Empty

Naruto woke up next to something warm. Opening his eyes, he looked over, and smiled. Kakashi was laying on his stomach, his face turned towards Naruto, sleeping. An arm was over Naruto as Kakashi slept. Smiling, Naruto wiggled to get out of the grip, having to pee and wanting to make Kakashi breakfast for a change. Sliding out as Kakashi let out a sigh, Naruto stood, wincing.

He gingerly walked to the bathroom to do his business. Once done, he popped a couple of ibuprofen, slipping on sweats and a MarioKart tee shirt and went to the kitchen. Settling on a fruit salad and his world famous omelettes, he went to work.

\/\/\/

Kakashi shifted, reaching on the bed for Naruto. He knew what he did and that it was wrong, but he was pushing that out of his mind for the moment. He wanted to enjoy these last few moments with Naruto before reality came crashing down around him. Walking out, he smelled something wonderful. Following his nose, he headed down to the kitchen. Walking in quietly, Naruto's back was to him. He stood in the doorway for a bit, watching Naruto work on breakfast. "It smells amazing." Kakashi said, and Naruto jumped. Turning around with a glare, Naruto immediately had a concerned look on his face.

"Shit! Kakashi, what happened?" Kakashi was confused as Naruto came over. Looking down, he saw the cause for concern. There was some blood on Kakashi's boxers from their session last night. Mildly embarrassed that he wasn't able to think clearly enough to take off his boxers, instead just whipping it out from the flap, he smiled gently.

"That's not my blood." He said, looking pointedly at Naruto. Recognition dawned in Naruto's eyes as he blushed, looking down.

"I am going to go change." Kakashi winked, then went and took a quick shower, slipping on jeans and a black sleeveless tee shirt. Coming back out, barefoot, Naruto was just finishing setting breakfast out. Sitting down, Kakashi eyed the spread appreciatively. "It looks really good."

Naruto smiled really big. "I can't really cook much well, but Jii always loves my omelettes." Smiling, the pair sat, enjoying the food, and the company. Kakashi caught himself sneaking glances at the teen.

As breakfast was being finished the door slammed open and Jiraiya came storming in. Dropping his bags at the door, he pulled Naruto into a hug as he looked the boy over to confirm that Naruto was, indeed, whole. Naruto smiled, hugging Jiraiya tightly back. Kakashi slipped out quietly, heading to the guestroom to put on his mask and to pack.

\/\/\/

Walking into his empty apartment, Kakashi felt the first pang of loneliness. He hadn't had time before then. As he was getting ready to leave, Jiraiya stopped him, hugging him as well, much to Kakashi's embarrassment. Thanking him profusely, and promising eternal gratitude, Jiraiya finally Kakashi go. Kakashi had told Mr. Uzumaki goodbye and left, catching the bus back to his home. The bus was full of people, and his mind was kept off of thinking by people watching. But now, here he was, in his own home, pictures of his wife and daughter smiling at him.

The gravity of what he did weighed upon him then. The vows he broke...the shinobi promise he failed. Kakashi felt miserable. Putting down his bag, Kakashi got a bottle of beer and sat in the silence, thinking. He didn't know how he let himself fall into this...and with a student none the less! But what bothered him the most was that, without Naruto with him, he felt utterly...alone.

\/\/\/

Naruto was happy to see Jii. He loved him very much. But Jii could get a bit overexcited at times, as he was now. He didn't want to let Naruto out of his sight. Jii constantly was apologizing for not being at home when the accident happened, and for not getting to Naruto faster, as if the blizzard was all Jii's fault. Naruto assured Jii he was fine and that Kakashi took very good care of him. Jiraiya finally agreed and let Naruto out of his sight, as Naruto feigned tiredness so he could have some peace and quiet.

Going into his bathroom, Naruto ran a bath. When the warm water filled the tub, Naruto disrobed and slipped into the water. Closing his eyes, he let the warm water soak his tired, sex abused body. And it was then that Naruto felt it...that painful emptiness that appeared because Kakashi wasn't there, and Naruto knew he wouldn't be able to be with him like that ever again.

\/\/\/

Monday rolled around. Kakashi headed to school, his feet taking him along the path. Before long, he was at the familiar headstone. Kneeling, Kakashi sighed. He had nothing to say. He knew he had fucked up, and royally. "I will make it right." he vowed, standing and setting the coin on the headstone.

\/\/\/

Naruto walked to school, nervous but excited at seeing his sensei. Walking up to the door, it was locked. Sighing, he texted Kakashi: Outside. About two minutes later, Kakashi opened the door. Naruto had to try hard to keep his mouth closed. Kakashi was in a navy dress shirt, a grey tie, and grey pants. He looked...stunning.

"H...hi, Kakashi-sensei." Swallowing hard, he felt himself stiffening as unbidden thoughts from the weekend invaded.

"Mr. Uzumaki." Kakashi said conversationally. His time as a shinobi helped him to mask emotions. It was a skill that came in handy at times.

Going up to the classroom, Kakashi grabbed the homework Naruto needed to do for catch up. "We will use your homework for this week, so you don't fall farther behind." Kakashi explained, as Naruto nodded.

As Kakashi worked with Naruto, he moved closer to the boy to help him. As they worked on problems, Kakashi unconsciously laid a hand on Naruto's arm. The touch sent a jolt through Naruto, who jerked. Realizing what he had done, Kakashi pulled back. "I...I'm sorry."

Naruto looked up at Kakashi. "I'm not." he whispered. "That was the best night of my life, because you told me you loved me."

Kakashi swallowed hard, grateful for the mask. "Mr. Uzumaki. I...what we did was wrong. I should have not done that. You are my stud..."

"I've heard all that before, Kakashi." Naruto whispered. "But I know what happened between us...and I know how it felt. It wasn't empty promises." Naruto's eyes shone with determination.

"I have a wife. I have a child. I have responsibilities." Kakashi said through gritted teeth. Naruto looked like he had been slapped. About then, Orochimaru walked in, along with some other students. Kakashi put his game face on and moved away. "That will be all for today, Mr. Uzumaki." None of the students were surprised, as Naruto was there for tutoring, and they often walked in during the middle of finishing a lesson.

Naruto nodded, glaring. Some people came over to check on Naruto, and he tried to be polite. After everyone settled down, Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, sitting down by the blonde. As the room filled, he leaned over. "Are you alright?" he asked.

"Why the fuck do you care?" Naruto spat.

Orochimaru, used to Sasuke's anger, didn't act surprised; he didn't even flinch. "Well, you are my lover's best friend and like a brother to him. And you haven't given me any shit about being with him. So, I suppose I care slightly. But, if you keep acting like a dick, I won't." Orochimaru pulled out a book as the bell rang. Naruto shook his head, staring out the window.

\/\/\/

Walking home, Kakashi thought back on the day. Naruto said nothing to him after that, and Kakashi really didn't expect him to do so. A breeze picked up, and Kakashi hurried home. The sky was dark; it looked like it might rain.

Walking into his home, Kakashi slipped off his shoes. Suddenly, he was tackled by small arms and legs screaming, "Daddy!" Staggering in surprise, he picked up Rinni, who was hugging him for dear life. Hugging her back tightly, he looked around, seeing Rin come out of the bedroom. Smiling, she came over and hugged him as well.

"Surprise!" she whispered. Kakashi was visibly shocked, but hugged her back.

"B...but your mother?" Kakashi asked.

"My cousin is staying with her." Rin said. Nodding mutely, Kakashi sat Rinni down. As Rin made dinner, she talked over everything that had happened while she was gone, and asked about Naruto. Kakashi very curtly answered, saying that the boy was fine, and his godfather got home. He quickly changed the subject. After dinner, baths, and story time while putting Rinni to bed, Rin pulled Kakashi into their bedroom.

"I know he's a sensitive subject." Rin began. Kakashi looked at her, confused. "Naruto." she continued as Kakashi inwardly began to sweat. "You always have favorite students, and usually the hard luck ones. But, Kakashi, you didn't fail him. You couldn't have been around him all the time. It's not your fault he got hit by the car." She pulled his mask down, putting her hands on his cheeks. Leaning her forehead against Kakashi's, she closed her eyes.

"Yes...well...I still feel like I failed him." Kakashi began, telling the truth, even though he knew his apology was for a very different reason that what Rin thought.

"Well, I tell you what..." she smiled, pulling him to the bed and unbuttoning her shirt. "Let's make you feel better..." Obliging his wife, Kakashi laid down with her. Later, however, after they were done making love, Kakashi rolled over, feeling empty.