Chapter 4

Kakashi groaned, as he tried to find a more comfortable position in the uncomfortable chair he was sitting in, as he lazily turned the page of the book he was reading, glancing out the window of the hospital room he was sitting in. The city looked almost like a deserted area, It was about dinner time and everyone was home with their families, everyone except him.

He sighed, his head turning towards the beeping machine that ringed close to his ears, and his eyes fell on the seemingly relaxed face of Shisui Uchiha, laying in his hospital bed, only the shadow, of the man he used to be.

His tousled black curls, had grown and were now sprawled underneath his head like a crown. his face was paler, and it had thinned out, as the rest of his body, making it look more angular, in place of the rounded healthier shape it had been. The round cheeks that once filled his face, were no more, and even his fingers, that were lying limp along his body, over the covers, looked slimmer than he remembered. He was skin and bones, and if not for the mask that covered his face to help him breathe, Kakashi would say he was looking at a corpse, because that body didn't look like it belonged to a living man, if the state Shisui was in could be considered life. He was in a deep comatose state, with no cognition of what happened around him, and doctors had given close to zero chances he could wake up, and had tried to convince his young wife to disconnect the machine that helped him breathe, but to no avail. She still had hope, and Kakashi admired her determination.

The grey haired man's fingers, trailed the high cheekbones, tracing the lines of the plastic mask, feeling the soft smooth skin under his fingertips and he allowed a small nostalgic smile to pass on his lips. Shisui had always been a handsome man, and though Kakashi never held romantic feelings towards him, couldn't help but admire the delicate features, and pass his fingers through his black curls, avoiding the damaged area that was still covered with bandages, covering the wound left by the bullet that had hit him, the other being in his high abdomen, covered by the white pristine sheets.

"I don't know why I keep doing this to myself…" he murmured, resting a hand under his face, tilting it a little bit, he wasn't sure Shisui could hear him, and some part of his mind, hoped he couldn't because he wasn't proud of the confessions he made within the small hospital room, and he knew the other man would probably share the sentiment, although Shisui was never a judgemental person.

Kakashi wasn't a very talkative person, but whenever he walked into Shisui's room, he felt the need to pour his soul out, revealing things and feelings he would never tell. He was bearing so much pain, he just didn't know where to turn anymore, or how to let it out, and so, he had started to visit Shisui more than usual, and spent most of his free hours in the quiet of the hospital, especially when he knew nobody else would be there.

Tenzo didn't understand, and he was sick of reading sympathy in other people' s eyes once they found out about his troubled past, so this was the only place he knew he wouldn't be judged and it gave him some comfort to see Shisui was still there somehow, fighting for his life.

"I guess, I blame myself for what happened to you, and I don't know where to turn anymore to find who did this to you. Every proof I collect, leads down to Itachi, and I can't help wonder if I did the right choice letting him go that night"

He sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out another deep breath. Kakashi's life was filled with regrets, the suicide of his father, the death of his teacher that had been like a father figure to him, the deaths of his two best friends, and now Shisui and Itachi, with the exception that the latter was still alive somewhere, although it didn't give him any comfort, since he hadn't heard anything about him in the last four years except for his affiliation with Akatsuki, a criminal organization that was up to no good, but that the police could not do anything against, since they never found enough proof to incriminate them for their minor crimes, and it's members had a keen habit of disappearing.

"I know you would say it wasn't my fault, you were always too kind with me. You would smile, and you would talk me out of my depression with that gentle tone it belonged to you only. But I don't think you would be able to convince me this time, Shisui."

Another sigh, as he finally put the book down, leaning his elbows on his legs, throwing his face in his hands, in a silent desperate gesture. His eyes glistened, but he couldn't shed tears, he didn't have the strength to cry anymore.

"Itachi…I couldn't protect him like you asked me to. He became a rogue agent and refuses any contact. He went down the wrong road, and I couldn't prevent it. I know you would be disappointed if you could witness all the shit that went down after the shooting…" he trailed off, not feeling like reliving such moments, knowing that what had happened with Itachi, was just another one of his failures.

His dark eyes fell on his shoes, as he studied the plain white tiles of the hospital floor in silence. The continuous beeping of the machines and Kakashi's breathing were the only sounds that could be heard in the darkening room.

A nurse opened the door, sending Kakashi a curious glance as she hurried towards the bed, checking the machines scribbling something in a folder next to the bed, and Kakashi took it as his cue to leave and picked up his book, and with a last glance at the Uchiha, left the room silently, closing the door behind him, walking in the hallway illuminated by cold neon lights, avoiding the few people that crossed his path, as he slowly reached the exit, his mind in a whirl of thoughts, he almost didn't hear someone calling and running towards him.

"officer Hatake!"

He raised his gaze, finally meeting the friendly one of Hana Uchiha. She walked up to him, a blanket folded in her hands as well as a bag on her shoulder, her brown eyes were warm, exactly like Shisui's had been.

"Hana, I told you so many times to drop the formalities, just call me Kakashi" he said softly. He could barely look at her in the eye, he felt like he wasn't worthy to do so, not after all that she had gone through, and that he blamed upon himself. She was too kind to him, exactly like all the others.

"You're Shisui's superior, I could never adress you so informally"

She explained with a smile. She was really a strong woman, and he admired her devotion towards her husband, but it was evident it was taking it's toll on her already frail body.

Her face was paler and thinner, with dark lines under her eyes, her hair was cut short, because she barely had the time to care for her appearance, and she was awfully thin, he feared she might break in front of him.

"Well I guess you can't be persuaded then, at least let this old man offer you a cup of tea" he offered kindly slipping his book in his jacket, if nothing, he would make sure she ate something, he knew that she neglected herself, and that she skipped meals more often then she admitted. He had learnt that from the girl's mother, who was a trainer in the police's cynophilic unit.

Hana herself didn't work in the forces, she had studied to become a vet, and had her own animal clinic in Konoha, although she was neglecting her job as well, other than just herself and the practice wasn't really earning her much money.

"Sure, why not" she accepted with a nod, fixing the bag on her shoulders, and Kakashi raised a brow at the thing.

"The hospital's cafeteria makes good enough tea, I wouldn't suggest having dinner there though, believe me, it's exactly like they say. Hospital food sucks"

Hana explained, and the grey haired man nodded in understanding, allowing her to guide him towards the hospital again, and after placing their orders at the counter, where the woman working there called Hana by her name, they sat down in the most remote angle of the cafeteria, facing each other.

"So, how have you been doing?" Kakashi asked, resting his arms on the small metal table, his hands clasping together, as he studied her face with his mismatched eyes, his only visible feature, since he liked to cover his face with a scarf, or a mask. It was an habit he had picked up when he worked as an undercover agent.

"I'm fine" she smiled, but to the man it looked fake. He rested his head on his hand, peering at her face from under his lashes.

"I want the true answer, not the one you give to everyone to reassure them"

Her breath hitched, and she almost dropped the fuming cup of tea she was holding, she didn't expect for him to be so blunt. She wiped a stray tear that rolled down her cheek, trying to not break down in front of the man.

"I…I am doing my best…" her voice was unsure, and it almost broke down, trembling at the end. It was obvious his question had upset her a bit, she looked distraught, and her eyes avoided his inspecting gaze.

"But…it's so hard sometimes…" she looked so broken, that Kakashi felt the need to lean a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I know it is." He said with a soothing voice. He wasn't usually very good at comforting people, but he at least wanted to try and make the woman feel better.

Hana, gripped the cup tightly, her shoulders shaking slightly, as she tried to keep hold on her emotions, it was very rare for her to let them slip. It was the reason she tried to keep herself busy most of the time, and she kept up a façade to trick everyone into thinking she was doing fine. She didn't want people to worry about her, and up to that moment, only Kakashi had seen under her mask. Maybe because he was just as broken as she was.

She sniffed a little bit slumping her shoulders down. It had been as if a big weight was placed upon her.

"I miss him… so much. I spend days in his room waiting and hoping that he will wake up. Every day that goes by it's excruciatingly long and the more time goes by, the more I fear he won't wake up. What am I going to do then? The thing that had me going up to this moment, was the hope he would wake up…what am I going to do when he's gone?"

Kakashi's eyes widened, and he leaned against the edge of the table with his chest, his hands immediately clasping with hers.

"Don't lose hope, he might still-" but was interrupted by her shaking her head. He knew the chances were veru thin…but still..

"I…I spoke with the doctors they said I…I should get prepared…" she stifled back a sob, and the grey haired man felt his own eyes get shiny with tears. Up to that moment he had tried to convince himself that Shisui would make it, but now, it seemed like that hope was shattering, and he found himself at a loss of words, feeling the guilt and remorse for not being able to catch however had done this to the Uchiha.

"It isn't fair you know, sometimes I think it just isn't fair. He was such a gentle person, so loving and caring. He didn't deserve all this. We had all our life ahead of us, together. I wanted to grow old with him by my side, and know…the life I imagined, everything is just falling to pieces… I lost our baby…and know I'm losing him" she was a sobbing mess by now, Kakashi just gripped her shoulders tighter.

"I was two and a half months pregnant, did you know that? When it happened, I had planned on telling Shisui on his birthday…I lost it due to all the stress…and Shisui will never know"

Kakashi felt another pang of guilt stab at his heart, he hadn't know about it, and he looked away from her, unable to hold his gaze on her.

"I never blamed you for what happened. No one does, I know you are doing your best. I appreciate that you still come and see him, you're the only one from the district that visits him still"

She smiled weakly, and he felt a little lighter, although the weight he still carried,

"Hana…I want you to know, I will find the person that did this to you" he promised, a hard expression on his face, as he sat there, holding her hands in his in comfort , until the cell phone he used for work rang, and he had to let go as he fished for it in his pants.

"Hatake" he answered simply, looking away from Hana's puffy eyes.

"Hatake, it's chief Uchiha, mayor Sarutobi has summoned an urgent meeting. I need you to be here in ten minutes" the gruff voice of Fugaku sounded solemn and he feared something bad had happened, but he didn't have time to ask, Fugaku disconnected the call before he could do so.

"Is everything all right?" Hana asked raising her head, wiping the tears away with her sleeve, suddenly concerned for the reason he might have been called, hoping it was nothing serious. Since the event that had changed her life, she couldn't even bare to listen to the news, and hated to think that someone else might be living the same nightmare as her.

"It seems there is an emergency. I'm sorry I have to leave, we didn't even get to finish our tea" he apologized, putting his phone back in his pocket as he stood up from his chair.

"Don't worry I understand. I should go see Shisui now anyway" she reassured him with a small smile, standing from her place as well, picking up the huge bag, getting ready to leave, the tea barely touched.

He nodded in understanding, although secretly concerned, since she hadn't had anything to eat, and he was sure she wouldn't leave Shisui's side to eat later. She was surely going to skip dinner. He knew she was afraid to leave her husband's room once she was there, afraid something might happen while she was gone.

Maybe he should ask someone to deliver something to her later.

"Hana…this is my phone number, if you ever need to talk or just vent, just know that you can rely on me" He awkwardly handed her one of his cards, it was the ones he usually gave to victims of crimes he was investigating on, in case they had information, so he always carried a bunch of them along. He didn't know if she would actually call him and take him up on his offer, but he wanted her to know she could rely on him.

"Thank you officer-"

"Mah...Come on, you can call me Kakashi, I will take offence if you call me officer Hatake ever again" he interrupted her, shrugging off the odd feeling that swell in his chest every time someone called him like that. It always brought back unwelcomed memories of his father, that was the former officer Hatake.

"O-ok I will" she mumbled, feeling a little uncertain. It felt odd talking to him so casually, despite having just spilled her heart out to the man, before they had never been that close, but now, she relished in all the comfort she could get, to overcome her grief, and another friendly ear to bear the burden was just as welcomed as any other little act of kindness for her.

The grey haired man nodded, before turning on his heels and waving his hand at her as he walked off with a quick pace.

He had another person to worry about now, he knew the phone call to Tenzo to warn him he was running late, would probably turn into a nasty affair, since he was already running two hours late, and his boyfriend lately had been suspicious about his whereabouts. Rightly so, since he never told him where he did pass his time. He sighed, pressing the call button, preparing himself for the umpteenth fight between them.

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Naruko sighed as she left her bathroom after taking a quick shower and getting ready for another evening at work, she entered the living room where she was welcomed by a frowning Sasuke sitting on her couch, glaring daggers at Kurama, that was quietly licking one of his paws next to him on the sofa.

It seemed like the cat knew just how much the Uchiha despised him and irritated him on purpose, since every time he was there he would always sit next to him, fall asleep against him or try and file his nails on his jeans, ending up scratching him in the process.

At the moment, she could actually understand Kurama's annoyance towards the Uchiha; for, he was actually starting to grate on her worn out nerves too, since he had apparently decided to stay there and follow her to work. She didn't understand why he would even want to, since he always refused to set a foot inside the premise, declaring it was not a place for dignified people like he was. She didn't know what the hell he meant, but decided to shrug it off, she had other problems to deal with, that had nothing to do with Sasuke and his ego.

"You annoying ball of fur" she heard him mutter, and she suffocated a snort at the typical scene, deciding to ignore him, and, as she passed by him, she failed to notice the Uchiha's eyes widening once he caught sight of her, and how she was dressed with her typical uniform, as she liked to call it and that it consisted in a black tank top that showed her midriff completely, her black belly tattoo completely exposed, tight jeans shorts that stopped mid thigh and a pair of orange and black sneakers, that were comfortable since she had to stand and walk around all night, her face was free of make up as usual, and her blonde hair was tied in a simple ponytail, her bangs falling freely in front of her forehead, barely covering her bright blue eyes.

"Teme, are you really sure you want to come with me at Kubikiriocho?"

She casually asked, taking her cat away from Sasuke's lap, before he could actually consider killing it, and stroking his fur for a minute, before releasing it watching as he went to hide, probably under her bed, one of his favorite spots when her black haired friend was around.

Sasuke took that as the right moment to ask what he had been wanting to since she had walked in the living room.

"Where do you think you're going dressed like that, stupid dobe?"

Naruko turned around, puzzled by his low and angry voice, she didn't expect that kind of reaction from him. Blue eyes met his black irritated ones, and she immediately felt like switching in her defensive mode.

"What the hell teme, this is my uniform!" she screeched, her hands on her hips, as she glared back at him with a raised brow, not understanding what the big deal was about. They were just clothes to her, they didn't

"That can barely be called a uniform! You look like a cheap whore dobe!"

The Uchiha raised his voice crossing his arms on his chest, like he always did when he was getting angry, the infamous Uchiha glare in full force, but Naruko didn't back down, she was used to it and it didn't have any effect on her.

"Like a what? Damn Teme! Why does it even bother you? Are you and Sakura the fashion police now, other than my bodyguards and babysitters?"

Sasuke scoffed at that, his face turning to look at something else, he was losing ground, and she knew it.

"What the hell are you talking about, Usuratonkachi?"

"You think I don't know that Sakura is behind all this! She wants you to keep your eyes on me, and when you can't do it, she's the one attached to my hip! What the hell is wrong with you guys! Do you think I can't make it on my own?"

Now she was angry, and the Uchiha knew he had to back down if he wished to get out of the fight in one piece, but his damn pride wouldn't let him stand down to the damn hysterical girl.

"You don't understand don't you? You prefer to humiliate yourself in front of a bunch of perverts instead than letting me and my family help you! Why do you think it bothers me so much? This…this place is not for you!"

He widened his hands, indicating the house and everything that was linked to it.

"Hey, I'm not a fucking stripper working in a club or something, and Kubikiri is not a place full of perverts"

"Really? Then why the revealing clothes?"

"Listen stupid Teme, I need this job so I don't care, if Haku tells me to put on a hat made of fruit all evening I will! So spare me your moralistic thoughts and live with it!"

Sasuke scowled, he was very aware of the dobe's reasoning and he knew, just like Sakura, that there was no way in hell she would change her mind.

Naruko huffed, it was a good thing she could read him so well, or she might end up killing him, she wasn't so dense when it came to Sasuke Uchiha. She had a talent in interpreting his twisted personality, and knew exactly who was the cause of his anger.

"I know you have something else nagging at you, and I know why, but you don't need to worry about me! I know how to defend myself, and, if I ever meet that brother of yours, I'm going to definitely kick his sorry ass!"

The Uchiha's lips quirked upwards against his will, he would actually pay to see her do it, but he knew it wouldn't help him with his own anger towards Itachi. He hated him, and he wanted to make him pay for what he made him and their family go through. He hated to see his mother crying whenever Itachi's name was brought up, just as much as he hated her for being so forgiving. She was the only one in the family that truly believed he was innocent, and was waiting for her son with open arms. She believed he had other reasons for leaving so abruptly while his father deemed his brother a wortess criminal, who didn't deserve her tears. It was tearing the family apart, and he hated it.

It was hard for Sasuke to accept. Since he was a child, he had looked up to his brother as an example to follow. He had wanted to be just like him, and constantly seeked for nothing else but his attention and approval, and now that he was gone, he felt abandoned and confused, and that added up to the anger and shame of ruining their family name. He noticed how people looked at him, and he couldn't help but resent it, he wasn't the one with the hands stained with blood, but still, everyone looked at them as if they were dirt.

"As if I'd let you, I will be the one to deal with Itachi"

Naruko rolled her eyes, she had been hearing the same thing for years, so she was used to it. Not that she didn't agree with him, she personally wanted to kick Itachi's ass for what her friend had been going through, although she didn't know him and had never met him, she felt a burning hate for the man.

"Fine, you take all the glory teme, but now I really have to get to work, so forget about that ass hole for tonight and come with me, I will treat you to dinner" she grinned, aware that the black haired teen had sophisticated tastes and would never stoop so low as to actually have a meal at Kubikiriocho.

Sasuke snorted, his face in a grimace of disgust as he sat up from the couch, looking for his car keys.

"As if I'd dare to eat something that was made in that shit hole"

Naruko took out a little left over tuna from her fridge, putting it into Kurama's bowl, knowing he would come out and eat it when he felt like it, probably when he was sure Sasuke was gone.

They headed out together, Naruko closing the door behind her, when Sasuke stopped in his tracks, as a thought came to his mind.

"Thinking about your clothes, I think that guy we met earlier wouldn't mind seeing you like this" he smirked at Naruko's blushing face, flicking his keys around his index finger with satisfaction, ignoring the fuming girl walking behind him.

"Shut up bastard!"

When they got to Kubikiriocho, they found Haku that was listlessly turning the pages of a magazine, humming a soft tune , his elbows on the counter holding his head up, he was enjoying the quiet before the customers rushed in for dinner, and for the nightly entertainment.

Naruko was also glad for that, that way she had some time to go and snatch something from the kitchen, where hopefully Juugo had already something ready, because she was starving, before doing so though, she went to meet her boss, ignoring his usual eccentric attire.

"Hey Haku! Whatcha doin?" she greeted the brunette, that raised a hand wavong it slightly at the girl, not bothering to raise his eyes to look at her. He did notice someone sitting in one of the stools though and that made him curious, forcing him to look in his direction, blinking at the boy's appearance, and he turned to look at Naruko, who was busy wearing her tiny apron, on the other side of the counter.

"Friend of yours?" he asked raising a brow, The boy did look a little out of place there, and curiously enough, he reminded Haku of someone else that occasionally walked into the bar, and that had the same aloof presence, and shared the same attractive dark look, he briefly wondered if they were related, because that kind of delicate beauty was rare.

Naruko grinned, and soon walked back to the man, a little annoyed that she couldn't sneak in the kitchen yet, meaning her appetite had to wait a while longer.

"Yeah, that's Sasuke Teme" she introduced him, and Sasuke rolled his eyes at her hearing the stupid nickname.

"Dobe…" he growled lowly, but Naruko ignored him. He didn't know why she had to introduce him as Teme to everyone she met. Haku though, didn't pay any mind to their brief exchange, he was concentrated on his face, his brown eyes studying him shamelessly for a couple of minutes, making Sasuke uncomfortable. He didn't understand the man's interest in him.

The feminie looking man, made a small cheeky smile, as if he had figured something out, as he flicked his long hair back.

"Ah I see, he looks familiar" Haku shrugged, and the Uchiha tensed, immediately connecting the reason the other man had been staring at him, the only one that still hadn't realized was Naruko, that was staring at the two with a confused expression.

"Familiar you say?" she wondered, a finger on her chin as she stared at Sasuke with narrow eyes, as if trying to unlock one of the world's biggest secrets.

"You really are an idiot" Sasuke, gritted his teeth at the girl's slow witted brain, that had still to catch the obvious hint the other had dropped.

"Eh, Haku always speaks in an incomprehensible way" she shrugged it off, and the Uchiha decided against smashing her head on the counter, and directed his attention at the brown haired man, that now looked more interested in him than before.

"So, I take it you met my brother" Sasuke's voice was low and it was obvious for the blonde, that knew him well, that he was trying to suppress his anger.

"What do you- ah!" Naruko gasped, her hand shooting to cover her mouth, as she knew it was hanging open, and it didn't give her a very bright appearance. Her blue orbs widened as she caught some movement coming from the door, and looked behind Sasuke, that was still facing her and looking at her with a raised brow, taking in a newly entered customer, that made her finally realize what Haku meant.

"No way!" was her first thought, when she took in the man's appearance. He was tall, and with a lean body, although it was covered by a pair of dark ripped jeans and a black leather jacket, that was barely left open near his neck, of course that wasn't what caught the girl's attention, she was more concentrating on his face, and she was surprised at how similar to Sasuke's his features were. The same endless black eyes, the same thin lips and pale complexion, but where the younger's face was still rounder and puffier, the other's was sharper and thinner with higher cheekbones and dark lines under his eyes, that could be due to lack of sleep.

His hair was also longer, tied in a neat low ponytail with shorter bangs that fell freely on his face. It was impossible, to not recognize who he was.

"Dobe? Are you all right? Looks like you've seen a ghost"

Sasuke furrowed his brows at her distraught expression, turning his head to check what had caught her attention.

He froze when his black eyes clashed with a very similar pair of dark ones. Sasuke hadn't seen those eyes for four years, now, and he felt his blood boil.

"You…" he muttered, standing up from the stool, hands turning into fists.

"Long time no see, little brother"

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Authot's note:

Hello everyone!

I'm sorry for the long wait, I had some problems on my computer, but I hopefully solved the, I will keep my fingers crossed.

I hope you like thie chapter, I was a little unsure of the ending but it felt right to stop it there, so let me know what you think!