1B

As a child, I had dreamt of flying. I had wanted to be like a bird, flying wherever they wanted and away from things that scared them. They were so free. After I had grown older, and had learned about the cruelties in the world, I had learned better. I knew that I was not meant to be free. It had become a distant dream, a dream that could never be reached, alive or dead. I was never able to reach my dream of being free. Alive, there were boundaries and I had thought that flying would be my freedom. I envied the birds and wanted to soar through the endless blue skies. I had thought that if my dreams would come true then I would escape my father, and I would have been able to escape my demise.

"I'm going to fly," I told people when I was still an innocent child. I would stretch my arms straight out and pretend that I was climbing higher and higher in the sky. I would imagine the light breeze that found its way into the village was lifting me higher and higher, over the village walls and out to the freedom that had formed itself in my mind.

I no longer have to dream. I could really fly and it was better than I could have ever imagined. The wind gently caresses your skin, like a loving mothers' gentle warm touch. Most of my cares just fell to earth. After I died it was like I had been rescued from all pain and sorrow. I never should have expected it to stay that way. I was never meant to be truly happy. My old pain may have faded but a new one had risen in its place.

I was supposed to be happy, but I was filled with sorrow. I could close my eyes and try to catch the fleeting joy that always was so evasive, just out of my reach. It was the joy that came from remembering the times I had shared with him. It was selfish of me, but I wanted him to be there with me. He should have been able to enjoy this with me. That was why I would never truly be free.

Even as I flew above the clouds, I wanted to see Kakashi. My white wings shimmered in the light as the sun bounced over them. The air was fresh, crisp and sweet. Yet, Kakashi dominated my thoughts. I had been granted freedom, but had not yet found it. I had gratefully climbed out of my body and risen into the sky, leaving behind everything. I had flown through the clouds into a light. It was a new and wonderful place. Flying into the sky, leaving me with a single regret… leaving Kakashi behind.

I perched on a cloud, closing my eyes and opening my ears for the cries of the living. They were always calling for help. I followed those cries, because they brought me closer to Kakashi in a way. It reminded me of being alive. Even dead, I was a mirror image of my old self, wanting something that was not available for me.

When I would rest, I dreamt that Kakashi flew with me. I would reach down to him, grabbing his outstretched hand and pull him up with me. Wings extended from his scarred body. The wind caressed his face, lovingly, and my hands would follow. I would show him my world and help him to leave behind everything that hurt him. I wanted him with me. In my dream I would close my eyes and grasp Kakashi's hand in mine. We would fly up into the sky and I would be content. It was a selfish dream, but if dreams came true, that was my dream… to be together with Kakashi.

I opened my eyes, falling into the pictures of my dreams as my mind flew to someplace else, to a place where Kakashi could wrap his arms around me. A place where we could be happy.

I brushed back my long brown hair, standing up straight as I felt the energy from rain clouds nearby. It would be raining in my old village soon. For some reason, in the rain, I was more noticeable to humans. It may have been due to the fact that I had loved the rain so much when I was alive, so I retained a connection in death to the natural occurrence. This was my time to be with Kakashi.

I stood at the edge of my cloud, gazing downward towards earth. I tilted my head back, tipping my body forward and letting myself fall. I gasped as the air rushed up to meet my body, rushing around me. I tugged my wings in closer, letting my body fall naturally. I started to nosedive, my eyes opening to view the world rushing towards me. My wings burst from my sides, stretching out and catching the wind to slow my descent. With a powerful stroke of my wings, I was flying through the air, towards my old village. I followed the tug in my heart, the invisible string that always seemed to lead me to Kakashi. It was not long until I found him, standing in the rain, watching it fall around us.

Kakashi's eyes were filled with hopelessness. His hands shoved in his pockets, his body slumped forward. Kakashi appeared to be a defeated man, and that broke my heart. I blinked back tears, throwing myself around him, holding him tight.

"Are the angels crying?" Kakashi laughed. I choked on the sobs in my throat, pulling away from him to stifle myself. "Could you be crying for Tenshi and me?" Even though my sobs would have fallen on deaf ears, I still attempted to stop them. My heart pounded in my chest, knowing that Kakashi did not know I was there. I wanted so much to be able to comfort him.

"Why Tenshi, why did you run that night?" He snarled. I wondered if he could see me. I grabbed onto his arm, unable to find the words to answer him. I shivered, my body running cold.

I had watched Kakashi since the day I had died. I had watched him change, become a loner… become darker. Somehow, we had become stuck in a void, calling out to each other, but being dragged down in opposite directions, unable to escape. I wrapped my arms around him again, hoping to steal away some of his pain. I had caused so much of it, it only seemed right that I could take away some of it too. Unfortunately, it was not in my power to help him.

"Sorry," I whispered, taking a step back. I had to leave. I paused, watching astonished as Kakashi did a peculiar thing. He raised his hand, holding his palm out straight towards me. For a moment, I was fooled, wondering if he could see me. It seemed so far, now that I looked at it. My hand began to tingle and become so warm it bordered hot. I finally reached out, touching Kakashi's hand. I glanced at my hand, meeting Kakashi's, feeling the tingling and the warmth stretch up my arm. The warmth seemed to spread to my center and fill me.

"Tenshi," Kakashi's awe-struck voice filled my ears. I gazed at him, wondering if he truly could see me.

"Kakashi-sensei?" A voice called to him. I pulled away, taking off into the sky with one powerful stroke. I would visit him later, when he was alone.

I drifted through Kakashi's roof, landing in his living room. I waited for a moment, staring at the mess and waiting for him to arrive. Kakashi finally walked in, his face pale and his body soaked. It was as if he had gone swimming. He walked away, disappearing into the bathroom before coming back on with dry clothes. I followed him into his bedroom, watching as he lay down on his bed. He turned, staring at a picture frame near his bed.

I leaned in closer, looking at the picture that held his attention. It was one of him and me at a festival, looking so happy. I had been so happy going to the festival, to happy to even think about my father. At that time, I was just glad that Kakashi was dancing with me, making me feel as if I was flying for the first time in my life.

"I'm sorry Tenshi." Kakashi muttered to himself. I nearly missed his words. My heart ached as I watched his distress. He turned off his light and then curled up. I glided over him, slipping in beside him and resting my head on his shoulder. I could hear his steady heartbeat under me. Tears slid down my face, dripping onto his clothes.

"I love you Kakashi." I cried, although I knew that Kakashi would never hear me.

"I love you too Tenshi."