Confluence

By Violet Garnets

Chapter Four: Dinner, Again

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On a particular training ground in Konoha, two men battled their hearts out, and the air crackled with electricity-- literally.

Naruto just avoided a bolt of lightning as he sprinted to the right. The famous sound of a thousand cranes taking flight thundered in his ear and he could feel the penetrating heat graze across his side. A bead of sweat dripped down his temple; even after all these years, Kakashi was still the premier shinobi of Konoha.

"Not quite, Kakashi-sensei!" He yelled, obviously more for his own benefit than anything else. With that, he conjured up two shadow-clones. Working in tandem, they created a massive sphere of swirling, dark chakra. "Shuriken Rasengan!" The three hurled the ball at Kakashi, who dove out of its way. The Rasengan plowed into a section of trees, obliterating a great chunk of the area.

Taking refuge in the remaining trees, Kakashi took the spare moments to take a breath. Hell, he was getting old. Life had been rather kind to him, considering all things. Although he was a shinobi, the worst physical ailments were scars and joints that stiffened every now and then. But compared to Naruto's puerile agility, Kakashi struggled to keep up.

Just then, he heard a sharp twang. It was only a fraction of a second before he realized what was heading towards him. He diverted the arrow's direction with a well-aimed shuriken. It fell to the ground with a pitiful thump.

"Damn!" Naruto's voice came through the trees. "You weren't supposed to do that!"

"If it had been a chakra-infused one, you would've taken longer to complete the whole system. Your shortest time has been two minutes, so far."

Naruto swore again.

Kakashi came down from the tree with a graceful leap. His knee buckled slightly, but hardly noticeable.

"Good work, Naruto."

"Do you think I'm ready?" Naruto looked down, putting away the yumi with a few hand seals. It disappeared and a scroll took its place.

Kakashi cocked his head to the side. "Honestly," he sighed, "I have no idea what they're expecting from you. But I..." He paused and took a deep breath before starting again. "I think you're matching up to the greats of this village, Naruto. I mean it."

Naruto grinned, and his cheeks turned a faint pink. "Thanks, Kakashi."

Before he realized it, Kakashi had put his hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Your father would be proud"

The boy turned a darker shade of red and looked down at Kakashi's gloved hand.

The moment quickly grew awkward.

Kakashi soon found himself flushing as well. With a brusque movement, he let go of the blonde's shoulder and coughed. "Anyway..."

"Have they asked for me? The elders, I mean?" Naruto asked. His voice squeaked a little, but they both decided to ignore it.

"No, not yet. But it's been two weeks since you've returned. We should be expecting something soon. Perhaps today, or tomorrow. I'll let you know when they contact me."

"Contact you...the cowards. They can't even insult me to my face," he said, his eyes downcast.

"I know, Naruto. But we've got to fix that. As soon as they ask for you, we'll turn things around. I promise."

Naruto nodded. His gaze grew distant while a certain light crept into his eyes. By now, Kakashi had learned to recognize it, this same look that appeared when Kakashi mentioned Sasuke. Somewhere along the way, Naruto had learned to internalize those vocal promises he used to make. Now, those ambitions and dreams appeared only in his torrential blue eyes.

Kakashi wasn't quite sure what to think of this new change, except that Naruto was becoming more and more like Minato by the day.

"Well, you're free to go, Naruto."

Naruto jerked his head over, looking at Kakashi. "Go where?"

"We're done for the day. Aren't you going to dinner with Sakura? You've been eating with her every day." Kakashi winced at the tone by which he said the last bit; why did he sound so...resentful?

The blonde shrugged. "She had work to do today. Everyone does, actually. And I have no idea where the hell Sai is."

Kakashi let the corners of his mouth turn upward; almost a smile. "You'll get to join them all on missions soon enough."

"I know. I just want to get this damn test over with."

"Well, until then…go find someone to have dinner with."

"Why don't you come with me, sensei?"

Kakashi paused, his eyes widening slightly. "Me?"

"Sure, why not?" Naruto grinned. "We haven't eaten together since we went to the okonomiyaki-ya with Sakura."

"I don't really have money right now," Kakashi admitted. As much as he wanted to have dinner with Naruto, sometimes the fiscal matters took precedence.

The boy's bright smile faltered, but only for a brief moment. "Well, I can make dinner. I haven't done that in a while. You can help."

He raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think I know how to cook?"

"You would be a failure on missions if you couldn't make your own meals."

The jounin smiled. "True."

Naruto pointed a finger at his sensei. "You just make people think you can't, right?" he accused.

"Guilty as charged," he said, putting his hands up.

The blonde laughed and shook his head. "Wow. How is it that people believe you?"

"I'm a master of deceit."

"Well, cover's blown. Now you're going to come with me and help me make a meal." Although his tone dripped with confidence, the pink shade on his face told otherwise.

"Alright then."

So Kakashi followed his young charge down, a content smile hiding under his mask. Naruto talked all the way to the marketplace, talking about something or other; it wasn't anything too important, but the jounin could tell the blonde was doing it out of nervousness. But where that nervousness stemmed from, Kakashi couldn't quite tell.

At the marketplace itself, Naruto continued to talk through everything, mumbling about how poor the crop of bean sprouts were, or how when he was in Tea Country with Yamato-taichou some of the vendors kept the best meats tucked in the back and always needed prodding before they would bring it out. Kakashi still kept silent, just holding the increasing groceries as they walked. Naruto's face was still pink the entire time.

The sun was just beginning to set when Naruto had decided they had everything they needed for a decent dinner. They set off for Naruto's apartment and the boy finally fell silent. Kakashi chuckled to himself.

However, as they approached the apartment, they passed a group of men and women talking in hushed tones. Concern touched upon all their expressions.

"What's going on?" Naruto asked Kakashi, his voice soft.

"No idea. Let's move in closer." The two inched in, hiding behind a nearby corner.

One of the men sighed loudly, shaking his head. "Never would've thought it'd be like this."

"Nah, didn' think all the Uchihas would go crazy." An elderly man added. "I always hoped that Sasuke was jus' bidin' his time. He did kill Orochimaru, after all. Thought he was fakin' the defection thing."

"But to kill an innocent child? The Uchiha family has truly fallen," a woman sobbed.

Kakashi looked over to Naruto. The young man was shaking all over, tears threatening to spill.

"Let's go," he choked out.

He dashed away, running into the apartment complex. Kakashi, despite being burdened by all the groceries, followed quickly.

The apartment door was unlocked so Kakashi opened it with his foot. He set the groceries on the kitchen table before moving into the other room.

"Naruto?" he called out quietly, concentrating to find the boy's chakra, which was surprisingly muted.

"Here," was the husky reply. Naruto sat on the couch, his eyes directed at some point at the floor. He still shook all over and the fabric of his pants was wound tightly into his fists. Kakashi looked down at the ground and found that tears had made little splotches on the floor. He took a seat next to his student.

Stillness reigned in the room, taking its time to fill up every corner and crevice. Having seen too many shinobi hear news about dead friends for the first time, Kakashi kept quiet. For Naruto, this was the same thing as hearing that Sasuke had died.

"Why," Naruto breathed out, "am I so slow? I didn't..." He let out a gasp, and the sound of it made Kakashi's heart squirm. "I didn't get to him in time. Damn it, Sakura, I'm so sorry."

The teen's resolve fell apart, and he collapsed. His cries came out choked, hardly audible. Kakashi thought he could hear the boy's heart crumble.

He didn't think about it whatsoever. He just did it. He just pulled the blonde close to him in a strong embrace. Naruto welcomed it; he moved in closer towards the older man and grabbed a part of Kakashi's shirt, holding on it tightly.

"Naruto," Kakashi whispered. His voice was gentle, full of sincerity. He ran a gloved hand through the boy's golden strands of hair. "Listen to me. You have done nothing wrong. None of this is your fault. Do you understand me?" A sense of urgency crept into his voice, and he shuddered, trying to calm himself down.

Naruto said nothing, continuing to sob.

Kakashi sighed, breathing slowly. "We don't even know if it's true yet. Don't think about it until we know for sure. Sasuke...maybe be saved just yet. Just wait, Naruto. Don't give up. I'm not giving up on you, Naruto." He trailed off; nothing else could be said. So he just held onto the blonde boy until the cries subsided, running his hand through the blonde hair rhythmically.

Finally, Naruto let go of Kakashi's shirt and looked up. Despite how red and puffy his eyes were, the blue irises still shone with a dim light. Naruto smiled weakly. "Thank you, Kakashi."

The older man nodded.

Naruto gave a weak chuckle. "You're right." He said, wiping at his eyes with a sleeve. "I'm being stupid. I won't give up."

"Good."

"I think I might clean up."

"Go ahead, Naruto. No one wants to see a crying seventeen year old boy," Kakashi said as he lightly prodded the boy with an elbow.

Naruto grinned. "Shut up." He stood up and walked into his bathroom. As soon as the door clicked, Kakashi leaned back into the sofa and closed his eyes.

Shit...what were they to do? If what the villagers had been saying was true, then Sasuke was truly lost. Honestly, he didn't doubt it. It had been nearly five years since the Uchiha had defected from Konohagakure no Sato. Even after he had avenged the massacre of his family, Sasuke continued to operate with his group Hebi and often met up with Akatsuki. Of course they'd been strangely quiet as of late, but only because Sasuke had been chasing Kirabi for ages. According to Konoha operatives, the man had really pissed the Uchiha off and now Sasuke nursed a brooding grudge.

Obviously Sasuke didn't have any remorse. The likelihood that he would kill a child on orders from Akatsuki...didn't seem all that far-fetched. If it was true, they would have to kill him when they met up with him. And what would they do with Naruto then? Would Naruto stand in their way, blinded by his hope to bring Sasuke back? This was too much, Kakashi thought, groaning.

"Kakashi? All right there?" Naruto's voice broke into Kakashi's thoughts. The jounin opened his eyes and had to resist the urge to show his shock.

Naruto had dressed himself in soft grey sweatpants and a thin long sleeved shirt the color of a night sky. The toned muscles of his body had never been more apparent. His face was fresh, all signs of his crying gone. His skin radiated with a gentle glow and his eyes sparkled like fine cobalt glass.

The jounin had never found anyone as attractive as he found Naruto now.

Kakashi shook his head and closed his eyes again. "I've got a headache."

"Maybe dinner and aspirin will help. I'll go get started."

"Thanks, Naruto. I'll join you in a moment."

Naruto was quiet for a while, and Kakashi could feel the hesitance. "Go ahead," he reassured the young man. "I'm okay." He waved the boy off.

The blonde finally pattered off to the kitchen.

Kakashi swore inaudibly. He had just been thinking about killing his former student, and now he was fantasizing about his other former student. What a twisted, twisted mind.

He was in love with Uzumaki Naruto. The son of his genin team leader and the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato. He loved him, because Naruto had a fierce determination, a willingness to believe in his friends, his dreams, when no one else would believe in their own. Then of course, there was the small amount of physical attraction too. Yes, Kakashi truly was insane. There was no denying that.

However, he could deny acting on it. Life had taught Kakashi enough to know what to do. The current of time could run smoothly as long as he did nothing. As long as he continued to teach and mentor the growing shinobi, and nothing more. Kakashi could foresee how things would go if he caught the blonde for his own. The little ripple would destroy everything.

He heard the rhythmic chopping sounds of a knife and sighed. It was useless thinking about it too much. He had already made his decision. He got up and walked into the kitchen, putting on a small smile; although he had promised himself to do nothing, it didn't mean he couldn't enjoy spending time with the ones he loved.

"What can I do, Naruto?" he asked as he pulled off his gloves.

"It's okay, I mean, if you've still got a headache—"

"Don't worry about it. I'm fine."

Naruto sighed loudly and looked around. "Well, if you could wash the rice and vegetables, that'd be great," he finally said.

"Will do."

"Hey, Kakashi?"

"Yeah, Naruto?"

A flicker of light passed over the teen's sapphire eyes. "Thanks again."

"Always, Naruto."

Naruto grinned, his white teeth flashing. "Alright! Let's do this!" He resumed his chopping with a new vigor.

Kakashi shook his head, and faintly the lyrics of a song trailed through his head.

Boku no negai wa tatta hitotsu dake

Kimi o suki na mama de i sasete

I have only one wish,

Please let me keep on loving you.**

The jounin chuckled. Sometimes the mind worked in strange ways.

"I always thought you were tone-deaf, Kakashi-sensei." Naruto noted.

"What now?" The two of them were speaking without looking at each other, continuing their work smoothly.

"You were humming."

"Was I?"

"Yeah. It's a nice song. Where'd you hear it from?"

"I don't remember. Maybe Gai sang it once or something." Although he didn't look up, Kakashi could tell Naruto had cringed at the image of Gai singing.

Naruto chuckled. "I heard that song live, you know. When I was traveling with Yamato in Tea Country. The singer is a very beautiful woman."

Despite himself, Kakashi bristled slightly. "Is she now?"

"Yeah. She's about your age too. Maybe you two could date."

"I doubt a civilian could keep up with the life of a shinobi."

"Yeah...yeah, you're right." And Naruto laughed.

And it was silent. They didn't make say anything other than necessary communication, like "hand me the bowls" or "where'd you put the soy sauce?"

When they actually had dinner, the conversation picked up a bit. Kakashi was surprised at how much he was enjoying the idle chit-chat. Moments like this were few and far in between in the life of the shinobi. The moon rose higher in the sky, and the night grew long. It was close to midnight when Kakashi decided to leave.

Naruto walked him to the door. It looked like he was blushing a little, but Kakashi couldn't be quite sure with the lighting. The blonde tugged the bottom of his shirt and a flash of a tan collarbone appeared for a moment. Kakashi gulped and looked away.

"Thanks for coming over, Kakashi," Naruto mumbled, hardly intelligible.

"Anytime."

"Really?"

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "What now?"

"Would you really come over again?"

The older man felt a bubbly sensation envelop his body. He resisted the urge to shake it out. "Of course. I'll see you tomorrow at the normal grounds?"

Naruto nodded, but he had a pensive expression on his face. He waved weakly as Kakashi left.

Kakashi looked up at the crescent moon with a soft smile on his face. It had been a good day.

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As of this chapter, I've received about 22 reviews! Thank you so much for all the nice words. But thank you as well to you silent lurkers, who have put me in their favorite or alert lists. Most appreciated, chaps. Of course, if any of you ever feel like giving a review, please feel free! I smile with each review, and I end up being giddy for the rest of the day.

**The song lyrics are from "Days" by Ayumi Hamasaki, which I don't own. It's rather a nice J-Pop song. I thought it fit them well.

And one quick question for you all: how's the pacing for you? I feel like I have a lot of scenes that focus on just the main characters and their relationship development. I certainly hope you don't mind that the action is moving slow.

Thank you all so much for your time!

Ja ne,

Vi