Chapter 37

Five weeks.

Five weeks and there still wasn't a change.

Musashi leaned forward in his chair, resting his head in his hands as he tried to settle his nerves. Between his fingers he could see his daughter lain out on the hospital bed. The white linen covered her and her long black hair was pulled to one side of the bed. The nurses had done a good job of maintaining it for her.

If Keiko had been in any kind of normal coma, then perhaps he wouldn't be so worried. The subtle pained look etched onto her face was enough to tell that it was far from normal. Kakashi was in the next room over and he too had a similar expression.

He reached out and held her hand for what felt like the hundredth time. This had been his routine since she had arrived in hospital. Finish up his work for the day and spend the night in the hospital with his daughter. Praying that tonight would be the night.

It never was.

Musashi had always known that something like this could happen. He just never wanted to believe that it would. Keiko was his daughter. No matter how powerful she became or how great of a reputation she obtained, she would always be his little girl. He could still see the happy little four year old who wanted nothing more than to be like him and her uncle. Those tiny hands trying to wrap around a sword and the genuine wonder sparkling in those innocent eyes.

He had to wonder… would she have become a fighter if her mother were alive? If she had grown up knowing a mothers love would things have been different? He always did his best to offer her that love to try and make up for her loss. To make up for the mother she never knew. Perhaps, Keiko would have been happy and content with the role their society had given them. But, no, he couldn't imagine Keiko any other way. She was too focused, too driven. The society they came from would have held her back had they stayed in the Land of Iron.

Keiko had always wanted to make a difference to those around her. She was far too compassionate for her own good. Even through all the hardships she faced from her fellow Shinobi through the years, she never lost that quality. It was who she was, and it was one of her most admirable qualities.

When was the last time he told her he was proud of her? The last time he told her he loved her?

His grip on her hand tightened and he breathed deeply to settle his nerves. Fighting back a choking feeling and a quiver to his lips. Those questions had been on his mind often the last several weeks. It wasn't like he never said those things, but now that he was facing the possibility of never seeing her awake again… He desperately wanted her to hear them.

In the past, he had only heard about her brushes with death. After a certain point, it stopped phasing him. She always pulled through. She always bounced back. He had a lot of time to reflect and the more he did the more he realized just how absent he had been. He wanted to travel and make a change in the world in the way he knew how, but to do so he left her behind. He left her in a village that he learned much later, couldn't care less if she was a fatality.

Through everything, she had managed to carve out a home. A place to belong. Even though their relationship with the Hidden Leaf started rocky it was all too apparent that Keiko had made an impact on the people there. Over the last few weeks Keiko had received many visitors. From academy students to elite Jonin. She had managed to impact so many people over the years. He was sure that alone would bring a smile to her face.

It made it a little easier to bear, knowing that she had others to rely on. Like Kakashi and Iruka. Even so, he couldn't help the guilt that gnawed at his heart. He should have been there for her through it all. But she had told him it was alright. That she was following her dreams so he should be able to follow his. Even at that young age she cared far too much about the people around her. In retrospect he was a horrible father, and he vowed to change that.

She only needed to wake up.

A soft knock on the door made him jump. He cleared his throat before speaking, not wanting it to be obvious that he had been on the verge of tears. "Come in."

The door opened slowly and a familiar Chunin entered. Iruka felt his chest ache at the sight as it always did. Everyday that passed he thought Musashi looked thinner, and the bags under his eyes became worse. In the corner of the room was a chair that the man had been using as a bed. It was obvious that he had spent more time here than in his own home.

He walked closer to the bed until he was across from Musashi. He had yet to lift his head from his hand to look at Iruka directly. Iruka looked over at Keiko's sleeping face, a sad sigh passing his lips. "No change?" Iruka asked hesitantly.

Musashi shook his head, finally looking up at Iruka. "Nothing. She won't respond to anything."

Iruka's frown grew. Just how long were they all going to stay like this? Kakashi and Sasuke had yet to wake up and respond either. While Kakashi had some visitors, he did not have nearly as many as Sasuke or Keiko. Much like Keiko, Sasuke had a constant visitor as well.

Sakura.

That girl had nearly lost three of the most influential people in her life. There were days that she looked nearly as bad as Musashi did now. She was usually cheerful and pleasant but now she was like a shell of her former self. He gazed back up at Musashi, watching as he rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. "When's the last time you've eaten?" Iruka asked quietly.

He shook his head, "I'm fine."

Iruka breathed deeply, muttering to himself, "Like father, like daughter..." He clapped, walking over to the older man and hoisting him up by the arm, "Let's go."

Musashi stumbled at the sudden movement, "Hey! Whoa, hold on-"

The teacher shook his head and drug Musashi along with him toward the door, "You're getting a proper meal and that's that."

When they came to the door Musashi placed a hand on the door frame and planted his feet firmly. Forcing Iruka to stop and look back. Leaning an arm on the doorframe, Musashi sighed and offered him an exhausted smile. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, Iruka. But it isn't necessary." He turned and walked back into the room, "Unless it's to rebuild this village, I'll be here. Waiting."

"But," Iruka stepped forward, his temper getting the better of him, "you know Keiko wouldn't want her own father wasting away like this!" He couldn't see the look on the other man's face as his back was turned to him.

There was a lengthy silence between them. "Iruka… you don't have children, do you?"

The Chunin was a little put off by the question and faltered in his response, "Uh, no. I have taught plenty of them-" He paused when he saw Musashi shaking his head.

"You are their teacher, not their parent." He sighed, "I have nothing but respect for you, Iruka. You have a big heart. And, you're right, she wouldn't want me to waste away." He stepped closer to the bed, "I've heard about what happened to your own parents."

Iruka jumped, not expecting a sudden shift in topic.

"They lost their lives in order to protect this village. In doing so saving you, their son. They not only had their village to think about that day, but you as well." He reached out, smoothing out a few strands of hair that had fallen into Keiko's face. "You pour everything into them. Your hopes, your dreams, everything that you are. So that they will be better than you ever could be. Watching them grow into a person you can be proud of." He paused, gritting his teeth before continuing. "No parent should have to watch their child wither away..."

Iruka was about to say something when he felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned in surprise. Guy stood there, his eyes fixed on Musashi who had yet to turn to look at either of them. How long had Guy been there?

The Jonin walked forward and shifted his gaze from Musashi to Keiko. He breathed deeply through his nose. If only he had been a few moments sooner. Then maybe Keiko and Kakashi wouldn't be in the predicament they were in. When he had turned up on the scene, Keiko had already fallen into the river and had to be fished out. For a few days the nurses had been worried about her developing pneumonia from potential water in her lungs. Thankfully, nothing ever came of that.

Having heard what Musashi had said he found himself sympathizing with the older man. "We might not have children of our own, but our students might as well be." Lee popped into his mind. The boy was more like a son than a student in every sense of the word. "I'm sure Iruka would agree, there are some students who mean more to us than life itself."

Iruka nodded and stepped closer, "That's right." If something were to happen to Naruto he didn't know what he would do.

"She will wake up. All of them will." Guy stated boldly. Neither Keiko nor Kakashi would allow this to defeat them. They were stronger than this Jutsu.

"Don't forget," Iruka reminded him, "Naruto and Master Jiraiya are bringing back Lady Tsunade. She'll wake them up in no time."

Musashi forced a laugh and looked over his shoulder at the two men. His eyes brimmed with unshed tears and he grinned, "Yeah, I hope she's as good as everyone says she is."

Iruka and Guy shared a glance and their thoughts mirrored one another.

She had to be.

~0~

Musashi leaned back against the window frame, enjoying the cool fall breeze. If Keiko were awake she would love the cooler weather slowly creeping in. He thought back to when she was only a toddler, playing in the freshly fallen snow.

A loud knock on the door made his head snap over to it. "Yes?" He called out.

The door opened swiftly and a familiar ball of orange and yellow leaped into the room, "Old man Musashi! Look who I brought back!"

Musashi pushed himself off of the window and stood straighter, his heart beating wildly, "Naruto!" If Naruto was back, then he must have brought that miracle of a medical ninja with him, right? He looked up past the small blonde boy and saw the woman who entered. A blush rose to his cheeks. She was stunning.

"Granny Tsunade's already woken up Sasuke! So Keiko will be up in no time!" Naruto shouted excitedly.

"Granny?" Musashi questioned and looked at the two women and the small pig they had with them. Neither of these women looked older than twenty-five. He could see the brunette and the pig she carried grow nervous as the blonde woman grew noticeably irritated.

He expected for the woman to snap at Naruto but instead she only crossed her arms and sighed heavily. She looked up at him, "And who might you be?"

"Musashi Takahashi." His gaze shifted over to Keiko who was still in her hospital bed. "Her father."

Tsunade nodded, "I see."

Naruto and Musashi crowded closer to the bed, watching closely as Tsunade placed her hand on Keiko's forehead. It began to glow a soft green hue. While Musashi and Naruto both watched anxiously, there was a notable hint of fear glinting in Musashi's eyes. Naruto had seen Sasuke wake up so he knew what Tsunade could do. Musashi, on the other hand, had yet to see what she could do.

After a minute, Tsunade took her hand away from Keiko's forehead and brought it back to her side. A small reassuring smile tugged at her lips as she looked at the two of them.

Musashi's eyes darted from Tsunade to Keiko a few times, his anxiety mounting when there wasn't an instant change in her condition. He was about to ask how long it would take when a soft groan made him freeze.

"Keiko!" Naruto cheered happily when her eyes opened. A disoriented Keiko sat up in bed but before she could sit up fully she was tackled in a hug from the energetic boy.

For a moment Keiko didn't respond. Her mind was still in an exhausted haze. She had to remind herself of where she was, who was around her… Naruto. As soon as she realized who was clingy to her, she returned the embrace in full force. A shaking breath of relief passed her lips, "You're safe." She could tell it had been a long time since she had spoken. Her voice cracked and her mouth tasted stale.

Naruto was ecstatic to see Keiko awake again. When he found out that her and Kakashi had been taken down like Sasuke had, it only made him want to fight harder to bring Tsunade back. Keiko was family and he would be damned if he didn't do anything to bring her back. When he moved to let go of her he realized that she was still holding him tightly. It was like she thought he would disappear if she let go. He squirmed, becoming flustered at the overly long embrace.

"So, you're that girl from the Land of Iron."

Keiko blinked, realizing that she had been holding Naruto a little too long and letting him go. She turned up to the gorgeous woman at her side, realizing where she was. Keiko nodded, "I am."

Tsunade crossed her arms, "You're a Jonin and yet you got fooled by a trick like that. I expected more." Behind her she could hear the small oinks of agreement from her pet pig, Tonton.

Blue eyes slowly blinked, thinking back to the events that landed her in that hospital bed. It felt so long ago now. The river. Kisame and Itachi. Kakashi. It felt like a lifetime ago. Her hand came up to her forehead, shuddering at the reality she had been facing since she had been pushed into that river. "The others… Kurenai, Asuma, Kakashi… Are they alright?"

Naruto beamed, "Yup! Sasuke's already awake and Kakashi Sensei is the next on our list!" He hopped off the bed and ran toward the door, "Come on, you still got two more to go to fulfill your promise!" He called out for Tsunade.

The Sannin rolled her eyes and turned back to Keiko, "Be sure to rest while you can. It won't be long until you're back on active duty." She walked out the door. The brunette followed shortly after with the small pig in her arms.

The room became eerily quiet after that. Keiko sighed in exhaustion, shaking her to her very core. Despite that she turned and flashed a smile up at her father. She was going to speak when she was once again caught in a tight embrace. Her head held firmly to his chest, his arms circling around her shoulders. The sudden embrace caught her off guard, "F-father?"

"I thought I was going to lose you, Kiko." He said through a shaking laugh.

Keiko smiled softly, wrapping her arms round him just as tightly, "You won't lose me that easily."

~0~

Kakashi rested in his hospital bed that night. He hoped that the next morning he would finally be able to get out of that bed. The weeks laying in a coma had taken their toll. He could feel his body was weaker and that was something he couldn't let happen. If anything, the encounter with Itachi only proved that he had to work even harder than he had before. He had been powerless. Itachi could have killed him easily if he wanted to. So, why didn't he?

When he first woke up, the first thing he had asked about was Keiko. He had to know if she was alright. Last he had seen her she had been pushed into the river. He had been paralyzed, unable to move due to Itachi's jutsu. He knew what she had been planning before she had even moved. Like him, Itachi could have killed her had he wanted to. He was beyond thankful that they had both escaped with their lives.

He was left wondering about that jutsu, Tsukuyomi. It allowed Itachi to completely control time and space within a person's mind. He had never thought something like that was possible. No matter how much he tried to break free of that torture, or tell himself that it was just an illusion, it hurt all the same. It was as if he really was being stabbed over and over again. Being brought to the brink of death and then dragged right back again. Only to feel it all over. Again and again for what felt like a lifetime. So much time seemed to pass that when he had woken up, the absence of pain was… wrong. He couldn't imagine what Keiko and Sasuke had been put through.

He shifted his head over to the side when the door to his room opened. "Oh, Guy." He greeted him and moved to sit up. He would take any kind of stimulation at this point. Until the next day he was stuck in that bed and he needed something to keep his mind occupied. Constantly thinking about what happened or what could have happened was doing him no good. He expected for Guy to come in loud and boisterous as he usually did. Instead, Konoha's Blue Beast was all too serious as he walked in. He didn't so much as meet Kakashi's eye. Kakashi watched Guy as he walked in and leaned against the window, "Everything alright, Guy?"

Guy crossed his arms over his chest and there was a long pause before he said anything. "She said it's hopeless." When Kakashi didn't say anything, he elaborated. "Lee. Tsunade said he should give up. That there's no hope for him."

"Ah," Kakashi nodded in understanding. He looked away from his rival and down to his hands, "How did Lee handle the news?"

"He didn't say a word." Guy said easily, remembering the event as though it had happened only moments ago. Reminded of how Lee had wordlessly stood and walked out the door. "If I knew that Lady Tsunade was going to say something like that then I wouldn't have asked for her help."

Kakashi sighed as he listened to Guy ramble on. He was honestly surprised that Guy had come to rant to him instead of Keiko. He considered Guy a friend but all they really did was participate in their little challenges together. Keiko on the other hand had a much closer relationship with Guy. They had been partner's longer than Kakashi had really known her. Come to think of it, he had only really gotten to know her in the last year or two. Before that she had just been another face in the crowd. A pretty face, but just a face nonetheless.

"I can't just let what that woman says be the way things are."

Kakashi blinked, bringing himself back to reality and nodding at Guy's statement. He hadn't meant to get lost in thought but there was an awful lot going on in his mind as well.

Guy stood straighter, puffing out his chest, "Lee will shine brightly in the sunshine of youth once again. That, I swear!"

It would seem while Kakashi had been lost in his own little world Guy had talked himself out of the depressive state all on his own. Or at least, he seemed to have. He smiled and laughed awkwardly, "Lee's lucky to have you, Guy." What he wouldn't give to have Keiko's social tact. She had a way with people that he would never be able to copy.

Suddenly, Guy's face was only a few inches from his and Kakashi had to lean back to try and regain his personal space. He fixed him with an annoyed look. Just what was Guy planning?

A grin found its way to his lips, "Speaking of people who are lucky. Congratulations."

There was a long pause before Kakashi finally spoke, "What?"

"You and Keiko. I never got the chance to speak to you before the incident." He stood straighter and gave a thumbs up and a sparkling grin, "I've been cheering for you two since the beginning!"

So, that was it.

Kakashi gave an exasperated sigh and ran a hand through his hair, "We're..." He began boldly, but faltered. 'We're not together' is what he was going to say, but he found it hard to say the words. Finally, he spoke again. Softer this time, "It's not going to happen."

Guy blinked, surprised at what his rival had just said. "You're pulling my leg, Kakashi." When he saw that Kakashi was serious his demeanor shifted from joyous and boisterous to a more grounded one. "Why do you say that?"

He sighed, "Guy, forgive me but I really don't want to be discussing this with you." He took back what he said about taking just about any kind of stimulation. Something a little less personal would be nice.

"Have you honestly never noticed how she looks at you?"

He blinked and looked back up at Guy, "What?"

Guy scoffed and crossed his arms, "For someone who claims to be observant, you can be pretty blind. I've been around Keiko a lot longer than you, and I can say with the utmost confidence that she's never looked at anyone the way she looks at you. So, you've honestly never noticed?"

He didn't answer.

"Not to mention, Kurenai and Asuma told me about her outburst at the river. She lost it when Itachi threatened to take you away. Or, have you forgotten about that too?" Guy asked with a serious and calculating glint in his eye.

Kakashi looked away without saying a word. Of course he hadn't forgotten. How could he? She had risked her own life to try and fend off Itachi and Kisame in order to protect him and the others. It was because of him that she had been subjected to the same torture he had been. He could still remember the cold debilitating fear that had washed over him in those moments. The sound she had made when she fell. The dark look within Itachi's eyes. The sight of her body disappearing beneath the water. He hadn't been able to do anything.

Guy studied Kakashi closely. Easily able to see the emotional turmoil behind his rival's eye. He had never seen that kind of emotion there before. There were some things that Guy knew he didn't have the best grasp on. But, when it came to Kakashi and Keiko, there were few people who knew them as well as he did. "You must know how she feels about you."

'I like you.'

A hand rose to his face to try and cover the growing heat. Of course he knew how she felt. Even if it had been in a drunken haze she had said the words and begged him to stay. Even as he placed her on her own bed she had mumbled a plea for him to stay by her side. Every fiber of his being wanted to give in. That one kiss was more than he had ever hoped for and if he were any less of a man he knew they could have gone further.

The smell, the feel, the touch, even the taste. Thinking about it sent a pleasurable tingle down to the very core of his being. He wanted more, craved it. He needed more of that intense feeling but there was something stopping him.

Fear.

Never before had he felt this way about a person. Not Obito or Rin, or Minato Sensei. He had loved them all dearly and he had lost them all. Each time he had been broken and there had been no one there to help him pick up the pieces. With every loss he faced, the pieces grew smaller and smaller, requiring more time and care to be placed back together. When he met Keiko he was still fumbling, trying to pick up the pieces. That warm inviting smile had drawn him in, and before he had even realized it she was helping to mend what was broken. Kakashi didn't even think she knew.

There was one thing he did know. If he lost her he would shatter. It would not be worth picking up the pieces.

He lifted his gaze, peering through his fingers to look out the window. The gentle breeze outside rustled the leaves and for some reason he found someone else popping into his mind.

Yugao.

'Cherish the time you two have...'

~0~

Keiko stood straighter as she made her way down through the village streets. She had insisted on getting out of the hospital and was thankful that she had finally evaded the nurses long enough to do so. Physically, she was fine, able to move though just a bit slower and sluggish. If she wanted to get better, movement was what she needed and staying in that hospital bed wasn't going to do her any favors.

What was her plan for that day? Absolutely nothing. Iruka had found her that morning and it was touching to see just how worried about her he was. As he usually did, he masked his worry with frustration and lectured her about going and fighting when she had been hungover. She didn't have the heart to tell him that the results would have been the same regardless of her hangover. Instead, she let him ramble on until tears of frustration were threatening to fall and he had to excuse himself.

Naruto had also visited, telling her all about how he had mastered a new jutsu and his crazy adventure with their new Hokage. Overall it seemed like Naruto had had a good time with him and Jiraiya had saved him. It was infuriating to know what Itachi had done to Sasuke and she could only hope that the young Uchiha was coping.

Her father was being uncharacteristically clingy. Very involved in every aspect of her recovery. It seemed like every single time she had shifted her weight he had looked at her, waiting for her to tell him what was wrong. Thankfully, he had to return to work and so she was free of him for the time being.

For now, she was just walking the village, grounding herself in reality. If she closed her eyes for too long, all she could think about was that place. Sleeping was a near impossibility and so she had stopped for a cup of tea to go. The warmth was soothing and helped to calm her nerves the slightest bit.

As she rounded one corner, she yelped and fumbled with her tea before she had a chance to accidentally throw it into the person's chest. An apology was on the tip of her tongue but it froze when she looked up into a singular charcoal eye. A blush rose to her cheeks, "Oh, Kakashi. Sorry about that..."

Kakashi offered a reassuring smile, "It's alright." Truth be told he had been looking for her. To run into her like this was rather convenient. Looking at her now he could tell she was still exhausted, but he knew she couldn't stand it in that hospital any more than he did. He turned and gestured with a tilt of his head, "Walk with me?"

She blinked, "Uh, sure."

The two of them walked in silence. A peculiar tension hovering around them and Keiko couldn't stop her fingers from fidgeting.

"You really do like that tea, don't you?"

A soft smile graced her lips, "I do. It's calming, and I could use it right about now." There was more silence between them. She wasn't entirely sure how long they had been walking for before Kakashi came to a stop. She noticed they had walked into one of the training grounds. It was midday and the fact no one was around was a little surprising. Keiko could tell just by the way Kakashi was holding himself that he had something to say but she couldn't place it, "Kakashi?"

A moment passed as he worked up the nerve, "I'm sorry."

Keiko blinked, her brow knotted in confusion, "What for?"

"It's because of me that you got dragged into it. I can only imagine what Itachi put you through..." His hands tightened into fists within his pockets at the thought, unable to look her in the eye. He should have forced her to stay with Sasuke. If he had insisted, then perhaps she could have helped Sasuke keep his cool. Keep the two brothers from encountering one another. Keep them both out of harm's way.

She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, "You and I both know that isn't your fault. I came with you because I wanted to. I rushed in because I wanted to. I'm the one who put myself in that situation." She looked up at him and smiled even though he still refused to meet her gaze, "I did something rash, I should be the one apologizing." This man had a way of blaming himself for things out of his control.

He shook his head, "Even so..." From the corner of his eye he could still make out the bags under her eyes and the sluggish droop in her posture. "You didn't sleep, did you?"

Keiko looked down into her tea before finishing it, hoping that the caffeine would help to wake her up. "Unfortunately, no." When she would drift off to sleep she could still see it all. She didn't want to go back to that place and if it meant only getting an hour or two of staggered sleep throughout the night, then so be it. Her gaze drifted up, "What did you see?"

Kakashi finally met her curious blue eyes and he had to look away again. He sighed, "There wasn't much to see. Only feel. Over and over again, repeatedly. I couldn't move the slightest inch, no matter how many times I felt that blade pierce me." He noticed how her gaze fell and the familiar look of sympathy etched into her features. There was pain there as well and he couldn't help but ask the same question, "What did you see?"

She fell silent, unsure of how to properly respond. Her mouth opened and closed several times trying to form the words. Keiko hadn't even noticed how her hands began to shake. Not until Kakashi reached out and gently grasped her wrist. Her head shot up, eyes wide as their eyes met.

His singular dark eye was sincere as he spoke, "Keiko, we're comrades, you can trust me."

Yes, she could. In fact, the amount of trust she held in Kakashi was more than she had for any other person. Only Guy and Iruka came close. The warm look he gave her was enough to make her blush and she had to look away. She gently pulled her hand from his, ignoring the incredibly strong urge to hold onto him. "I was pinned to the ground," she began slowly. "Over and over again I had to watch everyone die…" A hand came up to rest against her temple, "Naruto, Sasuke, Iruka, Guy… and especially you."

Kakashi was a little taken aback. Especially him? What did that mean?

As if sensing his unspoken question she closed her eyes and flushed in embarrassment. "I had to remind myself that it was nothing more than an illusion, but it was all so real. I would try to break free to save them but I was never able to make it there. He stopped me before I could." She could still clearly remember the pain of being stabbed in the back over and over.

Kakashi was surprised. Itachi had certainly gotten personal with his torture against Keiko. He could only think that was because Itachi happened to know more about Keiko than he did about Kakashi. While they had worked together for years, they had always kept their relationship professional as Anbu members. Keiko on the other hand… It would not be hard to figure out that targeting those closest to her would be a torture all it's own.

"He saw us at the shop." She continued, "He could tell..." Her voice drifted off and she looked up to scan Kakashi's masked face. How many times had she seen those eyes grow lifeless? Seen that silver hair stained red? Thinking about it only made her nauseous but she was thankful that he was alive and well. She reached out without thinking, a single finger tracing the side of his face and along his jaw. She could feel him go ridged under her touch. "He could tell I-"

A hand rested over her mouth and her eyes fluttered in confusion. Kakashi's eye smile was present for a moment before he slowly lowered his hand from her mouth. "Keiko… tonight. Do you have any plans tonight?"

Again she was left blinking in utter confusion, "Um, no, why?"

He took a few steps away before turning his head back toward her, "Meet me at the Hokage monument tonight at seven. I won't be late."

And just like that he was gone.

Her heart pounded within her chest. What. Was. That?

Keiko dropped her empty teacup and dug her fingers into her hair. Had she really just been about to confess!? Had Kakashi noticed and just not wanted to hear it!? Why had he said to meet her at the monument? Couldn't he say what needed to be said right there? She groaned in frustration and embarrassment as she tried to regain her composure.

"This is fine." She told herself, doing her best to ignore the erratic heartbeat within her chest.

Unbeknownst to her, Kakashi stood several hundred meters away hidden by the lush greenery. His heart beating just as erratically as hers.

~0~

The climb was exhausting. Why had Kakashi wanted to meet her here of all places? She hoped that he hadn't been lying about not being late. The last thing she wanted was to make it all the way there and then find out that she would be waiting around for him. Somehow she doubted that he would be late this time. Hardly ever did he blatantly say he wouldn't be late.

When she reached the top, a familiar masked face made itself known. "Kakashi," She said in greeting, a warm smile on her face. A nervous feeling rose within her as they greeted each other. He was stiff, and if she didn't know any better he seemed nervous.

Kakashi led them the rest of the way, down a path and then through some bushes until they reached what Keiko had to assume was their destination. She was just a little shocked at the display. They had a gorgeous view of the village in the afternoon light. That wasn't what had her surprised though, it was the maroon blanket draped over the grass and the basket of fruit that caught her attention.

Without a word, Kakashi stepped past her and took a seat on the blanket to look out over the village. After a moment he looked back at her and motioned with his eyes to sit. Keiko nodded and stepped forward, following his lead. Silence fell over them and they listened to the sound of the wind through the trees and the birds that fluttered by. The scene was oddly reminiscent of one from Make Out Paradise. The two lovers share a night of passion overlooking the town… Her face flushed scarlet and she shoved the thought out of her mind. The resemblance to that scene was only a coincidence… right?

Keiko finally broke the silence, "So, what is it you wanted to say?"

Unsure of where to begin he looked off into the distance and opened his mouth, "Obito. He was my teammate."

She tilted her head to the side, completely caught off guard by the subject matter. Then it clicked, Obito. Asuma had mentioned the name when Kakashi mentioned buying something for a grave.

"His name was Obito Uchiha. I never cared for him much, just a lousy excuse for a ninja. Always late, lazy, and a total disregard for the rules."

Keiko found herself smiling a little. He sounded an awful lot like Kakashi.

"I wasn't the same person back then. When we were on a mission, my first mission as a Jonin, I was content to leave our other teammate to die. I was fully prepared to leave her behind to die..." Kakashi didn't need to turn to feel the disbelief emanating from Keiko. "Obito knocked some sense into me, literally." An absent minded hand brushed his cheek, he could still feel that punch to this day. "I finally learned the value of teamwork, thanks to him. It was on this mission I lost my eye." He gave a breathless laugh at the memory, "I guess you could say I started my habit of taking hits for others back then."

"I see." Keiko said softly, urging him to continue. This wasn't what she was expecting but she was unbelievably curious and couldn't help but inch closer to him as he continued.

"We found her, but on our way out of enemy territory I got hit in my blind spot. I fully expected to die. I saw the rock falling, coming toward me… When I came to, we found him, crushed and barely hanging on to life. His last dying wish was for me to take his Sharingan, and to protect Rin."

Keiko felt her heart cry out for him. She could feel the pain through his words, even just the way he delivered it. Like he didn't want to go into it but felt that he had to.

"It was my fault that Obito lost his life that day. Then, I broke my promise to him by failing to protect Rin..."

He grew quiet and Keiko couldn't stop her hand from reaching out to grip his. She weaved their fingers together, her hand noticeably smaller than his, "Kakashi, you don't have to tell me this if you don't want to."

Kakashi shook his head. He needed her to understand, "Every person I've ever cared for, I failed them. I've made so many wrong decisions over the years and for once, I want to make the right one."

She tilted her head to the side, "What's the right decision then?"

He finally turned toward her and she realized just how close they were. The close proximity was startling when their eyes met and she saw the heated look in his eye. They were so close she feared he would be able to hear her heartbeat. Finally, he spoke, "Do you want to know what happened that night?"

"What are you talking about?" She asked, her mind trying to wrap itself around what could possibly be happening. A part of her felt that she should pull away, but she couldn't seem to pull herself away from his intense gaze.

He leaned in closer, "How about a reenactment?"

Before she could even register what was going on, she could feel his lips against her own. For a moment she was frozen, unmoving against him before slowly leaning into the kiss. Slow and simple was the name of the game, that was until his arm circled around her waist and pulled her closer to him. The sudden and almost rough movement made her gasp and he took the opportunity to deepen the kiss.

All restraint flew out the window and she was lost in the feeling of it all. She wasn't sure when her back had made contact with the ground or when Kakashi's hand had worked itself into her hair but she couldn't be brought to care. Her hands worked their way into the soft silver locks. Wanting him closer to her she pulled his hair, running her nails along his scalp. A delectable growl tore through his throat and his grip on her hair tightened. The sound sent a delightful shudder to her core. Oh, she could get used to that.

Finally, he pulled away, not bothering to cover his face as he caught his breath. He had made so many wrong decisions in the past. This was a leap, one that he was terrified to make. He had thought about it all day and came to the conclusion that he was in too deep already. He couldn't cut her out of his life. He refused. As Yugao had told him, Kakashi would cherish the time he had and would do everything in his power to not let Keiko face the same fate as his old team.

Kakashi looked down at Keiko, meeting her dazed expression. He could finally respond to what she had told him that night. "I like you too."

The flustered look that crossed her face made him smile and Keiko couldn't help but think it was stunning in the light of the setting sun. She was still on cloud nine even as he leaned down to steal her lips once again.

He wouldn't mess this up.

~0~

Far off in the distance on top of the hospital there were two men, both desperately trying to look through the spyglass. Their faces pushed so close together as they fought for the view. One gasped when he saw what looked to be Kakashi turn and pull down his mask.

He stood tall, "I knew it! I knew Kakashi would work up the nerve!" He smiled, his teeth glinting in the sunlight, "When Kakashi came to me for advice I just knew something was about to go down."

"Yes, Guy, now could I please take another look?" Musashi held out his hand for the spyglass and returned to spying on his daughter and who he assumed would be his future son-in-law. When he saw the position they were in he quickly put down the spyglass and coughed. A faint blush rose to his cheeks and he muttered to himself, "About goddamn time you two."

Together at last~

I stayed up WAY too late writing this. It's 4:30am. I work in 4 hours. Hope you know how much I appreciate all of you. Definitely drop a review! They make my day. :)

Not a spooky chapter but happy early Halloween, lol.

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Posted - 10/30/2021