Love Triangle: Kakashi vs. Genma

36 | The Alley

It had been days nearly two weeks since he kissed her this time.

Day one. [Y/N] was told she would be hospital-bound for observation for at least two weeks, so Asuma had stayed at the hospital with her most of the day, the two of them mourning and reliving old memories together in their father's honor. She wasn't particularly upset at having missed the funeral—she didn't want to remember their father that way and she certainly didn't want to socialize about it. Kakashi had only dropped by once that evening to bring them both dinner, wanting to give them this time together. Though, he also managed to kiss her again while Asuma dug around in the bag of food.

Day seven. [Y/N] tried to make a break from the hospital, claiming that she was completely healed and equally bored. Kakashi shook his head and stayed with her all day, entertaining her and making her forget about being bored. It was also this day that they decided they were officially "like a thing now," as Asuma had put it.

Day thirteen. The hospital finally released [Y/N]. She really was almost completely recovered (thanks to the nurses equipped with medical ninjutsu, which expedited her healing time by weeks). Her ankle just needed to be wrapped for a little support, her lung was fully functional and intact, and her cuts and bruises had all diminished. Asuma had come to help her carry her bag when they let her out and, truth be told, to watch out for her as she left.

He offered to take her out for dinner, which she happily agreed. To her surprise, all of her friends (and her now-boyfriend) had been waiting to greet her at their usual ramen shop. She had missed them all something terrible—Kurenai, Guy, Genma, Izumo, Kotetsu, everyone. She spent time catching up with everyone, laughing and having a good time. She noticed that Asuma was a little more protective than usual but let him be as she figured that's how he was coping with everything.

[Y/N] knew how private Kakashi could be in his personal life, so they had decided to keep their relationship private. It wasn't until the end of the night that he caught her eye and nodded toward the back door and then disappeared into the back alley. [Y/N] excused herself to the restroom (after having to wait ten minutes for Asuma to finish his story) and then snuck through that same doorway. Kakashi stood there leaning against the brick wall, his hands in his pockets. He glanced up at her as she came through the doorway, giving her a sly smile. She smiled back and made her way to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Sorry to make you wait."

He smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'd always wait for you."

She grinned and pushed her lips against his neck. Then his jaw. Then his cheek. His still-covered lips. Then she worked her way back down to the other side of his neck. She could hear his breathing speed up and become jagged and he gripped her hips just a little tighter. She laughed softly against his neck as she felt him grow just a bit against her leg. She couldn't help the wave of confidence that flowed through her. She didn't realize how much of an effect she really had on him. She was just about to pull his mask down when Asuma came busting into the alley.

"What the hell are you two doing?" He asked harshly.

[Y/N] sighed and turned to face her brother. "Asuma, plea—"

"I thought that something happened when you didn't come back, I was afraid you'd passed out or something in the bathroom! I had Kurenai go into the restroom to look for you and she said she seen you two out here through the window. You had me worried [Y/N]!"

"I'm fine." She grabbed Kakashi's hand. "I'm more than fine."

Asuma sighed. "You know, I've wanted to see you two end up together for a few years now. I'm so glad that you're both happy. But damn it Kakashi, you're not going to get it on with my sister in an alley! And especially not when she's right out of the hospital!"

Kakashi couldn't help the blush that rose to his cheeks as his eyes widened and [Y/N] facepalmed. "Asuma, could you not? The hospital let me go because I'm back to normal. I'm fine! And if you could keep it down—we're trying to keep this whole thing just between us right now..."

"By sucking face in the alley?"

"We weren't... we didn't... you're nosing around where you don't belong!" [Y/N] said, exasperated.

Asuma shook his head. "Come on. Let's get you home."

"Kakashi can see me home."

"I can see you home."

"Asuma."

"[Y/N]."

The two stood there and stared at each other intensely. Kakashi glanced between the two of them, watching as the two siblings had some sort of telepathic conversation. Finally, [Y/N] pulled the look. It was one Kakashi had seen before and it worked on Asuma. Every. Time. He was her big brother and he had a soft spot for making [Y/N] happy. This look was pitiful and always guilted him into whatever it was she wanted.

Asuma sighed and rubbed his temples. "That's not fair... fine. Kakashi can get you home. Just... be careful, okay? I love you."

[Y/N] grinned and hugged her brother tightly. He hugged her back and peered over her shoulder at Kakashi. He silently mouthed "keep her safe" to the silver haired man across the alley and Kakashi nodded. Asuma hugged his sister just a while longer before letting go. "I guess I'll see Kurenai home then. Goodnight!" He started back into the restaurant but paused. "Oh and try to at least get inside before you suck face again."

[Y/N] sighed. "I'd apologize for that, but you know how he is."

Kakashi scratched the back of his neck as they started walking up the road toward [Y/N]'s apartment. "Yeah... I guess I should keep up my end of the bargain and actually get you home, huh? I don't really want another bruise..."

"Another?"

"He didn't tell you?"

"Tell me...? Did... Did he hit you?"

"So he didn't tell you then."

"I can't believe he hit you."

"Well..."

"I can't believe you let him."

"I was kind of asking for it."

"You weren't asking to get punched."

"I don't mind."

"You don't mind getting hit?"

"Not for you."

[Y/N] stared at him in disbelief with a stupid smile on her face. "Kakashi, you are something else."

He shrugged and pulled her into his side, his arm around her shoulders, and kissed the side of her head. She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him closer. She listened to the beat of his heart while they walked. She started thinking about how he was finally hers, how lucky she was. She felt peaceful and at home with him. Speaking of home...

"Kakashi?"

"Hm?"

"Why don't we go to your apartment?"

"Mine?"

"It's on the same side of town."

"Yes. Why do you want to go to my apartment?"

"I like it there."

"There's not much to it."

"Please?"

"Okay."

Instead of taking the right toward [Y/N]'s apartment, they took the left toward Kakashi's. Once they were there, he turned the key and let them both in. He watched as she walked in and he slipped his sandals off by the door. He turned to close the door and turn on a dim lamp in the corner of the room. She was studying the few pictures he had on the bookcase when he made his way behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "There's not much to this place."

"It's yours Kakashi. Of course there's a lot to see here."

He shook his head and leaned it forward to rest on her shoulder. "Not really. I'd rather look at you."

She turned in his arms and smiled. "There's not much to me."

"It's you. Of course there is."

They started at each other for a second before she leaned closer to him. "Kakashi... what do you look like under that mask?"