Crystal Lightning || (Kakashi Hatake x OC)

Afterthought - Joji

There was this haunting presence that lingered in the corner of his bedroom that made him wake up every half hour. He hasn't gotten any proper sleep since that incident that scarred him. He had this reoccurring dream of her last words, his name, with his arm through her body. The black slug had finally gotten into his head, taking over his old self. He was physically and mentally drained from exhausting his chakra reserve and having to deal with the black slug. Minato visited him frequently, bringing him food and making sure that he eats them all. He was mourning as well, but he had to be Kakashi's pillar. They both grieved together, engulfed in their own guilt as they sat at the foot of a tree on the training grounds.

The black slug had grown fat, now almost the size of his bed. It had blanketed the boy, detaining him to the bed. It was having the time of its life, feasting on a lonely boy, leeching his hopes away from him. It could see Kakashi losing his self-confidence, his glow. The spark in his soul is dimming.

"K-Kakashi..." Her bloody mouth said,

"K-Kakashi..."

Friend killer!

Friend killer! A sinister laugh bellowed, echoing through the dark room.  

"RIIINNN!!!" He jerked up with a loud gasp. His heart was about to jump off his chest. His room was silent that he could hear the leaves rustle outside. He threw his blanket off and bolted to the kitchen. The black slug had messed up his instincts as well. Heartache had taken over. He frantically turned on the sink and started scrubbing his hands vigorously.

The moonlight made it seem like his hands were still stained. The black slug watched with glee as he clings on to Kakashi's shoulders like a blanket cape.

His skin was beginning to redden and raw from all the scrubbing. He couldn't feel the burning sensation, he just wanted Rin's blood off his hands. He even tried running water down his hands, but it still didn't wash off. He began to hyperventilate again, choking back on the tears. "It won't wash off! It won't wash off!"

The blood stain expanded, climbing up his arms. The red shade was so dark, it looked black.

He let out a soft squeal as he panicked and started to scrub his arms as well, "It won't wash off!!!"

"Hey!" A pair of hands grabbed his wrists. Her grip was strong, but she softened when he stopped scrubbing. "What are you doing?"

He looked at her with poignant eyes and furrowed eyebrows. His mouth moved but no sound came out like he was being strangled.

"Can I help you? What do you need me to do? Let me help you."

His heart rate calmed as his breathing slowed down, but he was still shaky. "I-I-It won't wash off..."

"Okay, I'll help you. Sit down." She pressed his shoulders so he would sit on the kitchen floor. Then she grabbed a large bowl and filled it with warm water.

He never took his eyes off her, watching her silently and obliging to whatever she said. She has been very patient with him, but he felt his darkness pulling him away from her.

She sat on her calves across him and placed the bowl between them. She took his hands and delicately submerged them under water. She bowed her head to focus on his hands, and to hide her tears as well. She rubbed his hands in a gentle manner, barely touching him.

"Why are you here, Akira?"

"All clean!" She finally looked up at him with a grin, the shadows hiding her tears. She then grabbed a hand towel that hung next to the sink and patted his hands dry. It broke her heart to see him like this. They were so happy months ago, especially with Kakashi finally finding the confidence and comfort in showing his real self to her. Then there was that kiss. Their first kiss felt like fireworks. She was worried about him, so she had been peeking out her window. Then she would rush to him without thinking every time she sees him wake up in the middle of the night. It was like he wasn't there like she was taking care of someone else – some stranger she just met.