Crystal Lightning || (Kakashi Hatake x OC)

I Can't Hate You - Kayou

He leaned on the wall next to the Hokage's office door, staring into the ceiling as he waited to be summoned. Akira's horrified look that night would've made him go crazy guilty, but it didn't this time. His heart didn't feel anything. They've only brushed past each other a couple of times, usually when he was about to leave and come back from a mission. He can't bear to look her in the eye. He completely shut himself off from the outside world. Even during Minato's inauguration, he just watched his sensei with a blank stare. It even confused Guy. Seeing Minato up there only made him feel even lonelier like he was being abandoned. His head felt heavy, and so did his heart. The black slug had done its job suppressing his pain, but the weight only grew heavier.

A jonin exited the office and glanced at Kakashi, "You're next, kid."

He straightened up and marched into the office. He had shut off his emotions and had put his mask to use, an embodiment of a true ninja. He greeted formally, "Lord Fourth."

Minato waved dismissively, leaning at the edge of his table. "Hey, enough with the formalities. I'm still your sensei."

"Understood."

"I'm sorry I've been busy. I know some things have changed, and we haven't found the time to talk yet."

"It's fine."

He studied his student, feeling uneasy at the dark presence. He thought Kushina was just worrying too much, but he was wrong. Even he could feel the difference. "Kakashi-boy, what colour is Hatchi's fur?"

"I... I don't remember..."

"Choza-sensei's hair?"

"I don't know, sensei..."

He sighed and stepped closer to Kakashi, placing his hand on the top of his head, "I want you close to me. I'm making you my right-hand man. You'll be placed in Anbu."

"Yes, Lord Fourth." Kakashi bowed,

"I hope you find your way back, my boy." He placed his hand behind Kakahi's head and pulled him to the chest, "And enough with the formalities."

"Yes, sensei."

"Go get your gear and meet your team."

"Thank you, sensei." He bowed again and walked out of the office. Barely out of the hallway, he brushed past Choza's team, Akira and Iruka tailing behind their sensei.

"Kakashi, haven't seen you in a while."

"Choza-sensei." He greeted nonchalantly with a respectful nod, "I was just summoned by the Hokage."

"So are we! We better get going!"

"Good luck with your mission, Choza-sensei!" He mustered up all his energy to decently smile. He started walking again, passing Akira a cold glance and then gave Iruka a glare. He then pulled Iruka by the sleeve once the two were out of earshot. He leaned down to Iruka's ear, "You let anything happen to her, I'll kill you myself."

Iruka shoved Kakashi off him but said yes. Akira told him what happened that night. It made him rethink his purpose of being a ninja of the Leaf. Seeing how someone could plummet into darkness bothered him. He dusted himself and smugly smirked, "Don't worry, Kakashi-senpai! I won't let anything happen to your girlfriend! You can trust me!"

"She's not my girlfriend!" He hissed through gritted teeth,

"Whatever you say, senpai!" He teased, giving Kakashi a thumbs up and walking away. "I'm glad you still have feelings for her! Bye!"

Kakashi closed his eyes and imagined punching Iruka in the face as he inhaled and exhaled slowly. That boy really gets on his nerves sometimes, but he was secretly glad that he could rely on Spiky. Being taken over by the black slug is very draining. It felt like he was wearing a shock collar. Every time his heart feels something, the black slug wraps its slimy self around his heart and crushes it like it's some sort of punishment for bad behaviour. Bile had climbed up his throat as the black slug squeezes his heart because he felt something. He felt the need to worry about Akira, especially since he has been avoiding her. Even if he's not his usual self, his feelings for her was still there - they will always be there even if it was hidden deep in his vault away from his demon's reach. He convinced himself that keeping his distance was the best way- to love her from afar. Paintings are admired from afar, and the same goes for nature. Some things are just better when it's admired from afar and untouched.