'And then', you always thought of those two words, they were something beautiful, a prelude to something wonderful. That swift, surprising transition from nothing to everything.

And then light pierced through the dark, forbidding sky and rain stopped falling.

And then you met him.

Your entire life, you folded yourself like origami. Made what was so magnificent into something small and insignificant, bending and creasing your edges. Being tossed on streets and pushed in the crowd, always mumbling sorry for a crime you never committed, always regretful for taking up space.

But now, you'll no longer decay to dust. Now you know you exist. Now you know that taking up space simply means you're alive. And people deserved to acknowledge you.

You stomped your way to an unknown destination, your feet leaving ripples in the puddles that were an aftermath of the downpour, your wet footprints tattooing the cemented pavement. You walked radiantly, an invincible smile shining on your face.

People were bound to notice you and the bubbly aura that trailed behind you, and that was exactly what you wanted; people to acknowledge you. To remember you. You wanted to make a mark.

You contemplated your surroundings very keenly, you were walking through a narrow street that was remarkably busy for a rainy day. It was mundane, the architecture was simplistic.

The shops were small and tattered, only a few of them looking particularly renovated, the rest appearing ancient. The food corners and little stalls for window shopping were the main attraction. Half of the business in the street had closed down, the doors and windows bolted shut, giving the graffiti artists a new canvas for their artworks.

It was simple, yet it had a thrill to itself. The people were cheerful and optimistic like yourself. What you didn't understand was why this Kakashi was so -- not lively. He was bored, uninterested, mundane, prosaic, hands jammed in pockets, kicking poor pebbles and not walking any faster than a fish. He was the living definition of the word 'sigh'.

Yet you couldn't contain your excitement. You were ecstatic, firstly, you wouldn't have to sleep out and secondly, you'd be living with Konohagakure's golden boy--

Dang it, stupid brain and it's cynical ideas. He's just a polite guy who offered you a place to stay. You should suck it up and not resort to such grotesque imaginations.

You shook your head as you continued on the slippery path, that is, until you heard a familiar sweet voice, "[y/n] we're here!"

Kakashi called, several yards behind and you realized how far your energetic self had gotten you. You sweat dropped.

"All right!" you pumped your fists in air and retreated.

Your eyes glimmered with excitement at the sight of the house. It was a simple, double storey house with ivory walls and traditional blue bricks on the roof. The area wasn't busy, rather quiet like the man himself.

Kakashi's hands fumbled with the lock while you admired the surroundings, it was peaceful.

He opened the door and you followed him inside. You stared at the place in awe. Everything about it screamed how meticulous of a person Kakashi is, it was tidy and well organized a lot similar to the rooms random inns had to offer, just a little more - homey.

You were cautious enough to stand in a corner and not let your drenched clothes ruin any of Kakashi's efforts on keeping the place clean.

"So, where's your family?" You asked, rather excited by the idea of family since you didn't have one yourself.

"I -" he chuckled rather nervously, "live alone."

What? You contemplated his statement in agony. Alone? You'd be staying in this house with this very 'provoking' man - Alone. Merry Christmas.

Heat rushed to your cheeks and you quickly turned around to face the wall, pretending to examine its texture.

"You live alone in this house? You've gotta be kidding me." You gasped like a little child, "You take care of it yourself as well?"

"Mhm." He nodded with a close eyed smile.

"This rooms yours, and that one on the right would be mine." He pointed towards two doors opposing each other, you nodded understandingly.

"Now, I'm going for a shower, I need to change these since I don't have the immunity of iron man like you." He chuckled while you fidgeted with your fingers nervously.

There was a question poking around in your head but you were just too hesitant to speak it out, it was as if your tongue itself was begging you not to ruin its reputation before this handsome man but you just couldn't contain it. You had no choice.

"So, um, do you--" you gulped anxiously, "Ya know -- have some dry clothes I can change into?"

Kakashi laughed. There was something about that laugh, it was magnetic. It pulled you out of your right mind.

"Well, since you're quite used to men's clothing," he pointed to your now-drenched yukata that wasn't exactly crafted for the female gender, "I guess I could help you."

You laughed nervously as he walked inside his room and returned moments later with a black shirt and sweatpants, "Would this work or should I get my yukata?"

"That shall suffice." You snatched it from his hands and rushed inside your room, flustered.

That was embarrassing.

You then looked at the room, the walls were beige and there was a queen sized bed in the center, opposing the large window that illuminated the place and gave a pleasant view of the village drenched in refreshing rainwater. The curtains were white and so were the beddings and nightstand. There was a dresser to the left, right beside the door that possibly led to the bathroom. There was a full length mirror in one corner and the floor was wooden too.

It was simply beautiful. It was basic, yet it had its own charm in a unique way. You felt oddly safer here.

You quickly walked inside the bathroom and took a warm rejuvenating shower. Upon walking outside in your undergarments, you tried the clothes offered to you and your doubts were cleared. The clothes were definitely not your size. The shirt was so large that one of its sides slipped from your shoulder, exposing it. The trousers were even worse, they wouldn't even stay on your waist, your hands were the only thing preventing them from falling.

It was so hysterical, you laughed at your own self for a good two minutes.

The shirt reached around your thighs easily, similar to a dress, so you discarded the trousers, knowing it would be far more embarrassing if they fell down in front of Kakashi. God, no.

You ran a comb through your hair, battling all the tangles. You admired yourself in the mirror. You didn't exactly look bad, definitely not deviant. Most kunoichi you encountered exposed a lot more skin than you were even close to. But maybe your mindset was so orthodox because you had spent all these years dressing up like a cranky old man.

You sighed and shook it off. Your yukata would dry up shortly, there was no need to worry. Your stomach growled, reminding you that you hadn't eaten in a while.

That's when there was a knock at your door, "[y/n] the dinner's about ready. Join me at the table when you're free."

"Hai!" You called out immediately in response.

Dinner? You looked outside the window to find the dark night sky and mesmerizing city lights.

It was a strange sensation in your gut that swallowed your previous worries like the horizon swallowed the sun. His voice, it was so sweet and relaxing. And it was the first time somebody had made dinner for you. Having a home cooked meal rather than dining out untimely at some moth-eaten street food restaurant seemed delightful.

A part of you was still unsure of your appearance and did not recommend seeing Kakashi in it. But you had no other choice. You sighed, holding the doorknob and reluctantly pulled it open.

Kakashi was behind the counter serving whatever dish he had prepared, an inviting aroma wafted in the living room. He was wearing a black shirt and trousers, his tousled hair had completely dried by now and his mask was still there with exception of his forehead protector. The vest was gone and it made his chest look even better.

Busy, he didn't bother to look up at you, for which you were glad, yet secretly disappointed.

You walked towards him casually and inhaled the scent, "Smells delicious.", you chanted.

"Why thank you, [y/n]." He smiled to himself before finally looking up and his gaze met yours and paused. Moments passed in absolute silence and reality crept up your spine. He was staring at you so - intently.

Specks of pink dusted your cheeks as you looked away, "They didn't fit very well. The trousers won't stay so I - um-"

He paid absolutely no heed to your pathetic explanation and kept on staring, apparently zoned out.

HE'S STILL STARING, OKAY CALM DOWN, BREATHE.

"Um? Are you okay?" You flailed your hand in front of his face awkwardly.

It seemed to do the job. He broke out of his trance, slightly flustered, "Hm? Sorry, what was it again?"

"I said, the trousers didn't fit. Do you have any older pair?" You bit your lips nervously.

Kakashi blinked, collecting himself, "Nope. Not at all. No way."