Kakashi x Reader [English]

Chapter 32

The chunin exam had finally come to an end. Kind of. In reality, the only one to pass had been Shikamaru because of his performance during the previous phases. But in general, it all had been a bit of a chaos. Not only because of all the actual Orochimaru thing —which as well— but also because of the atmosphere around the village the days after. Even Kakashi had been acting a bit weird, more stressed.

There was a couple of times I asked him about it, but he completely dismissed it with one of his fake closed-eye smile, as if I couldn't tell between when he was genuinely smiling and when he wasn't. It wasn't until I confronted him about it that he answered me honestly, although not completely. He told me that something happened during the exams, but that he couldn't tell me. I wasn't quite fond of it, especially seeing him taking the burdens by himself, but he assured me that he had it all under control. Probably because he thought that what was troubling me was whatever he had to keep a secret. Of course, I was curious about what could have happened that had him so stressed and in deep in thought, but I knew it would be fine if it was Kakashi who took control of it. What really worried me was his well-being and him putting himself too much under pressure.

However, after a couple of days passed he seemed to be less lost in thought. Or perhaps it was because the day when we went against the stalker had come.

We met with Gai and Yamato first. Yes, Yamato. He had joined us under Tsunade's orders. At the beginning I didn't quite like it. Not that I had something against him, he was actually a really nice guy, but I was still ashamed that I couldn't take care of my own stalker by myself.

"I'll get going" I said once we had to part different ways. I'd go to the farthest and most secluded training area while they'd go out of the village to prepare for the ambush.

"I'll go with you" Kakashi said, walking away from Gai and Yamato and walking up beside me. I sighed and looked up at him.

"Kakashi, you know the plan..."

"I don't mean that. I'll just walk you there..." he said, half rolling his eyes half fleeing my gaze.

"Okay" I said after looking at him dubiously for a couple of seconds "See you later guys" I told Gai and Yamato with a smile and a thumbs-up before walking away, Kakashi following from behind.

We walked a couple of steps when I felt Kakashi's fingers lightly and softly entwining with mines. His gloved hand enclosed around mine, wrapping it tightly once he had finally got the hold of it. I blushed, not used to him doing this, and then I looked up at him. I could see by the way his eye moved somewhere else, and by the slight rosiness of the tip of his ear, that he was blushing too. However, I smiled because it felt good, and clutched his hand. Our cold fingers soon became warm.

"You know, it'll be a problem if you're seen with me" I said once we were nearing the place where I'd wait for the stalker to come by, breaking the silence.

"I can help you to set up the traps" he said, his grip on my hand tightening almost unnoticeably.

But I stopped on my tracks, making him stop as well. He must have known what I'd say though because he turned to me with his eyes never looking me back.

"Kakashi..." I called him, making him sigh "You know I—"

"I know..." he cut me off "I know..." he repeated more lowly, his eyes falling to the ground. Slowly, he held my other hand as well and pulled them close to his masked lips "But I don't want to..." he said kissing them.

I moved my hands to his cheeks and held his face so he'd look at me.

"It will all be fine. I promise" I said with a confident smile, caressing his masked cheeks with my thumbs. His hands traveled to my waist and he pulled me in a hug. We stayed like that for a couple of minutes until I had to push him off a bit "I'll get back to you, I promise"