What Came Down the River

Chapter 19: Fireworks

Getting back to his apartment, Kakashi places the food on the counter as he looks for some plates and forks. The smell of the food absorbs the surroundings and only makes me feel hungrier.

"Are you still cold? I can bring you another blanket if you'd like." He calls out from the kitchen as I sit on the couch.

"No that's alright. It feels a lot better in here."

"Hm well this spicy chicken is really going to warm you up." He walks out of the kitchen with two plates. Each full of the foods that was in the box. Handing it to me, Kakashi and places two water bottles next to us as I examine the food.

"So what is this red meat?"

"That's the BBQ pork."

"...why is it so red? I've never seen meat like this before."

"To be honest I don't know. That's a good question."

"And this ball of meat is very orange and sticky..."

"That would be the orange chicken. The sauce is what makes it so sticky."

I pick up my fork and try each of the two meats. My cheeks immediately glow from the sweetness of the orange chicken. And my mouth waters at the juiciness of the pork. "Wooooooowwww," I hold my cheeks in amazement and glance at Kakashi. Who's too busy entertaining himself with my reactions to eat.

"Try the noodles. Those are pretty good too."

"They don't taste like the ramen I've already eaten?"

"Nope these are different."

I spin some noodles on my fork and plop it in my mouth. My eyes light up at the bizarre taste. "I-I don't know how to explain the taste- but it's so delicious." I glance up at him to see him smiling.

"Pretty good, right?"

"Super good! I wish to try more new foods!"

"I guess that means you can start with the spicy chicken you chose..." his voice has a hint of anticipation behind it.

"You seem to be really excited for me to try it," I analyze his expression. Seemingly he holds back a chuckle as I pick up my fork and stab the chicken. Bringing it up to my nose, I smell the strong stench emanating off of it. It definitely has a firey smell. "I think the food had gone bad."

"Hm? Why's that?"

"The smell is really strong."

"Oh no that's how it's supposed to smell. Trust me. It's all the seasoning they put on it."

Suddenly I start feeling rather nervous to try it. "O-oh okay..."I stare down at my fork, rethinking my life choices.

"Do you want me to try it with you?" He can tell I'm starting to get sweaty.

"Only if you want to," I glance up at him clearly wanting him to.

He smiles slightly and grabs a fork, pricking a piece of chicken and holds it up to his mask. Is he...going to wait until I'm not looking to try it? "On three, okay?"

"One...two...three!" I quickly chomp down on the chicken, Kakashi does the same. But he does it so quick I never see him take his mask off.

Instantly I feel a slight sizzle in my mouth that grows into a volcanic pit. I can't even taste the flavors over the burn, and just sit there chewing as fast as I can so I can swallow it.

Looking up I notice Kakashi seems a bit surprised by the flavors, but not in pain like I am. He even swallows without having to grab a drink. Yet he does clear his throat slightly, "that did have a bit of a kick to it, didn't it? Seems like they left the pepper seeds in." Glancing up at me he looks a little concerned, "you feeling alright? Your eyes and face are red."