What Came Down the River

Chapter 14: Lost Trust

"You know, you're actually really beautiful. Even with all those scars..." The sounds of running water splashing enthusiastically against a pond below plays in the background of a forestry scenery. Frogs croaking, flowers whistling in the wind and spreading their sweet scents across the stream, birds soaring high as they cast shadows on to the shallow waters below. Kakashi stands behind me as I sit on a rock, facing away from him. He's shirtless and has damp hair from a dip in the crisp water. I, myself am wearing just my bra and a skirt. But I feel too embarrassed to get into the water at the same time as him.

"I think- you're uhm..." my face burns slightly as I peel over my shoulder to see his wet, muscular body. I quickly turn away, fumbling over my words. "Y-your scar is really ... fitting?" I'm not good at this stuff.

He chuckles and walks closer to me from behind, the soft sounds of water rippling emanate. "Thanks I suppose." Sitting down behind me, I feel his arms snake their way around my waist, pulling me in closer. My face is absolutely heated and I have to look away from his face as it peaks over my shoulder. "But I mean it. You really are pretty. I wish you would be more confident in yourself."

"Y-y-y-y-yea-yea I-I-I-il-ill-"

"Nanda? You nervous? I've never seen you stutter so much before...besides the time you were in the hospital." He squished me a little tighter and I feel his wet drooping hair caress my face. "Are you okay with this? I mean you've been sending me mixed signals lately."

"I-I-I h-have n-no prob-problem with i-it."

"...oi...you do have feelings for me, don't you? I don't want to make you uncomfortable. Be honest."

My eyes widen slightly and I stare at him now, our faces only centimeters apart as our eyes examine one another's. "F-feelings? I mean of course I care about you. Why wouldn't I?"

"That's not what I mean..."

"I-I don't follow."

"The other day...when our faces were this close...we were both moving closer, for a kiss right? And now, at this very moment, if I were to connect our lips..." he's stares down at mine and moves only slightly closer. "Would that be something you want?" His voice becomes low and seductive. Which sends chills down my spine and I can't help but follow the flow of his arms and grip his hands gently.

"Kakashi...?"

"Hm?"

"I want to be by your side for as long as you enjoy my company..." my faces moved slightly closer as well now. "Do you think it's possible, you know, to be...happy with each other?"

Kakashi brings his hand up from my waist, sliding it all the way up to my jawline, cupping his hand there. "I would give the world to be with you. I most definitely think it's possible to be happy together."

"I don't know very much about feelings and everything like that because I've been so sheltered, but I think I've realized something."

"Oh? What's that?"

"Everytime I see a couple together, happily holding hands, connecting lips, laughing, I can't think of anyone else but you. I'd like to do all that with you. Because-...my heart flutters everytime I see your face or hear your voice."

A smirk appears under his mask as he brings us only a centimeter from kissing. "I think you're talking about lo-"

In a sudden flash, I open my eyes to a change of scenery. What was that? A dream? It felt so real. What was happening? I don't even understand myself.

Snores from above me help me realize I had fallen asleep in Kakashi's arms. Giving a drowsy smile, I snake my hand from his chest to his cheek and rest it there for awhile. What in the world have you done to me, Kakashi? I'm now dreaming about you? This isn't a norm for me.