I'm Glad You Stayed
True to his word, Hatake and I stole the food and ditched the wedding.
We even stole the cake, which my mother will probably have my head for.
Now when I say the cake, I mean the entire triple plater, flower decorated, white buttercream frosted, red velvet cake.
I don’t know how he did it, I was busy stuffing my face full of some tasty cream cheese pickle ham wraps and wistfully imagining that we could really escape, when he grabbed my elbow and whispered, “I’ve got the food, no one’s watching. This is our only chance.”
It all happened really fast, I was nodding while piling a bunch of appetizers onto my plate and then I was reaching for empty air.
My surroundings changed from a decorated building to an, by all means, empty apartment.
Looking around I was in awe of our new location.
It was a relatively large apartment, its walls white and empty. It was clean, too clean for someone to actively be living there.
There were no pictures, no decorations.
Just a couch and a foot table.
“This is my apartment.” Hatake said, and I turned around to face him.
He pointed down a hall before speaking again.
“Your room is down the hall on the left, the bathroom is at the end of the hall. My room is the first door on the right.”
He turned again.
“Over there’s the kitchen and dining room.” With that said he began to move away, walking towards the kitchen.
I followed him awkwardly.
He took out a scroll and opened it, spreading it out across the counter.
Then, like magic, the food from the wedding began appearing.
Gasping I watched in awe as half of the appetizers, the main course, and the cake appeared before me.
“How the hell did you do that?” I asked before I could stop myself.
“It’s just a sealing jutsu.” Hatake said before bringing the food to the table.
“Pick what you want and I’ll put away the rest.”
Eyeing him carefully I began to pull the appetizers towards me.
Jalapeno cream cheese bombs, pineapple cheese pikes, strawberries, and taco tortilla roll-ups.
Briefly, I wondered what he liked, after all, I picked the cake and most of the food.
Hatake silently began wrapping up the rest and putting it away.
“Hatake-”
“Kakashi.”
“What?”
“Call me Kakashi. Hatake was my father.”
I fell silent for a moment before continuing.
“Kakashi. Was ditching really a good idea?” I asked, worrying my bottom lip.
Mother was sure to make me pay.
Kakashi paused and looked at me, tilting his head.
“Did you not want to? We can always go back.”
Before I could stop myself I shook my head rapidly.
“No way, we’re here now, no point in going back. But…” I trailed off uncertainly.
“But?”
“Mother will kill me when I get my stuff.”
Kakashi gave a little laugh but I didn’t join him.
He stopped short and stared at me incredulously.
“You’re seriously worried aren’t you?”
I nodded my head solemnly.
“Just blame it on me. Say whatever you need to, I don’t mind.”
I bit my lip, that would never be enough to satisfy her.
“Or, we can just sneak in and get your stuff?” Kakashi asked, pulling his suit jacket off.
Underneath a black over-vest was a white undershirt. He rolled the sleeves up to his elbows and I had to stop myself from ogling him.
He wasn’t staring at me, I should give him the same respect.
‘Unless he’s not looking because he doesn’t find you attractive.’
I stomped the thought down before it could show on my face.
Kakashi popped an appetizer into his mouth.
“How in the world do you manage to eat without showing anyone your face?” I blurted before I could help it.
Suddenly embarrassed I sat down in the chair and hid my face behind an appetizer.
Kakashi laughed lightly before sitting down as well.
“Your mother…she’s the one who…arranged this?” Kakashi asked, I couldn’t quite tell what his angle was.
Reaching up and holding the cool metal of my necklace I tried to get rid of the seething rage my mother always seemed to bring forth.
“Yes, I was under the impression that you had said yes…but Asuma told me the Council forced you.”
Kakashi nodded and we fell into an awkward silence.
Clearing my throat I shifted in my seat.
“So…rules. First things first, no sex.” I said, stuffing my face to hide my embarrassment.
Kakashi seemed undisturbed by the rule.
He nodded.
“Of course. I don’t cook.”
I eyed him, trying to see if he meant I had to. But he actually looked sheepish.
“I’ve tried…but I end up ruining everything. So I usually just eat out.”
I blinked and then giggled at his adorable expression, or at least, what I think his expression is.
“I can cook, but I’m not very good. I’m not doing your laundry.” I said, popping in another cheese square.
Kakashi nodded solemnly.
“That’s for the best. Most of my clothes end up bloody.”
I snapped my eyes to him at that comment. But then I remembered he’s a shinobi.
For a second guilt gripped me.
If he got hurt…then the least I could do is wash his clothes.
I kept the thought to myself though.
“We should talk about fidelity.” Kakashi said, and I bit my lip.
I had mixed feelings about the subject.
I nodded my head but Kakashi didn’t continue.
Looking up I realized Kakashi was waiting for me to make the rule.
He was staring at me intently and I felt a little dizzy under the intensity.
“Well,” I coughed, trying to push down the blush that sprouted across my cheeks.
“Obviously you can…find intimacy elsewhere. But…you have to go somewhere else.”
I reached for a small sandwich and stuffed it into my mouth, looking anywhere but him.
“(Y/N), we’re married, the Council expects us to act that way. So we must be careful. If you are to…find someone for the night then make sure word doesn’t get out.”
I nodded, slightly annoyed at the conversation. I tried to rack my brain for anything else to work out, but nothing came to mind.
“Why didn’t you tell me who you were?” I asked instead, still a little miffed I had bashed him right to his face without even knowing it.
Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck.
“Well, I wasn’t sure what type of person you were. I just…was curious.”
I stared him down before accepting his answer.
“I thought my mother had hired you to make sure I wouldn’t try to escape again.”
Kakashi blinked at me in surprise.
“You tried to run?”
I nodded remorsefully.
“Yeah, but my plans were foiled by Asuma.”
“What kept you from running again?” Kakashi’s voice was low, not quite a whisper but definitely not a normal tone.
“You.” That was all I said.
His eye snapped to mine and I stared right back, fighting down another blush.
“Why? You could have escaped this?” Kakashi seemed so confused, I felt my shoulders drop.
“It wasn’t fair to you. How could I escape, when you can’t? What if the next person you get stuck with is some snobby bitch that makes your life hell?” I snapped the last part, thinking about a certain woman I met a long time ago.
Kakashi seemed taken aback by my statement, his eye wide and jaw clenched.
Getting up from his seat he turned from me.
“Well…I’m glad you stayed.” That was all he said before heading down the hall.
He walked into the first door on the right, his room.
I got up as well, hoping to change out of this beautiful yet suffocating dress.
But then I remember my stuff was still with my mother.
Cringing I decided to sit on the couch instead, waiting for him to return.
I would have to borrow something from him.
‘I’m glad you stayed.’
I smiled and brought a hand to my chest.
‘At least someone cares.’