Thanks for all your continued support even after my long absence. I've graduated now so hopefully things will pick up again!! Although, I can't promise much since I'm now trying to find an ESL type job in Asia... soooo... yeah... busy busy!
Liz - Thanks! I appreciate your comment.
Blitz-Sora - Everyone seems to hate Yukio. LOLZ. I'm sure he'll get the comeuppance he deserves sometime soon...
MazokuTenshi - I know the feeling of pressure that school can bring. But it will end with time! GANBATTE!
Browncocoabean - Thanks so much! I'm glad that you are excited by this story!
JMYoda - Wow. Such praise. I blush. I'm glad that the story is fulfilling it's promise of complexity and plot.
TandTroll - Thanks for the review!
Sakura-bell - I have to say thanks so much for your continued words of encouragement! You'll be glad to know that I passed everything. Perhaps not with as many flying colors as last year - but then... taking japanese and old english together was probably suicidal.
JunJun1990 - "Gentle Lesson" is/was my first start on the long road to dark fiction. I hope to write more of this kind of thing in the future. But I'm glad that you are riding this rough road to the end! I hope you enjoy it, wherever Kakashi is taken!
Inubabygirl - Thanks! I hope this chappie fulfills your kakasaku cravings!
Drachegirl14 - Wow! I am always impressed by people who read this thing in one go. LOLZ. It is a big project - but I'm glad you are enjoying the Hatake Cycle Series.
Jemiul - Thanks alot! I hope you enjoy this update.
Ifitwasn't4kakashi - O.O Wow! 2 Days! Good work! I hope you like this chappie then!
Charlotte Hibiki - Very true... especially since I'm the author. lolz.
Tootalltygerlily - Hm... yes. Writer's block and school are the fanficcers bane. I hope this helps with your cravings!
SylviePrincipal - Thanks alot! Sorry for the wait!
Perscripto13 - Hm. Yes... doom and gloom... awaiting us. Or not? LOLZ. I feel cruel sometimes... jerking Kakashi-sama's chain!
Crystalcurse - Thanks alot for your review!
SweetAssassin - Sorry for the long wait! Life just got too busy. But now it's slowed down (sort of), I hope that I can get things back on the road!
EquivalentExchange - I know... I feel so bad for the long wait - but we're almost there!!
MoiyaHatake - Indeed! Yukio is not gonna get any happier... lolz... We'll see though...
YourAngelStandingBy - Thanks for the thoughts and review! I think so too as well!
Dancercuity933 - I think that it is most realistic - to have them all wondering but not really knowing the truth. It happens all the time when someone who screwed up is welcomed back into the fold... lolz. But I have a feeling Kakashi won't be left on the wayside again!
lil-saturn-goddess - Thanks for the "wow"!
Anbu10 - I think I passed - but still... Nihongo wa muzukashidesukara, watashi no nihongo wa waruidesuyo! (Because Japanese is hard, my japanese is bad). lolz. All I know is that I graduated so...
Folltosa - Hope you enjoy this update!
Moderndayportia - I am sadly prolific... as my interests proliferate. lolz. But I can't say how long this will take. But I can tell you it's not gonna be as long as some Snape/Hermione fics that I've read.
Ninjakitty - Thanks for the update! Hope you enjoy this chappie!
Randomguyhere - Sorry for the wait! I hope this slakes your kakasaku cravings!
Kokis-chan!! - As always, you have MY adorations lolz. I'm gonna be bringing them back in when it's their time... (kotetsu and izumo can't wait to get into the front spotlight again! lolz)
I do not own Naruto.
AN: Alot of this chapter I felt reflects in some way my current interest in "House M.D."... a little... I think...
Gentle Lesson
Chapter 34
Spring and Suprises
When he opened his eyes, he saw spring again.
-
"How is he?" Tsunade asked, as she leaned against the reception desk edge, rifling through Sakura and Iruka's notes on Kakashi's file.
"Well," Sakura cast a glance at the brown-haired, scarred Jounin and heaved a deep sigh. "As you can see by the reports and the few graphs we were able to compile - his chakra has restabilized. The long term exhaustion which may have caused depression or mood swings has been alleviated with much needed rest. Also, a few unhealed wounds have been properly mended as well as some of the stiffness he was ignoring in his hi-"
The blonde Hokage shut the file with a snap.
"No," She interrupted, staring down the young medic and her companion. "I meant - how IS he?"
There was a short silence. The two receptionists at the front desk lowered their voices - obviously trying to eavesdrop on the nins.
But Tsunade was already moving away, down the hall. Sakura and Iruka followed her at a quick trot.
"He's - he's doing FINE."
"Fine?"
Iruka snorted.
"He's doing as well as a Hatake might. Wanting go home. Restless. Evading questions. Trying to find a way out of a very humiliating position. And frightened by everyone - I think - deep down. But also there is relief - and... he is very comfortable around our young medic here. We should thank those thin ties they had made before the war for that, I suppose..."
Tsunade smiled briefly - as Sakura blushed red.
"It's not like that!" she protested.
"No?" Tsunade shrugged. "Things happen, Sakura. I just..." She swung around on the pink-haired medic with a matching now deep-pink face. "I just don't want you hurt. You hurting him. This situation is volatile - and the last thing I want is for you to lose your objective. Do you understand?"
Sakura nodded then hesitated.
"He is so... unused to the whole thing. And he wants to go back to his home. But..."
"Home isn't safe, and we know it," Iruka shook his head. "Sasuke-kun reported the prolonged presence of that ANBU at Hatake-sama's apartment... I think a total change of scene is required for Hatake-san."
They arrived at the door of the ninja in question. It was a small quiet room in a small quiet hall in the more private section of the large hospital which took care of the Hidden Village of Leaf. The care in this hospital rivaled any other village - and Sakura knew that Kakashi was in the best of hands. Still - that didn't stop her from feeling extra protective as she watched the nurse tend to Kakashi. Through the glass, they could see the young nurse attempt to flirt with the silent nin, straightening his sheets and setting out his supper.
Kakashi seemed even more reserved than usual. But then, the nurse WAS new.
And probably doesn't know her place, thought Sakura with a glower.
She caught Tsunade looking at her with a raised, questioning eyebrow, and turned away, blushing.
Objectivity indeed.
It was only when the nurse was gone, that the nin settled down to eat. But not before carefully poking the food on his plate, sniffing it tentatively before nibbling on the edges. After a few moments, taking care that no one was in sight, Kakashi started on his supper.
"Still the cagey ninja that I have depended on," murmured Tsunade.
"Hm," Iruka sighed. "Almost... paranoid. He won't eat even if it's just Sakura there."
Sakura bit her lip.
"He was never like this before. It's just... I think... that he still doesn't really trust us yet."
"Kakashi... just needs time," Iruka replied softly, squeezing Sakura's arm in comfort.
"Time..." Tsunade sighed.
The two older ninjas left after a moment, but Sakura waited until the ninja was done before slipping into the room with a small smile.
"Kakashi-sensei," she smiled.
"Sakura-chan," he pushed away his now empty tray. "What did she say?" His dark eyes looked dispassionate to the young girl, but in the air there was some tension as the nin waited for her reply.
With a sigh, she sat, and then after a moment, took his hand. It was still so cold.
"She said that... you need more time," she looked at Kakashi straight in the eye, and smiled. "Soon, you'll be ready to go out on your own - but..."
"I can take care of myself," Kakashi answered softly but firmly. "I don't all this coddling -"
"I know."
"Then -"
"It took us so long to find you... We don't... want to let you go until you are good and ready -"
"I've been ready two weeks ago," the grey-haired nin replied. "Besides -" He turned away and shut his mismatched eyes. "It's not like... I've got anything to go back and get in trouble over... There's nothing really to go back to -"
Sakura watched him fight with tears she knew he would never release willingly. After a moment, he sighed, fingering his mask. When he turned to Sakura, his pale face was calmer.
"You have alot to come back to," she said softly. "You just can't see it yet."
He grinned crookedly.
"You're gonna make me a list?"
"If you want me to," she chuckled.
It is odd, Kakashi thought, setting down his familiar beloved book – leaning back to gaze out his hospital window. Outside, behind the familiar buildings and the high walls of Konoha, Kakashi enjoyed the colors of the sun as it slipped behind the clouds and hills.
The silence of the moment – the relaxed breeze wafting in gently – it all helped build this feeling of...
He didn't know how to define it. Whatever it was, it was unsettling – these feelings...
Kakashi frowned as he tried to categorize what stirred in him.
Happiness? No... more than that. More than contentment... And it wasn't just relief either...
The words of his medic bounced around in his head.
"You have a lot to come back to", Sakura had said. But for the life of it - thinking of his lonely apartment, of Yukio's eyes condemning his betrayal... the whispers of the townspeople... and the knowing looks of his comrades - Kakashi couldn't find a silver lining.
Just the idea made him shiver.
But he knew that if he had a problem, they would be there, holding his hand, asking awkward questions... prolonging his imprisonment in this relaxing cell...
They...
Iruka and Sakura...
Just the thought of the fiery Chuunin-turned-Jounin and his clipboard - or Sakura and her files... it made him smile and shake his head all over again. Once again, their bulldog tenacity had found a place in Tsunade's framework.
It was so hard to escape them. When they visited, Kakashi's memories flooded back and for a moment, it felt like all those years in between had just been a bad dream. And that this was the return he always wanted. Iruka joking and then squawking as the jokes turned on him. Sakura's giggles as Kakashi pestered the thin-skinned Jounin...
In those moments, Kakashi thought...
Surely... I have a chance...
But in the dark nights, when he watched the moon rise out behind the hills, and the clouds flew past like black rags. When the wind played in the curtains which were pulled to the sides of the window - and the silence was absolute, Kakashi knew the truth.
There is no going back.
-
It was on Kakashi's good day, that Gai, Asuma, Kurenai, Genma and Raido found their way to Kakashi's bedroom at last. The patient had been given a half hour's notice - so that when the four Jounin's burst into the room - they found Kakashi, sitting up in bed, looking just the same as usual. Black turtleneck sweater on, with attached black mask - his shock of grey-white hair still zany as usual - and in his pale slim fingers was a familiar brightly colored book.
One of Jiraiya's latest editions.
"AAHHHHHH!!" Gai yelled in amazement. "EVEN ILL KAKASHI IS THE COOLEST!! ASUMA! HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A NINJA SO HIP!"
"I'm not ill -"
"Hip?" Genma asked critically, shifting a rather large toothpick across his mouth. "I think he looks as nerdy as ever - but compared to you -"
"IN THE SPRINGTIME -"
"Well - some things don't change, I see," drawled Kakashi, finally getting a word in edgewise.
"WELL - THAT IS BECAUSE YOUR RIVAL IS ALSO WELL VERSED IN KEEPING HIS YOUTHFUL EDGE!!" Gai burst into flames.
Kurenai and Asuma stepped back.
"So, you're looking good, man," Asuma nodded.
The red-eyed female nin waved a gloved hand and linked her free arm with Asuma's.
"We were worried -"
"Understatement of the year," blurted out Raido, scratching his scar nervously under Kakashi's deadpan stare. "Genma was pacing, Gai was a nervous wreck, Asuma broke a new smoking record -"
Genma smacked Raido upside the head.
"Idiot."
"NERVOUS WRECK? NEVER! A NINJA SUCH AS MYSELF CANNOT BUT PLACE UTMOST FAITH IN HIS COMRADES!! I AM SURE IT WOULD TAKE SOMETHING FAR GREATER TO BRING A HATAKE TO HIS KNEES!!"
There was a rather awkward pause after that, then Kurenai giggled.
"Well, it's good to have you back. Gai-san without Kakashi is like... I don't know..."
"Like... Sushi without fish?" asked Raido.
"Like Tsunade without alcohol?" chuckled Genma.
"I heard that, GENMA!" Tsunade slammed open the door. "Are you upsetting the patient AGAIN?"
"Again? Again?" Genma asked with mock innocence. "This is my first time in the sick room!"
"This is hardly a sickroom -" put in Kakashi. "And I'm not a patient -"
"Come to do a checkup?" asked Asuma. "We'll leave -"
"Checkup?" Raido asked.
"Checkup?" leered Genma. "I'm sure I'd like to see that -"
"Oh do shut up," Raido huffed.
"Jealous?" Genma asked with a grin.
Kakashi was watching the two Jounin closely.
"So it's out now?" he asked.
"Jealous?" Raido grinned proudly, twining his hand with Genma's.
"Not really," Kakashi ignored Tsunade's look and grinned under his mask. "You can have the cocky bastard -"
"WHAT! WHO'S CALLING WHO A COCKY BASTARD!" Genma nearly choked on his toothpick.
"I told him to leave off that bad habit," muttered Asuma. "It's gonna get him killed."
"Oh? Really?" asked Kurenai giving Asuma a look. "Talk about the pot calling the kettle black."
"A DUEL ALREADY!!" wailed Gai. "BUT THE FIRST DUEL MY RIVAL HAS MUST BE WITH ME! KAKASHI! LET US HAVE ANOTHER MATCH!"
"Not now," Tsunade interjected.
"I've been forced to stay in bed," Kakashi said quickly (glad for once that he was consigned to bedrest).
"JAN KEN PON!!"
Kakashi gave Tsunade a "save-me-i'm-gonna-die" look. But after a moment's thought, the blonde Hokage agreed.
"I'll be back later on today for that checkup, Hatake. So don't think you got out of it."
"Oooo!!" Genma cat-called - and just narrowly missed a punch by Tsunade which would have broken his spine.
The door shut behind the Hokage and all the Jounin immediately relaxed, finding seats to spread around the foot of the bed while Kakashi and Gai set about the rules for the Jan Ken Pon tournament.
When Sakura passed by an hour later, the Jounin were leaving. Kakashi was smiling and relaxed, promising a game of shoji with Asuma and perhaps, Shikamaru, later on in the week. And although she had not seen it before, Sakura saw that for the first time, Kakashi perhaps had found something to go back to. And the dark depression that seemed to hover over him, seemed to have pulled back even more.
Watching him through the glass, Sakura smiled softly.
He's been living in the dark for so long, he has forgotten what it's like to be free... Things like this - are a reminder...
When he lifted his head to sniff the air, he could smell the remnant odor of rain on the wind. The water cooler he sat on was damp with moisture - and below his dangling feet, large puddles remained pooled on the familiar roof of the hospital. There were bedsheets today. Nothing flapped in the rather indecisive wind. Only the chain link fence rattled mournfully. Sitting there deep in thought, the Copy Nin replayed the scene in his head from the morning.
"We got a new apartment for you," Iruka was grinning cheerfully.
But Sakura looked uncomfortable.
"New scenery should freshen you up," the therapist said. "And it helps you feel better to get away from places with bad memories..."
Kakashi just sat there and stared.
And here he was - still stunned. Unsure of what to do. He wanted to protest - but Tsunade who had been there to watch over the proceedings looked firm about this. the injured Jounin knew it was no use. Frustration bottled up inside him churned around like bile. Tears now pricked his eyes - but he would not let them have the satisfaction of letting them see him cry. Once again, decisions were being made for him. And he couldn't even open his mouth to protest.
Just like always, he thought bitterly. Can't let old Kakashi make important life decisions - he's insane, senile and possibly suicidal.
The nin sat there, wallowing in his morose thoughts, the sky darkened over his head - turning swiftly tonight - reflecting his depressed mood. He looked down suddenly and in the dim light of the half moon now risen over the trees, he could see a small hand rested on his longer gloved fingers now lax on his knees. Kakashi flinched, not so much startled by the visitor - she was familiar to him now. Dark eyes mournful, she stared up at the Copy Nin, her feet dangling beside his over the edge of the water tower. Although the Jounin wanted to jerk away, he did not.
After all, this was his penance. The necessary price for his sins.
Iruka. Tsunade... Sakura... They think that a simple bedrest, happy smiles, good times with friends can just wipe away - can just erase the injustices of the past?
Kakashi's snort to himself was full of bitterness.
New apartment, new life, new job even - and what good would that do him? Happiness after all cannot appease the ghosts of one's past... Nothing can be set right again... Nothing...
"Now..." A familiar voice growled at this side. "That can't be right can it?"
The miserable Hatake blinked as a rough tongue ran over his face, down his masked cheek, liberally dowsing him in dog drool. Jerking up, the man's emotionless eyes faced that of his summons.
His ever so mischievious, stubbon, willful summons.
To his eye, Lightning's Howl didn't seem to have changed at all over the years. His dog's coat was still the same silver and grey, the eyes still gleaming with amused cheer, endless wisdom and compassionate pain. Behind the dog, the tail swept back and forth slowly across the still damp paving of the hospital's roof. Although the nin was seated on the tower, he was just eye to eye with the ancient summons that lived so close to his heart. Sitting before the animal, Kakashi felt small and weak. More than ever he wanted to bury himself in the lost fur and never think about the little girl who stood now at the edge of the roof. The one who had been so close to him...
No, he corrected himself softly, remembering the first day that he had opened the gates which had released the spirit. He is my heart...
"Heart indeed, young one," growled the dog. "And let me remind you that your father too struggled with this pain. This feeling of nothing being able to be set right."
"Father was -"
"You and your father are so much the same," Lightning's Howl yipped in amusement. And yet the gentle growl was tinged with grief. Once again, the summons licked his master. "Taking on so much... carrying the burdens of the past - of the sins of the sires and the sires before them... Adding unnecessary memory to already heavy burdens of guilt..." The dog sighed.
"I'm sorry -" Kakashi shook his head helplessly. "I'm trying -"
"I know, little pup."
" - And I'm not a little pup -"
"You will always be a little pup in my eyes, little pup," the dog nuzzled the nin - who raised his hand finally to scratch the large muzzle nudging against him. "Even now, you have so much to learn yet."
"Is there anything you don't know about? Is there anything that stumps you..."
"Hmmm... one of the little pups asked me why one of the other pups was looking at him differently the other day."
Kakashi blinked in suprise at the seeming off-topic thought.
"At first, I was flummoxed. Then I realized. The young pup had no awareness at all." Here the sage chuckled. "The idea that Yui was a girl had escaped the young idiot's notice. Byakko was never quick on the uptake... but then," philosophized the summons. "It's not as if we can all brag about matters of love. Love is a hard thing to grasp at the best of times. In others, it is easy to notice. But when it comes to ourselves... matters of the heart are less easier to solve. Ah well."
"So you are saying..."
"I'm saying that..." The dog paused. "Nevermind, young pup. It's only for you to discover on your own."
Kakashi grumbled.
"You seem to be feeling better."
"Perhaps," hedged the ninja. "I just -" He sighed. "I feel that once again, I have no choice. People speak up for me - running over my opinions as if it were nothing... And... they just assume... They don't know that... perhaps... perhaps... I'm just not ready yet..."
"You cannot trust yourself?"
"Who could trust in himself after... after... what I have done?"
The dog licked his master again and whuffed gently.
"Then trust in us - in those who surround you and love you. Can you do that small thing?"
It is then that Kakashi leaned forward to bury his head in the thick fur, trying to find those feelings of comfort and support which always seemed to elude him.
"I must go, young pup - and you must leave to gain your rest. But remember... things will get better if you have the courage. Spring is just around the corner..."
Drawing back, the dog gave a gentle lick before disappearing into the wind like smoke. Kakashi watched his old friend disappear and sighed. Here he was again - alone. But this time, even though the young girl watched him from the edge of the water tower, Kakashi knew that he wasn't alone. He watched the small eyes follow him. At the edges of his vision, other eyes watched him. They always were. But he also knew that he had to live with it... or not live at all...
"Kakashi!"
Sakura hissed pacing down the hallway, trying to fight panic down.
"Kakaaashiiiiii!"
Still only silence.
"Hey! HEY!"
Sakura looked up and found the curious eyes of Neji and Sasuke watching her.
"What's the problem, Sakura?" Sasuke grabbed the distraught medic's shoulder.
"It's Kakashi!" Her green eyes were filled with unshed tears. "He's not in his room. And I'm worried. Today... Iruka broke the news about the apartment. And I think - I don't think - Kakashi wasn't happy, I'm sure of it. What if - he -"
"That would be stupid of him to even try," Sasuke shook his head angrily. "But even so -"
"Is it such a suprise?" The Hyuuga asked softly.
The two Jounin rounded on their old comrade with astonishment. The silent Hyuuga rarely talked about the whole situation. Even though the news had inflamed even the oldest quarters - "Kakashi-sama - the only Hatake! - the Copy Nin - is back!!" - Neji had been unmoved. Gai's tears, the hushed gossip of the Academy teachers and the jokes that bandied back and forth between the Rookie Nine seemed to pass over the silent Jounin. Hyuuga Neji kept his own counsel.
"You mean he's -"
"He just needs time," stated the Hyuuga calmly. "Sasuke, here, while helping me finish up the final fortifications of this village, told me a little bit of this whole story. It seems to me - that being ANBU for so long would cause any man a need for secrecy, independence..."
"I know..." whispered Sakura, her tender heart already hurting for her sensei. "I know. But - it was the only way!"
"Sometimes things have to be painful to make a point," Sasuke sighed. "Sakura... I know... your first instinct is to coddle but..."
"I'm not coddling!" protested Sakura, blushing lightly.
Neji's eyes sharpened.
"I'm just..."
"Trust him," the Hyuuga turned away. "Your lack of confidence is denigrating." He paused. "I'm going home now, Uchiha. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
With that, the quiet young man turned away, his white sleeves flapping like ghosts in the wind. The two young Jounin watched their older comrade disappear into the night soundlessly. Sasuke let go a harsh sigh.
Then after a moment.
"He's right, Sakura."
Sakura bit her lip and then nodded slowly.
Kakashi was on the rooftop when the young genius Hyuuga Neji dropped silently onto the rooftop and then bound up onto the fencing. He was obviously going home after a long day's work. Naruto had dropped in during the afternoon to relate his new missions. Tsunade had decided to work Team Seven to the ground.
No doubt in hopes that it would keep them out of trouble, Kakashi had thought to himself. Good luck with that, Tsunade-hime.
The Copy Nin had been sitting on his bed when the loud-mouthed Jounin had popped in.
"Taking a break," Naruto said. "My lunch break."
"A break..." echoed Kakashi in a deadpan voice, as he eyed Naruto's obviously sneaky expression.
More like playing hookey, if I don't know him...
"Neji and Sasuke... have you ever had to work with that combination?" Naruto rolled his eyes. "I mean... geez... let up a little, you know? Working with people like that - you start to feel the stress twice as fast."
Kakashi had chuckled, knowing that Neji and Naruto would never be the best friends that some would hope for. And sitting there on the water tower, casting his eye over Neji, Kakashi was sure that Naruto's recklessness had left a mark of fatigue on the tensai Jounin.
Not that Neji can't handle it, Kakashi mused. He is Hyuuga, after all.
The young man in question blinked at the sight of Kakashi lounging there under the night sky. Then he nodded imperceptibly.
"Sakura is looking for you," Neji said after a moment. "Perhaps you should relieve her mind and go in." Then, half-apologetically, he added. "She is very worried. Even more worried than I would have thought..."
"Hai, hai," Kakashi sighed. "Shouldn't make my medic unhappy..."
"She can get scary," Neji chuckled rather dryly. "Good luck with her, Kakashi-sempai."
With that, he disappeared into the night.
Kakashi turned to the little girl on the roof and said farewell. Lighting gently on the roof, he turned to go inside and paused to smile a little.
-
"We got something a little bigger than your older apartments, because we think you might want space," Sakura chattered nervously as she turned around in the main room which would become Kakashi's sitting room, kitchen and dining room. A door opened onto a balcony - he poked his head out and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows at the same old couch - now surrounded by new plants that looked alot like Mr. Ukki.
There was another door out onto the balcony - that led to his bedroom, which joined into the living room - and to finish up the square of the apartment, there was a small bathroom which opened into the small hallway-cum-atrium (as well as into his own bedroom). It was cozy. It was nice.
Kakashi had to admit he'd never had anything like this. Even his old apartment before the war had been a little too small. Nevertheless, it had suited his needs just fine.
He poked his head into the bathroom cupboards and found everything there. Not his style of arrangement - but it was odd to see his things all there - just waiting to be used again. Nothing had been added or changed or taken away. Slipping into his room, he found several boxes there containing all of his small knickknacks and the piles of civilian clothes he never really used. In one box, was a small gaming set - given to him so long ago by a grateful boy...
And some of the clothing reminded him of Megumi. He wanted to hide it all again... but said nothing. More than ever, Kakashi was aware of Iruka and Sakura watching. However, he was relieved to find that his chest had been left unopened. It had been his father's - and the latch lifted up easily for him revealing the few family heirlooms within that he had laid claim to. This had never been disturbed.
And he was grateful.
"He tried to keep everything the same way," Sakura said softly, her voice a little strained with worry.
"Even the couch," Iruka put in with a sigh. "I wanted to leave it behind but - this little kunoichi fought like a tiger for it..."
Kakashi said nothing as his fingers ghosted over the short sword of his father. He stilled at the thought of the couch.
"Thank you."
He shut the lid with a snap and rose.
"I appreciate -"
"It's not done, really," Sakura sighed. "The walls are so bare. And your curtains are in a state! The couch needs to be reupholstered, your blankets are threadbare... but..."
The medic bit her lip.
"It looks fine to me," Kakashi replied. And waited for them to leave.
Having them there made him nervous. People never used to visit him before - not that Iruka and Sakura were visiting him. More like... escorting him... but still...
Sakura smiled and nodded.
"I'm glad." She turned to Iruka and grinned. "Well. It seems like he's great... so let's leave him to settle in..."
The brown-haired Jounin nodded and scratched his scar thoughtfully.
"We'll be dropping in later maybe... with some housewarming thing -"
"Housewarming thing?" The question seemed to slip out before he could catch himself.
"A gift for when you move into a new house," explained Sakura patiently. "Haven't you ever been to a housewarming party?"
The Copy Nin didn't answer her. Instead, he focussed on something more important.
"Oh... that's not necessary," Kakashi replied easily. "I'm not -"
"But Iruka! It's a great idea," Sakura nodded with a smile at her companion. "I'll get Naruto and Sasuke to come around later! And maybe some of the others."
Kakashi paled as he watched Iruka's eyes light up.
"I'm sure that everyone has things to do -"
But Kakashi's hesitant objection was firmly overruled by Iruka's enthusiasm.
"I'm quite sure some of the older Jounin would join us too! And quite a few are coming back today from missions, so - "
"This could work!" Sakura practically glowed. "There's nothing nicer than a house party for someone who's coming back!"
They turned to glance at Kakashi who was still trying to grasp what was happening to him and his house. He stood there, trying to act nonchalant while his worst nightmare began to unfold before him.
When Yukio returned from his four day mission, he found Kakashi's apartment empty. Silent. Bereft. Grey. All the sheets had been stripped off of the thin mattress he had found so much comfort on. The couch on which he had cuddled with Kakashi was gone entirely. There was no sound save the "zzt zzzt" of the weary lightbulb swinging from the ceiling and the low hum of a fly against the balcony door.
Stepping out onto the balcony, Yukio felt truly abandoned.
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