Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto; it's owned by the amazing Masashi Kishimoto!
Warning: This may have some mild shounen-ai elements; definitely nothing explicit. This is rated T after all.
The Crying Kamui
Chapter 5
A tense atmosphere surrounded the four men as the Konoha shinobi took Haruka back to his humble house. The injured man made the effort to have a light conversation during the arduous walk. Fortunately, although Kakashi was in no mood to indulge him, Lee and Yamato did their very best to help Haruka salvage his dignity by carrying on light conversations with him.
Tense silence reigned once more when they finally entered the house, Kakashi immediately steered Haruka towards the centre of the living area and ordered him to sit down. Haruka obediently did as he was told as Yamato went to fetch Todou while Lee took a medical kit out of his own bag.
To diffuse the heavy air, Haruka chuckled lightly. "I didn't know that Sharingan no Kakashi is the type of person to be gruff when worried."
Kakashi simply ignored his words before kneeling in front of the injured man and gently brushing his mud and gunk-covered hair away from his shut eye.
"Try to open it if you can," he ordered in a low voice. "We have to clean it or it might get infected. We don't want you losing your eye."
Haruka hissed as his eyelid slowly fluttered open. The eye was an angry red and there was some debris that dirtied it. But all in all, it wasn't as bad as Kakashi first thought it would be. He then began methodically cleaning Haruka's face so that nothing else would get into the long-haired man's eye.
"I was able to close it quickly," Haruka said with a grin despite his twitching eye. "I am a shinobi after all!" Then his grin fell away as he frowned. "Actually, I have no right to say that. I should've been able to dodge a child's a throw. But it was a very good throw," Haruka added in a sulking tone.
Kakashi was well aware that Haruka was trying his best to lighten their moods once more. Unfortunately for him, Kakashi was taking none of it. What happened was serious and needed answers.
Why do the citizens of Amegakure no Sato fear a seemingly gentle and caring man?
After Kakashi finished cleaning Haruka's face, his gaze shifted to the other man's hair. "I think there's also gum in your hair, Haruka-san." –besides the mud, twigs and small pebbles. What a dirty ground Amegakure no Sato had. Since it was a highly industrialized city, Kakashi thought they would have cemented roads and streets.
Lee silently handed the cleaning solution to Kakashi, who administered a few drops on Haruka's right eye. The Tokubetsu Jounin went around Haruka and tried to clean the mess his long hair had become.
"I think you might have to cut it short, Haruka-san," Lee said forlornly as he tried to pry the thick mud and gum out of Haruka's hair. "Unless you'd rather cut just the strands that have gum on it? But that might make your hair look odd I think since-"
"Cut it, huh?" Haruka murmured softly. A sad smile formed on his face and a mix of emotions was reflected on his expressive face. One was definitely sorrow; another...
Resignation?
All that just because of hair?
Haruka was quiet for a moment while the three Konoha nin waited patiently.
"All right," Haruka finally complied. Then he grinned at Kakashi, "Will you please do me the honour, Kakashi-sama?"
Kakashi blinked his eye. "Me?"
A tight smile crossed over Haruka's face. "Lee-san, can you please fetch the scissors in the kitchen cabinet? The last one on the right, please."
"I shall do my best to find it!" Lee exclaimed with a salute before rushing off to the kitchen.
Haruka leaned forward towards Kakashi with a guilty look.
"I don't want Lee-san's haircut."
A small chuckle escaped Kakashi before he could stop himself. Haruka's face instantly brightened as he grinned at the older man. Kakashi felt warmth creep up his own face.
Damn it... Was he...
Blushing?
"That's the closest I've ever come to hearing you laugh, Kakashi-sama," Haruka said cheerfully despite the fact he was still covered in muck and his eye was still dirty and an unsettling red.
"I've got it, Haruka-san!" Lee exclaimed as he thrust the scissors' handle towards Kakashi.
The Jounin sighed before going around Haruka and then sitting behind him.
"Please make it nice and even, Kakashi-sama," Haruka said cheekily with a grin as he pointedly looked at Kakashi's uneven hair.
Smirking, Kakashi leaned forward and, being mindful of Lee's presence, whispered lowly at Haruka's ear. "As even as Lee's?"
The look of horror that passed on the younger man's face made Kakashi's smirk widen. Then the sheepish smile that followed turned Kakashi's smirk into a genuine, albeit small, smile.
"Ameko, what do you think you're doing?"
The beautiful yet rough kunoichi rolled her eyes. "I already told 'ye – we're gonna get some supplies!"
"You know that's not the answer to the question I'm asking you."
Ameko immediately stopped walking, her eyes hooded by her dark hair. She knew without turning around that Kaiten was looking down at her with cold eyes.
We can't forever be selfish, Kaiten, Ameko thought sadly as he grip on Kaiten's wrist tightened. You should have realized that by now...
"Answer me, Ameko."
No... It's not that you don't know it yet...
"If you're not going to, then fucking let go of me so I can go back to Haruka!"
Rather, you can't accept it.
Forcing an annoyed look on her face, Ameko spun around and glared at him.
"You're smothering the poor guy!" she yelled at Kaiten. "Do you want to be hated?"
Kaiten looked taken-aback by what she said. "What do you mean?"
"You have to allow the guy room to breathe or he'll hate you!" Ameko said with an exasperated groan. "Don't you know anything? Sensitive people like Haruka need to be treated delicately! He's like... like... like a flower!"
Ameko inwardly cringed. Haruka's going to kill me if he ever hears about this!
Kaiten just looked absolutely puzzled. "A flower?" he asked, his head involuntarily tilting to the side in his confusion.
"Y-yeah..." This time, she actually did cringe. "Erm... H-He needs the proper amount of water and sunlight!" Really, Ameko? REALLY? "And, um, oh yeah! If you give him too much water, he'll drown! And if you give him too much sunlight, he'll wither! So you have to do a balancing act!"
Okay, Haruka'd probably laugh at me first before killing me! What is this crap?
Kaiten just gave her a droll stare. "Is this another version of the 'birds and the bees' that I don't know about?"
Ameko wondered if there was a word lower than 'idiot' to better describe Kaiten...
"NO!" she yelled, resisting the urge to pound his face in the mud for his idiocy. She should count her blessings – he's actually eating her shit! "I'm saying that your hovering around and hanging onto Haruka is like giving a flower too much water or too much sunlight!"
"Ah!" Kaiten exclaimed as he thumped his fist on his palm as he finally – finally – understood what she was getting at. But then he waved her off.
"But that's non-sense! Haruka loves being around me."
Ameko started cracking her knuckles in preparation for one of her ultra punches when she decided against it.
After all, she was able to deflect Kaiten's question.
Just for a little bit more, she thought as she continued to drag Kaiten with her to the shinobi supplies stores.
Yeah... Just for a tiny bit more.
"I can feel a breeze against my nape!" Haruka exclaimed in delight as he ruffled his newly shortened hair once more.
"Stop moving, Haruka," Todou ordered as he disinfected the last of Haruka's little cuts. "You're lucky I didn't accidentally jab you in the eye while I was cleaning it."
Haruka grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, Todou. It's just that my head feels so light." He then looked over Todou's shoulder at Kakashi. "You're talented even in cutting hair, Kakashi-sama. I never thought I would get such a nice haircut in less than ten minutes!"
Kakashi shrugged. "Maa, it was simple since it was just a straight cut. I didn't have to style it or anything."
Haruka took a few strands of his hair and peered at them. "You mean you also know how to style hair?"
Before Kakashi knew what he was doing, his hand was already patting Haruka's head.
"This cut suits you."
Haruka smiled and he looked younger after having his hair cut. His dark hair was now chin-length and his dark eyes were more visible and drew greater attention. Along with his boyish smile, this Haruka was quite a sight to behold.
At least, to Kakashi.
"You should be good as new," Todou announced after standing up. "Now let me check on you, Kakashi-san."
Haruka's smile dropped and he looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, Kakashi-sama. I can't believe I forgot about your muscles and forced you to move this much."
Kakashi waved his apology off. "There is no need for apologies, Haruka. The fact that you forgot simply means that I am healing spectacularly."
Todou nodded as he inspected Kakashi's legs, arms, torso and eye. "You are looking much better – better than what I expected at this stage. I am very impressed, Kakashi-san."
"As expected from Kakashi-sensei!" Lee exclaimed while Yamato looked relieved at the news. Haruka stood up and dusted a bit of hair off of his shoulders.
"I'll go and make dinner now."
"Let us help," Yamato immediately offered as he too stood up and headed towards the kitchen while Lee followed. Haruka grinned as they passed him then stopped in front of the mirror hanging on the wall near the exit of the living area.
Again, that bittersweet smile crossed his face as Kakashi watched from his place on the floor.
"Is it that sad to say good-bye to your long hair?"
Haruka turned to him, the smile becoming wry. "No, not really. It's been at least three years since I had my hair cut and I kept on growing it for the sake of a friend. I'm just wondering how he'd react."
Friend? 'He'? Kakashi thought. Then a face flashed in his mind – one that looked identical to the only face that could freeze his blood in solid rage. Could he be talking about that guy? Kaiten?
Haruka sighed then squared his shoulders and tried to be up-beat. "Well, he just has to get used to it!" He grinned at Kakashi. "Now please excuse me, Kakashi-sama, as I prepare dinner. Todou, you're eating here, all right?"
"All right," Todou agreed as he carefully packed his medical supplies back into his kit. "And Haruka?"
Haruka immediately stopped and looked over his shoulder at the giant questioningly.
Without shifting his attention from the bandages he was putting away, Todou said, "If he makes a fuss, I'll knock some sense into him."
Haruka stared at him for a moment before nodding. "Thank you, Todou."
The giant just nodded then went to a corner of the living area and promptly closed his eyes. In a few seconds, his breathing became even and regular, signalling that he was asleep. Haruka smiled fondly at him before looking at Kakashi.
"He's been busy getting everything in the hospital settled and equipped while he is away," Haruka explained. "You're getting much better very quickly Kakashi-san. You might actually leave earlier than expected." He then gave him a final grin before disappearing into the kitchen.
That's true, Kakashi mused as he stared at the spot where Haruka had been standing. Then I probably won't see Haruka for a long time.
And although he wasn't quite sure of the reason yet, his heart lurched at the thought.
Will I miss him because I am genuinely fond of him? Or will I hate leaving him because I will no longer have a warm, breathing, living person to remind me of him?
Is it Haruka I will miss? Or...
Is it Iruka?
"I'm looking for a specific word," Kaiten drawled casually. "It's a word for something useful – something vital and important. Actually, make that several somethings. And guess what! This something begins with an 's' too! It's just escaping me right now... Se- no. Sa- no. So- no, wait, I'm getting closer. Su- Ah, yes! Supplies! No, why was I searching for it again? Ah, yes, yes. Tell me, Ameko... WHY THE HELL ARE WE HEADED HOME EMPTY-HANDED EXCEPT FOR A BAG FULL OF NIKUMAN?"
Ameko looked completely unperturbed as she munched on her meat bun. "'Coz they're absolutely delicious, that's why."
Kaiten glared fiercely at her. "Then what the hell happened to that shit about yanking me away from Haruka to go get supplies?"
Ameko just shrugged. "It's not my fault the store was closed."
Kaiten could feel several veins throbbing viciously at his temples. "We would've made it in time if YOU HADN'T STOPPED TO TASTE EVERY POSSIBLE FLAVOUR OF MEAT BUN IN THAT NEW STORE!"
"No need 'ta yell at me," Ameko grumped. Her eyes then lit up as realization hit her. "Ah, you want one, don't ya? Why didn't you just say so?"
"NO I DON'T WANT A FREAKING MEAT BUN! I WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU DRAGGED ME AWAY FROM- MMMPPHHH!"
Ameko stuffed one of the larger buns in his widely open mouth. Kaiten growled at her but chewed the meat bun carefully to Ameko's satisfaction.
"We're almost home, twit," Ameko said as she continued walking. Haruka's house was already visible.
"..."
Ah, a quiet Kaiten was always the best Kaiten to be in company with.
Although she was calm and cool on the outside, Ameko was inwardly worried. How did the people react to Haruka being at the heart of the village without her, Kaiten or Todou? She sincerely hope that everything went smoothly and that Haruka was all right.
"We're here!" she announced as she approached the door with Kaiten right beside her. They both heard Lee enthusiastically declare, "I shall Youthfully get the Door!"
The door slid open widely and they were met with the sight of a widely grinning Tokubetsu Jounin.
"Welcome back, Ameko-san and Kaiten-san! We are nearly finished with our dinner preparations! We are just finishing up on the Presentation of our Blooming Hard Work! It will hopefully be Nutritious while at the same time Dance upon your Youthful Taste Buds!"
Ameko smiled. "We're lookin' forward to it."
"Welcome home, Ameko, Kaiten," Haruka's voice said merrily.
Ameko didn't see the reason immediately since Lee was standing right in front of her but without warning, Kaiten disappeared from her side and the sound of a body hitting the wall resounded in a suddenly quiet room.
It was the calm before the storm.
"WHAT IS THIS?"
Ameko gently but firmly pushed Lee out of her way; she could only see Kaiten's tense back hunched over the living room wall but she knew that Haruka was pinned between him and said wall.
"What are you doing, Kaiten!" Ameko barked as she ran to them. She noticed that Yamato's gaze kept on shifting from Kaiten to Haruka then to Ameko, seeing if this behaviour was all right or acceptable.
Kaiten's fist slammed against the wall beside Haruka's head. "ANSWER ME!"
Ameko was about to yank him off but suddenly Kaiten shot her a look from over his shoulder that froze her in her tracks.
SHIT!
"Kaiten, I got a haircut," Haruka said calmly. "Do you like it?"
"Who did it?" Kaiten asked, his voice deceptively contained.
"It doesn't matter," Haruka replied, still sounding calm as though he wasn't pinned against the wall by someone who could possibly kill him in a tantrum. "It was by my choice."
"WHO DID IT?"
"I did."
Ameko winced as Haruka gasped very softly. They both stiffened when Kaiten turned his full attention to Kakashi.
Kakashi was calmly standing at the centre of the living room, seemingly relaxed and at ease. But if one looked very closely at him, he was undoubtedly prepared to spring at any threat.
The house was suddenly clogged with murderous intent.
"You," Kaiten growled, his rough voice unrecognizable. "You-"
Haruka quickly wrapped his arms around Kaiten's middle and tried to pull him away from Kakashi.
"Kaiten, stop!"
"Let go of me, Haruka! Let go of me NOW!" Kaiten commanded as he tried prying Haruka's arms away from him. He probably could have done it in an instant if he wasn't being gentle. But even in a rage, he could not hurt Haruka.
"Why are you so worked up over hair?" Kakashi asked quietly, his eye piercing in its intensity.
"IT'S A PROMISE!" Kaiten roared furiously. "It's between Haruka and I! An outside wouldn't understand! An outsider with no connection to Haruka has no right to being in his life, especially someone who doesn't see him but only sees someone who is dead and gone!"
Seeing Haruka struggling to hold on to someone who looked so much like Pain was enough – it was already more than enough. He was already swamped with memories that threatened to crush his control.
But those words were a lance that just broke that final hold on the precarious control he had kept all these years.
The only thing beyond control...
...is chaos.
A/N: Firstly, I apologize for the insanely long wait. *cringe* I just realized this will be my first post for 2011! I'm truly busy at the moment so sorry for the relatively short chapter with a questionable quality despite the long wait! Who knew post-grad work could be so challenging (sarcasm?) but I have final exams coming up in roughly a month thennnnn I'll be on an overseas trip for the whole of my mid-year break to the U.S. of A., which I haven't been to since I was... um... 11 years old? So I at least wanted to get something out! Anyway, enough rambling! Again, I apologize for the long wait! I'm sorry about my other stories as well!
This chapter is dedicated to, for the first time, one of the fanfiction writers I admire most, KakashiKrazed! I just LOVE your stories and your reviews!
I received more than 10 reviews for the last chapter! *does a victory dance* I can't remember whose reviews I've replied to but these beloved reviewers are:
The-Lady-Smaell – Please forgive your most humble subject for being so useless and unreliable! TT_TT Please forgive me for being evil to and leaving you all with a cliff-hanger. Believe me, it pains me as much as it pains you. Hope you liked this chapter!
magostar117 – No I haven't given up although I'm moving like a snail... *sigh* I hope this chapter keeps your interest. I was feeling a bit iffy as I finished writing it. It's missing something but I can't figure it out yet...
lilrocker – Love triangle? What love triangle? Look! There's a pig in the sky! *ducks and runs away* I'm not saying anything! Judge for yourself! =P
Prescripto13 – Aww, thanks! I hope I get the same compliment for this chapter... *winces* I really hope it isn't too confusing...
jazzy2may – I cut Haruka's hair! I CUT IT! (Well, technically, Kakashi did) It's up to the reader whether that's sad or not... And why am I talking about his hair in my reply to you? Oh, I think it was the word 'sad'. I hope you liked this chapter! =P
thesouldofthegreatbell – Firstly, I must say that your reviews never cease to make me blush. *blushes* Yup, the Deva Path was Yahiko's body. And I don't want to give much away but I thought of Haruka's name carefully before I finally decided on it. I really hope you like this chapter too! Thanks so much for your comments! =D
Ryu Earth – Well, the reason isn't revealed in this chapter yet as well... But it will be in a few chapters or so. Thanks for your patience!
Behan – Keep on guessing! It's fun! =P I actually think there's going to be a point soon where my story will become predictable. But I'm very flattered that you don't think that is the case, hehehe...
xLightningx – Thanks! Here's a new chapter! Please tell me what you think of it! =)
Livvi18 – Yay! A new reviewer! Thank you so much for your compliments! I'm hoping that this chapter wasn't too confusing with all the shifts in settings and perspectives... I'm looking forward to hearing from you!
Again, thank you so much everyone!
Ceil Scheherazade