Struck: A Kakashi Hatake Fanfiction

Chapter Nine: Cold

As I heated the water over the fire, I heard a small moan beside me. I looked down and watched her begin to stir back to consciousness as light snow flakes fell upon us. When she started to cough, I brought a canteen close to her mouth and helped her sit up. She took a deep drink, and her fingers brushed over her lips when she took the canteen away. I had stayed in my crouch while peering down at her, but suddenly I felt my legs slip away beneath me. I fell directly onto my ass with a huff while an invigorating giggle erupted from Emiko.

"That's for shocking me," she said with a smirk.

"For what it's worth, I am sorry about that. But you left me with no choice, you know," I said while sitting back up.

She met my stare with intensity, a blaze burning behind those deep green orbs. "I will kill him, Kakashi."

"Not on my watch, Emiko. At least...not yet."

"Hmph. I'd heard you were good, but you were definitely sleeping when I left—how'd you find me so quickly?"

"I would tell you, but then how I would manage to find you when you sneak away again. Why do you think Tsunade sent me of all people?"

Her face and body relaxed and she gave me one of those heartwarming smiles of hers. "I couldn't say, Kakashi. It seems I don't know enough about you. But whatever the reason, it's starting to become a pain in my ass."

I answered her smile and returned to tend the fire, adding ingredients to the water for a soup. I could feel the chill creep in; it was getting colder with every minute. A biting breeze blew just then sending a shiver through me. Emiko scooted herself closer to the fire, shadows dancing across her features. Her expression was soft and thoughtful as she wrapped a blanket tighter around herself. Her arms were exposed at the shoulders; I had appreciated the high necked tunic and what it did for her curves, but it had its drawbacks.

"It's only going to get colder," I said softly.

"I wish we would have made it to an inn today, I could use a hot soak right about now" I could see the goose bumps peppering her fair arms.

"Well if someone hadn't taken a detour, we would have. Here," I said as I moved closer and put my free arm around her shoulders. I had to stop myself from flinching at her chill. If she hadn't been unconscious for the last two hours, perhaps she would have been warmer, I chastised myself.

To my surprise, there was no protest from her. Instead she seemed to sink into my touch, resting her head on my chest as I stirred the meal in front of us. Her hair skimmed the fabric of my mask, and a sweet floral scent wafted to my sensitive nose. I found myself closing my eyes to revel in her aroma.

"Kakashi," she murmered a few minutes later.

"Hmm," I answered groggily.

"I think the soup is finished." I could feel her raise her head to look at me as I flashed my eyes open. The pot was just about to boil over into the flames, and I quickly removed it setting it on the ground next to me to cool.

We sat there for a minute, unmoving except for the rise and fall of our chests. After a while, she lifted her hands to the fire. I stood then, and filled our cups with the warm soup, the cold seeping back into me as soon as our bodies parted. When I returned, I handed her a steaming cup of her own and she took it gratefully. I reassumed my previous position, arm around her shoulders as I sipped the broth that quickly brought heat back to my lips.

When we had finished, Emi took the cups and pot to the nearby stream to be cleaned. I went off and gathered some additional fire wood for the night while I took a quick sweep of the surrounding area. I returned to find Emi laying on her side near the fire where we had been sitting, her small bag now acting as a pillow. I could see her shivering from here, even inside the sleeping bag. I took a deep breath, and after finally deciding I had no other options, I lay the wood a few feet away and slid in behind her.

"Kakashi what are y—" she chattered.

I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into my body. "Emiko, you'll freeze otherwise," I murmured into her ear.

"How chi—chivalrous," she managed. She gave in though, and pulled my arm tighter to her chest, wrapping her small hand in mine. She let out a contented sigh as her body's convulsing slowed. I closed my own eyes then and again breathed in her intoxicating smell as I lay still, welcoming the feel of her body melting into me. A heat came to life deep in my stomach that had nothing to do with the fire. And though I know I shouldn't have, I just let it burn.

That night I dreamt of three children: one silver haired and two blondes running in the training field—a familiar giggle echoing softly from the small girl as she persevered to catch up.

XXXXX

Warmth had spread throughout my body, but my bones ached from the convulsing that I hadn't been able to stop on my own. He was pressed behind me, his body molded to meet every one of my curves while his warm breath puffed softly against the back of my neck. It sent waves of tingles through me. I pictured his eyes as I lay there, his strong jawline, and the mystery of what lay beneath that mask. And though I had no memory of this man, a boy when I knew him, I couldn't help but feel a pull to him no matter how much I fought the urge. There was an inexplicable attraction.

Even when he stopped me earlier, I wasn't able to hold my anger with him. Of course, there probably just wasn't enough room left inside me for anger directed at anyone but the man who'd killed my family. I sighed.

My thoughts finally slowed and I allowed myself to doze off. I thought I felt a soft caress over my cheeks, but my eyes were too heavy to open and find out. Sleep overtook me.

I found that my face was nuzzled in the crook of his neck when I awoke and I could feel his hand lazily stroking my back. I took a deep breath, inhaling him.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked softly.

I hummed in answer and began to stretch my legs, relishing the warm cocoon.

"We'll find an inn tonight, I don't think either one of us can handle another night in the cold," he said with a yawn.

I tilted my head up to look him in the face. "I mean was it so bad, Hatake?" His dark eye smoldered back at me before rolling.

And as much as I didn't want to, I unzipped the sleeping bag and sat up. "Okay, okay. A girl can take a hint," I breezed. I could hear his low chuckle behind me as I studied the sky, still dark to the west. "Thank you though."

"Well, I think I technically owed you one, so let's call it even," his voice still sleepy.

"Oh, you're not getting off that easy," I turned my glare on him as he dug in his bag. "I'll zap you back one day."

"That's what I'm afraid of," he mumbled as he held out his hand, offering a ration bar for breakfast.