Chapter 7

"Kakashi, I have a present for you!" Alysha smiled, holding the small cardboard box out toward him. It wasn't wrapped like a present. Simply closed back up in the same box it had arrived in, Amazon tape and all.

Kakashi looked up from his book with a curious gaze and sat the book aside. He had been enjoying a peaceful morning. Reading in the warm sunlight the living room window provided. He had grown comfortable enough to allow himself the joy of Icha Icha while she was around. Though, he was always careful to never let her try to read it. She had most likely come to her own conclusions and he didn't need her gathering proof of her suspicions.

Alysha had been busy with her own activities before she came into the room and held out the box to him. Usually, if she wasn't conversing with him or interacting with Jasper she was working on her art. Little did she know but he would often watch her when she thought he was preoccupied. He gave her an intrigued look, "A present? For me?"

"Yeah, it's for you. Open it." She smiled, giving the box a small shake.

He took the box and opened it, revealing a small cut out of black leather with a thin strap connected on either side. He reached in and held it up, his one open eye narrowed trying to think of the word. He knew what it was, but he hadn't come across the English word for it.

"It's an eyepatch." She said sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck when she recognized the intense concentration in his eye. She sat on the couch a few feet away and leaned over the arm of the couch to rest on her elbows. "With this you can finally come shopping with me."

"Why would I need this to go shopping with you?" He sat the box on the floor and turned toward her more fully, curious about where this conversation would lead.

Alysha smiled apologetically, "Your eye-er, your Sharingan, it's not… normal. With that scar across your eye people are going to think you lost it in some freakish accident anyway. This will just help convince people, ya know?" Not to mention she was paranoid that him holding his eye shut would get strange glances and looks.

He hummed, bringing a hand up to touch the scar that ended on his cheek and looked down at the eyepatch in his other hand. "I suppose you're right. You do know this world better than me."

"Well, yeah, cause I grew up here." She laughed, smiling wider upon realizing that he answered her rather quickly. Kakashi had learned so much in the time he had been there. If it had been anyone else they wouldn't have been able to learn as quickly as he had. And it was all thanks to his eye. His strangely hypnotic and mysterious eye that he kept shut whenever he wasn't trying to learn something. Sometimes when they would watch anime together she would get to peek over and look at it. It's not like he knew about her staring, right? He was too focused on the shows.

Kakashi looked out the window, spotting the car in the driveway. A sudden thought entered his mind and he felt apprehensive, "Is this trip necessary?"

She blinked, looking from him out to where he looked at her car. "Well, yeah. I need you to be there so you can get the right sized clothes. I'll be honest, it's a little weird seeing you in my grandpa's clothes all the time." She pointed down at his shirt, a long sleeved green and gray flannel that was just a little too tight at the shoulders.

He looked down and after some thought he supposed it must be a little weird for her. "Alright, when were you planning on going?"

"Today."

Kakashi stiffened, his eye growing wide, "Today?"

She nodded, "Today. Honestly, Kakashi, it's long overdue. You need shoes, socks, underwear, and that's just to name a few things. It's been almost a month and you are in dire need." Alysha wasn't sure how he handled walking around in clothes that didn't fit right. "Besides, I think you're finally fluent enough to handle talking to other people. You've really gotten good recently."

Kakashi could only offer a small smile and a chuckle, glancing at the TV. She had shown him anime and while he couldn't admit it, he had watched much farther ahead in their shows than she thought.

Unknowing to him, she could see the history. It didn't bother her of course since he was always willing to pick up where they had left off together, and he was getting much needed education out of the entertainment.

"I'm gonna take Jasper out for one more walk to go potty before we go." As soon as the word, 'potty' left her lips, Jasper's head sprang up from where he lay resting on the floor.

The man watched as Alysha stopped and turned toward Jasper, her hands patting her knees playfully as she spoke in a tone suited for infants. Jasper responded excitedly and leaped up, seeming to dance in excitement before Alysha led him out the door through the kitchen.

The house was left silent. He stared at the doorway she had disappeared into and couldn't help but think of Pakkun and his other canine companions. Since they were intelligent ninja dogs they were not the same as Jasper, but he had to wonder if they would enjoy the same kind of treatment Alysha offered. She was loving and affectionate toward Jasper. He recalled her calling him her baby, and he believed she meant it with all her heart.

Shaking his head, he looked down at the eyepatch in the box and sighed. So many mixed emotions were running through his head. He appreciated the gift and a part of him was looking forward to getting new clothes. On the other hand, he wasn't sure how he felt about the transportation he knew they would use to get there. A necessary evil he decided.

He grabbed the box and his book and headed to the bathroom. Pink interior greeting him as it always did. Alysha had told him it was in style over fifty years ago and he had to wonder just what people at the time were thinking.

The strap fit securely around his head as he adjusted his new accessory into place. He noticed that it wasn't just a plain piece of leather, it had a subtle yet intricate stitching pattern. The padding was comfortable as well.

While he made sure it was on properly, he stopped. Suddenly feeling all too aware of the face looking back at him. A face he had kept hidden for years and was now on full display. A face he had trouble attributing to himself. The face of his father.

It was why he didn't bother looking into the mirror most times, and why he missed his mask. There were some things he didn't want to face.

At least here in this world, no one knew this face and the failure it represented.

"Kakashi!"

Blinking, he turned just in time to see Alysha walk into the doorway. Leaning her body against the frame for a moment before she continued, "How does it feel?"

"I'll get used to it." He offered with a shrug.

"You don't have to wear it with just me around. Only when there are others who could freak out about it."

"Like you did?"

She held her hands up in defense, "Hey, in retrospect I think I handled it well. I mean, I didn't call the cops on you like Monica wanted me to." Monica hadn't left her alone for nearly a week after Kakashi showed up. She demanded to talk with her multiple times a day at first, but now her friend was singing a different toon. She could still remember her blunt question, followed by several suggestive emojis.

[Is he hot?]

Since then, she had been demanding to know what he looked like. Now that she thought of it, now would be the perfect time to show her.

Alysha stepped into the bathroom and grabbed a comb from the mesh basket on the sink. Turning her attention to Kakashi she flicked the comb between her fingers and grinned, "I'll be quick, okay?"

Kakashi was confused but understood when she reached up and began to comb through his hair. Apparently his unruly hair was not adequate for her. For a moment he thought to pull away, but stopped. With his back against the sink, he rested his hands on the ledge and leaned down slightly to make it easier to reach. His eye drifted closed at the oddly soothing sensation. It felt like he was melting. A warm and pleasant sensation filled his chest and he leaned into her touch, a content sigh escaping his lips.

A sudden gasp broke him from his trance and he opened his eyes to see Alysha staring back at him, her cheeks dusted red. Realizing how he had been acting he could feel the blush tint his own cheeks.

She stuttered, "That should be good enough, I just have to take a photo quick."

He nodded, clearing his throat and standing up straighter in an attempt to seem nonchalant.

The photo was quick. A simple selfie with Kakashi positioned behind her. Alysha had to admire it for a moment, Kakashi had the makings of a model. Even in such a simple photo his presence couldn't be denied. Next to him, she might as well have been a troll doll. Even if he had the hair for it and she didn't. A part of her wanted to try for a better photo but she figured posing for a different one would be too awkward after what just happened.

So she hit send. And within ten seconds she had a response.

[DAMN HE SEXY! and you been HIDING him from me? Girl why you gotta do me like that?!]

Alysha couldn't help but blush. She sensed Monica's behavior was about to take a turn.

[Aly, please tell me you are the horse that cowboy is riding.]

Noticing her face was beginning to turn the same shade of red as her hair, he placed a hand on her shoulder, "You alright?"

Alysha jumped from the contact and loudly stated, "Yup! Never been better!" An uneasy laugh followed her words as she left the bathroom and went down the stairs, "Time to go! We have to get to the store!"

Kakashi walked into the hallway, staring after her puzzled. He looked down at Jasper who sat back on his haunches. If Kakashi didn't know better, he would say Jasper was just as puzzled as he was.

By the time they were both outside, Alysha in her winter jacket and Kakashi in a single hoodie, she was beginning to see the apprehension. He stood at the passenger side door with his hand on the handle as if he were preparing himself for something. She didn't need to say anything however since as soon as she opened her door to get in he did the same. Once inside she observed him as he looked around the interior. It was cute and she couldn't help but giggle in amusement.

The giggle awarded her a blank stare from him. "What?"

She shook her head with a smile and put the key in the ignition, "Nothing. Go ahead and put your seatbelt on, like this." She reached back and grabbed the strap, pulling it across her chest to buckle it.

Kakashi copied her and said, "And why do we need to be strapped down?" He couldn't see any way they would fly out of the contraption, it was a closed space after all.

Alysha was caught off guard by the question and had to remind herself that her car was the only one he had ever seen. "Well, we don't wanna fly out a window if someone hits us. It's to prevent injury if we get in a crash."

She thought she noticed him stiffening and his eye narrowed, "How safe is this car?"

Realizing she must have made him uncomfortable she quickly waved her hands and laughed, "Of course it's safe! I'm a good driver, it's the other people on the road I can't control. No one plans on getting in a car accident, that's why they are called accidents. Here, once we get on the road you'll realize it isn't so bad."

As the engine roared to life and Alysha drove slowly down the gravel driveway, Kakashi masked just how nervous he was. Something like this was unheard of. Shinobi traveled by foot over long distances, and those without the training and skill often traveled in wagons or caravans.

Turning onto the pavement of the main road, Kakashi immediately noticed how much smoother the ride had become. Not to mention how fast they were traveling. Never had he traveled so fast and actually got to admire the scenery around him. He was too preoccupied ensuring that he didn't hit a tree or land wrong. Thanks to years of endurance training and chakra training he figured he could run almost as fast as the car was going if he really wanted to.

To his amazement he realized, this wasn't actually all that bad. In fact, he could see how it could be enjoyable to some.

Seeing him visibly relax from the corner of her eye she smiled and reached over to pat his thigh, "See, it isn't so bad."

Kakashi grinned, "I guess not."

The drive was leisurely, and not as long as Kakashi had anticipated. It had only taken a max of twenty minutes to get into town, and he was fascinated. There were so many vehicles, it was like everyone had them. The buildings were much more spread out than he had anticipated as well. It felt like everything was so far apart compared to what it was like in the leaf village. As they drove, he did see a few people walking along the side of the road. They were bundled in heavy jackets similar to Alysha's and staring down at cell phones. To think, that strange little box seemed just as common as cars. This world really was something else.

After a few minutes Alysha pulled up into the large parking lot of their local Wal-Mart. The place where she did most of her shopping. Finding a spot further away from the building she turned off the engine and motioned with her hands, "Ta-da, we have arrived."

Once again mimicking her, Kakashi left the vehicle and began leisurely walking up to the large building. Being sure to stay only a few feet away from Alysha. The sheer size of it was massive and he had to ponder just how many rooms this place had. It had to be more like a mansion than a store, right?

Besides the prospects this new architecture provided him, there was something that seemed off. He couldn't quite put his finger on it until out of curiosity he lifted the eyepatch just enough to quickly look around. What he saw stopped him in his tracks.

Noticing that Kakashi had abruptly stopped just a step behind her she turned and saw him still propping up the eyepatch, a look of shock plastered to his face. "Kakashi? You okay? It's just a store, I promise." She looked into the Sharingan once again. He had yet to meet her gaze, "Do you see something?"

Kakashi lowered the patch back in place and pulled his hand over his face in a self soothing gesture. After a moment he looked down at her and she was taken aback by the seriousness she found there. She hadn't seen that look since the day he had arrived in her life. "Those people. They do not have chakra."

His statement was met with confusion. "Well, that makes sense, doesn't it? I mean, from what I gather we don't have that here." She knew Kakashi needed this 'chakra' stuff to do superhuman things. Things she still didn't like to think about for fear of developing a migraine. No one in her world could do the things he did, so she had never thought of it.

His eye narrowed, "But you do."

She blinked. Mouth opening to answer before snapping shut. How could she even respond to that? She couldn't. So, instead, she turned and kept walking, "Um, well, we should get in before you become an icicle or something."

Kakashi kept pace with her, still stunned by this new information. It hadn't been a trick. When he looked with his Sharingan, he didn't see any chakra from the people walking in and out of the store. There was nothing. Not even the empty pathways he could see in deceased individuals. Just nothing. Originally he had assumed that the chakra network of people in this world was just too underdeveloped to perform jutsu. Now, it would seem that they didn't have chakra at all!

That left the mystery that was, Alysha. He could see her chakra network. She was the reason he assumed they were just underdeveloped verses not having any. Her chakra was like that of a toddler. Even if it was incredibly weak, it still puzzled him. Why was she different?

He was pulled from his internal monologue when he witnessed the doors in front of him open all on their own. He jumped a little but Alysha coaxed him forward as she explained, "There's sensors that make the door open when you get near them. Basically, they see you coming and open for you."

As they walked in, Kakashi's head craned back to try and spot the sensor she mentioned, but didn't see anything. While Alysha grabbed a shopping cart he looked ahead through the next set of automatic doors. He realized today was going to be a day full of unexpected surprises.

This was a store unlike any he had ever seen before. What he expected to be numerous rooms and corridors was just one large sprawling room split into sections. Produce and other foods were in front of them, but not far away was clothing. There were even fresh flowers. And this was only what he could see, there was still much more he couldn't see.

Alysha spoke to him as they walked and he listened to her as they went. "I don't know about stores where you are from, but this one is pretty normal. It's pretty much got most everything the average person needs."

He looked up again to observe the massively high ceiling again, "Seems to be an awful lot of wasted space."

She glanced at where he was looking and laughed, "Yeah, I thought the same thing when I was little. I also thought it would be cool to live here. You'd have everything you'd ever need all in one place."

"Hm, that's an odd thing to think."

"I think most people have thoughts like that as children. Didn't you have any weird thoughts when you were little?"

The long silence before he spoke was deafening. "Our childhoods were very different."

Alysha wasn't sure how to answer. A nervous knot winding in her stomach and her hands tightened on the cart, but she forced a smile, "It couldn't be all bad, could it?"

Another long silence. "I think it best you don't know."

Thankfully, the strenuous atmosphere didn't stick around long. Alysha led him to the health and beauty section where she helped him pick out a shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. She learned from shoving bottle after bottle under his nose that he seemed to like more woodsy or pine scented things for himself. She got him his own handheld caddy for him to keep his things in and whisked him off to the clothing section.

Kakashi had never had so much to choose from in his life. He usually only went with the basic essentials, not really caring too much about scents or styles. Alysha had shown him scents he wasn't even sure how to process. And not, there was what seemed to be a sea of clothing. Clothing shops were usually small with plain or basic options to choose from.

Thankfully Alysha took charge and helped him to narrow his choices down. If he had been left to his own devices he would have been lost. Four shirts, two pairs of pants, underwear, socks, shoes and a jacket later, Alysha looked at the time.

She gasped, "Crap! We have to go before they close!"

Kakashi looked up from where he was inspecting a plushy of an oddly cute mushroom. "Before what closes?"

"Joann's! They're having a sale today and I don't wanna miss it!"

They made a beeline for the registers. And Kakashi watched as the woman at the register scanned each item. He could tell his staring was being taken the wrong way since the young blond blushed and flipped her hair to show more of her face. Too bad for her he had no interest in her, only what she was doing.

When the total was finally read, Alysha sighed and scratched her head. He wasn't sure what constituted expensive, but her body language said that it was. Before he could tell her he really didn't need any of it she took out a small plastic card and slid it inside a small black box. He gathered that the card was used for payment, which intrigued him, but he decided to not ask since Alysha was still fixated on getting out of there quickly.

Once outside, he was surprised at just how much time they had spent there. It was much later in the day. But, considering how much time Alysha spent trying to ensure that he liked everything, it made sense. Kakashi wasn't sure if he had met anyone so focused and attentive on making sure he was happy. It was a strange feeling, and it brought a warm fuzziness to his chest he couldn't ignore.

When they finally made it to Joann's, a store that shared a building with several other stores, Kakashi followed her in. She turned toward him near the entrance, "I won't be long. There's a lot of cool stuff here so feel free to look around. Just meet me back here, okay?" He nodded simply and Alysha returned the gesture with an added smile.

She knew exactly where she was going. Right to the pencils and pastels. She was running low and had seen the sale advertised on her phone the night before. It was an added bonus of the trip. All in all, it was super successful. Other than a few women making the 'fuck me' eyes toward Kakashi he didn't raise any suspicion. She tried not to think about his chakra comment and instead focused on the way his eyes had widened with amazement or surprise when encountering new things. It was subtle, but it was adorable.

"Well, hey there. What's got you smiling?"

Alysha gasped and turned toward the unexpected voice, "Steven! Don't scare me like that!"

He held up his hands, one of which held a new spiral notebook, and he laughed apologetically. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. Was just surprised to see you is all."

She scratched the back of her head and laughed with him for a moment, "Yeah, it's a surprise to see you here too. I think this is the first time I've seen you outside of work… What brings you here?"

"I happen to have a little hobby that includes these." He grinned and reached out to the shelf to grab an assortment of colorful markers. "What about you?"

Her hand reached out to grasp the colored pencils and a set of pastels. "I have a hobby too."

"Really? You're gonna have to show me sometime! I'd love to see your work. I can show you mine too." He cleared his throat and continued, "Maybe, sometime I could come over and we could talk about it more? I don't know about you, but I wouldn't mind hanging out outside of work sometime."

Alysha's eyes widened and her mouth went dry. This was the first time someone from work had offered to hangout with her. She didn't know whether or not to be ecstatic or not. What she did know what that a bundle of nerves coiled in her stomach and she suddenly wanted to leave. Nothing was wrong with Steven. He was a good guy. Someone she trusted. But, the thought of being alone with him made her feel nauseated. It was illogical to the point of frustration.

Steven's usually happy and cheerful demeanor fell when she didn't answer. "Hey, you okay? If it's something I said I really didn't mean to offend you."

She shook her head, "No, it's fine. I'm okay-"

The rest of her response was cut off when she felt an arm wrap around her shoulders. "Alysha."

She gasped, realizing that Kakashi was now standing right next to her. Arm wrapped around her shoulders and her side pulled flush against his. It was enough to make her blush instantly, "Kakashi?" Where had he even come from?

He had been minding his own business when he had felt a sudden chill in the air. Now that he knew Alysha was the only other being nearby with chakra, he knew he was picking up on her distress. It was like a buzz at the base of his skull, and he couldn't ignore it. Kakashi looked the man over from head to toe. He was slightly taller than himself with a slightly thicker frame. Nothing he couldn't handle. It would be like fighting a defenseless infant if it came down to it. It would only come down to that if it were necessary though. He didn't want to start a spectacle.

The icy cold stare from Kakashi's singular eye was enough to make Steven shiver in fear. He tried to smile, but it looked more like a grimace when he noticed just how close Kakashi was holding her. "Shit, Alysha, I'm sorry I didn't know you were seeing anyone."

Her blush turned crimson and she took a step away from Kakashi. Her hands raised and waving fervently, "No! Nothing like that! He's just a close friend!"

"Oh," Steven pondered, not fully convinced as he watched Kakashi's reaction. Or, at least he tried to. The man hadn't responded when Alysha pushed away from him, only continued to give him an icy glare. Why was this guy so intense? "Well, maybe your place was too much to ask," he said offhandedly. He gasped, an idea popping into his head, "I know! How about you come do karaoke with us on Friday?"

She scratched her cheek in thought. Alysha had never done Karaoke before, but she knew there was a bar in town that had it every Friday. "I'm not so sure…"

"It won't just be me!" He said. "A few other coworkers will be there, and you can bring your friend with you if you want to." Steven added the last bit with a strained smile that wasn't lost on Kakashi.

Silence fell over the three for several long moments before she sighed, "Maybe."

His grin grew brighter than ever and he backed away from them, waving as he went. "I'll talk to you more about it at work! Looking forward to it!"

Alysha suddenly felt fatigued. Just what had she gotten herself into?

"Alysha?"

"Yeah, Kakashi?"

"...what's karaoke?"

Lots to go over in this chapter! Lot of good bits too! Hope you like it.

And, yes, Kakashi will be participating in karaoke, lol.

Don't forget to favorite, follow, and review!

Posted - 5/25/2022