#young Gaï | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

tarithenurse · 4 years ago

Text

Nightingale - 32

Fandom: Naruto Pairing: Hatake Kakashi &/x Fem!OC Contents: Fluff, pining, hopes, powerlessness, feels, sadness, plotting of various kind. A/N: As usual, ASK or REBLOG for tag! HUUUGE thanks to all who are reblogging already <3

Ch. 32

For a moment, it’s possible to see the old man’s arm stretch out to hand over the cup reflected in the metal of a headband. Kakashi’s trying his best not to stare at the object on the low table while the Hokage pours tea and talks (at length) about the Flame of Konoha, what it means to protect the people living in the Village.

“She did well,” the Third smiles crookedly, “to the point that I wonder...?”

The jōnin wait a moment before prompting an end to the sentence, “...wonder...what?”

“You are skilled and, judging by your team’s progress, capable of guiding others to learn.” It’s not exactly an explanation, but this time it doesn’t take any nudging. “It may be part of why she chose you over everyone else to begin with when she needed to earn our trust...the result is visible but now very few know her as well as you do.”

Is it going to cost her the chance of becoming a shinobi of Konoha? Genins, like Team 7, spend time on simple missions not only to improve their skills but also to prove their worth in the eyes of comrades and civilians alike. Uguïsu hasn’t. In fact, this imitation of the chunin exams is the first opportunity for others to assess her abilities and personality – the few who really knew anything had been present at the trials, as Kakashi silently calls the hearing.

“I am inclined to allow her to earn the probationary rank of chunin on two conditions.” The old eyes hold no menace but unwavering determination as he studies the jōnin's features for any reactions. “She will assist Yamanaka and Morino at their discretion.”

The younger man nearly has to bite his tongue to ask calmly, “...and?”

“She will not partake in missions with you and Team 7 for the foreseeable future.”

It feels like a punch to the guts he’s seen coming a mile away without being able to avoid it. This is not my choice even if the decision hadn’t already been made. “She has already agreed to this...hasn’t she?”

“We have discussed various possibilities.”

...

Scattered clouds amble past the moon above when Kakashi leaves the Hokage.

One word had taken the other, adeptly navigated by the old man until the conversation flowed in the comfort of the past or danced among gossipy rumours and tall tales. Sarutobi senior had always been able to make his subordinates feel at ease, freely giving advice on various subjects without it sounding like a lecture.

And so...here we are. The young jōnin sighs, choosing to stick to the shadows as he walks, hands in pockets, without a clear goal. Tucked in behind the vest lies a headband, the metallic plate already warmed by the heat his body exudes. He could go to Uguïsu. Knock on her door and present her with the expected news...and most likely wake her up in the process, considering how deeply the woman had been sleeping last Kakashi saw her.

I could find Iruka. The teacher had invested a great deal of time and energy to assure the stray nightingale could feel comfortable while the academic voids were filled, so it only makes sense to let him know that the efforts have born fruit. Still, Kakashi’s feet keep on a different path.

Asuma, then? The bearded man is most likely not at home, but rather paying Kurenaï a visit. It would be a shame to impose.

The white-haired man is unsure what is holding him back until he enters the graveyard. The moonlight fleetingly makes the white stones glow in the night – row upon row of hauntingly identical slabs left as a constant reminder for generations to come of people long gone...and despite the similarities, one still stands out.

“Is it wrong of me?” he whispers, muffled by the mask, to Rin’s chiselled name, “I never quite understood what you felt...what you needed. Do I understand you now?”

They had been so young and Kakashi had only truly grown and matured after the loss of his teammates. But the grave is silent, giving no answers or signs if the girl would have been happy for him and there is nothing left to do but turn away and walk along the path to the one burial place that does stand out from the rest.

Tucked away in the furthest corner, the rough-hewn stone seems even darker than normal in the shadows of the tree. Kneeling down, Kakashi brushes away a few stray leaves that already have fallen as a precursor to the coming fall.

“You’d have liked her, wouldn’t you?” It might not be audible, but the taste of bitterness appears in the back of his throat. “Would you have invited her over? You always seemed...fond of those who didn’t quite conform.” Vivid memories of a young Gaï comes to mind, conjuring a smile. “Can you imagine? She’d spot all the exits and safe corners right away. If I -...” Kakashi hesitates, his eyes widening at a strange, new idea. “She wouldn’t feel as cramped there. If I showed her...I could show her and maybe she could...” Again, he falls silent as he struggles with whether to say it out loud. She could live there. Maybe...maybe we... “I’d have to clean first, father. No one's been in the house for years except for me when I stop by.” He rarely does: the place holds too many lonely thoughts. “I could clean it. The roof needs patching. And the garden! I’d have to tend to that, get rid of the weeds and then maybe I can ask Kurenaï what plants would be good...something easy, though, because I don’t want ‘Guïsu to feel obliged to keep the place. That’s not the point.”

Or maybe it’s too much? Kakashi promised not to pressure the shy woman and he’ll be damned if he breaks that oath no matter how rapidly his heart beats at the idea of maybe one day...some day...we’ll see.

Daydreams illuminated by soft, golden light are difficult to stow away, and the dark stone has warmed to his touch when he finally manages to return from the reverie.

12 notes · View notes