Hatake

28

The soft rustling of the trees calms me.

I walk away from the open window and sit on Kakashi's couch.

Jiraiya said it would be no use in trying to search for Kakashi. Instead I should stay here and wait. I don't like the plan but it's what I'm doing.

It's been a while. A few weeks maybe. I still can't talk. Shizune told me it might be permanent.

I get up from the couch and go lay in his bed.
I've kept everything how he left it. I've just been keeping the apartment company.

I crawl under the soft gray covers and stare at the ceiling.

Will he come back?

There is a light tap on the door.

I get up and walk over to the door slowly. I open it so see a small letter on the ground.

I grab it and return inside.

I rip it open carefully.

It's from Jiraiya.

I have sent out a message. All we can do is wait and see if we hear anything back. This could take weeks.
Stay here with us.
It is important that you know we are working to find Kakashi.

Pleases be patient,
Jiraiya

I sigh, setting the letter on the counter.

As I flip the paper over I see a small address.

To send letters to me use this

I open all of the drawers in Kakashi's apartment trying to find some paper.

Most of them are empty.

I try to pull one but it feels stuck. I lift the drawer slightly and wiggle it before I yank on it aggressively.

The drawer comes loose and nearly knocks me over.

I reach my hand and press down on whatever was making it stick.

I pull the whole thing out and set it on the floor. It's packed with stuff.

Old handwritten notes, a few letters. And a bunch of documents. I pull them out and set them neatly on the floor.

There is also some random things. Spare keys, a carabiner, and some other things I don't really know what they are.

Something interesting I find when stacking and placing all of these things back in the drawer is in the cabinet that they sit in there is a little hatch. I pull out the other two drawers.

I run my finger along the seam. It feels like it could open. I try to pry my fingers under the corner. It doesn't work.

I trace the shape again. This time finding a small shape indent. I turn back to the pile of random things and find a small piece of wood I assumed was just some extra part of something. I take it and try to put it into the indent.

When I do the little thing opens revealing a space just big enough for maybe a few letters.

There is a small piece of paper in there with my name on it.

Akari

My chest hurts and feels tight.

I slowly pull on the paper freeing it from the space.

I pull the little strip of tape off and open the note.

Akari

I wonder how you found this letter. Did I tell you or did you find it alone in this space I hid it in?

You have been gone for two months now. I grow more antsy everyday. My students are being taught by another person. The hokage says I am no longer the man I used to be. She tells me to not leave and to not look for you.
She doesn't understand how much you mean to me.
I spoke with master Jiraiya, he tells me that I have to make the decision.

Akari I'm writing this because I'm leaving the village.

If you found this while I am still away I'm sorry. I vowed that I would return to the village if I could not find you before the next winter.

If you're finding this after I'm dead Akari, well I love you.

I never got to tell you.

It's not the shinobi way to have such attachments and I see now why. I would do anything to see you again.

I should have gone with you.
I should have never left your side.

I regret so much.

But Akari, please if you're reading this and I'm not there yet. Don't let me drag you down.

Think of me, but enjoy the time at the village.

I miss you greatly,
Kakashi