Kaiame

Kaiame of the Hidden Leaf

I hadn't slept in three days, and my body was starting to remind me of its need of rest. I had swung myself through Kakashi's opened window earlier, and now lay sprawled out on his couch. I was struggling to keep my eyes open, yet did not wish to be asleep in case Kakashi brought someone here that would wish to harm or question me. My lack of food and my rapidly increasing fatigue ended up winning. I felt myself drift off and my eyes fluttering shut as I sank back in the softness of the couch and fell asleep. I can't remember ever laying on something soft, as I mostly slept in trees and caves. I do not know how long I had laid there, vast asleep. But by the time I woke up, I felt groggy and still sleepy. The scent of ramen wafted into my nose, and loud sounds came from the kitchen. So that is what woke me up. I immidiately sat up on the couch, for a moment disoriented. It did not last long as memories from hours before flooded my mind and I let out a singular groan. A pounding headache made its way into my mind, and I realised I had neglected my body too much. Again. It was finally coming into a protest. The scent of food did not help me in any way, my stomach growling painfully loud in demand. I rested a hand on it and rubbed it in circles as I stood up, slowly making my way to the kitchen. Soundlessly.

What I saw there, baffled me and I had to stop so I could stare in shock. There, in a pink apron, stood the feared Copy Cat Ninja of the Leaf, cooking a failed batch of ramen. I snorted loudly atthe sight, and Kakashi immidiately turned around to stare at me. And I do believe I saw an embarassed blush there, creeping around the edge of his mask. ''Are you trying to make poison?'' I questioned as seriously as I could, struggling to keep a smile from showing. Kakashi's uncovered eye narrowed, as he awkwardly took the apron off. The pink apron. ''I thought you would be hungry so...--'' He trailled off and sighed, dumping the burned and most likely poisonous food in the trash. I rolled my eyes and made my way into the kitchen, snatching the left over ingredients and utensils from his hands. ''I am. I'll cook.'' I muttered under my breathe, hurrying to slice everything to an appropriate size. How could he even think that these huge pieces would fit in the boiling pot to begin with? It'd remain raw as it did not fit. Kakashi nodded and stepped aside to let me cook, leaning his hip against the counter as he watched me work. The more he stared at me, the redder I could feel my usually pale cheeks become. As I said, I lived in a forest. The contact I had with other people was to kill them, such as the rouge ninja on their mission. Being near Kakashi now made me feel vulnerable, and my maturity dwindled back to that of an actual child my age. And let's just say that, underneath my bad-ass exterior and fighting skills, I am a really shy and awkward boy when not engaged in battle or on a mission. I am also gay. And Kakashi Hatake was definitely attractive to me, so that made it all the more difficult.

Finally finishing the chicken curry and miso ramen dinner, I planted everything messily on the table along with two plates and chopsticks. ''...Can you stop staring at me.'' I finally muttered as I sat down, my entire face red at this point. Kakashi seemed highly amused at my embarassment, and he seemed to enjoy seeing the blush on my face. Nonetheless, he nodded. ''Thank you for cooking, it looks delicious, Kai.'' He mused, prodding the food with his chopsticks. Kai? Since when did he call me that? I mumbled incoherently under mybreathe before breakign my chopsticks, and digging in. I had emptied my plate in record time, and looked up to find Kakashi's empty as well. I missed him taking his mask off to eat, and I was thoroughly displeased at that. However I respect everyone's privacy, and it seemed he wore the mask for a strong personal reason, thus I did not mope over it. ''Delicious. Really, thank you.'' He said again, giving me a closed eye smile. I shook my head firmly, suddenly feeling horrible that he had thanked me. ''Don't.'' I simply said, standing up and taking our plates to the sink. ''Don't what?'' He questioned, watching me closely as I did the dishes. ''Don't thank me. I should be thanking you. I ate your food, slept on your couch, made your dishes filthy. If anything, you should be angry with me.'' I continued to explain myself as I dried the plates off, and set them back in the cupboard I had found them in. ''Not to mention the trouble with the Hokage. I am sure he is displeased with me, and took that out on you.'' I finally turned around only to come face-to-chest with Kakashi, who had moved disturbingly close during my speech. I swallow audibly, before lifting my gaze to meet with his. ''First of all, I am glad you did all of those things. You are impossibly thin so I am glad you ate my food, and the bags under your eyes tell me you have been up for how long?'' He paused to give me a pointed look. ''Three days..'' I mumbled under my breathe, yet he seemed to hear me. ''Three days. That's unhealthy, I don't care for your reasoning. People do not stay up for three days. As for the Hokage, he has allowed you to stay as a guest, under the condition that you remain at my side. '' His voice was firm, and it was clear that if I would deny, Kakashi would not be pleased. I bit down on my rather plump bottom lip, chewing on the flesh as I weighed my options.

It was either the cold forest, where I had to hide myself to try and help Naruto and Sasuke. Or stay with Kakashi, rest up for a few weeks and use that time to get my body back to its original strength with three meals a day. ''Hai, Kakashi. I can stay. Though once I have regained my full strength, I will be on my way.'' I said thoughtfully, arching a brow at him. ''You were not at your full strength during the fights on our mission and with the ANBU?'' Kakashi questioned me cautiously. I shook my head no, before gesturing to my body. ''Look at me, Hatake. I am a street rat. Vermin. Of course I was not at my full strength.'' I saw his gaze harden  as he heard my self-hatred bubble up in my words, and knew he was about to comment. I cut any attempt off and shoved my hand forwards for him to shake. ''Do we have a deal, Kakashi Hatake of the village hidden in the Leafes?'' I stated formally, the emotionless expression back on my face. I had to keep my guard up, at least for now. Anyone could have a double agenda, even a kindred spirit such as this man. Kakashi seemed almost sad at my quick change to stoïc and professional, but nonetheless took my hand with a firm grip and shook it. ''Deal. Let me show you the guest room.'' With that, he turned around and I followed suit. A life in Konoha, even if it was temporarily, was the last thing I had expected. This should be an interesting adventure.