me.

At this thought, my tears come heavier, and I find myself unable to stifle the sobs.

Damn hormones!

Sorry it took so long, my computer had to be redone

R & R

-Cloe