Five Times Lucky
Kakashi leaned against the porch railings, tilting his head up to soak in the fading sunlight as dusk prepared to set in. As he studied the skyline, for a brief moment, the skies were painted with a comforting red. He smiled slightly at the familiar shade. It was an incredibly naïve thing to think about but for a first time in a long while, Kakashi felt truly at peace with his happiness.
A gentle pat on his arm shook him out of his reverie and he spun around, smiling inwardly – he was about to get even luckier. His gaze locked immediately with Fury's and his chest expanded and tightened all at once.
The black orbs of her eyes shook slightly at his intense stare but a soft smile hung over her lips. Just as he was considering whether he should make his move, Fury took a step forwards, closing the distance between so that they were an inch apart. His breath caught against his throat instantly.
'Shall we go?' She asked, beckoning to the forest with her head.
'Um…' Kakashi scrambled for the words as he tried to unfreeze himself. He cursed at himself inwardly, wondering how stupid he looked to Fury now.
To his surprise, a grin broke across her face at his reaction. Without hesitation, she grasped his hand and pulled him towards the forest. The shock of her warm flesh in his hand sent him reeling again and he nearly tripped as he followed her.
'Fury.' He finally called out in a cracked voice.
She turned to look at him without breaking her pace. 'Yes?'
'There's something I want to show you.' He managed to say calmly. At her questioning expression, he tugged her along in the opposite direction.
~…~…~
'Here,' Kakashi pushed her down in front of a huge slab of rock. She thumped down on the ground loudly, looking around at the scenery before her with slack-jawed amazement. The river before them glimmered as the last rays of light of the day danced across them, reflecting the warm colourful skies above, the few thin strips of clouds on the horizon shimmering with evening gold.
'This is incredible.' She said in hushed tones as Kakashi settled down next to her. 'It's so beautiful.'
Kakashi cleared his throat, subtly placing his arm over her shoulders. 'I brought you here because this place reminds me of you during the evening.' He explained, looking directly into her shining eyes. 'It looks just like you, doesn't it?'
Fury glanced around with a puzzled look. 'It does?'
He smiled at her confusion. 'The colour of the skies reminds me of your hair and the river sparkles like the way your eyes always do. There's so much strength and calmness that it's easy to fall in love with them.' He said quietly, giving her a meaningful look at the last sentence.
She flushed then, lowering her eyes shyly. 'That's quite a description.' She murmured awkwardly but a smile blossomed across her face anyway.
Kakashi's chest swelled upon seeing it. His hands itched to stroke her face but he kept them under control, it was too soon.
'You can come here every day at dusk to watch the sunset.' He continued on as if the awkwardness between them didn't exist. 'I hope it'll remind you of me, especially when I'm not around during missions.'
She nodded eagerly at his suggestion, then to his immense delight, leaned forwards to rest her head on his shoulder. 'Thank you, Kakashi.' She whispered.
Hearing her speak his name in that tone sent his insides into a flurry mush. Swallowing hard, he gave her a small squeeze to acknowledge her gratitude. What was happening to him? She had been the awkward, nervous one yesterday but right now, he was a complete and utter mess. And it was already their fifth date.
'Fury.' He said again.
Her head tilted up to look at him, her nose brushing against his jaw slightly. Unable to suppress the urge anymore, Kakashi lowered his mouth to touch the corner of her lips gently, ignoring the squeak of surprise from Fury. He wanted so badly to give her a full, proper kiss but he didn't want to scare her away. This, this would have to do for now.
When he drew back, Fury looked back at him with frightened, but dancing, eyes. He grinned at her and, with a sudden surge of courage, pecked her lightly on the cheek.
'I'm sorry if that surprised you, but I couldn't help myself any longer.' He apologized with a rueful smile.
A tinge of pink coloured her cheeks. 'I don't mind.' She mumbled so softly that Kakashi nearly missed her words.
'Um…then, can we try that again?' Kakashi cleared his throat again, trying not to give away how happy he was at her response.
Fury nodded but reached up shakily to finger the edge of his mask. 'Can we do it without your mask?' She asked tentatively.
Kakashi stiffened. For a brief second, he considered refusing her and pushing her away for being just like the other girls. However, her frightened expression forced him to calm down. No, Fury was not a shallow person – she was miles better than any other girl he had ever met. And she had the purest soul he had ever encountered. There was something deeper in her that set her differently from everyone else.
With his most reassuring smile, Kakashi reached up to tug at his mask. 'Of course.'
Just as the mask was halfway off, Fury grabbed his wrist suddenly. 'No, stop! I-I'm sorry I was so hasty about seeing your face, I wasn't thinking when I asked you.' She stammered, fixing her eyes determinedly on his eye instead of his half-revealed face.
Kakashi blinked. 'You don't want to know?' He inquired carefully, his eye darting across her expression to find any signs of hesitation.
She pulled back quickly, as if his question had scalded her. 'Of course I want to know, but I can tell you're uncomfortable with it. It's alright if you don't want to show me.' She explained clumsily.
Silence followed after her confession. Kakashi stared at her, unable to comprehend what he had just heard.
'You're amazing, you know that?' He finally sighed out loud, pressing his mask back onto his face. 'Come here.'
Warily, she shuffled forwards until their thighs bumped. Kakashi slid his arms around her waist and leaned in until they were brow-to-brow. Her breath hitched noisily when the tips of their noses grazed.
'Is it alright if we just kiss like this for now?' He asked with his eye closed.
Fury gulped. 'Yes.'
He half-opened his eye, searching for her lips. 'Thank you.' He murmured before pressing his masked mouth over hers.
The moment he made contact, Kakashi regretted not taking off his mask instantly. The feel of her lips were supple and sweet even through the fabric of the mask. He could almost taste her and the agonizing temptation to do so nearly drove him over the edge. With a low groan, he put all his weight onto her, crushing her against the rock. His hands moved up greedily to touch her face, her jaw then her exposed neck. His lips tumbled down carelessly to trace the arc of her neck. Her scent rolled off her skin like perfume, reeling him in deeper into ecstasy.
'Fury,' He gasped out as he tried to draw breath. 'Don't. Ever. Leave. Me.' He punctuated each syllable with a hard kiss on her lips.
She put a hand on his chest to stop him from giving her more kisses. 'I promise I'll always be here, wherever and whenever you need me.' She said firmly, with a fiery glint in her eyes.
His heart, which was already beating hard, crashed against his ribcage at her tone. He felt like a phoenix reborn from ashes – her words had burned him up and gave him life. This was it – she was the one for him.
'I love you.' He said, pulling her into a fierce embrace. 'Fury of Fire, I love you.'
~…~…~
Fury shifted in his arms and automatically, Kakashi jerked her back into him.
'Kakashi, I have to go.' She said, looking up at him pleadingly.
His resolve wavered. Even in the dark, she still managed to look radiant. 'Just five more minutes.' He implored, hugging her even more tightly to him.
'You said the same thing hours ago.' She sighed but relented, sinking back into his embrace.
'Do you want to leave that badly?' He asked morosely.
She curled up closer to him. 'Of course not, but we can't spend the night here.' She pointed out.
'I don't mind if you don't.' He murmured into her ear.
His beseeching tone made her squirm. 'Kakashi…'
Sighing, he released her. 'I know, I know.' Reluctantly, he stood up and helped Fury to her feet. 'At least let me walk you home.'
She smiled and nodded, slipping a hand through the crook of his arm like he instructed her to yesterday. Kakashi felt a sense of triumph at this, it was flattering to know that he had made an impact on her.
'I have a mission the next few days, so I won't be around. Take care of yourself before I come back.' He said conversationally as they trudged through the dark forest.
Fury waved a hand, conjuring up a ball of flame which she tossed lightly into the air in front of them and illuminating the path. 'Okay. Take care of yourself too, I don't want to see my boyfriend in the hospital so soon.' She said carelessly.
Kakashi glanced at her quickly. 'Did you say boyfriend?' He asked eagerly.
Catching herself, Fury blushed. 'I didn't mean to…I mean, I wasn't thinking! It was just a mistake.' She said in a flustered manner.
'Oh.' Kakashi looked away, deflated.
'Do you want to be my boyfriend?' Fury asked nervously.
He looked at her sadly. 'More than anything.'
She gaped at him for a short second then scowled. 'I was being serious!'
'So was I.' He answered with a laugh.
Fury glared at him then asked grudgingly, 'Can I be your girlfriend?'
'That,' He said solemnly, 'would be wonderful.'
With a wide smile, she edged closer to him. 'I'm your girlfriend.' She repeated under her breath with slight awe.
He chuckled. 'You've been my girlfriend for the past four dates, Fury. I–' He stopped abruptly as he caught her crumpling expression. 'Fury? What is it?' He halted immediately.
'I can't believe I'm lucky enough to deserve you.' She mumbled with a quiver in her tone, covering her face with her hands. 'All this time, I thought that the universe had forsaken me, that I would never have the chance to be happy again.'
Kakashi eyed her warily, taken aback at how her words reflected his innermost thoughts. 'What do you mean?' He asked gently. 'Has something happened?'
'It's nothing.' She lifted her head, smiling forcefully. 'Just promise me, you would never leave me too.'
He cupped her face tenderly, kissing the top of her head. 'I swear to it. I'll always protect and love you.' Lowering his cheek to hers, he enveloped her in his arms. 'Can you tell me what happened to you? I can tell that you're harboring something painful inside you.'
Fury flinched. 'I'll tell you one day, but not now. I don't want to think about it.' She replied softly.
Kakashi swallowed his disappointment as he patted her on the back comfortingly. He had expected her answer but it still stung a little that she couldn't trust him yet. Maybe he just had to give her time. Yes, in time, he would make himself worthy of being depended on.
'Let's take you home.' He said with a smile, pulling her along with him.
Fury looked down at their clasped hands as they walked. The image sent a flashback of the previous night to him, when Fury had seemed bowled over at them holding hands. Grinning, he raised their intertwined fingers and kissed the back of her fingers.
'You better get use to this quickly. I'll be expecting more affection from you after today.' He said with an eye-crinkling smile in her direction.
She blushed at his boldness but didn't seem horrified at it. 'I really do like you.' She murmured, her face turning even redder.
Kakashi laughed in surprise at her sudden confession. 'Do you like me enough to let me spend the night with you?'
Fury shot him a startled look. 'What?'
He smirked. 'I was joking. But, do keep me in mind in your dreams. I want to be the last thing you think about before you fall asleep and the first person on your mind when you wake up.' He added the last part with a thumping heart, wincing slightly at how incredibly cheesy he sounded.
To his surprise, she took it seriously. 'Alright.' She said simply.
Kakashi turned away to hide his smile. She really was full of surprises. As her house loomed into view, the smile slid off his face.
'Hey,' He said softly when they reached the door. Fury turned to face him with an expectant look. 'I'll miss you.'
Her expression lit up and darkened at the same time. 'I'll miss you too.'
'We'll have another date right after my mission.' He promised. 'In the meantime, wait for me.' The pleading note in his voice made him cringe again but he couldn't help himself from blurting out the words. He was afraid that if he didn't express them out loud to her, he would never get the chance to let her know how he felt.
Her eyebrows knitted together but she nodded. 'Good night.' She breathed out then hastily turned away to let herself into the house before Kakashi could react.
'Good night,' He sighed as the door shut in his face, unruffled by her dismissal. It was obvious that she didn't want him to see how troubled she was.
Swiveling on the spot, Kakashi walked back into the forest with heavier footsteps. It was frustrating to know that he would have to live like this from now on, starting his days with happiness and ending it with even more longing. He was angry at himself for feeling so pathetic. After all, it was not like he was never going to see her again, but it still ached when they were apart.
He looked at his right hand, which was dangling in empty air. Five minutes ago, it had held someone he loved. How he wished that time could turn back and meld their hands together. With a low growl of frustration, he stuffed his hand moodily into his pocket.
Just then, a twig snapped behind him, freezing him in his steps. Tensing, he poised to whirl around. A hand clapped on his shoulder, making him jump.
'Kakashi, it's me!' Fury's voice reverberated in the air, hitting him like a slap to the face.
'Fury?' He half-spluttered, spinning around hastily.
She dropped her hand guiltily. 'I'm sorry if I scared you, but I forgot to give you something.'
Bewildered, Kakashi gazed at the small bundle in her hand, which she held out to him shyly. He accepted it, unfurling it out to reveal a soft, baby-blue scarf. 'Fury…'
'I know it's very trivial at this time of year, but it reminded me so much of you when I saw it.' She explained in a rush. 'I-I hope you can bring it with you during your mission.'
Silence stretched out, tingeing the air with awkwardness. Kakashi looked slowly from the scarf to Fury, an unreadable look on his face. Then, he advanced towards her, holding out the scarf.
'I can't take this with me.' He said quietly. A crushed look appeared on her face, Fury bit her lip and reached out to take it back but he batted her away. 'It's too nice to wear on a mission, I might lose it. Here,' He looped the scarf around her neck. 'Why don't you keep it safe for me first?'
Fury stared at him. 'I thought you…'
'What? Hate it?' He grinned at her. 'I would never throw a gift from you back in your face.'
'So…you want it?' She asked, still looking unsure.
'Of course. I'll come back for it after my mission. And I'll come back for you too,' He murmured, one hand caressing her heated cheek gently and the other adjusting the scarf absent-mindedly.
Fury gave a sharp intake of breath, as if steeling herself. 'There's something else I want to give to you. You can't give this back.'
He perked up at her steely tone. 'Oh? What gift is that?'
For a second, Fury looked like she was having an internal struggle with herself, but before Kakashi could call out her name, she raised herself up by her toes. Surprised, he managed to pull himself together to prepare for her kiss. His arms caught her around the hips instinctively as their lips bumped. Her kiss was shy and careful, just as he had predicted. But he still enjoyed it immensely.
'Who says I can't give it back?' He said mockingly when she leaned back. He didn't wait for her to register his words before crashing his mouth roughly into hers, not bothering to control his strength at all.
When he finally released her, she nearly tumbled to the ground. Only his arms kept her from falling over. She gasped for air, wiping at her mouth weakly.
Kakashi shook his head. 'When I come back, we'll do this without my mask. I don't think I can hold back anymore if we kiss again.'
Fury paused. 'Really? You don't mind?'
He growled impatiently. 'You've earned your right to see me without my mask. Now I know that you truly do love me, I won't hold back, Fury.' With a final tone in his voice, Kakashi planted his last kiss on top of her head.
'You were testing me?' She took a step back, a hint of betrayal in her tone.
Kakashi shook his head hastily. 'It's not like that. You have to understand, Fury, I've met girls that were more interested in seducing me into showing my real face. I'm tired of that nonsense and I can't take any risks in shielding myself.' He explained, taking her wrist so that she wouldn't bolt away from him, which she looked like she might do any second.
Fury's eyes glazed over and she jerked her head forwards stiffly. 'That makes sense.' She said woodenly.
Sensing that she was still unconvinced, Kakashi decided to drop his guard completely. Why not? He was positive that she was the one for him, sooner or later, he would have to tell her all this. 'Fury, remember what you said when I told you that you were my girlfriend?' He began, treading as lightly as he could on his words. Despite his best to sound neutral, Fury still flinched at the memory of her mini breakdown.
'I had the same thoughts as you before that. I was sure that my past has set a future of hardships for me – I wouldn't be able to love and protect the people I care about because I didn't deserve such happiness.' He carried on. 'Because of this, I've set boundaries for myself that I've always been afraid to cross. I can't tell you how many times I've weighted our relationship so I wouldn't overstep those borders. Deep down, I know that what we have may not last but I can't bring myself to end this. Not being able to love you openly would tear me apart so I chose to accept you, consequences be damned.'
Kakashi paused and took a deep breath. Fury had listened patiently to his speech, to which he was relieved.
She opened her mouth to speak but stopped, shaking her head. 'Kakashi, I…I feel the same way too. Exactly the same.' She finally blurted out, clenching her hands into tight fists. 'Everything you just said, I truly understand what you're going through.'
He closed the distance between them. 'There's something else too,' He started in such a low voice that she had to lean in to hear him. 'Every time I spent the day with you, I feel myself getting happier with every second that passes. After all our dates, I swore that each one made me the luckiest person alive. Because I got the chance to love someone who might just love me back equally. So far, my luck has increased fivefold, from the five wonderful dates you gave me. '
'Oh Kakashi…' Her voice cracked as she folded herself into his chest. 'Thank you.'
'Thank you too,' He murmured into her hair. 'For coming into my life.'
They clung to each other under the shadows of the trees, both unwilling to be the first one to break the atmosphere. It was a while before the man finally came to and coaxed the girl to go home. She smiled warmly at him, unaware of how giddy and weak she made him, and waved goodbye reluctantly. He watched her back slowly disappear behind the door before leaving, wishing with all his heart that the end of his mission would come soon. He couldn't wait until their next date.
THE END