Freedom (Naruto Fanfiction)

Chapter 11

My heart ached so much it was as if I was dying of a stroke. Tears wouldn't stop flowing, it was like I was becoming a waterfall. I felt like I lost everything. Everything just in that moment. In that moment, I had allowed myself to give in, to all that they say, to all that I feel, to all reality I had to face. I gave in, allowing agony to take over me without a single thought.

I thought at that moment, I would give up and vanish from this world willingly. Then my blood started to rush, my heartbeat increased. At that point we synced, not just physically but mentally.

"Don't do it!" I could hear Kakashi's voice yelling through my head. His voice was rough yet soothing. He was yelling yet it felt like he was singing a lullaby. It calmed me down though it wasn't enough to end the grief.

His voice continued ringing through my head. It never stopped until he physically arrived. I felt a pair of arms wrapped around me tightly. I could feel water droplets on my clothes, soaking it second by second. Then a thought shot into my mind, dragging me out from my grief and distress.

'Is Kakashi crying?' The thought of it seemed to have shaken me so much it woke me up. Of course I was still filled with sorrow but that moment he made me realise that it wasn't the end. That even with Minato gone, I still had others who care for me, who love me.

-

"Aki" a familiar voice said softly, waking her up. She squinted her eyes, looking around before her eyes laid on a familiar man who stood outside the window. "Let's go shall we?"

Aki smirked. Getting up. She got ready and got out through the window. They slowly walked along the streets, towards a café nearby. Nearby the headquarters, there were several shops that didn't exist outside that bound. It limit to their members only and this café was one of them.

It was complete silence as they walked. Aki was staring up at the morning sky. The sun hasn't completely rose yet and the sky had a shade of purple mixed into it. It was beautifully painful for Aki. Her thoughts slowly trailed off, back into the past. Kakashi had noticed, but saw the soft smile at the tip of her mouth. It was better to leave her be this time was what he thought.

His hands on the other hand itched. Their hands were so close together, it'll only take one reach and it'll touch. His hands stretched out without a thought before he immediately retrieved it. He hesitated, he debated over himself. 'Should I?'

But before he could make up his mind and come with a conclusion, he felt a soft smooth touch before his hand was held by hers. His heart fluttered, his cheeks flushed bright red. It took him awhile to calm himself down, he was elated yet nervous. He was self conscious for once, worried about how she saw him.

"The Chunin exams should be starting now." Aki said, taking a small bite off her cheese toast. While Kakashi had a breakfast set with kaya toast and eggs.

"Yea, I'm sure the Team can make it, they've been through so much." Kakashi said, stirring his cup of coffee.

"I'm not so sure about that, they are persistent and it won't be any help for my exam." Aki said, letting out a cheeky smile while she munched on her toast.

"Letting you be the proctor is like holding an exam that is impossible to pass." Kakashi teased, taking a sip of his coffee.

"I wouldn't say you're wrong." Aki giggled. She placed her toast down, staring outside. There was a tree, tall and strong. The leaves were all healthy green. "I wonder, when I'll be seeing the leaves in autumn, the first leaf that falls..."

"If it means your life, I'd never want to see it." Kakashi said. His eyes met Aki's, sooth and sorrow filled in every of his words.

"Are you sure about this, Kakashi, I mean.. Mikuo. I really don't think she's let you go yet even now." Aki huffed, finishing her food.

"She's in the past. Besides, forced love won't mean anything." Kakashi replied coldly, assuring. He rolled his eyes, shaking his head as memories flowed into his head. "I never loved her truly, it was one sided. I didn't want to keep it going. I hurt her. That is the only thing I'm good in."

"Don't say that, you're good in other things too." Her voice softened, soothing Kakashi's mixed feelings.

"Let's go walk around a bit before the test." Kakashi placing his hands on the table, waiting for her to hold them. She smiled gently, placing her hands on his before they walked out, hand in hand.

No one spoke as they walked. Despite so, they didn't feel lonely or forgotten, instead it was comforting. They walked for a long time in silence before Kakashi decided to break it.

"Why did you accept me?" He whispered, looking at the sky as a small blue bird flew past. He didn't look into Aki's eyes, he didn't dare to.

"Because I trust you. I know you see me for more than what I am, if you say you love me, I trust that you actually do." Aki replied, not looking into his eyes either.

Kakashi closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and sighed. "Thank you, I love you, I really do."

Aki hung a smile on the end of her lip and whispered, "I love you too, Kakashi."