Author's Note: I wanted to create a special chapter in honor of the holiday season, focusing specifically on New Year. It's arguably the biggest, most important holiday in Japanese culture and I wanted to translate that into this story (and as a plus, it is my favorite holiday of all time). Also, considering the current framework of Curiosity and the Copycat, I felt this would be an appropriate holiday to showcase the "beginning" of our protagonists' feelings towards one another. Those feelings being a small, growing (mostly) platonic affection between them but there still remains a little distance as they're getting to know each other.
Disclaimer: This small chapter takes place several months after Takara moved to Konoha and contains elements of her life after settling. To avoid spoilers, details are sparse - namely in what relationships she has with characters who have yet to appear, her job, and key events referenced in this update. The next update will pick up where chapter 4 left off. Takara's interaction with Kakashi is also different because she's opened up to him a bit more and likewise, Kakashi is a lot more patient with her and isn't rushing to get away from her either. Instead...he's become rather fond of her.
Curiosity and the Copycat
...a Naruto fanfiction story...
Curiosity and the Copycat © Mx. Irony
Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto
Takara is a Bisexual Badass
a holiday special
New Year's Day
2017
"And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been."
Rainer Maria Rilke
For all the falsities about the Sharingan's ability to see into the future, Hatake Kakashi himself did not think of it. The future was more of a far flung idea, a distant and unexplored intangible that Kakashi didn't see himself in. Maybe it was why he was so often late nowadays. When his mind was not deep in the past, the man preferred to stick closer to the present. This did not, however, mean he neglected his obligations. Instead, Kakashi thought in the immediate future - days, weeks, stretching onward into the month featured on his calendar. He looked ahead only at the dates listed there: mission assignments, report due dates, reminders.
So, when December came, Kakashi paid it little mind. His life trickled by, day by day where the only discernible difference from the one before being that night stretched on a little longer and the chill nipped at his feet in the morning. New Year's Eve arrived unexpectedly but quietly, without notice or anticipation. It only meant he needed to get a new calendar, as it had last year. Hardly anything new.
Except for one difference.
"Hatake-kun! Good morning!"
"Yo." Kakashi eyed her with amusement.
That December morning, Hinamori came out of her apartment looking - for lack of a better word - laughable but completely prepared for the mild winter waiting for her outside. Her scarf was much too long for any human being, coiled around her neck several times, and covered most of her lower face. Its wool was a garish yellow, rivaled only by the bright orange, sloppy bun on top of her head. The rest of her body was equally bundled up in multiple layers, complete with two jackets, thick gloves, and boots.
She plodded down the stairs to catch up with him. Tugging down the ridiculous scarf, she offered him a happy smile. "Welcome back! I didn't think I'd see you til next year."
Next year being tomorrow. Of course she was one of those people who made cheesy jokes like that.
"It went quicker than I thought it would."
"And I'm glad for it," she said, locking her door. Good. "How'd it go?"
"It was fine," he answered vaguely. The target had more guards than the client had anticipated, putting him in a bit of a tricky situation, but they were dealt with swiftly enough. Otherwise, everything went as planned.
The civilian's eyes swept his body over, quickly scanning him from head to toe. A pitiful attempt at being discreet Kakashi pretended not to notice.
"No injuries then?" Hinamori asked, trying and failing at being casual. She still hadn't forgotten what happened last time he returned home from a mission.
An image of the target's limp body flashed through Kakashi's mind. Smoothly, the Copy Nin assured her, "Nothing you need to worry about, Hinamori-chan."
"Any your doctor needs to worry about?"
"None."
Hinamori shot him a look but chose not push it further - for now. At this point, Kakashi knew her well enough to know that this wasn't the end of it.
"What have you been up to?"
"Mostly working. It's been pretty hectic with the holidays, first the Rinne Festival and now New Years right after. We've been busy."
"You seem happy about that."
"Extra work is good. All work is good work. It also means - " here, her smile took on a dreamy quality " - profits have increased by 9%."
Kakashi sweatdropped. "Er, right. That's nice, Hinamori-chan."
"Isn't it?" She sighed like a schoolgirl with a crush. "Business is good; the stocks are looking good. Interest for municipal bonds are going up. It's gonna be a good year, Hatake-kun. I can already tell."
Sometimes, Kakashi forgot about this side of Hinamori. He still didn't know what to make of it.
"What about you?"
Kakashi blinked. "What about me?"
"Are you excited?"
"About what exactly?"
"The New Year of course!" the orange-haired woman burst.
"Hmm..." At least they were on a different subject. However: "Can't say I am."
"Ah, that's no good. New Year, new start." She skipped a step with each word. "New you if you wanted."
She sounds like one of those tacky exercise ads they show this time of year, Kakashi thought.
"I doubt it's that easy."
The corner of her mouth quirked. "Nothing ever is, though."
"You're not wrong, Hinamori-chan."
The young woman hopped down the last step and landed on one foot off balance; she waved her arms frantically. Without pause, Kakashi grabbed her collar and pulled her upright.
"Thank you."
"No problem."
They stopped at the mailboxes just outside the entrance. Leaning against the wall, Kakashi pulled out his book and waited as Hinamori checked her mail. From the corner of his eye, he watched her flip through the sizable stack of envelopes covered in Aomori stamps. Slowly, she read each sending address and stopped at a familiar one. She fiddled with the letter, stroking the slanted handwriting with her thumb.
After a minute, Kakashi said carefully, "I thought you'd be gone by now."
Hinamori startled as if she'd forgotten he was there. Caught, she looked sheepish. "Oh, sorry, Hatake-kun. What was that?"
"It isn't unusual to take some days off this time of year."
Her eyes widened. Quickly, she gathered herself and smiled ruefully. "It takes three days just to get to Aomori."
Kakashi closed his book. "I'm sure your manager would've understood."
"He would've. He's a good boss," Hinamori agreed absentmindedly. She tucked the letters into her bag to be read later. "It's too cold for that kind of travel, though."
Lowering his book, Kakashi glanced out the window at the already melting snow. "It's pretty mild this year."
Hinamori's expression turned vacant. "Not in Aomori. We get the heaviest snowfall in the Land of Fire, almost as much as the Land of Snow in really bad years," she explained quietly. Her mouth twisted. "It's because of all the mountains nearby. Travel this time of year would be too risky."
What Takara didn't say was that her father practically begged her over the phone not to chance Aomori's harsh, unpredictable winter. It took a lot of convincing from him and other relatives until finally her older brother got on the phone and flat out told her not to come. That stung. Even though she understood it was for her safety, she regretted listening to them.
"I see..."
Hinamori pasted on a quick smile. "Ah, well. There's always summer!"
Carefully, he agreed, "There's always summer."
"I just hope my nengajo arrive on time..." she said as an afterthought, furrowing her brow.
Kakashi studied her for a silent moment. Finally, placed a hand on top of her head.
She jolted at the contact. Lips parted, Hinamori blinked up at him.
"They'll get them by tomorrow," he assured her, ruffling her hair. His eye crinkled in a way that Takara knew meant he was smiling at her. "And you can always call them later."
"Ogino-san said I've already been using the main phone too much," Hinamori mumbled, almost expecting the persnickety landlady to pop up behind her. The old woman threatened to charge her extra at the end of the month if she kept "overusing" the front desk's telephone. Again, Takara wished that she had her own in her apartment but a telephone line was too much for her meager wages and as it turned out, getting a telephone in a Hidden village was a tricky endeavor anyway - something about surveillance or security matters, last she checked. So, the new civilian resident was relegated to the shared building phone with far too many restrictions.
How frustrating.
Kakashi spoke: "I'll talk to her."
"You will?" She sounded more cautious than hopeful.
"Sure," he said easily, pulling his hand away.
"I don't think Ogino-san will be...easily convinced."
"Relax. I'm a very smooth talker." His dark eye sparked. "I'll phrase it in a way that she'll listen."
Hinamori deadpanned. "That did not sound right."
"What didn't?"
"What you just said."
"What about it?"
The way you said "smooth talker" made it sound like you go around seducing old ladies or something. Who knows with you? Takara bit her tongue. She attempted to sound polite when she said, "On second thought, Hatake-kun, please don't talk to Ogino-san. At least not in my stead."
"What, why not?"
"I don't want her to get any weird ideas about me."
Kakashi's eye flickered. "Weird ideas?"
"I won't ask," she muttered, walking away. As hard as it was to believe, there were things even she didn't want to know about other people. Especially if it involved one of her weird neighbor's many unspecified "hobbies," whatever those were. Takara shuddered.
"Eh?" Kakashi stared after her. Hinamori, not asking questions? What's going on? Bemused, the man trailed after her.
"Will I be seeing you later today, Hatake-kun?" Hinamori asked suddenly. She didn't have to specify what for; they already established a routine. By now, she knew when to anticipate Kakashi stopping by her work to pick up an offering.
Shelving their previous conversation for later analysis, Kakashi considered the unspoken offer. It had been a little while since he last bought something for Obito but... "I'm doing some patrols later today."
Her face fell slightly. "Already? You just got back."
"I'm picking up a shift for somebody."
"Oh. That's nice of you, Hatake-kun."
"In a way." Not really. The kunoichi had a family she could spend New Year celebrations with, so it made more sense for someone like Kakashi to take over during the holidays. Besides, it gave him a (this time) valid excuse to duck out on invitations to parties or get togethers from the other jonin.
"How long will you be, do you think?"
"Most of the night. I might not be back til early morning." Please don't wake me up then.
"I understand..." She looked up at him seriously. "I'll bring some dango home with me at the end of my shift. You can pick it up whenever you get back."
His visible eye curved into a crescent, something soft and genuine. "Thank you, Hinamori-chan."
The responding smile was softer. Quietly: "You're welcome, Hatake-kun."
When he got home, Kakashi had one plan in mind: hop into the shower with the water turned as it hot it'd go, change whatever loose-fitting clothes he had lying around, and curl into his bed for a long, well-deserved rest. Maybe read some Icha Icha before bed, as that always lulled him to sleep after a long day.
Kakashi did not get to do any of those things.
Recently finished with patrol and freezing, Kakashi trudged up the final set of stairs and was already fantasizing about warm blankets and sleep...when he passed Hinamori's apartment. And he remembered: the dango.
Oh, right.
He very seriously considered postponing it, picking up the dessert tomorrow, but then his conscience/guilt complex (sounding suspiciously like Obito's voice) reminded him that Hinamori went to the effort getting it for her neighbor. It was an offering for Obito, so the Copy Nin had little choice but to comply.
The tired man sighed to himself but relented. He knocked on his neighbor's door softly, wondering if she was even home right now or awake for that matter.
"Come in!"
Of course she was home and awake.
Pausing, Kakashi shook his head before he pushed open the (unlocked) door. "You shouldn't just let random people walk in without seeing who it is. That's asking for trouble," he lectured as soon as he walked in.
"Good evening to you, too," she greeted him pleasantly from her kotatsu, its blanket curled over her lap. A steaming cup of tea was clutched in her hands; he could smell the chamomile from the entrance. Dressed in a too large sweater, Hinamori was the picture of warmth.
He could forgive the slight sass if she invited him to sit in the kotatsu.
"You look cold. Would you like to join me for a spell?"
Forgiven but not forgotten. Shooting her a look, Kakashi slipped off his shoes and walked the couple steps it took to reach the kotatsu. Plopping down, he scooted underneath the blanket across from her. It didn't escape his notice that there was an extra cup waiting there for him. Without prompting, Hinamori poured him some tea. Grateful, his hands curled around the ceramic mug and immediately felt the heat seep into his numb fingers. Feeling was already returning to his toes under the heater.
Kakashi sighed his thanks.
"You're welcome," she said, politely turning her head away so he could drink. "Have you eaten anything?"
"Not recently." Knowing she wouldn't peek, Kakashi slipped his mask off to take a sip. The hot liquid burned his tongue slightly but he swallowed it down.
"I made New Year soba. Or if you want, there's still some leftovers from the other day."
"Either's fine. But you don't have to."
"It's bad luck to leave any uneaten. You're helping me out." Deliberately looking away from him, Hinamori got up and went to the tiny kitchenette nearby. The pot was still on the stove top, set on simmer. She spooned her guest a bowl. "There were no dango at work today but I had time and made some myself. They're ready whenever you are."
At that moment, there was very little Kakashi wouldn't forgive Hinamori for. "Thank you..."
"You're welcome," Hinamori said. "How was patrol?"
"It was alright." Boring, uneventful. But it passed the time. "How was work?"
Hinamori exhaled. "Slow. Manager-san sent people home early before noon. I had to close early. Since I already finished the cleaning, there hasn't been that much to do since."
"I'm sorry to hear that," he said sarcastically.
She shot him a look over her shoulder. His mask was already back in place, Takara noted with huff of amusement. "You're no better, Hatake-san."
"That's a little unfair."
"Working on New Year's Eve?"
"You're one to talk," Kakashi retorted amiably.
"Face it, Hatake-kun. We're both workaholics."
"Don't place me in the same category as you. I enjoy my time off."
"De-ni-al," she pronounced, setting the bowl down in front of him. "Let me know when you're ready. Meetings are at the library every Wednesday evening."
"I'm busy most Wednesdays," the ninja said vaguely.
"Free food."
"I'll mark it on my calendar."
Stifling a giggle, Hinamori looked at the chopsticks already poised in his hand. "I thought you might."
"You brought up some good arguments."
"Mmmhmm." Folding her hands under her chin, Hinamori closed her eyes. She silently counted to twenty. When she reached zero, she opened an eye to find the bowl empty; the other fluttered open to find the mask back on. Amused, she offered him seconds.
"If that's alright with you." He rubbed the back of his head.
The woman laughed, shaking her head. "Coming right up."
Kakashi waited until he finished his third helping before he brought it up: "You should've at least opened the door."
Preoccupied with her crocheting, Hinamori said off-handedly, "I knew it was you."
"You thought it was me," Kakashi corrected. He was using that tone of voice again, Takara noted: the overly patient one where he explained something he thought obvious. "What if you were wrong?"
"There's room for one more in the kotatsu."
"Hinamori-chan."
At the very least, Hinamori looked up sheepishly from her half-finished scarf. "I'm sorry. That was rude."
"That's not the point."
"I understand that," she said calmly. "And I appreciate your concern. But really, if it was someone I really should worry about, a door wouldn't do much good."
"It does some measure of good."
Hinamori raised her eyebrows at him. "Would a door keep you out?"
She almost regretted the question immediately after when his mood changed. Takara couldn't see his facial expressions but she could read his body language a little better now.
His voice lowered. "No it wouldn't."
"I didn't think it would," she said faintly. Before the awkward silence could stretch into something more ominous, she held up the scarf. "What do you think?"
"It's a scarf," he deadpanned.
"Yes, yes it is." Hinamori wrapped part of it around his neck. "Is it too long?"
"As long as it isn't half the length of yours, it should be fine."
"That scarf was a gift from my great-grandma and I love it," Hinamori retorted primly, tugging the scarf off. "But really, what do you think? Do you like it?"
"...it's nice. Why are you asking me?"
"I wanted a second opinion. It's for Hiraku's birthday coming up and I want him to like it."
Kakashi softened. "I'm sure he will."
"You think so? I know I won't make it home in February, so I know I'm going to miss it - the first time ever in his life - and then Hotaka's after that in April. Maybe I'll make it in time for Rikuto's in June but that's unfair to Hiraku so I really want him to like this scarf. Even though he doesn't wear scarves all that often unless I tell him to but now I can't, so maybe making him one would act as a reminder from me. Or at least I hope so. He might just think I'm nagging him - "
"Hinamori-chan," Kakashi interrupted calmly. "It's a very nice scarf. He'll like it because you made it."
Momentarily speechless, Hinamori stared at him blankly. Suddenly: "Would you like one?"
He balked at that. "What?"
"Would you like me to make you one?"
"Aha. That's a nice thought but you really don't have to -"
"I want to," she insisted. Then she bit her lip. "Unless you really don't like it."
Kakashi looked away."...sure, I'd like one."
"Great!" Hinamori lit up. "What color?"
"This one's fine," he said, referring to the navy blue yarn she used for her younger brother's gift.
She clicked her tongue. "You already have too many dark colors in your wardrobe. I'll find something else."
Kakashi deadpanned. I thought it was for me?
Happily returning to her crocheting, Hinamori glanced at the clock. "It's already eleven."
"So it is."
"Almost New Year." Unable to keep still, her leg began to jiggle under the kotatsu.
"Mm."
Fidgeting, Hinamori hesitated. "Is there anyone you'd like to go visit, Hatake-san? You don't have to spend it with me."
Kakashi thought of the Memorial Stone and Rin's grave. There was also his sensei and Kushina whom he hadn't visited in long while. There was also his father... Then he remembered the dango that Hinamori made.
Briefly closing his eye, he said, "I'm in no rush."
Kakashi was awarded with the biggest grin he'd ever seen. Gai's previous record didn't stand a chance.
"Wasn't there anyone else you wanted to go see?" he asked her. A couple of people came to mind, people she seemed closer to and could actually celebrate with; Kakashi wondered why she was not with any of them instead.
Hinamori bit her lip."I did get a few invitations from co-workers and friends but... It would've felt like I was intruding on their families or encroaching on their personal lives in some way. So I had to say no."
"But you have no problem encroaching on my personal life?" he asked dryly.
"None whatsoever," Hinamori returned sweetly.
"I thought not."
Hinamori's bouncing leg gently shook the kotatsu's table.
"Let's take a walk."
"Now?"
"Nothing like the present!"
The man pointedly turned his head to her window where fresh snow had gathered. It looked very, very cold and he'd only just warmed back up.
"Oh, come on, Hatake-san. It's not that cold out."
"Hinamori-chan..."
She was already putting on her coat.
Kakashi sighed.
It was that cold.
The brittle snow crunched under their feet. There was noise of celebration all over the place but they kept to themselves, staying close to the edge of downtown. It was just the two of them. Hinamori spent a good twenty minutes leading him throughout the near vacant streets, surprisingly avoiding the ongoing festival with its lively crowds closer to the center of the village. He'd thought she would enjoy those kinds of things. Instead, the civilian seemed entirely uninterested and veered away the din of festival goers.
Kakashi observed her from his peripherals, curious himself. Hinamori paid no attention, oblivious, too absorbed with her thoughts. He could tell by the spark in her eyes that she was deliberately searching for something.
"Ah, here we are," Hinamori decided when they came to a small bridge. Built over a stream connected to the Naka River, it was framed by torii gates and decorated with colored paper lanterns. It lead to one of the local temples further down the walking path.
Hands warm in his pockets, Kakashi paused as he recognized the bridge from a prior meeting with Hinamori. She chose this place on purpose.
"Hatake-kun?"
He looked up.
Hinamori stood at the center of the bridge, looking back at him over her shoulder. The hanging lanterns' light reflected off her bright hair, setting it aglow. "Are you coming?"
"...yeah, sure."
She waited for him, only moving when he was once more at her side. Walking to the edge of the bridge, she leaned against the barrier and placed her elbows on the rails. Without saying a word, Kakashi followed suit and rested his arms. She said nothing, admiring the red lantern closest to her. The only sound between them was the flowing stream below and a quiet wind.
This was the quietest Kakashi had ever known Hinamori to be since he found her on the stairwell. It was kind of unnerving, to say the least.
The ninja scanned the night sky for the Northern Dipper, quickly finding it and then the Lodestar. Using it to chart the course of the night, he calculated the time. Approximately minutes left til midnight.
"Have you found something to look forward to yet?" Hinamori piped up.
Kakashi's eye widened slightly, glancing at her, and found her gazing at the sky. Her cheeks were pink just above her yellow scarf where it covered the lower half of her face. Only her eyes, bright and green and reflecting light, were visible above the knitted wool.
"Huh?"
"Something to look forward," she repeated patiently. Matter-of-fact. "In the new year."
He remembered a conversation they had months ago, not long after they first met. There has to be one thing you're looking forward to.
She tilted her head, looking up at him. Those green eyes sparked with an emotion Kakashi couldn't quite define without hints from the rest of her features. He wondered if this is how everyone else felt while trying to talk to him while he wore his mask.
It really is annoying.
Mulling over his answer, Kakashi finally admitted, "Haven't really thought about it." He hadn't even decided what he'd eat for breakfast in the morning.
Hinamori made a clicking sound with her tongue. She pulled down the wool scarf and exhaled, breath misting into a cloud under the dim lighting. Her face was flushed from the cold, nose red, but a sincere smile was revealed. Kakashi had learned the difference between her real smiles and the polite ones, the dimple popping into view an immediate giveaway. It stood out like a point of reference in her right cheek.
"You're cutting it a little close, don't you think?" she asked, not unkindly, a trace of playfulness in her tone.
"It'll just be another year," he said dismissively.
She gave a tiny scoff. The look she gave him from the corner of her eye was chiding but fond. What am I going to do with you? it said. "No such thing. A lot of things happen in a year. A lot happened this year."
Kakashi sent her a pointed look. "You're not wrong."
Cheeks warmer now, Hinamori pushed up her sleeve to check her watch. "About eighteen minutes now. Your time's almost up."
"Alright then." He couldn't wait for those eighteen minutes to be up; his toes were cold and there was a warm bed waiting for him at home. "What are you looking forward to this year?"
Hearing the light sarcasm in his voice, Hinamori opened her mouth to retort then wavered. She frowned. "I...I don't think I've really put that much thought into it either."
It took him a second to process that. Then, softly: "Heh... Heh, heh."
Hinamori stared.
Kakashi laughed.
Her jaw dropped.
"Ha - the year's almost up, Hinamori-chan. You better think of something fast," he teased.
B-bump, b-b-bump - !
Her heartbeat sped up. Takara could feel it pounding in her chest, insistent. Disbelieving, she moved her hand to feel it and tangled her fingers in her coat. Why - ? Sucking in a breath, Takara asked out loud, "What the hell?"
To her regret (and maybe slight relief), he stopped laughing. Kakashi peered at her, just as shocked to hear that as she was to hear his laugh. "Did you just swear?"
Her face was no longer cold, he could tell. "Uuuuh. I'm - "
He laughed again. Louder.
Takara flustered, scrambling for a response. The second laugh was as unexpected as the first and did strange, melting things to her insides. She may have been going into shock, Takara thought distantly. Or maybe Hatake-kun is the one who is. Maybe he's finally cracked. Or...
"Are you really Hatake Kakashi?"
"Hm?" To her regret, he stopped laughing. It was nice while it lasted. Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "What kind of question is that?"
She glared. "The Hatake-kun I know never laughs."
"I laugh," he protested halfheartedly. It was a rare occurrence; he himself couldn't remember the last time he'd laughed. Today was full of surprises. Speaking of which... Feeling mischievous, Kakashi leaned closer and said lowly, "But the Hinamori Takara I know never swears."
"A-ah." Hinamori backpedaled, leaning away. "I'm sorry. That was rude of me."
"Hmm, that was pretty convincing." He playfully narrowed his eye. "Still, I might have to take you in for questioning."
"...really?" she asked in a small voice, bordering on breathless.
"Relax." Kakashi chuckled at her relieved sigh. Silly girl. "I am surprised, though. I didn't know you even knew that word."
Eyebrow twitching, Hinamori huffed. "I know how to cuss, Hatake-san. I grew up surrounded by farmhands and tradesmen. I just choose not to use those words in polite company."
"I didn't realize you considered me as polite company," Kakashi teased. He recalled the numerous times Hinamori pointed out what "rude man" he was - at first under breath when she didn't think he could hear and then eventually straight to his face out loud.
This time, Hinamori was the one who released a small laugh. "No, definitely not."
"Hey..."
"Now I'm kidding." Hinamori snickered, shaking her head. Her expression softened into something gentle and fond as she looked at him. "You're perfectly good company, Hatake-kun."
Even though she said things like that all the time, it still left Kakashi unsure how to respond. Had anyone else said them he would've dismissed it as untrue or false. But this was Hinamori. She always meant what she said; the aching sincerity in her voice gave her away.
"Thanks..." Kakashi scratched the back of his head, avoiding eye contact.
Their conversation settled into a lull, one part awkward and the other part expectant. A few streets away, they heard the crowds of people gathered at the closest temple. Kakashi stared at the clear, starry sky. There would be fireworks soon.
"Three more minutes left."
Thankful for the distraction, Kakashi asked, "Have your resolution yet?"
"Mmhmm. Now I think I do," Takara said, thoughtful. I want to hear you laugh again.
She kept an eye on her watch as she asked, "You?"
"...not quite." But an idea was forming, one that he wasn't sure how to shape into words. All Kakashi knew was how aware he was now of how close they were, not quite touching but still sharing body heat, and how strikingly familiar this closeness was becoming. When did that happen?
"You'll figure it out."
How did she say such things with absolute certainty, like she never once doubted him? She was like an open book but one with small, barely seen text at the bottom of the page. It took more than a small glance to read her. Just when he thought he understood her, she did something to surprise him - revealing a whole new layer of her personality.
Two minutes passed.
"Almost there."
The distant crowds grew getting louder, rowdier.
He still couldn't believe she swore...
The minute hand met its hour counterpart at the twelve. Surprisingly, without comment or fanfare, Hinamori watched the seconds tick by on her watch. As if she was still waiting for something.
In the distance, a tsurigane rang from a nearby temple; the bell resonated throughout the entire west half of the village, reaching the solitary couple on their bench streets away. Takara's head lifted, face smooth of its usual vibrant emotion as she looked at the sky. Her slow exhale came out in a form of a cloud. Some seconds later, another ring from the temple bell - the second of 108 rings which brought in the new year.
After the fourth one, Takara turned to Kakashi with a familiar smile. Like a candle being relit in the dark. "Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu, Hatake-kun."
Congratulations on the breaking dawn of a new year.
Distantly, Kakashi returned those words automatcally. He couldn't remember the last time he'd said them to anyone but he wasn't thinking about that.
The way she looked at him was very warm.
"Thank you for spending New Year with me, Hatake-kun. It's nice to not be alone but I'm really glad I got to spend it with you."
Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck. "You're welcome."
He and Hinamori came to a pause when they reached their floor, close to their neighboring apartments.
"Hinamori."
Curious, she turned her head and met his gaze. While warm enough to unbutton her coat and loosen the scarf, the ruddy coloring in her cheeks had yet to fade, the tip of her nose and ears tinted red. Her entire face was a flush of soft pinks and vibrant reds. Hinamori was all warm colors, oranges and yellows and reds, a direct contrast to his darker tones.
"...it was nice spending it with you, too."
An honest smile bloomed, the dimple on her right cheek prominent. "Thank you, Hatake-kun."
They stopped in front of their apartments, looking at each other. When Hinamori said nothing, Kakashi glanced at her. She stood next to him, looking up almost expectantly; it was like she was waiting for something. Kakashi realized he was waiting for something, too, but wasn't sure what.
"Well. Night then," he said abruptly.
A soft and understanding look flickered Hinamori's across expression before it disappeared into a patient smile. "Good night, Hatake-kun. Happy New Year."
Her door closed.
Kakashi lingered. Whatever it was they were waiting for, it had not happened; it left him strangely restless...and discontented. This was a new feeling, one that left him tense.
He recalled Hinamori's animated expressions and clear voice, her endless curiosity and uncanny perception, how she pushed just an inch off from too far. Striking a contradicting balance between considerate and oblivious. She was overly formal and talkative and too curious for her own good and miserly and kind. Very kind.
Something to look forward to...
He thought about tomorrow and the day after, then beyond the tidy squares of his calendar with its structured lines and neatly-written dates. For once, he thought of the future in more than a vague abstract he may or may not be a part of. He was looking forward to something.
Click. The telltale sound of her door being locked, only just remembered by the apartment's lone occupant. Small but enough to satisfy the strange impatience that initially kept Kakashi rooted in place.
"Happy New Year," Kakashi said quietly before slipping into his apartment. Instead of reading, he went straight to bed for some extra sleep.
Without a doubt, as soon as the sun came up, Hinamori would come knocking on his door.
Author's Note: As to what Kakashi or Takara were waiting for... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ That's up to the reader to decide. It was a lot of fun to write Kakashi and Takara when they're more familiar with each other; I got a little lost in their conversations as they just started to flow when both of them were willing participants. I can't wait to get to that part in the actual story but it's taking foreeeeeever. Stupid hedgehog, stop being so difficult! ｡゜(｀Д´)゜｡
Please tell me what you think of their interaction here! It's kind of like a preview of their future relationship after it's been built up (which will take I don't know how many chapters to get to this point alone - damn you, hedgehog!), so I want to know if it's something you enjoyed. Also, what did you think of Takara when she's opened up to somebody more? This is pretty close to her actual self, where she's comfortable enough around the person she's with (Kakashi) and can act more like how she does with her family.
2016 was not an easy year - emotionally, physically, mentally, maybe spiritually for some of you. Everyone struggled in some way but in the end, you overcame it. You were strong enough to move past 2016 and now stand at the threshold of 2017. New things are coming your way, and you are stronger than you were last year.
I wish each and every one of you a wonderful holiday season and sincerely hope each of you find something to look forward to in the new year. I know how hard it can be at times but I promise there is always something brighter in the future if you just keep pushing towards it. Please tell me what your goals and resolutions are for 2017.
Bonus: That yellow scarf Kakashi wears in Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow which story-wise takes place years after this? Made by Takara.