"You can tell me everything when you're ready," Kakashi said. The two had found themselves lying on the bed, entangled with each other. Although Kakashi was initially at the foot of his bed to pat Hachi's head, sooner or later he was dragged onto the bed next to Hachi.

Kakashi tried to comfort Hachi to the best of his abilities, but he truly didn't know what to do. After a few minutes, Hachi's eyes were swollen shut and even with the lights turned off, Kakashi could tell Hachi's face was nothing short from a tomato. The moonlight peeked through the curtains and illuminated Hachi's eyes. The moonlight seemed too dull compared to Hachi's bright eyes that were glistening from fallen tears. While Hachi had a relatively minimal appearance, his eyes strikingly stood out. Kakashi admired Hachi silently.

Kakashi petted Hachi's hair, making sure Hachi calmed down his breathing. Whilst combing through Hachi's long locks, Kakashi's hand brushed against the side of Hachi's neck and Hachi sharply recoiled. Kakashi immediately took his hands off of Hachi.

"Is there something wrong?" Kakashi asked. Worry was prominent in his voice.

"I just have a reminder there," Hachi answered vaguely, scratching his neck harshly, almost as if to rip his skin. Kakashi quickly grabbed Hachi's hand to stop him from doing any more damage. He looked at Hachi and silently asked for permission to look. Hachi's tense body slowly eased and he removed his hand that had an iron grip on his neck.

When Kakashi saw his neck, he was confused at first. Six numbers were tattooed from the side of Hachi's neck to his nape, spelling out '001530'. The numbers were pretty small and were hidden by dirt and Hachi's collar to be seen clearly. It took a few moments for Kakashi to register what the numbers truly meant; Hachi was most likely a prisoner of some sort.

Kakashi's once sharp eyes softened. His fingers softly grazed against the numbers. Hachi released a harsh breath as if even the mere touch brought back flashbacks making Kakashi abruptly drop his hand.

"Sorry."

"It's okay…" Hachi muttered. He needed to get used to this anyway. If he was this sensitive to someone else's touch, how could he fight?

Hachi was conflicted. He felt the turmoil continue in his head and heart. He didn't know whether he wanted to tell Kakashi about himself or not. On one hand, he had only known Kakashi for only three days; however, on the other hand, Kakashi had proven multiple times that he could be trusted and that he cared for Hachi. Kakashi comforting him at this very moment was a true testament to the latter point.

"I still don't know," Hachi whispered, clutching tightly onto Kakashi's tear-stained shirt.

"Still don't know what?" Kakashi inquired with a small hum. He was obviously very curious as to what Hachi had to say, but if Hachi wasn't ready, he would never push.

"I don't know if I want to tell you or not." Kakashi was surprised that Hachi was having such a hard time deciding whether or not to tell him about his past. He assumed that Hachi would tell him later when he was more than ready. He didn't expect Hachi to consider telling him now after knowing him for such a short time.

"What's making it so hard for you to choose? I told you before, you don't need to tell me right away."

Hachi cut him off, shouting, "That's exactly why!" Hachi seemed to run out of breath just from that one sentence and he huffed, "If you are the type to show me such consideration, then that means that you are a good person."

Kakashi was taken back. He was already thinking about it that deeply? Kakashi couldn't help but smile lightly.

"How about this. I'll tell you about my past. Afterwards, you can decide whether or not you want to tell me or not." Kakashi bargained and Hachi's eyes widened. He never imagined he'd hear about Kakashi's life story, though neither did Kakashi. It seemed like a hidden trump card that Kakashi pulled from a deck of cards.

Although, he didn't know he'd use this so quickly. Of course, Kakashi was interested in Hachi, but he thought his life story would come after Hachi's. Kakashi's conscious stung. He truly meant every word when he said Hachi could take his time, but by telling Hachi about his life, it seemed like a cheat key to get Hachi to feel bad for Kakashi, and eventually spill everything. Too late to go back now.

"Well, I was considered a prodigy since I was young." Kakashi started and Hachi scoffed quietly. "Is there a problem?"

"Just thought that it was fitting for you to start with your praise," Hachi replied, making Kakashi roll his eyes.

He continued with his story, "As I was saying… I graduated top of my class at the age of five. I was placed on a team and everything was fine. But the day I was promoted to jounin, we had a mission: to destroy the Kannabi bridge. We had a little celebration before leaving for the mission and everyone got me a present except for one of my teammates, Obito Uchiha." The name left a bittersweet taste in Kakashi's tongue and Hachi could do nothing but watch as Kakashi's face contorted to that of pain and reminiscence.

"We went on with the mission, but my other teammate, Rin, got captured. I wanted to strictly follow the rules, so I chose to abandon her for the mission, but Obito told me that 'those who break the rules are scum, but the ones who abandon their friends are even more scum' and went off to rescue Rin. I made the mistake of abandoning them both. After I reflected, I went back and tried to save them both."

Kakashi's voice stayed steady as if he had rehearsed this story a million times, which was true. Kakashi had spent time after time wishing to reverse the clock and change his mistake, but he knew it was useless now. He had spent too many nights with thousands of nightmares to turn back time now.

"I got my eye damaged and I couldn't dodge a boulder. Obito pushed me out of the way and got crushed instead of me. He gave me his undamaged Sharingan and said it was my gift for becoming a jounin." Kakashi unknowingly reached out to his covered eye. It seemed to burn as he thought more about Obito. Hachi watched in silence, seeming to analyze Kakashi's behavior.

"On another mission, Rin said that she had the three-tailed beast sealed inside of her. She… wanted me to kill her because the enemies wanted the three-tailed beast to wreak havoc in Konohagakure. I couldn't. After losing Obito, I couldn't lose her too. We eventually got into a fight with the enemies and she…" Kakashi trailed off, wondering why it got so hard to speak. It has been more than ten years.

Hachi understood that feeling. The unbearable tightness in one's chest and the lump that got stuck in one's throat was something Hachi had repetitively experienced.

"She jumped in the way of my jutsu and killed herself." Kakashi finished with a heavy heart. A singular tear made its way down Kakashi's face, but he quickly wiped it off. He shouldn't get so emotional when Hachi was right in front of him.

"I got into the Anbu and I just started finishing mission after mission to cope. Soon my sensei died protecting the village and I couldn't do anything for him." Kakashi clenched the bed sheets tightly, "I've been a failure through and through."

Hachi looked up at Kakashi in protest, but Kakashi wasn't done, "But I've learned. That's what happens with failure." Kakashi finished and smiled down at Hachi. Hachi looked up at Kakashi in wonder and amazement. He hugged Kakashi's torso frmly, making Kakashi have a hard time breathing.

"I've decided," Hachi stated, his voice a bit muffled since his face was buried in Kakashi's chest.

"On what?"

"I'll tell you." Kakashi was more than interested. He began to stroke Hachi's hair once more.

Hachi took a long breath before starting his story, "I'm from the Land of the Moon. I had loving parents and a brother. We were happy, but one day my dad disappeared on a mission when I was seven. After waiting a year, I thought I could find him by myself, so I left my house. I was soon kidnapped by a child trafficking group and sold off to a feudal lord." Kakashi felt Hachi's grip on his shirt tighten so much that his hands were shaking. Kakashi stared at the top of Hachi's head since he was still looking to the side and gave a knowing look. It wasn't surprising to hear about a person in power having a slave or human pet. It just proved how corrupt this world actually is.

"I—" Hachi stopped himself. Actually, his body stopped by itself. His breath hitched at his throat and he couldn't speak nor breathe. Hachi immediately let go of Kakashi's shirt and clawed at his neck.

Kakashi's eyes widened at Hachi's involuntary actions. Hachi hunched over on the bed as if he was going to throw up, but nothing came out. His heartbeat pounded like a drum causing eruptions of spasms throughout Hachi's body.

"Breathe! Just breathe." Kakashi shouted, knowing Hachi wouldn't be able to hear him clearly. This was a feeling all too familiar to Kakashi. He had to go through it alone in the dark corner of his room. It was pure torture that felt everlasting. He wouldn't let Hachi go through this all alone as he did.

Hachi's deafening heartbeat was all he could hear. Spots were once again flashing in Hachi's eyes. He could only feel the faint touch of Kakashi's hands on his shoulders for a few moments till he couldn't even feel that.

Hachi's sense of touch disappeared. He scratched at his neck as if that would miraculously clear his airways, but he could no longer feel his own touch. He couldn't feel that his nails tore through his skin and that blood was streaming down to his chest.

Kakashi scrunched his eyebrows with frustration and concern. Every time Kakashi reached out to stop Hachi from further damaging his own body, Hachi thrashed around. His body was reacting instinctively to protect Hachi and fought Kakashi.

He sighed to calm down his own nerves. This wasn't the time to get angry at someone who doesn't even have control over their own body.

Kakashi took hold of Hachi's cheeks with one hand and clamped Hachi's hands together with the other, forcing him to look up at Kakashi. Hachi's swollen eyes were wavering with unshed tears.

"Hachi, breathe," Kakashi shouted once more. Hachi couldn't hear anything, but he could see what Kakashi mouthed. Hachi listened to Kakashi's words and tried to inhale slowly. It was a slow and difficult process that made Hachi's lungs feel like it was collapsing in on themselves. His breath got caught in his throat multiple times which caused him to panic, but Kakashi was right there every time and calmed him down.

A few minutes passed for Hachi's breathing to return to normal. His body was still shuddering every now and then, but it didn't seem to be a problem to Hachi anymore.

"I'm sorry." Hachi apologized quietly, a bit emotional still.

"Why are you apologizing?" Kakashi asked.

"I made you take care of me when I'm in this state of mind," Hachi said nervously, glancing down at the floor. He couldn't bring himself to meet Kakashi's eyes. He was honestly a bit embarrassed. He has never shown anyone this side of him.

This was something that had happened often while he was alone, but it never happened in front of anyone, never mind a stranger.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, "I'm your guardian. I'm supposed to take care of you, so get used to this."

Hachi finally looked up to see Kakashi. He was shocked. Was a guardian really supposed to help someone like him to this extent? It was a foreign concept to Hachi. Maybe it was because he hasn't had a "parental figure" around him for quite some time that he forgot what it was like. Hachi quietly smiled at Kakashi and Kakashi froze.

This was the first time Hachi had smiled at him. He didn't know what this feeling that seemed to overwhelm Kakashi from the bottom of his heart was. It was a new feeling that he hadn't felt. This new step in their relationship was something he relished in.

Proud . Kakashi was beyond proud of his new roommate.

"As I was saying." Hachi continued where he left off, but Kakashi cut him off.

"You're still going to tell me? You don't need to. Your body is literally fighting back." Kakashi protested. Hachi was in no shape to continue his story. Kakashi was more than satisfied with seeing Hachi as vulnerable as he was today. He didn't need to see Hachi get destroyed by telling a story he wasn't ready to tell.

"No!" Hachi yelled, making Kakashi stop suddenly, "If I don't tell you now, I feel like I'm gonna get swallowed up. I need to get over it. If this continues, I'm just gonna keep having those episodes." Kakashi's heart sank at Hachi's broken voice. He brought Hachi's head towards his chest once more and hugged him tightly.

"Take your time," Kakashi said. He didn't want to protest anymore at this crippled child.

Hachi mentally prepared himself. He couldn't have another breakdown right after the other one. Kakashi's words brought a sense of closure and he felt a little reassured.

"When I was sold off to the feudal lord, I was raped," Hachi said bluntly. He paused slightly to see if his throat would restrict and to see Kakashi's reaction. Kakashi sharply inhaled at the newfound information but chose to stay silent.

Receiving no response from Kakashi or his body, Hachi continued, "I was constantly used as a toy for about a year until the feudal lord's wife set me free. Though, I'm pretty sure she only did that because she was jealous." Hachi muttered the last part under his breath, but Kakashi's sharp hearing caught every word. It was now Kakashi's turn to shake, although it wasn't because he was having an episode like Hachi, it was because pure anger coursed through his body.

Kakashi knew just how unfair and brutal the shinobi world could be. Kids younger than Hachi would be forced to grow up into a killer, but to hear it from Hachi's mouth was a different and new experience. For a feudal lord, a political leader of a country, to exploit such a child was almost unheard of, but never nonexistent.

Hachi didn't allow Kakashi to process his emotions and spoke again, "After I escaped, I was wandering around Tsuchi no Kuni where I met the Doctor." Hachi spat out the name with venom. Kakashi had no time to wonder who the 'Doctor' was.

"He took me in, tricking me into thinking he was nice when all he wanted to do was experiment with me. He's obsessed with my clan and I. That's why I can't go back to my village. I would be leading him right to the people I care most about." Hachi said with a clenched fist. His resolve shone brightly within his eyes.

Kakashi stared at Hachi's face with an incredulous expression. He hadn't noticed before since Hachi's bangs covered most of it, but a green, almond-shaped tattoo lined up on the middle of Hachi's forehead. Whether it was because of Hachi's newly resurfaced resolve or Hachi's powerful emotional state, the tattoo seemed to flicker like a fire trying to relight itself.

If Kakashi didn't know what the Will of Fire was before, he definitely knew now. The evidence was right in front of him: Hachi was right in front of him.

"That bastard… he put all types of drugs in me and tortured me to get me to awaken my kekkei genkai by force. It worked, unfortunately." Hachi could only sigh and he grazed his forehead with his fingers.

Kakashi was confused. What kekkei genkai? He had never heard of Hachi's clan before.

Almost as if Kakashi was emitting his confusion outwardly, Hachi explained, "I'm from the Kobayashi clan. It's really small and we live hidden from the actual village in Tsuki no Kuni. The Doctor wants to find where we live and use our kekkei genkai to gain eternal life. Our kekkei genkai allows us to use the air molecules around us and change it to energy." Kakashi was intrigued. If there truly was a clan with such an impressive kekkei genkai, it was no surprise that someone would try everything to get their hands on it.

"I was in his prison for almost three years, until I awakened my kekkei genkai and escaped. That's when you found me." Hachi finished.

For three years?... Kakashi was impressed, as twisted as that emotion in this sense. He was impressed that Hachi survived for three years without just killing himself. Kakashi knew he would have given up at that point.

Kakashi looked down at Hachi's numerous scars on his arms. It all started to make sense now.

"I'm guessing he did those to you?" Kakashi took hold of Hachi's wrist softly, afraid Hachi would lash out again. Hachi could only nod as he bit his lip. His body was threatening to go into overdrive once more if Kakashi kept touching him without asking.

Kakashi examined Hachi's arm intensely. Most of the scars were from needles injected roughly and at random, others were the mishandled use of scalpels. Kakashi's eyes trailed upward towards Hachi's neck.

"And this?" Kakashi reached out toward the tattoo that was engraved on the nape of Hachi's neck.

Hachi flinched, making Kakashi stop.

"Sorry." Kakashi's hands dropped.

"It's fine. It's just that… that place was where both that stupid feudal lord and the Doctor loved." Hachi's whole body seemed to shudder at the memory. The feudal lord always kissed his neck when he took advantage of Hachi and the Doctor exploited this and purposefully placed his identifying tattoo on the same spot.

Kakashi trembled.

Anger flashed in Kakashi's eyes quickly and Hachi caught a glimpse of it. Terror quickly took hold of Hachi and his mind started racing.

Was he mad at me? Did I do something wrong? Kakashi saw the effect that his anger had on Hachi and tried to calm both himself and Hachi down.

"Hey, hey. You didn't do anything wrong. You're a victim. I'm angry at the people who did those things to you." Kakashi reassured Hachi. His hands surrounded Hachi, but he didn't dare touch Hachi again for fear that he would have another panic attack.

With those words, Hachi tried to compose himself. He couldn't afford to have another breakdown; his body wouldn't be able to handle it.

"Thank you… for telling me everything." Kakashi's voice rang throughout the room, breaking the moment of silence that Hachi took to breathe deeply.

Hachi's head shot towards Kakashi. "Why are you thanking me? I had to tell you anyway."

"You went through what most people don't even go through in a lifetime. I'm truly proud of you." Kakashi said. Hachi bit his lip to stop his tears. He can't cry again. He already cried years worth of tears.

Hachi hadn't heard of someone saying they were proud of him in more than four years. His chest puffed with an unknown emotion. He lunged toward Kakashi and gave him a hug.

"I'm glad you're my guardian."