Our Story {Kakashi X Reader}

|Part Thirty Six|

|KAKASHI|

Asuma's funeral gathered together hundreds of people. Family, friends, fellow shinobi and students all stood in rows and watched as Kurenai walked a bouquet of flowers over to Asuma's headstone.

Yamato and I stood at the end of the first row. Most of the jonin who worked with Asuma did, and from where I stood I could see (Y/N) trying to wipe away her tears without anyone noticing.

"Go over there."

I raised a brow at Yamato before shaking my head. "I can't do that. It's not my place to."

"Just because the two of you aren't together anymore, doesn't mean you can't support her as a friend who cares," Yamato pointed out. "Besides, Kurenai has probably been using her as an emotional crutch to get through this. Which means (Y/N) probably has no one to support her the same way."

He was right. Even if she didn't want my help or support it wouldn't hurt to at least try to give it to her. Especially right now.

I pulled back from the lineup and walked towards (Y/N). She was standing a bit away from everyone else in an attempt to keep attention away from herself. Without speaking, I stood beside her, making sure my shoulder brushed against her arm to announce my presence.

Her head slowly tilted up to look at me. Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot from her crying and I felt my chest squeeze at the sight.

To my surprise, she leaned her head against my shoulder, and without thinking my hand came up to rest against her soft hair. I could feel the eyes of everyone around us watching closely, but paid them little attention. Holding her and comforting her felt so right; so comfortable and normal.

We stayed in that position until the funeral was over. Once most of the attendees trickled away, (Y/N) finally pulled herself out of my grasp.

Her eyes were cast at the ground. "Thank you, but I should get back to Kurenai."

Before she could walk away I reached out and took her hand. "She has her family here for her. Let yourself grieve without pushing yourself to care for her too."

(Y/N)'s nose scrunched as she narrowed her gaze, but before she could lash out I gestured towards Kurenai. Her family as well as Asuma's surrounded her along with both of their teams. She had all the support she was ever going to need.

(Y/N) didn't pull her hand away from me, which I took as a good sign.

"Come stay at my place. You shouldn't be alone right now."

I spoke too soon, because as soon as the words left my mouth (Y/N) tugged her hand out of my grasp.

"No," she shook her head. "I'll be fine on my own."

"You say that until you're alone at night with nothing else to think about. And unless you know someone you'd be more comfortable with, I think I'm unfortunately your only option."

I could see the hesitation written on her face. I couldn't blame her, our past was messy and complicated and not something either of us wanted to address. However, I remember what it was like being alone after losing someone close to you. The mental strain was almost unbearable.

She nodded slowly. "Okay. I just have a few things I need to get at home first."

"Okay," I said, then walked beside her the whole way to her apartment.