A/N – hey, just another quick thank you. And a quick note to say I have no problem with yaoi/slash, I have quite a reputation under another name for other fandom's as quite a slash queen lol. I'm a bit unsure how people will take this chapter, but hopefully you'll like it.
"Okay, you look… ridiculous" Kakashi ran a hand through his hair as he looked down at the freshened up Sasuke, now adorned in the elder man's t-shirt, and also Kakashi's attempt of what could only be described as a make-shift diaper, from a towel and some pins.
Sasuke blinked back up at him as he made a small whine before scratching behind his ear quite vigorously.
"Sorry, but that's the best I can do for now" Kakashi shrugged, "and I'm willing to do anything to protect the carpets and other surfaces, even if it means you have to feel as ridiculous as you currently look"
Sasuke shook his head side to side quickly before blinking back up at the standing adult expectantly, with his eyes dulling with slight drowsiness.
Kakashi sighed. "Right…okay… hungry?" he then mentally slapped himself, like the boy could answer. But he figured he might as well do something to help the boy get some meat on his bones.
He opened the bathroom door and walked out into the hallway, looking over his shoulder to see what Sasuke would do.
The teen had seemed to sit up straighter, sniffing before slowly leaning forward, putting his hands on the smooth surface of the tiled floor. He sniffed once more then slowly began to pad forward in the crawling motion he had done hours before back where Kakashi had found him.
Kakashi allowed a small smile to cross his face as he slowly walked down the hallway, cautiously watching over his shoulder to find Sasuke following him. He entered the kitchen and opened a nearby cupboard, pausing to hmm and glanced back at the sound of a small thud.
Sasuke was crouched in the doorway observing him back, while rubbing the side of his head with a frown.
"Okay… we have, ramen…soup…noodles…god knows what that is…" Kakashi sighed as he went through the cupboard's contents. He was no expert cook, and he doubted Sasuke would want to eat much. Judging by Sasuke's co-ordination skills so far, and unpredictable behavior, he wasn't going to let the kid loose with any cutlery quite yet.
"Can't go wrong with ramen" he slowly mused to himself – if it worked for Naruto, there was no reason why it wouldn't be fine for Sasuke. He jumped a little when he felt something brush past the back of his leg.
Looking down he saw Sasuke had now moved to behind him, and had rubbed at the back of Kakashi's leg with his cheek, like he had done to his own arm earlier. He allowed himself to reach down and ruffle the teen's dark hair before beginning to work on making the Ramen.
Throughout the creative cooking process, Sasuke nuzzled behind the man's knee a few times, throwing in a few rumbling purrs now and then, so the man guessed he was content for now, and felt somewhat safe in his presence.
"Dinner, is served" Kakashi announced as he transferred the ramen into a bowl and turned, causing Sasuke to edge backwards into the kitchen counter with another thud. No wonder he has so many bruises and scars, Kakashi mused.
He crossed the small room to the nearby table, placing the bowl down. "Okay um…so, sit" he gestured to the chair. Sasuke slowly crawled over before stopping at Kakashi's feet and looking up at him; one of his eyebrows's seemed slightly raised. "Sit and eat" Kakashi added hopelessly.
With a sigh he put his hands under the boy's arms and lifted him up, placing him on the chair "There you go kiddo" Kakashi said. The boy wobbled slightly and reached out, smacking a hand flat onto Kakashi's stomach. "Easy there" the adult pushed the chair forward so the boy was closer to the table; he looked slightly alarmed at the sudden movement.
"I'll get you a… a spoon" Kakashi turned and headed back towards the various kitchen units, somehow he doubted Sasuke would use it himself – unless in his little mind it was some kind of tribal weapon, who knew what was going on in his head.
A small crash caused him to whip around and look back at the boy with alarm.
Sasuke pushed away the now half full bowl that he'd knocked over, and ran his hands over the ramen spread out on the table now it had been spilled. He picked up quite a handful, smushing it in his hand as he raised it and sniffed curiously at the substance before smacking the hand over his mouth, and sticking his tongue out to gain the food.
Kakashi briefly shut his eyes. I knew I should have gotten the spoon before I went over! He picked up the piece of cutlery, and a nearby cloth, before heading back towards the table. "What is it with you and mess?" he grumbled, pulling Sasuke's hand away from his face to wipe the ramen off it.
Sasuke's response to this was to grab a handful of Ramen with his other hand.
The elder man sighed, and quickly wiped the cloth over the teen's face; causing him to scowl and let out a growl, shaking his head side to side.
"If you don't like it, don't do that" Kakashi tapped Sasuke's other hand lightly and easily pried open his hand to wipe the Ramen away from that one too, causing Sasuke's growl to continue and his mouth to twist into a frown.
Kakashi ignored him and cleaned up the rest of the spilled Ramen, before taking a hold of the bowl and picking up the spoon. "If you want to eat, you're going to have to do it properly mate" he pulled out the chair next to Sasuke and sat down, as he got a reasonable amount of Ramen onto the spoon. With a shake of his head he held the spoon aloft in front of Sasuke.
The boy had a look on his face, which made him appear seemingly annoyed at both the spoon and Kakashi. Nevertheless, neither of them made a move, until Sasuke reached up to take a hold of the object.
"No" Kakashi dodged the hand easily and aimed the spoon once more towards Sasuke's mouth. The boy leant forward, as if to look at the spoon from different angles – which he did – before opening his mouth and allowing the spoonful of Ramen to be put in. And also clamping his teeth down onto the spoon. Kakashi gave it a little wiggle, also causing the boy's head to shake with the movement, before he seemed to get the message and let go.
"I think you secretly enjoy making things difficult for me. Don't you?"
----------------------------------
Eventually, somehow, Kakashi had managed to feed the boy, until Sasuke refused to show any interest in neither him nor the food. However, it did not escape Kakashi's notice that before slumping down to the floor the boy had grasped the spoon and decided to take it with him for whatever reason.
Kakashi decided to leave it be, as he cleared up and kept one eye on Sasuke sat on the floor, seemingly happily mesmerized by the metal object in his clutches, rubbing it against his cheek as his mouth widened, letting out a yawn.
Kakashi figured now would be the time to get Sasuke settled down for some sleep – it had been a physically and emotionally exhausting day so far.
"Come on, let's"- he was interrupted by the sound of someone at the door, unlocking it whilst calling out "Kakashi, it's only me!"
In his surprise, Sasuke had a small spasm, dropping the spoon and getting into a crouching position, growling at the direction of the door.
"It, it's alright, it's a - friend" Kakashi stroked the boy's hair in a soothing gesture. A hand flitted forward past Kakashi's foot and snatched up the spoon as the growl melted into a purr.
Kakashi glanced back and forth between the boy and the door a few times. He hadn't had the opportunity to inform anyone he had found Sasuke after all this time, let alone about the state he was in. So who was about to enter was about to get a big shock.
"Kakashi!" the guest called again as they slipped in through the door, shutting it behind them, "are you" he turned around, "here?" the last word seemed to fade as he blinked back at Kakashi and the person beside him.
"Naruto" Kakashi swallowed, "look who I found" he felt stupid as he lamely attempted a lighthearted smile.
Naruto stared at the boy whose hair Kakashi was lightly petting. "It's…. Sasuke?" he raised an eyebrow after he blinked.
Who wouldn't recognize their formal rival? The only thing was his former rival currently looked like his hair was the result of an electrocution, was near skeletal, and looked like he was wearing some kind of diaper.
Sasuke was tapping a spoon against his mouth as he purred and stared with slightly narrowed eyes at this person Kakashi claimed was a friend.
Kakashi rubbed at the back of his neck, apparently embarrassed.
This wasn't exactly how Naruto pictured meeting Sasuke ever again.
"What the hell Kakashi?" Naruto blurted out, flabbergasted.
"Long story, well, it's not really long, but – I was just about to put him in my bed. We can talk after he's settled"
"What the, why the hell, how comes he's like that? Like some kind of baby, and here? Where did…Isn't he"-
"We'll talk soon. There's some Ramen left in the kitchen. Hopefully this won't take long" Kakashi looked down at Sasuke, debating whether to carry him or let him crawl.
"Kakashi" Naruto folded his arms but sighed, knowing he wouldn't get answers until later – but he still couldn't get over the fact Sasuke was actually here, and like THAT.
Kakashi had already begun to walk off though, with Sasuke remained still watching this new person for a moment, before noticing the adult was going away. He followed him, almost going headfirst into the doorframe from glancing back at the blonde haired stranger, who was staring at him oddly.
---------------------------------------
Kakashi had pulled the quilts and pillows off the bed so he could cover the mattress with towels, as that was the best protection he could come up with for now to save his bed from one of Sasuke's little accidents.
Sasuke pulled at the quilts with his thin hands, almost tipping over backwards and smacking his head on the wall from the sharp tug he gave it. But after adjusting his position so he was on his knees, was able to pull it over with less difficulty, towards the mound of pillows he'd set up already in the corner with the spoon buried within them.
What am I going to do? Kakashi wondered, as he continued with his task and contemplated Sasuke's animal like behavior. How was he going to get Sasuke back to his old self? How was he going to get him to feed, or talk, or walk upright? Or even use the bathroom? He frowned.
More importantly though – what was everyone else going to think? What would they say? He was inwardly dreading having to talk to Naruto, who was waiting for him in the kitchen, no doubt scoffing down what Ramen he had left.
"Okay Sasuke, you can get on the bed now" he turned and stopped to let another smile grace his features, with a hint of sadness.
Sasuke was lightly nuzzling the pillow on the floor, his face visible from where it poked out from under the covers wrapped over like a thick material cave over his form, reminiscent of the bedding he had back in the forest. He'd constructed it roughly in the corner of the room, and had fallen asleep already.
Slowly Kakashi left the room, closing the door quietly behind him before walking to the kitchen.
Naruto looked up after putting another spoonful of Ramen in his mouth, "so, care to tell me this 'long story'? Don't worry, we have a lot of time" he leant back in the chair he was sat on and propped his feet up on the table.