𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐨 𝐔𝐳𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢 𝐗 𝐅𝐞𝐦!𝐔𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐡𝐚!𝐎𝐜 ── ❝ 𝐈 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒 ❞
── Misaki could never have anticipated what awaited her in the years to come-her tumultuous feelings, her fractured famil...
"I'll never leave you kids behind," he added, his voice now soft, filled with warmth it rarely held.
Oh, his words warmed my heart. Kakashi had always been more than just a sensei to us. He was like a father to us, and we could count on him no matter what.
I did, dropping down gracefully to the floor in front of the dining table. Folding my legs under me, I couldn't help but be impressed by how Kakashi seemed to make every place feel like home.
It was sparse in decoration, yet somehow inviting, with the subtle scent of green tea hanging in the air and a few touches of his own – a photo of Team 7, the worn face of a book lying open on its shelf nearby.
A little while later, Kakashi came back with a small vial of elixir in hand. He sat beside me, lightening up his face as our eyes caught each other's. In that very moment, I felt relaxed in his presence; I was relieved of the tension that had been tightened up in my body.
"Arigatou, Kakashi-Sensei," I murmured gratefully as he passed me the vial of medicine. Its cool glass reassured my palm as I opened and drank the bitter liquid.
Though my lips formed words of appreciation, in my mind, a different agenda strayed; I wasn't there for some kind of physical ailment but for information, and that wasn't going to come willfully from Kakashi's mouth.
I hadn't done enough last time.
I didn't get close enough.
While I stood there, clutching the file and tentatively wondering what the hell to do next, Kakashi's eye strayed from his beloved Icha Icha book and landed on me. His one visible eye, normally hidden behind that headband, now impaled me with the barbs of concern and curiosity.
"Are you okay, Misaki?" he asked gravely. "Do you need something stronger?"
He looked concerned; he could never easily dismiss any overture of misery from one of his own. I was not certain, thinking seriously about going back. Kakashi was sharp but could feel that something was wrong. Yet now I couldn't retreat but stiffened to wring a weak smile back.
"I'm okay, Kakashi-sensei," I said, the words sour in my mouth. "Just tired, that's all."
Kakashi didn't relax at my words. His one eye narrowed ever so slightly as it studied me. He set his book to the side and leaned toward me. His presence was one of calm, probing reassurance. "Heading home, then? In case you do feel so tired, I can accompany you. Naruto must be worried about you.".
He walked me home, and though I couldn't afford to be sentimental, his gesture tugged at my conscience a little. The latent peace of mind persisted in my favor while the mask of weariness remained present in me, deflecting his concern with a reassuring smile.
