Marie*

Kakashi stayed silent throughout the entire story. I left out the part about him witnessing Rin's death. I decided to break it to him slowly.

Even without his mask, his face was completely unreadable.

After I finished, he raised an eyebrow skeptically.

We look at each other in awkward silence.

Finally he breaks it.

"I find all of that extremely difficult to believe."

"Is it?" I quip.

"In fact, I dare say that it's impossible. For one, how did Madara Uchiha even know that Obito was in any danger to begin with?"

I groan. "I knew I should have payed more attention to the plot. I dunno, he probably had one of those Zetsu thingies tailing his relatives."

Kakashi looks even more skeptical.

"All of his relatives?"

I shrug "Well, the ones that were shinobi at least."

"Be realistic. If every single Uchiha shinobi was tailed, they'd know almost instantly."

"Uhhh..plot magic?" I theorize weakly.

"Nice try. Still...Obito would have come to us immediately after he was recovered."

"That's the thing. Rin died before he was recovered. He saw all of it."

Kakashi's eyes widen. He looks at me in shock.

"You're...you're sure about this?" he asks weakly.

I nod. "Yeah. He wanted to help you guys."

"He must...he must really hate me." Kakashi murmurs. He stares at his feet, his head in his hands.

I hesitate. How do I handle this situation? Do I comfort him and deny the fact? Because Obito actually didn't hate Kakashi. Obito understood that Rin committed suicide by Kakashi's hand.

Except it wouldn't give Kakashi any comfort to know that Obito didn't currently have any feelings towards the action whatsoever. He instead blamed the world they lived in. I didn't know what was worse to be honest.

Instead I opted for silent comfort. I kneel next to Kakashi and wrap my arms around him, rubbing his back comfortingly.

Kakashi doesn't cry, he just hangs his head in his hands silently in contemplation.

I give him a few minutes, leaning my head on his shoulder.

"He...he doesn't hate you." I rasp softly. "In fact he bears no feelings for you whatsoever, good or bad. Besides, I thought you didn't believe me."

Kakashi's shoulders slump slightly.

"I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt. The mere thought that Obito, living or dead, knows that I broke my promise to protect Rin at all costs is heartbreaking enough. It's something I've contemplated for years."

I nod solemnly. "I know. You come out here almost every day, don't you?"

"I do. How do you know that?"

I smile slightly. "I know things, remember?"

"...right." he says tonelessly.

"Still don't believe me?"

"No offense. But I'm not one to blindly believe everything a cute girl says."

I snort. "Cute, you say?"

"Why did you think I agreed to go on a date with you?"

I groan and untangle myself from him. "Not you too!"

"Huh?" Kakashi sits up and looks at me in mock confusion, his lips trembling in an attempt to cover up the growing smile.

"I wasn't asking you on a date!" I felt my cheeks burning red.

Kakashi's eyes crinkle in amusement. "I know. Shame, though. I've never been on a date before."

I raise an eyebrow. "Now that, I find hard to believe."

Kakashi shrugs. "Believe what you wish. It's the truth. I've never had the time to pursue a romantic relationship what with my many duties to the village..."

I roll my eyes. "Not to mention the fact that no woman in the village knows what you look like."

"Any woman who chooses their dates purely on physical appearance is not worth my time anyway."

I giggle. "Yeah, yeah. Okay. Sorry to disappoint, but I have someone already."

Kakashi smirks. "So I've been told. I was also told that he dropped you off and disappeared without your permission."

"This...this is true. What's your point?"

"I'm just saying that I am currently enjoying your company and I would like to do it again properly without all of the serious subject matter."

I snort. "You know a girl and a guy can be friends and go places without it being a date."

"I know, but I'd like to keep the option open. You're an interesting and attractive woman, Marie-chan."

Now it was my turn to put my head in my hands.

"Oh no...oh nononono. I'm turning into a Mary Sue. My worst nightmare has come true." I mumble.

"A...what?"

I look over at Kakashi. He looks confused.

"It's...a character type. Usually a female that is in self insert fan literature. She is unbelievably beautiful and without flaws. She always has the singing voice of an angel and excels at everything. Plus every attractive male character falls in love with her."

Kakashi blinks. Then he starts laughing.

"I wouldn't say you've turned into one of those." he gasps between laughs.

"But but but. You're one of three guys close to my age that I've met and two out of the three of them have expressed romantic desire towards me."

This only makes Kakashi laugh harder.

"I'm assuming the third man is Tenzō?" he theorizes after he finishes laughing his ass off.

"Yeah."

"I'm sure you have no danger in catching his eye. You make him immensely uncomfortable."

I giggle. "It's fun."

"Still, it's plain to see that you're far from perfect. Besides, my desire is merely of a curious nature with the potential to grow if allowed."

I groan. "You're making this difficult, man. It's true that Kabuto and I were merely roommates with benefits but...something was growing. I'm not sure I want to snuff it out just yet."

"And I'm not asking you to. Listen, I've been put on light duty. I have nothing to do. You have nothing to do."

"Are you wanting to take over Tenten's security duties or something? That's something you have to take up with Tsunade."

Kakashi laughs. "It's actually already been decided. Tenten has another mission with her team and I've been assigned to watch you starting tomorrow. Think of it as an upgrade. I even have a spare bedroom."

Inwardly I squeal. Don't get me wrong, I loved living with Tenten, but she was always busy and left me locked in the house more often due to her duties. Plus the early morning Lee visits were a bit...irritating.

"Um...okay?"

X

I go back to Tenten's apartment around 3pm.

Tenten giggles when she sees me. "So, guess what?"

I roll my eyes. "I'm being handed to Kakashi?"

She grins at me. "He told you? Of course he did! I'm so excited. You have to tell me what he looks like under the mask."

I laugh. "Okay. I will. If I ever get to see it."

Of course I already knew what he looks like under there, but I didn't want to give away his Sukea persona.

"So what's with the change in guards?" I ask.

"Well, my team and I are going to Suna for awhile to help them with something."

"How long?"

"About two weeks or so."

"Ah. So this wasn't something he requested."

Tenten giggles.

X

Author's note: Guys I'm sorry for the wait! I kinda lost the inspiration and motivation for a bit. Sorry if it's terrible.

Review and enjoy!