Recovery: Chapter 4
Summary: He became heartbroken and wallowed in his pasts, letting himself go. But on the return of a certain unpredictable Kunoichi, everybody believes that she will be the one to save him. Will she help? How can one girl bring about the aloof man and save him from himself? Just when she wanted was some peace in her life. Good-Sasuke. Akatsuki not really going to be used. Just pure Drama and Romance.
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Kakashi woke up to something warm in his arms. Opening his eye slowly and found him-self wrapped around a slender woman's waist. Slowly looking up and saw Naruto sitting upright as she was reading through a scroll. He found himself in her room and in her bed and around her middle. "Uhh…"
Naruto looked down at Kakashi and patted his head. "Are you better now?" Giving him a reassuring smile that he was supposed to be in the bed with her.
Kakashi sat up next to her and rubbed his throbbing temple as he asked her. "What happened to me? It was bad dream…"
"You tried to kill yourself to be with your loved one." Naruto looked at him dead in the eye and held one of his hands. "It wasn't a dream, Kakashi-san. I had Ero-Sennin place you under a c-rank genjutsu." She sighed and pulled Kakashi over into a hug. "You had me worried, Kakashi-san. Please never resort to suicide, Kakashi-san. I'll never forgive you if you did."
Kakashi's heart ached at Naruto's words and pulled her into his lap to hold onto her tightly. He wasn't used to skinship, but with Naruto in his arms he felt at ease. "You have my word, I promise to never worry and scare you like that ever." Feeling her hand thread into his hair and give a soft ruffle. Kakashi smiled at this. Her touch was soothing. "I promise I'll get better. I won't let you down."
"I will hold you to your word, Kakashi-san." Pulling back and patted his head once more. "Today let's go a bit easy and take your Ninken out for a walk. Okay?"
Kakashi smiled behind his mask. "Okay." Watching as Naruto climbed out of bed and left the room to start on breakfast. Gazing around Naruto's room and saw how neat and mature it was for her personality. Her windowsill was lined with pictures of all her precious people, even he was on her windowsill and that made him grin widely as he prepared for today. He was going to keep his word. He wouldn't let Naruto down. Although that one frame faced down bugged him for some reason.
Naruto had finished making their breakfast when Kakashi came out looking fresh and started on their meal. There was something bugging Naruto and asked Kakashi. "Hey, Kakashi-san. In the genjutsu, no matter how many times I tempted you, you never gave in. Saying 'I can't – I made a promise not to'." She looked up at him in curiosity and wonder. He had finished his meal long ago.
Kakashi rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Maah…do you remember when I found you at the memorial stone and then you took me to the Hokage monument and left?" He saw her nod. "Maah…well I swore an oath upon the Hokage that I would get better so that I wouldn't be a disappointment to you ever again. I want to earn your trust and respect back, Naruto. I want to be a better man."
Naruto simple stared at Kakashi before she stood up and rounded the table. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders and whispered in his ear. "You earned that trust and respect back when you first stepped into my home. I promise I won't ever give up on you, Kakashi…" she left of the honorific and felt him stiffen. She smiled and patted his head as she retreated. "You deserve it."
"Thank you." Kakashi whispered. He was feeling like the luckiest guy in Konoha right now. Grabbing the dishes and turned to face Naruto who was filling the sink with hot soapy water. Yet something caught him off guard. It was how Naruto was glowing without the sun actually being near her. She was simply…glowing radiantly. This was definitely different.
Naruto took no notice of Kakashi's lingering gaze and cleaned up around the place. Turning around suddenly with her nose greeting Kakashi's chest and gazed up at him in confusion. "Is everything alright, Kakashi? You seem…absentminded."
Kakashi only hummed as he looked down at Naruto. "Would it be okay if I see Asuma after taking out the dogs? You are more than welcomed to come along too. It's just that I think I need a male opinion every once and a while."
"You're free to do whatever, Kakashi. I'm not here to restrict you from your friends." Naruto said and offered a smile. "Though telling me where you're going does help me out a bit. Keeps my mind at ease."
Kakashi ruffled her hair and chuckled when she swatted his hand away. "I won't let you down, Naruto." Bending down to her eyes level. "It's a promise of a lifetime." Katsumi would always get mad whenever he went to visit his friends.
"That's a big promise, Kakashi. Are you sure you can keep hold of it?" Naruto looked at him with worry. He almost relapsed last night and worried for his future.
"As long as I have you around, I can keep this promise, Naruto." Kakashi saw her visibly relax and grinned behind his mask. "Let's go, Naruto." grabbing her arm and shunshined them to the training grounds.
"Looks like your chakra had finally stabilised." Naruto commented and sneakily held a hand up in a half ran sign. "Kai."
"Argh! Oh come on, Naruto!" Kakashi groaned as he felt his limbs get heavier. Hearing her giggle and swore. "One day, Naruto. One day, I'll get you back for all of this." He heard her snort and went ahead to summon his pack.
"Naru!" The pack yipped and chased after her and tackled her to the ground. Licking her face and nudging her body that made her burst into laughter.
"Naru's back!" Biscuit barked in joy and purred when Naruto ruffled his fur. "Naru!"
Naruto snorted in laughter and hugged Bull around his neck and grossed out when he licked her face. Wiping the mess on her sleeve and just laughed. Running around and playing with the pack as Pakkun sat beside Kakashi and watched with him. "When did she get back?"
"About a week or so ago." Kakashi replied and yelped when Pakkun bit him. "What was that for, Pakkun?"
"For not summoning the Pack earlier. We missed her, you know. In fact, you haven't summoned us for a while. Where's Katsumi?" the pug asked as he saw Naruto get tackled to the ground again by the pack and chuckled a little.
"Maah…" Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck stiffly. "That relationship ended quite a few months ago, Pakkun. I'm living with Naruto at the moment till I get back on my feet."
Pakkun snorted. "Can I say it now?"
"Say what, Pakkun?" Kakashi really didn't want to listen to Pakkun right now.
"Don't tease me, Kakashi. I told you from the beginning that there is a difference from being in-love and loving the idea of being in-love. A big difference. So I'm going to say what I've wanted to say for years…I told you so. You and Katsumi's relationship was poisonous. Believe it or not, but you always looked forward for an out of village mission that required a few day's work. Your drinking habits all started when you were with Katsumi." Pakkun laid a paw on Kakashi's knee. "Naruto will do you good, but…" Pakkun dug his claws into Kakashi with a passive face as Kakashi tried not to show the pain. "Don't screw Naruto over. She's giving up her time to take care of you and judging by the dozen male scents around us, the pup has suitors that wish to court her without your interference." Letting go of Kakashi and enjoyed teasing his owner. He hadn't been able to threaten Kakashi in a long time. Since he was 5 or so.
Kakashi rubbed his throbbing temple. "I get it, Pakkun. I want to restore Naruto's complete faith in me. That she would be able to rely on her whether it's in the village or out on a mission."
"Good choice, Kakashi." Pakkun nodded. Watching as Naruto jogged over to them and knelt before Kakashi with worry in her eyes.
"Oi, Kakashi. You alright? Your chakra suddenly spiked." Naruto lightly grabbed Kakashi's face and looked into his eye for any sign that he wasn't okay. Everything was fine and she sighed in relief. Releasing his face and pointed towards a tree. "You might just want to get some shade, Kakashi. Today is your only day off from my training. Tomorrow we go back full force." Seeing Pakkun and rubbed his belly before being dragged away from the other dogs and played some more with them.
"She's a good pup." Pakkun nodded.
Kakashi felt his spine shiver and sighed. "If only her so-called suitors would stop glaring at me." He muttered for only Pakkun to hear.
"Treat her right, Kakashi. A girl like Naruto only comes every once in a blue moon."
Kakashi looked confused. "What are you talking about, Pakkun?"
The pug sighed. "You'll figure it out later. Can't have a dog do all the thinking for you now, can we?" trotting off after Naruto and joined in on the fun. He enjoyed being in Naruto's presence. It was light and soothing, just like her personality.
Kakashi was still confused, though he did feel the dozen men slowly disappear from around the area. Sighing in relief. He didn't know who they were, but the felt serious about courting Naruto. He didn't know what to think about that. Standing up, Kakashi ran around the field to get used to the new weights Naruto placed on him. Soon to be followed by his pack after the 5th lap and soon Naruto was running beside him after the 10th. Kakashi realised that he hadn't broken out in sweat yet and grinned. His stamina was increasing and gazed over to Naruto that had a calm look on her face. She was still glowing in his eyes. Naruto was the reason for his improvement and would guess that she'd allow a C-rank mission soon. Though he didn't expect to be greeting the ground as one of his Ninken tripped him up and groaned as he heard Naruto laughing at him. "Not cool, Guys. Not cool at all."
Naruto rolled Kakashi over with a large grin. "You're still off, Kakashi. We have a lot of work ahead of us tomorrow. Right, Guys?" Naruto looked to the pack that yipped happily at her.
"W-what…?" Kakashi shivered as he almost feared what Naruto would plan with his Ninken. "Na~Ru~To!" Kakashi whined. "Cut me some slack. I'm an old man, you know."
Naruto snorted. "If you have time to complain then you're not old. Enjoy your freedom now." Patting his shoulder harshly before she paused and sniffed the air. The blonde sighed as she weaved a few handsigns and placed her hands on the ground. Hearing at least 7 different screams and smirked. "Honestly, can't they take a hint?" She muttered.
"You know about your suitors?" Kakashi asked Naruto as he used Bull as a back rest.
Naruto raised a brow. "Yeah. They've been following me around ever since I arrived back at the village. I can't even go to the hot springs without having to look out for them." She shook her head. "I bet this is what Sasuke felt like with his fangirls."
"Ahh…" Kakashi shuffled uncomfortably.
Naruto looked at Kakashi with a raised brow. "They won't hurt you, Kakashi. Maybe a warning to stay away, but they're no harm and if they hurt you, they'll be answering to me." Helping Kakashi up and nodded. "Why don't you go find Asuma-sensei now?"
"We'll head home then." Pakkun saluted and disappeared with the pack.
"Will you be alright alone?" Kakashi asked Naruto in a worried tone.
Naruto smiled softly. "I'll be fine. Sasuke and Neji have taught me a thing or two about dealing with fans. I'll walk you." Naruto said suddenly.
Kakashi didn't question Naruto and followed her over to Asuma's place. He guessed that Naruto really didn't want to be left alone with her suitors. Pausing and quickly summoned just Pakkun and handed him over to the blonde. "Keeps my mind at ease." Kakashi voiced as Naruto took Pakkun into her arms and scratched his head. Kakashi saw the look of relief in Naruto's eyes as she gazed to Pakkun as well as the small genuine smile that made his biological eye widen in awe. It was a beautiful smile. Absolutely beautiful.
Pakkun saw the interaction between Naruto and Kakashi and hid his knowing smirk. Seemed the girl knew what she wanted but wouldn't make a move. Seemed like Kakashi was almost there but needed a push. Pakkun gave it two weeks for Kakashi to bust a move on the blonde. Perhaps less if Kakashi saw a suitor trying to get in Naruto's good graces.
"Dinner will be ready around 8, Kakashi." Naruto said.
Kakashi nodded. "I'll be there." Watching Naruto leave and ignored the smirking pug in her arms. Waiting till Naruto was out of sight before entering the apartment complex that Asuma lived in. knocking on the man's door and waited for the Sarutobi to open up.
"Kakashi?" Asuma voiced in surprise. "What are you doing here? No, don't get me wrong. I thought you were under house arrest."
Kakashi raised a brow and played along. Who knew what Tsunade-sama had told everybody? "I'm free till 8. Though, I was wondering if we can talk. There are…some things I wish to discuss with you."
Asuma opened his door wider and welcomed Kakashi inside. "This isn't like you, Kakashi. You never knock and just enter through the window. Even more so that you're asking me for advice. It's…refreshing." Asuma pulled out a bottle of sake and looked to Kakashi. "Want a drink?"
Kakashi shook his head. "No thanks, Asuma. I've sworn off alcohol for a period of time."
Asuma hid his shock and put the sake away. What friend would he be if he drank in front of a recovering man? Instead grabbing two bottles of water and tossed one over to Kakashi. "So, what ya need me for, Kakashi? How can I help?" Both taking a seat at his dining table.
Kakashi took a sip of the water before inhaling deeply. "Asuma…what is love exactly?" looking up at the choking man seriously.
"What makes you think I know, Kakashi?" Asuma questioned with a light blush on his cheeks.
Kakashi blinked. "Aren't you and Kurenai dating? You two have been together for a long time now and I'd rather not ask Gai for advice."
Asuma wanted to deny Kakashi's claims, but thought better of it. It wasn't every day Kakashi Hatake asked for advice. "Well this is tricky. What is love exactly?" Asuma leaned back on his chair with a serious expression on his face. "I guess love is to know all about someone and still wanting to be with them more than any other person. Including knowing about the bad stuff. Love is to trust them enough to them everything about you. Including the things you might be ashamed of. Love is to feel comfortable and safe with them. Feeling protected in their arms. You see past their bad since the good overshadows that bad. You want nothing more than their happiness, waking up and going to bed with them by your side. Love is really hard to explain, Kakashi. One would have to feel it to truly know it." He held his hand to stop Kakashi's slaughter of questions. "Trust me, Kakashi. Love is something you cannot study, but feel for yourself. It won't come quietly, oh no." Asuma smirked. "Love will come crashing down like a tsunami. I give it less than a month."
"Huh? What? Why less than a month?" Kakashi asked in confusion.
Asuma's smirk widened. "Call it a hunch, Kakashi."
Kakashi eyed Asuma suspiciously. This man knew something he didn't; just like Pakkun. "What aren't you telling me, Asuma?"
"A lot, Kakashi." The bearded Sarutobi teased. He enjoyed seeing Kakashi like this. Loose and easy to talk to. Something suddenly crossed Asuma's mind and leaned forward with a chilling look. "Oh and if you by chance hurt Naruto in any manner, consider your life forfeit. My old man may not be around to threaten you, but I sure as hell ain't going anywhere, Kakashi Hatake."
Kakashi shuddered. "What's with the sudden change of topic?"
"Nothing." Asuma grinned dangerously. "Just striking up conversation, Kakashi. Nothing to be afraid of. We're both men here. Let me order some pizza and I'll call over Gai. Let's have some good old man-on-man time together before your curfew." He stood up and moved over to his phone.
Kakashi knew at that very moment, he made a bad choice coming to Asuma for male advice. He'd rather go to Jiraiya-sama and kept that in mind for next time. Kakashi withered inside. He'd rather be with Naruto right now going through her tortuous training.
Naruto:
Naruto placed Pakkun down as soon as they entered the safety of her apartment. "Man, they're so annoying." Naruto whined as she got some water for her and Pakkun. Collapsing on the couch and flung an arm over her eyes. "Why can't I be ugly like Kiba or something?" having had enough of being stalked by her suitors and was glad that Kakashi handed over Pakkun for protection. Her suitors still held fear of the legendary Copy-Nin despite his recovery.
Pakkun leapt up onto the couch and touched Naruto's arm. "Just be happy you're attractive, kid." Getting serious for a moment. "How's Kakashi holding up, Naruto?"
"He's doing better than I expected, but he almost relapsed last night. Scared the shit out of me too, but he's getting there." Naruto replied and moved her arm a bit to glance at the pug. "I'm open to suggestions."
"I have none. You're doing well on your own, Naruto. You're doing a good job with Kakashi. You're not babying him and not too forceful on the brat either." Pakkun hummed in thought for a while. "Actually, there is one thing I have to suggest."
Naruto removed her arm and leaned up on her elbows with a raised brow. "Oh? Please tell. Anything to help Kakashi."
Pakkun inwardly smirked as he drawled out. "Get him to speak up. About what's going on in here?" Tapping Naruto's heart with his paw and then moved to pat her forehead. "A part of healing is also healing the inside too. All the emotions that he's dealing with needs to be smoothed out too."
"And how do you suppose I get Kakashi to open up?" Naruto questioned in confusion.
Pakkun jumped off the couch and moved into Naruto's room. Gesturing for the blonde to follow him and leapt up onto her windowsill. Picking up the down-faced picture frame and handed it out to Naruto. "To get Kakashi to open up, you must start first. Start with this."
Naruto looked to the picture with harden eyes. "I'm not sure this is a good idea Pakkun." Showing the frame to the dog. It was a picture of an 8 year old Naruto smiling brightly with a 13 year old boy that was dressed in expensive clothes. There was a soft, yet genuine smile on his pale face. "You want me to start from here. How can I do that when just the other day I got news from Baa-chan that I have less than 5 weeks. Five weeks, Pakkun. I have five weeks to figure out how to deal with the Fang country's newly appointed Daimyō."
Pakkun placed a reassuring paw on Naruto's hand with a serious gaze. "You can do anything, Naruto. I believe in you. This here…" Gesturing to the photo. "Nobody knows about except Tsunade-sama and Lord Jiraiya. Yes, getting out of a Royal Marriage will be hard, but I know that you will be able to overcome this conflict."
"I never wanted to marry Tamaki. He took everything in the wrong context on the day we took this photo. When I said that I'd always be there for him, I meant as a friend. Not as a wife." Naruto hissed out and as placed the photo face down again. "I'm not even remotely attracted to Tamaki."
Pakkun sighed. "Do you want to help Kakashi?"
"Of course." Naruto stated with no hesitation.
"Then speak to him about this. Granted you don't have to say who the royal is. Just say that you were offered a tough proposal and placed in a difficult situation. Don't discuss the details, but more of what's going on in here." Tapping her heart once more. "If you let Kakashi in then he will let you in. Talk to one another, Naruto. It will do the both of you good. Okay?"
Naruto sighed in defeat and nodded. "Fine." She didn't plan on doing it immediately, but later on when the timing was right. Even on her pranks, timing was everything. "I'll do it on my own terms."
Pakkun nodded. He would speed up Kakashi and Naruto's coupling as fast as he could without interfering too much. Both of these pups deserved another.