Hatake

4

I wake up on the floor. My body aches but nothing I can't handle.

I sit up and look at his face.

I stand up and fetch some water from the pitcher. I pour it into the old kettle.

Before I can turn around I feel a sharp blade on my throat.

"Where am I?" A husky yet smooth voice says into my ear.

I can't seem to speak.

The kunai presses into the base of my throat.

"I-I found you. You were unconscious." I plead.

The kunai does not budge.

"How do I know that's the truth?" He asks his deep voice sending shivers down my spine.

"I can-please let me explain. I'm no threat." I say.

He moves the knife away. I turn around slowly.

I see that one of his stitches must've ripped because the dressing is red.

"Your-" I'm stopped by his hand on my waist.

He unhooks my knife from my belt and furrows his brow.

"Your stitches." I say motioning to the side of his stomach.

"Let me fix it." I say softly and then retrieve the first aid kit.

He sits on the available wooden chair. I kneel next to him and undo the kit.

I then try to gently pull the bandage off. I then clean it and remove the ripped stitches.

The whole time I feel his intense gaze on me.

Once that one is done I just go ahead and switch all of the wrappings.

There is another on his lower stomach this one closer to his waistband. It is not as deep.

I try to not look at his underwear.

The last one is on his chest. I sit up while still kneeling and my eyes flicker from his chest to his face.

"What village are you from?" He asks me.

I shake my head.
"I don't have one." I lie.

"Are you a shinobi?" He asks.

"No." I reply.

He looks behind me then at my face. He has one eye closed, the one with the scar.

I close my kit and place it back where it was on the wall.

I stand awkwardly facing him.

"Can I know your name?" I ask.

"You already know my face..." he says lowly.

"Oh sorry. I'll get your clothes." I say embarrassed.

I walk out and grab the clothes off the line.

"Sorry." I say and set them on the table.

I go and sit by the stove my back to him.

I wait a few minutes and fully expect him to vanish by the time he's dressed.

Instead he sits next to me. Only wearing his under layers.

"Kakashi Hatake from the village hidden in the leaves." He says.

I look at him and smile.
"It suits you." I say.

"And you?" He asks.

"Akari." I say looking into the fire.

"Just Akari?" He asks.

"Yea." I say.

"Is the leaf village far from here?" I ask.

"A few days distance." He says.

"You're not from here." He adds.

"I'm not. I'm a wanderer." I say.

"Do you want tea?" I say getting up. My throat feeling tight.

He doesn't answer but I make enough for him too.

I return to the stove adding a few sticks to the fire.

"Why'd you save me?" He asks when I sit down.

"I saw another shinobi die a few days ago. Just as he was trying to tell me something.
I felt that I needed to help you. I don't know it's hard to explain." I say.

"Thank you for that. For saving me." He says.

"It's not that much." I say shaking my head.

"Do you know the way to the main road?" He asks.

"Yea." I say.

He doesn't say anything after that he just drinks his tea.

I place the cups on the counter and then tell him,
"You can sleep in my bed tonight. I rarely use it."

He follows me as I open the small door.

He sits on the edge of the bed.

I smile then turn to leave. Just as I'm about to close the door he speaks.

"Come with me tomorrow. Back to the leaf." He says.

My eyes fall to the floor.

"I don't think I'll be of any use there." I say.

I feel the pain in my chest.
I want to get out of here.
But I'd just put him at risk.

"Anyone who helped me is a friend of the leaf. You can stay there. If only for a little while." He says.

The little voice in my head is screaming to tell him yes.
But ... could this be a trap.
Or a false claim.

"Akari." He says taking me by surprise.

"Would you at least tag along as a medic. What if I were to rip my stitches again?" He says a small smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.

"Okay."I say.