Disclaimer: Again, I don't own anything or anybody except Tomoko, her family, and Nagareboshi Cafe. Any concepts/ideas mentioned in this fanfiction that seem to be borrowed from another media/piece of continuity - note that I don't mean to plagiarize anything or anybody in any way! This fanfic was made for entertainment purposes, not for pissing off others! So yeah!
The theme for this chapter is HollowRiku — Moisé Nieto's cover of Roxas's Theme from Kingdom Hearts 2, specifically of the Piano Collections version. Considering how the last chapter ended off on a note concerning Hisako, I wanted to cover that soft tension again, especially since Hisako is essentially Tomoko's Nobody and the subject matter covered in this chapter. An alternative cover is the collaboration between Taylor Davis and Lara, this time with violin incorporated in the mix, in the honor of a certain violinist mother. :)
On the other hand, for those of you who want a more cheerful theme, I've found that the 12th ending of Naruto Shippuden, For You by Azu is the best fit, since the translated lyrics actually coincide with the thoughts of a certain silver-haired ninja that we all know so well here. ;) The original song or the shorter piano cover done by PRINTGAKUFU is perfect, for the quiet tones the chapter calls for.
Finally, the song that is mentioned/played in-story near the end of the chapter is from Toritori Violin, where they play a violin/piano/cello co-op cover of the Naruto Shippuden soundtrack, while cosplaying as Minato, Kushina, and Naruto! First, the choice is to highlight my recent returning to writing. Second, I wanted to incorporate this kind of real life-collaboration song for a while, and since a certain violinist hasn't gotten a lot of spotlight, I wanted to highlight her performance here. :)
Warning: There is a copious amount of romance and teenage floundering in this chapter, which is apparently long overdue since the end of Kannabi. I hope you can bear with me, because the characters somehow came up at the forefront again, to where I was wondering what the heck I was doing while writing, and it's only thanks to the feedback of a good friend that it's still here due to plot relevance. You have been forewarned.
Please enjoy!
Chapter 49: Revealing the Heart Inside
Morning was something I had to get used to very quickly, especially when it came to running a family cafe with Mama and Papa. Even if Vy didn't like getting up early, my new life as Tomoko seemed to have it down pretty quickly, with the sunlight being my alarm clock.
Unfortunately, that didn't stop the morning after a huge shopping trip being a somewhat sleepy one. To clarify, 'sleepy' being me not even being fully awake, just…floating. Half-asleep, half-awake, that kind of thing.
Getting up was a slower process than usual. Even Hisako was audibly snoring in her part of the mental library, sounding like my old Dad after a terribly long day at work. Maybe that explained part of my own sluggishness, but it didn't change the fact that by the time I got to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face, my deadpan expression was obvious. Along with the massive bedhead of tangled black hair.
I sighed, then got along with my usual morning routine. This time, an orange hair ribbon had caught my eye, so I tied my usual right hair strand with that before slipping out of my nightgown for a more comfortable change of clothes. Skirts were strangely becoming something I liked wearing more often, probably because of letting my legs feel the fresh air on warm days. Along with a simple airy blouse, it all worked out in making my body wake up.
Hence, walking outside the bathroom after getting ready and taking in my home.
After everything yesterday, Rin-chan and Obito had gone back to their individual apartments, "to start cleaning up and getting everything back in place after coming home", they said. So the house felt a bit more quiet, aside from Papa's usual exaggerated snores and Uncle Sakumo's quiet breathing. The sunlight was also gently flowing from the nearby windows, illuminating the family room and outside patio with warmth that was almost common of springtime.
I allowed myself a sigh before going over to the kitchen. Thankfully, there weren't any dishes left in the sink, so Mama or Papa must've washed them last night. Meaning there was more than enough space to make breakfast again.
We had already finished the porridge yesterday, so what would be good…?
Morning, Tomoko-chan…! Hisako's yawn jolted me out of my thoughts, and I found myself blinking.
Good morning, Hisako.
What'cha doing…? My other self absently pushed away a floating book to glance into my side of the library, observing the various bubbles flying through the air with a raised eyebrow. Breakfast again? You just cooked yesterday, dear. Her baritone voice, originally sleepy, was now tinged with confusion.
Have to do something, Hisako. I opened a cabinet to check for ingredients. And the entire house is back in business, so why not?
…Dear. Hisako sighed. You just put on one of the longest concerts ever last night, had a large shopping trip before that, and helped what I think is all of Team Minato with their various issues after Kannabi. Couldn't you just take a break?
I was already pulling out a mixing bowl before responding. I don't see you stopping me.
…I'd like to. Hisako sighed again, hands on her hips. But I know you, Tomoko-chan. When you put your mind to something, barely anyone can.
I smiled while taking out the milk. Pancakes aren't too bad anyways, Hisako.
You really like pancakes, huh? Hisako smiled wryly back. Need me to pull out any recipes from the books?
Nah, I think I'm good. I broke a few eggs into the bowl to beat with a nearby whisk. Just watch my work and tell me if it looks like I'm about to mess up, okay? Even if sweets are my shtick.
The guardian role again, hm? Hisako chuckled. Okay, dear. Start with adding the sugar and milk once the eggs are properly beaten.
Got it.
This process of Hisako's quiet instructions along with my handiwork continued for a while. I don't know when, but at one point, I started humming to make up for the lack of any singing practice. Even without any tune in mind, my memory filled it in, making the air all the warmer when the stove ignited to heat the frying pan.
I sprayed a bit of oil, and then started pouring in the first spoon of batter.
Give it about 2-3 minutes on each side, Tomoko-chan. Hisako adjusted her glasses while flipping through the pages of a book. Only scrape at the edges with the spatula until it's ready.
Alrighty then… The batter was finally starting to take on that circle shape as it started to bubble. 1 alligator, 2 alligator, 3 alligator, 4 alligator—
Tomoko-chan, please don't actually count off the seconds with alligators. You're giving me one too many friends for company. As if on cue, the mental snap of a jaw was enough to clue me in, and I winced.
Sorry, Hisako.
At least you have an active imagination. My other self sighed exasperatedly while pushing away a reptile jaw. Though, by the way? You might want to look behind you.
Huh?
And then arms wrapped around my waist, a chin landing on my shoulder. I immediately yelped, only to catch the brief whiff of pines, and found myself breathing a bit easier. "Oh my god, Kakashi, you scared me!"
"Hm," my best friend grunted before fabric lightly brushed my neck. Did he have his mask on? "What are you making this time, Tomoko?"
I put a hand to my heart while keeping a hand on the frying pan. "The usual pancakes. We haven't had them in a while."
The batter sizzled, and once another two bubbles popped, I used the opportunity and what space I had to flip it over with the spatula. A soft creamy brown surface greeted me in return, and a smile came up on my face.
"That sounds…nice." The same fabric brushed my neck again, and I found myself shivering. Yep. That definitely felt like a mask-covered nose. "And it smells good."
Pfffffft. I don't think he's sniffing the pancakes… Hisako snickered while mid-whack towards another alligator.
Lub-dub, lub-dub, lub-dub.
I took a deep breath. "K-Kakashi?"
"Hm?"
"What are you doing?"
Kakashi hummed again, tightening the hold he had on my waist while the same fabric nose brushed the junction between my neck and shoulder. "Just enjoying the atmosphere. Is that a problem?"
"N-No, it's not really a problem, but…" My beating heart was not helping matters. Nor was my slowly-rising-in-pitch voice that was starting to rival Minnie Mouse. "But…uh…"
Where did this come from?!
To distract myself, I put away the first pancake on a nearby plate and started pouring the batter for the next one.
"But what?" And why did Kakashi have to sound so innocent?! Was he actually teasing me?!
"Uuu," I held back the urge to facepalm. "D-Do I have to say it?"
"You started it, Tomoko," he pointed out helpfully, his chin still on my shoulder. "And careful of the pancakes."
As if on cue, the batter bubbled with the faint scent of smoke, and I immediately turned my head to gape. "Aaah!" was the proper reaction here, and I had to witness Hisako bursting into laughter while trying to salvage what had happened. Thankfully, the side that the pancake was on was only slightly burnt, allowing me to cook the rest properly before putting it away and turning off the stove.
"Tomoko?" Kakashi paused, his grip loosening somewhat.
"K-Kakashi…" I gulped, only now registering the soft brush of his breath against my shoulder. "Y-You're kinda close. T-Too close for me to concentrate on cooking right now."
He grunted, discontented this time. "You do this most of the time though."
"O-okay, okay, I know I'm not one to talk, but at least I do it when you're not busy—!" And then I had to make the mistake of turning my head.
One silver eye was wide open and staring at me in clear surprise as heat rushed to my face. Warm breath fanned my cheeks, and I knew it wasn't mine, and the mask…
Oh no, oh no, ohno, ohno, ohno.
"U-Uh, I…"
Pfffft. Cameras running now.
HISAKO!
Kakashi stared at me for a few more moments before exhaling shakily. "Oh," he said, and blinked that same eye before breathing in again. "Oh."
If not for the few centimeters of distance and his mask, we could've easily…!
The air turned almost hot with that realization.
I gulped. "Um, K-Kakashi? C-Could you—"
Kakashi blinked again before closing his eye, a solemn air around him. "Oh," he repeated, before tightening the grip on my waist and promptly burying his nose into my shoulder.
"Fwah!"
Uh, wha? Wha? Whaaaaaa?! My brain promptly short-circuited as my heart started running laps around my ribs. He felt so warm…
With a shaky breath, I raised a hand (that I hoped wasn't sweaty) to touch one of his still hanging on my waist, squeezing it. "K-Kakashi?"
"Sorry, Tomoko." His answer seemed almost breathy as his hand returned my grip tightly. "Just…just let me have this for a little bit. You can finish cooking later."
Lub-dub, lub-dub, lub-dub.
I breathed in and out deeply in the hopes that he couldn't hear or feel my beating heart right now. "…Okay. But just for a bit. I don't know when Papa will be waking up, anyways."
Even if it was a hug…knowing my past Dad, any father seeing this kind of position might take it the wrong way. Even if my heart was somewhat beating in protest.
"That's fine," Kakashi shook his head, silver spikes tickling my cheek in the process. His grip tightened once more, and the air turned back to the warmth that was easier to take in. "That's more than enough."
I turned back to the stove, trying to look somewhere else while attempting to control my heart. It was still beating like I was on a marathon run, and I unconsciously found myself fidgeting in what little space I had. This was still a hug, a gesture that I always liked, so then why…?
You're in love, dear. Hisako said proudly. That's what love does for you.
E-Eh? Oh dear. Oh dear. I tensed, heat flooding my face with the thought, just in time for Kakashi to notice.
"Tomoko?" His reply was soft, husky almost as he raised his nose from my shoulder, breath nearly scalding with how close it was.
I turned to him again, even with the red covering my face like flames. "K-Kakashi, I…"
He blinked at me, eye darting between making eye contact and…and…
Oh my god, he's looking at my mouth, isn't he?!
I nervously licked my lips because they felt strangely chapped with all the tension right now.
Kakashi exhaled shakily. "Oh," he repeated for the fourth time, and a hand reached up to tug at his mask. The fabric immediately came down to his chin, letting me see Kakashi's face in full for the first time today, and even with his left eye closed, the diagonal scar was all the more obvious as he leaned in. "Tomoko?"
"Um, yes?" I breathed. If he moved in a bit more…
"Could I…" he paused, glancing away for a moment before looking back at me, and it was hard to miss the light pink dusting his face. "Could I…"
I put the spatula down onto the frying pan while fully turning around in the hug so that we would properly be facing each other. "Y-You mean…?"
Oh my god. Hisako groaned. Tomoko-chan…!
"Ugh," Kakashi proceeded to facepalm, turning his head away while still keeping a grip on my waist. "Do I have to spell it out?"
Heat flooded my face even more than what I thought was previously possible. "I-I thought we were g-going to t-talk first…" My voice was already turning squeaky. "B-But, but…"
Kakashi moved his hand away to stare at me with a narrowed eye. "You're making this harder than it should be." Nonetheless, he sighed, the close distance letting his nose brush my exposed forehead through my bangs. Oh dear. "Could…Could I just kiss you then?"
Oh my dear god. He actually said it.
Sexual frustration can do that, dear.
Hisako, I don't think it's actually sexual frustration…
"Tomoko." The call of my name threw me out of the mental conversation, and I blinked only to feel my breath catch in my throat with a calloused hand reaching up to touch my cheek. "Can I?"
I gulped. "Are you…Are you sure? I mean, Kakashi…I…I…" Unintentionally, I found myself looking away, the memory of a specific talk coming back to mind. I knew I couldn't mention Rin's name, especially now, just because it would be a betrayal of everything that we talked about before, but the situation at hand here was just so…so…
Aaaah!
What in all heck are you supposed to do when your best friend and apparent love interest asks to kiss you?!
Past memories don't prepare you for the absolute real thing!
Tomoko-chan, just say it, or I'm taking control here.
Hisako, please don't.
You're seriously tempting me, though. Just letting you know.
Dear lord, someone save me now.
"Tomoko, what is it?" The same hand on my cheek softly pushed, and I found myself looking up into that silver eye again. Kakashi's eye. Despite the heat in the room and my own beating heart, all I could focus on was that eye, staring at me like there was nothing else in the world. Like it was just Kakashi and me.
When had anyone ever actually done that for me? For Tomoko, and not Vy?
Kakashi leaned in again so that only our foreheads would be touching, never breaking eye-contact. His voice came out soft and dry all at once. "What is it that's bothering you this time?"
Oh dear god. I gulped again. "Just…just the idea th-that you…you…"
He blinked at me. "That I what?"
I tried to avert my eyes, only to find nothing else but him. His shoulder, his tank-top—basically anywhere I looked, it was something related to Kakashi. I ended up turning back to him while trying to find words. "Th-that you want to…to kiss me."
Kakashi stared at me for a moment before sighing, lightly bumping my forehead with his. "Do you see me doing this with anyone else?" he drawled.
I inhaled to try finding an answer, only to blink and raise a blank. "Uhhhh, um." The lightbulb quickly turned on. "…Oh," was the sheepish whisper.
Where's the fast-forward button when you need one? Because this is painful. If I didn't know any better, this would be a Korean drama.
Hisako, please don't. Please let me do this.
Why do you think I was only joking about the 'taking control' part? You're better than a Korean drama, dear. Now get back out there!
I jumped in place from the whole mental push, only to gasp again. "Oh."
Kakashi only raised an eyebrow while rolling his eye. "Oh," he parroted, bumping my forehead again with a bit more force. Okay, ow? Why— "Tomoko."
My breath caught in my throat again once his hand reached up to lightly trace the bottom of my lip. "Whatever you're thinking of right now, stop. Just stop, alright?" Words proceeded to leave me like a bullet train as soon as I made eye-contact again, and Kakashi frowned. "It's just you. Always you. Even when I'm alone, even when I'm away from the village, trying to get a mission done, even when it's simple training with Obito and Rin…!" He shook his head furiously. "It was always you…"
Lubdub, lubdub, lubdub, lubdub, lubdub.
I opened my mouth, only to close it from the lack of words becoming apparent.
Why me? Why the botched reincarnation that is me? What do you see in me? Why me?
Why choose the girl that was essentially brought back from the dead to live another life and possibly make things worse for you?
Kakashi exhaled, more shakily this time while turning back to me. "Tomoko, I love you."
My heart stopped.
He sighed, probably noticing my fish-like expression. "Not just as a housemate, not just as a friend. But for you. I love you."
Ohmigod, he actually said it! He said it! I mean, I know he's said the three words before, but this is different! Hisako threw her hands up in the air. Ohmigosh, ohmigosh, ohmigosh!
I didn't even have the mental power to say my other self's name. All I could do was breathe, just as Kakashi leaned in a little more.
Lubdub, lubdub, LUBDUB.
"I know it's been a lot to take in, and you're probably out of it right now," the mutter was soft and breathy against my face, almost too quiet to take in, but I could still hear it. "But, Tomoko, is it okay if I kiss you?"
Aaaaaaaaah! Hisako squealed. Why doesn't this place have stored popcorn?!
My side of the mind went blank. I opened my mouth again, only vaguely registering his hand still lightly touching my lip, before closing it. "Uwah…" was about the right approximation for the astonished state I was in right now. "K-Kakashi…"
That same silver eye stared at me, now half-lidded with some kind of emotion. "Better thought," he breathed. "Tomoko, I can stop right now if you don't want me to. Just say the word."
LUBDUB, LUBDUB.
I gulped, my thoughts all jumbled. "Th-then…"
Kakashi inclined his head.
Uwaaah, I don't think I can care anymore!
"I-It's okay…" I shut my eyes. "D-Don't stop…"
That was all it took for something warm to softly press against my lips.
Even though Vy experienced the act of kissing many times as a result of her relationship with Leo, the feeling was different when it came from someone I knew for more than half my current life as Tomoko so far.
I was 13 years old as Hoshino Tomoko when I shared my first kiss with Hatake Kakashi.
And even if it was one of the lightest touches, far too inexperienced to be something that my past self was used to, it was still a kiss with my best friend.
Lubdub, lubdub, lubdub.
Kakashi only hummed in what I could assume as contentment, the hand on my cheek moving to the back of my head to pull me closer, the grip on my waist tightening. All I could do was hold onto his shoulders, hoping I wouldn't fall over while attempting to return the gesture by standing on my tiptoes. In response, Kakashi tilted his head, pressing against me a bit more while making sure we didn't hit the stove.
Hisako was apparently counting off the moment with a timer (and flying sheep), but all that was going through my head were the words: soft, gentle, warm, and…
And loving.
What felt like a near eternity passed before anyone moved, and Kakashi was the one to pull away first, his breath fanning my cheeks again. I couldn't help but keep my eyes closed, just to not deal with more embarrassment.
We just…we just…!
A pause, and then Kakashi was kissing me again. The second attempt wasn't nearly as emotionally agonizing on my heart, allowing me a bit more time to reboot, but once the feeling had sunk in for real this time, he pulled away.
I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding before opening my eyes.
My best friend—now possibly boyfriend, I wasn't sure anymore at this point—was staring at me with a spark in his eye that I couldn't recognize at all, a tiny and goofy smile on his lips.
"Hey," he breathed.
"H-Hi," I echoed, detaching one hand to lightly trace my mouth. "W-We just…we just…"
Congratulations, Tomoko-chan! You finally got your first kiss! I'm so proud of you! Now where's that trophy…? Hisako sniffled.
Oh my god. Oh my god.
"We just kissed!" I squeaked out.
"Yep," Kakashi said.
"A-And, and," I found myself fumbling with my hands while ducking my head, attempting to look anywhere but Kakashi's face. "T-Twice, too!"
"Yep," Kakashi repeated.
"Ohmigod, ohmigod, ohmigod…" My voice was probably starting to echo my mindset right now—embarrassed and hysterical. "We just did that! W-We just kissed!" My hands continued to fly around before I ended up using them to cover my face, shaking my head vigorously. "Ohmigod, ohmigod, ohmigod…"
I just kissed my best friend! I just kissed Hatake Kakashi! I—
Rin and Leo's faces went through my head.
Ohmigod, what about Rin?! What about Leo?!
"Tomoko." The simple call of my name snapped me out of my mental funk, and I looked up from my hands only for Kakashi to bump foreheads with me, his smile a bit more crooked. "Did you at least like that?"
My heart caught in my throat this time, and with no words to offer, I could only nod. "Mm," was the quiet mumble that followed.
Kakashi smiled again, brighter this time, before pulling me into a hug, his chin hooking over my shoulder. "I'm glad…"
LUBDUB, LUBDUB, LUBDUB.
Reflexively, I hugged back, burying my face into the shoulder of his tank-top while attempting to breathe. My lips felt tingly, almost hot if not for the happiness throbbing in my chest. The scent of pines and sweat greeted my nose, but unlike previous moments, the smell made my heart beat harder.
"Neh, K-Kakashi?" I tried.
"Hm?"
I bit my lip while hiding my face in his shoulder. "Thank you…"
"…Yeah," he breathed, a hand threading itself through my hair. "Yeah."
Mentally, I could hear Hisako's cheering from a mile away.
Now this is what I was born for! Gooooo, Tomoko-chan! Aaaaah! was one apparent whoop.
Someone here, in this world, loves me. The person that I saw as the greatest friend in this world, loves me.
Kakashi loves me…!
Despite the throbbing happiness in my ribs, a dark swirl of doubt coiled in my gut.
But will he still love you knowing who you really are? Who you've been?
Leo's voice took that moment to echo in my head. "Vy."
My insides felt like ice, just as Hisako quieted down to pull out a hammer.
Don't think like that, dear. Don't. My other self lightly knocked on my side of the library with the hammer, frowning. Even with the tool's large side, all I could feel was a light and scolding tap. It's okay to be selfish. It's okay to move on. It's okay to be scared.
I wanted to believe that. I wanted to, but…but…
Do I deserve love again? After dying and leaving one love behind before?
I tightened the hug while holding back the call of tears. Kakashi tensed for a moment, clearly noticing the gesture. "Tomoko?"
"Kakashi…" I pulled away from the hug, averting my eyes while biting my lip. "If it's okay, I kinda need to ask you something. This, uh, this is just a hypothetical question, okay?"
He bumped foreheads with me again. "Go on…"
"What if…" I gulped down the lump in my throat while trying to not focus on the feeling of his breath on my skin. "What if I turned out not to be the girl you thought I was? If—if I had a huge secret that I couldn't tell you up until now? A secret so big, it might change everything that we've had…Would you…Would you…" My mouth felt like sawdust was filling it, but I said it anyway. "Would you still have me?"
Would you still love me?
Tomoko-chan…
The last thing I was expecting was a soft scoff and a pressure against my forehead. Once the feeling had faded, heat returned in its place as the realization ran through my mind.
Did he just—
"Tomoko, did you not hear me the first time?" Kakashi's reply was dry. "It was you. Always you. And I know that something's going on. But it doesn't matter." A hand gently cupped my cheek again, making me look up into that same silver eye, and my heart beat hard.
LUBDUB.
He bumped my forehead, frowning. "I love you. That's not going to change."
I didn't even realize I was starting to cry until the tears were already bubbling in my eyes and a hand that wasn't mine started brushing them away. "Why is it that whenever I say something touching, you almost always start crying?" Kakashi mumbled.
"I-I dunno…" Despite my best attempts, my voice still came out like a choked squeak as I reached up to try stopping the waterfall in its tracks. "I-I'm just…I'm just happy right now…!"
Another scoff. Even with teary eyes, I didn't have to look up to know Kakashi was rolling his only eye. "What am I going to do with you?" A soft kiss landed on my brow, and I found myself gulping. "How did I end up falling for you, I wonder."
At least your dry, biting tone is on point. Hisako retorted. Ask your heart, if you're so curious.
Hisako.
My other self only smiled before disappearing somewhere else, closing the door to her library afterwards.
I allowed myself a sniffle before wiping my eyes. "Still, Kakashi?"
My best friend inclined his head, staring at me with a questioning eye. "Yes?"
"We'll…we'll still be friends through this, right?"
"What?" That silver eye widened, as if not expecting the question. Kakashi frowned before leaning in again, and I found myself taken aback at the half-lidded stare directed at me. "Tomoko, of course we're still friends. But after all that, I don't think we can be just 'friends' anymore."
Before I could respond, he leaned in to kiss me again.
Breakfast passed by really quickly. Despite all the time my heart was on overdrive, it had only really been an hour in the morning, meaning Mama and Papa woke up as usual. Uncle Sakumo roused himself a bit after them, and overall, it didn't look like anything was out of place. I finished cooking the pancakes in time for breakfast, and Kakashi went about helping me with the table.
But there was one thing that was different.
It was hard to conceal the constant red flooding my face. Kakashi's occasional glances in my direction across the table didn't to help, because it kept reminding me of what had happened.
Unintentionally, I found myself hesitating in picking up a slice of pancake with my fork, instead tracing my lips with my free hand.
"Tomoko-chan?"
Mama's voice. I blinked, only to look up and nearly jump at the intent and worried stare she was sending my way. She inclined her head, questioning frown on her face. "Are you okay, sweetie? You haven't eaten your pancakes yet."
"O-Oh, really?" I glanced at my plate, only to wince. Judging by the overall circle shape and the limp knife on the plate, she was right. Uh-oh. "I-I'm okay, Mama! I'm just thinking too much, that's all! Heheheh…!"
"Alright then…" Judging by Mama's quiet tone, laughing it off seemed to do the trick. But knowing her, she would probably ask about it later.
Might as well take that as a reminder to talk to her later, dear.
Maybe.
It was this kind of quiet tension in mind that breakfast went by relatively quick. No one really felt like talking, maybe because of it being a sluggish morning. So, by the time Kakashi was putting on the last of his shinobi gear and sandals near the door facing the stairs on the way out, I was left confused. "Uh, Kakashi?"
"Hm?" he grunted, apparently in the middle of scraping off some dirt from the bottom of one sandal with a kunai. "What is it?"
I tried not to fiddle with my hands, but found myself fidgeting anyways. "Where are you going? Training?"
"Something like that." A small, masked smile came up on his face just as the particular pebble he was poking at finally came off the sandal sole, allowing him to put the gear on without any visible complaints. "Before your concert last night, Minato-sensei came by to talk with the team, and we ended up planning a team meeting today. Just in case we might be called out on another mission or something. So I'll be out for most of the day." He twirled the kunai before stashing it back into a pouch strapped to his leg.
"Will you…" I paused, considering my words for a moment. "Will you be coming back in the afternoon or evening?"
"As soon as I can," was the answer, and my heart leapt out from my chest once Kakashi raised his head to look at me. Even with the Konoha headband covering his left eye, I could tell that he was smiling. "Then we can talk if you want to."
Heat flooded my face for the umpteenth time. "O-Oh," I said, words failing me. "Okay."
Kakashi smiled that same masked smile before reaching over and tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. My hair ribbon-tied strand. "I'll be back before you know it." His hand lingered on my cheek, and I felt my face growing hot. "Don't worry, Tomoko."
Lub-dub, lub-dub.
"Mm," I nodded, trying to avert my eyes. "I-I know."
Even without looking in his direction, I could tell that Kakashi was staring at me with something akin to a warm gaze, and a calloused thumb rubbed my cheek softly before pulling away. "I'll see you later."
A mental pom-pom was then shoved into my face. Tomoko-chan, say something. Don't just stand there!
Aaaagh! Just, aah!
"K-Kakashi, wait!"
He already had his hand on the doorknob, so he only had to turn his head. "What is it now—"
I grabbed his free hand to tug him down to my height before standing on my tiptoes, placing a small kiss on his cheek. The air grew almost scalding hot with the motion, and my lips felt all the more tingly once I let go.
Kakashi only raised a hand to his masked cheek, blinking. "Uh," was his response. "Wha?"
I turned my head away so that my hair could hide my bright red face. "I-I'm sorry! It didn't feel right to let you leave before doing that…i-if that's okay. Not to mention, after this morning, I-I kinda had to do something in return, and ohmigod, I'mgoingtoshutupnow."
Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, I just kissed him again, didn't I. Ohmigod. I'm doomed.
Hisako just proceeded to whistle innocently.
HISAKO! You're not helping!
Heheheh.
"Yeah…yeah." Apparently, Kakashi was just as surprised as I was, if his voice was any indication. He rubbed his cheek for a moment, his only visible eye wide as I slowly tried to let his hand go. That is, if he didn't return the grip just when I was about to slip out. "That means I need to do something too."
"What's th—"
The surprises weren't about to stop, apparently, because Kakashi immediately pulled down his mask before tugging at my hand and kissing my lips, catching me mid-yelp.
Whaaaat?! Waaaaaaah-hoooo! Hisako whistled again. This guy is smooth.
It was too quick for me to properly respond, leaving me gaping for words as my face now probably resembled a tomato from all the heat. Kakashi only smirked before pulling his mask back on and consecutively opening the door in just a few moments, winking at me.
"I'll see you later, Tomoko."
"S-See you later…!" I parroted helplessly, only able to instinctively wave before the door closed. What followed was my own unintentional imitation of a statue, where I was stuck standing there for a moment before anything was said.
My heart leapt back into my chest.
Hisako.
Yes, dear? My other self was humming.
I'm doomed, aren't I?
…In what way are you thinking and talking about?
I traced my lips for a moment, still feeling tingly and warm. About Kakashi. About everything that just happened.
Yep. Lovingly doomed.
Where's the nearest wall I can smack my forehead in?
Tomoko-chan. Hisako's voice turned hard. Don't you even dare. You'll make my cleaning job harder. And lose brain cells.
Oookay. Fair enough.
My heart continued to beat hard in my chest, and with all the thoughts rolling in my head, I knew. I had to talk to someone ASAP about this situation, because with Rin and Leo haunting my thoughts on this new relationship, I wasn't just doomed.
I was fucked.
"So, what is it that you wanted to talk about, Tomoko-chan?" Mama sounded as welcoming as ever, and despite the kind tone she was using, I couldn't help but feel nervous. Talking to Papa was one thing—but Mama?
It felt like a few years since I had a true heart-to-heart with her. But she was the only one I could think of. Aside from Kushina-nee, and she probably needed some time to spend with Minato-san after Kannabi, maybe even looking after Team Minato in my stead. I couldn't interrupt that. So, Mama.
I took in a breath, folded my hands into my lap, and spoke honestly.
"Neh, Mama, if it's okay for me to ask, what was it like when you fell in love with Papa?"
Mama blinked, blue eyes widening a small margin before softening. "Tomoko-chan, by chance, did you fall in love?"
Blood immediately rushed to my face. Mama only had to take one look before tilting her head back and laughing softly. "You did! Oh my, you actually did!" She continued to laugh, joy filling her voice. Even if I knew it wasn't meant to be in any bad nature, I found myself embarrassed.
"Mamaaaaa!"
Yep, Hisako nodded sagely in her newly created armchair. I like this lady. So much respect. Where's the 'Greatest Mom in the Ninja World' award?
Hisako, you're really not helping.
Mama sat back up on her cushion while wiping a tear away from her eye. "I-I'm sorry, sweetie, it's just a bit funny." She proceeded to grin, almost mischievously too. "Your Papa yesterday was going on quite a bit about how he didn't want you falling in love yet, and now here you are!" Despite her words, it was as if Mama was echoing Hisako now in how proud she sounded. "Who was the lucky person? Kakashi?"
If my face was originally a furnace, it was now probably rivaling the sun in the middle of July. "Uhhh," I said. "Um, yes? W-We…uh, wekindakissed?!"
Mama gasped before immediately grabbing me into a hug, grinning brighter. "Oh my gosh, congratulations, Tomoko-chan! Congratulations!"
"Ah—th-thank you, Mama," I choked out from the tight hold. "But, uh, you'rekindachokingme?!"
"…Whoops." She proceeded to blink before gently letting me down, hands still lingering on my shoulders. "Still, Tomoko-chan, are you doing okay? I'm guessing something's bothering you despite that?"
Was I really that open of a book?
Yes, Hisako said honestly. Yes, you are. Why do you think I worry so much?
…I'm sorry, Hisako.
Don't apologize for being you, Tomoko-chan. Hisako waved it off with a hand while absently whacking a passing memory alligator in the face with the back of her palm. Just focus on reality right now, alright?
Mama was indeed still waiting on an answer, so I tried not to fidget under her watchful blue eyes. "Yeah…something is bothering me, Mama." I looked up at her. "I-Is it okay if you could hear me out?"
She immediately turned me around so that I was facing outward, arms encircling my waist so that I would be leaning back against her chest in yet another hug, a soft hum sounding above my head. "Go ahead, Tomoko-chan. My ears are open."
Relief filled my chest, and as a result, I spilled almost everything I had in my mind. The kisses that happened this morning, the talk I had with Rin, and the possible changes in my relationships with Team Minato, all because of this. I wasn't even sure if we had a love triangle or love square anymore when it came to the Team and me, because this morning made it clear that Kakashi chose me. And I him.
But…but what about Rin, who pined after Kakashi and told me as much? What about Obito, who pined after her? What could I do for them?
What about my—Vy's memories of Leo—where every time Kakashi kissed me, I had to remember Leo and how Vy left him alone?
That last part was something I had to leave out. Even if every single part of me wanted to come out to Mama about it. Leo—and Vy—were things that I wasn't ready to talk about yet. Maybe I was scared. Nervous, regretful, all of that. More so with the constant shadow of Canon lurking over my head.
It still didn't change the fact that my mouth stayed shut on all that.
Reincarnation was such a weird thing to even digest, anyways.
Mama was quiet the entire time I talked, only rubbing my hands with hers. It was a few moments after I stopped talking that she said anything. "You're worried," she said quietly. "About Rin-chan and Obito-kun after what happened in the last mission, huh?"
"Yeah, Mama," I leaned back towards her, taking in her familiar warmth while shrugging. "Don't get me wrong, I-I actually really liked k-kissing Kakashi, but I'm just scared about what the new relationship might bring. Rin-chan might not ever forgive me, and Obito might be hurt too. A-And Kakashi…I-I want him to at least try to hear Rin-chan out, but I don't know…I can't just tell him that Rin likes him, it would just be betraying her." I shook my head, already feeling a rant come on. "I just don't know what to do, Mama. How to face them. How to help them."
"…" Mama snuggled me for a few minutes, chin landing on top of my head. "Oh, Tomoko-chan. You shouldn't forget your own feelings too. It's good to remember the feelings of others, but you need to take the time and care for yourself when it comes to it." She paused, a breath brushing the top of my head before she leaned forward to rub my cheek with hers. "Loving ninja means hardship, Tomoko-chan, because of what they do for a living, so you need to learn to love yourself first before you can help."
I blinked, pursuing my lip. "So wait, Mama?"
"Hm?" She absently traced a circle in my right palm.
"Did you…" I paused, hoping that she didn't take any offense with my upcoming words. "Did you have to learn that too? When getting to know Papa back when he was a ninja?"
Mama tensed for a moment, clearly surprised at the question before relaxing and nodding. "Yes, Tomoko-chan, I did. It was a hard lesson, but still a lesson." She sighed, her nose resting in my hair. "Your Papa was a stubborn guy, really. Back when I met him, he may as well have been an older Kakashi, never saying more than what was necessary. But I still tried, y'know? He always came by to listen to my violin, and he was different. Fun to be around."
Mama laughed for a moment, and the sound came off happy, nostalgic, and yet sad all at once. I couldn't shake off the feeling that she was remembering something painful. "It was difficult. People told me not to get close to him, saying things like, He's a murderer, why the heck would you want to befriend him?!', or even sending rude, disgusting mail." Mama shrugged, jutting out her lip obnoxiously, but I didn't miss the quoting gesture with her hands. "But what it always came back to when talking with him was that it was still my choice. My decision to be there. What other people did was dependent on them."
Hm. Hisako adjusted her glasses. Good advice.
"That's something you might need to remember too, sweetie." Mama snuggled me again, her hand now tracing some random shapes in my left hand. "You have to do what you can do. What Rin-chan and Obito-kun do is up to them. All we can do is try to help them, so long as we help ourselves first." Her chin lightly bonked my head, and I winced. Ack. Was this a light scolding? "Promise me you'll try to help yourself first, Tomoko-chan, okay?"
Definitely agree with this one.
I thought on it before nodding.
Vy couldn't help herself up until her last moments. I shouldn't try following her example.
"Okay, Mama." I raised a pinky, and Mama hooked it with hers almost immediately. "I promise."
Mama beamed before rubbing my cheek again with hers. "That's my girl. Now, how about we get your Papa and head out into the cafe to play something? I'm in a musical mood."
Family bonding and distraction? Woo!
"Sure!"
"ACHOOO!"
Hatake Sakumo blinked while mid-swing with a prototype katana. "Bless you," he said.
Judai proceeded to snort before wiping his nose, grinning wryly. "Thanks. Let's get back to training, huh?"
"I think we both need to get some steam off." Sakumo playfully rolled his eyes, trying not to think of a certain scene from earlier in the morning. "Pancakes can be a lot for breakfast."
"Not as much as a good spar, bro."
"Fair enough."
"OIIIII~! Judai! Where are you?"
Sakumo had to hold back a large laugh as Judai jumped. "What is it, Hikari?" he yelled back.
"Put that tanto down and get your cello! We need to play something!"
"Now?! I just got changed!"
Despite being inside the house, Hikari sounded quite indignant. "Yes, now! We need to have some fun!"
"Please, Papa!" At the sound of Tomoko's voice, Judai's eyes widened before a large sigh sounded.
"Alright, sweetie!" With a wry smile in Sakumo's direction, the former Unscathed Hero sheathed his tanto before mouthing an apology. "I'm coming!" Judai nimbly leapt onto the patio above them before darting into the building.
The former White Fang rolled his eyes again before putting away his own gear and heading into the house at a slower pace, just in time for piano music to resonate in the air.
Once the accompanying leads of violin and cello joined the piano, a certain Green Beast was passing through the neighborhood via rooftops, only to stop and listen for a moment. The music continued for a while, allowing the Chunin to take in the peaceful atmosphere while the winds continued to blow.
Once the violin and cello started playing a victorious chord, Might Guy grinned, just in time for the sun to shine brightly in his direction.
"Yosh! It was a great idea coming here! I will have to visit more often!"
With a single step, he disappeared, an orange-green Wayfinder sparkling in the sunlight.
"Oi, Kakashi."
A sigh. "What is it, Obito?"
The Uchiha shrugged, trying to hide a questioning frown. "What are you smiling about? It looks kinda…creepy."
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
"…Is that a challenge?"
"Maybe."
"ARGH, why can't I just go a day without wanting to hit you?!"
Rin shook her head in exasperation, just for Minato to burst out laughing.
Maybe it was the calm before the storm. This peace.
But it was something Konoha could take for now.
The end of the war seemed to be in sight.
Author's Notes: …Welp, a little over three weeks, and we finally have an update. I have to apologize yet again, because this was not supposed to take so long, but finals studying from the first two weeks and brainstorming/relaxing for the third made this long-in-the-making.
Nonetheless, another peaceful/plot-related thing here! I'm not even sure how most of this chapter came out, since my initial plans were turned on their head with the characters digging their metaphorical heels in while I was writing. Not to mention, I can only attribute my finishing this whole thing with the help of the aforementioned friend in the disclaimer, OneNerdWithPocky, because she was wonderfully amazing in sitting with me on the phone when I was agonizing over this whole fluff-teenage-floundering mess. Thank you, friend. :)
But, here we are. 1 prologue and 49 chapters was all it took for a pairing to come together for real! It seems a bit early in my opinion, but with all the two have gone through in the past 8 in-story years, as well as the war looming over their heads, my writer heart was all for some kind of culmination of those experiences.
And of course, I have everyone on FFN to thank. Whether you reviewed, followed, favorited, or even asked/said something on my Tumblr, I appreciate all of it. Thank you. As of today, December 30th, 2017, Civilian Pianist has 996 reviews, 1,452 favorites, and 1,720 followers.
This is Writer-and-Artist27, signing out to write Chapter 50 in the dawn of the new year! :D