Lovers In The Shadows - Kakashi x Reader

04 | trying something new

You woke up the next morning with a nagging headache. You sat up and put your palm against your eye, groaning. "Huh, I guess all it takes is 4 beers now" you thought aloud.

In frustration, you jumped up to shut the curtains with your eyes closed. You took a full breath and massaged your temples, regretting getting up that fast. You turned back towards your bedside table to grab your, thankfully, empty water glass. As you started towards the kitchen, you did a double take to the empty side of your bed. Had it really been that long?

"Let's see, last guy I was with was ..." you said to yourself, index finger tapping your chin. You snapped your fingers a few times, headed down your hallway towards the kitchen. "That brunette ... oh, what was his name? He always wore his Jonin vest open with his Leaf headband around his neck" you chuckled.

You snapped your fingers again. "Mizu! That's right!" you said, pouring yourself a glass of water from the pitcher in your fridge. "But that wasn't too long ago though. Wait ... that was around New Year's" you said widening your eyes, "it's almost Christmas."

You took a long sip of water and held it in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing. You've dated a few guys here and there but nothing was ever long term. You've had a few short relationships, some flings, a handful of one night stands ... Nothing really stuck, it just never felt right. You sighed at the thought, staring at your ceiling. Love was never something you prioritized but always longed for one day. Work & family always took the top two spots. At this point, you were holding out hope that something would sort of just fall into your lap.

However, actively combating that desire, you often told yourself that it was silly to get serious. Flings or one night stands could always satisfy the need when it arose, right? But after that talk with Genma last night, something changed.

"(Y/N), it's been months. We really haven't seen you since the war ended."

He really was right. You hadn't been very social since you got back home. The memories of war weighed heavy on your mind, most days were spent just surviving. Taking on more tasks and work to avoid going home alone.

You remembered walking home 2 months ago, watching lovers reunite in the street. Seeing the pure joy and relief in their eyes. Kissing each other like it was the first time. Before heading to your parents house for a quiet and uncomfortable dinner to "discuss how things went" as your Dad so wonderfully put it, you headed to your apartment to drop some things off and change. The air hung heavy as you opened the door to stillness and quiet.

That feeling of loneliness felt as thick in the air now as it did then. You looked around your apartment and couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. Maybe someone.

"Well that's new" you said aloud, rapidly blinking out your trance. You glanced at your oven to see the time. 7:30.

"Crap, Genma'll be here in 20 minutes" you said, slamming the rest of your water.

After a quick shower, you settled on a mesh undershirt with a black long sleeve tucked into black cargo joggers. You threw your hair up into a ponytail, leaving some strands of hair out. You quickly threw on your Jonin vest and your leaf headband over your forehead. You quickly glanced at the clock again while walking to the front door to grab your sandals. 7:50, any second now. The man was never late.

As you were shifting into your sandals, you heard a knock at the door. "Come in Gen!" you said from your couch.

Genma poked his head in. "She's alive!" He said, giving you a look of fake surprise.

"I wasn't that bad" you said rolling your eyes, reaching out for your back pack next to the couch and standing up.

"Oh c'mon. I'm not even that-" he mimicked your words from last night before fake hiccuping.

You slapped him with the back of your hand on the arm and stuck your tongue out at him.

"Very unbecoming" he joked.

"Jerk" you chuckled before closing your door and locking it behind you.

~

"Thanks again, Gen" you said as you passed stores setting up shop for the day on the way to the front gates.

"Ah, it's no big deal" he replied, hooking his arm around your neck and pulling you into his side "anytime."

You smiled and slowed as you saw the dumpling shop. "Want anything?" You said to Genma, pointing to the shop.

"Nah, too sweet and too early" he said grimacing.

"Your age is showing" you said, taunting him.

"Shut up" he said, playfully shoving you towards the shop.

You chuckled and jogged inside. You walked out with a single stick of dango dumplings. Genma shook his head.

"What? They looked good so I got one" you said, as you both started to walk.

"I've never seen you eat those once" he replied, crossing his arms.

"What can I say? I decided to be spontaneous this morning" you said, "listening to my needs and all that" you waved the stick towards him in a circle.

"You? Spontaneous?! This isn't the (Y/N) I know!" He said, clutching his chest in fake desperation. He flicked the senbon up in his mouth and smiled.

"Well" you shrugged, "I'm trying something new" you said with a smile as you took a bite.