One Day at a Time

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters and make no money from this.

Day Twenty-Seven: A Little Sparkle

The routine restarted, for the seventh time. Seven days without Sakura. Kakashi didn't bother to straighten up for his guest, preferring to remain slouched against the wall, his hands sprawled messily in his lap. On that day, no effort was required from the jonin's part to ignore his company. A sense of utter emptiness overwhelmed him, swallowing what energy of life had been left of him the previous day. There was nothing to cling to, nothing to keep him anchored anymore.

"You are a remarkable man, Hatake." The man commented, his voice low to reduce the risk of being heard by anyone else. The Copy Nin ignored the compliment, though his eyes focused on his unwanted companion, obersving him carefully.

"If you're not going to tell me anything useful, leave." Shakes seemed hesitant, rooted to the spot.

"The girl... Haruno, is it?" He questioned after a moment silence, receiving only a nod as an answer from the jonin.

"Haruno is safe." Even if the weight that had been crushing him for the past six days lifted immedaitely, the Leaf nin desperately tried not to get his hopes up. A lie was so easily said to an enemy.

As if sensing his doubts, the shorter man stepped closer to him, leaning down to be able to whisper and be heard.

"The boss has her locked in a seperate bedroom, with two men guarding the door. He's barely even visited her since she was moved ther."

"Why are you telling me this?" Kakashi responded, incredulous. He watched a small, sad smile form on his companion's lips, his expression softening.

"I once had a wife, and kids." The man left before the jonin could reply, closing the door behind him in a hurry.

The exchange left a bitter feeling on his tongue. Pity wasn't hard to dish out for somebody who had lost their whole family, but it didn't excuse working for the likes of Koroku. There was always the possibility that he had been ordered to lie to him, even though the silver-haired man had troubled doubting Shakes' sincerity. The tone in his voice reminded him far too much of his own, when he spoke of lost ones.


Chapter Twenty-Eight: Click Here