A Ninja's Path (Kakashi X Reader)

Chapter Sixty Eight

Without forewarning, you reached out and gently grasped the sides of his face, pulling him towards you. You closed your eyes and pressed a soft kiss onto his forehead.

"Thank you, Tatsuo."

You moved away and he blushed bright red. Before he could respond, the tent flap opened and Shizune walked in.

She glanced up from her clipboard, surprised to find you in the clinic.

"(Y/N)! You should be resting-" She looked around the room and her eyes widened in realization as to why you were here. Her gaze softened. "But, I suppose I understand why you'd be here."

You rubbed the back of your neck. "Sorry, I can go now..."

Anonna sniffled loudly. "No offense, but you need to get the hell out before you make me cry again."

Hibiki blew her nose into a tissue, nodding in agreement.

Shizune looked confused as she glanced at everyone's puffy eyes. "What exactly happened in here?"

"The good sh*t..." Another voice sobbed from further down Anonna and Hibiki's row.

You all turned to find a soft-faced man with dark hair wiping his eyes as they leaked profusely.

"Makoto!" Hibiki said in an almost reprimanding tone. "How long have you been awake?"

"About five minutes... but long enough to see that holy moment." He pointed towards you and Tatsuo.

Shizune crossed her arms. "I'm still incredibly confused..."

"Same."

You all turned to find a petite person sitting up in the corner. "I don't know what happened, but from the looks of all your faces, it was magical."

"Magnificent, Nao. Magnificent." Anonna corrected. She started blowing her nose too.

Shizune sighed. "(Y/N)... I appreciate you visiting your friends and all, but I'm going to have to ask you to go and rest now. All of you need more sleep. Besides," She glanced around as people continued to sniffle, "you all need to stop crying- I've been trying to re-hydrate you, but somebody had to bust in here and make you all lose the water I just spent hours restoring!"

You looked at the ground guiltily. "I'm sorry..."

"It was worth it..." Makoto wiped his nose on his sleeve. "I'd do it again- I'd die from dehydration-via-crying for you anytime!" He pointed at you. "I swear it!"

"Shut up, Makoto! People are trying to sleep!" Hibiki whisper-yelled at him.

"Not anymore..." Another man sat up, rubbing his eyes.

"Siblings..." Anonna shook her head. "Both of you be quiet!" She blew her nose again. "And you." You froze as she glared at you. "Like I said before- get the hell out before you make me cry again! Unlike Makoto, I'm not a fan of death by tears."

You nodded and walked towards the exit. "Fair enough." Before you left, you looked around the room, making eye contact with everyone in the room. "Get some rest- I'll check up on you guys later." Your eyes landed on Tatsuo last and he gave you a nod. You returned the gesture and left.

"That was... emotionally exhausting..." You rubbed your eyes as you walked back towards Kakashi's tent. You weren't sure if you were ready to face him yet, but you knew you had to. Besides, you didn't have anywhere else to go.

Exhausting, you decided, had been the correct word to use. You suddenly felt extremely drowsy...

"(Y/N)?" A female asked.

You turned around to find Akiko and Ruka behind you.

"Aki!" You said in happy surprise. She noticed your puffy eyes.

"What is it?" She walked up to you, grasping your shoulders. "What's wrong? You look like you were crying."

"I just..." You recalled Tatsuo. "I..." You remembered your awakening. And the words you said to Kakashi. And the meeting- "I can't..." You nearly fell to your knees but Aki caught you just in time. "I'm so sorry..." The tears returned.

You buried your face in Akiko's neck as you started sobbing. She rubbed your back, saying quiet, soothing words.

Strong arms picked you up and you looked up to find Ruka holding you bridal style.

"Should we take you to Kakashi's? Or... do you need to be somewhere else right now?"

You couldn't face him. Not yet.

"Away... but, I don't want to be alone... I'm sorry..."

Aki shushed you again. "Stop saying that... you don't need to be sorry..."

Several minutes later and you all entered a tent. It was dark and your eyes were too blurred from crying. All you could hear was bits and pieces of Ruka and Aki's gentle words.

"...I'll get some more blankets..."

"...We'll settle her on the floor..."

"...Make sure she has enough pillows..."

Arms picked you up and set you onto a soft blanket. Another one was wrapped around you and you sighed in relief at the softness and warmth. Gentle hands brushed the hair out of your face, caressing your head in a calm and soothing rhythm. A voice began to hum quietly.

You listened to the lullaby, felt the gentle hands. You drifted, slowly into a calm and peaceful sleep. Your mother... you knew it was Aki or Ruka soothing you to sleep... but it was Sana's face you saw as you fell asleep.

And it was of her that you dreamed of. Working in the big garden. Cooking breakfast in the house. Tucking you in at night and caressing your head until you fell asleep. Waking you up in the morning. Helping you get dressed. Complimenting your drawings. Teaching you to write your name.

Mom... she was the one you dreamed of.

You dreamed of reuniting with her. Of hugging her and promising to never let her go. Sobbing tears of pure joy in her arms.

Mom... oh how you missed her.

You'll see her again. I promise.

You smiled.

You looked forward to that day.