In which Haruhi learns of the power of Youth!
When she woke up, it was with much confusion. And comfort.
It was very soft but definitely not Kakashi's pocket or her bed. A steady torrent of rain between a drizzle and a mild downpour pattered against the window
She felt like she was drowning in fabric, the absolute fluffiness felt like it could smother her with it's buoyancy. Shifting her heavy limbs, there was a noticeable dip where she was sleeping.
A pillow.
She was sleeping on a giant pillow.
Even bigger than the one she had slept on in the living room, the one that was Pakkun's pillow. It was like sitting in a crater on the moon. It also smelled really, really nice...like pine.
A deep heavy breath to her left, almost a snore but not quite, startled her into upright position. She still couldn't see over the arch of the pillow but she had a pretty good idea of who it was. Grabbing handfuls of fabric, she made her way over, overbalanced, and tumbled onto the bed.
She flopped like a pancake thankfully onto the firmer mattress. The heavy breathing cut off.
"Kakashi, what do we do today?"
He didn't respond for a few seconds, probably deciding whether to go back to sleep or not.
"...Today is our off day for team seven, to recover in the aftermath of a high ranked mission."
"Well, we used up all the remaining food last night, so we need to go shopping."
He grunted and rolled away from her. She fell down at the movement. It was a lot like being on a trampoline and standing up and then some guy jumps right next to you and your legs cave.
She got up and bounced over, imagining this was a lot like being on the moon. She grabbed his black night shirt and stepped on his back, feeling him shudder at the weird feeling.
"Please?" She whined. "I'm hungry and I-I don't wanna go by myself." She pouted.
He remained remarkably still, before reaching over and picking her up with his hand. He sat up sluggishly with his eye barely open looking exhausted. For a second she felt bad, as he had stayed up a bit longer to search for her would be kidnapper, but that feeling disappeared with her growling stomach.
He eye-smiled and stood up. He put her down on the ground and they both went to brush their teeth or whatever. She finished before him of course, so she went into the kitchen on top of the counter. What fruit was left was spotted and wrinkled. Her nose curled and she jogged to the other end of the counter.
Kakashi walked in, raking his fingers through his tremendous bed head. She giggled and he sent her a deadpanned questioning look.
"Cumulonimbus cloud Kakashi."
"Maa." He flapped his hand. He checked the fridge as if food would magically appear, before closing it in defeat. Kakashi searched for an umbrella and Haruhi ran to the bookshelf and climbed up it the old fashioned way, changing into day clothes.
Kakashi had changed into long sleeves and his flak jacket and she put herself between that green ruff and his cloth covered neck. It was raining outside so they didn't have to worry about a lot of other people being out.
They stepped outside and immediately the pattering of rain against the umbrella relaxed her in a way almost nothing else could. She sighed and leaned against the neck ruff, appreciating the smell of rain and the freshness that accompanied it.
"...You really like rain, don't you?" He mused.
"Yeah." She sighed happily.
It was peacefully quiet into the shopping district of Konoha, the few people that were out holding newspapers or umbrellas and walking quickly to their destination. Kakashi walked slowly, probably to let Haruhi appreciate the rain for a bit longer before they went into the store.
Where they arrived at the familiar place she had seen once before, they took shelter under the canopy, Kakashi shaking out his umbrella before hooking it to his side.
"What do you want to get?"
"Veggies, fruits, maybe some chips too."
"Sounds good." He agreed.
The store was mostly empty, the cashier from last time lost in a book at the checkout. They compared noodles, looked over sauces, and snuck a few grapes for themselves. He bought her a bag of peach rings as she had squealed in his ear when she saw them.
They were giggling over a funny looking fruit that kinda looked like a butt when they heard a roar.
"YOSH! MY ETERNAL RIVAL HAS RETURNED, WITHOUT VISITING ME FIRST!"
Ears ringing, she considered her options. Kakashi was frozen in shock and at this angle wouldn't get past Gai. There was only one way but up. She jumped and grabbed his hair, pulling herself up into his cloud-like hair. it got the job done and hid her perfectly but she couldn't get over how weird it was. She was glad he took a shower this morning.
Gai was still going strong and within seconds blew away the peaceful atmosphere. The Cashier had fallen off his chair and Kakashi was standing extremely stiffly. She felt rather like a panther in a jungle.
She loved Gai.
Like, he was just so cool? Endlessly optimistic and kind? Passionate? She liked that. Quite reminded her of herself in fact. She giggled. She wished she could meet him face to face, she was sure his reaction would be the best!
"Was that you?" Said a confused Gai.
Kakashi walked up to the cashier and paid for their things Gai at his side like a limpet. It was Obvious Kakashi was trying to shake him but couldn't due to her nesting in his expansive hair. Was it weird she was happy about that?
"My Youthful Rival! I shall accompany you!"
"That's not nessacar-"
"AH! You will be making lunch. I happen to say we should make curry!" Gai exclaimed, holding out his own bag of groceries. Haruhi had actually never had curry before and was very interested. Kakashi opened his mouth, undoubtedly to say something rude, so she tugged on his hair.
"No-ouch!"
"Hmm? Have you something to say, my Eternal Rival?"
"No." Haruhi giggled again, and felt Gai send another strange look at Kakashi.
"Ah, my rival, I see you're in a good mood as well! I Must admit to never hearing you giggle like that, HA!"
Haruhi giggled again but Kakashi chose that moment to open the umbrella.
"Curry, curry, curry..." She chanted quietly, stamping lightly on his head.
"What was that? You want curry too!" Gai seemed to be on the verge of tears. She felt Kakashi slump in defeat. Now that she thought about it, Gai was trustworthy. Before they left Kakashi considered handing her over to him.
She peeked out to see him talking animatedly towards them, underneath his own umbrella. He gasped and she retreated quickly.
"KAKASHI THERE IS SOMETHING IN YOUR HAIR!"
She slid off his head and into his front pocket-just in time too as Gai started searching Kakashi's voluminous hair. She giggled.
"What is this Kakashi? Are you ticklish?"
She giggled again and Kakashi booked it back home. She giggled as Kakashi ran, trying not to slip in the puddles with Gai hot on his tail.
"YOSH! This game it quite fun, isn't it?" Gai shouted. Gai thought Kakashi was the one giggling! This only made her laugh harder, ignoring Kakashi's shushes. His front door in sight, he slammed it shut, sighing and putting the wet umbrella to the side. Gai could be heard in the distance. He pulled her out of his pocket with an annoyed look on his face, Haruhi grinning cheekily up at him. He put her down on the floor and went into the kitchen.
Haruhi got on from laying on her side and walked towards the kitchen.
BANG. The door flew open behind her.
"YOSH MY YOUT-HUH!?"
Gai stood in the doorway one hand giving a thumbs up and the other holding the umbrella behind him. One foot was held out from when he kicked open the door. His face was slack open-mouthed in shock.
Haruhi stood frozen like a mouse in his shadow, before grinning and waving.
"Hello! I'm Haruhi! It's so wonderful to meet you!" She giggled.
He stayed frozen in position.
"A-a tiny person..." He whispered in shock.
She beamed and waved.
In a motion that blew back her hair he threw himself on his knees and elbows, inspecting her from all sides. She didn't mind, cause Gai was cool. Kakashi was standing frozen in the background.
"I heard you back there. You seem like quite a youthful person." Haruhi said cheekily, winking up at Gai. He laughed, still a bit thunderstruck. Outside the rain picked up and Kakashi went and closed the door. He lent and picked her up.
"Kakashi are you sure that's okay?" Said Gai worriedly.
"Maa, it's fine." He said, turning himself and her away from Gai. "You might as well stay a bit and get an explanation."
"Curry." Haruhi whispered. Kakashi tightened his grip.
"Ah! You want curry, then!" Gai said, starting to regain his former mood.
"That's alright Gai, I can-"
"Curry!" She giggled, cutting Kakashi off.
Gai looked delighted, spouted some gibberish and took over the kitchen. He threw question after question over his shoulder and Haruhi happily answered them all. Kakashi sat on a stool with his arms crossed.
"What's your favorite color?" He asked.
"I simply can't choose one! What's yours?"
"Green!"
"I can tell!"
They both laughed. Gai was just the type of person that brought out her kind happy side.
"How did you get so small?"
"Jutsu. How did you get so big?" He was just as tall as Kakashi, who was canonical one of the tallest characters.
"Training! AND YOUTH!"
He launched into an explanation of his insane training regiment, Haruhi clapping with delight. He caught him shooting looks of awe and curiosity at her and she beamed in return. She couldn't explain why she liked Gai so much.
"So, how do you know Kakashi? Are you guys friends?"
"We are RIVALS!" He said over the in-process curry.
"Oh?"
She glanced at Kakashi, whose forehead was on the counter. Gai happily explained their rivalry in its entirety, including their score.
"Alas, my Rival is currently ahead-by one point!"
"Keep at it!" She encouraged.
She was endlessly fascinated with Gai and she could tell it was mutual. Kakashi remained silent. The curry was ready and her mouth watered as he placed a bowl in front of her.
It was delicious and she let Gai know, who then wiped away a tear.
"My cooking is good too" Kakashi grumbled.
"Another point for Gai! You're tied now!" Haruhi said around a mouthful of curry.
"YOSH!" He cheered.
They ate up, Kakashi turning around, in a bad mood for some reason.
Gai declared he had to go not long after that, something to do with extra training with Lee and his nightly exercises. He promised a return and Haruhi smiled in delight as she ate her Curry.
Kakashi cleaned up and put the leftovers in the fridge without speaking. Haruhi went down the stairs to her bookshelf and called back.
"Kakashi?"
"Hm."
"If I'm staying in your room now, shouldn't I move my stuff there too?"
He took a moment.
"Yes."
Haruhi made work of moving her things into his room under the cabinet. It was actually pretty easy-even without the stairs. Kakashi was pouting in the kitchen again sorting and washing everything slowly. This continued for about two hours and the rain was picking up outside. 'It was a good thing they got home when they did' she mused. As the rain picked up, so did her mood. She felt better than she did yesterday.
But Kakashi's did not. His pouting turned to sulking, and Haruhi wasn't sure what to do. Was he that upset about curry? The clouds outside were magnificent and she sighed happily.
"Do you really like rain that much?" He asked.
She nodded as she passed the kitchen.
Kakashi was quieter than normal, not even humming like he normally did. She bit her lip. How could she get him to speak?
"Kakashi, wanna know what my favorite color is?" She called back.
"What?"
"Gray. I like gray quite a lot." She said. "It can be a very nice color. It had a bad rep as boring, but just look at those storm clouds! And the best characters in books are always gray..."
"Oh." He ran his hand through his hair.
The atmosphere seemed to pick up.
"What's your favorite color?" Haruhi asked, in the process of carrying a miniature chair over her head.
"...I quite like golden-brown ." He mused. Haruhi grinned, resting her palm below her eyes.
The grin slid off her face as thoughts of the genin reached her. They would still probably be mad at her-as they should be, as that was a bit heartless on her part. She slowed her pace and Kakashi picked up on it.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." She sighed.
"You know, the genin will forgive you."
"How do you know that?" She questioned sharply. He appeared from the kitchen holding soapy dishes and sleeves rolled up, eye-smiling at her.
"Because it's impossible to stay annoyed at you!" He laughed " You're too...Haruhi, for that."
She scowled at him, but that only made him laugh again.
They continued working peacefully after that, Haruhi arranging her things under the dresser and Kakashi doing things around the house. Cleaning and setting up extra defenses. Time passed extremely quickly this way, and she pulled the garden book off of the shelf-despite said shelf now giving her the creeps. It seemed Kakashi had removed the broken wooden staircases.
He read his Icha Icha and she read her veggie book which was a lot more fascinating than you'd think. When her eyes started to itch in exhaustion she went to bed-now under his dresser. For some reason, it wasn't as comfortable as it used to be.
Her eyes slid shut and she started dreaming.
A woman sat at an empty kitchen table. A clocked ticked in the background, signifying the time as 2:01 in the morning. The woman paid no heed to the time, only gazing blearly into her cup of long cold tea.
The reflection that stared back at her was one of a tired woman, deep purple eyebags under dark brown eyes, skin dull with a lack of sun.
Where was her daughter?
She regretted not checking up on her immediately, like she said she would. But they needed her at work, and as the manager of that branch of the company she couldn't just leave.
"Mom?" A voice said tentatively.
Her eyes widened and her head snapped to the side.
There was her daughter. Her chair stretched on the tile floor as she jumped up, eyes alight with joy. She made a move to go and hug her daughter, but when she stretched out her hands, she stopped and stared at the huge appendage.
She looked and her eyes became bigger, wider, darker. She lifted her arm around in a circle. Bones cracked and the business shirt ripped and tore. It grew bigger longer giant as it descended towardshersmallhelplessform-
Haruhi gasped, springing out of bed. Her heart thudded in her chest.
"Just a dream!" She whispered." Just a dream."
"Haruhi?" Said a worried voice. Directly to her left Kakashi was kneeling with his face pressed to the floorboards. His gray eye gleamed worriedly at her hunched over form. She got up on shaky legs.
"Kakashi...can I sleep on the pillow again? Please?" She asked.
He said nothing, only offering his hand to her. She was overwhelmed with gratefulness and hugged his thumb as she crawled on.
"Thank you. Sorry if I woke you."
"Maa, I was reading Icha Icha anyway."
She giggled nervously and tucked her hair behind her ear. Kakashi placed her on the bed and she ran over to her pillow, climbing to the top. Feeling mischievous, and grateful now, she licked her lips and opened her mouth.
"I love curry, Kakashi, but it just doesn't beat stir-fry," She called over to him. "Take another point Kakashi. As much as I like Gai, I like you better." She winked and blew a mock kiss. She then followed it up with a muffled goodnight.
"Goodnight."
"...Goodnight."
Alright! Another Haruhi x Kakashi moment(s)!
Do they have chemistry? In a few chapters, I'll crack down on Sasuke. In this story, filler chapters are actually very important, as they give me time to develop the relationships.
May of you have asked when and will she get bigger and my response is; in due time, my friends. In due time...