No one has ever seen the Nanadaime Hokage in such rush before. From the sight of his ANBUs, no one questioned as they all knew how serious the situation was. No matter how well Naruto and the others have tried to cover, all the jounins have aware that they have missed the presence of their fellow, the famous Copy-nin, who would be reading his equally famous orange romance in the jounin taikijo.
"Dobe," the white cloaked ANBU ran on the roof parallel to the blond Hokage. "I am coming along; Sai and I were stuck with the old folks. You should have come along next time; after all it is not the ANBU buntaichos' duty."
"I know, Sasuke, but I have no time. Kakashi… I don't want to lose him while we have a stupid meeting with baa-chans."
Another white cloaked ANBU simply smirked as he ran behind. Actually, he did not mind dealing with the old advisors, guessed he used to Danzo's words after all. Then, it was true. He would not want to lose their mentor when they were engaged with the old men and women. It was almost time, he could tell not just on the dying man's face, but also his girlfriend's.
When they reached the hospital wand, the mokuton user was already standing outside the door with the Nara advisor. "Tch, mendokusai…" the shadow-nin mumbled, almost whispered. "I'll be going," he announced, not even border to cover the tired in his voice. "Kakashi-sensei has already took his last will with me, Sai, can you see me at the Hokage tower once you are done here?"
"Sure," the painter replied. "Have the rest come by when we were away?"
"Some did, but after all, most of our forces are out-field," answered the Nara.
"That's true…" Sai replied as he nodded softly to the pinknett who just slid open the door. Her eyes were dimmed and everyone knew that there wasn't much time left. He gave the woman a soft tap on the shoulder as he gestured the other buntaicho to get in. They could still have a quick word with their mentor, before letting the Hokage to take up their time.
"Ah… Sai and Sasuke?" Kakashi asked softly. "Don't worry about An-san, he is just taking his time, looking the trees outside. After all, this room has the best view out of all the hospital wands," he added in a slightly sarcastic tone, as he pointed at the vampire by the window weakly.
"Kakashi-senpai…" "Kakashi…"
"It has been my pleasure to have you both, though not together at the same time, in my gennin team. All I now care is Naruto… Although Kyuubi is not against us, I am still concern… please look after our Hokage and the village for me."
"Tch, Kakashi," Sasuke interrupted, "we are ANBU buntaicho, we have sworn to protect the village. I am not letting you doubt our abilities on your deathbed."
"That's true. Sasuke, glad that you said "our abilities", seems you're doing well with Sai," the silver haired patient teased.
"Kakashi," the raven stated in monotone, "are you going to tease me, even till the last minute?"
"Maaa…"
The other raven pulled a small, but genuine smile. "Doumo," he said to his co-captin, "I didn't expect you highly value my skill."
"Tch."
"Maa ma… Sai, I thought you would have aware."
"Of course, I did, Kakashi-senpai. I have read as much as your have these few years. Yamato taicho gave me the books that he has read during his ANBU years and I have to say, they are much useful than the ones that I found in the central library."
"Those are for the laymen," the Uchiha rolled his eyes. "I thought being an ex-"Ne" members, you knew the importance of the title "Kinoe"," he smirked in small displeased. "Kakashi… nonetheless, we will see you tomorrow, it's time for us to go. We only managed to slip out of the meeting with the old folks, but we still have lots to complete."
Sai ignored the first part of his co-taicho's word, but nodded softly in agreement to the latter. Their Hokage was waiting impatiently outside. There would not be any good for him to wait longer. Besides, even though the Uchiha believed that he could restrain the man without haste, the man had not think of the potential damage that they could make, if they fight. After had been witnessed the damage during the war, he would prepare for more than he required.
As soon as the ANBU have left, the Hokage softly, gently, approached the man who has closed his eyes to rest. He took a long look at his lover as he stood next to him.
"N-naruto?" the man asked.
"I am here," the blond replied. "Sasuke and Sai left minutes ago, while I was stuck with another scroll from baa-chan."
"I know," the older replied, hazily, "I was bit dizzy."
"I know."
Thick silence filled the room. There were so much the pair would like to say, but yet, also there was no reason to speak out. They clearly knew each other well enough to speak without words. Time is running short and they simply looked at each other, locked their gaze together.
Their hand interlaced and the older man raised his brow softly against the presence of the small silver ring around his lover's ring finger.
"Daimyo's goldsmith has sent a messenger across; he completed what I have requested. The fine silver from the mountains." He took out a small, blue jewellery box from his coat, and opened it, showing another identical, but smaller ring. "Would you marry me?"
"Naruto, you know… I…" eyes widened, the older man was speechless.
"It's okay, Kakashi. I don't want to be only your sensei's son, protégé, comrades and Hokage. I want to be your true family, your wedded partner for real."
"You always have been, Naruto… you are always part of my family even before you were born. I never have a single minute that I would doubt that you are not part of my family. You have been here with me for such a long time. But wedding?"
"Just say yes, Kakashi, that is all I ask of you." Naruto sighed softly, almost pled. "Give me a reason to get back to you again and again, life after life." He hold the interlaced hand tightly. "Kakashi."
"Yes." Kakashi nodded slowly but firmly. "You know, I would not have say No."
Naruto smiled genuinely as took the ring from the box and tried to restrain his hands from shaking. He has not even this nervous before, not even when they were fighting against the god of ninja. His heart was beating as fast as Gaara's sand could travel. Nothing mattered to him at this point, as he felt his world was zoomed down to the man that he loved. As he attempted to put the ring on, the silver chain drew his attention. He turned; the vampire and his taicho were standing by the doorway. An was grinning deviously while the mokuton user looked up at the ceiling, hoping to blend in as a wall.
"May I give you my blessings as you attempt to marry to Kakashi-san?" An asked as he moved swiftly by the bed, drawing Yamato, who was attached to the other end of the silver chains, along. "It's such joyful situation that there should be witness. And I am honour to recommend myself as one."
"No one would recommend himself to be a witness like that, An- san," Yamato mumbled, almost whisper. "Don't drag me into the muddy water."
"Maa… Kouhai, my dear Tenzo," Kakashi smiled warmly as he felt the coldness of the ring on his fingertip. The ring was heating up, passing the heat from his lover's hand to him. "An-san is right, please be our witness. After all, you are also Naruto's guardian. We used to visit the boy as he was, after our ANBU missions, seeing his smile once he saw the glimpse of our masks…"
"So… Shall I?" An looked at the mokuton user, who then nodded in silence. He cleared his throat silently. "Mr Uzumaki Naruto, would you, or would you not take Mr Hatake Kakashi's hand as your wedding husband, to love and take care of him; and even death could not set you apart?"
Both Yamato and Kakashi were stunned by the alternation of the vows, but nonetheless, the blond Hokage answered firmly, "I will. Of course I will, dattebyo."
"And Mr Hatake Kakashi, would you or would you not take Mr Uzumaki Naruto's hand as your wedding husband, to love and take care of him; and even death could not set you apart?"
"I will."
"Alright, with the presence of your loyal kohai, buntaicho and me, An, the leader of Sasaki, the ancient vampire clan, we witness your love and proudly pronounce you husband and husband. Now you may put the ring and kiss the groom."
Naruto leaned forward, stopped with just an inch from his lover's face. "Nah… Kakashi. Thank you…" He leaned closer, sharing their breathes and gently their lips joined as one.
Author's Notes
Finally! I have managed to get myself together to write the last moments of Kakashi sensei's life, it was really a very difficult time for me to write.. as I don't want him to die =.=/ and that as I typed, somehow it just got evolved and Naruto managed to purpose and get marry! Well done, Naruto - kun!
Prescripto13: yes, I was so relieved that sensei survived, phew, I was so scared that he would die in the manga... phew...
Nonetheless, looking forward to hear from you all, please review! Reviews are appreciated. Thanks for reading!
Yours,
KYanviL