SHADOWS OF WHITE

Kakashi's day off provided a rare moment of respite from the responsibilities of leading Team 7. His new team had turned out to be a rambunctious bunch, consisting of their top student Sasuke Uchiha, inquisitive but soft-minded Sakura Haruno, and stubborn but very determined Naruto Uzumaki. In their own way, they were all very talented, but lacking consistent teamwork so far, and he knew he had a long way to go with them. But he did enjoy them nonetheless. It did remind him of his own youth, of his original team... As he lounged in his home, he observed the jar of Blood Bush tea, now nearly empty. The nightly ritual of savouring its rich flavours had become a comforting routine, and he appreciated the sense of calm it brought.

As he idly flipped through one of his favourite novels, a thought crossed his mind. It had been close to a month since he last saw the mysterious girl he had privately named "Blood Tiger". The vivid shade of her hair that was still a rich vibrant red with sheaths of obsidian black even in his memory, and the enchanting encounter in the hidden hut lingered in his thoughts. Kakashi found himself contemplating the idea of paying her a visit, a simple gesture to ensure she was doing well.

With a sigh, he realized that living on one's own could be challenging. His own solitary existence, while familiar and often preferred, had taught him the value of occasional connections, even small ones. Deciding to take advantage of the day off, Kakashi set off towards the western woods, retracing the path that had led him to the secluded hut.

The forest greeted him with its calming embrace as he walked the familiar trail. The air was filled with the gentle rustle of leaves, and the distant calls of birds added to the tranquility. Soon, the hidden hut came into view, nestled among the trees.

Approaching the wooden gate, Kakashi wondered if Blood Tiger would be there. He stood a moment, wondering if his presence might be considered an intrusion, but then a sudden crash from inside the hut made his heart stop. It sounded like plates breaking. He rushed forward, disregarding his previous thought.

Kakashi's heart raced as he thrust the door open, expecting to find Blood Tiger in distress. However, the sight that greeted him was beyond his wildest imagination – a massive snow bear, as big as a horse stood in the living space, shards of broken glass at its feet. Its icy blue eyes filled with surprise and rage. In the blink of an eye, the bear charged at him with terrifying speed that did not match the size of its bulk.

"Not good," Kakashi muttered, his reflexes kicking in as he gave ground. The impact of the bear's front paw striking his chest was like being hit by a boulder, the pain immediate and immense. He was thrown back onto the hard dirt path that snaked its way to the home, struggling to make sense of the surreal situation.

As the bear roared, ready for another attack, a commanding voice cut through the chaos. "RIKIMARU! DON'T!" The bear halted abruptly, its aggression replaced by a watchful gaze. Blood Tiger appeared, standing between Kakashi and the astonishing animal. It roared at her, its jaws opening as wide as her lean face with fangs as long as daggers. But as its breath rushed through her hair, shifting the strands she stood defiant, dressed in simple loose flowing pants and a light sleeveless shirt.

"He is not my enemy. I am in no danger from him." she said, and the creature subtly withdrew. But the cold eyes continued to watch him. Then she turned.

"I am so, so sorry. Are you al right?" she asked as she knelt next to Kakashi, her eyes scanning him for injuries with genuine concern etched on her face.

In a daze, Kakashi sat up, still trying to comprehend the reality of a giant snow bear in the hut. "Um... I... I think so," he managed to breathe, grateful for the return of free air to his lungs.

Turning her vivid eyes back to the creature, Blood Tiger addressed the bear,

"Go home, Rikimaru. I'll talk to you later." it stepped forward, a sound like a deep wail emitting from its broad chest. Then Kakashi noticed a small jade bead attached to its right ear, a small golden feather dangling from the green sphere. This is no ordinary beast... he realized.

'Yes! Now go home!" Blood Tiger ordered, and the bear grunted, casting a final wary glance at Kakashi before obediently retreating into the shadow of the hut. As the enormous creature disappeared, Kakashi realized the inconceivable nature of the situation.

"I am so, so sorry. Are you hurt badly?" Blood Tiger's tender inquiry brought him back to the present. She helped him to his feet, concern etched on her features.

"Just winded," Kakashi reassured, his gaze lingering on the now-calm bear. The unexpected encounter had left him all shaken, astonished and intrigued, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there was much more to discover about the enigmatic girl and her extraordinary companion.

After determining that there were no injuries, save for a potential bruise to his chest, Kakashi shared the small table with Blood Tiger, a pot of freshly brewed tea steaming on the surface. The girl stared at her hands folded in her lap.

"I'm fine, I promise," Kakashi assured, but then glanced at the place where the bear had vanished, curious yet understanding.

"I owe you an explanation for that," she admitted, her demeanour weighed down by a visible sense of guilt.

"It's not necessary, but I would appreciate it." Kakashi replied, attempting to ease the tension in the air.

"It's kind of hard to put into words..." she mumbled, fidgeting with her fingers. But as he waited, she took a deep breath before explaining.

"His name is Rikimaru. He is a spirit entity from the Komorbeni Mountain, which we would refer to as "Watchers". An ancient spiritual gift to my grandfather's line of the family, bound to the daughters as companions." she paused, thinking over the words.

"He protects me, and takes care of me as much as he can. Like the animal companions that are summoned in times of need. But unlike them, he does not depend on me to call him; he comes and goes as he pleases." she explained, and Kakashi nodded, absorbing the information. It answered some of the questions lingering in his mind but left others unspoken. He recognized that her story held more layers, and he respected her decision not to delve into all the details at once, and would let her tell him her story when she was ready to.

"Well... That is fascinating," Kakashi acknowledged, appreciating the uniqueness of the bond between Blood Tiger and Rikimaru.

"Thank you for sharing that with me." She looked up, her violet eyes meeting his, and for a moment, Kakashi sensed a depth of gratitude in her gaze.

"But, where were you? I didn't see you when I..." he trailed off, realizing that he was about to confess to trespassing.

"Um... I mean..." he sighed, deciding there was no way to back out.

"I heard glass breaking, and I thought something happened to you." he said, but as he glanced up he saw her smile.

"Your concern for me is truly touching, Kakashi-kun." then she pointed up.

"I was upstairs, in the loft." she revealed, and his eye shifted upward, only now aware of a faint light emitting from above what he presumed was a ceiling, noting the rafters another few feet above the deck.

"Oh..." As they continued to enjoy the tea, the atmosphere lightened, and the unspoken understanding between them grew. Kakashi couldn't help but wonder about the intricacies of Blood Tiger's family lineage and the spiritual connection they shared with such extraordinary creatures.

After finishing their tea and sharing some lighter conversation, the time had come for Kakashi to head home. Before leaving, Kakashi gently broached a request,

"I wonder if I may ask something of you?" he hinted.

"Of course, anything," Blood Tiger agreed.

"The tea you gave me is almost finished. Might I bother you for some more?" Kakashi asked, appreciating the unique flavour of the deep red concoction.

"Any time," she replied with a smile. She retrieved another full jar of the cherished tea from the cabinet, and as she handed it to Kakashi, their fingers briefly touched. He noticed her hands were cold, surprisingly so.

"I would ask if you're going to be al right on your own, but I realize you have nothing to worry about," Kakashi chuckled, alluding to the formidable bear guardian.

"Oh, he's just here because he gets bored. No one ever comes here," she assured, a statement that piqued Kakashi's curiosity. No one ever comes here? Despite its seclusion, the hut wasn't located far from the village, and it wasn't considered sacred ground. Then she glanced away from him, at the broken door frame and the tear left in the wall from her protector's defence of her.

"I will have to find a way to fix this, though." she sighed, and Kakashi took in the damage. Near half the wall was ripped through.

"Well... That's probably my fault." he said sheepishly, and she chuckled.

"I can't blame either of you, really. Don't worry about it, I'll manage." she assured.

"Shouldn't I help you fix it?" he asked, and she shook her head.

"I said don't worry about it. You should get home before the torch bugs catch you." she teased, and he had to chuckle with her.

"Al right. Good night, Blood Tiger. Keep warm," Kakashi bid her farewell, and she responded with a warm smile.

"You're welcome. We've all seen hard winters, and perhaps yours have been especially bitter," she mused cryptically.

As they parted ways, Kakashi walked back under the light of the moon, her words lingering in his thoughts. There was a depth to her words, a sense that they held a meaning beyond the surface. The mysteries surrounding Blood Tiger and her connection to the spiritual guardian Rikimaru continued to intrigue him, weaving a tapestry of curiosity and fascination that would unfold further in the days to come.