Chapter 5:
Might Be Love?
Kakashi sensei’s last letter made me anxious to see what he would say in his next one. I wonder what it is he’s been thinking about. Must be complicated or long if he couldn’t say it last week. Thoughts like that continued in my head as I walked down to the wooden box.
As I got about three meters away Kotetsu said, “Well, well, right on time.”
I just looked at him with a blank expression and Izumo looked at him with an odd look.
I sat down and rested my back against the front of the box and pulled out my ball as usual.
I could hear Kotetsu and Izumo whispering above me clearly. They were trying to keep their voices quiet, but I’m a cat. My hearing is more enhanced than theirs.
“What?” Kotetsu asked.
“Do it,” Izumo demanded.
“Do what?”
“You know.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Why?”
“Because.”
“Because you’re a stubborn a** who’s afraid to apologize to a genin ranked kunoichi,” Izumo said smugly but still softly.
Kotetsu growled softly but leaned over the desk and looked down at me.
“Oi, I’m-” he began but I cut him off.
“Apology not accepted,” I said bluntly.
Kotetsu slightly growled and sat back in his chair, disappearing from my sight.
“Do it right,” Izumo said.
“I tried, now I’m done,” Kotetsu said stubbornly.
“Come on!” Izumo said smacking on the arm.
“Alright, alright,” Kotetsu grumbled quickly as he rubbed his arm where Izumo hit him.
Once again his face came looking over the desk.
“Look I’m...”
I tossed my ball and it bounced off his face. I could hear Izumo trying not to laugh.
“Don’t bother. I was just joking in the first place,” I said calmly staring at my ball as it slowed to a stop about a meter away.
“Why you-!!” Kotetsu began trying to climb over the desk, probably intent on attacking me. But Izumo grabbed and stopped him before he could. Kotetsu struggled, but Izumo’s grip was too tight.
“Kotetsu! Calm down!” Izumo shouted.
“I’m going to kill that little brat!!” Kotetsu said angrily as he fought Izumo.
As they were fighting the carrier flew down and landed on the desk. I hurriedly untied the message and grabbed the scroll and letter. I turned down the road and ran to turn in the report.
...
Dear Zelda,
June 4
I’m sorry I couldn’t say much in my last letter. It wasn’t really a good spot for me to stop and write. I’m still doing good. There’s been no problem’s on the mission so far, and I’m still getting closer to finishing it.
I told you that I would tell you what I had been thinking about, didn’t I? I’m in the town I mentioned before so I can write a long letter. I’m not sure how much I need to say to get my point across, so that’s good.
Zelda, ...I’ve realized something while on this mission. I’ve lost just about every important person to me. My sensei and my teammates, and now even one of my students. I was afraid of letting anyone in, afraid of being hurt more by loss. Everyone important to me has left me. Everyone...but you.
My eyes widened.
No matter what it was, no matter what the danger or cost, if you could be there for me, you were. On my team’s mission when I needed help, you begged Lady Tsunade to come. When Itachi returned to the village you fought him to avenge and protect me even though you knew that you could very well die, that your curse mark could take over. You didn’t care. When Itachi had me in his Tsukiyomi you weren’t afraid to come and try to save me, although you didn’t know what was going on and I told you not to. When I was in a coma after that battle, you went with Guy to help Jiraiya and Naruto reach Lady Tsunade, even though you can hardly stand him. You fought with the Sanin and Kabuto in order to help Tsunade return faster and be able to heal me. When I was in the hospital, you were by my side every second that you possibly could be. You’ve protected me from everything from jutsu to weapons to even words. Whenever someone starts insulting me you always protect me by saying how great I am.
I don’t think that anyone has ever been with me more then you have. I don’t think I’ve grown closer to anyone since my teammates then you. Not even my students are that close to me. I can see now that you truly care about me, and although I tried to keep my distance... maybe there was something stronger then my will at work. I’m not quite sure what it is yet, maybe fate, destiny, or something beyond that. But whatever it is, I’ve realized that I’m glad to have met you and gotten to know you as well as I have.
I know that this may seem strange but... I think that maybe... I’m starting to fall for you.
I gasped as my eyes began watering.
Whenever I want to sleep in or take a break and read my book I picture you and the way you looked the day before I left. With the wind making your hair wave along with it and the cherry blossoms dancing around us. Once I picture that I know I have to keep going and get home as fast as possible.
This may be my best and hardest mission yet. Not only did I realize a lot, but I’m spending more time away then I ever would’ve liked if I had known this before.
Thank you for all you’ve done for me, Zelda. Thank you so much. Wait for me and I’ll be back as soon as possible, I promise.

With love,
Kakashi Hatake
P.S. Please write back and tell me what’s on your mind.
I began crying “happy tears” for the first time in my life.

Chapter 6:
Love Returned

I jumped up and began running toward my house to get paper to write back. I ran as fast as I possibly could.
“If he’s saying what I think he is, then I’ve got to reply ASAP,” I thought.
I finally got to my house and opened the door and sprinted in. I kicked off my shoes quickly and skidded on the kitchen floor as I turned to go up the stairs. I began climbing the stairs hurriedly while Jemima watched looking confused and said,
“Woah, where’s the fire?”
She walked to the bottom of the stairs just as I reached my room.
“What’s going on?” she asked curiously.
“Talk later, Kakashi now,” I said out of breath and went in my room.
“But I thought he was on a mission,” Jem said quietly to herself.
I scrambled through my desk drawers to find paper and a pen. I began writing the heading while standing then pulled out the chair. I sat and continued writing.
Dear Kakashi sensei,
June 4
I’m so glad to hear that everything is going alright. It’s great to actually be able to write back this time.
Are you sure I’m that important? I mean, what about your students? I’m sure they’ve done things like that for you too, right?
I think now is the perfect time for me to tell you something that I haven’t said because I was afraid. I... I’ve had a crush on you since the day we first met, Kakashi sensei. When we bumped into each other outside my house. Ever since then I’ve done my best to hide it from you. But now that you’ve confessed something, I’ve decided to do the same.
I’m very glad that I met you too. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without you, Kakashi sensei. You are one of my biggest role models. I’ve learned so much from you and am so thankful that we’ve gotten to know each other the way we have.
A-are you sure that you’re falling for me? Um, I mean, it could be something else r-right? Um, I’m having a hard time thinking of what to say. But I think I get what you’re saying for the most part.
Do you like me the way I like you, sensei?

Magically Yours,
Zelda Mistoffelees
“I don’t want to just assume anything so I’ll ask first. If he says he’s sure then...,” I began thinking then blushed and laughed quietly to myself.
I grabbed an envelope and folded the letter and put it inside. I sealed the envelope and ran back downstairs. I rushed out so quickly I almost forgot to put on my shoes again.
I dashed to the box and slammed my hands on the desk.
“I need a carrier!” I said sounding out of breath.
“Why?” Kotetsu asked.
“Because I need to send something!”
“To who?” he asked being nosey apparently.
“Carrier now Kotetsu!!” I shouted.
“Alright, alright,” he said and pulled out a kunai.
He cut his finger a little then summoned a small bird. I handed the slip of paper to him with the letter sealed inside it. Then he began tying it around the birds leg. As he did he asked,
“Who’s it going to?”
I sighed knowing I’d have to tell him for him to send it.
“Kakashi sensei.”
“Him? For some reason I’m not surprised,” Kotetsu shrugged.
“Kotetsu,” Izumo said in a sing-songy voice softly.
The carrier bird flew off as he said, “I’m trying.”
“How long does it take for them to get to someone?” I asked.
“It varies,” Izumo said.
“Obviously it depends on the distance, baka,” Kotetsu said.
I growled quietly. “An average please?”
“He’ll probably respond by tomorrow. If he does earlier I’ll bring it to you personally,” Izumo said.
“Thanks Izumo,” I said smiling as Kotetsu said under his breath, “Kiss up.”