[IC] Appointments

[ura_no_ura]

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[believeit]

[Naruto opened his mouth to answer but says nothing, cut off by Kakashi's "Don't go anywhere. Instead he nods, muttering a 'yeah' at the journal as he switches it off for now.]

[Once a knock appears at the door it doesn't take long for him to answer- the shuffling of feet heard on the hardened floor before the door clicks open, revealing a pretty solemn Naruto.

The first day had been spent trying to track them down. The few days after that he had around the village or inviting people over to the house, anything to keep busy instead of dwelling on the fact that both parents weren't here, but today it was just quiet. Empty. And it shows in his expression, even as he tries to mask it with a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes.]

Hey, Kakashi-sensei.

[Immediately backing away to let the other ninja in, he leans against the wall.]

What happened on your mission this time? [It was probably easier to talk about that, right?]

[ura_no_ura]

[ Ah.

Naruto's doing that thing where he's trying to be brave, to cover up the hurt with a smile which isn't that unlike the way Kakashi covers his face with his mask. But it doesn't reach his eyes, which are storm cloud dark and hollow, all the light pulled right out of them.

It's a look Kakashi's seen before on him, after Jiraiya.

He gives Naruto a rather impassive look, his usual indifferent once-over, as he steps into the house and toes off his shoes. ]

Mm, more or less the same thing that happened last time.

[ Vague as usual.

Kakashi holds up the popsicle and hands it to Naruto. ]

Here, I thought you might like this.

[believeit]

Eh? For me?

[He holds out a hand with a clueless look, taking the gift- which turns out to be a popsicle. He stares at it for a second and then back up at Kakashi. It reminded him of Jiraiya in a way, mostly because of the number of times they had shared the treat after training sessions when they had been out of the village.

It causes him to smile again, but this one, albeit smaller, is more truthful.]

Heh, thanks Kakashi-sensei.

[He wastes no time in opening it, splitting the popsicle in two and hoilding out one half to his sensei.]

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi shakes his head no gently, raising a hand to signify that Naruto should hold onto the other half of the popsicle. He'd seen Naruto and Jiraiya sharing the treat enough times to know that this was a bit of a ritual for them; that Naruto might take comfort in it, which might have been why he decided upon this, of all things, to bring over. ]

Keep it. I'm not really a fan of sweets. Besides, you can probably use it more than me right now.

[ Said as his eye arcs, curving perfectly.

It's strange to be in this big, empty house without Minato and Kushina. He knows what that's like -- to be in a house far too large, far too empty. It can be unbearable. ]

[believeit]

You sure you don't want it?

[It isn't quite the same when you don't have someone to take the other half, and somewhere in the back of his mind perhaps he was dwelling on the thought that if Kakashi took it he'd have to remove that mask to eat it, but he still appreciates the gesture.]

Fine, I guess you're gonna miss out then. [He says as he sticks one half in his mouth, holding on to the other.]

[For a moment he just stands there, silent aside from the sounds of a popsicle in his mouth.]

It isn't fair, this place. If they were gonna send someone back, it should've been me.

[He had to go back at some point, he knew this. There was still a lot of things Naruto needed to do. But it was different for his parents, they had died. This place was the only chance they had to live again.]

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi wants to tell Naruto that he's wrong, that it shouldn't have been anyone, but he understands far too well why Naruto would believe something like that, if only because he feels the exact same way.

He has to be strong for Naruto, though. Has to be strong for them both, so he does what he does best.

He smiles.

Lets his eye curl up as he reaches a hand out and gently gives Naruto's shoulder a squeeze. ]

Don't worry, Naruto. He'll be back soon.

[ Lies right between his teeth.

He doesn't know if Minato will ever return -- Gai certainly didn't, and neither did Iruka or Anko or Asuma. For all he knows, Minato might be gone for good, or at least for a very long time. But at least, as long as Naruto has hope, that's what counts. ]

Do you really think he would just leave you and your mother here all alone? I'm sure he'll find a way back somehow.

[ He's not sure how much he's saying this because he needs to hear it too, and how much he actually believes. ]

[believeit]

I know he wouldn't' leave by his own choice.

[But this place. The people that run it, who seem to control who shows up and who leaves. That is something entirely different.]

[Even though he doesn't necessarily believe it... he needs to hear it.]

D'you really think he'll be back soon?