Chapter 7- Comfort
February, was her least favorite month.
She made it a point to be inside at all times. The winters here were long and too potent for her liking. She was a woman of the north; green and beaches were her domain. It was months like this that made her long for her a warm home that smelled of curreid spices and garlic cloves. Akira pressed her full forehead on the glass window that gave her a view of the falling snow;the ground a pearly white save for the few dirty tracts that lead up to her store. She pulled away, watching the clear spot where her forehead once was frost over. Deciding to mark the frosted window with warm fingers drawing stars and hearts until she was satisfied with her work.
She turned to her assistant who had just reorganized the kids supplement section the 3rd time. He was antsy when his hands werent occupied; finding anything and everything to get his hands on. He even took to cleaning her small house in the back that was connected to her store once a day to 'keep his manic hands from landing their way onto a customer' he once said. Although she knew he would never.
She on the other hand didn't mind the quiet. It was a warm welcome to the chaos and rude customers that she'd often had to deal with when Yahiko wasn't bending. He was an excellent Assistant manager: taking count of inventory, dealing with the maintenance issues. He was even an exceptional cleaning lady if she were to ever hire one. But his people skills weren't the most developed.
He stood, stretching high to the ceiling; muscles in his arms flexing showing of his biceps through the thin black material he always wore. Hair in a neat high ponytail, tip swooping a centimeter past his shoulders. He'd just had a birthday and she saw he was in fact looking older more... mature.
Despite his often abrasive and standoffish moods, Yahiko was pleasant. Before, he'd often go the week without so much as a hi, only asking for work and always over achieving in what she gave him. As the weeks went on slowly he began opening up. He smiled and now he spoke.
"Akira, would you make Keisuke your chicken medley and rice?" Yahiko asked, back to her as he fiddled with one of the bottled supplements.
"You mean can i make you my chicken medley.." She smiled, tugging at her crystal stubbed earing as she made her way over to the counter. She knowing well that he bit his lip hiding a smile. He turned, eyes lilac. "So does that mean I should expect it ready before i go?" He crossed his arms smirk plastered on his face and she couldn't help but feel a bit irritated at his correct inference. She rolled her eyes, fighting back a smile that was forcing it way onto her face.
Their relationship was pleasant. It's been almost a year now since her hiring him. As with most relationships something was bound to flower...What with being around each other 5 days of the week. Yahiko was an ever present force in her life; it made her content to come to work knowing that she'd have someone so reliable by her side.
Even if he was just using her for his younger brothers happiness.
Why couldnt she use him for hers?
"Yahiko?" Her eyes found their way to the digital clock that sat above her TV that shone bright red 11:56. He smiled, waiting for the invitation into her cozy home. She shivered as a cold breeze blew past him into her warm home. She stepped back pulling the door wider hugging herself in effort to keep warm as he graciously stepped in.
Immediately, she closed the door. Both shivered in an effort to keep warm. His eyes met hers, and softly he asked. "Did I wake you?"
She looked at her wrist, mocking the checking of the time. "Wake me? No, people dont sleep at this ungodly hour." She looked up at him, and his smile stretched wide.
"Good, cause i brought some goodies." With that he handed her a brown bag which she took as he took off his coat and shoes. He wore his hair down after work hours, which she'd often admire aloud.
When ever Keisuke would fall asleep after a long shift, they would spend the night. She'd move the boy to her bed, and prepared a futon for Yahiko; leaving time for Yahiko to stop by the store to bring in goodies. Alcohol to be more specific. At Least three nights a week she and Yahiko would spend the night drinking and laughing as they spoke about almost anything and everything. Until he pushed for her to go to sleep.
Tonight was different.
Keisuke wasn't there.
She took the bag to the small table pulling out the contents only smiling wide at her coworkers choices in drink and snack.. "Oooooooo, Cupcake Miscato and strawberry covered chocolates." She turned to him, licking her lips eyes narrowed in a teasing mannor. "You're a man after my own heart." His eyes soften at the statement. "Yea.." the response was breathless, but Akira was too caught up in the goodies to hear it.
The clinking of the glasses rang clear. "To Yahiko not caring about our sleep schedule!" His smile never left, instead he took one of the chocolates from the square shaped case, popping one in his mouth. She took the alcohol back, ending it with a satisfied sigh as the warmth trickled down her throat into her stomach. Her hand went to belly, feeling the warm pool there and instantly spread. Yahiko followed after her taking the sweet crisp liquid graciously. He poured them both another drink, which she motioned for him to fill to the brink.
"I miss Keisuke." His words were quiet, fingers running over the bumps of the glass cup. Eyes dark as they traced the floor grooves. "Its too quiet at home." He took a swig of the light alcohol back, placing the cup on the table with a clank. Her eyes watched him thoughtful as she looked over his features. "Keisuke misses you just as much." He scoffed, "You mean he misses threatening me with shurikens." His smile brought a smile to her face. "I think hes got the right idea. You are an asshole after all."It was a light chuckle, but it was one that brought life back to his eyes. "I don't know how he does it…" she hummed in response feeling her body relax; she brought the drink to her lips, eyes closed as she sipped the liquid. Both quiet until he broke the silence.
"You make him happy Akira." She nodded, knowing the little blond took to her well. "More than I could." Her eyes opened, catching his lavender which was laced with something she couldnt quite place at the moment. "He makes me happy." she responded automatically. In a way that reminded her of how she would negotiate while she was apart of the CAU.
She frowned.
It was genuine right?
Yahiko poured them both another. He downed the third drink immediately, filling his glass again. "Does Keisuke know you drink like a fish?" She joked, he laughed in a way that was too carefree for his demeanor. "I never drink in front of Keisuke. Plus,"He motioned to the sweet drink. "This is juice." She smiled, sipping at the contents in the glass. She was a lightweight when it comes to alcohol but, moscato called to her. She given up drinking awhile back, but Yahiko pushed. Saying that she didnt like it because she was drinking with the wrong people.
He was right.
"You can sleep on the couch. I promise with my snoring it'll be just like when Keisukes home." she mumbled. Another chuckle. She felt her eyes grow heavy as she finished the third cup.
"YOu're too good to me Akira." His face thoughtful as he poured himself another drink. She nodded heavily feeling the effects of the drink. "Duhhhh, if im not good to you. Who elses gonna be?"Yahiko paused, face slowly turned into something of remorse.
"Im sorry ."his words were barely above a whisper.
Her brows furrowed at the apology. "Kiko, I love being there for you and Keisuke. It makes mes happy." she placed her hand on her chest as tho the honor was truly hers. She then pointed at her cup which a hesitant Yahiko poured half filled. "Like my friend Tachi" she pepped, downing her drink, smile wide in accomplishment as Yahiko took the cup from her hand. She whined. "Do you really believe that that man and his friend are worth trusting Akira? You dont even know him" His words were curt, face etched with a mix of frustration and irritation.
"I believed in you, Yahiko.."
His eyes soften.
"Tachi is... He has eyes that tell me stories... pretty dark eyes and pretty lashes like yours kiko." she felt her head grow heavy.
"My friends."she mumbled as she placed her head on the table feeling a drunken stupor force her tired body off into a sleep, but not until she saw his image before her; with a smile that barely reached his eyes.
"Tachi..
Yahiko was her friend, and he was a friend she valued.
Like how she was beginning to value Tachi..
Keisuke was away for the winter, visiting family in the distant south. On the day that he left, Akira met Keisuke's uncle. He was a broad man in both stature and aura, with blond curls and a cheery disposition that matched Keisuke all too well. That day their uncle had turned to her flashing a toothy smile. Yahiko twitched upon seeing the gesture.
"Im a bit jealous that Keisuke and Yahiko has such a beautiful employer."She forced a smile stating her thanks to the tall man that obviously didn't know what personal space was. There was a glint in his eye "You know Yako is in need of a woman...you're able to bear childr-"Yahiko jumped him, cheeks bright red as, pulling his uncle outside with a chattering keisuke oblivious to the situation following suite.
She smiled sheepishly while Yahiko screamed his frustrations at his uncle.
When Yahiko and Keisuke made their way back ;Yahiko refused to make eye contact. It was Keisuke who stole her attention, as he ran up to her teary eyed at goodbye until next time which wouldn't be until mid March. It was her who broke first at the sight of his watery eyes. They shared briefly a moment of silent tears and hugs.
Keisuke, sent a letter every day, and each time Yahiko presented it to her. she took it with haste reading the rements in a slow and steady pace. It was filled with nonsensical blabber and poorly written scribble, but she kept the letters nonetheless in the bottom draw on the left side of her room.
She would make Yahiko the chicken Medley, but somethings been on her mind. Although shes known him for a year now. Shes never heard him utter a word about his family. Keisuke was the vocal one, opening up to her constantly about thier life in the Land of Water. Although Keisuke spoke often about his experiences. She'd often wonder Yahikos take on all of it.
"You never speak of your family Kiko." she said absently mindedly. Yahiko's smile fell, and she briefly wondered if she should have asked.. He turned heading to the Male section of the store, beginning his second count. "I know,"was his final response. Her eyes looked over the cool colors of the mens section which ranged in dark and steely hues.. It made her think of durability and foundation Her eyes trailed across the store onto the women's section. The women's section was bright, with various colors of pinks, oranges and yellows. The clear cursive writing on the display description was inviting.. She couldn't help but feel they matched both her and Yahiko.
"My father...was a prick." Her eyes shot up to him, and she decided to remain silent. "Yahiko and I have different fathers."My father was never one to share or give up; even when it didnt belong to him."she watched him intently, his methodical movements she surmised was a byproduct of his mind going through the steady stream of memories. "And my mother...was unable to leave...even after her slip up.
"My father was a great Jonin of the Mist. He rose quickly in the ranks due to his brutality and want for strength. Eventually, he realized to have true power in the Water one had to grow in ranks of politics. So he took to becoming a tenacious and zealous political figure of the land of water." Yahiko paused, briefly before reaching for a brown glass bottle of Selenium he had mentioned the day prior about purchasing. "My father manipulated.."He stopped short from the bottle fingers instead passing over the cool bottles of selenium. " He stole." He took the bottle. "He raped the land of resources." he eyed the bottle. "And destroyed his family from the inside out.
He turned to her, eyes a deep shade of violet that almost blended in with his dark hair.
"My mother was different. She was weak, and allowed him to beat her, amd beat us...until..."
It was the low hum of the Air conditioner that made her realize she had held her breath. "When i came back on my mission. I walked in and just saw...blood." He went silent. His hands squeezed into fists, knuckles bleached white. His shoulders tense as the memories ran through his mind jaw clecnched as his eyes swirled black.
"We have a customer.
The door rang clear but she couldn't take her eyes off of cheeks felt hot as the sting set in her eyes. her voice was caught in her throat when she saw her regular client come into view.
"Welcome to Herbal Remedies!"Yahiko chipped, his smile prevalent and warm. Countenances a new person as he walked up and greeted the customer happily. "How can I help you?
She couldn't say a word to the customer.
He seemed to find the strength for her.
The weekends were her off days, these days she usually relished it as the rest was needed; but, due to the weather and the limited customers she found herself resting too much. This weekend she decided that she would go over the expenses as her mind was fresh out of ideas to paint and ichi ichi too often woke her up in the middle of the night breathless with no recollection of the dream that left her feeling hot.
She sat on her sofa fresh out the shower , television a soft murmur in the back as she checked off her expenses, a drop of water landed on the sheet smudging her last marking. She placed the papers down, grabbing the towel she'd set beside her to wrap around her still wet hair.
There was a knock.
She glanced at the clock which showed 9:59.
Yahiko.
She took her time to stand, making her way to the door in a stroll, opening it to find that it wasn't Yahiko.
"Good evening, Miss Mitchkage."
"Tachi." was all she said, wide eyed at his sudden appearance. What boggled her was he always made an entrance through her store door. She felt her brows furrow at him coming in through her back door, which seemed friendly...more intimate.
He must've saw the furrow, because she was met with a bow. "I apologize for the sudden notice.I -"
"No. no come in!" She stepped aside, toes already in a chill from the invasion of cold into her warm home. He straightened and reluctantly came in. IT was in his passing that she heard his light wheezing, and realized his loud friend was nowhere to be seen."
She closed the door in a hurry, feeling the cold in her bones and shivered in an attempt to get it out.
"Sit down already."She said to him, he was always so polite in his mannerisms. It irked her that he wasn't yet comfortable enough to have a seat without the offer being made. "You know this is practically your home now. You and Saame own this place more than me sometimes."She rolled her dark eyes. She was met with a small smile as he slowly took off his clock which was covered in snow to place it on the chair on the Kitchen table.
For the past 6 months Tachi and his friend found their way to her little store in this weather, and each time, they'd stayed a night or two as Saames frugality made him take refuge at her home when they were close, and they were often close due to her convenient location.
In the beginning, she felt a pang of irritation of Saame's disdain for her personal space. He saw this, but instead of apologizing he would joke about Tachi. "If i don't come, then you wont get to see your boyfriend."His toothy smile would stretch ear to ear as he took refuge near the fireplace. Her response would always be a deep scowl that was followed by a complaint of him being a freeloader.
This winter seemed hard on Kisame, who took excessively long showers and stole her lavender scented butter creams that helped her during the winters. His response was alway. "My skin gets too chaft in this damn weather."with that he would lean into her sofa and sip his hot cocoa and snuggled deeper into a navy blue blanket that he took a liking too. slowly breathing in and out deeply with each first sip.
Tachi on the other hand never asked for anything. Whether it was food, or a place to sit. Occasionally he would ask for the restroom and always made his way back to her kitchen table to finish whatever food she'd made that evening which he always motioned for seconds when she asked if he were finished, it always made her smile.
¨I -"He started with a coughing fit that made her rush to his side, a green glow activated on his back and stomach to help support him. She wasn't surprised as Weather like this was harsh on the body, it would only make sense that it was harder on someone with a condition. She led him to her taan sofa and sat him down before heading to the kitchen to make him tea, filling the pot to the brink as he often drank tea when he was here.
She was in her room, and out in a second with all her supplies, checking and probing him to find that He had a fever, and due to the sound of his lungs and her scan. She surmised that he had pneumonia. She sighed loudly and felt herself gear up for questioning of his activities once she'd looked up from her numbers but, she saw his eyes closed, head resting on the back of the sofa, slouched into the seat. It wasnt until she heard the light snore that she realized he was asleep.
Ninja, by nature were guarded; to be vigilant in all aspects was due to the probability of an attack, betrayal and so forth. So, for Akira, to see a fallen Nin asleep on her couch made her ...smile…
he was vulnerable...
Either he was being vulnerable, or she was just that weak in comparison to him. She concluded she wasnt planning to find out.
She stared, taking in his familiar features:lips, jaw, nose, lashes. He was very handsome, and she was not one to not admire beauty when she saw it. Her eyes fell on his long lashes that blessed his features, briefly reminding her of Yahiko's own ...and for some reason...she only saw red past those lashes.
It was like a sudden shot gun hit her. She caught herself from falling back, gripping the sofa cushions as the sudden pain ebbed away. She felt her mind steady hands going to her temples.
What the hell was that?
She decided she'd let him rest. She wanted to reposition him, but over the months she found that it was relatively difficult for him to find sleep. So whenever he got the chance, she took extra consideration. he'd have a crink im his neck in the morning due to his position, but he'd be well rested. Quietly, she cleared the sofa of her papers and supplies. Placing everything on the foot rest to complete another day, and leaned into the sofa watching the show that aired. It was an animated show about a Demon dog who fell in love with a reincarnated priestess.
He was cute despite his abrasive nature. She watched the show, eyes growing heavier, until she smelled the tinge of burning metal realizing that she had forgotten the water she set to boil earlier..She was up, briskly walking to the stove to turn off the pot, setting the now empty pot on a cool burner.
Her eyes fell on the TV, which played an infomercial on a new type of deodorant that she briefly thought she needed. She decided that it was time for bed. On her way out from the kitchen she flipped the switch shutting off the living room lights, passing him to reach the remote beside him. It was the warm touch that enveloped her wrist that made her stop short. Her eyes met his and for what seemed like eternity none of them spoke.
¨Ï.."He started. "Sorry.." She broke the eye contact, straightening up to fix her loose pajamas, crossing an arm over her breast in an attempt to cover the outline of herself as she did not wear bras to sleep. However, she left her wrist in his hand.
"Its….fine"she said slowly, mind racing for words. "You need the rest anyways." She lifted her free hand to touch his warm forehead, brushing away the dark locks that framed his closed his eyes at the gesture, letting go of her wrist at the touch of her fingertips on his forehead..The little light emitting from the TV was all that lit up the room
"Your fever is back…."She paused, smile tugging on the ends of her full lips.
"Im not surprised..especially being that you don't listen to your doctor when she tells you to stay put and stop causing trouble."His eyes smiled at her, and she reluctantly let her hand fall from him.
"Ïd imagine that doctors only suggest their remedies, not reprimand the patients for their blatant disregard for it." She scoffed at his response, smile set crossing her arms in an effort to hold her rapid beating heart. "What kind of a doctor would I be if I didn't reprimand or force my patients against their will?" She said matter of factly, hands suggesting that what she said was obvious.
His smile was barely seen. "IT seems you are a doctor of principle after all."He quipped, so she pushed. "IS that why you keep coming back?""
He paused, and she felt her heart jump at the sudden silence. His eyes were sure. "It would seem so…"She bit the inside of her cheek looking for a response. "Your smarter than you look." she responded.
It was his voice, His words told stories and his voice sung a melancholy tone that didn't force or mare but flowed and danced and that's what trapped her. So she stayed. Although hes been here time and time again. Shes never erally had a conversation with him.
Her eyes glanced over his form and saw he still had his outside clothes on. She finished a retort as she stood, turning towards her room in a smooth fashion. She yawned eyes glancing at the clock that read 02:59. Where did the time go?
Usually, when they came her conversation were with Kisame. Who, was never afraid to start or finish a conversation. TAchi she found was more of a spectator, often found at her small round table, eyes on the television as she and Kisame had their heated debates about meaningful meaningless situation that could never be changed for the better through their personal inferences. Every now and then Kisame would ask him a question in hopes that he would join, and itachi always made it a note to keep his words to a minimum. Prefering to listen first then speak. "I don't particularly like to respond unless i know the full spectrum of a topic." was what he said, and she quickly found that he was actually in their conversations. So she wondered, was he uncomfortable with group discussions? So she made it an effort to somehow start a conversation with him. Which he seemed open to, but, Saame would always catch them into and respond, ¨ Flirting again are we? ¨ So, she kept her conversations with Tachi short and pointed.
She wasn't flirting. She just...wanted to know him..thats all.
But, tonight...She didn't need to hide that she wanted to talk to him. So she talked laughed, joked, listerned.
This was...nice
"I got something for you and Saame.'' She walked out with 2 sets of clothes and house slippers. She handed them to him, which he took hesitantly. "I appreciate the gesture. However-"" She waved a hand dismissing him and plopped down on the couch beside him. "Where is our rude, but true giant friend?"" She changed the topic leaning on the arms of the chair opposite to him. "He...decide to visit a comrade.""
"So, in your fit of jealousy you decided to visit me?"His brows furrowed lightly. ""IM hurt im second best Tachi." She playfully clutched her shirt and his furrowed brow turned into something comical. So she laughed.
"You must be laughing at how ridiculous that statement was"He gave something that was less snarky of a smirk, that fit his face well. "Ah, I see being called jealous doesn't fare well with you?"She chuckled hooded eyes glazing over as she fought sleep. his eyes briefly scanned the ceiling. "It is...a fairly fresh inference on my deposition."Her heavy eyes blinked slowly
"But your a jealous man." an eyebrow raised, and he waited for her explanation. "Your nose sweats when your hot. So, that means your possessive and jealous." His face was neutral during her statement. "This is a Cloud culture norm in surmising"She nodded a bit disheartened once the banter had stopped. "Do you have any cultural norms you follow? " she asked low, speech slurring slightly in her wrestle with drowsiness.
"No."He said, voice low at the mention. "I choose not to abide by my familia customs." she pressed, "Why?"" His eyes fell on the tv, watching the dancing cartoon cherry blossoms that came on. She briefly thought he didn't hear her. So her eyes closed waiting patinat. "Sometime the norms of Family is not whats right for yourself or others " He said this in a low tone.
Her brows furrowed. "Is that...why..you're sad…"" her eyes met his and in that second she saw a flash of red that pulled her eyes shut.
She had lost the fight and black took her into a world of butterflies, family trials that ended off with kisses with a dark haired man..
It was the light that shines in her eyes that woke her from her sleep. Her eyes blinked, before turning away from the irritating brightness that met her gaze. Her curtains were open, something Yahiko took to doing whenever he cleaned. Saying it aiding him to be thorough but she knew it was because he loved the sunshine.
She closed her eye, pulling her legs to her chest in an attempt to warm up her body, fighting the cold that came into the small room. She loved it like this in the night, when she needed to fall into a deep slumber. The cool air always added to her nights. Her eyes opened at the smell of something cooking, and briefly wondered if she'd woken up earlier to make something then headed back to bed. The only thing is, she did not recall heading to the confines of her bed last night...because..
"Tachi."She sat upright, recalling the long night of playful banter that ended….she did not remember how it ended. She had fallen asleep on the sofa beside the Nin, and she guessed that he carried her to her bed soon after? Her heart quickened at the thought of being so close to him. Why though?
She looked at the clock, seeing 07:58 AM and signed loudly. It was late, and she hated starting her days late….but, she laid back down throwing the thick covers over her head, eyes closed to recall the night with emphasis..to recall her dreams with clarity.
She wanted to latch on to the dreams..dreams that were warm and full of life and butterflies that lead to kisses, but just like she couldn't remember how she got to her bed, she could not remember her dreams.
She scanned the room, taking note that her house was unusually organized. Her eyes briefly narrowed at the thought of Yahiko breaking into her house to clean, but stopped short. Yahiko would've woke her. She walked over to the kitchen to find scrambled eggs, as well as french toast prepared, still warm.
She looked around the closed space of her small but spacious home and wondered briefly if he left her. Her eyes landed on the door, and she promptly made her way to it, unlocking it to take a look at the weather, and whether he left recently.
"Good morning Miss. Mitchgake.." She jumped turning eyes wide at his sudden appearance
"Oh….your still here." His eyes made there way to the floor beside her, then back up to meet her. "I will be off soon." Her eyes widen more after realizing how it sounded. "Not that i have a problem with you being here. ITs just you disappeared and made breakfast." Akira's hand found its way to the back of her head, absently playing with a dark curl. "Ill check you before you go." He nodded as she grabbed her bag setting it on the table Tachi had already taken a chair to. IT was silent as she sorted through her bag taking the necessary tools to check him.
It was him who broke the silence.
"Miss. Mitchgake...do you mind if i trouble you with a question?" She absently nodded, shifting her weight to one leg waiting for the question. His eyes met her, then drifted their way to the television that was a soft murmur. " You...at one point were part of the Cloud Assasiantion Unit...then eventually transitioned into the MeleeForce creating various poisons that assisted the CAU...then you reliquehed your position as a jounin….
Her lips formed a thin line at the question. But, if he knew a little more about her. What harm could it do?
¨Eventually, I lost focus of what it was all about ...of what really mattered...my village, my family. My self. I lost me somewhere, and i didnt know where to find it. I realized too late that sometimes, its ok to be a little selfish. Its ok to give when you want to give and say no when you want to. I realized that i didn't want to be a martyr.."
"A Martyr.." he repeated.
She then noticed that he'd changed out of his outside clothes and into the light sweather and loose grey sweatpants she had gotten for him for his stays. She was content with how it fit.
So she started, listening to the in and out breathing of his lung, that seemed clog with the whistle of an inspiratory and expiratory crackle. his temperature 99.2, oxygen 95 and heart rate 52 She would alway finish with his blood pressure and a green glowing hand.
She made it a point to check thoroughly each time he came. She was thorough, because she was hopeful. Hopeful that something would change. Months had gone by, and everytime he came back chakra points were blocked, or dead. Her brows furrowed.
This time..
This time he came back worse.
"Tachi.." She breathed out a bit more breathless than intended. " YOu have blockages." He said nothing, waiting for her to continue. "YOur blockages are more prominent in your lungs, stomach and...you have little to no chakra going to your eyes." He nodded as she straightened up. Akira clasped her hands, choosing her next few words cautiously. She was no doctor, growing up she alway found the health of others fascinating, more so fascinated with the blossoming of health after the patient reaches the depths of their sickness. She was the one who delivered the good news….doctors on the other hand have a harder job
"Tachi...are you...going blind?" It wasn't cautious, in fact it was reckless, but she couldn't find a more gentle way of saying asking. He slowly brought a closed fist to his lips, gently coughing before he answered. "Yes'' She nodded absently at his response. She knew from the beginning that the flow to his eyes were low, assuming that his current state of health was what lessened the flow, but… "You knew you were going blind..did you cause this?." again, "Yes"
Her brows furrowed at his even expression. She never asked his age, but she knew he was far too young to have his eyesight evading him so soon. He was far too young to have his health evading him soon. "Why." She felt the atmosphere change in the question, and lightly he answered. "ITs in my blood." His eyes were far in the distant past, and she chose not to press further, feeling a light headache form at the question. Instead, she took to piling up her supplies in her med bag starting with her thermometer. She was no doctor, and she damn well didn't want to be stopped when she felt the cool hand envelope her wrist. Her eyes met him. "It is of little concern to you…" But she was concerned. "It is something that i've accepted.."
She felt her heart ache, but more than anything. She was confused. So she contituned. "What do you mean of little concern to me... ¨
His eyes settled on the wrist in his hand. "You have far more important things to worry about Miss. Mitchgake. I just so happen to be placed in an unfortunate place in life none tha-¨
¨That doesn't make it fair. " She saw his brow furrow slightly. "Fair is subjective."he retorted.
She felt her anger flare. "It doesn't matter if it is subjective or not! If youre not happy about it, then just say it!¨ His hands left her wrist a small smile forming on his full lips to mitigate her anger. "I promise you. This is something I'm able to withstand. It is part of life and I'm prepared for the sacrifices that come with it. "
Her hands went past his dark hair that framed his face, placing them on the smooth skin of his cheeks. " It doesn't mean that it's something you bear alone. Your way isn't always the right way. It's sad Tachi, and its ok to show that. Its ok to be open" She said evenly, eyes sorrowful and although his face was neutral. She briefly thought she saw the same expression in his eyes.
His lips parted to say something, but nothing came out. "You're supposed to be the smart one in this relationship tachi."She gave a small smile that left her eyes feeling heavy. "You sound stupid." she finished her voice wavering at the end. He was right, practically so, but…
His eyes slowly closed "I wish you were right." he whispered in a breath.
It was the opening of the door that lifted them from the scene. She snatched her hands away from the missing nin, heart in her throat feeling caught in the act of something ungodly, only to be relieved that it was not Yahiko.
It was the flash of pearly white sharps that settled her beating heart. Her face turning into something of a sneer at blatant disregard for her privacy. "You ever thought about knocking?" She huffed out, crossing her arms. His smile widened, knowingly. She walked towards the kitchen, avoiding the missing nins and Saame completely, only to feel eyes on her back.
She wondered briefly if it were Kisame, or Tachi.
She hoped, with all her heart it was the lather.
"You're leaving again…"Saame had already begin walking ahead into the dark forest. Tachi was the one who always stayed to entertain her last words, something that she´d come to appreciate. "Yes...hopefully we do well under this weath-"
"Come back…"
Tachi paused, eyes widening a microsecond at her words, words she did not want him to rule out as courtesy or kindness. So she repeated it with clarity. "I want you to come back soon Tachi." She wasn't a woman that feared speaking her mind; for your opinion showed others who you were. She did however fear speaking her heart...because it showed others what you want. So instead of facing him head on with strong shoulders..she couldn't look at him. Her cheeks ran hot. Her heart fluttered. Her stomach danced with butterflies. Her m-
It was the feel of his fingers poking her forehead that brought her back. Her eyes met his wide.
He smiled. "Ill see you soon. Akira."
He turned walking off into the night. A smile and deep blush set on her features.
AN:
Hello,
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Also, for some reason my breaks arent showing through when i initially post. Sorry if the time jumps seemed sudden. Should be fixed now!
I will be more constant in uploading! lol Promise.