Torn Between Two (Naruto Fanfiction) *REWRITING*

Chapter 16 *EDITED*

Kakashi checked the clock as we finished our ramen, "Lunch is over in five minutes. Let's head back now,"

I nodded and placed my money on the counter, and Kakashi did the same. The atmosphere between us definitely changed, as I couldn't look him in the eye and control the stupid blush on my cheeks the more I thought about him. He was also quieter and had his hands in his pockets, avoiding eye contact.

We returned to the classroom, and Rin and Obito were already in the middle of a conversation. They both stopped when they saw us approaching.

"Hey guys!" Rin greeted with a smile. "Did you guys get lunch together?"

"Yeah," Kakashi replied curtly.

I know they were able to tell something changed between us.

"We uh..." I glanced at Kakashi, and when his charcoal eyes met mine, I looked away, flushing again. "Got ramen at Ichiraku. It was good,"

"Right," Obito narrowed his eyes slightly, glancing back and forth between me and Kakashi. "Did anything happen?"

"No? What's with that question?" I cleared my throat.

"Y-Nevermind," Obito said.

I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at how Obito was acting all of a sudden, but our conversation was done when Satoru returned. I went to take the seat next to Obito, but my hand accidentally brushed against Kakashi's as I reached to pull the chair out. Heat crawled up my neck as I pulled it back, quickly and quietly apologizing. Kakashi sat down next to me after I did. Obito shifted in his spot, seeming tense.

"Tomorrow, you will be meeting at training ground forty-four, the Forest of Death," Satoru started. "You will have to get through there to pass and make it to the next round."

As Satoru continued talking about the exams, I bounced my leg as I thought about Kakashi's question. Should I go with him to the festival? I mean, it's not like he asked me out on a date or anything like that, so why was I even feeling this way? Great, now what if he thinks I'm being weird?

Maybe I should've asked him if he meant as friends, but that would also make it weird.

I thought about just going with him, but every time I tried to make a final decision, Obito would cross my mind, and I would suddenly think about him. What the hell is going on?

Satoru finally dismissed us for the rest of the day and told us to meet at 8:00 am tomorrow at the Forest of Death. When we all exited the classroom, Obito had to go and take care of stuff at home, so he left immediately. Rin wanted to hang out with Kakashi and I, but she forgot that she was going to help her mom with something.

Now, it was just me and Kakashi together. Alone.

"Do you have any plans today?" I ask him.

"Not really," Kakashi replied, his voice casual but slightly hesitating, making me wonder what he was really thinking.

"Want to train or something?" I suggested, attempting to keep the mood light, even though my heart was racing at the thought of being alone with him.

"Sure, why not?" He shrugged a faint smile outlined through his mask, making my stomach flutter.

As we walked to the training grounds, I couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation mixed with anxiety. My mind kept drifting back to his question, and I glanced sideways at him, trying to gauge his feelings. His face showed little emotion, but there was a softness in his gaze that I hadn't noticed before.

Arriving at the training grounds, I pulled out some kunai and set up targets. "Let's see who can hit the most," I challenged, eager to distract myself from my swirling thoughts.

"Sounds good," he smirked, picking up a kunai of his own.

We took turns throwing our weapons, and I lost track of time, the competitive spirit reigniting my adrenaline. However, whenever Kakashi threw, I couldn't help but watch him, admiring his precision and form. After a while, he caught me staring, and his brow quirked up, making me feel like I'd been caught doing something I shouldn't have.

"You're really focused," he noted, a teasing lilt to his voice.

I felt the heat rise in my cheeks again, forcing an indifferent shrug. "Just trying to get better."

Kakashi chuckled softly. "You're already plenty good. Just don't let anyone get in your head, especially not Nozomi."

His words pulled my thoughts back to the earlier confrontation with her and the tension I had felt in that moment. I clenched my jaw. "I won't trust me. I want to show her what I can do. But it feels like she's already found a way to get under my skin."

Kakashi's expression grew serious for a moment. "Just focus on yourself. You're stronger than you think."

The sincerity in his eyes sent a jolt of confidence through me, and for a moment, all the noise in my head faded away. I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Thanks, I needed that."

We trained for a while longer, each throw more powerful than the last, the hesitance receding as we fell into a rhythm. But even as I improved, my mind kept flickering back to the festival invitation. The silence between us seemed to stretch, the air electric as I mustered the courage to speak.

"Kakashi," I started, my heart hammering, "about the festival... I—"

But before I could start, we were interrupted by Obito running, almost looking frantic, onto the training ground. He was panting as he spoke, "Hana! Kakashi! You won't believe what I just heard!"

I exchanged a glance with Kakashi, and both of us were surprised. Whatever it was, it looked like it could derail our moment, but it also felt like an abrupt shift in my nerves. Obito's expression was urgent, and my curiosity was piqued, too.

"What is it?" I asked, all thoughts of the festival vanishing for the moment.

Obito took a deep breath, "I overheard some genin talking. They said something about Nozomi planning to ambush you inside the Forest of Death. This is serious!"

My stomach dropped, the tension from earlier returning tenfold as I considered the implications. Kakashi stepped closer, a protective stance.

"Looks like we'll have to prepare for her then," he said, determination lighting up his eyes.

I straightened up, steeling my resolve. "Whatever she's planning, I won't back down. I'll make sure she knows what she's up against."

With our motivations reignited, we shifted our focus back to training, having set the stage for whatever came next—both with Nozomi and maybe even with what I hoped to resolve with Kakashi later.