Title: Bitter Like Me
Chapter: Three, Part One
White curtains fluttered in the dancing breeze, flimsy material sweeping softly over the window sill. Beyond the veil, a golden dusk followed the setting sun into a warm night.
Slumped lazily in a chair, Kakashi flipped through his favourite book half-heartedly, only to look up every now and then. As the outside world gradually quietened down, he watched his blond charge thoughtfully, who twisted restlessly in bed. Even under his pill-induced rest, Naruto cried continuous trails of tears. They flowed down his pale whiskered cheeks in never-ending rivulets, like a dreadful curse, threatening to etch a permanent reminder on his pretty face.
Witnessing this painful display of vulnerability, the silver-haired jounin could not help but sigh in guilt. If only he did not teach Sasuke the terrible technique of Chidori, then he would not have to find Naruto broken by that particular jutsu. It felt as though he had hurt the boy himself.
But of course, there must be something else the ebony-haired avenger did to leave the once hyperactive and cheerful kyuubi-bearer in such a pitiful state; something only he himself and Naruto knew. Frowning at this point, Kakashi tucked his little orange book away and resumed looking at the sleeping Naruto. That night, he stayed vigilant by his student's side.
Morning came. Feeling more than a little hungry, Kakashi stood to make a leave. As he hovered over Naruto, he got this impusive urge to kiss those tears stained cheeks. The ex-ANBU resisted. Instead, slender fingers strayed forward to comb through those golden sun-kissed strands, gently fingering their surprisingly soft texture. Over the night, he has learnt two facts about the kyuubi-bearer. The first fact has made Kakashi felt shame and foolishness, for he finally realised how much he has been neglecting his other two students in order to indulge in Sasuke. Guilt made him cringe as last night revealed to him that the most vulnerable one among them three was actually Naruto, not the Uchiha heir.
Sighing yet again, he straightened up, removed the wilted flowers from its vase and headed for the exit.
"I'll be back soon, Naruto. Wait for me." the older ninja whispered quietly. Taking another lingering look at the sleeping blonde, Kakashi marveled at the second fact that he has discovered about Naruto.
"You've grown. Really grown into a fine...and beautiful young man, Naruto. And to think that I've only notice it now. I really was blind ne..."Ending his words with a sad smile, the silver-haired jounin then stepped out of the room andshut the door behind him with a soft click.
TBC...Hopefully
A/N: Arghh, short chapter! Gomen! This took me 3 or 4 days to write, and still it reads crappy. (T.T) And no, don't ask me what happened to the other days. (sweatdropped)Seriously, I feel like giving up on this fic. I could not concentrate at all! Waaai, if I continue at this terrible standard, I probably lose all my readers.Kami...By the way, I need a Beta-Reader. That was what someone told me. Heh, though I have only the slightest idea of what a Beta-reader does, I guess I should just go ahead and ask for one. Anybody interested to mess up my story? Send me an email. (Email Add. in My Profile) No spam please!
A/N: As promised. I'm here to thank my wonderful reviewers! You guys rocks! No...not that stone rock...Erm...never mind.
Night-Owl123: (Look at the date you reviewed and today's date) Darn, gomenasai! I'll try harder or faster next time!
Jewelclaw Lady of Wind: Yep, Sasuke is forever the meanie. Heh heh heh, I love to make him torture Naruto emotionally. Well, maybe a little physically too.
Fallen Dragon: Kawaii! (squeals and glomps) Seriously, Igot some kind of fetish for those symbols smilies.
BlueStar123: Gawh ha ha, why thank you! And as to whether they catch the traitor...maybe...maybe not...(winks) I can't tell you, can I?
plur: Glad you like the angst! It tends to getboring after a while though. Psst, don't tell anybody I said that. As to howNaruto meets Itachi...? It is quite predictable actually. Think about it.
Licht Sieger: Good to hear that.Thank you so much!
lazEbum: You liked it! Honto? Yippeee, thanks!
Momochi Zabuza: ah hah ha, you are so adorable! (stretches your face) Thanks for staying with me so long. And yes, that is what I intend to do when I 'lured' Sasuke away. Kufufufufu. So Kakashi can slowly win the broken-hearted Naruto over...And then they will proceed on to ahem ahem...(knocks self out) Joking!
sansty-san: Arigato . By the way, I like your nick!
cheerful-pinkstar: Sure! Let's all work harder together!
Yuen-chan: Ahhh..gomen, my fault! I forgot to remind the previous reviewers of BLM to reread the chappies. Gomen again! (bows lowly) I'm sohappy you came back to read this fic again.Thank you for your review!
A/N: My gratitude also goes out to reviewers from chapter 1 & 2, whom I did not address above. Thank you all, minna-san!
