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Was it their brattiness that made him so attached? or was it their curiosity? or could it be it's just because they're the first team he's lead? or... was it simply the little things they do to annoy him..? Kakashi couldn't remember how and when he became so attached to the 3 little devils he call his students.
The cheerful blond boy whose smile is so bright that it rivals the sun, always beaming up at him with that vivid ocean blue eyes shouting, "Hey hey Kakashi-sensei! Kakashi-sensei!" Kakashi won't say it, but he can see that underneath that facade of happiness is pain, hurt, and the need to be loved. Kakashi's heart aches for him.
And then there's this used-to-be emo and still emo boy whose heart is in such a pain that Kakashi feels the need to be there for him. He never laughs at anything, but there's a small, very small, smile on his face when he's with his teammates. Kakashi took it as a good sign.
There's also this pink-haired girl who he thought was timid and shy. Boy he's so wrong. You don't want to piss off this one unless you want a broken rib..or more. This girl grew up into a beautiful and capable kunoichi, keeping both of her teammates in place.
Kakashi never realized how fast time went by until he takes a look at his not-so-mini students again. One grew up becoming a hero in the village and bringing his teammate back. One lost his way for a bit, but ended up back in the right path now surrounded by people precious to him. Another is one of the most successful kunoichi in the village as the head of Konoha Hospital.
Kakashi also never realized how close he was to despair before he met Team 7. Taking suicide missions and coming back half-dead, barely recovering and then going back to the same routine. He remembered how his eyes looked so lifeless in the mirror, blood that seemingly can't be washed no matter how many times he cleaned up himself, the never-ending stench of his opponents' blood that he ruthlessly killed. He'd done that for how many years he didn't know. His sensei couldn't pull him from the darkness, his comrades couldn't and his friends weren't able to do that too. It was an impossible task.
However, Team 7 did exactly that, the impossible task of pulling him out of despair. He used to be afraid of forming relationships, not wanting anyone close to him die anymore, but somehow, Team 7 managed to worm their way into his cold heart.
Now, once Kakashi's got a taste of the warmness his team exudes, he doesn't want to let go even for a bit. He yearns for their presence. He doesn't want to lose them. He doesn't want them to leave him. He will do anything for them to stay by his side. Anything. His heart warms up whenever he thinks of his team.
Kakashi is broken off his thoughts as he heard his name being called in the distance. "Kakashi-sensei! Kakashi-sensei!" The trio of his team can be seen from the distance. As they get closer, he can see the smiles on his students' face- well, a bright one in two of his students and a small, miniscule smile on another.
"Kakashi-senseii! What are you doing here?" The blond one looked up at him, currently perching on a tree branch holding his classical Icha-Icha on his hand. Kakashi shut his book and his eyes crinkled in a smile, "Nothing. What are you doing here?"
"Let's go for ramen! We haven't done Team 7 outing in a long time!" Naruto said, looking at him with that huge smile of his and jumping in excitement. Sakura was talking to Sasuke about something that he can't really hear, a soft smile on her face while looking at the said boy.
Kakashi smiled at his team's dynamics and jumped down to the ground, patting Naruto's head, "Yeah, let's go."
The boy immediately turned to both of his teammates and pushed them from their backs to go for ramen. "Hey Naruto! The ramen won't go anywhere, there's no need to push!" The girl has an amused smile on her face.
"But-but, Sakura-chan, Sasuke.. I'm hungry.." The blond boy had animated tears on his face. A quiet "usuratonkachi" can be heard among the trio.
Looking fondly at his team, a smile is ever-present underneath Kakashi's masked face. Moments like these are precious to Kakashi. He would not even trade them for the world, for the world is nothing without them inside it.
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