Recovery: Chapter 17

Summary: Kakashi 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.

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"I better head back now." Naruto said as she gazed to the setting sun as her legs dangled in the cool water of the creek. "Thanks for the distraction though."

Sasuke nudged her shoulder with his. "Of course, Dobe." Sasuke stood and held a out out for Naruto. Pulling her up and stood back, sensing her discomfort at his closeness. He tucked his hands into his pockets "When you need timeout, send for me and we'll meet back here." He held his fist out to her and saw the small smile touch her lips.

Naruto connected their fists and replied, "Thanks Sasuke." Heading off and waved goodbye over her shoulder as she made her way back to where she was staying. Once out of Sasuke's range, Naruto sighed heavily and rubbed the back of her head tiredly. "I fucked up today." She muttered to herself. Naruto could feel the presence of Kurama at the back of her mind, wanting to talk, but she didn't want to speak to him. She felt bitter towards the old fox and Kakashi. The blonde knew they were keeping something from her and she felt the need to know. The need to know why she couldn't let Kakashi rot in the street like how she originally wanted to. Naruto walked heavily up the hill and groaned when she saw Kakashi waiting at the edge of the barrier.

"You locked me in here?" Kakashi muttered, annoyance clear in his eye as he watched Naruto walk towards him. He folded his arms and gripped his upper arms tightly. "Do you know how worried I've been?"

Naruto paused quite a distant from the man. Her brows frowning when she looked to him. "Have you been there the whole time I was gone?" She saw him nod in confirmation and felt her heart flutter but quickly squashed the feeling away. Naruto gave him a strained smile and said, "It was just a precaution. I wasn't sure if I could keep your other side at bay within the training barriers I would set up."

Kakashi sighed, "Naruto," he whispered to her. His shoulders slumped and his posture relaxed as he look apologetic to her. "Your chains would be more than enough to hold me back. They can easily contain a tailed beast then they will overwhelm myself in the physical world." He placed a hand on the barrier, letting the power hum under his fingers. "I am sorry, Naruto. It's not easy for me to tell others' or open up. It takes a lot of courage and I know it's hurting you. I'm sorry. I need time."

Naruto sighed and rubbed her cheek. "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have entered your mindscape without your permission." She looked to him in embarrassment. "You know how I get when I focus on something."

Kakashi chuckled at that. "Indeed." He caught the tiredness in her eyes when she looked to him and it brought pain to Kakashi's soul. He knew he was the reason why she was so exhausted. Mentally and physically. "Naruto, kyuubi told me that you know." He saw her tense and explained, "I never meant to hide the identity of your parents, Naruto, but once I saw those chains...I just knew. You were everything to them, Naruto. They were so excited to have you, there was no doubt about that."

Naruto felt tears come forth. "I'm not mad that you never took me in. I held resent before but I understood and besides, anyone could recognise your damn hair anywhere." She snorted and shook her head, lost in memory. "Itachi was assigned to protect me and when he had to go on missions, you took his place. You were around and that was enough at the time. I just wish you paid more attention to me when I was assigned to your team." She told Kakashi honestly and wiped the tears away. "I used to get so angry that you'd spend all your time training Sasuke and giving Sakura advice. You never gave me a chance and I had to go off and find my own teacher. It was pure luck that I came across Jiraiya."

"Naruto," Kakashi whispered for the hurt blonde. Bringing his head to rest on the barrier as her choked sobs filled his ears. He held back his anger of smelling Sasuke's scent on her. It was all over her. He couldn't smell the signs of sex but the thought of her in Sasuke's arms as he comforted her made him furious. It should've been him making sure she was okay and here he was, making her cry. Hurting her.

"You hated it, didn't you? That I look so much like my dad." Naruto spat out bitterly.

Kakashi slammed his hands into the barrier. Startling the blonde and looked her directly in the eyes. "I could care less who's features you take after, Naruto. I stayed away from you because there was a chance I could hurt you. I was a broken man when Minato-sensei and Kushina died and I had no right being by your side. You didn't need to see who I was in the past."

Naruto hesitated, debating with herself before she approached Kakashi. Leaving the barrier between them. "Then, who is the man standing before me?" She saw his eye flash to red, knowing he was debating with the beast within him. "Kakashi."

"Just a man that wants to be worthy enough to stand by your side." Kakashi gave a weak smile, not fond of his cheesy line, but it was true. "Naruto," He brought his head down till it was like they were touching foreheads. "How long have you come to love me?"

Naruto's eyes widened as her throat constricted. She was about to rebuff his remarks and throw a fit but she could see the vulnerability in his eye, the way his shoulders sagged even further, and the small trembles of his fingers. "When you accepted us as your team. I was in such awe of you and thought you were the coolest person ever when you said: those that abandon their comrades are worse than trash. I thought it was just admiration, y'know."

Kakashi cursed the barrier the blonde woman put up. "Naruto," He growled out with his chest rumbling. "I'm sorry to ask this of you right now but I need to touch you."

Naruto peered up and saw that his grey eye was now bright red. Her brows knitting together, slightly hurt and hissed out, "Is confessing my feelings to you so troublesome?"

Kakashi laughed bitterly. "Don't get me wrong, Naruto, I'm glad you told me. The beast within me wants to tear Sasuke to bits till nothing of him exists. I just…" Kakashi pulled his head back and let out a deafening roar. "I just need to touch you. Please." He begged. Kakashi saw her hesitate before slowly bringing her hand closer to the barrier. As soon as her hand came through, Kakashi latched on and pulled her into his chest. Ignoring her squeal of shock and buried his head into her hair, taking a deep breath of her scent. Kakashi's chest rumbled in satisfaction and held onto her tighter. "I'm probably going to kill Sasuke when I see him."

Naruto fidgeted in his arms but didn't attempt to pull away. She could feel his chakra hum along her skin and it made her feel at ease. She felt safe and resisted the urge to bury her head into his chest. "Are you done?" She asked quietly though firm.

"I'm sorry, Naruto," Kakashi muttered with guilt. "I need to take his scent off you soon. He won't settle down till it's done." Kakashi quickly pulled Naruto to hold in his arms, bridal style. Hearing her squeal again in shock and tightened his grip when he felt her try to flee. "Don't. I'm on a tightrope keeping him at bay, little fox."

Naruto froze at the nickname and sighed. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders to keep herself supported. "Am I important to him?" she asked, uncomfortable with how relaxed her body was reacting to his touch.

"He's been enamoured by you for years." Kakashi relayed the beast's thoughts as he walked them back to their temporary home.

Naruto bit her lip, feeling self-conscious. "And you?" Her voice shook. Not liking that she was showing Kakashi a weakness.

Kakashi frowned, lost in thought, before answering the blonde in his arms. "Now that I know what I am, I'm not too sure that what I'm feeling is entirely my own feelings or the beast's influence."

"Oh." Naruto's heart dropped and looked away from Kakashi. "It'd be nice that you don't kill Sasuke though. I kind of need him alive." She shrugged offhandedly.

Kakashi growled harshly. Ignoring when Naruto slapped him over the head at his display. "Why?"

Seeing the cabin up ahead, Naruto jumped out of his arms and stepped away from him. "I'm not obligated to tell." She turned to Kakashi as she walked backwards to their home. "I'm gonna shower up. You better check yourself before you come inside. I won't hesitate to chain you to the ground for a few days."

"Naruto!" Kakashi yelled out but the blonde didn't listen and ran into the house. He growled furiously and sent his fist into a nearby tree. "Damn that girl."

Naruto ran till she could lock herself in her bathroom and sank to her knees. Tears fresh in her eyes as she felt her break all over again. "Oh kami this sucks." She snorted, allowing the tears to stream down her face. Naruto quickly washed her body, wanting to get some sleep after a long and exhausting day. Drying her body thoroughly, Naruto searched through her bathroom for her extra large shirt and fresh underwear. Exiting her bathroom, Naruto's eyes widened in shock with her breath catching in her throat. "W-wolf?" She stared wide-eyed to the transformed beast that was sitting on her bed. A pair of glowing red eyes snapping to her direction. He looked so beautiful to her. So dauntingly overwhelming.

"Little fox." His gruff voice came out and held a hand out to the young woman. "I'm sorry."

Naruto easily took his hand and let him pull her to his lap. "It's not your fault." She muttered, her heart still clenching painfully.

The beast, with all his care, lifted her head gently to look at him. Her melting blue eyes made him whine and licked her cheek. Nuzzling into her face to show her his affection. "I have been in love with you always, little fox. From when I see you in diapers - my love grows with you. From pup to a woman, I love you much." He licked her cheek again and thumped his tail hard when he heard her giggle. He took her in and saw the happiness brighten in her eyes as her cheeks darkened. He touched his snout to her nose, enjoying that she didn't fear his appearance. "I forever protect, little fox. I stay here, not scare little fox getting cleaned. I was a good mate."

Naruto frowned in confusion. "Mate? You once called me your protector, as well."

"Little fox is everything to me." The beast nodded his head and pulled Naruto closer on his lap. "I fight Kakashi to make you happy. Kakashi is stupid."

Naruto snorted and asked the odd speaking creature. "You're speak weird." She felt his chest vibrate, trying to laugh and smiled as she snuggled into his furry chest happily.

"Wolf outside. Never speak outside - much to learn." He explained and tried his best to stroke her wet hair without scratching her.

Naruto sighed in relief with the administration. "I like you a lot more than Kakashi."

The beast laughed, holding her impossibly close at this point. "Little fox lie. You like us both the same." Seeing through her facade. "Little fox brave today. Speaking feelings to stupid Kakashi. We feel the same. He no accept feelings. Give Kakashi time." He whispered the last part gently. Licking her cheek when she looked up to him with hurt in her eyes. "It hard, I feel your heart. Hard me too. I want to," He gestured his hands between them both, "with you." The beast suddenly growled out and snapped to the air before calming down.

Naruto's felt her body go heavy, knowing what was happening. "Do you have to return?" Looking down to the floor. She wasn't sure she could face Kakashi now without getting furious or breaking down in tears. Jiraiya had trained her to be a damn worthy shinobi and here she was acting like a lovesick Marysue. She was Konoha's unpredictable shinobi, not a crying baby.

"I will come for you, little fox." The beast replied and nuzzled the side of her face. Licking the spot where he placed his mark and felt her sudder in his arms. "I will always come for you. No matter where little fox run to." He forced her look at him. His wise eyes looking into her vulnerable baby blues. "No matter who little fox runs to, I will come." Having a feeling for her plans and her hurt look only confirmed it. He placed a quick lick to her cheek before placing her on the bed and rushing out of the room, not able to hold Kakashi back anymore. The beast was just glad he blocked Kakashi off from seeing his interaction with Naruto. It was his memory to cherish.

He would do whatever it took to stop Naruto from marrying another man.