The Red String of Marriage

Here - Mizuka

"Oh, you're back!"

Kakashi stood outside of the Haruno residence, hidden by the darkness of the night. He had his hands shoved deep in his pockets.

"Yeah, well, I wanted to make sure you were okay."

She couldn't see most of his face under his mask, but his boyish eyes were kind behind the facade of disinterest. Why was this kid back? She stepped aside.

"Would you like to come in?"

"Yeah, okay."

She shut the door behind him as he turned to face her again.

"Are you hungry?"

He pulled a bag out of his pack. Rice balls.

"Yeah! Thanks!"

She pulled him into the living room, where the hearth was burning hot. She fell onto the ground and rolled into the blankets, waving for him to join her. He complied, although not as enthusiastically. At least he took off his coat tonight. He offered her a rice ball, adn he bit into it hungrily. He pulled down his mask and also bit into one next to her on the floor.

"So, Kakashi, you have a headband. Are you a shinobi already? Aren't you like, my age?"

He touched his headband, appearing a little frazzeled that she was carrying a conversation with him.

"Yeah, I've been a Chuunin since I was six."

"Wow! No way! You've already been a Chuunin for two years?"

"Yeah. My dad was the White Fang of the Leaf. He taught me a lot."

"Do you live with your dad?"

"No, he commitied seppuku when I was five. And my mom died when I was an infant. I've been on my own for the past three years, which is fine. I don't need anyone."

Muizuka stared at him incredulously.

"That's crazy. Everyone needs someone."

Kakashi looked around the room.

"Well, who do you have?"

"I have Kurenai, and Guy, and Akihiko Sensei. And now, you...I guess."

"Me? You just met me two days ago."

"And you came back, so it must not have been terrible."

She smirked. He's as lonely as she is, she thought.

"If you were starving ,why didn't you tell someone?"

"I don't know. I've always made it by somehow. I wasn't even going to tell you, but you pissed me off and it just fell out of my mouth."

Mizuka watched Kakashi quietly stare at the floor. She laughed, breaking the silence.

"I'm glad I told you, though, because here you are."

He pulled a blanket around his shoulders and scooted closer to her, but not too close. He's letting his guard down, she thought. They chatted for the rest of the night before falling asleep