"Japanese"

*Google Translate*

Chapter 4

With his host out of commission Kakashi took the time to explore. At first he had waited next to the couch for a few minutes, waiting for her to open her eyes. Intent on requesting some kind of lesson in her language. But, when she did not awaken right away, he began to slowly peek around. He had been to several parts of the house already but now he had time to focus and explore every detail. This was the home of someone from a different world after all. His curiosity needed to be satiated.

The living room where he had woken up was large and warm and the soft flooring was a nice touch as well. The entire room was covered in a soft and plush cream colored rug that stretched from wall to wall. Very odd compared to the simple wooden floors he was used to, but it certainly added comfort. What he assumed was a fireplace looked like it hadn't been used in ages. He had to wonder how she stayed warm in cold months if she didn't use it.

He noticed for the first time what he assumed were family photos. Based on the resemblance he assumed that they were the family of Alysha. Her own face was among them in a few of the photos. All at different ages. In one photo there was an older couple, probably in their late sixties. The man was seated with his hand on his shoulder covering the woman's hand who stood just behind him. It wasn't a very eye-catching photo, but he recognized the shirt he was wearing as being the same one the man wore in the photo. Kakashi looked down, pulling at the material. Had that man lived here at one point?

Casting one last glance at Alysha to see her still out cold, he left the room. The kitchen was an area he was more than interested to explore. The machine that dispensed that wonderful beverage was hot to the touch and he poured himself another cup before continuing. It would be the perfect temperature when he was done exploring.

Why did one person need so many dishes?

So many different cups, bowls, plates and utensils. Far more than any one person would ever need! Did she have people visit often? She certainly had the room to host large events if she wanted to. Perhaps, he would see other people from this strange world soon. Rummaging through the cabinets he came across a wide assortment of spices and he would have to investigate them in depth later. In another cabinet there were several different devices, all with power cords. Some looked vaguely familiar and he assumed they helped with cooking. Perhaps he could learn how to use them later. The large kitchen was a luxury he did not have in his tiny Konoha apartment.

After some thought on how food could be prepared he was curious what kind of food he would find. Several cabinets were filled with different boxes and cans but the fridge drew most of his curiosity. Pulling open the door he was shocked by the wide assortment of food. How could she eat so much before it all went bad? Not to mention, he had expected there to be some vegetables or fruits but he couldn't find any in sight.

As his eyes lingered he suddenly heard his stomach growl. Huh. How long had it been since he had eaten?

Kakashi was stumped looking at all the food. She wouldn't mind if he took a little something, would she? She had so much after all. He stood there for several seconds mulling the thought over in his head before making up his mind. He reached out and grabbed something she seemed to have a lot of. His hand grabbed the small cup-like container and pulled it out as he shut the fridge.

The door shut and standing there behind it was Jasper. Large doe eyes watching him with interest.

Kakashi stopped, looking between the small cup in his hand and the dog. He knew there was nothing special about Jasper. He was a normal dog, but something in those dark eyes of his made Kakashi feel sheepish. As if he had been caught doing something bad. The Shinobi scratched the back of his neck and looked away, "She won't miss it. I'll just pay her back somehow."

He inspected the small cup. It was a dark brown in color thanks to its contents and the top of it was covered in a red film. It seemed completely unnatural, but untampered with. It had to be safe to eat, right?

After another moment of inspection he found a lift in the red film and pulled it back. What he found seemed completely unappetizing. It was cold, dark, and reminded him of the mush parents fed to babies. His brows furrowed. Was this… baby food? Did she, a grown woman, keep baby food to eat?

Could she be a mother?

His head snapped from side to side at the sudden thought, looking for evidence to support that theory. No, he had been there for hours. If she were a mother of a small child she would have had to tend to them by now. Children were the same no matter where you were. They needed attention.

A sudden image of his students popped into his mind's eye and he shook his head to clear it.

Now was not the time to think about that. After all, he would be back home eventually. He was sure of it. Besides, it wasn't like any of them would miss him for the time being. Naruto was off with Jiraiya, Sakura was busy training with Tsunade, and Sasuke was lord knows where. None of them had any idea he was there. No one did.

Shaking his head again he returned his attention back to the task at hand. He obviously couldn't eat this with his hands so he grabbed for a spoon he found hiding in one of the drawers. The spoon cut easily through it. Before bringing it to his lips, he inspected it. Holding it up to the light and watching as it jiggled slightly. Sniffing it and frowning slightly when he noticed it was sweet. He didn't mind sweet, but it wasn't his first choice.

Finally taking it into his mouth he was surprised by how adequate it tasted. Thick, creamy and rich with the right amount of sweetness to it. The flavor was interesting. Chocolate. It took him a while to figure out where he had known it from. The chocolate he had known wasn't as sweet and he guessed this was more of a dessert than anything else. Not nearly enough nutritional value to be for an infant. It was enough to satiate him for the time being at least.

He ate slowly. Finding that the oddly textured contents were slowly growing on him. Still not his favorite, but he could understand the appeal.

He finished and sighed heavily, not sure what to do with the leftover container and spoon. Kakashi was left standing there, face blank as he looked around the kitchen in thought. He finally settled on placing it in the sink. If he were wrong he imagined Alysha would inform him.

Picking up the still steaming cup of coffee he had poured, he poked his head back into the living room. Alysha had turned over. Still out cold. She must have been tired.

He found that Jasper poked his head out with him and he looked down to share a glance with the dog. The canine sat, licking his lips as he squirmed in place.

Kakashi could have sworn the dog was asking for something but he couldn't imagine what. So instead, he simply scratched behind Jasper's ear and went to continue his exploring. Sipping at his hot beverage as he went, he found a set of stairs to the basement. It was cold and dark with many storage containers. Overall there wasn't much of interest below the house. Other than the large machine that groaned to life and nearly made him drop his cup to defend himself. He had to assume that awful noise was normal. No wonder the area didn't look livable compared to the rest.

Returning upstairs he ventured toward the upper level. A dog trailing behind him most of the way. One hallway connected the bathroom and three bedrooms. The plush pink bathroom he was already familiar with and so was the bedroom he had found Alysha after his shower. That left two bedrooms.

The first seemed like a regular bedroom. A smaller bed that was disheveled and messy and one corner was cluttered with several articles of clothing. Even he had the decency to blush and avert his eyes seeing what he knew to be her undergarments. Other than a cluttered room there was nothing out of the ordinary. Odd how the rest of the house seemed in good order but her bedroom wasn't.

The next door over was a surprise. It didn't look like a bedroom at all. If anything, it looked like a studio of some kind. A large table was covered with fabric and yarn as if in the middle of a project. Another table covered with papers and an assortment of colorful pens and markers. Judging by this room Alysha was something like an artist. He reached out for one of the papers and held it up as he took a sip from his cup. The nearly perfect rendition of Jasper was stunning. Kakashi knew he was good with his hands but this was something completely different.

After peaking around at all the different supplies and materials, he left. That seemed to be the last area he hadn't seen. He tilted his head back as he sighed heavily. Kakashi had wanted to gain a bit of insight into this world. So far her home had revealed nothing. But, what could he expect? Other than the odd food and the room full of crafts and art she seemed completely ordinary. Maybe he was hoping to find his weapons and gear?

Just as he thought that, he opened his eyes to reveal an intriguing sight. On the ceiling was a small square cut out just large enough for a person to fit through. At one side, there was a small rope handle. Curious, he reached up and pulled on it, causing it to lower and fold down into another staircase. Very interesting.

This was a hidden area. Not easily accessible if you were not aware of it. He walked up the steps and poked his head into the darkness. The lack of light made it hard to see so he opened his Sharingan. Everything instantly became more clear and he saw something just off to the side within arms reach.

His gear.

So, this is where she hid them. Kakashi reached out to grab them when he stopped, giving the situation a little more thought. Alysha was clearly uncomfortable around him. He really had just barged in on her life. A random man with weapons galore was sure to be stressful. If he suddenly came down with them it wouldn't help with her trust towards him. Usually he wouldn't care too much about people trusting him but in this situation he needed her to.

He sighed once again. Finding comfort in knowing that he really wouldn't need them. Alysha was no fighter. She had made that much abundantly clear.

Now, if only he could find his mask.

~0~

She turned onto her side groggily mumbling to herself. What a weird dream that all was. Some random mystery man popping out of the lake, speaking Japanese. Then suddenly multiplying into three! How strange indeed.

Alysha nuzzled her face on the arm of the couch and wondered when she decided to take a nap there? Usually when she did she woke up to the TV still on and playing something random. Not this time though. It was quiet.

"Finally up?"

Her eyes snapped open and she sat up straight. Sitting there on her coffee table was him. That gorgeous man that popped out of the water and spoke nothing but Japanese. He was watching her carefully, a cup of coffee in one hand and her phone in the other. He held her phone out to her for her to take it.

For a moment she was frozen. The color drained from her face at the realization that she hadn't been dreaming. This was real.

Her body reacted before her mind could comprehend. She curled her legs up, resting her chin on her knees as she took the phone from him. Her fingers unlocked the phone with ease and without thought. Finally her eyes lingered on the talk button within the google translate app.

He seemed to wait patiently for her to speak. Watching in mild amusement as her face scrunched up in thought. Finally, she spoke into it, her voice soft and slow, "How did you do that?"

Kakashi sat the now empty cup down next to him on the table and leaned forward. His elbows resting on his knees as he reached and tapped the button that would translate his own words. "You mean the Shadow Clones? It's a very basic Jutsu. Do you know what that is?"

She shook her head, looking down.

He nodded. "This is going to be a lot to take in. Are you sure you want me to explain?"

She nodded, blue eyes flashing with some determination.

Kakashi laughed breathlessly at that and thought about where to start. He decided to go with the elementary approach. Simple. "Well, the fundamental element for Jutsu is Chakra. Chakra is the life energy that resides in every living person. You and I included. I've spent the vast majority of my life training to use it and channel it. Through training and proper hand signs along with good chakra control anyone is able to harness it to create Jutsu. Some Jutsu are more complex than others. Shadow Clones are easy. It is a fundamental skill all Shinobi must have."

Alysha's eyes were spinning. Yeah, this was a bit much to take in right after waking up. She breathed deeply, trying to make sense of it all, "Alright, call it what you will, but did you say you are a Shinobi?"

It was his turn to nod now as he waited for the question he was sure was coming.

*What do you mean, Shinobi?*

There it was. All the confirmation he needed to be sure that she really didn't have any idea. He smiled softly in an attempt to be reassuring, his eyes crinkling in a gentle smile, "Shinobi are, in a word, the military for the Hidden Villages. Konohagakure being one of them. It is my village."

Her face drained of its remaining color. Her free hand gripping at the couch until her knuckles turned white and Kakashi noticed she began to shake. His hand reached out to touch her shoulder but was surprised when she flinched back. Kakashi blinked and instead tapped the button again to speak. "I know you must not trust me right now. Please understand that I am not here to cause you any harm. If I could I would leave without delay, but until I can find a way back to my world I don't have anywhere else to go."

He waited anxiously for his words to sink in. Blue eyes narrowing slightly as they did.

Finally she spoke. Her voice was soft, confused and had an edge of suspicion.

*Your world?*

Kakashi nodded. "Yes. Believe me, it's as hard for me to believe as it is for you. This isn't what either one of us wants. But, if you would allow me, I think it is possible for us to coexist until I can find a way back home."

Her mind was reeling. Why her? What kind of fresh hell was this that she had woken up to? Now he was saying that he was from another world entirely. Not only that, but that world's military? No wonder he was loaded with weapons! He could be trained to kill people for all she knew! Yet, here he sat not five feet in front of her with such a gentle expression. Against her better reasoning her face felt hot and she had to look away. There was something off about that odd smile of his but it was stunning nonetheless.

She cleared her throat, her mind still muddy from the absurdities she was being told. "What do you mean, coexist?"

His grin grew, "I mean, you teach me how to speak like you and show me how to live life here. That way I can earn my keep until I can find my way home."

Sorry for the delay. I messed up my back and sitting down to write has been very difficult for me lately. Don't worry, I'm still working on chapters! I'm doing a little better so hoping I can get more out very soon! I just have to not overdo it.

We've finally reached the end of "Day One." Next chapter we skip a head a little and it's the last chapter for a while with heavy explanations. After that we'll be in that Slice of Life territory that I'm excited for!

Oh, crisp high five to anyone who figured out what Kakashi ate. (Psst, chocolate pudding) Idk, the thought of Kakashi standing there holding a pudding cup was some weird inspiration, lmao. I love those simple moments. But, not as much as I love all you guys! Thanks for all the love and interest and please know that it doesn't go unappreciated!

Until next time~!

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Posted - 2/3/22