Sparks 14
Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation. - George Washington
Never again would I underestimate a simple shower - ever again. It took groggy, mindless me back into who I usually was - sassy, playful and an overall delight. I took my time (as I'm sure Kakashi did as well). I was staring at myself in the mirror, drying my hair - trying to figure out the best way to move forward. Usually, I would change up my look should an attack happen. Wait until the heat died down and go from there. But in this world of ninjas, so much was in the realm of possibilities I hadn't a clue where to begin. So - from the look of Kakashi, I would just follow his lead. He didn't change his look so I wouldn't either. Mind you, the man was far stronger than I and could deal with whatever came his way - but I had my ways too. I was sure I could figure out something.
By the time I stepped out, Kakashi was gone but his little pug Pakkun was there sitting on my bed looking as if he owned it.
"Morning." He said in a gruff tone.
"Good morning. I do suppose your boss has left the building?"
"Wanted to make sure the coast is clear." Pakkun said.
"Ah." I put my bag down beside my bed and sat down. "I do suppose you're here to ensure I don't cause a ruckus."
"Somethin' like that." Pakkun affirmed.
"Well, in that case - come on then. We've time to kill. Might as well window shop." I waved him on. Instead of getting up to follow like a normal pup, he jumped on my shoulder, draping right over.
"What cha waitin' for?" He asked when I just stared at him. I scoffed and stood up to get going. I ensured I had my wallet and we left.
"So, what's on the agenda? Did Fearless Leader tell you?" I asked as we made it out to the street.
"Eeh, I think he wants to wait until nightfall. The target will be making rounds for visitation, and it's his last night in the city." He said.
"Mm. Makes sense." I murmured. After all, who could walk into a morgue and just openly poke a body as if they owned the thing? Only Sherlock. Although Kakashi clearly was close to Sherlock in wit, I doubted they would allow it here.
We walked down the street leisurely, My hands were firmly situated in my jacket pockets.
"Any stores you want to poke around in?" I asked him.
"Yeah - so long as the clerk don't ignore us." He said pointedly. I smothered a grin.
"I do apologise for putting you in that awkward position. However your boss was asking for it." I defended.
"Yeah? How'd he ask?"
"His behavior."
"An' you've been on your best behavior, of course." Pakkun grumbled sarcastically.
"See? You agree." I said playfully. Pakkun glowered at me and went to bite, "Ah-ah-ah! I'm joking. I'm well aware I've my fair share here. He's certainly leveled each playing field."
Pakkun grumbled under his breath.
"We're working on better communication and overall teamwork." I continued. Pakkun seemed a little bit more pliant. "He's a good sort, he just doesn't let anyone else know it."
The way Pakkun looked at me after that. It was as if he was seeing me in a new light.
"Wanna help find something for Sasuke and Naruto? I thought that they might like a little trinket." I asked. Pakkun stared at me strangely.
"Who?"
"These two kids I'm… I'm looking after." I murmured, seeing a shop with little curios. I started looking at the little key chains displayed, poking through.
"That one." Pakkun pointed to one with his paw.
"You only say that because it looks like you." I said with a grin.
"And it's the best one. Kids love me. I'm adorable." Pakkun said in a resolute tone.
"Oh?"
"See my paw? Still cute. Just as if I were still a puppy." He told me with such confidence.
"Ah. So toe-beans are as popular here, mm?" I asked teasingly.
"Toe beans?"
"That's what they're called, luv. Toe beans. And you would either be a doggo or a pupper." I said with a grin.
Pakkun made a face as he processed what I told him.
"I think I prefer our terms. But toe beans…" He mumbled to himself.
I bit back a giggle, not thinking he would care for that.
"Tell me, with that nose of yours - would you like to see if we can find some scented candles?" I asked playfully. The way his ears perked up, I took it as an absolute yes. We eventually found a store with soy candles.
Pakkun was the best at finding the best smelling ones. I started going for one and he shook his head.
"Nah. Not that one. It's not good."
"Oh?" I picked it up anyways; curiosity always did me in. Sure enough it was a bland candle. "It's an insult to candles…."
"Told you." Pakkun huffed.
"Well, I had to know. It's part of the fun." I told him.
"Yeah?"
"Of course."
Pakkun nodded over to a distant shelf. "Third shelf down, second one in."
I glanced at him curiously and went for it anyways. I popped off the lid and took a sniff.
"Ugh. This one is worse." How on Earth did this candle smell like rancid overused Axe body spray when they didn't even use Axe here?
The two of us had fun for about an hour digging through the collection. It wasn't a Yankee Candle, but it would do.
I was in the middle of smelling a Rainy Grass blend that we had found when Kakashi suddenly was there before us.
"Oh! Here! Smell this." I said to him, holding out the candle.
"That one's pretty good." Pakkun agreed.
Kakashi made no move to smell the candle. He only watched me quietly, his brow was furrowed and his back was tense.
"You've been followed around for the past fifteen minutes. Did you know that?" He asked, his voice underlined his stress. I smiled at him as if he said something far more polite and brought the candle back to my nose.
"Where?" I murmured, the smile not leaving. Pakkun was watching me carefully.
"Behind you, to the right. They've been staring right at you." He stressed. He sent a look at Pakkun who's ears drooped.
"Be nice." I murmured, placing the candle back. I avoided looking directly at the men - I wasn't stupid. But there, they were there. They were two men, whispering and staring at me as if I held some grand secret. Their headband held a zigzag line - they were from Kusagakure.
"So - what do you say? Make some new friends, or shall we lure them out?" I made a show of looking for another candle, selecting and smelling it. Pakkun seemed uncomfortable with it until I murmured, "play along. Best to not rouse suspicion."
My gaze flicked up to Kakashi's annoyed one. "You've no poker-face - I'm nearly betting that's why you took on a mask."
His only visible eye glared at me, "Funny, Walker-san."
"Mm." I hummed. "They could very well just be staring. I'm a woman alone in a candle shop. It's not the first time some rube wanted to stare."
Kakashi fell silent
"Well - how about we make some new friends, ah?" I said quietly with a cheeky grin. I set down the candle and made my way to the back where the men stood. I didn't even acknowledge them as I stepped over.
"Oh! Pakkun! Do you see this? They've Citron Blossom Cassis." I snagged it up as quickly as I could. I was closer than both groups of men found comfortable. I could see a tightening in Kakashi's shoulder as he glared down the other men, Pakkun just seemed uncomfortable, and the two men from Kusa tried to shuffle away. They hadn't looked at Kakashi, though, but they were paying attention to me. Interesting. They were muttering to each other too.
"Oh, that's delightful." I murmured, I looked up at Kakashi who was trying to not glower at was failing. "This one, Kakashi - this one's a winner methinks."
I turned to Kakashi, and practically shoved the candle in his face. I knew he would be able to handle it should it turn south, and honestly, the men were so unsettled that they seemed harmless.
Kakashi looked mad however, his brow furrowed deeper at me, glowering at me over the glass rim.
"E-excuse me." The man stuttered behind me. I saw Kakashi's glower dart to them, and I turned around, "yes?"
The two men shared a look - it was full of uncertainty and caution. I could practically feel Kakashi radiating pure and unadulterated loathing.
"Are you the Konoha Canary?" One of them asked. He had deep black hair while his friend had short and shaggy brown hair. I froze, how did they know about Jiraiya's nickname for me?
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I told you! She looks nothing like the singer. Her hair is too short!" Brown-haired snapped. My mouth fell open. When the man pulled out a carefully folded poster I wanted to go hide under a rock somewhere. There, on the poster, was me. It was an artist's rendition of myself, singing on stage from when I helped Jiraiya woo his Love. In the depiction I was singing into the microphone, holding it as one would a lover.
I never thought that little thing would ever make itself known again. It was one time!
"No! It's her! I was there! She probably cut her hair!" The Black haired man insisted. I went to inch away but was blocked by Kakashi from behind. He was staring over my shoulder at the paper in question; the shoulder without Pakkun.
"It does look like you." Kakashi said, he plucked the paper out of the man's hand to evaluate it. Cautiously, I glanced over at it. There at the bottom it said that the manager, my manager, was Jiraiya! The brown haired man snatched the poster back from Kakashi with a glare.
"Is it you?" The black haired man prompted.
"It can't be, she looks more feminine on the poster!" The brown haired man said. "The Konoha Canary is far prettier than this one."
I laughed nervously. Of all the times for this to happen! I could feel my face heating up and suddenly I just wanted to leave!
"What was that about Poker-faces?" Pakkun asked me quietly.
The black haired man moved in closer, staring me right in the eye.
"It is you!" He declared, "She has the exact same green eyes!"
I jerked back bumping into Kakashi, and let out a weak, "Perhaps."
"I knew it! I told you!" The black haired man said to his friend. He glared at the other man in triumph. Suddenly he snapped up and stared at me with fire in his eye.
"You sang so beautifully! It was -" He stopped, for a moment to think about what he was going to say. He slapped his chest with conviction. "I could feel it! I don't even know what a Greyhound Bus is! But I could feel it."
The man looked like he was about to cry. I still wanted to bolt. Kakashi was still watching this from over my shoulder.
"Ah - thank you." I muttered. I was trying to force myself to calm down, but
"I listen to your record all the time!" The black haired one carried on. His friend rolled his eyes.
"There's a record?" Kakashi asked, interest underlining his words. Nope, this was not what I wanted. Not at all. I laughed nervously.
"Listen - it was rather grand to see you both. I think at some point my manager and I will have to have a chat-"
"Are you going to release another album?"
It was an album?!
"Album?" I asked hollowly.
"Where would I find this album?"
"Kakashi." I hissed.
"Just supporting my partner in her work." He said under his breath in a feigned chipper voice and an eye smile. My level of discomfort skyrocketed.
"They're selling them at that big Gambling Hall west of Takigakure. You can order it by mail too." He supplied.
My jaw dropped. They were selling them?!
By the time it was all said and done (and the men had gotten a signature for their poster), I was absolutely fried.
"Maa - look at that, Tami-chan. You made friends." Kakashi said flatly.
"Don't." I told him.
"You didn't tell me you could sing." He continued.
"Kakashi, so help me." I warned.
"I think I'm going to order that record." He carried on, rubbing his chin in thought.
"You realize this means I'm getting even." I growled. He sent me a fake eye smile and walked off without a care in the world. And he was whistling! Ugh!
I couldn't believe it. What a jerk. I should never have told him a thing back in the cave! Should have let him thought I was dissecting him like the toad he was pretending to be!
Pakkun sighed, he was still sitting on my shoulder.
"And you both were doin' so well."
I shot Pakkun a look and gestured to the man himself, who was still walking away.
"Did or did I not say asking for it?" I grumbled.
"I ain't getting in the middle of this." He replied. But he wasn't looking at me. He was watching Kakashi leave.
"I do so wish I could join you on the sidelines." I muttered in exhaustion and Pakkun sighed.
Eventually I found both Naruto and Sasuke something special. I found some kunai being sold - some of them a little more unique than ours at home. Naruto would love that, what with him being so unusual and unique himself. And Sasuke? I managed to talk someone into making a set of three batarangs. I would be picking it up tomorrow - my birthday.
Eventually night came. By then we were back at the hotel room and Pakkun was long gone. I ignored the man who had the misfortune of sharing a room with me. I wouldn't get on my phone and I refused to deal with him. So, instead, I stared out of the window.
It was Kakashi who broke the silence first.
"Why didn't you tell anyone you could sing?" He asked. I turned to him coldly, one brow raised. His nose was stuck in his favored book. He wasn't even looking at me.
"Why must you know about a senseless talent that serves no purpose on the battlefield?" I countered. He turned a page.
"It could be key to finding your family." He provided.
"Oh. And you're so obviously wishing me to find them." I said, raising my chin just a hair.
"Of course." He replied as if it was obvious.
Ah. Yes. The deal. If I found my family, I was out of his hair. That somehow hit me in a way I didn't expect. It didn't matter. I snorted.
"Of course." I muttered. I stood without thinking, taking measured steps over to him. I stared him down until he acknowledged me.
"Yes, Tami-chan?" He said sweetly, giving his fake eye-smile.
"I was taken to a city I knew little of, knowing no one beyond Jiraiya who left. I was told the only way to find my family was to learn a new profession or hire some Jounin for an exorbitant amount. So I chose the former and have been fighting ever since. A profession, by-the-by, that by default takes my gender and assumes me less-than. All the while, I'm the outsider, the one that doesn't belong. I've no clan, no name, nothing. So, forgive me if I chose to hide the few skills I possess that would immediately view me as less than in the eyes of my peers. I rather not welcome that problem with the others, ah?" I stepped away and headed for the door.
He watched me from the corner of his eye, not moving a muscle. Kakashi said nothing, just going back to his book, flipping through another page. I left, heading out towards the morgue. The body would soon enough be cremated or buried. We would have to do something that night. Although I rather handle it alone, out of what little respect I had left for Kakashi I remained outside until he decided to show up. I found myself a nice little shadow to hide in until Patches himself arrived. My feet and back were flat against the wall. I watched him stroll up, his hands deep in his pockets. Neither of us spoke a word before sneaking into the morgue. I pushed aside any of my lingering irritation to try to work with the man. I didn't even fully well know why I was so angry with him. Maybe it was him trolling me like he had been. Or maybe him not truly realizing what struggles I did have. He probably didn't. He had so many of his own I was sure that it was hard to see past his own to another person's.
Finding the body was rather easy. He was in a cooler, looking nearly ready for display. We both descended in. Both the mole and the birthmark was there - but that golden ticket - the scar on his thumb was missing. We shared a look. Well. I didn't envy whomever had to hunt this man down again. Kakashi uncovered his red eye and hummed.
"It's an illusion. Advanced. If I break it -" He mumbled, evaluating the body who wasn't Kanaye.
"Wouldn't risk it." I agreed, "Our client may wish this to remain unknown so that the target doesn't know he's on to him. Best to leave it."
Kakashi's gaze flicked up to me for a moment before he looked away.
"Are you going to take a picture?"
"No reason to. The Hokage said no one was to know about that particular secret. You however have a special place with him, it seems." I murmured. He glanced once more at me before looking away. We headed back to the hotel in silence.
We were walking in near unison, which was odd considering I really didn't want to be around him at that moment.
"I hear you deal in trades." Kakashi said suddenly.
"And who told you that?" Who would talk about me to Kakashi of all people?
"Guy."
I hummed. Yep, that would be who would.
"So I do."
"If you tell me what other skills you do have, I'll teach you the Hiding like a Mole technique." He said.
My head snapped to him and my jaw fell open. He what?
"No one achieved Genin or Chunin alone. With what you've done with the little you know… I think with a little more and you'll be able to handle the Chunin exams."
"Ah, well…." I murmured.
"Is it a deal?"
"There's pity little you don't know." I said lightly.
"That's fine." He assured me. Where was this coming from? Just when I thought he didn't care and just wished me gone. I ran my tongue over my bottom lip in thought. I wouldn't get far without knowing more. The battle from earlier taught me that. I was at a disadvantage already.
"Singing, as you now know. I found the breathing techniques I was taught helped with chakra control, by-the-by. Acting, of course - you've seen. And, ah - whatever I read once I can recall by memory." I told him.
He hummed. "Okay."
I eyed him carefully. I didn't know what to think about that at all. I didn't know what to think about him at all. Just when I thought he was one way, he shifted and did something else. Again, he was just so strange. I doubted even if his face was unmasked I could read him like Guy. He was so very guarded.
"I'll - I'll see you later. Ah? I'll keep an eye out but I just need… a moment." I told him
"Fifteen minutes." He said.
Well, that was better than I thought. He left, going back to the hotel while I went to find a little spot to myself. Once I had a moment where I was entirely sure I was alone - I pulled out my phone. It was well past midnight.
Happy birthday to me.
It was nearly a year in this strange, weird world. I unlocked my phone and went through the old videos.
Two years ago, Luanna made a video for me. She had invited my friends and what little family I had and threw a surprise party for me. Before I arrived, she video taped it and sent it to me after. Luanna was a dear friend. She had deep, dark skin and such an attitude that played well with mine. It was around the time I gave Axel a chance. What a sap I was.
It was Luanna's face I saw first.
"Hey honey-bee! You already know by now, but we're cookin' up a little surprise for you!" She said gregariously. Her smile was wide and lopsided.
It was the first time I had heard English in nearly a year, save for my own mouth.
"Check this out! We even got that stick-in-the-mud cousin of yours." She continued on.
The picture shifted to Charles. He was a tall man - focused and serious. He had dirty blond hair and cold grey eyes. His hair was firmly slicked back to accentuate how stern he was. He had less of a sense of humor than Kakashi himself.
"Tamara." He said, "hope you are well."
I bit back a smile. Charles or Charlie as I called him (he hated that) always called me that. It wasn't even my name, but since I called him Charlie - well, it was in the family to even the playing field.
The frame shifted back to Luanna, who rolled her eyes playfully.
"Chick-a-dee, I can't even tell how you two are related." She said playfully.
"Tamsters!" I heard a voice off screen shout, it was Robert. "Better get here fast. There's cake! You know how I like cake!"
Robert leapt into the screen, his arm tossed over Luanna with a bright grin that would rival only Guy's. "Louie here says your new boy-toy is comin! Can't wait to scare the pants off him!"
I scoffed. Robert and Axel had became friends about a month after this. Robert was a hard man to hate, even with his obvious character flaws. He had a way of just attracting people to him in a way I never seen before. He was a jerk, but a charming one.
It wasn't long before the camera was passed to Uncle Oliver.
"Hey Tams. I'm supposed to say somethin' special. You did good on that last case. I'm proud of ya. Hope you have a happy birthday, Tams. Lova ya." Uncle Oliver said gruffly. He smiled in the end, his eyes crinkling just so. I smiled back. I could feel the tears welling up and I closed my phone quickly and pocketed it.
I had to get back before Kakashi hunted me down. I dried my tears and returned shortly.
I entered the room. Kakashi was right where I predicted - on his bed, reading his book. Again.
"Better?" He asked when I entered. He glanced at me from the corner of his eye.
"Well, as best as can be predicted." I said. He hummed and went back to his book.
I grabbed my bag and got ready for bed.
The following days went by as a blur. I picked up Sasuke's batarangs, and soon enough we were heading back to Konohagakure. It took a handful of days, more roughing it in the woods. I was rather proud of myself for being able to catch and kill a rabbit for dinner (Kakashi skinned it. I'm still horrible at that part).
The first thing we did when reaching Konoha was to give our report. Kakashi surprisingly left out my little camera, although I bet he and the hokage would have a talk later. Soon thereafter, we were standing outside the building, me feeling rather awkward after everything that took place.
"Well, I suppose I'll see you later, ah?" I said. His hands were in his pockets, and he was slouching again. That couldn't be healthy - I idly wondered if it hurt at all. The amount of stress he probably kept between his shoulders, it was concerning.
"I'll find you tomorrow for training." Kakashi said abruptly before turning away and leaving.
Well, he wasn't odd at all.
I withheld a sigh and went home. While I was heading up, the land-lady cut me off.
"You need to do something about that thing!" She growled. I had found only Naruto could induce those levels of rage. Which, to be honest, was completely understandable.
"And what has he done now?"
"He's insulting me, the tenants! He's been arguing with that other sweet little boy for days!" She ranted.
So, Naruto was existing. Naruto, for the most part, acted out when he was slighted. Otherwise, he was quite the charmer. He was a hero in the making - he was passionate about things being fair and right. He didn't believe in giving up. But he had a unique taste for pranks and being a mischievous little thing.
"I will speak with Naruto in a moment." I said, trying not to lose my own temper. As I reached my apartment, I could hear little Naruto far before I saw him. From the sounds of things, he and Sasuke were in an argument just like I was told.
I entered my apartment, and it was a mess. It looked like Naruto had taken up residence while I was away. I could see his boxers laying half hazard around my apartment. A milk carton was laying around, empty ramen containers - things were a disaster. It wasn't quite what I thought I would be returning home to. They weren't in the kitchen or living room. They had to be in my bedroom, growling at each other. I could practically feel the hostility in the air.
"You're such an idiot!" Sasuke snapped - I could hear the tension and irritation in his voice.
"I'm tellin' Tami-chan you're being mean!" Naruto threatened.
"What does it even matter? You made the mess!" Sasuke growled.
"And here I was hoping to come home to peace." I called loudly. I could hear one of them swear (Sasuke) and the other gasp.
"Tami-chan!" Naruto called. He ran to me, throwing his arms around me. Sasuke strolled out, anger written in his brow.
"Tami." He said. He wouldn't look at me, but instead at the mess Hurricane Naruto had left. I ruffled Naruto's hair, and he grinned up at me happily. I caught Sasuke's eye and waved him over. He scowled, crossed his arms, and came over to me. He didn't do anything but stand there stewing in his anger. I pulled Sasuke in without warning - I could see the shock and discomfort but he didn't pull away. I could see both Naruto and Sasuke shoot glares at each other.
"How about, instead of doing this I show you two what I found you both." I offered. I knelt down. Naruto's eyes sparkled in excitement and Sasuke turned to me curiously. I shrugged off my pack. I dug through to find both Sasuke and Naruto's gifts. I handed them each their respective gifts. Naruto shredded the paper, while Sasuke only stared at his.
"Aaagh! They look so cool!" Naruto shouted when he finally saw his kunai. He gave me the biggest grin. "Thank you, Tami-chan!"
"A present as unique as it's owner." I said with a grin. Naruto's eyes danced happily.
Sasuke slowly unwrapped his, Naruto staring over his shoulder. Sasuke froze when he saw the batarangs.
"I found someone who would humor a strange looney like myself. Thought you might like it. I doubt they would be good for battle but they are made of metal." I explained. Sasuke looked up at me. Nothing about his body gave way to show me his thoughts. But his eyes. Shock, appreciation, and wonder danced through them as he turned to look from me back to his gift.
"Thank you." He murmured. I ruffled his hair - I think that was the first time I had seen him not glare at me for that action.
"Well - my poor little apartment. It looks like Gremlins came in and attacked. Naruto, would you be so kind to help?" I turned to him with a leveled look. Naruto laughed nervously and went to inch away. I snagged him by the shoulder. "Certainly a hero wouldn't leave the damsel in her hour of need."
Naruto's shoulders slumped. "But cleaning is so boring."
"I'll put on music. Have ourselves a dance." I enticed him. It only worked a touch. Naruto only stayed around long enough to clean his portion of the mess. I did manage to have that talk with him. I hoped Naruto would listen. Sasuke left far before, suddenly he was quiet and more appreciative than I thought possible.
I supposed before Kakashi taught me anything, I would be going through some spring cleaning in the morning.
And so I did. I was even well prepared - putting my short hair into two dutch braids. I popped open a window, put on my favorite playlist and went to town. It was almost cathartic. Finally, sounds I was used to - songs I knew! Music I recognized!
I was so lost in my own activities that I didn't even notice I had a visitor. I saw a blue sandal from the corner of my eye. I thought it was Sasuke or Naruto (they had the open invites, after all).
I turned and saw Kakashi of all people sitting on my clean counter staring at my phone which was in his hand, again. His fascination with my device would be the end of me.
"It plays music too."
"Hatake, so help me." I sighed. "Don't you knock?"
"The window was open." He said. "What are they singing?"
"Songs about how men sitting on my clean counters are about to get whacked with brooms." I told him dully. He stared at me from his spot.
"Oddly specific."
"Isn't it just?" I said drily. I shook my head. I turned my focus onto the song, Glitter and Gold by Barns Courtney.
"I've got fire in my soul; rise up like glitter and gold." I said.
"Not going to sing?" He asked. I shot him a look and went to put my broom down. Instead, he continued on, "You were earlier."
He was watching me for that long?! I tried to whack him with the broom - he caught it in his hand. "So violent, Tami-chan."
"Off the counters." I growled. I tried to get my broom back, but he wasn't letting go! I rolled my eyes and let the broom go. He let it fall to the floor. The rube.
Kakashi only stared at me lazily, like a cat who knew what you wanted yet didn't care.
"You have ten minutes to meet me at the training grounds." He said and poof he was gone. A clone. Of course. I heaved a big sigh - he left dust all over my clean counters.
That man.
I was quite sure he was this way on purpose with me. I wasn't quite sure why he liked ruffling my feathers so much. But he did.
In the end, he taught me the technique. It took a great bit of finessing for me to get a grasp on it. At least another two weeks. He forced me to fight him with my Canary Call from then on. Randomly he would have some bits of improvement to help. I wondered if somewhere there was an instruction manual on him. Some days I didn't quite know how to handle him. Others - well... Some day I wondered how I knew how to handle him.
When the next round of Genin fresh from graduating came I saw a newer side to him. I figured he'd push them through, if only to be rid of me. I doubted he cared much for me and my attitude - however….
Mid-way through their first bout of training I found him hiding in a tree. I snuck over, getting comfortable above him. For his sake, I hoped it was going well.
"How's it going?" I whispered. I could see the Genin's at the bottom, arguing with each other. I could see the anger and frustration evident on Kakashi's face. There was a hitch in his shoulder that I hadn't seen before, a clench of his fist. This wasn't depressed Kakashi - this was the anger of a man who was about to let loose. I watched him quietly.
He didn't answer me. Right on time, he jumped down and got in the middle of the trio of boys fighting each other. He stopped them from hitting the other expertly, in such a way that I knew was all his own.
"You started fighting each other?!" He snarled, "Had you at least tried to work together, you might have had hope!"
He rounded on all of them. I could see his body practically sing with his ire and rage.
"All of you. You're going back to the academy." He growled.
The boys stared at Kakashi in horror. Eventually they left, their tails firmly between their legs. I jumped down from the tree, watching Kakashi carefully. His rage hadn't left yet. His fist shook.
"Too right." I said. I hoped to break him out of his head space. He glared at me from the side of his eye. I could see he thought I was goading him. I wasn't.
"I'm being serious, Kakashi. They turned on each other the moment things got hard. If that was a mission, or a case where lives were on the line - they were a band of fools." I said. I couldn't quite believe those were the children leaving the academy.
"Maybe I should have given them a chance." He muttered.
"You can't fix stupid." I said. He scoffed, and looked away. He was quiet for a long time. I could see his shoulder slowly unwind but the tension was still there.
"The others want me to-" He started but stopped. His gaze was firmly fixed on the ground.
"Tell me - you've been at this since, what? Five? Six?" I began. His eye suddenly snapped to mine. Ah - he didn't know I knew. "You're, what? In your twenties, perhaps mid? Your entire life has been dedicated to this profession. You are the very definition of a professional. Should you say that they aren't ready. They aren't ready."
"I didn't think you were ready either." He said darkly. That was fair. I hadn't ever dealt with anything like this before, although my ego may have taken a hit there.
"I doubt I was either. Especially not for you. However, improvisation is my forte. I like changing things up. I change to fit the environment I'm in. You do the same. We've been at each other's throats and we still ensured the job got done despite our personal issues. Those three - you potentially saved their lives." I said. The rage in him was slowly dying. His fist was releasing its curled grip. Suddenly he looked so tired, so utterly exhausted.
"Maybe if I had faith in them, they-"
"Maybe have some of that faith in yourself, ah?" I interrupted. I went over and snagged him by the arm. "Come - I'm kidnapping you."
He stared at me as if I were crazy. Perhaps I was. But I couldn't just leave him there. I could practically see a sheet of depression trying to waft its way over him. I couldn't just leave him be.
"What?" He said.
"You've been kidnapped. You've no choice. Come." I told him, tugging on his arm. He sent me a dark look but didn't make a move. As I tried to pull him my way, he dug his heels in.
"And what if I don't want to?" He said darkly.
"Why wouldn't you? There's mysteries afoot." I grinned at him. He quirked his brow at me and I leaned in with a conspiratory smile, "The question is, where shall you be taken? What has that looney outsider have bouncing around in her head, ah?"
I could see the gears turning in that mind of his. It took him a good long while before he started moving towards me.
"You're just humoring me." I said reasonably. He hummed and I continued. "Nothing more, nothing less."
I took him to the library and he turned to me, clearly unimpressed.
"The library." He said dully.
"I bet I can find a cheesier line faster than you."I challenged. His brow quirked again. It was clear to me he wasn't at all interested in the activity - probably only truly humoring me and my antics. But I did see the tension slowly fade in his neck and shoulder. He slowly gained back his loose and relaxed posture. I think he even found a new book to read. I may have found a couple that I would delve into at some point. I think he won in the end. He knew the library better than I it seemed.
"Well. It looks like you're stuck with me for another year, ah? Unless I find myself suddenly home. I suppose we've more adventuring to do." I said before we parted. I kept my tone light and airy. Best not remind him of the train-wreck from before. He gave me a small eye-smile before leaving for the night. That slouch was ever present and his hands firmly in his pockets. I wondered what would finally make him stand up tall.
It took weeks to get the album Kakashi ordered. But finally it arrived. His new record player had been collecting dust, him having nothing else to play. But he just had to hear her sing. She was endorsed by Jiraiya and he loved the Icha Icha series. How she reacted when he found out about her skill - he had to hear it for himself. That man from Kusa clearly enjoyed her skill. And, worst case, if she was horrible at it he at least found a new way to tease her. It was a little bit too much fun for him to. She would get this little wrinkle between her eyebrows as she glared at him. The woman on the album cover didn't reflect his partner well enough. It was dull, flat - only showing her flirty side. It didn't capture the fiery woman he was getting to know. But he knew she could sing - he heard her the day she had been cleaning her home. She had danced around her kitchen, sweeping - having no care in the world. He snuck in, watching her sing along in a language he never heard of. He couldn't help but watch. She had her hair in those strange braids.
Tami was getting easier to tease. He didn't know if that was a good thing or not. She had a home and family to go to. It was only right. He wondered if she was from another country he didn't know - somehow dumped there without warning. Maybe that's how she had met Jiraiya. Perhaps out of time? Out of place? He didn't know. Had she any say in it, he wouldn't ever know until she was gone. Which was fine. It was for the best. He would enjoy what little light she brought his way and when the time came - things would go back to normal. He would have an album to remember her by.
Kakashi played his new purchase, sitting on the bed and listening to her voice float through the air like the wind. He wouldn't be able to listen for long. Almost all of the songs were focused towards love. He could only listen for so long before he turned it off. She had a home and her own people - a language all of her own. He wouldn't take that from her. He knew how it was, living without those you cared about. He'd enjoy what little he had with her and that would be it. It would be enough.
AN:/ Soo... here I am again o_o another chapter. In... two days. o_o So.. hey. I'm just kind of stuck at home for the moment so - might as well, right? Gotta do stuff to not go crazy with all this stuff going on, right? :P
I hoped you liked it. I'm avoiding the training montages because they have little affect on the story at large and there's SO MUCH already. :P A couple of you seemed to want to know what's going on in Kakashi's head so I added this in. I don't want it to be bogged down too much with his puppy-love. He's slowly letting her in. Next up, Chunin exams! He won't be in much, and you'll see the group she would have been paired with had it not been for a meddling Hokage. ;)
Again! Thank you for the follows, favorites and reviews :3 I love you all, please stay safe, wash your hands and remember to laugh in this uncertain time. It's just as important to do so in the dark times as it is in the light times :)