I don't normally write Naruto fanfics nor about Kakashi, but this idea kept me up at night. So here we are.

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A gust of wind swept through and disturbed the trees above. A leaf drifted down to nestle into a blond boy's hair. He reached for it and twirled it around a few times. 

Naruto, along with Kakashi and Sasuke, had tuned out Sakura's bland rambling long ago. That was until the topic changed to their beloved friend and teacher, Y/n.

"Y/n-sensei is so weird. They forgot about their own birthday. Who forgets that?" Sakura grumbled and ripped some grass from the soil.

"Y/n-sensei forgets a lot of things, Sakura. They don't plan ahead." Naruto said before blowing the leaf off of his hand and watched it glide away.

"Like you can talk." Sasuke muttered from where he lay beside Kakashi's feet.

"Hey! That's not what I meant... It's almost like the future doesn't exist for them." He yelled then turned away, mumbling the rest.

Kakashi who had already given up on finishing a chapter grew a bit uncomfortable and adjusted his mask.

"I hate admitting it, but you're right. They don't even plan meals. I hope they ate today. I should stop by and make sure." Sakura said growing worried. 

"If you can." Sasuke said brushing a fallen leaf off of his face.

"Huh?" Naruto and Sakura questioned simultaneously.

Kakashi looked down at Sasuke. He'd grown increasingly concerned as his students conversation went on. 

He told himself that he was just overthinking. Y/n was fine, just careless. It wasn't going to happen to him again.

"They haven't been in around lately." Sasuke finally sat up.

"You sure? I know they normally visit the flower shop everyday, but maybe they've just been at home tending to their flower garden. You know how much Y/n-sensei loves flowers." She said trying to lighten things up a bit.

"I'm sure. No one was there to distract Ino when I walked by this week and they weren't home when I checked this morning."

"That's weird." Naruto thought aloud.

He couldn't just stand there and listen any longer.

"Where are you going Kakashi sensei?" Sakura got up carefully trying not get a foot caught in the checkered blanket she was sitting on.

"I forgot to do something important." 

Once out of sight he took off running.

---

He knocked on their door hoping they were back from a  potential morning excursion or had simply slept in and hadn't heard Sasuke earlier.

Silence.

Thankfully, He knew where Y/n kept their spare key.

---

He  had checked every room, except the bedroom.

Floorboards creaked with every step closer and the dread built up inside.

Being in their house alone, lights off, and no life in sight was surprisingly terrifying.

His hand hesitated to turn the handle.

He prepared himself for the worst.

Empty.

He left out a sigh of relief, but if not there then where were they.

The flower shop.

Their favorite restaurant.

Up town.

Down town.

He kept calm with everyone he asked, but inside he was panicked.

Eventually he followed a path that led to the edge of the village and saw an old park.  A familiar figure sat on the swing staring up the warm hues of clouds that drifted in the sky above. 

Kakashi froze for a moment before  he stepped forward and called them.

They hopped off and walked to meet him. A cold gust of wind brought a horrible chill down both their spines.

"Hey, Kakashi-" They were interrupted by him pulling them into a tight embrace.

"You alright?" They said concerned something terrible had happened.

"I'm glad you're ok." He whispered.

"Wha-Why wouldn't I be?" They asked returning the unexpected hug.

"No one had seen you in a week and you weren't home or anywhere in the village."

"Wait. You looked all over the village?"

"It doesn't matter...I found you." He mumbled burying his face into their neck.

"Thank you. I was sick for a few days. It took two days to recover, and I just really wanted to walk out here since I haven't been to this old park in awhile."  The held him closer. "I'm sorry I worried you." Y/n nuzzled into him.

They stayed that way until the stars twinkled longingly above them with their wishes of an eternal night.

Once separated, an ache to return clawed from within.

"C'mon. Let's head to my place. I'll make something for you to eat." They offered holding out their hand.

"You forgot to eat again, didn't you?"

A growl escaped their stomach on que.

"Thought so." He laughed and grabbed Y/n's waiting hand.

Two forms traveled down the path hand in hand and lit by the light of the moon.


I softened this oneshot quite a bit. It was originally a lot darker and less vague of Kakashi's worries, but I decided it was a bit triggering and I liked this version better.