Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Love Long Forgotten (KakashixOC) ❯ Starting Over ( Chapter 8 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
RECAP…
(Sakura's Point of View)
I watched the two embrace each other passionately, until I realized the rain had stopped.
A ray of sunshine peeked through a hole in the clouds, showering its bright light on Konoha's rooftops.
I've never seen Kakashi so… vulnerable before. He always had a nonchalant air about him, coolly waving things off and joking about everything… This was a side of my cool, lazy teacher that I have never seen…
This girl, Chiori, must be that much more important to him… enough to have him reveal such a rare side of himself…
Smiling, I lowered my umbrella and closed it.
I had a feeling it wouldn't be raining much anytime soon.
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Chapter 8: Starting Over
(Chiori's Point of View)
Mmm… it's so warm…
I slowly opened only my left eye, not wanting to wake up from this warm and comfortable feeling around me. It was so bright…
Scanning my surroundings, I saw that I was in a bedroom, most likely a male's being that there was shaving cream and cologne by the desk beside the clothes hook. Nearby was a chair with a pair of blue boxers hanging on them…
“eww…” I said, half grimacing and half giggling.
Looking to the other side of the room, I saw a lonely plant next to a bookcase packed with books, almost overflowing. As a matter of fact, books were sprawled all over the floor, some opened, some closed, some with dog-eared pages.
There was a short drawer in front of the bed, books messily sprawled on top, with clothes lazily hanging out from it. There was also a big bottle of sake half full… or half empty (whatever makes you happy ;] )… lying next to a small sake cup next to the drawer on the floor.
I turned my head left to face a half opened door, revealing a bright hallway filled with sunshine. As a matter of fact, this room was pretty darn bright itself… what the…
I strained my neck to look upwards and saw that the window above the bed let through quite a bit of sunshine. It was nice…
Before turning back, I realized that the head of the bed acted as a little shelf with little note papers pinned with tacks onto the wood.
Another small, lonely plant and an alarm clock stood next to two pictures on the shelf.
The first picture was of a blonde-haired man with three younger students below him, one hand on top of a dark-haired boy with goggles, and the other on top of a young silver-haired boy with lazy eyes, a mask covering his face.
The picture beside it showed what seemed like an older version of that silver-haired boy standing above three different students, same style as the other picture; one hand on top of a pouting dark-haired boy, and the other on top of a blue-eyed blonde with what seemed like whiskers across his cheeks.
“Hmm…” I sounded softly with understanding.
“Generation of teacher and students… cute.” I said aloud, a small smile spreading across my face.
Suddenly, I realized that I recognized both the younger silver-haired boy as well as the older one in the second picture.
How strange… I feel like I know both the younger and older version of that silver-haired boy…wait… Where the hell am I?!
“What the… where…?!” I yelped out loud, realizing my unfamiliar surroundings.
*shift*
I felt something shift on the side of my waist, as well as on my stomach.
Slowly returning my head to normal position, I saw a mess of spiky silver hair.
There sat a stranger on a stool next to my bed, his head leaning against the side of my waist, hands folded over my stomach.
“AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!”
My arms flew into the air, legs flinging around, kicking at the object… person, whatever… with my legs caught in the tangled bed sheets.
I frantically edged over to the other side of the bed with my arms, only to fall over with a thud on the other side onto the hard wooden floor.
I heard a male's voice groan with a tone of confusion and annoyance on the other side, as I slowly and carefully poked my bed sheet-covered head above the bed, looking to see who was on the other side.
I giggled, but then quickly placed my hand over my mouth to cover it up.
There stood a sleepy eyed, silver-haired man, mask barely covering the lower area of his face revealing his jaw line as the cloth was beginning to slip down, looking straight ahead at me with a look of utter confusion.
“Ahh… Chiori-chan. You're awake.” He finally replied in a relieved and cheerful tone of voice, reaching a hand up to ruffle his wild hair as he yawned. His eyes softened as he stood up and began walking towards me, hands in pocket.
He slowly knelt beside my blanket-covered body on the floor as he placed a hand on my knee.
“Welcome home” he said, his eye curving into a calm smile.
Suddenly, everything that happened the other night came back to me in a flash.
The silver-haired man…I remember you, the one in my dreams.
I jerked in surprise as the memories of the night before came back to me, and then gazed into his eye.
“You're… him? You're the guy… in my dreams.”
“Uhm… what do you mean?” he said, tilting his head slightly, silver strands of drooping hair falling over his visible eye.
“I found you, finally!!” I cried in excitement as I jumped up and wrapped my arms around his body. His shoulders were too high to reach up, being that I was practically a foot shorter than him.
“Aha… so you were searching for me, I assume?” he said chuckling slightly, a bit taken back at the sudden act of friendliness, placing his arms around my waist.
“It's about time…” he sighed.
“Kakashi-sensei! Hokage-sama told me to tell you to report to his…”
Suddenly, a young pink-haired girl appeared in the doorway with a note in hand, and froze.
Her bright green eyes widened, her face beginning to turn red at a rapid rate, as she quickly turned around at the sight of us.
“Gomen-nasai!! I'll leave you two alone!” she cried, sprinting out of the room hurriedly.
Her footsteps then halted abruptly down the hall as we saw her return to the room a few seconds later, hands covering her eyes, and frantically trying drop the note on the table beside the door
“Gomen!! I just had to… uh…HERE!! I'll leave now!” she said, just dropping the note on the floor and running out of the room.
What's the matter with her? It's not like we were doing anything…It's not even like we were giving the impression that we were…
I froze, realizing I was only in my bra and underwear, the blanket hanging loosely from me, revealing most of my body.
And right in front of me stood the tall white-haired man in only a pair of pants, totally bare from waist up, other than the black cloth lazily covering his lower face.
I found myself staring at his bare chest.
A nicely cut body with a very nice six-pack…
Jerking myself away from gazing at his well-toned body, I realized the situation I was in.
Oh my God…
Out of sheer spontaneous reaction, my hand closed into a fist and I felt myself punch the man across the face, sending him flying backwards into the chair behind him, the pair of boxers falling over his face.
“HENTAI!!!!!” I screamed, pulling the sheets over my body tightly as I crouched on the floor, eyes shut.
“WHA-?!!” he cried, the sound of utter confusion and annoyance in his voice.
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(Sakura's Point of View)
Oh my GOD!! Why the helll didn't I knock first?! Sakura, bakaaaa!!
I felt my face blushing furiously as I quickly closed the door to Kakashi-sensei's house behind me and leaned my back against it.
“That was awkward…” I sighed, thinking of what had just happened.
I felt my face turn even redder as a mental picture of what I had just seen flashed through my mind.
There they stood, arms wrapped around each other… half naked… next to a ruffled bed…
AHH!! What kind of relationship are they in, anyway?! They just met each other yesterday night!! She's a total stranger… isn't she?
Suddenly I remembered the name Chiori.
“Right, I heard sensei mention that name before at the memorial stone when it was raining… and he had called that girl by that name yesterday night…” I thought, hand under my chin in a thinking position.
“I guess that's who he was talking about that night when I saw him near the memorial stone… she must be Chiori!” I cried out, a little louder than I had intended.
Pushing myself away from Kakashi-sensei's door, I clasped my palms together behind my back and started to stroll down the street
“How romantic… but aren't they moving a little too fast?” I thought, looking down at my feet as I walked back to the center village.
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(Chiori's Point of View)
Great… the guy I've been looking for is a total pervert.
I felt a blush creep through my face as I thought of what had just happened.
“Oh no! That pink-haired girl must think we're in that kind of relationship!” I whined out loud, pressing my palms against my face.
“Great first impression”, I mumbled as I put on the oversized shirt and shorts that the silver-haired man had put out for me before leaving the room grumbling and rubbing his swollen cheekbone.
Maybe I shouldn't have hit him so hard… But I couldn't help it!! It was a reaction; a totally understandable reaction.
But, I couldn't help but smile as I thought of where I finally was.
“Welcome home, huh? I've never felt so… at home before. At least I found him, even if he is kind of strange.” I said, smiling.
“He's not too bad-looking, either. I wonder why he covers his face with that mask… I wonder what he looks like without it.”
I pulled on the shorts, buttoning and zippering it to fit around my waist, but it still fell too low on my hips.
Sighing, I pulled the plain white shirt over my head but paused to take in the musky smell.
How familiar… what a nostalgic scent…
Nodding it off, I walked over the cold wooden floor to the door that led to the hallway.
Turning the nob, I popped my head out into hall to see it lead to 3 doors; one bathroom, one closet, and one other bedroom, most likely his room. As I walked to the end of the hall, I decided to check in the bathroom mirror to see what the damage was.
My hair was all over the place… stray hairs sticking out in random spots and some strands falling over my eyes. It would be nice… if I liked the CRAZY LOOK!!
I turned on the faucet and ran some water through my hair to calm it down a bit.
“Ah… I guess I can't do anything about it now. It'll be okay after I take a bath.” I said disappointedly.
He must've thought I looked crazy…
Frowning, I turned on my heel and walked out the hall and into a bright and spacious living room. Attached to it was a small kitchenette where I saw the silver-haired man, still without a shirt, placing a bag of peas over his swollen cheekbone.
“Uhmm… sorry about that” I said sheepishly as I walked over to him, nervously running my fingers through my hair. I felt it was beginning to straighten out as it usually did.
“Ah… don't worry about it. Didn't hurt too much. You have kind of a sissy punch, anyway…” he said turning to face me, his visible eye curving up into a smile.
I saw that I had hit him on the left side of his face where he usually kept his eye covered with the forehead protector… but now it was only covered with that bag of peas.
Why is everything on his face covered all the time? It's like the only facial features he has are his one eye and eyebrow.
Feeling badly about what I had done, I walked up closer to him and reached over to the bag on his face.
He jerked back cautiously at first, but then eased up as I gently pushed his hand away and replaced it with mine, holding up the cold bag to his cheek.
Suddenly I felt his breath on my face, as I realized that my face was probably only 2 inches away from his.
Blushing, I looked away, only to have him place his hand under my chin and return my face towards his. I looked at his with a confused look as I wondered what he was doing.
“Chiori. You know you still have the same eyes?” he asked, his eye seeming to show a hint of sadness behind them… or maybe he was originally like that?
“How so?” I asked, giving him a smile, truly wondering about what kind of friendship he and I had in the past.
“Same vibrant glow; in any light” he said in a cheerful tone of voice, smiling behind his mask, as he pressed his palm against my cheek before letting it drop down to the kitchen counter beside him and leaning on it for support.
There was a moment of silence while we just stood there, me holding up the cool bag to his face.
I don't know his name… Ask him. Ask him what his name is. You don't want to call him `silver-haired man' forever now, do you?
Listening to my thoughts, I realized I really didn't know his name.
“Uhmm… by the way. I didn't catch your name.” I said, hesitantly.
He frowned for a second, seeming a bit hurt, but then looked back up cheerfully.
I guess it's expected for him to be disappointed. If someone close to me forgot who I was, I probably wouldn't even be able to talk straight without crying.
“It's Kakashi. Hatake Kakashi.” He said, using his free hand to ruffle his hair around.
“Oh… doesn't Kakashi mean scarecrow in Japanese?”
“Uh, yea it does” he replied, letting out a small chuckle.
“Well… it does suit you. I mean, you do kind of look like one, with your hair sticking out all over the place… reminds me of the hay sticking out of a scarecrow's head!”
I let out a giggle as I saw the look on his face.
“Huh… I never really thought of it like that.” Kakashi replied, ruffling his hair around a bit nervously this time.
Suddenly, I felt the shorts Kakashi had given me to wear beginning to give away and start sliding down my waist.
“Ah!” I yelped, dropping the bag of peas on the floor to use both of my hands to keep the shorts on straight.
Whew, that was close…
“What's the rush? It's not like I haven't seen you without clothes before.” I heard Kakashi say with an amused tone of voice.
“But-” I stopped my protest.
Realizing that the bag of peas was now lying on the floor by my feet, I slowly turned my head to look up at Kakashi's face… his eye…
Red…
I gasped as I placed my hand over my mouth.
The iris in his left eye was a dark red color, with black comma-like shapes surrounding the dark pupil. A deep scar also ran down over his eyelid, starting from his left eyebrow down to the middle of his slightly reddened cheekbone where I had hit him.
Feeling myself staring, I quickly looked away and reached for the bag of peas, which was at a pretty lukewarm temperature.
“I … I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stare. It's just, I…I, uh…” I stuttered, fumbling with the bag, still not looking straight at him.
Kakashi slowly stepped towards me and took the bag of peas from my hands and replaced it into the freezer, shutting the door.
Placing a calm hand on my head, I looked up to see him smile under his mask, his mis-match colored eyes staring deeply into mine.
“I'm assuming we should get some clothes that fit you, right?” he said in a kind voice.
Nodding, I looked at him sheepishly. “Hai…”
Quickly brushing off the awkwardness that had settled in, Kakashi walked towards his room and returned with a belt and a black shirt. Pulling the shirt over his head, he bent down and lifted my shirt slightly and carefully looped the belt through the holes in my shorts.
*growl*
Oh my Gosh… how embarrassing…
I quickly turned away and wrapped my arms around my stomach, as I slowly felt myself starting to black out again. Tipping to the side, I felt a pair of arms keep me from falling over.
“Oh…sorry. It's nothing… I just haven't eaten in a while. I didn't realize how hungry I was…”
“Well, I guess I should've gotten you some food first. How long has it been since you've last eaten?”
“Uhmm… I think about 2-3 days?”
“What?!” said Kakashi, his eyes widening. “And you didn't tell me? Don't you know how unhealthy that is?!” concern filling his voice.
“Well…” I looked at him, feeling a bit uncomfortable.
Why does he treat me like a child? He doesn't look that much older than I am…well, that is if I knew how old I was. But still, what's with the patting on the head, the belt and all this lecturing…?
“Well, no point in just standing here. Let's go. I'll take you out.”
“Wait… I just got up. I can't go out like this…” I protested, running my fingers through my hair.
“Right... then I'll be right back. Wait here, then.” He said quickly, pulling up the forehead protector that was around his neck to cover his eye and tightening the mask around his face.
Opening the door and stepping out, Kakashi looked back at me with his lazy look.
“You better be here when I get back…” he said, in a calmer tone.
“Yea, of course. Where would I go?” I said, a bit amused.
Hesitating for a moment, he turned and closed the door behind him.
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“kimochiii…” I sighed, leaning my head on the back board of the bathtub as I crossed my right leg over my left wiggling my toes.
“A hot bath is just what I needed…”
After soaking for about 30 minutes, I shampooed my long straight hair and rinsed myself off. It's been so long since I took a relaxing bath like this one… ever since I left Loki.
Wow… I had forgotten about him already. I wonder how he's doing…?
As I stepped out of the bath, careful not to slip, I tried not to think about Loki.
You've found your past Chiori… just concentrate on trying to figure it out right now, nothing else.
Wrapping a clean, white towel around my body and securing it, I slowly opened the door to the bathroom and peeked out.
Coast is clear, but just in case; make a run for the room!
Quickly grabbing my clothes, I made a run for the room across the bathroom, opened the door and shut it as fast as I could, locking it.
“…what am I running for? It's not like he's back already…” I said turning my face away from the door, only to see a sleeping Kakashi sprawled on the bed.
Feeling a scream coming on, I quickly wrapped my hands over my mouth.
No overreacting, Chiori…You just went to the wrong room. Now, just carefully step awayyyyy from the bed… step awayyyy…All you have to do is open the door and go to your own room.
I gulped as I gripped my towel tighter and back myself into the door. Reaching for the knob, I fumbled with the lock hopelessly.
“Why isn't it working!!” I whispered to myself, panicking.
I turned around and knelt over closer and tried to unlock the door, but it was no use. Looking up, I realized a small sign hanging on the door knob and felt my jaw drop.
“LOCK BROKEN
DON'T FORGET KAKASHI”
I stared in horror at Kakashi's little `note to self' hanging on the door.
Why is this happening? WHY?!
Suddenly, I heard the bed covers shift behind me.
Dammit… don't tell me he woke up…
I thought, slowly turning around to see a cheerful Kakashi sitting at the edge of the bed, his hand raised in a wave position.
“Yo.”
Exhaling a deep sigh, I quickly grabbed the chair next to the door and placed it in front my crouched body.
“Why are there so many awkward moments like this between us? I've only been here a couple of hours and this has already been the second time!” I sighed, looking through the open back of the chair toward Kakashi.
Surprisingly, he had already turned his back to me, sitting on the opposite side of the bed, facing the back wall.
“Uhmm… don't look.”
“I won't.”
At least he respects my privacy…
I cautiously pushed the chair away and removed my towel and dried my damp skin and hair. I reached over to grab my clothes and hastily put them on.
“Don't forget the belt” I heard Kakashi say, almost sensing his smile from across the room, just as I was reaching over to put it on.
“Sorry about the room… I should've warned you beforehand. Gomen~”
“Does this mean we're stuck here?”
“Temporarily… yes.”
I felt a shiver run through my spine.
I'm going to have to spend the night here? Even though I know he must have been a childhood friend… it's still strange.
Interrupting my thoughts, Kakashi spoke.
“I guess we won't be able to meet with the Hokage like he ordered, ne?” he said, sounding almost happy that he wouldn't have to do so.
“What do you mean?”
“Sakura, the nervous pink-haired girl that stopped by and `interrupted' us this morning dropped off a letter from the Hokage. He was inquiring about you, and wanted us 3 to have a meeting. But, I guess we have a good enough excuse not to go, ne?” he replied cheerfully.
“Oh… the hokage.” I had no idea what a hokage was, but I guessed it would be someone important.
As I finished drying my hair off and brushing it, I turned to face Kakashi.
“I'm done. It's okay to turn around now.” I said, watching Kakashi stand up and walk around the bed towards a large brown bag on the desk.
“Well, good thing I brought the food in here, right? I was waiting for you to finish up in the bathroom, and I fell asleep. What's with the long bath?” he asked, taking out the containers of rice, soup, side dishes, and sushi and placing them on the floor along with two pairs of chopsticks.
“Hey, what do you expect…? I haven't taken an actual bath for a while.” I replied defiantly, hands on hips leaning on the desk watching Kakashi set up.
“Well, there's only one thing left to do.” Said Kakashi
“And what's that?” I asked, eyeing him curiously.
“Eat!!” said Kakashi in an excited, yet still calm tone of voice as he knelt down on the floor and motioned for me to do the same.
Smiling, I pushed myself off the table and sat down Indian style across Kakashi, picking up my chopsticks.
“Ittadakimasu”
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One hour later…
Oh my God, I'm gonna pop… that was way too much food than I had expected, even for not eating in 3 days…
I crawled over to Kakashi, who was leaning against the wall on the floor, elbows rested on his knees, as I leaned on the wall beside him.
Turning his head, he gave me a smile under his mask, and then turned back to continue gazing out the window.
I have so many questions… Should I ask him now?
“Uhmm… Kakashi?”
“Mm?” he replied, lazily.
“I don't really understand what has been going on for the past few hours… but for some reason I just went along with it naturally. I felt so comfortable here, that I didn't really feel like anything had changed…”
“It's because you're home. Nothing else matters.” He said in a serious voice.
“Yea, but I don't even know what home is! I don't remember this place at all… nothing. My memory only comes back to me in bits and pieces through my dreams, but nothing seems to connect… But for some reason, when I'm with you, I feel like it's the most natural thing in the world.”
“…” Kakashi fell silent, but I could sense he was in pain. The pain one feels when the one you care for most doesn't remember the times you've spent together…
I turned towards him, facing his profile.
“I know your name… I know how you look like… and I know how you were when you were younger because I saw you come back to me in my dreams. But, I don't know who you are. I only see pictures and hear words in my dreams, but it doesn't mean anything to me because nothing connects! I'm not remembering experiences… I'm remembering photographs. Even if I know that you were an important person in my life back then, I wouldn't understand why! I don't know anything about this place, or you. You need to fill me up on these things Kakashi! I can't do it on my own… I need you to help me gain my memory back…”
I felt a tear trickle down my cheek as I leaned over and placed a hand over his.
After what felt like an eternity of silence, Kakashi finally let out a sigh, still looking up at the now darkening sky through the window. The moon was beginning to show itself and the stars were peeking out through the clouds across the dark blue sky.
“I wouldn't know where to start…” he said in a sad tone of voice.
“Start from the beginning. I just need to know about you and what my past was like. Just tell me anything you remember. I have a feeling it's slowly going to come back the more I'm exposed to past experiences.”
“Well, what do you want to know?” Kakashi asked, now beginning return to his normal, cheerful self, trying to make the best of things.
Smiling, I knelt in closer to him, still gripping his hand.
“Well… for starters, what's my full name? How old am I? How old are YOU? When's my birthday? Who are my parents? Are they in Konoha? Well???” I asked, excitedly.
Letting out a laugh, Kakashi held up his hands in defense.
“Ma… ma, slow down a bit.”
I gripped his hand tighter
He knows everything… Soon I will too. Finally, I'm getting my life back.
“Your full name is Sato Chiori, and the last time I saw you, you were 13… making you about 21 right now.”
My name is Sato Chiori, and I'm 21 years old… check.
“And you?? What about you??”
Eye curving into a smile, he replied.
“My full name is Hatake Kakashi. I was 18 when you left, making me 26, 5 years older than you… and the last time I saw you, you gave me a kiss and I fell in love with you…”
Hatake Kakashi… 26…check. Kissed… fell in love… che-… WHAT?!
I stared at him wide eyed as he leaned in and gave me a cloth covered kiss on my lips, his hair tickling my forehead as he did.
Pulling back, Kakashi stared into my eyes with a smile evident under his mask.
“Anymore questions?”
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Helloo~ if you're wondering why I'm updating like every day… I'll tell yah. I'm bed ridden!! It's spring break and I've broken my leg… :*(
So… I think for like another day or 2, I'm gonna be updating every day… probably
until I heal, you guys get to read new stuff!! Hehe
Well… hope you like this longg asss chapter… probably my longest one yet.
Chi and Kakashi are back togetherrrr~ <3<3<3
It'll keep you for a while cuz I'm gonna be writing a little less. I need to go to physical therapy. But after that, I'm coming back for fast updates~
Alrighty~ leave comments! It'll make me feel better… hehe :]