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Naruto’s scent lingers, everywhere.
Kakashi hasn‘t been able to clear his senses of it, for years. Not that he’s, like, exactly tried, but with Naruto on the same team, and always coming by, and always being close… it would have been a futile effort, and Kakashi is nothing, if not efficient.
And now that he’s Hokage, and Naruto having his office - a fact that stills serves to amuse Kakashi whenever he dwells on it - down the hall… Naruto’s scent is everywhere anyways.
In fact Kakashi is so attuned to it, he can literally sense when something is off.
Like today.
Today, Naruto’s scent carries a note of… Kakashi frowns, unable to place it.
Which is something that is so rare and out there after almost two decades of Naruto incarnate it serves to really foul his mood.
Shikamaru quirks an eyebrow. "Anything wrong?“
Kakashi presses his lips together. "No.“ He hesitates, and then asks, pretending to be uninterested. "Has anything interesting happened lately?“
Shikamaru’s other eyebrow goes up as well. "Like?“
Kakashi shrugs, pretending to be bored. "Something with Naruto?“
Shikamaru blinks. And echoes. "With Naruto?“
Kakashi grinds his teeth. "Yes. Is there anything…“ He pauses, some kind of memory stirring, of a hint of this scent before, long ago. He shakes his head to clear it. "Never mind.“
Shikamaru hums, while collecting dome papers with a sigh. "Nothing unusual with him specifically that I know of… at least nothing that would stand out in regards to the madness of the others.“
Kakashi frowns, while running the numbers of a supply report. "Others?“
Shikamaru shrugs, and then turns to the door. "Well, you know, we’re rapidly approaching spring and people are getting restless. I hear Ino has been selling a lot of flowers lately.“
Kakashi looks up, with a tilt of his head. "You’re trying to tell me that…“, he hesitates, unable to form the words, "That some people have been flirting.“ What does that have to do with anything?
Shikamaru sighs, deeply. "Well, according to Temari it’s more than that.“ He rolls his eyes. "She’s really into all the gossip and such, she says that is how you glean most of the information in regards to a village, and she’s been meeting with Hinata and Sakura and Ino, regularly.“ Shikamaru shudders. "I‘m actually a bit afraid.“
Kakashi blinks, and then clears his throat, vaguely amused. "I see.“ He looks down again, signing the report.
Shikamaru nods, and then turns to the door, but hesitates again, his tone is vaguely apologetic. "And of course, forgive me, people are wondering when you’re going to settle down and build a family, now that you got the hat.“
Kakashi freezes, his voice higher than he likes it. "What???“
Shikamaru grimaces, but it turns to a small grin, and a sly look as he turns away. "Well, and some of the nurses have been singing your praise, you know.“ He ducks out of the room and Kakashi stares after him, mouth open, mind a flatline, and wheezing.
******
Naruto isn’t there when he goes to check - nonchalantly of course - and Kakashi grimaces, turning towards the roof instead. His gut flutters. Something is afoot. I just know it.
Konoha is busy, bristling with life, a hum, dimmed by the wind whispering. The Anbu are as relaxed as they ever can be. So far, so good.
He inhales deeply, and then bends down to press his hand to the floor. “Kuchiyose no jutsu.”
There’s a puff of smoke, and Pakkun sits there, on Bull’s head. “Boss?”
Kakashi exhales, and then shrugs, a bit sheepishly. "Find Naruto for me, alright?“
Pakkun blinks. “Ah.“
Kakashi nods, turns away… and then hesitates, turning back. He frowns, somewhat bewildered. “Pakkun?”
Pakkun licks his snout. “Boss?”
Kakashi narrows his eyes. “Why are you still here?”
Pakkun licks his snout again, ducking his head. The tone is vaguely apologetic. “I’m sorry, Boss, but we cannot find him for you.”
Kakashi clicks his tongue, and then lowers himself into a crouch, tone low. “Whyyyyy?”
Pakkun shifts a bit, obviously uncomfortable. “We had to promise…” He trails off.
Kakashi glowers at him. “You promised him not to find him if I sent you?”
Pakkun looks away, twitching. “No. We know where he is.”
Kakashi’s tone carries a definite growl now. “And you won’t tell me?”
Pakkun blinks up to him, almost innocently. “Not yet?”
Kakashi pulls a face, still glowering, tone acerbic. “Anything else that you’d like to tell me?”
Pakkun, weighs his head, and then pulls an apologetic face. “Nope.”
And he’s gone, in a puff of smoke, and Kakashi stares at the empty spot where Pakkun was for a long moment, and then goes to find his supposed damned successor, starting off a series of events that he would later, in a fit of drunken honesty, and to a lot of very loud laughter, nickname ‘the batshit crazy weekend of utter insanity that you dipshits dropped me into’.
Repeatedly.
******
He begins… by trying to find Naruto via his friends.
It’s Friday, and Kakashi knows that Sakura and Hinata meet up for an afternoon tea on Fridays because it’s Sakura’s free afternoon, so he goes by the tea house, relieved when he spots the pink-haired kunoichi next to the Hyuuga heiress.
Sakura’s eyes light up when she sees him, laughter in her voice. “Ah, Sensei. So nice of you to drop by.” She looks at Hinata, grinning.
Who, in turn, blushes.
Kakashi clears his throat. So far, so normal. “Yes, well, I did not want to interrupt, I just wanted to know if you know wh…”
Sakura interjects, tone lively. “Oh I know what you can get the kunoichis, Sensei. I’m pretty sure they’d appreciate a tanto as a gift, as in opposed to flowers. What do you think?”
Kakashi pauses, blinking, slowly. He tries to keep his tone carefully neutral. “What?” What???
Sakura blinks up to him. “The kunoichis, Sensei. What are you going to get them?”
Kakashi frowns, and then asks, very slowly. “What kunoichis, Sakura-chan?” If I was supposed to meet some diplomatic guests Shikamaru would have said something. So, what…
Sakura frowns, blinking rapidly. “Well, the kunoichis coming to meet you, Sensei? I have heard from Tsunade that some of the kunoichis from the Land of Lightning are coming for a visit, because they find it fascinating that you have the lightning affinity, and of course…”, she blushes, grinning for a moment, “and of course you’re a good catch, right, as Rokudaime…” She blushes heavily, leaning close to Hinata, with a hiss. “Say something, too?”
Kakashi blinks, turning his gaze to her. Catch? Me?
Hinata blushes again, deeply, and then blinks up to Kakashi. Her voice is a bit breathless. “Oh, well, of course the Hokage is a very much desired partner…” She trails off, hiding her face behind her hands.
Sakura glowers at her for a moment, and then bravely raises her face to Kakashi again, who is staring at her, flabbergasted.
She swallows, tone decidedly chipper. “Well, Sensei, as I said, tantos would be better than flowers, I think.” She smiles, broadly.
Kakashi raises a finger, pointing it just vaguely. “Tsunade said that?”
Sakura nods, green eyes huge. “Yes, Sensei.”
Kakashi clears his throat, inclining his head. “Excuse me please.”
Sakura smirks. “Sure, Sensei. Have fun buying those gifts for your visitors.”
He blinks, and vanishes, feeling so bewildered he cannot even think.
******
He finds Tsunade on her way home from the laboratory, where the Godaime is voluntary helping with education and some research, whenever she is back from one of her trips.
He falls into step with her, shooting her a look, the still youthful face smirking at him.
He clears his throat. “Godaime, I hear you are set to go on another trip? To the Land of Waves this time?”
Tsunade nods. “Yes, I will leave next week. I want to see it again, and of course exchanging knowledge with their faculties will help ours immensely.” She blinks, almost innocently. “How can I help you, Kakashi?”
He sighs, through his nose, trying to pinpoint what’s bugging him about her behavior, but ignores it for now. “So, I heard an interesting rumor from Sakura. I heard that…”
Tsunade interrupts him. “Oh, the rumors are quite true.”
Kakashi blinks, and then frowns. “So… why do I hear about that only now? Apparently they are already on their way?”
Tsunade grins. “Ah well, we didn’t want to bother you with something so innocuous? But I promise you they are quite delicious.”
Delicious? He shakes his head once. “Are you sure we’re talking about the same thing?”
Tsunade’s eyes twinkle. “Are you not talking about the delivery of a big box of mint confection?”
Kakashi exhales, just softly. Ah. “No. I was talking about the visit of some kunoichis… apparently they’re from the Land of Lightning and coming for me?”
Tsunade hums. “Oh that.” She shrugs. “Yeah well, it’s time someone came for you, right?”
Kakashi’s mouth drops open, his voice a rather undignified squeak. “What?”
Tsunade rolls her eyes at him. “Kakashi, you’re too young to pull the card I did. Go get hitched.”
Kakashi echoes, tonelessly, mind a flatline. “Hitched.”
Tsunade stops, and turns to him. There is a smirk on her face, but Kakashi cannot concentrate on it, because her finger pokes into his chest now. “Yes, you know. Family. Kids maybe. Someone to come home to. Someone with the same affinity would be nice, wouldn’t it, but of course it’s not a must.” She waggles her eyebrows. “And, given that you run around always reading Jiraiya’s porn books, you have a rather distinct reputation in regards to your skills.”
Kakashi echoes, dumbly, mind still stuck on ‘family’. “Skills.”
Tsunade snickers, obviously enjoying his stupefied expression, if the twinkle in her eyes is any indication. “Oh yes, your skills are legendary.” She clicks her tongue, with an exaggerated sniff. “Or so I heard.”
Kakashi stares at her, unblinking.
Tsunade turns away again, throwing the words back over her shoulder. “I mean, the rumors regarding Kahyo and the time you spent with her speak for themselves, right.”
Kakashi’s mouth drops open, calling after her. “That was a rumor. A fake rumor.”
Tsunade waves at him, while walking away. “There’s no smoke without a fire, Kakashi.”
Kakashi stares at her, and then his thoughts return to the one who spread those rumors back then. The thought does not come without glee of anticipation. Oh, I’m gonna kill you.
******
He actually intends to go back to finding Naruto again, but is stopped by Kurenai, who is intercepting him, dragging him off to an early dinner.
Not taking any ‘no’.
Which is weirding Kakashi out. But he is also vaguely relieved, feeling a definite need to talk about the situation, and feeling that Kurenai might be the right, safe person to do that with.
Right? Right.
He waits until they’re done though, haltingly talking about the weird behavior he witnessed. Ending in a shrug. “And, so, you know, why would people come to Konoha to hit on me?”
Kurenai snickers, glass in hand, and then reaches forward with her free hand, squeezing his hand once. “Because, Kakashi, you’re a fucking jackpot.”
Kakashi stares at her, for a moment, and then points his finger with his free hand. “Ohhh, not you, too? What the hell? And why now?”
Kurenai hums, weighing her head. Twirling a lock of hair. “Well, you never seemed attainable…”
Kakashi narrows his eyes. “And that changed?” Is she flirting with me?
Kurenai bites her lips, her fingers stroking, just a bit. “Yes?”
Kakashi stares down at their hands, watches her fingers move. “Err… why?”
Kurenai tilts her head. “Why do you seem attainable now?”
He nods. “Yes, and…” He trails off, not knowing how to ask why she is still stroking his hand. Which feels weird. And tickles. And tingles. He sniffs, focusing on her words again, with an effort.
She smirks. “Well, we heard that you finally started to live a little… having a wild affair with that Kahyo… and of course you’re a real snack.”
Kakashi stares at her, mouth open. His tone is very flat when he finally speaks. “I should have bonked him so much harder back then.”
Kurenai licks her lips, biting them softly. “Bonked? Oh, do tell.”
Kakashi blushes, spectacularly. Stammering. “Not like… not like that.” He draws his free hand down his face, wondering if he can get away with ripping his other hand from hers.
Kurenai sniffs. “Oh, too bad. That would be so hot?”
Kakashi wheezes, pinching the bridge of his nose. NOT thinking about anything. Definitely not about bonking a certain blonde shinobi. With an effort. “You don’t happen to know where he is, do you?”
Kurenai hums, her other hand coming to clasp their already joined hands. “No?”
Kakashi glowers at her, feeling her fingers trace his pulse point. “Why don’t I believe you.”
Kurenai tilts her head. “Maybe I just want you to myself?”
Kakashi echoes, tonelessly. “To yourself.”
Kurenai blinks up at him. “Well, you know, before those kunoichis coming for you catch you?”
Kakashi gasps a laugh, and then firmly withdraws his hand, leaning back, his skin where hers had touched his tickling. “Ah, I don’t think…”
Kurenai leans in, tone sultry, the red eyes heavily lidded. “Exactly, Kakashi, don’t think. Do.”
He stares at her for a long moment, tone flat. “Maybe it’s something in the water. Something hormonal?” You’ve all gone crazy?
Kurenai pouts. “So you won’t come home with me?”
Whoa. Kakashi blinks at her, and then stands up, stepping back. “No, I…”
Kurenai sniffs, exaggeratedly. “You don’t want me, I understand…”
Kakashi turns on his heel, walking out the restaurant, as if in a daze.
Kurenai calls after him. Loudly. “You know where to find me if you change your mind!”
Kakashi freezes and then pushes chakra into a long, long jump.
******
“My rival!”
Kakashi exhales, glad it’s Guy, if anyone. He nods at Guy, who hops over from his wheelchair and sits down next to him, onto the step in front of the monument. “Glad to see you.” He frowns, shooting a look at the green-clad man next to him. “Have you noticed anything strange?”
Guy frowns. “Like? Our life is full of strange moments?”
Kakashi nods. “Right.” He shakes his head. “No, I mean… in regards to…” He pauses on the word women, realizing Shikamaru had made that insinuation regarding family first. “People’s comments.”
“People’s comments?”
Kakashi grimaces. “Yes, in regards to my… private life.”
Guy chuckles. “Oh, have you gotten some comments in regards to Naruto?”
Kakashi stares at him, flabbergasted. “No, I’ve…” Naruto? He narrows his eyes. “Why do you say that?”
Guy shrugs, lazily. “Oh, I was just wondering if the fire of youth that burns in you for him had finally be allowed to properly burn.”
Kakashi stares at Guy, for a long moment. “My fire for…” He blinks, redirecting his thoughts, with an effort. “No.” He clears his throat, feeling unmoored suddenly. “I meant in regards to me getting hitched. Married. You know. Apparently there’s some kunoichis coming to meet me for that exact purpose, and everybody thinks that’s just….” He gesticulates. “Normal?”
Guy hums. “Isn’t it normal for a shinobi in your position to finally think about settling down?”
Kakashi growls, under his breath. “Oh no, not you, too.”
Guy leans back against the steps. “If you do not want kids you could settle down with Naruto?”
Kakashi turns his head, very slowly. Stares. Guy continues, eyes closed, with a small smirk. “Of course there are ways around the kids issue, but you know that. And maybe you prefer someone else, after all you have had that affair…”
Kakashi interjects, heatedly. “I have NOT had an affair with Kahyo.” He hisses. “And especially NOT as payment for her pardon.”
Guy is silent for a long moment, his tone low when he finally speaks. “The passion of her youth burned for you though… imagine if you had taken her up on her offer.”
Kakashi gnashes his teeth. “I’m not interested.”
Guy’s eyebrow twitches, eyes reopening. “Why?”
Kakashi stares at him.
Guy sits up again, slowly. “I distinctly remember looking back for you and seeing you stare at her, intensely. I remember your eyes had locked for a long time. I remember you smiled at her when it was all over. I remember you spent time in her company, too. Alone.”
Kakashi averts his gaze, tone gruff. “Yeah, well, I liked her. And her eyes. So what.”
Guy hums, one hand coming up to squeeze Kakashi’s shoulder. “You, my friend, were smitten.”
Kakashi grimaces, looking away.
Guy chuckles, under his breath. “And she wrote to you. Letters that were perfumed.”
Kakashi shakes his head, once. “How the hell do you know that.” He looks back, glowering at Guy. “From Naruto, too?”
Guy grins at him. “Rumor travels fast.”
Kakashi groans, hiding his face in his hands, his voice muffled. “Apparently.”
Guy’s hand squeezes. “So why did you not take her up on her offer? I know she offered?”
Kakashi grunts, shaking his head again. “I… it didn’t feel right.”
Guy clicks his tongue. “I see.” He hums. “Well, then maybe those kunoichis will feel right. You should write them some poetry.”
Kakashi lowers his hands, slowly, tone incredulous. “You want me to write poetry?”
Guy shrugs, and then grins, broadly. “I want the fires of your youth to be fanned, finally.”
Kakashi narrows his eyes. “Finally?”
Guy sobers, his dark eyes twinkling. “It is time, my friend.”
Kakashi stares at him, for long seconds. Tone very dry. “Definitely something in the water.”
Guy ignores him. “Maybe train with them. I hear they’re very interested in you having mastered the lightning style.”
Kakashi blinks, and then pushes up, walking away. Blinking.
Guy calls after him, definite laughter in his voice. “And don’t settle too soon. Live a little, my rival.”
Kakashi grimaces, shaking his head.
******
He runs into Konohamaru on the way back, the teenager staring at him quite rudely.
Kakashi halts, lifting his hand, when Konohamaru blurts out, tone indignant. “What the hell makes you so attractive?”
Kakashi freezes, hearing snickers from some of the passer-bys. “Err…” He opens his mouth to remind Konohamaru who exactly he is talking to, but the thought fades again, immediately, as Konohamaru walks towards him, almost aggressively.
Konohamaru comes up, dark blue eyes blazing. “Why is everyone fawning over you these days?”
Kakashi opens his mouth, and then snaps it shut again. He clears his throat. “Fawning?” He frowns. “Actually, I was just wondering the same thing.”
Konohamaru pulls a face, crossing his arms. “Even Muegi said I should try to model the male sexy jutsu after you.” He snaps his fingers, suddenly, ignoring Kakashi’s shocked expression, visible even despite the mask. “Oh, I know, I’ll just ask Naruto.” Kakashi opens his mouth to ask where the hell Naruto is, when Konohamaru continues. “I know Naruto worked on perfecting a sexy jutsu version of you.”
And Kakashi’s mouth snaps shut again, his eyes huge. He… what?
He tries to actually speak. “He… did what?”
Konohamaru looks back at him, mouth still a pout. “I guess it’s the hair? And the mask?” His eyes travel down Kakashi’s body. “I mean, all shinobis are fit, so that can’t be it.”
Kakashi wheezes.
Konohamaru narrows his eyes. “It’s the face scar, right. And the contrast of your eye color to your hair color.” He hums, weighing his head. “Hmmmm. Maybe I should try that with my female version.”
He crosses his fingers for the seal, and Kakashi’s hand snaps forward, clasping them. His tone is caustic. “Please don’t.”
Konohamaru pulls a face. “But I want to know why everyone is whispering about you?”
Kakashi grunts. “Actually, I’d love to know that, too.”
Konohamaru groans, and then lowers his fingers. “Fine.” He points one finger at Kakashi. “I’ll find out though.”
And he’s gone, and Kakashi stares after him, a bit wildly, wondering if what he feels classifies as an out-of-body experience yet.
Maybe.
******
Laying in bed later, he tries to bring all the fleeting impression into some kind of order, make some kind of sense to them.
While staring at the ceiling.
Unblinking.
He’d walked past the barbecue restaurant, on his way home.
Which had obviously been a mistake.
Because apparently there was some kind of party there.
And half Konoha just waiting for him to come by.
Kiba had come up to him, excited, had asked if he could take care of Kakashi’s pack when Kakashi would be busy. He’d said that last word with a waggle of eyebrows.
Kakashi had narrowed his eyes.
Sai had stumbled into him, apparently coming out from the restaurant, just the tiniest bit tipsy, pointing his finger and asking Kakashi an Icha Icha question.
A detailed Icha Icha question.
One to a scene that had Kakashi blush. Deeply.
Sai had bent over then, obviously not feeling well, while Ino had come up, rolled her eyes, patted his back… and then had stepped up to Kakashi pushing a flower into his hair behind his ear.
Grinning broadly.
Hanabi had seen, had come out, and had started flirting with him.
Hinata, who had been there as well, had dragged her back into the restaurant, shushing her, whispering loudly that Kakashi was already off the market, and didn’t she know.
Kakashi had stared after them.
A nurse from the hospital had come up then, vaguely tipsy too, reaching up to run her fingernail down his face scar… telling him how much they miss him, now that he does not come in regularly because of chakra exhaustion anymore.
Kakashi had hastily clasped her hand, had steered her back towards the restaurant… opening the door for her.
Which had been another mistake.
Because Lee had been there, pointing, shouting something about the fires of youth in Kakashi’s loins, and then calling him… the bachelor of the hour.
Anko had laughed. Loudly.
And then yelled, that Kakashi would not be a bachelor for very much longer. RIGHT?
There had been cheers. And exaggerated sniffs.
Kakashi had tried to withdraw.
Only to be stopped by Tenten behind him, who had offered him an assortment of tantos, telling him she’s heard.
Shino, at her side, had nodded, emphatically.
And had leaned in, whispering loudly that he’s just a bit jealous.
Kiba had chimed in again at that point, sighing loudly, agreeing.
And blushing, furiously.
Choji had just kept on eating, watching.
Actually, Kakashi might have liked him best, right then.
And then he had made another mistake, obviously, although Kakashi still cannot understand why.
He’d asked, if anybody knew where Naruto was.
And then the restaurant had fallen silent.
For three seconds.
And then the ‘awwww’s, and the ‘oohhhhh’s, and the whistles, and cat calls had started up.
Kakashi had stared. And fled. Without waiting for an answer.
Or, to put it a bit more dignified, vanished.
To his home.
Where Shizune had been waiting, on his doorstep.
Literally starting to list up a dozen or so relationship advices, as soon as he had shown up.
He’d left her standing there, locking the door behind himself.
It’s like everyone had been after him today.
Everyone, except Naruto.
Kakashi blinks, turning to his side.
Where are you?
******
He sits down and scans for Naruto’s chakra the next morning, something he admits to himself should maybe have done yesterday already.
Nothing.
Kakashi rolls his eyes, annoyed but not surprised.
Masking his chakra… the imp.
I bet all of this is his doing… like back then.
I really should have bonked him harder.
He freezes, and then blushes, heavily, as his brain makes the connection to Kurenai’s… insinuations.
And then shoves those thoughts away again. Into the box they belong into.
The one that is only opened when he really feels alone.
The one that is hidden deep.
He sighs, through his nose, and starts his day.
******
Unfortunately, the others don’t seem to want to let him get on with his life.
Or his duties.
Yamato shows up, the big black eyes imploring, tone vaguely wobbly.
Telling Kakashi how happy he is for his Senpai!
And asking whether he wants him to guard them when they… ‘you know’.
Kakashi had stared at him.
Saved, eventually, by a knock on the door.
He’d been happy to see Temari and Gaara, for about two seconds.
That happiness had fled, never to return, when Gaara had, with a straight face and all, asked him to marry into the Wind instead of the Lightning, since it would further strengthen the relations to Sunagakure.
Temari had cleared her throat, and had pulled out a list.
Of ‘suitable’ kunoichis.
Kakashi had pulled himself from his stupor after a moment, had drawn on his Anbu training, had tried to deflect, telling her he wasn’t interested, and that he was sorry.
Very sorry.
And Temari had simply pulled out another list.
Shrugging, and telling him there were enough male candidates, too.
Gaara had nodded, emphatically.
Kakashi had stared.
And then blushed, heavily.
Telling them that he wasn’t interested in that, either, thank you very much.
Gaara had blinked, obviously truly disappointed.
Temari had pulled a face. And then asked what or who he was interested in.
There had been a rather pregnant, uncomfortable pause.
Kakashi had literally sat, with his face in his hands, when they’d left again. After a while.
Iruka had pulled him from that, eventually.
Telling him he had to shape up.
Kakashi had glowered at him. Iruka had grinned.
But the final straw had been Sasuke coming by.
Sasuke, who has this habit of only showing up from time to time these days, and mostly when something is afoot.
So, all in all, Kakashi shouldn’t have been surprised.
But it had been surprising, that Sasuke had told him to do his very best. Or else.
Blushing. Lilac eye sparkling.
And then had vanished again, with a last look over his shoulder.
Telling him not to wait too long.
Kakashi had poured himself a drink then.
That had been around noon.
Kakashi inhales deeply, grimacing. Looking up at the afternoon sun.
Luckily, there hadn’t been any more visitors.
Kakashi eyes the half empty bottle.
Though I haven’t really managed to work either.
He’s not even feeling tipsy.
Or better.
Naruto’s scent is thin, by now. Has been thinning, of course, since he’s been around.
Kakashi hisses, through his teeth, rolling his eyes at himself.
Obviously, Naruto has been away before.
On missions. For training.
On vacation.
But Kakashi had always known where he was.
Ever since the war, Kakashi had kept careful track of where Naruto was.
Had kept careful note of his scent, too.
Of the changes in it.
Naruto’s smell is one of comfort by now.
Kakashi grimaces, refusing to acknowledge what that means for himself.
And yet…
There’s a knock on the door now, and Shikamaru sticks his head in.
His tone is careful, obviously not using the title on purpose. “Kakashi, the kunoichis from the Land of Lightning will be here soon, I just wanted to let you know in case you wanted to fre…”
Kakashi doesn’t hear the rest.
He simply vanishes, the impulse to flee too strong to ignore. And his nerves simply stretched too thin. Let Shikamaru deal with them for a while.
I need to….
He blinks.
I need.
And suddenly he knows where to go.
He’s not sure why, just that he does.
The garden is freshly tended to, lots of the shrubbery gone, and the garden beds obviously replanted.
Ivy has been pulled away from the open windows, and the flicker of a small fire can be seen through the one in the kitchen.
Pakkun dozes on the bench in front of the house.
The traitor.
Kakashi inhales, deeply.
And almost cries, the world wobbly for a moment.
He sinks down, onto his knees, pushing his hand through the dug through earth.
Scents mix, the scents of history, and home, and life, and earth, and dogs, and him.
He, who is coming towards Kakashi now, grinning, the blond hair like a halo in the afternoon sun.
Kakashi breathes, deeply, his voice a whisper. “Why?”
Naruto hums, and then sinks to his knees next to Kakashi, reaching for his left hand.
Kakashi stares down onto it, at the contrast of the slightly smudged but mostly still white bandaged hand, holding his.
Naruto’s voice is soft, but laced with humor. “You needed to come to me.”
Kakashi clears his throat. “Arguably, this is my house.”
Naruto hums again, voice almost inaudible. “I wondered if it could become our house?”
Kakashi freezes, unable to breathe for long seconds. Does he mean it like that? Or does he just mean… His throat clicks as he speaks, a part of him refusing to hope. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”
Naruto chuckles, just softly, but there’s a shiver in it, too. “You would have run.”
Kakashi blinks, and then looks up at him, staring. “There are no kunoichis coming, are there.”
Naruto grins, broadly, the whiskers twitching. “Of course not.” He leans in, eyes sparkling. “But I needed to get through your defenses.”
Kakashi whispers.”Why.” Please, just…
Naruto leans in, slowly, and Kakashi watches him come closer, a bit dumbly, his hands suddenly sweaty, his heart galloping.
Naruto’s breath whispers along his skin, tickles through the mask. “Why do you think?”
Kakashi shivers.
His voice breaks on the words. “Naruto, I shouldn’t… I mean, I’m your Sensei, your Hokage, I…”
Naruto freezes, and then leans in even more, pressing a kiss to the corner of Kakashi’s eye.
His words are almost inaudible. “You’re the one that I love.”
Kakashi shudders, cold in the warm sun.
Naruto’s lips are on the other side of the cloth now.
Sharing breath.
Kakashi gulps down his breath, catching… a note of that change again.
He reopens eyes he isn’t aware closing, with a small frown.
Watches Naruto’s pupils dilate from close distance.
The scent gets just the tiniest bit stronger.
Oh.
Kakashi wants to facepalm himself.
And then Naruto grins, and climbs onto his lap, sitting on it.
His left arm comes up around Kakashi’s neck, kneeling astride of Kakashi now, looking down at him. Their clasped hands are between them, pressed between their thundering hearts.
Kakashi’s right hand comes up, presses into the small of Naruto’s back.
Seemingly by itself.
Kakashi feels light-headed.
Naruto leans in, and drags his mask down, with his teeth.
Kakashi grows hard, embarrassingly fast.
Freezes, beneath him.
And then Naruto groans, rolling his hips exactly once.
Letting Kakashi feel.
While letting the mask go, wet hot breath gliding over Kakashi’s naked face..
Naruto’s eyes are almost black now, boring into Kakashi’s.
And the words spill from Kakashi’s mouth, by themselves.
“I love you.”
So simple.
And so terrible.
And so true.
Kakashi raises his face, offering himself, the leap of faith terrible still, despite it all.
Despite being unbearably turned on, and literally held down, and in an embrace, firmly.
Naruto’s lips glide along his, teasing now, and Kakashi receives him, like a benediction.
The world narrows down, to Naruto, and Naruto only.
And then tilts, as Naruto pushes him down, laughing into their kiss.
And Kakashi inhales, his skin, the earth, and sun, and shampoo, and dogs, and love.
Letting himself fall.
******
The moon filters into the still slightly dusty living room, glinting off Naruto’s still sweaty hair.
Kakashi shifts on the pillows, laying with Naruto on a heap of them, between dog beds and potted flowers, pushing in to cuddle closer.
Naruto giggles, answering his hummed question, his voice deeply sated, infused with a satisfaction that surpasses the physical. “Your hair tickles.”
“Ah.” Kakashi noses along his jaw, trying to fill his lungs with their smell, their smell, his soul burning.
Naruto sighs, pushing his face down, while his hands map out the dips between Kakashi’s vertebrae. “I wanna pull off your mask and show you to the whole world.”
Kakashi snorts softly, but the word comes out a bit shakingly. “Why?”
Naruto snorts, echoing. “Why?”
Kakashi hums. “Yeah, well, I’m old, and broken, and scarred, and…”
Naruto shakes his head, bending to whisper against his lips. “Oh, hey, you’re mine, sweetheart. Dattebayo.”
And Kakashi blinks.
Oh.
Right.