Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters and make no money from this.
Day Fifty-Three: Good Night Visits
The second he felt the mattress dip besides him, Kakashi's eyes were open. Much to his dismay, he had always been a light sleeper. This trait had rarely turned out to be useful on mission, as someone was always awake and on watch. Instead, it plagued him with nights cut far too short, whether it be from the morning chirps of bird or people walking by his door inside the apartment building. All the jonin wanted was a good night's sleep.
"Kakashi-sensei." The voice that had murmured his name belonged to no other than Sakura.
"Sakura." The Copy Nin greeted as he forced himself into a sitting position. "What earns me the pleasure of this midnight visit?"
"I wanted to apologize for yesterday." The girl said as she sat cross-legged on his bed, facing him.
"No problem, Sakura." His fingers pinched a fold in the blanket that still covered his lap. If he didn't busy his hands, he was afraid he might reach out and pull her into an affectionate hug.
"I'm sure I don't need to tell you, but..." She whispered, avoiding his eye. "It's hard."
The fact that she was sharing even just a little something with him made the male's heart swell. He was well aware that he was the only one privy to these bouts of private thoughts, even if it was only out of luck.
"I'll be fine though." The pinkette added hastily. "I just need some time to cope with... all of it."
"Thank you." The silver-haired ninja breathed out, his eye closing to form his trademark smile.
"Huh?" Sakura let out and frowned, eyes finally meeting his. "Why?"
"Just for talking to me." His reply was met with silence, as if his words sounded alien to her ears.
After a moment, her hand lifted to reach for his, though hesitation had the young woman retracting it. Immediately, Kakashi wrapped his fingers around her wrist to hold her back. He pulled her towards him carefully, waiting for her to follow his lead willingly before he helped her settle in his lap. She leaned the side of her body against his chest, letting his shoulder support her head as his arms closed around her in a delicate embrace.
"You presence is always so comforting to me, Kakashi-sensei." Sakura mumbled while pressing her palm to his chest. The warmth that she emanated lulled her ex-teacher into relaxed state of mind, pushed away all his worries so he could focus solely on the object of his affections. "Maybe it's because we've barely ever been apart in the last few months."
"Maybe." He let out, cupping her cheek to tilt her head back so he could touch his forehead to hers.
The whole situation was unfamiliar to him. The urge to kiss this girl, to hold her close, to never let her go...
The world love had seldom left his lips through his life, yet no other could describe this. He loved Sakura. As hard as it was to believe, there was no denying it at this point. From the moment he'd chosen her over his village, he'd been aware of that fact. In a way, it was a relief to be so certain. Confessing to his teammate with words devoid of meaning would have riddled him with guilt and
shame for the rest of his life.
He could see her close her eyes, feel her body relax against his. He was happy, if that was even possible for him, that he brought a semblance of comfort to her. Yet, deep down, all he understood from her casual behavior was friendship.
Chapter Fifty-Four: Click Here
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