Kaiame

Frenemies

I sat criss-cross applesauce on the floor in one of the guest rooms, Kakashi's asleep form on the bed. We had made it to Tazuna's house safely roughly four hours ago, and everyone went to get themselves cleaned up and rest. I immidiately got to work with my healing jutsu's, and Kakashi was as good as new. After he woke from his nap, he would be fine. I'd have to replenish his lost chakra with mine, once he woke up and allowed me to do so. After an hour of healing, I tiredly sat down in a meditating position. I haven't moved since. I broke from my meditation and my eyes fluttered open as Kakashi groaned and stirred in his sleep. He was waking up. My piercing green eyes stared at the bed quietly, my hands folded in my lap. ''I would suggest resting for a bit more, before your little team storms in here and takes the oppertunity of rest away from you.'' I spoke matter-of-factly, making my presence known. Kakashi sat up in the bed and turned his head to me, carefully reaching up to his face.

''No one has touched your mask, Hatake.'' I stood up as I said this, and noticed the ninja tense. I ignored it and nonchalantly sauntered closer, my hands stuffed in the pockets of my tattered pants. ''I healed your wounds. You should be okay in a few hours.'' I explained as I noticed the confusion in his one visible eye. It widenend with sudden realisation, and he glared at me. Before he was able to speak, I waved him off. ''Your team of genin is safe. The three of them are asleep in the room next to this one. None are wounded, although they are worried about you.'' I was closer now, and sat down on the edge of his bed. ''Kaiame, was it?'' Kakashi finally spoke, his voice sounding tired. He really had to sleep some more. I nodded, not feeling the need to use words to respond. ''What happened after I passed out?'' He inquired carefully, as if he was afraid something horrible had happened without him. I sighed, breaking my stare at him and letting my gaze wander through the room. ''I carried you on my back and shoulders to Tazuna's house. I healed the minor injuries of your team and shoo'd them off to bed. It took me an hour to heal your injuries, after which I spend three hours there--'' at this, I nodded my chin towards a spot on the cold floor in the corner of the room. ''--meditating on the floor until you woke up. The rest you know.'' I ended the explanation by returning my gaze to him, a hesitant smile on my lips. I wasn't a bad person, I was just bad with socialising. 

For a moment, the Jounin was quiet. I was convinced he would call me out as a rogue ninja, or declare me an enemy in some other way, but when he did speak it was nothing of the sort. ''Thank you, Kaiame.'' He said, and it sounded sincere enough. I merely gawked at him, and he offered up a closed-eye smile at my obvious shock. I hadn't expected him to be at ease, let alone grateful. After I took a deep breathe, I simply nodded my head. ''No need to thank me. It was a nice change from my usual routine. I should be the one thanking you guys.'' It was true. Despite my frustration and worry for the genin and their Sensei, I was happy that the fights broke through my boring, daily routine of sleeping and training. ''Your usual routine?'' He questioned curiously, sitting up a little more. I didn't answer, instead standing up from the bed. I stretched my arms above my head and shivered once. It was getting colder, and I was definitely underdressed for this weather. I always wondered if I would die in a fight, or merely from the cold once the winter came. The latter would be a pathetic death, and my mood sunk the more I thought of it. ''Where do you live?'' Kakashi spoke up as he saw me shiver, and I turned around to offer him a sheepish smile. ''Forests, usually.'' I shrugged as I answered, failing to see the shock in his one visible eye. ''Are you not from a clan?'' At this inquiry, I sharply turned my head and glared at him. ''That is none of your concern, Hatake. I wish you and your team well. Gato will be here soon, I trust you and yours can handle the rest of the mission on your own.'' As I spoke, I made my way to the window next to his bed, and pushed it open. I had eliminated the biggest threats, and I was sure Team 7 could handle Gato and the few remaining men. It would be a nice moment for them to learn more teamwork and personal strengths.

''You are leaving.'' Kakashi concluded, and since it was not a question I did not feel the need to respond. I climbed in the opened window, squatting down quietly. ''Follow us when we head back home. I would like to see you again, Kaiame.'' Again, a statement. I did not acknowledge it, leaving the Copy Cat Ninja in the dark on weither I would follow or not, and leaped from the window. I jumped from tree branch to tree branch, running swiftly along the bark. Kakashi had basically invited me to his home, and I was not sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. The Third Hokage would surely hear of me, as it was Kakashi's duty to include me in the mission report since I involved myself in the main battles. I am positive that despite the Third being a kind man, he would want to use me as Konoha's weapon. And I was a free spirit. I was no one's but my own. It would be interesting to see what would happen if the Hokage and I did not see eye-to-eye. If I got the chance to battle him, I would take it. For the sake of Konoha I would not kill him, but I would love to fight a Hokage nonetheless. The very thought intrigued me. I would do all to avoid a fight of course, I had to keep the trust of the little genin team. But if it was inevitable, I would make sure to be ready. Instead of waiting around to see Team 7 defeat Gato, I decided to travel back to Konoha in a relaxed pace. I plucked an apple from my pouch and calmly nibbled on its red skin, devouring the delicious and sweet taste of its juices. While I walked through the shadow-covered parts of the trees and bushes, my mind wandered to the son of the White Fang. Kakashi Hatake. You sure are something else. I will visit you, Hatake. I will visit you when you least expect it.