A is for Alliance

To Kakashi, an alliance was little more than an unwritten agreement to peace between two countries that was only as good for as long as it was convenient. And according to his own definition, Kakashi sometimes felt he had an alliance with Kurenai more than any real loyalty.

It suited him fine, really. He wasn't looking to get close with anyone, and especially not with anyone that could even remotely lead to entangled relationships. Sometimes however, that was the nice thing about kunoichi like Kurenai—ice queens with only their careers in mind. A guy not looking for trouble could have fun stirring it up with those kinds, and Kakashi enjoyed throwing a wrench in her works while finding comfort in how it wouldn't change the status quo. She would lecture him on his "immaturity" before going back to work, and the routine left him free of guilt to do it again another day. There was an odd sort of harmony that came from living within the laws of this unspoken treaty.

And then Kurenai was promoted and assigned a genin team while Kakashi found a group of kids who finally got it.

It wasn't even a full three weeks after becoming teachers, Kakashi was relieving some stress built up by his "cute students" with a few smart quips to a certain red-eyed jounin filling out her paperwork. He can't even remember what he said now, only that it was supposed to send her into one of her longer, more tempered sermons. But instead of following the rules of their system, she broke all customs when she suddenly laughed.

He doesn't remember what she said either, only that it had something to do with her team and how whatever he said tied into a funny memory. The one thing he does remember is seeing her smile reach her eyes, which he never knew to look so bright and warm as she said, "Thanks Kakashi, I needed that today," before walking past him and out the door.

A broken alliance is often the prelude to war, but other times, it's the start of something else entirely. Personally, Kakashi would have preferred a war; they were far less dangerous.

-owari

Authoress Notes

For those who have read my FMP fanfic, "Alphabet Soup", you may recognize the pattern of the title. Indeed, it comes off another challenge I'm doing based on the same concept.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, here it is in a nutshell. Twenty-six drabbles, one for each letter of the alphabet. The theme for each drabble is based off of a word beginning with that letter.

For this one, I personally ask friend for one word for each letter of the alphabet, without telling what for or what pairing/character I had in mind. That alone has certainly made the challenge more... interesting. I won't post results in a consecutive manner like I did with my "Alphabet Soup" fanfic however. Like I said in an earlier chapter notes, "Loose Threads" is a collection of random drabbles inspired by themes picked up from all over. No order in particular at all.

If anyone ever wants to use this theme system, feel free. If you start anything big with it however or actually post something, I'd appreciate a just a little mention for the creation of concept. Thank you.