Feelings

A few days later…

"So, how are things, Tsunade-sensei?" Shikaku Nara, the Head of the Sciences department, asked after analysing how stiff her aura was. He hasn't engaged in a conversation with the newbie, because it seemed like a drag to converse with someone as intimidating as her, but later decided that social courtesies need be extended.

She stopped writing her lesson plan for the rest of the day and glanced up at him. By the look fixed on her face, she was also unsure as of why he was speaking to her. "I-um… things are good, Shikaku-sensei," she finally replied. "What about you? I'm sure that managing an entire department is hard on you."

Interesting… They completely skipped over introductions and played along with it. "It gets easier after a while. Since the curriculum isn't changing any time soon, I can just recycle some of the activities the students could do." He tried to say nonchalantly, even though he was drowning under paperwork. "But I'd imagine that the transition from student to teacher is a drastic change for you."

"Not really."

"Oh."

"In my final years of med school, I was mentoring the first years. So, I had prior experience – albeit it being short – before all of this." She continued, not stopping whatever it was she was scribbling on her paper. "But doing lesson plans isn't something I'm used to."

Shikaku's face lit up. Finally, there was something he can teach her. However, before he could say anything, the bell rang, indicating that their break was over. He watched her quickly collect everything into her folder before she scooped up her coffee mug.

"I appreciate the talk, Shikaku-sensei," she said, stopping beside him. "And if you have some time to spare, I'd like to pick your brain with effective lesson plans."

"S-Sure! It will be a pleasure."

She smiled. "Thank you."

As she carefully meandered around the halls filled with teenagers, she made sure she prioritised her coffee's safety over her own by being overly wary with potential jostling with these teens. Even a small threat, such as a student not looking where they were going, she was quick to usher to the side and keep her coffee at an arm's length from said danger.

Teenagers may not realise it now, but coffee was what got her through days like this. While she wasn't a cranky elderly woman with a mean streak - yet – she did need to power up her mind with its favourite fuel. And that was strong caffeine. If there was a stronger form of caffeine, she would most likely be the first one to jump on the wagon.

To say that coffee was her Holy Grail would be the century's understatement about her.

Upon reaching her class, she tasked herself with opening the door without spilling her drink and looking like a fool. After practically prying the door open, and kicking it back, she entered her the room and watched as her students flocked back to their seats like headless chickens. She already half-expected one silver-haired student – who shan't be shamed – to be crashing into her class now.

In hindsight, maybe she was a fool to think that she could make the teen turn a full 180 with a few words. It didn't matter now, however, since she had twenty other students who needed her guidance. He'll have to take a backseat in her mind.

She called out the names of her students while half of her attention was fixated on the door. The clock was ticking, and he was still nowhere to be found. At this rate, she was going to meet him with a book. Of course, she'll try to make it look like an accident, but she'll make sure she won't be generous enough to just clip him.

She finally reached his name on the register. Oh, what the hell, she thought. Might as well play along. "Hatake Kakashi."

As she was ready to log him to being late, an answer reached her ears.

"Here."

Tsunade's head shot up and immediately saw the teen sitting behind his desk. "H-Have you just come in?" she asked.

"Nope. I've been here before you, Senju-sama."

"Huh…"

"It's surprising, isn't it, Senju-sama?" Obito laughed. "For once, idiot-Kakashi here is on time."

By the look on some of the students' faces, they were also surprised that Kakashi was on time.

The Class Rep.'s stoic expression turned into flabbergasted. "What?" he asked everyone.

"No-Nothing," Tsunade answered for the class.

Maybe her words did reach him, after all.

Dinner came, and Kakashi was the first student to leave class. Obito and Rin followed on. They tailed their friend with several questions bubbling in their minds. How come you're not late? Were you actually trying in class? Who are you, because you're not the Kakashi we know.

"Man, I didn't know a Christmas miracle would happen so early," Obito casually spoke. "Say, what Christmas ghost possessed you, Kakashi?" Rin giggled unexpectedly, making the Uchiha burn up slightly. She doesn't really laugh when he teases Kakashi.

"Funny," he laughed sardonically. "I don't see why it's such a shock that I'm being a student. You look at me as if I've concocted this Earth-breaking superpower."

"That would have been awesome," Obito remarked.

"I agree," Kakashi said back. "But I didn't. So, quit looking at me with those eyes, especially when I answer a question in class. Because, newsflash, I do participate in lessons, too." He saw Obito pull a face. "Okay, I sometimes do. This is just one of those days."

"Lessons, you mean."

"Huh?"

"Come on, human biology is the only lesson you actually pay attention to. I mean, you've always had a knack for chemistry, so that doesn't count. But you weren't like this in biology." Obito explained. He then developed a devilish grin. "It's Senju-sama, isn't it?"

"Eh?" Kakashi cocked his head to the side, genuinely at a lost.

"Come on!" Obito groaned. "It doesn't hurt telling the truth. I mean, everyone thinks she's incredibly hot. I know that you have this whole pseudo-asexual act going on, but I know attraction when I see it."

It was Kakashi's turn to pull a face. "I have never called myself asexual, you idiot."

"More reason for me to think that you have a thing for Senju-sama."

"What? Ew." He said upon reflex. "What the hell's wrong with you? If I were paying attention to Shimura-sama's classes, you wouldn't say that I had a thing for that dirty bastard."

"Well…. I'll certainly think something weird is going on. But, come on, it's not like she's old; she just graduated from med school, so that makes her 24 years old. That's nowhere near old."

"Let's just stop talking about this," Rin finally spoke up. "All we talk about are classes and Senju-sama. It's weird. So, let's just drop it."

"He started it," Kakashi deadpanned. "If anything, I think he's the one with the crush."

Obito choked on his spit and his cheeks became rosy. "I-Idiot, I don't!" he vehemently denied. He didn't want Rin to think that he has been checking other people out apart from her. They may not be a couple, but he wants to make his feelings clear for her – that she's the only one that he's got eyes for.

Kakashi smirked, knowing well that he had just triggered his friend. Serves him right for trying to lure him into a trap.

After school, when they had completed their responsibilities and leisure activities, Obito and Kakashi walked home together. Rin had disappeared so suddenly in the middle of the day with Kurenai, presumably to go shopping.

Obito had one earphone in and was busy texting on his phone, while Kakashi occupied himself with some light reading of his favourite guilty pleasure, Icha Icha Paradise – a serialised piece of literature that details a complex love triangle between opposing clans. While many people were quick to accuse him of only liking it because of its smutty content – Obito being his number one propagator of such belief – he was truly invested in the plot and the adversity the characters overcame.

"Do you want to drop by Netero Café?" Obito offered, glancing back at him. "It'll be safer to read that soft porn in a closed environment." That, and the autumn's fangs has loomed over the Land of Fire with relentless gusto. Even their breaths were icy in the middle of the day. A warm beverage was a must.

"It's not a porno!" Kakashi hissed. He rolled his eyes when Obito bit back his chuckle; many people were looking at him strangely now. "Thanks, you diot," he muttered.

"I'm only joking, sheesh. But the offer still stands, wanna swing by and get a cup of Pumpkin Spice?"

"Can't. I need to head to the train station." Kakashi took note of the time on his watch. "I still need to cook dinner for my father."

"How is Sakumo-jiji?" Obito quietly asked, pushing his hands into his pockets.

"He's now doing physical therapy. It's hard to tell if he'll bounce back, but I'm still holding out hope."

"What about your mom? Has she-"

"I don't want to talk about her, Obito." Kakashi sharply replied, shutting the magazine he was reading and shoving it into his messenger bag. He ruffled his hair back in annoyance and began to widen his strides. He watched his bestfriend match his pace in a jittered manner, still snorting in disbelief that he actually tried to go there.

Obito gave Kakashi the occasional glances as he tried to think of something to say. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine…" Kakashi murmured half-heatedly, burying his nose into his knitted scarf. "You can go to the café by yourself, I'm going home."

"R-Right… well, I'll see you tomorrow."

"See ya."

They parted ways at the crosswalks, with Kakashi continuing forward and Obito taking a right to the heart of the city.

As Kakashi neared the train station, he tilted his head up to the humungous corporate lawyer firm planted centre in the city; white and gleaming under the toasted golden rays of the sun in a chilly afternoon, it overwhelmed Kakashi's presence.

He stood there for a while, just staring in blank space. It was as if he was expecting for something to happen. But as the minutes passed, he began questioning himself as of why he even took this route to the train station. Ever since that night, he made sure that he would stray away from this street. Yet, here he was, stricken and absolutely enamoured by the architecture.

Just as he was about to take his leave, a conspicuous jet-black car rolled beside him. He didn't know why he stayed, he already knew who was in that car. The woman he loathed so much came out of the car, clothed in signature clothes and exuding in class.

Even though her eyes were covered behind her onyx shades, Kakashi knew that they widened upon making eyes with him. "K-Kakashi…."

He decided to humour her. "Mother." It had been months since he had addressed her properly.

"W-What are you doing here? Did you need to talk?" She came up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder, all the while appraising his stature. "Why don't we talk upstairs in my office?" she asked in a hopeful tone.

Kakashi wanted to push her away, but couldn't find the strength to do so when she cradled his cheek so lovingly. "Mother…" he whimpered. He finally knew why he was so adamant in keeping away from her, because her touch would always make his heart malleable.

"Sachi-darling," a masculine man emerged from the car, completely unaware of the mother and son bonding that was transpiring.

Kakashi's eyes immediately darted to the man all clad in a black winter coat, recognising him almost instantly. That man…. He's the one who he found canoodling with his mother. Darling? He wanted to question out loud. So, he wasn't a fling. They were in a committed relationship.

Sachi feared the look his son wore, with his jaw tensing in unfathomable anger. "Kakashi, son, please let's talk." She quickly looked at her lover who looked cautious in coming closer. And with good reason. The last time they had an encounter, Kakashi had dragged him out of the car and nearly beat him to the ground.

"Wow," Kakashi laughed in disbelief. "At least you learned to taint your windows, mom. Now, you can screw over people in the car more discretely."

"Kakashi!"

"Young man!" The man also warned.

Kakashi glared at him, unnerved. "Don't try to talk to me."

"Sweetie, let's talk."

"No. Get off me!" Kakashi shoved his mom's arm away and backed away from the couple. He opened his mouth to say something, but was left too aghast to even try. He simply let out a scoff of disbelief before he fled away from them.

"Kakashi!" Sachi tried to catch up to him, but was held back.

"Sachi, we need to go." He reminded her. "Come on."

"He was going to talk to me. He was here to talk to me. And I messed it up."

Kakashi stormed his way home, fighting through the cold currents and his urge to scream and shout all of his pent-up frustration. Flashes of the night he saw his mother's infidelity came and went through his consciousness.

He remembered seeing her car in the parking lot. He remembered approaching it with caution because the occasional silhouettes he spotted morbidly piqued his interest. Was there someone in his mom's car? What the hell was going on?

There, he saw his very own mother straddling a man in the backseat of the car. He was clawing his hands in her hips and biting into her shoulder, and she was allowing him to do it. No. She wouldn't, Kakashi thought. His mother wouldn't let anyone touch her like that. Right? He must have forced himself on her! That must be it.

There's no way…

…absolutely no way in hell….

…that his mother would betray his father…

…right?

Right?

"Kakashi, honey, stop! Stop! No!"

Blow after blow, his knuckles met the man's face. Sachi was quick to push him off from the guy he believed to be her perpetrator. Once he allowed himself to be pulled, his mother rushed to the man's aid, cradling his face so carefully.

"Oh, god. Oh, god. You're going to be okay. Oh, god. I'm sorry."

Kakashi remembered his mother crying for the man, pleading for the Gods to ensure that he was going to be okay. The pieces soon formed together, and Kakashi's heart broke.

Traitor.

Kakashi awoke by the rhythmic clattering of metal in the train, and he shifted up from his sleeping position. He squinted up at the monitor which detailed their next stop, realising that it had already past his stop. "Oh, shit."

It was already late at night, and a few hours before his shift, when he arrived. Surprisingly, his father was cooking in the kitchen.

"D-Dad!" he shrieked, pale-faced as if he saw a ghost. "W-What are you doing down here?"

"I'm making dinner. I figured that it was my turn." He replied casually, chopping tomatoes and cucumbers for their salad. "Besides, the effect of the medication allows me to do normal tasks since my hands aren't shaking." Sakumo smiled, as if to say that his son should stop worrying about him. "You sure took your time getting home."

"I'm sorry. I overslept on the train." He reasoned, dropping his bag on the kitchen table. "I saw mother today, you know…."

The chopping ceased. "Oh?" The pain still lingered in his father's voice.

"Yeah."

"Did you talk to her?"

Kakashi shook his head. "No. I still can't stand her."

"Son, she's your-"

"-mother, I know." Kakashi rolled his eyes.

"Then you should know that you need to talk to her."

"Not after what she did – to you, to our family!" he growled. "She's still with that man, too. Has she no shame?"

Sakumo sighed and grabbed a seat. Partly because he knew that calming his son would be a task, but also because he could feel the effects of his medication beginning to wear off. "Son…"

"I'm heading up. I need to prepare for work." He said quickly, intentionally cutting him off from giving him a lecture. "I'll be down in five, father."

"Sure…" Sakumo sighed.

Kakashi came into work, fixing his tie and straightening his waistcoat, late by five minutes. Thankfully, his boss was off today so he dodged the possibility of being reprimanded. That didn't stop manager sending a disappointed look his way, though.

"You're waiting on the tables tonight, Kakashi." She instructed.

"As always." He smiled.

"New customers," she pointed. "Lead them to their table."

"Sure thing." Kakashi nodded, turning on his heel to greet the customers. "Good evening to you—" his smiled waned when he saw Tsunade linking arms with a man. They made brief eye contact, to which she tried to shrug off with an awkward smile. "R-Right… Let me just see if you've made reservations for the night." He looked at the list of names. Hanabusa Kenchiki, he took a mental note. "Right this way," he smiled, escorting them to the table located right next to the windows.

Tsunade sat herself down and removed her coat, revealing her off-shoulder black dress. It was certainly different to what she wears in school, revealing more skin than normal. The man did the same thing, all the while not breaking eye contact with her. By the looks of things, they weren't all that acquainted.

"Would you like me to take your coats?" he asked.

"Oh, thank you."

Kakashi swiftly grabbed their coats and placed their menus on the table. "Tell me when you've made your orders."

"Um..." The man raised his hand up. "I'll also have your finest bottle of red wine."

"That'll be 60,000 yen."

Hanabusa smirked. "That's quite alright. I can make that in a matter of hours."

Wow. So much for being humble…

"And besides," he said, reaching out for Tsunade's hand, "she's worth it. Don't you think so?"

Kakashi glanced back at his teacher who was red-streaked. Not because she was flattered by this man's pompous attempts, but because she was embarrassed that he was here, serving them. He gulped and looked back at her date. "W-Well, I'm be back with your wine."

Hanabusa chuckled, noticing that he dodged the question. "Thank you, young man."

As he moved to put their coats in their inventory, he let out a frustrated groan. Can this night get any worse?

It can, and it did, he would later answer.

A/N: These chapters are seriously writing themselves. XD I can't stooooppppp.