Unbreakable (Book 1) #Wattys2015

Bittersweet- Kakashi

The exhaustion was almost as draining as the pain from the poison that was slowly killing him. He hadn't gotten any sleep, his body actively waking him every time he dozed off, insistent on reminding him that something was terribly wrong. That he was in danger. As if he didn't already know that. Death was surely kinder than what he was experiencing.

Everything, down to the bone, was aching as if he were bleeding internally, his muscles bruising upon even the smallest contact. Any average man would've been dead. But, unfortunately, he was no average man.

Kakashi Hatake clutched the small box he held in his palm closer to his heart. He was barely holding on and it was only for them. For Katsu, Erika, Hibiki, and Tamiko. For no one else would he endure such slow, excruciating torture. They ruled his heart and therefore ruled his will to survive.

His hair had flattened with loss of life, now grey against his shoulders. His skin was almost translucent, the white pallor shocking in contrast to his dark, ragged clothes. How swiftly he had weakened. Blue veins were visible against his hands and forearms, marking the dangerous condition he was in.

Kakashi raised his head at the sounds of struggle in the hallway perpendicular to the one containing his cell. When he heard a woman's voice, his heartbeat microscopically sped up, causing pain to flame in his chest. He immediately recognized the woman's voice that of Katsu's and the other, that of her captor's. Sasuke.

Kakashi opened his mouth but he was far too weak to form any words. Was she alright? Was she hurt? Scared? Either way, he was painfully aware that he couldn't be there to comfort her. Console her. Catch her tears. That was, if she was crying. She was more likely angry than sad. But what would they do to her? They wouldn't kill her. They couldn't.

Were the children with her, he wondered? No, he would have heard Hibiki instantly. The children were skilled, but not skilled enough to have escaped Sasuke. No, he and Katsu must have reached some sort of negotiation that involved leaving them alone. Or they were already dead... No. He refused to think that way.

But then, where were they? Not doing anything reckless, he hoped. No, Erika was a part of their squad. She would do the logical thing and go to the Hokage. He relaxed slightly, as much as he could, anyway, considering the immense amount of pain he was in.

His wounds were black. The deep gashes in his side from the snake had crusted over with dark, ruined skin, scar tissue unable to form successfully due to the harsh poison.

Oh, how he truly hated  Orochimaru. The Saanin could never have been normal, he thought. He was once great; a legend that his village loved an respected. But he was always insane. Or really, just truly evil. The Leaf just hadn't seen through him quick enough.

Kakashi slowly inched toward the bars of his cell, sweating the small amount of water he had left in his system. He stood shakily and gripped the bars, peering outward with bloodshot eyes. He looked up and down the hallway but saw no one. He closed his eyes in halfhearted disappointment before he heard a girl shout.

"Please!" her voice sounded panicked. "Don't let him die! Please!"

The tone intrigued Kakashi, for he had never heard her speak in that way. Katsu was too proud to desperately request anything. A bittersweet smile arose to Kakashi's cracked lips. It was bittersweet because although they truly were in the worst sort of situation, he knew that Katsu was thinking of him. Sure, it was selfish of him to think that way, but his love was all he had left. And if being a little selfish kept him stay alive, then so be it.

As Kakashi slowly moved to return to where he sat against the wall, his knees gave out beneath him. He fell painfully, his elbows and chin bruising none-too-gently against the stone floor. He didn't get up for many hours after that. For that was what life truly was, he thought ruefully. Bittersweet.

Image: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3-4PAM0clII/U6kkWdewLWI/AAAAAAABVfY/9n56gqj2y-g/w500-h291/tumblr_n347ixLt6Q1tn6dneo3_500.png

Hey everyone! :D This chapter us really short, I know, but the last one is pretty long and I think knowing the condition Kakashi is in is important. I won't be able to update again until next weekend (maybe) but the next chapter will be very good. It will cause a whole ton of problems  for the characters. :D great for a book, I think XD. I hope you guys liked this chapter and please, don't forget to vote! Thanks!