Winter

Winter described Kakashi so perfectly that it was freaky to think about it. The calmness and cool air of a fresh morning was like Kakashi’s laidback manner and the fierce storms were like the raging emotions that he battled daily, both emotionally and physically.

But it was the little things that created him in season form. The blankness of the snow was like his mask, the one that made everyone think that he was ok, that he was fine. It was a cover for the darkness that laid underneath. The sharp, glittering icicles were like his attack style. Something to be admired, yet feared for its damage.

And the dead, snow laden trees – what’s a better way to describe the weight that he bore and will bear the rest of his life?

They were all dead.

Obito had died to save Rin and him, giving him his precious Sharingan eye as well. Two year later, Rin had died on a mission, her body never found and Arashi…

Kakashi sighed, his shoulders sagging, his back slumping over as his gaze slid over the memorial stone.

They were good – hearted people, the ones that loved to help and laugh. Those kinds were rare. There were too many cold - hearted bastards in the world. Why couldn’t they die instead of the rare ones?

Why would anyone lie to each other? But they do.

It just…happened. Like it was meant to be.

Sitting on the snow as he pulled out a rice ball, Kakashi dimly remember Obito smacking him with a snowball in their younger days and Rin had later tended to the nasty swelling the snow covered ice-ball had made on his cheek. Arashi was laughing uproariously, good – naturedly joining in on the fun.

Those were the good times. The times they shared in all the seasons, summer most of all.

But when it came to winter, Kakashi felt a tearing sensation in his heart. It was painful, remembering them and the happy times they shared and made together. But winter smothered over the pain, freezing it until spring melted it and made the wound raw again. Until then, it was bearable.

A lone snowflake.

It was always like that.

There were four. Then they dwindled down to one.

Sighing again, Kakashi slowly got up and brushed the falling snow off his clothes. Walking leisurely away from the monument, he was too absorbed in his thoughts to notice a snow covered ice – ball head his way.

SMACK

Turning and ignoring the throb of pain, he noticed Sakura running towards him, her hands already glowing with a healing jutsu. Naruto was grinning sheepishly, and Sasuke was standing there, observing the soon to be chaos.

Just like before.

Grinning suddenly, Kakashi scooped a huge chunk of snow and aimed it towards Naruto’s chest, knocking him against Sasuke. They toppled onto the snow like dominos and Sakura froze.

Kakashi chuckled.

Three snowflakes drifted down to meet the one.

There were four again.

And they would be even when spring came and melted the rest of snow, ebbing the numbing put on Kakashi’s wound. But he needn’t worry; he had a better balm to put on it.

Team 7.