RIPPLES OF REFLECTION

Kakashi moved through the woodlands, happy to be back home. Their journey to the country of waves had turned out to be far more than what they thought, but they all returned stronger and more skilled than before. The team was dismissed, and given a day or two for rest before they would need to report in for another task. Right now, the calm of the forest was a welcome distraction from the events. And as the shadows crept closer through the closeness of the trees, a light glowed in the shrubs in the distance, bringing a smile to his face.

As Kakashi approached the hidden tea hut, he could hear the soft melody of a familiar tune drifting through the air. The sound of Blood Tiger's voice, singing a soothing melody, filled him with a sense of peace. He knocked gently on the door, feeling a sense of anticipation building within him. Moments later, the door slid open, revealing Blood Tiger's welcoming smile.

"Kakashi-san, you're back," she greeted him warmly, her eyes sparkling with genuine delight.

"Hello, Blood Tiger-san," Kakashi replied, returning her smile.

"It's good to see you again." As he stepped inside, the cozy warmth of the hut enveloped him, banishing the last traces of tension from his weary muscles. Blood Tiger motioned for him to take a seat at the low table, where a steaming pot of tea awaited them.

"I'm glad you're here," Blood Tiger said softly, pouring him a cup of tea.

"You must be exhausted after your journey." Kakashi nodded gratefully, removing his gloves and laying them on the table surface before accepting the cup with a murmured thanks. The fragrant aroma of the tea filled his senses, calming his mind and soothing his soul. He paused, not feeling the weight of the cup in his hand, then realized she was examining him.

"Kakashi-san... your hand," she said softly, and as he drew his hand back and opened his fingers, a bright red scar smiled at him.

"Oh, this? Don't worry about it, it doesn't bother me any more." he said with a soft chuckle.

"What happened?" she asked softly, setting the cup in front of him on the table.

Kakashi hesitated for a moment, considering how much to reveal. Blood Tiger had a way of drawing out his thoughts and feelings, making him feel comfortable enough to share things he wouldn't normally discuss with others.

"It's from our mission," he began, his gaze fixed on the scar.

"We encountered a dangerous opponent who tried to strike me with a blade. I managed to block it, but not without consequence." Blood Tiger's eyes widened slightly in concern as she listened, her expression filled with empathy.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that," she said softly, reaching out to gently touch his scarred hand.

"But I'm glad you're back safe and sound." Kakashi felt a rush at her touch, icy cool fingers tenderly soothing the once-aching skin. And then a memory struck him like a slap. The boy. Empty eyes. Frigid hands clutched at his wrist as he thrust his fist through the boy's chest. He was dead before he had the chance to fall. Involuntarily he shuddered, and she suddenly pulled away.

"I'm sorry!" in a blink the memory was gone, and he was looking at a girl in front of him, her hands held close to her chest, and bright purple eyes carefully studying him. Blood Tiger's concern was evident in her expression as she pulled away, her eyes searching his face for any sign of distress. Kakashi quickly composed himself, offering her a reassuring smile.

"It's okay, Blood Tiger," he said gently, reaching out to place a comforting hand on hers.

"Just... your hands are really cold." he said, and a red blush settled on her cheeks.

"They've always been. It's... a thing, of my family." she said, glancing away from him. Kakashi's expression softened as he listened to Blood Tiger's explanation.

"Ah, I see," he replied gently, offering her a reassuring smile.

"Well, it's nothing to worry about. Just took me by surprise, is all." Blood Tiger nodded, grateful for his understanding.

"Thank you for not making a big deal out of it," she said softly, meeting his gaze with a hint of gratitude in her eyes.

"Of course," Kakashi said warmly.

"We all have our quirks, right?" She chuckled softly, the tension in the air slightly lifting as they shared a moment of light-heartedness. Blood Tiger chuckled softly.

"Yes, I suppose we do. Cold hands, cold feet, cold hearts, cold stares... you never hear of a cold head, do you?" she said, trying to make a joke out of it. Kakashi chuckled softly, appreciating her attempt to lighten the mood.

"Well, if you ever do find a way to cool down a hot head, let me know," he replied with a playful grin. Blood Tiger smiled back, grateful for his easygoing nature.

"It'll be our secret weapon," she teased, feeling a sense of comfort in their banter.

"Speaking of hot-headed, how's the team doing?" she asked, returning her attention to the tea.

"They're... adjusting," Kakashi replied, his tone thoughtful.

"Naruto is as spirited as ever, Sakura is eager to learn, and Sasuke..." He trailed off, a hint of concern in his voice. Blood Tiger nodded, understanding the complexities of team dynamics.

"Change can be difficult, especially when it comes to working with others," she remarked sympathetically.

"But I'm sure they'll find their rhythm soon enough." she encouraged.

"I'm sure they will. But Sasuke, he's been brooding a lot. This was their first real mission, after all. It was... a bit more than we expected it to be..." he murmured, casting his hand another glance.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked softly. Kakashi hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"It's just... there was a young boy we encountered during the mission. His name was Haku," he began, his voice heavy with emotion.

"He was forced into a life he didn't choose, just like Sasuke. And in the end... I had to do something I never wanted to do." he confessed. Blood Tiger listened intently, her heart aching for the pain Kakashi must have endured.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that," she said softly, refilling his cup with steaming tea.

"It sounds like it was a difficult situation for everyone involved." Kakashi sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"It was," he admitted. "But we'll get through it. We always do." Blood Tiger nodded in understanding, offering him a supportive smile.

"If you ever need to talk about it more, I'll listen. I have no one to tell, except the birds. And Rikimaru, of course." she reassured him.

"Sometimes sharing the burden can make it a little lighter." she said, replacing the teapot.

"You mentioned a strong opponent. Was it him?" she asked, leaning on the table. Kakashi's gaze turned sombre as he met Blood Tiger's eyes.

"Yes, he was one of them. The other was a shinobi called Zabuza, apparently formerly from the Hidden Mist Village. He was unlike any opponent we've faced before," he replied, his voice tinged with a mix of respect and regret.

"Zabuza? I think I've heard of a Zanza before, from my grandfather. But I might have misremembered." she said thoughtfully. Kakashi's curiosity piqued at the mention of Zanza.

"Zanza? That's interesting," he remarked, leaning in slightly.

"Could it be a nickname or a variation of Zabuza's name?" Blood Tiger shook her head, her brow furrowing in concentration.

"I'm not sure. My grandfather told me stories of various shinobi from his time, but the details are a bit fuzzy," she explained.

"It's possible that Zanza was another name for Zabuza, or perhaps a different individual altogether." Kakashi nodded, considering the possibility.

"It's worth looking into," he mused, filing away the information for later investigation.

"Thank you for mentioning it, Blood Tiger." Blood Tiger smiled faintly, pleased to contribute to the conversation.

"Of course, Kakashi-san. I'm always happy to help, if I can." she replied sincerely. Kakashi stared at her hand, tenderly laid on his, involuntarily shuddering again.

"He was skilled, ruthless, and driven by his own code of honour." Blood Tiger's expression grew serious as she listened, understanding the gravity of the situation.

"It must have been challenging," she remarked quietly.

"But you managed to overcome him." Kakashi nodded.

"We did, but not without sacrifice," he admitted, his tone heavy with the weight of their losses.

"It's a reminder of the harsh realities of our world." Blood Tiger reached out to squeeze his hand in a gesture of support.

"I can't keep it out of my head... That boy..." then he glanced up as an old image flashed through his mind again, a body shrouded under the moon, blooms of red spreading in the water beneath his feet, empty eyes... and cold, cold hands around his wrist.

"He was an ice user." he mentioned, and saw a flash behind her eyes as she drew away from him.

"An... An ice... user?" she whispered, her hands clutching together in her lap.

"I... that's interesting... I thought that..." she trailed off, her expression melting into a porcelain mask. Blood Tiger's reaction caught Kakashi's attention, her sudden shift in demeanour raising his concern.

"Blood Tiger, is everything alright?" he asked, noting the change in her tone and expression.

She hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering away before meeting his again.

"I'm fine, Kakashi-san, it's just... unexpected, that's all. You did what you had to do to protect your team and complete the mission, that's all anyone could ask for. And honestly, far more than anyone should expect." she said softly. Kakashi offered her a grateful smile, appreciating her words of encouragement, her voice strained. Kakashi studied her for a moment, sensing her unease, but he decided not to press further.

"Alright, if you say so," he said gently, offering her a reassuring smile. Kakashi listened to Blood Tiger's words, her reassurance offering a small measure of comfort amidst the lingering weight of his memories. He appreciated her understanding, her willingness to offer support in his moment of vulnerability. Yet, beneath the surface, a nagging sense of unease persisted. Blood Tiger's reaction to his mention of the ice user had been unexpected, her sudden shift in demeanour hinting at hidden depths and untold secrets. As much as he wanted to respect her privacy, Kakashi couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her story than met the eye. For now, he would tread carefully, mindful of the delicate balance between curiosity and respect.

"But if you ever need to talk about anything, I'm here." Blood Tiger nodded gratefully, though the tension in her shoulders didn't entirely ease.

"Thank you, Kakashi-san," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

The moment hung in the air between them, a silent acknowledgement of the weight of their respective thoughts and emotions. Then, with a subtle shift in focus, they returned to their conversation, though an unspoken understanding lingered beneath the surface.

"Thank you, Blood Tiger, your understanding means a lot." he said sincerely. In that moment, as they sat together in the tranquil sanctuary of the tea hut, Blood Tiger couldn't help but feel grateful for Kakashi's presence in her life, feeling a sense of connection with Kakashi, a bond forged through shared vulnerability and understanding.

As Kakashi followed the sparse moonlight flickering through the dark branches of the woods, his mind searching through the shadows of the world he'd left behind. Something had changed. Though Blood Tiger remained her ever warm and welcoming self, she seemed suddenly distant. Like a barrier had sprouted at the mention of the young boy, who plagued his own thoughts still. He paused, feeling the cool night breeze against his skin as he glanced back. It was a hard world they lived in, she was not accustomed to hearing about death and devastation living peacefully out here. But her empathy ran deep, and she understood so much more than one would think at a glance. He continued to follow the narrow little pathway back home to the village, deciding he would revisit the tea hut again in a few days if he had the time. Just to make sure she was okay...