A/N:Yo, how's it going! I've been absent for a long time, if you haven't already noticed. I am currently on winter break and I only have one more week before we have to return to school. And this week I actually have to start doing all my homework (secretly crying). Anyways, I hope you all have a happy holidays and also Happy Early New Year! Stay safe! Thanks for staying with me and I appreciate all of your feedback, favorites, and follows!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, it belongs to Masashi Kishimoto

Linger

Chapter Three: Lingered

Kakashi released a tuckered out sigh as he sat cross-legged on the examination bed. He was irritated, not so much by the distinct medicinal odor of the hospital, but more so by the fact that he actually showed up for his physical.

He wasn't quite sure of what motivated or persuaded him to come. Hospitals were one of the most dreaded places he had on his list and when he had the ability to, he'd avoid them as often as he could. Yet here he was, awaiting for his turn, sitting hunched over on the examination bed in a rather quaint room enclosed by blank white walls. It was extremely distasteful. It did not suit him at all.

And then his irritation grew.

It was inevitable that he would be examined by Sakura. It wasn't a mere possibility; it was bound to happen. She would be chosen to look after him because they had history. Because she was previously his student and that they had worked together for an incessant six years afterward. Because they weren't only acquainted, but they were friends. Because she trusted him and he trusted her in return. They shared their ups and downs, both meaningless and significant. They knew each other from the inside-out. It was inevitable that Sakura would walk through the door in a matter of minutes.

Kakashi liked Sakura, but hated her at the same time. She was a kind and caring young woman who had adopted a similar passion of protecting those who she cared about. But he hated the fact that this bright personality was one of the little things that had sent a warm feeling down to his gut. The way she batted her lashes as she giggled softly at a silly incident had made him shudder, and the way she moved as she fought had him captivated at every swing and sway. Sakura was a beautiful person as a whole, but he hated her because she was the one that made his throat go dry and his eyes dilate. He hated her because she was very capable of making him fall in love all over again.

He wish he had the choice to leave it all behind, but he didn't. The past was still there and the remnants of his feelings still lingered. He figured that eventually, she would be the one to put those pieces back together. Then when the time came, what was he supposed to do? Hurt her again? Abandon her without an explanation? Break himself in the process?

He wasn't going to allow it to happen. Not again.

Falling in love with her was a mistake. Touching her, kissing her, loving her — it was all a mistake.

She was a luminous light that warmed the hearts of others. His awkwardness, uncertainty, and darkness would only dampen her glow. She deserved better.

Why had he even dreamed of having a relationship with her? He was such a fool.

And so Kakashi sat sullenly and still, the irritation gradually increasing behind the dull colors of his eyes. He waited impatiently until finally the door swung open, its rusty hinges creating a faint creaking echo. He was met with a lightly pigmented face that held strong blue eyes. The irritation did not leave him, but shock swept in and overwhelmed it. His composure on the outside, however, remained unchanged.

"I see you haven't changed out of your uniform, Kakashi." She eyeballed him up and down, her lips pressed together. "You don't intend to have a full physical, isn't that right?"

Kakashi nodded and raised his chin a little. "Not today, Tsunade-sama."

"That's what you always say," Tsunade snorted. She pulled out a stool and sat in front of him. "Well, it can't be helped. Remove your shirt so we can get this over with."

"Hai, hai…" He discarded his flak vest and dark sweater, not bothering to equip himself with a spare mask. The bottom half of his face felt cold as the air attacked his now bare skin.

"Sit straight. Breathe in slowly, and then exhale."

The stethoscope felt like ice against his chest and he stiffened.

"Again," she commanded. "You know, I don't know why you decide to hide that face of yours. You can really get yourself a handful of pretty ladies with those looks."

He rolled his eyes at her comment. "Eh."

"You don't really have a real reason to hide it."

"Maybe not, but I've worn it since I was a kid. I can't just get rid of it now."

Tsunade rose a brow. "I really don't understand you, Kakashi."

No one did.

Kakashi inhaled as he adjusted his position, moving so that his back would be facing her. Although he rarely went to the hospital, he was aware of their routine and had learned what comes before and what comes after.

He resumed to breathe in and out as Tsunade pressed the stethoscope against his back.

"I've noticed that you've gotten some new scars," she said with concern.

"I was given a mission and some accidents happened. Nothing too major."

There was a pause. "And how well did they take care of you?"

Kakashi looked over his shoulder. "Well I'm alive now, aren't I?"

Tsunade chuckled and smirked. Her hands dropped to her lap and he returned to his original position before she could even tell him she was finished. She reached to grab her clipboard from the counter and clicked her pen.

"I'm gonna assume you're taking good care of yourself down there." Her gaze darted up. "Unless you have any pains or unusual—"

"I'm fine, Tsunade-sama," Kakashi cut her off, like a child unwilling to hear a lecture from their parent.

"Okay. Well are you hurting anywhere?"

"No."

"Have you been having any headaches lately? Anything extreme?"

"Nothing too severe, no."

"Can you see fine? Has your vision been failing?"

"No."

"Difficulty with hearing?"

"My hearing is fine. I'm not old yet."

Tsunade proceeded to ask him a few more questions before wrapping up the examination. "Well, congratulations Kakashi Hatake. You're a healthy man. Just don't go and push it too hard."

"Of course, Tsunade-sama," he answered quietly.

She rose to her feet to go and arrange her papers on the counter. Meanwhile, Kakashi slipped back into his sweater and flak vest and pulled his mask up to the bridge of his nose. He stared at the back of her blonde head, contemplating on whether to question Sakura's absence. He opened his mouth, but he didn't have to ask.

The Fifth Hokage spun around with all of her papers and folders in her arms and looked at him. "You know, I was going to have Sakura check up on you."

"Oh?" He wasn't surprised.

"Yes, but she asked for an early leave." She huffed and turned to face the door. "She claimed that she wasn't feeling too well, but the girl seemed perfectly healthy earlier."

He almost laughed. Sakura knew him well enough to know that he would almost never show up for an examination, yet she still asked for an early leave. She was a clever one, indeed.

Tsunade took one step forward. "She might still be here. It wasn't too long ago when she asked. You may be able to catch her and say hello if you're fast enough."

Kakashi stood up as well and shrugged. "I'll consider."

"Anyways, I gotta run. Kakashi, I expect you to be back on duty by next Monday. And no more excuses. Naruto needs more hands at the tower."

"Hai, Tsunade-sama. Have a good day," he bid his farewell, bowing his head slightly. Tsunade quickly left the room as she entered it, leaving him all alone once again.

He waited for a couple of minutes before taking one last look around the room and exiting. The odor of disinfectants was stronger in the hallways and he felt his head begin to throb. He should have complained to Tsunade about it.

Kakashi was only on the first floor, so he easily could make a swift exit. As he began walking, however, he found that his steps were more lackadaisical and sluggish. He was taking his time, but he chose not to mind it. He was convinced that it was simply due to his exhaustion. Perhaps he should stop staying up so late and actually get some sleep.

Grumbling, he momentarily closed his eyes and raked his silver hair back, but in that moment he ran into a petite figure, smaller than him, and he was forced to reopen his eyes. In front of him stood Sakura, a white lab coat hanging from her arms. She looked up at him with big emerald eyes and a startled expression. He could only blink.

"Kakashi-sensei," she started out slowly. "You're here…Does that mean you actually got your examination?"

"Well I can't avoid it all the time. Otherwise, how am I supposed to know whether something's wrong with me?" he tried joking.

Sakura smiled, but both him and her knew that it was forced. "That's good."

He took a step back. "I heard from Tsunade that you're not feeling too well."

She seemed surprised and tried to hide her shock. "Y-Yeah. I was just feeling a little lightheaded. Nothing too bad."

"Take it easy then."

"Yeah…sure thing."

They lapsed into a short period of silence.

Sakura chewed on her bottom lip and continued, "W-Well, I better get going! I forgot something in my office so I need to go and get that."

"Oh," said Kakashi. "Of course. Sorry for the hold up."

"It's not a problem," she reassured. She began to walk past him. A sweet, fruity scent suddenly intoxicated his lungs. "I'll catch you later, sensei!"

When he turned to look over his shoulder, she was gone.

Kakashi sighed and lifted his head to stare at the ceiling. The irritation was still there, but there was also disappointment.

A/N:Ha, I felt like I referenced three of my stories there in the beginning. Sorry the update was kinda short, but there's more next chapter!

Thank you for reading!

Reviews Are Appreciated!