You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,
A knock on your window one stormy night awoke you. You reached out to open it, only for a tall, silver-haired man to tumble in, bruised and bloodied. You put your panic on the back burner as you led him to the bathroom to tend to his wounds. You carefully removed his vest and his undershirt, cleaned the fresh wounds and stitched them up, all while focusing on keeping your hands from shaking. When all the immediate damage had been taken care of, you helped him into comfortable clothes and supported him to the bed. You caressed him gently, placing loving kisses all over his face and smiling softly. As Kakashi was slowly lulled to sleep, he muttered silent words of thanks to Kami, for having you, his anchor, for you never forsook him.
You make me happy when skies are grey,
Kakashi gazed at you as you animatedly chattered about a new book you read. Walking through the streets of Konoha, with his usual Icha Icha in hand, the jonin realized that he wasn’t paying attention to the words on the pages he was leafing through. The chime of your voice, your mirth and the sparkle in your eyes left him enraptured. He couldn’t help the smile that grew under his mask. It slowly dawned upon him, just how happy you made him.
You’ll never know dear, how much I love you,
“Mmm, looks tantalizing”, you remarked as you embraced your boyfriend from behind. You rested your head against him as he prepped the day’s dinner. Kakashi turned his head to place a sweet kiss on your temple.
“Only the best for my love”, he smiled. “Although”, he added with a chuckle, “it’s a new recipe, so I’m not sure if you’d like it.”
His heart did a few jumps at your next words.
“Of course I’d enjoy it, darling; you made it with so much love, there’s no way it isn’t the absolute best.” He spun around to face you and nuzzled against your jaw. “I love you”, he whispered, and it made his day to know you felt the same.
And no one else could come in between.
“‘Kashi! You old man! How long are you taking, baka?” you exclaimed as you ran to your picnic spot with the ninken following suit.
“Maa, wait up”, Kakashi breathed as he tried to keep up with you. By the time he made it to the tree, you had already settled down, picnic basket wide open and the dogs swarmed around you, all eager for a share of your affections.
Kakashi stopped to admire the scene that lay ahead of him. It melted his heart to see that his pups loved you like their own. His peaceful daydream was interrupted as you waved to him and patted a small spot next to you, beckoning him to come and cuddle.
“I saved the best spot for my favourite Pup.”
A little while later, as he lay surrounded by his sleeping ninken and you fast asleep with your head on his chest, he dearly wished you all could stay like this forever. As his eyelids grew heavy, he pulled you closer, the thoughts of happy days with you expressing themselves as a soft expression on his face.
Please don’t take my sunshine away.
It all happened in less than a second.
“Kakashi!” The sound of a familiar voice screaming his name, pierced the heavy air.
He knew it, deep down inside, he knew exactly what had happened. “Please, Kami, please let me be wrong,” he begged to anyone who would hear him.
His plea went unheard.
He whirled around to face the sight of you collapsing, a bloody blade impaled in your stomach. His fast reflexes helped him catch you before your body hit the ground.
“Kakashi, we’ll handle them”, he could hear Genma yell. Kakashi merely nodded, being unable to process the swirl of emotions that raced through every fiber of his being. There you lay, with your head on his lap, bleeding profusely, as you struggled to breathe.
How many times had this event plagued his sleep? But every single time, you were there to hold him close, whispering sweet nothings in his ear, running your hands through his hair to pull him out of those nightmares.
“I’m not going anywhere, my love”, you had comforted him. “I promise, I’m right here, see?”
As he gazed at your face now, he just knew you’d never be able to do that again. The tears that slowly streamed down his face mixed with the fat raindrops that began to fall. “I’m taking you to Konoha, come on, you’re going to be okay”, he choked, “Just-just stay awake for me? Promise me that you’ll stay awake for me,” he pleaded.
You smiled weakly and caressed his cheek. Shaking your head gently, you said, “‘Kashi, no, I know I don’t have enough strength to carry on. I’m sorry, my love”, you breathed, “I’m sorry I broke my promise. Always know that I’m right by your side.”
“No- no you’re not leaving me. Stay awake for me, love, please.”
“Hatake Kakashi”, you said, mustering all the strength that you could, “Promise me that you’ll lead a good life, and not run into death right after me.” You paused, trying to catch your breath.
" You are a good man, one of the best this world has ever seen, and I am so lucky to be a part of your life.” You gasped, and you both knew that your time was running out. “I’m sorry that our story ends here, my love, I’m sorry I couldn’t give you everything. But never ever forget this,” you choked.
Kakashi braced himself for the words that you’d utter next, the fact that this would be the last time he heard it, shattering his heart.
“I love you, Kakashi. I love you so much.”
“I- I love you too, I love you too”, he spoke, as tears clouded his vision.
You smiled at your lover, trying to burn the image of his beautiful face in your memory, as you drew your last breath and closed your eyes forever.
Kakashi was in shock. He clutched at your limp body, pulling it close to him, in a vain attempt to somehow bring you back. This, this was just another nightmare, and you’d wake him up anytime now, he thought frantically.
He stayed that way for what seemed like hours until he felt Guy’s hand on his shoulder. “Kakashi”, he said sadly, “we need to go.”
A day after the funeral, word spread through the ranks that the Hound ANBU had been sighted again after several years. Cold-hearted and ruthless as ever, they left in their wake, a bloody trail- killing without mercy.
A week later, the Hound stumbled into his apartment, tossing his ANBU mask to the side as he made his way to the bedroom. He brushed his hands through his silver hair and picked up the photograph that lay on his bedside table. The picture was of you, him and the ninken, taken just a few days before you departed. You were all smiles, and so was Kakashi, as you both rested your hands against a growing bump in your belly.
It was too good to last, Kakashi knew, happiness in his life was always transient. But that happiness you gave him, the way you made him feel- for that he’d thank Kami every waking moment.
For deeming him lucky enough to be loved by you.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,
You make me happy when skies are grey,
You’ll never know dear, how much I love you,
Please don’t take my sunshine away.