I will start with a big thank you to all those loyal reviewers who kept me motivated during this time. Give yourself a big random applause please. I can start with apologizing for my lack of motivation, my writer's block and the fact I was lagging inspiration, but I will spare you that and go on with the story.
Disclaimer: Still don't own Naruto, and to be honest I don't really want to.
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About two weeks have passed since Kakashi had escaped from Akatsuki, but still he was as tired as he was that very same day. He blamed himself mostly, not knowing why he felt weak, and talking himself down didn't do much good for his mood either. Gai had been so nice to take him in and take care of him, but all he was capable of was growling in frustration and annoyance whenever the Green Beast would show himself again.
Gai knew why he was frustrated; the Copy Ninja spend every waking moment with a bursting headache, not to mention the pain in the rest of his body. He was unable to relax, and those few times he was able to do so his muscles would cramp up and he would spend half an hour writhing in pain.
Medic Ninja had given medications and drugs for him to sleep, recover, against the pain and more of that worthless shit Kakashi found he didn't need.
Every night would be the same bullshit. Gain would mix some of the painkillers with his food, up till today CopyNin still had no clue he did so, so that when bedtime would come Kakashi would sleep until the next day.
He did do nothing much to keep himself busy. He could just stare at the ground, walls or ceiling whenever he wanted, could do so, in fact, for hours. The silence gave him something to think about, even though his thoughts were just blurry hazes filled with absolutely nothing. That didn't matter either, because he would forget whatever he was thinking about rather fast anyway.
Time had no grip on Kakashi anymore, in the morning Gai would leave to train his team, and when the Green Beast returned he would find Kakashi on the exact same spot he had left him, sometimes even in the same position. Nothing of that mattered, only that Gai had to be home in time. Because Kakashi was afraid of being alone in the dark.
Today, was an exception…
"Are you hungry?" Gai asked when he entered the living room late this time of day. Sun had started to set, already low at the horizon. One single eye was moved to him filled with frustration ad a hint of fear. The angst disappeared, and Kakashi forced himself to smile a greeting.
Only then Gai found the plate of food h had prepared for Kakashi in the morning, undisturbed on the table next to the silver haired man.
"I'm not hungry." Even talking was a pain.
"I'll make you something later then. I'm going to shower." With a thumbs up Gai left Kakashi alone as he disappeared once more. With the silence came thoughts, and as Kakashi stared outside the window, to the retreating sun. What seemed like hours went on in minutes. Clouds were gathering, raindrops starting to fall. As Kakashi looked down, four stores down from Gai's apartment, he sandy ground started taking the water in, but not too long after the rain was pouring, big drops satisfying the ground and water already forming puddles.
No life could be seen on the streets of the city of Leaf, but movement was everywhere. Most of it going down vertically, this little bit of knowledge satisfying the Copy Ninja as he kept looking around. The sounds of rain were soothing. Another presence could be felt in the room, and Kakashi turned to face Gai, for the first time, he didn't growl or snarl, no damming looks or hateful glares. The Green Beast sat himself by the younger male, a smile wide on his face. His companion was finally relaxed around him once more, as he used to be years ago.
They watched the rain fall down together, enjoying each other's company. Sounds of rain, everything falling, the curtain of drops…
Until Kakashi realized Gai had left. He wondered if his companion was even with him a few moments ago. He relaxed, his muscles not cramping up like they used to. A window was opened by just a crack, but the sounds were clear to Kakashi now, more then ever. He was calm, until he could hear footsteps on the street.
A poor soul stuck in this rain, already soaked to the bone. Kakashi watched the figure as it came closer; realizing the face of the person was as black as the robe it wore. Time passed as the figure kept walking; as it came closer the steps became louder, yet unable to over rule the sounds of rain. And as the figure walked away, so did the steps die out until Kakashi was left alone once more.
The Copy Ninja looked up once more, the roof of the building across the street was also soothed with water, already having enough. Water was falling down the rim of the roof like a waterfall; the silver haired one kept staring until something else demanded his attention.
A black stain was creeping slowly over the window. The form became that of a young male, completely black but still very clear to the eye. All this time Kakashi dared not to move, until two Sharingan eyes opened and he fell back, onto the floor and unconscious.
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Thank you all again for reading this. It is time I start adding a little romance as well. Stay tuned…
Critics are welcomed, reported mistakes are cool, flames are used to keep me warm and a review is always appreciated.
