Room 215
Chapter 2
"5 O'clock"
-X-X-
The droning motions of a ticking clock echoed throughout the empty lobby. Kakashi glanced around, searching for signs of life while also taking in his surroundings with a distant curiosity. To his left rested a simple wooden table and a moss-colored sofa, the stitching tattered and hints of white stuffing peeking out around the edges. Directly in front of him was a vacant desk, a single bell resting on its surface beside a telephone and a disconnected tv.
With a shrug, Kakashi stepped closer to the counter and proceeded to ring the bell, pressing his hand firmly on the top to overcompensate for its rusted nature. He waited several moments, questioning if anyone worked in the desolate establishment, when a door behind the desk slowly opened and the strangest man he had ever seen emerged from behind it. He was unnaturally pale, almost white in his complexion, with cascading raven strands, but the most unique feature was his eyes – specks of gold surrounding slitted pupils. There was an almost snakelike quality to them.
"Who is it?" the man questioned, a cautious rasp present in his voice.
"I'm looking for a room for the night," Kakashi responded simply to the weighted inquiry.
"Oh, you're a guest?" the pale individual chuckled, seemingly finding humor in the information. "You should have said so." Creeping closer, he set his elbows comfortably on the counter, linking his long fingers. "I'm Orochimaru, the owner of this esteemed hotel. You could say this place is my personal paradise. We're quite full this time of year, so you're fortunate to have come at this time on this particular day."
Right…judging by the state of this place, I doubt it's that popular.
"Lucky me," Kakashi deadpanned. "Do you have anything cheap?"
"Cheap?" Orochimaru released another gruff chuckle. "Why settle for less when you can have so much more? I can tell by your clothes that you're a salesman, and I know from conversing with other individuals in the sales industry that it is a job that brutally bears down on the body. Why not treat yourself to something nice for once?"
Kakashi arched a brow. Orochimaru was identifying him as a salesman while pitching his own obvious sale. His motive was entirely transparent. The ex-detective allowed him to continue, however. The presentation was peculiar yet impressive, and he was genuinely curious what offer was about to come out of that man's mouth.
"Now, I happen to have a suite available tonight, with a magnificent view of the Nevada landscape. Tell me, have you ever glimpsed the sun setting over the vast desert? It's simply excellent! And I don't do this for just anyone, but I will even lower the price. You know, in the spirit of…Christmas!"
Kakashi withheld a smirk at the man's final comment. Somehow, he wasn't so sure the reduced price originated in any form of generosity. A suite was more expensive than the average room, so Orochimaru was attempting to earn a greater profit, even if it meant offering a discount.
Securing a hand lazily in his pocket, Kakashi leaned his other arm against the counter, an amused glint in his dark gaze. "You know, that doesn't sound too bad. How much?"
"Oh, the suite usually runs for about three-fifty," Orochimaru responded, an excited edge overtaking his voice. "But I will generously reduce it to an even three hundred for you."
Kakashi hung his head, concealing a smile. That was exactly what he had expected.
After recovering his neutral expression, he lifted his eyes and shook his head. "Nah, I think I'll pass. That's still a bit pricey for me. The regular room will do just fine."
"Oh…I see. Well, that was a waste of time for both of us, wasn't it?" With an obvious pout, Orochimaru reached underneath the counter and pulled out a blank form, setting it in front of Kakashi with an exaggerated look of disapproval. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a simple black pen, "Here. Use this pen. It's very nice, I know, but don't steal it. It's mine."
Kakashi lifted another brow at the peculiar behavior on display in front of him, especially that possessive glint in Orochimaru's eyes, but relented his curiosity for the moment. He instead accepted the offered writing utensil and began filling in his information. For a moment, the only sound in the room was the scratching of the pen and the continued countdown of the clock.
"It is always interesting to discover what sort of person will walk through those doors," Orochimaru suddenly mused aloud. As Kakashi lifted his gaze, he noted how the man's earlier disappointment was already a thing of the past. Rather, he seemed lost in a reverie. "In my line of work, you constantly see new faces, but there is an exceptional uniqueness to each one, I've found. Every person has their own story—their own reasons for being out here in the middle of the desert."
Their own stories, huh? I can't argue with that. I know very well that people have their own reasons for the crazy things they do.
With an inquisitive tilt of his head, as he slid the completed form across the counter, Kakashi asked, "So, what's your story?"
"Oh, mine? Mine isn't interesting." Orochimaru returned, although it was delivered more offhandedly than anything he had seen before from the snakelike individual. He seemed entirely distracted by the slip of paper in front of him.
"What? Did I fill it out incorrectly?" Kakashi glanced down at the form, perusing the information he had written. Everything looked accurate.
"Oh, no. No, nothing like that," Orochimaru shook his head. His gaze remained captured for another moment, before he returned his attention to his silver-haired guest. "Your name caught me by surprise, but it must simply be a curious coincidence."
"Have you heard my name before?"
"Oh…well…in a way, yes," Orochimaru stumbled over his answer, his eyes lighting when he finally answered in the affirmative. "I had another guest with your name, you see, but I did not take Hatake Kakashi for a popular child's name, so that alone is somewhat bizarre. Also, there existed only a six-month gap between the two visits, so you can imagine my surprise at this improbable occurrence."
Kakashi's eyes widened.
A guest with my name? It couldn't be…could it?
A hotel in the middle of nowhere was the last place he expected to find anything related to his missing partner, but his instincts were practically screaming at him to deny the explanation of a coincidence. Would it be foolish to hope? Was he merely seeing a connection where one didn't exist?
"This guest with my name," he began, attempting to maintain control over the rush of anticipation he felt. "What did he look like?"
"As I recall, he was about your age, but his appearance was significantly different," Orochimaru placed a hand against his waist and flourished the other arbitrarily in the air. "You possess a unique hair color whereas his was rather ordinary. I would say it was dark brown, bordering on black, perhaps."
That was a common reaction to his hair. He was used to the double-takes and suspicions about its natural status. There was even a little girl once who said he was aging well. Orochimaru's lack of surprise was new, though. If he was unfazed, he must have really come across extravagant individuals.
Orochimaru's golden gaze then slithered to meet Kakashi's, reflecting his intrigue. "But his eyes…Oh, they were undoubtedly black. Same as yours. They were very…dark. He might have also been a little taller than you, though not as slender."
That...was an incredibly detailed description. It certainly sounded like Obito, but...what about his scars? Obito's scars were hard to miss, unless you just didn't pay attention, but Orochimaru had already evidenced his attuned sense of observation. He couldn't have overlooked such a defining feature. Did that mean the man with his name wasn't Obito? Or was Orochimaru intentionally withholding that detail? It probably wasn't a good idea to push him until he had more information. He would just hold onto those suspicions, for now.
"Why do you ask? Are you acquainted with the other Kakashi?"
There was a suspicious glint in the man's eyes as he stared at him, and Kakashi remarked that he had made the right call.
"It's hard to say," Kakashi shrugged, indifference lacing his tone. "I've never met another man with my name, and I've come across a few people with that description. Maybe you're right, and it's only a coincidence."
Orochimaru continued to hold his stare, observing his features as he seemed to search for the truth in his words. After another moment, he leaned back and waved a hand dismissively. "Well, whatever. It must be another of life's many extraordinary mysteries."
He then lifted the completed form from the counter and placed it in a cabinet behind him, rummaging around in the drawer a moment before turning to face Kakashi once more.
"Anyway, you'll be staying in Room 215. Here," Orochimaru extended a single pale arm with a key nestled in his upturned palm. "This is your room key. If you lose it, I'm afraid I'll have to charge you for the cost of replacing it. I'm sure you understand. Also, checkout will be at ten tomorrow morning. If you're late, I'll also charge you, but it will be double."
Kakashi nodded and retrieved the key, internally considering how many extra charges this man could imagine. As he observed the object in his hand, he acknowledged the presence of the room number, but his gaze was drawn to the word Wish engraved at the bottom. "Wish?"
"Yes, that's the name of the room," Orochimaru responded matter-of-factly.
"The room has a name?"
"Oh, absolutely!" the man's voice grew in intensity. "Every room in this hotel has a name. It was a feature I added to create a personalized experience for every guest. We have Success, Bravery, Daybreak…even Love."
A self-satisfied smile was present on his features. He must have been very proud of those room names.
"But," he continued. "Out of all of them, I have to say that Wish is my favorite. If not for the sentiment in the word, then for the incredible tales of renewal I have heard from previous guests. I told you before, Hatake Kakashi, you are a fortunate man. That room is my most coveted."
"Why?" Kakashi offered the man a curious widening of his eyes. "Because of these tales of renewal?"
"Yes, precisely," Orochimaru nodded. "That room is very special. Tell me, Kakashi…do you have dreams? Something you wish for?"
"I'm not one for wishing," Kakashi answered simply. He knew better than to believe in that sort of thing.
Orochimaru chuckled, "That doesn't surprise me, but still...If you have something you want, something you really want, then you just might find it tonight. That's the story of the Wish room. That's Room 215—the place where wishes are granted."
The place where wishes are granted...
Kakashi shook away those fantastical thoughts and returned his attention to the pale man in front of him. "You still haven't explained those tales of renewal."
"You're right, I haven't. Silly me," Orochimaru replied, his shoulders shaking with laughter. "Well, first, there was a young girl and then...Yes, a middle-aged man. They were both downcast, as though something destroyed their happiness and made them realize the meaningless nature of their existence. To put it simply, they were...sad. But, the following morning, they had been reborn. There was a light in their eyes and a contentment to their countenance. They looked peaceful. I was curious, of course, to learn the cause of this unexpected transformation, so I asked, and they both told me the same thing: 'Room 215 is magic. It granted my wish!' That is why that room is special. I have proof."
Kakashi lowered his gaze to the room key, turning it in his palm, contemplating its name. Perhaps he did have a wish, something he was foolishly chasing, but a room wasn't going to lead him to any answers.
"And…that should do it," Orochimaru's raspy voice prompted him to look up. "You're checked in now. Our rooms are located on the second floor. They are easily accessible by taking the stairs in the lobby. Our restaurant can be found beside the stairs on this floor. Dinner will be served at six this evening. There is also a bar, if that interests you, that opens at nine. Do you need anything else? Any further questions?"
"Yeah," Kakashi nodded, thoughts of his task returning to the forefront. "I'm waiting on a package."
"A package?" Orochimaru regarded him curiously, glanced around the counter once and then shook his head. "I don't see anything. How interesting…You send a package to a hotel without first securing a reservation? What if we were booked?"
Kakashi smirked. Orochimaru was determined to stand by his story of the hotel's popularity.
"Oh! And about this package, I hope it's nothing...suspicious," Orochimaru's slitted gaze narrowed, a frown pulling at the corner of his lips. "I don't want anything here that will inconvenience the hotel. Once, three years ago, there was a package delivered to another young man, such as yourself, and it was business as usual…until the police arrived. As it turns out, the guest was a criminal using my hotel for his nefarious actions, but that was no excuse for the police to destroy doors and order me around. Everyone was in a panic because of that guest and the police. I would prefer to avoid a similar situation from occurring in the future. That's why the Dusk has a strict policy: no criminals...and no police."
Orochimaru's bitterness was palpable as he told the story, and Kakashi realized he was the sort of man who might throw him out if he knew his history. He seemed welcoming enough, but there was an edge of suspicion in every glance, as if he expected something to go wrong. Kakashi doubted his story was uninteresting, like he said.
"My package is nothing like that," he responded with a shrug. "It just contains a few materials for my job."
"After hearing my tale, that's exactly what a criminal or a cop would say...but you're obviously a burnt-out salesman, so I'll trust you for now."
Kakashi blinked at that final remark.
I look like a burnt-out salesman?
"I'll tell our eager bellhop to look for your package. If it shows up, he'll take it to your room for you." Orochimaru then presented an exaggerated flick of his wrist and swept his arm around him, "Now, enjoy your stay. And welcome to Hotel Dusk!"
Kakashi nodded once. He stepped away from the desk and began his walk toward the lobby, when the creaking sound of the front door and a voice stopped him.
"Pardon me, sir. Do you have a room available for tonight?"
Turning, he took in the appearance of an elderly woman. Her hair was a pale grey and several age spots patterned her face beside the wrinkles. She walked slowly, perhaps due to weak knees, but there was a smile on her face that rivalled her physical appearance.
"Welcome to Hotel Dusk!" Orochimaru announced. "You're in luck! We have a few vacancies. Are you looking for anything in particular? I still have a suite available, if that interests you."
Kakashi chuckled, directing his face away from their business conversation. He was definitely starting to get a sense of the sort of person Orochimaru was. Shoving a hand into his pocket, he continued his journey to the lobby, where he spotted the stairs and began his ascent. He made it effortlessly up the first flight, but as he rounded the bannister and moved across the small landing, he found that his path was blocked by a girl sitting on the bottom step. Her head was bowed, faced creased with concentration, as she stared at a puzzle piece in her hand.
Stepping closer, Kakashi peered over her shoulder. There was a half-completed puzzle on the step beside her, vibrant blues and rustic tans creating the image of a beach, but even more compelling was the small size of the pieces, which made the puzzle much more advanced than he expected.
The frustration was radiating off her as she manipulated the piece, trying without success to make it fit into one of the empty spaces. Kakashi bent down on one knee beside her and leaned forward, pointing to an opening near the center. "I think it would fit best right here."
The girl started, jolting at the sudden voice. She must have been completely absorbed in the puzzle if she didn't notice his presence until that moment.
"Sorry, sorry," Kakashi apologized, waving a hand in front of him, but the small smile contradicted his words. "I didn't mean to scare you."
The girl adjusted her glasses with a frown, crossing her arms. "You didn't scare me. I was surprised. There's a difference."
Despite her childish response, there was an impressive knowledge in her obsidian gaze, an awareness rarely present in children her age. Just as he was analyzing her, she seemed to be mirroring his action.
"Why are you playing on the stairs?"
With an indignant huff, the girl directed her face away from him. "I wasn't playing. I was solving a sophisticated masterpiece."
"But…," Kakashi purposefully drew out, redirecting to his actual question. "Why on the stairs? Wouldn't it be inconvenient for you with the traffic?"
"The stairs are…," she trailed off, her eyes slipping closed briefly. "The stairs are quiet." Glancing up at him with a frown, she then added, "At least, they were."
Kakashi waved his hand in another apologetic fashion. The girl simply rolled her eyes before she bent to scoop the puzzle pieces into a box, destroying her progress. When she finally secured them all, she fastened the lid and rose from her step. With a fleeting, polite smile, she nodded once before walking up the stairs.
Interesting kid…but who is she?
He placed his foot on the previously occupied step but felt an uneven surface beneath him. As he pulled away, he recognized one of the puzzle pieces nestled in a crack on the staircase. Reaching down, he picked it up and turned it once in his palm, noting the curious black lines adorning the back. He decided he would return it to the girl next time he saw her and placed the piece in his jacket pocket. He then continued his ascent up the stairs.
When he reached the second floor, a quick sweep of the hall informed him that his room was located on the far right, but he also noted that every door had a room number with a name emblazoned beneath it. Orochimaru's doing, no doubt. It was yet another addition to that personalized experience he wanted to give his guests.
Standing across from the stairs, in front of a room labelled Trust, was a dark-haired young man, who couldn't have been much older than sixteen. He didn't notice Kakashi, but he looked skittish, peering his eyes around the hall, face contorted with pain.
Tilting his head, Kakashi felt a mild concern. He moved to stand in front of the supposedly troubled youth, waving his hand in front of his face to capture his attention. "Is something wrong?"
The reaction was immediate. Blue eyes narrowed in annoyance and shifted in his direction, before he snapped, "What?"
"You look out of it."
"N-no, I'm fine." The adolescent crossed his arms, his mouth pulling into a disgruntled frown.
"Alright, sorry for bothering you." Kakashi lifted his hands in surrender and stepped around the brooding teenager.
"Hold it," his voice demanded after a moment.
Withholding a sigh, Kakashi looked back at him over his shoulder, eyes distant with a lack of interest. "Hm?"
"Who are you?"
"Me? Kakashi. I'm in Room 215," he lifted an arm and indicated the room with his thumb. "You?"
"Konohamaru."
Interesting name…I wonder if he has an interesting story behind it.
Kakashi turned around, his focus once again entirely concentrated on Konohamaru. "Do you stay here often?"
"Here? Never," Konohamaru snorted with derision. "I've never been to a place like this. Unfortunately, I have no choice but to stay here tonight."
"No choice, huh?" Kakashi mused, "Did something happen?"
"I don't need to explain myself to you," Konohamaru retorted, frown deepening.
"I was just asking," Kakashi remarked easily with a shrug, lifting his gaze to the stained and chipped ceiling. Was yellow the original color, or did that develop over time?
"Sure, you were."
Kakashi was tempted to roll his eyes at the adolescent display but maintained civility as his thoughts returned to his previous encounter.
"There was a kid on the stairs earlier," he began, setting his sight back on Konohamaru. "She's probably about seven. Black hair. Glasses. Do you know who she is?"
"Oh, you must be talking about Sarada," Konohamaru responded, the edge fading from his tone. "She's staying in 219 with her dad," he indicated the room directly to the left of the stairwell. "He's far from the warmest guy you'll ever meet."
You're not so easygoing yourself.
"I'll keep that in mind," Kakashi nodded.
"Anyway, I gotta go. I'll see you around," Konohamaru announced suddenly. With a final glance around the hall, he retreated into his room and shut the door.
Shady kid…
Perhaps Orochimaru wasn't just spouting the musings of an old man. There were interesting people staying in the hotel.
Kakashi continued past 213 until he reached the door at the end of the hall. 215 was covering a section of the wood, the word Wish directly beneath it in golden letters that presented a rather elegant font. He pulled the key out of his pocket and unlocked the door, pushing it open before stepping over the threshold.
So, this is Room 215. The place where wishes are granted...
The room was simple and exactly what he expected. A door leading into the bathroom was on his right while the rest of the space contained the bed, nightstand, a dresser with a tv, and a small table. There was also an unremarkable painting of apples hanging above the bed. If magic existed, it wasn't present in the room's decorations.
After setting his suitcase on the table, there was a knock on the door.
"Hello? Hey, I got a package from the front desk!"
That was fast.
Kakashi crossed the short expanse of the room and opened the door. The bellhop was standing on the other side, his face obscured by the cardboard boxes he was carrying.
"I've got a package for you, mister!'
"Okay," Kakashi nodded, directing his hand lazily around the room. "You can put it anywhere."
"Uh…Okay," the bellhop's blond hair bobbed on the other side of the boxes, signaling a nod. He walked into the room and proceeded quickly toward the empty bed, where he released his grip on the bottom box. When he turned, his face was still blocked by the remaining package. "Alright, gotta go! Later, dattebayo!"
Kakashi's eyes widened. "…Dattebayo?"
There was only person he had ever heard use that unique phrase. Now that he thought about it, the voice itself was singular, as well.
"Oh, uh…," the blond was at a loss for words, laughing awkwardly. "Did I say that? You must have heard wrong, dattebayo…"
Kakashi's mouth curled in amusement.
The bellhop paused, muttering a self-reproaching remark before sucking in a breath. "Forget I said anything! Bye bye!"
He moved to leave, but Kakashi leaned his weight against the door frame, successfully blocking the escape route. Crossing his arms, he awarded the blond a stern narrowing of his dark eyes. "Naruto."
Naruto froze, but drooped his shoulders in the next moment with a drawn-out exhale. He lowered the box and lifted his head, striking blue irises staring up at him. Naruto forced a grin, "Uh…Long time no see?"
Naruto was a small-time pickpocket he constantly ran into during his time on the force. It had been three years since he last saw him, and Naruto had obviously matured—in appearance, at least. It took a moment to recognize him, but Kakashi could never forget that troublemaker.
...
The dim lighting of the subway car brightened with the occasional passing of the individual terminals. Kakashi sat in a relatively vacant area by the doors, a book open and held securely in his hand as he pored over the words on the page. He was on his way to a meeting with Gai, the man having successfully roped him into a midnight race around the Yankee Stadium. Gai had been adamant that they include the journey downtown in their race, as well, but Kakashi had refused and taken the leisurely route by subway while his green-clad friend stubbornly braved the path on foot.
A blur of blond movement flashed in his peripherals and, lifting his gaze, Kakashi saw Naruto chatting with a middle-aged man while he subtly slipped a pearl bracelet of the wife's wrist. It was the third time in a week that he caught Naruto in the act. He commended his boldness, but the Uzumaki was too reckless. He was lucky that another cop hadn't found him.
With a sigh, the detective snapped his book closed and rose from his seat, before walking across the aisle toward the scene of the theft. He swung an arm around the blond's shoulders, surprising him with his sudden appearance. Naruto's eyes widened, but Kakashi simply smiled, pulling the struggling teen toward the doors as the intercom announced their upcoming destination. He tightened his grip when Naruto put up more of a fuss, slipping the bracelet from the little thief's pocket and depositing it on the floor for the woman to find.
Once the train stopped, he directed Naruto into the empty terminal where he finally released him. The teen turned to him with rage in his eyes, his fists shaking.
"What the hell, man?!" he exclaimed, his loud voice echoing around them. "Why did you do that? That bracelet was going to pay for dinner!"
The detective ran a hand through his silver spikes, sighing. "I'm only looking out for you. If you keep this up, you really will go to jail, and there won't be anything I can do."
"…I know," Naruto frowned, his tone losing its intensity. "I don't want to go to jail…I don't even like stealing from people, but I'm not the only out here. I would change everything and follow my dreams, if I could, but I can't just abandon my friend."
For a long moment, Kakashi simply stared at the blond. His head was bowed, his form shaking with frustration at his circumstance, when a gust of wind wandered through the terminal and he was instead shivering from the cold. Releasing another, muted sigh, Kakashi pulled out his wallet and retrieved a fifty-dollar bill that he then placed in Naruto's palm. When the teen looked up at him in surprise, he slipped his hands into his pockets and shrugged, dismissing the weighted implications of his action.
"I heard a blizzard is coming in tonight," he stated casually, directing his gaze toward the stairs and the early traces of snowfall. "You need to stay warm, kid. Use that to get a nice coat for you and your friend. You can't go wrong with a scarf, either." He creased his eyes and indicated his own scarf, which was currently concealing the lower half of his face from the cold. Naruto continued to stare at him.
"Stay out of trouble, Naruto," Kakashi said with finality, a warning present in his tone. "I'd hate to arrest you on Christmas."
It was still several weeks before the merriest of holidays, but the same message existed. He saluted the stunned teen with a lazy flick of his fingers, then turned to walk away.
"Hey, Kakashi Officer!"
Smiling fondly at the nickname, Kakashi glanced behind him. A bright grin was present on Naruto's face, the cold already defining his cheeks with a prominent shade of pink. "Merry Christmas, dattebayo!"
...
Naruto was another tragic story—an orphan abandoned by the system, who learned to fend for himself on the harsh streets of Manhattan. Kakashi did what he could to guide him away from the life of a criminal, but even a low-profile record limited his opportunities beyond the streets. Naruto was also incredibly stubborn, determined to pave his own path. He wasn't expecting to find Naruto in Hotel Dusk, of all places. In fact, he never expected to see him at all after leaving New York behind.
"What are you doing here, Naruto?" he finally asked.
"What does it look like?" The blond rolled his eyes and held out the package still nestled between his hands. "I'm working!"
Kakashi raised a skeptical brow.
"Hey, it's the truth!" Naruto defended, his volume increasing. "I'm the honorary bellhop of this place! I cleaned up my act since you last saw me, dattebayo! I'm going on three years with this job."
"I tried to help you with little success in the past," Kakashi reminded him, his disbelief reflecting in his gaze. "Now, you're working in a hotel in the middle of a desert? What happened?"
He often proclaimed New York as his home and was determined to remain there. There was also the matter of the friend he mentioned in the past, who he refused to leave behind. Something must have forced him to leave.
Naruto's cerulean gaze lowered to the carpeted floor, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his jacket. "…Some bad things happened," he finally revealed, tone heavy with his barely contained grief. "So, I left."
Kakashi's eyes lowered. He had wanted to spare the Uzumaki from further suffering, but it seemed that a positive result had come from it, at least. Hotel Dusk was far from ideal, but it was better than the slums.
"But hey!" Naruto's previous state of melancholy faded as he put on a smile, in an obvious attempt to fight the overwhelming sadness. "What about you, Officer? Why are you here? Oh!" His eyes lit up, a genuine grin stretching across his cheeks in his excitement. "You must have a super huge bust lined up, am I right? Yeah, yeah! I bet you're working," his voice dropped to a whisper, "undercover."
Kakashi stared back in boredom. The little thief always was one for the theatrics.
"Yeah, that's exactly it, Naruto," he deadpanned. "I'm undercover."
Naruto frowned, "I can't tell if you're serious or not."
Hm…he must have missed the sarcasm. Oh, well. He can think what he wants.
In the next moment, Naruto's confusion had disappeared as he leaned toward the ex-detective with narrowed eyes.
"Are you looking for something?"
"Kind of," Naruto nodded distractedly, his gaze unwavering. "It's more like…something is missing. There's something off about you, Kakashi Officer. You have a completely different vibe now."
"A different vibe?"
"Yeah…Maybe it's the undercover thing," the blond mused aloud before shaking his head. "But that doesn't add up! There's something about you that feels…heavier. Like you're holding onto some sadness. Something happened to you, didn't it?"
...
"Is it true that Obito sold us out?!"
"Kakashi, I need you here. Our people are being targeted. Don't—"
"Damnit, Obito! Why the hell did you do it?!"
An echoing gunshot.
"R-Rin…"
...
"…It's still haunting you, isn't it?"
Kakashi was pulled from his thoughts by Naruto's voice. He didn't respond. He impressively managed to stop his eyes from widening in surprise, in awe of Naruto's natural intuition. He would have to be careful to guard his thoughts around the perceptive blond.
"Hey…Look, maybe you can tell me about it some other time," Naruto offered hesitantly. "You look like you need to like down, and I have work to do anyway. I still have to deliver this other package."
"Alright," Kakashi nodded once. "You'd better get on that. You don't want Orochimaru scolding you."
"Pff," Naruto released with a loud laugh. "Yeah, right! Granny is the one who's always on my ass about work."
Granny?
Kakashi decided to ignore the nickname. Naruto's mind didn't necessarily acknowledge lack of context when he was talking to people. It was just one of many endearing traits. He pushed himself away from the doorframe and nodded, "Just stay out of trouble."
"Don't I always?" Naruto returned with a final, wide grin, before leaving the confines of the room for the openness of the hall.
Shaking his head, Kakashi let the door fall closed behind the animated individual and made his way toward the bed. As he examined the size of the package, he wondered what else Jiraiya had decided to send besides the client list. He was prepared to open the parcel when his eyes scanned the label on the top and he paused. "Deidara? Last I checked, that wasn't my name."
With a laugh, he dropped his head into his palm. That Naruto…He was still a hopeless idiot. He could easily sort out the mix-up—and he would—but he was intrigued by the contents of the box lying before him. Sometimes he was curious to a fault, he had even been regarded him as intrusive on occasion, but he couldn't be faulted for accidentally opening the wrong package.
Kakashi carelessly removed the sealing tape and lifted the sides. Lying on the bottom, was only a teal notebook. His interest only increased at the discovering, so he lifted it from the box and flipped through it. It appeared to be a sketchbook, filled with images depicting various human interactions. One was called Home and showed a child wrapped in the embrace of his parents. Despite the title and parental presence, there was a deep sense of loneliness in the shading. Kakashi commended the visceral talent of the artist.
He replaced the notebook in the box, his curiosity sated for the time being. He straightened and placed his hands in his pockets as he left the room, making it only a few steps into the hall before he spotted a familiar figure standing with her back to him. Quickly coming to a decision, he retrieved the puzzle piece from his jacket and held it between two fingers as he approached the young girl.
"Sarada," he announced with an exaggerated, cheerful lilt. "I think you dropped this."
Sarada turned, a question in her eyes that was replaced by tears when she noticed the puzzle piece.
"Oh! I thought I lost it." She took the item from him and cradled it to her chest.
Kakashi tilted his head as he took in her emotional reaction. "Why is that puzzle so important to you?"
"It was a present from my mama. It's my treasure." Sarada informed him quietly as she wiped her eyes. However, in the next moment, she narrowed her gaze and looked at him suspiciously. "How did you know my name?"
"You shouldn't underestimate adults," Kakashi responded as he adopted a coy smile. "We know everything."
Sarada placed a hand on her hip, regarding him with an unimpressed scoff. "Yeah, right."
Kakashi simply raised his shoulders in a nonchalant shrug, before allowing for a stern moment as he stared pointedly at the girl. "Look, Sarada, I understand the fun of solving puzzles, but you really should avoid playing on the stairs. You need to be more careful in a place like this. Something could happen to you, and you don't want to put your father through that."
"I know...," Sarada's expression fell, her eyes brimming with guilt. "I was trying to give papa space earlier, but he freaked out more when I told him I was on the stairs by myself. He's been really stressed about this trip, and I'm worried that I'm only adding to it."
That was unlikely, but it was understandable why she would feel that way.
"Why is he so stressed?"
"We're going to see mama," she stated softly, her hold tightening over the puzzle piece.
Kakashi's eyes lowered slightly with sympathy. "Your mom's not at home?"
"No...," Sarada shook her head. Her voice was filled with sadness, more tears forming in her eyes. "I was upset because I wanted to see her for Christmas, so my papa said he would take me to her."
"So, this is only a stop on the way," Kakashi nodded, attempting to reassure the girl somehow. "Where are you headed, then?"
"I don't know. He won't tell me. He only got more frustrated when I asked, so I stopped. I'm going to be patient. I know we're only here because of me...so I want to make it easier on him, where I can."
Kakashi felt the passing of a small smile, once again reminded that Sarada was wise beyond her years. Her age showed in the uninhibited expression of her emotions, but her understanding exceeded his expectations. "That's a mature approach you're taking."
"My mama always told me I was mature for my age...So, what are you doing here?"
"Me? I'm here on business," Kakashi stated simply. He shook his head. He wouldn't have stumbled upon the mysterious Hotel Dusk at all if not for his job. "My boss told me to come, so here I am."
"Business? That's like papa. He's always working."
As if on cue, the door behind Sarada opened and a man with black, spikey hair stepped into the hall. The girl's features were a direct copy of his own, and Kakashi didn't even have to wonder if he was Sarada's father.
"Sarada…what are you doing?" He spoke with an even tone, but there was a warning in his eyes as he glanced between his daughter and the salesman.
"Papa, it's okay. I was just talking to this man," Sarada quickly responded, offering a smile.
"Get inside. Now."
Sarada nodded and moved around him through the open doorway. Her father shot a final glare at Kakashi before disappearing into the room behind her. The door closed with a loud click.
Kakashi ran a hand against the back of his neck as he considered how the situation must have looked to the man. He didn't blame him for being suspicious of a strange, older man hanging around his daughter. He was determined to keep her safe, which was what Kakashi was warning Sarada about anyway. It would be for the best if she was cautious around him, as well.
Turning, he then proceeded down the stairs and through the lobby. As he passed under the archway, he saw a girl staring out the window. She looked…lost.
Running a hand through his hair, Kakashi walked toward her. "Hey…are you alright? Do you need some help?"
He was really laying on the Good Samaritan act. Since when did he go out of his way to initiate so many social interactions?
She didn't respond or even react to his presence.
Kakashi shifted his stance and sighed, removing a hand from his pocket to signal the girl, but she removed the need for his plan when she turned and stared at him. Her lavender eyes contrasted inexplicably with her raven tresses. "Are you waiting for someone?"
Once again, she didn't react, almost as if she didn't even hear him.
Kakashi's eyes widened in realization. "Oh. Are you—"
"She can hear just fine," a firm voice suddenly said behind him. "It's her mouth that doesn't seem to work. She hasn't said a word since she arrived."
Turning, Kakashi took in the new arrival. There was a commanding aspect to the woman's presence that was only increased by the expectant arch of her brow as she stared at the pair, hands on her hips.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Tsunade," the woman responded tersely, a no-nonsense demand radiating off her. "I'm the maid and the cook. I practically run the hotel, too, since Orochimaru can barely manage the front desk like I instructed," she rolled her hazel eyes. "And who are you? I've never seen you around."
"That doesn't surprise me," Kakashi stated matter-of-factly. "I'm a guest, staying in 215."
Tsunade's eyes lit with recognition as her deep red lips pulled into a smirk. "Oh, so you're the one. Kakashi, was it? I'm sure Orochimaru told you all about the legend surrounding that room, but you seem like you have a good head on your shoulders, so I don't have to tell you to take what he says with a grain of salt."
Kakashi chuckled. Tsunade was a serious, intense individual whereas Orochimaru seemed rather whimsical and open to even fantastical explanations. They made quite the pair.
"Don't worry. I'm too old to believe in magical rooms."
Although, he was fairly certain Orochimaru was much older than him.
"Good," Tsunade nodded approvingly. "Reason will carry you much further than childish fantasies."
"Right…," Kakashi half-heartedly agreed, before returning his attention to the other occupant in the lobby. "So, who's the girl?"
"Oh, you mean the chatterbox over there?" Tsunade asked dryly, indicating the girl with a sweep of her hand. "I have no idea. I was trying to find an ID or something with her name on it, but she doesn't have any personal belongings on her. Only that bracelet."
"Bracelet?"
Intrigued, Kakashi leaned closer and examined the object dangling around her wrist. It was a simple silver band held together by a chain clasp. He glanced curiously at the inscription, only for his eyes to widen. You are my light was engraved into the metal, and it looked suspiciously similar to another bracelet he had seen.
...
"What about cotton candy? Has that been done before?"
Obito and Kakashi sat in their shared office, door closed and separating them from the idle chatter of the rest of the station. Kakashi was leaning comfortably in his chair, content with reading, while Obito swiveled boredly in his own, feet propped up on the desk while he twirled a candy piece between his thumb and forefinger. For the past several minutes, he had been throwing out new ideas for Skittle flavors.
Kakashi smirked, not lifting his gaze from the engaging plot. "That would be a flavor you suggest. You and that sweet tooth."
Obito finally popped the candy into his mouth, a defined laugh in his voice. "I'm not ashamed of my sweet tooth. You'll have to try harder if you want to offend me, Kakashi."
Kakashi shrugged, then flipped to the next page in his book.
"Aha!" The thrilled exclamation prompted Kakashi to momentarily direct his gaze to his partner. A spark was present in Obito's onyx irises, his posture coiled with vitality as he sat up in his chair. The Uchiha's excitement was almost tangible in his sudden grin. "Candy apple! That's the one! It would be all the rage for Halloween. Just imagine holiday themed Skittles."
Kakashi smirked. As expected, Obito had thrown out another incredibly sweet flavor. He also wasn't surprised that his mind was on Halloween. It was his favorite holiday, after all.
The detective, however, withheld any further reaction as he made a noncommittal noise in his throat and leaned back further in his chair, returning his attention to his book. "I believe M&M already has that covered."
Obito released an annoyed huff. "I get that this isn't the most stimulating conversation, but could you at least look at me when you make those snarky remarks?"
"I've learned from experience that some find my snarky remarks offensive. I thought this might help."
"As if you really put that much forethought into what you're doing right now. You're just more interested in that disgusting book than talking to me."
The book was not disgusting. It was a compelling tale of romance and incredible character depth that only appealed to individuals who cared to look beneath the obscene surface. He didn't expect Obito to understand.
"True," he finally responded. "Unlike with you, the conversations in this chapter are…stimulating." He topped off his provocative comment by lifting his face to his friend, closing his eyes and offering his trademark smile.
Obito narrowed his eyes and aggressively tossed a pen at Kakashi, who easily evaded the hit. In frustration, the dark-haired detective threw another, which was caught effortlessly between two fingers. Kakashi had expected no less.
Smile still in place, he announced, "If you keep this up, I'll have to tell the chief I'm being harassed."
Obito exhaled in defeat before slumping back in his chair. "…Sorry. That was immature." His mood shifted, then, as he leaned forward and rested his elbows heavily on his desk, dropping his face onto his palms. "I'm just restless, I suppose. Minato hasn't given me a new case in a week, and I'm starting to worry. It's worse when I have nothing to do because then I can't help thinking about it. Do you…think I made a mistake?"
Obito's face was downcast, concern and self-inflicted condemnation evident in his tense posture. Kakashi's gaze softened as he placed his book on his desk next to the pen he caught. "Obito, I'm sure it's fine. Minato would have told you by now if you did something wrong. He's probably sorting some things around or waiting for one that's more high-profile before he gives you a case. You are the best detective in our precinct. After me, of course."
There was obvious light-heartedness in his final statement, which served its purpose because Obito started laughing in response.
"Even after all these years, you still think you're better than me?" the Uchiha asked, shaking his head in mock-disbelief. "What's it going to take for me to prove I'm twice the detective you are?"
The previous strain had disappeared from his expression, an unspoken sign of gratitude underlying his smile.
Kakashi only smirked in response to the question, lifting his book once more, but his feeling of accomplishment was quickly overshadowed by amusement when he caught sight of a familiar brunette heading toward their office. "You might want to stop with the competitive talk before Rin gets here. You know how she feels about us fighting."
"Yeah, I know she doesn't like it, but we're not even fighting this time," Obito defended, clearly missing the implication behind Kakashi's comment. However, he caught on after another moment and his smile widened with delight. "Wait, what? Rin is coming? When?"
It was always the same response with him, and Kakashi was grateful that it hadn't changed even after the two became a couple. If anything, Obito was brighter than ever. Any remaining negative emotions that might have been troubling him were nonexistent in Rin's presence—or even just the mention of her name.
As the door opened, Obito immediately leapt to his feet, his eyes alight with joy and surprise. "Rin! I wasn't expecting you to stop by!"
Rin took in Obito's expression with a fond smile before she exchanged a knowing look with Kakashi, who also offered a coy pursing of his lips. Shaking her head, the brunette shot a playful wink at the Uchiha. "That's because I wanted it to be a surprise." She then moved across the room and pulled him into a hug, Obito immediately returning it, his smile calming in her embrace. "My shift ended an hour early, so I decided to visit. Besides, I have something for you."
As Rin pulled away, Kakashi noted that she was still in her pale blue hospital scrubs. She must have headed straight to the police station after she was relieved. Whatever her 'something' was, she must have been excited to give it Obito.
Rin hoisted herself onto Obito's desk, meeting him at eye-level as she swung her legs freely and pulled out a thin, rectangular box from her purse. Obito placed a hand on the desk beside her and leaned closer, observing the container. "Rin…Please tell me that's not a sparkly necklace."
She tilted her head in response, her tone taking on a reproachful inflection. "And if it was?"
Obito backed away with a sheepish shrug. "It's not really manly for guys to wear jewelry."
"What about wedding rings?" Kakashi suggested casually, face directed toward the ceiling, but eyes trained on his friend for the predicted reaction.
Obito glared at him, a deep blush coating his cheeks as he lifted another pen, but Rin's gentle hands stopped him. She cradled his hand between her own with an amused smile. "You don't have to throw things, Obito. Kakashi is right. Wedding rings are only one example, but I've seen men wearing all sorts of accessories."
The Uchiha glanced to the side, frowning, and reluctantly nodded. When he returned his gaze to Rin, however, a small smile crossed his face. "If it's from you…I would wear it, even if it is a sparkly necklace. I can handle feeling a little silly."
Rin smiled and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. Giggling, she lifted the box higher. "Fortunately, I won't force you to wear something embarrassing. I'm not that mean. I promise you'll like it."
Obito's gaze still harbored a subtle skepticism, but there was an eagerness in his movements as he accepted the box and pried open the lid. His dark eyes widened, and he simply stared at the mystery item for a long moment. Kakashi wheeled his chair across the room to get a look at the gift, his curiosity having won over his previous decision to give the couple privacy. Lying in the box was a silver bracelet with the inscription I'm always watching you.
Kakashi smiled, realizing what that meant for his friend, but he couldn't pass up the opportunity to tease him. "You know, I think the bracelet gives off the wrong message. People will think you have a stalker."
Obito rolled his eyes, but the smile on his face was fixed in place. "People can think whatever they want. This is…Rin, this is amazing!"
She smiled, "It gets better. Look," Rin pushed up her sleeve to reveal an identical bracelet, only with a different phrase etched into the metal. "Now we match! I've decided that these bracelets will be our new couple item."
Kakashi tilted his head, shooting Rin a questioning glance. "You are my light?"
"Obito says it to me all the time. I put messages that are meaningful to both of us."
...
Kakashi's gaze remained captivated by the bracelet, the memory flashing through his mind and bringing up endless questions.
That's impossible…
"Is something wrong?" Tsunade asked, her voice carrying a surprising softness. "You look very pale."
"No…," Kakashi shook his head. "It's nothing."
Tsunade obviously didn't believe him, but she seemed to value mercy because she relented. "Alright, fine."
"So," Kakashi cleared his throat, forcing his mind back to the present. "The girl…Is she staying here tonight?"
"Yes, I think so," the blond woman nodded, crossing her arms as she looked at the nameless girl. "She doesn't have any money or luggage, so I'll probably let her stay with me tonight. I have a room here, so it will be easy to keep an eye on her while I'm working."
"How did she get here?" Kakashi asked. If she had no money, then she couldn't have been able to afford transportation. Had she walked? He looked down at her feet. The original black of her shoes was now covered in a thick coat of sand and dirt, but the most alarming aspect was their state of distress. The sides were falling apart, her heel and toes peaking out from the thin material.
"She was all alone on the side of the road and, judging by the state of her feet, she was walking for miles," Tsunade informed, noticing the direction of his gaze. "She eventually got a ride from that boy staying in 213, but then he just left her here! He looks harmless enough, but I bet he only picked her up because she's cute and then ran off when he found out she couldn't talk. What a scoundrel…"
Konohamaru was paranoid and defensive, but he didn't take him for a scoundrel. He seemed more like the type of person who would offer a lift and then go on his way, not even thinking to ask if the girl needed further help.
Kakashi's ponderings were interrupted by the sudden ringing of a telephone.
"Again? Why do I have to do everything around here?" Tsunade growled as she walked toward the front desk. She angrily picked up the phone, but instantly switched to a more professional tone when she spoke, "Yes? Hotel Dusk front desk? What's that? The bellhop brought you the wrong package?"
Kakashi perked up at that unexpected information. He wouldn't have to mention his own dilemma at all if the person on the other end of the phone sorted out their mutual problem.
"No…No, that doesn't surprise me at all." Her fist was clenched, voice strained with barely contained agitation. "What's the name on the package? Oh, I see. Well, I'm very sorry. That package should have been delivered to the guest in 215. No, you don't have to do that…Well, if you insist. I'll contact the guest in 215. I'm sorry about the inconvenience."
Tsunade hung up the phone, but as she turned, she placed a hand on her hip and glared at Kakashi with an accusing fire in her eyes.
He shrugged, "I was about to mention it."
"But you didn't," Tsunade chided. She clicked her tongue irately. "That was another guest. Seems he got a package that was supposed to go to you. Anyway, he said he'll bring it to you himself, so you go wait in your room." She used a tone that left no room for argument. Like a dictator. Shifting her gaze then to the girl, her face softened, "Come on, let's get you settled in."
The raven-haired girl smiled uncertainly at Kakashi and waved in farewell as she followed Tsunade into the lobby. She seemed like a sweet person, but how was she connected to Obito? Or Rin, for that matter?
He hadn't heard from Rin since before the incident on the docks. All his efforts to reach her went unanswered. Her place was the first he checked for a lead on Obito, after the man's own house, but the building manager informed him that she had moved out. He had investigated possible new locations, even calling her parents and workplace, but no one had heard from her. At first, he assumed that she was too upset to talk to anyone, especially him, but as time progressed and there was still no news, he could only conclude that she had disappeared with Obito. The answer didn't sound at all like the person he knew, but he hadn't expected his friend to stab him in the back either, so what did he know? Rin probably chose to stay by his side to look out for him, like she always did, despite his crimes.
Kakashi needed to ask that girl about the bracelet…after he figured out a way to communicate with her.
He ran a hand over his face. His head was starting to hurt from the coincidences that didn't seem at all like coincidences.
Right…I need to wait for that package.
With a final glance at the front desk, Kakashi made his way to the second floor, set on reaching his room before the other guest arrived, but the sight of Konohamaru standing in the hall, observing an apple painting, caused him to pause and instead move to stand beside the teen.
He stared at the painting in silence, counting five red apples surrounding a single bottle of wine, before he spoke. "So…I just met a girl downstairs. Apparently, you brought her here."
Konohamaru's azure eyes remained on the painting. "Do you mean the quiet girl with black hair?"
"That's the one," Kakashi nodded. "Did she say anything to you?"
"Nope, she never said a word," Konohamaru shrugged. He shifted his eyes to the side momentarily before turning to face Kakashi. "I assumed she was just one of those overly shy types, you know? All she did was ask me to take her here. She was carrying a brochure for this place and pointed to it when I asked where she was headed."
So, she already knew about this place…Why did she come here?
"I needed a place to stay, too, so," Konohamaru stated casually, crossing his arms. "I figured this was as good as any."
Kakashi tilted his head as he observed the teen beside him. He was hiding something. So many people in the hotel had secrets they were more than willing to imply but weren't open to sharing. He wasn't particularly interested in whatever the rich kid was hiding, though. He was more invested in solving the other riddles that were slowly piling up.
Shaking his head, he stepped away and waved lazily at Konohamaru. "Alright, thanks for the information."
"Sure thing. Later."
Kakashi re-entered his room and made his way toward the bed, pulling the teal notebook from the confines of its cardboard container. It would make the item exchange faster if he already had the other guest's delivery.
He didn't have to wait long. After only a few minutes, a loud knock sounded on the door. He quickly pulled it open and tilted his head at the…colorful individual on the other side. The man had vibrant blond hair, almost yellow, that was pulled into a ponytail with long bangs covering half his face.
"I think our stuff got mixed up, un."
He also had a surprisingly deep voice.
"Yeah, that's right," Kakashi nodded. He pointed to the package the blond was holding. "Is that one mine?"
"Oh, yeah! I got it right here!" As if to emphasize his point, he held it up higher. "I was excited to get my package, so I opened yours without checking. Sorry about that. I couldn't make sense of anything in it, so I realized it wasn't mine. I'm Deidara, by the way, but you probably knew that if you read the package before opening…unlike me, un."
Kakashi arched a brow at the unique inflection at the end of several sentences but dismissed his judgement by taking the box into his own arms. When he adjusted to the weight, he held up the notebook for the flashy individual. "This yours?"
Deidara's visible eye widened, his fingers eagerly snatching the bound article from his grasp. He flipped through the pages, transfixed.
"They're not bad, you know?" Kakashi indicated the captivating sketchbook "I may have peeked at a few drawings, but you looked through my package, so it's only fair."
Deidara nodded absently, muttering under his breath, "Yeah, it's fair, alright. Fair is fair…This art…This is my art…Finally…Finally it's here."
Kakashi clicked his tongue on the inside of his cheek, before lifting a single hand in farewell and stepping back, Deidara still mumbling incoherent sentences.
Kakashi closed the door on the blond and leaned against it, releasing a tired sigh. Only thirty minutes at the hotel and he was already exhausted. Looking to the package, he exhaled once more before moving to set it beside the empty box. After lifting open the cover, he easily located the order sheet as well as a mini sewing machine and other assorted household products. Jiraiya probably wanted him to perform a sales pitch while he was on the hunt for the missing items, but as he scanned the order sheet, his eyes narrowed in confusion. The only thing written on it was a request for a small red box.
Well, that's suspicious.
Pulling his phone out of his pocket, Kakashi typed out a quick text to his favorite secretary.
Kakashi: I got the package. The red box seems a bit sketchy, though.
He only had to wait a few moments for his phone to light up with her response.
Hanare: You had the same thought? I'm getting a bad feeling about this, Kakashi. Be careful.
He frowned as he stared at the message. She wasn't the only one with a bad feeling.
Kakashi: Only 'cause you asked.
Now that he knew what he was looking for, he could start scouring the hotel, but his current job wasn't like the others. After three years of following hopeless dead ends, suddenly pieces from his past were surfacing—the guest with his name, Naruto, and finally the mystery girl with Rin's bracelet. His mind was tirelessly working through the seemingly separate occurrences, running into the same gnawing thought that they were somehow all connected.
This is no mere coincidence. Whatever it is, Obito, I'm going to figure it out. I have a hunch that something here is going to lead me to wherever it is you disappeared to.
Kakashi lifted his gaze to the clock resting on the nightstand, the seconds slowly ticking away. It was going to be a long night.