Chapter Text
The seasons had changed since their first meeting. Now, a few months into their training partnership, Kakashi and Shanari had grown more comfortable around each other. The days were busy—missions, practice, and the constant grind of becoming stronger. Yet, beneath Kakashi's relaxed exterior, doubts about his future and what sort of ninja he wanted to be still lingered.
They often met in the quiet hours after training, away from the noise of Konoha's bustling streets. Today, they sat atop a hill on the outskirts of the village, watching the sunset paint the sky in streaks of orange and pink.
Kakashi absently twirled a kunai between his fingers, eyes unfocused. "You know," he started, breaking the comfortable silence, "I don't really care much about Hokage or titles. It's not what drives me."
Shanari, sitting cross-legged beside him, turned her gaze toward him. Her grey eyes, calm yet probing, sparkled with curiosity. "So what do you want, then?"
He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, a faint smirk under his mask. "Honestly? I just want to get stronger. I want to be someone who can protect people—not for fame or power, but because I'd hate to see anyone suffer the way I have."
She nodded slowly, understanding reflected in her gaze. "That's what I want, too. Not fame, not titles. Just to protect my loved ones—those I care about."
Her words lingered between them, a shared truth they'd both come to understand. Kakashi looked away, eyes clouded with doubts he hadn't yet fully voiced.
"I've seen what leadership does to people," he continued, voice quieter now. "When you're Hokage, everyone expects you to be perfect—so much responsibility. Sometimes I wonder if I've got that in me. I just... don't feel like I need that kind of title to be strong."
Shanari reached out, her hand briefly brushing his sleeve. "You're already strong in your own way. You don't have to prove anything to anyone. What matters is what you want—to be the person you can look in the mirror and say you're proud of."
Kakashi looked at her, expression unreadable behind his mask. "Maybe I don't want the fame. Maybe I just want to keep training. Keep becoming better so I can protect the people I care about. But... sometimes I feel like I'm running in circles—like I'm wasting time."
She smiled gently, the warmth of her gaze steady. "You're not wasting time. Every step you take gets you closer. And I'll be right here, helping you along the way."
Their eyes met—silent promises passing back and forth. In that moment, amid the fading light and the hush of the approaching evening, they found a connection deeper than words—a bond forged through shared struggles and unspoken understanding.
Kakashi finally broke the silence, smirking beneath his mask. "You know, I don't actually care about becoming Hokage. It's just... a matter of duty sometimes, I guess. But if I had my way, I'd just keep training with people like you. That's what makes me feel alive."
Shanari's smile widened. "Then I'll make sure you keep going. We'll both find our way—no matter what others expect of us."
The wind stirred gently, carrying away their doubts and fears. Together, they sat quietly, watching the stars begin to shimmer in the darkening sky. Neither of them knew exactly how the future would unfold, but in that peaceful moment—away from titles, expectations, and burdens—they understood that their journey wasn't about becoming legends. It was about facing their battles, together.
And that was enough.