Kakashi x Reader [English]

Chapter 17

(Fanart by @kanzzzaki on Deviantart)

Kakashi's POV:

(Y/n)'s small and shivering body clung to me harder, making my heart shrink.

"It's alright" I said lowly, hugging her closer as I did calming caresses on her back, remembering it soothed her "It's just the wind" I said as she seemed fidgety because of the wind striking on the window "It's just the wind..." I repeated closer to her, cuddling her even more so she'd feel safe. Just like she did when we were together, far away from Konoha.

I wasn't able to get her sobbing face out of my mind which only made me hold onto her tighter. I really just wanted her to be as careless and joyful as she was before coming back. Like she had always been, and like she deserved. Finally, after a short time, she ended up falling asleep, leaving me to think while I watched her with a small frown.

These past days I had been having doubts about my feelings for her. Not about whether I loved her or not. I knew really well that the way I felt towards her was completely different from the way I had felt towards anybody else. What I had doubts about was about what should I do with those feelings. I didn't want to get too involved with her because I was too afraid that something might happen to her, and thus I'd lose her or feel like I was doing at the moment.

I had always thought I was doomed. A curse of having lost everything and not being worthy of ever keeping anything. So I didn't want to push my luck with her, thinking that she deserved a happy and peaceful life that I wouldn't be able to give her. As long as she was safe, I'd be happy, even if I had to be far from her. But now, having her in my arms, with her cheeks puffy and some bruises starting to form on her neck... I started to think that even if she wasn't with me, she'd still be at risk. She was a ninja after all, and this was the life we chose to have.

I had lost everything that was precious to me because I thought it was my fault, but if (Y/n) was going to get hurt anyway, no matter if I was close to her or not, I'd at least rather be around and do everything at my hand to protect her.

I still didn't know if that meant I would confess to her. Probably not. She still deserved someone better than me. But at least, seeing her sleepy face get closer to me as I put some of her (h/c) hair away from her face, it made me decide that I wouldn't push her away entirely.

Shortly after I started to drift to sleep as well, waking up to a similar setting. (Y/n) and I were still curled in each other's arms, but now her face seemed truly tranquil. As if what had happened yesterday had been nothing else but a nightmare. But the bruises on her throat let me know that unfortunately, it wasn't the case. I frowned at the sight of them, also frowning more at the memory of the stalker jerking off on top of her. I had to calm myself because I didn't want to wake her up once I noticed I had started to hug her with more strength due to my rage beginning to pile up.

Once I had calmed down I kept on looking at her beautiful features while she laid even more on top of me. I didn't even realize that I was doing some caresses on her arm, just as I didn't even realize how time seemed to run when I observed her.

"Are you awake?" I said as I started to see her slowly waking up. She groaned a little and hugged me tighter, making me wonder if I actually needed to wake her up "I'm running really late to meet team 7" I told her after she mumbled a low yes.

At that she sat up quickly, rubbing her sleepy eyes while she tried to see me.

"What time is it?"

"11 am, but I was supposed to meet them at 8" I told her.

"Oh, I'm really sorry. Go, go" she said, backing away from me.