[Log] It's only a little bit of fun

[smiling_umino]

Who: Hatake Kakashi (ura_no_ura ), Umino Iruka (smiling_umino
Status: Closed
Style: Action
Where: Kakashi Household
When: The same day as this; a little later though.
Rating: PG for now
Warnings: To be edited.

Comments

[smiling_umino]

Yes.

[The answer leaves his mouth automatically, because it is the right thing to say to anyone who asks. Why would anyone burden someone they care for with something they do not deserve? Why would he speak of a fear that had remained dormant, quiet, isolated somewhere in the back of his head - a very unpleasant memory, covered by good ones - where it belongs?

Iruka is not a new genin with shaking knees. A child who can't handle a little pain or a little blood and gore.

No.

He is a Chuunin and he's gotten a lot stronger. He is stronger. I am stronger.

But his answer, it's as empty as the hollow and engulfing fear he feels in his chest, how it strangles and scratches at his throat and makes him look at his knees, how it makes his hand slide away from Kakashi's. Hand. Hands. Iruka has his hands, they are not ash or bits of chunky soup lying all over the ground.

He clenches them once and then stares at his palms.]

No.

[Iruka shakes his head and answers honestly, quietly.]

But I am going to pretend that I am.

[(Truth is, you're so terrified that it makes your eyes hurt. So terrified that but you won't speak of it. Your pride won't allow you, and even that one is too wounded, now that you think about it. You know well you were useless then. You're probably still useless now. You can never, ever forgive yourself for putting Akira through that. You don't think about it.

But it's still there. And it will always stay there.)]