Hatake✔️

32

"Pakkun?" I say hearing a rustling sound from behind me.

"Urushi?!" I say seeing the ninja dog more clearly.

"Kakashi I was just given a message." He says out of breath.

"Take a minute to catch your breath." I tell him and pat his back.

"You have to come back to the village. Akari—she's returned. She made a summon— I just found out this information." He says.

"Are you sure Urushi?" I ask.

"Yes check the scroll." He says.

I unravel the scroll and see the newly written
Akari Hatake

I smile.

"Thank you." I tell him.

He leaves and I pack all my things.

Even if I leave right now it will take longer than a month to return.

...

The freezing rain has soaked through all my layers. I can't help but run with all of my energy once I see those familiar walls.

I'm back.

There is only one guard, who is not paying attention and just writing in a notebook.

I pass him and enter the village. The sound of the rain hitting the roofs are louder than anything else.

I fumble in my pocket for my keys that I have kept with me. I open the door only to be greeted with stale air.

I close the door and kick my shoes off.

I run to see all the rooms.
They're all empty.

No.

I pull my wet clothes off and quickly put some dry ones on. I start my search of the house.

She would leave me something.
A clue.

I see that one of the drawers in the kitchen is slightly loose. Something that happens when you use it a lot. But I certainly remember never putting anything in that.

I wiggle open the drawer, and it is full with paper.

Some are folded, others crinkled as if they were once balled up.

The one on the top has a date on it. Two years ago?

I quickly scan the letter.

I shrug on my wet jacket and dash out the door.

I stop in front of the Nara house and knock a little too loud.

The door opens and Shikamaru looks at me with wide eyes.

Before I can even say anything I'm tackled with a tight hug.

I pat him gently.

"Mom!" He yells.

His mom quickly steps into the room then turns around again.

Shikamaru pulls me in the house. I remove my jacket and shoes then follow him.

He's running down their long house then sees his mother. She flings a door open so hard it nearly closes back.

I can't even say anything.

Sitting playing a game of shogi is Shikaku and Akari.

She stands quickly and circles her arms around me.

I'm the first to cry.

She squeezes me and shakes with sobs.

"I thought you..." I say petting her face.

She shakes her head.

"I would never leave. Oh Kakashi!" She says.

I move her so I can see her face clearly.

"When were you going to tell me you had changed your name to Hatake? Pakkun didn't even seem surprised." I say laughing.

She hits my chest lightly.

She then waves over Shikamaru.

"We all missed you Kakashi Sensei." He says.

"We really did. Things just weren't the same around here." Akari says.

"You will have a lot more people wanting to see you." She says pulling me closer.

After saying our goodbyes Akari leads me back through the house.

"I'm happy you were staying with the Nara family. They are some of the best people I know." I tell her.

She smiles and points to her clothes.
"And stylish!"

I laugh and pull on my wet shoes. I watch as she pulls on her rain coat.

I can't help but feel as though I've missed so much. She seems so confident and calm now.

I don't say anything and just follow her out of the house.

She skips ahead and holds her hands out catching the rain.

"You really like the rain?" I ask holding the tips of her fingers on her left hand.

"Do you?" She asks her smile shrinking.

"Well to be honest it seems to rain when sad things happen here." I say.

She nods and frowns slightly.

"But. I met you when it rained." I add.

She looks off in the distance.
"I used to hate the rain. It felt like I was suffocating. Rain only meant that we were going to have another fight or punishment. It rains most days over there." She says.

Something in her eyes. She looks cold almost like she's back there.

"So you felt like that everyday?" I question. I slide my hand in hers and hold it.

"Yeah." She replies.

"I was scared, even after I left, that rain brought bad things. But rain brought you. When I found you I somehow knew you were a good person." She adds.

I smile.

"I'm so happy for that." She says her voice wavering.

"Thank you for waiting for me. I was so distraught I couldn't even do anything. I left because I was worried that I'd do something I'd regret if I stayed here.
I thought about it.
A lot.
Doing something bad.
There were some nights where I felt like my life was over. That nothing could comfort me." I say.

Akari tugs at the edge of my mask. A sly smile on her face.

"I'm telling you about my broken heart and you want to kiss me?" I say nearly laughing.

"What do you think I've been dreaming about?" She says.