What Came Down the River

Chapter 17: Back Home

Kakashi's arms still wrapped around my waist wakes me up as he twitches in his sleep. It doesn't seem like he's having a good dream either. Should I wake him up? His hands grip a little tighter on me. Almost like he's afraid I'll disappear if he doesn't hold hard enough.

Sliding my hand from its place on his chest up to his chin, I caresse it caringly with my thumb. His face leans into my hand which seems to help him relax. At least I can still do this for him. After all the comforting he's done for me.

He wakes up a few minutes later drenched in sweat, but not in as much a frenzy as he had been not too long ago. My hand still rests on his face with a tenderly stroking thumb. Tiredly, he reaches up and holds my hand against his face. I can't tell for sure, for multiple reasons, but I'm pretty sure he's got a soft smile on his face.

Bringing my other hand to the other side of his face, I hold him there and let him calm down in my presence. He removes his arm from its' place and holds my face with one hand, while holding me closer with the other.

I really wish I could talk right now. There's so many things I want to say. I rest my head in defeat against the pillow and close my eyes. Feeling embarrassed by what my appearance must look like.

As I lay, my mind wanders for a few minutes. Needing to be proactive and do something. He probably has his headband off right now...is it okay to play with his hair? I need to distract myself somehow. In a cautious motion I reach up, until my hands reach his fluffy mellow hair. He allows my hands to gradually massage his scalp, the hair running between my fingers almost causes me to giggle with how ticklish they are.

Kakashi waits a moment before leaning his head down to make it easier for me to access.

We sit there for about an hour in a comfortable silence while I play with his hair. By the end of it, he was rubbing my back and seemingly dozing off to sleep at the same time. I yawn tiredly too and slip my hands back down to his chest. When I bring my hand's between us I feel the bandage that had been wrapped around his core. I let my hand linger on top for a while, frowning as I remember he got hurt protecting me. I lower my head slightly so he doesn't see me become abnormal. But he can tell something is off anyways. I feel his head shift to look down at me curiously. Reaching down, he pulls away from me so he can hold my hands where his injury once was. I have a feeling he's probably talking to me right now, and I can't even hear him.

He squeezes my hands to get my attention. Looking up in his general direction, I feel his head lean against my forehead. Small frays of hair tickling at my nose cause me to smirk slightly. I guess he doesn't even need to talk to help me feel better...

Suddenly he gets out of bed after ten minutes or so and comes back with a bowl. Of course he'd take advantage of the moment to try and feed me. I look miserably at his figure as the spoon waits to enter my mouth, yet he persists without giving into my begging. I groan grumpily and allow him to feed me, but I really don't feel anything. It doesn't feel like it's filling me, but it doesn't feel like I'm hungry either.

The day passes by without much events. I'm surprised that Naruto hasn't come to visit. I have a feeling they said I can't have visitors for awhile. Which I guess is understandable since it would be pointless anyways. I can't see or hear anyone. I'm just glad I've had someone with me to keep me sane.

Kakashi let's me crawl into his bed at night sometimes and fall asleep in his arms when I start crying with bad nightmares. Or sometimes I do it when I notice he himself is the one with bad dreams.

Over the passing week or so, colors start to slowly come back to me. And the random leaking from my eyes ceases. I can start to make out Kakashi's facial features now and his towering silver hair. It melts my heart to see his blurry smile that comes from under his mask. The grin I miss the most though comes from his eyes. My sight is still too messed up to focus on the details of them.