Chapter Text
’Click’
The soft sound of a lamp being turned on briefly filled the silence of Kakashi’s bedroom. A heavy drag of a chair scraping across the floor moments later meant Kakashi had settled at his desk, and a reach up and to his right let him withdraw a singular piece of paper.
Setting it in the middle of the table, Kakashi let out a tiny yawn before rummaging under a few stray documents and scrolls for something to write with.
A pen, sleek in Kakashi’s hand, was found and withdrawn after a minute or two, and another yawn stretched his mouth wide before he could begin pondering what to even jot down. A scratch to the back of his head lightly shuffled the silver hairs near the base of his skull, and a short, annoyed groan escaped him after ten minutes went by without a single word written.
’For some reason, I didn’t think this would be so challenging.’
Kakashi thought, and this time a heavy sigh would slip past his clothed lips (due to the mask he usually wore) as he leaned back in his creaky wooden chair.
”Having a tough time?” Yūko, Kakashi’s girlfriend, lightly joked from the threshold of their bedroom.
”Perhaps. It’s funny, I spend so much time thinking about what to write, you'd figure this would be easier.” Kakashi humored Yūko with a response after coming around from being caught off-guard by her.
”Maybe you should write what you tell me during the times we’re up late? I’m certain Obito would love to hear all about it!” Yūko’s optimism, despite her profession as an ANBU specialist meant to take care of dead bodies, never failed in cheering up Kakashi.
”I suppose you’re right…” Kakashi agreed, though it was because he could tell by glancing at Yūko that she was exhausted, and he’d rather her be in bed than trying to help him with his writer’s block.
Reassurance from Kakashi led Yūko to believe he had things under control, and a promise to her to go down in another half hour put her at ease enough to shuffle over to bed and settle in for the night.
Alone once more with his thoughts, Kakashi put a bit more effort into trying to jot down what was coming to his mind. Touching his pen to the parchment paper neatly placed in front of him, Kakashi began writing more of what was at the forefront of his brain.
Dear Obito-kun,
It’s been awhile, hasn’t it? Normally I’m talking to you in thoughts, but, maybe this is what’s needed?
A lot has changed since our last time together, though not a day goes by that I don’t replay our final moments as comrades. I would say you don’t know how often I wonder why you started taking orders from me that day, but you probably do. If you hadn’t, I can’t help but think you’d still be alive.
The scratch of Kakashi’s pen against paper slowed until all he could do was hover it over the last spot ink met the page. Feeling compelled, Kakashi’s weary eyes wandered from his handiwork, to his clock and back.
’A little after midnight, huh? I should wrap this up quickly then.’
Kakashi’s train of thought was disrupted by a light breeze that seemed to creep in from the hallway, the draft icy as it slowly encased Kakashi, making him feel as though someone poured a freezing bucket of water over him.
’A visitor? Obito, is that you?’
Kakashi pondered as the hairs on his arms erected, standing painfully alert and making him put his pen down so that he could inspect his skin up close.
Twisting his upper half so that he could get a better look at the doorway, Kakashi gave himself a few seconds for something to happen – an object to move, to hear a whisper underneath the hum of his fan that didn’t belong to him or Yūko.
’Hm. I guess it was nothing.’
Without any reason to continue staring at empty space, Kakashi swiveled back to his letter. He couldn’t shake the feeling he was being watched from some corner of the room, but his focus now was on finishing his note so he could catch some sleep, too.
All things considered, I’m doing fine; well, mostly. Some days are heavier than others, though I tend to have more good than bad ones since I got with Yūko. You remember her from when we were kids, right? Whatever little time we all spent together as classmates, anyway.
I wonder sometimes… would you have ever actually confessed to Rin? Would you have surpassed Minato-sensei by now and become Hokage?
I’m a part of the ANBU now. It’s bloody work, but it feels fitting. It’s how Yūko and I reconnected, actually. What path would you have taken? Would we be teammates in the same division, or would you have been put on the Military Police Force?
I’m sorry for not doing more when I had the chance, Obito. Your eye is still safe with me, and I still swear to protect it with my life. It’s getting late, so I think this is it for now…
Kakashi, certain he had no more to write down, put his ballpoint to the side. A quick glance over his letter left him satisfied with what he’d penned, and as quietly as he could Kakashi got up and shuffled over a few feet to bed. Shifting the bed as he climbed in caused Yūko to stir, and he waited until she was done adjusting to cuddle up to him to completely settle in.
Ignoring the sensation he was still being watched, Kakashi turned onto his side towards Yūko and wrapped an arm around her waist before closing his eyes. Sleep would eventually come, and Obito (visiting and checking in on Kakashi) was now free to go over and skim through Kakashi’s missive.
’At it again, Kakashi-kun?’ Obito, amused by Kakashi’s new approach at communicating with him, chortled at his thoughts, ’Sleep well, my friend. Someday you’ll get your answers.’